MINARET UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933
THE Vo l u m e
80
Number
13
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January
30,
2014
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ut.minaret@gmail.com
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theminaretonline.com
‘I’m Shmacked’ Take Two: The Real Film Crew Comes to Gasparilla
By KHADIJAH KHAN News Writer
I’m Shmacked, a film crew known for attending universities’ biggest college parties, documenting them on camera and posting them on YouTube for all to see, were in Tampa for the annual pirate invasion Gasparilla. Last semester a crew calling themselves I’m Shmacked came to the University of Tampa and filmed a video that caused a great deal of controversy throughout the university and the Tampa community. The video also affected many students on campus. Members of the Greek community were not allowed to wear their letters all week, and members of the athletic department weren’t allowed to be at the parties, otherwise they would face severe consequences. “They absolutely took more precautions. Numerous emails and notices were sent out to girls to be weary of the cameras and to make sure we acted appropriately as we are representing our chapter,” said Allegra Mirrione, a freshman, secondary English education major and sister of Delta Zeta. Once the video went live on YouTube, rumors quickly spread that the video was a fake. This rumor was confirmed when a tweet was posted from the official I’m Shmacked Twitter page, stating: “I wish the school knew that [the] Tampa video that was uploaded from tampa was not us, not promoted by us, not released by us and not filmed by us.” Then they followed up with more tweets: “It’s uploaded on a random YouTube page
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with our name in the title...it makes the school look horrible and is wrongly represented as our work.” Despite the controversy and everything going on, I’m Shmacked still came for Gasparilla. “Still going to try to make a solid video but it’s going to be tough to get the right people in it now the school is against it,” I’m Shmacked tweeted. On Jan. 22, Dean of Students Stephanie Russell Krebs sent out a global message with the subject line, “Is it worth it?” The email warned students while there may not be any consequences now, there might be in the future. “You run the risk of damaging your own reputation and potentially decreasing the value and perception of your future UT Degree. I urge you to steer clear of this, or any other, situation that may put you at risk of embarrassing yourself or your University,” Krebs said. Despite all of the warnings given by administration, some students still love the concept of I’m Shmacked. “It is good for the students because they create a better party environment, but bad for the administration because they worry about the image of the school, but in the end, all the images that appear in the video happen every weekend without I’m Shmacked here,” said Alejandro Sanchez freshman and finance major. I’m Shmacked was started two years ago in 2012 by its founder and CEO Arya Toufanian. “We film universities and throw parties across the nation with our friends. Along the way we make new friends and we document all of it,” Toufanian said. Toufanian plans on releasing the new video within a week after it was filmed. “Sorry that Tampa got the wrong idea, we
I’m Shmacked filmed a daredevil jumping off a roof at a party. He walked away unscathed as he gracefully crowd surfed his way to safety. Photo by The Minaret.
hope this video will help you understand what we are about,” he said. Other students are not as forgiving to what I’m Shmacked stands for and what the
organization is trying to accomplish. “Personally, I believe that I’m Shmacked See SHMACKED Page 2
Gasparilla Security Increased for Parades
By LAUREN RICHEY News & Features Editor
Due to the recent tragedies that have occurred throughout the US, such as the Boston marathon bombings and the movie theater shooting in Wesley Chapel, many are concerned with the security measures that should be taken to keep the Gasparilla events safe for everyone involved. With attendance around 300,000 for the main parade down Bayshore Blvd., the Tampa Police Department was patrolling more than ever with officers placed along the parade route, as well as many on horseback surrounding the crowds. This does not include the police who were stationed at the Pirate Fest in Downtown that lasted until 11 p.m.. Liz Hadhazy, a sophomore allied health major went to the Pirate Invasion parade already in full swing. “I think security definitely did its job” Hadhazy said, “Where I was, there were security horses that were so intimidating I don’t think anyone drunk or sober would want to provoke them.” Before the main parade took place, Tampa Police Department Spokesperson, Andrea Davis, provided some information about the increased security that was going to take place.
Photo courtesy of Todd Montgomery Gasparilla attracts huge crowds every year, and Tampa Police Department is amped up on security.
“While there is no threat to Tampa or the Gasparilla parades, the Tampa Police Department is increasing security as a precautionary measure to ensure the public’s safety during the annual festivities,” Davis said. According to Davis, in Nov. 2013, members of the Massachusetts’ State Police briefed the Tampa Police Department on their response during the Boston Bombings.
From this workshop, parade commanders created a tabletop exercise to help train all Gasparilla partners including all local, state and federal agencies. “The security was apparent,” said Cody Bray, sophomore and communications major. “I had the impression they were there simply to keep people safe, not to get anyone in See SECURITY Page 2