The student newspaper at Florida Gulf Coast University
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The Board of Trustees had one thing in common during their meeting Tuesday morning -they were disappointed with state budget cuts. Several trustees voiced their frustration about
recent vetoes to the state budget that affect several campus construction projects. But that did not keep them from increasing tuition by 15 percent. This is the third consecutive year that FGCU students have had to dish out significantly more money to take their classes, yet Florida still ranks as one of the lowest
states in the nation for tuition costs. The consistent reduction in state funding is a significant contributor to this trend of tuition increases. In 2004, FGCU received 72 percent of its budget from the state and 24 percent from tuition.
What do you think of the new state budget, which left FGCU more than 9 million short to complete AB8 and the Innovation Hub?
87% It's absurd. Education should be a priority in every state. (53)
13% Gov. Rick Scott did what he had to do. (8)
55 KL@K@FE# g^% 9.
FOODFOREST
Total number of votes: 61
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WHAT’S GROWING?
It was 7:00 a.m. The sun was rising behind the haze of the early morning and a group of students were in a circle, stretching to get ready for the day’s work. Just past the Margaret S. Sugden Welcome Center and next to the Kleist Health Ed Center is a half-acre lot, originally a parking lot, designated to a new project: the FGCU Food Forest. The heaviest The Food tomato on Forest is paid record is 7 pounds and for and funded 12 ounces by Student Government, and it is completely student-run. It was designed More than 1 by a team of billion people live in bamboo e nv i ro n m e n t a l study and houses. engineer majors. When completed, the Forest will have a geogrid pathway, a drip irrigation system, and minimal Sunflower heads are maintenance made up of needs. Even blue seeds. weeding will be
minimal, as weeds will consist of native plant species which will ultimately belong there. Erica Klopf, an art and environmental studies major, explains that the forest will not only have a capability for growing more than $10,000 worth of organic vegetables, but that the entire garden will be eligible for USDA organic certification. Some of the organic foods that will be grown in the FGCU Food Forest are: tomatoes, cabbages, avocado, bananas, sunflowers, bamboo, tamarind, loquat, coral bean and white sapote. “Because the Forest was funded by student A & S fees, the vegetables can’t be sold,” Klopf said. “Instead, we’ll be having harvesting parties. We’ll have cookouts and students can help harvest the Forest and then take some of it home.” Not everyone understands why this project is so important. “The Food Forest is a teaching tool for students to learn about different types of edible plants from around the world that grow well in our subtropical climate. The Food Forest’s focus is on perennial fruiting trees that require minimal care, especially after establishment. Together, we can help each other learn to grow lots of nutritious food with ease.” Sustainability aside, there is not a strong emphasis about
growing food in south Florida because of the climate. The Food Forest teaches students that it is possible. “People don’t think that they can grow much here, because of factors such as poor soil and intense summer heat. It’s simply not true. By introducing annual and perennial species that have evolved to prosper in climates similar to our own, we can cultivate an Eden,” Klopf said.
This project is already proving to be bigger than growing organic vegetables. Eric Abin, an English major, confesses that the Food Forest requires a lot of discipline and teamwork, both of which he is happy to engage in. “With (FGCU supporting) these kinds of projects, I’m proud to be a part of this school,” Abin said.
55 =FI<JK# g^% 9.
After months of hard work, the newest building on campus will face empty halls and students, faculty and staff will be forced to abandon their much-awaited building. Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $9.5 million in funds for the university in May. That money was expected to pay for the final touches of Academic Building 8 and begin construction on the Innovation Hub, a university research facility that will focus on sustainability. According to President Bradshaw, construction of AB8 will continue until the building is completed, but after that, the building will be shuttered: no money remains to furnish the building’s interior. “The building will not be functional since the vetoed $4.5 million means that we cannot purchase equipment and furniture for the building, including for classrooms, science labs, and offices,” wrote Bradshaw. Taxpayers have already contributed $23 million build AB8.
55 89/# g^% 9.
Per Credit Hour Increases: Resident Undergrad:
Previous
Current
$166.04 $184.42
Non-Resident Undergrad: $710.27
Difference +$18.38
$772.20
+$61.93
Resident Graduate:
$322.08 $345.36
+$23.28
Non-Resident Graduate:
$1,117.08 $1,203.96 +$86.88
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Students can now pick up their 201112 parking decals. You can apply for a parking permit through Gulfline. Once you have registered for a permit, print out the registration form and bring the form and your Eagle ID card to Parking Services, located in the Campus Support Complex. Decals from the 2010-11 academic year expire Aug 31. Students will need a new decal by that time to avoid a ticket. Parking Services is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. “Avoid the long lines and obtain your permit during the summer,” said Steven Moore, University Police chief, in an email.