Volume 6, Issue 4

INDEX:

NEWS

1-4

VIEWPOINTS

5-8 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 9-10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

11-12

HEALTH & FITNESS 13-14

SPORTS 15-16

Vol. 6, Issue 4 Oct. 24, 2014

Battle on the ballot Expert comes to campus to hash out the pros and cons of passing Proposition Two in Florida

Christa Perry Contributing Writer

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n less than three weeks medical marijuana could be legal in the state of Florida. The issue is on the ballots for the upcoming election on Nov. 4.

While this conversation has been present around the state and among students, a CPS event on Oct. 16 in Miller Auditorium localized the issue by bringing NBC News Senior Writer Tony Dokoupil to campus to discuss the legalization of medical marijuana and his critically acclaimed memoir about his pot-smuggling father.

Dokoupil’s book, “The Last Pirate: A Father, His Son, and the Golden Age of Marijuana,” delves into the history of the American drug economy and the marijuana business.

At the event, “The New Pot Barons: They’re Young, Well Educated, Politically Savvy — and Trying to Get Rich Making Marijuana Legit,” Dokoupil stated his conclusion upfront.

“I’m a supporter of the repealing of the prohibition of marijuana, but skeptical of the legal-

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ization of medical marijuana,” Dokoupil said.

The vote on Proposition may have implications for Eckerd College as well. Director of Emergency Management and Campus Safety Adam Colby said in an email that the college has already researched how other higher education institutions in legalized states have handled this state-wide policy change.

“If the bill passes, the college will work to determine the best course of action and the result of those meetings will dictate our policies,” Colby said in an email.

Director of Residence Life Jamey Handorf believes that the legalization of medical marijuana could affect the amount of marijuana use at Eckerd.

“I do believe that legalization of medical marijuana in Florida will potentially lead to more instances of students using marijuana on campus,” Handorf said in an email. “Our largest challenge in this regard will be to educate students on the difference between state and federal law, and which they will be held to.”

Continued on Pot, page 4

graphic by Hannah Hamontree The Current is a free, biweekly student newspaper produced at Eckerd College. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers.

2 News

the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Editor-in-Chief Sydney Cavero thecurrent@eckerd.edu

Managing Editors Teresa Young Gary Furrow Jr. currentme@eckerd.edu

News Editors Chelsea Duca Bryan Arnott Assistant Editor Jeremy Brown currentnews@eckerd.edu

Viewpoints Editors Dorothy-Mae Eldemire Araesia King currentviews@eckerd.edu

Science & Technology Editor Emma Cotton

Assistant Editor Sarah Raney currentscience@eckerd.edu

Arts & Entertainment Editor Leah Bilski

Assistant Editor Nate Gozlan currententertainment@eckerd.edu

Health & Fitness Editor Blaide Woodburn currenthealth@eckerd.edu

Sports Editors Dominick Cuppetilli Sabrina Lolo currentsports@eckerd.edu

Photo and Graphic Design Editor Alex Zielinski currentphoto@eckerd.edu

Online Editor Hailey Escobar currentonline@eckerd.edu

Layout Editor Hannah Hamontree

Assistant Editors Andrew Friedman Clifford Lezark currentlayout@eckerd.edu

Multimedia Manager Gary Furrow Jr. currentvideo@eckerd.edu

Social Media Coordinator Marissa Meleedy

LET’S BE BRIEF

By Bryan Arnott & Chelsea Duca News Editors

Tickets for Halloween Ball available The Flush

Registration period opens Email from Jennifer Gibbs

On Oct. 31 Palmetto Productions will be hosting its Seniors register starting on Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. until annual Halloween Ball at the Coliseum. Tickets are $10 Nov. 2 at 9:59 p.m. Juniors register Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. in front of the mailboxes or in Campus Activities. The theme is “Pick your Poison” and will include a costume until Nov. 3 at 9:59 p.m. Sophomores begin Nov. 3 at 10 p.m. until Nov. 4 at 9:59 p.m. Freshmen register for contest, a live disc jockey and food. one course on Nov. 5 at 10 p.m. until Nov. 6 at 3 p.m., then register for remaining courses starting Nov. 6 at Triton Fishing Tournament approaches 10 p.m. until Nov. 7 at 9:59 p.m. Juniors and seniors Waterfront email who have not finished their College Program Series requirement register Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. until Nov. 8 at 9:59 The 10th annual Triton Inshore Slam Fishing Tour- p.m. nament is only a few weeks away. The tournament will be on Nov. 7 and the entrance fee is $250 per angler. EC Powerlifting Club Compete to win the Master Angler Award. Items proIn the Know vided include guide/boat, licenses, rod and tackle, bait, angler bag, prizes, a T-shirt, hats, drinks and lunch.

Have a penchant for picking things up and putting them down? The EC Powerlifting Club will be hosting a Powerlifting Mock Meet Saturday Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.

Women’s Soccer seniors to be honored in the Gamble Weight-Room (by the pool). Anyone Triton Athletics in the EC community is welcome to compete or just watch as an audience member. Lifts are squat, bench On Oct. 28 the Eckerd College Women’s Soccer team and deadlift. will take on Florida College in the annual Senior Night game. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. with the Senior Night fes- Butterfly garden opens on campus tivities beginning before the match at Turley Complex.

Email from Alison Ormsby

America’s Got Talent comes to Tampa

On Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. a new butterfly garden created

by Professor Alison Ormsby will be opened behind McArthur gym, next to the Palm Hammocks and America’s Got Talent will be coming to Tampa on North Parking Lot. Refreshments will be served.

Press release

Liquor violations triple in past three years

Business Manager Gabe Rosenthal currentads@eckerd.edu

Faculty Adviser K.C. Wolfe

The Current is a free biweekly student newspaper at Eckerd College.

Offices are located upstairs in Cobb at 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of EC students, staff, faculty and administration.

The Current welcomes letters to the editor. Submissions should be typed and not exceed 400 words.

Writers must include their full name, graduation year and contact number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and contact number. All submissions are subject to editing for the purposes of clarity, style or length. The Current holds the right to reject any letters deemed inappropriate. Letters can be sent via email to thecurrent@eckerd.edu with subject “Letter to the editor.” _______________________________ The Current will run full-length articles covering any arrests that present a clear danger to the community.

Charges that would be investigated under this policy include robberies, assaults, weapons charges or illicit drug manufacturing, such as methamphetamine. The Current will continue publishing a small police blotter for felony arrests, and misdemeanor charges against student government leaders, Residential Advisors and staff members of The Current. We learn of arrests through searching the police arrest database by entering Eckerd’s address, as well as from tips. Questions and comments can be emailed to thecurrent@eckerd.edu.

Nov. 2 and auditions are open to all ages. If you are interested in auditioning, visit www.agtauditions. com to register.

photo by Bryan Arnott Changes to enforcement have caused increased liquor law violations.

By Jeremy Brown Asst. News Editor Liquor law violations have tripled on campus from 75 violations in 2011 to 225 violations in 2013, according to the Annual Crime and Fire Safety Report released

by Campus Safety on All colleges and universities are required to release an annual public safety report under the Clery Act. Liquor law violations, according to the Eckerd Crime and Fire Safety Report, are defined as the violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, transporting, furnishing, possessing of intoxicating liquor; main-

taining unlawful drinking places; bootlegging; operating a still; furnishing liquor to a minor or intemperate person, using a vehicle for illegal transportation of liquor; drinking on a train or public conveyance; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned activities.

Director of Emergency Management and Campus Safety Adam Colby said this large jump in the amount of violations was due to changes in enforcement.

“We no longer give verbal warnings to students,” Colby said.

A new change was implemented into the Campus Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) before the 2013 school year. In previ-

ous years, Campus Safety officers were able to give students a verbal warning if the Campus Safety officer deemed them compliant. This new change to the SOPs removed the possibility of a student receiving a verbal warning. Instead, the student will be documented immediately.

Colby believes that this rise in numbers is positive because it is helping prevent alcohol related deaths and injuries on campus.

“I don’t think crime statistics are a bad thing,” Colby said.

“Crime statistics show an active approach towards positive change.”

Alcohol-related unintentional injuries lead to the deaths of 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 every single year, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Director of Residence Life Jamey Handorf feels the sharp increase in violations cannot be attributed to a single cause.

Handorf agrees that no longer giving verbal warnings to students is a part of the reasoning behind the increase in violations, but not the only reason.

“There has also been better training and a more collaborative approach between Campus Safety officers and the RAs,” Handorf said.

RAs participate in training during Autumn Term that allows them to work closely with Campus Safety officers. They are

placed in simulated situations that might arise during the course of the year and are required to handle the event accordingly.

These situations are stressful and allow the RAs to learn to think quickly and efficiently as they develop proper action plans.

At the end of the simulations, the RAs receive feedback on their performances that they can implement when they encounter similar situations.

Handorf also thought that there may be a generational social shift in alcohol consumption among the incoming classes. Handorf has seen Eckerd and many other colleges move away from beer and towards liquor.

Senior Dylan Pepper believes there has been a change in the drinking patterns on Eckerd’s campus.

“I feel like the classes have gotten worse,” Pepper said. “From what I’ve seen on the weekends, underage drinking has been on an incline, especially in the consumption of liquor.”

Pepper also feels that drinking is common among students.

Eighty percent of college students drink alcohol and almost half of these individuals reported binge drinking in the past two weeks, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The rest of the Eckerd College Annual Crime and Fire Safety Report is available at eckerd.edu/ safety.

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the current

News 3

Oct. 24, 2014

News Immigration discussion comes to Eckerd

By Derek Bedami Contributing Writer

photo courtesy of Pete Souza via Flickr Malala Yousafzai meets with the first family in the Oval Office.

Youngest Nobel winner announced

By Hailey Escobar Online Editor On Oct. 10 Malala Yousafzai became the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17, sharing the 2014 prize with fellow education activist Kailash Satyarthi. Last year she was officially the youngest nominee at 16, but lost to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Yousafzai was raised in a home that encouraged education due to her father’s work at schools in her native Swat, Pakistan. Over time, Yousafzai grew passionate about every child, especially young girls like herself, having access to an education.

However, being a young girl wanting an education was difficult under the rule of the Taliban.

In 2008, she became an activist for youth education, speaking out against the terrorist organization and even started a blog through the BBC in 2009 to share her experience with the world. This drew the Taliban’s attention to her and they began sending death threats to her home.

According to Biography.com, it was in 2012, when she was only 15, the Taliban followed through on their threats. The van carrying her and her friends to school was stopped and a gunman entered.

Yousafzai was asked to identify herself, and he shot her at close range in the head and shoulder. She was airlifted to a local hospital and then to a hospital in the United Kingdom to receive treatment.

She survived, and, instead of being silenced, her voice grew with her

global audience. The following year on her 16th birthday, she spoke before the entire United Nations on girls’ education.

“I want to tell children all around the world that they should stand up for their rights. They shouldn’t wait for someone else,” Yousafzai said during a press conference following her win.

Her work has inspired activists and movements towards education around the world. “I personally think that her actions really reinforce a basic belief that children are they key to the future,” Sophomore Julia Barton said. “I really like the future Malala works towards. It also proves that young people can do amazing things. She inspires.”

Satyarthi, who comes from India, has dedicated his work to protecting children’s rights. His organization, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, or Movement to Save Childhood, has worked to save and rehabilitate over 80,000 child laborers, according to Time Magazine. While he is nowhere near as famous as his younger co-winner, his dedication to protecting children has made him a symbol of hope for children forced into servitude and the prize will only further his efforts into a global stage.

With this year’s winners announced, the Nobel Committee has shined a light on the growing awareness about the suffering of children around the world. However, they have also shown that no matter the age, it is our responsibility to stand up and speak out against these atrocities.

A small, interactive crowd of students and community members engaged in an open conversation with newly elected U.S. Congressman David Jolly on Oct. 14 during a CPS event. Jolly represents Florida’s 13th district, which encompasses St. Petersburg and Eckerd College.

The event began with a broad description of the issues and the congressman’s proposed solutions for the issue of immigration.

Jolly placed most of the blame on gridlock in Washington, as well as a lack of commitment to solving issues such as immigration. He continuously expressed disapproval of other members of Congress for their absence in D.C, due to the current recess, and insufficient hours spent on the hill.

“I think that congressmen and women should be required to be at the capital from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,” Jolly said.

This comment was met with much applause from the crowd. In addition to the inadequate time put in by his colleagues, the congressman also blamed the power that leadership has over the agenda,

claiming that it does not allow other members to address and move forward on issues important to them and their constituents.

Marriage fraud was another hot topic for the congressman, who said that this illegal behavior is taking place largely to verify illegal citizens with a path to citizenship by marrying a current U.S. citizen, and that it is “obvious that the law is being manipulated.”

Jolly said that the government should further investigate the legitimacy of a proposed marriage between an alien and U.S citizen.

“We can do better with enforcement,” Jolly said.

Following the congressman’s speech, attendees voiced their concerns, especially involving the issue of children immigrating to the U.S. According to the U.S Department of Homeland Security, 52,000 unaccompanied children have been apprehended since October 2013.

“Children have to have some level of protection,” he said.

At one point, Jolly compared children in poverty in the U.S. to those in Central and South American countries, and suggested that children in the U.S. are worse off in some cases.

“If we had a mechanism that

could lovingly return refugees to their home states, that would be ideal,” Jolly said.

Jolly also discussed other alternatives like requiring appropriations of money going to these countries from the U.S., in the form of foreign aid, to assist children and other citizens whose basic needs are not met. He went on to argue that money would be better spent building these developing countries up, in order to take care of their own citizens, rather than allocating that money in the U.S. “Is a million dollars better spent in Mexico City or St. Petersburg?”

Jolly asked.

Sophomore Jesse Wagner had mixed reactions to Jolly’s responses.

“I believe his answers were good and I agreed with most of them, but he really didn’t give us an exact way he would get these ideas implemented,” Wagner said.

While people in the room both agreed and disagreed with Jolly’s claims, the atmosphere was one of calm and acceptance of the disagreement that might have existed, one of the points the congressman tried to make -- the need to bring civility and conversation back to the debate in order to solve this humanitarian crisis.

photo courtesy of davidjolly.com U.S. Congressman David Jolly spoke about immigration at a CPS event on Oct. 14.

ITS to continue cable in dorm rooms

By Sarah-Jayne Thursby Staff Writer

The cable TV provided in dorm rooms throughout campus will be provided for the next three years, according to Director of ITS John Duff.

Earlier this semester, ECOS President Brady O’Donnell said that ECOS is currently paying part of the cable bill and were therefore considering removing the cable TV service from dorm rooms depending on students’ opinions.

Those opinions were recorded in online surveys and print publications, which showed that 40 percent of those students still use the service or believe it is important.

Therefore, ITS has decided to keep the in-dorm cable subscription active for the next three years. A three year contract was signed for dorm room cable TV instead of a five or seven year one.

The only change is the cost of the service. ITS has negotiated

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with Brighthouse Networks for a reduction in the price of the service by approximately one third, to $10,000 per month. They would like to invest the money this would save into the campus’ network and Internet services, after getting authorization from the Division of Business and Finance.

Putting money into Internet services would likely lead to an increase in bandwidth, the main reason behind wireless issues on campus. According to ITS, 70 percent of the network’s bandwidth is used by streaming video, especially during the weekend.

Even Eckerd’s background carriers, such as Level 3 Communications, have stated that they cannot keep up with the growing bandwidth demand. They will also have to build more network capacity to facilitate increased traffic from streaming websites.

“It is kind of interesting that Netflix is getting colleges and universities to invest a lot of money into their network to carry their

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product,” Duff said. “It’s a great business model.”

Duff and others in ITS have noticed changes in the viewing patterns in the cable TV industry.

More consumers are watching TV on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime Instant Video. In the next three years, students may appreciate a network that supports increased traffic from Netflix and other streaming services more than a cable TV subscription.

“At first, I was frustrated, but I would rather have better Internet than cable,” Sophomore Paige Austin said. “I have a TV in my room, but I rarely use it because I don’t have time when the shows I want to watch are on. I end up using Hulu Plus to watch my shows anyways.

Some networks are even putting the new episode up to watch for free on their websites.”

ITS researched individual cable packages, but each provider only wants to deliver cable TV to the college as a bulk package. The price for individual coverage started at

$60 per month. Although this price also included Internet, it was later deemed too expensive by ITS management. Duff also looked at delivering cable TV over the college’s network but had difficulty finding a cost-effective partner.

“I think it is important that the opportunity to use cable in the

dorm rooms is present,” Freshman Ashley Ellis said.

In the future, ITS would like to provide a service similar to the company Philo, which delivers cable TV through the Internet. This would ensure that it is available on any device including Apple TVs, Roku and even Xbox 360.

photo by Alex Zielinski Cable will be staying on campus for another three years.

4 News

the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Eckerd continues to examine relations with ELS

By Bryan Arnott News Editor In a polarizing decision in September, Eckerd administration removed ELS males from campus. It is an issue that draws strong opinions from both sides of the debate. Since then, two ELS males have been allowed to live on campus again.

President Donald Eastman made the final decision to remove the male students. While he said he wasn’t excited about making the decision to ban all ELS males from living on campus, he said he couldn’t figure out a better way to ensure the safety of Eckerd students.

The discordance between ELS males and Eckerd residential students was brought to the attention of President Eastman a few years ago. Eastman knew little of these troubles before the group of students he met with most regularly, the executive staff of The Current, brought this issue to his attention.

“My highest priority is protecting our residential students,” Eastman said.

The next steps now involve talks with ELS and a review of internal plans.

“We’re trying to get them [ELS] to modify the program in ways that make it acceptable to us,” Eastman said.

According to President Eastman, one of the main problems occurs even before the ELS students arrive on campus. The screening process that these students undergo is very different from that for Eckerd students.

“The issue is here, we know a lot about you before you show up as [an Eckerd] freshman...we don’t know anything about these people,” he said. “Neither does ELS. They know this guy came from Saudi Arabia and he says he’s got a B.A. degree and he says he’s 25 years old and that’s about all they know. I don’t think that’s enough of a screen to let us bring somebody in here and have him living next to you as a 16, 17, 18 year old freshman. I’m not happy about that.”

This is a different stance than that held by the Center Director for ELS St. Petersburg Karen Grubbs. Along with the classes on From Pot, page 1

Handorf believes that the passage of Proposition Two would not change Eckerd’s policy on the drug.

“Even if the voters decide to legalize marijuana for medical use in Florida, Eckerd is bound by federal law, which trumps state law in this instance,” Handorf said in an email.

While many users of the drug may be quick to rejoice at the passing of Proposition Two, Dokoupil stresses that people need to understand the implications of this happening.

In his article “Why Legalizing Marijuana on Election Day Might Not Be a Good Idea,” Dokoupil looks at both sides of the marijuana legalization debate.

“The upsides of legalization have been wildly oversold, and the potential downsides blithely ignored,” Dokoupil said. “Reformers argue that legalizing weed would goose the economy, free law enforcement resources to pursue more serious crime and unclog the criminal justice system. They say it would empty prisons and undercut the black market. The problem is: none of this is necessarily true.”

Dokoupil argues in his article that with the legalization of marijuana, it is possible that the market value would deflate as sales go

social etiquette that ELS students take upon arrival, Grubbs says all students attending the school must go through immigration, and getting a visa is a lengthy process that requires them to appear before the U.S. Embassy in their own country.

Recently two ELS males have been allowed to live on campus.

They were granted this status after thorough interviews conducted

by Dean of the Division of Executive and Continuing Education Kelly Kirschner, a c c o r d i n g to Eastman.

Eastman told Kirschner if he and his staff interviewed the people taken off campus who wanted to come back, and agreed they were clearly not suspects and 100 percent safe to have on campus, they could bring them back on.

The Annual Campus Safety Crime and Fire Safety Report, mandated by the Clery Act, shows that between 2011 and 2013 there were 13 reported forcible sex offenses, 392 reported liquor law violations that resulted in disciplinary action and 407 reported drug law violations.

The University of Tampa, a much larger school, reported 13 forcible sex offenses, 1,802 liquor law referrals and 592 drug law referrals in the same three year period.

The report doesn’t differentiate between Eckerd and ELS students, according to Director of Emergency Management and Campus Safety Adam Colby.

“Anything that’s reported to us, whether it’s a student or not a student, whether it’s

the victim or perpetrator, falls into this [report],” Colby said.

When it comes to keeping banned students of campus, Campus Safety uses “be on the lookout” (BOLO) reports, which are made accessible to Resident Advisors and Campus Safety, among other people.

“We have BOLO reports for a lot of individuals,” Colby said.

ter who it is -- we have a tendency to ID them, just to make sure.”

All perpetrators go through the same disciplinary process.

The disciplinary process used on campus differs from a judicial court process. This allows Eckerd to use the conviction “more likely than not responsible” when deciding sanctions, as opposed to being found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Of the two ELS students who were removed from living on campus before ELS males were removed, one of them was found “more likely than not responsible” for having committed sexual misconduct.

“The outside court system works upon a completely different evidence standard -- which is that proof beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Colby said.

“College campuses do not work on that. College conduct processes are on what’s called a mere scintilla.”

A regular judicial system would require Eckerd to take more of a graphic by Alex Zielinski & Hannah Hamontree critical approach to the judicial pro“There’s a whole banned list that cess, according to Coordinator for the RAs have access to and Cam- Community Standards Mara Shinpus Safety has access to. [It] has gleton. This process would call for individuals that have been on breathalyzers, among other things. that list since early 2000 is what “It’s sort of saying that if you I think it goes back to now.” believe somebody is more likely In conjunction with BOLO than not to have committed an reports, Campus Safety regu- act -- and this goes all the way larly checks IDs of any person on from alcohol cases to everything campus they do not recognize. -- if they are more likely than not “You end up knowing individu- to have committed that, then they als on campus and things like that,” are found responsible,” Colby said.

Colby said. “The Campus Safety The use of this for convictions officers, if they don’t recognize differs from case to case. Shingleanyone, they’ll ID. If it’s someone ton explains that the Conduct they’re not used to seeing -- no mat- Review Committee, which hears

the most serious offenses, may decide this. The committee usually reviews cases stemming from sexual misconduct, assault, harassment and hazing. The committee includes one dean, who is the chair and doesn’t receive a vote, a representative from SCSB, one faculty member, and one staff member.

“The committee will take into account the incident report submitted, all the evidence -- so that includes pictures, videos, statements that are written in about either the student or the situation,” Shingleton said.

Eckerd College adheres strictly to the guidelines set forth by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

“This means that discrimination on the basis of sex or gender will not be tolerated in any of the college’s education programs or activities,” Title IX Coordinator Lorisa Lorenzo said in an email.

“Such discrimination includes, but is not limited to sexual harassment; sexual violence; sex or genderbased bullying; hazing; stalking; relationship violence (including domestic violence and dating violence) and failure to provide equal opportunity in admissions, activities, employment or athletics.”

As the Title IX Coordinator it is Lorenzo’s job to identify and address, “any patterns or systemic problems related to sexual harassment and gender discrimination,” according to Lorenzo.

“When the complaints regarding ELS participants were filed,” Lorenzo said in an email, “The college opened a Title IX investigation into each incident as well as a Title IX investigation into the complaints of atmospheric sexual harassment by ELS participants.”

Title IX requires the college to take several actions to alleviate harassment and ensure the safety of students on campus. These actions can range from changing the offender or victim’s academic schedules to imposing an interim suspension.

Title IX compels Eckerd to end harassing or discriminatory conduct, prevent its recurrence and remedy the effects on the victim and the community.

up but prices go down. Legal pot would be so easy to grow that it would not support jobs for enough people.

Sophomore Evgenia Chrysochoou does not doubt the medicinal uses of marijuana, but thinks there are alternatives.

“Marijuana is an herb. It is not some sort of super medicine. I think that people can find other solutions, and there definitely are other solutions,” she said.

As for freeing law enforcement to pursue more serious crime, officials would still have to regulate and enforce the new marijuana laws. Police would still have to make marijuana-related arrests, just as they do with alcohol.

Dokoupil also has a personal connection to this debate. His father was a pot baron in the 1970s and ‘80s, smuggling marijuana into the country in unmarked trucks.

Back then, pot barons were heroes for returning with the goods under strict laws. The old-school environment of relaxed drug circles has transitioned into a highly regulated environment.

“Marijuana is fundamentally different -- it has become Marijuana Inc.,” Dokoupil said.

The face of marijuana is now businessmen and conference rooms, a fact that worries Dokoupil

deeply.

The slogan for legalization in Colorado in 2012 was, “Regulate it like alcohol.” Dokoupil did not approve of this slogan, however, commenting that he does not believe that alcohol is regulated very well.

According to Dokoupil, with the current alcohol business model, 80 percent of the profits come from the 20 percent of users who abuse the substance.

“That is the kind of person who makes the most money for the alcohol industry,” Dokoupil said. “It is in a company’s best interest to create the most number of those people as possible. This is also true about cigarettes. People who study these kinds of markets are concerned that marijuana will follow the same pattern.”

If marijuana follows this pattern, then Dokoupil believes users who have dependency issues will be targeted by marketers and harmed by their campaigns. Dokoupil mentioned some of the upsides of marijuana legalization in passing: tax revenues, decreased criminal populations and reduced cartel activity.

These positive views of marijuana legalization are shared by Freshman Annelies Schellingerhoudt.

“Last year I lived in the Netherlands, so I saw the effects legal marijuana has on a society,” Schelling-

being introduced to marijuana for the first time.

Chrysochoou worries about the effect of marijuana advertising on kids.

“I really think that if medical marijuana is legalized, then we are on our way to getting it legalized for all uses,” Chrysochoou said.

“And then younger people are going to have access to it more than they used to. Middle school kids are going to have unlimited access to it and will see the advertisements for it.”

Dokoupil has similar worries on the far reach that advertising may have with medicinal marijuana.

“I think medical marijuana is both an extension of medicine and compassion to a sick population, but I think it is also, simultaneously, a step toward recreational use legalization,” Dokoupil said. “I think that can be okay but not if you move out of a non-profit model. If you move to a commercial model with profit motives, that can be a problem.”

Dokoupil said that he has no idea what the effects of legalizing marijuana for recreational use would have on the U.S. “No one has ever done this before,” he said.

The U.S. has indeed set foot into uncharted territory.

erhoudt said. “As long as you have some form of control over it, you actually get a lot less problems from it.”

The positives effects of marijuana legalization are debatable, but Dokoupil focused more on whether or not the possible positives outweigh the negatives. There are certainly people who will not benefit from the legalization of marijuana.

“I’m not against people smoking,” Dokoupil restated near the end of his talk. “I don’t think they should be harassed by the cops, I don’t think they should be obstructed in what they’re doing. But when you give industries the opportunity to use their very good skill set to crack more and more people open and give them this thing that they may not want and may not help them, you can have potential problems.”

Businesses have become very good at selling their products.

Companies use witty slogans and subtle lies to sell junk food and candy even though their products cause health problems like obesity.

For Dokoupil, marijuana could be masked by marketers in a similar way if it is legalized. In this way the legalization of marijuana could harm the public, and especially those in the population who already have dependency issues or who are

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the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Viewpoints 5

Viewpoints Star sees future without false labels “I am not an African-American, I am an American,” said Symone Symone stated that she doesn’t want to be labeled as gay or black or African American but as a human who loves humans.

The use of labels has always been an issue in our society. The “Mean Girls” standard of high school labeling to labels in everyday life have become a commonplace in our society. Yet, many people don’t like being confined to these labels.

According to one Urban Dictionary post, a label is defined as “something you put on jars, not on people.” Another post defines a label as “pointless words used to stereotype people based on what they listen to or how they dress.” Both of these definitions of labels are truthful in that they are put on people because society wants to find a way to define who we are and where we fit in.

The first definition, however, resonates with me as I have also faced labels. I’m not white and many blacks don’t consider me fully black, so I have always stood out. It was always hard to fit in.

I was often called a “half-breed” because being mixed as a child wasn’t common and often if you were mixed you were light enough to be considered white or dark enough to be considered black.

Yet, I never saw myself as black or white. I saw myself as a Caribbean with strong lineage from all cultures. My mother was Jamaican and my father had German ancestry and I was taught at a young age that my color was not what defined me. My mother told me a story of graphic by Hannah Homontree how I came home crying at the The use of labels is widespread in our society. ripe young age of three because

By Dorothy-mae Eldemire Where Are They Now” Symone, kids at school called me white, who has managed to stay out and I never believed I was white.

Viewpoints Editor Yet, labels became such a comof the spotlight for most of her mon ground in society that it sudOn Oct. 8, Raven Symone, the life despite being so well known, denly became something we didn’t stood out as a role model for many child star from “The Cosby Show” think about. We would look at and “That’s So Raven” made a con- children. She managed to shock someone and decide what social the world with her statement. troversial statement on “Oprah’s group they belonged to simply

by how they dressed. We judged people by what music they listened to or what food they ate. It was a silent disease that spread through our homes, schools and workplaces.

“I think labels are nice when they are used respectfully. They’re good in a sense but the way people take them and use them, they use them in the wrong context. They’re good once used in the right context,” Freshman Emma Nassaney said.

Labels are all around us. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental diseases are becoming more prominent in children younger than 18. These teens go through this partially due to the labels, peer pressuring and bullying going on in schools. It’s hard being an age where you are trying to figure out who you are while having to deal with people telling you what you should be.

A photo circulated around social media of a girl in only a tank with labels written all over her in sharpie. Words like fat, worthless, nerd, freak, anorexic, bulimic, normal and strange covered her skin, but in tape covering her mouth was the word in all caps “HUMAN.” Girls all over suddenly started replicating the image, but the idea that labels defined us still remained.

“I can take so much, until I’ve had enough. Because I’m only human, just a little human,” Christina Perri, singer and songwriter belts in her song “Human” as she touches on this idea.

Yet, in our society these labels are what we live by. Is it possible to take a page out of Raven Symone’s book and remove these labels from our lives. Should we enforce the idea of having people call us by what we want to be and not by what they think we are? The truth is, we are a long way from having labels removed from our vocabulary. While it is possible, it may not be anytime soon, but possibly sometime in the near future.

INSIDE VIEWPOINTS The Rainbow Connection page 6 Longboard

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Friendly Fire

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Dear Abby, My roommate is obnoxious!

She is loud, doesn’t respect my time (coming in all hours of the night) and is super messy. Besides moving, ugh, what can I do?

Best, Frustrated and annoyed Dear Frustrated and Annoyed, The first thing I would do is sit down with your roommate and have a heartfelt discussion with her. The key here is to be honest with her and yourself. You can’t expect honesty back if you’re not honest with yourself. You should be respectful, but don’t hold anything back.

Also, I would recommend including your RA in this discussion. RAs are there to help with any roommate situation because, just like you, they want peace among their residents.

You can also call the Counseling Center at 727-864-8248 or email them at counseling@eckerd. edu. If all of this does not work then you may need to re-evaluate your rooming options. One of Eckerd’s goals is for every student to have the best experience they can while pursuing their education, and taking advantage of these resources is the first step.

Best, Abby

New perspective on the Heroine’s Journey

By Hailey escobar Online Editor

the end of the first interview as they were talking about the Hero’s Journey and it’s relation to her own About two weeks ago, I was experience in “Eat, Pray, Love.” sitting at home on a lazy SunNow, for the students who day morning, and I started are not in literature or creative watching Super Soul Sunday on writing classes and, therefore, the Oprah Winfrey network. might not be as familiar with For this particular episode, the term, here’s a little history.

Oprah Winfrey interviewed According to thewritersjourney.

Elizabeth Gilbert, the best- com, the Hero’s Journey was a term selling author famous for works coined by American scholar Joseph such her memoir as “Eat, Pray, Campbell based on the narrative Love,” which has been published patterns found in his research of in 46 languages, as Oprah men- stories and myths around the world. tions at the start of the interview.

In a nutshell, the journey is where The interview discussed Gil- a young person must answer the call bert’s spiritual journey outlined in of journey, face the trials before him her book and the masses of women and return a better human being. that have since begun the first steps “[The Hero’s Journey] is a beautoward journeys of their own. What tiful story,” Gilbert said in the incaught my attention, however, was terview. “It inspires us, it shows us a topic that came up at towards the way, but it has never included women. And that’s a big oversight, that the most “[The Hero’s Journey] is a beau- important human story tiful story,” Gilbert said in the that has ever existed interview. “It inspires us, it [The Hero’s Journey] shows us the way, but it has doesn’t include women except as side characters.” never included women.”

I thought back over -Elizabeth Gilbert some of the most famous characters of litera-

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ture and film : Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Odysseus, etc. I realized that she was right. There really weren’t any women especially when you consider Campbells life Gilbert’s description of Campbell’s reasoning behind the lack of female figures also boiled my blood.

This journey is where a broken person becomes whole. As women, we’re not supposed to be broken or wonder about our place in the universe. We are the life givers. Our purpose is obvious.

This interview made me exceedingly glad that I am a young woman in this new generation of inspiring women who represent “a new species of human,” as Gilbert said.

Before this time in our history, women didn’t have the role models to show them how to be a hero.

We’ve had to make it up as we go along which has, in my opinion, made women stronger.

We see it in the news through figures like Gilbert and Winfrey.

We are a part of a new chapter of the hero’s journey, the heroine’s journey, as I like to call it.

It is our turn to answer the call of our souls, to shake off our fears and find a way to tell our own stories.

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6 Viewpoints

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Oct. 24, 2014

The Rainbow Connection: Looking back at LGBT persecution

By Timothy lee Contributing Writer October is LGBT history month.

Let’s take a moment to remember that our history is filled with LGBT people who faced death or endless persecution for who they were or who they loved.

On June 7, 1954, Alan Turing, today widely considered the father of computer science, was found dead in his home. The inquest ruled Turing’s death a suicide by cyanide poisoning.

“In a man of his type, one never knows what his mental processes are going to do next,” the coroner said, according to a BBC News article.

But what was implied by “his type”? What led one of the brightest minds of the 20th century, the man whom Winston Churchill said was most responsible for the allied victory against Nazi Germany, to take his own life?

Just two years earlier, less than a decade after the war ended, Alan Turing reported a petty burglary to the police and soon found himself being prosecuted for “acts of gross indecency.”

Turing had revealed to the police that he’d had a male lover in his house. We may never know what the coroner meant by “his type,” but I think we can guess.

In 1885, a bill was passed by the British Parliament that made any male homosexual activity punishable by up to two years in prison, according to “The Law in England, 1290-1885.” That law was not repealed until 1967.

According to an article in USA Today, in the United States, state laws criminalizing gay sex were not all overturned until 2003, and

twelve states, including Florida, still have those unenforceable laws on their books. You may have trouble imagining a world where someone could go to prison because of who they love. But that world was very real, and for millions of people around the world, that still exists.

According to the BBC, today gay sex is a crime in almost 80 countries. More than two-fifths of all humans live in one of those countries, and more than 350 million people live in the seven countries where homosexual behavior is punishable by death.

“I’m very surprised,” Freshman Anna Lindquist, who is heterosexual, said. “I definitely think that is unfair, and [laws criminalizing homosexual behavior] should be abolished. It should be legal and free for everyone to do as they please.”

Faced with the prospect of prison, Alan Turing chose to accept forced chemical castration instead.

He was given estrogen injections intended to suppress his sexual urges. This allowed him to retain his mathematics position at the University of Manchester, where he had access to one of the world’s only computers. Two years later, he died.

On Nov. 21, “The Imitation Game,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the renowned homosexual computer scientist and codebreaker, will premiere in the U.S. In this LGBT history month, let us fight to make a different future for those LGBT people who still face persecution today. Let’s to make securing the human rights of LGBT people a priority of our international diplomacy, to change hearts and minds around the world, and to make that perilous today into a tomorrow with hope.

Courtesy of STUDIOCANAL UK Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing in “The Imitation Game.”

Letter to the editor:

“Changes to ELS impact campus” What bothered me about the “Changes to ELS impact campus” is that it focused more on cultural differences instead of the obvious difference here, which is sex. The ELS kids do not treat men the same way they treat females on campus here. This isn’t just a cultural problem (granted, it’s a lack of respect that may stem from culture); sexual harassment is the main issue here. The relevance of modern feminism and how it relates to the treatment of people on our campus is extremely important.

From my personal experience, I’ve had extremely bad experiences with male ELS students.

My freshman year I experienced sexual harassment on a constant basis: barking, whistling and being groped at parties. Not only

was I harassed going to and from my dorm on a daily basis -- even after I made it clear that this was unwanted attention -- but when I attended Eckerd parties, I would literally get grabbed and groped by these same kids. I have talked to several other female students who experienced the same thing.

It amazes me that it took someone getting sexually assaulted over the summer to finally catalyze action on behalf of Eckerd. The students in the ELS program are guests at our school, and should be treated as such.

I would love to help reduce the sexual harassment that occurs on this campus by spreading awareness that this kind of behavior is completely unacceptable.

Getting rid of sexism is just as important for both sexes, and

is not just a women’s issue. The feminist movement has been the foundation of women’s rights in America. While sexism has been diminished by an enormous degree, it is still prevalent in today’s society: hiding inside the advertisements of corporations, fashioning celebrity’s bodies into commodities, and creating socioeconomic barriers between the sexes. The majority of sexual harassment stems from an unequal regard of women and men when it comes to sexual intimacy, propagated by both sexes. Coming together and spreading awareness and talking about this issue is a critical part for instigating change.

aletheia preston Sophomore

Abstain from hook-up culture

By Blaide Woodburn Health & Fitness Editor From fashion to pop culture, it seems as if young adults are constantly being encouraged to engage in premarital sex, as long as it is safe. Well, guess what Eckerd, I am here to go against the grain and ask a different question: “What happened to waiting until marriage?”

Young adults everywhere are participating in premarital sex, but at what cost? Sure, sexual education classes are very informative and do an excellent job of making sex less of a taboo subject, but they fail to teach students what sex is truly about.

Sex is now perceived as an act that every couple participates in based on the fact that they are in a relationship.

Let’s say that Joe and Jane are two of the few, two of the proud, who are waiting until marriage.

Joe and Jane must be having sex. They are dating, right?

Well, not necessarily. Joe and Jane have risen above societal expectations of a relationship; they realize what sex is truly about.

Joe and Jane realize that sex is

meant for two individuals who are in love and committed to each other. This commitment, in their opinion, entails marriage.

“This guy is crazy” you might be thinking. “He is just some Bible thumper or prude who doesn’t know what it’s like to have sex.”

You’re half right. I am what some people might call a Bible thumper, but before I was committed to my walk with God, I also engaged in premarital sex.

Let’s step away from religion because, although that is part of my personal experience with this topic, my experience can relate to those who may not be even slightly religious.

Many can attest to the idea that with sex comes an intensified emotional attachment to your significant other, but some couples are not ready for this attachment, especially in college.

In my opinion, this intensified emotional attachment results in higher chances of jealousy, feelings of neglect, and at sometimes irritation, all emotions that college life tends to breed regardless.

A couple who has been together for a long time would more than likely be able to work through problems such as these. They

know each other well enough to know what makes the other jealous or irritated and, often, would be able to avoid the conflict altogether, unlike many new couples.

As a result, in my experience, couples who have sex tend to argue more. Couples who don’t have sex tend not to argue as much.

As I’ve said, I have observed this phenomenon when I compare my past relationship to my current one, but also when I compare my current relationship to those of my friends; however, there can be exceptions.

In 2002, when America was not as numb to the idea of premarital sex, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that divorce between a couple in the United States was 29 percent likely.

Now, after media, the entertainment industry and other influences have had 12 years to numb America to the idea of premarital sex, the divorce rate has risen to 48 percent.

Correlation does not suggest causation, but one might wonder if 12 years of media influence might have had a numbing effect to society’s view on premarital sex, thus increasing divorce rate rates due to young couples skewed views sex’s role in a relationship.

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Oct. 24, 2014

Viewpoints 7

#Amusing Musings Here is where we immortalize the funniest quotes from EC students and faculty. No names, no shame.

Follow us on twitter: @TheECCurrent Chemistry Professor “All of this stuff was made up by drunk, European men. That’s how IUPAC came to be...that was a meeting of men and brandy. They said, “I know! Make it alphabetical! Yep, that’s it. That’s the rule. Most chemistry was done under the influence. A lot of it still is.” #twodrinksago

Communications Professor “What don’t parents want their children to do? Parking. They’re having the sex.” #driveinmovies

Environmental Studies Professor “What kills me about urban planning is that they name the communities after what they got rid of to make them. Fox Run. Twelve Oaks. But you see no oaks. I mean there were12 oaks, but we see what happened to them.” #livinggreeninsuburbia

Biology Professor “I was so mad that I got kinase. I wanted to be a transcription factor.” #sciencestruggles

Show some courtesy, share the road

By Araesia King Viewpoints Editor Take a walk across Eckerd’s campus. Sure, you might see a yellow bike or one of the squirrels on campus that have become a bit too accustomed to human interaction, but one thing that you are guaranteed to run into is a longboard.

Aside from bikes and walking, longboards, skateboards and penny boards are the main modes of transportation at Eckerd.

The boarders on campus face many obstacles, especially with uneven sidewalks.

“We are planning on doing repairs on the uneven sidewalks, which pose as potential hazards for the boarders, over

the holiday break,” Director of Facilities Doug Ault said.

These repairs will make campus safer to travel across. However, there are issues with the roads and sidewalks being shared by both the boarders and non-boarders.

That being said, there needs to be a serious discussion between the boarders and non-boarders on campus. The boarders on this campus are seemingly innocent representatives of the typical Eckerd student on all of the college’s advertisements, but we, the students of Eckerd know better.

These boarders are swift, fourwheeled terrors, acting as Godzillas and wreaking havoc around campus. I cringe at the sound of boarders outside my window.

Eckerd students longboard on campus.

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Nothing parts a crowd of people like the sound of a boarder racing towards them.

Yes, I understand that the narrow sidewalks make it hard for boarders to navigate around crowds, but there is no excuse for the uncivil behavior of some boarders. They ride around on their high horses, expecting all of Eckerd to meet their needs.

Boarders, it is time for some etiquette lessons. Sorry to burst your bubble, but you do not run this campus.

Your fellow classmates should not live in fear of being run over.

This dilemma is easily solved. If you are coming up behind someone or a group of people, let them know.

A simple, “on your left or right” or

“behind” will do. If you are riding towards a group of people, let them know which way you are going. You don’t even have to say a word to do this. Just stick out an arm and point to your direction of travel.

To those of you boarders who already follow these rules, thank you. Please continue to set a proper example for your fellow boarders. You are a beacon of light on campus. Shine on.

That being said, the boarders on campus are not completely to blame for the conflicts between the two groups.

To those students who don’t ride some kind of board, act sensibly.

“It would make it easier for us students who ride boards if those students who were walking

would just step out of the way,” said Sophomore Alec Nelson.

Walkers, you don’t own the sidewalk. Don’t play chicken with the boarders on campus.

They are moving much faster than you are. You will get hurt.

Boarders those of us who don’t ride a board and are sharing the paths with you are not mind readers. Let us know where you are and where you are going. Nonboarders, don’t be stubborn.

Move out of the way if you can.

The dilemma between boarders and non-boarders on campus is an unnecessary one. I believe we can all reach an agreement on the matter.

Come on people. We’re all in college. We have been taught to share since we were in kindergarden. Embrace your inner child and share the road.

photo by Cypress Hansen

8 Viewpoints

the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Friendly Fire:

Is US policy crippling Cuba’s island nation?

By Matthew Cramer Staff Writer

In the beginning of September, President Obama renewed the Cuban Embargo under the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917.

This act must be renewed every year and can be readily withdrawn and the Embargo lifted, but unfortunately this has been continually signed every year for decades.

Despite international criticism for this nonsensical policy, which the Huffington Post reports the United Nations is strongly against by every member state except for the U.S. and Israel, the policy seems to continue without much attention.

The U.S. must realize that this policy continued implementation stands as a vestige of the past and fails to see that Cuba could become an ally if the U.S. changes its perception on Cuba The economic and social ills

In the 20th century, few countries have had as complex and contentious of a relationship with the U.S. as Cuba.

This complexity has carried over into the modern day, as the diplomatic ties between the two countries remain icy, and dialogue practically nonexistent.

While the Cold War era has ended, and the threat of communism no longer hangs over the country in a heavy pall, one thing has persisted: the trade embargo.

To understand the trade embargo and the modern perspective on the Cuban-American relationship, the history of the two countries must first be understood.

The roots of Cuban-American conflict can be traced back to the post WWII era, when the U.S. in an attempt to prevent the spread of socialism in South and Central America, began to prop up dictatorial and fascist governments in the region.

that Cuba experiences is largely dependent on the U.S.’s actions to punish Cuba, just 90 miles south of the United States.

For the past 52 years, the U.S. has implemented a policy that has crippled Cuba.

This decision was enacted as a security measure in 1962 as a response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the embargo was the most passive response to ensure security.

While the Cuban Embargo was a diplomatic triumph in the midst of the Cold War, the continuation of this policy is nothing more than an arbitrary relic, which has no place in the 21st century.

The embargo has loosened within the past few years in terms of allowing relatives to travel back and forth with greater ease, but the financial aspect of cutting Cuba off from

One such government was that of Fulgencio Batista, a Cuban military officer with ties to the U.S. He served as President of Cuba for a brief stint in the 1940s before living in the U.S. He later returned to Cuba in the ‘50s and orchestrated a coup to gain power. From there he presided over a corrupt government that lined his own pockets at the expense of the poor, with strong American support.

Ultimately the dollar was not enough to stop the rise of socialism in Cuba, and Batista was overthrown in the Cuban revolution.

From there came the government of Fidel Castro, whose brother Raúl is still the leader of Cuba; the Castro dynasty has ruled over the island for the past 60 years.

When Castro came to power he nationalized all businesses on the island, as communists often do. Many of these were American businesses, and in response to this action, as well as the U.S.’s

hate of communism, a strict trade embargo was established.

This embargo continues to this day.

The rationale behind the embargo was clear: show disapproval of the Castro regime, weaken their government, and as a result, work to destabilize it.

Unfortunately the USSR was more than happy to endorse the Cuban government and subsidize any of its costs.

However, with the fall of the Soviet Union, the Cuban economy has fallen into dire straits, and poverty has abounded. In the wake of this poverty many have blamed the U.S. embargo for causing, or perpetuating, such conditions, including the Castro regime themselves.

However, many studies seem to indicate that the U.S embargo is unrelated to the Cuban economic woes, such as those conducted by University of Miami Cuban Studies Research Associate José Azel.

trade with the U.S. is still in effect.

This has led to numerous issues which make the embargo even harder to justify in contemporary times.

Issues such as failing economic reforms in Cuba and a surge in Cuban citizens fleeing on homemade rafts to enter southern Florida demonstrate the unnecessary, overzealous policy that the U.S. continues to utilize.

With Fidel Castro no longer the leader of Cuba, and his brother Raúl Castro in power, Cuba has enacted new economic reforms which have only hindered their economy.

This recent downturn in the economy has led to a massive spike in migration of Cuban by means of crude, homemade rafts.

According to the New York Times, the previous fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, had

He points out that it is false to attribute the woes to U.S action, when 190 countries do trade with Cuba, and the economy still fails. Instead, the embargo stands as a testament to the U.S. rejection of the brutal oppressive dictatorship of the Castro brothers.

Many have pointed out the hypocrisy of such a policy against a dictator from the U.S. as the state department has no other embargos against other countries with dictators.

I agree that there is no light under which it is not hypocritical, but that does not make it wrong.

It’s better to take a stand against one dictatorship than none.

As the Castro regime weakens and the brothers grow old, we can only hope that the original purpose of the trade embargo, to help bring about a free and democratic Cuba, will be fulfilled as Cuba looks to their future and determines what they want for themselves.

approximately 25,000 Cubans make either a journey through Mexico into the U.S. through illegally crossing the border, or make the even more dangerous 90 mile journey across the open sea.

This is a major spike that hasn’t been seen in the past 20 years, since the rafter crisis of 1994.

The previous fiscal year saw 3,722 migrants spotted by the United States Coast Guard which is close to double the number seen in 2012 by the Coast Guard.

This by itself shows that in 2014 the embargo is just arbitrarily punishing Cuba for an act 52 years ago. Ordinary Cuban citizens are being harmed by this embargo which was originally designed as a temporary measure planned to be lifted after nuclear weapons were removed from Cuban soil.

By Dan Whitely Staff Writer

PerspECtives: What are your Halloween costume plans?

Spring Final “For Halloween I’m going to be the “I think I’m going to be a glowing stick fig- “For Halloween I plan to be Clint Eastwood.” “I’m probably going to be like Mario and Luigi with my friends and then a minion because you can Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonder- ure for Halloween.”- Kayla Wilder, senior -Erich Schrader, sophomore use the overalls twice.” - Lila Belluci, freshman land.” - Jessica Dame, sophomore

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Oct. 24, 2014

Science & Technology 9

Science & TEchnology Climate Science and Solutions Summit attracts local conservationists

By Ciera Akins Contributing Writer

On Oct. 6 Eckerd hosted the Climate Science and Solutions Summit in Fox Hall. This summit addressed challenges of climate change, opportunities in clean energy jobs, solutions to policies and climate change and aimed to teach the public about green energy initiatives that are underway in Florida communities. It contained panels of scientists, politicians and green energy company leaders, but also had a portion allotted to the public to weigh in with their thoughts or contributions.

Sustainability Fellow Evan Bollier spoke about why he felt it was important to hold this summit here at Eckerd.

“It is very important to educate our community, campus-wide and community-wise. And it puts Eckerd’s name out there as being environmentally responsible,” he said.

The scientists who made up the panel about climate change science, who attempted to speak to Florida Governor Rick Scott, were Eckerd’s Marine Science and Chemistry Professor David Hastings, FSU’s Oceanography Professor Jeff Chanton, University of Miami’s Atmospheric Scientist Ben Kirtman and USF’s Physical Oceanography Professor Gary Mitchum.

Unfortunately the conversation with Gov. Scott that was supposed to happen about climate science, which was one of the big points of this summit, was not as successful as it might have been. The scientists listed above had prepared thirty minutes of material, and Scott gave them just 13 minutes.

Junior and Environmental Studies major Derek Bedami expressed his disappointment in this regard in an email.

“My views toward Rick Scott on [climate change] are not gratifying after finding out that his meeting with the scientists on the panel was nothing more than a ploy,” he said.

Bollier expressed his hopes in changes that the summit will bring.

“Hopefully, the people that attended will help spread the word to the greater Pinellas and Florida communities, as well as throughout Eckerd,” he said. “They will be more informed about voting… The big take away was that you have to elect politicians whose views are congruent with your own: sustainability, environmentalism, being progressive, it turns out that is not Rick Scott.”

The portion of the summit devoted to success stories in making a difference included Lauren McDonald, Georgia’s Public Service Commissioner and a previous 20 year Georgia State Representative.

He spoke adamantly about solar energy and how he is implementing more solar energy projects in Georgia.

Bedami appreciated this idea of practical application.

“The most uplifting part of the summit was hearing from the panel that described their success with ‘greener’ energy alternatives,” he said. “The gentleman from Georgia seemed to have been successful in pushing forward with more efficient and renewable resources, such as solar, an admirable course in the right direction that can and should be implemented in Florida.”

photo by Ciera Akins

Participants of the Climate Change Summit brainstorm solutions to global climate issues.

Senior Energy Advisor and Program Manager for the City of Orlando Office of Sustainability and Energy Chris Castro also joined the panel. He spoke of embracing energy efficiency in buildings and creating incentives for building owners to invest in being green. He also spoke of the students of today being the future workforce, and the necessity of paving the way so that

the clean energy economy is a true industry that people can get involved in. To that end, he founded a youth-led non-profit called IDEAS that is a United Nations sanctioned NGO. Doug Coward and Chris Delp also joined McDonald and Castro, both being professionals in the solar and wind energy industries and both pushing for affordable, local

renewable energy in Florida.

“In all, the summit left me feeling both optimistic, while at the same time paralyzed,” Bedami said.

“My understanding of the strength of private interest and their stronghold on our energy future was further confirmed following the summit, but the people and energy there also instilled my faith in the power of people.”

Volunteers catch turtles at the Rainbow River

By Emma Cotton Science & Tech. Editor

photo by Emma Cotton A loggerhead musk turtle is held above the water before being released.

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On Saturday, Oct. 18, a group of about 30 students pulled on their wetsuits and dove into the chilly waters of the Rainbow River in Ocala for the first Rainbow Run of the semester. Under the supervision of Biology Professor Peter Meylan, each student raced to catch turtles within the span of several hours.

The turtles were examined and released.

On this trip, 132 turtles were caught in total, including 88 loggerhead turtles, 6 common musk turtles, 22 Suwannee cooters, 13 Florida cooters, one Florida Redbelly, one common snapper and one Florida softshell.

The data contributes to a study that Meylan has been conducting for over 30 years. It documents the population changes of the Rainbow River.

Meylan uses the Rainbow Run as a lab for his classes, though all Eckerd students are invited to join.

Junior and Marine Science Major Takoda Edlund has volunteered at the Rainbow Run twice, just for enjoyment.

“Specifically for science students, I think it’s good to get hands-on experience, especially with something as informal as the Rainbow Run,” he said. “[It] gives you field experience, and you get to actually do data collection and analysis.”

Although Meylan leads the trip, the students do most of the work.

Volunteers catch, tag, measure, weigh and take blood from the turtles. A group of students even takes all of the female turtles to a local veterinarian, who x-rays each

turtle. The x-rays show if the turtle has eggs.

Many turtles have been caught before, some up to 30 times. Meylan likes to see that turtles have survived for a long time in the Rainbow River, because the population has fluctuated in the past.

President of the Herpetology Club and Junior Rory Smart explained that the population changes may be due to human activity.

“The native musk turtle is being misplaced by an invasive musk turtle,” he said. “Since 1970, its population has gone down by 90 percent.

It’s been theorized that people have introduced the invasive musk turtle, that they had it as a pet and they didn’t want it anymore, and they let it out into the river. It completely skewed the population.”

Another major threat is the harvest of turtles for food.

“Commercial harvest of freshwater turtles in Florida was ended a few years ago, but we have yet to see the effect of this protection at Rainbow River,” Meylan said. “We still see very few very large female cooters, and the best explanation for that is that they are still taken for food. The greatest threat to turtles worldwide is the international commerce in turtles for food and for pet hobbyists.”

Meylan shares his findings with ecologists off of Eckerd’s campus, and the data has even changed policies in Florida. Local field biologist and environmental educator George Heinrich has used Rainbow Run data in his books. According to Meylan, the data from the Rainbow Run trips helped former Florida Governor Charlie Christ make harvesting turtles for food illegal in

2008.

“What we were doing definitely helped the hard-shell turtle protection,” Meylan said.

Meylan made his first trip to the Rainbow River in Sept. 1971 during his first semester at the University of Florida. He continued this project during his first Winter Term at Eckerd in 1990 for a Herpetology course. The students that participated in the class helped write a paper about their findings, which was later published in the Florida Scientist in 1992. “[Meylan] can’t do it by himself,” Smart said. “It’s really valuable research, and even if you go one time, you can easily put it on your resume that you’ve helped out with an ongoing scientific experiment. Not only is it good for you, but it benefits Meylan and it benefits all of the people involved in turtle research.”

Meylan emphasizes the importance of participating in a trip like the Rainbow Run. “It’s really good for you to put on a mask and fins and put your head under water and have to swim really hard and focus on what you’re doing, and forget about everything else,” he said. “There’s a lot of good stuff in addition to the academics.”

All students can benefit from getting off campus for a day and seeing another, more wild part of Florida, but some students become so interested that they continue research, which can lead to a senior thesis or, like Meylan, a life-long passion.

The next Rainbow Run will take place on Nov. 8. To get involved, contact Professor Meylan or the Herpetology Club at herpclub-user@eckerd.edu.

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I pack my entire tissue box in my backpack. Taking it out during class, I can see the fear in students’ eyes. They don’t know it’s only allergies, but I understand their concern. On the Eckerd playground, if one kid gets sick, we all get sick.

Most students wouldn’t dare see the light of day if Eckerd was in West Africa, where they are experiencing the largest Ebola outbreak ever documented.

I’d take the Eckerd sniffles over Ebola any day. Ebola is a disease of mammals caused by the Ebola virus, a biosafety level four (dangerous) virus spread through contact of blood, urine, sweat, semen and breast milk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle pain, headaches, vomiting, diar-

rhea, rash and bleeding internally and externally. Much worse than what you feel the morning after Kappa Kitchen.

The human species sure has a lot of kryptonites. Most people infected with the virus die from a combination of shock, dehydration and bleeding. I am reminded of the principle that something so small can affect us so greatly.

So how is something so little so deadly? According to Advanced Light Source, the Ebola virus enters human cells by utilizing a process called endocytosis, when a cell absorbs proteins and other molecules. The virus then hijacks the cell and begins replicating inside. Once the virus replicates to its fill, the cell explodes, sending infectious fragments into the rest of the immune system, slowly destroying it. It attacks almost every organ and tissue, leading the body

Research Spotlight: Senior sequences RNA in invertebrates

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to cease functioning.

Currently, there is no form of cure or vaccine for the disease.

There has been some basic treatment to restore the immune system, but the fatality rate remains high. Research has been ongoing in light of the recent outbreak, but to cure the disease, we must first understand it. In April 2014, Ferris Jabr reported that the use of RNA was able to cure infected monkeys at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. The RNA can be used to target proteins and stop the virus from spreading without affecting the rest of the cell. It has been proven difficult in past research to create a cure without damaging important proteins the body needs to function.

Jabr’s RNA is the most promising research to battle the virus.

On Oct. 8, Thomas Eric Duncan, who contracted the virus in Libe-

ria, died from Ebola in Dallas. Science News reported that Duncan was treated with an experimental drug called brincidofovir. Two of the female healthcare workers who treated Duncan tested positive for the virus. Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thomas Frieden is currently working on a thorough investigation, making sure to identify all who have come in contact with them.

These events certainly brought the American public’s attention to the disease. This disease should be taken seriously and must be cured soon to prevent further deaths, here and also in West Africa. Ebola is scary due to the low survival rate, but contracting the disease is difficult. I urge you not to panic, with the attention that this virus is getting, Ebola won’t be the end of our world. I’m still betting on global climate change.

Ground caves in from leaky drainage systems

Campus Safety placed traffic cones in the cave-in near Alpha.

By Ania Szczesniewski Staff Writer Two cave-ins formed on campus on Sept. 28. According to Assistant Director of Facilities Rick Briscoe, these were caused by old storm drains and incomplete drainage systems designed to redirect water from the soccer fields. Director of Emergency Management and Campus Safety Adam Colby clarified that these are not sinkholes but cave-ins because they were caused by infrastructure underground rather than for geological reasons.

Eckerd College has filled the two cave-ins to prevent students from tripping into them. Briscoe assured that the incomplete drainage system will be plugged. The current system was built as phase one of a project, but the phase two was never funded, leaving the system unfinished.

Campus Safety coned off the cave-in sites and let Facilites know by putting in a work order.

“Cave-ins are not going to be that dangerous; sinkholes can be extremely dangerous,” Colby said.

Natural sinkholes, due to either an abundance or sudden drought of ground water, are a common occurrence in Florida but not on campus. Sinkholes are more common farther inland where the limestone layer is exposed to more freshwater.

“I’ve been [at Eckerd] for almost 25 years, and I haven’t heard of any sinkholes in this area, so I was kind of surprised to hear that,” Professor of Marine Science and Geoscience Gregg Brooks said.

Sinkholes are spaces underground that have been hollowed out by freshwater and collapse if they get too large to uphold the overlying land surface. The distinguishing factor between this and

what happened at Eckerd is that the features on our campus are not true sinkholes but are caused by man-made constructions.

“Usually sinkholes form either when you get a lot of rain or when it’s drought,” Brooks said.

According to Brooks, natural sinkholes are created by groundwater’s movement underground, carving out empty spaces. Rain can create more sinkholes as the increase in water causes more groundwater flow, therefore making larger caverns. The excessive rain Eckerd suffered before the ground collapsed could have contributed to the caveins’ formation. Droughts can also create sinkholes as spaces that were once full of water empty out and lose the support.

Groundwater carves out spaces here in Florida because there are, according to Brooks’ estimate, about 5,000 meters of limestone

photo by Emma Cotton

below ground. The shells from surrounding beaches are made of calcium carbonate, that eventually may turn into limestone, allowing for sinkholes.

Sinkholes could theoretically be as deep as the 5,000 meter limestone layer, but the majority are less than 30 meters (90 feet) deep.

The obvious danger is falling in one. Actively avoiding sinkholes is hard since there are no concrete signs from above ground that can warn of a sinkhole’s formation beneath the surface.

“Other than being a little concerned about the plumbing system, I don’t particularly feel worried,” Freshman Abigail Thomas said.

It is important to remember natural sinkholes are so far unheard of on Eckerd’s campus, and unlikely to occur. The two cave-ins occurred from man-made reasons.

Senior and Biochemistry major Taylor Harned is currently working with Assistant Professor of Biology Gregory Gerdeman on a project involving electrophysiology, which will investigate the anatomy and physiology of specific receptors in Ciona intestinalis, a tunicate invertebrate.

The method involves injecting the RNA of a specific gene into oocytes (unfertilized eggs) from a Xenopus frog in order to investigate the receptors at a molecular level. The targeted aspect of the C. intestinalis are called cannabinoid receptors, which are part of a system in the brain involved in several physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood and memory.

“It’s a multifaceted project, and the part that I’m working on is looking at an RNA sequence that is homologous to the RNA sequence that codes for the human receptor,” Harned said.

This means that the RNA of C. intestinalis are similar to the RNA of humans, and could therefore be helpful for other research on the human genome.

His specific focus is characterizing the receptor found in C. intestinalis, a model organism and part of the phylum Chordata in the family of Cionidae. According to Animal Diversity Web, animals that are part of the Cionidae family have soft, flexible bodies that have an appearance similar to the fingers of a glove.

C. intestinalis is an animal that we share a common ancestor with, when looking at the phylogenetic tree. Humans are part of the Chordate phylum and have an evolutionarily conserved receptor that is found in the C. intestinalis. The research is based on the receptors having had a role in the evolution of the immune and nervous systems in vertebrates.

“My lofty hopes are to add meaningful insight into the evolution and function of these most complex systems that are so intimate to our sense of identity and health,” Gerdeman said.

The electrophysiology rig involves two electrodes in the oocyte.

One measures the resting membrane potential, or charge of the membrane, and one injects a current into the oocyte to counteract any ions flowing in or out of the cell. Both are hooked up to a computer program that monitors and injects a current automatically and simultaneously.

Harned then washes a drug on the surface that activates the targeted receptor. This will cause a potassium channel in the oocyte to open, which will allow an influx of positive charge to rush into the cell. The dip in the negative voltage needed to maintain a neutral membrane charge is what could prove that the receptor has been activated.

There could quickly be publishable results.

“I daydream of how we might stumble on new basic principles of cellular function that have use in treating neurological diseases or cancer for example, but these are not [attainments] to pin my idea of success on,” Gerdeman said.

Spring Final

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Oct. 24, 2014

Arts & Entertainment 11

Arts & Entertainment “Dear White People” brings light to diversity issues

Actress Tessa Thompson in a scene from “Dear White People.”

By Hailey Escobar Web Editor Amid the snowy mountains of Park City, Utah, movie lovers from around the world gathered in theaters, big and small, for the Sundance Film Festival. For those of you who don’t know, Sundance is one of the most notable film festivals in the world.

As I braved the cold during my time at the festival back in January, there were many titles on the tips of viewers’ tongues: “Whiplash,” “Boy-

hood” and the upcoming “Camp XRay” - just to name a few. One of the most buzzes about films was “Dear White People.” The film stars Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson and Dennis Haysbert.

The satire film follows the Black students of Winchester University on a mainly white campus as they are forced to choose sides after the outrageous staff of the campus humor magazine decide that the theme for their already controversial party will be “unleash their inner Negro.” Sam White, played by Tessa Thompson, is the head of the traditionally all black

reotypes continue to be perpetuated, even in the context of institutions of higher learning,” Professor Nathan Andersen, who led the trip to Sundance this past year.

It also won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance along with being featured at festivals such as the San Francisco Film Festival, where it won Best Picture, and the LA Film Festival.

The film is not only a commentary on post-racial America, coming out amid the protests against police brutality and racial issues in Missouri, but it is also further proof of how social media and crowdsourcing campaigns are the possible future of independent film success. Filming of “Dear White People” was made entirely possible by an indiegogo campaign that ended courtesy of www.slate.com in 2012. The campaign raised over $41,000 for the production.

Success for the film can also be dorm and the host of the radio show partly thanks to word of mouth “Dear White People.” The party only serves to add fuel to her flourishing through social media. Throughout the festival run and even after the fire.

Written and directed by newcomer purchase of distribution rights, the Justin Simien, the film has already producers of the film have taken to been compared to the likes of popular Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and even filmmaker Spike Lee. The film is be- short films on YouTube to build ing called “a smart, hilarious satire of anticipation for it’s public release.

The film will be released in select the Obama age” by Indiewire.

“While obviously inspired by, and theaters in New York, Los Angeles, working in the style of, early Spike Atlanta and Washington D.C. on Oct. Lee films, “Dear White People” is 17 before being released nationwide very funny and feels fresh, and does a on Oct. 24. “Dear White People” great job of both examining and sati- stars Tyler James Williams, Tessa rizing the way racial tensions and ste- Thompson and Dennis Haysbert.

Spirit of Suwannee entices Eckerd community

By Nate Gozlan Asst. A&E Editor Those who know me know I love music festivals, and no location brings me warmer memories than The Spirit of the Suwannee music park in Live Oak, Florida. Nestled along the banks of the historic Suwannee River in the midst of a vast Oak forest, The Spirit of the Suwannee has an alluring effect on anyone who steps foot in the grounds.

I clearly recall the first time I experienced the beauty of The Spirit of the Suwannee. It was February last year; with a little coaxing and a lot of persistence from my close friend Nick Hildebrandt, I bought a ticket to Aura music festival in Suwannee.

Little did I know I would be making the three-hour trip from St. Pete several times in the following months to experience the same enchantment again and again. When asking for a description of The Spirit of the Suwannee music park, it seemed difficult for friends to articulate their feelings about the distinct venue. After tireless questioning, I finally received somewhat of an answer.

“There are no words. You just have to experience it,” Junior Hildebrandt said.

It is no wonder The Spirit of the Suwannee has such a profound magnetism to it. With over 550 acres of land, most of which is available to camp in, every turn offers new opportunities. If you would like to camp in the middle of a dense Oak forest, no problem. If you’d rather sleep under the stars in the midst of lush green

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valleys, go right ahead. There are no security guards to herd attendees to designated camping areas, and no borders on what land you can occupy.

Only one rule stands firm in Suwannee: respect your neighbors.

The Spirit of the Suwannee is perfect for music festivals. Located in sunny Florida, wintertime festivals have no better home. Most venues these days ban open flames like campfires. Not the case in Suwannee.

And although last year we kept the fire alive with cardboard and crackers, we were thankful for it, because it gets seriously cold in February, even in Florida.

The Spirit of the Suwannee is ex-

tremely attractive to all to music festival organizers, hosting music festivals throughout the year. Besides Aura, there are a range of music festivals held annually at Suwannee, namely Purple Hatters Ball and Blackwater music festival, as well as MagnoliaFest and Suwannee River Jam. MagnoliaFest, held last weekend, marked the beginning of Suwannee’s busiest time of the year. Quickly approaching are two of Suwannee’s largest festivals being held a mere two weeks apart. The festivals in question are Suwannee Hulaween, held Halloween weekend, and Bear Creek happening the second week of November.

The widely popular band, The String Cheese Incident, has chosen The Spirit of the Suwannee as the most recent location of their personal, annual Halloween-based music festival. This festival tours the country, so I was ecstatic to learn that it was being held in Live Oak for its 2013-2015 installments. This is perhaps the largest festival that The Spirit of the Suwannee has held to date. With String Cheese pulling in its cult-following along with regular Suwannee attendees, the grounds see a grand total of 8,000 for the “ultimate Cheese experience.”

See Suwannee, page 12

courtesy of Iconosquare user @ali_smokahontas Suwannee Music Park lights up the forest for Hulaween 2013.

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INSIDE A&E Crossword

page 12

Humans of Eckerd

page 12

Kygo makes waves in EDM scene Amy Delano Contributing Writer

At the age of 23, most of us hope to be entering grad school or the workforce. Not many people can become an accomplished DJ at such an age, but for tropical house artist and remixer Kygo, this dream is quickly becoming a reality.

Kyrre Gorvell-Dahll was born in 1991 in Bergen, Norway. He began piano lessons at age six, but he did not start creating his own electronic music until age 15 when he discovered his idol, Avicii. Kyrre sought to find his own unique sound.

He later told Billboard that “All the songs sounded the same,” and that “everything was about who had the best drop.”

What emerged from this mindset was a completely different sound that you truly have to listen to in order to understand. Kyrre began going by the stage name of Kygo, and began releasing his work on YouTube and Soundcloud. Kygo’s career skyrocketed as his remixes grew in popularity. He recently posted on Facebook that his Soundcloud has reached 100 million hits.

Kygo is currently most known for his remix of Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire”, but this entry of his “Miami 82” remix into the LE7ELS contest is what took his career to the next level. Kygo was soon signed with Sony Music/Ultra.

I discovered Kygo around February of 2014 when my friend had the “I See Fire” remix playing in the background as we were talking. A beat dropped that I was definitely not used to. The song was relaxing yet energizing and I knew I wanted more. I began Youtubing Kygo and it was my discovery of “Cut Your Teeth” that really got me hooked. Each song is different yet they each have a style that radiates Kygo.

Over the summer, I got to see him perform at Global Dance Festival. Although his music is different from other DJs, the crowd was still pumped, and Kygo was smiling the entire time because he was clearly doing what he loved.

Kygo is continuously in the studio and on the road. Not only is he playing in festivals, but he is also headlining his first North American tour -- the Endless Summer Tour (which is pretty much sold out). Along with such success, Kygo was also approached by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and asked to remix Coldplay’s song “Midnight.”

“I only touched a DJ controller for the first time last year, but I’m getting better,” Kygo told Billboard.

In most recent news, Kygo replaced Avicii at TomorrowWorld (a major electronic music festival in Atlanta, Georgia) when the world renowned DJ was forced to cancel due to health issues.

Kygo will be continuing to remix while also working on original tracks.

“Everything’s about music these days,” according to Kygo.

12 Arts & Entertainment

the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Witchin’ crossword

crossword by Nate Gozlan and Leah Bilski

WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free.

Across 1 Abdominal muscles 4 Kimono sash 7 Central Processing Unit 10 Lowest 13 Truck 14 Disorder 16 Swamp 17 And so forth 18 French ___; instruments 19 Loan shark 21 followed 23 Long-Term memory 24 Scarlet 25 Tire 28 Midday meals 32 Farming club (abbrev.)

35 Space 37 French “yes” 38 With ears 40 Ascent 41 Liscenced practical nurse 42 Earth has a north and south 43 Sound of a sneeze 45 Rescue 46 Fable writer 47 Congressional vote 48 Cutting tool 51 Cartoon explosive 52 Representative 53 Talk 55 Fancy 58 Unorthodoxy 61 Upper body 62 First woman 64 Giver 66 Strange 67 Cause of sickness 68 Reptile 69 Male cat 70 Male sheep 71 Ruby

Down 1 Loose gown worn at Catholic Mass 2 Swain 3 Speaks 4 Completed 5 Baseball stick 6 Type of worm 7 To feel concern 8 Pool 9 Ship initials 11 Spirit 12 Totoise’s cousin 14 Swiss, Guoda, Cheddar 15 Retain 20 Flightless birds 22 Bard’s before 25 Mist 26 Gone in wonderland 27 High ranking man-used formaly 29 Batman director: Christopher____ 30 Cherub 31 Rear ends 32 Decorate a cake 33 Mugger 34 Skilled 36 Chief Executive Officer 39 Copy 44 Beer with sun logo 46 Gives recognition 49 Inclined 50 Positive vote 52 Love flower 54 Gofer 55 Fly alone 56 Formal 57 52 weeks 58 What pilots uses 59 Snare 60 Link 61 Make lace 63 By way of 65 Rapid Eye Movement

for answers, go to www.theonlinecurrent.com

Araesia King Asst. Viewpoints Editor

Bono has Glaucoma.

Twins adopted from South Korea reunited after 20-year separation.

Scientists “made serious DNA error” in Jack the Ripper identification.

Toys “R” Us releases “Breaking Bad” character dolls complete with crystal meth and sacks of cash.

Spirit of Suwannee cont’d.

From Suwannee, page 11 If you aren’t musically inclined, don’t turn away just yet. The Spirit of the Suwannee has much more than just music festivals, hosting a variety of events yearlong. Home to the world’s largest bat house and a honeybee exhibit, Suwannee caters to all types. They have also installed dedicated disc-golf, an arts and crafts village and an indoor music hall, with weekly happenings from bands to bingo.

But these events mean little to nature-lovers, who are immediately taken aback by the breathtaking landscape at Suwannee. The music park it-

self is stunning, featuring 12 miles of trails to enjoy. From dense forests to rolling hills and valleys to the banks of the black Suwannee River, there is endless space to jog, hike, bike, canoe or birdwatch that will make you feel like you’re not in Florida anymore.

Having traveled halfway across the country to attend some of the most recognized music festivals produced in the U.S., I can attest to Suwannee’s truly one-of-a-kind magnificence. These words I do not choose lightly; The Spirit of the Suwannee is a tremendous, brilliant and aweinspiring place, and I cannot wait to celebrate Halloween in the bewitching grounds.

photo by Eileen McGraw Assistant Store Manager for the Bookstore Tobias King has been working at Eckerd for two years. He believes that the best gift that he has ever received was someone that he didn’t know offering him a helping hand in a time of need. It showed him that humanity still exists.

“Life itself motivates me. Waking up is a blessing. When you wake up in the morning, and you first roll over, you’re already six feet above a bunch of other people. You know?

And that’s the way you have to look at life.”

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Oct. 24, 2014

Health & Fitness 13

Health & fitness Sugar rush: avoiding tricky treats

graphic by Alex Zielinski Each type of candy has its own amount of calories and sugar.

By MJ Harford Staff Writer It’s that time of year, that spooky, sugary, sweet holiday where anything goes, but overindulging this Halloween can cause immediate discomfort and long term effects on the body. Here is

the scoop on sensible celebration.

To protect your pearly whites, avoid sticky, chewy varieties like Milk Duds or Starbursts, according to KnowYourTeeth.com. The remains get stuck in the deep crevices of susceptible teeth, like molars, making it almost impossible for basic saliva to wash away.

If you want to indulge responsibly in a few Skittles, be sure to floss after eating followed by brushing.

Using that method will free up the spaces between teeth and gums to allow the toothbrush to better do its job. Also, avoid very sour candies; they are acidic and almost immediately begin to break down enamel. Unlike the protocol for sticky candy, do not brush or floss right after eating those Sour Patch Kids. If you do, you will spread around the acid, making the erosion worse. So rinse well and wait 30 minutes to floss and brush.

Remember to stay consistent with your exercise routine. Working out will keep up your endorphins and energy level to make for a happy, healthy holiday. The graphic has some exercise equivalents (according to Men’s Health) for a few Halloween favorites.

Each has been measured in their “fun size” portion because of common Halloween packaging.

There is no need to swear off sugar forever. Here are a few other tips for enjoying the holiday while

keeping your health a priority.

Share with friends; Sharing really is caring. Bake a batch of brownies or decorated cookies to share with your pals. This way you are indulging in a less processed option and reducing your likelihood for binge eating by removing the treat from your room.

Play the ingredients game: The less number of ingredients, the more points you win. Go for options like chocolate bars (the higher cocoa content the better) or two ingredients nut butter cups.

Keep your own stash: You will be less tempted to chomp down on a Snickers if you have your own special treat waiting at home, or even better, in your bag.

So come prepared to a Halloween party with your own offerings and back-ups to reduce temptation.

Have fun; Do not punish yourself for enjoying that Almond Joy. It’s all right, even important, to treat yourself sometimes, especially to your favorites during special holiday times.

Maintain that mantra that food is love, so love yourself and honor your body the best way for you.

INSIDE H&F Leg day workout

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Meals with Midge

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Scan to hear the playlist:

Gluten intolerance: it’s complicated

By Samantha Schepps Contributing Writer If you go to your local grocery store, turn on your TV or even check out the caf, you might notice how prevalent “gluten free” sections are becoming everywhere.

Some people seem to think it is just a diet fad that will go away, while others believe it to be a serious issue in today’s food products.

What is gluten? The Celiac Disease Foundation, a non-profit organization geared towards promoting celiac awareness and early prevention of the disease, defines gluten as the protein found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale that act as almost a glue to hold the food together. It is most commonly found in bread, pasta, beer and even soy sauce. The majority of individuals who avoid gluten have celiac disease. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, when celiac patients ingest something with gluten, their body attacks the substance, while also attacking the villi in the small intestine. This can cause serious permanent damage, since the villi promote nutrient absorbance for the body. If gluten continues to get consumed, future autoimmune disorders will develop from lack of proper nutrients and the tearing in the small intestine.

The Celiac Disease Foundation reports that one in 100 people have celiac disease. If that amounts to roughly one percent of the population, why is gluten free such a hot topic right now? Gluten sensitivity has become a very common occurrence the past few years.

People with gluten sensitivity, including myself, do not necessarily have celiac disease. The symptoms tend to include bloating, constipa-

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tion, ADHD-like behavior, headaches, fatigue and even depression.

These symptoms go away when gluten is removed from the diet.

However, a majority of the people who claim to have gluten sensitivity have not been properly tested and diagnosed by a doctor. The testing is almost always very expensive and requires the person to consume gluten for a certain period of time for the test to be accurate.

For celiac disease testing, a biopsy of the small intestine is required, which is very painful and expensive as well. This amounts to most people who claim to be gluten sensitive or have celiac disease to avoid testing. This breeds skepticism.

Far too often do I hear, “Gluten sensitivity is made up,” or “You just avoid gluten because it makes people fat.” To that I say yes and no. Some people do tend to avoid gluten because they believe it causes weight gain. This might be true for some people due to the fact that gluten is a highly processed and refined protein, similar to high fructose corn syrup. If you choose to be gluten free because you are scared of weight gain, stay closer to the all natural gluten free products, such as vegetables, fruit, meat and nuts. Do not consume the highly processed “gluten free” products on the grocery store shelf.

These contain potato starch and high fructose corn syrup, other very processed substances that could cause even more weight gain.

“Cross contamination is a big problem. Celiac isn’t a diet fad, it’s a serious disease,” Sophomore Amanda Taft said. She was diagnosed with celiac disease at 10 years old.

“The cafeteria only stocks the gluten free fridge once a month, while the pub has really no gluten

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photo by Merle Czarnetzki Students with gluten-related allergies are left with few dining options on campus.

options. I can get grilled chicken, but that gets old real fast. I want to eat what everyone else is eating.”

It is difficult to provide a variety of gluten free options when so few people in such a small school are actually diagnosed with this disease.

With gluten sensitivity becoming more prevalent, it might be time to look into more healthy options.

If you think you might be gluten sensitive or even have celiac disease, the best thing you can do is get tested by a doctor. If that’s not something you can afford at this time, then try to steer clear from products that contain wheat, rye, barley and triticale.

But do not jump to the “gluten free” products on shelves, as these are sometimes even more processed than gluten itself. Stick to natural food, like meat and fruits or vegetables. The closer to nature, the better.

To find more information on gluten, gluten free diets and celiac disease, visit www.celiac.org or scan the code below to be directed to the site.

Resources: Campus Safety 727-864-8260 Counseling Services 727-864-8248 EC-ERT 727-772-3760 Health Services 727-864-8326 Serious Emergencies Call 911

14 Health & Fitness

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Oct. 24, 2014

Student outlines the importance of leg day

Meals with Midge: Pumpkin Spice Latte

By MJ Harford Staff Writer Unless you are residing under a rock, you have begun to be bombarded with Instagrams and tweets all about the ‘PSL.’ Starbucks even had a special launch campaign this year, releasing the beverage earlier than ever before. It has become a wildly popular hallmark of the fall season, marking the change of seasons and offering girls in scarves everywhere the perfect selfie opportunity.

But what is really in that paper cup will surprise you.

By Samantha Schepps Contributing Writer Far too often do I notice guys in the gym who seem to think every day is chest day. Leg day gets skipped much more often then it should be, for men and women.

Training legs is not only important for obtaining a balanced-looking physique, but it is also important in helping you to gain more lean muscle throughout your whole body.

According to Bodybuilding. com, a site dedicated to informing people on weight lifting, the quads and glutes are the largest muscle groups in the body, which mean they release the most testosterone when worked, and use the most energy. This promotes more fat loss and overall muscle gain throughout all your muscle groups.

A successful leg day routine might consist of squats, deadlifts, leg extensions, leg curls, calf raises, leg press and lunges. The three most important exercises that you should always include in a leg day routine are squats, deadlifts and lunges. They are compound movements, which mean they involve multiple muscle groups.

Personally, I like to superset squats with romanian deadlifts and end my leg day with lunges.

In this section, I will talk about how to squat properly. Stay tuned for the next edition as I will discuss the three different types of deadlifts.

To start off, make sure to perform all of these exercises correctly. Serious injury could occur if not done properly.

When I first started weight lifting, no one taught me how to squat properly and, unfortunately, I hurt my knees. Since squats are really a full body workout, they are probably the most important exercise you can do. Not only are your legs working, but your abs, obliques, arms and back must be kept tight

To be clear, there is absolutely no pumpkin in it at all. A pumpkin flavored syrup with caramel color, preservatives and other additives create the signature taste and a heaping dose of sugar rounds out the iconic beverage (a grande size fits in a staggering 50 grams of sugar). Also, if you are vegan or follow a dairy free lifestyle, a PSL won’t be an option: condensed milk is a main ingredient.

So enter your homemade solution, saving yourself chemical exposure, calories and cash. You can have this latte whipped up and ready to go in the amount of time it would take to go outside and hop in the car for that downtown drive.

Ingredients: photo by Alex Zielinski Doing a proper squat can exercise multiple muscles, not just the legs.

for the exercise to be done properly.

To start off, position your feet shoulder width apart and point your toes slightly outwards. Really make sure to keep your chest up and keep a straight back throughout the whole movement. Breathe in as you squat down, making sure to track the knees with your feet. Don’t let your knees go in, as this can cause serious injury.

Break slightly parallel with your legs and breathe out as you push through your heels up. Throughout the whole squat, make sure to keep your whole body tight and focus all of weight on the heels of your feet.

This will allow you to use your glute muscles rather than the lower back.

A good idea for how many sets to complete might be one warm-up set with just the bar, six sets with heavy weight and one sort of cool down set going back down to an easy weight.

Make sure to stretch before and after your routine.

If you need help on how to squat the right away, don’t hesitate to ask someone in the gym who seems to know what they are doing. Squatting incorrectly can be very dangerous, especially if it is done with added weight.

A great resource is the EC Powerlifting Club, which meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Gambel Fitness Complex. This is a great way to learn how to do not only squats, but many other compound movements correctly.

Squats are arguably the best exercise you can do for whatever fitness goals you might want to try.

Ladies, it is a great butt building and fat loss exercise. Men, it is great for increased testosterone and muscle mass gain.

So please, don’t skip leg day.

e 8 oz. of strong coffe results with of choice (found best lk mi ee -fr iry da . oz 2 tened hemp milk) nut milk and unswee co co fat l ful

puree 2 teaspoons pumpkin ar or teaspoon raw sug up 1 teaspoon maple syr tract 1 teaspoon vanilla ex pie spice kin 1/2 teaspoon pump

Directions: Pour ‘milk,’ pumpkin puree, sweetener, vanilla extract and spice into a cup, pour hot coffee over mixture, and whisk well to combine. Best enjoyed right away.

photo by MJ Harford Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte this fall season.

Each issue I’ll be sharing an allergen-friendly recipe that is easy, nutritious and delicious. If you make any of them, tag me in your Instagram photos (@midgesmoments) with the hashtag #mealswithmidge.

If you have any requests, like converting a classic recipe to its healthier version, or a particular kind of meal for a particular allergy, email me at mjharfor@eckerd.edu.

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the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Sports 15

Sports

photo by Cypress Hansen Senior Alex Murawski strikes the ball at the Rollins team’s goal.

Men’s Soccer honors seniors in Rollins game

By Pat Mullen Staff Writer The men’s soccer team honored its seniors on their home turf Saturday night. But despite a strong showing, the Tritons were unable to outscore a strong Rollins team, which won the match 2-1.

Before kickoff, each Senior Triton was introduced individually and led along the middle of the field by friends and family in front of an appreciative home crowd. Eckerd is graduating nine seniors this year: Keeper Alex Starzynski, Defender Marcus Lohrmann, Midfielder Dean Hobbis, Forward Matt Dolan, Forward Nick Murawski, Midfielder Connor Montgomery, Forward Jack Walsh, Midfielder Tim Farrell and Defender Thomas Zimath.

Eckerd patiently controlled the ball early in the first half, which was followed by a back and forth battle to maintain position around midfield. A diving save by Freshman Keeper Alex Gott prevented the Tars from taking the early lead.

Eckerd’s first legitimate chance came off of an accurate cross by Senior Nick Murawski that was

deflected by a Rollins defender.

Murawski, a four-year veteran, enjoyed the atmosphere of the game despite its disappointing result.

“We had a great crowd today,” Murawski said. “It was good to get out and play in front of all the parents. We’re upset we couldn’t get the win, but we were still happy just to get out and continue a great season with the team.”

A well-placed ball pushed Rollins into Eckerd territory and the Tars converted with a goal to give them the lead. Rollins continued to attack within Eckerd territory, but the Tritons held them off and headed into the second half down 1-0.

The opening minutes of the second half featured a fine cross

by Murawski to Junior Nick Jackson, which was barely stopped by a defending Tar player. Eckerd failed to convert on a couple of these types of chances.

“It’s disappointing to go out there and get the result we didn’t deserve,” Senior Jack Walsh said.

“We were unfortunate and lacked quality finishing. Rollins is a top team, so every chance they get they usually put it in the back of the

Wakeboard World Series concludes with Soven on top

By Dominick Cuppetilli Sports Editor

The final stop of the Wakeboard World Series has come to a finish, with Phil Soven and Dallas Friday sitting on top of the podium. The event in Puerto Cancun, Mexico was the fourth in a series

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that has brought top riders from around the world to Brazil, Canada and the U.S. prior to this stop.

According to the World Wakeboarding Association website, the Cancun Pro was said to be, “the highest caliber professional wakeboard event during the 2014 competition season.”

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net, which they showed tonight.”

It wasn’t all Rollins for the entire night, however. Eckerd continued to attack, producing chances that failed to find the net, until nineteen minutes to play, when a cross by Junior Tyler Allen to Murawski slipped by the goalie and knotted the game up at 1-1.

Rollins recovered and scored shortly following the Tritons’ goal after an awkwardly deflected cross landed at the foot of a Rollins forward, who scored and put the Tars back up 2-1. Eckerd continued to fight throughout the remainder of the game but couldn’t find the back of the net and lost 2-1.

Despite the loss, the season will carry on and Walsh didn’t seem too rattled by his team’s defeat.

“Overall, I can’t be too disappointed,” Walsh said. “The boys put in a great performance tonight. We’ll keep getting better each time and hopefully next game we’ll do a better job of sticking the ball in the back of the net.”

Eckerd will continue their season on the road until Oct. 27 when they return to the Turley Athletic Complex to face Barry University at 7 p.m.

Senior Jack Walsh marks opposing Tars player.

The website also said that the event called for more progressive riding than what the crowd was used to seeing, as riders were allowed to double-up on their runs for more explosive tricks. A double-up is when the driver of the boat turns back towards the waves he has already created, making the wake larger for the rider to launch from.

This format of competition proved to be especially key for Shota Tezuka, Silver medalist at the 2013 IWWF World Wakeboard Championships. Tezuka was able to land the first ever heelside frontside 1080 in competition with the help of the double-up.

Tezuka told WWA.com, “It all happened so fast. All of a sudden I was riding away thinking to myself, ‘I still have the handle.”

Despite the impressive landing, Tezuka was not able to make his way to a podium finish, ending up in the fourth place spot behind Rusty Malinoski. The second spot was awarded to Raph Derome. Derome had struggled in the Wakeboard World Series events this year, making this his first podium finish of the season.

Nobody’s riding could dethrone the steady riding of Soven, though. Soven has stood on the top two spots on the podium in each of the last three stops of the series, and this was no exception.

Even battling with an aggravated bicep injury, Soven was able to bust out a flawless run in the finals to secure the top position.

“I was battling through some pain but got it done and I had a great time at this contest,” Soven said to the WWA website.

The women’s portion of the event was led by Dallas Friday. The

photo by Cypress Hansen

Orlando native is always in the top of the mix, and was able to finish her season with a gold here at the Cancun Pro. Meagan Ethell, who hasn’t even turned 18 yet, was able to take the silver position, while Bec Gange finished out the podium.

Because this was the final stop of the series, men’s overall WWA rankings were finalized at the end of the event. Soven’s first place finish gave him the definitive first place in overall points as well. The season’s second place finisher was JD Webb, followed by Austin Hair in third.

The Wakeboard World Series has finished, which is all wakeboarding behind the boat, but the Wake Park World Series still has a couple events to go. Keep your eye out for the next stop to be held at the Al Forsan Wake Complex in Abu Dhabi, which is always a thrilling event at the end of the season.

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the current

Oct. 24, 2014

Sports Former baseball coach takes on new position

By Sabrina Lolo Sports Editor

Over the years, Coach Bill “Skip” Matthews had become an integral part of Eckerd College as the head baseball coach. After coaching the Tritons for the last 25 years, Coach Matthews stepped down after last season and became the new assistant athletic director.

The news sent shockwaves through Eckerd’s athletic community and he was sorely missed by his players.

However, Matthews has embraced his new administrative position within the athletic department and with it has come many new responsibilities.

“I’m the point person for any athletic incident report, for anybody who has any academic issues, if they need advice,” Matthews said. “I also do fundraising and I have to coordinate tailgates and get more students out to games.

It’s a pretty varied schedule.”

Originally from Newport, Rhode Island, Matthews came to Eckerd in 1975 as a student athlete.

He was recruited by Bill Livesey, the baseball coach at the time, and played through his sophomore year. He became an assistant coach his junior year in 1978 and continued to coach until he stepped down after the 2014 season.

“It’s interesting because I had been thinking about making a change and when I brought it up with Dean Annarelli and Dr. Fortosis, they were both pretty excited because they had been talking about some things they needed to get done but they couldn’t figure out how to do it,” Matthews said.

“The timing of my deciding to stop coaching after 36 years dovetailed with what they wanted to do so they moved me into this position.”

Since 1990, Matthews has had a positive impact on the baseball program as its tenth coach. He has been honored as the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year in 1999 and became Eckerd’s all-time winningest coach after earning his 437th victory.

Coaching has also taken him beyond our country’s borders.

Matthews coached the Polish National Team to two gold and two silver medals, along with being a former coach for the Swedish National Team. Matthews directed coaching and player clinics at the Play Ball Baseball Academy in Guatemala City. When asked about how it felt to leave coaching for good, Matthews believed his decision was for the best.

“I made the decision for the right reasons and I don’t regret it at all,” Matthews said.

While he may not be coaching baseball at Eckerd anymore,

Matthews still plans to be involved in baseball in the professional and international arena.

“I have a lot of international stuff going on, primarily in Sweden and the Netherlands” Matthews said. “I’m a board member with the International Sports Group and we set up all of the winter clinics in the Eastern Hemisphere from November through February.”

Matthews is still the head coach of the Tampa Bay Rays summer baseball camp and the Rays’ official scorer for home games.

Baseball will always hold a special place in his heart and plans to stay involved in the sport as long as he can.

“I’ll never get out of baseball, not until they bury me under a third base box somewhere,” Matthews said.

Besides being involved in athletics, Matthews is also a professor. He teaches athletic administration courses as well as QFM. He graduated from Eckerd with a degree in Management and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Florida. He currently resides in St. Petersburg with his wife, Karen, and photo courtesty of Eckerd Tritons website they’ve had three children named Coach Matthews retired from coaching Eckerd baseball to be Assistant Athletic Director.

Christopher, Katie and Zach.

Volleyball splits back-to-back matchups midway through conference play at home

By Christina Rosetti and Meaghan Kirby Contributing Writers

photo by Merle Czarnetzki Senior Ali McAlvany pushes the ball from back row against Lynn University.

The Eckerd Volleyball team looks to finish strong during the second half of conference play after going 1-1 at McArthur Center Oct. 10 and 11. The Tritons beat Florida Tech in a convincing 3-1 win but dropped to Lynn University in a 0-3 match up the following afternoon.

Eckerd and Florida Tech battled in the first set resulting in a 26-24 win for the Tritons. Florida Tech took an early lead in the second set winning 25-19. After regrouping before the third, the Tritons finished the match strong with consecutive 25-16 victories.

Eckerd had success against Florida Tech tallying 56 total kills, a combined 33 kills from Senior Ali McAlvany and Junior Tjasa Kotnik. McAlvany led the team throughout the night clinching her ninth double-double of the season with 17 kills and 13 digs.

“Having that leadership on the court can really take that offensive load off us,” said Head Coach Michelle Piantadosi. “It helps younger players feel more confident in taking care of their responsibilities.”

Freshman Kaitlyn Sibson accumulated 15 out of the 49 digs for the Tritons while Junior Emily Shadow and Freshman Gabriella Guimaraes each recorded 26 assists against Florida Tech.

Sophomore Katie Arnette led the team with four blocks on the night.

“Our coach has really been trying to get us to take a step back and focus on smaller things,” Arnette said after the victory over Florida Tech.

Although standout Freshman Lauryn Nelson is currently out with a strained hip flexor, Piantadosi is hopeful she will return for the next home conference series.

“I think it will be huge to have her back for our two big conference games coming up at home,” Piantadosi said.

Eckerd was swept by Lynn University the following day in another conference game. The two teams fought into extra points in the first set resulting in a 2826 loss for the Tritons. A late run

by Eckerd was not enough to put the game away, which ended in a 25-21 defeat. Lynn finished with a 25-19 victory in the third.

McAlvany had yet another strong performance in her senior campaign with eight kills and 15 digs against the Fighting Knights. Tjasa Kotnik followed with seven kills while Freshman Madison Whiting finished the night with six kills and seven digs.

Following the weekend of conference play, the Tritons moved to an overall record of 10-8 and a conference record of 2-6. The Tritons remain in 8th place with eight conference games and 12 total games to go.

“I think now we have to bring more confidence on the court,” Piantadosi said. “I think we have the opportunity to do something really great these last twelve games.”

Eckerd looks to improve during the second half of conference matches this season. The Tritons have struggled against conference opponents all year but still have a hopeful attitude as they begin the second half of conference play.

“I think this is the right time to really build up and peak,” Arnette said.

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