The Stetson Reporter

wed apr-oi „- i . N S * I <■: D E S_J__E..T._S_D_N_ U_J_J___eIr._S_J____Y http://reporter.stetson.edu LIFE: H.OJLA. brings Mariachi band to campus page lb editor / i z*$ WHAT'S inside News 2a Opinions 4a Life ib Video Festival 33 Classifieds 3 s Sports 5B Etcetera 6a issue 21 volume 113 Florida's Number One Private College Newspaper OPINIOIMS: Rude students chided in aTetter to the editor page 5a Florida Leader names student organizations By Teresa Schwarz :news editor : University students were rewarded ;for their work in various events in ^Florida Leader Magazine's twelfth annual issue. The Reporter staff received distinctions in two areas. They received the "Best Campus Newspaper" among private colleges and universities for the fourth year in a row, which is an unprecedented winning streak in the history of the Florida Leader awards pro- ?gram. j. "...The Reporter...earns our kudos sfor what it does with what it has," the 'magazine explains. I - The Reporter also received "Best pream Come True" with the April pool's issue of The Distorter. I "This once-a-year edition features ?wacky photos and bogus headlines jabout things students can only dream jwould ever happen at their school," the ynagazine said. * The Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers were honored with the award for the f'Best Block Party with a Cause" for their Rock Against Cancer concert. .They raised almost $1500 through the leadership of Matt Smith, Chris Zebro Md Joey Giunta. > The university's SGA was men- . tioned as "Up-and-Comers" for the "Best Student Government" at private colleges and universities. They were recognized for their work for the Honor Code and for the changing of SGA's image as an organization. "The SGA led by President Brian Mistier is fighting the previous-group's 'do-nothing' image and is gaining the respect from fellow Hatters and administrators," the magazine said. Luis Maldonado was named one of Florida's 20 most outstanding campus leaders at the 14th annual Florida Col- HM«<i_iii_w-___ti_ lege Student of the Year Awards. He will be honored at an awards ceremony in Tallahassee on April 13. Due to the unique winning streak of The Reporter, W. H. "Butch" Oxendine, Jr., president of Oxendine Publishing, which, puts out the magazine, will visit the campus to present the various "Best of awards on April 25 to the student organizations. ; Teresa Schwarz' is the News editor of The Reporter. "The SGA...is fighting the previous group's 'do-nothing' image and is gaining...respect." .Reporter Corrections 1. "Students encounter new religion," NEWS, Issue 19. In the article the writer stated that Islam dates back to 8th centuary B.C.E. when in actuality- it dates back to 8th centuary C.E. In the article the location was stated to be in the Forest of Arden. The location for the event is actaully in the Duncan Art Gallery, at 8p.m. on April 11th. Contact Us 421 N. Woodland Blvd. #8409 DeLand, FL 32720-3751 904.822.7224 FAX 904.822.7233 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] life© stetson.edu etcetera® stetson.edu [email protected] [email protected] . [email protected] J New change izes senior plans By Teresa Schwarz news editor The university recently announced the new housing policy change, which has left many students wondering why the university changed the policy so suddenly. "I view this action as a timely decision, as opposed to a sudden decision," said Bob Lynn, Director of Financial Planning. "The decision was made prior to the room selection time period for the next school year so that students could plan appropriately." According to Michelle Espinosa, the Director of Residential Life, the change was made during the week of Mar. 12. "The 'new' policy is actually a return to a similar policy that was in place prior to fall 1999," said Espinosa. Before fall 1999; any student regardless of year choosing to move off- campus who did not live with immediate family, was not 21, or was not married, stood to lose up to S2500 of Stetson funded scholarships/grants. All first-year students and sophomores were required to live on campus, unless they met requirements such ' as living with immediate family, or were over 21 or married. After fall 1999, that policy was changed to allow seniors to move off campus with any financial penalty. According to Espinosa, this change was in conjunction with the beginning of the residence hall-refurbishing program. The program required the university to close a portion of the residence halls each spring semester for the next three to five years. In light of the possible loss of "bed spaces," allowing seniors to move off campus was an effort to insure there would be ample space for other students during those spring semesters. "Given the changes to the refurbishing plan," Espinosa said, "it is no longer necessary to close a wing of any residence hall during the spring se mester. As such, the university no longer needs to account for lost bed spaces." The university actually promotes itself as a four-year residential school father than a. correspondence or commuter school. Therefore the university encourages the students to remain on campus for their-entire interlude at the university. "The renovation plan has been completed, the enrollment is back to, normal and the policy reverts back to the way it was before fall of '99." Lynn said. "The philosophy is to reinforce the values of campus involve- see HOUSING, page 2a NEWS COLUMN p^rations DEBATES 002 TALKS: Sal Mancini gives his opening speech during the debates on March 29 in the John E. Johns room while Nicole Roenick and Chris Girata look on. (Above from left) Chris Girata, Nicole Roenick, Sal Mancini and'Mike Kollenbrug are four of the candidates for this year's SGA elections, photo by teresa schwarz Debates spark discussion on current topics By Teresa Schwarz NEWS EDITOR Student Government Association elections are corning and the candidate platforms were announced at the debates held last week Nicole Roenick and Chris Girata are running against Salvatore Mancini and Mike Kollenburg for the 2001-2002 president/vice-president SGA elections. At the debates on Mar. 29 and Apr. 2, the candidates presented their platforms to the onlookers. The first debate collected a group of 15 in the John E. Johns room in Elizabeth Hall. The second debate was held in front of the CUB on the steps, which attracted the attention of students as they „ _ _ walked to and from the eateries. Questions raised varied from "What is the number one policy that the SGA should deal with in the next year?" to "How _.._.,, „-_. are you going to fulfill your campaign promises as compared to the last administration's fulfillment of their campaign promises'?" . To the first question on policy, Roenick and Girata responded that motivation of the senators themselves and the effectiveness of the senators as representatives of the entire student body including commuters was most important. Mancini and Kollenberg felt that the apathy and leadership within SGA needs attention and the incoming senators should receive proper training be- fore taking on their responsibilities. To the other question on promises, Roenick and Girata responded that relations with the administration and a further understanding of what students want will lead to the finalization of what they will strive for. They promised to fulfill the goals they are setting because they are promising things within reason and they have already starting researching the preliminary actions for their proposed "All the candidates felt that having SGA representatives should become more involved in the community and diversity organizations." changes. Mancini and Kollenburg stated that Mancini's previous "track record" within SGA shows that they have fulfilled their promises in the past and they plan on keeping that type of success going. The issue of diversity was brought to the table by one of the senators. All the candidates felt that having SGA representatives should become more involved in the community and diversity organizations as well as asking those organizations for advice on what the pertinent diversity issues are because "they know the issues best." The final question of importance was about what the candidates thought the role of president and vice-president was beyond "gavel- banging." Roenick and Girata felt that leading by example and the in- see SGA, page 2a eensoreasfliseussiorr