Campus News in Brief

By Broadside Correspondent Gordon Day

Communication Department Introduces Academic Support
The Communication Department is beginning a new initiative to help students with academic advising. The department is implementing an online program in which students can schedule appointments online to meet with their communication advisor. The Communication Department is introducing four new advisors to help with this process. Students are encouraged to sign up and learn about the program before it becomes mandatory in the Spring semester.
Visit the Web site now and get a jump-start on your academic success. The Web site is http://www.communication.acuityscheduling.com.

Fund Raising Designer Jeans Sale
Designer jeans will be available at discounted prices in Dewberry Hall North from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Brands include Seven for All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, J Brand, True Religion, Rock and Republic, Citizens of Humanity and “many more.”

Portions of the earnings will benefit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a private, nonprofit organization.

Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc is hosting the event.
For more information, contact Trin at (703) 725-0268 or Roselliny at (703) 389-9341.

Religion’s Role in the Election
Dr. Gregory A. Smith, a Research Fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, will present his findings on how religion may have played into Election Day results. The event is hosted by the Religious Studies Department and will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Front Ballroom of SUB II.

Smith’s doctoral dissertation on the influence of priests on the voting behavior and political attitudes of American Catholics won the 2006 Aaron Wildaysky Award, which is given by the American Political Science Association for the best dissertation in religion and politics. Georgetown University Press recently published his book, Politics in the Parish: The Political Influence of Catholic Priests.

Following the speech there will be a meet and greet session with complimentary pizza and beverages.

More information on the Pew Forum can be found at www.pewforum.com.

Update Election Day E-mail Mishap
Since tampering with elections is a Federal offense, an e-mail supposedly from the Provost sent in the early hours of November 4, claiming that Election Day had been moved to November 5, is now being investigated by the FBI.
A form on an outside web server was used to “spoof” the e-mail address of the account authorized to send to the announcement list. The company that owns the outside web server has since disabled the form on its site
In order to avoid future incidents, a manual verification step has been added to the central process of sending announcements.

GMU ASCE 5k Turkey Run
The American Society of Civil Engineers will be holding a 5k “Turkey Run” on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m. starting and finishing on the Finley Quad. Registration will be from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m.

All funds financially support events such as Habitat for Humanity and sending a team to the ASCE Regional Conference.
Cost for students with ID is $5, and staff is $10. Those outside Mason may participate for $15. An additional $5 will be required if registering the day of the race.

To participate or to find out more information, contact Cathleen Berry at (571) 435-5594 or at catbrry@gmail.com.

Mason Idol Finals
Finalists for the first Mason Idol have been selected. Hans Choi, Vince Lacsamana, McKenzie Kelleher and Alexandra Colbus will compete on Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Johnson Center Atrium at 8 p.m.

The winner, whoever earns the most votes from the audience, wins $400.

Those unable to attend may watch the live video feed by adding “GMUThings2Do” on Yahoo or AIM Instant Messenger.

George Mason’s Birthday Event
The Mason Alumni Association will be hosting its annual celebration marking the 283rd anniversary of the university namesake’s birth. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center at Gunston Hall in Mason Neck and concludes at 4 p.m. following birthday cake and coffee.

The cost for the event is $15 and includes a special lecture and tour of an archaeological dig site, as well as admission and a tour of the mansion and grounds.

Payment is due in advance and refunds are not available.
For questions or information, contact Andy Ackley at aackley@gmu.edu.

Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
Get involved with the Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive Competition, sponsored by Student Government. This event started on Monday, Nov. 10 and will continue until the end of this week, Friday, Nov. 21 until 7 p.m.

Student organizations can sign up and donate as many non-perishable food items as possible. The organization with the most donations will receive $50 towards a pizza party for their organization and a framed certificate. All donations will go to the Our Daily Bread, located in Fairfax. According to their Web site, “Our Daily Bread is a volunteer-based organization focused on easing the plight of low income residents in the area of Fairfax, Virginia.”
To help with these lower income families in the greater Mason community, get involved with this competition and help your student organization as well.

Student Government is available to pick up donations from groups or organizations from their on-campus location by request on Friday, Nov. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Donations can also be dropped off in the Student Government Office, located in the JC room 133 by the media center, anytime.
Rules for the drive:

1. Must be a recognized Mason Student Organization
2. One non-perishable food item equals one point
3. The organization with the most points wins
4. Donations must be made at the Student Government

Office and must be supervised by a Student Government member
Questions should be directed to Web Bist at vbist@gmu.edu or Richard Louie at rlouie@gmu.edu.

Night Walk Recap
According to Student Government, “Night Walk was a success!” Night Walk took place on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Members of the university administration and students broke into groups and walked around campus searching for safety hazards. The top three priorities based on the notes collected from Night Walk are:

1. The walkway between the Fine Arts Building and Lot K (inside the forest) is still heavily shrouded in forestry and has minimal lighting. Also, the bridge along that path is broken and needs to be addressed.

2. The covered pathway between the Robinson buildings has little lighting at night and students feel unsafe walking through there.

3. University Drive, near the Field House, has no lighting along the road, where cars are often parked and people walk along to get to campus.
All of these problem areas will be addressed and fixed by the university.

Damon’s Policy Change
Damon’s will begin accepting Freedom Funds after 3 p.m. during the weekdays and will continue accepting Freedom Funds all day on the weekends. Damon’s is also aware of special events, such as football games, and stayed open late for the Redskins v. Cowboys game on Sunday, Nov. 16.