The Informer investigates ROTC credits issue - Pages 2 and 14 Joe Pirro previews summer movies - Page 13

Volume 2 The Virginia An independent Issue 6 publication of the College of April 2007 Informer William and Mary. www.VAInformer.com The common sense paper of record on campus College’s rankings begin to fall

Stephen Dause History shows that where Nichol goes, loss in fundraising, prestige follow Nick Hoelker Online Editor

From substantial drops of U.S. News and World Report’s

rankings to a federal injunction, Gene Nichol compiled Luppino-Esposito a controversial record leading other public universities Joe prior to coming to William and Mary. From 1988 through 1995, Nichol was the dean of the law school at the University of Colorado at Boulder. U.S. News and World Report did not compile comprehensive law school rankings until 1994, so it is diffi cult to assess Nichol’s overall performance. However, according to Sweet victory: Patrick Donaldson the Colorado Daily, in 1996, immediately after Nichol celebrates his win as VP of Social left the law school, the American Bar Association Affairs for the Class of 2008. threatened to strip the school of its accreditation. According to the current law school dean, David Getches, this was because the law school’s facilities had become overcrowded and outdated due to a lack High risk: During Nichol’s tenure as law dean at UNC, the school fell SA election of funding. Getches explained that this was due to a in the US News rankings, and at Colorado-Boulder, the American Bar Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, which makes it impossible for Association threatened pulling accretitation. comes to the Colorado legislature to operate at a surplus and very diffi cult to raise taxes. Nichol failed to secure any additional accreditation after being horrifi ed that a state could place such funding from the state legislature for the school. little emphasis on higher education. The problem was fi nally belated The dean following Nichol attempted to get the legislature to fund improvements and the legislature initially agreed but later NICHOL’S HISTORY conclusion rescinded that promise, causing the ABA to threaten to revoke continued on page fi ve Stephen Dause Staff Writer Housing costs to rise 7.75% for 2007-2008 Nearly three days after the March 29 Chase Coleman the language and the fl ow we tweaked through things very methodically,” Student Assembly elections, the results, Staff Writer from feedback,” in order to make the explaining every detail. Both Boykin and which were accidentally lost the night procedure more user-friendly. Pawvluk strongly suggest that students of the elections, were retabulated from After assiduous work and lengthy In students’ feedback, one of the watch the tutorial before selecting a room. a raw data log, and the results for all testing, Residence Life will be ready to most common concerns was whether Boykin also emphatically encourages elections were eventually certifi ed. unveil the new online room selection room selection will be as temperamental students who have decided not to live on As The Virginia Informer projected, process to undergraduates beginning as registering for classes. Director of campus to give up their time slot so that those Zach Pilchen and Valerie Hopkins were April 16. Those students who choose Residence Life Deb Boykin, however, is who have been bumped can be reinstated. elected president and vice president of to live on campus can expect a relatively confi dent that, because of restrictions She points out that, since room selection will the Student Assembly. In other races high increase in room rates, currently on the number of students selecting take place over a number of days, people for Senate and Undergraduate Council, projected at 7.75%. rooms at any given time, the process will be able to be reinstated throughout the incumbents fi nished strong, most of The most recent test of the new room avoids the hazards of registration. “This process. This year many more students than them retaining their seats. selection process showed promising is brand new, and… there’s going to be usual were involuntarily bumped, so Boykin In the last race to be certifi ed, Matt Brown results with a sample of approximately something that we just can’t predict,” hopes that those students who decide not led Shariff Tanious by a single vote for 350 students. Closely resembling the stated Boykin, but, since Residence Life to live on campus will notify Residence Life Vice President of Advocacy for the Class real process, the test gave students an and Information Technology (IT) will as soon as possible. of 2008, the seat vacated by presidential opportunity to try out the new system, be available for help, “we will deal with Following a long trend of rising costs, candidate Brad Potter. The Elections and afterwards asked students to give their it when it happens.” Graduate students the room rates will increase next year by Commission was, at fi rst, “unable to certify opinion. Assistant Director of Residence used the online system on March 28 to a projected 7.75%, but this rate has yet a winner” but did so the next day. Life Katrina Pawvluk said that after the choose their rooms, exposing a few small to be approved by the Board of Visitors. Also sparking some controversy was test, they changed “nothing about the fl a ws. Residence Life and IT were able to The average increase in room rates is 4- an allegation by the Brad Potter and Bret way the process overall ran, but some of correct these problems quickly so that 6%, although last year costs increased by Phillips campaign that the recent editorial undergraduate room 9%. Each year the increase in room rates in The Flat Hat endorsing Pilchen and selection can go as is determined by a number of factors, Hopkins amounted to advertising and smoothly as possible. including the costs of gas and electricity, should be included in their campaign Since most students employees’ salaries and healthcare, debt expenditures. will be unfamiliar and the lease on the Ludwell Apartments. A ruling in Potter/Phillips favor Chase Coleman with the new process, Renovations, including electrical and fi re would have meant that the Pilchen/ Residence Life offers a safety upgrades, also play a large part Hopkins team was at risk of exceeding video tutorial on their in increasing room rates. Although the the $400 spending limit. The Elections website. “The tutorial increases in room rates in recent years Commission decided 5-0 that the editorial will be very helpful to have been higher than usual, Boykin did not constitute advertising. Even if it students who didn’t do believes that these increases should level had, said Elections Commissioner Alex the test,” cites Pawvluk, down in the next year or so. Kyrios, Pilchen and Hopkins would not and although Boykin Room selection runs from April have gone over the spending limit, as it admits that, at over eight 16 through April 26. Tips, answers to minutes, “it’s long by frequently asked questions, and the video PILCHEN/ HOPKINS WIN Not lounging for long: Rising housing costs and online students’ standards… tutorial can be found at http://www. continued on page four lottery add more concerns for students. [the narrator] goes wm.edu/reslife/lottery/online.php. CONTENTS Want to get every issue of The Informer in the mail? News...... 2 “Board” of the Email [email protected] with your name and Features...... 6 same old clubs? address, and we will send you an order form and your fi rst Arts & Entertainment...... 11 issue FREE! Opinion...... 14 Page 8 Virginia Page 2 The April 2007 News Informer ROTC: Full and fair treatment? William and Mary does not award full academic credit for military science courses; story attracts more negative national media coverage Steven Nelson needed to graduate.” for the world than any other course I professors who teach those classes, and Staff Writer “Currently, a ROTC cadet will take have taken would be an obstacle to my only then brought to the attention of the 19 courses over four years, and get just graduation seems crazy.” larger administration. “ The SA Senate has taken action 14 credits, and only six of those credits Josh Geiger (‘08) echoed her sentiments, Pilchen added, “our administration is where college administrators have not, count to the 120 needed to graduate,” stating “ROTC is a class/sport/part-time establishing two liaison positions to the unanimously passing the “full and fair says Pinsker. The bill advocates not only a job/mentoring program/career skills Faculty Assembly so that the lines of treatment for ROTC cadets” bill on change in policy, but that retroactive credit program which takes up a huge chunk of communication between students and March 27, advocating that the College be enacted so that “all students currently my schedule without the school offi cially faculty are strengthened, and both groups administration grant full credit for courses enrolled in the College of William and recognizing the effort.“ have a method through which they can taken for the Reserve Offi cer Training Mary are affected by the changes.” Apparently the SA Senate agrees, yet the raise concerns to the other.“ Corps. The current policy has adversely Educational Policy Committee, chaired Though a sympathetic SA administration As the bill reads, the administration affected ROTC cadets, forcing most to by Professor Ray McCoy, has to meet has been elected, William and Mary has is recommended to implement changes take more courses than other students, on the issue to make a recommendation. again attracted National attention due to so that ROTC cadets earn at least three while plunging some into last minute According to McCoy, “this topic is an unpopular administration policy, with credits per semester and have all credits desperation near graduation. currently in discussion between the Pinsker appearing on the G. Gordon earned count towards the 120 needed for Senior Megan Barron was unaware of College’s administrators and the ROTC Liddy radio show, which has a weekly graduation. the College’s ROTC policy and thought she administrators.” audience of 1.75 million, to plead his case. Other Virginia schools such as the was set to graduate with 123 credits, “then SA President-elect Zach Pilchen, who Pinsker has also been invited to appear University of Virginia, James Madison, I was emailed this spring - the spring of my co-sponsored the bill in the SA Senate on the Hannity and Colmes show on the and George Mason all give full credit to graduating year...I was short one credit.” with Matt Beato (09’) and Joe Luppino- FoxNews channel. It appears that on this ROTC. According to bill proponent and “I was thankfully able to scramble for Esposito (08’), voiced his support for issue, however, that there is strong, broad- ROTC cadet Matt Pinsker (‘09), “Military the credit I needed for graduation” says changes saying, “issues like the full and based support for change, which will likely Science is the only program on campus Megan, who adds: “to think that ROTC, fair treatment of ROTC cadets need to infl uence college decision-makers. where not all credits count to what is which has made me better prepared be discussed fi rst and foremost with the Briefly... Compiled by Adam Boltik College groups promote Adam Boltik Men’s Gymnastics team sexual assault awareness captures USA Gymnastics More than half a dozen student organizations Title banded together the fi rst week in April to celebrate The College’s men’s gymnastic team took the Sexual Assault Awareness Week, which is put on at coveted top prize in a gymnastics championship held the College annually in order to educate students late last month at the College’s own Kaplan Arena. about sexual assault. During the week, many groups Teams from nine different colleges competed at offered discussions on various forms of sexual the event, hosted by USA Gymnastics, which is the assault as well as a self-defense course. The week national-level governing body for the sport. The win was capped by a candlelight vigil in the Sunken secures the title for the College for the record 12th Gardens which was designed as a campus-wide show time since the College began participating in the USA of support for survivors of sexual assault. Gymnastics Collegiate National Team Championships in 1994, making William and Mary’s squad one of the Rec Center certifi ed nation’s best. “environmentally friendly” Reves honored with a The Re c Center has received L . E.E.D. certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) College Cemetery burial for environmentally-friendly building techniques Wendy Reves, whose donations led to the creation after its recent renovations. This facility is the first Snowfall in Williamsburg delays of the Reves Center for International Studies, was on campus to receive this certification, although the U.S. Open Cycling Championships interred in the cemetery behind Blow Hall late last administration is expecting the Jamestown dorms The inaugural U.S. Open Cycling Championships month. Reves was honored due to her long-standing and the future Mason School of Business to receive were slated to begin in the morning on April 7, but snow positive relationship with the College after giving the same certification. The Rec Center was cited delayed the start of the event. The race is run between William and Mary $3 million in 1987 to commemorate for its use of environmentally-friendly materials Williamsburg and Richmond, and upwards of twenty her then-deceased husband Emery Reves. Reves is during the renovation as well as water-conserving different teams from the United States, Mexico, and the fi rst person to be buried in the cemetary since plumbing and drainage systems. Canada are participating in the event. At 8 AM, when last century, when former president of the college the race was supposed to begin, snow was still falling Benjamin Ewell died in 1894. in Williamsburg as many of the racers were huddled on team buses waiting for the snow to subside.

The Virginia Photography/Graphics Staff Informer Editorial Board Ian R. Whiteside, Photography Editor Joe Luppino-Esposito, Editor in Chief Rachel Brown • David Clifford • Chase Coleman • Established 2005 Matthew Sutton, Managing Editor Andy DeSoto • Long Vinh • Shelbi Wilson Nick Fitzgerald, Executive Editor Copy Staff April 2007 Stephanie Long, News Editor Alex Randy Kyrios, Copy Editor Jon San, Features Editor Mandie Constanzer • Amber L. Forehand • Volume 2 Issue 6 R.C. Rasmus, Arts & Entertainment Editor Christopher Fried • Aileen Judd • Kristen Schaub Alex Mayer, Opinion Editor Layout Staff The Virginia Informer Amanda J. Yasenchak, Editor Emeritus Chris Davis, Design Editor CSU 7056, P.O. Box 8793 Megan Locke Williamsburg, VA 23186 Mission Statement [email protected] Business Staff The Virginia Informer is an independent, non-partisan, student run Andrew B. Blasi Jr., Business Editor www.VAInformer.com publication devoted to reporting the news to the William and Mary Roy Mor • Sean Tomlinson community. We exist to provide an alternative to school sponsored The Virginia Informer is produced by students at the College of William and Mary. Contributors news sources. We do not, and never will, receive any fi nancial The opinions expressed in articles, photos, cartoons, or ads are those of the writer(s) Adam Boltik • Will Coggin • Chase Coleman • Mandie Constanzer or sponsor(s). This paper is produced for the benefi t of students at the College and is support from the College of William and Mary. We will not shy Stephen Dause • Gustavo Elias • Pablo Fierro • Jacob Hill • available at no cost for members of the greater Williamsburg community. However, away from controversy or be afraid to challenge the norm. We strive Nick Hoelker • Benjamin Locher • Megan Locke • Roy Mor • copies should be taken only if they are meant to be read and enjoyed. In the event an to inform and engage our readers via responsible journalism and Steven Nelson • Joe Pirro • Rachel Sapin • Shelbi Wilson individual or group prevents these copies from being enjoyed by others, the cost to that in-depth reporting, while fostering and giving voice to opinions individual or group will be $15 per copy. Letters to the editor are welcome and can be submitted via email or mail. that are often shut out by the campus establishment. Virginia The Page Informer NEWS April 2007 3 Lecturers give point-counterpoint in debate on religion in public Steven Nelson Skirting the Wren cross Staff Writer controversy, Guinness says

Long Vinh that there are parallels in Erwin Chemerinsky, a professor of law many places and other

and political science at Duke, delivered a Ian R. Whiteside universities. lecture on Thursday, April 5 called “Why “This is a large world Church and State Should be Separate,” issue” and the College’s outlining why he believes that a “strict treatment of it should set separationist” approach should be a precedent for the rest of taken with church and state issues. Os the country and the world Guinness delivered the second in a series he asserts. of three lectures on April 12. Guinness, In the present-day a conservative writer, was infl u ential in “Culture wars,” Guinness the drafting of the Williamsburg charter, suggests, “we are at a stage saying that “Williamsburg is the cradle of when there’s no end to what religious liberty.” can be fought over; there The lectures and following question are two powerful positions and answer segment were hosted by and each is nationally led, the Committee on Religion at a Public extremely well organized, University, handpicked by President Nichol Two sides: While Chemerinsky argued for a complete separation of church and state and agreed and well funded.” to resolve the Wren cross controversy. with President Nichol’s decision to remove the Wren cross, Guinness called for civility, recognizing “European countries After the cross compromise, the committee that Nichol’s decision-making process was fl awed, and that the old policy only needed tweaking. exploding with diversity are has transformed itself into a lecture series looking to America, which aimed at illuminating various points of view on what cross as a historical or religious symbol? has been historically the world leader [in accommodating role religion should play in the public sphere. O’Connor’s theoretical position on the cross religious diversity].” Yet, “the way these things have Chemerinsky has argued many cases before the controversy was invoked frequently, with Chemerinsky been handled is not an example for the world.” Supreme Court, including a recent 2005 case regarding referring to her guiding principal in deciding whether a Guinness attempted to clarify a common misconception the appropriateness of a 6’x3’ Ten Commandments religious symbol on public property is unconstitutional: of Jefferson’s vision of a division between church and monument on the Texas state capital grounds. He lost by ascertaining if that symbol makes people feel like state, the phrase which became popular from a personal in a 5-4 ruling, with William and Mary Chancellor and either insiders or outsiders. “Insiders” and “outsiders” letter written by Thomas Jefferson. former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor dissenting. are phrases that Nichol has used to explain his position. “Separation of church and state” wasn’t envisioned Speaking about his experience pursuing the Texas Throughout the lecture Chemerinsky frequently said, to be as stringent as some assert, Guinness mentioned, case, he received much of “what can only be described “a Latin Cross in a chapel is a symbol of religion,” adding that the man behind the phrase attended church as hate mail,” not due to outrage regarding the offi cial and hence makes some feel like insiders and others in the Capitol every Sunday while President. “His view position that the Commandments were of historical like outsiders. O’Connor herself has made no public of separation of church and state, of there being a signifi cance, but because they were a religious symbol. statement regarding the Wren cross controversy. strict wall, is simply not historical.” He accordingly concluded that, “the same type of If the message of his speech was not clear enough, Concluding, Guinness expressed that there needs to people were upset by the Wren cross removal.” an opinion posted by Chemerinsky on The Huffi ngton be civility return to the debate, but that there would be In almost all cases involving religion in the public Post, titled “Time to fi ght the religious right”, clarifi es “a very very bizarre America” if you remove all public sphere Chemerinsky identifi es three groupings his political sentiments. In his article he claims, “the religious symbols. of opinion: “strict separationists,” religious religious right is the enemy of freedom.” In reference to the Wren cross he adds, “the previous “accomodationists,” whom he describes as those who According to Guinness, extraordinary differences of system wasn’t working that badly, minor adjustments would like to see government accommodate religion, opinion and belief are now living “elbow to elbow,” could have been made.” and “neutralists.” To these groups, Chemerinsky posed hence there is a necessity to emphasize “living with our The fi nal speaker in the series will be May 1 in the question: Does a reasonable observer see the Wren deepest differences in age of exploding pluralism.” Washington 201 at 7 p.m. Students report lack of availability at Counseling Center Stephanie Long who had similar encounters with the Instead of fi nding the Counseling Counseling Center has a staff of 8 full- News Editor Counseling Center, which prompted The Center as a release from the stress of their time and 4 part-time clinicians as well as 3 Informer to discuss why students’ needs are situation, these students had a greater doctoral students, but they can only see as After two negative experiences with not being met with the Director of the feeling of vulnerability. The student did many students as there are rooms at any one the Counseling Center, one William and Counseling Center, Dr. R. Kelly Crace. concede that, “once we were brought in time. Not all 15 staff members can work at Mary student, who wished to remain This student fi rst sought help from the with a counselor, everything was fi ne. The once. This means that within the opening anonymous, reported her disappointment Counseling Center in fall of 2006 when woman who talked with us was incredibly weeks of each semester, appointments are with the availability of counselors to she and a male friend went there to report kind and helpful.” fi l led two weeks in advance, and the center students who need help. This sentiment that a mutual female friend told them, in The student took a second chance on is unable to provide immediate help to was quickly echoed by other students confi dence, that she was the victim of a the Counseling Center this spring when those in need. sexual assault. When attempting she underwent a period of depression. To address this issue, Dr. Crace and the to make an appointment, they She tried to make an appointment but center adopted a tripartite system, admitting both felt very uncomfortable was told she could either make a same students via regular appointments two with the events that followed. day appointment, offered at 2:00 p.m. and weeks in advance, same day appointments, She observed that the waiting 3:00 p.m., or to wait two weeks. The issue and immediate crisis appointments. Crace room was small and fi lled with was serious enough to warrant attempting stated that the center leaves four same day students, causing her to have to book a same day appointment, and appointments open every day, contrary to doubts about sharing the delicate missing class to do so. She tried for what the student was told, which fi ll up situation of her friend among several days, waking up early to call, faster some days than others. If you leave a large crowd. “I realize it’s a but was told that the appointments had your name every day you call for one of small place and only so much already been fi lled. She eventually agreed these appointments for three days you will can be done,” she said, “but to sign up for an appointment two weeks be worked in as soon as possible. There people were in there waiting later and later canceling as “the problems is also one immediate crisis hour allotted for appointments, and given the resolved themselves.” for students who state that their situation stigma that surrounds mental This particular student was is urgent, which is then confi rmed by the health issues in our society, disappointed, but understood the center immediate crisis counselor. Crace explained this creates a high potential is often busy. “It’s just that I was having that any student who is deemed to be in a for embarrassment.” Their a really rough go of things, and I really crisis situation will be seen either that day discomfort was heightened when needed help and I couldn’t get it when I or the day after. they approached the receptionist needed it.” Dr. Crace admitted that because of the about making an appointment Dr. Crace was disturbed by these limited resources, the Counseling Center’s and she asked them “harshly,” accounts for that same reason. He stated system is not always the most convenient in as this student put it, “What that the issue is that “students who try the way of comfort and scheduling. Because is it? Couples’ therapy?” The to reach out and try to get help feel that of this, they have tried to increase outreach student was so put-off by the they’re not getting helped.” with programs at night to help students learn assumptions of the receptionist Crace points to the ever-increasing how to manage stress and maintain healthy that she was tempted to walk out. demand for counseling services since Take a number: Students have complained of She said that their explanation did 2001 and the diffi culty of meeting these COUNSELING CENTER diffi culty in getting help at the Counseling Center. not merit any greater sympathy. demands with current resources. The continued on page fi ve Virginia Page The 4 April 2007 NEWS Informer 314th SA Senate session comes to an end Informer SA exit poll Stephen Dause after having undergone revision by the Staff Writer Senate Finance Committee. again accurate Outgoing Vice President Norris The Senate considered many referenda announced that Coggin and President put on the ballot for the March 29 elections. Ryan Scofi eld are working with Sam One of the most debated questions that Sadler on revising the judicial council made it on the ballot was one that asked selection process, as a result of Coggin’s whether the disparity in representation of Judicial Reform bills. undergraduate females in the Senate led Originally hoping for them to be just to inadequate representation of students. like Honor Council elections, Coggin now Sponsor Meghan McCarthy (’07) and hopes that a hybrid system will better suit Courtesy of Hopkins Valerie co-sponsor Sarah Rojas (’10), the only the administration. His proposed method two undergraduate females in the would have judicial council candidates Senate, announced their plan to use this apply and go through a screening process referendum as part of an awareness before being elected by their peers. campaign to encourage women to run Outgoing Senators Blasi and Morris for Senate. A couple of members of the then had their Consolidated Reserve public had come to speak on the bill and Dividend Act heard. Had it passed, it encourage McCarthy and Rojas in their would have allocated currently unused effort to get the bill passed, which it was, money from an SA consolidated reserves 18-1-1. fund back to students. The Voter Registration Act was also “There’s a lot of good ways to give it Accuracy: Though the presidential race was not passed by the Senate. Its purpose is to back to students in more creative ways declared for days, The Informer projected Pilchen/Hopkins fund a voter registration drive, now that than this,” said Senator Brett Phillips as winners by 7:00 p.m. on election day by a count of 60% students are eligible to vote in Williamsburg (’08), who noted that although spending to 38% with 552 votes cast, within the margin of error. under certain conditions laid out by was down this year, that was probably registrar Dave Andrews. According to the partially because of a hesitancy to spend sponsors, if few students register to vote in due to overspending last year. Senator Williamsburg, that would hurt the case for Rojas noted that the efforts to reform a more permanent change to voting laws. and improve the Health Center might “We have the ability to really make change end up costing a lot of money, and such Keep up to date with President in this city,” said Senator Matt Beato (’09), programs that would better serve students in support of the bill. It passed, 17-2-1. than giving back what would amount to Zach Pilchen’s cabinet The Full and Fair Treatment of ROTC be slightly less than $15 per student. Cadets was passed with the full support of The only bill heard at the last Senate appointments at the Senate. ROTC cadet Matt “Bronco” meeting before the new SA offi cers and Pinsker (’09) explained that members Senators took over was the Ironic Funding in the ROTC program currently only Request, renamed in the meeting to read receive six credits over four years for the Alternative Learning Funding Act. www.VAInformer.com their efforts despite having to attend two Sponsored by Senator Sean Sheppard classes a week, with textbooks, exams (’07), it funds a Students for a Democratic and grades, a weekly lab, two hours of Society (SDS) regional conference on local daily personal training and have a 33-day activism, appropriating $750 from the summer program. Pinsker added that peer Student Activities Consolidated Reserves. universities such as Christopher Newport The convention will be focusing on University, University of North Carolina how to effectively lobby local and state and Duke University offer full credit to governments with the theme of “keeping ROTC participants. it local.” Senate Secretary Beato introduced the Editor’s Note: Senator Joe Luppino-Esposito Copy Center Budget Act of 2 0 07 asking for the approval is Editor in Chief and Senator Andrew Blasi is of the budget, which passed unanimously Business Editor of The Virginia Informer. 2nd Floor PILCHEN/HOPKINS WIN: SWEM Library Despite controversies, only one race challenged 757-221-3116 continued from page one Binding, Hole punching, Folding, would have been counted as a quarter the Class of 2008. page advertisment. The Review Board has opted to hear Cutting, and more! Both sides were suspicious of the the case, but as of print time, a date had other attempting to frame their side with not yet been set. Course Packs, Laminating illegal postings and other violations. As soon as the elections results were Black & White or Color printing Such allegations are extremely hard available around midnight on the evening to prove, said Kyrios, and no further of April 1, the SA held an after-party, Incoming/Outgoing Faxing investigation was conducted by the originally scheduled for Thursday night, Elections Commission. for all the candidates at the College Supplies (pens, pencils, binders, All candidates had 48 hours after the Delly. results have been certifi ed to appeal to “I’m relieved that the politics of this envelopes, highlighters, etc) the Review Board of the SA. Such was is all over, and now we can spend the the case for the Brown-Tanious race. next 365 days serving students,” said Tanious contested that a vote cast by SA President Zach Pilchen, echoing the Print from black board and save Bryan Jones (‘08) sent via email should theme of his candidacy. have counted towards his total, bringing Most of the other races were not the two candidates to a tie. The certifi ed nearly as close as the Vice President results named Brown the victor by a for Advocacy, as many Undergraduate Just save your desired Black Board pages to your Desktop count of 311 to 310. Council members were elected However, Elections Commissioner unopposed and other incumbents beat Then attach to the Digital Storefront or email to James Evans, the one responsible for their challengers handily. the loss of elections results, called the Senators, and Undergraduate Council college registrar and confi rmed that members, along with outgoing President [email protected] Jones is not considered to be an enrolled Ryan Scofi eld and Vice President student because he is currently in the Amanda Norris, served out their terms Walt Disney World business program. until April 16 when the new offi cers This further complicates the election, were sworn in at the Wren Chapel. as Jones was also a candidate, running Editor’s Note: Alex Kyrios is the Copy Editor for Vice President of Social Affairs for of The Virginia Informer. Virginia The Page Informer NEWS April 2007 5 VP of Development: W&M to regain $500M goal by June 30

Nick Fitzgerald about President Nichol’s handling of the Wren cross Yes, but not to the point where they are withholding Executive Editor debacle. Although Pieri did admit a $12 million gift their giving. Those that are closest to the institution was revoked from the fund total, “we [Development] aren’t saying that they are withholding funds. Vice President of University Development Sean never confi rmed it was Jim McGlothlin.” “Any donor has every right to determine how and Pieri stated fi rmly in a phone interview with The When asked at what level the fund was currently where and when they want to make a philanthropic Virginia Informer that he is “100% confi dent” William sitting, Pieri simply stated, “I don’t know where we gift,” Pieri said. “I personally don’t hold anything and Mary will “meet and exceed…the [$500 million are.” against the donor [who revoked the $12 million]. I fundraising] goal by the June 30 deadline.” Pieri, in reference to the fact that some donations understand the decision.” As Pieri explained, “We announced on Charter Day have been withheld as a result of the Wren cross Pieri also explained that there are typically four ways that we had surpassed the campaign total, and we had controversy, stated that “it’s not uncommon for of making a philanthropic donation to the College: a $502.7 million as of December 31.” This statement someone to get upset about what’s happening at an simple cash donation; a pledge given over a certain was true at the end of 2006, but the fund total institution,” and therefore withhold funds. He did say, period of time, during which time there is always a dropped below the $500 million level after a wealthy however, that “I just got a letter yesterday from a donor possibility of revocation; an irrevocable estate gift, donor, James McGlothlin (’62), revoked a $12 million who was upset by the removal of the cross, and there such as a trust; and other long-term revocable gifts donation in March of 2007 because he was upset was a check in there for $25,000. Were they upset? such as those drawn up in wills. Secretary of Defense NICHOL’S HISTORY: Record at Colorado, UNC is lackluster

Gates (‘65) to speak at continued from page one Court had ruled constitutional in the early fi x ed eight years later with an increase in 1990s. The controversy dragged on for student fees. Despite being unable to fi x months until a federal judge entered an Commencement the funding problem, Getches praised injunction against the university, which Nichol as being a “terrifi c leader with led the school to overturn the policy Andrew B. Blasi Jr. of archaeology for the Association for expansive intellect who brought positive instituted under George’s leadership. Business Editor the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities attention to the school.” So far here at William and Mary, the and the Jamestown Rediscovery Project, Nichol then served as the dean of the law school has dropped three rankings On May 20 William and Mary will say and William T. Coleman, Jr., former law school at the University of North from 29th when Nichol arrived here as goodbye to the Class of 2007. Current secretary of the U.S. Department of Carolina at Chapel Hill. When Nichol President to a tie for 32nd. The College’s US Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Transportation and noted civil rights came to the law school, it was ranked in overall ranking has remained steady at Gates (’65) will help send them off, as advocate and legal scholar, will receive a tie for 21st among the nation’s best law 31st. Application numbers have also Gates will be the keynote speaker for the honorary degrees at the ceremony. schools. By 2002, it had dropped to 31st lagged behind University of Virginia’s commencement ceremonies. William and Mary Chancellor and retired place and has still not recovered from and other peer colleges. Applicants to Named the 22nd US Secretary of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day that drop. William and Mary have increased by 1% Defense on December 18, 2006, Robert O’Connor will also be in attendance. 2002 also brought a divisive controversy or less over the past two years, while Gates replaced Donald Rumsfeld as Gates’ dedication to service also took over religious student groups for Chapel over the eight years prior, applications the head civilian director of the United form during his years at William and Hill. Three days after Nichol’s wife, Glenn had increased by 8% a year. Moreover, States Military. In an offi cial press Mary. As an undergraduate, he was an George, was appointed as the University in February 2007, even before alumnus release by the College, College President active member of Alpha Phi Omega, Council in 2002, letters approved by her Jim McGlothin withdrew his $12 million Gene Nichol stated, “Bob Gates’ service the service fraternity, and served as the offi ce were sent to a dozen Christian pledge to the school, fundraising had to his country – and his alma mater group’s president during his senior year. groups on campus threatening to de-fund decreased from a 12% growth rate – refl ects the compelling tradition of While at the College, Gates also served them for what the university deemed to in June 2006 to 2%. Furthermore, public engagement that distinguishes as a dormitory manager and helped be discriminatory membership policies. McGlothin’s withdrawal of $12 million William and Mary, long the wellspring entering students become acquainted to These groups were targeted because they reversed seven months of fundraising, of American leadership. Already he’s the College as an orientation aide. Gates restricted membership and voting rights to threatening the $500 million pledged to reminded us, in his short weeks at the was also active in the Young Republicans students who shared the religious mission the Campaign for William and Mary. Pentagon, why so many think so much and served as business manager of the of the group, a practice that the Supreme of his service—including past U.S. William and Mary Review, a literary and presidents and one of our notable sister art magazine. public universities in College Station, A native of Kansas, Gates earned his COUNSELING CENTER: Texas.” Nichol was referring to Texas master’s degree in history from Indiana A&M, at which Gates was president University and his doctorate in Russian Appointments become increasingly harder to come by prior to being named as head of the and Soviet history from Georgetown Defense Department. University. He and his wife Becky have continued from page one demand and resources saying that maybe In addition to an address by Secretary two adult children. self-esteem. They also have counselors the receptionist was having a bad day Gates, alumnus William M. Kelso, director on call after Counseling Center hours and and didn’t “handle it as sensitively as we go into “around-the-clock mode” during would like.” tragedies at the College such as the death Solutions are in sight according to of student Zach Vaughn last spring. Dr. Crace. “The administration has been very Crace assured that, “Sometimes the system supportive” and that as a result, “we are isn’t as convenient as we’d like it to be, but going to have a 50% space expansion the bottom line is that if a student calls in next year… and also be able to hire new and says ‘I really need to see someone, this staff,” according to Crace. is urgent’, they get seen.” Dr. Crace sees the Counseling Center Crace cited surveys in which those who as an important tool for students on have taken advantage of the Counseling campus, as many students have reported Center give feedback each year. According feeling that it is the only safe space for to these surveys, 95% of students report them, as everything stated within the walls being “very satisfi ed” with the services of the Counseling Center is confi dential, they received from the Counseling even underage alcohol or drug use and Center and 98% reported that they were suicidal notions. Dr. Crace hopes that seen within a reasonable period of time. greater resources will allow more students The general consensus of these students to benefi t from it. is that the staff is helpful and dedicated. The Counseling Center can be reached As for the rude response the student at 221-3620. received from the receptionist, Dr. Chris Davis also contributed to this report. Crace again pointed to the gap between

The Virginia Informer apologizes for the following errors that appeared in our March 2007 Issue:

The photo on page seven should be credited to Long Vinh. The photo on page nine should be credited to Ian Whiteside.

The Virginia Informer would like to correct any facts printed incorrectly. Please submit all corrections via email to [email protected]. Virginia Page 6 The April 2007 Features Informer College withholds all professor evaluations from public and students Dean says they provide feedback for granting tenure, pay raises for faculty Nick Hoelker never get to see the fi nal result of these mandatory for all departments and giving a professor an annual merit Online Editor evaluations, but nevertheless they play professors, are given to each individual evaluation. These merit evaluations are an important role in the determination department upon their completion. How then used to make decisions about tenure s every William and Mary of a professor’s salary and tenure. they are used are up to each department, and salary increases. Pratt stated that if student knows, the last week According to Edward Pratt, the but generally the department chair, a tenured professor receives consistently Aof classes is often spent fi lling College’s Dean of Undergraduate a personnel committee, or a tenure poor evaluations, the department chair out professor evaluations. Students Studies, these evaluations, which are committee will use these evaluations in may intervene on a higher level than just offering a smaller pay raise. Along with the students’ evaluations, a professor’s scholarship and publishing are also involved in judging merit. ratt also stated the professor Ian R. Whiteside evaluations are not available to Pstudents or members of the public. According to Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council Staff Attorney Alan Gernhardt, this is acceptable under Virginia state law. Pratt added that there was no particular reason that the evaluations were private and could not recall any recent discussion on the issue. Pratt mentioned that he believed the issue had been brought up in the past and the faculty decided against making the evaluations public. Pratt also stated that the merit evaluations of professors are also not available to the public since they discuss personnel fi les, but faculty salaries are public record. Pratt added that there are no formal mechanisms for students to learn about professor quality and that most students just rely on word of mouth. Students can use the professor rating page on http:// Unseen importance: Though never seen again after fi lled out by students, professor evaluations can determine whether sin.wm.edu or third-party Web sites such a professor experiences a decrease in pay or more serious consequences. as http://www.ratemyprofessors.com.

Carefully Random Current weathervane atop Wren Building just one of many It is one of those symbols of the College Its replacement did not last long, however, that catches your eye but at the same time is as the second fire of 1859 destroyed the not often given much thought. It is out there cupola supporting it and the weathervane in plain view, but finding its history takes itself.

some searching. It is—drum roll, please—the For a short period of three years, one and Ian R. Whiteside weathervane on top of the Wren Building. possibly two weathervanes were on top of When pondered for a few minutes, the the Italianate towers that were added in the weathervane elicits several provocative 1859 rebuilding of the building but removed questions: How long has it been after it burned down again in 1862. there? Were there weathervanes After 1867, a new, 18th-century before it that the current one style wrought-iron weathervane replaced? Why on earth was the along with a new cupola was there. year 1693—important for obvious It had the date of 1728 on its flag, reasons now—so important back marking the year of the completion when it was originally put up there, of the building after the first fire in anyway? 1705. The weathervane on the center of The weathervane that you see the building now is the most recent Stephen Dause today is a result of the renovation of four to six (I’m not making this Carefully Random of Colonial Williamsburg in 1928, up, I promise) weathervanes that at which point it was decided that have been on top of the Wren the date of the College’s founding, Building, famous for being the oldest 1693, was much more significant and ought educational building in continuous use in to replace the 1728 flag currently on the the country and, yes, for burning down three building’s roof. times. So, there you have it: The current The original weathervane, seen in a c. weathervane on top of the Wren Building 1740 Bodleian copper plate, existed at least is but one of many that has graced the until 1856, at which point it was so damaged building’s roof but is the first to have the that it was likely replaced, according to an year 1693 written in its flag. unpublished 1968 architectural report on How’s that for carefully random? Not the fi rst: the Wren Building by M.C. Savedge. The original weathervane atop the Wren Building debuted in 1740 only to be damaged beyond repair.

Be a part of the best thing to Email come to campus since HBO... [email protected] to join our team over the wait.... summer! Virginia The Page Informer features April 2007 7 If walls could talk: Building of fi rst president one of jewels on campus Chase Coleman sociology departments. Staff Writer Contributing to the war effort, the College began hosting the Navy Opened in 1935, James Blair Hall, Chaplain’s Training School 1943, located at times called the “Ivory Tower,” has on the second fl oor of Blair Hall. Chase Coleman served a variety of functions at the Although the school forced some classes College, elegantly offering space for to relocate, it only remained active for academic and administrative purposes. two years, graduating 2,722 chaplains. The title of James Blair was not given By 1968, no longer housing any to the building until 1968: before it was academic departments, the building known as Marshall-Wythe Hall, named was offi c ially named after the College’s after Law Professor George Wythe and fi r st president, Reverend James Blair. one of his students, Chief Justice John Although the president’s headquarters Marshall. The new building, according had moved to Ewell hall in 1962, Blair to a 1934 edition of The Flat Hat, was held most administrative offi ces until “practically a duplicate of Rogers the early 1990s, the most signifi cant of [modern Tyler] and Washington halls,” which were the Offi ce of Residence Life, measuring 92 feet wide and 150 feet and the registrar’s and treasurer’s offi ce. long. The versatile structure housed The Blair Hall most students know administrative offi ces, including the today is the result of a $5.2 million president’s and registrar’s offi ce, the renovation ending with a rededication Department of Jurisprudence, later ceremony in 1996. Now, fl a nked by an renamed the Marshall-Wythe School of august statue of the reverend himself Law, and the School of Government and and the stately Tyler Family Garden, Citizenship. By the time of its offi cial James Blair Hall houses the Departments A versatile building: James Blair Hall hosted the Navy Chaplain’s Training School dedication in 1937, Blair Hall also held of Philosophy and History, and contains during World War II and now features the Philosophy and History departments. the economics, government, history and some of the fi nest rooms on campus. Students challenge Bechtold’s objectivity King & Queen Ball Anti-Israeli,-US bias said to heavily interfere with class boasts a royal history

Nick Hoelker for the course were generally biased against Israel. Megan Locke Online Editor Bechtold often assigned readings from The New York Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor Times or transcripts from NPR that cast Israel in a bad octor Peter Bechtold may be one of the most light. Additionally, the only assigned textbook for the The King and Queen Ball is a more recent accomplished professors at the College of seminar on the Arab-Israel confl ict is Jimmy Carter’s tradition that some might think. The fi rst King and DWilliam and Mary, but some students of his controversial book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid, which Queen Ball was held in April 1993 as a celebration accuse him of being biased against Israel. led to the resignation of 15 members of the Carter of the College’s 300th anniversary. Members of the According to his website, http://www.drbechtold. Center Board because they thought the book was Pershing Rifl es performed a tercentenary salute at com, Bechtold has trained over 11,000 United States unfairly biased against Israel. the ball in honor of the occasion. Department of S t ate employees, has done fi eld research ah, another supporter of Bechtold, countered The ball was popular enough that it soon became in 25 Middle Eastern countries, is fl uent in four these points by claiming that the opinion an annual event at William and Mary. It is the latest languages, has been interviewed on CNN and NPR Bpieces presented were backed up with facts incarnation in a series of spring formal dances that and according, to Sulaiman Bah (’07), cannot make and that he felt that they were not entirely one-sided. have been held at the College since dances become it through a conference on the Middle East without He also added that in the Arab-Israeli Confl ict seminar a popular school-wide activity in the 1920s. Right constantly stopping to say hello to a policymaker or Bechtold often acts a referee and allows students to before the King and Queen tradition started, a four-star general that he knows personally. discuss articles that students fi nd on their own about President’s Ball was held in the late 1980s in the Despite his credentials, some of his students are greatly topics presented by Bechtold. Bah also stated that for Sunken Gardens around the same time of year. divided over the fairness and quality of his teaching, in Middle East Political Systems that Israel is only one of For the fi rst few years the King and Queen Ball was particular his class on Middle Eastern Political Systems many countries in the Middle East and Bechtold spent held in the Wren Courtyard, rather than in the Sunken and a seminar on the Arab-Israeli confl ict. as much time covering that country as the other nations Gardens as it is today. Students made a formal entrance Most of these criticisms start with the views on Israel in the region. into the ball by walking through the Wren building, a that Bechtold expresses in class. One student of his, Other student concerns centered over Bechtold’s ceremonial gesture echoing other traditions such as who asked not to be named because he is currently treatment of the United States, the war in Iraq and the convocation ceremony and graduation. Similar taking his class, felt that Professor Bechtold was so the Bush presidency. According to several students, to later balls, huge tents were set up and a live band biased against Israel that he, as well another student Bechtold has made remarks such as “A lobbying group provided the music. In 1999, due to space limitations, from the class, referred to Bechtold as “The Führer.” came up with the Iraq War,” “Yale is a bad school the event was fi nally moved from the Wren Courtyard This student also pointed out examples of quotes because George W. Bush went there,” “Canada resents to the Sunken Gardens. from Bechtold on Israel such as, “It is absolutely not American imperialism there,” and “the United States Some popular traditions that take place during true that Israel has anything to fear from the countries put Saddam up to killing the Kurds.” the King and Queen Ball are: a toast by the current that surround it.” Bah defended Bechtold’s right to give his own president of the College and the singing of the Walid Kildani (’07), a student in the class who opinion and said he was very good about differentiating alma mater by an a cappella group. In the past, supports Bechtold, justifi ed the professor’s remarks his opinion from class material by, before giving an the President’s House has been opened up for by saying that Israel is certainly more powerful than opinion, beginning his statement by saying “in my tours before the event. However, one ball tradition its neighbors as they have a much larger military and opinion” or “In the mind of Peter Bechtold.” that is no longer observed is a drill performance are most likely in tudent opinions on Professor Bechtold are by the Queen’s Guard. The Queen’s Guard used ite possession of wide-ranging. Bah stated that Bechtold is the to perform during the ball, but in 2001 college ebs nuclear weapons. Sbest professor that he has ever had and that offi cials decided to cut their presentation because Kildani, it would be a great loss to future students if he were the increasing number of ball attendees made the a Jordanian to retire. He went on to add that he believes the real drill performance unsafe. student, disputed controversy is that George W. Bush does not include The King and Queen Ball has frequently been subject the depiction of people with as much expertise as Bechtold in his to the typically unpredictable weather of April. In Bechtold as anti- administration. Kildani said that he enjoyed every 1997, thunderstorms caused the festivities to be moved Courtesy of w Bechtold’s Israeli, as he said single minute of every two and a half hour class and to the Chesapeake rooms in the University Center. The that Bechtold wrote appreciative letters to the department chairs of rooms were soon fi lled over the fi re code limits, and is not anti- the International Relations and government programs a rotation system was created in order to let everyone Jordanian despite for bringing such a scholar and experienced specialist have a chance to dance. In 2005, rain made the Sunken pointing out ugly on the Middle East to the College. Gardens too soggy to support a dance fl oor, so the ball parts of Jordan’s Meanwhile, one of his critics said that Bechtold was relocated to William and Mary Hall. The tents and history with received one of the only poor recommendations that lights were still used to decorate the Hall, and no one let which Kildani he had ever written for a professor and said that he a few April showers ruin the fun. was not familiar. never had a professor who had such strong personal This year’s King and Queen Ball will be held on April Differing opinions: Students Students also bias that it made the class ineffective. 27. Students will be looking forward to celebrating are divided over Bechtold’s have complained Bechtold is a visiting professor and does not intend traditions and creating new memories at the ball, and position on Israel and his that the readings to return in the fall. of course, hoping for good weather as well. teaching on the subject. Virginia Page The 8 April 2007 Informer In Support of Women: 2nd annual SFL concert Jon San Public Affairs position in SFL, mentioned volunteer, said, “In addition to providing non-partisan organization that aims to Features Editor that the impetus behind the concert was literature for pregnant women at these fi n d common ground to help women; twofold. “First, we are presenting our centers, we also assist any women that may both Republicans and Democrats are On Tuesday, April 3, the William mission statement which is to provide have questions, and provide advertising.” represented among our membership.” and Mary Students for Life held their women with alternatives to abortion. The “In Support of Women” concert is Such a statement, “to help women,” is 2nd annual “In Support of Women” Second, we hope to benefi t the care centers an especially important advertising event. echoed by the simple title of the concert. concert. The event took place at Lodge and raise awareness for women on campus SFL provided free food as well as a raffl e Stephen Salvato, another freshman 1 and featured the female a capella group that these centers exist,” said Zagrobelny. in exchange for any sort of donation. The member of SFL, brought forth the idea Passing Notes, as well as Homebrew Williamsburg does, in fact, have two concert was well-attended, attracting many that men have a role in the issue of favorites Nick Summit and Mike pregnancy care centers. The fi rst, Catholic passers-by who stayed for a musician abortion as well. “[Abortion] is pertinent Smith. The concert was free, although Charities of Eastern Virginia Pregnancy while enjoying a Quizno’s sub. In between to men too. I think that many people donations--the proceeds benefi ting Care Center, is located at 1315 Jamestown the musical performances were short feel that abortion is a woman’s burden, two local pregnancy care centers--were Road and offers a variety of counseling PowerPoint presentations that highlighted however, both care centers cater to male appreciated. services, baby supplies, and adoption the duties of the care centers and the and female concerns.” Katie Poandl, the president of SFL and planning for pregnant women. Care Net mission statement of SFL. One of the The concert, which is the last major a senior at the college, started the concert Pregnancy Resource Centers, of 1117 emcees, Andrew Starr, kept the mood light, event for SFL this semester, ended a last year with hopes of aiding local Old Colony Lane, is similar in nature but announcing that he was present simply busy school year for the pro-life group. care centers. “Care centers give women also provides post-abortion support and “because [he] love[s] women,” a statement Throughout the year, SFL has hosted fi n ancial help and emotional support, the a 24 hour pregnancy help hotline. that generated some audience laughter. speakers such as Bobby Schindler, the lack of which often is the reason behind Many SFL members are volunteers at And while SFL may stand in contrast brother of Terry Schiavo, Janet Morana many abortions,” said Poandl. these care networks. Laura Buchanan, a to pro-choice student groups such as of the Silent No More awareness Beth Zagrobelny (‘09), who occupies the freshman member of SFL and care center Vox, Buchanan insisted that SFL “is a campaign, and many others. New clubs provide Lending a helping hand alternatives for

students Long Vinh

Stephen Dause Staff Writer

Students who enjoy a good game of ping pong, a board game or two, or anything to do with needles and yarn now have no trouble fi nding friends, as three new clubs have recently been formed targeted towards just those demographics: The Table Tennis Club, the Board Games Club, and Stitch ‘n Bitch. Co-presidents Jon San and Caleb Piatt started holding table tennis club meetings this semester, during which members take turns playing on the one table they currently use in Yates basement. They hope to get multiple tables installed in the Recreation Center soon, but conversation with Recreational Sports staff has been slow. “I also have plans to hold tournaments within our club, and with other schools as well by next year,” said active member Kevin Roelofs (’08). “Hopefully I can leave this school with a really nice table tennis club by my senior year.” Painting with a smile: Freshman Lauren Appel helps paint the roof of a house in As of now, its meetings are Monday nights in Yates Williamsburg for the “Paint the Town!” project in May. From the roof she could see Basement from 8-9 p.m., though they hope to move the thousands of hubcaps that littered the yard which the owner used to collect and sell. meetings to two nights a week. Attendance has dropped recently because of the small amount of playing time per player, but they hope to rectify that soon. The story of the Board Games Club is a similar one. Dollars & Sense for Students: President Colin Yoon got the idea to form an offi cial club dedicated to the art of board game-playing in August, Summer Job: Save, not spend and a few months later, ten to fi fteen people meet every Tuesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Millington 30 to play Andrew B. Blasi, Jr. is discretionary and consequently spent on items that everything from Clue to Rummikub.They also have plans Business Editor are not necessarily needed. In pursuit of offering my to have some sort of tournaments in the future. fellow William and Mary students the best possible On the less competitive side is the Stitch ‘n Bitch club, According to the latest 360 Youth College Explorer advice and with the understanding that an economic whose dedication is to all “knitters, crocheters, spinners, Study from Harris Interactive, college students in the recession is very likely within the next few years (as we quilters, cross-stitchers or any other kind of needle- United States will return to campus with over $122 begin to enter and advance in a diffi cult job market), worker,” according to its Facebook group. Gladly willing billion in summer job earnings. With the average I highly recommend you consider saving rather than to teach anyone their ways, they meet Thursdays at the working student earning $645 per month during the spending your discretionary income earned this Daily Grind at 5:30. summer, the strength of our purchasing power cannot summer. Editor’s Note: Jon San is the Features Editor of The Virginia be denied or ignored. In response to the survey’s I understand this practice may be very diffi cult, Informer. results, John Geraci, Harris Interactive’s VP for Youth especially if what you earn is simply placed into a and Education Research, stated, “What we see from the free checking account and impulse spending is just study is that, contrary to common perception – maybe a piece of plastic away. However, there are ways to even their own perception – college students are not put your earnings safely away from both investment poor. They have considerable discretionary income, loss and your credit card habits, not only saving your and are already paving their way toward fi nancial money but also earning a high interest return. Such

Ian R. Whiteside responsibility and independence. College students options include Money Market funds (better option) today are smart, value-conscious consumers, heavily and Certifi cates of Deposits (CDs), both of which weighing cost and quality in their purchasing decisions.” are easy to obtain from local and online banks at no Geraci also added that, “College students are not only a charge. Think of them as options that reward you capable bunch, but important beyond their numbers.” just for saving and with no risk. Remember, the more The reason why many of us may not perceive you save, the more options you will have (from buying college students as having great personal wealth, in a car/home to weathering an economic downturn) in spite of our ability to make wise spending decisions, the future and the better off you will be. is precisely that: we spend to much (if not all) of Editor’s Note: The information in the article is for informational Games for the bored: Three new clubs on campus what we earn. It would be one thing if our earnings purposes only and neither The Virginia Informer nor the provide an eclectic mix of activities for students. Table were spent toward paying for our education, but as author of this article provided certifi ed fi nancial advice. Please tennis, board games and knitting are now available in the survey demonstrates, a large majority of the $122 consider speaking with a fi nancial advisor or another trusted an organized form for interested students. billion earned by college students over the summer individual before making any fi nancial decision. Virginia Page Informer April 2007 9 A whole new world: Studying in Jordan Retelling of the experience is a useful tool for appreciating American freedoms and institutions

Feast after fast: During Ramadan, everyone in Jordan, including non-Muslims such as Rob Landicho (left), had to fast all day, and celebrate after sundown in places such as this, a cafe in central Amman.

Joe Luppino-Esposito Editor in Chief

hen I came back on campus this past January to start the second semester, I ran into Rob WLandicho, a fellow member of the Class of 2008. Rob and I were both Resident Assistants on the same staff last year. I told him that I had not seen him in Living in isolation: In the Bedouin camps near Al-Muhammadiya in the south of Jordan everyone lives a while, and I found out why: Rob had gone abroad for without electricity, heat, and running water. These men herd camels for a living. the fall to the Middle East. After the usual pleasantries and questions about the and lived in terrible conditions. are the infl uences from the west. “Most people here trip, Rob volunteered, “There are some things that are I have never once been confused for a women’s-libber, can differentiate between the US government and the tough getting used to again.” but I was inspired to take up the cause for the women of American people,” said Rob. “The Lebanese are very “Like what?” I naively asked. Jordan and the other nations Rob visited. In east Amman, fashionable, and they see music videos and want to wear “Like seeing women’s faces.” all women, those of which the same clothes as rappers do.” Needless to say, I was fl oored by the comment. I were permitted to be out It was much different when Rob wanted to learn more, so I recently followed up with Rob in public, wore a complete ‘There are some things that stayed with the Bedouin in the regarding the trip and his experience. black covering, with only desert. “They have nothing and Rob spent much of his time in Amman, Jordan, living eyes showing. This included are tough getting used to again.’ they are happy with nothing,” Rob on the west side of the city with a family that owns a hair a glove on each hand. “ said. He stayed with a sheikh who ‘Like what?’ I naively asked. salon. His hosts are ethnically Lebanese, and had moved The west was far better, but was the patriarch of the town. It to Jordan from Palestine. Extended family arrived often tank tops and skirts were still ‘Like seeing women’s faces.’ was with the Bedouin that women’s seeking shelter after their homes had been destroyed in very few and far between. rights were all but non-existent. “I war. The presence of Islam never saw any of the wives of the War and violence was almost laughable to many people permeated the experience, even in the west where Rob sheikhs, I just knew” where they lived with the children.” there, Rob observed. “They said that joking about it was spent most of his time. Rob visited during Ramadan, He assisted the Bedouin men by waking up at 4:30 each the only way to get through it.” the holiest of days in the Muslim faith. This meant a morning to herd sheep until noon, when it was far too It was clear to him right away that the emphasis was stringent observance to the rules. “It took me a long hot to go on. Once inside the tents, as the heat rose well on the family and on religion, though his hosts would time to adjust,” said Rob. Eating was not permitted over 120 degrees, Rob listened in on the men’s discussion be considered much more secular than most in Jordan. during daylight hours, though Rob did tell me that he on Islam. “Of course,” Rob said, “they kept trying to “Their faiths and beliefs were still very important,” Rob occasionally snuck a bite to eat after securely locking convert me.” explained, “but they did not adhere strictly to it as many himself in his room. others did.” nd even when fasting ended at sundown, there The most conservative observers of Islam were found were still dietary restrictions. “Alcohol isn’t “The innate condition of being a human is universal in the eastern part of Amman. It is dominated by Iraqi and Aagainst the law, but my host family, and most and that is something that everyone should keep in mind Palestinian refugees. There are many camps set up that families, would not allow it.” Rob said. “If I wanted to when talking about the Middle East,” Rob told me. “It no not accommodate the constant infl ux of foreigners to get a beer I would have to go out early enough in the may be a different culture and different set of values, but their land. Those living in the east were also very poor evening to not smell like it when I came home.” There is a lot is still the same.” virtually nowhere for the general Even so, I personally have trouble seeing that as Rob population of Jordan to sit down shared his experience. What the people in Jordan would for a drink of alcohol, only small consider “everyday life” we in America would see as bars in the international hotels wholly unjust and against all tenets of our system of which most natives did not free will. Even as the listener to the story, unable to frequent. experience what Rob did, it became clear to me the harm In a stark contrast to the is caused on individual rights and liberties. American university scene, What was perhaps the best part of Rob’s story was dating and couples being seen in that even putting aside the playful want to look like an public were non-existent. Rob American rap star, many people of Jordan want to come “dated” a girl while abroad, in to America. It is our perception, here, that our way of that he was permitted to speak life is damned by the east. Instead, it is something that to her, with her parents present. most can only dream about. Though the government of o maybe Rob is right in saying that there are some Jordan is offi cially a constitutional innate parts of the human condition. Despite what monarchy, there are some Swe know about cultural relativism and different elements that make one think of values and belief systems, the ability to freely choose them totalitarianism. Palestinians are is something that most members of the world community not permitted to run for offi ce do not have, but they desperately want it. or be in any part of civil service. That’s something to think about next time you see a That is why the family owns their woman’s uncovered face. own business. The society, being Jordan’s version of free market: Open markets, known as sooks, coudl be based in Islamic law, means that All photos on this page are courtesy of Rob found in East Amman near the refugee camps. freedoms are severely limited. Landicho, taken during his time in Jordan in Juxtaposed to these limitations fall 2006. Virginia Page The 10 April 2007 FEATURES Informer College “wins” Campus Outrage Award Professor Profi le:

Amanda J. Yasenchak Informer was recognized by the Collegiate Network for its Dr. John Griffi n Editor Emeritus role in bringing these issues to national attention, both in news coverage and arranging for the debate between On April 2, only a day after April Fool’s Day, the commentator Dinesh D’Souza and Professor David a leading brain in Collegiate Network announced its 10th Annual Campus Holmes last February. Outrage Awards. The Collegiate Network came to Second prize went to the University of California at the neuroscience William and Mary to present President Gene Nichol Berkeley, whose student government used student fees with the fi rst place award. to create a scholarship fund for undergraduates who “We use these awards to shed light on the most had been denied federal aid because they had prior drug department outrageous instances of convictions. intolerance and intimidation Campus Outrage Johns Hopkins University Gustavo Elias on the part of college offi cials, in Baltimore, Maryland, took Staff Writer and to let conservative students Award “Winners” third prize for trying to censor know they are not alone in their independent student Students at William and Mary know all too well that battling political correctness newspaper, The Carrollton Record, no matter how interesting a class’s topic may be, it is on America’s campuses,” said 1. WIlliam and Mary after the paper printed a story the professor that makes or breaks the class for them. Stephen Klugewicz, executive 2. University of California at Berkeley on a school sponsored speaker When it comes to biology professor Dr. John Griffi n, director of the Collegiate 3. Johns Hopkins University – a pornographic movie the enthusiasm he injects into his Network, and 1989 graduate of 4. University of Michigan director. The university tried neuroscience classes is contagious. the College. 5. San Francsico State to prevent the newspaper from That is what makes him and his At a ceremony in front of distributing its issues, including classes so appealing to biology and the Wren Building, students making up rules that applied neuroscience majors alike. and passersby gathered to hear only to the independent paper, Dr. Griffi n has been teaching the announcement of the awards. Five universities from not the school-supported campus daily. here at William and Mary since across the country were chosen for the award. The The University of Michigan won fourth prize for 1999. He holds an undergraduate Collegiate Network presented a statue of a court jester trying to disobey state law. In Fall 2006, Michigan degree in biology from the to the presidents of the winning schools. voters had approved the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative GRIFFIN University of North Carolina at Klugewicz and several Virginia Informer staff members (MCRI), which outlawed affi r mative action and racial Wilmington and a Masters and Ph.D in physiology from who had nominated William and Mary for the award, and gender preferences in many instances, including the Ohio State University. Following his doctorate, he attempted to present Nichol with his statue, but he was college admissions. University of Michigan President received a postdoctoral research fellowship and teaching not in his offi ce at the time. When Klugewicz and other Mary Coleman stated publicly that the university would fellowship at Harvard Medical School. After a brief staff members saw Nichol in the Wren Building and told fi g ht the MCRI in courts, and the admissions committee stint as an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University, him about the award, Nichol declined to take a picture pushed through as many minority applicants as possible Griffi n arrived here at the College of William and Mary with the Informer staff. before the MCRI took effect on December 23, 2006. as a professor and researcher. William and Mary won fi rst prize, although Klugewicz The fi fth and fi nal prize went to San Francisco State His path to becoming a neuroscientist was not as cautioned that “winning” was not a good word to use University, whose College Republicans (CRs) chapter simple as his resume suggests. While attending UNC- because “no one really wants to win this award, it’s sponsored an anti-terrorism rally in October 2006. Wilmington, Griffi n planned a career in marine biology. a bad thing.” The campus was chosen for the failure Participants stepped on effi gies of Hamas and Hezbollah One summer working at the world renowned Cleveland of Nichol to pursue legal action against the National fl a gs, which they were unaware said “Allah” written Clinic completely changed his professional ambitions. Collegiate Athletic Association for prohibiting the Cleveland Clinic neuroscientist Karen Barnes had College’s feathers from its athletic logo, the Wren cross CAMPUS OUTRAGE AWARDS asked Griffi n to join her sailing team. It also just so controversy and the Sex Worker’s Art Show. The Virginia continued on page sixteen happened that he was looking for summer job, so Dr. Barnes offered him a position in her neuroscience lab. Even though only a summer job, Dr. Griffi n’s interest Swemming off the deep end: in neuroscience blossomed inside the laboratory. After returning to Cleveland the following summer, Dr. Griffi n The Queen visits Williamsburg chose neuroscience over marine biology. Here at William and Mary, Dr. Griffi n researches an For those of who you don’t complete DVD box set of Paddington area of the forebrain called the hypothalamus. One care, Her Brittanic Royal Majesty Bear. familiar function of the hypothalamus is internal body Queen Elizabeth II will be visiting 8:45a: Visit to campus. Gene Nichol temperature regulation. Specifi cally, Griffi n describes Williamsburg for the upcoming and Sam Sadler will be ceremoniously that his research “looks at how we initiate and deal Jamestowne 2007 bonanza. This is an dismissed from their positions and with a fever.” Another aspect of his research involves event that will be commemorating the will be replaced by Prince Andrew and looking at endogenous pyrogens, a fever inducing 400th anniversary of the Jamestowne Fergie, the “Duchess of Funk,” who substance produced by the body. Griffi n currently has settlement, and will be marked by a plans to show the campus how London six undergraduate students in his laboratory, has received Nick Fitzgerald & really level of pomp and trumpery usually Matthew Sutton Bridge goes down. funding from both the National Science Foundation reserved for when Sam Sadler visits 9:45a: Caf Man is knighted for his and the National Institute of Health, and frequently Humor Columnists the Williamsburg Cracker Barrel. We services to the Crown, including the publishes papers in scientifi c journals. here at The Virginia Informer have managed to snag an completion of all of his paperwork and reducing The neuroscience program, the largest interdisciplinary advanced copy of her itinerary and schedule for her the Caf ’s health code violations from 14 to 12. major at the College, continues to grow and attract many visit to her once-thriving colony domain. (Read the The ceremony will be held in Tidewater B. students. The complex nature of the brain can be seen following in a heavy British accent.) 12:00p: After a sumptuous feast at the University every semester at the Neuroscience Symposium. Guest Center’s “Real Food On Campus,” HM visits the lecturers at these events have ranged from an anthropologist Itinerary for Morning Activities of Her cricket match on the Sunken Gardens, featuring discuss the origins of the visual cortex to a political Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Head of the a team of professors led by Simon Stow, Clyde scientist discussing the “political center” of the brain’s Commonwealth, Lord High Admiral, Supreme Haulman, and Clay Clemens facing off against a cortex. The number of majors at the College has shot Governor of the Church of England, Defender team of student celebrities including Tom Moyer, up in recent years from only 20 students in a graduating of the Faith, Lord of Mann, Paramount Chief Max Fisher, and Matt “Bronco” Pinsker. class to about 55 students this past year. According to Dr. of Fiji, Duke of Lancaster and Normandy, 12:30p: After a wicked googly hurled by the Bronco, Griffi n, “students go on into many different directions Golden Globe Nominee and Pulitzer Prize HM leaves for Bruton Parish accompanied by the such as medical school, various graduate schools, or even Winner, ESPN 2’s All-You-Can-Eat Hot Dog Vicar of Wakefi eld, Percival Rice. getting a masters in public health.” Championship Runner-Up, “Most Likely to be 2:45p: At the conclusion of yet another dreary service Besides neuroscience, one of Dr. Griffi n’s biggest Queen” Senior Superlative Winner, and Best in the Church of England, marked by the traditional passions is sailing. He grew up on Lake Erie and his Flip Cup Player in Chestershire: funeral dirges and readings from Charles Dickens’ grandfather was a sailor. As his parents enjoyed sailing as Bleak House, HM will meet her blunderbuss totting well, it was only natural for Dr. Griffi n to pick it up. He 6:01a: Her Majesty removed from regeneration pod. loon of a husband, Prince Philip. continued sailing at UNC-Wilmington, with Dr. Barnes 6:02a: HM taken to the loo. 4:15p: In her last offi cial appearance of the day, during his summers at the Cleveland Clinic, and even 6:48a: HM removed from loo. HM will christen the new Burberry store at Prime today as coach of the William and Mary sailing team. 7:30a: HM arrives at IHOP and orders the Crumpet Outlets, and will then proceed to the Victoria’s Sailing also holds special memories for Griffi n because Sampler with extra home fries. Secret outlet to hit up their 40%-off spring sale. he met his wife while sailing in Boston. Dr. Griffi n 8:15a: HM processes down DOG Street in maintains that out on the water he is “a big competitor,” motorcade with regiment of British redcoats. Later that evening, the Queen will be driven to her and he “hates to lose.” 8:30a: HM issues Royal Proclamation renewing suite at the Richmond Road Days Inn. She requires In between teaching, researching, sailing, and a busy her authority over her colonial domain of an ambient temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, a home life, Dr. Griffi n and his wife are part owners of a Williamsburg. In this speech she appoints David copy of Far from the Madding Crowd on her end table, thoroughbred racehorse that races at Colonial Downs. Beckham and Posh Spice to be the new Royal and 16 bottles of sherry. She also demands copies The Griffi ns enjoy the social aspect of horse racing, Governors. Modern dentistry is outlawed as of The Daily Telegraph, The Virginia Informer, and the especially the opportunity to meet new people. Dr. John a crime punishable by a forced viewing of the latest issue of Teen People. Griffi n is truly one of the most accomplished professors at William and Mary. Virginia The Page 11 Informer arts & entertainmentFEATURES April 2007 Satire for the smart: Hollywood comes An evening with Christopher Buckley to Williamsburg

Chase Coleman & Chris Davis his listeners, summarizing witty essays and amusing One student’s taste of not-so- Staff Writer & Design Editor events of his life. The subjects of Buckley’s numerous anecdotes ranged from an insult exchange with Tom glamorous stardom as a part Satirist Christopher Buckley spoke at Phi Beta Clancy to an international incident because of an Kappa Hall on April 3 to an attentive audience of both article fi c titiously declaring Lenin’s body for sale, each of HBO’s John Adams series students and non-students. After his humorous lecture tale evoking hearty laughter from the audience. he answered a few questions from audience members. Buckley’s Yale education pervaded his stories, making Braum Katz After a brief introduction, Buckley jumped into his him an ideal comedian for a William and Mary audience. Guest Writer topic for the evening: the importance of titling a new Mentioning names like Edward Gibbon and titles such book and the problems associated with this process. as De Rerum Natura, it was clear that Buckley’s humor On May 29th, 2007, I woke up at approximately 5:30 This may seem like a rather bland discourse, however, is not for the uneducated, and his witty satire, poking am. Having not seen early morning for months, this with an audience expecting the full force of a man fun at both political and cultural fi gures, was not wasted came as a signifi cant shock to my body. Begrudgingly famous for his satire, Buckley did not disappoint. at the College. rolling out of bed, I proceeded to don myself in an After listing failed and comically mistranslated titles, After recounting tales from his life, Buckley outfi t far from regular - knickers, an overcoat, and Buckley then told the audience his many ideas for the answered questions from three audience members. a three-cornered hat. Little did I know that a job as title of a collection of essays that he was going to have Although there was little political commentary during seemingly simple as being a movie extra could consume published. After each suggested title, most of which his speech, an audience member asked Buckley, who an entire 12 hours of my day. were quite comical, Buckley explained its signifi cance was the speechwriter to Vice President George H. W. I was offered a position as a movie extra, a soldier and why it was rejected by the publisher. In this Bush, to comment on the differences between George in the Continental Army, in the upcoming Tom Hanks way, Buckley was able to tell a number of stories to W. Bush and his father. Although Buckley expressed HBO miniseries about John Adams, through my admiration for the elder Bush, he criticized involvement with the college’s own Revolutionary War the younger, saying that there are “two basic reenactment group. Arriving on set at around 6:30, components to [George W. Bush’s] personality: accompanied by a cohort of ten other William and he is…a recovering alcoholic and a born-again Mary students, I was greeted by an extended amount of Christian.” waiting. We waited for an hour, noshing on stale bagels, Ian R. Whiteside Buckley also answered a question concerning until wardrobe and makeup deemed us worthy of their the depravity of celebrities, discussing the precious time. Hours upon hours later, after suffering saturation of mass media today, particularly how it an innumerable amount of hair pins and an elaborate affects political campaigns. According to Buckley, transformation into disease-ridden Continental celebrities have always been depraved, but today soldiers, we fi nally were ready for fi lming. At the set, it is more diffi cult to hide than ever before. we were literally told by wardrobe to roll around in the The fi nal audience member asked Buckley to dirt to create a sense of battle fatigue. The set, built comment on the diffi culties of writing satire. in Colonial Williamsburg at the public hospital, proved One of the hardest aspects of writing satire, said strikingly elaborate. Rushing to the set, we encountered Buckley, is fi guring out how to “outdo reality,” yet another round of waiting as the director carefully citing the recent news that Keith Richards planned and executed the scene to perfection. The snorted cocaine mixed with his father’s ashes, director called us at long last, and we then proceeded a story, he noted, that is already so extreme that to stand around, pantomiming conversation and acting it would be diffi cult to embellish. Buckley left cold, as stars Paul Giamatti and David Morse walked his audience emphasizing how often politics is through the camp, planning the next step in the war a “target-rich environment” for satire, especially against the British. Three hours of shooting capped during the Clinton years, when humorists “didn’t off a day composed predominantly of preparation. have to get out of bed” to fi nd good source After the shooting, an excruciatingly boring process, material. we headed back to set, change out of our clothes and A reception and book signing followed the head to campus. Thus began and ended my far from lecture, during which Buckley talked personally glamorous movie debut. Master of satire: Popular author Christopher Buckley gave a with audience members. talk at the College laced with wry commentary on everything from celebrity depravity to political fi gures. His new book, Boomsday, is a humorous take on the future of Social Security, www.VAInformer.com and a dubious way to solve the problem of too many people relying on the system.. All the news that’s fi t to go online. Debut novel stuns, annoys A review of Marisha Pessl’s Special Topics in Calamity Physics

RC Rasmus himself and his daughter down for a full without disturbing the natural hierarchy trite and rather childish. The action of Arts & Entertainment Editor nine months in the sleepy mountain town of the universe. But Dad said, based on the novel itself is resolved by a strange of Stockton, North Carolina. There he his tribal experiences in Zambia, a title and confusing deus ex machina plot Have you ever looked at a really, truly enrolls Blue in a prestigious prep school, only has meaning when others fully twist, and the ending of the novel itself beautiful person for a while, admired where she quickly establishes herself support it, and I’m sure if someone asked is sappy and unrealistic. their grace and stunning fi gure, and then at the top of her class. Blue catches the Tanned Sporto with Shiny Legs, she’d Would I recommend Special Topics you saw them do something unbelievably the attention of fi lm teacher Hannah say if I had to be a Jane, I wasn’t the Jane in Calamity Physics? Absolutely, if for stupid? If you have, then you’ve Schneider, who invites her to join a Goodall, nor was I the Plain Jane, the nothing more than the sheer delight that experienced something very closely select personal clique of students that Calamity Jane, the Whatever Happened Pessl’s language incites in the reader. akin to reading Marisha Pessl’s debut includes a wealthy teenage alcoholic, a to Baby Jane, and certainly not the Jayne However, consider yourself forewarned- novel, Special Topics in Calamity Physics. homosexual automaton, an anachronistic Mansfi eld. I was more along the lines the latter third of this novel is a major Pessl’s language is often overwhelmingly fl o wer child, an emotionally tormented of the Pre-Rochester Jane Eyre, which disappointment. beautiful and her plot is charming and Adonis and a mysterious—and possibly she’d call by either of its pseudonyms, Enjoy the book for what it is: an clever throughout the fi rst two thirds dangerous—Southern teddy bear. The the I Don’t Know Who You’re Talking impressive debut by a young author of her book. However, following in the drawing room feel of the scenes that About or the Oh Yeah, Her.” who is very probably hiding more than unfortunate footsteps of the endlessly involve these characters and their gossip The deft touch with which Pessl crafts a few gems in her mind, ready to burst creative Daniel Handler’s second novel about Blue, Hannah and one another is the body of her novel makes its collapse out onto the page over the course of Watch Your Mouth, what might have been spellbinding. in its fi nal third all the more irritating and the next several years. If you like this a masterpiece unravels in its fi nal act. Pessl’s writing style is very unique. frustrating. The book’s fi r st major climax novel, you might also want to consider The early plot of Pessl’s novel is fast- Gentle metaphors lace almost every falls fl at because it is, rather stupidly, reading the aforementioned Daniel moving, funny and interesting. Blue paragraph, and the author often weaves given away on the dust jacket of the book Handler’s fi r st novel, The Basic Eight, Van Meer, the book’s protagonist, is the in historical and literary metaphors that itself. Everything following this tepid which incorporates several of Pessl’s daughter of an eccentric political science dazzle and amuse the reader. Take, for event is discombobulated, unnecessary novel’s most successful elements and has professor who changes universities, states instance, Blue’s early characterization and at times just plain ridiculous. Blue’s a powerful twist for an ending that will and houses each semester. However, of herself: “I’d like to say I was the Jane valedictorian speech, which might have leave your head spinning. for Blue’s senior year of high school, Goodall, a fearless stranger in a stranger been crafted to reveal any number of Professor Van Meer decides to settle land doing (groundbreaking) work profound statements or plot twists, is Virginia Page The 12 April 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Informer Nooks and Crannies of William and Mary The mystery of the Missing Coat Losing and fi nding the Arms of the College of William and Mary R.C. Rasmus that the seal was most likely designed by a William Arts & Entertainment Editor and Mary law professor named George Wythe. This second “temple seal” shows a Roman temple ost students at this university pass by the with a long-rayed sun shining over it, a phoenix stone-cast coat of arms at the entrance (another treasured College symbol) rising out of its Mto New Campus without even giving it Ian R. Whiteside ashes on the steps, a frieze over the temple reading a second glance. Perhaps they don’t know just how “Temp. Minervae,” the College’s most important much history the arms of the College of William and subjects, “Medical Arts, Natural Philosophy, Moral Mary have behind them. Looking into the symbol’s Philosophy, Jurisprudence… Grammar, Geometry, past yields some very interesting information. and Logic” engraved in abbreviated form on the For example, ever recall seeing a dome here at the temple’s pillars and steps, and the date 1693 featured College of William and Mary? Me neither. Then why prominently towards the bottom of the design. For is there a dome on the coat of arms? What if I told the next 138 years William and Mary used this blazon you that this college has not just one, but three offi cial as its seal, and, as Donald J. Sweg puts in his excellent coats of arms, and that the one we now know, love, 1976 history of the symbol “Vert, A College,” “its and treasure was only put into use 85 years ago? Did authenticity was never questioned.” you know that the arms of the College are legally t was not until 1922 that a medical doctor protected? It’s all true, a part of the interesting and from Boston named Howard M. Buck began mysterious history of the College of William and Icorresponding with William and Mary librarian Mary’s most unique and cherished symbol. Earl Gregg Swem about the origins of the College’s he College was granted a coat of arms on offi cial coat of arms. In 1930, armed with a 1749 May 2, 1694 by Henry, Duke of Norfolk, surveyor’s license stamped with the original colonial TEarl Marshal of England to the Kings seal (which, fortunately enough, was found in a of Arms, to be used “in any whatsoever cause and second-hand copy of Don Quixote by Mrs. Harry business belonging to them and their successors.” It Leiby of Ventnor, NJ, in 1926), Buck contacted the was the fi rst and only of the three royally chartered British College of Arms about the offi cial rendering universities in America to receive such an honor, likely Lost and found: This Coat of Arms was rediscovered of William and Mary’s coat of arms. For the cost as a result of a request from James Blair to the Bishop in 1922 and now stands near the Crim Dell. of £20, Buck procured a color reproduction of the of London, and cost the College £45. The offi cial seal hand-drawn by the College of Arms from the warrant describes the blazon as “Vert, a Colledge [sic] around 1699, the artist who drew William and Mary’s original artist’s marginal sketch done in 1694. A colored or edifi ce mason’d argent in chief, a sun rising or the fi r st coat of arms very likely just created a fanciful facsimile of the reaffi rmation of the College’s warrant hemisphere proper, as in the margent [sic] hereof is architectural structure to stand for the College itself. for its coat of arms is regularly presented to retiring more plainly depicted.” Translated, this means that No one knows exactly what inspired this design, but members of the Board of Visitors. This design, called the arms show a college or stone building towards the John Phillips, director of the alumni house, speculated the “new seal,” was adopted for regular use around front on a fi eld of green, with a sun overhead. in 1986 that it was perhaps based on the London skyline 1930. There is no record of the BOV voting on such Since the fi rst College building was not completed until as it looked in the late seventeenth century, replete with a change, apparently because it was the result of an the towers of Parliament and the dome of St. Paul’s executive decision made by then-president of the Cathedral. This version of the College’s coat of arms, College J.A.C. Chandler. J.T. Baldwin, a professor of today called either the “original” or “colonial seal,” biology at the College in the ‘30s wrote that “students looked very similar to the version that the university didn’t seem too concerned” about the change. uses today. The only differences are that the “college” he design of the “new seal” has varied slightly, structure on the “colonial seal” had fewer stories and sometimes showing the sun with a human face a couple more windows than the present one, and was Tor having highly embellished fl oral patterns portrayed not as fl at and symmetrical, but as a three incorporated as a part of the border, but for the most dimensional building facing off towards the left, and part this emblem is the one that most William and Mary was often accompanied by a Latin legend around its students recognize today. It is featured prominently on Swem Library Special Collections edge reading “Collegii Guilielmi et Mariæ in Virginia.” College merchandise and correspondence, is on the he College used this “colonial seal” school ring, and hangs proudly over the entrance to continuously until 1784, when, probably Tucker Hall on Old Campus and the phoenix lozenge Tdue to anti-British sentiment following on New Campus. This version of the College’s arms the Revolutionary War, the offi cial coat of arms was even trademarked in 1990 in order to protect its was abandoned and was replaced by a new College integrity during the College’s upcoming celebration symbol. This second seal, often called the “temple,” of its 300th anniversary in 1993. However, vestiges “Jeffersonian,” or “erroneous seal,” was thought of the “temple seal” remain hidden around campus. Jefferson or Wythe: Two William and Mary for a long time to have been designed by Thomas When you get a chance, look up over the entrances legends have both been credited with creating Jefferson himself while he was serving as governor to Chandler and Jefferson Halls. You might just see a this seal that was used for many years. of Virginia in 1779. Today, most scholars believe remnant of the coat of arms’ second incarnation. Improvathon: It’s all fun and games for 12 straight hours

Megan Locke some time to rest. Throughout the his girlfriend’s family paid to increase the they stay for the entire 12-hour run. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor twelve hours, raffl es are held for audience number of worms.” Improvathon may be the fi nal big IT members. “People often ask us if every Ayers was one of the IT members bash this school year, but there is a lot Enjoying half a day of non-stop fun member of IT stays at Improvathon for who participated in the worm game. “It to look forward to in the upcoming fall can be for a good cause during William the entire 12 hours,” says Hannah Ayers wasn’t much of a scene, but it got the semester as well. IT will be performing and Mary Improvisational Theater’s (’08). “There’s no rest for improvisers; crowd going. I can still taste it,” Ayers at orientation in the fall, and will also annual Improvathon. Every spring, the we all stay there the entire time. But it says. “We may very well have another hold auditions for new members in members of IT host twelve straight actually goes by surprisingly fast, at least challenge this year, but you’ll have to September. During fall break, the hours of improvised games and skits in for the performers!” come to see it.” members plan to travel to Chicago to order to raise money to support Avalon Previous Improvathons have led Even amidst the fl urry of activities attend improv workshops and watch Women’s Shelter. to unforgettable memories for both that IT is involved in during the year, shows at Improv Olympic and Second Funds come from local businesses and participants and the audiences. One the Improvathon is one of the main City. private donations that are collected prior event during last year’s Improvathon highlights for members. Olivia Lucas’s “IT has had a great year,” says Miller. to the event. The show is then divided that several IT members recall was the (’08) favorite part of Improvathon is “This was my third year performing with into hour-long segments according to worm bucket: for every $100 audience “spending 12 straight hours improvising! the group and it’s almost impossible to sponsor. Audiences can enjoy a variety members contributed, three IT members It’s a huge rush and the time goes by compare one year to another. One of of types of improvisational theatre, had to put a worm in their mouth and pretty quickly.” Improvathon is a special the coolest parts about improv is that including long-form improv, improvised hold it there while performing a scene. treat for audience members as well, since any show we perform will never be musicals, and short-form games. One As Adam Miller (’08) explains, “Things some improv games are only played at performed again. It’s ephemeral, and special event that always takes place turned into a bidding war as Brian Improvathon. Even those who regularly that’s how the group itself operates too. during Improvathon is the alumni hour, Sallade’s [(’06)] family members paid attend IT events will defi nitely have We have no overarching goals except to in which former IT members take the money to decrease the number of worms something new to see. Some audience share a bit of laughter with people from stage and give the current members we would have to hold in his mouth while members enjoy Improvathon so much time to time.” Virginia The Page Informer ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT April 2007 13

Film Review: The summer movies preview Joe Pirro tells you what he knows you’ll see, what you should see, and what you should avoid from now until the fall semester It’s almost summertime, and 4. Ratatouille: Disney and Pixar’s newest offering Oh God, why were these movies ever made? there’s really no better time of since last summer’s mini-masterpiece, Cars. The fi lm, 1. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer: Without the year. Classes will be fi nished, directed by Brad Bird of The Incredibles, follows a rat having a valid reason (other than maybe pure greed), the weather will be consistently that lives in an up-scale restaurant in Paris. Once Twentieth Century Fox is subjecting America to better, and Hollywood will be again, Pixar seems to have created a hit for all ages. another Fantastic Four movie. Unfortunately, the trying to grab your attention and (June 29) original cast returns to continue destroying their get you into the local multiplex. 5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Harry’s own careers in what would have been the worst titled Many of these movies will be back for a fi fth time, in the adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s movie of the summer. (June 15) huge successes and make tons worldwide best-selling series. This time, Harry deals 2. Live Free or Die Hard…if it weren’t for this movie. Joe Pirro of money, while others will turn with teen angst while trying to convince the world The ancient Bruce Willis franchise gets inexplicably Film Critic out to be massive fl o ps. Before that Voldemort has returned. Imelda Staunton and rebooted this summer. I’m assuming action ensues, these fi lms are released the The Helena Bonham Carter join the cast. (July 13) but I’m just wondering if Willis’ wheelchair will be Virginia Informer takes a look at what Hollywood is able to move quickly enough. (June 29) sending your way this summer. Critics will like these movies, and so should 3. Transformers: Yes, this could have been cool…if you: the movie had been made fi fteen years ago. Michael Everyone is going to see these movies: 1. Knocked Up: This may seem an unlikely choice, Bay continues to prove that no one should ever give 1. Spider-Man 3: The season begins early with the but the team behind The 40-Year Old Virgin returns him a video camera with this “blockbuster” fi lm. release of the third installment in the very popular after their critically and commercially successful Steve Maybe it’ll make a lot of money, but I’m hoping that Spider-Man franchise. Tobey Maguire returns as the Carell fi lm. The plot follows a woman who decides by the time we return to Williamsburg in August, web-slinging hero, though this time, he has three to have a baby after a one-night stand leads to an Transformers is considered the biggest failure of the villains to battle, along with some inner demons of unexpected pregnancy. (June 1) summer. Sorry. (July 4) his own. Mark it down now, Spidey is back. (May 4) 2. A Mighty Heart: Directed by critically acclaimed 4. Daddy Day Camp: Someone in Hollywood thought 2. Shrek the Third: May gets even busier with the director Michael Winterbottom, the fi lm is based on we wanted a sequel to Daddy Day Care. However, third chapter in DreamWorks’ animated series. Mike the life of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter they couldn’t even convince Norbit himself, Eddie Myers and Cameron Diaz are back, but this time who was captured and killed in Pakistan. (June 22) Murphy, to do it, so they convinced Cuba Gooding, they’re joined by Justin Timberlake, who voices the 3. The Bourne Ultimatum: This is a great example Jr., that he would probably win another Oscar for this reluctant King Arthur. Expect craziness and pop of a popular series that is extremely well-done. Matt “movie.” Please, please, no one go see this movie. culture references to follow suit. (May 18) Damon returns as the man without a past, who is (August 10) 3. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End: Captain racing against time to discover who he truly is. Jack Sparrow returns this Memorial Day weekend in (August 3) So, there it is. There’s a summer full of hits and what could potentially be his fi nal adventure. Jack, 4. Becoming Jane: Anne Hathaway tries to win an extreme misses. Enjoy your vacation and your time Will, and Elizabeth journey to the edge of the world, Oscar in a biopic based on the life of Jane Austen. away from Williamsburg. where the pirates will join together to fi ght the colonial James McAvoy from The Last King of Scotland plays forces threatening their rogue way of life. This will be her love interest. (August 3) nothing short of a massive success. (May 25)

Live Performances

The Williamsburg Symphonia presents Subscription Concert #4 Wed., Apr. 18 and Thurs., Apr. 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $37, $27. Advance tickets available through the Symphonia; call (757) 229-9857

WTYD–Tide radio’s Skookum Music Series Returns Carbon Leaf in Concert Sat., Apr. 21 at 8 p.m. April Schedule All seats $17

The College of William and Mary Music Department presents An Evening of Jazz with the W&M Jazz Movies Ensemble Wed., Apr. 25 at 8 p.m. General admission $8, Seniors/Students $5 Notes on a Scandal (R) College of William and Mary’s Hillel Sun., Apr. 8-Sun., Apr. 15 Chapter’s Israel Festival presents Hospice House and Support Care of 7 and 9 p.m. Janem Janem Williamsburg presents Apr. 9, 11-12, 14 matinees at 3 p.m. Tues., Apr. 24 at 7 p.m. Emil Israel Chudnovsky: Violinist Apr. 9-12, 14 (9 p.m. show in auditorium) All seats $2 Fri., Apr. 27 at 7 p.m. screening room (35 seats) All seats $35 The Curse of the Golden Flower (R) 25 cent Lemonade not rated Sat., Apr. 28-Wed., May 2 The Williamsburg Women’s Chorus and Sat., Apr. 14 at 7 p.m. 6:45 and 9 p.m. Choraliers present All seats $2 Apr. 28, 30-May 1 screening room (35 seats) A Salute to American Music Sat., Apr. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Apr. 29 at 2 p.m. The Painted Veil (PG-13) General admission $12, Students $5 Sun., Apr. 15-Sun., Apr. 22 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Apr. 15-21 screening room (35 seats)

Inland Empire (R) Sun., Apr. 22-Fri., Apr. 27 Apr. 22-23, 25-27 shows at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Come to the Kimball Theatre on DoG Street! Apr. 24 shows at 7:30 p.m. only All shows in screening room (35 seats) Virginia Page 14 The April 2007 Opinion Informer Staff Editorials: No contract renewal for Nichol he Board of Visitors of the embarrassment to the College. College will be meeting this Nichol lacks understanding of Tweek to discuss pressing traditions at William and Mary. issues such as tuition for next year, In a Dog Street Journal article at the laundry fee and the future of the beginning of this academic William and Mary. In that vein, year, Nichol mentioned that he their agenda also should include the was “anxious” about the religion contract renewal of President Gene involved in the beloved Yule Log Nichol. Nichol’s contract is up in Ceremony. That should have been June of 2008, and the BOV will not the fi rst indicator that more trouble meet again until October. When Tim was to come. Sullivan resigned as president, he gave In the areas in which Nichol has the BOV just over a year to make shown the capacity to lead, such as their decision. It is apparent now student voting rights, he sadly no that one year was not enough time longer has any political capital left to deliberate. In light of Nichol’s to spend. Most was lost during his disappointing record as president stubborn and foolish handling of the of this College, we believe that the Wren cross debacle. Anything that Board of Visitors should consider not Nichol fi g hts for in the future, whether renewing President Nichol’s contract in Williamsburg or Richmond, will be when it expires next year. tainted by the embarrassing memory The cover story regarding Nichol’s of the cross controversy. mediocre history as a leader of The only way for the College to public universities was eye-opening, escape this downward spiral is for and is the fi nal straw in recognizing the BOV to announce that we want that Nichol is not right for William to move on with a new leader and and Mary. The truth is that Nichol allow Nichol to fi nish out his last has failed in most of his presidential year, if he so chooses. David Clifford duties, although he is still beloved he next president should by most students and many faculty be an alumnus, or, in the Letters to the Editor members. We know that this editorial Tleast, someone much more will not be well-received by many on closely connected to the College as Dear Editor: will not be easily satisfi ed. I’m not sure that campus, but we ask those would-be a faculty member or administrator. I have just read your editorial in the Gene Nichol even now can comprehend how detractors to consider the facts. He or she needs to be someone March 2007 edition. You have captured unwise it was to mess around with the history First, our College’s national rankings who understands the community very nicely the remaining issues left over and the cultural heritage that students and are slipping. No matter what your and the traditions at William and from the infamous Wren Cross controversy. alumni desire to protect and maintain with opinion of them may be, they are, Mary. The president should also be Clearly, the so-called “compromise” is an this great university. nonetheless, important in attracting more business savvy--as the College unsatisfactory solution to the overall issue His agenda of political correctness and so- prospective students and marketing needs to be more fi nancially stable of the Wren cross, and was neatly outlined called “openness” is nothing but a stalking one’s diploma as a graduate. to continue expanding at its current as to “why?” in the article by Nick Hoelker horse for his much larger preoccupation that Fundraising, or lack thereof, is a chief rate - as well as be more adept in in the same issue. stems straight from the ACLU. The Board concern. The Campaign for William handling the politics required of the President Nichol made an extremely poor of Visitors must share a large share of the and Mary is not releasing quarterly leader of a public university. decision in trying to be the sole arbiter and blame for the present situation, because it numbers, and the Development Nichol’s defi ciencies are clear, and executor to remove the Wren cross. His has not acted decisively not even addressed Offi ce has admitted that we have it is now time to part ways with him, rationale that the cross somehow causes the the problem. They have a big decision still fallen below the $500 million goal that or suffer the further decline of our Chapel to be “unwelcoming” and not “open” on their plate that they will have to address was announced months ago. It is an beloved and illustrious College. to all students does not hold water. sooner or later. Scores of alumni have completely refuted I enjoy your student publication whenever that argument, but Nichol just couldn’t bring I read it, and it is usually available in the Full credit for ROTC cadets himself to admit that he had made a mistake Barnes and Noble student bookstore. I and return the cross to the chapel. This hope that you will continue to review this As reported in our news section, working harder than most students arrogance is costing the university dearly, has Wren cross issue and keep the student body, the fact that ROTC cadets at William ever will at this College, they are told brought too much unneeded and unnecessary at least, informed of any other developments and Mary receive such few credits that all their work has barely earned negative publicity, and the aftermath and all in the situation. for their ROTC training – 14 credits them a semester’s worth of credit. that it portends will linger for years to come. for 19 classes over the course of It is nothing short of amazing It has left an unfavorable impression, at least Allen R. Elkins 8 semesters, only 6 of which may that most ROTC students fi nd the in the minds of thousands of alumni, and the Williamsburg, VA be used towards graduation – is impressive will and work ethic to question of ever trusting this president again shameful and must be remedied. complete their requirements for The College’s academic policy graduation, considering how poorly towards ROTC students is they are rewarded by the College. Dear Editor: focuses on the intoxication of the person(s) reprehensible. William William and Mary needs The Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP) involved (whether self or the reporting and Mary is alone in its to seriously consider the should not and does not refer to exception individual), and not to all violations of the shocking disregard for the message we are sending not from judicial sanctions for any alcohol College’s Alcohol Beverage Policy (ABP). work and dedication of our only to the public, but to our violations – rather, it only focuses on the The policy is prefaced by: “If an individual ROTC students: in fact, we student body. Many of these case of intoxication. Recently, a freshman seeks medical attention due to his /her give the least amount of students are willing to serve notifi ed emergency services when his level of intoxication…”. If you have credit hours of any major in the U.S. armed forces roommate began “vomiting blood after three handles of rum in your room, and university in Virginia. – including deployments consuming alcohol.” The reporting later have to call the paramedics for your ROTC cadets undergo a to Iraq – after they graduate. Yet to student had a “considerable quantity of drunk roommate, judicial sanctions may mandatory four hours per week of the administration, such self-sacrifi ce alcohol in his room,” and was referred to be overlooked for your being intoxicated physical training in addition to their and love of country is demmed the administration; the reporting student (if you are). However, there’s nothing in regular coursework. Apparently, the unimpressive. ROTC students feel ended up with probation from the College the amnesty policy that prevents judicial College does not view such work as snubbed and insulted by this College’s and Virginia as well as alcohol education sanctions for the possession of alcohol (i.e worthy of a respectable amount of policies, and with good reason. from the school and James City County. the three handles) in your room. Those are academic credit. Most students here at William and While I commend the freshman for two completely separate incidents. ROTC students are struggling Mary do not want the College to have calling emergency services, the argument to balance their so-called “real” a reputation of hostility towards our that he should be protected under the MAP Devin DeBacker academic work with the strenuous soldiers. Instead of overlooking the is weak. The policy, as currently stated, Class of 2008 and challenging duties they are efforts and achievements of some volunteering to perform as part of of our best and brightest in the their ROTC training. After spending ROTC program, the College should 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. hundreds of extra hours, including be dedicated to rewarding their This paper is produced for the benefi t of students at the College and is available at no cost for members of the greater Williamsburg community. entire weekends, working hard perseverance and hard work with the 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 to fi nish their ROTC instruction, credit they deserve. enjoyed by others, the cost to that individual or group will be $15 per copy. Virginia The Page 15 Informer Opinion April 2007

A thank you from Safe Zone training program all of us at proves to be presumptuous

The Virginia Nick Fitzgerald categorized as the least offensive form of homophobia, Executive Editor despite the fact that those who fall under this category, Informer at least according to Safe Zone, are “characterized Safe Zone is a national and campus program designed by such statements as ‘You’re not a lesbian, you’re a The Virginia Informer would like to thank to “reduce homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism person’ or ‘What you do is your own business’ or ‘It’s all of our supporters and advertisers on our campus and thereby to make our campus a fi n e with me, just don’t fl aunt it.’” who made the publishing of this issue, safer and freer environment for all members of our So if Safe Zone defi nes homophobia even by community regardless of sexual orientation.” acceptance, what is it looking for instead? The answer and all issues for the last two years To me, homophobia is an unwarranted and irrational to this question leads us to the title of this op-ed. Safe possible. The Informer is an independent fear of gays. Dictionary.com happens to agree with Zone is not looking for acceptance, toleration, or a publication and we do not receive me: “An unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward diversity of viewpoints—three things which we are any public funding, unlike the other homosexuals and homosexuality.” No one is justifi ed taught should be extolled in an ever more diverse and in exhibiting behavior that can be classifi ed in this way, growing world—but, instead, activism on behalf of publications at William and Mary. that is, fearing or hating homosexuals for, ultimately, the homosexual—or, more precisely, the Gay, Lesbian, no justifi able reason. Violence and hatred against Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (GLBTQ)—community. We would like to especially recognize gays is not something that Just as Safe Zone has some of our private supporters. should be morally acceptable four forms of homophobia, in our society, as homosexuals The people behind this program it also has four tiers of are human beings just like wish to make activists out of those “positive levels of attitude,” Editor’s Club everyone else—they deserve who“ attend its training sessions—this the most positive of which the same dignity and respect conclusion is inescapable... is “nurturance.” Nurturance Mr. Robert Beck that all people deserve. “assumes that gay/lesbian This is quantifi ably different, people are indispensable in our however, than accepting the gay lifestyle as morally society. They view gays/lesbians with genuine affection Friends of The Informer permissable. In other words, one is not homophobic and delight,” and are willing to be allies and advocates.” Mr. and Mrs. Donald Beck just because one disagrees with the ethics of a gay This unwarranted advocacy is, ultimately, what Safe lifestyle. One is only homophobic if he exhibits actions Zone wants. The people behind this program wish Mr. William Brink which can be described as promoting or engaging in an to make activists out of those who attend its training Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cauthen unwarranted or irrational fear of homosexuals. This is sessions—this conclusion is inescapable if one reads a common sense way of understanding homophobia, the Safe Zone literature with an objective eye. as it leaves open the possibility that, while no one is This call to activism, however, is overreaching to The Collegiate Network justifi ed in hate, moral and ethical questions about the point of presumption. To make our campus a homosexuality can best be answered by individuals on “safer and freer environment for all members of our The Leadership Institute their own. community regardless of sexual orientation” is an It would appear, then, that one can disagree with extremely noble and worthwhile goal. To be able to get If you would like to support The others on the morality of an actively homosexual 100% of campus to treat everyone with equal dignity Virginia Informer, lifestyle without references to bigotry or, as was the and respect is worth fi g hting for. What is not worth please contact us at editor@ case in my particular Safe Zone session, “crazy religious fi g hting for, however, is the transformation of this vainformer.com. people”—which, perhaps ironically, does not sound worthy ideal into a brainwashing session. particularly accepting or tolerant to me. It would behoove Safe Zone to be more inclusive The Virginia Informer is a nonpartisan group, with Speaking of acceptance and tolerance, I found it quite by emphasizing their goal of equality over activism if pending 501(c)3 tax status. strange that Safe Zone labeled both of these terms as it is truly committed to making all students—gay and two of its four levels of homophobia. Acceptance is straight—equal members of our campus community. New lottery will cause more headaches, not less tudents at this College are only exacerbate it. might have a positive effect on the assigned to your time block, you have familiar with stress. It’s The online housing lottery is being system’s performance, it also has the the exact same opportunity to secure Ssomething most of us knew run through the Banner system—and effect of dragging out the housing any given living space. This might not full well we were signing up for when any student who has registered for a selection process. Students will have to be a big deal for most undergraduates, we chose to enroll here. Everyone is class at this school is familiar with the deal with considerable stress for not just but for upperclassmen, especially faced with the rigors of William and effi ciency of that interface. Random a two-day selection period—now the seniors battling for coveted spots in Mary’s tough academic curriculum, logging out, technical glitches, process has been stretched to the Lodges, Ludwell, or Jamestown, and most students are involved with maddening error messages, eleven days (nine registration this makes the outcome of the process enough extra curricular activities to and bandwidth shortages days, including a break for extremely complex and uncertain. make their lives a nonstop blur. are par excellence for class the weekend). During that inally, the online housing Keeping that in mind, let us consider registration each semester. time, students will have to process takes out one of the the College’s decision this semester to Countless repairs and be constantly checking the Fmost important characteristics introduce a new online lottery system “upgrades” have done little Residence Life Web site each of the previous system—the human for on-campus undergraduate housing. to improve the situation. day for updates on which element. Students will no longer be The new process, which will take place To Residence Life’s credit, rooms have been taken and able to interact with other students from April 16th to April 26th, replaces they have learned from the which are still available—an at the lottery, which has served the old system, which massed students experiences of the class even more nerve-racking as an important factor in helping in Trinkle Hall on one dreaded registration system, and have Alex Mayer experience that is arguably many students fi nd their ideal living weekend each April to “streamline” set up the housing lottery Opinion Editor much worse than surviving conditions. There are numerous and “simplify” the housing selection to maximize technological those few stressful hours stories of underclassman fi nding an process. A noble intention, to be reliability by spreading out the spent in Trinkle Hall in previous years. upperclassman at lottery with which sure—except that this new system registration times. Students will sign up Ulcers are sure to ensue. to room, or to switch rooms with in promises to accomplish neither. for housing in blocks of 40-60 as their The time-block structure of the order to get the room they’re looking The very determination that the old designated time slot opens, rather than online lottery also makes for a much for. That will obviously be impossible system needed changing is puzzling. Was in a mass wave of 1,000+ students more chaotic and uncertain selection during the online process. there a serious and recurring problem attempting to access the same page on process. Instead of each student This system clearly had good with the process? No such reports Banner at the exact same time. receiving a single lottery number, intentions, but sadly it does not look have been announced. Admittedly, However, despite the much- which would be followed in order like any of them will actually be realized. it was an extremely nerve-wracking trumpeted small-scale “successful test” during room selection, this relatively The housing lottery has become more process that made most students feel of the online lottery system earlier this simple system has been abandoned stressful, more complicated, and more like pulling their hair out, especially year, there is little reason to hope that in favor of blocked time, which has chaotic—not less. I sincerely hope during those nail-biting hours at the the fi rst real-world use of the system the effect of turning selection into a that this analysis is incorrect, and that Campus Center. won’t be plagued by the inevitable minor free-for-all. No person in the the entire process goes smoothly and Unfortunately, not only does the new computer glitches and bugs that are sure time block has an advantage over any that students fi nd it to be a signifi cant online system not appear to do much to complicate and frustrate the process. other—whether you were the fi rst, improvement over the old system. It to alleviate this stress; it will most likely While the longer selection period twentieth, or sixtieth in order of being just does not seem very likely. Virginia Page The 16 April 2007 features/ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Informer What’s on tap CAMPUS OUTRAGE Mandie Constanzer & Amanda Yasenchak The Virginia Informer AWARDS: And now for something completely different, a piece about foam, good-looking ladies and gents, and college WM receives antics: a piece about . . . beer tasting? This pint-sized article will be a recurring piece, since there never seems to be a dubious prize lack of people willing to help with taste-tests. So, without further ado, The Virginia Informer presents “What’s on tap.” continued from page one Like any experienced William and Mary student, thoughts of frosty pints guided us directly to the Green Leafe Café, home of

approximately 30 Weapon of choice: The Green Leafe features over 30 beers on tap. hel Brown

beers on tap. The Rac Green Leafe kindly Brown Ale, but with the same moderate carbonation. The played host for two Dominion Irish Red is smooth and sweeter than the Hop Pocket, over-21 thirsty Informer with fewer hops. All in all, a very fl a vorful beer - great for Mug staffers and provided Night! us with eight samples Domion Oak Barrel S t out: T h e last beer I sampled was another of their most popular from the Old Dominion Brewing Company in Ashburn. This drafts. beer is very dark in color, with a very smooth, fi ne carbonation. It has a nutty fl avor from the malt, with other fl avors woven in to Mandie’s recommendations create a satisfying dark beer without the heaviness of Guinness. for the “dark” stuff: Amanda’s recommendations for the “light” stuff: Tupper’s Hop Pocket The joker: Light or dark: Mandie (above) tries Ale: This beer is from Legend Lager: This was very mild and smooth, very light in President Nichol dark beers. Ashburn, Virginia. This appearance. It has a very light bitterness, almost no aftertaste. It received fi rst place in the beer is golden brown in is very similar to Bud Light although it is technically not a “light” annual Campus Outrage color, has a moderate degree of carbonation, and has a bit of a beer (Bud Light is actually the only truly light beer that the Green Awards for the Wren cross, bite at fi rst. It’s a hop-heavy, full-bodied brew, but has a good Leafe keeps on tap). But if you like light beers and want to try with this court jester trophy aftertaste and is not overly heavy. something different, Legend Lager is for you. as the prize. Legend Brown Ale: This beer, from Richmond, Virginia, Bavik Pilsner: This is a Belgian beer, very light in color. It is was a very smooth, nutty fl avored brew. Slightly darker in color more full-bodied than the Legend Lager, with more bitterness than the Hop Pocket Ale, it also has a moderate carbonation, but in both the taste and aftertaste. Even so, the bitterness is not in Arabic script. Offended incorporates more malt and less hops into the fl avor. This one overpowering. This is ideal for someone who wants something a students fi l ed a complaint against was really refreshing, and my favorite of the night! little more substantial than the Legend Lager, but does not want the CRs, accusing them of Dominion Irish Red: Also from Ashburn, Virginia, this to go for the darker brews that Mandie was tasting. “attempts to incite violence and selection was a reddish brown beer, darker than the Legend Paulaner Hefeweisbier: This is a light-colored German beer create a hostile environment.” with a fruity fl avor. The Green Leafe serves it with The school administration a slice of lemon. This is a popular choice among intimidated the CR students until customers, but I didn’t particularly care for the fruity a formal trial found them not Global warming? taste. If I wanted a fruity alcoholic beverage, I would guilty. This is contrasted against prefer a hard cider, rather than a beer with a shot of an incident in Fall 2004, when citrus. But judging by the numerous pitchers of this Arab students attacked CRs who beer being poured the night we did the tasting, you were handing out pro Bush/ may have to judge for yourself. Cheney literature. Campus Woodchuck Amber Draft Cider: This was very police did nothing to protect

Ian R. Whiteside sweet. It tastes like apple juice or apple cider with a the CRs then, and the school very subtle kick. Unlike some of the popular malt administration did nothing to liquor drinks, such as Mike’s Hard Lemonade or Cider, admonish the Arab students. or the fruit-fl avored Smirnoff Ice series, you could The Collegiate Network easily drink the Woodchuck Cider without tasting the is a non-partisan, non-profi t alcohol. It is produced by the Green Mountain Cidery organization that provides in Vermont, and is made of apples and fermented fi n ancial support and training to champagne yeast. This is the perfect drink for someone independent student newspapers who does not like the traditional taste of alcohol or at colleges and universities across wants a break from beer. the country. Editor’s Note: The Virginia Informer would like to For more information about thank the Green Leafe Café and its knowledgeable staff for the the Campus Outrage Awards, free samples and information. We do not endorse underage or visit www.campusmagazine.org. An incovenient sight: Frost-covered tulips found subathing in irresponsible drinking. All Informer staff members involved in Editor’s Note: The Virginia the 30 degree temperatures on campus on April 7. this column are at least 21 years of age. Informer is supported by the Collegiate Network. Tired of Lodge One sushi? Check out Williamsburg Soya

Shelbi Wilson different rolls that range from $2.95 these and range in price from $9.95 to Food Critic to $8.95 based on ingredients. Some $26.95. Kitchen items include Katsu, menu items such as giant clam, lobster Teriyaki, Yakisoba, and Donburi style Shelbi Wilson I love sushi. I am sure other students tail, and sea urchin are market priced. I dinners. These range from $9.95 to share this same passion and have recommend the New York (spicy tuna $19.95 depending on your selection. discovered that the sushi on campus with shrimp tempura) roll – I love This restaurant was a great just does not cut it. Mongolian Buffet spicy food and this was almost too recommendation and I hope that and Lenny’s Gourmet both have good much to handle, in a good way. students will make the trek from sushi, but they still fall short. Based on In addition to sushi, Soya offers campus to Soya to see what it has to a recommendation from a professor, I appetizers, hibachi, and select offer. The service was excellent and decided to try Williamsburg Soya and “kitchen” items. Appetizers include the food was wonderful. I am only sad see how it compared to other locations. salads, edamame, and various seafood that I did not discover it sooner! Soya has a wide selection of sushi, dishes (both fried and broiled). For Williamsburg Soya is located at 4511 which includes the usual favorites those with small appetites, these John Tyler Highway in the Farm Fresh such as California (crab and avocado), options may be the perfect meal. shopping center. Their lunch hours Dragon (fried shrimp and cream Items range from $2.95 to $15.95. are 11:30am to 2pm Monday through cheese), and Hamachi (yellow tail) The larger entrees are either hibachi or Friday; dinner hours from 5pm to rolls. Other interesting rolls include kitchen items. Hibachi dinners include 9:30pm Monday through Sunday. Mirugai (giant clam), Tamago (egg vegetables, chicken, beef (NY strip For more information, please call Keep on rollin’: Shelbi is a big fan of omelet), and Chesapeake (crab cake) or Filet Mignon), seafood (scallops, (757) 229-1212 or visit them online at Williamsburg Soya’s New York sushi roll. rolls. Their menu includes over 40 shrimp, or lobster), or combinations of williamsburgsoya.com.