Broadside News

By Genevieve Timpone, Broadside Correspondent

As a part of their course assignment for the semester, a group of students from COMM 330: Principles of Public Relations has been working with Legal Services of Northern Virginia.

LSNV is a nonprofit organization that provides free, high quality, civil legal services to the indigent, elderly and disabled; the organization also provides free educational lectures to students.

Working with LSNV, the group of students has organized an event for George Mason University students, faculty and staff, titled “How Not to Buy a Car.”

The event will be presented by Q. Russell Hatchl, Esq., attorney for LSNV.

The lecture will give audience members a different perspective on how to finance a car. Hatchl will discuss what to be cautious of when taking out a car loan in order to avoid bad credit.

Communication major Susanna Joseph, a member of the COMM 330 group said, “The most important issue is how to prepare ourselves to deal with the car salesman, his or her arsenal of salesmanship, what their real interest is and how to promote our interest to get a decent deal. Just like in any other situation in life, it is mandatory to know our goal[s], and the means . . . to achieve them.

“From my own mistakes and experience I am confident that, having listened to the lecture, those who attend will be much better equipped to deal with the challenges of buying a reliable car on good financial term[s]. They will leave the dealership with a good and satisfying feeling: ‘I made a good deal!’,” said Joseph.

Samantha Baun, a government graduate student said, “I am close to graduating and will need a car soon. This would be my first time purchasing a car, so it would be great to hear some tips, especially since I’ll also be dealing with paying back college loans.”

This event is free, and will be held on Monday, April 19, from 5 – 6 p.m. in Research I, Room 163, on the Fairfax Campus.

Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Those interested in attending should send their RSVP to Susanna Joseph at sjoseph3@gmu.edu or call 571-278-0560. Walk-ins will also be accepted, but space is limited.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more on the topic or becoming a volunteer lecturer at high schools, indicate this on your RSVP as well. Visit www.lsnv.org for more information.

By Evan Benton, Staff Writer

Last Sunday the George Mason University Forensics team came in fourth place out of over 100 collegiate teams nationwide at the National Forensics Tournament in Eau Claire, W.I., and managed to make a little history along the way.

Illinois State University placed third above Mason, with perennial antagonist Western Kentucky University taking second and Bradley University the overall champion.

But for the first time in the history of the American Forensics Association Individual Events Tournament, the top four placements in a single event were taken by one school alone. That school? Mason.

Four Mason students, two of whom were new members of the vaunted team, took places one through four in the nation in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Sophomore Will Bellows, a government and international politics major, was National Champion.

Along with Bellows, freshman undeclared major Brennan Morris took second place, and freshman government and international politics majors Billy Strong and Rob Warchol finished the sweep with third and fourth place respectively.

“[We as a team] are so proud of the team’s finish,” said co-captain Quincey Smith, junior studying public relations and legal studies. “Especially with the impressive showing by our extemporaneous speakers.”

Smith, along with junior anthropology major Katie Miller, made the quarterfinals in Duo Interpretation. Miller also reached the quarters in her specialty field, Poetry Interpretation.

Other finalists included Colston Reid, senior and co-captain of the team receiving fourth in Impromptu Speaking, sophomore Aaron Boudreaux and freshman Michael Lynch, who finished third in Duo Interpretation, and senior David Tuck who finished third in Program Oral Interpretation. Freshman Tyler Dailey and senior Jennifer Torres both reached the semifinals in Prose Interpretation as well as Junior Pat Mahoney in Informative Speaking and sophomore Aaron Boudreaux in After Dinner Speaking.

National Extemporaneous Speaking Champion Will Bellows also reached the semifinals in Impromptu Speaking.
“Seeing our younger members do so well was incredible,” said Smith. “It makes me excited for the upcoming future of this team . . .”

This makes for the team’s third straight year in the top five nationally, a feat which alone solidifies their standing as our university’s most successful competitive team, academic or athletic.

With its new crop of champions, the Mason Forensics team hopes to continue its legacy of excellence well into the future, looking to hoist the first place trophy for the first time since the glory days of 1979.

By Yasmin Tadjdeh, News Editor

Students participating in last week’s International Week were treated to culture that not many students know: The Culture of the Horn.

On Wednesday, the Eritrean and Somali Student Association hosted their cultural night in the Johnson Center’s Bistro.

The night, which featured poetry, traditional foods, student presentations, song performances and a fashion show, was created to showcase the unique culture of the Horn of Africa.

“[We hosted the event] to allow everyone to experience the diverse cultures of the Horn of Africa,” said Abdifatah Sh-Ibrahim, the vice president of the Somali Student Association. “Our goal is to . . . highlight each other’s cultures . . . and to show that unity is possible.”

“Among the Mason community we want to break the stereotype that the Horn is simply a conflict ridden part of the world,” said Sh-Ibrahim. “ Ultimately, we wanted to celebrate and showcase our cultures.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the fashion show.

Yasmin Mahmoud-Mirreh, a sophomore global affairs major and participator in the fashion show, said “The girls wear the traditional dress, [which consists of] three parts: a scarf, a dress and a skirt . . . [The dress] is see-through, [so we wear] a skirt underneath.”

Sh-Ibrahim was also pleased with the fashion show.

“My favorite part of the night was the fashion show because we not only got to showcase our tradition attire, but also the influence of hip-hop on young Somalis,” said Sh-Ibrahim.

Mahmoud-Mirreh was excited about the cultural night because it was a chance “to show off our culture,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of people are aware on campus that we have a Somalian . . . [presence], and a very strong one, too.”

According to Sh-Ibrahim, the event, which had been in the works since February, had close to 200 people in attendance.

For those in the crowd, they hoped the night would be a way for them to better understand Somali culture.
“I’ve never really known much about Somalian culture, so I’m hoping that this [event] will educate me,” said Eba Siddig, a junior community health major.

For more information on the Somali Student Association and events that it will be putting on in the future, please visit http://www.gmu.edu/org/somali or their Facebook page.

By Yuri Svjagintsev, Broadside Correspondent

Braving unusually chilly temperatures and wind last Friday, students participating in International Week celebrated Culture on the Lawn in Presidents Park to enjoy an evening of international food, dance and festivities.

Multiple clubs took part in the event, including the Somali Student Organization, the French Students Organization and the Kurdistan Student Organization, among others.

According to organizer Allie Dailey, a junior global affairs major, “The purpose of this event was for students to come out and share their culture.”

Culture on the Lawn was also celebrated during last year’s International week, but “there was the addition of swing dancing as well as an Ultimate Frisbee match,” Dailey said.

Micah Pasquarell, a senior majoring in conflict analysis and resolution, said that there would also be a performance by the Capoeira dance troupe.

Capoeira is a Brazilian dance that incorporates African rhythm and martial arts moves into a fusion style of dance.

The event, which resembled a tailgate, featured free food brought by other event-goers. Students were even treated to kabobs by the KSO.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Behar Godani, a graduate student in political science. “The dance competition was definitely the most competitive.”

She added that she was disappointed that the fashion show was canceled.

“It had a lot of promise to it,” she said.

By Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief

Since March 29, Michelle Pearl Dawson, a junior at George Mason University, has been in intensive care at INOVA Fairfax hospital after being hit by a car while in a crosswalk on Patriot Circle. For Michelle, who remains in critical condition, the accident has changed everything. A major in marketing with a minor in French, Michelle had planned to go to France for a month this summer and was also looking forward to joining the French Club according to Danielle Dawson, Michelle’s older sister.

“The study abroad trip was going to be pretty huge for her,” said Danielle Dawson, a senior art and visual technology major. “She had just been thinking about it every single day since she signed up and was accepted…this is a very, very hard time for all of us and for her.”

Michelle, who worked with her sister as a nanny for three children, is an intelligent and hardworking student who enjoys spending time outdoors, say family members.

“Her academic history is incredibly strong,” said Danielle Dawson. “This girl is so dedicated and is such a hard worker and now her entire life is on hold and in jeopardy.”

“Of course we’re hopeful, we’re always hopeful,” said Michelle’s dad, Dave Dawson. “I’m the optimist, so I think everyday will be the day she gets up and starts moving around, but that isn’t happening.”

The Accident
According to Walter Randall, a government and international politics major who was walking with Michelle when the incident occurred, the pair was walking to Michelle’s car, parked at her older sister Desiree’s house on Armstrong Street when Michelle was hit around 9:35 p.m. Randall says the two took the necessary precautions before entering the crosswalk, which is located directly in front of the police station on Patriot Circle.

“We were definitely in the crosswalk and we looked both ways before we crossed,” said Randall. “There were no cars at all when we first started walking and she didn’t see the car until we were almost in the lane he was traveling in and she was like, ‘Walter there’s a car’ and after that, she got hit.”

The driver of the car, Jeffrey Jenkins, a 23-year-old non-Mason student was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian.

Though Mason Police have closed their investigation, the case remains open with Fairfax County Police who are finishing their report on the reconstruction of the accident according to Dave Dawson.

“That report will be the final findings of the incident.”

According to friends and family members, quotes by Deputy Police Chief George Ginovsky in the Monday, April 5 issue of Broadside in which he urged students to “look both ways” before crossing the street, were misleading about the actual circumstances of the accident.

“A lot of people are mad at those wordings…’common sense’ and ‘looking both ways.’ What that’s insinuating is it’s [Michelle and Walter’s] fault. And it was not their fault,” said Dave Dawson. “They did look both ways and they were conscientious; these are honor roll kids, extremely smart kids, it’s not fair for them to be portrayed any other way. They are portrayed poorly by what he said.”

University Spokesman Dan Walsch, says, however, that neither the university nor the university police were attempting to place blame on Dawson for the accident.

“If the police gave anyone the impression that this girl was at fault for what happened, then I’m sure that was not their intent,’ said Walsch. “She certainly was not charged with any crime, the driver was…so I’m sure that’s not the impression they were trying to give because there’s nothing further from the truth. What happened is most tragic and our hearts go out to her, her family and friends.”

The Next Step
Friends and family of Dawson say that the crosswalk where Dawson was hit remains a dangerous spot on campus and think something needs to be done to enhance the safety of that area.

“With the lights and everything it seems pretty safe, but I think drivers need to be aware there is a crosswalk coming up especially since it’s before the light. No one ever sees a crosswalk before a light,” said Randall.
Dave Dawson agrees.

“The way that crosswalk was placed in front of a traffic light gives the driver a false signal to accelerate when he sees green. It’s a dangerous, dangerous spot,” said Dawson.

According to Walsch, no prior complaints had been filed with the university regarding the crosswalk where Dawson was struck.

“Regarding that specific cross walk, to my knowledge they have received no formal complaint about it,” said Walsch. “Safety is something we’re constantly monitoring just as we do every academic program we offer to make sure it’s as good as it possibly can be. We are very open to any concerns or questions, complaints, etc. that people may have about that crosswalk or any other crosswalk.”

For the Dawsons, what is most important is raising awareness for both pedestrians and drivers so that other accidents can be avoided.

“We just want to reflect the truth on campus, that it’s not just up to pedestrians to avoid accidents like this happening,” said Danielle Dawson.

By Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor

Governor Bob McDonnell proclaimed April 2010 as Confederate History Month, a proclamation his two Democratic predecessors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, refused to make.

In 1997, Governor George Allen started the practice of honoring the soldiers who fought for the South in the Civil War by declaring April Confederate History Month. Allen’s successor, James S. Gilmore III (R), incorporated anti-slavery language into his proclamation, a statement McDonnell left out.

McDonnell told The Washington Post that he did not include a reference to slavery because “there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia.”

The proclamation was condemned by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, the NAACP and the GMU College Democrats.

“The College Democrats are fed up with the intolerance of the McDonnell administration,” said Frank Anderson, a junior public administration major and the co-president of the GMU College Democrats.

“First it was the Attorney General’s insistence that GMU should remove sexual orientation from its non-discrimination policy,” said Anderson.

“Next, they started a frivolous lawsuit to reject health insurance reform that allows thousands of Virginia college students to remain on their parents’ health plans,” said Anderson.

“Now, Governor McDonnell has proclaimed April to be Confederate History Month.

His initial response to the glaring omission of slavery was that he only focused on issues that were ‘most significant for Virginia’,” said Anderson.

The governor’s office submitted a correction to their omission of slavery from the original seven-paragraph proclamation stating, “The proclamation issued by this Office designating April as Confederate History Month contained a major omission. The failure to include any reference to slavery was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed. The abomination of slavery divided our nation, deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights, and led to the Civil War. Slavery was an evil, vicious and inhumane practice which degraded human beings to property, and it has left a stain on the soul of this state and nation. In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly approved a formal statement of ‘profound regret’ for the Commonwealth’s history of slavery, which was the right thing to do.”

The inserted anti-slavery language into the official proclamation reads, “WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to understand that the institution of slavery led to this war and was an evil and inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent eradication from our borders, and the study of this time period should reflect upon and learn from this painful part of our history…”

“Regardless of the Governor’s retraction, this proclamation and other actions demonstrate a pattern of intolerance from the McDonnell administration,” said Anderson. “While it is important to study Virginia history, we don’t think the Confederacy is something to celebrate. We are proud Americans who pledge our allegiance to the United States flag, not the Confederate flag!”

The College Democrats will be protesting McDonn­­­ell’s proclamation today at noon on the East Lawn, the grassy area between the Johnson Center and King Hall. Delegate Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) and Delegate Mark Sickles (D-Franconia) will be speaking at this event.

“We invite any students who want to stand against intolerance to join us on Monday,” said Anderson.

“Confederate History Month is offensive, backwards, and not representative of the majority of decent Virginians!”

By Kevin Loker, C2M Executive Editor

Two dozen students were transported to Health Services for treatment of minor injuries obtained during the annual International Week Dance Competition last week. Record-breaking temperatures heated up the black-carpeted outdoor stage, resulting in blisters for 24 of the competition’s barefoot performers.

“The problem was first noticed after the Pakistan Student Association finished their performance and the African Student Association started theirs,” said Assistant Director of Student Activities Sara Morrisroe, who oversaw the event. “It was noticed by members of the team once they came off the stage. We immediately assessed the members and recommended they consult Student Health Services.”

Students incurred no cost from their treatments, according to an e-mail correspondence with Lauren Long, the director of Student Activities, the organization that oversaw the event.

“I informed all the remaining contestants that shoes or socks were required to be on stage,” said Long. Two members of George Mason University Bhangra and one member of the Mason Hellenic Society, which performed shortly after the Pakistan Student Association and African Student Association, also received treatment for their injuries.

“The remaining dancers for the rest of the event were all fine,” said Long.

For past dance competitions, Student Activities had used a wooden stage. But since the stage was in poor condition, Long said they rented a covered stage out of safety concerns for participating students.

Students who were transported to Health Services responded positively, according to Morrisroe.

“[The dancers] knew that this was an unforeseen circumstance and that we’re trying our best to keep them safe . . . [We weren’t] expecting the record temperatures,” said Morrisroe. “Overall, the students were very understanding and knew that we were available to them if they needed anything else.”

Temperatures on Tuesday, April 6 reached 93 degrees — 30 degrees higher than the average temperature for Fairfax that day, 63 degrees.

To ensure safety and accommodate for an increasing crowd size, future International Week dance competitions will be held indoors.

“We think this is the best decision for everyone,” said Long. “[The] safety of our students is the most important part for us in all of our programs, and we will work to ensure this does not have an option to occur again in the future.”

The dance competition’s winners, the Arab Student Association, performed Saturday, April 10, at the International Dinner in Dewberry Hall.

By Kevin Loker, C2M Executive Editor

Thanks to a safety net of savings, George Mason University can worry a little less when it comes to the immediate impact of the state’s financial crisis on university operations, and the resulting monetary blows to its students and faculty.

A little less, and only for now.

Senior Vice President Morrie Scherrens told a packed room of faculty and administrators at a budget forum last week that rather than furlough Mason employees for one day — a move that seemed more than likely at last month’s forum — the university instead planned to absorb the $900,000 blow of the state-imposed furlough.

“Oh, very good,” said one faculty member as the room, not expecting the announcement, burst into applause.

Despite the $5.6 million hit the university took at the end of the legislative session, units and departments will not receive any additional budget cuts this fiscal year, and the cost of the move will be covered by a level of savings that Scherrens says the university had hoped to use if matters had gotten better later in the fiscal year.

“We positioned ourselves so if the budget did not deteriorate beyond our projections, we could provide some additional funding to our highest unfunded priorities,” said Scherrens in an e-mail correspondence after the forum. “It was our decision to defer making these departmental allocations this year and to treat avoidance of the furlough as our highest priority.”

Money will come, however, from cuts to the equipment trust fund eminent scholar fund, earned interest and maintenance reserve.

“I’m sure we’ve made the right decision . . . but it’s a tradeoff,” said Scherrens at the forum, maintaining that the absorption of the furlough meant positions may stay unfilled, class sizes may be larger and that some of the largest projects across campus may temporarily go unaddressed.

“The message is it’s not because we had it laying around . . . It’s important to understand it was a difficult choice,” said Scherrens.

Out-of-state students dodged a bullet as well. The final legislation from the General Assembly had imposed a $5 per-credit-hour fee on out-of-state students, and in a move similar to the furlough decision, the university decided to additionally treat the $600,000 cost of the charge as another budget cut.

But students will still feel a pinch. While originally projected to be higher, summer tuition will rise 8 percent for in-state students and 6 percent for out-of-state students, an increase that Scherrens said would likely “be very consistent” with the increases for the fall.

Most concerns, however, lay beyond fiscal year 2010.

“The worst single piece of news out of the budget for 2011 is that the state is not providing any additional contribution for student financial aid,” said Provost Peter Stearns, who led the forum alongside Scherrens.

Stearns said the administration regrets the lack of state funding for students with financial need, and emphasized the importance of philanthropically based giving in the university’s future.

“Although we can’t [currently] resolve [the state’s lack of contribution to financial aid ], we do want to recognize it,” said Stearns.

State contribution to the operating budget has declined to about 28 percent. In fiscal year 2012, more state funds will be cut, and $19 million in federal stimulus funds will disappear.

“Our highest priority in the interim is student financial aid,” said Stearns. “Don’t like the fall, [but] it looks worse for [fiscal year 20]12.”

By Alyse Knorr, Broadside Correspondent

On Tuesday, April 6, George Mason University’s Cultural Fusion Field Day will move to the Prince William campus for the first time in its two-year history. The Field Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the volleyball court near the athletic center.

“It’s a celebration of cultures through music, through food, through games,” said Charvis Campbell, assistant dean of university life at Prince William. “It’s really a good way to celebrate and appreciate the different cultures that our students, faculty and staff come from.”

Activities at the event will include pick-up games of soccer, Kabadi (a team contact sport from India), volleyball and ping pong.

The event will also feature a Math Across the Cultures tent, a tent dedicated to Irish history and culture, a giant chess board and free food.

For those interested in Hinduism and arithmetic, a Vedic math demo and workshop, in which participants can make an abacus, will take place at 11:30 a.m. Also, a steel pan music performance and workshop will begin at 12:15 p.m.

Professional university photographers will be on hand in the Global Corner Photobooth to take pictures of participants wearing different styles of cultural clothing.

Raffle prizes include free sub sandwich coupons from Firehouse Subs and gift certificates to Casa Chimayo, Jeaneology and Red, Hot & Blue.

Cultural Fusion Field Day marks one of the first events of Mason’s 30th Annual International Week, a showcase and celebration of the countries and cultures that make up the student body.

Cultural Fusion Field Day is sponsored by the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, the Office of Diversity Programs and Services, the Office of International Programs and Services and Prince William University Life.

By Yuri Svjagintsev, Broadside Correspondent

George Mason University’s Office of International Affairs will be hosting its annual International Week this week to celebrate the university’s laudable diversity and the attraction it holds for students from every corner of the globe.

According to the Office of International Affairs’ website, International Week is intended “to celebrate the presence of the university’s international and multicultural student population.

For immigrant students, International Week at Mason provides an opportunity to share their cultural heritages.”

During the week, more than 20 campus associations that are tied to a particular culture will be involved in the celebration, such as the Persian Student Association and the Hispanic Student Association.

Marina Casciano, a graduate student in public administration and former president of the International Association said, “International Week is a very important event for raising awareness among the student body. Unfortunately, in the past it was not marketed enough.”

This year may be different, as the Johnson Center will be decked out in flags from across the world and participating student organizations will offer various activities.

“The Russian Club will showcase poetry readings and cultural artifacts celebrating Russia’s rich literary and artistic culture,” said Tatyana Gontscharow, the president of the Russian Club and a junior majoring in athletic training.

Other associations participating in International Week will have dances, perform music and bring in food. Organizers said there was even a cricket tournament and a soccer tournament held over the weekend.

Svyatoslav Suvorov, a senior business management major, said he was looking forward to the soccer tournament the most.

“It will be like a miniature World Cup in our university,” he said. “We can see which country is truly the king of the field.”

On Tuesday, there will be a dance competition with styles ranging from traditional tribal dance from the steppes of Central Asia to a demonstration of Capoeira, the Brazilian dancing martial art.

In addition, a fashion show featuring the native apparel of participating countries will be held on Thursday, April 8.

Mason will also allow local businesses to flock to the Fairfax campus in order to show off their cuisines to students.

“I remember the first time I had something from Sangam at Mason,” said Tina Naimyar, a senior majoring in government and international politics. “It was out on the lawn serving chick peas and tandoori chicken.”

Today, Sangam occupies a spot as one of the JC’s main eateries.

The crowning event of International Week has always been the Showcase of Cultures, which will be held in Dewberry Hall in the JC on Wednesday, April 7 at noon.

At the event, each association will set up a table to represent its country. Last year, there was an entire Bedouin tent put up by the Arab Student Association.

International Week is overseen by a chair and vice chair dedicated solely to the event, and is completely student-run, with specific cabinet members overseeing individual events. International Week typically starts on the first Saturday of April.

This year is no exception, with the event commencing on Saturday, April 3 and ending on the night of Saturday, April 9 with an after-party for participants.