The Reporter

Wednesday, April 15,1998 FORUM S> Holiday breaks should give us the holiday off, Editorial, 2a Volume 110, Issue 25 ' 1 i i . j § IIM r i » (904) 822-7224 • FAX: (904) 822-7233 News: [email protected] Life: [email protected] Forum: [email protected] Sports: [email protected] ■ Ads: 1 [email protected] General: [email protected] ~P_______£__] ■^^_____3 . http://the-reporter.home.mLorg SGA > Roman Rodriguez and U^ Melody will assume the positions of president and vicepresident of SGA, having been uncontested in the general election held last week. By ANDY DEHNART Editor-in-Chief By default, Roman Rodriguez and Liz Melody became president and vice president ofSGAlastweeE Darald Stubbs, the adviser to SGA and director of student life, said that "we went ahead and held and election" despite the lack of challengers. An election was held last Wed. from 10-1 in the CUB anyway to ensure that proper procedures were followed. He said that the team only needed one vote to be elected. "In the short time I've been here, this is the first that we've had such a case," Stubbs said. Melody, a junior, said that she is "happy and confident" about her and Rodriguez's appointment as SGA's leaders. "I think that we can do a good job and I Jhink we can make a difference." Melody said that one of their "main goals is just getting the administration to work with SGA." She said that "now, SGA does not have a lot of power." SGA's effectiveness depends Rodriguez upon the administration's approval of their activities, she said. "Right now, the students don't have a lot of power," she said. She and Rodriguez hope to accomplish this by "working one step at a time, and by trying to get" their initiatives passed. Rodriguez, a junior, said in written statements that his goals for SGA next year would include giving scholarships as a percentage of tuition. He also wants SGA to work toward giving students the opportunity to live off campus without losing a portion of their scholarship. Melody said she thinks Rodriguez will make a good president because "he's organized and he is always thinking about new things do." Rodriguez has served as chair of the campus life and academic affairs committees on SGA. He is the ' current vice president of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity, and is president ofAIESEC. Melody was a member of SAFAC and is currently the community relations chair for SGA. She has been a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and is involved with the Catholic Campus ministry. Melody either rain*. \K) 11L • SiMPE Photo by Paul Davis MAIL: Someone posted this sign over the mail drops, which were covered due to painting inside the post office. [ --t^atgil-; ;] F^is&^M&t'- ^___L «jitf l#M ..} Than torn ofthe Opera' even better with Brad Little behind the mask. Life, page 4a Stetson University, DeLand, Florida BREAKTHROUGH > The investment program regularly outperforms the S&P 500. By JEFF HAMRICK News Editor Dr. Kristopher Ma takes the Roland George Investment Program seriously. Very seriously. Ma, the visiting professor for the Roland George Investment Program, be- lieyes that dlscipline,-hard" work, and real-., world experience form the basis of a strong education. His philosophy seems to be working. Ma teaches FIN421 and FIN422, the core courses for the Roland George Investment Program. The program recently broke the $2,000,000 mark, a point which Ma calls "arbitrary" but indicative of "the high quality of work which students produce for this program." The program, which invests equally in stocks and bonds, is largely run by students who control a governing board of trustees for the program. "Usually each of our twenty or so students are required to recommend one stock or one bond," said Ma "Three outside faculty members and four student trustees make the final decision as to whether or not we will accept the stock or reject it." Ma said that the program requires students to work with "real money" and "accept the possibility of failure." "The market does not wait for anybody," said Ma. "This is difficult material, but it is what our competitors are using." The program's recent breakthrough was facilitated by Bloomberg (bond) and Bridge (stock) services, which give the students immediate access to bond and stock information. "These two systems are the top ofthe line in information systems for professional money management," said Ma. All students in the investment program must take a basic investment course, FIN320, before participating in the actual equity and fixed portfolio management classes. "It takes students a little while before they realize that we aren't just a class," said Ma. "We work with real money." Ma saidthat thefund usually-invests-in. small cap funds, which means that the program compares its performance to the Russell 1000. "Students decide what they want their portfolio. It's their decision. The professor doesn't make the decision," said Ma Ma said that the board of trustees has Photo art by Paul Davis faculty members on it simply to "prevent a big mistake" by students. Ma said that last semester, seventy percent ofthe student's investment interests outperformed the S&P500, a feat which Ma called "impressive." "Most portfolio managers are happy if more than half of their picks outperform theS&P500,"saidMa. The portfolio currently holds shares in companies like NationsBank and Exxon. This year marks the 17th year of the program. Ma's position is designed to be temporary to encourage the constant influx of new ideas and new individuals. Total Portfolio Value 2000000 1800000 ■ • 1600000 ■ ■ 1400000 - ■ 1200000 = 1000000 800000 Date Graph by Jeff Hamrick By KAITLIN BELLEROSE Staff Writer Nominations are now being accepted for the McEniry Award for Teaching Excellence. The annual award gives university students the opportunity to honor the teacher who has attained a high level of scholarly and teaching and excellence. Nominations are made by both the students and the faculty. The winner is chosen by an anonymous panel and announced during the Spring Commencement ceremonies. The selection process begins when a publicity committee compiles alist ofthe nominees. The winner is then chosen by a secret panel ofthe Faculty Senate. The winner receives a plaque and a check for$2000. The coordinator ofthe selection process, mathematics professor Dr. Erich Friedman, said that "the award is not a popularity contest. There is no assurance that the final selection committee will chose the candidate with the most nominations. To receive serious consideration, a professor must be singled out by several members ofthe academic community. Friedman said that "for a professor to be eligible for the nomination, the nominee must be a full-time faculty member who has not won the award I the past five years. The award, established in 1974, honors the memory of William Hugh McEniry, former dean ofthe university. "McEniry has been credited with providing the academic leadership for Stetson during the years following World War II until ,1967. Under his direction, the curriculum was restructured, the faculty strengthened, and the standards of prestige of the University increased," Friedman said. Former Stetson President John E. Johns praised McEniry, saying that "[McEniry] dedicated himself to a continuing program of elevating the academic standards of Stetson University, and his success is evident in the preeminent position and reputation Stetson now enjoys. His influence on the academic excellence of Stetson is, perhaps, as a great as any single individual's in the history ofthe school." Friedman said that "All students are encouraged to participate in the nomination process." Nominations forms were e-mailed to faculty and students last week. Additional nomination forms are available at the front desk of the DuPont Ball Library and at the front desk ofthe Carlton Union Building. 1975 Marc Lovelace, emeritus professor of English 1976 Kathleen Johnson, associate professor of English 1977 Robert Fort, professor of music 1978 Joseph Master, professor of accounting 1979 Paul Steeves, professor of history 1980 C. Carter Colwell, professor of English 1981 John Hague, professor of American Studies 1982' James Delap, professor of chemistry 1983 Richard Moreland, professor of education 1984 Gary Maris, professor of political science 1985 Ellen Smith, associate professor of English 1986 Kevin O' Keefe, professor of history 1987 John Booth, associate professor of economics 1988 Dennis Kletzing, professor of mathematics 1989 Donald Musser, professor of religion 1990 David Nylen, professor of marketing 1991 Paul Langston, professor of church music 1992 Michael Raymond, professor of English 1993 Wayne Dickson, professor of humanities 1994 Gareth Williams, professor of mathematics 1995 Michael Rickman, professor of music 1996 Leonard Nance, associate professor of sociology 1997 Betty Thorne, associate professor of decision and information sciences Special Issue This week's edition of The Reporter is condensed due to the holiday weekend. We will resume normal publication next week. Our last issue for this academic year will be published Wednesday, April 29. Clarification A review last week of comedian Norm Macdonald's April 5 show stated the cost of his performance. Although obtained from legitimate sources, The Reporterwas later informed that the information was intended to be off the record. inside FORUM: Gort to insitutionalize I new beauty requirement, 2a s LIFE: 'A company of wayward saints' starts this weekend, 4a SPORTS: Central Florida takes series, 2-1, 4b News" Forum -Life 1a 2a '4a.- Sports 5b