News
OPINION: Mason Abandoning a Winning Image
By Broadside Opinion Columnist Scott Mason
As a young university establishing traditions, it is extremely important to give a sense of belonging to one’s Alma Mater. Knowing that as an alumnus, I’ll be able to come back and almost instantly know the campus I will have left so long ago is the same in spirit. However, over the past year, many George Mason University “traditions” have changed. Most recently, this has meant the changing of our mascot Gunston.
Mason’s mascot has changed numerous times over our history of existence as a university. From the Mason Maniac to the “Puffy Patriot,” our mascot has changed numerous times to in one way or another to better represent out team name, The Patriots, and the Mason student body as a whole.
Parking Service Contracted to Private Company
By Broadside News Editor Sonya Hudson
Parking Services is under contract with Standard Parking.
This company started on July 1, 2005. Parking Services has been contracted out since at least since 1995. Before Standard Parking, there was Colonial Parking.
The university has long decided to have parking, as well as other services, contracted to a third party.
Campus News in Brief
By Broadside Correspondent Gordon Day
Communication Department Introduces Academic Support
The Communication Department is beginning a new initiative to help students with academic advising. The department is implementing an online program in which students can schedule appointments online to meet with their communication advisor. The Communication Department is introducing four new advisors to help with this process. Students are encouraged to sign up and learn about the program before it becomes mandatory in the Spring semester.
Visit the Web site now and get a jump-start on your academic success. The Web site is http://www.communication.acuityscheduling.com.
Student Government Members Discuss Involvement
By Broadside Correspondent Nick Walker
The semester may be coming to an end, but Student Government has plenty more planned before winter break.
“Starting on Monday, Nov. 17, we are marching around to different locations to give out Gold Rush T-shirts, including by the statue, the DUCC area, Liberty Square and President’s Park,” said Richard Louie, who became a senator in 2007 and serves on the advocacy and outreach committee.
Relieving Symptoms Each Day of the Week
By Broadside Correspondent Christine Blake
It’s that time of the year when people start getting sick and germs spread. If in need to relieve the symptoms, visit Student Health Services facility, located in Student Union Building I, Room 214.
According to their pamphlet, their mission is to provide high-quality health care, counseling, education and prevention services, in support of student learning and retention while at George Mason University.
The health center offers many types of different services from sexual health to flu shots.
Dining on the Weekends at Mason
By Broadside News Editor Sonya Hudson
Between the Johnson Center, SUB I and Southside, students have many dining options on campus. Over the weekends the student population as well as the dining options on campus decrease.
The university has to take into consideration the number of people on campus on the weekends and the financial burden of keeping everything open explained Denise Ammaccapane, resident manager for dining services.
University Offers Free Text Notifications
By Broadside Correspondent Alexandrea Crockett
With over 30,000 students across all three of George Mason University’s campuses, one would hope that in case of an emergency, there would be an easy way to inform and warn Mason students, faculty and staff. Such a system exists, called Mason Alert.
Mason Alert is an emergency alert service offered by the Environmental Health and Safety Office. The system, which is free, allows the university to send text messages and e-mails to cell phones, pagers, Blackberries and Treos.
Mason Makes Recycling Easy
By Broadside Correspondent Kerri Buschbacher
Going green does not have to mean getting complicated. Walk around campus and one will surely find recycling bins just waiting to hold empty soda cans and plastic bottles.
A challenging feat becomes one’s outdoor walk from class to dorm without spotting a colorfully painted recycling container or clearly labeled receptacle. Locating a bin for recycling paper on this same journey from classroom to dormitory is equally as difficult.
Students May Find Water Cheaper When Going Green
By Broadside Interim Asst. News Editor Kevin Loker
As the end of the semester draws closer, some George Mason University students are finally realizing that paying 30 cents a day for a plastic cup of water at La Patisserie may just be adding up. Moreover, some are disgruntled.
“It’s bull,” said freshman biology major Nyssa Fin, “I don’t get why I have to pay for a free commodity. Isn’t it a standard to be given water at a restaurant if you ask for it?”
Burglaries In Presidents Park
By Broadside Correspondent Gordon Day
Over the last few weeks of October and the first week of November, a string of robberies occurred in Presidents Park. The losses have run from money stolen from a wallet to several thousand dollars worth of electronics. Police are still looking for suspects.
The first of these recent thefts occurred October 21 in Jefferson Hall and involved $6,300 worth of various electronics.