See Thanksgiving Special, Page 4
Vol. 75 No. 14
ut.minaret@gmail.com
www.theminaretonline.com
November 21, 2008
A Sour Note in Greek Sing: Two Organizations DQ’ed By Sarah Gottlieb Asst. News Editor
Two Greek organizations remained confused and angry Tuesday night after they were disqualified in Greek Sing by the event’s chairpersons. According to both organizations and multiple sources, the Delta Gamma sorority and the Sigma Chi fraternity were disqualified after their separate ensembles consisted of the wearing of skull and crossbones, although it still has not been established whether this was an actual violation of the rules. A phone call to one Greek Sing chair, Melissa Muratore, went unreturned. However, according to Jon Howard, Sigma Chi member, Muratore said that the organizations were disqualified because the skull and crossbones worn were directly related to Kappa Sigma, a fraternity that was kicked off campus last fall. Muratore said that Greek Life should not acknowledge unrecognized-organizations. For one of their skits, Sigma
Chi had one member wear a Kappa Sigma shirt with the previous organization’s skull and crossbones on the front. During the skit, the man in the Kappa Sigma shirt highfived a Sigma Chi, and then the two broke into synchronized dance. During one of their skits, Delta Gamma wore skull and crossbones on their sweatshirts. Both organizations said they were not notified during or after Greek Sing that they were disqualified, and that there was no mention of it when the winners were announced. Sigma Chi president, Paul Finelli, was still not sure on Tuesday why his organization was disqualified, and said that nobody in the fraternity had been directly told. “They didn’t announce us as winning anything during Greek Sing, and then later members of other Greek organizations told us we were disqualified,” he said. “Nobody as far as I know was told by a judge.”
See “Disqualified” [5]
Members of Pi Kappa Phi celebrate after winning this year’s Greek Sing
Photo by Kara Wall
UT Students Sleepout to Raise Awareness of Homelessness
By Charlie Hambos Asst. Editor-in-chief
It’s 9 p.m. and the temporary shelters made of cardboard boxes are set up in front of the Sykes College of Business. On the side of the lawn closer to Smiley are the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi holding down their stronghold of multiple refrigerator boxes. They oversee the Delt Shelter and other individuals in their backyard. On the other side members of the Caribbean Students Organization, the Black Students Association and Phi Beta Sigma are passing the time with some side steps here and side steps there with laughing and
singing accompanying. coordinator and organizer of the This was the scene of the event hoped to accomplish. seventh annual Sleep Out With The rules were quite simple: the Homeless, which is a part of No electronics, iPods or laptops the Homelessness and Hunger with the exception of cell phones; Awareness Week. No food but water It has given me a Organized by is allowed; and of greater respect for people P.E.A.C.E. (People who go through this. course no alcohol or Exploring Active drugs. - Janette Nicewinter Community V a r i o u s Experiences), the event lasted organizations from various areas from 9 a.m. on Friday until 9 a.m. of the university community joined on Saturday Nov. 14 and 15. the effort not only to experience “To raise awareness and the life of the homeless but to gain a d v o c a c y o f t h e h a r d s h i p s some community service hours. of homelessness and bring the Sietzler explained that the way experience to the students,” is the organizations could be awarded what Mike Sietzler, P.E.A.C.E an extra hour for each member
present was to build the best shelter. This year, Theta Chi and Delta Zeta’s Community House won first place. Alpha Kappa Alpha came in second and the Black Student Union came in third. For many, as time passed, they thought of many creative things to do. A large group decided to get together to play the largest game of freeze tag ever to be recorded on the cardboard strewn area. As the large group ran around jumping over shelters, the only thing the Pi Kappa Phi brothers who declined to join in the game, was that tag game did not destroy their castle.
Jose Delgado, the location manager of the production crew. The food was cooked oncampus in the cabin of an Enterprise truck. Students tasted double Steakburgers, hand-dipped Milk Shakes (chocolate, vanilla, mocha, and strawberry) and fries. “Over the course of these shoots, we’re hoping to serve at least 120 of each product,” Deidre O’Reilly said, food stylist and chef. Next to Walker Hall lay tables, chairs, buffet platters and trailers.
exit of Smiley Hall serving as the backdrop for the still photography shoot. Students were encouraged to have their picture taken in front of the screen for Steak ‘n Shake advertisements. Varnson Group, the agency of record for Steak ‘n Shake, was onset editing each take simultaneous to the filming. They came up with the idea to have a two-way video prompter that also serves as a camera. Students are having a
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Sure enough, one weak jump destroyed what they called the banquet hall and what another member shouted, “Hey, that’s where I am supposed to sleep.” Too distraught at the damage, they scuttled their structure. Freshman John LaGrace, Pi Kappa Phi member, walked from the wreckage carrying the fraternity flag only to his bewilderment of what just happened. With only an hour or so to go before the gentlemen could pack up and leave, they were able to reflect on the event. See “Sleepout”
[3]
Steak ‘N Shake Casts UT Students in Commercials By Mel Steiner Arts & Entertainment Editor
Camera crews, production staff and five trucks piled through the UT gates in search of actors and actresses to star in the new Steak ‘n Shake commercials. Filming outside of the Sykes Building starting Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m., all students between the ages of 18-24 were given the chance at stardom. The unscripted, reality-based commercials should air just after the first of the year, according to
Inside ...
Plant Museum Holiday Spirit [2]
Inside one of the trailers was Mark Craig, the caterer for the production crew. “I just got back from Puerto Rico, actually! I spent seven weeks there on-set of the new George Clooney and Ewan McGregor film, ‘The Men Who Stare At Goats.’ I was the caterer for the cast and crew,” he said. Stationed between Plant Hall and Smiley Hall, the wardrobe and make-up crew prepped students for their debut. A green-screen hung at side
Men and Women’s Basketball [18]
Local Protests [10-11]
Annual Drill Competition [3] Golf Cart Confessional [6] Creating a Signature Sound [14]
007’s New Flick: Quantum of Solace [14]
“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.”
Photo by Abby Sanford
conversation with a person on screen, forgetting they are being filmed. It’s the first time Steak ‘n Shake commercials have incorporated “real” people giving “real” answers.
News....................[1-5] Features ..............[6-7] A&E................[13-17] Editorial ................ [9] Commentary ....[9-12] Sports .............[18-20]
[Martin Luther King, Jr.]
News
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The Minaret | November 21, 2008
Nov. 18 Meeting
Editor-in-Chief Peter Arrabal parrabal@gmail.com
Asst. Editor-in-Chief Charlie Hambos
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On Feb. 25 Campus Moviefest will begin
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There is a new survey on blackboard regarding conduct reports, SG invites all to take part in it.
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Social Concerns Committee is trying to pass a resolution regarding Domestic-Partner benefits, see William Ross for more information.
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Fri. Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. in Reeves there will be an art his tory presentation called Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll
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There will be no SG meeting the week of Thanksgiving break.
chambos@ut.edu
News Editor Ellery McCardle minaret.news@gmail.com
Commentary Editor Derrick Austin minaret.commentary@gmail.com
Relay for Life Interest Meeting
Sports Editor Bobby Winsler
P.E.A.C.E. to hold first meeting
minaret.sports@gmail.com
A&E Editor Mel Steiner
By Lucy Monette Special to The Minaret
minaret.arts@gmail.com
Features Editor Joshua Kratovil
minaret.features@gmail.com
Online Editor Alex Vera
avera813@tampabay.rr.com
Head Photographer Mindy Tucker mtucker@ut.edu
Adviser Charles McKenzie charles.mckenzie@ut.edu
Staff-At-Large
Sarah Gottlieb, Asst. News Editor Elizabeth Harrington, Reporter Jillian Randel, Reporter JP Busche, Staff Writer Emily Williams, Reporter Delaney Spoerl, Reporter Stephanie Roman, Reporter Thiago Queiroz, Reporter Erika Escobar, Reporter Megan Smith, Reporter Austin Daniels, Cartoonist Max Roberts, Artist Kara Wall, Photographer Elizabeth Harm, A&E Kadie Hayward, A&E Shannon Grippando, Reporter Kristen Vasquez, A&E
You can reach The Minaret directly at (813) 257-3636
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Photo by Anna Burrell
Cans Across America Unites Campus By Stephanie Roman Staff Writer
Together, fraternity Theta Chi and sorority Delta Gamma participated in the Cans Across America can-building competition. the event was held on Kevin Campbell, Darren Anderson, and JJ Paolino were representing their fraternity at this competition. Together, along with the Delta Gamma girls, they built a castle of
Josh Kratovil Features Editor Compiled From Reports Provided By UT Security Bad time for a pit stop, dude. And why the hell did it take you a week to realize it was missing?! A student came to the security office on Nov. 5 to report the theft of his cell phone on Oct. 31. He had been playing a “car race” game in the Spartan Club Arcade between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. and had put his phone on top of the game. He went to the bathroom for about 10 minutes only to return and find that his cell phone had been taken without his permission.
cans. The idea was collaboration from everyone in both the sorority and fraternity at group meetings. The group had $259.66 worth of cans, which came to 380 cans. Wal-mart donated $25 worth of cans and the rest was bought by the fraternity. It took them 30-40 minutes to build their structure. Stephanie Roman can be reached at bronxbaby1308@aol. com.
DJ for a wedding reception that was occurring in the Grand Salon. He was unloading is vehicle and placed his “boom box” on a chair on the verandah as he carried other items inside. When he returned to get the radio, it and the chair were missing.
Awk-warrrddd…. A female student came to the security office at 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 9 to file a complaint against another student and dorm resident. She stated that at 2:00 a.m. she awoke to find a male student she knows standing in her room by her desk. She got up and began yelling for him to get out of her room. The subject took out his wallet and laid it on the desk and sat down at the desk and appeared very intoxicated. As she continued to yell at him to get out of her room he seemed Radio Free Tampa Officers were called by a confused but stood up and picked subject to report the theft of his up his wallet. He walked towards radio “boom box” from the west the front door where she opened Plant Hall verandah on Nov. 8. the door and threw him out of the The subject was hired to be a room with him falling on the floor.
This year Relay for Life at the University of Tampa is going to be run by a student committee that works closely with the American Cancer Society. The PEACE Volunteer Center is proud to present the first committee meeting for those interested in making a difference against cancer. The committee will be comprised of dedicated students who are interested in helping to plan and run Relay for Life at the University of Tampa in the Spring 2009 semester. They will be working closely with Heather Figueroa from the American Cancer Society. She said he did not take anything or do/say anything he just seemed heavily intoxicated. Officers went to the male subject’s room and spoke to him. He advised he was very drunk and thought he had gone to his own room. He said he could not understand why the female student was yelling at him because he thought he was in his room. (This subject is under 21 years of age.) He was referred to the conduct board for the alcohol violation. WarCrack Officers were called to the Merl-Kelce library in reference to a non-student male subject playing games on the computers at 6:20 p.m. on Nov. 9. Officers made contact with the subject, who was still on the computer playing games. Officers obtained his identification, trespassed him from the property, and escorted him off campus. Wait … didn’t we just kick you out…? Officers were called to the Merl-Kelce library in reference to a non-student male subject (different than previous) playing games on the computers at 10:35 p.m. on Nov. 9. Officers made contact with the subject who was still on the computer playing games. Officers obtained his identification and trespassed him from the property
The meeting will be held on Thursday Nov. 20 at 8:30 p.m. in Vaughn 219. Pizza and soda will be provided by the American Cancer Society. For more information contact lmonette@ut.edu or Heather. Figueroa@cancer.org as they escorted him off campus. Now that’s … just plain creepy. Have fun over in McKay, kids! Officers responded to a call of an older male subject on the east side of the McKay residence hall “acting weird” at 11:10 p.m. on Nov. 10. Officers made contact with the subject and attempted to identify him and asked him to leave the property. The subject refused to comply and the Tampa Police Dept was summoned to remove him. TPD officers responded and spoke to the subject who was determined to be heavily intoxicated and mentally unstable. He was taken in to custody and transported to an off campus location for treatment. Nobody likes a sticky sweat! Muahahaha! A student reported to the security office that his motorcycle has been moved and something poured on his seat at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. Security video footage showed four males around the bike that was parked on the fourth floor. One of the males got on the bike and backed it up but then shortly thereafter left the bike. The investigation is still ongoing.
News Annual Drill Competition Returns to UT
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The Minaret | November 21, 2008
Area high schools compete to honor cadet
“Arabian Nights” Brings Mysticism to Campus
By Sarah Gottlieb Asst. News Editor
Last Saturday, over 1,000 Junior ROTC cadets and UT ROTC cadets participated in the 35th Annual Lisa S. Pauchey Drill Meet, held on UT’s soccer field. Junior ROTC cadets from 22 local high schools competed in the competition. Cadets were broken up into teams which competed in activities such as marching, rifle spinning and color guard. Teams were also broken up by platoon or squad sizes, or by male and female. Lieutenant Colonel James Smallidge, said that the junior cadets were graded on their ability to execute uniformity, and that the UT ROTC cadets did the grading for the competition. While this competition was not a required preliminary for the state, Smallidge said that it was good for the cadets to get an idea of what performing is like before they go to state level drill competitions. The event also focused on creating an awareness of both the national ROTC program and UT’s program, and helped educate the public on the kinds of things junior ROTC cadets do. “It exposes the public to other things that Junior ROTC cadets do rather than just walk around their high school in their uniforms,” Smallidge said. He also said that the event helps the junior cadets organize and establish leadership traits to perform and compete. The competition, hosted by the University of Tampa Army ROTC Battalion, has been named after Lisa Pauchey since 1982 after she was killed by a drunk driver. Pauchey, a cadet in the ROTC, was active in all parts of campus life including the Delta Gamma
A UT student speaks with Dr. Ang-EL at the Arabian Nights on Thursday Nov. 13.
Photo by Abby Sanford
Sarasota Military Academy practicing
Photo by John Meacham
Sorority, Omicron Delta Epsilon Economic Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Leadership Society. Pauchey held a 3.5 GPA and was a recipient of the Distinguished Military Graduate Award. She was also nominated for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Ms. Pauchey, Lisa Pauchey’s mother, was present at the event. “This year it’s something different,” she said, comparing this event to past year’s events. “But it’s always wonderful.” Parents and teachers of the junior cadets also attended the event. Sarasota Military Academy dad David Payne watched as his son, Josh, participated in five events, said that the junior cadet’s precision was very impressive. Another Sarasota Military Academy parent, Kay Ferrucci, was impressed with the number of schools that showed up. She said that her son, Mario, and other junior cadets who participated looked nervous. “It shows they clearly care,” she said. “When I see the drills at school, I’m used to seeing them
with smiles, on this day it’s more intense and that means it’s more important to them.” An ROTC teacher from Hillsborough High School was also impressed with the event. “The competition is going very well,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better setting.” The event also had activities for the public to participate in. An Army Marksmanship trailer at the event brought various weapons that were modified to shoot lasers, so that anyone could try to take a shot. The Army National Guard from St. Petersburg also sent Humvees to show their ground-toair missile weapons used to shoot down aircrafts. The Golden Knights were also scheduled to land at the event, but cancelled due to projected inclement weather conditions. The overall winner of the Drill Meet was Braden River High School, which finished with a total of 10 trophies.
From “Sleepout”: Front Page “To show that we care and get some community service,” is what LaGrace’s involvement was all about. He also explained how many of the struggles that he and his fraternity brothers faced, like hunger and property damage are similar to the day-to-day lives of the homeless. For Nick Leppert, a sophomore and Tampa native, the experience of homelessness may be not changed his view of homelessness but it increased his awareness. As the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi looked back on their experience, the mass freeze tag game had subsided and they resorted for another record size game of charades. Mostly movies, but it kept the group entertained for over an hour. Other individuals spread about the lawn were getting what sleep they could. “I wanted to better experience what it was like to be homeless,” senior Theresa Osbourne, an exercise science major and member of Circle K International said. “It has given me a greater respect for people who go through this.”
Photo by Molly Murphy
Osbourne’s friend who was lying right next to her also felt the same way. “It made me realize what I have and when you can’t control your surroundings,” Janette Nicewinter, member of the Art History Honors Society and Circle K International said. “You have to be really resourceful.” Unfortunately, the sidewalks by the Vaughn Center were scheduled to be pressure washed so the sound did not make many of the students happy, but they realized that even that is a part of the daily life of the homeless today. On the other side of the lawn as charades continued one group of students sat comfortably and played a game of hearts. While they were keeping themselves entertained, one student,
John Meacham contributed to this article. Sarah Gottlieb can be reached at sgottlieb@ut.edu. Manfooz “Foozy” Fakeeh, a second semester freshman of half Saudi and Sudanese decent said that the event made him think of what the homeless do. “Experiencing it now gets me thinking what they are going through,” said Fakeeh. Other events of the week included the Homelessness Panel where four speakers from the Covenant House of Tampa Bay came to speak to the participants. The Oxfam Hunger Banquet is also a staple of the week-long event. P.E.A.C.E. also collected money for the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough and Pinellas County. Katrina Vidal, Head Alternative Break Coordinator, was just one of the many of the P.E.A.C.E volunteer center’s staff that stayed throughout the 24-hour period watching the participants and helping them when it was needed. Vidal hopes that the event raised the awareness of homelessness on campus. “Especially for people who do not have the appreciation,” Vidal said. “I hope they leave with a greater perspective,” she said. “I hope the next time they see a homeless person in the community they think differently.”
Student Speaks of Intercultural Rhetoric at Tapas Presentation By Stephanie Roman Staff Writer
Only notified minutes before he would be the only presenter of the Tapas, Shannon Grippando presented his rhetoric on Friday Nov. 14 in AV2 of the MacdonaldKelce Library. “Scholars are allowed to present their research at this event, but no one volunteered but me,” Grippando said. Grippando is part of the English honors fraternity Sigma Tau Delta, and has been doing research in intercultural rhetoric and has hoped to pique the interest of others through his presentation. Grippando’s research began with an ENG 110 class, English for Non-Native Speakers. He gave the students in the class two assignments; one to write an informal letter in English so that he could observe the students’ casual English, and the other a formal reader response. Shannon wanted to observe the
Photo by John Meacham
style of their writing compared to what country the students are from and compare them to Kaplan’s theories. In the future Shannon hopes to travel to Japan to continue his research. He said he is very excited about his future in this career because he knows that a career in intercultural rhetoric is very uncommon. E d i t o r ’s n o t e : S h a n n o n Grippando is a copy editor and staff writer for The Minaret. Stephanie Roman can be reached at bronxbaby1308@aol. com.
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News
Students’ Share Memories of their Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions By Charlie Hambos Asst. Editor-in-chief
Thanksgiving break comes at a time when students are desperate for time off, but when they return it’s crunch time. So what are UT student’s favorite memories of Thanksgiving? Most think of the times they caught up with family and friends. “Reuniting and praying with my family,” said freshman, Ivan Sene. Kelly Dannecker, a UT Graduate student says spending time with her family is what fills her memories of the holiday. Others mainly focused on food which seems to be the highlight of the week. “Eating turkey,” is what freshman Stephanie Mayard was her favorite. Sophomore Christian Kawas loves making turkey sandwiches the morning after Thanksgiving. Students find eating the delights
of the dinner table but also helping the family as some of their favorite memories. “Helping my mom cook,” said freshman, Carol Claymar. Even though her favorite pie is apple, freshman Carolyne Spencer’s favorite memory of Thanksgiving is making pumpkin pie with her brother. Other memories seemed a little out of the ordinary. “My traditional family argument about religion and politics,” Tiffany Sloen said. “Going drunk to the movie theater,” a UT sophomore Ryan Bitler said. Watching football, eating and spending time with family seems to be the trend with students at UT, but giving thanks for the end of another great semester may not be a bad idea either. Thiago Queiroz contributed to this article.
UT Dining Dishes Up A Thanksgiving Feast in Vaughn By Elizabeth Harrington Staff Writer
The meal can be purchased as a regular meal from the meal plan or for the usual cost of $8.95. Hours for the thanksgiving break only change next week and can be found for each specific location at dining.ut.edu. “I’ve got to admit though,” said Wade, “I am most thankful for the kindness and generosity of the UT community during our fall food drive this year.” Students, staff and faculty alike collected over 3,000 pounds of food content in only one day. In return for their generosity, students will be able to enjoy a wonderful meal from Burghardt and their staff this thanksgiving.
This Thanksgiving, the dining services here at UT are amping up the regular meal deals with some autumn flare. From new fall selections and a special thanksgiving dinner in the café, students will have the opportunity for some special treatment. Thanksgiving lunch/dinner will be served in the café Nov. 20. There is going to be a lot, and I mean a lot of warm thanksgiving food,” said Wade Burghardt, the director of dining services. Roast turkey with gravy, baked sweet potatoes, chipotle Elizabeth Harrington can corn stuffing and peas and carrots be reached at swim0688@gmail. will be served as the main entrée com in “classics.”
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
Favorite Pies to be Thankful Data Compiled by Thiago Queiroz and Charlie Hambos
Other Category consists of Rhubarb, Pierna de Gallo, Raspberry, Sweet Potato, Blueberry, Coconut and Lime
Illustration by Alex Vera
More People Opt to Stay for Holidays By Linda Loyd The Philadelphia Inquirer
(MCT)--College students Natalie and Robert Kelly are forgoing their annual Christmas trip home to Utah this year because of the shaky economy and higher airfares. Natalie, 22, and husband Robert, 27, a graphic design student at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, in previous years flew to Salt Lake City for $300 or less each. The same roundtrip ticket this Christmas costs $400 and up. “It’s just too much money and too much stress associated with the money,” said Natalie Kelly, a history major at the University of Pennsylvania. “We’re going to get our own Christmas tree and hang out in Philadelphia. We’re not upset about it. We’ve made our decision.” The Kellys are not alone. People are waiting longer to book vacations in hopes of finding deals _ and some won’t be traveling at all. “Christmas and almost all holidays are times of rather extreme peaks and valleys in demand,” said American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith. While airplanes are still expected to be near full on peak travel days, fewer people overall will travel this Thanksgiving and Christmas, said David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, an airline industry trade group. The reason: Rising unemployment, an erratic stock market and higher fares have made consumers uneasy about spending money. Add to that a 10 percent cut in
airline capacity from a year ago _ a decision the industry made during the summer, when crude oil cost nearly $150 a barrel and gasoline cost $4 a gallon. Even so, the airlines express optimism and say their advance bookings are in line with last year. “There’s no softening around Christmas,” US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said. JetBlue Airways said its Christmas-New Year’s bookings are “still looking favorable.” But “we see a bit of softening for Thanksgiving, and I think other carriers do as well,” said JetBlue director of revenue management, Roger Johnson. But some travelers are deciding whether they can afford to travel at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. “There are certainly people priced out of taking two trips,” Johnson said. “To the extent that is occurring, I think more people are choosing Christmas.” To entice passengers who are on the fence, Northwest Airlines became the first major carrier last month to offer holiday airfare sales. Other airlines matched the lower fares. “The bargains aren’t going to be on the peak travel days, but on the periphery days you’ll see some pretty good deals,” said Peter C. Yesawich, chairman and chief executive officer of Ypartnership, a marketing services firm specializing in the travel industry. “Consumers in my view will continue to travel roughly in the same numbers, but they will be far more value conscious than we have seen,” Yesawich said. They will spend less on hotels, gifts and retail buying.
“What people will save by not shopping will go to fund those almost obligatory trips to grandma’s house,” Yesawich said. Rick Seaney, chief executive officer of the airfare-research site www.FareCompare.com, said there are “awesome” airfare sales now because airlines have empty seats, although the cheapest tickets are not available on the busiest holiday travel days. “Airlines have traded the oil crisis for an economic crisis,” Seaney said. “A lot of people were shopping a month and a half ago and seeing very high prices. They said, ‘This is out of my budget this year.’ “ International travel is down during the Christmas period, said Jennifer Urbaniak, spokeswoman for Lufthansa German Airlines. “We are remaining hopeful that things will turn around, but right now, unfortunately, it is a decline for us in December.” Potential travelers are waiting to see the effect of Sen. Barack Obama’s election as president _ “how the stock markets respond, and if there is going to a rally towards the end of the year,” Urbaniak said. Airlines are worried that demand will drop off in 2009 as the realities of a recession set. Delta Air Lines chief financial officer Edward Bastian told investors last month that “while near-term demand remains solid, we are keeping a very close eye on booking trends. Internationally, we are starting to see a little bit of demand softening.” He said passenger bookings are down 2 to 4 percent for November and December from a year ago.
The Minaret | November 21, 2008 Amy Ryle, Gamma Delta Greek Sing chair, said that the skull and crossbones were part of the Finelli says that purpose of overall theme. the skit including the Kappa Sigma “Our theme was ‘heart beating,’ shirt was to promote Greek unity. like life and death,” she said. “I think what we we’re trying “Between all the songs was like a to represent was one of the strongest heartbeat.” representations of Greek unity and Both Bumstead and Ryle said if that’s why we got disqualified, that no officials tried to contact then that’s why, but we’re still them to say they were disqualified. happy with what we did.” Bumstead said she found out from Jason Wagner, chair of Sigma one of the dancers, and thought it Chi Greek Sing, was just a rumor said the skull and at first. No one crossbones are not “We had to came to us, none seek out Jaclyn,” Greek letters, so he of the Greek felt his fraternity was said Ryle, referring within the rules when to Jaclyn Carden, Sing chairs, no they did the skit. coordinator one . “We were trying of Greek Life - Amy Ryle to bring Greek life and Student together with or O rg a n i z a t i o n s . without them [the Kappa Sigmas] “No one came to us, none of the on campus,” he said. “The point Greek Sing chairs, no one.” of Greek Sing is unity and we had According to Ryle, Carden said issues with that fraternity in the past that the sorority was disqualified and wanted to clear all of that up.” because of the way the skull and Wagner also said that while crossbones were portrayed, and the the fraternity was promoting Greek audience reaction. unity, they were not promoting Some of the former members Kappa Sigma, though it is obvious of Kappa Sigma were in the crowd, that they are still around. and upon seeing the skull and “They’re all good people, and crossbones, began chanting “Delta they should be recognized for the Gamma, Delta Gamma!” things that they do,” he said. Carden declined to comment While the Sigma Chi’s used officially, but told Jon Howard, an actual Kappa Sigma shirt, Delta “there are rules and standards Gamma only used the common to live by that everyone should skull and crossbones symbol on be held accountable for. This their sweatshirts during their skit. should also be used as a lesson K e l l e y B u m s t e a d , v i c e to be learned for the future, that president of Delta Gamma, said unrecognized organizations should that the sorority had the skull and not be supported.” crossbones approved before they Ryle said that the decision to performed. She said that the skull disqualify the two organizations was and crossbones represented the made by the Greek Sing chairs. music artist, Rihanna, and was She said that she went to one of related to her song and music video, the chairs, Ryan (whose last name “Live Your Life.” was unknown at press time), before From “Disqualified”: Front Page
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News the event and asked for permission to use the skull and crossbones. She said that Ryan assured her it was fine to use and that the sorority would not be in any kind of trouble. Ryle says that since finding out that her sorority was disqualified, she tried to call Ryan numerous times, who, as of Tuesday, had not returned her phone calls. “Nowhere in anything in our schools does it say there is no wearing of skulls and crossbones,” said Ryle. “They told the boys of Kappa Sigma they couldn’t, but is it because we’re in Greek Life that we’re not allowed to wear skull and crossbones now?” Ryle also said that nowhere in the Greek Sing rulebook does it say that you cannot recognize a non-recognized organization. “We didn’t care if we won or not,” Ryle said, and pointed out that she was more upset about the fact that she was promised that what they were doing was fine. “[Skull and bones] is also a symbol of the Buccaneers and Gasparilla,” said Bumstead. “So to say it was just to represent Kappa Sigma is inaccurate and unfair.” Kappa Sigma purchased T-shirts with skull and crossbones on the front after the organization was removed from campus in the fall of 2007. After a pledge was treated for alcohol poisoning, Kappa Sigma was suspended from the university from last fall until 2010. Three weeks before that, the fraternity had received strict sanctions including probation after pleading responsible for non-compliance with directives. In that same case, they were found not responsible for hazing. Sarah Gottlieb can be reached at sgottlieb@ut.edu
Professor Talks of Religion Amidst Economic Crisis By Jillian Randel Staff Writer
A recent Honors Presentation by professor Ryan Cragun revealed the religious trends in the U.S. and the factors shaping the way that Americans consider religion. Titled “The Coming Secular Revolution,” Cragun’s presentation discussed the differing factors that attribute to non-affiliation in today’s religious practices. “During the 1990’s religious non-affiliation more than doubled, jumping from seven percent to almost 16 percent in a 10 year period,” said Cragun. How do we explain the change in religious affiliation over the last 30 years? Cragun pointed out that nonaffiliates are not necessarily nonbelievers. Of the 16 percent of Americans who cite being non-affiliated, nine percent are believers without attaching to a certain religious group, and seven percent are nonbelievers with four percent of them agnostic and three percent of them atheist. That still leaves 84 percent of Americans affiliated toward a religion. “This number is much higher than other industrialized countries,” said Cragun, who gave examples such as Japan, Germany, Britain, Canada and Denmark. “We have to look at the reasons
why the U.S. has such a high level of religious affiliation compared to so many of these countries.” Dr. Cragun Some have argued that factors that contribute to high levels of dropout could be the lifecycle process. Although the highest level of dropouts occurs for those aged 1525 (with many returning to religion later in life when they have kids and start their own families), “There was not a high enough surge of that age group in the 90’s to account for such a large drop-off in religious affiliation,” Cragun said. Cragun tried to explain what other kinds of trends could account for the ups and down in religious affiliation. “When times are hard, there is an increase in things such as unemployment and suicide,” he said. There is also an increase in the number of people going to church. Economically and socially, the 1980’s were hard times. The number of people going to church was high as more people claimed a religious affiliation,” he explained, as he presented graphs that illustrated GDP growth compared to religious affiliation.
“When the hard times ease up, you can see the level of affiliation drop,” Cragun said. “During the 1990’s economic boom, the level of affiliates dropped dramatically. Immediately following the recession in 1991 and 1992, the levels of affiliation dropped. People were seen attending church at much lower numbers.” Cragun explained why the U.S. might seem like an exception to the rule when it comes to other industrialized countries. “Many of these countries provide existential security through social programs such as healthcare, childcare, welfare programs, vacations, etc.,” he said. “Even when they have economic downturns, people in these countries still feel a sense of security. You do not see them flocking to churches to seek that sense of security like Americans do.” Cragun also said that when people feel that the economy or personal situation is doing poorly, they have a greater motivation for going to church to find that sense of security. “A greater sense of security could mean that the number of non-affiliates could rise again,” Cragun said. “I would say that church attendance is pretty high right now.” Jillian Randel can be reached at jmrandel@ut.edu
Plant Museum to Add Holiday Cheer By Danny Pineyro Staff Writer
With the holiday season drawing nearer with every passing day, the Henry B. Plant Museum is preparing for an eventful couple of months. Cynthia Gandee, executive director at the museum said she is excited about the Victorian Christmas Stroll the Plant Museum will be putting on this year. Starting on Dec. 1, visitors will be able to enjoy Victorian-era toys and ornaments as well as music and food all while touring Plant Hotel. But this event is not new. The Plant Museum has been running this event for more than 25 years and hopes to continue it’s great success this year. The museum has also been trying to further the diversity of their visitors by offering a wide variety of events. “I just love to walk through the museum and see the diversity of the visitors who come to enjoy this piece of history,” Gandee said. “The Man Who Invented Christmas” is an example of one such event that is targeting not only fans of history, but also people interested in literature. In this event, author Les Standiford shows how the unlikely success of A Christmas Carol revitalized Charles Dickens’
5
languishing career and revived the celebration of Christmas. Visitors can come and listen to Standiford read from his book as well as enjoy hors d’oeuvres during the reception. After the holidays, the museum will take part in March’s, Picnic in the Park. During the all-day event, people can come and enjoy free lemonade, ice cream and live music in Plant Park as well as games such as checkers, badminton. “These events are meant to draw people who may not otherwise come to visit the museum to come and see that you can relive the history in fun ways,” Gandee said. The museum staff will also begin decorating the museum as well as the surrounding area to add to the holiday cheer. New decorations are being hung, from small Christmas trees in every room of the museum and placing garland on the veranda, to more noticeable decorations like making the entrance to the museum look like a gingerbread house. All students can receive a 10 percent discount on all items in the Museum’s store. For more information, you can visit the museum’s website at www.plantmuseum.com or call 813-254-1891. Danny Pineryo can be reached at dpineyro@ut.edu
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Features
Golf Cart Confessional
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
L.A.S.E.R. Team coordinator Cristobal Eiroa Gomez shares tales from some of his wildest rides at UT By Erika Escobar Features Writer
The University of Tampa’s campus might seem small, but late at night, a walk from Stadium Center back to Urso Hall might look like a trek of epic proportions. That’s where L.A.S.E.R. Team comes in. L.A.S.E.R. stands for Law Abiding Students Ever Ready. Cristobal Eiora Gomez is the L.A.S.E.R. Team coordinator.
“Basically, it’s golf carts, and we provide a safe ride service at night,” Gomez said. “We run from Sunday through Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m..” Gomez said that people take advantage of L.A.S.E.R. for a number of reasons. “We are available for people who are going out late and studying late, we can take them to various places, we drive around campus
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and do pickups,” he said. “So you can call extension 4515 or 813257-4515.” Not only is the L.A.S.E.R. Team a ride service, but they are also able to enhance campus safety by keeping an eye out and reporting anything suspicious that they see. “When I was a driver the thing I liked the most was picking people up and meeting new people. Random stuff always happened,” Gomez said. “Last semester there was this huge flower and fruit show in Plant Park ... late into my shift … I saw that there was this huge fight and this kid was covered in blood.” Gomez added that the student appeared heavily intoxicated. Of course, Gomez has faced other challenges during his time with the team. “One of the scariest experiences
I had was when I was driving one night and my brakes gave out,” Gomez said. “The carts were really old and the brakes fell through the floor board. I tried to stop and [couldn’t]; I was either Gomez loads up some passengers. Photo by Mindy Tucker going to hit a Mercedes, BMW or the wall, so I Some of his other worst experiences decided to hit the wall instead of a include being vomited on by drunk people on two separate occasions. nice car.” If you are considering working “The passengers were really on the L.A.S.E.R. Team stop by the freaked out,” he added. Gomez also said that crashing OSLE office, however, it is only into walls seems like a pattern on offered for students with federal work study and a driver’s license. the L.A.S.E.R. Team. Erika Escobar can be reached “If you crash your golf cart, you get promoted,” he said, laughing. at eescobar@ut.edu.
Dodgeballs and Dimes
UT’s March of Dimes hosts informational charity dodgeball event By Erika Escobar Features Writer
A staggering one of every eight babies are born prematurely in the United States alone, and the statistics are not getting any better. To increase UT students’ awareness, the March of Dimes group on campus held a dodgeball event
Nov. 21 in the Cass Gym. “There will be free food and awareness projects that will be fun,” said Michelle Peters, one of the event coordinators. “We want to celebrate the efforts of the March of Dimes.” This event was not only intended to raise funds, but to educate students on the causes of prematurity and ways to prevent it from happening. The origin of the fundraising event name, Mile of Dimes, comes from
the effort to raise a mile of dimes, which is roughly $9,000, according to Peters, “Last year we were able to raise over $900, and we are hoping to bring more money this year,” she said. Prizes were given to the winning dodgeball teams. Students interested in being a part of this group on campus can check out their Facebook group. Meetings are every Thursday at 8 or 9 p.m. in SCC 233. Erika Escobar can be reached at eescobar@ut.edu.
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The Minaret | November 21, 2008
Features
7
Not Sweatin’ the Small Stuff
Student Coordinator of Fitness Eileen Durkin works hard to keep Spartans perspiring and smiling at McNiff
and she is always someone you can approach when you need something. She is a friend, not just our boss,” There is this rumor going said employee Jon LiSacchi. Durkin is responsible for around campus that there is a girl living behind the weights at the assisting White, the Coordinator of Campus Recreation, with day-toMcNiff Fitness Center. She spends enough time at the day operations at the McNiff Fitness gym that one of her roommates Center and the Cass Gymnasium, told her she might as well set up a as well as overseeing the student employees of both McNiff and bed there. Upon investigation it was Cass. After applying last year revealed to be the Student Coordinator of Fitness, Eileen through the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, Durkin. Students see the group fitness interviewing with White and former schedules at the front desk, the Student Coordinator of Fitness clean machines in the gym and new Kathy Dunham, Durkin had been asked to respectively fitness programs fill the shoes of started to push “She is the graduating the student body someone you Dunham. (no pun intended), “My initial but has anyone can approach feeling was relief, really thought ... she is a said Durkin. about where all these opportunities friend, not just “However, I soon felt nervous about all my have come from? our boss.” new responsibilities. Probably not. Jon LiSacchi I had big shoes to fill, Has anyone and was afraid that I ever thought about wouldn’t be able to how the gym is always open and accessible to UT’s keep the place running as smoothly as the coordinator before me had.” students? Again, probably not. Dunham had done a great job Most of Durkin’s work goes unnoticed, but her boss Katie with McNiff and was excited to White and her fellow employees have Durkin take her spot. “Her passion for physical appreciate what she has done for fitness and student interaction shows McNiff. “She is dedicated to her job in the positive energy she brings By Michelle Magner Features Writer
Durkin helps McNiff employee Michelle Magner navigate the check-in system.
Eileen Durkin works to make students’ experiences at McNiff the best they can be.
to McNiff,” said Dunham. “[It] spreads to all her friends, coworkers and the entire UT community.” Durkin’s first duty started in August when she had to come back to school a week early to get the gym set up for the first day of classes. Her duties included cleaning the gym, creating bulletin boards
Photo by Abby Sanford
Photo by Abby Sanford
for the locker rooms, fine tuning the his/her phone,” said Durkin. “I staff schedule, posting flyers around had to leave what I was doing and campus to promote fitness classes take over the front desk because and organizing the supply rooms. the person on the schedule didn’t Those are just the regular show up.” every day duties, but she also has Although this was an to deal with time sheets and handle inconvenience, the positive aspects situations when someone doesn’t of the job greatly outweigh the show up for work, or a fitness class few downsides of being student is cancelled. coordinator. Durkin has a sense of enthusiasm One thing Durkin likes least for the gym and its members. about her job is having to be bossy She likes when fitness classes sometimes telling students to go are full and people back to their participate in new rooms to get Go Online! events. their ID card’s Know an outstanding W h i t e h a d student employee? or telling c o m e u p w i t h Give ‘em a shout out someone to t h e M e n ’s 3 0 0 on our Web site: leave the Challenge Incentive www.theminaretonline.com weight room Program, which because it is Durkin marketed, promoted and unsafe to be working out in flipultimately took responsibility for. flips. Durkin also started the “People complain when it “Fit for the Holidays” ladies’ is crowded, but they continue to incentive program for the month come, because it is a familiar place of November. where they will be greeted with a Durkin’s duties don’t work on smile and a ... swipe of their card,” a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. said Durkin. “One weekend I was at the mall Michelle Magner is a Minaret and one of the staff members called features writer, and is also employed me from the front desk because the by the McNiff Fitness center. person taking over for her was 15 Magner can be reached at minutes late and wouldn’t answer mmagner@ut.edu.
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The Minaret | November 21, 2008
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Commentary Shortcuts Undercut Any Effort The easiest path is always the least rewarding. Too many people ignore this and simply take the easy way out, opting to get a job done and over with than to do it to its fullest and best extent. In the election, too many took the easy way out and voted by party lines rather than investigating their candidates, which explains how people like Buddy Johnson and Ted Stevens almost actually earned reelection. Too many people didn’t take the time to learn about the amendments on their ballots, and either randomly picked yes or no, or didn’t vote for them at all, which is how gay marriage was banned in Florida and California. Too many students pick the easiest-looking classes with the easiest-rated professors, throwing away too many chances of actually learning something from their classes. Too often, administrators take the easiest way out, as was notably evident in last week’s Minaret, when a judge ruled that UT had gone the easy route of denying a student her right to appeal a conviction, rather than doing the
just and fair thing. It is incredibly easy to hide behind the rules rather than stand up against what you believe is unjust and unfair. Sometimes, the rules are so confusing and convoluted, that they provide blanket excuses for both those who uphold the law and those who disobey it. This was evident in Monday night’s Greek Sing, where two organizations were disqualified for using the logo of an unrecognized organization. Instead of seeking out the organizations and questioning their motives, judges stuck a dagger into the fraternity and sorority and never even told them, letting them find out through rumors on the grapevine. There was no announcement. There was no explanation. Of course, there was no appeal. It was much easier for them to simply walk away without explaining. Trying to justify unjust actions is often impossible. The Minaret strives to never publish something just to publish it. We aim to get the whole story, from every possible angle at all times. Aiming high sometimes results in failure, and we accept
9
that. Everyone makes mistakes, and we are happy to make them, correct them and learn from them. Anyone who claims to perform to their fullest ability must aim high and never take the easy way out. President John Kennedy inspired a nation to put its strongest effort into reaching the moon when he said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” The nation rose up and answered Kennedy’s call, reaching Earth’s only satellite just before the end of the decade. It is highly probable that without Kennedy’s lofty aspirations, Americans may have lost this key leg of the space race. Choose classes that challenge you. Stand up for what is right. Argue when you must and admit defeat when you lose. Never give up. If you fight to the very end for what is just and true, you will never leave a battle hanging your head in defeat. A motivated person can never lose, they can only learn.
Some Prop 8 Protestors Fight Oppression With Discrimination
By Stacy Vieux Columnist
On the website antigayblacklist. com, you will find an extensive list of individuals and companies. What everyone on this list has in common is each donated money
to support the ban on same-sex marriage in California. You’ll also find a plea asking no company on the list be patronized. This strife began when the Supreme Court of California decided to overturn the verdict of legalizing same-sex marriages. Proposition 8 was voted on and, through the slightest margin, the majority of voters cast their ballots in favor of the proposition. The overturned verdict has caused much tension amongst
Photo courtesy pnoeric / Flickr.com
Californians. Demonstrators have begun protesting outside Mormon churches located in California and throughout the country. According to a CNN poll, 70 percent of African Americans voted yes on Proposition 8. These statistics reveal an overwhelming disapproval of same-sex marriages by African Americans. As a result, African Americans have become a target in gay protests and racial remarks have been used on the web. According to Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate, the goal of antigayblacklist. com is to “make it socially unacceptable to give huge amounts of money to take away the rights of one particular group, a minority group.” The website has had some success, however. They were able to get a few companies to discontinue their donations to support anti-gay causes or to donate an equal amount to both causes all in exchange for the removal of their names from the list.
Photo courtesy Malingering / Flickr.com America is a place that grants freedom of speech. With that freedom one can criticize, disagree or express—for the most part—whatever they feel. Unfortunately for those not in favor of Proposition 8, the voting is done for now. I understand the frustration of those who prior to Proposition 8 had arrangements to get married and now cannot. However, I believe if a group wants to enact change there are ways that grant more success than some of the routes being taken by some protesters. In some ways I have to agree with Frank
Schubert, the campaign manager for Yes on Proposition 8, when he said: “No matter what you think of Proposition 8, we ought to respect people’s right to participate in the political process. It strikes me as quite ironic that a group of people who demand tolerance and who claim to be for civil rights are so willing to be intolerant and trample on other people’s civil rights.” Stacy Vieux may be reached at svieux@ut.edu.
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10
Commentary
S
aturday, Nov 15. Downtown Tampa was the stage of a local protest against the recent passing of Proposition 8 and Amendment 2. Five UT students joined in the rally: Here are their stories.
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
Five Against Eight and Two
“This movement is boiling.” By Kristen Bell Special to The Minaret
As corny and cliché as it sounds, I’m realizing that our generation has amazing potential to leave our thumb print on American history and to improve the world for future generations. While volunteering for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, I saw this time and time again. I spoke with people who worked two jobs, had families and small children, failing health and many other things that hindered their ability to fully devote themselves. With each of these encounters I was reminded how crucial it is to strive to make a difference as a college student. Yes, we are bogged down with 16 credit hours, midterms, tests, finals, study groups, essays, labs, part time jobs and—yes—we struggle to find time to eat and sleep. However, if we simply manage our time and open up our calendars we can devote our lives to something meaningful. I was reminded of this on Saturday, Nov 15. Like other college students, I slept in late as possible and tried to catch up on all the sleep I lost during the week. However, I eventually dragged myself out of bed in enough time to attend
a nationwide protest opposing Amendment 2, Proposition 8 and other discriminatory legislative acts affecting the LGBTQ community, located at the County Center, only a few short blocks away. Jointheimpact.com is an organization devoted to equal rights and they are actively standing up for these rights. There were several speakers who gave personal testimony as to how Amendment 2 affected their lives; a female guitar player sang about the issue; but the most fulfilling experience was to see my peers standing on Kennedy holding signs and chanting: “Gay. Straight. Black. White. We deserve our equal rights!” When a brief rain shower tried to disperse us, we stood despite nature’s interruption. If anything, it gave us more conviction and motivation. Protests like these are being called “the next civil rights movement” and the “cause of our generation.” This movement is boiling. We recognize this will not be a quick cause, so it’s important to create awareness now. Making time to change the world is one of the most significant things you can do. Kristen Bell may be reached at kkbell@ut.edu.
Photo courtesy Careena Cornette
Photo courtesy rocknroll_guitar / Flickr.com
“A marker of transformation...”
By Derrick Austin Commentary Editor
I felt a little stiff and awkward at first as my friend Kristen Bell tore a No on Amendment 2 sign from the ground and handed it to me. There were protesters, young and old, gay and straight, on all four corners of the intersection, and here I was—a beanpole of a boy three semesters into college and five months out of the closet—fighting for my civil rights. Alaina McGinnis, another UT student, and Bell took to the task with gusto waving their signs as traffic blurred past; I held mine up gingerly (that was my first protest after all) still feeling out of place. The clouds thickened and a small shower poured down, but I felt energized; cars honked their horns at us, applauding our efforts, and I joined in the successive roar of joy amongst the protesters at each honk. Hell, I even joined in a passionate chant started by UT alumna Careena Cornette of “Gay, straight, black, white we deserve our equal rights.” I felt like I owned up to a cause. It’s always disorienting when you’ve talked and written about an issue and only now throw yourself out there with a sign and your voice; staked a claim and attached your face to a cause. After aiding our current president-elect to the White House, I once again took part in history: a day of simultaneous national rallies and protests. When current political activism is largely shifting from the streets to cyberspace, hitting the pavement despite the rain or the heat or the wind makes one realize the monumental responsibility that activism entails—the strength and integrity it takes to consistently take to the masses with belief and a little moxie. Around 4 p.m., as four of my friends and I returned to campus, two girls from Plant High school approached us to take our picture for a school assignment about the protest. As the shutter clicked, I realized not only a piece of history being preserved but a marker of transformation in myself. Derrick Austin may be reached at daustin@ut.edu.
Photo courtesy rocknroll_guitar / Flickr.com
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
11
Commentary
“Eyes as I have eyes, hands as I have hands...” By Nicole Robinson Columnist
Photo courtesy rocknroll_guitar / Flickr.com
“Equal rights for all! Equality for all!” Protesters cried these words in downtown Tampa as supporters loudly honked their horns and non-supporters looked on icily, gave the finger and yelled obscenities. Standing in the crowd I felt proud exercising my civil right to protest against what I thought was wrong, noting that in other countries, this right might not be so well received or recognized. In the past, violence would have been used to break up the crowd without a second thought. In other nations, the voice of a minority might certainly be quickly silenced and crushed by the will of an unarguably wrong majority—a majority able to ignore the plight of others for their own personal gain or comfort. It is not comfortable to accept something different into your daily life. It seems to be our natural human instinct to resist change. It’s hard as a child to accept moving to a new school or town; sometimes the object of ridicule and harsh rejection by other children because this child is unfamiliar. It’s simply easier to cast away someone or something we do not understand. But, as time passes, the new child becomes accepted by the others. Then another new kid moves in and the others—even the former new kid who had been ridiculed before—rejects this one just as they had before. But this is not another time or place, and we are not middle schoolers on a playground: we are citizens of the United States of America. A country built on the ideals of equality for all. So as I stood there in the protest, reminded how amazing our country is, blessed that I have all the civil liberties I do, I cannot help but wonder why my best friend is not able to say the same. My best friend has eyes as I have eyes, has hands as I have hands, his skin is different, but, hey, we’re over that. He eats like me, dreams like me, loves his mother and father like me, but because he loves in a different way he has no right to spend the rest of his life with the one he loves with the same rights I would? That is wrong. So we will protest until justice is earned for my friend and so many others. People are so busy justifying discriminating the gay community, but where is the reasoning on why there should be acceptance? Here’s something: “Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possesses their equal rights, which equal laws must protect and to violate would be oppression.” Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and one of the writers of the Constitution, wrote that. How quickly we seem to forget the core ideals of this country. He also said in some matters it is fine to go with the flow but in matters of principle to stand like a rock. We will stand like rocks in protest until everyone—no exceptions to race gender, age or sexual preference —has equal rights. Nicole Robinson may be reached at nrobinson@ut.edu.
“It’s A Gay World After All.” By Alaina McGinnis Special to The Minaret
Photo courtesy rocknroll_guitar / Flickr.com
This past weekend 350 people from all over Tampa gathered in the park across from City Center to rally against the passing of Amendment 2. I was among these people. I arrived during the last of the speeches; together we chanted, clapped and sang “It’s a Gay World After All” (based off “It’s a Small World After All”). When the rally dispersed, we all grabbed signs and hit the sidewalk waving and chanting. It was heartwarming to hear the amount of people that beeped, waved and cheered for us. Despite the random rain shower, we stood out for about an hour more talking with people and holding signs. “Gay, straight, black, white, we deserve our equal rights!” became our chant as a reporter from ABC News Channel 8 stood by filming our every move and interviewed a lesbian couple about their feelings toward the amendment and their hopes of overturning it. “This is not the end but the beginning” was the main theme of the rally. The hope within all these people both, gay and straight, fighting the system the old fashion way was amazing. I’ve only been to a handful of rallies and protests mostly because they aren’t around anymore. People usually don’t gather the way they used to. With the mass use of blogs and networking pages like Facebook and Myspace, issues are discussed online instead of in person. However, these same sites also brought people together on Saturday. This rally had no advertisements and proper publicity, yet more people than expected showed up to show their dissappointment with the people of Florida. It is my hope that their fight is not in vain and one day Florida will see equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation. Alaina McGinnis may be reached at amcginnis@ut.edu.
LETTER
TO THE
I want to thank Derrick Austin for laying out the case for equality in m a r r i a g e s o c l e a r l y a n d e l o q u e n t l y i n h i s c o m m e n t a r y i n l a s t w e e k ’s M i n a re t . And I thank him for being out on campus. It sometimes takes a courageous defiance to be an out gay man—and a vocal one at that, but I commend him for his openness and his unwillingness to remain silent. We all can find some hope in the fact that the past few decades have brought about remarkable change for the better for gay men and lesbians in America. We still have not reached the end of our journey to equality, but with inspirational young leaders like Derrick Austin, I am convinced that we will, one day soon, become full citizens of our own country. Yours in solidarity,
Photo courtesy rocknroll_guitar / Flickr.com
Gary S. Luter, Ph.D. Professor of Speech/Theatre Honors Program Director University of Tampa
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Arts & Entertainment
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
UT Stars Take The Stage: “A Shape of Things”
How to look and act the part By JP Busche Staff Writer
By Daniella Fusari Staff Writer
When it comes to acquiring a position in an internship or job, it is important to dress and present yourself in a way that shows commitment to the prospective job at hand. Virginia Brown, an etiquette consultant, spoke at UT’s “Business Etiquette Dinner and Dress for Success Fashion Show” about how to perform and dress to your highest ability at interviews and professional dinners. Jokingly she mocks young adults saying, “I’m an individual. I want them to like me for me,” she exclaimed, “Well too bad!” Although her voice carried a humorous undertone, it is inevitable that in order to land that high-paying position at the job of our choice, we are going to have to sacrifice the individuality we have worked our whole lives to develop. She gives some pointers, which include: 1. Before an interview, find out what the dress code is for the office and then dress one level higher than the position you are interviewing for 2. Look like you have commitment to be there, and bring something else to the table. In this job market they are be very picky, so presentation counts for a lot. 3. Professionalism can combine with creativity in subtle manner, such as pairing a special pin with your suit, or a standout piece of jewelry.
“Student models of the fashion show” Photo by Abby Sanford
Q&A with Virgina Brown, etiquette consultant: Daniella Fusari (DF): What is the biggest fashion mistake you have seen young adults make? Virginia Brown (VB): Not dressing professionally enough. They need a more classic look. And ladies need to remember that with short skirts it is hard to sit down. And I have had employers tell me they feel uncomfortable when girls are tugging at their skirts. DF: Since our generation looks up to celebrities, what celebrity do you think radiates sophistication for young adults? VB: I would say Reese Witherspoon. She is never at either extreme, she is always classic and with classic you can’t go wrong. DF: What is one staple item that should always be in a lady’s closet as a safety for interviews? VB: A three-piece suit. That would include a jacket, shell and either skirt or pants in black or navy; although gray is the new color of the season. DF: How can young teenagers and adults dress well without
looking too old or like they are trying too hard? VB: Going to professional shops that will have sales-workers that help, and don’t work off commission. You can also make it individual or wear a signature color. DF: Where is the best place for college students to get nice apparel for inexpensive prices? VB: Brooks Brothers and Steinmart have a variety of prices. Macy’s and Dillard’s, as well, but sometimes you can get trapped in what is “trendy” as opposed to the classics. DF: Any other tips? VB: Do not apply lipstick at the table. Don’t wear perfume or cologne because even if you think you’re putting on a little, it is overwhelming. Virginia Brown is very educated on the subject of dressing for success. Old Navy and The Limited carry pencil skirts and blazers for low prices. T.J. Maxx and Marshalls carry full three-piece suits for half the price of department stores.
Come celebrate the holiday season with UT’s Music Department all week long! Join the Wind Ensemble, OPUS (UT’s musical theatre ensemble), Jazz Band, Chorale, Women’s Glee Club, and Orchestra in these winter spectaculars: Date
12/2
12/3
12/5
12/7
Day
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Who
OPUS
Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble Jazz Band
Chorale, Women’s Glee Club, and Orchestra
What
featuring pieces fom “Les Miserables” and “Ragtime”
joint show with the Blake High School Wind Ensemble
Holiday Concert
22nd Annual Christmas Festival
Where
Fletcher Lounge
Falk Theatre
When
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Austin/Vaughn Courtyard 6:30-7:00 p.m. 7:30-8:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
With having the pleasure to just see the musical Cole, UT students will now be able to see the play “The Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute. The rehearsals have been going on since the third week of school. To give interested students an insight, The Minaret met with Alice Renier, a junior majoring in Performing Arts and Vocal Performance, having her fourth role in a UT play. Renier had already read the book “The Shape of Things” and did a monologue, as well as an analysis on it, making her and the staff who share her interest very excited to find out that the play will be performed this semester. She plays Evelyn, an artsy girl, who is not part of the crowd. Adam, her masculine significant other, spends his free time with her. The woman is a graduate art student who happens to
meet Adam, an undergrad English major and prototypical nerd who works as a museum guard. After being in a relationship with each other for some time, Evelyn manages to turn Adam 180 degrees, with him ending up getting plastic surgery. Very interesting about LaBute’s script is the room for interpretation that is left, which adds some variety depending on who performs the play. “Evelyn is a very interesting character and what you see on stage is all you know about her. When I look at her, I try to see the character from my personal experience,” said Renier. A very interesting concept is the cast-audience relationship that is going to take place, with the audience sitting pretty much on stage and therefore being able to have a much more intimate way of getting to see and understand the play. The piece will take place in Falk Theater on Nov. 20, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.
Photo by Kara Wall
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The Minaret | November 21, 2008 Arts & Entertainment Good To The Bone: Ribbers BBQ A Feast
By Spencer Draper Staff Writer
I have always wondered what an art-house Bond film would be like. And now, after seeing “Quantum of Solace,” I know. Marc Forester, most famous for “Monster’s Ball,” directs the film. Thus, one would be correct in assuming that the small scenes in “Quantum” would stand out. This is true because they are the only ones that the viewer’s mind can actually follow without straining their brains. Nowadays, it seems that to make an action film, you must make the sequences as shaky, jumpy and fast as you can. “Quantum” is no exception to this. The action scenes are almost painful to watch. There is no way to really tell what is going on. The story doesn’t help in this department. I really wish that more time had been spent on the screenplay than the big action numbers. “Quantum of Solace” doesn’t hold up to “Casino Royale,” although it does have more energy. The gap between films has shortened. “Casino” had four years of production work, whereas “Quantum” had virtually none. If more time had been put in, I can certainly say that “Quantum of Solace” would be miles ahead of the standard action fare. Additionally, the film is titled after what Bond is truly searching for - a certain measure of comfort. This is what the title really means. Despite the many gripes, it is an Ian Fleming title, albeit of a completely unrelated short story. This is really the closest the films have ever dared to come to the original novels. Daniel Craig is more
assured in the role, and has more essence as the character. This is the first Bond to brood since Timothy Dalton. There are moments here that come off beautifully, such as Bond intoxicated, and others not so much such as CGI in a fistfight. The small scenes have so much impact, and you really start to get the essence of Fleming, when all of a sudden -- hold up, time for another mind-blowing confusing action sequence! This is really half studio, half art-house. It’s as if Forester was hired just to say, “Oh we have an artist.” Then the producers would jerk back on the leash in order to serve up the 007 basics. This leads to a jumbled mess. This film doesn’t know what it wants to be. It goes from one thing to another so fast that it hardly gives the audience time enough to process what just happened. The entire film was so jam packed with visuals that nothing really had much of an impact. Then, when the film ends, we are left hanging. If we are to continue down this path with a darker, brooding 007, can’t we at least get a good story that is well made by true craftsmen? At least in the old days, a bad 007 movie could still be redeemed by its entertainment value. “Quantum of Solace” is both a step in the right direction and a step backwards. Everyone needs to take some time off before green lighting Bond 23. If they don’t then we will just be stuck with a beloved character in the toilet. Craig is capable of making a definitive Bond film. He is the one that can bridge the gap between Fleming’s words and the silver screen. As of yet he has been let down by the writers, who like with every other actor, seem to give up on making a gripping story. A note to the producers: try making a true film with a true down to earth story, and not this half-baked attempt to whet our appetites. We’re not stupid. We are tired of Bonds being invincible supermen, and are ready to get back to the real world that Fleming so vividly spoke of. In this regard, George Lazenby is still James Bond.
“Craig as Bond” Photo from www.iwatchstuff.com
Photos by Elizabeth Harm By Elizabeth Harm Staff Writer
They’re called “ribbers” and they’re not afraid to flaunt their juiciest and thickest meats. In a three-day cook off, twelve barbeque ribbers grilled and basted their best rack of ribs to the title of Ribfest King 2008. From across the United States, Canada and Australia, the best ribbers in the world competed in St. Petersburg last weekend at the annual Ribfest. The crowd was mixed with classic rock enthusiasts, hungry locals and serious ribbers. “It’s the adrenaline rush from the hot sauce that I like,” said a rib spectator. Country and classic rock bands entertained the crowd while ribbers sweated behind their pits. Prices averaged $5 for a rib sample, typically a slab of 5 ribs, to $15 for a full platter including beans, coleslaw and bread. Buried in platters among pasty coleslaw and canned beans, it’s an exhausting job to find the perfect
slab, especially when you start getting full. “Blazin’ Bronco ribs are very meaty, very tasty. Outside is nice and crispy,” said Earnest McCloud, a skilled ribber from Plant City. “I’m gonna try more before I head on down the road.” Other Ribfest judges chewed the fat on their least favorite. “The Aussie Combo Platter, was overpriced and very peppery,” said Keira, a ribber from Wisconsin. “I could pull over on the side of the road in Pasco County and get better ribs.” Some volunteers and I loosened our pants and stepped up to test the best-of-the-best. We tried full platters from Texas Outlaw, Desperados and Johnson’s BBQ. Texas Outlaw, from Elizabethtown, Ky., bathed their pulled pork and beef in an overly sweet sauce masking the meat’s earthy taste. Paired with tasteless beans and industrial-style coleslaw this outlaw didn’t top the list of favorites.
Johnson’s BBQ, from Chesapeake, Va., served up a meaty, lean, rack topped with their barbeque sauce. The ribs were nicely blackened, lightly smoked, but came up mediocre in the ranks. Desperados, the defending champions, hailing from Hinckely, Ohio proved to us why their motto is “lick our ribs”. Smokey, hot, pork layered inbetween rich layers of fat allowed the meat to soak in its natural flavor. Desperados gave the option of three dipping sauces allowing the customer to personalize their slab with their choice of sauce. The slab was a rib or two smaller than the others but the beans and coleslaw are homemade, making the platter worth every lick. Ribbers displayed numerous awards on their booths beckoning customers when night fell. As of Monday night a winner has still not been announced but apparently when it comes to the rib, everyone can be a winner.
Music Gets You Through The Day
Using GarageBand on his MacBook, one musician creates a signature sound By Mike Trobiano Staff Writer
In this day and age, there is a little part of everyone that wishes for stardom. Whether it is to become a musician, actor or even athlete, we all envision fame and fortune for following our dreams. However, though these images lay in the back of our minds, rarely do we take action and make them into reality. Nevertheless, those who do make it big by doing something as simple as clicking a button, inspire others to take the initiative and accomplish their goals. After three albums and running a record label, Greg Laswell is making quite a name for himself in the music industry. Not only for his style and technique but also for choosing to record his albums using his MacBook. Whether he writes about opportunities, the value of a moment or the ability to create a positive memory from unlikely experiences, Laswell’s music style is unlike any other. By combining rhythmic sounds and inconspicuous lyrics, he creates a balance between guitar strings, piano and vocal expression to develop his signature vibe. Unlike most artists, Laswell is a one-man band, recording several
of the songs on his albums entirely himself. After listening to just one track, the effort, dedication and love of creating music is unquestionably evident. Compared to artists like Coldplay and even The Beatles, Greg Laswell is a rising star in the music industry for his unique and mysterious tone. On his album, “How the Day Sounds,” Laswell expresses his feelings through the analogy of music. “And I think I like how the day sounds, like how the day sounds through this new song. Thank you for opening this window the sky is clear as my mind is now.” In these lyrics from the album’s title track, he finds comfort in writing songs after his breakup and is able to look forward to the next day. It becomes this message through the murmurs and whispers within Laswell’s songs that intrigues listening and inspires artists to make their own lullabies. With the release of his first solo album in 2006 entitled “Through Toledo,” Laswell separated
himself from the competition due to the process he uses to record his vocals. Although Laswell heads the current label 20-Inch Records, which is home to such artists as Ingrid Michaelson and Anya Marina, he still chooses to record most of his vocals right on his MacBook. By using the standard program GarageBand, Laswell simply sings into the built-in pin mic and records, gaining an edgy and raw sound. No matter where he is, he takes his MacBook on the road and can record his thoughts with the click of a button. With this style of recording, he is inspiring a new generation of singer/songwriters to jump into the business and make their own music. This is the type of artist you would play over and over again and never get tired of listening to. To find more about Greg Laswell, visit www.myspace.com/ greglaswell or www.greglaswell. com.
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
The Great Data Exchange Debate
15
Arts & Entertainment
UT Dancers Bring Sculptures To Life
P2P Networks reach a peak By Shannon Grippando Staff Writer
This month the Pirate Bay, the world’s largest file-sharing network, celebrates its fifth anniversary. A half decade ago, one of the biggest steps in the fight for free content over the internet was taken and the affects can still be seen today. Nearly 25 million peers are connected to the Pirate Bay’s network, making its population larger than Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland’s combined. P2P networks, file-sharing and torrents have all become dirty words, their utterance alone practically guaranteeing a court summons from the RIAA or MPAA arriving soon-after at your doorstep. While most are familiar with many of these terms, the details about P2P file-sharing networks can still be hazy to some. So what is a P2P network, anyway? P2P network stands for Peer-to-Peer network. It’s basically a collection of users linked together to a network who share equal privileges. Users provide data to be shared amongst the community, and, likewise, download from other user’s content. Here’s a simple way of understanding a P2P network and torrents. Let’s say you wanted to download the new hit movie of the summer: “Pirates of the Caribbean 4: The Rise of the One-Eyed Monster.” That’s a huge file which could easily take hours to download directly from a single source. But what if the file was chopped into little pieces and could be obtained from multiple sources at once? This way, you could download part of the opening scene in which Johnny Depp swash-buckles some scallywags while making a snapping quip about the rum always being gone while you simultaneously downloaded part of the climactic battle where Orlando Bloom matches wits against the slithery one-eyed monster, barely dodging its cannon balls. This makes the downloading process much faster. Each peer is a separate source. Essentially, the more peers sharing the desired file, the faster the file will be downloaded. However, many people are confused over the legality of P2P networks and torrenting. Follow closely, n o w , because this is
where most people are tripped up and persuaded by the propaganda. P2P networks and torrents are not illegal. There is nothing illegal with sharing a file amongst peers in a P2P network and downloading them through torrenting. Problems arise when copyrighted material is shared and torrented. Apparently, this makes the RIAA, MPAA and Santa Claus cry blood. The University of Tampa restricts torrenting and P2P networks. Clients such as BitTorrent and LimeWire are halted through the university’s network. Some college campuses follow a plan similar to UT’s, restricting all use of P2P networks. The general position held by administration is that if a student is caught downloading copy-righted material by the RIAA, MPAA or other organizations, the university can be held accountable and sued for losses and infringement alongside the student. However, not all universities feel the same. Stanford University embraces P2P networks and their potential. Stanford recently released all the courses and materials needed to complete a bachelors in computer engineering at their university for free online. Pursuers of the program won’t receive a formal degree, but all the lectures, texts, course materials and knowledge that accompanies the training is available to anyone with an internet connection and a drive to learn. How does Stanford University distribute these materials? Through torrents, of course. They’re one of the few universities to realize that P2P networks and torrenting do not necessarily equal copy-right infringement and piracy. While the university does fine students if they are caught illegally downloading materials, their progressive attitude allows them to harness the potential of the needlessly controversial method of file-exchange. Music, movies, novels, textbooks and video games are all spread through torrents to millions of users. Technology will always have its abuses, and P2P networks are no different. People need to realize that not all file-sharing is bad; it’s certainly not all illegal. It all depends on what’s being shared. The P2P network is an excellent way to share large files quickly. Shannon can be reached at sgrippando@ut.edu.
Photo by Jay Lopez (www.sxc.hu)
“Dancers with sculpture”
Photo by Chelsea Michelson
By Sophie Erber Staff Writer
The dancers did not begin rehearsing until the week after the Fall Dance Happening, which concluded on Oct. 25. The 2008 Experimental Dance Performance was held in conjunction with a sculptural art exhibit by Carl Cowden, Alexandra Fernandez and Michael Massaro. The show was held in the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery. Susan Taylor Lennon, the Chair and Associate Professor of the Speech, Theatre and Dance Department, calls the gallery the “first official
theatre for UT dancers.” But this year was special. “We had a unique situation here, we don’t always have the ability to interact with the art” said Lennon after the show. She was very pleased with the outcome of the show, especially since the “rehearsal period was so short.” The show had eight numbers, each flowing into the next with only pause enough for brief applause. The first, entitled “Still and Waiting,” was very unique and mysterious. As the audience entered the gallery, the dancers were scattered around the gallery in various,
solemn, frozen poses, all while interacting with the art. Some dancers were actually sitting on top of the some of the larger sculptures. Others were on the floor around the art. Almost all of the numbers had a tribal, ritualistic feel to them and all except one were ensemble pieces, featuring many dancers at once. “Not Broken Yet,” the only solo piece, was both choreographed and performed by senior Jackie Schram. This number would not have been the same had she not been able to “interact with the art.” The entire number revolved around Schram jumping, straddling, and swinging off of a large, bench-like sculpture, with ropes and wooden pegs that she incorporated into her animalistic and seductive movements. Lennon’s choreography was very specific to this tribal theme. The numbers featured intense, controlled, and yet delicate movements with several swift changes in momentum. Not a single dancer smiled; instead, the emotion was portrayed through movement rather than through facial expressions. After the show, Massaro, one of the artists, said he “enjoyed the outcome very much.” “I was thrilled that they were going to do dance in it.” He recently “got into modern dance” and has “always admired sculptors who incorporated dance into their art.” This was his first experience in merging his art with dance and he now looks forward to doing so again in the future. Sophie Erber can be reached at serber@ut.edu.
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The Minaret | November 21, 2008
17
Arts & Entertainment
By Linda C Black Tribune Media Services
Quilt’s Corner
Aries (March 21-April 19) If you’re not already working for yourself, you probably should be. You’re knocking yourself out for low pay, and that’s the way most entrepreneurs start out. Give it some thought. You might like the fringe benefits. Taurus (April 20-May 20) The sun’s going into Sagittarius for the next four weeks. This is the area that brings emphasis to your financial holdings. You have natural talent, but guard against surprises. Stay in charge. Gemini (May 21-June 21) Stick with your family’s traditions. If you don’t have any, make up some. You’ll find that doing the same old thing is very comforting now. Cinnamon and ginger are recommended. Cancer (June 22-July 22) Practice makes perfect but, as you may have noticed, it can take a while. Keep at it; you’re losing your inhibitions and your terror of making mistakes. That last should almost be used up. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) There’s way too much for one person to do, so get as much help as you need. This job pays well enough that you’ll come out ahead. If this is totally not happening in your life, move over to where it is. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Continue to let your loved ones build up your confidence. They think you can do anything, even when you wonder. Trust them. They’re probably right this time.
We’re an Old Map Now By Der rick Austin
We’re an Old Map Now after Elizabeth Bishop m rings, touch Your toes make concentric foa and break, reminds me of steps in time. Bunched between my fingers, soapy ulders like maple leaves curlicues fall on your broad sho gs on hot concrete and other thin . fallen before their season ers; it’s a cleansing, Your hair slips between my fing conceals what my body knows. (We’re an old map now.) Your face is an island. the snail shell The tub, battered and shiny like water, moon, swells with the lack of the crater white. m fro t and I can’t tell your fee ? lips Your open neck. My —No. Just an ache. ning away without me.) (Seems my hands too are run off. I’m taking too long cutting this ired? exp is oo mp Are you sure this sha my fingers. off it get er What a scent. I’ll nev
by Austin Daniels
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A certain behind-the-scenes negotiation works out well for you. This could be a trade or you get it free for hauling it away. You don’t have to tell anybody how much you paid, unless you want to brag. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Hurry and start whatever it is that you want to have grown and be abundant. Pray for what you want to learn easily in the coming year. Make lists of your wishes as well as your resolutions. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You can advance your career now, and make a lot more money. This might involve making a change, but it’s not impossible. Think about the pros and cons. Yes, a decision will be required. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Friends can make a connection better than you can yourself. Luckily, you’ve been getting better at delegating responsibilities. That hasn’t happened yet? Well, here’s a chance to practice. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Conditions are changing in your favor. The next few weeks should be fun. Keep sorting through your expenses to see if there are any you can cut. It gets easier with practice. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) By now you should have your plan just about figured out. That’s good, because you’re about to take on more responsibility. You can do this, especially if you’re prepared. So, prepare.
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Sports
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
At A Glance
Women’s Basketball Tampa 80 Puerto Rico-Cayey 21 Leading Scorer
Sarah Wickham
17 pts.
Men’s Basketball Tampa 107 Puerto Rico-Cayey 53 Leading Scorer
Johnathan Ball
22 pts.
“
Photos by Abby Sanford
Everybody on our team gets some points because that’s the way we play.
- Men’s coach Richard Schmidt
”
Photo by John Meacham
Martinez Gym hosted Shin Do Kamate XV last Saturday night. The event was televised internationally, feutring some of the world’s top pro-
fessional Mauy Tai fighters. Tickets span from 20-100 dollars to see 16 fighters participate.
The Minaret | November 21, 2008
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Sports
X-Country Coming Close to First Championship
By Sara Belsole Sports Writer
The women’s cross-country team leaves for Nationals this week with one of the best standings in program history. Making the journey to Slippery Rock, Pa. with the team is second-time Regional Coach of
the Year Jarrett Slaven. He will lead his team, ranked eighth in the nation, to try and capture its first National Championship. Jessica Forrester, Regional Runner of the Year, will lead the team through the 6K course. “We will be running against
every best team from each region,” Forrester said. “There will be a lot more competition. There will also be different weather and altitude than we are used to. But I think we will give a good solid performance.” Sophomore Heather Nicolosi, who was red-shirted last season,
will be competing at Nationals for the first time. After an impressive third-place finish at Regional’s, she is one of Tampa’s top contenders. “I am really excited to go,” Nicolosi said. “I am not worried about the weather. However, it is definitely the biggest race I have ever been in so I am nervous about
that. I am really confident in the team to do well.” The team has been preparing all week in training for the last race of the season. “We have been tapering off,” Forrester said. “We have not had a lot of intense practice. We are focused and getting ready.”
much. He was the worst I’ve had in four years.” B r i t t n e y Evans was the second to be carded, immediately following a clock expiring tackle by first red card recipient Marissa Red Card No. 1 Mohammed. “There was one second left, the girl was going to shoot it so of course I was going to play defense. I gave her a push and walked away
and I guess he gave me a yellow, but the red was for not acknowledging the yellow,” Mohammed said. “It was a two-handed push with a little shoulder. It was at that point in the game where they didn’t even get a Red Card No. 2 free kick.” Shelby Kuni, the fourth red card recipient, explained how Evans received hers. The treatment of the referee towards Kuni’s
teammate is what prompted her to do the same. “ S h e [Brittney] came storming from the other side of the field,” said Kuni. “She stuck her finger in the ref’s chest and began Red Card No. 3 yelling at him.” All the seniors were quick to give credit to the players who now control the team’s destiny. “Saige [Steinmetz] did a great
job,” Mohammed said. “The first goal she [Jodi Galucci] had to trip Saige to even get it in.” D e s p i t e Steinmetz defense and three shots on goal added by freshman Brittan Spence, the Spartans Red Card No. 4 season came to a close. “Honestly, the way we went out, I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Kuni said.
Soccer Season Ends Leaving Seinors Seeing Red (Cards)
By Bobby Winsler Sports Editor
West Florida sealed a 2-0 season ending victory over the University of Tampa in the NCAA South Region semifinals. Four UT seniors were red carded after time expired. “The ref stopped making calls where there should have been,” said third red card recipient Courtney Evans. “We probably let it get to us a little too
Rays Mascot Raymond Fired Sparks Discussion into By Bobby Winsler Sports Blogger
Raymond, the lovable Tampa Bay Rays mascot, was fired last Monday, the St. Petersburg Times reported. Kelly Frank had exited mascot boot camp and worked her way through the mascot ranks, only to be fired for no given reason immediately following a season with the best turnouts Tropicana Field has welcomed in a while.
There are a lot of things wrong with that last statement. First of all, the Rays’ mascot was a woman. Now this isn’t wrong per say, in fact with the acrobatic dance moves considered it actually makes sense, but it is odd to think as mascots having gender. Plus, Raymond is a man’s name. Next point that should have made you read the sentence twice is mascot boot camp.
Located in Newark Del., the training is essential considering some mascots are known to make a six-figure salary. Frank broke her right arm when shoved to the ground by a fan in 2005 which makes me wonder if she went to the mascot hospital. Once all the tears are stitched
and threads dyed properly, I don’t think I’d be stretching too far as to say a little mascot physical therapy would be needed. Raymond, as well as any mascot, had suffered a terrible blow to the arm. It could take weeks to retrain the muscles to raise a hand for a high-five or place an arm around a shoulder for a picture again. Needless to say, Frank
deserved explanation of why she was let go as Raymond. The team has already announced the mascot will live on even though her employment won’t. I say best of luck to Kelly Frank and may the joy you’ve brought others be found in yourself during these hard times. Comment on this blog at www. theminaretonline.com/overtime.
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‘n t u O
SSC Champions Volleyball: The Lady Spartans defeated Lynn with a score of 3-2 to go on to win the SSC Championship. The win makes it the fourth year in a row that the Spartans have come home with the hardware. Next up is the NCAA South Regional, which begins Thursday, Nov. 20, and will be played at the University of Tampa
Early Success Women’s Basketball: The women’s basketball team opened their season at Valdosta State University’s Tip-Off Classic.The Spartans notched a 57-41 point win over the University of Alabama in the first game of the season. The weekend ended with Wickham Va l d o s t a State handing the Spartans their first loss of the season, 55-27. The first home game of the season proved to be a success for the women who posted a 80-21 win over Puerto Rico-Cayey. Sarah Wickham led the Spartans with 17 points in the contest.
Men’s Soccer Advances to Elite Eight By Olivia Glynn Sports Writer
In what was probably the shortest four hour bus ride of the season, the men’s soccer team enjoyed their trip back to Tampa after defeating Lynn and earning a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Spartans topped the first seeded Fighting Knights 3-2, after losing to them two times previously in the year. “We wanted it more this time,” explained Dan Ingvarsson, who had two goals in the win. “We knew that this was a must win game or else the season was over.” Going into the game, the team tried to remain as calm as possible while still focusing on their goal to make it to the national championship. “Actually, we were very relaxed. The practice before, I told the assistant coaches that I wanted our guys to be very loose. We played soccer tennis, they were joking around,” head coach Adrian Bush divulged. Even with the laid back preparation that can sometimes be costly, Bush was glad to see that the team handled it very well and came out to play. “In the conference title, when we lost 4-0, I think we were a little too tense, the preparation and ev-
erything, coming up to the game a lot of the guys were kind of nervous,” said Ingvarsson. “That’s not our game really, our game is more relaxed, have fun, that’s when we play the best. I think that was definitely a key factor for the win.” Along with a relaxed mindset, the Spartans are playing with little experience at this level. “It’s almost like I think we’re too young to realize where we’re at,” said Bush. With the current success and so much on the horizon for the Spartans, it would seem easy to get lost in the excitement of things to come. But it was made very clear that focus would always remain on the next game, and the next game only. “Today means nothing if we don’t follow it up with a win next week,” Bush said. “A lot of times you come off a big win and you forget about your next opponent, and we’ve made it a point this year not to do that.” The level of competition in these final games of the season will prove to be challenging for any team. There are reasons that a team has made it this far, overcoming the growing importance of each game and the mounting pressure.
By Bobby Winsler Sports Editor
Florida Southern College looked to have the Sunshine State Conference volleyball title handed to them by two straight University of Tampa conference losses at the turn of November. Then, something that has never happened before occurred. For the first time since the two teams began playing each other in 1976, Saint Leo overcame Florida Southern. The Lions victory was enough to can the Moccasins hope and
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
>>>The Spartans will compete in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament against a tough Tusculum squad (20-2-1).
a time, that’s the key to success,” he said, “just one game at a time.” Olivia Glynn can be contacted at oglynn@ut.edu.
Volleyball enters ranked on top but how realistic is going to a national title game?
Swimming: The swim team continues to see success from the men and women, with both teams winning at the Rollins meet. The men nabbed a 110-71 victory, and the women followed suit with a 113-63 win. The next meet for UT is Saturday, Nov. 22 at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Nov. 23, 2 p.m. vs. Tusculum
In the face of this pressure, Ingvarsson and the Spartans keep one thing in mind: the next game. “I think we learned from last year that we just take one game at
Postseason Plunge
Smooth Swimming
M. Soccer
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
W. Basketball
Nov. 25, 5:30 p.m. vs. Puerto Rico Rio-Piedras >>> The women will play another team from Puerto Rico in their second home game of the season on Tuesday.
allowed the Spartans to outlast the final opponents of the regular season. Since there is no SSC tournament, Tampa (13-3 SSC) reclaimed a fourth straight SSC title, winning 11 of the last 12 years. UT was chosen to host the NCAA South Region Tournament. Though SSC champions, Tampa will likely have to face two conference opponents again to advance to the Elite Eight. Below is the schedule for all the games that will be hosted in Martinez Gym on Nov. 20 through Nov. 22.
Time Teams 12 pm #3 Lynn vs. #6 Nova Southeastern 2:30 pm #2 Florida Southern vs. #7 Saint Leo 5 pm #4 West Florida vs. #5 Eckerd 7:30 pm #1 Tampa vs. #8 Albany State Time Teams 5 pm Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 7:30 pm Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 Time Teams 7 pm Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2
M. Basketball Nov. 22, 2 p.m. vs. Florida Memorial
>>> The men’s basketball team will take on the Fighting Lions for a weekend matchup on Saturday afternoon.
The Tampa Bay Rays fire Raymond without reason. [19]