September 16, 2022 - The Southern e-Edition

THE SOUTHERN

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Wellness center hosts fourth consecutive 9/11 challenge

Jacob Smith Staff Writer

From Sept. 5-11, the Nina B. Hollis Wellness Center has hosted the 9/11 Stairmaster Challenge for the fourth consecutive year.

This ftness gauntlet of walking up the 110 fights of stairs, the same amount the brave frefghters scaled in the World Trade Center on 9/11, is a challenge that has raked in hundreds of participants over the years.

Director of Wellness Alicia Rossow has been around since the very frst year the challenge was a part of the Wellness Center. She believes it to be an important tradition.

“We noticed that a lot of the college students, some of them weren’t born when 9/11 happened or weren’t necessarily a part of it, and we wanted to experience what the frefghters went through that day,” Rossow said. “It’s a way that students can do something ftness related, but also symbolizes what happened back on 9/11.”

Each year, an increasing amount of students pay their respects by doing their best to mount all 2,071 steps of the simulated experience. The response to the event has evolved over the years that the challenge has since expanded outside of

Photo by Jacob Smith

The Wellness Center Staff all participate in the 9/11 Stairmaster Challenge to commemorate the fallen.

the Wellness Center.

“The frst year we did it, we just did it on the stair mills and that was really it,” Rossow explained. “But then we noticed that more and more people wanted to get involved, so that’s why you can do it on the stairs here [the Wellness Center], the waterdome, the tennis complex, the soccer feld; any stairs you can fnd we can translate how many fights of stairs that would be to what the frefghters did on 9/11.”

When the top of the stairs is reached, commemorative shirts wait to be donned by those who complete the challenge, with each new year presenting a new shirt.

“Some people might have not tried it because there was nothing for them to do, but having this incentive might push them to do it,” said Rossow. “I think a lot of people do it to start for the shirt, but then there’s a better experience that comes out of it.”

Each year, the Wellness Center staff

participate in the challenge as a group, but one member was one step ahead. After participating in the challenge for the past two years, Addison Smith, a junior exercise science and biology major, knew what to expect going into the challenge.

“You start off strong and you think you’re going to do amazing, and then halfway through, you want to die a little bit,” Smith said. “After you push past a mental barrier, it’s much easier. It’s basically just your brain telling you no.”

While the hardest part of the challenge may appear to be the pain that’s going to be felt in the calves, there are a variety of factors that may lead to challengers experiencing diffculty.

“[The challenge] can be mental, physical, even emotional; a lot of people had people they might have known that were in 9/11 or they’re from New York or their family are frefghters,” said Rossow. “Depending on what type of mindset you’re in, all of the different kinds of feelings can come out.”

The 9/11 Stairmaster Challenge is a ftness gauntlet that should be attempted by all those who considered it. Not only is the challenge a satisfying hurdle to cross, but it also honors the heroic acts of bravery made by the frefghters that day.

FSC unveils new attendance app and Passport Program

Jameson Champion Co-Editor-in-Chief

Starting this fall semester, Florida Southern College has made sweeping changes to how campus organizations handle events with the re-introduction of the school’s Passport Program and the simultaneous introduction of the app Corq. FSC’s Passport Program was introduced during the spring semester of 2017 as a method of increasing student engagement with extracurricular activities around campus. The original iteration of the Passport program mandated that students needed to attend an event in multiple categories over the school year or pay a fne for each unflled point at the end of the school year.

The initial iteration of the Passport Program was culled during the COVID-19 pandemic as students went virtual and campus events were halted as a way to curb infection rates during the pandemic. As students began a slow return to campus during the 2020 school year, the program was not re-implemented.

This reintroduction coincides with the ending of the last of the FSCares policies put in place during the fall of 2020 and going into the spring of 2022.

According to a student handbook for the new system, rather than creating

penalties for students who do not attend events across campus, this new incentive-based approach to the passport will involve giving prizes to students who are active in the campus community.

Prizes go as small as water bottles up to the highest tier giving eligible students better housing numbers during the next school year.

The reintroduction of the Passport program, using a new, incentive-based approach coincides with another change to how FSC is handling campus activities: the integration of CampusLabs’ Corq app for on-campus events.

One of the primary uses of Corq is replacing the need to swipe into events using a student ID card. Using Corq, attendees can access a QR code that can be scanned by those running the events without need for the tablets that were used to swipe-in previously.

“I think it’s a great addition to our campus life,” Association of Campus Entertainment President, Skippy Paquette said. “The Corq app has made the check in process at all of our events more mainstream and made all those pesky lines move substantially faster.”

The Corq app is also integrated with Engage, CampusLabs’ event-planning application used by FSC. All events placed

FSC Quarantine Changes

FSC has updated its quarantine policies amidst a spike in Polk County cases.

Fempowered on Campus

Noelle Pappas & Dr. Quinlivan are giving the Woman’s Advocacy Club a new look.

on Engage can also be viewed by students via Corq, including all information related to the event. Integration with Engage also means that a number of other useful features have been made available at events.

“[Corq] allows us to send out emails to all of our attendees for surveying and raffing purposes super easily…” Paquette said.

Signing into events via Corq is how points are earned in the new Passport Program. When scanned-in, students who attend events that are eligible for passport points will earn 10 points per event. Bonus points are applied for Convocation events,

History of the Alma Mater

A look into the history of Florida Southern’s Alma Mater through the years.

Hispanic Heritage Concert

Hispanic culture.

attending an event in each category and other events the Center of Student Involvement has assigned by.

Event categories include: fne arts, health and wellness, service and diversity, pathways to profession, learning beyond the classroom and school pride. Points will only be earned via checking-in to eligible events and, once earned, will not carry over between school years.

The program is also not automatic, students must keep track of points earned and contact the Passport Program in order to collect prizes due to them.

Additions to Meal Plan

New additions made to the meal plan at FSC has roused mixed opinions.

New Adams Athletic Center

Drew Howard provides inside details about the new Adams Athletic Center.

Photo by Jameson Champion

The Corq app is available on both the Google Play and Apple App stores for students to download.

BRIEFS

POTUS issues national student debt forgiveness

T’Ahara Willis Staff Writer

Worship in Motion

Students are invited by FSC Chapel to learn about worship through the art of dance. They will be hosting the event in the Fannin Center on Sept. 17 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., this is the frst “Worship in Motion” FSC Chapel is hosting this semester.

On Aug. 24, President Joe Biden announced that a portion of federal student loan debt would be canceled for middle to low income borrowers earning less than $125,000 in income.

According to the press statement released by the White House, the nationwide federal student loan debt cancellation process will begin early in October.

Borrowers earning income under $125,000 will have debt cancellation up to $20,000 for borrowers who have been Pell Grant recipients, while nonPell Grant recipients will receive up to $10,000 in debt cancellation.

institutions are covered.

With over $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt accumulated nationally, a signifcant burden has been left on America’s middle class, the cause stemming from infated college costs.

With overbearing student loan debt, America’s middle class faces challenges building wealth, buying homes, putting away money for retirement and being able to start small businesses.

With students being the benefciaries of the new Student Debt Relief Plan, a couple of students have commented on what this new plan provided by the BidenHarris Administration means to them.

Madison Meares, a senior at Florida Southern College feels like the plan is a “good opportunity.”

Hispanic Heritage Celebration Concert

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Festival of Fine Arts will be hosting the Hispanic Heritage Celebration Concert on Sept. 19 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be at the Anne MacGregor Jenkins Recital Hall on Johnson Ave, and while tickets are free, reservations are also encouraged. For more information, visit page 6.

Write a Letter to Your Future Self

The Barnett Community will be hosting Write a Letter to Your Future Self on Sept. 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Nicholas Third Floor Lounge. It’s an opportunity for students to write letters to their future selves to see later how much they’ve matured over the years.

Over 43 million borrowers will be provided relief. This fulflls the promise Biden made during his campaign to provide student debt relief.

According to the fact sheet on whitehouse.gov, the total cost of both public and private colleges have tripled since the 1980’s.

There was a time when Pell Grants covered up to 80 percent of the cost of a four-year public college, but now only a third of cost for tuition in public

“Some people, like minorities, in order for them to go to college they have to take out student loans, which causes a defcit,” said Meares. “It would be nice for me because then I can just focus on my graduate studies.”

“I need it because with my chosen line of career it will be very hard to manage [student loan debt],” a senior music major, Aaron Santos said. “It would be nice to be fnancially comfortable or stable when going into my career.”

FSC’s Financial Aid Deptartment confrmed the facts concerning federal student debt relief stating, “The onetime Student Loan Relief initiative will be very helpful to students who received federal student loans as of June 30th of the year 2022.”

President Biden’s confrmed agenda to relieve student debt appears to be well received by those who need it.

Teach Me to Salsa

On Sept. 20, professsional Salsa dancers will be teaching all students who attend Teach Me to Salsa at the Thrift Alumni Room. It’s hosted by the Multicultural Student Council and it will last from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Free food will be provided.

John Lehrer Dance Company

The John Leher Dance Company is performing in Branscomb Auditorium on Sept. 22., hosted by the Festival of Fine Arts. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., everyone is invited to view the rehearsed choreography to jazz and modern dance, tickets are free for students and faculty.

Courtesy of the White House Fulflling his campaign promise, President Biden implements student debt forgiveness plan.

FSC eases COVID-19 policies despite cases

Kailynn Bannon Staff Writer

Students at Florida Southern College are getting infected by COVID-19 at the beginning of the fall semester, and the school has released new isolation mandates.

Many students have reported catching colds and other mild illnesses during the frst few weeks back on campus. While some students at FSC suggest they may just have the common cold, others are now testing positive for COVID-19 only weeks after returning to campus.

“I tested positive at the end of the second week of class,” sophomore Lily Soergel Harris said. “I had to leave my housing to quarantine, so I went to a different hotel for that time, and the day I came back they sent an email saying we didn’t have to leave anymore.”

When asked to comment about her experience with COVID-19, Soergel Harris expressed her concern with the current precautions in place.

“I’m not surprised that it spread so quickly considering there are no more COVID restrictions in place.” Harris said.

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of the Omicron BA.5 variant include sore throat, coughing, and nasal congestion. All these symptoms are similar to that of the common cold, which is why students may be unknowingly spreading the virus.

Soergel Harris experienced these cold symptoms along with a fever and fatigue after testing positive for COVID-19. She adds that she knows fve other people who also tested positive going into the third week of the fall semester.

Positive cases in Polk County have started rising again this summer after a signifcant decrease between March and April. Since COVID-19 rates have fallen, many establishments in the Lakeland area, including FSC, have relaxed their COVID-19 policies so students and community members can get back to

Graph by Salvatore Ambrosino

A recent update by LkldNow showed the number of COVID-19 cases in Polk County over the past seven months.

their normal routines.

At the time that orientation week at FSC took place, around 20 percent of Polk County residents that tested for COVID received a positive result.

On Sept. 2, FSC sent out an email to the student body stating COVID-19 policy updates regarding isolation protocol.

The policy states that a person living in a single unit may isolate themselves in their room for a period of fve days. Meanwhile, a student living with roommate(s) can only isolate in their room if their roommate agrees and signs a waiver stating that they acknowledge and accept the risk. If the roommate does not agree, the student with a positive COVID-19 case must isolate offcampus.

According to the Isolation Preparedness Guide, released by FSC in the COVID-19 Policy Update email, students have six hours to leave their housing to their offcampus place of isolation.

In addition to the isolation mandates, the FSCares program requires students

to wear a mask for at least fve days after self-quarantining.

“At times of increased cases, masks may also be strongly encouraged indoors by the College to limit the spread of the virus,” said FSC in the Isolation Preparedness Guide regarding a possible change to these requirements in the future.

“Nothing is more important to the Student Life team than ensuring our students have a fulflling on-campus experience,” Dean of Students Mike Crawford said in a statement to The Southern. “We are slowly but surely moving toward ‘normal.’ All events will be in-person this semester.”

The FSCares team states that the levels of immunity in the area are the highest they’ve ever been, but students are still encouraged to take precautions to keep themselves and others safe.

“That said, COVID hasn’t gone away, and the well-being of our community must be our priority. As such, we will continue to follow the guideline set forth by the CDC,” Crawford said.

Fempowered: ‘To promote that feminism is for everyone’

Caroline Bryant Features Editor

The FSC Women’s Advocacy Club is getting rebranded this semester, starting with its new name: Fempowered.

Established in 2012 by Club Advisor Dr. Deah Quinlivan, the Women’s Advocacy club was a safe space where anyone could discuss human rights issues. While the club attracted immediate membership, attendance fell during the pandemic. Quinlivan also noticed that newer students hesitated to join because of the club’s name.

So when senior Noelle Pappas inherited the club presidency, she knew she had to change the name. With the help of her hometown friend and vice president, junior Chloe Lynch, the two decided the name needed to be more inclusive.

“We didn’t want the word women in it because men can celebrate feminism and men can be feminine,” Pappas said. “Nonbinary people can be feminine and study feminism [too], so we wanted it to be inclusive. Another big thing about our club is empowerment, so we merged these two ideas and went with Fempowered.”

Quinlivan loved the name.

“This is perfect because true feminism is that we should all be equal,” she said. “So using feminism and empowerment together they came up with Fempowered. When they told me about it I thought it was awesome. We didn’t want to send the wrong message though that it’s just ‘fem,’ but it’s not, it’s based on equality for everyone.”

While some students were still concerned with the term ‘fem,’ they accepted the name once Quinlivan explained that feminism

supported equality. That said, she feels it’s important for the club’s success to be clear on the meaning behind Fempowered.

To make their message transparent, Quinlivan asked her sister to design their new logo. During the 2021-22 school year, the old logo displayed the female and male symbols. The new logo will feature people of different colors, races, religions and sexualities.

Additionally, they switched the pronouns on the volunteers’ t-shirts worn during The Clothesline Project, a project dedicated to giving sexual assault survivors a voice by writing on clothing. The t-shirts now read “it wasn’t their fault,” instead of “it wasn’t her fault.” Quinlivan agreed this was an essential change, as many non-female students would anonymously submit their stories of abuse for the project. These subtle adjustments have increased student interest in the club.

“We might not have as many members in the club [now], but it kind of evens out because they’re showing more interest,”

Pappas said. “They want to be a part of this, and they want to help and fundraise. They want to come out to events and show their face in support of these domestic abuse survivors and sexual assault survivors. They want to be involved with this club.”

With their expanding membership, the club hopes to revamp past events and initiate new ones. After its hiatus during COVID-19, the club is bringing back the “What Were You Wearing” exhibit at the Polk Museum of Art this fall. The exhibit features donated items of clothing survivors were wearing when they were attacked to show that perpetrators of sexual assault don’t cherry-pick by style.

A women’s week is also in the works.

Starting March 8, the week would host events celebrating womanhood. Though there aren’t any defnite plans, Pappas would like to partner with the Simmons Center and invite abortion rights activist Amy Weintraub as a guest speaker.

There is also talk about including topics such as mental and sexual health.

The more members they have, the more events they can plan. That’s why Pappas encourages students across campus to join or show support.

“We’re just getting off our feet. We are in the process of starting. We have changed our logo once and are open to feedback. We would love some support and ideas from anyone who has them, and the club is open to anyone. There is no need to be intimidated.” Pappas said.

Sophie returns to campus amid retirement rumors

Gianna Capillo Staff Writer

Florida Southern College’s canine counselor Sophie will be returning to campus next week, starting Sept. 14.

Sophie has been a member of the Student Counseling Center since the fall semester of 2020 and is cherished by the

college community.

At the beginning of this semester, students took note of Sophie’s absence.

Rumors spread throughout the student body that Sophie may be gone for the year, but Counseling Center Director David Aranda assures everyone that she isn’t going anywhere.

“She loves coming to campus and

seeing everyone,” Aranda said. “Her days on campus will be Wednesdays and Fridays.”

Many students commented on the post excited about her return.

“I WILL RUN TO THE COUNSELING CENTER RIGHT NOW,” senior Natalie Leah said on Sophie’s post.

According to the American Kennel Club, therapy dogs are animals that travel with their owners to settings such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort and affection to individuals looking for emotional support. While therapy dogs do not undergo the same training that service animals would, they still serve an important role in improving the lives of the people around them.

Florida Southern College’s disability services also have an Assistance Animal database that allows students to register their own emotional support animals when living on campus. These animals serve a similar function to therapy dogs. However, the animal’s support is limited to that of their owner.

That’s why senior Max Spaid feels

Sophie’s comeback is essential.

“Having a therapy dog on campus is extremely important,” he said. “It’s really helpful. Especially because as you get further along in school, you have more academic stress and have more need to see a therapist. A therapy dog is also a great resource.”

The problem was, Spaid didn’t know where to find this resource.

Artwork courtesy of Kailyn Quinlivan

Quinlivan’s sister’s artwork for Fempowered to be featured on their Instagram and activities banner.

“

“ She loves coming to campus and seeing everyone. Her days will be Wednesdays and Fridays.

-David Aranda FSC Counseling Center Director

“

“ We didn’t want the word women in it because men can celebrate feminism [too].

-Noelle Pappas Fempowered President

Photo by Southern Staff Sophie made an appearance at Frank Lloyd Wright Day in the spring 2022.

Our Song of Pride

A History of Florida Southern College Alma Maters

Emma Lauren Poole The Southern Editor

Overlooking the sunny beaches of Sutherland (now known as Palm Harbor), Fla., Southern College had a beautiful campus - one to be very proud of. With its stately gymnasium and dormitories surrounded by Florida pine trees, it was arguably the southernmost college campus in the United States at the time, and lived up to the image of being located in the Sunshine State. In the early years of Southern College, when the institution was less than 30 years old, the beauty of the college inspired Ella P. Hilburn, wife of the Southern College President, to pen the lyrics to a song dedicated to the school.

“...The sparkling bay so near us, The balmy air, The sky so fair, The birds that sing to cheer us, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah…”

It is unknown whether these lyrics, frst published in the 1911 annual, were intended to serve as an Alma Mater, but the sense of pride in the campus that the words evoked make “Hurrah for Southern College” presumably the frst Florida Southern College Alma Mater.

Disaster struck on Jan. 29, 1921, when a tragic fire burned Southern College, rendering the campus irreparable. But, by the following year, the school had found a new home - one that has stood the test of time. To honor the first visit to the college’s new home in Lakeland, Fla., a new song was written.

These lyrics, composed by FSC English professor Francis T. Long, were set to music derived from Aletter’s Rococo, written by Professor Louis Alberti, Professor of Vocal Music at FSC. The song was originally published in The Southern newspaper around the time of the laying of the cornerstone at Social Hall (now Edge Hall) in 1922.

Despite there being two songs with the college as the

main subject, Florida Southern College was yet to have an offcial Alma Mater. That would change in 1924, when new lyrics were published in the Interlachen. These lyrics referenced the move from Clearwater to Lakeland, recalling fond memories of the old campus.

“Round the palms of old Pinellas

By the Southern sea, Sweetest memories will cluster. Memories of thee.

Kindly hearts and hands of Lakeland Bid us welcome true, Welcome to old Alma Mater, Welcome, White and Blue!”

Courtesy of McKay Archives Center at Florida Southern College Postcards of Southern College campus in Sutherland, Fla.

This song would only serve as the Alma Mater for three years, but was replaced by a song written by two FSC students, Mary Gatewood Pulliam and Herman Watkins. Pulliam and Watkins’ song was sung by students during the opening exercises of the Fall 1927 semester, and stood as the Alma Mater until 1942. A version arranged by Iris M. Daniel was published in the 1933 Interlachen.

In 1942, a song similar to Pulliam’s was published in the yearbook to emphasize the theme of spirit and growth on campus. However, the lyrics had slightly been changed. Lyrically, this song was almost identical to the next (and fnal) Alma Mater, written by Professor Charles W. Hawkins between 1943 and 1947.

Throughout the history of Florida Southern College, songs have been sung to celebrate pride, hope, and resilience. Now, in the centennial year of the campus being located in Lakeland, the lyrics still live in the hearts of students and faculty alike. At any special occasion on campus, you’ll hear them sung:

“Florida Southern, thee we love; Thee we’ll never fail Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, hail to Southern, hail.”

Courtesy of McKay Archives Center

The new campus overlooking Lake Hollingsworth.

Courtesy of McKay Archives Center Joseph Reynolds Hall at the new FSC campus.

Photo courtesy of McKay Archives Center Charles W. Hawkins, composer of the FSC Alma Mater.

ACE and Mocs Comedy host Open Mic Night in Tutu’s

Faith Miller Entertainment Editor

On Sept. 9, the Association of Campus Entertainment and Mocs Comedy hosted an Open Mic Night for students to participate in.

The event transformed Tutu’s study lounge into a performance space using the couches as the seating area for the audience. Once the furniture was moved around, the open foor space became a stage for the performers. ACE also provided fun lighting to set the atmosphere along with coffee, tea and cookies for those attending.

“It was really fun to see people express themselves and transform Tutu’s into a different kind of place,” junior Sierra Robertson said.

“The vibe was supportive, and the atmosphere was light and comedic, so it was a fun space for people to perform in.” freshmen Kaelyn Benoit said.

The performances varied between poems, songs, and comedic performances from different students, performing covers or their own work.

“Michael’s rendition of 30/90 stuck with me, because everyone was vibing along, and Ian’s performance of Right Brain, Left Brain had the small crowd rolling,” Benoit said. “Overall, everyone brought the energy and it was super fun”

“I loved the comedy acts and that some of the acts performed their original songs/ poems. My favorite act would probably have to be the Christian ethics skit. It was so unexpected and fun,” Robertson said.

The event was inspired by “Creator’s Night” held in the LHA common space during the 2021-2022 school year. These events were also inspired by and trace back to the Open Mic Nights that were held in the Snake Pit before it became the esports arena.

Students perform at Open Mic Night in the Tutu’s lounge.

“I was a bit hesitant when I frst heard about open mic night, honestly. My roommate wanted to go so I decided to tag along. I’m so glad I did,” Robertson said.

Many enjoyed the event and hope for its return in the future. They felt that it was a great way to display student talent within the school in a way they weren’t used to.

“I think open mic night was defnitely a success and should be a reoccurring event!

It stands out against all the other events we have on campus,” Robertson said.

A memorable moment for many students from the evening was at the end of the night when a song by One Direction started playing over the speakers as clean up began. Students danced around the room and left the coffee house in groups singing the lyrics. The event allowed students of different grade levels

FSC Hispanic Heritage Concert

Nicole Richmond Staff Writer

On Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. the Anne MacGregor Jenkins Recital Hall will be hosting the Hispanic Heritage Celebration Concert.

The concert is focused on Hispanic and Latin cultures and the music that is so richly ingrained in them. Every single musician in this upcoming concert comes of Hispanic and Latin descent.

This is the frst concert in the Festival of Fine Arts series and it will be one to remember as it will be a night flled with music from various Latin American countries like Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil.

Alfonso Lopez-Chollett (violin) is currently the choirmaster of the Venezuelan National Symphony and he is also touring the U.S. with the LopezTabor Duo. Nuestra Alma Latina is the name of one of his shows made for a violin and piano duo, which includes some of his own compositions.

This is not his frst time on the FSC campus, as he has previously held master-classes here for students, as well as performed in recitals.

Rafael Ramirez (viola) is the principal, or head, viola player of different orchestras in the area, including the Lakeland Symphony orchestra. [He will most likely be performing again soon with the Florida Southern Students in the upcoming opera this fall.]

Dr. Robert-Christian Sanchez (cello)

is currently an orchestra director in Hillsborough County. He is a native of the Tampa Bay area and according to his website, “He holds an Advanced Graduate Performance Diploma in Cello from the University of South Florida, a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music Performance with Honors from the University of Central Florida”

Dr. Martha Placeres (violin) will also be performing in this concert. She has been at Florida Southern College for four years now.

She is originally from Mexico, but has since moved to Florida and is the Department Chair of the music program at Florida Southern College.

“This concert is very dear to me.” Placeras said. “We will have a wonderful opportunity to share our passion and love for music in the way of our Latin culture.”

Inclusion and diversity are something that the music department feels strongly about and this is evident through this upcoming concert.

“Especially during these times, inclusion and opportunities for underrepresented composers and styles are very important.” Placeres said. “We will bring a different perspective to music under the lens of our Latin American Culture.”

This concert has been advertised to the Lakeland community and is free for all to attend and support the Fine Arts Department here at Florida Southern.

to interact with each other and create new friendships within the school community.

“I believe Open Mic was a huge success, way better than the ones we’ve had in the past,” ACE President Skippy Paquette said.“We had just over 60 attendees and a ton of people got up and performed.”

In the future Skippy discussed that he would love to add “Moc-tails,” and that they hope to host another open mic night in the future.

ACE has had great turnouts and looks foward to what’s to come.

“I think my favorite part of the event was getting to see Tutu’s full of people for one of our events, it’s been a blessing this year with the incredible turnout we’ve been having with all of our events,” Paquette said.

S

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Jameson Champion jamesonc1211@gmail.com

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published bi-weekly during fall and spring semesters of the academic year

Florida Southern College by students through the Communication Department. Opinions expressed on the opinions

ce is in the Chatlos Building on Johnson Ave.

Photo by Faith Miller

Andrew Tate’s bigotry and dangerous ideology impacts youth

Emma Matzen Staff Writer

Andrew Tate has become a wellknown and controversial fgure online, specifcally on TikTok for his brash statements that are intensely misogynistic and violent.

Tate, 35, is a former kickboxer turned influencer. He was briefly on season 17 of reality televsion show Big Brother in 2016, though was later kickedoff the show following the scruinity surrounding him online regarding homophobic and racist comments he made on his Twitter account.

A video was also released in which he brutally beat a woman with a belt –whom he later said had consented to the act.

However, the more recent controversy

“

Females are the ultimate status symbol.

“

-Andrew Tate

regarding Tate involves his suffocating presence on the social media app TikTok, where videos of him continuing to spread violently misogynistic rhetoric have gotten millions of views.

His videos have received a lot of traction from boys and men online – his fans have since involved themselves in Tate’s online scams, where he has been

making millions of dollars off of a camera girl business online, that is allegedly not fully consensual.

This is due to the human traffcking allegations involving Tate, as his home in Romania was searched for evidence reagarding traffcking and rape investigations. The investigation remains ongoing.

Tate’s online businesses do not stop with dubious cam girl sites, however. He also has a website in which buyers can get an “online class” called “Hustler’s University,” in which participants pay a monthly fee and get lessons on cryptocurrency and dropshipping.

The business is quite obviously a multi-level marketing scheme seeing as those who recruit others for “Hustler’s University “ will receive a commission.

As of this August, Tate has been banned from Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for violating their rules against hate speech. He recently deleted his Twitch channel as well.

While many of Tate’s followers have criticized the removal of his accounts, citing it as censorship of free speech, there is a defnitive argument that Tate’s content is incredibly harmful.

Extremely young viewers have been getting exposed to Tate’s videos on TikTok and have begun repeating many of the sentiments he’s shared online.

Tate’s commentary on how “women are inferior to men” has spread to children, who repeat these beliefs at school.

In a widely spread Reddit post on r/ Teachers by a now deleted user who allegedly teaches at a middle school, a post describes their male students

Tate sharing his life story in 2021 on ‘Anything Goes With James English.’

refusing to read an article because it was written by a woman.

“Females are the ultimate status symbol,” Tate once said online. This further shows his views of women as a way to gain power and class above others, and his beliefs that women are there just as a man’s accessory.

But this is just grazing the surface of Andrew Tate’s controversy and

atrocious behavior both on and offine. As evidenced here, it’s obvious that Tate’s presence online has become a huge stain on younger and older viewers alike.

Tate’s videos on TikTok have been viewed over 11 billion times. Tate has also been featured on many far-right podcasts, continually spreading his radical ideologies on how women should be treated.

It should be noted, that along with his previous statements, Tate said on his Twitter account in September 2017, following the popularity of the #MeToo movement, that women should “bear some responsibility” for being raped.

Moving forward, I can only hope that Tate’s presence online is continually shut down and that his accounts can all be terminated to create a safer environment for users online, and in the real world as his ideology is spreading into real life.

While he and his videos will never truly disappear from the internet, it is incredibly important that we stop this hate as soon as possible, lest we take several steps back as a society when it comes to bringing equality, acceptance and kindness in the world.

What’s

New additions to meal plans and campus dining create mixed feelings

Jessica Stalter Staff Writer

As students return to FSC for the 202223 school year, they have been met with many changes, especially when it comes to dining on campus. The changes are not all positive, however, with online ordering glitches, food truck delays and a new point system causing frustration to many.

Students who attended FSC before the COVID-19 pandemic are seeing the return of some well-loved menu items in the undercaf, and everyone has additional options for healthy eating with a new food truck on campus.

“As a freshman, I hear stories of the golden days when there was roll over and when the food trucks actually existed,”

freshman Garrett Hultman said.

The new point system eliminates roll over points, opting instead to provide students with 120 “fex bucks”(if you have the largest meal plan) to use when their normal points run out for the week. For those who consistently run out of points, this system is very effective, but with higher quantities of points students are more concerned about spending them every week. Flex bucks last the entire semester, unlike roll over points, which students were able to receive every week.

“I can attest that I have large numbers of points left on Sunday morning to use, with that number increasing every week as I eat in my dorm more,” freshman Lexi Lapore-Paternostro said.

“Still, I’m thankful to have extra rather

than run out because it gives me options on how to ft my diet into my schedule.”

It becomes a continuous cycle buying more and more items from the Moc Mart with all the extra points, to where students do not need all the the things they are buying.

“I also can understand why the point system has changed a bit since infation and rising prices affects not just us students, but also the college itself and its faculty,” sophomore Paige Robinson said. “While I think it’s frustrating to all my classmates because less points are carried over or can be used, it does help students to better manage and understand their own habits to utilize their best meal plan accordingly.”

For those who do not use their points by the end of the week, the points just disappear. This has caused stress to much of the campus population as they rush to use their points by the end of each week.

“I often fnd myself in the mob scene on Sunday nights that is the Moc Mart as many of my fellow freshmen do as well,” Hultman said. “Additionally, many of those same food items that I purchase on Sunday nights are just sitting in my closet because I’m trying to use the current week’s money because I don’t want it to go to waste.”

On a positive note, the return of beloved food items such as quesadillas and fatbreads in the undercaf, as well as new food items and food trucks have many students excited.

“I am beyond happy that the chicken chipotle fatbread is back, I have been waiting for it and the quesadillas return for almost Especially for students interested in healthy eating, meal options have been on

the rise between the addition of Super Bowls in Wynees Bistro in the Spring 21’ semester and a new healthy food truck on the way. The new food truck has left many students angered as it is still not open, so they are wondering when it is fnally going to be open for students to try.

“I’ve loved all the new food options on campus, especially the healthier options that became available last semester in the caf,” Robinson said. “In most cases it’s relatively cheaper for me to grab a meal with a side and drink on campus rather than get a meal off campus downtown or other places where prices have become more expensive.”

As the year progresses, the fnancial and student-driven impact of Florida Southern’s change in meal plans will become more clear. Additionally, it will be interesting to see how the introduction of online ordering at the undercaf impacts the future of ordering at other dining locations around campus.

“Altogether, FSC has a great eating experience, even if it comes with certain cons,” Lapore-Paternostro said.

Photo by Jessica Stalter

Tate scams viewers with “Hustler’s University” class: a money-grab marketing scheme

Photo courtesy of Flickr

“ “I often fnd myself in the mob scene [on Sundays at the Moc Mart].

-Garrett Hultman FSC Freshman

Q&A: Dean of Wellness gives inside look at new Athletic Center

Emma Lauren Poole The Southern Editor

In the last edition of The Southern, we published an article about the new Adams Athletic Performance Center. Since then, we talked to Director of Athletics & Dean of Wellness Drew Howard about the new building. Here’s what he had to say about the ways that the new center will benefit the athletics program at Florida Southern College.

The Southern: What features will the new building have?

Drew Howard: The primary feature of the building will be the 5,000 sq. ft. of weight room space that our student athletes desperately need. We are also very fortunate to be adding a study lounge, flm room and recovery area for all teams. In addition we are happy to have a Women’s Lacrosse locker room and offce suites for Men’s and Women’s

Basketball and Lacrosse.

The Southern: How will the features of the new building help the teams perform better?

Drew Howard: The added weight room space will allow our student athletes better access as a team to elite strength training at more optimal times. Additionally, these recovery, flm review, and study spaces are being designed for these specifc purposes allowing us to get everything we can out of this building.

The Southern: What recruiting functions will the new building serve?

Drew Howard: Obviously the new space will provide a focal point for recruits and their families. All of our teams will tour athletes through this space on a regular basis. We picture this as a hub for our student athlete recruitment efforts.

The Southern: Is there anything else that students may like to know about the new facility or anything else you'd like to say?

Women’s golf team fnishes second at frst tournament

Luci Davis Staff Writer

The Florida Southern College Women’s Golf team fnished in second place at the Seminole State Warmup at Mayfeld Country Club in Sanford, Fla. on Sept. 4. Loren Perez led the team to second by fnishing second overall individually, with a score of 75 in round one and 75 again in round two.

The overall score for the team was 617, just six strokes behind Seminole State, whose team fnished with a score of 611 on their home course.

“The warmup event was great for us,” Head Coach Robbie Davis said. “The weather had really hindered us from playing, so it was good for me to see how the team would perform under some pressure. Loren and Margaux played great.”

Senior Margaux Bonafe played some of her best collegiate rounds, fnishing with a score of 77 in both rounds.

FSC’s team also has some new faces this year with the debut of Taylor Zachary, Megan Hertter and Shelby Moore.

“I’m very optimistic about some of our new freshmen,” Davis said. “Taylor Zachary and Megan Hertter played well this weekend and they are extremely talented. I’m also excited about having back our ffth-year seniors Loren Perez and Elizabeth Harding, they will bring much experience for the team.”

Hertter tied for ninth overall, with a score of 75 in round one and 82 in round two. She tied ffth-year Elizabeth Harding, who fnished with a score of 80 in round one and 77 in round two. Zachary fnished 16th overall, with a score of 81 in round one and 80 in round two.

“I feel pretty good after the warmup tournament,” Hertter said. “I played well on the frst day and not my best on the second, but with practice I will feel more confdent going into the rest of the season. I am most excited about going to more tournaments and getting to know everyone on the team better.”

Although the lady Mocs have had a successful start to their season, it will not come without challenges.

“With golf, there are always challenges knocking at the door,” Davis said. “We must be proactive, take our challenges head on and not worry whether they will get to us.”

Sophomore Marissa Cardenas is also excited for the season and ready to face the challenges it will bring.

“Some challenges I might have to overcome are trying to balance school, golf and my social life,” Cardenas said.

“However, I feel pumped for the rest of the season, and I am excited to see what we can do as a team and hopefully win some events together.”

The women’s team will attend their next tournament on Sept. 19-20 in Savanna Lakes, S.C., hosted by Lander University.

Drew Howard: We are extremely proud and grateful to have this space for our student athletes and department.

Volleyball team competes in Alaska's Ice Block Classic tournament

Dylan Olive Southern Editor

The Florida Southern College Women’s Volleyball team secured a win against a top 20 ranked team while in Alaska to compete in the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic.

The team went 2-2 overall in the tournament, which took place in Fairbanks, Alaska, with two games on Friday, Sept. 2nd, and two more games on Saturday, Sept. 3rd. This is the farthest the team has traveled for a tournament in recent years. Going into the tournament, the Mocs were off to an undefeated start to their schedule, going 3-0.

“At frst, we were a little hesitant about traveling so far and having to compete while adjusting to the time difference, but each of us managed very well,”senior Mika Garza said.

Friday’s action included a 3-2 win against the University of Alaska Anchorage Seahawks, an AVCA Division II Top 25 team, currently ranked at number 20. The Mocs lost their second game that day to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, going 1-3 in the series of matches.

During Friday’s games, several players achieved incredible feats. Mackenzie Petermann and Ali Travis both achieved double-digit kills, Petermann with 12 and Travis with 14. Garza had the most assists against the Nanooks, with 42 in the four-set match, while Beatrice Formalin put up 14 digs in the match.

“The games this past weekend showed us some areas we need to improve,” Garza said. “With all of the talent on our team I am confdent we will train hard, strengthen our weaknesses, and play at a very high level this season.”

During the next two games of the tournament on Saturday, the Mocs took a 0-3 loss against the University of Findlay Oilers and a 3-0 win against the Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets.

Travis and Petermann led the team in kills again, with six each against Findlay, and Jana Gilic with fve. Against Black Hills State, Petermann once again led in kills, with a total of 14, along with achieving 11 digs. Formalin led in digs with 13, while Garza pushed out 30

Photo courtesy of FSC Athletics Mackenzie Petermann watches the ball during a game against Lander.

assists and pulled off a double-double by digging up 10 balls.

“Overall, we performed well in Alaska,” Garza said. “We fell short in two of our games which was pretty upsetting for all of us because we know we did not compete at our best. We are still early in the season and there are things we need to work on; the games this past weekend showed us some areas we need to improve.”

The team said they are excited about future conference matches and a tournament in October in Birmingham, Ala.

“This is the best chemistry we have had on the team over the past few years,” Garza said. “We look and act as a unit, which is a component that will help us in reaching our goals this season.”

Photos courtesy of Florida Southern College Athletics Mock-up images of the new facility were displayed at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Photo by Luci Davis

FSC women's golf coach Robbie Davis and senior Lacey Tucker at practice.

The Adams Athletic Performance Center will help attract and develop the talent of future Moc national champions!