ISSUE 3 AUGUST 30
FALL 2016
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A FRESHMAN WITHOUT A CAR Photo By: Sveta Warren
When students dont have a car they use alternative methods of transportation Leaving home to go to college means limitless freedom for many new students. There is no curfew or someone keeping track of where you go. Yet, the reality does not always meet expectations. “I bike. Yeah, I’m going from flabs to abs,” said Katherine Oyola, a firstyear Computer Science student. Along with the large number of international students attending Florida Tech, many others do not own cars on campus. With the heat and Melbourne city dynamics, this can cause inconveniences. “The mall, beach, and everything is just far
enough to where you can’t walk it. It sucks,” said Spencer Monteiro, first year Business Administration student. Oyola, who bikes, also said that she hasn’t used the public busses yet. “It’s only really because I’m kind of bitter,” Oyola said. “Because the community college kids get the free bus passes and we don’t.” Oyola’s twin sister, Heather, who is also a Computer Science major, agrees. “A lot of the times I like to keep my hair down and it ruins it all the time, and I always get so sweaty,” she said. To some, the distance
of supermarkets, malls and the beaches seems to cause inconvenience. To others, the travelling distance is fine. “I mean, if you had to walk or bike or something it would be a little bit far,” said Nick McLean, an Aviation Meteorology freshman from Connecticut. “With a car it’s nothing major, like I’m used to driving 25 or 30 minutes to Walmart and stuff.” The Florida Tech parking policy allows freshmen to bring their cars on campus, which is convenient to students with and without cars. Shawna Harris, a Biomedical Science
freshman, usually gets rides from her friends and hallmates. “All of my friends are freshmen and they give me rides,” said Harris. “So if they weren’t allowed to have cars, I think we all would be a tad upset.” Freshmen with cars on campus like Jonathan Steffano are usually willing to help out their fellow freshmen. “Yes, every once in awhile my roommates ask, but it’s not really a big deal. I’m usually killing two birds with one stone,” he said. Steffano said that whenever he runs-into his Mary Star neighbour from across the hall going to eat,
he usually gives him a ride to the Panther Dining Hall “because it’s really hot out sometimes.” Other freshmen like Mechanical Engineering major McKenzie Olinger, also help out when asked. “A lot of the times I offer because I do like to go out and do group activities,” she said. Olinger added, “If we all just pitch in a few bucks every now and then for some gas, then it’s not really an issue for me.” Other than helpful peers, freshmen said they would like to see more trolley rides to places like the beach. // ABEER JANAKAT STAFF WRITER
BREAKING DOWN GREEK LIFE STEREOTYPES AT FLORIDA TECH
Sean Moroney takes a swing at a car during Rush Week. Photo By: Sveta Warren
People join fraternities and sororities every year and it’s not for the stereotypical crazy parties and drinking. And, according to Florida Tech's Greek chapters, those activities are just that, stereotypes. Students join Greek Life for other reasons, like leadership, philanthropy, Brotherhood and Sisterhood. President of Sigma Tau Gamma, Logan Valenza, was initially against the whole idea of Greek Life until he actually talked to people in the fraternity. Valenza was surprised to hear other Sigma Tau Gamma members felt the same way when they first came to Florida Tech. One thing that makes Sigma Tau stand out during
recruitment is their shark fishing. “It’s a nice way to have fun while also being able to easily interact with potential new members,” Valenza said. The chapter hasn’t ever actually caught a shark but many stingrays, which are part of the shark family. Valenza said that at it’s core, Sig Tau is different because new members can come in and immediately start developing leadership skills, which is what Sigma Tau wants to be known for. Another fraternity
on campus is Tau Kappa Epsilon, run by mechanical engineering student Sean Moroney. Moroney initially had no intention of joining a fraternity due to lack of knowledge what they were. However, during his freshman Rush Week, Moroney interacted with TKE, learned what they stood for and made the decision to join. CONTINUED ON 4 // SVETA WARREN SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
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