News

Mason Seniors Contemplate Life in Difficult Times

By Broadside Correspondent Samantha D’Introno

Economists have speculated that many soon–to-be college graduates will head into graduate schools because of hiring freezes, lay offs and pay cuts.

Graduating seniors discuss their plans after graduation in the current economic struggle.

No One Has Swagger Like Us: Homecoming 2009

It's officially Homecoming Week here at Mason, so dress in your finest green and gold attire and check out all of the events being offered this week as part of the celebration.

Monday, February 9th:
- Homecoming Kick-Off
Enjoy free food and entertainment in the JC Atrium and get an opportunity to meet the contestants for Swagger of a Champion: Mr. and Ms. Mason Pageant.
JC Atrium - 12pm-1pm

Read on for the full schedule!

Mason Celebrates Healthy Relationships Week

By Broadside Style Editor Emily Sharrer

Sexual Assault Services, The Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education, University Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Intercollegiate Athletics are teaming up to bring Healthy Relationships Week to students with events from Monday, Feb. 9 to Thursday, Feb. 12. Read on for the full schedule of events.

Campus News In Brief

New Charity Create Programs for Current, Future Military Members

Task Force G.I., a non-profit military charity developed for the benefit of current and future members of the Armed Forces, is offering newsletters for those interested in the progress of its donor and volunteer programs.

Ongoing projects include education, overseas environment, tools of the trade, emergency assistance and patriot revival.

New Driving System for Motorist Vigilance

By Broadside News Editor Sonya Hudson

The New Jersey Department of Transportation is implementing a new system in which drivers can call an automated service to get real-time traffic updates as a response to problems with “vigilance decrement” — a loss of focus commonly known as “zoning out.”

“‘Vigilance’ is the term referring to the ability of people to focus on a monotonous monitoring task,” said George Mason University professor of psychology, Raja Parasuraman. “‘Vigilance decrement’ refers to the decline in this ability as time progresses.”

Students Find Class Notes Through Knetwit

By Broadside Correspondent Joe Beeton

Knetwit.com is the only site that makes sharing intellectual property simple, safe and profitable according to its fall 2008 press release. The idea was conceived in 2007 by Tyler Jenks and Ben Wald, two students at Babson College. They dropped out of school to start the site and create what they envision as eventually being the “world’s largest virtual study hall.”

Gold-Medalist to Speak at Mason

By Connect2Mason Breaking News Director Matt Todd

Former Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes of the “Magnificent Seven” will be coming to George Mason University on Feb. 10. She is the Black Heritage Month’s 2009 Keynote Address speaker, visiting both the Prince William and Fairfax campuses. First, she will visit the Prince William campus in Manassas at 12:30 p.m. in the Verizon Auditorium before making her way to Fairfax where she will be speaking in Harris Theatre at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public for both.

Transport Fuels Roundtable Discussion

By GMU Sustainability Council Member Aaron Hartman. Photo courtesy of flickr user qmnonic.

PhotobucketDuring the month of February, Mason is hosting four roundtable discussions on the future of energy. Our first discussion on coal was a resounding success! The remaining three topics are on transport fuels, nuclear, and renewables.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 7:30 to 9 p.m., our second roundtable discussion, “New Transport Fuels: The Road to Greener Pastures,” will be held in Research I, room 163.

For more details, please contact Colin Bennett in the Office of Sustainability at cbennet6@gmu.edu or check out the C2M Calendar page.

Mason Launches Gunston Shuttle Service

By Broadside Assistant News Editor Kevin Loker

PhotobucketGeorge Mason University students can ride for free on Student Government’s, Gunston’s Go-Bus, the new shuttle service to local shopping centers and malls.

“I'm really excited that it will make getting to Fair Oaks Mall really easy,” said freshman Spanish major Megan Wine. “Shopping there is better than areas you can get to with the CUE Bus, and it makes getting there easier and less expensive than Metro Bus, let alone a car.”

Mason to Host Energy Panel Discussions

Once a week during the four weeks of February, George Mason University will host roundtable panel discussions on the future of energy. Each roundtable will feature a moderator and three expert panelists, who will discuss the given topic and talk about the pros and cons of each type of energy. Following brief introductory presentations by each panelist, the moderator will ask the audience if they have any questions for the panelists.