RETRIBUTION SHOULD BE FAST AND FURIOUS — SEE B10
FREE • Published Mondays and Thursdays
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com • Monday, August 22, 2011
The Student Newspaper at UCF since 1968
Lockout life
Meet the Staff Get to know the people behind UCF’s student newspaper— SEE STAFF, A2
Former UCF star Jermaine Taylor talks NBA lockout — SEE Sports, B1
Students can ‘swoop’ deals Website provides best textbook prices VANESSA HORNEDO Contributing Writer
With the economy in a slump, students are searching for more ways to pinch pennies. A new website is helping reduce students’ biggest cost next to tuition: textbooks. Jonathan Simkin, a Harvey Mudd graduate, is so
familiar with the frustrations students face searching for textbooks at reasonable costs that he decided to make a change. Now the CEO of SwoopThat.com, Simkin has given students a way to search for the best prices on popular college items such as calculators, iPods and, of course, textbooks.
How do you buy your textbooks?: www.UCFNews.com Utilizing course-search technology, his website provides up-to-date and accurate price comparisons for any textbook students may be required to
PLEASE SEE SWOOP ON A17
CFF ARCHIVE
A new website,SwoopThat.com,is giving students a way to search for the best prices on popular college items such as calculators and textbooks.
New degrees to roll out Breaking news on your cell Get UCF news sent to your cell phone. Just text the keyword UCFNEWS to 44636.
Budget cuts further shrink student grants
AROUND CAMPUS,A2
MADTV COMEDIAN ANJELAH JOHNSON TO PERFORM AT UCF
AMETHYST ROTH Contributing Writer
All-star stand up and sketch comedian Anjelah Johnson will be performing at the UCF Arena on Monday,Aug.22.The show starts at 7 p.m.and admission is free with a student ID.
LOCAL & STATE,A2
TROPICAL STORM IRENE STRENGTHENING IN CARIBBEAN Tropical Storm Irene is dumping heavy rain on the northern Leeward Islands and the system is expected to strengthen as it heads toward Puerto Rico,the National Hurricane Center said Sunday. Most forecasts have the storm hitting southern Florida by the end of the week.
JUVENILE DEFENDANTS HELP SENIORS TACKLE TECHNOLOGY Florida juvenile offenders are partnering up with seniors to teach them computer skills through a teen court program.
INDEX Around Campus Weather Local & State Sports Opinion Classifieds Sudoku Crossword
A2 A2 A2 B1 B30 B31 B31 B31
TODAY’S WEATHER
EVENING T-STORMS
93º 76º HIGH LOW
Things do not bode well for the Pell
CFF ARCHIVE
In this 2009 photo,students and faculty rally outside the Student Union when the cardiopulmonary sciences and radiologic sciences programs were cut.
UCF prepares to add 22 new programs despite previous cuts
PLEASE SEE GRADUATE ON A5
KAITLYN TEABO
Should engineers have highest pay?: www.UCFNews.com
Senior Staff Writer
Over the next few years, incoming UCF students will have a variety of new degree programs to choose from — 22 to be exact. UCF’s Board of Trustees approved the implementation of more programs during its meetings last semester as part of the New Program Development Plan for 2010-11 through 2013-14. Since July 2010, UCF has installed professional science master’s degree programs in conservation biology and engineering management, master’s degree programs in urban and regional planning and research administration, a research doctoral degree program in security studies, a bachelor’s degree program in Latin American studies and a doctoral degree program in dental medicine professional. Faculty members and several groups within the university, in response to students’ concerns for more specialized majors and a better selection of master’s
degree programs, carefully chose these new degree programs; but the colleges in which the programs are to be implemented, are responsible for most of the work. “A lot goes into creating a new degree program, including people’s time and money, but the end result will be worth it for the UCF community as a whole,” Tony Waldrop, UCF provost and executive vice president, said. Finding faculty, paying for programs and expected enrollment In some cases, UCF may already have faculty members with the right expertise to teach the programs, but if not, the colleges are responsible for hiring new faculty. If that is the case, there is a national search where ads are put in journals that searching faculty members may read. From there, a committee screens for applicants and invites them to a seminar that is open to faculty and students to provide
In the midst of federal budget cuts, the Pell grant survives, leaving UCF students the opportunity to catch a breath. “If my Pell grant was cut, then I wouldn’t be having a senior year,” said Alicia Bock, a health and information management major. She has received partial Pell grants for most of her college career, but this year unemployment left her relying on the grant to finish her degree. More than nine million students receive Pell grants of up to $5,550 per year, according to the U.S.
Engineering is the top degree Earns highest median income SAVANNAH STEGALL Contributing Writer CFF ARCHIVE
New programs surprised students left without majors after the 2009 program cuts were made.
To comment on this story visit: www.UCFNews.com input for the department chair. Finally, the dean of the college ultimately makes the decision to hire a new faculty member. Aside from the work that goes into creating these programs, it also costs money. The most
PLEASE SEE FORMER ON A11
Universities and colleges throughout the country offer an astronomical array of majors for students to study, and while what’s offered varies from school to school, there’s one commonality that cannot be debated – engineering majors will make the most money. According to a study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, petroleum engineers have the highest median income at $120,000; counseling psychology
PLEASE SEE ENGINEERING ON A14
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AROUND CAMPUS News and notices for the UCF community
CAB Comedy presents:stand up comic Anjelah Johnson All-star comedian Anjelah Johnson will be performing at the UCF arena on Monday, Aug. 22. Johnson is best known for roles on MadTV. The show starts at 7 p.m. and admission is free with a student ID.
CAB Cinema presents:Thor CAB will be hosting a screening of the movie Thor on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Knights Plaza at the UCF Arena. The movie will begin at 9 p.m. Admission is free and attendees will receive free popcorn and free cotton candy.
Welcome Expo to be held for first year students The Office of First Year Advising & Exploration will be holding its annual Welcome Expo for first year students in the Student Union on Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will be able to meet organizations and outside vendors from the UCF community, as well as win prizes.
LOCAL & STATE Keep local with headlines you may have missed
Tropical Storm Irene strengthening in Caribbean MIAMI — Tropical Storm Irene is dumping heavy rain on the northern Leeward Islands and the system is expected to strengthen as it heads toward Puerto Rico, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday. Most forecasts have the storm hitting southern Florida by the end of the week. Irene could become a hurricane today, though its power was predicted to fluctuate over the next several days as it moves over the Dominican Republican and possibly Cuba.
2 cars crash into Fla. home in road rage fight ORLANDO — A bizarre road rage incident sent two vehicles crashing into a central Florida home. Orange County sheriff's deputies said Tina Reese and Schtvonne Whitaker were driving in separate cars Friday when they began arguing. Whitaker allegedly rammed Reese’s rear bumper and both drivers lost control and crashed into a home. The drivers were not injured.
Aug. 22, 2011 •
Meet the Staff The staff of the Central Florida Future for Fall 2011
Name: Katie Kustura Position: Editor-in-Chief Age: 23 Major : Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Being able to do what I love with great people. What I love about UCF : The diversity and sense of community.
people everyday.
Name: Lindsay Holmes Position: News Editor Age: 21 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Being at a publication that constantly forces me to step outside the box. What I love about UCF : The sense of camraderie among the student body.
Name: Adrienne Cutway Position: Online Editor Age: 20 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Being so connected with the campus community. What I love about UCF : I love that UCF offers something for everyone.
Name: Michael Clinton Position: News Editor Age: 22 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Having the chance to leave my mark on an already great publication. What I love about UCF : Meeting new
August 22, 2011 Vol 43, Issue 53 • 32 Pages The Central Florida Future is the independent, studentwritten newspaper at the University of Central Florida. Opinions in the Future are those of the individual columnist and not necessarily those of the editorial staff or the University administration. All content is property of the Central Florida Future and may not be reprinted in part or in whole without permission from the publisher.
NEWSROOM 407-447-4558
Editor-in-Chief Katie Kustura CFF.editor@gmail.com
News Editors Michael Clinton & Lindsay Holmes News.CFF@gmail.com
Online News Editor Adrienne Cutway Online.CFF@gmail.com
Opinions Editor Name: Andy Ceballos Position: Opinions Editor Age: 29 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: The opportunity to consistently learn and grow. Every week brings different issues and topics for us to cover and write about. What I love about UCF :
Name: Erika Esola Position: Sports Editor Age: 22 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Two words: Ray Bush. What I love about UCF : The campus and football game days.
Andy Ceballos Opinions.CFF@gmail.com
Sports Editor Erika Esola Sports.CFF@gmail.com
Variety Editor Tim Freed Variety.CFF@gmail.com
Photo Editor Katie Dees Photo.CFF@gmail.com
Name:Tim Freed Position: Variety Editor Age: 21 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Meeting interesting people and finding great stories. What I love about UCF : How active the school is, on and off campus.
Name: Abigail Donaldson Position: Copy Editor Age: 21 Major: English Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: The staff is awesome. Copy editing also fulfills my eternal quest for grammatical correctness. What I love about UCF: The professors I have had who really invested in my academic growth. Name: Kaitlyn Teabo Position: Senior Staff Writer Age: 21 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Being able to tell people’s stories to the UCF community. What I love about UCF: The great staff of journalism professors who have taught me to be a better journalist.
Name: Kati e Dees Position: Photo Editor Age: 23 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Getting to work as a photojournalist alongside a talented team of reporters who are also my close friends. What I love about UCF : I love the sense of community and school spirit even though the university is so large. Name: Jessica Gillespie Position: Copy Editor Age: 21 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Covering the secondlargest student body in the country. What I love about UCF: The people and the opportunities.
Name: Rebecca Strang Position: Senior Staff Photographer Age: 21 Major: Journalism, Studio Art Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Even more of an excuse to always have my camera with me. What I love about UCF: My small college departments make me feel like more than just a number.
Senior Staff Writers Laura Newberry, Kaitlyn Teabo
Staff Writers Austin Castle, Camille Thomas, Jessie Kristof, Jordan Swanson, Steven Ryzewski
Senior Staff Photographer Rebecca Strang
Staff Photographers Alex Schierholtz, Amy Simpson, Andrea Keating, Chelsea St. John, Jonathan Virgilio, Josh Given, Mandy Georgi, Michelle Davis, Nicole Blackall, Nicole Schoen
Copy Editors Abigail Donaldson & Jessica Gillespie
Production Joseph Mangabat Mark Thorstenson
BUSINESS 407-447-4555
General Manager Raymond G. Bush x220 RayB@KnightNewspapers.com
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Distribution Manager
Name: Laura Newberry Position: Senior Staff Writer Age: 20 Major: Journalism Best part of working at the Central Florida Future: Getting writing experience while giving back to the UCF community. What I love about UCF: There are endless opportunities to meet new people and try new things.
Chris Biddulph x211 ChrisB@KnightNewspapers.com
Fax: 407-447-4556 Published by Knight Newspapers 11825 High Tech Ave. Ste. 100 Orlando, FL 32817
Juvenile defendants help seniors tackle technology JACKSONVILLE — Florida juvenile offenders are partnering up with seniors to teach them computer skills through a teen court program. The program offers teenage defendants in the diversion program sentences that include things like jail tours, essays and community service. — ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOCAL WEATHER TODAY IN DETAIL Today Today: Partly sunny. Scattered EVENING afternoon showers and T-STORMS thunderstorms. Southeast
High: 93º Low: 76º
winds around 5 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy.SE winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Scat T-Storms Scat T-Storms High: 91º High: 87º Low: 76º Low: 77º
Thursday:
Friday:
Scat T-Storms T-Showers High: 88º High: 85º Low: 77º Low: 78º
One free copy of the Central Florida Future permitted per issue. If available, additional copies may be purchased from our office with prior approval for $1 each. Newspaper theft is a crime. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or University discipline.
• Aug. 22, 2011
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
Students now face excess credit surcharge NIKKI NAMDAR Contributing Writer
The Florida Legislature has updated the policy for excess credit hours by increasing the surcharge from 50 percent of the standard tuition rate to 100 percent. UCF, along with other Florida universities and colleges, will have to adapt to this change and enforce it on anyone who will enroll in college for the first time in the fall. The definition of what an excess credit hour is has been rephrased, as well. Previously, any hours beyond 120 percent of what a student needs for his or her bachelor’s degree would be considered excess. With these new alterations, the percentage dropped to 115. If a degree program required a student to take 120 credit hours, they cannot exceed 138 credit hours. For 2011-12, a credit hour is $103.32, totaling $309.32 for a three-credit-hour course. Therefore, an additional course beyond what a student needs will amount to $618.64. Hiten Patel, an incoming freshman, said this amended principle makes him angry with the school. “That makes me not want to take extra classes now,” Patel said. “I already knew they were charging a hell of a lot to make us go here. But now, they are just adding money to it for nothing.” Patel has declared his major in corporate law but said in the event he were to transition, or take additional classes outside of his major, he is concerned because his two scholarships are not enough to cover his tuition as is. But Chad Binette, UCF spokesman, said for students not to worry because the university still allows enough freedom to anyone who is interested in taking elective courses outside of their majors. Each student can utilize this freedom by up to six additional classes
To comment on this story visit: www.UCFNews.com on top of their regular degree program courses. “We anticipate that the vast majority of our students will not be impacted by the excess credit hour fees mandated by the Legislature,” he said. These changes will most likely only be a consequence to those who change majors later, or transfer from a state college with no declared major, he added, but the faculty and staff help make it easier for students to choose their major to prevent them from having to face any inconvenience. “We encourage students to choose a major before the end of their sophomore year,” Binette said. “Students who are unsure of a major can seek assistance from their advisers, faculty members and career counselors. They also can attend workshops and majors fairs offered on campus.” But these modifications will not apply to every major program or course; there are a few exceptions, including internship credits, International Baccalaureate credits and Advanced Placement credits. Students taking dual enrollment courses will not face surplus charges. Neither will students who are active-duty military personnel nor those who are taking ROTC classes. Regardless of these changes, Binette said students should still be able to encounter the college life at UCF that they desire. Florida’s public universities were placed 48th for the most economical in the country, regarding the cost of tuition and fees. “Our dedicated staff and faculty members will continue to work hard to help students choose a major early during their academic careers, and we are developing a new online system to help students track their credit hours,” Binette said.
KATIE DEES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
The Florida Legislature has updated the surcharge for excess credit hours from 50 percent of the standard tuition rate to 100 percent.
“Students need to know that they will continue to enjoy an important aspect of their college experience: the freedom to
take several classes outside of their majors and explore subjects that interest them, without having to pay any additional
fees.” For additional assistance in choosing a major, visit http://dk.sdes.ucf.edu/choose.
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
• Aug. 22, 2011
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Graduate subsidies cut to save Pell for two years FROM A1 Department of Education. That number was going to drop this year, but Democrats pushed for Pell grants to not be cut, and they succeeded. However, their success came with a cost. Cutting graduate-school subsidies for 10 years allowed the Pell grants to continue for two more years, 2013-2014. Republicans argue that the Pell grant gives colleges and universities a reason to drive up tuition costs, while experts like Mark Kantrowitz, founder of fastweb.com and finaid.org, say that cutting funding on education when fees and tuitions are higher then ever before is unwise. According to the UCF Common Data Set made by the Office of Institutional Research, approximately $60.7 million of need-based grants were awarded this year. That is more than an 80 percent increase since 2009-2010’s aid year of $33.5 million in need-based grants. A considerable portion of this money was due to Pell grants. Students at UCF have mixed feelings about the Pell grants. “I work full time and wouldn’t be able to pay for school without help from the grant,” said Charles Taylor, a junior electrical engineering major. “But I also think that people need to maintain a good GPA to get funding. Sometimes people expect it without expecting to work for it.” Amaris Rodriguez, a first-year graduate student in social work, also expressed that the Pell grant is most important because it helps students to get started on their careers. After graduating and getting a job somewhere, students can begin pay their
AMETHYST ROTH / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
In the midst of federal budget cuts,the Pell grant survived.More than nine million students receive Pell grants of up to $5,550 per year,according to the U.S.Department of Education.
own schooling and work their way through grad school. “I got the Pell grant for the first two years of my schooling and the money went to pay off my car, because I didn’t really need it,” said Melanie Pullen, a senior elementary education major. “Now that I actually do need it, I can’t get it.” After high school, most students are still living at home and have the time to go get another job. If they really want to go to college, let them work for it, Pullen said. After 2014, the Pell grant is expected to have a 15 percent budget cut. This would be the fifth budget cut that the grant has received since 1980. The cut will cause more than one million students to lose eligibility for the grant. The Pell grant is based
BUTCH DILL / ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Pell grant helps students start their careers after graduating when they can work their way through grad school.
on the both discretionary and mandatory funding. Discretionary funding is subject to annual review and can be cut more easily, and mandatory funding is
already appropriated by permanent legislation. Jasmin Cofie, a junior sports exercise science major and a community college transfer, has seen
an increase in tuition. “I’ve needed the grant in the past, and I still need it,” she said. “I’ve seen a difference in funding over the last two years. I’ll just have
to see what happens next. I hope the Pell grant stays, because it will help a lot of students continue their education.”
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
UCF ranked No. 4 for ‘students who study least’ HANNAH MOBAREKEH Contributing Writer
UCF has been on the receiving end of many oddball Princeton Review college rankings, but the latest is no joke. UCF was ranked No. 4 in the category “Students who study least,” and was higher on the list than other Florida colleges like FSU, UF and USF. “Maybe our students who pack the library every day didn’t have time to fill out the Princeton Review survey,” said UCF spokesman Chad Binette. Binette said that UCF offers many resources to enforce strong study habits, listing the Student Academic Resource Center as a main provider of these services. SARC offers workshops and one-on-one tutoring sessions for students looking to establish better study habits. One of their main workshops is a freshmen-centered program known as the Game Plan Seminar. The $10 workshop reinforces study habits along with practical college skills, such as effective note-taking, time management tips and textbook reading skills, said SARC coordinator Natasha Ford. “I think a big part of studying is organization and doing that prep work so when you get to that studying time, it’s not so stressful,” Ford said. “We want to bridge that gap for students; this isn’t something that students automatically know how to do.” Ford also said that SARC would be branching out onto regional campuses with more workshops and be hosting a learning fair this fall where students can interact with academic organizations. In addition to SARC’s recent renovation, which included more white board space and a fresh coat of paint, the center anticipates new furniture and new technology to make the center more appealing and efficient. Senior Alana Persaud, a micro & molecular biology major, said that she is not surprised by UCF’s Princeton Review ranking. She does not discredit the teachers, but she has encountered a lazy work ethic in her peers. “If students can see what their future might look like, they may be more motivated to get there and study harder,” Persaud said. She is at the higher end of the studying spectrum,
CFF ARCHIVE
UCF was ranked No.4 in the Princeton Review college rankings category “Students who study least,”and was higher on the list than other Florida colleges like FSU,UF and USF.
logging 40-50 hours in the average school week. She credits her family as the main motivators behind her academic success. As an idea to spark better studying habits, Persaud thinks that if more career-centered workshops were offered on campus, students may be inspired to spend more time hitting the books. During her freshman year, Persaud attended both Student Instruction sessions and SARC workshops. As classes got more involved, she stopped attending, but she did find the information extremely helpful and the attendees more focused on the course subject. Cassidy Harpster, a recent UCF graduate, is not surprised by the ranking either. While he admits UCF has a party scene, he says he knew plenty of students that could balance a full social life and full course load. While attending UCF, the political science major studied collectively around 20 hours a semester. He said that he did not feel the need to study on a regular basis. “If the classes had been more difficult and some topics more interesting, I would have studied more,” Harpster said. “Some class-
‘If the classes had been more difficult and some topics more interesting, I would have studied more.’ — CASSIDY HARPSTER RECENT UCF GRADUATE
es are very dull and dry, usually because of the professor and not the material, and it does not inspire someone to study much.” While Harpster admitted that he would have not changed his study habits drastically while attending UCF, he said that more study-related events at the Student Union would have motivated him more. As the fall semester begins, SARC anticipates a busy season. Whether a student spends 50 hours a week or 20 hours a semester with their notes, attending tutoring sessions or workshops could be the formula for a fail-proof semester and the key to getting UCF off of one of the Princeton Review’s dreaded lists.
CFF ARCHIVE
UCF spokesman Chad Binette said UCF offers resources to encourage good study habits,listing SARC as the main provider.
• Aug. 22, 2011
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• Aug. 22, 2011
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Female engineering alum stands out, again SARAH ASLAM Contributing Writer
After becoming the first female to receive a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from UCF 24 years ago, Lucy Morse found herself in the spotlight again. Morse received the Bernard R. Sarchet Award from the American Society for Engineering Education during its most recent international meeting for her contribution to a field where women are still a rarity. Females pursuing engineering degrees at UCF can probably relate. According to final fall 2010 headcount data from UCF’s Office of Institutional Research, 1,063 women, undergraduates and graduates, were enrolled in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; the number of men enrolled accounted for more than five times that at 5,920. Those 1,063 women represent about 15 percent of that college and less than 2 percent of the total student body of UCF. In an effort to bring more women into the engineering graduate program, Morse initiated and administered UCF’s Women’s Reentry Program, a graduate level program aimed at bringing more women into the engineering graduate program at UCF, from 1982 to 1989. “It was the first critical mass of women coming into UCF,” Morse said. Despite her efforts, the field remains male-dominated. A report by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration attributes lack of role models, family obligations and gender stereotypes as the reasons why fewer women choose jobs in science, technology, engineering and math. Morse agrees. “There were two of us in the whole program," Morse said of her time as a student at UCF. "I was the only female in several classes.” When Morse wanted another woman to talk to, she would
spend time with the secretaries because they were some of the few females in the entire department. “Even at UCF, there are gender stereotypes," Morse said. "Women are not treated very nicely. There’s a bias.” According to Morse, the fact that an interview with her was taking place 30 years after entering the program shows how little things had changed. “People still treat me as an oddity,” Morse said. Even though the field remains male-dominated, Morse still has great things to say about engineering. “It is really enjoyable,” said Morse, who has worked on all seven continents, including Antarctica, where she helped evaluate America’s footprint on the frozen South. Some of her other projects include working with Capitol Hill police in Washington D.C. to estimate needed security details and a case study of Epcot when it first opened. Morse has also co-authored a textbook, “Managing Engineering and Technology,” in which she changed many of the references to women that she found derogatory. Her co-author, Daniel Babcock, who authored the first two editions, was “very pleased” with the results. Morse urges women interested in the field to take the math courses first. “A lot of people think it’s scary because they don’t know," Morse said. "It’s like driving a car; the first time is scary.” She said with practice, though, it gets easier, and you may find that you like it. Lindy Wolfe, a project engineer at Inwood Consulting Engineers in Oviedo and 2003 civil engineering graduate from UCF, finds the field exciting, especially when she gets to see her designs go from paper to an actual, physical site. Wolfe said that, at her company, there are many project managers who are women. “Definitely go for it if you’re
REBECCA STRANG / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
Lucy Morse,the first female to earn an industrial engineering Ph.D from UCF 24 years ago,recently received the Bernard R.Sarchet Award.
interested at all. It may seem tough at first, but don’t let it hold you back if you think you may be a minority,” Wolfe said. Morse said women have a unique viewpoint to contribute to engineering, which is an
important reason to bring more women into the field. She said women can do all the same jobs that men can, but emphasized that in this field, “you have to be the best.” Morse said that women are
needed in this rapidly changing field. “The women students are really the top students in the whole spectrum,” Morse said. “It’s dynamic. I feel like you can make a difference.”
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
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• Aug. 22, 2011
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Former UCF professor: ‘it is a slap in the face’ FROM A1 expensive is the security studies program, which costs $500,000 each academic year. Each year, the new programs will cost $600,000, plus an additional $100,000 for the urban and regional planning program in the fifth year of its development. “These new programs will cost UCF money, but more importantly UCF will gain students and will continue to grow academically,” Waldrop said. However, the Latin American studies and research administration programs are estimated to not cost UCF a dime. The expected enrollment for the Latin American Studies program is eight students in its first year in 2011 with 35 students in its fifth year. For the urban and regional planning program, the expected enrollment was 30 students in its first year in 2010, growing to 60 students in its fifth year. The expected enrollment for the research administration program is 30 students in its first year in 2011 with 60 students by its fifth year. For the conservation biology program, the expected enrollment is 10 students in its first year in 2010 and 20 students each year after that. The expected enrollment for the security studies program is five students in 2013 with 20 students in its fifth year. Scholastic surprises Although the new programs will attract new students, some are left surprised at the decision to establish 22 new degree programs, as it is a costly move. “The decision on how to fund these programs was made absolutely correctly by not using stimulus money, but by the money allotted by the state, and [it] will be an excellent addition to the university,” Waldrop said. Regardless of where the money comes from, some feel the BOT should not be spending money on new programs when it cut four programs in 2009 to save money. Susan Gosnell, was the radiologic program director at UCF in 2009 when the cardiopulmonary sciences and radiologic sciences from the College of Health and Public Affairs program was cut; she said she put her heart and soul into the program and was hurt when she heard about the new degree programs being implemented at UCF. “It was a difficult blow. I wasn’t informed
CFF ARCHIVE
Despite reactions to the 2009 program cuts (rally show above),Tony Waldrop,UCF provost and executive vice president,believes the new programs will be extremely viable to the university.
of my program’s cut until 10 minutes before it went public,” Gosnell said. “And now it is a slap in the face. I feel like they lied to us when they said my program’s cut was due to budgeting reasons. It did not save them that much money closing it down and now they are spending a lot for these new programs.” Since leaving UCF, Gosnell has found a career as a radiologic and imaging sciences professor at Valencia Community College and is happy with her new job, but she will never get back what she put into UCF’s radiologic program. Despite being thankful to have found another job, Gosnell is not the only faculty member to have lost a job and have mixed feelings about UCF’s intentions. Philip Craiger, an engineering technology professor at UCF when the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s engineering technology program was cut in 2009, questions why his program was cut in the first place. “It was a surprise, and I was a little disillusioned because my understanding was that the cut was due to budget constraints. But if they are hiring new professors and adding more programs, I don’t see where the budget savings are,” Craiger said. Although Craiger was first surprised at the program’s cut, he is not looking back. Craiger enjoys his new job as an engineering technology professor at Daytona State
College and is keeping himself busy with his program and his students. The decision to implement new programs has also surprised students who were left without a major when the 2009 cuts were made. Christopher Scholar had just started his engineering technology major at UCF when the engineering technology from the College of Engineering and Computer Science program was cut and received no advising about what it is he should do. “I wish they would have done more to help me find some other major instead of just basically telling me I have to transfer somewhere
else to continue doing what I want to do,” Scholar said. “I have to believe it is just a business move, a way for them to get more money somehow.” Scholar left UCF for DSC to continue his major and is happy with the move, even though it may have seemed stressful at the time. While Scholar and many other students were left to change majors or transfer schools, plans for adding the new degree programs may have already been underway. “It takes a long time to start and finish something like this and it is certainly possible it was being talked about before 2009 when other cuts were made,”
Waldrop said. Ron Eaglin, the chair of engineering technology from the College of Engineering and Computer Science program in 2009, was not happy to hear UCF was planning on creating new jobs after he had lost his without warning. “The process by which my program was cut was not transparent and should not have been done the way it was, but bad decisions are made every day,” Eaglin said. “I just wish them luck creating all of these new programs, as I know it is financially exhaustive, and budgeting was the reason for my program being cut.” Eaglin is currently the assistant vice president of the College of Technology
at DSC and loves his career. Despite reactions to the 2009 program cuts and the addition of new programs, Waldrop believes the new programs will be extremely viable to the university and will attract more than enough students to justify the cost. “Money plays a factor, but is not the predominant factor in the immense amount of benefits these new programs offer,” Waldrop said. “All of these programs are academically sound and attract many students who will be able to use these programs to successfully move into the marketplace and that is all we can set out to do, set our students up for a successful future.”
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
• Aug. 22, 2011
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Annual after-hours event is right on Target JENNIFER PRITCHARD Contributing Writer
Move in to dorm, pick up ID, register for classes, buy books. Grocery shopping isn’t necessarily a top priority for new college students as the back-toschool rush is in full swing. Luckily, the Waterford Lakes Super Target provided transportation to and from the store for its third annual after-hours shopping event to kick off the 2011 “Welcome Week” for new freshmen. Students enjoyed live entertainment and contests while picking up lastminute supplies before classes start. “We want students to realize that it’s all about them,” said Ben Stofferahn, executive team leader of the Waterford Lakes Target. From 10:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., buses shuttled students from four different dorm locations on campus: Libra and Apollo; Academic Village; the Arena and the Towers; and Lake Claire. The buses ran every 20 minutes throughout the night to take students between UCF and Target. Once they arrived, students were greeted with free samples of new products from Target sponsors such as Mars, Wrigley, Vitaminwater and Kraft. At past after-hours events, sponsors have introduced samples of brand-new products to students. In addition to the provided entertainment, Bullseye, the Target mascot, was in attendance along with Knightro and the UCF cheerleaders. “I didn’t know what to expect, but this is way cooler than I thought it would be,” freshman economics major Kelly Jeffries said.
Jeffries attended with her suitemates, who came to do some food shopping for their Apollo dorm. The event was first created in 2008 when Target began to notice a large number of UCF students becoming frequent shoppers during the back-toschool season. Last year, about 8,000 students attended. “All of us at Target know that starting college is an exciting time,” Stofferahn said. “So we wanted students to have an opportunity to celebrate.” After first hearing about the event, Mitch Weiss, a freshman business administration major, decided it sounded interesting enough to attend with his roommate and friends. “After all, who doesn’t like the free stuff?” Weiss said. Last year, students competed in a shopping spree to collect a list of items found in the Target store within a certain amount of time. Items could include anything from school supplies to a flat screen TV. If they won the competition, they were able to keep all the items they had gathered. At this year’s event, students participated in several text-to-win contests throughout the course of the night. Prizes included $50 Target gift cards, a year’s supply of Coca-Cola, a flat-screen TV and even a mini-fridge. “This has always been a wonderful, after-hour, substance-free event for students,” Jeff Novak, director of Housing Operations and Residence Life, said. Novak worked with Target to sponsor the event. “On a Saturday night, it’s a great alternative to partying.” Although the event is targeted towards freshmen as a “Welcome Week”
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER PRITCHARD / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE
Students enjoy live entertainment and contests during Waterford Lakes Super Target’s third annual after-hours shopping event.
activity, all students were able to attend. Senior psychology major Ashley Jones stopped by to do some apartment shopping and didn’t realize how popular the event was going to
be. “On a Saturday night I decided this would be an opportunity to run into some friends,” she said. Senior theatre major Samantha Liguori first
attended the event as a sophomore after hearing about it from a friend. “I loved the live music because it felt like I was attending a private party in Target,” Liguori said.
Liguori’s favorite part was being handed a free gift bag of goodies as soon as she walked in the door. “All the free giveaways and entertainment were awesome,” she said.
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
Engineering not one of UCF’s top 15 majors for 2011 FROM A1 majors can expect the lowest median income at $29,000. “I do not think anyone would go through these engineering courses without expecting a large salary at the end of the road,” said Thomas Quinn, a mechanical engineering major and engineer-in-training at Siemens. “If they can handle all of the math and physics courses, I would recommend the major, but I would not recommend it to everyone.” Dr. Johannes Vrana, Senior NDE for Siemens, thinks it is a great idea to have students studying engineering in college. “It gives a great background for a great variety of interesting jobs in the industry,” Vrana said. “However, to study engineering, somebody should have quite some interest in it and have a good background in mathematics.” In the fall 2010 semester, UCF had an enrollment of 56,337 students. The College of Engineering and Computer Science had a total of 5,674 undergraduate students enrolled, making it the fourth-highest enrolled college in the school, according to the UCF Office of Institutional Research. Freshman Blaire Scheller said she had some difficulties choosing a major when the time came, and according to the Office of Institutional Research, she had 91 bachelor’s degree programs to pick from. “I was moderately clueless when applying to UCF,” Scheller said. “However, I think that in the back of my head, I wanted to declare engineering all along.” Scheller said most of her friends were already studying engineering or were planning on it, so she had some exposure and some general knowledge of what the courses would be like. “Engineering is not known for being easy,” Scheller said. “So even if at some point you are seeking a job that does not involve engineering, having that degree shows you are a competent, hard-working individual.” Mechanical engineering
CFF ARCHIVE
UCF students get experience as interns at Power Grid Engineering.Petroleum engineers have the highest median income at $120,000,according to a Georgetown University study.
major Will Richards shared similar sentiments. “Engineering is no joke; you have to take it seriously,” Richards said. “Every class I take I feel like I am learning something new that I have not learned before.” The difficulty of engineering classes could potentially be attributed to why the major didn’t rank in the Office of Institutional Research’s list of the top 15 bachelor degrees conferred as of July 2011. According to the list, a Bachelor of Science in psychology ranked No. 1, while a Bachelor of Arts in English ranked No. 15. According to the 20112012 PayScale College Salary Report, the top six undergraduate college degrees by salary were in the field of engineering. Out of the 120 degrees listed, 13 of them were in the field of engineering with the lowest starting median salary of $51,700 belonging to environmental engineers. Out of the 13 engineering degrees listed, UCF offers seven of them, according to UCF’s website.
‘Engineering is no joke, you have to take it seriously. Every class I take I feel like I am learning something new that I have not learned before.’ — WILL RICHARDS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR
Quinn knows that earning one of those engineering degrees is proof to employers of a strong work ethic and an array of abilities. “You cannot just skate through engineering,” Quinn said. “Engineers make some of the largest most powerful things on the planet from buildings to bombs. Do you want someone who has a hard time in math building the hotel you are sleeping in?”
• Aug. 22, 2011
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
Some see trade deals as threat to states’ powers DAVE GRAM Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt. — A free-trade agreement between the United States and other countries around the Pacific Ocean might not seem like an obvious topic of discussion inside Vermont’s Statehouse. But in Montpelier and other state capitals, there’s growing concern that such agreements could undermine states’ authority in a host of areas, including regulation of important local industries, negotiations over health care costs and control over public utilities like water supplies. Those watching the interplay of state laws and the provisions of international trade agreements acknowledge that some of their worries are speculative. Actual legal challenges, in which governments or corporations have brought complaints about government regulation to tribunals set up to resolve disputes under the trade deals, have been small in number. But Vermont and other states should be vigilant, said Robin Lunge, a former staffer with the Vermont Commission on International Trade and State Sovereignty who now directs health reform efforts for Gov. Peter Shumlin. “If it’s not important today, it could be vitally important tomorrow,” she said. “If you don’t pay attention today, you won’t know until you run into trouble.” The system of negotiating international trade agreements makes it tough for state officials to monitor or affect the terms of the deals, said a report last year by the state of Maine . It focused on the possible effects of international trade provisions on the state’s efforts to regulate ground-
water withdrawals for bottled water. In Maine, the bottled water industry includes Poland Spring, one of the nation’s top-selling brands. “The negotiating process lacks transparency and precludes states from any meaningful participation in the negotiations even though the agreements have significant potential impact on state regulatory authority,” the report said. In Vermont, Lunge was the main author of a letter Shumlin sent in June to President Barack Obama trying to raise an alarm about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement being negotiated among the United States and eight other nations: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Shumlin said the agreement and a previous pact with Korea could bring legal challenges to negotiations with drug companies over discounts, which save Vermont and other states millions of dollars a year in their Medicaid and other public health programs. Shumlin echoed comments made last September in a letter from five state lawmakers from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that warned against “the continuation of an illconceived agenda to use trade policy to restrict foreign and domestic medicine pricing programs.” The agreements have required other countries to scale back their discount programs, but technical provisions have preserved discounts obtained by U.S. states’ Medicaid programs. The governor wrote that those discounts, as well as those obtained by federally subsidized health clinics and teaching hospitals like Burlington’s Fletcher Allen
Health Care, soon could come under attack as well. Restricting other countries’ ability to negotiate for better drug prices “could allow our trading partners to challenge cost controls” used in the U.S., Shumlin’s letter said. “These programs serve vulnerable populations in the U.S., and trade policy should not put them at risk.” Shumlin is raising an
alarm needlessly, said Mark Grayson, spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Free-trade agreements are struck between national governments and do not impose requirements on states, he said, adding that a footnote in the Korea pact specifically says it won’t affect state Medicaid programs. “Nothing in a trade agreement can conflict with U.S. law,” Grayson said. But the trade agreements could open an avenue for drug companies to try to appeal a state decision to exclude a drug from a list of preferred drugs, said Sean Flynn, a professor at American University’s law school who follows trade issues. The expense of defending against such appeals could weaken states’ ability to negotiate lower
prices significantly, he said. Similar concerns have been voiced about trade agreements as they affect the ability of states and municipalities to regulate their water supplies and who should have access to them. A study commissioned by Maine in 2009 concluded that it was uncertain whether legal challenges could be mounted under international trade agreements to a law in that state regulating water withdrawals for commercial uses. “There are water issues around the world regarding trade and trade agreements,” said Michael O’Grady, a lawyer with the Vermont Legislature’s research staff and counsel to the state trade commission. “There is the potential in any regulatory field for a corporation from another country to bring an investment claim
against the United States.” Corporations also can use international trade agreements to undermine federal law, said Robert Stumberg, a Georgetown University law professor who studies trade issues. Four of the five largest U.S. tobacco companies sued this past week to overturn new Food and Drug Administration requirements that cigarette packages carry labels showing graphic images of smoking’s ill health effects. At the same time, Philip Morris International is challenging a similar Singapore law before an international trade tribunal. If the companies lose their case in U.S. courts, “the argument that PMI is using against Singapore could be turned right around and used against the FDA’s implementation of its authority,” Stumberg said.
www.CentralFloridaFuture.com
• Aug. 22, 2011
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SwoopThat.com helps find cheap textbooks FROM A1 purchase this fall. “Our algorithms help students find the cheapest places to buy all their books collectively, rather than one at a time,” Simkin said of his website. Students input their college name and course code and the site searches its databank of supported retailers to find the best deal at the time. “Freshman year, I was so concerned with spending that I made sure to search all stores for the best price on my books. As a junior, I just don’t have the time to devote to that kind of a search, so I stick with Amazon.com for my textbooks,” art history major Jessica Ortega said. Ortega mentioned she had never heard of a site like SwoopThat and that she would definitely use it in the future because it seems like a great resource to save time and money. This was Simkin’s exact idea – he wanted to provide a way for multiple textbooks to be researched at once. Most sites such as Chegg and eBay only allow students to search for one book at a time to place in your shopping cart. SwoopThat lets students input their entire course schedule and gives a personalized shopping list along with the
least expensive place to purchase them. Junior Ashley McKenna said she had recently heard about this technology from a friend and immediately tested it out. It took only two minutes for McKenna to log on and find out that she could save $184.47 on her textbooks by purchasing them online versus simply buying them from the UCF Barnes & Noble bookstore. “My major [biology] is known for having the most expensive textbooks because the content is always changing and used books aren’t always available,” she said. “This site is going to save me so much money.” In McKenna’s case, the books were cheaper elsewhere, but SwoopThat strongly supports college bookstores and includes their prices in the comparison whenever possible. Jade Roth, a Barnes & Noble college bookstore representative, believes this type of price search engine can greatly benefit UCF students. “In the past, this type of technology wasn’t needed because there weren’t many choices for students,” Roth said. “Bookstores have evolved in the last 24 months to include used books, rentals, digital copies and package deals so that students have a
greater chance of finding affordable books.” With classes starting, it is important to know what options you have, Roth advises students to wait until their first couple of classes before making a decision on buying textbooks. “Sometimes it is better to wait and see how the book will be used before you decide on buying it new, used or just renting it,” she said. “Students in higherlevel courses often times want to keep their textbooks as part of a lifelong learning library and in that case, buying books brand new at the college bookstore is your best bet.” This is where Simkin’s website can swoop in and save the day. Whether buying books new or used, searching for the best price is key. And with classes already starting this week, students don’t have much time to spend searching for comparisons. SwoopThat.com guarantees that students will be able to find and purchase textbooks in 10 minutes or less, while saving up to 75 percent on costs. Shipping and handling is often included in the price, and books usually are received by mail within one week. Just in time for the real work to begin in classes this fall.
CFF ARCHIVE
SwoopThat.com strongly supports college bookstores and includes their prices in the comparison whenever possible.
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Aug. 22, 2011 •
Deaf man battling to join Army after ROTC JULIE WATSON Associated Press
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Keith Nolan spent a decade applying repeatedly to the Army’s Reserve Officers Training Corps’ program before the deaf man’s tenacity paid off and a commander finally let him audit the classes. Nolan became a top performer in the ROTC program’s Bravo Company at California State University at Northridge, and his instructors were so impressed they let him wear a uniform. He was distraught when he turned it back in and said goodbye to the other cadets in May. He could advance no further under the military’s current policy that requires cadets pass a hearing test to be commissioned by the Army. It was a stinging moment that burned in the soul of the bespectacled 29-year-old teacher, who is determined to break that barrier and achieve his lifetime dream of working in military intelligence. “All I really want to do is join the Army,” said Nolan, a confident, cleancut man with a boyish face who signed to an interpreter in an interview at the university’s ROTC office. He was flanked by posters with inspirational messages urging people to join. “I want to do my duty, serve my country and experience that camaraderie, and I can’t, owed to the fact that I’m deaf.” Soldiers with disabilities have been returning to active duty in increasing numbers due largely to the fact that medical advances today are ensuring more people survive serious war injuries. All branches of the U.S. armed forces over the past decade have started offering the opportuni-
ty for seriously wounded or disabled service members to remain on active duty by finding them jobs they can perform. Today about 300 seriously wounded service members — some of whom have been blinded by blasts, lost their limbs or have severe head injuries — work in a variety of Army positions, and their work has been vital, especially in aiding other recovering troops, said Erich Langer, a spokesman with the Army’s Warrior Transition Command in Alexandria, Va. Some have even returned to war zones. “These cases help folks with disabilities across the board by opening more doors,” he said. Nolan said their presence shows there is a place in the military for disabled people. He sees the military’s changing attitude as a window of opportunity that he hopes to pry open further so any deaf person — not just wounded combat troops — could be eligible to serve. Nolan, who was born deaf to deaf parents, has wanted to join the Army ever since he learned of the experiences of his grandfather and great uncles who fought in WWII. His father, Kevin Nolan, successfully won a city council seat against a 20year incumbent in Northhampton, Mass., and taught his son to defy the odds. “My wife and I were very emotional about this,” Kevin Nolan said of Nolan’s ROTC participation, in a phone interview assisted by an interpreter. “We’re proud.” Capt. Sid Mendoza, a training supervisor of the program at Northridge, said he had no idea Nolan
JAE C. HONG / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Keith Nolan uses sign language to talk to his interpreter,Rita Alexander,at Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles.Nolan tried countless times to get into an ROTC program only to be rejected because he is deaf.His tenacity paid off finally last year when he was allowed to take Army classes as a civilian.
was deaf when he saw his application online. Once he met Nolan, Mendoza said he wanted to see if there was a way to give him military experience because he was so interested in the armed forces. “At the beginning we weren’t sure how it was going to work,” Mendoza said. But with the help of a deaf interpreter, Nolan excelled, Mendoza said. He showed up at 5 a.m. exercises even though he was not required to and despite initially straining to see the interpreter in the darkness, he immedi-
ately was able to follow the commands, and earned a perfect score in his military sciences class. Mendoza said he learned sign language for the word “motivation” because Nolan’s interpreters used it so much when relaying to Nolan what people were saying about him. “He definitely was one of our top performers,” Mendoza said. Nolan said he was crushed when the course ended and he had to step aside as the other cadets were commissioned by the Army. “When I gave my ruck-
sack away to the cadet in the van — that was when it really hit me that it was over for me,” he wrote in his journal. Mendoza said it was also hard on his fellow cadets, who are now second lieutenants. “For all of us, it was really tough because we saw his enthusiasm to want more, but it’s outside of our control,” he said. The office of Rep. Henry A. Waxman, DCalif., said the congressman plans to meet Nolan in the fall to continue to work on his behalf. Nolan wants Waxman to sponsor a bill allowing deaf people into the armed forces. Nolan has sent an inquiry to the Army and is waiting for a reply explaining why he could not be commissioned. Waxman’s office said their inquiry to the Army got an “unfavorable” response but the congressman is still interested in seeing what he can do. “I am looking forward to meeting Keith Nolan during his upcoming visit to Washington,” Waxman said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. “He is an exceptional young man, and he has raised a compelling issue that I believe is worth examining.” In the meantime, Nolan has been spreading the word to drum up support for his cause, speaking at universities and other public events. More than 2,000 people have responded in support of his Facebook page, “Commission
Cadet Nolan Now,” which features a picture of Nolan holding folded camys and a pair of Army boots as if he were joining. Nolan traveled in 2010 to Israel where he met with 10 deaf military service members to document how they function in their jobs. The soldiers he met worked in everything from intelligence to dog training. Deaf people are not drafted like other Israelis but can volunteer to serve and are deployed in noncombat positions, the Israeli military spokesman’s office said. Many people with disabilities volunteer as military service plays a central role in Israeli culture and is considered a rite of passage. “Many were shocked to hear America does not accept disabled people in its military,” Nolan said. Deaf people once served in the U.S. military too. During the American Civil War, more than a dozen deaf soldiers were in the armed forces. History gives Nolan hope. “I in no way want to degrade our military on the basis of disability or equality rights,” he said. “But, with the support that I have received from both civilians and military personnel as well as what I have learned from my research, I am convinced that there is a noncombat position that I can do in the military without harming our armed forces’ effectiveness and readiness.”
• Aug. 22, 2011
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Aug. 22, 2011 •