2.26.18- Fourth Estate by Student Media George Mason University

FOURTH ESTATE Feb. 26, 2018 Volume 5 Issue 16

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

THE SEARCH FOR ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

page

Students scramble for rooms as many lose housing guarantee

NEWS

LIFESTYLE The Year of DogCelebrating Chinese and Lunar New Year

Mason Ski and Snowboard Club pushes to get to Nationals

page 9

NEWS

OPINIONS Mason CRU member Emma Beitzel talks community and the CRU message

page 4

Why on-campus furniture comes from prison labor

page 12

page 5

FOURTH ESTATE

2.26.2018

We are always recruiting volunteers for: - NEWS WRITERS - LIFESTYLE WRITERS - SPORTS WRITERS - COPY EDITORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS

For all inquiries, please email a resume and two clips (or visual samples) to: masonfourthestate@gmail.com AND apply online at http://c2ms.info/osmapply

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik Co-Editors-in-Chief

Katya Beisel Copy Chief

Michael Eberhart News Editor

Alex Shedd News Assistant Editor

Dinanda Pramesti Lifestyle Editor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik

Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman

There comes a point in the semester where life starts to feel unmanageable. The classes are going at full momentum, the routine is becoming too cyclical and the coffee is depleting the bank account. It’s been one month and spring break feels just out of reach. From one student to another, it’s going to be okay. Here are some of my coping tips: 1. Study in a group. There’s a comfort to studying in a setting with others around,as long as you are actually studying. 2. Drink a sip of water after every sip of coffee. Hydration is key. 3. For at least one hour each day, spend some time talking to a friend or family member without thinking about the work you need to do. 4. On particularly bad days, write down all the blessings in your life.

News Editor Michael Eberhart

Lifestyle Asst. Editor Basma Humadi

News Asst. Editor Alex Shedd

Opinions Editor Jamie Beliveau

Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti

Copy Chief Katya Beisel

Photo Editor Allie Thompson

George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950

Online Editor Catherine McKay

Jamie Beliveau Opinions Editor

Catherine McKay Online Editor

Billy Ferguson Art Director

Allie Thompson Photo Editor

Emmett Smith Distribution Manager

Kathryn Mangus Director

David Carroll

5. Every time it’s 60-70 degrees in the winter, don’t forget to thank climate change, and relax outside with a copy of Fourth Estate. In these pages, you’ll always learn something new about your community and we are happy to bring these stories to you.

Associate Director

For those of you balancing work and school, we have more advice from working students on page 7. We also have stories of students that can inspire you, from Student Senator Madison Essig (page 4) to Mason’s own snowboarding team trying to make it to Nationals (page 4). And every issue, you can learn about a student organization, faculty or alumni and a student via Faces of Mason, page 8.

Business Office Manager

Jason Hartsel Assistant Director

Jessica Smith

Do you have your own advice to share? Send it my way for a chance to be published. I can’t wait to hear from you! Fareeha Rehman

Art Director Billy Ferguson

Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor

Co-Editor-in-Chief

COVER PHOTO CREDITS

____________________________________________________________

Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson

CORRECTIONS: Issue 2-19-2018

Lifestyle Year of the dog Fourth Estate/Cat Tong

THE DEBATE ON GUN CONTROL, page 12: There was an incorrect claim that the Sandy Hook shooter purchased the firearms he used himself. The firearms he used were stolen from his mother.

Fourth Estate is printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community. The editors of Fourth Estate have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the Editor-in-Chief should be notified at the email provided. Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.

News Snowboard and ski club Fourth Estate/Allie Thompson Opinions Cru logo Photo courtesy of George Mason University Cru News Prison Fourth Estate/Allie Thompson

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

NEWS

2.26.2018

THE SEARCH FOR ON-CAMPUS HOUSING Students scramble for rooms as many lose housing guarantee LAUREN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER

The search is on. Mason students are scrambling for off-campus housing following an email saying all seniors are waitlisted for on-campus housing. On Friday, Feb. 9, all students with more than 62 Mason credits that applied and paid the $300 deposit for Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 housing received an email stating they were waitlisted and not guaranteed housing. The email comes one year after Mason began requiring all freshmen to live on campus and months before they plan to tear down Student Apartments. “We were in growth mode for over a decade, but over the last three years we have had to reduce beds, largely due to taking down Student Apartments,” said interim Chief Housing Officer Jana Hurley, “We waitlisted people based on credits earned and those within commutable distance of the university, which we understand is debatable.” According to Hurley, there are 311 fewer beds on-campus this year, but they have reduced this number to 100 through making forced double and triple rooms in buildings such as Northern Neck and Hampton Roads. Students are panicking to search for alternative housing solutions and stressing about the implications of this decision on the rest of their time at Mason.

FOURTH ESTATE/ GRANT SMITH

Many students that are heavily involved on campus are worried about how their involvement will be affected. Ashley Palmer, a junior out-of-state student from Hawaii, is involved in three organizations on campus: Mason Messengers, and two honor societies. “If I live off campus I won’t be as connected to people as I am now,” Palmer said. “My entire housing group is now split up, and they’re such a big part of my college experience. I’m afraid this will make it harder for me to continue to be immersed at Mason for my final year here.” Another out-of-state student, junior Nicole Brady, only has ten more credits until she can graduate. But not having housing makes her question if she can finish her degree. “Not only has this housing situation

negativity impacted where I will be living, but it’s also called into question whether or not I will be able to finish my degree,” Brady said. “It has me scared, because instead of applying to jobs and internships I’m being forced to look for housing or figure out how to finish my degree this summer.” Many students now have the added stress of looking for off-campus housing like Brady, but junior Abbey Hummel is currently studying abroad in Oxford and cannot look for off-campus housing. “Being abroad makes it harder because I feel like I can’t do anything about it,” Hummel said. “The only way I can correspond with anyone for housing is through email. I can’t go talk to anyone in person. And the five-hour time difference makes it really difficult.” Not only does the time difference make securing housing difficult, but Hummel says she is unsure how she will afford to pay monthly rent, something many other waitlisted students are also stressing about. “I would definitely have to get a job, which is something I previously haven’t had during school yet,” she said. “Then I’d have to deal with balancing work, school and my on-campus organizations.” Junior Josh Biedrycki is stressing about the financial burden of off-campus housing as well, along with how he will be a commuter without a car. “I have no idea what living in Fairfax is like and I don’t own a car. I am now in a bad spot with getting money to buy a vehicle along with paying for gas to go back and forth,” Biedrycki said. “Hopefully I can make the best out of this, but it was a big oversight in the Housing department.” With Mason currently overselling the amount of parking spaces by 6,200, waitlisting over 700 seniors will increase the number of commuters and decrease the amount of parking spaces available even more. Not only is the waitlist situation affecting rising seniors, it’s affecting underclassmen whose housing groups are being split up.

NEWS

2.26.2018

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

MASON SKI AND SNOWBOARD CLUB RACES FOR NATIONALS The student-run athletic club is crowdsourcing funding to compete at Lake Placid SABRINA ACERRA STAFF WRITER

FOURTH ESTATE/IBRAHIM AHMAD

One of Mason’s newest and most littleknown teams is headed to Nationals. Again. The George Mason Ski and Snowboard Club was founded by students three years ago, and for each of the past three years, the team has successfully made it to Nationals.

MADISON ESSIG FIGHTS FOR MASON LIFE IN STUDENT SENATE

Formerly a Student Senate representative for the program, Essig is now a full senator ALEXANDER SHEDD NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR

Mason LIFE, or Learning Into Future Environments, provides support to “students with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” and provides apprenticeships to Mason students, according to their official website. Essig, born with Down’s Syndrome, fought for a bill in Student Government last Fall that would allow Mason LIFE students to run for office. Previously, Mason LIFE students ineligible to run for and hold office under the Student Government constitution. After the passage of the legislation, known as Madison’s Bill, she has been inducted as a full student senator for a partial term. Since becoming a student senator, Essig’s outlook on Student Government has changed significantly. “I’ve been seeing how much Student Government cares,” she said. “I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘you’re doing some amazing stuff.’ Everyone has been very supportive.” As for her goals in Student Government, Essig stated that while she now represents the student body, her main focus is still advocating for Mason LIFE. She wants students to know that “people with disabilities

are here to get the same education as everyone else.” Essig is also currently working on an initiative she believes to be important not just to Mason LIFE students, but to the whole student body. She believes that Mason’s system for inclusive housing leaves much to be desired. Essig wants to fight for on-campus housing that “services the whole community.”

“We started that year with only eight people on the team,” said Friedersdorf. “The first year, not a single one of us had competed in any form of snowboarding or skiing competition and we did surprisingly well for not having done it before.” The club has seen significant growth since its founding. Each year, they

“Mason snowboarding team is comprised of perhaps the most relaxed and good natured people I have ever met,” said sophomore member Melanya Ginzburg, a rehabilitation science major. “Everyone is always willing to help each other. Each member brings in their own personality and traditions.” In the 2017 events, the club’s male snowboarders placed eleventh out of 22 schools, and their female snowboarders placed seventh out of 24 schools. Friedersdorf said that the club was “very happy with these results and extremely excited for the upcoming Nationals this year.” The 2018 events will be held at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York, the same site as the 1980 Winter Olympics.

The team doesn’t have any nearby slopes to practice on, so the club has to travel to sites like Whitetail Ski Resort in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. The majority of the team’s practices take place during competitions by getting there early or staying late. The Ski and Snowboarding Club is always looking for new members, but also donations. Mason Recreation helps the team out by paying for hotels and refunding competition ski passes, but they are still an underfunded organization. They are currently in a crowdsourcing campaign on GoFundMe to raise money to compete in Nationals. “To be on the snowboarding team is to find a family you didn’t you know you were missing,” said Ginzburg. “I didn’t know that I could fit in so well with a group of people. I have been on the slopes since I was two, but I always went with my family. So in college, when I don’t have that opportunity, I still have another family to go with.”

As Essig explained, while there are inclusive dormitories for Mason LIFE students, they are often in generic rooms mixed with students from the general Mason population. She explained that, while this does make for an inclusive community, it can lead to problems in effective care for disabled students and their individual needs. “There are just bad options,” she said. “Right now, there’s not a whole support system in place.” Essig hopes to help the Mason LIFE program advertise more effectively and believes that doing so will raise awareness of problems faced by disabled students on campus. Essig will continue advocating for Mason LIFE in Student Senate throughout the semester, and hopes to run for reelection in March to serve a full term next year.

FOUTRTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

Madison Essig, formerly the Student Government representative for Mason LIFE, is now a full-fledged member of Student Senate.

“The club was originally founded by Jackson Robic and myself,” said senior John Friedersdorf, an electrical engineering major. Although they started the registration process late, the club was able to participate for the 2015-2016 school year with the help of Doug Grayson, their southeast coordinator.

increased the number of teammates and number of members that went on to Nationals. The team this year will consist of eight to ten members, varying from week to week depending on the final schedule and availability.

NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

2.26.2018

PRODUCTS OF PRISON LABOR ON CAMPUS FOUTRTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

How furniture and supplies made by prisoners end up in Mason classrooms ERIK TRUONG STAFF WRITER

Sociology professors Earl Smith and Angela Hattery acknowledged the issue of prison labor, but saw it as merely one piece of the puzzle. Smith views the prison-made furniture as one piece of an exploitative system that relies on the labor of incarcerated men and women. “This goes way beyond a desk,” Smith said. “It goes way beyond a bed.” The two professors jointly published a book on the subject in 2017. Titled “Policing Black Bodies: How Black Lives are Surveilled and How to Work for Change,” the text discusses the broader aspects and implications of the American prison system. Smith hopes students will understand the wider implications of the incarceration system in Virginia.

FOUTRTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

“The state is involved in the

The General Assembly created VCE nearly eighty years ago to act as a work program for prisoners. Inmates produce goods and services “for sale to state agencies and other entities within government that are supported in part or whole by funds of the Commonwealth.” In other words, rule § 53.1-47 of the Code of Virginia requires all universities that receive state funding to purchase their equipment from VCE. VCE supplies a full range of goods. Aside from university essentials like desks, chairs and beds, the program also outputs footwear, license plates and prescription eyewear. VCE works with the Prison Industry Enhancement program (PIE), an initiative that brings private businesses into the manufacturing process to use inmate labor. Private businesses in the PIE program can be exempted from specific sections in the tax codes -notably unemployment taxes. Section 26 of the United States Code 3306(c) (21) offers a loophole for businesses using prison labor, stating that services within a penal institution are not considered employment. The federal minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour, which also applies to inmates with prison jobs through PIE.

However, inmates are also required to pay back “contributions to room and board, family support, victim compensation and taxes” according to the PIE certification website. Inmates’ wages often end up with less than a dollar per hour of work after those fees are paid. The Prison Policy Initiative, a criminal justice-oriented think tank, found that the average wage of a non-prisoner U.S. worker making office furniture was $13.04 per hour. The average wage of a prisoner was 93 cents per hour. Hattery explained that, even though the furniture is being produced with drastically lower labor costs than other suppliers, Mason continues to pay full retail price for the furniture.

FOUTRTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

However, Mason is not alone in its use of supplies made by prisoners. Virginia Correctional Enterprises (VCE) has monopolized providing job opportunities to inmates. The opportunities include manufacturing furniture and supplies for publicly funded universities in the Commonwealth. Mason purchases all of its furniture from the program.

prison-industrial complex in a big way,” he added. “And it’s not a reciprocal relationship.”

“[The system] is beautiful for profit— absolutely beautiful,” Smith said. The regional sales representative for VCE did not respond to requests for comment on this story. “So, who is benefitting?” Smith asked. “The Department of Corrections,” Hattery answered. Both professors assigned responsibility to the prison-industrial complex. Critical Resistance, a resource website focusing on the prison system, describes the prison-industrial complex as “the overlapping interests of government and industrial interests that use surveillance, policing, and improvement as solutions to economic, social and

political problems.” “We have a system based on one word: punishment,” Smith said. “Once you’re incarcerated and you walk through that door, you’ve lost all your rights and privileges.” Prison reform is a subject that has often come up, but never been prioritized in the national conversation. “[Congress] only speaks up when there’s a tragedy,” Smith said, “But just wait two weeks -- [motivation for reform] will all be gone.”

If the U.S. truly desired prison reform, Smith explained, the system would prioritize prisoners’ rehabilitation and reintegration over punishment. Reforms could focus on inmates learning more skilled trades, finishing their education and earning a living wage, according to Smith. When asked about any likelihood or desire for reform, he was blunt: “No and no.” “It’s difficult to see hope for reforms,” agreed sophomore Maya Fisher. “Greed is ingrained in our system.”

FOUTRTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

The furniture used at Mason every day, along with supplies in the academic buildings and residence halls, are all the products of prison labor.

NEWS

2.26.2018

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

CPAC DISCUSSES HOT-BUTTON ISSUES The conservative conference talked politics for 2018 and beyond BASMA HUMADI LIFESTYLE ASSISTANT EDITOR

With a Republican president in the White House and a GOP majority in Congress, attendees at the 45th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) had much to celebrate this year.

the Second Amendment, they hate individual freedom,” LaPierre said. “Their goal is to eliminate the Second Amendment and our firearm freedoms, so they can eradicate all individual freedoms.”

Speakers were able to reflect on the past year and discuss steps moving forward in relation to conservative politics. CPAC 2018 focused on a variety of pressing political issues including gun control, free speech on college campuses and free markets.

In light of the shooting in Parkland, Fla. President Trump added on to the topic of gun control in his remarks on Friday. He noted teachers should have the right to arm and protect themselves in schools. “When we declare our schools to be gun-free zones it just puts our students in more danger – well-trained gun-adept teachers and coaches should be able to carry

Every year, CPAC hosts numerous right-wing politicians, commentators and activists. Speakers this year included President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre. One of the first speakers at the conference, LaPierre kicked off Thursday morning with a memorable and fiery speech defending citizens’ gun rights and criticizing the hypocrisy of Democrats. “They hate the NRA, they hate

MASON WEEKLY CRIME LOG

Attendees could also visit different panels, workshops and book signings throughout the duration of the conference. For example, the conference included an “activism boot camp” workshop. Authors like Chris Scalia and Sheriff David Clarke also held book signings. In an interview at CPAC, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx), summarized the difference between the two parties with a reference to the television sitcom, “The Simpsons.” “I think the Democrats are the party of Lisa Simpson,” Cruz said. “And Republicans are happily the party of Homer and Bart and Maggie and Marge.” Cruz went on to note his favorite thing about the 2018 conference: young people.

concealed firearms,” Trump said. “We should do what works. This includes common sense measures that

“CPAC is about liberty,” Cruz said. “I call young people ‘generation freedom,’ because you want to know what resonates to everyone who is at some college that is run by ‘60s hippies who are imposing some draconian speech code? Let me say to all young people - speak the truth. Spread the fire of liberty.”

Monday, Feb. 19, 2018 (Reported) - Feb. 15 (Incident), Founder’s Hall/Au Bon Pain (Arlington Campus), 5:07 p.m. Simple Assault: Complainant (Non-GMU) reported being assaulted by a known subject (Non-GMU).

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 - Multiple Locations, 9:49 a.m. Stalking: Complainant (GMU) reported a Subject (GMU) who is stalking another person (GMU). Case 2018-001734 - Referred to Title IX.

Case: 2018-001605 - Closed. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018 - Jackson Hall, 12:00 a.m.

Photo courtesy of GEORGE MASON POLICE

FOURTH ESTATE/BASMA HUMADI

The event was hosted by American Conservative Union and took place from Feb. 21 to 24, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

will protect the rights of law-abiding Americans while helping to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a danger to themselves and to others.”

Drug/Narcotic Violations: Four Subjects (GMU) were referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for using illegal drugs. Case 2018-001622 - Referred to OSC

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 - Fenwick Library, 7:11 p.m. Disorderly Conduct: Subject (Non-GMU) was issued a criminal trespass warning for acting disorderly in public. Case 2018-001771 - Closed. Friday, Feb. 23, 2018 - Eastern Shore, 12:41 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018 (Reported) - Feb. 17 (Incident), Truman Hall, 1-3:00 a.m. Sexual Assault / Fondling: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving non-consensual sexual contact from a known Subject (GMU). Due to confidentiality of reporting, limited information is available regarding this incident.

Liquor Law Violations / Medical Assist: A Subject (GMU) was transported to Inova Access by emergency medical services for being highly intoxicated, and also referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for possessing alcohol while under age 21. Two other Subjects (GMU) were also referred to OSC for the same offense.

CSA Report #022018 - Information Only.

Case 2018-001779 - Referred to OSC.

LIFESTYLE

“CHEWDANESE” BRINGS PARTS OF SUDAN TO MASON

WORKING STUDENTS GIVE ADVICE

WAFIR SALIH STAFF WRITER

According to a U.S. Census report from 2011, 71 percent of undergrads were working while in college. With such a high number, it is interesting to see how students balance their jobs and school.

GMU’s Sudanese Student Association host their second annual “Chewdanese” event on Tuesday Feb. 20 at the JC Bistro. The event took place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Attendees enjoyed a night filled with food and musical performances. “This was an opportunity to educate people on Sudan’s history, their food, their culture — everything the country has to offer that you don’t normally get to see on TV,” said Aiyha Abdelbagi, the club’s president. “A lot of our events are centered around people who are African or Sudanese,” she said. “But this time we wanted people of other cultures and ethnicities to come as well and I think we definitely achieved that.” The event started with a short video showing the day-to-day life of people in Sudan. The footage was captured by the club’s very own Vice President Alaa Ali. Afterwards, the rest of the executive board introduced themselves to the audience and took time to lay out their agenda for the new year. The club also debuted the new t-shirts for the year. This year’s shirt included a design of a “Raksha,” the

Photo courtesy of SUDANESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

2.26.2018

three-wheeled taxi which is a popular form of transportation in Sudan. Later in the night, the musical performances began. Mason Student and local hip-hop artist known by the name of Chud took to the stage. “Perfor ming at SSA for the Chewdanese event was nice,” he said. “I always enjoy the stage, and any opportunity I get to perform I’m always grateful for.” SSA is currently planning their next major event later on in the spring called Summer Nights. It’ll be taking place sometime in April. But they hope to announce a solid date soon. “Our next big event will be Summer Nights which will basically be an art appreciation event where we’re going to have people perform, show visual art, dance, sing, rap,” President Abdelbagi said. “Basically showcase their art. It’s not limited to Sudanese people either! This is an event where everybody can come showcase their art.” The club is currently accepting submissions at gmussa16@gmail.com. The deadline is March 5.

How do students who juggle school and work stay sane? MIA WISE STAFF WRITER

Mason offers a multitude of jobs to students. There are positions offered in different offices and other places on campus. Junior Stephanie Crespo is currently working two jobs on campus one with event services and the other bartending through Sodexo. “I basically set up for events at Mason, primarily in our event spaces at the Johnson Center, the Hub, and Sub 1. Sometimes we help set up events outside these spaces, such as the North Plaza or Center for the Arts. I basically pick up whatever shifts I like based on my availability, which varies from week to week. As a bartender, I basically just set up the bar, pour and mix drinks for people. Then when it’s time to close, I take down the bar. I work 4-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and if there is an additional event that needs a bartender I will usually work that event depending on my availability,” Crespo said. As a full-time student, working while taking classes can be overwhelming. Having a job on campus has allowed Crespo to control her schedule, which is important to her as she is balancing 17 credits, volunteer work on two research projects, and two jobs.

with,” Blatchford-Rodriguez said. While on-campus employers are sympathetic to student employees’ needs, there are off-campus jobs that allow students to control their work schedules. Seasonal work can also be beneficial to students because they only have to work during busy seasons. “I worked as a cashier at Cox Farms’ Fall Festival and Fields of Fear in Centreville. The hours I worked were totally up to me when I set my availability before the season started. Since the Fall Festival and Fields of Fear events are seasonal and held in the fall, I only worked for a few months, which was about half of the fall semester. I could have gotten another job or worked there longer by selling Christmas trees, but I chose to take some time off and focus on school. I’ll probably work there again next fall, but I’ll definitely work less hours next time,” freshman Julia Craig said. While Crespo, Blatchford-Rodriguez, and Craig have worked different jobs, each of them said that time management is important when balancing school and work. “They should make sure they have enough time to do their school work on top of the hours they’re working. If it doesn’t work out, they should try cutting the amount of hours they are working or taking a lighter load of courses. Unless they have a job where they can

work on assignments while they work, I would highly recommend dividing up their time in the most beneficial way to them,” Crespo said. Craig also stressed that mental and physical health are important when balancing school and work. “My biggest advice would be to make sure you make time to take care of yourself and do things you enjoy! If you’re getting sleep-deprived, your grades are slipping, or you’re otherwise really negatively affected by juggling school and work, you need to cut down on either your course load or your work hours,” Craig said. There are students whose course loads may be too intense to work and that’s okay, not everyone needs or wants to have a job. For those that do and are worried that they won’t be able to handle both, Blatchford-Rodriguez suggests a planner and optimism. “I keep a detailed calendar, and I schedule everything from breaks to study sessions, but it is also important to be fluid and make adjustments as needed. Remember that life is a series of small adjustments, even though things may have to change the end goal can remain the same. The path between now and then is an adventure and one that you should try to enjoy so you don’t stress too much,” BlatchfordRodriguez said.

“It’s pretty easy to schedule shifts around my classes. I never really liked taking late classes, so working at 4 p.m. everyday was not a problem. Working while taking classes teaches you a lot of time management skills and of course, money is very rewarding. I basically have zero free time and it gets in the way with friends sometimes because you barely have anytime to hang out with them. That’s why time management is so important,” Crespo said. Junior Esprit Blatchford-Rodriguez also has a job on campus as a research assistant in nanotechnology and nanomedicine. “Since my position is a ‘student position’ it is understood that my academic career takes priority when it comes to creating my weekly work schedule. I did plan in advance and schedule classes I needed in the most strategic way possible to ensure I had an adequate time allowance to work

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty or alumni, and organizations every week. This week, we take a close look at Mason student Woon Gi, Mason staff Dr. Kristina M. Olson, and Dialogue and Difference. If you know of a Mason student, faculty member, alumnus or alumna, or organization that would like to be featured on FACES OF MASON please submit your request via: https://goo.gl/HZ4SMd INTERVIEWS BY BASMA HUMADI, AHMED FARID, AND STUDENT MEDIA

FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO

and I would like to provide the same welcoming and positive environment for other incoming students. The transition from high school to college can be quite intimidating and challenging, but providing proper assistance and guidance to the new students can come a long way.

From your perspective, how have you noticed audience responses to these forums? What has been the feedback you’ve gotten from them over the years? There’s some that come that really don’t like it. They just want to debate and it’s not really a debate forum - that would be a different type of event. Or they feel that maybe the panelists didn’t represent them as much as they would like. It’s really hard to be totally representational.

As a Mason Ambassador what do you tell future students to get them excited about Mason?

What Organizations are you involved in on Campus? I am currently growing spiritually in a welcoming Christian-based community called Mason Intervarsity. In addition, I also volunteer at the WGMU Radio station as well. I am also trying to become more involved in programming projects that are held within Mason SRCT. What made you want to get involved on campus?

As a commuter student, I understood that joining clubs will allow me to become more involved with campus life. The university includes many clubs and non-profit organizations for the students to get involved in. I also find the high-spirited nature of the students on campus to be quite invigorating. Why did you choose to become a Mason Ambassador?

I would tell them that school has many undergraduate programs that will be able to fit the academic need of each student. In addition, the reputation of the school in the Northern Virginia will allow students to become involved in many internship and employment opportunities in the Washington Metropolitan area. The school also provides plenty of extracurricular activities/ school events that students can get involved in.

I found my summer orientation experience to be truly memorable,

S TA F F : D R . K R I S T I N A M . O L S O N What motivates you to get up in the morning?

Photo courtesy of KRISTINA M. OLSON

O R G A N I Z AT I O N : D I A L O G U E AND DIFFERENCE

The joy of being a college professor is that every day I learn something new or create a new way of thinking, either in my teaching or my writing. Teaching, for me, is a lifelong conversation about things that matter, a conversation where I get to witness students discover a new idea or theoretical framework, and where I get to consider something in a new light – through my students’ eyes. The creation of knowledge and the craft of thoughts in writing or in conversations with others: this is the daily work that few other professions give you the chance to do. Have you ever traveled to another country? Tell us about it. I’m a professor of Italian here, so yes, I’ve lived, worked and traveled through Italy various times, beginning when I was fourteen years old. Experiencing the variety of cultures throughout that

country and others and measuring those experiences against my life in the United States gave me a critical perspective on my sense of self and society that I would not have gotten otherwise. I certainly would not be what I am today without those experiences abroad. What do you enjoy most about George Mason University? I’ve taught at George Mason since 2005. What I enjoy most about being here is my students: either the community of students we have in Italian Studies or the ones I get to meet in the general education classroom. Mason students are inquisitive, dynamic and engaged, and that makes it a pleasure to be their teacher, and especially their advisor, as they make decisions about how to apply their undergraduate studies to the years after college.

Patricia Maulden, Director How did dialogue and difference ﬁrst start? Dialogue and difference was put together, probably starting in 2006 at the behest and provost of Peter Stearns. It started out as an assessment of what was going on in campus and that there was a desire for there to be a program that could bring different perspectives on different issues and have a platform for which to discuss differences. I joined the faculty in 2008 and began with one dialogue a semester. The three dialogues that we have this semester are #MeToo, Corruption, and Perceptions of Truth. Every semester we begin thinking about what the three will be and begin working through that. The idea is it’s not about convincing anyone to change their minds. It is about broadening people’s understanding of the way something can be thought of from different perspectives and different experiential basis. Generally, we have some panelists who bring different perspectives on the general topic of the night and they speak about ten minutes and we have questions and answers from the floor. Then we begin the facilitated table discussion.

If my interns and I are putting on a dialogue we will invite a broad swath of people. But if the framing of the event is such that part of that audience feels they will be a minority they will not want to come - and I wish they would because we need to hear those sources. But they might not be comfortable - so there’s that. That’s an ongoing thing and it has been since the beginning but that’s the way that goes. What would you say you learned from being a part of Dialogue and Difference that you didn’t already know? I knew people were complex but that was a sort of theoretical frame of mind in some ways. We’ve dealt with a lot of topics - and people are hurting, people are being harmed, people are suffering. The depth of feeling and concern for those things that students [and presenters] have has been very very impressive through the years. For me, I find that very hopeful that there are people doing really solid work for equity, for improvement of policy, for expanding rights. And being concerned for those who are on the sharp end of some of those things and feeling the pain of not having access, or limited access, or not being respected, or their dignity has been removed and how they’re struggling with that to hold onto what’s left of their dignity. I find that to be so human and so hopeful. I see that in small ways in the dialogues. As long as we can engage with each other and listen and try to figure out and grapple - there’s hope.

FOURTH ESTATE/BASMA HUMADI

SYUDENT: WOON GI

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TRADITIONS AND NEW BEGINNINGS - CHINESE AND LUNAR NEW YEARS What the new year symbolizes for two different cultures CAT TONG STAFF WRITER

While each country has their own unique way of preparing for and celebrating New Years on given dates each year, Asian countries such as China and Viet Nam depend on the first new moon of the lunar month. Therefore, Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year. You may have heard people refer to this year as the “Year of the Dog” and wonder what that means. The Chinese Zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, in which one of every 12 years is assigned an animal including: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Often at Chinese restaurants, the years and personality traits are listed on placemats as a fun way introduce

the 12 Zodiac signs. Even though these Asian cultures celebrate the same new year, each one of these cultures have different traditions and ways of celebrating. In China, people celebrate New Years to recognize a year of hard work, and to take a break and enjoy a feast together with family. In preparation for the new year, streets will be draped in red, as it symbolizes good fortune and joy. People will often decorate their homes with posters displaying poetic sayings or wishes of luck welcoming the new year. The Chinese tradition stresses the New Years Eve dinner as the most important meal, because it brings together family from all over in a gathering to celebrate the anticipated festivities to come. As for the food, dishes are carefully selected for the meal, each representing an element of luck to ring in the new year. The dinner will include dishes such as noodles (health & longevity), dumplings (wealth), fish (increased prosperity), and for dessert, tangerines and oranges (fullness & wealth) as well as a variety of many other desserts such as “Tangyuan,” sweet

rice balls symbolizing family togetherness. Firecrackers are lit at the end of the dinner to say goodbye to the year, and scare away the “Nian” (nián shòu) beast, a legendary character in Chinese traditional folklore. As an act of passing down good fortune, the older generations pass out “red envelopes” filled with what is known as “lucky money” in exchange for wishes of good health, wealth and prosperity. In Viet Nam, Tet or Lunar New Year is the single most important event of the year. They spend months in preparation, people clean out their homes to let go of the “bad luck” of the previous year and welcome good luck for the new year. The Vietnamese also have a custom of buying new clothes, getting haircuts and stressing the “new”. For decoration, the Vietnamese fill the house with trees and flowers to light up the house to fill it with good energy. A traditional yellow flower called the “mai” is displayed in every home, plates with an assortment of fruit are assembled (oranges, papaya, mangoes, and etc.) mostly to enhance color and liveliness in addition to their symbolic traits. The holiday is typically

FOURTH ESTATE/CAT TONG

The beginning of a new year signifies a new beginning, an end to the old, and a chance for a fresh start. As a part of Western culture, New Years is typically celebrated on the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. Around the world, five other countries also celebrate New Years following their own customs. These include the Jewish New Years, Islamic New Year, Thai New Year, Ethiopian New Year, and as well as Chinese New Year.

a three-day affair, but often celebrated throughout an entire month. Tet represents a holiday for the reunion of families, gifting of special foods to friends and neighbors, and also a chance to pay respects to past generations by welcoming back deceased ancestors to ring in the new year. In day to day life, Vietnamese culture continues to practice the traditions of ancestral worship, due to their belief that much of what they have today is blessed by their ancestors. The Vietnamese also participate in the giving out of red envelopes (“li

xi”) but the most important aspect of New Years in Viet Nam is “Giao thua” which is the night of New Years Eve, in which all are ready to receive the new year and transition out of the old year. Chinese New Years or Lunar New Years hold a lot more meaning that just a celebration of another year going by. To many, it is a strong symbol of hope for a better year. And to others, it is a holiday that represents culture and identity as it cultivates and remembers folklore, legends and morals, teachings from the old to the young, and passing down traditions.

SYBRINA FULTON’S LECTURE GIVES INSIGHT INTO OUR POLITICAL LANDSCAPE FOURTH ESTATE/ANGELIQUE ARINTOK

Fulton discusses the death of her son - Trayvon Martin, gun violence, and mental health ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER

As part of the 2018 Sojourner Truth Lecture, Women and Gender Studies and African and African American Studies came together to invite Sybrina Fulton. Fulton is the mother of Trayvon Martin, who was tragically shot on Feb. 26, 2012. After Martin’s death, Fulton was emboldened in telling her son’s story. Taken at such a young age, it was critical for Fulton to make light of such a dark moment in her family’s life. By continuing to advocate for the youth, Fulton is certain that millennials are the key factor in shifting the political climate and finding the resolution to the most salient political issues of our time. Delivering a raw lecture, Fulton explicitly shared how badly she felt for today’s youth. She began the event by

reflecting on the Parkland shooting, sharing how the incident took place only 20 minutes away from her own Florida home. Unsure of whether the issue lies with mental health, guns, or hatred—she expressed “we cannot continue to hide, or pretend, or be silenced.” Reacting to the divisive rhetoric in the political arena, Fulton brought attention to the important topics necessary for discussion among young individuals. Among the crowd was junior, Taija Miller, who acknowledged the issues Fulton portrayed in stating, “hatred is everywhere, and that’s one of the biggest issues that we face in our communities.” Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott, an associate

professor in the School of Integrative Studies and the director of the African and African American Studies program, facilitated the conversation with Fulton. Manuel-Scott specifically asked Fulton what she believes are the unspoken and taboo topics centered around gun violence. After mentioning the issues surrounding the Parkland shooter, Fulton said “one of the ugly, messy conversations we should be having is about mental health.” Mental health has always been a broad topic of discussion within classrooms, Congress and the media. However, its influence on gun ownership, handling and regulation are facets that Fulton believe need closer attention. Aside from mental health, Fulton also expanded on how race relations and

gun reform are important in both political and day-to-day conversations. “It was beautiful, it was powerful, [and] it was uplifting to hear [Fulton] discuss the issues not only within the black community, but gun violence, and different issues that we face in our society,” said junior Destiny Hamlett. Fulton, and her ex-husband, Tracy Martin, co-authored “Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin,” as an honor to their son. In hopes of sharing their meaningful story

as a family, the new book also aims to shed light on topics such as racism, gun reform and injustice. Fulton’s identity as a resilient black woman sparks much needed conversations and topics in the forefront. She aims to encourage students to reach out to local, non-profit organizations with causes that fight for change. Fulton’s visit to the Mason campus impacted the local community through her simple use of words and dignified awareness toward challenging matters in present-day culture.

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NIC’S FLICKS

Best Picture Nominees NIC MACOTTO STAFF WRITER W/ GUEST CRITIC ALEXANDER SHEDD

Darkest Hour [NM] - A film that grabs our attention and never lets us go. We follow the reign of Winston Churchill during his first month as British Prime Minister. Churchill is played by Gary Oldman, who is a strong contender for Best Actor. Mixing wit and confidence to convey Churchill’s eloquence and strength as a leader, Oldman is coming up strong in the race for the acting category. Although credit must be given to the costume designers, makeup artists and the film’s overall exceptional execution, Oldman is without a doubt the best part of the final product. It reminds us of the values of a nation and how if we fight the good fight, it can work out in the end. [Star Rating: 4/4] Dunkirk [NM] - Director Christopher Nolan may have given us his most complex work so far. However, it’s only hard to comprehend if viewers don’t know the context of the events it depicts. As a survival film paying tribute to early 20th century silent films, it succeeds in all its work behind the camera. It brings us the kind of intensity one could expect from

an Alfred Hitchcock film thanks to Hans Zimmer’s intense score and Christopher Nolan’s precise direction. Silence is key for these soldiers -- there are no words to describe war. [Star Rating: 4/4] Get Out [AS] - Every once in a while, Hollywood produces a movie that defines the future of a genre. “Get Out” is one of those rare movies. Comedian-turned-filmmaker Jordan Peele masterfully blends horror with humor and politics in a way that is neither heavy-handed nor subtle. Daniel Kaluuya does not fail to impress in what has proven to be his breakthrough role, and fits seamlessly into Peele’s simple-but-powerful script. Along with a fantastic supporting cast including Bradley Whitford, Allison Williams and Catherine Keener, “Get Out” will be a milestone in horror for years to come, while also offering valuable social commentary. [Star Rating: 4/4] Lady Bird [NM] - The whole feel of the movie is like a female version of the old myth of Daedelus and Icarus in a modern day setting. It may have one subplot too many, the narrative focus may seem somewhat blurred and it’s quite an oddball as far as movies go, but it makes for good comedy and for good drama. It’s a coming-of-age film that focuses on a mother-daughter dynamic, as all the television spots suggest, but it’s mostly just about a high school senior trying to find her place in this world. Her quest starts with ambition and ends on redemption. With Saoirse Ronan embodying all the values of the titular character, the film absorbs us and takes us for the ride, even if it gets cringe-worthy to sit through. [Star Rating: 3/4] Phantom Thread [NM] - In what may possibly be the last performance in Daniel Day-Lewis’ career, this film presents us with a fascinating character study between its three leads. As it takes its dark turns determined by Jonny Greenwood’s effective score, we learn how the film conveys the issues of power struggles. The perfectionism

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

Call Me By Your Name [AS] “Call Me By Your Name” plays out much like how it’s set -- a dreamlike memory of a summer vacation lazing around a place that seems to be paradise. The film is lighter on the story side, but nicely portrays a mood and an atmosphere of nostalgia and heartbreak. Expert performances from Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg bring director Luca Guadagnino and writer James Ivory’s somewhat flat script to life, and it’s hard not to have beautiful cinematography in a movie set in Northern Italy. Overall, “Call Me By Your Name” does an excellent job of portraying a brief and powerful relationship in a peaceful and moving setting, but does not quite explore its leading characters to the extent necessary to make it a masterpiece. [Star Rating: 3/4]

of Day-Lewis’ character, Reynolds Woodcock, only amplifies the conflict and makes it worse. As an actor, he conveys a wide range of emotions without ever compromising integrity. The premise may seem like it’s all Woodcock’s story, but towards the end, it’s hard to know who wins. [Star Rating: 3.5/4] The Post [NM] - As timeless film today as it will be in generations to come. The issues regarding the press and the government are prevalent now but this film shows us how it was a conflict decades ago and continues to this very day. All the tension and paranoia evident during Nixon’s presidency resemble present-day political climate. Led by a graceful performance from Meryl Streep, this political thriller takes us for a ride and reveals the valiance of these protagonists as the

war on press started to come to public attention. [Star Rating: 3.5/4] The Shape of Water [AS] - Director Guillermo Del Toro is a master of visual artistry. “The Shape of Water” is a beautiful film, with expert production design -- but not the most compelling story. While the cinematography and atmosphere are excellent, the characters are somewhat bland (with the notable exception of Michael Shannon’s terrifying villain), and the plot is a generic Romeo and Juliet romance with Del Toro’s signature touches of magical realism. The script also undercuts itself at times with somewhat jarring out-ofplace sexual overtones and B-plots that go nowhere. The story and characters are altogether unmemorable, but Del Toro paints a pretty picture, and Doug Jones makes a pretty cool fish-man. [Star Rating: 2/4]

KEY 4 = Great; 3 = Good; 2 = Fair; 1 = Poor; 0 = Ooh, let’s not go there

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri [AS] - Three Billboards explores the introspective mind of a grieving mother in the deep south, barely able to comprehend the blindsiding tragedies of life, while searching fruitlessly for the meaning of justice and morality. The characters are deeply flawed without exception, but altogether human. With incredible performances from Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell, this darkly comic tragedy is a tourde-force in the politics of grief. Martin McDonagh’s expert direction perfectly complements the beautiful cinematography and heartfelt story. [Star Rating: 4/4] Watch the 90th Academy Awards on March 4.

OPINIONS

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2018 ATLANTIC 10 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT PREVIEW NATALIE HEAVREN STAFF WRITER

Teams wrapped up their regular season on Saturday, and tournament play begins for seeds 3-14 on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. The game is played at the campus of the higher ranked team. This is the first conference tournament game Mason has hosted since 2006 when they were still apart of the Colonial Athletic Association. The top two seeds earn a bye to the second round. Dayton wrapped up a regular season Atlantic-10 Championship Wednesday night when Duquesne fell to Fordham. The games following the first round will be played in the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond on March 2-4.

In each of the last four seasons the winner of the conference has been one of the top three seeds, and as of Wednesday night, the top three seeds are Dayton, Duquesne, and Fordham. George Mason and George Washington, who won the conference in 2015 and 2016, are right behind them. Dayton is the clear favorite to win the conference, the only game they lost since Christmas was Saturday against Saint Louis. The Flyers are looking to defend their 2017 Atlantic10 Tournament win and return to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five years. Dayton will play the winner of Davidson at Richmond at 11 am on Friday, March 2. Duquesne has lost two of their last five games to Saint Joseph’s and Fordham, both of which were at home. The Dukes will host the winner of Massachusetts at Saint Louis.

Of Fordham’s three conference losses two of which were at Dayton, and while beating a team three times in a season is difficult Fordham’s road to a championship would be much easier if another team could knock off Dayton before Fordham had to play them for a third time. Fordham will take on Rhode Island, a team that won one conference game, on Tuesday night. Mason has lost five conference games, the least since their time in the Colonial Athletic Association. Three losses have

come against to the three teams ranked above them, and the other two were against George Washington. The games to those teams have been close, all having been within ten points, so with a few more plays, this team could be within reach of a championship. The Patriots will host on St. Bonaventure Tuesday.

hands of Dayton (twice), Duquesne, and Fordham. The fifth loss was an overtime loss at home to Saint Louis, one they avenged a couple of weeks later. This is another team that has a tough road ahead, having lost to all of the teams ranked above them, except for Mason. The Colonials host La Salle Tuesday night.

George Washington is ranked below second for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, however, four of their five losses have come at the

One of the best parts of tournament season is that anything can happen, you just have to watch it happen. Photo courtesy of ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

With March just around the corner, it’s time for one of the most exciting times of the year: college basketball tournament play. Mason will be hosting St. Bonaventure in one of the games in the opening round.

OPINIONS

2.26.2018

EMMA BEITZEL CONTRIBUTOR

place I came to was Cru, and that’s where I’ve been since. As a freshman, I started going to Cru’s big meetings on Thursday evenings. It was a little awkward at first, but the upperclassmen accepted me immediately, pulling me in. I felt - and still feel - like they genuinely wanted to get to know me. I also joined one of Cru’s small groups, right off the bat. This was such a great place to meet people in a more intimate setting, talk about things that matter and learn what the Bible says about them. Even then, I had no idea how many opportunities there were for me at Cru. We have fun retreats and events, ministry teams, prayer meetings and contextualized ministries so students can learn

what their faith means in the context of a community they’re already a part of (there are branches of Cru specific to ROTC students, the athletic community, and Latin-American, African-American or Asian-American students). As I got more involved, I realized those friendly upperclassmen weren’t an anomaly. People here want genuine community, and I’ve become a part of it. Community is great, I realized, among people who believe the same thing. It’s so nice to feel at home somewhere. But what if you believe something else, or you don’t know what you believe? This is one of my favorite things about Cru -- we want to talk with you. And we don’t want to fight about it. We want to have honest, open conversations. We want to make space for this at our big group meetings, in small groups, one-on-one, or in our Organic Discussion Groups, which are designed specifically as safe spaces where people

of all backgrounds can talk about what they believe. Cru is unapologetic in what we believe: that the Bible is the word of a perfect God, who sent his son as a free gift to die and rise again from the grave so we, imperfect people, can have a relationship with Him. We don’t compromise this, but we know every person and every spiritual walk is different, and if you don’t believe what we do, we want you to feel at home here too, and have a place to ask questions. As a freshman, I came to Cru to test out the waters. Now I’m living with some of my best friends I met there, leading a Bible study and serving alongside friends in events like Love Week, supporting refugees. I’m eager to

Photo courtesy of GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY CRU

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LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY: FINDING MASON CRU Growing up in church, I knew the good and bad faces of Christianity. I loved pursuing my faith alongside others. I loved worshipping together, and learning from experts and having the opportunity to serve the the people in my community. It’s so easy for a church to preach love but not act on it, or offer community but keep you at an arm’s length, afraid to talk about what you’ve done or how you’re struggling. I had great success at home, finding a church that was genuine, loving and open, like the Jesus they follow. I know that’s not everyone’s story. When I came to Mason I was hungry to find a real community like this, where I could be honest and talk about spiritual things that were hard or confusing. The first

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be that person for someone else, who brought me into the best community I could have found in college. Come out on Thursday -- I want to talk to you, and I want to hear your story. Mason Cru meets at 8:00 in the Hub ballroom. See masoncru.org for information on small groups and other ways to get connected!

COLLEGE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT CHRIS KERNAN-SCHMIDT COLUMNIST

I love Mason. The classes, the staff, athletics, even the mundane walks to and from class can be interesting. However, some of my peers do not have the same attitude that I do. From looking at social media sites, school reviews, and just talking with my classmates, I get a sense that some students have a negative attitude toward Mason. Whether they hate parking, traffic, waitlists, perceived lack of student involvement, or whatever it may be, most of those students I talked to or posts I have seen all have one trait in common: they focus on the negative. Yes, I will admit, there are things about Mason that do not resonate well with me. I do not like the traffic during peak class times, my residence hall is far away (Lincoln Hall), and I can never choose between Panda Express and Chipotle, but these complaints are vastly overshadowed by what I love about Mason. There are so, so, so many opportunities here to get involved, have fun, and, most importantly, learn. Here is the caveat though: you have to seek them out!

In most situations, unless your last name is Kardashian, you have to get out there and work for good things to happen. I found that thus far college is very similar. With programs such as the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR), Mason Innovation Lab, Career Services, and countless others, students can find ways to supplement their education in a myriad of ways. However, as students we have to actively seek out these opportunities. These offices and programs are eager to have students learn more about what they can offer you and are ready to help you succeed. We can all agree that we are paying a lot of money to go to college, so we might as well take advantage of what Mason is offering us. College is what you make of it. Like any college, workplace, or favorite restaurant, there are pros and cons. It is way too easy to find things to complain about in life, and rarely do you find someone writing a letter or calling a business to compliment their services.

It is exactly the same here at Mason. Yes, that one professor is not so great, and oh yeah, have you heard about the construction? We have all had similar conversations. It is too easy to find things to bash on, but how easy is it to find good things around us at Mason? It is really, really, easy. How about the one of many professors who remembers your name and who is really looking out for you as a person? What about the amazing programs that the Student Health and Advocacy Center hosts such as The Vagina Monologues and Mason Ninja Warrior? Or perhaps the fact that we have a Chipotle on campus. The list is truly endless. It is so easy to find clubs, organizations, or events to join at Mason that can really help shape your college experience. As I said, college is what you make of it. If you go out there, challenge yourself, and leave yourself open to new experiences then the possibilities are endless. To find more information on the fabulous programs Mason has to offer visit atoz.gmu.edu for a full list of departments and programs.

FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO

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MEATLESS FRIDAYS ON CAMPUS

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

SUSAN KATHERINE CORKRAN COLUMNIST

A MODEST PROPOSAL: START STUDYING IN THE SLOBBY DOMINIC PINO COLUMNIST

Other study spaces have cozy furniture and strive for peaceful surroundings. At first glance, this seems like tremendous goodwill on the part of the designers of these spaces. But really, it seems to me it is actually a vast facade. Think about it: why should studying be comfortable? Learning difficult subjects that tax your mind and freak you out seems like a task that is more fitting for a place without creature comforts. Luckily, the Slobby casts the veneer of comfort asunder and provides stools with low backs abutting unstable high tables that wobble with every keystroke on your laptop near floor-to-ceiling windows that bootlessly attempt to keep the frigid February air outside where it belongs. Wearing my coat fully zipped, the Slobby reminds me of the solemn task at hand - finish this column, meet my deadline, or face the cold, uncomfortable reality of failure. She is a harsh but fair taskmaster. But for those among us that prefer the comforting lies of the couch to the brutal truth of the stool, there

are couches, too. No matter where you sit, you gain more than just the subject knowledge you are trying to study. You also gain what I call “Slobby Enlightenment.” I can write this column anywhere I bring my laptop. There is only one place where I can write this column and hear a Sodexo employee say, “It is fixed,” twice into a walkie-talkie. What was broken? How was it fixed? What does that mean? This spirit of questioning was what led to the Enlightenment. Replace pondering the paths of the planets with pondering the mumblings of a food-service employee, and you have Slobby Enlightenment. There is no question that this phenomenon raises the minds of all it encounters to a higher plane of consciousness. Studies show that Slobby Enlightenment accounts for a 6 percent boost on exams - and you know it’s true because that’s what the studies show.

of energy as you start your morning. Get some extra milk for your cereal if you would rather have a good source of calcium with your essential carbohydrates. The key to a healthy diet is balance, so you can approach Lent as a way to evaluate your eating habits. While we focus on our souls, our bodies may as well benefit too!

I am not usually a leading authority on eating out. I have severe food allergies, which prevent me from eating every single meatless option vegans turn to for protein. Legumes, nuts, peas, soy… all of it would land me in the ER, breathless from a life-threatening episode of anaphylaxis. Combine that with recovery from anorexia nervosa, and I pretty much have medical dispensation from all of the fasting and abstinence that set Fridays aside. I do not often venture outside of the handful of safe dining options I have found on campus, but I have researched outside of my bubble for the purposes of putting together this article for all of my fellow Catholics looking forward to a meaningful Lenten Season!

Next, onto the middle meal of the day. Lunch can be a great time to meet up with friends, so don’t be afraid to explore some of the restaurants around. Why not pick up mac’ n cheese at Panera? If you care for sushi, then take advantage of the fact that fish are excluded from that no meat rule. Cheese pizza is also a Catholic Friday stand-by. If you are a picky eater or you just don’t like to change up your schedule, then look up the menus for nearby restaurants—this will let you brainstorm and come up with a rich variety of options to ensure that you don’t get tired of eating the same handful of foods until Easter.

First off, make sure to take advantage of protein-packed breakfast options. You can grab some eggs or yogurt from one of the cafeterias to keep full

Snacks are an important part of the day, so grab some fruit or a granola bar to keep you focused as you get through the day-- fellow nut allergy sufferers, don’t you do that unless you know for sure the ingredients are safe! If nuts are off the table for you, then look into

alternatives like sunflower seeds. They are a good source of healthy fats and protein, plus sunflower seed butter is a really fantastic substitute for PB&J sandwiches. As you get ready for dinner, you may feel a bit tired of avoiding meat if it’s typically a staple of your diet. Don’t lose faith though! There are still plenty of nutritious, tasty things for you to find that won’t break any rules. Spaghetti with meat-free sauce, tofu burgers, fried rice and veggies… the possibilities go on and on. You can email dining services to get in touch with someone who can give you menu options and advice, if you want to use meal swipes in the dining halls instead of running up charges in restaurants. If your living space on campus includes a kitchen area, take advantage of it! This could be a cool way of inspiring yourself to gain some cooking skills that you will be happy to have later in life. Remember that you can always ask for advice if you need help finding something to eat, and the first priority here should be meeting your body’s needs. Take it from a recovering anorexic, Jesus does not want you going to bed hungry and sick!

The Slobby has variables and constants. Always changing are the people waiting to meet other people and the aroma of the food being prepared to nourish our bodies. Always stable are the requisite ice cream cone splattered on the floor and the excellence of the academic environment. Which leads to my modest proposal. Mason wishes to augment its reputation as a research university. The best way to aid that laudable goal is to encourage students to work in the best academic environment on campus: the Slobby. GMU has produced two Nobel Prize winners. If we want more, we better hope for more studying in the Slobby.

FOURTH ESTATE/GRANT SMITH

I am writing this column from my favorite place to study at Mason. There are many great places to study on the Fairfax campus. Fenwick Library with its comfy chairs and quiet study rooms. The Johnson Center right in the middle of campus with so many food options. Even in your own room when your roommate isn’t around. But I propose that there is one place that surpasses them all. The epicenter from whence all profundity emanates, the birthplace of a plethora of research ideas, the most soothing working environment on campus. That’s right, I am referring, of course, to the Southside lobby - or, as true enthusiasts call it, the Slobby.

After writing about tips for having a successful Ash Wednesday on Valentine’s Day, a reader suggested an article focusing on the following Fridays of our Lenten Season. For practicing Catholics, Lent represents giving up many habits, including eating meat on Fridays. For those Catholic patriots living on campus, there are plenty of options to keep your belly full and keep you out of the confessional!

2.26.2018

ETC.

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Recipe of the Week Obtained from NYTimes

LAST ISSUE’S CROSSWORD

All Purpose Biscuits Ingredients: • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting • 2 tablespoons baking powder • 1 scant tablespoon sugar • 1 teaspoon salt • 5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, preferably European style • 1 cup whole milk 1. Preheat oven to 425. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a food processor. Cut butter into pats and add to flour, then pulse 5 or 6 times until the mixture resembles rough crumbs. (Alternatively, cut butter into

flour in the mixing bowl using a fork or a pastry cutter.) Return dough to bowl, add milk and stir with a fork until it forms a rough ball. 2. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and pat it down into a rough rectangle, about an inch thick. Fold it over and gently pat it down again. Repeat. Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.

3. Gently pat out the dough some more, so that the rectangle is roughly 10 inches by 6 inches. Cut dough into biscuits using a floured glass or biscuit cutter. Do not twist cutter when cutting; this crimps the edges of the biscuit and impedes its rise. 4. Place biscuits on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

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