The University of Mary Washington’s Independent Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922
The
Weekly
Ringer
VOLUME 98 | ISSUE 1
September 6, 2024
Commonwealth’s Attorney withdraws charges against UMW students arrested at pro-Palestine encampment
ALDEN FRIEND Staff Writer
12 individuals, including nine students, were arrested on Jefferson Square on April 27 after the UMW Students for Justice in Palestine and other clubs affiliated with the Watermelon Coalition established an encampment in solidarity with Gaza. According to a campus-wide email from University President Troy Paino sent on the evening of the arrests, the individuals refused to comply with university policy and were considered trespassing. On June 6, however, Commonwealth’s Attorney Elizabeth Humphries filed a motion to withdraw the criminal charges against the students. “I felt it was incredibly unnecessary for VA State Troopers, Fredericksburg Police, and UMW Police to all show up to arrest 12 peaceful protestors, and they still didn’t have enough cop cars to transport us to the jail using proper
Students for Justice in Palestine band together to establish an encampment in solidarity with Gaza.
Photo courtesy of Amirah Ahmed.
SEE ENCAMPMENT, PAGE 2
UMW proceeds with construction throughout campus
CARLOS NUNES Staff Writer
As students, faculty and staff return to campus for the Fall 2024 semester, some may observe several changes to campus through current and past construction projects. “Hopefully returning students will be appreciative of the improvements, absence of construction detours, and utility outages; but mainly the hope is that all students will be able to focus on their academics and campus experience without having to worry about what goes on behind the scenes,” said Capital Outlay Director Gary Hobson. After four years of construction, UMW has successfully concluded the Underground Utilities Project. The project aimed to upgrade aging infrastructure and improve the efficiency of the university’s water and heating systems. In all, it replaced over 5,000 linear feet of water lines and steam pipes across campus, spanning from Randolph and Mason Halls to Virginia Hall. The work on the project was halted during academic semesters to minimize disruptions, hence the elongated completion time. The new lines
News | 7 INSIDE UMW updates
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RINGER
student handbook
Opinion | 3
Fredericksburg City Council must confront environmental threats
connect directly to daily uses, providing heating for buildings and hot water for sinks and showers in residence halls. “The Underground Utilities Project was extremely challenging but critically important to upgrading our utilities that serve academic and residential spaces, and we greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of the whole UMW Community in bearing with us throughout the four years of the project,” said Hobson. “I am also greatly appreciative of my staff and others for their support.” Monroe Hall remains closed for the Fall 2024 semester due to ongoing roof reconstruction. The project began in November 2023 to address leaks that had developed as the building aged. Initial repairs were limited by temperature restrictions, but as the weather warmed, additional issues were discovered, including water damage to the wooden rafters and substrate. necessitated a more extensive project, prompting the building’s closure. The reconstruction project is expected to extend into the fall semester, and as a result, all classes and offices have been relocated. SEE CONSTRUCTION, PAGE 2
Life | 5
Sip, Study, Socialize: For Five Coffee debuts on campus
Sports | 8
Men’s Soccer soars above NC Wesleyan for the first game of the season