The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College
Volume 8, Issue III Oct. 28, 2016
Office of Sustainability unveils off-campus bikes By Nicole Decker Asst. News Editor Eckerd’s Office of Sustainability introduced six new white off-campus bikes for student use on Monday, Oct. 3. They are located between the Forrer and Math, Physics and Computer Science (MPC) buildings and are available to rent for up to five hours at a time. Although the program is run through the Office of Sustainability, the idea originated with sophomore Lilah Schaeffer. “I saw that a lot of my friends, and myself, didn’t have cars or any effective ways of getting off campus,” Shaeffer said. “I just realized it would just be great if the school could provide people with bikes. It’s something that I saw a lot of other colleges doing, and it seemed like a realistic idea for us.” Schaeffer came up with the idea in October 2015 and presented it to the Office of Sustainability in December. The white bikes, complete with a basket on the handlebars, were ordered in July. “First, I researched companies and compiled a list of a few vendors. Then, I figured out the logistics of it, and looked at other schools doing similar things. I did what I could of the financial piece on my own and then took all that information to Evan Bollier,” Schaeffer said. “We called companies and compiled more information together. Finally, we decided on a company, on Bike Share, and kept in contact with them.” To rent a bike, students can register on eckerd.edu/bikeshare, where they
NEWS 1-3
FEATURES 4-9
will receive a personal pin code that will last them until June 30, 2017. As of right now, renting an off-campus bike is free for students. However, the Office of Sustainability may begin to charge students if the bikes require more maintenance than expected. “When students receive a pin code, they have to sign a user agreement saying that they are going to take it out for no more than five hours and that they are responsible to pay for any damages done to the bike other than normal maintenance, such as a flat tire or something small like that,” Director of the Office of Sustainability Evan Bollier said. Once the user agreement is signed, students can make their way over to the bikes, enter their pin into the lock box and receive a key for their assigned bike. Although there are only six bikes now, Eckerd may purchase more depending on how the student community responds to them. “If we get more people signing up and more people using the bikes, then we will definitely scale up the program,” Schaeffer said. “There have already been a lot of instances of almost all of the bikes being checked out at once.” As of Oct. 13, there are close to 100 students registered to rent an off-campus bike. According to Schaeffer, they hope to increase that number to 300 by the end of the semester. photo by Paige Wood The new white bikes on campus are parked outside the James Center and are temporarily free and available for usage up to five hours. Each student can register online for their individual lock code in order for them to be able to rent a white bike.
OPINION 10-12
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Page 2
Oct. 28, 2016
Compiled By Brianna Spieldenner and seth smalley Managing Editor and Contributing Writer
CAMPUS ‘Stranger Things’ marathon Come to Kappa Field on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 8 p.m. to midnight for Netflix’s original series “Stranger Things” marathon. This event is associated with the Halloween Ball, so don’t miss out on buying your tickets as well. The ball will feature a full beverage service, mocktails, a chocolate fountain and catered dinners.
Fall book sale at Armacost Library This annual event begins Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 9:30 a.m. and ends Sunday, Nov. 20, at 1:00 a.m. Paperbacks will be 50 cents each or three for one dollar. Hard covers are one dollar each, or six for five dollars. On Sunday, the last day of the sale, you can fill a grocery bag for four dollars.
International Film Series presents: The Wailing “The Wailing” is a 2016 South Korean horror and thriller directed by Na Hong-jin. A stranger arrives in a little village and soon after, a sickness begins to spread. The plot revolves around a policeman who, in order to save his daughter, teams up with a shaman and a “mysterious woman” to investigate a series of unexplained killings and illnesses. Come to Miller Auditorium on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. to watch this critically acclaimed film.
Coffee hour with Gary Schoeniger Gary Schoeniger, author and founder of the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative (ELI) will be at the James Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to discuss his entrepreneurial methods. Schoeniger is an internationally recognized “thought leader” in the
field of mindset education, according to ELI’s website. He is the author of “Who Owns The Ice House: Eight Life Lessons From An Unlikely Entrepreneur.” Students interested in economic success are encouraged to make this educational session.
LOCAL UF institutes hotline for inappropriate costumes According to Gator Times, the University of Florida sent out an alert to all their students heeding them to make sure they pay attention to having “an inclusive definition of diversity.” They warn students that some costumes have negative racial, gender, cultural or religious connotations. Students who are offended by costumes can call a number to get in touch with counseling services or report the costume.
that early voting starts Oct. 24 and lasts until Nov. 6. Make sure your voice is heard, and don’t forget a government-issued photo ID.
Trump changes tone about election Although he has not admitted defeat, according to CNN, Donald Trump’s message has largely shifted from what he will do once he has won the presidency, to how he can bring change to end the “rigged system.” During the third debate on Wednesday, Oct. 19, he refused to, in a hypothetical situation presented to him by the moderators, concede to Hillary Clinton provided that she won the election. His “rigged system” comment refers to Wikileaks publishing the emails implicating DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of election bias toward Hillary Clin-
ton in the Democratic primary.
Massive internet outage sweeps U.S. and Europe According to USA Today, on Friday, Oct. 21, a massive internet outage swept the Eastern Seaboard. The outage was the result of a large scale distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, which prevented millions of users from accessing sites like Reddit, Spotify, Twitter, Tumblr and Paypal. The attack came at a time of public worry over cybersecurity: in the previous weeks, Julian Assange and Wikileaks have been releasing DNC emails, which were purportedly obtained by Russian hackers in an effort to sabotage the Clinton campaign.
INTERNATIONAL Pirate radio defies ISIS
According to CNN, in the midst of battle in Iraq against ISIS, one man has been running a radio station that actively opposes ISIS. Located in Mosul, this radio station, named Alghad, or tomorrow, simply broadcasts “music and truth.” He broadcasts news that ISIS does not want the city to hear and allows citizens of the city to voice in with their opinions and their day-to-day life.
Hacking webcams recalled Last week, popular websites like Reddit, Twitter, Spotify and others were down due to a hacking attack by using webcams. According to BBC, the firm that manufactured the webcams, Hangzhou Xiongmai, issued a recall. One of the main issues with the webcams were the easy-to-guess passwords used. The company is also taking actions to make passwords more difficult to hack.
St. Pete requires healthier vending machine Mayor of St. Petersburg Rick Kriseman has announced that vending machines will be required to have healthier options in them by the end of 2017. This will apply to vending machines on city-owned property. This policy follows guidelines by the American Heart Association and St. Petersburg is only the tenth city in America to adopt this. According to St. Pete Patch, Pinellas County is above national average in adults that suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases. New vending machine items will include 100 percent fruit juices, nuts and seeds, baked chips, fruit snacks and whole grain bars.
NATIONAL Election day Get out your calendar because election day is Nov. 8, but remember
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Faculty Adviser Prof. 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 cannot exceed 400 words. Writers must include their full name, graduation year 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.
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THE CURRENT
Oct. 28, 2016
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ELS celebrates 40 years at Eckerd By Rose Keating Asst. Culture Editor Eckerd’s English Language Services (ELS) celebrated its 40th anniversary of being established on campus on Thursday, Oct. 6. The celebration took place in Fox Hall and featured special guests, awards and recognitions. The event highlighted the success ELS has had with connecting international students with the Eckerd community. In the morning, there was an open house for ELS students, the Eckerd community and Homestay families. People were able to visit the classrooms and see where the students
THURSDAY
27 3:45 p.m. Sailing Center Dedication 7:00 p.m. CPS: Girl Rising: How Education May Change a Life, Miller Auditorium
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learned. In the afternoon, there was a reception at Fox Hall where directors talked about the program, how successful it has been and the excitement they have moving forward with it. “I cannot believe this program has been here for 40 years now,” ELS Language Center Director Karen Grubbs said. Grubbs has been working for the ELS Language Center for 15 years. She explained that not all ELS students live on campus. The students off campus live with English-speaking families as a part of the Homestay Program. The Homestay Program is a good way to learn English because students become fully immersed in
FRIDAY
28
7:00 p.m. Volleyball: EC vs. Nova Southeastern, McArthur Center 8:00 p.m. “Stranger Things” series marathon, Kappa Field
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7:30 p.m. CPS: An Evening with Eboo Patel, Fox Hall
7:00 p.m. Volleyball: EC vs. Barry, away 7:00 p.m. CPS: “Notfilm” (Film), Miller Auditorium
the language. Students come from all over the world to study abroad through Eckerd’s program for a semester, sometimes longer. This year, students came from 21 different countries, many of them unfamiliar with speaking English and living in America. This program is a way for international students to learn English, learn about American culture and prepare for studies at an American university. Alongside the Homestay Program and the Conversation Partner Program that ELS runs where Eckerd students can have conversations and learn from ELS students, this year they are allowing Eckerd students to
SATURDAY
29
4:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
30
4:00 p.m. Volleyball: EC vs. Lynn, away
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MONDAY
31 Men’s Golf vs. McDonugh Cup (Rio Pinar CC), Orlando, Florida 7:30 p.m. CPS: Most Macabre II, Wireman Chapel Halloween
Volleyball: EC vs. Palm Beach Atlantic, McArthur Center 8 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Halloween Ball, St. Petersburg Coliseum
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participate in off-campus trips with residential students. This allows ELS students to not only see places outside the Eckerd bubble, but also gives them the opportunity to interact with Eckerd students. Although Eckerd students are often in the know about events on campus, they rarely know about ELS events. Fiorella Moffino is an ELS student who came from Chile. She has been at Eckerd for six months now and has been on many of the trips ELS offers. She was one of 50 ELS students who went to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights on Sept. 30. “My favorite part about the Universal Studios Halloween Horror
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Daylight Savings Time ends
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7:00 p.m. CPS: “The Finest Hours” (Documentary), Galbraith Auditorium
Nights trip was hanging out with friends I’ve made here at Eckerd. Without this program, I would not have met them,” Moffino said. Not only did Moffino go to Halloween Horror Nights, she also went to Hollywood Studios at Disney this past weekend with the ELS program. Events like these offer a great way to integrate the Eckerd community with the ELS community. ELS hopes that more international students participate in this program as well as feel integrated into the Eckerd community. Students from different cultures will potentially learn from each other and appreciate the unique languages and culture.
TUESDAY
1 7:00 p.m. Volleyball: EC vs. Saint Leo, away
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7:00 p.m. CPS: Screening of “Pad Yatra: A Green Odyssey,” Miller Auditorium Election Day
WEDNESDAY
2
7:00 p.m CPS: Redefining Entrepreneurship: An Evening with Gary Schoeniger, Fox Hall
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1:00 p.m. CPS: Imaginging Justice: The Exhibition, Cobb Gallery 8:00 p.m. CPS: “Stupid F***king Bird,” Bininger Theater
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FEATURES
Oct. 28, 2016
NAS professors evaluate taking time off after undergraduate education
By Sarah Raney Managing Editor
Taking time off after completing schooling from undergraduate institutions prior to attending graduate school is becoming more common. Some students want to gain work experience, others want extra time to assess graduate programs and some just want a break from schooling. Students considering taking time off are encouraged to weigh their options. The majority of Eckerd Natural Science (NAS) professors feel that while it is up to the individual to determine their needs, it is important to utilize that time spent away productively to ensure a positive reflection on the application. Professor of Marine Science and Chemistry David Hastings took two years off before going to graduate school and found the experience very rewarding. “I worked at a consulting company doing environmental geochemistry for one year then I worked at an environmental group,” Hastings said. “Those experiences were irreplaceable and exceptionally useful. When I worked at the consulting company, I got a sense of what a scientific consulting company does. At this environmental group, I learned a lot about the world and how environmental groups work. I really was glad I didn’t go straight to graduate school.” Chemistry Instructor and Faculty Director of C-STARS Quantitative Tutoring Program Lisa Bonner took one year off to take some classes and worked part time teaching laboratory classes at her undergraduate institution. “I needed the time to get a few things in order, spend the time figuring out where to apply and I wanted to have some money in the bank when I got there,” Bonner said in an email. Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Jesse Sherry, who received his PhD from Rutgers University in Planning and Public Policy, used his time off to gain work experience. He worked for an architecture firm for a year and a half before realizing that it was not the right fit for him. “I was really grateful that I had that work experience,” Sherry said. “I realized what I care about is the relationship between people and the built environment and how they influence each other. I found planning, which allowed me to answer some of the same questions and focus on
some of the same things but without the lifestyle of architects.” Assistant Professor of Biology Liza Conrad used her time off to work in the lab she would ultimately join for her PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics at Cornell University. “It helped me figure out that the lab was the right fit for me and made applying very easy,” she said. Other professors, however, would not recommend taking time off. “If you’ve made up your mind on what you want to do, use that momentum and go directly in,” Associate Professor of Marine Science and Biology Nancy Smith said. “Sometimes you only get one chance to apply, and if you have the opportunity, and it’s what you want, you should take it.” Professor of Chemistry David Grove also has a different take on putting education on hold. “Do not take time off before grad school; you want to maintain the intellectual momentum and habits of mind you developed in college,” he said in an email. “I went from doing research as an undergrad to grad school in the span of three weeks. It was intense, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way.” While taking time off before graduate school can give students an opportunity to gain research experience, there are also opportunities to branch out within the program. Bonner worked in other labs while doing her research. “I encourage students to get involved in their graduate program, beyond their research project,” she said in an email. Marine Science Instructor Bruce Barber also encourages students to take advantage of opportunities. “I worked on research vessels,” he said. “That was my job for a couple of years. It was strictly to help other scientists to collect their data, but it was a great experience.” Overall, the decision to take time off is a very personal one. What works for some does not work for others. For some professors, taking time off was the best decision they could have made. For others, it would have derailed their momentum. It is up to the student to prioritize their needs and determine the best course of action for their success.
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THE CURRENT
Oct. 28, 2016
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NAS professors offer advice for graduate school applications By Sarah Raney Managing Editor On campus, there’s a plethora of resources with advice to survive the graduate school application process — professors. Here’s their tips and tricks for surviving the application process and being successful at Eckerd and beyond. A variety of graduate programs are available. Within the natural sciences (NAS), the most common degrees are a Masters, which can be a thesis or non-thesis (professional), or a Ph.D. “You have to want what is on the ‘other side’ of a graduate degree in order to make graduate school worthwhile,” Chemistry Instructor and Faculty Director of of the C-STARS Quantitative Tutoring Program Lisa Bonner said in an email. Like Bonner, Professor of Physics Anne Cox recommends student pursue an advanced degree for the right reasons. “It is for those who want to be completely intellectually engaged in a field and are excited about becoming an expert in a very narrow sub-field,” Cox said in an email. Three topics had resounding support as the most critical components for finding the right graduate school: research interests, faculty adviser and funding. The first is the student must determine their specific research interests before applying, resulting in finding the right program and the best fit. “My advice would be to do your homework, research each school and pursue a field that you love,” Professor of Chemistry David Grove said in an email. “Apply to several schools of varying rank, and make sure each institution you apply to has at least one research program that suits your interests and background.” Unlike applying for undergraduate education, faculty members resoundingly emphasize doing more research on the front end. “Find somebody that’s doing research you’re interested in, read their papers and make contact with
Twelve NAS professors recommended topics to consider for finding the right graduate school and having a standout application.
them,” NAS Chair and Professor of Marine Science and Geosciences Joel Thompson said. “If they decide they want you, your likelihood of getting in and getting supported is significantly higher.” The second key component is finding the right adviser. According to Assistant Professor of Marine Science and Biology Jeannine Lessmann, who received her Ph.D in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at Louisiana State University, the choice in adviser determines the student’s success in the program. Professor of Marine Science and Chemistry David Hastings received his Masters and Ph.D in Oceanography at University of Washington, and his adviser helped meld his experience there. “I went to school in Seattle, and I loved it there,” he said. “I had a really smart, hard-working, well-respected adviser, and that helped me enormously. Everybody knew who he was.” Choosing the right adviser also hinges on making contact before applying. According to Thompson, the chances of getting in when applying
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blind are extremely low. Forming report with a faculty member is critical for finding the best fit. “We have had students with 4.0 GPAs not get into graduate schools because no professor took them,” Lessmann said. “I’ve had a 3.2 GPA, which in science is very respectable, get in one of the best coral reef programs in the country because they matched well with the professor.” Assistant Professor of Biology Liza Conrad suggests even one-sided contact can get a foot in the door. “Even if they don’t get back to you, they may remember your name when they see your application, which increases your chances,” she said. Professor of Environmental Science and Biology Elizabeth Forys recommends sending an email with an introduction, explanation of research interests, a C.V. and ask if the faculty member will be taking on graduate students in the next year. Associate Professor of Marine Science and Biology Nancy Smith also suggests reading the scientific literature and asking about their publication research. “This will help you determine
their research questions and if their research coincides with your research interests,” Smith said. The third crucial component is funding. According to Marine Science Instructor Bruce Barber, who has worked on graduate school selection committees in the past, decisions for acceptance often come down to which faculty members have funding and space. “If she or he does not have support for you, it may not work out,” Hastings said. The opportunities available to students here at Eckerd gives them a competitive edge for both applying and attending graduate school. “What I hear from our students that have gone on to graduate school is that they’re well-prepared and they come in a step or two above other first-year graduate students that came from big universities that didn’t get the research experience, hands-on experience that you get here at Eckerd,” Thompson said. According to Smith, Eckerd seminars, particularly marine science senior seminar, are modeled after graduate-level seminars, giving Eckerd
graphic by Sarah Raney
students a leg up. Students also have the opportunity to work with equipment and techniques they may use in graduate school, according to Bonner and Grove. Getting involved with research opportunities on- and off-campus is another method for honing research interests and developing marketable skills. “If you were the one in the lab who was curious about why something did not work and stayed late to figure it out, you are set for graduate school,” Cox said in an email. Conrad has found attending conferences to be very helpful for the process of applying. “When I’ve gone to conferences with Eckerd students, I’ve heard from colleagues about how impressed they are at how well-spoken our students are,” she said. The environment of graduate school is different than that of undergraduate education, but the experiences are very rewarding and worthwhile. Although applying to graduate school is a difficult process, many students have gone before and had rewarding, life-changing experiences.
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FEATURES
A Day In The Life: Eckerd’s biggest fan By Angelique Herring Staff Writer What do Ellen Degeneres, Leslie Knope, Mary Pat Champeau and Claire Russell’s mom all have in common? These four women all inspire the Eckerd senior to do the amazing work she does each and every day. Between classes, meetings, dog walks, friends and being a Ford scholar, Russell has a lot on her plate. But she takes it on with zeal the way her idols would want her to. On any given day, Russell wakes up and tries to go to the gym. After that, her day really begins. As an international relations major, a lot of Russell’s time is spent in the classroom. This year, her favorite class is Human Rights and International Law. This comes as no surprise given her family’s international background. With parents who served in the Peace Corps, a younger sister adopted from China and an older brother who, along with Russell herself, studied abroad, she’s long been immersed in the international world. Outside of the classroom, Russell still finds herself in academic life as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Under this title, she has designed and distributed the student planners and water bottles, planned Pitchers with Professors and brought in many speakers to entertain and inspire the student body for the past few years. She attends faculty meetings, has a seat on the parent council and through it all, she’s able to reinforce the holistic approach at Eckerd College. “It’s about balance in the way that if you don’t take care of yourself then you’ll start resenting the things that you really love,” Russell said. Most recently, Russell’s been contributing to the ECOS voting campaign “Stand Your Battleground.” So far, they’ve registered 380 students to
vote and with the help of Residential Advisors and Campus Activities, will have plenty of transportation taking students to the polls for early voting and on election day. One of her best friends, senior and student body president Jack Layden, put her rigorous lifestyle into his own words. “She’s extraordinarily busy. If she’s not doing ECOS stuff and Ford Scholar stuff, she’s doing her class work, which she does extremely well,” Layden said. photo by Caley Hanse Another friend Vice President of Academic Affairs Claire Russell plans events like Pitchers with Professors and sits in on faculty of Russell’s, senior meetings as a representative of ECOS. Clara Suárez-Nugent, ty,” she said. “Honestly, Eckerd could erd student, she looks back with gratechoed a similar opinjust have a few tents set up and one itude for what Eckerd has given her. ion. “I would not have been able to get “She really doesn’t have free time,” professor and if all the people I met Suárez-Nugent said. “No matter how here were still here, you’d have me through any of the last three years busy and stressed her life gets, she al- four years, full tuition. I’d pay it to be without them,” Russell said. “but like most things from Eckerd they never ways manages to realize how lucky here with them.” She shows her dedication to them really go away.” she is to be who she is.” Before she heads out to take on the Sure she’s busy, but according to through weekly episodes of American Russell, this is typical of Eckerd. After Horror Story at her place in Omega. world, Russell offers this advice to the years of busy Eckerd life, Russell may Though she’s frightened by the blood student body at large: “Say yes. And that doesn’t mean and gore, she’s more than happy to have found the trick. For her, this usually results in her bake cookies in the kitchen while her drugs. Eckerd is what you make it eating lunch during a meeting, or friends watch the ever-popular TV and that goes for everything. A lot of the value here is in the community. If bringing her dog, Sierra Leone, to show. With graduation comes hopes for you allow Eckerd to change who you meetings. “Having different roles and hav- the future. While Russell isn’t entirely are and help you see the world in a ing life here has definitely taught me sure what she wants to do, the Peace new way, it will definitely do that.” Feel free to walk through the doors how to compartmentalize,” Russell Corps, AmeriCorps and a number of said. “You got to really be somewhere programs abroad are definite possi- of the ECOS office in Brown Hall to when you’re going to be there and bilities. She looks forward to spend- visit Russell and the ECOS family. not be worrying about the next thing ing more time with her sister, though Doing so and meeting Russell might because then the days start flying by.” she’s going to miss living with her best just be what it takes to make Eckerd So her life doesn’t fly by, Russell is friends and says she couldn’t have one of the colleges that change lives. “When the doors open, walk sure to make time and appreciate the asked for more. In the end, she wouldn’t change through them because there are probrelationships that matter to her. “I just feel lucky for the communi- it for the world. As she inches closer ably awesome people on the other and closer to her final days as an Eck- side,” Russell said.
Oct. 28, 2016
Scoreboard Volleyball
10/1 Barry University Win (3-2) 10/18 Florida Southern College Loss (1-3) 10/20 Florida Tech Win (3-0)
Women’s Soccer
10/1 Rollins College Tie (1-1) 10/19 Florida Southern College Win (1-0) 10/22 Nova Southeastern University Loss (0-2)
Men’s Soccer
9/24 Embry-Riddle University Tie (1-1) 10/18 Florida Tech Loss (1-5) 10/22 Nova Southeastern University Win (2-1)
Upcoming games Volleyball
10/28 vs. University of Tampa 7 p.m. (away) 10/29 vs. Palm Beach Atlantic 4 p.m. 11/1 vs. Saint Leo University 7 p.m. (away)
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THE CURRENT
Oct. 28, 2016
Page 7
Voting past the President
Compiled by Ben Goldberg Editorial Manager
With so much attention currently being placed on the Presidential contest between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, citizens might require reminding of state and local elections this November. Listed below are some brief profiles of candidates for Congress and the Senate, as well as four amendments to the Constitution of the state of Florida. These are starting points for further research before election day on Nov. 8.
Senatorial Race
Congressional Race DEMOCRAT: Charlie Crist
DEMOCRAT: Patrick Murphy Patrick Murphy is currently the congressman serving Florida’s 18th District, which includes Palm Beach. He supports bipartisan legislation on principle. Some of his positions include supporting a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, advocating for an active American role in the fight against ISIS and supportive environmental protections, including the Paris Agreement.
photo courtesy of Patrick Murphy
photo courtesy of Charlie Crist
REPUBLICAN: David Jolly
REPUBLICAN: Marco Rubio Marco Rubio is the incumbent in this contest, and he has served as one of Florida’s senators since 2010. He would approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, focus on onshore energy production, and cut the corporate tax rate to 25 percent on all businesses. He advocates for increased American involvement in the fight against ISIS, building a wall and maintaining closed borders and supports a plan to restore natural water flow to the Everglades.
Charlie Crist is the Former Governor of Florida, and is a native of St. Petersburg. He believes in climate change and believes that actions need to be taken against it to protect the 13th District from flooding in the future. He supports investment in clean energy, especially solar. He also wants to protect Social Security by raising the contribution cap for the wealthy, supports debt relief to students and wants to improve local public schools.
photo courtesy of Marco Rubio
David Jolly is the incumbent and has held his position as the 13th District’s congressional representative since 2014. He supports campaign finance reform, as well as fair districting to fight gerrymandering. He supports an increased American role in fighting ISIS, but thinks that it should be achieved through the enforcement of no-fly zones and by reaffirming America’s commitment to its NATO allies. Jolly is a supporter of common sense gun control.
photo courtesy of David Jolly
Proposed Amendments Amendment 1 Amendment 2 Amendment 3 Amendment 5 The official title of this amendThe official title of this amendThe official title of this amendThe official title of this amendto the Constitution ment is “Rights of Electricity Con- ment is “Use of Marijuana for Debil- ment is “Tax Exemption for Totally ment is “Homestead Tax Exemption for the State of sumers Regarding Solar Energy itating Medical Conditions.” It would and Permanently Disabled First Re- for Certain Senior, Low-Income, Florida Choice.” It codifies the right of Flo- create a system by which patients sponders.” It would lower the home- Long-Term Residents; DeterminaThe following amendments will be voted on across the state of Florida during the general election by a simple “yes” or “no” vote, and each requires a 60 percent supermajority to pass. For the full text of each amendment, please visit: dos.myflorida.com/media/696216/constitutional-amendments-2016-general-english-booklet.pdf
ridia citizens to operate solar equipment on their property and use any electricity for their own needs, though many experts, including the Florida Wildlife Federation, point out that this amendment may open the door for energy companies to actually restrict the use of solar equipment and the sharing of excess electricity that it may generate.
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with sufficient need, as defined by a licensed physician, would be able to be prescribed marijuana for medicinal purchases. This amendment would be overseen by the Department of Health, and is anticipated to lead to an increase in tax revenue. Critics of this amendment see it is a gateway to the legalization of recreational marijuana.
stead taxes paid by police officers, fire fighters, EMTs and paramedics if they became permanently disabled in some capacity in the line of duty. The James Madison Institute explains that critics of this amendment claim that it offers tax relief strictly to first responders and not disabled Floridians as a group.
tion of Just Value.” It would offer a significant property tax break for qualifying senior citizens if the value of their homes is under 250,000 dollars, and would lock in the tax to be paid on the value of their homes, regardless of appreciation in value. Critics of this amendment claim that there would be a detriment to Florida’s public programs as tax revenues decreased.
FEATURES
Page 8
Oct. 28, 2015
Ghosts and the science behind fear-seeking
By Fiona Maguire Science Editor
According to a Pew Research Center survey in 2009, 18% of Americans stated that they have seen a ghost. The actual definition of a ghost may be unclear and varies from person to person, but this is still a substantial number of people. Senior Carlotta Abogado was working on a project on haunted places during her study abroad to Scotland and Ireland when she experienced several paranormal encounters. During one of her tours, Abogado and other members of the group noticed eerie feelings and sudden coldness in a dungeon where there was no air conditioning or ventilation. “It was really hot down there, and then all of a sudden we all got freezing, and there were no vents or anything,” Abogado said. “It was really creepy.” Cold spots like Abogado experienced are associated with ghosts because they’re thought to need the heat from the environment to create energy and manifest. One of the most likely explanations given for ghost sightings by non-believers is infrasound. These are sounds that are at frequencies that human ears can sense, but humans do not consciously hear. Picking up these vibrations with such a lack of cognition is what causes problems in the brain. For example, the eyes, which
have a 20 hertz natural frequency, may vibrate and create images that don’t actually exist. As a result, people in the presence of infrasound have been shown to have feelings of dread, nausea, depression and unexplained apparitions. While Abogado felt unnerved about the possible presence of a supernatural being, some people might have gotten a rush out of the experience. Likewise, this Halloween season many Eckerd students are heading to Howl-O-Scream or reaching for classic horrors like “The Exorcist.” To other students, frightening activities are far from anything they would intentionally seek out. The explanation for the conundrum lies in body chemistry. Fear-seekers enjoy being frightened because one of the hormones released when experiencing terror is dopamine, the same hormone produced during exercise and eating. Dopamine is associated with pleasure and can be addicting. Vanderbilt Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry David Bald has an idea for why some people enjoy being scared more than others. According to his 2007 study, it depends on brain chemistry, not just personality. Not everyone’s dopamine receptors function the same way; some stop the cycle of dopamine release and re-up-
St. Petersburg High School’s third floor is home to at least one ghost. Along with strange noises and movements, the janitorial staff have claimed to see odd happenings in the school’s auditorium as well. Additionally the ghost is usually spotted between 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., looking at his hands as if he’s lost something, according to author of “Florida’s Ghostly Legends” Greg Jenkins.
cartoon by Jessy Breckenridge
take, while others lack these “brakes.” This is due to those auto-receptors on nerve cells, which track the abundance of chemicals to know when to slow down their production. Fewer auto-receptors allow more dopamine to be produced from scary situations, and thus people with those low auto-receptors get more enjoyment from fear responses. In a 2013 interview with National
Geographic, Bald explains that there is a narrow line between enjoying fear and being haunted by it. It is necessary to realize after a scare that there is no true threat otherwise the fight or flight response will continue past the initial, desired state. In order for that to happen, people need to be aware that they are in a safe place, which is what makes haunted houses so enjoyable.
They can be scary, but at the same time, the brain is conscious that it is all in good fun. So if you’re looking to safely stimulate your fight or flight response and learn more about local ghosts, 90-minute ghost tours are offered in downtown St. Petersburg year-round. Just visit http://www.ghosttour.net/ spfaqs.html for more information or to purchase tickets.
The local haunts Downtown St. Pete’s 83 year old bookstore located on Central Ave is reportedly inhabited by author and poet Jack Kerouac. According to Ghost Report, He haunts guests by hovering behind them or “tapping” on their shoulders. Occasionally books will fall off shelves without explanation.
The Vinoy Park Hotel is, reportedly, the most haunted place in St. Petersburg. Legend has it that “the lady in white” can sometimes be seen in the topmost pink bell tower of the historic hotel. In 2003 Major League Baseball player Scott Williamson reported feeling a ghost on the fifth floor, according the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Check out the next episode of The Current Minute, Episode 4: Haunted St. Pete to find out and hear about other haunted places around St. Pete.
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THE CURRENT
Oct. 28, 2015
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Sugar leaves the body with spooky effects By elaine newbern Asst. Science Editor
As Halloween creeps closer, grocery stores are stocking their shelves aisle after aisle of sugary sweets. Turns out effects with these candies can be just as terrifying as the severed fake limbs and skeletons in the decoration aisle. Research is suggesting that this fear is justified with the way sugar, particularly sucrose, harms the human body. Sugar appears in multiple forms including glucose, fructose and a combination of the two called sucrose. All of these are found to occur naturally in fruits and vegetables. Consuming these particular foods in moderation is recommended due to the taxing impacts that excessive sugar can have. Likewise, the consumption of candy is known to cause significant increases in levels of blood sugar, triglycerides and insulin, according to NRC Research Press. Some of the lesser known impacts of sugar consumption include high blood pressure or kidney stones from exhausting the liver. As one of the few organs with cells that can convert fructose into usable molecules, the liver can be left unable to perform its basic functions when given copious amounts of fructose to process, according to Scientific American Another reaction caused from eating sugar, according to TED-ed, takes place in the brain. The sugar triggers our reward system. Consuming sweets causes our brain to release the hormone dopamine, responsible for the feeling of happiness, in the same way it does during socialization, copulation or drug use. Additionally, when sugar is regularly or excessively consumed, the body does not receive it like most foods where it grows tired of eating said food and thus stops producing dopamine. Rather, the substance has an addictive effect where the levels of dopamine stay elevated during sugar consumption and is the reason behind why it can be tough to kick sugary foods to the curb. When it comes to obesity, according to two separate studies sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, candy consumption is not the direct cause for cardiovascular diseases or obesity. Regardless, multiple sources including Scientific American, emphasize taking a look at the
obesity crisis from a holistic perspective. The consideration of factors such as overconsumption help to create a more complete picture of the issue at hand. Yet consuming candy still comes down to weighing the costs with the benefits, particularly the taste. According to freshman Jessica Rivest, the impacts of sugar go beyond internal changes to reflect emotional transformations as well. “Not only can I feel the sugar rush and its crash, but I’m more likely to have a negative image of myself when I eat too much,” Rivest said. When it comes to sugar, the principle of “everything in moderation” applies particularly well considering the impact it can have on the human body and mind. However, everyone is still safe to eat a couple gummies shaped like monsters and a chocolate eyeball this Halloween.
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photos by Bjorn Petersen In the season of Halloween comes the question of how glucose (or C6H12O6 as it’s known to the scientific community) effects a person’s body.
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EDITORIAL Free speech isn’t an idea, it’s a practice
Oct. 28, 2016
By The Current Free speech isn’t an idea. It’s a practice. Late last month, The Tampa Bay Times reported that Eckerd College and its faculty voted to affirm a new statement supporting free expression on campus. The college modeled its commitment off the University of Chicago’s 2012 Statement on Principles of Free Expression. The statement affirms that “…a culture of intense inquiry and informed argument generates lasting ideas, and that the members of its community have a responsibility both to challenge and to listen.” This is something that the students of Eckerd need to emulate. Though the college’s dedication to freedom of expression may not come as a surprise to students, many professors still carefully police themselves to avoid overly-political speech so as to comply with federal restrictions on the extent to which they can express their opinions.
As a nonprofit educational institution, the IRS mandates that Eckerd employees must avoid political advocacy. In election years, this can make the discussion of politically divisive issues especially difficult. When it comes to their beliefs and political leanings, professors must, by law, be vigilant. This election has been one of the most divisive in history, yet many of Eckerd’s professors have abstained from voicing their support or refrained from criticizing one candidate or the other, to the beguilement of some students. While the school’s affirmation of free speech may support the right of employees to engage politically, the IRS restrictions are preeminent. Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Suzan Harrison clarified that “…when faculty are out in the community acting on their own behalf as citizens, they can do what they want. When a faculty member is in the classroom, there is a sense in which that faculty mem-
ber is acting as the institution, and so that is where it becomes very complicated for us.” Due to these legal restrictions, the responsibility of engaging in the highest levels of discourse must fall to the students ourselves. Eckerd students pride ourselves on being a tolerant and accepting community, but when it comes to free speech, some voices are more welcome than others. On a distinctly liberal campus, conservative voices are quickly talked over in the best of scenarios and openly attacked in others. While some would argue that this is to the advancement of progressive ideals, the silencing of ideas is anything but progressive. If the majority polices the opposition to the point that it remains unheard, Eckerd does not have freedom of expression. It instead becomes an echo chamber. It is through disagreement and discourse that biases are identified and ideas are more carefully considered.
This is the spirit in which classes like Human Experience and Imagining Justice are conducted. Still, coursework only extends so far; freedom of expression is needed in dorm rooms, on the beach, even on YikYak. Individuals who are labeled as ignorant or offensive gain nothing through these labels, and those who use them gain nothing from attaching them to others. Automatically dismissing the ideas of others hinders free speech and limits learning and empathy. Instead of responding to differing opinions with feelings of indignation or contempt, Eckerd’s students need to challenge each other through discussions aimed at understanding each other’s experiences. College is a place to exchange and discuss ideas, so to ignore some because they may be deemed offensive or unpopular not only robs their source of another perspective that may change their beliefs, but it also leaves the challenger unexposed to
the environment and experiences from which they originated. Even ideas that are racist, sexist, classist or any other -ist should not be disregarded just because they are offensive or harmful. For one reason or another, those that hold these beliefs believe them. Nothing is gained by assigning these labels to the ideas of others. They are less likely to be voiced, less likely to be discussed and thus less likely to be changed. Even though the school’s administration has reaffirmed Eckerd’s commitment to free speech, the responsibility to ensure its long-term success belongs to us, the students. This is just a starting point, though. Simply tolerating free speech is not what Eckerd strives for. Rather, we need to focus on understanding the beliefs of others and engaging them productively if and when we disagree, instead of muting them on principle. Silencing disagreement does nothing. Discussing it leads to true progress.
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Oct. 28, 2016
OPINION
Halloween 101 : My Culture is not your costume By Mereysa Taylor Co-Opinion Editor
photo courtesy of Yandy.com The “Tribal Trouble Indian” demonstrates what’s wrong with cultural costumes across the board: it’s a mockery of Native American cultures and customs.
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With the concepts of political correctness and trigger warnings rampant on college campuses, it’s understandable that many want to dispel this kind of sensitivity to maintain their own freedom of expression. With Halloween approaching, some of those people may wish to use that freedom to dress up as “Tranny Granny,” a pregnant nun, “Anna Rexia” and the new favorite, “Sexy Harambe.” Still, none of these costumes are okay. Like these wildly offensive costumes, there has been a surge of culturally insensitive costumes that have gained popularity in light of our political climate. Costumes of this nature may include: Sexy Eskimo, “Tribal Trouble Indian,” Geisha costumes etc. Just as costumes making fun of eating disorders or religious choice is not okay, neither are any of these. The Oxford English Dictionary defines costume as “a set of clothes in a style typical of particular country or historical period.” Conversely, appropriation is defined as “the reworking of images and styles from earlier, well known works of art.” In this case, it would refer to the styles and customs of an entire people. The problem lies in where the line is drawn between pure costume and cultural appropriation, without infringing on one’s expression. Associate Dean for Diversity Programs and Outreach Services Marti Newbold identifies the main issue with potentially dressing up as a Geisha or Native American warrior. “It boils them [the culture] down to stereotypes that are usually demeaning. And usually since it’s someone of another culture who’s wearing it, it means they’ve been co-opted,
and made fun of,” Newbold said. Eckerd likes to purport itself as an accepting, culturally tolerant student body. Historically, we have shown otherwise. Our notorious Cowboys and Indians tradition is a sore spot for our school’s legacy. However, as of the 2014-2015 academic year, Eckerd has more intently tried to change the theme of this party, showing that we are slowly becoming more aware as a community. Students of cultures that are more commonly appropriated for these kind of costumes are vocal about their objections. Junior and Japanese exchange student Megumi Nishibori comments on the rise of “sexy” geishas or Japanese costumes. “If someone wore a kimono, but she loves and understands Japanese culture, I think it’s okay, and I’m glad to see that. But if she does not understand or recognize Japanese culture, and just wears it because it’s cute or beautiful, then that’s not culture, it’s costume,” Nishibori said. “As for the kimono, they are formal wear, so if I see someone wearing a short kimono or showing too much skin, I think it’s offensive.” To put things in perspective, there’s a difference between dressing up as Nicki Minaj for Halloween versus painting your face black to emulate any indiscriminate black person. The former is passable; she is a celebrity with many crazy antics and fashion choices for the wearer to choose from. The latter is never okay. Black-face in either instance is not acceptable by any means. Thus, the question that remains is: What can we deem appropriate? And how can we come up with ways people can exercise their freedom of expression without being insensitive jerks? In efforts to resolve this conundrum, many like to argue the validity of dressing up as Disney-fied versions
of ethnic peoples. Think Princess Jasmine, Mulan or Pocahontas. Though each depiction comes with their fair share of representational issues (for example, Jasmine would have more likely been covered up, not midriff-baring like she is in Aladdin), the characters themselves have become identifiable enough to override the accusation of cultural appropriation. And maybe that’s fair. But these are primarily children’s costumes. As college students, however, we should know enough that 1) this is not how Pocahontas actually looked, and 2) accuracy should matter when dealing with the cultures of people who are still very much alive. “Eckerd College students have no excuse for saying ‘Well, we didn’t think it would hurt anybody,’ because we’ve talked about these things, we’ve talked about diversity; as liberally-educated people, we should know better,” Newbold said. There’s a fine line between the notions of appreciation and appropriation. The concepts can often be inadvertently blurred. But at the very least, Eckerd students should be progressive enough to understand the difference, and choose their Halloween costumes and parties accordingly. “This is where I draw the line: is it respectful? Is it honoring? Most Halloween costumes are not about honoring, they’re about having fun and being grotesque and taking it to the extreme. If it’s a cultural costume that’s taken to the extreme, chances are you’ve crossed a line,” Newbold said. Ultimately, just don’t be the person to boil down the entire Mexican heritage to a sombrero and tequila shots, or Native American cultures (because there are multiple) to feathers and a bow and arrow. Their people are so much more than that.
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OPINION
Oct. 28, 2016
Analyzing Mob Mentality By Mereysa Taylor Co-Opinion Editor
As Eckerd students, pretty much everyone has heard of, participated in or seen the Mob in action. For those who haven’t, whether they’re not athletically inclined or freshmen, EC Mob is the name of the semi-official fangirl of the Eckerd College Tritons. EC Mob is ordained by ECOS Department of Athletic Relations to reign hell on our opposition at our various sporting events. There is no denying their level of commitment. Having traveled to away games, made giant heads of certain players, painted their faces and proudly waved the Triton flag for all to see, the EC Mob is dedicated to the success of our athletes. These qualities are what make the Mob so great. It’s a support system that underscores that kind of community we aspire for. Needless to say, they bring the hype. How evenly that hype is distributed, particularly to women’s athletics, is another case entirely. The Mob in this way is seemingly biased in the sporting events it chooses to attend with more fervor than others. Junior Abigail Sanchez, a forward on the Women’s Soccer team, questions the Mob’s character. “I feel like the mob only goes to the Men’s Soccer games, which is unfair to all other sports teams,” Sanchez said. Co-Director of the Athletic Relations Committee Casandra Castaneda maintains that this is mostly because of scheduling difficulties. “I feel like if there was [preferential treatment] it would be because of time, like what time people have classes or finish homework,” Castaneda said. “I know some sports have day games, so it’s sometimes harder for students to get out there at that time.” Castaneda, who is responsible for helping coordinate the Mob, also affirms that the Mob tries to evenly spread out among campus sporting events, whether they be soccer, rugby, basketball, tennis etc. But regardless of their efforts to spread out evenly, the Mob is undoubtedly the loudest at Men’s Soccer games. This could be for a number of reasons. Members of the Mob may have more friends on the Men’s Soccer team, or there may be a certain disinterest in other sports. Either way, there is no way to control where all members of the Mob go on any given game day. Junior Alex Gott, goalkeeper for the
Men’s Soccer team, equates the heavy turnout at games with the relationships between Mob members and players. “I think that’s because there’s a connection with people on the team. For example, I’m really close with a lot of people who are in the Mob,” Gott said. Regardless of these connections, it’s questionable that the Mob is more interested in serving its members’ individual desires instead of serving all Eckerd sports teams, which is what it was chartered to do in the first place.Castaneda elaborated on the possible reason behind the Mob’s short coming for Women’s Soccer in particular. “This year we’ve seen that there are a lot more men’s home games, whereas the women play a lot of away games, but we try to recognize that there should be equality across men’s and women’s sports,” Castaneda said. “All of the guys [on the Mob] have their guy friends, and I think it’s more apparent because they feel like they can be louder with the guys, whereas they want to be more respectful with the women, so that’s probably where you see the difference with the noise level.” While it is true, the men have four more home games than the women do, and despite their seemingly chivalrous motivations, it shouldn’t be up to the Mob to make that kind of decision. It’s likely that the Women’s Soccer team, and the various other Eckerd sports teams, would appreciate the support and level of rowdiness the Mob brings to games. “Last year the Mob was great, they supported us equally and I think they truly made a difference when we played. This year they haven’t showed up for reasons like ‘they don’t have time,’ which is funny because they seem to have time to show up to the boy’s games,” Sanchez said. Though their disposition and language may be crass, it is what has characterized the Mob into the energizing support system Eckerd students have come to know and love. That being said, there is always room for improvement. Gott, though supportive of the Mob and it’s members, agrees with this. “The Mob is led now through Athletic Relations, and I think they do a great job, but I think they can do a better job at scheduling [Facebook] events. People need to know [ahead of time] because people also have a lot of other things to do,” Gott said. With the start of basketball season fast approaching, students can hope to see the Mob at both men’s and women’s games with the same intensity. Their intentions are, after all, to support Eckerd.
photo by Hannah Hamontree Above: The EC Mob supported Men’s Soccer against Palm Beach Atlantic on Sunday, Oct. 9. Supporters were encouraged to wear white clothing to show support for the team. Throughout the game, colored powder was thrown into the air and onto the crowd to celebrate various plays. Below: Family members and Eckerd students watch Women’s Volleyball against Barry University on Saturday, Oct. 1.
photo by Naomi Fanelli
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