Volume 49 Issue 4 by The Crow's Nest

The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg

Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

off to diagon alley p. 5

Growing up in foster care A student’s journey to finding a family. p. 7

Student body president going to trial

Business design revealed

By Jennifer Nesslar Staff Reporter Fifteen of the 17 charges made against Student Body President Cody Boyer are going to trial. The senate impeachment committee, including senators Nicholas Patides, Angela Wilson and Carly Chaput, reviewed the charges and decided if the charges could be tried. The committee did not investigate the charges to see if they were true or false, according to Patides’ remarks at the Sept. 10 general assembly. The committee reviewed the claims made in Attorney General Melanie Mercado’s Aug. 9 memo of impeachment—in which 17 charges were made against Boyer. At general assembly, the committee submitted the articles of impeachment, which moves the proceedings out of the senate impeachment committee and into the hands of the Supreme Court. Two claims were not moved to trial. The charge that Boyer failed to attend most general assembly meetings failed to move beyond the committee by a vote of 0-3. The second failed claim was that Boyer claimed hours he did not work, failing by a vote of 1-2. The committee did not rule that these charges were true or false but that they were not charges worthy of ruling by the Supreme Court. During a Q-and-A at general assembly, the questions posed to the committee were asked by Jared Pieniazek, senate pro-tempore. He asked about the committee’s level of diligence, and if they had been coerced in any way. “We gave this 100 percent diligence,” Patides said, telling the senate they ended their last meeting, held in the Student Life Center, just before the building closed at 11 p.m. The meeting began at 9 p.m., according to the committee minutes. Patides also said the committee had not been coerced in any way. Student government also got a taste of what is to come in the trial. After

Continued on p. 3

Courtesy of USFSP University Advancement

The architect renderings of the Kate Tiedemann College of Business were released for public viewing last week. The new building is named for retired entrepreneur, Kate Tiedemann, who donated $10 million to the College Business in support of academic growth. The groundbreaking ceremony is set of Oct. 14 with construction beginning in the spring semester. Construction of the new building is an estimated $25 million. The state legislature has funded $15 million. The site for the Kate Tiedemann College of Business is at 701 3rd St. S, the current location of the Piano Man building.

Bridge connects 60 years later By Joey Vars Crow’s Nest Contributor Many students when commuting to USF St. Petersburg cross over one of the Bay area’s most recognizable landmarks – the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Sept. 6 marked a milestone anniversary in the bridge’s history, one that has gone relatively unnoticed since the late 1980s. The original span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge first opened to the public 60 years ago, at 10 a.m. on Sept. 6, 1954. Fare to cross the bridge was $1.75 – just under $15 in 2013 prices. However, part of the excitement on opening day in 1954 allowed motorists to cross the span for free. Additionally, “Miss Sunshine

Continued on p. 5

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has connected Manatee and Pinellas County for 60 years. The current bridge, constructed in the 1980s, is the third bridge to connect the two counties.

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Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

A month until bikes roll in News Briefs Monday, Sept. 15

Interested in a new and innovative job? The Global Identity Summit STEM Outreach offers networking opportunities for all majors, including careers in business analysis, cyber crime expertise, and even social media. The event begins at 6 p.m. in the University Student Center ballrooms with guest speakers that have worked as former NSA and FBI agents, in forensics, and more.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

Explore your inner villainess with Harborside Activity Board’s Screen on the Green, featuring Disney film, Maleficent. There’s Angelina Jolie as a fallen faerie with crazy cheek bones and then there’s a twisted king, so it should be perfect for a night on Harbor Lawn. Bring your own blankets to sit on but not your own food- it’s on HAB. The film starts at 8 p.m. Interested in media? How about biographies? Join Dr. Tony Silvia, professor in Journalism and Media Studies program, in the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library at 4 p.m. for a discussion on his new book, “Robert Pierpoint: A Life at CBS News.” Book s w i l l be ava i lable to purchase.

Thursday, Sept. 18

Keep up w it h t he latest research and support your favorite professors in this monthly meeting at the Salvador Dali Museum. Starting at 6 p.m., Dr. Ann Marie Gunn from reading & literacy studies and Dr. Karin Braunsberger from marketing will discuss their concentration and findings of the global landscape.

Friday, Sept. 19

We didn’t have much luck against the Wolfpack, but how about the Huskies? Join the USF Bulls take on the University of Connec t icut Husk ies at Raymond James Stadium at 8 p.m. No word on if Coach Taggart’s bus is repaired yet, but maybe he’ll use sled dogs. Hehe...

By Jack Moscone Crow’s Nest Contributor The bicycle-sharing program approved last spring is a month from arriving. Students will be able to borrow bikes for on campus or off campus riding and make repairs on their own. Many area cities and colleges offer this program, including the USF Tampa campus and Eckerd College. Student government purchased a fleet of 10 bicycles from ABC/Trek Bicycles, the same providers for Eckerd’s program. The program costs approximately, $10,000, including maintenance and repair for the first three years. Student government voted to start this program last year and it has been in discussion for more than two years. Previous attempts for a bike share program were halted due to a previous shop’s failure to develop products in time. “The program has taken such a long time to initiate due to the tremendous number of moving pieces, training Waterfront staff to do weekly cleaning and upkeep, and getting a checkout system with some sort of accountability for

lost and stolen pieces,”said Jozef Gherman, who co-sponsored the bill in Student Government last spring, Now, it appears the beginning of the program is near. The fleet will include four male bikes, four female bikes, and two hybrids. Accessories considered include reflective lights, bells and baskets. “We are finally reaching the part where we are getting the bikes powder coated and ready to be unveiled,” Gherman said. “At this point, it seems we are about a month away.” Leaders of the program would like to see students use more ecofriendly means of transportation. Gherman said that SG hopes that the program causes students to think creatively about their transportation options and reduce their carbon footprint.

news@crowsneststpete.com Kalima Haneef | The Crow’s Nest

Soon, students won’t need to bring their own bikes to campus. They will have access to 10 bicycles by rental through the Waterfront. Bicycles are anticipated to arrive in the next month.

Coquina lounge remains closed

Emily Wehunt | The Crow’s Nest

By Jonah King Crow’s Nest Contributor The Coquina Club, a student lounge, sits dormant on the east side of campus. Since the end of the spring term, its doors have been locked to students. The Coquina Club was previously home to the Sodexo-run World of Wings Cafe, also known as the WOW Cafe. It was also a student lounge fitted with a pool table, several televisions and a small performance stage. Sodexo General Manager Louis Duran said “financial difficulties” were to blame for the WOW Cafe’s closure. The amount of food purchased from the cafe was not enough to maintain costs to keep it open. Attempts were made to program more events, such as wingeating contests and an Residence Hall Association bingo night, but Duran believes that there really needed to be a continuous stream of weekly events to generate attendance and sales. Duran also thinks that the WOW Cafe’s atmosphere was lacking: the televisions were small with poor reception, the pool table had a hole in one pocket, and the air hockey table didn’t work. Duran hopes that Sodexo will once again be able to acquire the space, but with a different concept.

Emily Wehunt | The Crow’s Nest

The World of Wings cafe, also known as the Coquina Lounge, closed spring 2014 after stagnant food sales. The fate of the lounge may coincide with that of the campus pool, which closed fall 2013.

He seeks student input on what goes there. “If student’s want it, we’re for it,” Duran said. Factors such as the amount of students on campus, students who depart on the weekends, and location of the Coquina lounge itself make it not the most ideal area to convene on campus. While The Reef is located in a residential hall in a centralized area of campus, junior Cynthia Wyre said, and students aren’t likely to make the trek out to the Coquina lounge. Joseph Trubacz, regional vice chancellor of administrative & financial services, says the space is going to be used as a hub for

campus tours. It’s possible that the space could open up as a student lounge this semester, but security for the room is still being worked out, according to Trubacz. The final determination on what the Coquina Club will be hinges on the rebuilding of the pool, which he believes could happen in the Spring semester. Trubacz does not see the kitchen being used again, but likes the idea of a smoothie station to complement the pool, an idea Duran also would like to see. Steven Bettner, director of business services, said that there is nothing definite as far as the plan for the Coquina Club. “It’s not highly likely that it will come back

as a food service establishment as it has not been very popular (at least from a financial perspective), but I am lobbying for it in some capacity,” Bettner says. Jozef Gherman, student government chief financial officer said SG plans to be involved, as they find it important to keep the space in students’ hands or else he believes administration could turn around and use the space for administrative purposes. SG plans to hold activities and events at the Coquina Club that would appeal to the students to increase student traffic there. news@crowsneststpete.com

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Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

Impeachment committee approves 15 charges Continued from p.1 several moments of silence following the Q-and-A, Pieniazek moved on to the next item in the agenda. Audience member Steven Bird stood up and said that the SG statutes clearly stated a time of discussion must follow the question and answer session. “There was no discussion, clearly violating the statutes obviously and President Boyer’s due process,” he said to the Senate. Bird was one of the five people who ran for student body president in the spring semester, and he is no longer a part of SG. Several members of the senate argued that the silence had provided a time for discussion, but decided to reopen the time to discussion. Bird took the f loor and began to defend Boyer. He brou g ht up one of t he charges in the impeachment memo. The memo claimed Boyer nominated an ineligible person to an SG position. When hired this summer, Anastasiya Fokina was enrolled for the fall, but had not started taking classes at USF St. Petersburg. The memo claimed that because she

had not started her classes, she was ineligible, according to the SG Constitution. But Bird claimed she was indeed eligible, and said that when he first heard she was hired, he was shocked. But then he researched the Constitution, where it says a student should be enrolled with a minimum of six credit hours to be hired. “It doesn’t say you have to matriculate,” he said. “That’s a different perspective on that count.” Chaput said that the decisions regarding the impeachment were out of the Senate’s hands, and the rest of his defenses needed to wait until the trial. “I am more than happy to save all this for the trial,” Bird said. The dates and times of the trial have not been set. Stay with The Crow’s Nest for the latest developments on the impeachment proceedings.

news@crowsneststpete.com

Charges going to trial Fifteen of the original 17 accusations against Cody Boyer made in the impeachment memo are going to trial. Here is all 15, and a record of how the members of the senate impeachment committee voted on them. The committee reviewed if the charges were worthy of a hearing in the Supreme Court, not if the charges were true or false.

Incompetence – 3 Counts

Defined by SG as “Lack of qualification, inadequate qualification, or lack of the qualities necessary to fulfill the duties of a position.”

1) Very little or no knowledge on Constitutional/Statutory duties for nominations, 2-1 2) Nominated an ineligible individual for a student government position, 3-0 3) Failure to require Buckley Waiver, 2-1 *A Buckley waiver is a document listing qualifications for hiring.

Misfeasance – 2 Counts

Defined by SG as “performance of a lawful action in an illegal or improper manner or with an improper or corrupt motive.”

1) Improperly transferred Constitutional duties to another member of student government, 2-1 2) Purchase of laptop for personal usage, 2-1

Nonfeasance – 10 Counts

Defined by SG as “Failure to perform an act that is either an official duty or a legal requirement.”

1) Violation of Constitutional duty to oversee all departments, agencies, offices and bureaus of Student Government, 2-1 2) (8 counts) Failure to properly nominate Chief Justice Rim Shuman, Associate Justice Chloe Kirkland, Associate Justice Kristofer Brown, Assistant Attorney General Melanie Mercado Director of Marketing and Communications Anthony Freese, Director of Community and Governmental Relations Kyleigh Cobett, Director of University Relations Taylor Russell and Digital Media Specialist Anastasiya Fokina, 3-0 3) Failure to address the senate on the state of the student body during the 2014 summer term, 3-0

The impeachment memo and articles of impeachment are available by email upon request. Contact Jared Pieniazek at jpieniazek@ mail.usf.edu, or contact any SG member.

Weak signal in residence halls By Bryana Perkins Crow’s Nest Contributor Allan Pinkerton has lived in Residence Hall One for five years. But he’s never had wireless internet problems like the ones he faces this year. “After I connected with USF and USF Gold, I noticed that I had a problem,” said Allan Pinkerton, a resident of Residence Hall One. “The Wi-Fi signal was very weak coming to my room. I would only get one to three bars.” The Wi-Fi is disrupted by personal wireless routers, creating weak internet signals. Private routers are illegal in the residence halls. Jeff Reisberg, director of campus computing, said that the use of illegal devices is to blame for the bad connection some students are experiencing. Using items such as routers, switches, hubs or wireless access points are a clear violation of the USF Net work Agreement and Florida Statutes. The wireless system uses two frequencies that the campus can link to. The frequency runs three lines, which are known as Channels 1, 6 and 11. If a wireless router broadcasts on one of those channels or channels in between those, they create interference, according to Reisberg. “By putting that device in your room, you are creating interference

in that area and it makes it difficult for us to try and adjust the signal around the interference,” Reisberg said. The answer to this problem is not as simple as blocking the signals. Reisberg said that if campus computing did this, students would then be faced with no internet access. The housing staff is responsible for regulating this issue. “We are trying to educate residents not to use outside networks and holding them accountable if they are,” said Heather Klisanin, assistant director of housing. Not a l l students seem disconnected. Ashley Gonsalves, a University Student Center resident, has experienced the opposite. “My internet connects quickly w it h i n s e cond s e ver y t i me ,” Gonsalves said. A direct phone line in case of an emergency or an Ethernet cable creates stronger online connections. “A wired connection is like being the only car on the highway,” says Reisberg. “Wireless connections today are still shared; when you want to pull out (into traffic) you have to wait your turn.” The upload speed of a HewlettPackard Notebook clocked at 26.03 megabytes per second. After connecting with an Ethernet cord the upload speed jumped to 81.36 megabytes per second. news@crowsneststpete.com

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Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

Second Saturday opens arts to community By Emily Tinti Staff Reporter By Emily Wehunt Staff Reporter As if you weren’t satisfied with your iPhone, here comes another. Apple will be releasing the iPhone 6 this Friday. In 2007, Steve Jobs started a revolution in the world of cellular devices when he introduced the first iPhone. A phone that was the starting point for touchscreens, applications and MP3 players all in one. The new iPhone is, yet again, manifesting hi-tech capabilities through its upgrades. What are some of the upgrades to the new device, that has already hit record brea k ing pre-sa le orders? Here is a little preview: Now… again... larger and thinner, customers can choose between a 4.7 inch screen and a 6.9mm thickness (iPhone 6) or a 5.5 inch and a 7.1 inch screen (iPhone 6 plus). They’re slowly stretching this phone like pizza dough to get bigger and thinner each year. Of course with a new model it has to be faster and store more, which this phone will do according to Apple. But the new iPhone 6 also claims to have a better battery life. How nice would it be to not have to bring your charger everywhere? If you have connection to Wi-Fi, it will be three times as fast (unless you’re at USF St. Petersburg). If not, you will be stuck with the good ’ol LTE bands, which Apple claims now have a better connection. The new camera will have 8MP and focus pixels which will allow one of the world’s most popular cameras to take even faster, sharper images. This works great for when you want a close-up detail of the ridges of bacon in your Sunday brunch. The video will have the ability to shoot both HD and slo-mo. Say goodbye to entering a password for everything. With Apple’s new Touch ID your password is now right at your fingertips - literally, it’s your thumb. Yes, the one thing that separates us from animals is a security feature. At least you won’t have to worry about your dog stealing your phone for selfies. The Touch ID will work for purchasing from the App Store, unlocking your phone, etc. Now don’t all of you go drowning your phones at once. It’s not available until Friday. Information was gathered from apple.com arts@crowsneststpete.com

Art can be found in every corner of St. Petersburg, and there is something for everybody to do on just about every day of the week. The Second Saturday ArtWalk is just one of these unique events that provides a 360 degree art experience for locals and tourists of all ages. It takes you “from the beach… to the bay” to see “art... all along the way,” according to the official St. Petersburg Arts Alliance website. ArtWalk involves the five primary art districts of St. Pete, which keep the downtown area lit up from 5 to 9 p.m. During this time, participating galleries and studios, listed on the website beforehand, welcome visitors with open arms and a wide-range of captivating art. Upcoming and veteran artists alike take this opportunity on “Opening Night” to debut new work. At the Kapfer Art Studio, located near St. Pete Beach, visitors were reminded that the studio represents more than 100 artists. Guests could see glass blowing demonstrations at the Zen Glass Studio. Jazz music was performed by talented local musicians in addition to the portrait exhibit at Creative Clay.

Some of the art is sold at a more affordable price than what you might expect to find, while other galleries chose to sink the prices of older work to presumably make room for the new. An artisan mug could be $5 and a masterwork canvas could cost several hundred, according to the variety of patrons’ taste. St. Petersburg public transportation plays a major role in the successful turnout of this event. The Central Avenue Trolley stops at beaches and extends throughout downtown and in lieu of that, ArtWalk provides a free trolley, the most popular among the transportation options. Although it can be difficult to catch the free route due to its popularity, the other trolleys cost 50 cents. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance manages the Second Saturday ArtWalk events. The group consists of people determined to maintain the success of St. Pete’s cultural community. General information and details regarding upcoming events can be found at stpeteartsalliance.org.

arts@crowsneststpete.com

Mark Wolfenbarger | The Crow’s Nest

The Crislip Arcade is considered a hub of the Second Saturday Art Walk, hosting a variety of local artists.

Easy area emergency options Chiropractors As far as chiropractors go, she recommends Farkas Chiropractic Clinic, located at 3200 4th St N.

Dental Care Sophomore Nick Palmer discovered Bay Dental Associates and has been going there ever since he moved here in the summer of 2013. He found them online, and they accept his insurance. Bay Dental Associates is located at 2201 Fourth St. N Suite C. By Emily Tinti Staff Reporter Mov i ng out a nd at tend i ng school in a new town can mean leaving a familiar general physician, dentist or veterinarian back home. Preparation for any emergency is important, especially when searching for locations that meet both medical and financial needs. Try to choose locations that accept your form of insurance. If you are not insured, the hunt for affordable services can be difficult, so look for places that offer payment plans or student discounts.

Emergency clinics Being from St. Petersburg originally, through personal experience, and based off of what her friends’ experiences, senior Christa Hegedus has a few recommendations for students. “[Go to] Bayfront [Hospital] for emergencies, Bayfront Medical Clinic for any illnesses,” she said. “Though, instead of that, I would go to our clinic at USFSP since we pay for it.” Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is located at 701 Sixth St. S.

Animal Hospitals Marielle Machacek, a master’s student, has had to locate emergency clinics for her dogs and found just the place for her. “Animal Emergency Clinic on 22nd Ave. N has always been a good choice for me,” she said. “The staff there are very kind-hearted and understanding. And it is really great to have a clinic like that open on nights and weekends because pets have emergencies just like people do and I know how heart wrenching it feels to have your pet in pain and feel like there is no place you could take them to.”

Animal Emergency Clinic is located at 3165 22nd Ave. N.

Health Services If finding the right services for you becomes a struggle, keep in mind the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Wellness Center, located in the Student Life Center, is accessible to all students. Physical exams, immunizations, women’s health and treatment of some minor illnesses are among the several services offered. Junior Anna May took advantage of the on-campus clinic during the summer and fall semesters of 2013. “They were always just very kind whenever I would come in,” she said. “They would always do the best they could but also understood that they didn’t have everything, so they referred me when necessary. Also, because I go to them, I have a friendship with the staff, which is something I haven’t had going to just a regular primary care place. That and just the fact that they’re on campus makes it so easy since I spend 90% of my time there.” arts@crowsneststpete.com

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Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

County connection perseveres Continued from p.1 Skyway” was crowned and high school bands from both sides of the bridge played. The original Skyway was a big deal for the Tampa Bay area and the state when it first opened. Citizens of M a n at e e c ou nt y – w h ic h included the cities of Bradenton and Sarasota – felt an economic and social disconnect from the rest of the Tampa Bay area. If residents wanted to drive to Pinellas County or St. Petersburg, they had to drive more than 50 miles north to Tampa and across the Gandy bridge. A shorter, albeit more expensive method was also available. For $3 round trip (in 1926 dollars, around $40 today), they could have taken the Bee Line Ferry, which had operated between Pinellas Point and Piney Point since 1926. The 22 mile trip took between 45 minutes and an hour, but could only carry a small number of vehicles at any time. It was quicker than driving around the bay, but it was not advantageous for the commuter or leisure seeker. I n t he m id 19 2 0 s , du r i ng Florida’s economic boom, talk of a bridge across the mouth of Tampa Bay began to appear in civic and social clubs. It was not until 1950 that the plans came to fruition. Construction on the original span of the Skyway began in 1950 and took four years to complete. Over $22 million were spent on the

bridge, most of it taxpayer money. The bridge consisted of a single lane in each direction, reaching more than 150 feet above the bay. The name “Sunshine Skyway” was the result of a nationwide competition held by the State Road Department to name the bridge. The winner, Iowan-born Virginia Seymour, conceived Sunshine Skyway “out of the blue” while on a cloudy day. Her entry was popular amongst contest and state officials. The bridge was officially dedicated at the Coliseum on Sept. 3, 1954, with speeches by General James A. Van Fleet, Governor Charley Johns and U.S. Senator Spessard L. Holland. The original bridge was praised as one of the longest over-water spans in the Western hemisphere. A second structurally identical span was built to the southwest in 1971 in order to bring the bridge to interstate standards. This meant that two lanes could each be devoted to north-south traffic, as opposed to a single lane each way. This was done both to increase traffic flow as well as to connect Interstate 275 which, in the early 1970s, was in the planning stages to reach across Pinellas county. (The interstate would run from the Howard Frankland bridge to the Skyway in 1978.) The 60th anniversary of the bridge opening was not marked often in the late 20th and early 21st

century for one major reason – the original bridge no longer exists. A freighter named the Summit Venture collided with the newer southern span of the bridge on May 9, 1980. Bad weather caused rough seas, and at 7:33 a.m., the ship collided with one of the main span’s support columns. More than 1,300 feet of the steel cantilever structure at the bridge’s apex fell onto the deck of the ship and Tampa Bay. About 35 people, 26 of them in a Greyhound bus bound for Miami, were killed in the accident. The only survivor’s car landed on the deck of the ship. To this day it remains the second deadliest bridge failure in the United States. While it was the first time the bridge was directly involved with a mishap involving a boat, it was not the first time mariners have experienced trouble near the bridge. Three months prior to the Summit Venture tragedy, on Jan. 28, 1980, the Coast Guard tender Blackthorn collided head first with the tanker Capricorn just three quarters of a mile from the bridge. About 23 sailors drowned in the mangled interior of the Coast Guard ship. A memorial to both disasters is visible on both approaches of today’s span. Shortly after the southern span fell, a decision was made to replace the original structure with a taller and safer bridge. The improved span – the bridge we all are familiar with today – was opened on April

20, 1987 after five years of construction. Not only is the bridge taller than the original, but dolphins, called ‘buffers’, surround the two main support piers. The shipping channel under the bridge was also deepened from 34 to 43 feet. The original 1954 bridge was undamaged by the Summit Venture, and returned to single-lane two-way traffic following the incident. Drivers across the bridge from 1987 to 1993 were treated with a rare site – three Sunshine Skyways. One complete cantilevered steel bridge, circa 1954; one partially destroyed cantilevered steel bridge, circa 1971; and one newly completed cable-stayed bridge, circa 1987. Both original spans were carefully removed in 1993 once the newer span was opened. All that remains of the original Sunshine Skyway are two fishing piers, which were the original automobile approaches. After being dismantled, the remains of the original two bridges were sunk near the surviving approaches to create artificial reefs for the fishermen on the piers. In 2005, the bridge was renamed the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway after the governor who supervised the design and construction. To this day, many people are hesitant about crossing the Skyway, even in good weather. Many locals who were around to witness the 1980 disaster find it difficult to

cross the modern span today. Although the original is no longer around, the 60th anniversary of the Skyway Bridge reminds us of just how vital it was to enhancing life in Tampa Bay. The population of both counties grew significantly after 1954, due in part to the easy commute over the bridge. It became more feasible to work in Pinellas County and live in Manatee county. Industry and commerce increased too, as it was easier to transport goods across the bay. If you’re spending a day fishing, try out one of the original span’s fishing piers. You’ll instantly be able to recognize the original roadway, and you’ll get beautiful views of the current bridge. While you’re there, check out the memorials to both the Blackthorn and Summit Venture. The current bridge is considered the flagship bridge in the state, and is often ranked among the top ten bridges of the world. Information found from the Tampa Bay Times and mymanatee.org

arts@crowsneststpete.com

Whisked away to Wizarding World

Courtesy of Michael Blumenthal

A Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon spews flames on top of the Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley. The extension park of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened July 8 at Universal Studios in Orlando.

By Caitlin Ashworth Crow’s Nest Contributor T h e W i z a r d i n g Wo r l d o f Harry Potter expanded into the latest magical experience, Diagon Alley. Inside of Universal Studios, a London replica teases into the magic waiting at the wizarding entrance familiar to Harry Potter fans. Brick walls give the illusion of walking through a wall, separating the Muggles into the “wizarding” world. You can feel the magic with the mystical music from the Harry Potter movies playing in the background. Dia gon A l le y is a n a ma zing place to explore and shop for magical gifts and wizardly wonders. Explore the Weasley twins’ (Fred and George) first joke shop, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, a colorful scene filled with toys, candy and gags. Customize an Ollivander’s wand or buy one from your favorite character. Each wand comes with a map explaining where you can use your wand on locations marked by gold symbols. If you hold the wand straight and to say the right spells,

you can make an umbrella rain or levitate objects. Ta k e a w r o n g t u r n i n t o Knockturn Alley, known for cool, dark air with a sinister sky to match. Located in the dark alley is Borgin and Burkes, a store for the dark arts where you can buy a Death Eater mask and other dark magic novelties. Shrunken talking heads hang in the window to match an eerie skeleton creature. Try the delicious non-alcoholic Butterbeer. Each sip tastes like butterscotch cream soda with a frothy, foam topping of butterscotch cream. Butterbeer is available throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In the heart of Diagon Alley is Gringotts Bank, where a lifelike dragon is perched and breathes fire. Step inside the bank to ride the latest attraction, Escape from Gringotts. The lavish lobby of Gringotts Bank is a cinematic remake, complete with marble columns, tile floors, and lifelike goblins accounting numbers and coins. The real adventure begins when facing the infamous Lord Voldemort, but not

without the help of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Two park tickets can get you a ride on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade at sister park, Islands of Adventure. The King’s Cross Train Station is in the London replica at Universal Studios, where guests can step up to the elusive Platform 9 ¾. A mirror gives the illusion of guests walking through a brick wall. Sit in a private booth with up to eight people aboard the Hogwarts Express. The windows tell the story of the journey to Hogwarts, but not without an attack from the dementors. The ghostly shadows drifted by and its fingers left icy prints on the door. Stepping into the world of the Boy Who Lived leaves a strong impression of how real a magical world can feel.

arts@crowsneststpete.com

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Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

Editorial

Strife breeds political parties Student government tension over the impeachment proceedings of the student body president, if unnoticed, could lead to longlasting consequences. The student newspaper at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Editor-in-chief

Jennifer Nesslar

Managing editor

Amanda Starling

Creative Director

Josh Fuller

News editor

Mark Wolfenbarger

News assistant

Jason Caruso

Arts & Life editor

Emily Wehunt

Arts & Life assistant

Emily Tinti

Sports editor

Andrew Caplan

Photo editor

Kalima Haneef

Advertising manager

Jess Aldrich

Marketing representatives

With the close of the senate impeachment committee this week, it’s no secret that things are tense in student government. Since the impeachment proceedings bubbled over, sides have been taken within SG. As the proceedings progress, the division seems to be getting worse. It seems eerily close to politics in our nation. When George Washington, first president of the U.S., was re-elected in 1793, political parties were forming. During Washington’s farewell address in 1796, Washington warned the nation to steer clear of political parties. He warned of the consequences of political parties with these words: “It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates

the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.” Unfortunately, we know the end of the story. America didn’t listen. Today, the U.S. couldn’t be more polarized. We even will withhold our love and friendship to those who sit on the opposite side of the spectrum from us. How did we get here? Our politicians sit in meetings, often spending more time trying to one-up the other side. We focus our energy on supporting our party, and it’s like Washington said: we’re distracted. We’ll never go back to being a nation without parties. It’s safe to say most of the American people wish we could, but now, it’s nearly impossible.

Perhaps SG has not formed political parties, but the lines being drawn are alarming to us. Other student governments in the public university system have political parties. University of Florida’s student government has four, according to ufl.edu. Editorials written by various college newspapers around the country are celebrating the partisanship. This baffles us. How can we celebrate division, angry words and distractions? While our SG argues, we still don’t have a vice president or a full cabinet. Can we be investing our energies elsewhere? We are not taking a side on the impeachment. Maybe SG would be better if the impeachment ran its course. Maybe not. We’re not sure. And we realize that while these tense proceedings happen,

Facebook: The Crow’s Nest at USF St. Petersburg Twitter: @USFcrowsnest crowsneststpete.com

editor@crowsneststpete.com

Waterfront Grind

Photo of the week

Ryan Tona Liz Howard

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. 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

there will be division, sides and controversy. But we implore our SG members to guard themselves. Many of you have reasons for taking your stance, and you honestly want to make a difference at your university. We appreciate you. But don’t allow the divisions to follow you through your time in SG, even after we’ve all forgotten about the impeachment. We charge you as Washington charged America: Don’t form political parties. Don’t get distracted by in-fighting. Rise above it and serve your student body as they deserve. We know you can.

A Santa Fe Chicken sandwich and chai tea latte from the Campus Grind enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the Waterfront. No sunscreen was required but chipotle dressing kept the heat just right.

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. Amanda Starling | The Crow’s Nest

Throwback

Nevada Goes Nuclear A couple of casinos may have felt the first underground nuclear explosion. On Sept. 19, 1957, the United States tested a nuclear weapon underground, detonating a 1.7 kiloton at a Nevada Test Site. The warhead measured 25.7 inches in diameter and 17.4 inches in length, weighing about 218 pounds. The 1,375 square mile research center, was

located 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The Rainier test was the first of 29 nuclear weapons tests between May 28 and Oct. 7, 1957. There was no radioactive fallout, but that may explain some of the insane Vegas hangovers that plague Hollywood movies…

This map details the layout of a typical horizontal nuclear effects test for Rainier.

crowsneststpete.com

Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

I found a family

felt. I say this because I felt as if my world had just ended. I would think of songs and motivational quotes to keep me going. I thank the students at USF St. Petersburg for giving me the chance to share my story and to add on to it, even though this makes me stagger to type each letter with the thought that I failed to satisfy so many families. All of my emotions are flowing back as I relive the memories of being unwanted and neglected. All of the effort I put into becoming part of a family, only to be let down again and again. That was the cycle that I was stuck in. When I left each house I asked myself, “Was it my fault? What could I have done differently? How can I be better at the next house? How can I be the child that these foster parents, and potentially my future parents, want me to be?” At the time I really felt like it was my fault, but now I realize that none of these places were where God wanted me to be. And leaving all of those houses gave me a time to think. It gave me time to analyze and become a better person. I thought about what my life might have been at the West’s, the Jones’, the Rutledge’s, the Parker’s and the Upton’s houses. The unsigned documents that would have given me a family all made me wonder how different my life would have

been if I were given the chance at a real family. Who would have inf luenced me? Or who would I have influenced? Some people do not understand that one event can change your whole life and determine how you became the person you are today. I am happy for that one event. In 1996, after getting into an argument with each other, my father tried to murder my mother. My mother went to a mental hospital, and my father went to prison. I found out later that my mother gave me up to help me. At 13, my foster parents told me that I was going to be adopted. This turned out to be a lie, another false hope, but it helped me learn about the importance of honesty from the hurt I felt. Once I lived with a very nice lady who wanted me to stay, but her family didn’t like me because I was black, and told her that it was either them or me. She didn’t feel the same way, but was left with an impossible choice. It was in this house that I learned to love reading, because it became an escape for me. It was there that I also began to value knowledge and self-worth. Despite what happened, I didn’t think less of myself, in fact this motivated me to become something more than a negative statistic.

separates itself with its numbers and its ability to operate like a legitimate army. ISIS has sophisticated weaponry, including Soviet tanks, anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers and grenade launchers. They also have the skill to use them. ISIS is a new kind of threat – a brutal death cult intent on terrorizing and killing. Whereas other Islamic extremists commit acts of terror due to their distorted religious views, ISIS fights for blood. There is no misguided religious agenda. Latest estimates show t hat 31,000 ISIS soldiers have mobilized in Iraq and Syria. As of today, three beheadings – first, two American journalists and now David Haines,

a British aid worker – have been recorded and spread around the world via the internet and television. This is what ISIS wants. They want us to see these videos. They want us to cower and turn away. Right now they have the upper hand; they invoke fear. Obama issued a statement on Saturday, following the release of Haines’ beheading video. “Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Haines and to the people of the United Kingdom. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our close friend and ally in grief and resolve. We will work with the United Kingdom and a broad coalition of nations from the region and around the world to

bring the perpetrators of this outrageous act to justice, and to degrade and destroy this threat to the people of our countries, the region and the world,” Obama said. Obama’s words carry the weight ISIS has placed on our nations and the families of these victims. But if we stand by while ISIS takes more lives, what good are words? We need to turn these words into action.

College is more than cheap tuition

need more writers and designers to inspire and motivate people. Social workers are compassionate and resilient people, working in a field that deals with heavy subjects like child welfare, mental health and substance abuse patients. We need social work majors who may one day manage a non-profit organization. The social work field is expected to grow at a rate of 12 percent through the year 2018. “ T he ‘$10, 0 0 0 B ac helor’s Degree’ is not a serious policy. It will be perceived as a gimmick pretending to be a policy used as a sound bite,” Roberto Martinez, the vice chairman of the Florida State Board of Education, told The New York Times. He called it a “very bad idea.” Martinez supervises state colleges. Offering deals like the “$10,000

Bachelor’s Degree” sends the wrong message out to prospective students. College is intended to be an experience of studying what you feel passionate about. It is not a corporation. Of course, being aware of what careers are and aren’t in demand is important in landing a job, but we should not discourage our Humanities and English majors from perusing what they enjoy and assume that they will be jobless. Spirit and commitment makes a person valuable.

By Victor Sims Contributing Columnist Why does God hate kids? Why me? Who are my parents? Do they love me? I m a g i ne a c h i ld asking those questions. Many foster kids in our society ask these questions. I asked some of these questions. And as I write this, I can see the tears that are dropping on my keyboard. It was never an easy battle, but it was something I would have to live with. My first memory is of me leaving the Rutledge foster home.This family was the second house I had lived in, but the first family that I actually felt was my family. I ate dinner with them, and I went to “FAMILY” reunions. I was at this house for a good portion of my life, and then I left. That was the first time I asked myself: “Why does God hate me? Why is he taking me away from the people I love? Why can’t I belong somewhere?” Many of the people who know me will describe me as sociable. But after my kindergarten year, I actually shut people out of my life. I stopped trying to make friends.

So for all of my elementary years, I didn’t really talk to people my age because it was always so painful to leave them. I realized that I could not be hurt or cry over what I could never be a part of. The education of a foster child is so hard to deal with by itself. Foster care has been one of the few things that has made my achievement in school difficult. I remember a time when I went from learning how many days there are in a month to having to teach myself how to multiply fractions. You may think that’s nothing, but I didn’t even know what fractions were or even how to add them. This was a huge struggle to live with throughout my life having to teach myself. All my life I looked for love. I remember so clearly the feeling I had when I felt like a family loved me. The feeling I got when I thought that this house could be my home. I remember the tears I cried, and the pain I had in my heart when getting ready to leave a home. This is something one could never forget. Something that will be a part of me forever. Just imagine a sumo wrestler sitting on your heart; that’s how it

It’s time to face ISIS By Mark Wolfenbarger Staff Columnist It’s time the United States helped put an end to ISIS. Those who worry t he Un it e d S t at e s ’ i nvolvement c ou ld place our soldiers in another Iraq War situation need to think about how much more terror ISIS could spread if they aren’t stopped. They need to think about how each video of an innocent person’s beheading builds pride

By Emily Tinti Staff Columnist Manipulating the cost of college is not the answer to post-graduate unemployment. It’s no secret that college is expensive no matter what type of financial background you come from, and it’s easy to think lowering the cost of attendance will prevent joblessness. But encouraging students who have passion and visions for themselves to take a bargain deal is not the ideal solution. I n re c e nt ye a r s , F lor id a’s Republican lawmakers have turned much of their attention to the educat ion depa r t ment, a nd have

amongst these black-masked savages. That pride needs to be erased. While the U.S. has faced fair criticism for its numerous interventions in foreign affairs, this is a different situation and a very different enemy. Sure, on the surface ISIS is anot her radica l Isla mic mi litant group bent on abolishing Christianity and the Western world. They aren’t the first to create inhuman videos glorifying the decapitation of innocents; the Taliban has made several. ISIS, however,

discussed plans to create a “$10,000 Bachelor’s Degree.” That’s $10,000 for an entire college or university degree. This opportunity, however, would be available only through certain programs that are the typical foundation for in-demand jobs. STEM fields refer to the studies of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and are the focus this evolving idea because they are considered to be more valuable in terms of careers. Understandably, lawmakers are trying to emphasize the importance of securing a job before graduation. Being mindful of the current and future job market is unquestionably essential for life after graduation, but nudging students in the

direction of STEM degrees is most likely not going to significantly increase employment. Now that’s not to belittle or make light of STEM fields, because let’s face it: What these people do with their knowledge is incredible. We have scientists developing treatments and cures for diseases, mathematicians making the world a bit easier to understand through formulas and theories. The problem is, you can’t rate the importance of an individual’s interests and aspirations. We need more business majors, for instance, who may someday start their own foundation or invest in others peoples’ inventions. We

I am sociable and optimistic, not because I am faking it, but because I genuinely feel like there is nothing better in life than being a part of a family. I have become this way by living in circumstances that weren’t the happiest, but circumstances that made me better. Also, I have a family now. They are wonderful people, and they are good to me. I have met many people who have influenced me to be the best that I can be. Some of those people include teachers, my parents, and my mentors. I understand the importance of my actions and how they can impact others. I want to be a force for good. I finally received my ohana. As they say in Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch”: “Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten.” I can now say that I am not left behind. Every morning I wake up and I know that my last name is Sims, and that they are my family. Victor Sims is a junior majoring in psychology. He can be reached at vsims1@mail.usf.edu or on Twitter @vsims1104.

Mark Wolfenbarger, a senior majoring in mass communications, is the news editor. He can be reached at wolfenbarger@ mail.usf.edu or on Twitter @ Steel_Canvas.

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 @e_milyfaith.

crowsneststpete.com

Sept. 15-21, 2014 | Volume 49 | Issue 4

USFSP Baseball Club Fall Schedule Date Opponent

Time

Sept. 25 vs. State College of FL.

7 p.m.

Oct. 4

@ IMG (club)

1 p.m.

Oct. 10

@ Seminole St.

2 p.m.

Oct. 11

vs. Clearwater Christian 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 16

@ IMG (club)

7 p.m.

Oct. 18

vs USF

3 p.m.

Oct. 25

vs FSU (club)

3 p.m.

Oct. 26

vs FSU (club)

12 p.m.

Oct. 28

@ Clearwater Christian

7 p.m.

Nov. 2

@ UCF (club)

3 p.m.

Nov. 7

vs Seminole St.

2 p.m.

Nov. 9

vs Florida (club)

1 p.m.

Nov. 13

vs USF

7 p.m.

Nov. 15

vs UCF (club)

TBA

Intramural Sports deadline coming up!

Bulls Football on ESPN

The registration for the fall Intramural Sports (flag football, cornhole, and soccer) ends Sept 17. The first captain’s meeting takes place Sept. 18. Contact the Campus Recreation at 727-873-4589 or campusrec@ usfsp.edu for more information about Intramural Sports at USFSP.

The next USF Bulls football team will be featured on ESPN at 8 p.m. on Sept. 19.Your Bulls will be hosting the Connecticut Huskies at Raymond James Stadium. Student and regular tickets are still available.

UConn

Courtesy of Mike McDowell

Raymond James Stadium ESPN 8 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 27

@Wisconsin

Madison, Wisc.

Sat., Oct. 11

TBA

East Carolina

Raymond James Stadium TBA

Sat., Oct. 18

@Tulsa

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Fri., Oct. 24

TBA

@Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio

Sat., Nov. 1

SPN 7 p.m.

Houston

Raymond James Stadium TBA

Sat., Nov. 15

@SMU

Dallas, Texas

Sat., Nov. 22

TBA

@Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

Fri., Nov. 28

TBA

UCF

Raymond James Stadium

TBA

American Athletic Conference Standings TEAM

CONF OVERALL

Tulsa

1-0 1-2

Cincinnati 0-0 1-0 Memphis 0-0 1-1 East Carolina

0-0

2-1

South Florida

0-0

1-2

Houston 0-0 1-2 UCF

0-0 0-2

Connecticut 0-0 1-2 Temple

0-0 1-1

SMU

0-0 0-2

Tulane

0-1 1-2

Find us on Twitter @CNSports for local sports news and for Crow’s Nest articles.

Crowd thins at Bulls loss

USF Football Schedule Fri., Sept. 19

The Bulls line up for high-fives with fans before playing against the N.C. State Wolfpack. The game ended in a 49-17 loss after lackluster momentum.

By Andrew Caplan Staff Reporter Roughly half of the fans, if not more, left Raymond James Stadium by halftime after the Bulls received a thorough beat down. T he Nor t h C a rol i na St ate Wolfpack (3-0) came into to Tampa and defeated USF 49-17, handing the Bulls (1-2) their 2nd consecutive loss of the season. Other than the roars of boos that poured in for every call in the Wolfpack’s favor, the crowd was silent. In fact, there wasn’t much of a crowd at all. There was a dead atmosphere Saturday afternoon. Head coach Willie Taggar t opted to start quarterback Mike White, who has a fractured left forearm. Back-up QB Steven Bench did not play a single snap. “We physically got beat in this football game and we didn’t play well enough to beat a good football team,” Taggart said. “I thought that was a good team and they physically got after us, especially in the trenches on both sides of the ball and i thought that was the big difference in this football game.” White fractured his forearm on

the first play of the game against Maryland on Sept. 6. He supported an open palm molded cast to make it easier for him to hold the football. White’s play of the game came from a 75-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Ryshen Bronson. It was the first play of the drive and it came immediately after the Wolfpack scored their first touchdown. “We answered pretty well in the first quarter with that touchdown to Ryshen, and I thought we’d get things rolling, but I mean, we just couldn’t seem to click all at the same time and that’s just the most frustrating thing,” White said. The Bulls’ Chris Dunkley soon returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back for a holding penalty. The score would have put the Bulls up 14-7. It was all downhill from there. White finished the day 4-for-16 passing for 82 yards. “I would credit their defensive line,” White said. “They gave us little problems here and there all day, ya know? We couldn’t really get in a groove.” The freshman third-string QB Quinton Flowers was activated and

Intramurals poised to begin By Andrew Caplan Staff Reporter Students hit the sand, grass or courts for intramural sports on campus starting Sept. 21. Campus Recreation offers students a chance to get outside and be active while competing in their favorite sports with other students. Flag football, cornhole and soccer

will kick off the first batch of sports to be played starting this Sunday, followed by basketball and ultimate frisbee on Oct. 26. For each competition teams will have to face off against another team. Each team can only have a certain number of players in order to compete. Flag football is a 4-versus-4

saw some playing time towards the end of the game when it was out of reach. Flowers ran six times for 38 yards nearly matching running back Marlon Mack’s 55 yards from 12 carries. He was 1-for-4 passing with two interceptions and no touchdowns. “I put Quinton in that game there, ‘cause I just got tired of seeing Mike get hit everytime he tried to throw the football,” Taggart said. “I didn’t want to keep seeing that and wanted to see if Quinton could go in there and give us something.” Flowers is a mobile QB that provided the Bulls with a change of pace to White’s pocket passing. With a run game that has all but disappeared since the season opening Marlon Mack show, the offense has left Coach Taggart “alarmed” moving forward. “We got to be able to run the football,” Taggart said. “If there’s anything that I’m disappointed in, it’s that we’re not running the football like I know we are capable of and we got to get back to doing some of the things that we say we’re going to do. The Bulls defense has held their own for the two prior games, but format, cornhole is 2-versus-2, soccer is 5-versus-5, basketball will be 3-versus-3, and ultimate will be 7-versus-7. There will be options for which league players want to join for each sport. There are men-only, womenonly or co-ed leagues. Student who wish to play must have a student ID card and have to register their team by the deadlines posted on the USFSP Campus Recreation web page. Dodgeball and a 3-point shooting

allowed gaps all over the field on Saturday. The defense gave the Wolfpack 589 yards of total offense, one yard shy of the most by a USF team dating back to 2010 against Cincinnati. Wolfpack QB Jacoby Brissett was 20-for-29 for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns and three different Wolfpack RBs had nearly identical touches and yards (Dayes 10-for68 yards, Thornton 12-for-70 yards and Creecy 12-for-68 yards). “ We ’re gon n a ge t b e t t er,” Taggart said. “Alot of guys, it’s all they talk about. I told them it’s on me to get this right, but our guys say ‘no’, they’re gonna get it right. We’ll stick together and find a way to make this thing go.” The Bulls are now three games into their schedule and have a short week before their next game against the Connecticut Huskies. Both teams are 1-2 and will be playing their first conference game of the season on ESPN/ESPN2 Friday night at 8 p.m. The Huskies are ranked 123rd in the nation in rushing defense and the matchup could allow Bulls’ RB Mack to show out once more on a big stage. Flowers may see additional playing time under center as well. Coach Taggart said he understands the fans’ frustration and disappointment and that his team is disappointed too, but asks fans to “hang in there” with the team. “I know this football team is better than what we’re showing out there and we gotta find a way to show that on saturdays and go out there and play like we’re practicing and make the plays we’re capable of,” Taggart said. “I believe in this football team and I think we’re gonna have a hell-of-a-damn season before it’s all said and done.”

sports@crowsneststpete.com contest will also be offered later in October with basketball and ultimate frisbee. Campus Recreation will have fitness events starting on Oct. 5 with the Homecoming 5K race and intramural tournaments later in the season. For any question regarding the Intramural Sports, stop by the Campus Recreation office located in the Student Learning Center building, room 114. sports@crowsneststpete.com