Winner of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence award
Spring Issue 1 Jan. 13, 2015
Scott Center boasts Autism research, treatment, community for families Alex Coultrup Staff Writer At the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, ongoing research and outreach to the community continue to set it apart as a unique and important fixture in the lives of many Central Florida families. The Scott Center’s location on Florida Tech’s campus allows it to serve the community and perform more dynamically than if it were a stand-alone business, said Colleen Middlebrooks, community relations director. “This site is a practicum site for grad students,” said Middlebrooks. “It’s a training ground for future therapists as well as parents.” Training is one of the Scott Center’s top goals. The Scott Center’s mission statement stresses Service, Research and Training. “The clinic is dedicated to applying research and high quality treatment and training to improve the function and quality of life of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities in Central Florida,”
according to the center’s website. “We study behaviors related to the ASD and the best practices related to treating these behaviors,” Middlebrooks said. The research at the Scott Center is important for creating a more informed and well-equipped community, “By publishing them, we allow others in the community and the world to learn about ASD and replicate our treatment in other places. One of the main issues that the Scott Center works with researching and treating is the concept of Applied Behavioral Analysis in the treatment of Severe Behavior Problems. While individuals with forms of autism may suffer from Severe Behavior Problems, the term can apply to anyone, even those not on the ASD spectrum. The goal of the severe behavior clinic is “using treatments to slow down and ultimately stop the severe behavior,” said Middlebrooks. Autism is treatable with the most success when diagnosed at an early age. Most children at the Scott Center begin treatment at as
young as 2 or 3 years. However, treatment is very time-consuming per-child. “Kids who come for early intervention might even come for three hours a day, five days a week for up to three years,” Middlebrooks said. Because of the one-to-one treatment that children receive, the waiting list for the Scott Center is lengthy. With children at the Center for such a duration of time, it’s being optimistic and persevering within the program that makes all the difference, said Evelyn Sprinkle, a specialist who works directly with children in the program. “You learn to appreciate small gains,” she said. “They will add up over time, and it’s one of the most reinforcing things ever. It’s so wonderful to see progress that’s made.” Sprinkle believes that the Scott Center truly makes a difference in the local area. “The work that is done here and the contribution for the community and the individuals is just off the charts awesome,” she said. “We really benefit from the high volume of students that work
at the Scott Center,” Middlebrooks said. “There’s a limited number of graduate students on staff, but we get lots of enthusiastic new students to interact with the kids.”
Even though the children in treatment bond with the individuals who work with them, the
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Course evaluations go online, student response rates drop drastically Rebekah Duntz Editor-in-Chief Last semester, the university went completely online for midterm and end-of-course evaluations, saving time and money, but making the student response rate plummet. End of course evaluations allow students to comment anonymously on their courses, which in turn, enables professors to make changes to their course format for future semesters in necessary areas. However, they can also play an integral part in whether a professor gets a promotion in some departments on campus. For years, employees spent hours feeding Scantrons through machines, and the evaluations
would pass through many sets of hands before finally making their way to the designated professor’s desk. So, in an effort to honor the phrase “High Tech with a Human Touch,” save man hours and money on paper, faculty decided to work with IT and go online. The problem: the response rate last semester was cut in half, according to Eric Kledzik, Vice President for Information Technology. Because course evaluations are important to faculty, it’s a high priority topic of discussion at faculty meetings this month. They are thinking about adding course evaluations to the point system, as a grade for participation. “So, faculty senate is forming a task force to kind of see what they can do, if this is going
to work, or how we can adjust it to make it work,” Kledzik said. It comes down to what is going to incentivize students to go online on their own time, log into PAWS, and take the course evaluations for each of their classes. Course evaluations are open online for about a week at the end of the semester. After the period passes, IT closes the forms and compiles the data. The faculty is then sent an aggregate PDF form of all the responses. In the meantime, the professor can only see the number of students that have taken it so far, not personal information. “Some of the concerns we talked about when you did this first article was privacy issues,” Kledzik said. “I know that students are still concerned about privacy issues. I get a lot of responses say-
ing, ‘is this really anonymous?’” But it is anonymous. Though students are logging into PAWS, none of their personal information ever makes it to their professors. The evaluations are sent to IT, where programmers compile the responses and comments and match it to the course number. Then, a PDF, containing only the responses and course information, is sent to the professor. “Faculty have no access into that portion of where those evaluations go,” Kledzik said. The informations if funnelled through. According to Kledzik, many universities that went online struggled with their response rates. “We really had good intentions at heart,” said Monica Baloga, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and International Programs.
“We were thinking, we’re a technical university. There were a lot of human resources being taken up, a lot of fiscal resources being taken up,” Baloga said. “Now we need to address how to get our students to respond.” “There would be some value added to give students an incentive to go online and do that, and it would better their grade. And that seems most reasonable,” Baloga said. It’s still early, with only one semester of FIT’s evaluations completely online. “The [universities] that I talked to, they said that it took them a couple years to get their response rates back up.” Kledzik said. v
Students get acknowledged by university for sci/tech communication project, page 6
2 - January 13, 2015
OPINIONS
the Florida tech crimson
The Interview creates controversy, fails as a film Hershlay Raymond Contributing Writer American films that are crude, offensive and in poor taste should still be able to exist, and we shouldn’t start a war over comedy I am referring to “The Interview,” the Seth Rogen/James Franco vehicle about the assassination of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. The film has had its share of controversy before its release, with the North Korean government hacking into Sony Pictures Entertainment databases and leaking
information, as well as threats to theaters who showed the film. After weeks of debate, Sony decided to release it for purchase online and video-on-demand, simultaneously with its debut in theaters on Christmas Day. I bought it, watched it and lived to give you this review. The film follows television talk show host Dave Skylark (Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Rogen). When they discover North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of their celebrity tabloid show “Skylark Tonight,” they arrange an interview, and they
are soon recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into a mission to assassinate him. The movie is beautifully shot, and Franco and Rogen have more on-screen chemistry than most of the leads in any romantic comedy that was released in 2014. But The Interview is by no means a good movie. There are a few gems though. There is one scene towards the beginning of the film where Eminem comes out as gay to a shocked “Skylark Tonight” crew. And one excellent scene with Skylark and Kim Jongun driving a tank while singing
Katy Perry’s “Firework” at the top of their lungs, the film fails as a comedy. But unlike Franco and Rogen’s previous films, Pineapple Express being the best, the jokes don’t land and are repeated until they are dead in the ground. The film’s only real saving grace, Randall Park, the actor who plays Kim Jong-un. Park plays Jong-Un as a buffoon who loves the music of Katy Perry and smoking weed. Although Park is in his 40s, his performance is youthful. You can see in his eyes a man who is too soft and delicate to be the
leader of a totalitarian state. “The Interview” is not a strong film, but it is a bold one. It is dangerous and daring. And though it fails as a film, I’m glad it exists. Movies like this should be able to get made without any fear, even if they suck. I give “The Interview” two out of four paws. v
CAPS Public Service Announcement: Welcome back! Kendra Bartel CAPS Outreach Columnist On behalf of CAPS, welcome back! Hopefully your winter break was relaxing, and you enjoyed yourself. As spring semester has arrived you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed, anxious or even excited. So what are some things that you can do to make this transition from the winter holiday ease, to the hustle and bustle of school, a bit easier? Know your schedule: It is important that as the new semester starts, you know where you need to be and when you need to be there. By going to PAWS, you can easily print out a copy of your “student detail schedule.” This tells you where all your classes are and what times they are held. You may want to place this in your backpack, or post it on your mirror, mini fridge, wall or anywhere you will be able to easily see and access it. You can also write any extra activities, such as club meeting times and sport practices on the same page. That way you have an informative page of what you need to be doing. You could also write all the times and locations in your planner. Get back on schedule: While knowing your class and activities schedule is important, getting back on schedule is also another
important component. While on winter break it is likely you have not been waking up or going to bed at hours you normally would during the semester. This may mean setting more than one alarm in the morning until your body has adjusted to waking up at that time. Set reminders on your smartphone. All these things will better help you successfully get back on track. Get organized: Investing in a new planner for 2015, making up new binders for all your classes, and buying new supplies are all ways you can get organized. You want to make sure you have pens, pencils, paper and other things ready for class. That way you are well-prepared when you arrive. You also want to make sure that you have any textbooks you need for class and that they are easy to find in your room. This may mean cleaning and tidying your room up a bit. By organizing even the small things you will feel much less stressed. This will also help you focus on the important new tasks the semester requires of you. Get involved: To start off 2015, get involved in something new! Join a new organization, or find a new club. Maybe last semester, everything was too new, busy or overwhelming and you wanted to adjust, but the new year and new semester is the perfect time to get out there. If you aren’t
Opinion: Oxford Study Abroad Chloe Chanley Guest Writer I was completely flabbergasted when I first walked through the Jesus College doors and into the courtyard overflowing with foliage. It was clear that this college aged with beauty as it inches closer to its 500th birthday since it was founded. Every room had its own quirky touch and mine was a floor that sagged towards the center of the living room and a shower that was almost too small for a cruise ship. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to live, if only for a short time, in a building full of character that had produced some of England’s finest. I would be hit with a state of euphoria as I lounged on the perfect green grass in the courtyard between my classes and chowed down on my fresh panini from the corner café. Every morning I would wake up and immediately do a double take because I was convinced that I was still dreaming. Beyond the Jesus College walls were even more adventures to go on and uncharted lands to explore. Between getting a dirty chai at the Missing Bean coffee
shop around the corner and going on the long walks through Port meadow to the Trout, I couldn’t get enough. When I wasn’t in class I was looking for the opportunity to take a wrong turn and get lost in a new part of the city. I walked more miles during the six weeks I was at Oxford than I had the entire previous year and I still didn’t get to all the monumental locations. The weekend trips were fun filled and culturally enriching. From a day exploring in London to a spa day at Bath to lounging in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, there was always somewhere to go and something to learn. Being immersed in such different cultures is an experience that can’t be learned by reading a textbook. Studying abroad at Oxford was one of the best decisions I could have made for improving my multi-national cultural knowledge, as well as opening new doors for potential careers. Although Florida Tech is so diverse and has students from all over the world, the feeling of living in a foreign country where you are the minority is unfathomable. My time at Oxford may have come to an end, but the memories I have and the friends I made from the program are everlasting. v
starting something new, keep up with any clubs, organizations and groups you were involved with in the fall. Make sure you know the meeting times and dates that they are getting together. Just because it’s a new semester starts doesn’t mean all the things that happened in the old semester need to end. If you enjoyed something, keep doing it! Also, get back in touch with friends. Go shopping, meet up for dinner or get coffee. Making sure you have social support at the beginning of a new semester is a great way to start it off. Speaking of getting involved…make sure you come and check out the student events this semester sponsored by CAPS. It’s a great way to learn, meet others, and of course get some free prizes. CAPS will have six events this spring, so you have plenty of opportunities and time to make it to an event. Make sure you bring a friend along too!
CAPS Spring Group Event If you feel like you are struggling with college issues, coping with stress, or relationships, come check out CAPS’ group “Coping with College: You are not alone.” This group meets twice a week on Monday’s from 11a.m.
- 12 p.m. and Wednesdays 2 - 3 p.m. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, January 21 at 2 p.m. This group is held at the CAPS building located next to the Student Health Center, on the corner of Country Club Road and University Boulevard. This is a great way to get involved with others and build support networks. By meeting with others, you will realize you are truly not alone in your struggles. This is also a great way to better your coping skills and put problems in a better perspective. We hope you found the tips helpful and we also hope to see you at the events or group. If you feel you are struggling to adjust to the new semester and need
more guidance or just someone to talk with one on one about your experiences and struggles, contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)! To make an appointment with a mental health counselor, call 321-674-8050 or walk into the center. Feel free to also visit CAPS’ website at www. fit.edu/caps. There, you will find anonymous screenings, brochures and helpful links on a variety of college issues. We realize it can be uncomfortable to reach out for help, but we hope you do contact us when you need us. CAPS is just one of many resources at Florida Tech that supports maintaining a happy and healthy you! v
opinions
3 -January 13, 2015
Are You the “1 in 4?” Deborah Marino, ARNP Director, Holzer SHC Guest Writer Florida Tech is a great school with a myriad of opportunities for personal development, a potential pathway to glory, success and fame! (Well, maybe a little exaggerated, but possible!) Don’t take home more than your degree when you graduate, learn how to reduce your risk in getting an STI! Recent statistics indicate 1 in 4 sexually active students will contract an STI sometime during their college years. The freedom of getting away from home, the availability of alcohol, and peer pressure can place students in some risky situations. Drinking reduces inhibitions and the ability to think rationally, which may promote risky sexual behaviors. According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), the risk of getting an STI with drunk sex is almost doubled; over 45 percent of college freshmen who have been under the influence did use condoms! It’s very important to be aware that if an individual is incapacitated, they cannot legally give consent, placing the partner at risk for charges of sexual assault. So, anyway you look at it, drunk sex is generally bad or dangerous sex; you’ll probably regret it and may not even remember it. Many students at Florida Tech have misconceptions about STI’s, testing and contraception that we would like to address:
Common Sexually Transmitted Infection Misconceptions: “FIT is a small school, there’s no risk of STI’s here!” Fact – on the average, the Student Health Center (SHC) diagnoses 3 – 4 cases of gonorrhea or chlamydia and 2 cases of Genital Herpes monthly. But not all students come here - many students go to the local health department or private practitioners for testing so these numbers are not complete. The Brevard County Health Department reported there were 2,121 cases of gonorrhea or chlamydia infections diagnosed in this county during 2014. “STI testing is just for cheaters and players!” STI’s are equal opportunity infections! Anyone sexually active can get an STI, even someone starting a serious relationship. “It’s no big deal – if I get an STI I’ll just take an antibiotic” Herpes, HPV, Hepatitis C and HIV can be treated, but cannot be cured. They will be with you for life. “You can tell by looking if you or someone else has an STI / I would know if I had an STI/ I don’t have any symptoms and I haven’t had sex in over a year, I
can’t have a STI.” This is the scariest fact of all - 80 percent of all infected people have no symptoms, according to the CDC. And, what would a person “look like” if they had an STI? A t-shirt that says, “I have chlamydia!” or dirty clothes, greasy hair? Nope! Millionaires, models, magicians and marine biologists can all be infected with an STI! Even the most popular, attractive person on campus can have an STI and not even know it. Because most people don’t know they have an STI, they might be less likely to practice safer sex and can pass on their infection to another partner, perpetuating the cycle. For the 20 percent who have symptoms, they may experience painful urination, discharge, itching, painful sores, pain in the lower abdomen or testes, warts or painless lesions. “If he pulls out, I won’t get pregnant or an STI” After erection fluids are produced, these fluids can carry infection and sperm. Unprotected exposure in any bodily orifice can cause STI’s. “You can’t get STI’s with oral or anal sex.” Hate to sound like a broken record here, but, STI’s are transmitted by unprotected exposure to blood, body fluids, and mucous membranes in any part of your body. “My girlfriend and I were virgins, I don’t need to be tested” People can have forms of sex other than intercourse and still consider themselves virgins. People define “sex” in many different ways, not only vaginal intercourse. Did they have manual exposure?? Oral exposure? Shared sex toys? All of these carry a risk for STI’s. “I can’t get an STI if I use a condom” Condoms significantly reduce your chance of contracting an STI, but they are not 100 percent effective, which is why it is said, “Safer, rather than Safe Sex.” Skin-to-skin contact is a risk factor for certain STI’s such as HPV and Herpes. These infections can found on your skin, outside your body, and around the genitalia (in pubic hair area, base of penis, etc.) Both HPV and Herpes are not always visible, and the virus can spread even if the person is not having a breakout. HPV, the most common STI in the country, often has no visible symptoms. It can cause genital warts and cervical cancer if left untreated. The same types of HPV that infect the genital areas can infect the mouth and throat causing head and neck cancers or warts. Herpes sores are visible only during an outbreak, but the person can shed the virus at any time. “I don’t want to do testing its painful, embarrassing and expensive” Testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia and pregnancy is simple
and private – you pee in a cup! It’s been done here before, many times! Embarrassing? Consider the facts: One of every four college students will contract an STI during their time at school, and, People 15 – 24 across the country account for more than half of all the cases of STI’s. For other tests, we may require a blood sample, but the staff here is so good you won’t even know you were stuck! Besides, a needle stick is nothing compared to the illness and cost of treatment you may experience from an undiagnosed STI. Starting a new relationship? Have the talk before you walk the walk! I’m sure you will be a little nervous, but it’s the right thing to do for both of you. The likelihood is they were trying to think of a way to start the conversation with you! Find a time to talk when you have privacy and before things start to heat up. Explain this isn’t about a lack of trust. It’s possible that you or your partner got an STI from an earlier relationship and don’t even know it, not a sign that you have been cheating. Tell your partner that you read this article and found that STIs are really common. So, if all of this has convinced you it is time to get tested, the SHC is the place to go! HIV testing is free through insurance at the SHC or at Project Response 321-724-1177, a local HIV Service Agency. At the SHC, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing is free for females with insurance (don’t ask me why, ask President Obama). Males can use their insurance and pay their coinsurance, or cash/cc for $36.00. Come to the SHC for more information and a private consultation. Just tell the friendly receptionist at the desk that you would like to talk about screening, and no more questions will be asked until you are in a private room with one of our caring, compassionate and knowledgeable practitioners (well, I am writing this article you know!) The SHC has free condoms available in the reception area and both men’s and women’s restrooms and all exam rooms. Dental dams (female condoms) are available upon request. We are available for personal consultation, contraception information and prescriptions. and the visit is free for registered FIT students. Women under 21 do not require a physical examination for birth control, and many oral contraceptives are free with health insurance. HPV vaccines are available and are free for women under 26 and men under 21 with insurance. Your visit and results are kept confidential. We will never share your information with anyone, even your parents! It’s your life. Make smart choices. Get Talking. Get Tested. Be Responsible. v
The Florida tech crimson
4 -January 13, 2015
CAMPUS LIFE
The Florida tech crimson
Thousands join rallies worldwide to honor Paris victims The Associated Press
Tens of thousands of people gathered in cities around the world on Sunday to honor the 17 victims who died during three days of bloodshed in Paris last week, and to support freedom of expression. The biggest event was in Paris, where over a million people, including more than 40 world leaders, streamed into the heart of the city for a rally of national unity, days after the attacks on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police officers and a kosher grocery. A look at the gatherings in other cities across the globe:
LONDON
Landmarks including Tower Bridge and the London Eye ferris wheel were lit in the red, white and blue of the French tricolor flag. The French colors were also projected onto the facade of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, where more than 1,000 people gathered Sunday in solidarity with the French people. Many carried “Je suis Charlie” signs, and some held pens aloft as a tribute to the slain cartoonists. Mayor Boris Johnson attended the rally and said it had been organized to express with Paris “our feelings of unity in grief and in outrage, and obviously in determination of these two great historic cities of freedom to stand together.” London has been hit by several major terrorist attacks, the
most lethal in July 2005, when four al-Qaida-inspired bombers killed 52 people on three subway trains and a bus.
BOSTON
Hundreds of people took part in a rally on Boston Common to support France and free speech. The gathering was organized by the French Consulate and the city’s French community to coincide with the massive anti-terrorism rally in Paris. The Boston demonstrators held a moment of silence for those killed this week in Paris. Some held French flags and banners reading in French, “I am Charlie” and “Boston is France.” There also were blue-andyellow “Boston Strong” banners remembering the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people and injured more than 260. Jury selection began this week in the federal trial of bombing suspect Dzhohkar Tsarnaev, who faces the death penalty. Boston, like the French capital, was shocked by the attack and endured days of tension before authorities caught up with the terror suspects — who as in Paris were a pair of brothers. One died after a shootout with police and the other was captured. Jury selection began last week in the federal trial of the surviving brother, Dzhohkar Tsarnaev, who faces the death penalty if convicted. Carlos Arrendondo, a Costa Rican immigrant known for helping a man who lost both legs at the marathon finish line, was among those at Sunday’s rally. “Boston has been there in the past and we are still healing from that,” Arrendondo told
WCBV-TV. “It’s time to support the people of France as well.” Frank DuBourdieu and Raphaelle DuBourdieu, French citizens living in Cambridge, told WBZ-TV they wanted to spread a message of tolerance. “Islam is not bad,” Frank DuBourdieu said. “We have to make sure that France is going to continue to welcome people but reject any violence.” In Denver, about 100 people gathered to honor the victims of the Paris attacks. Isabelle Soller, who grew up in France, carried a sign reading “Je suis Charlie. I am Jewish.”
ROME
Thousands of people participated in a silent demonstration Sunday in front of the French Embassy, holding aloft pencils, candles and placards reading: “Je suis Charlie.” The demonstration was jointly organized by the French consulate and by Italy’s Muslim community. “We condemn this terrible attack with absolute firmness and we want to express solidarity to the French people and to the French ambassador in the name of all the Muslim communities in Italy,” said Foad Aodi, president of Comai, an association of Muslims in Italy. Elene Bompere, a French citizen living in Rome, said the attacks on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher market “provokes a strong reaction.” A small demonstration was also held in Venice’s Campo Manin, drawing many young people. Participants included the president of Venice’s Islamic community, Mohamed Amin Al Ahdab, and
the head of the lagoon city’s Jewish community, Paolo Gnignati.
MONTREAL
Thousands of people, repeatedly chanting “Charlie,” marched through downtown Montreal in French-speaking Quebec Province to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris Laurent Beltritti, a French flight attendant on a Montreal stopover, was among those who participating in the march. “As I couldn’t attend the event in France with my friends and family, I thought it was important to come here to show my solidarity and to protest in favor of freedom and the right to express oneself without being killed by fanatics,” Beltritti said. Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre also took part in the march, which ended at the French Consulate, and said there needs to be “zero-tolerance against fanaticism.” In Quebec City, Premier Philippe Couillard attended a similar event. “We have to reaffirm our faith in democracy and freedom,” Couillard said. “The worst thing we could do would be to retreat into fear.”
Streaming online at www.wfit.org MK-862-1114
ISTANBUL
Scores of demonstrators gathered in central Istanbul for a small solidarity rally with France. Minutes after the remembrance got underway, a man, apparently critical of the gesture, tried to cut them off, shouting “Muslim blood is being shed!” The man was detained and carried away by riot police. The silent march continued
despite the interruption. About 120 people holding up pencils, pens and posters reading “We are all Charlie” walked down Istanbul’s main Istiklal Avenue toward the French consulate.
TOKYO
A couple of hundred people, mostly French residents of Japan, gathered in the courtyard of the French Institute in Tokyo, holding a minute of silence and singing “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem. They then held up pieces of paper that read “Je suis Charlie” in French or the Japanese translation. The institute, which functions as a language school, was running as normal during the ceremony, with students shuffling in, as the French flag — tied with a black ribbon — hung over the balcony. “I came here to give support to fellow artists and I believe we should stand so these things don’t happen again,” said Alexandre Kerbam, 43, a French resident of Japan who works as a body painter and hair stylist. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
campus life
5 -January 13, 2015
The Florida tech crimson
Late hours makes the Rathskeller and the Black Kat the place to be
Brett Krog Contributing Writer The Rathskeller Eatery is located underneath Evans hall, just on the north side of campus. It is open to all, especially Florida Tech students who are able to spend their flex and panther cash. Although this restaurant has been on campus for a while, its hidden location means many students don’t know about it. “It’s a good fit for students due to
late operating hours, pizza delivery, and signature milkshakes and coffee beverages to help students study,” says Britney Young, the Rathskeller evening supervisor. Many people go there to hang out with friends, do homework, or even for a late night coffee break whilst cramming for a test the next day. The Rat is a high-end fast food restaurant. The food is good quality and there is a vast range of choices on the menu. A burger with fries costs around $10 Even though it is on campus they accept credit cards, debit cards,
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and cash in addition to Flex dollars. If any family or friends are in town, there are also pool tables that cost a $1.25 per game to add to the entertainment aspect of the restaurant. There are also several televisions at the Rathskeller if you want to meet up with your friends and watch your favorite teams play while enjoying some food. There are a couple of computers that can also be used. Students can sign in using their Florida Tech username and password. This gives students the opportu-
nity to do their homework while having a bite to eat. The Rathskeller is open seven days a week and is open from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays, and from 5:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends. The Rathskeller also delivers to students living on campus, providing the order is greater than $10. They mainly focus on the delivery of pizza and can deliver any day of the week between 6:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. At the Black Kat Cafe, there are over 30 different milkshakes, hot drinks, smoothies and sundaes. The Black Kat give students a
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chance to make up their own milkshakes, with the ingredients already found on the menu. If your designed shake becomes popular, it may be kept on the menu and the person that founded it gets to name it. “If you are looking for a laid back, youthful atmosphere, then the black kat is the place to be,” said Matthew Gallagher, the lead cashier. The Black Kat is open daily from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week and a chocolate milkshake is $5. v
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campus life
6 -January 13, 2015
Parking registration process to go online Rebekah Duntz Editor-in-chief Security has been working with IT for computer integration of Florida Tech’s parking process, and the process should be done within upcoming weeks. Students and faculty will now be able to enter their personal and vehicle information online, eliminating the need to stand in line and fill out cards in the security office. Information required will include the registrant’s name and address, building, department, and vehicle information. Once they submit their information, a flat rate will be billed to their account and they’ll receive an email with instructions on how to pay. For now, all bills will be paid in person at the Student Accounting office. “I think that’ll be a major
advantage for the students,” said Kevin Graham, Director of Security. This process will make it much easier for employees in the Security department, who formerly had to sift through paper forms and input data into computers. Security is also changing the vehicle decals, which will have a barcode on them. Officers will now be able to scan the barcode, enter ticket information, and then upload the data at the end of the day. “We’d walk up, read the barcode, type the violation in. At the end of the day, we plug it in and download everything,” said Graham. “That way, we have more efficient use of our time of our staff. And instantaneously, this is then applied on the individual’s account, so they know right away,” Students will still have three days to appeal. v
Scott Center: from page 1 process of students graduating and being replaced by others also helps the children learn to adjust to interacting with new people. “There’s such a great need for services like what we have,” said Middlebrooks. She explained that it is important to realize autism’s impact in every social sphere, and how the Scott Center works to educate not only parents and immediate family, but also the public about how to interact with individuals on the ASD spectrum. The Scott Center is the only autism research and treatment center of its kind in the local area, which means it serves Brevard county and now most of Central Florida in the Indian River County, thanks to a smaller, satellite office which opened there.
The Scott Center works to be involved with the community in many ways, including 5k runs hosted by the Scott Center Running Club and an annual “Evening of Hope,” which features a fundraiser at FIT’s Panther Aquatic Center. The Scott Center is in the process of expanding, so more of their resources are available online. This will enhance the accessibility of their research to the public. The Scott Center’s second floor also has a psychologist’s office, which offers treatment of all kinds, from marriage counseling to helping siblings cope with their brother or sister’s autism diagnosis. Anyone in the community can access these services. v
SciTech Comm Recognition
Student work gets acknowledged Alex Salter Staff Writer Each semester, a class known as SciTech Comm pushes students to be creative for their final projects. “Usually these proposals are ways to improve the school, sometimes they are for the community,” said SGA vice president Jessica Cushman. At the last official SGA meeting of the semester, President Carla Deras displayed a proposal created by a SciTech Comm student which was over 20 pages in length, asking if students could somehow get recognition or be acknowledged for the hard work they put into their projects for the class. “We would like to make sure that these proposals, at least the ones for the school, get recognition by administration. Carla meets with administration, so we can easily be the liaison for these projects,” said Cushman. The idea was then forwarded to the Dean of College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, Mary Beth Kenkel, who reviewed the proposal and sent the idea to Heidi Edwards, Associate Head of the School of
Arts and Communication. After discussing the idea at a faculty meeting, Heidi Hatfield Edwards, associate professor and chair of the communication program, said, “I just met with the faculty who are enthusiastic about recognizing excellent sci/ tech projects. The idea is: COM 2223 instructors will identify the top projects for the semester and those will be submitted to either SGA, Faculty Senate or another group.” With the proposal slowly coming to fruition, SciTech Comm students may have a lot to look forward to. Edwards said, “Many of the students put a lot of effort into the projects and we often encourage them to share their reports with the decision-makers who have the power to make their ideas reality.” The proposal is still in the works, and SGA will be working to push for it to actually happen. Students also have the support of the faculty. “ We look forward to discussing this further. Please let me know if representatives from SGA would like to meet with the COM 2223 instructors in January,” says Edwards. v
The Florida tech crimson
Divers retrieve 1 of 2 black boxes from crashed AirAsia jet The Associated Press PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia (AP) — Divers retrieved one of the black boxes Monday from the AirAsia plane that plummeted more than two weeks ago into the Java Sea, a major breakthrough in the slow-moving hunt to recover bodies and wreckage. The flight data recorder was found under part of the plane’s wing and brought to the surface early in the morning, said Henry Bambang Soelistyo, head of the national search and rescue agency. Divers began zeroing in on the site a day earlier after three Indonesian ships picked up intense pings from the area, but they were unable to see it due to strong currents and poor visibility, said Suryadi Bambang Supriyadi, operation coordinator at the national search and rescue agency. He earlier said the black box was lodged in debris at a depth of about 30 meters (100
feet), but Soelistyo did not provide additional details on the discovery. Searchers will continue to scour the seabed to try to locate the other black box, the cockpit voice recorder. They are vital to understanding what brought Flight 8501 down on Dec. 28, killing all 162 people on board. The flight data recorder will be taken to Jakarta, the capital, for analysis. It could take up to two weeks to download its recorded data, said Nurcahyo Utomo, an investigator at the National Committee for Safety Transportation. Officials recovered the aircraft’s tail on Saturday, the first major wreckage excavated from the crash site. They were hopeful the black boxes were still inside, but learned they had detached when the plane crashed into the sea. Search efforts have been consistently hampered by big waves and powerful currents created by the region’s rainy season. Silt and sand, along with river runoff, have created blinding conditions for divers. So far, only 48 bodies have
been recovered. Many believe most of the corpses are likely still inside the main cabin, which has yet to be located. Three more bodies were identified Sunday, including Park Seongbeom, 37, and his wife, Lee Kyung Hwa, 34, from South Korea, said Budiyono, who heads East Java’s Disaster Victim Identification unit and, like many Indonesians, uses only one name. He said they were discovered Friday on the seabed, still strapped to their seats. Their baby has not yet been found, but the infant’s carrier was still attached to the man. The last contact the pilots had with air traffic control, about halfway into their two-hour journey from Indonesia’s secondlargest city, Surabaya, to Singapore, indicated they were entering stormy weather. They asked to climb from 32,000 feet (9,753 meters) to 38,000 feet (11,582 meters) to avoid threatening clouds, but were denied permission because of heavy air traffic. Four minutes later, the plane dropped off the radar. No distress signal was sent. v
Q&A: Obama’s free tuition plan for community college The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Did somebody say “free tuition”? President Barack Obama’s plan, called “America’s College Promise,” seeks to make two years of community or technical college “as free and universal as high school.” It comes with a steep price tag and doubts about sufficient support in Congress. Some questions and answers about the plan announced Friday: Q: How would the plan work? A: Students would need to go to school at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 grade point average and make progress toward a degree. States would have to provide about a quarter of the costs of the program, maintain existing education spending and work to reduce the need for remedial classes and repeated courses. Colleges with participating students would have to offer academic programs that fully transfer to four-year colleges or job training programs with high graduation rates that lead to degrees and certificates sought by employers. Q: How can it be “free”? A: It’s only free to students. The proposal, estimated to cost the federal government $60 billion over 10 years, could save students an average $3,800 in tuition per year. The White House estimates that if every state opted in, about 9 million students could be helped. Q: Why now? A: Obama’s proposal is loosely modeled after the “Tennessee Promise,” a scholarship program to begin this fall using lottery money
in Tennessee that provides two years of free tuition to state community and technical colleges. Roughly, 90 percent of the state’s high school seniors have applied, although not all are expected to use the benefit. The goal is to help bolster the percent of Tennesseans with a post-secondary degree from 33 percent to 55 percent. There also is a similar program in Chicago. Q: Will Obama’s proposal pass Congress? A: The Republican-led Congress has shown a reluctance to adopt new, big spending programs. Even supporters of the Tennessee program, like Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker of Tennessee, say that the program is better kept at the state and local level. “Unless the president has a responsible plan to meet our existing commitments, he shouldn’t be making new promises the American people can’t afford,” said Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Q: Besides questions about funding, what are the arguments against the plan? A: While supporters say such a program expands the pool of students going to college, educators disagree on whether this is the best use of tax dollars. That’s in part because some of the students who benefit could afford to pay for tuition on their own and the neediest of students might not get all the aid they need. In Tennessee, some private college leaders and politicians have expressed concern that the Tennessee plan could divert students and scholarship money away from four-year schools.
SCI/TECH
7 - January 13, 2015
The Florida tech crimson
Reversible USB Type-C connectors may soon be the standard for PCs and devices
photo property of usbtypec.info
Chris Pangalos Staff Writer This year’s Consumer Electronics Show presented a wide array of technology, ranging from longer lasting batteries to printers for smart phones. One of the most notable however was the USB Type-C connector along with the new USB 3.1 standard. When referring to USB, “type” denotes the shape of the connector while the number refers to the data transfer standard and, notably, the speed. USB Type-A
connectors are the rectangular ones plugged into common USB ports on computers, Type-B are the vaguely square connectors often plugged into external devices such as printers. The new Type-C connector looks a bit like the Apple Lightning and is just slightly bigger than the micro USB connectors often used for mobile devices. The Type-C connector matches on top and bottom so there’s no more issue of plugging it in upside down. According to DigitalTrends, one of the advantages of the new connection is
it allow standardization between mobile devices and PCs since it’s small enough to fit on either one. So instead of having regular and micro USB all devices could use the same Type-C port with a double sided Type-C cable. Aside from the new connector, the 3.1 standard has made significant improvements. According to PC Gamer, USB 3.1 doubles the bandwidth of 3.0 from 5 Gigabits/ second to 10 Gigabits/second giving a big speed boost. In addition the power rating has been increased from 10 watts to 100 watts which
would allow even large devices such as laptops to be charged via USB. Despite being introduced at the same time USB 3.1 doesn’t require the Type-C cable or vice versa. According to ArsTechnica the Type-C connectors still have dedicated pins for USB 2.0 which allows devices such as the Nokia N1 tablet, the first to utilize TypeC, to use the new connector without upgrading to the 3.1 controller. According to Cnet there have been announcements of MSI releasing notebooks utilizing the
Type-C port and 3.1 standard in March. According to PC Gamer there will also be cables available to convert from C to A so devices using the new connector will still be able to connect to older ports. While the Type-C connector does have the potential to remove the issue of accidentally plugging your cable in upside down there have also been many attempts at new generation connectors that never caught on. Only time will tell if Type-C proves to be more popular than what consumers are used to. v
Gadget Corner Joseph Stoltz Staff Writer
Right: Photo property of theverge.com
LEfT: Photo property of Fortune.com
The Consumer Electronics Show, CES, just recently ended in Las Vegas, completing its escapade of new, and sometimes completely worthless, devices. This year, two gadgets popped out of the hoard for their looks of belonging in a 70’s science fiction movie, and surprisingly, their uses are as though they were meant to be in a 70’s sci-fi movie. The first gadget I give you is Emiota Belty, a supposedly smart belt that looks like a fashion reject from the original Star Trek series. According to the Fortune website, Belty is a motorized smart-belt created by the Paris startup company known as Emiota. Fortune continues to say that this “certainly ugly” belt is able to constrict and relax itself as it is able to determine whether the wearer is standing or sitting down; supposedly, the belt will even send a warning to your cell phone if it determines you are being too lazy. While this belt may seem kind of cool, it raises red flags in many areas for me, especially since it has wireless capabilities, which means there’s a possibility of being hacked. Personally, I’d be too afraid this gadget would go haywire and start constricting like a boa around my waist from someone hacking the device, or just simply have an error and crack my lower spine. Though, on the bright side, it might help to lose weight from extreme discomfort. At the moment, Belty does not have a price and is only a prototype that Emiota is trying to start a business on. So if you actually want one of these gadgets, you’re probably going to have to wait a while.
Photo property of www.rocketskates.com/rocketskates
The next gadget I have for you is the Rocketskates, which sadly to my despair, the name is a sham, and in my opinion, false advertising since there are no rockets involved. I weep at this lie. Nonetheless, these skates are definitely out of a cheesy 70’s sci-fi where everyone is wearing them in the future. What these skates really have is a pair of motors on each skate instead of actual rockets, but in turn, these skates are supposedly able to propel the wearer at speeds of up to 10 miles an hour. According to Fortune, the pair of skates is strapped to your already owned shoes and has the ability to keep track of the route you’ve traveled on your cell phone. However, the cell phone app will not guard you from extreme embarrassment as people laugh at you for wearing stupid looking motorized skates. The Rocketskates can be bought on their namesake’s website in three different models; however, the price of the skates will probably blow you out of the water. The cheapest model, the R-6, is a hefty price of $499, while the most expensive model, the R-10, will set you back a whole $699.
SPORTS the Florida tech crimson
January 13, 2015
Spring 2015 Preview Spring season - a time of renewal and rebirth for not only the season, but for the games of Baseball, Golf, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Rowing and Men’s and Women’s Track and Field. Here’s a preview for four of FIT’s upcoming spring sports, including Baseball, Softball and Men’s and Women’s Golf.
Baseball: Florida Tech enters the season in a home opener against Southeastern, Feb. 2. Just after, the team heads to South Carolina to play four games in a three day span, Feb. 7 - 9. In total, the Panthers are scheduled to play 49 regular season games, 24 of those being Sunshine State Conference play. The Panthers ended their 2013 - 2014 season with an overall record of 25-22 and SSC record of 9-14. If the team advances past regular season, the NCAA Division II South Region Championship is scheduled to take place May 14-17, and the NCAA Division II Championship May 23-30.
Softball: The Panthers begin 2015 with a double header at home, Feb. 1 against Webber International. Just five days after, the team is on the road for 10 consecutive away games, five of those being in Columbus, Ga. “I’m really excited to start our new softball season. With 17 returners and 2 new comers, I believe that we have a very experienced and determined group of young ladies. We have 5 seniors that had been part of our program for 4 years now and are leading this team to great things,” said head coach Val Silvestrini. Florida Tech Softball has a total of 48 games for the regular season. Sunshine State Conference play begins February 27 against the University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla. Additionally, The Panthers enter Spring with new leadership alongside Silvestrini. “With the addition of Sean Cotter to our coaching staff we have seen tremendous improvement in all areas of our sport. Our mission is to get better every day and peak in April to win the conference and advance to the NCAA tournament.” If the team advances, NCAA Regionals commence, May 3 - 5, and the Championship commences May 15 in Allendale, Mich.
Women’s golf enters spring at No. 1 teams because they make up such a small program. Leftinger adds, “We are a diverse group of people from Rachel Pence different cultures, so that is what makes it so fun and enjoyable.” Contributing Writer Women’s golf is well rounded in leadership as well. Saltmarsh The Florida Tech Women’s describes Polson’s seniority, LeftGolf team proved to be more than inger’s work ethic, Larsson’s “ficonsistent this fall, earning a #1 ery” competitiveness and Rambjoer’s leadership in the classroom. spot in the nation. In total, the Panthers capped Their various strengths help hold the season with four straight tour- every player accountable in all nament titles in the course of areas. Togetherness, work ethic three months and individual wins and leadership have shaped this came from sophomores, Johanna team into quite a force, but Larsson Larsson and Guro Rambjoer, and also said the key this fall has been junior, Felicia Leftinger. consistency. The team came shy of the This year, the Panthers have Division II NCAA Championdepth, which is something they ships at the end of the 2014 were lacking last year. Now, Saltseason. Head Coach Chris Saltmarsh says that he is happy to have marsh said, “What we needed was several strong players that he can maturity, and that maturity came rely on to fill top spots in the team. along probably a little bit quicker This serves to make his job much this year. I anticipated us winning easier and helps round out the team events, but the fall has just been well. incredible for everyone.” Florida Tech will be the team For some teams, the rankto beat in the spring. They are secings can add stress. However, FIT ond in the nation on scoring average entered their latest tournament by only 0.05 strokes and the top with a different mindset. Addifour players also hold rankings in tionally, the team also has a good the top 100 Division II golfers in sense of togetherness and work the nation. ethic, according to Saltmarsh. Despite their early success, “We knew we were playthe girls haven’t lost sight of their ing well as a team so I personally ambition for the end of the season. didn’t feel any pressure,” Rachel “Although it is a great title to have, Polson, senior, said. right now our main goal is to get to Due to NCAA rules, coachnationals this spring,” said Polson. es are only allowed to spend a set “To finish off my senior year with number of hours for practice time a National title would be an amazper week. But the girls are permiting feeling.” ted to spend time on the course Leftinger said, “I believe we before and after the coaches get need to trust that we can rely on there. Larsson said, “We encoureach other, and from there just let age each other and we help each it happen.” other with the game.” Florida Tech Women’s Golf Although the team has nine will now focus on the most imporplayers, only five travel to tourtant season in the sport – the spring. naments. Golf is an individual The only time that rankings matter sport, so according to Saltmarsh is at the end of the spring, come it would be easy to have five inMay. Saltmarsh has ten tournadividuals on the course. ments lined up for spring starting Polson said these girls may in February. v know each other better than other
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Ashley Montion Staff Writer
Men’s and Women’s Golf: Men’s golf - finishing fall with a No. 14 ranking and a fourth place spot at the McDonough Cup in November - prepare for Spring with strong goals in mind. “Last season we had a few injuries which affected us, but now that everyone is healthy we are working hard at climbing up the rankings this season. Currently we are ranked 15th and we believe that if we take what we do in qualifiers to the tournaments we will be a top 5 team,” said senior Ray Badenhorst After a record breaking season - earning four consecutive tournament titles and a No. 1 ranking in the nation for NCAA II - women’s golf prepares for the Spring portion of their season. The World Golf Invitational, Feb, 8-9 in Clearwater, Fla., marks FIT’s season opener. Also in the third week of February, the team will travel to Lakeland, Fla. to compete in the Lady Moccasin Classic. Preseason polls will be the deciding factor in their team ranking as they enter Spring. v