MINARET UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933
THE Vo l u m e
79
Number
18
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March,
21
2013
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ut.minaret@gmail.com
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theminaretonline.com
Should Anyone Have the Right to Run?
New student government bylaw says at least one member of each presidential ticket must have officer experience; some criticize move as ‘undemocratic’
By JESSICA KEESEE AND JOSHUA NAPIER
Associate Editor and Editor-In-Chief
Student Government’s amendment regarding students eligible to run for the presidential ticket was met with opposition after its announcement on Feb. 12. The bylaw states that at least one person in a pair running for the office of president and vice must have had previous SG officer experience. A Student Government representative for a campus organization would not qualify under the new bylaw. Matthew Rutkovitz, SG President, said the bylaw was put in place to ease the transition between presidents. “We want what’s best for the student body,” Rutkovitz said. “So somebody with experience … would benefit the entire student body as a whole.” SG manages a $1.1 million budget - a responsibility Rutkovitz believes
would best be suited for candidates with previous SG officer experience. As soon as officers returned for the spring semester, SG created the bylaw committee to give students enough time to assemble a team under the new amendment, or for students without SG officer experience to find a running mate that would satisfy the bylaw. However, some students have criticized the new bylaw, saying not enough time was provided and that the amendment has created a divide amongst students. “We must not stand for this system as it is undemocratic, irrational and not promoting a unified student body,” said Kristen Mathe, the head of Student Productions Concert Board, according to the Senate minutes from the March 5 meeting. Adria Rebbecchi, president of Sigma Delta Tau, spoke with McKay Ellis, who
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resigned from the position of SG Vice President last year to study abroad, during the 10 minute open “We want what’s best for the mic segment of the March student body, so somebody with 5 Senate meeting. experience … would benefit the “We have paid our entire student body as a whole .” membership fees to student government since - Matt Rutkovitz, SG President freshman year and we deserve equal right to impose change or run for offices of our choice the General Assembly on appeal after a or at least be given adequate time for senator made a motion to appeal. planning,” Rebbecchi said, according The General Assembly denied the to the Senate minutes. appeal by a two-thirds vote, according The bylaw was first brought back to Rutkovitz, and the Senate shut it to the Senate for clarification to decide down as well when brought on appeal. whether or not the bylaw would take The Executive Board abstained from effect immediately or after the spring voting on appeal, choosing to let the election for the next academic year. The Senate upheld the ruling and placed the See BYLAW, Page 4 bylaw in effect, but it was brought to
UCF Scare Reopens Campus Gun Discussion Fall 2012 JOU 271
Contributing Writers
A University of Central Florida student committed suicide on Monday after his plans to perform a mass killing of students failed. Police found numerous guns, ammunition, magazines and explosives in the students dorm as well as a detailed list of how the attack was supposed to go. The failed plans have once again opened discussion about the safety of students on college campuses and reheated the debate on whether students with permits should be allowed to possess weapons on campus. Angel Rivera a freshman Film and Media Arts major does not support guns on campus. “Definitely not, it’ll just be a big mess and I’m sure a lot of students would begin to question their safety,” she said. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 21 states public universities have an outright ban on concealed weapons on campuses. Another two-dozen states allow the universities and colleges to make their own regulations for weapons. Currently, weapons are not allowed on Florida’s college campuses, and people must
In Other News...
conceal the weapons they carry. In 2011, a bill was introduced in the Florida Legislature that would prevent universities from making their own rules regulating firearms on campus, the bill did not pass but it may be revisited in 2013. Linda Devine is Vice President for Operations and Planning at UT and said that she does not anticipate the school’s stance on the issue to change. “UT’s leadership is not interested in entertaining a change in our current weapons policy. The inclusion of concealed weapons in an educational setting would add vast complexity to our community, and introduces a variable that would change campus dynamics in a negative way.” Jeff Bari, a UT junior supports being able to carry a firearm on campus. “Yes, for my own personal protection. I have been trained how to use a firearm and I would like to have it in the event that I needed to defend myself on campus,” he said. Bari supports a petition at USF to be able to carry a concealed weapon on campus and says that he will be purchasing a gun the day he turns 21. Students for Concealed Carry is one national group that advocates for the right to carry legally permitted guns on public college and university campuses.
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According to the group, more than 200 colleges and universities allow students and faculty to carry concealed firearms. Last May, the Brady Center to PreventGunViolence issued a report that said the National Rifle Association, is campaigning in several U.S. states to allow college staff and students to have firearms on campus. The Brady Center says that allowing guns would increase danger and be a threat to the safety of students, especially because students are more likely than others to drink excessively or suffer depression.
Casey Budd/The Minaret
Michael Danner was the hero of the game last weekend against St. Leo as he provided the walkoff RBI single that ended the game with a win for Tampa. See related story, page 17
16 TSA Approves Pocket Knives as Carry On Items
News..................................2
18 The Minaret’s March Madness Special
Opinion............................ 11
Diversions.........................6 A+E....................................7 Sports..............................17