The Student-Run Newspaper of Nova Southeastern University •
NSU hosts NCAA National tournament
March 19, 2013 | Volume 23, Issue 24 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Soda Ban Slap Down
Faculty Spotlight Registered sex offenders at NSU Page 8
By: Staff Writer When WPLG — a South Florida ABC-affiliated TV station also known as Local 10 — reported that over 100 registered sex offenders are students, staff or faculty at Florida’s universities, colleges and vocational schools on Feb. 24, many members of the NSU community were surprised to learn that two registered sex offenders were at NSU. However, NSU has since confirmed that both were online students and one has already graduated. The WPLG news team learned from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that, while nearly every South Florida institution has registered sex offenders either enrolled or employed, most students are not aware of this because the state does not make the information easily accessible. Dave Dawson, executive director of the Office of University Relations, was surprised by Local 10’s
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findings, but said, “The safety of the NSU community — students, faculty, and visitors — is paramount [and] most important. We provide a safe place to study and free of distractions. We will never put our students at risk.” However, Dawson believes that, regardless of criminal background, all students should be allowed to pursue an education. “If someone wants to [pursue] an online degree to better themselves, I think everyone deserves a second chance, but that’s all factored in by the folks who do the accepting,” he said. Bibiana Avendeno, junior biology major, said, “I don’t think this is an issue if the offenders were online students, because there would not be any physical interaction with the student body.” Gay Holliday, associate dean of student services, said that it is the responsibility of anyone applying to NSU to disclose any and all crimi-
nal convictions on applications. If a prospective student were to disclose a conviction(s), the respective program’s admissions committee would be responsible for deciding whether to ask the individual for more information, and ultimately, whether or not to admit him or her. Depending on the program, an admissions committee may ask for a background check — of which there are several types, or ask to speak with the prospective student. “Just because someone has been convicted of a felony, it does not [necessarily] mean they will not be admitted to the university,” said Holliday. In addition to prospective students, Holliday said that “just because a [current student] says ‘I have been convicted of a crime,’ does not mean they’ll be removed from the institution.” Maria Pinto, director of cliCOURTESY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
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The public can find any information on local offenders through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website at www.fdle.state.fl.us.in
Students IQ Scholarship rewards S.W.E.R. to make students for learning waves at NSU
about NSU
By: Faren Rajkumar
COURTESY OF A. SANCHEZ
S.W.E.R.’s President Antonella Sanchez, Vice President Paula Muñoz, and Treasurer Stephanie Cedeno continue to work for equal rights.
By: Debbie Mejia Students Working for Equal Rights (S.W.E.R.) will hold a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Forum, to raise awareness on the federal Immigration Reform bill, on March 27 in the Performance Theatre of the Don Taft University Center at 6 p.m., free for all NSU students, faculty, staff and the general public. NSU’s S.W.E.R., a campus organization less than a year old, works to educate the NSU community about immigration, social justice and equal access to
education through campus events. Along with other speakers yet to be announced, Jose Garcia, U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th Congressional District, will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming forum. After formal introductions of the guest speakers, there will be a question and answer session with S.W.E.R. members and the audience. S.W.E.R. is a state-wide organization consisting of 15 chapters and was originally founded by a group of undocumented SEE SWER 2
From March 31 to April 13, all NSU students can compete for two $2500 scholarships in the IQ Scholarship — an online NSU trivia quiz created by the Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization developed by the Abraham Fischler School of Education. This is the second year that CKSF is offering the IQ Scholarship. The prizes will go to the highestscoring undergraduate student and the high-scoring graduate student. Participants must register at CKSF’s website, cksf.org, to take the quiz, which according to Daryl Hulce, CKSF president and founder, takes roughly four minutes to complete. The quiz is composed of 15 multiple-choice questions about NSU, all of which can be previewed at nova. edu/nsuiq, before participants actually begin the quiz. “In my opinion, this is the easiest scholarship out there,” said Hulce. “This is perfect for students who complain that NSU doesn’t give out enough scholarship money,” The questions, which are slight
COURTESY OF D. HULCE
Last year’s IQ Scholarship winners were each awarded $500. However, this year’s scholarships have been increased to $2500.
variations on the questions from last year’s quiz, were written by student employees. Questions cover topics like the university’s founding, the founder of the business school and the name of the university mascot. Hulce encourages students to view the questions before logging on to the CKSF website, because points are deducted according to the
amount of time taken to answer each question. He also encourages students to look up the answers as they take the quiz, because no points will be awarded for incorrect answers. Last year’s winners, business major Arun Kuruppumadom and graduate marine biology student Amanda Sylvester, were each SEE SCHOLARSHIP 2
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March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
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ent services in the Office of Human Resources, said that NSU works to prevent hiring employees or faculty with convictions. “For well over 15 years, NSU has required criminal conviction screenings of employees who work with or have access to children and other vulnerable populations,” she said. “[They] undergo — what the state defines as — a level-two screening, and that includes fingerprinting. The databases that are searched as a result of this screening would capture any sexual predators, local and state criminal [offenses] and FBI records.” According to Pinto, if a potential employee’s screening raised a criminal background, he or she would be brought in, made aware of what the screening found, and given a chance to explain. Jobs that undergo similar screenings are what Holliday called “safety sensitive” positions, such as
positions at the Recreational Complex. Jobs not classified as “safety sensitive” do not require background checks. According to Robert J. Pietrykowski, vice president of human resources, “[The screenings] are not limited strictly to the crimes Local 10 reported on. It [shows] the entire criminal conviction history of any individual who applies for employment. We go beyond that and use the same screening process for vendors and contractors that come on campus.” According to state records published online by Local 10 in a 10page report, there are five registered sex offenders at Florida International University’s main campus and 10 throughout Broward College’s campuses. Additional offenders were found at St. Thomas University, Florida Atlantic University, Barry University, the University of Florida, Palm Beach State College, MiamiDade College and dozens of other
colleges. WPLG reported that the only South Florida campus without a registered sex offender was the University of Miami. Chris Mignocchi, junior exercise science major and president of NSU’s Undergraduate Student Government Association, said, “It’s a slippery slope when it comes to certain types of disclosure and blasting that information out to thousands of students could violate their privacy. If most of the student body feels that they should know about that information, then maybe a disclosure policy should be adopted into NSU’s admission requirements.” Dawson said, “I understand the students’ concern, but I can assure they have nothing to worry about.” He cited NSU policies and safety services, such as the Emergency Notification System and the blue light phones throughout campus, as measures to insure safety.
similar situations.” Jose Matado, policy and legislative analyst for S.W.E.R., meets with district representatives to see where they stand on immigration issues. If the representative believes in immigrant rights, S.W.E.R. will support him or her in reelection. Otherwise, the organization educates the area, especially the Latino community, of their respective representative’s views. Matado said, “The ultimate power is in the people, to hold their district representatives accountable. Without constituents, these authoritative figures have no power.” Sanchez would like to lead S.W.E.R. to become a wellknown, reputable organization at NSU. The organization does not have membership dues and meets biweekly on Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. in the Rosenthal Student Center. Its next meeting will be on March 26. Sanchez said, “It’s been difficult to find students committed to the cause, but right now we’re doing pretty good.”
Paula Muñoz, sophomore psychology major and S.W.E.R.’s vice president, believes that S.W.E.R.’s mission is important and relevant to today’s controversy on immigration reform. “S.W.E.R. is an opportunity to speak out on civil injustice and to defend those who can’t defend themselves,” she said. S.W.E.R. membership is open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, along with faculty and staff. Alex Luidens, freshman communication studies major and S.W.E.R.’s Inter-Organizational Counsel Chair, said “I’d like to see the organization grow, both in number of members and influence on campus, in the coming semesters. Our upcoming events will raise interest and awareness on rights issues.” For more information on S.W.E.R. and its March 27 forum, contact Antonella Sanchez at as2101@nova.edu.
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awarded $500 and an opportunity to meet President George Hanbury. This year, Hanbury has increased the award by $2000, with funds from the President’s Office, and will also meet with the winners. The scholarships will be deposited directly into the winners’ NSU accounts, and are applicable to any of their account balances. Bridget Guerreo, director of marketing and promotions for CKSF,
hopes that the scholarship will motivate students to check out NSU’s new website, which was launched on Feb. 28 by the Office of Innovation and Information Technology and the Office of University Relations. “The quiz requires students to surf the website a little to find the answers, which is what we hope all of them will do,” said Guerreo. According to Guerreo, the CKSF website also lists many other
events by students, for students
March
Saturday, March 23
NSU Shark Jam » 8 p.m., Don Taft University Center Arena Come watch Kendrick Lamar and Busta Rhymes live in concert! University I.D. required. Tickets on sale at the Don Taft University Center Box Office. Contact: 954-262-5557 Submit your student club or organization’s events for the Onshore calendar by emailing: mi182@nova.edu. Only events for students, by students accepted.
CLASSIFIED Della Ventura now hiring experienced pizza cooks and waitresses, part time or full time, with flexible hours.
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immigrant youth. NSU’s chapter was formed in December 2011, but started hosting activities and planning events in fall 2012, after its members received training. Antonella Sanchez, sophomore communication studies major, is the founder and president of NSU’s S.W.E.R., said, “To me, S.W.E.R. represents an equal opportunity for education. It changes people’s lives for the better.” Sanchez decided to start a chapter in order to help the undocumented community in Broward County and inform the NSU community about the nation’s current controversy on immigration reform. Stephanie Cedeno, sophomore biology major and S.W.E.R.’s treasurer, said, “S.W.E.R. means a lot to me because of the personal struggles my family in Columbia and in the U.S. face. The struggle is real, and I just want all of my family to be together and finish with these troubles. I know what it is like firsthand, and I want to help others in
onshore 2013
scholarship opportunities, of which she hopes students will take advantage. CKSF offers quizzes in a variety of categories, including a $1000 Nursing Scholarship and $1000 undergraduate Education Scholarship. For more information about the IQ Scholarship or CKSF, contact Daryl Hulce at Daryl.Hulce@cksf.or or 954-262-8553.
Want to write a Want to write a letter to letterthe to editor? the editor? Email: nsunews@nova.edu Email: nsunews@nova.edu
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The Current serves Nova Southeastern University from its location in Room 105 of the Athletics and Student Activities (ASA) Building. The Current is NSU’s established vehicle for student reporting, opinion and the arts. All community members are invited to contribute. Editorials, commentaries and advertisements in this publication reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its officials, The Current staff or other advertisers. The Current will not publish unsigned letters except under special circumstances at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Current reserves the right to edit. Contributing writers must not be directly involved with their coverage. Coverage by contributing writers must be meaningful and of interest to the NSU community. The Current reserves the right to edit, publish or deny submitted works as it sees fit. The Current shall remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility or otherwise create a bias, real or perceived.
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Dodging the odds for children
By: Debbie Mejia NSU’s Phi Alpha Delta (P.A.D.) law fraternity will host “Dodging for Wishes 2013 Dodgeball Tournament” to benefit the MakeA-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the Recreational Complex’s tennis courts. P.A.D’s NSU chapter, also called the Fleming Chapter, hopes to make the tournament an annual event. Christine Menezia, third-year law student and P.A.D.’s fundraising chair, said, “Make-a-wish was chosen mainly because [of the] foundation’s purpose to bring joy back into the lives of children [with] life-threatening illnesses. These children face situations that no child should have to and we wanted to contribute any way we could, to make them smile.” Abbie Waxman, also a thirdyear NSU law student and P.A.D.’s social chair said, “We hope to have participants from the entire NSU community — undergraduates and graduates. We also welcome members within the community to ensure that this event proves to be as great as it can be.” All team members must be
at least 18 years old. A team of seven players costs $42 and each additional player is $8. Teams also have the option to purchase t-shirts for an additional $9 per player. Through this and other fundraising events, Menezia said that she hopes to help create an NSU culture of giving back to the
community. She believes that it’s crucial to never underestimate how impactful a strong community can be on individual success. Waxman said, “I am hoping to spread the word and get as many participants, sponsors and volunteers as possible. If someone is not interested in participating by
creating a team, there are other ways to get involved, such as helping to fundraise, set up the day or to referee. This is an amazing cause and we have the potential of changing kids’ lives.” Alixandra Buckelew, a thirdyear law student and P.A.D.’s alumni chair, said, “P.A.D. wanted to get involved with all of NSU and the community and thought this was the best way to do so. We wanted something fun that students would want to want to participate in and at the same time raise awareness for such a wonderful charity. Dodgeball hasn’t been done before.” P.A.D. members said that they do not have a specific fundraising goal, but are welcoming all donations, whether $5 or $5,000. “Philanthropic events provide an opportunity for the community to come together, to work together, and to better the lives of each other,” said Menezia. “A lot of work has gone into the preparation of this event and our expectations are high. We hope to see everyone out there [having] a great time.” Team registration closes on March 29. To register, volunteer or donate, contact Abbie Waxman at 786- 877-9307 or aw828@nova.edu.
Faculty Lecture Series: life and death of zygotes By: Faren Rajkumar The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences’ Faculty Lecture Series will continue on March 28 with assistant professor Michael Voltaire, whose lecture will be titled “From the Womb to the Tomb: Zygotic Development and the Dying Process”. The free lecture is open to all NSU students, faculty and staff, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Adolfo and Marisela Cotilla
Gallery, second floor gallery of the Alvin Sherman Library. Light refreshments will be served. Using a broad, multidisciplinary approach, Voltaire will discuss the controversy surrounding the moment life begins, and the moment the human body begins to die. Voltaire feels that his work as a human developmentalist, in addition to the material covered in his human development courses at NSU, will give him a body of knowledge and
experience to draw from. Voltaire is aware that his topic is highly controversial, and said, “My intent is not to add fuel to the fire of the debate regarding whether life begins at conception, but rather to explain zygotic development as part of the life process.” According to James Doan, professor of humanities at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, Voltaire’s topic fits well into the college’s 2012-2013
academic theme, “Life and Death”. This will be Voltaire’s second faculty lecture in the series; he spoke about “Human Nature: An Integrated Perspective” in the 2008-2009 academic year. The series brings to students the knowledge and expertise of the more than 120 full-time faculty members in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. For more information, contact James Doan at 954- 262-8207.
Students to give donors a “Big Thank You” By: Aadil Vora On March 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Office of Institutional Advancement will host The Big Thank You, a luncheon designed for NSU students who have received merit or need-based institutional scholarships for the current semester to thank their financial donors in person. Debbie Meline, director of donor relations and stewardship, said she expects around 200 attendees, including President George Hanbury, several deans and many members of NSU’s Board of Trustees, such as Chairman Ron Assaf. Meline says, “We wanted the students to have an opportunity to personally thank the individuals who have helped them realize their academic dreams. We also know
that donors are not just interested in reports on the impact that their philanthropy is having; they are interested in the human stories of the people who are beneficiaries of their giving.” The first Big Thank You luncheon was held in October. After hearing praise from students and staff, including President Hanbury, the Office of Institutional Advancement decided to repeat it this semester and hope to make it an annual event. Keresa Edwards, junior biology major, is a recipient of the fulltution Trustee Florida Academic Scholarship and the Stanley Ann Trusk Scholarship. She attended the first Big Thank You and hopes to attend the upcoming one. “I expect to meet each and every one of the benefactors who
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News
have contributed to these awards, which have aided in my funds to attend NSU,” said Edwards. There are two major types of scholarships at NSU: endowed scholarships and non-endowed scholarships, both of which are funded by donations from alumni, faculty, community members, private organizations and other benefactors. Endowed scholarships are created when a donor endows the school with more than $25,000, which is then invested. Earnings from the investment are used to make scholarships and the beneficiaries’ donation to the school lives on perpetually. Non-endowed scholarships are not invested and are used to make direct scholarships for students until the funds are depleted. Meline also said that several
staff and faculty at NSU who have established Changing Lives Scholarships, are expected to attend the luncheon. These endowed scholarships involve a donor creating a $1,000 scholarship each year, for five or more years. Belen Perez, freshman environmental science and marine biology double major and recipient of the Razors Edge Scholarship said, “ [Razors Edge] has made it possible for me to attend Nova, strengthen my leadership skills, work ethic and, most importantly, gain the confidence I needed to make a difference — not only on campus, but wherever else possible.” For more information of the upcoming Big Thank You, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 954-262-2109.
News Briefs Free career workshop The Office of Career Development will host a career panel featuring human resources professionals in the Don Taft University Center Don Taft Flight Deck on March 20, 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Experts in the field of hiring will advise participants on strategies for landing an ideal job or internship. For more information, call the Office of Career Development at 954262-7201.
Catholic Church names new pope On March 13, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope. He is the first Jesuit and first Latin American to be elected head of the Roman Catholic Church. Bergoglio chose the name Pope Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi. He succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who retired on Feb. 28.
Free coral reef lecture series In an effort to raise public awareness of one of South Florida’s valuable coral reefs, the NSU Oceanographic Center is hosting a public lecture series about the science of reef species. The “Dive-In” series is held at the Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research in Hollywood, Fla. The next lecture will be on March 20 at 6 p.m. with Katharine Tzadik, of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coral Reef Conservation Program. Her lecture is entitled “Southeast Florida Coral Reefs: Acting Above to Protect What’s Below”. Reservations are not necessary, but seating is limited. For more information, email Dive-in@list.nova.edu, or call 954-262-3678.
Campus-wide day of service Registration is now open to join the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement in a campus-wide day of service on April 20 in honor of Earth Day. Projects will be located on campus, as well as various areas in the South Florida community. Transportation will be provided to and from campus. Students may register for themselves or for an entire organization at SLCE’s Orgsync page, located at orgsync.com/45785/chapter.
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Diary of.. By: Ahmed Elghawy
Ahmed Elghawy is a second year medical student at NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He also started the wrestling club at NSU. He feels that, through wrestling, students can learn a sense of hard work and dedication and implement it into all aspects of their lives. A few days ago, someone asked me how the wrestling club at NSU was started. I was asked if I was willing to share my answer with this newspaper. I said, “Sure, I’d love to,” thinking that the answer was fairly simple and straightforward. But the more I thought about it, I realized that I couldn’t really delve into this origin story without discussing my previous experiences with wrestling, what those experiences meant to me and how I’ve used them to shape the club into what it is today. So here goes nothing. I come from a really small town outside of Philadelphia, where everyone pretty much knows everyone else by name and where people are very passionate about sports. Some of Pennsylvania’s biggest claims-tofame are its outstanding high school and college wrestling programs. Pennsylvania eclipses Ohio and Iowa as possibly the best wrestling state in the country. That being said, I was an average wrestler at best. I never won any big titles or headlined at any major tournaments. But, there were a few
things that I shared with all my competitors across the state, including a sense of hard work and a never-giveup attitude, as well as passionate obligation to give back to the sport that had already given us so much. For this very reason, I decided to coach the sport while attending college full time and it became the reason why I decided that NSU needed a legitimate wrestling program. I went around NSU’s campus asking people if there was a club or program where wrestlers could come to drill and work out, as well as a place for newcomers to learn the basics. At first, I found little success. But after months of looking, I discovered NSU’s mixed martial arts club, known as MMA Club. My excitement was palpable, until I saw that the club was highly disorganized, had no recognition from students and provided little-to-no guidance for new members from the executive board. I knew that I had to become involved in the club. I used my experiences as a high school wrestling coach to add an element of structure to the practices through instruction and conditioning. As MMA’s unofficial teacher, I made it my mission to increase the club’s membership, through advertising it as a place where former wrestlers could rekindle their love of the sport and where newcomers would be welcomed. Although this new mission was successful to a certain extent, I felt
By: Maria Yunez
1762
The first New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on lower Broadway, organized by homesick Irish ex-patriots and Irish military. In recent years, approximately 150,000 marchers participate in the parade; floats and automobiles are not permitted.
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1962 March 21
1963 1775
1967 March 20
1852
Author Harriet Beecher Stowe’s anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was published. It was translated into all major languages and became the best-selling book of the 19th century in the U.S., following the bible.
Alcatraz, the federal prison on Alcatraz Island that is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, closed. It was designed to be the highest security prison in the world. Today, Alcatraz is managed by the National Park Service and is open to tours.
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March 18
The Beatles’ single “Penny Lane” reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s title is often mistaken as an ode to a road in Liverpool, England called “Penny Lane” but it is actually a reference to a bus station that Paul McCartney frequented.
American musician and songwriter Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut, under Columbia Records. The album featured folk classics and two original songs, “Talkin’ New York” and “Song to Woody”.
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1888
The Football League, the world’s oldest professional soccer league, was founded in England. It is also known as the npower football league and, since 1995, features 72 professional soccer clubs from England and Wales.
Founding Father Patrick Henry delivered his “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech at the House of Burgesses in Saint John’s Church in Richmond, Va. His speech argued in favor of mobilizing military action against the intruding British military force.
a wrestler
that I could do so much more as a member of the executive board. After being elected president of MMA, I changed its name to the Nova Wrestling Club, rewrote our constitution to include NSU alumni — who are often interested in returning to a sport that they had not visited since their high school days, and added a Brazilian jiu jistu component, which is currently led by Alain Chamoun, a purple belt in jiu jistu. I also ordered new cleaning supplies for our wrestling mats to prevent possible skin infections, created flyers and t-shirts to increase awareness of the club around campus and helped raise over $250 toward the 2020 Legacy Scholarship. My clubmates and I even filmed a highlight video demonstrating the instructional, technical qualities involved in wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Most importantly, we’ve made sure to instill a sense of hard work and discipline in our members through the rigor of our practices. From day one, it has been my hope that the work ethic being taught at NSU’s wrestling program would influence our members — not just on the mats, but also in their classrooms, workplaces and homes. What we teach here, in addition to technique and conditioning, is how to become a responsible young adult who contributes back to the community. We teach our members how to win with humility and lose with dignity, to actively seek improvement on
This week in history March 17
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
COURTESY OF A. ELGHAWY
Ahmed dedicates time to being both a medical student and an athlete.
a daily basis, and to understand that temporary setbacks are constructive and that any goal can be achieved with enough hard work. This is what our club is all about. Looking back on this year, I would say that this club has accomplished everything I hoped it
would. But that does not mean we could not improve; there is always room for that.
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
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Features
Faculty Spotlight: Randolph Braccialarghe By: Saily Regueiro Randolph Braccialarghe has been a professor of law at NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center since 1983 and a lawyer for 35 years. He practices administrative law, representing lawyers who get in trouble with the Florida Bar, along with lawyers from other states who are trying to be gain Florida Bar certification. Braccialarghe was born in New York City, but was raised in Recife, Brazil where his father was the Italian Vice Consul and his mother worked for the American State Department. After his parents separated, Braccialarghe moved with his mother and brother to central Illinios, where he developed his interest in becoming a lawyer due to a city dispute. His local government decided to widen a road, which would require removing part of residential front lawns. According to Braccialarghe, residents did not have a say in the decision, which he felt was wrong. He felt that the people temporarily in charge of city or state government should not have had the power to take away a person’s property. “That was the first memory I have of wanting to be a lawyer, because I thought lawyers could stop stuff like that,” said Braccialarghe. After graduating high school, Braccialarghe attended the
COURTESY OF R. BRACCIALARGHE
Randolph Braccialarghe uses his decades of law experience to educate his students.
University of Michigan, majoring in history. He next moved to Massachusetts and taught English as a second language, before deciding to continue his education at the University Of Miami School of Law, which he graduated from in 1977. In law school, he was taught economics by Henry Manne, who, according to Braccialarghe, is widely considered one of the founders of
the law and economics discipline in the U.S., and James Buchanan, who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1986. Braccialarghe found that the economics courses were most effective in teaching lawyers to think logically and clearly, which are vital skills for the profession. Braccialarghe said that he was impressed by the lessons on logical
analysis, which NSU law professors now teach their students. “In law school, we try to teach our students to think with their heads, not their hearts. Economics really enforces that,” said Braccialarghe. After law school, Braccialarghe worked as a prosecutor, learning how to try cases in court. Because his academic training had included commercial courses — such as commercial law, securities and corporate tax — he also worked in a firm as a commercial litigator, representing banks and businesses. Braccialarghe started out at NSU as an adjunct professor, teaching students how to try cases. His colleagues soon recommended that he apply for a full-time position. “I thought I would just teach for a year and then go back to practicing law, but teaching was a very interesting experience and the most fun thing I have ever done,” said Braccialarghe. In 2011, Braccialarghe was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott as commissioner in the state’s Uniform Law Commission, an organization in every state that aims to enact uniform law that could be applicable to all the states. The commission is made up of legislators, judges, lawyers and professors. Braccialarghe said that he feels humbled to be in a committee composed of such intelligent
professionals. “I went to a conference this last summer and was among the smartest group of people I have ever been around. I was truly impressed by how hard-working and brilliant these people, who have been appointed, are,” said Braccialarghe. For students interested in attending law school, Braccialarghe recommended they read “Whose Monet?” by John Humbach, which teaches the rules of civil procedure, and “Economics in One Lesson” by Henry Hazlitt, which aims to teach students to realize that law is about fair procedures, not results. “I think reading these books before law school will allow students to have a pretty good frame of reference,” said Braccialarghe. Braccialarghe teaches Professional Responsibility and Evidence and tries to bring his experience as a lawyer into the classroom. He said that his practical experience helps immensely, especially in teaching students the rules that apply to lawyers in everyday practice. “It is important to give the students a frame of reference because a lawyer needs to know an ethical issue, recognize it as an ethical issue and know what the rules are. If they don’t know the proper rules, it can jeopardize their clients and the practice,” said Braccialarghe.
Recipe of the week: amaretto chocolate brownies with walnuts By: Marrissa Dybas Now that midterms are a thing of the past, a very special treat is in order for anyone who pulled all-nighters, made flashcards and studied day in and day out. Certain foods and beverages scream sweet victory, and for many people, chocolate is at the very top of the celebratory food list and a toast is essential to commemorate success. So, it just makes sense to combine the two. Here are some amaretto chocolate brownies with walnuts. Amaretto is almond liqueur. Two tablespoons of amaretto provides a subtle almond flavor without the taste of alcohol. Or the amaretto may be substituted with another liqueur, peanut butter, or espresso. Put your own twist on it and enjoy. Start to finish: 40 to 45 minutes Serving size: 8 to 10 2 sticks unsalted butter
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder Pinch salt 4 large eggs 2 cups granulated sugar 2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur 1 1/2 cups walnuts Powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Line a 9 by 9 square pan with parchment paper, making sure paper hangs over the edges. Grease paper with butter so the brownies don’t stick. Melt butter and chocolate over a double boiler and stir gently until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Sift flour, baking powder and
salt into a mixing bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar and amaretto. Pour in chocolate mixture and continue to whisk until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, then add walnuts and incorporate with a wooden spoon. Transfer batter to baking pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a fork or toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the pan. Once baked, invert onto a cutting board, remove paper and cut into squares. Garnish with powdered sugar and serve. Recipe adapted from foodnetwork. com
COURTESY OF WWW.ETSY.COM
You can’t go wrong with amaretto chocolate brownies with walnuts
6
Sports
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Athelete of the week: Derrick Wood
By: Chris Hoffman
Junior exercise and sport science major, Derrick Wood has been on track and field teams since sixth grade. He initially took to the track as something to do after basketball season, but it eventually turned into Wood’s ticket to a NCAA scholarship with NSU. He started by running the 110-meter hurdles, but transitioned into the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Wood has lived in Florida his whole life and attended Royal Palm Beach High School, about 45 miles north of NSU’s main campus. He was on the track and field team every year of high school, while also playing on the basketball team. During his senior year, Wood was a state finalist in the high jump. Wood was a highly competitive athlete right from the start of his NSU career. In his first meet, he was able to capture the number one spot in the high jump with a mark of 1.93 meters or 6’3”. At the FAU Invitational in March 2011, he was second in the high jump with a distance of 1.98 meters or 6’6”, which is a NSU school record. The biggest meet that Wood has competed in so far was the NCAA Division II South Region, where he
He also finished third in the triple jump at the FSU Relays and at the University of Miami meet. I sat down with Wood to ask him a few questions:
What is your best track and field memory? My best memory was winning my high school regional track meet with a jump of 6’8”. What is your best accomplishment in track and field? I’d say my best accomplishment is getting a scholarship to come to school. Also, I was 17 years old and at the AAU National Junior Olympic meet in Detroit, Mich. I ended up placing second in the nation for my age group.
COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
Track and field athlete Derrick Wood comes into the 2013 season hoping to build upon his already impressive career.
placed third in the high jump and triple jump. His triple jump mark of 13.26 meters or 43’6” was a personal season record. At the end of the season, he received an All-Region award for the high jump.
Wood’s success continued into his sophomore year. Throughout the season, he tied his previous record in the high jump and set a new NSU school record in the triple jump with a distance of 13.89 meters or 45’7”.
What do you like the most about Head Coach Hagopian? I like that he just wants the best for his athletes. He makes sure that his team grows and gets better all the time. What is the hardest part about being a student-athlete? The hardest part about being a student athlete is waking up early every morning, even when you’re not in season. In high school, we never
practiced so early in the morning.
Which meet(s) are you looking forward to the most? I’ve had some really good success in the triple jump at the University of Miami meet, so I’m looking forward to going back. We actually go to that track a few times this season, so I’m looking to hit my best jump there. I’m also looking forward to the conference meet since it is our first year being in a conference. Who is your favorite athlete? I like Dwyane Wade. I’ve been watching since he first came into the league. It is cool to see where he came from to where he is now. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? I wouldn’t mind flying. I would be able to eliminate walking. I want to fly for emergency reasons and just for fun. If you had an all-expense paid trip, where would you want to go? I would go see my best friend play college ball. He plays basketball for Colorado State and he’s climbing the ranks so it would be nice to see him.
Miami Heat Fan Express
COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
The new Miami Heat Fan Express can transport groups of 30 to 50 fans to and from the American Airlines Arena.
By: Chris Hoffman What do you get when you combine 30 NSU students and 30 tickets to a Miami Heat home game? A spirited ride to the game. On Feb. 4, during the Charlotte Bobcats game, FOX Sports Florida and the Miami Heat unveiled the Miami Heat Fan Express, a luxury bus designed to transport large groups. It can pick up fans from any chosen location, such as NSU’s campus, and take them to and from the American Airlines Arena.
Catherine Jamison, FOX Sport Florida’s director of marketing and creative services, said, “This way, students save on gas and parking costs, while getting to ride with all of their friends. They will also get free goodies and an appearance from the FOX Sports Florida Girls.” The Fan Express is available to any group that purchases 30 or more tickets, though it can fit up to 55 passengers. Interested groups are encouraged to call ahead before buying tickets, since reservations for the bus tend to fill up fast.
“The bus offers fan engagement from start to finish, complete with giveaways, such as t-shirts, hats, backpacks and more,” said Jamison. The bus is decorated from top to bottom with Heat décor. Its exterior is wrapped with a picture featuring Heat players LeBron James, Mario Chalmers and James Jones, and its interior is decked out with the logos of FOX Sports Florida, Sun Sports and the Miami Heat. Logan Armstrong, junior athletic training major, likes the idea and said, “It gives groups incentive
to go to the games together and it also encourages responsible drinking for those who are of drinking age, since they don’t have to worry about getting a designated driver to get home.” This is not the first Fan Express that has been created. Other FOX Sports stations have used the same concept for their respective teams, such as the Orlando Magic and the Tampa Bay Lightning. FOX Sports Florida also plans on unveiling the Miami Marlins Fan Express during the first home game of the season.
Biology sophomore Javier Lopez said, “I think the Heat fan express is a great idea. Why wouldn’t you want to ride down to the AAA with another 50 Heat fans? Besides, you don’t have to worry about parking.” For more information, including reservations, call 786-7773865.
8
Sports
NSU hosts South Regional
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
On Deck Weekly Sports Schedule Track and Field
Tuesday 3.19 Tennis
vs.
By: Chris Hoffman vs.
On March 10, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that NSU would host the South Region of the 2013 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship tournament, March 15 to 18. Eight teams played in seven games at the Arena at the Don Taft University Center. This was the first time that NSU was able to host a postseason national tournament as the top seed in any sport. The Sharks placed a bid to host the tournament just before the deadline on March 1 and were given the nod to host after they were ranked number one in the South Region. LeAnn Freeland, head coach of the NSU women’s basketball team said, “”The most exciting parts about hosting the NCAA South Region Tournament are having the support from the NSU students, faculty and staff and playing on our home court. Being the host site is a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful campus and outstanding arena.” The selection process begins when each interested school places a bid. After each school places a bid, it has to wait until the regular season and conference tournaments are over. Once all games have been played, an NCAA committee ranks each team in the eight respective regions. The highest seed in each region that placed a bid is awarded both the excitement and challenges of hosting the NCAA
Florida State University, All Day
Saturday 3.16
NSU Tennis Complex, 1 p.m.
Baseball
Thursday 3.21
vs.
Tennis
NSU Baseball Complex, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
vs.
Softball NSU Tennis Complex, 1 p.m.
vs.
Friday 3.14 Saint Leo University - AD Griffin Sports Complex, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Baseball
Rowing COURTESY OF NSU ATHLETICS
vs.
The number one seeded NSU women’s basketball team was the host of the 2013 NCAA South Region tournament.
regional tournament. NSU Athletic Director Mike Mominey said, “I wouldn’t say there are particular difficulties in hosting an NCAA tournament, but rather there are challenges and opportunities. The timing isn’t particularly ideal in terms of planning, but it is much easier when the campus community is in full support of the event. That’s exactly the case with NSU, starting with President Hanbury, the executive administration, faculty, staff and students.” Joining NSU in the South Region tournament are Clark Atlanta University, Rollins College, Lynn University, Delta State University, University of North Alabama, University of Alabama-Huntsville and Tuskegee University. The winner of the tournament
S P O R T S
SHORTS
will play the winner of the West Regional in the quarterfinals of the NCAA National Championship tournament in San Antonio, Texas. “We will absolutely bid on another NCAA tournament in the future,” Mominey said. “This is a great opportunity, not only for the athletic department, but for the university. Anytime we can showcase the university nationally, we definitely want to take advantage of the opportunity.” As of March 17, NSU beat Clark Atlanta, 87-60 and Rollins, 7357 to advance to the South Region Championship game against Delta State. The championship game was played March 18. However, this issue of “The Current” was sent to print on March 17. Look for coverage on the championship game in next week’s issue.
WRITTEN BY
Chris Hoffman
BASEBALL The men’s baseball team (14-7) continued their winning streak with wins against St. Thomas Aquinas College, 20-4, and Adelphi University, 4-1.
Softball The NSU softball team faced off against conference rival Barry University this weekend in a two game series.
Track and field The Sharks had a record breaking performance at the FIU Invitational on March 14. Ryan Jerothe, Ben Futerman and Vanessa Munley all broke NSU school records during the meet.
at Division II Duals NSU TBaseball Complex, 6 p.m. Fellsmere, Fla., 4 p.m.
Softball
Track and Field
vs.
vs.
Saint Leo University - AD Griffin Sports Complex, 6 p.m.
University of Miami, All Day
ON THE BENCH Commentary by: Chris Hoffman It seems that many NSU students do not take pride in our athletic program. I think this is largely because we are a Division II school and we lack what most major universities have: a football team. What most students don’t realize is that you do not need to have a Division I program in order to have school spirit. Students who show up to our teams’ games have just as much fun. Not only are the games a blast to watch, but we have exceptional athletes who work just as hard as Division I athletes. Most students don’t realize the success that NSU athletics has had the past few years. Until a couple of years ago, I had never even heard of NSU, and I’m from South Florida. However, NSU athletics has recently made great strides in building its entire program. This past weekend, NSU had a remarkable first: hosting an NCAA national tournament. Ever since NSU joined the NCAA in 2003 and became the Sharks in 2005, the program has been on the upswing and has garnered national attention. The Sharks have since earned 77 All-American awards and 102 NCAA awards. Some awards are based strictly on athletic performance, and others take academic accomplishments into account. Not only have NSU teams won individual NCAA awards, but they
have also racked up 20 Sunshine State Conference championships in eight sports. Some teams, such as the men’s and women’s golf teams have won a conference championship five and four times respectively. Both golf teams are defending national champions and are ranked as number one in the country. The men won their first national championship last season, while the women have won four in a row and are working on adding a fifth straight ring. While many spectators may not find golf the most exciting sport, our teams have accomplished more in the past few years than some Division I teams have ever accomplished. As far as individual national champions go, NSU has won seven since 2009. Women’s golf has seen three individuals take the crown. Women’s swimming has had one athlete, Erin Black, win back to back championships in the 500-yard freestyle in 2012 and 2013. Men’s swimming just saw Oskar Nordstrand win a championship this season in the same event as Black, and women’s rowing has watched as the 2009 Varsity 4 won a title. While NSU may not have the big storied programs, like the University of Miami or the University of Alabama, the athletics department is working on making its program the best that it can be and something of which students can be proud.
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10
Arts & Entertainment
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Was it really worth the wait for a table?
By: Marrissa Dybass
Piñon Grill is one of Boca Town Center’s somewhat-hidden gems. Because it is in the same area as Grand Lux Cafe, The Capital Grille and California Pizza Kitchen, Piñon Grill is often overlooked, as those familiar brands stand in its way. Upon my arrival, I was surprised to see how packed it was, especially for a Tuesday night. I wound up waiting an hour. Normally, I would have left, as the wait was completely outrageous. However, the management and wait staff were so incredibly nice, I decided to keep waiting. I was seated at a nice booth by the window, which had comfortable leather pillows. The atmosphere is very chic and earthy, with lots of colored lights, an amber bar, glass art of Native Americans and piñon trees — hence, the name. My waitress was extremely informative and attentive. But, best of all, she was funny. In fact, I found that all the wait staff had great senses of humor; they were often making jokes with the customers, which made the atmosphere very friendly. It is probably one of the friendliest restaurants in Boca Raton. For appetizers, I tried the tuna tacos and the crispy crab fritters. Both were pretty delicious. The raw ahi tuna was served in a hard, blue corn tortilla shell, which I didn’t care for. The guacamole on top of it was very fresh. The crab fritters were tangled nests of crispy phyllo dough strips filled, with crab and shrimp meat. On top, the fritters were dressed with a lobster ginger sauce and corn relish, which had tomato and black beans. This was my favorite part of the meal. There were so many different textures and flavors going on, like a whole adventure in one bite. At around $15 to $18, the appetizers can be as expensive as the entrees and sandwiches. However, a lot of the appetizers are quite big. The sliders were big enough for one person to eat as a meal, and other appetizers, like the spinach mushroom quesadilla, were big enough for two people to share. The entrees took a very long time to arrive at the table. I wasn’t surprised that they were backed up, but I was still really disappointed. I went with a large crowd, so I got to try a lot of the dinner options Piñon has to offer. The sandwiches were all very good, but the prime rib french dip was my favorite. The accompanying homemade horseradish was spot-on, but what truly made the sandwich delicious was its melted havarti cheese. It was very hot and had a ton of meat on it, so I definitely got my money’s worth. The grilled chicken sandwich was my second favorite. I ordered mine without the havarti cheese and bacon, so all it had on it was lettuce, tomato, avocado and a light amount of basil mayo. The chicken was marinated really well and was not dry at all. The fresh fish sandwich was not my favorite at all. The fish was obviously fresh; I could tell because there was still a bone in the filet. The fish was flaky but very dry. The remoulade that came with it helped with the dryness, but it was nothing special. Another favorite of mine was the New Orleans Pasta which had shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, tomatoes, and fresh parmesan cheese, all in a spicy
COURTESY OF WWW.MENUISM.COM
Chicken Paillard has a whimsical plating display at Pinon Grill.
cajun cream sauce. This dish may be too spicy for some people, but for me, it was just right. Plus, there was enough for me to take home for later. Finally, I tried the steak and gorgonzola salad. The meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned, but the best part of the salad was the crisp green apples, which complimented the gorgonzola cheese really well. There were also a nice variety of side dishes to choose from. My favorite was the mashed sweet potato, topped with bits of caramelized brown sugar. The peanut and ginger coleslaw was also really good. The most popular side dish other than the fries is the jalapeño macaroni and cheese. It is really creamy but a little salty. The main cheese is white American, which is a little bland, but the jalapeños have a very briny flavor which makes it less spicy and salty. It was tasty, but not my favorite. The worst side that I tried was the shredded parmesan au gratin potatoes. Its name was very misleading. It tasted nothing like potatoes. When it arrived with one of the dishes, it looked like a small square of a quiche or casserole. It tasted like eggs and nothing else. Finally, I brought home dessert. Their top sellers are the chocolate waffles and the white chocolate bread pudding with berry compote. I did not try the latter, but the waffles were amazing. It tastes nothing like a waffle. Think of it as a waffle-shaped chocolate cake, baked with sun-dried cherries, topped with chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sauce. Amazingly, this dessert is gluten-free. Your opinion of Piñon Grill will likely depend on your patience and hunger: The food is great and the waiters are entertaining, but unless you book a reservation, be prepared to wait forever— even for a glass of water.
11
Arts & Entertainment
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Jam out to Kendrick Lamar and Busta Rhymes at Shark Jam By: Camila Alfonso
COURTESY OF WWW.POPCANDYARCADE. BLOGSPOT.COM
Hip-hop artists Kendrick Lamar and Busta Rhymes will perform at NSU’s Shark Jam Winter Concert, sponsored by the Pan Student Government Association, on March 23 at 8 p.m. in the Arena at the Don Taft University Center. Tickets may be purchased by NSU students, faculty and staff, as well as students of any other university or college. Schoolboy Q, a rapper from California, will be the concert’s opening performer and DJ. Lamar was crowned the “Hottest MC in the Game” by MTV this year and his album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City”, was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in December 2012. Many of Lamar’s songs, such as “Poetic Justice” and “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, have made the Billboard Hot 100. Rhymes, who is known for his distinct fast rapping technique, has earned eleven Grammy nominations since 1997. He has been referred to as “one of hip hops greatest visual artists” by MTV and placed on “The Source”’s list of “Top 50 Lyricists of All Time” in 2012. According to Christina Rajkumar, assistant director for special events and projects, over 400 students participated in voting for the Shark Jam performers, through campus events like SEA Thursday. Lamar and Rhymes were the fifth and sixth performer choices on the voting results, following Pit Bull, Big Sean, J.
Cole and Ludacris, respectively. None of those artists were available due to scheduling issues or cost, but Rajkumar is still optimistic about the concert. “Students are extremely excited and keep talking about how great of a show and good of a combination of artists this is,” said Rajkumar. Marine biology major Shannon Aldridge, who had already purchased tickets, said, “I’m looking forward to a great night with my good friends and listening to good music.” However, some students, such as sophomore psychology major Lauren Usherwood, expressed mixed feelings. “I think Nova did a good job at getting performers a lot of people want to see,” Usherwood said. However, she added, “I feel that it was probably poor planning on Nova’s part that the concert was set up for the weekend of Ultra Music Festival, as many students go to Ultra,” referring to the electronic dance music festival in downtown Miami. Tickets will be on sale until March 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arena Box Office, ranging in price from $20 to $30, depending on location. Tickets on the day of the concert will be $35. The Arena can hold a little about 4,000 people, according to Rajkumar. A university ID is required to purchase tickets and enter the concert, though ticketholders may bring guests. Doors open at 7 p.m. COURTESY OF WWW.PICTURES.ZIMBIO.COM
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Arts & Entertainment
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Broadway comes to Miami with “In the Heights”
By: Jodi Tandet
From superheroes to fairytale characters to historical figures, actors and actresses often experience the thrill of playing fascinating people. But, talented triple threat Sarah Amengual gets to tackle the challenge of portraying perhaps the most intriguing, admirable person of all: a college student. Amengual stars as Nina, a remarkably ambitious Stanford University freshman in “In the Heights”, a high-energy musical playing until April 7 at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, Fla. “It’s very much traditional musical theater as far as storytelling goes,” said Amengual. “You have a narrator, you have different types of lovers and you have the parents. The music is all very appropriate to the age of the characters. The younger characters rap, the older characters sing more traditional songs.” The ensemble cast of “In the Heights” reaches extreme highs and lows, both musically and emotionally, in telling the struggles and triumphs of a tightknit community in Washington Heights, a largely Dominican-America neighborhood of New York City. Amengual describes her character as “the one who’s trying to make it out of the neighborhood.” “She’s the one that everyone in the neighborhood is proud of,” said Amengual. “They expect great things of her because she’s great at school, she’s on the honor roll, she’s class valedictorian — that kind of person. She puts a lot of pressure on herself to do well in college. She has all these high aspirations for herself because she’s used to being the best at everything she does.” The show’s original produc-
COURTESY OF ALBERTO ROMEU
Sarah Amengual (second from left) sings her heart and troubles, with her fellow “In the Heights” cast members.
tion played at a college; Singer, writer and actor Lin-Manual Miranda wrote the first draft in 1999, during his sophomore year at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. After a regional production and an off-Broadway run, the show opened on Broadway in March 2008 and played for nearly three years, earning four Tony Awards. It’s spawn a national tour, along with regional and international productions. The Actors’ Playhouse version builds on the show’s history, bringing together members of the original Broadway and National tour casts with local talent for a theatrical melting pot of sorts, filled with the spices of salsa, the intensity of emotional ballads and the energizing beats of rap. “We try to stay very true to the Broadway and national tour struc-
ture,” said Amengual. “We have the dance captain from the original Broadway production acting as our choreographer and replicating the original choreography.” Amengual grew up in Plantation, Fla. and graduated from the University of Miami in 2010. She made her Broadway debut in Sept. 2010 as Maria in “West Side Story” and starred in “Next to Normal” at the Actors’ Playhouse last year. She attributes the success of “In the Heights” to its wide appeal. “It appeals to the traditional musical theater crowd because it has a very familiar feel, but it’s expanded upon that. It’s relevant to other patrons, to people who might not usually come to musical theater,” she said. “It’s the story that’s true of the younger generation, but it’s also the story of the older generation and
their struggles.” Amengual thinks its Latin twist will especially charm Miami audiences. “I hope that the Latin audience out there take a chance and comes to it, because it’s their story. There’s not a lot of musicals written about the Latinos. So, it attracts an audience that will see themselves up on stage,” she said. “The abuela [grandmother] of the neighborhood sings a song about her struggles and immigration and what life was like when she first came to New York. Sure, this is Miami, not New York, but it’s still relevant.” Amenqual thinks that all audience members will find the show’s vibrant community familiar, whether their home is on Sesame Street, Abbey Road or Hollywood Boulevard. “Doesn’t matter what your ethnicity is, doesn’t matter where
you come from, you have the same people in every neighborhood,” she said. “You have the young kids that are troublemakers and pranksters. You have the parents that are struggling about what to do with their daughter. You have the kids who have been best friends and have grown up together and now are dating. And you have the grandmother that takes care of everybody. That’s in every neighborhood.” And Amengual clearly adores her South Florida home, as she affectionately calls bringing a taste of Broadway to Miracle Mile “so wonderful.” “I grew up in South Florida and theater has obviously always been such an important part of my life,” she said. “It’s so hard in these times, with the economy being what it is, the arts takes a beating. So it’s wonderful that the theater is still thriving and able to put out a production of this magnitude. We need the arts. We need theater. We need to support it.” For aspiring actors or actresses, who are more than happy to support theater but are weary of rejection, Amenqual said that confidence is key. “Know that you are who you are, you bring what you bring and you’re special,” she said. “Think of every audition as an opportunity to perform; it’s not a test. And enjoy what you’re doing. Because the moment the self-doubt creeps in and it’s not fun, it’s not worth it. It’s too hard if it’s not fun.” Theater geeks or theater novices can join in on the fun of “In the Heights” by calling The Actors’ Playhouse box office at 305444-9293.
NSU professor to hold theater workshops on “Irish Dracula”
By: Aadil Vora
Although many teenage girls may argue that Edward Cullen from the “Twilight” novel series is the epitome of a vampire, James Doan, professor in the Division of Humanities at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, believes Count Dracula embodies the true bloodcurdling essence of a vampire. Doan recently wrote “The Irish Dracula: A Melodrama in Five Acts”, a play based on the 19th century novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker. His play focuses on Stoker and his relationship with Henry Irving, an actor and director at the Lyceum Theater in London. The play is set in London and County Sligo, Ireland in 1888. Doan said the play “examines the colonial Anglo-Irish politics of the era and psychosexual elements implied in the original text.”
Many people know Dracula solely as the pop culture Halloween icon found on candy wrappers and featured in cartoons, but Doan’s play, like Stoker’s original novel, explores the deeper culture surrounding Dracula and the society he lived in. Doan and Daniel Gelbmann, assistant professor in the Division of Performing and Visual Arts, teamed up to create a series of five workshops that will use Doan’s play to teach students about script development, set creation and costume design. The free workshops will take place on Wednesday nights, Mar. 13 to Apr. 10, 6 to 8 p.m.in the second floor auditorium of the Mailman Hollywood Building. The workshops will culminate in a final dramatic reading of the play on Apr. 13. Doan and Gelbmann are hopeful that the workshops will generate
enough interest in the production to create a full production next year. Doan and Gelbmann have applied for a grant that would enable them to collaborate with students, Farquhar faculty, professional musicians and actors to put on a special production in Feb. 2014 at the Southern regional meeting of the American Conference for Irish Studies in Fort Lauderdale. This production would, according to Doan, be “accompanied by the rarely performed instrumental music written by Arthur Sullivan for an 1888 production of ‘Macbeth’”, which he feels would resonate well with the play. For more information or to participate in the workshops, contact James Doan at 954-262-8207 or Daniel Gelbmann at 954-262-7926.
COURTESY OF A. GILBERT
The Bram Stoker novel combines the sinister story of Dracula with the political themes of 1888 Western Europe.
13
Opinions
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
Proposed Internet sales tax is bad for Florida college students By: Andre Jensen
Well, they are up to their old tricks again. The politicians of the Florida Legislature want to pound another nail in the coffin of poor and middle class students during this long recession. Once again, they have chosen to go ahead with the ill-conceived idea of eliminating tax-free Internet shopping, within the Sunshine State. For years, special interests lobbyists in favor of the online sale tax have tried to convince legislators to bring a new sales tax to Florida. The tax is bad for business and bad for Florida students. The tax will not affect customers with the resources to pay a tax on internet purchases, but will hit struggling middle-class working stiffs and students who lead busy lives. Most students live on tight budgets, and have extensive shopping lists, often filled with obscure items. They have either no time or no money to pay the retail prices at stores. It’s strange that the legislature in Florida, which is dominated by Republicans, would entertain inducting a new tax. Florida is not California or New York — states that are dominated by taxhappy politicians willing to tax anything and everything to fill the
COURTESY OF WWW>AMERICASFUTURE.ORG
Florida studemts don’t need another tax on school supplies.
state treasury. The effects of an Internet sales tax would be harmful to those who can’t afford market retail prices for things like school books and
supplies. The sales tax would especially hit young people and students who are more willing to buy products online. For students, purchasing text-
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books can be as disheartening and shocking as setting money on fire. So, many students use internet sites to purchase class materials. Marketing researchers have found that college student purchase 30 percent of their textbooks from an online source. Students often mention the significantly lower cost of as reason for their switch from the traditional bookstore. Moreover, it should come as no surprise that the biggest push for Florida to collect $450 million a year in taxes on Internet shopping comes from a lobbying group called Florida Alliance for Main Street Fairness, a misnamed organization if there ever was one. The truth is that big corporations — like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and Sears — bankroll these Tallahassee lobbyists to the determent of Florida consumers. Groups like the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida, have major lobbying interest in supporting an online sale tax, although they claim they are not advocating a new tax. They say they care only about leveling the playing field between retail stores and online retailers and that it is not a new tax. Sorry, lobbyists; taxing retail
sales on the net really would be a new tax. The power that corporations have over our wallets and purses is real. Enacting an online sale tax could have grave consequences to consumers. The moment for action is now. Florida retailers think they might have a real shot at convincing Tallahassee lawmakers this year to approve a bill requiring out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes. It is vital that all Florida students contact their district senator and house representative to tell them to oppose any online sale tax laws. A complete list of legislators can be found at leg.state.fl.us. It’s time that those lawmakers stop hearing from the lobbyists and corporations and start listening to the people they are supposed to represent. College students in Florida are a powerful voting block, as was evident in the 2008 and 2012 election. Let’s make our voices heard again and say no to an online sales tax.
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Opinions
March 19, 2013 | nsucurrent.nova.edu
NYC soda ban slap down is a big win for personal liberty By: Andre Jensen March 12 was supposed to be the last day to legally buy a large soda in New York City. But thankfully, a New York state judge stepped in on March 11 to stop the ban, which is a political and personal blow to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. State Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling struck down Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of 16-oz. or larger, non-diet soft drinks, and called the ban “arbitrary and capricious.” Tingling’s decision isn’t just a temporary restraining order putting Bloomberg’s proposal on hold for a few weeks. The judge struck down the ban permanently, as overstepping the rightful legal powers of the New York City Department of Health. This means that the city cannot go back and reissue the regulations on its own authority, even if Bloomberg — or any other politician — should develop a better factual basis for the ban. Bloomberg, a billionaire entrepreneur, is one of the country’s most ambitious political leaders. As the mayor of America’s largest city, his voice carries a lot of weight in the media and in politics. Unfortunately, Bloomberg’s voice has become a destructive one, especially to the personal liberties of
COURTESY OF
You have the right to drink large sodas.
those who live in New York City. Over the last decade, Bloomberg has transformed himself immensely — from a politician dedicated to protecting and empowering consumers to make healthier, better choices, into a self-absorbed lecturer hell-bent on forcing consumers to make the right choice. His hubris has shifted him from public citizen to paternalistic wannabe administrator of
the nanny state. The soda ban became the symbol of big government nanny statism run amok. A well-intentioned idea of encouraging people to watch their sugar intake took a wrong turn into overkill, overregulation and a violation of personal freedom. Career politicians like Bloomberg have forgotten that Americans have inalienable privileges provided
On the Scene:
to them by the Constitution. Like many other statists, he wishes to abandon the constitution and slapped down the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right to make one’s own beverage decisions is surely among these values; it’s unconscionable to think otherwise. Even if you are sympathetic to the goal of tackling the nations obesity epidemic, Bloom-
Should NSU make information about registered sex offenders on campus readily available to students?
“For a sexual offender, that information should be made available to students, if they seek it out. But I don’t think that it should be blasted out every possible way. If they have served their time in jail and have paid the consequences, it shouldn’t be made to embarrass them” Kyle Speulveda,
sophomore accounting major “Do you know that if you pee in public, you could be on the sexual offenders list? Who’s going to draw the line of what is really bad and what is really good? You’re kind of playing judge and jury to get other people to think that a person is automatically bad. I’m against that, because once you get on paper, it’s hard enough to get into schools or get jobs because you’re black-balled already. Just for people who are charged with a crime and have done their time, why give them more adversity and more hurdles?” Bobby Colemen, first-year MBA graduate student in supply chain management “It would be good to know about if there is a criminal in your midst. And if it’s a sexual offender, that should be known to everyone concerned. People need to be aware, in case there are incidences.” Justine Pooge, first-year graduate student in marine biology
berg’s policy is, plain and simple, an infringement on individual liberty and that is wrong. In recent years, a distributing trend has occurred in America. Whether liberal or conservative, politicians have sought to impose their own opinions and morals upon the people they seek to govern. Obviously, the government is sometimes required to impose restrictions. One shouldn’t be allowed to sell alcohol or cigarettes to children or speed on a residential street. But there is a difference between those restrictions — which local, state or federal governments impose to protect health, welfare and property — and restrictions that simply tell citizens what to do. If a person is not free to make bad or stupid decisions, he or she is not free. It is an enduring truth of which we seem to need constant reminding. Protect your liberties because there are those around you who wish to restrict them.
“I would want to know, especially if it was for molestation or rape. I don’t think it’s easy to reform from that kind of crime, and I would hope that Nova wouldn’t think of allowing someone who had that background on campus.” Zasha Erskine, first-year nursing student
“I don’t believe that Nova should be distributing personal information out like that. The issue of privacy rights and the rights of the individual come into play when you talk about stuff dealing with criminal background. This information is already made public to people who wish to know; all they have to do is search through the state website. But Nova should not have anything to do with what is considered harassment. The sex offender would already been dealt with by the justice system, and that should be it.” Yamil Gonzales, third- year law student
Help Wanted All students should contact the Office of Student Employment located on the first floor of the Horvitz building to apply for these positions (954.262.3380) HPD 034: Contact Lens Assistant Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 10-15 hrs./week; Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Maintain diagnostic lens inventory and saleable products. Call patients as contact lens orders are received, sort lenses in appropriate storage trays. Log warranted credit using computer software after returning lenses to manufacturer; organize product and price books. HPD 035: Clerical Assistant Pay: $8.50/hr. Hours: 10-20 hrs./week Word processing, photocopying, filing, and other general clerical support duties and functions. HPD 144: Senior Student Assistant Pay: $8.50/hr Hours: 20-25 hrs./week maximum (Available Tuesdays and Thursdays, afternoons and evenings when clinic is open) Assist in various clerical duties that include typing, use of computer and/or M.S. Office programs. Other duties as assigned. HPD 146: Student Assistant Pay: $8.50/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Data entry in Access database. Be able to reconcile multiple Excel reports and software program reports, update spreadsheets. Be able to manage large quantities of confidential documents. Check in orders and ensure accuracy then distribute to correct department. HPD 149: Student Assistant Pay: $8.50/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week File records, answer phones, making photocopies, data entry. Special projects e.g. rotations, implant orders. Other duties as assigned. HPD 151: Student Assistant Pay: $8.50/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Data entry, computer and MS Office knowledge (Powerpoint, Excel, Word). HPD 158: Student Assistant/ Office Assistant Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Typing correspondence, collecting and distributing mail, photocopying, answering phone, meeting and greeting student and visitors. HPD 166: Student Assistant Pay: $8.50/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Perform data entry. Pick up biopsy samples. Collect billing information. General assistance in collection of insurance information to initiate billing process. Office filing and answer phone calls.
Also assist with game management.
047: Student Assistant/AudioVisual Services Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 15-20 hrs./week Provide assistance in all aspects of Audio-visual technology, including working as an audio-visual assistant and providing excellent customer service to students, faculty, employees and guests. 054: Lab Monitor Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: Up to 20 hrs./week Assist students & faculty with computer related problems in the microcomputer lab. 098: Student Assistant Pay: $7.67/hr Hours: 20 hrs./week Provide administrative support for Residential Life & Housing. Assist in the general operation and communication of office procedures and functions. Duties include but not limited to: inputting information on work orders, incident reports, locksmith request, etc. Filing and copying of confidential documents. Maintaining and organizing kitchen and storage rooms, and other common areas. Correspond with other NSU departments as required to assist residents or staff members. Other duties as assigned 103: Student Assistant Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Provide clerical assistance. This includes filing, phones, etc.
165: Lifeguard Pay: $9.00/hr. Hours: 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Prevent accidents through the enforcement of policies, rules, regulation, and the conduct of persons using the pool, saunas, and spa. Additional duties include scrub pool gutters, heavy vacuum and hosing deck. 224: Intramural Sports Official Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: Mon -Thur 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. and occasional weekends Officiate intramural sports based on rules and regulations as set forth by Campus Recreation. Ensure that teams/individuals follow rules and regulations. Provide all intramural participants with superior customer service. Remain visible and on post at all times. 374: Field Operations Assistant Pay: $8.00/hr Hours: 20 hrs./week Assist the Operations Coordinator by ensuring fields and facilities are prepared for home games and events. Act as a troubleshooter at events by providing supervision.
397: Student Ambassador Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: 20-25 hrs./ week (individual schedules vary) Some Saturdays may be required. Conduct campus tours to prospective students and their families. Other duties include data entry. Answer incoming phone calls. Participate in special events and Tele-counseling. 500: Phonathon Worker Pay: $9.00/hr. Hours: 10-15 hrs. 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Mon-Fri, End of AugustDecember Call alumni from all over the country to update their information. Let our alumni know about new developments at NSU and ask for support of NSU through our annual giving program. 506: Videoconferencing Technician Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week (shifts available: M-F between 7:30 am.10:00 p.m., Sat. & Sun. between 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) Provide basic level technical support services to the students, faculty, and staff in the use and maintenance of technology resources provided by the university, including but not limited to videoconferencing classrooms, smart classrooms, electronic classrooms, peripheral technology, and all other University facilities on campus or off as required. Provide office support answering telephones, monitoring videoconferencing bridge connections, perform data entry, and provide detailed daily reports on technical support provided at the end of each day. Other duties as assigned. 547: Information Systems Assistant Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Scan and index documents. Limited data entry, supply/hardware inventory. Workstation inventory. Organization and miscellaneous operations. 679: Senior Student Assistant Pay: $9.00/hr. Hours: 25 hours per week Provide clerical support and administrative assistance to the various administrators. 695: Administrative Student Assistant Pay: $9.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Requires Federal Work Study Award Assist with filing, data entry, reports and other office duties. Help with special events.
711: Student Scholarship Assistant Pay: $9.00-$12.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Update and maintain database, review, edit and write scholarship questions, assist in mailings both electronic and paper, assist in preparing presentations, provide support in developing and delivering online scholarships. 719: Graduate Assistant Pay: $11.00/hr. Hours: 10 hours/week Process application waivers. Assist with FL Prepaid: invoicing and payment posting preparation; set up aging reports; analyze accounts to see if late fee and hold should be applied. Analyze account for NSU Payment Plans. Assist the A/R manager and specialist as needed. Other duties as assigned. 730: Student Assistant/ASA Desk Attendant Pay: $7.67/hr. Hours: 20-25 hours/week Greet and relate to all visitors. Direct NSU students, visitors and employees to various NSU departments for assistance as appropriate. Manage the designated phone line and online reservation forms for the Shark Shuttle Airport program, send out confirmation emails and make confirmation phone calls 24 hours after receiving requests. Direct traffic to the appropriate departments. Schedule, set-up and maintain meeting rooms and patio area. Daily light maintenance of reception and meeting room areas. More detailed description and other duties to be provided from department. Other duties as assigned. 733: Student Assistant/Preschool Aide Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: 25 hrs./week (must be able to work 25 hrs.) Care for preschool children ages 2-5 for early and aftercare. 749: Student Assistant/ Undergraduate Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Administrative and clerical duties such as processing check requests, making travel arrangements (including auto, airline and hotel). Assist in arrangement of conferences, meetings, etc. and arranging technology requirements. Schedule appointments and maintain project calendars. Respond to emails and handle telephone requests; taking and recording messages accurately and reliably. Gather and compile information for special reports as requested. Scanning and data entry. Other duties as assigned.
752: Administrative Student Assistant Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 20 hrs./week Assist Imaging System Administrators in the office and field. Set up and troubleshoot computer workstations, scanning equipment and imaging-related software: Ascent, DPO, Unisearch 32, Netsearch XL and Unisearch Interactive. Perform routine maintenance, hardware/software installation and assist in moving heavy equipment. 764: Senior Student Assistant/ Storage Room Clerk Pay: $10.00/hr. Hours: 25 hrs./week Pick up and receive all scrap materials for the storage/scrap room. Scan all materials into the appropriate spreadsheet and separate recyclable assets for donation from scrap items. Assist management team with daily operations. Maintain clean and safe work environment. 779: Operations Assistant/ Facilities Pay: $7.67/hr. Available Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30 a.m. - Midnight / Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. / Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Answer telephones, manage the operation of the front service desk, answer questions, enforce facility and program policies, conduct face checks, and distribute information and directions. Maintain the cleanliness of the facility and the upkeep of the facility program space. 781: Operations Assistant/Fitness Pay: $7.67/hr. Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30 a.m. Midnight / Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. / Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Promote and enforce all fitness room policies. Ensure a safe workout environment and perform routine cleaning and maintenance on equipment. Be visible on the fitness room floor during shift, to answer questions and provide general assistance. 783: Personal Trainer Pay: $18- starting and depending on experience Hours: Based upon client base, max. 20 hrs./wek Provide members with a quality, safe, and effective workout. Maintain written documentation of each client. 796: Student Assistant/Event Services Pay: $8.00/hr. Hours: 5-20 hrs./wk. Jobs include Guest Services, Ticket Takers, Ushers, Ticket Sellers and other various event services and box office jobs.