4.9.18- Fourth Estate by Student Media George Mason University

FOURTH ESTATE April 9, 2018 Volume 5 Issue 19

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

THE NEW STUDENT GOVERNMENT

page

Their stand against sexual assault and how the new president and vice president will “reinvent” Mason

NEWS

LIFESTYLE Being a parent and student has its challenges. We talked with a Mason parent to hear more about their experience

“Paws for a Cause” brings out service animals to socialize and raise awareness

page 9

LIFESTYLE

OPINIONS Student athletes make corporations billions of dollars. Why shouldn’t they get to keep some of it? page 7

Mason’s new upcycling fashion exhibit reuses thrown-away materials to create high-quality clothes page 17

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FOURTH ESTATE

4.9.2018

We are always recruiting volunteers for: - PR TEAM - 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

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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 Dear Patriots,

Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik

News Editor Michael Eberhart

Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman

News Asst. Editor Alex Shedd

Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti

Tick tock, tick tock... this is the sound that may be running through all students’ minds this month as they scramble to make up those lost assignment points with extra credit. I would like to address everyone that it is OKAY to feel that pressure of knowing only a few weeks are left of the Spring 2018 semester. My advice to those who feel overwhelmed and do not know where to begin: color code that agenda book and knock out the big assignments first! If you feel that you cannot concentrate and need a spot to study, check out page 11, to get the inside scoop on the best buildings to study in. On another note, I would like to congratulate Mason’s new student president and vice president, Bekah Pettine and Erik Truong! I wish them and the rest of the student senate a successful new term. Remember patriots to tackle this week’s tasks one at time… Best wishes to you all for the remaining weeks,

Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor

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 Associate Director

Jason Hartsel Assistant Director

Jessica Smith Business Office Manager

Sosan Malik Co-Editor-in-Chief

Lifestyle Asst. Editor Basma Humadi

Opinions Editor Jamie Beliveau

Copy Chief Katya Beisel

COVER PHOTO CREDITS Fourth Estate/Allie Thompson Lifestyle Student Parents Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson News Therapy Animals Fourth Estate/Allie Thompson Opinions Student Athletes Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson

Art Director Billy Ferguson

Photo Editor Allie Thompson

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

Online Editor Catherine McKay 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.

Lifestyle Upcycling Fashion Fourth Estate/ Samia Lloyd

NEWS

Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/CREATIVE SERVIECES

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4.9.2018

TOWN HALL April 9,2018 5:30 p.m. University leadership, including Senior Vice President Jennifer (J.J.) Davis and Vice President Rose Pascarell, will host, a student-focused Town meeting on Monday, April 9, 2018. The meeting will take place in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall, at 5:30 p.m. The Town Hall will focus on proposed tuition and fees rates, and the Core Campus Project, which includes replacing Robinson Hall and the utilities upgrades across camus.

TERRY MCAULIFFE SPEAKS TO STUDENTS Former Va. governor explains how Trump’s tax bill will affect students

“FROM JOURNALISM TO POLITICS” WITH DANICA ROEM Freshman delegate talks about her career and campaign at Mason’s SciTech campus MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITOR

Roem won her seat representing District 13 in Virginia’s 2017 general election. She is the first openly transgender person elected to the General Assembly, and the first to serve in any U.S. state legislature. She spoke to students and guests about her transition from covering the news as a local reporter, to making the news with her election victory, and now creating change through her policies to address local issues. The event was hosted in Mason’s Verizon Auditorium by LGBTQ Services and University Life to conclude Women’s History Month and Pride Week on campus. “I know that by being a trans person in public life, succeeding in government and being a good delegate will reflect well on other trans people across the country and especially in Prince William county,” said Roem. “People won’t just see us based on our identifier… they will see us as people.” The delegate began by talking about her background and upbringing in the local community. Roem grew up in Manassas with her grandfather, who read newspapers every day and first inspired her interest in journalism. Although she originally wanted to write about sports, Roem developed an interest in music as a teenager and began covering the heavy metal scene for her college radio station at St.

Bonaventure University in upstate New York. It was at this same time that she first became involved in politics. “At some point in late-2003 or early2004, President George W. Bush proposed a constitutional amendment to ban marriage equality nationwide,” said Roem. “I really wanted to understand every mechanism of government possible at that point, to understand how it is possible that the president of the U.S. could try to restrict someone’s rights like that.”

Former Governor Terry McAuliffe spoke to Mason students, affected families, tax officials and small business owners during a town hall focused on the Republican tax bill and its impact in Virginia on Tuesday, March 27. McAuliffe will join Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government as a distinguished visiting professor. McAuliffe will be a guest lecturer “on national and international affairs, with a primary focus on how workers can succeed in the increasingly global economy,” according to Mason’s announcement on Monday, March 26. The George Mason Democrats hosted the speech in the Johnson Center. The event was sponsored by the National

Women’s Law Center and Prosperity Now. The event was created by a branch of the Hub Project’s organization, Not One Penny. Not One Penny is an active organization that focuses on financial aspects of political decisions and legislation, such as the Tax Bill that was passed into law in Dec. 2017. “The tax cuts recently passed by congress will cut taxes for our country’s wealthiest individuals and corporations, while simultaneously ignoring those who need help the most,” said Kara Kline, the president of the George Mason Democrats in her opening remarks for the town hall. “As a college student, it is terrifying to think about

the loans I’ll have to pay off when I graduate, especially because half of the college graduates cannot pay off their own debt.” “This was one of the worst pieces of legislation I have ever seen passed by congress and signed into law by the President,” McAuliffe said during the event. He explained that the bill provides short term solutions, and that “the consequences are the most damaging” in the long run for Americans. “I see young people today, and you’re going to have to pay all this debt off,” said McAuliffe, regarding students at Mason and other universities across the country.

Roem began her career as a reporter at the Gainesville Times in 2006. She later worked for the Prince William Times, where she broke the favorite story of her ten-year career in journalism. “I revealed that Amazon was the owner of the datacenter out in Haymarket when union officials refused to do so on Sept. 10, 2014,” recalled Roem. “That was a really good investigative story that has completely changed the narrative about how to deal with Dominion and power lines ever since.” Roem advised students interested in government to start by getting involved with a local issue or campaign. Her own race focused heavily on transportation reform for State Route 28. “That’s why I went down to Richmond in the first place,” said Roem. “There is no reason for us to have to leave equality at the door when we pursue public office, but we need to include a message that takes care of our constituents.”

Photo courtesy of RON ARIA/CREATIVE SERVIECES

Delegate Danica Roem spoke about her journey “From Journalism to Politics” at Mason’s SciTech Prince William campus on Tuesday, April 3.

DANA NICKEL STAFF WRITER

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4.9.2018

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THE BEES OF MASON

Mason’s beehives produce honey for dining halls and a future business venture CLAIRE UNDERWOOD STAFF WRITER

The collection of beehives on Mason’s campus is just one of 50 in the northern Virginia area. These apiaries are designed to boost honeybee numbers to make up for the extreme decrease in population that occurred in recent years. The number of beehives in Virginia have dropped by two-thirds since 1970. In 2012, the College of Science and School of Business partnered to educate both students and the public about bees and sustainability, as well as to research ways to protect the species.

Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/CREATIVE SERVIECES

“There are really many benefits to having an apiary on campus,” GringPemble said. “Honey is one benefit and Sodexo will be serving it in the dining halls this Spring. Another benefit is that it helps Mason achieve its commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Goals. Mason is a signatory of the UN Global Compact and to UNPRME [Principles of Responsible Management]. As such, we are dedicated to addressing sustainable development goals.”

The university also offers beekeeping courses that are open to all students. These courses are meant to introduce students to the industry of sustainable beekeeping, as well as how to use beekeeping as a tool for development. Environmental and community groups are also able to tour the apiaries. “We want to be part of the solution,” said Gring-Pemble, regarding the declining honey bee population. “The integration of our programs across campus, the region, and world provide a unique multidisciplinary, challenge-driven approach to learning that offers all Mason students and community members the opportunity to see the role of business in creating a sustainable world.”

Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/CREATIVE SERVIECES

Since 2013, Mason has been part of the Honey Bee Initiative, a project that helps educate people about ways to help sustain honey bees and their resources. This on-campus project was founded by Professors Germán Perilla and Lisa Gring-Pemble.

Mason students are also working to move the Honey Bee Initiative into a business practice. Some students have begun to create single serving pods for tea infused with honey from the campus apiaries. They are still in the process of determining how to market this new product. The Honey Bee Initiative has a large impact on the entire northern Virginia area. The program is in the process of placing beehives on landfills to create new habitats for the bees and hopefully lead to reproduction and a greater number of pollinators.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14TH 12:00 pm –6:30 pm | JC CINEMA

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4.9.2018

YOUR NEWLY ELECTED STUDENT LEADERS Pettine, Truong and new senators win 2018-2019 student body election

FOURTH ESTATE/JULIE FRAPPIER

TISHA HERRERA STAFF WRITER

STUDENT GOVERNMENT TAKES A STAND AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT LAUREN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER

“We, as leaders of Student Government, need to take action now to show the student body that we will not let heinous acts of sexual violence erode our campus culture,” said Senator Corey Berkey. With the rise of the #MeToo movement and the prevalence of sexual assault college campuses, the Mason Student Senate introduced a bill to amend the Code of Student Governance to stand in solidarity with victims of sexual assault and harassment. “Sexual assault and harassment happens everywhere, and that does not exclude Student Government,” said Speaker Caiti Lively. The text of the new proposed bill states, “If at any time a member of Student Government, including the Student Senate, Executive Cabinet, EDC [Elections and Disputes Commission], or anyone associated with Student Government, becomes the subject of a university investigation or a criminal investigation external to the university’s jurisdiction, to include sexual misconduct or behavioral misconduct, then he or she shall be suspended of all duties within Student Government.” If passed, the amendment would suspend any Student Government member who is under investigation by the university. Lively hopes this bill

will protect students and members of Student Government. “This bill is so important because as a student leader on this campus and representative of our diverse student body we need to hold to ourselves to an even higher standard,” said Lively. “Currently there is no standard of any sort to ensure our members uphold a moral and ethical code.” While the bill applies to all types of criminal complaints, sexual assault has been a particular focus for Student Government in other ways this semester as well.

Essig, Joseph Fernando, Davide Genoese-Zerbi, Shannon Glesing, Abdifatah Ibrahim, Maximilian Kim, Clement Lupton IV, Amir Mahmoud, Charles Miller, Clair Olivier, Cedric Price, Sagar Sharma, Jasper Swan and Annika Tobe. The new student government will be sworn in to office on Thursday, April 26, to assume their positions for the next academic year.

Chair of University Services Elizabeth Marge introduced Resolution #24 to urge the university’s administration “to institute mandatory training through the partnership of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for all faculty and staff members regarding protocol for active shooter emergencies.” The resolution was successfully adopted by the senate.

“We’re both passionate about Student Government, and we came in to the election with a clear plan of what we wanted,” said Pettine. “We kind of came in with an outlook of changing the way the organization operates and also the way we reach out to students, and students’ needs. We’re looking forward to applying that multifaceted view in our platform and in our upcoming administration during our year.

Mason’s outgoing Student Government met for the tenth time this semester on April 5, in Merten Hall. The Student Senate discussed Town Hall, Core Campus Project, Night Walk 2018 and a new appointment.

Government and Community Relations Chairman Davide Genoese-Zerbi also introduced Resolution #25 “to oppose the planned development along Roberts Road” on behalf of students who have been struck walking to the Jewish Student Center and services at St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel. The resolution was then referred to the Government and Community Relations Committee, where it will be reconsidered on Monday, April 9.

“We’re really excited for the opportunity,” agreed Truong. “I think we’re going to start right now learning about the transition.” Other 2018-2019 student body election winners are new and returning Senators Jeremy Aylward, McKenna Bates, Corey Berkey, Matt Borja, Dustin Cone, Kelsey Courville, Madison

Outgoing student body President David Kanos reminded the senators about two upcoming Town Halls for the Core Campus Project on April 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the JC’s Dewberry Hall so that students would be more aware of campus changes, especially the replacement of Robinson Hall. Mason’s Associate Director for Student Involvement Sara Heming said the Board of Visitors (BOV) will post their agenda on April 20. The next meeting on May 3 will introduce Pettine and Truong to the BOV.

Senator Baig Dhuha was recently appointed as a new member of the Student Senate. Within the Executive Cabinet, Dolica Gopisetty, former executive undersecretary for information technology, as well as Jennifer Muchnikoff, former executive undersecretary for civic engagement, recently left their positions.

In addition to the amendment, Student Government is working to promote the Rave Guardian app that is designed to keep students safe. This app allows students to report thing directly to the university – ranging from broken handicap doors to stalking to sexual harassment and assault. Chairwoman Claire Olivier said the senators hope the app will “help students in crisis.” During the week of April 9-13, Student Government will be joining Patriots In Action to end sexual assault on campus. They will be hosting events all week, including tabling at “Polaroid Pledge” events, where victims of sexual assault can write a #MeToo note to their offender. Other events include a Krav Maga self-defense class and Facts and Flowers in North Plaza. “Student Government is actively encouraging other students and peers to get involved with the movement, and we are raising awareness at every turn we can,” said Berkey.

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

Mason’s Student Government is taking a stand against sexual assault this semester by introducing new legislation, promoting a safety app and teaming up with Patriots in Action to hold events for victims.

President-elect Bekah Pettine and Vice President-elect Erik Truong are officially declared the winners of Mason’s 2018-2019 student government election. With more than 2,000 registered student and faculty votes counted, Pettine and Truong won 756 of total ballots. Pettine and Truong commented to Fourth Estate on their win and future plans in Student Government.

NEWS

4.9.2018

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CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION, MASON’S PLAN How the campus will change by 2024 PARESHA KHAN STAFF WRITER

Because Mason’s student population is only expected to keep increasing, the completion of Peterson Hall this semester and reconstruction of Robinson Hall by 2022 is expected to aid the 100,000 graduates, 7,000 new students and 5,300 on-campus students in 2024. According to the 2014-2024 strategic plan booklet released by the university, the ten-year plan was created by more than 150 members of the Mason community and was based on feedback given from over 3,000 members both within and outside of Mason. “The strategic plan outlines the university’s mission, vision and the milestones,” said Jennifer Davis, senior vice president for administration and finance. “As Chief Financial Officer, I get to work with all the universities

By 2024, it is expected that 43,000 students will be enrolled. Because of this estimate, Mason has already been approved to receive funds from the state for the Robinson reconstruction project as well as the Bull Run project. “We’ve said in the Strategic Plan that we’re going to build the university for the long haul. We have improved and stabilized all of our financial metrics since the establishment of this plan,” Davis said. “When you think about an institution that’s a $1 billion annual budget, 36,000 students, 10,600 employees -- we need to know where we’re going, why we’re going there and what does success look like.” Classroom shortages will increase when both Robinson buildings A and B are removed and replaced by 2022. The new building will capture the same design aesthetic as Peterson hall. “There’s a lot of state money that’s going to pay for this project,” Director of Strategic Communications Michael Sandler said. “Our number one priority is to be here for the students. Robinson is our

largest academic building, its transformative,” Davis said. “We did a whole study on it and the decision after the analysis, after lots of advocacy from students, faculty, staff, was that the state provided about $175 million to build a new, state-of-the-art Robinson, as well as to upgrade the infrastructure throughout the whole campus.”

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

Despite this large sum of land and resources, construction and renovation seem to leave a never-ending trail on the university.

-- really looking at the overall financial plan, the financial health of the organization, what buildings do we want to put up [and] why do we want to put them up.”

Alongside the Robinson Hall project, Roger Wilkins Plaza is also slated for reconstruction by 2022. “We’re also reenvisioning the entire plaza... there’s a lot of tight corridors and it’s not very open or welcoming,” Davis said. “We’re doing this because we actually have to go underground and upgrade all of the infrastructure, and we got the state to pay for the aesthetic of rebuilding the plaza as well.” Davis also explained that the university has received many donations, including a $10 million gift from the Peterson family. These donations are a major source of support for Mason, and put the school’s finances “in better condition than it was five years ago.” Although Mason is involved in strategically planning all of the renovations to benefit student success, the increase of the student population in recent years has led to changes in

accommodation. Not only are students of varying majors placed in classes throughout the different buildings across campus, but temporary classroom space is also being added. “Our institution is poised to grow, and we will accommodate that growth through a couple of things,” explained Davis. “One is adding Peterson Hall, which is 200,000 square feet of new building, new classrooms, new places to convene for students, faculty, and staff, new research labs and so forth. In addition to that, we went to the Global Center and we’re going to take that first floor and make those classrooms.” As for adding more classroom space for students, Mason plans to use the additional square footage out of the

Potomac sci-tech campus, which is 14 miles away from the Fairfax campus. “The state just approved another 110,000 square foot building in addition to Bull Run which can include classrooms and labs for biology and engineering,” Davis said. As the state and donors continue to support Mason, the university is trying to meet the growing student demand. “Our president is fond of saying that there are going to be growing pains, but it’s better to have growing pains than the opposite,” said Sandler. “We have support at the state level. This is a very good place to be in as a university.”

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

Mason has been involved with construction and renovating buildings ever since the Campus Master Plan was set by President Cabrera and faculty. The university currently spans more than 850 acres of land in eight locations.

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4.9.2018

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL HAS RECORD-BREAKING SEASON History has been made, but the Mason team still has work to do NATALIE HEAVREN STAFF WRITER

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

Mason Men’s Volleyball is making history this season. After beating New Jersey Institute of Technology on March 30, the team secured a berth in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, EIVA, tournament. The team beat Princeton 3-2 the next night to extend the program’s record conference winning streak. Their 10-0 conference record is the best start to conference play in the Mason team’s history.

“PAWS FOR A CAUSE” Therapy services teaches students about service animals on campus DANA NICKEL STAFF WRITER

The event, “Paws for a Cause” was sponsored by Mason’s Office of Disability Services and created to teach students the difference between emotional support animals, therapy dogs and service dogs. “The event is professionally endorsed and staffed by local service and therapy dog organizations, as well as the Offices of Disability & Military Services that [were] present to help me teach all who attend about Service Dogs and the two other types of working animals,” said Dylan Arthur, the creator of this event at Mason, in an email to the Fourth Estate. The event’s main goal was to educate students on the importance of service and therapy animals by providing them with real world experiences and examples through dogs that were trained through local, professional organizations on campus. “Therapy animals are here to interact and comfort a lot of people, and service animals are here to perform a task that will assist their owners,” said Jason Northrup, the associate director of Mason’s Office of Disability

Services. Attendees of the event also learned that service animals in a harness should not be approached the way one would approach and pet a therapy animal. Northrup explained that emotional support animals are around to provide comfort and support to their owners, but were not brought to the event because emotional support animals are not limited to just well-trained dogs.

The Patriots sit in first place in EIVA standings, and have an overall record is 14-10. Though the team Photo courtesy of MASON ATHLETICS posted a 4-10 record in non-conference play it was against and kills. “We knew that once we got tough competition. Head Coach into conferences that’s when we had Jay Hosack scheduled some of the to take care of business and do what we needed to do.” toughest teams in the country. “I don’t schedule easy in the beginning Junior Kyle Barnes, who is second on of the year,” explained Hosack. “If we the team in points and kills, agreed want to be one of the best teams in that the team’s chemistry has improved the country we need to beat the best throughout the season, saying, “We’ve teams in the country. So rather than gotten really close as a team no one’s schedule easy teams just to have your left out and every person has a key win-loss record look good, I’d rather component, especially in practice. schedule really good teams and get There’s no A and B Team it’s just six versus six and we have great competiinformation.” tion on both sides.” “I think it would have been nice to win those out of conference games, but we Both Barnes and Wagner cited their

victory at Penn State, and sweeping them 3-0 on their home court as one of their favorite moments of the season. It was the first time Mason had ever swept Penn State on their court. “[It’s] always been something that we wanted to do, and just another thing to check off the list for this year,” said Wagner. “We’re proud and happy we’ve done and hopefully continue to build off that.” Coach Hosack, Barnes, Wagner are already looking past clinching a spot in the conference tournament. The team is looking to win the regular season title, host Conferences, and eventually win it and move on to the NCAA Tournament. With four matches left to go before the EIVA Conference Tournament, the final seeding will be determined soon. Mason had the opportunity to secure home-court advantage this weekend, however after Harvard’s two wins and Mason’s loss to Penn State Saturday night, the school that will host the EIVA Tournament will be decided next weekend when Mason takes on Harvard on April 13 and 14.

Another group that contributed to this event, Caring Angels, is an organization that participated and endorsed the organization brought a couple of dogs to Mason’s campus to interact with passing students on their way to and from their classes. This local therapy dog organization that travels around Fairfax, providing support and education to people in schools, universities and nursing homes regularly. Another area of this event housed a special education teacher and her therapy dog, Nic. Nic is a golden retriever that works with special needs children in the classroom. Nic’s soft fur coat provided the children with an opportunity to work on their sensory issues by petting him with their hands and feet.

Photo courtesy of MASON ATHLETICS

Eight therapy and service dogs were brought to North Plaza on Tuesday, April 3 to interact with and educate Mason students and faculty.

knew that they were kind of there to test us and see what we were capable of doing,” said sophomore Hayden Wagner, who leads the team in points

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HOW MASON POLICE RESPOND TO ACTIVE THREATS Mason’s police department and Special Response Team lay out their active threat strategy ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE STAFF WRITER

As public shootings capture the attention of the nation, Mason’s responders are working hard to make sure that our campus and community remains safe. The Special Response Team (SRT) is Mason’s form of SWAT, elite officers who are trained in how to respond to an active violent situation and situations that are non-lethal but still require medical attention. To qualify to be a member of this team, interested officers have to have at least two years of experience within a police force, have a score of at least 90 percent during their first attempt at qualifying

to use their issued duty weapon, qualify with a score of 100 percent on their assigned long gun, pass physical tests that prove their strength and abilities, and pass an oral panel interview board conducted by current members of the team. “We pride ourselves on the great training all of our officers receive and this includes the members of SRT,” said Assistant Chief of Police Brian Cozby. “Chief Rowan and I are extremely confident that if our officers ever have to respond to an active violent situation, our officers would respond quickly, with confidence due

to the training they have received and be able to remain professional at all times.” Another team that is established to respond to a shooting on campus is the Campus Assessment and Intervention Team, which a number of different organizations within Mason are responsible for. “The George Mason University Campus Assessment and Intervention Team is committed to improving community safety through a proactive, collaborative, coordinated, objective, and thoughtful approach to the prevention, identification, assessment,

intervention, and management of situations that pose, or may reasonably pose, a threat to the safety and well-being of the campus community,” University Life’s Dean of Students Juliet Blank-Godlove stated. The members of this group are professionals with diverse backgrounds, which allows them to approach these situations and their solutions in different and innovative ways. They have also been trained in campus threat assessment, giving them the ethical base knowledge needed to prevent safety issues before incidents occur. Team members are not allowed to

share any record of criminal activity or personal health information that they have received, and cannot use any personal records investigated beyond the purpose of analyzing potential threats to Mason and the surrounding community. In the case of an emergency situation on Mason’s campus, Mason Police and SRT advocate for the “Run, Hide, or Fight” plan. The plan suggests that, in such an incident, students should run away or hide in the safest area available. Students should fight back only as a last-resort if they are not able to flee or hide. An advantage of this plan is that students know alternatives if there first response to a situation fails, and always have a backup plan in case they have exhausted all their options.

Photo courtesy of ALEXIS GLENN/CREATIVE SERVICES

“Anyone finding themselves in an active violent situation must decide to do something,” Cozby said. “Understanding this could happen and having a plan can greatly increase your opportunity of survival.” Another good tip to stay safe is to avoid eye contact. “The idea behind it, is that if you make eye contact with the threat, they may feel you are trying to intimidate them,” Cozby said. “Following orders and keeping your head down may keep the threat calm and less likely to invoke more violence.”

Photo courtesy of GEORGE MASON POLICE

MASON WEEKLY CRIME LOG

Thursday, March 29, 2018 - Student Housing (Fairfax Campus), 3:00 p.m. (Reported) Stalking: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving unwanted contact from a former intimate partner (GMU) on multiple occasions. Due to confidentiality of reporting, limited information is available regarding this incident. CSA Report #032918-1 - Information Only.

Sunday, April 1, 2018 - Hazel Hall (Arlington Campus), 10:55 a.m. Trespassing: Subject (GMU) was removed from campus for trespassing. Case 2018-003136 - Closed.

Thursday, March 29, 2018 - Fairfax Campus, 3:00 p.m. (Reported)

Monday, April 2, 2018 - Student Housing Facility (Fairfax Campus), 6:56 PM (Reported)

Dating Violence: Complainant (GMU) reported being assaulted by their intimate partner (Non-GMU). Due to confidentiality of reporting, limited information is available regarding this incident.

Stalking/Trespassing: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving unwanted contact from a former intimate partner (GMU) on multiple occasions.

CSA Report #032918-2 - Information Only.

Case 2018-003180 - Referred to Title IX. Tuesday, April 3, 2018 - Fenwick Library, 12:18 AM

Friday, March 30, 2018 - Commonwealth, 10:33 p.m. Liquor Law Violations/Obstruction of Justice: Subject (GMU) was arrested and transported to Fairfax County Adult Detention Center for possessing alcohol while under age 21 and obstructing justice. Case 2018-003087 - Pending.

Sexual Assault/Statutory Rape: Witness (GMU) reported seeing a possible incident of statutory rape. Case 2018-003185 - Pending.

LIFESTYLE

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4.9.2018

A LOOK AT MASON STUDENTS WHO ARE ALSO PARENTS Mason students who are also parents have different challenges they face everyday DINANDA PRAMESTI LIFESTYLE EDITOR AND HAILEY BULLIS STAFF WRITER

“In terms of being a traditional student, there’s so much support. You have to do this, do that, come to this or that. But in terms of being a student-parent, sometimes you can’t take your kids out to events.” As of Dec.15 of last year, there are a total of one thousand and thirty-eight students that claimed to have a child or other dependent on their accepted FAFSA according to the Department of Education. CHALLENGES OF BEING A PARENT AND A STUDENT Students who are also parents at Mason face both the challenges of being a student and the challenges of being a parent.The needs of these students are often different than that of a student without a child. The common needs of students with children were identified in a study done by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). These needs ranged from housing and financial assistance to social support from other student-parents.The needs highlighted also included childcare. Sandoval feels there is a stigma attached to having a kid while attending school. “We feel a lot of guilt being in college -- you can’t be a good parent and a good student at the same time. If you are a good student and getting good grades, you’re neglecting your children. If you are a good parent that means you are neglecting your grades. A lot of times, I feel like that does come across from the faculty.” Sandoval says she tries to talk to the professors. In one instance, she confronted her professor about needing to have her phone out because she has kids.

“[The professor] told me that we can not have our phones out and I told her that I needed to see if somebody is calling me -- sometimes [my kids’] school calls me or my mom and she can’t pick them up,” she shares her frustration. “After that, the professor did apologize several times the following weeks after that. I think she got a better perspective.” Sandoval says to talk to professors and start a conversation on campus, or it will be a difficult experience. Sandoval says that the childcare system at Mason does not take infants. “There has been cases where students at Mason get pregnant, and they live in the dorms, so you have to find a place to live. Second of all, you can’t take your kids to daycare there because they don’t have infant care. We’ve been pushing to have infant care. As of now, George Mason has the child care center, I don’t think it has expanded since ten years ago.” Sandoval says a way for Mason to improve their child care center is to expand it. This will allow for more children, infants and child care assistance. MASON’S CDC PROGRAM The Child Development Center provides care for faculty, staff, and students children. However, the center’s cost for this care ranges from $1398 for five days to $1109 for the three day program for two-year-olds. For children in preschool, costs go up to $1173 for five days to $959 for 3 days for the 2017-2018 year. There is also a waitlist at the Child Development Center, so even if a student-parent can afford to pay the cost of enrollment, they might still have to put their name on the waitlist until there is room available for their child. “We have a childcare option available on campus, but the demand for those services well exceeds current availability, leaving many faculty, staff, and student parents to devise alternative plans. Given these constraints, there

seems to be some energy around increasing availability of childcare services on-campus,” said Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, the Director of Orientation and Family Programs at Mason. Isaac Agbeshie-Noye says otherwise, “At the moment, Mason offers a few resources that support students with children in the same ways that we support all students such as, Student Health Services, Student Support and Advocacy Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Human Resources Work/Life Connections, and other units across campus offer a host of services centered around advocacy, healthcare, self-care, academic support, and peer connections that support students with children.” However, he acknowledges that they have some opportunities to offer more services specifically catered to the student-parent population. STUDENT PARENT GROUPS According to Agbeshie-Noye, the Student-Parent Working Group is a collection of faculty, staff and students who have come together to discuss the experience of parenting and pregnant students at Mason. Through these conversations and research, the group is looking to understand current offerings, identify gaps in service, and propose recommendations and resources necessary to fill those gaps. “The group is fairly new, but there are plans to leverage existing university resources to engage more students, as well as explore the data that we currently have to identify those needs. The organization was founded by a Mason student-parent to create a space or network where student-parents could come together to support each other. Lorena Sandoval has taken the lead on chartering the organization,” he replied. Agbeshie-Noye thinks that the Student Parent Working Group is a step in the right direction. “I think that there are even more opportunities to increase

the visibility and support of this student population by sharing information across departments and divisions to educate faculty, staff, and students about our parenting students, so I am looking forward to formalizing those channels more sustainably.” STATISTICS ON STUDENT PARENTS

student-parents, and look forward to learning more about their experiences on-campus. Through students like Sandoval, Mason has launched student support groups such as the University Parents and the Student Parent Working Group student organizations.

In their national and regional profile for college students with children, IWPR found that only 32.6 percent of student-parents complete their degree or certificate with six years, and if they are single parents that number drops to 26.7 percent. The low graduation rates are explained by the lack of resources available on campuses nationally for student-parents exclusively. Mason offers resources that support all students such as Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services and the Student Support and Advocacy Center to name a few, however, there are few resources exclusively catered to student parents. Agbeshie-Noye believes that, “Mason is very responsive to student needs, so I appreciate that we have strong student voices that have helped us to have these conversations. Nationally, institutions are focusing more on the needs of this population as we continue to see more student parents pursuing higher education, so I think that we will see greater attention in this area moving forward.” Agbeshie-Noye says that he and his colleagues remain committed to the success of all students, including

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Mason prides itself on being a diverse campus. However, there are some students who feel there are not enough resources for them or they do not feel represented. Lorena Sandoval, a senior and parent of two, shares that she does not feel the support coming from the Mason community for students who have children.

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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 organization United2Heal , alum Joy Millsaps, and Mason student Ashley Jean . 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 AND STUDENT MEDIA

A L U M , J OY M I L L S A P S

Malek Salhab, Founder What does your organization aim to do and why? Our organization aims to bridge the socioeconomic gap between underprivileged minorities and viable healthcare by bringing excess medical supplies to those who need it most. Sending thousands of dollars in supplies and equipment as a nonprofit organization makes it possible for us to be a catalyst for change throughout the globe, from Syria to Haiti. We do this to implement and inspire, which go hand in hand. With the manifestation of our persistency and consistency, we are not only working towards the cause, but we are also advocating for the cause. What is challenging about running this organization? Many things. Most things, to be more more specific. Leading from the forefront has forced me to adopt a multifaceted approach towards teamwork. Being able to build a solid workforce upon each individual’s strengths and weaknesses has demanded a lot of attention, as this is our

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O R G A N I Z AT I O N , U N I T E D 2 H E A L

first semester as an organization. Still, we all genuinely enjoy the process and believe in the rewards of hard work. What is your most memorable moment with United2Heal and why? Our first general body meeting. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we definitely were not expecting much. As the meeting approached, we saw friends and strangers alike fill the room. Whether it was students who traveled all the way from VCU, or our guest speaker who’s founded an array of NGOs, we were beyond grateful to see that we already had a solid group of supporters. What is one thing that you are deeply proud of with United2Heal? United2Heal is unique in that it forges connections between people, mainly driven by a common goal: helping others. I, along with the rest of the U2H community, am extremely proud of this and strive to keep it at the core of our values and actions.

You’ve also attended Mason - what year did you graduate? Actually I started in ‘69 and worked three jobs for almost seven years while to put myself through school. I came upon my last semester and I had a stalker who attacked me and I was totally thrown from finishing school. So I came to my last semester, weeks before graduating and didn’t graduate. But I did get an excellent education.

Class sizes were also very manageable 16, 17, 20 people. [Now, Mason] is more like a city - we were more like a village. What was the feel for the campus like then?

What was your major?

It was a very friendly and very intimate gathering place. It was a stimulating intelligencia - the young sprouts who were spreading their wings. There was a lot of activity against the Vietnam War at the time. A lot of viggy action with that.

Sociology.

Were there a lot of protests?

When you were here what was your experience like?

There was a lot of us who did the March on Washington protest, yeah. I burned my bra, and it went up in a little poof - up in smoke. It was the beginnings of the women’s movement as well. It was an exciting time to be a student on campus.

We were working out of trailers. [That] was the main campus - it was just the front quad.

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4.9.2018

BEST MASON BUILDINGS TO STUDY S T U D E N T, A S H L E Y J E A N

With finals and deadlines approaching, finding a place to study on campus is a must AHMED FARID STAFF WRITER

April has arrived, which means everyone must start getting ready for final exams and assignments. Before you know it, you will find yourself buried in schoolwork, fighting against time to hand in assignments in before the deadline. This is why it is very likely that from now until summer, most of your time will be spent on studying . Studying is something that most of us do not enjoy doing. It is not a pleasant experience, yet it does not have to be a miserable one. Where you study could make a huge difference in how you absorb information, and thankfully Mason’s campus has more than one place where you can go through the daunting task. Here are the five best places on campus to study: 5) The Hub

Photo courtesy of ASHLEY JEAN

The Hub is not usually the first place people head to when they want to study. It has all the essentials you need to study, with comfortable chairs all over. Plus, if it is a nice sunny day outside you can enjoy the weather while

“Don’t get lost in the sauce,” which translates to don’t get lost in the midst of everything going on. College has so much to offer! Do not think that you can explore everything in one semester. Getting involved with different organizations on campus is strongly encouraged, but do not let those commitments and responsibilities consume what you are here to achieve. W hat is your achievement?

proudest

So far, my proudest achievement is my photography business. As a self-taught, freelance photographer, my work is driven by my love for capturing life’s memories. Therefore, I never imagined my hobby would become, what I believe to be, a successful business. Despite my current success, I plan to

4) SUB I SUB I is a great building not just because it has Chick-Fil-A. SUB I is always quiet and has plenty of comfortable seats and tables for you to concentrate and study on. The third floor in particular is especially quiet. 3) Exploratory Hall Exploratory Hall has an open area for studying. The area is usually quiet and not very busy. Science students in particular will feel in their element in this area, given that it is science themed. Senior Muneeb Hassan says, “it has a really nice and clean atmosphere which helps me focus on studying.” The best part is that you don’t have to walk at all if you need to get some coffee to keep you awake, because Peete’s Coffee is right next to it. Mason student Skike Akinwale, “I like exploratory because it is more related to my major [biology]. It’s good to be around other science folks.”

2) Fenwick Library A list of good places to study would not be complete if we didn’t include the library. One of the best things about Fenwick is that every floor has a different set of rules, so if you want to work on a group project with your friends, go to the second floor, and if you need absolute silence, head to the fourth floor. You can also energize yourself with some caffeine or get a bite to eat at Argo Tea. Freshman Saleem Alkooheji, “My favorite place to study is Fenwick because of the atmosphere, the vibe.” 1) The Johnson Center The JC is the heart and soul of Mason because, with a number of restaurants and cafes, it has a larger variety than any other building. More importantly, it has its very own library and even a math tutoring center if you’re struggling with your math assignment. You can also study in the studying area on the third floor.

continue to grow, not only as a photographer but as a business owner in hopes to one day be published. If you could write a book about yourself, what would the title be? “BAMBI” Bambi is a nickname that has stuck with me since I first stepped foot onto this campus. Throughout my time at Mason I struggled to find my purpose, just as Bambi struggled in the Walt Disney Movie. As many can relate, college-life can be a bit rocky at times but it is those adversities which help shape the person you are destined to become. “To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail,” a quote from Michael Jordan that inspires me to remain motivated, despite my downfalls. All it takes is time, positivity, and patience! Also, if you all wanted to include my business Instagram link, it is @ SnapsByAsh_

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If you could go back in time to the ﬁrst day of college and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?

studying on the tables right outside the building.

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Photo courtesy of MASON CABLE NETWORK

INTERNATIONAL WEEK 2018 Events include a parade and a dance competition featuring multiple organizations ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER

The Office of International Programs and Services and the Office of Student Involvement initiated in the creation of the website, iweek.gmu.edu. The website provides a succinct rundown of all International Week events and promotes both student-led and departmental programs that advocate the doing, taking, tasting and viewing of culture at Mason. On Monday, April 9 from noon to 1 p.m., the Mason iWeek Parade will take place in Roger Wilkins Plaza, formerly known as North Plaza. The parade is dedicated to commemorate the diverse individuals and groups present at Mason. In years past, many take the opportunity to show off their Mason spirit by bringing along artifacts or flags from their respective cultures. Pride in heritage, fraternity, sorority or student organization affiliations are

welcome. Display of cultural affiliation is highly encouraged. The date for this event will be Tuesday, April 10. More information about the parade, route, schedule and set-up are on iweek.gmu. edu under the header called “Parade.” The Confucius Institute, GMU Bengali Patriots Association and the Saudi Student Union are some of the organizations that planned events catered to both students and staff during the week. The Afghan Student Union will host their annual culture night on Wednesday, April 11 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom. Later in the week, the Indian Student Association will host their very own Desi Gala on Friday, April 13 from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Dewberry Hall. Art exhibitions, tournaments and dance festivals are some of the main attractions during International Week. However, the “signature event” is on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. The International Week 2018 Dance Competition will feature ten student organizations and respective performances. Organizations coalesced as teams include Afghan Student Union, Azúcar Salsa Club, GMU Bengali Patriots Association, Black Mambas, Caribbean Student

Association, GMU Dabka, GMU Bhangra, Indian Student Association, Pakistani Student Association and last year’s first-place winner, Nepalese Student Association. The dance competition is a hub for the local community to show out and support Mason’s talented multicultural groups. One free ticket is admitted per Mason student, faculty, or staff with valid ID. Additional tickets for guests are $5, and members of local community are admitted $10 each. Tickets are provided and can be purchased at the Center for the Arts box office or at the Office of Student Involvement. Global Affairs, Mason Recreation and Student Media are will also take part in events throughout the week. International Week 2018 is not only an occasion for celebrating diversity on campus, but also serves as a channel for both students and staff to engage in meaningful experiences that shine light on the lives and cultures of others in the Mason community. For more information, visit iweek.gmu. edu. Mark your calendars for important dates and times for International Week 2018 events at Mason.

Photo courtesy of MASON CABLE NETWORK

International Week is back at Mason. A 37-year-old tradition, the celebration is packed with rich diversity and culture that the university embodies. From Friday, April 6 until Saturday, April 15, the community should expect lively color and energetic crowds as various campus outlets take part in showcasing and learning about culture from around the globe.

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MASON PRESENTS FIRST-EVER UPCYCLING FASHION EXHIBIT Fashion Exhibit reuses discarded materials to make clothes STEPHANIE GOMEZ CONTRIBUTOR

The purpose of the exhibit is to, “showcase the work done by the students, provide additional educational services and raise awareness of clothing waste,” says Samira Lloyd, program manager of the event and the Patriot Green Fund (PGF) for the Office of Sustainability.

The fashion exhibit takes place during Earth month to educate the Mason community how to reduce clothing waste. Lloyd explains, “Upcycling is more of taking things [clothes] that you already have and repurposing them into something new. Giving them a new life.” Several donations were collected this past Dec. 2017, providing clothing materials that are now shelved at the Mix makers space, free for students, faculty, and staff to grab. Clothing items are also used to encourage students to recreate new pieces and expose them to the concept of upcycling. The Mix makers space offers free sewing classes and certifications for students to join and use their

machinery to ensemble their own clothing pieces. “You can join [the] Mix and Office of Sustainability staff and students to help organize the next year’s Upcycling Fashion Exhibit.” The first annual fashion exhibit aims to become a new tradition and initiative in raising awareness about the concept of upcycling as a way to be environmental-friendly within the Mason community. Stop by the Mix@Fenwick between April 16 – 27 and witness the start of a new tradition of the first eco-friendly fashion show collaboration between these two Mason programs. To learn more about the upcoming Fashion Exhibit, visit https://green.gmu.edu/ event/upcycling-fashion-exhibit/.

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The Office of Sustainability and the Mix@Fenwick present the Mason community their first fashion exhibit, initiating a movement to raise awareness about upcycling -- which is reusing discarded materials to create a product of higher quality or value. The fashion exhibit will take place April 16 – 27 at the Mix@Fenwick, where five mannequins will feature pieces created by students.

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MAKING A CHANGE STEP BY STEP Palestinian student Malek Salhab establishes organization that provides medical supplies to countries in need KATHYA MENDEZ STAFF WRITER

Malek Salhab is a Palestinian freshman majoring in Neuroscience and the founder of the new chapter at Mason. Salhab received a full ride scholarship to Mason. He was born in the United States but moved back to Palestine with his parents when he was 9 years old. Growing up in Palestine, he faced struggles from injustice in the IsraelPalestine conflict to personal achievement and growth. “Living in Palestine there is an animosity. Everyone hates each other and everyone is fighting, Palestinians and Israelis. It really becomes ingrained within the individual.” Salhab continued to describe what

he experienced, “I saw how the infrastructure was completely undermined. Everything there, the infrastructure, cleanliness, modern supplies, professionalism [was undermined]. It wasn’t necessarily the experience or the professionalism of the doctors or the staff it was just that they didn’t receive funding, they were deprived of resources.”

They organize fundraisers to gather money and send the shipments overseas. Once these medical supplies have been shipped, they try to send people to see the hospitals and interact with locals. This nonprofit organization continues to open up and spread awareness for more people to get involved.

The medical infrastructure in Palestine is poverty-stricken. Therefore, Salhab decided to take the initiative to become a doctor. His goal is to go back to Palestine when he is ready to spread the knowledge and experience he has obtained from school and United2Heal.

Overall, collecting excess medical supplies is a win-win situation for hospitals to get rid of excess supplies without paying disposal or landfill fees. Meanwhile, United2Heal members take the opportunity to give back to communities in need, knowing that a large shipment is at least few thousand to a million dollars worth of supplies.

Mason’s United2Heal chapter was established in the fall semester of 2017, where many Mason students were interested in the medical field and helping medical infrastructure in the U.S and abroad, which made this organization a way to help underprivileged areas across the world. “People donating their time is more important than donating their money. If they are able to help us with the shipments and the packing that would be the biggest help.”

“A lot of the time it doesn’t take much to invest, but if you do invest in it, it pays off once you devote time and effort, you are able to take one idea and make it that good into the community and eventually you get a lot of people knowing about it and make a change” said Salhab. United2Heal is a means for Malek Salhab and other Patriots can express themselves through science and to spread change and awareness.

Photo courtesy of INSTAGRAM

United2Heal is a non-profit organization and humanitarian aid charity that collects excess medical supplies from local hospitals and clinics and ship them internationally to countries in need around the world, including Syria, Chile, Egypt, Haiti and many more. United2Heal is a new organization at Mason’s campus with other chapters across the nation, such as University of Michigan, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, University of Richmond.

ALBUM REVIEW: THE WEEKND’S MY DEAR MELANCHOLY, WAFIR SALIH STAFF WRITER

FOURTH ESTATE/IBRAHIM AHMED

When Abel Tesfaye -- also known as The Weeknd -- first came onto the music scene in 2011 it was with a series of mixtapes. These tapes were known for their moody atmosphere, drugged out production, and haunting vocals. These tapes came to be known as “Trilogy” and had a big influence on modern R&B as we know it today. The Weeknd made his foray into the mainstream with “Beauty Behind The Madness”, an inconsistent mess of an album with only a handful of great songs. He followed that album up with “Starboy”, which was a much more cohesive record while it still having plenty of songs catering to the pop music demographic. At this point it was beginning to look like the Weeknd abandoned the artistic style he crafted with “Trilogy”. With “My Dear Melancholy,” Tesfaye returns to his roots: dark, moody, atmospheric R&B, culminating in easily the most exciting release of the year so far. On “Call Out My Name”, Tesfaye delivers a heart breaking vocal

performance, alluding to his recent break up with Selena Gomez, singing “I almost cut a piece of myself for your life.” Fans theorize that he was speaking literally since Gomez needed a kidney transplant in October last year. “Try Me” follows up with a glitzy synth melody and a plea by Tesfaye to unnamed woman to “put her pride aside” and give him a chance. On “Wasted Times” Tesfaye sings about how he’s not trying to catch feelings. Skrillex carries the production on it and delivers a colorful distortion to Tesfaye’s vocals near the end of the song in easily the catchiest moment on the project. There are rumors that Tesfaye is preparing to release a follow up this project, which might make sense because it’s just barely 20 minutes long with six songs in total. It’s safe to say that the Weeknd is entering a new chapter in his career, one where he keeps making and releasing music of this caliber.

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NIC’S FLICKS NIC MACOTTO STAFF WRITER

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

“Isle of Dogs” is a tale - no intended dog pun there - of acceptance. It also works in another sense for me because I have found director Wes Anderson’s style somewhat difficult to become accustomed to as his content can be off-putting due to his deadpan humor that mirrors his approach to his work. However, this is an animated movie. A lot is amusing when it is animated. This stop-motion feature comments on our current president’s views toward those that disagree with him and that everything should go his way. The primary message of the film is: if we can accept others, we can accept ourselves in the world we live in. With this message along with its exceptional voice cast, I can say this animated comedy is a real treat.

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

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2018 LOYOLA-CHICAGO VS. 2006 GEORGE MASON: A COMPARISON OF TWO CINDERELLA TEAMS DOMENIC ALLEGRA CONTRIBUTOR

Let’s compare their two paths to the Final Four. How the Ramblers Reached the Final Four: Led by their 98 year-old team chaplin, Sister Jean, the 11th-seeded Ramblers won the Missouri Valley Conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA

precedent for all Cinderella teams that came after them, all of which dream of upsetting the NCAA’s top teams in hopes to make it to the National Title game.

How Mason Reached the Final Four:

In my opinion, Loyola’s path to the NCAA’s Final Four was the easier of the two teams. The Ramblers are the first 11-seed to not have to face the region’s No.1 seed to advance to the Final Four and did not face the talent that most of the teams had in 2006. In their tournament run, Mason faced three National Champions (UNC 2005, UCONN 2004, MICH ST 2000), three Hall of Fame Coaches (UCONN: Jim Calhoun, UNC: Roy Williams, MICH ST: Tom Izzo), and six first Round NBA Draft picks (UCONN Rudy Gay,

A quote from Loyola Coach Porter Moser to Senior Ben Richardson after the end of their Final Four run beautifully summarizes the end of both of these tournament runs, “You keep that head high walking through here because you changed the direction of this entire program.” It is fascinating how a group of college basketball players on one tournament run can have a lasting impact the entire school program and the university as a whole.

and his administration did not act like witches– or Russian conspirators– then I could see how these unrelenting investigations could seem like a witch hunt. The way I see it is that, “the liberals and leftist media” are not out to get Trump for his unpopular views, they are trying to ensure legitimacy in our elections.

was involved.

The 11-seed Mason earned an at-large bid, which came with lots of criticism, with a record of 23-7 after losing to Hofstra in the semi-finals of the Colonial Athletic Conference tournament. This loss did not stop Mason from upsetting almost all of college basketball’s giants in the tournament. The Patriots fended off No. 6 Michigan State, No. 3 North Carolina, No. 7 Wichita State, and No. 1 seed University of Connecticut in an exciting 86-84 overtime win. Mason set a lasting

A TOTAL WITCH HUNT! CHRIS KERNAN-SCHMIDT COLUMNIST

A few weeks ago President Donald Trump woke up bright and early to remind the Twittersphere of the “WITCH HUNT!” that is supposedly being perpetrated by the ominous left. This latest witch hunt-themed tweet is one of a handful made in the last few months of Trump’s presidency. When I compare Robert Mueller’s investigation into the 2016 Russian election meddling to the fictitious rendition of the Salem witch trials in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible– an actual witch-hunt– I see that Trump’s claim that the left is perpetrating “the greatest Witch Hunt in political history” is immensely flawed. Unlike Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, “The Crucible” details an atmosphere in which everyone is afraid of being called a witch, or in this case being complacent in Russian interference, and sentenced on a whim even if they are innocent. Today though, the only ones who seem to be scared of this “witch hunt” are the supposed conspirators themselves: Trump and his crew.

There were no actual witches in “The Crucible”, but there seems to be quite the coven in Trump’s administration. Those who shout the loudest often have the most to hide. Trump’s quickness to insinuate that there is an unfair and unfounded witch-hunt perpetrated by his political enemies is quite indicative of fear and perhaps guilt. By pointing fingers and scapegoating the media and the left Trump shifts the focus away from himself. Unlike the protagonists of “The Crucible”, Trump and his gang are not being targeted in the name of hysteria or selfish gain. There is a rightful investigation into their compliance, or at the very least knowledge of, Russian interference into our elections. Keep in mind that four people close to Trump’s administration or campaign have already been charged in Mueller’s investigation. If there are no witches in the White House, and Trump and his friends are truly innocent, then why is he so afraid of this so-called witch hunt? If Trump

The 11-seed has upset the 3-seed fifteen times, all of these took place in the round of 32. Nevertheless, even though this is true, history is not the best predictor of outcomes (à la 2018 No. 16 UMBC vs No. 1 UVA in the Round of 64). However, just like Mason, LoyolaChicago’s tournament run came to its demise in the NCAA’s Final Four.

In this case, if President Trump is truly innocent, then he should be as open as possible to clear this mess up as quickly as possible. The shady firings, the early-morning tweets, and the constant attitude of “everyone is out to get me” is quite tiresome and frankly, it is not presidential. I am certain that while many do not agree with Trump’s policies, Robert Mueller’s investigation is neither a witch hunt nor unfair. Given the leads that the public has thus far: multiple campaign staffers in contact with Russians, detailed reports on Russian efforts to sway the election, and Trump’s “Russia can do no wrong” attitude, it is not far off to assume Trump

Photo courtesy of LOYOLA UNIVERSITY

tournament, so they would not have to worry about receiving an at-large bid come Selection Sunday. Entering the Final Four game, the Ramblers were on a 14-game winning streak and had beaten No. 6 Miami, No. 3 Tennessee, No. 7 Nevada, and No. 9 Kansas State. All but one of these games was decided by two points or less, however, the fact that they were winning by such small margins did not stop them. As Chicagan Elmwood Blues of the Blues Brothers would say, “[They’re] on a mission from God”.

Hilton Armstrong, Marcus Williams, Josh Boone; MICH ST: Shannon Brown and Maurice Ager). I’ll let you decide who had the tougher run.

During the Patriots’ tournament run alone, the media produced over $677

I hope the investigation continues. I want to be clear that I do not actively wish to find out that Trump was a part of Russian interference, but I do want those involved to be brought to justice. I believe Robert Mueller is a competent

Million of free focused publicity. In addition to this, alumni donations skyrocketed in the next year and 3000 more students applied the next two years than in 2005. Furthermore, this tournament run laid the groundwork for Mason’s induction into the Atlantic-10 Conference prior to the 2013 season, a huge step forward for not only the men’s and women’s basketball programs, but also all of Mason Athletics. All that being said, in my mind, Mason is the baseline for all Cinderella teams, and unless another 11-seed or lower at-large team comes along and makes it to the championship game, it will stay like that for a long time. patriot who is working to preserve our election integrity and the integrity of the Executive Branch. I have a short message to President Trump: you are not a target of a witch hunt, Mr. Trump. You are a very important piece of a very big puzzle that has yet to be solved.

FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

The lauded tournament run of the 11-seed Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (32-6) has come to an end after their loss to 3-seed Michigan in the Final Four. Loyola was in familiar territory in the Final Four, as their 1963 team won the National Title against Cincinnati, however, the Ramblers were only the fourth 11-seed to reach the College Basketball’s Final Four since the tournament expanded in 1985. Furthermore, this matchup was only the second time an 11-seed and a 3-seed met in the Final Four. The first team to do this was our famous Cinderella 2006 George Mason Patriots who reached the Final Four as an at-large 11-seed, eventually losing to the 3-seed Florida, the team that won the NCAA Tournament that year.

OPINIONS

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4.9.2018

Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to jbelive2@gmu.edu

SHOULD COLLEGE ATHLETES GET PAID? Fourth Estate’s sports writer Natalie Heavren weighs in on fair pay for student athletes. March Madness is circled on the calendars of people around the world. This tournament is hosted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the NCAA, which oversees the 351 Division I Men’s Basketball programs fighting for one of the 68 spots in the tournament. However, not everyone benefits from this entertaining tournament -- namely the players themselves. According to Bloomberg, the NCAA earned more than $1 billion last year. This money primarily comes from massive television contracts for their annual men’s basketball tournament. These contracts brought the NCAA $761 million last year, and the students received $0.00 of it.

leaves little room for other activities, let alone a job. The 2015 study also looked at the percentage of student-athletes working at a job for pay. Depending on the sport, between 11 and 23 percent of Division I athletes worked at a job, however, no athletes worked more than an average of nine hours a week. It is important to note that this NCAA survey required the athletes to self-report, and therefore may not fully encompass the hours some athletes spent working, or on

With athletics and academics taking up a bulk of student-athletes’ time, it

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The stipends are a good idea, but they are not nearly enough. The full cost-of-attendance stipend is only given to student-athletes on a full scholarship to a school in a Power Five conference, according to the Kansas City Star. Athletes in these conferences that are on partial scholarships only receive a percentage of the full stipend. This is a problem -- just because a student-athlete competes for a school outside of Power Five conferences does not mean they work any less than a student-athlete at a Power Five school. They work just as hard, and have also earned a full scholarship, and should be compensated with cost-of-attendance stipends as well.

However, stipends alone are not enough.

If a non-student-athlete needed money, they would be told to get a job. NCAA bylaws state that student-athletes can work, but many do not have the time to devote to a job. According to the NCAA’s 2015 GOALS Study of the StudentAthlete Experience Survey Division I, athletes spent a median of at least 66 hours a week, in season, on athletic and academic activities. This equates to nearly 39 percent of their week. However, there were many athletes that spent upwards of 70 hours a week on athletic and academic activities. This means many athletes spent at least 42 percent of their week during the season on athletic and academic activities.

actually costs to attend college.

According to CBS, partial scholarships can be given in all NCAA Division I sports that are not FBS, Football Bowl Subdivision, Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, as well as Women’s Gymnastics, Tennis, and Volleyball. This encompasses a large number of athletes, who would also benefit from the additional money to help pay for the costs of being a college student.

It is not just the NCAA that is profiting off of the athletes, the schools that they play for do as well. According to CNN, “division I college football and men’s basketball teams made a combined profit of $1.7 billion in the 2013-14 school year”. These players got to keep zero percent of the revenue that their talents helped bring i n . However, it is not just high-profile athletes that deserve to be paid.

athletic and academic activities. Some may argue that student-athletes should not be paid wages because their education is being paid through scholarships according to CNN, beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year students, at many major sports’ schools were offered a cost-of-attendance-stipend. These stipends range from $2,000-$5,000 and are intended to help make up the difference between athletic scholarships and what it

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

NATALIE HEAVREN CONTRIBUTOR

The schools of the Power Five conferences found the money for the stipends and should be able to find the money to pay their athletes. The payment does not have to be equivalent to a salary, but student-athletes need to be compensated for their efforts on the field or court. Other student workers are paid for their on-campus jobs, including work-study, working at a front desk or tutoring. People may say that all schools may not have the money to pay their student-athletes. However, the NCAA brought in more than $1 billion dollars last year. The NCAA can afford to fill in the gaps left by the schools to pay the stipends and additional payments to their athletes where their schools cannot. The system needs to change, for both the current student-athletes and the student-athletes of the future.

VITAMIN B—BOOKS SUSAN KATHERINE CORKRAN COLUMNIST

Assigned reading is often viewed as an optional exercise. After a long range of pages crammed with small print appears ominously on Blackboard, questions like, “did you do the reading?” or, “are we going to be tested on this?” abound in the classroom before the professor walks in to see who completed the task. It seems so easy to skim the summaries and get by in class discussions without having to discipline yourself over the grueling hours of reading. You can fake your way through, but in the end, your professor won’t be the one hurt by your decision to shirk the assignment. The consequences of deciding not to be a reader go beyond creating extra stress in the long run with the looming risk of poor grades, though no one should overlook those possibilities. The real damage is that in choosing not to grow as a reader, you stunt your growth both as a student and as a person. Our generation has access to an incredible wealth of information and technology. We are able to forge connections and friendships all around the world. Limits are consistently shattered as opportunities for learning new things increase exponentially. Reading may seem old-school in comparison, but how can we continue this momentum and innovation without sharpening our minds with the power of language, higher levels of thought, and reading? Reading a variety of books is never something you will regret. If you make the time, you can find books about anything you are interested in—and you will discover new interests as well. Picking up nonfiction books about history, philosophy and theory may seem like an intense thing to do outside of class. Adding to the list of books you have finished will enrich your base of knowledge. It can help you write papers, complete projects, and contribute to class discussions. You can strengthen the areas of your academic knowledge that are weakest and fan the flames of your stronger scholarly interests. Suddenly,

making an annotated bibliography is a less daunting task. You can have a list of authors familiar to you on subjects you care about. Strong references in your papers and assignments can help you bolster your arguments and grow in confidence—confidence in yourself when you look at your GPA and confidence as a reader that will stay with you even after you have graduated. You are by no means limited to this factual section of reading. Literature has a special value beyond English classrooms. True, it will help you pass your graduation requirements if you familiarize yourself with Shakespeare, Dickins and Thoreau. But there are lessons to be learned in those pages that you can enjoy outside of a set curriculum. Reading for the sake of reading, and genuinely enjoying, classical literature will offer you new worldviews, exciting stories, beautiful poetry and prose, as well as an improved vocabulary. When was the last time you picked up an interesting novel to read simply for fun? Maybe you have a soft spot for certain vampire romances or thrilling fantasies laced with magic and adventure. Read those too. Read academic books, read pure fiction, read short novellas, and read long sagas. Read everything, as often as you can. Make the library a familiar place. Find yourself lost in the pages of a book instead of the depths of a Netflixbinge. The key to life is balance, and if books are a priority for you as you balance your schedule, then you will see them enriching your life. Think of reading as a vital component to developing your brain in the same way that exercise and good diet are critical to our physical health. You can indulge in other things, sure, but make sure that you have all of the vitamins you need too. Have a daily dose of Vitamin B—Books!

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Recipe of the Week Obtained from coupleeatsfood.com

LAST ISSUE’S CROSSWORD

Easy & Quick Creamy Spicy Miso Ramen Ingredients: • 3 tsp miso paste • 1 tsp gochujang Korean red pepper paste • 1 cup Dashi stock • 3/4 cup unsweetened soy milk • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped • 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 1 whole egg • 1 1/2 tbsp green onions chopped • 1 packet instant ramen noodle discard the sauce

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1. Cook the instant ramen noodle according to the packet’s instructions and discard the sauce. Drain off water and place in a bowl, set aside. 2. To make ramen eggs, bring water to a boil. Put a cold whole egg in and reduce water to a simmer. Cook eggs for 8 minutes and remove from water and transfer to bowl of ice water. Gently take off the egg shells and cut egg into two halves. 3. To make the soup, heat sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant and tender. Add the miso paste and red pepper paste and stir for about 30 seconds, then add the soy sauce. Pour the dashi stock and then the unsweetened soy milk, and gently stir until everything is well combined. Let soup simmer for 5 minutes. 4. To serve, place cooked noodles in a large bowl. Pour the soup

over the noodles, and top with the eggs and green onions. Add other toppings such as mushroom and vegetables according to own preferences.

LAST ISSUE’S GO FIGURE!

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LAST ISSUE’S MAGIC MAZE

4.9.2018

COMICS FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

LAST ISSUE’S SUDOKU FOURTH ESTATE/JAY TOPSHE