Vol. CXXIII Issue 1

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the

eporter

Stetson University | DeLand, Fla.

Vol. CXXIII Issue 1

Construction on campus met with mixed opinions from students

Digging for answers Sarah Dean Editor-in-chief

Lauren Davids News Editor

Every summer, Stetson makes improvements to campus to keep its grounds and buildings in shape. However, students returning to campus from this summer break were greeted by more than just a few updated bathrooms and extra parking spaces.

Many students had questions and were surprised by the construction, but the overall plan was no sudden decision. According to Facilities Management, these changes are part of a four-year plan adopted by Stetson’s board of trustees in 2011.

Nevertheless, an article published in Stetson Today on July 13, which gives an overview of the renovation plans, garnered a large response from students on social media, many of whom had no idea about the four-year plan.

According to Associate Director of Student Development and Campus Vibran-

cy Tanner Vickers, student organizations that will be affected by the renovations were informed last academic year.

“The Department of Student Development and Campus Vibrancy has been working to keep these groups informed and accommodated to the highest possible degree,” Vickers said. “Concerning mass communications to the broader Stetson community, I believe University Marketing began these efforts this past summer as we approached the start of the academic year. I feel these communications have been sufficient considering students were made aware of the projects and the changes to campus before they arrived for the fall.”

Vickers noted that many students involved in student government and campus leadership positions were made aware of the plans in 2014.

“Based on all this, I feel the university has made a sincere effort to engage the student body,” Vickers said.

Over the summer, several major con-

struction projects began on campus. Many of the residence halls were renovated and parking spaces were added, but the most noticeable change is outside the Carlton Union Building (CUB). The historic Print Shop building was torn down, and the business has relocated to the Administrative Services building on the corner of Amelia and Wisconsin Avenues. The roundabout commonly known as “CUB circle,” as well as part of the lawn in front of Hulley Tower, are also under construction, making room for what will be the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center.

According to Albert Allen, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management, there are a large amount of perceived benefits from these renovations, and they have all been planned with students in mind.

The first floor of the new welcome center will contain a reception area where new students will begin their tours. It will also have six interview rooms to be used by enrollment management counselors and

People of Stetson: Freshman Edition Stuck on Stetson

“Individuality and open-mindedness” are the words that come to mind when Kathryn Renae Metcart thinks about what she was most excited for coming to Stetson.

Metcart is a double major in Spanish and music, and realized Stetson was her “perfect fit” quite some time ago. She has had Stetson on her mind since sophomore year of high school and in fact, Stetson was the only school she applied to. A true match made in Hatter heaven.

prospective employees. The second floor will be home to Career and Professional Services, along with “One Stop” services, including student financial planning, the Office of the Registrar, and the bursar’s office. The third floor will be the location of the Recruiting Operations Center.

The welcome center building is not the only reason for the disturbance in front of the CUB: What may look like just a hole in the ground now is actually part of a process to build chambers in front of the CUB that will help catch and drain storm water, returning it to the aquifer below.

The CUB itself will be receiving major renovations over the next few years.

According to Facilities Management, the expected completion date for the CUB renovations is 2018.

According to Stetson Today, the newand-improved CUB will contain a “retail

Continued on Page 2

Welcome, new Hatters!

See more (plus a special presidential appearance) on Page 4 Photo courtesy Univeristy Marketing

Convocation rained out, met with mixed feelings News, Page 3

Hand Art Center exhibits dazzle once again

Freshmen in hotels: A student’s opinion on housing

A&E, Page 5

Opinions, Page 6

2

NEWS

From the desk of Sarah Dean A letter from the Editor-in-chief

Photo courtesy of the 1955 Stetson Hatter Annual

Reporter photo/Sarah Dean

Dear readers, Stetson is a school that prides itself in tradition, but is also constantly peeks over the horizon to see what can be made new. My grandfather held the position of editor-in-chief of The Reporter 60 years ago, and in a way I am following in his footsteps, but running the paper it is far from the same ball game it was back then.

To quote my former editor Katie Dezes: “At a time when Stetson is experiencing major changes at a fast pace, we want The Reporter to be the place for students to go to express their issues and concerns.”

Katie wrote that in her own letter from the editor a year ago, and it couldn’t be more true now. A literal physical upheaval of campus is occurring, and the way Stetson functions as an academic, social, and political sphere is changing at a faster rate than many can keep up with.

However, The Reporter prides itself on being a facet of student life that will indeed keep up. The beauty of a college newspaper is that its staff constantly evolves with every new class of incoming students, which means despite the fact that we still run in old-fashioned newsprint, we’re anything but out-of-date.

When I arrived as a freshman, I was coming off a year of ripping my hair out as editor-in-chief of my high school paper, and I never wanted to write for a newspaper again. I wanted to “enjoy myself” and “have the college experience,” but, as it turns out, journalism is an integral part of the college experience for me.

After two weeks as a contributor for The Reporter, I was hooked. After dozens of deadlines, new friends, tears, and hours sitting in the layout chair, here I am. I have my own little desk, a nice new owl lamp, and a lot of great new staff members surrounding me, and I could not be happier.

Continued from Page 1 center,” which will house the campus bookstore, post office, and a copy center, brand new dining and lounge areas, and, on the second floor, offices for the Student Government Association, the Center for Community Engagement, various student clubs, and the soon-to-be-relocated Cross Cultural Center (Tri-C).

Caden Krawchuk, LGBT intern for the Tri-C, said he had never heard of the aforementioned four-year plan.

Krawchuk says he is displeased to hear that the building will have to be torn down in order to make the changes happen.

“Students who use the Cross Cultural Center are upset because truly from the day they come on campus, they find that to be their new home,” Krawchuk said. Krawchuk points out that he believes this situation would have been different if the construction plans had been more clearly communicated.

Editor-in-Chief Sarah Dean News Editor Lauren Davids Sports Editor Sean McKnight Opinion Editor Kaley Fulton A & E Editor Sam Votaw Copy Editor Caroline Williams

Junior Olivia Goehrig also expressed concern with the construction as a whole.

“My biggest issue with all this construction is that they started it so late, that it’ll effect a lot of events on campus, and that they just sprung it on us over the summer and expected us to be all right with it,” Goehrig said.

Senior Charlotte Grace, Interim co-president of the National Organization for Women (one of the students orgs being relocated to a new space in the CUB) mimics Krawchuk’s feelings of being shut out, but also said “If this plan goes accordingly, then Stetson will continue to be an institution for a long time, and it will continue to thrive.”

Grace points out that while the changes on campus are of great benefit to incoming students, they can come off as a hassle for some upperclassmen.

“It feels like they’re doing more for alum and prospective students Web Editor Michael Galvez Web Designer Allegra Henderon Layout Designer Kyo Padgett Staff Writers Jason Cruz Madison Akins Staff Photographers Nicole Frechette Maeve Coughlin

My dream is to help this paper and student media on campus be all it can be during this period of great transition. One of my main goals is not only to create a new sense of family in my staff, but to have The Reporter be an outlet of communication and means of cohesion for Stetson students.

Students come first in this publication. We want to hear your opinions on anything and everything that is happening around campus, and what national and even international issues affect your lives as Stetson students. We want to report the truth (the whole truth, and nothing but the truth) at all angles, even the unflattering ones. We want you to come to us first when you want your voices heard.

I could not be more proud of the progress we made as a publication last year, and I fully plan on continuing the positive trend. In the past year, The Reporter refreshed its on-campus image, traveled to Los Angeles, and even won a national third-place title for best bi-monthly publication. Most importantly, I feel as though the paper and the students began to connect more, and this is something I know will continue to improve this year and many years after.

Finally, while I take the practice of journalism, the concerns of students and staff, and this newspaper very seriously, I also want those who read The Reporter to have fun and laugh a little. Nothing makes me happier than when I see people pick up the paper and laugh at something, whether it’s a punny headline, a comic, or a satirical opinion piece. Even the news can be funny sometimes, and there will undoubtedly be a few of our own mistakes that will get a few laughs. While I as an editor will try to create the most polished paper possible, as my grandfather used to say, it’s always the blemish that later delights. And I plan to enjoy this, blemishes and all.

Cheers, — Sarah Dean

than they are for current students and faculty,” Goehrig added.

Grace also noted what she believes are the issues presented by the current changes, which reroute foot traffic, heighten noise levels outside Chaudoin Hall, and will leave some student organizations displaced while the CUB and buildings on Bert Fish Drive are being torn down or altered.

“Living through renovations just isn’t fun,” Krawchuk added.

Vickers had another take on the situation.

“Construction and expansion are a sign of progress,” he said. “These buildings will help meet real, articulated needs on our campus, and they will help the university serve its students better.”

Students can learn more about the overall construction and renovation plans by visiting stetson.edu/construction, or by contacting Facilities Management.

Faculty Advisor Andy Dehnart Staff Advisor Kat Thomas Staff Contributors Kaitlyn Forsythe

Photo courtesy Al Allen

A rendering of the future welcome center.

Mission Statement We are committed to you.

We will deliver content that’s fair-minded and respectful of the diverse opinions and viewpoints of our readers.

We are responsible for covering the Stetson community and providing our readers with consistent, accurate, and factual information in new and creative ways. We

will maintain the standards expected of a professional and credible news organization, which includes a serious commitment to honesty, transparency, and growth. We are conscious of our influence, holding ourselves accountable to our readers and to our own standards of journalistic integrity.

August 27, 2015

NEWS

3

Convocation met with mixed reactions Jason Cruz Staff Writer

Last Wednesday, Convocation marked the official start of the academic year.

Picking up where last year left off, the ceremony was met with mixed impressions from the student body.

Unfortunately, heavy rain forced Stetson administrators to cancel the planned campus-wide procession of students into the Edmunds Center. The weather clearly dampened attendance and spirits. The initial seating plan called for returning students to sit in the bleachers, while placing first year students in the seats planted on the center floor. Once it became clear that the storm was keeping many of the first years away, administrators asked the upperclassmen to move into the seats closer to the stage.

Junior business major Josephine Koeppel noted her disappointment in the shortened entrance ceremony. In regards to the entire event, Koeppel said, “What a great convocation this year. All of the speakers

were fantastic, and I especially enjoyed the keynote speaker. I'm just sad that the traditional walk was rained out because that's something that I always look forward to.”

Once inside, the final pieces of pomp and circumstance took place. Music students played while representatives from the next four graduating classes took decorative gonfalons to the stage. University president Dr. Wendy Libby led a group of faculty and staff on stage followed by dozens of professors, all wearing doctoral regalia.

The formal display reinforced the night’s theme, centered around academia as a source of growth and empowerment.

President Libby’s speech detailed the physical growth of campus and the student body several times, noting that the incoming class of first year students is the largest the University has ever seen, as well as the completion of projects including the duPont-Ball’s new Hollis Family Student Success Center, and the currently under-construc-

tion Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center.

Although she spoke of retaining the core Stetson experience, some students felt that Dr. Libby’s repeated emphasis on growth detracted from Convocation’s roots as a welcome message to undergraduates prior to the new scholastic year.

Junior marketing major Kyle Maley said “Dr. Libby's welcome address was more like a press release to donors than a recognition of our new class.”

Stetson alumnus Tyler Herbert delivered the keynote address. Herbert graduated from Stetson in 2006 with a degree in finance, and currently works for global real estate firm Invesco. The recent Oxford graduate recounted stories of the personal connections he made as a Hatter and their impact on his life beyond DeLand, including a partnership which became an international non-profit organization and finding a sponsor for wounded United States war veterans to compete in an endurance race.

Reporter photo/Nicole Frechette

Students listen to keynote speaker, Tyler Herbert, give his take on his time at Stetson and how it shaped his career.

Many students found the speech refreshing, and enjoyed the opportunity to hear from someone not too far removed from their current experience. Junior and English major McKenzie Wulf remarked that “the keynote speaker was well picked. It was nice to hear from a more recent grad who is doing awesome things.” Maley added that he was “delightfully impressed” by the keynote speaker.

However, fondness for the keynote address was not unanimous. Religious studies major Chelsea Pro-

bus found convocation as a whole to be a “beautiful start to the new year,” but thought “the keynote speaker was a disappointing example of the liberal arts education that is Stetson’s hallmark,” due to his focus on using connections rather than the influence of professors and courses.

Dr. Elizabeth Poeter appears to have been the one speaker who wowed all in attendance. The world languages professor accepted her McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching and presented a poem, first in its original German and

then translated, encouraging inclusive education, understanding, and compassion. The speech moved the audience to its feet and seemed to provide the human element missing from the earlier messages.

Dr. Poeter’s deliverance resonated with students, including those who were otherwise unimpressed. “Dr. Poeter’s speech was truly inspiring and embodied the values that Stetson preaches.

Professors like her make the decision to come to Stetson worthwhile,” said Probus.

Public Safety Report Highlight Reel On Aug. 4, a Fire Alarm sounded at House B. The alarm was reported to have originated from a bowl of ramen noodles burning in a microwave.

On Aug. 9, a Suspicious Person was reported at Presser Hall. The report states a man described as “senile” and “possibly homeless” pushing his bike along the sidewalk and yelling at bystanders. Public Safety was notified and located the man, where they questioned him before asking him to leave.

On Aug. 10 a Bicycle Theft was reported from the duPont-Ball Library. The report states that a student had secured their bike alongside the bike rack outside the library. When they returned, they have found their cable lock cut through and their bike missing. The DeLand Police Department was notified and filed a report.

On Aug. 12, a Fire Alarm sounded at Rinker Hall. The alarm was reported to have originated by a piece of burnt toast.

On Aug. 12, A Suspicious Person was reported at Griffith Hall. The report states that a non-student was in the building singing loudly wearing headphones while filing an admissions form. The individual departed before Public Safety was called.

On Aug. 15, an Injured Person was reported at Nemec Hall. The report states that a visitor fell as a result of their flip-flop breaking. Injuries were described as “very minor,” as the individual refused further medical help.

On Aug. 16, a Narcotics Possession violation was reported from Stetson Cove. Public Safety were informed of a student in possession of an unlawful amount of a controlled substance. The DeLand Police Department was informed, and seized the substance. The student is subject to discipline from the Office of Community Standards.

On Aug. 17, a Fire Alarm sounded from Gordis Hall. The alarm was reported to have originated from an air freshener machine going off.

On Aug. 18, A Bicycle Theft was reported from Nemec Hall. The report states that a student discovered their bike was stolen from lower Delta bike rack, with evidence of a cut cord lock. DeLand police were called and filed a report.

On Aug. 19, a Suspicious Incident was reported from the Wilson Athletic Parking Lot. The report states that a student vehicle was found partially wrapped in plastic. Witnesses reported a vehicle leaving, but no clear description of the vehicle or possible suspect was obtained.

The incident was described as a prank.

On Aug. 20, a Suspicious Person was reported from Elizabeth Hall. The report states that Public Safety officials responded to calls about an individual yelling near the academic hall. The non-student was described as a possibly homeless woman. The individual was warned with a trespassing status and left campus.

On Aug. 20, an incident of Property Damage was reported from House D. The report states that the top handle of a hallway fire extinguisher was damaged. The incident was deemed an accident and the extinguisher was replaced with another.

On Aug. 18, a Car Break In was reported from the Cummings Gymnasium near Woodland. The report states that a student returned to their car to find a single window broken, and $100 worth of items were stolen from inside. DeLand police were called to take a statement and filed a report.

4 A&E

People of Stetson Freshman Edition Warm welcomes

Flying the coop When freshman Sara Stopplemann moved into Chaudoin, her mother Serena Loggins expressed her feelings as being excited, but also “sad all in the same.” Loggins said she can’t wait for her daughter to have new experiences and truly grow up. While it is quite the experience, she has two younger ones which will have their time one day too.

On August 16, Stetson’s newest additions arrived and set out to begin their own Stetson journeys. Many had butterflies but managed to make some very lasting memories. Events such as PlayFair, FOCUS meetings, and class meetings brought the class of 2019 together so that they were no longer just faces they had seen on Facebook or Stetson’s app. According to President Wendy Libby, the first day was a success.

“I am very energized and excited. I have been meeting with families and entering students all morning and they’re happy to be here, they can’t believe how well organized orientation is— and they haven’t even met their focus leaders yet.

When they do that, then this will truly be their home.” said President Libby.

Roommate ready

Hype around hypnosis Patrick Sheridan, a history major, has Stetson in his blood and hypnosis on his mind. Sheridan’s aunt was a Stetson history major, and his grandfather attended Stetson Law. Sheridan says one of his favorite parts of FOCUS week was the hypnosis performer, Dale K. “I truly enjoyed the people reacting and do what he [Dale] said to do,” said Sheridan. In fact, one person from Sheridan’s FOCUS group was selected to be hypnotized.

Bump, set, spike Coming from Jacksonville, Sydney Arrington, a double major in health science and Spanish, is ready to get involved on campus. She plans on playing intramural volleyball and picking up the sport she left off in middle school. — “Bump, set, spike, score, let Hatters hear you hit the floor!”

Logan Tully, a biology major, seems to have a keen eye for chemistry as well. Tully met his roommate the first time he visited Stetson in the fall of his senior year. They’ve known each other for quite some time now.

Tully says his roommate Dillon “seems like a really nice guy.” He adds “we kind of have the same personalities, so I feel like our roommate situation will work well.” The two will be living in Gordis Hall this year.

Itching to share your opinion?

Email us at reporterstaff@gmail.com

August 27, 2015

A&E

5

Dazzling new exhibits open at Hand Art Center

Jason Cruz Staff Writer The Hand Art Center will house two remarkable exhibits this semester, offering a visual feast of cultural artistic juxtaposition in addition to a unique auditory experience.

Culled by Art Curator Roberta Favis, the “Oscar Bluemner and the Orient” exhibit draws the eye between works painted by the German-American Bluemner, who was active in the early 20th century, and some of the artist’s collected Japanese woodblock prints.

Utagawa Hiroshige created most of the Japanese prints that hang on the museum’s walls. Utagawa Kunisada I and Utaga Kuniyoshi produced the

remaining pieces. All three Japanese artists lived and worked during the first half of the 19th century.

Hung on opposite walls, the crisp, sharply-detailed Japanese woodcuts seem at first out of place when compared to the flowing abstraction of Bluemner’s paintings, dominated by colorful American terrain and cities.

Closer inspection reveals the impact Asian art had upon the Western movement. Both sets feature a palpable sense of natural elements in motion, focusing on the seemingly mundane and spacing techniques.

As one views each piece the similarities become more apparent, particularly after changing walls and abruptly shifting from Bluemner’s work to

that of his admired influences.

Although there may be much to say about the effect of pacific art upon its atlantic counterpart, the small individual sizes of each exhibited production allow the casual observer to enjoy them in brevity. Even returning to several of them more than once, enjoying the 27 artworks can take more than a half-hour. Taking in the Center’s other exhibit this semester requires a much longer stay.

Although the exhibit has remained open since the semester started, there will be an official opening reception on 6-8 p.m., Aug. 28 inside the Hand Art Center.

The Creative Arts Faculty Focus features manipulated audio recordings

of nature from two Stetson professors, Creative Arts department chair Dr. Nathan Wolek and Associate Professor Dr. Ethan Greene, and will be open until October 17.

Dr. Wolek’s contribution, “Every Tree,” consists of a series of headphones placed on a wall. Each set of headphones is playing recordings Dr. Wolek gathered from each of the 120 trees found in Stetson’s Palm Court, with small placards telling listeners from which section of the outdoors area the audio originated. Dr. Wolek recorded the audio during the summer while most of the students were away.

By moving along the wall, museum-goers explore microcosms of campus, enjoying the breeze

blowing through the palm tree fronds, hearing mysterious footsteps, and, in at least one instance, the shrill ring of police sirens in the background.

The recordings are lengthy, with some running well over an hour, so taking them all in may warrant repeat excursions. Should students desire a quick escape from the noise often flooding Palm Court during class hours, stepping into the Hand Art Center provides a relaxing escape to the simpler days.

In the same area of the museum, Dr. Ethan Greene’s interesting project reacts to human interaction.

Two speakers and a sensor make up the installation, and when no one is near it, the only sound playing evokes the quiet

of nighttime wilderness.

The steady drone of insects faintly floats into the room until the sensor detects a human presence. When that happens, the sounds become music built out of natural noises. Quick rhythms create a sonic landscape of hums, drones, and chirps. Moving away quiets them, while standing directly before the sensor compels a tune one can dance to out of the relatively large speakers.

The three unique collections in the Hand Art Center this semester coalesce into a convenient journey through far flung landscapes and a variety of styles, making it the perfect way to spend downtime between classes or in the search for a quiet house of reflection.

EVENTS THIS WEEK Friday, August 28 Hand Art Center exhibition reception The Hand Art Center 6-8 p.m.

Sunday, August 30 Great Pianists at Stetson series featuring Michael Rickman Lee Chapel 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m Wednesday, September 2 Natural Sciences Picnic Sage Science Center front lawn (Rain location: Sage lobby) 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

If you know about an event happening on campus to add to our calendar, email sdean1@stetson.edu Reporter photos/Maeve Coughlin

6 A&E

School of Music awarded Best of DeLand Distinction marks growing influence in community

Sam Votaw Arts & Entertainment Editor Stetson’s music program has long held a reputation as one of the nation’s best, but its latest form of praise came from the university’s hometown of DeLand, adding another benchmark to the program’s legacy.

On August 14, the School of Music was awarded the 2015 Performing Arts Best of DeLand Award by the DeLand Award Program in recognition of its contributions to

the economy and culture of the city.

The award preceded the program’s 2015-2016 Season Premiere Concert, The Friends of Music Recital, which took place last Friday inside Lee Chapel to an enthusiastic audience.

With such positivity opening the music season, Associate Dean of the School of Music Dr. Noel Painter is excited about the program’s positive influence within DeLand and the greater Central Florida population.

“In addition to educating the talented students that we have in the school, part of our mission is to provide our community with opportunities to experience and learn about great music of all types,” Painter said in a statement for Stetson Today. “To that end, we commit ourselves to making the highest quality musical offerings available to Stetson University and the broader Central Florida population.”

The Deland Award Program stated that the music school has “shown the abil-

ity to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value” by marketing many of its concerts with complimentary admission.

The School of Music’s next performance is a part of the Great Pianists at Stetson series, highlighting Professor of Music Michael Rickman from 3-4 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, inside Lee Chapel. The event is open to the public and is available for Cultural Credit.

Album Review The Weeknd demonstrates his Beauty Behind the Madness Toronto R&B singer channels both indie vision and mainstream sensibilities on incendiary sophomore album Sam Votaw Arts & Entertainment Editor What do you do when your major label coming-out party—following years of being championed as an indie superstar— draws more of a yawn from audiences and critics than fanfare?

In The Weeknd’s second album Beauty Behind the Madness, the 25-yearold crooner has dropped the darkness that muddled down the majority his debut full length, 2013’s Kiss Land, and opted to embrace some of the polish and gloss of modern pop music.

Shrouded in cryptic mystery during his genesis as an artist, The Weeknd’s music soon exploded onto both the urban and hipster driven circles with a brand of experimental R&B that sounded sinister and dissonant compared to a majority of carefree genre mainstays.

As more slow burning cuts depicting a drug addled loner devoid of any sort of attachment hit the blogosphere and an at-thetime unlikely alliance with hip-hop megastar and fellow Canadian Drake was

formed, the man known as Abel Tesfaye has become one of the most peculiar artists to grace the airwaves, adapting to the glitzy structure of mainstream popular music while still reticently displaying flourishes of his dark side.

Even if you moderately listen to Top 40 radio nowadays, chances are you have heard The Weeknd’s upbeat, Michael Jacksonesque hit “Can’t Feel My Face.”

The number one single marked a drastic change for Tesfaye’s output, whose previous single, the sublimely chilling “The Hills,” supposedly marked an oft return to form to the dark days of his independently-released mixtape trilogy in 2011.

The two songs are able to peacefully coexist together alongside 12 other dynamic tracks on Beauty Behind the Madness, a record that sees The Weeknd moniker strike a balance between pushing the envelope musically and fitting in.

Album opener “Real Life” starts with siren-like guitars, before launching into a confessional laden track where the singer ad-

mits his nihilistic views on sex and drugs may be catching up with him.

The shift marks a change in awareness for The Weeknd, whose melodious musings on the emptiness that the partying lifestyle brings was as central to Tesfaye’s mystique as his smooth vocals.

Some longtime fans may be hesitant with a happier Abel Tesfaye, but he still has some tricks up his sleeves.

Beauty Behind the Madness succeeds where Kiss Land failed, and that’s by remaining actively engaging. Rather than connect songs with discordant musical cues, Madness succeeds in letting each track stand out on its own rather than feel like a recycled idea.

Whether it’s defying doubters over his perceived sobriety on the cruising “Tell Your Friends” (“Don't believe the rumors bitch, I'm still a user”), or seducing a romantic interest with the sultry, viola backed “Earned It,” (leftover from the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack) every track manages to seem cohesive rather than drone on and on with no real end.

Some welcome guest

spots from troubadour Ed Sheeran on “Dark Times” and Baroque pop star Lana Del Rey on “Prisoner” switch things up from Tesfaye’s charming but sometimes monotonous voice, bringing some crossover appeal to the record apart

from past collaborations with contemporary rap stalwarts Drake or Wiz Khalifa.

Those new to The Weeknd’s craft are sure to enjoy Beauty Behind the Madness, and while older fans might feel slighted by

the newfound romanticism displayed by the narrator’s character, the album still yields traces of Tesfaye’s trademark fogged disillusionment while managing to fit right into the hook-laden world of the FM dial.

Upcoming arts & entertainment events around DeLand 2015 DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts Evening with the Festival Thursday, Sept. 3 6 p.m.

Poster art for annual DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts to be unveiled.

Light refreshments served.

Admission is free.

DeLand Ice Cream Walk Friday, Sept. 11 6 p.m.

Stroll around DeLand, meet some local business owners, and taste some unique ice cream. Each flavor ischosen by downtown merchants and made at Sweet Spot.

Tickets $10

August 27, 2015 7

OPINION

First-years forced to live off campus Housing shortages remain year after year Kaley Fulton Opinion Editor

In many ways, the beginning of my junior year feels very similar to the start of my freshman year. As I prepare to leave for the Washington Semester Program in Washington, D.C., I will be confronted with many of the challenges I faced freshman year: living in a new city, navigating a new campus, and making new friends.

On Stetson’s campus I’m also experiencing déjà vu. When I was a freshman, we were the largest incoming class. In order to accommodate this increase in the student population, the university was forced to lease floors of a nearby hotel, The Clarion Inn, to house students. Two years later, Stetson’s population has further increased and the university must contend with housing shortages once more.

According to Dr. Larry CorrellHughes, the new Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life, there are currently 45 first-year men living in the Hampton Inn on International Drive, and 85 to 90 upperclassmen and first year students living in the Grand Villa, DeLand, which was formerly the Clarion Inn. However, the Grand Villa DeLand has become a retirement home for senior citizens. Yes, you read that right: Senior citizens and college students will be living in the same location. When Stetson chose to continue the lease, what is now the Grand Villa DeLand was still a hotel. As soon as Stetson was informed of the plan to build a retirement home, the university communicated with students to make them aware of this change. While it may be unusual for the elderly and university students to live together, Dr. Correll- Hughes has not expressed any concern about this unlikely pairing. Stetson students live on the fourth and fifth floors of the building and have access to multiple amenities, while the old-

er residents will live on the lower floors when they move in come November. Furthermore, only students that had their own transportation were assigned to live at the Grand Villa.

Although Stetson handled the housing needs of students rather smoothly at the Grand Villa DeLand, the same cannot be said for the students currently living in the Hampton Inn. The 45 students living there were not notified of their assignments until August 1, less than three weeks before the scheduled move-in dates. Considering that all of these students are in their first year, this delay adds additional stress for incoming students already facing the difficulties of transitioning to college.

Moreover, being reliant on a shuttle to and from campus is far from convenient for first years who were operating under the assumption that they would be living on campus.

What’s truly concerning about these housing issues is that they reveal much more difficult problems about how the university communicates, as well as the numerous contradictions between the stated objectives of the university and the reality on campus.

The university’s goals are articulated in a strategic plan that lasts for five years.

Part of the initiative within the strategic plan to recruit the best students to Stetson involves increasing the student population to 3000 undergraduates. This is perfectly acceptable as an objective, provided that the university has the resources to provide for students, staff, and faculty.

When it comes to housing, the resources aren’t there. Despite the goal of increasing the student population, there are no plans currently to build or purchase a new residence on campus.

Dr. Correll-Hughes explained that when a university purchases a building, they are making an investment for thir-

ty or more years. Before building a new residence, a university must ensure that they will continue to have demand for it in the long term. Since Stetson has yet to calculate what their long-term needs are, they cannot commit to constructing a new dorm. When I inquired about long-term solutions for housing, Dr. Correll-Hughes mentioned that he is a specialist in occupancy management and projections. One of his primary tasks as the new Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life will be to work with others throughout the university to devise long-term plans for housing.

This is great, but it seems to me that it would have been more logical for the

“Housing students in hotels isn’t a viable long-term option.”

— Dr. Larry Correll-Hughes, Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life university to develop a long term plan and think about their needs for housing and other resources before actively trying to increase enrollment and having to deal with shortages. Even Dr. Correll-Hughes admits, “Housing students in hotels isn’t a viable long-term option.”

Increasing the student population without ensuring that the proper resources are there seems to counter the university’s goals regarding community building on campus and directly contradicts the university’s goal to offer more spaces like the coffee shop or lounges on campus that are neither academic nor residential in nature.

In an attempt to maximize on-campus housing, several of the lounges in residence halls are being utilized as student

Meditation: It’s not just for hippies anymore Kaitlyn Forsythe Staff Contributor Gone are the days where talk about meditation and contemplative practices are reserved for only monks, hippies, and the social recluses of the world. The spotlight is on meditation and mindfulness practices now more than ever. Once thought of as a cult activity, meditation is now the interest of teachers, teenagers, and CEO’s alike.

I recently met a man who said to me, “It’s the golden age, kid. Look around.” And indeed he was on to something. Look around. More and more people are becoming aware of environmental sustainability and ethical eating choices. Recycling and reusable shopping bags exist in many modern American homes. At nearly every restaurant in DeLand, there is at least one vegan/vegetarian option.

According to a 2008 study published by Vegetarian Times, 7.3 million Americans are vegetarians.

These are results of mindfulness and awareness,

both of which can be cultivated through meditation.

It’s difficult to make a plug for meditation, because each person comes for different reasons and each person will benefit in different ways. American spiritual teacher, Ram Dass, lists the reasons people begin to meditate in his book Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook: • To answer the question, “Who am I?” • To awaken cosmic consciousness • To see things just as they are • To rend the veils of illusion • To know God • To tune to the harmony of the universe • To gain more compassion To reach a higher consciousness • To become liberated • To be born again • To know the truth which lies beyond dualism • To transcend the wheel of birth and death • To abandon desire • To be free “These motives all describe the same peak from different points at its base.

They all express a single

desire: the escape the prison of ego.”

Lofty goals,eh?

For me, meditation was a path to a new understanding, a new perspective on the same reality. I thought that I would find new things and learn a new lingo like one would when you pick up any hobby like remote control helicopters or coin collecting. In those activities, one would learn about the anatomy of a helicopter or brush up on the history of various mints and metals. I thought it would be a hobby like fishing or Pinterest-ing or something. Something I would do as a “side thing” or an extracurricular activity. I thought it be difficult in the same way that learning a new skill would be difficult.

But what I found was that there really wasn’t a separate lingo or a fixed social body attached to meditation. I found that there is no "type" that participates, but that meditation and the hunger for it breeds inclusivity. I found that it was not a separate activity, but merely a tool to do what I already do in a

rooms, thereby decreasing these types of spaces. Additionally, in virtually all of Stetson’s recruiting material, there are mentions of the value of living on campus and of being a part of the close-knit community that develops on a small campus. For students who are forced to live in a hotel off-campus due to the university’s inadequate planning, there are additional obstacles that must be overcome to become part of this community on campus, in large part because of the distance between campus and the Hampton Inn and Grand Villa. Dr. Correll- Hughes reminded me that “distance is relative”, mentioning that at some of the other campuses where he’s worked, “the Hampton

more mindful way.

Not everyone likes remote control helicopters, but everybody likes inner peace. Inner peace can be approached with a cultivated meditation practice.

Jora Young is a warm, welcoming presence with an enthusiasm to teach meditation to the curious hearts and minds at Stetson. Young's “Meditation Starter Kit” was offered last fall. The course was sponsored by Interfaith Assistant Director, Lindsey Graves, who is also passionate about the benefits of meditative practices.

I took this short course and it awakened my own interest in meditation. Almost every day, I am reminded of the benefits of this practice that resonate throughout my life.

This course is open to all faculty, staff, and students. Below are the dates and location. It will meet four times at the Rinker Environmental Learning Center.

• Wednesday, Sept. 2 • Wednesday, Sept. 9 • Wednesday, Sept. 16 • Wednesday, Sept. 23

Inn would still be considered as being on campus.”

I agree that in comparison to a large university, the distance between the hotel and campus isn’t large. However, Stetson is not a large university and thus the comparison cannot be made.

I truly hope that Dr. Correll-Hughes can use his expertise in occupancy management to produce long-term solutions.

However, the realist in me isn’t impressed. In an interview about housing last year, the former Vice President of Student Affairs made similar statements that solutions would be found and that the university would have adequate housing, yet this problem remains.

Déjà vu.

Contributors wanted

Dear readers,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all incoming and returning students. I wish you all an intellectually challenging and enlightening academic year.

As part of our continuing effort to promote dialogue on campus, The Reporter encourages any member of the Stetson community who has an opinion about an issue that affects the Stetson campus or the broader community to submit articles for publication.

Contributors to the opinion section are welcome to submit articles on controversial and political issues, provided that they are well versed on the topic. All submissions will be considered. The Reporter is also looking for regular contributors for the opinion section.

If you are interested, please submit articles or inquiries to Opinion Editor Kaley Fulton at kfulton@stetson.edu, or Editor-in-Chief Sarah Dean at sdean1@stetson.edu.

We hope to continue the momentum we gained last year in using the opinion section as a place for discussion and interaction within the Stetson community.

I look forward to reading your submissions and wish you the best in this new academic year.

Cheers, Kaley Fulton

Meet the players The rookies

The boss

Sarah Dean Editor-in-chief Sarah is a senior communications major and journalism minor. The Reporter sucks up nearly every waking minute of her life, but she also works for The West Volusia Beacon and manages to get to class. During her free time, you can find her on Tumblr, watching Project Runway, re-watching Criminal Minds for the fortieth time, or unconscious. Sarah is bad at cooking, but enjoys it none-

theless. Most of her “cooking” is microwaving frozen pizzas while singing along loudly to The Beatles. She has two pets, a dog named Maggie and a bulgy-eyed goldfish named Dr. Spencer Reid. Sarah is excited to be taking the reigns of The Reporter this year, and says much of her leadership inspiration comes from the original World’s Greatest Boss, Michael Scott.

You can email her any time at sdean1@stetson.edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: “Life’s like a movie. Write your own ending.” — Kermit the Frog

Returning lineup

Caroline Williams Copy and Content Editor Caroline is a senior double majoring in English and history.

Other than The Reporter, she is involved in Stetson Historical

Sam Votaw

Arts and Entertainment Editor Sam is a senior communication major and journalism minor. Apart from managing The Reporter’s A&E pages, Sam can be frequently

Madison Akins Staff Writer Madison is a junior at Stetson. Her major is early childhood education and her minor is

Constuling with the history department. She also works in the religious studies department so she can pay for her espresso addiction. In the rare but precious free time she has, Caroline writes fanfiction about America’s founding fathers.

In fact, she has an unhealthy obsession with the TV show TURN: Washington’s Spies.

When not crying over said show, she enjoys exercising, watching British period drama, reading something she doesn’t have to annotate, and playing with her two dogs, Mr. Bingley and Miss Jane. She can be reached at cwillia2@stetson.edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: “Don’t lie to immigration officers.” spotted at many a live musical performance, normally of the loud and abrasive persuasion. He is passionate about bike rides, tacos, and recently professional wrestling, which is something that most people shame him for like a bad drug habit. He is stoked as hell for Star Wars Episode VII coming out on Dec. 18 and has also has read Jack Kerouac’s On the Road multiple times, claiming it’s the only thing he can actually read anymore. You can leave him your complaints over at svotaw@stetson.edu Inspiration for freshmen: “When you walk up to opportunity’s door, don’t knock. Kick that bitch in, smile, and introduce yourself” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson English. She spends most of her time in Edmunds gym because she plays for Stetson's volleyball team, which makes sense, because she writes for the sports section of The Reporter. With the little free time she has left, she enjoys watching HGTV or catching up on her leisure reading. She loves animals, and has had about 15 different kinds pets in her life.

Back home in Georgia she has her dog, Beethoven, cats named Rudy and Pork Chop, a tarantula named Harriet, a bearded dragon, and a newt.

Inspiration for freshmen: Participate in activities on campus! Get out of your comfort zone.

Kyo Padgett Lauren A. Davids Layout Designer News Editor Lauren is a sophomore majoring in communications and media studies who not only works for The Reporter, but is also secretary for the new Bass Fishing Club on campus because she is “hooked” on the adrenaline rush of pulling in a big ole’ bass and realizing he spit out the bait a long time ago. She loves her little man, Mocha, a chocolate lab born on Valentine’s Day in 2011. They like to sit poolside and ponder the many secrets of life together while listening to the sweet sounds of frying bacon. Lauren also enjoys Pinterest and DIY crafting. She can be reached at ldavids@stetson.edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: “Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” — Charles Dickens

Kyo-Nicole Padgett is a senior English major with creative writing and digital arts minors. Her work as the editor of Touchstone, the campus literary arts journal, takes up all her love, while her attention is constantly switching between her role as President of Sigma Tau Delta: Gamma Zeta Chapter, spending too much time playing with layout designs, and cats. Kyo pretends she loves cooking, but really just loves pretty food and kitchenware. In her free time, she films, writes, embroiders, and remembers she really has no free time. You can reach her at npadgett@stetson. edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: Two tips: Uncouth Hour has cultural credit, and the couches in Flagler are the comfiest.

Jason Cruz Staff Writer Jason is a junior double majoring in English and philosophy, which means he throws the least exciting parties on campus. When not suffering under the weight of other peo-

Kaley Fulton Opinion Editor Kaley is a junior studying political science and French in pursuit of a career focused on foreign policy. When she’s not writing articles or study-

Michael Allan Galvez Web Editor Michael Allan Galvez is a senior studying English and theatre arts, hoping to write and direct his own work someday.

Michael is known to over-com-

Sean McKnight Sports Editor Sean is a senior molecular biology major and semi-professional raccoon-wrangling minor along with a minor in self contained underwater breathing apparatus. Outside of his wonderful contributions about various

Nicole Frechette Staff Photographer Nicole is a senior digital arts major with a sports business minor. When not taking pictures for The Reporter, she can be found working in

Maeve Coughlin Staff Photographer

Allegra Henderson Web Designer

Maeve is a sophomore history major, with a double minor in German and digital arts. When she’s not behind the camera, she can be found hiking, learning new languages, or writing the next great American novel.

Maeve is a sucker for historical dramas, particularly those starring Keira Knightley.

She loves exploring and hopes to live abroad after completing her degree.

She can be reached at mcoughli@stetson.edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: “Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.”

Allegra is a junior digital arts major with a minor in entrepreneurship. Outside of The Reporter, she is the president of the Anime Club (created last year), and the treasurer of the Nerd Culture Society. Allegra spends her free time reading, drawing, and watching Netflix.

She spends most of her time with her dog, Prince, who can frequently be seen around in Allegra’s bike basket or walking.

Allegra loves to build things with Legos and Lincoln Logs, and she also loves creative writing. She is excited to be the new web designer because she gets a chance to practice what she learned in class.

Inspiration for freshmen: “All hail the rocks!”

ple’s suffering, Jason actively volunteers on- and off-campus as a member of the Bonner program, serves as vice president of education for the university’s Honor Council (please please please don’t cheat) and tries to squeeze friends, books, movies, homework ,theme parks, video games, and politics into his rapidly-shrinking free time. If you

see him riding his bike with headphones on, remember it’s not you, but it’s everyone he’s tuning out for a minute. And please, don’t laugh at his nerdy shirts. Feel free to contact Jason at jrcruz@stetson.edu Inspiration for freshmen: “If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day.”

—Jim Valvano

ing, she can be found interacting with migrant workers, swimming at the beach, or binge-watching House of Cards. She also loves to travel and has even had the opportunity to ride an elephant and a camel. Kaley will be studying in Washington, DC for the fall semster, but she

is still involved with campus from afar, can be reached at kfulton@stetson.edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: Use these four years as an opportunity to expand your perspective as much as possible.

Engage in service learning and get involved in the community.

mit, and so with a few shots of espresso in the late nights, he is able to fulfill his hobbies of reading, playing video games, and passionately ranting about soccer. During the day, he gives tours as a Student Ambassador; teaches new members about Lambda Chi Alpha as the Fraternity Educator; and hangs out with his fellow international stu-

dents. You can either find him in the theatre getting ready for the next production or at the local 7-Eleven, trying his best not to buy his tenth cup of raspberry tea for the day. You can contact him at mgalvez@stetson.edu.

His advice to all students, new and returning: “A diamond is just a lump of coal that did well under pressure.”

sporting events on campus, Sean enjoys detailing with extreme accuracy the signs of the zodiac, as well as filming indie-style movies with his pet pug Napoleon as the protagonist and his pet clown fish Nigel as the anti-hero. Sean’s other hobbies include— but are not limited to—ornithologist, philatelist, philanthropist, conchologist, and natu-

rally, sports enthusiast, and a self-styled wrestling coach.

He also enjoys trap arrangements of Antonin Dvorak’s 9th symphony. You can email him at smcknigh@stetson. edu Inspiration for freshmen: “Never be too drunk to taste the chicken.” – Dr. Colonel W. Sanders M.D., P.h.D

athletics with the communications department or spending some relaxing time with her sisters at the Delta Delta Delta house. Although Nicole loves playing intramurals with her friends and sorority every year, this year she must take the season off to heal her torn ACL and focus on what she is going to be doing after

graduation (Yikes!). Besides all that, she loves to hang out with her friends and binge watch Lost on Netflix. She can be reached at nfrechet@ stetson.edu.

Inspiration for freshmen: Make new friends! Some of the friends you make your freshmen year will be with you for all four years.