Single copies free The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
Online monitoring comes to campus
Roller Derby is on the rise p. 4
p. 2
Meet Pepper the campus cat By Samantha Putterman Staff Reporter
Samantha Putterman / Crow’s Nest
Pepper lives under the historic Williams House, where Laurie Berlin, Sheri Beaudreau and others bring food and look after the stray cat.
There’s more than one mascot at USF St. Petersburg. The university’s official character, Rocky the Bull, may have some stiff competition – from a stray cat. Her name is Pepper, a tabby who appears to be 4 to 5 years old. Pepper is no ordinary stray. Since she appeared a couple of years ago, she has captured the attention – and the hearts – of a small campus crew that takes care of her. She lives under the historic Williams House, using a special entrance that was created by the university’s building department. She patrols the courtyard of the nearby journalism building, where human friends feed her and stroke her head. And when she had a litter
about three years ago, friends found homes for her kittens and arranged surgery to ensure she won’t be a mother again. Laurie Berlin, who has worked at the Florida Humanities Council in the Peter Rudy Wallace Florida Center for Teachers building for 15 years, first noticed Pepper about two years ago. “She was very wild, very thin, very emaciated … and in my head, I said, ‘I’m not going to go there, I’m not going to go there,’” said Berlin. “But she kept getting skinnier.” Even after Berlin started feeding Pepper, it took some time before the skittish tabby started to warm up to her. “Finally, I was able to scratch the top of her head while she was eating, and we went through that
Continued on p. 2
A surreal collaboration
By Jeffrey Zanker Staff Reporter
Walt Disney and Salvador dalí, the masterminds of animation and surrealism, were good friends. The two were born three years – and a continent – apart. Disney,
in 1901 in Chicago and Dalí in Figueres, Spain, in 1904. And despite their distance, they shared a world of fantasy. “You do not think of them in the same context,” said Peter Tush, the education curator at the St. Petersburg Dalí Museum. “But there was an unexpected
Peter Tush, the education curator at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg views Dali’s surrealism as “dark and psychological” and Disney’s naturalistic style as a “happy, safe view of the world.”
connection between these two radically different figures. Their imaginations were so strong they had to create environments for others to experience what they desire.” The Dalí Museum’s newest ex hibit, “Disney a nd Da lí: Architects of the Imagination,” bring the two together, showcasing the artists’ works and various collaborations. The exhibit will be on display until June 12. Tush is co-curating the exhibit along with filmmaker Ted Nicolaou. Nicolaou worked with Disney’s daughter Diane who sparked the idea behind the showcase. “This will show an angle of Walt that people don’t normally think of — he wasn’t just all about familyfriendly stuff,” said Nicolaou. “He wasn’t dark, but he dealt in dreams and fantastical images.” The entrance to the entrance displays two large murals. One is an architectural blueprint of Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland, while the other is Dalí’s “Dream of Venus” pavilion from the 1939 World’s Fair. The murals, Tush said, emphasized the interest both had in architecture and design.
As both were ahead of their time, the two visionaries struggled to get their ideas/project/endeavors off the ground in their early careers. As Disney pioneered the world of animation, Dali was piercing through the world of surrealism.
Throughout the exhibit, the men’s lives are paralleled from their childhoods to their eventual fame. Their timelines are featured in an archive of photos, film clips, recordings, drawings and sketches, which to lead to the centerpiece – their first encounter. Each were fans of the other’s works. D a l í w a s i m pr e s s e d w i t h Disney’s early cartoons, while
Disney admired Dalí’s boundless imagination. After reading Dalí’s autobiography in 1944, Disney sent his copy to the painter for an autograph and inquired about a possible collaboration. At the time, Dalí was working with film director Alfred Hitchcock on a dream sequence for the movie “Spellbound.”
Continued on p. 5
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
News Briefs Tuesday, Feb. 23 SEAS hosts USF St. Pete Trade Circle Harborwalk // 2 - 4 p.m. The Student Environmental Awareness Society will host USFSP’s first trade circle and food drive to promote a zero-waste lifestyle. Instead of throwing unwanted items away, students are encouraged to bring clothes, appliances and jewelry to trade with fellow Bulls.
Wednesday, Feb. 24 Town Hall Meeting Davis 130 // 6 p.m. If you are interested in finding out who might represent the school next year, not to mention free food, stop by the Town Hall meeting this week in Davis Hall. The meetings are hosted by Student Government and allow students to ask questions and learn more about the current and future key players on campus.
Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 25-28 St. Petersburg Shakespeare Festival presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Williams and Snell House Courtyard Thurs-Sat: 7:30-10 p.m. Sunday: 4-7 p.m. Hosted by the Program of Verbal and Visual Arts, the USFSP Shakespeare Society will perform Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of a four-day festival dedicated to the legendary playwright. The event is free to the public, and aims to pique interest in Shakespeare by offering engaging performances to shine light on the St. Petersburg performing arts scene.
Correction: Professor Pamela Muller earned a master’s degree in 1972 and a doctorate in 1977 from the University of Hawaii. Her husband’s first name is Bob. When a gender discrimination lawsuit she and five other female faculty members brought against the university in 1998 was settled, the plaintiffs each received $24,000 and salary adjustments; Muller’s adjustment was 40 percent. A story in the Feb. 8-14 issue was incorrect on these points.
To deter cheating, USFSP debuts online monitoring By Jason saab Staff Reporter
The rise of the Internet has caused a lot of changes in almost every establishment – including college. The traditiona l classroom, where students gather at a specific time and place, is now giving way to it’s digital counterpart, the online classroom. This shift toward digital home learning allows students to complete homework assignments and tests outside the classroom on a more flexible timeline. But many in higher education are concerned that without the supervision of professors, the likelihood of cheating will increase. Websites such as Quizlet and Study Blue have become massive hubs for test and homework sharing, and just a few keywords from a chapter or test can lead to an entire answer sheet. As a result, schools have turned to online proctoring providers like Proctorio. These services monitor students during tests, and some have additional features, such as a tab lockdown or the ability to control a student’s computer. USF St. Petersburg started to use Proctorio in the spring 2016 semester, but instructors aren’t bound by
the program and can opt out if the choose. Per the program, if an online exam requires proctoring, it will be stated in the course syllabus, and prior to the examination, instructions will be provided. Proctorio assumes control of the computer’s webcam and microphone to monitor student’s and their surroundings. When it detects something, such as eye aversion, excess noise, or others entering the room, it will send out “red flags”. Too many red flags and the student fails the test. Ultimately, it is left to the instructor’s discretion to determine if cheating occurred. Students must have a webcam a nd microphone (i nter na l or USB) and are required to install Proctorio, which takes the form of a Google Chrome browser extension. USF Student Services suggests test-takers find a “private location with a reliable internet connection,” according to the university website. USFSP senior Zaina Kabaa recently had to use Proctorio for one of her tests and said the experience wasn’t entirely positive. “Proctorio is extremely uncomfortable. It feels like you’re really being watched,” said Kabaa. “I was afraid to do anything because it might flag me for no reason.” For the duration of the test,
Kabaa said she had to sit exceptionally still because any movement of her eyes or body, as well as any changes in her surroundings, triggered a red flag. At one point, her sister came in to talk to her, but she was concerned that responding would raise another consequential red flag. Kabaa said she was far more worried about the program itself than her test, and felt very distracted throughout it. And she wasn’t the only one. “We have a group chat with the whole class,” Kabaa said. “People were talking more about Proctorio and getting flagged than the test itself.” Proctorio employs the use of identity recognition via webcam and depending on the instructor’s settings, will monitor a student’s exam attempt. However, unlike other proctoring services, Proctorio does not
crowsneststpete.com collect information from students using facial recognition, biometrics or external human based proctors. If a student is uncomfortable with taking a proctored test on a personal computer, there is an option to take the test at the Student Success Center, as long as both the student and instructor complete and return a request form two days prior to the scheduled exam. According to the USF website, “Without accountability, student learning has been demonstrated to suffer. Academic dishonesty really is ‘cheating yourself ’ … There is also the issue of fairness; students should all be on the same playing field.” Proctoring software are bound to become more common in the future, as students continue to shift their class schedules online. Though online monitoring is designed to combat academic dishonesty and isn’t quite as extreme as omniscient government surveillance, being afraid to move or speak at the thought of failing a test is no psychological joke.
The shy stray captures hearts at the college, who have designated her the unofficial mascot Continued from front cover process. For a while, that was all I could do,” said Berlin. “But slowly but surely she let me pet her a little bit more and a little bit more, and eventually I would bring food down to the curb and feed her right next to me.” As if on cue, Pepper emerged from her home as Berlin chatted with a Crow’s Nest reporter. Meowing softly, she cautiously sidled up to Berlin. “This took forever,” she said as Pepper purred ferociously, pushing her head into Berlin’s palm. “I have tried to hold her a couple of times, and it’s tough. She’s really anxious.” Berlin said it took Pepper over a year to get comfortable, proving that only the worthy deserve her trust. Another human that Pepper d e e m s t r u s t w or t hy i s S h e r i Beaudreau. Last spring, Beaudreau, who is the custodian of the PRW building, found she was working in Pepper’s territory. “She started coming to the courtyard and began following me around.” “When it’s quiet around here, like early in the morning before the students come, she’ll hang out in the courtyard and follow me from
one class to the next when I’m doing my cleaning,” Beaudreau said. “She sits outside my custodial closet and waits for me to come outside.” Beaudreau has worked for the campus since 1987 and moved to PRW two years ago. When she first met the cat, Berlin had already selected the name Pepper. “She’s had different names, but Pepper stuck,” Beaudreau said. “And she wasn’t starving, by then she was well fed by Laurie, and a few other people who were slipping her stuff here and there.” During the recent renovation of the Williams House, Jim Grant,
the construction project manager, instructed workers to keep a doorway intact so Pepper, and other strays that live under the house, could keep their home. “This is (now) concrete, because the boards were getting bad,” Beaudreau said, pointing to the Williams’ House deck just above Pepper’s makeshift doorway “He’s the one who instructed the workers to make sure that none of that was sealed up so the cats could keep their houses,” Beaudreau said. “Jim Grant made it possible for her to have that little entrance, he said ‘This is her home.’” A few years ago, Pepper gave
Samantha Putterman / Crow’s Nest
Jim Grant, USF St. Pete’s construction project manager, told workers to keep the doorway opening intact so that Pepper and her feline neighbors could still have shelter.
birth to a litter of kittens on a balcony of a nearby apartment building. Though Beaudreau said she never met the woman who owned the apartment, she heard the story from others. “The owner called the SPCA and they told her they would have to euthanize the kittens because they were too young,” Beaudreau said. “So, she decided to keep the cat and the kittens while they were nursing, got them taken care of as far as shots, and found them all homes.” Beaudreau said the woman tried to keep Pepper, but that it didn’t work out in the end. “Pepper would not stay indoors, she’s an outdoor cat.” Beaudreau said that although Pepper is skittish, she has gotten much more tolerant over time. “She can tell who’s friendly.” “Sometimes I’ll sit on a chair and put her food underneath it, because she feels safer underneath something.” “And a lot of times, I’ll give Pepper food, and if I walk away from it, she doesn’t want to eat,” Beaudreau said with a laugh. “She wants me to stay there.” Until the last drop.
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
Mayor commemorates 40 years of Black History Month at City Hall By Laura Mulrooney Crow’s Nest Contributor On Feb. 1, history was made in St. Petersburg. Amid applause, whoops and laughter, Mayor Rick Kriseman raised a flag over City Hall commemorating 40 years of Black History Month. The flag featured the likeness of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an educator, author and historian who is known as the father of Black History Month. After the flag was raised, Terri Lipsey Scott, chair of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in St. Petersburg, praised K r i s ema n for t he i mp or t a nt gesture. She commended him for doing what no other St. Petersburg mayor has done, which was “to acknowledge and commemorate the contributions that African-Americans have made to this nation by flying – over a government institution – a f lag in honor of not only Dr. Carter G. Woodson, but AfricanAmerican history.”
In response, Kriseman said that “one of the many things that makes our community so special is our black history and the countless contributions that black individuals and families have made, and continue to make.” Last March, Kriseman also won plaudits when he announced that the city will try to purchase and preserve the Woodson museum, a long-simmering point of controversy between the museum board and the museum’s landlord, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. Two months earlier, the Housing Authority board had voted 4-3 to sell the small community museum at 2240 Ninth Ave. S. In praising Kriseman’s recognition of the city’s diversity and the importance of keeping its history alive, Scott quoted Woodson: “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” Woodson, who was born to former slaves in 1875, announced the celebration of Negro History Week in 1926 in effort to preserve
Carter G. Woodson, who is known as the Father of Black History, was born to former slaves in 1875 and announced the celebration of Negro History Week in 1926. In 1976, 26 years after his death, Negro History Week was extended to encompass the entire month of February.
African-American history, which had been routinely overlooked in history books. In 1976, 26 years after his death, Negro History Week was extended to encompass the entire month of February. Some say that the establishment of Black History Month runs
counter to Woodson’s intent – that relegating black history to one month limits its full integration into mainstream education. The flag Kriseman raised on Feb. 1 was not the first banner the mayor has unfurled to demonstrate the city’s inclusiveness.
During Pride Week in 2015, Kriseman flew the LGBT Pride Flag over City Hall and returned as the parade’s honorary grand marshal along with St. Petersburg Assistant Police Chief Melanie Brevan.
Boogie all night: The second annual Miracle Dance Marathon can’t stop, won’t stop. The university’s dance marathon swings in to raise money for charity By Devin Rodriguez Staff Reporter Students will dance all night to raise money for All Children’s Hospital. Starting at 4 p.m., the marathon will be held in the University Student Center’s Grand Ballroom on March 3. The competition will continue until 1 a.m. where dancers are challenged to move the entire time. The event, “A Dance through the Decades,” features DJ Fresh,
a professional dick-jockey in St. Petersburg. The music is set to cover numerous decades and genres. There are alternative opportunities for participants to help raise money while the dance is underway. During the fundraiser, dance participants can “jail” someone by donating any amount of money. In order to return to the dance floor, “the jailed” must raise the same amount used to put them away. The dance is coordinated by USFSP Dance Marathon, an organizat ion t hat work s w it h t he Children’s Miracle Network.
According to the university’s website, the students participating in the dance marathon, “Spend a year learning invaluable leadership and life skills while raising funds and interacting with children’s hospital patients and families.” Students started fundraising in the beginning of the spring semester and currently, the Alpha Phi Omega team has raised the most, at $1,470. The group’s top contributor is Samantha Mann, who has raised $303. Students can register the day
of the event for only $5, and are invited to bring friends and family along. The event will be catered by a number of businesses including Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, and Tijuana Flats. So far, about $3,500 has been raised this year by 39 people. Shane Farmer, the event coordinator, said he is optimistic that the school will reach its goal of $10,050, with 210 individuals registered. Farmer said that the annual marathon provides a great opportunity for students to help out the hospitals in their community.
Last year, the event more than tripled the expected goal of $2,015 by raising $6,776. The campus event is associated with the Children’s Miracle Network’s nationwide movement, with more than 250 schools around the country raising money for the CMN hospital in their community. The mission statement of CMN’S first dance marathon explains why students should stay on their feet all night. “We dance for those who can’t.”
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
Music festivals to check out this spring Okeechobee Music Festival Okeechobee, FL // Campsite available March 4-6 // Tickets: 3-day general admission, $259.50 Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Mumford & Sons, Hall and Oates, Bassnectar, Skrillex, Future, Miguel, Fetty Wap and Mac Miller http://okeechobeefest.com/
Gasparilla Music Festival Tampa, FL March 12-13 // Tickets: $30-60 Headliners: Stephen Ragga Marley, Erykah Badu, MS MR, Houndmouth, Antibalas, Futurebirds and DieAlps! http://gasparillamusic.com/
SweetWater 420 Fest Atlanta, GA April 22-24 // Tickets: 3-day general admission, $138 Headliners: Bastille, Ludacris, The Roots, Rebelution, Manchester Orchestra, Awolnation, Pepper and Kid Rock http://www.sweetwater420fest. com/
Local roller derby team: A sisterhood on skates By Ryan Callihan Staff Reporter
There’s bumping, shoving and a lot of falling, but the rollergirls in St. Petersburg’s Deadly Rival Roller Derby wouldn’t want it any other way. Deadly Rival was founded in 2011 as a f lat-track league, but upgraded to a banked track in April 2015. According to the organization’s website, they have the only banked track in Florida, which adds faster gameplay and tougher falls as the sides of the track are raised at an incline. “We have skaters that come from all over the state to play. A lot of girls come to play because we are the only banked track in Florida. It’s a lot faster,” said Michelle Bocchino, the league’s co-founder. “It’s actionpacked and a lot more exciting for the fans. It’s just a blast.” In a game of roller derby, sometimes called a bout, the goal is to score more points than the rival team. When a derby game is in play, there are typically five players on each team – four “Blockers” and one “Jammer.” The Jammer must break through the opposing Blockers, circle the track and pass the other team’s players to score points. Each player that the Jammer passes counts as one point. The Blockers on both team’s move slowly while trying to prevent
Devin Rodriguez / Crow’s Nest
Founded in 2011, Deadly Rival is a 30-member roller derby group in St. Petersburg that touts to have the only banked track in Florida.
the opposing Jammer from getting through. Bouts consist of four 15-minute periods, but the derby girls only play for 60-second mini-sessions called Jams; between each Jam, the teams can substitute players. Roller derby is a physical sport, but that doesn’t stop the derby girls from supporting one another.
If you’re interested in getting involved in roller derby, or would like to attend one of the Deadly Arrival’s monthly bouts, visit deadlyrivalrollerderby.com The group also has open recruitment for potential members every Monday at 8:30 p.m.
Moonstone Music Festival Orlando, FL Apri l 30 -May 1 // Tickets: $129-690 Headliners: Wolf Alice, The Flaming Lips, Kiss Vintage Trouble, Kansas, Def Leppard and Girlpool http://moonstonemusicfestival. com/
Shaky Knees Music Festival Atlanta, GA May 13-15 // Tickets: $215 Headliners: At the Drive-In, Baroness, Foals, Explosions in the Sky, Savages and My Morning Jacket http://www.shakykneesfestival. com/
After every Jam, players consistently high-fives and exchanged congratulations. “I’m an only child. I have no sisters,” Bocchino said. “But I’ve got 30 sisters in this league.” Every player has a nickname, which is usually a play on words, like “Bone Saw Betty,” “Princess Slaya” and “Lyka Fox.” “It’s usua lly any thing with music, movies or pop culture. It’s your personality or what you like. It’s your alter ego,” Bocchino said, who is also known as M. Pyre Wrecker, a reference to her favorite movie “Empire Records.” Bocchino said the ages of the derby girls range from 18 to 54,
but that most members are in their 30s and come from diverse backgrounds. “We have girls who work at law firms, we have stay-at-home moms and teachers,” she said. “Teacher by day – badass roller derby girl by night.” Helping the community is one of Deadly Arrival’s primary goals. The members participate in local events and have also partnered with a local shelter to promote animal rescue. A different rescue animal up for adoption is featured before the monthly bouts in an effort to get that animal adopted.
Students gather to celebrate black culture By Tamiracle Williams Staff Reporter To celebrate black culture, the Multicultural Activities Council hosted the organization’s annual Black History Showcase. The event celebrated black culture and highlighted individuals who have made a major impact on the African-American community, such as Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. Several USF St. Petersburg students performed in the showcase, including a spoken word artist that used the aesthetics of wordplay and storytelling to portray what it’s like
to be black in America and the importance of loving the skin you are in. The USFSP Gospel Choir taught the audience the history of gospel music and performed John Legend and Common’s Grammywinning song Glory from the movie “Selma.” In their debut performance, USFSP’s Herd Step Team stomped down the house in a performance that included both traditional and modern dance moves. The team chanted “No Justice, No Peace” to tribute to the ongoing battle of social justice. Tamiracle Williams / Crow’s Nest
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
Student’s band goes from open mic night to State Theatre By Evy Guerra Crow’s Nest Contributor The sound of indie-rock with a mix of violin and electric guitar can be heard coming from the Tavern at Bayboro. It’s Glass House Point – freshman Dylan Methot’s band that often plays at the restaurant’s open mic night on Wednesdays. Patrick Browning, who works at the Tavern, said he has watched the group’s performances multiple times. “I think they have a really good sound, they play a good variety of music,” Browning said. “They do a lot of energetic stuff so it gets the crowd hyped up and excited.” Methot started playing guitar and mandolin when he joined the high school band. “I sta r ted teach i ng mysel f around junior year,” he said. “Pretty
much I joined the band and that escalated the amount of time I was playing and practicing, so I just got better a lot quicker.” I n 2013, Met hot for med a band with Dylan Graham, Ian Campbell, Noah Feldman and E.J. Miner. To brainstorm band names, Campbell searched hyperlinks on Wikipedia for ideas and found Glass House Point, a ferry terminal in Jamestown, Va. The band recently released a sixsong EP on Spotify and iTunes and has performed in Tampa, Orlando and Winter Haven. Before Methot started attending USFSP in the fall, the band’s practices began in his bedroom. And although it has since turned into a nearly 60-mile commute Methot makes every weekend, he says that it’s worth all the miles. “We didn’t know what it would be like, for the longest time the
band practiced at my house,” he said. “In my room I had all the equipment for the band (and) it went from practicing all the time to a little bit.” On Feb. 17, the band competed in the second round of Destination Okeechobee at State Theatre for an opportunit y to perform at the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival. Although Glass House Point didn’t win, the band doesn’t plan to slow down. “Going from recording in the studio to having it put on iTunes and Spotify has been kind of surreal,” Methot said. “(It’s) awesome knowing that we have a tangible piece of our work that people can listen to and hopefully enjoy.” With three members still in their senior year of high school, many decisions about their personal goals
Courtesy of Evy Guerra
On Feb. 17, Dylan Methot, a freshman at USFSP, performed at the State Theatre in downtown St. Petersburg with his band Glass House Point for a chance to play at the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival.
and the future of the band will need to be made. But Methot is not worried about it.
“Regardless we’re trying to ride this out and see where this takes us,” he said.
Continued from front cover
Walt Disney’s magic comes to the Dalí Museum After the two met at a Hollywood party the following year, they planned for an animated film that would be packed with surrealist images like Disney’s “Fantasia.” The project would eventually be called “Destino,” based on a Spanish ballad and translates into “destiny” in Spanish. The production lasted eight months and resulted in 200 storyboards and contrasting visions.
In an article in the Los Angeles Times in April 1946, Dalí described the plot as “a magical exposition of life in the labyrinth of time,” while Disney saw it as “a simple love story — boy meets girl.” Moreover, t he projec t wa s beset with creative and financial difficulties. Disney lost patience with Dalí’s creative additions which slowed down the production and cost the
studio more than $70,000. The project was plugged less than a year later. Despite the setback, they still remained friends for the next 20 years. They traveled to each other’s homes and discussed plans for a movie based on Don Quixote. “Destino” was shelved for almost 50 years until Disney’s nephew Roy E. Disney decided to resurrect the film, completing it in 2003. The
following year it was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated short film. The exhibit’s final showpiece, “Dreams of Dalí,” is a virtual-reality experience of Dalí’s painting “Archeological Reminiscence of Millet’s ‘Angelus’ (1935).” Visitors wear 3-D goggles and headsets to move around in the surreal environment, alluding
to Disney’s passion for advanced technology. “B ot h a r t i s t s re ac he d out for whatever was new, not only embracing it, they sometimes pioneered it,” the museum’s executive director Hank Hine told the Tampa Tribune. “They both reached for the future.”
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Company, © Disney
The Dalí and Disney families around the dinner table in Spain in 1957.
The Dalí Museum is at 1 Dalí Blvd. in downtown St. Petersburg. The “Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination” exhibit is free for USFSP students with a valid student I.D. Salvador Dalí and Walt Disney by the beach in Spain in 1957.
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, © Disney
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
The constitution 101: a primer for Mitch McConnell
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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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The abrupt death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia sparked debate between Republicans and Democrats over the President’s duty to nominate a replacement in his final year
By Moriah Parrish Staff reporter T he u nexpected death of A ntoni n Sca l ia on Feb. 13, a h i g h l y c on s e rvat ive Supreme C ou r t Just ice w ho s er ve d on the bench slightly under 30 years, has thrown the Republican Party in a tizzy with the looming threat that the President will nominate a more liberal justice. Glenn Beck, conservative pundit and self-proclaimed chalkboard guru, responded to the death on his radio talk show. Beck, who at one point spoke in the voice of the heavenly father, told his audience that God brought about Scalia’s death for the American people to “wake up” and vote for Ted Cruz. A Republican to better uphold the Constitution, you say? On Feb. 13, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell R-KY., shared condolences on Scalia’s death, adding that he felt, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next supreme court justice. Therefore,
this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.” Oh, Senator McConnell, please sit down. I’d like a word with you. I, too, studied government in high school. I, too, have read the Constitution of the United States of America in full, several times during my life. It’s not a long document, and it’s not overly complicated – just as our forefathers intended. Over our 240-year history as a nation, many traditions and precedents have been built around varying interpretations. But the true text, in its beautiful simplicity, remains clear as day. Here’s what the Constitution has to say about how Supreme Court justices should be nominated – not elected – in Article II, Section 2, which describes the duties of the president: “He shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law … The President shall have Power
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY., (Above) is one of the prominent Republicans criticizing President Obama’s plan to nominate a/ the replacement of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The highly conservative justice died unexpectedly earlier this month.
to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.” Ye s , S e n a t o r M c C o n n e l l , Obama’s nomination will require the approval of the Senate, just as all Supreme Court justices appointed during his presidency, and all the presidencies before him. But it is still within his power and indeed, his responsibilities, to be the one to make a nomination. If you, in your limited, politically-purposed foresight decide to stall this for a year, you are literally handicapping the entire checks and balances system of our federal government. Wit hout a not her Supreme Court justice on the bench, only eight remain to hear cases, leaving a high chance of gridlock due to disagreement, and no ninth judge to break a tie. What kind of back up could this create in our molasses-moving court system? The fact that the Senate doesn’t
want to play nice does not render our president powerless during his last year in office. He is still the Commander-inChief, whether or not Congress likes him. The Constitution still needs to be upheld in order for the American people to have fully functioning government. If you want to make changes, Mr. McConnell, then let me propose this: Term limits on senators. I think your current 30-year service in the Senate has been quite enough. I voted in the last presidential election. That was my voice about the selection of Supreme Court Justices. Now heed it. Moriah Parrish, a junior majoring in psychology, is the staff reporter. She can be reached at parrishm@ mail.usf.edu
Faux-revolution of the Return of Kings By Heather Pugh Crow’s Nest Contributor Daryush Valizadeh planned to hold 165 meetings in 43 countries on Feb. 6 for his online community. But days before, the meet ups were “c a nceled” after public out c r y a g a i n s t the group swept across the world. Valizadeh, known as ‘Roosh V,’ is a 36-year-old blogger who maintains a self-proclaimed “neomasculinist” website. Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Park was, apparently, included as one of the meet up locations. But Valizadeh, while his hateful beliefs are real, fooled everyone.
His social gathering amounted to nothing more than a failed faux-revolution. According to the Washington Post , la st su m mer Va l i z adeh attempted to schedule a similar meeting, but barely any of his “followers” showed up. In the previous pursuit, Valizadeh scheduled “... A well-publicized, eight-city lecture series last summer — his largest crowd maxed out at 77 in New York City.” While 77 people is a far cry from millions, it doesn’t deter from the hateful intent of his group’s ideals – ideals that received coverage from a score of news outlets that capitalized on the radical nature of his claims. Valizadeh first incited fury last year with his article “How to Stop Rape,” where he blamed women
for not being more responsible and said the best solution was to legalize the violation of women on private property. He later recoiled, calling the article “satirical.” Valizadeh places much of a woman’s worth in her appearance. If he does not find a woman beautiful, he often won’t give her the time of day. He has denied several interviews with female reporters because he “wouldn’t want to sleep with her.” In his “neomasculinist” tenants he explains that, “A woman’s value significantly depends on her fertility and beauty. A man’s value significantly depends on his resources, intellect and character.” What took place earlier this month amounts to a social ad campaign that was founded on the
overreaction of news agencies and social media platforms. The public’s hatred of Valizadeh’s opinions caused an explosion on the Internet. Articles that portrayed him in a negative light were shared in viral numbers across social media sites. Unfortunately, it gave him a spotlight of temporary importance.
Heather Pugh is a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in mass communications. She can be reached at heatherpugh25@gmail. com
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
Donald Trump SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS... rally overflows Want to comment on a story or a campus issue? USF Sun Dome
By Elisa Duka Crow’s Nest Contributor
Donald Trump made a stop in Tampa on his presidential campaign trail to host a rally at the USF Sun Dome on Feb. 12. The Dome, which seats 10,411, left several thousa nds sta nd i ng outside during the event. The Republican president ia l c a nd idate’s hourlong speech covered almost every primary issue on American’s minds. Listed below are national issues along with Trump’s take on each. Veteran Affairs Funding Cut: “Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day because of the Obama administration’s budget cuts and lack of care for our veterans.” The administration cut $1.4 billion in the Veterans Affairs budget on medical care, leaving 70,000 vets without care after returning home. Common Core Requirements: “Common Core is a disaster and we’re going to get rid of it.” The nation’s standardized education requirements ensure that schools throughout the nation provide equal education opportunities across a range of subjects. Common Core has been applied in a majority of U.S. public schools, from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Jobs in the United States: “I’ll be the greatest job-producing president that God ever created.” According to the Economic Policy institute in 2014, since the start of the recession in 2007, the labor market gained back 7.4 million jobs of the recession’s original loss of 8.7 million.
Wall between U.S. and Mexico: “The president of Mexico just told me ‘I’m not paying for that wall.’ And you know what I said to him? ‘That wall just got 10 feet higher.’” Trump later continued to suggest that without a border, we’re not a country. He also said that he does want people coming into the U.S., they just have to do it legally. Iran-U.S. deal: “We call them and let them know we’re coming, then let them hide their nuclear weapons the day before we go in and inspect them.” According to PolitiFact, the deal was reached in an effort to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons and give relinquish 97 percent of its enriched uranium. However, the agreement also allows Iran to self-inspect its own weapons and materials. Radical Islamic terrorism: “I’m going to build a strong military so that we never have to use it.” Trump went on about how Obama shies away from using the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism.” He also declared that if elected, ISIS would be defeated during his presidency, and that he would uphold our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms to protect us from terrorists. After briefly covering topics like ObamaCare, Syrian refugees and safe zones in Europe, Trump also spent time ridiculing other presidential candidates like Clinton and Sanders; ca lling Bernie a “communist running against an entrepreneur.” Elisa Duka is a sophomore majoring in global business and international studies. She can be reached at elisaduka@yahoo.com
Get it off your chest with a letter to the editor. The Crow’s Nest welcomes letters from students, faculty and staff. Send your letter to Ann21@mail.usf.edu. Letters which may be edited for length, clarity and taste, must include the writer’s name and telephone number (though the number will not be published).
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 22- Feb 28, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 22
Immigration, Internet and Globalization
USFSP hosts St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs Collective Contribution Diplomats, military officials and academic experts from across the nation and around the globe filled the University Student Center at USF St. Petersburg to discuss topics on world affairs. The university hosted the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, drawing over 60 speakers to the event. The college’s honors program director Thomas Smith said panels purposefully have an “unusual mix of people” to offer diverse perspectives and spark discussion.
Elite Tastes vs. Basic Needs: Organic, Genetically Modified or Insufficient Food By Emily Tinti While four billion people suffer from chronic hunger or malnutrition worldwide, one third of all consumable goods are wasted every year. And yet, by 2050, the earth’s human population will still require at least 70 percent more food than what is currently produced. Five renow ned indiv idua ls deliberated possible solutions to this imminent dilemma, citing unequal food distribution, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the implementation of sustainable methods. Dr. Janet Chrzan, a nutritional anthropologist, posed the opening question: “How do we think about hunger, and how does that affect the way we solve it?” Chrzan then shared three steps to solving world hunger: (1) Use the
pile of food effectively and educate the public, (2) Build the pile higher and put more land into production and (3) Share the pile and use it to engage in social, political and economic change. The panel ultimately concluded: There is no empirical evidence of either the benefit or the harm of GMOs. Si m i Me ht a , a Fu l br i g htNehru doctoral research fellow, argued that using GMOs is justified because they stimulate production and provide an amount of resources that developing countries typically don’t have access to. Dr. Michael Lynch offered a unique take on the subject, coming from the world of culinary management, food law and product liability consulting. He agreed that on a global scale, yes – GMOs are valuable. But in the U.S., not in the slightest. Lynch explained that most small farmers in the country don’t have access to actual seeds due to companies like Monsanto that specialize in the production and sale of GMO seeds, taking over the business entirely. He also said that only around two percent of the food in America – including imports – is actually inspected. “ T h e r e ’s n o f o o d p o l i c e . Inspecting food is on a voluntary basis now,” said Lynch. “The European Union won’t even let us export.” Emmanuel Roux, the executive director and president of Urban Food Park, Inc., focused on individuals, suggesting that people are “disconnected” from the food they consume. Roux and Dr. Leslie Liberman, a biomedical and nutritional anthropologist, both suggested that solving global issues
Devin Rodriguez / Crow’s Nest
USFSP honors program director Thomas Smith said panels at the conference purposefully had an “unusual mix of people” to offer diverse perspectives and spark discussion.
like world hunger starts with the individual. “We need to reconnect to our food and our people,” he said. “Getting together and sharing food is very important and something that we’re not valuing as much as we should.”
Immigrants: A New Wall or a Screen Door? By Paola Bruzual Immigrants are often stereotyped as lazy, poor or just cheap labor who take job opportunities from American citizens. Scot t Solomon, associate
professor of government and international affairs at USF Tampa, dismantled the demeaning label by presenting statistics on how immigrants engage in the community and contribute to the economy by paying taxes, thus helping the U.S. economy grow. “The United States is a country molded by migration,” Solomon said. Eliane Elmaleh, Professor in American civilization at Université du Maine France, said Europe economic depression has increased due to the construction of expensively large walls to keep migrants from countries such as Sy ria, Afghanistan and Iraq – out. Sajjad Wali, a U.S. military interpreter a refugee from Afghanistan said, “Refugees don’t choose to be refugees, they become refugees out of anger and frustration.”
Film: ‘My Africa Is’ By Abigail Payne
Devin Rodriguez / Crow’s Nest
In the University Student Center, rooms were packed to watch numerous panelists from around the world discuss today’s most pressing topics.
Released this month, the documentary series “My Africa Is” gives an inside look into the inf lux of entrepreneurship in multiple cities across sub-Saharan Africa. The pilot episode was showcased at the conference and the series will play on World channel. Nosarieme Garrick, the film’s executive producer and director, is a Nigerian native who travels the world as a writer, activist and entrepreneur. In the documentary Garrick displays the obstacles that African entrepreneurs face on a day-to-day basis. She says that displaying the young entrepreneurs on an “open platform” has been successful in exposing the reality of Africa.
“The response we’ve gotten is a testament to how refreshing the content is and the potential that it has,” said Garrick. “With enough resilience and enough persistence you can achieve your goal and for the student body, as crazy as their ideas might be, they should pursue it, and I hope that this film served as inspiration for them about what is possible when you just try.”
That Foreign Policy Vision Thing: Presidential Tradition or a Big Yawn By Kenny Owens Foreign policy: A major sticking point on both sides in the current presidential race. The panel consisted of three experts in the field: Eliane Elmaleh, professor in American civilization at the Université du Maine France; Richard Miniter, CEO of the American Media Institute and Gene Poteat, a retired CIA officer. Elmaleh discussed how public opinion is shaping foreign policy across the globe and specifically in France, where leaders tend to act in favor of public opinion. Poteat discussed the consequences that certain foreign policy decisions have on the population and how American foreign policy is affected by outside sources. Miniter summed up the topic by saying, “At the heart of foreign policy is a divide between the politically correct and the ‘cowboys.’ I believe foreign policy needs both to succeed.”