Recent Posts

• Zimride comes to Mason: Ride-sharing tool connects community

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:19 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Lauren Jost, C2M Contributor In addition to the new faculty and staff carpool and fuel-efficient parking programs, George Mason University is introducing a new eco-friendly way to commute to campus: ride-sharing. The program, called Zimride, is similar to a former car-sharing program at Mason called Zipcar — used to provide driving plans and cars for university drivers over 21 years of age. But what’s the difference? According to Transportation Coordinator Bob Tennant, Zimride only provides rides, not cars. “Zimride is simply a ride sharing program where riders log onto the website, post their rides or requests, and Zimride helps match with rides posted,” said Tennant. “This will work for regular commutes as will as single rides — to a concert, or home, wherever home is. Only people with a gmu.edu address can access this unique site, and [they] will be matched with someone from the Mason community.” In short, what Zimride does is connect drivers who commute to the Fairfax campus from various areas, including but not limited to Falls Church, Manassas Park and Arlington. Zimride is the largest dedicated carpool technology company in North America with over 300,000 users and has created carpool communities for over 40 of […]

   

• Where is God?: Interfaith conference hosts dialogue over suffering

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:18 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Reuben Jones, Broadside Correspondent On Jan. 12 of this year, close to 200,000 people lost their lives in an earthquake in Haiti. Another 400 people died in February in an earthquake in Chile. And early last week, four people were gunned down in southern Washington, D.C. These examples of human suffering this year provided a backdrop for an on-campus discussion about the existence of a devine being. Over 100 people showed up last Wednesday to attend the Interfaith Conference called “If God exists, then why is there suffering?” The conference was sponsored by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association (AMSA). Five speakers spoke on behalf of their religions and then took questions from the audience. The religions represented in the panel were Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Atheism. The topic of religion can sometimes lead to heated debates and even violence. This conference, however, was a chance for each religion to express their viewpoints while having a lively discussion between panelists and audience members. Each speaker was given 15 minutes to speak about their religion and to respond to the question of God’s existence in spite of human suffering. “I think in terms of what makes sense and what doesn’t […]

   

• How not to buy a car: Communication class teams up with local non-profit to create seminar

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:16 pm Comments are Disabled

  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 […]

   

• Forensics places fourth: Speech team excels at American Forensic Association National Tournament

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:15 pm Comments are Disabled

  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 […]

   

• Somalian cultural night a success: Student association hosted an evening of food, fun and fashion

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:11 pm Comments are Disabled

  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 […]

   

• ‘Culture on the Lawn’: Groups participate in celebration in Presidents Park

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:09 pm Comments are Disabled

  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.” […]

   

• Student hit by car remains in critical condition at INOVA: Michelle Dawson was planning trip to France

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:04 pm Comments are Disabled

  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 […]

   

• Protest planned for Confederate History Month: College Dems claim intolerance

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 11:55 am Comments are Disabled

  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 […]

   

• Feels just like just like I'm walking on broken glass: International Week performers treated for minor foot injuries

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 11:50 am Comments are Disabled

  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, […]

   

• Come on, feel the noise: Five bands, one night, one chance for the ultimate gig

  Lifestyle April 9, 2010 at 3:32 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Pearson Jones, Asst. Style Editor The coveted spot to play a gig at Mason Day is up for grabs once again. So apply some eye liner, wash your heavy metal t-shirt of choice that’s at the bottom of your closet and get your devil’s horn wrist control down because battle of the bands is coming to George Mason University. The free event, which will be held in Dewberry Hall on Thursday from 8-10 p.m., will give five bands the chance to prove that all those late nights in the garage practicing weren’t just an excuse to rebel against their parents and get chicks. At the end of the night, one band will be crowned the champion, while the rest will be left in rock purgatory. The rock n’ roll show down will be fueled by the music of five bands with rivaling individual styles. Two of the bands duking it out, House of Echo and Rites of Ash, are bands on two different extremes of the genre spectrum, who will be attending the event. House of Echo’s soulful rock hybrid sound runs parallel to that of Dave Matthews Band and The Police. Equipped with a brass section and Mason’s […]