The Oracle MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2015 I VOL. 53 NO. 12
Inside this Issue
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News.................................................................1 Lifestyle......................................................4 Opinion.......................................................6
classifieds..............................................7 Crossword.........................................7 sports............................................................8
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Borrow’d app sees increase in digital trading By Alex Rosenthal M A N A G I N G
LI F E STYLE
Ed Sheeran rocks Amalie Arena. Page 4
Montage
S PORTS USF can’t stop Cook in loss at FSU. BACKvv
Daniel Mall (pictured) and Rhondel Whyte created the Borrow’d app in spring to help relieve students of the burden of selling back books to bookstores at a loss. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU
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While the lines for textbooks at bookstores near campus seem to have died down a month into the fall semester, the digital market continues to boom. A survey from the National Retail Federation found that 41 percent of college students plan on using a smartphone to research products and compare prices and 46 percent will use a tablet to shop. The survey, which estimates each college student or college family plans to spend $899 on back-to-school shopping this year, also estimates about one third of purchases for back-to-school shopping will be completed on mobile devices. According to USF students Daniel Mall and Rhondel Whyte, more than 2,200 students have already downloaded their Borrow’d app, a program that launched at the end of spring and allows students to buy, rent or sell textbooks to each other at their own prices. Whyte, a senior majoring in electrical engineering, and Mall, a recent alumnus with a degree in interdisciplinary social sciences, worked together in the spring to design and market the new app. When The Oracle first interviewed the duo in May, they said the app had maybe 500 users with about 50 books traded. Now, Mall said the app has more than quadrupled since the start of
the fall semester, with upward of 300 textbooks available. “Every day, this number increases,” he said. “… The rate at which students listed books is significantly higher this semester than over the summer.” Though Mall said business on the app was expected to decrease over the summer as students traveled abroad and took a break from classes, the app’s expansion to the Android market in August brought in more users than he initially hoped. Borrow’d operates when a student scans a textbook’s barcode and uploads its information on the app’s database, posting a picture of the book and listing an price for sellers or lenders. The physical exchange occurs when a student agrees on a price, and monetary transactions are finalized only after both parties indicate a completed exchange. As an example, Whyte explained a typical exchange would be when a student pays $200 for a textbook at the USF Bookstore, but is then offered less than a 10th of that amount when he or she tries to sell it back at the end of the semester. Whyte said students would use the app to rent out a textbook either daily, weekly or monthly since a textbook isn’t always needed every day of the semester. Students would then continue renting out the book when it is needed, going for prices much lower than many bookstores.
In many cases, Whyte said he has seen most texts sell anywhere from $25 to $75, or rented at similar prices. Mall said this mainly helps students who refuse to sell back textbooks to the bookstore at unfair prices, and allows them to recoup the money after several semester of renting. “A student could, in theory, make back what they paid for their book,” he said. “… The idea of selling back your books to the bookstore will soon be obsolete. Students can make back more than what their book is worth through renting them out, all while doing so, making textbooks more affordable for other students.” According to a 2014 study from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, the price of college textbooks over the course of the last decade has increased 82 percent. In the same study, it was found that 65 percent of students have decided to not buy a book at some point in their university career. Though Mall declined to provide the financials behind the app, he said the app is at the mercy of the textbook market that spikes only at the beginning and ends of the semester. While traffic on the app will likely plateau until December, Mall said Borrow’d is always looking for ways to improve business on the app and provide new features.
Rec Center remains in partial operation By Grace Hoyte E D I T O R
I N
C H I E F
After a water leak at the Campus Recreation Center on Wednesday caused the building to close early, the facility has been operating at half capacity. The weight floor remains closed “until further notice,” according to the Rec Center’s Facebook page. Though the closure may disrupt workout routines, the bas-
ketball courts and multipurpose room on the cardio floor will be open for use. Additionally, the Argos Fitness Center will be open for students willing to walk the few extra steps. According to the post, “the Argos Fitness Center is open to mimic normal REC operating hours.” The Argos gym has dumbbells up to 60 lbs. and a selection of weight equipment. Despite the Rec Center’s limited operations, the Magnolia
Fitness Center, located near Juniper-Poplar, will maintain its regular operating hours. The facility has limited weight and cardio equipment. While the Rec Center is not totally operational, it is still open, and will maintain its regular hours. Students are encouraged to continue to use the facility as best they can. The Rec Center will continue to post updates on its social media pages as the situation progresses.
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NEWS EDITOR WANTED: The Oracle is looking to hire a campus news editor. The paid position requires writing, editing and reporting skills. Applicants would work late hours and receive on-the-job training through working with fellow writers and editors. For more information, contact the Editor at
oracleeditor@gmail.com
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COOK
Continued from PAGE 8
“He’s really fast, extremely fast, but a lot of fast guys run into the pile,” Fisher said. “He can still run with great tempo and has great eyes … they see things before they happen and they get that feeling, how they cut, and then he’s a finisher.” Now in the post-Jameis Winston era, No. 9 FSU’s offense now literally runs through Cook. He almost certainly put his name in the hat for Heisman Trophy consideration in the first quarter when he shredded past multiple USF defenders and missed tackles for a 74-yard touchdown to give the ‘Noles (2-0) an early advantage. “He’s a little slippery, but once again, he’s a great back, man,” senior husky Jamie Byrd said. “You can’t really discredit him at anything. He knows how to read holes and he’s just a great back.” After going into halftime tied 7-7, USF was hit by Cook again on FSU’s opening drive of the third quarter. Following a 56-yard kick return by Kermit Whitfield that set the ‘Noles up from USF’s 39-yard line, Cook broke up the right sideline five plays later for a 24-yard score.
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“He’s an elusive guy,” said USF senior defensive end Eric Lee, who had four tackles. “He’s also pretty physical and we have to wrap him up … we came here ready to play, so with that being said, our defense was ready to attack him at any moment and at any time.” Cook scored his final touchdown on a 37-yard scamper with less than two minutes remaining in the game. He accounted for more than half of FSU’s 441 yards of offense, but nearly missed the opportunity to play this season. Cook was suspended indefinitely during the offseason after he was accused of assaulting a woman at a Tallahassee bar. But Cook remained focused throughout the process and his name was cleared by a jury. Now, FSU is reaping the benefits. “During his suspension, he was up every day doing the same amount of reps by himself,” junior defensive back Marquez Smith said. “I feel like that is really mature of him, doing all of that when there are no coaches around.” USF coach Willie Taggart wished for a different outcome Saturday. “I wish he would’ve decided not to play today,” Taggart joked. “I think it would’ve been a different ballgame.
HOPE
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the line. The offense seemed to have found its rhythm, too. Flowers thoroughly outplayed his counterpart Everett Golson, completing 50 percent of his passes with one touchdown. Golson, meanwhile, had completed just 1 of 9, throwing his lone reception at the feet of Travis Rudolph. Maybe this was just an aberration. After all, it was a morning kickoff — ‘Noles coach Jimbo Fisher probably hadn’t had his coffee yet. But maybe it was something more than that. Perhaps this was USF inching closer to that faraway light at the end of the tunnel against the nation’s ninth-ranked team, and constructing some personal confidence along the way. “I told our guys this week, ‘Don’t be surprised if we are in this game in the second half. Don’t be surprised at all,’” Bulls coach Willie Taggart said. “Most teams in our situation, they’ve been in the game and they are surprised they are in the game. “Sure enough, our guys were there. We weren’t surprised.”
College football is a cruel game. There aren’t supposed to be any moral victories, especially in a 34-14 defeat. But considering what the Bulls went through during the six days leading up to this game, room can be made for an exception. Last Sunday morning, hours after a long-awaited laugher against Florida A&M, they awoke to the news that their former teammate, Elkino Watson, had been murdered at 3 a.m. in a stabbing outside an Ybor City nightclub. They wept for Watson during a memorial service Tuesday night at the Sun Dome and wore his initials on their helmets in remembrance Saturday. One could probably conclude it was the most difficult week the program had ever experienced in nearly two decades. But that wasn’t going to be used as an excuse to the Bulls. They showed up to play. “It was a beautiful thing in that first half,” said senior husky Jamie Byrd, who wrote “Believe” and “#53” on his eye-black for Watson. “To see us all swarming to the ball just working as one defense, that’s gonna carry on to the next game and the next couple games after that. I think we showed a lot of improvement.”
Sure, the second half didn’t go according to plan. Cook wrapped up his day with two more touchdowns and 266 yards — the most allowed by any USF defense. Golson, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, rebounded to finish 14 of 26 for 163 yards and a touchdown. Even Roberto Aguayo got his licks in, hitting a pair of field goals to cement himself as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. But USF never gave up. It grew up. As the Bulls headed toward their tunnel to exit the field after the final whistle, eager to greet them was a small section of green and gold-clad spectators who had made the four-hour trip to the panhandle. They clapped and cheered. Some reached over the railing and extended their palms for high-fives as the team passed through below. Even in a loss, they were proud. This team should be, too. “There’s a lot of good things on the tape for our guys ... and we’re gonna learn from it,” Taggart said. “I think we have ourselves a good football team, and we’re gonna learn from this and move on and continue to get better.” If Saturday was any indication, you can bet they will.
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Lifestyle UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
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Ed Sheeran wows at Tampa show
Ed Sheeran performed to screaming fans Thursday at Amalie Arena. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE By McKenna Kelley L I F E S T Y L E
E D I T O R
While watching Ed Sheeran perform live, accompanied only by a guitar, two microphones, and a looping station, one must wonder if he ever gets lonely on stage by himself. With a sold-out crowd of nearly 15,000 people screaming his lyrics back at him, he’s probably just fine. Sheeran played for nearly two hours Thursday at Amalie Arena, keeping audience members on their toes the whole time. He has no backing band, instead recording small sections of guitar and harmonizing vocals that loop
over a beat for almost every song. He must maintain virtually perfect pitch and rhythm or face hearing his mistakes over and over. As Sheeran built each song from the bottom up, concertgoers had to wait for a distinctive rhythm or background vocal to identify which song he was about to play. Opening with “I’m a Mess,” an album track from his latest release, “X,” Sheeran made it clear that serious fans would be rewarded with more than just the hits. Of course, the hits were enthusiastically embraced. The first chord of 2015 smash hit “Thinking Out Loud” garnered the loudest screams of the evening, with “Lego House” also inspiring a
passionate sing-along. His penchant for including unexpected covers in his set list is well documented, so Sheeran performed many of his songs in a different key than their recorded versions to allow for a number of delightful medleys and mash-ups. His bitter break-up anthem “Don’t” led into parts of Chris Brown’s “Loyal,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity,” and his own “Nina.” A nearly 10-minute performance of “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” included the “running through the six with my woes” refrain of Drake’s “Know Yourself” and the chorus of 50 Cent’s “In da Club.” Surprisingly, the imagery of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”
introduced his “I See Fire,” from the most recent “Hobbit” movie, quite well. Long-time fans were pleased to hear non-singles like “Drunk” and “Take It Back.” He even played fanfavorite “Give Me Love” after explaining he rarely plays it anymore. Based on its ensuing freak-out, the crowd appreciated the choice. Sheeran also made sure to include many of the heartfelt, acoustic ballads he is known for, including “The A-Team,” the single that brought him into the mainstream. Women swooned as he sang about true love in “Tenerife Sea” and “One” while wearing a black T-shirt and cargo shorts. That is the great appeal of Ed
Sheeran. Indeed, it speaks volumes about his musical abilities that he can enrapture a crowd without an enormous stage or fancy costumes or even a big collection of hit songs. Sheeran seems genuinely excited to perform — even more because the audience wants to hear him perform. His effect was clear at the finale of his show. He closed with his biggest hit, last summer’s “Sing,” and lead the audience in a chant of “oh’s.” As it continued, he put his guitar down, abandoned his microphone and began walking backward until he reached the stairs. It was then that he left the audience, quite literally, singing.
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Opinion
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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
the Oracle
Smoking should be personal choice, not campus policy
the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966
Editor in Chief Grace Hoyte oracleeditor@gmail.com
Alex Rosenthal
Smokers on campus may want to inhale more deeply the next few months because USF is planning to put out its last cigarette in 2016. In last week’s fall address, USF Sports Editor President Judy Genshaft announced Jeff Odom oraclesportseditor@gmail.com the campus will become tobacco-free beginning early next year. This would bring the Tampa campus into step Opinion Editor with the USF Health side of campus as Breanne Williams well as the St. Petersburg and Sarasotaoracleopinion@gmail.com Manatee campuses. Though smoking has rightfully fallen Lifestyle Editor out of popular favor in the 50 years McKenna Kelley oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com since the Surgeon General first warned Americans about the hazards of cigarettes, with rates of smokers declining Multimedia Editor from 42.4 percent in 1965 to 18 perAdam Mathieu cent in 2012, according to tobaccofreecampus.org, it is still a personal liberty. Digital Editor If the Tampa campus is to adopt a Roberto Roldan tobacco-free policy, it would be similar to USF Health’s policy that prevents Copy Editor employees, students and visitors from Safeena Kassoo smoking in or near “facilities, buildings … grounds and parking lots.” Assistant Editors This policy also prevents the sale Jacob Hoag and advertisement of smoking and Russell Nay tobacco products on campus. Aaron Nichols, assistant director of communiGraphic Artists cations for University Communications Ashley Barzaga and Marketing, wrote in an email to Luke Blankenship The Oracle: “Currently USF Tampa’s limited Advertising Sales tobacco policy limits use to designated Lauren Alford areas. The new policy will ban use Rachel Carpenter campus wide. We are designating it Abby Pereira ‘tobacco-free’ vs. ‘smoke-free’ because Destiny Moore the policy will cover all uses of tobacco, The Oracle is published Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and twice not just smoking.” weekly, Monday and Thursday, during the summer. Everyone can appreciate that smokThe Oracle allocates one free issue to each student. ing has changed since the “Mad Men” Additional copies are $.50 each and available at the era of the ’60s. Now smokers are at an Oracle office (SVC 0002). all-time low in the U.S. and the smokBY PHONE Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974-6242 ing community that exists is more cogEditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974-5190 nizant of both environment and health. News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974-1888 Instead of pumping out the carcinSports ................ 974-2842 ogen-heavy smoke of traditional cigaLifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974-2398 rettes, many smokers have turned to Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . 974-2620 e-cigarettes, which produce a vapor Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 974-6242 whose most harmful effect is probably Website: usforacle.com Facebook: facebook.com/usforacle the commonly used artificial flavorTwitter: @USFOracle ing, rather than its nicotine content. According to the Washington Post, the CORRECTIONS e-cigarette industry rakes in $3.5 billion The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors. Contact Editor in Chief Grace Hoyte at 974-5190. in annual U.S. sales from about 10 perManaging Editor Alex Rosenthal oraclemeditor@gmail.com
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cent of adults and 13 percent of high school students. There should undoubtedly be some limitation on smoking usage, but mainly for common decency, rather than an outright blanket policy to be tobaccofree. No one likes the jerk in the classroom who puffs so much vapor that you can’t see the board up front, but no one should deny a smoke break from the grad student outside the Library as he writes his thesis, or the professor who just finished a day of lecturing. For decades now, everyone has been warned at least once about the dangers of cancer and smoking. However, plenty of people have smoked and happily lived to tell the tale in old age, if in a disturbingly raspy voice. If a minority of the population chooses to take the risk of smoking, no different from those that risk the dangers of drinking or going out in the university area late at night, that is their right. Those pushing for tobacco-free campuses should realize smoking doesn’t instantly cause cancer, and second hand smoke is only harmful with prolonged or frequent exposure. Smoking has dwindled in popularity, e-cigarette users are becoming increasingly more mindful of those around them and their health, and chewing tobacco — well, chewing tobacco’s biggest harm to the environment is grossing out anyone who witnesses the user spitting it out. The university should focus its efforts elsewhere instead of planning a most likely impossible enforcement policy to keep smokers from lighting up on campus. More concerning to wellness are issues of off-campus safety and providing more mental health services. Smoking is a gross habit — many smokers will admit that. But that shouldn’t deny them the freedom to smoke. After all, Florida just implemented a law allowing students on college campuses to have a firearm stowed in their car, but somehow puffing an e-cigarette that smells more like a vanilla scented Yankee Candle than tobacco won’t be allowed before class and could soon be a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Alex Rosenthal is a senior majoring in mass communications.
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What you said Opinion Editor Breanne Williams asked students what they think about the new policy to make USF a smoke-free campus next year.
“I think it’s a good idea. I know quitting is hard and could be difficult, but getting rid of the designated areas will be good for the overall health of our students.” - Ariel Zucker, a junior majoring in exercise science “I think designated smoking areas are a good idea. Smoking is a personal right and ultimately the decision falls to each individual person. While I understand the benefits, they shouldn’t take that right away.” - Victor Garcia, a sophomore majoring in international studies “I’m glad we are switching to nonsmoking because secondhand smoke is extremely dangerous.” - Sheyla Rosales, a senior majoring in finance
“I believe that it’s great for the overall student population. The designated areas are in locations that everyone walks through and second hand smoke is a serious issue.” - Steven Dinnen, a junior majoring in exercise science
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Crossword
NEWS EDITOR WANTED: The Oracle is looking to hire a student editor to cover campus news. Position is paid and on the job training is provided. Applicants must have writing, editing and reporting skills. For more information, email the editor at oracleeditor@gmail.com or call 813-974-1888.
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Home cooking UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
The Rundown
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Men’s soccer snaps skid at home Junior forward Nazeem Bartman and senior defender Brendan Hines-Ike each scored their first goals in a 2-1 win over Georgia Southern on Friday at Corbett Stadium. The victory snapped the Bulls’ (3-2) two-game losing streak. Bartman found the back of the net in the 32nd minute from 12 yards out on a feed from Kendan Anderson. Hines-Ike, a transfer from Creighton, added his on a penalty kick in the 49th minute. “It’s an amazing feeling man,” Bartman said. “I’ve been unlucky since the season started and I’ve been working in practice just to get my one goal and it came tonight, so hopefully more will come this season now.” USF continues its homestand tonight against North Florida at 7 p.m. —Rachel Curci, correspondent
Women’s soccer stays unblemished The women’s soccer team continued its unbeaten season during its weekend road trip with a 2-1 win over Charlotte on Friday and a scoreless draw against No. 8 Clemson on Sunday. Sophomore forward Ocean Parr scored her third goal of the season against the 49ers in the 43rd minute. Sophomore midfielder Brittany Raymond followed up with a tally of her own in the 60th. “I was proud of our overall performance,” coach Denise SchilteBrown said. “It’s never easy to go on the road and we set a goal to be amazing road warriors and I think they were.” The Bulls (6-0-1) return home to host Georgia Southern on Thursday at 7 p.m. —Michael Mezich, correspondent
Florida State tailback Dalvin Cook rushed for a career-high 266 yards and three touchdowns in Florida State’s 34-14 victory over USF. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATTHEW PASKERT/FSVIEW
The ‘Noles spoil USF’s upset bid on Despite loss, Bulls fans should be Dalvin Cook’s career day at Doak. encouraged
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By Jacob Hoag A S S T .
S P O R T S
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TALLAHASSEE — It wasn’t until after Saturday’s 34-14 win over USF that Florida State sophomore tailback Dalvin Cook found out he had jumped into not only the Seminoles’ record book, but the Bulls’ as well. Cook’s 266-yard, three-touchdown performance was not only the second-best rushing performance by any back in FSU history — falling only behind Greg Allen’s 322-yard game in 1981 — but also the most rushing yards allowed by USF in 17 years.
No. 9 FSU
34
USF
14
“I had an interview (with ESPN) in the middle of the field and they told me,” Cook said. “It’s a great accomplishment to be with some of the greats in Florida State history.” Cook simply wreaked havoc against USF (1-1), averaging 8.9 yards on 30 touches. When asked what makes him such a great runner, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher had two words: vision and patience.
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TALLAHASSEE — Just for a moment, forget what the scoreboard read at Doak Campbell Stadium when the clock hit zero in the fourth quarter Saturday. Fo r g e t Dalvin Cook Jeff Odom torching USF’s CO M M E N TA R Y defense for one of the best performances by any Florida State running back. Forget sophomore quarterback Quinton Flowers — in just his third start — underthrowing a pass
toward 6-foot-5 tight end Elkanah “Kano” Dillon in the end zone and into the mitts of FSU defensive back Marquez White for an early interception. Instead, rewind back to halftime. There was USF, the 29-point underdogs, tied 7-7 with one of the finest teams in the nation. Aside from a 74-yard touchdown run by Cook in the first quarter, the Bulls’ defense had played so well, there were probably some wondering whether names like Selvie and Pierre-Paul had snuck their way back onto
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