Recent Posts

• A Personal Reflection: What Freedom Means to Me

  Editorials September 14, 2009 at 11:56 am Comments are Disabled

  Ethan Vaughan,  Staff Writer Coming out is different for everyone. For me, it happened this summer, and the worst part of the experience was anticipating what those around me were going to think. I allowed my fears to grow so out of control that by the time I finally sat my parents down to have the talk, I was surprised at how mild their reaction was. When they said they didn’t care what I was, and that they loved me, and that above everything else they wanted me to be happy, it caught me off guard. I’d prepared myself for an epic, hours-long conversation, but found that after five minutes there was nothing more to be said. They accepted me. That was it. I came away with a feeling of profound gratitude, built upon the realization that others before me, and many even today, faced real battles just to be who they were. We who enjoy the rights that others fought and died for are blessed, and we should remember it. When things are difficult, I try to. I am so thankful that I was born when I was; in 1988 rather than in 1968 or 1948. I am thankful […]

   

• If You Listen, They Will Stay: The Voiced Frustrations Against Ignorance

  Editorials September 14, 2009 at 11:55 am Comments are Disabled

  William Curtis, Opinion Editor We’ve all seen them. Preaching the words of ignorance, intolerance and hatred, despite their own beliefs that they’re speaking the truth to every college in the nation. Simply give a man a soapbox and he becomes that all-encompassing voice of reason, right? Wrong. I’ve been at George Mason University now for roughly five years, and ever since my freshman year, I’ve witnessed these insane extremists preach that women only belong in the kitchen, that gays are going to be the destruction of the world, and that well, if you masturbate, God is going to kill more than just a kitten. But what gives these preachers of pestilence the authority to tell us what is right and wrong? Did God really imbue these moronic mundane miscreants with the knowledge and necessity to go and sermonize to the masses of every college in the United States? For what purpose? I mean, I can understand wanting to teach students the importance of the belief in God, and that some of the things we do are wrong. I get that. But I am a firm believer that telling someone that they are going to Hell just because they are Arabic […]

   

• Letter to the Editor

  Editorials September 14, 2009 at 11:55 am Comments are Disabled

  Emma Nay, Communication I am letting you know ahead of time that I am a Libertarian, which is pretty much in the middle of the political spectrum. Honestly, I’m not so sure how I feel about health care reform. In “Healthcare Reform: Is Change Really Worth Losing a Finger?”, the author states, “You begin to think how something so simple as health care could cause so many people to become so enraged.” My question is, how is health care simple? Healthcare can easily make someone angry. If it is going to affect me and my family, yes, health care reform can be extremely scary. The author also states how people put up a red flag to anything that relates to socialism. In America, do you know how long it takes for a person to get an MRI? Somewhere between a couple of hours and a couple of days depending on how many appointments there are at the office. In Canada, a country with socialized healthcare, the average person can get an MRI in up to three months. If they’re extremely lucky, they can get an MRI in a couple of weeks. “If you take a look at medicine in European countries […]

   

• The Role of an RA: Students' Misconceptions Addressed

  Editorials September 14, 2009 at 11:54 am Comments are Disabled

  Ryan Dempsey, Staff Writer One of the hardest on-campus jobs there could ever be at George Mason University is that of a resident advisor. The job of a resident advisor is one that never really ends and is something that a lot of on-campus residents take for granted. In my three years of being an RA, I have heard a lot of common misconceptions about the job. Many residents think that RAs go around campus looking for an incident, attempting to go out of our way to bust any and every resident for having alcohol or drugs in their room. Others believe we are nothing more than arrogant snitches that are power hungry. In all actuality, RAs know we do not get paid enough to act as law enforcement, as full-time babysitters or as parents. Resident advisors are responsible for building a community within their residence halls, advising and being a resource for residents whenever they are in need and promoting a safe environment in the residence halls, which happens to also mean communicating and upholding housing and university policies. Many people at this university do not even know how much preparation goes into being an RA. First, resident advisors […]

   

• Students’ Wallets Stretch as Parking Rates Rise: Mason Parking Offers Explanation on Pricier Permits

  News1 September 14, 2009 at 10:36 am Comments are Disabled

  Amanda Cheek, News Editor On a campus that understands commuting all too well, a parking permit can easily become one of the bare necessities to students at George Mason University. That being said, it comes as no surprise that students are concerned that the prices of that bare necessity are going up. “I know that prices go up, I just don’t understand why. I’d like to know why every year,” said junior Brittany Rouse, a communication major. Director of Parking and Transportation at Mason, Josh Cantor shed some light on this subject in an e-mail interview with Broadside. “Parking [and] Transportation is a self-funded auxiliary, meaning it receives no tuition dollars or general funds from the state budget. Thus, it has to generate revenue to cover all its expenses,” said Cantor. Cantor explained that Parking and Transportation’s expenses include $2.6 million in operations and $4 million to $5 million in debt on deck construction projects. Cantor said that there is also $2 million to $3 million annually in transportation expenses, which include a subsidy to the City of Fairfax so that Mason students and employees can ride the CUE bus for free, and over $2 million in shuttle expenses. “ […]

   

• New Parking Deck Spaces Available: Rappahannock River Parking Area Ready for Students

  News1 September 14, 2009 at 10:34 am Comments are Disabled

  Yasmin Tadjdeh, Assistant News Editor The new Rappahannock River Parking Deck, which opened this fall, provides the Fairfax campus with an additional 2,650 parking spaces over its 789,000 square foot facility, accordng to George Mason University’s Office of Facilities’ website. However, the deck that was constructed to help alleviate crowded parking lots has opened to lackluster interest. “Personally, I think sales are a little below expectations,” said Josh Cantor, Director of Parking and Transportation at Mason, “but [we] also realize that it will take some time to reach capacity as students re-adjust to campus and as resident students get into new patterns. We have seen some [people] that initially purchased general lot passes come in and upgrade as they were willing to pay the difference for the guarantee and peace of mind of not having to worry about where to look for parking.” According to Cantor, as of the morning of Sept. 8, only 475 reserved student permits and 50 faculty and staff reserved permits had been purchased. “I expect [permit sales] to pick up a bit as the new Police Headquarters opens and the new Admin Building, to be named University Hall, opens in January 2011. [It] is being […]

   

• Clearing Up the Swine Flu

  News1 September 14, 2009 at 10:28 am Comments are Disabled

  This interview was conducted via e-mail with Executive Director of George Mason University’s Student Health Services and University Life, Wagida Abdalla, M.D. Q:  How do you get swine flu? A:  The 2009 H1N1 flu virus, originally referred to as swine flu,  is spread like other flu viruses mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something—such as a surface or object—with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Q:  What are common symptoms of the virus? A:  Sudden onset of: fever greater than 100º F, chills, sweats, cough, sore throat, headache and body aches.  These symptoms last about three to seven days. Q:  What can we do to prevent getting the flu? A:  Wash hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. •  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. •  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. •  Try to avoid close contact with sick people. •  Get vaccinated against H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. Q:  What should you do […]

   

• Strive for Five

  Sports September 11, 2009 at 11:59 am Comments are Disabled

  Mason’s women’s volleyball team extended their winning streak to five games after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this morning in four sets. Mason dropped the first set 25-23, but rebounded with a 27-25 second-set victory. Mason manhandled the Scarlet Knights in third set, 25-12. Senior outside hitter Rebecca Walter led all players with 17 kills and committed just one error to post an outstanding .457 attack percentage. Mason is scheduled to play against the Xavier Musketeers at 5 p.m.

   

• Bohman's Block Party

  Sports September 9, 2009 at 12:20 am Comments are Disabled

  Sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bohman was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week after registering 22 blocks in four matches last week. Bohman recorded three solo blocks against the Kent State Golden Flashes and added 11 blocks, most from an individual Mason player this season, in the win against the Cornell Big Red. She leads the CAA with 1.41 blocks per set. Bohman has also been a key offensive contributor, currently ranked third on the team with 50 kills. Last season, Mason was 2-5 through seven matches. Bohman, the defensive specialist, and Mason look to prolong their surprising 5-2 start as they take on the UMBC Retrievers tomorrow.

   

• Quick Hits

  Sports September 7, 2009 at 9:11 am Comments are Disabled

  The men’s soccer team finished in second place in the D.C. College Cup. Mason opened the season with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Howard Bison. Junior forward Parker Walton broke the 1-1 tie with an 86th minute goal. In the final, Mason fell 2-1 to the American Eagles. Sophomore forward Draymond Washington tallied Mason’s lone goal. The women’s soccer team dropped their first game in their 2009 campaign, losing 3-1 to the Pennsylvania Quakers. Mason opened the season 3-0 for the first time since the 1993 season. Senior forward Theresa DeLucca cut Penn’s lead in half in the 54th minute, but Marin McDermott scored Penn’s insurance goal five minutes later. The women’s volleyball team hosted the Patriot Invitational this past weekend and took the title home with a clean sweep in the tournament. The ladies had an incredible rally after being down by two sets and match point against the Kent State Golden Flashes on Friday. Mason won each of their final two matches in four sets. Junior setter Fernanda Bartels and freshman outside hitter/right side Ran Yin were named to the All-Tournament Team while sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bohman was honored Best Hitter in the two-day event. The […]