The Current Vol 3 Issue 12

News: page 7

Viewpoints: pages 10-11

Health & Fitness: page 19

The Quickie: page 17

Entertainment: page 13

A fond farewell to Professor Brooker

Senior editors say goodbye

Tupac hologram performs at Coachella

The mega crossword

by Will Skinner

Evaluating caffeine pills

Professor of Literature retires after more than 30 years at Eckerd.

Six dedicated editors say goodbye, reflect on their experiences.

Exploring ethics in musical performances.

A crossword that will last you through the summer.

Weighing the pros and cons of the caffeine supplement.

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

Vol. 3, Issue XXII—May 4, 2012

New ECOS president to veto senate approved budget

Farewell 2011-12 Good luck, Seniors

By Elizabeth Tomaselli News Editor

courtesy of Eckerd College The class of 2012 at their ceremony of lights, August 2008.

ASPEC brings dragon boat to campus

By Malena Carollo Asst. News Editor

Though the Mississippi riverboats didn’t quite pan out for Eckerd, another type of vessel is making its way onto Eckerd’s aquatic scene.

Andrew Chittick, professor of East Asian studies, settles barefoot in a soft green armchair in his office, pulling his legs up under him as he explains the newest addition to the Eckerd College waterfront: a dragon boat. “[Dragon boating] is fun for two reasons,” Chittick said. “First, it’s a fun sport to engage in. It’s also a great way to promote the East Asian studies program. It leads to all kinds of interesting conversations about Chinese religion, culture and history.”

In researching early Chinese history for a book he is working on, Chittick became interested in dragon boat racing. He began tracking the sport in China, as well as modern dragon boat racing, and thought it would be “great for Eckerd to have our own boat team.”

Traditionally used for military training practice where rowers would attack opposite boats with paddles, the sport has become popular internationally Please Recycle

INDEX: News 2 - 8

since the 1990s, organized by and they, no pun intended, jumped the International Dragon Boat on board enthusiastically.”

The Applied Tech group is no Federation. It has spread to areas as local as Tampa, where the 9th stranger to big projects. Since Annual Tampa Bay International their inception under Dr. Peter Dragon Boat Races were held from Armacost, who brought seniors back to campus for “lifelong April 23 to 28.

“The objective is to go really learning,” the group has taken on several larger projects including a fast,” Chittick plane and said.

With a boat 20 paddlers, identical to a drummer the African to keep time Queen. and someone A f t e r to steer, doing three making the —Kevin Lewis, junior. years of 41-foot canoe off-site go fast is just projects a matter of for charities in the community, the team coordination.

Chittick took his idea of a dragon group was looking for a long-term boat to Ray Kulla, then director of project on site.

“We wanted to do something Academy of Senior Professional at Eckerd College (ASPEC). Kulla interesting and unique for the had been a discussant colleague for college that would be educational Chittick’s Western Heritage class, as well,” Kulla said.

Building a dragon boat to race is giving presentations called “What in the World” about what was uncommon. Usually teams borrow going on at the time each text was boats to practice with, but the five to six boats available in Tampa written. “[Chittick] said gee, I’d like to make logistics inconvenient for build a boat, do you think ASPEC an Eckerd team to practice on a would be willing to help?” Kulla said. weekly basis.

To solve this, ASPEC took on the “I know our Applied Tech guys have been talking about building a boat project to help Chittick, agreeing and donating it to the college as a to provide the labor of Applied legacy, so I called Tom [Handcock] Tech and funding up to $4,000.

“I’d enjoy sailing the seas on a dragon.”

This is significantly less expensive than purchasing a new dragon boat, which can range anywhere from $10,000 to $13,000, not including a head and oars. Funding covers materials, including the marine plywood necessary to build the frame and a computer routing table to cut plywood pieces into precise shapes.

The core group of Applied Tech includes four surgeons, the average education is a doctoral degree.

“We have a saying,” Handcock, one of the leaders of the group, joked, “that we don’t start until we have at least four surgeons.”

Handcock, who joined the group seven years ago, and the four surgeons are five of the dozen members of Applied Tech working on the project.

“They’re all of the age where you did [things] yourself,” he said. “If you had a broken window, you fixed it yourself.”

ASPEC isn’t the only group getting their hands dirty. A few of Chittick’s students are also involved at various levels.

“Sometimes after class on Fridays we go out and chill and talk dragon boats and help out a little bit,” Kevin Lewis, junior, said. “When it’s all set and built, I’d enjoy sailing the seas on a dragon.”

See DRAGON BOAT, page 5

Viewpoints 9 - 12 Entertainment 13 - 16 The Quickie 17 - 18 Health & Fitness 19 - 20 Sports 21- 24

In her first day, ECOS President Rhemy Brezin said she would veto the senate approved club budget passed at the April 30 senate meeting.

Brezin confirmed there were “valid violations of the ECOS Constitution.” In addition to her veto, she will recommend “that the Financial Affairs Committee meet to vote and approve the revised budget, post it for a minimum of 48 hours, and then bring it before the ECOS Student Senate for approval at the meeting this Monday [May 7].”

Club budgets for the 20122013 school year, according to ECOS constitution, were unconstitutionally allocated and approved by various branches of the student government. The budgets for 17 clubs were cut by a total of $16,900 from the original allocation list posted outside the ECOS office and the Pub on April 27. At the recent senate meeting, April 30, senate voted and approved the new budget proposal that was never posted. To compare the two different budget proposals, see page 8.

The old budget, posted April 27, was unprecedented in that neither Fred Sabota, asstistant dean of students for campus activities, nor Lova Patterson, associate director of campus activities, had seen it.

“This was the first year that I’ve ever walked in and there was a budget just posted without having someone sit down with me or Fred,” says Patterson.

Upon seeing the already posted budget, Sabota and Patterson noticed there were major clubs not represented—including clubs that had not re-chartered as well as clubs that failed to show up for allocation.

“Normally we have that opportunity to sit down and go over [the budget], at least with the finance director,” said Patterson.

Sabota and Patterson spoke with outgoing Vice President of Financial Affairs Dan Aldridge shortly after the budget was posted April 27. “We wanted to point it out and say ‘what could you guys do to fix this, do you want to fix this,’ because it’s not going to go away… they [clubs] are either going to come back now, or they’re going to come back in the fall,” said Sabota.

Patterson reiterated, stating, “All we said was that you have to go back and revisit this.” On their advice, Aldridge reexamined the See Allocation, page 8

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

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the current

May 4, 2012

Briefing Global

National

Irish priest wrongly accused

White House Correspondents dinner brings the laughs

In Northern Ireland, a priest at the center of a gay porn controversy is leaving his parish. Father Martin McVeigh was giving a PowerPoint presentation at a grade school in Pomeroy, County Tyrone and accidently showed images of naked men to parents of children taking their First Holy Communion classes. The parents asked for the church to retaliate. Upon reporting the incident to the police, they realized there was no actual crime committed. Father McVeigh has admitted to destroying the memory stick and apologizes for not checking his presentation and any harm he has caused. The cardinal will allow the father to leave for a sabbatical with the condition that he would return to the diocese when he is ready.

The 98th Annual White House Correspondents Dinner recently took place at the Washington Hilton. President Obama did his fair share of poking fun at Republicans and Mitt Romney, as well as recent scandals that his administration has come under fire for. He referenced Hilary Clinton drunk texting him at the Summit of the Americas, intimated that he cut his material short for the night to cater to the secret service’s new curfew and Joe Biden’s occasionally unfortunate way with words. The night also had a serious side as the president honored fallen journalists and those who deserved awards for outstanding achievement. The event raised $132,000 in scholarships to journalism students. Jimmy Kimmel also presented through out the evening leaving no person or party unscathed.

CNN

Los Angeles Times

9/11 memorial unveiled The New York Times

Monitors sent as Syrian violence continues Reuters

More monitors have been sent to Syria to oversee the U.N. brokered truce in Syria. Robert Mood, a Norwegian general, arrived recently in Damascus on Sunday and the increase of monitors for the mission has helped to ease the violence in Homs, the main city of the 13 – month uprising. The U.N. report states that president Bashar al-Assad’s army has killed 9,000 people. Activists report that there has been a substantial drop in violence since the mission was deployed last week, but the violations of the ceasefire continue throughout the country.

This week, the defining steel column will be added to the construction of 1 World Trade Center making it the new tallest building in the city.

The 100th floor will be 1,271 feet, which will bring it 21 feet higher than the Empire State Building.

The finished product of 1 World Trade Center will be 1,776 feet. The developers boast floor to ceiling views in every direction. This new construction is extremely important for New York City and the United States. It serves as a marker for the memorial and fills out the skyline that had a painful void post 9/11. courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Statewide

Campus

St. Pete police sergeant under investigation Tampa Bay Times

promotional photo

A sergeant on the St Petersburg Police force is under investigation after he shot and severely wounded a robbery suspect. The incident took place early on the morning of Sunday, April 29. The police got a call at 2 a.m. from a man who said he was robbed of his bicycle. They intercepted Anthony J. Stahley, 27, of St. Petersburg on 1040 18th Ave. N. That is when he threatened Sgt. Karl D. Lounge with a large ax.

SAAC and Her Campus Eckerd co-sponsor Mr. Triton The annual Mr. Triton Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser will be held at the GO Pavilion on Friday, May 4 at 5 p.m. A dozen men will be competing in the areas of formal wear, swimwear, onstage question and talent. The triton with the most money donated in his name by the end of the night will be Mr. Triton 2012. Presented by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and Her Campus Eckerd, there will be free food for all students who attend and $1 beers to support the cause.

Kappa Karnival to be held this weekend USF offers entrepreneurship major Tampa Bay Times

USF St. Petersburg is the second state university of offer a major in entrepreneurship. Five members of the school’s Entrepreneurship Club won first prize at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’’ Organization. They created an online simulation of a computer business that scored them $1,000, mentoring from some of the country’s top entrepreneurs and an amazing network experience when they go to the weekend long award ceremony in Chicago in November to pick up their prize. Nathan Schwagler is USF’s creative-in-residence and visiting instructor in entrepreneurship. He believes that the world has evolved into a different place, which means that students need to evolve their talents to be employable. “No company is going to be around 50 years to take care of them.”

courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Kappa Field will be buzzing on Friday, May 5, starting at 5 p.m. Kappa Karnival is back and bigger than ever. With $25,000 being spent on rides alone. Campus Activities and the Kappa Krew are going all out. Be sure to catch all of the great attractions including local and campus artists, karnival food and the rides.

EC-SAR helps in search for owner of paddleboat The U.S. Coast Guard asked EC’s Search and Rescue (EC-SAR) to assist in a search April 29 for a missing paddleboarder, according to Emily Reichert, a staff instructor for EC-SAR. According to Bay News 9, “an unmanned paddleboard” was found the night before near Manatee River’s north entrance. A wallet, car keys and cell phone found with the board identified the missing person as Jeffrey Comer, 50, of Tampa. Tampa Police Department did not find Comer at his house after conducting a “welfare check.” His car was found at Ft. Desoto Park.

Reichert said EC-SAR dispatched two boats after the 4 p.m. call for help. Two hours later, EC-SAR switched out crew members and added a third boat.

EC-SAR is one of several agencies assisting in the search. The Coast Guard has dispatched helicopters and boats, and is working with Pinellas County Sheriff helicopters, 911 Dispatch and Ft. Desoto and Egmont Key park rangers.

The search, Reichert said, will continue until the Coast Guard feels the search has been exhausted.

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the current

May 4, 2012

News 3

Cnews Introduction to the new ECOS exec council

By Elizabeth Tomaselli News Editor She’s only been on the job for three days, but new ECOS President Rhemy Brezin’s got a solid plan moving into next year. As president, Brezin will be responsible for managing a new executive council including Executive Vice President Eliza van Dissel, Vice President of Academic Affairs Erin Stringer and Vice President of Financial Affairs Brady O’Donnell.

With three females and only one male, next year’s ECOS executive council will be a sharp change from the all-male council this past year. Brezin has already organized meetings with the new council, though they only took office on May 1, to get to know each other and begin organizing for next year.

And it worked. It seems in a matter of weeks they’ve established an impressive combination of playful and respectful camaraderie that takes some teams years to achieve.

Luckily, she’s confident they’re already off to a good start. “We are all coming up with our own goals for exec as a whole and then for each of our individual positions and personal goals,” she says, “I feel like all of us moving toward set goals that we want to accomplish is going to keep things moving forward and operating smoothly.”

Since the election back in March, Brezin indicates it’s been full speed ahead; in between get-

ting to know each other, exchanging telephone numbers and even discussing the new Justin Bieber song, they made time to meet with their current position holders to talk about the transition process and create their individual budget proposals.

With her budget, Executive Vice President Eliza van Dissel hopes to start introducing Rerev gym technology to the fitness center. The cardio equipment from a locally owned St. Pete company

Brady O’Donnell, vice president of financial affairs, also has big ideas for ECOS including more environmental awareness and initiatives and creating a closer relationship between residence life and ECOS. For his own position, O’Donnell plans “to turn the reimbursement process from a paper process to an online process.”

As vice president of academic affairs, Erin Stringer hopes to strengthen ties within the Eckerd community by focusing on more

photo by Alez Zielinksi (L-R) VPFA Brady O’Donnell, VPAA Erin Stringer, President Rhemzy Brezin, EVP Eliza van Dissel

uses an adapter to convert kinetic energy into electricity to power the fitness center.

Overall, van Dissel’s driving goal is “to rally senate and rally the students and let them be aware of what we can really do.” She adds, “It would be awesome if everyone really knew what was out there.”

co-sponsored CPS events with students, faculty and ASPEC. Organizing pitchers with professors also falls under her responsibility, and Stringer hopes to make them themed next year and include activities to create “a more interactive environment between students and professors.” She also

hopes to add more non-alcoholic options to the menu.

As for Brezin, for right now, she has three main goals she’s working toward: a food committee, fostering community at Eckerd and the ECOS website.

Brezin recently drew up a constitutional amendment and drafted the bylaws for what she’s calling the culinary relations committee.

Pending senate approval, it will be a joint committee with administration and students. One of their first projects will be working on getting student input and feedback for a 24-hour food vending machine.

To focus on what she deems “the community aspect of Eckerd,” Brezin will continue with ECOS initiatives such as the Small Changes, Significant Impact campaign and work on bringing seating to the areas outside the GO pavilion and around Kappa field as well as installing more mural space

by Kappa and Nu. Brezin understands that to enhance community, there must be cooperation. “I want to focus on being a collaborator with Palmetto or other clubs on campus with events they want to throw, “she says. “That will enhance our community.”

Finally, she wants to complete the new ECOS website. “I want it up and running so we can get all the minutes and scheduled meetings up,” said Brezin.

Women’s Resource Center becomes Female Empowerment Society

By Rachel Beck Staff writer The Women’s Resource Center club has recently changed its name to the Women’s Empowerment Society. Members of the student club decided to change the name for many reasons. “The name ‘Women’s Resource Center’ did not really say anything about our mission statement or what we do,” says Senior Rebecca Cassidy, co-chair of the club.

“There have also been several discussions about how the name ‘Women’s Resource Center’ is not attractive to most male students either,” she explains.

In addition, there has been some confusion with the difference between the Women’s Resource Center club (now the Women’s Empowerment Society), the Women’s Resource Center building, and the faculty and staff committee known as the Women’s Resource Committee.

Cassidy clears up the confusion between the three, which are similar in name but distinctive in purpose.

First, the Woman’s Empowerment Society is a club funded by ECOS that addresses topics such as sexual assault, feminism and women’s rights. One of their largest events is called Take Back the Night, which this year consisted of two weeks of activities ranging from CPS speakers to Breasts and Bagels, an event that promotes healthy body awareness.

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“The student club meets every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Women’s Resource Center office behind Fox Hall. We are also a fun bunch of awesome people if anyone wants to check us out,” says Cassidy.

The Women’s Resource Center office is a building in Fox Hall that is used for a variety of purposes.

Many clubs hold meetings there, including the Women’s Empowerment Society.

Some have suggested that the Women’s Resource Center office should change its name in order to honor the women’s rights activist and former Eckerd Professor Margaret “Peg” Rigg, who passed away recently. The building would then be called “The Margaret Rigg Women’s Resource Center.”

There have been no solid plans to change the name so far, however.

Finally, the Women’s Resource Committee, established in 1965, promotes gender equality on campus and is comprised of two faculty members, one student, one administrator and one staff member. Professor Mary Meyer-McAleese is the current chair of the committee.

All are welcome to the meetings of the committee, which covers a variety of topics. “The committee’s purpose is to identify women’s issues on campus and beyond and raise awareness about these issues,” says Cassidy.

Both the committee and the Woman’s Empowerment Society work to promote gender equality at Eckerd. To get involved, contact Rebecca Cassidy.

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You asked for it, you got it:

successes of Small Changes, Significant Impact

By Elizabeth Tomaselli News Editor In its freshman year, the new ECOS campaign has proven to be an overwhelming success for both ECOS and the student body, using student feedback to create changes on campus.

The brainchild of outgoing ECOS President Stephen Barber and Director of ECOS Public Relations Erik Brydges, the Small Changes, Significant Impact campaign uses ECOS money—namely the president’s—and sometimes funding from other executive council members, senate and student affairs, to make changes on campus requested by students.

Ironically, the idea came to them while up late writing the ECOS column for The Current, thinking of ways they could reconnect ECOS and the student body. “Stephen and I were both very passionate about getting the regular student back involved with ECOS,” says Brydges.

“It really came from that homegrown idea of how can we motivate people?” Barber adds, “How can we get them excited and make these changes come from their ideas, make it their initiative?”

To gather student feedback, ECOS relied on social media to help start a conversation on campus. The campaign’s Facebook page, with 115 ‘likes,’ acts

as a discussion board for students to post ideas for small changes they would like to see. Some of those suggested, and actually implemented by the campaign, included new pool cues, new sand volleyball nets, a new ice machine in omega, new TV’s in the caf, recycling bins in the Nu parking lot and hammocks on South Beach.

However, both Barber and Brydges agree that the campaign wouldn’t have been as successful as it was without the help of the public relations graphic design team, Sophomore Vincent Lynch and Freshman Barbara del Castello. Both were responsible for designing the posters all over campus and on the Facebook page.

The successful campaign has been a win-win situation: students getting the changes they want, and ECOS creating a stronger bond with the student body.

“Finally, people are seeing student government as useful and accessible,” says Brydges.

As for next year, Barber says, “It’d be good to see it continue because it’s been so successful. I’d really like to see it stay under the president’s responsibility.”

New ECOS President Rhemy Brezin has already said she plans to continue the campaign next year and Barber hopes that it will eventually evolve from small changes to a community change.

“Hopefully, with each year, it can transition from a small, physical change into a conceptual, organizational change.”

INSIDE NEWS Mocha Vida Cafe

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Dragon boat photo spread

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Summer storms

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Prof. Brooker to retire Budget Allocations

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From new ECOS president, Rhemy Brezin

By Rhemy Brezin ECOS President First, I would like to thank all of the students who voted in the 2012 ECOS Executive Council Election.

Your votes truly do matter and you can create change on our campus through who you elect and the ideas that you bring forward to those candidates.

As a new executive council, we really want to work on the communication between students and ECOS, because all students belong to ECOS. We are here to work for you.

Second, I would like to take this chance to thank all of the candidates who participated in the 2012 ECOS executive council elections in March.

It is always hard to put yourself out there in that type of public forum to pursue your ideas to improve our campus and I want to congratulate you on your courage. I hope that all of you will continue to be active within ECOS next year so that we can put your ideas into action.

Third, I would like to thank the current ECOS executive council. This year they have provided Eckerd with many intellectual events, Resisting Climate Reality with Bill McKibben, as well as fun events, Valentine’s Day dinner in the Caf and assorted campus improvement projects, Cigarette Butt containers, the residential ice machine and the trash and recycling bins in the Omega parking lot. I wish them all the best of luck after graduation.

Fourth, I would like to personally thank Stephen Barber. He has been an active member of ECOS since his freshman year at Eckerd and has been a valuable asset to anyone with an ECOS related question.

He has been an excellent example of an efficient ECOS president and I look forward to continuing to bring that excellence to this position.

Stephen has worked hard to support clubs that have come to him, not only through monetary means, but also with physical support by being present at athletic and club events.

His initiation of the Small Changes, Significant Impact Campaign has positively impacted campus with the addition of new volleyball nets, South Beach seating, pool cues and balls in the traditional complex lounges, flat screen TV’s in the Caf, and much, much more. You have done an amazing job this year, Stephen, and I thank you for your inspiring mentorship. Good luck in the Big Apple!

Finally, I want to wish all of our graduating seniors good luck out there in the real world and I hope that all of the returning students have a safe and fun summer. But remember, just because it is summer doesn’t mean that ECOS isn’t here working for you.

If you need anything just shoot me an email at ecospres@eckerd.edu.

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the current

May 4, 2012

EC alum returns from Costa Rica, opens cafe

By Sarah Malhotra Staff Writer As soon as you enter, palm tree landscapes and vibrant colors deluge your senses. Eclectic artwork featuring red-eyed tree frog portraits, metal sculptures of tropical fish, and painted sand dollars compliment the multitude of chairs, tables, and couches in various styles and patterns.

Seventeen Frisbees adorn the wall, souvenirs of past ultimate matches. Wooden wind chimes and multicolored butterflies contribute to the island paradise experience.

Exotic flavors of iced organic teas, including Blackberry Sage and Moroccan Mint, grace the menu, along with the more traditional

coffee favorites of cappuccino and Americano. This is Mocha Vida Café.

Jeff Sprinkmann, an EC alum from the class of ’98, opened the café a year ago.

“In Costa Rica I fell in love with the concept of how coffee shops are a place for people to get together.

The community grows from a coffee shop. You have discourse, you’re talking, you’re outside of the box,” said Sprinkmann. “The coffee, the smells, it just brings back wonderful memories. I just wanted to capture that and bring it here.”

Sprinkmann came to Eckerd from a small town in Wisconsin on academic and tennis scholarships, to pursue the new environmental studies program.

photo by Angela Tomassini Jeff Sprinkmann serves a customer at Mocha Vida Cafe.

After graduation, he worked with the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission as a scientist investigating environmental complaints. He later worked with the police department as an environmental investigator before spending five years at MacDill Air Force Base working in civil engineering and environmental flight.

In 2005, Sprinkmann joined a friend and went on an adventure of a lifetime to Costa Rica for the volcanoes, surfing, diving and Frisbee.

“My favorite place on the planet is underneath an active volcano shrouded in a rain forest with 200foot waterfalls and hot springs,” Sprinkmann said, describing the location of a Frisbee tournament.

“I fell in love with the Costa Rican rainforest.”

His love of Costa Rica and the unique coffee experience provided by the country prompted him to open his own café.

In Sprinkmann’s words, Mocha Vida Café is “local, eco-renaissance, and vibrant.” His goal is to create the perfect rainforest surf café where people can get together and appreciate local talent and work toward creating environmental and political change.

The third Thursday of every month brings Mocha Vida Manifesto, a chance for local artists to perform spoken word and poetry. Other distinctive nighttime attractions include open mic night on Tuesdays, cinema

night on Wednesdays and reggae and jazz band performances on Fridays. All poets, musicians, and artists featured are local.

Sprinkmann even employs current EC student Katherine Schaefer, who he claims has been instrumental in helping him keep his business alive.

Mocha Vida Café is a local business, which means it’s extremely difficult to survive past the first year. The café had help from organizations such as Keep St. Pete Local and St. Pete Small photo by Angela Tomassini Business Center.

S p r i n k m a n n Jeff Sprinkmann, Eckerd alum, shows off his cafe. describes the effort of coffee shops. Even the title of the keeping the café open this long as café indicates how it is the only one the hardest personal challenge he’s of its kind. ever had and compared his café to “Mocha Vida” means “chocolate a young tree struggling to survive. life,” which to Sprinkmann captures “I like to think we’re young trees the spirit of living life to the fullest trying to get through the canopy. and seizing the day. His philosophy You’ve got to buy time, sunlight and is that happiness is in the simple water to get to that place where you things. can flourish.”

This is evident when he recalls Recently, Sprinkmann had to introduce wine and beer into the his favorite memories from EC: playing guitar on the shoreline, menu to increase the café’s profits.

“People don’t come to a café to climbing the chapel and biking to have four coffees. But they do come the beach.

EC students are welcome to to have four beers and hang out and perform and show off their talent listen to music.”

The intimate atmosphere at Mocha Vida Café, located at provides a different feeling from 10468 Roosevelt Blvd. N. Gateway the regular, characterless, chain Crossings Plaza.

Sustaining St. Petersburg

By Devon Williams Director of PR/Advertising Sustainability isn’t a trend; it is a lifestyle change. Eckerd College is making the change by hiring the first ever Sustainability Fellow, creating clubs on campus like Students Against Plastic, Campus Sustainability Congress and supporting the Edible Peace Patch Garden.

Beyond the Eckerd bubble, the community of St. Petersburg has a lot to offer for students who are interested in exploring sustainability and having a positive impact on the environment.

Saturday Morning Market, MISRED Outfitters and Vita de Café are just three of the many business downtown as well as on the beach that run sustainably.

This assortment includes a market to shop for products and produce, a place to shop for clothes and a restaurant illustrating how sustainability can be done from each angle.

Already a hot spot for Eckerd students, Saturday Morning Market is a great place to shop locally and sustainably. By supporting local businesses and bringing reusable shopping bags, students can cut out a lot of the unnecessary and unsustainable practices used by big, corporate grocery stores.

It is important to make sure you ask each vendor where they get the materials for their products, produce, etc. because not each station is local or organic. By

talking to the vendors, you’re not only researching what kind of organization you’re supporting but you’re also gaining a better understanding of where your food is coming from.

MISRED Outfitters, located on 615 Central Ave., is a self-described buy, sell, trade shop for cutting edge and vintage clothes. One of the ways Miss Red is a sustainable organization is due to the way they recycle and resell clothes.

Eckerd senior and MISRED employee, Lila Lupetin, says that in addition to being a great place to work, the sustainable aspect of the recreating and designing of the clothes is a great way to feel good about your wardrobe.

Located on St. Pete Beach, Vita de Café is a vegetarian, vegan and raw restaurant. With an “environmentally friendly” label, Vita de Café uses mostly organic produce and recycles everything.

All of their paper and cleaning products are biodegradable Kristy Williamson, the owner and manager, commented, “We make everything ourselves so we don’t buy any packaged products.”

She went on to say that by being a vegan and raw restaurant they don’t use any meat, which in itself is a sustainable practice.

In addition to shopping at these local establishments, there are also simple ways to start living a more sustainable life. The point is to ditch excess plastic and preserve resources. Stop buying bottled See Sustainable, page 7

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the current

May 4, 2012

News 5

Dragon boat sails to EC 1

AAS from front cover Construction began in January.

The group works on the boat every Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. behind Wallace Boathouse, where the boat is stored and beginning their mornings with donuts and coffee.

They’ve made quick work of things. The frame has already come together in a few short months, and the past few Friday sessions have been dedicated to spreading Epoxy.

“It’s making faster progress than I thought,” Chittick said. “We’re actually at a place to put it in the water by the beginning of next spring term.”

What’s left is finishing the Epoxy, applying fiberglass tape and decorating the boat, including

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installing the dragon’s head at the front.

Chittick hopes to collaborate with Kirk Wang and Art Skinner, professors of visual arts, to find art students to decorate the boat with “coiling dragons, demon faces [and] scales,” Chittick said. Ideally, Chittick says, the student would take an independent study and get credit for taking on the major project.

For the head, the group isn’t sure if they will create their own or purchase one through a connection of Handcock’s in Tampa. Traditionally, it is taken to a temple to be blessed, bringing the boat alive, but in the absence of a temple, Chittick hopes to bring the boat alive another way: a fire jet in the dragon’s head.

“If we can do that in a way that won’t set the whole boat on fire, that’d be fun,” Chittick said.

Though the boat is well on its way to completion, Chittick stresses the need for a team of willing students, including a drummer, someone to steer and a coach. Students interested in becoming involved in any aspect of the process (from decorating to drumming) should contact Chittick directly at chittiab@eckerd.edu.

The group’s hope is that an Eckerd team will be able to participate in the 10th annual race in Tampa, with the big reveal at a launch party during the Chinese New Year.

“We’re hoping EC students will get into dragon boating,” Handcock said. “We’re in an excellent position to win races. This could be big for the college.”

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Professor Andrew Chittick speaks with students.

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Chittick attaching the mold forms.

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Applied Tech members laying the keel.

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Applied Tech member attaching the gunwales.

Applied Tech members attaching the gunwales.

photos by Bill Stickley

6 News

the current

May 4, 2012

Editor-in-Chief Ashley Daniels thecurrent@eckerd.edu Managing Editor Max Martinez

News Editor Elizabeth Tomaselli currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editors Malena Carollo Josh Keeler Viewpoints Editor Jeralyn Darling currentviews@eckerd.edu Asst. Viewpoints Editor Carver Elliot Lee

Entertainment Editor Shelby Howell currententertainment@eckerd.edu Asst. Entertainment Editor Cait Duffy Ian Lindsay The Quickie Editors Hayden Johnson Ely Grinfeld Health & Fitness Editor Jaclyn New Asst. Health & Fitness Editor Kelly Coston Mike Geibel Sports Editor Lincoln Andres-Beck currentsports@eckerd.edu Asst. Sports Editors Will Creager Greg Reiley Photo Editor Alex Zielinski

Severe summer weather on the horizon: know your storms

By Cait Duffy Asst. Entertainment Editor

The summer of 2012 is just around the corner, and with the intense Florida heat comes intense storms and hurricane season.

The Weather Channel released its hurricane forecast April 24, showing some favorable conditions for floridians. While only a preseason forecast, the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30, a lower-thanaverage number of named storms are expected to form.

This season is expected to yield “11 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale).” While only slightly below the long-term average, the forecast shows a large decrease from the current active era, which is measured as the time between 1995 and now. The current active era average is 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes.

Hurricanes are measured and categorized by their wind strength and intensity at that point in time. Storms are named when they have a cyclone-like formation with sustained winds between 34 and 74 mph. These storms are referred to as Tropical Storms, and offer the same risks as an intensive lightning storm, such as torrential rains, frequent lightning strikes, flash floods, hail and destructive winds.

When winds are between 74 and 95 mph, it becomes a Category 1 Hurricane, signaling that there will be some damage caused by the storm.

Winds between 96 and 110 mph classify as Category 2, offering the threat of extensive damage to mobile homes, roofs and windows.

A Category 3 guarantees some devastating damage with high risk of injury or death to people and livestock with winds between 111 and 129 mph.

Category 4 and Category 5 both guarantee catastrophic damage, with winds for a Category 4 hurricane landing between 130 and 156 mph, high storm surges flooding coastal areas, complete destruction of homes and businesses and power outages likely to last for weeks, if not months. If a Category 4 or 5 is headed your direction, it is most advisable to leave the area and seek refuge away from the storms predicted path.

More commonly experienced than hurricanes are severe summer thunderstorms.

While not as threatening as their named cousins, flash-thunderstorms cane be just as dangerous.

Depending on the severity of the storm, photo by Daniel Paul Matthews III heavy rainfall will typically last between Lightning strikes outside Omega dorm.

30 minutes and an hour, though it can last longer. In sever storms, these rains can be becomes even more limited, it is advisable to pull accompanied by gusts of wind that reach speeds over and wait for the storm to pass. of 58 mph or higher, as well as multiple lightning Most importantly, remember what the strikes within and surrounding the rain-soaked Weather Channel describes as the “30-30 rule.” area.

If you are outdoors and see lightning, you should If conditions become dangerous while on go indoors “if you cannot count to 30 before the road, you should slow your speed, turn on hearing thunder.” After you last hear thunder, your headlights and your emergency flashers to wait another 30 minutes before returning alert other drivers of where you are. If visibility outdoors.

Web Editor Johnny Jones Asst. Web Editors Mike Geibel Seth Ravid Web Master Shawn Craine Graphic Designers Carver Elliot Lee Max Martinez Alex Zielinski

Faculty Adviser Tracy Crow Director of Finances Beth Robinson Director of PR/Advertising Devon Williams currentads@eckerd.edu Asst. Director of PR/Advertising Arielle Burger Columnists Sean Lawlor Ethan Packey Evan Bollier

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 welomes 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 goverment 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.

Police Blotter Ian Lindsay, 19, was arrested April 20 and charged with one felony possession of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, one felony possession of Phenethylamines, one felony manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and one felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance. He was also charged with a misdmeanor possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21, according to the VINE report. Lindsay was released on his own recognizance.

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the current

May 4, 2012

Registered offenders living in St. Petersburg

By Kelly Coston Asst. H&F Editor Sex offenders are closer than you think. The Florida Offender Alert System allows anyone to pull up a map sprinkled with dots that represent sex offenders, predators and multiple offenders in their area.

The difference between an offender and a predator, according to Florida Statutes, is that a predator designation requires that a person be convicted of a first-degree felony sex crime, or two second-degree felony sex crimes. In addition, the court must issue a written order finding for predator status. Predators should be feared more than offenders because they have been convicted of a capital, life or firstdegree felony and also threaten greater danger than offenders.

Though there are less scattered directly around Eckerd’s campus, the city of St. Pete is saturated with dots. There are 333 registered sex offenders whose permanent address is located within a five-mile radius of campus. Most are one time sex

offenders, but there are about 25 predators and six multiple offenders listed on the map.

The Palace Mobile Home Park, also known as a “sex offender’s paradise,” located on 54th Ave. N, just off of I-275 is a place many offenders call home.

A report by Rich Phillips of CNN found that 95 of the 200 residents of Palace were convicted sex offenders. “The adults-only, nondescript, low-income trailer park in St. Petersburg, Fla., has gained a reputation among photo found on google maps sex offenders on probation as a Map of the St. Pete area where blue dots represent offenders, purple multiple offenders good place to live and stay out and red predators; white dot is Eckerd College of trouble,” Phillips wrote in his fice. If a victim of the offense was pose a high risk of re-offending afarticle.

Freshman Kelsey Taber was sur- less than 16 years-old, the offender ter release from custody. Protecting prised by the amount of offenders cannot reside within 1,000 feet of the public from sex offenders is a in the area. “I had no idea there any school, day care center, park primary governmental interest as were so many,” Taber said. “I will or playground according to Florida well, and the privacy interests of definitely be more cautious when Statute 794.065. A map of these of- persons convicted of sex offenses fenders can be easily accessed by are less important than the governI’m downtown after learning that.” typing in your city or zip code. ment’s interest in public safety.

Florida law requires all sexual The Jacob Wetterling Act, the Steer clear of danger and search offenders and sexual predators law requiring states to register sex the Florida Department of Law Ento register their address with the offenders registered of sex crimes forcement website at offender.fdle.

Florida Department of Law Enagainst children, states that it is state.fl.us for registered predators forcement or the local sheriff ’s ofnecessary because sex offenders or offenders near you.

Prof. emeritus of literature retires after 30 years at Eckerd

By Jeralyn Darling Viewpoints Editor Dr. Jewel Spears Brooker will retire at the end of the semester after more than 30 years at Eckerd College. Professor Brooker currently serves as Professor Emerita of Literature and is teaching three final literature classes this semester: British Short Story, Literature and Art of the Great War and T.S. Eliot’s Poetry and Prose.

Professor Brooker has held visiting professorships or appointments at Cambridge, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Columbia, Harvard, Colorado School of Mines, Yale and Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, as well as the T. S. Eliot International Summer School in London.

She is an Honorary Member of the T.S. Eliot Societies of the United States and South Korea, earned the Distinguished Humanities Graduate Award in 2010 from University of South Florida where she earned her doctorate in English in 1976. She also earned the Lloyd Chapin Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 2003, the Distinguished Service Award from the T. S. Eliot Society in 2002, and the

Sears-Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award in 1990 among dozens of other awards, fellowships and grants.

She is currently the Chair of the International Association of University Professors of English, Executive Committee and has been a member, chair or president of many other committees, councils and associations including her Richard Wilbur Society presidency from 1996-2004 and her T. S. Eliot Society presidency from 1985-88.

During her time at Eckerd, beginning in 1981, Professor Brooker has served on many committees on campus, including the Academic Standards Committee, Educational Policy and Programs, Faculty Searches, Institutional Self-Study and General Education Curriculum Revision. She also served for four years as Chair of the Faculty Liaison Committee for the Eckerd Academy of Senior Professionals.

She has written more than 100 essays and reviews, which have been published in books, scholarly journals, and read at lectures and conferences.

Professor Brooker has traveled to Switzerland, Japan, the Republic

of Malta, Canada, Germany, Greece and Italy among other countries to spread her research of T.S. Eliot.

“More than just an intellectual and professional beacon, Dr. Brooker courtesy of Eckerd College has also been my Dr. Jewel Spears Brooker. mentor and friend. ner.

She has supported me tirelessly— Among all of her many accolades, academically and otherwise,” said Brooker has touched hundreds of Sarah Partin (’12), Professor Brookstudents and scholars around the er’s Ford Scholar. “I feel blessed world. Eckerd College was blessed to have forged the type of close to have her as a professor, leader relationship with Dr. Brooker that and mentor. most students only dream of. Truly, As for her future endeavors, it has been my relationship with Brooker has been invited on several Dr. Brooker that has made and will lecture tours around the world folcontinue to make a significant imlowing her departure from Eckerd pact on my academic career. I am and has been offered several scholar more grateful to her than words in residence positions. She has nine can express, as are, I am sure, many published or soon to be published of her other students. It is cerbooks, which she has authored and/ tainly sad to see her leave Eckerd or edited. (although I am eager to study her Her most recent task is editing future scholarship), because I know several volumes of Eliot’s prose, that there are generations of stuthe first of which was unveiled this dents that could benefit, as I have, year. She will also be writing anothfrom her unparalleled guidance and er book on Eliot and writing a book wisdom.” Partin will be speaking at on Katherine Ann Porter.

Professor Brooker’s retirement din-

Sustainable options for every Eckerd student Sustainable from page 4

water. Living the full Eckerd lifestyle means that the average student is involved in multiple outdoor activities.

Eckerdians understand the importance of staying hydrated.

Skip the multi-pack of waters at Wal-Mart and invest in a reusable plastic or aluminum water bottle.

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Often times, students don’t have to buy one because between Palmetto Productions, Campus Activities and ECOS, they are given away at multiple events.

Students can also bring their own reusable cup to the pub and caf. It can be tempting to grab a plastic to go cup at the pub or caf when the new class schedule allots a limited amount of time for lunch. Don’t

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

do it.

When preparing for the day, throw a reusable cup from your dorm in your backpack and use it throughout the day. If you don’t have one, free reusable cups are given away in the ECOS office to support the “put it in a cup” campaign.

The idea of recycling and reusing is very important when transitioning

to a more sustainable way of living.

Instead of contributing to problem of excess plastic that can’t break down, bringing a personal reusable shopping bag is an easy way for a college student to make a positive impact.

With all of these resources in St. Pete, there are plenty of opportunities for students to explore a more sustainable lifestyle.

News 7

Women’s Resource faculty committee

By Devon Williams Director of PR/Advertising Hearing the feminist buzz on campus? It is not a recent development. Long before the Women’s Resource Center even existed, a group of female faculty got together and decided that the “where are the women” question should finally be answered at Eckerd.

In the 1970s, Professor Margaret Rigg created the Women’s Resources Committee. Considered an unofficial committee in the eyes of the administration until about 15 years ago, the group has made large strides to earn their place in the Eckerd community.

Professor Myer McAleese, the chair of the committee, expressed that their goal is “to promote the status of women in all forms that we can.”

This past fall, Women’s Resources Committee spent a lot of time working on the best practices for the Community Review Boards on sexual harassment and assault hearings. By working with Student Affairs, they were able to obtain online tutorials to ensure that Eckerd is up to the best practices nation wide on these kinds of cases.

McAleese noted that those are the initiatives that don’t always make the headlines but are of core importance to what the committee is all about.

The committee is made up of two faculty members who serve as either co-chairs or chair and vice-chair, one staff person, one administrator and one student. They meet once a month and their meetings are open to anyone who is interested in the representation “of all persons in the college community concerned with women’s interests and groups,” as stated in their by-laws.

When talking about the structure of the committee, McAleese commented, “I don’t think there are any other committees on campus quite like it that work so closely with students.”

The student-run Women’s Resource Center is actually a spin off from the faculty committee.

Students were very heavily involved and wanted a way to throw more events in the theme of Take Back The Night. That is when they chartered as an official ECOS club so they could obtain a budget and create a stronger presence on campus. Rebecca Cassidy. Current president, serves as the liaison for the committee.

This year, the Women’s Resource Center worked with an $8,000 budget and support from the faculty committee, the president’s office and ECOS to bring big name feminist speakers, Ariel Levy and Jessica Valenti to campus.

McAleese and the committee hope to continue the close relationship with the Women’s Resource Center in addition to three major goals for the 2012 -2013 academic year, including: reaching out to more men on campus, enhancing the Women’s Resources Committee’s visibility by finishing the refurbishment to the physical center which will be renamed the Margaret Rigg center and continuing to work on issues of gender justice on campus and around the world.

Students, staff, faculty and administrators are encouraged to get involved with the Women’s Resources Committee and can begin by reaching out to students in the center or attending one of the committee’s monthly meetings.

8 News

the current

May 4, 2012

Budget allocation process deemed unconstitutional Allocation from front cover

budget. “[He] came back later on in the afternoon and had a completely revised budget.”

Among the clubs that re-chartered, yet failed to show up for an allocation meeting, was the Afro-American Society. Though other clubs are in the same position, Aldridge confirms that approximately $14,000 has now been set-aside for the Afro-American Society for next year. The club’s involvement in hosting CPS and “academically affiliated” events has made its situation unique, according to Aldridge.

Outgoing ECOS President Stephen Barber agrees. “Not supporting Afro-American Society, that’s more political just because of the history of the organization and because of everything they do on campus. That’s something that couldn’t be overlooked.”

According to the ECOS constitution Article IV, Section 401, Number 12, the allocation budget proposed by ECOS must be posted for 48 hours for the student body to review before it can be voted on by senate. The initial proposed allocations were posted sometime on April 27. The changes made exclusively by Aldridge, however, were done on April 30 and voted on the same day, violating the 48-hour rule.

The fact that Aldridge created the new budget without a meeting of the financial affairs committee also violates Article IV, Section 401, Numbers 6 and 10, which state that the vice president of financial affairs will only have a vote on budget proceedings in the case of a tie, and that the committee shall allocate funds. Since the financial affairs committee was not given the new budget for review or voting, the budget given to senate April 30 was not in keeping with ECOS constitutional standards.

Additionally, at budget meetings, the ECOS constitution requires that a majority of the

financial affairs committee—in this case, five of the nine members, including at least one senator—must be present for any voting to take place.

Presently, there is only one senator on the committee, Senior Brett Thompson. According to outgoing Parliamentarian Derek Kelly, Thompson would have had to be present at each allocation meeting to make quorum. Thompson was not present at The Current’s April 24 budget allocation meeting, and may have missed others, according to sources.

Brezin claims in her emailed response, “For budget allocation meetings, the Financial Affairs Committee does not need quorum to hear club’s budget defense; they only need quorum, including a member from the ECOS Student Senate, for the actual voting to approve the allocated amounts of money that clubs received.”

However, according to Aldridge, “We try to decide after each [budget meeting].” The ECOS constitution, under Article IV, Section 401, Number 7, states, “A quorum of the majority of the committee’s full membership, to include at least one senator, must be present for any voting to take place.”

Here, the constitution does not explicitly define what “any voting” could be. For further clarification, a formal complaint surrounding the unconstitutional and unclear budget allocation process may be filed with the incoming ECOS parliamentarian. The new parliamentarian can be reached at ecospmtn@eckerd.edu.

As stated in Article IV, Section 402, the parliamentarian’s constitution, regulations, and bylaws committee, of which he/she chairs, would then review the case and provide further clarification of the constitution as well as a decision to be filed for future ECOS reference.

ECOS 2012-13 budget pending senate approval, posted outside ECOS April 27.

ECOS 2012-13 budget approved by senate April 30.

Ashley Daniels, Max Martinez, Malena Carollo, Cait Duffy and Ian Lindsay contributed to this article.

Kappa Karnival music lineup

Other fun things to do:

7:00-7:20 p.m. Jamal Dutton

9:40-10:00 p.m. Matt Squared

-eat a funnel cake

7:25-7:45 p.m. Abigail Gardner

10:10-10:30 p.m. The Leather Muppets

-make a dog tag

7:50-8:10 p.m. David Steren 8:15-8:35 p.m. Elliot McDaniel 8:45-9:05 p.m. The Moyles 9:10-9:30 p.m. Ivan Power-Kronick

10:35-10:55 p.m. Hans Hamann 11:00-11:20 p.m. Corbin Hayes 11:30 Have Gun Will Travel

-ride rides -play games -eat some food -enjoy the full beverage service -have a great time at the biggest party of the year Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

April 20, 2012

Viewpoints

9

CViewpoints Seniors say farewell to Eckerd

INSIDE VIEWPOINTS

Friendly Fire: It’s Sean and Ethan’s last time to battle it out. This time they’re talking about the value of a liberal arts education

page 12

MBFGC: A year of transparency comes to a close as Max concludes his senior column page 10 photo by Alex Zielinski From left, Shelby Howell, Shawn Craine, Lincoln Andres-Beck, Johnny Jones, Max Martinez and Ashley Daniels, the seniors of The Current staff.

Augusta National Club:

The host of the Masters Tournament should let women join club

“Women aren’t even allowed on the property”

By Greg Reilly Asst. Sports Editor Every year when the Masters Tournament rolls around, it comes with great fanfare and its share of controversy.

Augusta National, the club that has hosted and run the Masters for all 76 years of the tournament, does not allow women to be members. In fact, women aren’t even allowed on the property for the other 51 weeks of the year when the Masters isn’t being played.

While Augusta is a private organization and can let in whomever they want, it is time the club opens its doors to women.

Augusta has traditionally invited the CEO of IBM, one the tournament’s title sponsors, to be a member. But it just so happens that the new CEO at IBM, Virginia Rometty, is a woman. Could the founding fathers of golf ’s biggest event seen this coming? Never, just like they never thought they would let blacks into their club either. Some guy named Tiger Woods ruined that for them.

Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne, along with his posse of rich, southern white men standing in their signature green jackets, needs

to wake up and realize this isn’t 1930 anymore. Not only do women work (in Rometty’s case, men work for her), they play golf too. I realize it may be a hard concept to grasp, but we are in the 21st century. It is time the “tradition unlike any other” gets tweaked a little bit.

If you watched the Masters, each day you saw Joe Ford, vice chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, stand up in front of the camera and talk about how the club continues to grow the game.

How much can it grow the game if 51 percent of the population can’t play there? Perhaps they should pay attention to the IBM commercials about how bad Americans are at math.

But would Rometty even want to join? It might be a little awkward being the only women member, and I can only imagine the number of “looks” she would get. The “look” is when a member looks at you like “what the hell are you doing here?”

It’s the same look Tiger Woods got when he was traveling around the country with his father to play, and the same look my mother and I get when we go out to play on a Sunday morning.

My mom is the only female member at our club in Connecticut. For some reason, the men think that they own the course on the weekend because they have been slaving

away in the office all week; women should only play after them. Not only does my mom, who is also the CEO of a company (almost as big as IBM, but not quite), work harder than them, she can beat 90 percent of them on the course.

I don’t know how good Rometty plays, but if she made it all the way to the top of IBM, I think she has the work ethic to pick up golf quick enough to keep up at Augusta.

Yes Mr. Payne, Rometty works.

A lot harder than you do. And she could make your job a lot more work by yanking the IBM signs from your tournament, leaving you without a sponsor and the future of your tournament in jeopardy.

The future of the golf business is in question, just like everything else in America. If golf popularity is going to increase, women need to be targeted. And the message that needs to be sent is that if they work hard enough, they too could compete on the best golf course in the nation.

Augusta isn’t the only men’s-only club, but it is the face of American golf. Like it or not, they are responsible for the perception of the game, and the perception they create is that golf is a game played by rich, white men.

Only Augusta can change that, but they had better do it soon, or the future of the game looks bleak.

photo courtesy of Eckerdtritons.com The women’s golf team earlier this year. Because of Augusta National’s rules these ladies would not be allowed to play.

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Positive appointment marks change for GOP

By Gabe Stanberry Contributing Writer

When I heard the news about Romney hiring openly gay foreign policy spokesman Richard Grenell, I could not help but imagine how much of a childish temper tantrum the religious right would have thrown if Bush had attempted this even as recently as the 2004 race.

And to be fair there are plenty of “family values” spokesmen who are giving Romney a hard enough time for this move. Many of the hard line social conservatives are resorting back to their earlier rhetoric of how Romney must not be a true conservative.

As usual, they are attempting to define conservatism as an ideology that’s main focus is being anti-gay.

As usual, to them it doesn’t matter how good someone is on the job; if he’s gay, he’s not qualified. But on the bright side, even though there are a significant number of conservatives who’d still rather have their bigotry than a coherent ideology, the overall trend of American conservatism seems to have moved in a direction that is more open to homosexuality.

Over the course of the election, Romney’s viewpoints on gay marriage have shifted significantly. In the beginning of the election I actually thought Romney was a decent choice because he seemed more concerned with fiscal conservative issues over issues like family values.

As a libertarian, I found most of his free market ideas pleasing and was quite glad that at the very least social conservative issues were not at the top of his agenda.

However, once I actually heard him vocalize his position on gay marriage, I was not quite sure what to think. In one of the early presidential debates he stated that he was against discrimination toward homosexuals but he thought marriage should be between a man and a woman. Now, to be fair, this is a tremendous improvement from previous Republican elections when the party was not only against equality in marriage but even the more moderate candidates seemed to feel the need to encourage dis-

photo courtesy Richard Grennell Twitter Richard Grenell, Romeny’s foreign policy spokesman.

crimination as a way to have a scapegoat for all the nation’s problems.

However, Romney’s view at that time to me sounded a lot like saying, “I’m against discrimination of black people but I think marriage should be between a white man and a white woman or between a black man and a black woman.” Not to mention that the only type of discrimination that the government should be concerned with when it comes to homosexuality is in marriage. But I still have to be optimistic and admit that this is tremendous progress in that it appears to be much less acceptable in this country to run on bigotry as a platform. But since I had significant confidence that Romney would not care more than Bush about banning gay marriage and do nothing about the issue, like any of the other candidates, this did not overshadow the fact that I liked many of his economic ideas.

But once Santorum started catching up to Romney in the race he suddenly decided that he needed to eat up the social conservative base of the party and started pretending to care more about the Christian stuff. I was then left feeling that all the candidates, aside from Ron Paul, would just be more of the same. But now Romney has decided to at least be open-minded enough to let a gay man be his foreign policy spokesperson.

This doesn’t just have to be a positive victory for gay rights advocates. This could be a positive turn for the Republican party as well. With a growing number of independents in this country, it has become more essential then ever that the party have an appeal to a broader group then just the evangelical Christians. Now that Republicans have realized that just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you can’t give a presidential candiSee Grenell, page 12

10 Viewpoints

the current

April 20, 2012

My big fat gay column

The end of an experiment

By Max Martinez Managing Editor

This experiment in transparency needs to end; 650 words to freedom.

Although as far as experiments go, this column has proved to be more interesting than most of middle school science. Taking a relatively unexplored piece of who you are and writing extemporaneously about it publicly is, well, nerve wracking as all hell.

But I’d be dishonest if I said writing My Big Fat Gay Column hasn’t changed me, and there’s this part of transparency that calls for honesty.

Research for columns that never got written led me to some of the strangest experiences from senior year. I’ve interviewed married men, high schoolers and a Division 1 football player, all of whom are deeper in the closet than I’ve been in years.

They’ve reminded me to take stock of my progress, and to remember it’s not over for everyone.

On a related note, this year showed me how easy I have it at Eckerd; if you’re going to come out anywhere, it might as well be here.

I drink less, in volume and frequency, and my desire to push the envelope in terms of experimentation is waning quickly, so much so that I feel like an old man compared to other seniors. I never considered my choices to be overwhelmingly negative or harmful; they were, either directly or indirectly, catalysts in my development as a person and should be respected as such.

But it doesn’t take a vow of transparency to get me to admit my recreational activities were fueled by the stress of being in the closet. Research shows LGBT teens are twice as likely as straight peers to use and abuse substances, an anecdote etched into my consciousness (and the front page of my only Five Star notebook) in sophomore year. With that stress gone, I’m not as eager to make every Friday and Saturday night, well, like most of my Friday and Saturday nights.

Meanwhile, on a lighter note, the gay blog Queerty has surpassed the pot blog Toke of the Town on my Internet browser’s frequently visited websites (added transparency: nearly every column this year can be traced back to a Queerty post).

What this ranking shift really signifies is a changing of the guard in terms of my political self, with my interest in drug policy taking a backseat to the gay rights movement.

But this year of transparency wouldn’t be complete without one final admission: I’m straight.

No, wait, that wasn’t it.

What I meant to say is that I can’t wait for this column to be over, not because I don’t like transparency but because I have nothing left to say. I’ve grown so used to being ungodly transparent that I’ve begun volunteering far more information than most people ask for. I don’t try to hide a damn thing, regardless of whether it has anything to do with my sexuality.

But when there’s nothing left inside waiting to be put on paper (or a Word document), it’s time to put down the pen (or wireless keyboard). So when this article concludes in roughly 200 words, it will be a timely end.

In the first edition of My Big Fat Gay Column, I attempted to compare my situation to America’s regarding gay rights: fully conscious of our LGBT identity but divided on how to integrate it.

Surprisingly, I think we’ve progressed together this year. As the military ended its “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, I ended mine, with plenty more asking and telling than I was used to.

And while America moves toward full integration, with the possible repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the continued success of Modern Family, so too do I, with purple v-necks and a senior comps paper on “Will & Grace.”

And to make my departure even easier, I don’t even have to worry about what Eckerd will be like without a gay ginger guy. Somehow, at a school with only 749 men, when only two percent of people have red hair and roughly four percent are gay, there managed to be two of us.

Only at Eckerd.

perspECtives “My favorite thing about Eckerd is that you’re encouraged to study abroad. Some of my best memories are from 35 Gower Street in London.”

Amanda Walton

See ya later, EC Ashley Daniels Editor-in-Chief

West Chester, Pennsylvania Communications Major I have never liked the letter Q. It started in second grade when my teacher, Ms. Quigley told me, “Now, Ashley,” pointing at me but really at the ground because of the crooked bend she had in her index finger. “What am I supposed to do with this type of work?”

She was referring to a paper I had handed in on a subject that I forced myself to forget. Honestly, the only thing I remember writing, or learning about in second grade was dinosaurs. Every night, I had nightmares.

A mere three years later, Ms. Quale asked the same question. But this time instead of an index finger distracting me, it was her rat-tail peaking around her neck.

Back then, math was my subject, so being a poor writer didn’t really affect me until Ms. Quale enrolled me in a special reading class that took me away from my classmates and into a room the size of the old Current office, a shoebox. The worst part? I was the only girl.

After a few weeks of the “special class” I started to become embarrassed, thinking something must be wrong with me. I remember saying to myself, “my writing must be that bad.” Let’s just say that class didn’t help.

Throughout middle school and high school I worked

My most precious memories at Eckerd Shelby Howell Entertainment Editor Roberts, Wisconsin Anthropology Major Life is full of choices. A choice that seems insignificant at the time can end up evolving into something far greater than you could ever imagine.

You can probably see where I’m going with this. Short version of this story, I made a random choice to check out the school newspaper and it ended up completely changing the direction my life was headed.

But I’ve been told I need to make this 450 words, so I’ll give you the long version. I actually first came to The Current without any previous journalistic experience. I never watched the news, and I was a business major with a bit of a stigma against writing. Actually, as I remember all this, I’m not sure why my past self thought it would be a good idea to check out The Current. I’m sure I had some reason.

I arrived to my first staff meet-

ing just wanting to check out the situation and was utterly terrified by what I found. I didn’t know anybody and they kept using terminology that I didn’t recognise like “layout” and “InDesign.” To make matters worse, people kept asking my opinion or my ideas, like they bizarrely thought I might have something worthwhile to contribute to the conversation.

Here’s the first thing you need to know about me. When I’m intimidated by a situation, my first instinct is to make sure absolutely no one knows I’m intimidated. So what did I do? Instead of following my original plan of sitting quietly, taking a few notes and getting a feel for the environment, I volunteered to write an article. I couldn’t even make it easy on myself and do a

fluffy movie review piece. No, I volunteered for a news article about banking and the current economic situation.

I know just enough about banking to set up an account and cash a check, and I know even less about the economic situation of any time period. But being the shameless over-achiever that I am, I dove in head first. For that little 500-word piece, I interviewed three professors and five students, surveyed my entire finance class and read several issues of The Wall Street Journal.

After all that work, there really was no way I was turning back.

Almost three years later, I’ve become editor of my beloved entertainment section. I’ve worked with some of the finest people who can make me laugh no matter the situation. I’ve learned not to fear the blank page and publishing is now one of the most exciting aspects of my future anthropological career.

And 50 years from now, when I’m looking back on my time at Eckerd, there is not a doubt in my mind that my strongest and most precious memories will be about my time with The Current.

Q: Seniors, what has been your favorite thing about your past four years at Eckerd College? “I like that professors outside of

“I’ve done four spring break service learning trips and they’re the highlight of my college career.”

- Doug Robinson

on my writing but never really got it. Even during my senior year, my English teacher told me that my weakness was writing. I had all these great ideas; I just could not get them to translate on paper, oh, and my grammar was terrible.

Why am I telling you all this? I’m not really sure other than it’s a part of the journey of how I got here, editor-in-chief. Believe me, I’m as shocked as you are.

The Current has allowed me the chance to finally “get it.” Journalism is my style of writing. It’s a style that gives you structure, yet the ability to be yourself.

Journalism, or should I say, Tracy Crow during Journalism I, taught me to never fear the blank page. Some days you just need the inverted pyramid.

Over the past three years, we have built a quality newspaper that questions everything, tests us and pushes the limits. A newspaper I’m so proud to have been a part of.

Graduation, moving on, it’s a bittersweet feeling. The unknown is exciting, but I’m not ready to say goodbye to The Current, to my editors, to my writers, to my adviser. I’m not ready to say goodbye to an organization that has been the best experience of my life. Yes, even with the stress, early mornings, misunderstandings and debates. I’m not ready to say goodbye. So I won’t. I will say thank you and I’ll see ya later, Current.

“The entire Eckerd community. Every aspect of Eckerd that I’ve experienced has been incredibly positive. Oh and rugby.”

- Padraic Fitzgerald

my major are also willing to bend over backwards and do anything for their students, even if they’re in a different major.”

- Kelly Henry

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photos by Carver Elliott Lee

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

April 20, 2012

Senior editors say goodbye Chocolate and giggles

Committed to commitment

Lincoln Andres-Beck Sports Editor

Shawn Craine Web Master

Grants Pass, Oregon Communications Major

Port Orange, Florida Computer Science Major

During my time at Eckerd College, I have run the gauntlet of the sporting world for the Tritons. I started out as a member of the Tritons as both a soccer goalie and a tennis player before a meniscus tear ended my athletic aspirations.

I moved on to doing commentary for both soccer teams, color commentary for volleyball and doing commentary for basketball, first just women’s then moving on to both men’s and women’s my junior year before being replaced on basketball this year by Eckerd Alumnus Nick Agress.

The Current has been a part of my time at Eckerd College whether I wanted it to be or not. Starting freshman year, my roommate Max Martinez was involved so I heard all about the troubles of the Triton and as we moved on, I became involved right after the shift to The Current as a sports writer who turned assistant sports editor who, by default, became the sports editor in this, my senior year, after returning from a semester abroad in London.

To me, Eckerd has become a family that surrounds school in the last four years, what we have done together, gone through together, experienced together, creates a bond that being classmates and fellow alumni of an academic institution does not cover.

My teammates on the soccer team and I bonded to the point of being

The culmination of three years working with The Current as web master has provided me the opportunity to contribute to a team of dedicated and extraordinarily enthusiastic colleagues. When I was recruited freshman year, Tracy Crow presented me with the idea of constructing an online version of Eckerd College’s rapidly emergening student newspaper.

With the help of our entire staff and specifically our web team, including Johnny Jones, Max Martinez, Seth Ravid, Mike Geibel and I we were able to develop not only an online presence for our print edition but also a medium of extensibility.

Through this extension of the newspaper, we were able to offer students, alums, family and friends a place to connect and receive important and interesting breaking news through theonlinecurrent.com. Having a committed online team allowed us to capture the exponentially growing audiences of Facebook and Twitter by regularly dispatching engaging material to all of our followers.

After an award worthy effort spread among the shoulders of our entire team, we prevailed to become nationally recognized as an ACP Online Pacemaker finalist; during this time we were invited as a group to attend the ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Orlando, Fla., where I became considerably closer with the inner workings of the newspaper and those who participate

brothers. The people I have lived with have a bond that is greater than just being forced to listen to one another’s taste in music through the thin walls and ventilation systems of traditional dorms.

Finally, The Current editors, who have gone through more than any other group with me in the last two years (aside from my girlfriend Rachel) I would be proud to call them family. The bond runs as deep as those with any friends I will ever have.

The late nights of layouts with chocolate, inappropriate jokes and giggles have become the norm every other Monday. Our trip to Orlando for the ACP convention cemented the bond between us more fully than I could have imagined.

Our wonderful adviser Tracy Crow has become like a parent to me in the journey of being an editor.

Together, our team is as strong as I could imagine any college newspaper editorial staff being, as creative as any group of students as I have seen at Eckerd and as strong a group as I have ever had the pleasure of being a part.

If I had to sum up the feeling of coming to Eckerd in one sentence I would do it simply.

Once a Triton, always a Triton. Period!

Words to live by: “let’s go”

Sitting in class and your professor says something funny?

Tweet it to @ TheECCurrent and include the hashtag #AmusingMusings

Physics Professor Did I lie to you?....Probably. You’ll get over it. #RulesOfPhysics

Political Science Professor Lady Gaga? I’ve secretly got two of her records. #PopCulture

Political Science Professor In my day, drinking formaldyhyde strengthened the weekend. #WeekendActivities

Physics Professor If a guy with a gun came in here, I’d just pull out my gun and shoot him. I’d have to. It’s florida law. #StandYourGround

Physics Professor I wish I knew the hippie guy’s name, but I don’t, so I just like to call him Clyde. #YouTubeProfessors www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9kkARcvTWsE

Creative Writing Professor But that’s a bad word! #InappropriateConvos

A negligible farewell Wilmington, Delaware Communications Major

Seattle, Washington Theater Major

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#Amusing Musings

Max Martinez Managing Editor

Johnny Jones Web Editor

“Let’s go.” My high school English teacher Tom Doelger always uttered this phrase on the first and last days of his Modernism classes. As I have grown, the significance of these two words has changed. In middle school, it meant “get out of bed, Johnny, you’re going to make carpool late…again.” Mr. Doelger’s class made me ponder its philosophical importance.

During my freshman year at Eckerd, “LET’S GOOOOO!” became the trademark greeting my friends and I howled across campus to get each other riled up.

When people ask me if I’m a senior, I usually respond, “unfortunately.” My experience at Eckerd has been so enjoyable, fulfilling and all around amazing that I don’t want to leave this magical little bubble. Yet entering the “real world” is unavoidable.

All good things must come to an end, and as my final term at this school fades into history, I often feel like I’m sinking in quicksand.

I’m stuck on a slow descent into a daunting unknown, so it’s better to simply enjoy my remaining time than to struggle against the inevitable.

Sometimes I fantasize about not graduating. I imagine a utopian paradise of continuous charge-free winter term classes. They say you should be careful what you wish for, but I almost wish I could allow myself to fail. Almost.

In an attempt to impart the knowledge I have gained to future Tritons, I really only

continually to guarantee its success.

The experience given to me by partaking in this “club” is irrevocably the most pertinent real-word experience I gained while at Eckerd College. I was rewarded with praise of worthy work and was criticized when my work was not up to par; but whether compliment or suggestion, the entire time I was supported by my peers to recognize my weaknesses and excel through my strengths.

This persistent backing was my motivation in further developing a foothold in the strategic planning of features to implement in future releases of The Current’s related online media website. Democratically and very openly I was given the chance to propose my thoughts and help make decisions and manage the addition of website features and appearance.

Many times, I found myself unexplainably committed to a certain task or project; I found myself committed to the commitment shown by others and I was fueled by the ability to support a vision that encompassed the dreams of an entire unit.

I am beyond proud to have contributed to The Current staff ’s vision of dominance among other nationally recognized college newspapers.

I only ask that all future staffers commit themselves even more than I have, as now when I reflect upon these past years…the return has been amazing.

Viewpoints 11

have one piece of advice: don’t complain.

I’ll say it again so you know I mean it. Don’t complain.

This might seem like an absurd request to some, but I’m serious. Too often, Eckerd kids grumble about minor inconveniences.

Our campus has a flawless white sand beach, free community bikes, a diverse assortment of wildlife, a flexible faculty and a couple of incredibly understanding deans. Most of the world is not so lucky.

Complaining is certainly a human condition (I have to acknowledge a certain degree of hypocrisy here), but it shouldn’t be an excuse to adopt a negative outlook on life.

I lost my friend Nate Mosby this year. Facing that loss was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But being the eternal optimist that I am, I tried to take something positive away from the experience. Nate squeezed more out of his short life than most people ever do.

Now, I feel like “let’s go” encapsulates the essence of Nate’s bouncing vitality.

So the next time you open your mouth to whine about the Internet being a little slow or your order at the Pub taking a few extra minutes, remember the less fortunate.

Appreciate what you have when you have it because it’s going to be gone before you know it. “Let’s go.”

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

Two weekends ago, fellow seniors Alec Ogg and Lila Lupetin stood on stage in Miller Auditorium and said their solemn goodbyes at Another Man’s Trash’s final show of the school year.

But not a word they spoke could be heard over the crowd’s cheers. As Ogg and Lupetin read off scripts, the rest of AMT paraded across stage with large poster-board signs, introducing the newest members of our beloved improv comedy group.

The fact that I use “beloved” and “improv comedy” in the same sentence is notable; it’s not a medium I typically find enjoyable, a sentiment many share in regards to print media and newspapers. But AMT has made a fan out of me with their incredible on-stage chemistry and uncensored, R-rated humor. If I could print here what they say there, I’d be the happiest editor on earth.

As the newest AMT jokesters were shown off to the so-packed-even-the-floor-wascrowded audience, the decibel level rose and fell like a Zeta Beach tide. Ogg and Lupetin continued their drowned-out goodbyes at the forefront of the stage.

I sat in the second to last row, a cup of coffee spiked with Kahlua resting in my lap, and all I could think about was how in a few days I’d be forced to say my own goodbye, and how I had no idea what I would say, and how no matter what I said, my words would be lost in a matter of hours after publication,

filed into our archives amongst thousands of other anecdotes from our 54-year history.

It’s then that I realized how Ogg and Lupetin had already figured it all out; maybe not consciously, but they figured it out nonetheless. Their silent goodbye, covered up by the roar of excitement for another generation of AMT, was all a departing senior could do. We shout at the top of our lungs, squeezing out every last breath of appreciation, nostalgia and sheer joy before May 20, only to be outdone by those with more time left.

Ogg and Lupetin, for as long as I’ve been here (and in my goodbye column, that’s all the time that counts), have been the face and lifeblood of AMT. I haven’t been to a show where they didn’t perform.

But in three years, maybe less, their time at the helm of AMT will be an afterthought, as will be my time with The Current. Such is life for any Eckerd student, destined to anonymity within a couple years of graduation unless you a) pay for a new building on campus or b) get a job with Campus Activities.

The significance of my goodbye is negligible, my legacy nameless. The Current is The Current, and while I’ll always think of her as my baby, she belongs to Eckerd now. Please, take good care of her, and she’ll take good care of you.

12 Viewpoints

the current

April 20, 2012

By Sean Lawlor Staff Writer

In the final Friendly Fire of the year, our columnists talk about their liberal arts education, nationally and locally

By Ethan Packey Staff Writer

Throughout my life I have experienced several models of education. Growing up in Florida, I was educated in a public school system that adhered to the omnipotent grading standards of the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test). In high school, I attended a magnet school that channeled education through the visual and performing arts. In China, I observed a rigorous lecture style of education based on memorization and test taking abilities. While some of these I found more successful than others, none of them can come close to replicating the results I have seen at Eckerd.

From the very beginning of their time at Eckerd, students find themselves caught in a dialogue between the greatest texts humanity can offer from Homer to Machiavelli to Hawking. Through Area Perspectives we are given a unique opportunity to choose how we approach other disciplines and ways of thinking.

Philosophy majors can apply what they learn in the natural sciences to the concepts of rationalism and logic. Science majors can acquaint themselves with the art of the written word in literature or rhetoric classes that can help them write lab reports that are understandable to the average reader. Political science majors can learn more about the moral values of particular voting groups by taking religious studies courses. Whatever the case, each student’s time at Eckerd is an intellectual journey. Eckerd’s education is based on dialogue rather than compartmentalization.

My education at Eckerd has taught me to value this cross discipline dialogue. Differences will always exist between philosophy, political science, literature, biology and music majors. But at Eckerd, we have succeeded in making those differences work to our advantage, an advantage of understanding how your discipline is viewed through another’s

The girls take on

By Hailey Escobar Staff Writer

perceptions. Instead of treating interdisciplinary education as a war zone, Eckerd serves as a monument to civil discussion, a virtue that is an exception rather than a rule in today’s world. In many respects, Eckerd is an intellectual community.

This brings me to my next point about education at Eckerd. A liberal arts education typically includes the multi-disciplinary elements that I have already referenced. What makes Eckerd unique is the use of community as an educational medium. At Eckerd, the classroom is not where my education ends.

Eckerd has several communal forums organized by both students and faculty that help advance the liberal arts dialogue. Such forums include the Ford Program, Service Learning, CPS events, Ethics Bowl, Pitchers with Professors and this very newspaper.

We all become students and teachers, learning from one another as we develop our community and ourselves. The value of community itself is an important lesson we can all take from Eckerd.

Wherever I go after this, I will truly miss student community institutions such as The Current, the Rugby Games, Kappa Karnival, Another Man’s Trash and unofficial one’s that I am not allowed to mention, that made us bond with each other and our campus. Eckerd not only serves as a model for a liberal arts education, it serves as a model for the global community.

Everyone knows by now that I’m one student among a small group of conservatives that differ from Eckerd’s rather liberal social atmosphere. Sean and I have had a great time this year debating policy responses to current political issues. But Sean is graduating, so this chapter of Friendly Fire will be coming to a close; however it does provide me with an opportunity.

As a graduating senior, Sean is writing a reflection on his time at Eckerd, so I too will write a reflection on what the liberal arts mean to me as a conservative student-citizen of the United States.

I find the various humanities disciplines the most important among the liberal arts, philosophy most of all among the humanities disciplines. Humanities scholars chart the course of Western civilization with all its triumphs and tragedies since its inception several thousand years ago. This accumulated body of Western knowledge is what I find most important to anyone seeking a liberal arts education.

Receiving a liberal arts education places you in a small group of individuals who know the prejudices, actions and philosophies that have brought Western society to the place it is today. It also places a responsibility on you as the next generation of leaders to learn from and incorporate that body of knowledge as you seek to lead society into a better and brighter future.

In short, the liberal arts are important because they inform society’s leaders about the successes and failures of past leaders as well as the general philosophies of Western civilization, past and present.

In our increasingly global age, this process of learning the past in order to provide a better and brighter future can and should be applied to the global body of knowledge.

Feminism

There’s been a lot of talk about feminism on campus lately with Take Back the (fort) Night and guest speakers Jessica Valenti and Ariel Levy. Personally, I would consider myself a feminist. I highly believe in the idea that everyone should at least be given equal rights no matter if they are male, female, gay, straight, bi-sexual, black, white, Hispanic or whatever. It’s 2012, about 50 years since the 1960s movement many are familiar with, and women still only get paid 77 cents to every dollar a man earns for the exact same job. I work too hard as it is as a student to not be paid what I deserve in the workforce. I believe feminism has a set of values that I can believe in that will allow me to support equality and choice in society.

I, on the other hand, am an anti-feminism female. Personally I do not see what the huge deal is anymore, in fact the current “feminism” movement often doesn’t even make good logical sense.

You say that you think everyone should have equal rights like women don’t have equal rights.

Technically speaking, women do have equal rights; the issues of equal pay and not being looked at as sexual objects are business and cultural issues, not a governmental issue. As for being paid less, it only makes sense from a business standpoint. Generally speaking, women are the ones who have to take off more time for family obligations, such as sick children. Additionally, women are liable to become pregnant at any time and they are legally entitled to a certain amount of paid maternity leave. Because of this, it only makes sense that companies want to hold back some pay from women in order to help compensate for the costs of paying them on days that they aren’t actually doing any work.

By Evalyne McInnish Staff Writer

Women are not the only ones who can take work off when a child is born. Sure, they are the ones who carry the child, but both parents should be equally responsible for the child. If it’s a single parent then they need money more than anyone. Women still tend to be seen as sexual objects or incubators more than actual people. It’s caused a lot of unconscious damage to girls and women in modern society, myself included. I’m tired of comparing myself to the images in magazines and television that make me feel inferior.

I would like to be given the same rights and pay that a man has and not be considered some object that guys can just touch whenever they want or flaunt on their arms who only pops out babies and cleans the house. I know that I’m a lot more than that.

Additionally, there is a huge double standard that is being ignored here: women are just as, if not guiltier of looking at men as sexual objects; they just do it in different ways. Instead of going to a strip club they sit around and go on and on about how hot Edward Cullen is. The habit of viewing the opposite sex in such ways is not a cultural issue, it’s a biological issue, and it’s something we cannot completely remove because it’s in the way we’re wired as humans. I do think we can tone it down a bit in regards to the talk about how “hot” someone is, but that applies to both men and women.

But I find a secondary component of equal importance in a liberal arts education; that the liberal arts have the effect of humbling budding intellectuals.

As budding intellectuals with limited life experience, we sometimes become arrogant, thinking that we know better than peoples and cultures of times long gone. The liberal arts are useful in humbling this arrogance by showing that human civilizations have independently acquired similar characteristics.

This reality speaks to an implicit human nature which intellectuals would be terribly unwise to defy in the name of “improving” society.

But I must emphasize that the liberal arts are not meant to be oppressive; every single one of you is free to choose your own path and your own beliefs. However, the liberal arts are a handy guide that can prevent the repeat of historical mistakes.

So I congratulate each of you on choosing to come to Eckerd College, a liberal arts school. And I highly recommend a greater exploration of the Letters Collegium where most of Eckerd’s humanities scholars teach.

My own explorations led me to philosophy and a whole new major.

There is a great body of Western knowledge out there waiting for you so inquire freely, for we are all the future leaders of America and the world community.

New appointment a positive turn for Republican party Grenell from page 9

Now that Republicans have realized that just because you’re gay doesn’t mean you can’t give a presidential candidate good advice on the best methods for killing terrorists, maybe they can grow up enough to realize that their small government doesn’t need to be concerned with the possibility that two men could walk down the street with linked hands, wearing matching rings and dare to call it marriage. Especially with the Republican party claiming to have a new focus on economics due to the recent debt crisis. And good, they should focus on the economy, because first off, it is one of the more important issues lately, and second it is an issue where they have the better argument.

Continuing to harp on how evil homosexuality is may get the people who are going to vote for them regardless to be even more enthusiastic about voting for them, but it won’t rein in any independent voters, which is what it takes to win an election these days. I know to expect that the Republican party would become full on pro gay marriage just during this election cycle is putting my hopes up a little high, because after all, even many Democratic candidates are not showing as much full-fledged support as they could. However, if Republicans want to win any elections any time soon, and want to make this election about what’s truly important, they’ll take my advice and at the very least continue to move toward a more moderate stance on gay marriage.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

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the current

May 4, 2012

CENTERTAINMENT

INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT

Sixteen years later, Tupac takes the stage once again

By Aaron Levy Staff Writer “My only fear in death is reincarnation.” Tupac Amaru Shakur Las Vegas, Sept. 7, 1996 —Tupac Amaru Shakur, known across the nation for his moving and often militant rap lyrics, is gunned down while sitting at a red stoplight in his car. Though he survives the emergency surgery, he is pronounced dead six days later.

With a die-hard following, comparable to that of Elvis or John Lennon, Tupac’s death marked the loss of perhaps the greatest rapper to live.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, California, April 22, 2012 —It’s Sunday night and Coachella’s first of two weekends is almost over. Two of rap’s most celebrated household names, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, are on stage for the headlining act of the night, when suddenly, the stage goes black for a few moments. An eerie piano melody begins to play as, lo and behold, Tupac is seen rising from the middle of the stage.

Wasting no time, the rapper then proceeds

“The Raven” fails to deliver due justice to works of Edgar Allen Poe

By Cait Duffy Asst. Entertainment Editor In Oct. 1849, one of America’s most prolific writers met a mysterious end after he was found unconscious outside of a saloon in Baltimore. Edgar Allen Poe was transported to the Washington College hospital, where he suffered from hallucinations, tremors and extreme fevers for four days before passing away at the age of 40. Officially, his cause-ofdeath was declared “congestion of the brain.”

Writers Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare have another idea as to what caused his early, mysterious passing.

“The Raven,” released April 27, depicts the last few weeks of the poet’s life as a frantic search for a murderer who’s crimes were inspired by Poe’s own stories. John Cusack

courtesy of youtube.com The faux Tupac finishing his Coachella performance.

to perform verses from two of his successful hits, including the spookily appropriate “Hail Mary” and “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,”

alongside Snoop Dogg.

Conspiracy theories aside, it wasn’t really Tupac that people saw on stage that night.

It was actually an intricate combination of archival concert footage and CGI graphics compiled into a video.

The video was projected through a high definition projector from above, and then reflected off a mirror on the floor of the stage onto a light-weight foil, designed to imitate semi-transparent glass. It’s an old magician’s trick of manipulating a 2-D image, the same one that helped Mariah Carey perform simultaneously in five European cities last year.

As simple as the trick was, the result was staggeringly realistic. If you haven’t seen it yet, a YouTube search for “Tupac Coachella Hologram” will bring it to your eyes, with goose bumps soon to follow.

A firsthand account of the performance posted on the popular online hip-hop blog The Smoking Section told of crying fans, pandemonium, and overall confusion in the crowd following the hologram’s appearance See TUPAC, page 16

Quoth the critic, “What a bore.”

promotional photo John Cusack as Poe in “The Raven.”

brings the tormented writer to life on the silver screen in a story attempting to mimic one Poe would have written himself.

Unfortunately for Livingston and Shakespeare, their attempts at mimicking the master’s craft fall short.

While the diction toward the beginning of the 111-minute long film strongly set the mid19th century tone, with Cusack vehemently

spitting poetic insults at a bartender and room full of salty seamen, he slips into modern dialect by the end of the film.

Directed by a James McTeigue, director of such films as “V for Vendetta” the Matrix trilogy, dark scenes of brick buildings, countless ravens and a catacomb-like underground water department bring an See RAVEN, page 14

Brewburgers satisfies wallet, palate with brews and burgers

By Christine Tweete Staff Writer A new local restaurant, Brewburgers, has found itself being absorbed into the Eckerd bubble. The new burger joint, located at 4195 34th St. South, has quickly become popular with Eckerd students and staff alike, providing a new location to relax, watch a game and eat a greasy burger One of the more interesting traits of Brewburgers is the restaurant rarely seems busy. This should not be taken as a complaint, but should be noted because it provides for a quiet and intimate atmosphere, as well as quick, attentive service.

The menu is small and simple with a decent variety of appetizers. The main entrees include salads and burgers. The burger options include regular beef patties, ‘Guinness’ patties and chicken breast. There are 15 beers available on tap.

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The prices for drinks, appetizers and entrees are reasonable at Brewburgers. The only cautioning in price involves the desserts.

Both of the dessert options are not house made and rather expensive compared to the rest of the menu. It would be the only thing to avoid, unless you find a reheated, prepackaged chocolate cake to be worth $6.

Other than dessert, the menu options are delicious and budget-friendly for the average college student.

A fair warning: while at Brewburgers to write this review, a professor came in photo to buy dinner. Be conscious of who you may l a n io t promo run into at this local burger joint due to its Once your proximity to campus. meal arrives, expect to dig and eat your way On Tuesdays, burgers are just $2 after 6 p.m.. past a pile of fries to reach the burger. The Brewburgers is located at 4195 34th St. S in St. burgers come to you hot and fresh, straight Petersburg. Brewburgers opens at 11 a.m., and from the kitchen. The ingredients are all remains open until at least midnight. Calling crisp and the portions are sized well; the ahead and ordering take-out is welcome. patty is the perfect size for the bun.

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

Entertainment 13

Military ball

14

Hell on Earth

14

Final exams calendar

15

Local winery review

15

Music festival guide

16

promotional photo

Bassnectar brings the bass

By Ian Lindsay Asst. Entertainment Editor As soon as my ears finally stopped ringing from Bassnectar’s Oct. 2011 show, it was time to turn the subwoofers on again for his ninth studio album,“Vava Voom,” released on April 10. This album is a party. A party packed full of distorted bass, unorthodox rap lyrics and synthesizers that’ll make you grit your teeth as you mingle your way through the album.

The album was released strategically with Bassnectar’s spring tour appropriately named the Vava Voom Tour. The tour began April 11 in Indiana and ends May 12 in Seattle.

From the second you press play you are hit with low sub bass on the first song of the album, also titled “Vava Voom.” The track features rapper Lupe Fiasco, who delivers a tug of war between underground and commercial flow. Fiasco’s vocals make this song really catchy and very radio-friendly for an EDM (Electronic Dance Music) artist.

Delivering lyrics such as, “Live my life like I do/ Her high heels on my side views/ My eyes peeled for the 5-0/ My horse power match my IQ,” Lupe matches the high-energy, adrenaline rushing dubstep instrumental provided by Bassnectar. The song just makes you want to bob your head. This was likely the artist’s intent, as the promotional video for the album features Lupe and Bassnectar head banging together in silence.

“Vava Voom” and the track “What,” featuring electronic music producer Janesten, were my favorite heavy bass club bangers.

They’re loud and fun to dance to. “What” has reggae vocal samples that are accompanied with both typical dubstep “womps” and “drops.” Scattered throughout the track is what sounds like old-school video game music from the early Nintendo era. The mixture makes it perfect for the dance floor.

Another interesting track is the Pennywise Tribute. Bassnectar does his own remix of the punk rock “Bro Hymn” by turning up the electronics. Interestingly, archival samples of Bassnectar’s high school band “Pale Existence” are included. The sound works.

The punk hymn-like chorus churns with Bassnectar’s old metal rifts at the end of the song.

The album is not gritty and fast paced all the way through. Bassnectar includes tracks such as “Empathy,” “Butterfly,” “Nothing Has Been Broken,” as well as a new remix of the classic Bassnectar track “Laughter Crescendo.” All four take a break from the heavy hitting hip-hop vocals and serve up more synthesizers with melody driven vocals from Mimi Page and Tina Malia, two See VAVAVOOM, page 14

14 Entertainment

the current

May 4, 2012

Eckerd ROTC attends Suncoast Battalion’s Military Ball

By Alexandra Roberts Staff Writer

photo by Alexandra Roberts MSIV Alex Simpson before the ball.

ROTC logo

Four cadets walk through the heavy, brown double doors into a ballroom of lights, music and the outstretched hands of their superiors. Each hand welcomed Senior Alex Simpson (Military Science level 4), Junior Nick Napoli (Military Science level 3), Junior Mark Head (Military Science level 3) and Sophomore Madison Durley (Military Science level 2) to the April 13 Military Ball, dedicated to the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) members of the Suncoast Battalion.

Approximately 350 people were in attendance at the ball April 13 – including cadets from USF Tampa, Hillsboro Community College, USF St. Petersburg, Clearwater Christian College, St. Petersburg College, St. Leo University and Eckerd College. “We have about 250 cadets in the whole Battalion,” Simpson said.

The guests all arrived before sunset. Durley was celebrating his two years with Army ROTC, his last for the time being, becuase he did not sign the contract for commitment past this spring semester. “I want to pursue my

“The Raven” disappoints From RAVEN, page 13

eerie, dark feel to the Baltimore of the film. Unfortunately, this viewer was disappointed to discover that not one scene was shot in the United States, with the production crew opting for filming locations across Serbia and in Budapest, Hungary, instead.

Interestingly enough, the story of “The Raven” does not come in to play within McTeigue’s film. Poe is noted as mentioning his success with the poem at multiple points toward the beginning of the film, but aside from the ravens found flying through most scenes the title has little other connection.

While an interesting theory as to how the great Edgar Allen Poe spiraled toward his premature death, “The Raven’s” attempt at mimicking Poe’s silky prose comes off as a nylon imitation. promotional photo

major of environmental studies outside of the military for now,” Durley said. “But I value my two years in Army ROTC, and am not opposed to the idea of finishing the course in the future.”

Simpson will be the first commissioned graduate in Eckerd College’s recent history. He reports to flight school December 2012.

He then plans to take his position as a second lieutenant and platoon leader in a UH60 Blackhawk unit for the 1-171st Aviation Regiment in Oahu, Hawaii. Simpson hopes to fly MedEvac one day.

“Looking back, [Army] ROTC was a great experience, especially my time as Bravo Company commander,” Simpson said. “I loved leading my soldiers and presenting myself as a model of leadership. I also loved training my soldiers and the camaraderie which comes in the Army.”

Napoli has one more year left of Army ROTC. He plans to make a career out of the military as an infantry officer with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team stationed in Vicenza, Italy. “[The Military Ball] was done very well this year and is a great chance for us to share the Army culture with civilians and other

branches,” Napoli said.

Head also plans to finish the program through his senior year.

“This year’s military ball was outstanding,” Head said. “The ceremony was great, along with the entertainment, and we had a lot of senior cadets to be proud of. The ball was a great end to a year full of hard training to prepare the junior military science class to take up the mantle for the upcoming year.”

Drinks were provided upon arrival in the lobby of Pepin’s Hospitality Centre. After the welcoming line into the ballroom, cadets took their seats at their assigned tables. Out of respect for their superiors, cadets waited to seat themselves after the senior battalion Cadre took theirs.

Foremost among these officers and senior non-commissioned officers were Lieutenant Colonel Clark, professor of military science and leader of the Suncoast Battalion, and Master Sergeant Patterson, senior instructor of military science. These officers and others were always paired with a non-commissioned officer counterpart.

Dinner was served in three courses, following a presentation by the President of Clearwater

photo by Alexandra Roberts Mark Head accompanying his date Adria Englehard.

Christian College, Dr. Richard Stratton, concerning finding and following one’s personal moral compass.

Following the ceremonies of the evening, cadets and their dates were invited to the dance floor in celebration of their branch’s achievements.

Eckerd College’s Senior Theatre Company Presents:

Deflowering Waldo

May 3, 4 & 5 at 8 p.m.; May 6 at 2 p.m.

Admission is free. No tickets or reservations are required.

Cait Duffy’s ranking: 3.5/5 stars A thrilling and bloody movie to watch once on DVD.

Bassnectar delivers ninth album From VAVAVOOM, page 13

vocals from Mimi Page and Tina Malia, two relatively unknown singers. The effect is very eerie ambient music that sounds like a fusion of pop and dubstep. It’s easy for these songs to get stuck in your head.

“Laughter Crescendo” has always been a crowd favorite, and the 2012 remix is sure to keep inspiring audiences since its initial release in 2004 on the album “Diverse Systems of Throb.” The track still has the samples of laughter and giggling echoing throughout the song, but Bassnectar amped up the percussion, making the kick drum louder when it hits. The song is also 37 seconds longer. The last two minutes of the song are more danceable than the original.

The last track, which isn’t really a song, is titled “Chronological

outtakes.” This track serves as the bloopers of the album. Any sound created with Bassnectar’s producing equipment that didn’t make the cut is dumped on this track. It begins with a brutal heavy metal song, has spoken outtakes of artists who recorded vocals for the album and all the possible quirky electronic sounds in-between.

The album as a whole is vocals, bass and creative sounds all combined in a blender and minced into electronic music. I would recommend it anyone who follows EDM, and it is a producer’s dream to sample while DJing. I do believe that the album should come with a warning label: experiences change depending on wattage of subwoofers and speakers, and to enjoy the full dynamic of sounds in the album, it is important to play loudly.

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the current

May 4, 2012

Entertainment 15

May 14 - 18 Final Exams Schedule- Spring Semester 2012

Monday 14

CLASS

EXAM

MW 3:20-4:50 p.m.

Tuesday 15

EXAM

8-11 a.m.

CLASS MWF 11:50-12:50 p.m.

W 3:20-6:15 p.m.

8-11 a.m.

TR 8:20-9:50 a.m.*

TR 10-11:30 a.m.

11:30-2:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m.

TR 11:40-1:10 p.m.

3-6 p.m..

TF 1:40-3:10 p.m.

6:30-9:30 p.m.

TR 3:20-4:50 p.m.*

MWF 8:20-9:20 a.m.* MW 7:50-9:20 a.m.* M Evening Courses* WF 7:50-9:20 a.m.*

8-11 a.m.

M 3:20-6:15 p.m.*

6:30-9:30 p.m.

6:30-9:30 p.m.

T Evening Courses*

6:30-9:30 p.m.

T 5-6:30 p.m.*

T 3:20-6:15 p.m.*

Wednesday 16

Thursday

Friday 18

17

CLASS MFW 9:30-10:35 a.m.

EXAM

CLASS

EXAM

EXAM

8-11 a.m.

F 3:20-6:15 p.m.

8-11 a.m.

Makeups/Conflicts

MWF 10:40-11:40 a.m.

11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m.

Makeups/Conflicts

11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m.

3-6 p.m.

Makeuos/Conflicts

3-6 p.m.

MR 1:40-3:10 p.m.

3-6 p.m.

W Evening Courses*

6:30-9:30 p.m.

6:30-9:30 p.m.

R 3:20-6:15*

6:30-9:30 p.m.

6:30-9:30 p.m.

6:30-9:30 R Evening Courses* p.m.

Class times with *have an overlap of exam times, please resolve any conflicts through your professors

6:30-9:30 p.m.

6:30-9:30 p.m.

To advertise your event with The Current, contact Current Entertainment at currententertainment@eckerd.edu

The St. Pete Sampler: A Dining Reflection Drinking local: Keel and Curley Winery

By Emily Cohen Staff Writer These days, everyone wants to eat local. But what about drinking local?

I recently sampled two wines from Keel and Curley, a local winery located about 45 minutes away from campus at 5210Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City.

The Sweet Blueberry wine, which is made with 100 percent blueberries, was very sweet but not unbearably so. “[It] tastes like juice, but the alcohol isn’t completely covered up,” said Junior Laura Moe “I also love the blueberry flavor.” Since the wine is made with 100 percent blueberries, the taste really comes through which makes it have a very unique flavor.

The Strawberry Riesling is one of the many fusion wines produced by Keel and Curley. The fusion wines are made with grapes and then mixed with fruit juices.

When I first tried the Strawberry Riesling, it wasn’t my favorite, but after sipping for a while I began to really enjoy it. Senior Christine Twete called it “the lightest of the three,” while Tess Busch, also a senior, said, “I can really taste the strawberry. It is not an artificial

strawberry taste, but a real strawberry flavor.”

The overall opinion of the two wines was that they were sweet, almost too sweet for some.

These wines are not ones that you can drink all night, unless you want a nasty promotional photo headache the next day. They are, however, delicious and ideal for one or two glass servings.

The Keel and Curley winery is located in Plant City, Fla. They have 11 different flavors of wine and conduct wine tastings daily. A few select flavors of wine, such as the ones sampled here, can be purchased from Publix for about $10 per bottle.

Bartending on a budget

By Christine Twete Staff Writer It’s getting to be that time of year again when finals, packing up, and heading home are all students can think of.

Some students will be returning to Eckerd in the fall, while others may be starting a career or heading to graduate school. To keep your mind off what lies ahead, here are some weekend night distractions.

All ingredients except for the alcohol are available for purchase at Triton’s Pub.

Summertime

1 part vodka 1.5 parts orange juice 1.5 parts Sprite Mix together, add ice, and enjoy.

The Job Search

1 part whiskey 1 part rum 3 parts cola Put cola in cup with ice. Add whiskey and rum.

Note: The beverages and reecipes on this page are intended for consumption only by individuals who are 21 or older.

The Current does not promote underage drinking. When combining alcoholic beverages with caffeinated beverages, it is important to be aware of the potential side-effects and limit your consumption accordingly. Drink responsibly, our friends.

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With the end of the academic year, we at The Current tend to look back on the fruits of our labor with pride. Below, we’ve selected the ripest of the St. Pete Sampler. Here you can find the highest rated selection from previous samplers, and even a new one for you to sample this summer. Bon Apetit!

Price $-$$$$ ($ = <$5.00 per meal $$$$ = $20.00+ per meal) Food Quality (1-5 stars)

Issue 7 Shaner’s Land and Sea Market 200 Pass-a-Grille Way 9 minutes From campus $$$ 4-5 Stars 7 Days a Week 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Beer and Wine Only

Issue 8 Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant 300 Beach Dr NE 12 minutes from campus 4-5 Stars $$$ Sun and Mon 11 a.m.-10 p.m. TuesThurs 11 a.m. - midnight Fri and Sat 11 a.m.- 1 a.m.

Full Bar

Issue 9 The Hooker Tea Company 300 Beach Dr. NE #124 4.5 stars 16 minutes campus $ Mon.- Sat. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sun. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

No alcohol available

Issue 10 Skyway Jacks 2795 34th St S. 5 Stars 8 minutes from campus $$ Daily 5 a.m.-3 p.m.

No alchohol avilable

Issue 11 Joey Brooklyn’s Famous Pizza Kitchen 344 Ist Ave S 4 Stars 14 minutes from campus $$ 7 Days a week 11a.m.-3 a.m.

Beer and Wine Only

Issue 12 Five Bucks Drinkery 247 Central Ave 4 1/2 Stars $ Mon-Sat 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.

Full Bar

courtesy of googlemaps

16 Entertainment

the current

May 4, 2012

The Current’s summer 2012 music festival survival guide

Some of this summer’s most anticipated music festivals across the United States include:

By Hayden Johnson Quickie Editor Music festivals can be a great mini vacation. They combine sonic pleasure with the great outdoors.

The more festivals you go to, the more experiences you gather.

Here are some suggested items to bring along, as well as some survival tips, for those new to the festival scene.

promotional photo

Hangout Music Festival May 18-20 Gulf Shores, Ala.

Jumper cable

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival June 7-10 Manchester, Tenn.

promotional photo

For the most part, your car will be your only source of electricity.

You will need it to keep your phone charged to stay in communication with other members of your party.

Human error and shenanigans will ensue during a festival, which could put your car battery in a weak position.

The jumper cable can be a life-saver when you get ready to leave the festival. Even if you are responsible with your car’s battery, you can help any neighbors who weren’t as fortunate.

Flag

Electric Forest June 28-July 1 Rothbury, Mich.

promotional photo

promotional photo

These can save you a lot of time and trouble while searching for your campsite in a sea of cars. Secure your unique flag with a portable flagpole near your party’s vehicle.

From past experiences of wandering aimlessly into the late hours of the night looking for my campsite, I can honestly say a flag will make your life a lot easier.

Preferably, try to make your own flag with cloth and a fabric marker.

This will make it distinguishable from other campsites.

Large heavy-duty garbage bags When I leave a festival and see a beautiful field trashed, I feel ashamed. Even though festival workers do pick up the mess, it is still important to be friendly to the environment. Cleaning up after your party will help mother nature and the festival workers.

There are many other uses for heavy-duty garbage bags as well. In case of rain, many vendors will try to sell you over-priced ponchos. But with extra garbage bags, you can cut holes through the sides for your arms and head, making your own stormy weather attire.

Rendezvous points After every set you will likely be running to the next performance you want to see. When traveling in groups, it is easy to get separated.

Talk with other members of your party about landmarks near stages.

These landmarks can be merchandise booths, promotional tents or bathroom areas. You can save time by meeting at a point instead of having multiple people describe to you where they are over the phone.

Extra supplies When it comes to essentials, such as drinks, food and tools, it’s

always better to be overstocked instead of lacking. Some of your greatest assets for surviving festivals are your neighbors. They are the friends that you didn’t come with.

Living amongst each other you may find that you could have forgotten to bring something that they have or vice versa. It’s a token of kindness to invite your neighbors for a barbeque.

Nothing expensive Thinking about wearing your $100 Ray Bans to a festival? Think again. You think you may get just a little dirty, but you will be filthy by the end of the festivities.

Don’t bring anything that you value too much or would not like to be lost, drenched in grime or both.

Make sure that the most valuable item in your inventory is your phone.

Solar shower bags and a bathing suit Many festivals have public showers that you can go to, although past experiences have taught me that these can break down or be quite repulsive.

The “outdoors” department in stores will typically have something called a solar shower bag. They are sacks of water with a nozzle. Usually made out of plastic, you leave them on top of your car to heat up in the sun.

With your bathing suit on, you can easily shower outside with these and be clean for a day of pure jamming.

All Good Music Festival & Campout July 19- 22 Legend Valley Thornville, Ohio

Camp Bisco July 12-14 Indian Lookout Country Club Albany, N.Y.

promotional photo

Simulated Coachella performance met with mixed feelings From TUPAC, page 13

amazing. I grew up in the nineties, and needless to say, I wasn’t listening to Tupac during the heyday of West Coast rap music. So, I recognize that I can’t grasp the full significance of the event. Still, it made quite the impression on me as a rap fan. During his short career, Tupac spoke to something in people that few contemporaries have been able to do since.

Despite the clashing emotions and feelings he expressed in his music, Shakur proved that you could create an aggressive, violent song, like “Hit ‘Em Up,” then turn around and express utter sadness and discontent with the hatred facing black culture in a song like “Changes,” and have them be complementary to each other in earnest. Hailed by Eminem as “the greatest songwriter courtesy of 2pac.com that ever lived,” none of his

next to the real-life Snoop Dogg, who was pretty composed considering the emotional nature of the performance. Though rumors had already been circulating, few knew of the event in advance. In the days that followed, the Internet erupted as everybody anxiously voiced their opinion on the “resurrection” of ‘Pac. On one hand, the p e r f o rmance was absolutel y

music ever came across as insincere. I must’ve watched the video of the hologram’s five minute long performance at least ten times that first day that it surfaced. Those of us who never had the privilege to witness a live Tupac show were given the opportunity to witness something close to what it must have been like 20 years ago.

However, I also completely understand the opposing point of view, that bringing back a slain cultural icon like Tupac for the sake of selling tickets and creating a buzz is, well, a little immoral.

When hologram ‘Pac took the stage, he yelled, “What the f--k is up Coachellaaaaaaa,” hinting at what a performance would be like if he were given the chance to come

back from the dead for one weekend only and hadn’t aged in sixteen years. It truly was surreal, and I was just looking through a computer screen.

Though close friend and frequent collaborator Dr. Dre was the

ones? That’s a big jump to make, but not an inconceivable one.

At the end of his short set, the image of Tupac walked to center stage and, just as quickly as he had risen, he was gone. Elaborately scored to a creepy and utterly titanic choral accompaniment, he vanished in a beam of bright light with his head down, arms by his side, microphone still in hand.

The concert begs a few questions: If the real Tupac, The Makaveli himself, were alive today, would he still be relevant? Would he still bring out the huge crowds? Would he still be the Tupac that we remember, that we still aren’t willing to let go of ? To quote the late MC, “Lord knows.”

“My only fear in death is reincarnation.”

- Tupac Amaru Shakur one with the idea for this project, who knows how others close to ‘Pac felt about it. As fans of rap and pop music, don’t we owe our entertainers some respect once they’re finally gone?

One must ask, if pop-culture is willing to bring back dead rappers for concerts, where does it stop?

Years from now, will consumers be able to hire graphic designers to make holograms of their dead loved

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the current

May 4, 2012

CThe quickie

ACROSS 1 Kennedy complex 5 Military field rations 8 UVB shield effectiveness 11 Cobra used as a symbol of divine authority in Ancient Egypt 14 TV show about army doctors stationed in Korea 18 Anglo end 19 A long time 20 ___ de Cologne 21 Filler word 22 The Washington Nationals, once upon a time 24 What Descartes did which he claimed affirmed his existence 25 Plus 26 Bread choice 27 Before 28 Tantalize 29 Cereal meal?

30 Jamey of Res Life 33 Jaime of Dining Services 36 Campus eatery 37 Desire 39 Lethargic 40 Grammar subject 41 Cincinatti team 42 The super in Nietzche's mensch 44 A coral island which encircles a lagoon 48 Office note 50 Excuses 53 James of Student Affairs 57 Sexual desire 61 Baggins of Bag End 62 Aetna, Cigna, or Humana, e.g.

63 Alec of "Deflowering Waldo" and AMT 64 Suffix with gator and lemon 66 At no time

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67 Wile E. Coyote onomatopoeia, perhaps 68 Examined with interest 70 Frame of mind 71 _____ brûlée 72 Precipitate 74 Knicks point guard Jeremy 76 Eckerd international ed. program 77 Track competition 79 Post-Eckerd school 82 Weird 84 Squeals 86 Occasionally unintended type of humor 87 Yard, for example 91 Piña colada base 92 Espoused 93 WRC student body, now 94 Tavern 95 Overtake by a full circuit 96 Inscribe 98 Subject taught in/by Ransom 99 Deluge 101 Eckerd domain 102 Without 103 "Bond" author Fleming and Sir McKellen 105 Sandra ___ O'Connor 106 Head of an ochlocracy 108 Magnitude 110 Spanish dishes 113 Aroma 115 Vagrant 117 Retail organizer 121 Euphoria 122 Location of some vets' service 123 One-eighth of a byte 126 Rupert Grint, to many 127 Author of "Hedda Gabler;" also, an Eckerd dorm 128 Martial arts instructor

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130 Bay off of South Beach 133 Fermented 134 Sicilian mountain 136 Nut occasionally chewed with betel leaves 137 Oracle 138 Manfred ____'s Earth Band 141 Horizontally or vertically moving text 144 Famous riveter 147 Trial 151 Spanish expression of encouragement and approval 152 Campus feature, of palm or between palms 154 "Woods" around the rock wall 156 Radley of "To Kill a Mockingbird" 157 Northernmost complex 159 Kwik-E-Mart proprietor 160 Since 162 Wallet bill 163 Plate appearance not resulting in a BB, HBP, SAC, or CI 165 Frequency unit 166 Lair 167 "All Things Considered" station 168 Farm animal 169 What a game of marbles might be played for 170 Meddling 171 Put together 172 Dig in 173 Spanish teacher honorific, perhaps 174 Contrary or circular current DOWN 1 World religion with nearly 8 million followers 2 Leaves the stage

The Quickie 17

There’s always enough time for a quickie

courtesy of Will Skinner 3 Loads 4 Hieroglyph of eternal life 5 More spiteful 6 Florida state senator Storms (R) 7 Planet around which the Ewoks orbit 8 Feudal slave 9 Shell out 10 With oxygen and heat, a prerequisite for fire 11 Cars 12 The destroyer in Hinduism's trimurti 13 Symptom of acute bronchitis 14 Self-referential 15 Let go from employment 16 Part of a continuum with time 17 Swindled 18 Pack 23 "Gimme a couple ____."

31 Astonishes 32 Seacrest or Gosling 34 Break 35 Fishing tool 38 Zeta dorm 41 Music Center 43 The flora and fauna of a region 45 ___ Te Ching 46 Non-profit domain 47 Relay race segment 49 Chop into tiny pieces 50 Car feature which does away with the need to pump brakes 51 Back talk 52 Not well 53 Comedienne Schumer 54 Christmas 55 Southeast Asian nation 56 Matrimonial promise 58 Beginning of a Langston Hughes

poem: "___ known rivers."

59 Debbie Wasserman Schultz, for one 60 Mine output 62 Zeta dorm 65 Bookstore building 69 Ikea furniture assembly, for instance 70 Org. of the LA Galaxy and NY Red Bulls 73 Cedar Rapids resident 75 Recently 76 Salt type 78 Boredom 79 Grad school prereq.

80 Pattern 81 "The Walking Dead" and "Breaking Bad" network 83 Insecticide which Rachel Carson criticized in "Silent Spring" 85 Cancer follower 86 Pecan or pot 88 In the manner of 89 Party for gamers 90 Music records that are not quite full albums 97 Zeta dorm 99 Distant 100 Homer catchphrase 102 Location of the Letters Collegium 104 Benefit 105 ____ arigato 107 Star Trek collective 109 The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly 110 3 tsp.

111 Beverage that can be pale, mild, old, or brown 112 Means by which Eeyore's tail is attached 114 Apply lightly 116 Feather accessory 118 Compass dir. closest to the name of an Austin music/film/interactive festival 119 Civil War general 120 Cutoff 123 Prohibit 124 Chill 125 Tourette's symptom 129 Andean civilization 131 Subj. which claims both Newton and Leibniz as inventors 132 TV comedy series "My Name is ____" 133 Pong variety 135 Fleet 137 Brown color 138 Dance done in a pit 139 Sci-fi franchise first directed by Ridley Scott 140 Leagues of Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays, at first 142 Energized 143 Harm 145 Vows 146 Direct 148 Receded 149 Sudsy 150 Lathered 152 Uncertain 153 "Citizen" of Xanadu 154 Kind 155 Rice "wine" 158 Vesuvius and McKinley, e.g.

161 Transcript no.

164 Conferences which disseminate "ideas worth spreading"

Scan the QR code above to see the solutions to the crossword!

18 The Quickie

the current

May 4, 2012

Semester by the Sea at Stony Brook Southampton Two unique undergraduate residential programs for Fall 2012

THE ARTS

THE OCEAN Immerse yourself in marine studies as you explore Long Island’s bays, estuaries, salt marshes, beaches and open ocean in this full-semester program at one of the nation’s premier oceanographic institutes.

Free your muse this fall in our “study abroad” college arts program right in the heart of the Hamptons. Got a great idea for a play? Itching to make a movie?

Offered by Stony Brook’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, it ranks sixth among U.S. graduate programs in marine and atmospheric sciences by the National Research Council.

In 10 weeks you will write, stage and perform a play or write, shoot and edit a film — all while earning 15 college credits. You will work closely with top-notch creative writing, theater and film faculty of Southampton Arts.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

GREAT GEAR, GREAT CAMPUS

You will work side by side with Stony Brook University’s worldrenowned faculty on our research vessels and in our waterfront lab facilities, and you can earn up to 15 credits.

Filmmakers, you will be trained with state-of-the-art equipment.

Playwrights, you will stage your work in the 400-seat Avram Theater. Throughout your 10 weeks you will work in small groups, with plenty of personal attention.

WALK TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN Take advantage of the unique campus location on the shores of Shinnecock Bay for direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and nearby marine and coastal habitats.

GREAT LOCATION

Program runs August 27 to December 14

Program runs September 11 to November 18

The cultural legacy of the Hamptons is rich with noted playwrights and filmmakers, from Tennessee Williams to Steven Spielberg.

Registration begins April 9, 2012 To register or for more information visit www.stonybrook.edu/sea

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 12031253

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the current

May 4, 2012

CHEALTH & FITNESS The healthy griever: Commiserate, then celebrate

By Ely Grinfeld Quickie Editor How can we find the words to summarize a person’s life?

Nathan Mosby, beloved friend, student and peer, passes away and the Eckerd community is at a loss for words. Tortured with the mystery of death, people have asked “Why him and not someone else?”

They only found more questions, not answers.

Everyone was having fun on First Friday, St. Pete’s infamous downtown festival on the first Fridays of every month. It was at the main cafeteria, where I was told that Nate passed away from a gal pal of mine. I had just picked out the perfect grapefruit for myself.

“Why him and not someone else?”

My initial thought was to remember him the best I could. I wanted to capture his image in my mind and process every memory I had of him as fast as humanly possible. It did not even seem humanly possible. My mind ran at the speed of a supercomputer.

I’m sure others did the same. No matter what the sentiment, the community opened itself up for a

mutual catharsis.

It’s been a while since someone at Eckerd has passed away. No matter how old or the circumstances, our community is affected greatly by the loss of a loved one.

When people came together, they began to realize that life is not a question that truly gets all its answers.

The need for control dissipated.

At first, people felt like they had enough control that they could have prevented what happened.

But that is not good for our hearts and minds.

Some cried, others laughed, everyone missed Nate. At that point, it became apparent that healthy grieving is done through others.

We must not be alone. In grieving together, we can celebrate.

People come to realize their own mortality. The thought is terrifying to some. But it’s not healthy to fear death. We are all going to die. Such a notion in-

“Why him and not someone else?”

Caffeine pills: harmful or helpful?

By Shannon Vize Staff Writer It seems the impossible has been made possible: A diet pill that actually works.

The catch? It’s not designed or marketed as a diet pill, and can easily result in negative side effects.

The latest craze in the health and fitness world today is caffeine pills.

They are cheap, available at your nearest drug store and reliable for weight loss. But they’re also not approved as diet pills, and taking even two at a time can result in an overdose.

A box of pills can be bought without a prescription for anywhere from $5 to $10 at any CVS or Walgreens. The most common caffeine dosage taken for weight loss is 200mg tablets, which is about three times the amount of caffeine in a Red Bull.

For those looking to shed a few pounds, caffeine pills can be a tempting option. The pill increases stamina, allowing for increased athletic performance and endurance, suppresses your appetite, slows down adenosine (which causes muscle fatigue) and acts as a mild diuretic. For those who struggle with waking up early and getting to the gym, a caffeine pill can give you the energy and drive you lack without the calories of soda or coffee.

However, as with all pills, there are negative effects. Caffeine acts on the central nervous system, so withdrawals and tolerance are both likely for avid caffeine users.

You can overdose on caffeine by taking more than 300mg in one day.

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duces a great amount of stress and these stressors, combined with the increased vulnerability seen in people who are mourning, spells out a recipe for disaster.

Eckerd needs to alleviate its stress. Thankfully, our intimate environment encourages students to express their hurt. Counseling services, friendly teachers, and even peers have done more than enough to support the grieving. But there is something more.

One should acknowledge that there is no sense of finite closure. In a piece titled “How to Move On After The Death of a Loved One,” the author, Lisa HW, recalled Diane Sawyer interviews of 9/11 victim’s families. The families stated that after five years, they finally found some hope for the future and can move on. That is a long time.

It was what the author said afterward that touched me: “Saying that it takes a full five years to feel

Overdoses can result in nervousness, sweating, excitement, flushing of the face, depression, paranoia or irregular breathing. Panic attacks, dehydration, emotional fatigue, insomnia and addiction are also side effects of caffeine.

I heard about caffeine pills through a friend of mine who has tried every crash diet and pill that is out there. Without doing much research, I ran to CVS to grab my own bottle and started taking the pills every morning. I was unaware you can overdose on caffeine with the consumption of just two pills.

I unfortunately made that mistake.

After hitting the gym, I attended my morning classes, only to have my heart start racing. I was unable to concentrate, and develop edclammy hand syndrome. I also had the unlucky obligation of a class presentation that day and it was definitely one of the worst I have ever given. My voice wouldn’t stop shaking and I couldn’t calm myself down to save my life. The overdose effects only lasted about an hour or two, but it was enough to demand more research on the pills I was taking.

Since then, I have begun taking the pills only once daily and skipping them on the weekends. Because 200mg of caffeine is equivalent to about two cups of coffee, it is reccomended that one avoids other sources of caffeine, like soda and energy drinks, while taking the pills.

Even with the possibility of a number of negative side effects, I’ve found that caffeine pills offer the better results than other unreliable diet plans and pills.

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back to oneself isn’t saying that we feel equally horrible at four and a half years as we do when only one year has passed. With each day that passes we move farther and farther away from that initial shock and grief.”

What that means is we have to use our time wisely. Grieve while you can, hug people who are crying and tell them that life is beautiful.

Other people are not the healthiest grievers and we must do our part to guide them. No man is an island, as John Donne said.

Eckerd suffers along with its students. If you really can’t smile, ask someone to smile for you.

What scares people the most is the knowledge that someone’s death has such a profound and disturbing effect on the psyche.

Thankfully, there have been some signs of that at Eckerd. Those who remembered Nate did so fondly.

In putting this piece together, The Current hopes that we can find a light at the end of the dark tunnel. We can only hope that our lives will be full of love and meaning, so go out there and live, love and laugh as much as possible.

Health & Fitness 19

Workout Playlist

From the iPod of Alex Patterson 1.“Levels” by Avicii 2.“Fire” by Kasabian 3.“How Soon Is Now” by David Guetta 4.“A Certain Romance” by Arctic Monkeys 5.“I Am the Resurrection” by Stone Roses 6.“Earthquake” by Labrinth 7.“Ready For the Weekend”

by Calvin Harris 8.“Stand By Me” by Oasis 9.“Leave the World Behind”

by Swedish House Mafia 10.“Open Your Eyes” by Alex Metric & Steve Angelo

20 Health & Fitness

the current

May 4, 2012

Students responsible for fitness center care

By Kelly Coston Asst. H&F Editor Many students spend the same amount of time at the Eckerd Fitness Center as they do in some classes. Some students even consider it their “second home.” So what is it that keeps people coming back each day, and what is it that keeps other students away?

According to a survey completed by 206 students, 52 percent use the fitness center more than three times a week. 51 percent answered they were somewhat satisfied with the cleanliness of the fitness center, and 60 percent said they were somewhat satisfied with the center’s equipment. What needs to change in order to get student satisfaction up?

According to the survey, many students responded saying things like “the weights need to be reracked,” “machines need to be cleaned better,” “cardio machines are broken too often,” “we need locker rooms with showers,” and of course those who felt the need to mention “more hot girls in re-

vealing outfits.”

While these are valid requests, many of them are up to you. Ben Maxwell, Coordinator of Fitness and Wellness, said that the disorganization of weights and cleanliness of the gym is a reflection on students not following the rules.

The fitness center is cleaned every night by employees who wipe down the floors, mirrors and machines. “There are signs posted all over explaining that it is the students’ responsibility to put their weights back and wipe machines when they are finished using them,” Maxwell said.

Cardio machines do seem to be out of commission a bit too frequently, especially for how popular they are. Every other week, someone is sent to perform necessary maintenance on machines that need it. Judging by the student consensus, maybe every other week is not enough.

As far as locker rooms and showers go, it is not necessary for a school of this size. According to Fred Sabota, Associate Dean of Students, more than

Starbuck’s cheese danish

Weights racked in the fitness center.

80 percent of students live on campus, so for most students, a shower and a place to change is a brief five minute walk back to their room. “We cater to different needs here, we’re not trying to be compared to Gold’s Gym,” Maxwell said.

Some changes have been made to fitness center this semester and there are more to come.

Recently, the gym expanded by adding a spin room, added a filtered water station and made an emergency alert system available

photo by Alexander Zeilinski

through portable panic buttons that immediately alerts campus security officers. This summer, speakers will be mounted in the group fitness rooms and a new speed bag will be installed.

Have suggestions for improving the Fitness Center? Ben Maxwell and Fred Sabota are always open to student suggestions.

They can be reached at maxwellbp@eckerd.edu and sabotafr@eckerd.edu The Fitness Center is open from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

Easy ways to protect your skin from the sun

By Megan Coy Coordinator of Health Promotion

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the largest organ humans have is skin. Many of us don’t think about our skin as an organ, but with it being the largest organ we have it is important to know how to protect it. Everyone also needs to remember to protect their skin year round, and not just during summer days at the beach.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has several tips for preventing skin cancer: Shade: It’s a good idea to seek shade during the peak hours for UV exposure, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This can be under an umbrella at the beach or even a tree or other type of shelter.

Clothing: The best clothing to wear for protection from UV rays is long sleeve shirts and long pants made of tightly woven fabric. Since this may not always be realistic in the Florida heat, at least wearing a t-shirt or other light material clothing can help.

Some interesting points to remember about clothing is that a wet t-shirt doesn’t provide as much protection as a dry one, and that darker color t-shirts may provide more protection than lighter color t-shirts.

Hats: While baseball caps can help shade your face, they don’t provide the all around protection of a hat that has a brim all the

way around. These hats can help protect your face, ears and neck.

Just like with clothing, you want to make sure the fabric of your hat is tightly woven and a dark color for the best protection. If you do wear a baseball cap, don’t forget to put sunscreen on your neck and ears.

Sunglasses: Your eyes are organs that need to be protected from UV rays, as well. Wearing sunglasses can help prevent cataracts and protect the delicate skin around your eyes. When purchasing sunglasses, check to make sure they block close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen: When choosing a sunscreen, make sure you purchase one that is SPF 15 or higher

with both UVA and UVB protection. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every two hours because it wears off from swimming and sweating. If you go to grab a sunscreen that you’ve been carrying around for awhile, check the expiration date. If there isn’t one, the shelf life of sunscreen is about three years, less if exposed to heat from things like leaving the bottle in your car.

Make sure you take all of these tips into consideration when protecting yourself from the sun.

For example, wear sunscreen even when you are sitting in the shade or wearing a t-shirt.

For more information on skin cancer, visit: www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/.

Affordable acupuncture gains popularity

By Shelby Howell Entertainment Editor

More fat than a cheeseburger?

“Acupuncture is a simple, low-tech remedy that can help with many of the problems that arise from living in a high-tech, highAt the beginning of this semester, acupunc- stress, fast-paced culture,” says St. Pete Comture was nothing more than an obscure con- munity Acupuncture’s owner and acupuncturcept to me. However, I’ve been a part of one ist, Greg Jones. of Eckerd’s first QEP classes which placed me In 1997, the National Institutes of Health at St. Pete Community Acupuncture to help reported that “Adverse side effects of acuout with odd jobs during the semester. Dur- puncture are extremely low and often lower ing this time, a whole new side of health was than conventional treatments.” opened to me.

But there seems to Acupuncture has still be a bit of hesibeen around for tance for many people thousands of years, to give acupuncture a originating in China. try. Part of this may Long before Western be caused by the cost. biomedicine came on Many acupuncturists the scene, this tradiin the U.S. are set up tional Chinese medito see only one patient cine was treating and an hour. This results in curing a vast range of a single treatment costailments. This treating up to $175. Acupuncment works by applyture works best when ing tiny needles to as it is used consistently courtesy of St. Pete Community Acupuncture many as 2,000 acu(about once a week) over puncture points on the human body, which a long period of time. Because many health are connected by 20 meridians. These merid- insurances don’t fully cover alternative mediians conduct qi (pronounced “chi”) between cines like acupuncture, many people simply the body’s surface and its internal organs. can’t afford treatment.

Each of these 2,000 points has a different efHowever, St. Pete Community Acupuncfect on the qi that passes through it and thus ture is trying to change that, joining a movecan have a different effect on the body. ment to make acupuncture affordable for Acupuncture has been proven to be a high- everyone. Across the country, acupuncture ly effective means of treatment. Everything clinics are stepping outside the norm and from headaches and back pain to ulcers and changing the way their clinic is run so anyone drug addiction can be treated by acupuncture. who needs treatment is able to get it.

Treatment with acupuncture can also be quite As it says on the St. Pete Community a bit safer than some Western biomedicines.

Acupuncture’s website, “Each community

acupuncture clinic is independently owned and unique in its own way. However, we all share one common goal, which is to make acupuncture more affordable and accessible by offering acupuncture in a supportive community setting for a sliding scale.”

This sliding scale ranges from $15 to $35. As Greg says, “We want people to be able to get the treatment they need without having to worry too much about how they are going to afford it.”

What makes St. Pete Community Acupuncture even more appealing is its incredibly open and friendly environment.

The two acupuncturists, Greg and Valerie, are always happy to answer questions and make sure every patient is at ease and comfortable during their treatment.

“Working at St. Pete Community Acupuncture has been a great time. The atmosphere is very peaceful and quiet for optimal customer comfort and relaxation,” said Sean Yunker, senior, another volunter from my QEP class.

“The operation is small scale; only Greg and Valerie work there with the occasional volunteer.

A final concern that may be keeping you from trying out acupuncture may be the needles. These needles are incredibly small, about the width of a cat’s whisker, and even someone sensitive can barely feel them.

In fact, many people find the stimulation to be relaxing and it’s not uncommon for a patient to fall asleep during treatment.

Acupuncture is a great way to kill two birds with one stone: improve your health and release some of the stress about upcoming finals.

Baked goods are often made with milk, butter and eggs, making them high in saturated fats.

Aside from the flaky pastry, the cheese filling certainly doesn’t help. It’ll cost you 16 grams of saturated fat, the same as a Whopper with cheese.

Bruschetta chicken salad Ordering the brushetta chicken salad from Applebee’s seems like a healthy option, but the toppings make it more fattening than a cheeseburger. The salad contains two kinds of cheese, one of which is fried, making it full of 18 grams of saturated fat.

Cake batter ice cream Cold stone creamery offers many flavors filled with saturated fats, but the cake batter ice cream contains the most with a whopping 19 grams. That is before adding any toppings!

Clam chowder The creamy New England clam chowder from Red Lobster will cost you 20 grams of saturated fat. One bowl contains more than the recommended amount for an entire day.

Meat lover’s pizza A single slice of Pizza Hut’s meat lover’s pizza has ten grams of saturated fat. Splurge on that second slice and you’ll have eaten your saturated fat for nearly an entire day.

Garden omelette This hearty breakfast from IHOP containing fresh green peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and cheddar cheese is full of healthy ingredients.

But, at 840 calories, it’s simply too big a portion. Asking for egg whites or going light on the cheese can help, as can splitting an order, since the whole thing will set you back 26 grams of saturated fat.

Fettuccinie alfredo At Olive Garden, one of the fattiest offenders is the creamy fettuccine alfredo dinner. It contains 47 grams of saturated fat, which is more than enough for two whole days.

Shrimp scampi and herb crusted salmon The Cheesecake Factory is known for its larger than life portions. This seafood dish is no exception, containing 1,830 calories. While salmon contains a small amount of saturated fat naturally, it’s not nearly enough to account for the 79 grams that the dish offers.

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the current

May 4, 2012

CSports A year of sports in review

By Lincoln Andres-Beck Sports Editor

It has been a year of great highs for Eckerd College athletics. A number of teams participated in national championships while several senior student-athletes had standout seasons to end their careers.

It all got underway in the fall with men’s and women’s soccer as well as volleyball. Men’s soccer had their season ended in the SSC Conference championship after losing to the no. 3 seed Rollins College Tars by a score of 2-1, one of four one-goal losses this year.

This marked the end of the road six men’s soccer seniors: Midfielder Alex Patterson from Newcastle, England; Midfielder Anthony Arico from Charlotte, North Carolina; Forward Thomas Serta from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Defender Jimmy Lawler from Charlotte, North Carolina; Midfielder Drew Smith from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Can-

ada; And defender Sawyer Frank from Chicago, Ill. But the future looks promising for Triton soccer and coach Steve Magee. Junior Forward Matt Knight led all scorers with eight goals this year, and Sophomore Goalkeeper Toni Virtanen looked very strong, posting six shutouts during the year for a 1.45 goals against per game average.

Women’s soccer and head coach Danielle Fotopoulos will look to improve next year on their 5-12 record, which included an 0-7 record against SSC opponents. Women’s soccer is losing three seniors: Defender Ella Miller from Atlanta, Georgia; Forward Callie Pederson from Sarasota, Fla; And midfielder Brianna Murphy from Saugerties, New York.

Volleyball had a true banner year for the Tritons, bouncing back from last year’s 9-18 record in a big way.

They went 27-5, 13-3 in the SSC, and finished second in the SSC, just behind Tampa. They did, however, manage to upset Tampa at home while Tampa was ranked no. 1 in the country. It was the first Eckerd upset of a no.

1 ranked team since men’s soccer beat Lynn 2-1 in overtime during the 2008 season.

Vo l l e y b a l l went on to the NCAA championship touradpromotional photo nament, vancing to the

sweet 16 before falling to Tampa.

Tampa in turn made it to the final four before they lost to the eventual national champions, Concordia-St. Paul.

Volleyball is going to have some gaps to fill next year, as they lose three seniors from their squad: Setter Bri Smith from Highlands Ranch, Colo; Libero/defensive specialist Hallie Ward from Austin, Texas; And right side hitter Ariana Chinn from Houston Texas.

Coach Courtney Draper is already taking steps towards filling the holes left by departing seniors.

The team has already received commitments from Setter Emily Schadow, from Bloomington, Minn., and Defensive Specialist Kelie Reimer of Fond du Lac, Wis. Coach Draper will look to Kaleigh Humphrey to take up the libero position and Madison Burr will continue her role as setter in the 5-2 rotation employed by Draper.

With NCAA tournament appearances in five of the last eight years, and the reigning SSC and AllSouth coach of the year at the helm, I would expect more great volleyball from the Tritons next year.

As the wintery season of Florida approached so did the basketball season, perhaps the most exciting for the majority of Tritons fans.

Men’s and women’s basketball each carried high expectations into the season, with conference polls tabbing them to finish second and fourth in the conference respectively. They sure didn’t disappoint.

Women’s basketball succeeded in matching the expectations of the preseason poll finishing fourth in the SSC, but lost to the no. 5 seeded Nova Southeastern Sharks in the SSC tournament.

Coach Paul Honsinger will be looking to fill some rather sizable

holes next year, as the all time best 3-point shooter in Eckerd women’s basketball, Kati Rausberg, is graduating. Rausberg, who hails from Estonia, holds three of the top four marks for threes made in a season, among other school records, by an Eckerd athlete. Also graduating is point guard Tyler Young, from Galesburg, Ill., and Forward Linsey Niles, from Lorraine, New York.

Despite the loss of these three key players, there is still a solid base of talent remaining, including Forward Krystal Charles and Guard Amy Buccilla.

There is also a solid group of newcomers this year that may make contributions in the future, including Guards Taylor Bestry and Kayla Bowlin, Forward Emilie Hesseldal, and Center Katja Kotnik.

Men’s basketball had a very strong year, racking up a sevengame win streak and sitting atop the SSC standings for a while before finishing the season in second place. The squad eventually lost in the semifinals of the SSC tournament, but still received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, where a missed buzzer beater shot ended their run against Christian Brothers University in the second round.

Although only two players are graduating for the Tritons, a lot of productivity will be lost with the departure of Guard Wayne Sears Jr. and SSC player of the year, AllSouth first team, All-American fourth team and D-II All-Star Game leading scorer Lance Kearse.

Both of these players were high intensity workers who showed aggression driving to the basket as well as the ability to shoot from range.

But even with Sears Jr. and See TRITON, page 22

Eckerd Baseball swept in doubleheader against University of Tampa

By Malena Carollo Asst. News Editor Eckerd baseball suffered backto-back losses against University of Tampa on April 28 at a Sunshine State Conference double header.

Game one began strong with Jordan Huchro on the mound. A crowd of a little over 100 people shouted encouragement to their teams from under multi-colored beach umbrellas; a shady spot on the bleachers was heavy with members of Eckerd’s other athletic teams, all dressed in Triton gear.

Huchro began well, striking out the first three batters he faced in the top of the first. Although shortstop Alex Del Monte reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the first, he was forced out at second base when catcher David Regidor hit into a double play. After infielder Lee Spinelle hit a single to left, left fielder Joey LaRose struck out swinging to end the inning.

C

This pattern continued into the second inning, as Huchro retired three straight Tampa batters but again Eckerd still failed to score a run.

Huchro’s pitching began to wane as he allowed four hits during the third inning, three of which turned into runs for Tampa. At bat, Del Monte managed to hit a double into left field advancing to a tantalizing third base, but didn’t make it home before Spinelle struck out, ending the inning.

The game continued against Eckerd’s favor. Though the fourth inning brought no runs for either team, Tampa scored twice in the fifth inning and the sixth inning heralded four runs for Tampa, zero hits or baserunners for Eckerd.

Tampa’s two runs in the seventh inning brought the score to 9-0, Tampa.

Though Tampa scored another run in the ninth inning, Eckerd saw a little light at the bottom of

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the inning as first baseman Joe McLemore hit a home run into left field, picking up an RBI. The first game ended with a score of 12-1 in favor of Tampa.

Game two began with the crowd as determined as the players. Little was said as fans watched intensely, littering the bleachers with sunflower seeds.

Wilder took the mound for the first inning. The game began shaky, as he allowed three runs to squeeze by, putting Tampa in the lead.

Though Eckerd’s designated hitter Spinelle and Del Monte each got a hit, Eckerd left the first inning with no runs.

Fans’ shouting to the players became more tense in the second inning as Tampa scored seven runs on six hits and two Triton’s errors.

All seven runs were charged to Alex Menendez. Though Rea walked to first in the bottom half of the inning, Gibson struck out and Senior Aaron Shapiro was forced out along

with Rea in a double play.

McLemore was moved from first base to the mound to start the third inning, though Tampa continued to extend its lead with another four runs. Eckerd made no hits or runs.

The fourth inning brought no runs for either team.

Tampa pulled out another two runs off of McLemore in the fifth inning. Neither team scored a run in the sixth inning. Eckerd finally saw its first run in the final seventh inning, as infielder Audrey Santana hit a double, advancing to third on an error by the Spartans and then came around to score on catcher Mike Abraham’s groundout.

The game ended with a score of 16-1 in favor of Tampa for the sweep.

Eckerd concludes their season with a series against Palm Beach Atlantic with games at 7 p.m. on May 4, and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on May 5.

Sports 21

INSIDE SPORTS Current Choice Awards

page 22

Eckerd Rugby

back cover

NBA Playoffs

back cover

courtesy of Sunshine State Conference Callum Georgallides takes a swing.

Golf invited to South Region Tournament

By Greg Reilly Asst. Sports Editor The Eckerd men’s golf team is headed to the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Super Regional tournament after receiving a bid for just the second time in school history.

The Tritons are headed to Rock Barn Golf and Spa in Conover, N.C., where 20 teams will converge for 54 holes of golf May 7-9. The top five teams, along with the next two best individuals, advance to the National Championship the following week in Louisville, Ky. “It was one of our goals to get this far,” said Head Coach Bill Buttner. “We were very close last year and we have a better team this year. It’s definitely nice to set a goal and reach it.”

Last year, the Tritons finished 11th in the South region, one spot below the cutoff for making regionals. This year, the Tritons are ranked 9th thanks to a second place finish at the Jay Jennison Memorial in September, an 8th place finish at the Buccaneer Invitational and a 6th place finish at the SSC Championships in April.

Buttner credits the team’s depth in getting over the hump this year, and thinks the squad is peaking at the right time.

“Now we have to turn our attention on getting to nationals, which I truly believe we have a great chance of being one of the five teams to move on,” Buttner said. “Last year we had four good players, but this year we are a lot deeper top to bottom and we have five good players.”

Callum Georgallides will play number one for the Tritons. He competed at regionals as an individual last year and finished tied for 16th, two shots off the cut for nationals. Jeff Evanier, the medalist at the Jay Jennison Memorial in September, will play number two, followed by Paul Henderson, Greg Reilly and Curtis Lahey in spots three thru five.

Live scoring will be available on golfstat.com.

22 Sports

the current

May 4, 2012

Eckerd

Sports Briefly Global

Softball seniors honored during game Alex Sasso and Emily Wiemken were honored in ceremonies as part of a memorable Senior Day as the Eckerd College softball program concluded the regular season against No. 13 Barry University on Saturday. The Buccaneers (40-9, 19-5 SSC) completed the three-game Sunshine State Conference series sweep against the Tritons (12-43, 4-20 SSC) with two twinbill victories, 11-1 and 8-0 (5 innings). The Tritons finished eighth in conference, exceeding expectations from the coaches’ preseason poll released at the beginning of the season. Sasso and Wiemken were recognized between games with sports information intern Sean Sullivan and athletic training intern Erica Buehning.

Baseball team wraps up regular season The Eckerd baseball team (15-28, 3-18 SSC) wraps up its regular season with a three-game home series against Palm Beach Atlantic University (20-21). They will play a night game at 7 p.m. on May 4, and then wrap up the series with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on May 5. These will be the last collegiate baseball games for 13 senior Tritons, including ace Joey Cuda, who has won Sunshine State Conference pitcher of the week three times this season.

B.o.b. hangs out with Eckerd athletes

Rapper B.o.b. paid a visit to some Eckerd students’ house last week as part of contest put on by radio state Hot 101.5, won by Sawyer Frank. Everyone who entered the contest submitted a picture of their backyard, and the best backyard won a barbeque party with B.o.b. Frank played soccer for Eckerd along with his roommates Anthony Arico, Ben Donovan, Jimmy Lawler, and Luke Bobrowski plays on the golf team. They and 30 other students got to hang out with B.o.b. in their backyard last Monday night for a few hours. They all live in together in the Broadwater neighborhood just north of Maximo.

The Current Choice Athletic Awards 2012 Men’s Athlete of the year Leslie Claridge Center Back Men’s Rugby

Manchester City beats Manchester United in Premier League showdown With a 1-0 win over Manchester United on April 30, Manchester City now controls their own fate in their fight for the Premier League crown. The only goal of the game was scored just before the end of the first half, when Vicent Kompany scored on a header on a corner kick. If Manchester City can win their last two games against Newcastle and QPR, they will be crowned Premier League champions for the first time since 1968.

David Stern dismisses injury suspicions NBA commissioner David Stern said Monday that he doesn’t believe Derrick Rose’s ACL tear, or the other major injuries plaguing the league this season, had anything to do with a schedule condensed by a lockout. The New York Knicks’ Iman Shumpert also tore his ACL on Saturday, adding to a list of major injuries that included season-ending back surgery for the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard. Some players have speculated that a season that was reduced from 82 games to 66 with one day off between the regular season and playoffs played a role.

Laker Jordan Hill faces felony assault charges

26% of the vote 22 votes of 95

photo by Lincoln Andres-Beck Leslie Claridge makes a stiffarm.

Men’s Senior Athlete of the year Michael “Shiva” Best Left Wing Men’s Rugby 18% of the vote 17 votes of 95

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill faces a felony assault charge after an incident with his girlfriend in Houston. Hill is charged with allegedly shoving and choking 28-year-old Darlene Luna, about 1 p.m. on Feb. 29 at his Houston apartment. Luna told police that the two had been dating for about two years. He was charged by Harris County prosecutors in March.

The Houston district attorney’s office said that Hill faces a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. After paperwork is complete, a warrant for his arrest will be issued.

photo by Lincoln Andres-Beck Michael “Shiva” Best making a run during Sevens practice.

Women’s Athlete of the Year Zoe O’Donoghue 8 man Women’s Rugby 25% of the vote 24 votes of 95

EC athletics looks to build on successes in coming year TRITON from page 21

Kearse gone, there is still a deep talent pool for Coach Tom Ryan to work with. Woody Taylor, Josh Snodgrass and Alex Bodney make up a solid backcourt and Darrien Mack and Walade Wade’s inside presence for the Tritons will remain a force to be reckoned with next year.

Spring followed, and with it came the busy seasons of baseball, softball and men’s and women’s rugby.

Baseball always has it tough, playing in the most difficult conference in all of Division II. This year was no exception, but there was a bright spot for Coach Bill Mathews. Senior Pitcher Joey Cuda, the reigning SSC Pitcher of the Year, continued his dominant play by winning the SSC Pitcher of the Week and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) South Region Pitcher of the Week three times. In 78 innings pitched, Cuda racked up more than 100 strikeouts while posting an ERA of 3.1 The face of the baseball team will be completely different next year though, because they have 13 seniors graduating. Almost the entire staring lineup will be gone as well as most of the starting rotation of

pitchers. It will be interesting to see how Mathews brings together next year’s team and how they will fare in the hyper-competitive SSC. Softball, another team sport competing in the especially tough SSC, went 12-43 this year, 4-20 in the SSC. The SSC this year included two teams ranked in the top 15 nationally.

Softball is losing just two players this year, Pitcher/Utility fielder Alex Sasso, from Holbrook, N.Y., and Infielder Emily Wiemken, from Saint Petersburg.

Coach Josh Beauregard will look to fill their holes in the infield as he hopes to improve his squad’s standings in the SSC next year.

Men’s rugby this year took on a new face when Coach David Hedges took the reins in the fall. The advances in tactics and strategy were apparent as Eckerd moved solidly through their schedule. The squad’s only loss came at the hands of UNF by a single score. They then traveled to Mobile, Ala., to compete in regionals, where once again UNF stumped the Tritons and prevented them from advancing further in the national tournament.

Rugby will lose a number of starters to graduation, including Julian Buck, Leslie Claridge, Michael

“Shiva” Best, Nigel Hammond, Frank Arcuri Jr., Michael Loop, Jon McChesney, Padraic Fitzgerald, Shawn Crane and David Hebden.

The emergence of several newcomers, like scrum half Rob Mabry, and the established squad of returning ruggers will continue to push for success as they wear the teal colors of Triton Rugby.

The newest member of the Eckerd Athletics family, the women’s rugby Sirens, has made a big splash in the Florida women’s rugby landscape. They carried an undefeated streak into the year and kept rolling until regionals. In the regional tournament, they were unable to pull off another victory, bringing their second season as a team to a close.

The Sirens will be losing a couple of seniors, including the likes of Kristina Krajcik, Lauren Van Woudenberg and The Current’s Female Athlete of the Year Zoe O’Donoghue. But with plenty of young blood on the roster and a fantastic coach in Candi Orsini, the future is bright for the Sirens. It’s time to start the win streak again.

Whether you like sports or not, it is worth an hour or two of your time to go out and support Triton athletics. And, as always, RIDE THE WAVE!

courtesy of Zoe O’Donoghue Senior 8 man Zoe O’Donoghue.

Women’s Senior Athlete of the year Taylor Young Point Guard Women’s Basketball 12% of the vote 11 votes of 95 courtesy of eckerdtritons.com Senior Point Guard Taylor Young.

Coach of the year David Hedges Men’s Rugby 59% of the vote 56 votes of 95

courtesy of David Hedges Men’s Rugby Coach David Hedges.

Chosen by popular vote through online survey of Eckerd students

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the current

May 4, 2012

Sports 23

courtesy of NBA NBA 2012 postseason bracket.

NBA jump shoots at the buzzer; scores ratings NBA from BACK COVER

danger of losing star players to suddenly having a genuine three headed monster.

In what is now the infamous free agency of 2010, the Miami Heat resigned longtime shooting guard and team captain Dwyne Wade amid speculation of him returning home to Chicago, as well as welcoming in 2008 Gold Medal winner Chris Bosh. And then, just to top it all off, owner Pat Riley convinced the best basketball player on the planet, Lebron James, to sign with the Heat instantly making them the favorites to win not one, but multiple championships.

That pressure has yet to crush the

team, yet each passing season seems to come with more expectations to fulfill. Yet it appears that a trial year, which still resulted in a trip to the NBA Finals, was all that the group needed to begin playing together cohesively as a unit.

The pressure is on the South Beach club to emerge victorious in what the NBA has billed as its biggest postseason yet, and as time passes and teams begin to fall, the term beat the Heat will have two meanings for a hot summer of NBA action.

So stay tuned as the NBA Playoffs unfolds during the coming weeks until a new champion is crowned and lifts up the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy.

courtesy of Keith Allen Injured reigning MVP Derrick Rose.

Eckerd Scoreboard Baseball

(EC) Lancaster 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, ND

April 17 v. Warner University L 2-1 (EC) Gibson 3-4, 2B, RBI (EC) Regidor 2-5, Run, SB

April 27 v. University of Tampa L 5-4 (EC) Cuda 8 IP, 5 ER, 14 K’s, L (EC) LaRose 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI’s

April 25 v. Webber International L 1-0 (11 innings) (EC) Nabers 2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K’s, ND

April 28 v. University of Tampa (DH) L 12-1, L 16-1 (EC G1) McLemore 1-4, HR, RBI

(EC G1) Del Monte, 2-4, 2B (EC G2) Santana 1-1, 2B, Run (EC G2) Crus-Sanchez 2 IP, 0 ER

(EC) Sasso 1-3 April 25 v. Saint Leo University (DH) W 5-3, L 8-1 (EC G1) Mitchell 7 IP, 2 ER, W (EC G1) Sasso 3-3, 2 2B’s, 3 RBI’s (EC G2) Mitchell 1-3, Run (EC G2) Schurr 1-3, RBI

Softball April 20 v. Saint Leo University L 10-0 (EC) Jeffares 1-3, 2B

April 27 v. Barry University

L 3-0 (EC) Bernier 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 K’s, ND (EC) Jeffares 1-3, SB April 28 v. Barry University (DH) L 11-1, L 8-0 (EC G1) Agnew 1-2, RBI (EC G1) Lolo 1-3, Run (EC G2) Mitchell 1-2 (EC G2) Jeffares 0-1, SH

Sports Calendar 4

Friday

Baseball v. Palm Beach Atlantic Uni. 7 p.m.

Rays v. Oakland Athletics 7:10 pm

11

Rays @ Baltimore Orioles 7:05 pm

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5

Saturday

Baseball v. Palm Beach Atlantic Uni. (DH) 1 p.m.

6

Sunday

Rays v. Oakland Athletics 1:40 pm

7

Monday

8

Tuesday

9

Wednesday

10

Thursday

Rays @ New York Yankees Rays @ New York Yankees Rays @ New York Yankees 7:05 pm 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

Rays v. Oakland Athletics 7:10 pm

12

Rays @ Baltimore Orioles 7:05 pm

13

Rays @ Baltimore Orioles 1:35 pm

Visit us online at www.theonlinecurrent.com

14

Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays 7:07 pm

15

Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays 7:07 pm

16

Rays v. Boston Red Sox 7:10 pm

17

Rays v. Boston Red Sox 7:10 pm

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

CSports

May 4, 2012

Beachside Sevens Invitational taken by hometown Senior Sevens

By Mike Geibel Asst. Web Editor Senior members of the Eckerd Men’s rugby team ended their careers on a high note April 28 on Kappa Field. After a grueling day that included five games, the older of Eckerd’s two entries into the tournament, cleverly named “Senior Sevens” won the Beachside Sevens Invitational in a thrilling final over FAU. Eckerd’s Young Stars started out

the day with a convincing win over the Pasco Myrmidons, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.

The Eckerd seniors came out strong in the second game of the day but were only able to score a tie, 12-12, against a strong St. Pete Pelicans side.

As the day wore on, the fitness and ability of the Eckerd seniors began to shine through as other teams became tired and started making mistakes. Eckerd’s seniors continued to capitalize on the mistakes. Michael “Shiva” Best scored 5 tries on the day to lead all players in scoring.

The seniors soon found themselves on a collision course with

an FAU team that was dominating the rest of the competition. In their first match, during the round robin, FAU scored two late tries to pull ahead and secure the victory against the seniors.

After the records had been tallied, Eckerd found themselves at 2-1-1, tied for 2nd place alongside the St. Pete Pelicans.

The Eckerd seniors held the tiebreaker for total points scored and thus gained a berth into the championship match against the undefeated FAU team.

From the opening kickoff of the final match, Eckerd seniors fought hard for every possession and tackle. After a minute or two of stalemate, Eckerd finally broke through the line and scored two quick tries to pull ahead before halftime.

FAU’s hope of a comeback victory was thwarted when a player was sent off the field for throwing a punch at Eckerd’s Julian Buck.

Eckerd continued to hit hard and control the ball for much of the game until FAU scored again in the second half. The try would not be enough to catch the Eckerd men as

the final whistle sounded and Eck- version, which is what most Eckerd fans will recognize from earlier in erd was victorious, 26-20.

Both of Eckerd’s sides played the year. Younger players will need well and showed great character by to step up into the spots vacated not falling to the level of dirty play by the graduating seniors to duplithat was demonstrated by several cate the team’s successes during the 2011-2012 campaign. players on the other teams.

Rising sophomore Rob Mabry Senior Sevens reigned supreme on the day in what will be the se- will take over as the captain of the niors’ final official rugby match on team as he leads Eckerd back to the Kappa Field this spring. Senior Pa- south championships and possibly draic Fitzgerald said of the teams: into the national tournament.

“It meant a lot to win one last time on Kappa Field.

Both teams gave it their all and left it all on the field. I think this tournament really made a name for Eckerd Rugby today.”

E c k e r d Top and Left photo by Ethan Cooper, Right photo by Mike Geibel will now look ahead to next Clockwise from Top: season when Top: Taylor Harned running in to score a try. the game re- Right: The winning Eckerd Senior Sevens team after the turns to the 15s Beachside Sevens Invitational Championship.

Left: Senior Sevens player Leslie Claridge catches a kick.

Rose-less playoffs heating up the courts

By Colin Casey Staff Writer As the shortened NBA season drew to a close, the realization that professional basketball had returned to the highest level finally hit home. For better or worse the NBA had played a shortened 66 game season to the unusual end that set the pairings for the upcoming two month onslaught on the hardwood. The fans returned in droves for the return of basketball and now a champion must be crowned.

Back again are the favorites to try and once again win their cities the glory of being named the NBA Champion. The returning champion Dallas Mavericks backed into the postseason this year with a championship hangover clearly present. Still the Mavericks, led by all stars Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Jason Kidd made the playoffs for a matchup with the favorites to win the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Since being uprooted from the former NBA hotbed of Seattle, the

Thunder has stormed through the league thanks to their dual threat stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

While the fans in Oklahoma City have not experienced NBA basketball for very long, they have already pressured their team to write their history early on in its life. Meanwhile, the Mavericks look to regain momentum lost to the shortened season and contend in the playoffs while so many experts have counted them out.

Also lying in wait out west are two perennial title contenders. The number one seeded San Antonio Spurs have built a successful team out of a small market primarily due to their ability to judge talent deep in a draft.

As a result, aging talismans such as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are helping train their replacements.

Duncan's replacement in particular, DeJuan Blair, a center out of Pittsburgh has shown promise this season coming in off the bench.

While age has been San Antonio’s opponent in recent years, their attempts to rebuild their

depth, which helped build their championship rosters, will likely help them progress in this year's postseason.

With the Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of only eight teams to claim the NBA title in the last twenty years. Throughout that time the constant driving force for the team has been Kobe Bryant. Since being drafted out of high school in 1996, Bryant has helped his team reach the postseason in most of his years with the team.

But the winds of change blew through Los Angeles during the extended offseason with the retirement of longtime head coach Phil Jackson.

With Jackson’s departure, also came a new offense for the team to learn. For the last decade, the Lakers had run the famed triangle offense made famous by Phil Jackson’s Bulls; the system thrives on a strong shooting guard to possess the ball with supporting legs to a strong center and small forward.

This year, however, the offense has been allowed to flow more

freely, which the Lakers struggled to achieve early on but now look to hang a new banner in the Staples Center.

But with little question the focus of these playoffs has been on the Eastern Conference where one major power has been severely crippled in the opening games. The Chicago Bulls have risen from the ashes in recent years after almost a decade of mediocrity. This rise has centered around the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and hometown hero Derrick Rose.

In his short time in the NBA, Derrick has already garnered Rookie of the Year honors, led his team to consecutive best records in the NBA, started the All Star Game twice, and won last year's Most Valuable Player Award; all in all not bad for a kid from the worst neighborhood in Chicago.

However, this year, Rose has been oft injured, finally culminating in an ACL tear in last Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now, what once seemed to be a likely Eastern Conference Finals berth has turned into an

uphill battle for the Bulls, yet they have been unfazed through it all.

Without Rose the team has lost a total of nine games against current playoff teams, but the other facets of the offense have stepped up in his absence.

The noted new leader is veteran small forward Luol Deng, an eigth year career Bull out of Duke. Deng has been among the league leaders in time on the floor in each of his seasons and is noted for his hard work and staunch defense. Also chipping in is a group known as the Bench Mob, a collection of players off the bench that combine to make Chicago among the deepest teams in the league. With the support of Deng, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, Kyle Korver, CJ Watson, Omer Asik, and the most dangerous of all, Brian Scalabrene, the Chicago Bulls still look to win the championship.

But to get to that championship, the Bulls, and every other Eastern Conference team must go through the Miami Heat. In just four years, Miami has gone from being in See NBA, page 23

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