NEWS TO USE FSU SGA Student Publications Newsletter
EVENTS Thursday, Jan. 13 Spring Involvement Fair
Vol. 3, No. 7 January 2011
Tiffany’s Corner By Tiffany Lettsome
Sponsored by SOAR Board Union Ballrooms, 11 am – 2 pm
Love music or want to get into the music CSA Date Auction industry? Check out Caribbean Student Association MEISA: The Music State Ballroom, 7 pm and Entertainment Industry Student Tuesday, Jan.18 Association. You can work and go Jeopardy Scholarship Competition to shows, throw events, take event photography, make contacts, perform Hosted by HLSU and meet guest speakers in the industry. GME Auditorium, 6:30 pm You can also work with Renegade State Wednesday, Jan.19 Records, FSU’s student-run record label. FIT Club Meetings are Wednesdays at 6 pm. Hosted by NCNW The first meeting of the semester is Come prepared to workout Wednesday, Jan. 12, in HMU126. 302 Union, 7 pm Belly dancing is a great Thursday, Jan. 20 workout. Members of the FSU Belly Seminole Futures Career Exposition Dancers are offering free beginners Leon Couny Civic Center courses every Tuesday this semester 9 am – 12 pm, 1-3 pm in Union 301 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm. No Age New intermediate classes will be on Club Downunder Tuesdays in Union 302 from 8 pm – 9 Doors at 8:30 pm, Show at 9:30 pm pm. For more information about the group or a performance request, contact Friday, Jan. 21 bellydancersfloridastate@gmail.com. Women in Business Conference Leave Your Mark Productions Union Ballrooms, 11 am – 3:30 pm presents I Am My Own Wife, a play by Saturday, Jan. 22 Doug Wright based on his conversations Led Zeppelin 2 with German transvestite Charlotte Club Downunder von Mahlsdorf. The one-man play Doors at 8:30 pm, Show at 9:30 pm examines the life of German antiquarian Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Tuesday, Jan. 25 Berfelde, who killed her father when Mah Jong Tournament Hosted by The Chinese Language and she was a boy and survived the Nazi Culture Association 218 SSB, 7 – 9 pm and Communist regimes in East Berlin as a transvestite. The show takes place Thursday, Jan. 27 Friday, Jan. 28 – Sunday, Jan. 30 in Best Coast and Wavves The Annex Theatre. Admission for FSU Club Downunder students is $3. More information is at Doors at 8:30 pm, Show at 9:30 pm leaveyourmarkproductions.com.
Oxfam at FSU members
Oxfam to Help Homeless
By Amanda Fernandez
Get a good feeling by helping to raise awareness about the homeless people in Tallahassee. Oxfam at FSU, the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, has collaborated with the Florida State Art Therapy Association and The Hope Community of Tallahassee to sponsor Conversation Pieces: Socially Engaged Art. The exhibit, art created by the people of the Hope Community, will begin Feb. 1 at 7 pm on the second floor of the Student Services Building. Free food Continued on 2
Hands of Hope Aids Disabled
By Keyla Cherena
Hands of Hope is reaching out to people with disabilities. Co-founder Jessica Seymour said Hands of Hope is determined to tackle the barriers of discrimination or indifference to foster more integration within the community. “We are an organization that does not make a distinction between disabilities,” she said. “Nor do we make a distinction between ages.” Continued on 2 facebook.com/fsustudentpublications
twitter.com/fsusgatips
Your Recognized Student Organization buys the roll of paper, HPQ1412A, we’ll print it, and you’ll stretch your printing dollars
Women in Business
By Yanique Banton
If you are interested in business and the professional world, you may want to attend the fourth annual conference of the Women in Business on January 21 from 11 am – 3 pm in the Union Ballrooms. The theme of the conference is “Your Best Foot Forward, Taking Steps Toward A Successful Future.” The conference is what college students need to do to prepare for their careers after graduation. The keynote address will be given by Susan Cuthbertson, an FSU graduate who is a certified public Michelle Porter accountant. The Women in Business Networking Fair will go on at the end of the conference WIB, a student organization housed in the College of Business, is open to all students and majors. The organization serves as a developmental education and networking tool between students, faculty, staff and business professionals. Members gain exposure to a unique networking and learning opportunity with the ability to create lasting connections with ambitious students and dedicated professional women. The FSU College of Business Student Leadership Council began the Women in Business Conference to both promote an awareness of the dynamic role of women in today’s business environment and to establish a forum for developing a critical discourse of that role. The conference serves as a developmental education and networking tool for students, faculty, staff and business professionals. Michelle Porter, the president of Women in Business, said, “Women in Business has helped me grow professionally as a student and prepared me for my job search once I graduate. It’s a great way to meet new people who are also proactive.” The Women in Business meet weekly in the Starry Conference Room. They have 65 members and 16 E-board members. Membership applications can be completed through the College of Business website cob.fsu.edu. To register for the conference, go to wb.fsu.edu/wib. For more information about the Women in Business and upcoming events, contact Michelle Porter at fsuwib@gmail.com.
TIPS, News to Use, is the newsletter of Student Publications, an affiliated project of the Student Government Association of Florida State University. E-mail submissions to mharris2@ admin.fsu.edu. Graphic Designer Adrianna Cournoyer. Assistant Editor/Columnist Tiffany Lettsome. Designer/Assistant Editor Renatta Griffith. TIPS, A302 Oglesby Union, (850) 644-0037.
from 1-
Hands of Hope
The recognized student organization was founded by James Seymour, Farimah Shariati, Jessica Seymour, Farnoosh Shariati and Gabriel Gomez in the summer of 2010. All you have to do to join is attend a meeting and start helping. Meetings for Hands of Hope are every other Monday at 7 pm. More information can be found at http://fsuhandsofhope.webs.com/. Upcoming events include the Big Bend Hospice Event on Jan. 16 from 2 pm – 4 pm. The organization will visit patients with limited life expectancy. Hands of Hope will be providing baked goods and cards to patients as well as a couple of hours of company and friendship. On Jan. 20 from 6 pm – 8 pm the group will hold a Bowling with Ability First Kids at Crenshaw Lanes. This event will give you the ability to socialize with students with physical and developmental disabilities from Ability First. You can find more information about Hands of Hope by searching “FSU Hands of Hope” on Facebook and on Ability First by visiting http://www. abilityfirst.org/index.aspx Jessica Seymour said, “As a pre-med student I was always asking myself how on earth I could make a difference. For a long time I thought that I couldn’t because I didn’t have an MD behind my name… This organization allows us, the students, to relate to others in a personal way in order to change the world one relationship at a time.” Co-Founder Farnoosh Shariati said, “Through Hands of Hope I wish to bring hope to people’s lives who do not have the same abilities and opportunities as others. I also wish for students to see that it’s never too early or too late for anyone to get out there and help. So, if you have the heart to serve, get up and start now, because you can!” Contact information the group at fsuhandsofhope@gmail.com, or for more information on events go to their site at http://fsuhandsofhope. webs.com/ or http://www.abilityfirst.org/index.aspx or their Facebook group.
from 1-
Oxfam To Help Homeless
and live music will be provided. “We want to use art as a way to bridge the gap between those who have homes and those who don’t,” said Nick Russell, president of Oxfam at FSU. Oxfam fights for social justice and works to eliminate poverty. Since fall 2009, the members have volunteered at Hope, a six-month transitional home where homeless families receive help in getting back on their feet. The art was made possible with the help of the Florida State Art Therapy Association, students whose aim is to provide social and emotional support through art by providing art supplies to Hope. Oxfam’s Facebook page is at Oxfam @ FSU. Students can sign up to volunteer by clicking on the Google Documents. ______________________ Seminole Success Night is a networking reception held in conjunction with the FSU Career Center’s spring semester Seminole Futures Career Expo. The event allows employers to meet and network with diverse groups of student leaders within FSU prior to Seminole Futures. Seminole Success Night will be held Jan. 19 in the Dunlap Success Center from 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm. Food and drinks will be provided at this free event. You may register at career.fsu.edu/ TIPS, SGA Student Publications, January 2011, Vol. 3, No. 7
Teach for America Helps Low-Income Students By Kestrel Ambrose
Teach for America may be a good option for people who want to make a difference in the lives of low-income students. The final Teach for America deadline for the 2011-2012 school year is February 4. “Teach for America FSU is working to promote the corps’ mission on the campus of Florida State University,” said Kelsey Gilbert, the campus recruitment chair. Gilbert and the FSU recruitment staff are recruiting top students to join the corps and teach for two years in rural, low-income areas around the country where educational inequity is a major issue. Educational inequity means that the level of education a student receives depends on where they are born. “Students in low-income areas are not receiving the same education as their higher-income peers,” Gilbert said. “By the time they are in the fourth grade, they are performing at least three levels below their peers in core areas such as reading, writing and math.” Gilbert said this lower level performance trickles through the middle school and high school years, and studies have shown that only half of these students will graduate from high school by the age of 18. Those who do will perform on average at an eighth-grade level, and only one in ten will earn a degree. “There are about 20 or so students from FSU who are currently teaching in the program,” Gilbert said. “By enlisting the nation’s top student and professional leaders, the corps is hoping to bridge and eliminate the
inequity gap that exists when it comes to education.” Julian Torres graduated from FSU in Dec. 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice. Torres has been involved with Teach for America since June 2010. “I applied for Teach For America because I was interested in making a difference. As a Hispanic male who grew up in the Bronx, NY, I really connected with TFA’s mission,” said Torres, who is teaching sixth-grade Social Studies in Dallas, Texas. “I was appalled by the alarming statistics that face the children of low income communities, and I wanted to provide them with the education they deserve.” To apply for the corps, people must be college seniors or have earned a college degree, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. The application is available on the organization’s website, www.teachforamerica.org. Applicants must also submit a resume and a letter of intent. The process also includes phone and group interviews. Applicants must also be available to attend one of Teach for America’s residential summer training institutes. “It’s a pretty competitive program because anyone with a degree can apply,” Gilbert said. “Last year we had over 46,000 applicants, but only around 4,500 were accepted.” Even with such competitive numbers, Gilbert said, there is not a set maximum number that the program accepts. “It’s based on need and it just depends on who applies,” Gilbert said. “The need is there and we can always find space for exceptional applicants.” In addition to holding a college degree, other factors can increase a candidate’s chances of being accepted. “We also look for exceptional leadership and involvement outside of the classroom,” Gilbert said. “For instance we’re going to pay close attention to students or graduates who held a job, or was highly involved with a student organization during their enrollment.” Continued on 4
Meet… By Tiffany Lettsome
Juliana Crump
Kyle Dunnington
Jocelayna Howard
Michelle Porter
Juliana Crump, president of Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society, is a junior double majoring in Political Science and Sociology. The society encourages and rewards academic excellence among first-year college students. Kyle Dunnington, president of the State Party, is a junior majoring in Political Science. State’s goals are to expose students to a diverse community, educate future leaders in a manner of truthfulness and expand the branches of excellence across FSU. Jocelayna Howard, president of The Pillar, a Bible study group, is a senior majoring in Family and Child Sciences. The Pillar seeks to educate, motivate and stimulate the minds of FSU students for the cause of Christ. Michelle Porter, president of Women in Business, is a senior majoring in Marketing. Women in Business serves as a developmental education and networking tool between students, faculty, staff and business professionals. Bianca Salvaggio, president of Caring and Helping in Community Service, C.H.I.C.S., is a junior pursuing a dual degree in Mass Media Communications
Bianca Salvaggio
Jessica Seymour
Farnoosh Shariati
Sandy Simmons
and Psychology. The group seeks to unify students to serve the community, promote friendship, develop character, and represent and maintain the principles of honor, generosity and altruism. Jessica Seymour, co-founder and president of Hands of Hope, is a senior majoring in Biology and Psychology. Hands of Hope facilitates the integration of students with disabilities and students without disabilities by providing a personal assistance program. Farnoosh Shariati, co-founder and president of Hands of Hope, is a senior majoring in Exercise Science. Through Hands Of Hope, she wishes to bring hope to people who do not have the same abilities and opportunities as others. Sandy Simmons, director of FSU SGA’s reCycle program, is a junior majoring in Physics and Astrophysics. The program encourages greater bicycle use at FSU by providing students who could not otherwise afford their own bike or car with a healthy and sustainable form of transportation. “Meet...,” e-mail Tiffany Lettsome details and a photograph to tsl08@fsu.edu.
TIPS, SGA Student Publications, January 2011, Vol. 3, No. 7
Freeze Yer Face Bike Race
Wizards and Vampires
Freeze Yer Face Bike Race is embracing the cold, the wind and the rain of Tallahassee’s winter in the name of a good cause, Food Not Bombs, an organization looking to better cities by feeding the hungry. David Green, the initiator of the Freeze Yer Face Bike Race, has been volunteering for Food Not Bombs and wants to help it even further. While on tour with his band BRAINSTORM, Green saw other Food Not Bombs chapters and thought a bike race would provide a way to get the word out about it. Green, an FSU graduate, wants to make more people aware of the Food Not Bombs effort. The race will be Saturday, Jan. 15. Registration will start at RailRoad Square at 3:30 pm. It is $5 to enter. Riders will receive a map and guidelines on where all the stations will be so they can figure out the best route. The stations will include fun challenges in which the cyclist receives a silver coin if they win and this will take ten minutes off their time. Past challenges have included capture the flag, tight rope walking and mock gladiator fights. Green said, “I want to get a prize but this race will be more focused on Food Not Bombs donations.” Tallahassee Food Not Bombs, a volunteer-based organization, receives donations from New Leaf Market, a cooperatively owned grocery store on Apalachee Parkway. Jill Preston, a regular volunteer for Food Not Bombs, said, “I’m not sure how donations from New Leaf started but they give us a large bag full of chop (produce), some dried goods (like bread that has to be taken off the shelf because the sell by date has arrived, even though it is still completely fresh), and sometimes we get milk and yogurt; all depending on the extra food of the day.” The donations are then cooked into some kind vegan or vegetarian meal and dispersed every Sunday at 3 pm at the pavilion behind Leroy Collins Library on Park Avenue in downtown Tallahassee. The race will provide money for the Tallahassee Food Not Bombs chapter to buy the essentials such as serving plates and silverware. Green said, “It’ll be cold, but a lot of fun and people shouldn’t be worried if they are an amateur rider. It gives you a chance to get involved and participate with the community.” For more information on Food Not Bombs, visit foodnotbombs. net. For more information on Freeze Yer Face Bike Race, email David Green at David@tallyfreshfest.com. On Facebook, search Freeze Yer Face Bike Race.
Wizards, vampires and wine have one thing in common: FSU offers courses on them. These unusual courses can help shake up your basic schedule of math and English. The Religion Department offers the course Religion, Harry Potter, and 20th Century Fantasy Literature (REL3112). Some who have taken the course have referred to it as “the Harry Potter class.” The Harry Potter course covers more than just teenage wizards. This course also covers J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. Religion and Fantasy is offered by Sonya Cronin and Adam Ware. “It was brilliant!” said Amber Webster, a junior. “I had Adam Ware, who was engaging and hilarious while challenging us to think deeply about the texts.” Chelsea Rogers recalls something unusual in her experience of Ware’s class in spring 2010. “I loved the drawings that a student drew on the board before each class,” said Rogers, referring to drawings that were on the dry-erase boards before each class that related to the readings for that particular class. If wizards or religion are not what you are interested in, the Slavic Department offers a course named Slavic Vampire (SLL3510) that might interest you. Professor Lisa Wakamiya describes the course: “We investigate the representation of the vampire as it migrates from prehistory to the present day, and from East Europe to the West. We discuss a wide range of material, from Slavic folktales to Bram Stoker’s Dracula to Buffy, Blade and beyond.” Katy Williamson, a student of Slavic Vampire for fall 2010, said, “I thought the course was very informative and incorporated a lot of topics very well.” If you are wondering what benefits a vampire course can bring you, Wakamiya said, “The Slavic Vampire is offered every fall semester. It fulfills the Area IV Liberal Studies requirement and Multicultural ‘X’ requirement.” If you are over the age of 21 and would like to explore Wine and Culture (HFT4866), the Dedman School of Hospitality offers you the opportunity. Wine and Culture is taught by Mark Bonn and is an introduction to basic wine knowledge, including wine tasting and appreciation of wine. For the sports lovers the Sports Management department offers an array of out-of-the-ordinary courses, including Flag Football (PEL1646), Stretch & Relaxation (PEM1121) and Ultimate Frisbee (PEL1650).
By Rachel Sanderford
By Keyla Cherena
from 3-
Teach for America
There are many benefits to joining the corps. “Corps teachers receive the same pay and benefits of teachers in the area they are assigned,” Gilbert said. “We also pay you up to $11,000 in student grants to cover higher education costs such as repaying student loans.” Other benefits include health insurance, retirement benefits, and student loan forbearance for up to two years. For students interested in enrolling in a graduate program after completing their Corps contract, Teach for America maintains partnerships with top-ranked graduate schools around the country. Many schools offer benefits to corps members and alumni, including two-year deferrals, application fee waivers and scholarships. The organization also holds several employer partnerships with companies in industries such as law, finance and science and technology. In addition to the possibility of full-time employment, these partners offer fellowships, career workshops, and professional mentoring to distinguished Teach for America alumni. For more information on the corps, you can follow the FSU campus recruitment staff on Facebook by searching “FSU Students for Teach for America,” or you can visit www.teachforamerica.org . Mandatory Financial Training for RSOs Every student director/president and financial officer, excluding those funded by the Sports Club Council, that received funding from Bill 2010 or plan to request funding during the 2010/11 fiscal year must complete the SGA or COGS on-line financial certification packet. This training is designed to teach the policies and procedures for requesting and expending A&S funds. The certification packet includes the 2010 Financial Manual, financial quiz and mandatory forms. There are two certifications: one for SGA organizations and the other for SGA graduate organizations who receive
funding from COGS, LSAC or MSC. Upon completion, print out the necessary documentation and take it to either the SGA accounting or the COGS office for review. The certification packets are at the following websites: SGA http://www.fsu.edu/sga/sgaacct/ and COGS http://sga.fsu.edu/ sgaacct/_PDF/FINANCIAL_CERTIFICATION_2010. If you have any questions or concerns, call the SGA Accounting and Advising Office at telephone number 850 644-0940 (A209 Oglesby Union) or the COGS Office at 850 644-7166 (245 Askew Student Life Center). TIPS, SGA Student Publications, January 2011, Vol. 3, No. 7