The Oracle The Fit provides new exercise options for students
T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 I V O L . 5 5 N O. 1 6
w w w. u s fo r a c l e. co m
U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F LO R I DA
Traditional exercise equipment, as well as more contemporary options such as sleeping pods, are accessible for students in The Fit exercising facility. ORACLE PHOTO/CHAVELI GUZMAN By Nadaa Hussein S T A F F
W R I T E R
Since its opening this month in The Village, The Fit has been met with primarily positive reviews, but there are still areas that students say need improvement. The Fit is one of two new satellite facilities. The first was The Well, which opened in April at USF Health. Eric Hunter, director of Campus Recreation, said he is optimistic about the expansion of recreation options at USF. “The concept of any satellite facility, is to take the pressure off
of the main recreation center, and we get a lot of use over here,” Hunter said. “We were hoping to relieve some of that pressure, by having a satellite location where primarily the resident students on that side of campus could use that without having to come all the way over here. The Village is a prime location for it.” Jordan St. Laurent, a freshman majoring in psychology, advocates for students to visit. “It’s convenient, it’s a lot closer then the REC, and it has everything to keep someone
Botany club plans first native plant walk Page 4
healthy,” St. Laurent said. “Check it out because it’s there, it’s brand new and there isn’t much of a reason not to.” The Fit includes an outdoor pool, a wellness center equipped with nap pods and massage chairs, and countless exercise machinery such as rowing machines, ellipticals and more. Forest Ritneour, a sophomore majoring in cell biology, said he enjoys what The Fit has to offer. “All the new facilities look nice, they have a lot of staff,” Ritneour said. “There is low traffic, there
is plenty of machines to use, the pool is super chill. They have a nice relaxing area near the pool people can do homework in. It’s really nice.” Kathryn Newman, a sophomore majoring in business administration, echoed Ritneour’s point. “It’s a lot less intimidating then I thought it would be, and there is like a lot of stuff to do,” Newman said. “They have the stair climbers, bikes, and running equipment, it’s nice, it’s fancy.” Dale Mountain, a freshman
Big tobacco targets minority groups
n See ULS on PAGE 3
Page 6
majoring in biology, said he was pleasantly surprised by the caliber of equipment and professionalism of the employees. “It’s a good quality gym and there is a lot of helpful individuals there, it has more than what I anticipated,” Mountain said. Students did voice complaints about accommodations at the Fit. Ritenour said the facilities are lacking information about what is available. “I feel like if they had a more informing welcome booth, to tell
n See FIT on PAGE 3
Bulls search for 7-0 at Tulane Page 8
2
T H U R S DAY, O C TO B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
the Oracle the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966
Editor in Chief Miki Shine oracleeditor@gmail.com @MichaelAZShine News Editor Jesse Stokes oraclenewsteam@gmail.com @JesseLS03 Lifestyle Editor Isabelle Eugene oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Sports Editor Josh Fiallo oraclesportseditor@gmail.com @ByJoshFiallo Multimedia Editor Chaveli Guzman
Staff Writer Sam Newlon Nadaa Hussein Maria Ranoni
The Oracle is published Monday and Thursday 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).
BY PHONE
Website: Facebook: Twitter:
Copy Editor Angela Mossgrove
CORRECTIONS
@ChaveliGuzman
News........................................................3 Lifestyle................................................4 Opinion.................................................6 Classifieds...........................................7 Crossword..........................................7 Sports.....................................................8
Advertising Sales Matthew Comstock Tadge Haskins Destiny Moore
oraclemultimediaeditor@gmail.com
T H E O R AC L E
The Index
Graphic Artists Destiny Moore Mark Soree Jessica Thornton
Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
●
974-6242 974-5190 974-1888 974-2620 974-6242
usforacle.com facebook.com/usforacle @USFOracle
The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors. Contact Editor in Chief Miki Shine at 974-5190.
NEWS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
Scheduling Planner is available for students
T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
By Amanda Lopez
C O R R E S S P O N D E N T
The Fit provides more access for students to exercise while on campus. ORACLE PHOTO/CHAVELI GUZMAN
FIT
Continued from PAGE 1
you what all these different trainers are doing at that time, that would be nice,” Ritenour said. “I would like the pool to be deeper but that’s not something they can do overnight, but the pool should be open later.” The Fit’s hours are more limited compared to other on campus exercising facilities. The Fit is open 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Despite the hours, some employees have enjoyed working at the facility so far. “The coworkers are nice, there is a set schedule every week, the advisors are great,” Alexandra Baggara, an employee at The Fit, said. One of Baggara’s fellow employees, Nathan Ewers said he has also enjoyed his time working at The Fit so far. “The Fit is great, it’s very open, there is a nice pool but not many people use it, and not many people know about it yet,” Ewers said.
“It’s a calmer gym, it’s a different environment than the rec it’s more noisy over there. I like it here. The coworkers are great.” The Fit, had a steady opening week with about 1,900 people checking in. These are rather small numbers compared to Campus Recreation which has 16,000 visitors a week. Hunter attributes it to is small size. “It’s a satellite because it is a remote location and the people can do most of the same things without having it come over here,” Hunter said. “It’s a 19,000 square feet facility while this is a 180,000 square foot facility. There is a difference, but we are very happy with the location. We think it’s perfectly situated where the students are.” Students such as Sydney Fort, a freshman majoring in pre-nursing, did, however, have some suggestions for potential improvements to the facilities. “It doesn’t feel like a gym, it feels like a gym at a gated community,” Fort said. “The pool isn’t deep enough to do flip turns, it’s not a lap pool. It makes me mad that
they have laps when you can’t even do them. I’m a swimmer, so that’s my main thing. I would not tell people to go there, I would tell people to go there if they were just casually working out it’s a good place to do casual things, like just run, lift weights.” Hunter agrees that there are still areas that could be expanded upon so students are able to get the most out of their exercise experience. “There is still space on both upper level and lower level to add more equipment both cardio and specialized equipment,” Hunter said. “We just don’t have any funding for it now. It’s still very much still a construction zone, they still following through on what they call punch list items. “The team hasn’t finished so there is still things inside the building that haven’t been put in. You will still see construction people walking around. We are lacking some mirrors and some touch up stuff. There is still some touch up work to be done. We are allowed to be open and we are taking people in.”
USF Tampa introduced the Schedule Planner into its Oasis system to simplify registration. It helps students register in a timely manner with enough credit hours, as well as balance work schedules or other commitments. By being incorporated into Oasis, the students can easily select the courses wanted and the planner shows all the potential schedules with the click of a button. The Schedule Planner is an online resource in Oasis, under “Registration”, used to facilitate the process of registering for classes. The students add the classes they wish to take, the available times they can study and it immediately generates a variety of schedules on a weekly agenda. It was previously introduced to USF St. Petersburg’s students, and based on anecdotal feedback from students, advisors, and faculty, university decisionmakers decided that everyone could benefit from using it, according to Irvin. “Anything that is helping the students is helping us, so that’s always our priority,” Melissa Irvin, Assistant Dean for Advising and Analytics, said. Irvin said the Scheduling Planner gives students a way to make sure USF is meeting demands according to students’ choices and preferred courses. “Not only does it make it easier to ensure you can take enough credit hours, but if you work every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 1 o’clock to 5 o’clock or have other commitments on campus,” Irvin said. “You can block out those times in your schedule and work your schedule around that just with the click of a button.” It created an additional resource since advisors are now able to give students different scheduling options, instead of only giving required classes and students worrying about full classes or time conflicts. The email announcing this new integration was sent to the students
3
on Oct. 12, perhaps because of this most USF Tampa students are unaware of it. “It hasn’t been long enough to get people to really get used to it and we haven’t been through for the first kind of registration to say,” Irvin said. “A lot of people need to register for the spring semester to see how it works. We’ll be able to get more feedback.” However, Jaden Angel, a freshman majoring in biomedical science, has used the scheduling planner. “I hate having to make my own schedule,” Angel said. “I saw my friend do it (use the Scheduling Planner), and it looked really easy when she did it, so I’m excited to do it for myself.” Saraah Eoonous, a sophomore majoring in cellular and molecular biology, said the idea of the Schedule Planner seems nice and more convenient for students. “Honestly, from what I’ve heard of it, it sounds a lot more convenient,” Eoonous said. “For me, I hate taking early classes. I can get up past 9 o’clock, so it’s really nice to see everything laid out so you don’t end up taking three classes in a row, which is horrible.” Furthermore, Savannah Eldredge, a freshman majoring in graphic design, said the Scheduling Planner seems like a more efficient registration process. “I read the email about it that they sent,” Eldredge said. “It seems pretty useful. A lot of classes I’ve been trying to get for the next semester have schedule conflicts with each other, so having something that will show me those immediately should save me some time.” Overall, students have been reacting with optimism, but if the reaction shifts negatively by next semester, Irvin said to make the changes needed for an easier process. “We’ll be able to get more feedback, and the great thing about technology is that we can continue to find ways to improve it,” Irvin said.
LIFESTYLE
USF Botany Club to host its first native plant walk
4
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
By Isabelle Eugene L I F E S T Y L E
E D I T O R
USF’s Botany Club will be hosting its first native plant walk Saturday. The walk will be at Lettuce Lake Regional Park guided by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. The one-hour native plant walk is free but there will be a $2 parking fee. The club will start in the native plant garden at the Visitor’s Center at 9 a.m. After a short presentation, the tour will examine how the USF’s Botany club will host its guided nature walk at Lettuce Lake Regional Park’s trails. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE native plants of the hardwood in having their own garden or like it’s just knowing and I feel Botanical Garden club. swamp benefit wildlife while aren’t sure how to deal with like this club will be able to help “The Botanical Gardens Club exploring the park’s trails and the upkeep,” Veronica Rosales, people get to know plants.” directly has events and I believe, boardwalk. treasurer of USF’s Botany Club, Although they have similar just for the botanical gardens. “I feel like not a lot of people said. “People are like ‘Oh, you names, USF’s Botany Club is Whereas, the Botany Club is just understand or are interested need a green thumb!’ But I feel not to be mistaken with USF’s more general,” Rosales said.
“For example, this first event that we’re having is not hosted or affiliated with the botanical gardens. Not to say that we won’t be hosting events in the botanical gardens in the future.“ Established at the beginning of the month, the Botany Club plans to host events at least twice a month. “Our next event is actually going to be a talk hosted by our director Dr. Alan Franck,” Rosales said. “He’s the curator of the Herbarium that not that many people know about on campus.” The Botany Club will be joined by the Biology Club for Franck’s talk Monday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the MSC 3713.
T H U R S DAY, O C TO B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
●
5
T H E O R AC L E
Shaun King won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2003. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/GOUSFBULLS.COM
KING
Continued from PAGE 8
into his favorite creole cuisine before the 7 p.m. kickoff between USF (6-0) and Tulane (3-3). Once kickoff comes, however, King is all business. “What we accomplished in my tenure at Tulane is something that I’ll always have,” King said. “But this is business. I’m all in with South Florida right now. We’re going to go up there to get the W.” The game will be the first
ever meeting between USF and Tulane in football. The Green Wave, currently ranked No. 62, will be the highest rated opponent according to Rating Percentage Index (RPI) USF has faced all season. With a win, the Bulls will become 7-0 for the first time in program history, and would be five games away from matching Tulane’s 12-0 record in 1998. “(Tulane) is always going to be special in my life, but we’re trying to do the same thing here (at USF),”
King said. “We’ve never won a conference championship at this university in football. That’s a tremendous honor that we’re chasing, but it’s something that I want these guys to experience and have the rest of their lives. “Not a lot of times in life you have an opportunity to be a part of something truly great. Tulane is the next potential roadblock that we have to figure out how to get past.”
6
OPINION UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
Tobacco companies unfairly target underprivilaged communities
●
T H E O R AC L E
What you said Multimedia Editor Chaveli Guzman asked students if they are excited for the new campus exercise facility, The Fit.
“I like the building structure. I think they made it look really nice, it looks very clean. The pool is really nice.” — Kaitlyn Forster, a sophomore majoring in international studies Minority groups are the marketing targets of large tobacco companies. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE By Samantha Moffett C O L U M N I S T
The tobacco industry is one of the most heavily-marketed industries in the U.S., spending a total of $8.489 billion dollars on marketing tactics in 2014 alone, according to the American Lung Association. That is more than $23 million dollars a day spent on advertising tobacco products to the public. The tobacco industry is successful in its marketing plans because it knows all about diversity and just how to exploit it. BMJ Journals reports that stores in minority neighborhoods were up to ten times more likely to display tobacco advertisements inside and outside than a nonminority filled community. This is not a coincidence, it is blatant profiling. Tobacco companies’ strategies to target minorities like the LGBTQ community, African Americans, the homeless and those who struggle with mental health have created a social issue that needs to be discussed and put to its end. Recently a campaign aired on the Video Music Awards that helped bring to light the issue that minorities face in regard to profiling from tobacco companies. Hip Hop artist Logic was featured in the campaign and explained how tobacco companies are a business of exploitation.
“It is essentially a big bully preying on the weak,” Logic said in the campaign. Truth Orange reports that big tobacco companies even went as far as giving out free cigarettes to psychiatric facilities and that those with mental health or substance abuse issues account for 40 percent of all cigarettes smoked in the U.S. “Over the years, big tobacco has targeted a number of vulnerable groups in order to push cigarettes,” reports Ryan Duffy, a correspondent for Truth Orange. It is clear the tobacco industry is feasting off of minorities and vulnerable groups for profit. Truth Initiative reports that there are ten times more tobacco advertisements in poorer and minority filled neighborhoods, specifically advertisements for cigarettes. They go on to report that 85 percent of African American smokers use menthol cigarettes, a rate nearly three times higher than other smokers. Many tobacco companies are even sponsors for cultural activities such as Black History Month, Cinco De Mayo, Mexican Rodeos and the Chinese New Year. Jodi Prochaska, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford, conducted studies to conclude that tobacco industries promote cigarettes as an idea of selfmedication and work to appeal to
those with mental health issues. Tobacco companies have even funded research highlighting the “benefits” of smoking. In 1955, project SCUM (subculture urban marketing) was founded by tobacco company R.J. Reynolds for the sole purpose of boosting cigarette sales by targeting vulnerable groups. Without getting their customers addicted, tobacco companies will not make even a fraction of what they make today. It is clear that tobacco companies lack scientific integrity in their research and are putting billions of dollars into advertisements that cater to minorities and vulnerable groups. The issue of profiling has gone on far too long in the tobacco industry, and lack of conversation and media coverage about the topic is only making matters worse. We all have an ability to make an impact by calling out the big tobacco industry for what they are, predators. It is obvious the tobacco industry shamelessly benefits from minorities and vulnerable groups that use cigarettes as a form of selfmedication. In reality, tobacco products only make matters worse.
Samantha Moffett is a sophomore majoring in mass communications.
“It looks very modern. I hear it’s really awesome.“ Samuel Zatko, a sopho— more majoring in international studies
“As long as it gets students involved, in shape and provides a place to workout then I’m all for it.” — Andrew Mackoon, a junior majoring in philosophy
“I don’t go to the gym often, but I’ll make a trip.” — Lisanne Hamilton, a freshman majoring in biomedical sciences
T H U R S DAY, O C TO B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
●
7
T H E O R AC L E
CROSSWORD
Classifieds To place a classified ad go to
http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
ACTIVISTS NEEDED!!!! PAID DAILY!!!! Circulate Petitions!! Earn $30-$50/hr++ PT/FT/Anytime!! 813-803-8033
USF SUN DOME - Onsite Part-Time Job Fair The USF Sun Dome will host an onsite JOB FAIR on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at 12499 Bull Run Drive, Tampa, FL 33620. Please park in Lot 22F and enter through GATE B. We are seeking friendly, energetic and responsible individuals to join our team focused on providing world-class service to our guests and fans. All positions are part-time and we offer competitive wages and incentives in a fun and positive work environment. ***STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*** Available positions include: Parking Attendant Event Security Housekeeping Attendant Conversion Technician Guest Services/Usher Box Office Ticket Seller Background screening and pre-employment drug testing may be required. Equal Opportunity Employer
Sports
8
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
USF looks to go 7-0 for the first time in program history at Tulane
By Sam Newlon S T A F F
W R I T E R
For USF, any loss the rest of the season has the potential to foil its chances of making it to the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. With so much at stake and a No. 16 ranking next to their title, every team remaining on the Bulls’ schedule — including Tulane, which the Bulls play Saturday — will have even more incentive to upset USF. “You’re going to get their best shot,” coach Charlie Strong said. “Just go watch college football week-in and week-out. Watch what happens to teams that were favored by so much and they go get beat.” The Bulls are currently favored by 11.5 points in its 7 p.m. prime time matchup at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans. “We’ve got a tough opponent coming up in South Florida,” Tulane coach Willie Fritz said. “It’s going to be a tremendous challenge for us. We’ve got a week of practice so we can play lights out Saturday night.” Fritz also stressed USF’s ranking in the polls, its top-10 run offense and defense and how the Bulls will be the highest ranked opponent to play in New
Saturday’s meeting will be the first between USF and Tulane in football ever. THE ORACLE/CHAVELI GUZMAN Orleans “in a long time.” The Green Wave’s offense in the 2017 season have relied on running their unique version of the triple option, with more passing than the traditional triple option offense. “For the defense, it’s going to be a little different because it’s option football,” Strong said. “We have to be disciplined.” The Bulls are currently ranked in the top-10 in both rushing defense (3rd) and rushing offense (8th) nationally, but have yet to play against a team that runs an option-style offense since they defeated Navy 52-48 in October 2016. The Green Wave has scored
19 rushing touchdowns this season, three of which were rushes for over 50 yards. Eight different players have scored on the ground for the Green Wave. Tulane’s quarterback, Jonathan Banks, has thrown four touchdowns in addition to three rushing touchdowns and is the team’s second-leading rusher with 59 carries for 267 yards. Tulane’s lead running back, Dontrell Hilliard, has run for 607 yards and 8 touchdowns on 90 carries this season. Tulane has run the ball 299 times this season compared to just 91 passing-attempts. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off of their worst
offensive outing of the season against Cincinnati. If it weren’t for Auggie Sanchez’s pick six, the Bulls would’ve scored fewer than 30 points for the first time in 22 games. While the offense struggled, however, the Bulls have had consistency from kicker Emilio Nadelman, as he accounted for 15 of USF’s 33 points against Cincinnati, making all four of his field goal attempts. On defense, a mix between senior leadership and young talent has paved the way for USF to lead the nation in interceptions with 15 and be in the top-10 for total defense. “The younger guys are really
Tulane athletics’ hall of fame. But what is King most looking forward to in his return to New Orleans on Saturday when USF plays Tulane at Yulman Stadium? The food. His favorite memory from his time in Louisiana includes food too — but on a different level. “My favorite memory (from college) is I had a wide receiver (named) Juwan
Dawson and he was from Houma, Louisiana,” King said. “We went to his house and it had a very interesting menu. Some racoon, some possum. It was my introduction to that real born and raised Louisiana menu. “I didn’t try (the raccoon), but I was very respectful when I said no thanks. I watched him eat it, and it looked really good… but I stuck with the
chicken.” It’s been nearly 20 years since he left Tulane and the city to enter the NFL draft. Then, King, a St. Petersburg native, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played six seasons, started the entire 2000 season and won a Super Bowl as a backup in 2003. If it weren’t for his playing days in Tampa, it’s possible
buying into what’s going on and what’s at stake,” lineman Deadrin Senat said. “It’s something we’ve wanted to do for years — win a conference championship. Now we know that we can do it.” In addition to being dominant on the line, the Bulls have been able to produce points on defense. Auggie Sanchez returned a 65-yard interception for a touchdown against Cincinnati, which was his second of the season. “I see him as a true leader,” Senat said. “On and off the field, he’s a leader. He takes command and he does the right things all the time, and that’s what I like about Auggie. He’s a great dude overall and he’s a freak when it comes to football.” After missing two weeks with a shoulder injury, Dangelo Antoine returned against Cincinnati and led USF with three catches for 50 yards. “It felt great to be back out there with my teammates, to help make plays for my teammates,” Antoine said. “It was something I was looking forward to, just to get back out there and be with my team.”
New Orleans has special meaning to USF coach King
By Josh Fiallo S P O R T S
E D I T O R
USF running back’s coach Shaun King led Tulane to an undefeated season in 1998. He set the single-season NCAA Division I-A record for passing efficiency with 183.3 that same year. His jersey still hangs from numerous cafes and sandwich shops throughout the city. He was even inducted into
King would still be living in New Orleans. “New Orleans is a reallyreally cool, amazing city,” King said. “If I didn’t live in Florida, I’d probably live in New Orleans. The people there are awesome.” USF leaves for New Orleans on Friday, which should leave King with some time to delve
n See KING on PAGE 7