MINARET UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933
THE Vo l u m e
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The Minaret is proud to present its first 24Hour Edition. Over the past week, our staff and guest contributors scoured campus and beyond to bring you stories about the sights, sounds, students, faculty and staff who bring UT to life every hour of every day. From a Plant Hall ghost hunt and ROTC drills to an impromptu dorm dance party and early morning crew practice, join us on a 24-hour adventure aimed at exploring the university, in and out, in real time.
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April
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ut.minaret@gmail.com
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theminaretonline.com
Sam Battersby/The Minaret
Early Risers, On The Water By SAMANTHA DELLE
Contributer
Throughout high school, I considered myself a stereotypical morning person. I would literally jump out of bed every morning when my alarm went off and I would race across the room to turn it off. Now, my alarm clock sits right next to my bed and I don’t hesitate to hit the snooze button. I lie in bed contemplating what changed since then (could it just be the position of the alarm clock?) and calculate how long I can stay in bed before I risk being late for crew practice. When I finally stand up, I am struck by how frigid the room is in contrast with the warmth of my bed. I check the weather application on my phone and dress for the temperature. I go with layers because while it is freezing on the water before the sun comes up, it tends to feel too warm for my sweatshirt towards the middle of practice. I usually end up looking like a fashion disaster because I get dressed
in the dark and it’s hard to distinguish between the colors in the navy-blackblue-grey realm. I consider myself lucky when my socks match. I avoid turning on the lights because I would rather not wake up my roommates, who both appear to be soundly and peacefully asleep.
[
One of the perks of having practice before class: I am fully awake for my 8:30 lectures. It’s definitely a productive start to the day. I have finished a workout before some people are even awake.
groggy state. I sit on the concrete floor of the boathouse and wait with the team for everyone to arrive. After first taking out the oars and then carrying out the boat, we get on the water rather quickly and head out. Once we get moving, I wake up and instantly become alert. One of the perks of having practice before class: I am fully awake for my 8:30 lectures. It’s definitely a productive start to the day. I have finished a workout before some people are even awake. Though I initially struggle to find the motivation to get out of bed in the morning, it’s always an enjoyable experience. The beauty of the river in the morning is unparalleled. The glasslike water is still and not yet broken by wakes from boats. The rising sunlight glitters as it reflects off the buildings and the sky takes on a warm glow. Watching the sunrise in the morning is well worth running on little sleep. Samantha Delle can be reached at samathadelle@aol.com.
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When I open the door and step into the hallway, I trigger the motion sensor for the hallway light to come on. I can assume that I am the first one awake in my section of the hallway. I climb down the stairs of Vaughn and head to the boathouse in a
At Other Times...
2 6 a.m. Swimmers Dive In For Rigorous Practices
9 1 p.m. Segway Tours Make Way Through Campus
16 10 p.m. Letter to Mysterious Man of Cass Bar
7 11 a.m. UT Student Tags Along Campus Tour
13 7 p.m. Student Government election Results Are In
23 3 a.m. Skeptical or Certain of Spirits?
M
APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Swimmers Dive In For Rigorous Practices
MINARET
2
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
By Lauren Richey
Joshua Napier
Opinions Columnist
joshua.napier@theminaretonline.com
A generic iPhone ringtone startles me awake. I slide the sound off, and roll over to look at the digital clock on my desk: 6 a.m. Some mornings I can’t even remember why I’m up that early, wondering what I could possibly have to do. Other times I just roll back over to the warm spot where I was currently laying, and wait until the very last second when I have to get out of bed and get ready. Waking up early is not for everybody. For me it’s not a choice, but an occupation. From September to May, it’s my duty to roll out of bed and into a pool. With my swimsuit on and towel packed, my roommates and I trudge the seemingly long walk to the campus pool-a place the average UT student would consider going to relax and hang out. Well, we weren’t headed to a pool party, and we definitely weren’t planning on laying out to tan. We finally arrive, and join the rest of the sleepy-eyed people, dreading the moment when our coaches tell us to take off our clothes off and dive in. Sometimes we’re lucky and it’s a nice
MANAGING EDITOR Chelsea Daubar
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ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Keesee
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NEWS + FEATURES Mia Glatter, Editor
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Yasaman Sherbaf, Asst. Editor
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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Natalie Hicks, Editor
natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com
Kelly St. Onge, Asst. Editor
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OPINION
Paola Crespo, Editor
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Annabella Palopoli, Asst. Editor
annabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com
SPORTS
John Hilsenroth, Editor
john.hilsenroth@theminaretonline.com
Miles Parks, Asst. Editor
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65 degrees outside. Other times we’re together and suffer together. Our job as not and it’s below 40 degrees and windy. athletes is not only to win meets, but to Occasionally a cold night will come out encourage and watch out for one another of nowhere, and the pool heaters haven’t and to help our teammates succeed in been turned on. life, both in the pool and out. Those are the mornings when you So when I’m shivering in the morning have to take a second to reevaluate your water, exhausted from a hard set, don’t life choices, and contemplate how you feel bad for me. Because in the end, it ended up in a position requiring you to doesn’t matter how fast you are, and it jump into freezing cold water before the doesn’t matter if you’re the one making sun is up. But eventually, we all come to the national titles. What matters is that the same conclusion: just close your eyes you’re there, day in and day out with and do it. your team. Swimming is not a sport for the Lauren Richey can be reached at undisciplined. Having practice every Lauren.Richey@spartans.ut.edu day, swimming endless laps back and forth and waking up at 6 a.m. every morning is not something many people can do consistently. So why do we do it? For some, it’s for the recognition and the possible recordbreaking swims. For others, it’s to stay in shape and beat personal bests. For me, it’s just to be a part of something awesome. Our team is a family Sam Battersby/The Minaret -we eat together, party Practice for swimmers starts at 6 a.m. from September to May.
Outrunning the Sun
ONLINE
Jennifer Bedell, Web and Social Media Director
Tampa track team members are among the several sports teams that are out practicing before the sun has even risen
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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PHOTOGRAPHERS Leah Beilhart Imani Cruz Victoria DeLone Jake Patterson
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COLUMNISTS
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24-HOUR EDITION
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
3
Campus Peaceful and Empty for Early Morning Classes myself more time before class to walk around campus to try to see News + Features Editor if the early bird really does get the worm. I thought students who It’s like the walking dead. Except walked the halls of UT at these with more yoga pants. And the walkers times were the ambitious ones, moan Einstein’s instead of brains. ready to face to morning and the Every Tuesday and Thursday morning day of classes ahead. I wake up early for my Beginning However, I found that most Tap class. Earlier this week, I gave were just unlucky. Sabrina Milroy wakes up early every morning for her Business Law class at 8 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She has to take the Taylor Sanger/The Minaret class for her major, and it was the only time Students often arrive tired to Plant Hall, which holds many classes that start early in the morning. offered this semester munching slowly on their cereal or probably never happen. that fit the rest of her eggs staring into space or reading “Everyone awake for classes at this schedule. time kind of have an understanding,” “Some days are better something. Nobody is worried about what Milroy says “No judging for outfits than others,” she said “I can usually come right others will think of them sitting alone, and no conversation.” As I make the short walk from back after and take a it’s too early to worry about things like Brevard to the Edison building, I often nap and coffee always that, plus everyone is eating alone. I sit alone and eat some fruit. There see the faces of others making the, helps.” Swiping into the is a serene atmosphere in the calm often chilly, trek to these torturous cafeteria, I take a look cafeteria that you don’t see any other classes. Emotionless faces dreaming around at the seating time of the day along with no lines to of pillows are everywhere and at this moment I feel the same way. options. It’s an easy wait in. Mia Glatter/The Minaret decision to make, nearly I tell myself that I will try to Few students roam the halls during early morning hours. Mia Glatter can be reached at Mia. the entire cafeteria is wake up this early again to recreate empty save a few students this moment, but I know that it will Glatter@theminaretonline.com By MIA GLATTER
Crew Team Prepares for Sarasota Scrimmage By Sharonda Miles
Contributer
The UT boathouse was full of activity at 7 a.m. Even though sunlight still eluded them and they braved a numbing 48 degrees, UT’s men and women rowing teams faced the Hillsborough River and the elements for practice. This is their routine six days a week, however, this week it had a different purpose. Neighboring USF invited them, Rollins College and other universities for a scrimmage match this weekend--a prime opportunity to practice for the Fira competition in Sarasota next weekend, and a chance to go to nationals. I first discovered Riverside in the spring. I was immediately drawn to the Hillsborough River on the backside of the building and
went to soak in its beauty. I saw several rowers (which I assumed was UT’s rowing team) steaming down the river. I had never experienced rowing before. Any college I had ever attended only emphasized traditional sports like football, basketball, softball and track. But our rowing team showed me what rowing was all about, and they did so collectively as one unit. I was in awe of the men and women seemingly rowing for their lives while the coach, in a smaller boat, roared orders through a bullhorn like a drill sergeant. I could tell they had a fire thundering in them. Sophomore Kaitlyn Goff, putting away the team’s gear after their morning row, explained how nationals in Dadeville, Pa. work. “You don’t automatically go to nationals. The coach will determine if we go or not…depending on
Rowers practice six days a week, no matter the temperature.
Sam Battersby/The Minaret
Sam Battersby/The Minaret Getting ready for an upcoming scrimmage, rowers practice on the Hillsborough River.
how we do at Fira next weekend.” I asked her if they hoped to win first place and of course she said yes, but their main goal is to place and make their coach proud. Attending nationals carries a substantial monetary deposit, so it’s nothing to take for granted. Goff said, “It can be expensive-as much as a thousand dollars per boat.” Despite that, our Spartans are fighting that national title. Our Spartans are a force to be reckoned with. The men conquered the Hooch Regatta in Tennessee with a first place victory, topping the likes of universities like Princeton and other D-1 and D-2 schools. The women have placed fourth nationally but hope to sweep that and every other school in Dadeville with a first-place win. To prep for their wins, the row teams practice with their own equipment in the shed under the boathouse: weights,
rowing machines, you name it. Sophomore Kristin Anderson did me the honor of demonstrating the row machine. “Normal resistance is a three or a four,” Anderson said. “But 10 would be like rowing against a strong headwind.” Goff adds, “It would be like running down Bayshore and not being able to run as fast because you’re running against the wind.” I always thought UT and USF shared a rivalry, but Goff and Anderson told me otherwise. “No,” Goff statted. “We’re normally rivals with UF. We meet them four times a year. And Clemson, too.” Anderson added, “Also Nova Southeastern and Georgia Tech.” It’s obvious they contend against the best, so they have to train to be the best. Sharonda Miles can be reached at Sharonda. Miles@spartans.ut.edu
4 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Ambitious Exercisers Arrive Early at McNiff Gym
By ALEXANDRA TOWNSEND Contributer
It is 8:00 a.m., a time when the average UT student is still sound asleep with no plans of leaving his bed in the near future. However, the time of day seems irrelevant at the McNiff gym. It
is filled with a variety of students all going about their workouts for their own specific goals at their own paces. The weight room is occupied almost entirely of UT’s male population except for the occasional female lifting as well. The guys are going through their sets with extreme focus, constantly checking their lists to make sure they have completed every set. Next to almost every weight bench is a water bottle with some form of protein powder or pre-workout mix that the guys sip as they go along with gallons of water. Moving toward the cardio machines, almost every elliptical is filled by a girl reading or texting as she completes her workout. The stair masters have the
Sam Battersby/The Minaret Early risers fill the gym and fitness classes take place when many students are still asleep.
same few students on them every day and are accompanied by individuals who could not find an available elliptical. The treadmills are filled with students at a variety of athletic abilities--some sprinting, dripping with sweat and others walking steadily along flipping through a magazine. The nautilus equipment area is packed with male and female students alike. The muscular, body builder guys are slamming weights as they try to push themselves to the next level. At the same time, personal trainers are working to introduce both students and faculty members to the benefits of free weight lifting. Mixed in with them are guys and girls making their way through the machines to complete their morning routine before rushing to their classes. Dispersed around the different machines are students stretching and working on their abs in whatever free space they can find. Normally at this time the only people in the studio are individuals stretching, using kettle bells or doing other activities on their own. Some bring weights in to aid with their push-ups and crunches. Other students use the yoga balls and jump ropes to add variety to their sequence. However, this morning the studio is dark, lit only by the string lights along the mirror. There is a spin class taking place and despite the earliness of the morning, there is a handful of individuals peddling away. Although the gym is not at its busiest at
Sam Battersby/The Minaret Students are working out in the gym as early as 8 a.m.
this time, there is a good amount of people working out unphased by the earliness of the morning. The majority of people is often the same and typically goes through the same workouts diligently every day. As time passes, the less dedicated gym goers begin to attend, and those who went at 8 a.m. can relax knowing that they completed their work out at a time when most were still immersed in their dreams. Alexandra Townsend can be reached at alexandra.townsend@spartans.ut.edu
!
The Office of Residence Life presents: '"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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On Tuesday, April 2, 2013, Student Government met in Reeves Theater. SG new representative winners were announced. Opening of the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex is this Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. You can get a free meal from SG/ Sodexo if you RSVP to jamie.tynes@spartans.ut.edu Food will be served at 7:15 p.m. and the ribbon cutting ceremony is at 7:25 p.m. Home Run Derby is this Saturday, April 6. It cost $5.
th
April 9 , 2013 Vaughn Center Lobby 11-2 pm !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Relay for Life pick up for confirmation packets and T-shirts is this Monday from 8-10 p.m. in Brevard. On April 16, there is no General Assembly; Leadership Awards Night is at 6:45 p.m. on the ninth floor of Vaughn. Senior class formal will be held Friday, April 19 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Florida Aquarium. Food will be served and there will be a cash bar.
24-HOUR EDITION
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
The Hunter and Her Steed
5
One student’s quest to conquer the parking garage By KATHERINE LAVACCA Arts + Entertainment Writer
The sun peeks out behind the trees. A new day has begun. The hunt will begin shortly. I rush to my noble mustang whose coat glistens with a fine dew, making him sparkle in the new sun. As we leave our stable and head up the road we both prepare for the hunt of a parking spot that lies ahead of us. He warms up his parts while I select a fast pace song for us to ride to. Today it’s “Jump” by Rihanna. It’s half past the hour as we near our destination of the West Parking Garage. Other riders have joined us in our quest. Unfortunately, not all will be successful in finding a parking spot. We fly down the path of North Boulevard, pass the intersection of Cass, leap over the train tracks and come to a saunter behind the growing line of antsy riders and rumbling steeds. My steed and I make a sharp turn into the drive of the West Parking Garage and charge up the ramp to the second floor in hopes of finding a spot to settle ourselves before my first class. We almost got lucky on the second floor, but some careless rider from the north double parked his small Mini Cooper so we continued around the corner. We jerk up suddenly on a forgotten speed bump causing my mustang to squeak in surprise. As we continue our journey up the tower of filled spots, a few riders dart in front of us bringing us to a stop, startling the people behind us. Thankfully we were not hit and we climb to the fourth floor. Hope starts to fade as we go up another floor when suddenly an open
spot appears on the far side of the fifth floor. I cautiously swing my mustang into the spot adjusting to be within the lines so I don’t hinder the ability of my yellow neighbor from exiting. After gathering my books and keys from the car I part ways with my mustang knowing he’s in no danger of being scratched or dented. I descend the stairs quickly. There’s only 10 minutes to get over to Plant Hall for my 10 a.m.
class. As I hurry along I notice the lucky residents who have just woken up. Some are still in pajamas casually walking to their classes. I make my way around a small group of them heading to breakfast. Out of breath and wind whipped, I round the corner only to see a sign across my classroom door that said, “CLASS CANCELLED.” I deflate a little and turn around, descending the stairs
slowly and walk back out into the cold wind. We may have completed our quest, but it was all for naught. Katherine Lavacca can be reached at katherine.lavacca@spartans.ut.edu.
Sam Battersby/The Minaret Lavacca often has trouble finding parking spots in the morning, causing her to rush to class. Students across campus face the same problem.
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6 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Students Line Up for Chance to Purchase Disney Tickets By Xelmarie Medina
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Photo Courtesy of Xelmarie Medina Students line up to buy low price tickets to Disney through SP.
Last month, Student Productions announced the location of their annual off-campus trip which will take place in the wonderful world of Disney. This year, around 200 UT students will have the pleasure to go to Magic Kingdom on Saturday, April 6 for the low price of $35. What can be more fun than going to Disney with your friends and reliving childhood memories without entirely draining your wallet? Oh that’s right, getting the actual tickets themselves. Tickets were sold from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on March 26, 28 and 29, but ticket sales barely lasted an hour since they only sold 50 tickets a day. My roommate and I showed up in the Vaughn lobby at 9:00 a.m. and 20 people were already waiting in line, including those who took chairs from nearby
tables and decided to wait a little more comfortably. I secured my spot in line when seconds later my stomach grumbled. For once, the food from the cafeteria smelled really good. An oasis of waffles, bacon and eggs filled my nostrils. But I knew the instant I got food I wouldn’t get my ticket because it was only 9:10 and the line was already approaching the elevators. Again, I reminded my friends that if they didn’t get there fast enough, they would be cut off. “I’m on my way wearing sweatpants and glasses!” my friend Katie Reiter’s text said. We were on a mission. We were getting these tickets no matter what. After what seemed like a hundred text messages and phone calls, my friends and I stood in line together waiting for the Student Production staff members to get there. Other than potentially starting World War III with those that thought they could cut us in the line, we made it through until 10:30 and got our tickets. April Rubio, a Student Productions staff member for the past two years, was in charge of the ticket sales and said they have been planning for this event since
early March. “Last year, we went to Sea World and we took only 100 or so students and some said it wasn’t enough,” Rubio said. “Therefore, we added more this year. Not to mention, it’s Disney and it seems that there are more people that will be enthusiastic about it.” However, it’s not always a walk in the park with some students when they aren’t able to get their tickets. “I’ve done it before [selling tickets,” Rubio said. “It’s definitely intense but it’s manageable. People get angry when they don’t get their tickets but I try to calm them down and encourage them to come the next day. It eventually works out.” For those of you who were able to get tickets, good for you! And for those who weren’t able, remember to stay tuned for the event next year. As Rubio stated, “We want to keep implementing off campus trips because it’s always fun to get out of school and relax for a while.” Xelmarie Medina can be reached at xelmymedina@gmail. com.
The Daily Activities of Literature Prof. Dr. Dooghan By KELLY ST. ONGE
Asst. Arts + Entertainment
You are sure to find Dr. Daniel Dooghan, assistant professor of world literature at the University of Tampa, at his office any time. That is, as long as he’s not in class. I met up with Dr. Dooghan to talk about what a typical hour in his office might look like. His desk is thoughtfully disorganized with books he is reading and papers he is grading. “Talks in China,” “The Chinese Classics” and “The Book of Lieh-tzu” are some of the books stacked on his desk. On the wall above his computer is a propaganda poster from the People’s Republic of China (1974) with Lu Xun in the background, the man Dr. Dooghan
wrote his dissertation on, and three people from the revolutionary class in the front: a peasant, a factory worker and a soldier. All three carry writing utensils. Dr. Dooghan explained, “We can see that these historically oppressed classes are now literate and the implication is that the Communists have something to do with that.” At the bottom of the poster is a statement (written in Chinese) that says, “Study Lu Xun’s revolutionary spirit. Become a leader in criticizing Lin Biao and Confucius.” There’s one thing you need to know if you plan to stop by his office for a chat or help with an assignment: be prepared to learn. I have never walked into his office without coming out feeling bit smarter. Conversations with
Kelly St. Onge/The Minaret Dooghan keeps his desk “thoughtfully disorganized with books he is reading and papers he is grading.”
Kelly St. Onge/The Minaret Dr. Dooghan often turns to his guitar as a distraction from daily activities.
Dr. Dooghan are winding to say the least. One topic always manages to lead into another, and by the end of the conversation you wonder how the conversation got to that point. He has three bookshelves in his office. One is for literature texts with his collection of Lu Xun at the top, one is for scholarly journals and textbooks and one is for literary criticisms and foreign languages. If he doesn’t have the answers to your questions in his office, he will find them. A guitar sits in the back corner behind his desk. “I have a guitar because: one, I play the guitar and it’s important to practice. And two,
if you’ve been grading or doing research or procrastinating for two to three hours, sometimes it’s nice to do something else,” Dooghan said. He plays songs by The Who a lot. “It’s just a relaxing break in the activity. It’s either that or walk to the mailroom four times a day which I do to procrastinate my activities, but it is somewhat more productive.” When he’s not grading papers, playing the guitar or in class, he’s almost always free to talk. “That’s what I’m here for,” Dooghan said. Kelly St.Onge can be reached at kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com.
24-HOUR EDITION
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
7
UT Student Tags Along Campus Tour By CAROLINE METELL Contributor
It’s something the majority of us did as high school students. We visited prospective colleges and universities hoping that we would find a sense of belonging. We talked to counselors, tried the food and went on the campus tours. At the University of Tampa, tours go on Monday through Friday at select times during the day. One sunny Wednesday afternoon, sophomore Paul Teresi took out his group of 22 people from all over the country. They had just sat through a 30 minute presentation where they learned about the basic facts of the school, such as majors, financial aid and residence
life. Walking through campus, he pointed out everything to the guests, from Smiley being a freshman dorm that the prospective students could be living in, to Falk Theater, which was hosting opening night of the new play. When the group made their way into Vaughn Center, Teresi explained the use of the Spartan Card, calling it “your key to the university.” He explained the use of the meal plans and meal exchanges as well as the people that table in Vaughn for their organizations. The guests were able to walk around the cafeteria while Teresi waited for them in the lobby. Teresi stressed the university’s decision to have students take a variety of classes. He said the university wanted
A student gives a tour of UT to potential students and their families.
its students “well versed in everything,” being a liberal arts college. But along with giving his group the facts about the university, Teresi kept it light, inserting a few jokes into his speeches. When giving his tours, Teresi said he thinks back to the days when he checked out different colleges himself. “I took a lot of the stuff I liked from other tours and put them into mine, he said. “I have to make it fun and engaging to keep them captivated. This is my element; I’ve always been comfortable public speaking. ” Upon entering John Sykes, he talked about the university’s achievements in being one of the top business schools in the nation. He explained Sykes’ grand exterior and interior as being modeled after businesses in the cities so students wouldn’t be intimidated in the real world. He called it “experiential learning,” something that many majors have. The nursing students were working in the local hospital, and the elementary education students were teaching at local schools. On the inside of the building, Teresi stopped the group to show off what he said was one of his favorite places on campus. In the middle of the building, flags representing the students from all parts of the world were displayed. He said over 120 countries are represented by UT and Sykes has three floors, so there are a lot of flags throughout the building. When it is time to show the group a dorm room, Teresi took them to Morsani Hall. When they reached the sixth floor, the crowd squeezed into the dorm room, just as another tour was leaving. Cracking another Photo Courtesy of Caroline Metell joke, one of the families that were on Teresi’s tour laughed and said,
“He’s really enjoying himself. He’s good.” Teresi introduced the dorm room saying, “Other schools will show you a Bed, Bath & Beyond model, but we show you a real student’s dorm room.” Teresi also showed off the campus pool before making his way back to Plant Hall to end the tour. Families were then given a chance to meet individually with an admissions counselor if they so chose. The families were all ecstatic about the school, and Teresi’s tour. “It was really good,” said Adrienne Kiley, visiting from New York. “I was hoping we’d get him. He speaks well and enunciates.” Josh McIntosh, a high school junior said he heard about UT at a college fair. “It was great, I’m considering it.” Lani Hutchison, an accepted high school student from Ohio thinking about majoring in business, also enjoyed the tour. “I like the campus, and the tour was great. I saw everything I wanted to see.” Her mother, Carol Hutchison added, “It looks like a fancy hotel! And access to the counselors afterwards is great.” Junior UT student Arielle Speert also gives campus tours. “People seem to love UT after the tour,” she said. “I love giving tours because I get to meet future students which releases tension for them when they see me their first semester. I also like showing off the perks of UT.” Busy days for the Admissions Office are usually open house days, which occur on select days throughout the school year. The next one is Sunday, April 7. Caroline Metell can be reached at cmetell@spartans.ut.edu.
McNiff Gets Students ‘Pumped’ about Working Out By THERESA STANTON Arts + Entertainment Writer
I rushed down the elevator noticing it was already 10 a.m. All that ran through my mind was that the PUMP class at McNiff started in 15 minutes. As I entered the gym, I peered into the classroom which wasn’t nearly as crowded as it normally is. A sigh of relief passed through my lips as I realized that there was enough equipment left for me. I grabbed a stair stepper, barbell, mat and two five-pound weights. The instructor, Giana, walked in and introduced herself, so I decided to stretch while she set everything up. I didn’t want to get cramped up like I did the previous class. I was so sore that every movement made me cringe in pain. Giana said, “We will warm up with half of the normal weight we use and will start by doing squats.” I put the five-pound weights on each side of the barbell and put my feet a shoulder length apart. I began to do the squats. After a minute I could feel the blood rushing through my body, making my face red. I realized I wasn’t breathing a whole lot so I started to regulate my breathe. Giana told the class to do squats as if we were “trying to squat over a toilet seat without touching it.”
This analogy made me lose concentration for a second, but I tried to correct my form. Next came upright rows. Giana told the group to double our weight, however, I didn’t because I wanted to focus on my form instead. I got into my starting position and began doing upright rows. After looking in the mirror I noticed I was using my sides as support, so I quickly started to use my arms. I glanced around the room to see if anyone noticed my mistake but everyone seemed to be in their own worlds. We quickly moved onto deadlifts. The song “I’m Bringing Sexy Back” played in Photo Courtesy of Theresa Stanton the background. Giana Students participate in the PUMP class offered at McNiff Fitness Center. jokingly said, “We are bringing sexy back,” as she tried to motivate us. I began to lean Then we stood up and lifted the bar that this was the last exercise. I was so over using my knees while keeping my high above our heads while extending relieved and proud of myself at the end back straight. After the song ended we our arms. I felt so powerful. When we of the workout session for keeping up. switched from lifting the bar from our moved onto lunges with the bar, my Theresa Stanton can be reached at chest level to eye level. legs began to shake. Giana announced theresa.stanton@spartans.ut.edu.
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APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Beginner Yogis De-stress During Midday Class By JACKIE BRAJE and ZOE FOWLER Arts + Entertainment Writers
Samantha Battersby/The Minaret
An instructor teaches a midday yoga class at the McNiff Fitness Center.
wlit studio at the McNiff Fitness Center, laid out their yoga mats and faced the impending doom of the noon power yoga class. The yoga classes at the fitness center are arguably one of the most popular classes there, so it wasn’t a surprise to see the studio filled with eager yogis, awaiting their spiritual transformation. “I haven’t done yoga in a week,” Zoe whispered with a nervous tremor in her voice. Jamie, the yoga instructor, told at least 10 student yogis and Jackie’s former creative writing professor, to do three seemingly easy tasks: listen to their bodies throughout the duration of the class, let their breathing guide their movements and don’t worry about how far Limber Lucy is stretching. This was easier said than done. The class started off with a simple downward dog while the sounds of Hindu rap led them to a plank position. With jelly arms and tucked-in elbows, they lowered themselves to the ground and listened to the wise words of the rapper: “When I say ‘hare,’ you say ‘Krishna.’” The sun salutations, known as a series of 12 postures executed in flowing movements, weren’t an easy feat for Zoe. Her transition from runner’s lunge into a standing flat back position resembled the ease of a monkey playing with his mates accompanied by a heavy Rick Ross grunt. To the right of Zoe, Jackie was facing her own inner battle while standing in warrior pose––a battle with her stomach. Although the instructor told everyone to listen to their bodies, it was slightly difficult for Jackie to hear anything over the moans and groans of her empty stomach. Every lift of the
arms and roll of the neck was followed by an overwhelming wave of dizziness. However, she managed to calm the unrelenting beast of hunger by bringing her focus back to her breathing. After a series of strenuous poses and salutations, the instructor prepared them for the “side crow pose,” a blatant defense of gravitational laws. She started out by placing both her hands on the ground at the right side of her body, and everyone else followed suit. When she lifted the rest of her body off the ground, however, is when the rest of the class gave up. Everyone looked at each other in sheer horror, as if they wanted to say, “I’m not doing that shiz.” Meanwhile, as Jackie and Zoe slumped onto their mats in defeat, the writing professor contorted herself into the same pose as though it were second nature. As her body slowly gravitated upwards with her hands planted firmly on the ground, they sat and stared with their jaws agape and utter incompetence flooding their egos. After their self-esteem took a hearty beating, the instructor finally asked the class to do Jackie and Zoe’s favorite position: final relaxation. In this pose, the body surrenders itself to the earth and sinks into ground while laying on one’s back with palms stretched open. Most fell into deep relaxation while some (namely Jackie) fell asleep. To conclude the power yoga session, everyone sat up into a comfortable seated position and gave thanks to the instructor in the words of Namaste. The instructor then recited a beautiful mantra in Sanskrit which, to Zoe and Jackie, simply translated to “time for lunch.” Jackie Braje can be reached at jacquelyn.braje@spartans.ut.edu. Zoe Fowler can be reached at zoe. fowler@spartans.ut.edu.
Molding a Masterpiece: Artistic Inspiration Snodgrass said. They may still have periods of doubt, but they found a direction throughout I sit in the pottery studio studying the their years of experimenting and grey mass of clay that sits in front of me. developing. No artist starts out painting I look over to see a classmate the “Mona Lisa” or sculpting uncover a project that looks the “Pietá.” It takes practice exactly like a blooming rose. and patience to get to that Another student is working on stage. I may not be a skilled a “dia de los muertos” stylized artist, but I’m learning that skull. I look at my clay. I everyone can find a medium decide to get a drink of water to express themselves in if hoping some inspiration will they try. come to me. I sit back down in front of As I pass an open hall my clay and begin to work, that leads to another studio, a realizing my piece will never painting at the end catches my be like the blooming rose or eye. It’s brightly colored with the stylized skull. It won’t a mosaic pattern, and no two be like the bright mosaic or shapes are exactly the same. the earthy woman. It will I look to the right and notice be a collection of random an earthy blend of colors for inspirations whether that be a background with the figure something I see on campus, of a woman in the process of a song I hear or even a color being painted. that jumps out at me. My Some students are working clay will be transformed into in the studio down the hall with something that is totally my music playing. I make my way own, and it will be part of a back into the pottery studio series of unique pieces while I and see a couple students discover what medium is best transporting wood and other for me. odd objects to another studio. Katherine Lavacca can be Photo Courtesy of Lorena Snodgrass Every time they come back Senior art student Lorena Snodgrass is a skilled artist at UT. Her own website shows a variety of her photography reached at katherine.lavacca@ through the doors of our including the one above. spartans.ut.edu.
By KATHERINE LAVACCA Arts + Entertainment Writer
studio they have something different: a lamp shade, a chair, an old bellow... I notice seniors who are in the process of completing their portfolios and how confident they are in their work.
“‘Dias De Los Muertos art is a common motif in Los Angeles. Throughout my time in art school, it is a theme that has come up in my work repeatedly,” senior art major Lorena
24-HOUR EDITION
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Lounging by the Pool: A Social Necessity between my classes last week, which is a rare occasion. The weather was warm and still, so I decided to lay out at the pool. As I arrived to my destination with a towel and some sunscreen in tow Every so often when Florida is not (curse my pale British blood), I looked windy, rainy, humid or cloudy, and around for an empty lounge chair. the temperature is in the perfect range I settled for a chair front and center, a prime location for people watching. The moment I put on my sunglasses and pulled out my book, I found it difficult to concentrate on my reading because of all the interesting conversations going on around me. “Did she seriously hook up with him?” the girl sitting next to me asked her friend. “But he’s so gross and hairy. Honestly, I don’t even remember last night. I ended up in Joe’s room somehow.” The friend responded with a giggle and an “ew.” Glancing around the premise of the pool, I quickly noticed that everyone was facing toward the water yet no Samantha Battersby/The Minaret one was actually swimming. The pool is not only great for swimming, but it is also an ideal location for people-watching. It’s like the pool is some sort By NATALIE HICKS
Arts + Entertainment Editor
between 75-85 degrees, the student body heads to the pool. The UT pool is a sacred place for us. It has lounge chairs. It has a shallow end. And the lifeguards even play trendy music by 2 Chainz. What’s not to love? I found myself with an extra hour in
of social watering hole where strangers sit in a large circle and stare at each other. Girls judge other females’ bathing suits, and guys judge the size of the girls’ chests. Oh, the human species. What a wonderful creation. I attempted to read my book again, but a burly man in a snapback diverted my attention. He was like a small gorilla that somehow escaped Lowry Park Zoo. “BRO, I could eat in the café for days and never get full,” the burly man said to his much smaller friend who was also wearing a snapback. The sun’s rays grew stronger and the music grew louder, but the lifeguards were now blasting Rihanna instead of 2 Chainz. Nothing like a little birthday cake while getting my tan on. The clock approached 2 p.m. and I had to get ready to go to my next class. As I packed up my belongings, I looked around the pool one more time in hopes of having a farewell stare fest, but no one caught my glance. Oh well, there are plenty more sunshine-filled days to come. Natalie Hicks can be reached at natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com.
Segway Tours Make Way Through Campus By THERESA STANTON Arts + Entertainment Writer
It was 1 p.m. I had just eaten at the café with my friend and was ready to head back to my dorm to fall into a food coma. While I was passing Vaughn, my friend pointed out a huge group of people with helmets on these nifty contraptions. I figured it was just a group passing of bicyclers. Unable to see them from the end of Sykes, I squinted to get a better view. I was finally able to see that they were riding Segways. The guide was in front with the tourists in tow. Many struggled to keep their balance as they awkwardly leaned forward to go faster. Others struggled to hold onto the bars to keep their balance. In rows of two’s I began to see their excited faces as many students looked at them in astonishment. As the group of 12 Segway riders began to approach us, they slowly leaned backwards to lose some speed. We quickly moved to the grass as they struggled to swerve around us. They rotated the handlebars to the left. I heard students shout, “Let me ride on your Segway!” I saw so many new faces, young and old, smiling at us as they passed. In the few months that I had been at UT I had never seen a single Segway pass through. My friend told me the tour group was called the Magic Carpet Glide. The tour group passes through many Tampa locations including Bayshore Boulevard, the Convention Center, the Bay Bridge, the University of Tampa, Davis Island and Harbour Island. By traveling with Segways, tourists are able to travel to all these destinations in a matter of two hours.
I was even more astonished to find out that the tour went through the University of Tampa several times a week without me noticing. I wanted to ride one so badly but I was disappointed to find out you have to book a tour a week in advance because the tours are only offered three times a day. I began to wonder what it would be like to ride around Tampa on a Segway with the wind blowing in my face while watching fellow classmates stare in awe and jealousy. Instead of having to walk to class or sit in Kennedy’s traffic, I could just zoom by on my amazingly fast Segway. When I turned around, I could see the Segways picking up speed as they ventured toward Plant Hall. The hum of their motors grew faint. Theresa Stanton can be reached at theresa.stanton@spartans.ut.edu.
Samantha Battersby/The Minaret
A Segway tour explores Plant Park. The University of Tampa is one of the stops for this tourist activity along with going to Bayshore and Davis Island.
10 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Learning to Tightrope With Ryan Day
By MIA GLATTER News Editor
Walking around UT, I often notice a sense of monotony in the daily lives of the students. We do our best to lead exciting lives in the way that we dress and carry ourselves, but there’s only so much excitement you can bring to the day when you follow the same schedule week in and week out. When students find interesting ways to liven up the day it helps ease the pain of the monotony. Ryan Day, President of Student Productions, was drawing quite a crowd last Friday afternoon in Plant Park. Day, barefoot and wearing a hard to miss neon shirt, was balancing and walking across a long bungee tightrope he had strung between two trees next to the river. A older couple watched from a nearby bench and two high school age girls and who I presumed was their father watched leaning on a close tree. Not too phased by the attention, Day addressed his fans once after a loss of balance caused him to hop off the tightrope giving them a quick “how’s everybody doing?” before taking a quick drink from a water bottle and climbing back on the rope. I managed to interrupt him once to ask some questions about the activity. “I started last semester,” he said “but I haven’t done it in about 7 months
Top Photo: Mia Glatter/The Minaret; Bottom Photos: Samantha Battersby/The Minaret
Senior Ryan Day spends time in Plant Park working on his balancing skills by tightrope walking.
until this week.” I then asked him if he had had any issues with security and apparently they had gotten there before I had. “Today is the first day I’ve ever had trouble with the school. Security came up to me and told me that it was unsafe and that I had to take it down,” he said “But I called the security office and they sent a supervisor over and told me that it was fine. They said if I ever had any more trouble I could call them and they’d take care of it.” Finally, I asked him why he was doing this. “It’s relaxing and it takes a lot of focus and helps with your balance and leg strength but I mostly just come out
here to spend time outside.” I didn’t want to distract him any longer than I had, so I said thank you and was about to walk away when he asked,” You want to give it a try?” I gave it my best, but after needing help just getting on the bungee, I couldn’t even take one step before my foot buckled and I had to leap off. Though my tightrope career ended before it could even begin, it was cool and refreshing to see someone defying the monotony of the school day. Mia Glatter can be reached at mia.glatter@theminaretonline.com.
Kelly St.Onge/ The Minaret
Students at the ELS language center got together to dye Easter eggs and practice speaking English.
ELS Language Center Prepares Foreign Students For College By KELLY ST.ONGE
Asst. Arts + Entertainment Editor
Located in the MacKechnie building on campus is the ELS (English as a Second Language) center. Students from around the world come to this center to learn and practice the English language. This past week at 2:00 p.m. I stopped by the language center to be a part of their Easter egg coloring event. The room was filled with foreign students stumbling on their words with the English native speakers. Topics of discussion included favorite movies and the Easter bunny, a concept many
of them did not understand. Valentina Hernandez, 17, has been at the ELS center since January. Already she is able to speak a great deal of English. She laughed at the eggs being colored in the classroom. “We don’t do this in Venezuela,” she said. “We go to the beach.” She said she didn’t know what the Easter bunny had to do with the holiday. It was a bit of a culture shock for her. Rashed Almannaei, 21, has been at the ELS center for one month. He said he’s attending the language center because he wants to study finance and
economics for his graduate degree and in order to that he needs to improve his English. “My favorite class is vocabulary with Julie,” he said. “It’s fun; we do a lot of activities.” He said he plans to open his own business in his home country Bahrain. Ayse Gokce, 24, from Turkey was talking with the other students about their favorite films. They asked her what her favorite film was and she announced a foreign title that made everyone at her table turn their heads sideways. She laughed, looked around and finally said, “Okay my favorite
movie is Forrest Gump, is that good?” They all have unique accents, some strong, some not so much, but they all share the desire to learn a new language in a new country so they can attend the University of Tampa. Once they make it past the advanced level courses, they are admitted to UT (if they apply). The egg coloring event was one more way for them to use English outside of the classroom, so they can get one step closer to that end goal of a college degree. Kelly St.Onge can be reached at kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com
24-HOUR EDITION
Biking on Bayshore By DOHA MADANI Contributor
After nearly four months of the new year, it is getting tougher and tougher to keep that New Year’s resolution of being healthy and working out more – especially when the McNiff Gym is almost always filled with people who look much more athletic than me. So instead of spending another three o’clock alone in the stuffy, crowded gym, I decided to take advantage of the cool weather with a friend and Bike UT, the University of Tampa’s free student bike rentals. I mean, what could be more glamorous than a ride along Bayshore Boulevard in between classes? Right? “So, I am actually a horrible bike rider,” I admitted to my friend Megan McDevitt, a freshman here are UT, as we were handed our bikes. “Sorry.” “It’s fine,” said Megan. “I actually have never ridden on Bayshore, so don’t worry about it. Besides, you never forget how to ride a bike.” Realizing the last time I had even touched a bike was a good seven months ago, and before that a good seven years, I sincerely hoped that the old saying would be true to form. My first go on the old white cruiser was wobbly at best, but after a moment I started to pick up speed. Crossing the streets down towards the Boulevard was considerably treacherous for someone like me – clumsy and balance impaired. Think Urkel but without the snort. At one point, I took a turn too fast and almost fell in to the street right as a silver SUV was speeding
TUrN ME
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on by. “Oh God,” said Megan. “Can we please make it to Bayshore alive?” “I’m okay!” Once we finally made it to the beautiful waterside, the bike ride was easy- and even relaxing. We definitely were not the only girls taking advantage of the Bike UT program, either. During our ride, I spent a bit of time people watching and saw at least four other girls on the white cruisers or red mountain bikes that Bike UT offers. Despite an unseasonable chill, and a wind that burned nearly as badly as my thighs, the cloudless sky made it a nice day to go out for a ride. Megan, a former triathlon participant, became a speck along the view as I quickly gave up trying to match her pace. Thankfully I came with my iPhone and earphones, so it was not all too difficult to enjoy the ride alone. I hadn’t realized how stressful going to the gym actually could be in comparison to the alternative. In McNiff, there was always someone on the treadmill I had to beat, or a boy I had to prove something to. Yes, I am a girl who knows how to use the pec fly machine. On a bike ride, I could just take time to watch the scenery, while still getting an awesome workout. Although, I will say this – those bike seats are totally unforgiving. Don’t plan on sitting on anything that isn’t cushioned after that 10-mile bike ride. Doha Madani can be reached at doha. madani@spartans.ut.edu.
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12 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Sorority Chapter Meetings Bring Sisters Together By ALEX SARLING
Arts + Entertainment Writer
“Formal chapter meetings are my favorite because we recite our ritual,” said senior Rachel Shor. “Although it is annoying to have to dress up in business casual attire on a Sunday, it reminds us why we joined in the first place. Without
our ritual, traditions and values, we are just another group getting together to do community service and hang out.” Chapter meetings are a time where all the members of the Executive Board speak to the chapter and inform the
sisters of what is going on with their positions and other events for the upcoming week or month. They also recite their ritual and the Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega, which reminds them of the importance that the sorority has in each of their lives. “Chapter meetings are great because we usually have guests come into our chapter,” said freshman Kelsy Gonsowski. “It keeps us informed on what other organizations are doing on and off campus so we can get involved and help them out.” This past Sunday, Alpha Chi Omega had special guests from the University of South Florida’s Kappa Sigma talk to the chapter. They held a bachelor auction at USF to raise money for their house they will be building soon. The VP Membership Programming made it a sisterhood event. Nothing can bring sisters together more than spending quality time with each other, and weekly chapter meetings are the perfect time to do just that.
Every Sunday evening, some may wonder why there are so many students dressed up, looking like they’re going to brunch with their grandparents. This is actually when most sororities and fraternities hold their chapter meetings. It is required for those attending to dress in business attire or pin “badge” attire. For college students, Sunday is usually a day of relaxation to catch up on homework, do laundry or sit in bed and watch Netflix all day. But once you join a Greek organization, you can kiss two hours of your day goodbye, unless you get lucky and don’t have your meetings until the evening. All the women of Alpha Chi Omega make their way over to Reeves Theater for their meetings. This is the one day of the week when all of the sisters are in the same place at the same time. Everyone stands in line anxiously awaiting the Photos Courtesy of Alex Sarling start of chapter by gossiping and Alex Sarling can be reached catching up with their sisters Alpha Chi Omega sisters hung out before their Sunday chapter meeting to catch up and spend time together. at alexandra.sarling@spartans. beforehand. ut.edu.
Finding Peace in Sykes Chapel By YASAMAN SHERBAF Asst. News Editor
On Tuesday, April 2 just after 4:oo p.m. I entered the Sykes Chapel for Faith and Values. There wasn’t another soul in the building. This wasn’t my first time in the chapel, yet, I seemed to be more excited than usual because I was reporting live from UT’s chapel. I recorded myself as I made my way through UT’s one and only chapel. I went through the back door by the garden with the soothing mini waterfalls, allowing myself to get in the zone. The first room I entered was the meditation room, room 115. A sign by the closed door said there was prayer and meditation in progress so I entered carefully to find no one in there. To be honest, I was not surprised. I didn’t mind the peacefulness and pure bliss. Needless to say, I was quiet. A piece of paper said that there was a leadership retreat later in the day in the room, so I had some time for myself to freely roam around. Other than the retreat, there was nothing going on in there. It seemed like the ‘picture perfect’ place to pray, take it easy and get away from the daily craziness and of a busy day at UT. I left room 115 to make my rounds around the chapel, finding myself in a very empty but tranquil place. I walked around, down the hall, noticing little details that one may not usually notice. The piano was not in its usual spot on the left. There was a storage room in an odd space, between the meditation room and meeting
rooms. I wondered what was stored there, hoping it was food since I hadn’t eaten in hours. Lurking around, I could hear the growling of my stomach get louder, moving along with the beats of the organ. I could have eaten the fake flowers if only they were scented. Moving along, a few other rooms were empty--107b and 107a, meeting rooms. There was too much quiet but I wasn’t complaining. Next was the usual bathrooms and water fountains, which I didn’t pay much attention since I didn’t need to use either. What caught my attention was the sound of the organ, its loudness, its echo, its harmony, its peacefulness-all so enchanting. I tried to go into the room with the older gentleman playing the massive instrument that looks like a really expensive wooden boat. Then, a random student entered the vicinity. An older man, a possible professor, entered the chapel, but they both exited on the opposite side. I tried to figure out what song the organist was playing but I couldn’t place my finger on it. It was a cute little melody that added to my Tuesday afternoon chapel experience. My chapel time soon came to end as I exited on the Sykes side, closest to Walker Hall. “And that’s a wrap from the chapel, live,” an odd but unique addition to my typical UT day. Yasaman Sherbaf can be reached at yasaman.sherbaf@theminaretonline. com. Samantha Battersby/The Minaret
The interior of Sykes Chapel provides a peaceful atmosphere for students to meditate and practice their religions.
24-HOUR EDITION
From the Perspective of a Native UT Squirrel By NATALIE HICKS
Arts+Entertainment Editor
It’s late afternoon, and my squirrel survival skills are in full throttle. I am currently on the hunt for next week’s food stockpile, but leftover pizza crusts can only take me so far. I peer up at the ledge of a bench in front of Sykes Chapel where a girl is snacking
on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A few crumbs drop on the concrete, so I decide to make a run for it to snatch the crumbs before that danged blonde squirrel tries to get them before me. As I scamper toward her, the girl flinches and slowly moves to the other side of the bench. I will never understand why humans don’t like my kind. We are gentle rodents just looking for some food and sex like everyone else. There is nothing to be afraid of. My next door neighbor Carl sits across the grass near Smiley Hall trying to crack open a nut. I run
to him while attempting to dodge all the long human legs. Carl and I chat for a few minutes as we observe the array of University of Tampa students walking by. If only they would take a few moments to simply notice our existence. It does not take long before I need a change of scenery so Carl and I head over to the Plant Hall Veranda to bother people while they try to finish writing their essays. A college campus is no life for a squirrel with feelings. The most treacherous journey, though, is crossing traffic at night on North B Street. Students barrel through the brick road with no thought of killing innocent squirrels. Also, golf carts
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zoom by and knock me into the gutter. Despite many people’s depreciation for my squirrel family and me, the University of Tampa is my home and I have grown quite comfortable. Not to mention, the campus is beautiful. I would not want to eat leftover pizza crusts anywhere else. Natalie Hicks can be reached at natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com
Samantha Battersby/The Minaret
Life told from the eyes of a UT squirrel.
Women’s UT Softball Wins Against Florida Southern
By VANESSA RIGHEIMER
with the field being smaller than the ones used for baseball. The players on the team had all sorts of cheers they would I met up with a couple of my chant in the dugout and some of the friends and walked over to the UT girls’ fans even chanted with them. I think the softball game against Florida Southern combination of watching an extremely around 5 p.m. this past Friday. I had never talented team play and been to a UT game before, seeing how excited but was familiar with the they were to play, high ranking our women’s made me want to watch team has received: the game even more. currently 13th in Division The Florida II softball, according to Southern Mocs led the the National Fastpitch game in the beginning Coaches Association. leading with two in the I’ll be honest with you top of the first inning. in saying that I’ve never However, the Spartans been a fan of baseball or quickly struck back softball in general. I’ve when Stacy Piagno hit always thought the game a triple RBI (run batted moved too slowly and the in) that sent Kayleen last softball game I went Boatwright and Katie to was when I was 11 and Bannon across home my mom dragged me out plate. Taylor Storey’s to watch my sister play. double was able to get However, I was never a Piagno across the plate big fan of volleyball either as well. While the Mocs until I went to my first tried to catch up, scoring college game and watched two more, the Spartans our UT team basically were able to secure the rip apart every opponent game with a score of 6they played. Knowing 4. The end of this game that, I thought I’d give it marked the Spartans a shot, and as a member winning all three games of the cross country and Casey Budd/The Minaret of the series against track team at UT, I can UT athletics is a great benefit for the Tampa community. Local coaches can get cheap tickets for their team to watch some pretty amazing athletes play. Florida Southern. understand the importance I think going to of having fan support. As I walked into the softball stadium, was little and my club soccer team got attendance of about 50, mostly being the game was a great experience and I I was extremely impressed with the to watch the local university teams play. parents with a handful of UT students. recommend anyone that hasn’t been to facilities. The seating area for the fans We idolized those girls and hoped one However, the passion they had for the one to try it out. It may or may not be was small, but at the same time I got to day we’d get a chance to play in college game was obvious, even at times when your thing, but I think students should sit about 20 feet away from home plate, as well. I’ve noticed this at a lot of our they didn’t agree with the umpire’s calls. really take advantage of all the great which really put me in the middle of the soccer games with some of the little I started to tune out the crowd as I became athletics programs we have and the action. The field was beautiful and bright kids actually asking their coach if they increasingly interested in the game itself. opportunity to attend these games for free. Vanessa Righeimer can be reached green with the advantages of Florida could get the players’ autographs. I think I was surprised at how fast the game was weather and it definitely wasn’t like the this shows how much UT athletics is a actually going which I think had to do at vanessa.righeimer@spartans.ut.edu Opinion Writer
sandlot I was used to seeing. I noticed a slew of girls, no older than 13, run around the stands, giggling with popcorn and hotdogs in their hands. Some of them wore their softball team’s T-shirt to the game. It reminded me of when I
great benefit for the Tampa community. Sure, we may not be Division I, but at the same time local coaches are able to get cheap tickets for their team to watch some pretty amazing athletes play. The crowd lacked in size, with a small
14 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Dance Happening Rehearsals, An Escape from Academic Stress
Casey Budd/The Minaret
Top: Students rehearse for Dance Happening Performance Bottom: Hannah Webster practices stunts for her performance in Patrick Justin’s piece. By HANNAH WEBSTER Opinion Columnist
Every Wednesday, I get to take a break from organic chemistry and premed club meetings to enjoy one of my former loves: dance. A friend of mine convinced me to put my books down for an hour every week for a Dance Happening rehearsal. Dance Happening is a show put on by the dance department every semester that showcases student work in a variety of dance styles. This semester I’m participating in a contemporary piece. The dance room in Edison is a large, open space with mirrored walls and marley floors. When I walk in, girls are already stretching, chatting and laughing amongst themselves in pseudo-preparation for rehearsal. Some
practices have an atmosphere that is stern and formal—this is far from that. Most people already know each other and are welcoming when an outsider (such as myself) joins in. The choreographer usually has spent years dancing alongside his cast, so while there is respect, any harsh sense of authority is absent. Just as I take my place in front of the mirror to start stretching out some very angry hamstrings, our choreographer, Patrick Justin, a senior psychology major and dance minor, steps into the center of the room to get started. His excitement is contagious and it is evident by the devious look on his face that we’re about to do something very cool/ extremely frightening. Justin is all about experimentation. Only a week before, I found myself thrown over someone’s
shoulder in an upside-down split-type thing. Words can’t really help me here. Just as I suspected, he begins describing a pose that seems impossible to fully picture until we’re actually in it. He works with a few of us at a time, making subtle changes and rearrangements until —bam—something beautiful happens. It is a skill that I admire and envy. “The most essential part for me is knowing my dancers and making sure not only that my work suits my dancers’ abilities, but also that my concept still comes across at the end of the day,” said Justin. “As far as rehearsals go, I believe that being flexible and relaxed is key. I don’t work well stressed and neither do my dancers, so I want to keep a calm environment.” And that environment stays fairly
consistent. Sometimes there are moments that could easily turn into tense conflict. Trying to piece together an elaborate stunt, for instance, can exponentially increase the amount of stress in the room, especially when safety is an issue. But the girls here all trust each other and manage to laugh in between the moments when they know they have to stay serious. The cast and crew of Dance Happening come from a multitude of majors, backgrounds and levels of skill. Because of this, I’m certain I’m not the only one who thinks dancing acts as a much needed escape from the stress of academics; even if only for an hour a week. Hannah Webster can be reached at hannah.webster@spartans.ut.edu
Photo Courtesy of Hannah Webster
24-HOUR EDITION
Student Government Election Results In: PK Creedon and Chanel Vanzant To Lead Next Year
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
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Sigma Chi’s Derby Days Raises Money for Philanthropy By PAIGE DALY Contributor
Casey Budd/ The Minaret
PK Creedon and Chanel Vanzant will be new Student Government president and vice-president for Fall 2013-Spring 2014 year.
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By JESSICA KEESEE Associate Editor
The polls are closed and the results are in: Patrick “PK” Creedon and Chanel Vanzant are University of Tampa’s new Student Government President and Vice President, respectively. The election began on March 26 and closed on Sunday night. Students voted for senator positions along with the presidential ticket. The results were announced at Tuesday’s SG general assembly and welcomed by a crowd of students cheering and applauding Creedon and Vanzant’s win. The two ran against Jacob “Jake” Loken and Trevor Hyssong. Loken remained positive after the results were announced at the general assembly. “We look forward to a good next year,” Loken said, standing alongside his running mate Hyssong. Creedon, a junior, beaming from his win, was already mak-
plans for his upcoming term. “I’m beyond excited right now because we took a realistic approach in our platform and campaign,” Creedon said. “We really want to put the student back in student body.” Creedon’s goal for the next academic year is to enact change. He hopes to increase involvement among students so that they will be excited to attend SG general assemblies to promote discussion and change rather than just going to the assemblies because it’s a requirement for their organization. “We first need to lay a solid foundation by giving [students] reasons to want to go to SG,” Creedon said. “It starts by showing that we care.” He hopes showing that SG cares will promote student involvement. He’s ready to put his cabinet together and make a name for SG by going around to different organizations next year and showing that SG is involved. “It’s a really exciting time and it’s overwhelming how much is running through my
head right now,” Creedon said after the vote was announced. “The blood is flowing, juices flowing and I’m really excited to see what’s to come. ... I think Chanel will do an incredible job and I’m so lucky to have her by my side through this process.” Vanzant felt similarly. “I don’t think it’s really hit yet,” Vanzant said. “I just feel the overwhelming amount of excitement and people are really eager to see what we’re going to do and I’m really excited to work with PK.” Other election winners were announced Tuesday night as well. Eve Haydt is the new speaker of the assembly and there are eight newly elected senators: Molham “Mak” Krayem, Robyn Hurrell, Katelyn Edwards, Jacqueline French, Bozhidar “Bobby” Mladenov, Sommer Sanfilippo, Nick Tran, Michael Catipovic and Matthew Luber. Jessica Keesee can be reached at jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com
HoJo Shuttle Driver Skips Dinner for Students By DARWIN MINNIS Contributor
Steve, the shuttle driver, sits up and takes the keys out of his pocket, puts them into the ignition and starts the shuttle. Looking back he sees a full ride. Some students are sitting on each other’s laps to avoid the 10-minute walk to campus or the 30-minute wait until he makes the drive to campus again. It’s the dinner shuttle--the busiest shuttle drive of the day. Overpowered by the sound of the students in the back, March Madness scores can vaguely be heard over the radio. He turns it up, closes the door, puts the shuttle into drive and heads to campus with his 20 plus passengers. Every day, hungry Howard Johnson students climb aboard the shuttle at 7 p.m. with the intention of getting to campus and eating. Their biggest concern is figuring out if they’re going to eat at the grill, the café or Morsani Hall. They get on and off without giving it much thought. This, however, is not the case for Steve. Monday through Friday, between 3 p.m.
and 11 p.m., it’s his job to drive the shuttle back and forth. He can’t just get off the shuttle and grab something to eat for dinner. Well, just as we have Steve to drive us to campus, this veteran driver with 25 years of experience has someone to help him out too: his wife, or as he calls her, “his old lady.” As I’m sitting next to him in the
front seat of the shuttle, he switches it into drive and makes his way to campus. After a few minutes of simple talking, our conversation switches towards dinner. Hungry myself, I ask him what he has for dinner when he has to be driving through it everyday. He looks at me, smiles and points down at a bright red cooler sitting between
Photo Courtesy of Darwin Minnis
Because Steve misses dinner while driving students, his wife packs food for him.
us. “It’s all in there,” he says. When we stop at a red light, he lifts up the red cooler and opens it to give me a look inside. The cooler is very empty with a few things spread across the bottom. I ask him what’s in it. “Lets see…” he says, “pudding, bananas, jello, some crackers. My wife prepares it for me.” Before work every day, Steve’s wife prepares him a cooler of healthy food since she knows Steve will be driving through dinner and needs something on the go. “She is a nurse, so she has me eating healthy now a days,” Steve says. I finish talking to Steve, and get off the shuttle. I eat, then get in line to get back on the shuttle. I sit in the back and look up front. It’s Steve again. I watch him reach into his cooler, pull out some crackers and eat them with a smile, knowing that his “old lady” made it for him. Darwin Minnis can be reached at darwin. minnis@spartans.ut.edu
Sigma Chi Derby Days started off with a bang Monday, March 25 with the Derby Dash challenge. Derby Days is an exciting way to raise money for Sigma Chi’s philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and it has been a beloved UT event since it was first brought to campus in 2007. Starting with the Derby Dash in Vaughn Courtyard, Derby Days is three days full of debauchery and fun. Kevin Lee, a member of Sigma Chi, describes the event as “extreme.” Competition gets fierce as each sorority is pitted against one another to steal as many hats as possible from members of Sigma Chi. In the Derby Dash, each sorority chooses groups of three, then two, then one girl to face off against one member of Sigma Chi. Sigma then attempts to run through the groups of girls, all the while protecting his hat from being stolen. The sorority that steals the most hats wins the event. As each Greek organization gathered in the courtyard before the event, a ripple of excitement washed over the crowd. “I am so excited to chase down the boys and win!” shouted sophomore Tia Williams as she laced up her tennis shoes, preparing for the chase that was about to ensue. Scanning the crowd, it was clear that each sorority was determined to put in a full effort and win the event. Kyle Jackson, a member of Sigma Chi describes the Derby Dash as “nuts, but fun.” This statement soon proved to be true. The first sorority at bat was the newest on campus, Kappa Alpha Theta. Freshman Brittany Brescia, junior Liz Gustafen and senior Shae Ley easily took down the first Sigma to run. Theta proved to be a force to be reckoned with during the next two rounds, winning two out of three hats during the Dash. Defending champions Alpha Chi Omega took first place for the Derby Dash, bringing down all three Sigma’s to challenge them. Kappa Alpha Theta placed in second while Delta Zeta came in third, Delta Gamma in fourth and Sigma Delta Tau in fifth place. Although Derby Dash is a Greek event, more than just the Greek community came out to watch the festivities. Megan McTaggart, a junior at UT, watched the Dash through her dorm room window. “I heard this loud commotion outside in the courtyard and went to the window to see what was happening. It looked like a lot of fun! I ended up watching the whole thing from my common room,” she said. The Derby Dash is just the kickstarter for the next two days of Derby Days. When asked about what he was looking forward to most Lee said, “I’m looking forward to girls participating. I’m also looking forward to raising money for our philanthropy because when it comes down to it that’s what it’s all about.” Paige Daly can be reached at paige.daily@spartans.ut.edu
16 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
By Layla souchet Contributor
McNiff Fitness Center is one of the most widely visited places on campus. Anyone visiting after 8 p.m. on a weekday can attest to this. But what is it that makes this place so popular, especially at this time of day? The answer to the question is also the source of the problem: the time of day. Picture what you’re doing at 8 p.m. on a weeknight. Unless you’re one of
[
Variety of Students Crowd McNiff on Weeknights (Monday through Thursday) 8 p.m. is usually the busiest time three out of the four days. If on one of the days it’s not the busiest, than it is usually a close second. Besides class schedules, another reason it’s so busy is because of the classes offered. According to McNiff’s website, the weekly scheduled classes for 8 p.m. are one of the two: Spinning® or Vinyasa Yoga. These two classes together are the most popular in the facility. Spinning alone is offered nine times over a six day period, and Vinyasa Yoga is offered five of those days. Why so many days? Because they’re so popular! While a majority of the participants are females, some men have taken spinning and yoga, including members of the lacrosse team. But what does that mean for you?
On an average day, McNiff will have between 60-80 people using its facility at 8 p.m.
the select few stuck taking a night class in order to graduate, chances are you’re done with classes for the evening and are looking for something to fill up your time. The first two things that should usually pop into a student’s head are homework or working out. Why? You probably put off these two things for a few days and due dates are starting to creep on you. And since no one likes to do homework, a quick answer to your problems is McNiff for a workout. Now just multiply your answer by about 50, and that’s how many students are thinking the same thing you are and flocking to McNiff. Out of the weekdays
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Those classes add an extra 15-20 people to the facility, on top of people already there, causing the facility population at 8 p.m. to jump. When those extra people get out of their class, some leave to go back to their dorms, but some also stay to continue their workout. The last reason this time of day is so popular is because of basketball. I kid you not. According to the hourly counts that employees of McNiff take, 7-9 p.m. are the busiest times on the basketball courts. Weather and class schedule help determine these times. By this time, the majority of campus is out of class and the sun has begun to set, causing cool
temperatures and a flock of guys ready to shoot some hoops. During this time, one of three things will happen. First, too many people will be playing so some guys will venture inside to wait for an open court. Second, guys will play and then when they’re done, venture inside to finish their workout. Or thirdly, after playing they’ll just go home. Either way, two times out of three more guys end up inside. On an average day, McNiff will have between 60-80 people using its facility at 8 p.m. That’s a lot of people. The next time you come in and it’s crowded, blame the basketball courts, popular fitness classes or the fact that no one wants to take a night class unless they have to. Layla Souchet Casey Budd/The Minaret can be reached Treadmills are usually full on busy nights at the McNiff Fitness Center. at layla.souchet@ spartans.ut.edu
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
24-HOUR EDITION
Late Night Jaeb Staff Takes Advantage of Low Traffic By ASHLEY JAMES Contributor
The University of Tampa has five main computer labs on campus. But how many of them can actually help with your personal computer? If you have
ever had an ITM class or your PC caught a virus, then you know the place to go is the Robert A. Jaeb Computer Center. While students are either going to class or to one of the rooms to work on homework, what are the lab assistants doing? And when
Photo Courtesy of Ashley James
Students that work in Jaeb computer center get their homework done while the lab is empty.
night falls, how are they spending their time with little to no traffic? For Chelsey Turtle, junior, it is a time to get some homework done. Turtle has been a lab assistant at UT for a year and a half. “I like it because it’s so convenient and on campus,” Turtle said. Not only does Turtle work in the Jaeb Computer Center five days a week, but she is also a cashier at Kohl’s and the vice president of membership for her women’s music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota. Alongside her is Taylor Frisch, sophomore, who has also worked in Jaeb for a year and a half. Frisch likes working in Jaeb and feels that it is a relaxing job. “You just generally have to help people with small issues like printer problems and small computer problems,” Frisch said. Frisch came across being lab assistant through his sister who also attends UT. He stated that his sister told him that there were spots available and that he would be able to get a job. “I was interested in getting a paycheck,” Frisch said. “It could pay better but for what we do it definitely pays well.” For Frisch and Turtle, working the night shift can have its benefits than
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working in the day. “I work on nights and weekends so I don’t ever really get too busy here but on Fridays during the day it’s usually really busy,” Turtle said. Frisch prefers working at night because he likes that his day doesn’t feel cut out. “I think it’s pretty convenient I can just like do my homework and stuff like that.” Although they go unnoticed, lab assistants are there to answer any questions you may have or to offer general assistance. Jonathan Suire, senior, said that they have helped plenty of times even when his requests were sometimes weird. If you are looking to be a lab assistant in Jaeb or any other computer lab on campus you can contact Jennifer Tanacs, Computer Lab Coordinator, at jtanacs@ut.edu. “They’re really good about our hours here [and] they work around your schedule,” Frisch said. Ashley James can be reached at ashley.james@spartans.ut.edu
A Night Out at The Retreat’s New 18+ Thursdays
By EVAN BIRSIC Contributor
my God, did I take birth control today?!” By now I had been standing in line to get into The Retreat for about 15 minutes. My friend Tevin had run back to his room to get a sweatshirt because it was uncharacteristically cold for a Thursday night in late March. Since I had no one else to talk to, I began listening to the conversation the girls in front of me were having to pass the time. “Ummmmm, I think so. Like, I literally remember you taking it this afternoon.” “Oh, cool. I want to get belligerent tonight.” Fantastic, I thought to myself. Before I could open my mouth to make some sort of snarky comment, Tevin returned, sweatshirtless, but he did put on a snapback. “We haven’t moved at all?” he asked. “Obviously not, Tevin,” I responded. Just then, the girls in front of us turned around and yelled, “TEVIN!!!!!” Eeeeveryone knows Tevin, I thought as I whipped out my phone to check the time. It was now 9:25. Who knew that some little hole-in-the-wall bar by campus would be so popular? After about 10 more minutes (and a $10 entry fee) we were finally in the bar. It wasn’t as small on the inside as it seemed from the street but there were still enough people jam-packed in the place to make me wonder if any fire safety codes were being violated. Per protocol, Tevin and I did a lap around the bar before settling into a spot for the night. As we walked I saw the usual sights of an 18+ bar: groups of kids with big, black X’s on their hands stealing sips of drinks from their friends with the 21+ wristbands, girls way too dressed up for a hole-in-the-wall bar, and, of course, guys who looked like they were wearing adultsized versions of the outfits their moms used to make them wear to church trying to mack on aforementioned overdressed girls. After our first lap around, we picked a spot that was a little less crowded than the others. As a member of the big, black X club (and an on-duty journalist), I my
“Oh
Legacy Production Group/Facebook.com
Following the addition of 18+ nights, The Retreat is teeming with students making up the majority of its clientel.
wasn’t drinking, so I was pretty much in observation mode all night. And I have to say, bars are kind of the worst place ever when you’re not drunk, or at least slightly buzzed. Everyone was loud, the place smelled like alcohol, and the deafening shriek of “THIS IS MY JAM!” every other song was enough to deteriorate my mental health to the point where I almost wished to take up smoking so I could leave for a 10 minute cigarette break. Alas, I decided to be social and get my best #whitegirl on. With a big, fake smile I decided to strike up a conversation with a pretty, brunette girl who was texting. “Heeeey.” “Oh my God, hey! You’re in my speech class, right?” “Yeah!” I actually wasn’t. I had just gone to Italy with my entire speech class and this chick definitely wasn’t there. “God, I hate talking in public.That speech we had to do today made me a wreck. I’m so glad my fake worked. I need a drink and I felt bad for making my boyfriend always
pay for them. I’m Lindsay, by the way.” “Evan. Nice to get to know you a little better. Ahh, my friend is waving me over. Later!” Tevin actually wasn’t signaling me, but he usually talks to some interesting people, so I figured that’s where the fun would be. When I finally nudged my way over to him, I realized he was talking to the two girls I overheard talking in line. After a few minutes of chatting, I found out that their names were Brittany and Ashley, and both of them had just transferred to UT this semester. After a few more minutes of small talk, Ashley asked me to go to the bar with her to get a drink. I obliged, being the gentleman that I am. We found a small opening at the bar where the two of us could order. The bartender was a larger fellow, probably only a few years older than us. He was chatty, asking us if we were having a good time and whatnot. Ashley said she was. I said, “Eh.” When I asked him how long the Retreat had been doing 18+ Thursdays, he said, “I’m not sure.
Only a few weeks now. I’ll tell you this, Thursday nights are stressful as hell, man.” I’m sure they are, I thought. After Ashley got her drink (legally), we headed back over to where we were before. I was starting to feel that nice pleasant bar buzz you get just from the energy in the room and thought that I’d stay a while longer than I had planned. Fate, however, had a different plan. During the twenty-foot walk from the bar to my friends, I had a drink spilled on my jacket and some guy almost threw up on my phone. I took that as my cue to leave. I told Tevin that I was leaving and bid farewell to my two new acquaintances. Making my way to the door, I was filled with sadness as I realized I wouldn’t be able to stumble into New York, New York for some delicious, late night, greasy pizza because I wasn’t in Ybor. I pulled out my phone to see just how late it was and was shocked to find that it was only a quarter past ten. Eh, at least Salsa Rico is still open. Silver lining, right? Evan Birsic can be reached at evan.birsic@spartans.ut.edu
18 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET Heavy Metal Radio Show Rocks UT Every Monday Night
By ANNA BROWN Contributor
Monday at 10 p.m., students retreat to their rooms to do some homework (really they are scrolling through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) and settle in to prepare for the upcoming week. Sophomore Desmond Gonzalez on the other hand prepares to rock. Gonzalez is the DJ of the Heavy Metal Hour every Monday night at 10 o’clock. That’s right, a whole hour of heavy metal music. Desmond and his special guest Clay Murray have a passion for heavy metal unlike any other music fans I’ve seen. “The thing about heavy metal is it’s a bit unlike a lot of other genres in that most of the people who like it are adamant,” explains Gonzalez. “They’re vehement-- they just love heavy metal. We just love heavy metal.” They definitely proved their love of heavy metal. Gonzalez and Murray each had extensive knowledge on each band and broke down the patterns played by the drummer in relation to the guitarist and how each song builds into a story. It was truly a wonderful sight. Their appreciation and passion for the heavy metal genre made Gonzalez’s show so authentic. He doesn’t just play songs; he educates the listeners on why each band is so remarkable and why each song is worth listening to. In between the music, Gonzalez and Murray discussed the differences between post hardcore, deathcore and death metal. They exchanged witty banter, cracked jokes and truly enjoyed each other’s
anna.brown1/Flickr.com
Dj Gonzalez gives detailed information on each band and the patterns played by the band members in order to enhance his listeners’ enjoyment.
company and that of their listeners.’ Gonzalez is also the president of the Heavy Metal club. Before I had the chance to write anything down, he quickly corrected his title, “The correct term is emperor of the Heavy Metal club.” Gonzalez said that the club hasn’t really been getting much publicity and that’s what the radio show is for. “If we can’t promote it on campus, we might as well play it for everyone to hear.” There were some technical errors during the show (nothing improv and clever remarks couldn’t handle), but
after a quick repair the show kept rocking on. After saying goodbye to his listeners, Gonzalez packed up his things and walked out of the studio. The next DJ came in and began to set up for the 11 p.m. show. Gonzalez flashed me the rock symbol
and closed the door behind him. Expand your horizons, tune into WUTT at 1080 AM or wutt. ut.edu to listen to Gonzalez and many other aspiring DJs. Anna Brown can be reached at anna.brown@spartans.ut.edu
Letter to Mysterious Man of Cass Bar By MILES PARKS
Assistant Sports Editor
You truly embodied the place for me. The Spirit of Cass Bar. The Aura of The Drunken Monkey. The Mood of The Double-Decker Lounge. The Tone of The Study Hall. I stayed just a brief while but you were my Hokie Pokie. You let me know what it was all about. You were fashionable, my brother. You sported a Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks jersey and a Yankees fitted cap: I haven’t the slightest idea where you’re from. Those places don’t even match regions of the country. Just Google Map’d it and those two places are 2,800 miles apart. But that’s the point! I have no idea where anyone in that stinky place was from. Everyone coming together, in clothing options that don’t make any sense, just having a blast. Diversity, my brother. There were chicks in sequined shorts and it was 40 degrees. You were a champion of the masses in your short-sleeved jersey. I was bourgeois in my collared button-down, but you were unique. To me, this place was a cage, but to you this was freedom. I wandered, but you maneuvered with purpose. In and out, to and from (the bar). My coworker and I found ourselves on the outside patio, taking in a cool breeze (a timeout you might
say, Mr. Wilson) and there you were. The moment in the brisk wind, to me was a break from all the pounding. The pounding of sounds, of bodies, of hands mashing bills into the bar. Pounding brews. Words compounding to compliments and pick-up lines from men not of this country. I took a breath and there you were, my man, and you were bouncing. Dilly-dallying and wetting your chops for another round inside with blaring beats and beer-drenched polos. This was the end of the third quarter for us, but the way you bobbed, it felt like the pre-game warm-up. We weaved back to the dance floor. I’m not the most elegant out there, brother, but it was all right. I swear I didn’t follow you, would’ve sworn that you followed me, but either way, we were both back inside, trying to decipher a melody to groove to. I couldn’t find it, and time inched toward the top of the hour, the end of my ball game. I sauntered toward the exit, and I swear midnight looked like your opening kickoff. Still working toward locating that rhythm with a beer in tow. I left. Brimming with optimism for you and your cap and your beer and your blue-trimmed jersey. It was still so early; and everyone knows Russell Wilson is a fourth-quarter beast. Miles Parks can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail
Here’s a class that it really pays to attend. Hilton Reservations and Customer Care, part of Hilton Worldwide, is looking for quick learners who are interested in gaining real-world experience in the fast-growing global hotel industry.
PART-TIME, WORK-FROM-HOME RESERVATION SALES SPECIALISTS As a world-class Hilton@Home Reservations Sales Specialist, you will be the first point of contact for our brands. You will sell the benefits and amenities of our hotel properties and introduce our guests to new products/services available, all while working from the comfort of your home office. Ideal candidates must be able to secure a local land line and be able to work weekend hours and some holidays. A quiet work environment is also essential. • Flexible Hours • $9/Hour + Performance-Based Incentives • Personal Development Coach & Excellent Career Opportunities Post-Graduation • Hotel Discounts, Paid Time Off and 401K This opportunity allows you the ability to learn and earn, during our seven weeks of paid training onsite at our Tampa office. Once training is complete, you will work from home to make hotel reservations for Hilton customers and offer upgrades that can help stretch their vacation dollar. Students like yourself tend to be successful with us due to your active listening skills, sharp analytical abilities and superior computer proficiency. See our job posting for full details regarding this opportunity, including required computer equipment and other important information.
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THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
24-HOUR EDITION
Intramural Sports Rundown Sports at UT aren’t just for daylight By SLOANE BÂBY Sports Writer
At 11 p.m. on any given day of the week, some UT students are just starting to have fun. At the Bob Martinez Sports Center, Intramural Sports turn the shyest student into a competitor, flinging Nerf balls at opponents in a grueling game of dodgeball or making diving saves to be the intramural hero of the night. “SigEp Dodgeball,” “Panda Slayers,” “Sexy Pandaz,” “Balls in Your Face” and others compete to see which person on which dodgeball team is the last one standing. You can hear infamous movie quotes when someone pegs a guy on the other team like not being able to dodge a wrench or a ball. Basically, it’s pure immaturity in the gymnasium. Volleyball teams have clever names like “Block Party,” “Spike-a-holics” and “Will Work for Sets” and work to see who is the king or queen of the court. “Intramurals is an awesome way for any UT student, staff or faculty member to blow off steam while having fun and breaking a sweat,” says Jorden Nolan, a senior athletic training student and intramural supervisor/ referee. While teams are not playing, they can be seen sitting on the sidelines discussing strategy, or maybe scope out who the best looking person is on the co-ed team they play next. Either way, it can be a healthy social alternative to going out and partying. And while some students go out after, or even before, Nolan does not. “After a night of competition, you’re too wiped to go out drinking,” said Nolan. Intramural sports and competition bring out a side of people that you might not even want to take to the bar anyway. Dodgeball and volleyball aren’t the only sports offered; volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, tennis, handball, soccer and more allow students to stay on campus at 10 p.m. (or later) and still have fun. The $20 deposit (that you get back at the end of the season as long as you don’t forfeit a game) per team for the season is a heck of a lot cheaper than trying to pick up a guy or girl at the bar for one outing. And you might spend more than that on a night you will hardly remember. Sloane Bâby can be reached at sloane. Taylor Sanger/The Minaret A women’s intramural soccer game takes place on Tuesday night. Softball, floor hockey, and handball seasons also began play on April 1. baby@spartans.ut.edu.
Thirsty Thursdays Attract Eclectic Crowd By JAKE KONISZEWSKI Opinion Writer
I am not much of a partier. I had never heard of “Thirsty Thursday” until college. I was curious about Tampa’s nightlife, so I decided to hang around Vaughn and see what it was like for students to prepare for a night of partying. Vaughn lobby was pretty bare when I got there. It was mostly people passing through and a few sitting down. Within 10 minutes, I counted around 20 students walking through Vaughn, meeting up with friends and stopping by the ATM. Liz Gustaffson, Marissa Derosa and Tia Williams were on their way to the Dallas Bull, a country-themed club. “It’s a nice change of scenery,”
Gustaffson said. According to Derosa, the Dallas Bull also has a mechanical bull. At around 11:20, it was getting quiet in Vaughn, so I stepped outside in hopes of finding people on their way to clubs and bars or coming back from them. I noticed a couple of girls out in shorts even though the temperature had to be in the 50’s. It was clear these ladies were willing to bare the cold in order to show off some skin. I counted six cabs outside Vaughn waiting to take students to their bar or club of choice, though I have seen more cabs outside Vaughn before. I imagine picking up a group of students is beneficial for both parties. Cab drivers have a steady flow of customers and get paid while students get
transportation and can split the cab fee with their friends. While outside, I could hear the customers at The Retreat having a good time. I have heard them before since I live in Urso, but I had no idea The Retreat could get so busy. I contemplated visiting at some point. Three students were walking back from The Retreat and one of them invited me to join them. He was obviously drunk. He tripped over his own feet and fell. Thankfully, it was on the grass and was all smiles when he got up. “The Retreat was a bust,” said a friend of the intoxicated student, who declined to give her name. “They wouldn’t let the three of us in.” She and her two friends got in one of
the cabs and left before I could ask any more questions. At 11:40, I headed back inside Vaughn. There was a security guard outside of the elevators checking IDs, but no trouble arose. About a dozen students hung around the ATM. Students Heather Cote and Alexis Farrar were on their way to Hyde Park Café. “It’s more like a bar,” Farrar said. “Café makes it sound more classy.” Tyler, who declined giving his last name, was heading to The Retreat with friends. When asked if anything special was going on at The Retreat, he shook his head and said, “It’s just a regular Thursday night.” Jake Koniszewski can be reached at john.koniszewski@spartans.ut.edu.
20 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
Midnight Minaret Madness A Minaret editor reflects on the newsroom dynamic during the production of the 24-hour edition
By JESSICA KEESEE Associate Editor
It’s 12 a.m. on Tuesday night and I’m ready for this 24-hour edition to be finished. Seriously. Can we go home now? Our staff has been planning this special issue for weeks and now, crowded in our tiny newsroom, I sit with my fellow editors as we lay out the paper, driving ourselves mad under the pressure of a deadline and appearing quite loopy in the process. Our newsroom is in chaos. News Editor Mia Glatter is usually singing, anything from show tunes to opera. Assistant Sports Editor Miles Parks is waving his arms in the air, rambling about the “sexy charts” he makes on InDesign for his section. Justine Parks, a graphic designer working on the opinion section, knocked over the computer tower and nearly lost the layout she painstakingly put together. That was an afterthought though as the opinion editors were in hysterics over the fallen computer tower. Editor-in-Chief Josh Napier is talking in a Russian accent. Or is it Indian? I can’t tell. Managing Editor Chelsea Daubar is
Casey Budd/ The Minaret
Sports editors John Hilsenroth Jr. and Miles Parks work on their layout as midnight approaches.
dancing and lip syncing to Taylor Swift’s “We are Never Getting Back Together.” Graphic designer Donny Murray is spraying editors with Lysol. Adviser
Midnight Hoops Club Rule No. 1: Get Buckets
By JORDAN LLANES AND GRIFFIN GUINTA Sports Writers
It started with a few men looking to play a game of pickup basketball after a long day of work. While most on the UT campus spend late night hours cramming for tests or unwinding at the ever popular Cass Bar, these men, known as the “Midnight Hoops Club”, take their talents to the courts every Tuesday around midnight. The group aims to keep games interesting, switching teams whenever necessary and playing a wide array of matchups until the late hours of the night, sometimes as late as 3 a.m. The nights always stay exciting, with different people showing up on any given night as well as the occasional drunk Cass Bar attendee who stumbles onto the court thinking they’re the second coming of Michael Jordan. In many ways, it’s the perfect situation. The courts are empty, the swelling Florida heat is a non-factor and no one has to worry about cutting their time short in fear of missing a class. “We’ve created our very own basketball community, with new people joining almost every session,” said freshman nursing major Austin MacFarland. “It’s fun, friendly, and flexible for everyone.” Each week, a core group of select guys get together to play. However, the group always looks to add whoever wants to join in. Every week, the game changes; sometimes it’s minor variations, such as different teams, while other times, it can be a rather large change, such as playing a mini tournament, which has happened
the past couple of times the “Club” got together with some other late night McNiff “ballers”. Yet despite the changes, the goal is always the same: play your hardest and win. The choice of such a late start time is actually the best choice for the entire group. Each member has a lot on their plates, and nights are usually the best time for all of them to get together. Sometimes they start at 10 p.m. (usually the earliest start time), but most of the time it’s after 11 and closer to midnight when play really starts to heat up. Hence the “Midnight Hoops Club”. “It’s like playing basketball during the day, but at midnight,” states sophomore Michael Rapoport simply. Of course, like all events, the best is saved for last. Every night, after most of the “Club” heads back to their dorms, four players remain on the court for what had been dubbed the “Editors vs Futures” game. The game involves four Minaret staffers: Sports Editor John Hilsenroth Jr. and Assistant Editor Miles Parks, as well as the two guys whose names adorn the byline above. It’s always a competitive game, but the editors are still showing the futures a thing or two on the court. Sometimes though, the scores get out of hand: 15-0 has happened before. The screen and roll is simply tough to stop and Hilsenroth’s step-back jumper is lethal as well. ”These young bloods don’t play basketball the right way,” said Hilsenroth after a textbook pick and roll. “This game has always been, and will always be about buckets.” Jordan Llanes and Griffin Guinta can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.
Dan Reimold is whistling a P!nk song. I’m forcing everyone to eat my mom’s homemade cookies. This is 12 a.m. at The Minaret.
This is what putting together a college newspaper is like. We wonder how the paper even gets put together at all on nights like this. Editors start trickling into the office between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and as the hours drag on, the crazier we get. Our eyes are bloodshot, our brains fried and we “get pretty sassy” into the late hours, as Mia puts it. We know the paper is nearing completion when the cookie box is empty, only crumbs left, or when Josh starts telling us he “hates everyone.” Since the 24-hour edition is a new venture for our staff, putting together the paper was a much different process than we were all used to. Sections have been almost altogether deleted. There’s no news, arts and entertainment, opinion or sports stories. Pages were divided up by hours of the day and handed out to sections. This new process threw us all off a little, and we’re still here, well past midnight now. Did I say I was ready to go home yet? Jessica Keesee can be reached at jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com
24-HOUR EDITION
Plant Park After Dark
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
21
A student explores campus late-night â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;actvitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; By SONNY BILOTTE Contributer
It was a Tuesday night, or should I say Wednesday morning, about 1 a.m. After walking through an oddly vacant campus from my dorm, I approached Plant Park. From afar, all I could see was a pitch black path and straining my eyes I could make out a few palm trees lining the path. It was creepy; to be honest I just wanted to turn around and go back to my room, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. By day, Plant Park is a place where students can take advantage of Tampaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sunny weather and sunbathe while they â&#x20AC;&#x153;studyâ&#x20AC;? or simply take a nice afternoon stroll. But what goes on in Plant Park after midnight is an entirely different story. As I got closer and actually entered the vicinities of the park, I started to hear voices. This completely freaked me out. I convinced myself I was about to enter a murder scene, remembering all those stories Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard about people getting mugged just outside our campus. Still, I continued. To my relief I found only a group of students. There were five of them; three boys and two girls sitting on a bench smoking something that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t smell much like a cigarette, if you know what I mean. And since when do five people share one cigarette? I had heard about Plant Park being a popular place on campus where students go to partake in a certain illegal activity, especially at night.
Plant Park after midnight is a notorious location for illicit activities including smoking â&#x20AC;&#x153;cigarettesâ&#x20AC;?.
My nerves started to calm; I think it was the realization that I was not about to get stabbed or robbed at gunpoint, mixed with the unavoidable aroma being blown into the air through puffs of smoke. I sat on an empty bench near the group of students, my face glued to my phone screen in an attempt to cover up my eavesdropping.
They continued passing around their shared â&#x20AC;&#x153;cigarette,â&#x20AC;? laughing at stupid things like a small rock on the ground that one of the girls joked resembled the shape of a penis. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but laugh only at the fact that a rock could provide them with five solid minutes of entertainment. They were laughing harder than I do when I watch the
Samantha Battersby/ The Minaret
movie Bridesmaids; that impressed me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roll another one,â&#x20AC;? I heard one of the guys say. If the giant marijuana leaf printed on his t-shirt didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it obvious enough, my thoughts were now fully confirmed; they definitely were not smoking a cigarette. Sonny Bilotte can be reached at sonny. bilotte@spartans.ut.edu.
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22 APRIL 4 2013 | THE MINARET
By ALYSSA HINGRE
Old Console Provides Plenty of Nostalgia
Arts + Entertainment Writer
It’s 2 a.m. at the University of Tampa. What’s everyone up to? Some students are already in a deep sleep whereas others have just caught their second wind. I know for me, I am procrastinating on my homework, and I have various ways of doing so. My newfound toy to delay sleep is my friend’s GameCube. After convincing him to let me keep it in my room, I am able to play it and avoid homework. The GameCube comes with so many nostalgic games, and lately, I have been able to occupy my time reminiscing instead of getting work done. When I find other night owls willing to join my procrastination, I break out the multiplayer games. “Mario Kart” is one of the best. It usually involves a lot of over exaggerated motions. We actually think the controller is a steering wheel. On the weekends when no one wants to go out and there is a large enough group, we play “Mario Party.” Even the gaming illiterate can handle this game, and with all the mini games to play you never get bored (unless the amount of turns is set to an astronomical number). Of course, we cannot forget about “Super Smash Bros,” a game that involves a lot of violence on screen and rivalry off screen. This is one of my favorite games to play. Although I try to avoid playing this game during the weekdays so as not to wake up my sleeping suitemates with my uncontrollable screaming. If everyone is asleep or has actually decided to start their homework I prefer
Video games such as Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers are popular amongst college students.
Photo Coutesy of Alyssa Hingre
to play the adventure games on the GameCube. I have never gotten the hang of the fighting games like in arcades, but I love something with a plot like “The Legend of Zelda,” one of my all-time favorite games on any gaming system. I can never get enough of my little swordsman fighting to save the princess. I am not that hardcore of a gamer to use the GameCube every night just to procrastinate. I, as well as almost everyone I know, use a computer. Our dorm room
gets eerily silent around 2 a.m. while some girls sleep and the rest are sucked into the Internet. The classic social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest are extremely addicting. The only time anyone makes a sound is when my roommate shows me the latest pin on her numerous boards. A computer is the easiest way to instantly procrastinate at 2 a.m. You find yourself distracted for what seems like minutes only for it to turn into an hour.
Whether it’s playing video games on the GameCube or surfing the web on my computer, I find ample ways to procrastinate at 2 a.m. There are the nights where I even have company during my procrastination. Technology is how I spend my time avoiding homework until sleep wins or last minute panic suddenly sparks the determination I need to finish that growing pile of homework. Alyssa Hingre can be reached at alyssa. hingre@spartans.ut.edu.
campus smelling delightful like always as I made my way back to Stadium while holding my nose. My roommates and I planned on sitting quietly to study and write our papers, but none of that ever happened. The night turned into a much-needed venting session. Being a girl in a sorority, drama is bound to happen. I love and cherish each and every one of my sisters because I’m not sure who else would stay up with me past 2 a.m. to vent and have intense, indepth conversations. We were still hyped up from Derby Days, so sleep was not in the cards for us. There is usually one person who will put the seriousness to an end so tonight I
decided I would be that person. I blasted my Spotify playlist titled “MEEP” on full volume. The ultimate, overly tired sorority girl dance party had just begun. The middle school classics that made the 2 a.m. dance party occasion so special included: “Right Thurr” by Chingy, “Sexyback” by Justin Timberlake and “Bartender” by T-Pain and Akon, just to name a few. All of the dancing had us work up an appetite so who else to order food from on a Wednesday night after 2 a.m. but Pita Pit? Pita Pit does not exist on Long Island nor does any restaurant that will deliver food until 4 a.m., so this was all foreign
to me. Our generation hardly believes in using the phone to call anyone, not even to call our closest friends, so when Pita Pit’s website said we couldn’t place an online order, it was rock, paper, scissors to see who would have to call. Once we devoured our Pita Pit, we decided it was time to go to sleep. It was only a Wednesday night, after all, and we all had to get up for 10 a.m. classes. Who knew 2 a.m. could be so exciting with some food, a dance party and in-depth conversations with your closest friends? Seriously though, who needs sleep? Alex Sarling can be reached at alex. sarling@spartans.ut.edu.
No. 13 Softball [22-8, 10-5]
No. 3 Baseball [26-5, 9-3]
Lacrosse [8-4, 5-1]
The Spartans won two out of three against Barry last weekend. They have now been ranked every week since 2005 (140 consecutive weeks). Tampa will travel to Lakeland this weekend to take on the Florida Southern Moccasins for a three game series.
12 days ago, the Spartans were 54, coming off back to back losses. They have now won three straight tightly contested games. Tampa will play the first ever game at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex this Friday at 8 p.m. against Rollins.
Sorority Sisters Squander Sleep for Dance By ALEX SARLING
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Procrastination is inevitable as a college student, especially as it hits midnight and Netflix begins to sound a lot more appealing than your five-page research paper. But what makes it even more inevitable is your dorm room full of your closest sorority sisters, food from Pita Pit and an unexpected dance party. Wednesday nights on campus are usually pretty quiet, especially once it hits 2 a.m. This past Wednesday was no exception. There were no drunken stragglers coming home from Cass, the Retreat or Ybor–– just the sounds of the sprinklers all over
3
And Out
A brief rundown of Spartan sports
Tampa has won four straight games and has a chance to keep the streak alive this weekend when they will take on a struggling Eckerd team [17-24]. Just a game and a half back from Saint Leo, a conference championship is still possible for the Spartans.
24-HOUR EDITION
Skeptical or Certain of Spirits?
THE MINARET | APRIL 4 2013
23
A Ghost Hunt in Plant Hall By JESSICA KEESEE Associate Editor
I don’t believe in ghosts. Regardless, Plant Hall is terribly creepy once the sun goes down, let alone at 3 AM. Roaming the halls of the former Tampa Bay Hotel while everyone else on campus should be sleeping was one of the first ideas we had for the 24-hour issue. With so many ghost stories circling around UT, particularly involving Plant Hall, it seemed like a great idea. Managing Editor Chelsea Daubar and I thought we’d get spooked and write up a story about it. Then Chelsea mentioned a Ouija Board. Now, I don’t like Ouija Boards. I hadn’t used one before and wasn’t planning to either. If we were going to try to contact the spirit world, even though I didn’t believe that we could for even a second, we needed backup. We forced Editor-in-Chief Joshua Napier to tag along and our Minaret adviser Daniel Reimold agreed to go as well. I may not believe in ghosts, but when the night of our seance rolled around, I was ready to back out. With camera in
By CHELSEA DAUBAR Managing Editor
I have always believed in ghosts. When I was a little girl, my sister would attempt to scare me with stories about an old man who built our house and continued to haunt our hallway. I spent summers in St. Augustine-a city known for ghost tales and haunted history-- reading books, exploring old buildings and having a strong sense the city was filled with people who were not physically there. Naturally, when the idea of going ghost hunting in Plant Hall came up, I was sold-- and simultaneously terrified. Ghosts are interesting. They also scare the crap out of me. I am not sure exactly what happened during our ghost hunt. I am not sure if it was real, or if it was some evil April Fools’ joke my fellow staffers played on me. I know it might sound crazy, and I know many won’t believe this story, but the hour I spent in Plant Hall was the most terrifying, surreal experience of my life. It was real. I watched it happen. At least, I think I did. After meeting up with Minaret advisor Dan Reimold and Minaret editors, Jessica Keesee and Joshua Napier, we began our adventure. We started by videotaping ourselves, talking about our beliefs and experiences with the “other side.” It wasn’t until that point that I realized I was the only person in the group who believed in ghosts. We set up a camera on a tripod, and a Ouija board on the floor. Our first attempt was a bust. It
hand and stun gun at the ready (though a stun gun wouldn’t be much use against a ghost), I met up with Josh, Chelsea and Dan. The lights were on in Plant but it was empty. We were prepared to stay for 15 minutes and bolt but we ascended the creaky staircase and began what will probably be the weirdest and most memorable experience of my journalism career. We were on the second floor first. What was that jingling I heard? Chelsea and I froze. We peered down the hallway leading to the science wing and saw a janitor. Sigh of relief. Our nerves were high and we hadn’t even began. We reached the fourth floor and set up the Ouija board. Dan filmed us and Chelsea acted as medium. Josh, Chelsea and I placed our hands on the planchette. Then Chelsea spoke. “We want this to be peaceful. We mean no harm. Is there anyone here?” Silence. Dead silence. Nothing happened. I started giggling, a nervous uncontrollable laugh that made things
wasn’t until we walked into Fletcher Lounge that the night really began. Supposedly, a woman who was an employee of the Tampa Bay Hotel committed suicide in the top room of the lounge. We walked in and explored a bit. Something felt eerie the moment I walked in the door. It was cold. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Once again we set up the Ouija board, and sat on the floor around it while Dan filmed. This time Josh was the medium. He asked the same series of questions as before, and the results were the same. After a few minutes, the memory card on the camera filled up and Josh invited Dan to join the circle. “Now that the camera is off,” Josh said, “does anyone want to talk to us?” Slowly but with purpose, the planchette moved from the middle of the board to the “5” on the number line. I looked each person in the eye and asked, “Did you do that?” Everyone assured me that they didn’t move it. We talked briefly about what “5” could mean. We all agreed the most reasonable meaning was that there were five people in the room-- the four of us, and someone else. Josh asked to confirm if that’s what was intended. Once again the planchette moved, this time up to the letters on the board. First to the “H”, then to the “I.” Hi. Holy sh*t, it is saying hi. I wanted to stop. I didn’t want anything else to happen. I moved my face closer to the board and willed myself to think about anything else. This wasn’t actually
Joshua Napier/The Minaret
The ouija board instructions stated that everyone needed to touch the planchette.
much more awkward that they already were. Then it moved. I think. It was just a little but we felt it. Chelsea and Josh kept asking questions but nothing happened. We waited for about ten minutes and then decided to try somewhere else. We descended those creaky old stairs down into the dark lobby of Plant and through the curved hallway to Fletcher Lounge. The myth holds that in 1923 former Tampa Bay Hotel singer Jane Robinson hung herself in Fletcher Lounge after losing her voice and her love. We walked to the center of Fletcher and placed the Ouija Board on the floor. We tried again to no avail. The planchette wasn’t moving. Dan told us the memory on the camera was full so we invited him into the circle. It was then complete. With all our knees touching and our hands on the planchette, Josh was nowWw medium and we began again. This time things were different. This time the planchette moved and it moved
fast. Was it because the camera was off? Was it because the circle was complete? When we left Plant Hall that night, I asked everyone if they had moved the planchette to play a trick. As creeped out as I was, I couldn’t believe that we actually contacted a spirit. It had to have been a trick. But with straight faces, everyone said “no.” We all thought one another had moved the planchette. We all had no other explanation as to why or how it moved. I still don’t believe in ghosts. I’m weirded out, completely, but after researching Ouija Board studies, I side more with the scientific explanation that our bodies unconsciously move the planchette (called ideomotor actions) and our subconscious projects onto the answers we receive during the seance. I may never know what really happened that night, but I do know I’ll never use a Ouija Board again. May the passed souls of Plant Hall remain in peace. I won’t disturb you again. Jessica Keese can be reached at jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com.
Joshua Napier/The Minaret
Chelsea Daubar and Jessica Keesee begin using the ouija board in Plant Hall.
happening. It couldn’t be. Could it? Josh kept asking questions, but the planchette didn’t move. Then Josh asked specifically, “Is there anything you want to tell us?” The planchette moved down the row of letters from “HI” to “CD.” “Are those your initials?” Josh asked. I looked at Jess, and tried to remind myself to breathe. “No,” I said. “But they are mine.” “Are you trying to talk to Chelsea?” The planchette immediately started to move, slowly at first, but then faster, to the top of the board. It stopped over the “U” in the word “ouija” printed on the board. “Your initials?” Josh asked. It didn’t move. “Chelsea’s initials?” It moved back to “CD.” I thought I was going to throw up. “OK,” Josh said. “What do you want to say to Chelsea?” Without hesitation the planchette began to move, so agonizingly slow that it seemed like hours had passed. S...T...O...P Stop? Okay. Sounds great, see ya, bye. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Josh looked at me, not at the board, as he spoke. “You want Chelsea to stop?” It slid to “yes.” I looked at Josh and nodded. I slid back from the circle and tried to get my heartrate back to normal. Josh asked if whoever was speaking to us wanted to continue. The planchette slid to the space in between the “N” and the “O.” Josh asked if they were spelling something or if they meant to say “No.” Immediately, the
planchette slid so that both the “N” and the “O” were showing. “Do you want us to leave?” Josh asked. The planchette moved for the last time to the bottom of the board to the word “Goodbye.” “I think I’m going to throw up,” I said. We packed up the board and our equipment and left Fletcher Lounge. Once we were outside Plant Hall, I asked everyone again if they had moved the planchette at all. Everyone shook their heads. I sat on the front steps and put my head between my knees. I could tell I was far more freaked out than anyone else. After a few more pictures, we called it a night. I got back to my dorm and turned on every light. I jumped at even the slightest noise. I didn’t sleep. Actually, I couldn’t. I waited for the sun to rise and killed time with the first season of “Spongebob Squarepants” on Netflix. I still haven’t come to a final conclusion if what happened was actually a spirit talking to us. My theory is that if someone was talking to us, they didn’t like that we were there and wanted us to leave. I think they knew I was the only person who would believe they were actually there, and that’s why they talked to me. If that is what you could even call it. I don’t plan on ever using a Ouija board again. I’m not even sure when I’ll be able to walk into Fletcher Lounge alone again. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, I can tell you this with certainty: Plant Hall is not just a building with offices and classrooms. It is a building that has an energy unlike any others on campus. An energy that makes me believe that we are not alone. Chelsea Daubar can be reached at cdaubar@gmail.com.
2 A.M. Video Games [22]
Virgins Keep Writer Up At Night By HANNAH WEBSTER Opinion Columnist
We all have thoughts that wake us up in the middle of the night. Some have an errand they forgot to run, an answer to a test that they are still double checking or thoughts of a crush that simply won’t let them rest. If you are a biology major, however, the thoughts that interrupt your restful slumber tend to be outside that of normal folks. Like tonight, when I awoke with a start and thought, “I forgot to collect my virgins.” Don’t worry. By virgins, I mean virgin fruit flies that won’t have statistically compromising offspring to add to my data. And because I need them to get a decent grade in this lab, I find myself rising long before the sun to manipulate drugged fruit flies. This is the life of a genetics student. In fact, campus security is instructed to leave an entrance to the science wing open 24/7 to give students access to the lab at whatever strange time they might need it.
Virgin fruit flies, seen here through a microscope, keep genetics students awake at odd hours.
Photo Courtesy of Hannah Webster
Plant Hall is lonely at 4 a.m.
“I often find myself in the lab late at night,” said Annie Clift, a junior marine biology major. “It’s hard to be working that late, but for marine biology and research, you realize that you’ll be put in situations that require odd hours for the rest of your career.”
Photo Coutesy of Hannah Webster
I keep this in mind when I park and notice that campus is dead. The strange cold weather we’ve been having isn’t helping me suppress the urge to turn around and climb back into bed. The only people left wandering campus are the pre-sunrise walk-of-shamers and students making their way back from Wacky Wednesday, or whatever the excuse is called to drink in the middle of the week. Plant Hall in the middle of the night is somewhere between quietly intriguing and downright frightening. The age of the building becomes all the more evident when you are sleep
deprived and roaming the corridors by yourself. I stop two or three times to make sure the only footsteps I hear are my own, convinced that I’m going to turn a corner and trip on a ghost. But I know I’m not the only one doing this. I keep waiting for the day when I run into a fellow student and we scare the crap out of each other. Sometimes I walk into the lab at an odd hour and find that I’m not the first one there. Instead of words, we just exchange a look that means something like, “You too?” At the end of the day, however, I know why I’m doing it. Aspiring doctors know that they’ll need to be up and ready to take
their first patient at 7:30 a.m. Marine biology students that want to research bioluminescence will have to conduct their sampling through the night. But for now, we are all lowly genetics students who have to time collecting flies perfectly or risk their results being ruined. I hear my classmates drunkenly giggle outside of the building as I key myself into the empty laboratory and the irony is almost cruel. But I grab a microscope and settle into my routine, praying that the lack of sleep will one day be worth it. Hannah Webster can be reached at hannah.webster@spartans.ut.edu.
I have one full sentence! I think I deserve a break. Five minutes on Facebook couldn’t hurt anybody, right? I have seven notifications on Facebook... but I’m just going to scroll through my newsfeed quickly. Wow, no one cares about your new hookah, girl I went to highschool with. I don’t understand why I even have Facebook. But the next status down is pretty funny. Why can’t I think of anything else to type for this essay? I especially loathe conclusions. If this conclusion isn’t good, then I’m pretty much done for. Maybe if I stare at a word long enough I will get an idea.
I chug my Amp energy drink so that my eyes won’t get any heavier than they already are, and I can already feel the energy going to my brain. I feel the shakes, but I’m ready to finally conquer this paper. Maybe staring at the screen while head banging to Skrillex was not the best idea after all. Think, think, Madison, think. I’ve got something! Click, type, click, type... Wait a minute, I thought I logged out of Facebook. Apparently not. Grumble,Grumble. After hearing my stomach, I realize just how hungry I was getting. Typing up a paper can really work up an appetite. I open my food drawer and am disappointed at the selection.
There’s mac and cheese, crackers, PopTarts and more mac and cheese. Mac and cheese it is, then. But I completely forgot about my roommates. I don’t want to wake them up with this loud microwave. Why am I still staring at the screen? And why is my roommate snoring so loudly. Drip, drip, drip. Note to self: call the maintenance guy tomorrow to fix that stupid leak. Yawn. And why does my chair have to be so comfortable? I promised myself that I wouldn’t doze off. Keep your eyes open Madison! Focus! Zzz... Madison Irwin can be reached at madison.irwin@spartans.ut.com.
Social Media Squashes Sanity
By MADISON IRWIN
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Am I really on Tumblr right now? This is not how I planned this night to go. Bad Madison, bad! I only have three and a half hours until class. I seriously need to pull it together. Only two hundred more words of this stupid 10-page research paper and I will be done. Oh, sweet! It’s another Harlem Shake video! What college student in their right mind would pass up the chance to watch people do the Bernie dance? Not me, that’s for sure. Okay, really though, I should get back to business.