October 2022

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers,

To say that the past couple of weeks has been hard is an understatement. Everyone has been affected in one way or another by Hurricane Ian. In tragedies like these, it’s when you lean on your friends and family the most.

Rest assured, Eagle News is here to provide the coverage you need.

Continue reading to learn about the damages sustained on campus and stories from the storm shelter, Alico Arena.

If you need a distraction from the hurricane news, we have that too. FGCU recently announced the finalists for its new president, and scooters arrived on campus for additional transportation.

Election season is upon us…Are you ready? Tori Foltz shared her thoughts on the importance of voting. In the mood for something spooky? Kendell Gordon has your back.

Read all about it and more in this issue of Eagle News!

All the best,

Riley Hazel Executive Editor, Eagle Media

Photo by Jessica Piland

ON THE COVER: Photo by Jessica Piland

Hurricane Ian Memorial at Centennial Park, Fort Myers FL.

EAGLE NEWS

Table of ConTenTs

2022

eaglenews.org

EAGLE MEDIA

EM Advisor Justin Paprocki

Executive Editor Riley Hazel Business Director Michael Patella Graphics Editor Gabriella Lopez Sports Editor Nick Asselin

EAGLE NEWS

Editor-in-Chief Tori Foltz

Assignment & Features Editor Hayley Lemery Opinion Editor Delinah Rosario

Photo Editor Jessica Piland

ENTV

Director Tori Pugliese

Assistant Director Jakira Bryan

Entertainment Director Lilah Wilcoxson

EAGLE RADIO

Station Manager Keyshawn Frazier

FGCU'S Newest Mode Of Transportation By Connor Hay and Katarina Yurjevich

Shuttle Changes By Tori Foltz

Hurricane Ian Hit too Close to Home By Tori Foltz

Strategic Roadmap Initative

By Hayley Lemery

FGCU Presidental Finalists

By Hayley Lemery

Students Band Together to Help Storm Victims

By Riley Hazel

FGCU Announces New Logo

By Jenna Hackeman

The Future of NCAA

By Nick Asselin

Letters to the Editor

Letters compiled by Dr. Ankit Singh

Importance of Voting

By Tori Foltz

500-word Horror Story

By Kendall Gordon

Cartoon By Alexandra Porter

FGCU’s Newest Mode of Transportation: Electric-Scooters

Connor Hay, Staff Writer & Katarina Yurjevich, Contributing Writer

As of Sept. 19, FGCU members have a new way to get around campus by electric scooters. Goat Guys held an event on main campus to introduce their e-scooters to FGCU.

100 Goat e-scooters are on campus available for use. Scooters can be rented by downloading the Goat app and scanning the QR code on the scooter. It costs $1 to unlock, and users are then charged 35 cents per minute while riding. After users are done, there are designated areas to park the scooters around campus that can be seen on the app.

“I am cautiously optimistic about the scooter program,” Student Body President Grace Brannigan said. “I can imagine all of the many ways that this program could go wrong, but I am also excited to [see] if students use the scooters, and if they enjoy using them.”

The e-scooters have precise geofencing, which enforces reduced speed limits in high-traffic areas and will turn off the e-scooter if it goes outside of the ride zones. This geofencing creates a safer experience for riders and pedestrians. The shutdown areas were decided by Student Government and is based on where pedestrian traffic is the highest.

Despite being another mode of transportation, students have voiced their concerns about the cost of renting these e-scooters.

“I think that the scooter ride from South Village to the Campus Loop, considering how it is roughly $3, the cost is especially high when compared to the free alternatives of the shuttles and walking class,” junior

Photo by Adriana Hall

Bradley Walby said. “If I really wanted to ride a scooter around campus, I would just purchase one, so I would not have to worry about rental fees.”

The Goat app has instructions on how to operate the e-scooter and return it correctly. If a rider does not return and lock the scooter in a designated area, then the rider will continue to be charged.

“I think we have really good bicycle etiquette on campus,” Brannigan said. “If they want these things to stay, then they are going to have to follow the rules. They need to park them where they need to be parked. They should obey the speed limit, and I also encourage people that if they already have a bike helmet, they wear a bike helmet. If they need a helmet, they can get one from the Florida Transportation Department for free.”

Riders must be 18-years-old and follow all laws regarding use and operation of vehicles, along with campus policies. The scooters have built in GPS sensors in order to ensure the safety of other students. When students are riding in certain areas, the scooters will slow down to a reduced speed of 12 mph. In other areas the scooters have a max speed of 8 mph.

The e-scooters seem to have become popular very quickly since their arrival at FGCU.

“I’m super excited,” freshman Elia Becker said. “I think it’s a great mode of transportation, especially for us freshman who have a little bit more of a walk to class.”

Freshman Emily Goodwin poses on an e-scooter.

FGCU Business Services Announces Shuttle Changes after Students Weighed in

Tori Foltz, Editor-in-Chief

Graphic courtesy of FGCU

Graphic courtesy of Adobe Stock

On Sept. 15, an account on Instagram, @shopFGCU, posted that shuttle routes and stops have been updated according to student requests. The updates removed the stop at Bower School of Music and the Arts and added the stop at Palmetto back into the South Village route.

However, many students found the change to the BSMA stop inconsiderate to not only those majoring in the arts, but also students that need to access the library, student health services or the food pantry.

“The original change was very disrespectful [to] majors that utilize the stop daily or even people who want to make it to the library or the food pantry,” sophomore Adell Davis said. As a student studying music education, she’s part of that group. “It impacts a marginalized community, and it seems as if our transportation services didn’t take the entire student body into account.”

The account, run by Business Services oversees the shuttles, Eagle ID cards, vending machines on campus, dining services and other student-focused services, shared a shuttle survey last month. It was shared with the intent to ask students about their shuttle experiences and allowed space for suggestions.

“Students complained of long route times, and many requested that the stop at the BSMA be removed due to low usage,” Pamela McCabe, coordinator of university communications and media relations, said. “Likewise, the

very low usage of the stop at the BSMA. In an effort to be responsive to student feedback, the university decided to remove the Bower stop from the route.”

Over the summer, the roadways in SoVi saw a change, as the roads are now a one-way street with additional parallel parking. Last year, the area had one stop at Palmetto for all students. This year, FGCU saw the opportunity to pick up students in a more distributed manner in two places. The stop at SoVi Green services students that live in Palmetto, Biscayne and Everglades and the stop at Osprey Hall services those that reside in Eagle and Osprey.

However, the university received complaints that students would like a stop at Palmetto. Since the stop is on the way around the loop, they saw no harm in adding it back to the route.

“I don't believe that SoVi really needs three stops. I think the first two near Biscayne and Osprey Hall is enough,” Casey Pulley, a sophomore majoring in pre-finance, said.

A few days after the changes were announced, a lot of students were upset with the updated routes.

“It impacts anyone wanting to go to the arts complex or wanting a quicker way to the library. Many people have heavy instruments that need to be carried or projects that could get damaged, or those with disabilities,” junior music education student Jeff Dubuque said. “The closest stop is either SoVi or main campus which is over a 10-minute walk to the arts complex. Other majors get bus access to their buildings, why can't we?”

After consideration of the complaints, @shopFGCU announced an update to the changes. There would now be a new stop in Parking Lot 7. This would be a compromise for those that need to utilize student health services, the food pantry or BSMA. However, some students still have complaints.

“I feel like the compromise is a nice gesture, but still leaves a big inconvenience for a lot of arts majors,” music therapy sophomore Kailah Burbach said.

Although this is a compromise, the changes pose inconveniences to those that need to access the BSMA and the library.

“I definitely think that the bus stops should go back to how they were with the North Lake and SoVi bus making stops at the main loop, Dunkin, and the Bower School of Music and the Arts,” senior Sam Estes said. “Even if the stop is the least popular of the three doesn’t mean it isn’t popular. It is still used.”

•

Photo by Adriana Hall

Hurricane Ian Hit too Close to Home

Tori Foltz, Editor-in-Chief

Ahead of Hurricane Ian making landfall, students on campus were told to evacuate their dorms and head home or to FGCU’s storm shelter: Alico Arena.

For those that stayed at the shelter on campus, it was an experience like never before, especially if you were someone working for Housing and Residence Life. Osprey Hall Resident Assistant Halle Scheinman shared her thoughts on it.

“A lot of stress came from the hurricane coming our way and being in a shelter with people you don’t know; being faced with a situation I never had to encounter before,” Scheinman, a senior, said. “I was happy to work and help in any way that eased the minds of the residents.”

Students were sheltered in Alico Arena for three full days. Breakfast was served in the morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This consisted of fruit and a muffin, but students could also get a bottle of water and yogurt. Throughout the day, people would sleep, read, talk, play board games and walk around the arena. They did anything they could to keep busy amidst the storm. Alico Arena never lost power.

“It was an uncomfortable experience because I did not originally plan on going,” junior Lolarose Deforges said. “I didn’t come prepared. Some people had blow-up mattresses but I was just on the floor on a small quilt. Being in there was bearable up until the last day and night when we lost water. It is an experience I will not forget.”

Lunch would be served around noon. They got a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips and bottled water. Dinner was eaten at 6:00 p.m. and always consisted of some variation of a sub, chips and bottled water. Daytime and nighttime mostly consisted of the same activities, as there wasn’t much to do in the shelter.

“I think most people were stressed, but able to find enjoyment in small things like reading a book or talking with friends,” senior Sammi Whaley, West Lake Village’s residence life team assistant, said. “Towards the end, I think everyone was getting restless and just needed to get out.”

There were around 200 people that stayed in the shelter.

“It felt strange to realize that I was in a shelter with 200+

people that were, for the most part, strangers. I was very fortunate to have stuck by people I knew and trusted while being there,” Whaley, a senior, said. “It also made me realize how many small things I take for granted, like getting to sleep in my own bed or just simply brushing my teeth in the morning with peace and quiet. It was an experience but hopefully something I will never again have to go through.”

Being only nine miles away from the Gulf of Mexico, FGCU was fortunate to suffer only minor damages to campus.

“FGCU was fortunate, as our main campus experienced minimal damage due to Hurricane Ian. For the most part, our losses were more cosmetic, or quick-to-fix, in nature,” Pamela McCabe, coordinator of university communications and media relations, said.

There are several trees around campus that have fallen and a few broken windows in various buildings. The last “A” in Alico Arena fell off during the storm and the soccer bleachers and goalpost were mangled in the wind. The storm also damaged some of the panels in the solar field. The on-campus daycare facility, Little Eagles Learning Center, sustained damage to the sun shade over its outdoor playground, requiring it to be removed before reopening. However, flooding wasn’t an issue for the main campus.

At this time, there is no dollar amount for the damages sustained.

Since Hurricane Ian, FGCU has launched two initiatives to help faculty, students and staff that have been impacted by the disaster. Eagles in Need is a relief fund to help students, faculty and staff with one-time emergency rewards. Students may be eligible for $500, and employees may be eligible for $1,000. The Hurricane Ian Disaster Leave Program is an opportunity for staff and faculty to donate leave to a pool, which will be distributed among employees who suffered severe hardship.

The FGCU Campus Food Pantry is open noon to 6 p.m. daily, including all weekend, for all currently enrolled students and active employees. Visit the pantry at the Music Modular, Lot 7, Room 102. Students and employees need to show a university ID card. •

If you want to learn more about FGCU’s Hurricane Ian recovery efforts, you can visit https://www.fgcu.edu/hurricaneian/

FGCU's main campus was fortunate, receiving minor damage due to Hurricane Ian. Of the damage reported were downed trees, such as this one by Cohen Student Union. It has since been propped up.

Photo courtesy of FGCU

FGCU Launches Strategic Roadmap Initiative

Hayley Lemery, Assignment & Features Editor

FGCU launched a new initiative called the Strategic Roadmap, where the goal is to ensure that the university continues to prioritize the needs of the FGCU community. They are in phase one of this project.

Dr. Aysegul Timur, the vice president and vice provost for Strategy and Program Innovation, is part of the executive committee of staff members that have been hosting multiple Strategic Roadmap town hall meetings to gather this information.

“Our timeline is to finish this exercise by the end of December and have a kind of documentation of gathering all the input together and present to the next president to start with that strategic planning process,” Dr. Timur said.

The committee has tried to incentivize this initiative to be more appealing to students by offering service-learning hours and free food at their in-person meetings. They have also hosted meetings specifically for faculty and staff members, parents, different county communities, alumni and student government cabinets.

In phase two of this project, the committee will work on defining their goals, strategies, and objectives and will have completed the strategic plan by June 2023.

A meeting hosted on Sept. 23 was only open to the students. They were asked 10 questions relating to the university and were asked to expand on their answers.

The meeting started off by asking what words came to mind when they think of FGCU. Words that the students said included sustainable, nature, sunny, walkable campus and diverse.

“Pretty much all of my classes are diverse, and when you walk around the campus, you see different ethnicities and people and it's really good even within the faculty and staff,” Patrick Walton said.

Later in the meeting, Dr. Timur asked what FGCU’s three priorities should be for the future. Students asked for stronger internet connection, more scholarship opportunities and affordable tuition. Many of the students agreed upon the need for more parking on campus.

“Parking is absolutely terrible. With all the rising incoming freshmen, they only added like more parking to the Sovi area, but not really anywhere else, so we definitely need more parking,” Daniel Yakhin said.

Students voiced their opinions about more food options available on campus.

“I have a meal plan here, and I live on campus and the food is great, like it's good. But there have been times where there have been worms in the broccoli, and it's a little bit concerning. I just feel like there should be more options, but the food's great. There's just little things here and there that it could be improved upon,” Emily Buhain said.

Students agreed that FGCU can be more accommodating for students who live farther and work full-time by adding a campus to the Naples area.

Towards the end of the meeting, Dr. Timur asked what should not be included in FGCU’s next strategic plan, and many of the students agreed that academics should be a higher priority than sports.

“In econ [class] the other day, we were talking about how a good chunk of our tuition goes into sports. I feel like we should have a say in whether we want those free tickets or not,” Buhain said. “For me personally, you guys can use my money for better tutors or something like that, or more diverse food. And if someone else wants to have those free tickets to sports games, good for them, but personally, I just don't really think it's that useful.”

Some students argued that sports improve overall morale and bring in revenue to FGCU.

Dr. Timur ended the meeting by encouraging students to come to more meetings to continue providing feedback.

Any comments or questions about this initiative are encouraged to be sent to strategicroadmap@fgcu.edu. •

Graphic courtesy of Adobe Stock

FGCU Announces Presidential Search Finalists

Hayley Lemery, Assignment & Features Editor

Dr. Robert G. Gregerson

Dr. Susana V. Rivera-Mills

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee has been searching for the university's fifth president ahead of FGCU’s current president, Dr. Michael Martin’s retirement set for the end of 2022.

On Sept. 26, three presidential finalists were announced to students and staff members and will advance to the FGCU Board of Trustees for hiring consideration.

The finalists are Dr. Robert G. Gregerson, Dr. Tod A. Laursen and Dr. Susana V. Rivera-Mills. FGCU’s website has a presidential finalist webpage where the cover letters and resumes of the finalists are posted.

Public forums for the finalists will be held on Oct. 28, Oct. 30, and Nov. 1. Details about their campus visit will be announced on FGCU’s website.

Dr. Robert G. Gregerson

Dr. Gregerson has been the president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg since July 2019 where he is a professor of biology.

Dr. Gergerson got his start in higher education as a research geneticist at the University of Minnesota in the early ‘90s. Serving as an associate professor at Lynn College and department head and a dean at Armstrong Atlantic State University, Dr. Gregerson has had a wide range of appointments during his tenure.

“Promoting the institution and building relationships is a vital aspect of presidential leadership,” Dr. Gregerson wrote in his cover letter. “Making connections, cultivating relationships, and working to promote my institution has been a fundamental aspect of my work.”

He made his way down to FGCU and was the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of biology from 2014 to 2019. He was the acting provost and vice president for academic affairs through Oct. to Dec. in 2017.

Dr. Tod A. Laursen

Dr. Laursen has been the acting president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the largest comprehensive state system of higher education in the US, since 2021. With a background in engineering, he emphasized the opportunity for integrated research in his cover letter.

“My instinct has always been toward reaching across disciplinary boundaries in both scholarship and administrative assignments,” Dr.

Laursen wrote.

Dr. Tod A. Laursen

His significant administrative appointments begin in 2003, where he served as the senior associate dean for education at the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University.

From 2010 to 2017, Dr. Laursen was the founding president of Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“It is clear to me from the profile that FGCU prides itself on the quality of the student experience,” Dr. Laursen wrote. “This studentcentric approach greatly appeals to me, as without question, a major source of satisfaction throughout my career has been the opportunity at multiple institutions to be an active campus community member.”

From 2018 to 2020, he was the provost and senior vice chancellor at State University of New York.

Dr. Susana V. Rivera-Mills

Dr. Rivera-Mills has been the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Ball State University since 2018. With an extensive education and career in language studies dating back to the ‘90s, she has worked with a vast network of minority communities.

“My career has been dedicated to increasing access to higher education and to preparing students to be leaders who live meaningful lives, and are inter-culturally competent and civically engaged,” Dr. Rivera-Mills wrote in her cover letter. “In particular, my work reflects my commitment to promoting and advancing diversity, and to equalizing student access and success through inclusive excellence.”

She was the interim director for student success and diversity advancement in the College of Liberal Arts from 2010 to 2011 and the interim director and founder of the center for latino/a studies and engagement from 2011 to 2013.

From 2011 to 2013, Dr. River-Mills was the associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and the executive associate dean from 2013 to 2015. She then moved to the Division of Undergraduate Studies as the vice provost and dean for undergraduate studies from 2015 to 2017.

As FGCU approaches the public forums and the final selection, Eagle News will be covering the process. Be sure to visit eaglenews. org for coverage. •

Spread: Hurricane Ian memorial wall initiated by the Florida Wall of Hope Foundation in Centennial Park, Fort Myers, FL.

Photo by Jessica Piland

Students Band Together to Help Storm Victims

Riley Hazel, Executive Editor

Following a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, FGCU students took it upon themselves to help their Southwest Florida community.

Edwin Wilke and his three friends returned to Fort Myers after evacuating, but their home wasn’t the same. They saw an opportunity to support their community in need and called on their peers for help.

“During this time in rebuilding, even just a warm hug and having strangers show up at their door and hug them is something,” Wilke said. “It really gave them hope. It put a smile on their face when they basically had nothing.”

Wilke, Abby Hendershot, Carson Ware and Alexander Webster got together to make a plan to help storm victims. Wilke had the idea of driving down San Carlos Boulevard as far as he could to assess the damage. That’s when he came upon Beth Charles, a San Carlos Island resident.

The first story of Charles’ house that faces the Gulf Coast was blown out. She calls the bare, open floor “the living room” as it housed the 50 volunteers that helped her clean up the piles of rubble for lunch for 10 days after the storm.

“Moving here, I never thought I would find a community that turned into family,” Charles said. “The way these people come together in times of need has always been a heartwarming sight. Seeing it with this disaster– I really don’t have the words for the kindness, generosity and way that it has brought us all together...”

Charles wasn’t the only person that Wilke’s team

aided though. After hearing of the groups’ efforts, Professor Chad Evers, who previously taught a class of Wilke’s, suggested the name “Band of Heroes” for the group and connected them to additional people that were in need of help.

Evers spoke to the connection between students and faculty and how it served as a powerful tool after the storm.

“I think one of the really unique things about FGCU and particularly the Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies is the close relationships that the faculty and our students build,” Evers said. “These relationships have always helped out students to be successful in networking for graduate school and professional careers, however in times like this, it becomes clear that there is a lot of care that exists between the students and faculty.”

Hendershot, a marine biology student, also helped out after the storm. She went home to Daytona Beach to evacuate but joined the hurricane restoration efforts shortly after.

“We're gonna rebuild, and we're gonna rebuild stronger,” Hendershot said. “I don't think I've seen anything of people saying we're gonna leave, we're packing up and heading out. We are working on making Southwest Florida stronger and better than it used to be.”

As students return to normal operations on campus, Hendershot and Wilke are conflicted on submitting service-learning hours for their work because they weren’t volunteering with the intent of recognition.

Photos courtesy of Beth Charles A glove found outside Beth Charles' house in the FGCU "wings up" gesture.

However, the service learning office recognized the group’s community efforts and approved the volunteers to get credit for their hard work.

“This hurricane has shown how resilient this town is and how much we love each other even if we're strangers,” Wilke said. “We are all here together. We all have shared experiences and places that we love.”

Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm, approaching Category 5 with 150 mph winds. It’s estimated that it has caused $60 billion-plus in insured losses across the state, according to an industry trade group. Storm surge reached 15 feet in Fort Myers Beach, just a quarter-mile shy of Charles’ neighborhood.

The hurricane didn’t just bring wind and storm surge to Charles’ front yard– it brought a 52-foot yacht too. It’s still there, and Wilke expects it will take a large crane to remove it.

Charles is choosing to keep a positive attitude despite the devastation in her community.

“Each day there has been a silver lining of sorts,” Charles said. “Whether it is a beautiful sunrise, sunset, a hug from a neighbor or stranger, a lost item finding its way back to you or just a nice breeze to cool you off.”

Charles has plans to reconnect with Wilke and his group after she gets power restored. She's hoping they can all come together without focusing on the natural disaster.

If you are looking to volunteer, Wilke recommends looking to @rebuildswfl on Instagram. Their plan is to compile locations and forms on their page each week. •

Volunteers sit in what used to be Charles' living room for a lunch break.

Beth Charles suggested for the group of volunteers to pose as if they were moving the boat.

Students lead hurricane clean-up efforts. video produced by ENTV director, tori pugliese.

FGCU Announces New Logo

Jenna Hackeman, Staff Writer

FGCU is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a new logo, and students have voiced their concerns.

The blue eagle has been with the university for over two decades, becoming an established piece of material, but on Sept. 9. an email with the new logo, which reads “FGCU” in blue and green and paired with an eagle, was released.

“FGCU believed that the advent of the 25th anniversary of the institution was a good time to update the logo to better reflect the vibrancy of FGCU and to scale our design to modern media needs,” FGCU’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Alice Wheelwright, said. “It’s a digital world, logos must be able to function in that space."

The reason the university was looking to drastically change the design was because they were aiming to work in the digital age and stand out more than other universities, according to Wheelwright.

Three potential logos were sent out to students in a survey offering a space for feedback on the designs. Of the three options for the rebranding, only one had the iconic FGCU bird, which was the option that ultimately had the most votes. FGCU partnered with Ologie, a marketing and branding firm focused on a digital-first mindset, for the project.

All three designs had changes to the font and color of FGCU’s lettering, keeping the letters blue while emphasizing the U in green. As for the logos, the differences between the three couldn’t be more diverse. The official new logo that kept the eagle has a color change to the eye and brow, while the outvoted two had Ologie’s modern redesign of the bird, being almost obtuse in comparison. At first glance, you may not have even known they were all for the same institution.

The survey had a strong student response rate during the voting process, according to Wheelwright. Around campus, student opinions varied.

“I do really appreciate the full eagle for the logo we have right now, but I do kind of like the direction the new designs are going for,” senior Jawan Hayes said. “I’m not too much a fan of modern design, but if it had to go in that direction, then I can feel for them.”

Other students had a similar comment on the modernization, but many were not willing to give it a chance.

“I don’t really like modern designs because I think it takes away personality,” senior Gabrielle Gonzalez said. “The new designs don’t look like a university design to me. I can understand why they would want a more modern design as the school expands, but I personally don’t think it fits the school.”

Out of the 15 students Eagle News interviewed, 13 were against a logo change. When you think of common criticisms of the school, many don’t think of the logo, so many students were surprised the school was considering a change in the first place. In fact, a handful of students didn’t hesitate to jump to the defense of their beloved eagle.

“I personally like the current one better than the options they're considering,” sophomore Emily Rawson said. “I feel like the design that’s keeping the logo we have now has the right idea because you can clearly tell it’s an eagle versus the other two. I prefer if there was a way to have the words inside the outline of an eagle. It would be easier to print for merchandise and it would have that modern feel.”

The replies sent back to University Marketing and Communications in the new logo survey were said to be evaluated in the weeks following up to the final announcement.

“Across the board, the athletic eagle paired with our blue and green acronym received the most support, and campus leaders

listened to [the FGCU community] and agreed to move forward with that familiar image in our redesign,” Pamela McCabe said in an email announcing the new logo.

McCabe continued to say that FGCU is excited to introduce the logo in the coming months. It presents a more modern image of FGCU to the world. Even with the excitement of change, some students, like junior Brandon Cominsky, are too accustomed to the old logo that’s been with the school since they came in as freshmen.

“I’m honestly not too big of a fan of the new logo,” Cominsky said. “I like the original one better because it had character. This one feels basic and kind of boring.”

Other students were frustrated with the changes being as small as they were.

“Changing the eagle’s eye and brow color isn’t noticeable to the majority of students,” junior Madalyn Royster said. “The fact FGCU is taking the time to correct such insignificant features shows where the efforts of the school are focused. Trying to redesign a logo that was fine left alone wasn’t necessary and shouldn’t have had the attention it got with the university board.” •

Graphic courtesy of FGCU

Graphic by Gabriella Lopez

Photo by Adriana

The future of NCAA Intercollegiate sports and its impact on FGCU

Nick Asselin, Sports Editor

The future of Division I Intercollegiate sports was evaluated last month at FGCU, and former sports officials weighed in.

President Michael Martin announced his university lecture series, and the NCAA and its surrounding history was the first topic to be announced. Expert athletics panelists from across the country in attendance gave their thoughts on where they believe the future of college sports is headed.

The lecture came at an odd time within NCAA sports; multiple colleges have announced they will transition to bigger athletic conferences and name, image and likeness (NIL) deals are just beginning. The question that remains is, how will these changes impact smaller collegiate sports programs like FGCU in the future?

“We could talk about a group of universities that might spin off from the NCAA,” former NCAA Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson said. “Whether it’s football only or all sports, I think those are real possibilities. To speculate what that would mean to the local impact of Florida Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Sun Conference they are in, I think there would be impact in terms of whether the big universities that demand the big TV contracts spin off.”

According to Joe Alleva, former Athletic Director for Louisiana State University and Duke University, he believes FGCU will not be severely impacted by colleges leaving their current conferences for bigger TV deals.

“In my opinion when it comes to schools like Florida Gulf Coast, I really think you all are going to be okay,” Alleva said. “I think one of the best blessings that you have is that you don’t have football. I think your conference is going to be fine but what is important to you all is the NCAA basketball tournament.”

Alleva says the big power conferences may eventually pull away from the NCAA in terms of football but that they will never have the guts to pull out of the yearly NCAA March Madness tournament.

The NIL era collegiate sports are entering has the potential to change the entire landscape. In the past, student-athletes were never allowed to be paid or profit off their name, image or likeness. Under new NCAA rules, players can earn money in the form of brand deals, selling memorabilia and in the form of a roster spot on a different college team.

“I understand that the collegiate model is that athletes don’t get paid but obviously these players are getting paid,” former NFL player and College Athletics Director Dr. McKinley Boston Jr. said. “The next question is how long can they operate under the disguise of the

collegiate model when the collegiate model no longer exists.”

The transfer portal allows student-athletes to transfer colleges midseason with no penalty. There used to be a rule for baseball that forced student-athletes to be out the rest of the year if they transferred midseason, but that rule is now gone. Colleges can offer student-athletes a sum of money to poach them away from their current university, which is something Alleva believes can hurt FGCU.

Each of the panelists agreed that the transition of studentathletes being paid can be awkward in some circumstances. There could be an impact in the locker room if a certain player is earning more money or if a professor learns they are earning less than one of their students, according to President Martin.

“How do you explain to a Nobel Prize-winning faculty member that she or he is making one-tenth of a 19-year-old student athlete,” President Martin said. “That is the internal challenge that transcends this conversation.”

Benson believes the original collegiate model of student-athletes earning a meaningful degree, and learning how to work in a team still exists at many universities, including FGCU.

“The coaches are committed to their student-athletes and the student-athletes are committed to a collegiate experience that involves a meaningful degree,” Benson said. “How many FGCU student-athletes are out there playing professionally today? Not very many, but at least 95% of the others are looking at that degree.”

Benson is in favor of allowing certain dominate collegiate sports programs, such as football, to break away and form their own league. He believes there should be a greater focus on the original collegiate model.

President Martin believes in some cases those collegiate sports programs, specifically football, have already created a separate operation due to how powerful they have become.

“In many instances a college football coach is much more powerful than the president or chancellor,” President Martin said. “You have to walk very carefully in managing that part of it and you have effectively created an independent operation.” •

A Quest for a greener Campus

Dr. Ankit Signh is a professor at The Water School and teaches environmental philosophy. He asked his class to submit letters to the editor regarding steps FGCU can take to become more environmentally cautious and sustainable.

“The cornerstone of my environmental philosophy class was to allow for engagement in environmental debate through varied perspectives. Only when we appreciate and acknowledge the other side do we begin to form a pathway to a more sustainable solution.”

Alyssa O’Neill

The Water School, while being very exquisite and sophisticated, was constructed recently. When I saw that building going up, I noticed crews of workers pumping massive amounts of water from the lake near main campus to ensure that the foundation for the building would be dry and stable to avoid the structure from sinking. When I observed this, I could only help but question how this would affect the ecosystems living in the swamps and bodies of water surrounding the school. The construction on this campus has been seemingly endless in the more recent years, with the 5-10 acres of land cleared just months ago, and it seems that the university is taking advantage of its monetary gains instead of its mission statement to be so-called “green.”

If FGCU is so green, then why is there so much construction? FGCU is losing touch of its mission to be green and sustainable, therefore there needs to be a change in order for the school to circle back to its goals.

I took University Colloquium my first year on campus, which is uncommon. Everyone has to take it, but it’s typically taken during your junior or senior year. You’re either an environmental nerd (like me), reveling in the wet walks and excited for every field trip. Or you’re not, and gawk at the idea of waist-deep, opaque, brownish water, and taking the class just to graduate.

I get it. As a senior environmental studies student, I still have to brace myself before wet walks sometimes. Colloquium is an introduction to sustainable living and human impacts. It creates a foundation for students to consider their role on the planet and how they can ensure they leave behind an environmentally prosperous planet for future generations.

I think that FGCU students would be better off taking Colloquium as early as possible, instead of fitting it into their schedules when they are in the middle of research projects, internships, 4000-level classes and job searching. It could spark an interest in the environment for students who are still exploring majors. Consider this while you’re picking out spring classes next month. You won’t regret it.

Kayla Hughes

Our campus may seem clean and well maintained, but what a lot of people overlook is the amount of trash we actually have on campus. While this seems like a minuscule problem, it is not. As president of ECOFGCU, we organize campus clean ups once a month. In the past year, we have picked up over 12,000 pieces of trash.

If we have collected over 12,000 pieces in the last year through a few campus clean up events, think about all the trash we don’t see or how much isn’t picked up on a regular basis. This trash can break down and enter our waterways through storm drain systems. Everything that is on the ground will eventually make it into water and harm all kinds of life on land and in the water.

Are you wondering what else you can do to help? Come to our ECOFGCU campus clean ups and keep up with us on Eagle Link. I want to make our campus clean and safe for us, but also all the other wildlife that live around us.

FGCU should put resources into an electric fleet. Electric vehicles will create a lower carbon footprint, keeping FGCU on a more sustainable track. Students living in campus housing are constantly using the shuttles that circulate the campus from 6:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. I believe there should be more of a push to meet this sustainability standard.

For example, Columbia University made the switch and has already seen a decrease in emissions by 70% as of 2018. For context a reduction in 70% of their greenhouse gas emissions was equivalent to a 270 metric ton reduction.

I believe we can help decrease the university's effect on the environment. Even if it is expensive at first, switching would save the university money over time. Shuttles consume an extensive amount of fuel and this doesn’t include the golf carts or other university vehicles. Over time, we would save money while being able to shrink the carbon footprint. Let's be part of the solution, not the problem!

-Dr. Ankit Singh

Emily White

Scarlett Heuett

Photo courtesy of Dr. Ankit Singh and students

Don’t you want to say “ ”?The importance of voting ahead of the general election

Tori Foltz, Editor-in-Chief

Ihave been waiting for this year’s election since I was a kid. I turned 18 last year, so this is the first election that I can vote for. I have looked forward to casting my ballot for what seems like forever, and I finally had the chance to with the primary election in August.

Since I voted by mail due to being away from home, the experience was a little anti-climactic. I circled my candidate choices, sealed the envelope and then dropped it off at the post office. It took me less than five minutes. It was a little less exciting than I had imagined, however, my mom did save me her “I voted” sticker.

Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of voting and fighting for what I thought was right. As citizens of a democracy, we are given the right and privilege to vote, and it is dire that we exercise that right. The fate of the nation truly depends on it.

“I live in Washington D.C. so voting is super important to me,” FGCU alumni Holly Turcich said. “Voting is the most rebellious act you can make in a democracy.”

The youth vote (that’s us) is said to play a huge role in this year’s election. A lot of monumental things have happened in the past few years, and young people have a lot to say about it. If you’re someone that has a lot to say, be sure to exercise your 15th Amendment right and cast your ballot.

“Voting is of vital importance, especially for our age group because many young Americans don’t vote due to the heavy disdain towards American politics,” freshman Christopher Giourgas said. “Because of this, we allow an inaccurate point of view of elected officials.”

As citizens, we must recognize the huge responsibility we undertake in a democracy. The 15th Amendment grants us the right to vote and says that we have a say in what goes in on our government.

“Voting reminds me of the responsibility we all have as citizens to protect our rights,” sophomore Nick McClure said.

Whether you vote by mail or go to your designated polling location, it is dire that we exercise our right to vote, especially in times like these.

“Voting for the people we want represents the individual’s vote who wants a candidate that is compassionate enough to enact actual change in a community and as a country as a whole,” Giourgas said.

Election Day is Nov. 8. You can find your nearest polling location through the Florida Division of Elections. Use your voice and vote! •

Courtesy of Unsplash.com

Graphic by Gabriella Lopez

Abandoned Hospital Gone Wrong

Kendell Gordon, Staff Writer

ome on Leo, it’s just a stupid dare, we DON’T have to go in,” Derek said.

“Derek, you have nothing to worry about,” Leo said. “It’s a quick in-and-out job.”

Leo has always been this way, ever since we were kids: fearless, reckless and above all stubborn. Honestly, it’s a miracle he is not covered in scars from the shenanigans we get ourselves into. Climbing trees, graffiti police cars, toilet papering the neighbor's house– the list goes on and on. Stupid dares he can easily say no to but refuses because of his idiotic pride.

I, his best friend, has the unfortunate job of fixing and smacking him back to reality. I thought he would stop taking such risky dares after we left middle school, but sure enough he could not help himself. A sophomore named Brian heard tales of “Leo the brave” and tested him by tagging him in an Instagram post of an abandoned hospital. Apparently, this hospital has been rumored to be haunted due to bad maintenance that led to several deaths of the patients.

There are reports of weird noises and sounds of gurgling as if someone is drowning. Sounds crazy, absurd even. Take a wild guess of what our “Leo the brave” decided to do. Here are his exact words to Brian.

“I am no chump, Brian. Whether it's climbing Mount Everest or skinny dipping in molten lava, I will always complete any and all challenges no matter what,” he commented.

Do you see what I have to deal with? Which brings us here, across the street from this supposed “haunted” hospital at 12 p.m. The building was decrypted with five stories of broken glass windows and graffiti all over the place. It’s a wonder why they haven’t destroyed it already.

I turn to my left, and all I see is Leo's grin. “What man?” I say, annoyed.

“Just glad you came! No way I would have thought of bringing all that stuff in your bag though,” Leo snarked. “I was just going to grab a rock, throw it through a window, and go on from there.”

I shake my head and sigh. “There is no way you’re that dumb, last thing we need is this coming back to us,” I add. “Since this is ILLEGAL.”

“Since when has that ever stopped me,” Leo says as he shrugs.

I nod, defeated. I pull out my bag and look over everything: spray cans, a crowbar, some nutrition bars, water and flashlights. Suddenly there was a chill in the air– there was a figure looking down on us from one of the upper floors. I know I saw Leo tense up, yet without skipping a beat, he pressed onward into the creepy building.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but the hospital was worse inside than outside. The once resting lobby was replaced with broken bottles, graffiti, old syringes and a bunch of holes in one of the walls. There was also a pretty bad odor. The best way I can describe it is wet dog and spoiled milk if that were possible. I passed Leo a flashlight, and we went to work.

For all the years I’ve known him, Leo was silent. It was like his instincts were on high alert or something. Can’t blame him since I swear I heard footsteps every so often as we advanced toward the staircase. When we reached the fifth floor, we heard a cackle. I shined my light around and saw a woman in a coat with wiry hair staring at us from the end of the hall. She stopped, laughing suddenly and pointed behind us. We couldn’t believe our eyes as we stood still in fear. I knew this was a bad idea.

•

By Alexandra Porter

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