The Reporter

THE i-j U m mmmm EPORTER Vol. CXXIII Issue 2 Stetson University | DeLand, Fla. 'The sound and fury of thundering house parties' absent from campus Jason Cruz StaffWriter In the past, Stetson freshmen often found themselves in situations involving alcohol while getting to know potential brothers and sisters in Greek life. Even during weeks prior to the official recruitment weeks, known as "rush" in the common parlance, new students would discover and attend parties held on- and off-campus hosted by members of the various organizations. This year, sororities and fraternities are placing greater emphasis on teaching campus policies prior to and during the recruitment process. Stetson's code of conduct prohibits students under the age of 21 from being in the presence of alcohol, and those students' ingestion of alcoholic beverages breaks federal law. To bring behavior in line with both the law and university policy, Stetson's governing bod ies of Greek organizations refocused on guiding members through the first month of the school year without breaking the oft-ignored policies. Office of Student Development and Campus Vibrancy Director Matthew Kurtz made clear that while the recruitment process was not changing, his office and the organizations which make up the Interfraternity and Pan- hellenic councils (representing fraternities and sororities, respectively), have "done significant work to educate our chapters around the risks of hosting functions that have alcohol, as well as drinking underage." The effect of this training has already become apparent. Rather than the sound and fury of thundering house parties which acted as informal starts to the school year, a string of simple nights have been the alternative this fall semester. Please see Absent, Page 2 Wma sxpaSfig ©sdriSsd3 M fe \w®&fe Photo courtesy of University Marketing Patrick Sheridan Staff contributor One of the highlights of Convocation was the announcement by President Wendy Libby that Stetson is planning on building a new aquatics center at their 10-acre tract of land adjoining Lake Beresford southwest of campus. This center will be made possible through the generous $6 million donation from John B. Stetson's great-granddaughter, Sandra Stetson, and will bear her name upon completion. "We are extraordinarily grateful to Sandra Stetson," said Dr. Karen Ryan, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Sandra Stetson is an avid supporter of wetlands and other ecological issues, and the new facility will be the site of the research arm of the new Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience. The institute is interdisciplinary, and focused on "community outreach, internships, faculty and student research," said Dr. Ryan. Disciplines in the institute will include environmental studies, political science, history, sociology, and economics. "We have strength in environmental writing in the English department. We have folks who work on environment ethics in both Philosophy and Religious Studies," Dr. Ryan said. The School of Business and the College of Law will also be involved. According to Dr. Ryan, the center will also host numerous public events such as seminars and guest speakers. Clay Henderson, Director of the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, believes the new facility will "enhance the student experience." "It means were going to have a field lab, and, at some point, a boat," Henderson said. Students will be able to travel along the St. John's River and collect samples "to continue the biological work going on in the area." Both indoor and outdoor classrooms will be present. While Henderson said the center would be the institute's headquarters, he expects they will also be mobile, and plan to work at other sites, such as the Canaveral National Seashore. Dr. Ryan also hopes that the findings made by students and researchers at the aquatic center will capture the attention of local legislators when it comes to certain policies. "We imagine bringing in legislators and doing informational sessions on the Please see Aquatic, Page 2 The bee's knees Beekeeping club has first honey harvest ^^ of the semester Sherry Register Staff Contributor *% M Reporter photo/Sherry Register Sydney Arrington helps cut the honeycomb during the harvest. Bees weren't the only thing buzzing at the Stetson beehives last Friday. A good handful of interested students attended the Stetson's first honey harvest at Rinker Environmental Center, hosted by the Beekeeping Club. The organization began three years ago, and has since gained members and momentum quickly. However, some are still getting used to the idea of bees. "I had no experience in beekeeping, but it turned out to be fun after I learned," said Co-President Maxwell Droznin. In fact, less than a fourth of attendees had little or no experience harvesting honey. However, that didn't stop several students from trying something new and "daring to be signifi- cant."As some people lis tened to the presentation providing a background for beekeeping, others suited up in a bee suit, veil, and gloves. It all begins with preparation. A responsible beekeeper suits up in a sting-resistant jumpsuit (usually colored white) to protect their body. Gloves are a necessity, and the hooded veil is exactly what it sounds like, completed with a zipper to make sure bees don't fly in. Once suited, the ten brave keepers joined Sarah Jensen, a club member, for a nice smoke. According to Co-President Ben Chase, smoking bees causes the insects pheromones "to go totally crazy" until they all Please see Bees, Page 2 Stomping out our carbon footprint WHAT Radio's emerging campus presence A&E, Page 5 ■'.:^>vi;B'.r.-W';--:S.'-.-. 9KK- Q&Awrth football player Mike Yonker Sports, Page 8