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Student Recounts Tsunami Experience By NICOLE ROBINSON News Reporter
Happy Beginnings Emiri Hashimoto, a sophomore communications major at the University of Tampa, sat in her room with the sunlight gently reflecting off the pink floral prints that cover her sheets and clothes. Here, it is peaceful. Just like she described the beginning of her spring break visit with her family in Nagano, Japan before disaster struck. She described Nagano as a downtown metropolitan area that brought her happiness and warm feelings.
See Return, Page 3
“There’s already enough people getting drunk and going crazy. Imagine that drunk, crazy person controlling a gun!” - Sami Al Qatari, UT freshman
To read more on the concealed-carry debate, see page 2
Retiring Dean Reflects on 17 Years as ‘Voice of Students’ By JEFFREY PALMER News Reporter
Robert Ruday, dean of students at the University of Tampa since 1994, is planning to pass the torch to a successor at the end of the semester. He described the role of the office he has held for the past 17 years as a mix of coordinating non-academic services on campus and building stable bridges of understanding between UT and the students themselves. In Ruday’s words, more than anything else, “The dean is the voice of the students.” Ruday expressed particular pride in his contributions to the betterment of the resident student experience at the university. Specifically, he commented on the building of new and improved residence halls and the creation of McNiff Fitness Center. “We transformed what was almost an empty building into a fitness facility that would be hard to beat,” said Ruday. The retiring dean also commented on the enlargement and improved location of certain offices vital to providing students with aid. NEWS + FEATURES 4 Law May Prohibit Tenureship for Fla. Educators 5 Buckhorn Elected Mayor of Tampa 6 A Bahamian Spring Break
In Ruday’s time at UT, offices such as the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and career and disability services were more fully integrated into the academic center of the university. Programs related to international service learning, such as alternative spring breaks and summer trips abroad, were also greatly enhanced during his tenure. Although he was unable to pick one favorite from his many fond memories of UT, Ruday stated that some of his more gratifying experiences as dean involved his frequent interactions with student government. “I truly enjoyed working with and helping to guide student government and helping individual officers to grow,” he said. Despite the gratification derived from his office, Ruday said that his 17 years at UT were not without some difficulties. “The most difficult times are always when a student passes,” Ruday reflected. “Working with family and friends to plan a memorial service and helping everyone through their time of grieving.”
Ruday hopes that his successor will do everything possible to help strengthen and expand the student affairs infrastructure so students will always have a means of addressing their concerns and desires. He expressed his unwavering belief in the unique character of UT’s student community and its potential to achieve greatness under proper direction. “UT students are diverse, accepting of differences and tolerant of actions, and hungry to serve others,” he said. “They are eager to practice and learn leadership skills.” After the semester, Ruday intends to board a Disney cruise with his wife to Alaska and then spend the summer reconnecting with his children and grandchildren. He said he would always be happy to lend his experience to the betterment of the university and the experience of its students. “I plan to keep in contact with the University of Tampa and offer my services through transitory times in areas I have been responsible for in Samantha Battersby/The Minaret the past,” said Ruday. Jeffrey Palmer can be reached Dean of Students, Robert Ruday, was known by faculty and students for at jeffrey.palmer@spartans.ut.edu. his charisma and love for Dr. Seuss.
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