Single copies free Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg
Dancing for the kids
p. 4
Want a grouper sandwich? You can get one on campus. p.5
Dali-inspired condos to become campus neighbors
Kalima Haneef | The Crow’s Nest
“The Salvador,” a 13-story condominium, will be built across from Residence Hall One, along Fifth Avenue S. In a few weeks, the buildings currently standing on the location will be demolished to make way for the condos.
By Ian Maccallum Crow’s Nest Cont ributor Downtown St. Petersburg has seen a lot of development in the past year, and that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. A new 13-stor y condominium will be erected at the corner of Second Street and Fifth Avenue South. The Dali-inspired building called “The Salvador” will be the newest addition to the development-rich downtown area. The acre of land was officially closed on at the end of January, and according to Sally Dee, the head of public relations for the development, “Construction will begin
early next month. We’ve already wrapped the site, and the site prep has already begun.” The condominium tower will have 74 units, with a little more than 30 percent already sold. With construction about to begin, The Salvador is expected to be completed by the middle of 2016 with a price tag of $30 million. “[The Salvador] will be the first ‘green-certified’ condo residence in downtown St. Petersburg,” Dee said. DDA Development, the Tampa-based developer spearheading the project, is looking to add to the uniqueness of downtown’s
character without making a huge footprint. “ T he d e ve lop e r s a re ve r y involved with the community,” Dee said. “They want to be a part of the neighborhood.” DDA Development is one of the main sponsors of the Dali/Picasso exhibit, which ended Feb. 22 at the Dali Museum. The inspiration developers drew from Dali can be clearly seen in the architectural mock-ups of the site. The balconies on the southwest corner of the building alternate, drawing on inspiration from Dali’s “City of Drawers.” The stucco
Continued on p. 2
Gherman and Kardas race for the presidency By Emily Tinti Staff Reporter The results are in, but the election is not over. Ziya Kardas and Jozef Gherman are still in the running for student body president. During last week’s race, Gherman’s ticket received 332 votes, while Kardas’ ticket received
140. In order to win, a candidate must earn more than 50 percent of the votes, so Gherman’s 49.85 percent prompted a runoff election. The other two tickets, Teral Hilliard/Victor Sims and Nia Joseph/Chardonnay Tyson, received 111 and 83 votes respectively. Only 666 of the nearly 5,000
Continued on p. 3
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Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
Midtown museum fights to stay open News Briefs The guns-on-campuses bill in Florida was approved by the Republican-controlled senate criminal justice committee last Monday. This bill will permit people to carry concealed weapons on Florida campuses. Supporters say bill could reduce sexual assault crimes on college campuses, according to Bloomberg News. Monday, Feb. 23 Are you interested in learning more about World War I? Come on down to Poynter Corner in the library at 4:30 p.m. for a movie as part of “Thinking Through WWI”, a series of lectures sponsored by the Department of History and Politics. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, professor Frederic Leveziel will be discussing the film.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 If you’d like to see the new business building come to fruition, come to the University Student Center at 9 a.m. There, USF St. Petersburg will be meeting with the Pinellas legislative delegation, the politicians who are requesting the $12.3 million dollars for the Kate Tiedemann College of Business. Wear your Kate Tiedemann College of Business shirt, or something that represents USFSP. RSVP for t he Etiquette Dinner featuring Patricia Rossi, which takes place this Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the USC Ballrooms. Learn the do’s and don’ts of everyday etiquette, from manners to networking. Casual business attire is recommended.
Friday, Feb. 27 If you think you can make up clever jokes on the fly, we have a great event for you. Karlous Miller from MTV’s sketch comedy show, Wild n’ Out, is bringing his act to the University Student Center Reef. But before his set begins at 8 p.m., students will have the opportunity to showcase their comedic talents during a team improv competition, which begins at 7 p.m. To top it off, the audience will be treated to wings and fries. Sign-up for the competition at orgsync.com.
By Sean LeRoux Crow’s Nest Contributor In 20 06, t he Dr. Car ter G. Wo o d s on A f r ic a n A mer ic a n Museum opened its doors to the people of St. Petersburg for the first time. The museum, just a few blocks north of what was once the “red line” of segregation, has been preserving, interpreting and presenting black history to the surrounding communities for the past nine years. But in less than six months, it may close its doors for good. For a l most a yea r, t he St . Petersburg Housing Authority, which owns the land the museum is on, has disclosed its wishes to clear its books of its commercial properties. The fact that it hasn’t extended a deal to the museum, however, has left many scratching their heads. “Something just doesn’t line up,” said Cranstan Cumberbatch, the museum’s curator and office manager. “They just want the property off their books with no clear reasoning as to why.” The Housing Aut horit y approached St. Petersburg College in May, asking the college to take over the museum. After noticing the tension between the Housing Authority and the museum, SPC President Bill Law said the college would not get involved until the museum and the Housing Authority resolved their conflict, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Not once, Cumberbatch said, has the Housing Authority attempted to work with the museum. The Housing Authority sees the situation much differently, however. According to Audra Butler, the Housing Authority’s communications officer, it simply plans to sell its remaining commercial properties and reinvest the proceeds into the development of further affordable housing. “When the property goes up for sale, anyone is welcome to make an
Courtesy of Sean LeRoux
In the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American museum’s most recent exhibit, photography lines the walls.
offer, including the museum,” said Butler. “There is no deal with St. Petersburg College.” If the museum were to approach the Housing Authority with funding in place, Butler said that working out a private deal is certainly a possibility. In the event the land is purchased by the city of St. Petersburg, the museum’s fate would be in its hands. Otherwise, it will belong to the highest bidder. The building, which started as a community center, has evolved into more than a museum. It has an art gallery and serves as a venue for various events, including private parties, weddings, graduations and concerts. It is also within walking distance of local treasures, such as the Manhattan Casino, Lorene’s Fish and Crab House, Sylvia’s Restaurant and the Royal Theatre. The lush, colorful garden that reaches across most of the museum’s backyard was added in 2008 with the help of funding from the Leadership St. Pete program. “This building has always been a major part of the community,
Construction on Daliinspired condos begins soon “The Salvador” condominiums will be built along Fifth Avenue S, just across the street from USF St. Petersburg’s Residence Hall One. Continued from p.1 walls of the condo and the screen on the parking garage will both use pixilation, a technique which Dali often used in his paintings, most famously illustrated in “Portrait of My Dead Brother.” “It’s important that a building has life and energy; that there is
delight in it,” said Tim Clemmons, one of the project’s architects, in The Salvador’s promotional brochure. “W hen designing ‘The Salvador,’ we were inspired by the imagery in Dali’s paintings and strove to bring that into the personality of the building.” “You’re re a l ly s e ei ng t hat
and it’s a shame we may lose it,” said Cumberbatch. “Without the museum, the community will lack substance, a sense of solidarity and an affordable place for special events.” Although the main focus of the museum is to display African American artwork and historical artifacts, its interests don’t end there. Aside from exhibiting art and offering a spacious, visually appealing venue for private events, the museum shows films, hosts game nights and holds discussions on important issues, such as race relations, homophobia, police brutality and community improvement. The museum’s fate may be less grim than the staff believes, but the coming months will still be anything but easy. Regardless of how imminent the closing of the museum may appear, Cumberbatch said it won’t be going down without a fight. Considering that the museum was awarded a Hope VI revitalization grant, which isn’t set to inspiration,” Dee said. “They’ve used the colors and finishes from towns in Spain. They really want to give a nod to Salvador Dali. Dali has done a lot for St. Petersburg.” Dee is happy to see that praise of Dali reflected in the project. O n F e b . 4 , 2 015 , D DA Development and the real estate agency, Smith and Associates, threw a kick-off gala at the Dali Museum to celebrate the closing of the land and thank the future residents of “The Salvador.” It was a well-attended affair, complete with complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. Aside from the food and drink, attendees were invited to browse the exhibits in the museum at their leisure. In attendance was St. Petersburg’s mayor, Rick Kriseman,
IF YOU GO:
Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 12-5 p.m. or call for appointment. Location: 2240 9th Avenue S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 expire until 2031, board members have enlisted an attorney to look into the legalities of its impending shutdown. As for now, Cumberbatch said the museum will continue to plan future exhibits as it fights to keep its doors open. There are no plans for eventual relocation; they want the museum to stay where it was founded, within the community it serves. “We’re fighting until the last day, holding out in hope that something changes,” said Cumberbatch. “I will lose a personal treasure and a second home if we are forced to close our doors.”
news@crowsneststpete.com who was there supporting the developers and the project itself. Kriseman spent the evening talking with the developers, mingling with the attendees and pausing for a few photos with guests. The site, just north of the USF St. Petersburg campus, has already shown signs of development. In a matter of weeks, the three buildings currently occupying the land will be torn down, and the foundation for “The Salvador” will be poured and the condo tower will ascend. Once completed, “The Salvador” will call 199 Dali Blvd. home. The future condos will range from $335,000 to $1.4 million, with twobedroom, two-bath units ranging from $450,000 to $650,000 news@crowsneststpete.com
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Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
Professor awarded for research on disability student services By Ian MacCallum Crow’s Nest Contributor Dr. Lyman Dukes, an education professor at USF St. Petersburg, will be recognized next month at the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) national convention in Tampa. Dukes will be honored for his research, which led to the first set of program standards for Disability Student Service offices. “My focus is the transition of students with disabilities to college settings,” Dukes said. “This involves effective preparation of students in the ‘K through 12’ school settings so that they have not only the skills, but the belief that they can succeed in a college environment.” “I became interested in my work because I see it as a civil rights issue,” Dukes said. “Students with disabilities have been and, while we’ve made tremendous progress, remain a group that has been denied equal educational opportunity.” Dukes began his career in education while still a student at the University of Florida, where he was hired to work as a drug and alcohol resource educator for the university. He began working in the College of Education at USFSP in 2001.
“The goal of these supports is to provide students with disabilities the same educational opportunity available to traditional students,” Dukes said. “They are intended to level the playing field, if you will.” Aside from his continuing work to ensure students with disabilities are able to transition to college smoothly, Dukes has also coauthored a book titled Preparing Students with Disabilities for College Success, which was released in 2010. His second co-authored book, due out next year, is titled Transition to College for All Students With Disabilities. While co-authoring a book is greatly time-consuming, Dukes said, the final product is well worth the effort. “Writing a book is not a particularly easy task,” Dukes said. “However, it’s important that work such as this is done so that the field of disability services – and most importantly – students can continue to progress.” Bill Heller, dean of the College of Education at USFSP, said the school “has long had both an interest and involvement in programs suppor ting persons w it h disabilities in their transition from
Run-off elections this week Continued from p.1 USF St. Petersburg students voted in the elections. The senate election was uncontested, but each candidate had to receive at least 25 votes. All were successful. Nicholas Patides led with 338 votes, followed by Angela Wilson, Beenly Khoum, Natalie Guerra and Catherine Kouretsos. Voting in the runoff election will begin at midnight Tuesday Feb. 24 and end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The results will be announced Wednesday night. As of right now, it is uncertain whether there will be a debate, and if so, when it will occur. The tickets have continued
campaigning since the results were announced Thursday night. “A lot of people get the impression that Student Government is somewhat disconnected from the student body, but it’s experiences like this that bring it back home and remind us why we’re here and who we’re working for,” Gherman said, reflecting on his campaign. Kardas said running for president has been a learning experience for himself and Uber, which
Man exposes himself in campus bookstore By Emily Wehunt Staff Reporter
Courtesy of USF St. Petersburg
Lyman Dukes, a USF St. Petersburg education professor, will receive an honor for his research regarding Disability Student Service offices.
school to post-secondary careers or education.” “Dr. Lyman Dukes’ research has helped higher education institutions accommodate the unique needs of students with disabilities,” Heller said. The unique needs of the students begins at a very young age. “Bot h pa rent ’s a nd educator’s expectations have significant
has led to new friendsh ips within the university. “We will be able to reach out to the vast majority of non-traditional students, which will create culture and strengthen our community,” he said. “Uber and I are both parents and are family-oriented, so we believe that our community at USFSP should be just that -- a family.” The outcome of the elections is riding on more than votes. On Feb. 23, the Election Rules Committee w i l l rehea r t h ree g r ie va nces made by three students against Gherman’s ticket. The ERC originally met last Wednesday, but they did not send out a public notice for the meeting, nullifying the results. The meeting will take place in Student Life Center 1500 at 5 p.m.
impact on whether a student considers college as an option,” Dukes said. “Research has demonstrated that the power of expectation often determines what students with disabilities do after high school.” The ACPA national convention is from March 5 through March 8, 2015. news@crowsneststpete.com
Another day in Florida means another day for strange and unusual news, and this time the bizarre incident took place here on campus. Around 10 a.m. on Feb. 18, a man “exposed” himself to a customer at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on Sixth Avenue and Third Street South, according to the police crime alert bulletin. The suspect was described as a short-haired, 30- to 40-year-old white male. He was seen wearing a blue or gray jumpsuit and sneakers. The bulletin said the jumpsuit may have had a Velcro closure. Because the case remains under investigation, USF St. Petersburg police department was unable to give additional updates. “We have received no other reports of any similar incidents in or around the campus, so we believe this to be an isolated incident at this time,” Police Chief David Hendry said. “Our main goal at the University Police Department is to ensure the safety of our campus community, so we encourage everyone to immediately report any suspicious incidents to UPD.” news@crowsneststpete.com
If you have any information about this man or the incident, contact the University Police at 727-873-4140 or police@ usfsp.edu .
Elected senators: Nicholas Patides Angela Wilson Beenly Khoum Natalie Guerra Catherine Kouretsos Laraine Ruiz Alicia Bargardo
Emilie Morris Antonio Permuy Kevin Erickson Wayne Nealy Beth Cooney Michael Fieramosca
news@crowsneststpete.com
Votes received by each presidential campaign: Gherman/Salazar: 332 votes, 48.85 percent Kardas/Uber: 140 votes, 21.02 percent
Hilliard/Sims: 111 votes, 16.67 percent Joseph/Tyson: 83 votes, 12.46 percent
Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
Dance Marathon set to come to USFSP By Jonah King Crow’s Nest Contributor
By Caitlin Ashworth Finally, the time has come. Tagalongs. Thin Mints. Samoas. Girl Scout cookies are back. But where are the Girl Scouts? I’m keeping cash in my pocket just in case I run into one of these girls—which will probably never happen unless I start lingering by elementary schools. I had this problem last year when my brother ate all my Tagalongs. Luckily my Dad’s friend had the
After three attempts to bring D a nc e M a r at hon to USF St . Petersburg, the event is set to become a new campus tradition this March. Da nce Ma rat hon, which is spearheaded by Paige McDaniel, is a student-run, nationwide program held at high schools and colleges in an effort to raise money for a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. For USFSP, that hospital is All Children’s. W hat happens at Dance Marathon? Students will stay on their feet for eight hours while they engage in various activities, including zumba, hula hooping, twister and of course,
dancing. McDaniel didn’t want to give away all the surprises, but she did hint at the possible inclusion of inflatables objects and glow-in-thedark ping pong tables. At USFSP, Dance Marathon is a student organization, of which McDaniel is president. She said that USFSP administration is working closely with the organization to put the event together. “There’s a really big push for this,” McDaniel said, “We want to create a new tradition at USFSP.” Kimberly Sanchez, who has attempted to bring the event to USFSP in years past, said that Dance Marathon is a daunting task. Sanchez said that there are lots of obstacles to overcome with large-event planning, from finding
the space and time, to raising the amount of money needed to host an eight-hour event. “No doubt we can do it, but it’s the logistics that can get complicated,” Sanchez said. Sanchez said that she is excited to help out and bring the event together. A big issue still facing Dance Marathon is the need for funding, McDaniel urges all students to make an effort to become a “dancer,” and start fundraising for the event. Two fundraisers aimed at the $2,015 goal are scheduled before the marathon. “Don’t let the ‘dancer’ title scare you,” McDaniel said. “The dancer role is primarily geared to raise money for the cause.”
Find out more: If you’re interested in joining, there will be information sessions on Feb. 24 and 26 from 3-4 p.m. in the Palm Room, which is located upstairs in the University Student Center. You can also sign up and stay updated on Dance Marathon via their Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/usfspdancemarathon Once registered as dancers, students are provided with a donor page, where they can track how much money they’ve raised. life@crowsneststpete.com
hook-up. I was able to cop a box for $3.50 off a nine-year-old girl on a Razor scooter. Knowing a Girl Scout at this time of year is like being close with Pablo Escobar. But what wou ld happen i f E s c oba r a nd t he Gi rl S c out s collaborated? Last year, 13-year-old Danielle Lei sold 117 boxes in two hours outside the Green Cross marijuana dispensary, according to the LA Times. Her idea was considered either wickedly genius or inappropriate. I t ’s s u p p l y a n d d e m a n d . W hy bash a g irl for bei ng a n entrepreneur? Girl Scout Cookies are also a famous strain of weed, bred by the mysterious Cookie Family. HIGH TIMES reported that the strain is mimicked and sold in dispensaries and entered in Cannabis Cups. There’s even a website called GirlScoutCookiesStrain.com with a Girl Scout logo transformed into a pot leaf. The website says, “Sativa strains deliver a ‘head high,’ while Indica strains provide a ‘body high.’ Girl Scout Cookies provide the best of both worlds with intellectual stimulation and physical relaxation.” With more than 1,000 reviews on Leafly.com, Girl Scout Cookies score 4.3 out of 5 stars. With the high demand and customer satisfaction, there’s no wonder why they name this strain after America’s favorite cookies. Just don’t get the two mixed up.
Review: “Empire” worth St. Pete welcomes innovation: Uber/Lyft a watch The St. Petersburg City Council plans to change A new show on Fox deals with tough subjects such as returning to life after prison and the problems of power. By Lequina Knox Crow’s Nest Contributor The hip hop nation has a new king, and his name is Lucious Lyon. If you don’t know about the new TV sensation Empire, you need to catch up. The show revolves around the owner of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon (Terrace Howard), his ex-wife Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) and his three sons. The show started with Cookie being released from jail after serving a 17-year sentence for selling drugs. She is ready to take back her share of Empire Enterprises -- after all, it was her blood, sweat and tears that helped build this company from the ground up. However, when she returns to her family, she finds that nothing is as she left it years ago. As if Cookie needed another thorn in her crown, the love of her life has abandoned her for a younger woman and her son, Hakeem, never utters a single pleasant word to her. Cookie never lets hardships get her down though. Lucious may seem manipulative and power hungry, especially if you look at how he treats his son, Jamal, who is gay. Not to mention Lucious has ALS, so his health is taking a serious hit. He also has to keep his lovers at a safe distance from one another, and he has to choose
To watch:
Tune in on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox to catch Empire. which one of his sons will take over for him when he is gone. As a result, Lucious pins his three sons in a war against one another and destroys their lives. Maybe in order to have fame, you have to be willing to sell yourself, because that is what Lucious does. According to him, his family is everything, but he fails to strive to achieve what is best for his family. He doesn’t realize that his sons would do anything to please him. Hakeem pushes himself to be the greatest rapper he can be, Jamal always searching for love when it is right in front of him, and Andre has to maintain a sense of control even at the expense of his own health. Empire is not only spectacular because it is packed with highstakes drama, but it also gives people a look into the beautiful landscape that is part of the Af rica n-A merica n cu lture. It takes on the topics no one wants to discuss, like underappreciated African-American art, the impact music has on people’s lives, black people’s ability to see beyond Obama’s race, and life after a jail sentence. life@crowsneststpete.com
regulations to allow rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft to compete fairly with taxi companies. By Caitlin Ashworth Crow’s Nest Contributor St. Petersburg’s City Council members are welcoming new technology created by rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. Uber is a crowd-sourced taxi ser v ice, where customers and drivers use a smartphone app to arrange rides. Once the driver has turned on the app, their private vehicle becomes commercial and is protected under Uber’s insurance. On Feb. 13, Uber and taxi representatives attended a St. Petersburg City Council workshop to discuss revising the decades-old ordinance that regulates vehicles for hire to make room for the new rideshare companies. Uber representatives believe changing times call for new rules. “We bought a lot of horses the day before the automobile was invented,” said Uber representative Cesar Fernandez. St. Petersburg is certainly changing. Once known as “God’s waiting room,” the city has now evolved into a city of innovation and millennials. As the city continues to grow, transportation and parking becomes problematic. Rideshare companies are not in compliance with the current ordinance, and there are no current regulations for them. However, the company requires a background check through a private company and proof of license and registration. The Chamber of Commerce
supports the competition and enhanced transportation options. Lawyer Seth Mills, who represents local taxi companies, thinks differently. Mills said Uber has been operating illegally and the destructive competition, brought on by ridesharing, which is similar to carpooling, will potentially destroy the taxi industry. “I thought destructive competition is when someone comes along and puts you out of business because they do it better,” said city council member Darden Rice. However, Mills said the competition is unfair. Rideshare companies and taxis have different requirements with unequal treatment. City council members agree that the competition brought on by Uber is a good thing, but unfair and unnecessary regulation on taxis should be eliminated. “Technology is changing; we need to embrace it,” said city council member Karl Nurse. St. Petersburg will be the only city with a rideshare ordinance in the state of Florida. Rice said the city should be a leader and bring these two industries together. City council members agreed to come up with a resolution before it is discussed on a state level. The council plans to have a draft of the new ordinance done by the end of February. life@crowsneststpete.com
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crowsneststpete.comFeb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
The Tavern: A campus charm Here’s what you should know about the Tavern, a USF St. Petersburg student favorite since 1981. By Samantha Putterman Crow’s Nest Contributor Imagine sitting at college, sipping a cold beer just moments after a final. Well, at USF St. Petersburg, you can. The Tavern at Bayboro, a fixture that’s been on campus since 1981, offers a variety of wine, beer and homemade food. The menu expanded when owner Tom Herzhauser, 58, took the restaurant over in 2010 and decided to put in a substantial kitchen the following year. In 2013 and 2014 the restaurant won the Best of the Bay “College Hangout’ award. Tod ay, Ji m Kensi nger, 52 , E d “Chubby ” Sm it h, 52 , a nd Herzhauser work together to prepare freshly baked bread and homemade soups. There are many popular menu items, but none rise to the level of the grouper sandwich. The $10 specialty is filleted on-site daily and is the top seller. But the most remarkable version of the sandwich is “The Dardenne,” named in honor of the late USF St. Petersburg journalism professor Bob Dardenne, after his passing in October 2013. The $11 sandwich is served blackened or grilled, and features mushrooms, onions and swiss cheese -just the way Dardenne liked it. For each one sold, the Tavern donates a dollar to the Robert Dardenne Memorial Scholarship Fund. And in September 2014, the Dardenne won the Tavern the Best
of the Bay’s “Best Sandwich Named After A College Professor” award. The acclaimed grouper sandwich is just the beginning. The “Tav” holds monthly contests and offers on- and off-premise catering. They host numerous events and fundraisers for student and community organizations, including the annual Rowdies tailgate party and a 350-pound crawfish boil, which will take place next month. The restaurant also has live, local entertainment from 7-10 p.m., every Wednesday through Friday. Academics aren’t left out either. They take interns each semester from the Project 10: Sting Ray program, an organization that helps students with disabilities prepare for independent living. Students in the program are required to complete one internship on campus. The restaurant also plans to offer “The Art of Crafting Beer,” a certificate-based course that will open for enrollment in the fall 2015 semester. The Tavern is partnering with local breweries throughout the course, including St. Pete Brewing Co., Green Bench, Coppertail, Cycle Brewing, 3 Daughters and Florida Avenue.
Tavern owner Tom Herzhauser holds up a grouper he filleted.
Courtesy of Sam Putterman
life@crowsneststpete.com
If you go:
The Tavern is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closes at 9 p.m. on Fridays. Courtesy of Sam Putterman
The Tavern, unlike many restaurants fillets fish on site. The grouper sandwiches at the Tavern are one of the their most popular items.
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
Editorial
Even with debt, your degree matters The student newspaper at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Editor-in-chief
Jennifer Nesslar
Managing Editor
Mark Wolfenbarger
Creative Director
Josh Fuller
News editor
Emily Wehunt
News assistant
Jack Moscone
Arts & Life Editor
Emily Tinti
Arts & Life assistant Editor
Caitlin Ashworth
Hang in there and finish your degree, college students. The statistics are in your favor. On average, college graduates make 80 percent more than those who do not attend or finish college, according to the New York Fed. And once those college graduates get employed, they are more likely to stay employed. This news comes at a time when it seems all college students are drowning in debt. Two-thirds of all college students borrow money, and the average borrower will borrow $26,600, according to The Institute for College Access and Success Project on Student Debt. One in 10 college graduates will come out with more than $40,000 in debt. It’s enough to make any cashstrapped student despair and wonder if a college degree is even worth the expense. But before you drop out of
college to enter the workforce, consider the benefits of your degree. Attending college will help you in the long run. It’s true that experience in your field pays off, but without a college degree, you must have a lot of experience to compare the salaries of your college-graduate coworkers. The average salary of a recent graduate is $37,000, almost $1,000 more than an experienced worker without a college degree. Experience is important, but much experience is needed to match the value of a college degree. Certain degrees, such as health science, engineering, business and architecture, allow graduates to make substantially more than people with only a high school diploma. But every degree will benefit you in the long run The debt may make you despair in the short term. But in the long
run, the money you make from your college degree will well outweigh the debt you may incur. The piece of paper you are handed when you graduate is nice, but you can stretch your tuition dollars even more by taking advantage of resources offered to you in college. You can even avoid debt by applying for scholarships. Two weeks ago, The Crow’s Nest wrote about how to get scholarships. You can view that article on our website, But if you have to take out loans, view it as an investment toward your future. Be intentional with planning for the future while you are in college. Many of your professors have connections in the field. Be sure to talk to your professors. Your professors probably won’t be able to give you a job, but they may be the person to introduce you to that future employer. And don’t forget
to do your best work for that professor. When that employer comes asking about your performance, your professor can give you a positive recommendation. Talk to your professors about how to structure your resume for your field. If you can’t get help from a professor, USF St. Petersburg provides students with a career center. There, you can get your resume critiqued, receive interview advice and potentially receive information about companies that are hiring. Last week, 80 employers were on campus for the career center’s job fair. As a student, events like the job fair are free to you. Take advantage of those and find a place to intern. Then, you’ll graduate with a degree and experience. The cost of that degree doesn’t sound so bad anymore.
editor@crowsneststpete.com
Sports editor
Andrew Caplan
Photo editor
Kalima Haneef
Photo of the week
Advertising manager
Jess Aldrich
Marketing representatives
Liz Howard
Splash in the bay
Distribution Manager
Damani Harris
Mission Statement: The Crow’s Nest is committed to providing its readers with news relevant to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and its surrounding comm unity. The Crow’s Nest abides by the highest ethical standards and focuses on stories that help readers make informed decisions on current issues. We take seriously the public’s trust in our news reporting and strive to uphold the highest standards of reporting as defined by the Society of Professional Journalists. The views expressed—both written and graphic—in the opinion section of The Crow’s Nest do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit letters to the editor to crowsnesteditor@gmail.com. The Crow’s Nest reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, day time phone number, and e-mail address. The Crow’s Nest is provided free by the Activities & Services Fee, and advertising. The Crow’s Nest neither endorses nor takes responsibility for any claims made by our advertisers. Because of high production costs, members of the USFSP community are permitted one copy per issue. Where available, additional copies may be purchased for 10 cents each by contacting the newspaper’s editor in chief or managing editor. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline. The Crow’s Nest office is located at: Student Life Center 2400, University of South Florida St. Petersburg 140 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 873-4113 Press run: 1,000 Copyright 2014 St. Petersburg, FL
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A group of ducks take in the sunset along Bayboro Harbor on Sunday. Submit a picture with a caption for photo of the week to jnesslar@mail.usf.edu by Friday at 5 p.m. The best photo submission will run next week.
Courtesy of USFSP Connect
Throwback On Feb. 23, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima, Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, five U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman ascended Mount Suribachi. It was the second flag-raising of the day to stamp the U.S.’s capture of the Japanese island. As the soldiers struggled to hoist a large American flag atop the mountain’s peak, Rosenthal scrambled to find a vantage point. With the flag almost in position, Rosenthal, fumbling with his camera, turned and shot what would become Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. Despite accusations that the photo was staged, eye-witnesses verified Iwo Jima’s authenticity. It has since become the most reproduced photo in history and an iconic memorial to one of World War II’s most grueling battles. “To get that flag up there, America’s fighting men had to die on that island and on other islands and off the shores and in the air,” wrote Rosenthal in a quote taken from an Aug. 21 New York Times article. “What difference does it make who took the picture? I took it, but the Marines took Iwo Jima.”
The Marine Corps War memorial in Arlington, Va. re-enacts a scene from the Battle of Iowa Jima, shot by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
My day at the Your major, Rays Fan Fest your choice By Andrew Caplan Staff Columnist
The annual Fan Fest for the Tampa Bay Rays was a success once again. It was my first time attending the event at Tropicana Field, and I can honestly say it’s worth every penny. Well, it was free, but that’s besides the point. With games, free gifts, discounted promotional items and player/fan interaction, Fan Fest pleases Rays fanatics of all ages. If you had a Rays membership -- from buying multiple tickets in packages -- you would’ve had the opportunity to meet various players and have them autograph an item for $25. The only flaw to the autographs is that if you aren’t a season-ticket holder, the chances of catching Evan Longoria were slimto-none, as his 60-autographs cap was reached within an hour. However, Longoria was at his restaurant (Ducky’s) in Tampa celebrating its one-year anniversary following Fan Fest. He gave out drinks, food and autographs, and took pictures with people in attendance. So, it’s hard to complain. With better chances to win prizes than at a local fair, I won a kid-sized Rays jersey (which I gave
away) and a couple of posters. I also caught an autograph from pitcher Matt Moore. Then I went for the promotional items, which is half the reason people even attend Rays’ games anyways. After sending off David Price and the 2013 rookie of the year, Wil Myers, the event featured bobble heads and ceramic figurines for $7. I couldn’t help myself. I bought a mini-basketball hoop set for $2 and a Joe Maddon potatohead toy for $5. What can I say, I’m still a kid at heart. There were arcade-style basketball games to play, with some of the team’s players at the front of the line to assist participants, providing another chance for autographs to anyone. There were pitching radars for fans to test their arm strength and batting cages for young sluggers. All in all, it was a great event. The event took place on the field, adding a small plus. You didn’t even have to pay for attendance or parking. I would recommend anyone to attend this event next year … and I’m an Orioles fan. Andrew Caplan, a senior majoring in mass communications, is the sports editor. He can be reached at andrewcaplan@mail.usf.edu or on Twitter @CappyMIA.
I’ve fallen in love with St. Pete In three years, St. Petersburg has become home to me. By Jennifer Nesslar Staff Columnist I grew up in the suburban world known as Largo, Fla. OK, so it is only 30 minutes north of St. Petersburg, and maybe a little bit to the west. I’m sure many of the people reading this live farther away than Largo.
But sometimes it feels like worlds away. When I first moved to downtown St. Petersburg in 2012, I felt a deep sense of culture shock. It’s almost funny to say that. Two places in the same state--and even in the same county--can be polar opposites. Largo is a populated place, but it’s full of families and two-way streets. I won’t generalize,
Sometimes, we put too much stock in what others think about our life choices. By Emily Tinti Staff Columnist I think it’s safe to say that every college student has had their choices challenged at some point in their young adult life -their major, in particular. After finishing required general education courses, taking electives unrelated to anything you ever found interesting, and reading testimonials from upperclassmen, you feel like you’ve got a career in the palm of your hands. Then, something happens. You realize intimidating prerequisites are blocking the path to all the core courses you were intrigued by in the
first place. Suddenly you don’t want to major in biology. Or you find out that the job market for a certain profession is plummeting and you don’t want to take any risks. Maybe your parents are the worried ones. Even if they aren’t contributing to the cost of tuition, they still have a right to be concerned; they’re Mom and Dad. They want to see you thrive and succeed. But there’s this strange contradiction in our society. There’s the “do what makes you happy” mantra, and then there’s “but make sure you’ll be stable and making lots of money.” I don’t think that’s a fair evaluation of college. If anything, those are two very broad concepts.
but if you want to see the definition of suburban, go to Largo. I love Largo. For 18 years of my life, it was the place I called home. When I arrived in St. Petersburg, I felt almost out of sorts. It was like I’d been plucked from my suburban paradise and placed in a strange place. The one-way streets and urban life threw me off. I swore to myself that once I graduated, I’d never live here. Funny how things change. I’m now in the last semester of my senior year. While I’m prepared to go anywhere, something inside me just wants to stay here. I love St. Petersburg now. I can sit in my room in the residence halls and see Tampa Bay, along with downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg. As with any place, St. Petersburg has both good and bad. But as I’ve gone to school here the past few years, I’ve found some pretty cool things about it. Because I don’t know where I will be once I graduate, I made a St. Petersburg bucket list of things I want to do before
I leave St. Pete. Here’s a couple of items I’ve already checked off that list: Visit Dairy Inn. This is an ice cream shop at 1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. I went once, but then I had to go back again. This place does ice cream right. Get any sundae they serve and you won’t regret it. Go kayaking in Tampa Bay. Also another great experience that I’ve repeated multiple times. USF St. Petersburg students get free access to kayaks and can take up to two non-USF students with them for free. You get to paddle right past the Coast Guard ships. If you want some more fun, pack your lunch and park your kayak at Lassing Park. Time for a picnic! Put this on your bucket list. If you don’t go kayaking while you’re still a student, you’ll regret it when you’re paying some vendor $20 to kayak in the Gulf of Mexico. Paint at Practically Pikasso. I found out about this place because one of my best friends works there. Visit their studio at 1912 Fourth
College isn’t solely about preparing for a career. It’s about making connections, getting involved, building relationships and expanding your mind. It’s about the experience you gain balancing a part-time job and academics, and late nights out with your friends. It’s about immersing yourself in new places, cultures and ideas, and establishing yourself as an individual. There should be a collective notion addressed to every prospective and continuing student, something along the lines of “whatever fulfills you, do that.” Students should be encouraged to find their sensible, yet comfortable, middle grounds, instead of being forced to identify with either what is considered “fun” and what is considered “profitable.” Nobody is winning or losing when they’re in college; it’s all experience. I think it’s important to listen to the concerns of others and take their ideas into consideration, especially when it’s coming from your academic adviser. But ultimately, you’re in charge of your own life. Don’t let the scrutiny and attitudes of others hijack your motivation, and know that a bachelor’s degree isn’t the only and final step to a successful life. Emily Tinti, a sophomore majoring in mass communications, is the arts and life assistant. She can be reached at emilyfaithti@mail.usf. edu or on Twitter @emilytinti.
St. N. Pick a piece of pottery and they will show you how to paint it. Sure, there are many stores like this around the country. But we’ve got a nice one in St. Pete. If you go on first Friday, your studio fee is waived and you only need to pay for the pottery. I could write for hours about my successful bucket list experiences. But I think the thing that has made St. Petersburg so wonderful for me is the people. Since moving here, I’ve found an incredible group of people that I am happy to call my friends. And of all things I will miss if I leave St. Petersburg, I will be most remiss to let them go. I’ve learned an important lesson in St. Petersburg. It doesn’t matter where you go. If you are surrounded by a good community of people, any place can become home. Jennifer Nesslar, a senior majoring in mass communications, is the editor-in-chief. She can be reached at jnesslar@mail.usf.edu or on Twitter @jnesslar.
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 23-Mar 1, 2015 | Volume 49 | Issue 22
Meet Ben Bishop of the USF Men’s Basketball Follow us on Twitter! Tampa Bay Lightning The Bulls one-game winning streak was snapped after a 73-60 loss to the East Lightning goalie Ben Bishop will be signing free autographs at Elder Ford of Tampa from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23.
USFSP Baseball Club Spring Schedule (Home Games Only) Date Opponent Time
Field
March 2 Ohio 5 p.m. Sansone March 2 UNCC 7:30 p.m. Sansone March 8 NC State TBA DiMaggio * March 14 Clemson 2:30 p.m. Russell March 15 Clemson 2:30 p.m. Russell March 21 Stetson TBA TBA * March 22 Stetson TBA TBA March 28 Miami 4 p.m. Campbell March 29 Miami 1 p.m. Huggins March 31 Wisconsin 7:30 p.m. Sansome April 7 SEU 7 p.m. TBA: Lakeland April 18 Florida TBA TBA: Gainesville * *= Double header
Women’s Basketball American Athletic Standings TEAM
CONF OVERALL
#1 Connecticut 15-0 26-1 South Florida 13-2 22-5 Tulane 11-5 20-7 East Carolina 10-6 19-8 Tulsa 9-6 14-12 Temple 9-6 13-15 Memphis 7-8 13-13 UCF 4-11 8-18 Cincinnati 3-12 6-20 SMU 2-13 6-20 Houston 1-15 6-21
USF Men’s Basketball Schedule March 1 March 4 March 7
@ HOU vs. UCF vs. TULN
3 p.m. 7 p.m. 4 p.m.
USF Women’s Basketball Schedule Feb. 24 Feb. 28 March 2
@ CIN @UCF vs #1 UCONN
7 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m.
Carolina Pirates on Saturday. The Bulls (8-20) will return home March 4 to take on UCF.
Find us on Twitter @CNSports for local sports news and for Crow’s Nest articles.
The Lady Bulls do it again By Andrew Caplan Staff Reporter The USF women’s basketball team continued their dominating season after defeating Temple 79-53 Sunday afternoon at the Sun Dome. T he L ady Bu l ls (22-5) a re second in the American Athletic Conference with a 13-2 conference record, trailing the No. 1 Connecticut Huskies (15-0). The team is led by junior shooting guard Courtney Williams, who was averaging 20.7 points per game prior to playing Temple. Williams has started every game this season at SG, which is one of the reasons why the Bulls have remained consistent in their 2014-2015 season. Freshma n for wa rd Lau ra Ferreira has started 24 of the 26 games she has played this season. Ferreira, who has played on the Portuguese national team since she was 14, was an ESPN Top-50 recruit when she came to USF. She has made at least one three-point shot in 16 of the previous games she has played, including three in Sunday’s win. Sporting pink and gray jerseys in the “Play-4-Kay” game, Ferreira scored a game-high and career-high 17 points in the win over Temple. Following her was Williams with 12 points. To avoid injury, both Ferreira and Williams were pulled from the
Courtesy of John Kersten
Junior guard Courtney Williams dribbles up the home court in USF’s 79-53 win over Temple.
game with about 10 minutes left to play. “We practice really hard,” said Ferreira, who couldn’t stop smiling during her post-game interview. “We take it really serious and when we come to the game, it’s easy.” The Bulls head coach, Jose Fernandez, is pleased with how his squad has evolved so far this season. “I think all of our kids have developed,” Fernandez said. “Look how Courtney Williams has developed from last year to this year. I
Will the Bucs take Winston or Mariota? By Andrew Caplan Staff Columnist At 2-14, the 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured the worst record in not just their division, but the entire NFL. Their consultation? A No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft -- a pick of the litter. Nothing says “We need a quarterback,” more than releasing last season’s starter Josh McCown, which puts two figures in mind for the Bucs next QB: Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. At Florida State University, Winston carried his team to a national championship victory in just his first year as a starter. That year, he won the Heisman Award, given to the country’s best collegiate athlete. One year later, questions of his maturity and decision making were brought up due to his constant run ins with the law. From stealing
sodas from Burger King and crab legs from Publix to a speculated rape, he became labeled an “idiot” by a majority of the nation. Winston leaves FSU with a 27-1 overall record in hopes of becoming a star NFL QB. Now, for Mr. Squeaky Clean Mariota. Mariota has shown the attitude and team leadership many NFL coaches and owners desire. After falling in the 2014 national championship following their demolition of FSU in the Rose Bowl semifinal, what many speculated became true -- he is heading for the pros. Just one year after Winston held the Heisman trophy, Mariota had his turn. He had 105 passing touchdowns, 26 rushing touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in his threeyear career at Oregon and led his team to a 36-5 overall record. Being beat by Ohio State in the big game, however, made scouts skeptical.
think the biggest development for Laura has been her confidence and her getting used to the game over here.” The team has their eyes set on the NCAA tournament come midMarch, but still has to take on the defending-champion Huskies again for the regular-season finale on March 2. Following their rematch against the Huskies, the Bulls will enter the ACC tournament seeking to clinch a spot for the NCAA tournament. “I’m very proud,” Fernandez
said. “It’s a credit to our kids and our staff, getting the right individuals into our program and having good culture. I couldn’t be happier. I’ll be more happy once we close out the year and the conference tournament is over, and we can find out where we’re headed in the NCAA tournament. That’s been our big light at the end of the tunnel all year.”
Not only was he inaccurate on needed third down plays, Mariota wasn’t himself, leaving everyone wondering if he can make it in the pros. The NFL will be a huge adjustment for Mariota. If head coach Lovie Smith and the Bucs choose to switch to a spread offense, it may work. Stars like Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson have shown there is always room for change. The Bucs would become the next team with a mobile QB during this evolution of offensive schemes. Or maybe they want to stay more traditional and go with a pocketpasser who can run when needed, which makes drafting Winston more logical. Winston has the size and has proven he can take big hits from linebackers. Although his off-thefield activities should be monitored closely, Winston could carry the Bucs into the playoffs if they fix their offensive line. Nothing will encourage a new offensive lineman
more than having to protect the organization’s future. I h ave no i l l-w i l l t ow a rd Mariota, but I have never been too fond of running QBs, although they make for some great highlights. The important thing to remember when opting for a running QB is that they often lack durability. The rules have changed to protect the QB while in the pocket, which is why we see more passing plays. Kaepernick is sure to fade out, and I will be shocked if he ever wins a Super Bowl. Wilson is fortunate to have a great running back and defense to carry him to glory. And Robert Griffin III was drafted behind Andrew Luck for a reason. Winston and Mariota will not be drafted first and second; one of them will fall down the line. But one thing is for sure: One of these QBs will be selected No. 1 by the Bucs on April 30. My prediction is Winston will wear the No. 5 jersey under center opening day.
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