ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
ISSUE 5 SEPTMEMBER 20
FALL 2016
DON'T LET TECHNOLOGY TRIP YOU UP
Photo By Nathaniel Ashton
Technology distracts us, sometimes even from our friends
Is overuse of technology hindering campus life? If you walk through campus, you will most likely see a myriad of students absorbed in their laptops, phones, and tablets checking Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat as if life-changing news will suddenly flash before their eyes. The reality is, the news often found on these social media platforms are quite meaningless. For instance, does anyone care to read a status about what a friend had for lunch? Despite the insignificance of these minute-by-minute postings, they somehow receive undivided attention from users. Marine biology senior Camden Ogletree noticed
this trend on campus and said there is always someone on Facebook or Instagram. While many students are on their phones and other electronic devices surfing social media platforms, others are using it for more constructive reasons, such as completing homework assignments and writing essays. “I definitely think you need it for research purposes,” said Tabitha Parsons, a junior computer science major. Using Technology Safely (Or Putting it Away) It is one thing to use technology in a pragmatic way, but when we let it run our daily lives, it can have a harmful impact on those
around us. “It’s a safety issue,” Parsons said, referring to University Boulevard, where both pedestrians and those in motor vehicles use their phones. Freshman aerospace engineering major Jason Taylor has concern for those that use their phone while walking through campus. Taylor said, “People on bikes and skateboards aren’t able to stop as easily. You might just wander right in front of them, and not even notice.” If people paid more attention to what was going on around them, the chances of accident and injury occurring would drastically be reduced. Before crossing the
street, please look both ways and use caution – never assume the driver will do the right thing and stop for you. While driving, if you receive a text or phone call, wait to read it until you have reached your destination; no message is worth a life. And who knows, if you put away your technology, you might discover more about our campus community than you knew about. If those on campus put down their devices and interacted with their peers more, a friendlier environment could be created, one which would improve student academic performance, student communication skills, and teamwork within the Florida Tech family.
Want to find a place to unplug from the constant notifications and the unending news feed updates? Taylor recommends the botanical gardens. He said, “It’s nice and quiet, and you’re away from all the rush of everything going on.” Ogletree recommends the fourth floor of Evans library, known as a “silent zone,” where talking is prohibited. At any of these places, you can read a book, reflect on life, or simply sit and relax. Remember, there’s more to life than screens!
// RYAN FINK STAFF WRITER
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ADDS TEAM IMPACT TO THEIR ROSTER Imagine finally doing something you have dreamed about all your life. There is nothing more satisfying and refreshing than that moment. On Sept. 13 Sasha Bush had that opportunity when she was traded and signed to the Florida Tech women's basketball team at as part of Team IMPACT. Bush and her brother, Will, were signed to the Florida Tech men’s and women’s lacrosse teams in 2015, but the family ran into scheduling conflicts with the women’s team during the season. They knew it was time for a change.
The average person does not know what Bush goes through on a daily basis dealing with her health. Growing up, Bush was diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency disease, mitochondrial disease, episodic ataxia type 2 with familial hemiplegic migraine and a seizure disorder. Bush probably never thought she would be a stand-out person in a crowd because of her conditions. Little does she know, she is a hero in so many ways to her
IN THIS ISSUE
CONTINUED ON 4 // JUSTIN HASSELL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
3-FLORIDA TECH HOCKEY
Photo By Stefani Bush Facebook Sasha Bush is all smiles as she becomes a member of the women's basketball team
5-PHONE SCAMS
8-AUBRI WILLIAMSON