The Reporter

3 * 5 S«X„^.^^_a-^..„.il«.M„XA.¥.A.E-,.R-,S JULY .crease in FRAG Funding being asked by University community Brett Henson ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR For many college students at private universities, the rising cost in tuition causes alarm. In order to defer these costs, most students turn towards the State and Federal government for financial support. While some of this support, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is based on need factors like economic background and family support, other state scholarships, such as Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) are based on merit and enrollment. "It is imperative that I receive the FRAG;" said Kyle Kaminski, sophomore Environmental Science major, "without the grant, my options would have been reduced". The issue of providing adequate funding based on the needs of students See FAFSA, 2A Service Station seeks to change its appearance Lonetta Wilson news writer The Service Station is a campus building that houses a number of residents and that embodies Stetson's core value of community service. Unlike other Stetson residential facilities, residents are required by Residential Life to perform a minimum number of community service hours each week in order to live there. The Service Station's ten residents are required to do at least four hours of volunteer work weekly. Jessica Whitely, a junior rehabilitative studies major and Residential Assistant (R.A.) at the Service Station, stated, "Our group is devoted to community service. Once a month, as a group, we go and [participate in community projects]. In addition, every resident has an ongoing project." See STATION, 2A Ian Wasser news editor A * i + V * '*»■»*•' A « ^ ^ *' » A.A tsisnop jonn bneirjy bpong speaKS to trie university community aDout cnnstian values. On Jan. 31, Bishop John Shelby Spong came to Stetson to give a lecture entitled "Living in Sin?" Bishop Spong has, through his writings and actions, garnered a reputation as a liberal reformer of Christianity. He frequently attacks long- held views of the Bible and Christian doctrine and tries to get people to reinvent their views of the Bible. Spong has himself worked as a social activist by promoting a better understanding of women and homosexuals; he drew great controversey for his ordination of an openly gay man in 1989. In the speech's introduction, Bishop Spong stated two themes he would -return to throughout his lecture: "everything [made by God] is good" and "evil is to diminish life the life of anyone, while good is to enhance the life of anyone." It was from these two points Bishop Spong said he would critique certain ideas in the Christian worldview, also noting that "the theme is about the human body." In his speech, Bishop Spong said he would comment on three prejudices in the Church: "prejudice against women, prejudice against age, and prejudice against homosexual orientation." When commenting about women and Christianity, Bishop Spong said it seemed Christianity still upheld the view that "women are somehow inferior to men." He added that Christians were using faulty logic in determining the role of women in the church. Spong used quotes from the Bible and historical views of the time periods of the New and Old Testaments to show that the role of women in the present relied on the role of women in the past. He said that women in the Biblical time frame were considered "property" of their husbands and fathers, and such evidence could be seen even in the Ten Commandments. He attacked this view by saying that culture has changed paradigm and using those beliefs "diminishes the life" of women. After discussing the treatment of women, Spong moved to discussing the elderly and attacked the misconception that adults in their retirement age are "not dead yet" and are active; he emphasized the latter by jokingly referring to the elderly being "bombarded by commercials for Viagra." Like women, he said that the elderly are "marginalized" due to concepts formed in the past. Bishop Spong said that in the past, one rarely lived to the age brackets of the present life expectancy, and that even in old age, the elderly are healthier than their past counterparts. He advocated that a better view needs to be formed of those near and beyond the retirement age. Spong then talked about homosexuality and Christianity, a topic where he has long advocated change. He said that he was raised in an environment where homosexuality was never mentioned, and that a "pity them" mood persisted when the subject came up since, at the time, homosexuality See SPONG, 2A Clint Bentley news writer Since the launch of Black History Month in 1926, February has been a month to reflect upon the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans in Western society. In 1926, when racial hatred and prejudice were common and. even accepted, setting time aside to honor African Americans and their contribution to society was very radical. Today, however, it is expected that things be done to celebrate African Americans' place in society. 'The campus is not as diverse as we want, there are not enough minorities and we are trying to change that.' DR. LEONARD L. NANCE head of the diversity council "I don't even know what Stetson is doing for Black History Month." This quote, by Carl Keever, an MBA student here at Stetson University, represents the feelings of many. Stetson University, like many other universities around the nation, has a council of individuals who are doing their part to see that there is emphasis placed on the welcoming of persons to the university from varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds; the Diversity Council, headed by Dr. Leonard L. Nance, is that council. The Diversity Council cary Month states on their website (http:// www.stetson.edu/diversity) that "one of the central goals of Stetson University is to create an inclusive community..." and "to foster change by recognizing the points of difference we have as a result of racial/ethnic background..." Dr. Leonard L . Nance does not feel that racial awareness should be a focus only during the month of February, it is something, in his opinion, that should receive the attention of the university all year long. "The campus is not as diverse as we want, there are not enough minori- See DIVERSITY, 2A Frankenstein exhibit coming to.'University- Billy Perry associate news editor Stetson's duPont-Ball Library was chosen as one of 80 libraries from a competition of 160 to host "Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature," a traveling exhibit that examines the life of writer Mary Shelley. The exhibit will open on March 2, and will be located on the main floor of the library. There will also be auxiliary displays in the library and a series of five themed programs. The first program will be a 45-minute monologue presented by Susan Marie Frontczak held on March 15 at The Sands Theater Center. Frontczak, a 23-year veteran of storytelling who has performed throughout the United States Opening on March 2, the exhibit looks to examine the life of Mary Shelley. and the world, will bring Mary Shelley to life through an in- character monologue followed by audience questions. In order to host the exhibit, libraries had to compete through an extensive application process that included a plan for reaching out to the community. "We had wonderful support from faculty in the departments of English, philosophy, history, biology and the Chris- See FRANKENSTEIN, 2A CAROLINE JONES /.THE REPORTER European Production Team films Andy Dehnart, an English and Communications study professor, for a documentary on reality TV. STORY 3A Wednesday's Forecast: Partly Cloudy High 74, /-*"•* Low 51 CALENDAR 3B NEWSMAKERS 3A LIFE IB OPINIONS 5A MAD CAMPUS 5A REVIEWS 3B METRO REPORT 2A SPORTS 1C NEWS 2A Habitat for Humanity University volunteers obtain uplifting experiences through work. STORY 1B Spong Reactions Students react to Bishop Spong's testimony about a change in faith. STORY 1B DVD Review Blair Townley reviews Jamie Foxx's portrayal of "Ray" STORY 3B