The Oracle
Funding for NPHC plots put on hold
M O N D AY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 I V O L . 5 5 N O. 2 5
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
SG Supreme Court to review Senate’s decision to fund NPHC construction. n
By Miki Shine E D I T O R
I N
C H I E F
The construction of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) representational plots that were approved for funding by Student Government (SG), has been put on hold. While it was originally planned to break ground during winter break, it’s currently being delayed until the SG Supreme Court reviews the use of Activity and Services (A&S) fees to fund the project. NPHC is responsible for bringing in $19,000 for the project and the university administration has agreed to match funding up to $265,000. The SG Senate voted 38-10 on Oct. 24 to fulfill the $113,500 budget request with Student Body President Moneer Kheireddine supporting the movement. Logan Holland, who ran for vice president against Kheireddine, filed for the SG court to review the use of A&S fees for this saying that it violates seven rules for funding. These include three that reference A&S funded items being available to all students, one that restricts allocation to organizations that have mandatory dues and
two that discuss differential or discriminatory practices based on race or color. NPHC is a council comprised of primarily African-American fraternities and sororities known as The Divine Nine. According to the website, the organizations are “all-inclusive and excepting (accepting) of all men and women.” The funding requested would go toward a plaza with a plot for each organization and would include information about the organization. Neither Holland nor Kheireddine could be reached for comment. In his filing with the court, Holland wrote that funding the collection of plots is a violation because it is providing funds “exclusively for the benefit (of) a group which membership is restricted in practice to one subset of students and is not inclusive to all students. Access to this council is not open to any student who has not been initiated into one of its member organizations.” Holland also wrote that the funding violates SG rules “by providing funds for the benefit of an entity that charges
n See NPHC on PAGE 3
Black Friday shopping is changing for students Page 4
Policymakers need to Bulls gear up for change conservation efforts game against UCF Page 6
Page 8
2
M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 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 Lifestyle Editor Isabelle Eugene oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Sports Editor Josh Fiallo oraclesportseditor@gmail.com @ByJoshFiallo Multimedia Editor Chaveli Guzman oraclemultimediaeditor@gmail.com
@ChaveliGuzman
Copy Editor Angela Mossgrove
Staff Andrea Martin Samantha Moffett Sam Newlon Maria Ranoni
●
T H E O R AC L E
The Index News........................................................3 Lifestyle................................................4 Opinion.................................................6 Classifieds...........................................7 Crossword..........................................7 Sports.....................................................8
Graphic Artists Destiny Moore Mark Soree Jessica Thornton Advertising Sales Matthew Comstock Tadge Haskins Destiny Moore 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 Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Website: Facebook: Twitter:
974-5190 974-1888 974-2620 974-2620
usforacle.com facebook.com/usforacle @USFOracle
CORRECTIONS The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors. Contact Editor in Chief Miki Shine at 974-5190.
CORRECTION
The USF chapter of Pi Kappa Phi was provisionally suspended in October 2016 pending an investigation after a member was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. After completion of the investigation, the organization was not charged with sexual assault and the provisional suspension was lifted, though individual charges remain against the former chapter member. A story in Monday’s issue of The Oracle incorrectly stated that the chapter’s suspension was indefinite.
NEWS
Feed-A-Bull helps alleviate hunger on campus UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
M O N D AY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 7
●
By Maria Ranoni S T A F F
3
T H E O R AC L E
W R I T E R
On Thursday families across the U.S. will gather around the table to fill themselves with food and give thanks. Some Bulls, however, may not be in a financially stable enough situation to fill up their dinner table. That’s where Feed-A-Bull comes in. The pantry was created in September 2015 by the Center for Student WellBeing, the Office of Student Outreach and Support (SOS) and Feeding America Tampa Bay with the goal of alleviating hunger among USF students. The pantry was formerly located on the second-floor of the Student Services building, but recently, it’s moved locations to the basement of the building in SVC 0002. Katie Jones, a registered dietician at the Center for Student Well-Being and Student Health Services, said in the last academic year, over 600 visits were made to the pantry. The pantry is currently The Feed-A-Bull food pantry moved to a larger location in the basement of the Student Services building. open from 9-noon on Tuesdays ORACLE FILE PHOTO/RUSSELL NAY and 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays. “We’re looking at potentially “We don’t do any financial ensuring the food provided is getting foods from different expanding an additional day screening, we just have a healthy. Jones said that rather food groups. They’ll still need starting in the spring, but waiver sign that’s basically than giving students these to choose stuff from grains, for right now, it’s those two stating that you’re in need. bags, they are moving toward fruit, vegetables, protein, and days that we’re available for They also complete a survey letting students self-select the then they’ll just have guided students in need to come in,” for us, but other than that, food they need. options.” Jones said. that’s it.” “Hopefully, next week we’re Those who wish to make Feed-A-Bull is focused on In the past, the pantry going to be set up, so it will a donation can drop off providing food to students has offered students pre- be self-selection with a guided non-perishable food to their who are not able or struggle made bags of food that the list,” Jones said. “So, it will location. At the moment, to buy food for themselves nutrition specialist on staff give students more freedom in students can leave donations and operates primarily with helped create to ensure they what they are able to choose, in front of the door if the volunteers. were nutritionally balanced — and it’s not just handed to pantry is closed. Eventually, “We have volunteers that which is one of the things the them. there will be a barrel donations are there during the hours pantry set out to do. Rather “So, they’ll have more food can be dropped in. of operation, so we go off than simply supply food, preferences … the key is we’re the honor system,” she said. Feed-A-Bull is geared toward trying to make sure they’re
NPHC
Continued from PAGE 1
dues and other fees, and whose component members also charge dues and other fees. These were not discussed during the Senate meetings when the funding request was reviewed. The organizations included in NPHC are Greek organizations and require dues for membership. Although he does not cite it as a violation, Holland also points out the concept of differential treatment, which is classified as unacceptable in the SG Constitution, and the prohibition of allocating A&S funds to an entity that discriminates. This was also not brought up during the Senate meetings. Finally, although Holland also did not cite it as a violation, he references two rules for funding that require the services funded to be available to all students without charge and on a first-come first-serve basis. This was a concern brought up by several senators during discussions about funding the project. In response to these concerns at the Senate meeting on Oct. 24, Kheireddine insisted the plaza would be open to any student organization interested in hosting an event there. “The space itself is structured like a plaza,” he said. “So there’s a lot of open space and also a very green area. Basically, students will be able to request that space and have events. They can request to hang lights and do any sort of events. Outside of that, it’s also free and open to any student who wants to visit.” The court has not announced a date for the hearing, but has officially released a stay on funding until one can be held. If the court finds the funding is in violation of SG rules, it would not be provided. The NPHC and Kheireddine could file an appeal that would go to the Dean of Students Danielle McDonald.
LIFESTYLE
Black Friday shopping is not what it used to be
4
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
M O N D AY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
By Andrea Martin S T A F F
Some would like to argue that shopping is the best cardio, and what better way to work off two, sometimes three, plates of turkey and a couple slices of pumpkin pie? Black Friday is a national trend that starts sooner and sooner every year. Some USF Bulls are tired of it while others still set their alarms for the wee hours of Friday morning. Brittney Paul, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences, had a childhood full of Black Friday adventures, early mornings set to the tune of determination with a goal in sight. Reflecting back on her past Black Friday experiences, one particular early morning stuck out in Paul’s mind. “As a kid there was a sense of excitement waking up super early, like at 2 or 3 a.m., and heading out to stores before they opened and rushing With some sales starting while most are still sitting down to carve the Thanksgiving turkey, the overall national event of Black Friday has become inside to find the deals,” Paul less appealing to some students. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE said. “I particularly remember isn’t the same as Black Friday exciting when I was younger,” all this random stuff just hot weather and see the deals when I was in the 8th grade, shopping when I was a kid,” said Estephany Polo-Bravo,a because it’s cheap. I avoid it of the year. my stepdad gave me $300 Paul said. “Black Friday now senior majoring in integrative now at all costs.” “Every Thanksgiving, for Black Friday that year. My is more so Black Thursday or animal biology. “My mom Despite the reduced we go to my aunt’s house mom and I planned out the even Black Wednesday. would take me to wait in line enjoyment, some haven’t in Philadelphia so we always night before where we were “Nowadays there isn’t that and I would try to get her to let go of their Black Friday went Black Friday shopping going and what for. same sense of urgency since, buy me a doughnut after. I traditions. Olivia Stea, a with my cousins,” Stea “There were three missions: for one, everyone shops online liked the idea of getting new sophomore majoring in said. “Instead of traditional get a new TV, get me a new and a lot of the sales cut right stuff and being around people. political science, still holds Black Friday shopping at laptop and my mother’s into Thanksgiving dinner, Plus staying up past bedtime onto her yearly family outings. a regular mall, we kind of miscellaneous items. Nothing which shouldn’t be the case. was pretty cool!” “I think Black Friday went to the outlets near her really beat standing out in line Two years ago my mom and But now Polo-Bravo doesn’t shopping is really excessive house and then also went to with other people going for I stopped going Black Friday feel the same need to bother and even dangerous because a department store near her the same goal: Get everything shopping, it was a sad thing with the outrageous new of those stories you hear of called Bon Ton. Every year on sale.” to see it end but it’s supposed timeframes of Black Friday. people getting stomped to when we go to those outlets, Meanwhile, Paul just doesn’t to be Black Friday not Black “Nowadays, it starts so death at Walmart and stuff like we get hot apple cider and get the same feeling from the Thursday.” early,” Polo-Bravo said. that,” Stea said. “These days look at the gingerbread houses big event like she used to. The Another disappointed Bull “You barely get to finish we do the same traditions, — it’s really cool plus I get to satisfaction of waking up early finds herself missing the Thanksgiving dinner and but we do much more online enjoy some colder weather and scooping up the deals is golden days of Black Friday everyone is out. The sales shopping.” and escape from Florida.” gone for her. shopping. don’t look as appealing and I For Stea, Black Friday is a “Black Friday shopping now “Black Friday was more don’t see the point in getting chance to get away from the
M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
5
OPINION
Hunting is not a viable conservation strategy
6
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
●
M O N D AY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
By Samantha Moffett C O L U M N I S T
The most recent move regarding wildlife conservation efforts by President Donald Trump was to lift the ban on imports of elephant hunting trophies and has left animal activists, including The Humane Society and the People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals, outraged. The reversal of the Obamaera law was announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will allow for elephant hunting by permitted hunters in Zimbabwe and Zambia to return to the U.S. with trophies. The Trump administration claims that in order to bring the trophies back to the U.S., the hunters will have to prove the elephant trophy money will be used for wildlife conservation funds. This is an extremely contradicting statement that promotes the killing of these vulnerable animals for conservation purposes. There needs to be other ways to promote conservation rather than the killing of wild elephants, particularly because the money revenue that is said The Humane Society and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have found that trophy hunting to be provided for local funds does little to nothing to benefit local communities. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE is not significant, according reportedly trickle down from to conservation funds besides While the hunting of animals to a report by the Humane hunting fees to locals, and the hunting of a threatened has been shown in the past Society International (HSI). it finds that the revenue is species. to bring in money for local The commission study minimal and that government Ellen DeGeneres has also communities, reports find the by the HSI shows that local corruption is a huge factor. voiced her concern for the wild money from elephant trophy communities that are said to The report concludes that elephants, working alongside hunting is not significant benefit from allowing elephant “trophy hunting isn’t stopping The David Sheldrick Wildlife enough to support conservation hunting on their land often poaching, especially in Trust (DSWT). For every post or the local communities. The do not see the money. The countries that have a poor on social media using the focus of policymakers must report finds that the elephant record of protecting their #BeKindToElephants hastag, be shifted away from this trophy hunting in Zimbabwe wildlife.” the talk-show host will donate corrupted idea. and Zambia accounts for only On Nov. 16, the Trump to the DSWT for conservation 0.78 percent of local money administration said the efforts. There is also a Change. Samantha Moffett is a revenue. decision was not finalized org petition that currently sophomore majoring in mass A report conducted by yet, so the time left before has over 22,000 signatures in communications. National Geographic also takes finalization should be used to support of stopping the ban a closer look at the funds that find alternative ways of adding from being lifted.
M O N DAY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 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
APT & HOUSES FOR RENT Units Available Now!Urbanplaceapts.com 813-988-0298 urbanplace@blackhawkrm.com
HELP WANTED FT/PT Tax Preparation Entry level position, quick learner and comfortable working with the public. Plenty of room to grow! No experience necessary! Email for more information trs@taxrefundservices.com
Sports
8
Bulls look to put together a complete game against UCF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
The Rundown Men’s basketball loses to Indiana 70-53 At halftime, it appeared USF (2-2) men’s basketball was on its way to beating its first Power-5 conference opponent since Dec. 7, 2013. After it took a 34-33 lead into the half, however, the Bulls struggled and fell to Indiana (2-2) 70-53 at Bloomington Assembly Hall in their first game of the Hoosier Tip-Off Classic. In what was a story of two halves, USF was led by forward Payton Banks in the first half with 15 points. After halftime, however, the Hoosiers limited Banks to three second-half points, while they held the Bulls to 24 percent shooting from the field in the same period. “We kind of ran out of gas, unfortunately,” coach Brian Gregory said. “Our guys played extremely hard for those first 30 minutes and then we had some defensive breakdowns. We didn’t guard as well in the second half, which was highlighted as well with turnovers and not executing some on offense, which led to us in a scramble on defense.” Next up, the Bulls will face Howard at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the USF Sun Dome.
●
M O N D AY, N O V E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 7
●
T H E O R AC L E
Bulls season ends in NCAA Tournament’s second round By Josh Fiallo S P O R T S
Friday’s matchup between USF and UCF will be the first with both teams ranked in the AP Top 25. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE
By Sam Newlon S T A F F
W R I T E R
Only days remain before USF (9-1) travels to Orlando to face No. 15 UCF (10-0) in the War on I-4, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Spectrum Stadium. Contrary to years past, the winner of the matchup will play in the AAC Championship on Dec. 2. Just making it to the AAC Championship would be a first in USF program history, as the Bulls have never played in — let alone won — a conference championship. “Our guys know and understand what’s at stake,” USF coach Charlie Strong said. “We need to continue to play well, and we just need to put together a complete game, which we haven’t done yet.” The meeting between the Bulls and Knights will be the first ever with both teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Though neither No. 22 USF nor No. 15 UCF’s seasons will be over with a loss as both teams are eligible for a bowl game, the loser will have to sit out of the conference championship game and miss out on any chance of making a New Year’s Six bowl. “I don’t think ruining their season is our goal,” linebacker Auggie Sanchez said. “I think an American Athletic Championship is our goal. They’re the next one up and they’re a very good team. The Bulls control their own
destiny. USF will be playing as the underdogs in this game, as UCF is undefeated and have beat its opponents by an average of 27 points per game. With a battle tested 23-man senior class that has been working toward a conference championship for years leading the way, the Bulls will be focused on one thing Friday. Beating UCF. “The key thing for us next week is that we just have to be ourselves,” Strong said. “It’s going to be a wild atmosphere, it’s going to be unbelievable but the thing about it is, when all that settles down, you have to play the game. With all the build up, you just can’t get caught up in it.”
Freshman wide receiver arrested on a felony sexual battery charge USF freshman wide receiver Kevaughn Dingle was arrested by University Police (UP) late Friday morning on a felony sexual battery charge. Dingle, 18, was released on a $7,500 bond Saturday, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office records. A UP release indicated that around 1 a.m. Friday, UP received a call of a possible sexual battery occurring at the Holly C Residence Hall. According to the release, the incident reportedly occurred
at noon Thursday. Based on the information gathered, officers “developed sufficient cause” to charge Dingle with sexual battery, according to the release. No statement has been made by USF.
Sanchez sets new tackle record against Tulsa Sanchez set the new record for career tackles as a USF Bull after recording 14 tackles in the Bulls 27-20 victory over Tulsa at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday. The two-time second-team all-conference selection has now recorded 367 tackles as a Bull with at least two more games to increase his total. “It meant a lot,” Sanchez said. “I’ve been coming after that record since I got here and it was something I wanted to accomplish. To do it on senior night, in front of my family, in front of all our fans, it was something special. It’s a moment that will last forever in my life.” Sanchez, a redshirt senior, started his career as a fullback his freshman year. Sanchez was moved to linebacker in his second year on the team and has been a staple in the USF defense ever since, recording 63 tackles as a redshirt freshman, then 112 and 116 tackles in his last two seasons.
E D I T O R
For the first time in school history, USF women’s soccer won the AAC conference championship on Nov. 5. Two weeks later, for only the second time in program history, the Bulls made it into the NCAA Tournament’s second round. In the tournament’s second round Friday, however, the Bulls’ postseason run came to an end after they fell to No. 16 Florida 1-0 in front of 1,142 at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville. A goal in the 42nd minute from Florida’s Mayra Pelayo gave the Gators a lead they would never relinquish. Florida outshot USF 12-4 in the game, with the Bulls’ only shot on goal coming from forward Evelyne Viens a minute after Pelayo’s goal. “We expected a battle, and it certainly was that,” Florida coach Becky Burleigh said. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a game with South Florida that wasn’t. They’re a talented team and they brought it all, especially in the second half.” Before the loss to Florida, USF had gone 11 games without a loss, with the last one being a 1-0 defeat to Cincinnati on Sept. 24. Though the loss was the last game of five USF senior’s careers as Bulls, the future is still bright for the program. Of the five departing seniors, only three — goalkeeper Kat Elliot, defender Ocean Parr and midfielder Jessica Hamrick — started double-digit games for the Bulls. Meanwhile, the Bulls will return eight other starters in 2018, including leading-goal scorer and assist leader, Viens, and defender Kelli Burney, both of whom will be juniors next season. The Bulls’ second leading goal scorer, Aubrey Megrath, will only be a junior next season, as well as Andrea Hauksdottir, whose eight assists in 2017 was second on the team behind Viens’ nine.