1-29-18

The Oracle

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018 I VOL. 55 NO. 33

www.usforacle.com

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SG aftermath: Current state of affairs A recent resignation leaves an empty seat

By Jesse Stokes M A N A G I N G

E D I T O R

With the seat of nowformer College of Arts and Sciences Sen. Spencer Tate recently vacated, the seat will remain as such and will go without a special election to fill it.

Senate President Amani Taha said the seat will likely find a new occupant during the general elections, which campaigning for is scheduled to begin Feb. 12.

“In our statutes, we only have in-term elections if the Senate falls below a certain capacity percentage,” Taha said. “So, we won’t be having a special election.

The general elections are coming up, so the seat will hopefully be filled then unless we fall below that threshold.”

Tate sent his resignation to Taha and to the director of SG Advising, Training and Operations Gary Manka on Wednesday just after 9 p.m.

However, Tate was first sent an email from Manka earlier in the evening around 5:30 p.m. notifying him that he no longer met the requirements to be a member of SG. The contents of the email cannot be disclosed, according to Manka, as they contain

Students plan protest in light of SG controversies

confidential student information.

Per Section IV of the SG constitution, the grounds for termination for undergraduate students of SG membership include, not being enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours, not being in good academic standing and being under disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion.

In a message sent to The Oracle on Friday afternoon, Tate said he did not see the email notifying him of his termination until after his resignation letter was already sent.

“I did not see any termination letter until the following day after my resignation, however if I remained in SG it would have been resolved quickly and I would meet requirements of SG,” Tate said.

The contents of Tate’s resignation letter readdressed the message he was sending during his time as a senator by pointing to accusations of antiSemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric within the Senate Chambers.

“Effective immediately, I Conflicts within SG have led to consequences like an n See SG on PAGE 3 empty Senate chair and planned protests.

ORACLE PHOTO/CHAVELI GUZMAN

By Miki Shine E D I T O R

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SG Senate’s place to take a stance on the centuries old conflict.

“It is time we come together in an effort to combat our very own Student Government,” the Facebook event for the protest says. “They have been using their power to promote their Palestinian agenda. This is a student government.

Issues should include club funding, not getting involved in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. This must end. The time to be heard is now.”

This isn’t the first time that the IsraeliPalestinian feud has come in up SG. Two years ago in the spring of 2016, a resolution calling for USF to divest from companies that invest in Israel passed the Senate 32-12.

That resolution looked for the Student Body President Andy Rodriguez’ signature, but he didn’t sign. The Senate’s attempt to override the veto failed because it couldn’t get a 2/3 vote, and the resolution was reintroduced to the Senate as a purely Senate resolution, which passed.

Then SG Supreme

Students’ opinions on Student Government (SG) are heating up to the point of a protest planned outside of the Marshall Student Center on Monday at 5 p.m.

The Facebook page for the event mentions other issues such as club funding, but focuses on the resolution proposed to the Senate last week regarding the IsraelPalestine conflict. The Hands Off resolution condemns Israel for “human rights violations against the Palestinian people” and President Donald Tr u m p ’s announcement from December that would move the U.S.-Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.

“The SG Senate declares its solidarity with the Palestinian people,” The resolution states. “The SG Senate expresses its staunch condemnation of the president’s decision.”

While there have been students offering support for the resolution, there’s also been students speaking out against it and saying that it isn’t the n See PROTEST on PAGE 3

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the Oracle the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966

Editor in Chief Miki Shine oracleeditor@gmail.com @MichaelAZShine Managing Editor Jesse Stokes oraclemeditor@gmail.com News Editor Maria Ranoni oraclenewsteam@gmail.com Opinion Editor Samantha Moffett oracleopinion@gmail.com Sports Editor Josh Fiallo oraclesportseditor@gmail.com @ByJoshFiallo Multimedia Editor Chaveli Guzman @ChaveliGuzman

Copy Editor Andrea Martin

News........................................................3 Lifestyle................................................4 Opinion.................................................6 Classifieds...........................................7 Crossword..........................................7 Sports.....................................................8

Graphic Artists Avery Dyen Jessica Thornton Advertising Sales Matthew Comstock Tadge Haskins Skyler Nickols The Oracle is published Monday and Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, and once weekly, Wednesday, during the summer.

The Oracle allocates one free issue to each student. Additional copies are $.50 each and available at the Oracle office (SVC 0002).

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CORRECTIONS

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Contact Editor in Chief Miki Shine at 974-5190.

NEWS

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SG

Continued from PAGE 1

would like to announce my resignation as a Senator for the College of Arts & Sciences,” Tate said in the resignation email.

“Although my platform consisted of putting the STUDENT back into Student Government, this environment is toxic and has prevented me from fulfilling my obligation to my constituents after a long fight against the status quo. It is clear to see that being Jewish and a zionist comes with repercussions in Student government ranging from death threats to being alienated in all aspects.

“I have experienced so much hatred spearheaded by senate leadership in the past few months and I will be doing everything in my power to hold you accountable,

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Continued from PAGE 1

Court later ruled the resolution as outside of the Senate’s power. A group of senators still attempted to present it to the

Faculty Senate subcommittee, which didn’t want to see it.

This new resolution doesn’t speak on the issue of divestment, focusing instead on condemning actions without pulling university funds into the issue. However, that

difference hasn’t stopped some students from being upset.

“Palestinian justice (has) no place in Student Government,” Leo Stoler, the protest organizer, said on the event Facebook page. “It will only detract from actual issues facing the school.

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it is clear to see that it’s simply not possible to do this in senate.”

Taha addressed these claims and said though she can never tell someone how to feel, that she does not find Tate’s claims to be true nor provide an accurate representation of SG. “I can assure that there is no anti-Semitism in Senate, and there is no room for hate in Senate,” Taha said. “Is antiSemitism a problem in the world?

Of course it is. Is it a problem on the USF campus? Possibly. But, as far as I know, the senators in that Tate’s seat will go unfilled until general elections are over in Feburary. room are incredibly respectful ORACLE FILE PHOTO and incredible people from all different religions and views of and all belief systems to run for your Student Government, then the world. None of them are anti- Senate and find their voice you should absolutely run. Run Semitic.”

“If you have any concerns, to change what you think needs Taha would go on to say she just walk through the SG doors,” changed. But I want to assure expects the overall culture of SG Taha said. “If you really and truly everyone that Senate is not filled to improve moving forward, and believe what the culture of the with anti-Semitic people. Not at she encourages students of any Senate is not what you want from all.”

Recent events in SG has sparked a protest to be planned for Monday. ORACLE FILE PHOTO/MIKI SHINE

PROTEST

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They are CORRUPT, they are PROPAGANDA, and they must be STOPPED.” Stoler could not be reached to comment by the time of publication at 11 p.m.

While the resolution is fueling some students’ protests, other issues are still prevalent in students’ minds. At last week’s Senate meeting, the senators voted almost unanimously in favor of supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program which is currently being debated in the U.S. Congress, and the dismissal of former Sen. Spencer Tate has some students angry at the Senate.

“If you have any particular issues with SG that you’d like to be made vocal, please feel free to bring signs,” Stoler wrote.

SDS to use survey results for creation of ally training program

By Miki Shine E D I T O R

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A series of surveys put out

by Students with Disability Services are taking a look at the department’s services and the student body’s knowledge of these services.

Additionally, with more programs focused on helping minorities and understanding the struggles they go through being developed both at USF and colleges in general, Students with Disability Services (SDS) is looking at joining in to represent students with visible and invisible disabilities.

“SDS created the surveys to learn the perceptions of accessibility & SDS services on USF’s campus,” said Dani Thiel, SDS coordinator and part of the team that organized the surveys. “When we talk about accessibility, we are referring to not only wheelchair ramps and elevators, but also access to equitable academic opportunities.”

The department put out four surveys, one geared toward students registered with the office, one that’s asking questions of the general student

n See SDS on PAGE 5

LIFESTYLE

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Garage band on its way to the top of the garage

By Andrea Martin C O P Y

E D I T O R

On the top of the Leroy Collins Parking Garage, after classes are over and the sun has begun to set, the real show begins. Local bands take advantage of the parking garage’s accessibility and use the top floor as a practice space.

The band Green Haven practices at the Collins Parking Garage due to its central location for all the bands’ members: Austin Burdi and Nick Rovello on guitar, Andres Hernandez on bass, Justin Bruno on vocals and Luca Canalungo on drums.

Bassist Andres Hernandez, a sophomore majoring in psychology, formed the experimental rock band alongside the other members two and a half years ago.

“Writing, recording and The band Green Haven practices experimental rock music atop the Collins Parking Garage at least once a performing original music with week. The members (from left to right) are Luca Canalungo on drums, Nick Rovello on guitar, Justin Bruno my best friends is one of the on vocals, Austin Burdi also on guitar and Andres Hernandez on bass. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/ANA MASSARD most important and rewarding things to me,” Hernandez said. potential to make an impact in a good mindset for a solid great because you can meet so “It lets me put all my creativity on your community or an practice or writing session.” many new people on campus into different kinds of creative individual’s life.”

According to USA Today, who have an appreciation for outlets with other similar The Collins Parking Garage music can improve not only local music,” Rovello said. “As working minds and it’s truly gives the band inspiration mental, but also physical health. well as the fact that you can go amazing to me.” through the perfect orange From improving sleep quality there pretty much whenever, Guitarist Nick Rovello, who hues of sunset background. The and enhancing blood vessel also the view is astounding is currently working to save band meets at least once a week function to reducing stress and around sunset.” money for school, agrees that to get the creative energies elevating moods, music can With influences ranging music continues to impact his flowing. do so much more than simply from Kendrick Lamar to the daily life.

“It’s the only place that we make a soul connection. There band Citizen, Hernandez has “Something that I tend to get to practice in the open air,” is no surprise college students had quite a journey in his really enjoy about being Hernandez said. “Since we are prone to spending hours discovery of music. involved with music on a start right before it gets dark upon hours listening to music.

“What got me into music daily basis is the fact that you we get to play right as the sun Playing from the top of was partially my dad and can connect with practically is setting, which is always a the campus parking garages, partially the local music scene,” anybody through it,” Rovello beautiful sight. Over all the the music attracts wandering Hernandez said. “Ever since I said. “It truly is a universal garages are just a nice change of students to the free show. was young my dad would play language and there is so much environment that gets everyone “The environment is just me all the classics from the

‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. The way he would react to different songs just made me grow into a deep appreciation for music.”

Similar to Hernandez, Rovello found music early in life. After his dad opened the door for Rovello’s discovery of guitar legends such as Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, Rovello picked up a guitar and never looked back.

“In regards to how I became a musician, it really just happened naturally at a young age as I found that I never really enjoyed trying to fit in with all the other kids when it came to playing sports or something of that nature,” Rovello said. “I just always preferred to express myself in whatever way I could so naturally I just started to gravitate towards learning guitar.”

All of the Green Haven social media platforms, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, are under the name @greenhavenband.

According to CityLab.com, the Tampa/Saint Petersburg area is in the top 25 of the nation for America’s leading areas for musicians and their industry.

With bands like Green Haven writing, recording and performing their original music on the scene, the Tampa Bay area is able to have a vibrant display of the arts. Green Haven has had gigs on and around campus, including the events ArtHouse and SummFest.

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The four different surveys are available through the SDS website.

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/DANI THIEL

SDS

Continued from PAGE 3

body, one asking employees and staff of their understanding and one directed at faculty that asks about how frequently they get letters of accommodations from students. All surveys ask about

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becoming an ally and potential interest in educational programs.

SDS is hoping to learn about the perceptions of accessibility on campus, how much students know about the services they offer — such as monitoring exams and temporary services

for students with non-chronic injuries — and how accessibility could improve.

“We began brainstorming an AccessiBull training similar to the Safe Zone and UndocuALLY programs,” Thiel said. “Our goal is to create more allies and advocates for persons with disabilities at USF. To do this, we will educate participants on etiquette, stigma/ barriers, disability theory, laws, accommodations and resources.”

The surveys are available through the SDS website, and Thiel said the information gathered through them will help develop an ally training curriculum and what programs the office could promote better.

“Hearing from students, staff and faculty will help shape our curriculum and ensure we are touching on the information they are seeking, as well as voicing the messages they are so graciously sharing with us,” Thiel said.

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OPINION

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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Social media is not a main factor in political division

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What you said Opinion Editor Samantha Moffett and Managing Editor Jesse Stokes asked students if they feel Student Government accurately represents the student body.

“I feel like Student Government is fairly distant, I don’t really know what they do or how they represent us.”

While influential, social media should not be blamed for our own political polarization. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Sonu Trivedi C O L U M N I S T

As millennials, we often face criticism regarding our dependency on technology. Many say we are spoiled or have it too easy while others argue that social media makes us ignorant and feel like we are living in a bubble.

Statements regarding social media polarization have become more widespread and hostile over the past few years, especially when it comes to politics and current affairs.

In order to combat these claims, Facebook has recently made strides to incorporate more centrist media that people from all sides can trust.

Facebook has worked to incorporate a survey asking users which news mediums they trust the most, ultimately to reduce the amount of news circulating Facebook from five percent to four percent.

The goal is to reduce the amount of “sensationalism, misinformation, and polarization in the world today.”

While the effort by Facebook is done with good intent, the reasons for polarization do not necessarily stem from social media. Social media and technology have little impact on political polarization.

We constantly interact with social media outlets such as Twitter,

Facebook and Instagram, and we often see posts and stories that reinforce our own beliefs.

According to Science Magazine, Facebook has also utilized what is known as a “filter bubble,” using a news feed algorithm to create a personalized view of posts for each consumer. As a result of these filtering algorithms, conservatives are more likely to come across articles defending the current administration while liberals run into comments that denounce it.

Even Former President Barack Obama mentioned this phenomenon in his Farewell Address where he stated “it’s become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or college campuses or places of worship or our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook.”

This issue is definitely a struggle for our country as we have become too comfortable with our own views to seriously consider the words of those who challenge them.

But the important thing to remember is that social media is not to blame for this — we are. The internet is a network just like the students around us on campus or the people we interact with at work.

We choose who to talk to and follow

just like we do in real life, so how is it fair to blame the system itself?

A study from Stanford and Brown University shows demographic groups that are least likely to use social media and the internet has the largest growth in polarization.

Perhaps we are spoiled by these applications when it comes to the efficiency with which we digest and spread information, but this just makes the political and democratic process more inclusive.

More people than ever have a political presence and an effective way to spread their thoughts.

It is important to note, however, that the ease with which content can be shared on the web is another pitfall that can be destructive at times. Photoshopped pictures and fabricated stories are prevalent now more than ever.

In the age of “fake news” and blind retweets, it is our responsibility to ensure that social media is a beneficial tool and not a vehicle for ignorance. When it comes to the political process, on and offline, staying open-minded and alert is more important now than ever.

Sonu Trivedi is a sophomore majoring in mass communications.

— Andrew Sytek, a junior majoring in accounting.

“I feel like there is a lot of diverse people... The new president and vice president are more open to different ideas.“ ­— Reeya Shah, a sophomore majoring in psychology.

“Yes. I feel like they are because I can access different kinds of information and they help me if I have any doubts on it.”

—Jack Yang, a freshman majoring in computer science.

“Yes I do, because all of the students can feel like they can have a place to go. They have different groups where everyone can fit in.”

—Nisha Patel, a sophomore in biological health science.

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CROSSWORD

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Sports

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USF looks to gain experience from spring matches against pro clubs

USF will face at least Red Bulls, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union and Tampa Bay Rowdies professional clubs in it’s 2018 spring season. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/GOUSFBULLS.COM S P O R T S

E D I T O R

USF men’s soccer kicked off its first of four preseason games against professional clubs Saturday when it took on the New York Red Bulls at Corbett Stadium.

The match featured three 30-minute periods, with the Red Bulls using three predetermined lineups for each period. After 90 minutes of play, USF was shutout, losing 2-0, 1-0 and 4-0. Winning, however, was never the goal of the games — it was experience.

“It’s a chance for our guys to get an understanding of tactically what’s different,” USF coach Bob Butehorn said. “Speed, what’s different.

Technically, what’s different. Getting our guys composed in situations where they usually might not be.”

Through different connections, Butehorn was able to secure preseason matches against the Red Bulls, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union and Tampa Bay Rowdies, with hopes to add more by the end of the spring season.

The Bulls will play at Corbett

T H E O R AC L E

Notebook

Men’s Soccer

By Josh Fiallo

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Stadium against the Fire on Feb. 5, against the Rowdies on March 9 and against former Bull Marcus Epps with the Union at Joe Dimaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater on Feb. 7.

With a roster containing so many young players —12 freshmen and eight sophomores — the games against pro squads are all the more important, according to Butehorn.

“In the past, my guys in general have learned countless lessons just in these games that they don’t realize until their second or third year,” Butehorn said. “It is different than the college game, no doubt. My team’s basically freshman, so it can only pay dividends long term.”

Before Butehorn joined USF in the December 2016 he was Florida Gulf Coast’s men’s soccer coach for 10 seasons.

In his time leading the Eagles, Butehorn’s players not only gained valuable experience playing against pro clubs, but also got to meet and play against some of soccer’s all-time legends.

“If you go into (assistant coach)

Henry’s (Apaloo) office, there’s a jersey of the first game ever that (NYCFC coach) Patrick Vieira coached and I was the coach against him,” Butehorn said. “It’s in there and there’s all of the signatures on the jersey. (David) Villa was there, (Frank) Lampard as well.”

Butehorn’s daughter even got to hang out with Italian legend Andrea Pirlo at the game, while Butehorn’s Eagles lost 1-0, with Villa scoring the matches lone goal.

Though they won’t face Pirlo, Villa or Lampard, the current Bulls will face off against World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger and USA internationals Brandon Vincent, Matt Polster, Dax McCarty, CJ Sapong and Alejandro Bedoya in their remaining spring games.

“It’s been kind of the way I like to do things,” Butehorn said. “Take advantage of what we can when it comes to getting ourselves measured up against the pro teams and players.

They’re getting an idea of what their team looks like, and I’m doing the same.”

Former men’s basketball players speaks about release from team

By Josh Fiallo S P O R T S

E D I T O R

Before losing to UCF by two points on Jan. 20, USF announced that forward Tulio Da Silva had been removed from the team.

The reasoning, coach Brian Gregory said in a press release, was that it was in the best interests of both Da Silva and the program to part ways.

“I just wasn’t feeling comfortable,” Da Silva said. “It wasn’t about the players, wasn’t about the coaching staff. It was just the system and how the coach wanted us to play together. I didn’t see myself fitting on the team.”

Gregory never gave a specific reason for the split.

“As we do this, with our program, to build it really well — it’s not for everyone,” Gregory said. “We’re not a back-pocket program, and we’re going to bring in guys that want to be here and are a great fit.”

Before he left, Da Silva was averaging eight points per game, which was third best on the team and averaged a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game.

When asked if he planned on transferring to play elsewhere, Da Silva shrugged and said he plans on focusing on his grades now and basketball later.

Women’s basketball beats Temple 76-60 Behind a strong third quarter, USF turned what was a halftime deficit into a 76-60 win over Temple (9-11, 1-6) on Sunday afternoon in the Sun Dome.

The Bulls (16-5, 6-2) scored 31 points in the game’s third period, with forward Kitija Laksa scoring 11 of her 13 points in the third quarter.

Forward Maria Jespersen shot 8-11 from the field and scored a gamehigh 24 points.

“I was pleased with how we came out of the locker room at half time and started the third quarter,” USF coach Jose Fernandez said.

Tulio Da Silva was averaging a team high 5.6 rebounds per game before his release.

ORACLE FILE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ

“We played a lot of guys in the first half but I thought we came out with good energy out of the locker room, scored in transition and shared the ball. That’s what we needed. We took care of the ball and did a great job rebounding.”

Men’s basketball follows up first win with loss to Houston Coming off of its first conference win of the season Thursday, USF fell to Houston 63-40 on the road, while making just one threepointer on 14 attempts.

Houston (16-2, 6-4) was led by guard Corey Davis, who was the only player from either team to score more than 10 points in the contest, finishing with 17 on 6-of-9 shooting.

The Bulls (8-14, 1-8) will return to Tampa on Wednesday night for a game against Memphis (13-8, 4-4), which is scheduled for an 8:30 tipoff.