Asst. News Editor

McDonnell Order Does Not Protect Gays: Omission Based on McDonnell’s State Constitution Interpretation

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell issued an executive order last month protecting state workers from discrimination, but one particular group was left out: gays and lesbians. McDonnell’s Feb. 5 order, issued a month after he took office, “specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, political affiliation or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

New Century College to Hold Conference

George Mason University’s Center of Consciousness Transformation, in conjunction with MasonLEADS, will host a Leadership and Positive Psychology Conference in SUB II on March 19.

The conference is being organized by New Century College students taking NCLC 295, an events management class, and while it is “geared mainly for Mason’s undergrads,” anyone may attend. The students said the function’s main purpose was to give attendees tools to “improve . . . leadership effectiveness” and “grow . . . workplace satisfaction.”

New Fraternity on Campus: Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chartered This Past Weekend

The Greek community at George Mason University got a little bit bigger this weekend. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a colony of the national fraternal organization, joined the ranks of Mason’s fraternities and sororities when it was officially chartered in a ceremony at the International Country Club on Saturday night.

Mason Relocates Data Center ‘Nerve Center’ of Mason Transfers to Aquia Building

The transfer of the George Mason University Data Center from Thompson Hall to the new Aquia Building was partially completed over the winter break.

The Data Center is the computer nerve center that keeps George Mason University’s e-mail system, Internet service, computational systems, electronic records and most of its telephone systems working.

Between Dec. 21 and Jan. 15, crucial components of the system were transferred across campus to the Aquia Building, which will house an expanded Data Center due to renovations on Thompson Hall.

Jammin’ at Starbucks Tuesday Jams Moves from Jazzman’s to Starbucks

Tuesday Jams, the weekly event held in the Johnson Center’s Jazzman’s Café, has a new home this semester.

On Jan. 19, Mason senior Vincent Lacsamana became the first musician to play Tuesday Jams at the Starbucks in Northern Neck, where it will now be hosted on a regular basis outside of the popular coffee outlet.

Addison Brown, a sophomore administration of justice major and chair of the George Mason Concert Committee, said the decision to transfer the event was made last fall in response to the increased student focus on Starbucks, which detracted from patronage at Jazzman’s.