Who will be America’s next top college president? - Page 7 An open letter to the BOV - Page 15 Volume 3 An independent The Virginia publication at the College Issue 6 of William and Mary. December 6, 2007 The common sense paper Established 2005 Informer of record on campus. www.VAInformer.com W&M’s top salaries go to admins Top five salaries

File Photo University Relations File Photo University Relations University Relations President Law Dean Provost Business VP of Gene R. Taylor Geoff Dean Development Nichol Reveley Feiss Larry Pulley Sean Pieri $339,172 $319,000 $287,500 $272,075 $240,000 At the College, it pays to be a bureaucrat

Steven Nelson College in co-operation with the Mr. Nichol, earns Stephen Salpukas, University Relations Assistant News Editor $288,000 annually. Mr. Feiis has nine associate and A final salute: The College’s Club Fencing Team pays its vice provosts, and a special assistant, who earn a last tribute to teammate and friend, Ben Gutenberg. The Virginia Informer has obtained copies of total of $1,218,900 per year. faculty, administration and other staff salaries According to Mr. Feiss, “President Nichol is less from the College via a Freedom of Information interested in direct engagement in routine day to Freshman Ben Act request. While salaries may not be common day operational matters, and has probably asked knowledge, they yield some interesting insight me to help him with more than his predecessor into where the College places its priorities. did.” Also, he said the duties of the provost Gutenberg passes Not surprisingly, William and Mary President include “conven[ing] the cabinet, including all Gene Nichol is the College’s highest paid vice presidents and senior level administrators, employee, earning nearly $340,000. Second to Mr. who meet every week and conduct all of the away from injures Nichol is Dean of the Marshall-Wythe School of operational functions on a day to day basis.” Law and John S. Bryan Professor W.T. Revelry, suffered in crash who earns around $320,000 a year. COLLEGE SALARIES Provost P. Geoffrey Feiss, who operates the continued on page nine Car accident had also claimed life of coach Not always “Clean Gene” Steven Nelson Assistant News Editor Nichol implicated in campaign finances controversy in ‘96

Freshman Ben Gutenberg died Tuesday, November Matthew Sutton One incident soon tarnished his Mr. Nichol and Ms. Albino had 27, succumbing to injuries suffered in a car accident on Managing Editor reputation as “Clean Gene.” Judith had a troubled relationship, dating November 10. The accident also claimed the life of Albino, the former president of the back to a decision to select Ms. fencing coach Pete Conomikes, who had been on the President Gene Nichol is currently University of Colorado at Boulder, Albino over Mr. Nichol for the job of College’s fencing staff since 1972. facing scrutiny for his knowledge accused Mr. Nichol of “blackmail.” UC-Boulder’s president. Mr. Nichol Mr. Gutenberg’s outlook was originally optimistic, of revoked $12 million donation She had taped a phone call in which later played a leading role in the so- but during a period of over two weeks spent at Virginia from alumnus James McGlothlin, Mr. Nichol asked her to donate to called “deans revolt,” an orchestrated Commonwealth University’s Richmond Medical Center, an incident that evokes an earlier her campaign and illegally backdate campaign against Ms. Albino, which the prognosis worsened as he did not recover from a episode in Mr. Nichol’s past. When the check, in an effort to circumvent ultimately led to her resignation in coma. he was running for a Senate seat in federal elections campaign laws. Ms. 1995. He had called Ms. Albino College President Gene Nichol sent a message to Colorado, he became embroiled in Albino released the tape of their because his campaign had discovered students on the afternoon of November 27, entitled a scandal that involved taped phone conversation and wrote a letter to Mr. Strickland was planning to run “Heartbreaking News,” through which the College calls, letters to federal regulators and the Federal Election Commission an attack ad citing Mr. Nichol’s role community was made aware of the death. political attack ads. in July of 1996. This scandal quickly in the “deans revolt.” “As our fencers have taught in recent days, the College, at In 1996, Mr. Nichol, who had been became an issue in the primary The Federal Elections Commission its core, embodies a defining commitment to one another. serving as the dean of the law school campaign. Mr. Nichol acknowledged ultimately found no criminal actions We’ll call on that powerfully in the days and weeks ahead,” at the University of Colorado, was that he asked her to backdate her had occurred as a result of the said Mr. Nichol. running in the Colorado Democratic contribution but claimed that he incident, but only because Ms. Albino Teammate Walter McClean (’09) said of the news, Senate primary against Tom never threatened her. never actually made the backdated “Ben’s passing was especially saddening after initial reports Strickland. Running an insurgent Ms. Albino told The Rocky contribution. If, in fact, she had that he would make a strong recovery….I will always campaign, Mr. Nichol portrayed his Mountain News: “Gene Nichol has made this contribution—and Mr. remember him as one of the hardest-working fencers and political goals as a reaction against shown me more than once that Nichol had subsequently reported his amazingly kind personality.” special interests groups and lobbyists he is capable of doing whatever the donation on his campaign A memorial service was held for Mr. Gutenberg on and a wish to return to the populist is necessary to promote Gene finance reports—he could have faced November 29 in the Wren Chapel. democracy of America’s past. Nichol.” criminal charges for his deception. CONTENTS Want to get every issue of The Informer in the mail? News...... 2 Informer reporter joins E-mail [email protected] with your name and address, and we will send you an order form and your first Features...... 7 White House press corps issue FREE! Arts & Entertainment...... 10 Opinion...... 14 Page 8 Page  The Virginia December 6, 2007 News Informer Dr. Ali Ansari talks about realities of US and Iranian relations

Alex Mayer Fielding questions from the Ansari explained that Iran’s policy on from oil revenues, Iranians are forced Opinion Editor audience, Mr. Ansari explained that it is Israel is influenced by anti-Semitism, to endure ever-worsening rationing of understandable that so many American but he asserted that these sentiments gasoline in their own country. This is r. Ali Ansari, professor observers find Mr. Ahmadinejad’s are not as widespread in Iran as some due to the fact that Mr. Ahmadinejad has of modern history and behavior confusing, since the Iranian people believe. With regard to Iraq, Mr. largely spent Iran’s oil profits on bribes Ddirector of the Institute for president has a habit of contradicting Ansari believes that Iran’s policy is to to buy domestic political support instead Iranian Studies at the University of St. himself regularly in his public statements. support a stable Shi’i government, but of investing it in growing the economy. Andrews, Scotland, was invited to give This apparent inconsistency, however, to prevent the global perception that If the situation does not improve, Mr. a lecture at William and Mary following does not bother Mr. Ahmadinejad, who the Americans have “succeeded” in any Ansari predicted that serious political his appearance at the World Forum on views himself as “possessing special way. According to Mr. Ansari, a debate is changes could be expected in Iran as a Democracy. charisma,” and therefore does not feel raging within the Iranian government as result. William and Mary students’ strong the need to explain himself to anyone. to whether they should let the US “fix” Moving forward, Mr. Ansari told his interest in Iranian affairs was clear Mr. Ansari outlined four ways in which Iraq and take the heat for its current audience that “although it’s not going from the attendance as Mr. Ansari Mr. Ahmadinejad maintains power, problems, or act decisively (through to be all tea and cupcakes,” the US can spoke in Washington 201 in front of a including maintaining a perception of an direct support for insurgents) to force engage Iran in the future, especially once packed crowd. Attendees included not international crisis and threat against the US troops to leave immediately. In the only students at the College but also a Iranian people, bribing the public with end, Mr. Ansari firmly told his audience considerable number of residents of the oil revenues, and basing his rule on a that one certainty is that Iran will never Williamsburg community. “higher power,” while playing to people’s allow another military threat to arise out Mr. Ansari was introduced as an emotions and faith rather than logic. of Iraq. expert on Iranian affairs and US- Explaining Mr. Ahmadinejad’s n the topic of Iran’s quest to Iranian relations as well as a scholar controversial statement about the obtain nuclear technology, who has done considerable research apparent absence of homosexuals in OMr. Ansari predicted that if into the personality of Iranian President Iran, Mr. Ansari told his audience that the Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mr. Ansari Iranian president’s response was actually they would be used to obtain “prestige gave a brief lecture summarizing the quite easily understood. According to Mr. and power,” and to allow Iran to pursue a history of the relationship between Iran Ansari, Mr. Ahmadinejad simply found “more aggressive stance” in their foreign and the United States, and comparing himself stuck responding to a question policy, but he did not believe they would how people from each country view he did not want to answer—the question rush to actually use such weapons or the other. Blaming both sides for the of rights of minorities and women in give them to terrorist groups. Mr. Ansari general ill will that now exists between Iran—and therefore he told the most said that, in Mr. Ahmadinejad’s mind, the two governments, Mr. Ansari told outrageous lie possible, assuming that “domestic hegemony is the only goal.” the audience that each nations’ citizens everyone would know it was a lie, wink In Mr. Ansari’s opinion, the Iranian feel betrayed by the other—the Iranians and laugh with him about it and move people would suffer the most from Mr. because of the CIA’s involvement in on. The point, Mr. Ansari explained, was Ahmadinejad’s rule. deposing former Iranian president for the audience to laugh with him— According to Mr. Ansari, the most Ian R. Whiteside Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953 and which explains Mr. Ahmadinejad’s look important factor in determining the World Forum: Dr. Ali Ansari, director installing the Shah, and the Americans of unease when he realized the audience future of Iran is the country’s increasingly of the Institute for Iranian studies, shared because of the 1979 hostage crisis at the might actually be laughing at him. troublesome economic situation. Even information about current US and Iranian US embassy in Tehran. Concerning Iran’s foreign policy, Mr. though Iran is making billions of dollars relations with William and Mary students.

Students, Faculty Victims of garage as workers install utility lines for the new home Briefly... Solicitation Scam of the Mason School of Business. While most of the construction work will be done during winter break, Compiled by Adam Boltik, Briefs Editor According to the William and Mary Police Department, the road closing may interfere with those trying to get an organization calling itself the “Newport News Police around campus during the exam period. According to Pipes and Drums” has been phoning members of the the Department of University Relations, the road will College Celebrates “World AIDS campus community, claiming to solicit donations on re-open for traffic on January 11. Day” behalf of the Newport News Police. Campus police As part of a global effort to increase awareness on reports that the organization is, in fact, registered as a Colonial Williamsburg Fife and HIV and AIDS, the College of William and Mary non-profit with the Internal Revenue Service, but that teamed up with campus organizations to plan activities instructions to “leave a check with the William and Drum Corps celebrates 50th and events to participate in “World AIDS Day,” Mary Police Office” are part of a scam. The calls are Anniversary which was December 1. During the week, the Student currently being investigated; students and faculty that The Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum corps Health Center offered free, anonymous AIDS testing, are called should notify the WMPD at once. will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. More than and the campus group Activism in the Fight Against 200 current and former members will march down AIDS (AFYA) manned a table in the University Duke of Gloucester Street in a Fourth of July parade Center handing out information regarding the disease, Work to Continue on Business next summer. The group also announces a new college which slowly destroys the body’s ability to maintain its School During Break, Ukrop Way scholarship program, which will award $2,000 to two immune system. As part of the program, the Muscarelle Closed individual high school participants. The winners are Museum had two panels from the famous AIDS Quilt Starting with the first week in December, and expected to be announced in January. on display throughout the week; the quilt is made up of continuing until students return for the spring a series of panels that honor those that lost their lives semester, Ukrop Way (formerly Campus Drive) will due, in part, to the disease. be closed between Jamestown Road and the parking

Online Editor, Nick Hoelker The Virginia Editorial Board Joe Luppino-Esposito, Editor in Chief Photography/Graphics Staff Informer Matthew Sutton, Managing Editor Ian R. Whiteside, Photography Editor Established 2005 Nick Fitzgerald, Executive Editor David Clifford • Andy DeSoto • Aileen Judd • Nicole Leger Stephanie Long, News Editor Alex McKinley • Kristine Mosuela • Long Vinh Jon San, Features Editor Copy Staff December 6, 2007 R.C. Rasmus, Arts & Entertainment Editor Alex Randy Kyrios, Copy Chief Volume 3 Issue 6 Alex Mayer, Opinion Editor Virginia Lynn Butler • Amber L. Forehand • Annie Hughes Aileen Judd • Kelsey Powell • Sara Roux Kristen Schaub • Beth Zagrobelny The Virginia Informer Mission Statement CSU 7056, P.O. Box 8793 The Virginia Informer is an independent, non-partisan, student Layout Staff Chris Davis, Design Editor Williamsburg, VA 23186 run publication devoted to reporting the news to the William Rachel Austin • Mike Crump • Sam McVane • Kelsey Powell [email protected] and Mary community. We exist to provide an alternative to Rachel Rudebusch www.VAInformer.com school sponsored news sources. We do not, and never will, receive any financial support from the College of William and Business Staff The Virginia Informer is produced by students at the College of William and Mary. Mary. We will not shy away from controversy or be afraid to Andrew B. Blasi Jr., Business Editor The opinions expressed in articles, photos, cartoons, or ads are those of the writer(s) challenge the norm. We strive to inform and engage our readers or sponsor(s). This paper is produced for the benefit of students at the College and is Contributors available at no cost for members of the greater Williamsburg community. However, via responsible journalism and in-depth reporting, while foster- Bryan Alphin • Adam Boltik • Kristin Coyner • Mike Crump copies should be taken only if they are meant to be read and enjoyed. In the event an ing and giving voice to opinions that are often shut out by the Aimee Forsythe • Jacob Hill • Michelle Ju individual or group prevents these copies from being enjoyed by others, the cost to that campus establishment. John R. Kennedy • Ian A. Kirkpatrick • Boris Kiselev • Megan Locke • individual or group will be $15 per copy. Letters to the editor are welcome and can be Sarah Nadler Steven Nelson • Matt Pinsker • Joe Pirro submitted via e-mail or mail. Rachel Rudebusch • Swetha Sirvaram • Jennifer Souers • Ilsa Tinkelman The Virginia Page  Informer news December 6, 2007 Republicans in General Assembly say they hope to minimize cuts to higher ed now known to lawmakers, the General Assembly new pre-K program as gubernatorial candidate Tim Joe Luppino-Esposito will be looking very carefully at the disproportionate Kaine promised in 2005. This would be tantamount Editor in Chief spending cuts that Governor Kaine has made in higher to raising tuition on middle-class Virginians in order education with an eye toward being more responsible to launch a new initiative,” said Mr. Nardo. Despite a reduction in the initially announced and mitigating their magnitude where possible,” said Even if those reductions do not come through, cutbacks, the College will still find itself approximately G. Paul Nardo, chief of staff to House Speaker Mr. Jones does not anticipate students will be directly $1 million short of meeting the 6.25% cut imposed by William J. Howell. affected by any new fees or restructuring of the the state of Virginia when the next semester begins. “When he announced the $641 million budget tuition. Vice President of Finance Sam Jones said that state shortfall and the $300 million in spending cuts, the Mr. Jones stated that the next step the College is budget cuts, originally set at 7.5%, were reduced to governor said the only way to make up the difference looking towards is how to handle what may be long- 6.25%, which translated into $3 million for the College. was either ‘going to be using the state’s Rainy Day term base reductions of the College’s budget from the “Of the $3 million we have identified approximately Fund ... or it’s going to be more cuts.’ The existence state. “The next significant event is the December 17 two-thirds of the savings and expect to get the balance of the $170 million in unspent dollars belies this release of the Governor’s budget recommendations primarily through the hiring freeze,” Mr. Jones said. false choice. Moreover, many lawmakers in both for the 2008-10 biennium. State revenues continue to In Richmond, some Republican lawmakers are parties and in both chambers do not believe it would fall short of current projections so his budget may very hoping for even lower cuts to higher education. be prudent to reduce state support for our colleges well continue some or all of the budget reductions “With the $170 million in unspent agency balances and universities, while, at the same time, creating a imposed across state government this year,” he said. Nichol in e-mail controversy again Leaving door E-mails between president and former Sen. John unlocked results in Edwards sent in 2005 disciplinary action Jon San last month when Freedom of Although faculty do receive a 10 Features Editor Information Act requests were percent discount on men’s football made regarding the e-mail between and basketball tickets, they do Steven Nelson President Nichol has once again President Emeritus Timothy J. not receive them as any sort of Assisstant News Editor found himself in the center of Sullivan and Mr. Nichol regarding compensation. an e-mail controversy, now with the revocation of a $12 million by In March 2007, the Associated According to a sophomore at the national political implications. alumnus James McGlothlin (’62). Press asked for the disclosure College, leaving your door unlocked During his time as the dean of According to The Daily Tar Heel, of this e-mail as well as other e- can cost you. the law school at the University of Mr. Nichol received an e-mail mails between Messrs. Nichol The student, who has asked not North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Mr. from Miles Lackey in January of and Edwards. UNC released the to be named, received a phone call Nichol received an e-mail from the 1995 on behalf of Mr. Edwards majority of the correspondences early one morning about a month political advisor of presidential (who would, shortly thereafter, but refused to disclose the one ago informing him he was late to hopeful and former North Carolina be appointed as a faculty member involving the “ticket wishlist.” University Relations a meeting with Director of Judicial Democratic Senator John Edwards of the law school) that contained UNC claimed the e-mail “was GILBERT Affairs Dean Gilbert. that has now been protected by Mr. Edwards’ “ticket wishlist”— confidential personnel information Mr. Gilbert soon thereafter the university. This is similar to the names of people for whom that was exempt from the N.C. informed the student that he had violated college policy a claim that was made by the Mr. Edwards wanted to obtain Public Records Law.” and a roommate contract: he had left his dorm room William and Mary administration tickets to UNC athletic events. unlocked and had left the room unattended. The student, caught off guard and unable to recall whether he had, in fact, left his room unlocked on the date in question, confessed to the allegation. New logo to have undetectable As a result, a judicial warning will remain on his record until the time his senior year, during which time it will be seen by those viewing his transcript, including change, according to member of prospective employers and internship programs. Mr. Gilbert, replying to an Informer inquiry into the committee case, mentioned that roommate contracts which contain explicit mention of particular issues, such as locking the Plans on creating mascot for W&M athletics door, can be used in adjudicating such cases. “When the choice to leave a room unlocked affects the remain to be seen, but member is hopeful other roommate or other members of the community, the [Judicial] code provides the other student a means Nick Fitzgerald The committee was apparently set to unveil a to address the violation of rights,” said Mr. Gilbert. Executive Editor new logo at Homecoming 2007, but, as reported Even though the sanction may seem more severe than by The Virginia Gazette, the committee recognized the crime, the charge is likely to stick as the student has “Some people might not even detect a change” that they had failed to trademark their new logo not filed an appeal. in the College’s new athletic logo, The Virginia proposal. If the College had failed to do so, The student has, furthermore, been slapped with with Informer has learned. they would have forfeited their right to license an ultimatum due to a subsequent instance of his door Local Williamsburg resident and logo committee merchandise on which the new logo could be being unlocked, this time while he was awake inside the member Nancy Matthews, in an interview with The affixed. room. He is now being confronted with a forced choice Informer, when asked about the current status of “Just anyone on the street could have printed it between moving out of his room, two weeks prior to the logo, stated that it was “not a major change” out had we released the logo without all the proper the semester’s end, and convincing his roommate to from the previous W and M affixed with two green licensing in order,” said Ms. Matthews. rescind the allegation. and gold feathers. The College’s previous logo was Consequently, the logo was not revealed at Students who are in similar situations are advised to deemed “hostile and abusive” to Native Americans Homecoming and, presumably, no one but those contact Student Legal Services, a free source of advice by the NCAA and was subsequently banned. on the committee have any idea of what the for legal and judicial affairs. A recent change in the After declining to pursue legal action as some proposed logo looks like. judicial code enables students to seek law student and other universities in the same situation opted to, Ms. Matthews also expressed her excitement for SLS representation in judicial proceedings. President Gene Nichol appointed Vice President continuing to work for the committee for Student Affairs Sam Sadler as chairman of as she belives they will also undertake  the new William and Mary logo committee. The the task of naming a mascot. However, committee was tasked with the determination, Ms. Matthews says she has not been in   creation, and implementation of a new logo for contact with the committee leadership the William and Mary Tribe last fall. Since then, the as to when, and if, those meetings  committee has remained conspicuously silent and would be taking place. has not publicly revealed any progress whatsoever   on this search for a new logo.     www.VAInformer.com    All the news that’s fit to go online.   Page  The Virginia December 6, 2007 news Informer SA allocates $15,000 for voter registration

Sarah Nadler was going to be sent back to committee scheme, securing enough student votes Act II. This bill, which appropriated $550 Staff Writer until SA President Zach Pilchen in the election will “cement our place in for the purchase of a 180 gallon compost p r o c l a i m e d , the town,” and tumbler, was proposed in hope helping The November 28 meeting led to the “This is our top start combating make the campus more environmentally passage of three bill crucial to student priority […] the the abusive sound. The compost tumbler was meant participation and involvement both on stars are aligned. landlords, three to replace the previously purchased and off campus. Pass this tonight person rule and compost tumbler which was stolen last The Williamsburg Civic Engagement and we can harsh police year. This made some senators hesitant Act, introduced by Senators Walter move on.” that make to repurchase the tumbler for fear of it McClean (’09), Matt Beato (’09) and Mr. Pilchen t o w n - g o w n being stolen or vandalized. Nevertheless, Devan Barber (’08), earmarked $15,000 claimed the relations so the bill passed 12-2-4. According to Ms. of Student Assembly funds to support “threat of strained. After Mullis, “Dining services and landscaping voter registration efforts on campus. This May,” or threat Mr. Pilchen’s are really excited about it. Now that many bill was designed to incentivize student of students h e a r t f e l t more groups are involved the tumbler voter registration by paying students controlling the address to will be very accessible and useful.” $10 for each other student they register. May election, is the Senate, The Interest Rollover Act was also It is important to note that no Student already starting most doubts presented by Mr. McClean to request Assembly members can participate in this to affect c o n c e r n i n g the interest gained on the student work, and information regarding where Williamsburg’s this bill were Consolidated Reserve Account, although to sign up to register voters is not yet legislative waived; the bill currently the College receives 5 % available. The Senate debated about this agenda. He feels passed 11-3-1. interest from the Consolidated Reserve bill for quite some time, as the bill was that although S e n a t o r Fund and puts it toward the general never voted on in committee, and the $15,000 may Ian R. Whiteside Caroline Mullis fund for the university. The bill passed financial committee never got a say in the seem like a (’09) proposed unanimously and requests will be made at Get out the vote: SA President Zach Pilchen large amount of money being allocated. lot of money, said the bill was a “top priority” for the Senate. the Campus the upcoming Board of Visitors meeting It seemed as though this controversial bill in the grand C o m p o s t i n g to start enacting this bill. Pilchen finishes active first SA Senator pushing to add coffee semester as SA president machines to dorms Chris Davis Auxiliary Services that run the current Sarah Nadler where debate and committee procedure Staff Writer vending machines would simply pick up Staff Writer almost prevented $15,000 from being the new coffee machines as part of their allocated for voter registration, Senate New legislation proposed in the job. Student Assembly President Zach Chairman Matt Beato (’09) stated the Student Assembly could result in coffee- “Instead of canned drinks or bags Pilchen (’09) prefaced his November 28 problems “were all procedural, we dispensing vending machines being of chips, it would be coffee grounds cabinet meeting by saying, “This is going were an embarrassment.” The cabinet, added to dormitories across campus. replaced in the machines.” to be really quick.” This brief meeting previously very involved in registering “When coffee will be most desired, going It is yet to be seen whether the rest of recapped the success of Thanksgiving voters, was very excited to hear voter all the way to Wawa just isn’t worth it,” the Senate shares Mr. Kyrios’ enthusiastic airplane rides, worked out the logistical registration will be taken to a new level said SA Senator Alex Kyrios (’09), who feelings for the machines. details of distributing final exam care with the passing of the “Williamsburg proposed the idea. “You can wake up Editor’s Note: Alex Kyrios is the Copy packages and discussed the need for Civic Engagement Act.” Mr. Pilchen 15 minutes before class, roll out of bed, Chief of The Virginia Informer. cabinet budgets to be turned in as looks ready to head into winter break, grab a coffee, and be on your soon as possible. As for commentating after completing his first semester as way to class. Simply put, this on the November 27 Senate meeting SA president. plan would give students more options and more flexibility.” The machines, like the ones already located in Mews Williamsburg to have new Café at Swem and Jones Hall, would dispense not only regular coffee into the Congressman Dec. 11 container of your choice, but also cappuccinos, hot W&M grad among candidates chocolate and tea. SA President Zach Pilchen Steven Nelson endorsement of Mr. Wittman by two (’09) and Secretary of Student Assistant News Editor other top contenders, including Ms. Life Liz Thomas (’09) have Davis’ widower Chuck Davis. expressed concern about the Before the end of William and College Republicans Chair Stephen cost of the machines, but Mr. Mary’s fall semester, “America’s first Salvato(’10) said of Mr. Wittman, Kyrios is confident that the district” will have a new Congressman. “[he] has over 20 years of experience school would make money on The special election deciding the in local and state politics. Wittman them. late Jo Ann Davis’ replacement will has displayed outstanding leadership “Vending machines, by their take place on and has fought very nature, more than pay for December 11. for those issues themselves over time. There Student voters, most important will always be a demand for numbering into to the average coffee,” said Mr. Kyrios. the hundreds, will working family Also, it would not be likely be a strong in Virginia: lower necessary to hire any Alex McKinley force in this taxes, economic additional personnel to Procrastinator’s dream: Proposal would make election. With a development, fiscal maintain the machines. The prospect of pulling an all-nighter more attractive. Wittman for Congress Forgit for Congress majority of the responsibility.” College’s students WITTMAN FORGIT Mr. Salvato self-identifying as a c k n o w l e d g e d , as he has “a great record of service in liberal on Facebook, Democrat Phillip “I have a great deal of respect for both teaching and in the military: he Forgit (’89 ) may be given a boost in Forgit, specifically his service to won both the bronze star and teacher VAInformer this heavily Republican district. our country in Iraq. I also think it is of the year award.” Mr. Gillingham Mr. Forgit, an Iraq war veteran as neat that he is a Williamsburg native. continued, “[Forgit] is a good fit for well as a Williamsburg resident, is [However], I also believe Forgit lacks district, he represents its values, and he .com challenging Republican Delegate Rob the necessary experience to be the is an energetic campaigner.” Wittman of Westmoreland County. best congressman.” Mr. Forgit has Whether Mr. Forgit is able to win in Mr. Wittman narrowly defeated Paul never held elective office. a district that Ms. Davis carried in last All the news that’s Jost(’76) at the Republican nominating William and Mary Young year’s election with 64% of the vote convention on November 10. Mr. Jost Democrats’ campaign coordinator remains to be seen. fit to go online. lead in all but one round of voting, Ross Gillingham(’10) remains fairly and was likely defeated following the optimistic about Mr. Forgit’s chances, The Virginia Page  Informer news December 6, 2007 Bias Response changes Busted advises about how to in response to criticism deal with police Mike Crump consent is given, police have full authority Nick Fitzgerald take the ‘correct’ stance on all sorts of Staff Writer to search and seize. In response to this, Executive Editor matters...).” the film recommended not consenting to The original bias reporting system For students outraged by the William searches ever, unless a warrant is present. The William and Mary Web site on Web site stated that the College would and Mary police department, Busted: the Even if officers threaten to bring in diversity (www.wm.edu/diversity), with not tolerate hateful or biased speech Citizen’s Guide to Surviving Police Encounters canine teams to search for any sort of its included bias reporting system, has from its students and faculty, an idea shows that there are ways to resist their contraband, implying serious destruction been recently given a drastic overhaul detractors say is at odds with the 1st influence, even if the administration will to property, it remains the citizen’s right by the College administration. The Amendment. The new, revised Web site, not take action against them. to refuse a search without a warrant. system, until the revamp, had recently rather than offering an explanation of SSDP (Students for a Sensible Drug Another major point within the come under harsh criticism and “bias” offers one of a “bias incident,” Policy) offered a free presentation last presentation was the police tactic of scrutiny from law professors, bloggers and further stresses the fact that “the Thursday night in Lodge 1. Students were bargaining. A relatively unknown fact and national student free-speech Reporting System does not create a shown Busted, a short informative film is that police are allowed to lie if they advocacy groups like the Foundation new category of prohibited behavior produced by the American Civil Liberties suspect illegal activity is taking place. for Individual Rights in Education or a new process for members of the Union as part of their Flex Your Rights Officers then, according to Busted, will (FIRE). College community to be sanctioned. campaign. Through this film, the ACLU often try to get citizens to give up more Before the revamp, the system was Any report will be handled in hoped to inform citizens of their rights information than necessary, under the known officially as the “bias reporting accordance with existing staff, student, and reassess the power balance between false promise of “getting off easily.” system” Web site, whose name has and faculty policies and procedures.” police forces and individuals. Between segments, SSDP members now been changed to the “bias incident This disclaimer was not previously The video focused primarily on held trivia quizzes for students to compete reporting” site. This specific change in present on the system’s Web site. asserting 4th, 5th and 6th Amendment for candy prizes. Along with testing language signals a distinct possibility Also made clear in the revamped rights, which forbid unreasonable search retention of valuable information from that the administration is responding to version of the Web site is an outline of and seizure, preventing self-incrimination the movie, they used these opportunities the criticisms of the original version of the “process” by which bias incidents and the right to council. to offer helpful insight and details not the site, which encouraged and allowed can be reported and overviewed, Through several scenes replayed with included in the presentation, such as the students to anonymously report others who analyzes them and how they characters first forgetting their rights fact that drug checkpoints were deemed who displayed alleged acts of bias or are dealt with. This process and the and then asserting them, Busted informed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, harassment. This type of system has infrastructure behind it was touched on viewers about the best tactics for dealing and so modern signs saying “Drug been labeled “Orwellian” in nature by in a somewhat vague, cursory fashion with police and how to avoid unnecessary Checkpoint Ahead” are only used as a national bloggers, and, in a November in the original version of the site. incrimination, all the while staying within trap to gauge driver reactions. At the end 1 press release, The Virginia Informer Additionally, those wishing to report the boundaries of the law. of the evening, a raffle was held for free reported that William and Mary Lee “bias incidents” (rather than originally One thing Busted elaborated on was the SSDP t-shirts. Professor of Law William Van Alstyne being able to report, simply, “bias”) tendency of police to trick or bully private “It was informative,” said Sampson had this to say about the original system: may no longer do so anonymously citizens into waiving their rights. One Coe (’11), “I learned that I could “These politically-‘skewed’ codes and must give their name, log in using such tactic was by using the phrase, “If have avoided my alcohol charge from of conduct are seriously misguided a William and Mary ID and give a you have nothing to hide, you’ll be fine homecoming weekend and saved fifty (and, I think, frankly embarrassing to detailed description of the incident if I take a look inside [a car, house, dorm bucks on a pointless alcoholEDU class.” universities which endlessly contrive to and who was involved. room, etc].” In situations such as this, if “Inside North Korea” provides revealing look at reclusive country

Nick Hoelker followed by six “minders” who told Ms. Ling what Sung, thanking them from restoring their sight. As Online Editor was and was not allowed to be filmed. At one point, a each patient praised the “Supreme Leaders,” those still minder threatened to expel Ms. Ling from the country waiting to have their sight restored cheered loudly. On November 28, Americans for Informed for filming a statue of Kim Jong-Il. “Inside North Korea” also interviewed a South Democracy (AID) presented “Inside North Korea,” a One powerful scene in the movie occurred when Korean student who was a North Korean solider before National Geographic documentary about the reclusive they visited the apartment of a woman who was set to attempting a risky escape through the Demilitarized country. receive eye surgery from Dr. Nuit. The apartment was Zone. While crossing the border, the soldier’s friend, Before the movie, AID member Joella Adams (’08), decorated with photos of Kim Jong-Il and his father, who was escaping with him, was killed by an electric who visited the country while working in South Korea, Kim Il-Sung. All of the woman’s family members fence. When Ms. Ling asked him what happened to shared pictures and stories of her trip across the border bowed whenever they walked past one of the photos. his family, the student said, “I don’t want to talk about at the Demilitarized Zone. The family’s young daughter also did a song and dance it.” The film implied that the family was sent to a work The movie was made by Lisa Ling, an American routine which praised the “Supreme Leader” of North camp, a number of which exist throughout North journalist who received permission to enter the country Korea and wished harm to the United States. Korea, the largest of which is estimated to be able to by documenting Dr. Nuit, a Nepalese eye doctor. North The end of the film showed the results of the hold 50,000 people. Korea allowed Dr. Nuit to enter the country in order to surgeries. After every patient had their give 1,000 eye surgeries to blind North Koreans. sight restored, they groveled before From the time they left Nepal, the film crew was tapestries of Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il- Page  The Virginia December 6, 2007 news Informer Law professor talks about enforcing environmental law Co-author of Defending the Environment discusses causes of and ways to stop global warming Kristen Coyner 1995 publication of the book Defending the Environment: Senator John Warner, the America’s Climate Security Act Staff Writer Civil Society Strategies to Enforce International Environmental (ACSA)—which have yet to be passed. Law. She, along with co-author Scott Pasternack, sought Toward the later part of her speech, Ms. Malone very year, the William and Mary Marshall- to use this book as a medium for outlining the various presented an overview of the some of the sources which Wythe School of Law hosts a lecture designed strategies of nongovernmental environmental action. claim that global warming is man-made and the cause of Eto recognize the achievements of senior law In her speech, Ms. Malone sought to place the rubric an urgent threat. To that end, she discussed the language school faculty. The St. George Tucker Lecture Series of the book in the more specific context of the global of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1996 and since then has served to give warming debate. She discussed the variety of ways that (IPCC) which recently stated in a February 2, 2007 report notice to the College community of the work done by civil society, the part of society separate from the federal that human activity was “very likely” to be the cause of rising distinguished law professors. On November 29, the 2007 government or business, has used different mechanisms temperatures. Ms. Malone also mentioned the November recipient, Linda A. Malone, presented a lecture entitled in the alleged hope of stopping global warming. Many of 17, 2007 follow-up synthesis report of the IPCC, stating “Enforcing International Environmental Law through the mechanisms discussed were legal in nature, including that it was “extremely alarming…Things in there will set Domestic Mechanisms in the United States: Civil Society domestic, Supreme Court, and finance litigation, both in you back. It looks very disturbing.” In mentioning this Initiatives against Global Warming.” the past and ongoing. Ms. Malone pointed to an overall report, Ms. Malone made the only suggestion throughout Ms. Malone joined the faculty of the William and Mary current trend in the litigation, saying that “states are her presentation that her audience read the information law school in 1988 and presently serves as the Marshall- defendants here suing private industry where government independently and draw their own conclusions. Wythe foundation professor of law and director of the is not going after the polluters.” She further suggested The question was raised as to whether the tide of public human rights and national security law program. She that the next frontier might include tort litigation between opinion has turned on this issue yet. Statistics showing holds membership with a variety of environmental private parties on this issue. that most Americans regard global warming to be a series groups, including the Environmental Commission of the s. Malone then went on to cover some non- issue that the federal government should address were World Conservation Union and the Review Board of the litigation methods presently used in the shown along with another poll which showed that the vast Land Use and Environmental Law Review. Additionally, Mattempt to curb what some perceive as human- majority of Americans are unwilling to make changes in Ms. Malone has either authored or co-authored 12 books attributable global warming. On this, she discussed both their own lives to ameliorate a perceived problem which on the issues of environmental law, international law and national and international efforts. Internationally, the work their own sentiment identifies. Indeed, Ms. Malone’s own human rights. Ms. Malone also served as a delegate to the of non-governmental organizations and UNESCO was actions have underscored this dichotomy of perception seminal 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. mentioned, such as the drive to preserve World Heritage and true action. At the beginning of her speech she This lecture series was largely attended by William and sites thought to be at risk from climate change. She also jokingly showed a photograph of herself next to a Mary law school students and faculty. Ms. Malone noted at pointed out several regional, multi-state and local efforts large Jeep Commando which she was given to drive at a the outset of her lecture how she had just arrived from the being made with the similar goal of reducing assumed conference and did so for three days under the auspices National Environmental Trust forum on projected impact man-made global warming. Special attention was paid to of understanding, “Why would anyone drive a thing like of climate change in Virginia, which was also held at the the efforts of certain states within the US, particularly that this?” College on the same day. She described coming from the of California, which has recently set the goal of reducing n the final minutes of her presentation, the floor forum as “depressing,” a word which she used periodically carbon dioxide emissions 25% by the year 2020. was opened up to questions which students posed throughout her speech with respect to her perceptions on Legislative proposals of the 110th Congress aimed at Iin response to many of the issues raised throughout the position of the environment. addressing climate change were also reviewed briefly. Ms. the lecture. Ultimately, Ms. Malone sought to give a picture The first part of Ms. Malone’s speech touched on the Malone noted many of the current proposed bills—giving of “civil society to the rescue” on the issues pertaining to development of her environmental work through the special attention to the bill co-sponsored by Virginia’s climate change. Former Pakistani Ambassador discusses the crisis in Pakistan, politics and terrorism Michelle Ju prides itself on its remarkable history Islamic culture as a whole. “[Democracy has been] hijacked by Staff Writer of peaceful transition and ongoing “The Iraq war did more to arouse those who are militarily powerful. If cooperation with the United States suspicions than anything else.” Mr. democracy gives power to people who On Friday, November 30, the during crises such as 9/11, the recently Hussain asserted, “The US found one already privileged, dominant, it’s not International Relations Club and SASA growing threat of Taliban insurgency reason after another [to raise suspicions]. democracy.” He asserted that democracy invited former Pakistani Ambassador has threatened its relations with the Once the administration loses credibility, should be the “empowerment of people,” Touqir Hussain to the College to discuss United States. Plagued by dependence it’s a free-for-all—people start to develop and criticized the corrupt inefficiency of the rising political tensions in Pakistan, on its army, the Islamists who threaten conspiracy theories.” The growing politicians who wield talk of democracy US-Pakistan relations and the current Pakistan, growing support for the Taliban threat helped strengthen the extremists’ for support, which “ends the day they’re War on Terror. and unsteady ties with the United States, cause. “People are not prepared to look in power.” Mr. Hussain, a former senior Pakistani Pakistan remains unstable. at things rationally or objectively. If “Pakistan has developed resilience diplomat, has served as ambassador to In defense of Pakistan as both a US you’re under attack, it is human nature and strength for survival,” Mr. Hussain Spain, Brazil and Japan. Mr. Hussain ally and a potential target of the problem, to defend, whether they are right or said. “Terrorism will remain for many returned to the United States in 2003, Mr. Hussain claimed that radicals in wrong,” he explained. In addition to years to come. The US needs to revise joining the ranks of George Washington Pakistan had become opposed to the the paranoia of terrorism, Mr. Hussain its policies as a staying power and [must University scholars as a research fellow, United States and Pakistani governments blamed the US’ self-centered policy, one involve] support of the people.” Mr. and is currently teaching at Georgetown and were determined to de-stabilize joint that focused on its own interests. Hussain also talked about the need for University and the University of efforts to prevent the Taliban from taking Coincidentally, the demise of the United States to reinvent its alliances Virginia. power. He argued that it was unwise for democracy remains an ominous and international policy and, generally, Mr. Hussain addressed the current the US to label its fight against terrorism threat today. “Democracy is not just is in need of an image overhaul. With instability of Pakistan, the Taliban as a “war,” which ultimately causes the synonymous to elections and free press. the right policies, “the US can change its insurgency, Al-Qaeda influences and the entanglement of other issues and could You can have these and still not be image overnight,” he said. politics within Pakistan. Though Pakistan potentially lead to the endangerment of democratic.” Mr. Hussain continued, Get The Virginia Informer delivered to your door! The Virginia Informer is the NEWEST news publication on campus and The Informer is the ONLY completely independent student newspaper of the College of William and Mary. 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Please make checks payable to The Virginia Informer. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] The Virginia Page  Informer Features December 6, 2007 America’s next top college president Now that even the oracle which gives The Flat Hat its news of Business—what did you expect, for us to toke up, put on our stories has turned its back on our beleaguered president, it’s time Best of Phish album and talk about how we wish it would all to start tossing around ideas for possible replacements to William just go away? If that’s what you are looking for in a presidential and Mary’s executive. search committee, look up Sam Sadler at his new office over at Of course, because we here at The Virginia Informer pride the Meridian coffee house. ourselves on our ability to assess based on objective metrics and So after five minutes of last-minute Googling before going to other generally accepted business jargon, we will be using the so- print, we have determined our Final Four for William and Mary’s Nick Fitzgerald & called “SWOT” (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) next president. Matthew Sutton analysis so familiar to students and faculty of the Mason School Humor Columnists

His Royal Highness Prince Henry “Harry” of Wales Former US President Bill “Slick Willy” Clinton Strengths Strengths • Reconnects William and Mary with its British roots. • He can “feel our pain.” • His grandmother thought it was a “jolly good” idea. • Has no problem working closely with female administrators. • One of the most accessible presidents in recent William and Mary history, • Can attract heavy foreign investment to William and Mary, including from the including holding open office hours at the Green Leafe. coffers of campaign contributor Norman Hsu. (And you thought Jim McGlothlin Weaknesses was bad.) • Has a penchant for dressing up as a Nazi on special occasions, which may ruffle Weaknesses feathers at Hillel and AΕPi. • The McDonald’s / Dunkin Donuts drive-thru window is suddenly backed up • Harry’s appointment to the office could outrage the large, vocal minority of every morning. Irish students on campus. • Has no problem working closely with female administrators. Opportunities Opportunities • Can return William and Mary to more pointless British royal frumpery and • Required, president-approved sorority wet t-shirt contests every Friday. trumpery. • Restructuring of Honor Code, requiring more precise definitions of “is” and • Could attract large number of British students to William and Mary, providing “sexual relations.” further justification for a mandatory, comprehensive dental insurance package. Threats Threats • Hillary Clinton. • Prince Charles, or any other horse-faced British royal. • Chelsea Clinton. • His age and lack of experience rivals only that of Barack “Barry” Obama. • Socks the cat. New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick Celebrity and Pop Culture Icon Justin Timberlake Strengths Strengths • He is a workaholic, and demands perfection from all around him. • Our Homecoming concert will be off the hizzy. • Will cut all underperforming “fluffy” departments—you know who you are. • We can display the “hottest state school” banner every single day of the year. Weaknesses • The popularity of Wren 10 a cappella events would be at an all time high. • Constantly scowling. Weaknesses • Reports to Board of Visitors meetings dressed in a Patriots hooded sweatshirt • After the stink of last year’s Sex Workers’ Art Show, what would campus and sweatpants. conservatives think of his FutureSex / LoveSounds? • Not exactly “student friendly.” • He’s too hot? Opportunities Opportunities • Will bring Tribe football to its first 12-0 season. • Appointment of Vice President for Student-Thug Affairs Curtis “50 Cent” • Will diversify hoodie selection at the bookstore and campus shop. Jackson. Threats • Perfect chance to bring sexy back, William and Mary style. • In-state students (who, it can only be assumed, are Redskins fans) stage revolt Threats after Belichick requires Patriots’ 52-7 victory over Skins played at Screen on the • Britney Spears wandering around Old Campus shouting Justin’s name at 3 am, Green. pounding on the Brafferton doors. • Campus-wide video surveillance. • What goes around comes around. Obscure classes stand out in Career Center helps spring of 2008 students find internships Aimee Forsythe have been sent to William and Mary. Boris Kiselev & Ilsa Tinkelman consider ‘Narcissism in Literature,” Staff Writer Other resources include eRecruiting Staff Writers a combination of Psychology and which lists job and internship English. Taught by Professor Mary Looking for a summer internship and not opportunities. While this database usually Do you feel like your classes next Melfi, this introductory English course sure where to begin? The Career Center contains more business type listings, it semester are unappealing? Do you have considers the Narcissistic Personality offers a variety of listervs and databases of also includes an alumni mentor database. a passion for sex, prostitution or JRR Type—self absorbed, lacking in internship possibilities and alumni contacts Alumni volunteer to be apart of the Tolkien? Well, you’re in luck, because a empathy and egotistical—and its that you might find useful. database in which they supply information number of professors here at William source and significance in famous Trasi Watson, assistant director and on ways they can help students. Also listed and Mary had your specific interests in literary works. Finally, where else can internship coordinator at the Career on eRecruiting are the local businesses mind when they formulated some of you take a class named after a song by Center, first suggests that students who participate in the Local Internship the course offerings for next semester. Madonna? “Material Girls: Women, subscribe to the Career Center’s primary Program, a semester long program Though a majority of the classes Money, Sex, and Marriage” (ENGL listserv (link on their website). These sponsored by the Career Center. This at the College are those that are fairly 150W), “analyzes the economics of weekly emails list jobs, internships, and program allows students to apply for and standard across all schools, it is the female sexuality in literary and popular scholarships that the Career Center have local, unpaid internships during a specific, in-depth courses that highlight culture” by studying prostitution receives from employers and alumni. semester with the expectation of working the strengths of our university’s and the exchange of sex for worldly What makes this listserv unique is that about 7-10 hours a week and time off professors and faculty. Consider wealth. employers who specifically ask for during the college breaks. “Thoroughly Modern Manhood,” There are actually a number of classes William and Mary students will only have The Career Center website also features studying “Hypermasculinity and the here at William and Mary that consider their internships listed through the Career an externship database of William Fin-de-Siecle Consciousness” (AMST prostitution. Besides “Material Girls” Center and not on other internship and Mary alumni who have offered 350)? Some classes seem strange there is “Love and Prostitution in databases shared with other schools. externships to W&M students. On the simply because they combine two Medieval Spain” and “Love, Adultery, Watson also recommends that students database students can look up, by state or superficially different subjects, such and Prostitution in 19th Century Russian sign up for the University Career Action field, externships for breaks. as “Sound Think: Music, Beauty, and Literature.” Network (UCAN) (link on their website), Ms. Watson recommends beginning Philosophy” (PHIL 306). In fact, this Ever read German detective fiction an internship database that is shared your summer internship search now Tuesday / Thursday seminar looks at from the 19th century? Well, you can between William and Mary and 18 other seeing as many positions have deadlines a question we all have had at one time spend an entire semester getting to reputable schools like Harvard, Princeton, in late December. Potential interns must or another, namely, why are people know that genre better (GRMN 417). and University of San Francisco. What is also have a presentable resume and an so innately attracted to music, and You can even take a seminar devoted useful about this database is that students understanding of how to write a cover where does our ability to create and wholly to Lord of the Rings author JRR can see internship postings in other parts letter. The Career Center can assist you appreciate music come from? Also Tolkien (ENGL 150W). of the country that otherwise may not when writing these documents. Page  The Virginia December 6, 2007 FEATURES Informer President Bush gives World AIDS Day address Informer reporter in White House press corps for event Steven Nelson Christian-based He asked Rev. Yocum to close the group Assisstant News Editor relief work. in prayer. He then addressed the press, The president with panel members and an assortment On Friday, November 30, President asked participants of African flags assembled behind the George W. Bush visited Calvary United to share their presidential podium. Methodist Church in Maryland to re-state experiences with Religious overtones were unmistakably his intention of increasing American AIDS in the present in the president’s statement. Mr. funding for the global fight against region. “It was Bush extolled the work of faith-based AIDS. not a structured groups in which Americans have been The Virginia Informer was able to place meeting, the active, and asked for God’s blessings on this reporter in the White House press president asked us the loved ones that AIDS victims have pool, which comprised approximately 20 to share what was left behind. other journalists. on our hearts,” The president expressed his desire for The White House chose Calvary as the CNN (Press Pool) says Dennis the United States to increase funding for locale for Mr. Bush’s World AIDS Day Bush speaks: President Bush recently vowed a renewed effort in Yocum, the pastor AIDS relief overseas from $15 billion address to highlight the church’s volunteer the fight against AIDS. hosting the event. to $30 billion, over six years. He also work with the Children of Zion Village Rebecca Mink commented that the “ABC’s: Abstinence, in Namibia’s Caprivi region, a home for ambassador Mark Dybul, members of shared her experiences caring for 55 Be faithful, use Condoms” need to be children left behind by AIDS. World Relief and Catholic Charities, children. Mr. Bush was also made aware promoted thoroughly. Prior to addressing the press, Mr. Bush African activists, four volunteers that there remain four to five thousand Mr. Bush plans to tour Southern Africa met for an hour with a small group that associated with Children of Zion and uncared-for orphans in the region. early next year, to emphasize the United has been active in the AIDS crisis in Children of Zion founder Rebecca Mink, At one point in the discussion, Mr. States’ commitment to assisting in the Africa. who was unexpectedly in the country. The Bush appeared so moved as to wipe a tear AIDS epidemic. The forum included US AIDS meeting’s focus was almost exclusively on from his eye. Beers fit for a badger Wes Edwards’ Matthew Sutton Leinenkugel family has carefully brewed its beers since Managing Editor 1867. Only two are widely available for purchase in Drink of the Williamsburg, the Sunset Wheat and Honey Weiss, both In honor of the resurgence of Brett Favre and the of which are excellent introductions to the Midwest. Packers, it’s time to explore the wide range of tasty beers To rate these brews, I’ve devised a new scoring system Week from the Midwest, specifically from the great state of after many hours of study and experimentation in Rogers Wisconsin. Now I know that knowledge of America’s basement, with the help of a slightly eccentric chemistry heartland is extremely limited professor. The High Octane 190 on this campus, as the flow of information at William and Mary is Sunset Wheat dominated by arrogant “coasties,” The Sunset Wheat pours a light Kick: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 but it’s time for the snobby cloudy yellow with a thin head parochialism to end. which quickly dissipates. It has a Where to buy: Everclear - Outside of Virginia Let’s examine a couple of strong, fruity aroma, and the first sip relevant facts. Whether you drink reveals an interesting and distinctive Slushees: 7-11, Wawa Budweiser (from St. Louis) or Miller orange flavor, with a bold aftertaste. (from Milwaukee), you’re sipping Personally, I did not find the aftertaste I’ve been held to some pretty high standards a little bit of greatness from the overwhelming, but it was certainly for the Drink of the Week the past few issues, Midwest. Pabst Blue Ribbon (also a strong and may be considered a bit and many have bashed my “lame” drinks. Milwaukee original) is another tried much for some drinkers; it should Well, the High Octane 190 should really quiet and true favorite with origins in the remind you of Bucky Badger, the my critics. All jokes aside, this is the grand- heartland of America. loveable mascot of University of daddy of all previous drinks; the true Baron Without the Midwest there Wisconsin-Madison. Sunset Wheat is of Blackout Beverages. As The Informer’s drink wouldn’t be great Americans a classic light brew and has feel-good correspondent, I spent Thanksgiving break in like Hugh Hefner (Illinois), Neil summer-time vibe. Las Vegas sampling the myriad of fine drinks Armstrong (Ohio), Henry Ford 7 out of 10 badgers Sin City has to offer. Matt Keck (Michigan), Larry Bird (Indiana) Milwaukee’s best?: Two quality For those of you who have a chance to visit and John Wayne (Iowa). For a quick Midwest brews are far superior. Honey Weiss the great alcohol oasis out west, the Ghostbar introduction to the distinctive slang With a distinctive yellow bottle, the and the night club Rain have fantastic bars of the heartland, know that it’s pop, not soda, gym shoes Honey Weiss offers another refreshing taste of Wisconsin. that offer a multitude of near-lethal drinks. and not sneakers and, as Kanye West would say, “you It pours a golden yellow, with a short lived light head. However, the High Octane 190 was by far know what the Midwest is? Young and restless.” Lacking a distinctive smell like its cousin, Honey Weiss the most effective, and most delicious, of the As a native Chicagoan, I’m partial to a Chicago-area has a light and smooth taste which finishes clean. With offerings. Imagine a slushee of your flavor microbrewery Goose Island and its aptly named 312 honey overtones, Honey Weiss is a very drinkable— choice—now imagine dropping four shots of (Chicago’s area code, for all you coasties), which is a although somewhat uninspiring—and truly mellow beer. Everclear into said beverage. With no loss in refreshing urban wheat beer. As a Cubs fan, how could 5 out of 10 badgers taste, that is the definition of a High Octane I forget the always smooth taste of a classic Old Style, 190. Enjoy, dear readers, and please—apologize the official beer of Wrigley Field. Another favorite not In accordance with the regulations set forth by the to your liver in advance. available in Williamsburg is Bell’s Brewery, located in Office of Multicultural Affairs, Cheers, Salute!, L’Chaim Michigan, which offers a great variety of brews. and Sláinte to you (legal) imbibers at William and Mary. Editor’s Note: The Virginia Informer encourages Today it’s time to meet the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Editor’s Note: The Virginia Informer encourages its readers its readers to please drink responsibly and in accordance Company, headquartered in proud Chippewa Falls, to please drink responsibly, and in accordance with university, state with university, state and federal law. Wisconsin. Known affectionately as “Leinies”, the and federal law. The Virginia Informer: Where you not only learn what FOIA means, but it becomes your best friend. Join us next semester and you will find that sunshine is the best disinfectant. The Virginia Page  Informer FEATURES December 6, 2007 COLLEGE SALARIES: FOIA data illustrates disparity between faculty and administrator salaries continued from page one

Salaries of top 10 most popular professors Highest Paid College Employees

1. Constance Pilkington, Psychology $79,100 1. Gene Nichol, President $339,172 2. Clyde Haulman, Economics chair $118,000 2. W. Taylor Reveley, Dean of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law $319,300 3. John Nezlek, Psychology $102,100 3. P. Geoffrey Feiss, Provost $287,500 4. Paul Heideman, Biology $82,500 4. Lawrence Pulley, Dean of the Mason School of Business $272,075 5. Larry Ventis, Psychology $97,400 5. Sean Pieri, VP for Development $240,000 6. Georgia Irby-Massie, Classics $50,400 6. Dennis Manos, Vice Provost $210,600 6. Michael Tierney, Government $69,500 7. W. Samuel Sadler, VP for Student Affairs $205,000 8. Debbie Noonan, Computer Science $51,300 8. Lynda Butler, Vice Dean of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law $200,700 9. Clay Clemens, Government $96,950 9. Carl Strikwerda, Dean of Arts and Sciences $192,900 10. Robert Pike, Chemistry $83,300 9. John Wells, Director of VIMS, Dean $192,900 (Rankings from Ratemyprofessor.com) 9. Virginia Mclaughlin, Dean of the School of Education $192,900

Mr. Feiss is also the final decision earns $192,000. Dean of Students maker when it comes to tenure and Volp earns around $100,000. Biology promotion of faculty, serves as chair Few professors earn into the triple Department of the budget committee, overseas all digits. Many assistant and associate academic deans, professional schools, professors earn less than $50,000. Lizabeth Allison $79,800 admissions, financial aid, the libraries, Several professors obtain additional Eric Bradley $119,800 Information Technology and all funds through family contributions Gregory Capelli $77,200 University Relations research on campus. and through titles which acknowledge University Relations Martha Case $69,000 Dir. of Univ. Vice President for Student Affairs W. their commitment to the College. Asst. VP Randy Chambers $87,200 Relations Samuel Sadler earns $205,000 annually. The highest paid undergraduate Mark Daniel Cristol $84,300 Mike Connelly Associate Vice President Munford professors include Professor Richard Constantine Eric Engstrom $64,200 earns $141,000 and Associate Vice S. Price of the Anthropology Norman Fashing $100,600 $123,500 President Dillman earns $145,600. Department, who earns $187,000. $83,800 Mark Forsyth $66,400 Mr. Sadler’s three most visible Following Mr. Price are: Charles R. William Funk $64,000 deputies—Dean and Director of Johnson of Math, $178,000; Melvin George Gilchrist $68,100 Judicial Affairs Gilbert, Residence P. Ely of History, $175,000; Don E. Campbell of Economics, John Griffin $70,000 Life Director Deb Boykin and Mark $161,500; David Lutzer of Math, $157,000; and James L. Axtell Ashley Haines $50,000 Constantine—earn a combined of History, $155,200. Paul Heideman (c) $82,500 $225,000. Please go to VAInformer.com to get the Oliver Kerscher $64,000 The president also has a substantial Meagan McNulty $40,000 staff of direct subordinates. Two complete list of faculty and administrator Julian Pittman $39,000 assistants, Michael J. Fox and Jackson salaries. Margaret Saha $85,700 University Relations Sasser, earn $135,200 Diane Shakes $71,600 Multicultural and $88,400, respectively. John Swaddle $79,800 Affairs Dir. Executive Assistant to Notable Salaries Stewart Ware $110,200 Chon Glover the President Cynthia Matthew Wawersik $64,200 Brauer earns $59,800, Office of Multicultural Affairs Patty Zwollo $68,000 $83,800 and additional assistant Assistant to the President/Dir. of OMA Fanchon Glover $83,800 Fanchon Glover earns Assistant Director Vernon Hurte $51,700 $83,800. Salary information for three other assistants Res Life was not provided. Assistant Vice President and Dir. of Residence Life Deb Boykin $86,850 Want to Dean of Admissions Associate Director Allison Wildridge $61,000 Henry Broaddus, who Associate Director Katrina Pawvluk $57,200 know heads a team charged Director of Housing Operations Chris Durden $58,100 with attracting applicants more and selecting who will University Relations University Relations be accepted from over Director of University Relations Michael Connolly $123,500 salaries? VP of 10,000 applications, makes Director of News Services Brian Whitson $75,000 Student Affairs $81,000; three assistants Director of News Marketing Suzanne Seurattan $50,000 Sam Sadler earn a total of $121,000. Director of Research Communications Joseph M. McClain $63,600 Football coach Jim Editor, The William and Mary News David Williard $62,400 $205,000 Laycock earns nearly as Go online! much as four undergrad President’s Office admissions personnel Executive Assistant to the President Cynthia A. Brauer $59,800 VAInformer combined, raking in $176,000 per year. Assistant to the President/Secretary to the BOV Michael J. Fox $135,200 Dean of Arts and Sciences Carl Strikwerda, who Assistant to the President Jackson N. Sasser, Jr. $88,400 .com oversees the College’s various academic departments, Tuition increase hits home at William and Mary With an expected cut in Virginia the same time period. For out- $7,000 and their out-of-state institutions between 06-07 and 07-08 education funding next year as a result of-state residents, the situation tuition rates in the range of amounted to 6.4%. This is slightly less of state budget shortfalls, many have was reversed with UVA $16,000-$19,000. Surprisingly, than the 7.1% tuition increase William wondered how these missing dollars will coming in first at $27,940 and room and board fees varied and Mary students incurred this year but be made up; perhaps the most obvious William and Mary coming in a much more significantly than significantly less than the 8.6% tuition would be another increase in tuition rates. close second at $26,725. Old tuition rates amongst the state’s increase UVA students incurred this Given the likelihood of this occurrence, Dominion University is the least universities. George Mason year (the highest in the state). Norfolk The Informer felt it necessary to explore expensive for in-state students University had the highest rate State University students incurred the the current trends of Virginia’s public this year, costing an average Andrew B. for 07-08, at $12,960, while lowest tuition increase in Virginia at university tuition and room and board of $5,900, and Christopher Blasi, Jr. Virginia Tech had the lowest, 4.7%. It is worth noting that all of these fees. Among the smaller universities Newport University is the Business Editor at $6,236. William and Mary’s percentages are significantly higher than in the state, William and Mary was the least expensive for out-of- room and board charges this both state and national inflation. The most expensive for in-state residents for state students, costing $14,150. Most of year amounted to an average of $7,385. information complied in this article was the entire 07-08 academic year at $9,164, Virginia’s public universities had their in- Furthermore, the average tuition obtained directly from university Web followed closely by UVA at $8,690 over state tuition rates in the range of $6,000- increase amongst the state’s four-year sites. Page 10 The Virginia December 6, 2007 arts & entertainment Informer Put a little swing in your step at an upcoming dance Swing Club offers chance to relieve stress with relatively free dance style Ilsa Tinkelman campus are feeling the stress of rapidly level of expertise. This Staff Writer approaching due dates and final exams. past semester there Many students could consider looking to were several extremely With the fall 2007 semester coming find a release in a classic stress-relieving successful events, quickly to a close, students all across activity with a twist… literally. including a Halloween The William and Mary Swing Club dance to which those offers such an opportunity. The invited attended organization holds beginner lessons dressed in costume, a from 7 pm to 8 pm each Tuesday holiday-themed semi- night with student instructors Chris formal and a dance Woolley and Juliana Glassco. The held at Retro’s Diner lesson is followed by a half hour on Prince George’s of social dancing where dancers at Street, where vintage any level can practice their skills, dress was encouraged. learn new tricks and meet new All these events are people. What is so alluring about low cost (sometimes this particular pastime? Swing Club free for members) President Brian Paljug says that and open to everyone, swing dancing is “very accessible, so why not take a easy to teach” and “quickly learned,” night off from your Courtesy Swing Club as well as “different and fun.” academic pursuits and Lots of opportunities: The Swing Club meets once a week Unlike more formal styles, such as enjoy good music and and also holds special events from time to time, including a ballroom dancing, swing dancing a good time with the Halloween dance and holiday-themed semi-formal dance. allows participants to combine Swing Dance Club? moves freely with very few rules and lots of rhythm. The club also offers intermediate classes for dancers with more experience, held after this Upcoming Dates W&M senior social affair and taught by Mr. Paljug and Audrey Anderson. Dec. 5 - Dance at Lodge 1 organizes In addition to holding weekly lessons, the club also hosts dances Dec. 15 - Snowball Holiday here at the College, travels to poetry contest Courtesy Swing Club Dance at Shall We Dance swing dance events around the Studio in Virginia Beach The allure: Swing dancers love the form of state and spreads the word about R.C. Rasmus dance because they can move freely. workshops for dancers at every Arts & Entertainment Editor

Aileen Judd (‘08) is not a published author—yet. However, this Classical A Thousand Splendid Suns offers further Studies and English double major will have a book with her name on it in the testament to Hosseini’s excellent storytelling near future. As part of her internship with The Business Scribe, a local independent Swetha Sirvaram that Afghanistan inherits; one, a dream publisher, Ms. Judd is currently holding a Staff Writer towards a progressive state and society, poetry contest for young adults aged 16- and the other a reminder of its violent 24, and will publish the top 100 pieces in a Khalid Hosseini’s New York Times and restrictive past. Laila soon becomes book tentatively titled Young Poets. best-selling book, A Thousand Splendid Maryam’s steadfast companion and, “The credit for this idea goes entirely Suns, centers on the Afghan civil war, through her children, Maryam herself to Hal Gieseking,” the creator and sole but mostly it is about the lives of finds the courage to face both the member of The Business Scribe, said Ms. ordinary women, their dreams, and the repressive policies of the Taliban and Judd. “I just submitted some of my poetry crushing realities of life in war-torn Rasheed’s terrifying violence. as a writing sample, and he suggested we Afghanistan. It is about how they labor Unlike the author’s previous work, create a book of my poetry. Later we decided under the twin weight of customs and The Kite Runner, Mr. Hosseini’s new to make a book of poetry by other students men “whose accusing finger always book uses a larger Farsi vocabulary, instead. I was a bit relieved, because I don’t finds a woman.” lending his story a more authentic write that much poetry outside of class,” Mr. Hosseini’s book deals with the atmosphere. Also, while The Kite Runner she laughed. tragic lives of two women, Layla and is a rather basic romantic story, A Ms. Judd will serve as editor for the Maryam. Maryam is the illegitimate Alex MxKinley Thousand Splendid Suns is a political story collection and choose the 100 poems to be daughter of Jalil Khan, and her entire Strong personalities: The that masquerades as a story about love. published along with fellow college students, life is defined by her being a ”harami,” characters, ranging from the malicious The plot and pacing are precise, and while the top ten poems will be chosen by a an illegitimate child. At fifteen years old Rasheed to the beautiful Laila, make although the middle section, which is panel of judges. Young Poets, to be released she is married off to the middle-aged for a beautiful story. told from Layla’s perspective, at first in March of 2008, will also include a photo Rasheed from Kabul, whose bulging appears incongruous, later sections essay on England’s Lake District, which eyes and stout figure reflect the terrible steadily become deeper and longer, inspired poets including Wordsworth and life that awaits Maryam. Marriage proves to be no blessing slowly pulling the reader into Mr. Hosseini’s tale. Characters Ruskin, and famous poems by poets who for Maryam, as Rasheed takes every opportunity to restrict flit in and out of focus, and the setting of major scenes in wrote when they were young. her horizons, and continually shows contempt towards Kabul relentlessly emphasizes how the external destruction A percentage of the book’s proceeds her because of her inability to bear children. Rasheed later of civil war affects the day-to-day lives of Afghani women. will be donated to Virginia Tech in honor takes in and marries the teenage Laila, drawing Maryam’s As always, Mr. Hosseini’s storytelling is par excellence of the students who died there during last contempt – but soon an unlikely friendship arises between and his story itself is heart-stopping. The characters, April’s massacre. In fact, the book will them. despite the fact that some of them have stereotypical first be published on the Internet as a free, Unlike Maryam, Laila is beautiful and privileged. Her characteristics seemingly plucked right out of a Bollywood downloadable PDF file, with a suggestion high cheekbones, green eyes and blond hair make her movie (the ever-suffering Maryam, the malicious Rasheed, that those who enjoyed it contribute directly peers treat her as a “pari,” angel, and she has a mother who the beautiful Laila), become more and more real as the to Virginia Tech through a donate button. dotes on her and an educated father who never allows her story progresses. Each chapter is a page-turner and the Readers will also later be able to purchase a to forget her boundless potential. Laila falls in love with fates of both Laila copy of the book from lulu.com. her neighbor Tariq, a crippled boy, but loses him when and Maryam are quite Those interested in entering the poetry he leaves for Pakistan. Pregnant and concerned about captivating. With this A Thousand contest should send works of 400 words the safety and legitimacy of her child, Laila marries the beautiful and heart- Splendid Suns or less to [email protected], and much older Rasheed and slowly becomes friends with the wrenching story, Mr. visit the Web site for more rules at www. sullen Maryam. Just like Saleem Sinai in Salman Rushdie’s Hosseini proves his Author: Khaled Hosseini virginiahospitalitysuite.com/poetryoflife. Midnight Children, Laila’s life serves as a parallel to the mettle as one of the Pages: 384 htm. Alternatively, students can join the history of Afghanistan, from its turn to a Communist finest Middle Eastern Publisher: Riverhead Facebook group title “Poetry of Life- Help republic, to the invasion of the Soviet Union, to the writers working in ISBN: 1594489505 the Hokies.” The deadline for submissions Mujahideen, the Taliban and finally to the US invasion of the English language List Price: $25.95 is January 31, 2008. the country. Her children are the legacies and possibilities today. The Virginia Page 11 Informer arts & Entertainment December 6, 2007 Nooks and Crannies of William & Mary A Dead Tradition: Duc Week Forget the outlets R.C. Rasmus ne of the major Arts & Entertainment Editor artistic areas that I’ve Oconsistently stayed Since high school, most students at the College away from in this column is the have been taught to be wary of hazing. Nowadays, world of fashion. Why? Well, even the most innocent of initiations is suspect and it’s complicated. It’s not that I carried out in secret, lest the school administration don’t like or respect fashion. catch wind and set the judicial counsel on the trail. In fact, I think it’s one of the However, just a few short decades ago William R.C. Rasmus most relentlessly innovative and and Mary’s administration was in full support of a Arts & Entertainment creative industries in existence. tradition whose sole purpose was the mortification Editor By necessity, the fashion world of as many first-year students as possible. Those has to make every collection that freshmen who had broken one or more “Duc Rules” it releases totally new and different—otherwise, who were brought before a court, tried and sentenced to would even bother to look at the six-figure price tags suffer various indignities at the hands of their fellow on this season’s new Marc Jacobs? Yet, interesting and matriculates. The time-honored ritual of “Duc cutting-edge though it may be, haute couture and I have Week,” dead now these forty or fifty years, once never really gotten along. The way I see it, clothing caused frightened first-years to walk tremblingly to a should be a conversation piece, something unique theatre of public humiliation as both upperclassmen and interesting that is as fun to talk about as it is to and College staffers looked on. look at or wear, and you just don’t get that from a new At this point, you might be asking yourself, “So Armani sweater. “Oh,” your friend might say, “is that what is a Duc?” Well, back in William and Mary’s early sweater new?” “Yep, it’s Armani. I paid $500 for this days, the College accepted several young men whose puppy.” Awkward silence. “Oh, that’s cool.” Not your education was not quite on par with their peers’. ideal social interaction. No, I’m much more in favor of The school handed such students over to the official clothing with personality, shirts and socks that have a College Usher, who proctored several introductory story you can recount over lunch or talk about while classes to help these slower undergraduates catch waiting in line at the grocery store. up to their classmates in the regular College classes. So what exactly qualifies as clothing with personality? Such young men were called “Ducs” because of their Aileen Judd First off, but sorry enrollment in these introductory classes. Before long, kids, you won’t find Faculty-led hazing: Only a few decades ago, the label came to be used as a moniker for every first- it at the outlets Imbue your clothes with their the College administration was in favor of making year student and later, when William and Mary went in Williamsburg. “own personality. Tear them if you freshmen follow a list of absurd “Duc Rules.” co-ed, the term “Ducess” was also adopted to refer Nothing bought want to, bleach them, slash them, to first-year ladies. with upperclassmen often standing in line for hours brand new from a add sleeves, cut sleeves off, dye Beginning in the early 1900s (the first mention of to get good seats. Held first in the Wren Chapel and retail store—even them, write on them, stud them, a Duc at William and Mary comes in a 1919 article later in PBK Hall, the session was conducted rather at outlet prices— stitch things onto them. in The Flat Hat), new students at the College were formally, with seniors acting as presiding judges, can have the kind called together in assembly on their very first day at bailiffs, prosecutors and defense attorneys (though of character I’m talking about. No matter how edgy” or school and given a copy of the laws that would come the defense often switched sides in the middle of the (in)expensive it was, it will take a little time before your to regiment their first social year in Williamsburg. event and began prosecuting their “clients”). Those new jean jacket from Calvin Klein gets a personality. Some of these “Duc Rules” included a stipulation freshmen found guilty of offenses were subjected Wait a few months, or maybe even a few years. Your coat that all freshman had to wear the distinctive “Duc to various amusing punishments, which included will get torn up a little. Maybe you’ll sew up the holes Cap,” a small, round beanie in the school colors, at all mock-execution, temporary imprisonment, fines, with some orange thread or fishing line. Your coat will times except on Sundays; that they could not speak cross-dressing, “cooling” (whereby a student was get stained. Maybe you’ll accidentally spill a few drops to ladies until after 4:00 pm on weekdays; that they forced to ride around at night in the back of a pickup of bleach or ink onto it. Your coat will get worn. Maybe must carry matches on their person at all times for truck) and campusing. According to The Flat Hat, you’ll iron a patch over one of the elbows. Each of the convenience of the upperclassmen; that they one Yankee freshman who insulted the Confederate these imperfections will add to your coat’s personality must attend all sporting events and meetings of the Flag in 1923 was made to sing “Dixie” before being as something a friend can look at and say, “How did that student body; and that they must walk only on campus “consigned to jail to die.” happen?” Each visible spot and tear will point to a story. sidewalks and never cut across the grass, among As time went on, the Duc Rules were challenged Your coat will be more than just something to keep the other things. In addition, there was the tradition of by unhappy first-year students. In 1927 they were wind off your back; it will be a conversation piece, a “Duc Week,” during which even more absurd rules officially removed from the student handbook after piece of accidental art that you can carry around with were put into effect; in 1924, for instance, Ducesses a group of Ducs staged a revolt just before their you and use on a day-to-day basis. were required to wear odd shoes one day, no makeup Duc Rally. Between 1930 and 1960 there were a few owever, character doesn’t just come from on another and walk backwards when passing the attempts to strengthen enforcement of the rules, wear, tear and time. You can also find things Brafferton on a third. At the end of their freshman with even the 13 Society promising at one point to Hjust lying around that are positively bursting year, the now-seasoned first-years would attend an aid in the reporting of Gross Ducs, but the efforts with personality. When you travel, keep your eyes peeled event called the “Duc Rally,” at which their Duc were largely for naught. for things you’d never be able to find at home: hemp Caps were thrown into a bonfire to symbolize their The length of the rules’ enforcement began to pullovers, hand-woven belts or maybe just something maturation into upperclassmen or, as the Duc Rules shrink, first to the end of the fall semester, then like a touristy t-shirt (“I Visited Area 51”). If you don’t called them, “Old Men.” to the month of September and finally to a single happen to be a globe-trekker, pop down to the thrift Those who failed to follow the Duc Rules were week towards the start of the year: Duc Week, which store or into your attic and see what’s lying around. After subjected to trials in front of what was variously called culminated with the Freshman Tribunal. The year a couple of minimal alterations, you might end up with “The Supreme Court,” “The Freshman Tribunal” 1962 saw the last mention of this last tradition in The something that will have everyone around you asking to and “The Most Exalted Grand High Tribunal.” Flat Hat, and today memories of Ducs and Ducesses hear its story. Kids’ clothes are especially fun. Remember Upperclassmen were encouraged to report offending has almost entirely faded from campus memory. At that Jurassic Park or Power Rangers t-shirt you had when first-years (officially called “Gross Ducs”) to the a College with a long, proud history of clinging to its you were four? Go see if it’s still around. Cut off the tribunal and attend the court session that judged traditions, this particular ritual has been allowed to design and hand-stitch it to the front of a $5 long sleeve and sentenced the delinquents. The tribunal’s annual die quietly here at William and Mary. shirt from Wal-Mart. Voila. See? It’s not that hard. session was an enormously popular campus event, Even the high-class world of fashion recognizes and tries to satisfy the public desire for clothes that tell a story. Witness the hideous overuse in the past years of what the designers call the “distressed” look—leather bags that come pre-scratched, jeans that come pre- Make an impact on campus... ripped or pre-stained and tops with hems that are left purposely unfinished. Take my advice, people: don’t fall for this crap. Imbue your clothes with their own personality. Tear them if you want to, bleach them, Join slash them, add sleeves, cut sleeves off, dye them, write on them, stud them, stitch things onto them. Or, even better, just wear them and let them accrue their own The Informer stories. In a culture that encourages us to throw things away as soon as they start to show their age, celebrate The Informer is the only paper at William and Mary that is the worn and stained. It’s always more fun to wear entirely independent of the College, meaning we report the truth something that will make the little old lady behind you in Ukrops say, “Excuse me, young person, but I just and go in-depth to publish what others dare not print! have to know….” Page 12 The Virginia December 6, 2007 arts & Entertainment Informer Food Review: Emerald Thai Cuisine offers superb food and service

Matt Pinkser sour sauce with some hot peppers mixed in. The spring For the entrée I ordered the chicken cashew ($7.95 lunch, Food Critic rolls were some of the best I’ve ever had, and lacked $9.95 dinner), which came with hot and sour soup. The that greasy feel you often get. They made an excellent hot and sour soup is similar to eggdrop found in Chinese A few miles down Route 60 while approaching Busch appetizer to share with others. restaurants, except dark, loaded with vegetables and with Gardens, one will find the delightful an entirely new and pleasurable restaurant Emerald Thai Cuisine. It flavor. The chicken cashew was very certainly lives up to its name in that, well-presented. On a rectangular upon entering, one cannot help but dish there was a mound of white notice the interior decked out in rice on the right, and to the left shades of green. The inside was was a mixture of chicken, cashew very clean and well kept, and the nuts, scallions, peppers and grilled staff always immediately took care pineapple, all covered by a thin pool of dirty tables when diners exited. of a delicious sauce. Everything in The staff and service were very the dish blended together perfectly polite and well-mannered. They but never lost its distinctiveness. were exceptionally attentive to my This dish was exceptionally tasty, and needs as a diner, and my water glass I highly recommend it. Although was never less than half-filled, a the chicken cashew was not listed as task most impressive considering spicy, it had a subtle undertone of the spiciness of the food. hotness which only enhanced the Everything I ordered had a slight flavor. It was served at the perfect spicy kick to it, but not so much temperature, and remained hot that it prevented me from enjoying for the duration of the meal. The the food. The menu offered the portions sizes did not allow for typical Thai dishes one will find on leftovers, but were sufficient. the East coast of America (for the Emerald Thai makes an excellent unfamiliar, Thai food on the east location for a date or outing with coast uses much less coconut in friends. The restaurant also has a very its cooking than west coast Thai). large bar with an extensive drink menu For an appetizer I ordered the you may want to consider. If you spring roll ($4.95). With very little are pressed for time, they also do a waiting, three tightly-wrapped rolls Matt Pinsker carryout business. Also, be sure to take full of the usual ingredients came Food and drink: The restaurant features an extensive bar, which makes it a great stop to make with advantage of their 15% discount on out, as well as homemade sweet and friends. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Across the Universe takes Indie Films: Why less is more Michelle Ju (2007), a dark romantic comedy about Staff Writer people who commit suicide and land risks but fails to impress themselves in “suicide” limbo, a hell Indie films are called films, not no different from their past lives. Manic If there were a Throughout the film, The Beatles’ movies, for a reason. In an age where (2001) features a compelling look into modern director music is performed by different films recycle car combustions, dull plots the lives of troubled teens in a mental able to take the characters, and many of the songs and an endless supply of “go-to” A-list institution being treated for depression, music of The have been rearranged to represent actors, many movie-goers are tired of anger issues, and self-mutilation, Beatles and turn different musical styles. For instance, the hackneyed “Hollywood”-ization we who must deal with rage, the vague it into a story in an excellent scene in a bowling alley, know as the exploitation of big picture uncertainty of youth and the pent up representing the Jude sings “I’ve Just Seen a Face” as a films. It is no surprise that in the past walls of a clinical enclosure. youthful turmoil rockabilly anthem for Lucy. However, decade a selective crop of independent The most popular but unrecognizable of the 1960s, it Joe Pirro not all of the music works: Bono’s films, best known as “indie” films, have “sleeper hits” among today’s indie films would be Julie Film Critic performance of “I am the Walrus” caused a stir in both the film industry include hits such as Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Taymor. However, is an interruptive, strange scene that and movie seats. Call them elitist, campy Dogs, Donnie Darko, Lost in Translation, her new film,Across the Universe, suffers slows the pace of the film and seems or blasé – all indie films have something Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine from several problems that Ms. Taymor like little more than an excuse to insert in common, aside, of course, from being – ironic tales of unlikely heroes with is simply unable to overcome. Bono into the film. produced by low-budget studios. To plot twists that make for laughable or Across the Universe tells the story of Across the Universe attempts to make up for the lack of “production” tragic entertainment. As most of these Jude, a dock worker who travels to construct an epic story of the value that big picture films have, indie films seem to imply, low film production America at the beginning of the 1960s tumultuous 1960s. Ms. Taymor uses films center around the smaller things, does not necessarily translate into low in a search of his biological father, her signature stunning visuals to show including clever, substantial scripts, publicity – Quentin Tarantino and an American who had been a soldier the psychological (and occasionally unique and provocative plots and Sophia Coppola are two of the most during World War II. He finds him, but psychedelic) mindset of the youth distinctive aesthetics that encompass talked-about indie filmmakers of the realizes that he is a janitor at Princeton of the time. However, the difficulty different film angles and cinematic decade. These sleeper hits continue University. There, at Princeton, Jude of making a film like this lies both techniques. Although many indie films to raise revenue out of the box office meets the young Max Carrigan, who in the music of the Beatles itself and pack the cynicism and antiheroes of film and into the realm of pop culture is beginning to understand that there the attempt to cram all of the social noir, a handful of them still maintain phenomena. may be more to life than graduating problems of the hippie generation into lighthearted humor and absurdity. Daring in their quest to cover from college, finding a job and starting a 131 minute film. It is refreshing to Tired of the tried and true Hollywood uncharted territory, indie films promise a family. Jude also meets (and instantly see a director taking such risks, but the versions on love, gore and humor? a script full of laughs or uncomfortable falls in love with) Max’s sister, Lucy, film devolves into postmodern pastiche Curious about films that flirt around silences. Indie flicks attract a wide played by Evan Rachel Wood. The that shovels all of the turmoil of the darker, provoking matters? Try Hard range of audiences, including hard movie follows these three as they 1960s into a string of three-minute Candy (2005), a smart and disturbing critics, who all share a love for up-and- live through the turbulent 1960s, long pop music videos. The Virginia thriller about a pedophile who lures coming actors, gritty plots and effectual encountering war, protests, sex, drugs Informer gives Across the Universe a C+. a seemingly-harmless adolescent girl cinematic experiences that leave a greater and rock and roll along the way. he met in an Internet chat room to impression than just a hole burned in his house, or Wristcutters: A Love Story their wallets. Students who want to make an WANTED: IMPACT on campus -Writing -Editing -Photography -Web design -Podcasting -Advertising Meetings on Mondays, 7:30pm in Blair 223 The Virginia Page 13 Informer arts & Entertainment December 6, 2007 William and Mary Theatre questions authority in Antigone

Stephanie Long the blind power behind driving his political News Editor machine, one character in particular was able to take over the stage and reemphasize the themes his season, William and Mary Theatre of the play: the Greek Chorus, played by Anna chose to stage Jean Anouilh’s version of Lien. Although she took on the role by herself, Tthe classic tragedy Antigone, originally Ms. Lien’s presence on the stage was so strong performed in 1944 in Paris under German that it was as if a large chorus of people had occupation. Interestingly, though, the theater actually been there. But in one, unified voice she department chose to put the audience in the explained the backstory of the play, proclaimed place of this 1944 Parisian audience, making it Creon’s kingship as a “reign of terror” and unclear at what point the play had actually ended. concluded that, “like all tyrants, [Creon] refused This caused me to wonder if the production’s to distinguish between what is Caesar’s and what aim was to imply that our community is in a is God’s.” Furthermore, many of her lines were similar situation to that of the Parisians under directed at the actors playing the head of the Nazi control. German General Staff in Paris, infusing both Before the play even began, the stage was set. her character and the play that she led with an Students playing Nazi guards were posted at the even greater nature of rebellion. entrance of the theater, checking those who ut when the play “ended,” I do not came to see the play for guns. Those who then believe we were supposed to feel as if it read the “Note from the Director” in the playbill Bhad truly ended. We were supposed to saw that they had apparently walked back in time “catch the disease” of rebellion from Antigone, to the opening night of Ms. Anouilh’s Antigone. as other characters throughout the course of the I personally noticed that the College President play do, and we were supposed to ask the same Gene Nichol showed up to see the message that questions that she and the Chorus were not the theater department was trying to get across afraid to ask about their oppressive situations. in their presentation. In the “Note from the Director,” addressed to Ms. Anouilh’s play highlights several aspects the 1944 Parisian audience, Antigone is described of the classic tale, presumably in order to as “very noble: a classic tale by Sophocles that encourage the Parisians to rebel against the has been updated for our modern times.” With Nazis. This includes such things as Antigone’s Gene Nichol in the audience, I couldn’t help but strong sense of self and refusal to let others wonder how he would react to the notion within make up her mind for her, as well as the true the play that divine law is higher than natural ignorance of the dictatorial king, Creon, and his law or that Creon is trapped by his own poor overall indecency against human kind. decisions and refuses to reverse them and admit he way William and Mary Theatre that he had acted wrongly, in order to prevent staged the production spoke even more further wrongs from occurring. From the to me of the true aim of the play— emphasis on questioning authority, especially Couresty William and Mary Theatre T Encore performance of French play: Jean Anouilh’s version of the both Ms. Anouilh’s original purpose as well in the play’s staging, I think the William and as that of the theater department. Aside from Mary theatre department deemed Antigone just Greek tragedy Antigone, as it was performed in Vichy France, was an anti-Nazi casting actors to play Nazis who applauded after as worthy for modern times as it was for the production, questioning the moral authority of government. a pompous speech made by Creon, indicating Parisians in 1944.

December Schedule Kimball Theatre WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA Live Performances

Williamsburg Symphonia presents Holiday Concert Movies Sat., Dec. 1 and Sun., Dec. 2 at 1:30 and 3 p.m. All seats $20 Rocket Science (R) Sun., Nov. 25-Tues., Dec. 4 Virginia Premiere Theatre presents 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. The Gift of the Magi Nov. 25-Dec. 2, Dec. 4 screening room (35 seats) Dec. 4, 11, 18 at 3 p.m.; Dec. 5, 12, 19 at 5 p.m. Dec. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. Film Movement Series General admission $18, Seniors/Students $15, Children 12 and under $7 The Way I Spent the End of the World (Not rated) Mon., Dec. 3 Robert Hodge in Concert 7 and 9 p.m. Fri., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. All seats $20 This is England (Not rated) Wed., Dec. 5-Wed., Dec. 12 Laughing Redhead Studios presents 7 and 9 p.m. Clean Comedy Night Dec. 5-11 screening room (35 seats) Featuring Joby Saad Fri., Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The Jane Austen Book Club (PG-13) General admission $15, Seniors/Students $12 Wed., Dec. 12-Wed., Dec. 19 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. Celebrate the Season: Don Irwin in Concert Dec. 12-15, 17-18 screening room (35 seats) Sat., Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. All seats $20 Two Days in Paris (R) Tues., Dec. 18-Sun., Dec. 23 The Kimball Theatre presents 7 and 9 p.m. Victorian Christmas Magic-Lantern Show Dec. 19-23 screening room (35 seats) Thurs., Dec. 20 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. General admission $12, Seniors/Students $10 The King of California (PG-13) Mon., Dec. 24-Mon., Dec. 31 Broken Up Dec. 24 and 31 shows at 3:30 p.m. only A Comedy by Nick Hall Dec. 25-30 shows at 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 26, Fri., Dec. 28, and Sun., Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. Dec. 25-30 screening room (35 seats) All seats $18 The Virginia Page 14 December 6, 2007 Opinion Informer Staff Editorials: Salaries provide disappointing, revealing look at College’s priorities

ur front page story reveals For another example of overpaid the sad state of affairs at administration, contrast the $83,800 Oour College. Despite salary of Dr. Fanchon Glover, the our well-deserved reputation as a head of the Office of Multicultural small, liberal arts school with an Affairs, with the amount made attention to undergraduate teaching, by distinguished and well-liked it appears that the financial priorities Government Professor Michael of our College are for enriching Tierney, who makes $69,500 by administrators, not paying our hard- comparison. working professors. As Associate Professor of The faculty comprises the Economics David Jaeger wrote College’s backbone. A committed in his letter to the editor of The and accomplished group of Flat Hat, “To my knowledge, scholars and researchers, these men Nichol and other members of the and women are a crucial part of the administration have made no public College’s past success and future statements regarding how we are goals. What sense is there, then, to achieve the stated goal of 60th in spending exorbitant amounts percentile of our peer group with of money, not on maintaining and regards to salaries in the current expanding this college’s academic budget environment.” Touching on reputation and legacy, but instead on the problems of low faculty salaries inefficient administrators and even and high teaching loads, Mr. Jaeger more levels of needless campus offered an ominous prediction: bureaucracy? “It is certain that the best and At a time where the College is most productive scholar-teachers facing pressure from state lawmakers will leave the College in search David Clifford in Richmond and the possibility of of greener and more stimulating more cuts in state funding, they pastures if nothing is done to only way that the College will be address these issues.” End alcohol crackdown or risk able to ensure a sensible spending f William and Mary wishes policy is to maximize private to maintain its reputation losing future donations donations. Unfortunately, President Ifor stellar academics and Gene Nichol seems uninterested scholarship, we must take a hard or unwilling to acknowledge and look at how we are allocating funds Nick Hoelker here complain about the omnipresence of pursue this vital task. for the salaries of our professors Online Editor police at parties and the lack of late-night With all due respect to Vice and administrators. Instead of social options. President for Student Affairs Sam wasting precious funds on a bloated o far this year, there has been a This is also a significant problem in the Sadler—whose folksy e-mails bureaucracy, it is crucial that the notable increase in William and long-run, as we current students will be in a endear him to many students at the College act quickly in order to ensure SMary police department activity position to donate to the school in the future. College—is a salary that exceeds that we retain the best and brightest with respect to breaking up parties. With When considering making a contribution $200,000 really appropriate? minds in the public system today. the help of the Alcohol Task Force, which to the College, we will inevitably reflect imposed strict regulations on on-campus upon our experience at William and Mary. drinking, there has been an apparent surge Our reflections will not depend on great in the WMPD ending parties early, and, professors or what we learned in class, but, BOV must act, now furthermore, of students being arrested and rather, we will remember whether or not we brought to court for alcohol infractions. enjoyed our time at the school. If our college It is time for the Board of NCAA’s decision about the feathers, Additionally, WMPD seems to have little memories mainly involve running from the Visitors to make their decision on the bad publicity surrounding the else on their mind besides writing up drunk police and having to socialize under fear of President Gene Nichol’s future at Sex Workers Art Show, and the students, since, as reported in the last issue arrest, we may choose to donate elsewhere. the College. While we applauded College’s drop in national rankings of The Virginia Informer, WMPD officers herefore, it would behoove the their decision to thoroughly review during his presidency, the evidence refused to provide an escort to a female William and Mary administration his tenure here, using proven against Mr. Nichol is overwhelming. student walking alone late at night after her Tand WMPD to reform the Alcohol metrics of success, it is clear that the With President Nichol’s support friend had been mugged, opting, instead, Task Force and stop the police crackdown— fallout from the e-mail controversy dwindling rapidly in the wake of to spend their time watching for drunk not only to allow students to “have more requires a swift decision regarding the recent revelation of the e- students leaving the delis. fun,” but for the long term health of the Mr. Nichol. mail scandal, even Mr. Nichol’s While the problems with the increased College in general. With a well-implemented We at the Informer feel that his few remaining supporters would police activity may seem to be limited to and well-designed medical amnesty program, actions in this incident illustrate a be hard-pressed to find legitimate a burden only to those who get in trouble, the police crackdown should not lead to an casual and shocking disregard for reasons for him to continue to lead the ramifications for the school go much increase in student safety, as people who the truth, and that his conduct in the College based on his record further. A recent study showed that William legitimately need medical help will be able to this situation alone – not including thus far. and Mary trailed only Duke University get it if their friends do not have to worry the rest of his disappointing tenure Therefore, we call on the Board among comparable universities in the about being arrested for having an illicit party. – are reason enough to let his of Visitors to spare the College the growth rate of the applicant pool. The Additionally, if the crackdown diverts the contract expire. long and drawn-out spectacle of Alcohol Task Force plays a role in this, as WMPD’s attention away from other work— When placed in the larger context debating the future of Mr. Nichol’s potential applicants may rule out William such as providing escort to a frightened of his repeated failures, including tenure until May. It is clear that and Mary from consideration after hearing female student—ending it will make William but not limited to the Wren cross Nichol needs to go – and sooner stories from their friends who already go and Mary a safer and better place. debacle, the failure to fight the rather than later. Love us? Hate us? Please look at our thank you’s on page 16! Please send letters to the editor. The Virginia Informer is produced by students at the College of William and Mary. The opinions expressed in articles, photos, cartoons, or ads are those of the writer(s) or sponsor(s). The College is not responsible for the content of The Virginia Informer. [email protected] This paper is produced for the benefit of students at the College and is available at no cost for members of the greater Williamsburg community. However, copies should be taken only if they are meant to be read and enjoyed. In the event an individual or group prevents these copies from being enjoyed by others, the cost to that individual or group will be $15 per copy. The Virginia Page 15 Informer Opinion December 6, 2007 Letter from the editor My open letter to the Board of Visitors Joe Luppino-Esposito the students and the community—we are left on our research; and that the College be open and welcoming Editor in Chief own without strong, effective support from a College to all. Though they seem like admirable goals, they are executive who could help us achieve a common goal. barely being accomplished and are not even the most t may be that, of all people here at William and In these respects, Mr. Nichol has failed my personal pressing that face the College. With the exception of Mary, it is abundantly clear where I stand on expectations. Yet even if I cast aside my personal beliefs the first, these are not concrete goals that could ever be Ithe issue of President Gene Nichol’s renewal. on what a president should be, these problems lead to objectively measured; rather, they are just more platitudes Perhaps not surprisingly, I have opted to send a note to many worse consequences. Mr. Nichol’s unpopularity from the president and contain little substance. the Board of Visitors, as I feel it is important to make is reflected in the hallways of Richmond’s General Finally, something does need to be said about the the reasons for my opposition to Mr. Nichol’s failed Assembly, where his name is associated more closely with removal of the Millington cross from the Wren Chapel’s presidency abundantly clear to those who have been a punchline than an esteemed university president—and, altar. For me, it is not so much a religious issue, though it charged with deciding his future. not to mention, where he nearly had his salary removed deeply offends that part of me as well. What is perhaps At the onset, I, like many others, had real hope that from the state budget by a vote of 36 legislators. What even more important to consider is the mentality behind Mr. Nichol would usher in change for the better. The goes on in the state capitol is more important now than the decision. If Mr. Nichol truly believes in a liberal arts bizarre obsession that students had with then-President ever before as we face possible education, the proper response Tim Sullivan seemed strange to me, and it was clear that base cuts for the next fiscal year. to the issue of the cross would some of his actions—including his impeding the free Putting forward Mr. Nichol to have been to analyze it as a speech of those who opposed affirmative action—were fight for the College is clearly not “I feel that after seven community—and no, not by a clearly wrong, but, for some reason, being glossed over. I putting our best foot forward. semesters, for all that I have put hand-picked committee. How can thought that perhaps Mr. Sullivan was just too entrenched, The recent episode regarding in to this once-beloved place, I Mr. Nichol claim that he believes and having a new, outside face in his seat would serve the the president’s handling of the have received little back, largely in diversity if his idea of tolerance College well. As a member of the Student Assembly, I revocation of a $12 million because of what Mr. Nichol has means eliminating a religious was encouraged that Mr. Nichol was looking to actively pledge to the College is, in a word, symbol that some disagree with? pursue student voting rights. As a conservative, I knew I appalling. Even if you were to done and has failed to do. If feminists on campus oppose had to grin and bear his very vocal leftist ideology, as it is believe the president’s tall tale that the oppression of Muslim what I have come to expect in public academia. My only he was unaware as to the nature of ” women under Sharia law, should hope was that Mr. Nichol’s ideology would not translate the $12 million gift from James McGlothlin referred to in headdresses be banned? Avoiding an important and into an agenda. the e-mail from Mr. Sullivan, there is still no reasonable open discussion of issues that both face and shape the Though I hate to admit it, I was wrong on all accounts. explanation as to why the concerns of Mr. McGlothlin William and Mary community as a whole—and instead First, I have learned that William and Mary, as an were never even addressed by this president. making a unilateral, surprisingly undemocratic decision institution, breeds an attitude of deference to authority; On a professional level in my capacity as editor regarding this matter—exemplifies the fact that Mr. that is not something I can blame on Mr. Nichol, but it in chief of The Virginia Informer, Mr. Nichol has Nichol cannot handle the position he was granted by the is a fact this Board of Visitors must understand when been lacking as well. He has consistently refused to board in 2005. considering who should lead the College in the future. conduct an interview with us, while he went on and on Mr. Nichol’s twisting of “great and public” and his It did not matter that Mr. Sullivan had been president interviewing with every other publication on campus thought process on the cross removal proves to me that for 13 years—it only mattered that he was the one in and in the community. He also consistently evaded he is not here to be a college president, but to be an charge. The concept of teaching students to question answering our invitation for the debate on the Wren ideologue pushing his own personal agenda. This was everything, as a liberal arts education should, has been cross last year, to the point where he had his staffers my biggest fear, and it has been realized. lost when it comes to college administration. Do I mean lying to our editors that he was not in the office when For all of these reasons, Mr. Nichol must not be that we must all be as confrontational and controversial we had photographic evidence that he was. Mr. Nichol renewed as president if this College is to avoid sinking as I am? Of course not. However, the deification of then even had the audacity to delay responding to our deeper into the hole of becoming a typical state college, our leadership—from Vice President Sam Sadler to debate invitation until an alternate debater was named a bureaucratic laughingstock of ineffective governance, Chancellor Sandra Day O’Connor—is odd at best, in the local media, and then to claim that he was sorry which is the case now. In fact, the president must be, as frightening at worst. he waited too long to respond. To me, this is simply a his contract allows, “terminated with cause” based on all Secondly, what Mr. Nichol could have done to help matter of pettiness and intellectual cowardice. of his consistent failures throughout his term. students gain the right to vote, what he stated was to And even if one is able to look beyond what has have dedicated much of my life to this College in be one of the next great civil rights battles, is an issue occurred in the past, there is not a very promising future the last three and a half years. I am serving out he can no longer realistically fight for. Thanks to his in store. I particularly question the president’s conception I my forth and final term as a Student Assembly alienation of everyone but students on campus, there are for what the direction of the College ought to be. His senator; I spent two years as a resident assistant, few issues which he can now seriously and effectively re-branding of the College as “great and public,” rather stopped from a third not by my own choice; and I champion as a catalyst for change because of the fact than the traditional “public ivy,” is a serious problem, and started The Virginia Informer in order to help students he has squandered all of his remaining political capital. not simply semantics. Mr. Nichol sums up this “charge” better understand what was going on at the College. I The issue of student voting has been so important to the in his “five pillars,” first mentioned in his State of the feel that after seven semesters, for all that I have put in Student Assembly for so many years, and now—because College address last year: retain a small size; academic to this once-beloved place, I have received little back, of the actions of a president who put himself and his excellence is essential; student-faculty relationships largely because of what Mr. Nichol has done and has divisive agenda before the best interests of the school, are our foundation; retain high teaching standards by failed to do. Living in a gray world

Nick Fitzgerald I am a person who likes things neat, finally, I have come to a very important entitled “I am a stereotype of myself.” Executive Editor orderly, properly labeled, predictable and life realization. Not only does this way And as someone who has a comfort generally as not spontaneous as humanly of thinking do a great disservice to the zone about as small and unworkable as s a conservative student at possible. While some may call that boring dignity of all human beings in general, it next year’s William and Mary operating William and Mary—a place or uninteresting, I contend that I am severely limits my growth as a human being budget, I find myself, particularly recently, Awhich, as I have discovered in not, and, simply, have different, perhaps in particular. And, to all the liberals who having those bounds—or, as some might these past two and a half years, is distinctly more rigorous standards for ordering my are hopefully reading this, I apologize if call them, bonds—expanded and loosed liberal—I have had the sincere pleasure of life—people who know me can come this newfound realization of mine comes in ways I previously never thought would meeting an unbelievably diverse group of to their own conclusions on that issue. I as something that, from your perspective, be possible. It is my friends and intellectual individuals with whom I share absolutely enact and execute these “more rigorous” should have been more than obvious to peers at William and Mary who have no philosophical, ideological or political standards in my own life on a regular basis me; of course, this realization does not assisted me with this realization—an idea ground. Many of these people I have and would consider myself, generally, a change anything that I currently believe that has taken 30 months to compound kept at a respectful distance—or have just predictable individual whose attitudes in terms of my personal politics, but I am itself—to whom I am forever indebted. met and conversed with in passing—but and perceptions all fit together in a fairly now able to reapproach the concept of And whether these friends and peers are others, however, I have actively engaged, stereotypical way. I have been of the differences in individual ideology with a aware of it or not, I thank them. and they also have engaged me. I can also opinion that everything has—and ought refreshed, more open, more humanistic It is my sincere hope that other call many of these people my friends. to have—its proper place and proper view. conservative students at William and Conservatives, especially at a place like label. And, if I ever were to encounter he old cliché about a black and Mary will also be able to have this William and Mary, are often labeled as someone or something that exhibited one white world immediately comes experience, something that I was not inflexible reactionaries with no concept or even a few characteristics of a certain Tto mind. And, admittedly, it is expecting, seeking or, originally, wanting. of degree or nuance—oh, wait, maybe pre-labeled group, idea or platform, then, nearly always the conservatives to whom And to those who paint with a broad that’s just me. In any case, while there clearly, the only logical course of action this concept is attached. I am of the brush on both the Right and the Left— are certainly conservatives in existence, would be to deem said someone or opinion that stereotypes are actually based don’t. Our deviations, our inconsistencies including at the College, that fit this something as a member of one of these in truth and do exist for a reason, and this and, ultimately, our faults—ie, the realities description, those who paint with this larger groups, ideas or platforms with one is no different. I am the poster child of living in a gray world—are not only broad brush are, ironically, lacking a level all the characteristics, associations and for that—it’s true, in fact, I am a newly what make us human, but what make life of degree and nuance themselves. preconceptions thereto. named officer (“yuppie conservative worth living at all. For those who don’t already know, It has taken me two and a half years, but, Bach-lover”) in the Facebook group Page 16 The Virginia December 6, 2007 Informer BOV set to meet this ‘Tis the season week Will President Nichol’s fate be decided sooner than expected?

Jon San Features Editor

The Board of Visitors will meet this Wednesday to discuss several topics, the most important of which may concern the future of President Gene Nichol. Originally, this decision was to be made in the spring of next year. But now, some have called for a decision to come sooner. The Richmond Times-Dispatch has said that “the dismaying situation calls for decisive action by the Board of Visitors.” College Rector Michael K. Powell said in response to the Sullivan email, “the Board… will consider whether anything in this episode bears on the performance of College leadership.” This will be the last BOV meeting until they reconvene in the spring of 2008. Speculation has come about with the release of the e-mail correspondence between Mr. Nichol and President Emeritus Timothy Sullivan. The e-mail revealed that Mr. Nichol may have had previous knowledge of the rescinded $12 million donation from donor James McGlothinCollege alum Jim McGlothlin. Merry Christmas, Happy Ian R. Whiteside Huzzah!: Colonial Williamsburg celebrates its annual Grand Illumination with fireworks and the fife and Hanukkah drum corps. The three simultaneous shows went off without a hitch despite the inclement weather.

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