News
Volunteering Leads to Bookstore Discount
By Broadside News Editor Kevin Loker
Students who have documented volunteer hours of community service may now be eligible to receive a 20 percent discount at the George Mason University Bookstore, thanks to collaboration between Student Government and bookstore management.
The discount, formerly part of the Community Service Encouragement Program, serves to encourage students to commit time to volunteer efforts, either individual or organizational, both on and off campus. With proper documentation, it offers a once-a-semester 20 percent discount on all Mason gear for students that have dedicated a minimum of 50 volunteer hours of community service, 25 which are off campus.
Bill Tabled; Three Student Senators Resign
By Student Media Copy Editor Jacqueline Schafer
At the March 5 Student Government meeting, a resolution was put forth to start the two-week advertising period, required by the school constitution, before a hearing is held on a proposed constitutional amendment. The bill to amend the constitution was sent to the Government and Academic Affairs Committee — the resolution for the hearing, however, was tabled indefinitely.
According to Student Senate Speaker Jeremy Miller, “If we table something usually you have set a date when to bring it up or after something else has been addressed... To table indefinitely means it’s tabled and can't be removed or brought back to the agenda.”
Alternative Spring Break & the Green Life
By Center for Leadership and Community Engagement Program Coordinator Misty Hensley
This spring, fifty Mason students traveled to communities across the United States to spend their week engaged in community service, part of the Alternative Break program. Trips are collaboratively designed by students and staff to delve into critical issues through volunteerism and education.
This year the destinations and issues addressed included: Atlanta, GA/Community Development, New York City/HIV, Waynesburg, PA/Habitat for Humanity and Philadelphia, PA/Urban Youth.
T-Pain to Play Mason Day
By Broadside Style Editor Emily Sharrer
After Friday night’s Program-Board hosted Battle of the Bands in the Johnson Center Atrium, rapper T-Pain was named as this year’s Mason Day performer. The R&B singer-songwriter is best known for recent radio hit “Can’t Believe It” as well as Akon-featured songs “Bartender” and “I’m Sprung.” In addition to putting out three albums, T-Pain has also been featured on songs by popular artists like Chris Brown and Kanye West.
CHSS Announces Master of Arts in Global Affairs
By Connect2Mason Content Director Amanda Svec
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences announced today the opening of a Master of Arts in Global Affairs graduate program for this Fall 2009 semester.
There will be an informational session held on Mar. 23 at 6 p.m. in Mason Hall, Room D3.
The new program will offer the following concentrations: Global Health, Global Management, Global Media, Global Culture and History, Global Education, Global Governance, Global Economics, Global Population, and Global Conflict and Security.
If this program interests you but you can not attend the meeting, please contact Program Director Dr. Mills Kelly for more information at globalma@gmu.edu or 703-993-2152.
Health & Fitness Expo 2009
By Connect2Mason Writer Danielle Lapierre
- University Life, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente and Aetna Student Health, is sponsoring its 13th Annual Health & Fitness Expo.
The Health and Fitness Expo will take place in Dewberry Hall from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on March 26. Community and on-campus exhibitors will provide health information on topics such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, alternative therapies and healthy self-care practices. The Expo will feature interactive health education activities, participatory demonstrations, free health screenings, fitness instruction and physical challenges.
Free t-shirts, food and fun!
You can also cheer on teams in the Mason Top Chef cook-off, walk it out with dancers from Urbanknowlogy, try the rock climbing wall outside by the JC, dance a few numbers with Zumba instructors or give blood.
For more info and a list of vendors, visit hfe.gmu.edu.
Fire at Liberty Square
By Connect2Mason Breaking News Director Matt Todd
In the late-evening hours of Sunday, Mar. 15, a fire was reported at the Liberty Square Apartments on the Fairfax Campus.
According to Mason Police, no injuries were reported and the fire was said to not have caused a substantial amount of damage. The cause and the exact location of the fire are still undetermined at this point, but the situation was said to have been controlled before midnight.
More information will be disclosed when it further becomes available.
A Show of Resistance
By Broadside Contributor Michael Gryboski
Over the last couple of weeks, a lot of attention has been focused on our university. It was not because of our basketball team, but because of the student body’s election of a drag queen as our Homecoming Queen. Ryan Allen, also known as Reann Ballslee, has created headlines for major newspapers and cable news television, as well as plenty of YouTube videos and blog postings. Some see this as a great step forward for inclusiveness, to others it’s a big joke, and to others still it’s a disgrace.
Area News in Brief
Inova Ranks Among Top 50 Hospitals
A data-driven list by HealthGrades America has ranked Northern Virginia’s largest hospital, Inova Fairfax, among the top 50 hospitals in the nation. Rankings were based on mortality and complication rates in handling 26 common procedures and conditions over a six-year span. Procedures and conditions included heart attack and pneumonia, as well as a wide range of surgeries and body part replacements.
Campus News in Brief
By the Broadside News Staff
Mertens Endow Creative Writing Scholarship
President Alan Merten and his wife, Sally Merten, have created the Otto Scholarship, a new endowed creative writing scholarship named in honor of Sally’s parents, G. Louise and Anthony J. Otto. The Otto Scholarship marks the fourth scholarship the Mertens have endowed. The others are the College of Health and Human Services’ Eric G. and Melissa H. Merten Endowed Scholarship; the School of Management’s Ruth A. and Gilbert E. Merten Endowed Scholarship; and the Music Performance/Vocal Studies program’s Kathleen A. Lieder and Lloyd C. Fell Student Scholarship Endowment.