The Stetson Reporter

WHAT'S 0 News 2a Opinions 4A Life ib Classifieds 3 a Sports 5B Etcetera 6 a http://repQrter.stetson.edu SPORTS: Softball anticipates season with new field page 5b | OPINIONS: Holiday season starts earlier than usual page 4a Residential Life loses, seeks to rehire few RAs By Amy Rigdon news editor Due to early graduation, study abroad, and other extraneous situations, the department of Residential Life is looking to hire five new resident advisors for the spring semester. Of the current resident advisors, three are graduating this December, one is leaving to study abroad, and another is needed to replace a current, who is leaving. There are a few minor setbacks to the hiring process for next semester, which .include a late start in this semester and the difficulty finding interested male students. "We dre having a hard time finding qualified guys to fill those roles that have opened up," said Patrick Durbin, assistant director of Residential Life. Durbin attributes the impediment to the percentage of males on campus compared to females. "I think our shortage in the number of guys, who are interested, mirrors the fact that there are less guys on campus than there are females," said Durbin. "We have had a good response to the formal application, but a lot are freshmen, and they cannot interview for spring positions." The Department of Residential Life finds students to fill resident advisor positions for next semester through the formal application process, which is required for those interested in resident advisor positions for the 2003-2004 academic year, and word-of-mouth from current resident advisors, who encourage students they think would make good resident advisors. . - ."I think that one of our biggest. ways of recruiting is from currents R.A.s [resident-advisors] talking with other students, or residents talking with their R.A.s...," said Durbin. Only upperclass students can be resident advisors, so no first-year student could fill the positions open for the spring semester. Those who express an interest or those whom the Department of Residential Life thinks would make good candidates are interviewed. Not all of those interviews for next semester's positions will be done prior to the start of next semester. "It is possible that we will start the semester short a few R.A.s, but we will pick them up as the semester goes on;" said Durbin. "As we get applications for next year, we will pull upperclassmen for that semester." Overall, the turnover rate is similar to past years. "Since I have been here, we are looking at a normal turnover for the semester. Last year we hired'six, and this year, four...we always expect some. This year we just found out about some [resident advisors not returning for next semester] later," said Durbin. Amy Rigdon can be contacted at arigdoh@stetson. edu. ^Reporter CORRE CTIONS 1. "Stroke 9 and Athenaeum entertain campus" LIFE, Issue 8. We reported that Athenaeum was the headlining act, but Stroke 9 was the main.attraction, and Athenaeum was the opening act. Contact Us UJikt*inu.Vil<ili.\&<tJ-»u; '.n.frU h j'l.VW.hJt'tot.uiJwiTttt.a 421 N. Woodland Blvd. # 8409 DeLand, FL 32723 386.822.7224 FAX 386.822.7233 reporter® stetson.edu reporter_newsi£ stetson.edu [email protected] life® stetson.edu etcetera© stetson.edu sports© stetson.edu [email protected] advert iseft"> stetson.edu STUDENT SPENDING Students unprofitable for DeLand By Lauren Nemets GUEST WRITER The Mainstreet DeLand As sociation is seeking a way to foster business opportunities between the university community and local DeLand businesses. The association feels that local businesses have, ignored the untapped market of students. Taver Cornett is the executive director of the Mainstreet DeLand Association and has pondered the relationship between the university community and downtown DeLand businesses for years. The Mainstreet Association is a nonprofit organization that helps to rebuild downtown districts throughout Florida by fostering business development. "I've been beating this same drum for five years," said Cornett. "I just don't understand why any of [DeLand's] businesses don't try and take advantage of this opportunity." The opportunity Cornett refers to is the disposable income that sits in university students' bank accounts. Of approximately 150 businesses in the association, there are just three that cater primarily to students: Special T's, Gibbs for Men, and Halftime. Primitive Expressions owner Shawn Scott supported Cornett's case but didn't think his business felt the effects of the university community. . . "Not.really, there.is no.overwhelming response from students . either way. It's actually surprising because our stuff is pretty affordable," said Scott. "A lot , ~—*-_..- of students come in and BUSINESS: Dom Mastroianni enters the Mainstreet Grill restaurant to grab lunch on his day out. photo art by julie farricker "Not really, there is no overwhelming response from students either way. It's actually surprising because our stuff is pretty affordable." say, 'Wow, that would look cool in my- dorm room.' But other than that...." Scott said that many pro- fessors and i~"*™-■■--1-—~~ * their families are loyal customers to his store, and since his store does little advertising because business is spread primarily through word-of-mouth, many students may simply not know that the store exists. Veronica's Bridal's owner Mike Bitting said that students are only around for a few years, which is not long enough to bring large amounts of business. "Some girls come who are planning .- their weddings,right before they graduate. The other two types of business are men music majors who need tuxedos, and then the alterations for Greek formal events," said =~^^_~_:^ Bitting. "The business that the university brings," said Bitting, is "nothing out of the ordinary." Even Special T's owner Carol . DiStefano doesn't think her business is totally affected by the university students.' uw-w. ^ . "Summer is, slow, but that's true for any [business] around here. Stetson business is from September to March," said DiStefano. DiStefano said that even during those months, only 25 percent of business is actually from the university community. Cornett said that stores in downtown DeLand cannot possibly compete against malls. Businesses that develop within these Mainstreet Association districts cater to smaller niche markets, and few recognize the. potential existing with the student market. Cornett said that he has argued this case time and time again at various merchant association meetings but has failed to make any progress. "People just look at me with dumbfounded blank "stares," said Cornett. Cornett said that DeLand should use other larger college towns like Gainesville and Tallahassee as examples for what kind of business students can bring. "Just as Gainesville is covered with orange and blue, and Tallahassee is covered with garnet and gold, DeLand should be covered with green and white," said Cornett. "This is just not the case." Merchants at Primitive Expressions, Veronica's Bridal, and Special T's all agreed that the overall university community is a great benefit to DeLand. The university's ranking as a top school nationally brings advertising to the community that could never be afforded by any local Mainstreet Association campaign. "Stetson adds a touch of class to DeLand," said Cornett. Traditionally, the university has played a major.part in the development of DeLand as a community. According to public record, despite the university's property tax exemption, over the years the university has actually written a check for the equivalent of what it would be paying for its acreage. Also, the large oaks that line Woodland Boulevard were planted by university students many years ago. - If Cornett is successful in communicating his perspective that university students are an untapped market, it may just be a matter of time before local business will respond. Currently, the DeLand office of the Mainstreet Association is working on the restoration of the Athens Theatre downtown. Lauren Nemets can be contacted at' reporter_news@stetson. edu. ATO relieved of suspension, under probation By Amy Rigdon NEWS EDITOR The university has finished its internal investigation of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity (ATO), and the events that transpired the night of Oct. 12, which resulted in. a sexual assault allegation. Student Judicial Affairs concluded there were some violations of university policy, and thus, has sanctioned the chapter. According to a letter from Director of Student Life Darald Stubbs, the investigation revealed that ATO violated the following policies and "procedures: "the alcohol policy (serving to minors, underage consumption, unregistered social), hazing (the activities associated with bid night), vandalism of university property, tampering with fire safety equipment, and providing false documentation pertaining to shirt night activities and the Standards of Excel lence." As outlined in "Connections: Campus Life Handbook," Judicial Affairs determines the proper sanctions after the university conducts an internal investigation to collect and confirm all relevant information that could pertain to the events. According to the letter from Stubbs, the university has imposed ten sanctions on the fraternity. First, ATO will be on probation until the end of the 2003-2004 academic year. Any violations during this probationary period will result in an immediate suspension. Second, the fraternity house will be a substance-free facility as long as ATO- ...-.—.« - is a recognized organization at the university. Third, all officers involved with the inappropriate ritual activities on shirt night will be suspended from their office, effective immediately. Fourth, all ritual and initiation activities for the next two years must be approved by the university and national headquarters of the fraternity and monitored by the chapter advisor or "The university wants to see Alpha Tau Omega become a positive contribution...." another approved alumni member. Fifth, the chapter will sponsor a speaker on risk management issues related to alcohol for the campus prior to March 31, 2003. Sixth, a majority of the new executive board officers must attend ATO national leadership conventions for the next two years. Seventh, the chapter is restricted to only one social function per semester until the end of spring 2003. Eighth, the chapter must submit a detailed plan of goals and objectives, along ' "" "" with an aggressive public relations plan explaining how the organization will work to improve its image on campus and in the community. Ninth, all' re- *"■""•- i'*"'"-* . maining members will have to participate in a structured member development program that outlines the respon- , sibilities and core values of the organization. Tenth, a list of all prospective members for this upcoming year has to be reviewed by the Department of Student Life before offering a bid. "Alpha Tau Omega has not had a good reputation within our campus community for the past two years. Lack of vision, ineffective leaders (in certain, aspects), and radical members has contributed to the current state of the chapter. In order for this chapter to be successful, it is going to take a signified change in the culture of the organization and much time and dedication from the remaining members. It will be a challenge' but can happen with the right membership selection," said Stubbs in his letter. ATO identified members who will remain active to rebuild the chapter, and each of these members had to sign an agreement to the aforementioned sanctions. ATO also has installed a new president,' who was unavailable for comment. ■ "The university wants to see Alpha Tau Omega become a positive contribution to the Greek [system], campus, and the DeLand community. However, we want a fraternity where the ideals and values demonstrated by the members truly reflect Alpha Tau Omega and Stetson University," said Stubbs. "Anything to the contrary will not be tolerated and cannot be a part of the Stetson community." - Amy Rigdon can be contacted at arigdon@stetson. edu. http://reporter.stetson.edu - I1IMMHM1 WwSriEffWw¥sli[aw«iiMiiiiaiiiiwsiiBi»]<st« msmmmmmsmt TtPli