The Reporter

■ Thursday, April 25, 2013 Vol. CXX Lauren Cepero News Editor The class of 2013 should be called the phoenix class. When these students arrived for their FOCUS orientation in the fall of 2009 they never could have anticipated the changes that Stetson would experience in their time here. They have seen an airplane crash into the DeLand Pub- lix, a bear cub in a tree outside the CUB, the renovation of the quad (as well as many other campus facelifts), the demolition of both Stover Theatre and Stetson Hall, the homecoming of Stetson football, two fraternities return to campus, increasing class sizes and the incoming of a new university president. Both the class of 2013 and President Libby have gone through these changes together, each making their own mark on Stetson's history. Both have had to enter this unique Stetson experience on their own and find a way to rise up from what once was and discover new ways to shape Stetson into a community full of memories alumni will want to revisit. President Libby commented via email on her connection to the graduating class of 2013 and the changes that have occurred on campus during the past four years. What are your thoughts on the graduation of your first Stetson class? I am very proud to have been a freshman with members of the class of 2013. Do you feel a deeper connection to the class of 2013 due to all of the changes you have gone through to- President Wendy Libby On the class of 2013 gether? This is the first class where I know a substantial number of the graduates, so in that way I feel a deeper connection than with earlier classes. How have both you and this class grown in the last four years? We have all become Hatters together! Can you elaborate on some of the differences (as a campus and a community) Stetson has undergone since you became president four years ago? We are certainly a much larger undergraduate institution, and one that has recommitted to the academic excellence for which we have always been known. Our Student Success program is showing great results. We are a more beautiful campus as well. And we are more diverse in many ways. The addition of women's lacrosse and sand volleyball, football and club sports have enriched our students and our athletics programs. The university is a closer partner with DeLand's community and government. I am really proud of that. As your first class, what have you learned from the class of 2013 that you now utilize with other classes? I have learned about the special transformation that the Stetson experience provides. And I have learned that this university is on the right path: one of rigorous and challenging academic programs with great opportunities for engagement through research, community service and close faculty and peer interaction. What do you believe your biggest influence on the senior class has been? I hope the class has seen that change is good, restorative and uplifting!! What do you believe the class of 2013 has left as their legacy on this campus and in the community? A legacy of resilience and flexibility as their university has changed with the times. If you had to describe the senior class in one word what would it be and why? Significant. This class has come in and learned that success is not enough to make a good life. You have to see how you can fit your passions into the world in a way to make a difference, to be significant. What are your thoughts on the new Senior Week tradition that has been implemented this year? I am really excited about this and am looking forward to being at the kick- off event as well as the bonfire. How smart of the class of 2013 to decide to start a new, enduring and endearing tradition. Are there any events you are particularly excited to experience? I love bonfires so having one here will be a treat! What is the best way for the class of 2013 to stay connected to Stetson? Make sure to send us your contact information - address, cellphone, email. Come back to campus often; you don't have to wait for every five Photo courtesty of: Lauren Roberts years! And when you do come back, visit the faculty and tell them how they impacted your lives, meet with students and share what you have learned in the work world. Make a donation to the annual fund every year. Make it a habit to support a Hatter the way you were supported while you were here. A small gift is still a valuable commitment to Stetson and affirmation of the value ol your time here. Photo courtesy of: Stetson Archives Student Ambassador tours no longer count toward community service Alyssa Bajek Staff Contributor Additional Reporting by Lauren Cepero Students Ambassador tours will no longer count toward community service totals for Greek Life beginning next year. This is going into effect despite the fact that Ambassadors are clocking hundreds of hours of unpaid service providing tours to prospective students and hosting overnight visits. "The truth is I didn't know [Student Ambassador tours] counted as community service until last week, when I found out they aren't being accepted next year," Student Ambassador and Alpha Tau Omega member, Steven Clemmer, said. "It's really not fair. It's not a job-1 don't get paid for it, and I spend a lot of time doing it." In 2010 it was common for Student Ambassadors to be compensated for their work. They were broken up into houses based on the Harry Potter houses and each would compete (with houses and individually) for points. These points would add up to a positive incentive system with various prizes. Though that system ended in 2011 Student Ambassadors were allowed to continue using their service to Stetson for community service hours, contributing to Greek Life totals. That has been recently discontinued because the service chairs for the Inter Fraternity Council and Panhellenic have decided the hours of service will no longer count because the Center for Community Engagement has never counted those hours toward their own totals. The Center for Community Engagement has many options for available for student service. "The question [of if students can use Am bassador hours] has come up once or twice," Center for Community Engagement representative Heather Hamilton said. "But the more common thing is for students to come looking to do something out in the community as well as the communi- ty." One of the reasons behind hours being removed is because the hours are not considered to be having a direct influence on the DeLand community. "We are making a direct impact on their college selection process and their overall view of Stetson," Student Ambassador Team Captain, Amanda Thomas, said. "I have been involved with Student Ambassadors for two years and can honestly say that our organization plays a huge role in showing students that Stetson is where they should spend their next four years." Alexis Ercolani, Alpha Ch Omega's SGA Representative, anc Danny Humphreys, Sigma Nu's SGA Representative, have joined togethei to co-author an SGA bill asking tha the CCE and Greek Life count th« Student Ambassador tours towarc community service totals. "Some Student Ambassadors give over 100 hours of their tim< to give back to Stetson when the) could be studying, involved in othei orgs or going to the beach," Ercolan said. "Without Student Ambassadors we would not get incoming classes of freshman, so at a minimum the) should get community service hours if they are not going to be compen sated." Ercolani and Humphreys' bill is available on SGA's website. <