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Fourth Estate/Andani Munkaila

BY VIVIANA SMITH, NEWS EDITOR, AND ANDANI MUNKAILA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRAPHICS EDITOR

Editor’s Note: Fourth Estate uses language in accordance with AP style guidelines. For more information on the use of the “Israel-Hamas war”, please visit the AP Stylebook.

Members of the student body participated in numerous demonstrations and protests throughout the fall 2023 semester regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

Earlier in the semester, Around 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, Mason students walked out of class, work and other activities to rally together alongside Students for Justice in Palestine at GMU, or SJP, in Wilkins Plaza on the Fairfax campus to protest the U.S. funding of the Israel-Hamas war. 

Protestors shouted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” while raising Palestinian flags and signs stating, “Stop U.S. aid to Israel.” 

According to AP News, President Biden and White House officials requested about $105 Billion dollars to fund military and government operations in both Ukraine and Israel.

The national walkout was initiated by several groups supporting Palestine, including National Students for Justice in Palestine. 

In a post by SJP on Oct. 24, they called for the Mason Community to participate in the national walkout, demanding the university’s acknowledgement of the war and cutting ties with military contracting companies. 

“All of our institutions, including our universities, must be pushed to take clear stances,” an SJP representative said during the walkout. 

In a post by Instagram account Wearedissesnters, the walkout is referred to as the North American Student Walkout. The national walkout included about 100 university and college campuses spanning across the U.S. and Canada.

In a statement on Oct. 9, SJP said, “we call on all those who identify as ‘allies’ to the Palestinian liberation movement to take similar action.” 

In addition to the walkout, various organizations and student groups nationwide have urged further initiatives, such as boycotting companies including Starbucks and McDonald’s. 

In a post on Oct. 22, SJP said, “We, the Students for Justice in Palestine at Mason, call on the Mason Community to join us in a university-wide boycott of all Starbucks locations on campus indefinitely.”

Following the walkout, SJP addressed claims of members from Mason’s Muslim Students’ Association, or MSA following allegations of harassment towards student protesters.

In an Instagram post by MSA, students were urged to report behaviors of harassment and discrimination by counter-protestors. 

“It is imperative that these incidents are reported so that the administration can take action,” MSA said. “We as the university’s Muslim Student Association can hold them accountable.” 

In a statement made by the Office of the President on Nov. 2, the university has increased campus safety measures in accordance with increased standards of protection by National and State administration. 

The increase of campus safety is referred to as the Patriot Plan for Community Safety and Well-Being. 

According to the Office of the President, “Police have increased their presence at gatherings, are providing additional security to high profile events… In addition, you may see increased patrols and presence in high-traffic areas frequented by students.”

Since the National Walkout, SJP has hosted multiple protests on Mason’s campus, including the Chalk the Plaza and Stand up Speak out rally. 

On Nov. 30, SJP led a march towards President Gregory Washington’s office, located at Merten Hall.

In a post by SJP, the group was to meet at Wilkins plaza at 1:30 p.m. and bring “Palestine flags, kuffiyehs, posters, banners, megaphones, drums & noise makers.” 

SJP brought megaphones and began their speeches. Protestors shouted, “Shame on you! Shame on you!” towards Merten Hall.

An SJP member said, “They told us we couldn’t bring speakers, so we didn’t. We just got as many megaphones as we can, and we have our voices because they can’t tell us to be quiet.” 

Another SJP member said,“They are scared of our solidarity! They are trying to divide us!” 

On Dec. 1, SJP announced their plans of attending another assembly at the Justice Center in DC.

In an Instagram post by SJP on Dec. 5, SJP linked a donation effort towards an unidentified Palestinian organizer who the group claimed was a victim of “vicious targeting and doxxing” and allegedly faced death threats at their home, online harassment, and impact on their employment according to the group.

Most recently, SJP released an announcement on their Instagram asking students to wear Keffiyehs to the Fall 2023 commencement, “show George Mason University that even in our joy and celebration, we must show our resistance and solidarity.” SJP said in their post.

Fourth Estate/Viviana Smith

BY MADDIE GIERBER, STAFF WRITER

Last month, Virginia’s Nov. 6 general election put Democrats back in control of the House while maintaining their control of the Senate with a 21-19 majority.

Mason students voted at Merten Hall, which counted a total of 225 ballots for this election. 224 voters checked in to vote at Merten Hall on Mason’s Fairfax campus. 112 voters registered the same day, with 3 voters non-same day registration provisionals. 

With all 140 legislative seats up for grabs and Virginia being only one of four states with a 2023 legislative election, Democratic leaders are hopeful the results are indicative of the upcoming 2024 presidential election. 

Meanwhile, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin will face more Democratic opposition on policies such as his proposed 15-week abortion ban.

Mason Student Government encouraged their fellow students to exercise their right to vote by hosting booths in order to incentivize and reward voters.

Sophomore Kaylee Fernandez, Vice Chair for Government and Community Relations, said, “A lot of people do think that voting and presidential elections are a lot more important than local elections.” 

Fernandez explains that local elections allow voters to influence areas of local government from policies about education to public works. 

Another group encouraging young voters to head to the polls was Next Gen, a campus organization developed to help students register to vote and participate in elections.

Next Gen member, Junior Olivia Nealon, believes getting young voters active is a vital part of encouraging elected officials to consider their needs.

“Politicians often discount ideas and issues that are important to young people,” Nealon said. “It’s really important that young people get out and make their voices heard so politicians take us seriously in the future.”

Reflecting on how this week’s election will impact upcoming races, Government Community Relations Secretary, Junior Fenia Lampiranidou, explains that young voters should not underestimate the value of their vote. 

“Being a collective and having the need to represent ourselves is really important because this is what creates our democracy,” Lamprianidou said. 

Nealon hopes the efforts of Next Gen and Mason Student Government will help students understand local elections are often won by a narrow margin and lay the foundation for more publicized races.

“Get out and make sure your vote is heard in every single election,” Nealon said. “Once you vote it becomes a habit and you’re more likely to vote again.”

Chair of the Government and Community Relations Committee, Sophomore Ilia Sheikholeslami, reminds students that voting is just one of many ways they can participate in local government. 

“You can reach out to representatives, you can protest, you can organize movements. Voting is an important tool, but it’s not your only tool to get your voice out,” Sheikholeslami said. “But it’s still one of the most important tools that you have.”

Students can access more information about voting at MasonVotes.

Fourth Estate/Andani Munkaila

BY ANDANI MUNKAILA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRAPHICS EDITOR

The Mason Office of Strategic Budgeting & Planning has been requested by student government to release the 2023-24 mandatory student budget. The release of this budget would serve as a step to bring more transparency between the University and the public. 

According to the Office of Strategic Budgeting & Planning mission statement, “responsive and financially transparent operations and activities…” are a core value of the department. 

Mason Student Government requested that the university disclose the budget of each department receiving funds from mandatory fees.

Junior Gabriel Curtis, the Secretary of Administrative and Financial Affairs, explained that while the university disclosed the amounts of mandatory student fees each department received, detailed budgets were not made available.

“Regarding the Mandatory Student Fee, the university has disclosed how much [of] mandatory student fees different departments receive. A request was made for the budgets of these departments… this information has not been provided.” Curtis said.

Student Body President Paul Wyche confirmed that the university has no legal obligation to release the requested material. 

“While the Student Government has not been provided with the requested information… the university isn’t obligated by any law to provide said information.” Wyche said.

According to the Code of Virginia, universities are only required to provide information regarding in-state tuition and reduced rate tuition eligibility.

Wyche expressed that disclosing budget information aligned with his administration’s Mandatory Student Fee Transparency Initiative. This initiative aims to offer Mason students a precise understanding of how their tuition is allocated.

“We want to make sure that [the] programs being funded are what students actually want,” Wyche said. “We want to make sure every dollar a student spends on fees and tuition each semester is used as efficiently as possible.”

Wyche further said, “We are currently in the ‘waiting for a reply or meeting’ phase, arguably the longest phase.”

As of Dec. 18, George Mason University has yet to provide the specific materials as requested by Mason Student Government.  

Photo Courtesy Sofya Vetrova

BY CECE FINUCAN, STAFF WRITER

​​The Difference Baker is bringing students together by offering food and baked goods free of 7 of the 9 main allergens. Located in the Nguyen Engineering Building, The Difference Baker is the nation’s first Certified Free From retail location on a college campus.

In a post by gfreefriends on Instagram, Mason was praised for creating a more inclusive dining experience for those with dietary restrictions.

Marketing Director of Mason Dining Sofya Vetrova said, “[The Difference Baker] have set a new standard for campus dining at George Mason by offering a wide range of menu items that cater to diverse dietary needs.” 

Their products are gluten, peanut, tree nut, soy, fish, sesame and crustacean-free. Additionally, The Difference Baker provides dairy-free, egg-free, legume-free dishes, as well as keto and vegan options.

The Difference Baker is one part of Mason’s goal of dining inclusivity. This fall, Mason became the first Spokin Verified College. Spokin is a platform dedicated to helping individuals with food allergies by providing ingredient lists and allergen information.

Additionally, this fall Mason Dining launched the Simple Zone, an allergen-friendly pantry located on the first floor of Southside, and The Spot, an entirely plant-based dining hall. Mason Dining also partners with two local vegan businesses, NuVegan and Sweet Vegan Eats.

Vetrova explains, “inclusive dining is not just about meeting dietary preferences; it’s about creating an environment where everyone can enjoy delicious and wholesome meals.”

To learn more or to get involved with Mason Dining, Vetrova suggests visiting dining.gmu.edu or joining the Student Culinary Council.

Students with dining suggestions or concerns may reach out to Mason Dining by texting “TellSouthside,” “TellIkes,” “TellTheSpot,” “TellTheGlobe,” or “TellRetail” to 82257. Or by using the HappyOrNot machines located at Southside, Ike’s, and The Spot.