Florida’s Top College Paper
Vol. 75 No. 28
ut.minaret@gmail.com
UT Officials Preparing for Possible Epidemic
By Ellery McCardle News Editor
With the swine flu spreading in several countries, traveling from Mexico to Spain and China, students wonder how it could affect them. Resulting from a strain mutation, the virus can be passed on from swine to humans. North American Influenza is spread by close exposure to ill people, such as being coughed on, sneezed on or touched. The Center for Disease Control is developing a vaccine for the virus, which should be included in the new flu shot this fall. The 2008 flu shot did not contain a vaccine against North American Influenza. The disease does respond to antiviral prescription drugs commonly administered to flu patients such as Tamiflu and Relenza. On April 28, the university’s Emergency Operations Team sent out a global mail, stating: "The University of Tampa is closely monitoring developments regarding the swine influenza outbreak that is being widely reported on by the media...The UT Student Health Center is actively involved with the state See “Flu” [7] wide surveillance system for all influen-
Students’ Views on Torture The Obama administration’s decision to release the torture memos has created a fury of discussion over whether or not the release of the memos was proper. By admitting to violating both national and international law in the use and practice of torture, has the United States government’s goal of greater transparency allowed us to open up dialogue and reconstruct our trust with other state actors, or has the release of the memos created more anger in the international
May 1, 2009
King of Fun with a Will to Smile: Friends Mourn Loss of Laughter
By JP Busche Staff Writer
By Jillian Randel Staff Writer
www.theminaretonline.com
community over U.S. actions that were carried out during the Bush administration? The Minaret asked University of Tampa students for their opinions. Some students feel Obama’s release of the memos was beneficial. “It’s really great that the United States is holding itself accountable. It gives our democracy legitimacy. The United States is part of the Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions and is a host for the practice of Habeas See “Torture”
[8]
For Valerie Ingram-Hinkley, advisor of WUTT, seeing Will King every week in class was a joy. “He was fun and energetic… he was the type of guy who helped out,” Ingram-Hinkleysaid. King was set to graduate this May but planned on taking summer courses. He was also trying to get a web design internship. King asked Ingram-Hinkley to be his reference last week. That’s the last time she saw him. The night of King's death, Ingram-Hinkley learned of it during her radio class, “I said, ‘Really? Are you sure?’ Then I started praying for him,” she said. Some members of WUTT radio were also close to King, taking classes with him during fall 2008. He served as budget director and assistant marketing director. Kate Lamm, senior, took a By Charlie Hambos class with King and said even Asst. Editor-in-chief though she didn’t know him well, “He stepped up to the plate every She was his “Beetle” and he time we needed him to, and I really was her “Prince William.” respect him for that.” She is Barbara Bush, Will Freshman Kate Magruder also King’s girlfriend. On Wednesday, worked at sporting events and did April 29 King collided with a Toyota promotions S U V h ead in g with King at Will King Memorial Service toward Davis WUTT. She Tuesday, May 5 at 11:11 a.m. Island on Hyde said he was Brevard Community Room P a r k Av e n u e a great guy just south of who was easy Kennedy Blvd. to get along with. She remembers They met at the Retreat and the goofy side of him, “He wanted Dubliner, not far from where King to be Jim Carrey… He did a great passed away. He happened to be a Ace Ventura impression.” friend of a best friend in the nursing Ingram-Hinkley and Lamm program. said King loved his motorcycle. “It was love at first sight,” Bush said. “An instant attraction between See “Mourning” [4] the two of us.”
Will King 1986-2009
Girlfriend Remembers Her “Prince William”
“When he saw me, he knew he had to have me,” Will told her when they met. Those next few days in December began their relationship before Will headed back to Connecticut for Winter Break. They spoke to each other See “Couple”
[4]
Barbara Bush and Will King
Poet Breaks from UT to Write New Lines at University of Houston By Derrick Austin Commentary Editor
“I think I got a gene for literature and writing,” said Martha Serpas, Associate Professor of English, referring to her love of literature. A professor for 10 years, her voice brims with zest whenever she discusses writing; her energy is infectious. With a soft spot for “Harold and Maude,” Ecclesiastes, Elizabeth
Bishop and the “screamy, threechord, white boy music” she grew up with in Galliano, La., Serpas is a cherished member of UT’s English and Writing department. However, this will be her last semester at UT. This fall she will teach undergraduate and graduate poetry writing at the University of
Houston. One reason is to focus on her own writing, but, more importantly family health concerns swayed Serpas. “My mother...I need to be in the vicinity of my mother and sister to provide health care for my mother and that’s gonna be easier for me from Texas,” she said. Red sunglasses propped up, she smiled while we discussed her childhood infatuation with poetry, influenced by her mother’s 30-year
Inside ...
career as a high school English teacher. “As a kid I think I saw the figure of the poet as a romantic, iconoclastic figure. I read Dylan Thomas because Jim Morrison of The Doors read Dylan Thomas, and I loved The Doors and pretty soon after Thomas I was reading Yeats. And my 11th grade English teacher said: Why don’t you look into the Lost Generation? Hmm, Lost Generation that sounds like me. Turns out that was Gertrude
Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Hemmingway.” Ending her science studies her first year at Louisiana State University, Serpas tried creative writing. “After my first poetry writing workshop, I knew I never wanted to sit a class of 300 again, in the sciences, with a final exam of 10 questions. I was too lazy for that,” she said.
International Volunteers [2] OSLE’s Cheryl Chernoff [3] New, Exciting Technology [13] CD Review [9]
The Editor Says Farewell [17]
Staring Down Graduation [16] Letter: Stop Construction [14]
Senior Says Goodbye [19]
See “Serpas”
[8]
News...................[1-8] A&E..................[9-13] Diversions...........[10] Commentary...[14-17] Editorial..............[15] Sports.............[19-20]
“A great man is one who leaves others at a loss after he is gone.” [Paul Valery]
News
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The Minaret | May 1, 2009
P.E.A.C.E. Readies for International Service By Delaney Spoerl Staff Writer
Editor-in-Chief Peter Arrabal parrabal@gmail.com
Asst. Editor-in-Chief Charlie Hambos charlie.hambos@gmail.com
News Editor Ellery McCardle minaret.news@gmail.com
Commentary Editor Derrick Austin minaret.commentary@gmail.com
Sports Editor Bobby Winsler
minaret.sports@gmail.com
A&E Editor Mel Steiner
minaret.arts@gmail.com
Online Editor Alex Vera
minaret.online@gmail.com
Head Photographer Mindy Tucker mindy.minaret@gmail.com
Head Copy Editor Shannon Grippando sgrippando@ut.edu
Adviser Charles McKenzie charles.mckenzie@ut.edu
Staff-At-Large Sarah Gottlieb, Staff Writer Jillian Randel, Staff Writer JP Busche, Staff Writer Jeffrey Palmer, Staff Writer Delaney Spoerl, Staff Writer Erika Escobar, Staff Writer Megan Smith, Staff Writer Austin Daniels, Cartoonist Max Roberts, Artist John Meacham, Photographer Abby Sanford, Photographer Elizabeth Harm, A&E Kadie Hayward, A&E Kristen Vasquez, A&E Shelby Kuni, Sports Olivia Glynn, Sports Kyle Bennett, Sports Samuel Gerb, Sports
You can reach The Minaret directly at (813) 257-3636
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What many people don’t realize is the power they have to change a person’s life. The University of Tampa’s P.E.A.C.E organization is trying to spread the word. Since Katrina Vidal, the head coordinator of the alternative spring break trips and UT senior, began the program in 2007, the service trips expanded to international locations. This year the P.E.A.C.E organization was supposed to work in Puebla, Mexico to do environmental work until plans had to be changed. “Alternative breaks staff believed that for the best interest of the students participating, that we should cancel the trip to Mexico. We did however still want to have an International Alternative Break, but since we decided not to go to Mexico in mid-March, we were really late in the game in terms of being approved by International Programs and the school to go abroad,” Vidal said. There was one condition if they still wanted to go abroad: they must go somewhere they had gone before. This year the international service trip will take place in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic with Orphanage Outreach from May 10-16. “We will be working with Orphanage Outreach to teach English
Last year’s group in Jamaica
Katrina Vidal volunteering in New Orleans during spring break 2008 Photos courtesy of Katrina Vidal
in local schools, complete restoration projects in the area and at the local orphanage to benefit children, and coordinate activities with children at the orphanage,” Vidal said. She guided Christina Smith and Hannah Duprey, the current spring break coordinators, in planning this year's trip, but Vidal will not be attending. Vidal began working for the P.E.A.C.E office in 2006, the following school year there was one alternative spring break trip in March. That year she added the weekend service trip to Give Kids the World and eventually added more options to the spring break trips as well as the program in
May. After graduation, Vidal will be returning home to Massachusetts to take care of her grandmother and hopefully serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Boston area. “Afterward, I want to go to grad school for social work, nonprofit management or special education," she said. Hannah Duprey will be replacing Vidal as head coordinator of the P.E.A.C.E alternative spring break trips, and the staff will increase from two alternatives to three. Vidal is looking forward to seeing the progression of this program. “In the 2008-2009 school year,
Hannah, Christina and I were able to offer students six different alternative break options," she said. Next year, eight alternative break trips will be offered. "We are really excited,” Vidal said. If anyone is interested in being involved in next year's trips, e-mail alternativebreaks@ut.edu to be added to their list for information regarding next year. Prospective volunteers must apply for each trip. Between eight and 12 students are selected for each trip. Next year the P.E.A.C.E organization is planning three weekend trips in February, October and April; a winter alternative break trip; two alternative spring break trips; an international trip possibly to Peru and a domestic trip sometime next May, prices depend on location.
Pandinis Remains Closed During Investigation By Anne Orban Staff Writer
A recent water main breakage in Stadium continues to keep a dining area closed on campus. On April 6 a 1 p.m., a water main broke in Pandini’s kitchen in Stadium Hall. However, Sodexo representatives are unsure what exactly happened. “To my knowledge, I do not think there was not an actual fire that took place in the kitchen, but that is still being investigated,” Wade Burghardt, director of marketing for Sodexo, said. The reason for breakage is still said to be undetermined. Since
the incident, Panini’s remains closed due to water damage left by the fire sprinklers on the cabinets counters and lights. Frank Lidiak, director of facilities, said an insurance came to campus last week to assess the damage. "We hope to have it [Pandini’s] up and running again by next week,” said Director of Facilities, Frank Lidiak. Hungry students and faculty are hoping this is true. “I miss the pasta a lot. I eat there like three times a week,” said Area Coordinator Mather Le Brasseur. “They have the best pizza,” said junior Gina Vara.
Others think there is no point in opening the restaurant back up the this late in the semester. “It’s pointless to open it back up the last week of school,” AnAn alleged fire closed Pandinis on April 6 gela Cruz, a Photo by Abby Sanford UT sophomore, said. “During finals, no one will line there.” want to eat there,” said sophomore But for those on campus who Claudia Mir, “people will want to miss their Italian favorites, Panini’s eat fast and there’s usually a big should be restored soon enough.
Fishing Featured as Newest Plant Museum Exhibit By Rebecca Zimmer Staff Writer
A new sport fishing exhibit in Henry B. Plant Museum gives visitors the feeling of a “great catch” showcasing vintage photographs, mounted fish, rods, nets, souvenir tarpon scales, Edward vom Hofe reels and so much more. Sally Shifke, media relations coordinator, claimed the museum decided the do this exhibit because, “Henry Plant promoted Florida as a tourist destination and fishing was an important part of the recreational activities that drew people to Florida and the Tampa Bay Hotel. Fishing is a popular past time today, and we thought the community would enjoy learning about the sport from a historical perspective.” The Henry B. Plant Museum’s
ing in E a r l y Florida u s e s newspaper accounts, books, post cards, advertising, photographs and perPlant Museum’s newest exhibit features fishing sonal recPhoto by John Meacham ollections to help relate to newest exhibit opened March 27, the era in which these fishing ex2009 and will continue through travaganzas occurred. December 27, 2009. This exhibit will give the visiThe exhibit will share several tor a better understanding of how fantastic accounts of sporting ad- Plant’s railroad, steamships and ventures. network of hotels shaped Florida’s Tarpon Tales and Sport Fish- history. This exhibit displays ex-
citing competition, enjoyment and precision of an angler’s sport. Shifke says the exhibit has been a big hit, “The exhibit is very popular. Anyone who has ever fished loves looking at our fishing tackle and old photographs. Everyone has a “fish” story and the exhibit inspires many tales!” Thirty-seven different lenders ranging from Ft. Meyers to Tallahassee contributed to the Plant Museum’s exhibit. Some of the institutions include, but are not limited to: the Boca Grand Historical Society, Edison Ford Winter Estates, Museum of Florida History and Southeast Florida Historical Society. Many individuals contributed, including UT’s Dr. Ronald Vaughn, who lent vintage lures, creel and net.
News SAACS Hosts Lab for Local High Schoolers
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The Minaret | May 1, 2009
By Kelsey Eisenbeis Staff Writer
The Student Affiliates American Chemical Society (SAACS) hosted a Chemistry Lab, Saturday, April 25, in the science wing of Plant Hall. From 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., the group assisted 30 high school seniors in two lab experiments in preparation for their AP Chemistry test in May. The Quantitative Analysis Lab and Equilibrium Constants Lab were a modification of a general chemistry course at UT. Dr. Scott Allen, advisor of SAACS, and chemistry professor at UT said, “The students are able to get a better laboratory experience here then at their schools.” The Hillsborough School District is not able to provide their students with the supplies needed to perform experiments. President-elect of SAACS, Lindsey Mack said, “We could really tell that the kids enjoyed it. We did not go into a thorough explanation of the lab at first, and the students asked for a more in-depth
Cheryl Chernoff Photo by Mindy Tucker
Cheryl Chernoff Revealed
SAACS members experiment with local high schoolers Photos by Abby Sanford
understanding of what they were doing.” The day also consisted of a lunch between labs where the students made liquid nitrogen ice cream and went on a tour around UT. “There was so much interest in the event that we actually had to turn people away,” Mack said. The day was so successful that plans are being made to hold this event regularly throughout the upcoming academic year.
By Jon Howard Journalism I
UT Students Pack Bags for China By Jackie Maass Staff Writer
University of Tampa seniors Ruth and Aaron Cook have been selected to visit the People’s Republic of China this summer with the International Scholar Laureate Program’s Delegation on Diplomacy and International Relations. Five destinations were offered this year including Australia, Central and Eastern Europe, China and South Africa. The Cooks will visit destinations including Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. ISLP nominates outstanding students from the United States and abroad to take place in this unique leadership development program. According to the ISLP website, approximately 60 to 100 scholars attend each program. “Being a member of Phi Theta Kappa, I was nominated to attend based on academic performance
Aaron and Ruth Cook Photo courtesy of Ruth Cook
and leadership skills,” Ruth Cook said. “Aaron’s nomination came after, based on inquiry and a review of academic achievements.” “[We] decided on China because of its relevance and current role in world affairs,” Aaron Cook said. “We hope to better understand the Chinese culture by interacting with people from all walks of life.”
The program is designed to increase students’ real world experience in their respective fields, providing many opportunities for personal and professional growth. For students traveling from the U.S., tuition is around $5,000. This includes round-trip airfare, transportation in the host country, meals, guides, lodging, tips, taxes, group health insurance and curriculum materials. “With so many interesting destinations and activities, it’s very hard to choose a favorite. Interacting with elementary school children, meeting with China’s future diplomats and seeing amazing historic areas such as the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall- each has its own wonderment, and is something we anticipate,” Aaron Cook said. The Cooks leave for China on May 17 and return May 29. After the trip, the Cooks plan to move north to Rhode Island in order to further their educational and professional careers.
WUTT Scholarship Awards Movie Critics By Jeffrey Palmer Staff Writer
In 2007, the nation’s only blind film critic, Jay Forry, began awarding University of Tampa students for their work as radio DJs or movie critics. Cristobal Gomez, a staff writer for The Minaret, was recently chosen as the second UT beneficiary of the Jay Forry Merit Award after last year’s recipient, James Kirk. The award is aimed at helping interested students flourish in the world of professional criticism and review. Forry instituted the program at UT specifically for a blend of personal and practical reasons. “I am a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the BFCA gives individual members the funds to sponsor any col-
lege or university radio station and student critic they choose,” he said. “I chose the University of Tampa because my nephew, David Forry, attended the university for four years, and I heard they had a radio station and a broadcasting class.” Apart from sponsoring the award, Forry arranges screening sessions for the chosen recipient, most of which occur at the nearby AMC Westshore Theater. He is also highly instrumental in answering their questions and giving general advice to improve their skills at constructive criticism. Forry first began his career almost a decade ago in Tampa- a career which has in no way been diminished by his lack of vision. Since then, his growing popularity and success has allowed him to speak on numerous radio stations
both at home and abroad. Working hand-in-hand with Forry to manage the program is the Advisor of UT’s radio station, WUTT, and professor, Valerie Hinkley. In order to be considered for the merit award, students should either have taken or be currently enrolled in COM 250 or be recognized for their contributions to WUTT. The application of the final recipient is judged and chosen by Forry himself. Award winners are responsible for the WUTT film reviews for the entire year. “The goal is to award a COM student who is familiar with WUTT,” said Hinkley. Hinkley also said she and Forry are considering expanding the award criteria in the near future. Forry’s film reviews can be accessed on his website www. blindsidereviews.com
Most people who walk in to the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE) have some kind of favor or question to ask, and only one person knows all the answers. Fortunately for student leaders, that woman is the person who greets them at the front desk. Cheryl Chernoff has been OSLE’s staff assistant for almost five years, but by now, she’s invaluable, the staff says.. “Cheryl knows everything in this office. From things about PEACE, Greek Life, Leadership stuff, to Student Government, orientation and even family weekend,” said Kim Northup, assistant director of OSLE. Director Stephanie Russell Holz agrees. “Cheryl is the focal point of this office and makes it run smooth,” Holz said. “She is very dedicated to her job and does the best work possible while loving to take on new challenges.” Chernoff’s dedication has earned her two “Unsung Hero” awards, and the SLIZ award, given to a faculty or staff member who was nominated by their supervisor and thenselected by a panel of judges. Holz, who nominated her, said there was no better candidate than Chernoff. “The SLIZ award goes to someone who goes above and beyond and that is who Cheryl is. She puts her heart into it and it shows,” Holz said. While many people love and respect Chernoff, few know much about her. Chernoff grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she became a Yankees and Giants fan. After 31 years in Tampa, she is slowly seeing the light. “Yea I know, I know,” she says. “I would go to Tropicana Field to cheer on my Yankees, but now I am rooting for the Rays.” Before coming to UT, Chernoff worked eight years at MetLife
and before that was a stay-at-home mom for her two sons, 28 and 25. Both went to school at University of Florida. The eldest is an Assistant Dean at Virginia Tech while her youngest graduated valedictorian as a triple major in economics, marketing and psychology. When Chernoff is not behind her desk in OSLE, she can be found in McNiff gym. “Cheryl goes to gym avidly, but she only went at first because she wanted to look good for her oldest son’s wedding,” said Ana Beckett, who is Chernoff’s student assistant. “I teach a spin a class at McNiff, and Cheryl is by far the most competitive one there. If someone starts pedaling faster than her, she starts pedaling faster. She is very tough.” Chernoff knows it though. “Yea,” she says with a chuckle. “I am pretty competitive. It’s also true that I started to work out because of my son’s wedding.” She had been in great shape though before having to undergo back surgery. “I used to be in great shape. I used to run marathons and always stayed active. My son’s wedding gave me an excuse to start working out again, and now I am back in the groove.” Her hard work paid off too. She has lost seven pounds in a few months and “tons of inches.” Besides her strong worth ethic both in the gym and in the workplace, Chernoff is most known for her friendship. “Cheryl treats her friends like family, I think that is the bottom line. In addition, if students do not have anywhere to go during the holidays, Cheryl will invite them over,” Holz said. After work, Chernoff goes home to prepare dinner and relax. By the end of the day she’s drained. “It is a good feeling though because I love my job, she said. “I love the students, and I love how two days are never the same.”
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News
Paying Tribute King III, William H., 22, left this world on a shooting star headed toward Heaven April 23, 2009. Will moved from Noank, CT to Tampa, FL so that he could earn his bachelors degree in communications from the University of Tampa. He belonged to the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association and he loved fishing, skiing, LaCross, golf, music, and spending time with Barbra. Will often said his favorite “activity” was “livin’ the life.” He was predeceased by his grandfather, William Davis.Will is survived by his loving family, father, William H. King Jr. (Cher); mother, Kerri D . (Rich); sisters, Allison K. Russo (Joel) and Jennifer L. King (Bob); grandma and grandpa Ann and Tom Gray; the love of his life, Barbra Bush; nephew, Ken M. Brayman; uncles, Jeffrey, Timothy, Robert, and William Davis; and aunt, Joan K. Robertson. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. There will be a celebration of Will's life on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. at the Brevard Community Room at the University of Tampa.
Remembering Will King Nov. 23, 1986 - April 23, 2009
Photos courtesy of Barbara Bush
“He was always the funny guy and had such a big heart. He will be greatly missed.”-Samantha Meek, friend
Throughout the semester, the group planned a show featuring local bands. The event has officially Ingram-Hinkley and Lamm been renamed as the “First Annual said King loved his motorcycle. King Fest.” “I remember one of the first “He left a mark and we want things I talked to him about was to honor him,” Ingram-Hinkley his motorcycle,” Lamm said. said. She also said WUTT will be When she noticed a scar on his re-named to the WUTT Will King leg, and she questioned him. “He Studio. She plans to get a plaque burned his leg on the tailpipe.” with his name on it and hang it in Lamm also said he was an the studio. experienced rider because, “He “He’s always on our air even drove [the motorcycle] to school when the studio is empty,” Ingramalmost everyday.” Hinkley said. King’s love for his bicycle Another piece of King is being was noticeable. preserved by the “When you “He never let any- station. Thursday saw him he alafter class, thing negative bring night ways had it..so Ingram-Hinkley he wore it on a down his attitude.”- found King’s last regular basis,” show as a Sarah Ware, friend radio Ingram-Hinkley DJ. “When I lissaid. ten to it, I laugh For members of WUTT, the and I say, “That’s Will.” Ingramstation is now all about “DJ King” Hinkley said. and their commemoration started She edited the CD to enhance Thursday night. the sound quality. For the first time, they went “I made it all sweet and pretlive for 24 hours. And it was all for ty…now students can always hear King. Will,” Ingram-Hinkley said. She This year’s WUTT-a-Palooza, plans to send the CD to King’s which was held on Friday, was in family. honor of King. The staff plans to For Ingram-Hinkley, she’ll sign a t-shirt and send it to King’s never forget the last time she saw family. King. From “Mourning”: Front Page
Will King with friends.
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
From “Couple”: Front Page She even flew up to see him. They went skiing in Vermont and she met his whole family. “I completed him,” Bush said. Along with his friends, Bush said that King was always the kind of guy that was just livin’ life. “Once you met Will, he was your friend,” Bush said. “He was the happy-go-lucky guy who is living life to his fullest.” Even for something as simple as dinner, he would go to the grocery store that night for the necessary items. The couple was supposed to graduate together. Him with a communications degree and her with a nursing one. Bush was offered a job as a Critical Care Nurse at Tampa General Hospital on Tuesday, April, 28, nearly a week after the accident. “It’s going to be hard because he died there,” Bush said. “I’m living my life for him.” Bush has King’s dog, Desiree. It was King’s first and only dog. “He [King] was the love of my life,” Bush said. Charlie Hambos can be reached at chambos@ut.edu
“He had a personality that’s rare to find in people.” -Dylan Vigliotti, friend
5 News Green is the New Black: Universities’ ‘Go Green’ Campaigns Stay Strong
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
By Shelby Kuni Head Copy Editor
When David Kohler gave up his trash in favor of recycling, he wasn’t sure it’d catch on. In an effort to reduce Pacific Lutheran University’s negative environmental impact, save money and further demonstrate PLU’s commitment to “care for the earth,” Kohler, who is the director of facilities management at PLU, started the “Can the Can” campaign. “I just thought one thing that would be neat is to not have any trash cans on campus,” Kohler said. “I don’t have one; I can recycle everything here at PLU.” In the fall of 2006 he distributed thousands of green, 1.5 liter buckets to the students and staff across the Tacoma, Wash. campus. A little over 50 percent of the student body (which has just under 4,000 students) immediately traded in their trash cans for these plastic buckets, and currently about 70 percent of the campus uses the small recycling cans. “It fits on your desk and you can put your small little trash things in it, but everything else gets recycled,” Kohler explained. With more and more colleges and universities starting to look at their carbon footprints and becom-
“Earth Baby” Photo by MCT/Meader
ing aware of the damage they are doing to the earth, campaigns just like “Can the Can” are popping up everywhere. Students at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. hold an annual competition, spending an entire month “doing it in the dark.” This campaign encourages students to keep lights, computers, plugs, water, etc. turned off as much as possible. What does the winning dorm get? Bragging rights as the most energy efficient dorm on campus! According to an article written by Christine Frey in SeattlePI,
watermelon rinds, pineapple heads and lettuce leaves are used to fertilize the flowers across the campus of Seattle University. All of the plants and shrubs throughout the campus of Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., are edible. “Climate change is no longer an elective,” said Cindy Shea, director of sustainability at UNCChapel Hill. “It’s something we all have to deal with on a daily basis.” While administrators are actively involved in sustainability initiatives, students are increasingly becoming major advocates of such efforts on their college campuses. “A lot of initiatives first get started because students push for them,” said Niles Barnes, projects coordinator for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Barnes is also a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED is the company that assesses how ‘green’ a building is). On the campus of Pacific Lutheran, students recently implemented a free bike co-op. “It’s a place for people to come rent bikes on campus, and the best part is that it’s a completely volunteer project, thought up by PLU
students,” Kohler said. The students at UNC-Chapel Hill passed a transit fee so that everybody could travel on the bus systems, free of charge. “With the ‘Green Energy Fee’ passed, each student pays an additional $4 per semester towards green energy campaigns. This comes out to about $200,000 a year,” Shea explained. “This year is also the first year we have started using bio-diesel in the buses,” she added. But not all students and faculty are working together to change the environment. On our very own campus, little effort is being made to further environmental change. “Students need to come out and make their voices heard more,” said Keil Brinster, who is involved with Recycle UT and spearheads the UT Sustainability group. “Unfortunately, students would have to get pretty radical (i.e. a walk or protest) for the administration to actually make any changes. Petitions of over 400 signatures failed.” The current state of our economy is also a major concern in the longevity of this nationwide endeavor. “Certainly the economic situation we’re in right now has made the future of this movement more
difficult (i.e. funding for renewable energy), as people are pulling back more and focusing on reserving their institutions,” Barnes said. However, The Princeton Review, known for its test-prep courses and resources helping students choose and get into colleges, will add a new rating to their long list of other college rankings this summer when it comes out: a green rating. This new green rating of colleges measures how environmentally friendly each institution is. The colleges or universities are awarded a numerical score, on a scale of 60 to 99, that is based on data that The Princeton Review collected from them during the 2007-2008 academic year, as stated on The Princeton Review website. According to a New York Times article written by Kate Zernike, a Princeton Review survey of 10,300 college applicants was conducted this year, and 63 percent said that a college’s commitment to the environment could affect their decision to go there. Although some people are cutting back and some haven’t even caught on yet, they will have plenty of time to do so as this national trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Apr. 28 Meeting • Josh Kratovil Compiled From Reports Provided By UT Security It was probably a key A student entered the security office to report that his car had been damaged on April 13. He had parked his car in the Thomas Garage on the fourth floor, southeast side, on April 5 at approximately 5 p.m. He returned to find that someone had “keyed” the paint on the trunk and passenger side of his car with an unknown object. Straz Hall Heats Up Officers responded to a report of a fire alarm in Straz Hall on April 13. Upon arrival of officers the location of the alarm was determined and they responded to the floor. They located the room that had set the alarm off and found water was streaming from a damaged sprinkler head in the room. Tampa Fire responded and cleared the alarm allowing the students to return to their rooms. An inspection of the floors below the room found several were damaged due to the water leaking down. Inside some of those rooms however were located different violations involving different articles. All involved rooms and their associated violations were referred to student conduct, as with the original fire alarm and its cause. Austinarcotics A maintenance worker and an RA requested officers to re-
spond to an Austin Hall room in reference to the use of narcotics inside on April 15. Upon arrival of the officers a room search was done and paraphernalia and marijuana was located inside the room. The resident students were referred to the conduct board for the violations. And you’re outta here! Offices were called to respond to the conduct office in reference to an unruly parent on April 15. Upon arrival of officers they were directed, and made contact with, the parent who was causing problems. The parent and student were escorted to the security office where the parent was trespassed from the property due to her actions. The student was not trespassed but is still involved in the conduct process from an unrelated issue. Aiding and Abetting -- Not the best idea! An officer located in the Vaughn Center a student that is currently terminated from housing and on summary suspension on April 15. The subject was escorted off campus and also referred to student conduct for the additional violations. The resident student was also warned of him allowing the other subject to stay in his room. What a surprise … more drugs in Austin! A RA requested officers to respond to Austin Hall as an April 17 room search had produced narcotics. Officers responded and conducted an additional room search with the RA. The narcotics tested
positive for marijuana and the students were referred to the conduct board. Ironically, the very thing you’re stealing makes a decent getaway vehicle… A student came to the security office on April 17 to report the theft of his bike from the West parking garage. He stated he had locked his bike up approx 1 month prior in the area where motorcycles park. Upon arrival he found that the bike and lock were missing. A find is a find, any way you slice it! Officers were called to a Vaughn Center room in reference to the use of narcotics use in the room on April 18. Upon arrival of the officers a room search was done with negative findings for narcotics. However, several items of alcohol were located and the students were referred to the conduct board for those violations. Donuts for Dummies Officers made contact with a student as he had observed the car on cameras speeding in the West Parking garage on April 19. Additionally two other students then also made a complaint that the car nearly struck them as they walked towards the elevators. The car was observed speeding up and down the ramps and then spinning itself in circles on the open floors carelessly. The student was referred to the conduct board for the violations.
• • • • •
All new Executive Board members took their new seats at the last SG Meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Reeves. Good luck on finals everyone! Have a great summer! No SG during finals week! An alcohol policy proposal is something to look forward to next semester. Changes next semester will include school spirit and meal exchanges. SG Reps will only go to committee meetings starting Fall 2009 semester. Mike Harrell, director of public relations, will be working with Jaclyn Carden, the Greek Life Advisor, on the new organizational suite starting fall semester.
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The Minaret | May 1, 2009
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The Minaret | May 1, 2009 From “Flu”: Front Page -za and has the ability to test for influenza and, if necessary, to submit a positive test to the state laboratory for confirmation of swine flu. If you have these symptoms contact the Student Health Center for an appointment...The Health Center discourages “drop ins” to minimize student to student exposure. If you have flu symptoms and are not a participant in UT's Student Health Plan, please contact your primary care provider...The University’s Emergency Operations Team will continue to monitor the situation and update the University community as the situation evolves." Some UT students believe this is nothing to worry about here in Tampa. “I think everyone is overreacting," freshman Mary Slagel said. "The reason why so many people got it in Mexico is their health system.” ”It is blown over proportion," said junior Joshua Long. "People are overreacting.” Junior Michael Long said the situation is nothing for him to fret over, despite recent traveling. “Well I just came back from N.Y., and really am not worried," he said. "Right now, there have
been so few cases of it. I have a better chance of getting the regular flu than I do the swine flu. If the situation changes, and there is a significant outbreak, then I will start to worry but right now, it's too soon to panic." Officials issued the warning as physicians confirmed 20 cases in five states across the country. While no cases have been reported in the southeastern United States, hospitals around the world have prepared for the worst. “There is a reason to be concerned,” said Dr. David Kimberlin, co-director of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. “If there wasn’t, the government would not be taking this rather extraordinary step.” An emergency declaration will focus government resources
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on containing the spread of the virus, Kimberlin said. The World Health Organization will decide Tuesday whether to raise the pandemic alert level.
7
News
The majority of cases have been reported in Mexico, where 81 people have died of suspected swine flu and more than 1,300 have been sickened, according to the Associated Press. However, health officials also reported cases in Asia and Europe. Federal officials have not ruled out travel restrictions in an effort to limit the virus, but a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flew to Mexico City to assist health authorities
there. The United States also tapped into its emergency stockpile of medicines, which doctors hope will work against the specific strain of flu. According to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the United States declared the emergency out of caution and vigilance. “We’re preparing in an environment where we really don’t know ultimately what the size of
seriousness of this outbreak is going to be,” Napolitano said during a press conference Sunday. The virus’ effects are also being felt at New York University — at least one professor canceled a final. Contributions to this article were made by UWIRE.
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Dorms Get Summer Updates By Cristobal Gomez Staff Writer
ResCom is set to get various building upgrades over the summer according to Frank Lidiak, UT facilities manager. Energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs will be installed in B and C buildings. New kitchen cabinets and counter tops are planned for B and C buildings but have not been funded yet. A building already has efficient light bulbs and new cabinets, but A building rooms will
Photo by Abby Sanford
get new sliding glass doors and furniture over summer. Lidiak said he expects that five to 10 new energy-efficient air conditioning units will be installed over the summer for
ResCom rooms. Smiley Hall will also receive some improvements over the summer. Some showers will be upgraded, which will include new tiles and new shower heads. Smiley Hall’s light bulbs will be upgraded to energy efficient ones, and the community kitchen will receive some improvements. Austin Hall's air conditioning will be upgraded over the summer, as well as a boiler upgrade. In McKay, privacy shower doors will be installed.
Editor-in-chief Makes UWIRE Top 100 By Charlie Hambos Asst. Editor-in-chief
Peter Arrabal, The Minaret’s Editor-in-chief was chosen as one of the top 100 student journalists from around the country. The final group represented 69 universities (four in Florida). In each of the last two years, seven of the large journalism schools made up more than a quarFrom “Torture”: Front Page corpus, so I think it is good to hold ourselves accountable. I think that everybody should download them at the ACLU website and read what the CIA has been doing in the name of the United States government." “I feel it was the right move to release the memos, it shows the American people what we have been doing. I also think we should release information gained so we can evaluate whether or not this is a practice we should be keeping,” senior Charlie Connally said. However, others feel this issue is not a big deal. “I don’t think the torture memos really affect our activities in any way," said senior Anthony Procaccio. "It is really just
ter of the list. Arrabal is a senior biology major from Ellicott City, Md. He won UT's Ernie Pyle Award for Journalism Excellence this spring, Tim O'Connor Editor's Award last year as well as the Journalism Student of the Year. Arrabal has been instrumental in creating the award-winning Minaret that the university has today.
“This is a remarkable group of journalists,” said Joe Weasel, CEO of UWIRE. “Each has made a significant impact on the field already – they are talented, hard workers and gifted storytellers. Each was nominated by their peers and advisers, who recognized their potential to shape the ever-changing media industry in the coming years.”
confirming what everybody knew or suspected or believed and if anything it raises our reputation a little bit by admitting to past wrongdoings and it will probably help with any diplomatic efforts we need to put forward in the future." “The release of the memos has no bearing on national security whatsoever," said senior Aaron Rizzo. "This is common knowledge out in the world. All this does now is build trust between the United States and other countries, and between the United States and its citizens. Furthermore, any of the tactics used in the interrogations do not apply. It’s not like we are giving them new tactics to use, these are tactics that have always been used." Chris Persaud, a UT senior,
said releasing the torture memos was a bad idea. “By doing this we just cast shadows on it, vindicating what the Arab world was saying and it gives them credit from us and cast a black shadow on us. It basically told them our playbook." Persaud added he doesn't believe the U.S. was practicing torture, but rather "harsh interrogation." "If the enemy knows what you are going to do, they are going to be able to train and adapt. Knowing that you are not going to kill them, ruins the effect of this kind of interrogation. We are putting handcuffs on the CIA so now all they can do is ask what the U.S. army field manual states,’‘What is your name, rank, and do you want a cup of coffee?”
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
The Questionnaire: Martha Serpas By Derrick Austin Commentary Editor
DA: What is your idea of perfect happiness? MS: Living in the present tense. Completely aware of the moment with the people around you. DA: What is your greatest fear? MS: I’ve learned from my work at the hospital, my chaplaincy work. My biggest fear is any kind of break in my friendships and relationships, that somehow I lose my connection with the people I love. DA: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? MS: Toss up between trying to control situations that are out of my control and not being able to listen to other people while suspending judgment. DA: What is the trait you most deplore in others? MS: One always deplores in other people what one deplores in oneself. DA: What is your greatest extravagance? MS: Bags. And even though—you know messenger bags, briefcases, backpacks—and even though I’ve figured out the psychological motivation for that, it has not stopped me from spending money on it. I think that I have this idea that if I have the right bag I can carry everything I need with me, easily accessible, and be all safe and autonomous; and I need people too much, but I keep buying these bags anyway. DA: What or who is the greatest love of your life? MS: The greatest love of my life is water. Rivers, bayous, oceans, gulfs—I love water. Like the Dao says, it’s fine with the low places; it welcomes everything; it can be peaceful and it can be turbulent. It’s perfect, whole. DA: Which talent would you most like to have? MS: I’d most like to be a great listener; I’d like to read more easily. If I had to do it over again, I’d learn carpentry, the ability to build things and fix things. DA: If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? MS: A live oak. [She proceeds to recite lines from Walt Whitman’s “I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing”] “I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing, / All alone stood it and the moss hung down from the branches, / Without any companion it stood there uttering joyous leaves of dark green.” I think that would be me. DA: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? MS: Fear, being overwhelmed by fear. DA: Who is your fiction hero? MS: Holden Caulfield. Isn’t that terrible? I don’t know why that popped into my head. That’s so sad. It means I’m still adolescent. DA: What’s your motto? MS: Live with open eyes. “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting…” Ecclesiastes 7:2 From “Serpas”: Front Page Her teaching job at UT was her first after graduating with her Ph.D. She felt like she “won the lottery,” and her friendships with her academic peers enriched her time at UT. Working as co-poetry editor on the "Tampa Review" since 2000, faculty poets Richard Mathews, Kathryn VanSpanckeren and Donald Morrill welcomed her. Close friend and colleague Elizabeth Winston proved an invaluable editor of Serpas’s work. She published two volumes of poetry, "Cote Blanche" in 2002 and "The Dirty Side of the Storm" in 2006. Despite her love of the department, she laments the lack of diversity, which creates a dearth of life experiences to share with students, and regrets not working harder to improve it. “Lack of diversity isn’t a problem; it’s what keeps us from solving a lot of our problems.” Still, when you sweep away labels like poet and professor, Serpas is a small town Louisiana
woman with strong roots to her land, a bitter irony considering her hometown Galliano—and much of southern Louisiana—suffers from rapid coastal erosion. “The main roads of my hometown border a bayou and right now it just looks like a nerve from an emptying limb; there’s water all around it and one little ribbon of land. And on that little ribbon of land, I grew up where people would trawl and serve the oil industry with fly boats and crew boats, and there aren’t many communities in the U.S...with their own language, architecture, dance, music, cuisine, utterly unique…You know, the next... certainly the grand children of my peers won’t have that land.” Though she sweetens the sorrow with Biblical humor, “And like the Israelites you can’t separate the people from the land. “I’ve lived here than I’ve lived anywhere else except Galliano. This is my first job out of grad school; these folks, I mean my colleagues that I love, raised me as an academic. It’s like leaving the nest. I’ll never have a more beautiful house.”
Arts & Entertainment
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
9
Get the Gossip: Ray LaMontagne Looks to Break Through By Mike Trobiano Staff Writer
Whether you’ve caught one of his songs on the radio or saw him last month on Saturday Night Live, Ray LaMontagne is leaving a permanent impression on music lovers, despite his timid demeanor. Like most singer-songwriters, his sound is distinctive, raw, and exposed, yet he manages to separate himself by emotionally linking themes of rebirth and destruction into his work. Often noted as an extremely shy performer, regularly singing in almost total darkness to separate himself from the audience, his music more then makes up for his relaxed visual presentation. After his father, also a musician, left his mother when he was a young boy, LaMontagne stood clear of music and discovered his thriving imagination from fantasy novels. Spending hours reading, he channeled his attention into a fictitious world away from reality. Consequently, he barely received passing grades in school. Writing stories and trying to suppress his feelings, he decided after graduation to move away from his New Hampshire home and travel to Maine. There he
worked sixty-five hours a week and unknowingly found his true love of music. W h i l e working early one morning in the factory, the song Treetowp Flyer by Stephen Stills came on the radio. It was in that moment that LaMontagne quit his job and began to focus on his music career. In 1999 he began touring and, within a few years, found himself with a collection of almost a dozen t r a c k s w h i c h he played as he toured. While still in the early stages of his career, LaMontagne compiled and produced a demo record which he sent to various people in the music industry. To his luck, his work drew the liking
of several music executives and he was promptly signed to RCA Records. In a matter of two weeks,
LaMontagne rerecorded those tracks and released his first album, Trouble, in September 2004. Primarily using his guitar and background percussion, the simplicity of Trouble is what primed his success
and denoted his signature sound. The album’s title track made it to no. 5 in the UK and the album sold over 400,000 copies to date world-wide. “Trouble; been doggin’ my soul since the day I was born. Worry; just will not seem to leave my mind alone. Well I’ve been saved by a woman, I’ve been saved by a woman.” In 2006, he released his sophomore album, Till the Sun Turns Black. Continuing to develop as an artist, he added horns and strings in the background of the tracks to achieve a more layered appeal. A great example of this can be heard on one of my favorite tracks, Be Here Now. “Don’t let your soul get lonely child it’s only time, it will go by. Don’t look for love in faces,
places it’s in you, that’s where you’ll find kindness. Be here now, here now.” By using his guitar as his pallet, his voice paints a piece of originality for your ears and soul to enjoy. His latest album, Gossip in the Grain, was released in October 2008, landing him at the no. 3 spot on the Billboard Charts. One of his most successful songs off the album, You Are the Best Thing, was featured in the movie, I Love You, Man, staring Paul Rudd. “Baby, we’ve come a long way, baby; you know, I hope and I pray that you believe me when I say this love will never fade away oh, because you are the best thing.” Over the course of his music journey, LaMontagne has received 14 nominations for his work, winning five awards in total. He is currently on tour promoting his latest album, making stops along the way in Florida, playing this past Wednesday, April 29 to a sold out audience at the Tampa Theatre. LaMontagne will head to Dublin in September to embark on his international tour. To find more of Ray LaMontagne, visit raylamontagne. com or myspace.com/ raylamontagne.
Student Delivers Grad Thesis in Reeves Theater By JP Busche Staff Writer
Reeves Theater, Saturday the 25, 6.00 p.m.. A number of students and faculty gathered to watch I Reveal the graduate thesis film of UT alumni Timothy Compton. He will graduate this year from the University of Miami with an M.F.A. After his screening, the regular student showcase began. Taking place once every semester and organized by Professor Dana Plays. Consisting only of student entries, the audience had the chance to admire different productions. From movies that only went a couple seconds, up to the ones that went fifteen minutes, a diverse show was offered.
Interesting productions included a promo for the Tampa Bay Aquarium, which was a project of multiple students, with Professor Tom Garrett as Executive Producer. Also shown was a trailer and a behind the scenes Documentary of the Movie The Source which was partly filmed on campus and will be done this summer. Further films gave an introduction into experimental film as taught by Dana Plays, with Delirium by Sarah Kenton being an interesting portray of how dance can be enriched with light and mirroring effects.
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10
Diversions
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
By Linda C Black Tribune Media Services
Aries (March 21-April 19) It’s not a good day to gamble. If a disagreement develops, let it drop without being settled. Tempers are too short. Give everyone more time to think it over by not participating in the uproar. Taurus (April 20-May 20) People have their own ideas about how things ought to be. Who’s right? They all think they are. If you disagree, you’d better speak up now or they’ll roll right over you. Gemini (May 21-June 21) Your finances are fluctuating, and that’s got you stressed. Instead of simply worrying, start an investigation. What are all your marketable talents? Which do you want to try next? Cancer (June 22-July 22) Hopefully, you won’t have to choose between your friends and your money. Neither a borrower nor a lender be. It makes life a lot less complex. Share shopping tips instead. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Try as you might, it’s hard to get a dreamer to look at the cold, hard facts. Work with this person instead. Explain what will have to be done to get from here to there. Maybe he or she will do the work. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You’re very creative now. You’re developing a following. Others want to find out what you’ll be coming up with next. To produce results quickly, finish something
by Austin Daniels
you’ve already started. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You should be feeling pretty good, but don’t get carried away. You could easily go over budget, if you’re not careful. You can get a special treat if you shop at the second-hand store. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Stand back a little and give the others a chance to express their opinions. They’ll tell you more about themselves than they realize. Ask a few leading questions and let them convince you. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Consider your travel plans in light of recent developments. Your time is also needed at home, to clean up a mess there. Forget all about it for a while, but not for the entire weekend. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) With the support of people who love you, you can accomplish anything. It might be helpful if some of them invested their money, too. If you ask them to do that, be certain you will follow through. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A competitor keeps you sharp by challenging your beliefs. You don’t have any beliefs? Of course you do. That’s why it’s so irritating to listen to this person. But if you can, you’ll learn something. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Anticipate setbacks at work and be as prepared as you can. Odds are good something’s going to break, or the clients will change their minds. Proceed with caution.
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
Arts & Entertainment
11
Student Directs Play in Reeves By Nicole Robinson Staff Writer
Upon entering Reeves theatre, Zach Hines waved his hands artistically in the air explaining how he wanted the lighting to look when audience members entered the theater. “I want it to glow,” he explained to junior Meredith Payne. Lighting is one of the many articles of business that he and his all-female cast have to attend to in the student directed “Eleemosynary.” Hines is a first-time student director and sophomore performing arts major. “It’s the first student-directed production supported by Alpha Psi Omega,” he said. “It’s really a collaborative effort.” Originally written by Lee Blessing, Eleemosynary, as interpreted by Hines,
is a mixture of stage performance and film all meshed together to form the perfect storm of drama and humor. Cast members Jackie Schram and Alice Renier agreed, “He gets to learn to be a better director from us and we get to learn to be better actors from his directing style.” The rehearsal was laid back with jokes peppered throughout but each student understood the importance of putting together a good show for the UT audience. “Eleemosynary” will run Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2 at 11 p.m. in Reeves theater, with free admission. It touches on the “delicate relationships” between women. And goes through a range of issues from mother-daughter tension to abortion. It is sure to get audiences thinking. “Eleemosynary” will make you laugh, cry and touch your heart.
d n a ti t e h lls a g a b Sp Meat
Off-Stage Ritual of UT Talent
By Shannon Welte Journalism I
University of Tampa actress Shannon Navario has seen many changes over her three years at UT, but one thing has stayed consistent. Like many of her theater friends, Navario refuses to wear red to a first show in a performance. “The theory is a young woman killed herself, hung herself from a noose in the middle of Falk Theater,” Navario said. Legend says the w o m a n , nicknamed Bessie, was dressed in all red when she killed herself decades ago. Her ghost has haunted the theater ever since. Navario, like many of her friends, has witnessed Bessie’s hatred for those who wear red on the first performance. She has seen background sets fall over, stereo systems crackle and performers forgetting their well-rehearsed lines. However, Navario has noticed a
new calm in Falk Theater. “I think Bessie may have moved on this year,” Navario said, “but I still don’t wear red on the first performance.” During her first year on campus, Navario and her friends actually left a rose for Bessie on opening night. Now, she says she is too busy to worry about things like a ghost. Navario, a writing and theater major, has performed in “Pippin” and in many of UT’s major shows. She spends all of her time in either the Music Hall or the theater, and she writes in her down time. “I love the theater, it’s like my child,” Navario said, “but I love to write as well.” Navario was published four times in the 2009 “Quilt” literary magazine. After graduating next year, she plans to pursue her interest in theater and move to Chicago with a couple of her friends.
UT Dance Professor Wins Students Over With Hard Work
By Romy Roloff Journalism I
The bubbly blonde greets her class energetically and announces what sort of crazy thing she has in mind for the day. But before she even gets a chance to say it, her mind wonders to a completely different story. “Me and my friend were regulars at Studio 54 and literally would go there at least three times a week and dance all night long.” A typical class with Professor Linda Lopez is the farthest thing from typical. After realizing she has been sidetracked for too long, she usually gets up and puts on some fun 80’s song and announces, “Okay everybody, let’s get started.” Lopez has only taught at UT for two years, but she is already pretty well known by not only dance students but anyone who likes to take a fun and stress-free class. She has taught dance for over a decade, first at a high school and later
at her own studio for 11 years. She explains that, “dancing just comes as second nature” to her. Some of the classes she offers are Tap, Jazz, Dance Conditioning and Broadway dance styles. She has also choreographed for various shows at school including the Spring and Fall dance concerts. “I don’t know what I would do without dance in my life,” Lopez explains. “It is really fulfilling to teach other people about something that I feel so passionate about, and all my students are wonderful.” Noelle Etienne is a junior at UT studying finance and she is currently taking Dance Conditioning with Lopez. “Linda is so much fun…this class is a nice breath of fresh air among my hectic schedule.” Etienne has never had any formal dance training but she admits that her skills and flexibility have improved because of this class. “She kicks our butts…but it pays off in the end.”
Ingredients: Meatballs: 2lbs lean ground meat 3 cloves of garlic, chopped 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese 2 eggs Dash salt Dash pepper Italian seasonings, basil, oregano 1/4-cup water Italian Sauce: 1 onion
Preparation: 3 cloves of garlic Dash Salt, pepper, basil, and oregano 2 (24oz) cans crushed tomatoes 1 (24 oz) can puree tomato Splash olive oil Pre heat oven 350 degrees Mix all ingredients, and shape into 1” size meatballs Place in oven for approx 20 minutes, or until cooked
By Jackie Maass Staff Writer
Beware of Claws Hugh Jackman is joined by Liev Schreiber (The Manchurian Candidate) and Ryan Reynolds (Definitely, Maybe) in the long awaited release of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” Audiences get a look at the life of James Logan (Jackman) before we met him in X-Men, through this action-packed quest for vengeance. Release Date: May 1, 2009 Director: Gavin Hood Rating: PG-13 The Kid In Kirk Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto star as in “Star Trek” this summer as James T. Kirk (Pine) and Spock (Quinto) meet and save the galaxy for the first time. Movie-goers witness the earlier days of this duo, filled with bar fights, love interests, and intense special effects. Release Date: May 8, 2009 Director: J. J. Abrams Rating: PG-13 Pope Drama Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is back, pinning science against divinity in “Angels and Demons,” based on the novel by Dan Brown. Hanks is joined by Ewan McGregor (Star Wars prequel trilogy) and Stellan Skarsgård (Mamma Mia!) in this race to save the Vatican. Release Date: May 15, 2009 Director: Ron Howard Rating: PG-13
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Arts & Entertainment
TheMinaret Minaret||April May 10, 1, 2009 The 2009
Take A Game Break With Top Summer Releases of the Season By Austin Ashby Staff Writer
With the end of the school year coming and just a little over a week left, I thought it was time for a classic top five list for games being released in the summer with the highest chance of being fantastic. Number 5: “When there’s something strange, in the neighborhood, who are you going to call? Ghostbusters!” The upcoming Ghostbusters game is creeping up to its June 16 release, but why is it ranked so high? The previous entries with the license to the video game realm have been somewhat of a horrible mess that people have been trying to repress for years. The upcoming entry has been declared to be canon, yes I mean it’s Ghostbusters 3, to the license product. The majority of the actors are coming back to play their respective roles. Dan Akyrold and Harold Ramis are writing the script, so expect the same humor you got from the movies to be in the game. All of the videos I have seen for it are prepping it to be one of the best movie-license games for the current systems. Number 4: This next game is long overdue for a sequel. The original game was released on the arcade and then ported to the Nintendo in ‘87.
The sequel to this game was released on the Super Nintendo in ‘94. Then it went into the darkness. Now the sequel is being released on Wii, May 18, titled, “PunchOut!!”. Anyone who played Nintendo can remember this game and how hard it was back in the day: the crazy opponents you faced, against the hard difficulties of each opponents, and the bragging rights of telling people you defeated Mike Tyson. This game will be the reason that the casual market will continue to play Wii and the hardcore crowd will give Wii another go. Number 3: It’s always a true achievement when making a fantastic licensed video game. All of the nagging you get from the licenser is truly ridiculous, and if the developers can make a fun license product (like Spiderman 2), then they should have one eye kept on for their future games. The developer whom I speak of created, “The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction,” and their new game in production will be out in the market on June 9. This
game is known as “Prototype.” You are a man-made weapon who has amnesia, and you go around murdering people to regain your memory. “Prototype” aims for its M rated it has got from the ESRB since your character will be entering a blood-bath, and can be
This game is such an example, planning to be release on June 2, it shall have every casual gamer and house-wife screaming in joy, “The Sims 3.” After many expansion packs to “The Sims 2,” EA is finally giving us what we want: a true
somewhat considered as a psycho. Every video that has been released has not given me doubt that this will be a hit during the summer. Number 2: The PC is a dying platform; no one is willing to argue against that. However, there are still several games that are truly meant for the PC that are being released onto the market.
sequel to the hit franchise. The Sims franchise has always been a very addicting one. For that one person who has no idea what “The Sims” really is, it’s a game where you control a set of virtual characters from their childhood until their death. It is the closest thing you will get to a simulation of real life on any type of medium. While not reinventing the franchise in any way, “The Sims
3” plans to move the series where it has never gone before, and that is giving the whole neighborhood to move in time instead of solely your household. “The Sims 3” has a very high chance of being the best PC game of this year, so what could possibly beat this juggernaut of a franchise and claim the no. 1 spot? Number 1: The game that had the potential to beat “The Sims 3” has some of the best developers from the last generation of the game. The developer is called Sucker Punch, and their debut game for the Playstation 3 is finally being release into the wild on May 26, this summer’s no. 1 game: “inFamous.” If you ever wanted a superhero game that was not dragged down by its license, it will be “inFamous.” Every Sucker Punch game has been of the highest quality of its time. The choice of making your main character Superman-like or The Punisher-like is such an amazing concept. “inFamous” has everything it needs to be another high-tier exclusive that the Playstation is sorely looking for. These are my highly most anticipated titles that are being release in the summer. See more online, www. theminaretonline.com
Arts & Entertainment
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
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Disney Stars: UT Orchestra Takes First Tour Through Orlando By Dr. David Isele Faculty Forum
It has been three years in the making, but, under the leadership of Dr. Libor Ondras, the UT orchestra has forged its musical legacy as an ongoing contributor to the university and the Department of Music. In its first tour, April 24-26, the orchestra performed for hundreds
of students in high schools and an appreciative audience in Downtown Disney. A featured soloist for a Torelli trumpet concerto was UT’s professor of trumpet, Aric Brian. It is well known that concert tours for any musical ensemble increase the musicianship of its members, a laudable educational goal. It is hoped that UT will find
ways to continue to fund tours for all its worthy ensembles, instrumental and vocal. It is a wonderful way to make known the greatness of our university and its increasingly well-earned academic reputation. The students performing during the tour were excellent ambassadors for UT, and to them “Bravo.”
in and, in theory, find the video you’re looking for. However, this could become extremely dangerous if Adobe doesn’t tweak the system just right. I can imagine the horror searching for a line like ‘Do you remember the taste of strawberries and cream?’ from Sam’s awkward motivational speech from The Lord of the Rings would bring. That’s No Wheat Thin, That’s a Speaker The Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan developed ridiculously skinning speakers this year. How thin? About the size of a piece of paper. Not only are they thin, but flexible, rollable and foldable. They’re basically Stretch Armstrongs with voices. The company intends to begin installing the scrawny speakers in cars and behind LCD screens in the near future. They also hope to lower production costs to the point where a single speaker would cost only $20. More Reason to Shake Your Wii MotionPlus The Wii MotionPlus is an accessory for a Nintendo Wii-mote that provides a true 1:1 response. Basically that’s just a technical way of saying however and where ever the remote is moved, the Wii will
sense exactly how it is moved. You might be asking yourself, Isn’t that already what the Wii does? Isn’t that their selling point? Well, no. See, Nintendo sorta fudged the capabilities of the Wii, making them appear more realistic than they actually were. Minute movements aren’t actually taken into consideration many times. But with the MotionPlus, all movements are sensed. That’s right, you can swing around a lightsaber just like Luke Skywalker with a 1:1 response, but you’ll still look just as stupid as you do now with a normal Wiimite.
New and Exciting Technology On The Horizon: Summer 2009
By Shannon Grippando Staff Writer
Another school year comes to a close, but the world keeps on spinning, especially the world of technology. Exciting new technologies are being fine tuned right now, and soon they’ll be at your service, making life ever so slightly easier (or bearable, depending on your outlook). Adobe Story Tells Untold Tales E v e r search for a video on Youtube, but just couldn’t remember the name? You know it involves two affectionate ladies and a single container for holding beverages, but you just can’t remember the title for the life of you. And lucky you, the idiot who posted the video entered no relevant search terms for the meta tags. Adobe Systems has you covered. A new tool called Adobe Story is currently under beta testing. The same brilliant minds who brought you Photoshop are now developing a video searching service that will analyze a video’s script, automatically creating meta tags. So if there’s memorable line from a video, you can type that
Quilt’s Corner “The monster demands a mate!” Dearest destroyer, I’ve been hearing horror stories of you that have been nothing but macabre. These tales told secondhand are no different from the walking dead that haunted my dreams as a child, resulting in a loss of sleep for the monsters that were once believed to reside in the crevices of culture. The snakes rooted to your scalp whisper each other sonnets of longing, yet your teeth remain crimson from previous encounters with travelers to whom you were not sincere. Tonight, I’ve been peering through every haunted window into the home you call your heart, searching for subtext through the way your shadows waft and wean through these yearlong corridors. I wonder what will happen when there are no more ghosts of you to chase.
UT Dancers Preparing for Annual Dance
Photos By Kara Wall
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Commentary
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
Fox Show Offers “24” Hours of Action and Intrigue in One Hour
By John Jacobs Columnist
There hasn’t been anything great on TV that stands out to me, except the current season of “24.” I watch a lot of TV—I’m talking the whole season of “The Tool Academy”—a lot of TV. So when something keeps me entertained like this, what else can I do but write a column in The Minaret about it? Don’t answer that question. For those of you who don’t watch “24,” basically, we follow the character Jack Bauer through one full day (24 hours in a day, get it?) and watch him deal with terrorist threats, aka kill countless amounts of people in exciting ways leaving you thinking, “How did eight people die in two seconds?” If someone doesn’t die, you’re probably not watching “24.” Let me run down the last few seasons. In the first few seasons, Jack has to stop an assassination on the president. He fails. Next few seasons, Jack has to stop an assassination on the new president who happens to be the old one’s brother. He fails. You’ll never guess what’s going on this season! Jack has to stop an assassination
on the new president, but she’s a woman! And so far she’s not dead yet! One “day” the president’s son is killed, her husband’s shot and the president herself was slapped across the face by a terrorist while being held hostage. Yes, the president was held hostage inside the White House by a terrorist group. I didn’t think it was possible either, but it’s on TV so it must be. It seems “24’s” producers give everyone a wonderful family and a great life, right before the character is murdered. On one episode this scene took place: A man with his back turned talking to his friend: “Hey would you like to come over for dinner this weekend with the family? We’re ordering Chinese food and you know you’re always welcome to come.” The man gets a screw driver jammed into his spine by the man he was inviting to dinner. I expect to see this on the next episode: “Well, after our house was foreclosed and we were forced to live in the shelter, we were able to raise enough money from selling our blood every week to pay for my son’s surgery. In that same week my daughter graduated from high school and was accepted to Yale. We’re planning on having a get together this weekend and we would love if you could join us. You’ve
been my best friend for so many years and it would be great to have you over.” Right after this w a r m invitation his “best friend” stabs him in the back. T h i s show has left me with so many moments where I can’t even let myself believe what I just watched, and I literally walk out of my room shouting something like: “No! Jack did not just survive a fall from a six-story building, and kill three people before he hit the ground.” The show is also great at keeping us in suspense while going to the commercials: “Are you going to live Mrs. President? Let’s find out.” And as the terrorist is lifting a gun to the president’s head, we cut to an Extenze commercial. A few seasons ago, Jack was tortured by a terrorist group and he literally died!
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Image by ...Tim / Flickr Yes, his heart stopped, and he died. But don’t worry, because not even dying can kill Jack Bauer (think about that one). How much more intense can the show get? So through this season, Jack has stopped a few terrorist attacks including a chemical plant exploding, saving the president’s husband while single-handedly saving the president, herself. You would assume people would be happy about this right? Wrong. After saving the world numerous times Jack had a warrant
for his arrest, and agents had been ordered to “shoot on sight” if Jack is seen. The most frustrating part of the show is nobody listens to anything Jack says! If people actually listened the season would be three episodes long because everything would be fine by listening to his instructions. So if you’re looking for a show with a great plotline, deep intelligent characters, and relevance to current world issues; don’t watch “24” because it’s nothing like that. John Jacobs may be reached at jjacobs@ut.edu.
LETTER After a long day of extensive boring classes, working and pumping out papers like crazy, college kids actually look forward to catching up on a few Zs. Studies even show that getting a respectable amount of sleep actually coincide with good grades! So, if you live in either Vaughn or Brevard your hopes and dreams of catching up on some sleep as gone down the drain, huh? BANG! cling! BANG! cling! Aaaah,yes I love the feeling of waking up to the beautiful sounds of a cold metal sledge hammer ramming into the dense steel poles of the soon to be Sykes Chapel AT 7 a.m. IN THE MORNING! You’ve got to be kidding me! Ever since the week after spring break students living in Vaughn and Brevard have been continuously woken up every week day between 7-7:30 a.m. from the construction of the new Sykes Chapel. My father, an architect, absolutely loved to build additions to my house. Therefore, I’m used and ever so lucky enough to experience those early mornings of constant racket and noise of hammers banging, saws screaming and workers loudly talking. I completely understand that the Chapel is being built for many good reasons and will have a respectable impact on UT’s image for future students. However, I’m getting really annoyed by having my very own personal alarm clock
TO THE
at 7 a.m. The one thing that bugs me the most about this situation is how the banging and clinging always starts around 7-7:30 a.m. and lasts until 8 a.m. Only 30 minutes to an hour though. C’mon! It seems as if the workers are playing a joke on all of us and they like to wake us up at this time (considering the banging always starts almost at the same exact time every day). As college students, my God, we’re enough sleep deprived as it is! Though we only have one more week of classes before it is finals week, it’s time for something to change. We’re serious about this situation and LITERALLY TIRED. We’ve had enough, but we’re ready to negotiate and see if we can change the situation. In conclusion, I really think it wouldn’t be too much to ask for if the construction of the Sykes Chapel comes to a halt during Final’s Week. This concept seems pretty appropriate considering this is a university and academics come first. Therefore, as Brevard’s Student Assistant Coordinator, Brevard Hall Council President, Honor’s student, and an active student engaged in a variety of UTs clubs I am proposing that the construction of the Skyes Chapel is paused during Final’s Week so students can get enough sleep and study without ANY distractions. --Samantha Spalholz
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Commentary
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
Cheers
& Jeers
Bird Flu
Swine Flu
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Gamma Delta Loses Charter
Miss USA
Miss California
Beyonce’s Doctored Vocals
People Who Thought Doctored Vocals Were Real
Harold and Maude
Harold and Kumar
Summer Break
Missing Your “College Family”
Editorial: The Only Constant is Change Every year is a little different than the ones before it. Sometimes things change, sometimes things stay the same. This past year, many things changed, but many things stayed the same. A chapel has sprung up where a parking lot used to be. We used to pray for an empty spot on the same grounds where many will pray for forgiveness for their sins. Tuition rose, which is a yearly constant. Tampa-area housing prices plummeted, but on-campus housing managed to get more expensive. Students came and students went, some on their own terms, some in handcuffs. Some claimed they were framed; others didn’t put up a fight. Tragedy has a horrible way of repeating itself, and slightly more than a year after Nick Kopplin passed away after a motorcycle crash on I-275, Will King lost his life a block south of campus.
A couple of students were hit by cars on Kennedy Boulevard, but luckily they both survived. In general, the last academic year has been certifiably crazy. Andrew Learned stepped into the Student Government presidency amid a cloud of controversy and a gamut of promises. He was the most energetic and aggressive SG president in recent memory, regardless of what you think of his actual accomplishments. It’s the right mentality for the position, at the least. The library still closes at midnight on weekdays and is still underutilized in general. UT was put in the national spotlight a number of times, with the “Today” show broadcasting from campus, ESPN taping the College Football Showcase in Pepin Stadium and airing it before and during the draft, and more. Books are still too expensive, and no one seems to be doing anything about it.
The Super Bowl rocked the town and gave students a great prelude to Gasparilla. New elections have taken place, and new leaders will take their seats at the head of student government. Next year will be just as similar and even more different. The Minaret could give you dozens of things you should do in the upcoming year, but one simple piece of wisdom should guide you through the rest of your life: Stop, and think. Before you do anything, stop and think it through. Think if that’s what you really want to say or do. Think about the consequences. If everyone in the world would have better foresight and would worry about the outcomes of their actions, everything would go a lot smoother. Just take a second. No one is in as much of a hurry as you think. Take a play off. Everything is going to be OK.
“Makes Me End Where I Begin”: Farewell and Good Luck to a Poet and Friend
By Derrick Austin Commentary Editor
My final commentaries in the spring and fall semesters are generally wistful reflections on what I’ve learned. This time, I reflect on my freshman semester in this, my small tribute and small remembrance of one of the reasons UT’s been so good to me. My first semester here, Martha Serpas was a semi-mythical creature, a unicorn or a winning lottery ticket. Not because I questioned her existence, but because she was simply sounded too good to be true. Two falls ago, I was a new college student ready to study poetry at UT. My classes were chosen for me
that semester, none were remotely poetic. I wanted to write! I wanted to read poetry day in and out, until I burst, but that semester I floated about unable to take an actual writing course. Through my interactions with Quilt, Sigma Tau Delta and English/ writing faculty, one name inevitably appeared: Martha Serpas. Have you taken a class with Martha? You’ll learn so much from her. Martha, Martha, Martha! It was exquisite torture; here I was, attending school on this beautiful campus, an alcove of higher learning nestled beside a dull city, and a literary giant roamed the halls. To assuage my excitement, I turned to Google. After a few clicks, my interest jumped. She’d published two books acclaimed by critic Harold Bloom. I’m sure I gasped or said, “Whoa.”
This is a man I’d read in high school, whose books aided my research papers late as spring 2007. It was around late October by then. My only encounter with Martha being at my first open mic where I bludgeoned the audience with seven poems! Not exactly the way I wanted to meet my first poet. I’d finally purchased her books around that time—amazed by several poems—but still unable to study with her. December finally arrived, and I got my chance to register for her spring class: Poetry I. Winter Break chugged slowly, mercilessly. Sitting in my first poetry workshop, all my anxieties came to a head: What is this woman really like? Will she shred our poems to pieces? What do I call her? (By that point in my college career, I was quite confused as
to what to call professors. The dizzying hierarchy of professor and Doctor baffled me.) When she began class, I can’t quite remember, but I’m sure it sounded something like this: I’m Doctor Serpas. Actually, don’t call me Doctor Serpas I don’t like it. Call me Professor Serpas if you like, but I’d rather you just call me Martha. In that gesture, most of what you need to know about Martha is revealed. She’s a grounded woman who treats everyone with dignity and openness. You can sit in her spacious office and chat about poetry or bum a cigarette from her (or she from you), talk about the benefits of dog ownership on Plant Hall’s sun-washed veranda.
Image by Audrey Colombe She’ll rail against ineffectual feminists and prejudiced social norms one moment and proclaim the mind-body benefits of reading Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible. She’s a friend, my mentor and the first real poet I met. Martha is one of UT’s great voices, one we’ll miss and treasure in our missing.
Derrick Austin may be reached at daustin@ut.edu.
Takes Two to Tango: Victimizing Cheaters Instead of Couples By Philippa Hatendi Special to The Minaret
“FIDELITY, n. A virtue peculiar to those who are about to be betrayed,” Ambrose Bierce. In actuality, fidelity’s definition in the Oxford English dictionary is: “The quality of being faithful; faithfulness, loyalty, unswerving allegiance to a person, party, bond.” Nonetheless, I believe Bierce defines fidelity in the way we most see it today, a virtue only possessed by the victims of an unfaithful partner. I’ve always thought it was strange that in return for being loyal and giving yourself wholly to one person, they choose to repay you with transferring their sexual and emotional love and wants onto another person. This is often how infidelity is portrayed. That if they truly loved you,
they would never cheat; because address. People believe another they cheated, they are forever man or woman can steal someone from them. condemned. No one is H e r e ’ s “Why is it stolen, they leave something you w h e n l ove i s because they desire may not have heard: infidelity “perfect” two to because they’ve has no victims. people are a part foundI t something. is in the Perversely, I’ve always been of it, and when nature of human curious about the i t i s r u i n e d , beings to seek what they cannot attain inner workings suddenly, only i n t h e i r c u r r e n t of it, the “Why?” part, the darker one person is situation, whether it is joy, sex, laughter, side of cheating, blamed?” adventure or time. where we actually All they’re question and truly understand the causes of doing is searching for what is infidelity—as well as the part we missing or has been allowed to die in their current relationships. had to play in creating them. The reasons people cheat I wonder why when love is “perfect” two people are a part of involve both parties. There is no victim. it, and when it is ruined, suddenly, People are often quick to only one person is blamed? There is latent hypocrisy I demonize the cheater but not quick wish for students and society to to ask what parts of the relationship
their lover neglected to the extent that the cheater felt the need to seek that quality in another person. Neglect leads to infidelity. Men apparently cheat because they have a biological need to spread their seed, and thus find it emasculating to be “tied down” to one woman. Women cheat because their emotional needs are not met. I even heard human beings are innately incapable of being monogamous; thus, since monogamy is a recipe for failure anyho, why be surprised when it fails? There are many excuses being thrown around, some trivial, some materialistic and some are downright absurd. But no true answers. All humans need to be loved, I don’t believe someone would throw away the love of a person because they are evil, sadistic, insensitive, or a poor excuse for a human being.
I believe neglect is the villain here and communication (or lack thereof) is its most faithful accomplice. So please, lavish you partner with time, and all love’s paraphernalia—affection, intimacy, laughter (amongst other things)— not with what you believe your partner needs, but what your partner asks of you. This is key. Don’t assume because you’re busy, stressed or tired, your partner necessarily believes this is enough of a reason not to give 100 percent anymore. Both partners play integral parts in relationships, in their beginnings, development and progression. You cannot blame the ruination of a relationship on a sole partner. No one wins “the blame game” anymore, so let’s stop playing it. Philippa Hatendi may be reached at phatendi@ut.edu.
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Commentary
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
Veteran Stares Down One Last Deadline: Graduation
By Josh Kratovil Staff writer
To the vast majority of Minaret readers, I have represented myself as Ceiling Cat, watching from the archives of various incident reports as students (and sometimes faculty) make poor choices, and snickering publicly (hopefully along with the rest of the student body). But my time at The Minaret has been so much more than that. I’ve seen nothing but changes, changes and more changes. I have been the News Editor and the Features Editor. I have written commentaries, news articles, movie reviews and game reviews. The student paper has changed in ways that words can’t describe since my arrival on campus. Witness the entrance of Charles McKenzie, who provided the driving force and vision needed to transform the paper from what looked like an amateur production into a real professional work. When you compare issues today to issues four years ago, The Minaret literally looks like
a different publication. Future generations of Minareteers will no doubt refer to the difference in eras as pre- and post-McKenzie. I’ve seen editors come and go, from the draconian Victor O’Brien era right up to the pragmatic year of Arrabal. I’d say it’s been a rollercoaster ride, but really we’ve only ever been going up, up and up (not that we started off very low at all to begin with, especially in terms of editors). Characters like Steve Knauss, John Phifer, Simos Farrell, Renee Gerstein, Sarah Gottlieb, Max Roberts, Charlie Hambos and others have been key in making The Minaret feel like a real family. We formed bonds over late nights toiling away in front of a computer monitor with only a few slices of pizza as a reward, in the midst of heated discussions over what was appropriate to print, and always over frustration with officials and students who refused to give the full story even when it was in their best interests. We came, we saw, we reported (and occasionally poked fun -- last
time I checked, Joe Brosefson finally finished his first full book without pictures!) UT itself has changed, too. We’re in the midst of building a chapel, and I’ve seen the completion of two new residence halls (one of which has been my home for the past two years, a place I will miss dearly). The Conduct system has evolved and grown with students’ needs; changing disciplinary proceedings in order to give students fairer and more realistic sanctions. Student Government has changed as well. More and more, students are actually getting involved at SG, and it’s nice to see. UT has changed since I’ve been here, and it will continue to change long after I’m gone from this campus. Looking forward to graduation and beyond is an interesting prospect. Being a business major in today’s economy brings a few songs to mind. The first is by fictional band Dethklok, “Go Forth and Die.” Go forth … be conquered … Go forth and die! Now while this no doubt sounds grim, I assure you it’s a satirical look at how metal bands today make their music. But the deeper meaning of the song rings true. Sometimes staring into the abyss that awaits us on the other side of that graduation stage is the most terrifying thing imaginable; like the only thing we can do is go forth, intending to change the
can see when The Minaret hits a big story, in SG, at the Party in the Park -- anytime where we stop behaving simply as students and start acting like a campus. My experience at UT has taken twists and turns that I never saw coming. Maybe that’s what made it so valuable, so enjoyable. I know for sure it’s something I’d never take back or give up. Thanks for everything, UT. It’s been fun.
world, instead finding ourselves crushed and conquered by it, giving in and simply passing on. But that’s not the way to do it. And that’s not what UT is about. In my time here I’ve seen a school full of passionate (if often intoxicated) students, who engage in activities with their full hearts and minds. We’ve all had the long, grinding classes, but I’m talking about the classes where everyone comes to life; where discussions are colorful and explosive (for example, a Parssinen history class). Because when you get right down to it, that’s what college is about. Sure, your classes are there. But it’s what you do; it’s all that extra stuff, that really forms you, that makes you who you are. Those who have gotten involved know what I’m talking about. It’s ROI (my business education coming to the forefront there). I guess what I’m getting at is the one thing I haven’t seen change in my time here is a certain amount of apathy on the campus. Don’t get me wrong; things have gotten better. We see flashes of it from time to time -- we
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Commentary
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
Four Years, Hundreds of Friends, Countless Memories meaning of quiet persistence, barely speaking a word, yet making an immense impact in writing articles and editorials. Every week during my sophomore year, with the help of our adviser Charles McKenzie, I added a little more. One week it was headlines. The next week, leads. Soon after that, the “rule of thirds” for photos. I took a sports writing class with Chris Harry, who covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the Orlando Sentinel. The first day, he said, “We all know what an inverted pyramid is, so I’ll skip the intro stuff.” I had no idea what an inverted pyramid was. I didn’t tell him. I’d figure it out. It turned out to be an amazingly influential class in which I learned how to properly write a complete sports story. Plus, he got me a job as a stringer for the St. Petersburg Times, a job I am still doing offand-on. The puzzle of skills started to come together, but the higher ambitions were empty. I wanted to be a three-term sports editor. “Well that’s fine,” Charles told me one day. “But that’s like being the first overall draft pick in the MLB and being content to stay at A-ball your whole career.” He always knew the right way to push us. So I made a run for editor-inchief. I was up against some chump from commentary, whose only claim to fame was calling the army a bunch of “murderers.” How could I lose? I flubbed the interview. I had no plan of action. I had no idea what I was doing. So I was set for another year of apprenticeship, this time to Steve Knauss, who will someday be on TV with the subtitle “Commie Pinko.” Early in my junior year, I figured out that we had a phone in the office, and that phone had voicemail. After a few weeks of deciphering how to get the messages, I called someone back about an advertisement they wanted to place. I had no idea what I was doing, but I gave it a shot. We ended the year with $30,000 in advertising income when we were expecting $3,000. I spent most of the spring semester of 2008 working on a single story, an investigation into
a serious problem at all college campuses – sexual assault. The point wasn’t to embarrass For many college students, anyone. The point wasn’t to Sunday is the day of recovery. For sensationalize and scare readers me, it’s always been Wednesday. about sexual assault. The point was Not recovery after a long night to educate and to inform about this of drinking and partying, but mental serious problem. and psychological rebuilding after If we kept one woman or man a traumatizing deadline the night safe from an unwanted sexual before. encounter, then I feel that the The days I went to bed after the countless hours spent on that 12sunrise were rarely after all-night page special issue were worth every studying or partying. They were the second. days I went to my car to go home, I took everything I learned and professors and administrators from two years of Victor (a.k.a. were just getting to the parking the Victator) and melded it with garage. the liberal ranting of Steve and They were the Wednesdays set goals for my editorship for my when the 11:30 a.m. class was hard senior year. to get to, and the 10 a.m. was out of I wanted the staff to grow. the question. We had about eight people when They were the days that I never I started as a freshman. After a had my work done, or at least not semester, we had more than 100 done enough. contributors. Four years ago, my Vaughn I had a commitment to the news. Center suitemate, a junior, told me The hard news more so than the soft I should write for the newspaper. news, but news nonetheless. I never knew what I was getting In December, Mary Grace myself into, but I’m glad I took Arrabal entered my life. I hope she his offer. finds this in 20, 30, 40 years and My first assignment – a reads it. You’re beautiful now and soccer game – was thrilling. I you always will be, Mary, and I’ll had absolutely no idea what I was always be waiting with a loving doing. smile, a hug and a kiss for you, Bit by bit, story by story, no matter what. Though the pages I picked up some knowledge. I this is printed on may fade and turn figured out what offside in soccer yellow, your spot in my heart will meant. I understood the thrill of a always be bright. I promise. penalty kick and the hopelessness And now we’re here. I’ve of that year’s men’s team. summed up four years and hundreds In November, an offer came: of articles, interviews, photos and assistant sports editor in the spring. angry e-mails sent to me in a few It sounded like fun, like something hundred words. new and interesting. Plus, it was This wasn’t my path when I a cool title and I would be sports came to the University of Tampa. editor in the fall. Biologists don’t often end up I still had never taken a writing about a newspaper adviser journalism class and I learned getting fired. everything I knew from reading My thinking all along was the newspapers (I used to run to the better myself, bit by bit, and to learn end of my driveway every summer a new skill at every turn. Writing, day since I was 5 years old and leadership, editing, photography pick up the paper so I could read and so much more. the baseball box scores). There are many people to I grew to understand the social thank, too many than could ever network that was The Minaret, and be printed. Victor and Steve were while it was a little different from fantastic leaders who taught me so the fraternity life I was building, it much and filled in the gaps between was certainly interesting. what I knew and what I thought I Victor O’Brien, one of the most knew. influential and subtly persuasive Charles McKenzie is the perfect people I’ve known, ruined more newspaper adviser. He’s someone than the carpet by not wearing shoes who will answer your phone call at around Vaughn 211, he ruined my 4 a.m. in the middle of July because sense of smell. But he built in me a you have a story idea. He’s someone drive for reporting the news. who is more than a professor or Dan Sullivan defined the an adviser; I think everyone he has encountered at The Minaret will say that he is a true friend and a comrade in journalism. It hurts to know that he w o n ’t b e b a c k next year. He is an extraordinary leader and teacher, and exemplifies all that was positive about my UT experience. There are a few other professors who have earned my deep, heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Three of my best friends, my mentors, my confidantes. Thank you all, so very much. D r. S t e v e By Peter Arrabal Editor-in-chief
This is one of the few “non-creeper” photos of me. Photo by Steph Dutka
Kucera, who is too good of a professor to be stuck doing administrative work, will break the bonds of the dean’s office next semester and return to teaching, where he provided the most valuable instructions I’ve ever received. Dr. Kucera is the most studentcentered administrator at this university and his class was one that was truly a pleasure to go through. If you take a class with him, and all else fails, just write down three-prime hydroxyl. It’s probably right. Dr. Anne Stockdell-Giesler, who broke our hearts when she left for health reasons, taught me more about persuasion in two semesters than I thought possible. I rarely lose an argument thanks to you, Dr. SG, and the art of rhetoric is alive in the way I lead The Minaret every day. Dr. Rebecca Bellone was an excellent academic adviser who always had my interests at heart and helped me when I needed it most. Your tests always drove me nuts, not because they were hard (which they definitely were), but because they had the occasional spelling error. At least, that’s my excuse. Stephanie Russell Holz is the perfect head of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. A true student advocate, she has answered every question I could possibly had, and more. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my friends, my Sigma Chi brothers, my family, my girlfriend and everyone else who has helped me out. I don’t think I’ve ever made a decision without consulting with someone else, and I am eternally grateful to those who have provided guidance and assistance throughout my time here. I am especially proud to know Jonathan Howard, my former roommate, who has always provided a unique and open-minded look at things. He’s been there during down days and he’s been there to take a beating in darts from me. My family is the greatest thing in the whole world. My sisters, my parents, my cousins, my grandparents, aunts and uncles are all the most important people I will ever know. And so, life goes on. Jobs, school, family, maybe some unemployment, I don’t know.
I somehow managed to win every journalism award, but am graduating with a degree in biology. I am honored that at least nine of my friends, coworkers, professors and editors nominated me for the UWIRE 100. Truly, thank you all. I can’t wait to read The Minaret each week online, as the newspaper breaks new barriers and norms in the world of Journalism 2.0. Charlie Hambos is an excellent leader who will push the staff to maintain its commitment to informing the UT community of campus happenings. He has more experience coming into this job than I did, and I’m sure he’ll do a better job than I have. The rest of the staff is filled with talented, dedicated individuals who will bring home new awards for The Minaret and make the campus a better place. I’ll still go nuts every time I see someone capitalize the “u” in university, as in, “I don’t think the University would like that.” I’ll still die a little bit inside when people insist on capitalizing the T in the University of Tampa, since we call it UT, not TUT. I need one week where a Tuesday can end at a normal hour. I need one Wednesday when I won’t wake up so late that lunch isn’t even an option. But after that, I’ll miss this. I’ll miss sweating after the A/C turns off at midnight. I’ll miss the mounds of pizza boxes and the buckets of frozen yogurt. I’ll miss the thrill of getting the scoop on a story, of beating the St. Pete Times or the Tampa Tribune to the punch. Most of all, I’ll miss the people. I knew when I came here, 1,000 miles from home, that I would someday leave behind a cohort of friends, but I’m still not prepared for it. Writing has taken me places I never thought possible. I would never have imagined myself in the Bucs locker room minutes after a come-from-behind effort capped with a last-second field goal. I never saw myself having an impact. I’ll miss you all. Just please, let me sleep on Wednesdays.
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The Minaret | May 1, 2009
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Sports
The Minaret | May 1, 2009
Sorority Sisters, Lacrosse Lovers Try to Bring Club Sport
By Laura Mayes Special to The Minaret
After talking over dinner, two University of Tampa sophomores realized they shared more than their sorority letters. A mutual love of lacrosse soon bonded Kaitlin Hall and Sherri Pecor. Both women are from the northeast, where the sport is popular. “I haven’t gotten to play at all
into the sport, understanding that most of the players will be rusty, but have high expectations for the organization’s future. “Hopefully in the next couple of years this will turn into a club sport so we can play other schools and have some competition,” Hall said. The duo hopes to have the organization up and running at the start of the fall semester.
since I’ve been down here,” Pecor said. Both played while in high school, and Hall played as a freshman at her previous college. She says that she was disappointed UT had no lacrosse team. Their let down inspired them to take action. Over the past few months Hall and Pecor have been meeting with advisers and filling out paperwork
in an effort to start UT’s first women’s lacrosse organization. Filling out paperwork and finding an adviser will not be the only obstacles the young women will face. UT men’s lacrosse organization was active on campus for a few years but fell through due to limited time on both the intramural field as well as the soccer field.
Senior Zach Place is glad to see that someone is taking action for a sport that he, too, is passionate about. “I think if people work hard and really stick with it, it will give great opportunities to a lot of girls on campus, as well as incoming students to see that we have a women’s lacrosse team,” said the former UT men’s lacrosse player. Hall and Pecor hope to ease
how I got involved past that, but here I am, two years later and about to graduate into this really awesome economy. Oh, also, I got an A in Journalism I. Thanks Harry, I owe ya. Being an athlete, I was (unfortunately) in The Minaret a couple times. Actually, I don’t so much mind being written about in The Minaret as I do having pictures of me published in it. I opened The Minaret the week after a soccer game this last season only to find a horribly embarassing, indescribably humiliating picture of me published by none other than my own sports editor, Bobby “The Weasel” Winsler. I will not describe what the picture looked like, but the worst part was the caption: “Senior Shelby Kuni gets hit in the face with a ball.” It was completely erroneous and misleading. Bobby sucked (sucks?). Anyway, I think that article
was published just a few weeks after the infamous “Women’s Soccer Hazing” article, which, being both a writer for The Minaret and a member of the women’s soccer team, I was inconveniently thrown in the middle. My mom has become pretty notorious in the Minaoffice for writing some pretty brutal comments on sports-related issues (namely one’s written by Bobby). Charles likes to make jokes about my mom and Bobby and how they secretly love each other. It’s nauseating. But yeah, I think it was after that hazing article that my mom dubbed Bobby, in one of her comments, Bobby “The Weasel” Winsler. I like it. Anyway, despite all of his harassment towards me, Bobby has graciously always given me space to write in the sports section, and I am very grateful to him for that. I’m not sure I ever wrote anything too substantial,
but I’m fortunate that he had enough faith in me to represent him throughout his sports section this year. I’d also like to say thanks to Olivia, the assistant sports editor. Tuesday nights in the Minaret wouldn’t be the same without her, and I will miss her next year. I’d like to thank Peter and Charlie, all of the section editors and especially Charles for all they’ve done for The Minaret this year. I know I always try to sneak out by 2 or 3 a.m. on Kuni dribbles around a defender. Kara Wall Wednesdays, but they stay for however long it takes to get everyone who reads The Minaret, The Minaret sent off to be printed especially my roommate, Martha for Friday’s issue. Oh, and I must “Marsha” Bromfield, for walking thank Berryism for supplying us around campus advertising my with endless amounts of yogurt articles and making sure people and delicious toppings to keep us pick up a copy. Seeing y’all read the paper reminds us why we love alive through Tuesday nights. Lastly, I’d like to thank what we do.
Graduating Soccer Player and Writer Bids Farewell to Her Field
By Shelby Kuni Sports Columnist
Most people start these farewell articles reminiscing about the first article they ever wrote for The Minaret, or their first experience with the Minastaff, but I don’t really remember either of those incidents. I think I started writing for The Minaret my sophomore year. I had just added writing as a second major and I was taking Journalism I with Chris Harry. I remember him saying we would get extra credit at the end of the year if we had articles published in The Minaret. He used to give these hopelessly impossible quizzes on material in the AP Stylebook (our “Bible,” he claimed) and I failed most of them, so I decided I should probably look into writing for The Minaret. I don’t really remember
I am appalled at the lack of journalistic integrity that the Minaret has shown as of late. This article proves the slipping of this “award winning” paper. Tollefson only showed up to practice 3 out of the 5 6 am practices and was the first to leave every morning. She was the most reluctant to put in the work and complained, by far, the most. In juxtaposition, Jeanette Nicewinter not only has a cooler last name but has also coached a novice men’s team that has received a metal in 4 out of 5 races. All while going through major surgery, and before the surgery she showed up EVERY morning at just before 6 am to practice with UT’s varsity crew team. Currently she plays a major role in bringing the women’s team together and tries to make sure that everyone is included and supported. On top of her accomplishments as a coach and team-builder, she is headed off to Oxford (yes the one in England) to continue in her study of art history. Despite how easy it is to ask around and hear about Jeanette, with the Minarets quality of “journalism” I am not surprised that such a worthy subject would
LETTER
be overlooked. If your “journalist” wanted to take another route or run another story, there is always the fact that THE VARSITY CREW TEAM EARNED A TRIP TO A NATIONAL REGATTA by finishing in the top 3 of their division at FIRA in Sarasota a few weeks ago. This not only means that they will be competing against some of the best scholarship teams in the nation but also that they will continue to practice every morning at 6 am while studying for exams and dealing with what is commonly known as “hell-week” (the massive load of assignments that professors load on-to a student the week before finals). With the presence of seniors and leaving rowers in abundance available for profiles, I can’t help but be taken aback that you would chose a novice rower for this piece. But not just any novice rower, your reporter chooses the least dedicated and least willing of all. If you really wanted to do a piece on a fresh outlook or the experience of finding a new amazing sport then there are 4 novice members, that would have been, again, readily available, who pulled the extra hours working out to prepare for a regatta(race), didn’t make plans that interfered
TO THE
with competition dates that had been set for months, who did two-a-day practices without complaining, who stayed and discussed technique/strategy, and who have worked their asses off and who have worked as a team instead of as an individual because in rowing, one person cannot drive and propel the boat, there is no “winning shot.” In crew there are four women who have to row perfectly in sync and have identical timing for it to work. In the team sport of rowing there truly is no “I”, without your boat you are nothing and without you your boat is nothing. Your “journalist” had 7 dedicated, hard-working, and truly team oriented rowers, 1 women’s coach who has been coaching for over 30 years, 1 dedicated men’s coach, 3 coxswains (pilots/inspirer/ leaders), and Emilee Tollefson to choose from. I congratulate Ms. Glynn on choosing the least qualified out of all to run an article on. On the positive side, at least she got the competition name and place correct. Journalistic integrity, do an expose on that. - Anna Burrell
Home Field No Added Advantage For Spartans By Olivia Glynn Asst. Sports Editor
It would not be hard to find 40-50 UT students at any given bar or club on a Friday night. It is a little more difficult, however, to find the same amount of students at a UT sporting event. It’s been said before, but the lack of attendance at games is still unacceptable. A school of close to 6,000 students has trouble getting even one percent of the student body to go to a game. It is not fair to the athletes and coaches who put so much work into creating a team worthy of much more recognition, especially from students. UT is often referred to as being the home of national champions. This would not be possible without the championships won by the teams that practice all year for a chance to bring our school a title. A good amount of students showed up to support the men’s soccer team in their final four game last December…but even with the stands almost full, it seemed difficult for the crowd to get into it and really get loud for the guys giving their all on the field. The so-called “home field advantage” is nothing without enthusiastic fans. It is not hard to find out when the games are. The ‘In Crowd’ has done a good job at promoting events through Facebook messages, signs
and even by word of mouth. Yet even with all of the giveaways and many attempts at fan interaction, it still does not seem to be enough. Two candidates for president and vice president in the recent SG election said that they wanted to try to get alcohol at the sporting events because they thought it would really boost school spirit. For whatever reason, people would rather go out with their friends than go to a game, but why not do both? Friday night games start around 7 p.m., and are finished by about 9 p.m. Most people don’t go out until 11 p.m. I don’t see how those two hours in between would not be enough time to get ready. It is, in fact, possible to do both. At the beginning of the school year, volleyball and soccer seemed to have pretty good turnouts, but as the year has progressed, the spirit seemed to decrease greatly. The help of SG proved to be successful, packing the bleachers at events that they sponsored, but all games cannot be ‘black outs’ or ‘pink outs.’ Why does it take something like that for people to actually want to attend? I am also subject to some bribery, having gone to a women’s soccer game only because I received a message on Facebook that acted as a coupon for a free ‘In Crowd’ shirt. Regardless of the motives, every single game should see that kind of enthusiasm and spirit.
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‘n t u O
Spartan Softball Takes a Seat, Waits to Hear Fate After finishing fourth in the SSC, Tampa hopes to get an invitation to tournament
Kung Fu Kicks Up
Classes on traditional Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chaun styles are being offered at Wah Lum Kung Fu, a traditional Kung Fu school, located on Cass Street between Howard Avenue and North Boulevard. The cost of a class depends on the class taken. Everyone is encouraged to sit in on a class in order to decide what they might be interested in before they commit. Becky Vyzas connects on a pitch down the middle.
Winding Down The Spartan baseball team will travel to Lakeland to take on conference rival Florida Southern. Tampa dropped two of three games to Barry University the weekend of April 24. Barry now sits atop the SSC standings with a 17-4 conference record. Florida Southern (13-5) and Tampa (14-7) follow, respectively at second and third. The away series will be the final regular season stretch. As previously stated by head coach Joe Urso, they control their own destiny. The series begins on May 1 at 7 p.m.
The News Network Tampaspartans.com is now providing in game updates via twitter. Find them listed as ‘utspartans’ and stay up to date with everything in Spartan athletics. The athletics site also has a blog that is updated regularly that provides an alternate angle on the happenings at UT. Both of these sites can be located on the home site of www.tampaspartans.com.
By Kyle Bennett Online Sports Editor
Behind the stellar performance of sophomore pitcher Deanna Henriott, the University of Tampa Spartans softball team ended the regular season with a 27-12 (14-8 SSC) record. Henriott went 18-9
on the season, posting a 1.27 ERA through 182 innings. Along with Henriott, junior pitcher Heather Van Landingham compiled an 8-3 record with a 2.29 ERA through her 88.2 innings of work. UT closed the season by
splitting a double header with conference opponent Florida Southern. The Mocs ended the season with a No. 17 rank and won the Sunshine State Conference championship. Freshman catcher Becky Vyzas led the Spartans offensively.
Soccer Reigns Down Another Intramural Championship
By Michael Franz Sports Writer
Maurice Phillips and Amanda Fuller each are captain’s of their respective intramural soccer teams. Both played on the losing squads from last year’s championship round. They also avenged those defeats Monday night, but walked off the pitch with something even more satisfying than a trophy. As a freshman last fall, Fuller started a Facebook group to find other girls to play soccer with, and it has led to meeting close friends by participating in the UT intramural program. Two years later, she has won two championships and forged strong friendships with her many teammates MAKE IT REIGNNN, Fuller’s team for both indoor and outdoor soccer, may be the dominant force in women’s intramural soccer, but they enjoy each other’s friendship more than victories. Neither MAKE IT REIGNNN nor men’s champion Bomb Squad plan practice sessions. They are
Crew
May 8-9 Philadelphia, Pa.
Photo by Abby Sanford
She started all 39 games and ended the season with a .402 batting average along with six homeruns. Although eight invitations are granted to the NCAA II South Regional Championship, Tampa’s fate lies uncertain. The only thing the Spartans can do is sit, and wait. Three seeds are given to each South Region Conference champ. The tournament is scheduled for May 9-10 and UT hopes to continue recent success and receive their second straight bid to the tournament. Senior second basemen Ashley Arcuri, a transfer from Auburn University, finished out her collegiate career strongly. She tallied a .321 batting average and tied for a team best 43 hits. Arcuri also accounted for the game winning RBI against Florida Southern. A single in the bottom of the sixth inning propelled UT past the Mocs by the final score of 2-1. Arcuri tallied three hits during the double header. Kyle Bennett can be reached at minaret.overtime@gmail.com.
>>> A third place finish in the FIRA championships on April 11 qualified the Lightweight Four team for the Dad Vail Regatta.w
The Bomb Squad celebrates after their victory.
much happier just playing for fun. “We kick around the ball every once in a while, but we don’t have an organized, full-out practice,” Fuller said. “I know I take it kind of serious, but I know a lot of other people are in it just for fun.” Like MAKE IT REIGNNN, Bomb Squad has its competitive members, like Phillips, but have an overall laid-back, friendly approach to the tournament.
“I know everyone on the team. They’re friends or friends of friends.” Even though the players on all the teams are familiar with each other from pick-up games, the competition can bring out the fiery side of the participants. “During the group stages, it’s easy, but in the playoffs, it gets serious, intense,” Phillips noted. “A lot of pride is at stake, it’s more than a [trophy]… A lot of my
Softball
No. 15 Baseball
>>> If awarded a bid in the NCAA South Regional Tournament, the Spartans hope to capitalize on their second straight appearance.
>>> In their last series of the season, the Spartans are set to battle their rivals for second place in the SSC.
May 9-10 NCAA South Regional
May 1, 7 p.m. at Florida Southern
Photo by Michael Franz
friends are on the other team, but if it’s a random team, it gets pretty physical.” Team chemistry is definitely not a problem. Both teams frequently hang out off the field. “We’re not just teammates, we’re all friends. We go out to eat a lot, waste our money on pointless things,” Fuller said jokingly. Michael Franz can be reached at mjfranz26@gmail.com.
Women’s Lacrosse Tries to Make its way to UT
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