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Madeleine Morgenstern

was a 2010-2011 Hatchet campus news editor. Originally from Los Angeles, Madeleine wrote for The Hatchet since her freshman year.
mmorgenstern@gwhatchet.com
Friday, April 15, 2011 7:32 p.m.

Spring Fling relocated to Smith Center, limited to 800 students

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Spring Fling will be held in the Smith Center and attendance will be capped at 800 attendees due to weather concerns.

Originally scheduled to be held on University Yard, Program Board chair Wesley Callahan said the decision was made after thunderstorms were forecasted for Saturday.

Callahan said the fire marshal would only allow 800 people to attend due to the ongoing construction in the Smith Center that has currently closed four of the building’s six entrances,

“We wish we could have had it on the yard, it hurts me that people won’t be able to see the show,” Callahan said. ”It’s very disappointing, this is something we’ve worked for six months on to plan and to prepare…that’s the weather, you can’t beat mother nature.”

The event was originally publicized as “rain or shine,” but Callahan said the severity of the predicted thunder and lightning prompted concerns from the sound and lighting technician about safety.

Mike Posner and Chiddy Bang are still scheduled to perform, but there will be no other entertainment, corporate sponsors or alcohol served, Callahan said. FoBoGro and Tonic will provide food.

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Thursday, April 14, 2011 2:06 p.m.

Students express outrage over Fox News story

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Updated April 14 at 6:09 p.m.

Students have taken to Facebook to express outrage over a Fox News story reporting that a student’s suicide coincided with President Barack Obama’s campus visit Wednesday. reporting that a students suicide coincided with

Fox News removed the story just before 4 p.m., and the link now goes to a “not found” page.

University spokeswoman Candace Smith said the University reached out to Fox News about the story.

“We contacted Fox News to express our concern that the story drew conclusions that were not accurate,” Smith said. “It was their decision to take the story down, and we believe it was a wise one.”

According to a Fox News employee, who spoke on background because they were not permitted to speak in an official capacity, Fox removed the story due to student and University reaction, even though nothing in the story was factually inaccurate.

The employee, an alumnus of the University, added that there were “several GW alums here who felt that it was the wise decision to remove it.”

The story, which appeared on FoxNews.com’s America’s Election HQ blog, said the student’s death “tragically coincides” with the president’s visit:

George Washington University students in Washington, D.C. learned of a tragic coincidence of timing on their campus Wednesday. As President Obama delivered a speech on deficit reduction in the Jack Morton Auditorium, university officials were learning one of their students had committed suicide in his dorm room across campus.

In response, students formed a “HOLD CHERNENKOFF AND FOX NEWS ACCOUNTABLE” event on Facebook, calling for the blog post’s author, Kelley Chernenkoff, to be fired.

In about 10 hours, the group amassed more than 1,060 members.

This article is disgusting even for FOX news standards. We should all stand together to support our fellow student and his family in making sure that this woman gets fired for this RIDICULOUS article. Spread this to all your friends. Let Chernenkoff and FOX news know that they cannot get away with this deplorable behavior. There is absolutely no reason to mention this tragic event in a political article

Danny Leimberg, the event’s creator, posted contact information for Fox News’ headquarters and implored students to call and complain.

“After reading the article I think it’s ridiculous they had that in the politics section in their page, much less implying the relationship between the two,” Leimberg said. “Members of the GW community should be outraged, and his family shouldn’t have to see something like that on the politics blog.”

Leimberg said he wants to see Chernenkoff and the blog’s editor punished.

“I think there should be consequences for the people who publish it,” Leimberg said. “We just need to stand around the student and his family.”

The original article is reproduced below:

GWU Student’s Suicide Tragically Coincides With Obama Visit

By Kelly Chernenkoff

George Washington University students in Washington, D.C. learned of a tragic coincidence of timing on their campus Wednesday. As President Obama delivered a speech on deficit reduction in the Jack Morton Auditorium, university officials were learning one of their students had committed suicide in his dorm room across campus.

Fox News has learned that the male student may have been a junior at the school and was described as solitary. He rarely left his dorm room, according to a source.

“I am deeply saddened to report that the university has been notified of the death of one of our students,” GW President Steven Knapp said in a message to his students, faculty and staff. “The student was found in his room this afternoon at the City Hall residence hall,” he said.

GWU officials tell Fox that police were notified about the incident around 2pm, which happens to be at the same time that President Obama was speaking. A source tells Fox that the incident may have occurred earlier, noting that police went knocking on the student’s door at 1:30pm. As of this writing, Fox has not been able to obtain reaction from the White House.

“The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the student’s death in coordination with the GW Police Department,” Knapp wrote. “At this time, we have no indication that the death was the result of a criminal act. We will release more information when it becomes available.”

DC police officials tell Fox that the death has, in fact, been ruled a suicide.

Knapp took note of the solemn moment, adding, “On behalf of the entire university community, I would like to express our sorrow and extend my condolences to the student’s family and friends.”

Fox News’ Jodie Curtis contributed to the report.


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Sunday, April 3, 2011 4:01 p.m.

Mike Posner, Chiddy Bang to headline Spring Fling

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Singer Mike Posner and hip-hop band Chiddy Bang will headline this year’s Spring Fling, which will be held on University Yard, Program Board announced Sunday.

In a reversal of the past two years, the annual spring event will be moved from the Mount Vernon Campus to Foggy Bottom this year, and will no longer be known as Fountain Fling. PB called the event Fountain Fling for the past two years, combining the Vern’s Fountain Day with the popular Spring Fling event.

Program Board Chair Wesley Callahan said the decision to move the concert back to Foggy Bottom was a question of which campus would be able to draw the most students.

“When you can have a great concert with 3,000 people or a great concert with 6,000, it comes down to what’s the greater good we can serve,” Callahan said.

Callahan called the change “nothing against the Mount Vernon Campus and nothing against the Mount Vernon Programming Council” — the Vern’s student programming body.

“Our goal is to program events that the student body comes out to, especially when you’re spending such a large amount of money on concerts.”

Alternative rock band State Radio headlined last year’s Fountain Fling.

Spring Fling will be held April 16.

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011 8:29 a.m.

Pedestrian hit by car outside Schenley Hall

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Updated 10:54 a.m.

A female student was hit by a car outside Schenley Hall at approximately 7:50 a.m. Tuesday morning and transported by ambulance shortly thereafter, according to eyewitness accounts.

D.C. Fire spokesman Pete Piringer confirmed the victim was an adult female and was transported by ambulance with “serious but not life-threatening injuries.”

University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard confirmed the victim was a student and said she was “crossing the street outside of the crosswalk” at the time of the incident.

“The student was alert and conscious and was transported to GW Hospital,” Sherrard said. “The student is expected to be treated and released today. Metropolitan Police are handling the investigation since it occurred on city streets.”

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Friday, March 11, 2011 4:13 p.m.

JEC releases full list of election winners

by Madeleine Morgenstern

The Joint Elections Committee released the full list of Student Association, Program Board, Marvin Center Governing Board and Class Council winners after Thursday’s elections.

Runoff elections for SA president and executive vice president will be held March 23 and 24.

The full list of winners is below:

Student Association President

  1. Chris Clark – 1,107 votes – 26.53 percent
  2. John Richardson – 1,044 votes – 25.02 percent (will proceed to runoff)
  3. Kwasi Agyeman – 695 votes – 16.65 percent
  4. Caleb Raymond – 472 votes – 11.32 percent
  5. Phil Gardner – 304 votes – 7.28 percent
  6. Jason Kaplan – 301 votes – 7.21 percent
  7. Joshua Benjamin – 250 votes – 5.99 percent

Student Association Executive Vice President

  1. Ted Costigan – 1,317 votes – 32.53 percent
  2. Amanda Galonek – 1,074 votes – 26.53 percent (will proceed to runoff)
  3. Samantha Free – 757 votes -18.70 percent
  4. Aria Varasteh – 642 votes – 15.86 percent
  5. Zahin Hasan – 254 votes – 6.40 percent

Student Association Undergraduate-At Large Senator – two seats

  1. John Bennett – 1,535 votes
  2. Cory Grever – 1,485 votes
  3. Keaghan Ames – 1,370 votes
  4. Zach Kahn – 809 votes

Student Association CCAS Undergraduate Senator – six seats

  1. Josh Goldstein – 861 votes
  2. Samuel Sherman – 780 votes
  3. Scott Backer – 773 votes
  4. Kaitlin Gaughran – 766 votes
  5. Danica Brown – 730 votes
  6. Eric Arpert – 693 votes
  7. Daniel Bassali – 630 votes
  8. Jonathan Carfagno – 626 votes
  9. Gordon Pera – 567 votes
  10. Daniel Ceisler – 543 votes

Student Association ESIA Undergraduate Senator – three seats

  1. Elizabeth Kennedy – 332 votes
  2. Elena Gillis – 321 votes
  3. Manuel Iglesias – 249 votes
  4. Nathaniel Austin – 230 votes
  5. Garrett Graham – 173 votes
  6. Mateo Garcia – 164 votes
  7. Jason Gamache – 161 votes
  8. Patrick Cero – 111 votes

Student Association SEAS Undergraduate Senator – one seat

  1. Dan Gil – 122 votes
  2. Amitava Paul – 66 votes

Student Association SOB Undergraduate Senator – two seats

  1. Nick Koeniger – 213 votes
  2. Russell Feldman – 205 votes
  3. Michael Buss – 197 votes
  4. Hugo Scheckter – 163 votes

Student Association SMHS Undergraduate Senator – one write-in

  1. Sahand Yaqoub Moradi

Student Association CPS Undergraduate Senator – one write-in

  1. vacant

Student Association SPHHS Undergraduate Senator – one seat

  1. Alexander Mizenko

Student Association Graduate-At Large Senator – two seats

  1. James Bonneau
  2. Liz Barnes – write-in

Student Association CCAS Graduate Senator – three seats

  1. Bradley Dlatt
  2. Gary Wong – write-in
  3. Three-way tie between Brian Cahill, Joshua Patchus, Matthew Gripp - write-in

Student Association ESIA Graduate Senator – one seat

  1. Patrick Hanley

Student Association Law School Senator – three seats

  1. Jake Chervinsky
  2. Meredith Dempsey
  3. Katie Ondeck – write-in

Student Association SMHS Graduate Senator – two seats

  1. Robert Kickish
  2. Jordan Werner – write-in

Student Association SEAS Graduate Senator – two seats

  1. William Rone
  2. Three-way tie between Gabriel Yessin, Steve Holt, J.P. Blackford - write in

Student Association SOB Graduate Senator – two seats

  1. Jason Platzman
  2. Kendra Singh

Student Association CPS Graduate Senator – one write-in

  1. Brian Hawthorne

Student Association School of Nursing Senator – one write-in seat

  1. vacant

Program Board Executive Chair

  1. Connor Currier

Program Board Executive Vice Chair

  1. Megan Davidson

Marvin Center Governing Board – Undergraduate – four seats

  1. Jordan Hill
  2. Dylan Pyne
  3. Edwin Wharton
  4. Joong Hyup Lee

Marvin Center Governing Board – Graduate – one write-in

  1. Gary Wong

Class Council – sophomore – seven seats

  1. Mary Devlin
  2. Khadija Lalani
  3. Five appointed seats

Class Council – junior – seven seats

  1. Arsalan Ahmad
  2. Brett Rudman
  3. Five appointed seats

Class Council – senior – seven seats

  1. Estee Gabel
  2. Christopher Stevenson
  3. Five appointed seats
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Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 4:01 p.m.

University announces new vice provost for diversity and inclusion

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Dr. Terri Harris Reed will assume the role of vice provost for diversity and inclusion at GW May 23. | Courtesy of Media Relations

The University selected a current Ivy League administrator to assume the role of vice provost for diversity and inclusion, a position created last year to spearhead GW’s attempt to attract students and employees from more diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Terri Harris Reed – who currently serves as vice provost for institutional equity and diversity at Princeton University – said she will implement a strategy in line with the University’s aspirations for diversity that’s responsive to the needs and concerns of the community.

She said she views “a diverse and inclusive university” as one with individuals from different backgrounds and different experiences who can have meaningful interactions with one another to thrive and learn from each other.

Reed said a college campus is filled with people who tend to only interact with individuals similar to themselves, something she will try and break down in her role at the University.

“You have to intentionally create partnerships with student organizations, create joint activities that bring together people who might not normally come together,” she said.

In terms of what GW is specifically lacking in diversity and inclusion, Reed said she needs to wait until she arrives in May “to get a sense from the key constituents and what they think is lacking.” She officially begins her stint at GW May 23.

“By creating the position obviously the president and the provost think there is some room for growth,” Reed said. “I would imagine that it’s in all the area…in terms of representation and in terms of climate.”

She said the first thing she will do when she arrives at GW will be to seek out those who champion diversity on campus and equip them with the tools they need to make an impact.

“Whether in a particular college or school or particular student organization or particular administrative unit, where do they need help and to spend time having conversations with people, listening to figure out how I can help,” Reed said.

Reed said she’s passionate about diversity, both personally and professionally.

“I was a first-generation college student and a person of color at traditionally white institutions, as both a student and employer,” she said. “I feel like I have a handle on both sides of the issue, experiencing being feeling not included and trying to move an institution forward.”

Reed said she also understands higher education, having spent her entire professional career in it.

“I’ve spent my entire career in higher ed in different types of institutions… I understand and appreciate that each institution is different, I wouldn’t come in and try to impose a particular approach on GW,” she said. “GW is its own institution and I appreciate that.”

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 7:02 p.m.

Univ. reassigns Greek housing on Townhouse Row

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Sigma Sigma and Sigma Chi will each receive townhouses on Townhouse Row next year, replacing the three Greek-letter life chapters who are being kicked out after pleading guilty to charges of hazing, providing alcohol to minors and underage consumption of alcohol.

Three weeks ago, officials announced Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon would be losing their houses following three-month-long hazing investigations.

Student Activities Center Director Tim Miller said a more complete University statement on the reassignment is forthcoming.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 5:00 p.m.

Former Student Association senator launches bid for president

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Former senator Caleb Raymond announced he would run for the Student Association’s top spot Thursday, after spending nearly a year away from the SA.

Raymond, a junior, said he never intended to run for another student government post after his previous experience as a senator for the Columbian College left him disillusioned about the Student Association’s purpose.

“I was in the Senate for a year there were 40 other people in the room and only 2 percent are actually doing work on behalf of the students,” he said.

But when candidates began announcing for this year’s election, Raymond said he felt compelled because he believes all the current candidates are either inexperienced or ineffective in their current post..

“I’ve had a year off,” Raymond said. “Serving as president of a student organization and dealing with the SA from the outside…students [are] saying they are the people representing us and yet they haven’t done anything for us.”

As the president of GW Band, said he’s gained perspective about how the SA should work for student organizations.

“I think we can have someone in charge who’s president of the SA who can truly advocate on behalf of the student body,” Raymond said.

Raymond is a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Three other candidates have so far declared bids for the presidency: current SA Sens. Chris Clark, U-At Large, and Jason Kaplan, CCAS-U, and SA outsider John Richardson.

Candidate registration ends Monday. The election will be held March 9 and 10.

Updated at 5:07 p.m.: The Hatchet incorrectly reported that Raymond is a member of Pi Kappa Psi.

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Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 4:39 p.m.

GWorld services back online after experiencing outages

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Updated 5:15 p.m.

GWorld payment methods are back online after being down for about an hour and a half this afternoon, University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard confirmed.

The problems were due to a service outage with the vendor that handles GWorld transactions, Sherrard said.

Merchants on and off campus began experiencing outages around 3:20 p.m.

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Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 4:30 p.m.

Clinton talks Egypt, Iran in speech about Internet freedom

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about the Internet freedom in Jack Morton Auditorium. Michelle Rattinger | Photo Editor

In the wake of historic protests in Egypt spurred by the use of social media, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech in strong support of Internet freedom in Jack Morton Auditorium Tuesday.

Clinton commended Egyptians and journalists who took to Facebook and Twitter to organize protests and share stories from Cairo before the government shut down Internet access.

The former first lady said the protests in Egypt, which ended last week with former President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, paralleled those in Iran almost two years ago when Iranians took to the streets and to Twitter in opposition to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s reelection.

“What happened in Egypt and what happened in Iran, which this week is once again using violence against protesters seeking basic freedoms, was about a great deal more than the Internet,” Clinton said. “In each case people protested because of deep frustrations with the political and economic division of their lives.”

While protesters marched and chanted, Clinton said, the authorities blocked and arrested them.

“The Internet did not do any of those things,” Clinton said. “People did.”

Urging countries, including China, Cuba and Iran, to lessen Internet restrictions for their citizens, Clinton acknowledged the challenges that can arise between achieving both online liberty and security in the modern era.

Terrorists and extremist groups use the Internet to recruit, child pornographers use it to exploit children and hackers use it to target financial institutions, she said.

“We need successful strategies for combating these threats without constricting the openness that’s the Internet’s greatest attribute,” Clinton said.

Saying that much of the value of the Internet comes from its role in the marketplace of ideas, Clinton said the Internet should be used as a discussion tool to combat intolerance, rather than to censor ideas completely.

“The better answer to offensive speech is more speech,” Clinton said. “Deleting writing, blocking content — these actions suppress words but do not touch the underlying ideas.”

Speaking on transparency, Clinton addressed WikiLeaks, the website that has released thousands of classified diplomatic cables. She disputed the notion that the government has a responsibility to conduct all of its work in full view of its citizens.

“The United States could neither provide for citizen security nor promote the cause of democracy around the world if we had to make public every step of our efforts,” Clinton said.

Clinton’s speech was punctuated once at the beginning when an unidentified elderly man wearing a “Veterans for Peace” T-shirt stood up in the middle of the crowd to turn his back on her, standing silently and staring at the back of the auditorium for several minutes. After not responding when a security officer asked him to sit down, two officers dragged him shouting out of the auditorium.

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