Amanda Hamm

Tue, 05/10/2011 – 22:16 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Josie’s Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt opened its doors last month in Mason’s backyard, offering low-calorie, low-sugar yogurt from its location in University Mall, just across the street from Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

Josie’s offers a relaxed environment with seating both indoors and out. The shop features self-serve yogurt yielding up to one-third fewer calories and less sugar content than its competitors, according to the owner of the Fairfax franchise Jeanne Shewmaker.

Shewmaker said the shop wants to promote a fun and comfortable atmosphere, which includes exciting giveaways and specials for customers. The store has a Facebook page and Twitter that rewards patrons for their support.

The shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/new-frozen-yogurt-shop-near-campus)

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Thu, 04/28/2011 – 09:10 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Drive-in movies and a study lounge are the latest offerings from the office of Off-Campus Student Programs and Services.

The office is collaborating with Weekends at Mason to sponsor two old-fashioned drive-in movies. The event is reserved for Lot L with movies playing on a large screen set up in the parking lot.

Jackass 3D (rated R), is planned for May 5 at 8:00 p.m. Gnomeo and Juliet (rated G), will show on May 6 at 8:00 pm. Admission and refreshments are free; and both movies are open to the community.

And the off-campus student study lounge that started at the end of last semester, was such a success with students that the office will again make the study area available.

The lounge, for off-campus students needing a study area during finals, will be located in the former George’s Restaurant location on the third floor of the Johnson Center from May 8 at 10:00 a.m. through May 14 at 10:00 p.m.

Giveaways and free food are just a few incentives for students to use the study lounge. For questions and more details, contact Mhehvish Khan at mkhanf@gmu.edu.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/campus-student-programs-office-host-end-semester-events)

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Fri, 04/08/2011 – 09:33 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

College students hoping to land an internship with the federal government this summer may face disappointment.

With both Republican and Democratic parties thus far unable to reach an agreement on the budget, current federal employees and even college students seeking employment with federal agencies face a possible government shutdown at midnight Friday. If a government hiring freeze is enacted, it would be the first such shutdown since 1996.

If the Friday deadline passes without a compromise, agencies will send home all non-essential employees and freeze the hiring of all new workers. Openings normally offered to interns would be eliminated as part of the freeze.

According to CNNMoney.com, job forecasts for 2011 college grads found that government agencies are expected to fill 10% fewer posts than it did last year. Also, more than one-third of government employers plan to cut programs that hire new college grads. This would drastically limit the prospects of upcoming graduates and student interns.

Gleason Rowe, graduating Mason senior, said he formerly interned for Sen. Mark Warner on Capitol Hill. He is in the process of looking for summer work with the federal government.

“I have mostly applied for jobs in the private sector, but overall it has been very difficult finding openings [in the government],” Rowe said, something a government shutdown would not help.

Leslie Cook, a Mason junior, worked as a State Dept intern. She said one of the most appealing and competitive programs for new grads and graduate students is the Presidential Management Fellowship, which offers opportunities for students who hope to one day work in high levels of government.

“If a government shutdown occurs, this will be one of the first programs eliminated,” Cook said. “Another student program the State Dept has already decided to cut is the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).”

The SCEP program offers paid experience, and after the intern has completed both their school and work requirements, he or she may be eligible for permanent employment with the agency.

Allyson Bowers, a Mason junior, currently works as a temporary student employee through SCEP. She said that although the program has been around for many years and has been quite successful for the State Dept, there are serious talks of cutting the program.

“Because these are paid positions, the program [SCEP] is on the chopping block. As a result of the supposed cuts, not as many students will be guaranteed a job as previously promised,” Bowers said.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/government-shutdown-threatens-federal-internships)

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Student Government and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity held a joint fundraiser yesterday at The Rat for the Fisher House Foundation. (Jenna Beaver)

Thu, 04/07/2011 – 11:36 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Members of student government and the Kappa Sigma fraternity held a fundraiser at the Rathskeller on Mason’s Fairfax campus Wednesday evening where 15 percent of proceeds were donated to the Fisher House Foundation.

Fisher House is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in times of need by providing humanitarian support beyond what is normally provided by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments.

Since members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates “comfort homes,” built on the grounds of major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times – during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury, according to the group.

Nathan Dorfman, a Mason sophomore and Student Government senator, said members of student government are very appreciative of our country’s service members. He was glad that his fellow senators wanted to give something back.

“We helped fund the construction of a new Fisher House at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda last spring,” Dorfman said.

Khang Nguyen, a Mason sophomore, pledged Kappa Sigma in spring 2010. He said his fraternity helps raise money for Fisher House by hosting two events each academic year.

“In the fall semester, all chapters of Kappa Sigma come together for the Marine Corp Marathon in D.C.,” Nguyen said. “The spring is usually a restaurant fundraiser.”

Kevin Brown, a Mason sophomore, joined Student Government in Feb 2011. He said SG members wanted to get involved with Kappa Sigma’s philanthropy this year.

“The military is a large part of our society and Fisher House is an important program that helps support people in need,” Brown said. “SG wants to show that they care about others [in the community]. Supporting this cause is a great way to bridge the gap between Greek Life and Student Government.”

For more information on the Fisher House Foundation, visit their website.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/philanthropy-brings-together-greek-life-and-student-government)

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Tue, 03/29/2011 – 14:39 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Residents living near George Mason University had the opportunity to meet with city officials Monday evening to discuss a potential overpass connecting Braddock Road to Mason via Prestwick Road.

The informational meeting held at Fairfax Villa Elementary School brought a large turnout of residents interested in the project. Preliminary construction plans were outlined at the meeting, and members of VDOT, FCDOT, Fairfax City councilmembers, and even Mason’s own VP of Facilities were present to address any concerns the public might have with the proposed project.

The concept is that an overpass (or possible underpass) be constructed to help alleviate the traffic congestion surrounding Braddock Road and other roads leading onto campus. Safety was a main concern at a lot of intersections where a left hand turn is present.

Mason officials proposed the bypass to allow traffic to cut around Braddock and Rte. 123, allowing traffic to flow more smoothly.

Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook was in charge of the meeting, and he said there is currently about $10 million available in the Governor’s Transportation Plan that can be used toward the $15 million project. Mason will be responsible for the other $5 million to help fund the work.

“There are so many entities involved in this project that will have to work together,” Cook said.

Some of the ideas to help alleviate problems in the near future will be to lengthen the turn bay near University Mall on Braddock Road. Also under consideration is a traffic light at Braddock and Prestwick (right before the intersection at Rte. 123).

Chris Conklin, from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., represented his company’s interest in the transportation planning aspect of the project. VHB is working with Mason officials to map out the exact placement of the overpass and how it will affect the surrounding community.

“There should be significant improvements at all of the intersections once this plan goes into effect,” Conklin said.

Mason Vice President of Facilities Thomas Calhoun said there has been mention of a West Campus Connector for years. By connecting the west and east campuses, more students would be able to park farther away and still make it onto the main campus without issue.

“This project is still in the idea stage,” Calhoun said. “It’s not going to happen overnight.”

A University and Community Forum to further discuss the project is set for Fairfax City Hall on May 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Previous meeting details and construction plans can be viewed online.

(Original article can be viewed online at http://www.connect2mason.com/content/public-meeting-held-about-proposed-overpass-near-campus)

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