Fall 2016 - Issue 7

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

ISSUE 7 OCTOBER 3

FALL 2016

Photo by Sveta Warren

Florida Tech staff handing out clean safe water

FLORIDA TECH RESPONDS TO MELBOURNE’S WATER PROBLEM Students drank their water and brushed their teeth late Sept. 27, unsusecting of the bacteria possibly contaminating their water.

On Sept. 27, lightening struck the John A. Buckley Surface Water Treatment Plant near Lake Washington around 7:43 p.m. and shut down emergency generators, city spokeswoman Cheryl Mall said. Water service was restored several minutes later, however, the water pressure dropped below the minimum 20 psi mandated by state regulations.

According to Assistant Public Works & Utilities Director Harold Nantz, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires the water to be tested for 48 hours before lifting the water notice.

Nantz also said they are looking to waive the second day as they did not lose total power.

Florida Institute of Technology’s News Bureau Chief Adam Lowenstein said protocol was enacted that Tuesday night to inform the Florida Tech community of the problem.

Florida Tech students resort to using bottled water for everything

IN THIS ISSUE

3-NOT SO FLUSHABLE WIPES

Notifications were sent out by telephone and email around 10:30 p.m. informing students of the boil order.

Students were instructed to boil their water for one rolling minute before cooking foods and drinking.

Signs were also posted around campus this morning on doors and by water fountains, warning students the water is unsafe and not to use it when brushing teeth.

“Things folded out the way they were supposed to,” Lowenstein said.

Although housing

Photo By Allie Wood

5-READING TECHNIQUES

residence Panther Bay is located in Palm Bay, which has a separate water system than Melbourne, students were asked to precautions.

“We are reacting as if all the residences are affected,” Lowenstein commented.

Later that day, Nantz stated Panther Bay was not affected by the lightning.

Dining Services took preventive measures to ensure food and drinks were handled safely.

Director of Dining Services Tom Stewart adjusted the menu by shutting down anything connected to the city water supply and purchasing water in the gallons to provide drinking water in Panther Dining Hall and other dining areas.

They also adjusted their sanitation procedures. The Rathskeller uses disposables, the SUB is mostly selfsufficient with throwaway containers and utensils, and anything that needs to be washed will be sent to PDH Stewart said.

“It’s easier to handle jugs of water and transfer them,” Stewart said. “If the bottled water supply dries up, we may have to go to boiling.”

Stewart said they can boil 120 gallons every 30 minutes in PDH, but to transfer and cool it down takes longer.

Students had several options for safe water during the two days.

On Tuesday, Business and Retail Operations and ResLife started distributing over 1,000 water bottles in the Student Union Building lobby. Water bottles and beverages were available for purchase from vending machines around campus.

Lowenstein also suggested getting together with friends to buy cases of water.

“We’ve taken all the steps we need to keep everyone safe and keep producing,” Stewart said.

Students reacted differently to the situation.

“I brushed my teeth with sink water this morning and I didn’t realize until went to class and my teacher told me,” freshman Alexis Townsend said.

Brandon Hazel was not phased by the incident.

“It happens,” said Hazel.

“That’s why I keep two cases of bottled waters in my dorm.”

The boil notice was lifted Friday morning, and students were notified by emails from the school and calls from the City.

// ALLIE WOOD DESIGN EDITOR

8-WINNING STREAKS END

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

CAMPUS LIFE

Wyclef Jean Tributes his Homecoming Performance to Haiti and Fidgi Wyclef Jean steps out on stage at Florida Tech’s 2016 Homecoming Festival, but what brought him here?

In 2010, when the earthquake hit Haiti, Wyclef ’s home country, he teamed up with thousands of people, including Florida Tech very own Fitzgerald Haig.

They traveled back to Haiti where they helped the rescue and rebuilding effort.

Here, Wyclef and Fidgi worked together to not only rebuild this country, but to teach soccer to the residents in rural areas.

When Fidgi passed away in 2015, Wyclef made sure to come down to Florida and be a part of Fidgi’s funeral.

“When I heard of his passing, I came down on the down low.” Said Wyclef, “ It was important how I showed up and respected his legacy.”

Wyclef performed at Fidgi’s funeral ceremony, and afterwards met with Bino Campanini, the Vice President for Alumni Relations.

Wyclef agreed to perform at the 2016 Homecoming Fest in honor of Fidgi and Haiti.

Wyclef Jean’s musical career began in the 1990’s as a founding member of the Fugees. In 1996, the Fugees released their monumental album “The Score” which hit number 1 on the Billboard chart.

From there, Wyclef launched into a career as a producer and solo artist, who drew from a wide range of sounds and genres to produce his music.

In 2006, Wyclef co-wrote and was featured in Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie”, just one of Wyclef ’s many collaborations.

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Wyclef has performed and worked with many notable musicians, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Walk The Moon just to name a few.

“When people hear Wyclef is coming – you will have Fugees and Carnival fans.” Wyclef said “Then you are going to have other fans because of humanitarian aspects, and kids that are showing up because they know me from “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Swedish girl”.”

Wyclef expects there to be a diverse audience at the concert.

“Just for me to be able to transcend generations, it is going to be a beautiful thing.” said Wyclef.

// NATHANIEL ASHTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Photo by www.baltimoremagazine.com

Photo by cnn.com

Photo by newhaiti.wordpress.com

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

3

OPINION

Flushable Wipes Raise Concern in City, Not So Much on Campus Walking into a bathroom stall, students find a circular sticker replacing the Title IX flyers from last year. These stickers address “flushable wipes.”

A peculiar email was sent to all students, faculty and staff calling for an end to the use of flushable wipes.

The public service announcement originating from the City of Melbourne informed the community about this serious matter of flushable wipes not being so “flushable,” causing backups and clogs within pipes, selling their argument with the phrase, “Keep the wipes out of pipes!”

In 2014, Consumer Reports released a video conducting a disintegration test comparing toilet paper and flushable wipes. The toilet paper broke apart, but the flushable wipe did not, even when put into a mixer.

Is this actually a real problem? I went out to talk with people about this wet wipes catastrophe to

see if our efforts to be environmentally friendly are just going down the drain.

“Well, it must be a big issue,” Jennifer Nessmith, administrative assistant to the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “I used to be a reporter for Hometown News in Brevard County, and there were reports from facilities operations about squirrels.”

Squirrels in this case are not those little creatures climbing up trees every now and again, rather in terms of sewage, squirrels are large clumps of hair within sewage pipes, as Nessmith further explained to me, before I incorrectly assumed there was an adorable squirrel takeover of facilities operations.

Nessmith also said she personally does not know of anyone using flushable wipes.

Students showed concern about this issue.

“I’ve seen this before,

not here, but at an elderly community” student David Elliott said. “I think we should be doing all we can to help the environment and save the manatees.”

Elliot did not receive the mass email, as well as other students I spoke to.

There are even more students who were not even aware of the problem.

I asked a group of students in a senior design meeting at Olin Engineering Complex about whether or not they knew about the flushable wipes issue, to which I received a collective “no.”

I asked if any of them actually use flushable wipes, to which I also received a collective “no.”

It seemed they did not feel comfortable about the entire conversation, almost as if I should not be asking such direct questions about their bathroom habits.

Whether this is an real issue of not, it should be noted that the

Light entertaining reading can be found in the bathroom stalls on campus. student district email list does not seem to be as effective as other forms of communication, such as the communication protocol

Photo by Sveta Warren

following the boil-water advisory that occurred last week. // DOUG SCHOELLER COPY EDITOR

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

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ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

CAMPUS LIFE

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Literature Professors Share Reading Techniques

So much to read, so little time. How do you navigate that? Two literature professors share their advice on how to manage the overwhelming amounts of text college students encounter.

Photo by Florida Institue of Technology

Debbie Lelekis

Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Communication Three words to describe see things as they are and yourself: Creative, tenacious ask why; I dream things that and kind never were and ask why not.” – George Bernard Favorite author: Mark Twain Shaw Fun Fact about yourself: I’m a musical theatre nerd currently obsessed with the musical Hamilton.

Favorite Quote: “Some men

What advice would you give students who feel overwhelmed by the amount of text they have to read?

First, I would suggest organizing and prioritizing.

You can’t always read

Photo by Florida Institute of Technology

Lisa Perdigao

Professor at the School of Arts and Communication Three words to describe yourself: Passionate, diligent, and eccentric Favorite author: Toni Morrison Fun Fact about yourself: I am mildly obsessed with

everything Joss Whedon (writer/director/producer of television series and films such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Firefly/Serenity,” “The Avengers,” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”).

Favorite Quote: “I always

everything you need for class in one setting, so prepare yourself by assessing what you need to tackle and which strategies will be most effective for each reading assignment.

You might need to spend more time reading and analyzing certain texts that require you to look up many unfamiliar words or consult footnotes or additional sources in order to fully understand the main text.

Other reading assignments might require less analysis and more synthesis, so you might approach that type of reading by writing out an outline as you go with key terms that you need to review at the end.

Spending a little time mapping out your reading plan can cut down on the stress and help you avoid the panic that occurs when you try to cram in a lot of reading at the last minute.

For assignments that require more active reading techniques, plan to return to the text over several shorter sessions.

Whether you’re able to digest the reading over the course of multiple days or you are only able to give yourself a break for 15 minutes while you switch to another type of task, it will feel less overwhelming than trying to plow through a dense, complex text in one setting.

know the ending; that’s where I start.”—Toni Morrison What advice would you give students who feel overwhelmed by the amount of text they have to read?

Reading, particularly critical reading, is a skill that one develops over time.

With practice, the reader becomes more efficient and it becomes an easier—even enjoyable--process.

The key is not to feel so overwhelmed that you stop reading in frustration; instead, continue to work through it.

I always encourage students to read the introductions to texts, particularly in courses like Civilization 1 and 2, as they highlight key aspects to concentrate on.

Those guides can play instrumental roles in helping you navigate the texts.

education?

I was taught by English professors who emphasized the close reading of texts, methodically moving through them line by line and highlighting key passages. That way, you create a map that you are able to return to, connecting key symbols and quotations.

When you transition from the reading to the writing stage, those quotations will guide the argument. Constructing an argument is like assembling a puzzle out of those pieces.

Most of my books at the office here and at home have layers of notes within them, allowing me to sustain an ongoing conversation with them over the years. lines of inquiry to explore.

What reading techniques helped you the most in your

What reading techniques helped you the most in your education?

I always read with a pen in hand even when it’s just a book for my own enjoyment.

This is because I view reading as something that one should be actively engaged in, rather than being a passive consumer.

In the textbook for my writing classes, the editor calls this technique “reading responsively.”

I encourage my students to annotate as they read.

If you notice something about the word choice in a passage, a striking image, or anything that makes you pause – write that down in your notes! That includes

What is the best academic advice you have received?

When I was an undergraduate and graduate student, I had thought that I needed to create an airtight

questions that you have as you’re reading.

Students tend to think that when they read they are only looking for answers and facts, but some of the best discussions in the classroom begin when students raise questions and open new lines of inquiry to explore.

What is the best academic advice you have received?

This is something that most students have likely heard before, but it bears repeating: “Pursue the field that you are most passionate about rather than what you think will be the most ‘practical’ or what seems like it will allow you to earn the most money.”

In his book “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell identifies three qualities – “autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward” – as necessary for creating satisfying work and a happy life.

You will spend the majority of your life after college working, so pursue work that fulfills YOU and not just your bank account.

argument in my papers.

When I was writing my dissertation for the Ph.D., my advisor, Dr. Guy Rotella, at Northeastern University told me that I didn’t need to create the perfect argument; rather, mine—like all other interpretations—represented one way of looking at the text.

His words and example in his writing introduced me to an entirely different approach, of admitting to and embracing the ambiguities of literary texts.

That approach has added depth and complexity to my work.

I encourage students to approach texts that way, in first-year writing courses through graduate studies.

If a text is complicated, acknowledge those complexities and shape your argument around them.

// LINDSAY ISAAC STAFF WRITER

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

6

CAMPUS LIFE

Students Take Action to Keep Beach Clean 25 students, armed with disposable bag and gloves, assembled at Indialantic Beach Saturday afternoon to collect garbage and nondegradable items with the Sri Lankan Student Association Covering about a mile radius, students filled their bags with paper, plastics, spoons, food wrappers, bottle caps and cans.

"I did not expect such a good response from the Panthers. A good sum of 25-30 participated in this event,” Treasurer Manil Athapattu said. “It totally was a success!"

SLSA provided transportation for students wanting to participate but did not have a ride.

"I nearly made 10-15 trips to and fro. It was a good experience talking to all the students and working together for a good cause," Vice President of SLSA Dinuka Rathnasiri said.

After cleaning the beach, students were provided refreshments and chance to meet with the members of the SLSA. "We arranged juices, soda, sandwiches and water for the refreshments,” Kavisha kumarasinghe the event manager of SLSA said. “It was a great experience overall."

The clean-up is just one of the events organized by the Sri Lankan Student Association during the year.

Lakindu Irugalbandara, president of the SLSA, said, "This year, we plan to come up with various events, very soon we would be also organizing a campus cleanup event."

"It was a good day at the beach, for the first time I am participating in such an event. It feels great to contribute to the society and I received Credits for this cause," said Thilip Ravindran.

// NITISH SINHA STAFF WRITER

// NITISH SINHA STAFF WRITER

Students help beachgoers dispose of their garbage

STUDENTS IN ACTION

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Photos by Nitish Sinha

Race Management by:

Florida Tech Discount Students, Faculty & Staff

Sign up for Downtown Melbourne or Virtual Race!

Visit our website for details

homecoming.fit.edu/run or Running Zone—3696 North Wickham Rd. • Melbourne, FL 32935 • 321-751-8890

Join us at Meg O’Malley’s for the Post Race Party, awards, food, beer and live music Giving Back by Running Forward

Proceeds to benefit Florida Tech Cross Country Teams AL-471-816

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

7

TECH TALK

FCC Changes and Delays Its Plan to Unlock Cable Boxes The FCC recently modified their plan from unlocking existing cable set-top boxes to instead requiring cable companies to develop apps to allow cable access on multiple platforms.

The FCC’s proposal is intended to facilitate competition by allowing customers alternatives to the cable boxes that must currently be rented from service providers.

The FCC’s initial plan was to require cable companies to supply their service through an open standard that could be read by any device, rather than using a specially encrypted signal that could only be decoded by proprietary boxes.

Their plan faced backlash from cable providers as well as the U.S. Copyright Office, citing the potential for piracy

through third-party devices as well as potential for third parties to provide their own advertisements.

Maria Pallante of the Copyright Office stated in their response to the proposal, “[T]he rule could interfere with copyright owners’ rights to license their works as provided by copyright law, and restrict their ability to impose reasonable conditions on the use of those works.”

In September, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler introduced a revised plan, which would instead require service providers to develop free apps that could be installed on devices and enable cable access without making the companies change their signal methods.

According to Wheeler, the app would be controlled by the provider but would allow paying customers to access their services on

tablets, smartphones, gaming systems, streaming devices, or smart TVs without the requirement of renting a specialized set-top box.

The apps would have to be made available for widely deployed platforms such as Roku, iOS, Windows, and Android. Any cable company with more than 400,000 subscribers would have two years to develop and release these apps.

According to Wheeler’s fact sheet, the new proposal protects copyrights by keeping control of the app in the hands of service providers while allowing existing content distribution deals, and licensing terms to be unchanged.

Under the proposal service, providers must also enable consumers’ ability to search their cable content alongside other video services accessible through the device and cannot

One of the many proprietary calbe recievers require a device to promote their app over other sources in the search. According to Wheeler, “[S]maller and independent programmers will be better able to reach broad audiences…because their content will be easily searchable on the same device.”

According The Verge, Comcast Executive Sena Fitzmaurice said, “[I] t would stop the apps revolution dead in its tracks by imposing an overly complicated government licensing regime and heavyhanded regulation in a fast moving technological space.”

On Sept. 29, the

FCC released a statement indicating their planned vote on the proposal was put on hold.

“The Set-Top Box Order has been removed from the September Open Meeting Agenda. The proposal will go on the Commission’s circulation list and remain under consideration by Commissioners.”

According to the New York Times, Tom Wheeler said the proposal will be considered for a future vote, but the FCC needed more time for discussion. // CHRIS PANGALOS STAFF WRITER

Space Coast's Fablab Resources Available to Students As Florida Tech’s entrepreneurial spirit grows, students have another resource to help expand their visions and projects.

The Space Coast’s very own Fablab located on Palm Bay Road opened this past January.

According to spacecoastfablab.org, a Fablab is a platform that provides stimulus for local entrepreneurship by being a place to play, to create, learn, mentor, and invent.

Space Coast Fablab services three colleges, many of the Brevard public and private K-12 schools, and many of the over 4,000

registered home school students in Brevard County.

The Fablab offers small and large sized classrooms equipped with computers for classes that include basic computer skills, MATLAB, TinkerCAD and more. Laser engraving and cutting, 3D printing, basic welding, shop safety, and Autodesk infusion are all skills also taught by volunteers.

The Fablab not only for technical interests.

Classes for musicians, including music theory, piano, and electric and acoustic guitar along with a full ready-to-use studio with musical and recording

Also home to sound rooms where audio can be mixed into music Photo by Mary Kozaitis

equipment, are available as well.

Student have even put up songs on iTunes with the help of the Fablab’s equipment and can get more musically involved by creating a music video with the lab’s green screen.

The Fablab is free of charge.

Started by Florida Tech Alum Tabitha Beavers, the lab is fully run on donations.

Students are allowed to come into the lab on their own time and use the machines free of charge, excluding materials.

Although the Fablab is partnered with Florida Tech, the professors there are not monetarily compensated for their time.

Michelle Beavers, Tabitha’s mother and frontdesk volunteer at the lab, explains the benefits it has provided to the community already.

“Parents don’t always have access to this kind of technology,” Beavers said.

“I’ve seen mothers cry when we give them older computers to take home.

They can use them to search for jobs, look up healthy recipes, and help the kids out with homework.”

The Fab Lab is host to many large presentation rooms Photo by Mary Kozaitis The Fab Lab’s main this place affect an entire mission is to educate family.” people. To enable invention Local businesses have by providing access for the opportunity to take individuals to use tools for advantage of the Fablab. digital fabrication.

Fablab offers conference They encourage younger rooms with TV sets and generations to further their phones for all kinds of educational interests and professional meetings. abilities by hosting field Harris, IEEE, and Cura trips and workshops to Oceanus are popular visitors schools in the area, Boys of the facilities. and Girls scouts, and Although slightly homeschoolers. Although intimidating, Florida Tech professional machinery is students have access to the located throughout the lab, same rooms and materials it is still a kid-friendly place, these companies use. All with a playroom for younger you have to do is stop by or children to go while their check out their website at parents work on projects. www.spacecoastfablab.com “You’ll see all kinds of different walks of life here,” // MARY KOZAITIS Beavers said. “I have seen STAFF WRITER

ISSUE 7

OCTOBER 3

SPORTS

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Winning Streaks End for Two Panther Teams

Kenny Johnston, redshirt senior, tight end It is easy to get close to history it has only happened a perfect season. One or four times. two losses help keep a team Teams have started their humble, add fuel to the fire. seasons on a winning streak.

To go undefeated during Both the football and men’s the regular season is rare. So soccer teams did, and both rare, in almost 100 years of lost them in the same week.

National Football League, Men’s soccer started their

Sam Sawyer, senior, defender

season with five wins and a tie before losing to Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday.

Despite the loss, the game was one for the books.

The Panthers withstood three hours of weather

Photo by James Ragan

Photo by Amanda Stratford Photography delays and did not finish Classic Championship game. playing until 12:14 a.m.

The Panthers were Neither team was able ranked second in the nation to score for 45 minutes into in points allowed per play when the first weather game going into Saturday’s delay hit. PBA returned to competition. the field on a mission and The Panther defense was able to sink one past the gave up more points against Panther defenders just three the Argonauts than they had minutes before a second so far in their whole season. lightning delay.

No single moment spelled Panther midfielder Jack defeat for the Panthers Willison found a header to leading into the final tie the game at 1-1, where minutes of play. it would stay for the rest of After suffering regular play. from three unanswered PBA shifted gears touchdowns by the and gained momentum in Argonauts, the Panthers overtime, breaking the tie fought relentlessly to bring and winning the game. the score back within three The Panthers were not able points. to recover by the time they With just seconds on the played Lynn University on clock, the Panthers failed Saturday. This time they lost to steal the win. The clock in a 3-0 shutout. ran out during a last ditch The Fighting Knights scramble play by quarterback jumped on the Panthers Mark Cato. early, scoring all of their After three weeks on the points within the first 10 road, the team returns home minutes of each half. next weekend to play North One more loss makes a Alabama. losing streak. The Panther’s Looking forward, the will be fighting to change Panther football team now their momentum Wednesday faces the same challenge that against Warner University. men’s soccer did last week The Panther football after their own streak ended. team is recovering from a streak-ending defeat of their own.

They started the season with four wins, two of which were shutouts.

Saturday, the Panthers faced University of West Florida, a first-year program, // AUDREY GANGLOFF in the inaugural Coastal MANAGING EDITOR