VIEWPOINTS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
HEALTH & FITNESS
SPORTS
Caribbean misconceptions
Mangroves removed
Chris Brown album reviewed
Learn about the war on fat
Women’s volleyball
Cruise through this article to learn facts you may not know about the Caribbean. page 5
Campus scenery has been uprooted. Find out what happened to the mangroves. page 9
See if Chris Brown’s new album lives up to his bad rap.
Low fat may not be as healthy as you think.
Sisterly rivalry takes place against the University of Tampa.
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Vol. 6, Issue 3 Oct. 10, 2014
Men’s Golf team under investigation for possible hazing
photo by Alex Zielinski The Golf team is currently under investigation and may face sanctions for a possible hazing incident on Sept. 26.
By Chelsea Duca News Editor A freshman member of the Men’s Golf team was transported to the hospital on Sept. 26, according to Athletic Director Bob Fortosis. As a result, the team is currently under investigation for possibly violating the school’s Abusive Affiliation (Hazing) Policy. The administration would not confirm the nature or cause of the
student’s apparent injuries, but according to the Student-Athlete Handbook, hazing practices include, but are not limited to physical abuse, forced consumption of alcohol and/or other drugs, causing excessive mental stress, verbal abuse and subservience. “We’re in a position now where the situation is being investigated,” Fortosis said. “Our Campus Safety people have launched and are undertaking a thorough investigation. They are in-
terviewing all the people involved, all the witnesses, so we’re really in a dueprocess stage right now.” Fortosis strongly believes that it is important the Athletic Department does not self-police in matters such as this. “I’ve insisted from the beginning when these rumors first started coming forward, this investigation is not being conducted by the Athletic Department,” Fortosis said. “The inves-
tigation is conducted by the Student Affairs department and individuals not within the Athletic Department.” Assistant Director of Athletics Bill Mathews has been helping to support and coordinate the investigation, but the investigation is primarily conducted by Campus Safety and Student Affairs and is being led by Assistant Director of Campus Safety Tonya Womack. Because the investigation is still in
progress, Womack said she was unable to comment. Fortosis did not want to discuss sanctions before the investigation is complete. If the team did violate the hazing policy, however, Fortosis said that the consequences would be severe. He believes that the severity of any sanction, including suspension, is still on the table until the report is released. See Golf, page 4
New art building in the works to replace Ransom By Christie Schafer Staff Writer In the next two years, Eckerd will experience major changes as a newly renovated art building is expected to replace the current Ransom Arts building. While the details are still being discussed, Professor of Visual Arts Arthur Skinner said in an email that the location for the new building will be along ‘studio hill,’ stretching north-south from the chapel pond to the road. The building will be overseen by Director of Planning, Development and New Construction Bill McKenna, who has also directed the renovations for the other newer structures on campus. Before construction begins, ECOS will host a Senate event to inform students about the conceptual designs for the building. The event will also address how the equipment may affect where students are able to park and will provide time to answer any questions. ECOS Vice President Sophomore Jack Layden hopes that McKenna will be there to share the information with any interested Eckerd students and faculty at the designated meeting. Please Recycle
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NEWS
photo by Cypress Hansen The old Ransom Arts Center will be replaced by a larger, more modern building.
“I feel like everyone has a certain idea in their head, but they’re not exactly sure what the building is going to look like. The event will give students the ability to see what’s going to happen,” Layden said. “I think it will
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be really cool, because after the James Center was completed, everyone got excited. I believe the art building will give them something more to look forward to.” One of Eckerd’s Interdisciplinary
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Arts majors expressed excitement for the installation of the new art building. “Now they can show the art building on tours like they did for the science building. As a prospec-
tive student, a new art center would definitely get me excited about going to Eckerd,” Junior Sara Keilty said. “Maybe even more people on campus will get connected with the arts after they update.” Even though specific aspects of the structure are subject to change, Professor Skinner mentioned a few accommodations that will be an upgrade from the current art building. “The new building surely will be more commodious than Ransom Arts, with larger labs, and perhaps two galleries. We will have a goodsized 3-D workshop area, which we don’t have at all at Ransom Arts except outdoors next to the clay lab,” Skinner said. In addition to the changes within Ransom Arts, the studio huts and clay lab which were erected as temporary structures over forty years ago will be replaced as well. “The new building will take good advantage of the site, possibly including a partly covered upper terrace -- a great place to creatively think outside!” Skinner said. A more concrete vision of the art building will be announced at the upcoming ECOS Senate event. If you are interested, look out for more information and attend the event to get your questions answered.
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The Current is a free, biweekly student newspaper produced at Eckerd College. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers.