Letters
As we inch closer to the end of the semester, I find myself looking for the familiar comforts to help push through that mid semester transition. Whether comfort to you means a nice hot chocolate and a good book, or taking a jog around campus, I hope that you can find what makes you feel all warm inside. In my second to last semester, I find myself reflecting back on all of my comforts here at Stetson. In this edition of The Reporter, I hope you too can reflect on what you consider comforting on campus and maybe even find some inspiring new comforts you might not have seen before. Thank you for picking up this copy and giving us the opportunity to share this edition with you. Stay cozy!
- Editor in Chief, Ali Burgess ’25
In today’s fast-paced world, finding a moment to slow down can feel next to impossible. Here at The Reporter, we love a good challenge but equally recognize the importance of being still and finding joy in what’s safe and known.
Whether you’re a first year student still grasping the ropes of this whole college thing or a senior realizing you should probably start on that senior project proposal, it’s important to take time for the things that bring you happiness. Whether it’s your favorite comfort food, a place that feels like home or simply finding peace on a hectic day, we’ve got a story for you.
Now that the "ber" months are upon us, it’s time to embrace the season— whether that means grabbing a pumpkin spice latte, watching Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time or simply relaxing with this issue.
Wherever you find your comfort, we hope The Reporter can be part of it.
- Executive Editor, Sara Ward ’27
As a student in my senior year, I know that life can get hectic very quickly. I find myself yearning for graduation day to come, and yet dreading its arrival all the same. However, I've found my comfort in visiting local lakes and parks around Stetson University. Blasting Forrest Frank songs as I drive down the highway, and sitting by the lake with a good book are ways I’ve found my peace this year.
As you read this edition of The Reporter, I hope you identify those places, people, and things in your life that bring you comfort. Grab a blanket, snuggle up, and enter your comfort zone!
- Creative Director, Michelle Marshall ’25
The Comfort Issue of The Reporter was brought about by our own needs for comfort on campus. But, it is also a way for us to debate the sources of our comfort and see how those things can be improved for students. To me, the Comfort Issue serves as a reminder that we’re always working toward a better campus–whether through food security, better dining options or improving our physical and digital health. I hope this edition brings you some small comfort on campus, and I also hope it encourages you to explore your resources.
fromeditorsour
- Managing Editor, Reagan Shivers ’26
EDITORS
De’Vanese John-Baptiste News Editor
Katie Eudy Copy Editor / Fact Checker
Nico Alonso Arts & Culture Editor
Reagan Shivers Managing Editor
Michelle Marshall Creative Director
Sara Ward Executive Editor
Ali Burgess Editor-in-Chief
comfort on campus? Reporter The STAFF
JOINING US
When it comes to joining Hatter Network, we are never not excited about someone wanting to join our ranks. If you want to write, The Reporter is the place. If you like to appreciate art, music and writing, Touchstone Literary Arts Journal is where it’s at. If you want to create your own podcast, or learn how to use the tech in our radio station, WHAT Radio is there. Hatter Network is an extacurricular media program run by students, for students, to provide them with the information we think they need to know, or an outlet for their creative endeavors.
If you’re interesed in getting involved, please email our Editor-inChief, Ali Burgess, at ajburgess@stetson.edu or apply on Engage.
ABOUT US
The Reporter, as part of Hatter Network, is the oldest collegiate magazine in the state of Florida. We publish four times per year, twice per semester. Florida Sun Printing prints 300 copies per issue on 8.5 x 11 inch, 80# Gloss Test. Most body text is set at 11 point Adobe Garamond Pro or Times New Roman with 13 point leading set with a combination of regular, italic and bold. All pages are designed using Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign. For additional information please visit hatternetwork.com.
Questions or concerns can be mailed to 421 N Woodland Blvd. Deland, FL 32723 or emailed to hatternetwork@gmail.com.
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Unpacked: Creating Comfort On Campus
Finding Creature Comforts
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15
Hatter Nation Truths: Community in the Digital Age
Navigating your digital neighborhood
Comfort Across Borders
Photographer, Reagan Shivers (‘26) Model, Evelyn Moore (‘25) Model, Jayriliz Leguillu (‘26) Model, Emma Pierson (‘27)
Pour Decisions: Debates On Campus From Coffee to Cola
The Dish on Dining
Safe and Secure: How Hatter Pantry Helps
Tackling food insecurity on campus
Dear Reader
Written by Natalie McCoy Graphics & Layout by Michelle Marshall
Unpacking how comfort is created on the Stetson’s campus with Mrs. Rina Tovar Arroyo, Dr. Timothy Peter and Tori Watson.
Who is Mrs. Rina Tovar Arroyo?
Rina Tovar Arroyo, Chief of Staff and Senior Development Officer, is at the heart of Stetson University. Arroyo has been cultivating a sense of warmth on campus for two decades, working as “an emotional support network for faculty, staff, alumni, and students who just need an ear to talk through challenges and come out on the other side with hope and a vision for resolution and change.”
What is your comfort spot on campus?
Arroyo’s comfort spot is the jolly statue of the university’s benefactor, John B. Stetson. “The other day, I went and just sat with him,” she said. “I looked around and contemplated things about Stetson.”
What is comfort?
“Comfort is a choice," Arroyo asserts. “We all have challenges in our lives where we must make the decision to either live in discomfort or learn to create a world where we have comfort.” Arroyo also mentioned that “oftentimes, comfort comes from believing in something greater than ourselves. Whether that’s a purpose, world religion, or spirituality, that’s what brings us faith, and faith brings comfort because we believe things are going to be okay… that’s good.”
What is something you brought to Stetson that brings you comfort?
Arroyo has surrounded herself with the comfort of “Stetson angels” by arraying memorabilia of inspiring Stetson souls about her office, like “Chaplain Frank, former President Dr. Lee – whom Lee Chapel was
named after, Professor Greg Sapp – one of my best friends, Kim Van Gundy – who passed away last year, Registrar Jamie Vanderlip. I have surrounded myself with the best in my life and the best at Stetson,” Arroyo said. “They are reminders of why I do the work I do, because these people right here are the soul of Stetson. These Stetson angels are still with us. Oh, and of course,” she said, giggling, “my President Roelke bobblehead.”
"...lean into the joy of possibilities and away from the fear of loneliness."
What advice would you give to a student who is not comfortable on campus yet?
“Try, with all their might, to lean into the joy of possibilities and away from the fear of loneliness.” Arroyo encourages students. “It’s hard when you are feeling discomfort and fear of rejection, loneliness and the next step, but if you take that step, imagine what could happen if you ask that person to go to lunch with you? What if they become your best friend for life? We are all humans who love this place, doing the best we can together, right?”
Who is Dr. Timothy Peter?
Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Timothy Peter has taught at Stetson University for over 13
When asked what his favorite part about teaching at Stetson is, Peter jovially replied, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s the students. It’s the warmth and kindness I see in them, their passion and inquisitive nature, their interest in learning and, frankly, their openness to learning.”
What is your comfort spot on campus?
Peter’s comfort spot is the upstairs balcony of Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall. From this peaceful vantage point, he “can really experience and celebrate student achievement from up there, which again, comes back to comfort and support. I’m always inspired and, in some ways, transformed every time I hear students perform in Lee Chapel,” mused Peter. “That’s really humbling.”
" ...It’s the students. It’s the warmth and kindness I see in them, their passion and inquisitive nature, their interest in learning and, frankly, their openness to learning."
What is something you brought to Stetson that brings you comfort?
Peter brought the comfort of cozy, lamps-all-aglow lighting to his office on campus. “I am drawn to warm office lighting that brings peace and comfort, instead of big, overhead, fluorescent lights.” Not only that, but Peter also contributes a welcoming kind of comfort to campus by leaving his office door open as often as possible. “Sometimes people nag, ‘oh, you shouldn’t
leave your door open so much,’ but I do. All the time,” smiled Peter.
How do you create comfort?
To create comfort, “first, we must look inward and reflect upon ourselves; then, we must reach out to others to support us; and, finally, we must act upon that, so we know how to grow through discomfort rather than just absorb or bury it. I think I, as do a lot of my peers, value honesty and openness,” prescribed Peter. “If I am having a challenging time and someone asks, ‘how are you doing?’ I might say, ‘here’s what’s going on’ versus bluffing ‘oh, everything’s fine.’” Peter’s philosophy is profound: comfort is created in the lens of honesty.
What is comforting about Stetson?
To Peter, the recognition that Stetson University is a mission-driven university “and that we really do have a higher calling” is comforting. “That will be different for each person, but Stetson is an environment in which we are all exploring that higher calling so we can find comfort in it and use it to make an impact that lasts, even after we leave Stetson. That is actually the theme of our Concert Choir this year – impact.”
Who is Tori Watson?
Tori Watson, Class of 2026 dual English and Sociology major with a minor in Business Law, is passionate about creating comfort on the Stetson University Campus through justice, advocacy, and faith. During her studies at Stetson, Watson has served as the President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a Student Ambassador, and a Resident Assistant, to name
What is your comfort spot on campus?
Watson’s comfort spot is “the Chaudoin porch. Sometimes I go out there and sit outside with a book or my Bible – and I’m not really an outdoorsy type of person,” she said, “but I’ve learned to enjoy the beauty of creation on that porch.”
What is your comfort food on campus?
“If I am ever looking to grab something to eat, I will get the spicy breakfast burrito from the coffee shop –double toasted with an iced chai tea,” Watson said.
What is comforting about Stetson?
Watson is comforted that “Stetson “values personal development. Professors know that you’re a student, but they also know that you are a person going through life outside the scope of school.” It is “more than just my education,” said Watson, beaming.
"... My faith has carried me through school."
What is something you brought to Stetson that brings you comfort?
Watson brought her faith to Stetson, which she testifies has been her “cornerstone” in creating comfort on campus for both her and her peers. “I am utterly in love with Jesus Christ,” said Watson. “It speaks to my involvement in FCA, where I have served as the Outreach Director, Vice President, and now the President. My faith has carried me through school.” Watson shared that her faith has taught her that her purpose at Stetson is “not just to get her degree and leave. It is to see lives changed for the Lord.”
Community in the Digital Age Truths
work for APAC, the Peer Advisory Council for Title IX, and the mountain of responsibilities that come with being a full-time student, Ali estimates that she spends up to 3 hours out of her day scrolling on social media. This may be something a great deal of her peers can relate to. Some would say that the true birth of social media came with its steady popularity and rise in the early 2000s. Although this makes the hefty majority of these sites barely older than most students on campus, they have become an integral part of our lives. Social media has permeated every discipline, from professor Joel Davis’ English studies to the historical studies of Stetson professors, Martin Blackwell and Michael A. Denner. Consequently, psychologists have dedicated ample amounts of time and energy to dissecting “digital neighborhoods” and they are not alone. Often called digital communities, this meta space has enabled us to connect with more people than ever before. Finding like-minded individuals is now only a click away– but is this instantaneous connection stopping us from searching deeper?
Written by De’Vanese John-Baptiste
Graphics & Layout by Maria Latour
“I do get information from [social media],” said JaimyLee Jesus ’26. “ I sometimes get some pretty valuable information from there, but I also get misinformation a lot more.” In our search for commonalities, it can be easy for social media to instead serve as a source of confirmation bias. If you want to find a specific answer, you will– regardless of whether it’s right or wrong. Coupled with our penchant for dopamine, this can have unintended side effects. We have all been guilty of opening up an app searching for the latest drama. Sometimes, this can fill a momentary splotch of boredom in our life or it can distract us when our personal lives are rather active. Either way, in the process of scrolling a multitude of avenues open up and the excitement is unlike any other. Whether you’re the social media troll or a bystander enjoying the fallout, forming an opinion is inevitable. Stetson English Professor Joel Davis expressed with concern, “social media is decentralized and so it's very hard to control a message.” While talking to Jesus ’26, she managed to emphasize Davis’ point, as President of Stetson’s Latinx Student Union, she has a unique perspective on how social media can impact the reputation of organizations.
“
Money & the Illusion of truth
Jesus recalled an alleged reaction by an unnamed campus organization, on the social media platform, Yikyak, to unsubstantiated rumors circulating. While recognizing that she could not verify the organization's involvement due to the app’s anonymity, she admitted her opinion of the organization has still been negatively impacted and has made her less likely to interact with them in the future. False information can make a larger impression than the truth when we’re on social media. The fantastical nature of rumored deviant behavior can multiply the temptation to keep sharing all of the salacious details. The inevitable repetition of these details plays into the phenomena of the illusory truth effect. Joel Davis unintentionally explained this effect in simple terms, saying of mass media “Most people look at it and go, ‘I'm being preached to. I'm not going to buy into it.’ If you keep doing it over and over again, you can sort of convince some people of things that aren't true.” The repetition of information is not on its own a bad thing. Social media has made it much easier to disseminate information, but it does not amplify all voices equally.
“I am kind of worried about what type of content Stetson students are digesting on their phones,” Visiting History Professor Martin Blackwell poignantly remarked on the selectiveness of the algorithm. “They inevitably bring in, sort of extremist views… That's what gets amplified on social media.” It can be easy, in this case, to assume the worst of things that are unfamiliar, because we see the negative extremes over and over again. This does not necessarily mean that we can not use social media to inform our opinion. Rather Blackwelll feels, “The bigger problem is simply that people really should not be digesting short amounts of information, thinking that that's like the end of the story, right? There’s a lot more.”
As we search for the truth and form an opinion, it can also be helpful to know what drives the media we’re consuming.While Ali ’26, a philosophy major is proud of her dependence on news-based sources and tries to avoid getting information from social media, Jesus ’26 a marketing major, looks at news outlets through the guise of economics. Jesus is no stranger to the field of publicity. From her understanding, marketing can often be more about your ties to well known names and brands than the content of your message. “I feel like just because news outlets are a lot older, we value them more or because they're tied to organizations,” Jesus shared. “If you strip away the way we view things like ABC,..What makes that company more reliable than “Fulala” from the corner? The money? I think that makes them less reliable, really. So I feel like they're on the same plane.” She makes a valuable point. Our trusted news anchors may be just as likely to tell us what we want to hear, as our peers on social media. They may also take things a step further and say something outrageous (and untrue) to attract clicks and new viewers.
“ I sometimes get some pretty valuable information from there, but I also get misinformation a lot more. “ “
They inevitably bring in, sort of extremist views That's what gets amplified on social media.
Hatter Nation Truths
So who is a part of our digital neighorhood, and how may it be connected to our physical one? While talking to Martin Blackwell, he had some thoughts and hesitancy over our tendency to unionize under the moniker “Hatter Nation.” “What if you're not a Hatter, right? Well, we want to help you. We want to be, you know, open, open to others, and inviting to others, and welcoming to others,” said Blackwell. This sentiment extends to all of our comfort zones. We need to be open and welcoming to others outside of our separate Greek organizations, outside of our athletic teams and take a deeper look at who is showing up outside of our usual spaces. Who are you inside anonymous chatrooms, like Yikyak? Would you be able to recognize individuals based off of the rumors you’ve heard about them, and more importantly, would you recognize yourself? Professor of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Michael A. Denner, posits, ““Here's the thing, I think nobody wants to see themselves as the aggressor and the bad guy, and so-we're very amenable-to media that tells us what we want to believe.” It is easy to stay in our comfort zones when we assume the worst. While this can be a protective mechanism, it can also be harmful to those on the other end of our screens.
our real-life communities, with us direct messaging the same people we see in our third period. Ali, who enjoys curating posts that accurately represent the interests and actors in her organization, is no stranger to an active social life. However, her own insights into melding the digital neighborhood with our real life community. Ali wants us all to remember that when our days get too hectic, at the very least, “We can still connect over the phone.” The digital space has become a strong connection between our community and neighborhoods. This is why we should be as diligent with our words and assumptions, as we would with our real-life neighbors. We have to share this space, and talking things through will save us the hardship of an awkward community reunion. Let’s do our due diligence, and follow up with the organization or individual to see what’s behind the rumor and make sure your digital neighborhood is as diverse in opinion as your real world.
“
Here's the thing, I think nobody wants to see themselves as the aggressor and the bad guy, and so-we're very amenable-to media that tells us what we want to believe. “
Written by Katie Eudy Graphics & Layout by Maria Latour
“The first two weeks I felt like it was a simulation,” Derrick Doh ’27 said when recalling his first experiences in an American grocery store. “Everything is straight, always clean. The carrots are always straight. The avocado is shiny.” He compares his “constructed” experience in an American grocery store to the busy markets and vendors that line the streets of his home city, Accra, Ghana.
Doh is a sophomore international student studying economics and environmental science, and a Bonnor student. He came to school in the United States for a wider variety of opportunities and to fulfill his community service goals. “I came to the US with a specific issue in mind that I wanted to work on, and it was a problem that we have in my home country, and I think the US also has,” Doh said. “I came with homelessness on my mind.” Since his freshman year at Stetson, Doh has worked to aid the homeless population in West Volusia through his work with the Neighborhood Center on South Woodland Boulevard.
When adjusting to living in the United States from Ghana, Doh notes his communication challenges. Though Doh spoke English in Ghana, he had to get used to the American
dialect. Doh’s main obstacle was not understanding others. Instead, it was getting people to understand him. He recounts one of his first experiences at Hatter StrEats, standing at the counter in front of a long line of people, and having to repeat his order to each staff member behind the counter until one realized that by “burger and fries,” he meant he wanted the menu’s “beef sliders and fries.” “Even if I may not get the dialects and everything I could easily assume and get exactly what you're saying," Doh said. “And that is an effort most of us [international students] put into, like communicating with people who we don't have the same accents, but I feel like half of the time that same effort is not reciprocated,” he said.
Anne Walcher ’24 is a previous exchange student from Freiburg, Germany who chose to study
...an effort most of us [international students] put into, like communicating with people who we don’t have the same accents, but I feel like half of the time that same effort is not reciprocated, “ “
at Stetson because of the teacher education program, where she had to learn to take classes - and teach - in an unfamiliar education system. Walcher describes a German collegiate system with no homework or assignments, just final exams. “We don't have assignments, we don't have homework, we don't have all the tiny grades that sum up to, like the big grade at the end,” Walcher said. “I had to get used to having assignments every week. Because the last time I had homework was, like, in 10th grade.” Walcher also had to get used to the American A-F grading system, as her grades were represented by numbers in Germany.
While navigating life and college in the United States, Doh and Walcher’s most helpful resources were people. Walcher was comforted by the friendliness of the United States and Stetson community. “It was very refreshing.” Walcher said. “People are super friendly [and] open minded. I can literally ask anybody on
campus, like, where, how do I get to the CUB?” She compares this to her experience back home where it is less common to ask strangers for help directly, or speak to people you do not know.
Doh has a close group of other African students who help him stay grounded in who he is and connected with his culture. “I feel like being in the US and being very different in the US [you have to] constantly make sure you are in touch with who you are, and not to just get lost in trying to sound American, trying to eat American, trying to do everything American,” he said. His friends do everything from helping him with his calculus homework, to giving him a space to speak freely.
Doh and Walcher are among many students who travel from outside the United States to Stetson each year, where they create connections, join organizations and learn new subjects, all while adjusting to a new culture.
Written by Sara Ward & Reagan Shivers Graphics & Layout by Michelle Marshall
Finding Balance:
Mindfulness and Wellness
In a world that runs at a never ending pace, it can be challenging to celebrate the little moments, slow down and achieve inner peace. The connection between the mind and body can encourage harmony in one’s day to day.
Mindfulness
To achieve clarity and comfort on a regular basis, consider integrating mindfulness into everyday routines. “Mindfulness is being fully aware as much as possible to the things happening around you and within you,” University Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, Reverend Todd Campbell said. Many find it difficult to integrate mindfulness and be still with their own thoughts. Why is this?
“Oh, FOMO [fear of missing out],” Campbell said with a chuckle. “If we do take time, if we do slip away for a little while, something's going to happen that we will miss and we have to be okay with missing out on that thing.”
Missing out comes with the realization that everything happens in its own due time. The acceptance is realizing who we are and being content in what we’re doing. “I believe that we will receive what we need in the world at the time we need it,” Campbell said.
Mindfulness doesn’t always include sitting on the floor in an upright posture. It doesn’t have to be a whole process that has to be scheduled into the day, especially when it feels impossible to add anything else to the to do list. “It can be as easy as going for a walk and slowing down at a nice rhythm,” Campbell said. “Paying attention to what's happening around us, the birds chirping, friends walking past us, the smell of the air, the taste that we may taste.”
An additional resource hosted by Religious and Spiritual Life is “Pause” which takes place every Wednesday at four in the student lounge of the Carlton Student Union Building (CUB). “It’s an opportunity to pause from their busy schedules and to reflect, connect and just be in community with each other,” Campbell said. “Each week [we do] something fun, and at the end of it, you can leave the space with something to take on for the rest of the week too.”
Wellness
There is a connection between being mindfully healthy and physically healthy. Campbell used to be a hospital chaplain where he saw the relationship first hand. There were designated spaces for patients who chose to reflect spiritually and mindfully. “We saw that their health increased because there's this correlation between a healthy mind and a healthy body, healthy soul and a healthy body,” Campbell said. “What we experience in life and the things that we don't necessarily address head on can show up in our bodies. And if we can slow down, if we can slow our heart rate down, and slow our minds down, then that can impact our bodies in a very helpful way.”
Finding the time and place to be both mentally and physically mindful can be a little difficult. Wellness and Recreation offers weekly programs for students who want to exercise with their community. “I think some of the things we offer, we do a lot of fitness classes that we hope people kind of take part in if they’re not as comfortable as going right into the weight room,” Director of Wellness and Recreation, Deana Lowry said. “We do have yoga classes and spin classes and dance fitness and strength training classes to kind of give people an extra instructor in that space so that they can help them make sure that they’re doing things correctly.”
These programs offer a space and structure to give students extra support in their physical journey.
Being intentional with your time and activities is the first step. “My advice is to make it a priority, like it’s not going to happen on its own,” Lowry said. “You got to carve out the time and make time, even if it is getting up a little bit earlier. And when you start to see the effects that it has and how positive it is, it almost becomes your daily life after that.”
Students can get connected with Wellness and Recreation and view the program schedule via the Stetson University W&R app. Lowry also encourages students to visit the Hollis Center to learn more. “Our staff here, no matter where they work, love helping out and love making you feel comfortable in this space and finding kind of what your thing is,” Lowry said. “So please come ask questions, even if you just want a tour of the building.”
Both Campbell and Lowry understand that physical and mental wellbeing is a crucial part of success.
" "We can't be champions in the world if we aren't champions with our mental and spiritual health, and so if we, if we take care of our souls and our minds and our bodies, they'll take care of us.
Pour
Contentious Debates from Coffee to Cola Decisions:
Sip Happens: What’s going on?
This semester, students have lost their cool; Stetson has made some big switches regarding their dining options. Deliberated at the administrative level, Stetson has stopped distributing Coca-Cola products or any of its subsidiaries, going all-in on their competitor, Pepsi-Co. This removes items
The Age-Old
Question:
Written by Nico Alonso Graphics & Layout by Maria Latour
like Coke-affiliated sodas, VitaminWater, Minute Maid, and more from shelves. Another big decision that was made was serving Starbucks drinks in the coffee shop that previously served local Barnie’s coffee. However, decisions like these are not made overnight.
Coke or Pepsi?
Many people have opinions on whether they prefer one soda over the other, and it's fascinating to look at the two ends of the spectrum. Some people care a lot, and others don’t have much to say.
When asked about her preferences between the cola conglomerates, Maya Hersh ’25 responded, “I know, personally, I don't care about the drinks.” Despite her subtle indifference to the debate, she adds, “[But,] it's a preference. I know a lot of people are upset because they like Coke better than Pepsi.”
Similar to Hersh’s take, Bray Kloznick ’25 adds that he also doesn’t particularly care about the switch from Coke to Pepsi, but he was confused about how silent the switch was. “I will say that the selection
of drinks seemed slim when I looked at them in the fridge,” Kloznick said.“I went and grabbed one for my friend, Mikey, yesterday…he just asked me to pick him up a soda and I was looking for a Coke but I was so confused at the selection of drinks because it was Pepsi, Mountain Dew: Code Red, and Starry. That was strange.”
While it’s easily identifiable that some students may not care about soda or be indifferent and just confused about the switch, we have opinions like that of Kaitlyn Watson ‘25. “[I] overall, prefer Coke products to Pepsi products. So that's a factor. But also, I miss the number of options we have when we still have the Coke products,” Watson said.
Local Brews to Latte Blues: “We Proudly Serve” Starbucks
There have also been hard feelings about the Starbucks switch. Kloznick, a big fan of coffee himself, elaborated on how he fears that students aren’t getting what they pay for with higher Starbucks prices. “I want to be able to enjoy what I can spend my limited amount of money on as a college student,” Kloznick said. “I'm paying out of pocket for a lot of my tuition, and I'm working a part-time job, as a full-time student.”
Hersh responded similarly and even divulged that she had dropped her meal plan after realizing it was “not worth it.”
When considering price and worth, one must consider the quality of a product and if they feel comfortable allotting their money towards said product. If a product is of a lower quality, it will objectively upset students if they are charged more than it’s worth; it is unconscionable to charge a premium for non-premium products. “I don't feel good about buying coffee [from Stetson] anymore, because I'm paying more for worse quality coffee that I already am trying to be smart about spending my
“ [I] overall, prefer Coke products to Pepsi products. So that’s a factor. But also, I miss the number of options we have when we still have the Coke products, “ “
HatterBucks with my budget that I have,” Kloznick said.
With this switch, students also consider where this leaves them as consumers. Like Kloznick, Watson further notes dissatisfaction with the Starbucks affiliation. “It makes me upset because, with everything that is going on with Starbucks, I feel like it's taken away some of my ability to make my own choices as a consumer,” Watson said. “Through Stetson, that's kind of the only option we have, whereas, like before, we could have, like a coffee shop option that steps in that wasn't the same as this big corporate chain that we can get anywhere.”
It makes me upset because, with everything that is going on with Starbucks, I feel like it’s taken away some of my ability to make my own choices as a consumer, “
Food for Thought: From the Dining Services Perspective
After exchanging a few emails, Stetson Dining Services has agreed to provide a few statements explaining the switch. Here is what they said:
When asked why the switch occurred in the first place, the representative from Stetson Dining responded: “While switching from Coca-Cola to Pepsi affects campus dining, it's important to note that the university made this decision, not Stetson Dining Services. When making decisions like this, the university evaluates various factors such as contract terms, campus partnerships, and broader institutional goals. Dining Services implements the change and works to ensure that students still have access to a variety of beverages to meet our community needs.”
When asked why Stetson made the switch from Barnie’s to Starbucks, I received: “The decision to transition from Barnie’s to the ‘We Proudly Serve’ Starbucks
program was driven by student feedback and a desire to offer a nationally recognized coffee brand that aligns with student preferences for high-quality coffee and more non-coffee beverages. Starbucks has a strong reputation for consistency and quality, and this change allows us to deliver the premium coffee experience that our community has been asking for.”
When asked how they feel about these switches, Stetson Dining responded: “These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing the dining experience at Stetson University. We are excited about the highquality products that Pepsi and Starbucks offer, which align with what many in our community are looking for. The positive feedback we've received so far indicates that students, faculty, and staff appreciate the variety and quality of the new offerings.”
When asked about the fewer amount of meal swipes compared to previous semesters, which is likely the most contentious question going around campus, they said: “We understand this change may not be ideal for everyone, and we're actively working to find ways to balance the quality of the Starbucks experience with more flexible meal exchange options.”
We understand this change may not be ideal for everyone, and we’re actively working to find ways to balance the quality of the Starbucks experience with more flexible meal exchange options.
Swiper, No Swiping: Meal Swipes, Food Insecurity on Campus, and More “ “
Students are left with limited funds for campus dining after tuition, bills, cost of living, and class materials. Coffee shop and retail options rise in price every year and with the addition of the new “We Proudly Serve” Starbucks, prices have increased for both food and drink. With the price increase, there is also a decrease in meal swipe options. Ultimately, students have fewer options to dine year after year, semester after semester. Most stetson students are active on and off campus, with rigorous class schedules, extracurriculars, leadership positions, and even off-campus engagements, limited dining hall options and hours leave students with little to no options that won’t drain their wallets.
The school just needs to figure out better options… they don’t really ask students what they want to have… they kind of, they kind of just decide for you,
time that I have between classes.”
When asked to elaborate on her frustrations with the lack of options, Maya Hersh said, “I had a meal plan, but I had to cancel it since I live [off campus], and with my class schedule, I would only be able to go to the CUB for dinner twice a week… and that just wasn’t worth it to me.”
“The school just needs to figure out better options… they don’t really ask students what they want to have… they kind of, they kind of just decide for you,” Hersh vocalized further.
Finding herself in a similar situation to Hersh, Watson has fully dropped her meal plan because of its inefficiency in providing for her needs. She continued, “Especially without a meal plan and with their limited on-campus options, it’s hard for me to make sure that I always have healthy food.”
For many Hatters, the transition from Coke to Pepsi and Barnie’s to Starbucks represents more than a brand shift. This switch reflects a much broader issue with choice, transparency, quality of dining and campus economy. Although there may be varying degrees of opinion on the matter, the debate continues. So what can you do, dear reader? Make your voice heard!
If you have any feedback for Stetson Dining Services, be sure to let them know by scanning this QR code!
Written by Michaela Hawthorne Graphics & Layout by Maria Latour
Safe Secure How Hatter Pantry Helps
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As Stetson students settle in for the fall semester, many face the challenge of food insecurity. Food insecurity is the experience of lacking food, in quality and/or quantity, to meet one’s basic needs. Stetson’s food pantry, the Hatters Helping Hatters Food Pantry, aims to combat this pressing issue. Affecting students across campus, it is shown in a National College Health Assessment survey that as of Fall 2023, 61.7% of Stetson students have or are currently experiencing food insecurity, which reduces graduation rates by 42%. This statistic highlights the multifaceted challenges students face concerning food access.
“Food insecurity is a lack of access to nutritional food, lack of access to food that meets your cultural or dietary restrictions, lack of access to food that is safe or within the expiration period,” August Maulfair–Food Equity Coordinator and AmeriCorps VISTA at Stetson University– said. “We hear from a lot of students that, ‘Oh, I had to skip dinner today because I was too busy studying,’ or ‘I had class.’ That's food insecurity.”
Ali Burgess ’25 shares this common experience. “School is, in itself, sometimes kind of like a full-time job,” Burgess said. “In an effort to not burn myself out, I was
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“ “ With balancing work and school life, things can feel a little bit tight. We hear from a lot of students that, ‘Oh, I had to skip dinner today because I was too busy studying,’ or ‘I had class.’ That’s food insecurity.
“working less at my outside-of-school job at the time. I lowered that to like 30 hours a week, and with balancing work and school life, things can feel a little bit tight.” Burgess holds the weight of many students who are financially self-supporting and pay for their tuition and cost of living out-of-pocket. Students like Burgess seek out the food pantry to feed themselves more nutritionally and consistently when time and money get tight. Similar experiences inspired Nicole Currie to found the Hatter Pantry in 2013. Currie, Administrative Specialist II of Student Counseling Services, was working the front desk when she noticed this issue among students, leading her to spearhead the mission of bringing safe and nutritious foods to students in need, free of cost. Currie carried on this passion project for a decade, before passing the torch to Maulfair in July of 2024.
Students in need can access the food pantry at two campus locations. There is a pantry at the CrossCultural Center on Michigan Avenue that is open from 8:00 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. The second location is moving in mid-October from Griffith Hall to the Carlton Union Building, Rm. 278. The CUB location will be open during the CUB’s operating hours. Both pantries are accessible by QR code, which anonymizes identifying information for the Food Equity Coordinator, such as the student’s name and ID number. The information is scrubbed to make utilizing the pantry a more comfortable and confidential experience for students. The QR code’s main purpose is to track the amount of users per month, so the pantry can report the data back to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFB-CFL), their primary donor.
“Pride and dignity are some of the biggest things that
“We do as much as we can to maintain pride and dignity among our clients of the pantry. So one way that we do that is by ensuring confidentiality and anonymity,
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come up when people think about accessing food pantries at Stetson or out in the community,” Maulfair said. “We do as much as we can to maintain pride and dignity among our clients of the pantry. So one way that we do that is by ensuring confidentiality and anonymity,” Maulfair said.
The effort to meet the needs of students comes from the desire to see them thrive in their daily lives. Maulfair acknowledges the moments when food insecurity hinders the body and mind. “It can be so difficult to pay attention in class when you're thinking about where your next meal is going to come from. Or, you're thinking about how the only thing you had to eat this morning was a Hershey bar or a bag of chips,” Maulfair said. As Food Equity Coordinator, they hope to encourage students who are plagued by moments like this to seek assistance.
“Anyone who is experiencing food insecurity: you're not alone in that…We all want to see you eat, meet your body's needs, and succeed as a student and as a human, and so you don't need to suffer in silence. We're all here for you and we all want you to be full,” Maulfair said.
Burgess echoes a similar sentiment to those struggling.
making monetary or food donations. It doesn’t have to be large. If many students make small contributions, it would make a huge difference. “Say you go to Publix for your weekly grocery trip, and there's a buy-one-get-onefree can of beans,” Maulfair said. “If you want to donate us that free can of beans, that is feeding someone who would otherwise not have food.”
Another way Hatters can contribute is by volunteering. “No student is just a student, right? A lot of our students are involved in Greek life or athletics...or some other program,” Maulfair said. “With that comes a lot of resources of power. Maybe you need to do volunteer hours…There's always work to be done with the pantry.”
“ “ It can be so difficult to pay attention in class when you're thinking about where your next meal is going to come from. Or, you're thinking about how the only thing you had to eat this morning was a Hershey bar or a bag of chips,
“Any students who empathize with that feeling of food insecurity, I get it feels really isolating, which is why I think that the food pantry is so helpful,” they said. “It's not an isolating, ‘calling-out’ kind of experience. It's very welcoming.”
Maintaining the food pantry is a fulfilling yet arduous task. Even now that Stetson has a designated Food Equity Coordinator, the pantry has a low operating budget. It mainly relies on its partnership with SHFB-CFL, along with grants and donations to stay afloat.
The obstacles of maintaining a food pantry are minimalized with the help of students. There are multiple ways the Stetson community can contribute to the Hatter Pantry. One way a Hatter can contribute is by
“Alpha Tau Omega, they've been such a great partner for the food pantry,” Maulfair said. The fraternity has driven to Daytona Beach at 7 a.m. every Friday for the past year. The brothers enter deep freezers and lift hundreds of pounds of food for the Hatter Pantry. They then return to campus and sort the food. “They do the whole thing with a huge smile on their face, great energy, great attitudes,” Maulfair said. They hope that other Hatters will show similar excitement towards the food pantry.
Hatter contributions can help the food pantry to grow rather than survive. Moving forward, Maulfair would love to see an increase in food supply alongside storage growth, such as more shelving and freezers. They also hope to improve inclusivity for students with cultural or allergen needs, by allowing them designated food storage spaces. “I'd love to see a kosher food pantry, a halal food pantry and an allergen-safe food pantry because the food pantry should exist to serve every single Stetson student,” Maulfair said. The daily goal of the pantry is for students to not only visit the food pantry but be excited about the items they find. Growth can become more than a desire with the help of volunteers and donors.
If you are interested in volunteering individually or through an organization, email August Maulfair at ammaulfair@stetson.edu. Students can leave food and toiletry donations in the box outside of CUB Rm. 267. They can also bring donations to either pantry location. If you cannot travel to these locations, email Maulfair to coordinate a time to have your donations picked up.
As Food Equity Coordinator, Maulfair also performs work related to SNAP enrollment and eligibility screening. To learn more about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and if you might be eligible, email ammaulfair@stetson.edu.
We’re searching for staff writers, cover models, and Stetson organizations to feature in upcoming issues.
Send a letter to the editor at hatternetwork@gmail.com or message @thereportermag on Instagram to get connected.
And of course, we’re always open to questions, comments and critiques
Written by Sara Ward & De’Vanese John-Baptiste
by Michelle Marshall
What are the best places to eat downtown?
Jordyn Dodd ’28
Dear Reader,
In my experience, nothing is more comforting than enjoying a good meal with your friends downtown. My personal favorite is enjoy a nice warm bowl of pho at Pho Company Noodle House (preferably when Florida decides it doesn’t want to be a gazillion degrees out).
Let’s start with dessert first, perfect for a good sweet treat run. Whit’s Frozen Custard, Berryville Frozen Yogurt, and Rodeo Whip are continuously argued to be the best ice cream places in DeLand. Another top contender is Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things which will either give you ten percent off your purchase or a free chocolate strawberry with a Stetson ID.
As far as restaurants go, crowd favorites typically include De La Vega, Urban Brick, or El Taco Rico. Fun fact about all of those places is that you can also get ten percent off your purchase with your Stetson ID. Also, Boston’s or Trilogy are good options for some caffeine intake (a must for me) and guess what! Ten percent off with that ID! That lil’ thing comes in useful for more than just getting to your resident hall or using a meal swipe.
Sara Ward ’27
What are good spaces to study if you have trouble focusing?
Yadhira Medina ’28
Dear reader,
If you are having trouble focusing, it may be a good idea to evaluate what makes a good study environment for you. If you have difficulty concentrating in quiet environments, I might recommend finding a group of friends or peers to study with. They do not necessarily have to be on the same academic track as you, but sometimes having other people around while we study can help the time pass by. You can also ask someone in the group if they would be willing to test you on the material.
With this route, I would probably recommend studying in one of your dorm’s shared spaces or a study room in one of the academic halls. However, if distractions are causing you trouble (whether it be your phone or a roommate), the library basement is a designated quiet space with minimal distractions. You can also try putting your phone on do not disturb, or minimizing distractions in your space by communicating that you need some silent time.
De’Vanese John-Baptiste ’26
COMFORT
The writers and editors of the Reporter have a tradition of including a playlist along with each magazine issue. The songs on the playlist reflect both the theme of the issue and the mood of the team while creating this issue. This page includes a selection of the songs on the playlist; head over to Spotify to listen to the full playlist.
Curated by The Reporter Staff Graphics & Layout by Michelle Marshall
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
True Blue - Boygenius
Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield
Dreams - The Cranberries
If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole
Reflecting Light - Sam Phillips
Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin
Best Friend - Jess Ray
Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett
Dream, 1991 Digital Remaster - the Pied Pipers
At Last - Etta James
12 songs, 42 min 37 sec
