History of College disasters - page 8 Four person rule is not enough - page 15 Volume 5 An independent The Virginia publication at the College Issue 4 of William and Mary. October 7, 2009 2008 Collegiate Network Established 2005 Informer Paper of the Year www.VAInformer.com Benefactor of Miller Hall discusses healthcare Alum, healthcare CEO opposes public option

T.D. Crowley surance company to compete with private Contributor insurers. Mr. Miller called the public op- tion supported by the Obama administra- Alan B. Miller came out strongly against tion “very similar, if not exactly the same” the prospect of a public option for health- as the Clinton plan, which was roundly de- care reform Saturday during an hour-long feated in Congress. He expressed concern forum sponsored by Americans For In- that with an endless supply of taxpayer source: wm.edu formed Democracy and hosted by Miller revenue to support it, and said that such a in the new building that bears his name. plan could undercut private insurers while Mr. Miller, a William providing poor service for consumers. Plans unveiled for Richmond and Mary graduate Questioning the statistic that 45.7 mil- and CEO of hospi- lion Americans are without health insur- Road apartments tal management firm ance, Mr. Miller said that the number of Health Services In- American citizens who are both uninsured Will Clements Craftsman site. The press release claims corporated, empha- and could not obtain coverage if they Editor in Chief - VIO that “the College has been working with sized his support for so chose is closer to 16 million. He sug- the William & Mary Real Estate Foun- greater government gested that 12-14 million of those could An architectural drawing was revealed dation to expand options for students regulation of health- MILLER obtain coverage if Congress allowed the last Friday by the William & Mary Real close to campus.” care but suggested purchase of health insurance across state Estate Foundation detailing plans for The plan schedules building to be that the infrastructure and expertise of lines, which would substantially increase apartment style student housing and complete by the fall 2011 semester, private insurance companies could not be competition between insurers and could shops across from Blow Hall on Rich- and construction to begin this summer. easily duplicated by the government. lower premiums. mond Road. According to an Octo- According to the College’s statement, Beginning his remarks by stressing the Mr. Miller also championed a cap on ber 2nd William and Mary News press “the project has been several years in “extremely complicated” nature of prob- punitive damages in malpractice lawsuits. release by Brian Whitson, “a project to the making.” 12,000 square feet of re- lems within American healthcare, Mr. Mill- Not only do high premiums for malprac- bring much-needed student retail and tail space on the first floor will likely be er proceeded to speak about the reforms tice insurance force doctors to charge housing close to the William & Mary occupied by stores and restaurants that proposed by the Clinton administration in campus is moving closer to reality.” would provide students with increased 1994. Under the Clinton plan, the national DONOR SPEAKS ON HEALTHCARE The plans for the three story build- entertainment opportunities. The plans government would have created its own in- continued on page ten ing include student friendly retail stores emphasize outdoor seating for a restau- on the first floor with 14 apartments on rant and a “breezeway” that will allow the second and third floors. The pro- direct access to Richmond Road from posed dorm would accommodate 56 the parking lot. This month the plan Administration makes final speech students. The new dorm will be locat- will be submitted to the Williamsburg’s ed at property acquired by the College’s Architectural Review Board for ap- code change requested by FIRE Real Estate Foundation last year: the proval. Taylor Building and the former Master Elizabeth Hexter list of examples of harassment. Contributor FIRE did not contact the administra- tion of the College directly about imple- According to the Foundation for Indi- menting the final changes. However, the vidual Rights in Education (FIRE), the College was already in the process of Reveley: William and College is on track for a “green light” reviewing the website prior to FIRE’s designation. The “green light” designa- suggestion to revise it. According to tion is given to colleges and universities University Relations, President Reveley Mary must support itself with free-speech-friendly policies. This asked that this process be expedited and Mason Watson designation would reflect the recent the decision has been made to remove Editor at Large “The more out-of-state changes to the College’s speech code the examples in question from the web- students we have, the better for both student and faculty conduct. In site. In a recent interview, President Taylor we’re off financially.” a recent news article, FIRE stated that The administration has already made Reveley spoke honestly about his low all the College had to do was make a several changes to policies regarding expectations for continued state support change to its Office of Equal Opportu- speech in the code of conduct recently, for the College of William and Mary. “We nity website and it would be promoted including eliminating a ban on anony- have been privatized release that, including this new cut, the to “green light” status. According to mous postings and modifying an in- de facto,” he said. “I state has reduced its support for the Col- College Spokesman Brian Whitson, the ternet usage policy that prohibited any don’t think that’s go- lege’s operating budget by $16.6 million administration has decided to make that “unsolicited messages which contain ing to change.” Mr. since 2008 – nearly 32% of the budget. change. profane language or which pander to Reveley explained As Mr. Reveley told The Virginia Informer, The College’s Office of Equal Op- bigotry, sexism or other forms of dis- that the state gov- “every time you turn around you’re being portunity maintains a page on “discrim- crimination.” ernment’s empha- sliced.” ination” that, according to FIRE, “ex- Former Student Assembly Student sis on low taxation The effect of these cuts, which were plicitly includes protected expression as Rights Secretary Braum Katz (’10) first means that budget REVELEY announced midway through the fiscal examples of harassment.” FIRE is in brought the issue of free-speech-stifling cuts – such as the $6.7 million cut in the year, is to seriously destabilize the Col- complete agreement with the definition policies to the administration’s attention College’s operating budget announced lege’s financial plans. The administration of harassment given on the website, but in the Spring of 2008 after the contro- this September – will probably not be re- must come up with a plan to deal with takes issue with the examples of harass- versy over the Sex Workers’ Art Show. versed any time soon. the budget cuts by the time the Board of ment provided on the website, claiming In the aftermath of the show, it became This most recent budget cut is the fifth that they do not match the definition. the College has endured in the last few REVELEY DISCUSSES FINANCES FIRE suggested that the administration FINAL FIRE CHANGE MADE years. President Reveley noted in a press continued on page ten leave that definition up, but remove the continued on page ten CONTENTS Want to get every issue of The Informer in the mail? News...... 2 New WMTV programming E-mail [email protected] with your name and Features...... 5 address, and we will send you an order form and your first Page 4 issue FREE! Arts & Culture...... 11 Opinion...... 14 Page 2 The Virginia October 7, 2009 News Informer Former Rector Powell to kick-off “Ethics Week”

Hart Moore tors and as Rector of Assistant News Editor the College, a position he stepped down from On Tuesday, November 3rd, Mi- this summer. Among chael Powell (’85) will be returning other notable achieve- to his alma mater at the request of ments, Mr. Powell the Honor Council to give a speech has chaired the Fed- kicking off the Honor Council’s eral Communications Ethics Week. Commission from Ethics Week is hosted annually by 2004 to 2005. Most the Honor Council, and it serves to recently, Mr. Powell foster student familiarity with the spoke to students dur- School’s Honor Council and Honor ing the 2007 Convoca- Code. According to Skyler Halbrit- tion Ceremony. er (’11), a member of the Council, Mr. Powell’s tenure “Ethics week is a means of reach- as Rector was marked ing out to the William and Mary by controversy. Fol- community and inducing a dia- lowing the resignation logue between students and Council of former President members about the College’s honor Gene Nichol he faced code.” insinuations from A number of other Ethics Week some students that he events include a guest author, as violated the Honor well as a mock Honor Council trial, Code by mis-charac- which will serve to familiarize stu- terizing the Board’s dents with Honor Council proceed- decision not to renew ings. Mr. Nichol’s contract Mr. Powell, the son of former as unanimous. source: wm.edu Secretary of State Colin Powell, Mr. Powell ad- Ethicist-in-chief: Michael Powell served as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and graduated in 1985 as a brother of dressed town hall Rector of William and Mary. He will return this November to speak at the Honor Council’s Ethics Week. the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. events packed with While at Willam and Mary Mr. students and faculty Powell participated in ROTC. He after the decision and defended campus prompted a handful of stu- as the oldest of its particular kind in served in the military following the actions of the Board and his dents to greet him in protest with the all the Americas. The contem- graduation, and suffered severe in- characterization, noting that in the signs reading “Fire the liar! No porary Honor Council hopes to use juries from an accident suffered business world such decisions are more Powell!” Ethics Week as an educational op- while in Germany. He has served reached by consensus and without William and Mary’s Honor Code portuntiy to better inform students as a member of the Board of Visi- an actual vote. Subsequent visits to has a distinguished history, ranking of ethics-related topics.

Under new management, Mr. Routtinen says pleted state-of-the-art projects in the past for Har- that the establishment’s quality will increase, vard Business School and Georgetown University. Briefly... prices will drop, and more specials will be added. Compiled by Kirk Vernegaard, News Editor The result, Mr. Routtinen believes, will be a more Sustainable Algae Project Underway “college-friendly” enterprise. Mr. Tsitsidopoulos The College of William and Mary and The Vir- - known to many students as “Jerry” - owned the ginia Institute of Marine Science have teamed Delly returns to previous owner Delly for approximately two years. “D-Rey”, the with a number of corporate and public enter- notorious bouncer of The College Delly, will re- prises in order to begin The Chesapeake Algae The Virginia Informer has recently learned that main on the staff according to Routtinen. Project. The project is designed to research ways The College Delly will not be shutting down per- to produce sustainable biofuel from algae by- manently. According to Brian Ruottinen, a cook products. The project aims at reducing harmful at the familiar bar and restaurant, the original Business School Dedicated “dead zones” of algae blooms that persist in the owner has bought the establishment back from The dedication and grand opening of Alan B. Mill- tidewater area. Jerry Tsitsidopoulos over what Mr. Routtinen de- er Hall was Friday, October 2. The new home of Norwegian-based StatoilHydro, an energy com- scribed as a disagreement regarding the style of the Mason School of Business is named in honor of pany, has taken a prominent lead in the project. management. W&M alum Mr. Miller – the founder and CEO of Lars Nordli of StatoilHydro’s biofuel division Mr. Routtinen claims that the original owner, Universal Health Services. The healthcare entrepre- says that “by taking the first step in close coop- local businessman Dean Tsamouras, felt that the neur has been a vocal critic about Obama’s proposed eration with some of the most skilled researchers “the original concept of the Deli had changed.” healthcare bill. the U.S. has to offer in this field, we feel confi- Mr. Tsamouras originally bought The College The $75 million, LEED-certified building repre- dent that we have the best starting point possible Delly in 1986 before selling it again in 2007. sents the entrance to the College’s Western Campus. for reaching a successful result and a good basis That year, it was heavily rumored that Starbucks The architectural firm, Robert A.M. Stern, was re- for attracting new private and public partners in would be the new tenant of the building. sponsible for construction. The company has com- the future.”

Photography/Graphics Staff The Virginia Editorial Board Alec McKinley, Photography Editor Steven Nelson, Editor in Chief Brianna May • Shep Walker Informer Sarah Nadler, Managing Editor Established 2005 Bert Mueller, Executive Editor Will Clements, Copy Staff Editor in Chief, Online Edition Meredith Wachs, Copy Chief Founders Kirk Vernegaard, Joe Luppino-Esposito & Amanda J. Yasenchak News Editor Seema Mahanian • Steve Roney Brittany Lane, Features Editor Thomas Dickens • Stefanie Muldrow Jordan Bloom, Arts & Culture Editor Alexander Powell, October 7, 2009 Opinion Editor Layout Staff Sam McVane, Layout Editor Volume 5 Issue 4 Assistant Editors Ariel Ittah, Assistant Layout Editor Eric Ames Kris Vogel • Josh Karp • Shep Walker The Virginia Informer Hart Moore • Michael Young CSU 7056, P.O. Box 8793 Editors at Large Andrew Blasi • Julia Riesenberg • Michael Watson • Mason Watson Business Staff Williamsburg, VA 23186 Mathias Jamora, Business Editor [email protected] Brandon Bleakley, Assistant Business Editor www.VAInformer.com Mission Statement The Virginia Informer is an independent, non-partisan, student run publica- Outreach Staff tion devoted to reporting the news to the William and Mary community. Morgan Linski, Director The Virginia Informer is produced by students at the College of William and Mary. The We exist to provide an alternative to school sponsored news sources. We opinions expressed in articles, photos, cartoons, or ads are those of the writer(s) or sponsor(s). do not, and never will, receive any financial support from the College of This paper is produced for the benefit of students at the College and is available at no cost William and Mary. We will not shy away from controversy or be afraid Staff Writers for members of the greater Williamsburg community. However, copies should be taken Bryan Alphin • Myles Busching • Jeff Dailey • Justin Duke • Jack Evans only if they are meant to be read and enjoyed. Letters to the editor are welcome and can be to challenge the norm. We strive to inform and engage our readers via Jacob Evans • Alex Guiliano • Braum Katz • Ian Kirkpatrick submitted via e-mail or mail. responsible journalism and in-depth reporting, while fostering and giving Boris Kiselov • Megan Locke • Patrick Macaluso • Phillip Mariscal voice to opinions that are often shut out by the campus establishment. Jennifer Souers • Laura Visochek • Daisy Weill The Virginia Page 3 Informer news October 7, 2009 College’s email contract expires this year Justin Duke Staff Writer

Some students frustrated by problems with cam- pus email will be interested to learn that William and Mary’s current responsibilities may be changing hands. The current email system in place for Wil- liam and Mary is set to expire in June 2010, to be replaced by a new three-year contract. The contract with Mirapoint involves the use of the company’s ‘Mirapoint Message Server’, a system which received an upgrade in 2002, considered a relatively distant past in an industry that offers email systems such as Google’s Gmail, which offers 7.4 GB of email stor- age per student as opposed to the often-truncated inboxes in Mirapoint’s system. Another possibility is WindowsLive. Both services would be free. “Mirapoint’s system has caused a few problems for me,” said Scott Waldman (‘13). “I’ve lost a sched- ule for a choir practice, and a few times I missed an email from my Public Administration professor because the server was tied up.” Another recent hangup in the college email sys- tem occurred last Thursday during the annual Stu- dent Assembly elections, when an email outage trapped campus-wide emails containing URLs and passwords required for ballot completions. A common complaint with Mirapoint is its dated webmail interface, which has been described as slow and less than pretty. “Mirapoint is pretty inconvenient when I need to check my mail often – it loads slowly”, said Melissa Jarmas (12). “After the first week, I always just get it redirected through Mozilla Thunderbird.” Mozilla Thunderbird is a computer program that Alec McKinley offers an alternative to the reportedly sluggish Mi- Campus Email: William and Mary may upgrade its email system to Gmail when its current contract with Mirapoint rapoint system by automatically directing emails expires in 2010. to one’s desktop. It operates similar to Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail. Gmail is also popular with There are few drawbacks to switching away from email structure. Ultimately it is, despite its downfalls, students. Many students bypass the current school Mirapoint. It is possible that many older students a “robust system with little downtime” according email server by having all emails forwarded to an- who are more accustomed to the system may be dis- to William and Mary’s Chief Information Officer other address. mayed at the prospect of readjusting to a different Courtney Carpenter. Greek God and Goddess crowned at all-greek formal

Brittany Lane closed last Wednesday, the top five finalists for Features Editor men and women continued to the next round of voting. This year, the finalists were Steve On Saturday, members of the Greek commu- Fletcher of Beta Theta Pi, John Donehey of nity on campus convened in Trinkle Hall for Delta Phi, Imad Matini of Kappa Delta Rho, an evening of music and dancing at the sec- Paul Berry of Kappa Sigma, Jimmy Mancari ond annual All-Greek Formal. As an effort to of Lambda Chi Alpha, Carrie Litten of Delta bolster attendance of the event last year, the Delta Delta, Lauren O’Hagen of Delta Gam- Inter-Sorority Council (ISC) and the Council ma, Laila Selim of Gamma Phi Beta, K.C. Ma- for Fraternity Affairs (CFA) added the Greek loney of Kappa Alpha Theta and Joy Thomas God/Goddess competition. Associate Director of Kappa Kappa Gamma. of Greek Life and Leadership Anne Arseneau On the night of the formal, those who at- stated that it was “a way to generate some ex- tended received two tickets at the door to cast citement and enthusiasm from individual chap- their vote for one god and one goddess. Dur- ters before the event happened.” Because of its ing the dance, the votes were counted and the success, the competition continued. new Greek God and Goddess were crowned. Many of the chosen candidates agreed that Overall, the nominees viewed the All-Greek their nomination was unexpected. Leacy Burke Formal and voting for a God and Goddess as (’12) of Chi Omega was “very surprised,” and a nice way to rally behind Greek life on cam- Courtesy of Laila Selim Pi Kappa Alpha nominee Nick Dewispelaere pus and spend quality time with friends. Apotheosis: Jim Mancari is crowned as Greek God during the Greek (’10) stated “I guess I’m flattered, though I nev- Finalist Jimmy Mancari (’10) responded, “I Community event in Trinkle Hall last Saturday. er really viewed myself as a Greek God nomi- am ecstatic that not nee.” only my brothers of Juliette Jordan (’10) of Pi Beta Phi even de- Lambda Chi Alpha scribed her nomination as “humorous.” “I’m but also the entire Getting to know WM’s God and Goddess not really a ‘goddess’ - not the beauty pag- WM Greek com- eant type, but I guess that people voted for munity recognized Laila Selim Jim Mancari me because I am Pan-Hellenic in spirit.” Sean me as someone who Haywood (’11) replied, “My reactions to be- epitomizes what it Organization: Gamma Phi Beta Organization: Lamda Chi Alpha ing nominated as the Greek God representa- means to be Greek Hometown: Port Washington, NY Hometown: Massapequa, NY tive of Sigma Chi went in this order: denial, on this campus.” In Year: Senior Year: Senior surprise, flattery, ‘why me?’ and ‘why not Bert regards to the com- Major: History and Medieval and Major: History and Kinesiology Mueller?’” petition, Burke said, Renaissance Studies How does it feel to be a Greek The formal offers the chance for members “No one takes it too What was your reaction to being God? of the Greek community to spend time to- seriously, which lets named Greek Goddess? “I am honored beyond belief...being gether, regardless of chapter affiliation. The it be low key and “It was pretty overwhelming. The voted as the representative of what it Greek God/Goddess contest fostered friendly fun.” amount of people chanting and cheer- truly means to be Greek at William and competition as well, as the chapters of the two Congratulations ing was nuts. I was so shocked to Mary--- words can’t describe the honor. winners received a $100 donation from ISC/ to this year’s Greek see the reaction of my sisters—they I’ve always tried to contribute to the CFA for their philanthropy of choice. God and Goddess, rushed the stage! I felt so happy for my Greek Community here and in a way, I Each sorority and fraternity chapter was able Jim Mancari and sisters who got to have recognition for feel as if this is recognition of that.” to select one candidate. After one round of Laila Selim. the sorority.” online voting by the Greek community, which Page 4 The Virginia October 7, 2009 news Informer WMTV Crossroads premieres Student television show aims to broadcast bi-weekly Michael Young station, let alone any programming. However, Crossroads that premiered on October 1st. The Assistant Features Editor a group of students is actively attempting to Informer caught up with one of the show’s writ- change this perception in a noticeable way. ers, Eamonn Cummings (‘12), who had this to In recent years, many students have grown Many people have seen the Facebook ad cam- say about the structure of the show: “The Show unaware that we even have a campus television paign and wall-to-wall postings for the new show is a news entertainment show. The concept is to showcase professors, events, and all school ac- tivities in a humorous manner. We are taking a lot of inspiration from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.” According to Mr. Cummings, “Crossroads will have a “Crossfire-like” segment called ‘Cross- Check,’ but that will not be the show’s main fo- cus. The section would feature rapid-fire debate between opponents of diametrically-opposed points of view. Crossroads will discuss William and Mary’s academics, sports, arts, and clubs. We have divided up the show into segments to better cover each of these topics. So far we have ‘Bet- ter Know Your Professor,’ ‘CrossCheck,’ ‘Kings of the Hill’ (Student Government), ‘Hark Upon the Fail’ (so we can highlight UVA), ‘The Minor- ity Report’ (to highlight our school’s diversity, and some of the little-known organizations on campus), ‘Cummings and Goings’ (covering cam- pus arts and limited engagements), and ‘TSPN’ (Tribe sports). We are planning to add more as time goes on.” However, many of the other aspects of the show feature Tribe sports fans and club enthusi- asts. Even the art folks are excited because it will be a show that both highlights their events and brings their activities to a wider audience. Many of the show’s segments have already been filmed, including an interview with SA president Sarah Rojas (’10), a trip to UVA on a fact-find- ing mission (which, Cummings has informed me, failed), and even a segment on William and Mary’s own production of the classic, Little Shop of Horrors. The show began on October 1st at 7pm, and it will continue with a new episode every two weeks at the same day and time. Crossroads joins re- cent addition Everyday Gourmet on William and Mary TV, bringing with it a seeming resurgence Courtesy of Crossroads for campus broadcasting. The Virginia Page 5 Informer Features October 7, 2009

Blame It on the Alcohol Fat Weasel Ale bores despite alcohol content

When asked if I wanted to be the bought the beer Friday afternoon Virginia Informer’s beer colum- with the anticipation of drinking it nist, I was at first a little confused. Saturday night at the dinner party source: wm.edu A columnist whose sole job is to that my housemates and I were drink and write about beer is al- hosting. Maybe I hyped it up too Far and away: Rani Mullen observed the Afghan election first-hand as an international ready a foreign concept to me, but much over that 24-hour period, observer. The election has been the subject of intense scrutiny due to claims of electoral manipulation by the Karzai government. a female beer col- and as a result it never umnist is unheard really stood a chance. of. I soon realized Regardless of what hap- that I actually am a pened, Fat Weasel did not Professor served as an legitimate candidate perform its intended task for the position and of enhancing my dining would be an idiot experience on Saturday not to accept the night, which is a colossal international observer offer. Unlike most disappointment. of my friends, I Although Fat Weasel would take a beer did not make a positive in Afghan election over a fruity cock- Kathryn Failon impression on me and tail any day, so why Beer Columnist can be best described as not embrace this a generic strong ale, it did Julia Riesenberg reality and share my experience? teach me a valuable lesson. Just like Editor at Large Also, I now always have an excuse the age old saying, “Don’t judge a A nightmare scenario is one in to drink. This job is perfect for me! book by its cover” I have learned William and Mary assistant profes- which the United States is expected The first beer that I chose to to never again judge a beer by its sor Rani Mullen acted as an interna- to partner with a government dele- try is Fat Weasel Ale from Trader logo. For most people I doubt that tional observer to the presidential gitimized by the very process by Joe’s. I’m a sucker for logos, which this is a problem, but evidently it election in Afghanistan this past Au- which it has hung onto power. explains the impulsive decision to is for me. gust. The election process has been buy this beer in particular. The box I would like for the next beer I stagnated by widespread allegations features what appears to be a wea- try to make my evening better, not of voter fraud, an ongoing contro- election observers William Maley sel wearing a straw hat, sunglasses, worse and even make me want to versy that poses a serious threat to and Marvin Weinbaum, which ana- and a purple button down shirt. drink it again. Fat Weasel failed in the future of the nascent democracy. lyzes the long-term ramifications of Not only is the weasel clothed, but both of these departments. Going Ms. Mullen spent a week stationed an unsettled election. he is also drinking beer from a gi- forward in my beer-testing career in Kabul as one of 80 participants of “It will likely take weeks to deter- ant silver mug. This combination I know to be more cautious about Democracy International’s Election mine whether President Karzai…can of the weasel’s clothes and drink- what I buy. I know that logos are Observation Mission in Afghanistan, avoid a runoff election,” write the ing device fascinated me for some not indicative of how a beer tastes one of the global organizations re- authors. reason, and I decided I must try it. and that it might be in my best in- sponsible for monitoring the elec- Due to the testimonies of inter- Unfortunately, the box does not terest to do a little research prior to tion process. national observers, the United Na- give any information as to what my trip to the grocery store. I have Ms. Mullen reports that she did tions-backed Electoral Complaints type of beer Fat Weasel is, so I faith that the next beer I drink will not personally witness significant Commission, an Afghan and interna- was unpleasantly surprised upon be exponentially better than Fat signs of fraud, though states in her tional panel, has called for a recount opening the first bottle. Fat Wea- Weasel, and I can’t wait to discover blog that colleagues stationed in the of ballot boxes in insecure areas. sel is definitely not for weak beer it. I might even find a really good “insecure areas of southern Afghan- The ECC has the ultimate author- drinkers. It is a very strong ale. Not beer with a horribly boring logo. istan” gave accounts of “stuffed bal- ity to determine the authenticity of only is the taste strong, but so is lot boxes early in the morning when election results, though Western of- the alcohol content – a whopping Editors Note: The Virginia In- observers showed up, political pres- ficials worry that President Karzai’s 7.10% alcohol by volume. Normal- former encourages its readers to please sures exerted by government offi- supporters could accuse the commis- ly this fact would excite me, but I drink responsibly, and in accordance cials to favor President Karzai, and sion of attempting to disenfranchise have learned that nothing about with local, state and federal law. no sign of the mandatory tally sheet Afghans. Fat Weasel excites me. Perhaps this posted on polling center doors.” Furthermore, if the recount “in- can be explained by the fact that I In her most recent posting, Ms. validates enough votes to trigger a Mullen concludes “Afghanistan had runoff,” wrote Mullen, Maley and two elections on August 20th, 2009.” Weinbaum, “the onset of winter by On September 8, the Afghan In- late October and the resulting in- dependent Election Commission accessibility of remote areas would announced that preliminary vote re- mean that such an election would sults gave President Hamid Karzai have to wait until spring. This long a second consecutive victory, claim- delay, with Karzai continuing to hold ing the majority by 54.1 percent. Yet the presidency, would trigger a con- international election officials and stitutional crisis, and possibly an out- observers continue to challenge the break of serious violence in Kabul.” legitimacy of these results, criticiz- “If a decision is made to investi- ing the IEC for refusing to imple- gate all electoral fraud complaints ment stricter safeguards that would and a runoff election is required in discount a significant number of bal- the spring,” the authors call for “an lots, enough to force President Kar- interim government…authorized by zai into a second election against his the country’s Supreme Court and the closest opponent, former Foreign Afghan National Assembly.” Minister Abdullah Abdullah. The election controversy in Af- This criticism follows statements ghanistan could seriously affect in- from the heads of the European ternational and domestic support for Union’s election monitoring com- the Obama administration’s decision mission determining that as many as to expand the war in the country. one-third of the ballots cast in favor As Mullen, Maley and Weinbaum of President Karzai are suspect, and write,“a nightmare scenario is one in in need of further investigation. which the United States is expected Ms. Mullen co-authored an article to partner with a government dele- published in the September 18 issue gitimized by the very process by of Foreign Policy along with fellow which it has hung onto power.” Page 6 The Virginia October 7, 2009 FEATURES Informer

Nooks & Crannies of William and Mary The great William and Mary athletics scandal

Daisy Weill basketball, and baseball teams needed to College athletes before the transcripts technology; all altered transcripts con- Staff Writer step it up and start winning big. were given to the admissions office. tained smudged ‘e’s thanks to a faulty In the forties, the athletic department One of these students, the president of typewriter in the athletics department I’m not the biggest football fan. dominated the school’s budget. It encom- the Women’s Honor Council, was particu- office. That spring, the College’s ad- I have problems sticking around to passed not only all of the school’s varsity larly devastated about the pressure Mr. Mc- ministration confronted Mr. McCray watch games past halftime, and last teams, but it also acted as an academic Cray put on her to break the Honor Code about the altered transcripts that the February, I chose to take a well-need- department, since the College stipulated in order to help the athletics department. admissions office had discovered. Mr. ed nap instead of watching the Super that all students fulfill a physical educa- In an interesting twist, the scandal was only McCray not only denied the allegations, Bowl. Even still, I am jumping up and tion requirement. Rube McCray, the head discovered because of the school’s lack of but blamed them on Alfred Vandewe- down at our football team’s success football coach, headed this department. ghe, an assistant football coach. Mr. so far this season. I know I’m not the Once President Pomfret informed Mr. Vandeweghe was fired immediately. only one. Tickets to the game against McCray of the Board’s instructions, he But the accusations kept coming. Delaware sold out, I’ve never seen so knew he needed to take drastic measures. That summer a faculty committee, many over-sized yellow “Tribe Pride” The football team, as well as the basket- led by the very extraordinary Richard t-shirts worn at once before, and the ball and baseball teams, was far from win- Morton, endured the intense Wil- newly formed Tribal Fever has been ning a majority of its games. liamsburg summer heat to seek out stirring up an incredible energy on By 1951, scandal engulfed the College. the truth. Rube McCray’s actions campus. It turned out that Mr. McCray believed were brought to light, and he, along Decades ago, the College only the best way to improve the quality of the with the head basketball coach, re- dreamed of success like this, and in athletics department was to manipulate signed that August. After Mr. McCray 1946, the Board of Visitors decided the grades of student athletes. Mr. Mc- left, the College divided the athletics to do something about it. Departing Cray coerced professors into raising the department into a smaller athletics from traditional matters of budget grades of poor performers and he gave department and a separate physical management and long-term planning, athletes credits for courses they never at- education department. The adminis- the Board mandated that the College tended. Mr. McCray even pressured three tration reduced funding to the athlet- make it a top priority for the school female students that worked in the ath- ics department, and the College once “to win more contests than we lose.” letic department office to alter the grades again began striving for football vic- In other words, the College’s football, on high school transcripts of potential File Photo tory. The Virginia Page 7 Informer FEATURES October 7, 2009 Physics professor wins raft debate

Jordan Bloom cious Professor, the natural scientist. ed her a graph predicting a world with more French Arts and Culture Editor Economics professor David Feldman followed. Ar- scholars; it showed higher STD’s and lower productiv- guably, he had the toughest job of the night, trying to ity, if you couldn’t guess. Amidst rousing cheers from a jam-packed Common- convince the audience of his discipline’s superiority in Despite some modest ribaldry, the tone remained wealth Auditorium, a William & Mary tradition contin- the midst of the current economic climate. His argu- friendly. Mr. Feldman even offered several high-fives ued last Wednesday. This year, physics professor David ment was apologetic, contending that the social scienc- to his competitors. After winning over the crowd, Armstrong won the debate and the last boat off the es “answer human questions” and “work with issues” Mr. Armstrong graciously commented, “I attribute island, supported by an enthusiastic audience of aspir- rather than figures and so couldn’t be counted on for my modest success in the debate to my adoption of ing scientists. precise predictions. the classic technique of “proof by obfuscation,” and The Raft Debate pits three professors representing Dr. Giulia Pacini went for the throat even during the audience being stacked with physics graduate stu- the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities her expository time, addressing the irony of seeing an dents!” He also made sure to mention his “great re- against each other, each arguing that, in the hypotheti- economist submerged or stranded like so many mort- spect and affection for the humanities and the social cal event that they were stranded on an island, they de- gages and foreclosed homes. She railed against the sciences.” serve the one-person escape raft more than the other. failings of science, citing the 1999 crash of a NASA There really isn’t a more unique tradition than the The fourth, education professor Jeremy Stoddard, orbiter due to a unit conversion error. She didn’t shy Raft Debate; it’s part lecture, part absurd intellectual plays the devil’s advocate, arguing that none of them away from cheap shots, either; she asked who was more exercise, part comedy. It lets us take pride in our cho- deserve saving. likely to procreate, “the inventor, the number cruncher, sen disciplines, cheering along while our professors Each maroon is given ten minutes of speaking time, or the storyteller?” engage in some good-natured rhetoric, and we get to including a seven-minute expository argument and a Props figured into the devil’s advocate’s time, and he see our professors out of the classroom, accessible and three-minute rebuttal. ridiculed the very premise of setting a nuclear physicist, having fun. Totally frivolous, but a damned good time. Mr. Armstrong, coolly confident in a Hawaiian shirt, an economist, and a scholar of French culture against And there was cake after. led off with a metaphor comparing academia to Gil- one another. “It reads like a bad joke,” Mr. Stod- ligan’s Island. Ginger represents the humanities, nice to dard said. He poked holes in Mr. Armstrong’s look at but mostly impractical, and the bumbling, use- metaphor, noting that Gilligan actually got them less Gilligan is, of course, sociology. The savior of the off the island and that the Professor never did Drink of the Week island -- and by implication, academia -- is the preco- anything useful. Addressing Ms. Pacini, he hand- Wild Turkey Whiskey

Alec McKinley I’m on a boat: Three professors, each representing the Social Sciences, Humanities, or Natural Sciences, vie for a one-person boat off of a hypothetical island upon which they were shipwrecked. While each had to prove their respective discipline’s value to the whole of humanity, Physics Professor David Armstron emerged victorious.

Jeff Dailey Jeff Dailey Staff Writer

I will admit that my drinks can air on the side of pomposity, pretension, or down right bastardism. But I’m really not that complicated of a drunk mixolo- gist. Every once in a while, I’ve found, you need to go back to the basics. It’s like in the Mighty Ducks, when Coach Bombay gets back on the ice, just to skate around. There no gimmicks, no fruity mixers, experi- mental teas; no whatever. Here, it’s just bourbon-- Wild Turkey, Rare Breed to be exact. It’s 108 proof, due to its uncut, barrel- strength, and it consists of a blend of 8. 10, and 12 year aged batches of Wild Turkey 101. It’s for sipping, pure-and-simple. Serve on the rocks, with a splash of water; that way you’ll experience its complexity, with- out numbing your taste-buds from the barrel strength liquor.

Editors Note: The Virginia Informer encourages its readers to please drink responsibly, and in accordance with local, state and federal law. Page 8 The Virginia October 7, 2009 Informer Coming through on the other side: A history of disasters at the College of William and Mary

The Sir Christopher Wren Building Jennifer Souers Staff Writer The Wren Building itself has suffered its fair share of fires. Hurricanes. Wars. Tornados. Ice Storms. Fires. In its 300 In 1705, the uncompleted main building of the College burned plus year history, the College of William and Mary has sur- for its first time. While the actual cause of the fire is still unde- vived its fair share of disasters. From the Wren Building to termined, historians theorize that ash spilling from the fireplac- the Randolph Complex, every part of the campus has been es may have been the catalyst. Originally designed to burn coal, touched by some type of natural phenomenon. the fireplaces were built smaller like in England. But in Virgin- ia, where wood was more profuse than coal, the ashes from the large logs spilled onto the hearth and may have likely started the first fire. In 1859, another fire demolished the building. The cause of this fire is also undetermined, but it is thought to have started in the chemistry laboratory. In 1862, the third fire struck the College Building. This last fire was started by the Timeline of natural disasters at the College Fifth Pennsylvania cavalry, who were stationed in Williamsburg during the Civil War. The soldiers started the fire in retaliation for an attack on the town by the Confederate Cavalry. 1693

Incomplete Wren building burns down for the first time. The President’s House

Like the Wren Building, the President’s House has also seen three fires. In 1781, during the Siege 1781 of Yorktown in the American Revolution, the President’s House was converted into a hospi- tal for French soldiers and was accidently set on President’s House has roof dam- fire during the process. In 1834, a tornado came aged by a tornado. through the area and did some damage to the roof. In 1879, another fire caught at the -Presi dent’s House, this time due to a faulty chimney. 1859 In 1922, a third fire gutted the third floor and the center halls. Wren Building burns down for the third and final time. The fire was started by the occupying Union army in retaliation for a Confederate as- Ewell Hall sault on the town. 1879 Before it housed the music department and dean of under- graduate studies, Ewell Hall was the original Phi Beta Kappa President’s House catched on fire auditorium. In 1950, the ceiling caved in under the north bal- for the third time. The fire destroyed cony, partially destroying the auditorium. On December 29, the interior of the third floor and the 1953, the auditorium was completely destroyed by a fire. It was center halls. rebuilt, thanks to John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who gave the College $250,000 for the reconstruction of the Phi Beta Kappa audito- The north balcony of Ewell hall, rium. After the fire, the College decided to build a new structure, then home of Phi Beta Kappa au- thus moving PBK from its home in Ewell to its current location. ditorium, collapses, partially destroy- ing the auditorium. 1953

Jefferson Hall dormitory is com- pletely gutted by a fire which began Storms in the middle of the night and was started by faulty refrigerator wiring. Ernesto Isabel The “Christmas Ice 1998 September 2006 was witness to William and Mary is no stranger Storm” yet another summer storm. What to severe weather or intense storms. Beginning on December 23, In response to Hurrican Isabel, began as Hurricane Ernesto was The 2003 Hurricane Isabel was one 1998, a major ice storm struck the College evacuated the campus. downgraded to a tropical storm of the more serious storms the Col- Virginia, knocking off power for Fortunately, no buildings were seri- by the time it arrived in Virginia. lege has weathered. The Category 5 days and stranding people in their ously damaged. However, the storm did cause a Hurricane made landfall in North homes. The ice became so heavy significant amount of flooding on Carolina and moved up the East and thick on trees that branches the campus, and resulted in the Coast, with the greatest damage be- began falling off under the weight. postponement of the 2006 Con- ing sustained by the Hampton Roads With students on Christmas break, 2005 vocation ceremonies. Convocation area of Virginia north to Washington no students were harmed or in- was not held until mid-September. DC. Students from the College were jured, and the campus buildings evacuated to their homes, with out suffered only minor damages. Co- of state students going home with lonial Williamsburg, however, did roommates, friends, or seeking shel- close its gates to visitors for a short 2006 ter in William and Mary Hall. While time after several guests were nearly the buildings on campus survived injured by falling branches. with little to no damage, the campus The Chi Omega house in Sorority took a few days to regroup, letting Court sustained minor damage from evacuated students make their way a kitchen fire. back to campus. photos from wm.edu The Virginia Page 9 Informer October 7, 2009 Coming through on the other side: A history of disasters at the College of William and Mary

Jennifer Souers Jefferson Hall Staff Writer Hurricanes. Wars. Tornados. Ice Storms. Fires. In its 300 In 1983, Jefferson Hall dormitory was al- plus year history, the College of William and Mary has sur- most completely gutted by fire in the middle vived its fair share of disasters. From the Wren Building to of the night. Faulty wiring in a new refrigera- the Randolph Complex, every part of the campus has been tor on the first floor started the fire, forcing touched by some type of natural phenomenon. students out into a freezing January night, where the temperature outside was around 14°F. Reports from the event recall the fire- fighters’ gloves freezing to the water hoses as they put out the fire. Fortunately, no students were killed or injured in the fire, but Jefferson Timeline of natural disasters at the College Hall was closed until it reopened in 1985.

College is chartered. Sorority Court - Chi Omega House 1705 With fire being the most common disaster at the College, it President’s House damaged by av- makes sense that the most recent disaster was a minor kitchen fire for the first time, having been fire at the Chi Omega house in March 2008. The fire occurred converted into a hospital for the over spring break, so most students were away from the cam- French soldiers helping in the Amer- pus. The residents who remained in the house got out in time, ican Revolution and accidently set and the house suffered only minor damages. alight. 1834

Wren building burns down for the second time, possibly starting in a chemistry lab.

1862 Preston Hall President’s House is set on fire for second time, this time as the result 2005 witnessed another fire in a dormito- of a faulty chimney. ry, this time at Preston Hall in the Randolph Complex. A faulty exhaust fan in the attic of Preston Hall started a fire that greatly dam- 1922 aged the top floors and left smoke damage towards the lower floors. The fire occurred at the end of August, just as students were beginning to move into the dorm. The 70 students assigned to live in Preston instead 1950 moved into the Governor’s Inn, where the College arranged housing. Fortunately, no The PBK auditorium, then housed students were injured during the fire, but 1953 in Ewell, is completely destroyed by the third floor was badly damaged. The a fire. second and first floors sustained extensive smoke damage.

1983

A serious ice storm causes minor Locations of Fires on Campus damage to campus buildings.

2003

Preston Hall in the Randolph Complex caught fire because of a faulty exhaust fan in the attic. The third floor was seriously damaged and the first and second floor sus- tained smoke damage.

Tropical storm Ernesto causes substantial flooding around campus, resulting in the postponement of Convocation. 2008 Page 10 The Virginia October 7, 2009 Informer DONOR SPEAKS ON FINAL FIRE HEALTHCARE: Alumnus namesake of CHANGES MADE: Miller Hall opposes public option continued from page one which the government has not determined to be revisions recommended by more, Mr. Miller said, but the prospect of costly cost-effective. Health Services also manages hospi- malpractice judgments also encourages the practice tals in France and Canada; Mr. Miller said that those College continued institutes from page one final of “defensive medicine”, in which doctors order countries face similar problems. unnecessary tests to appear thorough in the event Alan B. Miller graduated from William and Mary apparent to Mr. Katz “just how unaware students are as to the of a lawsuit. He estimated that defensive medicine in 1958 and obtained his MBA from the University full extent of their First Amendment rights.” This realiza- wastes between $100-125 billion every year. of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He is the chair- tion was a catalyst for his new mission: “I decided that I During a question and answer session, Mr. Miller man, founder, and CEO of Health Services Incor- wanted to educate fellow students about free speech and disputed the claim that government-run healthcare porated and has received a lifetime achievement work proactively to make the College a more free-speech in Europe provides better care than the American award from the American Hospital Federation. In friendly campus.” As part of that mission, Mr. Katz says, system. Citing Health Services’ experience manag- addition to his work in the healthcare field, Mr. “I sat down with the code of conduct and rewrote the ing hospitals in Britain, he called British healthcare Miller is a trustee of and donor to the College, and policies in such a way to make them constitutionally ac- “deficient” in comparison to the United States, due is a retired US Army Captain. The Alan B. Miller ceptable.” Mr. Katz then presented his revised versions to long waits for routine care and in-demand pro- Hall, new home to the Mason School of Business, of the code of conduct policies to the administration. Mr. cedures, poor maintenance of public hospitals, and opened this fall and was dedicated on October 2nd. Katz’s action, combined with the pressure placed on the the unavailability of certain drugs and procedures administration by FIRE, played a large role in their ulti- mate decision to revise the code of conduct. REVELEY DISCUSSES FINANCES: President expresses little hope of future state aid

continued from page one must come mid-year. Mr. Reveley state is unable to support our stressed, however, that he under- operating budget the way it used Visitors meets in November. stood that percentage increases to…then we really need the free- “We’re looking at some really in tuition disproportionately af- dom to support ourselves,” he tough choices,” Mr. Reveley said. fect out-of-state students, who said. The President emphasized that already pay higher tuition rates. But while Mr. Reveley lament- his intention was to avoid raising Mr. Reveley also noted that ed the drop in state support for tuition if at all possible. He noted it is unlikely that the propor- the operating budget, he empha- that alumni donations, always tion of out-of-state students at sized that Richmond continues important, are becoming even the College will be increased, to support the College’s building more essential to the College as though out-of-state students are projects liberally. “They’ve been state support diminishes. “We are a potential source of revenue. very generous,” Mr. Reveley said. working very, very hard to raise “It’s a highly sensitive political He also stressed that William more money each year,” Mr. Rev- issue,” he said. “We really don’t and Mary’s financial troubles eley said, noting that the College have much freedom at all to ad- are by no means unique. “This has received record donations just [the in-state to out-of-state is happening to everybody over from alumni. “Last year we raised ratio].” Nevertheless, he did ac- the country,” he said. “We’re not more money than the College has knowledge that out-of-state stu- alone in it.” The College, he says, ever raised in its history,” he said. dents bring a great deal to the has fared surprisingly well so far. Nevertheless, the possibility college. “The more out-of-state “We’ve gotten through the first of a tuition increase is very real, students we have,” he said, “the two years of the great recession even for the second semester of better we’re off financially.” Mr. with most of our fur intact,” he the current academic year. Since Reveley also indicated his policy said. the budget cuts were announced towards adjustment of the in- The Board of Visitors will after the beginning of the semes- state to out-of-state ratio may decide the College’s response to ter, any tuition hike intended to change if the negative trend in the budget cuts at their meeting compensate for the financial loss state support continues. “If the on November 19 and 20.

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Please make checks payable to The Virginia Informer. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] The Virginia Page 11 Informer Arts & Culture October 7, 2009 Restaurant Review: Baker’s Crust offers trendy ambiance, memorable desserts

Chelsea Sisson Contributor

Movie Review: Anytime something new opens in a town, people talk about it. Having just opened, Baker’s Crust, located on Mon- ticello Avenue, already had this in its fa- The Invention of Lying falls vor, and I was curious to check out this new addition to Williamsburg. With a name like Baker’s Crust, I was expecting just short of excellence a very casual sandwich deli. This was not what I found. Justin Duke Baker’s Crust has a great atmosphere. Staff Writer I did not walk into the deli-like atmo- But, truth be told, it’s still sphere that I expected, but a place with a romantic-comedy and an artsy feel. Beads hung above some of that fact prevents it from the booths, and the lights were dimmed being spectacular. just enough to give it a cosmopolitan air. In addition, the restaurant also had a full Others at my table seemed to agree bar in back, further shaking the precon- that the food was satisfactory. The ma- Imagine, like the writer-director interesting idea centered around the ceived image I held based on its name. jor consensus was that the sandwich was duo of Matthew Robinson and Ricky championing of amorality, descends I found the service very satisfactory one of best things this restaurant had Gervais does in Invention of Lying, from social commentary to heavy- at Baker’s Crust. The waitress for my to offer. The sandwiches range from a world where dishonesty isn’t just handed prose, Invention bores. table seemed determined to keep the typical, such as roasted chicken, to a bit frowned upon but is non-existent. Religion is presented as an outright bread basket full and the drinks replen- more exotic, like the “Mediterranean In his directorial debut, Gervais sham in the film. This is an interest- ished. She even took the time to talk to Chicken Bistro” sandwich. The other presents a fantastic premise – as one ing idea, but the humor falls flat fast- my group for a bit. She informed us that major consensus was that the desserts might surmise from the title, a world er than the main character’s elaborate she was from Poland and asked how we were fantastic. In fact, many at my table in which truth is the norm and ly- lies. Gervais can present atheism all liked school. This politeness added to claimed they would forgo dinner and ing does not exist – that produces he wants, but when he doesn’t make the pleasant and welcoming atmosphere come in just for the desserts. solid laughter for the first fifty min- it funny, the film suffers. around us. The one downside to this restaurant is utes. Ultimately, though, the premise Invention cannot decide the breadth I ordered the baked goat cheese ap- the slightly steep price. My appetizer was alone could not sustain the movie: with which it wants to present its petizer and the Cajun jambalaya pasta. $7.99 by itself, and the pasta was $14.99. the plot graduated from quips and novel take on dishonesty. It tries to I was not dissatisfied with either choice, These prices are not extravagant, but a clever commentary to a portfolio of both quietly present the offbeat tem- however neither one exceeded my expec- strain for the typical college student’s in- romantic comedy tropes and pseu- pos of an uncomfortable romance tations. The baked goat cheese appetizer come. For the quality of the food, these do-pedagogy. and satirize society at large, specifi- was smaller than anticipated. The Cajun prices are a bit high, which is another There isn’t much to be said about cally religion. And when it tries to do Jambalaya pasta was not, as the name thing to consider. My recommenda- the comedy that the film esconses: both with humorless wit and witless might suggest, spicy at all. The best part tion is to try Baker’s Crust, if only for fans of The Office and Extras will humor, it fails miserably. of my meal was the bread, which is un- the desserts and the atmosphere. The feel right at home with Ricky Ger- That being said, the movie is laud- derstandable considering the name of the prices, though, will keep it from becom- vais’ performance, which he delivers able for the audacity with which it restaurant. The food was savory and fill- ing a regular habit, unless your wallet is with characteristic aplomb. Tina Fey perpetuates its good spirits and the ing, and I left feeling satisfied. feeling particularly heavy these days. and Louis C.K.’s performances also charisma of the universally talented stand out, they cope well with the set of leads and cameos. It has its quickly dwindling material they are funny moments, its charming mo- dealt. ments and its ‘awwwww’ moments. The script, co-written by Gervais All of these work very well to win and Robinson, shows a strong ef- you over. They just never present fort to maximize the potential of the themselves with enough rapidity or clearly fertile concept of truth. Sad- simultaneity for the movie to be fan- ly, it is constantly hobbled by being tastic. pulled too many places at once. The All things considered, the presen- writers did not play to their strengths tation of a relatively novel concept consistently; Invention works best and a talented cast elevates The In- when it is quiet and simple, but as vention of Lying to a solid romantic- the relationship between Gervais comedy. But, truth be told, it’s still a and Garner grows, we lose track of romantic-comedy and that fact pre- the script’s humor and find the very vents it from being spectacular. cliches it attempts to skirt. And when Truth hurts, doesn’t it? the thematic structure of the plot, an

www.VAInformer.com All the news that’s fit to go online. Page 12 The Virginia October 7, 2009 arts & culture Informer

The Finer Side: How to walk in heels through life I have a very favorite pair of shoes. They’re a the risk and keep walking. Life without risk is no take your time, to look where you’re going, to pair of black, patent leather, pointed-toe, sling- life at all. Every time you put on the strappy san- see the world around you. If you’re so focused back pumps, with a perilously high dals, there’s a possibility that you’ll trip on falling on the sidewalk in front of you, you’ll stiletto heel. They’re what I automati- on the cobble stone (which, at William miss the scenery around you. You’ll miss the cally wear when I need to feel power- and Mary, is no laughing matter, as I people next to you. Don’t be so concentrated on ful or successful. But walking in these recently discovered!). You have to take what’s beneath your soles that you miss what’s heels isn’t something that most peo- the chance that you’ll be rejected, turned right in front of you. ple are automatically good at. It takes down, or that life won’t turn out the way When you walk in heels, you are in control. practice. Learning how to strut your you thought it would. Sometimes the You are graceful, you are beautiful. You are in stuff in a killer pair of pumps, how- perfect pair of peep-toes just doesn’t fit charge of your life. Only you can put on the t- ever, isn’t the only thing you have to your feet the way you hoped. But some- strap pumps in the morning. When you walk in practice. Life takes practice. Living, Jennifer Souers times everything does work out. Some- heels, you make the decisions; you don’t just let just getting through the day, takes The Finer Side times the job offer comes through, the stuff happen to you. Life is what you make of some skill. Life is stressful right now; acceptance letter from grad school ar- it, and you only get the chance to do this once. as a senior, I am personally inundated with the rives, and the glass slipper fits. And if you do trip or fall, as you’re bound daily stresses of finding a job, studying for the To successfully walk in heels, you have to have to do, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, LSAT, keeping up with coursework, and doing it confidence. You have to stand tall with your shoul- and keep going. You steady your ankle and keep all while trying to maintain a happy, polished im- ders back. You have to put one foot in front of the walking. You may limp for a bit, you may get a age. It’s something that takes practice. And like other and not stare at the ground in front of you, bruise or a blister. There will be people who will walking in heels, it’s something that can only be wondering when you’ll fall next. You can’t tiptoe kick a rock into your shoe. They will do things done one day, one step at a time. your way through life. If you tiptoe in heels, you that will cause you pain. So you stop and shake Walking in heels is like going through life. look timid and awkward. If you tiptoe through life, the rock out of your shoe and go on. But you You have to put your heel down and take a step. you miss the chance to make a difference. You can’t take the next step. You don’t take off the shoe There’s always a risk that you may stumble or run in heels. Ever seen someone try to sprint in and give up. You keep walking. You stand tall, trip, fall or even break an ankle, but you just have 3-inch wedges? Not a pretty sight. You can’t run you throw your shoulders back, and look life in to keep walking gracefully on. You have to take through life either. Walking in heels forces you to the eye. You keep living.

October Schedule Movies Food, Inc Rated: PG Live Performances Oct. 7-11 Dean Shostak’s Crystal Concert Shows at 4:15 and 6:15 pm on Oct. 7-9 Oct. 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30 Shows at 4:30 and 6:30 pm on Oct. 10, 11 Shows at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm

The Williamsburg Syphonia presents Masterworks: In the Loop Concert #1 Rated: Not rated Oct. 13, 14 Shows at 8 pm Oct. 12-18 Shows at 4:30 and 6:30 pm Fiddeworks Oct. 13, 29 Shows at 10:30 am Afghan Star Jamestown Lecture: Becoming Bermudian Rated: Not rated Oct. 20 Oct. 17-22 Show at 7 pm Shows at 4, 5:45, and 7 pm A Recovery Comedy Show: Mark Lundholm Oct. 16 Show at 7 pm The Way We Get By Rated: Not rated Miss Williamsburg Scholarship Pageant Oct. 23-31 Oct. 24 Show at 2, 7:30 pm Shows at 4, 5:45, and 7 pm

Fright Night at The Symphonia Oct. 25 Thirst Shows at 1:30 and 3 pm Rated: R Oct. 30, 31 Sweeny Todd Oct. 27, 28 Shows at 4:15 and 6:45 pm Shows at 7 pm The Virginia Page 13 Informer arts & culture October 7, 2009 Music Review: A Brief History of Love frontloaded but fun

Jack Evans tially the first six songs, but this album is ridiculously thing about The Big Pink (besides The Band refer- Music Critic frontloaded. Around the two-minute mark, opener ence it has to be a euphemism for…hmm, well…) “Crystal Visions” snaps into this amazing spaced- Speaking of which, I hope you like pretentious, out chorus completely out of nowhere. They are would-be artsy pictures of naked chicks on your rock singing, “Do you know the way to the silver covered albums covers! roads?” But it really doesn’t matter what the lyrics Told you Tucker Max would love this band. are. Well, that’s not entirely true. The stupidly catchy lat- There’s this guy Tucker Max I keep hearing about est single “Dominos,” has this for a chorus: “These recently. He’s an admitted sleaze who wrote a New girls fall like dominos.” It’s a bizarre, vaguely sexist, York Times Bestseller about his drunken sexcapades non-sequitur of a lyric and they sing it clearly and and now has written and produced a semi-autobi- triumphantly, like it’s the best lyric they’ve ever writ- ographical movie, which is apparently out now in ten, which it’s definitely not. That honor goes to “If limited release. you really love him/ Tell me that you love him again,” My point is: I am one hundred percent positive which sounds like what Phil Spector used to write for that Tucker Max would love the hell out of The Big the Ronettes’ songs. Pink (ugh, that name). This is a band who, in the The more I think about it, the second half of the hype-filled months right before A Brief History of album might not be bad per se, just not memorable Love was released, came across like the embodiment in any way, although the album closer “Countdown of everything missing from indie rock nowadays: the to Ten” will probably grow on me. But, wow, they kind of brash, hook-driven, hypermasculine and a should have put “Velvet” there instead. little bit misogynistic rock and roll from the 90’s, be- Musically, it’s an epic crescendo of pulsating synth fore grunge and Britpop starting sucking. In short, and bastardized shoegaze guitar. Lyrically, it goes from they looked like they could be the drinking man’s regretful (“I’m not looking for love but it’s hard to MGMT. resist”) to sneering (“These arms of mine don’t care A Brief History of Love is pretty good for essen- who they hold”). It perfectly encapsulates every good

Theater Review: Jean Brodie enthralls as it appalls Travis Jones ematics and History, instead teaching her Marcia Blaine’s headmistress Miss McK- Brodie’s compels the audience to ask Contributor students about European current events ay (Sarah Dixon). McKay judges Miss which one? It is not primarily this ques- and men like Benito Mussolini and Fran- Brodie’s emphasis on “Goodness, Truth, tion, but rather the captivating force and cisco Franco whom she glorifies as over- and Beauty” out of touch with the aims depth of the play’s main characters and turning the status quo she detests. of the school’s traditional character and their interactions that move the play. Sister Helena (Francesca Chilcote, is determined to force her resignation. Playing the titular character, Speas com- ’11), whose narration some three de- Miss Brodie avoids this possibility, keep- mands of the audience the same rapt at- cades later frames the story, tells of how ing her love affairs with the art teacher tention as the girls in the classroom with We’ve all—if we’re lucky—had teach- Miss Brodie’s unorthodoxy and the pre- Teddy Lloyd (Greg Benson, ’11) and an intensity that initially charms and then ers who have changed our lives, whose cocity of her set earns the attention of music teacher Gordon Lowther (CJ Ber- horrifies as we discover the deep flaws boundless energy and dedication in- gin ’11) well under wraps and remaining of her character. Myers’ Sandy shows spires universal admiration and respect otherwise above reproach. the development from a young girl imi- from their pupils. But what happens Remaining at Marcia Blaine, Miss Bro- tating Miss Brodie and trying to win her when one of these teachers become lost Upcoming Theater die continues to take particular interest approval, to a young woman whose in- in this admiration, no longer able to dif- Productions: in her favorite girls, even as they move to telligence and confidence matches and ferentiate between their own desires and the upper school and are no longer un- foils that of Miss Brodie. By the final the needs of their students? This is the der her tutelage, all of whom continue scene between the two, the intensity of question raised by the William and Mary Gross Indecency: The Three to strive for her approval. In her rec- these two strong women at odds with Theatre production of The Prime of Miss Trials of Oscar Wilde ognition of the girls’ talents, however, it one another is so great that they are both Jean Brodie, which ran October 1 through -Director Kristen Pilgrim becomes increasingly clear that her en- engrossing and frightening. October 4 on the Phi Beta Kappa Me- -October 15-17 PBK Lab couragement is by no means selfless. As The play’s bare staging heightened the morial Hall Mainstage. Theater the girls mature, Miss Brodie begins to power of the characters’ interactions. Set in Edinburgh during the early see not only the girls’ talents, but also With a minimum of props and setting 1930s, the play revolves around Miss how she can use them for her own pur- and mostly close lighting, attention is Jean Brodie (Zoe Speas ’12), whose Little Shop of Horrors poses. She sees in Jenny (Maggie Seegers directed toward these interactions in a unconventional teaching methods and -Directors Christopher Owens ’10) the potential to disentangle herself way that leaves one almost desirous of vibrant clothing contrast with the pre- and Gary Green from Lloyd, by putting Jenny in Lloyd’s distraction from the power of the char- vailing nature of the “essentially con- -November 13-15 PBK bed instead. She creates a loyal follow- acters and the unease of the play’s sub- servative” Marcia Blaine School, and the ing and personality cult, backdropped by ject. To leave the theater upon seeing The “Brodie set,” the girls on whose “young Mainstage fascism’s spread across Europe. Finally, Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is to feel kinship shoulders” she endeavors to put “old -November19-22 PBK Studio Mckay forces Brodie from the school. with those characters who interact with heads.” In pursuit of this goal, she es- Theater Sister Helena’s intimation in the first her: first enthralled, then appalled and in chews traditional subjects such as Math- scene that she was a student of Miss the end, entirely depleted.

Students who want to make an WANTED: IMPACT on campus

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Meetings on Mondays, 7:30pm in Blow 331 The Virginia Page 14 October 7, 2009 Opinion Informer

Reland Happel Staff Editorial: Spend my Switch our e-mail money or lose it to Gmail While the rest of the College and its life. One is very helpful and could stand The Informer is pleased to learn that and class mates. If one has to peer re- students are tightening their belts in these to do some good. The other is rather sil- the College is considering switching view others papers they had better be- tough economic times, there is one area ly, but I am sure many students will enjoy from its current email service provider come acquainted with the delete button. of the school that just keeps and benefit from it. The first to a system powered by Gmail. Gmail With a full box important emails can be getting fatter: the consoli- is the allocation of $13,000 is reliable, broadly used and more eas- lost and wreck havoc on a student’s life. dated reserve of the Student of the consolidated reserve ily navigable than the current Mirapoint The Mirapoint set up is just too small. Assembly. The consolidated to health services. This set-up. As the contract with the current The WM email service has only 50 MB reserve is an account held money will provide free or provider is set to expire in the near fu- of storage. Gmail has 7376 MB. The by student government that subsidized STI testing. This ture, we feel almost any change would two aren’t even in the same league. The is comprised of the rollover bill not only spends the CR be an improvement. fact that the College expects the aver- budgets accrued each year. but could very well protect While in the process of switching age student to make due with a limit The balance of this account a good number of students. email service laughable in the is quite large, standing today That we did not already providers, we late 90’s is down around $180,000. This fig- Alexander Powell have free or cheap testing r e c o m m e n d Although The Informer does not right absurd. Stu- ure is constantly on the rise Opinion Editor (a full battery of tests could that the school know whether ending the college’s dents receive more because each student pays cost over $200) on a sexually also look into relationship with Blackboard is the email than the cur- around $200 a year in student fees and active campus is alarming, but that is an changing from best option, we can be sure that look- rent system allows unused money “rolls over” into the ac- issue for another article. The SA is put- Blackboard to ing at other options cannot hurt. and the limit is just count. This is simply ridiculous. ting the CR to good use in this case, and one of its com- a frustrating and While the SA sits on a large pile of I applaud them. The second bill is one petitors. Al- easily solved prob- ever-growing cash, members of the stu- that would provide a ping pong ball dis- though Blackboard has been essentially lem. With a switch to Gmail never again dent body are forced to shell out even penser in the UC so students may enjoy the leading option available in the field would students of the college see that more of our (or our family’s) hard- a wholesome game of ping pong in their of virtual learning environments, there frustrating ‘your mailbox is full’ email. earned cash. Though $100 a semester residences. Perhaps some of the more are now competitors with products that Although The Informer does not know might not seem like a lot each year, that pious among us would raise an eye- are more user friendly than the clunky whether ending the college’s relation- extra money would go a long way in a brow at helping underage students get design of Blackboard. Cornell recently ship with Blackboard is the best option, student’s budget. To put it in the terms smashed (not to mention this bill only experimented with Moodle, another we can be sure that looking at other op- of a recent campus event, $100 a semes- spends a few hundred of the CR), but it virtual learning environment, and had tions cannot hurt. We hope that the col- ter is almost five trips to Busch- Gar is still a step in the right direction. Isn’t very positive results. Colorado State lege spends some time looking at open- dens on student day. The SA cannot in it better to spend the money on some- University and Arizona State University source options and more user-friendly good conscience and should not, being thing that makes campus a little nicer or switched to Kuali in 2009. In turn, a alternatives to Blackboard. elected to be careful stewards of stu- a little more convenient than to have the number of open-source programs have In a year ridden with the ill-tidings dent money, allow student fees to go up money taken from us and then used for sprang up as colleges have found bet- of state funding cuts, we can at least one cent while the consolidated reserve absolutely nothing? ter ways to provide course information take heart that our email experience will continues to grow. If this happens un- While the consolidated reserve still to students. According to Inside Higher improve. Although the changeover to der the SA’s watch, we the student body stands and grows, each one of us is be- Education magazine, an online news Gmail will make a relatively small dif- must throw every senator that allowed it ing cheated. There is no good reason the source dedicated to higher education ference in the lives of students in the out of office. If we vote for a raise in SA needs such a large stockpile of cash. news, colleges can save “many millions” long run, we feel it is worthwhile to student fees while the consolidated re- We, in one voice, must demand that the by switching to an open-source alterna- highlight this good news. It is our be- serve still stands, each one of us should CR is spent to better the school and im- tives. This would surely be a benefit to lief that a change to a Gmail-powered be ashamed. The consolidated reserve prove our lives. If the Student Assembly the school. email service would be a substantial must be spent to make the College bet- approves raising student fees while the Another large and somewhat bother- improvement over our current system, ter. CR increases, they have failed in their some problem that would be fixed by one which is racked by dubious reliabil- On that note, recently the SA has intro- duty and are no better than common switching is the issue of space. Many ity and shoddy design. Google may be duced or passed two bills that I support thieves. students find their in boxes quickly filled talking over, but for the time being, we on the principle of improving student to the brim with mail from clubs, classes kind of like it. The Virginia Page 15 Informer Opinion October 7, 2009 City needs comprehensive housing reform

About 17 years ago, the City of Williamsburg passed students, who typically only live in Williamsburg for nine stands will encourage significantly more people to start a law preventing more than three unrelated people from months of the year. renting. living in the same place together. This law is the infamous The consequence of all these rules is to limit the num- This proposal is a band-aid on a shotgun wound. It’s “three-person-rule.” Since 2003, an ever-growing student ber of houses which can apply to hold just one extra per- a token measure that does very little to address students’ movement has developed to oppose this and other Wil- son. housing concerns. Many City Council members have ex- liamsburg laws that make life hard for students. I’ve spoken to several landlords, and they don’t see this pressed frustration at the Planning Commission’s voting At the end of the summer, the Williamsburg Planning proposal as a valuable investment. Why should a landlord down of the bill, claiming that this proposal is a necessary Commission was asked to advise the City Council on spend a lot of money applying for a permit, which is not step along the way to an ultimate solution. They claim the future of this rule. Just this past week, the Planning guaranteed, when students have that change to the three-person rule must be incremental. Commission essentially agreed to veto the four-person no problem breaking the law and But how long do we want to wait until we get the next, proposal. Though the City Council can still pass this pro- living four, five, or six people to a small, incremental step towards change? In two years, is posal over the Planning Commission’s objections, they house already? the City Council going to offer up another 12 houses just should veto this proposal as it stands. Contrary to what The success of this four person to calm the waters? Will it take longer than two years for you might think, this plan is no improvement at all. proposal, if passed, will perhaps the next proposal? Or will Williamsburg residents use this Here’s what the “four-person-proposal” is all about. It depend on landlords taking ac- fractional step as a reason not to allow any more change would create a special permit to allow for a fourth resi- tion. If they have no incentive to at all? dent to live in certain houses. apply for a four-person permit, Instead of accepting immediate reform that lacks Landlords would have to apply for this permit at a Joshua Karp then students won’t ever see the teeth, we should fight for a legitimate and actual fix to the public meeting in which town residents could voice their benefits of this proposal. broken three-person rule. Accepting the four-person rule complaints, and the overall process would take several But even if landlords do decide that these four-person as it stands is not a change from the status quo. Instead, months from start to finish. It would also cost the land- permits are good investments, how many houses will this now is the time that we let the City Council know how lord $800 to apply, a cost which would be handed down proposal actually affect? we feel about the lack of off-campus housing. Now is directly to students. Twelve. That’s right, only 12 rental houses in Wil- the time that we register to vote in Williamsburg elections In order to apply, the house has to be over 2,000 square liamsburg would become eligible to handle an additional and then vote for people who have long-term, creative feet in size. Many of the houses in which students are fourth resident under the provisions contained in this solutions for student concerns. currently living with four or five people -- breaking the proposal. That’s only 12 more spots for students to live Now is the time for students to stand up for a new law -- are far smaller, and yet can clearly fit more than off campus. The four-person proposal hardly solves our housing policy that doesn’t disadvantage our own ranks. three people. Many of the houses in which three students housing problems. Now is the time that we should make our voices heard. are currently living -- legally -- are far smaller as well, but Some folks may point out that there are about 450 total can handle more than three residents all the same. homes which meet the criteria outlined in the proposal. Joshua Karp is the co-founder of Students for a Better Williams- An eligible house must also have four large parking Unfortunately, only 12 of them are rentals, many of them burg (www.sbwpac.net), a student-run Political Action Committee spaces. If you agree to live under this special permit, you are far away from campus, and for the same reasons land- focusing on student issues. cannot sublet your house, which drives up the price for lords don’t like this plan, it is unlikely that this plan as it College right for investing in business school On Friday, September 25th, alumni and students con- He stated that we will have to fend for ourselves and that, relationship. verged on Miller Hall to participate in generally speaking, we should think of ourselves as self- Yes, other departments are crying foul over the extrava- the “Dog Street to Wall Street” sym- sufficient, ie. private. That begs the question, where then gances. Yes, the school is blatantly suckling at the teat of posium. This event was designed to should the school go for alternate funds? Easy answer: Wall Street. But really, until sociology majors start bringing introduce students to Wall Street and Wall Street. home the bacon, it probably doesn’t matter too much to help them network with alums from Although this may seem laughable at the current time, the powers that be. On a side note, perhaps the school impressive firms such as Morgan in the long-term, this makes perfect sense. The market should consider building a new government building, next Stanley, UBS, JP Morgan, etc. But the will not tank forever. The administration made an invest- on the agenda. Morton really isn’t cutting it and we don’t alums were not the stars at this event; ment in the new business school because it believes that want spiteful government majors working to regulate the real star of the show was the Bert Mueller this is where the College can make up for lost financial these new enterprising business majors out of existence... new building, Miller Hall. The build- Executive Editor ground. There aren’t many ing is wildly ostentatious. Fireplaces? alternate sources of fund- Climate-controlled study rooms? Leather sofas? Yep, it is ing, and rich Wall Street nice. But amidst all these distractions is a real plan that in- alumni could provide a Thank you from all of us at volves the future of William and Mary as a premier learn- steady stream of income to ing institution. school if donor relations The Virginia Informer Cut to the alumni brunch held on September 27th, dur- are well cultivated. More- ing Parent’s Weekend. At this brunch, President Reveley over, strengthening the de- answered questions regarding the future of state funding partment will help students The Informer is an independent publication and does not receive any to the school. His speech was short and to the point: there who will in turn help the public funding, unlike other publications at William and Mary. is no more funding coming. If anything, there will be less. school. It’s a nice symbiotic We would like to especially recognize some of our private supporters. Join Mr. Richard Beard - Mr. Robert Beck Mr. Alberto Chalmeta - J. Peter Clements The Virginia Mr. John Gleie - Mr. Lance Kyle Mr. Sanford Whitwell

Informer The Collegiate Network The Informer is the only paper at William and The Patrick Henry Center Mary that is entirely independent of the College, The Leadership Institute meaning we report the truth and go in-depth to publish what others dare not print! If you would like to support The Virginia Informer, please Come to a meeting: contact us at [email protected]. The Virginia Informer is a nonpartisan group registered as an official student-run organization at the College of William & Mary, and a member of the Associated Mondays Collegiate Press.

7:30pm 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. This paper is produced for the benefit of students at the College and is available at no cost for members of the greater Williamsburg community. Blow 331 However, copies should be taken only if they are meant to be read and enjoyed. In the event an individual or group prevents these copies from being enjoyed by others, the cost to that individual or group will be $15 per copy. Page 16 The Virginia October 7, 2009 Informer Student Assembly holds election, funds STI testing

Sarah Nadler experienced a setback when the school’s Managing Editor email server prevented a mass email sent by polling service eBallot from reaching The end of September was a busy time many students. The issue was resolved for the Student Assembly. A bill allocat- before noon on the day of voting and ing $13,000 from the SA’s consolidated voting hours were extended from 8pm to reserve to fund STI testing passed during 10pm to compensate for the glitch. By the Senate’s September 29 meeting. Stu- the end of the night all positions were dents who visit the Student Health Cen- filled by new representatives, who - cel ter will now be able to receive testing for ebrated with current SA members at the Sexually Transmitted Infections for free. Library Tavern, following a traditional Sponsors of the bill intend to put a ref- “kidnapping” of freshmen victors by Class of 2013 Presidential Results erendum question on the Spring Student their upperclass counterparts. Assembly ballot to ask students whether One referendum question was also they would like to increase their annual voted on by underclassmen, requesting student fees to pay for continued testing. student input on reform of the Honor Monthly invoices from the Health Center Council’s nominating committee. The and Sentara Hospital for STI testing will nominating committee has the power to be paid through the current allocation. exclude candidates from running for the Freshmen SA elections were held on Council. By a resounding 38-point mar- October 1. All other undergraduate gin students indicated their preference classes also voted in the election, though for the committee to reach a unanimous competition was sparse to fill the vari- decision before removing candidates, ous class officer positions. The election rather than continue using a 4/5 majority. Alec McKinley Student Assembly election results

All data courtesy of TheStudentAssembly.org/vote

Class of 2013 SA Senate Position Candidate # of % of Total

Class of 2012 VP Topher Fond 115 34.5% of Social Affairs

Jessica Pierson 112 33.6%

Thomas Rogers 78 23.4%

Write-in 28 8.4%

Class of 2011 VP Erin Mee 183 62.7% for Advocacy

Chris Valeska 83 28.4%

Write-in 26 8.9%

Class of 2010 Mireille Sharp 187 82.7% Secretary

Write-in 39 17.3%

Class of 2013 President Class of 2013 VP for Social Affairs Honor Council Referendum The Honor Council’s Nominating Committee decides each year if a student should be barred from running for the Council. Should the Nominating Committee need to reach a unanimous decision before rejecting a student from running for election?

Class of 2013 VP for Advocacy Class of 2013 Treasurer Class of 2013 Secretary