Issue 1

VIEWPOINTS

ENTERTAINMENT

THE QUICKIE

HEALTH & FITNESS

SPORTS

President talks tuition

Style under the sun

Club Spotlight

Jumpstart your workout

Volleyball preview

Viewpoints editor reacts to Eastman’s op-ed and rising tuition.

A comparative look at the styles between Eckerd and other schools.

Nutrition tips to get the most out of your workout.

Volleyball seniors look ahead to the upcoming year and share their expectations. page 21

page 9

Young Democrats are building up momentum.

page 13

page 17

page 20

Vol. 5, Issue 1 Sept. 13, 2013

New director oversees change at Bon Appétit

By Aaron Levy News Editor Ask around campus and you’ll quickly understand: everyone has their own opinion of the food service here at Eckerd.

No matter your opinion, the changes to the dining plan this semester are undeniable and include a late-night food truck on the weekends.

“I met with ECOS when I first came and they gave me the list of things students have been asking for for the last few years,” Scott Myers, the new director of dining services, said.

If you paid attention to your email this summer, you may have already seen some of the changes made for the fall semester.

A flyer sent to all students with a large header that reads “we heard you” outlined some of the new stations, including carved meat on Sundays at the grill, and new meal plan options.

“By the end of September we’ll have the new food truck on campus. It’s a wood burning pizza oven and grill and I’ve asked for the hours for that to be 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” Myers said.

“We want to hire Eckerd students to do the delivery. It’ll be a job opportunity for Eckerd students and a late night food option. It will accept flex dollars, cash and credit cards.”

Myers has worked at eight universities and been with Bon Appétit for nearly five years. Most recently he was director of catering services for Bon Appétit’s University of Pennsylvania account.

He also has experience with smaller schools similar to Eckerd, such as Regis University in Denver.

Student samples meat from the new carving station, available every Sunday.

See BON APPÉTIT, page 7

photo by Alex Zielinski

Investigation into Freshman Gartenberg’s death continues SPPD: Death most likely drowning

By Rosie Kraemer Asst. News Editor

photo by Avery Cooper

Protesters gathered outside of the MacDill Air Force base.

Tampa Bay protests U.S. intervention in Syria

By Carolyn Moritz Asst. News Editor Beneath the tall sign of a Mobil gas station, several protesters gathered Aug. 31 with picket signs and megaphones. They chanted at the noisy afPlease Recycle

INDEX:

NEWS 2-8

ternoon traffic as residents of Tampa waited at the stoplights. Some passing drivers honked their horns. Others leaned out the window to take photos.

Two young men watched the scene from the convenience store parking lot: uninvolved, unresponsive and

VIEWPOINTS 9-12

undeniably curious.

Disillusioned people from all around Tampa Bay met outside of the MacDill Air Force Base at 6 p.m. to protest a potential U.S. attack on Syria.

See SYRIA, page 7

Freshman Jessica Gartenberg died Aug. 23 in an apparent drowning accident at Frenchman’s Creek.

Since then, campus has mourned the loss of one of its own.

Members of the Eckerd community honored Gartenberg with a candlelight vigil the night of the accident. Students also observed a weeklong memorial near the creek.

Public Information Officer Mike Puetz of the St. Petersburg Police Department is following the case.

“Investigators have concluded

that Ms. Gartenberg's death is likely the result of an accidental drowning,” Puetz said.

“The Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office will make a final determination as to the cause of death once toxicology results have been received.”

According to Pinellas County’s District Six Medical Examiner, it may take up to 60 days for results of an autopsy to be confirmed.

Director of Emergency Management and Campus Safety Adam Colby said they are waiting on the results from the Medical Examiner’s report.

“The incident is a tragic accident that we are continuing to investigate,” Colby said.

ENTERTAINMENT 13-16 THE QUICKIE 17-18 HEALTH & FITNESS 19-20 SPORTS 21-24

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

Sept. 13, 2013

LET’S BE BRIEF

By Taylor Glaws Asst. News Editor

Global

Local

Obama responds to Russian proposal on Syria

Cyclist killed in hit-and-run

After several days spent rallying support for a U.S. military strike on Syrian government forces, President Obama tentatively agreed on Sept. 9 to support a Russian-proposed diplomatic solution. Under the proposal, international monitors would take control of the Syrian government’s stockpile of chemical weapons, which would help to reduce the need for the U.S. to go to war by appeasing its red line on the use of poisonous gasses. The Syrian ambassador to Russia responded positively to the plan, but does not have the authority to guarantee his government’s compliance. While the President did express hope that a diplomatic arrangement could be reached, saying “this could potentially be a significant breakthrough,” he also maintained that the U.S. must present a credible military threat in order to convince the Assad regime to accept the terms.

Hundreds of Tampa Bay area cyclists gathered in Clearwater on Sunday Sept. 8 to remember their friend and fellow rider Robert Lemon, who was killed in a hit-and-run on Labor Day. Lemon was riding tandem with his girlfriend Hilary Michalak, who survived the accident with critical injuries, when they were struck by a vehicle that then drove off. The driver, Christopher Patrick Weed, 29, is currently in police custody and is facing charges including one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury. Frank Lopez, the owner of Ride N’ Roll where Lemon worked as manager, said that he plans on making the memorial ride an annual event.

nytimes.com

Pope Francis making cold calls nytimes.com

Continuing to flout established tradition, Pope Francis has personally contacted several people who have written to him for guidance. Last month the Pope called both an Italian man who had written about the murder of his brother as well as an Argentinian woman who was raped by a police officer. This month, the pope called to reassure a Catholic woman who was concerned that being a single mother would put her out of favor with the church. While many praise the Pope for his hands-on approach, others fear that people will be offended that they are not contacted. As Alberto Melloni, a Vatican historian put it “they [the Catholic people of the world] could think, ‘I’m feeling awful and the pope didn’t even call.’” His adoption of this practice has earned Francis the nickname “the cold call Pope.”

Twitter suspends Somali terrorist group’s account nytimes.com

Though it is against Twitter’s stated policy for users to “make direct, specific threats of violence against others,” the Somali terrorist organization Shebab threatened to assassinate the president of Somalia on its Twitter account. After a series of posts by J.M. Berger, the editor of Intelwire.com, in which he drew attention to the threat, Twitter suspended the Shebab account. This is not the first time that Shebab has used Twitter. The handle @HSMPRESS, which first appeared in Dec. 2011, has been used to issue threats and taunts to the Somali government, the African Union and various other groups and individuals.

Pakistani Government to enter peace talks with Taliban nytimes.com

In an effort to end a decade of bloody conflict, a conference of the country’s top military and intelligence leaders gave the prime minister of Pakistan the authority to identify Taliban leaders who might participate in peace talks. This is important politically to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was elected, partly due to his campaign promises to address the militant fighting. It is also a difficult issue diplomatically for Pakistanis, who have been accused in the past of supporting Islamic militant groups abroad.

National Anti-war protests gather outside White House AP

In the face of the impending congressional vote on U.S. military intervention in Syria, about 150 anti-war protesters picketed outside the White House on Saturday. While some protesters came individually, many attended as members of various groups. One protester, Medea Benjamin, cofounder of the anti-war group Code Pink, spoke about the popular support for the rapidly formed protest movement. “We have suddenly found ourselves united as Americans, overwhelmingly saying we will not let you drag us into another war,” Benjamin said, pointing out that not only is the opposition to military intervention substantial, it also transcends traditional political boundaries. Many protestors point to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, fearing that any U.S. involvement in Syria will lead to similar entanglements.

NAACP president to resign AP NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous announced that he plans to resign at the end of this year to pursue a career teaching in higher education. Jealous is credited with drastically improving the organization’s financial stability. During his five year presidency, the number of NAACP donors increased from 16,000 to 132,000. Jealous also presided over several important decisions that the NAACP made, such as its official embrace of gay marriage in May 2012.

In a written statement, Jealous said “I am proud to leave the association financially sound, sustainable, focused and more powerful than ever.”

Endurance swimmer’s long-time record disputed

baynews9.com

Former middle school principal sentenced to life in prison baynews9.com

Anthony Giancola, the former principal of Van Buren Middle School, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery on monday Sept. 9. As part of a plea deal, Giancola was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences and 30 additional years rather than being given the death penalty. Giancola, who was also arrested in 2007 for purchasing crack cocaine, went on a deadly rampage in June 2012, stabbing two people to death and badly injuring several others.

Immigrants land boat on Hollywood beach orlandosentinel.com

A boat carrying 11 men from Cuba landed on Hollywood beach at about 1:43 pm on Monday Sept. 9. The men, who conveyed that they had been at sea for around three days, immediately disembarked and kissed the ground. After several celebratory photos with beachgoers, the men were taken into U.S. Border Patrol custody for processing. The men, who ranged in age from 25 to 45, were told to appear before an immigration judge and in the meantime will be assisted in contacting their families by Church World Service of Miami.

Governor Scott pushing for nonspecific tax cuts miamiherald.com

With the state projecting an $845 million budget surplus next year, Florida Governor Rick Scott is proposing $500 million in tax cuts. While the large surplus comes even after increased spending on programs which are expected to grow, like public schools, some are concerned by the proposed tax cuts. Many are skeptical about the motives behind the cuts, like Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, who referred to the cuts as “election year vote-buying,” and called for more investment in state universities. Speaking before his upcoming tour to promote the cuts, Governor Scott said, “my commitment is, I’m going to find a way to reduce taxes and fees by $500 million. I want to hear from citizens.” Scott is set to appear in Tampa on Thursday Sept. 12.

Shellie Zimmerman will not press charges AP

Just shy of two months after his acquittal of any crime in the death of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman has once again grabbed media attention. Lake Mary police officers responded Monday afternoon to a 911 call from Zimmerman’s wife Shellie. Mrs. Zimmerman, who separated with her husband one month after the trial, contacted the authorities when George Zimmerman arrived at her father’s house where she was staying. Mrs. Zimmerman, who has also filed for divorce, reportedly told the police dispatcher “he’s threatening all of us with a firearm ... He punched my dad in the nose, I don’t know what he’s capable of. I’m really scared.” Later, she changed the story and said that she had not actually seen a gun. Mrs. Zimmerman’s father also did not press charges. A police spokesman said that the case is being treated as a domestic dispute with both parties blaming the other until more facts can be ascertained.

Campus Student car registration Vehicle registration needs to be completed by Friday Sept. 13. You can get your updated decal from the Campus Safety Office in Brown Hall. 2012 to 2013 parking decals will expire Sept. 25.

AP

Pet registration

Diana Nyad, 64, set a world record Sept. 2 when she completed a 110 mile swim from Cuba to Florida. This successful attempt was Nyad’s fifth. While Nyad and her team say that she was swimming non-stop for the entire 53 hour period from when she set out on August 31 until she arrived, some members of the endurance swimming community question the claim.

They point to the fact that Nyad, who’s average speed has previously been around 1.5 mph, swam at four mph for extended periods. Additionally, Nyad apparently went without eating or drinking for a seven hour stretch. Nyad’s navigator John Bartlett said the increased speed was due to the Gulf Stream, “that’s just the way it works. If the current is in your favor at all, that explains it.” The data on Nyad’s swim are being reviewed by Guinness World Records.

All furry friends must be registered. Pet registration will be held Thursday Sept. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Fox Hall. Bring all appropriate documents as well as the pet(s) being registered to complete registration. Students must pre-register all domestic animals and all fish online. A vet will be in Fox Hall to assess each pet and answer any questions regarding the pet’s health and stay on campus. There will be refreshments and snacks provided for students and their pets. Toys, treats and flea and tick medications will be available if needed. If you have any questions, email petlife@eckerd.edu.

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the current

Sept. 13, 2013

News 3

News Peer mentoring program expands to all WH sections

By Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor Eckerd College has started a new peer mentoring program this year in order to help ease freshmen into college life both academically and socially.

The program started with a pilot program last year, where six Western Heritage classes were given peer mentors. The school noticed that the freshmen in these six particular classes seemed to adapt better, so Marjorie Sanfilippo, the Associate Dean of Faculty,

and Makenzie Schieman, the Coordinator of Health Promotion, expanded the program this year so that all 26 Western Heritage classes will have them.

“The students who had a peer mentor reported feeling better informed about such things as Registration,” said Sanfilippo.

Peer mentors are responsible for leading their freshmen through both academic and community-building activities. “The goals of the program are to foster student involvement and interaction with the campus community, to help students develop time management

Sophomore Kevin Thielen is a peer mentor.

photo by Alex Zielinski

and organizational skills, and to provide first year and transfer students with assistance and support to help the freshmen adjust academically and socially in their transition from high school to college,” said Sanfilippo.

The peer mentors are trained to prepare them to help their freshmen by role playing certain situations. This allows them to figure out the appropriate response for helping their mentees. They have also gone through workshops that they then put their class through.

According to Sanfilippo, the peer mentors had two intense training days before Autumn Term started, and still go through additional training every afternoon. They will meet as a class once a week on Wednesday afternoons during the fall and spring semesters.

“I’m trained to help by being a friend on campus for the freshmen, someone that knows their way around and the ins and outs of Eckerd,” said Sophomore Paige Kesselman, who is currently mentoring the “Examing the Iraq War” class taught by Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Jonathan Chopan. She went on to talk about how she helps by asking the freshman what they need help with, and directs them to someone who can provide better help if need be.

The requirements for being a peer mentor are having at least Sophomore standing and on-campus housing. Potential mentors must also be considered good role models both academically and socially and use good judgment when working with the freshmen.

Peer mentors are required to hold at least two academic workshops and one community building workshops for their class and meet one-on-one with each of their mentees at least once per semester. However, some peer

INSIDE NEWS Women’s empowerment

page 6

Students respond to Syria issue

page 7

Senate elections

page 8

mentors help their mentees every day because they attend their class with them.

This program helps freshmen form better connections and allows them to find their place at Eckerd more easily.

Peer mentors are also able to find the students in their class that need extra assistance and help them out.

“My peer mentor helped me understand my scheduling and helped me understand how to work with my teacher the best way possible,” said Freshman Nate Gozlan.

In order to apply to become a peer mentor, students must first be nominated by faculty.

This year, there were about 40 applicants for 26 spots, and as the program becomes more established that number will most likely increase.

“Being a peer mentor provides a great opportunity for intense training on leadership skills and community development,” said Sanfilippo. “It forms better connections with faculty since they help them with their class.”

Peer mentors also receive a course credit for their work, which will potentially be a part of the leadership minor, and they can put it on their resumes.

“I became a peer mentor because my mentor asked me, and I decided it was going be a good opportunity,” said Kesselman. “I also didn’t mind coming back to school early before my upperclassmen friends.”

Any current freshmen who are interested in becoming peer mentors next year should talk to their Autumn Term professors.

Professor Nancy Janus returns to campus, students react

By Rosie Kraemer Asst. News Editor This Saturday, Sept. 14 marks a year-and-a-half since Professor of Human Development Nancy Janus was struck by a car while bike riding.

Janus was in a coma for nearly 10 days, having suffered a spinal cord injury to her neck, a deep laceration to the right side of her head and a broken pelvis, femur and heel. She called the hospital home for three months. After relearning how to speak, swallow, sit up and walk for the past year, her speedy recovery has allowed her to return to the classroom.

“It feels absolutely wonderful to be back on campus,” Janus said. “I feel as though I’ve come home once again. At the same time, it is weird to be back teaching from the wheelchair. I found that I had to pinch myself occasionally [on Monday] to remind myself that this professor in the chair is in fact me.”

She looks forward to what this semester has to bring.

“I have always found Eckerd [to be a] wonderful experience,” Janus said. “It is intellectually stimulating, emotionally fulfilling and the source of many friends. I think this semester will be more of the same.”

This fall, Janus is teaching Global Children’s Issues once a week on Mondays.

“I wish I were teaching one more course,” she said. “But I think it’s [also a] good thing to be starting out slowly.”

Many of the students enrolled in her class have had Janus as their professor before.

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“I had professor Janus for a few classes my freshman year,” Senior Brenda Rosas said. “It is great to have her back and having the opportunity to take one last class with her before graduating.”

Another student, Senior Alex Fenn, is also in her class. “Nancy was my mentor and she has been greatly missed. Our first class was amazing and interesting as is [usual] with her.”

Rosas echoes this sentiment, as she is also enthusiastic of Janus’s teaching. “She always makes class such a fun learning experience,” she said. “Even after all she is been through she remains strong, optimistic, and humorous.”

Her return to campus has been a joy across the board.

“I felt the first day of class went very well. It was so much fun to be back in the classroom, and I seem to have a delightful group of students this semester. I hope I can learn and remember all their names.”

In addition to her teaching, Janus is continuing therapy five days a week. Physical therapists work with her on core stability, leg strength and walking.

“My back is very weak and it makes it difficult to hold myself upright,” she said. “I was in the hospital for six months and in the wheelchair since, so I haven’t had the opportunity to strengthen my back.”

An occupational therapist works on increasing the range of motion in her shoulders so her arms can be more agile. They also work on her hands, assigning her finger strengthening exercises.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

When Janus was released from the hospital she was unable to stand between parallel bars, equipment used in physical therapy to practice standing and walking.

“I would just fold over at the middle. Now I can do that,” she said.

Her recovery is moving forward-literally. She is able to walk using a platform walker, leaning on her elbows for extra support.

“People tell me that my progress has been very good,” Janus said. “I want to walk and be able to use my arms and hands again, so it’s hard for me to focus on the small gains even though they’re in the right direction.”

Though there are still daily struggles, Janus manages to reflect on them with a note of humor.

“My signature is getting slightly more legible,” she joked.

In the process of her recovery, she doesn’t allow herself to become too discouraged.

“I try very hard to stay positive because I believe that good things happen to positive people,” Janus said.

From her accident leading up to the present, Janus’s family has provided continuous support.

“My family has been fabulous during this time,” she said. “I learned that I absolutely married the right man and adopted the very best daughters in the world.”

Her three daughters are currently living at home. Elena Berry, the eldest, graduated college and is working with infants at a daycare.

The middle daughter, Senior Susana “Sushi” Berry, has returned to classes here at Eckerd in hopes of gradu-

ating this spring, and the youngest, Cari Berry, will be entering Stetson University in January on a full tennis scholarship.

“I am very proud of all three of the girls, and I think they were troopers during my crisis,” Janus said.

During the onset and progress in her recovery, Janus has found insight from the experience. “I have had to learn considerable patience during this process,” she said.

According to her neurologist, it can take three or more years before

the body relearns the neural pathways that direct her movement to do what she wants.

“I have the body that has become a student as my nerves figure out again what they are supposed to do,” she said.

As the rehabilitation road continues, so continues her teaching career at Eckerd in human development.

“I am just so happy to have Eckerd back in my life as I am recovering,” she said.

courtesy of Chelsea Kuhs Professor of Human Development Nancy Janus is back in her element.

4 News

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Campus Grumble is now Buzzocracy

By Rosie Kraemer Asst. News Editor

What was once the colorful and categorized open forum known as “Campus Grumble” is now the new, improved and rearranged “Buzzocracy.”

Buzzocracy is known on campus for facilitating change that students deem an issue.

When students felt that the pavement outside of Fox Hall was dangerous on rainy days, Buzzocracy was the mediator for affecting change. Campus facilities acknowledged the “Buzz” and repainted the surface with a layer of paint adding traction to the area so it was no longer was slippery.

ECOS Vice President Henry Ashworth looks forward to the changes in the new platform. “Buzzocracy is the new Campus Grumble - it now has a new name and new features,” Ashworth said.

A recent Buzz regards commuter parking on campus. The student suggests allowing the commuters to park in the regular student lots so they are more likely to gain a parking spot. ECOS President and member of Eckerd’s Parking Committee Brady O’Donnell

acknowledged the ‘Buzz’ and promised to address the concern at their first meeting.

Major changes were made this summer to increase student activity and help extend their audience. With their new focus on making positive change, Buzzocracy now serves North Carolina State, Dickinson College, West Virginia University and Purdue University.

“Our service isn’t just for student grievances anymore — it’s for new ideas, suggestions, and honest campus discussions,” Buzzocracy co-founder Ryan Edwards said. “We figured out that students have much more to add to their campus communities than just complaints.”

When using Buzzocracy, students can make suggestions to all departments of Eckerd College and maintain anonymity. After posting a “Buzz,” an ECOS representative acknowledges the post with a response or by escalating the ‘Buzz’ to the appropriate department administrator.

“Buzzocracy is the place for students to have their voice heard and connect with other students to crowdsource solutions for their campuses,” Edwards said.

According to Edwards, part of their rebrand will be to introduce a new feature every two weeks.

“Students can expect the ability to attach pictures to Buzzes, get points for positive contributions and [experience] a new, easy-touse interface,” he said.

Ashworth is one of many student Buzzocracy administrators who, along with staff personnel as well, review the posts on the site. The platform is a great way to keep in touch with topics of interest to students. “[You should] post and buzz as often as possible to help Brady and I tackle all the issues on campus,” Ashworth said.

ECOS was one of the first organizations to participate with the start-up’s initiative. Edwards thanks Eckerd for their confidence in the program.

“I hold a special place in my heart for Eckerd College,” Edwards said in an email. “I love checking in to see all the student activity on

graphic by Alex Zielinski

www.eckerd.buzzocracy.com.”

Dean of Students James Annarelli encourages the use of Buzzocracy.

“Campus Grumble, now Buzzocracy,” he said, “has become one among a number of important conduits on campus for students to express their opinions, offer suggestions and provide valuable feedback about issues related to campus life.”

Edwards will continue to work with the community of Eckerd College to help Buzzocracy work best for everyone.

“We are still the same social suggestion box students have used to get their voices heard,” Edwards said “[There’s] only one difference: out with the grumble, in with the buzz.”

A question-and-answer with Compost Club President Shelby Busque

By Julia Calder Contributing Writer

The following is a Q&A between two members of Eckerd’s Compost Club.

How did the Compost Club get its start? What is its mission?

The compost club got its start through 2013 graduate Celine Currier. She had high hopes for the club.

She pursued the club in hopes of helping Eckerd become a more sustainable campus and to provide our EC Sol Garden with the nutritious soil it needs.

Coming into the role as president, what were your concerns? How do you feel in your position at this point?

My concerns were organizing the club and expanding it so that it may be well-recognized on campus.

The club has only been running for two years and I really kicked it into high gear this past August. My hope is that it may become more prosperous in the future.

What is composting?

Composting is of critical importance in growing our own food. Compost is broken down approved materials. These approved materials are vegetable and fruit matter, coffee grounds, coffee filters, the paper towels you use to wipe your hands and equipment off at the gym, dryer lint, hair, flowers, rice, tea bags, egg shells, uncoated paper plates and cups.

What we don’t want in our compost are animal materials such as meat, dairy and bones; we also don’t want tin foil, anything plastic or metal, styrofoam, twist ties, pet waste, straws, glass, coated plates or cups.

Composting not only helps to reduce the amount of waste that Eckerd College pays to have removed, but it also provides healthy soil for our EC Sol Garden and reduces land used for those ugly, smelly landfills.

What happens to collected compost?

The compost collected from the majority of dorm lounges, ITS, Student Affairs, Letters Collegium, CEC, pub, caf and the gym

are all brought to three big compost bins.

Then, it is mixed with dry materials and manure. After a couple of months you will have what most call “black gold” remaining.

This black gold is nutrient and mineral rich soil that the 16 large vegetable beds, citrus, banana and papaya trees at the EC Sol Garden crave.

Have there been any improvements?

I have expanded the compost system to collect everyday from the above said locations. New to the system this year are the CEC and the pub collections.

I have also created a system to weigh how much material we bring in each day so that we know exactly how much we take in annually and thus how much money we save Eckerd College.

Also, I have sent out many emails and created many signs so that the word may be spread throughout campus.

I rebuilt the compost bins with the help of Seniors Bryan Foley and Julia Calder. We essentially made them into giant black tum-

blers by way of tarps and pallets.

This helps the bin to collect more heat which aids in a speedier break down process.

Who helps to collect the compost? Can students still become members?

I currently am looking to hire some students who have federal work study.

I also have a few volunteers already this year who help me out twice a week.

They are wonderful people. If anybody would like a position or to volunteer please contact me at snbusque@eckerd or on the EC Composting Facebook page.

Environmental study student can also get some of their hours completed by helping out with composting.

Any other thoughts?

Composting plays a small but essential part in the healing of the Earth and its inhabitants.

As with all things great, it must start small and locally in hopes of creating beneficial and worldwide change.

Same policy, new assessment for meal plan exemptions

By Rosie Kraemer Asst. News Editor

Although dining services provides a gluten-free section in the cafeteria, Guimaraes still encounters problems with the choices provided.

“The gluten-free section — they make it vegetarian, and I’m not vegetarian. I eat meat like no other.”

Some students, as observed on the students’ public forum ‘Buzzocracy’, are less financially equipped and, in turn, are acutely aware of the high price for the meal plans.

However, the high pricing of meal plans reflect a variety of costs. Wetmore has made this very transparent.

“The cost of Eckerd’s meal plan is calculated based not only on the cost of food, but many other necessary expenses such as labor, utilities, maintenance and additional operating expenses across campus,” Wetmore said.

It is difficult for some students to accept mandated meal plans, possibly because they feel their freedom of choice is eliminated or maybe that their new sense of autonomy is hindered.

It is anticipated, though, that it will come as an attraction for students to participate now that a measure of flexibility has been added.

“The introduction of the new Anytime Plan, expanded Pub hours, and the ongoing study by the Culinary Relations Committee of new meal plan options reflect our continuing commitment to enhance the value and convenience of student meal plans,” Wetmore said.

At Eckerd, campus dining is valued as a vital component both nutritionally and socially to the liberal arts college experience.

“Bon Appétit management staff at Eckerd remains committed to serving a variety of delicious and nutritious foods,” Wetmore said. “We will continue to make photo by Alex Zielinski every effort to accommodate those with special dietary needs.”

“Nothing really sits well with me,” he said. “It [dining services food] just makes me feel sick.”

His exemption request required more correspondence with Eckerd personnel than he had expected. “Getting off the meal plan was more difficult than it had to be,” Demarest said.

Echoing this sentiment, Junior Rose Guimaraes was on the meal plan last semester, but is having to reapply this semester because of the new screening process. “It’s frustrating that it won’t transfer over, especially since I’ve always been in a traditional dorm with the new kitchens,” she said. “My whole scenario didn’t change at all.”

Guimaraes suffers from celiac disease, a condition blocking the absorption of vital nutrients. It is an immune reaction to the ingestion of gluten.

“I can’t eat anything with wheat or anything that touches wheat,” she said. “I also can’t have dairy, so my options are limited.”

Effective this school year, meal plan exemption assessments have been adjusted to better evaluate the needs of each student.

Anne Wetmore, assistant dean of students for administrative services and family relations, clarifies that the exemption policy has not changed, but is actually the same as it always has been.

“What has changed is the new procedure for making a request, which now goes through The Office of Disability Support [Services],” Wetmore said.

Eckerd’s policy is mandated. With the exception of Omega residents and Assistant Resident Coordinators who live in traditional complex apartments, all residential students are required to be on a meal plan.

“This reflects [a] nearly universal practice in colleges and universities in the U.S.,” Wetmore said. “The basis of this universal practice is rooted in factors that are logistical and nutritional.”

According to Wetmore, representatives in the Office of Disability Support, the Dean of Students Office, and Bon Appétit Dining Services conduct the screening process.

First, they review the meal plan exemption request to determine if a need exists.

“An exemption to the meal plan can be granted as a reasonable accommodation to a student’s medical or dietary needs,” she said.

If one does exist, Bon Appétit then determines whether they are able to accommodate for that specific medical or dietary need. To evaluate requests according to these guidelines, medical documentation is necessary.

Junior William Demarest was able to exempt himself from the meal plan in response to his digestion issues. The new “Made Without Gluten” station in the caf.

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the current

Sept. 13, 2013 OH

Best of luck, Lindsey

Have a career quandary?

Write to Dear Lindsey at dearlindsey@eckerd.edu.

PEL alum returns as CW professor

By Hailey Escobar

Asst. Entertainment Editor

petition in 2008, the AWP Intro Journal Award in 2011 and recently won the Chris O’Malley Prize in Fiction from the Madison Review which will be published this fall.

He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Florida in creative writing.

Now, he has returned to teach Intro to Creative Writing and the Writing Workshop: Screenwriting course here at Eckerd in addition to teaching photography and English at Ringling College in Sarasota. When asked about what the transition was like, he said “I always found the faculty at Eckerd helpful. It just feels great to be back. I want to give back the support that I got as a student.”

One of the professors who has encouraged Diederich’s growth from student to teacher is Professor of Creative Writing Helen Wallace, who was one of his pro-

fessors in the PEL program.

“Phillippe Diederich was a terrific student and I suspect he’ll be a great instructor for our Creative Writing students this year,” Wallace said. “As a published writer of fiction and nonfiction, he’ll be a strong role model for students who hope to pursue a graduate degree and see their words in print someday.”

Currently, Diederich is working on a collection of short stories that revolve around different Mexican themes.

He began this collection when he was at Eckerd and continued writing them at USF. Of these stories, seven have been published previously.

With his real life experience from screenwriting to the short story, he brings a new perspective to creative writing for students to enjoy and learn from.

At the start of every year, the Eckerd community welcomes new students and faculty alike. In August, a PEL graduate was welcomed back into the Eckerd community, this time as a professor.

Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing Phillippe Diederich, a native of Mexico City, was bitten by the writing bug at an early age and credits his initial love of writing to his Russian literature course in the 10th grade. He worked as a freelance photojournalist before his writing career. He worked for several publications in New York including The New York Times and Time Magazine. Throughout this time, he still found himself drawn to writing.

It was thanks to his photography career that he first learned about Eckerd College.

He picked up a school brochure while on assignment at a job fair.

It wasn’t until he and his wife separated two years later that he was inspired to enroll and thought, “I’ve been wanting to do this for a few years. Why not go for it?”

Since first enrolling into the PEL program, Diederich has harnessed his love of writing into short stories, novels and screenplays. He won the Atlantic Monthly photo by Hailey Escobar Student Writing ComAdjunct Professor Phillippe Diederich sits in Franklin Templeton.

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Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

learn responsibly

By Conor Sean McKenna Contributing Writer

Another start to a year at Eckerd College leaves me with headaches and an overabundance of work. With the homework, essays and the hell to come, one word comes to mind: appreciation. I find, though, that we cannot fully appreciate something without experiencing loss. Recently, researchers at Belgium’s Ghent University discovered that a new species of rogue chytrid fungus responsible for killing off around 200 kinds of amphibians worldwide.

The original fungus found is named Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and its new form is called Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (I like to call it BS). I hardly appreciate the deaths of hundreds of salamanders, but it makes me reflect on the unsettling capability of nature-and it helps me appreciate the trillions of lizards we have on our campus.

This deadly fungus takes me back a few months to when I was “researching” a popular video game called The Last of Us. In this game, fungus infects humans and turns them into zombies. The object is to shoot them because video games need to be fun, guys (Get it? Fungi?).

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Dear Soon-to-be, It’s fantastic that you are considering a nonprofit career; these can be some of the most rewarding positions around. That being said, they can also be some of the most intensive careers, both physically and emotionally. It’s important to keep in mind that most not-for-profit professionals consider their careers more than just a job, they consider them a calling.

You are very general in your request, so I’m assuming that you are still weighing your different options for non-profit work — so I would start there. What are you most passionate about?

Where would you like to see change happen in our society? Make a list and circle your top three.

Consider your previous experiences, internships, volunteer projects and major when making your selections. A graduate of environmental science may be a better candidate for a conservation agency than say, a human development major.

Location may be everything, so if you are limited to somewhere near your hometown, especially since you are just starting out, look for organizations that work with your top three options in that locality. Keep in mind that many non-profits may operate on a tight budget, so there may not be

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Sincerely, A Soon-to-be-Grad

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I’m looking to get into non-profit work as a career. Any tips?

Science HO

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Dear Lindsey,

drunk on

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Brought to you by Career Services

any relocation assistance, or a starting salary, that would allow for this extra expense as there may be with for-profit businesses. Once you are aware of the organizations that operate in your area, surf their websites and check out their employee pages to view their listings.

It’s important to keep in mind that non-profit organizations are seeking people with knowledge and experience in what they are doing. Things like a firm understanding of the local history and how it relates to the organization’s mission may be a huge help when it comes to applying and writing that first cover letter.

If you have experience volunteering or interning in something related to the organization’s work, this is something that can qualify you for the position. If not, you may want to consider taking on an internship or volunteer project before you graduate, so you can be all that more attractive to the organization’s hiring manager when it comes time to apply. As always, target your resume to the specific non-profit position. Highlight those areas of your experience and studies that pertain to the position(s) you are applying for.

If you find that you are having issues getting “in” with a company — network, network, and network.

“Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, connect with them on LinkedIn. All of these things can help you gain insight into the organization and its culture. You may be surprised to find that many organizations even post jobs and internships using these social media outlets. Another tactic is to set up an “informational interview” with someone from the organization. This is where you get to interview them and ask questions. It’s a good way to learn about the organization and make a contact in the process.

OH

HO

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The fungus in this game is based off of the very real Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a fungus capable of infecting ants and controlling their behavior to spread the infection.

They’re basically zombie ants. Zombies are real.

A zombie apocalypse here at Eckerd College would certainly have a unique appearance at the end of the world with tie-dye shirt wearing, shoeless zombies chasing people on beaches with the freshmen being eaten first. Before you start panicking and spit out your appletini all over this paper, do not panic. The fungus cannot spread to people, yet.

At this point in our society, I feel like we are all ready for it to happen.

It wouldn’t be much of an apocalypse but more like one long, crazy weekend. Of all imaginable endings to the human race, does it need to be something commonly associated with Italian food, forgotten cereal bowls and feet?

Well, we’re alive for today and we have much to do. If it does all happen and zombie-fungus people are about, grab your food, beer, something heavy to swing and meet me at the waterfront. Until then, let us have hope that our amphibian friend’s situation improves as we begin a new chapter and appreciate the new school year to come.

6 News

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Benedict House tests women’s empowerment theme Editor-in-Chief Malena Carollo thecurrent@eckerd.edu Online Editor Greg Reilly News Editor Aaron Levy currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editors Rosie Kraemer Carolyn Moritz Taylor Glaws Viewpoints Editors Ely Grinfeld Shannon Vize currentviews@eckerd.edu Entertainment Editor Ian Lindsay currententertainment@eckerd.edu Asst. Entertainment Editor Hayden Johnson Hailey Escobar The Quickie Editors Sydney Cavero Gary Furrow Simon Sheidegger currentquickie@eckerd.edu Health & Fitness Editor Sabrina Lolo currenthealth@eckerd.edu Sports Editor Mike Geibel currentsports@eckerd.edu Asst. Sports Editors Colin Casey Will Creager Photo / Graphic Design Editor Alex Zielinski currentphoto@eckerd.edu Asst. Photo Editor Dominick Cuppetilli Web Master Vincent Lynch Faculty Adviser K.C. Wolfe Director of Finances Hannah Zaremsky Director of PR/Advertising Sarah Richardson currentads@eckerd.edu

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.

By Megan Evans Contributing Writer Eckerd is a college with more women than men, resulting in a series of all-female dorms on campus.

Some of these dorms incorporate themes regarding women’s issues to educate and strengthen its residents.

“It’s a cool concept,” Freshman Laura Marshall said. “I really like all the inspirational quotes. I’m a super strong feminist, and I like working with girls that also have the same ideals. I think I’ll definitely be more knowledgeable as a person.”

Taylor Greene created both the theme and the test-run in the Beta Benedict dorm.

Greene, a second-year RA, came up with the Residents of Beta Benedict. idea for a “women’s intellectual stimulation. empowerment” dorm — often re4. Empowering events such as ferred to as WE House — last year. self-defense and a “Dine and DisTaylor, who was the chair of the cuss” with the women of Campus Women’s Empowerment Society, Safety. wondered why Eckerd didn’t have Taylor posts inspirational quotes a themed women’s house. She went on the doors of all rooms, and to her supervisor who asked her to Benedict has already had several write a mission statement and goals. dorm events: crafts, icebreakers, Soon after, Dean of Students and movie nights to name a few.

James Annarelli and the Student Many of the residents of Beta Affairs office approved WE House Benedict chose all-female housing for a test run. because of the potential for a quiThe goals of the house are simeter lifestyle. Besides being an allple. female facility, however, Benedict is 1. Create trust and a safe environthe testing facility for the “Womment within the dorm community. en’s Empowerment House” themed 2. Taylor’s one-on-one chats with living quarters. residents to check in on them.

“I feel like it’s basically just go3. Inspirational motivation and

photo by Marijose Alvarado

ing to be a really supportive group, and I feel like that’s going to help me out with school a lot,” Freshman and Benedict resident Tiz Quade said. “We’ll always listen to each other, I know that… so I think it’s going to be really important to have that group to fall back on…

I’m really excited to see what kind of friendships I make and... how strong they’re going to get.”

Upperclassmen were given the option of selecting the women’s empowerment test theme. “I was hoping to meet successful women in the community to learn from,” Sophomore Benedict resident Lauren Stagner said. “I’m definitely a feminist.”

W h i l e feminism is considered a positive feature of WE House, it isn’t the theme.

As Greene explained, feminism simply means human equality. “I’m not preaching… feminist stuff, it’s not a political house.

It’s a house in which we inspire each other and inspire other people… With inspiration photo courtesy of Megan Evans and motiva(from left) Andrea Gomes, Jamie Poma, Carly Olson, Sami Folkman, Ellen Emrich and Megan Evans. All but tion you can do Folkman are residents of Benedict.

anything… if you surround yourself with a great group of people, you can do whatever you want.”

Freshman Carly Olson said that, “I… want to get a solid foundation for college this year, establish friends… find people I can rely on to support me. [Women’s empowerment] means the ability to be comfortable with who I am, and have confidence in what I’m doing, as opposed to fitting in with what everyone thinks I should be doing.”

However, some Benedict residents are still unsure about the theme.

Anna Klingenberg, a junior, is skeptical about the theme’s effectiveness on her college experience.

“I think it will be interesting to see how she [Taylor] is going to go about it. I feel like it’s just going to be like any other dorm,” she said.

“I was really excited for it,” Freshman Vivenne Tien said. “I hope that everyone grows to become more independent minded.”

If the test-run for WE House goes well, it may become an official theme next year.

Emily Wolfhope, Laura’s neighbor, said about the women’s empowerment theme.

“From day one we’ve all been really close,” said Wolfhope, “because of the environment that has been created for us by Taylor where we all feel like we can go to each other even if it’s just to play board games in the afternoon.”

It appears that the goals for WE House are beginning to be fulfilled.

“It’s definitely created this unity.

I hope we all continue to be close,” Wolfhope said.

Renovations continue on Sheen Science Center

By Taylor Glaws Asst. News Editor The extensive Sheen Center renovations project, which began almost two years ago, is nearly complete.

Since the completion of Sheen buildings A and B, only renovations on building C remain incomplete.

Sheen C is on schedule to be open to faculty in

June, and to be finished and open for classes by Autumn Term 2014.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Project Shepherd Alison Ormsby serves as a liaison between the faculty and the construction workers. Ormsby, who attends bimonthly planning and scheduling meetings with contractors, is responsible for representing faculty

concerns regarding the construction and for maintaining a line of communication.

Among the many alterations to the buildings described by Ormsby are four new classrooms and a computer lab in Sheen B and one shared student and faculty research facility in each building.

According to Ormsby, the renovations are long

overdue.

“In terms of overall renovation, nothing had been done for at least 30 years,” Ormsby said, noting the exception of the relatively recent work on the auditorium in Sheen A. Beyond structural changes, the buildings have also undergone reassignment to specific areas of study.

Sheen A, which housed the offices of math profes-

sors last year, is now the Environmental Studies building.

Sheen B now houses primarily Behavioral Science classes and Sheen C will be the center for Physical Sciences as well as mathematics when it opens next Aug. Ormsby also noted that a 50 kW solar array will be mounted on the roofs of buildings A and B.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

Sept. 13, 2013

News 7

Possible intervention in Syria causes mixed reactions Syria from page 1

Veteran Doug Marrin said, “I did twenty-three years in the military, so it’s not that I’m against the military. I just think we’ve had enough wars.”

Like many, Marrin had heard about the protest through Facebook. The protest, named “No War With Syria - Tampa/ St. Pete,” had gathered over 300 prospective protesters in three days.

The same protest has been organized in major cities nationwide. Online promotions have been busily directing individuals to search “No War With Syria” (followed by a city name) to find local gatherings on sites such as Facebook.

Not every demonstrator present took issue with the U.S. government; two men brandished signs directly accusing banks and corporations.

While strong opinions ran high, optimism was low.

Younger protesters especially appeared to have resigned themselves to the perceived reality of military conflict. For

them, the rally was one of public awareness.

Several protesters represented various local movements: Occupy Tampa, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, and the Civilian Conservation Corps Initiative made up just a few of the overlapping interests marching on Saturday evening.

“There’s no need for us to be there,” Overby said. “We’re only going to make it painfully worse, and if we start lobbing cruise missiles in to help with peace we’re going to end up killing more civilians than they are.”

Back on campus, Eckerd students started off the fall semester with plenty to say.

“I think this is just going to make another Iraq war to be honest,” Freshman Sergio Betancur said.

Junior Political Science major and ECOS Chief of Staff Greg Johnson disagreed. “I don’t like when people compare it to Iraq, because it’s a completely different scenario,” Johnson said. “We can’t compare it in that same way because, one, they actually do use chemical weapons right now…

I think if Congress approves it, it will give Obama more legitimacy.”

“Obama, NATO, no other country, no one who has any credibility on the issue has ever said we want to put any feet on the ground in Syria,” he said. “This is going to be a small, measured, limited strike, if in fact there is one.”

One week after the protest, the words of Russian president Vladimir Putin reinvigorated the discussion around campus.

Putin spoke at the G20 Summit on Sept. 6 and followed the summit with a news conference in which he clarified various points.

“I would like to remind you that using force against a sovereign state is only possible in self-defense, but Syria is not attacking the United States,” Putin said. He also cited the same public opinion surveys cited by the protesters in Tampa.

“I can assure you that, according to public opinion surveys, the overwhelming majority of their populations are on our side and are against waging hostilities.”

Pinellas native made Coordinator for Community Standards

photo by Avery Cooper Air Force veteran Doug Marrin opposed continued military conflict.

photo by Aaron Levy Coordinator of Community Standards Grant Bailey.

By Aaron Levy News Editor One of the new faces you’ll find in Brown Hall’s student affairs office is that of Grant Bailey, Coordinator for Community Standards.

A Pinellas County native, Bailey was raised in Pinellas Point and attended Seminole High School before going to Florida Gulf Coast University for his undergraduate degree. His experience working at FGCU in the Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education and as a resident adviser inspired him to pursue higher education as a career.

“Those two experiences really led me to love higher education and everything it stood for,” Bailey said.

“I decided at that point I’d either continue studying the environment and go be a professor, or work with students full time in student affairs.”

Grant decided to pursue the latter. His studies then took him into the heart of Appalachia — a tiny town called Boone, N.C. “I did my master’s in college student development [at Appalachian State University],” he said, “but what was great was that my concentration was in outdoor programs which I had really come to love.”

Upon graduating with his master’s degree, Bailey uprooted his life again, this time bound for the Big Apple and a residence life position at Wagner College. But, as he said, “Almost all of my vacation time was spent coming home. This is where all my extended family is and where all my roots are.”

Grant feels he has finally arrived back at home with his position at Eckerd.

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“When a community standards job opened up at Eckerd, it seemed like a good fit for me,” he said.

“Now I’m living at home, it’s the dream.”

As for his duties, Bailey advises the Student Community Standards Board and also works closely with the residence life department and resident advisers.

“Grant Bailey is a great addition to the student life staff,” Senior Resident Adviser Sarah Levine said.

“He has been very helpful, worked hard and is a great resource for students. The resident advisers really enjoyed working with him during Autumn Term.”

Though he has been busy with conduct cases and charges, Grant is eager to continue to learn about the Eckerd culture.

“I’m taking my time to learn the place. Overall I’m just listening a lot,” he said.

Bailey said Eckerd’s system for reviewing conduct cases is among the best he has seen.

“I’ve done conduct at a number of places now, and the thought that went into the whole system here was really well intentioned and always had students in mind,” he said.

“To offer so many avenues to resolve cases, from the student board — which a lot of schools don’t have — to a hearing with the dean or a full conduct review committee, the intention is that it was fair and the whole student was taken into account. It’s not arbitrary in any way.”

With experience at schools big and small, southern and northern, Bailey brings a fresh perspective to community standards. “I’m still glowing with all the great things I see Eckerd doing,” he said.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

photo by Avery Cooper Some protesters questioned the motives behind intervention in the Middle East.

Core beliefs shape new dining programs Bon Appétit from page 1

“We decided to implement the unlimited plan straight out of the gate,” Myers said of the new, unlimited swipes meal plan. “In the caf, the ‘Made Without Gluten’ station has been a huge success.”

Indeed, the meal plan is a point of concern for students who enjoy Bon Appétit’s food. Senior Nick Ioffredo praised the caf, saying he “thoroughly” likes it but remarked on how quickly he uses his meal swipes. “I find myself running out all the time actually,” Ioffredo said. “I have to refill on swipes at least once a year.”

Nick elaborated on why he likes the caf. “The food is fantastic. The main course is usually good, they have cereal, the salad bar, I thoroughly like the caf.

I would say from two years ago there has been an improvement, but ever since last year its been the same.”

However, some students don’t see much of an improvement yet.

“Compared to last year, I really don’t see much difference,” Sophomore Megan Fallon said. “I think they should switch it up a bit. I feel like every week is kind of the same thing.”

On Bon Appétit’s website the company says “Bon Appétit food is cooked from scratch, including sauces, stocks, and soups,” and calls itself a “pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies.” Myers said staying true to these core beliefs is why he came to this school.

“My specialty with the Bon Appétit program is making sure that we are holding the standards of the typical Bon Appétit account,” Myers said. “That isn’t to say that they weren’t always doing that in the past,

promotional photo

but it’s just some different leadership.”

Commenting on Bon Appétit’s previous leadership here at Eckerd, Myers conveyed the importance of teamwork.

“We’re all very collaborative,” he said. “This isn’t about me or about one person. It’s about the whole team, honestly, and coming together and having fun.

That’s one of the components of this job: if you can’t have fun, you’ll go crazy. I see myself more as a facilitator to move this program to the next level.”

Other changes this semester include earlier operating hours for both the pub and caf on the weekends. The pub will open at noon and the caf at 9 a.m.

Myers said the company is anxious to strengthen its relationship with the community.

“Bon Appétit is a chef-driven company. People like me manage the finances and things like that but it’s a chef-driven company and always has been,” he said.

“We’ll focus on really getting out there and developing relationships between the students, local farms and local businesses. We’re putting together a committee for that and everybody is welcome to be involved.”

The company’s new instant feedback system “Drop Thought” is available in the caf via iPad and The Farm to Fork Committee will soon work to connect students with local farmers and food suppliers.

8 News

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Meet your ECOS Senate candidates Delta: Leif Flor

Nu: Mary Jean Harford

West Lodge: Merle Czarnetzki

Kappa: Kyler Thomman

Gamma: Tarah Read

Use input from residents to make changes like putting purifiers on kitchen faucets, acquire an ice machine and get a bigger table in the lounge.

Make progress towards a common cooking and lounging area, revamp the grills and create a suggestion box on my door.

Change. You want to live perfect, I want to live perfect, WE want to live perfect.

Be an outlet for the qualms of Kappa, grow a closer community, help the new “Kappa Kids” and create the best Kappa Kitchen.

Engage students, increase safety and sustainability and the overall happiness in dorm life.

Nu: Dustin Colson

Gamma: Erik Robinson

Beta: Ethan O’Dell

Iota: Garrett Schultheis

Delta: Haven Allard

Be open to the ideas of others and bring the Nu community together with events like Sundae Socials.

Improve Gamma facilities, host events for fostering a family atmosphere to create a sense of community.

Build a closer knit community, officiate a Beta BBQ and to oversee environmental clean-up events.

Install ovens in Iota, kitchen appliances and listening to the needs of Iotans.

Put hand dryers in the bathrooms and get all of the air vents cleaned throughout the complex.

Epsilon: Jack Layden

Alpha: Brice Birdsall

Iota: Chloe Bawmann

Epsilon: Cameron Davis

Iota: Daniel Chapman

Strengthen resident bonds with bonfires, theme parties and movie nights as well as act on resident suggestions that include graffiti walls, doggy bags and clothing lines.

Install hooks in the Alpha bathrooms, organizing events and keeping students happy.

Give Iota a personality with a community garden, install mural boards and have ovens installed.

Replace Epsilon oven, add graffiti board and listen to the voices of the students.

Maintain an excellent upkeep of facilities, bring ping-pong and more vending machines and represent Iota.

Beta: Monica Discolo

Alpha: Spencer Gradley

Sigma: Henry Sadler

Zeta: Annie Rodgers

Omega: Henry Palmer

Install indoor recycling bins, hammocks, kitchenware and improve the Alpha lounge.

Commuter Rep: Alberto Lense

Get an electric can-opener, air hand-dryers, soap for the bathrooms and represent the voices of the Beta complex.

Will represent the commuters on campus and help aware them of campus activities they can participate in.

Will focus on the bigger picture of campus needs and maintain open channel of communication for transparency.

Delta: Blaide Woodburn Aid resident advisers to resolve issues and make dorm life enjoyable by assuring exceptional living conditions.

Add an ice machine to Zeta and provide great resources to all residents.

Represent Omega residents like a champion and provide them with the best junior and senior years ever.

Be sure to vote.

Senate polls will open Monday Sept. 16 and close Thursday Sept. 19 on EC Web. Find “Elections and Surveys” at www.ecweb.eckerd.edu.

To learn more visit the ECOS website.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

Viewpoints 9

Sept. 13. 2013

Viewpoints INSIDE VIEWPOINTS

Eastman reflects on rising college tuition

Miley Cyrus

page 10

Perspectives

page 10

Student responds to president’s education op-ed in Tampa Bay Times

MBFGC

page 11

Friendly Fire

page 12

By Ely Grinfeld Viewpoints Editor Eckerd College President Donald Eastman submitted an op-ed to the Tampa Bay Times in August in which he argued that a college education’s worth is more than its tuition.

“It is deeply disappointing,” Eastman said in his op-ed, “when the president of the U.S. opines about college costs in simplistic and finger-wagging terms, echoing the sensationalism of pundits and the media as they discuss the ‘reform’ and ‘lasting change’ needed in higher education.”

Eastman is right when he claims that a college is more than a job salary and tuition, and Obama’s sweeping generalizations of college tuition are rather sensational. While educating students is far from inexpensive, one has to wonder how any college president could justify a tuition that creeps close to the $50,000 mark.

Yet, I think Eastman feels pressured to assure students the Eckerd experience is worth it.

However, the $50,000 tuition mark has been derisively referred to as the “50k Club” by outlets like the New York Times, discussing rising costs of well known schools like Syracuse University, New York University and Northwestern.

The Daily Orange’s piece from 2011 on Syracuse University mentions that SU was one of 122 other colleges that had tuitions above the $50,000 line. Many of these schools were private universities, but the greater message was that going above the $50,000 mark was becoming a trend.

Eckerd is incredibly special in some of its offerings. You will not find many undergraduate programs

“Same Love,” Macklemore song, allows allies to cloud queer voices

By Beth White Staff Writer

photo by Nika Otsby Portrait shot of President Donald Eastman.

that produce the amount of service accumulated from the QFM sections. You will not find many undergraduate programs that stress the value of a truly holistic education like Eckerd, where students are encouraged to develop their political and cosmopolitan voices.

What rings most true from Eastman’s article is the value of education creating informed citizens of the world. Striving for a piece of paper that declares the accomplishment of your major is rewarding, but often, these recipients lock themselves away in their respective field of work and fail to question the greater significance. The philosophy behind a liberal arts education demands that people dip their feet in all fields to understand their importance to the global community.

Despite this, we are ultimately real people with real debt and real

problems. Budgeting on education may not be the wisest decision, but tuition is a tangible issue that very much concerns people scraping to afford these universities.

I feel that Eastman’s justification of high tuition danced too much around the issue of deciding the threshold at which a school with fewer resources necessarily finds itself incapable of teaching skills crucial for critical thought.

Obama’s view that college costs were too costly is rather shortsighted and lacks a more detailed view at higher education, but the view that the $50,000 mark is met deservedly is also incredibly broad. Such a claim creates a false premise where students believe they are rightfully paying for that “college experience,” which they may or may not be getting.

The greater issue is that such a

high tuition excludes those of a lower income bracket. The doublebind present for poorer families is almost cruel: Go to a private institution and take out loans and potentially cripple yourself economically, or skip out on college or go to a more local university and feel inferior for the choice.

Why can’t crucial classes like QFM and Western Heritage be taught at community colleges or public universities? Why can’t schools with similar undergraduate sizes also offer intimate classrooms with attentive teachers?

Community colleges may lack a more dedicated full-time faculty, but there are plenty of TAs and part-time faculty that aim to deliver an experience that is the same of any higher-tuition schools.

The biggest problem with the See EASTMAN, page 11

Changes at Café Bon Appétit prompt student response

By Leah bilski

Contributing Writer Eating a meal on campus used to be a struggle during my first few years at Eckerd. Being a vegetarian, the caf was somewhat accommodating to my dietary needs, but very rarely did those accommodations actually taste good.

On any given day I had most likely eaten four bowls of cereal and probably about 20 oranges to make up for the fact that I had so few options. I was eating for sustenance, and meals were unbelievably disappointing.

So, to my surprise, part of the way through last spring semester I started to notice something of an improvement at the caf. New options are available like gluten-free pasta or organic quinoa salads, and every so often a pretty decent taco bar would be set up. I was skeptical at first, remembering that this usually only happens when someone important is stopping by, but these changes didn’t disappear the next day, week or month. I finally had a different selection of food on my

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plate for the first time in months.

Going into this year, the caf has continued to go through what I think are some noticeable changes, the most obvious change being the new layout of the cafeteria itself.

Almost everything that was in the center of the food section has been moved along the two walls, which frees up the center of the caf for easier access to all of the food lines.

The island that used to be in the center has been entirely removed and according to Junior Jocelin Gardner it “has made the whole caf look better.” Sometimes these minor changes can have a huge effect on the overall flow of the cafeteria, so it will be interesting to see if this cuts down on time spent getting food.

Now, the most important improvement so far has to be the food.

I can go into the caf on any given day and choose from a surprisingly bigger selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options, which was a foreign concept a few years ago.

Along with the variety, the overall quality of food has improved. I wouldn’t go as far as say-

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Cafeteria layout has changed.

ing there has been a drastic improvement in the way my meals taste, but the caf is on its way to a better food reputation overall.

“The caf is off to a good start with their new options,” Junior Michelle Naumova said. “The food is noticeably less greasy and the salad bar seems to have

photo by Alex Zielinski

fresher options than before.”

Although the improvements with Café Bon Appétit haven’t gone unnoticed by students, I am still skeptical about how long this will last. I can only hope that these improvements are not temporary and that the caf continues to listen to student feedback.

I’m sure you’ve heard Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love” by now. Aired routinely on Top 40 radio stations the past few months and given the MTV Video Music Award on Aug. 25 for “Best Video with a Social Message,” some have heralded the song as a gay rights anthem.

It’s undeniable that the song has a worthy goal. It was produced in 2012 as part of the efforts supporting Washington Referendum 72, which ultimately legalized same-sex marriage in the state.

The lyrics call for marriage equality and urge people to be conscious of and eradicate homophobia and homophobic remarks.

“It’s a strong, positive thing for ‘Same Love’ to be on Top-40 radio,” Junior Anna Daniel said.

Though recognizing the wellintended efforts, questions and criticisms have been aimed at the duo. I wonder how helpful the song actually is and who exactly is profiting from the song’s popularity.

For people affected by the issues the song addresses, “Same Love” is, at times, hard to take seriously because Macklemore himself is white, heterosexual, male, ablebodied and upper-class. Coming from his privileged mouth, the music lacks a feeling of genuineness and can sound condescending.

It’s also, frankly, annoying that Macklemore has been quick to repeatedly confirm his straightness — the first few verses of the song focus on Macklemore’s heterosexuality. He attempts to identify with the struggle of the LGBT community by saying that “in third grade” he thought that he “was gay,” but his mom assures him that he’s “loved girls since before pre-K.” However, the song advocating for gay rights coming from a straight person, who is also a major figure in mainstream media, is a realistic way for the message to reach a wider audience.

“It might reach people who consider themselves straight and don’t have connections to the LGBT community,” Junior Amanda Picone said. “It might make them realize it’s a problem that affects everyone.”

The rapper Le1f tweeted another critical point.

“Do proceeds go to any gay people? the HRC? Aids foundation? or does this straight white man keep all the money?” he tweeted. Although this tweet has since been deleted, Le1f ’s question is still an important one.

See SAME LOVE, page 10

10 Viewpoints

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Let Miley sing and twerk in peace

By Julia Collins Contributing Writer Miley Cyrus’ performance at the VMAs has sparked one of the most discussed and critiqued events of 2013. Controversy surrounding her twerking antics seems to be the hit topic of conversations everywhere. But did Miley even do something newsworthy?

Let’s look at the video and music culture of today realistically. Robin Thicke is a married man and has a child, but he has had almost no bad publicity for his half of the performance.

“Ozzy Osbourne used to bite the heads off of bats on stage and people loved it,” Sophomore Libby Wilkinson said. “Miley twerking onstage is just her debut into the crazy culture that is pop music.”

I think everyone is just overreacting to Miley’s dancing and sudden “wild child” change of heart.

Much of what Miley is doing right now is kind of cool. She’s not a kid anymore, and no matter how weird the dancing teddy bears are, she’s doing something different. I think that that’s awesome. Everybody has to grow out of being a kid sometime.

Maybe Miley should have given

a little bit more thought to the VMAs being a publicly broadcasted event with families watching.

But if parents let their kids listen to a song that references “dancing with Molly,” a possible drug euphemism, they can’t be too shocked by her performance of the song being a little bit less than G-rated.

Another reason why I think she has so drastically changed her persona and public image over the last year is because of her Disney career.

Disney Channel and her character Hannah Montana limited her for at least four years of her teenage life.

For the entirety of her run with Disney, she had to do as they said, dress how they wanted and play by their rules.

Just because we aren’t used to watching her do the “Hoedown Throwdown” in jeans and a plaid shirt doesn’t mean that has to be what she does for the rest of her music career.

As an adult free of the Disney constraints, I think she has the right to be as risqué and crazy as she would like.

I respect her desire to break away from everything she was told to be before and if she needs to stick her tongue out and twerk a little along the way, then you know what, that’s all right with me.

Miley Cyrus photographed in her infamous tongue pose the night of the VMAs on Aug. 25.

photo courtesy of mileycyrus Instagram

“Same Love,” not a saving grace for LGBT From SAME LOVE, page 9

Ryan Lewis and Macklemore holding up their awards after the VMAs.

PerspECtives

“To play soccer, to get a degree and be somewhat successful in life.”

-Eduardo Juarez, sophomore

photo courtesy of macklemore’s Instagram

“Overall I’d rather have the song than not [have it], but he’s [Macklemore] profiting off of our struggle, essentially,” Daniel said.

The Heist, the album “Same Love” is featured on, sold over a million copies and the single sold over a million copies in the U.S. alone. As of now, there is no word from Macklemore that any money from the proceeds of “Same Love” is going toward activist organizations devoted to marriage equality, LGBT health, queer youth homelessness or any other campaigns for

sexual and gender minority rights.

One shining light of sincerity in this song is Mary Lambert’s rift. She sings not of a homogenous, heterosexualized “Same Love” but of her own, “my love, my love, my love.”

She expresses how she won’t change.

That is true queer activism, a member of the LGBT community actualizing their citizenship through their own voice. I’m pushing for a legitimately progressive social mindset in which the LGBT community no longer needs allies to hold the microphone, but allows us to sing for ourselves.

Why are you at Eckerd?

“Small liberal arts school — I didn’t want to be a number, and once you visit you really can’t not like it.”

-Carly Youssouf, junior

“Because it allowed me to have my dog with me, and my major at the time was Marine Science.”

-Carolyn Bohlman, junior

“Because when I came here, I loved it, and there was no other school I could see myself at.”

-Jarrett Bowie, senior

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Sept. 13, 2013

MBFGC:

#Amusing Musings

The Changing Grace

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

Follow us on twitter: @TheECCurrent

By Colin Casey Asst. Sports Editor

QFM Professor Being told to undress in a hotel room by two armed men is not what you really want to happen. #CultureShock

Creative Writing Professor (after hearing a badly-made joke) This is why we don’ t allow firearms in college. #NotFunny

Creative Writing Professor Why couldn’t I get a motorcycle instead of hot flashes? #GettingOlder

Ravaging Russia’s vodka reserves Student suggests plan to tackle homophobic policies

By Jacob Allgeier Contributing Writer

The liquor is flowing, but not into cups. Instead, bottles of Russian vodka are being emptied onto the street around the world in protest of Russia’s recent gay propaganda laws.

The motives behind the boycott are commendable, but do they really make a difference?

President Vladimir Putin signed into law June 29 the prohibition of propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations. This law makes any public expression of homosexuality illegal and comes with hefty fines or jail time.

The law has roused fears about the 2014 Winter Olympics, which are taking place in Sochi, Russia. Not only are Russian LGBT citizens concerned, so are gay athletes and attendees who could be arrested during the Olympic games.

Activists have begun targeting vodka, one of Russia’s biggest exports, in hopes to put an end to the propaganda law and move the location of the Olympics.

Candid shots with Russian citizens and Olympics protesters have flooded Twitter with the hashtag #dumpstoli. Vodka has become a part of LGBT culture. You can’t go to a gay bar without seeing most patrons with a vodka and Red Bull in hand.

Precisely because of this cultural aspect, discarding vodka has become somewhat a symbolic act.

LGBT people are sacrificing a small part of their culture to hopefully bring attention to the propaganda in Russia. Even bars (both gay and straight) have emptied their entire stocks of Russian vodka in

Viewpoints 11

protest. It’s bad for business, but good for the cause.

One of the main arguments against this boycott is that Russian vodka companies, such as Stolichnaya, will not be affected financially.

Senior Michelle Machesney supports LGBT rights, but is apprehensive about the vodka boycott.

“Dumping vodka isn’t going to phase big companies,” she said. “While the activists’ thoughts are pure, their actions won’t be enough to sway the government. It will ultimately fall on deaf ears.”

This is true from a business point of view. Stolichnaya produced 1.8 million cases of vodka in 2012, so a few thousand bottles dumped on the streets won’t make a dent in Stolichnaya’s profit.

However, the point of this boycott isn’t to put a financial burden on these vodka companies.

The goal is to get the world’s governments’ attention. It is ultimately up to government officials to sway the International Olympic Committee to change the location of the Olympics.

For the time being, government officials are treading lightly on the subject. If they won’t intervene, LGBT people and their advocates have to take action, no matter how seemingly insignificant their actions may seem.

And the activism will only intensify and become more extreme until the voices of LGBT are heard.

So I invite the students of Eckerd to skip Stoli on your next weekend party and opt for Smirnoff.

It’s cheaper, tastes good and, most importantly, it will make a statement against the oppression that is harming Russia’s LGBT community.

For the first 25 years of his life, Pvt. Bradley Manning was notable only for joining the U.S. Army and later leaking confidential information.

Now however, Pvt. Manning wakes up in a military prison, yet he may feel more free than he ever did. During the trial, Manning’s defense proposed that he leaked the files because he was going through a gender identity crisis. After the trial, Manning revealed he was transgender and requested that he be referred to as Chelsea from that moment on.

First, thank you Manning for shedding light on the “T” in LGBT (which stands for transgender) in spite of the timing of your outing being questionable.

Often, Americans are unaware of transgendered individuals unless Drudge Report posts a story about a kid who feels confused about his/ her identity. Often times, this is a boy in makeup and a dress going through a real identity crisis. The images shock people, readers condemn the parents and the country moves on to the next bit of news.

The issue is a significant one, though. A 2011 UCLA study estimated that there were upwards of 700,000 transgender individuals in the U.S. alone. To be more precise, you could call transgender people a minority within a minority, as the number of LGB individuals outnumber transgenders.

The causes of such an oddity to social norms has proved perplexing. Similarly to LGB individuals, transgender was thought to be a psychological disorder for most of the twentieth century. The American Psychiatric Association only delisted it from their list of mental health problems last year. In comparison, general homosexuality was delisted in 1973. To be clear, the U.S. was still involved in Vietnam when homosexuality was delisted.

So why the delay? Like homosexuality, transgenderism flies in the face of social norms, but with a gusto that can even upset selfproclaimed tolerant people. Add in the idea that such activity is

often viewed as “immoral” than typical homosexual behavior in a Christian-based nation and transgendered individuals become a pressure cooker in most locations.

Even the liberal bastion of New York City has seen a rise in crime against transgendered persons including the fatal beating of a MtF (male to female) woman in the Bronx. The issue has been so contested in the Americas that a recent report from the Organization of American States chronicled that violence against transgender individuals is 50 percent higher than the rate for other LGB individuals in North America and South America.

Often people who transition from man to woman are the most outcasted individuals in this group.

Men are stereotypically the tough guys, loaded with testosteronedriven machismo. Yet there are men who mentally believe they are and should physically be women.

The world of alternative punk music contains an example. The band Against Me! from Gainesville, Fla. has been noted for its activism in the LGBT community.

Critics often took issue with some music which seemed to show an amount of support that is not usually seen from any advocate group.

Then frontman Tom Gabel answered critics last year in an interview with Rolling Stone. He revealed he was transgender and had always felt such. She had been living as a woman at home with her wife of six years who openly accepted her for who she was.

She then claimed that the questionable songs were a chronicle of her questioning who she was.

Gabel’s transition to her new identity of Laura Jane Grace was well chronicled by the alternative music world. Local radio station 97X even dedicated most of the next day’s show to understanding exactly what transgender is in an effort to quell any discriminatory fans.

Grace arrived in Tampa just last week to perform on her new tour as a musician. She has received nothing but love and respect from her fellow band members both past and present. In her own lyrics, she is a true trans rebel. It can be surprising that in such a stereotypically rough genre as punk that such love has poured from fans as well.

Transgenderism is a sticky issue in the modern U.S. As a minority fighting for acceptance in two communities, it can be shocking how little the transgender group is covered especially considering recent pushback and violence against them. But who knows, maybe the so-called rebels will one day gain the

Rising tuition sets

LGBT rights activist at a protests in Russia.

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photo courtesy of raymoreno1’s Instagram

From EASTMAN, page 11 general acceptance of rising tuition is that it makes those left dissatisfied with what the institution offered feel as if they are wrong. Even bringing up the notion of one not getting their money’s worth is met with cynicism.

Those with grievances are told that the opportunities are all around them, that they probably haven’t dug hard enough to find where all the tuition goes.

But my response would then be, “Why is the impetus placed upon the student, when he/she al-

ready paid thousands of tuition on the promise the school would be the most accommodating fit?”

Admittedly, the experiences I’ve had at Eckerd were incredibly formative, and I feel more than blessed to be a part of an academic community where my career is closely mentored. While there is certainly room to argue that a higher education comes with higher costs, arguing for either side always ends up in nebulous, selfserving discourse. Students ought to choose which education is best for them, and what they can afford.

12 Viewpoints

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Syrian conflict puts

By Graydon Neill Contributing Writer Syria is divided, and only an external force more powerful than any Syrian faction has the ability to unify the broken state.

For two years Syria has been in the chaotic throes of civil war, reaching a recent climax on Aug. 21. According to U.S. intelligence and a U.N. investigation, forces under the command of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched missiles armed with sarin gas into rebel held suburbs of Damascus, killing 1,429 by U.S. estimates.

Though al-Assad is denying international accusations that he authorized the use of the sarin gas on his own populace, it is undeniable that Syria is in violation of international law by the release of said chemical weapons. If there was ever, and is ever going to be a time when international intervention is appropriate, it is now.

Now it is a question of who should and who actually will.

The quite obvious, but often disregarded answer to this question is the U.N., not the U.S. At this time the U.N. Security Council, which arbitrates if and how peacekeeping forces are to be used in a situation like Syria, is torn because Russia and China are refusing to allow international military intervention through the global body.

This two-year-old paralysis of the global peace keeping organization has left the U.S. in a very sticky situation both at home and abroad.

Usually playing the role of the “global policeman,” the U.S.

has severely hurt its economy and public faith with two recent wars in the Middle East, both of arguable success.

Now comes the critical moment when our nation must decide if it will continue to police the world or if it will succumb to public and economic pressures for non-action, both options having a similarly unsure outcome for Syria.

“America can’t be this Superman trying to save everybody else,” Freshman Patrick Cullen said when asked if the U.S. should intervene in Syria. “We have our own interests to look out for...

It doesn’t make sense to go to war in another country,” he said.

Right now the U.S. lacks a sense of public morale for intervening in Syria’s conflict, and possibly being drawn into another long and costly endeavor in the name of statebuilding and ridding the world of weapons of mass destruction.

It is undeniable that if the U.S. were to launch airstrikes against al-Assad’s regime it would further strain relationships with Russia and other Middle Eastern countries.

It is also undeniable that if the U.S. weren’t to take action, the Syrian civil war would continue as it has and chemical weapons could continue to be used without fear of a response.

From the U.S. perspective, this is a classic case of being damned if we do and damned if we don’t; there is no right choice, and it is nearly impossible to tell if any choice is a better choice than another.

photo courtesy of syrianpresidency Instagram

Candid shot of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Friendly Fire: New writers deliberate on U.S. involvement in Syria

By Alek Matthiessen ECOS Vice President of Financial Affairs Saddam Hussein, Adolf Hitler and now, Bashar alAssad. The president of Syria for the last 13 years has joined the infamous ranks of leaders who have used chemical weapons against their own countrymen.

The evidence is infallible. The accusations are accurate. This is not something we have wrong. The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Saudi Arabian government, the French government and President Barack Obama are all convinced that this moral obscenity occurred and the Syrian government is responsible. In circumstances like this, where a global red line has been crossed, there must be consequences.

The stage is set, and the die is cast. Primarily, the credibility of the U.S. is at stake.

When President Obama publicly stated that the use of chemical weapons by al-Assad’s regime would not be tolerated, he drew a red line. That line has now been crossed.

Without action, the words of President Obama, and in turn, the U.S., will prove to be hollow. A fearful, confused nation invites weakness, and for the sake of our homeland security, we cannot be seen as vulnerable.

From a global perspective, the sanctity of the Geneva Convention is also in danger. When the horrors of World War II revealed themselves to the world, all nations agreed to never let such atrocities occur again. Thus, the Geneva Convention formed. Without action, the Geneva Convention will be nothing more than a group of idealistic rules, lacking any real weight.

Furthermore, this will set a precedent for all future dictators faced with the decision of committing war crimes. A message needs to be sent that these crimes, just like Hitler’s crimes, just like the crimes of Saddam Hussein, will not be tolerated.

This will not be another Iraq. This will not be another Afghanistan. The U.S. will fire missiles from its military ships and submarines off the coast of Syria, safely out of the range of the Syrian anti-ship missiles.

U.S. lives will not be lost, and Syrian lives, as well as future lives, will be saved by this intervention. To further ensure the U.S. is not engaging in another Iraq or Afghanistan, President Obama has put the vote to Congress, seeking bipartisan support. Both parties believe chemical warfare crosses the red line. This is where the U.S. stands firm.

This is where the U.S. stands together.

Syrian flag.

By Henry Ashworth ECOS Executive Vice President More than 100,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict in the past two years. This alone should warrant international intervention.

However, evidence of chemical weapons has only recently drawn attention to the severity of this conflict.

President Obama sought Congress’s approval in using military force in Syria, and a vote was put to the House floor Sept. 9. Action needs to be taken in Syria.

International laws including the Geneva Convention’s were broken, but the

U.S. must not be obligated to always act as a world police force. This sentiment was expressed by the leader of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby in an article published by Al Jazeera Sept. 3 in which he warned that a “military option is out of the question.”

Intervention in Syria should be taken up by many nations. If the U.S. acts alone, it will only alienate our nation from the international community and show Bashar al-Assad and other dictators that the international community will appease their actions.

If our goal is to uphold the Geneva Conventions and set right the atrocities in Syria, an international effort is needed. This response from many countries, NATO, and the U.S. would also be a change from conflicts initiated by the U.S. in recent years.

However, if the U.S. once again acts independently in this endeavor we are only continuing to alienate ourselves from the international community and stretch our own valuable resources thinner.

Instead a united international response would send a stronger message to future dictators, and help resolve the issue at hand. This sentiment was echoed by the leader of NATO, Andres Fogh Rasmussen, and President Obama.

On Sept. 4, CNN published an article quoting President Obama speaking of the need for an international response by alluding to World War II. “...[T]he people of Europe are certainly familiar with what happens when the international community finds excuses not to act.”

For the heinous crimes in Syria to stop, and to prevent them from continuing in the future, the U.S. needs to look to the international community to act as one.

photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

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Entertainment 13

Sept. 13 , 2013

Entertainment Daft Punk releases new album

By Jennifer Lincoln Staff Writer Ever since the French duo’s hit song “Get Lucky” exploded into the radio world this summer, Daft Punk fans and general lovers of music alike rejoiced. Their new album “Random Access Memories” marked the return of the funky group.

“That album took me out to a nice dinner...and called me the next morning,” Junior Cole Spencer said.

Since they had been working on the album for five years, I had high expectations for the final product.

After buying it on vinyl and listening to its groovy melodies on my record player, I was not disappointed.

From the first guitar work by Nile Rodgers on “Give Life Back To Music,” I was hooked.

Thomas Bangalter and GuyManuel de Homem-Christo, the two French producers who make up Daft Punk, were instrumental in creating the well-recognized sound of EDM (Electronic Dance Music). They strayed from their usual beats such as hits “One More Time” and “Around the World” to add in collaborations with nine different artists and groups, including live instrumental recordings and performances.

“Random Access Memories” seems to be a narrative on how the duo has reinvented the EDM scene and engineering in it a whole new set of sounds bordering on an infusion of classic dance music along with the likes of 70s dance music.

Moving into a slower beat, the second song on the album includes just as many synthesizers and vocoders.

“Game of Love” pushes the album to a intimate level while still holding the catchy beat that continues all through the record. The central theme of the song deals with a tough break-up, something most people can sympathize with.

“Within” starts out with a haunting piano melody, effortlessly fading into an accompaniment by drums and vocals.

“Within” might be my favorite track on the album, partly because I am easily moved by powerful piano sequences and partly because the lyrics offer, in my opinion, the deepest subject matter of the record.

The song started out with the lyrics, “There are so many things that I don’t understand there’s a world within me that I cannot ex-

promotional photo Daft punk performing live.

promotional photo New album cover for “Random Access Memories”

plain many rooms to explore but the doors look the same.”

The end of “Within” perfectly blended into the beginning of “Instant Crush,” which is coincidently my second favorite song on the album. The upbeat vocals by collaborating artist Julian Casablancas and the overall use of synthesizers would make anyone bob their head along with the song.

Pharrell Williams turns up the funk in the next song, “Lose Yourself to Dance.” In between this and the second Williams collaboration (“Get Lucky”) is the synth-based funky “Touch.” With Paul and Williams lending his vocals to the song which starts with a sampling of a spaceship about to launch he quickly sets in with a beautiful melody accompanied by piano.

Suddenly, the drum set and synth join in and the song is a suddenly forcing you onto your feet to dance, especially when the brass instruments start beautifully accompanying the other sounds.

Right after “Touch” ends, the

A fan’s advice for the new Disney reboot It’s no secret that fans will be returning to the galaxy far, far away in 2015. Not only has Disney planned a new installment of the Star Wars series, but a whole new trilogy is in the works. For some fans this leads to great fear and suffering. With the newer trilogy’s heavy focus on visual effects over character development, fans are justified to feel this way. However, if done right the new trilogy can be our only hope.

Here are some things that should and shouldn’t be done in the new film to bring balance to the force once and for all.

Return of the original cast They may not have been as young as they were in the original trilogy, but having some sort of involvement of the original cast is key. The new trilogy should not omit characters like Luke, Han,

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Cut back on the lens flare Although I have full faith in J.J. Abrams as a director, the only thing that worries me about him making the movie is his use promotional photo of lens flare. For those who aren’t fa-

page

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Fall Films

page

15

Fashion Column

page

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By Hailey Escobar Asst. Entertainment Editor

See DAFT PUNK, page 16

Chewie, Leia, Lando, C3PO and R2-D2 . Much like the books from the expanded universe that take place after “Return of the Jedi”, new movies will most likely be about their kids, but having a direct link to the original trilogy as well as seeing what has happened to the characters since would be a nice touch.

Perhaps even Boba Fett could find his way out of the Sarlacc to get revenge on Solo.

St. Pete Sampler

Five must-see films for the fall

Keep the trilogy from the dark side:

By Hayden Johnson Asst. Entertainment Editor

INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT

miliar with what lens flare is, it’s when light from outside the main image of a frame scatters through the lense. Although it is a trademark of his movies and gives an interesting look, my biggest worry is that Star Wars will end up looking too much like the new Star Trek movies.

Since the release of the original trilogy, there have been numerous amounts of great characters in the expanded universe. When a character is from an expanded universe, it means that they have not been featured in the movies, but instead in other forms of media. The Star Wars Universe has been the setting of many video games, comics and novels. Maybe even throwing a mention or a shot of Kyle Katarn from the game Star Wars: Dark Forces can help tie these stories together.

Soundtrack by John Williams I have no doubt that Williams is See STAR WARS, page 15

The summer blockbusters have come and gone. Now, it’s the fall movies that are taking the spotlight on the silver screen. It’s time for filmmakers of all kinds to put in their last-ditch effort for Oscar gold next year and for sequels to be released without the pressure of the summer rush. Now it just becomes a question of which movies we should take time out of our busy schedules to see.

Don Jon (Sept. 27 )

Joseph Gordon Levitt has become known for his acting in films such as “100 Days of Summer,” “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” Now, he’s about to show off his newest talent: screenwriting and directing. In his directorial debut, Levitt plays a New Jersey guy who loves his body, pad, family, church, friends and his porn. When he gets involved with his dream woman, played by Scarlett Johannson, his world is flipped upside-down and he begins to question his priorities.

Gravity (Oct. 4 )

Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they watch the new scifi thriller “Gravity“ starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. The story follows a space expedition miles above earth that quickly turns dangerous when an accident leaves both characters adrift in the endless expanse of space. While the concept is minimalist with Bullock and Clooney’s characters being the sole focus of the film, the eye-catching images of space will leave movie-seers breathless while following the high-stakes story. all photos promotional

See FALL FILMS, page 15

14 Entertainment

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

ECKERD EVENTS

To have your event added to the calendar, email currententertainment@eckerd.edu.

FRIDAY

13

4:30 p.m.

Pitchers with Professors 7 p.m.

International Film

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

16

14

15

9 a.m.

Azalea Fresh Market

10 a.m.

Boyd Hill Tram Tour

21

22

23

10 a.m.

600 Block: Live Arts

1 p.m.

Spa Beach: Weekly Paddle Social

10:15 a.m.

Boyd Hill: Creative Exercise

7 p.m.

Monday Night Trivia @ FERGS

9 p.m.

Palmetto Welcome Back Party

20

easter egg hunt

5 p.m.

Club Fair 7 p.m.

International Film 9 p.m.

Erick Kand Hypnotist

Noon Blues Jam at Everything Dolce

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

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18

19

7:30 p.m. CPS The Fourth Gospel

5:30 p.m. CPS The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of Applying to Grad School

5:30 p.m.

EC Trade Circle Gathering

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25

26

5:30 p.m.

Hoop Jam

7 p.m. CPS Talking About Race

5:30 p.m.

Hoop Jam

7 p.m.

Monday Night Trivia @ FERGS

NACA Conference 5 p.m.

EC Trade Circle Gathering 7 p.m. CPS The ABCs of Fast Self Defense for College

The St. Pete Sampler Local fun and fine dining

Welcome in the new semester with an exotic outing to the cuisine of the East. This week’s sampler has four of the best Thai places in the area. Whether to impress a date or just satisfy a craving for some Pad Thai these are great places to dine.

Kate Upton wins “Model of the Year” at the Style Awards.

Lamar Odom checked into rehab recently after a DUI. Eddie Murphy attempts music with a Snoop Lion collaboration.

A.

50 Shades of Grey is officially becoming a movie.

Scarlett Johansson is engaged.

Russel Brand made offensive anti-semitic remarks at GQ awards.

Orlando Bloom is playing Romeo in Broadway’s Romeo and Juliet.

Miley Cyrus’ tongue’s appearance at the VMAs.

B.

C.

THE TIPSY TRITON

D.

Cocktails & Mixed Drinks

Frenchmen’s Brine

Amaretto and Orange Juice

• 2 parts gin

•1 part amaretto

• 1 part dry vermouth

• 4 parts orange juice

• 2 parts olive juice • 2 olives

Pour gin and vermouth in a chilled cup then stir. Then add olive juice, olives and enjoy.

Pour amaretto in a cup full of ice and then follow it with orange juice. Stir it to you liking, sip and relax.

A. The Queen and I 2410 Central Ave 11 mins from campus Mon. to Fri. 11 a.m . to 3 p.m. 5 to 10 p.m.

Sat. to Sun. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

3 ½ stars $$ Beer & Wine Only C. Bangkok Thai Restaurant 571 Central Ave 12 mins from campus 4 stars $ Beer & Wine Only

B. Chaing Mai 1100 Central Ave 11 mins from campus 4 ½ stars $$ Beer & Wine Only D. Ratchada Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar 270 1st Avenue North 13 mins from campus 2 ½ stars $$ Beer & Wine Only

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Entertainment 15

Films coming for fall season From FALL FILMS page 13

Saving Mr. Banks (Dec. 20)

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Nov. 22)

Anchorman: The Legend Continues (Dec. 20)

Premiering in fall

By Hailey Escobar Asst. Entertainment Editor Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Sept. 24) ABC

After her Oscar win earlier this year, Jennifer Lawrence is back as Katniss Everdeen, “The Girl on Fire” in the latest installment of The Hunger Games series. Fans of the books have been clamoring for information on the new film all year and excitement is building.

Many new additions to the cast such as Jena Malone, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Sam Claflin as well as a new director, Francis Lawrence, promises to make this film a little different from the first in the franchise. Add in dazzling costumes, political drama, fierce action and the new location in Hawaii and you have a movie for both lovers of the series and newcomers not familiar with the franchise.

The opening scene of the trailer for Saving Mr. Banks mirrors the line from “Mary Poppins” with: “Wind in the East, mist coming in like something is brewing, about to begin.”

Saving Mr. Banks transports us back to when Disney was at it’s prime under its namesake Walt Disney. The film follows the true story of Disney, played by Tom Hanks, and author P.L. Travers, played by Emma Thompson, as they collaborate to create the film version of Mary Poppins with Travers disagreeing with everything along the way. The film is wonderful combination of childhood nostalgia and the real-life magic of Disney with the popular songs made famous by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and even a walk through Disneyland with Walt Disney circa 1961.

It’s been nine years since the original Anchorman came into theaters. Now, Will Ferrell has returned as San Diego reporter Ron Burgundy. The film will follow Ferrell’s character as he embarks on a new chapter of his career in New York City. With him, he is bringing an all star cast of comedy and drama including Tina Fey, Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Vince Vaughn, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kristen Wiig, Christina Applegate, Liam Neeson, Harrison Ford and many more. The extensive cast and nearly a decade of build up is setting this film up to be a favorite of comedy lovers during the Christmas Season. Hopefully the sequel delivers. all photos promotional

Star Wars to strike back in 2015 probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, movie composers of all time.

He did the soundtrack to both the original and prequel trilogies. Besides Star Wars, Williams has composed music for films such as Jaws, E.T., Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and last year’s Lincoln. An epic saga needs its epic composer.

Plot and Characters Over Effects This is the biggest reason why I am excited for the new Star Wars Trilogy. It’s the opportunity to restore what made the original movies great. Although the Empire has crumbled and the Sith are seemingly gone,

there is the opportunity to explore new things in the galaxy as long as it is relevant to making a good story and characters. They need to bring back old catch phrases as well as bring up new ones. The series does not need a new Jar Jar or a pointless droid factory scene.

With any franchise there can be rises and downfalls. Hopefully the new trilogy will give help the series strike back. Even though there were a lot of loose ends tied up in “Return of the Jedi,” it will be interesting to see which direction that the movies will take.

With the prequel trilogy there was always known what it will eventually end up. Now it seems as if there are infinite possibilities. A great amount of pressure lies on the people involved with making the film, and may the force be with them to deliver.

Viral video update:

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (Oct. 10) ABC

For those who love the twisting plots of shows like Lost and Once Upon a Time, there is a new show to keep you on the edge of your seats. After glimpsing the world of Wonderland in season one of Once Upon a Time, this new spin-off gives viewers a very different look at Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. The previews show a grown up Alice rescued from an asylum by the White Rabbit and on her way to save her lost love, Cyrus. The show also includes other well known fantasy characters like the Red Queen and Jafar from Aladdin.

Only time will tell if this show will cast as much of a spell over viewers as it’s original counterpart.

The Blacklist (Sept. 23) NBC

promotional photo

From STAR WARS page 13

Following his success with The Avengers last summer, Joss Whedon has returned to television with Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. After the first preview of the show back in May, the excitement has already begun to build for the September premier. Despite the lack of the big name superheroes, there is one character that has become the biggest talk of the new TV series: Agent Phil Coulsen. The beloved agent who has been a part of the franchise since the first Iron Man was killed last summer, but is now back along with a cast of new characters to bring an action packed world of superheroes for the fall.

Feminist Parody and Pranking Professor

Who is on the Blacklist? This is the question lovers of mystery and drama will be asking after NBC’s The Blacklist premiers in late September. The story revolves around the criminal Raymond Reddington, the FBI’s most wanted, as he surrenders to the authorities and requests to speak to one person: Elizabeth Keen. Reddington becomes an unlikely partner to the federal agent as he guides her towards criminals that the government don’t even know. The show has the feel of Silence of the Lambs and sets the stage for twisting plot that will keep viewers guessing.

Mom (Sept. 23) and Dads (Sept. 17) CBS and FOX

Parents are taking over television sitcom on CBS and FOX. On the CBS’s Mom, Anna Faris, single mom Christy, and Allison Janney, Bonnie, are daughter and mother going head-to-head as Christy tries to make a fresh start in Napa Valley.

Over at FOX, a similar parent-child clash has also been created by comedy mind Seth MacFarlane. Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi play two video game designers whose fathers unexpectedly drop in looking for a place to stay. Dads has already drawn attention from the crass humor that have been made in the preview.

Sean Saves the World (Oct. 3) NBC

“Robin Thick-Blurred Lines [Feminist Parody] ‘Defined Lines’” uploaded by Law Revue

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“Fake Professor on the First Day Prank-Chamber Boys” uploaded by Chamber Boys September 5

Seven years after leaving Will and Grace behind back in 2006, Sean Hayes is back with his own show. Hayes plays a gay, divorced single dad whose teenage daughter moves in with him. He begins to juggle his career-oriented life and demanding new boss with trying to be the best dad in the world. The show also stars Hayes’s SMASH co-star, Megan Hilty, Linda Lavin and Samantha Isler as his daughter, Ellie.

16 Entertainment

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Style under the sun:

Local shows by the bay

Eckerd fashion vs other colleges

By Jennifer Lincoln Staff Writer From perusing friends’ pictures on various social media sites and visiting them at their perspective colleges, I couldn’t help but notice how differently the Eckerd community dresses compared to other schools.

Last February, I traveled to D.C. and visited a friend at American University. The first night I was there, we went out to a party.

As I looked around at the girls in professional looking dresses and boys with their button-up collared shirts, I couldn’t help thinking about the tie dye morph suit (spandex suit that covers my whole body) I had hanging in my closet back in my dorm. Eckerd is the only place I feel I could wear it out proudly and not be judged.

While my friends at state schools around the Northeast strive

towards putting their best Vineyard Vines and Lily Pulitzer clothing on display when they attend classes, people at Eckerd tend to lean towards a more individualistic look.

I have not seen one tie dye dress or Grateful Dead shirt in any of my friends’ sorority pictures, just as I have ceased to see many brand names since I started attending Eckerd.

The majority of Eckerd students shop at thrift stores in the area, so brand names seldom make an appearance, giving them even more of an individualistic look. Even as close as Rollins is to us, the students there still strive towards looking like they rolled out of a J.Crew catalogue. This is why I love Eckerd so much; everyone dresses to reflect their personal style, not the school’s style as a whole.

Eckerd as a whole doesn’t dress surreally like they’re going to Kappa Karnival every day, and at the same

time, not everyone wears collared shirts to class. The style of Eckerd students tends to evoke descriptions like “eclectic” and “unique” because they can’t be completely defined by any constrictive terms.

I called multiple friends at Rollins, American, Elon and Emerson to see how they would describe their school’s style. They all had one word to convey to me the way every single person at their school dresses. For Elon and Rollins, it was “preppy.” For Emerson, it was “hipster.” For American, it was “professional.”

People at Eckerd are so accepting. They wear whatever they want to wear on a given day, whether it’s pajamas, a suit or a green and blue bandeau with matching parachute pants. Whatever you wear at Eckerd, no one judges you because you’re reflecting who you are.

That’s something you can’t seem to get at most other schools.

Daft Punk’s new album gets lucky Daft Punk from page 13 most successful song of the album (according to radio charts) starts up. Williams smoothly carries out the lyrics, “She’s up all night ‘til the sun, I’m up all night to get some, she’s up all night for good fun, I’m up all night to get lucky.”

What some people call the most overplayed song on the radio right now is one of the catchiest tunes on the album, and it’s a shame to have that ruined by hearing it every time the radio is turned on. According to Billboard.com, the tune has recently taken the title of best selling dance song of the year.

The next tracks, “Beyond” and “Motherboard” both have interesting string intros before breaking

back into the synth-based sound cohesive with the rest of the album.

“Fragments of Time” takes an almost R&B turn as Todd Edwards lends his vocals. The most electronic sounding track of the record, “Doin’ It Right,” comes on next with the accompaniment of Panda Bear’s voice before the album finishes up with “Contact.”

“Contact” starts out with an actual NASA excerpt from Apollo 17, before moving into a purely instrumental and synth-based sound for the remainder of the intense song.

Overall, I was immensely impressed with the way this album took me on a crazy ride of synthesizers, vocoders and live instrumen-

tals, and brought back disco the only way it could be brought back.

As Junior Eli Peake said about the album, “Random Access Memories gave the life back to music for me.”

Maroon 5 @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Ampitheater 9/13 Kid Rock @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Ampitheater 9/15 Rebelution @ Jannus Live 9/18 Thomas Gold @ Ritz Ybor 9/18 Icon For Hire @ Local 662 9/19 Miranda Lambert @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Ampitheater 9/20 Yo Gotti @ State Theatre 9/20 Vader @ Orpheum 9/21 Bionics for Vets @ The Local 662 9/21 Geto Boys @ State Theatre 9/21 Ra Ra Riot @ The Orpheum 9/24 The Underacheivers @ State Theatre 9/27 Michal Menert @ Crowbar 10/02 Sick Puppies @ The Ritz Ybor 10/02

courtesy of Wikicommons Daft punk performing at the O2 Wireless Festival.

Saves the Day @ State Theatre 10/03

Thursday: Eckerd College 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Specials,corn hole games, talent shows and pool games outside Free use of our 80,000 gallon pool too Sunday: Outdoor party 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with live DJ, dancing outside, shows

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The quickie

17

The Quickie

There’s always enough time for a quickie

Fall Term Triton Teaser Across 1 Acting (abbreviation) 5 Devour (2 words) 10 Opposite of below 14 Synonym for solemn 15 y=mx+b 16 Superhero necessity 17 Hermione actress 18 Not St. Petersburg 19 Multiple weapons 20 Capital of the Bahamas 22 Poached eggs dish 24 Tier A, Tier B, Tier C options with flex dollars 26 ___ Dug: old arcade game 27 Sea Surface Temperature 30 Tony Stark character 32 Male cat 37 “Little” in Scotland 38 To bomb or not to bomb?

40 Dog food brand 41 Separate 43 “When Harry Met Sally” 44 Biology in moderation 45 Covered with ice 46 Ascend 48 Hive dweller 49 National capitol 52 Spiderman in a word 53 ____ Diego 54 Tattoo ____ 56 Provides discount cards 58 The number of working yellow bikes has _____ 63 Rhymes with perfects For answers, visit www.theonlinecurrent.com

67 Teacher’s ____ 68 Tear-inducing vegetable 70 Sandwiched between Nebraska and Illinois 71 “If pigs ___...”

72 She “Can’t Be Tamed” 73 Milk option in the caf 74 Classy beverages 75 Our Syria author 76 “He put” in Spanish Down 1 Yemen city 2 Indefinitely unconscious 3 Heartburn chew tablet 4 Firmly understand 5 Brackish ecosystem 6 In the style of 7 Mortal bed 8 Increased 9 Sandwich butter 10 Academy (abbreviation) 11 Hail one in New York 12 Organization of Petroleum Exporting Companies 13 East of Buda 21 VIP 23 ___maniac 25 Social values 27 Preferred transportation for locust plague 28 Neutral color tone 29 Competitive groups

31 Sibling’s daughter 33 Damage 34 Spades, ___, Hearts 35 Sleeping disorder 36 ___ of appreciation 39 Greek love 42 “Catcher in the ___” 44 Dormitory flair 47 Need this to drive 50 Eliminate 51 Campus security will ___ your room if called 55 African country 57 Earthquake 58 Music artist of “Tron” 59 Devious trick 60 Sudden thought 61 What we do best 62 Dig this up on a person 64 Miami Beach snow 65 Idiot 66 Identical, alike 69 French consent

Crossword by: Sydney Cavero and Carolyn Moritz

Club Spotlight: Young Democrats malena carollo Editor-in-Chief

year, as many of their members graduated.

“There’s a lot of, I guess, distrust Though it’s not quite election maybe, and a turn-off when people season yet, the political clubs on talk about political parties,” he said. campus are gearing up for a new year “I want to kind of change that and on campus. The Young Democrats, see what our values are as a Demorepresenting Eckerd’s liberal popula- cratic party and how that relates to tion, are eager to get started on their other things, whether it’s like womnew agenda. en’s rights or gay rights.”

“What I really wanted to focus on To accomplish that, Johnson and this year,” President Greg Johnson Stringer are putting together a twosaid, “was building up momentum pronged approach to the club. and numbers in our club and also fo“What we’re really trying to do cusing on the values behind what it is we’re trying to like, basically split means to be a Democrat.” our focus up into two different secJohnson and Director of Pro- tions: being involved on campus and gramming Erin Stringer are two of being involved off campus,” Stringer the new faces leading the club this said.

On campus, the club will work with various groups on issues like divestment, women’s empowerment and LGBT issues.

Off campus, Stringer sees students getting more deeply involved in the St. Petersburg community.

“I think that even though a lot of students aren’t necessarily registered [to vote] in Florida,” she said, “being aware of things that are affecting courtesy of Young Democrats Facebook page our community will really

help bridge the gap between Eckerd and St. Petersburg.”

To start, Johnson and Stringer are bringing St. Petersburg to Eckerd.

Mayoral Candidate Rick Kriseman will be on campus Sept. 23 for an informal dine-and-discuss open to the entire student body.

“We want to make sure other groups who might have a stake in or are interested in the election come to the meeting,” Stringer said.

Specifically, she anticipates many Eckerd students will identify with Kriseman because he opposes a current law which makes it illegal to feed the homeless in any city park in St. Petersburg.

“I think what we’re really trying to focus on this year is going beyond what they typically think of when they think of a political party,” she said. “They think of registering to vote, handing out ballots and shoving a candidate down your throat.

That’s what we really want to stay away from.”

Stringer plans on eliciting help from other political groups on campus for events like elections and voting.

On its own, the club hopes to clarify with the greater student body what it really means to be a democrat.

“We just want to raise awareness

courtesy of Young Democrats Facebook page

Students celebrate after president Obama’s reelection in 2012

of what we stand for as Democrats and build a coherent message to the student body about that,” Johnson said. “Maybe more people will [iden-

tify with] that message.” The first meeting will be Sept. 16. A location will be announced in an email to the student body.

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18 The Quickie

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Sept. 13, 2013

courtesy of dailyinfographic.com

courtesy of Wiki Commons

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Health & Fitness 19

Health & fitness Jumpstart nutrition to complement workouts

By Leif Flor Contributing Writer If you’ve been wondering how to better your workouts with a good diet, you’re thinking on the right track. You can work out all you want, but if you don’t provide the proper nutrition to feed your muscles and fuel your workouts, you’ll have a difficult time achieving your goals.

When it comes to your physique, my high school trainer Marc McKoy told me that 80 percent of your outcome will be achieved through what you eat while only 20 percent is derived from exercise. So since your diet is so important, what kinds of changes can you make to yours?

To start off, proportions are a crucial part of a healthy meal. One easy way to size up proportions is by using your fist to measure.

It’s as simple as balling up your fist and comparing it to what you put on your plate.

Everyone’s fist is a different size, so not everyone will have the same proportions.

Well, you should have about one fist-sized serving of protein, such as chicken, fish, turkey, egg whites or beef. When it comes to protein, lean meat or white meat is preferred because it typically contains lower levels of fat.

You should also measure out a second fist-sized proportion of starchy carbohydrates. This includes foods such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, black eye peas, whole-wheat pasta noodles and quinoa.

Many people tend to overindulge with these foods or will choose other foods such as white rice or white potatoes; this can be a

huge mistake if your goal is weight loss or to get that shredded look that bodybuilders have.

The third and final fist-sized portion should be attributed to fibrous carbohydrates.

Examples of these include asparagus, green beans, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and salad vegetables.

A tip for when it comes to these kinds of foods is to try and get the dark leafy greens and the colorProper food portion. ful looking vegetables. Also try to replace your regular lettuce with spinach; spinach contains a lot more nutrients than lettuce and is especially beneficial to those who are anemic or iron deficient.

Remember, you should have three fist-sized servings on your plate: one each dedicated to protein, starchy carbohydrates and fibrous carbohydrates.

Proportions are crucial to preventing overeating or undereating because either one of these will affect your metabolism in a way that will likely act against your goals.

Another change you might want to make to your diet (if your college budget allows) is to eat 5 to 6 times a day.

This will help to increase your metabolism and provide your body with the energy and nutrients it needs to repair itself.

To do this, you would truly have to com-

photo by Alexander Zielinski

mit to it and stick to healthier meals. If you were to change the amount of meals that you eat each day, it could actually work against you by confusing your body and putting it into the fat-storing mode and slowing your metabolism.

Just try to be consistent with your healthy meals and not to snack in between.

Nutrition plays a huge role in your health and physique.

Try to keep the food on your plate proportional and use your fist as a measuring aid. Think about trying to eat more meals per day and hold back from snacking.

If you’ve been busting out your workouts and aren’t seeing the results that you’ve been expecting, these few changes could give your body the boost it needs to get the results you want. Good luck.

From the iPod of Greg Reilly

Avoid gaining the “Freshman 15” Try these tips to stay active and eat healthy

By Andrea Depina-Gomez Contributing Writer

We’ve all heard of the infamous “Freshman 15.” As college students, it is difficult not to indulge in late night sweets, junk food and the endless buffet provided by the caf.

It is especially difficult for freshmen who are experiencing this smorgasbord of food for the very first time.

As a freshman, I have been looking into the secrets of healthy living on campus in hopes of avoidng the dreaded photo by Alex Zielinski weight gain.

Workouts demonstrated by Seth Ravid.

I am happy to say that EckWilliams is pleased with nutritional operd College has a significant amount to offer tions at Eckerd. when it comes to staying or becoming fit.

“The food has gotten better every year,” he Between intramural and club sports as well as the Waterfront — which offers various ac- said. “It is so easy to eat healthy in the caf.”

CrossFit takes place five days a week from tivities including swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing — there are plenty of 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the South Beach pavilion. fun fitness options.

To those interested in the sport, he recomCrossFit, a conditioning program geared mends two solid days of weight training and to improve strength and endurance, has become increasingly popular at Eckerd and is an three days of CrossFit. The Fitness Center is another resource for excellent way of getting in shape.

Senior Brad Williams, head of the EC keeping off the unwanted pounds.

Located in Cobb, it offers multiple classes CrossFit Club, heard about the dreaded “Freshman 15” when he arrived at Eckerd such as yoga, spinning and Zumba.

“There is always that ongoing joke about three years ago.

“I’m the defender of the ‘Freshman 15’,” the Freshman 15,” Coordinator of Fitness and Wellness Ben Maxwell said.

Williams said.

He also stated that “it’s definitely possible” As a high school student, Williams kept in shape for football with the help of a personal under the stressful circumstances of campus life. trainer.

According to Maxwell, it’s all about self When he entered college, he took what he learned from his personal trainer and did his discipline. “Eat right and work out,” he adown workouts. He joined CrossFit during the vises.

“Take care of your body. When you take summer before sophomore year and became more involved in the program during his ju- care of yourself and are happy, things will go nior year when he became one of the leaders. positive in your life.”

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By Alice Roby Shae Contributing Writer Let’s be completely honest for a moment.

Sex feels good. It’s why people have sex, or at least part of the reason. It’s exciting and, for some, a very new experience. We don’t have our parents around anymore either and we think we can do anything. After all, that’s what everyone in those college movies do, right?

This is what I thought for quite some time and it made me feel weird because I hadn’t had sex yet. Yes, you read correctly: I am still a member of the virginity club.

Thanks to movies such as American Pie, Van Wilder and The House Bunny, I felt like something was wrong with me because of it.

Then, I looked at the numbers.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 61 percent of adolescents have sex before they’re 18 and 71 percent by the time they’re 19. That means 30-40 percent of people my age haven’t had sex. I’m not the only one, I’m not weird, I’m just me. I’ll eventually have sex, but it will be when I’m ready.

“Sex on the Beach” tends to address really good information about sex and how to handle different situations, but now it’s time to address those who may feel a little left out by all of the sex talk. Just because you haven’t “done it” yet, doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of the conversation.

Don’t feel pressured to have sex even because all of your other friends are having

it. Ignore the sex-crazed characters of the college movies.

It’s your life and your body, so you are allowed to go at your own pace. If you decide to have sex, be smart about it and use protection.

If you don’t feel comfortable, go at your own pace and don’t go through with it. If you want to still feel sexy without the sex, then you can.

If you decide to have sex, remember to use protection and know how to use it. Use birth control or a secondary form of contraception.

Also, always be aware of your surroundings whether you want to have sex or not.

This goes for both women and the men on campus.

Finally, if someone isn’t ready to have sex, do not make them feel bad about it or force them.

Include them in the conversation and make them feel welcome to express their opinions. You might be surprised by what they have to say.

It’s okay to have sex. It’s okay to not have sex. It’s okay to talk about sex and prepare yourself for that step in your life.

It’s not okay to feel like you’re weird because you’re waiting for the right person or to make someone else feel weird about it.

Just be yourself and ignore the stigma that makes you think that everyone is having sex all the time. In the end, it’s all about you.

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20 Health & Fitness

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Sept.13, 2013

Gardeners plant seeds of success

By Lilian Gonzalez Staff Writer “What shall I learn of beans or beans of me? I cherish them, I hoe them, early and late I have an eye to them; and this is my day’s work,” Henry David Thoreau wrote.

As the planting season approaches, gardeners are carefully preparing the soil, filling the watering cans and putting that first seed into the ground.

Gardening enables us to develop the skills to grow the food that nurtures us and keeps us alive, energized and healthy.

The garden provides a place for people to unwind when the load of work gets to be too overbearing.

Working in the garden can be the perfect extracurricular activity to help students balance school and work with relaxation while also doing physical exercise.

The prospect of getting to work outside amongst flowers, breathing fresh air while growing delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables keeps students involved in cul- Yellow wax beans. tivating the on-campus garden year after Many year. vegetables, Derek Godshall, a leader of the garden club, in a discussion about the Eckerd gar- e s p e c i a l l y den said, “This year looks like it is going those in the to be a great year. We’ve got a lot of ex- squash famcited newcomers and veterans alike. We’re ily, tend to all looking forward to seeing what the soil deplete nitrogen from the soil. The bean plant does produces.”

Some of the plants the club plans to the opposite by helping the soil it grows grow this year are well known yet others in to become more enriched in nutrients.

Besides invigorating the all too imporare more exotic. tant soil, the yellow wax bean is also an atYellow wax beans, one of the many varieties of beans, are a great, delicious, and tractive head-turner in any garden patch.

Its smooth bright yellow exterior makes attractive vegetable that loves the hot them too good to resist for any veggieFlorida seasons. forager.

Growing beans brings a multitude of The yellow wax bean does not necessarbenefits to a garden.

Yellow wax beans, along with other ily need to be cooked either; it is just as delicious and sweet when it’s picked right beans, help fix nitrogen into the soil.

According to soil microbiologist W.C. off the stem.

Lisa Kivirist, a writer for Hobby Farms, Lindemann, and C.R. Glover on nmsu.edu, “Grain legumes, such as peanuts, cowpeas, suggests “For shell-bean varieties, you can soybeans and fava beans are good nitrogen harvest the whole bean early in the season fixers and will fix all of their nitrogen needs when it’s still soft and tender to eat fresh, shell and all.” other than that absorbed from the soil.”

Not enough can be said about the benNitrogen is an important element that efits of eating beans. makes up the soil and helps plants grow.

By Tiffany Flor Staff Writer

photo by Lilian Gonzalez

“I am ready to get my hands back in the dirt this semester.”

- Senior Noah Schlager

To sum it up, beans are loaded with proteins and soluble fibers that help the body process fats, lower cholesterol and slow down the release of carbohydrates into the bloodstream.

They are laden with B vitamins, calcium and potassium.

Beans are a versatile vegetable that can serve us well in our tummies and in our garden.

The Eckerd College Garden Club will be growing this superstar vegetable here in our very own on-campus garden this growing season.

“I am ready to get my hands back in the dirt this semester and grow some old classics like kale and cucumbers,” Club Member Noah Schlager said.

“The hopes are to also experiment growing more exotic foods such as amaranth and yucca.”

Work out like an ancient warrior

By Sabrina Lolo Health & Fitness Editor Many of us have seen the movie “300” and the ripped, godlike bodies of the actors playing ancient Greek soldiers. However, the actors did not obtain these results overnight. They achieved those bodies through intense workouts and dieting.

Luckily, Men’s Health Magazine broke down the warriors’ workout for us mere mortals. Here is a much more condensed version of the Spartan 300 ab workout that will strengthen and tone your abs.

For best results, incorporate this workout with a cardio or strength workout. · 30 crunches · 20 bicycle crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and your hands behind your head. Press your lower back into the floor and tighten your ab muscles while lifting your head, shoulders and upper back off the floor, moving your right elbow and left knee toward each other and straightening your right leg without letting it touch the ground. · 30 toe touches: Lie on your back and lift your legs until they are perpendicular to the floor.

Extend your arms.

While keeping your legs still, lift your chest and shoulders off the floor and try to touch your feet with the tips of your fingers. · 20 reverse crunches: Lie on the floor and place your hands either on the floor or behind the head.

Bring your knees to your chest until they’re bent at a 90-degree angle with the feet together or crossed. Use your abs to lift your legs off the floor toward the ceiling. *Rest for a minute · 15 side-plank hip lifts: Lie down on your right side, balancing yourself on your forearm and the side of your foot.

Keep your body in a straight line. Bend your waist and lower your hip to the ground then back up again.

Tiffany’s Treats: No-bake peanut butter protein balls

· 30 bicycle crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and your hands behind your head. Press your lower back into the floor and tighten your ab muscles while lifting your head, shoulders and upper back off the floor, moving your right elbow and left knee toward each other and straightening your right leg without letting it touch the ground. · 15 side plank hip lifts: Repeat on your left side. · 40 Russian twists: Grab a medicine ball or a weight plate and sit on the floor with your knees bent at a ninety-degree angle.

Hold the ball or plate out in front of you while keeping your back straight. Remember that your torso should be at about a 45-degree angle from the floor. Then, twist your torso as far as you can to the left as quick as you can and repeat the motion to the right.

This counts as one repetition. *Rest for about a minute · 30 bicycle crunches: Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor and your hands behind your head. Press your lower back into the floor and tighten your ab muscles while lifting your head, shoulders and upper back off the floor, moving your right elbow and left knee toward each other and straightening your right leg without letting it touch the ground. · 15 oblique V-ups: Lie on your right side with your legs angled a little bit from your hips but keep them straight. Place your right arm on the ground and your left arm behind your head. Lift your still straightened legs off the floor while simultaneously bringing your torso toward your legs.

Then slowly return to your starting position. · 20 reverse crunches · 15 oblique V-ups: Repeat on the left side. · 10 leg lifts: Lie flat on the floor with your arms straight, hands flat on the ground and your legs stretched out in front of you.

Straighten your legs so that your toes are pointed toward the ceiling.

Then slowly lower your legs until they are just a couple inches off the floor.

If you are looking for a healthy, yet filling snack, look no further. I present to you protein balls.

They are excellent sources of protein and just pure deliciousness.

If you happen to be a vegetarian, don’t worry, these are meat free. But remember, they need to be stored in a refrigerator to keep them tasting fresh.

Because they are made using peanut butter or almond butter, don’t to eat too many.

They can be addicting like most nut butters, but they are healthy for you and an excellent source of healthy fats and oils — both a positive and a negative.

These balls can very from 100 to 200 calories depending on how large of an ice cream scooper or spoon you use.

My advice is base it off of a tablespoon.

Normally, almond butter and peanut butter are 100 calories per tablespoon.

Even if you’re not worried about calories, there is no reason not to know about what you’re eating.

With these, it’s about quality, not quantity.

Plus, they are quite filling when paired with a banana.

Ingredients: 1.5 cups of almond butter or peanut butter 1 cup of hemp granola or oats 2 scoops of protein powder* 0.5 cup of agave (or honey) *You can choose your own protein powder, but I tend to use vanilla-flavored whey protein to make these. I have tried chocolate, as well as cookies ‘n cream, both of which turned out decently.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors.

They’ll likely turn out delicious any way you go.

Directions: 1. Mix ingredients together thoroughly in a bowl with a spoon greased with olive oil for non-stick protection against the peanut butter.

2. Scoop the mixture out of the bowl and mold each glob into inch-by-inch balls with an ice cream scooper or a spoon and set them in a Tupperware container in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the mixture congeals enough to hold its shape.

3. Dig in and enjoy your tasty, protein filled treat. Don’t be afraid to lick the bowl or the ice cream scoop clean while you’re waiting for your peanut butter balls to set in the fridge.

These bite-sized treats are also delicious when paired with a tall glass of soy or skim milk, a fruit filled smoothie or topped with a drizzle of dark chocolate. It’s a healthy way to curb a sweet tooth after a particularly tough workout at the Fitness Center or a tiring day in class.

photo by Tiffany Flor No-bake protein balls.

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the current

Sept. 13, 2013

Sports 21

Sports INSIDE SPORTS Triton of All Trades

page 23

Fall sports preview

page 23

Eckerd rugby alums

page 24

2013-2014 Seniors (from left to right) Kaleigh Humphrey #9 Boulder, Colo.

Lindsay Biggs #10 Topeka, Kan. Maija Strazdina #3 Riga, Latvia Madison Burr #2 St. Clair, Mich.

Ana de Olano #12 Atlanta, Ga. photo by Cypress Hansen

Volleyball seniors set for final season

By Max Catucci Contributing Writer Eckerd women’s volleyball kicked off their fall season Sept. 6 and 7 at the Riverfront Hotel Grand Rapids Classic in Allendale, Mich.

The Tritons are coming off a strong season in which they finished 2110 (12-4 SSC), but were bounced in the first round of the NCAA tournament by Florida Southern.

Senior Kaleigh Humphrey, a co-captain this year, said their loss encouraged the team to take no opponents lightly.

“The physicality of our team this year will allow us to compete with the top teams in the country,” Humphrey said.

“Our expectations are higher than they’ve ever been before.”

All-American and Co-Captain Lindsey Biggs and second-year Head Coach Michelle Piantadosi both agreed it was a special group taking the court this season. Piantadosi added that offseason work was concentrated on team building and development.

“I believe strongly in this team

and as coaches I believe we see how great they can be,” Piantadosi said.

This group of seniors also wants to leave a lasting impression on their peers and opponents.

“We want to be a team that will be remembered at Eckerd,” Senior Madison Burr said.

“I want to put another Sweet 16 banner on the wall and say ‘Yeah, I was a part of that team.’”

Should the Tritons reach that goal this year, it would be the seventh time in eight years that the program has reached

the NCAA South Regional.

“I want teams to be scared to play us,” Senior Ana de Olano said. “I want us to be on the map, not just a dark horse anymore.”

Despite this being their last chance to represent Eckerd on the court, the Tritons don’t plan on losing touch with the program in the future.

“Eckerd will always have a place in my heart,” Biggs said.

“Our team is so close-knit, the relationships that we’ve built are going to be lifelong bonds.”

The Tritons enter the season after an intense preseason regiment which was designed to maximize their time and further develop the skills to compete in the Sunshine State Conference this year.

“Number one, our focus for a while has been being a great team,” Piantadosi said summing up the team’s expectations for the year. “Unity as a group, I expect that. That [unity] paired with the talent that we have, and with the level we’re coming in physically, I expect our team to go very far in the NCAA tournament.”

Taylor accepts graduate assistant job at Marshall University

By Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor Before graduating in May, Woody Taylor was a cornerstone of the Eckerd men’s basketball program for half of a decade.

Taylor has moved on from Eckerd now, and last month accepted the Graduate Assistant Coaching job at Marshall University in Huntington, W. Va. As the graduate assistant coach, Taylor will be responsible for working with the players and helping them with their individual games.

“I run workouts, film sessions and talk with them from time to time about different things, mainly leadership and body language,” Taylor said.

Taylor, a Winter Springs, Fla. native, first came to Eckerd in the 2008-2009 school year. He red-shirted that season but averaged 5.1 points per game the following season while leading the team in steals and finishing second in assists.

In his sophomore season, Taylor started 29 of the team’s 30 games at point guard, leading the team with 82 assists. He led the team in assists again as a junior with 85. He had his best statistical year last season as a senior, averaging 8.3 points per game and dishing out 146 assists.

Taylor first realized he wanted to become a coach during his freshman year at Eckerd.

During his college career, he was also able to coach the Florida Rams, one of the most highly touted AAU basketball programs in Fla. and the team he had previously played for.

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“This experience helped to solidify move onto Marshall University, a competi- is a great opportunity for me and I will use the idea of coaching as my next step af- tive Div. I program out of Conference USA. the things that Coach Ryan and Coach Wilter college,” Taylor said. “It’s the best of “There are definitely some major differ- son have taught me to help me along the both worlds. I get to be around the game ence between Eckerd and Marshall,” Tay- way. One thing I will never forget is where I I love every day while helping young lor said. “The main ones being size of the come from. I will always be a Triton at heart.” men grow and mature along the way.” school and size of the players as well. This Mike Geibel contributed to reporting.

Taylor said he learned a significant amount from Head Coach Tom Ryan and Associate Head Coach Kendrick Wilson.

“Coach Ryan is a great role model to have for this process,” Taylor said. “He is one of the best and has always had his players’ best interest at heart. I just hope I can have the success that he’s had.”

Both Taylor’s former coaches and teammates see him adapting to becoming a coach very easily.

“Woody will do well and convert to a coach seamlessly,” Wilson said. “He was like a coach on the floor as a player. His charisma and personality will allow him to connect with the other coaches and players, and his knowledge of the game will make the coaching part of his job easy. I’m expecting Woody to be a great coach in the future.”

Junior Theo Brunner, who has been teammates with Taylor for the past two seasons, agrees with his coach.

“Woody is a great person,” Brunner said.

“So I think he’ll be real good as a coach because he’s always looking to help others. That’s one thing about Woody, he doesn’t mind helping or reaching out to people. He’s a great photo by Dominick Cuppetilli guy to know, and he really likes to coach.” Woody Taylor speaking at the 2012-2013 Athletics Banquet while Athletic Director Bob Fortosis looks on.

Taylor is excited for the opportunity to

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22 Sports

the current

Sept. 13, 2013

UPCOMING

SPORTS September 13 VOLLEYBALL

1:15 p.m. v. Wilmington University & 7:45 p.m. v. Bentley University

September 14

WOMEN’S SOCCER

7 p.m. v. Florida Memorial University

VOLLEYBALL

7:45 p.m. v. University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

September 16 MEN’S GOLF

All day @ Coastal Georgia Fall Invitational

September 17

MEN’S SOCCER

7 p.m. v. Clearwater Christian College

Sports Briefly SCORE Eckerd National BOARD

Women’s soccer opens strong

Manning on form

The women’s soccer team has started hot. They won their second-straight game to open the season last weekend by picking up a 2-1 victory at home over Johnson and Wales. Junior forward Arie Anahory scored both goals, and leads the team with four goals on the season. The Lady Tritons have now started 2-0 for the second straight year.

Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos came into the first game of the regular season seemingly already in midseason form.

Manning carved the defending champion Baltimore Ravens for 462 yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-27 victory in Denver.

The Broncos appear loaded for the upcoming season and have been picked by many experts as a Super Bowl favorite.

Men’s soccer splits first road trip

Pittsburgh has a winning team

Last week’s trip to Alabama yielded mixed results for the men’s soccer team. The Tritons opened the season with a thrilling overtime win over Lincoln Memorial University.

In the second game, Eckerd was defeated 6-0 by the University of Montevallo. The Tritons now return to the Turley Athletic Complex for a four-game homestand ending against Barry University Sept. 25.

Tritons attend SSC ELITE weekend Eckerd Athletics sent two student athletes and Athletic Trainer Andrew Keane to the Sunshine State Conference ELITE Weekend in Orlando, Fl. The conference is attended by a female and male student athlete from each college in the Sunshine State Conference to discuss leadership in collegiate athletics. Eckerd tennis sophomores Mark Scafidi and Carson Trapp represented the men and women, respectively, at the conference.

The Pirates last winning season came in 1992 before most Eckerd students were alive.

The Pirates are not just on their way to a winning season, Pittsburgh finds itself in the heart of the Central Division title race and in the mix for the NL pennant. Entering the final month, anything can happen in baseball, but the Pirates at least have the guarantee that they will not have a losing season.

NASCAR punishes MWR A late lap crash at Richmond International Raceway where Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) driver Clint Bowyer spun his car drastically altered The Chase for the Sprint Cup. The crash was highly speculative with drivers near the wreck saying that it looked as if Bowyer had spun the car on purpose.

This would have helped Bowyer’s teammate Martin Truex Jr. get into the Chase. NASCAR investigated the crash and removed Truex from the Chase. MWR was also fined $300,000 and their GM was suspended.

MEN’S GOLF

All day @ Coastal Georgia Fall Invitational

VOLLEYBALL

4 p.m. v. Cedarville University @ Saint Leo University

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER

7:30 p.m. v. Rollins College

morial Invitational

September 24

9/5 v. Lincoln Memorial University @ Montevallo, Ala. W 3-2 (OT) 9/7 @ University of Montevallo, Ala. L 6-0

Women’s Soccer

9/7 v. Johnson & Wales University W 2-1

5 p.m. v. Rollins College

MEN’S GOLF

8/31 v. No. 10 Flagler College (exhibition) W 1-0

9/5 v. Georgia Southwestern State University W 6-0

September 21

All day @ Jay Jennison Me-

8/25 v. Webber International University (exhibition) L 1-0

8/23 v. Webber International University (exhibition) L 1-0

September 20

September 23

Men’s Soccer

photo by Spencer Yaffe Junior Cam Raguse shows his Eckerd spirit with body paint before a women’s soccer game.

Winning Shots Send your fan photos to currentsports@eckerd.edu for a chance to be featured in upcoming issues of The Current.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Volleyball 9/6 v. Wayne State University @ Allendale, Mich.

W 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 2522) 9/6 v. No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State University @ Allendale, Mich.

L 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 2125, 18-25)

7 p.m. v. Barry University

MEN’S GOLF

All day @ Jay Jennison Memorial Invitational

9/7 v. No. 16 Truman State University @ Allendale, Mich.

L 3-0 (16-25, 26-28, 2325)

September 25

MEN’S SOCCER

7 p.m. v. Barry University

photo by Spencer Yaffe Fans avoid the rain during the men’s soccer game against Webber International University Sept. 25.

9/7 v. Grand Valley State University @ Allendale, Mich.

W 3-1 (26-24, 23-25, 3028, 28-26)

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the current

Sports 23

Sept. 13, 2013

Eckerd laces up for fall season

By Colin Casey Asst. Sports Editor

Bringing the noise Senior reflects on school spirit

By Mike Geibel Sports Editor Starting my college career at a major Div. I school, it was easy to get a sense of school spirit and athletic pride. The games were often sold out, nationally televised and they were one of the few things that could bring together such a large campus.

I still remember one of my greatest memories of my freshman year being the night Calvin Johnson caught a game-winning touchdown against Clemson with 11 seconds left on the clock. The game was at Clemson, but we were all watching back at Georgia Tech.

When the clock hit zeroes, the campus erupted. We went to the student center and many of us jumped into the fountain in the middle of campus. People I had never met before that night gave me high-fives and cheered with me. Outsiders would say we looked possessed, and maybe we were.

It was team spirit that took over.

Maybe it was because I was a freshman at the time and it was the first big game I’d seen my school win. Maybe it was because the win was such an upset -- Clemson was ranked No. 20 at the time.

Maybe it was because I knew I’d walk into my math class on Monday and see Johnson sitting next to me in the first row against the wall.

Whatever the reason, it will forever be burned into my memory as one of my greatest moments of college sports. Johnson certainly hasn’t slowed down his memorable performances. “Megatron” as he’s now called, was the second pick in the 2007 NFL draft and has been torching NFL defenses for years, even earning himself the cover of the EA Sports video game Madden 13.

Fast forward a few years and I’m now a senior at Eckerd. Some people say that small schools don’t have team spirit. They say small liberal arts colleges don’t have a fan base for sports and that the students just don’t care.

But I don’t believe it. I’ve seen the basketball team take down ranked opponents, I’ve seen the

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volleyball team beat No. 1-ranked Tampa and I’ve seen the soccer teams set records and accomplish feats that had been impossible in the past. I know what it’s like to see the gym packed for big matchups, or Kappa Field lined from end to end with students watching rugby. I know there is school spirit at Eckerd, and being a senior, I plan on maximizing my own experience with it.

This is the last year that I will get to watch college sports as a student. It was pure chance that I ended up in class with Johnson and other athletes at Georgia Tech, but at Eckerd it is almost a certainty. Eckerd is such a small school that it is practically guaranteed you will have an athlete in at least one of your classes. To me, that’s what makes being such a close-knit, small school so great.

At big state schools, they wear the school colors with a logo emblazoned on the chest and it never goes any deeper than a love for the school. At Eckerd, the athletes we cheer for are our friends.

They are our classmates, lab partners and even some of our roommates. While the big schools cheer for the name on the front of the jersey, we take it a step further and also cheer for the name on the back. We have a personal connection with nearly everyone who represents this school in one way or another. But this is the last year I’ll get to say that.

So this year as a senior, I’m taking full advantage. I’m going to every game in every sport that I can make and I’m going to cheer for all of my friends. Eckerd athletes aren’t playing for a professional contract or any awards. They are playing for their teammates and for us, the fans, their friends. We might not have the TV crews, the huge stadiums or budgets of big name state schools, but we are more than the average fan. We are Tritons.

Check the upcoming sports calendar on page 22 for your next chance to cheer on your Eckerd College Tritons.

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It’s only the second week of classes and fall sports are already in high gear.

The tour of fall sports begins on the soccer pitch as both the men’s and women’s soccer teams return to action this year. Starting with the men’s team, Eckerd catapulted itself into the SSC’s championship game last year after winning two penalty shootouts.

Though the Tritons fell to defending champion Rollins College, the men’s team solidified itself on the conference stage as a potential threat. The return of last season’s top scorer Junior Matt Dolan, who knocked home the game-winner in the seasonopening win against Lincoln Memorial last week, will be an offensive threat along with Senior Mark Lee. The Tritons, 1-1 thus far, will host Rollins for a rematch of last year’s title match on Sept. 21.

On the women’s side, the Tritons had their best season in program history last year, and will look to build on that success this year. Until last season, women’s soccer had not logged a winning season since 2001. To put an exclamation point on the season, the team reached the semifinals of the Sunshine SSC tournament.

Returning to the team as a junior is the team’s goalkeeper Morgan Crescent. She was a rock for the squad earning second team All-SSC honors and leading the conference in saves. Crescent is optimistic regarding the upcoming season. “Last year was a huge success, but this year is going to be the proving point for us.”

Junior Arie Anahory is also a player to watch on the offensive side of the pitch. “We have to prove to other teams that last year was just the beginning to our road to success. Last year was just the

beginning to another historical season this year.”

She scored 5 goals and had 9 assists last season.

Heading indoors, the women’s volleyball team will look to head back to the NCAA tournament. Eckerd has seen huge amounts of success from the squad in the last three years, culminating in upsets of nationally ranked teams. This season appears no different as the Lady Tritons are ranked No. 27 nationally and ranked second in the preseason SSC poll.

Leading the squad, who split their first four matches at the Riverfront Hotel Grand Rapids Classic in Michigan last weekend, are Senior Lindsay Biggs and Junior Ali McAlvany. Both were offensive juggernauts last season, holding the top two spots on the team in kills and kills per set.

The Tritons will host the Eckerd College Classic at MacArthur, where they are set to take on Wilmington and Bentley on Friday and University of Puerto Rico-Piedras on Saturday. The big game to watch this year is when No. 2 University of Tampa visits the Tritons on Oct. 5.

The men’s golf team opens up the fall campaign on Monday Sept. 16 at the Coastal Georgia Invitational at Sea Island Resort. Returning Senior Jeff Evanier, runnerup at the SSC Championship in April and named second team All-SSC last season, will play No. 1 in the Tritons lineup. The Tritons, who advanced to the NCAA South Region tournament each of the last two seasons, will try to get over the hump and advance to the national championship as a team for the first time in program history.

The women’s golf team has three freshmen set to join returning Senior Mara Shingleton and Junior Whitney Edwards in the lineup. The Tritons open up the fall season at the Lady Bearcat Invitational in Hilton Head, S.C. on Sept. 28. The Tritons will look to improve on their last-place finish at the SSC Championship last year.

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Thanksgiving Fall Final sNovember 28-29 Spring Semester Begins December 9-12 Spring Break January 28 Spring Final sMarch 22-30

May 12-15

24

Sept. 13, 2013

Sports

the current

courtesy of Trey Fisher Members of “TeaMerica” (From left: Leslie Claridge II, Trey Fisher and Julian Buck) pose with the championship trophy after their win at the first weekend of the HKRFU Thomas Pink Sevens Series.

Rugby alums take Hong Kong by storm

By Mike Geibel Sports Editor Many Eckerd graduates go on to do incredible work in many different fields around the world. Three recent alumni are making waves on the other side of the world in a very different way.

Julian Buck (‘12), Leslie Claridge II (‘12) and Trey Fisher (‘13) were recently selected from a pool of nearly 40 athletes to join the Causeway Bay Rugby Football Club sevens team in Hong Kong. The final roster consisted of only 12 players, making one quarter of the team Eckerd alumni. All three of the men played for the Eckerd men’s rugby team during their college careers.

The Causeway Bay RFC plays in the highest competition level of rugby without being a professional team. The Triton trio was successful at even a high level of play. “We had 12 really good players, and TeaMerica is near the top of that overall,” Buck said.

The short sevens fall season was called the Hong Kong

courtesy of J.A. Buck/Phoebe Leung Julian Buck (‘12) directs the play during a sevens match in Hong Kong.

Rugby Football Union (HKFRU) Thomas Pink Sevens Series. During the series, Causeway Bay won two first place trophies in back-to-back weeks with the Eckerd men on the roster. Over the first two of three weekend tournaments, which included six matches total, the Eckerd men, nicknamed “TeaMerica,” tallied 6 tries. In the first tournament, hosted by the Hong Kong Scottish RFC, Fisher scored two tries while Claridge added one of his own.

The second week was hosted by Causeway Bay RFC, the men’s home club. Buck added two tries while Fisher added another to his impressive stat line.

Notable victories during the series included a win over the Discovery Bay Pirates, who were the winners of the fifteen-a-side season last year.

“They fielded a young, fast squad riddled with Hong Kong under-20 players,” Buck said. “And though they were fit and pretty fast, we had a courtesy of J. A. Buck/Phoebe Leung wealth of experience and players Trey Fisher (‘13) delivers a punishing stiff arm to a defender. who could really make an impact.” common version on Eckerd’s campus. Both Buck and Another big win was over the Hong Kong Scot- Fisher will compete in fifteens while Claridge will return tish, who are one of the area’s top premier league clubs.

It will come as no surprise to some the amount to the U.S. after more than a year of travelling abroad.

“It has been a crazy journey living here. It’s certainly of success the men have found in Hong Kong. been a blast playing over here with the guys,” Buck said.

Evidence of the mark they all left on the Eckerd community is on display in the pub, where a 2012 USA Rugby South Fi- “What’s remarkable to me more than anything is that withnalist trophy and a 2012 Beachside Sevens Invitational cham- out meaning to, we’ve become representatives of what pionship trophy both sit inside the club sports trophy case. Eckerd can really be about. It’s as if we’ve become bigThe two first place finishes gave Causeway Bay RFC ger than just ourselves. It’s a great feeling being part of the outright series championship for the fall. The men ‘TeaMerica’ showing this city not only that we can play will look to transition to fifteen-a-side rugby, the most rugby, but that Americans can be great people as well.”

courtesy of J. A. Buck/Phoebe Leung A series of five photos showing Leslie Claridge II (‘12) breaking through two would-be tacklers to score a try.

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