Gus-sed out
Christmas. Easter. Valentine's Day. Some sacred events come only once a year, and, thankfully, so does the annual Gus Burger Eating Contest. Held in the Newcomb Hall Plaza, the contest entails each entrant scarfing down as many Gus Burgers as possible in six minutes. For those not familiar with the White Spot's trademark heart-attack-on-a-plate entrée, a Gus Burger is a burger bedecked with a fried egg along with the other traditional toppings.
"I think [the contest] is great," fourth-year College student Nikki Yankish said. "It makes me hungry."
Fourth-year College student Dana D'Aniello said she agrees.
Watching the contest "makes me want a Gus Burger," D'Aniello said.
Perhaps Fourth-Year Class President Rhodes Ritenour summed up the true essence of the contest best.
"It looked like four buzzards fighting over a roadside possum in the middle of July," Ritenour said.
Power of Silence
Many groups make a vocal effort to garner support from the general public. But today, the National Day of Silence, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Union will use silence as its most powerful tool in promoting rights for those of all sexual orientations.
Participants in the National Day of Silence, which was observed at over 200 schools last year, are encouraged not to speak from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instead, they will wear a sticker indicating their involvement in the project and hand out informational cards.
The idea for the National Day of Silence originated at the University in 1996, and over the past five years participation has increased rapidly. This year, over 500 schools nationwide are expected to take part in the event.
"Last year, we passed out about 500 packets" to members of the University community, said Lauren Ljubicich, LGBTU treasurer and fourth-year College student.
"Probably only about 400 to 450 participated ... we expect about the same amount this year," Ljubicich said.
According to the informational card that participants will be passing out, "The Day of Silence is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression and prejudice."
"The point is ... more for the heterosexual community to understand what it's like for members of the [homosexual] community to be silenced on certain issues," Ljubicich said.
Although the goal of the day is silence, organizers are sympathetic to participants who may need to speak out in discussion sections, answer important phone calls or go to job interviews.
The goal is "to open up discussion" around the community, Ljubicich said.
Compiled by Allison Botos
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