UNIVERSITY PRESS FAU’s student magazine
MARCH 26, 2013 | VOL. 14 # 25
The next
route After playing his last season at FAU, wide receiver Byron Hankerson is pursuing professional dreams P. 6 READ US - upressonline.com LIKE US - facebook.com/universitypress FOLLOW US - @upressonline upressonline.com FIRST ISSUE IS FREE; EACH ADDITIONAL COPY IS 50 CENTS AND AVAILABLE IN THE UP NEWSROOM.
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Tuesday March 26, 2013
The Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - Regina Kaza MANAGING EDITOR - Lulu Ramadan
IN THIS ISSUE Cover
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ART DIRECTOR - Chase Kennedy
Byron Hankerson is trying to balance football, college, and fatherhood in his last semester at FAU. By Bryant Eng Photo by Lamise Mansur
BUSINESS MANAGER - Michael Chandeck WEB EDITOR - John Kramer WEB DESIGNER - Phaedra Blaize WEB PHOTO EDITOR - Melissa Landolfa COPY DESK CHIEF - Emily Mitchell-Cetti SPORTS EDITOR - Rolando Rosa FEATURES EDITOR - Emily Bloch PHOTO EDITOR - Michelle Friswell SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
News
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Christine Capozziello, Ryan Murphy
Find out how Greek organizations increased their GPAs in the last 10 years. By Sarah Pruzansky Photo by Max Jackson
COPY EDITOR Amanda Rubio STAFF WRITER - Mohamed Abdihakim SENIOR EDITOR - Ryan Cortes DISTRIBUTION MANAGER - Lore Khazem CONTRIBUTORS - Bryant Eng, Chris Hamann, Max Jackson, Lamise Mansur, Christopher Massana, Maddy Mesa, Sarah Pruzansky DESIGNERS - Laura May Jockers, Breanndolyn Lies, Kevin Mann, Claudith Saint-Jean
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By Lulu Ramadan Photo by Michelle Friswell
ADVISERS Dan Sweeney Michael Koretzky
Cover photo by Michelle Friswell
Meet the Stop Owlcatraz Coalition — a small group of students fighting to make a big change.
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777 Glades Road Student Union, Room 214 Boca Raton, FL 33431 561.297.2960
FAU’s rugby team mourns the death of Adam Donohue, who was shot by Boca Raton Police. By Chris Hamann Photo courtesy of Richard Sun
WANT TO PLACE AN AD? Contact Marc Litt 732.991.6353 mlitt705@gmail.com
WANT TO JOIN THE UP? email upress@fau.edu Staff meetings every Friday, 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union, Room 214
PUBLISHER FAU Student Government The opinions expressed by the UP are not necessarily those of the student body, Student Government or FAU.
Features
14.
The second annual Geek Week is being hosted by the Student Union — here’s what to expect. By Christopher Massana Photo by Michelle Friswell
Join Omicron Delta Kappa in conjunction with Lexis Nexis on April 6th, 2013 for a Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event! Together we will package 100,000 meals at FAU, making an impact in
10:00AM-12:00PM
12:00PM-2:00PM
Can’t make the event? You can still help by donating!
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Sports
Hankerson the hopeful
After playing his last season at FAU, wide receiver Byron Hankerson is pursuing professional dreams By Bryant Eng Contributor
Photo by Lamise Mansur
I
n 2012, his senior season, Byron Hankerson made his biggest impact playing in all 12 games for the Owls and hauling in the game-winning score against Wagner in Week 1. accomplishment this year wasn’t on the football of a newborn son, Byron Hankerson, Jr. “I am seeing him take responsibility and ownership and really rise up to the challenge,” said Hankerson’s father, Brian. “His son is here, so of course we are going to embrace him and love him.”
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with raising a child hasn’t changed Hankerson’s dream of playing professional football, though. — and complete his bachelor’s degree — with his newborn son in mind. “It makes you push just a little harder, that you are training for someone other than yourself,” Hankerson said. “It’s a motivating factor that keeps me waking up every day and working hard.” Some of that hard work includes training with Athletes Edge, a sports performance company that specializes in preparing athletes for pro day and combined workouts.
spent much of his time working on maximizing his speed, strength, and overall athleticism in an However,
Hankerson’s
training
was
pro day workout. And despite his ramped up training regimen, the senior wide receiver was disappointed with his performance, which took Hankerson posted the fastest 40-yard dash Continued on page 8 Designed by Laura May Jockers
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Continued from page 6 time of any of the players working out — 4.6 seconds — but fell victim to his prior vices. “I kind of went out there and my nerves got the best of me,” Hankerson said. “I reverted to my old ways and my old ways gave me an old time.”
Jeff Sims, the Owls’ wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator, believes that his former pupil has the potential to succeed at the professional level. “He meets the number one criteria to be a professional football player — speed,” Sims said. “His timed speed in the 40 doesn’t speak to his game speed on tape.”
pounds — and limited game time experience would require him to develop his body and his skillset. Sims didn’t question Hankerson’s ability to improve in those areas, and thought back to an example of when During a team meeting last spring, Sims warned Hankerson that if he left to use the restroom, he would not be allowed back in. Hankerson disregarded Sims’ warning and left anyway. Hankerson, as expected, was not permitted to re-enter the meeting and found himself in his coach’s doghouse. “He went to the bottom of the depth chart going into the spring last year,” Sims recalled. He quickly found a way to get back in the team’s good graces, however. “By the end of the spring, Byron had worked himself back into a starting position,” Sims said. As a whole, Sims remains impressed by Hankerson’s “It would be an intelligent investment for somebody to give him an opportunity to improve,” Sims said. “We have yet to see the best of Byron Hankerson.”
“We have yet to see the best of Byron Hankerson”
Receptions: 27 Yards: 344 Yards per catch average: 12.7 Touchdowns: 2 Photo courtesy of JC Ridley
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Although Hankerson is committed to pursuing his dream of going pro, he also has career aspirations in the his brother, plan on taking over their father’s accounting “I am a business management major and my brother is studying accounting, so it goes well together,” Hankerson said. Hankerson isn’t just interested in the lucrative side of the business — he and his father are also in the early
Hankerson’s family, his father explained that Hankerson “You’re here for a purpose,” Brian Hankerson said. “God is giving you gifts and talents and resources. It’s about making a difference and impacting lives.” God, church, and religion have always had an important Continued on page 10
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Sports career, and now fatherhood. “We have been involved in church and associated with ministry all of our lives,” Brian Hankerson said as he referenced Romans protection — and we really believe in the Bible and that we should apply it to our lives.” That devout mentality has made a profound impact on his son. “Everything you do in life is a walk of faith,” Hankerson said when asked about God’s role in his life. In a few months, Hankerson will know whether or not that walk of faith will be on the
positive mindset. The former walk-on made note of his solid
because he is a family guy,” Brian Hankerson and added that he is hoping to showcase some pack our bags, and we’ll be up there.” While hopeful, Hankerson remains realistic about his odds of getting drafted or signed as a free agent — let alone playing pro ball in either league. players from all over the country. The game could be Hankerson’s last chance before the draft on April 25. But he’s keeping contingencies in place, too. In case Hankerson is not drafted or invited also scheduled two workouts — one on April
parent, and Hankerson is ready for the task. “God wouldn’t give you anything you couldn’t handle,” Hankerson said. Despite all else, Hankerson is maintaining a
encourages him to follow his dreams.
Hankerson’s dad feels that a potential move he introduced to football around the age of eight. But he continues to support Byron and
as well,” Hankerson said. “If they don’t feel that they need you, it is out of your control.” As far as continuing his road toward a professional football career, Hankerson chose rapper Young Jeezy’s words over his own. “Anything you put your mind to, put your grind to,” Hankerson said with a laugh. Hankerson might have walked on to the during his senior year as one of quarterback Graham Wilbert’s favorite targets. Hankerson proved his worth in Week 1 against Wagner, the game-deciding touchdown. Hankerson hauling in a catch. He had 27 receptions during his senior season in 2012. Photo courtesy of JC Ridley
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Sports
Photo by Ryan Murphy
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Geek Week
Features
w kdo a e r Ab
n’s nio U ent d u St g the n i r u d g on at’s goin h w f no
Geek Week
By Christopher Massana Contributor
Do you consider yourself a “geek”? Are you at all familiar with tabletop games? Does Up-UpDown-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A make any sense to you? If the answer to any or all of those questions is yes, then you might just be interested in checking out the second annual Geek Week being held in the Student Union all this week. If the answer is no, Student Union Administration says you’re welcome anyway. That’s right, an entire week dedicated to FAU students’ inner nerds. A week of video game
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tournaments, tabletop games, trivia, and prizes. All throughout the Student Union this friendly, some competitive. So grab your card deck, pick up your controller, and brush up on your nerd knowledge of pop-culture; there’s fun, fame, and fortune — relatively speaking — to be had. Or at least bragging rights for a Facebook post or Instagram picture. Here’s a look at what to expect this week: Continued on page 16 Designed by Kevin Mann
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Supplement your week with off campus locales Arcade Odyssey 62.0 miles from campus 12045 SW 117th Ave checking out if you value arcade machines, regardless of style or age. This place hosts them all: light-gun games, driving sims, old-style cabinets, and both Japanese- and American-produced titles. Their selection can rotate in and out, so there’s always something fresh to see.
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens 7.1 miles from campus This nearby museum has exhibitions on various aspects of Japanese culture, including anime and video games. It is also home to extensive gardens and hosts various festivals throughout the year.
Tate’s Comics and Gaming Satellite 22.6 miles from campus Another local comic shop, with a side of gaming to go with it for good measure. A bit distant from campus, but reputed to have a good selection of comics and games.
GXE Games
A great place nearby to go with friends, this place hosts or even classic board games. On top of it being a good place to game and purchase games, GXE also has a cafe, the perfect place to buy yourself a milkshake after an embarrassing loss.
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Still working on your geek Heroes & Villains Comics and Games 13.7 miles from campus 7517 W. Sample Road
Tournaments here.
(in no particular order) near the Boca campus where you can indulge in your new passion for games, comic books,
Event Schedule Tuesday, March 26: Geek Bowl 4:00 p.m. in the Live Oak Pavillion (Rooms C and D)
For those who have spent far too much time not just watching or playing games, but dissecting and studying them — or those who just love showing off. This is a trivia contest to test your knowledge of nerdom. “Geek Bowl will consist of teams of four. They can come with a team or join a team that evening,” explains Lauren Adamo, the Geek Week organizer. “There will be 30 questions in categories such as comics, video games, movies, TV shows, etc.” Unlike most triva contests, there’s no trophy for the winners, but there will be gift cards.
Wednesday, March 27: Madden Tournament 8:00 p.m. in the Student Union Lobby
Sports fans, gamers, athletes, fantasy gamers — even fantasy athletes — all are welcome to this video game tournament being held in the Student Union Lobby. It’s the newest edition of the game series, played on multiple TVs to accommodate simultaneous games. Just because the Owls’ football season was 3-9 doesn’t mean yours has to be! Anyone can enter the tournament, and the winner receives a prize of $100 (in Flex bucks) after all is said and done.
Thursday, March 28: Dance Central Tournament 4:00 p.m. in the Student Union Lobby
For any would-be dancer, pop-star in training, or person who’s ready and willing to make a fool of themselves in front of a crowd. This tournament is being co-sponsored by the College Gaming League, who are providing the consoles for the tournament. The competition could be steep, so you might want to start listening to that dubstep playlist on your iPod and get to training.
Friday, March 29: Magic: The Gathering - Free Play 3:00 p.m. in the Palmetto Palm Room
The roll of the dice, the play of a card, the formation of a strategy — it’s all familiar to the players of this well-known collectible card game. And if you’re up for it, you can try your hand at it, too. This event is open to all who are interested. A word of warning, though: while this event isn’t BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Deck), the majority of the cards available to newcomers will be samples, so it’s best to come prepared.
All photos by Michelle Friswell
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Continued from page 17 Aaron Shelton, sophomore, graphic design “I’ve never missed a Geek Week since I’ve been here, it’s actually really fun. I’m looking forward to seeing people play Melee, and other things.”
Last year’s attendance: Super Smash Bros. Tournament - 40 students Madden Tournament - 25 students Dance Dance Revolution Event - 40 students
Erica Rose, freshman, biology “If they play Halo, or sadly enough, Dance Central 3, maybe [I’ll go].”
Magic: The Gathering Free-Play - 35 students Movie Night (showing Star Trek) - 15 students
Q&A with Lauren Adamo
Here's what event organizer Lauren Adamo has to say about last year's and this year's Geek Week:
UP: How did the idea for Geek Week come about? The Student Union programs regularly in an attempt to give students an opportunity to make connections and something to do while on campus. Geek Week was an idea that we had last year to serve some of the students who already hang out in the Union as well as bring in some new faces.
UP: How were the Geek Week events chosen? We went with a combination of programs from last year as well as a couple new things we wanted to try this year, like the Geek Bowl. The movie night also wasn’t successful, so we removed that from the schedule.
UP: What other organizations were reached out to in the planning of Geek Week? We are working with both the College Gaming League as well as Program Board. Program Board was going to have a Madden Tournament anyway, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to co-sponsor with them. The College Gaming League asked us to co-sponsor a program and we let them know about these programs, they chose to co-sponsor on three of them with us.
UP: Any last comments? It should be a fun time with a little to offer for everyone. Come out and enjoy the fun!
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News
Rising to the top Some fraternity and sorority members can be found studying on the second floor of the Wimberly Library in the computer lab.
raternities and sororities are hitting the books Through study sessions at the library, programs
Improvement in Greek GPAs shows potential to beat the average student GPA By Sarah Pruzansky Contributor
Photo by Ryan Murphy
statistics for undergraduate students has not been made available for fall 2012. “We try to stress grades over anything,” Alpha Epsilon
course of the past ten years has increased. each of our chapters in developing and implementing a and to hold individual brothers and sisters accountable for being academically successful,” David Bynes, associate
sessions for fraternity and sorority members.
to events, but the most important thing is for them to do well in school. If they’re not gonna do well in school, there’s no point in them being in the fraternity because they’re not gonna stay in the fraternity because they don’t have good grades.” decide what to do, based on the policies they have written in their constitution and bylaws. In spring 2003, the Greeks brought their average
students in fall 2002, it reached 2.71 in fall 2012. The fall UP again. Continued on page 22
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Q&A with Upsilon Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. President Bobby Peterson Peterson responds to how his chapter has been working toward its 3.34 GPA in fall 2012, the highest GPA of the Greek organizations
QA
: How did you get to the academic standing your fraternity is at now? : Well, basically from making sure that everyone in my chapter has mandatory study hours as well as keeping an update on all of our members’ tests and classes and giving them encouragement and praise if they do well on a test, or if they do not do well, we sit down and we have a discussion as to what happened and how we can help as a chapter.
QA
: How does it feel having the top average GPA for Greeks in the school? : It feels good. It does. It’s an accomplishment myself and my chapter are both very proud of. We hope to not only keep the highest but, you know, assist other fraternities and sororities. If anything we
&
QA
: Why do you think Greek GPAs are escalating? : I believe that they’re escalating because the Greek community
everyone, you join your fraternity for several aspects, but the academic side is the one that we’re mainly focusing on right now.
QA
QA
: What do you do to make sure members of the fraternity study? : We have study nights in the library. We also do either nights at my house or another brother’s house where we get together and it’s just serious. We play music and then we study. So we just make sure that no matter what happens, if we have events, we always make sure to get
: Does being part of the Greek community help raise GPAs in any way? : I believe that it does, because you have a support system automatically behind you. You have brothers and sisters who are there 24/7 to help [you] succeed, because they not only want to see you succeed but the chapter as a whole.
QA
QA
QA
: How have things changed since you were a freshman? : I actually joined the fraternity a year and a half ago, so I was actually a junior going into my senior year when I joined. But the
seriously. A lot more.
: Are GPA requirements strict? How do you uphold the fraternity’s GPA? : One of our main aims is scholarships. So we make sure that when we look for new members and new members come to us, we let them know that yes, you’re joining a social fraternity. But the organization prides ourselves in its scholarships. So we always try to reach for the best.” : Do you think there’s any room for improvement? : There’s always room for improvement and that’s one thing that we sat down and we spoke about when we saw the grade report. Yes, we may have the highest GPA, but it’s never high enough. There’s always room for improvement.
“We have an academic chair, and his job is basically to go through each of the grades, the kids who don’t have the high grades, see what classes they’re in and match them up with older brothers who’ve taken their classes, help them with study guides, know how certain teachers test,” fraternity — you have the older members who have taken the exact same classes, and we try to instill the same study habits that they’ve developed over time.” According to Bynes, within most Greek organizations
Council. “Each year a fraternity man and sorority woman is recognized with the Greek Academic Award at the
so it is expected of them to do well in school.
why the organization was founded, and academics is one of them, so it is an accomplishment. We do hold each other accountable. So studying and having library hours is a priority instead of going to social events. And if you don’t have the grades, then the Academic Chair and the president, we are allowed to tell somebody that they’re prohibited from attending a certain amount of social “We’re also here for college,” Barrabi said. “It’s not about being in an organization, it’s about having an education.”
excel academically through the Standards of Excellence review process.”
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News
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OWLC
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d e n o k c re
with m name
adiu ange of the st h c e th ATRAZ p o st ! STO e together to mW coO sP n o ti a iz n a g LCATR r different o r AZ! ST u fo m o fr OP OW Students OWLC
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By Lulu Ramadan Managing Editor
A
group of about 20 students gather in a tight circle, legs crossed within inches of each other. Behind them, just yards away, towers the newly renamed GEO Group Stadium. A month ago, many of them didn’t even know each other. They were brought together by an overwhelming passion for the same goal — to keep their school stadium from being associated with the name GEO Group. They call themselves the Stop Owlcatraz Coalition and that’s just what they aim to do. The students assembled discuss their plans to protest the university’s decision.
Trustees — a 13-member board that makes decisions on university policy — reached a unanimous vote to change the name of the GEO Group Stadium. The stadium was renamed after the international prison company based in Boca Raton — donated The prison company has been the defendant in over one hundred lawsuits in the past seven years. They are notorious for alleged human rights violations, including the poor treatment of incarcerated detainees in their detention centers. Within days of the news of the new stadium name, Britni Hiatt was scrolling through
AZ!
an article popped up about the GEO Group’s donation. Within two days of the stadium deal, Hiatt, a senior women’s
“This is the legacy our school is setting for us,” Hiatt said. “We need to be in charge of the reputation of our school.” And she reached other students
page for fellow students looking to protest the new stadium name. “We are incredibly grateful for
very different organizations all over campus. “There was already a widespread initial reaction,” Hiatt said. “The
an email statement following the stadium deal. “This gift is a true representation of the GEO Group’s incredible generosity
reach those other people with the same sentiments.” Students from organizations gay-straight alliance; Students
serves.” Hiatt disagrees. She does not want her university to be associated with a company with a history of alleged human rights violations.
that promotes awareness of that advocates for less budget cuts and faculty layoffs; and
All photos by Michelle Friswell The Stop Owlcatraz Coalition met on March 19 to discuss their next step in protesting the stadium name.
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independent student activists page, and the Stop Owlcatraz Coalition was born. thought. “I remember we were all having dinner at one point after a protest and sharing food with each other and someone commented that several weeks ago we didn’t even know each other and now we’re sharing food off each others’ plates,” Hiatt said. “I think we’re all just grateful for the fact that we’ve gotten to know other strong student leaders from such diverse organizations.” Since the formation of the Stop Owlcatraz Coalition, The Nation — a political magazine that distributes nationwide — named the group one of the most important student mobilizations in the country on their website. The students organized a sit-in protest outside
“We
started
this
in
late
to bring a lot of people into this in a short amount of time and with the little amount of resources we have, we were able to get a lot done,” Gonzalo anthropology major, organizer Owlcatraz Coalition member, said. And they won’t stop there. The group plans to protest the stadium naming rights until Saunders and the BOT revoke the decision to rename the stadium after the GEO Group, according to several members of the coalition. Saunders, Director of
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all refused to comment on the fact that students plan to continue protesting. Hiatt and fellow Stop Owlcatraz Coalition member Arley Baugh, psychology major and member drove up to the Harbor Branch of the Boca campus, a two hour drive for the pair — to speak at a BOT meeting. BOT meetings are generally once a month, but the majority of meetings take place on the Boca campus. The last time a full board meeting was held in touching base with the trustees about student reactions,” Hiatt said. “They’re very quick to write students off for these opinions. You would think we’ve earned a little more respect than that.” Hiatt and Baugh made the trip as a part of the continuous effort to change the stadium name. Some members of the coalition will continue protesting despite fears they have about protesting Saunders and the BOT, Baugh being one of them. “I’m an immigrant myself and when we were thinking about going to Harbor Branch, I was very hesitant,” Baugh said. “I thought if they didn’t like our presence and they decided to get hostile, then I could get sent to a detention center and even deported.” Baugh still made the trip despite her fears. “I thought to myself that this is the time for me to speak up and say something,” Baugh said. “Of course the fear lingers, it will always be there, but I believe in the good of humanity and we need this.” At the meeting, Hiatt brought up a few of the GEO Group’s
STOP OWLCATRAZ! STOP OWLCATRAZ! stop owlcatraz! STOP OWLCATRAZ! STOP OWLCATRAZ!
STOP OWLCATRAZ! STOP OWLCATRAZ! stop owlcatraz! STOP OWLCATRAZ! STOP STOP
Protesters sat outside of President Mary Jane Saunders’ office and placed signs in protest of the deal with the GEO Group.
Britni Hiatt, founding member of Stop Owlcatraz Coalition, takes down the names of students willing to protest.
POP OWLCATRAZ! STOP OWLCATRAZ! stop owlcatraz! STOP OWLCATRAZ! STOP OWL alleged human rights violations as she spoke in front of the BOT. She did not feel respected or understood by the board. “The Board of Trustees are businessmen. That’s all they
STOP OWLCATRAZ! STOP OWLCATRAZ! stop owlcatraz! STOP OWLCATRAZ!
Arley Baugh took command of the Stop Owlcatraz Coalition meeting on Feb. 20.
The coalition plans to work on more protests and continue reaching out to Saunders and the BOT in the future. They began planning those future protests at their Stop Owlcatraz Coalition meeting. Outside of the stadium that Tuesday, students tightened their circle still resting in the shadows of the stadium. They continued to deliberate their next move in protesting the stadium name. president and the only faculty member present at the meeting, settled, listening to the members of the coalition from a safe distance. Robe chose not to comment on the matter. The students passed around a motion with the “Board of Trustees” seal at the top. Thick, black Sharpie pen strides crossed out “Trustees” at the top of the paper. “Students” was written in its place. The coalition members passed around the smooth white paper and black Sharpie and each signed the motion to retract the GEO Group’s name from the stadium, one by one. “Honestly, right now, I don’t see an end,” Baugh said. “Not until they take it back or change it.” [Maddy Mesa contributed to the reporting of this story.]
Stop Owlcatraz Coalition members passed around a motion to take back the deal made with the GEO Group.
On March 22, Britni Hiatt was allegedly clipped by President Mary Jane Saunders’ car during a protest on the Jupiter campus. See QR code below for more details.
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GPAs AVERAGE UP From fall 2007 to spring 2012, the average Greek GPA has increased from 2.62 to 2.88. The GPA in spring 2012 was close to the average undergraduate student GPA of 2.9. The information regarding the average GPAs of fraternities and sororities in fall 2012 has
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not been released yet. From fall 2007 to spring 2012, sororities have had an average GPA higher than that of the fraternities, and in spring 2012 the sororities had an average GPA equal to that of the average undergraduate student GPA.
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News
The life and death of Adam Donohue FAU rugby player, 20, shot to death by Boca Raton Police By Chris Hamann Contributor
Photo courtesy of Richard Sun
B
in high school, and Battalion Commander of
stares forward, watching his friends
“It’s a brotherhood out here. It’s like 15 of us warriors out here.” He falters, lost for words for a moment. “To lose one, it hurts so bad.” Adam Donohue, a junior physics major
He got a football scholarship, despite never playing football in high school. “As much as I thought that brilliant brain was going to come up with something,” Grimm said, “to create something, I have to wait and answer why he was taken so soon.” According to a letter Grimm received
shot and fatally wounded while resisting established a two year memorial scholarship taxicab. His mother, Arlene Grimm, has heard from Donohue’s friends that he tried
when it happened. he heard the cops coming and started hitting said. “He must have knocked on two or three windows, trying to let him in.” two echoing gunshots hitting Donohue in as of press time. Donohue had never been in trouble with the police before — no criminal history or but the people who knew Donohue, his friends and family, knew him very differently. Grimm had high hopes for him, and with good reason — Donohue was accepted to college with an athletic and academic scholarship, was captain of the wrestling team
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“He was a very quiet and reserved guy,” said Gregory Sun, one of Donohue’s teammates. “He never really said any more than what had to be said, but other than that, you could just tell that he was a generally nice guy. He was just the stereotypical gentle giant. He was like a big panda bear.” Some people would expect this big guy, 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, who played prop — the rugby equivalent of an offensive lineman — to be more hot-headed, more likely to throw his weight around. Not so. coaches can only think of one time he even saw Donohue get close to losing his temper. here where he didn’t like what was happening,” Curtis said. “He didn’t get angry or hostile, he stepped back, he walked away, he got his composure, came back and practiced.” Even in tense circumstances, Donohue would keep his head. He wouldn’t let words or actions touch him. Even on the rugby
someone would foul him, it wouldn’t bother Donohue. “You can kind of sense people, like the kids who are troublemakers,” Curtis said. “The more, who get freaked out when they get tackled or somebody hits them, they want to him play six rugby games. I watched him get hit late, I watched him get tackled hard, I watched him on the bottom of piles, and never once, ever, even threaten.” Donohue was well liked by his teammates. According to Dykes, it was because people could trust him. “Adam was just one of those kids you could depend on. He was there for Out of all the people on the rugby team, Donohue’s death seems to have hit Curtis the hardest, just because he did not know Donohue that well. and just that long trip to Tally a few weeks before,” he said. “He wasn’t on the practice The two had not really had a chance to connect until a few weeks before his death, on a bus trip to Tallahassee. “What I really enjoyed was that I could see he recognized in me that I wasn’t just some stiff. It was kind of fun to get that reaction back from him,” Curtis said. “Before, when I was coaching him, I was talking to him, I was just the coach telling him what to do, and then in the van he saw me as a person. And I think that was the best moment of the whole trip.” Designed by Laura May Jockers
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