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Saahiti Chamala/ Fourth Estate

BY SAAHITI CHAMALA, CULTURE EDITOR

My name is Saahiti Kiran Chamala, a sophomore majoring in Finance on a pre-Law track, and I’m thrilled to be the Culture Editor for Fourth Estate this semester! 

When I first walked into the student media office, I was just looking for something fun to keep me busy—honestly, I was tired of gatekeeping all the amazing, affordable food spots I’d been hitting up. I pitched a food series for the Culture Section and now here I am with my very own food series on the Fourth Estate website and, somehow, the Culture Editor gig. Life comes at you fast, right?

I couldn’t be more excited. Being part of Fourth Estate has taught me what it really takes to be a journalist—how to bring a little “flavor” to a story (pun fully intended), edit like a pro and work with an awesome, tight-knit team that’s passionate about making things happen. I’ve learned a lot and I’m thrilled for what’s ahead.

With the biggest freshman class in Mason history rolling in, campus is about to be buzzing with activity. It’s the perfect time to dive into all the unique stories that need to be told. We’ve got an incredible team of editors. Together, we’re committed to bringing you stories that matter while keeping things fun and fresh.

So what’s the Culture Section all about? It’s about people, experiences and all the little things that make life at Mason interesting. Whether it’s spotlighting student clubs, covering on-campus events or exploring the hidden gems around the DMV area, we’re here to tell the stories that connect us all. Honestly, the Culture Section is only limited by your imagination. If you’ve got a passion—whether it’s food (like me), fashion or something different—let’s get it in print!

Got a story idea? Or just want to chat about all things culture? Feel free to contact me at the email provided below. I’m here to help you brainstorm, guide your creative process and share a few laughs along the way.

One last thing—if you’ve been thinking about joining the Fourth Estate, now’s your chance! Culture is the perfect place to start writing, no matter your major or experience level. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Let’s make this semester one to remember!

Saahiti Kiran Chamala, ‘27

Your friendly neighborhood Culture Editor

schamala@gmu.edu

Viviana Smith/Fourth Estate

BY VIVIANA SMITH, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Did you know that Mason students, staff, faculty and retirees are eligible for special discounts at the EagleBank Arena? With a valid Mason ID, up to four tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate. For Mason sports games, tickets are free for students through Mason 360. 

For a full list of home games, visit the 2024-25 schedule on Mason Athletics’ website. 

If you are looking for entertainment on campus, there are many events hosted at EagleBank Arena the Mason Community can enjoy. From now until the end of the fall 2024 semester, here is a lineup of upcoming events. 

for King + Country: Unsung Hero Tour 2024– Oct. 27

This Christian pop duo comes to Fairfax, Va. on their Unsung Hero Tour featuring music from their “UNSUNG HERO Inspired By” soundtrack, according to EagleBank’s webpage. 

According to the official for King + Country website, the GRAMMY-award winning duo gained inspiration from other country, pop and gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Dolly Parton, Tori Kelly and more. 

The event starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Don Toliver: Psycho Tour– Nov. 8

“After Party” artist Don Toliver is bringing his newest album, “Hardstone Psycho,” on tour. According to the event details, the Psycho Tour is his “biggest North American headlining tour to date.”

American rapper and singer-songwriter Monaleo will be opening for Toliver, with special guest Teezo Touchdown making an appearance. 

The concert is set to start at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Jhayco: Vida Rockstar Tour– Nov. 17

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Jhayco will be coming to EagleBank Arena during his Vida Rockstar Tour. 

Originally set to perform March 6, the concert was postponed to Nov. 17. According to event details, those who previously purchased a ticket will have their purchases honored for the new date. Tickets are still available and on sale. 

The concert is set to begin at 8 p.m. with doors opening one hour prior. 

Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour– Nov. 21

Referred to as their “holiday tradition,” the Acapella pop group Pentatonix is back with their home with one of their biggest holiday tours, according to the event details. Sing along to holiday classics with this legendary group. 

The event is set to start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.

Blessd and Ryan Castro: !Ay Bendito Ghetto¡ Tour– Nov. 22

Colombian performers Blessd and Ryan Castro come together on stage for their U.S. !Ay Bendito Ghetto¡ Tour. The pair will stop by Fairfax during their 16-date tour in late November. 

Doors open at 7 p.m. with a showtime of 8:30 p.m.

R&B Vibe Tour– Dec. 6

Got a thing for R&B music? The R&B Vibe Tour comes to Fairfax in early December, with appearances by Tyrese, Monica, 112, Dru Hill and Next. 

The event starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening an hour prior. 

El Alfa: El Mejor Del Planeta– Dec. 8

Dominican rapper El Alfa ends the semester off hot with his El Mejor Del Planeta U.S. tour. With Fairfax as his last stop in his 16-date tour, folks can catch “El Jefe” at EagleBank Arena at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. 

Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate

BY KEVIN BINAJ, SPORTS EDITOR

Mason men’s soccer team has been a force to be reckoned with in the 2024 season. With a 10-3 overall record, including a 4-1 mark in conference play, the team displays exceptional consistency on both sides of the pitch. 

This standout season has seen the team balance both conference and non-conference success, building momentum heading into crucial matches. 

Whether at home or away, the Patriots have been formidable. Boasting a 6-1 home record, the team has fortified George Mason Stadium, letting it be known that a win won’t be easy for visitors. The team’s first two losses this season came on the road against Old Dominion in a narrow 1-0 defeat and a 2-1 loss at home to Duquesne, which saw the visitors score a 90th-minute goal against the run of play. The third loss came at No. 6 Maryland, as the Patriots fell 2-0.

The Patriots have been clinical in front of the goal, averaging 1.92 goals per game while holding their opponents to just over a single goal per match. With 25 goals scored across 13 matches, the Patriot frontline continues to show no signs of slowing down. The team’s shot accuracy has been impressive with 37% of their shots being on target. In contrast, their opponents have only managed 15 goals from 156 shots, reflecting Mason’s solid defense.

Marek Gonda has led Mason throughout the season, with seven goals and two assists. Gonda has been clinical in front of the goal, showcasing high-level composure and attacking expertise. 

Quentin Clain has also contributed significantly with five goals and three assists, while James Eliuda displayed his playmaking ability serving 4 assists. 

On the defensive side, goalkeeper Jaume Salvado’s performance stands out. Playing in 12 matches, Salvado has kept his opponents at bay with a 1.16 goals against average and a save percentage of nearly 70%. His leadership at the back resulted in four clean sheets for the team. 

With a strong core of players performing at a high level, Mason men’s soccer team is poised for a thrilling conclusion to the season. As they aim to continue their high level of play and maintain their dominant form in conference play, the Patriots hope for a deep postseason run. If their balance between scoring efficiency and defensive solidity continues, the team will be a tough challenge for any opponent in the upcoming matches.

The Patriots’ remarkable journey in the current season showcases not only their individual talent but their collective teamwork and determination, making this season one of the best in recent years for Mason men’s soccer. The Patriots return to action on Oct. 19 with a conference match in Philadelphia against Saint Joseph’s.

Emma Schaible/Fourth Estate

BY EMMA SCHAIBLE, STAFF WRITER

On Oct. 10, 40 new Mason Student Government senators met for the first time in the Johnson Center meeting room G. With the newest student elections, the 45th Student Senate added 20 new student advocates. 

SG expressed its excitement about the progress made with the new class and how they can add to the student body’s Mason experience. “Senators, bring your innovative ideas and unique perspectives, and let’s get to work,” writes the official SG Instagram account in their caption. 

“Each student election presents itself with a new opportunity to learn from the experiences of the incoming first-year classes,” Jackson McAfee said, the Secretary of Public Relations for the Cuesta-McAulay Administration and greater student government organization.

Each senator went through a required application process including mandatory meetings and campaigning over the month of September. Elections, held on Mason360, officially closed on Oct. 4. 

Speaker of the Student Senate senior C. Scott Tatum welcomed every new senator with a smile and encouraging words. After the oath of office, he summarized their role as senators as “putting others’ needs at the top of your mind… we are here to serve the students.” 

The senate agenda included a multitude of programs, including more outreach through Registered Student Organizations on campus and with individual students. Their intentions were to work more with the interests of every individual senator and ensure that a wide range of campus organizations are represented in student government. 

Emma Schaible/Fourth Estate

The student government is involved in every aspect of student life, from parking services to students’ rights. Topics such as the upcoming general elections and ways on how to better the housing and dining experience have become focuses for SG. These initiatives are deployed through their committees, in which each Senator is required to sit on two. 

All meetings are open to the student body at Mason, announced on their Instagram stories, held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays in Merten Hall. 

“We are equally excited to welcome these new voices to our organizations and learn from their experiences as long-term Mason students,” McAfee said.

Madalyn Godfrey/ Fourth Estate

BY ALEXANDRA HENRIQUES, STAFF WRITER

During the 2024 spring semester, Mason students began seeing flyers at campus bus stops attempting to gauge their interest in the U-Pass Initiative. This initiative is a program by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) granting students unlimited rides throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and southern Maryland. With U-Pass, travel on Metrorail and Metrobus would only cost a dollar per day. 

Of 28,000 Mason undergraduate students, only 5,858 lived on campus during the 2023-24 academic year. With 21% of the undergraduate population on campus, the remaining 79% were commuters. 

Director of Parking and Transportation at Mason Josh Cantor said that the student support for the initiative is split. 

“The number one reason we haven’t done [U-Pass] is it’s incredibly expensive for the 

University,” Cantor said. ”The way the U-Pass system works is WMATA charges the institution a dollar a day for every student the school has, not every student who uses it. So we have 28,000 full-time students at Mason…that would be $28,000 a day. This one program would be more than our entire transportation budget.”

With no funding for the initiative, a fee would have to be added to student tuition to cover U-Pass for all full-time Mason students. This fee could range anywhere from $200 to $350 annually. American University enacted the U-Pass program in 2016, though it came with a $250 student fee. However, Cantor said that they have easier access to a metro station, whereas the nearest metro station, Vienna/Fairfax-GMU, is 4 miles from Mason’s Fairfax campus. 

Cantor said that only 20% of commuter students live in areas with direct metro access, which leaves most students paying for a program that would not benefit their daily transportation needs.

Georgetown University’s pilot program allowed interested students to register for the initiative to receive the benefits of U-Pass. If a similar model is followed, an enrollment-based U-Pass program could curb expenses for both Mason and its students.

A U-Pass program presents another option for students commuting between the Fairfax and Arlington campuses. According to Cantor, a new building is planned to open on the Arlington campus within a year that could increase the number of students traveling between campuses. Cantor acknowledged that when having 50 people traveling at once, trains are more efficient than buses. Once constructed, Mason will assess whether the U-Pass system would be preferred for transportation. 

WMATA has encountered economic challenges over the past few years. This includes a projected $750 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2025. Problems include low ridership, depletion of federal pandemic relief funds and fare evasion, causing reduction in services provided. Instead of utilizing the metro, Mason’s Department of Transportation is looking at alternatives such as more shuttles, bike-share programs and carpooling.

“In a perfect world, we would be able to throw money at [WMATA] because, from our university’s sustainability perspective, we want students to be able to use transit and not have to drive,” Cantor said.