No. 27 - UNF Spinnaker

Transcription

No. 27 - UNF Spinnaker
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA
April
4
www.unfspinnaker.com
2007
Volume 30, Issue 29
Wednesday
RAs report rising drug use
BY LAURA BRITTON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BY TAMI LIVINGSTON
NEWS EDITOR
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT K. PIETRZYK
Resident assistants at the
University of North Florida
dorms say they’re seeing
increasing evidence of illegal
substances in student’s dorm
rooms.
While no concrete numbers
are available for this school year,
University Police Department
Chief Mark Foxworth said the
number of drug and alcohol
related incidents are increasing
because of higher enforcement
and better relations between students and police.
“We don’t see an alcohol and
drug
problem
in
the
housing areas on campus,”
Foxworth said.
However, Christina Rock, an
RA in Osprey Landing, said students are finding more effective
ways of doing drugs on campus
without getting caught.
“We typically see alcohol and
marijuana being used in the
dorm rooms,” said Rock, a sophomore physical therapy major.
“It can be as often as three to
four times a week where we have
a drug-related problem at the
Landing,” Rock said.
“I see drugs being used and
offered on an everyday basis,”
said Jasmine Hunter, a freshman
criminal justice major and a resident of The Crossings.
Resident assistants in University of North Florida housing report evidence of drug and alcohol use in residents’
rooms. The University Police Department said the number of incidents is rising but there is not a problem on campus.
According to the Substance
Abuse & Mental Health Services
Administration and the National
Survey on Drug Use & Health,
illicit drug use rates among
young adults ages 18-22 were similar for full-time college students
(37.5 percent), part-time college
students (38.5 percent) and nonstudents (38.4 percent) last year.
Full-time college students were
less likely to have used cocaine,
crack
cocaineand
pain
relievers in the past year than
non-students.
According to the study, there
was a steady trend and pattern
in the rates of alcohol use by fulltime college students ages 18-20
from 2002 through 2005. Binge
drinking, defined in the survey
See DRUGS, page 7
SG trying to tie up loose ends
BY MARC VON MANDEL
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cleaning service
They aimed to make the cleaning service available in all campus
housing and to include the
expense in the cost of housing,
Damiano said. If a student decided to opt out of the service, he or
she would be able to go online and
request his or her room not to be
cleaned, he said.
Damiano
said
Student
Government was told to choose an
external contractor, and the service would cost students around $90
a month. However, Damiano said
SG proposed a $100,000 budget for
the service and it would cost students from $5 to $20 a month.
Under this plan, three UNF housing employees would be responsible for cleaning the facilities,
he said.
“SG approached housing prior
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: REBECCA DALY
As their term ends, University
of North Florida Student Body
President Justin Damiano and
Vice President Dorrell Briscoe
are trying to fulfill their
campaign promises.
Damiano and Briscoe made a
campaign promise last spring for
a cleaning service for housing students and free oil changes for UNF
students. The idea was to reach
out to both those living on
campus and commuter students,
Damiano said.
“Dorrell and I were elected on
these promises, and we want to
follow
through
on
them,”
Damiano said.
AOL
Building
deal
finalized
A cleaning service for University of North Florida residents as proposed by
SG is not currently possible, as are the free oil changes for UNF students.
to elections and housing decided
that it was not financially affordable,” said Director of Housing
Operations Paul Riel.
Riel said housing has different
priorities such as its new focus on
Osprey Fountains, the $80 million
new housing development.
“Our resources and dollars are
better served in the new projects,”
Riel said. “Our focus is on phase
six of housing, which has tons of
amenities. The resources and dollars we have are better served in
that facility.”
Riel also said housing’s
resources should go into the
improvement of existing facilities. There are plans to remodel
The Crossings and other housing.
It is possible the cleaning service might be available in the
future, but it will increase housing rates, Riel said.
“It’s always something we consider but for us budget cycles have
already been figured out for the
2007-2008 year and the 2008-2009
year,” Riel said. “Anything that
would have to do with a cleaning
service would mean an increase in
rent, and we don’t believe students
would want to see an increase in
rent for a cleaning service.”
Damiano said SG believes the
service will eventually be enacted
if there is demand by the students.
“The cleaning service would be
great for the new facility, and
every student that we have talked
to said that they would like that
kind of service,” Damiano said.
Oil changes
Briscoe and Damiano said they
are also working on fulfilling their
promise of giving free oil changes
for students by the end of their
term in office. Briscoe said he
negotiated a program with Tires
Plus for 1,000 free oil changes but
said the proposal was not
approved.
“We cannot use the Activity
and Service fee money to pay for
the oil changes because the oil
changes would be considered traveling, and you can’t use those fees
for travel.”
Oil change tickets would cost
$14.99, almost $15,000 in total,
Briscoe said. He said SG hoped if
the oil changes were popular
enough, the new SG president and
vice president would continue
with the service.
“It would have been $15,000 for
the 1,000 oil changes, and there is
no possible way, legally, for this to
happen,” said Briscoe. “We were
trying to make this an end of the
summer gift for students.”
Briscoe said SG will still try to
fulfill the promise.
“We are going to try to go
around to different businesses
and see if we can work out a deal
for discounted oil changes in
exchange for a good clientele relationship,” Briscoe said. “I don’t
think we will pay anything for the
tickets. I think, for example, that
they would give a bunch of discounted prices.”
Briscoe said he feels by offering discounted tickets, companies
will jump on the idea because they
would
capture
the
UNF market.
“I’m not going to give up on it,
and basically we’re going to open
up our school to these businesses,” said Briscoe. “I think it’s a
good compromise, and it’s a promise that we made.”
E-mail Marc Von Mandel at
uspinnak@unf.edu.
After more than seven
months of negotiation, the
University of North Florida has
signed an agreement to purchase the AOL Building on
Kernan Boulevard.
The university signed a lease
agreement with Jacksonville
Police and Fire Pension Fund
with the option to purchase the
125,000-square-foot
building
located east of campus April 3,
said Shari Shuman, vice president of administration and
finance. The pension fund completed a purchase agreement
with AOL April 2, Shuman said.
The university plans to purchase the building in the fall if
public education capital outlay
funds are approved and made
available by the Legislature and
the Board of Governors.
“It’s a tremendous, tremendous move for us,” said
President John Delaney. “It will
allow us to eliminate all the
trailers and free up space for
faculty and classrooms.”
To purchase the building
after a one-year lease would
cost approximately
$18
m i l l i o n ,
Shuman said.
“However, we
anticipate
buying
it
before that,”
Shuman said.
Delaney said
Shuman
the university
will begin to
relocate select administrative
offices to the building within
the next few weeks.
The UNF Marketing and
Publications
Department,
Information
Technology
Department
and
Equal
Opportunity Programs office
are some of the offices to be
moved to the building temporarily, Shuman said.
Along with space for offices
and possibly classrooms, the
building will provide 1,200 additional parking spaces. The shuttle system will be in place by
fall and is planned to run
between the AOL building and
the core of campus.
By summer, the building will
be about half full and over the
next six to 18 months the university will determine the best
use for the space, Delaney said.
Which offices will relocated
permanently to the building
have not yet been determined,
Shuman said.
University administrators
will discuss a new name for the
building over the next few
weeks as well, she said.
The building was built in
2002, and AOL closed its call
center and vacated it in
May 2006.
E-mail Tami Livingston at
news@unfspinnaker.com.
PAGE 2
Spinnaker’s Picks
ã
ä
BEST
A French Studies major is going through
the approval process with flying colors. If
it continues to do so, the approval will
open doors for stronger foreign language
programs.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
â
WORST
An uneven road near Parking Services – a
result of construction not yet
complete – makes for a bumpy ride to and
from campus. The area was blocked off during
Spring Break and March 31.
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Editorials
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FIX
If that wasn’t enough time to get the job
done, the least they could do is provide
campus visitors with smooth asphalt in
the mean time.
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SG promises clash with reality
Awarded first place for Best of Show at
the 2005 National College Media
Convention by the
Associated Collegiate Press.
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Spinnaker Staff
Editor in Chief
Art Director
Jenna Strom
Robert K. Pietrzyk
Business Manager
Adina Daar
Production Manager
Ace Stryker
Advertising Manager
Kristen Montalto
News Editor
Features Editor
Tami Livingston
Matt Coleman
Sports Editor
Holli Welch
Copy Editor
Emily Bruce
Photo Editor
Rebecca Daly
Web Editor
Graphic Designer
Asst. News Editor
Asst. Features Editor
Meghan Dornbrock
Jen Quinn
Sarah Diener
Ross Brooks
Asst. Sports Editor
Staff Writers
Jamie Williams
Laurel Wright
Distributor
Jason Strickland
Adviser
Joshua Stewart
Printer
Florida Sun Printing
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Robinson Student Center, room 2627
4567 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S.
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Phone: 904.620.2727
Fax: 904.620.3924
www.UNFSpinnaker.com
Quote of the Week
“The man who removes a
mountain begins by
carrying away small stones.”
– William Faulkner, American novelist (1897-1962)
KNOW THE
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A BURRO
AND A BURROW?
The Spinnaker is looking
for regular contributors to
the News, Expressions and
Sports sections. If you’re
interested, please contact
Jenna Strom at
620-2727 or
uspinnak@unf.edu.
ike most politicians, student
body presidential candidates
know the easiest way to get
votes is by making promises
that appeal to the student body. They
set up tables and bombard students
with Domino’s pizza, cotton candy and
glossy cards containing lists of this
year’s promises.
They know if they wave shiny
objects in front of people’s eyes,
they’re going to get a response. And
the sad thing is, many students eat
their cotton candy on the way to the
polls and vote for the party line that
most recently satisfied that sweet
tooth. The fact that these candidates
are promising podcasting or Starbucks
operating hours that match library
hours are all the more enticing.
Little do voters know many promises candidates make are unobtainable
and unrealistic. The candidates might
not realize they’re making empty
promises while they’re handing out
coffee and donuts, and they might not
discover their inability to deliver
promises until the end of their terms.
But if they haven’t done their homework, they perhaps aren’t ready to take
on the task of leading the student body.
Such is true of the free oil changes
and dorm cleaning service Student
Body President Justin Damiano and
Student Body Vice President Dorrell
Briscoe promised students last year
during their campaign. Their motives
were pure and their hearts in the right
place, but their ideas were impossible.
Student Government Activity and
Service fees cannot be used to pay
most travel-related fees, and finances
to cover oil changes would fall under
traveling categories. The executive
administration spent time coordinating deals with Tires Plus, but neglected to research provisionary travel language of their own offices. They didn’t
discover the language would disallow
any SG money to go toward oil change
funding until weeks ago. Briscoe said
they’re working on getting student discounts at Tires Plus, but with four
weeks left in the semester, his time is
drawing to a close.
Likewise, cleaning services in the
dorm won’t happen any time soon
unless Damiano can raise money outside of A&S fees, Briscoe said. Campus
housing recently approved a two-year
budget and didn’t set a cent aside for a
cleaning service. Even though student
housing never committed to funding a
cleaning service, Damiano was hoping
for a change of heart, and in the meantime did not find other revenue outlets.
Unless he can successfully lobby for
the money in the next few weeks, it
doesn’t look like it will happen.
Briscoe said he and Damiano have
been working to fulfill promises made
by past administrations in addition to
the ones they made last year. They constructed a car wash station – in actuality a block of concrete and a hose – a
feat that cost approximately $18,000.
The steep cost of such a minimal
addition on campus should give students an idea of how expensive almost
doubling Starbucks hours would be.
There’s a slim chance SG will be able
to find the funds to meet these goals,
L
SIMARD/BROOKE
PROMISES:
l Podcast lectures
l Tailgating before games
l Seating on intramural fields
l Frisbee golf
l Healthy UNF initiative
l Campus beautification
and they’re hoping they don’t have to.
They’re hoping Chartwells and
Starbucks will pay for the increased
hours themselves, and are willing to
make an investment only if it is needed, said Rachael Tutwiler, a current
student body presidential candidate.
It’s a nice idea, but once again, the
money isn’t going to magically fall
from the sky.
Free printing is a popular promise
this year, as most students agree it
would be nice to print papers in the
library for free. But approximately
$35,000 will guarantee each student
only 10 pages a semester. For such
a hefty sum of money, the payoff is
minimal.
Vice presidental candidate Alban
Brooke said if he is voted into office,
he hopes to implement podcasting in
classrooms. But even if it gets
approved and funded, professors still
have to give the OK to have their lectures taped. It’s against the law to
record anyone without his or her permission in Florida, and we all know
there are teachers who would rather
make students come to class than give
them an easy way to skip.
Brooks said department heads are
interested in podcasting as a way to
help students who miss classes, not as
an incentive to make students skip
class. But department heads can’t distinguish why students miss class.
Whether they skip to go to the beach
or are sick in bed, the point is, it’s
going to be easier for them to miss
class, because they’ll be able to instantly make it up.
Instead of labeling the items candidates place on their lists “promises,”
they should call them “hopes.” No one
TUTWILER/SOUTO
PROMISES:
l Free printing
l Extended Starbucks hours
l African American Studies minor
l Osprey card as debit card
l The school spirit initiative
has any business promising things
they are not 100 percent sure they can
deliver. Some things might take years
to deliver, but candidates are promising that big things will happen as soon
as they are voted in to office. Good student body presidents and vice presidents work on granting previous candidate’s promises, but because additional promises are made each year,
older promises are inevitably lost or
forgotten.
This year, Domiano and Briscoe
worked to fulfill last year’s executive
administration’s promise of constructing volleyball courts in the Osprey
Village, and it still hasn’t happened.
The skate park was finally erected, and
Damiano and Briscoe worked on planning for the Student Union, but both
were left over from previous campaigns. They were so busy working on
previous administrator’s promises,
they were unable to get to their own
promises until the end of the year –
just in time to see them fall through.
The bottom line is that candidates
need to stop teasing students with
promises that can’t be kept. They’re
being deceptive and selfish, and students graduate before they realize
they’ve been tricked by cheap pizza.
They think they’ve voted for candidates who will satisfy their wishes, but
really they’ve just granted another student body president a year of free campus housing, a first-floor parking pass
and a resume incomparable to their
peers – amenities UNF presidential
winners are granted.
It’s no wonder less than a quarter of
students vote in elections.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
I
PAGE 3
DISCOURSE
Scratch cruelty against cats, don’t declaw them
f you have a cat, keep in mind
many of your material things
look appetizing to it. A cat’s temptation to scratch away might just give
in unless it’s properly trained not to
do so – which can easily be done
without declawing them.
Whatever you do, don’t let the
thought of declawing the cat so much
as cross your mind. This is not what
nature intended.
Claws help make cats who they
are. They have a natural instinct to
scratch to serve both their psychological and physical needs. They claw to
have fun and exercise, to maintain
the condition of their nails, and to
mark their territory.
Declawing involves removal of the
cat’s claws, the bones and cartilage
that hold them in place, which allow
them to balance correctly, climb, and
protect themselves. This results in a
painful and eternally crippling
STAFF
OPINION
Jamie Williams,
Junior, Communications
process that should never be
performed.
Declawing is no manicure, but
rather a serious surgery that involves
10 separate, painful amputations.
The surgery involves amputation
of the last joint of each toe, including
the bones, not just the nail.
Permanent nerve damage, hemorrhaging and gangrene, which can
lead to limb amputation, are possible
complications.
After surgery, the nails may grow
back within the paw, causing pain
but remaining undetectable to
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Greeks help, not hinder
to community
Fraternity and sorority chapters at
the University of North Florida are the
most highly criticized organizations on
campus, but why?
University of North Florida Greeks
are exceptional scholars, Student
Government senators, collegiate athletes, presidential envoys, and student
body presidents and vice presidents.
We are members of the SWOOP Squad,
Wingmen, College Republicans, Silver
and Blue Key, Campus Outreach, the
African American Student Union and
Club Alliance, just to name a few.
Our respected organizations, no
matter what the letters might be,
are all dedicated to bettering our
campus community through active
involvement.
So, again, why are Greeks the target
of unjust ridicule and condemnation?
Unfortunately, scandal, no matter how
ludicrous, minute or inadequate it may
be, entices interest. Because UNF
Greeks are so involved and we have
made our presence on campus known
by being strong leaders headed toward
success, it appears that scant negative
situations are inevitably going to
attract a greater audience.
Believe it or not, unlike the ancient
Greek gods, from whom we have adopted their alphabet, UNF Greeks are
human. We make mistakes. However,
we acknowledge and rectify those
errors in judgment by adhering to the
fair, yet often steep, consequences
implemented by our very own Zeus,
but he also answers to Tyler Young.
It would be a lie to say UNF fraternities and sororities amicably coexist
every minute of every day; however,
we do pride ourselves on the unity and
respect for each other that we have
strived so hard to achieve over time.
When a UNF Greek organization is
involved in an undesirable situation
that is unjustly blown out of proportion, some are led to pass judgment on
our Greek Life as a whole. Fortunately,
it is in these times of need that we are
able to put aside our petty differences
and stand as a united front with our
fellow “brothers” and “sisters.”
It was recently suggested the
actions by individual members of a
UNF fraternity has caused an “embarrassment to our community.” Greek
Life on our campus is not embarrassing and is certainly nothing to be
ashamed of.
Perhaps those who feel Greek Life is
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onlookers. This operation also results
in a gradual weakening of the muscles, and because of impaired balance caused by the procedure,
declawed cats have to relearn
to walk.
A study published in the Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical
Association reported 33 percent of
declawed cats observed developed at
least one behavioral problem and 80
percent had more than one medical
impediment.
Without claws, even house-trained
cats may urinate outside the litter
box in attempt to mark their territory. Declawed cats might be depressed,
aggressive and unpredictable, and
are more probable to end up in
shelters.
Trimming your cat’s nails regularly is one thing you can do to aleviate
the problem, and it goes a long way.
The hook of the nail is what tears
Letters to the Editor
hindering our campus community
should visit www.unf.edu/greeklife to
get a better understanding of the
impact that has been made since we
began to flourish.
We are Greeks, and we are proud of
our organizations. Nationally, Greeks
volunteer more than 10 million hours
of selfless philanthropic work every
year. At UNF, we are actively fundraising and donating our time to numerous non-profit organizations such as
Children’s Miracle Network, Push
America and Prevent Child Abuse
America. We also raise awareness for
causes such as breast cancer and
domestic violence. How is that for setting an example?
Our overall UNF Greek experiences
are allowing us to enjoy our college
careers to the fullest. Who are you to
criticize and condemn something you
obviously know nothing about, which
is demonstrated when predominately
negative stories featuring Greeks
are published?
Courtney Kreimer
Junior, English
Faculty strives to lower oncampus contraceptive prices
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the
March 28 Spinnaker editorial: “Birth
control price hikes too much for
students.”
I would like to share with you that
we all have options to the increased
pricing on campus contraceptives.
This pricing has only affected name
brand contraceptives. Students still
have access to generic contraceptives,
and campuses across the country are
educating their students of this option.
In addition, I am a member of the
American College Health Association
that represents more than 900 institutions of higher education. Here is an
example of what we are doing to
counter the results of the Deficit
Reduction Act.
In conjunction with our winter 2007
ACHA Board of Directors meeting,
members of the board traveled to
Capitol Hill. We met with senior staff
from the U.S. Senate Committee on
Finance and with staffers from other
legislative offices. The purpose of our
visit was to inform legislators about
how the change in regulations regarding nominal pricing of branded prescription medications within the
Deficit Reduction Act has and will
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impact both college student access to
contraceptives and the services provided by college and university health
centers. Board members of ACHA,
assisted by the firm of McKenna, Long
and Aldridge, fully explained the
adverse impact of discontinued nominal pricing for oral contraceptive
prices in college and university health
centers.
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee
has jurisdiction and oversight of the
DRA legislation and is chaired by Sen.
Baucus D-MT. Sen. Grassley R-IA is the
ranking member of the committee.
The committee staffers explained the
intent of the legislation was to maximize manufacturer rebates to the
states for medications purchased by
Medicaid recipients. The new regulations limit which nominal price transactions the manufacturers can exclude
from the calculation of their best price
and average manufacturer price,
which determine their Medicaid reimbursement rates. While the new regulations do not prohibit manufactures
from selling contraceptives to college
and university health centers at nominal prices, they do prohibit the manufacturer from exempting these sales
from the calculation of their “best
price,” resulting in a financial disincentive to extend nominal pricing to
student health centers.
The Senate Finance Committee
staffers made clear to us that the omission of college and university health
centers – as well as some other health
care entities – in the nominal price
exemption was an oversight in the legislation and not meant to intentionally
exclude such transactions. They further explained there was already flexibility in the existing legislation for the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services to provide a remedy. By using
the discretionary authority already
given by Congress, CMS could simply
add student health centers under a
fourth category that may receive
exempted nominal pricing. An alternative to this remedy would be to change
T
upholstery, so removing it virtually
eliminates any chance of damage.
Scratching posts are another
option. Strategically place a scratching post where your cat is already
clawing and another near the area
where he or she normally sleeps.
Placing double-sided tape on a surface you’d like to protect will also discourage clawing.
Do your part to help stop these
severe and redundant surgeries by
letting any friends or family members considering having their cats
declawed know the dangers and cruelty involved. Currently, nearly two
dozen countries ban or severely
restrict these surgeries and many
vets refuse to perform it. You can also
support or help start legislation to
ban the harmful operation in your
community.
Remember, a cat with claws has
happy paws.
he Spinnaker welcomes all columns and
letters to the editor. All student submissions must include the author’s first and
last names, major and academic classification. Faculty and guest submissions must
include department title or company name.
No anonymous submissions will be published. Submissions will be verified for
authenticity
before
publication.
Submissions may be edited for content,
grammar, word length and libel. Letters
the legislation.
Assisted by our legislative consulting firm, our next step will be to participate in the public comment period
on the regulations proposed by CMS,
encouraging a modification in the regulation that would create a category to
exempt the sale of contraceptives at
nominal prices to non-profit public and
private colleges and universities.
Doreen Perez MS, RN-BC
Director of Medical Compliance
A case in support of
alcohol, in moderation
Dear Editor,
The following is a response to
“Unshining the moon: a case against
alcohol,” a column that ran in the
March 14 issue of the Spinnaker.
As a visitor to your campus recently,
I read the above-referenced opinion
piece “against” alcohol. I could not
help but shake my head and think it
was spoken like a true college kid
whose perspective is quite limited. As
the daughter of an alcoholic, I am intimately aware of the dangers of alcohol, and yet I drink. Responsibly. And
with gusto.
If I allowed others’ weaknesses to
control my choices, what a limited life
I would lead. Further, because of my
life’s early difficulties, I have worked
very hard at becoming a success. One
of the ways I maintain my success is to
know when to relax. And for me, relaxing over a glass of wine, a cold beer, or
cocktails with friends and family, is
one of the surest ways to have fun,
regroup and recharge.
Humans have sought ways to relieve
the pressures of everyday existence
forever. I feel no guilt or shame for my
drinking habit, but quite the contrary.
I feel blessed to have these gastronomically and emotionally satisfying gifts
at my disposal.
Cary Herold
Campus visitor
should not exceed 300 words in length,
and columns should be approximately 500
words.
The ideas expressed in columns and letters published in the Spinnaker do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of
Spinnaker staff or the university.
Submit columns and letters to
uspinnak@unf.edu.
PAGE 4
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
NEWS
Bush blames Dems for delay
BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
BY KATHY BOCCELLA
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
COURTESY OF MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
President Bush turned up the
rhetorical heat April 3 on antiwar
Democrats in Congress, saying
their insistence on adding troopwithdrawal terms to a war-spending bill risks delaying money
that’s needed within weeks and
could endanger service members
in Iraq.
In a wide-ranging news conference that also touched on a
Supreme Court ruling, gasoline
prices and Middle East diplomacy, Bush stressed his belief that
Democrats are being “irresponsible” on Iraq. He repeated his
threat to veto any bill that contains a troop-withdrawal date,
warned that if war-funding legislation isn’t signed by mid-April it
could force cuts in equipment
and training, and said further
delay could force extended tours
of duty for soldiers there.
The Senate passed a $123 billion war-spending bill last week
that also called for most U.S.
troops to withdraw from Iraq by
March 31, 2008. The House of
Representatives passed a similar
measure the week before, which
calls for American troops to be
out by September 2008.
Democrats say they’re trying
to respond to the public majority,
which wants to get out of Iraq
while ensuring that troops who
are there now get the money they
need to protect themselves.
The president and most
Republicans say the Democrats’
stance undermines the troops
and micro-manages a mission
that’s better left to the military,
although Bush himself manages
key elements of the war strategy,
such as how many more troops to
send to Iraq this year.
“The bottom line is this,” the
Colleges seek
applicants’ criminal
records for admission
President Bush cited Democrats’ debates in Congress as a potential roadblock
to securing additional funding for troops in Iraq.
president said in the White House
Rose Garden. “Congress’ failure
to fund our troops on the front
lines will mean that some of our
military families could wait
longer for their loved ones to
return from the front lines.
Others could see their loved ones
heading back to the war sooner
than they need to.”
Democrats responded in kind.
“The president today asked
the American people to trust him
as he continues to follow the
same failed strategy that has
drawn our troops further into an
intractable civil war,” Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid, DNev., said in a written statement.
“The president’s policies have
failed and his escalation endangers our troops and hurts our
national security.”
Democratic
National
Committee Chairman Howard
Dean and Sens. Hillary Rodham
Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack
Obama, D-Ill., issued similar
statements.
(c) 2007 McClatchy-Tribune
Information Services.
Along with SAT scores and
extra-curricular activities, college-bound students increasingly
are being asked to divulge information that may not be so flattering: their discipline records.
Since late summer, the
Common Application, a form used
by about 300 institutions, has
asked students and guidance
counselors whether the applicant
has ever been convicted of a crime
or disciplined at school.
Kids with rocky pasts may not
make it beyond 12th grade.
In an effort to weed out troublemakers before they hit campus,
colleges with their own forms also
are requiring prospective students
to disclose behavioral black
marks.
The
University
of
Pennsylvania put its admissions
policy under review after the discovery in January that a 25-yearold child molester taking graduate
courses was commuting from his
Bucks County, Pa., prison cell.
Saint Joseph’s University will ask
about applicants’ misdeeds beginning next year.
“It’s an issue that’s exploding,”
said Timothy Mann, dean of student affairs at Babson College,
who is writing his doctoral dissertation on the subject.
The debate over whether to
screen and for what is contentious. Opponents cite privacy
issues and the risk of penalizing
offenders
twice.
Education
encourages rehabilitation, argues
the United States Student
Association, the nation’s largest
student group.
“Are we now putting institutions of higher education in the
position of dispensing post-judicial
punishment?”
Barmak
Nassirian of the American
Association
of
Collegiate
Registrars
and
Admissions
Officers asked.
Offenders can still slip in.
“No background check is foolproof,” cautioned Stephanie
Hughes, a professor at the
University of Northern Kentucky
and
security
expert
who
owns RiskAware, which runs
background
checks
on
college employees.
Federal law prevents most
schools from releasing educational records – including disciplinary
information – without a parental
approval. Counselors can leave
the questions blank, a spokesman
for the Common Application said.
Though campus crime has not
appreciably increased since 2003,
according to the U.S. Department
of Education, a few high-profile
crimes committed by students
with rap sheets have led institutions to reexamine their admissions process. The Common
Application added its inquiries at
the request of schools concerned
about liability, executive director
Rob Killion said.
Students are warned not to
omit information. If they’re
caught
lying,
they’re
disqualified. Administrators believe
most comply.
(c) 2007 McClatchy-Tribune
Information Services.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
Arabic
classes grow
in Wash.
PAGE 5
NEWS
Police Beat March 11 - March 31
March 11, 2007 – Petty theft
(Green)
March 26, 2007 – Burglary
(Lot 4)
March 28, 2007 – Use/possess
with intent to use drug paraphernalia (Lot 34) – A University of
North Florida student was
referred to student conduct after a
University Police Department officer found a small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe in his car.
The student was initially pulled
over during a traffic stop when
the officer saw him driving on an
unauthorized roadway.
BY ERIK LACITIS
THE SEATTLE TIMES
After the 36 spots for Arabic
101 were filled at Bellevue
(Wash.) Community College
this past quarter, there was still
a waiting list of 14 students. An
additional 21 students were
signed up for Arabic 102.
Robert Foulk was one of the
lucky ones who got into the
introductory class. He showed
up recently wearing his Air
Force ROTC fatigues.
“I’m planning to be a pilot,
and if I’m staying in the Middle
East, it’s a huge language to
learn,” said the Maple Valley,
Wash., 19-year-old.
The Arabic-language class is
a first for Bellevue, a reflection
of the growing interest in
what’s called “critical languages” – those languages that
basically cover the world’s hot
spots, from the Middle East to
China, Africa and Russia.
The need for proficient linguists in these areas is so great
that the FBI ran a recruitment
ad in the 2006 Super Bowl. Four
years ago, Congress established
the
National
Virtual
Translation Center to recruit
at-home linguists to translate
documents for various intelligence agencies.
The class at BCC is funded
by the U.S. State Department
through the Fulbright Foreign
Language Teaching Assistant
Program, the first time the
Fulbright language program
has extended its reach beyond
four-year universities. BCC and
Quincy
College
in
Massachusetts are the only two
community colleges in the
nation offering the class, but
more are planned.
“We want to make sure we
are able to open the minds of all
U.S. students,” said Marsha
Frith, senior program officer
for the Fulbright program.
The program brings in
native speakers from foreign
countries who teach both language and culture.
At Bellevue, the Arabic
instructor is Fahad al-Balushi,
28, of Oman, an oil-rich monarchy of 3.1 million that borders
Saudi Arabia and is across the
Gulf of Oman from Iran.
Given the response this year,
Arabic 103 will be offered next
quarter, and the college is looking for an instructor to continue the classes next year.
Besides the cultural differences, Arabic is a language
with a completely different
alphabet, with writing done
from right to left. Books begin
at the last page and end at the
front. Many words are sounded
out with throat muscles
English speakers would use for
coughing.
On this morning at BCC,
however, the students are just
beginning.
As each one rose to speak to
the class, he or she would begin
with, “Ana ismi ...,” meaning
“My name is ....”
The class would reply in unison, “Al-salaam alaikom.”
“Peace be with you.”
Then the halting process of
learning this language spoken
by 256 million people worldwide
began.
“You are very smart. You
study, you practice, you learn,”
al-Balushi encouraged them.
“You have to work hard. We had
a deal here? Cool.”
(c) 2007, The Seattle Times.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune
Information Services.
March 28, 2007 – Lost property
(Bldg. 8)
March 29, 2007 – Criminal mischief (Green)
March 29, 2007 – Criminal mischief (Lot 9)
March 29, 2007 – Criminal mischief (Lot 10)
March 30, 2007 – Disorderly
intoxication/public disturbance
(Bldg. 43) – A UPD officer was contacted by security personnel at the
“High School Bash” in regards to
an intoxicated male at the event.
His friends thought the man was
at least 18 years old, but he was
not able to physically identify
himself to the officer. The officer
noted the odor of alcohol on the
male’s breath and reported he
may have been under the influence of other substances. The
male was transported to Baptist
Medical Center Beaches.
March 31, 2007 – Investigation
(Bldg. G of Osprey Village)
March 31, 2007 – Sick person
(Bldg. 39)
Compiled by Emily Bruce.
Wednesday
April 4
Thursday
April 5
Friday
April 6
Saturday
April 7
Sunday
April 8
Monday
April 9
Tuesday
April 10
Partly
Cloudy
Mostly
Sunny
Mostly
Sunny
Mostly
Sunny
Partly
Cloudy
Mostly
Sunny
Mostly
Sunny
7-DAY
FORECAST
For updated weather,
visit unfspinnaker.com.
SOURCE: NOAA
84/56
Rain: 30%
73/46
Rain: 0%
70/47
Rain: 0%
69/43
Rain: 0%
70/47
Rain: 30%
71/50
Rain: 0%
73/52
Rain: 0%
PAGE 6
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
NEWS
Question of the Week If you were running for president, what would you promise?
ALI
SON
COLLEEN
HERMS
CHRIS
WILLIAMS
DAN
O.
LEANN
ANDERSON
JUNIOR,
NURSING
JUNIOR,
SPANISH
SENIOR,
PSYCHOLOGY
SENIOR,
PSYCHOLOGY
JUNIOR,
COMMUNICATIONS
“That I’m not an elitist,
supremacist group.”
“More communication
about everything going on
on campus.”
“Extend the hours of the
fitness center on
weekends.”
“Make a men’s swimming
and water polo team.”
“Cameras in the parking
garages.”
Compiled by Sarah Diener. Photos by Rebecca Daly.
Experts predict
busy storm season
BY MARTIN MERZER
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
(c) 2007 McClatchy-Tribune.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune
Information Services.
BY SARAH DIENER
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
The University of North Florida was the second stop last week on a 1,200-mile bike ride to raise
awareness of seatbelt safety and alcohol abuse.
“S.A.F.E. Ride,” which stands for Stay Alive
From Education, is a team of nine cyclists taking
the trip across the state stopping at colleges and
high schools to speak out against drunk driving
and the use of seat belts to save lives. Valeria
Nolla, a sophomore biology major, is the youngest
person and only UNF student joining this team.
“I wanted to be part of the solution.” Nolla said.
“If I have to go through physical pain to change
one person’s life, it’s worth it.”
Nolla got involved with the group after she met
the founder and a few members of the team, she
said. After hearing their plans for the ride, she
said she wanted to join. She then had a series of
interviews with team members and was invited to
take part in the ride.
Nolla said she trains year-round but has found
the first day of this trip challenging.
“The first day was grueling,” she said. “Some
members were having mechanical problems with
their bikes. But we got through it.”
The trip started in Tallahassee March 26 and
will end at the Busch Gardens amusement park in
Tampa April 6.
The 1,200 miles is in honor of April being
Alcohol Awareness Month and to symbolize the
REBECCA DALY
Taking another toss at the
tropical weather dart board, a
group of university forecasters
predicted “a very active” hurricane season April 3.
They expect 17 named tropical
storms to grow into nine hurricanes, including five intense hurricanes with winds above 110
mph.
The averages over the past 40
years are 11 tropical storms, six
hurricanes and two intense hurricanes.
In 2006, we had 10 named
storms that became five hurricanes, two of which were intense,
a welcome relief after the barrages of 2004 and 2005.
The six-month season begins
June 1. Long-term predictions
such as those issued Tuesday
sometimes prove wrong.
“We are calling for a very
active hurricane season this year,
but not as active as the 2004 and
2005
seasons,”
said
Phil
Klotzbach, leader of the team of
Colorado State University scientists that includes famed expert
William Gray.
One reason for the prediction
of above-average storm production: developing La Nina conditions in the western Pacific.
Those relatively cool sea temperatures can suppress crosswinds
that help us by tearing apart
developing hurricanes.
La Nina is the opposite of El
Nino, relatively warm Pacific
temperatures that can amplify
those crosswinds. Last year, a
mild El Nino helped diminish
hurricane activity.
Osprey rides to raise safety awareness
Valeria Nolla, a Peru native, is the youngest and only UNF
student to join the second annual S.A.F.E Ride team. The
team’s route of 1,200 miles started in Tallahassee.
1,200 preventable alcohol-related motor vehicle
fatalities reported each year by the Florida
Highway Patrol.
The ride is sponsored by
Anheuser-Busch’s 180 energy drink, the Florida
Highway Patrol and the Florida Student
Association.
E-mail Sarah Dienerat
news@unfspinnaker.com.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
PAGE 7
NEWS
DRUGS: Alcohol
State Senate reviews bill
limiting textbook price hikes incidents also rising
from page 1
BY SARAH SAMORAJ
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ILLUSTRATION: JEN QUINN
Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press made books more available and less expensive to the
public in 1445, but in the 21st century, it takes an act of legislature.
House Bill 289, recently passed
by
the
Committee
on
Postsecondary Education, will
require new textbook editions to
differ substantially from earlier
editions or they won’t be used.
The bill also requires a 45-day
advanced notification of required
textbooks from professors, and
suggests ways to provide textbooks to students who can’t otherwise afford them. If passed by
the House, the bill will take effect
July 1.
“As students, we’re forced to
buy books at ... near outrageous
sums and then by the end of the
semester they’re either discontinued or the bookstore, any bookstore, won’t really give you a fare
price for them,” said Stephen
Oleszek, a senior English major
at the University of North
Florida. “It’s a racket.”
College textbook prices have
been steadily increasing each
year, according to the U.S.
Government
Accountability
Office’s
College
Textbooks
report. Since 1986, textbook
prices have risen at double the
rate of inflation, a 186 percent
increase.
North Florida students spent
approximately $6.5 million on
textbooks in the campus bookstore during the 2005-2006 fiscal
year, said Vince Smyth, director
of auxiliary services.
Jonathan Caplanis, a junior
construction major, said the
bookstore buys books back at low
prices and sells them for much
more.
Dr. John Eisler, an associate
professor of psychology at UNF,
spent two years working on a
textbook that would be inexpensive and educationally effective
for his psychobiology students.
At wholesale, Eisler’s book
sells at approximately $67 and he
receives $6 per book sold.
However, at Follett, the company
that contracts the UNF bookstore,
the book is sold at approximately
$89, a 33 percent increase.
The average cost of a new textbook is $102.44, according to
California
Public
Interest
Research Groups’ Rip-off 101
report.
Students spend an average of
$900 on textbooks each year,
according to Rip-off 101. This represents approximately 20 percent
of the average tuition and fees for
in-state students at public fouryear colleges nationwide.
“I think we are extremely
overcharged,” said Tami Luxon, a
junior international relations
major. “I have to get loans to
cover [my books].”
Oleszek has saved hundreds of
dollars by borrowing required
books from libraries and also
going to used-book stores.
“Textbook publishers put new
editions on the market frequently
– often with very few content
changes – making the less expensive, used textbooks obsolete and
unavailable,” according to Rip-off
101.
However, HB 289 will change
all that. Under the bill, professors
can only use a revised textbook
edition if it’s vastly different
than the previous edition.
“I think [the bill’s] wise,”
Oleszek said. “It couldn’t have
come any sooner.”
E-mail Sarah Samoraj at uspinnak@unf.edu.
JEA, UNF explore energy options
BY MATT OLSEN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Jacksonville Electric
Authority has enacted several
programs to help promote the use
of alternative energy and is
exploring alternative fuel options
with a University of North
Florida professor.
Headed by Dr. James Fletcher,
the JEA Clean & Renewable
Energy Lab explores alternative
energy sources such as solar
energy and fuel cell technology
and analyzes the exhaust emissions of alternative fuels, according to the lab’s Web site.
There is an increasing amount
of money and effort being put
into fuel cell technology, according to Dr. Fletcher’s assistant,
Benjamin Swanson. Swanson
said fuel cells can utilize cleanburning fuels like hydrogen to
produce environmentally-friendly energy.
“This seems to be a promising
technology that a lot of major
manufacturers are behind,”
Swanson said.
Support for these and other
alternative energies has grown
recently, Swanson said.
“The government, oil companies and car companies are all
putting large amounts of money
and man-power into renewable
energy,” Swanson said.
The alternative energies currently under development greatly
reduce pollution-causing emissions, Swanson said. It’s not
going to be easy to stop using oil
and other non-renewable energies, he said.
As part of its environmentally-friendly initiatives, JEA has
promised to generate at least 7.5
percent of its energy from clean
and renewable sources by 2015.
The company has installed solar
power systems at local high
schools, universities and community buildings. JEA’s agreement
to purchase energy produced
from burning plant material from
a facility in south Florida is outlined on it’s Web site.
JEA’s vehicles are included in
the company’s efforts to use clean
and renewable fuels. At least 44
percent of the fleet vehicles use
alternative fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol, electricity and
propane, said Kathy Para of JEA
Fleet Services.
While propane fueling is being
phased out, JEA is working with
the Electric Power Research
Institute to implement a hybrid
fueling system for its bucket
trucks, which Para said will use
both plug-in electricity and regular gasoline.
Although the general public
seemingly has limited access to
alternative-fuel vehicles, most of
the public could reduce their
vehicle emissions right now, Para
said. By using a mixture of 10
percent ethanol and 90 percent
gasoline, known as E10, Para said
vehicle
emissions
can
be
decreased by 10 percent.
“Any car – your car, my car
–can take E10 fuel right now,”
Para said.
JEA vehicles use ethanol fuel
E85, which is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, Para said. The result is a
nearly 85 percent reduction in
harmful emissions.
The JEA Solar Incentive
Program gives a rebate to customers who install solar water
heating systems in their home or
business, according to JEA’s Web
site.
“Nine hundred and twentyseven solar systems have been
installed as a result of our
rebate,” said JEA employee
Kimberly Owens. “We only have
a hot water system rebate now
and 315 of the 927 are hot water
systems.”
In addition, JEA offers a netmetering system for customers
who choose to power their own
homes with solar or wind energy.
JEA will use a special meter
that will essentially run backwards if a customer produces
more energy than consumed,
according to the program’s Web
site. While the customer won’t get
paid for any excess electricity
produced, the result will be a
credit on future electric bills.
JEA is also involved in a number of “green” partnerships to
educate the community and protect the local environment,
according to its Web site. One
such program is based at UNF.
“Our current forms of energy
are reliable and allow us a lot of
personal freedoms at a relatively
low monetary cost,” Swanson
said. “Alternative energy cannot
compete with that. Once we begin
to value the advantages of alternatives enough to change the way
we live alternatives will have a
chance.”
E-mail Matt Olsen at uspinnak@unf.edu.
as five or more drinks on the
same occasion at least one day in
the past month, and heavy alcohol use remained consistent.
Based on data from the 20022005 survey, 57.8 percent of fulltime underage college students
consumed alcohol in the past
month, 40.1 percent engaged in
binge drinking, and 16.6 percent
engaged in heavy drinking.
In
February
2006,
the
University Police Department
partnered with the Jacksonville’s
Sheriff ’s Office for an undercover
drug operation in the dorms.
They uncovered drug use and the
sale of drugs between students.
Fourteen students were found
with drugs such as marijuana,
cocaine and Ecstasy.
“The main way people get
caught is through noise complaints or if they have the marijuana smell on them,” said
Katherine Clark, a senior criminal justice major and RA at
Osprey Landing.
Typically, UPD officers investigate any potential drug issues
on campus and might refer the
individual to student conduct,
Foxworth said. The student
either receives a misdemeanor
citation or is arrested.
“Student
conduct
could
include anything from a research
paper that the student would be
required to write as part of their
punishment, to community service, to suspension from school,”
Foxworth said.
In 2003, a residence life officer
was appointed by Foxworth to
oversee student living areas and
take on a more proactive
approach with students in the
dorms. Students have responded
well to this change, Foxworth
said, and the residence officer
has become more involved with
the students living on campus.
In the 2004-2005 academic year,
there was a 100 percent increase
in drug-use from 43 to 86 incidents from the year before, meaning more arrests and referrals to
student conduct, Foxworth said.
There was also a 16 percent
increase in alcohol use from 129
to 150 incidents.
In 2006, the number of drugrelated incidents was significantly lower, with 60 occurrences in
the school year, Foxworth said.
However, the number of alcoholrelated incidents rose from 150 in
2005 to 251.
“For a lot of college students,
the weekend starts on Thursday
and people aim to get drunk,
high, or both, depending on how
hard-core they are,” Hunter said.
“It’s all about the party.”
E-mail Laura Britton at uspinnak@unf.edu.
PAGE 8
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
Students ‘die’ to raise Darfur awareness
BY TAMI LIVINGSTON
NEWS EDITOR
E-mail Tami Livingston at
news@unfspinnaker.com.
DARLENE HUMPHREYS
Students weren’t hallucinating when
they “saw dead people” on the University
of North Florida Green last week.
More than 50 students, faculty and staff
participated in a “die-in” on the Green
March 29 by pretending to be dead on the
Green for a half-hour. The goal was to raise
awareness about the genocide occurring in
Sudan’s Darfur region.
“We hope people would take a look and
get involved,” said Vicki Parman, a junior
anthropology major.
The “die-in” was part of a weeklong
series of Darfur-centered events sponsored
by Dr. Aleksandra Sasha Milicevic’s War
and Violence class.
“We wanted to do an outside event to
raise awareness,” said Milicevic, an associate professor in the sociology department.
“We’ve said many times it will not happen
again, and it’s something that’s happening
right now as we speak.”
Lindsay Moriarty, one of Milicevic’s
students, came up with the “die-in.”
“I was looking online for good ways to
raise awareness and read about other ‘dieins’ that have been done,” said Moriarty, a
senior anthropology major.
Other events included a Rock Against
Genocide Concert held at local pub Shanty
Town, face-painting and an awareness
booth, and a showing of “Hotel Rwanda.”
Milicevic said she hopes the Darfur
Awareness Week will become an
annual event.
As part of Darfur Awareness Week, sponsored by Sasha Milicevic’s sociology class, about 50 students “died” on the Green to protest the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
Administration considers French Studies major
BY LAUREL WRIGHT
STAFF WRITER
University of North Florida students
might soon have another option when picking a major. French Studies is going
through the approval process to join
Spanish as the only foreign language
majors offered at UNF.
“French Studies as a major is not yet
definite, but chances are it will be
approved,” said Jorge Febles, department
of world languages chair.
The program hasn’t faced any resistance in the approval process thus far, but it
still has to go through more committees
before it can be implemented, Febles said.
It will be presented to the Faculty
Association April 5, and eventually has to
be approved by the Florida Board
of Governors.
“We
[the
World
Languages’
Department] don’t have a sufficient number of language majors to be a credible pro-
gram,” said Febles. “The
two main languages
taught in the U.S. are
Spanish and French, and
to
have
a
good
department, we need
both languages.”
If approved, the major
will be officially impleSchwammented in spring 2008,
Baird
but students could begin
taking
pre-requisites
anytime, said Dr. Shira Schwam-Baird,
associate professor of French.
“We anticipate lots of double majors,”
Schwam-Baird said. “Completing a French
major enhances student’s marketability
for lots of different jobs because many
companies go outside the U.S. and French
is useful in many countries.”
“A sizeable number of students coming
to UNF have a background in French from
high school. Most of them had to stop at a
minor, but now we can encourage more,”
Febles said.
Sarah Coghlan, a senior graphic design
major, said having a French Studies major
would benefit UNF because of the current
lack of language options.
“It will draw more students to UNF and
help current UNF students communicate
with the French students who come here,”
she said. “It’s always beneficial to learn
about other cultures and their ways
of living.”
The program will be interdisciplinary,
said Dr. Patricia Geesey, associate professor of French.
“It will focus on French language and
culture, but anything that has a French
emphasis can count,” she said.
Students can take some courses that are
taught in English, such as French Cinema,
and have them count toward the French
Studies program, as long as 60 percent of
courses taken toward the degree are taught
in French.
This is a sound proposal, Febles said.
“It’s cost effective, right now we don’t
have to hire anymore staff,” she said. “The
courses being offered are already in the
catalogue, but are not being taught regularly. With a major, they will be taught more
regularly so students can expand their
skills to a higher level.”
“I don’t anticipate this to be a large program like communications,” Febles said.
“It will grow slowly at first, but we have
good professors so it will produce good
results. I hope eventually we can establish
more language programs, like a minor
in Chinese.”
Focusing on international programs is
important for UNF, said Schwam-Baird.
“Their contents are valuable and help
us understand how the world works in
other cultures,” she said.
For questions about the French Studies
program, contact Dr. Shira Schwam-Baird
at 620-1248.
E-mail Laurel Wright at uspinnak@unf.edu.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
PAGE 9
NEWS
Relay raises $17K for cancer research
BY AMANDA TEW
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
News in Brief
SAE up for review
A national Sigma Alpha
Epsilon volunteer visited the
University of North Florida to
conduct a membership review of
each brother in reference to the
recent cease and desist order
issued to the Florida Nu Chapter
of SAE at UNF.
Garbage event
commended
The University of North
Florida received the JaxPride
Award of Excellence presented
by the annual Ideas and Actions
Forum for its “Garbage on the
Green” recycling event. The
forum recognizes outstanding
neighborhood improvement
projects in Jacksonville.
School to offer two
new Ph.D.s
The
Florida
Board
of
Governors approved two new
doctoral programs in Nursing
Practice and Physical Therapy at
UNF. The university will begin
enrollment of the programs this
fall.
Compiled by Sarah Diener.
“The luminaria ceremony was
just as touching even though we
didn’t light the candles,” said
Renee Tomey a junior special education major. Tomey was the
activities planner of the Relay for
Life committee.
Although it rained and many
bands could not perform, UNF’s
Shawn Fisher was still able to perform for the patrons at the event
around 10 p.m., followed by various acoustic guitar performers
through out the night.
When the night sky became
darker and the hours passed ,
fatigue showed in a few faces.
“I’m getting tired, it’s almost
midnight. You realize that’s when
you’re usually asleep,” said Jamie
Spruell, UNF alumni coordinator
and MBA candidate.
The energy was high early in
the morning of the event. There
were football and soccer games on
the field while other teams were
line dancing in their tents.
The Relay for Life committee
provided numerous activities to
keep everyone awake. Some of the
activities included dodgeball,
hula-hoop, tugs of war, limbo and
a tent-decorating contest.
The closing ceremony began
early
Saturday
morning,
Donaldson said.
“Due to the fact that the teams
had been out all night in the rain,
they were tired and were starting
to leave, we decided to close the
event a little early so that we
could have as many people possible still here for closing ceremonies and awards,” she said.
The UNF athletics team earned
more than $3,000 dollars, the highest amount out of all the teams.
The student life team was awarded with the most spirit at the
event.
This is the fourth year UNF
has hosted the event. This year’s
theme was “Passport to a Cure: an
International Theme.”
E-mail Amanda Tew at uspinnak@unf.edu.
REBECCA DALY
Students, faculty and staff
members from the University of
North Florida participated in the
Relay for Life event March 30 and
31 at the recreation field next to
The Crossings.
Approximately 200 people participated in this year’s relay, significantly more than previous
years. This year’s relay raised
$17,500, more than doubling the
funds raised during last year’s
events. The relay came short of its
goal of $35,000. Proceeds made
from the 28 teams in the relay will
be donated to the American
Cancer Society.
At the beginning of the 20062007 school year, the Relay for Life
Club was created. This marked
the first year the committee was
an official club gaining the support of President John Delaney,
said Megan Donaldson, Relay for
Life Representative and junior
psychology major.
“It is fun to see so many people
different people from so many different parts of UNF,” said Kelli
Richards, a senior athletic training major and Golden Key team
member.
The relay began around 8 p.m.
with opening ceremonies. The
chair of the event, Mike Tenord,
introduced the committee and
then spoke about the history of
the relay. After a speech from cancer survivor Dawn Watley, all of
the cancer survivors took a ceremonial first lap around the track.
“We are still pretty excited
because we still had a pretty good
turn out considering the weather,” Megan Donaldson, a junior
psychology major and a relay representative.
Shortly into the event, the
luminaria service took place.
White bags with the names of victims and survivors were placed
around the track to honor those
who have fought cancer.
Approximately 200 people participated in the Relay for Life event
March 30 on campus.
PAGE 10
SPINNAKER
Advertisement
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
EXTRA
PAGE E1
ART CREDIT FOR THE EXTRA SECTION:
REBECCA DALY, JEN QUINN, ROBERT K. PIETRZYK
The Master Plan is a continually updated blueprint
for the expansion of the University of North Florida
campus. It was last updated in 2004 and approved
by the Board of Trustees in 2005. Existing buildings
and facilities originally mapped out as part of the
plan include the new Social Sciences building and
the skate park. The plan calls for 16 more building
projects on campus over the next five years..
See the plans for the future of the University of
North Florida inside.
PAGE E2
PAGE 13
EXTRA
Status: Recently signed agreement with the Jacksonville Police
and Fire Pension to lease then buy
the building from them.
Cost: Unavailable.
Size: 125,000 square feet.
Details: Will house mostly administrative offices and possibly some
classrooms.
Compiled by Tami Livingston.
Status: Preliminary
permitting and
design phase.
Cost: $4-6 million.
Completion: No
timeline currently.
Size: 3,500 square
feet.
Details: Will serve
as a multi-purpose
space.
Status: Break ground July 2007.
Cost: $80 million.
Completion: July 2009.
Size: Unavailable.
Details: Will have 1,000
beds, a pool, convenience store, recreational
facilities and a game
room.
Status: Break ground in 2007.
Cost: Unavailable.
Completion: December 2008.
Size: 33,000 square feet.
Details: Will transform current L shape into a U
shape. Will house classrooms, Student Health
Services and the nursing
program.
On the plan for the next five years but in the earliest stages of development.
Status: Under construction.
Cost: $1.2 million.
Completion: August 2007.
Size: 3,000 square feet.
Details: Will be
located in Lot
100.
On the plan for the next five years but in the
earliest stages of development.
Status: Break ground in May 2007.
Cost: Unavailable.
Completion: September 2007.
Size: Unavailable.
Details: Current pavilion will be renovated
for storage and an attendants office. An
interpretation center will be built.
Building will be demolished in two
years after the completion of the
Student Union.
Status: Two firms will come to campus in the coming
weeks and make presentations to university officials.
Cost: $960,000 - $1.1 million annually.
Completion: August 2007.
Details: North route: 3 buses, 9 stops around the core of
campus and the North Parking Lot. South route: 3 buses,
8 stops around core of campus and AOL Building.
Status: Currently negotiating contract,
construction begins this spring.
Cost: $4 million.
Completion: Within a year.
Details: New track, add seats, new
scoreboard and lights and renovate
the press box.
No information available.
Status: Preliminary permitting, design phase at least
a year away. Will possibly
include houses and recreation facilities.
All construction costs and dates are estimates
and are subject to change.
Status: Break ground in June 2007.
Cost: $35 million.
Completion: May 2009.
Size: 148,000 square feet.
Details: Three floors. Will house SG
offices and student activity offices, a
retail component, fast food and restaurant components.
Status: Under construction.
Cost:Unavailable.
Completion: August 2007.
Details: Will connect parking
Lots 18 and 19 to the core of
campus.
Status: Break ground in September.
Cost: Unavailable.
Completion: May 2009.
Size: 95,000 square feet.
Details: Will house classrooms,
training and teaching areas and
lounges.
Sources: Zak Ovadia, Director of Facilities Planning, Vincent Smyth, Director of
Auxiliary Services and Pierre Allaire, Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
Images courtesy of Facilities Planning, Media Relations, Haskell and Design Plus,
Flagg Design Studio LLC.
PAGE E4
EXTRA
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
PAGE 11
Here are a few tips to help even the most
novice hitcher:
l Smile – The driver should be able to tell the
person he or she plans on picking up looks happy
and relaxed. When you’re offered a ride, you can
stop smiling. You don't want to creep them out.
l Look presentable – Chances are, a guy wearing a potato sack over his head and hefting a
machete will have a tough time thumbing a ride.
Put on the nice sport coat you just won from that
drunken businessman in a game of five-card stud,
comb your unwashed hair and try not to look
homicidal.
l Show a little leg – Hey, you never know. You're
going to be spending a long time in close quarters
with the person who decides to give you a ride.
Might as well let them know what they are getting
themselves into.
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After finally getting a
ride, there are a few things
to remember:
l Be polite – There is nothing worse
than an ungrateful hitchhiker. You smell
like you haven't bathed in weeks, you're
carrying a bag on your back large enough
to store a human body, and you still have
the gall to be rude to the poor schmuck
that picked you up? Get your damn feet off
the dashboard and stop messing with the
radio.
l Strike up a conversation – There is a
reason the driver allowed you to enter his
or her vehicle in the first place. Most likely, he or she is lonely and in need of a
good talk. Humor them.
Hitchhiking, once part of the American
dream of movement and adventure, has
dwindled as a social phenomenon in
America. But there is one variation
of “thumbing” that is alive and well,
thriving on the University of North
Florida campus.
In lieu of slowly stalking a student
while he or she walks to his or her car after
class or circling every parking lot on campus until lightning strikes and a space
opens up, some UNF students have begun
to offer rides to other students who are
walking to their cars to procure a parking
space.
Sophomore psychology major Cody
Davis said the hitchhiking method, while
effective, should only be used by certain
students.
“I would offer another student a ride to
their car because it's efficient, it guarantees me a parking space,” said Davis. “But I
definitely wouldn't want my girlfriend to
offer or accept a ride from another student.”
Heather Bailey, a senior psychology
major, had a different opinion.
“I probably wouldn't accept a ride from
anyone, but I would probably offer someone
a ride if I had seen them in a class I had
before.”
University Police Department Chief
Mark Foxworth cautions students to avoid
accepting a ride from someone they do not
know.
“If you get into someone's car, you
should know who they are,” Foxworth said.
“It's that simple.”
ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT K. PIETRZYK
BY SARAH MOODY
E-mail Sarah Moody at uspinnak@unf.edu.
l Jack Kerouac – The face of
the Beat
Generation, Kerouac perfected his signature writing style while traveling the country via hitching.
He used his Benzedrine-fueled road experiences as
the basis for his seminal work, “On the Road.”
l Aileen Wuornos – Hooker-turned-serial killer,
Wuornos stalked the highways of central Florida,
racking up a total of six murders in one year. Before
she was executed, she found religion and said she
would return to Earth in a “mothership.” If she
were still alive today, Tom Cruise would probably
try to convert her to Scientology.
l The Hitcher – The eponymous antagonist in the
1986 cult film, this certified psycho took the interstates as his hunting ground while pursuing the
most dangerous game of all. The only thing scarier
than him is the atrocious 2007 remake based on the
original film.
l Top of the parking garage – Don't bother with three
flights of stairs when you can hitch a ride and make
a new friend.
l Lot 18 – No roads connect to lot 18, so campus requires
hitchhikers to explore new transportation alternatives, like
golf carts or handle bars, when trying to make it to class
on time.
l St. John's Town Center – This is the wise hitchhiker's
domain. The money saved on a parking pass means you can
buy yourself 146 cheeseburgers from the McDonald's where
you park. Just remember that your ride might also be hungry.
l The Crossings – Walking to the gym is overrated when a
prime hitchhiking location is just steps from your
dorm room.
BY MATT COLEM
AN
PAGE 12
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
EXPRESSIONS
Inept thief assaulted by monkeys
BY MIKE PINGREE
MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 4:
l
HEY, LEAVE BOB ALONE!
A man broke into the primate
enclosure at the zoo in
Chessington, England, to steal a
Bolivian
squirrel
monkey
named Sponge Bob. But the nine
other Bolivian squirrel monkeys
in the cage did not take kindly to
the kidnapping of their pal, and
attacked the interloper jumping
on his head and biting him, forcing him to flee.
Resumania, 5 p.m. Founders Hall, Bldg.2, room 2039
Thursday, April 5:
l
Explore-a-Major Fair, 11 a.m., the Green
Friday, April 6:
l
Club Alliance Meeting, 12 p.m., Bldg. 14, room 1700
OH ALL RIGHT BUT JUST
THIS ONCE
A prison guard at a Florida
correctional institution for
women was arrested for having
sexual relations with one of
the inmates in her bunk.
He explained to authorities
that the woman had been
making advances, and he did it
"so she would leave him alone."
Saturday, April 7:
l
Corneille’s “The Illusion,” 8 p.m., Robinson Theatre
Sunday, April 8 :
l
Corneille’s “The Illusion,” 2 p.m., Robinson Theatre
Monday, April 9:
l
STUPID EARTHLINGS, YOUR
LAWS DON'T APPLY TO ME
Police in Trenton, N.J.,
arrested a man for possession of
a controlled dangerous substance and resisting arrest. So
the man claimed diplomatic
immunity as a member of the
Abannaki "indigeneous nation"
that includes people from Mars,
Venus and "the so-called planet
Earth."
Spring Career Expo, 10 a.m., University Center
Tuesday, April 10:
l
WorldFest 2007, 10 a.m., the Green
Compiled by Ross Brooks.
‘Grindhouse’ brings gritty vibe to theaters
BY MATT COLEMAN
FEATURES EDITOR
As you're in both segments of the movie,
did you notice a difference between the different styles of the directors?
Marley Shelton:
“Oh yeah, they definitely have a very different
way of working.
But what's so great is they're so ego-less with
each other and it's also kind of this fantastic collaboration and cross pollination.
Robert is much more of a visualist, and he is
obviously extremely cutting edge in terms of his
technology. He likes to create at the speed of
thought, which is actually something he said to
us before.
And then Quentin is very old school, and he
prefers to shoot on film. He doesn't even have
a monitor.
But I love both. You know, the beauty of this
project was just to have such two totally different
styles
coming
together
and
working
together.”
What is it about “Grindhouse” that sets it
apart from other horror films?
MS:
“Well I think a lot of things set it apart. Off of
the top of my head I think that “Planet Terror”
is more fantastical, and it's sort of operatic in
it's violence.
Zombies couldn't probably take over a small
town in Texas, therefore you can actually really let
go in the movie, and it doesn't affect you as intimately as real violence.
I think you have two filmmakers who are on the
top of their game. I mean, you know, coming off of
‘Sin City’ and ‘Kill Bill 1 and 2’, these guys really
are the tops of their craft, and so just the filmmaking itself is just really exquisite.”
How would you describe the atmosphere on
the set? Was it professional or relaxed?
MS:
“It was professional and relaxed. That's what's
great about the tone that Robert and Quentin set.
They both are very hospitable. They create an
environment that's really conducive to creativity
COURTESY OF DIMENSION FILMS
The Spinnaker recently took part in a college
conference call with cast members from the movie
“Grindhouse.” A panel of journalists asked the
cast about their respective roles, their thoughts
about the film, and the atmosphere on the set. The
film is a double feature comprised of two segments, “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof,” directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino,
respectively.
A scene from “Death Proof,” the Quentin Tarantino directed segment of “Grindhouse.” The film comes out April 6.
and yet very relaxed. You know, it's not a tense
atmosphere by any means.
Was there a lot of green screen work on the
film or was it mostly practical effects?
Freddy Rodriguez:
“No, hardly, you know, maybe one scene we did
a little green screen work.
But the majority was all real, everything there
was real.
I did all my own stunts pretty much, about 95
percent of them were all me. That's why you get to
see my face when the stunt is being performed.
Usually when it's not you, you'll begin the stunt,
and then they'll cut to like the back of your head
and then back to you.
But you get to see my face as I'm doing the
stunt, which is great.”
What's your character like in the film?
FR:
“If you've seen Robert Rodriguez's films in the
past, he always has some sort of hero in his film
whether it's an action hero or anti-hero.
And I'm a combination of both. I loved playing
the part. It's the first time I've ever played an
action hero before so, you know, it was a completely new experience for me.
I had months of gun training, knife training
fight choreography, and physical training.”
In regards to Rose McGowan's character in
the film, how do you fire a machine gun that's
attached to your leg?
FR:
“Those things are unexplained, they just happen. It's ‘Grindhouse,’ man!”
E-mail Matt Coleman at features@unfspinnaker.com.
I'M JUST TRYING TO DO
WHAT THE JUDGE SAID
A teenager was ordered to take
the bus to school after he was convicted of speeding in Valparaiso,
Ind. Soon afterward, he was
arrested for going 93 in a 45 mph
zone. He told the arresting officer
he was rushing home to catch the
school bus.
MONEY FIRST, WEDDING
LATER
A woman in Singapore hooked
up with a rather stupid man in an
online chatroom, pretended to be
a beautiful actress and promised
to marry him. And, oh yes, she
got him to send her $45,000 before
the wedding could take place.
The woman's real husband
defended his wife after she was
arrested, saying "no sensible man
would send so much money to a
woman without seeing her in person first."
OH GOD MOM, HOW COULD
YOU?!
A 20-year-old Minnesota man
sent a bizarre threatening letter to
a woman he had a crush on in
third grade, signing it "death stalker." But, the man still lives with his
parents, and his mother, who
mailed the letter, innocently put
the man's name and return
address on the envelope, thinking
he was writing a friendly note to
an old classmate. He was arrested.
(c) 2007, McClatchy-Tribune
News Service
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune
Infnformation Services.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
PAGE 13
EXPRESSIONS
Symptoms of a depressive
episode include:
Gaffigan’s little problems a big hit
How do I deal
with depression?
BY ACE STRYKER
PRODUCTION MANAGER
This week, Reena Sheth, a staff
counselor at the University of
North Florida’s Counseling
Center, discusses how to deal with
depression.
ROBERT K. PIETRZYK
When Jim Gaffigan took the stage at the
Florida Theatre April 1 as part of his Comedy
Central-sponsored “Beyond the Pale” tour, he
opened in classic form.
One of the signature aspects of Gaffigan's routine, other than the self-deprecating references to
slobbishness and his almost exclusive focus on eating and sleeping, is an invented and intensely
prude audience member he mimics in a high,
whispery voice in response to his own jokes.
Just as he did in his Comedy Central special
after which the tour was named, he began with
several minutes filled with said audience member's concern about the direction of the show and
the appearance of its performer.
Complaints about Gaffigan's weight, skin tone
and sexuality were voiced in guinea pig tones to
riotous applause.
Once he did get into telling his own jokes as
Gaffigan the comedian, the subject matter was
instantly familiar to long-time fans: a roughly
75/25 split between bits about food and bits about
laziness.
Gaffigan has found a niche and has made it
clear he's comfortable there and has no plans of
leaving it any time soon.
The show was generally equal parts old and
new material, with the bulk of his previously
released jokes coming from the 2005 Comedy
Central special. Gaffigan revived a few old fan
favorites, like the Hot Pockets and Cinnabon bits,
which were met with rampant applause despite
the fact that the jokes probably weren't new to a
majority of audience members.
A few jokes from his other CD, Doin' My Time,
also made it into the routine – among them my
personal favorite, a defense of the manatee as the
runt of the aquatic world, a “sea cow fatass” constantly belittled by the other animals' taunts.
Gaffigan dished out a healthy serving of commentary on the funnier side of current events,
such as astronaut Lisa Nowak's diaper-clad crosscountry trip in February and the fallibility of new
technology like Google Maps.
The pace dragged slightly in the first half of
the show when Gaffigan spent about 15 minutes
exploring every possible context that bacon could
be funny in – most of which were, and some which
were not.
The real charm of his style is the ability to take
a very simple formula and replicate it over and
over again, plugging new foods or social faux pas
or inane facets of everyday life and producing
hilarious effects every time.
While he usually pulls it off to great response,
it became apparent during the bacon bit that the
formula can eventually be worn out.
One of the funniest moments in the show was,
as many of Gaffigan's are across his career, an
unconventional take on religious traditions. His
discussion of his wife's Catholic devotion somehow spiraled into a portrait of Jesus Christ and
Comedian Jim Gaffigan performed April 1 at the Florida
Theatre. He will be on tour the remainder of the year.
Jim Gaffigan
Sails to the Wind: Four and 1/2.
Good: Gaffigan's simple formula for producing laughs.
Bad: A lengthy bit about bacon had some
audience members wondering how long
food could be funny.
Ugly: Gaffigan's pink striped shirt.
the 12 apostles as a “homeless football team.”
Another came when, upon returning to the
stage for an encore, Gaffigan's mock audience
member remarked that all he talks about is food
and sleep, and she was just glad he didn't talk
about sex.
He then promptly engaged in a tirade about his
sexual habits in that harmless demeanor only
Gaffigan can pull off.
Gaffigan's opening act, Rich Brooks from
Tennessee, was a nice surprise as well.
Combining a down-home appeal with off-thewall stories of homophobia and a past job as a
flight attendant, he possessed the kind of charisma and on-stage persona that could lend itself
nicely to a successful future for him in the
comedy industry.
All things considered, Gaffigan's show met all
expectations, which the comedian makes a business of keeping low in the first place.
E-mail Ace Stryker at managing@unfspinnaker.com.
‘The Illusion’ set to mystify audiences
BY CRISTINA STEBBINS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
REBECCA DALY
The enchanted stage is set April 7 for the English
Department’s production of Tony Kusher’s adaptation of “The Illusion.”
Dr. Pamela Monteleone takes her play production
course out of the classroom and onto the stage as students learn first-hand how to create theater. The play
presents a division between two worlds – the theatrical world and the real world – leaving the audience to
determine which is the illusion. It is filled with
romance, humor and above all, sorcery.
The tale is set in 17th-century France about a
young lawyer who wishes to see his son again after he
ran away 15 years ago. The lawyer’s journey takes
him to the inside of a mystical cave where he seeks a
Dumbledore-like wizard with a deep voice and polished stature.
Alcandre, the wizard, shows him his son through
three visions during different stages of his life. The
first act is rather confusing as characters change
from scene to scene. At one point, the lawyer yells to
the wizard, “Why are you showing me this, it has
nothing to do with my son.” But, by the second act,
everything comes together in a surprise plot twist.
“Audience members can look forward to a wonderful romantic comedy,” Monteleone said. “All the qualities are there. Lovers, intrigue, a rival to the lovers ...
they will have a spectacle.”
It is indeed a romantic comedy down to the classic
comic relief found in Matamore.
“My character is the thematic center-point,” said
Tyler Patton, a sophomore English major. “He has a
very strong wit and drives the characters to change as
he himself goes through his own metamorphosis.”
“It’s a good story going on here,” said Patrick Ng,
Students from the play production class hone their sword
fighting skills during a rehearsal of “The Illusion.”
a senior advertising major who plays the young
lawyer, Pridamant. “It’s a real story. Although it was
written in the 1600s, it still applies today because the
theme is coming to terms with yourself.”
Monteleone anticipates even more student-produced theater over the next term. She is casting her
summer course to produce a play written by a black
playwright. She is looking for several black students
to audition for the parts with a few white actors
involved as well. The course will also give one student
a chance to direct the play. She intends to give the students even more opportunities to shine both on-stage
and off. Monteleone said she will only coach the
actors and leave the rest up to the students.
The play runs at 8 p.m., April 7, 12-14, and 2 p.m.
April 8 and 15. in the Robinson Theatre. Tickets are
available at the University of North Florida box
office.
E-mail Cristina Stebbins at uspinnak@unf.edu.
Clinical depression can affect
your body, mood, thoughts and
behavior. It can change your eating habits, how you feel, and
think about things, your ability
to work, study, and enjoy life and
how you interact with people.
The 2005 National College Health
Assessment (NCHA), a survey of
nearly 17,000 college students
conducted by the American
College Health Association,
reported 25 percent said they
“felt so depressed it was difficult
to function” three to eight times
during the past year and 21 percent reported they “seriously
considered suicide” one or more
times during the past year.
* Decreased energy, fatigue,
being “slowed down”
* Loss of interest or pleasure in
usual activities
* Sleep disturbance (insomnia,
oversleeping, or waking earlier
than usual)
* Appetite and weight change
(either loss or gain)
Here are some of the ways to
prevent depression:
*Get plenty of rest and sleep
(seven to eight hours a night)
* Build structure into the day
and set daily goals
* Plan fun and physical activity
into each day
* Challenge negative self-talk
cause depression.
For more information, contact
the UNF Counseling Center at
620-2602, or visit Building 2,
room 2068.
If you have a question for Dr. Osprey, E-mail
features@unfspinnaker.com.
PAGE 14
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
EXPRESSIONS
Jacksonville residents
dance away the fat
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
To combat climbing obesity
rates in Jacksonville, a local
nightclub owner decided to
resurrect a trendy a form
of exercise.
Murray Hill Theatre, located
on Riverside Avenue, offers
swing dancing on the first and
third
Friday
night
of
each month in a safe, alcoholfree,
smoke-free,
nightclub
environment.
The Duval County Health
Department released findings
from
a
2002
study
that
indicated
24
percent
of Jacksonville residents are
obese
and
33
percent
are overweight.
When the swing dancing fad
swept the United States in the
late 1990s, Murray Hill Theatre
Owner Tony Nasrallah said he
began hearing comments from
patrons encouraging him to
start up a swing night.
“All of the secular clubs were
offering swing dancing. At the
time, even Gap advertisements
featured
swing
dancing,”
Nasrallah said. “I kept hearing
from the college kids that they
wanted to be able to dance without the drinking and the
smoking that comes with
other nightclubs.”
Though he doesn’t do much
swing
dancing
personally,
Nasrallah took into account the
numerous health benefits it
would offer his patrons.
“Swing dancing provides a
different option to people looking for an exercise alternative,”
Nasrallah said. “I look out on
swing nights and see all of these
“
Tony Nasrallah,
Owner of Murray Hill Theatre
people covered in sweat laughing as they dance around the
room, and it makes me happy
because I know that it’s not like
saying, ‘Gosh, I have to go out
and run two miles today!”’
On average 200 people, predominantly between the ages of
18 and 25, attend swing night,
according to 23-year-old swing
instructor Shelley Emerson of
Green Cove Springs.
“We do have some older people who attend, and that’s always
fun to watch,” Emerson said.
“There are so many different
variations of swing dancing.
Mainly we dance street swing at
Murray Hill, but it’s great to see
the older generation come in
and dance the swing they
remember from the 1920s.”
While swing dancing has
staggered in popularity over
recent years, Emerson said
she has no plans to cancel
swing night.
“At one point I did try to
change swing night into a more
Latin-themed dance night, but I
nearly had a riot,” Emerson
said.
Swing dance night, at an
entry cost of $7, usually
includes a group swing dance
lesson before dancing is opened
up to any and all couples willing
to take the floor. Later in the
evening, three couples are
selected from the crowd to compete for the title of “King and
Queen of Swing.” The winning
couple receives not only crowns,
but a free milkshake as well.
It’s the thought of finding a
swing partner that concerns
University of North Florida student Katina Hunter, a swing
night attendee.
Experienced in tap, ballet
and clogging, Hunter thought
swing dancing might be a new
passion. At a friend’s request,
she attended her first swing
night in January 2003.
“At first, I went two or three
times because I liked it, but my
boyfriend and I broke up recently so now I have to find a new
partner,” Hunter said.
Emerson said lately she has
seen a lot of new faces at swing
night, but it has been mostly
girls.
“I would tell Katina or anyone else who may be considering
coming to swing night to remember that you will be in a crowd
and that as an instructor, I’m
always willing to work with
someone for as long as it takes,”
Emerson said. “But if it’s really
not your thing then Murray Hill
has pool tables, live bands and
milkshakes. Come out and
have fun!”
E-mail Carrie A. Mizell at
uspinnak@unf.edu.
Drag stars strut their stuff
BY MICHAEL W. DUTTER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Skateboarders began using the newly built skate park soon after its grand
opening March 29.
Students weigh in
on new skate park
BY LAUREL WRIGHT
STAFF WRITER
University of North Florida students can now drop into the campus' own mini-ramp, transfer over the spine, manual over the to the
other-side of the ramp and then drop into the quarter pipe.
The UNF skate park is open and providing skaters an alternative
area to practice their tricks on campus. Giving them an approved
place to practice their grinds, board slides and ollies.
The park opened March 29 and contains different ramps, all
made of composite material, a set of stairs for skateboarders to
jump over and a few rails (metal bars used for sliding the skateboard across).
The skateboarders have noticed at the park is the way their
wheels glide over the ramps.
“The park is very smooth and has really good transitions,” said
Colleen Herms, a junior Spanish major. “The concrete slab is also
really smooth and doesn't slow you down.”
CJ Cobus, a junior business major who has been skateboarding
for three years, said the park is really well made.
“It's really fun, I like the mini-ramp the best and the spines are
nice.”
Cobus also said it would be nice if the park was a little bigger.
“The only other thing that it needs in a pool,” he said.
Only UNF students can use the park, so the crowds that usually
fill up other skate parks are less likely. But Herms doesn't agree
with this policy.
“Other people should be allowed to enjoy the skate park,” Herms
said. “It sucks when you have a friend you want to skate with, but if
they don't go to UNF they can't skate with you. It's like making a
public park that only a specific neighborhood can use.”
Other skaters said only allowing UNF students in the park is a
good idea.
“I like it because it's not busy and filled with high school groms,”
Cobus said.
Currently the skateboarders are having trouble with the park
being open, Cobus said.
“The cops keep yelling at us for being here because there is no
one to watch the park and make sure that we have on helmets.”
Vitor Vianchi, a second-year English Language Program student,
also agrees with the students-only policy. “Its good that only UNF
students are allowed because it would get too full and have no room
if other people came,” he said. “And the school paid for it.”
Vianchi has skated the park three times since it has opened and
likes the fact that it is close to his classes and could help him practice for skateboarding contests.
“It is a hobby and another sport to do in school.”
E-mail Laurel Wright at
uspinnak@unf.edu.
REBECCA DALY
Dixie Crystal walked out on stage with knee
high boots and a kickin’ southern woman attitude.
Only she wasn’t much of a southern woman, but
more of a southern man in a dress.
She was one of the many crowd engaging,
eyebrow-raising, fun and entertaining stars in
drag putting on a show for charity April 2
at Wackadoo’s.
Emily Rokosch, coordinator for the University
of North Florida’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Resource Center, said PRIDE, a subdivision of her organization, put on the event.
More than $500 was raised for NFAN, the
Northeast Florida AIDS Network.
“There was a great turnout for the event,”
Rokosch said. “I thought the PRIDE students that
organized and ran the event did very well.”
The entertainers received smiles and screams
with the occasional quizzical look from an audience member or two. The dollar bills thrown
onstage during their performances were given
directly to charity.
NFAN is a private non-profit group established
in 1989 to support AIDs victims throughout
Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. All the
proceeds from the drag show went toward NFAN’s
Kids of Hope program.
One of the ladies in male drag with the stage
name of Tyler Durden said the atmosphere at the
event was great.
“It was lots of fun, and for a good benefit,”
Durden said. She said a number of other performers shared the same sentiments.
The performers were members from PRIDE and
professional drag stars from the local area.
They gave over the top and somewhat sexual
performances to a large crowd of students who
filled the front of the restaurant. Rokosch said
attendance at the event wasn’t counted, but
Wackadoo’s was “really packed.”
“I felt that everyone was having a good time and
enjoying themselves,” Rokosch said.
Like any good show, the men and women in
JAMES HERNANDEZ
“I kept hearing
from the college
kids that they
wanted to be able
to dance without
the drinking and
the smoking ...”
BY CARRIE A. MIZELL
The annual drag show took place April 2 at Wackadoo’s.
The event raised more than $500 for a local charity.
drag kept the audience going, lip synching to
songs like “Candy Man” and “Crazy Bitch,” and
going into the crowd dancing or singing to audience members.
Some performers even got the crowd on their
feet clapping and singing along. The first girl in
drag who performed, Mr. Zachery, got everyone
energized with an air guitar show.
The entertained audience was a cross section of
the student population, Rokosch said.
“The show brought people together who wouldn’t other wise be together.’’
Brittany Williams, the community coordinator
for PRIDE, organized the drag show. She said the
main goal of the event, other than raising money,
was to inform people of different lifestyles.
“We were hoping to get across that there are different people out there,” Williams said. “It was a
way of educating people that there are different
sides to the LGBT community.”
Ms. Betsy O’Reilly, or Mr. Joel Somner, depending on the time of day, said the experience was
enjoyable because “it’s a fun excuse to wear
woman’s clothing and not get yelled at.”
E-mail Michael W. Dutter at uspinnak@unf.edu.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
PAGE 15
SPINNAKER
Horoscopes by Lasha Seniuk
Financial partnerships,
home relationships and
large investments will
this week drain your emotional reserves. After midweek, expect roommates
or younger friends to challenge your opinions or
demand revised home
March 21 - April 20
budgets. Offer detailed
suggestions
and
new
social outlets: serious information and
bold discussions will bring the desired
results. Later this week, a friend or colleague may reveal an unexpected social
triangle. Stay detached: tensions will
be high.
Business and social invitations may this week be
postponed. After Tuesday,
expect a close friend to
openly
discuss
vital
changes
to
security,
finances or family expectations. Long-term career
April 21 - May 20 and home aspirations may
be a central theme. New
ideas will soon prove reliable: remain
attentive and watch for meaningful
improvement. Friday through Sunday,
serious romantic discussions within the
home may be unavoidable. Be flexible:
a friend or loved one will need
delicate advice.
After Monday, a close
friend may reveal ongoing
romantic problems or lingering social fears. Key
relationships and trusted
friendships will steadily
deepen in the coming
May 21 - June 21 weeks, so not to worry. At
present, however, loved
ones may be reluctant of commitment.
Remain sensitive to the private needs of
others: powerful doubts will soon be
resolved. Late Friday, some Geminis will
encounter an unexpected business proposal. Ethical decisions are accented: if
possible, verify all new facts.
Unexpected business cancellations or sudden job
changes may trigger bold
family discussions this
week. If possible, schedule extra private time in
the home and wait for a
June 22 - July 22 calmer atmosphere: fresh
ideas and renewed career
ambitions will soon become a top priority.
After Thursday, many Cancerians will
experience a compelling wave of romantic nostalgia and expanding social awareness. Pause only briefly for quiet
reflection: loved ones need your attention
in the present.
Before mid-week, a close
friend
may
boldly
announce new lifestyle
goals or a risky career
plan. Private financial
agreements, fast investments or complex land
documents may be a cenJuly 23 - Aug. 22
tral theme. Workable
ideas will soon be exposed as challenging
but inspired. Remain optimistic: your
experience will help secure lasting contracts. After Friday, lingering romantic
feelings and old relationships may need to
be publicly addressed. Stay balanced:
your reaction will be scrutinized.
Money
promises
and
revised
employment
strategies are positive this
week but potentially scattered. Over the next few
days, expect loved ones to
unknowingly provide misinformation or misplace
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 key documents. Clearly
define new expectations:
close relatives and romantic partners
may need extra guidance or structure.
After Wednesday, new social invitations
may quickly lead to romance. Powerful
flirtations are unavoidable: remain sensitive to subtle comments or small hints.
For many Librans, rekindled romance and new
sensuality are now highly
distracting. Before midweek, expect friends and
lovers to compete for your
Sept. 23 - Oct. 23 time, attention and loyalty.
Although all looks positive, loved ones may still express lingering doubts or anxieties. Stay alert: minor
disputes are best quickly and permanently resolved. Later this week, a rare business or financial announcement will
demand a detailed response. Partnership
agreements will require extra time:
remain patient.
A relative or friend may
this week request personal information or private
romantic details. Routine
family plans, social expectations or established
group activities may all be
affected. Ask probing
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 questions but expect a
delayed response: loved
ones may now need extra time to process
difficult emotions. Creative solutions will
soon prove workable. After mid-week,
react quickly to news or proposals from
old employers or past colleagues. New
strategies are highly favored: stay open.
Team assignments and
group plans may be unexpectedly cancelled this
week. Over the next few
days, friends, colleagues
or close relatives may
provide faulty social
Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 information or mistaken
facts. Predictable patterns
may not be easily established: if possible,
wait for clear instructions before taking
risks. Friday through Sunday accents yesterday's debts and outdated legal records.
Carefully study all documents: private
financial paperwork will soon offer powerful opportunities.
Confidence and social
optimism will now bring
lasting change to stalled
relationships. Over the
next eight days, many
Capricorns will expand
their emotional influence
with friends, colleagues
and older relatives. Use
Dec. 22 - Jan. 20
this time to clarify shortterm career goals or foster new friendships. You won't be disappointed. Later
this week, someone close may demand a
detailed description of a new business
relationship. Private jealousies will
soon fade: be forthcoming but set
firm boundaries.
Although reluctant to ask,
a friend or lover may this
week need extra guidance
and support. Business
expenses, minor disputes
with colleagues or revised
assignments may all be
Encourage
Jan. 21 - Feb. 19 bothersome.
creative solutions: decisive action and a firm commitment to new
procedures will soon ensure lasting confidence. After Saturday, many Aquarians
will begin 11 days of fresh workplace
strategies and career exploration. Don't
doubt your instincts: all is well.
Bosses or managers may
this week improve established policies. Daily
instructions,
financial
promises or job promotions may all be affected.
Workplace change will be
a continuing theme for
Feb. 20 - March 20
several weeks: remain
patient but respond quickly to permanent
documents. For some Pisceans, limited
job advancement will soon trigger bold
decisions. Late Friday, pay special attention to the private emotional needs of a
younger friend or relative. Delicate
advice is needed: don't hold back.
(c) 2007, Tribune Media Services Inc. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Joke of the Week
“There's a fine line between fishing and
standing on the shore looking like
an idiot.”
– Steven Wright
PAGE 16
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
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LOST & FOUND
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Any item found on campus
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Items will be kept for 30 days
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Contact Lost and Found
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The objective of the game is to fill all the
blank squares in a game with the correct
numbers. There are three very simple constraints to follow. In a nine-by-nine-square Sudoku game, every row of
nine numbers must include all digits, one through nine, in any order.
Every column of nine numbers must include all digits, one through
nine, in any order. Every three-by-three subsection of the nine-by-nine
square must include all digits, one through nine.
PAGE 17
Inside the Huddle
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
Osprey Scoreboard
March 28
Softball 17, BethuneCookman College 1
Softball 8, BethuneCookman College 0
March 30
Softball 2, Lipscomb
University 5
Softball 7, Lipscomb
University 1
Baseball 5, Lipscomb
University 2
Ross Brooks
Ryan Clarke
Scott Dye
Maple the Goose
Assistant Features Editor
Freshman, Communications
Junior, Communications
Goose
Question 1: At what point during the game did you know for sure that Florida would win the Championship?
After Corey Brewer nailed his third
three pointer in the first half.
Last April.
When the game tipped off it was over,
Florida clearly had the better overall
team.
Honk [G-O G-A-T-O-R-S].
Whoever hits the golf ball the least
amount of times during the four-day
tournament deserves to win. So Tiger
will probably take it.
Honk [Retief Goosen, the golfer
from South Africa].
Question 2: Who deserves to win the Masters?
Phil Mickelson. The former master
of the Master’s choke has really
turned it around since his first win in
2004.
No one “deserves” to win, but it would
be nice to see Padraig Harrington get
his first Major.
Question 3: What should Major League Baseball do to increase attendance at games?
Free beer. It’s the only way to
make the game interesting.
They need to try to make the season
shorter. The product grossly outweighs the demand.
MLB should sit back and relax. Last
year baseball set a new single season
attendance record.
Honk [play ball].
Baseball. After 19 seasons with the
Ospreys, Coach Rhodes knows what
he’s doing.
Honk. Honk [the swim team has it
going on].
March 31
Softball 2, Belmont
University 3
Softball 5, Belmont
University 1
Baseball 14, Lipscomb
University 4
Baseball 2, Lipscomb
University 7
Question 4: Who will win the first UNF Conference title?
Softball. Sonya Wilmoth just picked
up win number 402, and her team
is currently outshining the baseball
team.
Baseball will win the conference their
first year eligible, guaranteed.
If you have a question for the members of the Huddle, e-mail the Spinnaker at sports@unfspinnaker.com.
April 1
Golf finished 7th in
Adminstaff Collegiate
Sports in Brief
SOFTBALL
Senior honored for recordbreaking performance
Osprey Golf team shoots
season best
The University of North
Florida golf team recorded
their best round of the season, shooting a 3-under-par,
285 in the final round of
the Adminstaff Collegiate
Tournament April 1.
Freshman Jordan Gibb
led the team, shooting 5under-par 68.
Flight Schedule
April 4
Women’s tennis at BethuneCookman College, 2 p.m.
April 5
Men’s tennis at BethuneCookman College, 2 p.m.
April 6
Baseball vs. Belmont
University, 4 p.m.
FILE PHOTO: COURTESY OF MEDIA RELATIONS
Softball vs. Jacksonville
University, 6 p.m.
April 7
Baseball vs. Belmont
University, 1 p.m.
Track at University of
Florida Relays
April 9
Golf at Palisades Golf
Classic
April 10
Baseball at Georgia
Southern University, 7 p.m.
Golf at Palisades Classic
Senior second baseman Gwen Williams led the University of North
Florida in Atlantic Sun Conference play against Belmont University
March 28-31, collecting 12 hits in 20 plate appearances including
a home run. Williams was recognized as the A-Sun Player of the
Week April 2, after recording a single-game record with seven
RBIs March 28. The senior raised her average 28 points to .361
and moved into the top 10 in batting average in the league.
Compiled by Holli Welch.
PAGE 18
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
SPORTS
TRACK & FIELD
BASEBALL
Ospreys win conference series
BY SCOTT DYE
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
“We just want
to play the
right way and
give it
everything
we’ve got.”
“
BY HOLLI WELCH
SPORTS EDITOR
Jon Dandridge,
Senior, outfielder
Osprey run with a solo home run
leading off the second inning.
The home run marked his third of
the season. Dandridge, the team’s
leading hitter, went 2-for-4, driving in a run in the third inning
and two in the fifth.
“As seniors, we know this is
our last year,” Dandridge said.
“We just want to play the right
way and give it everything
we’ve got.”
Junior pitcher Travis Martin
took the mound in the eighth
inning and struck out the remaining five hitters. The save was
Martin’s first of his collegiate
career.
In the 7-2 loss, senior starting
pitcher Derek Bell (1-1) pitched 5
2/3 innings without allowing
an earned run or walk. The team,
however, committed four fielding
errors to give Lipscomb the win.
Freshman
infielder
TJ
Thompson led the team offensively, scoring both UNF runs, with
a two-run triple in the top half
of the third inning. Glanville
reached 100 hits for his collegiate
career with a 2-for-4 performance.
North Florida will face conference rival Belmont University
April 6 in a home series. The
Bruins sit two games ahead of the
Ospreys in the conference stand-
COURTESY OF MEDIA RELATIONS
The University of North
Florida baseball team (13-19, 4-5)
claimed its first conference series
win of the season and moved up
in the Atlantic Sun Conference
standings March 30, when they
won two of three games against
Lipscomb University.
The Ospreys’ pitching in the
first game led to a 5-2 victory, followed by a 7-2 loss and a 14-4 win.
“Winning our first conference
series was big,” senior outfielder
Jon Dandridge said. “It was
important because it was also our
first road win of the season.”
The team secured the series
win in the final game when
the Ospreys recorded a 13-run
fourth inning.
The Ospreys sent 17 players to
the plate in the inning that
included two RBIs from both
Thompson and redshirt freshman
infielder Mycal Jones, and two
hits from both sophomore center
fielder Brian Wilson and senior
catcher James Belyea.
Freshman starting pitcher
John Atteo (3-2) welcomed the
offensive support, pitching seven
innings to shut down the Bison’s
offense. The left-hander allowed
three runs while striking out five
Bison hitters.
“A game like this just proves
that we can come together as a
team and win,” senior first baseman Jimmy Glanville said.
Senior
left-hander
Brad
Johnson (3-4) threw 120 pitches in
the series opener as he held the
Lipscomb offense in check during
his 7 1/3 innings on the mound.
After allowing two early runs in
the second inning, Johnson shut
down the Bison the rest of the
game and totaled six strikeouts.
Veterans
Glanville
and
Dandridge led the Osprey offense
in the first game.
Glanville scored the first
Junior leads
team with
top-5 finish
Senior Brad Johnson on UNF from the mound, pitching 7 1/3 innings against
Lipscomb University March 30. The Ospreys won the series.
BY THE NUMBERS
14-4
13
UNF winning
score of final
game against
Lipscomb
Number of UNF runs
scored in the fourth
inning of the final game
against Lipscomb
ings, making the series an important part of
the season,
Dandridge said.
“This will be a huge series for
100
4-5
Number of collegiate hits
reached by
senior Jimmy
Glanville
UNF record in
the Atlantic Sun
Conference
us,” Dandridge said. “We need to
win at least two out of three
games.”
E-mail Scott Dye at uspinnak@unf.edu.
The University of North
Florida track and field team
finished with top performances
at the Florida State University
Invite March 31.
Junior Amy Stroder soared,
finishing second in the high
jump with a personal best of
1.70 meters.
Stroder also beat the university’s previous record of
1.68 meters,
which she set
earlier in the
season.
Stroder,
along
with
freshmen
Andrea Hall,
Stroder
K a r i s s a
Sullivan and
Charisma Anderson, finished
third in the 4x100-meter relay
with a time of 48.04 seconds.
In the 4x400-meter relay,
Stroder, senior Golden Creavy,
and juniors Emily Kohler and
Lindsay Taf, finished in fourth
with a time of 3:58.19.
Freshman Sammy Palmer
led the men with a first-place
finish in the 5,000-meter run
with a time of 15:45.08.
Junior Dane Simmons followed in the 800-meter run, finishing in 11th place with a time
of 1:59.70.
In the 1500-meter run, freshman Chris Fulcher earned
a 12th-place finish with a time
of 4:11.43.
The Ospreys head back to
the track April 7, to compete at
the University of Florida
Relays.
E-mail Holli Welch at
sports@unfspinnaker.com.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
BY HOLLI WELCH
SPORTS EDITOR
After spending seasons together in the locker
room, on the field and traveling on the bus, many
team members consider each other part of their families. But some athletes at the University of North
Florida have taken it to a new level.
Freshman outfielder Kara Rutenbar joined her sister, senior catcher Kelli Rutenbar, on the UNF softball
team this season, and freshman Anne Delbovo joined
her sister, sophomore Lauren Delbovo, on the
track team.
Both the Rutenbar and Delbovo sisters competed
together in high school and brought their family success to the Osprey teams.
Lauren and Anne won the state championship
together on the 4x400-meter relay team in high school.
This season, Anne recorded her first collegiate
conference win in the long jump at the Atlantic Sun
Conference Indoor Track Championships. The win
was part of her goal to reach the bar her sister set last
season, she said.
“It’s hard coming on to a team where everyone has
seen what your sister can do,” Anne said. “The team
expects a lot from me, and I want to live up
PAGE 19
SPORTS
their expectations.”
The Rutenbar sisters also recorded top rankings in
high school, both honored with All-American and AllState selections in softball.
Three years apart in age, Kelli and Kara just had
one year together in high school. This season is their
second chance, Kelli said.
“I encouraged Kara to come play at UNF,” Kelli
said. “It is a comfortable environment, and I wanted
to play with her again.”
Together, the softball sisters marked the success of
the team’s most recent tournament in Nashville,
Tenn., both collecting a pair of hits in the 5-1 victory
over Belmont University.
The two enjoy wins without comparing scores
between each other, Kelli said.
“There is isn’t much competition between the two
of us on the field,” she said. “We play at different positions, so it is easy not to fight with each other.”
Though not competitive, the Delbovos are in a different situation. Both run the 400-meter hurdles and
often times compete against each other, a first for
the sisters.
“It is distracting racing against Anne,” Lauren
said. “We help each other out in practice but we can’t
in meets. It’s definitely different.”
Because they aren’t competitive with each other,
JEN QUINN
the sisters have taken to being one another’s
No. 1 fan.
“She [Anne] is my support system,” Lauren said.
“We build each other up, and she is the first one there
if something goes wrong.”
Kelli agreed.
“I can’t always count on my friends if I need something, but I can always count on my sister,” she said.
The Rutenbar and Delbovo sisters aren’t the only
siblings playing together at UNF. Junior right-handed
pitcher Ty Pryor joined his brother, redshirted freshman right-hand pitcher Tucker Pryor, and the Osprey
baseball family. Ty transferred from the University of
South Florida in 2006.
For the Pryor brothers, UNF baseball is more than
just their thing – the entire Pryor family
is involved.
“My parents and my sister [freshman Tobi Pryor]
have been to most of our games since high school,”
Tucker said. “They are very supportive.”
Kelli and Kara agreed when it came to their
family.
Their father, Glenn Rutenbar, the head softball
coach at Bartow High school, scheduled his entire season around the UNF schedule so he could make each
game, Kelli said.
E-mail Holli Welch at sports@unfspinnaker.com.
Volume 29, Issue 28 1/2
UNIVERSITY OF NOT REAL
APRIL FOOLS’ EDITION
Open season declared on campus geese
BY MOSS ROOKS
GIMPIE
BY SARAH DIZZLE
ASSISTANT NEWS ENTERTAINMENT
ADINA DAAR
On Monday, April 2, Student
Government announced its plans
to deal with the ever increasing
population of Canada Geese on
UNF campus. Much to the chagrin of campus environmentalists, SG declared a one day hunting season for Canada Geese during finals week.
Since 2001 the Canada goose
population on campus has risen
steadily. Now, in 2007, the number
of geese on campus has tripled,
and the grounds around UNF are
beginning to suffer.
An average adult goose can
consume five pounds of vegetation a day, usually in the form of
grass. With a population over 500
strong, the geese regularly mow
down UNF's green spaces to the
roots, and nullify all the hard
work done by the UNF grounds
crew.
However, the driving force
behind the hunting season isn't
the amount of green going into
the geese, but the countless piles
of green being excreted from the
geese, left to adorn UNF's sidewalks.
“I'm just tired of walking
Fergie hits
campus
with a
Wackalicious
debut
around a campus littered with little green land mines” Terrance
Palfrey, a sophomore business
major said. “I know they were
here first, but I spent a lot of
money on my shoes and I'd like to
keep them clean” Palfrey said.
Heated debates over ethical,
moral, and legal issues have arisen since the announcement, split-
ting most students into two
camps, those for the hunt and
those against it.
Pro-goose
students
have
threatened a number of non violent acts if SG will not retract
their plans for a hunting season.
Sit ins, hunger strikes, and
shielding geese with their own
bodies are but a few of the prom-
ises made by pro-goose students.
“It's completely unethical
and wrong,” said Sunflower
Moonbeam, a pro-goose student,
said. “How can a university
possess a nature reserve and not
see GEESE, page 4
Men’s ribbon aerobic team approved
PHOTOILLUSTRATION: JEN QUINN AND REBECCA DALY
The University of North Florida Men’s Ribbon Dancing Intramural Team will soon get a chance to compete in the NCAA. University
of North Florida Athletics Special Coordinator Hammond Swiss announced the approval of the UNF Men’s Ribbon Aerobics Team
April 1 at the Division I Athletics Convocation. Anyone who is interested in joining the Men’s Ribbon Dancing team can contact Patty
McJazzfingers at 813-743-4826 or at ribbondancer@yahoo.com.
Baby, it’s cold
outside:
Snowfall likely
this spring,
page 4
Free speech
corner relocated
to middle of
Lake Oneida
page 5
Fergie of Black Eyed Peas
fame will perform a free concert at Wackadoo’s Friday
night.
Osprey Entertainment has
dubbed
the
event
“Wackalicious” and have gotten
Fergie to participate, along
with students in chili-cheesefry eating contest. The winner
gets to spend the night in the
cage with the University of
North Florida’s official pet
osprey Smedley. The UNF synchronized swim team will perform to Fergie’s hits in the lake
adjacent to the boathouse. The
concert is to promote Fergie’s
new
album
“Sounds
of
Irritation.” There is talk of an
appearance by Vanilla Ice, who
collaborates with Fergie on the
new album.
“I fly high, I like feathers
and my nails are like talons.
That’s why I picked a school
with an osprey mascot.” Fergie
said. “Plus, I love me some
chili cheese fries.”
Students have already begun
camping outside of Wackadoos
insuring that they get a seat for
the performance. Stocked with
sleeping bags and jugs of Jolt
Cola bodies are lined up around
the building.
“We’ve been out here for
three days now,” Reupta the
Beauta, senior dance major
said. “I love Fergie so much,
she really does make my
London, London Bridge wanna
go down.”
This will be the first stop on
her tour, she will then go on to
play shows in Nepal, Lake
Titicaca,
Antarctica
and
Deluth, Minnesota.
“This gonna be worldwide
Fergie, yo,” She said.
The concert will start at
10:27 p.m. and Flavor Flav will
be the emcee.
Osprey Entertainment is
hoping the concert is the first of
a series of popular artists.
Since Wackadoo’s was moved to
the green two years ago, popular singers have flocked to get a
shot singing in the new location.
Additional artists OE hopes
to book are Celine Dion, Cat
Stevens,
Yanni,
Michael
Jackson and Styx. Styx has
see FERGIE page 7
Vandal
beheads
Gandhi
see Police
Beat, page 6