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
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
CAPS PSA
Parties are a common phenomenon in college, and with that comes significant experimentation with alcohol and drugs among college students. The most common forms of alcohol on college campuses are beer, tequila and vodka, while marijuana (weed, pot), K2 (spice), cocaine (coke, ice) and acid are the most widely used drugs. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), harmful binge drinking is a significant public health issue on college campuses which results in serious academic and social consequences. In a national survey of college students by the NIH, binge drinkers who consumed alcohol at least three times per week were roughly six times more likely than those who drank but never binged to perform poorly on a test or project as a result of drinking. Join your friends and the student counseling center at the wellness event, “Keep Calm and Party On” on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 7-8:30 pm in Evans Hall, Room 202, where we will have an important
2
OPINIONS
One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila Floor
conversation about alcohol use and its consequences. Meanwhile, here a few tips and suggestions that may make your partying experience safer and more enjoyable:. Don’t Drink Under age, Says the Old Sage Legal age for drinking in the United States is 21 years old. Do not consume alcohol if you are under age. It is illegal and there may be significant consequences, such as mandatory community service, monetary fines, possible jail time and suspension of driver’s license. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 4,358 young people under age 21 lose their lives to alcohol each year. A lot of times, students get peer pressured into drinking. But remember, you don’t have to drink to be cool or popular. Smart Thinking Prevents Binge Drinking Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking when a person’s blood alcohol concentration
reaches 0.08. This typically happens when men consume about five or more drinks and women consume four or more drinks in a span of two hours. Know your limit, eat a heavy meal before you drink to slow the absorption of alcohol in your body, and drink water in between alcoholic beverages. The effects of alcohol may not be noticed immediately and drinking one after the other only worsens the effect of it. Binge drinking can also result in alcohol poisoning which can cause vomiting, mental confusion, slow or irregular breathing, and even death. Stay Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive According to the NIH, about 1,825 college students between the ages 18-24 die from alcohol-related injuries, including motorvehicle crashes. Alcohol consumption impairs judgment and vision which can cause serious and lethal accidents. Driving under the influence of alcohol, also called a DUI, is a legal offense under the law and
may result in penalty and/ or imprisonment, and even injury or death. Appoint a designated driver who remains sober throughout the party, or have a number to a cab/taxi handy, so you can enjoy the party and be driven home safely. Sex and Alcohol, Don’t Go Along at All Most often than not, people engage in sexual activities under the influence of alcohol. At least 50% of sexual assaults on college campuses are associated with alcohol use. And about 55% of victims of sexual assault are known to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the assault (NIH). While consent for sex and any sexual activity is imperative, any consent is invalidated once the concerned parties are under the influence of alcohol. Also, heavy drinking interferes your ability to enjoy the sexual experience. So exercise your judgment wisely and be aware of the potential consequences. We hope these tips and suggestions are helpful. And
remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Don’t stay alone if you are under the influence. Keep some emergency numbers handy and seek help. If you think your alcohol or drug use has reached a stage where it is interfering with your life, do not be afraid to ask for help by contacting the student counseling center and/or the student health center. Both centers are located at the corner of Country Club Rd. & University Blvd, and are two of many resources at Florida Tech that supports maintaining a happy and healthy you! Counseling Center (321) 674-8050 www.fit.edu/caps Health Center (321) 674-8078 www.fit.edu/health We hope to see you on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7pm in Evans Hall, Room 202!
// SALONI TANEJA M.A., M.S., OUTREACH COORDINATOR, CAPS
Photo By alderhousemarket.com
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
3
FEATURES
FANS FILL BLEACHERS FOR FIRST HOME HOCKEY GAME The players could hear cowbells and horns among the shouts coming from the packed stands as they skated their way past each other. Late Saturday night, around 250 people attended the game at Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge for the hockey club’s home opener against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Unlike football, an intercollegiate sport, hockey it is a club sport. But, like football, hockey manages to attract a large crowd to their games, especially hockey fans from the north. Hockey is played with
two teams, five players on the ice and one goalie at the net. The goal of the game is to maneuver around the opponents and score using the hockey stick and puck. Embry-Riddle was given no verbal mercy from Florida Tech fans as they trash talked from the stands. “They’ve been crazy,” Florida Tech player Steve Medico said about fans. “It definitely helps in the third period, when we’re coming out of the locker room, and they’re going nuts. It gives the kick in the butt to keep going.” Sophomore Brian
Panthers et up after a foul while fans cheer them on from the stands.
Nyffenegger knows he is in a for a good time when he goes to a game. “I like watching hockey in person because of the kinetic atmosphere, and it's a lot of fun to cheer, heckle and in general be rowdy with your friends,”Nyffenegger said of his experiences during the games. Many of the attendees were part of Greek Life. Panthers offense are ready for the drop after a foul. Photo by Sveta Warren
According to Medico, there are quite a few Greek life members on the team, and it helps when Greek life gets involved in their games. Although the team played hard, the game ended in a loss of 3-4. The game was not a terrible defeat for the team. Medico said this has been a learning period for the team, from knowing where each
Photo by Sveta Warren player fits best to what is expected of them. “It was a close game, but we were doing a lot of chases, which wore out the players, which shows that we still have things to learn,” said player Hans Kristjansson. // SVETA WARREN SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
CAMPUS LIFE
4
EVERYDAY OBJECTS TRANSFORMED TO ART IN EXHIBIT “I am a sucker for beauty and these works are strangely oddly beautiful,” contemporary artist China Marks admitted during the opening of the exhibition “Transformers: Re-contextualizing Our Material Culture” at the Ruth Funk Center on Sept. 16 The exhibition showcases the work of contemporary artists Jodie Mack, Garry Noland, Julie Peppito and Gerry Trilling, who use raw materials to create paintings, sculptures, films and tapestries in which the ordinary stuff of our lives becomes splendid and
strange. “Transformers” was curated by Marks, who acknowledged a particular interest in the overlooked and the discarded. “At a time when artwork can be made out of anything from chocolate to fireworks to binary code, contemporary artists Jodie Mack, Garry Noland, Julie Peppito, and Gary Trilling are real-life transformers,” Marks remarked. “They make fine art out of prosaic, everyday stuff that we use without particularly noticing it and then discard: pieces of fabric, bits of lace, rolls of
duct tape, loops and tangles of thread and string, old toys, socks, small souvenirs, stained placements and the junk that accumulates in our top dresser drawer. Having spent so much time in our company, these things are simply part of our lives. The artists transform such materials into compelling works of art,” the curator explained. There will be a gallery tour led by featured artist Garry Noland at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct.18 in the Ruth Funk Center which will be free for Friends of Textiles members and full-time Florida Tech faculty, staff
Photo By Lindsay Isaac Curator China Marks speaks about Failed Monument No.2, No.3, and No.4 during exhibition opening
Photo By Lindsay Isaac Toxic Frock (This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein) by artist Julie Peppito
Photo By Lindsay Isaac Patterned work of Gerry Trilling on display at Transformers
Photo By Lindsay Isaac
and students. Noland’s work, which is made of found and reclaimed materials from alleys, side streets and urban dumps, explores the interactions between new and old, purposeful and accidental, play and toil, planned and not. "Art's role is to find the mundane in the grand and the grand in the mundane,” Noland writes. "Sometimes I am the boss of the material, but just as often, the material, by virtue of a chance arrangement, for example, will tell me what needs to be done." “Transformers” is on
view from Sept. 17 to Dec. 17, 2016 at the Ruth Funk Center located beside the Evans Library. “This work bears looking at more than once and send your friends,” were Marks’ closing words at the exhibition opening on Friday.
// LINDSAY ISAAC STAFF WRITER
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
CAMPUS LIFE
5
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ADDS TEAM IMPACT (CONT.) excited for her journey with her new teammates. Reynolds said Bush’s first task is to learn how to work the game clock. She has the opportunity to be a part of all practices and will also be allowed to attend events and games with her new team as if she were a player. At the end of Bush’s mock signing and press conference, Bush thanked everyone for coming out and supporting her. She especially thanked the woman’s lacrosse team for being one of the best Sasha's teammates show her the locker specically for her in their locker room.
Photo By Stefani Bush Facebook
new teammates. There are many people who have similar conditions as Bush, or worse in some cases. Through her positivity, Bush gives others light. “Sasha will be more than just a person to this team. Her ability to overcome obstacles and toughness and resiliency, will be great for the players and the
perspectives that helps to give them a feeling of hope while going through their struggles in life. Team IMPACT works with seven Florida Tech teams: baseball, softball, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, tennis and men’s lacrosse. The women’s basketball team and Sasha’s family are
connection she has with the team itself,” said head women’s basketball coach John Reynolds. The goal of Team IMPACT is to match children with life-threatening illnesses with college athletic teams to help enrich and benefit the life of the child. The organization emphasizes also exposes the kids to good life
experiences of her life. She said she hopes they meet again later down the road. Bush stood up to take a bow to the sound of applause as players from several Florida Tech teams cheered.
// JUSTIN HASSEL STAFF MEMBER
Sasha's teammates, family and representatives from other athletics teams watch the signing. Photo By Stefani Bush Facebook
Phone Scams Plague Florida Tech Students There have been registered complaints recently against a group of people claiming to be from the FBI or other government agencies, according to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services Fake calls are being made to students to get their personal information such as credit card numbers, debit card numbers or to acquire other confidential information. There have even been threats coming from a falsely registered 911 number, saying that at the moment the call is received, your location shall be traced and government personnel can make an arrest of the recipient. Graduate student Nishtha Kesarwani said she received a call from a number claiming to be the FBI. They told her she had been convicted for a tax fraud referring to Form
3363 and threatened her with an arrest warrant if she did not pay them $2,495. “I was not very sure what was going on,” said Kesarwani. “They also knew details such as my address, university course and also claimed to know my bank details. They sounded realistic.” Another student, Richard Martin, received this call and forwarded it to his voicemail. He said the recorded message was of a women saying that the IRS had issued an arrest warrant against him and he and his property were being monitored. “I thought for once it was real, but I didn't call back or give any of my information,” said Martin. “After I looked up the number on the internet, I was sure it was a scam call.” The scammers are using local government numbers as well. Chandrahassan
Never give out your confidential information to someone you do not know over the phone.
Premkumar received a call from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, according to her Truecaller ID. “They knew my full name and where I study, claiming there is a tax fraud case under my name, which I was not aware of or did not receive any prior notice
of any such a thing. And a charge for tax evasion was registered,” said Premkumar. During the conversation, the call dropped and Premkumar said she rushed to the ISSS’s office. That’s when she realized it was a scam call. The ISSS office has
Photo By irs.com
encountered many students reaching out to them about this particular incident. After receiving a hoax call, contact Florida Tech Security or the Harris Commons Students’ Affairs Office. // NITISH SIDHA STAFF WRITER-
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
6
TECH TALK
IS APPLE’S NEWEST ADDITION WORTH YOUR MONEY? After much anticipation, Apple released the iPhone 7 on Sept. 16. Following Apple’s keynote, the new changes in the iPhone 7 were met with mixtures of praise and criticism over its decision to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack and lack of any other groundbreaking hardware innovations. Apple’s removal of the headphone jack has been the biggest criticism of the phone, prompting a variety of videos and memes indicating that the new iPhone is worse than previous models. Apple has opted to push users toward using wireless headphones, particularly
Apple’s Airpods, rather than wired models. According to Apple, their Airpods will be sold separately and run for $159. They will also not be available until late October. The Airpods have faced their own criticism due to the fact that they look like generic earbuds, may be easy to lose, and will require regular charging. To help remedy some of these issues, the iPhone 7s will ship with an adapter that allows corded headphones to be connected through the Lightning port that is traditionally used for charging and data transfer. However, this does prevent users from charging the phone and listening
Photo By Apple Press Release The iPhone 7 does not come with a headphone jack, but the bluetooth Apple Airpods are available for purchase.
to music with adapted headphones at the same time. Apple’s forums suggest using a docking station as a possible ALUMNI ASSOCIATION solution. Race Management by: One benefit of removing the headphone jack is that it allowed for a water resistant design. The iPhone 7 is IP67 rated, meaning it is dust and water resistant up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It is important to note that this does not mean the new iPhone 7 is “waterproof.” It definitely is not designed to be used in underwater activities such as swimming or diving. The fine print on Apple’s iPhone 7 page reads, Visit our website for details “Splash, water, and dust or Running Zone—3696 North Wickham Rd. • Melbourne, FL 32935 • 321-751-8890 resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance Giving Back by Running Forward Proceeds to benefit Florida Tech Cross Country Teams might
decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone[.] Liquid damage not covered under warranty.” Aside from the headphone changes there’s not anything especially different or innovative offered by the iPhone 7. Its only boast is improvements on what previous models already had. The iPhone 7 offers improvements to its processor and camera, as would typically be expected from a newer phone, as well as longer battery life and stereo speakers. With regards to picture taking capabilities, the iPhone 7 Plus model will feature an extra 12-megapixel telephoto camera that offers optical zoom. According to Apple, their new four-core CPU will run at twice the speed of the iPhone 6, and graphic
performance will be up to three times faster. The display resolution itself has not been improved, though it will be 25 percent brighter. The iPhone 7 will ship with iOS 10 and will feature various software updates such as improvements to Messages, Siri, and other Apps. Starting at $649, the newest model is offered at 32GB, 128GB and 256GB models. Additionally, the iPhone 7 Plus offers a larger display along with the additional camera. Apple also noted a new jet black finish, but this will only available for the 128GB and 256GB models.
// CHRIS PANGALOS STAFF WRITER
Florida Tech Discount Students, Faculty & Staff
Sign up for Downtown Melbourne or Virtual Race! homecoming.fit.edu/run
Join us at Meg O’Malley’s for the Post Race Party, awards, food, beer and live music
AL-471-816
Photo By apple.com Jet Black is the newest addition to the iPhone colors.
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
7
NEWS
Exploring the World Outside of the Books Hiking mountains in Ireland overlooking the ocean was one of the many adventures students participating in Florida Tech’s Oxford Exchange Program experienced. The Oxford Exchange Program is a recurring summer program that provides students the opportunity to earn gain eight credits from Oxfordbased professors and travel throughout Europe. This summer, approximately 40 students of all majors, backgrounds and class standings took advantage of this 6-week trip. Students had the chance to travel not just to Oxford, but all throughout Europe, including London, Scotland, Ireland, Paris and much more. The students were housed in Oxford’s Jesus College and Eclair College, which were founded in 1517 under Queen Elizabeth. Florida Tech students got a chance to observe the Oxford teaching method, which differs from our traditional American style. Classes at Oxford are often smaller, with
less lecture than in the United States. Oxford professors ask a great deal of questions to encourage students to lead the discussions. Generally, the program remains the same year to year, offering classes in mathematics, business and humanities. Freshman Natalia Colon took Civ 2 and Business Writing with Oxford professors and loved her experience. “I truly believe that I wouldn’t have gotten the same style of teaching had I taken them here,” said Colon. “Both professors were awesome and came out to dine and drink with us at the get-together dinners.” Junior Pulkit Aggarwal, who took Calc 3 and Probability and Stats, explained how close everyone bonded during their travels. “Even though I was friends with a few students before the program started, it was a great experience to meet and live with 40 other students for six weeks,” he said. “There is definitely
Students took a break from studying to tour the Blenheim Palace in England. something bonding and life changing about that experience.” Heather Emmert, the director of the Study Abroad program, encourages students who want to get caught up with classes or to go for the experience to participate “I get calls from parents all the time saying they want their kids to go,” she said. “It is a time in life when students have time and can afford it.
Photo By Florida Tech Oxford Study Abroad Facebook
It is probably the most productive and fun time they can have before they graduate.” The affordability of the program is more realistic than ever. Students with a 3.7 GPA or higher get $750 off the trip (which includes first year students who have only taken one semester at Florida Tech). Group education rates help to lower costs and the university does not plan
on ending the program anytime soon. The classes are counted as direct Florida Tech credit (not transfer credits), so it is as if students are paying for on-campus classes. Emmert recommends applying early because the trip tends to fill up around
// MARY KOSTIAK STAFF WRITER
national month word scramble Below are scrambled words that that fit into this sentence: September is National _____ Month. Unscramble them all and give yourself a pat on the back
OTPTOA
LUEBEYRER OPICLSEP
YONEH
HCKIENC
GOTRMAGE OFRPSESALONI
OPANI
YAPAPA
GISWEN
ICRE
REASQU CIDANGN
UNSCRAMBLE ANSWERS: POTATO, HONEY, MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL, PAPAYA, RICE, BLUEBERRY POPSICLE, CHICKEN, PIANO, RICE, SEWING, SQUARE DANCING
ISSUE 5
SEPTEMBER 20
SPORTS
8
Overcoming Injuries, Senior Aubri Williamson Most college student athletes have a limited number of games left playing their sport before they graduate, begin pursuing a career and leave their glory days behind. No one is more aware of that countdown than senior athletes, especially those that have already missed games due to injury. To enjoy every day left, and play every game like it is their last is a perspective few players appreciate until it is almost too late. The women’s soccer team has relentlessly pursued that mission so far in their season. They were undefeated in their first five games, losing only their latest bout against Eckerd College this weekend. “We’re all very excited but not content yet,” said forward Aubri Williamson. “We understand that our conference is the hardest in the nation and that every single game will be a challenge.” Williamson has been a staple on the team since 2012. A redshirt senior, she has been sidelined the last two seasons with injuries. During Williamson’s last playing season, she was a top scorer on the team and had the run of the entire offense as a striker. With a new head coach and a new game strategy, she is now sharing the field with fellow forward Keira McCarthy. “It’s just different from when I played two years ago, having everything on my shoulders,” said Williamson. “Being able to make plays off of her, it just adds to the game and adds to the fun because
Returns to the Field
Photo By James Ragan
Aubri Williamson prepares to land a kick, after being off the field for two years.
Kiara's a great player to play with.” Williamson experienced several role changes over the past two years while working on recovering. After playing an impactful role as a starter, she said it was interesting adjusting to a new one. “It was mentally challenging just trying to stay connected to the team, trying to keep myself motivated, trying to keep the girls motivated while I was struggling to be motivated,” said Williamson. Looking back, she said it has brought the whole team closer in mutual respect for each other and has made her a stronger player as well. “Mentally you just have to rise to the occasion because it’s so easy to just feel bad for yourself and fall victim to the circumstances,” said Williamson. During her time off,
Williamson did all she could to prepare for the next moment she stepped out on the field. Besides the usual muscle rehab to get ready for highly competitive play, she also worked on her mental game. “When you’re not playing in any sport you kind of fall behind mentally,” said Williamson. “I watched a lot of soccer games and watched how our team would develop almost from a coaching perspective. It was a lot more analyzing and it gives you time to figure out your own game and what you want to work on too.” Two years of grueling patience culminated in Williamson finally being able to take to the field this season, something she said still gives her chills to think about. “I didn't think I could take it for granted but then looking back you realize that you do, even when you
don’t think you are,” said Williamson. “It just gives a whole new appreciation. Even if it’s a bad play, knowing that I’m out there having fun makes all the difference.” Williamson stepped down as a team captain this season in respect for her true senior teammates who have worked hard to earn one of the three spots. She has decided to be more of a social leader this season. “I try to lead by example,” said Williamson. “Especially for the younger girls about what they should be doing on and off the field, how hard you should work to be at the level that we’re at right now and just try to keep them motivated.” Williamson said that the team has always had great girls, but this year something was different. “For the first time it’s not about one single player or a group of players,” she said. “Whether someone’s
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not getting any minutes at all, whether they’re just on the practice field pushing the starters to get better, it’s special because no one is upset about it. Everyone knows their role and everybody's willing to do 100 percent for the ultimate good of the team.” The ultimate goal every season, for any team, is to win a national championship. Williamson said that so far her team is perfectly on track for their goals. After losing to Eckerd, they are now focused on beating St. Leo, another strong conference opponent. “We’re just gonna go in there, take one game at a time understanding that every single game is going to be a battle,” said Williamson. “We have to be ready for it.” // AUDREY GANGLOFF MANAGING EDITOR