The Current Issue 4

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

Vol. XXVII

November 5, 2010

St. Petersburg, Florida

Issue 4

photo by William Skinner Some 215,000 gathered in Washington, D.C., Oct. 30.

Haitian race starts at EC International community awaits Nov. 28 outcome

News & Features — Page 3

Sanity (and fear?) restored Eckerd students rally wih Stewart and Colbert

News & Features — Page 4

Stolen ambulance keys

ECOS president makes case for empathy

Viewpoints — Page 9

news & features

Executive Board Editor-in-Chief Petra Stevenson

Director of Advertising Abby Gestl currentads@eckerd.edu Web Editors Max Martinez Shawn Craine Faculty Adviser Tracy Crow Director of Finances Beth Robison News Editor Laurel Ormiston currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editor Ashley Daniels Entertainment Editors Johnny Jones Jeralyn Darling currententertainment@eckerd.edu Viewpoints Editor Jaclyn New currentviews@eckerd.edu Asst. viewpoints Editor Liz Tomaselli Sports Editor Will Creager currentsports@eckerd.edu

Student government announces new projects

By Kristen Torres Staff Writer Resident Advisors and Senators are in the process of planning family dinners between dorm residents and complex housekeepers, where family portraits will be taken.

The Coalition for Community Justice, ECOS and Senate want to incorporate a sense of home and family within dorm complexes through hanging a visual reminder of our EC family members where we can see it daily. Like Spirit Week, the family portraits are another Eckerd tradition being revived in the interest of bolstering community spirit. After all the photos are printed, one house will win a prize for most creative.

Along with the Family Portraits Project, the student government is also working on two smaller projects.

The first is an ongoing effort to create projects out of feedback from complex RAs about what students want.

After October’s feedback, senators ordered new cigarette butt containers to be placed around all dorm complexes.

They are also considering a dog washing station at Alpha.

The second project focuses on campus environmental health. Students will soon receive a plastic cup to reuse instead of glass or paper cups. ECOS hopes that students will use these cups during daily activities such as refills at the cafeteria and in dorms. The reusable plastic cup will help eliminate glass bottles and their dangerous environmental effects on campus.

Current hazards include people stepping on glass or running it over with their cars. By using these plastic cups we can have one less trip to the hospital- and hopefully fewer flat tires.

Asst. Sports Editor Lincoln Andres-Beck

Ec

Kristen Torres Shelby Howell Sarah Malhotra Sarah K. Yost April Green Morgan Swim Christian Wimer

By Max Martinez Web Editor Eckerd College Senior Elisabeth “Elise” Hamlin, 21, passed away in a Palm Harbor home Oct. 16. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Hamlin, a resident of Kappa Leighton house, recently began her senior year as a communications major. A Fort Myers courtesy of Eckerd College native, Hamlin graduated from Hamlin’s freshman I.D. Cypress Lake High School in photo.

2007 before enrolling at Eckerd.

As a sophomore, she was twice included on the Dean’s list, for both the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. The Dean’s list recognizes students with a semester GPA of at least 3.75.

A time has not yet been set for Hamlin’s memorial service. For further information regarding the Hamlin memorial service on campus, contact Campus Ministries. Staff of Campus Ministries and the Counseling Center are available to students seeking counseling.

Eckerd College Professor Thomas Munro, 62, passed away in St. Pete Beach Oct. 14. Munro taught in the comparative cultures collegium and most recently in the Program for Experienced Learners. A 1996 PEL graduate himself, Tom held a special place in his heart for Eckerd College. He has been described as “a good friend to students” and as someone who loved to teach.

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Staff Writers

Eckerd mourns losses

Is Taking Submissions

Photographers & Illustrators Doug Thayer Michael Specht Tonya Gabriel Brianna Dickinson Ethan Cooper Ashli Fiorini Kelly Grasty

Contributing Writers Dr. Teresa Restom Gaskill Lauren DeLalla Sarah Crismore Haley Joyce Maddy Wineland Cait Duffy Meagan Bemis

Ashley White Patrick Fallon Elizabeth Brophy

• November 5, 2010 • • Vol. XXVII Iss. 4 • 2

Friday, November 5, 2010

All Eckerd College students, alumni, faculty, staff and ASPEC members are invited to submit Please submit your poems, short stories & nonfiction (15 pg max), & art between Oct. 22 and Nov. 22 to be considered for publication

Please visit www.eckerd.edu/eckerdreview and follow the submission guidelines to submit your work anonymously.

news & features Candidates launch Haitian presidential race

By Ashley Daniels Asst. News Editor

devastated the capital city of Portau-Prince, home to the majority of Haitians, the international f Haiti’s presidential election community has a vested financial were held tomorrow, rather interest in the upcoming election. than Nov. 28, Garuady Laguerre Billions in aid have been promised would most likely win, judging – $1.15 billion from the U.S. But by crowd reactions during the recent with a 500-year history steeped in photo by Tracy Crow forum hosted at Eckerd College. corruption and the sort of political Candidate Garaudy Laguerre engages the crowd in both Creole and English.

Laguerre, the only candidate who engaged unrest that sparks revolutions and the crowd in Creole and English, relied on a dictatorships, plenty worry about candidates were scheduled to attend, need to redefine what school is,” she said. repertoire of motivating sound bites such as whether the aid relief will ever reach those but as the date drew near, the number Blot said he has a new political model for “It’s not about rebuilding the infrastructure most in need. “We don’t even want this dropped to five.

Those who did attend Haiti that would be done with the help of of Haiti but about rebuilding Haitians.” money right now,” said Egma Sylne, a included Laguerre, Josette Ann Marie the Haitian people. He is a member of the Sophomore Haley Joyce took notice of University of South Florida student who Bijou, Genard Joseph, Gerard Marie Heads Together party that plans to rebuild the celebrity Laguerre possessed, saying, attended the forum. Sylne is from Haiti Necker Blot and Eric Smarcki Charles. a Haitian Nation.

Blot has held a number “He created such a stir in the audience and a member of USF’s Creole Club.

Eckerd officials had been told to of government positions, includeing Eckerd agreed to play international host that it was entertaining not only to hear expect about 400.

However, as the secretary of state and minister of public what he has to say, but also his entire to the start of the presidential race after number of candidates dwindled to five, functions.

“After the Jan. 12 earthquake,” dynamic and how he addressed the crowd.” the USF, the original host, requested a so did, apparently, the crowd.

About he said, “we realized we can’t go any lower Senior Breen Eitel agreed, “It seemed schedule change. Fox Hall became the 150 showed up to hear how candidates than this.

It’s time for new political order.”

Laguerre was not only the crowd favorite center of a live radio and television feed to plan to rebuild Haiti.

“The topics raised Then there was soft-spoken Charles who but also a clear favorite among the Haiti. “We love to do these things for our were good,” said Anthony Brunello, spoke against the exclusion of political translators who had trouble stiffling students,” said President Donald Eastman. professor of political science. “For the parties from the upcoming election. their own applause each time he spoke.” “It’s got the international piece, the civic general audience, it was a look behind Charles , 48, has worked as a customs agent Appearing Obama-like in his demeanor, and political piece that I think most Eckerd the curtain at elements of current Haitian and as the assistant director of customs. the political rock star graciously posed students are interested in, it has the service politics you would not normally see.” He contends that “84 percent of Haiti’s for the mob of photo-op and autograph piece in the sense that some of the biggest Why kick off the Haitian election in intellectuals are living outside of Haiti.” seekers, leaving the other candidates service projects in the world are going on Florida?

One reason is to reach the 4 Joseph, 43, and a member of the primarily in the company of their handlers. in Haiti, and {Haiti’s} not far from us.” million Haitians living abroad.

HaitianSolidarite party, has taught philosophy Originally, seven of the 19 approved Since the Jan. 12 earthquake that Americans alone contribute $1.5 billion to for 18 years and is a former member of Haiti, as well as politically influence their the cabinet of education. He believes in Haitian friends and families, according uniting Haiti’s two primary forces: its to Daniel Thelusmar, President of Heart farmers and its private sector. Joseph to Heart Caribbean Ministry, Inc., and also mentioned during a luncheon prior the forum’s organizer. Second, the to the forum that he would like to bring forum allowed candidates to introduce back exiled leaders, Duvalier and Aristide, themselves and their ideas for rebuilding and “put them to work for Haiti.” He Haiti to the international community. said he’s not at all concerned about Candidates first introduced their the international reactions to this idea. qualifications and answered questions Laguerre, 47, the crowd favorite, has developed by Tampa Bay college students. degrees in international relations and Bijou spent 12 years as the health law, and has worked as a diplomat to minister. A doctor, she wants to establish the United Nations. He founded The public health care. She also spoke about Institute for Advanced Social and Political the need to reform education. Bijou calls Studies 11 years ago. “Haiti doesn’t need for the addition of 14-15 percent from pity…Haiti needs leadership,” he said. photo by Tracy Crow the national budget to be directed toward See HAITI on PAGE 6 Candidates at Fox Hall defend their positions on Haiti issues. educational programs and reform. “We

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photo by William Skinner

Spectators perch in trees to survey the rally.

Thousands flock to Stewart and Colbert rally

By William Skinner Staff Writer

O

n the day before Halloween, a mass of people of various backgrounds flocked from all over the country to the National Mall in Washington, united by a single message: take it down a notch. CBS estimated 215,000. Political and media satirists Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hosted pseudo-competing rallies on the east end of the Mall which were designed to address an overbearing partisan and irrational rhetoric that exists both within the halls of Congress and inside the walls of our nation’s living rooms.

“The country’s 24-hour politico-pundit perpetual panic conflictinator” as Stewart called it in his closing speech, “did not cause our problems, but its existence makes solving them that much harder.” He continued: “We hear every damn day about how fragile our country is, on the brink of catastrophe, torn by polarizing hate, and how it’s a shame that we can’t work together to get things done, 4

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but the truth is we do. We work together to get things done every damn day. The only place we don’t is here,” Stewart said, gesturing to the Capitol building behind him, “or on cable TV.” The rally did not hold such a serious tone throughout.

As is typical of Stewart and Colbert’s television programs, the mood was mostly light and humorous. Colbert, maintaining his faux-conservative pundit personality, attempted to defeat Stewart’s message of moderation with montages of news media quotes enumerating things the American public should be afraid of. Stewart countered with the notion that he can simply turn off the television or change the channel with his remote control, to which Colbert countered with yet another montage that covered studies which show how unsanitary remote controls are. Colbert claimed victory, insisting he had killed Jon Stewart.

John Oliver, a correspondent with Stewart’s show, suddenly appeared dressed as Peter Pan, inciting the crowd to revive Stewart. Unanimous chants of “Will this

work?” caused Colbert to cry in despair, “The American people are joining together to chant as one in unison,” as he pretended to melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.

Several celebrities participated in the rally: Sam Waterston of “Law and Order” fame read a poem written

by Colbert, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made an appearance to support the point that not all Muslims are terrorists and Father Guido Sarducci of SNL fame read a benediction to begin the rally.

Perhaps the best-received celebrities were Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman of the Discovery Channel show “Mythbusters.” They conducted several experiments with the large crowd, including organizing a crowd wave to travel from one end of the Mall to the other, instructing the crowd to simultaneously jump for a seismometer and orchestrating a chorus of cheek pops.

Performances by a variety of musicians highlighted the focus of the rally, whether it was Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock singing “I can’t change See RALLY on PAGE 5 the world to make it better,

news & features

photo by William Skinner Pro-Stewart and Pro-Colbert supporters stand side-byside for the rally. the least I can do is care,” or a duel of songs between Yusuf’s “Peace Train” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” that culminated in a compromise: the O’Jays imparting everyone to join hands and start a “Love Train.”

After the rally ended, the crowd began to disperse, though many mingled and made conversation with the many strangers who surrounded them. It was immediately apparent that despite the incredible diversity of those in attendance, all were like-minded, level-headed individuals.

Leslie, a research fellow with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) from Silver Springs, Md., showed her frustration with the rhetoric in the news. “People are sort of shouting at the rain and they’re forgetting everybody in the middle.” She sat with a friend from D.C. who came “just to people-watch and be a part of it.”

Mike, a carpenter from Alaska, said “I don’t even have TV where I live. I hear enough of it even without a TV that I can’t imagine what being around that all the time would be like.”

Dianna, a public servant from Mountain View, Calif., came to the rally with her husband. “The first night that he [Stewart] announced it, we looked at each other, and we said if we don’t go we’ll be sorry.” In the spirit of Halloween and the Fall Classic, they both donned San Francisco Giants paraphernalia and wore fake beards in support of closer Brian Wilson.

Sophia, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan now employed in healthcare administration, had come to the rally with several friends from the university who shared her faith in Islam. In light of recent media coverage such as that of the proposed Park 51 Islamic community center in New York City and the resulting protests and Koran-burnings, she says they concocted the idea of inviting people to jump rope with them in order to “develop a personal connection with the public using the same humor that brought everyone here together today.” The friends encouraged spectators to beat the record set earlier by a man in a Pee-Wee Herman costume and handed out stickers that read “I jumped rope with a Muslim,” to those who joined in.

Eckerd graduate and ECOS intern Justin Walker felt the calling, too.

Of the range of personalities in the crowd, he said, “I have never heard of a rally that was about common sense and about just talking to people and not trying to really push one political party or one agenda. I think this will set a precedent for political gatherings, more civil discourse.

It’s just wonderful seeing so many people here celebrating diversity.”

Stewart, in a moment of sincerity between jokes, had addressed the audience at the end of the rally. “I’m really happy you guys are here, even if none of us are really quite sure why we are here. Some of you may have seen this as a clarion call for action. I’m sure a lot of you were just here to have a nice time, and I hope you did.” There was little doubt that good times were shared by all in attendance, but of those who were hoping for the former, many left the Mall indubitably wondering, with elections three days away: Will this work?

rally continued from Page 4

William Skinner jumps rope with Muslims from Michigan.

photo by Rebecca Cassidy

photo by William Skinner Colbert brings out Ozzy Osbourne in response to Stewart’s guest performer, Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens).

Find us online! www.theonlinecurrent.com for breaking news and exclusive features.

This week’s online exclusives:

• Snapshot of Eckerd: profile of dancer Kate Astor • “The Taqwacores”: CPS coverage of the novel that inspired punk Islam • “It’s our turn to eat: the story of a Kenyan whistle blower” CPS coverage • Bottlenose dolphin research in Boca Ciega Bay. • Herb Day Festival Friday, November 5, 2010

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news & features

Botany on the go: walking the EC Plant Trail

By Dr. Teresa Restom Gaskill Contributing Writer

courtesy of Eckerd College

In your walks across the campus this year take a moment to glance down at the signs identifying some of the more prominent trees.

The discrete pedestals at their bases are the result create a plant trail identifying campus flora for both classes and the causal observer.

The project involved four members from the Association of Senior Professionals of Eckerd College (ASPEC), Bill Stickley, Julie

MacNary, Ginny Oppenheimer and Fred Wolf, as well as three students from the biology and marine science departments, Nicola Zenzola, Scott Adams and Adrian Padilla. The project was funded by an ASPEC/SunTrust Learning Grant, the Natural Sciences Collegium, and the Environmental Studies discipline.

The trail, which overlaps considerably with the Admissions walking tour for prospective students, is intended to be used by classes and as a tool to increase environmental awareness of the whole campus community. The trail

features 27 species of native and non-native Florida trees, including eight species of palm trees, and two plant communities: the Floridafriendly plants of the Sheen Quad and a coastal/ mangrove community by Frenchman’s Creek.

Each identification sign depicts the scientific and common names of the plant and its origin. In addition, the group produced a brochure with a map of the trail and additional information about each plant. For a copy of the brochure or to comment on the trail contact Dr. Restom Gaskill at: gaskiltg@eckerd.edu.

force and we need to provide them strong benefits,” said Laguerre. Presently, the U.N. HAITI continued from Page 3 peacekeeping force aids the insufficient police Regarding questions about how to develop tourism force. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti revenue, decentralize the government, reorganize a military stirs concerns. “They need to leave,” said Laguerre, and reform education, the candidates seemed to agree. “but they go when it’s suitable to us. We have Tourism revenue, according to Bijou, is the second most outside forces bringing negativity on Haiti.” important agenda on her platform. Blot wants to see a Bijou, again, stresses the need for an evaluation, focus on Haiti’s National Museum of Liberty, established this time on “three scales: social, political and in 1804. Charles contends Haiti is the only Caribbean economical.” She wants to end what she refers to country not profiting from tourism. as a “hierarchy “Haiti receives about $50 million Maddy Wineland in the ghetto, a year,” he said. “We need to in the slums.” foster the night life in Haiti.”

During their Haiti Joseph addressed the need final minute, to foster the impression of each candidate The presidential debate lingers safety in Haiti and Laguerre provided a final on as gavels crack and French oozes quickly agreed. “There is a great pitch.

Bijou from tongues of dark faces disservice from the Internet believes the in the crowd. Surge on, Haiti – community,” said Laguerre, entire system land of once majestic mountains “claiming Haiti is not safe. If we in Haiti needs photo by Tracy Crow and fertile possibilities. You, the wild don’t change the image of Haiti, to be changed, Cadidate Genard Joseph is streamed live to Haiti. we’ll never get more tourism.” battlefield where nature of earth fights and says she Decentralization of the has the better nature of spirit. Then, “Oui, oui,” shouts visibly excited. “I love this question!” he said. “Dessalines!” government in Port-au-Prince advantage. the mass as we, dumb witnesses, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, for those unfamiliar is another hot topic, for good Joseph contends he wonder what untamed thoughts collide reason. All government functions is competent for the with Haitian history, was a revolutionary figure and among these warring prophets happen in the capital. If you need position.

Charles founding father credited with ending slavery and gaining who stir the light at the center of our souls. to renew a license and you live in argues he “knows national independence from France after ordering Truly amazing it is how we one of the outlying areas of the the problems in the decapitation of all whites with the exception of fold the fight into a holy light country, you have no choice but Haiti.” Blot believes priests, doctors and tradesmen. The French, reeling of hope within the one prophet to trek toward Port-au-Prince. now is the time to from the barbarism, withdrew their rule of Haiti.

All five candidates agree that “instill a different least afraid of change.

“Dessalines,” said Laguerre, “did what he needed decentralizing the government is a mindset – a better to do to end slavery. He wasn’t afraid to do the right priority. Charles promises two new vision,” adding “Haiti thing. He cut off their heads. A good leader has to growth areas – one in the north and in needs a credible and honest leader. be willing to do whatever is necessary.” Dessalines the south. He also promises three international airports Laguerre said, before the rest of his translated also proclaimed himself emperor of Haiti and was with domestic service and voter registration outside of comments were burried under cheers, “I believe our assassinated two years later because of his tyranny.

Port-au-Prince. Blot agrees with a federalized system in country needs a change yesterday. I’m asking Haitians The recovery for Haiti certainly poses many challenges. the north, and contends Haiti needs a new tax system. to work for themselves, their kids and for Haiti.” It was “Haiti does not have the resources, leadership or Bijou believes this whole topic requires “a 100- clear to Joyce and the rest of those in attendance that infrastructure to make this recovery,” said Brunello, day evaluation of the psychological, physical and “the people of Haiti wants what’s best for their society “and also establish its political institutions – without economical impact.” Joseph says decentralization and they want what is best for future generations.” continued and massive help from outside. That is a will take three years. Laguerre commented in Creole, After the forum, and after handlers had ushered away their tough place to be.

The desire, and necessity, to be but the English translation was lost in the cheers. candidates, Laguerre lingered to answer a philosophical On the topic of re-establishing the military, all five question we posed, which was whether he identified with independent and self-governing; while being so dependent candidates are in agreement. “We need a strong police any of Haiti’s past or present leaders. Laguerre appeared on the material resources and expertise of others.”

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news & features

Earth Update photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Potential new career growth in galaxies far, far away

By Morgan Swim Staff Writer For Eckerd students majoring in biology, physics, chemistry or geosciences, the next 10 years should see a boom in research and job opportunities related to exosolar planet research. Exosolar planets are those located outside our solar system, where until recently we lacked adequate technology to allow for research.

The need to understand the unique processes and physics of these new worlds will mean new careers and areas of study will appear for budding young scientists.

The first potentially earth-like exosolar planet was found last year in the Gliese 581 system. Located in the northern tip of the constellation Libra, the solar system is

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Potential life-supporting planet Gliese 581 g is located just off the bottom left corner of the top triangle formed by the constellation Libra.

(only) 20 light-years away.

The system’s red dwarf star is a mere 30 percent the size of our own sun, but current research suggests one of its orbiting planets may be in the “habitable zone.” The fourth planet in the system, “g,” is the right distance from its star for liquid water to exist on its surface. Its similar size to Earth, at three times earth’s mass, also helps makes it a candidate for supporting alien life.

The discovery is thanks to 11 years of research with the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) on the Keck I Telescope. The discovery photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of a rocky planet close to its star, which is the same Potential life-supporting planet Gliese 581 g is located just off the left corner of description applicable the top triangle formed by the constellation Libra. to Earth, bolsters the theory that habitable terrestrial planets 1990s, and new technology is exponentially expanding may be more common throughout the universe than mankind’s capacity to study planets light-years away. previously thought. Habitable planets can support life, In fact, NASA launched the Kepler space observatory but do not necessarily have existing life on the planet.

According to an interview on the NASA website, “The on March 7, 2009 to search more than 100,000 stars for fact that we were able to detect this planet so quickly habitable planets. The data compilation will not be complete and so nearby tells us that planets like this must be for another two years, after which scientists will need years really common,” hypothesized Steven Vogt, professor to decipher and organize the data into meaningful facts.

Even so, initial data from the first year and a half of astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.

Though nearly 500 exoplanets have been discovered, of study has resulted in the discovery of five new Gliese 581’s g is the first found to be potentially Earth- planets: and scientists predict the future will reveal like. However, these findings have only occurred since the more earth-like planets as the search continues.

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news & features

Rent your textbooks next semester

By Elizabeth Brophy Contributing Writer

Students can look forward to a cheaper option next semester when it comes to buying textbooks from the Eckerd College Bookstore. According to store manager Tiffany Veasley, the bookstore will begin renting textbooks at roughly 45-55 percent of the going price of a new textbook. Currently, the price for new books for a single class averages $150, making the predicted rental cost about $67.

Although the new rental policy won’t be available for all books, it will include textbooks commonly used every semester, especially the more expensive ones. For most classes, the new policy allows students to have a physical copy of the textbooks while still paying roughly the price of an e-book. The bookstore will continue to sell textbooks, and also plans to continue the buy-back program.

The requirements for returning a rental book will be similar to those of the current buy-back policy.

That is, extensive highlighting, water damage, or rips and tears prevent the return of the textbook. Light

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highlighting and other mark ups will still be allowed.

However, availability for rented books will be limited.

For example, the “World of Art” textbook for Western Heritage will have about 200-250 copies available for rent, according to Veasley. The process to rent will be similar to the current purchase process, and students will have to sign a form agreeing to pay the full price if not returned.

Veasley thinks that students will appreciate the change because they will have the opportunity to save money, while still having a hard copy of their textbooks.

Some students agree. “I think that renting books is a great alternative for students, especially those who have limited funding,” says Sophomore Elizabeth Hackett.

Another student, Sophomore Ethan Cooper, adds, “I think students will have a lot more money for other extracurricular activities and more spending money throughout the year.”

However, some students are surprised the bookstore is just now implementing a rental policy. “They’re a little bit behind in this,” says Junior Kelvin Hearns.

“I’m currently using Chegg, an online book rental service. Eckerd is going to have to do better than half

the price, because I paid a fourth of what it was worth.”

Chegg allows students to rent books cheaply for the semester. According to its website, chegg.com, the books are guaranteed to be in good condition and may be returned with light highlighting. Chegg customers can request a new copy if dissatisfied. In recent years other similar companies have competed with Eckerd students for their patronage.

With regard to the bookstore joining the trend, Hearns adds, “They pretty much don’t have an option.”

Although some students plan to continue looking elsewhere for cheaper textbook options, this addition to the Eckerd College Bookstore will certainly provide a convenient one. According to an online survey, Eckerd students are willing to pay more because of the benefits that the Eckerd Bookstore offers, such as the assurance of the correct edition. The study revealed that roughly 55 percent of students purchase textbooks through the college.

The bookstore is also experiencing other changes in the near future such as physical renovations that began Oct. 25.

According to Veasley, renovations include new flooring, paint and fixtures. A larger selection of clothing will also be added.

viewpoints

“ EC missing key to respECt Amusing EDITORIAL

By ECOS President Lauren DeLalla Contributing Writer

The Boston Globe recently published an article by Keith O’Brien entitled, “The Empathy Deficit,” which discusses the recent findings of a University of Michigan Institute for Social Research study. The findings conclude that “college students today are 40% less empathetic than they were in 1979.”

While the article recognizes the difficulty of defining empathy, it points to an earlier analysis that describes empathy as both “the ability to think about how someone else might feel,” and as “the ability to exhibit an emotional response to someone else’s distress.”

One of our very own, Professor of Psychology Mark Davis, has been studying this exact topic for 30 years, and I find myself falling in line with his concerns about the changing trend among college students. “Imagine if humans didn’t have the capacity for empathy,” said Davis. “What would it mean if, in fact, we never gave a damn about what happened to other people? That’s almost an inconceivable world.”

Davis, among others, is somewhat skeptical about the study, yet an incident that occurred on campus last week led me to return to O’Brien’s article and to reconsider the reality of its findings.

Last weekend, an ambulance was called to transport one of our students for emergency care. While the EMTs were attending to our student, another student (who has yet to be identified) entered the ambulance, turned off the ignition and ran off with the keys. The ambulance sat in the parking lot for almost an hour, rendering it immobile until the keys were recovered and returned.

I can only hope that jaws are dropping all across campus as this is being read. The seriousness of this offense pulls at the core of my moral being; for nearly an hour, the EMTs were unable to attend to not only our student, but to other members of the St. Pete community in need of immediate emergency help.

Let that settle for a moment and share in my concern for not only the small minority of our campus lacking in empathy but concern for our broader community who, by not stepping forward, is tolerating this lack of empathy.

While the actions of this individual are not representative of the majority of our students, I think that as members of this community, we as students have the responsibility to be accountable for our own actions and to hold each other accountable. ECOS launched the respECt campaign this fall to combat behaviors that represent neglect in responsibility and a decline in empathy. I do not know how or when it happened, but somehow a couple of our peers have lost touch with empathy, which O’Brien describes as, “a basic ingredient of the human experience.” The message is simple and shared by many: Respect yourselves, Respect each other, and Respect this place.

Like many of you, I consider Eckerd my home, and my friends here, family. I think we all need to take a step back in light of last weekend’s incident to think about that moment when each of us chose to come to Eckerd and to join this community. For a place that offers so much to us, are we really fulfilling our commitment by allowing a few individuals on campus to change the culture here?

I have full faith that our community can curb the ‘Empathy Deficit,’ but we must come together to combat behaviors that simply do not represent the culture, or the values that we live by here at Eckerd.

“Do leave crack alone, and as Rick James said, cocaine is a hell of a drug!”

—A sociology professor on crack cocaine laws.

“Everyone should be in their own bed at night, that’s where your mother wants you to be.”

-A chemistry professor on students outside the classroom.

“Call and response traditionslike when someone says ‘holla’ and everyone hollas at him.”

—A sociology professor on how African traditions added to American ones.

EDITORIAL

Slow down, give us a “brake”

By Haley Joyce Contributing Writer

The Eckerd campus is peppered with “Coexist” bumper stickers. Those who sport them represent a group of people who strive to create a harmonious society despite religious and ethnic differences.

I find it ironic, however, when one of these bumperstickered cars races past me at a death defying speed and hardly notices as I am run off the road. A friend of mine was recently cruising on his longboard one night in front of the cafeteria when a car came barreling down the road. The car hit him, knocked him from his longboard and never bothered to stop.

I am often asked by friends from home or colleagues of my parents if there is anything about Eckerd I would change if I could. I usually tell them there is nothing about Eckerd that I do not like, but secretly it bothers me to see members of our tiny community endangering themselves and others with their cars. Whether you are showing off your new car to your friends or you are late to an interview, please remember that you are not the only person on the road.

It is important that we take care of one another as well as ourselves. I was recently disappointed when I heard that

while an Eckerd student was receiving emergency medical help on campus, a fellow student stole the keys of the ambulance. I did not want to believe that this could occur within our community. I feel that it should come naturally that we would want to help and not hurt those around us.

I know that this is not always the case in the real world but we should strive to live this way here at our beloved Eckerd. After all, one of Eckerd’s most valued principles is service-learning.

But, my fellow students, service-learning doesn’t just apply to what we offer beyond the campus. The same principles apply right here within our campus borders.

I know we’re capable of good deeds. I have witnessed friends helping each other carry heavy loads upstairs and groups of warm smiles and greetings while welcoming a new student. We have comforted each other in the wakes of deaths of our friends and laughed with each other while carving pumpkins. We are united by clubs, dorms and in the beginning by Autumn Term. By the end of our years at Eckerd, we are united once again in our “quest for meaning.”

So as we drive our cars or motorcycles on this beautiful campus, let us all slow down for the amateur longboarders and the joggers and even to admire where we live. We share the hammocks, the beach, the classrooms, the yellow bikes and a charmed life, so why not share the roads?

“Today we’re going to talk about inbreeding. Is anyone here from West Virginia?”

—A marine science professor on inbreeding

“Damn you, Lou Dobbs!”

—A sociology professor on discovering that Lou Dobbs employs illegal immigrants.

Musings” Friday, November 5, 2010

9

viewpoints EDITORIAL

Mock thesis ignites sexuality debate He said...

She said...

By Jeralyn Darling Entertainment Editor Duke alum Karen Owen recently sent a 41-slide PowerPoint presentation of her F*** List to three of her closest friends. One of these friends leaked the presentation, entitled “An Education Beyond the Classroom: Excelling in the Realm of Horizontal Academics,” and the rest is viral Internet history.

I had the pleasure of reading the fake Honors Thesis in its entirety. It was humorous, selfempowering, semi-well written, honest and stupid.

Certainly I admire her dedication for following this project through all four of her years at Duke, but her life choices are something I cannot applaud.

Yes, I’m all for women empowering other women, and I think we should discuss our sexual encounters freely (like frat boys). This does not mean I think the entire world needs to know that such and such a person has a small male member and finishes in less than a minute. Nor do I think it appropriate for a woman to flaunt her whore-dom: 13 guys in four years, none of them boyfriend material (and those are just the ones she had sex with).

Owen’s PowerPoint included pictures, names, when and where the hook-ups took place, memorable moments from each encounter, pros and cons for each “subject” and a raw score from one to ten (the scores ranged from 1 to 10.25) for each of the 13 subjects.

The raw score was based on physical attractiveness, size, talent, creativity, aggressiveness, entertainment, athletic ability and bonus points (“Bonus points were given for… the presence of an Australian accent and/ or professional surfing skills. Points were deducted for rudeness or being Canadian.”).

I would not want to be one of those guys and Owen may have a fast approaching lawsuit on her hands.

Many websites that still have the actual “thesis” on their page have blurred out faces and blacked out all names involved, as per the gentlemen’s (and their parents’/lawyers’) requests.

Owen is very self-aware, and I commend her for standing up for and embracing her womanhood.

Creating such a well-done presentation? A for effort.

Letting it get leaked onto the Internet for the world to see? Stupid, not to mention slutty.

My final remark regards Tucker Max. He’s the author of the New York Times three year bestseller, “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell,” which was recently made into a movie. Is it a coincidence that the two, both Duke grads, now have their sexual encounters plastered all over the Internet? The only difference is that Max wrote about his sexcapades for an audience...

10

Friday, November 5, 2010

By Max Martinez Web Editor

“An Education Beyond the Classroom: Excelling in the Realm of Horizontal Academics.”

photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By now, Duke lacrosse players should be afraid to sleep with just about anybody.

Four years after rape allegations were levied against the team, the boys were back in the news this month as some of the subjects of a leaked PowerPoint about “excelling in the realm of horizontal academics.”

I stumbled upon the PowerPoint late at night, and, unable to leave my chair to go to bed, promptly read through a few slides before closing out. It reads like a long-form Text From Last Night, quoting sure-fire pickup lines like, “Damn, you have a nice pair on you. I like that.” That winner is courtesy of Jake Lemmerman, one of 13 “subjects” sexually critiqued by Owen. He received an 8.25/10 rating, giving him fifth place on the list.

Discussing your partners’ sexual ability has been going on for who knows how long, so it’s not as though Ms. Owen was breaking new ground here. Her critiques just happened to be made public.

And yet, people were up in arms. Some were offended by her openness and vulgarity, others just chose their favorite five letter word that rhymes with store and let it fly.

Honestly, I say good for her.

Judging by the 27 slides of pure narrative, along with the two graphs, she clearly has a passion for, well, passion. I’d bet she put more effort into this “Senior Thesis” than any project I’ve done since fifth grade (lifesize plaster molds are far more difficult than sleeping around and writing about it).

That doesn’t mean I don’t think she’s an absolute idiot. Showing your friends a joke PowerPoint one night is fine, even if it’s as obscene as the one in question. But in the age of viral Internet memes, where all it takes is one blog getting ahold of something to make it an overnight sensation, e-mailing the file to three friends shows a serious lapse in judgment on her part.

The urge to forward such a provocative, racy presentation is hard to resist. If a friend had sent me something similar, I wouldn’t put it past me to forward it again to another friend. That one extra forward was all it took in this instance to release it to the world. I feel bad for her, but she should have seen this coming.

At this point, all you can do is laugh and start planning a way to explain the ordeal to potential employers.

Play it off as being just another figure in the ongoing public discourse on female sexuality. If we are truly a culture that values gender equality, we’ll treat this the same way we treated another famous Duke sexcapade narrative, “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.”

Re-read it and wait for the movie adaptation to come out.

viewpoints

Taking a stand: it gets better

EDITORIAL

By Liz Tomaselli Asst. Viewpoints Editor

On Sept. 9, a 15-year-old boy hangs himself in response to gay bullying. On Sept. 22, a boy from Rutgers University jumps off the George Washington Bridge in response to gay bullying. On Sept. 29, a 13year-old boy hangs himself in his backyard in response to gay bullying. Shame on us.

What are we doing here, echo-boomer generation? Are we so egotistical as to push the issue of gay rights and awareness on to the next decade? The next generation?

What an atrocity, what an embarrassment.

Can we live with this blood on our hands, this ignorance, this apathy toward one of the most pressing issues of our time? I refuse to believe this is the best we’ve got.

It’s time to get our first string quarterback and our peppiest cheerleaders out there, because I refuse to let our generation sit this one out and go down without a fight, failing to act on this issue like so many generations have before us.

This unfortunate trend of gay youth suicides is nothing new, but its recent publicity brings to light what I believe to be one of the cardinal issues of our time. I urge you all to go to www.itgetsbetterproject. com and view the collaborative messages of various celebrities, including President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for the powerful “it gets better” campaign. A campaign that encourages gay youth to stay strong and remain optimistic for the future. And yes, some of these celebrities are arguably not the greatest role models in

the world, with a few histories of substance Gay rights issues is a topic that is abuse, risqué photos, and adultery scandals addressed with frequency in many high under their belts, but their celebrity status school and college classes around the combined with their present and crucial country today; not all, but many, which is message makes their argument undeniably a vast improvement from none just a few unified and unavoidable, and rightfully so. years ago. And my personal experiences In one of his lesser-known songs, John have only reinforced my confidence in Mayer so fittingly sings “though it won’t all our generation. I was fortunate enough to go the way attend a high it should, school where a I know the student’s sexual heart of life orientation is good.” was not a And while stigmatizing John Mayer fixation, and is a talented where I met and albeit one of my best controversial friends, who is public figure, gay. I am even his lyrics more fortunate certainly to attend an seem to be exceptional and right on compassionate target with college such as the moral Eckerd where of this story the issue of gay here. Yes, our rights is openly nation has actively photo courtesy of It gets better project website and disappointed Jennifer Love Hewitt in a video statement discussed in me, and I’m lectures with sure so many others, with ghastly and articulate and passionate intellectuals who unacceptable behavior and policies toward deeply believe in the cause. I have yet to homosexuals, but as much as I have ranted be a part of a discussion on gay rights in an about my disappointments, there is also academic institution or elsewhere where something about our generation that everyone was not in agreement that our makes me indisputably optimistic for our nation, and our world for that matter, is future, and even a bit proud of how far we in need of a hurried change with regard to have come. gay rights. Just the sheer fact that these

incidents of extreme gay bullying have received so much warranted press proves how far not only our generation but our society has come.

And although these appalling incidences are obviously occurring, I have a strapping sanguinity in our generation’s ability to coexist and triumph over a selective group of ill-informed peoples and to reprimand and educate the remnants of an older generation. A generation whose silly old politics and archaic perceptions we will no longer let poison and burden the society we inherited the day we became smarter than them, the day we realized equality and basic human rights were for everyone. Make no mistake, I am not as ignorant as to say that older generations are the enemy, because this is certainly not the case. Obviously we cannot make such gross generalizations, after all, it is our generation that has done most of the recent bullying. But it just happens to be a fact that much of the opposition comes from an older generation that was not raised in the open-forum environment I have been so avidly praising.

So, it’s not too late; of course it never is.

And at the risk of flustering members of a college with no football team, I think I will return to my football analogy anyway and say, it’s only halftime, Guys! So get your head in the game and let’s win this. And for those of you just arriving, put down the cracker jacks and grab a jersey, because we need all the help we can get. It is our responsibility to take action, I hope you take it seriously.

EDITORIAL

Would you get naked for $1 million?

By Sarah Crismore Contributing Writer

Your heart is racing. Your ears are pounding from the cheers of thousands. The president of the United States is less than ten feet from you when you start to undress, completely. Then you run.

Juan Rodriguez did just that. As part of an Oct. 11 publicity stunt, he bared it all in front of Obama, and earned a cool $1 million.

I’d do it for a million, wouldn’t you?

That’s right. I’d run buck a-- naked in front of President Obama for $1 million. That’s roughly $600,000 after taxes. Quite a bit more than I have right now.

After Rodriguez bared it all, I started contemplating if I would do it. Could I do it?

Rodriguez’s stunt was the brainchild of billionaire and FilmOn.com owner, Alki David. David offered to pay $1 million cash to the first person to streak in front of the president with the word ”Battlecam” on his chest.

It was a perfect publicity stunt that did not put David at risk of embarrassment; in fact, he did not have to risk anything at all. From all the media coverage, the $1 million he’s paying is far cheaper than paying for an entire ad campaign.

But, could I exploit my body and self for money? Bear in mind, I’m about to graduate with loans from a four-year liberal arts college with graduate school on the horizon.

Think of the possibilities. With $600,000, I could pay off my school loans, pay for graduate school and still have enough left to set up a comfortable existence to start off my life. Who could ask for more, right?

Well, consider the consequences. Rodriguez was arrested and charged with indecent exposure, public lewdness and disorderly conduct. All these charges are punishable by imprisonment, fines and in some states registration as a sex offender.

So is having a criminal record and possible sex offender status worth $600,000? I really don’t want that following me around for the rest of my life. After all, a criminal record can limit job opportunities.

Not to mention that even if, somehow, I managed not to end up with a criminal record, I would forever be remembered as the chick who streaked in front of President Obama. Thanks to the Internet, almost every news broadcast, newspaper article, Internet publication and all other sorts of media are eternally available to the rest of the world. My great-great grandchildren could Google my stunt.

Is $600,000 worth it? Is the risk of imprisonment, being unemployable and having timeless proof of my public indecency worth the money that could pay for my education and a decent start at life?

To me – it is. Despite all the risks. The thrill, the experience and the money would have been worth it.

I would have loved to be the old woman in the nursing home whose claim to fame was that back in the day she bared all in front of President Obama.

I wish I had known about David’s wager before Rodriguez stepped up because this could have been an entirely different article. And if all else failed, I’m sure I could have at least gotten a reality TV show out of it.

Friday, November 5, 2010

11

viewpoints

PerspECtives Q: How do you feel about the new 3D movie trend?

“Movies are better off staying twodimensional. “Toy Story 3D” was so annoying. “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” were two-dimensional, so the third should have stayed that way.

3D doesn’t enhance the movie at all.

If anything, it confuses people. It’s not worth paying the extra money to watch it. Even the glasses are ugly! It just ruins the movie theater experience in general. I didn’t even know there were 3D TVs! Wow, that is just plain crazy.”

“I definitely do not like the new 3D craze going on. People shouldn’t put so much emphasis on visual entertainment and invest money in other technological advances.

“Jack Ass 3” and “Avatar” are the only movies worth being in 3D. “Spy Kids” shouldn’t have been made, period. Let’s not even talk about how pointless 3D TVs are. I find high definition TV to be the same as 3D or even better.”

—Frank Arcuri Jr., junior

—Natalie Lodinger, freshman

“I think “Avatar” was a great movie. IMAX movies in 3D are great. However, I believe 3D movies have to have real people or characters, none of that cartoon stuff. For example, “Toy Story” is a two-dimensional classic, and the whole series should have stayed that way! But “Step Up 3D” was awesome. Rick Malambri can dance around me all day long! It takes a lot to like a good 3D movie, and I don’t like having the characters all up in space while I’m at the movie theater. That’s just weird and the glasses are uncomfortable. I think the 3D TVs on the other hand are a great idea. I would not mind having Channing Tatum practice soccer in my living room or Batman run around my house!”

—Patrice Smith, freshman

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Friday, November 5, 2010

“I think it is the next step in the evolution of film, and James Cameron was the pioneer in the technological and artistic side of 3D that started the revolution. I do like it because it gives depth and reality to the picture. I think the 3D used in 80s films like “Jaws 3D” were a cop out and only for hokey teases of outstretched arms into the audience. I believe the more subtle 3D films like “Avatar” and “Toy Story 3” are artistic and add to the quality of the films. I think all movies should eventually be in 3D. It would simply build depth and perspective to the scenes.

So yes, I think 3D is very cool, and will become an integral part of our culture.”

—Jimmy Rivera, junior

By Kelly Grasty Photographer

Review

arts & entertainment

Next in“Fallout” series not so new

By Samantha Hagar Staff Writer “Fallout: New Vegas,” the fourth installment in the post-apocalyptic RPG series, is in many ways not all that original.

Having only dabbled in Fallout 1 and 2 (partially because isometric graphics make me a little queasy), “Fallout 3” is the only version that I have played extensively. However, I found that “New Vegas” felt more like an expansion upon “Fallout 3” rather than a brand new game.

The game takes place roughly three years after the events in “Fallout 3” and is set in post-apocalyptic Las Vegas and throughout the Mojave Desert. You play the role of a courier who, after a nasty shot to the head by a man in a smoking jacket, attempts to find out the what’s, why’s, and how’s regarding the assassination attempt on his life.

Though the original crew responsible for “Fallout” (Obsidian Entertainment, formerly Black Isle Studios) developed “New Vegas,” most of the elements present in “Fallout 3” also appear in

the newest installment. The game engine is the same as the one from the previous “Fallout” games, which makes everything look fairly outdated.

The combat system has gone through some tweaking (for example, the V.A.T.S. now have special attacks), but overall it has remained the same.

The free shooting is better than in “Fallout 3” but is still pretty horrific. It is worth noting that Obsidian made sure that the dialogue and story are far superior to the hackneyed script of “Fallout 3.”

One of the biggest new features is the inclusion of a “hardcore” mode, which is a separate game mechanic that can be added to any difficulty.

While the game play difficulty increases, a survival aspect becomes a part of the game. The player must actually eat, drink and be rested in order to survive. The healing process becomes difficult as medical items heal your character over time rather than instantly. In addition, ammunition has actual weight so you can only carry a certain amount. And if your companions die, they die for good.

Any fan of “Fallout 3” will be more than pleased with the new game, even if it wasn’t a breakthrough follow-up in terms of enhancements and changes to game play. “Fallout: New Vegas” offers all the same mindless first-person shooter entertainment of its predecessors but with a few promotional photo tweaks that make it worth the purchase.

Review

Review

“Professor Layton” unwinds “Do You Realize?”: an evening with puzzling future on the DS

By Abby Gestl Staff Writer One of the newest titles currently available for the Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) system is the third game in the “Professor Layton” series, “Professor Layton and the Unwound Future.” Having completed the first game in the series “Professor Layton and the Curious Village,” I decided to skip the second.

Fortunately, “Unwound Future” makes plenty of references to the first game and few to the second.

All of the “Professor Layton” games are puzzle games. Talking to pretty much any character on the screen will review puzzles to solve. No matter how out of place with the story they may seem, puzzles continue to come out of nowhere.

Puzzles in “Unwound Future” have much more variety than in the previous games. Puzzle difficulty is ranked by points: a 40point puzzle is more difficult than a 20-point puzzle and so on. Still, I found myself breezing through some 40point puzzles while having to look up answers to some 20-point puzzles online.

A certain number of puzzles must be completed to move forward. If you guess incorrectly, the game is particularly unforgiving and can take away up to half of your total points.

The controls rely solely on the DS’s built-in stylus.

The best way to find hidden items is to tap around the bottom screen like mad.

Even with a full display on the top screen, trying to view other parts of the map is difficult. For some reason, the game designers

made it so you move forward by tapping a back arrow.

The background art was rich with detailed designs and bright colors thought overall artwork for the characters was unchanged.

A few changes in the puzzle area layout also seemed out of place. Animation in the cut scenes seemed more natural than one would expect.

One quote form the game sums up my feelings about “Professor Layton and the Unwound Future”: “You build a machine gun out of a slot machine to take down the puzzle-toting hat mafia from China Town!!”

What more could you ask for?

And always remember dear reader: “For every puzzle, there is an answer”…especially on Internet walkthroughs.

By Patrick Fallon Contributing Writer As my eyes, blinded by lights, began to adjust, I found myself on stage with The Flaming Lips staring out into a crowd of 2,000 elated fans.

It was October 13, the day The Flaming Lips were finally going to be playing in St. Petersburg. Not just playing, but entertaining.

I was with a group that included myself, Freshman Kyler Thomann, and a few other lucky Eckerd students, who found our way on stage. It is a tradition at Flaming Lips shows to bring fans on stage and put them in costume. Some of the girls we were with caught the attention of one of the roadies who were looking for dancers. Thomann explained, “Eventually, through a lot of finagling, we got up on stage.” Thomann had seen The Lips once before. He said this time the band really stepped it up, possibly due to the release of their new album, “Embryonic.”

We found ourselves backstage getting dressed into “Yo Gabba Gabba” outfits: orange jumpsuits and furry hats worn by one of the characters on the popular children’s show. The roadie briefed us and we soon

found ourselves on the side of the stage watching Wayne Coyne – the lead singer – inside a gigantic bubble scrambling around on top of the crowd. “They really put a lot of hard work into the show,” said Thomann.

The show included constant crowd-band interactions, a massive visual screen behind the band, and copious technical pleasures.

Seeing The Flaming Lips is to participate in an experience specifically engineered for the audience.

Wyatt McMurry, a freshman and recently indoctrinated fan of the band, reflected on the concert. “That main guy, Wayne, has really created this sort of like proto-hipster, strange aesthetic that is pretty unique.”

McMurry labeled the show as the closest thing he will get to a cohesive classic rock experience and have added their own touch.

“The Flaming Lips have elaborated on it. The theatrics of [Coyne] are pretty awesome, and he’s pretty spry for being middle aged.”

On the whole, the top-notch special effects only enhanced the musical experience of the concert.

As the band came out for an encore to play their signature song, “Do you realize?” lights that blinded those in the front row, and voices screaming in ecstasy filled the air.

Friday, November 5, 2010

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arts & entertainment

Horoscopes

Make a clay date at Morean Arts center

By Ashley White Contributing Writer

With its high profile museums, including The Salvador Dali and most recently The Chihuly Collection, it is no wonder that St. Petersburg was ranked number one on this year’s poll of the Top 25 Arts Destinations for mid-sized cities by “AmericanStyle” magazine.

Though few would complain about being irgo corpio in the presence of such greats, it seems as if those who are artists in their own right are Aug 23 – Sept 22 Oct 23 – Nov 21 often overlooked. Such individuals, however, Past wrongs have been righted. Avoid If you are about to do something you are the main focus of The Morean Arts Center any more drama for now. Take a may regret, rethink your plans. for Clay. breather.

“By kindergarten or first grade we all decide who the artist is, and that’s the drawer or the painter,” said Valerie Scott Knaust, clay studio coordinator. “The rest of us are kind of pushed eo out of that picture. The Morean Arts Center agittarius Jul 23 – Aug 22 for Clay gives us all an opportunity to be a You’re missing someone you love. successful artist.”

Nov 22 – Dec 21 After relocating from The Morean Arts You’re in need of a break. Good news: There’s no shame in calling him or her whenever you feel the need.

You need Center’s Central Avenue location, The Morean comfort food is in your future! little reminders.

Arts Center for Clay now resides in the historic Seaboard Coastline Freight Depot along with Highwater Clays and the St. Petersburg Clay Company. Highwater Clays handles all supply and material sales and the St. Petersburg Clay ancer apricorn Company allows the public to watch more than Jun 21 – Jul 22 Dec 22 – Jan 19 60 artists work. The Morean Arts Center for Stress will overcome you this week. Cut Clay provides the lessons.

You’ve been focusing too much on through organizational impediments Classes range from basic hand throwing detail. Step back and look at the big and get something done. to specialized courses like Foodies, in which picture. You’ll realize you’re not too students create platters and dishes for their far from your goal. favorite meals. Whatever their interests, students are sure to find a class to match them. emini “One of my favorite classes that we offer is quarius the Un-Wine-D Hand Building and Wheel May 21 – Jun 20 Throwing on Friday nights,” said Knaust.

You’re torn between social life and Jan 20 – Feb 18 studies. Leave time for some of each; Time to revisit your to-do list. Add Review something you’ve already completed; balance is key. it’ll make you feel that much better.

By Jeralyn Darling Horoscope Muse

V

S

L

S

C

A

C

G

“Students just have to show proof that they are 21 and are encouraged to bring their own beverage. It’s a lot of fun.”

Classes range from a beginners level to the more advanced.

Drop in Clay, for example, is held on Saturdays and is designed for those who want to experience clay for the first time. For $25, anyone can come in, sit down and have the experience of handling the clay and making something.

“We’ve got some great teachers and it’s really fun,” said Knaust. “Yes, it’s frustrating to learn. But it’s such a team effort. We share a passion. Painters paint by themselves, but potters will stand around together for hours firing a kiln.”

Korie Ashton, a student of both the Program for Experienced Learners at Eckerd College and The Morean Arts Center for Clay, identifies that a sense of community keeps her coming back for more.

“Normally I’m an introvert,” said Ashton.

“But the people are great and it’s just so comfortable here. There’s always a whole team of people available to give me pointers when I need it. No one is selfish with their information.”

Though the idea of working with clay may seem foreign to many, our society is much more accustomed to it than one might assume.

“Think about it,” said Knaust. “You’ve already touched clay at least ten times today.

From tiled floors to sinks to toilets, it’s a constant part of our lives and yet many know very little about it.”

Those interested in becoming more familiar with clay may register in a three or six week course online at www.moreanartscenter.org or call 727-822-7872.

“Don’t Blink” a waste of time

Pisces Feb 19 – Mar 20 Follow your intuition. It hasn’t been wrong yet and that’s not about to change.

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 19 Stressful classes are getting you down. Try to get ahead before you get bogged down.

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Friday, November 5, 2010

Taurus Apr 20 – May 20 You may be trying to pursue too many goals. Take it one step at a time and you will reach them all.

Libra Sept 23 – Oct 22 Stay away from stressful things in your life. You need some rest after a long few weeks. Naps are something to embrace.

By Shelby Howell Staff Writer If you’re a fan of mystery stories, you’ve probably come across the name James Patterson. I have read several of his earlier works including “The Thomas Berryman Number” and “When the Wind Blows” and found them to be quite enjoyable. Over fall break, I decided to check out his latest book “Don’t Blink.”

I’m not going to lie. I was disappointed.

For a mystery novel, the plot

does a good job of keeping the reader’s interest. There is a murder at a New York steak house that the police are unable to solve. One of the witnesses to the murder, a reporter named Nick Daniels, begins his own investigation that leads him to the middle of a war between the Italian and Russian mafia.

Unfortunately, this story is told with surprisingly simple writing for an adult novel.

The dialogue is forced in many places, and constant reminders of previous events in the story were unnecessary.

The novel could definitely be categorized as a “summer read.” If you are looking for something to take to the beach and doze in and out of, this is the book for you. However, if you want something more intellectual, I suggest you look elsewhere.

promotional photo

arts & entertainment

Preview

“The Call of the Wild” playwright workshops with actors

By Johnny Jones Entertainment Editor Dog fights. Masked men. Stunts on stilts.

Sound intriguing?

Then come see “The Call of the Wild,” adapted by Stefan Haves and directed by Gavin Hawk, which opened on Nov. 4.

The play follows Buck (Alex Mishkin ‘12), a pampered city dog who gets stolen and sold off to pull sleds searching for gold in the Klondike.

Buck must fight for his life each day and learn how to survive in the Arctic. Cruel owners and wild dogs are just a few of the many trials and tribulations that he must overcome.

As a cast member in this production, I was treated to something special on the weekend of Oct. 8. Stefan Haves, the writer and director first responsible for adapting Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” from a book to a play, put on a two-day workshop for the cast.

Haves’ extensive knowledge of the book as well as his lengthy career in physical theatre (he is currently a comic act designer for Cirque du Soleil) were incredibly helpful in creating the feeling of a “dog world”

as he liked to call it.

I had a chance to sit down with this writer, director and actor to discuss his creative process and work history.

Haves’ most intriguing challenge was figuring out how to portray a show from a dog’s perspective. He explained that in commedia dell’arte, a form of early Italian comedic theatre, stock characters make it clear how they should be perceived. “That’s how dogs look at people,” Haves said.

“Either a person is benevolent or sadistic.”

All of the human characters wear masks to give cut and dry images of how dogs view people. The show is all about bringing the dogs to life.

“Usually people go ‘oh “The Call of the Wild,” you’ll make the dogs little furry things and the humans will be normal. No, it’s the opposite.”

Haves stressed that the key with this show is to create tension in every moment. The audience must care about the dogs they are watching for “The Call of the Wild” to work as theatre.

“We try to find the empathic nature that we have with animals and just say ‘that’s me right there,’ that we aren’t that different from them.”

According to www.stefanhaves. com, Haves first did a run of “The

Call of the Wild” that garnered three L.A. Weekly awards including Best Choreography, Mask and Sound Design. After finishing the show, he still had all of the equipment when he got hired at the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts.

“I had the masks and I had the stilts and so I said ‘what the heck, I’ll do it with the kids.’”

Haves cast Eckerd professor Gavin Hawk, who was a student at the time, in his first collegiate production of “The Call of the Wild” back in 1991. When Hawk decided to direct the show nearly 20 years later, he brought Haves back to coach the actors in the ways of the dog.

Creating the illusion of a dog in a human body has presented physical challenges unlike any I have encountered as an actor. It forces my body to use muscles that I didn’t even know I had. Like Haves said, “Probably the most challenging work is the physical limitations we have as humans and trying to break those boundaries and go farther than we can.”

“Call of the Wild” runs November 4 – 14, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Bininger Theater. $1 Eckerd students photo by Christy Wright w/ I.D. $5 Eckerd community. $10 Senior Rob Davidson practices standing with stilts and a general public. mask.

Rub-A-Dub dubstep: British electronic invades American speakers

By Cait Duffy Contributing Writer You may have heard it emanating from car speakers around campus, felt it vibrating your neighbor’s walls, or watched it blow up sound systems in clubs: the deep whomping bass of dubstep.

It’s not just music to listen to - it’s made to be felt throughout your entire body, created for giant speakers, and designed to engulf multiple senses at once.

It’s meant to take complete control of you.

Characterized by a consistently deep bass and syncopated rhythms, dubstep emerged from London’s 2-step garage scene around 1998. Since then, the genre has made its way to the States and is gaining a strong foothold in the music scene.

Dubstep is popular from New York to California to Florida, and present in most

underground club scenes in the states between. Eckerd students recently made the trek to the House of Blues in Orlando for a concert where dubstep artist Bassnectar performed. One student in attendance was sophomore Lizzy Brophy. The crowd consisted of mostly young adults, and “was overwhelmingly enthusiastic,” according to Brophy. A huge fan of the artist, she plans to attend her fourth Bassnectar concert while in Colorado over fall break.

The music draws its influences from a vast range of genres, including jungle, jamaican dub, and most directly 2-step garage (for an example of 2-step garage, try listening to “Can You Feel It” by Charlie Emmett). When the 2-step garage scene became too mainstream in London, producers Zed Bias and El-B, among a few others, decided to break away and try something new. According to an article in New York Magazine, “Zed Bias and El-

B drew on Jamaican influences to take the two-step sound in a darker, more challenging direction, thereby alienating the trendsters.”

Ironically, breaking from the mainstream led to the creation of an incredibly popular type of music. Their ideas were finally transformed into what is now recognized as dubstep circa 2002 in the Croydon borough of South London by producers such as Horsepower Productions and DJ Hatcha.

However, the sound became popular with the release of one song, “Midnight Request Line” by then 19-year-old Oliver Jones, also known as the artist Skream. Since then, he has been recognized as one of the most prominent and influential producers in the genre.

So how can one identify a dubstep song when they hear it? Typically, the ideal thing to listen for is the incredibly heavy bass and sub-bass lines. The songs contain

lyrics from time to time but are mostly instrumental. Kick drums, high hats, and a bass drop toward the song’s beginning are staple features in almost all dubstep songs.

A few of these artists could be placed in a “sub-genre” of dubstep, leaning toward one musical influence more than another.

But that’s one of the beautiful qualities of dubstep: there is no set formula for how the music is made. The common element lies in how the music is meant to be experienced.

So turn the volume and bass all the way up, let the deep sounds and rhythms vibrate every part of your body, and wait for that bass to drop.

There are a vast amount of dubstep artists, but here are a few suggestions if you’re looking for some to listen to: Rusko, Skream, Liquid Stranger, Bassnectar, Caspa, Mt. Eden, Willy Whompa, Zeds Dead, Boregore, Mimosa and Benga.

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encounter. We want to be loved and we want to love. It’s human nature. But human nature also comes with its downfalls – infidelity is caused by the basic human instinct to spread one’s seed. I’ve read countless studies that confirm the male human being to be incessantly searching for ways to continue his bloodline. Does that mean that monogamous relationships are obsolete? Or that they are this impossible dream-like thing that we chase in hopes that science is wrong? In any case, love is not the single thing that a relationship should be hinged upon because love is a creation of the human mind.

I like to watch chick-flicks and revel in the possibility that someday my prince charming will spend all his waking moments trying to make me happy; coddling me when I’m upset, laying his coat across a puddle I couldn’t possibly walk around, looking deep in my eyes and telling me that I’m the only one. But in my heart of hearts and mind of minds, I know for sure that the occurrence is rare, if not entirely made up for entertainment’s sake. I guess to maintain sanity in human beings, love was created as a measure of purpose because, let’s face it, life is daunting. It’s mind-numbing to try to comprehend why billions of “people” walk the planet every day repeating the days before for roughly a hundred years and then they vanish. Is there something that happens after death that shows us the real meaning of life? Is this “life” just a test-run for what might be next?

When I was really young, about five or six, I would wake up screaming in the night because I was unable to picture myself any older and took that as a sign that

Sex on the beach

By Meagan Bemis Contributing Writer I just can’t figure you out.

The two most powerful words in the English language are love and hate, which I find interesting for a couple of reasons. Without love you cannot differentiate hate and vice versa, the two are dependent upon the existence of one of another and the line walked between the two is so incredibly thin that it induces fear in all who engage in one or the other.

I’ve been in love. To say whether it was real or not is hard to determine mainly because the projections of love that we encounter in mainstream media are dream-like; those images blur the lines between what “real” love is and what we expect it to be. Above all, the fantasy love world in the media makes it next to impossible for real people to experience what we are shown as bliss. Unfortunately for real people the bliss comes with a swift kick in the a-- called reality. At times you can look at your significant other and feel nothing but pure joy which can all come crashing down in an instant, thanks mostly to outside influence.

The fact of the matter is that regardless of whether you feel in your “heart” that this man or this woman is the only one on the planet for you, it’s untrue.

Love comes and love goes and love will come again; it’s like a drug to be perfectly cliché. Once you’ve tasted love (or something mistaken to be it), you will continuously search for it in everything you Review

A major in webcomics

By Morgan Swim Staff Writer Most college students have read a webcomic or two while surfing the Internet. While most webcomics are about fantasy or sci-fi characters, video games or Web-culture, a few comics get their punch lines from more academic sources.

From literature to advanced mathematics, some comics specialize in getting laughs from specific audiences. For college students, this means that there is a comic out there for every major.

“Hark, a Vagrant!,” written by Canadian artist Kate Beaton, puts a witty spin on history. With a degree in history and anthropology, Beaton is known for making obscure references to lesser known historical events, making it a perfect comic for history and literature majors.

With such subjects as Victorian era gender roles, Canadian military campaigns and various parodies of European monarchs, “Hark, A Vagrant!” leaves history savvy fans 16

Friday, November 5, 2010

rolling with laughter.

Literature fans will also not be disappointed, as authors such as Jules Verne, Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Orwell and Edgar Allen Poe are periodically made the butt of jokes. Though humor will be lost on those less familiar with the subject matter, Beaton’s wit is not always so obscure and many strips can be enjoyed by all.

On the other end of the academic spectrum, “XKCD” is a popular comic with fans coming from math, physics and psychology majors.

Written by Randall Monroe, a former NASA robotics employee and programmer, the comic covers a wide range of political, social and scientific topics many can relate to, but the unique angle taken with some strips might leave liberal arts majors in the dark. With advanced mathematical equations and statistical data sometimes becoming the whole punch line, “XKCD” leaves scientists with smug smiles and math majors impressed.

I would never get to be older. I feared dying like it was … well, death. And although we’re told that humans don’t have the capacity to truly comprehend the meaning of an “afterlife” or continuation of existence, I think that’s what my psyche was trying to tell me.

Maybe I was being told that this life, regardless of when it ends, is essentially meaningless. That might sound downright pessimistic, but in all honesty, that isn’t what scares me. What scares me is that the things I do on a daily basis might really be for nothing. Is it possible that this life is just a waiting room? That all the struggles and triumphs and emotions and … bulls---… are simply events to help pass the time; like playing I Spy in the car on a road trip to Grandma’s?

It’s disheartening to think that the emotions created in our minds can be so debilitating, crushing, and all around nasty. Why do we have to experience those things if we’re just playing a game? Why can’t it all be fun and games? Why build your knowledge of this world and its innerworkings if it all really has no purpose? What’s the motivation to build a career and have a family and do right by others when the ultimate goal is so completely indecipherable?

I guess this is just the resulting mindset of a girl who put her all into a five-year relationship only to find one day that we had grown apart. That love really wasn’t enough. That in the end, you can only rely on yourself to be there for you through all of those pointless emotion-induced breakdowns during our time in the waiting room we call “life.”

Review

“Jackass 3D” in 2-D: just as funny

By Johnny Jones Entertainment Editor 3-D is for jackasses.

Three-dimensional technology used to consist of little red and blue paper glasses that came inside a cereal box. I have to say it hasn’t gotten much better.

Due to my predisposed aversion to 3-D, I decided to stick with boring old 2-D to view the newest installment in the “Jackass” series. I feel like I made the right decision.

“Jackass 3D” features dozens of hilariously idiotic stunts by the same donkeys that started abusing themselves for America’s amusement back in 2000. From Johnny Knoxville to Wee-Man, nearly the entire cast returned to bring its audience to the brink of vomiting once again.

From a Taser-laced obstacle course to a giant hand that smacked both cast and crew to the ground, our beloved jackasses have yet again come up with a creative menagerie of paininducing stunts. One of my personal favorites was called “Duck Hunting,” a skit in which two

jackasses used a massive inflatable cushion to launch a third into the air while the rest of the cast shot him with paintball guns until he splashlanded in the water.

One of the vilest skits involved Steve-O converting two cranes and a portable toilet into a sickening bungee contraption.

After witnessing that one, I felt bad for all of the poor saps who had to see excrement bouncing around in all three dimensions.

My only complaint lies promotional photo with the cameos. NFL defensive end Jared Allen has a great scene where he decks Knoxville as he attempts to catch a pass, but this is the only impressive cameo. Seann William Scott (Stifler from “American Pie”) barely gets any screen time, and his role in the stunt is minimal.

“Jackass 3D” is full of the same wacky buffoonery that made “Jackass” one of the most watched shows on television. Yet these guys still manage to bring a fresh flavor to their old devious style. I guess these jackasses still have a little kick to them after all.

arts & entertainment

Events

Nov. 5 — 18

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

First Friday 8 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS) 8 p.m.

D.L. Hughley Improv Comedy Theater

12 7 p.m.

Social Distortion Jannus Landing 8 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS) 9 p.m.

Paul Oakenfold Green Iguana’s Hawaiian Village 9 p.m.

Uncle Kracker The Dallas Bull

9 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Saturday Morning Market 290 First St SE St. Petersburg 3 p.m.

Fish Broil and Mullet Festival Pass-a-grille beach

9 a.m.

Tarpon Springs Sunday Morning Famers Market

6:30 p.m.

“Into the Fire” USF Marshall Student Center

9 a.m.

Gulfport Tuesday Fresh MarkeBeach Boulevard

2 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS)

8 p.m.

The Cult Jannus Landing

7 p.m.

Meditation Workshop ConsciousnessBlossoms

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8 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS)

2 p.m.

Nunseations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue Manatee Players Bradenton

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14

9 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Saturday Morning Market 290 First St SE St. Petersburg 8 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS)

8 a.m.

Dalí Museum Moving Sale 11 a.m.

Ribfest Vinoy Park 2 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS)

7:30 p.m.

Atreyu Ritz Ybor

7 p.m.

Better Than Ezra Jannus Landing 8 p.m.

Joanna Newsom Ritz Ybor

9 a.m.

Clearwater Farmers Market 12 p.m.

Curator’s Tour USF Contemporary Art Museum

Veterans Day 8 p.m.

The Call of the Wild Bininger Theater (CPS) 8 p.m.

An Evening with Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull) Ruth Eckerd Hall

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9 a.m.

Oldsmar Fresh Market Oldsmar City Hall

8 a.m.

Sanding Ovations Master Sand Sculpting Competition and Music Festival Bilmar Beach Resort

7:30 p.m.

Sarasota-Manatee Bach Festival Christ Community Church in Bradenton

7 p.m.

USF Lecture Series: “Daily Show” correspondent Aasif Mandvi USF Marshall Student Center To advertise your event with The Current, contact Current Entertaiment at currententertainment @eckerd.edu Friday, November 5, 2010

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arts & entertainment Review

“Yotsuba&!” quick pick-me-up read

By Abby Gestl Staff Writer The Yotsuba& series, a pick-me-up manga by Kiyohiko Azuma, the same author of Azumanga Daioh, has, as of this month, eight volumes available for sale with more on the way through Yen Press.

The series is unique in many ways and is a heartfelt adventure for all who read it.

The series is about the exciting adventures of Yotsuba, an ever-cheerful 5-year-old with green hair. The story itself is a nice slice of life told through the excited eyes of a child. The most impressive part of the story is probably how, unlike other similar stories, Yotsuba is told through her perspective as she experiences life instead of what seems to be a reflection of someone else’s childhood. As in in the American comic, Calvin and Hobbes, we see a fresh childlike mind viewing the world. True amazement at new things in the world instead of seeing a child who seems to act more like an adult, or what an adult believes a child should act like.

Because of Yotsuba’s young age, the current events of the story can easily be explained to the audience in a simple way because they also have to be explained to Yotsuba. The story is realistic in its events, even with a green-haired child, with the only robot in the manga being a cardboard one made by a young friend of hers.

The series starts with Yotsuba and her father moving into a new city where Yotsuba then gets to meet her new neighbors who eventually become like family to her. The series can sometimes make

one wonder if Yotsuba is allowed almost too much freedom due to her being allowed out unsupervised whenever she wants, but the neighborhood is a quiet one in a nice part of town. Though we do see her get punished when she ends up biking all the way to a high school to deliver milk, you’ll have to read to figure out why.

The story also includes a good look at some parts of Japanese culture such as festivals and holidays to remember ancestors because Yotsuba, and therefore the reader, can have everything explained to him or her.

The art style of the series is one in which the characters themselves are simply drawn with relatively realistic features. The backgrounds, on the other hand, are always present and incredibility detailed. This makes the story seem more believable as a whole and offers some beautiful artwork. The story doesn’t put too much emphasis on having to read it in order, so it would not matter a great deal where the reader started the series. Though it should be noted that some of the future volumes have references and inside jokes related to earlier volumes, and the very first book is the introduction to the characters. Unlike other manga series there is also no “story thus far” or character charts to new readers with a who’s who, though unique characters are easily remembered.

The story, overall, is a fun read for any age group, even though the storyline is tame. Each book in the series made me smile. I recommend the series to anyone who needs a quick pick-me-up read when the stress of college just gets to be a little too much.

promotional photo

Morning Market a bring-your-own-bag bonanza

By Sarah Irwin Staff Writer The Saturday Morning Market, a non-profit full of friendly volunteers, had its fall opening Oct. 2. Every Saturday the Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown St. Pete, near Progress Energy Park (1st St. and 1st Ave. S.).

At the market, one will encounter 120 vendors and lots of fresh and local produce, delicious food, beautiful and useful art, friendly people that bring their own bags and many cute dogs. Live bands also provide plenty of entertainment.

Senior Joanisa Tenreiro bought pollen from Musashi the Bee, her favorite stand. She says consuming pollen from local florabuilds immunity to allergens, and sometimes, 18

Friday, November 5, 2010

allergies go away. “It is rumored that local honey does the same thing, but it is actually the local pollen that one should look to take a teaspoon a day of,” says Tenreiro.

Junior Wesley Lucas favors the smoothie stand. Others enjoy the Hooker Tea stand, although the shop is right on Beach Drive. Art on Cloth, a colorful tie-dye tent is another booth where one will find a friendly man and his acoustic guitar. The Warden Farm stand, an organic farm stand where free sunflowers that aren’t sellable are given out for free and the Hairy Potter, where the potter encourages people to “buy a little pot” and to “support your local pot dealer” are two more wonderful stands. The Breadwinners Bakery, that has delicious regular, vegan and gluten-free breads and free samples and Gateau O Chocolat, where there are many delectable organic, flourless and glutenfree cakes sprinkled with inspiration are two booths where one can munch on something yummy.

The market has a perfect sampling of St. Petersburg residents as well. The cool, funky atmosphere and people make for the perfect place to people-watch. Be sure to look out for a wonderful man in a tux with tails. He will swingdance with anyone who asks. One may also see a whirlwind of tie-dye, dancing and shopping in all directions. Lastly, look out for children with face paint smiling everywhere.

Most everyone responded to the question “Why do you come?” with, “because it’s a great community gathering” and “because everything’s fresh!” Whether going for the free samples, the band, or the cute dogs, the Saturday Morning Market has something for everyone. Also, every first Saturday of the month, an Eckerd shuttle leaves from the mailboxes. It also makes for a great bike ride that is approximately seven miles. If you’ve never experienced this local outdoor market, next Saturday is the perfect time to go.

sports George Marchant steps up as team leader

Men’s soccer season recap

By Lincoln Andres-Beck Asst. Sports Editor

By Lincoln Andres-Beck Asst. Sports Editor George Marchant, the senior soccer forward from Rockville, Md., has been the heart and soul of the offense this year.

As the lone striker up front for the Tritons, he has led the way with four goals and two assists. He has switched back and forth throughout the season from being the holding player up front distributing passes, to becoming the lone attacking striker going on goal.

But whatever role Marchant has played throughout his four years as a member of the men’s soccer team, the one thing the team was able to rely on was his work ethic.

Marchant, according to head coach Steve Magee, has been a “leader in the front this year” and has “worked very hard to get to where he is.”

That hard work has been recognized with multiple “male athlete of the week” awards, honors Magee thought were well deserved.

When asked about his career at Eckerd, Marchant said, “I enjoyed it and have no regrets.”

Magee said Marchant has been enjoyable to coach and has an incredible work ethic, which allowed the playercoach relationship to blossom this year. Magee also said Marchant will be “a miss for us, a massive miss.” The team will need to step up this spring to help pick up the slack with the loss of the hard working senior.

As he looks forward, Marchant said he plans to return home and work before possibly moving on to graduate school. He could see himself coaching soccer in the future, but only on the side, not as a career.

Marchant also said that during the last four years he has become increasingly independent, a quality that Eckerd instilled in him, pushing him toward being a self-sufficient adult. When asked about the pressures of finding time to

Men’s Basketball

fulfill the athletic and academic commitments at college, Marchant said that it has helped him develop in both the academic fields as a psychology major and in athletics as a soccer player.

In high school, Marchant was a three-year starter and won the Maryland high school state championship his senior year. He also dabbled in lacrosse and wrestling before becoming a Triton.

It was a year of transition for the Eckerd College men’s soccer team, and the transition began successfully.

Under the tutelage of new head coach Steve Magee, the team thrived early on,starting the season 4-2. They played with a 4-5-1 formation, with Senior Forward George Marchant alone up top. The strategy paid off early, with Eckerd scoring 12 goals in the first six games of the season.

The Tritons also had several big wins, including victories over #23 ranked Florida Southern and #9 ranked Tampa.

In the middle of the season things became more difficult, as two key players went down with injuries. Freshman midfielder Mark Lee sufferred a leg injury while Alex Patterson, the team’s captain, went down with a torn ACL. Both injuries ended the players’ seasons, resulting in a patchwork midfield that would both slow down the Triton’s offense and take away the place kicker for free kicks and corners.

After the injuries, the Tritons went into a midseason skid that would eventually cost them their spot in the SSC Conference Tournament. They finished the season 7-8, going 2-6 in conference play.

But looking forward, the Tritons project as a very dangerous team in the coming years despite losing several key players, most notably Marchant. The team will also lose midfielders Kiki Gonzalez, Mikhail Turner, Derek Hall, Andrew Diggs and defender Mike McGee. With Alex Patterson and Mark Lee coming back from their injuries and the eight sophomores and six freshmen returning to the team, there is plenty to build on in the coming years for the Tritons. With the talent they possess and Coach Magee onboard, a deep run into the postseason next year is not out of the question.

Women’s Basketball

Volleyball

photos courtesy of Eckerd College Athletics Senior forward George Marchant.

Sports

Friday, Nov. 12 v. North Alabama @ Valdosta, Ga. 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16 v. Palm Beach Atlantic 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 5 @ Lynn 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 13 v. Alabama-Huntsville @ Valdosta, Ga. 12 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20 v. Benedict College 2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 12 @ Rollins 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16 v. Palm Beach Atlantic 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 26 v. Puerto Rico-Bayamon 3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 13 @ Florida Southern 4 p.m.

Friday, November 5, 2010

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sports

Triton Tip-off 2010 photos by William Skinner Top Left: Dance Team performs its routine following basketball introductions. Below: Relay race creates battle of the sexes.

photos by William Skinner Top Left: Dance Team performs. Below: Girls and guys face off in basketball relay race.

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sports

photos by William Skinner Clockwise from top left: Women’s basketball showcases talent; Darrien Mack showcases his dancing abilities; Mack dunks during shoot-around; Gamma residents attempt to win the complex pride competition.

Friday, November 5, 2010

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sports

Men’s basketball loses exhibition game at USF

By Lincoln Andres-Beck Asst. Sports Editor The Eckerd College men’s basketball team had their first preseason game of the year against the D-1 University of South Florida Bulls at the Sun Dome in Tampa.

The Bulls proved to be too much for the Triton team and jumped ahead early to win 75-58. The Tritons’ 22 percent shooting in the first half proved to be the deciding factor as Eckerd was trailing by 18 at the half.

Leading the way for the Tritons were Junior guard Wayne Sears and Senior forward Lance Kearse, who both had 9 points, while Augustus Gilchrist led all scorers with 14 points and added 8 rebounds for the USF Bulls.

This preseason game showed some early season rust from both teams, as they combined for 47 fouls and 42 turnovers, but in the end the superior shooting of the Bulls proved to be too much. The Bulls also used their size advantage well, especially while Triton Junior center Adio Faucher sat on the bench for most of the first half with foul trouble.

There were also several positives that the Tritons can

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Friday, November 5, 2010

take from this preseason loss at USF, even though the result was not ideal. The much larger USF team had a fight on their hands and the work ethic that Eckerd showed was solid throughout the game. In the second half, the Tritons actually outscored the Bulls 33-32 behind 40 percent shooting and were competitive throughout the game. If the shots had fallen for the Tritons, it would have been a much closer game.

The Tritons officially open their season on Nov. 12 when they play North Alabama at the Gulf South/Sunshine State Challenge in Valdosta, Ga. The first home game will be on Nov. photo by Lincoln Andres-Beck 16 against Palm Beach Atlantic Junior center Adio Faucher wins the first tip-off of the season during the at 7:30.

Tritons’ exhibition loss at USF.

sports

The times, they are a-changin’

By William Skinner Staff Writer

“R

e-play! Re-play! Re-play!” the crowd chanted in near unison.

It was the fifth inning of game two of the ALDS between the Rangers and the Rays.

Rangers’ third baseman Michael Young had just minutes ago, by all accounts save those of the umpires on the field, offered at a 2-2 slider from Rays pitcher Chad Qualls for strike three. On the next pitch, Young launched Qualls’ 32 fastball over the centerfield wall for a three-run homer that would put the Rangers ahead by five and dramatically alter the course of the rest of the game.

Baseball has been traditionally slow to adapt to technologies that offer a better look at potentially gamechanging calls; technologies which other major sports already employ on a regular basis. It was only two years ago in September, inside the same stadium, that Major League Baseball saw its first use of instant replay on a boundary call. It was also at Tropicana Field, two weeks later, that baseball saw its first call overturned by video review. How fitting then, that fans’ further desires for expanded replay should congeal into an audible plea to MLB there.

In many ways, baseball has already seen its share of changes over the past fifteen years; enough change that the famed documentarian Ken Burns saw it fit to revisit his landmark documentary series “Baseball” in a segment titled “10th Inning.”

We saw a players’ strike end the 1994 season and cancel the World Series for the first time since 1904. We have seen the ugly steroid controversy that has marred the game for many and likely altered the record books. We have also seen the rise of international players the likes of the undoubtedly hall-of-fame-bound Ichiro Suzuki and the newest Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman, who now holds the record for the fastest pitch recorded in a major league game, clocking in at 105mph.

We are now potentially on the brink of a new era in baseball, such that Mr. Burns will have to plan on an “11th Inning.” The steroid era is showing signs of coming to a close. Since the 73 questionable home runs Barry Bonds hit in 2001, fewer and fewer balls seem to be leaving the park. Over the past three seasons, only Jose Bautista has hit over 50 home runs in a single season, a feat which he accomplished this year. To account for a difference in runs provided by the long ball, one might identify a resurgence of the stolen base and so-called “small ball” to manufacture runs, a style of play typified by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Many sports broadcasters have dubbed this the “year of the pitcher,” and perhaps rightly so. We have seen five nohitters, two of them perfect games. Roy Halladay threw only the second no-hitter in postseason history, after Don Larsen’s fabled perfect game in the 1956 World Series, in game one of the NLDS. Earlier in the season, Halladay threw the 20th perfect game in MLB history.

Perhaps a fitting start to an “11th Inning” documentary would be 2010’s third perfect game that wasn’t. Armando Galarraga missed his own chance at history this June with

two outs in the ninth inning on a botched call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce.

Joyce erroneously ruled the 27th Indians batter to come to the plate safe on a groundout to first. Galarraga, visibly fraught with an array of emotions, returned to the mound and recorded the 28th out of the game with just five more pitches.

Had MLB already secured a procedure to give umpires a chance photo by Will Skinner to review such calls The Texas Rangers celebrate after winning the ALDS at Tropicana Field. Had and see when they a close call in game two been reviewed, the series may have taken a different are wrong, as Joyce course. did after the game, Galarraga’s gem would have been the third perfect game in the span of twentyThat notion may cause some to wonder how different four days. some of baseball’s early history might have been if replay This year’s postseason was potentially altered for better had been available, how many no-hitters that were left out or for worse by yet another blown safe-out call, this time of the record books by an errant scoring decision would at second base. Game one of the NLDS between the Braves still stand today, to what extent the all-time leaderboards and the Giants ended 1-0 in the Giants’ favor. The lone run might have been shuffled by an off-the-wall double was scored by Buster Posey, who was ruled safe on a stolen that should have been ruled a home run, or how many base in the fourth inning by umpire Paul Emmel. Emmel postseason series might have gone the other way were it was not in a position where he could see Brooks Conrad not for a bungled fair-foul call. clearly apply the tag in time. Posey was quoted after the It is perhaps for this reason, that it has always been game as saying: “I guess it’s a good thing we don’t have the way of things, that many self-proclaimed baseball instant replay right now.” “purists” are drawing the line at replay for boundary calls.

Some players have recently taken to the unsportsmanlike Commissioner Bug Selig was quoted in 2005 as saying, practice of manipulating the limited perceptive ability “human error is part of our sport.” For the time being, Selig of baseball’s ultimately human umpires with acting is standing firm in his refusal to expand replay. However, performances befitting a high-school thespian. Derek he has announced plans to retire at the conclusion of the Jeter, long heralded as one of the game’s classiest, was 2012 season. The next Commissioner of Baseball may be recently admonished for pretending to be hit by a pitch much more open to new ideas. that clearly hit the knob of his bat. His act was enough to Among the ideas currently being tossed around by convince the home plate umpire to grant him first base. sports writers and TV analysts are the establishment of Fellow Yankee Nick Swisher, taking lessons from his a replay booth, much like those used in college football, captain, pretended rather to not be hit by a pitch in game wherein an additional umpire would judge whether a call six of the ALCS, prompting the umpires on the field to rule needed another look, and the use of a challenge flag, much it a wild pitch that would allow Alex Rodriguez to score the like those used in professional football, by exasperated lone Yankee run of the night from third. managers who want something else to do other than to Eckerd’s baseball coach, Bill Mathews, also employed stomp around and kick dirt. The latter was implemented as the official scorer for the Tampa Bay Rays, had some in this year’s Little League World Series, to mixed reviews. things to say on the matter of replay. In his position, he Challenges were implemented a total of sixteen times, with frequently uses video feed to aid in his decision-making. eight calls being upheld and eight calls being overturned.

The feed is on an eight-second delay, giving him an Whatever the means of expansion, given the current opportunity to view plays live, then review them as tide of sentiment among fans it is likely only a matter of necessary. Mathews estimates that he uses the technology time before many game-changing, even history-changing a dozen times a game, adding that, “I’d go so far as to say calls will get the chance to be reviewed and guaranteed of that I rely on it.” He remarked that, before the advent of their accuracy. As Bill Mathews put it: “Your eyes don’t video review, scorers probably got a lot more wrong than necessarily tell you the truth … you just want to get [the they do today. call] right.”

Friday, November 5, 2010

23

The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College

photo by Lincoln Andres-Beck Senior forward Lance Kearse lays up a basket during an exhibition game at USF.

Marchant steps up during senior year page 19

Men’s basketball loses exhibition at USF page 22

Missed calls ignite demand for replays page 23