Broadside News

Yasmin Tadjdeh, Asst. News Editor

This October, George Mason University will be celebrating Disability Awareness Month. The month will consist of several events to promote the advancement of members of the Mason community with disabilities and shine a light on their struggles.

Disability Awareness Month, which includes events such as a student panel on Oct. 19, a conference and the Out of the Darkness Walk among others, has been a work in progress.

Shoshonna Roberts, a graduate assistant for Program Board, has been planning Disability Awareness Month since August. Roberts, who has high hopes for turnout at the events, has been pleased with previous events this month.

“We had a great speaker, Dr. Tyler Cowen, this Tuesday who lead a discussion on autism and the language we use.”

Roberts hopes that Disability Awareness Month will educate the Mason community on people with disabilities.

“I hope to educate faculty and students with and without disabilities throughout the month . . . The event that I am most looking forward to is the student panel on Monday, Oct. 19 . . . it is a great opportunity for students and faculty to come and learn about the triumphs and challenges some of our Mason students with disabilities face,” Roberts said. “The most important thing we can do is educate ourselves more concerning disabilities. We can do this through discussion, asking questions, and attending some of the events planned during this month.”

Students interested in learning more about the lives of people with disabilities are encouraged to attend some of Disability Awareness Month’s events.

For more information, please visit the Office of Disability Services, or go to ods.gmu.edu.

Amanda Cheek, News Editor

Among the many things that George Mason University has strived to educate students of is alcohol abuse. This topic has never had an entire week devoted to it, however, and the first-ever Alcohol Awareness Week will be taking place this week at Mason.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education have collaborated to make this event possible, but taking the lead in planning the actual events of the week fell on the shoulders of Courtney Webber, the vice president of risk management for the Panhellenic Council at Mason.

“One of the goals [of being the Risk Management Chair] was to sponsor an event during National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. Well, since I like to dream big, I thought why not do a program for the entire week?” said Webber, a tourism and events management major and senior at Mason.

After organizing a committee of six chairs from each of the Panhellenic sororities and a seventh chair representing the Interfraternity Council, Webber and the committee decided on the events of the week and how they wanted to promote AAW.

After working over eight months promoting and organizing the week and its events, AAW will culminate today with the first kiosk in the Johnson Center from noon to 4 p.m., that will continue throughout the week. The kiosk will include educational information and the opportunity to sign a pledge to abstain from alcohol during this week.

If students choose to sign up, they will be given a green and yellow ribbon to wear, and will have their name appear on an oversized false driver’s license, which will be displayed at the kiosk. Student organizations can also pledge as a group and have the organization’s name displayed on a false license plate.

The third full week of October was chosen by the committee because it directly coincides with the National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, in which more than 1,000 campuses across the U.S. participate in, according to a press release issued from Chelsea Cunningham, the graduate assistant for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of Student Activities.

The Mason Greek community’s annual Greek Speak on Tuesday, Oct. 20 will feature comedian Bernie McGrenahan as part of AAW at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building II Ballroom.

Students can participate in a drunk goggle relay race on the Student Union Building I quad on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from noon to 3 p.m. To sign up for the relay contact Courtney Webber at cwebber1@gmu.edu, or by showing up to the event at noon Wednesday.

On average, one alcohol-impaired driving crash fatality occurs every 40 minutes in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

“There are many stereotypes of college students that they are all irresponsible and drink in excess. This event is showing that college students are responsible and do care about issues like this,” said Cunningham.
A candlelight vigil will be held in front of SUB I, on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. Students are invited to gather and reflect on how alcohol may have affected them or loved ones. A small number of students will speak about their experiences and attendees will have the opportunity as well. A limited number of candles will be provided, but students may bring their own.

A DUI simulator will be on the SUB I quad on Friday Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., provided by the P.E.E.R.S. program or Professionals Encouraging Educational Reform Statewide. The simulator is an actual car that students can sit in, and features virtual reality goggles inside of it for students to wear if participating.

The simulation shows the view of someone becoming progressively more intoxicated until they exceed the legal limit. When completed, the participants can see how they drive and what destruction they would have caused had they really been drinking and driving.

“Alcohol abuse and drinking and driving are such important issues not just in the greek community, but for all college students,” said Webber. “We thought it was important to show that students care about these issues and that we are taking action to do something about it.”

“I wish you could quote my laugh,” said Rachael Brookover, a senior and government and international politics major, when asked if she thinks Alcohol Awareness Week will help stop alcohol abuse.

“I don’t think it helps because curiosity trumps education to me,” said Brookover. “I think you can educate kids about alcohol awareness, but if they want to drink they will, especially if they drink recklessly, until they mess up.”

Aubrey Meusel, a junior art and visual technology major thinks otherwise about AAW.

“Personally, I think it helps because a lot of kids are faced with peer pressure, but if they knew how bad binge drinking is . . .and the consequences of going to parties and not knowing what they were getting themselves into, they would think twice,” said Meusel, who is also a resident advisor on campus.

Nicole Ocran, Best of Mason Director

We may not run around with the likes of Thing or Cousin Itt, but we are quite a family. “The Mason Family” (modeled after The Addams Family) is this year’s Family Weekend theme.

Families arrive every year during the weekend of Mason Madness to spend time with their students. Family Weekend runs from Friday, Oct. 16 until Sunday, Oct. 18 this year.

“Our goal is to make this weekend a sort of snapshot of what Mason is about, [to] give families a bit of a flavor of Mason and the opportunity to see what students see every day,” said Doug Little, director of the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services.

What is there to look forward to this year? “The big event around Family Weekend is of course Mason Madness; that’s the event students get the most excited about and come out for,” said Little.

Friday’s opening events feature the Mason Family Welcome and Dinner, a pre-Mason Madness celebration, and then finishing off the night with Mason Madness.
This year, there is a new opportunity to give back. “Saturday morning, we are offering three different community service activities to highlight our commitment to the community and to make the world a better place,” said Little.

“One with [New Century College], Habitat for Humanity and Wolf Trap. We really think this community service defines what we believe in as an office, as well as what Mason believes in,” said Little.

On Saturday, students and families will also be able to hear a book presentation from The New York Times best-selling author Jason F. Wright, who wrote The Wednesday Letters.

“The book is about family [and] what it is to be family, that kind of thing,” said Little. Every year, Family Weekend has a book presentation to showcase the diverse stories and voices that make up the Mason community.

Students without visiting family members and who are looking for something to do this weekend are welcome to join in on the activities.

“Anyone can participate in Family Weekend, even if your family’s not in from out of town, all of those events are still open and we are looking forward to folks coming out,” said Little.

Approximately 500 to 750 family members are expected this weekend. Registration, only available online, will close on Friday, Oct. 16.

To register, or for information on Family Weekend and a complete list of events, visit: http://orientation.gmu.edu/families/family_weekend.php.

Matt Loffman, Connect2Mason Podcast Director

It is a view from campus not many people ever enjoy. The observatory on the rooftop of Research 1 offers a closer look at the night sky. It connects Earth with the stars, planets or even extraterrestrials that may be out there.

Under the mostly clear sky on the evening of Sept. 29, about 40 George Mason University faculty, students and community members gathered at the observatory for the chance to see distant planets and stars.

One of the volunteers who acted as a guide to the stars said that when the moon is as bright as it was on Tuesday, it can be hard to see stars in the night sky. When this is added to the light pollution surrounding the Fairfax campus, visibility can be limited.

Even with the passing clouds and light pollution, participants were able to see the craters on the moon’s surface—a favorite for senior tourism and events management major Alisa Tibbs, who showed up just for fun.

Senior computer science major Eric Kangas really enjoyed seeing Jupiter and its four moons up close. Kangas went to the observatory for his introductory astronomy class.

Many of the other students present were also there for class because this semester marks the first time that observatory viewing sessions are a formal astronomy class project, according to Becky Ericson, the astronomy lab coordinator.

“To see all this in reality is completely different than studying it in a textbook,” Ericson said. “You can see so much more when you look through a telescope.”
She hopes to instill within students a love for looking at the sky, while also generating interest in astronomy.

“I just want them to look up at night when they’re outside—with or without a telescope,” Ericson added.

The Observatory Director Dr. Harold Geller also hopes students will learn to love astronomy.

“With these small telescopes, it’s about the thrill of looking,” Geller said.

The telescopes currently used can have a magnification of about 30 times, which is enough to make a planet like Jupiter that is five times farther from the sun than Earth visible.

Geller says that when the university gets a larger telescope students will be able to gain experience with their operation and perhaps see more.

“If we got a professional telescope, we could hope to look for extrasolar planets,” Geller said.

For now, Geller is encouraging students to come to the astronomy observation sessions that will be held every few weeks until the end of the semester.
“As long as the weather is clear, come and enjoy the stars,” Geller said.

For a complete list of dates and to check the status of the observations in questionable weather, visit http://physics.gmu.edu/%7Ehgeller/observing.html.

Amanda Cheek, News Editor

Beginning today and continuing through Oct. 8, several parts of campus will be bustling with activities hosted by George Mason University’s Sexual Assault Services for Turn Off the Violence Week. The week features events dedicated to promoting awareness of sexual and domestic violence.

Rachel Mosunmade, a Mason sophomore and medical technology major said she saw a flyer for Turn off the Violence Week in Student Union Building I.

“[Domestic violence] is something that needs attention brought to it. It affects a lot of people,” said Mosunmade.

Turn off the Violence Week is co-sponsored by the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Feminist Student Organization at Mason.

“People ages 20-24 are at the highest risk for sexual assault, immediately followed by those ages 16-20,” said the Director of Sexual Services, Connie Kirkland.

Kirkland also said that promoting awareness about sexual and domestic violence on college campuses is important because a college campus is a community like any other, and behaves just like one.

“Both sexual and dating violence is very common on all college campuses, not just at Mason,” said Kirkland. “We are no different.”

Two events will be running throughout the entirety of Turn Off the Violence Week. Sexual Assault Services will be promoting the White Ribbon Campaign all week.

According to the office’s website, http://sas.gmu.edu, the White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon symbolizes a man’s pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

“It’s kind of a serious thing,” said Chen Mo, a sophomore and management major new to Mason. “It is that important, and I think it is a good thing for Mason to promote.”

The Clothesline Project will also be active on campus all week. This project aims to hang over 500 t-shirts designed by hand, by actual survivors of sexual or domestic violence. This event will be happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week, in the grove area between Harris Theater and Student Union Building I.

“The hope for TOV Week is for survivors to know that they can ‘Break the Silence’ by attending The Clothesline Project and perhaps creating a t-shirt in honor of someone who has been victimized . . . to be empowered to do something to end sexual and domestic violence at Mason and in the world in which we live,” said Kirkland.

The Take Back the Night Rally and March is an event that will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. on the North Plaza of campus. Preceding this event will be a free yoga YES! session in the North Plaza, hosted by yoga teachers Dawn Curtis, Felicity Boyer and Mandy Shaver. YES! Yoga is Yoga to Empower Yourself, to enhance personal power, identity and self-esteem, according to the Sexual Assault Services website.

Survivor Space is the event planned for Wednesday, Oct. 7. This is a safe space provided for survivors of sexual or domestic violence to speak, listen and find support. This event will be at 7 p.m. in the grove area between Harris Theater and SUB I. According to Kirkland, on college campuses less than five percent of completed or attempted rapes are reported to law enforcement. Also taking place Wednesday is Don’t Fight, Wear White, an all day event promoting students to wear white t-shirts to contribute support to an end to sexual violence on college campuses and in the community.

The Mentors Advisory Board, who are members of Mason’s faculty and staff, will be present at the MasonStrong Interest Meeting—Are you strong? event on Thursday, Oct. 8. This event offers students interested in working with Mason to end sexual violence a chance to participate in face-to-face talks with the board. This event will be at 1 p.m. in SUB I, room A.

“I heard about [TOV Week] last year in SUB I and I saw the t-shirts. I thought it was great, and the t-shirts were powerful,” said Jeanine Wavelet, a senior and education major at Mason.

Wavelet said that she thinks sexual and domestic violence is something people probably care about because they have been hearing more about it happening on college campuses from the media, such as with the recent death Yale student Annie Le.

“It’s about promoting awareness and getting the information out there,” said Wavelet. Kirkland said that according to the National Institute of Justice, 90 percent of campus sexual assault survivors knew their attacker as a current or former dating partner, classmate, friend or coworker.

“If each of us takes a part, even a small part, such as believing the friend who tells us that she or he has been victimized, we are making a statement that such acts are wrong and need to be eradicated in our society,” said Kirkland.

Amanda Cheek, News Editor

On Oct. 6, the Take Back the Night Rally and March will occur as a special event within Turn Off the Violence Week, on the North Plaza from 7:30 – 10 p.m.

The event is a peaceful gathering on the North Plaza promoting an end to sexual and domestic violence, and is symbolic of a safe haven for all, according to the Sexual Assault Services website, http://sas.gmu.edu.

“Take Back the Night is a way for students to come together and show their support to ending sexual assault and abuse,” said Lauren Heath, a senior psychology major and women and gender studies minor.

Heath is a member of the Feminist Student Organization and a student staffer at the Women and Gender Studies Center.

Preceding the event will be a free Yoga YES! session in the North Plaza. YES! Yoga is Yoga to Empower Yourself, to enhance personal power, identity and self-esteem, according to the Sexual Assault Services website.

The session will involve stretching, dancing and sound, and will be hosted by Yoga teachers Dawn Curtis, Felicity Boyer and Mandy Shaver.

This year’s speakers include, Indira Hernard from the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, a Women’s Studies professor at Georgetown and George Washington University and Elizabeth Prescott, a poet from the Washington, D.C. feminist poetry collective.

Representatives from Mason’s Sexual Assault Services and counseling center will also speak.

A performance by the Mason student group Loving Her Fiercely will also be part of the event.

Following these events will be a candlelight march through George Mason University’s dormitories.

A catered reception will follow the completed march, in the Women and Gender Studies Center located in room 240K in the Johnson Center.

The event is co-sponsored by the Feminist Student Organization, Women and Gender Studies and Sexual Assault Services.

“It’s a powerful, eye-opening experience, which everyone should attend,” said Heath.

For more information, visit http://www.takebackthenight.org.

Yasmin Tadjdeh, Asst. News Editor

With the Virginia gubernatorial race heating up, George Mason University will have its chance to cast its own unofficial ballot. Paralleling the election for governor of Virginia is Mason’s own mock election.

Over the past few weeks students have periodically received e-mails informing them of the Mason Mock Election. Its creator Jared Barton, an economics graduate student said, “Many students, by virtue of being citizens of other states or countries, don’t get to vote on issues here in Virginia. Elected officials and issues in Virginia, though, have a big impact on their time at Mason. The Mock Election allows those students, as well as Mason students who can vote in Virginia elections, to participate a little bit in Virginia politics.”

The Mock Election is an unofficial online election, where students can place their vote for governor and, in the end, see who Mason would have voted for.

In order to participate in the Mock Election, students must register by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, which is also the deadline to register for the actual election.

Registered students then may vote on the Mock Election website, www.masonmockelection.com, between the hours of 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, the same day and hours that the real gubernatorial election are occurring.

Students who register and vote in the Mock Election will then be entered into a drawing for $1,000, funded by a research project through the Department of Economics, said Barton.

“I think [the Mock Election is] interesting,” said Mason Votes Director Christian Smith. “I think anything that raises information about the election is good.”

However, Smith hopes that students will not mistake registering for the Mock Election with registering for the real election.

Levan Bokeria, a freshman sociology major, said he doubts that students will take the Mock Election seriously.

“[I think students] will just register and vote for anybody to get a chance to win $1,000 . . . I don’t think students will take it seriously, especially the international students like me,” said Bokeria.

Senior government major Jennifer Bent said, “I think it would be interesting to see who Mason would vote for. I’m sure some people would [participate in the Mock Election] for the money, but I think it’s an interesting concept.”

In regard to voter apathy in the gubernatorial race, Bent said, “There are a lot of people in our age group who are passionate about voting . . . [but] some people will just vote for the presidential election, and not for the state and local election.”

“[The gubernatorial election is] an important election. We focus on presidential elections … [while] ‘off-year’ elections generate less attention and have dramatically lower rates of turnout . . . but it’s state and local politics that affect many of our day-to-day activities. Remember that the budget for Mason has more to do with Richmond than with the District,” said Barton.

In the 2008 presidential election, 48.5 percent of voters between the ages of 18-24 voted. In the 2006 election, only 22.1 percent of the 18-24 bracket voted, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Students who are eligible to vote are encouraged to register to vote in the Mock Election, as well as the real election, while students who cannot vote are encouraged to register and vote in the Mock Election.

So far, a few hundred people have registered to vote in the Mock Election, according to Barton.

“After the election takes place, we will send our mock vote to the Virginia statehouse, so the elected officials know the views of Mason’s student body,” said Barton.

Sebastian Flores, Broadside Correspondent

Six high-strung, middle-aged women from a church group sang their hearts out. Their voices, although individually very different from one another, all blended in a sweet gospel harmony, singing to the souls of all of the walkers around them.

Although they belonged to a particular team, many others joined in their songs and began to clap to their rhythm. Singing, clapping and walking in unison, it was as if they had known each other for years.

In reality, these people were complete strangers to one another, but they were brought together by the support in the fight against AIDS.

Washington, D.C. held its annual AIDS Walk last Saturday, Oct. 3. Hundreds of people crowded the streets of Freedom Plaza, anxiously awaiting the start of the walk. Before the walk, individuals and sponsors of the AIDS Walk spoke to the crowd about the importance of AIDS awareness and prevention, some even sharing their own personal HIV/AIDS story with the audience.

Teams from all over the D.C. Metropolitan area representing their school, organization or company listened to these speeches, and seemed to be even more inspired by their words. As the time inched closer to the start of the walk, the air was filled with excitement from the many participants anxious to begin.

Stephanie Owusu, a sophomore and health systems management major from George Mason University, shared her excitement, “I’m overwhelmed by all the people that are here and I’m happy that everyone is out to support this cause . . . I can’t wait to start walking!”

Many teams arrived at the start of the walk with shirts and jackets stating what group or organization they were a part of. But by the start of the walk, many chose to change their groups’ particular shirts and instead, wore the white t-shirt distributed during the AIDS Walk.

Once the walk began, almost the entire mass of hundreds of people were wearing their white shirts and, feeling a sense of unity with one another, began to yell and chant out of excitement.

Two students from George Washington University joined the crowd’s roar. Elly Cohen, a freshman and journalism major said, “It’s exciting to walk with this many people.”

Cohen’s walking partner Anna Chadha, a freshman and biology major also attending George Washington University, added, “It’s such a good feeling to be a part in something this big; everyone is so energetic.”

The excitement did not end there; at the end of the three-mile walk, people were still chanting and cheering.

Music and live performances extended the festivities after the walk and added to the wonderful unifying feel.

The walk was a success. The monetary and spiritual support shown by the participants of the walk will help the lives of the thousands of people affected by HIV/AIDS because the money raised goes to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, which is specialized in treating HIV/AIDS in D.C.

Brenda Shepard, Broadside Correspondent

The Animal Rights Collective organization will be holding Animal Liberation Week, today through Thursday, Oct. 8. Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to engage in conversation and educate themselves about animal rights, animal abuse and the choice to live a vegan lifestyle.

ARC, in conjunction with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, will be showing a series of visual displays, entitled the Animal Liberation Project. The exhibit looks back through a history of human slavery, showing the juxstaposition of the justifications for animal cruelty today. The exhibit will be on the North Plaza of the Johnson Center on Oct. 7 at 11 a.m.

“It’s so ingrained in our culture to eat meat,” said senior conservation biology and global affairs major Christine Kauffman. “Animals can feel and suffer just like humans do. Now we have the means to end their suffering because of us.”

The ARC is in its first semester as a recognized group on campus, but has spent many years protesting the circus at George Mason University.

Organizers of the event said that after seeing PETA’s display on the National Mall this summer, the group contacted PETA, who was receptive and excited to include Mason on its college tour of the exhibit. PETA will have representatives on campus this week to answer questions and educate people who are interested in getting involved with their cause.
Other than the visual display, other campus events associated with Animal Liberation Week will include a vegan cooking class today based on PETA’s “Vegan College Cookbook,” as well as a film screening of Liberation, in Student Union Building II on Thursday Oct. 8.

When asked why students should come and see the The Animal Liberation Project, junior biology major Jen Beidel said, “You have to educate yourself. [Animal] abuse comes from people who aren’t educated. You can tell somebody all day, but they have to want to change themselves.”

Other activities that ARC has planned for their premier semester include making bird feeders to create space for wildlife that has been displaced by construction, a Halloween vegan bake sale and a screening of the film Earthlings, according to the organization’s website.

“It’s time to start living up to our values and stop making excuses. It’s in the entertainment we watch and even the clothes we wear. Images and videos are a lot harder to forget,” said Kauffman.

All events during Animal Liberation Week are free and open to the public. ARC has weekly meetings on Tuesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. in Student Union Building I. For more information, visit http://animalrightscollective.wordpress.com/.

Brenda Shepard, Broadside Correspondent

Salon Bleu will be holding the “Cuts for the Cure” fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The entire day will be spent doing haircuts and blow-drys and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Located in Tysons Galleria in McLean, Salon Bleu will have many extras to offer patrons the day of the fundraiser.

There will be about 20 stylists involved as well as a massage therapist from Equinox who will be doing complimentary chair massages, a makeup artist from a surprise retailer doing complimentary applications, a DJ from Bose, and catering from Maggianos and Entyse, the new restaurant at the Ritz Carlton.

With so many treats, doorprizes, raffles and gift bags being given out during the day, any appointment more than pays for itself.

Some of the prize packages include a Betsey Johnson purse, gift certificates to movie theaters and even services from a reputable wedding planner. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to call and make an appointment even if just for a blow-dry or styling.

This project was born out of the efforts of one George Mason University individual and her desire to find her career path.

Senior accounting major Colette Banet was introduced to an internship course through the School of Management with Salon Bleu. Her hopes were to gain real life experience and determine whether she wanted to continue with her major or not. SOM 492 gave her the answers she was looking for.

“I used to volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and I missed it, so in October of 2008, I had what I call a ‘light bulb’ moment. I thought, ‘Why don’t I have my own fundraiser?’” said Banet.

Banet contacted the salon owner and developed a contract with her SOM 492 adviser to do the “Summer X” session. This meant that Banet had the entire summer to accomplish her fundraising goal.

After calling the Susan G. Koman center in Maryland, Banet knew that it would take a great deal of work to finish this project. The SOM class allowed Banet some flexibility, as well as the chance to learn about important aspects of workplace challenges that employees could face.

The advertising has been donated as well as many gift certificates from Tysons Galleria restaurants and businesses. “Anybody that can possibly help, I’m calling,” said Banet.

“My adviser, Kelly [Roberts], was so enthusiastic it gave me the confidence to follow through with this,” said Banet.

“It helps students take risks, especially if you’re undecided about your major and have an idea of a dream job you may want. It helps you get a foot in the door.”

The stylists will be wearing matching pink t-shirts and jeans, and their families will be there helping as well. The radio station HOTT 99.5 WIHT’s Sarah Fraser of The Kane Show has been in contact as well as local television stations and businesses.

“The staff is amazing; they are some of the best stylists in the area,” said Banet. “Some of the people who work there are Mason alumni as well. They are giving up a day of pay for this cause and it’s so generous. It’s been amazing to see the community come together the way it has.”

Banet said she is excited and eager for the fundraiser and hopes that it can become an annual event.
“I’m not a scientist, so this is how I can contribute. It’s amazing how passionate everybody is about it.”

You can find the fundraiser online at www.komenmd.org or call and make an appointment at (202)-333-BLEU, ext. 4. For more information on the SOM 492 course, visit the School of Managment’s website at som.gmu.edu.