The University of Mary Washington’s Independent Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922
The
Weekly
Ringer
VOLUME 98 | ISSUE 4
September 27, 2024
Residents in the Mason and Randolph Hall Complex use facilities in neighboring dorms amidst hot water outage
Mason and Randolph Halls and The Link experience hot water outages.
EMMA KINGKEO News Editor On Sept. 19, the Mason and Randolph Complex, which includes The Link, experienced hot water outages that lasted for three days. According to an email sent to residents on Sept. 19 by Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing John Hughey, the
Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
cause of the hot water outage was identified as a failure in the main control board of the hot water heater for Mason, Randolph and The Link. The installation of the replacement was expected to occur on Sept. 20, but because of delays in delivery was completed the day after by Facilities Operations. Although there was no access to hot
water, cold water was still available for use. Many residents, such as freshman Diamond May, attempted to utilize the showers despite the uncomfortable temperatures. “I had fencing, and I wasn’t getting back till 9:30 at night. So I was like, you know what, I’m hot, it’s fine. It was not fine. It was so cold I was shivering by the time I got out,” she said. Students in Randolph Hall were given access to Virginia Hall, and residents of Mason Hall and The Link were given access to Willard Hall to provide them with showers that had working heaters. These buildings have hall-style bathrooms, while the Mason and Randolph Complex is fitted with suite-style bathrooms. “I heard from other people that Virginia specifically was very dirty because everyone was using it because of the water outage, and I think everyone was trying to use the first floor,” said May.
Throughout the outage, students could be observed walking across campus carrying shower caddies and bathrobes. Due to the large influx of people using their designated showers, some students noticed that the bathrooms were in poorer conditions.
“I showered in Virginia, and it was pretty gross because everyone was using it. So it was like, hair on the walls, hair on the floor, it was just gross.” - Gabby Ayala Freshman Gabby Ayala said, “I pushed through [the cold water] for Wednesday and Thursday, [...] but I showered in Virginia, and it was pretty gross because SEE WATER OUTAGES, PAGE 2
Virginia legislature eliminates standardized communication and literacy assessment for prospective educators
ENYA CEA-LAVIN Staff Writer
Over the summer, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved House Bill 731. This piece of legislation eliminates the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment as part of the initial licensure requirement. The elimination of this requirement meant that students struggling to complete the exam were allowed to submit supplemental test scores from other exams, and future students have one less requirement to pursue their teaching license. Student’s feelings regarding the removal of the VCLA are generally positive as it eliminates a hurdle for prospective educators. The assessment previously cost between $90 and $130 and many students had to take it more than once to pass. Josie Lewis, a junior elementary education major, expressed her relief at the elimination of the VCLA. She foresees it as having a positive impact on the profession as it allows a more diverse group to become educators. “It could also make the path to becoming a teacher more accessible to a diverse group of candidates who might otherwise be discouraged by the additional testing requirement,” she said.
News | 7 INSIDE Impact Grant
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allocates funding to campus initiatives
SEE VCLA, PAGE 2
Opinion | 3
UMW students shouldn’t have to resort to Germanna for ASL classes
The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment is no longer required as a part of the process to obtain a teaching license. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Life | 4
12 Angry Jurors kicks off with a bang of the gavel
Sports | 8
UMW women’s volleyball serves up a 3-0 victory over Lady Panthers