The Stetson Reporter

SXT JJLi_0_M__JI_N.JL pL.,E_R™.S_XJr_Y UJ w 0. z © life | George Wallace kicked off Homecoming 1999 at the Edmunds Center Friday night. Mike Rayburn, a comedian/musician from Washington D.C. opened for Wallace. The Edmunds center was packed with faculty, staff and students not only from Stetson, but Embry Riddle as well. [ read this story in Life, cover 1b ] wed feb-99 issue 19 volume 111 MBA courses will move to Celebrati |y andy dehnart | After some delays and feported problems, the university's efforts it Disney's Celebration, Florida commu- , pity are moving ahead. Next semester, the university's MBA courses will be moved fo Celebration, and a unique pilot MBA program in educational management is |eing developed. f "We expect that next semester the MBA courses will move to the Stetson University Center [at Celebration]. |Ve also are designing an MBA in education management —there's only one other program remotely similar fn the whole U.S. to that. This will be a very innovative, high-demand program. We hope to begin to pilot that program next year," said Ron Clifton, associate vice president at the Stetson University Center. I Clifton said that there is conversation about "even- < tually [offering] an MBA in health administration or wellness" and also offering continuing education. "We're really focused on continuing education and continuing learning, which is the sort of thing a university does if it integrates itself into a community." Located at Celebration, Florida (near Disney property and the city of Kissimmee), Celebration is a prototype community developed by the Walt Disney Company that includes a K-12 school. Four years ago, when Celebration itself was being developed, the university was brought in to help develop the school and to create teacher training programs as part of the Teaching Academy. Now, the university's efforts are all part of what's called the Stetson University Center. Dr. Larry Rosen, once the on-site director of the teaching academy and now associate vice president for institutional development, said that the shift was made from the teaching academy to the Stetson University Center because "we felt Stetson had much more it could do in the south Orlando-Celebration area. We could go beyond the 'Teaching and Learning Institute' and offer graduate programs, continuing education, and music programs." It was that shift in focus that, last April, prompted Celebration officials and local media to question the motivation behind the formation of the Stetson University Center, especially since training was scheduled to begin in the summer of 1996. This past summer, two years after that deadline, the Teaching Academy opened its doors. Last April, the Orlando Business Journal reported that despite receiving over a million dollars in funding from various sources, the teaching academy still had yet to actually offer courses, that were scheduled to start on July 1,1996. In its end-of-year wrap up, the Journal even mocked the acronym for the Center: SUC Clifton said the delay was because of a reexamination of how the programs were to be structured. "Essentially the delivery of programs began after I got here; the planning for those programs had begun several years before. We made some adaptations to both content and the types of programs because the university did not start out in this building, and as a result of that we had to reprogram and re-plan," he said. Clifton said that some of the confusion was over the difference between the Teaching Academy building itself— which stood empty for some time—and the Teaching Academy programs. "People confuse the Celebration Teaching Academy Programs with the building per se, which is called the Celebration Teaching Academy," he said. The Celebration School began offering its K-12 programs with around 250 students in the Teaching Academy building until its second year, when it moved into the school's permanent building. The Teaching Acad- While U.S. senators cope with the aftermath of impeachment, senators in the Student Government Association are dealing with a different set of issues. For more than six months, SGA has been "researching and negotiating" the financial penalty for scholarship recipients who move off campus, and they have been working with the administration toward "a balanced solution," said SGA President Roman Rodriguez. "It looks like it will be a successful effort," said Rodriguez recently. Vice President for Campus Life Jim Beasley said SGA created an ad hoc committee to meet with Jud Stryker, the vice president of Finance, "to review the policy and come to a conclusion." He continued, "From the university's perspective, [SGA] is the primary body that represents students." With the motto "Your Voice on Campus," SGA works to represent and implement student interest in various areas. "SGA was a greatly influential force in the implementation of 24/7" at the beginning of the year, according to Rodriguez, a senior CIS major. He explained that he and Liz Melody, the vice-president of SGA, met extensively with Beasley during the summer in order to advocate the change. He said, "As a result of our meetings and research, the policy was changed during the summer and Emily Hall residents were notified of the new policy in place." When Rodriguez and Melody ran unopposed last April, their platform included both the implementation of 24/7 visitation in Emily and a change in the policy regarding financial penalty for scholarship recipients who choose to live off campus. Rodriguez said, "We are really glad to see that we are succeeding in accomplishing what we promised to the student body." Other projects currently include involvement in the establishment of the Student Government Interaction Council, a regional organization of Central Florida schools that constitute a "resource community." SGA organized a conference related to this effort in early February. They are also working with Rollins College to reestablish the Florida Independent Student Association and have already attended the first meeting. Rodriguez said, "As we keep researching a plausible framework for FISA to exist again, we will be one of the founding members of the organization." SGA is also working with the Values Council on the initiative to establish a university honor code. Dr. Robbie Boerth, assistant professor of English, and Rodriguez co-chair the recently-established committee. SGA also sponsored an "SGA on Campus Day" during the fall semester, which generated 45 ideas for future bills. The bills are channeled through the several subcommittees that comprise SGA. The seven subcommittees include: Academic Affairs, Campus Life, Community Relations, Financial Affairs, Food Service, Judicial Reform (ad hoc), and the Residence Hall Association. Each committee researches and writes various bills. Some of the bills generated by these committees that have not been implemented include further reimbursing Chaudoin residents regarding the air-conditioning problems, securing thermostat control in Gordis, extending the computer lab hours, offering sign language classes as a fulfillment for the foreign language requirement, constructing a walkway over Woodland Boulevard so that students would not have to wait to cross the street, and designating the parking by the Lynn Business Center as "General Parking," according to articles written by Senator Katie Harrigan and published in The Reporter. While Chris Girata, a first-year senator, recognizes that "a few bills have been passed that will greatly improve the standard of life on campus," he says that "much more could have been done to better the school and student life." He attributes the discrepancy to "the way both the Exec [utive] Board and the senators handled the responsibility they were given. More often than not, quorum was not reached, disabling us from voting on any bills." Girata said SGA is "disorganized, with a lack of respect for authority and lack of dignity in the Exec. Board." He cited an example of when members of the board were "really thrilled when they 'beat the record' by having a two-minute meeting." Overall, Girata said, "The lack of attendance, poor spirit, and soggy leadership resulted in a 1998-99 SGA that fell well short of the goal that was intended." Rodriguez said, "We have some weaknesses, but they are little when compared to the work we achieve and our strengths." He says that the organization will now "be focusing on elections and continuity," with elections scheduled for April 7. Sara Cotner is the managing editor of The Reporter. SGA has been working on Issues ranging from Implementing an honors code to allowing students to move off campus ; without penalty. Idi®iehB:i^pi^ssi(^| "We are really glad to see that we are succeeding in accomplishing what we promised to the student body." ROMAIC RODRIGUEZ SGA PRESIDENT "The lack of attendance, poor spirit, and soggy leadership resulted in a 1998-99 SGA that fell well short of the goal that was intended." CHRIS GIRATA, SGA SENATOR «msMt« emy building itself was empty last year, because "The Celebration Company — which owns it — was deciding how it might be most effectively used. ... During that time, we were operating [the Stetson University Center] from the Celebration School," Clifton said. In August of 1998, the Stetson University Center moved its operations into the Teaching Academy building under a two-year lease. Clifton said that the Center moved its programs and operations back to the Academy building because it offered "a better space for our programs" and because the space they were occupying in the Celebration School was needed to accommodate more students. "The idea is that during these two years we will finalize plans for and hopefully complete the construction of a purpose-built university center here in Celebration, which will be the long-term home of the Stetson University Center," Clifton said. The university will construct the new building, most likely adjacent to the school and downtown area. In addition to "It's a way of satisfying the need for further development in these areas by the university, it increases its role in education Florida, and it also pro- [ see CELEBRATION, page 3a ] Alcohol ad poiic clarified: wee touts awarenes 3 by julie GOWAN | The trustees recently reaffirmed the policy on alcohol advertising, and Alcohol Awareness Week was kicked off late last week with the announcement of the winners for the poster contest. Jeff Hamrick took home the $750 cash prize. Susanne Reynolds placed second and James Knotts was awarded third place in the poster contest. In addition to this week being dedicated to responsible drinking and the harms alcohol creates, the administration released a clarification policy on the alcohol sponsorship and advertising. "The purpose for the contest was to kick-off Alcohol Awareness Week and to get students thinking about responsible drinking before Spring Break,"' said Kirsten Fogle, coordinator of Alcohol Education. Co-sponsoring the poster contest was Quality Brands, an affiliate of Anheiser- Busch. When Dr. Beasley, vice president for Campus Life, was asked if Stetson was in violation of the alcohol advertising policy he said, "No, because the co-sponsorship was to promote a contest of educational value and purpose." The previous policy reads as follows, "No organization shall accept sponsor- .... ship or endorsement dnnkin!I- photo by andy dehnart for a social from a company that manufactures or distributes alcoholic beverages. Advertisement of socials may not include any reference to the serving of alcoholic beverage," according to the Alcohol Policy & Guidelines of 1997. The new policy that was reaffirmed by the Board of [ see AWARENESS, page 2a ] ART: Students designed posters to advocate responsible toda^ IN IHfc RtPORIfcR BACK FOR THE FUTURE: Look for this logo throughout the paper for special coverage of Stetson Weekend- related activities, news [page 2bj, life [PAGE IB], AND SPORTS [PAGE 4B]. r I £ = STETSON QQ WEEKEND American freedom is vague to student by emily eisenhauer | We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are the defender of democracy, the original home of freedom of worship, and the place where a poor boy. can grow up to be president. And besides that, everyone knows "it's a free country." Which is why I was very surprised to read in my roommate's Christmas letter to her home in Germany, "I still don't understand what they mean by this 'great freedom' of theirs." How can she not understand American freedom? I always assumed it was obvious, but apparently not. [ read this story in Opinions, page 4a ] Students broadcast Hatters play str by julie gowan | Each spring semester, programming director Pete Miniscalco teaches a broadcast class for those interested in the field and who are possibly looking to choose that road for a career. In addition to teaching the aspects, history and future of broadcasting, Miniscalco shifts the class routine on students and has them work at least one shift during the WCEU Pledge-a-Thon. This is the second time the broadcast class has been offered at Stetson and turns out to be a popular class amongst all students. This is one of a handful of classes that has hands-learning for students. "In order for students to learn about this field more, we give them exposure to happenings and flow of a television station. It gives them the opportunity to see if this is the path they would like to follow," said Miniscalco. [read this story in Life, page 2b ] SCHOOL SPIRIT: The Edmunds Center was packed with 3,972 fans for the Hatter vs. Jacksonville basketball game. The Hatters lost to the Dolphins 61 -62 with a Dolphin sinking a three-point shot at the final second, photo by julie gowan [ read this story in Sports, page 4b ] mMs/ ©30 »if4fr:: ppp ..; 4fe^'IJ&sgHWs^-r'i'rv3i ■I^IU^^fcJJiS^-u?^