spr
ing
Winner of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence award
April 22, 2014
It’s the end of the semester, and Diego Samper, a sophomore in marketing, has reluctantly completed the endof-course evaluation for each of his classes. “I think they’re useless. I’ve never seen them actually turn anything around,” said Samper. “I’m pretty sure most people just Christmas-tree them.” After gathering information from the administration, college deans, faculty and students, a general conclusion can be drawn: there is a distinct misunderstanding happening on campus. Some of the student population doesn’t take end-ofcourse evaluations seriously, because the popular student opinion is that they are seemingly ineffective and nothing comes from them. The faculty and administration had the opposite position: Evaluations are taken seriously, they are a priority, and they have a huge effect on campus. “I think each has a little bit of truth,” said Semen Koksal, vice president of academic affairs at Florida Tech. “I think they’re not completely right, but they each may have real truth there.”
14
gr
ad
lis
t in
sid
e!
sPRING, issue 7
CAB hosts first Exam Jam festival
Course evaluations cause ambiguity between students, faculty Rebekah Duntz Campus Life Editor
20
Hershlay Raymond Editor-in-Chief
The Process An end-of-course evaluation travels through many hands before finally reaching a filing cabinet. Professors hand the evaluations out in class, whenever they have designated time for it, and the students fill them out. A student then has to collect all the forms, put them in an envelope, and returns them to the department secretary. Once the department secretary has the evaluations, they are held until the end of the semester. “The basis for that is that we want to make sure that responses remain anonymous for the duration of the course,” said Michael Grace, assistant dean for the College of Science. The scantrons are scanned, the responses are recorded and the information is compiled. A copy of each form is made for the department to keep on file for a minimum requirement of two years. At the end of the semester, once final exams are taken and grades are set, the department heads view those forms and go through them with the faculty. In some departments, faculty are given an option to
Inequity found in Florida Tech athletic recruiting Men’s sports out-recruit women’s sports, $45,586 to $14,748 David Barkholz Sports Editor In 2012, recruiting expenses for Florida Tech men’s sports tripled the amount of money dedicated toward recruiting for the university’s women’s teams. Florida Tech officials say the large gap is primarily due to the addition of a new men’s program, however U.S. Department of Education records dating back to 2003 show it as the culmination of a long, growing trend. It is a trend mirroring collegiate athletics as a whole, where men’s sports are king in generating revenue for most universities. Passed in 1994, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act was established to address the unequal resources traditionally allocated to men’s and women’s athletics. While the act requires all universities receiving federal funding to submit total recruiting expenses
See evaluations pg. 4
for both its men’s and women’s programs, the specifics which make up these figures are left unknown, allowing each school to provide its own explanation.
the facts In 2012 Florida Tech athletics spent $14,748 on recruiting for women’s sports, less than one-third of the $45,586 spent on recruiting for men’s sports, according to the DOE’s most recent EADA report. With 152 female athletes accounted for on the report, these numbers translate to $97.03 spent recruiting each female athlete. The NCAA Division II (without football) average amount spent on women’s recruiting in 2012 was $146.04 The national average amount spent recruiting each male athlete,
See inequity, back page
The Campus Activities Board typically ends each school year with a large concert, however, they ran into troubles this year. “We were going to get the Plain White T’s, but they cancelled at the last minute,” said Erica Richardson, coordinator of student activities. With CAB’s extra funds, the executive board came up with Exam Jam. “We wanted to give the students a relaxing outlet for exams coming around,” said Duke Richardson, a sophomore in communication and public relations chair for CAB. “We know it’s a stressful time for them and we wanted to have a nice, fun festival for them to release some of that stress.” Exam Jam was held in the Panther Plaza on Saturday, April 12. The festival included multiple inflatables, ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, cotton candy, snow cones, fresh made donuts, pizza from Dominos, Chick Fil A, body painting, a polaroid photo booth, bright red Exam Jam tank tops and custom made street signs: all free of charge. The event cost approximately $20,000 in total, according to Erica Richardson and CAB treasurer Kristie Fabiano, a senior in electrical engineering. “We [had] a lot of things going on. There [was] a bungee run and a giant slide. There [was] a mechanical surfboard that I got thrown off of,” said Erin Vreeland, president of CAB and a senior in electrical engineering. “ We also
See exam jam, pg. 5
Man Down – Florida Tech publicly polices students sleeping habits Sara Torabi Staff Writer
Photo property of Man Down – Florida Tech Facebook page captures Florida Tech students snoozing on campus.
Campuses around America are being colonized with students dozing off in classrooms, libraries, dining halls, benches and random sidewalks. Say hello to Florida Tech’s newest university-specific Facebook craze: Man Down. Merciless classmates around the FIT campus are betraying their exhausted peers by taking pictures and posting the unforgiving photographs on the page, which has already gotten over 600 likes as the number continues to rise. “The truth is that the Man Down page is simply a wonderfully humiliating page that is evidence of how engaging our classes truly are,” said graduate student Devona Malone. According to a recent report
Shooting the shiff: A Q&A with Exam Jam band, Shiffley See Shiffley, pg 5
published by Brown University only 11 percent of college students get quality sleep. The gradual rise of lethargic and uninterested college students should not come as a surprise. College health officials have found that students getting adequate sleep average a full letter grade higher than those who do not. Unfortunately, the adolescent cycle of sleeping is interrupted by ungodly school schedules, late night munchies, disheartening Game of Thrones marathons and the continuous consumption of booze. This constant kerfuffle of activities calls for a demand for sleep. For students, the opportunity of burrowing their head on the desk seems like an invitation too great to pass up. Unfortunately, this has unforeseen consequences beyond the scope of a 0.27 GPA; up to and including: piles of drool swimming around their head, unwanted graphic designs of certain anatomies and waking up in
Microsoft releases required Windows 8.1 update See Windows 8.1 , pg 6
the middle of an unforeseen differential equations pop quiz. “Of course every professor finds students sleeping in their class offensive,” said Lisa Peridgao, a professor of humanities. “So sometimes the best way to get results is by having students police their fellow classmate. That being said, these photographs can be considered shaming, and that can be considered problematic.” Luckily, students and professors will be pleased to hear that there are now cures for this catastrophic issue. The treatments are easy and efficient: simply enjoy a pleasant nap as you ride the elevators of Crawford, begin consuming even more caffeine then prior, or just perfect the art of sleeping with your eyes open. Because remember, if you fail, you may just see your slumped self on Man Down – Florida Tech. And after all we wouldn’t want that… well then again, maybe we would.
OPINIONS....................... 2 campus life................. 4 Sci/tech.................... 6 sports........................ 12
2 - April 22, 2014
OPINIONS
Letter from the editor: It’s the emptiest and yet the fullest of all human messages: good-bye Hershlay Raymond Editor-in-Chief
I am currently writing this letter from the editor at 5:21 a.m. in the Crimson’s office located in the basement of Grissom Hall. My sports editor David Barkholz is sitting a computer away, singing along to Weezer while editing the Florida Tech - Man Down article that will live on bottom of this paper’s front page. My campus life editor Rebekah Duntz left the Crimson office a little after 2 a.m. after applying the final touches on her epic piece about course evaluations, also located on the front page. This is how we have spent every other Saturday and Sunday night for the entire school year. This year has been stellar. I have had excellent writers who were ruthless reporters. The obvious one that comes to mind is Kelsey McMullan and Allison McLellan’s sensational article about cheating students. “Cheater, cheater” not only won a regional Mark of Excellence award for in-depth reporting from the Society of Professional
Journalists, but it is now cited in Florida Tech official documents about plagiarism. I am certain it was our most read article of the year. When the article was first published, I was waiting for a buffalo chicken wrap at the SUB, and I could hear everyone behind me in line talking about that article. Little things like that remind me of why I wanted to become editor-in-chief in the first place. Sure, print newspapers are dying and my roommate is always telling me that no one cares about the Crimson, but I care. I care so much. I wanted to be a part of an organization that finds the ugliness of campus and forces it to reveal itself. Journalists are not here to make friends. We dig in the mud with our bare hands and write honest words. We are the voice of the student body. I know the Crimson does not do the best investigative reporting in the world and we never will. I know that. The staff of the Crimson is miniscule. We often do not have enough manpower to report the news that needs to be reported. But we make do. We carry on and attempt to provide Florida Tech with the best damn student-run newspaper we can possibly give them.
Next year, the Crimson will be in good hands. Rebekah was the MVP of the staff for these past two semesters. She essentially was a mini editor-in-chief. As a I became more and more burned out throughout my time as editor-in-chief, she reported more stories with enthusiasm and her love for journalism was never shaken. She helped me run the Student Government debates. She answered the emails that I did not want to write. She brought me Taco Bell on weekends. She is a wonderful human being with a good spirit and she will make a fine editor-in-chief. To Florida Tech’s students, faculty and staff that were faithful readers over this past year, I would like to say thank you very much. I and my entire staff genuinely appreciate all the people who take the time to pick up a newspaper. If you are reading this, know that you are the reason the Crimson is still active with no signs of slowing down. Thank you for putting up with me and my typos. It is now 6:56 a.m. and David and I are still in the Crimson’s basement office. We are watching sunlight slowly appear out of the windows as we continue working on last issue of the school year. He has to go to work in three hours and I have to go class. And we would not have it any other way. Thanks for everything.
the Florida tech crimson
A farewell to all three of my readers Christopher Penta
Opinions Editor
Writing for the Florida Tech Crimson these past three years as opinions editor was one of the single greatest privileges I’ve been granted in my life so far. Not only has it given me the opportunity to perhaps influence people’s ways of thinking, but I have become something of a minor celebrity at area animal shelters whose attendants use my ramblings to line the cages of stray dogs. During my tenure at the Crimson, I have covered national elections, litter on campus, students’ wardrobe choices, SGA elections and everything in between. Every story has been a joy, but I especially enjoyed covering topics that impact my Florida Tech closest. This newspaper, I believe, is the true voice of Florida Tech. FIT Memes and FIT Confessions may get the publicity, but while Facebook pages come
and go (*cough* Confessions) it impresses me that an actual newspaper can function and thrive in a school of this size. At a technically inclined school, I found it refreshing to put down the calculator once in a while and just write, and I’d like to thank my former editor-in-chief, Drew Lacy, as well as my current editor, Hershlay Raymond, for the opportunity. I wandered into my first newspaper meeting, by accident, needing an extra credit for the semester to not lose my scholarship. Fast forward a semester and I was in charge of the opinions section, and on the crew of a two-time Organization of the Year winning staff. Going forward, I have high hopes for the Crimson under its new editor-in-chief, Rebekah Duntz, who I am sure will continue to grow the Crimson in step with the massive growth Florida Tech has undergone since I was a vulnerable little freshie five years ago. Take care, good bye and good luck.
CAPS PSA: Happy trails! Stephanie L Field, M.S. CAPS As the semester comes to a close, it might feel like there are actually more things to worry about than ever. From final exams to summer plans, the end of the academic year seems a bit ominous. Here are some pointers to help get you though these tough times: 1) Develop study skills! a. Figure out what kind of learner you are. Do you find that you learn better by working with actual specimens in your lab class instead of listening to a lecture? Then you’re probably a tactile learner who prefers to learn by doing hands-on tasks. Do you learn better from hearing an audio recording of the class lecture instead of using flash cards? Then you might be an auditory learner who learns best from hearing the information. Or do you retain material best when the professor writes the information on the board? If so, you’re probably a visual learner who learns best when you see the material you are learning. We all retain information in different ways, so find out your preferred mode of learning and try to find study strategies that are most congruent with that style. b. Organize yourself. If all of your exams are crammed into the dreaded finals week, use a planner to allot yourself time each day a couple weeks before classes end to study for a certain subject. Studies show that students who study over a long period of time remember more material and thus are more successful on their exams compared to those who crammed studying into the day or two before the test. Can’t remember that one gosh darn formula? Telling yourself there’s just no way you can remember the definition of that word? Study a couple pieces of information you are having a tough time with just before you go to sleep. Research has shown that people remember information best when looking over it just before going to bed. c. Be healthy. Get a good night’s rest; you’ll know you have had a few good nights of sleep when you feel rested and alert after waking up. Take some breaks to ease your mind; research shows that studying in short intervals with intermittent breaks helps you actually consolidate the information better than studying for hours at a time. Last but not least, eat regularly as you study. We use a lot of glucose when studying, so
make sure to eat grains, fruits, and vegetables, which help your body create the glucose needed for all that brain power. 2) No summer plans? Here are some ideas to keep you from suffering from boredom over the break. a. Look for a way to make some extra dough. A lot of college students return home to find summer jobs, so be on the lookout for job openings. b. Start a new hobby! Ever tried scrapbooking? Cake decorating? Basket weaving? Scuba diving? These are merely a few ideas for new experiences. After all, if you find out you absolutely hate it, no harm done, and you can go on to the next fun activity! c. Get started on some reading for next semester. Remember above when I said that information is best learned when it has been presented over a long period of time? Well, wouldn’t it be just way too easy to come into the semester already knowing some of the material? Hopefully these tips are helpful, but we understand they may not be enough to get you the support you need during this ultra stressful time of year. If you are having trouble coping with the stress of the end of the semester, CAPS can help! We are here on campus to offer assistance for many challenges college students face. To make an appointment with a counselor, you are welcome to call (321) 674-8050 or walk in to the center. CAPS is located beside the Health Center, at the corner of Country Club Rd. and University Blvd. Each semester CAPS holds weekly groups, as well as outreach events, on various topics. In the Fall semester, be sure to keep an eye out for flyers around campus, contact the center, or visit CAPS’ website for further details. The CAPS website (www. fit.edu/caps) offers additional information regarding resources, services, and groups, as well as brief screenings for depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and alcohol use. We realize it can be unnerving to reach out for help for the first time, but we hope you reach out when you need us. CAPS is just one of many resources at Florida Tech that supports maintaining a happy and healthy you! On behalf of CAPS, we wish you the best of luck as the semester wraps up and hope you have a safe and sensational summer!
4 - April 22, 2014
CAMPUS LIFE
the Florida tech crimson
Course evaluations cause ambiguity between students, faculty Con’t from front page keep a copy of their evaluations. According to Robert Taylor, department head for the School of Arts and Communication, the evaluations allow one to see the problem areas the faculty member may have or see how well they may be doing. “For me, it’s an extremely valuable tool,” said Taylor.
The Impact “I don’t think students take evaluations seriously,” said Jason Fisher, a senior majoring in computer science. “Professors hand them out, students B.S. it because they feel obligated and then leave.” Course evaluations start in the classroom, and go up the chain of command. “What students don’t realize when they fill out the form is that people actually read them,” said Pierre Larochelle, assistant dean for the College of Engineering. End-of-course evaluations are used for the professor to improve the courses they are teaching, but they are also used during the faculty’s annual performance evaluations, and the university places heavy emphasis on student input in these evaluations. “Faculty evaluations involve a variety of things, but this really is a very important component,” Grace said. Manolis Tomadakis, department head of chemical engineering, said in an emailed statement: “I read one-by-one all the comments made by the students on the evaluations of all chemical engineering courses. Comments made by a number of students
are discussed in my evaluation meetings with each faculty, and we work to alleviate any problems reported by the students.” The course evaluations are also an important part of decisionmaking in the promotions committee when a faculty member applies for promotion from assistant professor to associate professor, and from associate professor to full professor. Additionally, the evaluations are a requirement by the regional accreditation organization, Southern Associations of College and Schools (SACS), which completes a campus visit and requires a summary report of anything that involved student life at the university. “When we prepare the reports and get ready for their site visit, we have to provide all those evaluations. We write a summary report for every department and college,” said Koksal.
A New Direction Last semester, the university ran a pilot for online end-of-course evaluations. Professors were given the option to either use the traditional, Scantron method, or to have their students fill them out online. “They were looking to cut costs and save on man hours of people taking time standing in front of a machine feeding through scantrons,” said Eric Kledzik, vice president of information technology. There has been speculation on whether students will actually fill them out or not, and it has been discussed in faculty senate meetings, according to Kledzik. “You can either do it with an incentive or some kind of demotivating thing. We’d prefer to do it with an incentive,” said
Kledzik. “It’s really up to the faculty member about how they want their class to go online and give them feedback.” Last semester, I.T. ran into minor technical difficulties when running the pilot test. “With the online, it took a long time for the reports to come back,” said Larochelle. “Reports will come back and summarize the statistics for the student evaluation, as well as the raw data so that we have the comments.” This semester, the online evaluations should come back quickly once the data is compiled, now that the scripts are already written. But some departments on campus are not moving in the electronic direction. Potential problems could arise, such as getting students to go online and fill them out on their own, without needing an incentive. “It’s much easier for someone to hand them out in class and say, hey, fill this out,” said Joe Halisky, a sophomore in aviation management.. “But if there’s a way to keep [online evaluations] from being anonymous, then I think they’re better.”
Anonymity Some students may not feel safely anonymous when filling them out through PAWS. Corey Mason, a junior in mechanical engineering, wasn’t sure they were anonymous. “They’re supposed to be anonymous, but when we log into PAWS to take them online, they’re not anonymous anymore. So I’m not inclined to be as honest,” said Mason. The online evaluation system was built into the university’s enterprise resource program planner, called Banner. Through
Banner, the students can log into PAWS, click on the “Take a Survey” link, and fill out the evaluation. The form is the exact same as the scantron method with the same 26 questions. “It gets put into banner, which typically faculty don’t have access to that portion of banner,” said Kledzik. A third party consultant then takes the data and compiles it. They send the aggregate compiled results of the questions, plus the written responses, to the faculty and department heads. This saves a lot of money on paper and printing, and many man-hours of scanning and copying.
Bitter grades leave a bitter taste “If students get a bad grade in the course, they’re going to rate their professors poorly. Sadly, that’s just human nature,” said Halisky. When students are filling out these evaluations, are they being objective and fair? Some faculty members, such as Robert Taylor, think the vast majority of students are as objective and fair as they can be. “Because they take it seriously,” said Taylor. “Some students say ‘I hate math.’ Okay, well that’s not the fault of the professor. That should not be a measure of evaluating the professor,” said department head for mechanical and aerospace engineering, Hamid Hefazi. Some students draw a line down the page, while others may draw pictures of cats, according to Larochelle. “I’ve had professors where I don’t get the material at all, but he’s an awesome person,” said Samper. In an institution where the course evaluations are emphasized
so heavily, but students seem not to care, some professors wonder whether the data shows the faculty member’s true merit. “To get a complete picture of a professor’s ability to teach, you must include other measures,” said Hefazi. “For example, class visits are very good to see how they actually interact and communicate with the students.” Baruch College, in New York, publishes course evaluations data, and the data is provided to the public, courtesy of Student Life. The professors at the university sign a release form to the Office of Testing and Evaluation. University of Florida publishes some of their evaluation data as well, and they call it the “Gator Rater” on their website. Both of these are examples of public universities, though, and the question of publishing data to compete with RateMyProfessor has never been raised at Florida Tech. “Students ask me about it. They’re not terribly fair. It’s skewed. I would oppose that, because education is not necessarily a popularity contest,” said Taylor. “Some of the folks you’re going to learn the most from are people you might consider pretty tough. So I think it would do more harm than good.” Regardless of the position one is in at Florida Tech, the evaluations are here to stay for everyone. “It’s a priority—students must make this a priority,” said Koksal. “If they really want to contribute to the teaching and environment of this campus, they must make this a priority and take time, go online, and do the evaluation. And not just for the sake of doing it, but to do it.”
S:10”
335 feet. Face down.
l Annua Pass ANNUAL PASSES START AT
$13
PER MONTH. Free parking No blackout dates No down payment
buschgardens.com
THIS ADVERTISEMENT PREPARED BY FCB 10196892A_FalconsFury_M3.indd 1
AD ID#:
Production: S. Curry x3029
AD:
APPROVAL STAMP
Signature / Initials Date
3/27/14 4:17 PM
S:10.5”
EZpay available only for Florida residents. Certain restrictions apply. © 2014 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
Dive like a bird of prey from a 335-foot drop tower at 60 mph face down. Introducing Falcon’s Fury™, America’s tallest freestanding drop tower. Feel the Fury, only at Busch Gardens®, Florida’s Thrill Ride Leader.
Campus life
5 -April 22, 2014
The Florida tech crimson
CAB hosts festival as stress reliever before exams Con’t from front page have bands playing most of the day.” One of the bands playing at Exam Jam was Shiffley, a synth musical group comprised of students from Long Island. “We are pretty familiar with the college scene,” said Alex Ganes, Shifley’s lead vocalist and guitarist. “I feel like that’s where we thrive. A lot of our friends are college-aged.” Students were eager to participate the event. “I’m excited about Exam Jam. I think it’s something that should be done every year,” said Mark Harrison Nanney,
a senior ocean and mechanical engineering major. “I’ve seen a lot of students come out. It’s fun and who doesn’t like free stuff?” Vreeland was pleased with the final result. “A lot of planning went into it. This is the big party. It’s the big event before the last push towards finals.” Though this year ’s Exam Jam was planned due to an accident, Duke Richardson was vocal about Exam Jam being a future staple in CAB’s programming. Richardson has high expectations for the future of Exam Jam, not only making it an annual event, but also another way to increase student involvement with the Campus Activities Board. “CAB is cool; tell your friends.”
“CAB is cool; tell your friends.”
Photo property of cab Florida Tech students attempt to win prizes at Exam Jam.
Shooting the shiff: A Q&A with Exam Jam band, Shiffley
Year in review: successes and accomplishments of Greek Life Interfraternity Council Press Release
Photo property of cab Shiffley performed at Panther Plaza.
Hershlay Raymond Editor-in-Chief Hailing from Long Island, New York, Shiffley performed at CAB’s Exam Jam. The band, consisting Alex Ganes on lead vocals and guitar, Bryan Contreras on drums, Alex Jenks on keyboard and Shaune Killough on bass guitar, describe their sound as “synth-based alternative rock music with a pop flair.” The members of the Shiffley sat down with the Crimson to talk about selfies, performing for students and kitchen appliances. Bryan Contreras: Before we start, I just have to say one thing. Because you are interviewing us, you have to take a selfie with us after this. It’s just our thing. Crimson: Of course! How long have you been a band? Contreras: We have been a band for the better part of two years. But really, we’ve been full on doing what we’re doing for about a year. Crimson: Where does the name of the band come from? Alex Ganes: When I’m not playing music, I like to draw comics. and it’s just the name of this
comic character who is kind of like a sleazy salesman. Unrelated to that, we just thought it would be a good name for a band. Alex Jenks: It’s interesting because everyone always asks what the name of our band is again, so we have to say it twice. Crimson: What brings you to Florida Tech? Contreras: What brings us to Florida Tech is a mutual friend. Our friend Kenny Peden (Florida Tech sophomore in aviation management) told Brian Fong (CAB event chair) about us. They presented us with a pretty awesome opportunity that we couldn’t turn down, so we are really happy to be here. Crimson: What’s your favorite part about performing for students? Ganes: For me, there is no better feeling than singing about your life and how you’ve messed up in the past and your experiences and seeing people respond and relate to it. That’s the best feeling. Shaune Killough: For me, I’m kind of shy and awkward, but when I’m on stage I can be whoever I want to be. Jenks: I like the collective energy I feel with everyone else. You can take that energy and use
it. Which, in turn, I can give back to the crowd and it just creates a circle of musical energy. Crimson: Have you released an album? Jenks: Yes we have. It’s called Atomic Killough: Robot Contreras: Man Ganes: EP Crimson: You are so in sync. What is the EP about? Jenks: The idea behind Atomic Robot Man is this persona that has kind of adapted into the songs. It’s a person who just doesn’t feel. The Atomic Robot Man doesn’t need to feel; he is above feelings. Ganes: You are putting on an alter ego to hide the problems you are facing in that moment. You want to break down and feel, but at the same time you know that if you put on this mask, you can be strong for yourself and others. When people hear those lyrics and those songs, they know that it comes from a genuine place that is relatable to everyone. Jenks: They are heavier lyrics presented in a fun, jumpy way. Ganes: The lyrics try to logically reason out the emotions. Jenks: And the music makes you get up and dance because it
is basically saying we can still be happy about these things. Crimson: Fun question. If you were a kitchen appliance, what would you be and why? Jenks: As the synth player, I would be the blender because I take all these different ingredients and blend it into a delicious rock smoothie. Ganes: I’d be the stove, because at any point I could fire any of you. Jenks: Actually, I think you’d be the refrigerator because you provide so many raw materials. Killough: I’d be a toaster because I loved The Brave Little Toaster as a kid. Contreras: I don’t know how to follow up these answers. Jenks: You’d be the pots and pans because you hit stuff. Contreras: Anything with a handle because then the person who was holding me could hit me on stuff. Because that’s all I do, I just hit stuff really. Crimson: Well, thank you all very much. All: Thank you. We hope you enjoy the show.
check us out at crimson.fit.edu
Florida Tech’s Greek life community is composed of eight fraternities and three sororities, which totals nearly 15 percent of the student body. These chapters provide students with opportunities for lifelong friendships, leadership development, scholarship enhancement, philanthropic endeavors and community involvement. Fraternity and sorority member scholarship has been exceptional this year. The all sorority GPA is a 3.05, while the all fraternity GPA is a 2.94. Cumulative, the chapters GPAs are as follows: Alpha Phi 3.21, Gamma Phi Beta 3.02, Phi Sigma Sigma 2.92, Alpha Tau Omega 3.00, Chi Phi 2.88, Delta Tau Delta 3.00, Lambda Chi Alpha 2.84, Pi Kappa Alpha 2.99, Pi Lambda Phi 3.07, Sigma Tau Gamma 2.84 and Tau Kappa Epsilon 2.87. The Greek community annually participates in a multitude of philanthropy and community service events to raise awareness of different causes. Together, all the Greeks have over 7,000 hours of community service, over 5,000 hours of campus service and have raised over $37,000 for philanthropy. The exceptional scholastic, social and philanthropic achievements of the Greeks this year will continue to motivate the chapters to do even more next year.
6 - April 22, 2014
Microsoft releases required Windows 8.1 update Christopher Pangalos Staff Writer With the release of their Windows 8.1 update on April 8, Microsoft has begun moving back toward a more cursor-friendly interface. The update comes as a response to much of the negative feedback Microsoft has received from desktop users. Windows will now detect whether your device is a PC or tablet. PCs will boot to the desktop by default while tablets and other mobile devices will boot to the touch based start screen, with users having the option of changing the setting as they wish. The start screen has also seen new additions, including a search and power button in the upper right corner while application tiles can be right-clicked to display an options menu. In addition, it’s now easier to minimize, close, and resize applications by using the classic buttons in the corner. According to Brandon LeBlanc, one of Microsoft’s Marketing Communications Managers, Microsoft was betting on the popularity of touch screens and portable devices when they released Windows 8 because they found that customer satisfaction was higher for touchscreen users. Unfortunately Microsoft didn’t consider users who navigate with a mouse leaving them an awkward unfamiliar interface that isn’t designed for them. At their Build 2014 Conference Microsoft subtly admitted their mistake, indicating that their new update would improve the experience for mouse and keyboard users. Microsoft also noted at their Build Conference that they intend to return the old start menu in future updates which many users have missed since upgrading to Windows 8. While this update seems like a good thing for cursors users, one downside is the update isn’t optional. Microsoft’s customer support forums are filled with numerous complaints from users who’ve encountered errors when trying to install it. Microsoft requires that Windows 8.1 users must install this update by May 13 to continue receiving security updates, even if they don’t need it. On the other hand, users who are still using the earlier version of Windows 8 rather than 8.1 will be able receive updates. The company received backlash from businesses regarding this short deadline, many of which have already been considering alternative OS options due to cut support for Windows XP. In response, Microsoft extended its deadline to Aug. 12 for enterprise users, though general users still only have one month. While requiring updates to receive services has become a growing custom – particularly in the case of video game systems – it is a bit scary to think a company can require you to drastically change your software at the risk of losing functionality you’ve already paid for.
SCI/TECH
The Florida tech crimson
Gadget Corner Joseph Stoltz Staff Writer
Two Ways to Burn Your Money and Die at the Same Time Personal 3D Viewer Slightly earlier this year, Sony hit us with their newest gadget to make us go blind from straining our eyes; that being said its name is the Personal 3D Viewer. The 3D Viewer is similar to any basic brainwashing device in any 90’s sci-fi movie that you put on your head and with the view screen placed directly over your eyes; however, this device is meant for your own personal enjoyment and not for the people trying to control you. As Sony puts it, this hunk of machinery is for the wearer to “enjoy private screenings in jaw-dropping 2D or 3D HD and earpleasing 5.1-channel surround sound.” These TV brain washing goggles pack two 720p OLED screens that are meant to simulate you burning your corneas on a 150’’ screen from twelve feet away; for those of you too lazy to turn that into feet, it would be a glorious 12.5’ screen. To make things even more deadly than that, Sony claims their newer version of the device has a screen that is equivalent to a 750’’ screen. These TV goggles might provide a much more immersive screen viewing, but with their price being $799.99, the newer version is an even lower $999.99, and the fact that you will have to be constantly connected to an HDMI cable, I think I would rather invest in some gold since it will not be entirely worthless in a couple of years. You can also find much cheaper 90’s styled brainwashing devices else were.
iPhone 4 Diamond Rose If you thought the previously reported cell phone plated in 24kt gold with sapphires embedded all over it was unnecessary, then here is something by far more obscene. Designer Stuart Hughes turned a normal iPhone 4 into one of the most obscenely extravagant and godlily unnecessary devices in existence, turning the cell phone into a monster. Starting with the bezel and back plate of the phone; both pieces are handmade out of pink rose gold. To add even more “glamour,” he placed 500 individual flawless diamonds on the bezel of the iPod. These 500 flawless diamonds amount to over 100 carats of hedonism. The back of the iPod got another 53 diamonds added to form Apple’s insignia. The front of the device has the basic black styling, but where the navigation button would be, Hughes instead put a platinum button with a grotesquely large 7.4-carat pink diamond in the center to burn out your eyes; he even threw in an extra 8-carat flawless white diamond if you ever feel tired of the pink one or just want to mix things up. Finally, the phone comes with a monolithic tomb as its night time resting place. The tomb is made of an almost solid piece of polished purple granite with leather lining on the inside for the phone to rest on; all perfect for grasping the attention of any friendly neighborhood home invaders, or better known by the politically incorrect term, “robbers.” This frightening cell phone has a very low price of only $8 million; the perfect price for anyone on a budget. However, you will be shunned by your peers for having an outdated phone; so don’t bother buying it unless you ready to face the shame of having a pink, diamond plastere
Want to see More? Check us out on: twitter.com/ ftcrimson Facebook.com/ ftcrimson
the Florida tech crimson
CLASS OF 2014 SPRING GRADUATES April 22, 2013
Christopher Abbott Ronald Abda Patricia Abercrombie Khalid Abuhimid Rita Acevedo Rivera Marian Adams Ayotunde Adenaike Jeanine Adkin Emma Ahlstrand Salim Ait-Ouyahia Essenam Akue Chikwudi Akujuobi Baneen Al Mubarak Mahjabin Alam Abdullah Alansari Mohrah Albalawi Billy Jo Albritton Omar Al-Danoon Salem Al-Dhaheri Sarah Al-Doori David Alexander Ibrahim Alferaih Mutaz Alfurayhi Feras Alghamdi Soror Algub Wedean Al-Hadban Layla Alharith Maysaa Adil Ali Abdulrahman Aljama Amar Al-Jzari Shuaib Alkandari Salman Alkandari John Allen Ahlam Almadani Saleh Almari Ibrahim Almuhamidh Mohammed Almuhamidh Awam Almuhamidh Adibah Almutairi Rana Al-Qaysi Samah Alrashdi Mohammed Alrashed Mohammed AlRashed Abdualrhman Alrazize Hussain Alsalem Sara Alsayari Abdullah Alshahrani Abdullah Alshalawi Mohammad Alshamaa Mohamed Alshammari Jawaher Alshammari Matthew Altavilla Sultan AlTukhaim Alison Alvarez Khalid Alyami Obaid Alzaabi Jeanne Ambrose Jennifer Anderson Ryan Anderson Naomi Anthonio Kevin Arjoon Randy Arjunsingh Alexander Armstrong Norah Elizabeth Ashoura Cassandra Ashwood Alyse Avitabile Angel Lorenz Ayala Jonathan Azares Waleed Babgi Song Bai Dillon Bailey Kevin Thomas Bailey Kayla Baker Duaa Bakheet Nicholas Balbo Jamie Lee Bales Nicholye Balroop Joseph Balser Abdulla Hashim Carl Banks Yaser Barayan
Mary Barber Joseph Barber Ashley Bardot David Anthony Barkholz Gordon Lee Barnhill Thomas Barranger Kiel Philip Bath Janet S. Baw Dennis Bayon Bryce Beard Daniel Beck David Becknell John Belcher Chelsea Belfer Cecl Belfon Olivia Benjamin Brooks Bennett Marine Bentivoglio Michelle Berg Nicholas Berg Ronald Berthelette Alec Bertossa Jennifer Betchen Chongwen Bi Andrew Bilak Sultan Humood Latifah Bindekheel David Bishop Andreas Bjoru Michael Blaskovich Any Christophe Ble Amanda Bobe Karin Bodie Jacob Boehner Kevin Bohanan Tanyeka Boley Kevin Bolhuis James Bologna Angelina Bonilla Brock Bontrager Donald Boone Kristen Booth Amilea Rae Borel Sheila Borzomati Kurt Bostelaar Nicole Botino Jordan Boudreau Heather Bowden Mark Bowes Whitney Bowman Nathan Brach Elizabeth Bracken Jewitt Bradley Ryan Bragan Karly Branch Benjamin Brandt Katherine Branham Arielle Braynen Amy Bredin Florian Brehin Kaitlin Brennan Christopher Bridgeman Amanda Brinkman Christopher Britt Heather Brittingham Kristen Brockway Nancy Brown Marlene Brown Adam Buckley Amanda Bueno Bernard Bunal Phillip Bunker Emily Cooper Burch Rebecca Burdick Wilson Burgos Brice A Burkhardt Gregory Burks Jeremy Burnett Richard Burnett Bryan Butler Alyssa Buxbaum
Mark Calhoun Diane Campbell Corionna Canada Diego Canelos Perez Yang Cao Matthew Carbonneau LaShon Carethers Phyllis Carroll Danielle Carter Patrick Cartney Robert Casabona Ryan Castilleja Steven Cavan Carolyn Adele Chabuz Scarlet Chancey Kittichai Changnoi Ayla Chase Zhouxiang Chen Yanan Chen Yu-Hua Chen Sheng Te Chien Kwangchol Choe Bilas Chowdhury Marieen Indira Chu Kristine Chung Anthony Cianciotto Lenka Cipova John Claus Cheryl Clemmons Nicolas Clerc Jarrod Close Patrick Coleman William Comaskey Anna Combs Katrina Conn Max Connery Fabian Consbruck Charles A Cook Clifton Cooper Heather Cooper James Corcoran Christopher Corley Jacob Coughlin Shari Councell Ken Coutain Joshua Cox James Cox John W Craig Torin Crandall Brandon Crane Jason Craycroft Leeanne Criswell Candice Cromwell-Edwards Amie Cross Stephen Cross Daniel J Curtis Dylan Dalrymple JeanAnn Danbert David Dancy Mattia D’Angelo Matthew P Dartez Sylvia Daugherty William Davies LaShunda Davis Kimberly Day Maverick Paranawitana Allison Decatur Krissada Dechokul Jason Delosh Lijin Deng Getahun Desta Matthew DeYoung Bhushan Dholakia Brittany Dian Jimmy Dinh Kyle Ditzian Cynthia M Diver Christopher Dixon Buse Doganer Hannatu Dogo Lukasz Dola
Michael Doll Kelsey Donahue Hang Dong Michael Dorow Rudy Dos Santos Jeffrey L Downing Shannon Doyle Tara Drumm Congze Du Lin Du Yunfei Duan Lindsy Dugan Georges M Dugue Matthew Durand Felecia Earle Darren Ebanks Brian Eisenhuth Imaette Ekere John Eligio Nancy Ellington Forest Elliott Leah Ellison Molly Enochs Elvira Erhardt Nanabaffo Essilfie Hussam Faden Ariel A Fainstain Wenyun Fang Tiffany Farrar Derek Faulkner Jessica Faulkner Luis Febles Francisco J Feliciano Gonzalez John Ference Anthony Ferendo Sharon L Fernandes Rhys Fernandez Spencer Field Connor Fieman Michael Finch Jason Fisher Matthew Fitzgerald Christopher Flanary Agnes Flett Brianna Floss Brandon Fontaine Kyle Fontaine Michael C. Foweraker Gregory Fox Kristin Freeman John Freemon Charlie French Mikki Friedman Amy Frydryck Gianella Fuentes Orozco Scott Fuller Daniel Fuller Ryan T Galligan Jacob Michael Gamble Mohit Ganguly Nicholas Jose Garcia Karen Lisset Garcia William Garcia Gonzalo Garcia Rishav Garg Kathryn Garner Ryan Gasparovic Laura J Gaulke Shreyas Gavit Shutong Ge Ilsonet Geffrard Erich Geisert Andrew Gilbride Sharry Gilliam Sharon Gilmore Irina Gioaba Beth Gitlin Luke Glesener Adrian Gliese Efram Goldberg Ruslan Gonzalez Barani Govindarajan Martin Grashik Corrie C Greenshields Abigail Greif Alysha Guillot Ricky Guillot Kelly Gurley-Wallace Ida Gustafsson Colton Gustin Umar Gwallameji Patrick Hagerty
Adel Haidar Abdullah Haikal Zachary Hall Motunrayo Hambolu Venessa Hambrick Jason Hambrick Patrick Hammond Amy Hanes Eric Hansen Azharul Haque Krishmatie Harnarain Michael Harper William Harris Lacey Harrison Chadwick Harvey Jennifer Harvey Andrew Haskins Tia Haslett Danielle Hastings Karen Hastings Sherisse Hatcher Jereme Hausmann Megann Hayes Erlin He Tara Hembrooke Arne Hendricks Stacey Henry Elizabeth Hensley Kelcey Hereau Andrew Hernandez Christian Hernandez David Hernandez Terry Herron Joshua Hester Jacqueline Hetherington Alyssa Heyer Nathan Higgins Nicole Higgins Cindy Hildner Conrad Hilsheimer Robert Himler Colin Hinkamp Wilson Ho Michael Hodges Eirik Holdo Ashley Hollingsworth Torrey Holman Barbara Holt Karl Andrew Holzer David Homyk Joseph Hopkins Curtis Horton Casey Howell Yuxi Hu Wei-Hao Huang Christopher Hubacek Dennis Hudson Stacy Hull Arthur Humphrey Sara Hutchins Amen Igbinijesu Princewill Ihuoma Tara Ingram Tyler Jackson Jerome Jackson Nashota Jackson Tyler Jackson William Jackson Jonathan Jackson Jill Jackson-Jones Hugo Jacob Henry Jacobs Rachit Jain Chanae Jamison Sanjay Reddy Seok Man Jeong Seonggon Jeong Jessica Jerris Constantin Jessen Michael ester Hairong Jiang James Johnson Christopher Johnson James Johnson Da’Vel Johnson Alycia Johnson Brian Johnson Natasha Johnson James Johnson Kenyata Johnson Dennis Jones Sujith Jonnalagadda
Frederic Jordan Nicolas Joyant Mustapha Kah Rutendo Kainga Felicia Kaloydis Joseph Kanser Jamie Karbett Bhavna Karnani Gwendolyn Kauffmann David Kelley Wendonna LaSha Kelly Tyler ennell Tyler Kennell Shreeya Khanal Jennifer Kiesel Han Sol Kim Hyungjun Kim Joseph Kim Laura King Todd Kirk Michael Kleizo Natalie Klotsko Amanda Knittweis Ryan Knowles Steven Knudsen James Koch Brittany Kociuba Casey Kolehmainen Sarah-Kate Stephen Kraft Nicole Kramer Stephanie Kronstadt Joseph Krystyniak Brian Kryszczynski Swapnil Kumar Teal LaBello Drew Lynn Lacy Deveral Lafountain Gabrielle Landry Yunziy Lang Julia Lang Yordan Lasonov Angie Lassman Cherisa Lawson Stephen Lazar Aaron Leatherwood Katelyn Leban Jesse LeCroix James Leder Justin Lee Ryan Lees Kenneth Lehman Chelsea LeNoble Juan Cabrera Denise Leone Bryan Lesko Matic Leskovar Catherine Lett Darren Levine Matthew Levy George Lewis Chengyu Li Peijie Li Siqi Li Tianyu Li Jianan Li Bo Li Shangzhan Li Xianing Li Jiao Li Jiapu Liang Tony Licano Caitlyn Lightner Clarissa Liimatainen Derrick Lindberg Stephan Linton Matthew Little Shishi Liu Keven Lohr Maria Lombardo Francisco Lopez Fabian Lopez Pierce Louderback Elie Louesse Yanglong Lu Shihang Lu Ramon Luciano Mustapha Lumana Jennifer Lyons Yuantu Ma Xiao Ma Russell MacDonald Emlyn MacKenzie
Heather Macy Heather Madigan Dorian Magee Raymond Maggi Indira Maharaj Georgio Mahmood Ryan Mahoney Shem Malmquist Robert Markovic Flaminia Marrucci Allison Marshall Genevieve Marshall Catherine Martinez Brandon Martinez-Onstott Daniel Mason Nicole Massa Michael Mast Alfred Mathews Alison May Rolph Ibondzi Andrew McCaskill James Mcdowell Trevor McGlochlin George McGregor Wendy McGregor Corey McGuinness Jennifer McIntyre Jay Travis McKenzie Charles McKinney Daniel McLallen William McLamb James McLane Ryan Mclay Justin McMaster Carie Melanson Jonah Melegrito Jessica Mellinger Ricardo Menendez Sonya Merritt Steven Meyer Joshua Michalski Mickey Middaugh Rachel Miller Stephanie Miller Christopher Miller Benvinda Miller Darla K Miller Brandon Mills Stephanie Miloslavic Phyllis Mitchell-Coley Ibrahim Miya Yumiko Mochinushi Jeffery Moore Erik Moore Monica Munoz Matthew Morgan Andrea Morley Amanda Morris Richard Morrow Rana Moukarzel Rayan Mously Patrina Moye Joffrey Muceli Khalid Mujalled Mollie Mulholland Robert Mulligan Alexander Murray Shaun Myers Jameel Nabhan Rami Nahas Michael Nahl Elena Namocatcat Mark Nanney Loan Thi Ai New Jeremy New Rodd Newcombe Brendan Newcott Alexa Nickens Dante Nobles-Smithson Reethu Nookala Sheila Norris Vickie Norton Andrea Nourse Joel Nussbaum Ogbeide Obaze Karley O’Brien Adrien O’brien Obed Obwoge Jashelle Ojeda Toluwalase Olajoyegbe Tajudeen Olasupo Aiken Oliver
Maya Oluseyi Norton Orange Latoya Osby Brian Ostermann Blnd Othman Alexandra Ott Rachel Otto Jessica Page Coral Palmerton Rheesa Paluay Gregory Paquiot Christi Parker Tyesha Parker Steven Parkes Peter Patch Vishal Patel April Paul Chantelle Peddycord Rick Pellhum Christopher Penta Richard Pentecostes Kiran Perez Gilbert Perez Keith Perkins Marta Persinska Rachael Peters Vanessa Petrey Patrick Petrila Vincent Petrillo Rebecca Pfeffer Matthew Pfleiderer Jenna Philipp Michael Phipps Michael Phipps Angelo Piazza Jessebelle Pichardo Diana Pigott Jacob Pillitere Manuel Pimentel Kyle Piscopo Thomas Planavsky Brian Plater Cassandra Plotkin Bruno Poggi Cevallos Sean Poling Philip Posillico Zacharey Potteiger April Preston Shane Price Terra Prince Jessica Prior Brenda Pugh Akeela Pulijala Daniel Purdy Jingwen Qi Hina Qureshi Andrew Raharjo Masrur Rahman Bharat Surana Asma Rakha Michelle Ramey Melody Ramirez Anita Ramnarinesingh Faizon Rassoules Jessica Raulerson Paige Redmon Kasey Reed Karissa Reed David Reger Julius Reid Benjamin Remy Lynn Rendon Michael Renoe Richard Rhodes Nikia Rice Cristy Richard Jennifer Richards Brenda Richardson Daniel Riding Brian Ridley Jens Rikardsson Karl Rikardsson Ryan Ripper Tina Rives Tyler Robbins Scott Roberts Jordan Robertson Sherrye Robinson Jennifer Rockefeller Derek Rodrigues Elinet Rodriguez Christina Rodriguez
Sheila Rodriguez Richard Roettger Moreda Chase Rohan Jason Rom Dillon Rose Lisa Ross Tyler Rotkiske Danielle Roy Christopher Ruffin Brian Ruh Alexandra Ruschak Adanna Ryce Marco Sabia Nicole Sablan Sahel Salaam Marc Salvadori Coralys del Mar Sanchez Teodoro Alexander Sanchez Montero Oung Kyaw Sann Isaias Santell Nomara Santos Angela Sarinelli Yusuke Sato Eric Savage Jenale Scarlett Katherine Schea Michael Schloz Megan Schmidt Lyssa Schmidt Tomena Scholze Harrison Schott Michael Schrenk Andrea Schrepfer Isabelle Schultz Nicholas Schwartz Madeline Sciullo Sandra Scott Charles Scott Vincent Scotti Stephen Scovil James Seaward Sonia Seetaramadoo Jordan Senatore Yong Lok Seo Thomas Sepanik Sanchita Sharma Melissa Sharp William Shaw Robert Sheffield Minjia Shen Chen Shi Carrie Shriner Leland Shuck Brian Silver Tyson Silver Suresh Singh William Siu Katherine Skura Pierre Slack Andrea Slezak Chaunette Small Sara Smasal Sydney Smead Joshua Smith Candi Smith Mitchell Solomon Cooper Olson Markeith Spell Evelyn Sprinkle Gregory Spry Cameron Stahl Elizabeth Starling Lloydacia Stephens Jennifer Stephens Nathanial Stewart Courtney Stewart David Stewart Carolynn Stiffler Samuel Stirr Andrew Stitt Kimberly Stockmyer Nichole Stone Kermit Strachan Lovisa Stridh Dustin Stubblefield Latasha Sturkie Natasha Sturkie Mahalakshmi Sudharsan Shannon Sullivan Daniel Sullivan Amy Sutphin Gregory Sykes
Shiwei Tang Min Tang Victoria Tann Mark Tanner Jeanine Tanz Weiyi Tao Haidar Taofeeq Jacob Teufert Mark Tewell Cibele Thomas Simon Titulaer Francis Tobin Joshua Todd Troy Toggweiler Shavi Tolan Erica Tollett Fengyuan Tong Joseph Torkaman Thuan Tran Steven Trull Jessie Twigger Francisco Ubiera Torres Basak Ulker William Urbanek James Uselding Denise Vagt Janice Valies Gina Vallette Nicholas Vamvas David Van Schepen Steven Van Valin Sean Vandedrinck Nancy VanSuetendael Stacee Varnum Jonas Velazquez Norma Velazquez Alexa Velliquette Brian Veta John Villotti Joseph Vitetta
Cory Voce Michael Volanti Helge Von Helldorff-Garn Daniel Vorisek Jeffrey Vreeland Oluwatobi Walker Kevin Walters Kimberley Walton Qiong Wang Chung-An Wang Tianchi Wang Shidan Wang Chanika Ward George Warrington William Watkins Amanda Watts Astria Waynes Sarah Webster Christopher Welcome Carlos Whetstone Corbin White Jeffrey White Deanna Whitt John Wiggins Shalaka Wijeyaratne Melissa Wilbrandt Jeffrey Wildgen William Wile Nicole Williams Peter Williams Melissa Wilson Chalanah Wilson Dennis Wilt Emily Windsor Sandra Winfield Brian Wise Tessa Wolak Milen Womack Murphy Wonsick Alex Wright
Tracey Wright Worrell Wright Justin Wrigley Weixin Wu Yingsang Wu Xianwei Xia Hui Xie Yang Xin Yangkun Xu Zhichao Xu Mengqiu Xu Kyle Yaeger Bilal Yakubu Ebtisam Yamani Eman Yamani Weizhen Yan Kenneth Yap Breona Yarbrough Jason Ye Corey Young Grace Young Talen Young Leah Yuri Laura Zamora Ryan Zaremba Erin Zebrowski Howard Zeigler Joseph Zeppuhar Baogang Zhang Xiangyu Zhang Xi Zhang Shiyu Zhao Massimo Zheng YingYing Zheng Ruben Zheng Yau Jiuyang Zhou Shuhang Zhou Zhongjie Zhu Xinyan Zhu Yiyu Zhu
The Florida Tech Crimson is proud to congratulate all spring 2014 graduates! We hope you keep making headlines for years to come!
Note: This list of candidates for graduation has been published before final grades have been reported. Inclusion in this list does not signify a person will graduate. The Crimson does not publish any names of students who signed confidentiality forms from the Registrar’s office.
SPORTS the Florida tech crimson
april 22, 2014
Inequity found in Florida Tech athletic recruiting Con’t from front page meanwhile, was $150.70. Florida Tech averaged an expense of $204.42 on each male athlete. The $45,586 spent on men’s recruiting marks the most the university has dedicated towards recruiting for either side in the past 10 years, beating out the previous high mark of $32,296 spent on men’s recruiting in 2011. Both numbers are exclamation points on the clear trend of Florida Tech Athletics putting more recruiting dollars into men’s sports than it has into women’s sports over the past 10 years. The only exception to this was is in 2006 when women’s sports outspent men’s sports by a total of $13,913 to $12,994. Compared to the rest of the Sunshine State Conference, Florida Tech ranked last out of nine schools in total recruiting expenses dedicated for women while ranking third-highest in the total recruiting expenses dedicated for men, trailing only Florida Southern and Rolllins. Since Florida Tech’s new football team didn’t begin competing until 2013, the program is not documented in any way on the DOE’s 2012 EADA report, meaning further large boosts are to be expected in both the total revenues and recruiting expenses in men’s sports on the next report.
Florida Tech’s Explanation According to Bill Jurgens, Florida Tech’s athletic director, the reporting year in question is somewhat of an anomaly because the school added a new men’s varsity team during that time period. “We had one team that comprised 42 percent of [the men’s total recruiting expenses], and it was a new team,” Jurgens said. The athletic director would not confirm which team he was referring to, although Florida Tech Men’s lacrosse appears to be the only men’s program added during this time, according to floridatechsports.com. According to Jurgens, new programs require heavier concentration in recruiting than existing programs because the new program needs to bring in more players – in most cases an entire team. Jurgens cited Florida Tech’s newest program, the women’s lacrosse team, as a prime example, saying the team’s recruiting expenses – which will be listed two reports from now – will almost triple the current total amount of women’s recruiting expenses. Outside of new sports programs being added, Jurgens said recruiting expenses largely come down to what each individual coaching staff feels they have to do in order to put the best team on the field. “What we’ve done with our budgets is we meet each year with the coaches and they go over their proposal budget and we give them the latitude of deciding where they want their funds in what area,” Jurgens said. “But it has to make sense.” When asked if the revenues of men’s versus women’s programs played any role in recruiting expenses, Jurgens answered no, saying, “There is no appreciable fundraising for men over women. Our goal is to be strong in men’s sports as it is in women’s sports – period.”
The Industry Norms Steven Salaga, an assistant professor in the College of Business who specializes in sports economics and sports finance, says
revenues do have an effect on how recruiting funds are allocated. “The revenue potential of a sport is directly related to what an institution is going to spend on recruiting,” Salaga said. “Unless there’s a certain area they know they’re deficient in, it’s usually what an athletic department can get out of a sport from a financial perspective.” In 2012, NCAA Division II men’s sports as a whole generated a grand total of $662.4 million, while women’s sports generated $500.8 million – a more than $150 million gap. Following suit, Florida Tech men’s sports outdid women’s sports in terms of final revenues $3,842,772 to $3,569,441 – a $273,331 gap. According to Salaga, this is the norm in college sports. “In general men’s sports typically do generate larger revenues than women’s sports,” Salaga said. “It’s primarily about consumer demand.” According to Salaga, the biggest revenue generators are typically football and men’s basketball because there’s a far greater interest to broadcast those games on TV, like when Florida Tech football hosted West Alabama in nationally televised game on the CBS Sports Network last fall. “If an institution knows they’re going to be able to generate revenue from men’s basketball and football, they’re going to funnel more recruiting dollars into those areas,” Salaga said. “College sports are a business just like any other business.”
The EADA Report Leslie Savoie, director of Institutional Research, has been the DOE’s reporting official for Florida Tech for the past 10 years. She says Florida Tech always provides accurate information. According to Savoie, the process of reporting EADA information to the DOE is pretty straightforward. All she does is take Florida Tech’s athletic budget, extract in the information she needs and report the information. The EADA requires every coeducational university – public and private – that receives federal financial assistance for students to submit a yearly report athletic program financial data broken down by gender. In addition to recruiting expenses, reports must include a gender comparison of athleticallyrelated student aid, annual revenue generated by varsity teams and the average annual salary of the head coaches and assistant coaches. While the EADA requires schools to inform students of their right to obtain the information included in the report, the DOE does not regulate this requirement, only recommending that notice of the
report’s availability be given once annually in a widely circulated school publication, according to the student press law center.
What Makes Up Recruiting The majority of expenses that can be found on a university’s EADA report – including coaching salaries and team operating expenses – are relatively straightforward. Recruiting expenses, however, are not. O n a standard E A D A report, money spent on recruiting is only displayed on a single line noting the total amount of men’s expenses , the total amount of women’s expenses and the combined total of men’s and women’s for the entire university. Specifics such as how much recruiting money is being put into each individual sport and an itemized list of what was paid out as a recruiting expense are not included on the reports. While this makes it virtually impossible to determine what exactly makes up the recruiting expenses a school lists on its EADA report, the money is typically broken down into two categories: outside scouting and a student’s official visit. During recruiting seasons, it’s common for coaches across the NCAA to make trips out watch prospects play and talk to them and their families. During these trips, most expenses – including travel, meals and housing – are taken care of by the university and filed as a recruiting expense. “A lot of it is travel and getting the coaches to a location and back in a timely manner and that’s not cheap to do,” Salaga said. “As long as an intuition is accounting in a normal fashion, that’s all going to be include in a recruiting budget.”
An official visit is much the same and includes many of the same expenses; however in this scenario, it is the student-athletes who are making the trip to Florida Tech. “On an official visit, there can be expenses paid out,” Jurgens said. “In other words, you’re flying someone in or there could be meals, there can be certain entertainment fees. We don’t have huge numbers of official visits, but we have them.”
Athlete’s Perspective For Dan Owen, the recruiting process began with a phone call from Florida Tech offensive line coach Mike Nahl. “He just called me and said, ‘Hey we’re from Florida Tech and we’re starting a new program. We like your film and we want to talk more,” Owen, a former Florida Tech quarterback said. It wasn’t long before Nahl was visiting Owen in California
where the then-sophomore had been playing junior college football at Los Angeles Valley College. Shortly after the visit, Owen was invited to come see Florida Tech. “That was actually the first official [football] recruiting class of Florida Tech and the first ever official visit, so there were about 10 or 12 of us,” Owen said. “We took a tour of the whole campus and met with all the coaches as a group before individually talking to the head coach.” According to Owen, the group of recruits stayed three days at the Double Tree hotel in Melbourne Beach between visits to campus where they ate the majority of their meals in Panther Dinning, although they were treated to buffet-style dinner at the hotel one night. Across the country and closer to campus, Stephanie Stuart had to make first contact with the university herself. “I received an email from Coach Desrosiers after I had sent her an email expressing interest in the program and school,” Stuart said. “She told me that it was a coincidence that I had contacted her and that I was a goalie as she was looking for another goalie to recruit.” Stuart, a high school senior from Palm Coast who will compete on Florida Tech’s first women’s lacrosse team, said it took several more emails before
she was on the phone with Desrosiers, but that the coach did make a trip to Orlando to watch Stuart play in person. The trip led to an invitation for Stuart to come to Florida Tech on an official visit and where she also stayed at the Double Tree for three days with her parents. Stuart, however, did not come in a large group like Owen. Both Stuart and Owen made verbal commitments to attend Florida Tech before their official visit was over.