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Free shots combat flu on campus

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In response to growing concern about the spread of the seasonal influenza virus around campus this season, the Office of Health Education, the Student Health Center and the Student Assembly joined forces Wednesday to immunize hundreds of College of William and Mary students.

Approximately 200 students were immunized at the Sadler Center in Chesapeake A. The first 125 students received their shots for free, while those who arrived later were charged $20. A second clinic was held at the
Marshall-Wythe School of Law School, where the first 50 students to arrive received free shots.

The clinics are a product of the SA’s Continued Seasonal Influenza Prevention Act, sponsored by Sens. Eric Scalzo J.D.’11, Erik Houser ’10, Steven Nelson ’10, Ben Brown ’11 and Imad Matini ’11.

“So far we, the Student Assembly, have helped with the vaccination of over 1,000 students,” Matini said in an e-mail. “Overall the student showing was unbelievable. Shots were sold out within the first hour, with wait times being minimal. This is obviously a program that students feel is necessary and have been in favor of this service.”

Matini co-sponsored the original Seasonal Influenza Prevention Act, passed on Sept. 9. Another co-sponsor of that bill, Sen. Stef Felitto ’12, did not support this past week’s round of flu shots.

“[The Continued Seasonal Influenza Prevention Act] called for a referendum question at the end of the year to see if students would be willing to pay a fee to make this initiative more sustainable in the future, bringing free shots to campus — financed by that fee,” Felitto said in an e-mail. “This is one of the reasons why I was against this bill, [sic] if a student wants a shot they should just pay for it, [sic] or get it in some sort of free campaign like the one the SA offered rather than having every student support the relatively few students who would actually take the initiative to get vaccinated.”

The second version of the act allocated $3,500 from the Consolidated Reserve Fund to pay for the free shots offered Wednesday and Thursday.

“The turnout to these programs has been very good,” Felitto said. “I am aware that all of the 300 shots and then some were given away in the Sept. 9th campaign, and I believe that all the shots were given away this last Wednesday. Students are very receptive to these programs, especially with the heightened presence of the flu virus and flu awareness on campus.”

The only form of advertisement for the event was a campus-wide e-mail sent by SA President Sarah Rojas.

In total, the health center reported that approximately 1,500 flu shots have been administered this year. In last week’s clinics, about 200 flu shots were given.

“I am really happy that these clinics have gone this well, and hopefully it will help keep the students healthy here at the College,” Matini said. “It demonstrates that we as the Student Assembly can actually get things done for our fellow students.”

H1N1 not believed to be a threat

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Swine flu has slowly spread to the students, faculty and staff of the College of William and Mary, but the
Student Health Center does not foresee the H1N1 virus becoming an issue.

Vice President for Administration Anna B. Martin sent out an e-mail Oct. 30 informing students and faculty about the prevalence of swine flu. It included information about services the health center provides, such as emergency nutrition packs available to students who have the virus.

“The most important thing is practicing good, safe hygiene, which includes not sharing drinks or utensils, good hand washing, using hand sanitizer, and having good nutrition,” Virginia Wells, medical director of the health center and infectious disease specialist, said. “We’ve handed out at least 2,000 kits, complete with tissues, masks and hand sanitizer. We’re trying to meet the needs of growing numbers of students, working through lunches, and seeing everyone who called.”

According to Martin, since Sept. 1 there have been about 530 reported cases of the virus. However, only about 40-50 cases have been active at any one time.

“At this point, it’s been less than half [of a percent] of the student population, which is not significant,” Wells said. “We’re doing much better with swine flu than other universities.”

When a student with flu-like symptoms comes to the health center, Wells says that her staff tests students for the seasonal flu because of a lack of access to the H1N1 test.

“We’re doing a rapid influenza test that we use for seasonal flu because we don’t have access to the TCR test used to test for swine flu. Right now, that’s only available in hospitals and labs,” Wells said. “So, the H1N1 diagnosis is more of a clinical diagnosis presumed to be H1N1, based on data from CDC and state and local health departments. As far as we know, there’s no seasonal flu that’s hit yet.”

Wells recommends that students abstain from going to class and remain in one location if they are diagnosed with the H1N1 virus by a health service.

“Following recommendations from the CDC, students with swine flu should stay in their rooms but do not need to be quarantined,” Wells said. “Their roommates should stay at least six feet away. It’s spread just like all other respiratory [illnesses] — through coughing and sneezing.”

The vaccine for the virus has not yet been made available to students and staff, and Wells said she does not know an exact date when it will become available.

“We’re at the mercy of the state health department, but we’re hoping that it will become available to us in the next couple of weeks,” Wells said. “As soon as it comes, we will send notices via multimedia. We’ll hold mass vaccine clinics and try to get everyone vaccinated, which is free for everyone.”

All students will be able to be tested, but some will be eligible for vaccination sooner than others.

“When the first shipment comes, it will likely be limited, and we’ll try to target compromised students first,” Wells said. “This includes immune-compromised illnesses.”

Voting Information 2009

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Click on the graphic to the right to find out what you need to know to vote in Williamsburg Nov. 3.

During last year’s presidential election, students who were unsure of their exact address were provided that information at the polls. According to Williamsburg Elections Officer Michael Douglass ’11, that information will not be provided this year. Below are the addresses for all on-campus housing. All addresses are Williamsburg, VA 23185.

If you registered to vote in last fall’s election with an address you are no longer living at this year, don’t avoid voting. You can still cast a ballot by filling out a change of residence form at the polls.

Barrett Residence Hall
313 Jamestown Road

Botetourt Complex
100 Wake Drive

Brown Residence Hall
107 N Boundary Street

Bryan Complex
300 Richmond Road

Bryan Residence Hall
300A Richmond Road

Cabell Residence Hall
500C Ukrop Way

Camm Residence Hall
300E Ukrop Way

Chandler Residence Hall
701 Landrum Drive

Dawson Residence Hall
300D Richmond Road

Dinwiddie Residence Hall
100E Wake Drive

Dupont Residence Hall
101 Wake Drive

Fauquier Residence Hall
100B Wake Drive

Giles Residence Hall
500B Ukrop Way

Gooch Residence Hall
100C Wake Drive

Graduate Housing Complex
713 S Henry Street

Harrison Residence Hall
500D Ukrop Way

House 1 Residence Hall
111 Richmond Road

House 10 Residence Hall
205 Richmond Road

House 11 Residence Hall
195 Armistead Avenue

House 12 Residence Hall
197 Armistead Avenue

House 2 Residence Hall
127A Richmond Road

House 3 Residence Hall
127B Richmond Road

House 4 Residence Hall
127C Richmond Road

House 5 Residence Hall
127D Richmond Road

House 6 Residence Hall
127E Richmond Road

House 7 Residence Hall
133 Richmond Road

House 8 Residence Hall
151 Richmond Road

House 9 Residence Hall
155 Richmond Road

Hughes Hall
102 Tennis Court Road

Hunt Residence Hall
202 S Boundary Street

Jamestown North Residence Hall
700A Landrum Drive

Jamestown Residence Hall Complex
700 Landrum Drive

Jamestown South Residence Hall
700B Landrum Drive

Jefferson Residence Hall
231 Jamestown Road

Landrum Residence Hall
601 Landrum Drive

Lodges Complex
240 Gooch Drive

Ludwell Complex
100 Rolfe Road

Madison Residence Hall
300B Richmond Road

Monroe Residence Hall
226 Richmond Road

Munford Hall
104 Tennis Court Road

Nicholas Residence Hall
500H Ukrop Way

Nicholson Residence Hall
100D Wake Drive

Old Dominion Residence Hall
201 Richmond Road

Page Residence Hall
500E Ukrop Way

Pleasants Residence Hall
500G Ukrop Way

Preston Residence Hall
500A Ukrop Way

Randolph Complex
500 Ukrop Way

Reves Center & Residence Hall
200 S Boundary Street

Spotswood Residence Hall
100A Wake Drive

Stith Residence Hall
300C Richmond Road

Taliaferro Residence Hall
112 Jamestown Road

Tazewell Residence Hall
500F Ukrop Way

Units
700 Ukrop Way

Yates Residence Hall
600 Ukrop Way

DOG Street chosen as one of America’s best streets

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Colonial Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester Street has been named one of the 10 Great American Streets for 2009.

The award, presented as part of the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America program, was announced officially at a special ceremony in Merchant’s Square Saturday.

The program, which began in 2007, acknowledges distinctive and authentic streets, neighborhoods and public spaces that demonstrate how architectural features, accessibility and functionality can encourage a sense of community.

“We’re very excited to single out Duke of Gloucester as one of this year’s Great Streets,” APA Chief Executive
Officer Paul Farmer said. “While many people think of Duke of Gloucester as just part of a historic district, it actually serves present-day needs with Merchant’s Square.”

DoG Street was selected for its ability to physically and symbolically bridge the past with the present. Not only does the street span from the old Capitol building to the College of William and Mary campus, but it also successfully fuses Colonial Williamsburg’s living history museum with the modern retail environment of Merchant’s Square.

“There aren’t very many streets in America like this, and we commend city leaders and citizens for their thoughtful and grand vision to revert this once-U.S. highway into a living museum,” Farmer said.

At the ceremony, Williamsburg Mayor Jeanne Zeidler, College Board of Visitors member and CEO of The
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Colin Campbell and College President Taylor Reveley each spoke about the contributions their respective institutions regularly make to the street.

“Williamsburg was one of America’s first truly planned communities,” Zeidler said. “Duke of Gloucester is anchored by a seat of learning at one end and a seat of governing on the other. They are linked, as they should be.”

She also stressed that the convergence of the street’s three main uses — historical, institutional and communal — is what makes the street so special.

“This designation for Duke of Gloucester Street comes at a particularly special moment in its history,” Colin
Campbell said. “Seventy-five years ago this month, President Franklin Roosevelt came to the colonial
Capitol to dedicate the newly restored Duke of Gloucester Street and declared it ‘the most historic avenue in America.’ We take pride in this latest recognition for this historic and vibrant boulevard which links the historic area to Merchant’s Square and the College of William and Mary.”

The other 2009 recipients of this designation are: oadway Street in Skagway, Alaska; President Clinton Avenue in Little Rock, Ark.; Front Street in Bath, Maine; South Main Street in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Front Street in Traverse City, Mich.; Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, N.J.; Main Street in Greenville, S.C.; North Main Street in Wheeling, W.Va.; and East Newberry Boulevard in Milwaukee, Wis.

The ceremony coincided with the weekly Williamsburg Farmer’s Market, which was also recently singled out as America’s Favorite Midsize Farmer’s Market by the American Farmland Trust.

CORE discusses hook up culture on campus

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Sociology Department Professor Danielle Currier revealed some secrets about “hooking up” during C.O.R.E.’s (Conversations on Reconciliation and Equality) second session of the year Thursday.

Currier’s talk, entitled “Can I Getcha Number? The Culture of Hooking Up at William and Mary,” was aimed at providing College students and staff with an outlet to discuss their perspectives and opinions on what it means to “hook up.”

The discussion began with students filling out a paper stating their age, race, gender and definition of a hook up as they entered the Caf’s side room.

Definitions were as varied as “any sexual encounter outside of a relationship,” to a “one-night stand,” to some who just simply wrote “sex.” Some gave “a boyfriend or girlfriend” as a response, but those were in the minority.

“A fuzzy definition of hooking up serves everyone well,” Currier said in response to the exercise. “Nobody’s reputation is hurt.”

Currier said that men, by exaggerating their sexual escapades, yearn to establish reputations as studs. Women, on the other hand, downplay their experiences to avoid being labeled promiscuous.

Currier first noticed these trends while conducting a three-year study at Radford University in Southwestern Virginia. Using both surveys and interviews, she also learned that alcohol and boredom serves as instigators for sexual encounters.

“From friends, I’ve learned that Radford is a loose community and I was not very surprised to learn that they are engaging in this activity,” Kevin Buckler ’12 said.

At the end of the talk, many of the attendees reported a dramatic change in their opinions on hooking up. In some cases of sexual assault, the session even encouraged them to report the incident and seek counseling.

When asked about the culture of hooking up at the College compared to Radford, Currier responded that
College students probably hook up less for several reasons: a greater middle-upper class, a more academic focus and less of an alcohol culture.

However, Buckler said that there was definitely a clear hook up society on campus.

“The sex community is very hush-hush here, but there is definitely a significant group of students, both gay and straight, that are hooking up on a regular basis,” he said.
In the future, Currier said she hopes to continue her research on relationships by delving into stigma management and the ways women can avoid labels. She is also interested in studying the disparity in sexual practices between different races and sexual orientations.

3rd option shows progress

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For too long now a middle ground has eluded the two entrenched positions of the Williamsburg housing debate. But if an idea called the “third option” now before the Williamsburg Planning Commission remains popular, the game may change — at least a little. The third option is a great idea that should be pursued, and to a much greater extent than is suggested in its current conception.

Forward-thinking commission members want to adjust the rules for the commercial district that covers much of Richmond Road to allow four unrelated people to inhabit certain types of mixed-use, multi-family buildings, like apartment complexes with restaurants on the ground floor. The idea is that this plan will foster the same type of growth expected to arise from the planned development near Wawa.

This proposal shatters the zero-sum paradigm of old. Students have long felt that they have a right to fewer housing restrictions, while vocal residents saw any concessions to students as preludes to the degradation of this city’s neighborhoods. Since this proposal targets a commercial district in which there are by definition no neighborhoods, residents have no complaints. For our part, we believe it is clear that changes like these that provide more student-friendly housing near campus will make going to school in Williamsburg much easier in the long run.

But this proposal does not offer enough. It does nothing to take the pressure off of students right now, and its greatest political asset — its limited focus — keeps it from having the effect a real overhaul to the city’s ordinances should have. Under this proposal, all of the rental houses adjacent to campus would be omitted. This is unacceptable.

Going forward, these changes should be accepted along with similar changes to other commercial districts in the city. But although that would be progressive, it would also leave us short of our ultimate goal to repeal the three-person rule altogether. Students need to be more persistent in their efforts to register and vote in Williamsburg, because only when we vote in proportion to our numbers will we ever actually gain the attention we deserve.

We can survive swine

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Swine flu is here. And as it turns out, we still are, too. Based on how apocalyptic the reports were over the summer, it may come as a surprise to see the world still turning — with GDP growth returning, to boot. But even if swine flu did not amount to what it might have been, it is still quite the nuisance, and students would be wise to take all of the necessary precautions to ensure their health over the next few months.

This doesn’t have to require much. Just keep doing what you should be doing anyway during flu season. Mostly, that entails practicing good habits like washing your hands regularly and shying away from sharing drinks. And as H1N1 vaccinations become available on campus, take the time to get one. A little jab now can save you considerable trouble later.

We know you know this, but your mom feels better now that we’ve reminded you.

Don’t build over battle of Williamsburg

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As students at the College of William and Mary, we all live in the “Historic Triangle.” Besides being college students, we are local residents and voters, and we have a vested interest in what goes on in Williamsburg. Currently, the Williamsburg Planning Commission is considering a project that will potentially develop 337 acres of land. A major portion of this property constitutes the core battlefield of the Battle of Williamsburg. Due to our close proximity to Colonial Williamsburg, local history outside of this time frame is often overlooked.

The Battle of Williamsburg was a Civil War battle fought as part of the Peninsula Campaign, the Federal drive on the Confederate capital of Richmond. On May 5, 1862, over 70,000 soldiers fought in Williamsburg. The 3,800 men who were killed or injured should not be forgotten. The July 2009 Civil War Sites Advisory Council of the National Parks Service designated this as “core battlefield property,” yet it is currently being considered for development.

The proposal was presented by Riverside Healthcare, which wants to build on 337 acres of property between Route 60, Quarterpath Road and Route 199. Their goal is to build: a 150-bed hospital, 200,000 square feet of medical office space, a 120-bed nursing home, 95 single-family dwellings, 397 senior and attached dwellings, 882 condominium and townhouse units, 202,000 square feet of office space and 400,000 square feet of space for a shopping center.

While the hospital and nursing home are worthy causes, not all options have been considered. If these two structures were built on the southern section of the lot, near the new Harris Teeter, they would be outside of the core battlefield. They would also provide a necessary service to the community, create the intended jobs and revenue, and still save a historically significant property.

A push to build more housing, office space and shopping, considering the current economy, seems misguided. Foreclosures and bankruptcy are still common, and there are still vacancies in current office and housing space. The burden of upkeep for the utilities and roads that would service these potential developments would fall on local residents. For those of you living off campus, this means higher local taxes.

As College students, we are a voice in local politics. We pride ourselves on being able to make a difference, so now is the time to act. The next meeting of the Williamsburg Planning Commission is Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m. in the Stryker Building at 412 North Boundary St. Please go and voice your opinion. Also, join the “Save the Williamsburg Battlefield” Facebook group to show your support and to stay informed about new developments. If you are unable to attend the meeting, check the Facebook page for the names and e-mail addresses of the commission members. E-mailing only takes a few minutes and can have a great impact.

Locals have the ability to influence how and if this development is approved. It is our duty to preserve this historically significant land for future generations and to remember the sacrifices of those who made it important.

E-mail Jen Garrott at jlgarrott@wm.edu.

Beat Banner: quick tips for registration

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Starting Monday morning, College of William and Mary students will be nervously sitting at their computers, watching the clock for the exact moment when it strikes 8:30 a.m. and the entire Banner network slows to a crawl as hundreds of people log in at the exact same second. Most people hate registration with a passion, and understandably so; those five minutes after it starts can determine what you do for the next four months of your life. Struggling with Banner, not getting the classes you want, and figuring out how many credits you need in order to graduate on time can be more stressful than midterms. Below are a few tips to smooth the process.

*Don’t forget your registration number.* This should go without saying, but if you are an underclassman and you need a PIN number to register, make sure you have a meeting with your advisor before registration starts. You do not want to be the one calling your Orientation Aide sobbing about how they lied when they said college was awesome because you missed out on the last spot in Boccaccio’s Decameron.

*Take that history class.* Registration is supposed to get easier every semester. In most history classes, however, more seats open up as registration progresses. So remember, freshmen — if there is a history class that interests you, don’t wait until your senior year to take it.

*Banner stalk.* This can be a useful skill for the weeks after registration and during Add/Drop. Check Banner before, during and after every class because you never know when someone will drop and a spot will open up. It is also a good idea to be aware of developing an obession.

*Know your social class.* If your social class differs from your academic class, you can get into some trouble when registering. If spots are only available for juniors and you are a social junior and an academic senior, Banner will see you as both and not allow you to register. The only way around this is to e-mail the professor and explain why you can’t just be normal and take a regular class load.

*Get on the waitlist.* A waitlist can be a way in for an underclassman looking to get into a major-required class. If you have tried to get into Computer Science Analysis of Sim Models for the past two semesters and failed, e-mail the professor before registration and tell them you will attempt to register with your social class again, but you have had difficulties in the past. But, if you try your luck during registration and find that karma’s paying you back for that time you drunkenly ate a hot dog in Wawa and walked out without paying, take two minutes to shoot that professor an e-mail. Get on the waitlist early enough, and when a spot frees up you will hopefully get an invitation to register next semester.

*Add/Drop.* This is probably the most crucial part of registration even though it occurs next semester. Professors of popular classes will often only allow registration with instructor approval. Many professors will only give this out if you need the class for your major, graduation requirement, or if you had previously e-mailed to get on the waitlist. If neither of these applies to you, then attend the first class and be that annoying person who answers every question to show how interested and dedicated you are to the subject matter in hopes that the professor will let you register.

*Choose alternatives.* Make a dream class schedule, but also include second choices — and third, and fourth — just in case. If you are neither an upperclassman nor guaranteed a spot due to major requirements, getting into your top-choice classes will be difficult. Make alternative choices that you will enjoy or that at least fulfill GER requirements; this way you are at least making progress toward graduating with second-choice classes – or third, or fourth. Another strategy is to look for classes at different times than the classes you want. This way, if you are lucky enough to snag an override you will not have to drop one of the classes you wanted to take.

Behind Closed Doors: How to get a hook-up after Halloween

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As I party hopped this weekend, I realized that Halloween is a wonderfully sexual holiday. Most people’s outfits leave little to the imagination, and, with costumes, there’s a built-in conversation starter: What are you dressed as? Putting on a theoretical or literal mask allows you to act differently than you normally would. But, alas, the bunny costumes have been put away for the winter. Things have been restored to their natural equilibrium — back to square one on the pickup calendar.

So, how does one pick up a hottie without the social lubricant of a sexy costume? This is an age-old question, and there are many answers. Unfortunately, there is no magic checklist for getting panties off. There are, however, a few general steps to initiate the bedroom boogie.

You’ve found someone you’d like to get to know, in the Biblical sense. You need to talk to them. How do you begin?

Confidence underlies any good pickup. You must be sure of your own sexual prowess. If you have to, give yourself a pep talk. “Come on, Maya, you’ve got this. You know your milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.” If you can convince yourself of your attractiveness, you can convince someone else.

The next step is body language. Eye contact is a must. Staring into someone’s eyes lets them know you mean business. Once you’ve gotten them near you, concentrate on keeping your bodies aligned. Don’t let your eyes wander and don’t turn your back. Your body position can start a conversation — a real, carnal conversation.

Rewind. How do you get the person to talk to you? There are two obvious ways: You lure them in with smiles and eye contact or you man up and talk to them. I’m personally a fan of the second option. It cuts straight to the point. If they’re not interested, you know immediately and can move on to someone else.
But what do you open with? You can try the standard introduction and hope you find your way into something deeper. Careful with this, though. It can sometimes lead to the dead-end street of, “You’re from northern Virginia? No way. That’s really awesome. [awkward silence].”

You can spit a classic pickup line like, “Baby are you tired? ’Cause you’ve been running through my mind all night.” If you want to do that, I suggest saying it ironically. The line is an inherent compliment, and as long as it’s not too dirty, there is a fair chance that the object of your affection will be flattered and intrigued if they know you were only half-serious.

My favorite pickup method is just to be straightforward. Something like, “Hi, I’m Maya. You’re really cute, and I’d like to get to know you.” Or alternatively, “Hi, I’m Maya. You’re hot, and I’d like to give you my body as a present.” Whichever.

Perhaps an easier tactic would be to involve them in an activity: “Would you like to get some air?” or “Want to take a shot?” or “Let’s go sit over there.” This will help you see if they want to talk to you alone. It also relieves some awkwardness, since you’ll have something to focus on other than conversation.

Hopefully these tips will get your bodies bumping. Remember that just because you pick someone up, does not mean you’ve issued him or her a free pass to your own personal Busch Gardens. You can decide to abort the mission at any time. You don’t owe anyone anything, no matter how flirty you’ve been all night.

That being said, I hope you don’t have to abandon ship. All the sexual tension aroused by scandalous Halloween costumes needs to be released. Happy hunting.

__Maya Horowitz is the Flat Hat sex columnist. She is wondering if it hurt when you fell from heaven.__

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