Fall 2019 - Issue 8

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CATALYST NOVEMBER 6, 2019 VOLUME XXXIX ISSUE VIII

New College of Florida's student-run newspaper

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A new look for the Nook: renovation almost complete

BY CARTER DELEGAL Over the past few weeks, students passing by the planter on the perimeter of the Nook and Second Court have stopped to ask, “Has it always been that color?” The signs saying “Landscape Renovation in Progress” provide an answer, but most students do not know anything else about the project. In fact, many remain unaware of why changes were needed in the first place.

“We started on the project because the plants that were there previously were overtaking the planter,” thesis student and Physical Plant employee Hannah Sine explained. “It caused parts of the planter to crumble away.”

At a minimum, repair became necessary, but Landscaping Coordinator Robert Audet saw it as an opportunity for major change.

“The planter project is very important because that area has the highest level of pedestrian traffic on campus,” Audet said in an email

Photo courtesy of Hannah Sine "Landscape Renovation in Progress" signs scatter the planters as new foliage is added.

interview. “That means that it could have the biggest impact to the students living on campus.”

Motivated to improve the aesthetic appeal of the residential side of campus, the landscaping team got to work. One of their first tasks was to remove the three kinds of plants previously in the planter. Audet explained that the planter’s bromeliads—those pink, pineapple lookalikes—will be re-planted elsewhere, but the birds of paradise and coon-

ties were unsalvageable. The coonties, which created ruptures in the planters, needed to be cut apart and extracted. The birds of paradise received little water, effectively becoming “birds of drought.”

In general, the lack of accessible water on the residential side of campus prevents many landscaping projects from being carried out east of Tamiami Trail. In order for this project to work, for example, Audet said the grounds crew “had to trench over

200 feet and go under two sidewalks to get water to the planters.” They also completely replaced the soil, as much of it slowly deteriorated without a steady source of irrigation. This issue explains why the planter has remained with nothing but laminated sign-posts for such a long time.

“Like most of our projects,” Audet said, “the prep work goes unseen and is the bulk of the project.”

But the planter will not be bare for much longer. According to meeting materials for the landscape committee, additions will include crown lilies, which are towering plants, flanked by bright pink flowers and crossandras, which sport sunset-orange flowers. The first round of new plants has already been planted, and students can expect more as early as this week.

The New College Student Alliance (NCSA) also advocated for the renovation, seeing it as a low-cost opportunity to improve the quality continued on p. 10

Progression of parental consent bill in Florida Legislature poses possible threat to youth reproductive rights

BY HAYLEY VANSTRUM

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On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Florida House Health and Human Services committee voted 12-6 in favor of advancing House Bill (HB) 265/Senate Bill (SB) 404, otherwise known as the Parental Notice of and Consent for Abortion Act, through a singlecommittee stop, effectively fasttracking the bill for the 2020 Senate session starting in January. If passed in the Senate, this bill would require minors in Florida to aquire written consent from a legal guardian before recieving abortion services, a step up in terms of restriction from the current law that requires parents be notified of their child’s decision to have an abortion. Many Floridians and local Republicans in office, including

WHAT’S INSIDE

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Senate President Bill Galvano, support HB 265/ SB 404, maintaining that it will help protect teens and encourage them to be in conversation with their parents. Reproductive healthcare rights advocates believe otherwise.

“Almost all young people consult their parents or guardians before receiving an abortion, but those who do not often do so to avoid the threat of violence or abuse,” New College Generation Action President Alexandra Barbat stated. “All people have the right to determine if, when, or how they decide to be pregnant or start a family. Not giving people the ability to access abortion as a means of health care is a violation of this right. So when laws like this are brought to the legislature, this is an

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attack on people's right to health and autonomy.”

Like many other opponents of HB 265/SB 404, Barbat believes that minors should be given the same rights as adults when it comes to making important decisions about their own healthcare and feels that removing the power to decide from young people and placing it in the hands of their guardians does far more harm than good. Several Democratic leaders, including Orlando Rep. Anna Eskamani, State Sen. Lori Berman and Miami Rep. Nick Duran, have spoken out in press conferences about the harmful effects of requiring parental consent, namely the bill’s potential to put at-risk populations in even more danger and its threat to reproductive rights as a

whole.

“If this bill becomes law in Florida it will put all of our abortion rights at risk,” Eskami said in an October 2019 conference recorded by the Florida Phoenix.

Like the current enforcement of parental notification, the parental consent bill would have the potential to be bypassed through a judicial waiver process. However, obtaining this waiver is often difficult and subject to the judge’s personal beliefs, placing a major wall between minors and the services they may require.

“If they cannot get consent from their parents, young people have the option to go through a judicial bypass system where a judge determines if continued on p. 10

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Floribama Shore

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BRIEFS

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BRIEFS BY ANNA LYNN WINFREY

Leaf & Lentil serves up soups, sandwiches and more Omnivores, vegetarians and vegans can order a milieu of affordable leaves, lentils and other delicious fare at this neighborhood cafe that opened in May. Customers can also purchase an assortment of bougie craft drinks and freshly-baked sweets.

Sheila Siegel owns and operates the cafe with her partner Michael Schoening, who is a classically trained chef. Siegel and Schoening wanted to open a restaurant serving high-quality plant-based food at lower prices, something they thought was lacking in Sarasota.

After looking all over Sarasota, they chose this spot at 2801 N. Tamiami Trail. Siegel talked about how

Sergio Salinas/Catalyst

Leaf & Lentil offers a variety of gluten-free and vegan-friendly dishes.

the area does not have many surrounding restaurants and that local residents have welcomed Leaf & Lentil.

“We liked that Ringling [College] was across the street and we also have a wonderful neighborhood that surrounds us,” Siegel said. “The

neighborhood has been unbelievably, supportive, they were so happy that a neighborhood cafe came in there.

We’re thrilled to be here.”

Siegel and Schoening hope to change how people think about and eat plant-based food.

“Our ultimate goal is to change the world through food,” Siegel said.

“We want people to have a better impact on their bodies and on the environment. You can't do that if you're opening a high end restaurant. You want it to make it so that everyone can enjoy it.”

Leaf & Lentil is located at 2801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Hours are 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday and until 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Indulge in the sagacious shelves of Shelf Indulgence Shelf Indulgence has been open for about two and a half years. The used book cafe offers great deals on good reads, delicious eats, housemade pastries and locally roasted coffee drinks. The cafe also hosts a variety of events and dollar book sales a couple of times per year.

Nikki Snyder, who co-owns Shelf Indulgence with her mother, Donna Frey, said that they bring in new used books daily and have recently started selling other merchandise such as tarot decks and crystals.

Third-year Jenna Courtade goes to the cafe at least once per week to hang out and sip on coffee.

“I love Shelf [Indulgence] because it’s a place for me to relax, meet

Anna Lynn Winfrey/Catalyst

Second-year Sky Bowling and third-year Hannah Hoogerwoerd study at the cafe.

new people from the community and have a great iced coffee,” Courtade said. “I love Nikki and Donna and feel very at home when I go in for a drink.”

Starbucks Corp. opened a franchise close to the cafe on Oct. 18, but Snyder said this has not yet signifi-

cantly affected their sales.

“We’re still worried because a local business cannot compete with a huge corporation like that, but it’s a different animal, so I think it’ll be fine,” Snyder said.

Courtade also goes to Starbucks sometimes, but with different inten-

tions.

“I am a Starbucks goer as well, which I feel puts me in a moral quandary sometimes,” Courtade said.

“But I go to both places for different reasons. I go to Starbucks for an environment to work and get shit done.

I go to Shelf for cheap coffee, good food, and a chill environment.”

“They offer a different experience than Starbucks,” Courtade added. “People want that friendly localowned place, too.”

Shelf Indulgence is located at 2805 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The cafe is open 9:00 a.m–5:00 p.m. on Mondays, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Sundays, 9:00 a.m–9:00 p.m. Wednesday–Friday and 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

New kitchen brings tater tots and snacks to The Mable For the past decade, the bar across the street from Ringling College has been a go-to hang-out spot for students, professors and Sarasota locals. After changing ownership last spring, the pub, formerly known as Growlers, is completing its full transformation and rebranding as The Mable by adding a kitchen and food items, expected next week.

Thesis student Lucy Sanz has been working part-time at The Mable since last spring but took the summer off. She enjoys bartend-

ing at the pub, which has about 30 craft beers and ciders on tap and does not sell any distilled beverages.

“It’s an easy job for the amount of money I get,” Sanz said. “I don’t get paid as most bartenders do, but we also don’t serve liquor, so there’s pros and cons to that. For example, people never get too fucked up where I’d have to clean up [vomit], but at the same time I’m still a bartender and I’m still getting paid like a bartender.”

The kitchen is expected to open next week. The new menu includes a

"I've heard of some cash money theses." © 2019 the Catalyst. All rights reserved.

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vegetarian section as well as snack items, such as truffle tater tots.

“It’s some bougie shit but I’m excited because nothing is over $10,” Sanz said.

Sanz thinks that the shift from Growler’s to The Mable has been going well and the rebranding efforts are nearly complete.

“We didn’t even have a name that people really knew,” Sanz recalled about the transition. “It wasn’t Growlers, it wasn’t The Mable, but now it’s clearly The

Editor in Chief Copy Editors & Writing Coaches Layout Editors Digital Editor Staff Writers & Photographers

Jacob Wentz Izaya Garrett Miles & Anna Lynn Winfrey Cait Matthews & Sergio Salinas Adriana Gavilanes Chris Marie De Felipe, Carter Delegal, Vianey Jaramillo, Sierra Laico,, Sofia Lombardi, Claire Newberg, Erin Niehaus, Kali-Ray Skinner, Hayley Vanstrum

Mable. You can call it whatever you want but it’s The Mable.”

Most customers have accepted the rebranding, but a few dissidents have expressed their feelings.

“The people who really hate it?

I don’t really care about their opinion because I know who they are and they don’t even tip,” Sanz said.

The Mable is located at 2831 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. It is open 3:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. Monday–Saturday. Happy Hour is 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. every day.

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The Foundation introduces new scholarships, plans to grow funds for enhanced four-year outcomes

BY VIANEY JARAMILLO The New College Foundation, housed at the Keating Center, raises and invests in scholarship money.

There are two categories of scholarships the foundation generates to keep funds running: endowments and expendables. Three recently added four-year scholarships, raised from endowed donations, offer incoming and prospective students new opportunities for financial support.

The Skestos Scholarship was started by one of the Board of Trustee members, George Skestos, who wanted to create a scholarship program that gives students the skills and tools to become successful leaders both in and out of the New College community.

The Jakes Scholarship was started two years ago when John Jakes, a renowned author, got together with a group of friends and collaboratively decided to create a scholarship in his name for students interested in writing. However, it is not a scholarship intended only for students who want to pursue a career in writing. If writ-

ing is simply a hobby, students are still welcome to apply.

Lastly, the Archimedes Scholarship is for students interested in a career in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). Judith and Andrew Acondamis, donors of this new scholarship, had successful careers in STEM fields and want to help promote more students to do the same. It is a double program: one part helps local high schoolers attend any college in the country and the other specifically helps someone attend New College.

There are approximately 11 students that were awarded one of the newer scholarships: eight Skestos scholars, two Jakes scholars and one Archimedes scholar. MaryAnne Young, the executive director of the foundation, said the scholarships were geared towards first years because each scholarship is awarded for four years. Each scholarship program is projected to grow in both funds and student recipients. This is possible because the money for these scholarships are endowed, meaning that they get invested.

“So what [an endowed scholar-

ship] does is establish a scholarship in perpetuity, and over time endowments grow,” Young said. “So if somebody starts a $100,000 scholarship, that provides about $5,000 annually but as it grows, and it grows over time, it becomes $200,000 then provides $10,000 for scholarships [annually].”

Donors who have endowed scholarships have leeway to set criteria for who gets their money. For instance, the Jakes Scholarship was to promote writing and the Skestos Scholarship is leadership based.

However, the Foundation prefers undesignated scholarships so the Office of Financial Aid can award scholarships to any deserving student.

“Sometimes [donors] have real interests and we work with them on their interests but make sure it’s a match for the college,” Young said.

First-year Sarah Leah Borodiansky, one of the Jakes scholars, feels fortunate to have been awarded this scholarship.

“Having the Jakes scholarship pay for a portion of my tuition is very beneficial because more money can go towards other things I will need in

the future,” Borodiansky said.

As for expendable scholarships, the key difference is that these don’t get invested. Also, the amount of scholarship money is usually all given away within the year it was raised.

“We raise around $800,000 to $900,000 annually in expandable scholarships,” Young said. “So we need to ask donors every single year, ‘Will you give us a scholarship?’”

Young also mentioned that 85 percent of New College students are from Florida, and such scholarships are ways to market the college to other students around the country. With every scholarship students receive, Young believes thank you notes are important to show a donor that the scholarship was well given and can possibly build a student and mentor relationship.

“I’ve seen over the years that students and donors keep in touch even after students graduate,” Young said.

For more information about scholarships, contact Financial Aid or visit ncf.edu/scholarships.

Addressing accessibility: navigating campus in a wheelchair

BY ERIN NIEHAUS New College can be a place to call home for students who experience personal obstacles, whether mental illnesses, physical difficulties or a combination of both. Student Disability Services, (SDS), exists to not only recognize disability as an aspect of diversity, but to also educate students on what personal liberties they can be entitled to. Accommodations attempt to ensure that every student on campus is able to academically succeed. However, how accessible is the campus for students with physical disabilities? I investigated the day-to-day life of the first-year Anna Canady, a wheelchair user, and the obstacles she faces on campus.

Canady experiences a chronic pain condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and suffers from another autoimmune disorder. The combination of these two syndromes makes walking especially difficult so she uses a special wheelchair to get around. She has a spiffy attachment called a “firefly," an additional electronically powered wheel, which makes it easier for her wheelchair to roll through multiple types of terrain.

In fact, Canady is probably the most adventurous person I have met at New College and often takes trips to the Caples Bayfront or entertains

her bird-watching hobby with nature walks. Through casual conversation, Canady has briefly mentioned some of the struggles she experiences with her disability on campus. I wanted to investigate this further and be able to get as accurate an account as possible of Canady’s daily life.

At her suggestion, I experienced a quick ride in Canady’s wheelchair during the dinner rush hour through Hamilton “Ham” Center. I figured this would provide me with some sort of knowledge of the accessibility within the cafeteria hands-on.

I sat in the chair and instantly felt completely dumbfounded on how I was supposed to move forward. She giggled as I finally managed to propel myself a pathetic two feet. Man, does it take a lot of upper body strength.

I clumsily made my way between tables, bumping into chairs left and right.

My goal was to navigate myself out of the building using the non-automated wheelchair accessible door on the right-hand side of Ham. I had a long way to go and all of the empty chairs felt like barricades in my path.

Her chair hooked onto some of the legs and as I moved, I carried Ham’s blue and green seats with me.

Finally, the exit. As I tried to escape, the door felt like pushing a boulder. Slinging myself forward was already consuming all of my strength;

how was it possible to open the door at the same time? People rushed to help, but Canady shooed them away.

When I finally got the door open, I could not move fast enough before it slammed shut again. The bar moved further and further away from my reach as the glass pushed the wheelchair backwards. Everybody was looking in my direction now. The embarrassment was so overwhelming that I gave up my strive. If this door had been automatic, I likely would have made it down the corresponding ramp with less trouble.

There is an even bigger concern, however, with the accessibility of the Academic Center (ACE). Canady takes two classes in this building and said that the exterior door she uses nor the entrances to her classes themselves are accessible for her.

“As far as getting into ACE, I have two options: I can either try to push the door open myself, or look pitiful until somebody nearby is kind enough to help me,” Canady said.

When it comes to the classrooms themselves, Canady says that one of her classes has a wheelchair push plate that does not work.

For this class, she will always have a nearby classmate help her get inside, as the heavy fire doors are, as Canady said, “nearly impossible” to push open while in a wheelchair. It is especially difficult that these doors

Erin Niehaus/Catalyst Shown by her shirt, first-year Anna Canady is proud to represent Lakeland, her hometown.

swing outwards, meaning that the door would ideally be propped open before she attempts to enter.

When Canady is successfully inside an ACE classroom, another issue is revealed. Canady explained that many wheelchair users will need to “transfer” from their wheelchair into continued on p. 11

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NEWS PAGE 4

Florida pushes to expand rights of college athletes

BY ADRIANA GAVILANES On Sept. 30, Rep. Kionne McGhee filed the House Bill (HB) 251 in the Florida Senate, the same day that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a similar bill into law. This bill works to compensate students participating in intercollegiate athletics, specifically protecting the commercial use of their identity or image.

McGhee’s bill would go into effect on July 1, 2020, but is still in committee as of Oct. 10.

According to the Florida Senate government website, the bill, “Authorizes students participating in intercollegiate athletics to receive specified compensation; provides requirements for specified students, postsecondary educational institutions, certain organizations and specified representatives; creates Florida College System Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Task Force.”

California Sen. Nancy Skinner introduced Senate Bill (SB) 206 on Feb. 4, 2019, the first state bill aimed to give student-athletes compensation for their image and likeness.

SB 206 received broad bipartisan support: the final version of the bill

Photo courtesy of New College Digital Archives

In 1977, students shot hoops at the parking lot behind the HCL buildings.

passed the house and senate without any nay votes. The bill amended the Student Athlete Bill of Rights to defend the rights of collegiate athletes who generate over $10,000 revenue through media coverage and will be enacted on Jan. 1, 2023.

Florida’s HB 251 empowers student athletes to negotiate their own contracts with third-parties over the use of their name and image. Third parties often include commercializing entities like broadcasting networks, video game publishers, appar-

el companies and more. Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies Frank Alcock expressed that collegiate athletes deserve the right to profit off their identity because of the increase in capital within the intercollegiate sport industry.

“The role that collegiate sports play in society has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades,” Alcock said. “The industry has become a big money endeavor. It is a multimillion dollar business and the best athletes in the country help

colleges and universities make that money. In that window of time from when [student athletes] are graduating high school to when they become professionals, they are heavily exploited and often from low-income families that are under stress and there are temptations there too.”

Alcock explained that, historically, there has been a traditionalist view over amateur athletes. They are considered amateurs because they are not competing on a professional level.

“I don’t think it will corrupt the system [if the collegiate athletes get compensated], I actually think it will have a reserve effect,” Alcock said.

“Allowing athletes, especially some extremely talented young people, to make money off of their name-ID or their own personal brand while they compete in athletics; I think there is just a tremendous upside. They deserve it.”

Competitiveness is a driving force for states to bandwagon with similar bills like Senate Bill 206 from California. Alcock explained that, because California has already started continued on p. 11

New group ISPs demonstrate breadth of curriculum

BY SIERRA LAICO As we quickly approach the end of the semester, students must begin thinking about topics for their month-long Independent Study Projects (ISPs). The Provost’s Office held an ISP workshop geared towards first years to introduce them to the concept of an ISP. ISPs can be completed with a group, as an individual, off-campus or as an internship. First years are required to do on-campus ISPs but can file a petition to the provost’s office to go off campus.

Group ISPs can be great opportunities for students who are not sure where to start. Pre-filled ISP description forms for approved group ISPs have been sent via email to all students. Each pre-filled form includes the interterm year, the title and course registration number (CRN). Although they all work differently, most sponsors ask that students who are interested in participating contact them by email.

Below are some of the ISPs students were introduced to at the workshop. More information on other group ISPs is available in the ISP Handbook for Jan. 2020, found under “Quick Links” on the “Navigating New College” tab of ncf.edu.

Running and Philosophy Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies Nicolas Delon is sponsoring the Running and Philosophy ISP. Delon is planning to meet

twice a week on campus for a group run of about three to four miles.

Shorter and longer course options are also available. During every meeting, the group will discuss a piece of philosophical readings or readings that raise philosophical questions about running.

“I want it to be as accessible as possible,” Delon said. “So based on who wants to participate, we can make runs as long or as short as you want them to be.”

Day Trading ISP Another group ISP is about Day Trading, instructed by Professor of Economics Sherry Yu and second year Teaching Assistant (TA) Joshua Ingram. Each participating student will be given a mock $100,000 to invest, either in stocks or futures, and is required to track the investment.

Students also will have the option to work in pairs. The time put into this ISP is managed weekly, requiring that students turn in reports throughout the project.

Yu hopes that students will learn financial literacy and be introduced to the way the stock market really works through this experience.

“It’s the volatility that they’re going to get exposed to, and hopefully they can find creative ways to make their money work,” Yu said.

Cinema and Social Justice This group ISP plans to watch three films to explore cinematography as artistic expression and enter-

tainment, while also considering its power in social expression and as a tool for social justice advocacy and reform. Through discussions and writing assignments, students will make connections between film design and social impact. The films that this group will be watching and discussing include “Surviving Lunch,” “Into the Storm” and “Sincerely, The Black Kids,” which was directed by Miles Iton (‘14). This ISP will continue the tradition of New College connecting with Booker High School by inviting its students to be co-participants in the discussion sessions. This group ISP will be led by Professor of Sociology Mecca Zabriskie, Professor of Music Mark Dancigers and Dean of Outreach and Chief Diversity Officer William “Bill” Woodson.

Coral Reef Ecology Field Internship in Panama Designed to provide students with basic knowledge in ecological concepts, techniques and experimental design in field research, this ISP explores coral reef ecosystems in Panama. Sponsored by Professor of Biology Alfred Beulig, this group ISP goes from Jan. 4 to Jan. 24.

In their first week abroad, students will scout the area and begin to formulate hypotheses based on their observations to test in individual projects. Students are then organized into dive teams and collect data together.

The hope for this ISP is that

these experiences will prepare students to carry out individual research projects. Students will participate in "debriefing sessions" during which they will try to identify the reef organisms they saw during the dives of the day and record the common and scientific names of the species in a debriefing log. This ISP requires a tuition and lab fee, however financial aid from the New College Foundation Coral Reef Ecology-Panama Fund is available, as well as New College Travel and Scholarship fund.

Patà: An experiential ISP on Afro Caribbean Drumming Participants of this ISP, sponsored by Professor of Caribbean and Latin American Studies and Music Hugo Viera-Vargas, will meet three days a week to practice hand-striking techniques and apply these drumming principles in rhythmic patterns common to various musical genres in Afro Caribbean culture. The ISP will combine these exercises and rhythms with readings and audiovisual materials to study the meaning of drumming in ritual, folkloric and popular music traditions of the Hispanic Caribbean. Students will be required to keep a daily journal of the learning experience. At the end of the ISP there will be a presentation of a collaborative-crafted percussion composition that will show the level of improvement in the skills of the students.

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Margaret Good, new contender for Congress

BY SOFIA LOMBARDI Sofia Lombardi is a finance intern on Maragret Good’s campaign.

In Florida’s 16th Congressional District, the Republican party has held the congressional seat for more than a decade. Congressman Vern Buchanan has represented District 16 since 2007, and although several Democrats have attempted to challenge him over the past few years, none have been successful.

Enter Margaret Good. Good is a state representative for State House District 72 and has built a reputation for herself as a legislator who is willing to work across the political divide to get things done.

Blue Good in a red district President Trump won Congressional District 16 by a significant margin of 10.8 points. Good is fighting to represent a heavilyconcentrated Republican district by working to change the typical politician’s partisan approach.

“I think this whole area could benefit from a representative that really listens to her constituents and takes action on the issues that matter to Floridians, to people that live on the Suncoast, and so I decided that it was time for a change,” Good said.

As a state representative, Margaret cared As a representative of State House District 72, Margaret has consistently worked to reach across the aisle in every possible capacity.

On Oct. 24, Good filed House Bill (HB) 451, a bill that would make criminal background checks for gun purchases legally mandatory. This is the third time she has filed this legislation for what is commonly known as universal background checks in a Republican-controlled house. This bill will make no progress without Republican support, something Good is willing to work towards.

“I have had several of my Republican colleagues comment privately to me it is something they support,” Good said in an interview with the Herald Tribune.

Issues that matter Good is fighting to find real solutions to issues that matter to the constituents of District 16.

“We’re going to run a really strong campaign,” Good said.

“We’re going to focus on the issues that matter to the people in Congressional District 16, like lowering healthcare costs, lowering prescription drug costs. We’re concerned about the environment and water quality and we’re actually going to take action on these issues in Congress.”

Good for Congress In 2017, Rep. Buchanan, who is the eighth richest representative in Congress, purchased a multimillion dollar yacht just days after voting for a House GOP tax bill that largely assisted cutting taxes for the nation’s wealthiest.

On the other hand, Good places her focus on building up people, not money.

“I think that the goal of a successful campaign is to build a grassroots movement of people in the district that care about the issues and know that they’ve got a champion for the causes that they care about,” Good said. “I think that focusing on people and the issues that matter is what wins the election.”

Good challenges In 2018, Congress experienced a “pink wave.” More women than ever before were running for and winning Congressional seats.

Good is trying to continue that pattern.

“We are more than 50% of the population, why are we not being continued on p. 10

Photo courtesy of Kay Mathers

Sofia Lombardi and Maragret Good stand together for a picture.

PAGE 5

Factions in Democratic Party become apparent as caucuses approach

BY IZAYA GARRETT MILES The ocean is made up of many shades of blue and so is the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party claims nearly 45 million members, from union bosses to college activists. Ultimately, every member is an individual with their own unique goals and reasoning for supporting the party, but there are clear strands of thought and distinct organizations within the party. How these factions contribute to the party, materially and ideologically, determines much of the electoral process, especially on a primary level.

“Political parties, when you have a two-party system, are inevitably coalitions of actors,” Keith Fitzgerald, professor of political science and former Democratic representative in the Florida House for the 69th district, said.

Fitzgerald said the major actors in the Democratic party were labor unions, African Americans, Latinx individuals, urban dwellers, Jewish people and immigrants. While the most important boon anyone can bring to the party is large-scale mobilization to elections, groups can contribute to the party’s success in a number of ways.

Labor unions, while no longer wielding the grand electoral influence they had in the 20th century, are some of the most important components of the party. Unions talk regularly with their members and as a result, unionized workers vote more liberal and more often than other working-class people.

Also, there is strong mobilization in many African American communities, which Fitzgerald credits in large part to women.

In the Democratic primary, much of the power of these groups is applied off the debate stage. Every candidate has a history and that history comes with important connections to the wider coalition. Pundits often describe “lanes” to the nomination, which describe how a candidate can appeal to certain components of the coalition in order to secure the nomination.

“When we look at [Joe] Biden, he’s very popular with the unions,” Fitzgerald said. “And he’s very popular with African American women.

Well, you’re half-way home to the Democratic nomination with that.

That’s his base of support. [Elizabeth] Warren largely appeals to highly educated women, the activist women. She does not have a huge record with unions, but I think her

positions would be acceptable to them as a nominee.”

The more moderate lane includes Biden, the current frontrunner, who has curried relationships with the organizations inside the Democratic Party for decades. Pete Buttigieg has moved to Biden’s ideological right in an attempt to gain a foothold in the race, a tactic which Amy Klobuchar also models.

Buttigieg has been able to secure a solid base of large donors, including many Dual Income No Children (DINC) households.

The left lane includes Warren and Bernie Sanders, who collectively have more votes than Biden yet separately have been unable to sustain a lead over him. Despite similar policy goals, the two progressives’ bases and messaging are distinct. Sanders has more success with younger voters, the further-left unions and ideological progressives. Sanders and Warren also define themselves differently: Sanders defines himself as a democratic socialist while Warren maintains that she is a capitalist.

“From Bernie's standpoint, these relate to the basic functions of capitalism,” Fitzgerald said. “You want to take things out of the private market and put them under government control. [Warren] starts with ‘What is the nature of the problem?’ and ‘What kind of tools would be best to address it?’ They may both be addressing inequality, but she is looking at things like the range of things: basic income and much more progressive taxation.”

Most of the other candidates have struggled to define themselves to the primary voters. As February draws near, candidates who have yet to make a powerful national impression are in serious danger of losing any chance they had to the nomination. Kamala Harris has begun to “reorganize” her campaign, which effectively means she has run low on money and is looking to cut staff.

Even as it seems easier to tell who will not get the nomination, it is still an open field. But what is becoming clear is the determination of who is being supported by the powerful organizations that serve the party.

“If you’re going to look for a winner, look at the material resources,” Fitzgerald said. “Biden remains a strong favorite just because he has all these relationships with all these actors.”

CATALYST

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FEATURES

PAGE 6

GETTING TO KNOW METZ EMPLOYEES

BY KALI-RAY SKINNER Metz Culinary Management (Metz) employees. Students see them every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, receive advice from them about their school lives and exchange pleasantries like it is nobody’s business. Yet, even with all the time spent together, many Metz employees have still retained their mystique. What is the story behind the name badge?

Photo courtesy of Bill Moore

Bill Moore General Manager of Metz, Bill Moore, was born in Pittsburg, Pa. Moore has managed Metz for five years. Moore is a musician and has played the organ, piano and violin since he was six years old. He plays the organ at an Episcopal Church in Sarasota and his husband, Kevin O'Connor, sings alongside him in the choir. Moore would like to retire from Metz after the new Co-

hort of 2019 graduates.

Moore met O’Connor at a gay bar some 21 years ago. They went out to breakfast the morning after, where Moore spoke frankly about his future with his new man.

“I told Kevin, ‘I don’t know what I want or where I want to be,’”Moore recalled. “It just seemed like after that we were together constantly and ever since then we’ve lived together.”

The couple got married three years ago on O’Connor’s 91-year old mother’s birthday.

Moore and O’Connor enjoy taking vacations together.

“Kevin and I cruise all the time,” Moore said. “We’ve cruised over to Europe, Greece, Italy, the tip of Africa. We were on a 22-day cruise on a ship.”

The couple have been to Scot-

land, England and plan to visit Ireland next year.

“Our usual getaway is flying to Sonoma, spending a little time in San Francisco,” Moore said.

“We’ll go through the wine country and drink through the wines, and then we’ll go to Calistoga at the very end and take mud baths together. We’ll get a massage, go in the jacuzzi and then we’ll go to a nice restaurant to eat.”

All photos Kali-Ray Skinner/Catalyst

Kevin O'Connor

Kevin O’Connor was born in Pittsburg, Pa. He went to school at the University of Tampa.

“Pay no attention to Facebook, it shows that I just started at the University of Tampa, it’s not true,” O’Connor laughed. “I just updated my profile and that’s what it said. Yes, after I leave New College I rush across Tampa Bay at 10 o’clock at night to take the only class they offer: sleep deprivation.”

He has two older siblings. His sister lives in Florida and his brother lives in Pennsylvania. Over the years he and Bill Moore, his husband, have had nine foster children. Michael Guernsey, also an employee at Metz, is their foster child. The family has three dogs: a chocolate lab, a boxer pointer and a golden retriever.

O’Connor has worked at Metz since 2014.

“I really enjoy the young people here, they give me a lot of hope, ac-

tually,” O’Connor said. “Sometimes the adults of the world think that the young people are very entitled and they don’t really care, but that’s not true. I would say without a doubt that this is a very passionate group of students, they are very polite, except for the darn phones. Keep your phones away when you’re visiting the sub shop.”

O’Connor remarked that he has a great relationship with students.

He feels that he is “the cool uncle,”

and tries to attend some of the student-led events on campus, including those at the Black Box Theatre, Dance Collective and graduation.

“If you don’t come to the sub shop, I probably don’t know you,” O’Connor said. “But if you’d like to [get to know me], come in and say hi. I make my best effort to try and know the students.”

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Laura Testa

Laura Testa, another staff member of Italian heritage, was born in the Bronx, New York City.

She worked in food service for most of her life and started a construction-site cleaning business in New Mexico, where she lived for 24 years.

Testa was dressed as Mother Superior, with a devil’s mask as her companion as she ran the cash register on Halloween.

“It’s a family joke,” Testa said.

“I did 18 years in Catholic school. I had a lot of friends that were nuns.

I would have the nuns over for dinner, I’d go out drinking with them, I knew all kinds of nuns and I still make fun of them.”

Testa has worked at Metz for six years.

“I’ve actually seen two classes graduate,” Testa remarked. “It’s kind of hard to see them go. Every now and then I’m looking for someone and they’re not here anymore. I watch them come in and they’re like little kids. They leave, they’re mature and much more balanced. You know, they’re older.”

FEATURES

PAGE 7

Michael Guernsey Michael Guernsey, originally from Pittsburg, Pa. has worked at Metz for five years.

“I couldn’t wait to get out of the north because I’m not a big fan of the cold,” Guernsey said. “I didn’t like shovelling snow. I want to live where it doesn’t snow, so I guess I live in the right place.”

Guernsey wore his World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) pro-wrestling shirt for Halloween.

It read “Get These Hands,” which is a catchphrase for 6’8’’, 386 pound WWE wrestler Braun Strowman.

Guernsey likes to watch wrestling, but does not practice it himself.

“I leave it to the professionals,” Guernsey said.

Guernsey is a big sports fan, particularly into football and hockey. He is a loyal fan to his Pittsburg teams: the Steelers and Penguins.

While Guernsey is at work at Metz, he usually controls the aux cord, setting the tone for cafeteria interactions. And although his name tag reads “Mike,” he prefers “Michael.”

“I love the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, smooth jazz and rock,” Guernsey said. “The stuff out now, not so much. I’m not into Katy Perry.”

Joanne Corsi Joanne Corsi is from Sarasota. She lived in Sarasota for 35 years and moved to Chicago for six years, then moved to Seattle for 15. In Seattle, she owned Bella Dolce, a “rustic italian” bakery and cafe.

Red velvet cake seemed to be one of the cafe’s biggest hits. As one Yelp reviewer coined it, “Red Velvet Cake. Those are the only three words you need to know.

Upon sinking your teeth into the moist, decadent cake, you will rethink your ideas on heaven.”

Corsi has worked at New Col-

lege for more than three and a half years.

“I take my job seriously,” Corsi said. “I try to do my best for the salad bar, to feed the kids healthy things.”

Corsi’s heritage hails from Italy.

“My grandparents came over through Ellis Island and landed in New York and Chicago,” Corsi said.

“My parents moved to Longboat Key in 1955. Longboat Key was nothing but pine trees and racoons and now it’s quite populated.”

Mindy Graswald Mindy Graswald, born in Huntington, W. Va., moved to Sarasota as a child. She has four children and eight grandkids.

“It’s a joy, it’s fun. They do crazy stuff,” Graswald smiled.

“It keeps me on my feet, it keeps me vibrant. I love [being a grandmother], I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

Her children and grandchil-

dren live in Sarasota and she sees them often.

Graswald often gives New College students the advice to take time out for themselves, while they study. She says that helps things to not be so stressful.

“I like the students, it’s good to see what their dreams are for their future,” Graswald said. “Sometimes I give them advice. I kind of feel like a little mother hen here.”

CATALYST

FEATURES

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PAGE 8

"Floribama Shore" heads to St. Petersburg for third season

BY CHRIS MARIE DE FELIPE On Thursday, Nov. 14th, the adventures of the roommates on MTV’s “Floribama Shore” will be broadcast to both fans from the West Coast of Florida, who understand the oddities of partying in paradise, and the unfamiliar viewers watching the show for a taste of Sunshine State chaos.

The cast has moved farther south this summer, bringing new drama and experiences that will air every Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. While viewers process whatever fun, messy nights took place on the St. Petersburg coast, cast member Kirk Medas will be recollecting his blurry memories watching events unfold.

The show features a colorful cast of characters who room together each summer and embark on nights of booze and bar lights. In addition to newcomer Mattie Lynn Breaux, the castmates Jeremiah Buoni, Codi Butts, Kortni Gilson, Aimee Hall, Kirk Medas, Nilsa Prowant, Candace Rice and Gus Smyrnios arrived in St. Pete to live it up another summer after they were banned from the major Panama City bars.

In the new season, viewers can look forward to new drama and ridiculousness as the friendships continue to evolve.

“As the roommates come to-

Photo courtesy of MTV

The cast of "Floribama Shore" spent their summer bar-hopping in St. Petersburg after being banned from the major venues in Panama City.

gether for their third summer, relationships come to a crossroads and even the most solid friendships are put to the test,” MTV teases on their website for the oncoming season. “Gus is off the market, but his past with Nilsa threatens his resolve to stay faithful to his new girlfriend. Candace faces her feelings about Codi, and Aimee and Kortni have to navigate long-distance relationships.” With difficult challenges ahead, the series will feature many mistakes and triumphs spent in the breezy days of the shared mansion and nights club-hopping.

“But the rockiest relationship

this season is a busted bromance and the repercussions shake the entire house.” MTV’s ominous warning of what’s to come makes me incredibly nervous, as viewers invested in the show’s various beefcake-boy friendships can understand.

The show appeals to people through it’s relatability. The adventures, fights and flirts that happen after placing eight representatives of the party-hungry Floribama coast in one house to get wasted and search for new thrills resemble the party era many young people experience in their own lives. Twenty seven year old Kirk Medas is a friendly, down to

earth force on the show, grounding the group at many points in the show.

From Atlanta, Medas loves sports, fashion, parties and his friends; he understands how his close knit group resonates with others.

“Everybody can relate to someone on the show. It’s not like all of us are the same,” Medas said in a phone interview. “Someone can relate to Candice in a certain way, relate to me in a certain way, to Gus. It’s very relatable, we’re at that perfect age where we’re almost in the middle of two generations.”

In a colorful dorm affectionately nicknamed Plastic Beach, a small watch party of students sat on a Super Pei: Two single mattresses pushed together, covered in blankets and tapestries for ultimate comfort. Gathering to binge “Floribama Shore” together on a Tuesday night, we watched as Kourtni became wildly hyper on the beach during the first episode. After getting plastered, passing out and peeing on Candice’s bed during the group’s first night on the town, her first real party of the show featured a glorious moment where she assumes the reverse table top position above a trash can to take another iconic bathroom break.

Those attending were entranced, incontinued on p. 11

Submission: What admins miss about building community SUBMITTED

BY ISAAC DENNER I recently stumbled upon a copy of SRQmag sitting in the Ringling museum’s art library. The cover was graced with the image of a fellow New College of Florida (NCF) student, second-year Emma Gonzalez.

Curious if the magazine featured any commentary on NCF itself, I flipped it open and, to my surprise, found a very different NCF personality: Provost Barbara Feldman.

It was hard to miss the uproar, centered around Provost Feldman, that shook the campus email lists last year. Nearly $380,000 was spent on new furniture and the construction of a poorly-planned library cafe—with nearly no input except from the Dean of the Library and Provost Feldman herself. The lack of regard for outside input—and especially student input—made a lot of people, including myself, very angry.

Perhaps she thought that these improvements could, in turn, improve admissions; perhaps she simply recognized that our rather grim library could use some refinement.

I can’t exactly sympathize with decisions made during the library improvements process. But, despite

the incompetence in execution, I can perhaps understand Feldman.

I could, however, neither understand nor sympathize with the email that she sent out earlier this year: “New College T-Shirt Fridays: Dear everyone, Welcome Back! We missed you and have been excitedly awaiting your return. We are starting a new tradition at New College. We would like to encourage everyone to wear a NC shirt on Fridays. It is just one more way for us to show are[sic] connection to the college and to each other.”

The way that Feldman says, “We are starting a new tradition,” shows a fundamental misconception of how traditions work. Traditions are not top down. Traditions are bottom up. One cannot simply install a new tradition like one might install, say, a new library cafe. Barbara Feldman seems to think (generously, magnanimously, much to our gratitude) she can simply bestow unto the student body these campus traditions, these beloved campus spaces. Other administrators seem to think this, too.

They are wrong.

This email, to me, is incredibly indicative of what NCF’s administration doesn’t seem to understand

about community. Forgive me for being kitschy, but too often the administration seems to think of the word “community” in conjunction with another c-word: “control.”

I am not an expert on tradition, nor am I an expert on community building, nor am I an expert administrator. I have, however, dabbled: I helped throw Gatsby, an annual party, last year; I’ve started campus clubs and held office in them; and, most important of all, I’ve participated in campus traditions (of my own free will!). Perhaps this last aspect is what the administration misses— that participation in tradition, participation in events, participation in any community at all cannot be prescribed. It must be genuinely and organically created.

This is why, on any given Friday, if you look at the student body, nobody is participating in the wonderful tradition that was bestowed upon us. Nobody wears their NCF t-shirts.

I sincerely doubt any students were consulted in the inception, creation and execution of this “tradition.”

Perhaps if they had been, the provost would have been aware that a single email detailing “one more way for us to show are[sic] connection to the college and to each other,” is not

a genuine or organic source for a tradition.

Tradition is not bestowed from the top down. Tradition is built from the bottom up. Perhaps what confuses our administration is the term “leader.” The issue comes back to those dreaded c-words. Perhaps our administration does not realize it, but an effective leader does not control. An effective leader communicates.

Leaders are people who come from a community or partake in a tradition.

Leaders are people who help create, sustain and expand these communities and traditions. An effective leader is talented at finding what makes an event or a tradition or a community worthwhile. Perhaps it provides an interesting exchange of information, or it provides a support network for those in need, or it simply brings together a group of complementary individuals. An effective leader is also a person who is talented at organizing and communicating with the people necessary for making this tradition or community possible.

In attempts to “build community,” I think the administration has showcased just how much they misunderstand the essence of both comcontinued on p. 11

CATALYST

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FEATURES

PAGE 9

Memoirs on homelessness: getting to know Sam Chris Marie De Felipe/Catalyst

BY CHRIS MARIE DE FELIPE People are complex. Every human experience on Earth is a unique profile on society, culture, technology and the divisions of class, race and gender. Aiming to uplift the voices and perspectives of those outcasted from the mainstream circles of society in a series of short memoirs on individuals in the homeless community of Bradenton, I want to capture the different facets of the people that have had to endure the challenges of unstable housing, while giving them the opportunity to express their challenges, frustrations and ideas about life.

Laura Licoski is an advocate for the homeless community of Bradenton who takes an unconventional outlook on what it means to truly help someone with unstable housing on the streets. She radiates confidence fueled by fierce determination.

Each week, in addition to working her job, she devotes countless hours to two projects: Facing Homelessness Bradenton and Home is Where the Heart Is. The first is a Facebook page connecting the homeless community to each other and outsiders through the relationships they have with Laura, the latter another advocacy project that hosts events like “Pampering Day,” where she promotes personal confidence and growth by empowering homeless women with time spent talking to other women, beauty treatments and health checkups.

Food shares, where volunteers in tents serve meals for the homeless, make her deeply dissatisfied.

She believes that the connection between the volunteers and the people being served is artificial and shallow and makes for two major missteps: giving food that’s saturated with sugar, bare of nutrition and frequently improperly served or prepared and enabling people to stay on the streets indefinitely.

“If there were control and boundaries they likely wouldn’t be homeless in the first place,” Licoski said. “Here, have a whole cake. As a matter of fact, I have extra cakes, take two! Would you do that to your child?”

Another ordeal for homeless individuals is checking into treatment facilities and self-development programs. Many who go into a program walk away confused and off-put by the medications prescribed to them.

“Because when they give them meds, they instantly freak out because it’s different and it’s weird,” Licoski said. “You don’t understand, I don’t feel right, I feel funny,’ everyone tells me the same thing,” It takes time to perfect the right dosage for an individual. Licoski thinks the biggest challenge to treat-

Sam's son Spencer is more cordially known as Nugget.

ment programs is finding the right diagnosis and care for a patient.

“How can you diagnose someone if you don’t know the truth?

They can see signs of mental illness, paranoia, aggressive behavior. But many people are good at hiding,” Licoski said.

As I made my way to her car, Licoski handed me a text of Matthew 10:16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Although she is religious, she maintains the belief that a lecture on the Bible is not the path to salvation for those on the streets. Many already believe, others have no interest in religion, and many feel uncomfortable or ashamed being confronted by a set of standards and ideals involved. By taking on advocacy separate from a church or spiritual organization, the individual struggling from insecure housing and finances can focus on getting back on their feet and then explore spirituality from a state of security and stability.

She believes that real change comes from personal relationships that track goals, provide emotional support and measure accountability.

By talking to someone separate from the position of power that comes from providing food, real progress on developing a relationship can be made with the people who have been trained to be defensive by life’s bitter hand.

Licoski advocates that when people can connect over feelings and experiences on a personal level, they are able to open up in comfort. Thus, many of my questions may seem unconventional, but they are oriented to what I suspect the person being interviewed would like to talk about, instead of what readers (and writers) feel they should know.

Sam Licoski wanted me to first meet Sam, a close friend living in her home.

Sam’s children, 5-week-old Spencer and another boy Thomas, known as Nugget, also live in the home. Nug-

get is extremely close to his mom and to Laura, he loves to smile brightly and say cheese when he becomes the topic of conversation for his 3-yearold antics. He repeated in baby babble, “Oh yaya, yaya, yaya,” to signal he wanted out of the car and into the house already.

“Alright. I know honey. We’re going to get out in one minute,” Licoski responded. After spending so much time with Sam and Nugget, he’s grown to have a nickname for Licoski.

“I said ‘Lala’ and he goes, ‘No, you’re not Lala, you’re Yaya.’ So I go, ‘Hey, then I’m Yaya,” Licoski said.

When I meet Sam, she’s tending to her newborn Spencer in the crib.

She is comfortable in the space but a little guarded at first. When we talk about how strange it is to see a baby after living on campus, she laughs and says that sounds peaceful.

C: Are you a glass half empty or half full kind of person?

S: I’m pretty optimistic, I’ll look at a glass as being half full but at the same time I’m a very realistic person too. I’m a ‘hope for the best, prepare for the worst’ kind of person.

C: What’s your favorite meal home cooked and your favorite fast food item?

S: I like what my grandma would usually make, like Sunday dinners and stuff. Maybe roast beef and potatoes and mac and cheese. And then fast food. I absolutely love tacos.

Like, the street tacos.

C: Food trucks?

A: Yeah.

C: I love those 2 dollar food truck tacos.

S: Me too, that’s definitely... I don’t know if you consider that fast food, but that’s my favorite.

C: What was it like to grow up in your hometown?

She reacts with a short, sweet giggle.

S: I grew up in a small town.

There was not much to do, in my small town everybody knew everybody. All of my family was there. I enjoyed it but you’d have to drive 20

to 25 minutes to get to the closest Walmart. The stuff you hear about small towns, going to little events, people having bonfires and being out in fields, stuff like that. Going to mud runs every weekend and turkey shoots.

C: That makes it more about the people you’re with than the thing you’re doing. What city did you live in?

S: Eutawville.

C: In… Utah?

I took a phonetic guess.

S: No, Eutawville South Carolina. It starts with “e-u-t.”

I was wrong.

C: Oh, I lived in South Carolina.

Greenville.

S: Okay, I have family in Greenville.

C: South Carolina: There’s a lot of -villes.

S: I lived by Charleston.

C: I lived in a very forest-y area, very much a woodsy town, like in the backwoods where it’s just houses— South Carolina memories were, for me, a soggy wooden house sinking into the forest, where my father’s girlfriend Missy and her family lived for decades. Cable shows accompanied every moment and the couch was a cavernous spot to languish and soak the cigarette smell into your clothes. The only sign of life between the broadleaf trees was the smell of melted plastic and rising smoke clouds from neighbors setting their trash on fire. Stuttering, I struggled to articulate the feeling of living in a city so unessential the very name goes forgotten was—but she helped me out.

S: In the sticks?

C: Yeah.

Sam laughed.

C: I tell people that’s how I grew up, in the sticks. It was probably generous saying 20 to 25 minutes to the closest Walmart. It makes people, I feel like, people cared about people there. Because you know everyone.

I feel like people are a lot nicer in small towns than they are in Bradenton, sometimes people can be pretty mean.

She laughed again, but with less mirth.

S: Maybe it was the area, but there is a definite difference in the respect people have for one another.

C: What is your family like?

S: My mom had me young, so when I was a baby my grandparents got custody of me. So I’m my dad’s only child but I grew up with my cousins and godbrothers in South Carolina. I ended up moving in with my mom at 16, I’m the oldest of her five.

A full version of this story can be found on ncfcatalyst.com

CATALYST

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Been there, done that A column answering real questions based on personal experiences

SUBMITTED BY SYDNEY ROSENTHAL I’ve started seeing someone and I love the comfortability and consistency of our relationship, but I don’t feel a spark/ strong romantic feelings/like I’m crushing on him. I’ve been open and honest about where I’m at with my feelings, but I feel like I’m using him. Should I just end things so he doesn’t get hurt?

Sincerely, it’s complicated First, I want to commend you on being honest with him. It’s hard to be emotionally open with someone and the fact that you are able to be open in that way is a testament to how comfortable you are in the relationship. At the beginning of my two most serious relationships, I wasn’t sexually attracted to either of the boys. I thought they were physically attractive and I enjoyed spending time with them, but I didn’t get butterflies when I kissed them. In my case that changed with time. The more I got to know them as people, the stronger my attraction to them became.

In your case, I ask you to consider what’s most important to you in a partner. Ask yourself what your love language is and what you’re willing to compromise having in a relationship. Are you willing to risk not have sexual chemistry in exchange for a partner who does acts of service for you? Only you can answer these questions.

In regards to you feeling like you’re using him, I just want you to remember that you’ve been upfront with your feelings for him.

As long as you are keeping him aware of your feelings, it’s his choice to stay in the relationship. I would only caution you if you feel like you’re using him for validation. As RuPaul says, “If you can’t love yourself, then how in the hell are you going to love someone else?”

Have a question? Sumbit it to tinyurl.com/BTDT2019

Final Ringling Underground The final Ringling Underground of Moxie Productions SRQ's Fall Series is happening on Thursday, Nov. 7.

The next event will not take place until February 2020.

You won't want to miss the season's final hoorah!

Good

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 represented?” Good asked in relation to the challenges she has faced as a woman in politics. “It’s past time.”

Good for your vote While Good claims to “resist labels,” she is very direct about her mission as a politician.

“When I think about the work that I do, I try to find solutions to issues that I think are pretty complicated. And so, when you’re doing that work, it isn’t a Republican solution, it’s not a Democratic solution, it’s not a far left solution, it’s not a far right solution, it’s really how can we solve the issue.”

Good’s diligent and bipartisan work in the Florida State House evidently shows her commitment to the constituents of Congressional District 16. The election to make a change and vote Good into office will be on Nov. 3, 2020.

“When New College students are thinking about who they’re going to vote for the 2020 election, I ask that they consider me,” Good said. “I am solution-oriented and I want to lower healthcare costs, I want to protect our environment, I want to make sure that everyone has access to affordable healthcare. There’s so many issues where we can actually solve problems and work together, and I would ask for their support.”

Landscape renovation

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of the residential campus. “[Physical Plant Director] Alan Burr and I took a tour of the area and upon inspection of the conditions, we concluded that renovations that we can afford must take place,” NCSA President and third-year Steven Keshishian said in an email interview.

The project presented an easy cost-benefit analysis for the NCSA, since none of the money for the renovation came out of their stretched budget.

When asked about the possibility of future landscaping projects, Keshishian expressed interest, noting that the “NCSA and Physical Plant have joint stakes in creating a physical environment that is beneficial to the student body.”

Audet has his eyes set on further changes to the Nook. He will be working with fourth-year Deric Harvey to create a native garden next

Consent bill

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 they appear mature enough to either get an abortion or be a parent,” Barbat said. “The judicial bypass system is difficult for young people to access. When representatives called to inquire about the bypass system in the last legislative session, almost no clerk of court was able to accurately direct the caller to the right office.

Confusion in accessing the system prolongs the time before young people are able to access an abortion and increases their risk of not being able to access an abortion in time.”

Although other bills and motions regarding reproductive healthcare rights have been put into action this year, including a proposed sixweek ban on abortion and HB 271, which would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeak could be detected, parental consent is still at the front of the minds of both supporters and opponents, for good reason.

“Parental consent is the really big one to watch out for, not only for the bill itself but all the issues surrounding it,” Barbat said. “It has a much higher chance of passing, and if it does, it'll be used to reopen the question of our constitutional right to privacy in Florida. In 2018, state legislators attempted to restrict Florida's constitutional right to privacy to only protect informational privacy instead of informational and bodily, which is what our state constitution states now. Now that we have a large anti-choice judiciary in Florida, this is the time when anti-choice representatives want to bring this fight to

CONT'D

PAGE 10

to the Banyan tree. In addition, he plans to landscape the overpass area between Sudakoff Conference Center and Z Dorm.

As Audet pointed out, though, these projects are only possible through scrupulous planning and hard work, of which students are mostly unaware. Every weekday, grounds crew members wake up with the sun, getting an early start to beat the heat and put in the extensive effort required to keep our campus beautiful.

Sine had nothing but praise for her fellow grounds crew workers, who have welcomed her into the job with open arms. She says her experience working with them has given her a new appreciation for the little things on campus, noting that she now has “a vested interest in what the campus will look like.” Compared to other jobs she’s had, this one has been one of her favorites: “It’s a lot more rewarding than Starbucks than was.” Expect to see her, as well as other grounds crew employees, putting the finishing touches on this renovation project in the coming weeks. the courts.”

Although this legislation has failed many times before, in 1989 and more recently in April 2019, abortion opponents are taking advantage of the recently reconfigured and much more conservative Supreme Court. Republican leaders are hoping that this upcoming 2020 session will be successful in gaining Senate approval for a parental consent law.

For students and other Florida residents who feel negatively about this bill and do not want it to succeed in the Senate, Barbat encourages reaching out to regional newspapers and contacting local representatives who will be hearing the bill this upcoming January.

“Write a letter to the editor (LTE)!” Barbat said. “An LTE is a short couple of sentences submitted by readers with their opinion on relevant news, and they have a lot more influence than you would think!”

Barbat also stressed the importance of getting in contact with local leaders about decisions they have the ability to make and change, as individuals often have more power than they believe in the lawmaking process.

“Also I know this is cliche, but call your representatives!” Barbat said. “The House bill will be going to the floor for a vote in January, which it did last year and passed, and the Senate bill is going to the Health Policy Committee (HPC), Judiciary Committee and the Rules Committee. I think it's going to pass in the HPC, since it did last year, and may pass in both other committees. Go to the Florida Senate website for the list of committee members hearing the bill.”

CATALYST Accessibility

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 www.ncfcatalyst.com | @ncfcatalyst

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While New College does have its obstacles for accessibility across campus, the Student Disability Services does not turn a blind eye to them. I spoke to the new Assistant Director of SDS, licensed clinical social worker Joseph Mayor. In an email interview, he told me about the goals of this service, and how being closely involved impacts him personally. Not only does Mayor discourage the selfshaming or embarrassment of one’s mental or physical disabilities, but he also wishes to provide struggling students with the accommodations they need to succeed academically.

I explicitly asked how Mayor thinks New College could improve on as far as disability accommodations.

I wanted to keep this question open and also asked him to express what helpful accommodations SDS has successfully implemented thus far.

“I think that the first step is get-

ting information to students on how to apply accommodations, so that they know what steps they need to take in terms of obtaining the necessary documentation and can do this in a more efficient and streamlined manner,” Mayor said “As far as getting around on campus, I think this could also best be addressed by students, bringing their concerns to me regarding areas where they see a need for improvement and showing me these areas on campus.”

I explained to Mayor how Canady has experienced issues with the doors in the ACE building and if SDS would consider making efforts toward making this area more accessible.

“I would like to know more about areas on campus that are in need of better accessibility. If [Canady] would like to point these out to me, I would like to hear about

them so that these issues can be addressed.”

Mayor takes the issue of requested student accommodations very seriously. Throughout the interview, he repeated the notion that any student who feels impeded either physically or mentally by academic pressure should not be afraid to contact Student Disability Services. They will welcome any suggestions with open arms.

Canady considers herself very fortunate to be able to study and live independently at this college, despite her daily obstacles.

“These issues are important to talk about, because it’s possible that students can face similar problems that I have,” Canady said. “Other students in wheelchairs may not be able to stand whatsoever, and they’d likely experience bigger issues than I ever will at this college.”

athletes to make money off of their brands and Florida doesn’t, guess where the best athletes are going to go,” Alcock said. “They’re going to go to California. In order to maintain competitiveness in terms of attracting the best athletes in the country in Florida almost has to follow California.”

Economically, Alcock suggested that the athletes and their families are the big winners and if there are

any losers it would be the middle men who were scamming the collegiate athletes.

“Which might not end up being such a bad thing,” Alcock said.

General Counsel David Fugett expressed over email that some version of fair pay-to-play will most likely be passed relatively soon.

“Since the NCAA has recently come out in favor of some type of remuneration to players, my best guess

is that there will be some type of national coordinated effort to work this out,” Fugett said. “I eventually see this becoming a National/Federal issue.”

However, it is impossible to predict whether more bills like HB 251 will get passed but because the bill is not a bipartisan issue, the process for more states to join the bandwagon should be easy.

“Crappy Squirrel’s pretty fun.

Shoot, there’s so many different names I can’t remember right now.

Crabby Bill’s was cool. There was a club I forgot the name of, Twisted Monkey? They’re weird names but all the places are cool,” Medas said.

The cast was, for the most part, contained to St. Pete. Asked whether or not they had gotten to branch out to neighboring party city “Trampa,”Medas responded, “No, we didn’t. You know I thought we did, but we actually stayed in downtown St Pete. I heard a lot about Ybor street and I’m kind of upset we didn’t go.”

When I explained why the parties of the club lined Ybor street have

potential for great nights out, he reconsidered his season three experience.

“Maybe, I’m not sure,” Medas admitted. “I’m not going to lie, a lot of it was a bit of a blur to me ‘cause we had so much fun. I know we were in downtown St Pete. We could have been to Tampa but we’re just gonna have to watch and see honestly.”

I replied, “That’s how you know you had fun!” and we laughed at the common experience of forgetting the nights to remember. Thankfully for Medas, reality TV captures the moments for others to enjoy from home.

Medas’ motivation in joining the show was rooted in free spirit.

“I mean, honestly, it seemed like a cool opportunity at the time and nothing was holding me back,” Medas said. “I was like, why not?”

After three seasons of spending time together, racking up tabs and living their best Floribama Shore life, the fondest memories for Medas are surprisingly more relaxed.

“Any time we hang out with family members and parents, cause they tell us embarrassing stories about our cast mates,” Medas said.

“It’s a good time, a good vibe.”

Catch the season three premiere Thursday night at 8 p.m. on MTV to witness the cast’s debauchery take St. Pete by storm in the land of hurricanes and Hurricanes™.

ships and reduce negative interactions with the police, a goal which I wholeheartedly support. This inCONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 tent, however, was not expressed in her original email. Rather, the email seemed to try to ‘lure’ students out munication and leadership.

Some students might have no- with the pleasant promise of pupticed my forum commentary on the pies, and, by association, make the Cops and Pups event that took place police appear more pleasant, too. In earlier this semester. To me, some- my opinion, the actual intention—to thing seemed off about the way the build trust and community between event was advertised, and how both police and students—should have the cop aspect and pup aspect of been expressed in the opening email. the event were framed (alas, I think Anything other than honest commy critique of the event was poorly munication, to me, comes off as misreceived). Talking over email with leading and vaguely condescending.

Worse than condescending, Adriana Diaz, the host of the event, she expressed that her intent was to though, is downright negligent. I strengthen student-police relation- was incredibly annoyed to see that

the SA[u]CE office had, to kick off the new semester, organized “Paint Party!” (with the strange, strange tagline “wear whatever you want! #nonudity”). They had decided to organize this party despite the fact that admin had suggested a similar event at the end of last year, a suggestion that was met with a substantial amount of negative feedback by the student body. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this admin-organized event was pitifully under-attended (a fact which was underscored by the overlooking Z balcony, the site of a successful, crowded, student-run party).

The fact that SA[u]CE totally ignored student feedback in organizing this event not only showcases poor lead-

ership and a poor ability to communicate, it downright undermines community. One cannot impose fun.

Administrators, as well as police, exist on the periphery of the student community. They will remain on this periphery if all they do is legislate—rather, they must participate and they must communicate. I hope any administrator reading this will take a moment to consider how they can do this. I also encourage police, in light of recent events, to better communicate, better participate, and, in turn, build better trust with the community here at New College.

Unless both of these groups significantly improve in these areas, they will remain legislators, not leaders.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 a nearby chair.

“Transferring is basically being able to move yourself from your wheelchair to my seat without having to stand up,” Canady said.

Because the seats in these small classrooms tend to be rolling chairs, transfering is never an option. She usually will have to park her wheelchair nearby and walk to the nearest seat.

“If a person tries to transfer, the seat would roll away from them,” Canady said. “The spaces between chairs also do not make it possible to transfer the majority of the time.

Luckily, I can stand up for short periods of time, but this isn’t always the case for all wheelchair users.”

Athletes

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 this process, the NCAA will not fight the bill, so if the bill will get passed it will most likely be passed state by state rather than national.

“Once one state does that it becomes enticing for other states because if California allows for student

Floribama

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 stantly understanding Kourtni’s fun loving, excitable persona.

“Oh my god, I wanna pee in a trash can with Kourtni!” First-year Kyla “K Nasty” Baal said.

A prerequisite as a cast member is immersing into the location’s nightlife and living it up at the most live spots on the town. On the show, they set out to a variety of areas in St. Pete to film, but the concrete places and times are not exactly vivid for Medas.

Submission

COSTUMES

CATALYST H A L L O W E E N

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 www.ncfcatalyst.com | @ncfcatalyst

BY CLAIRE NEWBERG

Halloween is a beloved holiday because of the costumes and promise of candy in a time filled with nostalgia. This past Halloween, the campus saw many elaborate costumes as people went to various parties and Library After Dark.

Among the more recognizable costumes was that of first-year Kaylee Snell. Snell dressed up as singersongwriter Amy Winehouse. Complete with a large black wig, Snell impersonated the “Rehab” singer quite well.

“I like Halloween because I can be as extra as humanly possible and do my makeup all fancy,” Snell elaborated. “I chose Amy Winehouse because she is an iconic queen and unapologetically herself. She's my idol.”

Thesis-student Aiden Juge dressed as Yuri Katski from the acclaimed Yuri! on Ice, a 2016 anime that turned heads with its exquisite animation of ice skating routines.

“I like wearing costumes because I enjoy the costume-making process, as well as getting to do something re-

lated to media I enjoy/fandoms I'm involved in,” Juge said. “I knew I'd do this costume (Yuri Katsuki's Eros skating outfit) eventually after first watching Yuri! on Ice back in 2017.

I liked the show, the aesthetics of the costume appealed to me and it seemed fairly feasible to make and reasonable to pack for college as well as comfortable to wear in Florida.”

Third-year Lizzy Barrett chose to go as Lio from the film Promare, a 2019 post-apocalyptic anime.

“I like Halloween because it gives me the opportunity to dress up and go out and have fun Trick or Treating with my friends!” Barrett explained.

“My costume was the character Lio from the movie Promare, dressed as a vampire (the movie studio drew an official illustration of him in his own Halloween costume). I thought it was cute to see an anime character dressed in a costume. It's like a double costume!”

Thesis-student Emma Todd dressed as Claire Saffitz from Bon Appétit magazine’s test kitchen. Saffitz is famous for her “Gourmet Makes” series on YouTube in which she

makes gourmet versions of everyday candies and snacks.

“Halloween is fun because you get to dress up however you want and that’s neat, but I love seeing what other people dress up as because some people are so creative,” Todd said. “I chose to be Claire from the Bon Appétit test kitchen because it was easy. I literally just got an apron and it was comfy!”

Third-years Adam Johnson and Annika Kufvrovich dressed as politicians Elizabeth Warren and Marianne Williamson, respectively.

“We were kind of stumped on what we were gonna do and I was trying to think of things we care about and I thought of the democratic primaries,” Kufrovich said. “We look the most like Marianne Williamson and Elizabeth Warren, so those are the ones we went with.”

An interesting choice on both accounts, Johnson stayed in character for most of the night during the campus Center of the Universe Party (COUP).

“Every year I don't want to put

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in the effort and am lazy about my costume, but Annika convinces me and we find something that excites us,” Johnson explained. “Also now we're a power couple every Halloween.”

Third-year Phoebe Sernaker had two costumes this year. On Halloween night, she dressed as Anne Shirley from the TV series Anne with an E with her friend and roommate, Caroline Newberg, who dressed as Jerry Baynard from the same show.

“I needed a quick and easy costume and I like [Anne’s] aesthetic overall, so it seemed like a pretty easy and fun costume,” Sernaker said. “I just needed a floral patterned dress and to put my hair in braids.”

The night of COUP, Sernaker dressed as Donna Sheridan from the film Mamma Mia! “Just for fun, I decided to curl my hair and then I brushed it out a little and discovered that I had [Donna’s] kind of aesthetic,” Sernaker explained. She then found clothing that suited Donna’s style from her closet.

All photos Claire Newberg/Catalyst

Photo courtesy of Arantxa Prince Thesis-student Nicole Cohen dressed as Mario and fellow thesis-student Amanda Suits got her costume's inspiration from the recent film Midsommar.

First-years Chloë Foder and Rocio Ramirez both dressed as nymphs.

Third-year Arantxa Prince dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

Third-year Ky Miller dressed as a bumble bee and third-year Calypso Habermehl dressed as the titular character from the show "Dexter's Laboratory."

Third-years Noah Cox and Mershon Moore dressed as Wizard Spongebob and Patrick Star respectively.

Thesis-student Leah Bender dressed as Greek goddess Artemis.