Student Life

VIDEO: TOMS Shoes Hosts Barefoot Walk

Students gathered Thursday afternoon for a barefoot walk in front of SUB I. The demonstration was sponsored by TOMS shoes which donates a pair of shoes for every pair they sell. Read about senior Brandon McLaughlin, the TOMS shoes campus representative who led the walk.

AUDIO: What's Up Weekend?

In this week's What's Up Weekend podcast, Matt Loffman and Christian Yingling address the controversy that arose from last week's politically charged episode and discuss some of the most interesting events going on this weekend.

Click above to listen to the best weekend news for April 17-20.

GMView Video Yearbook 1992 Part I

According to this episode, it's hip to be square. Watch what Mason was like in 1992 when students built bonfires and floats during homecoming. Stay tuned for a halloween segment in Part II. Watch the first episode here.

The Drawbacks of Finding that Perfect Cup of Joe On Campus

By Staff Writer Maria Cianfichi

Frustrated junior undeclared major Mark Baumgardner left the One Stop Patriot Shop convenience store. Every morning, Baumgardner stops at the store on the bottom level of the Blue Ridge dorm for his daily cup of coffee.

Columbian Mix, Baumgardner’s favorite flavor, was nowhere to be found in the store. So this day, Baumgardner had to settle for American Blend—not his favorite but still better than having to resort to decaf or some elaborate coffee drink.

One Night in the Mediterranean

By Staff Writer Maria Cianfichi

Upbeat, cheerful music filled the air as the smell of home-cooked food wafted under the noses of students who attended the Mediterranean Cultural Night last Tuesday. Several minutes after 7 p.m., the line for food wrapped around the interior of Dewberry Hall, but this did not turn students away.

With a food spread ranging from Italian spaghetti and meatballs, pesto and spinach manicotti, to Greek lamb gyros, who could resist the temptation of such a delicious dinner? The meal was topped off with a variety of French pastries.

OPINION: Not for Five Bucks

By Copy Chief Kerry Sheats

How much does it cost to piss you off? For me, it’s five bucks. By now, nearly everyone knows that T-Pain will perform at Mason Day on April 23. You also probably know that this concert will set you back a whopping $5. It is my understanding that the reason this concert is not free—unlike the Mason Day performances in the past—is because the event will take place in the Patriot Center. To top it off, one can only purchase the standard two tickets per student ID at the discounted rate.

There are those who say, “But it’s only $5—and you get a $5 discount on concessions!” But really, what can a $5 discount off of concessions at the Patriot Center get you—a cup of ice? Maybe a handful or two of popcorn.

OPINION: Where's the Patriot Pride?

By Gleason Scott Rowe

I must admit, even as a devoted Mason Patriot, I often read the opinion columns of my fellow students in the weekly Broadside with disappointment and frustration. It seems the only thing most of these contributors want to do is criticize.

They try to make the point that George Mason University is a mediocre university or claim that homosexuality is a mental illness and that the university only enables the LGBTQ community, or make inaccurate accusations about the pairs running for student government.

I will therefore take a different tact in my piece.

A Week in Photos

Take a look back at some of the best events on campus last week, featuring events from International Week and a variety of athletic competitions.

To have your photos featured on the site, please e-mail cmasonmedia@gmail.com.

Amazing Race: GMU-Style

What makes you get to campus faster: taking the shuttle, walking or jumping fences? We wanted to find out the quickest way from West Campus to the Johnson Center on a Monday afternoon. Three brave souls ventured out for the amazing race- you'll never guess who won!

Mason’s Own Shoe-Gooder

By Broadside Editor-in-Chief Nicole Ocran

They go by many different names—sneakers, trainers, kicks—we all sport a pair every now and then. But most of us would never consider what just one pair of shoes can do.

When senior Brandon McLaughlin isn’t in class or setting up double blocks for the men’s volleyball team, he is working as a campus representative for TOMS shoes and runs the TOMS @ Mason chapter.

TOMS shoes has a very simple business plan: one for one. For every pair of shoes sold, one pair goes to a child in need. Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS shoes, came up with this simple business plan on a three-week excursion in Argentina. Since its start in 2006, TOMS has given over 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in need and plans to give 300,000 this year.

  • Watch the video of the barefoot walk sponsored by TOMS shoes on campus.