ARTICLES
FOURTH ESTATE
COFFEE CHATS: A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
During my last week of college, I write my farewell letter to the university featuring a large secret I harbored for years: I do not like the taste of coffee. In a bittersweet experience, read my recollections about the many people I met in my journalism journey and extended thanks to those who supported me, all while I pretended to enjoy the drink just to meet more people.
April 26, 2024
GABRIELLA’S STORY: TWO YEARS AFTER RUSSIA’S FULL INVASION OF UKRAINE
An interview was held with a Ukrainian student and the Editor-in-Chief over a coffee. Born in Kyiv, she spoke about her time growing up in Ukraine, her favorite foods, and experience surviving the Russian invasion. She asks the student body and media not to forget about Ukraine as coverage on the topic has lessened.
May 2, 2024
REPORT: BOARD OF VISITORS CONTEST TO DEI AND JUST SOCIETIES INITIATIVE
During a Board of Visitor's meeting, who make executive decisions for the university, heated discussion and debate took place over DEI and Mason's Just Societies Initiative with the attendance of protestors. I found that multiple Visitors who contested against the initiative have no prior direct experience working in the education field, donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to republican campaigns through personal and company finances, formerly worked for the Trump and George W. Bush administrations, have prior publications against DEI, and contributed top donations to Gov. Glenn Youngkin prior to being appointed by him.
May 2, 2024
97 STUDENTS SERVED UNDERCOOKED MEAT AT MASON DINING HALLS
Following a previous article I wrote where dining did not admit to claims of consistently serving students undercooked meat, I revisited the topic a year later and found that 97 verified students reported receiving undercooked meat. Read an apology from dining.
April 28, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS: LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE 44TH STUDENT SENATE
13 resolutions and bills passed by the 44th Student Senate are highlighted, featuring items from free scantrons for students to other legislation focused on diversity, voting rights, student well-being and political statements.
April 13, 2024
PROFESSOR AT MASON RECEIVES THREATS FOLLOWING PUBLICATION
During a Board of Visitor's meeting, a professor shared that following an article she published, she received a personal threat requiring police intervention. The professor received criticism from multiple conservative-leaning outlets following the publication. Read the full statement and an interview from the professor, a statement from the provost, and articles both from the professor and conservative outlets.
April 2, 2024
INTERVIEW WITH CUESTA-MCAULAY TICKET FOR SPRING STUDENT BODY ELECTION
During their campaign, a full interview was held by my staff with the winning presidential ticket for the Student Government. Their campaign focused on the three pillars of student representation, university life and DEI.
March 27, 2024
UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES ALLOWS VECTOR MARKETING AT SPRING CAREER FAIR
During Mason’s job fairs, Vector Marketing is regularly given a booth to recruit college students searching for work. I ask University Career Services why Vector is present, and if they believe it is a legitimate company. Read student’s concerns and experiences as University Career Services defends their presence.
Editor's note for transparency: I published a one-sided opinion piece in 2021 against Vector Marketing following their interactions with high school students throughout the city of Virginia Beach.
March 20, 2024
The President of the university shares that Mason is under federal investigation for antisemitism. A large amount of context including letters, crime logs, incident reports, policy, protest calendars and public organization statements are given within the article to explain the full situation. Full documents are included.
February 18, 2024
JOE BIDEN RALLIES AT GEORGE MASON SCI-TECH CAMPUS, INTERRUPTED BY PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTERS
On a short notice, I went to cover the Biden-Harris campaign appearance at Mason’s Sci-Tech campus. During their pro-abortion rally, at least fourteen pro-Palestine protestors interrupted Biden’s speech in sequence, making national headlines the next morning.
January 24, 2024
As the new freshmen class arrives, I reach out to three students to ask about their dreams and why they chose Mason. Later on, they can look back on this when they walk the stage. Hear stories from a Computer Game Design major, a woman in STEM, and a Psychology major.
October 2, 2023
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: MY INTRODUCTION
I send out my first letter as Editor-in-Chief of Fourth Estate, the college paper. Here, I share that I pulled together an expansive team of various majors and artists, focusing our coverage on diverse thought, innovation and government affairs for the year.
September 26, 2023
Without inserting my personal political views, I cite concerns with the weaponization of AI against political opponents, especially when one example was used to undress a congresswoman for a satire piece. I speak more about open doors, and what this may mean for future elections.
July 21, 2023 | Opinion
ATTACK ON REP. CONNOLLY DISTRICT OFFICE IMPACTS MASON
After a man attacks interns at the local Representative Gerald Connolly’s office, Government students feel uneasy on campus about pursuing work. Hear thoughts from the Schar School Dean, and one student who claims she brought a bulletproof shield to work every day when she interned for Rep. Connolly at Capitol Hill.
June 13, 2023
CHATGPT BOTH PROHIBITED AND WELCOMED INTO CLASSROOMS
After ChatGPT launches in Fall 2022, Mason professors both welcome and prohibit its use. Hear one professor’s thoughts on how AI may benefit students in the classroom, and watch me interview ChatGPT itself to ask if it will take over academia.
June 13, 2023
MASON STUDENT CONDUCTS STING OPERATIONS
After a Mason student went viral on TikTok for exposing pedophiles in public, gathering a mass of over eight million views and one million likes, the account owner was found using unethical practices and further inviting non-student pedophiles to come to campus. See Mason PD's statement.
May 6, 2023
Five local government officials of Reps. Gerry Connolly, Jennifer Wexton, Former Rep. Tom Davis, Virginia State Delegate Kaye Kory and Visiting Fellow at Independent Women’s Forum Karina Lipsman visited Mason to present a political Town Hall for students. See their hot topic debate about the debt-ceiling.
May 6, 2023
RAW MEAT SERVED AT MASON DINING HALLS
Following student complaints, an investigation was done to uncover servings of raw meat, bugs, hair, and metal bolts being served to students. See student testimonies and the subsequent response from Mason Dining regarding the discovery.
April 24, 2023
MASON CONSIDERING TUITION RAISE FOR NEXT YEAR
Mason offers one of the lowest university tuitions in Virginia. However, Mason considers a flat $300 increase in tuition following challenges to sustain funding amidst inflation, student growth and expansion costs, and competitive pay for professors.
April 21, 2023
NEW STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT ELECTED
In one of Mason's closest votes in history, the winning ticket of Paul Wyche and Nell Palumbo were elected to the office of Student Body President and Vice President by three votes. See their platform and mission to "Make sure Mason is a place for all."
April 11, 2023
YOU BE YOU
Student Adam Rizzoli founded an RSO to create a community for neurodiverse and disabled students at Mason. See Rizzoli's initiatives to foster awareness and aid for students on campus.
March 20, 2023
NEW SOLAR PANELS ADDED TO MASON
Student Carolyn Bowers initiated a project to build new solar panels at Mason and was funded $200,000 by the school for her idea. See Mason's adamant dedication to sustainability and their zero-waste plan on Fairfax campus, and endorsement of student involvement in their endeavors.
March 6, 2023
GENERATION ACTION COMES TO MASON
Planned Parenthood founded a chapter at George Mason University to encourage women's rights and sexual health topics for students. Students can learn how to get involved with the club and view their recent awareness events on campus as well as marches in D.C.
March 6, 2023
VISITING PROTEST GROUPS HARASS AND THREATEN STUDENTS
An investigation was conducted with dozens of students, faculty, and university policy to determine the legal fine lines of visitor protest regulations. What was found were allegations of broken guidelines through harassment, violence, and stalking testimonies without a record of consequence.
November 16, 2022
425 STUDENTS VOTE AT MERTEN HALL ON ELECTION DAY
425 students were able to register with their dorm address and vote for the 11th District at Merten Hall. This is a big increase from last year’s count of 331 votes after same-day registration. Will Mason continue to see an increase in the next few years?
November 10, 2022
STUDENTS WEIGH THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF TO-GO BOXES AT THE DINING HALLS
After the COVID-19 pandemic, to-go boxes are an option offered at many Virginia colleges, however, it is not currently offered at Mason. In a post-COVID-19 setting, how does Mason handle busy hours in the dining halls?
October 18, 2022
I FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
After having no option of "Other" on official college applications, I speak to how broad categories in Affirmative Action causes an unfair disadvantage to Guyanese and indo-caribbean people who have lower education attainment rates, but must identify as Asian against their wishes.
May 15, 2023 | Opinion
GAS PRICES INCREASE IMPACTS STUDENTS
Following the invasion of Ukraine, Americans were affected by a rapid raise in gas prices in which Fairfax had the highest rate in VA. With Mason being a commuter school, many college-aged students cited their struggles in going to school, with some petitioning for Mason to make all courses go hybrid until further notice.
April 10, 2022
STUDENTS REACT TO OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE
Americans shared various reactions on June 24 when the Supreme Court made the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. See Mason students and organizations personally explain how abortion rights have impacted their lives.
July 15, 2022
MASON STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Mason released a statement to the student body standing in solidarity with Ukrainians. Interviewed were a Ukraine war veteran who gave their thoughts, students, and professors who were experts on the topic.
March 22, 2022
SUNDEVIL TIMES
GETTING TO KNOW VIRGINIA DELEGATE JASON MIYARES
Miyares, a former Salem High student and now Virginia attorney general tells students about his inspirations, family, and the old senior prank back in grade school.
August 5, 2021
GETTING TO KNOW CONGRESSWOMAN ELAINE LURIA
Numerous students ask congresswoman Elaine Luria about her personal life, and history in the Navy.
June 3, 2021
GETTING TO KNOW VBCPS CHAIRWOMAN CAROLYN RYE
Eight students and one teacher are given the opportunity to interview VBCPS Chairwoman Carolyn Rye about her life outside of office and endeavors with the school board, specifically regarding student health.
May 7, 2021
GETTING TO KNOW MAYOR BOBBY DYER
Nine students and one teacher are given the opportunity to interview Virginia Beach mayor Robert M. Dyer about his life outside of office.
May 4, 2021
YOU HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY A MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING SCHEME
Revisiting high school journalism, following an unethical business reaching out to students in Virginia Beach an investigation was done to reveal the company’s poor practices, targeting of young adults, and showcase numerous testimonies of harassment and even death threats towards local students.
Editor's Note: While this was published as a "News" article years ago, I consider this an opinion piece as I write harshly against Vector Marketing.
April 21, 2021 | Opinion
29 students, professors, and Principal Leanne Turnbull-Palette are asked to review 19 AP courses, the workload, and the teachers at Salem High School as future students now have more information before signing up for their courses.
March 31, 2021
A record interview count was held for a local high school newspaper after 43 high school seniors were given a spotlight to tell freshmen a piece of advice they wish they had known at a younger age.
March 9, 2021