Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Volume 9, Issue 6
ONLINE eaglenews.org
EN Print and online classifieds from as low as $10
Off to Ghana to sea turtles Students are going to Ghana for the month of December to tag sea turtles.
www.eaglenews.org
Eaglepalooza band leaked Social networking sites reveal LMFAO performance By Allison Gagliardi Editor-in-Chief
D
uring this past weekend, students discovered that LMFAO’s MySpace page revealed they would be performing in Fort Myers — specifically at Florida Gulf Coast University— on Nov. 20. With a little detective skills, students were able to match LMFAO’s scheduled appearance with 2010 Eaglepalooza. “We are disappointed because we know it generates hype and interest, but we are excited to have them on campus,” said Amy Swingle, Campus Recreation director. “Sometimes these things happen,” Swingle said.
Eaglepalooza took place on Nov. 20 last year. Mims and Sean Paul were the headline performers. LMFAO is an electro-hop group from Los Angeles. Their first single was titled “I’m in Miami Bitch,” which peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other popular songs include “La La La” and “Shots.” LMFAO also provided the opening theme to “Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami” and “Jersey Shore.” Eaglepalooza is sponsored by BEEP, Student Government and Campus Recreation. Students are admitted free; last year, public tickets were $15 advance, $20 at the gate.
Deaf volleyball player gets national shot
See NEWS on page 3
The school bell may never ring
Mishap causes gas leak, class cancellations By Sofia Shepard Staff writer
Read a student’s opinion on Lee County’s proposal of having high schools in session year-round.
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tudents and faculty got an unexpected half-day holiday last week due to a natural gas leak. At about 11:30 a.m. Oct. 1, while subcontractor Roadrunner was installing new poles for additional southbound turn signal lights at the main entrance of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, workers struck a natural gas line. “They were drilling the shaft for a concrete base to hold the new pole with a large augur,” said Jim Hehle, director of the Physical Plant. “They ruptured the TECO Gas line, which was roughly 13 feet below grade.” Due to the danger of explosion, the university police were asked to stop vehicles
See OPINON on page 12
Breaking up is hard to do
Learn how to help a friend cope with a breakup starting with letting the grieving process evolve See A&L on page 9
New look for women’s hoops FGCU’s highly successful women’s basketball program turned over half its roster heading into the season. See SPORTS on page 16
FGCU senior Emma Racila has been recruited to play for the U.S. Deaf National Volleyball Team. EN photo/Taryn Kerber
By Zach Gibbons Staff writer
Index News ........................ See page 3 A&L .......................... See page 8 Opinion .................. See page12 Sports .................... See page 15 Fun & Games .......... See page 11
E
mma Racila is a senior playing for the FGCU volleyball team. She’s also legally deaf, which has led to a special honor with a U.S. national team. Racila is a graduate of Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, where she played for four years, and was part of a team that won four straight district championships. In 2006, she began playing vol-
leyball for the College of Charleston, where she appeared in 13 matches and 37 games as a freshman. She finished the season with 1.78 kills and 0.43 blocks per game. She only saw limited action in her sophomore season, playing in eight games. As a junior, she transferred back home to FGCU, where she played as a redshirt junior and appeared in all 31 matches. She recorded 2.51 kills, which was second most on the team. please see EMMA on page 4
from exiting through FGCU Boulevard, so all traffic was routed out Lake Parkway West. Vehicles were also not allowed to enter campus. “Around 1:30 p.m. the decision was made to cancel classes due to no access and to assist by reducing the amount of traffic trying to come on campus,” UPD Chief Steven Moore, director of public safety. Since this would hinder commuters from entering campus to attend classes, all afternoon classes were canceled. “I was in a 2 o’clock class, and we evacuated at 2:15,” said Nick Carley. junior business major. “The only downfall was traffic, but I just chilled by the pool to avoid the chaos on the roads.” please see LEAK on page 6
Graduate student killed in car accident as daughters injured FGCU student Fara Amsalem, 44, died in a car accident this past Saturday. She was scheduled to graduate in December with a master’s degree in health science and a concentration in health services administration. Amsalem was driving her two daughters on State Road 82 in Le-
high Acres when she turned left into the path of a pickup. She was killed and her daughters injured. Amsalem also was director of Health Sciences at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology in Naples. Check back with Eagle News for a remembrance of Amsalem next week.
Campus
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Eagle News staff Editor-in-Chief Allison Gagliardi
editorinchief@eaglenews.org Business Manager Shane Biltz
businessmanager@eaglenews.org Advertising Manager Melanie Adams
adsales@eaglenews.org Media Editor Amarin Cannon
tv@eaglenews.org Production Manager Elliot Taylor
productionmanager@eaglenews.org News Editor Samantha League
news@eaglenews.org Sports Editor Josh Siegel
sports@eaglenews.org Opinion Editor Sara Gottwalles
opinion@eaglenews.org Arts and Lifestyle Editor Katie Sartoris entertainment@eaglenews.org Photo Editor Mike Ricci
photoeditor@eaglenews.org Distribution Coordinator Richard Callahan
Senior staff writers Katie Egan Megan Hoolihan
Staff writers Melissa Bell Katie Donnellan Jeffrey Haut Mandie Rainwater Sofia Shepard Carlos Soria Veronica Vela
Media reporters
Locations 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36
Griffin Hall Reed Hall Library Howard Hall McTarnighan Hall Wellness Center Central Energy Plant Broadcast Center Family Resource Center Campus Support Complex Academic III Whitaker Hall Information Booth Egan Observatory Arts Complex Alico Arena Student Union Margaret S. Sugden Welcome Center Athletic Building Kleist Health Ed Center Academic 5 Lee County FGCU Aquatics Center Sugden Hall Lutgert Hall Holmes Hall SoVi Dining- South Village Dining Facility South Central Energy Plant Academic 7 Campus Rec Sports Modular Grounds Maintenance North Lake Village Housing South Village Housing Complex North Modular Village South Modular Village Music Modular
Compiled by Eagle News from public logs available at the University Police Dept., Police Beat is in no way associated with the UPD. Some details have been left out in accordance with Eagle News policy to protect privacy. Police Beat is intended to provide raw data regarding the reports generated by UPD officers in the course of their duty. We urge readers not to draw conclusions from this unanalyzed information. Any questions or concerns about the Police Beat should be directed to the Eagle News Press Room at 239-590-7996. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Crime & Safety info is now available at http://admin.fgcu.edu/police/homepage.htm
Animal-related
Alchohol-related
Johnny Yang
Photographers Taryn Kerber Anna Nguyen Amanda Walicki
POLICE BEAT
Vandalism
Vehicular incident
To report crimes, call UPD: 590-1900
Narcotic paraphernalia
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FIND US: Eagle News is located in Modular 4 room 103. The Eagle News executive office is in Modular 4 room 15
Published weekly during fall and spring semesters, and monthly in summer, at Florida Gulf Coast University
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Sept. 27 through Oct. 2, 2010 Monday, Sept. 27 at 1:10 p.m.: UPD witnessed a student back their vehicle into an FGCU shuttle bus. The student was issued a citation for improper backing. Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 6:21p.m..: UPD received a call from an individual reporting that his vehicle was missing from lot 7. UPD told him that they did not tow any vehicles that day. The individual was advised to check with repo services. It turned out the vehicle was repossessed, not stolen. Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7:05Pm.: A professor called UPD to report a suspicious incident that happened inside his classroom. From 3:45 to 4:15 p.m. a laser shined through the window from garage 1. The professor said it did not look like the light was from a laser
pointer but from a gun sight. The person he saw was a male wearing a vest and light khaki/camo colored shorts. The incident happened twice before the professor pulled down the blinds. Thursday, Sept. 30 at 8:19 p.m..: An individual called to report that the vehicle next to hers had a smashed window. The officer contacted the owner and he said he was on his way back from Tampa and he would stop in and file a report when he got back. He also stated that nothing of value was in the vehicle. Friday, Oct. 1 at 9:57 p.m.: During a traffic stop, an officer observed a hookah in the front seat of the vehicle. As another officer was in route for backup, the officer was
given permission to search the vehicle. No contraband was found and a warning was issued for speeding. Friday, Oct. 1 at 11:30 p.m.: A police officer came upon an individual at Biscayne Hall urinating in the parking lot area. The subject was issued a warning for urinating in public. Friday, Oct. 2 at 4:41 Am.: A police officer discovered a female sleeping in a chair. There was a male subject there who stated that he found her there but did not know who she was. Unable to rouse the subject, the RA was notified to identify the girl. The officer requested EMS. The subject was escorted to Gulf Coast Hospital at 5:16 a.m., with signs of alcohol present.
Corrections and clarifications n In Volume 9 Issue 5, “AB8 to break ground in January ,� Eagle News would like to clarify that the College of Health Professions is currently located in several buildings on campus and will acquire its new home in Spring 2012. n In Volume 9 Issue 5, “Speed chat with fellow Eagles makes new friendships,� on page 8, was written by Chealsye Bowley. n In Volume 9 Issue 1, the picture with the article “Chief of Staff becomes SGVP� is incorrect. Anthony Graziani’s major is resort and hospitality management. n In Volume 9 Issue 4, Sen. Andrew Graziani sponsored the bill described n “Senate passes bill that gives print credit.�
Campus News
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50-mile relay: Lap it up Student can’t wait to help save the Ghana sea turtles By Katie Egan Senior staff writer
A The “Turtle Team,� whose slogan was “We’re in it to lose it,� shows some team spirit before the race began. EN photo/Andrea McCrary
By Katie Egan Staff Writer
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unning 50 miles might sound daunting, but Campus Recreation and the Honors Program are putting students up to the challenge.
The second annual Fly-byNight 50-Mile-Relay will take place from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Dec. 3-4 on the Campus Recreation fields. The relay is a two-mile loop around campus. “Everyone plays music and brings food. It’s a fun night out for everyone,� said Dr. Sean Kelly, director of FGCU’s honors program. Kelly says he expects 40 teams of five to eight students to participate this year. Teams will be divided into two categories: those who have mostly runners and those who have mostly walkers. “All of the teams made it last
year, even the ones who walked,� Kelly said. Kelly said most students do about two miles, but no student can do more than 10 miles and no student is allowed to run consecutive laps. Teams must designate a captain and entry fees are nonrefundable. Team fees are $120 if payment is postdated before Friday, Oct. 8, and teams who register by then will qualify to win prizes. All proceeds will go to the American Humane Society and the Gulf Coast Humane Society. Teams are required to bring glow sticks and/or headlights and flashlights, hydration, sleep supplies, snacks and/or energy bars. Teams are also encouraged to bring extra running gear, towels, a stopwatch, tents, a small first aid kit and rain gear. No alcohol is allowed.
Everyone who participates gets a free T-shirt and the top teams are awarded a prize. Team members from the top three teams in each division will receive awards. All finishers will receive an FGCU Fly-by-Night Relay medal. Awards will also be given out for the top faculty/staff team and the top club/organization team. “I’ve been involved in campus events for 20 years and this is the single-most fun event,� Kelly said. Students can pick up applications at the honors office located in room 155 in Reed Hall or at the Campus Recreation office. There is no race day registration. For more information, visit the Campus Rec website. Comments or questions can be directed to Jason Davis or Kelly at (239) 590-7440.
year and a half ago, Sean Wilkinson walked by a flier that read: “West Africa Research Trip� with a picture of Ghana. Now, almost two years later, the environmental studies major senior is one of 11 students participating in an intensive research program in Ghana this winter break. The research program will focus on the conservation of sea turtles while promoting economic growth in impoverished regions. The group will go to three different beach sites: On the first beach site, locals hunt and eat sea turtles; on the second site, ecotourism — tourism based on environmental attractions — has recently been established; and on the third site, ecotourism has been established for a while. “We’re going to see the phases of what needs to happen: from ground zero to an already established industry,� Wilkinson said. Three months ago they were all set to go, but the grant money didn’t go through, according to Wilkinson. The trip to Ghana costs each student $5,800. They’ve been trying to raise money for the research trip by themselves: They’ve written letters, held yard sales and may have a tie-dye shirt sale. Now, Nirvana Indian Fusion Bar and the Chicago-based band Strange Arrangement are teaming up to help support the FGCU Ghana research trip with a show at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 at 9101 College Parkway in Fort Myers. Tickets are $10 at the door and $7 if school supplies are donated. All ages are welcome. “This is literally the best opportunity ever, and I’m really excited,� Wilkinson said. “They told us to say byebye to air conditioning, washing machines and warm showers,� Wilkinson said. “In terms of food, they told us to keep an open mind.� The one thing that worries Wilkinson is malaria, but FGCU is providing the group with malaria
pills and mosquito nets. One of the group’s humanitarian efforts will be to deliver mosquito nets to those who cannot afford them. Phil Allman, assistant professor of biological sciences, started this project with his wife in 2006 as an effort to promote conservation. He began the project as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar from Ohio University. He and his wife spent one year in Ghana to develop a collaborative project with the University of Ghana and the Ghana Wildlife Division. Together, they developed an organization called Hlami Association for Turtle Conservation and Hope, (HATCH). Since that time, they have utilized volunteers and students from FGCU and the University of Ghana to conduct sea turtle nesting surveys and install satellite tags on leatherback and olive ridley sea turtles. All seven different species of sea turtles are either endangered or threatened. Sea turtles spend their first 20 years in the water. Experts call those years “the lost years.’� “We’d be very lucky if we found a sea turtle in the water,� Allman said. Consequently, this trip will focus on sea turtles ages 20 to 30 because this is when they start showing up in coastal areas. Sea turtles are a keystone species, which means that their presence indicates a healthy environment. Sea turtles face many global threats: beach development, poaching (they do not eat sea turtle eggs in Ghana), plastic bags being ingested into turtle’s stomachs, gill nets and most significantly, lights. “I hope students will have a life-changing experience that allows them to become better scientists and global citizens,� Allman added. And Wilkinson already acknowledges the scope of the opportunity. “I want to be that guy collecting samples in the middle of the jungle. This is my best chance to do that before I graduate,� Wilkinson said.
EN graphic/ Mike Ricci
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Study Abroad Fair has world as classroom Traveling the world when you’re a college student may seem a little far-fetched, but in all reality, it’s the perfect time to do so. With more than 20 countries to choose from, FGCU’s study abroad program is growing more popular every semester. On Oct. 13, the International Services office will be hosting a Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Plaza Breezeway. Any interested students are invited to learn about each program, and how studying abroad leads to opportunities for work, internships and service learning. Faculty and staff from the International Services office and study abroad program agencies will be there to help students with whatever questions they have. Countries participating in the study abroad program include Australia, Italy, the Bahamas, Brazil, France, United Kingdom, China, Germany and Sweden. Many of the independent study abroad programs are done through an agency. The requirements to study abroad are to submit an application, have a 2.0 GPA, letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Every major has classes to take abroad. Students can sign up for an information session about studying abroad on the International Services website, www.fgcu.edu/international. Any questions can be directed to Timothy Gjini at (239) 590-7925.
Casino Night promises to be a great deal Board of Eagle Entertainment Programmers is hosting its annual Casino Night at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Student Union. Professional card dealers come in to play games with students. Upright Citizen Brigade will be performing in SU 213. Students will be able to shout out themes for their comedy act. Novelty idems will be given out to students.
— Eagle News staff
Emma continued from page 1 She also had a team high 20 kills against South Florida, and 10 kills without an error at Pepperdine. What is most impressive about all this is the fact that Racila is legally deaf. She is finally getting the recognition she deserves for what she has done on the court, by being named one of the 13 members of the U.S. Deaf National Volleyball Team. As a member of this team, Racila will train for the 2011 Pan American Deaf Games, the 2012 World Championships and
the 2013 Summer Deaflympics. Racila appreciates the chance to extend her playing career. “It’s an honor,� Racila said. “It’s a great opportunity to keep playing volleyball, which I’m really glad I can do, and not just retire at the end of my collegiate career. It’s a great opportunity to travel the world.� Racila feels comfortable with adjusting to playing in other countries. “Well, the funny thing is, language won’t exactly be a barrier if I use sign language,� Racila said. “American sign language is pretty much the universal sign language. “The style of volleyball is always different. Even the style of deaf volleyball is different,� Racila continued. “They have
different types of coaching. I’ve never played internationally before, so it should be a really good learning experience, and I’ll meet a lot of people.� Racila is the only volleyball player from Florida who was selected to the U.S. Deaf National Volleyball Team, and she feels fortunate to make it. “It was lucky that they found me because I never would have really gone out trying to find them,� Racila said. “It’s pretty neat. I know there was a girl on the last National Team who was from Port Charlotte. I never even knew her, but it’s still pretty cool. “We don’t really have much of a deaf community in the area, so it’s nice to be the voice for Florida,� Racila said. Racila faces unique chal-
lenges as a deaf volleyball player. For instance, during matches, background noise can be a nuisance. “When I’m playing in large arenas where there’s a huge crowd and a lot of whistling, it can be difficult,� Racila said. “In club volleyball, I was playing in a huge convention center once where there were 16 courts with whistles going off on each one. Obviously, that was the biggest challenge, trying to block out those background noises and to have selective hearing for just my court.� Racila has combated this challenge, and more, in making the U.S. Deaf National Volleyball Team. And getting to prolong her playing career as well.
Sustainability Week chance to share, care By Chealsye Bowley Contributing writer
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hrough Sunday, Oct. 10, FGCU is hosting Sustainability Week. The celebration showcases various events that promote sustainability, awareness and individual involvement. The week was kicked off at 9 a.m. this past Saturday at Bunche Beach outside Fort Myers, where FGCU students, faculty and staff participated in a beach clean-up. Sunday’s event, “ReUse-A-Shoe Sneaker Recycling,� was held at the FGCU soccer fields, where fans cheered on the women’s soccer team as they played against Kennesaw State. Attendees were invited to donate “their old kicks,� which will be sent to recycling and repurposed into new sports and playground surfaces. The third annual “Focus the Campus on Sustainability� was held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday in SU 214. During this time, students were invited to bring their own mug and enjoy Fair Trade Coffee while listening to President Wilson Bradshaw, Vice President Michael Rollo and Provost Ronald Toll talk about current initiatives and sustainability on FGCU’s campus. On Tuesday, FGCU promoted alternative transportation at the Human
Resources Fair held in the SU Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students, faculty and staff can choose a more sustainable commuting option by joining the university’s ridesharing service on www. Ride2FGCU.com. On Wednesday, a clothing swap takes place in SU 214 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students can bring their clean, gently used clothing and accessories and exchange them for other swapped items. All leftover accessories will be given to FGCU’s Family Resource Center, and leftover clothing will be donated to a local charity. October 8-9, FGCU will host a few events for The 2nd International Humanities and Sustainability Conference. The events run from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m Friday and resume Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. A Forum on the Gulf of Mexico and the Oil Spill will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. in the SU Ballroom on Friday. Presenters include scientific and educational experts and visiting lecturers, as well as FGCU’s faculty and student writers. This event is free and open to the public. Additionally on Friday and Saturday, the Haiti Relief Project will host a meal-packing event in the Sugden Resort and Hospitality Ballroom. Meal-packing shifts run
EN stock photo
from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information on how to volunteer or donate to cover meal production costs, visit: http://www.fmsc.org/ fgcu. The ReUse-A-Shoe Sneaker Recycling continues at 7 p.m. Friday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex as the men’s team plays against USC Upstate. Only athletic shoes
may be donated; no shoes containing metal, cleats or dress or wet shoes. Sustainability Week comes to a close Sunday, Oct. 10 with the 101010 GlobalWork Party. This event will be held at the FGCU Library Lake from 9 to 11 a.m and will include tree-planting, bat house construction and the installation of a floating sunning bed on the lake. There will be free
food for all, and students may earn service-learning hours. Lauren Barth, a junior in environmental science, is going to attend some events., “Sounds like a good idea, like a more formal Earth Day week for the fall semester,� she said.
Taste of COCONUT POINT
October 17 th, 2010
Live Music, Featuring Vega Under Fire 11 a.m. to 4p.m.
Panera Bread Parking lot Adults 3 dollars
Children 12 and under are free (www.facebook.com/CoconutPointMall) (www.twi!er.com/Coconut_Point)
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Senate buys $8,885 golf cart By Samantha League News editor
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tudent Government unanimously passed a bill Tuesday, Oct. 5 that will allocate $8,835.00 to pay for a replacement golf cart. SG currently has two, four-passenger golf carts. However, one has reached the end of its usage. “We really need this golf cart — the one we have breaks down every day,� said Sen. Jennifer Joyce. The allocated money will buy an EZ-GO Six Passenger Golf Cart from B&W Golf Cars, Inc. SG wants a six-passenger so th organization can “save power by taking one golf cart around campus,� and to “fit more people in the golf cart when other student governments or university representatives may be visiting,� according to the bill. The golf cart includes headand taillights, turn signals, a horn, mirrors and a two-year factory warranty. The golf cart will not have a logo as of yet, which would have added extra costs to the bill. The money SG allocates comes from the Student Activity Fees, which each student pays as part of their enrollment. SG started with $718,759 this semester. As of Sept. 21, $623,490 remains. Students can keep track of SG’s spending through the budget tracker on SG’s website: fgcusg. com.
Campus News
Outdoor Pursuits specializes in cheap thrills for students
Group takes aim at scheduling
backyard, according to Stephen Robinson, FGCU outdoors coordinator. He and the other leaders are trained in wilderness first aid and how to properly guide a group on wilderness trips. Trips, though marked for beginners or if they are more physically demanding, are open to everyone. Students also don’t need to worry about being led by stringent wilderness guides. “We love getting first time campers here!� said Sean Wilkinson, a senior majoring in environmental studies. Last year the group had two trips that included white water rafting and a canoe trip in north Florida. Though the trips for this semester are unfortunately filled, they include deep-sea fishing, a rock climbing adventure in North Carolina, and a backpacking trip to finish the semester off.
A civic engagement project group is working to change class availability options. Hailey Brown, a junior majoring in biology, is a member of the group. “It’s about taking the students’ opinions into our own hands to alert the higher-ups about the problems students are facing with scheduling,� Brown said. Many students have problems getting into the classes they need before graduation for a couple reasons, including class size and class times offered, according to another group member, Bryn Foster, a junior majoring in environmental studies. The group is working on getting a presentation together to present to the Board of Trustees at a future meeting. With their results, they plan to make class options more available. They are looking for more students to contribute to their surveying and offer personal testimonies. For more information, e-mail pissedstudent11@ yahoo.com.
By Veronica Vela Staff Writer
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ampus Recreation has many athletic and outdoor options for students, but its newest branch, Outdoor Pursuits, is raising the bar. Outdoor Pursuits (OP) is a program that hopes to enhance student and faculty knowledge of all that the campus’ surroundings and Florida have to offer through their full range of adventure trips and educational clinics. That is only a small part of what Outdoor Pursuits offers, however. In addition to the trips and clinics, OP offers equipment rentals for a small fee, team building sessions, and customized trips, in which trip planning and leaders are provided. One of OP’s main goals is to show students how easy it is to access the nature found in their own
Part of the reason trips fill up so quickly is due to their immense affordability. The university covers a lot of the miscellaneous expenses, which allows OP to offer students unbeatable and all-inclusive prices. Also, it is now easier than ever to pay for the trips. Students can use their Eagle Dollars, versus payment by just cash or check. OP is also open to any ideas students may have. “[We] want to know what students want and we will plan around that,� said Wilkinson. An even larger selection of trips is to come next semester, along with a new location for the OP office. Next semester, OP will be located in the Outdoor Resource Center, by Alico Arena. In the meantime, they can be found in the trailer by the waterfront or online on their Facebook page: FGCU Outdoor Pursuits.
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Where art thou, Chi-O Romeo? Chi Omega is holding a fundraiser for its philanthropy, The Make A Wish Foundation. Chi-O Romeo takes place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Olympia Sports Bar and Grill, Competition is based on talent, spirit, Q&A and formal wear to find the true Romeo of Chi Omeha. Tickets are being sold for $5 by Chi Omegas. You can also purchase a ticket in the Breezeway on Oct. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Eagle News staff Outdoor Pursuits takes students to get SCUBA certified. Photo courtesy of Stephen Robinson
Leak continued from page 1 Those students who left to buy groceries off campus could not return until entrances reopened at approximately 3:30p.m. “I was on my way to campus from Cape Coral when I heard about it on NPR,� said Feras Ahmed, a sophomore political science major. “I immediately turned around and drove home. If I had driven the full 45 minutes to campus, I would’ve felt like that kid who gets
to school an hour late because he forgot to change his clock for daylight savings.� Not all commuter students received the news in time, though. “I live on Three Oaks (Parkway), and I waited in traffic for one hour,� said Chelsey Jones, a sophomore majoring in marketing. “Literally, as soon as I got there, the police blocked off campus.� According to University spokeswoman Susan Evans, classes that were canceled will not be made up. “It put us behind a class, which means we’re a chapter behind,� said Gary Jackson, assistant professor of economics, “I won’t be able to cover as much, but we will still
cover the key aspects needed for students. Teachers usually prepare for such accidents.� Moore says that such a mishap is unlikely to happen again, particularly since FGCU does not have natural gas service on campus, but there is always the possibility of issues with buried utilities.
EN nLog on to www.eaglenews.org to see a PDF of the police report filed for the gas leak.
UPD shuts down the main entrance to FGCU. EN photo/Allison Gagliardi
Arts & Lifestyle Your Tunes
What are you listening to?
Pranking your roommates Pulling a fast one on the people you live with By Katie Sartoris A&L editor
To me, music is ... “Everything. I love music. There’s a song to describe everything in my life.”
YOUTUBE:
Featured video of the week
Probably the single most important quality of a prank is originality. Your prank needs to be something so new, so exciting and so magnificent that your roommate will stand in awe when it all goes down. “My boyfriend put his roommate’s toothbrush in Jell-o once,” said Mary Holt, a senior majoring in psychology. “He was so excited. He asked me to come in and see what he did and he showed me a big bowl of green Jell-o with his roommate’s toothbrush in it.” A prank like that isn’t easy to forget. Finding a freshly made bowl of green Jell-o in the fridge may seem awesome, but when getting closer you find that your toothbrush is floating in the dessert. Joke’s on you.
Originality
1. “Land Slide” by The Dixie Chicks 2. “Roxanne” by John Mayer 3. “Unforgettable“by Drake 4. “Candy” by Cameo 5. “Ink my Whole Body Up” by Whiz Khalifa
P
Laugh F actor
A prank has to be hilarious. Devising a master plan that makes your roommate and friends crack up is absolutely necessary. If it’s not funny, it’s not a prank. Adding a dose of irony to it is always welcome too.
Personalization Search “Roommate Alien Prank Goes Bad”
nWho hates Aliens? Chad does! See how a wellplanned roommate prank goes awry.
Keep in mind personalization. When you personalize a prank, you make it much more legitimate. Putting a fake spider on a roommate’s doorknob who loves spiders won’t have the same effect on someone who’s got a serious case of arachnophobia. The more personal the prank is the better. To help out with personalizing your prank, you need to get to know your roommate. Get to know their daily habits, their favorite foods and even the classes they’re taking. Knowing everything you can about your roommate will better your chances to pull of the prank of the century.
Movies of the Weekend
Quick Prank
Super-glue a quarter to tile floor.
million
million
3. ”Wall Street: Money Never
Sleeps” $10 million
4. “The Town” $7.4 million
5. “Easy A”
$6.7 million These figures are courtesy of boxofficemojo.com.
Feasibility
While your prank should be elaborate, it should also be doable. You need to use your resources. Plan the prank with a few friends – not too many – and pick up your pranking props for cheap at local dollar stores.
Secrecy Keep it quiet. Don’t tell too many people. If word gets out and spreads that you’re pulling a prank on your roommate, the jig is up and you have to go back to square one.
Sensitivity
Personalizing is great. But, you don’t want to get caught up and to go too far. Be mindful of the line that you shouldn’t cross. For instance, a roommate who’s severely lactose-intolerant shouldn’t be tricked into drinking milk. Also, avoid seriously hurting anyone. You definitely don’t want to cause any internal bleeding. Since the dorms are small, you don’t really want to make a huge mess. If there is a huge mess involved, make sure that it’s one that can be cleaned without permanent damage. You don’t want to have to explain the burn mark and singed carpet on your living room carpet to your RA at the end of the year. Casey Gallatin, a junior majoring in criminal justice, devised a prank that wasn’t too difficult to clean up. “We got legal pads and taped the papers to the wall, the ceiling and the floor,” he said. “He [my roommate] thought it was kind of cool.”
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TP your roommate’s room.
Have you ever pranked your roommate? Have you ever been pranked? E-mail your best prank story to entertainment@eaglenews.org.
Clean-up
Top 5
Quick Prank
Planning
Willis Harris Legal Studies Senior
ulling an epic prank on your roommate should be close to the No. 1 spot on your FGCU bucket list. But you want to be careful that you don’t pull some lackluster prank from your ho-hum, everyday arsenal. It’s important to devise a plan so unforgettable that your name will live in infamy to even your roommate’s grandchildren. Consider the following factors.
Now that you know all of the qualities of a good prank, make sure you don’t lose sight of your goal. Having a clear-cut plan can help with that. First you need to figure out exactly what you’re going to do and what kind of materials you need and go shopping. A great place to get cheap stuff for a prank is The Dollar Tree. There, you can find streamers, splash balls and even silly string. After you’ve gotten your prank props, hide them. If your roommate comes across a bag of a bunch of random stuff, it could foil your plan. Also, you probably want to work around your roommate’s schedule so you can do whatever you need to while he or she is away at school or work.
The Act Itself Executing your plan is the last step. Remember to be cautious and quiet, even if you don’t think your roommate will catch you. The rest is a waiting game. Your roommate may be a little peeved when he or she finds it, but in the end, it’s guaranteed to get a laugh or two. If your roommate is a good sport, then you may have a prank war on your hands, and that’s when it gets serious. When it’s all said and done, will you be remembered? If the answer is yes, then you’ve succeeded.
A&L
888 &"(-&/&84 03( t 0$50#&3 t EAGLE NEWS 9
Helping a friend through a break-up By Rory Manson Contributing writer
I
t’s always difficult to watch a friend go through a break-up, especially when it can seem unclear how to support them. It’s distressing to see a friend upset but there are many ways to help them go through their breakup. Whether it is a two-month or two-year relationship, the grieving process needs to happen. It’s important to let a friend be upset. If a friend wants to vent, allow them to do so without interrupting. “The friend is grieving the loss of the relationship and that person,â€? said Dr. Michael Ghali from CAPS, Counseling and Psycholigical Services. “Giving advice usually isn’t all that important, they can go anywhere for that‌offer supportive statements like ‘I’m here for you.’â€? It’s often first response to make a joke at the ex’s expense, and in many cases, it feels good – especially if the ex wasn’t treating your friend the way you thought fit.
Try your best to avoid insulting the ex, even if you know what you have to say may be true. It’s better to listen and be supportive. Although distractions can be great, don’t force it upon a friend. Listening to their needs and wants is important. “Distracting someone can be useful but it’s also important to let them focus so they can eventually let go,� said Ghali. Getting a friend back into their normal routine is essential when helping them through a break-up. One of the most helpful things one can do is invite them out, whether it’s for coffee or a movie. Try to stay clear of partying at first; you don’t want them drinking heavily when they’re still vulnerable. Play upbeat music when you’re around them instead of sad breakup songs. Songs like “King of Wishful Thinking� are great for a friend to listen to if they are trying to get over the sadness of ending a relationship. One of the best ways for a friend to get over the end of a relation-
ship is by having a group of supportive friends. Give a friend their space if they ask for it, but let them know that you are always there. Your friend will soon be over their past relationship and will want to spend as much time as possible with the friends that helped him or her through the process.
Photo Illustration by Mike Ricci
Know when heartbreak gets serious. Look at the CAPS website for information and signs of depression.
FGCU Ink Name: Amanda Becker Year: Freshman Major: Sociology Location: Left shoulder Meaning: “The japanese cherry blossoms represent life and how short our lives are. The saying ‘one life once chance ‘ is a saying my sister and I got together.�
E-mail pictures of your tattoos to entertainment@eaglenews.org.
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A&L
Karaoke at local bar brings out student singers Bar Louie hosts Wed. night event featuring specials and hidden talent By Jordan Rodriguez Senior staff writer
O
ur local Bar Louie has been running karaoke for a while now. Every Wednesday, from 9:00 p.m.-1 a.m. the bar is hosted by “Karaoke with Tiffany.� There, the amateurs take the mic. With several booklets containing many classic tunes and updated songs, one could find an oldie or a good song heard not too long ago. This might be turning into a hot-spot for some. Last week on Wednesday, Sept. 29, the bar was filled with college students. There were voices that rang and voices that burbled. With a lot of freshman and new transfers popping up,
anyone looking for a fun night may want to check it out. A little incentive for those of age – you get a free shot if it’s your first time up on stage. That is, after you perform; they can’t make it that easy. There’s also a special on Bud Light, 5 for $5 running that night. Meagan Tarantelli, another FGCU student, sang wonderfully. While she was at the bar, she went up to the stage and performed “Tell Me Something Good� by Chaka Khan, covered by Pink. “As an avid singer, I look for any opportunity to brush up my skills. Karaoke at Bar Louie is perfect, with top of the line equipment and acoustics,� said Tarantelli.
The words are up on the screen in front of the stage and around the bar for you. And occasionally, the peanut gallery will sing along, though there’s usually a charming, respectable crowd of people around. There’s also a queue running on-screen so you can follow when you go on stage. You’re free to wander around or even order something to calm your nerves. “Once [you] get past the nerves of actually getting up on stage, you have more fun than you expected,� said Justin Rodriguez, an FGCU student who was at Bar Louie last week. Another student, Jamie Kramer, attended recently. “It’s fun, they have good equipment and an awesome
[karaoke] host, [with] a big selection of songs, and I love that you get a free shot after your first song,� said Kramer. If you’re looking for a new tradition with friends, some place to play out personal fame, or just something interesting, try karaoke at Bar Louie. Wednesdays at the bar are the perfect nights to get your name out there. Worried about stage fright? If you need some liquid courage and you’re of age, there are people on standby to take your order. And if you’re still nervous, just remember the classic public speaking trick: everyone is in their underwear. Conquer that fear of talking, and in this case singing, in public.
What Not to Wear
What to Wear First Date fashion for guys
By Karla Rodriguez Contributing Writer
R
eviewing fashion magazines, you always read about the new trends in women’s fashions. But there’s always the question: “What about the guys?� When looking into a date outfit, there’s always a question of what to wear. To prep you for this article, 50 students were interviewed, both men and women here at FGCU and other campuses, and were asked the following question: What should and shouldn’t a guy wear on a first date? The first response following the question was often: “Well, where is the date?� It is obvious that location will affect the way that you are going to dress. These tips are just general what-to- and what-notto-wear on a first date. In the end, guys, you always want to make sure that you are bringing your A-game when getting ready for a first date. This is a time to show the girl that you really do care. And by presenting yourself in a respectful way, she will see that you took the time and effort to impress her and show her a nice time. Good luck, and happy dating.
EN
Shorts Hats Gym clothes Flip Flops (Leather flip flops are acceptable) Muscle tanks or tees Over-the-top prints or patterns Sunglasses at night
Polo Shirt Nice Button-down Dark jeans Dress shoes Belt Also, always have a “clean look.� That means grooming, guys, even if you have a beard, it doesn’t mean you have to shave it, just keep it clean. Make sure you smell good. You’d be surprised what a freshsmelling cologne can do. And, remember, confidence is key. First impressions are crucial. You want to make sure you’re on top of your game. This pair of dark Levi’s jeans from Target.com for $27.99 are a great date jean.
-PH PO UP XXX eaglenews.org UP XBUDI BO &/ WJEFP PO GBTIJPO GPS NFO
Meagan Tarantelli singing at Bar Louie. EN Photos/Jordan Rodriguez
Since first impressions are so important, the bad things are going to stick out more. You want to make sure that you always look put-together so that she won’t be turned off and focused on your shabby look more than your personality. These aviator-inspired sunglasses found at Forever21.com are great for a day date but don’t wear them at night.
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n A free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad. n A guilty conscience needs to confess. A work art is aHints: confession. Words: JoshofSiegel Elliot Taylor n You know what charm is: a way of getting the answer 'yes' without having asked any clear question.
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Opinion
EAGLE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD
Year-round school term in Lee County faces debate By Andrew Friedgen Staff writer
T
he boys of summer might need to find a new title soon in Lee County, for the concept of summer could be a distant afterthought in wake of recent discussion over a year-long scheduling system. The debated template is one that has seen increasing use around the Andrew world and even in some areas Friedgen of the western United States. The concept is to send kids to school year-round on scheduling blocks of 45 days on and 15 days off, 60 days on and 20 days off, or 90 days on and 30 days off. Proponents claim, and perhaps rightfully so, that no summer break allows for better retention of learned material so that the first month back to school isn’t “review month,” This creates a more efficient learning flow. In addition, it may be easier to schedule vacations during the 15-day break because those vacations are not all occurring on the busy, and more expensive, months of summer. Traditionally, we have the 10-month school system with summer break because of our country’s agrarian roots. Children worked in the fields during the summer and went to school all other times of the year. Opponents to the yearround school system do have more substantial arguments than just for the sake of preserving tradition. First, they cite that studies have been inconclusive as to whether the year-round cycle actually has any academic benefit. Second, they claim that students are going to forget information over a break whether it’s a 15-day break or a three-month break. In addition, businesses that employ students every summer would be robbed of those potential employees. From a student perspective, the culture of summer itself is something that needs to be
considered. It’s a transitional phase from year to year, one that embodies carelessness and relaxation. It has its own special feel that acts as a major component of young adult lifestyle. I personally feel a major change going from being a complete night owl in the summer to going to bed early at night and waking up early in the morning during the school term. So is it right to take this youthful tradition away in order to establish a more structured schedule? Or at least, would it even be beneficial to do so? I decided to see what a teacher in the Lee County school system itself had to say. “I really look forward to my summer,” says Cypress Lake High School English teacher Jeff Kulie. “But I noticed that any of the vacations I take tend to be two weeks or less anyway,” he said, referencing the 15-day pause in the blocks of 45 days of class. Kulie also noted that his last summer break was eight and a half weeks long, but with two weeks worth of training classes, he ended up with a summer that was that substantially shorter. However, he admits that this is an issue that he sits on the fence with. Kulie does recognize the value in time off during summer. The phrase “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” comes to mind here. While the summer lapse in learned content is a true problem of the traditional 10 month school year, the cultural significance of summer is too big of a component to give up — especially given the inconclusive nature as to whether the year-round schedule is beneficial or not. Andrew Friedgen is a freshman majoring in psychology. He has written dozens of short stories and is currently working on a novel. He feels that writing is an organic, dynamic beast that can be as much a teacher as a talent.
Allison Gagliardi Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@eaglenews.org 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, Florida 33965
EN Cartoon/Taryn Kerber
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(239) 590-7945
Here comes that rainy day feeling again By Mandie Rainwater Staff writer
I
dislike the rain. The rain and I have a love-hate relationship. The rain loves to try and get me. And since bad luck seems to follow me when it rains, I take precautions. I see that the rain notices that I take precautions and tries to become more creative in its attempts get to me, but I have my wits. You may be saying, “But Mandie, you should love the rain, look at your last name.” And while you would think this may be true, I honestly think that my Native American ancestor namesake, Rainwater, may have been plagued by bad luck durMandie ing the time that the sky cries. Last week as I waited for a meetRainwater ing (that had been cancelled for a week and I missed the e-mail) the rain started to fall. I waited until it was as light as it was going to get before I made my way to my car— because naturally I forgot my umbrella. I ducked out the back side of the library aiming for the cover of the Arts building, and rounding the corner of the building next to the new Music building I saw them. Three people crowded into the front seat of one of those elongated golf carts. I surveyed the sidewalk between me and them and I saw the puddle. I stepped far out of the way because even though I am not a physics major, I understand fluid dynamics. The speeding golf cart hit the puddle and the “rooster tail,” as my kids call it, aimed right for me. Luckily I was far enough out of the way that I didn’t get soaked. The driver of the cart simply said “Sorry ‘bout that” as he and the two old croons he was driving to whatever destination because they didn’t want to get wet cackled as they speed away. The rain had apparently gotten into their heads and their sense of respect for others was drowned out. Why are there so many golf carts on campus anyway? If Americans are among the most obese people in the world (not to mention the amount of energy all of these carts use supplied by a college with a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility) I don’t think the walk would kill ‘em, even if it is
in the rain. The other morning as I walked from parking lot 7 over the boardwalk, I wished for a golf cart, regardless of its blight on the environment. The rain from the night before lay in wait for me on the warped slats. It has been wet more often this semester than dry. I try to keep my guard up, but the rain has almost won a few times. When the water sits on the wood it gets very slick, at least for me. I, like many of you, wear flip flops, and a slick piece of wood under them can be a pool of disaster. I have slipped and caught myself more times since August than I can count on one hand. If I can see the water lying in wait along the length of the path I walk as slow as an elderly person with the aid of a cane. I saw the rain attack someone else the other morning. I was walking slowly listening to the birds yell to one another (“watch her fall” is what I bet they were saying) and as I was looking to the tree tops I heard something different. A yelp followed by a thud has been my fear. A member of the faculty had been beaten by the standing water. She lay on the boardwalk with possessions sprawled all over and the people ahead of her turned to see her there and kept still kept. Having a soul, I rushed to help her up and we walked the rest of the way talking about how often people slip on these walks. Why not find something to put on the slats to increase the tread or at least repel the water? Maybe it’s the universities commitment to the environment that leads to the more natural state of the walkway. I’m just happy to say that I feel safe on the boardwalk when it is mostly deserted because I could hear anyone coming up behind me because the loose boards alert me to their presence, speed, and distance. See what I mean, I dislike the rain. It usually rains when the sky is cloudy, blocking the sun. The sun gives people vitamins that have been proven to improve their moods. Can you tell the weather got the best of me and I wrote this in the rain? Mandie Rainwater is a sophomore. She is majoring in secondary education with a focus in social sciences. She is married with two children and is an active volunteer for C.A.R.E.S. Suicide Prevention. She is a contributing author to “UnspOILed: Writers speak for Florida’s Coast” and has been featured in the Southeast Online Review.
HEY FGCU! This could be a great service learning opportunity! Get a group together and check into pressure washing and securing our boardwalks.
Burst bubble pushes gay Rutgers student over edge By Taryn Kerber Staff writer
E
VIEWPOINT
Sara Gottwalles Opinion Editor opinion@eaglenews.org
veryone wants personal space. Whether we need it all the time or not, we all have an invisible bubble that shouldn’t be invaded. Now that we have social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Youtube, and Twitter, our personal lives are open to the spectators of the world. You can post anything and everything your heart desires. Thanks to the work of a peeping tom, a Rutgers University freshman, Tyler Clementi, had his bubble popped. Tyler asked his roommate, Taryn Dharun Ravi, for a half hour of alone time in their dorm. Kerber Clementi’s roommate then placed a camera in the room, live-streaming everything it caught on tape to the internet. Tyler’s alone time with his male partner became live porn for anyone watching. After finding out that his “sexual encounter” had been made public, Tyler posted on his Facebook page “Jumping off the gw bridge sorry.” He then jumped to his death off the George Washington Bridge. His body was identified by his ID card and the driver’s license found in his wallet. I don’t care whether this poor kid was gay or not, no one should have their privacy invaded like that. Intimacy is such a delicate matter and is special to each individual. This may have been a prank on Ravi’s part. But he crossed a line and the prank went awry. Why do people think it’s so funny to make fun of the gay population? In high school one of my friends was tormented daily. Not that it
stopped him from living his life the way he wanted to live it, but the pranks still got to him. One day after lunch he was walking to class and another student threw a blue slushee at him and called him a “fag.” As I watched this distraught boy walk over to me, his white shirt covered in blue juice, I couldn’t help but feel enraged. Who do these people think they are? We are all human beings. No one is better than anyone else. Thankfully my friend didn’t commit suicide like Tyler, but he still has feelings like everyone else does. And who’s to say the torment placed on others won’t have the same effect on them? Just because gays have a different lifestyle, what right does that give others to view them as anything other than people? It doesn’t. Tyler Clementi’s family is now devastated because Ravi saw Tyler as something other than who he was. He saw a target; a game for humiliation. I know action will be taken, but I hope Ravi gets charged with more than invasion of privacy. He “pushed” Tyler off the bridge by posting his private life on the web and should be held liable. Every action in life has a consequence, and only you are responsible for the outcome. The populace needs to learn how far is too far before they decide to say or do anything to anyone else. Who knows — the effect of your actions could result in someone taking their life. Taryn Kerber is a freshman majoring in hospitality management and plans on becoming an event planner. She has a creative and outspoken mind. Taryn is also an environmentalist and is out to save the world, one good deed at a time. She believes, deep down, everyone is good.
Opinion
WWW.EAGLENEWS.ORG t0$50#&3 t EAGLE NEWS 13
The truth is, you’re lying about honesty
Healthy more than just a scale number
By Chelsey Seeley
By Ashlyn Gibbs
Staff writer
I
noticed that this past week, many of my Facebook friends have been doing something new with their statuses. The post is “like this, and I will tell you what I honestly think about you,” also known as “Truth is …” Though some people may be honest, and it is a rare handful, I laugh at some of the comments people write, thinking in my head, “You’re lying.” If there is Chelsea one thing the younger generation isn’t ready for, it is Seeley the truth. Too bad I love to tell it. Kids may think their friends are being honest with them on these posts, but I am positive that the authors of these are just trying to avoid a drama-filled situation. If someone were to honestly tell you what they thought about you, and it wasn’t very nice, it would be a nightmare. There would be fights and more unnecessary problems. So, they tell a lie instead of giving their honest opinion. Instead of expressing how they feel, they lie to make others happy. These social networks are also not the best places to be honest. You have no idea of the context posters are using when they share their opinions of you. For all you know, they could be being extremely sarcastic about saying how “nice and sweet” you are. You are in no way able to sense the
emotion behind what they post — which makes this whole “Truth is” thing even more absurd. There are people I know who are dealing with the fact that if you say something you don’t mean you just end up with a lot of trouble on your hands. If a guy has a crush on a girl, then asks said girl to a movie, and she just thinks they are friends and doesn’t tell him that, she is only going to make it worse if he starts to develop feelings. If a friend is wearing something that isn’t exactly flattering on them you are not helping by not telling them. They are going to feel bad when people around them friend start to point and stare. As mean as you may think you sound by telling the truth, people will be better off knowing it. There is no such thing as too much honesty. I have learned to never be ashamed of what you think or feel. If you can’t be honest with someone, you still have a lot to learn. There are plenty of people in the world who will appreciate someone who is honest with them. Though they may seem rare to come upon, you may find someone here on campus who appreciates it. For those who don’t appreciate honesty, they will eventually learn the value of truth.
Chelsea Seeley is a freshman majoring in elementary education. Her goal is to eventually receive her master’s in special education. Chelsea has been writing for public audiences for more than four years. She loves how writing can be a true expression of your personality.
A, E, I, O, U and sometimes ‘Om’ By Chel Freeman Staff writer
O
n my journey for stress reduction, I found myself in an Introduction to Yoga class at The Yoga Sanctuary in Punta Gorda. Sure, it’s trendy, but it’s one of the few fads in which no harm is done by more Americans buying into it. Yoga has been practiced for 5,000 years. It brings physical, mental and spiritual well being, regardless of one’s religious affiliation. I’m not sure that zumba, jazzercise or various boot camps quite capture the concept of self awareness the same way. Can you see our ancient ancestors in a spinning class? Despite the huge market for expensive workout clothes, I left my house wearing cotton, stretchy aerobic pants from three and a half years ago (the last time I really worked out) and an oversized T-shirt with a cartoon picture of the Buddha on it that reads, “What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor? [And on the back:] Make me one with everything!” I wore not one stitch of makeup, despite my current breakout. Whereas I would’ve been mortified at any other time in my life, I’m working on getting to the core of what’s important now. I arrive at the studio and meet Jennifer, the trainer, and my six fellow classmates. The studio is smallish with completely bare, yellow, walls, cork flooring and two strategically placed plants. The lighting is low, natural light streams in the front of the room and there is a single candle burning. The whole place seems balanced. We get the tour of the facility, find a spot on the floor and learn how to sit with proper posture. Jennifer shares a bit about herself and instructs us to each introduce ourselves to the class (like the first day of the semester in a communications course). We are told we cannot go further without understanding ujjayi breathing. Best summed up by Alan Finger, author of “Yoga Zone Introduction to Yoga,” ujjayi is a full, complete breath performed by slightly narrowing the passageway in the back of the throat. It creates an echoey sound, like Darth Vader’s breath. This breath will be used while practicing each of the poses. We then work on the Moving Cat Seal, a pose that feels amazing on the back but looks rather provocative. There on all fours, I can’t help but be thankful there are no men in the course and already feel awkward for the woman on the mat behind me. I brush those thoughts away so I can be fully present and remind myself that both genders on all ends of the world are doing this very pose without a second thought.
From here we transition into the Child’s Pose. This one makes me feel like I have a “do not disturb” sign on my back. As I kneel there with my forehead to the floor, I feel like I have successfully shut out the world. Then the blood starts rushing into my sinus cavity and it’s time to change poses anyway. We finish the session with the Savasana, which involves simply laying on one’s back with feet and arms slightly spread. I feel like a kindergartner at nap time or a carefree spirit lying in a field of wild flowers. Jennifer talks us through the meditation and I could fall asleep. She walks around and puts pillows filled with lavender over our eyes, but before I know it, we’re done for the day. We sit up and chant “Om,” the background sound of the universe. I find it slightly supernatural that in chanting with these strangers of varying backgrounds, we all managed to chant in sync. There’s always the one person who sings off key or doesn’t follow directions in any given group. We say goodbye with Namaste, as Jennifer tells us, acknowledging the spirit of the other person. I leave feeling relaxed and wish I could stay there longer. Despite my busy morning, I feel as if I’ve been lounging all day. I look forward to the rest of the sessions, though they’re slow-moving, I already know I’ll want to continue on to beginner yoga and so forth. These, of course, might be my famous last words. For the record, I’m not a flexible person. I can’t touch my toes and find myself out of breath after walking up a flight of stairs (but I take them anyway). My yoga experience was not at all intimidating, so if you’re at all curious, try it. Unfortunately, yoga is not listed on the fall 2010 group fitness class list here at FGCU. Ivette from CAPS leads a meditation and yoga session every Monday at 5:30 p.m. outside of the Wellness Center. Official yoga classes are available, at the Alive & Well Holistic Center in Fort Myers: (239) 226-WELL; and at The Yoga Sanctuary in Punta Gorda: (941) 505-YOGA. I propose a campus-wide, synchronized Savasana. Just stop and drop at, say, 2 p.m. daily. Until my next experience, Namaste. Chel Freeman is a senior majoring in communication. She is passionate about art, culture, women’s issues, human rights and the truth. Chel understands that to keep the peace, we must disturb it once in a while, which has gotten her into trouble a few times.
Contributing writer
H
ave you noticed America’s diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry? Products range from diet pills and books, to weird wraps you put around your body that guarantee losing 10 pounds in an hour, and even life-threatening surgeries that will either cut or tie a person’s stomach in half. We have these promising plans and yet we are still the unhealthiest country in the world. It’s pretty ironic. If you ask me, I think we have it all wrong. Most folks are focusing on one body type that is ideal for “perfect health”— which is crazy! Did you know people can be skinny obese? People with this condition have a normal Body Mass Index, however, their internal organs work as an obese individual’s would. Good health is not about a number on a scale or in the seams of your pants — it’s much more. I have been “too big,” “too small,” and in between. I was overweight for basically my entire life. My mom had me on a diet at age 12. I tried every diet program, pill and even considered gastric bypass surgery. I reached a little over 300 pounds at my heaviest. Life has a funny way of working out, and something clicked for me. I spent a year and a half working my butt off at the gym, changing my eating habits and got down to 125 pounds (which was way too thin for my frame). So, I started gaining weight again. There was a point when I was obsessed with calorie counting, then with exercising, and then I guilted myself for eating a piece of cake or ice cream. Much of this stemmed from my attempt at being in optimum health as all the books, magazines, and TV shows advertise. As I look back at myself during each stage, I am so grateful it all happened. I realized no matter what my weight or pant size was, or how many men approached me, I was never satisfied with myself. I was never perfect according to today’s standards.
I would constantly have those mirror moments. You know what I’m talking about — standing naked and pointing out every little thing that was “wrong” with me. This ideal image of perfect health is mainly focused on the outerself instead of the three most important faucets of good health : mind, body, and spirit. Even the most confident men and women who seem to have it all together have body issues. Trust me. I believe a healthy human being loves themself unconditionally, knows they are not perfect and are OK with this. They realize mistakes will be made, and they will learn from those experiences. A healthy human being is someone who is active and eats mindfully. They may not be a marathon runner, but typically engage in regular exercise. They look at food as fuel for their body and make good nutritional choices — but also indulge in the occasional treat. A healthy human being is in touch with themself One of my favorite quotes is from Teilhard de Chardin: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” When I look in the mirror now, I see a woman with a butt, boobs, tummy, arms, legs, and (usually) a smiling face. Not a number. I have never been so comfortable in my own skin. Stop listening to outside influences on how to look, act or live and do what comes natural. Eat healthy, exercise and take time out for you every day. Life is too short and before you know it, you’ll be 90 years old looking back on these years. Make them the best of your life! No more negative talk to yourself. Look in the mirror and be completely and utterly in love with the person you see. You are the most important person in your life. Treat yourself that way. Keep an eye out for future articles focused on health, fitness, and wellness in upcoming issues of Eagle News. Feel free to find me on Facebook or e-mail me at ashlyngibbs@gmail.com.
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VIEWPOINT
EN Cartoon David Tiegen and Edward Droney
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Sports
Season preview: Hockey club Opens season 2-0 after sweeping Central Michigan at Germain Arena
Mike Lendino handles the puck in Friday’s 11-1 win over Central Michigan. EN photo/Taryn Kerber
Heat’s James, Wade and Bosh open preseason amid fanfare By Associated Press
L
eBron James walked from the bench moments before tipoff with the traditional stoic look. He filled his hands with rosin powder, threw it into the air to create a white cloud, then clapped his hands three times. Same as always. Just totally different. Amid the sort of fanfare hardly ever associated with a meaningless preseason game, James took the floor with the Miami Heat for the first time Tuesday night in the exhibition opener against the Detroit Pistons. The NBA’s two-time reigning MVP joined Miami this summer, spurning a chance to stay with Cleveland and deciding he wanted to team up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade instead. “The season,” James said, “is back.” And a mere 3:17 into the season, there was the first problem: Wade limped off the floor, heading to the locker room for evaluation about five minutes later with a strained
right hamstring and was ruled out for the rest of the night. The Big 3 lasted a big three minutes. No matter: James just took over. He put much of his repertoire on display in the early going: nolook passes, drives to the rim, 3-pointers, even playing some point guard in the first quarter. It always wasn’t perfect — he airballed one try from beyond the arc, never saw a wide-open Bosh under the basket on another possession. At times, it was downright scintillating. One play after missing Bosh, he set up his new teammate for a dunk that left the former Toronto forward screaming with delight. And with 4.7 seconds left in the first quarter, James ran off a pick set by Udonis Haslem, then spun around before going down the lane for a two-handed dunk — waving his arms with a flourish after giving Miami a 24-15 lead. James had 12 points in the first 12 minutes, either scoring or assisting on eight of Miami’s first 11 field goals. He returned to the
game with 5:03 left in the half to a raucous ovation. He took the floor for pregame at 7:18 p.m., one of the last three Heat players to emerge into view, sandwiched between Bosh and Wade, Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blaring through the arena as usual. The Heat, clad in black warmups, huddled in a hallway just behind the court, as dozens of people leaned to take photos with their cell phones for the first arrival. James’ longtime girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, was in the much-larger-than-usual preseason crowd, but his children weren’t — school obligations, James said. “As a basketball player, as a guy who loves the game of basketball, I’m excited about that, for the season to be back around,” James said. “I’m very happy about that.” Bosh knew Tuesday was a big deal when his father insisted on coming to the game. “He was that excited about it,” Bosh said. “He was ready to see us take the court for the first time. Just this fact that he was superexcited about it, that let me know kind of how everybody else is go-
ing to be. And if that’s how everybody is, it makes it a lot more fun to play.” The Pistons took this game seriously, making it a measure of where they are three weeks before the games start counting, center Ben Wallace said. “They know everybody’s going to be gunning at them,” Wallace said. “I heard them say that they know they put the bulls-eye on their back. That helps you to focus, helps you stay on your toes, stay on top of your game knowing that everyone is coming at you night-in and night-out.” Pistons guard Tracy McGrady said he wasn’t upset with what the Heat did this summer. He’s jealous. “I’m happy for those guys,” McGrady said. “I look forward to, when I’m done playing basketball, seeing them win a lot of championships.” That’s Miami’s goal. Outside, parking lots that used to charge $10 were asking $40 per space. Long lines of fans waited to get in, some wearing James, Wade and Bosh Heat jerseys — and a few
wearing James’ old No. 23 from Cleveland as well. A notoriously late-arriving Miami crowd showed up to see the pregame introductions, and roared when James’ name was called first. “You can tell it’s an exciting time for this city,” James said. “And hopefully we can come through and do things that we need to do on the court to keep the fans excited.” This seemed like a good first impression. “I think it’s going to be good for the guys who haven’t worn a Heat uniform yet to have an opportunity to get out on their new home floor and see their new fans,” Wade said before the game. “I’ve been around for a little while, so I kind of know my way around here a little bit.” Notes: Flo Rida and Gloria Estefan were in the crowd, and most seats were filled by tip-off — a far cry from preseason games in recent years, when the Heat typically played before a half-empty house. ... The Heat next play on Friday in Kansas City, Mo. against Oklahoma City — a Miami home game, technically — then head to San Antonio the next night.
Sports
ENSPORTS Weekly recap Men’s soccer
Men’s tennis
Coach Horton rallies for diversity By Jenny Rodgers Contributing writer
D Swept A-Sun weekend, beating Lipscomb 2-1 on Friday and defeating Belmont 2-0 on Sunday.
Volleyball
Lost at Jacksonville 3-2 on Friday and beat North Florida 3-0 on Saturday.
Swimming & diving
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iversity is something that can be observed today in just about every aspect of the world. However, in the world of tennis, diversity is just now becoming a factor, and quickly at that. FGCU men’s tennis coach J. Webb Horton is a member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), as well as the Black Coaches & Administration (BCA). Horton was recently featured in an article in Tennis Life magazine for his involvement in the BCA and USTA. The piece was about the general goals of the BCA, and the actions taken through the organization, with the main goal to diversify tennis through its players and coaches. The BCA aims to give kids from all backgrounds, who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity, the chance to come out and enjoy the exploration of a new sport. Horton has been a part of the BCA for six years now. When Horton first joined, the BCA had always had a focus on football and basketball, but Horton felt that the organization needed to extend to tennis. This past year, there was a step made toward that end at a convention for college coaches in Naples. Representatives from the BCA were able to team up with members from the USTA and speak about how tennis can be made more diverse. “It’s been a slow process, but it’s happening.� Horton said. “I think all sports have to be diverse. They need to be open to all kids no matter the circumstance.
J. Webb Horton mingles with junior Matt Rock. EN photo/Taryn Kerber
“We want kids to understand that tennis is a lifetime sport, and it’s a fun sport.� Horton strongly believes that with the decline of physical activity in our generation, every little bit can help. “Especially with the cuts in education, the fact that they’re taking PE out of schools is ludicrous,� Horton said. “Call me old-fashioned, but video games, texting and all of these things that have us sitting with no physical activity serve as a disservice to this generation.� Horton considers tennis to be “a relief� for many individuals, and praises a great deal of tennis organizations that allow both adults and children to have that same relief within arm’s reach.
Horton’s own tennis history began at the age of 10. He has been playing for 53 years. He has been all over the nation experiencing tennis from both a playing and coaching perspective. Horton’s good friend, Stanley Butch Perchan, is responsible for presenting Horton with the opportunity to coach at FGCU. Another goal of the BCA aligns with the vision of Horton. “One of the things that we’re trying to do is define the number of black coaches in college,� Horton said. FGCU is unique in that Jennifer Gabou, a black woman, serves as coach of the women’s tennis team. A few other black collegiate ten-
nis coaches, many of whom are personal friends of Horton, are Brian Shelton of Georgia Tech, Traci Green at Harvard and Tony Minnis of LSU. Horton and his peers look to broaden their fraternity. “By spreading the word of black coaching we will help get into the young generation of potential black and Latino coaches,� Horton said. “We want to make sure that kids understand that there are great opportunities for coaching out there.� Horton believes that tennis is a sport that can bring families together. “One thing that I stress in clinics such as the Minority Coaches Convention in Indianapolis is that anything that we can do to help families have quality time together is critical.� The story of a young black girl named Peggy Moore represents the power of tennis. Moore came from a horrible background and grew up in conditions that made it seemingly impossible to get involved in anything positive. Horton met Moore at Ottawa Park in Toledo, Ohio. After Horton, and many other coaches, observed and worked with Moore, she was eventually given a full scholarship to Chicago State University. After doing some online research, Horton discovered that Moore is graduating this year from CSU, and has won two invitational titles in the past three years. Through Moore’s story alone, Horton was proud to observe first hand how diversity in tennis really does change lives.
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Transfers Cook, Whitfield among newcomers By Andrew Binninger After three days of competition at the AllFlorida Invitational, the Eagles finished in fourth place. Host school Florida finished first.
Men’s golf Finished in second place at the Renaissance Invitational. No. 32 Xavier took first place. Dan Mazziotta and Brandon Pena of FGCU recorded top-5 scores.
Women’s soccer
Swept weekend A-Sun games. The Eagles beat Mercer 1-0 on Friday and topped Kennesaw State 1-0 on Sunday, with Lindsay Haw providing goals in each game.
Contributing writer
A
s women’s basketball returns to the court to open preseason practices, they look to build off last year’s 24-7 season with a new class of seven players. The Eagles also have seven returning players, led by senior Shannon Murphy, a 2010 Atlantic Sun All-Conference second team member. Among the newcomers are Sarah Brolsma Whitfield, Lerrin Cook, Nicoya Jackson, Amber Rechis, Katlyn Payne, Jordan LaDuke and Nancy Aguilar. FGCU has also upgraded its coaching staff by adding former Connecticut standout Mel Thomas as director of basketball operations and former Valparaiso University assistant coach Abby Scharlow. The girls will be playing under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Karl Smesko. Smesko believes that his team will be exciting to watch, as they will play a perimeter-oriented, uptempo style. This will be the Eagles’ last year of NCAA ineligibility (under the Division I four-year transition rule), but Smesko still expects his team to receive a bid to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. He tells players to “make progress every day� with an eye toward the potential to play in the NCAA tournament next year. One of this year’s newcomers is Cook, who played at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. Cook averaged a team-high 15.4 points and made 35.7 percent of her
3-point attempts last season. “Lerrin is a good all-around player,� Smesko said. “She can shoot, handle the ball and she gives good effort on the defensive end.� Cook says that she chose FGCU because of the coaching staff and believes that Smesko is an “outstanding coach.� Cook is also not worried about her adjustment to FGCU. “Athletes can adjust to new surroundings,� Cook said. “I am not worried about picking up the style of play of this basketball team.� Cook has noticed some differences between Arizona and Florida. “There is lot of diversity and people from different backgrounds here,� Cook said. “It’s different Coach Karl Smesko instructs FGCU players during a drill/ Stock Photo coming to a wet climate, considering the dry climate in Arizona.� Lerrin credits her father and more than 120 free throws last seauncle as the two biggest influenc- son. New players: es in her life because both have “Sarah is an excellent fit with coached basketball for a long time. our system and a very good stunKatlyn Payne (freshman) Whitfield is another newcomer dent.� on the basketball team this year. Whitfield, who started playing nSarah Hansen (redshirt freshman) The junior played two years at basketball in first grade and cites nKiara Bomben (redshirt freshman) Lane Community College in Eu- her father as her biggest influence, nAmber Rechis (freshman) gene, Ore. looks forward to adjusting to a new nJordan LaDuke (freshman) nLerrin Cook (junior transfer) The 5-11 wing set a school record environment. last season with 69 three-pointers “I noticed a difference in weath- nSarah Brolsma Whitfield (junior transfer) made, while averaging 15.0 points er here compared to Oregon and the nNicoya Jackson (junior transfer) and 5.0 rebounds a game enroute to environment as a whole is definite- n Nancy Aguilar (junior transfer) earning first team NWAACC All- ly different,� Whitfield said. “PlaySouthern Region honors. ing here is an adjustment, but I am She also shot 43 percent from ready for the challenge.� Outgoing players: three-point range and 80 percent Whitfield and her fellow newfrom the foul line. comers will get their chance when n Brittany Brown “Sarah is a good addition to the they tip off the 2010-11 season team,� Smesko said. against Seton Hall of the Big East nChelsea Lyles nAdrianne McNally “She is a versatile wing play- at Alico Arena on Nov. 12. n Marcey Burton er who is a very good three-point nSamantha Gray shooter. She is also capable of taking the ball to the basket. She shot