Minaret Magazine Generation Y Issue

MINARET GENERATION Y ISSUE

Generation ‘Hipster’ A misused label

GENERATION NARCISSISTIC A self-expressive generation fighting selfie criticisms

Generation Apathetic

Indifferent millennials need to take a stance

MINARET

ISSUE 80.24 | GENERATION Y EDITION | MAY 2014 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR FACULTY ADVISER

Jessica Keesee Mia Glatter Natalie Hicks John Capouya

NEWS AND FEATURES Lauren Richey Katherine Lavacca ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Justine Parks Jordan Walsh OPINION Annabella Palopoli Paola Crespo Richard J. Whitaker SPORTS Jordan Llanes Griffin Guinta PHOTOGRAPHY Casey Budd ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Brandon Caples SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Doha Madani COPY EDITING Zoe Fowler Khadijah Khan Jackie Braje

WRITERS

Theresa Stanton Jackie Braje Alexandra Sarling Kai Miller Caitlin Malone Hannah Webster Jake Koniszewski Phil Novotny Marcus Mitchell Phil Novotny Greg Praver

PHOTOGRAPHERS Raeshaad Long

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GENERATION NOW Generation know it all. Generation whatever. Generation spoiled. Generation selfie. Generation hook-up. Yep, Generation Y is doomed.

Millennials can’t seem to catch a break. It seems everyday, a news article or psychologist is grouping us in to stereotypes like narcissistic, entitled, lazy, apathetic and dependent. We’re too committed to technology but not enough to relationships.

Our music is vain and soulless compared to the greats of yesteryear, and we’re all exhibitionists, sharing our most private details (and most mundane) on social media.

At The Minaret, we wanted to research these stereotypes to see if we could debunk them or prove them true. We learned a few things. For one, yeah, there’s some truth to those stereotypes. However, we’re really not all that bad. In fact, Generation Y has a lot to offer with our ambition and drive to succeed. We pride our education and our creativity. We’re technologically savvy and expressive.

Plus, doesn’t every generation see the incoming generation as the downfall of society? “Kids these days” is an age-old saying. It didn’t start with us and it certainly won’t end with us or our children.

We’ve explored these stereotypes in full, finding that Generation Y is more complex than a label. We may be entitled, but some of us study hard and are workaholics. We may be attached to social media, but some millennials are using it to promote their musical endeavors. We’ve discovered what it means to be a modern women and a professional with tattoos, broken down the hipster trend, discussed Gen Y’s fascination behind fantasy football and compared millennial music with the music of the past.

We’re Generation Y and we’re here to make waves.

JESSICA KEESEE

JESSICA H. KEESEE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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CONTENTS

8

GENERATION NARCISSISM

23 GENERATION HIPSTER

12 GENERATION MULTITASK

DON’T MAKE MUSIC 26 THEY LIKE THEY USED TO

14 RETROSPECTIVE ROMANCE

BAND 28 GENERATION GROUPIE

19 GENERATION ENTITLED

31 GENERATION TALENT

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34

DEFINING THE MODERN WOMAN

37 TATTED UP & FOR HIRE

44 LIVING THE FANTASY 46 RETWEET THAT.

40 GENERATION APATHETIC

48 GENERATION BANDWAGON

42 GENERATION INTRAMURAL

50 SENIOR SEND-OFFS THE MINARET | PAGE 5

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Generation

Narcissism

By LAUREN RICHEY

s a millennial, you’ve heard condescending “advice” from your parents, teachers and in some cases, even your boss. They watch in disgust as you post a picture of the breakfast sandwich that you ate that morning and then blog about how your hair finally did that flippy thing you like. The older generation silently stews in their office chairs as self-entitled, selfie-taking, interns in their mid-20s start their first day of work.

At first glance, these people seem to have a point. As a millennial myself, I can’t say I haven’t seen some of the signs. Selfies are on a rampage.

It’s becoming more common for the younger generation to post every minute detail of their lives on the multiple social media sites they control. Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and so many other companies are now multi-billion dollar corporations thanks to us.

Psychologist Dr. Jean M. Twenge is one of the most fervent arguers for the conclusion that millennials are obsessed with themselves. In a New York Times article entitled “Seeing Narcissists Everywhere,” Twenge commented on America’s culture of self-esteem. She said, “Younger generations are increasingly entitled, self-obsessed

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and unprepared for the realities of adult life.” Twenge is also the author of a study (in which she bases most of her opinion) that shows the tendency toward narcissism in students is up 30 percent in the last thirty years. Scientists like Twenge and other behavior specialists are essentially saying that the rising superpower in America, counting approximately 80 million citizens between the ages of 18 and 34, are all spoiled, self-involved brats.

There’s also a large amount of conflicting evidence out there. A recent American Freshman Survey, an annual survey compiled of thousands of college freshmen, revealed that some four-fifths of survey respondents rank their “drive to succeed” above average and more students than ever before consider themselves gifted. Yet, Generation Y is also the most educated generation in history, with over 23 percent holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the Bentley University Preparedness Project.

Since when was it a bad thing to want to succeed in life? To want to be a confident and capable member of society? From an article in Forbes, author Hannah Seligson suggested that this behavior may stem from natural development. She said, “The 20s inherently are an inward-looking period of one’s life, where people focus on themselves and personal growth.” Older generations were once in their twenties, and in a similar position as us. Why the constant criticism?

Until recently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders considered the term “narcissistic” as a psychiatric disorder.

So educated scientists and doctors are basically labeling the millennial generation as having a serious mental illness.

One doctor actually believes this.

Psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow stated in his article, “We are raising a generation of deluded narcissists,” that the media is behind millennial egotism. He said, “These

are the psychological drugs of the 21st Century and they are getting our sons and daughters very sick, indeed. We had better get a plan together to combat this great epidemic as it takes shape. Because it will dwarf the toll of any epidemic we have ever known. And it will be the hardest to defeat.”

Take a second to let what Dr. Ablow claims sink in. Done? Okay. Seems to me that this is a kettle and pot issue. Social media is far from being the first technological influence on an entire generation. I’m looking at you, baby boomers.

“Everything the baby boomers did was based on what they saw on television,” said Douglas Gomery, a media expert and journalism professor at the University of Maryland. “They grew up as television grew up, and each had an impact on the other.” With this in mind, the majority of boomers certainly did not turn out as psychologically ruined sociopaths. So why do so many people of this older generation turn their backs on their children, blaming technology, when they were so similarly affected?

We are not the only ones on these corruptive social media sites, either. A new study from iStrategy Labs reported that from January 2011 through the beginning of this year, there was a 25 percent tumble in the number of users on Facebook between the ages 13 and 17, while there was an 80 percent surge in users with an age of 55 and above, according to Fox. The more these facts are brought to light, the more our parents’ generation seems like a bunch of hypocrites.

Ultimately, there is no amount of criticism that is going to change Generation Y. People can bring in however many specialists and doctors they would like to scold us and tell us we’re doomed to fail in society. Yet, there is a truth that they cannot escape from. We are the most self-expressive generation of our kind, and we are the future.

“The 20s inherently are an inward-looking period of one’s life, where people focus on themselves and personal growth.”

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Generation

Multitask

By THERESA STANTON

“Diamonds Are Forever” echoes through graduate creative writing student Kerri Allen’s headphones as she types her paper. She begins singing the lyrics: “They are all I need to please me.” Switching between Pandora, Facebook, Tumblr, Google and her assignment, Allen glances at each for a few minutes before returning to her homework.

Allen’s multitasking makes her the stereotypical Gen Y-er: distracted, short attention span, doing too many things and none of them well. But is that really true of her and all the other young multitaskers out there? Some experts say there is nothing wrong with multitasking and that it might actually be beneficial. Many believe that switching between tasks can lead to distraction, exhaustion and mistakes. However, multitasking cures boredom from assignments, it helps you to learn with distractions such as music and teaches users time management.

In 2012, researchers found that 80 percent of students multitask by using Facebook, email or instant messaging when doing homework, according to the Junco and Cotton’s findings in “The relationship between multitasking and academic performance.” Students said the reason they multitask is to make their work more enjoyable.

Similarly, many students use multitasking to prevent boredom while doing work. “I like to think of [switching between tabs on your laptop] as having built-in breaks during your homework,” Allen said.

Students also tend to listen to music while trying to stay on task. Although most research shows there is a negative correlation between multitasking, a recent study performed by a psychologist hired by Spotify proves otherwise.

Dr. Emma Gray found that students scored 12 percent higher on their math exams when they listened to classical music with 60 to 70 beats per minute while studying.

On top of that, Ohio State University studied the effects of multitasking and music in 2012. Researchers found that those who tend to multitask were more efficient at multisensory integration. In other words, the participants were able to perform better when the music was present than when absent.

Since the multitaskers were used to receiving information from multiple sources, it was easier for them to perform with the unexpected sounds.

Since students are so used to multitasking, they tend to bring it into the classroom. Mayleen Cordero, a senior studying film, said she has seen several students during class multitasking by listening to lectures and watching ESPN. “I think that we are so used to multitasking that we tend to do it anywhere to make everyday tasks and subjects more interesting,” Cordero said.

However, “there is a definite cost to switching tasks such as moving between tabs on a browser,’’ said Stephen Blessing, a psychology professor at The University of Tampa. “Some of the effects are briefly losing track of what you were doing, deciding which task to perform first, and overexerting the brain.”

In the study at Ohio University, researchers also studied 19 college students. Three times a day the students submitted a log of how many activities they performed online and for how long. Students were then asked what motivated them to do each activity. The findings showed that even though performing several tasks reduced learning and thinking skills, the student’s emotional needs were satisfied.

Zheng Wang, one of the researchers from Ohio State University, said, “They are not being more productive––they just feel more emotionally satisfied from their work.”

Allen, who tends to play classical music while doing homework, does not see it as distracting. “I use music to help me get through assignments if I feel myself dragging,” Allen said. “I think it helps me get a lot of what I’m doing done, not necessarily faster, but much more happily.”

It has also been proven that women are better at juggling tasks. At the University of Hertfordshire, the University of Glasgow and the University of Leeds, researchers joined together to perform a study in which women were pitted against men. In the first experiment, 120 men and 120 women were asked to perform one task at a time. The second part of the experiment involved them performing two tasks at the same time. Researchers found that women’s responses were only slowed by 61 percent as compared to men’s which slowed down by 77 percent, proving women are better than men at multitasking.

Allen’s playlist had finished, and she completed her assignment as well. Research has proven that multitasking is not the main deterrent to productivity. Daniel T. Willingham, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, said, “Younger people generally are better at multitasking than older people because working memory tends to peak in the early 20s,” according to Education Weekly. Generation Y has mastered the art of multitasking––maybe everyone else just needs to catch up.

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Retrospective

Romance

By MIA GLATTER

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ack in my day” has always been a statement that our generation fears to hear uttered from our senior family members. It is usually a sign that a lecture or long critique is about to follow about how “kids these days” don’t do this or are too wrapped up in that. This past Easter, after the food was devoured and the plates were cleared from the table, I willingly began what I thought was going to be one of those conversations. As we explore our generation and how we are viewed, a subject that came up a lot was dating and romance. Dating has come a long way with the help of technology, making it a drastically different process than when my grandparents started dating in the ‘50s. I wanted insight from reliable sources on how older generations perceive our Tinder swiping, text message sending generation of lovers. And I was willing to endure whatever criticism came my way.

My panel of experts consisted of my maternal grandma and grandpa, my grandfather’s sister and her husband, my paternal grandmother (my Nana) and a family friend, Mrs. Strohm, who we have adopted as a third grandmother.

“Nana, how did you meet Papa?” I asked my paternal grandmother.

“What?” she said.

I repeated my question louder. “HOW DID YOU AND PAPA MEET?” “Oh. That’s a long story,” she said.

I exchanged a worried look with my brother, but I had anticipated this.

“I met him at the Berkshire country club [in upstate New York] when I was on vacation,” Nana said. “I went with my girlfriends and he was there with his friends. We won a dance competition. Everybody knew him from his dancing but I didn’t dance. Turns out I lived about five blocks away from him and he told me he could take me for a ride on the back of his motorcycle. He was very well-known, not good well-known. Nine months later, your father was born.”

My dad rolled his eyes. “It was basically Dirty Dancing,” he said, and everyone at the table laughed. Nana was 25 when they met in 1957 and Papa was 35.

I followed up asking what everyone’s dating experience had been like.

“Some people dated when they weren’t even allowed to go out with their significant THE MINARET | PAGE 15

other,” Grandma said. “In our generation we never had such a thing like a cell phone, and there was more talking to be done among people than there was with this texting.”

Mrs. Strohm nodded in agreement.

“We had one telephone in the house and everyone used it,” she said. “I think there was a lot more of dating people you knew, like family friends. For instance, if my mother and father and your mother and father we friends therefore I would know their boy and that would be one of my dates. And my father was very strict. If you weren’t home by the time he said, you couldn’t go out for a month.”

I asked her how she and her late husband Andy met.

“That’s a story,” she said. “I used to go to a Catholic youth organization back in those days and it had a country club and they had tea dances on Sundays and I would go and they would be terrible and filled with people I did not want to see. So I would go to the YMCA and I met Andy there. I never told my parents I met him at the YMCA because first of all, he wasn’t a Catholic and second of all my mother kept saying—he became a Catholic the day before he died—but my mother said, ‘Why was a Protestant boy at a Catholic dance?’ and I said, “ I don’t know, Mother” but really it was a Catholic girl at the YMCA.” Everyone laughed at this too.

“I didn’t tell my mother that until a long time after I was married. She would have had a fit.

We dated for three months, and my father told me I couldn’t be married until I was 21 because I had just come out of the convent. So I met Andy when I came out of the convent and then I had to wait two years until I was 21 and then we got married.”

That sounded like another love story ripped straight from the movies and I couldn’t help but think how romantic that sounded. I then asked my panel if they believed that young people today were able to have better relationships due to the aid of technology and its ability to keep us constantly connected.

Mrs. Strohm spoke first.

“I don’t think so. We had more time than young people have today. We didn’t have all the extra activities that young people have,” she said. “In my years, we did not go away to college. If you went to school, you went around the corner or to the closest college and came home day and night. Most of us dated the boy

around the corner, the ones that you saw every day or at school. Or you met them at a dance and don’t tell your mother.”

Jim smiled and spoke up for the first time. Jim is a veteran of the Navy and was in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He always has the most interesting stories to tell.

“I used to like communicating with the girls,” he said. “In my day it was a big thing if you held hands with a girl.”

I decided to dive further into the topic of updated communication. My thoughts automatically thought of the new dating app craze, Tinder. I did my best to illustrate how the app works to my people, explaining that you create a profile and can accept or decline people based on a picture.

“So like speed dating?” Grandma said.

“Kind of, but virtually,” I said.

“How about that!” Nana said, seeming genuinely intrigued by the concept.

“I guess it beats meeting somebody in a gin mill,” Jim said. My mom clarified that meant a bar.

Grandma and Mrs. Strohm asked more questions about the logistics of the app, but the conversation turned to the security of the app.

“But how do you know if you’re getting the person?” Nana asked.

“I guess there’s no way of really knowing until you meet them. You trust the picture,” I said.

“How do you get on this website. Do you have to be interviewed before or something? How do you know if the person you’re meeting is a good person either, though?” Grandma said.

I shrugged and she continued.

“Isn’t it kind of scary, because you hear about the kind of things that happen when people meet on the Internet? How do you know that the picture is the person you’re really going to see?” she said.

My dad joined the conversation at this point.

“It’s more like a blind date, isn’t it? When you go on a blind date, someone hooks you up with somebody and maybe you know about the person and maybe not,” he said.

“Blind dates were in my time,” Nana said.

I have gotten “the Internet is unsafe” talk from my parents multiple times, so I wasn’t surprised at their concerns. I explained to them that there are ways of being safe using these sites and that online or app dating can be a great way to meet people that you otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet.

Mrs. Strohm furrowed her brow a little in disagreement.

“Well you could meet someone who lives 30 miles away if you knew someone who knew them. Or at a party or something like that,” she said. “If I had a daughter or a son, I would not want them going out with someone who they met on the internet or somebody that I didn’t know their background.”

I then asked them what they thought their younger lives and communication habits would have been like if they had access to current technology.

“Years ago, you didn’t get to know a person until you’re with them or married to them or whatever for a while,” Grandma said.

“That’s because there wasn’t enough communication when they were going out.

Communication is great now. I mean, sometimes weeks went by before you went out on the next date or knew what they were doing. I think I was one of the last people without a cellphone, but now I feel naked if I leave the house without it. I can’t get in touch with anybody,“ Grandpa said in reply.

“And there really weren’t opportunities to meet people outside of your scope, you know, your church, school, family, that was about the extent of it,” Mrs. Strohm said.

These were the answers that most surprised me because I think I was expecting them to say that nothing would be different. These answers went against the elderly stereotype that they think everything in their time was better than now. I was impressed that they PAGE 18 | THEMINARETONLINE.COM

could look back at their personal experiences and see that things could have been different and even an improvement, though they were still speaking in generic terms about today’s technology.

As she usually does, my mom read my mind and answered the question.

“I think it’s hard to ask that question of what it would have been like for them because I still don’t think that even people in my age group know enough about technology now to know if I would have been able to use it before,” she said.

She was right, also per usual. My panel had no idea how to send a text, let alone a Snapchat, Facetime or status update. It’s impossible for our generation to expect them to understand how we communicate and date when they cannot understand our medium.

Mrs. Strohm said it best at the end of the discussion.

“I think each age group and the time that they’re living in is the best time for them, and as you look back, it was different than it is today and your children will look back on yours and theirs will be different than yours. It’s something you’ll always have to adjust to,” she said.

My mom then turned to her parents and said, “You guys didn’t tell how you met yet.”

“That’s easy. I was an innocent young girl working in a butcher shop part time after school and he was the dirty butcher in the backroom,” Grandma said.

“I asked her to come into the icebox to look at my tenderloin,” Grandpa said.

A roar of laughter erupted and dessert was served.

Generation

Entitled

By KATHERINE LAVACCA

t’s 8:30 a.m. and my phone begins to play “Come on Eileen.” Somewhere in my nest of sheets, I groggily roll over and lay in bed for a minute. The sun is already streaming in through my window and the sky is a gorgeous blue; it’s a nice day to go to the beach. I get out of bed, eat breakfast and suit up for the full day ahead of me. I get into my car deciding to put the top down because of the inviting Florida morning. I smile knowing the water is going to be cool and I’m reminded of the salty, “sunscreeny” smell that I love so much when you first step onto the soft white sand.

I pull into the asphalt lot, put the top up and grab my name tag. I walk towards the front entrance of Lowry Park Zoo ready for a sixhour shift in the cash office on the third floor, a six-hour shift that will keep me inside the majority of the day. When I leave, the sun will be setting and the air will be cool and heavy.

There seems to be an ongoing rumor that Generation Y is spoiled and feels entitled.

However, recent studies suggest that we may be the hardest-working generation of college students to grace campuses. Four out of five college students are now working part-time while attending school as fulltime students, according to a study done by New Citi Group and Seventeen Magazine in 2013. In most cases, the survey found that these students are working 19-plus hours a week, which can make balancing group projects and study sessions tricky.

The money earned by these jobs isn’t thrown away on concert tickets or raging house parties, either. When broken down, 18 percent of students say they are responsible for the cost of tuition, while 31 percent of students say they are responsible for housing payment. About 41 percent of students say financial aid covers the majority of tuition, but because of an alarming rise in college tuition (41 percent for public schools and 31 for private throughout the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics), students must find ways to subsidize the cost of higher education. The University of Tampa is no exception to that inflation.

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Jerry Yancy Jerry Yancy is a junior marketing major and has worked at H&M part time for two years. Yancy is proud of what he’s achieved through his hard work outside of the UT community.

“I am definitely glad that I work because it helps me become more independent,” Yancy said. “I don’t depend on my parents for much of anything. [For example], I just recently bought a car and signed a lease for my own apartment without a cosigner and things like that.”

Yancy says most students are entitled that go to UT: “There are students here that are driven to work and make their own money, but in my opinion, I see that a lot of the students here have pretty much everything handed to them on a silver platter, whether it’s the car that they drive to just small things like groceries.”

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Kaitlyn o’driscoll Kaitlyn O’Driscoll works part time as a marketing assistant at SB Recommend and is the marketing intern for American Integrity Insurance. She’s glad that she’s been able to have the experience working while in college.

O’Driscoll also believes that being a fulltime student and working part time will help prepare her for the real world.

“I’m very glad I chose this for myself. I knew from the beginning it wouldn’t be easy, but it’s prepared me for the real world and a real full-time job,” O’Driscoll said. “None of my classmates work as many hours as I do, and I think that it gives me more experience. It also shows future employers that I can manage my time efficiently. Most importantly, I think it will help me gain respect from employees and it will show them how serious I am about wanting the job because of what I have sacrificed.”

She feels because most students who are in college really don’t have much experience with working and don’t seem to mind, “I would say people who think our generation are spoiled are right for the most part. Especially going to a private school it’s really common for kids to not ever know what it’s like to work full time until after they graduate.”

Alex hance Alex Hance is a sophomore and entrepreneurship and management information systems major and works part time at the Jaeb Computer Center as a lab technician. He’s recently taken on an internship at Websults, a web design company in Tampa. Hance is grateful for the experience he’s gained at his job and internship knowing he’ll be able to apply what he’s learned towards future jobs.

“I think any type of work experience in college is invaluable,” Hance said. “Even if you’re doing something completely unrelated to your major, you’re gaining practical soft skills that you can apply to almost anything you do in the future.”

Hance doesn’t think our generation is spoiled, just exposed to more technology.

“There will also be those who are entitled or spoiled,” Hance said. “As a whole, I wouldn’t say our generation is any more entitled and spoiled than another. A lot of members of past generations seem to mistake using technological shortcuts for laziness and lack of motivation.

Lindsay nixon Lindsay Nixon is a senior exercise science major and works at the UT Bookstore and the downtown YMCA, and she interns at Back to Work Physical Therapy in downtown Tampa.

Nixon has been working since she was 16 years old.

“I have learned the value of a dollar. It has also taught me time management and to have a strong work ethic. In the working world, going the extra mile when no one else will sets you apart from the rest,” Nixon said.

She plans on going to grad school after graduating and pursuing a job in exercise science. Nixon keeps herself extremely organized in order to stay on top of everything, “I drink 5 Hour Energy, which is horrible for you. I have my organizer, which is color coded by importance. I have my phone with alarms to remind me of things to do. Friday nights is my reflection day where I make sure I made all of my deadlines. Saturday is my personal day for my social life. It’s very regimented but it helps me,” Nixon said.

Nixon thinks the view of our generation being spoiled just comes from the older generations’ perspectives: “I think it’s a fair assumption. I believe that older generations worked harder to get where they were but that’s just because of the lack of resources.

In our generation we literally have everything handed to us yet we don’t take advantage.”

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HIPSTER

Generation

By NATALIE HICKS

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Steven Card Sophomore

Taylor Senior Valentine

Contemporary Guitar Major Long Island, N.Y.

Film Major Tampa, Fla.

“My style is something I never knew until people told me I was ‘artsy.’

When people look at me, they see a musician, an artist and someone who’s not afraid to express themselves.”

“I always try to add something different. Number one rule: black and combat boots with everything.”

College campuses and coffee bars across the U.S. have plenty of hipsters, but what is a “hipster” exactly?

The word derives from the first half of the 20th century when “hip” young people began new, unexpected fashion trends and started listening to jazz music. A number of other trends emerged in decades proceeding, but the “hipster” movement really got its start in the the mid-2000s when people began recycling clothing styles and music genres from previous generations.

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Ellis Catalán Freshman Fine Arts Major, Photography Columbus, Ohio

“I like anything extra. I like blurring the boundary between masculine and feminine, boy and girl. Just being unique and feeling pretty.”

Today, the word “hipster” is thrown around mostly as a joke and even as an insult. If you wear a flannel shirt and listen to indie music, your peers are quick to label you as a hipster. While flannels and indie music are certainly trendy, “hipster” is often used derogatorily to describe someone who tries too hard to avoid trends, which is the hipster trend in and of itself.

While it seems so easy to pluck out a hipster from a crowd, many people dress this way now. Being hipster

Ironic List of Hipster Necessities CLOTHING

• Thick, black-rimmed reading glasses • Beanie • Dirty Converse • Vintage dresses with Peter Pan collars • Abundance of flannel shirts • Skinny jeans • Fedora • Grandpa sweaters • Bow-tie

Megan Faulconer Bridgette Santos Freshman Senior Biochemistry Tampa, Fla.

“I would describe my personal style as urbane bohemian.”

is mainstream (oh, the irony). Walk into any Urban Outfitters and the store will be filled with sorority girls, moms and 12-year-olds filling their dressing rooms with acid wash jeans and fringe crop tops.

Yet, the guy listening to The National and wearing glasses because he legitimately has poor eyesight is the one who gets all the stereotypes thrown at him.

History Major Naples, Fla.

“I would say my style is bohemian mixed with classic and chic styles.

Like Stevie Nicks meets Audrey Hepburn if that makes any sense at all.”

I say we get rid of the word “hipster” and start letting people wear what they want, listen to what they want and do what they want whenever they want.

Because, really, hipsters are just people expressing their own sense of style and personality, whether it be trendy or not.

In that sense, everyone has a little bit of a hipster inside them.

Miscellaneous Supplies

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Hoola-hoop Vinyl record collection Cat Favorite local coffee shop Organic produce Instagram account Bangs (for women), rat tail (for men), dreadlocks (for the extremists) One-gear bike Craft beer Facial piercings Tattoo sleeve Any and all Apple products

Personality Traits • Hate Coldplay • Do photography on the side • Be tech savvy • Have a signature dance style for concerts

theyDON’T make

MUSIC

By JACKIE BRAJE If you listen closely enough, you can almost hear the collective tsk-ing of middle-aged men and women in Bruce Springsteen Tour of ’85 t-shirts all across the amber waves of grain. They’re all shaking their heads and scolding their children’s perturbing EDM and dubstep music with the classic line, “They just don’t make music like they used to.”

But have you ever wondered what their parents thought about their music? And what their grandparents thought about their parents’ music?

It’s predictable, a domino effect, a never-ending stream of putting down the contemporary musician by comparing them to past artists.

For anyone who pays any slight attention to music and critics nowadays, it’s clear that now, more than ever, music has purchased a one way ticket to Shitland—or, so says the wise old sage in the Bruce shirt. Why is this? Does this cliché hold any glimmer of validity, or does it come from the feeling of nostalgia that’s hardwired in all of us? Why can’t our elders put their kids through listening to “Live and Let Die” in the car after school without actually hearing McCartney’s bit of wisdom?

“I think older generations long for music from the past and boast of its higher quality, because it’s what they’re familiar with,” said Kara Delemeester, a sophomore English education and creative writing major.

The truth of the matter is that quality is entirely subjective. When looking to Joni Mitchell or Patti Smith, it’s easy to say, “Wow, I wish artists of our time would write lyrics like that!” And yes, I admit to being guilty of throwing around these exact same accusations from time to time. But Mitchell and Smith were writing for their generations the same way artists like Beyonce, Lorde and Kanye are writing for ours.

Another popular accusation persists of our

like they

USEDto here-and-now artists: It’s nothing but an industry.

And how could anyone deny it? But what most fail to consider is that, drumroll please, this isn’t a new thing. Frank Sinatra, the king of swing, the Man himself, only wrote two of his own songs, and other music idols like Elvis Presley and Diana Ross weren’t responsible for writing any of their own music either.

So we should probably take a step back before we completely discredit the artistry of modern music while longing for the great songwriters of Christmas past.

“Well I think modern music most definitely has value. Every generation, or every decade for that matter, creates a different form of music that contributes to the overall history of the evolution of music,” said Erica Hobar, a junior psychology major.

American music has completely evolved from the porch-sitters of the Delta blues to the computer gurus of early techno music. And with every new wave of genre, there’s a part of us that longs for what’s already been accomplished for older music.

I’m sure without a doubt that psychedelic rock brought about nostalgia for doo-wop, that soul and funk fans were scoffed at by country music listeners and that heavy metal veterans shook their longhaired heads at the kids of early hip-hop.

And so it’s this vicious cycle of discrediting new modern music because, god forbid, it sounds a bit different from what our parents knew while growing up. While it’s hard to suggest that all modern music is of substantial quality (you have to admit, some of it IS pretty bad), it’s still entirely unfair to juxtapose it to the classics.

What if one day, say 10 years from now, we’ll all be saying, “Whatever happened to EDM and lo-fi indie rock? They don’t make music like that anymore.” It’s a Golden Age syndrome that we’ll probably never be able to cure.

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Generation

BAND GROUPIE

By ALEXANDRA SARLING

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It’s mid-July around 7 p.m. and the sun is beginning to set. I’m standing barefoot on the grassy, muddy lawn beside my friends.

The condensation from my cup of beer is dripping down my hand as I go for another sip.

I’m waiting anxiously for the stage and house lights to dim because when they do, the crowd will roar and Dave Matthews Band (DMB) will be walking on stage.

This moment––this moment is everything.

This is why I spend the money and drive hundreds of miles to see Dave Matthews’ concerts. I am in my happy place.

Every summer I look forward to one thing more than anything: The Dave Matthews Band summer tour. My past three summers have begun during Memorial Day weekend up in Saratoga, N.Y. at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This summer will begin the same way, except it will end a bit differently. During Labor Day weekend, I will be on the other side of the country in Quincy, Wash. at The Gorge Amphitheater. Yes, I am traveling all the way to Washington state to see a band. You think I’m crazy now, don’t you?

Attending The Gorge Amphitheater has always been a goal of mine and many other fans, DMB or not. The venue overlooks the

Columbia River and is known for its stunning views of the Columbia Gorge canyon. It’s an amazing way to end the summer camping for three days with the closest of friends.

“The Gorge is like the holy land for DMB fans,” said Chelsey Keenan, a junior advertising and public relations major. “I’m planning on going next summer when I have graduated.”

“I haven’t been to The Gorge but I will one day, that’s for sure [DMB or not],” said Josiah Cafiero, a junior sports management major.

“I enjoy concerts in general and I like seeing different venues so that is a must even if DMB is long gone.”

Generation Y has been stereotyped as having a certain taste in music. Generations previous to us say all we do is listen to Top 40 music, which includes but is not limited to hip-hop, electronic music, pop, dubstep and rock. I’ve heard family members tell me that for our generation, music is just something we listen to and for previous generations, the music they listen to defines who they are. They identify with their rock gods, fellow “groupie” fans and the ideas the band or their music represent. With that being said, I believe there is a large percentage of Gen Y that identifies more with Gen X. THE MINARET | PAGE 29

“I don’t think there really is a reason or trend behind it,” Cafiero said. “I think our generation just really enjoys good music and knows when good music comes around, they’ll stop and really take it in.”

The group in Gen X I am referring to are those who are obsessed with jam bands.

I’m talking about the bands with insane cult followings like Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Grateful Dead and Pearl Jam, just to name a few. These are the ones who get tattoos of their favorite lyrics and symbols, spend all their money on concert tickets and will travel just about anywhere to hear them play.

“I have been to 14 [DMB] shows now,” Cafiero said. “I always check out hometown shows, but I’ll travel for a show pretty often.”

I have currently attended 10 DMB shows and will be attending at least five more this summer. I’m from Long Island, so it has always been easy to travel up and down the east coast for shows.

The amount of money I spend on tickets, traveling and gas money to go to these shows is truly mind blowing. My parents will forever be pissed off at me because of it.

“I do not think it’s insane to travel to see them play for the weekend,” Keenan said. “It’s almost the same as people traveling to Disney PAGE 30 | THEMINARETONLINE.COM

World. Love for entertainment is the same no matter what is entertaining for each individual person.”

“I think it’s insane,” saidAshley Mastrogiovanni, a sophomore criminology major. “I don’t think I would ever travel that far just to see a band.”

In Gen Y, the college students, free spirits and musicians are the ones who are following in Gen X’s footsteps. Why is the younger generation catching on to what the older fans have been doing since before they were born?

Is it a social thing or do these young fans really go for the music?

I don’t think there is a right or a wrong answer to any of these questions. For me, it’s all about the music, the fans and the experience. I have met the most incredible people who share the same love for DMB and its music as I do. I was once told I was part of a cult because the DMB fans are crazy, but I never saw it that way. I don’t think I’m crazy.

My parents may, but I don’t. I just enjoy seeing my favorite band live, no matter how close or far they’re playing, and that’s simply all there is to it.

“People will always be very into music,” Cafiero said. “Like Dave said: ‘Good music is good music and everything else can go to hell.’”

Generation

TALENT

By KAI MILLER

With the rise of social media and the growing popularity of audio platforms like SoundCloud, mainstream artists no longer regulate creative expression. Indie music is making its debut and spreading like wildfire. Tampa Bay is riddled with talented individuals whose lyrical musings are right at your fingertips.

Nick Dessasore For Nick Dessasore, a fellow Tampa artist, social media has played a major role in his musical career.

“If I didn’t have social networking, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

It’s crazy,” Dessasore said.

The 20-year-old originally reigns from New York and notes his style as being a product of his environment, one that is laid back, smooth and draws inspiration from Queens’ legend Nasir Jones.

Dessasore began rapping in 2010 shortly after graduating high school, but, in most recent years has made great strides to get his

Bandcamp | lifelessonsep.bandcamp.com Facebook | facebook.com/ndessasore Twitter | twitter.com/9threeDessasore

voice heard. After joining a collective of local Tampa Bay artists known as RS Clique, Dessasore released his first full-length project “Life Lessons” this past November.

However, without audio platforms like SoundCloud, the promotion of Dessasore’s music would be limited.

“If people don’t have money to help with actual promotion, [social media] helps. It’s a big deal with the internet,” Dessasore said. “You never know who’s watching. Somebody important could take your career in music much further than where it is now.”

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Website | gatsby813.com Facebook | facebook.com/robert.ferdinandesq Twitter | twitter.com/gatsbybabyyup

Gatsby

Local emcee and music producer Gatsby is one of Tampa’s best-kept secrets. Bandcamp has been an integral part of the young artist’s musical journey. Over the past three years, Gatsby has used Bandcamp as well as social media significantly to promote his latest projects and connect with other local artists.

“People can go have conversations [about my music] and promote it by posting Twitter links or SoundCloud links,” Gatsby said.

Although Gatsby was first introduced to music through his father’s love for soul, he was classically trained as a violinist during his years in middle school.

Gatsby’s current sound can be best described as a cluster of his musical history. Prior to dabbling in hip-hop, Gatsby was a member of an alternative rock band called Mammoth and Me. “I get a lot of inspiration from alternative rock music and a little bit of jazz,” Gatsby said.

His first major project, “The Blue Tape,” helped him

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gain notoriety throughout Tampa Bay. This was in part due to the framework of Bandcamp that allowed for easy accessibility to his music.

However, Gatsby does acknowledge the fact that audio platforms do have their drawbacks.

“The music is so accessible and that kind of takes away from the value,” he said. “[But] on the other hand, it’s great; you can send a quick link to someone. Things can spread like wildfire now.”

Bandcamp and SoundCloud are continually updating their platforms, which allows artists to debut their music more efficiently and with a better aesthetic quality. For instance, Bandcamp allows users to adjust their settings so that their music is free if listeners subscribe with their email or listeners can make a monetary donation if need be.

“So, having a platform where you can share your music is ultimately a great thing. It provides a lot of different ways for you to connect people over your music,” Gatsby said.

Craig Tilman In Craig Tillman’s case, social media etiquette has been integral to the success of his music career. “One thing I love about social media is that you really have to learn how to use it as a promo tool.

Because if you don’t use it wisely, you’re wasting your time,” Tillman said.

The aspiring rapper’s passion for hip-hop first bloomed at the age of 12 when he wrote his first rhyme. Since then, the Tampa native has produced two full bodies of work that include The T.E.A.R.S. and Oddball.

His latest efforts have gained him some notoriety, partly due to his use of social media accounts like Twitter.

Often times when Tillman posts links to his music on Twitter, he gets responses from listeners outside of the Tampa area.

Tillman considers this to be a major advantage of using social media as a promotional tool rather than a forum for open discussion.

“You don’t have to move anymore, or necessarily travel

Bandcamp | bluuzone.bandcamp.com Twitter | twitter.com/artisttillman Facebook | facebook.com/craigtillmanmusic

anymore. Because having a Facebook or Twitter makes it easy to reach people in different outlets and in different parts of the world,” Tillman said.

The eccentric artist is also an active user of Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Tillman notes SoundCloud as being helpful in allowing people to listen and download his music for free. But he feels Bandcamp has served as a catalyst when it comes to his music being featured on blogs and websites.

“Bandcamp is way more about presentation,” Tillman said. “It helps people get into the glitz and glamour of your stuff.”

Ultimately, Tillman hopes through avid use of social media and audio platforms that the underlying message of his music, which is self-improvement, will inspire other artists.

“Don’t give up,” Tillman said. “It could be something in there that could work and will work. As long as you keep extending your craft. Find some way to keep going.”

THE MINARET | PAGE 33

defining the

modern woman

By HANNAH WEBSTER

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If you type “modern women” into Google, you’ll find yourself scrolling through an assortment of hits.

From magazine covers and Tumblr accounts dedicated to “laws of modern women” to historical sites and associations that value independence and feminism, it seems everyone has their own definition of what the term truly means and where it should apply.

As a female member of Generation Y, I find it challenging to define what it means to be a modern woman. While I do think there is timelessness to the title that involves independence and freedom from gender stereotypes, the young women of our society receive a variety of mixed messages, especially when it

comes to their own sexuality.

Growing up as a girl in what’s now labeled “the hookup generation” only increased the confusion for many between deciding what they want and what is expected of them.

Half of what I hear emphasizes that my body is my own and mine to do what I want with. I am female, I am sexual and I should be perfectly comfortable conveying that.

While health concerns and personal preference should of course be taken into account on an individual basis, the thoughts others have about my sexual behavior shouldn’t matter, nor should I care about theirs.

Combine that empowering message with the THE MINARET | PAGE 35

MUSIC

lingering classical notion of what being a “lady” is all about and you can imagine why many girls might feel split down the middle. In the midst of this modern ideal that embraces openness of female sexuality, we have the traditionalists telling us that it is wrong to sleep around, that you need to be dating for a while or even get married before becoming intimate with someone. The practice of “slut-shaming” has become increasingly common amongst our own peers, even as we’re known overall for becoming increasingly debauched.

I can’t help but notice that some men also seem mystified as to how this increasingly common attitude involves them. When faced with a woman who says, “No, really. I just want to sleep with you,” they think she has an ulterior motive or is playing some kind of trick, when she really might just be seeking a casual arrangement. Perhaps the incredulous responses are simply part of the transition, but this remains a frustrating factor for many women.

Being a member of the promiscuous culture our age group is associated with is not the ideal for many members of our generation, but it appears to have become the expected norm. Living such a lifestyle may appeal to many, but for some it is simply unnatural. You don’t have to let these stereotypes define you, but the added pressure presents an added challenge to young women trying to find their place in sexual culture.

I used to let these contrasting movements

plague me. I would stress out over every romantic decision in fear of how it would be received by society. But with all these different ideas about how a woman is meant to express (or not express) herself, I came to a conclusion about what it means to be a modern woman: a contemporary woman will lead a life that is conducive to her own personal belief system and not pass judgment on the lifestyle of others.

If a woman wants to wait until marriage, that is her own choice—just as it’s a different woman’s choice when she wants to have sex on the first date. That decision is something she is entitled to. There is so much hostility towards women’s choices, attacking everything from what they do with their bodies to whom they share them with.

It comes from both men and other women and goes after both ends of the spectrum, from the “prudes” to the “whores.”

In order to be modern, we must do away with the expectations and stereotypes. A progressive woman is one who shuns negativity and embraces her sexuality, whether that involves sleeping with whom she wants, when she wants or not sleeping with anyone at all.

Generation Y might be portrayed as the hookup generation, but we are also known for our acceptance of others and increasing diversity. The best way to stay modern is to simply be who you are, be smart about your decisions and to treat the ways of others with respect.

tatted up & for hire

By CAITLIN MALONE

I pulled open the doors to my closet in need of a professional look for my upcoming interview. As I peered inside, my black dress from The Loft caught my eye. I slipped it on and stepped into my heels. I then proceeded to look in my full length mirror.

As my eyes went from head to toe, they froze on my right foot. My tattoo was in plain sight for my prospective employer to see. But times have changed, right? Just because I have a tattoo doesn’t mean I am any less qualified for a job than someone without a tattoo, or at least that’s what I would think.

Generation Y has definitely pushed the boundaries, not just in the workplace but with tattoos and body piercings in general. We’re not ashamed of creative expression in these forms, and because of our generation’s trends, the negative connotation that comes with tattoos and body piercings is slowly fading away.

Fifty-four percent of males and females that make up Generation Y have gotten at least one tattoo, dyed their hair an unnatural color or gotten a piercing somewhere other than their ear lobe, according to pewresearch.org.

In the past, tattoos and piercings had negative THE MINARET | PAGE 37

connotations, especially in the workplace. A study done by CareerBuilder in 2011 showed that 31 percent of surveyed employers said that “having a visible tattoo” was one of their top reasons for not promoting an employee.

Too often, a visible tattoo or untraditional piercings prohibit a qualified individual from getting a job. This is mostly because some believe that tattoos and piercings can serve as a distraction for coworkers and clients, according to Forbes.

I’ll agree with them on that, considering that not all businesses have wholly accepted tattoos in the workplace yet, and some will only let employees show certain tattoos. As for piercings, an inappropriate one can always be taken out.

I’ll even admit that I used to look at tattoos in a very negative way, and now I have one and am saving up for my second. My parents weren’t very happy when they found out, possibly because they’re part of a generation that doesn’t see tattoos as something appropriate or professional looking, and they worried about how it would affect my chances of getting a job.

But this idea seems to be slowly changing.

“We have no formal policy about tattoos because we value our differences and recognize that diversity and inclusion are good for our business and make our company stronger,” said Ferris Morrison, Bank of America spokeswoman, according to Forbes.

It looks like corporations are beginning to realize that a person’s professional credentials speak louder than how many tattoos or piercings they have.

Forbes also interviewed Bruce Potts, a professor at the University of New Mexico with a large tribal tattoo on his face. “I haven’t had trouble getting a job because success is all about how one presents him or herself, and doesn’t solely depend on appearance,” Potts said.

These things are becoming more commonly accepted with each year that passes, but I still think that in some professions, visible tattoos will be forbidden so that a “professional” appearance can be achieved.

Stephanie Thomason, associate dean for the College of Business here at The University of Tampa, warns students against showing tattoos in a job interview.

“I’d advise students to cover their offensive and pervasive tattoos and not wear piercings in job interviews––or in the workplace in general,” Thomason said. “People may draw conclusions about them that aren’t fair or warranted.”

Even though times are changing, it would be wise for people of Generation Y to cover their tattoos and remove visible body piercings in places other than their ears until they are aware of the company’s policies when it comes to things like that.

Considering the amount of companies that are becoming more open to visible tattoos and body piercings at work, it may not be like this for much longer. However, most companies are still in that transition phase of learning to accept more creative expression when it comes to an employee’s appearance in the workplace. So for now, I’d say it is always better to be safe than sorry.

In 2011, 31% of surveyed employers said that having a visible tattoo was one of their top reasons for not promoting an employee

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GENERATION

By JAKE KONISZEWSKI

APATHETIC Generation Y is known as the apathetic generation, but whatever.

Apparently we can hear about the homeless freezing to death, countries torn apart by war and school shootings and go, “eh,” and continue checking Facebook. It happens all the time and it doesn’t affect us, so why care? Even I’ve been guilty of falling in to this mindset when I read a news story.

There are plenty of people who are apathetic, but I think people sometimes use apathy as a defense mechanism. They may not know enough about a subject to properly back up their opinion so they shrug and say, “whatever.” “This defensive, self-protective, fear-based apathy is sometimes needed to help maintain a worldview that blinds us to our own unpleasant feelings and helps protect our self-esteem,” said Michelle Sicignano, Licensed Master Social Worker and staff writer for Social Justice Solutions. They don’t want to look too opinionated or gung-ho on a subject in case they scare off peers.

This can also explain why we are also called Generation Gray; nothing is black and white for us.

It can mean that our generation does not believe in clear definitions of right or wrong or we listen and take in both sides of an argument, which is PAGE 40 | THEMINARETONLINE.COM

good. On the other hand, it can also mean we avoid feeling strongly on a subject. What if your peers think the opposite of what you think? You don’t want to disappoint them so you keep your opinion to yourself.

Don’t edit your views because you want approval from others. If you have to hide your true opinions from your friends, they are not your friends. We should also not be lazy. If you want to support a cause, do all the research you can so you don’t have to default to apathy to conceal ignorance.

Don’t just read a headline and post the link to the article to your Facebook page and think you made a major difference. “We often complain about political and social issues,” said Nicholas Pelletier, a sophomore accounting major. “I never see anyone actually do anything to change the problem. They usually just complain about it on the Internet.”

The students I spoke to seem to blame technology for our apathy. “Technology definitely helps us be connected, but in a very cold summarized way that helps create apathy,” said Camilla Swift, a junior sociology major.

“Our generation talks with machines. Press one for this, press two for that. We get programmed to

think in terms of efficiency and devalue empathy.”

Rosa Emmanuelli Gutierrez, a junior sociology major, was slightly more forgiving. “Many people of our generation are submerged into the superficiality of social media, but that doesn’t mean that all are indifferent. Everyone has different tastes.”

It’s easier to get involved with certain causes these days when you have access to all sorts of information about world events and causes through Facebook, Twitter and various news sites. We should take advantage of this information and use it to help raise awareness and find solutions. It’s true that our generation has gotten involved with our online lives to the point we can forget about what’s happening around us, but I don’t think that’s true for everyone.

Even though apathy exists in our generation, there are still plenty of passionate students and faculty on this campus. We have Christian students saying grace with their friends at lunch in the cafeteria, groups devoted to Republicans and Democrats and even a club devoted to students passionate about their cars. GLTSBA students proudly proclaim their sexuality and preach acceptance in hopes of helping closeted students. Students from the Asian Media Club cosplay as their favorite anime characters and attend conventions with other cosplayers. Some people may be apathetic to certain causes, but that

does not make them apathetic overall. Our clubs and organizations show that UT has passionate, driven students.

“While we may or may not be the majority of students, PEACE is a place where the passionate come together to make positive sustainable change, and I couldn’t disagree more with the fact that our generation is apathetic,” said Becky Vaclav, junior and Orientation and Alternative Breaks Coordinator for PEACE, an organization dedicated to increasing volunteerism at UT through direct service and advocacy.

It’s not like we’re the first generation to be called apathetic. “The morals of the children are tenfold worse than formerly,” said Lord Ashley, who spoke in the House of Commons all the way back in 1843. All generations feel as if the younger generation isn’t up to snuff with the current generation. Chances are we’ll say the same thing to our children’s generation.

I am not going to complain if someone calls our generation apathetic. While apathy may be more common in our generation, it doesn’t define the individual people who take time out of their days to support causes all over campus, like saving the environment through recycling, encouraging students to get tested for STIs and raising money for cancer research.

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The bright lights of the Naimoli Athletic Complex suddenly turn on, shining brighter than ever. It’s 10 p.m. and only one thing is on your mind: the intramural game at hand. The cheers of faint applause from your three loyal fans can be heard in the distance as your team charges onto the field with more bravado than a Terry Crews Old Spice commercial. Classes are over for the day and it’s time to get down to business.

Yes, it’s only an intramural game, but to you, the casual sportsman, it’s everything. This is your chance to unwind, to show the world that music majors can play sports too, that biology aficionados can throw a pretty mean fastball and math nerds can do more than just keep score.

At UT, intramural sports are a common staple in the average student’s lifestyle. And why wouldn’t they be?

Intramural sports require only a few hours of time per week out of your busy schedule and offer a chance for students to learn new skills––all without the rigorous pressures of being an NCAA athlete.

“I think students take intramurals so seriously because most [people] have played organized sports in the past PAGE 42 | THEMINARETONLINE.COM

and still have that competitive mindset when playing the game. Even though the outcome doesn’t actually count, they still want to win,” said John Tacconi, a freshman finance major.

It’s clear that the university also considers them to be a valuable commodity to the school, considering the newly built athletic complex is officially titled The Naimoli Family Athletic and Intramural Complex, and club sports are often emphasized by UT tour guides looking to persuade potential students to attend school here.

According to Chris Gottlick, UT’s resident intramural sports coordinator, nearly a third of UT’s population participated in intramural sports this year alone. “This year we’ve had close to 2,000 unique participants.

When considering all sports across the board and repeat customers, there have been nearly 4,000 participations.

We are very satisfied with those numbers, though we continue to strive to reach more students,” Gottlick said.

That being said, the University of Tampa is not the only school to have been taken captive by this national

GENERATION

INTRAMURAL

By GRIFFIN GUINTA

“EVEN THOUGH THE OUTCOME DOESN’T MATTER, THEY STILL WANT TO WIN.”

sports epidemic. In fact, almost every university across the country provides some kind of club sport program for students to enjoy, ranging all the way from flag football to quidditch. According to the Princeton Review, Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. ranked first in overall intramural sport participation in 2013, tallying about 92 percent of students participating in intramural sports at least once in their college careers.

Perhaps the biggest draw of intramural sports at UT is the ability to register and form a team with ease. Any student or faculty member can create a team on the third party website IMLeagues.com and must only render a $20 forfeit deposit as collateral to create a team.

Though the system is fairly easy to access, the entire infrastructure is not flawless. Many believe improvement is needed in the refereeing department, since many of the players double as referees.

“It’s not fair to have students that play in the [particular] sport also reffing other games in that sport.

It’s a conflict of interest,” said Mike Ames, a sophomore sports management major.

The website also allows students to see the schedule for the upcoming week and even displays every user’s win-loss record and career statistics, so you can boast about that one time you went undefeated in dodgeball.

Speaking of dodgeball, intramurals offer a wide variety of eclectic sports that aren’t often played at the collegiate or professional level. Where else can you play unique sports such as ultimate frisbee, floor hockey or indoor soccer in a competitive setting?

Once you’ve finally convinced your friends to join your latest athletic endeavor, it’s imperative that you and your cronies invent a creative nickname, preferably something that coincides with the sport you’re playing.

A softball team nicknamed Got the Runs or an ultimate frisbee team named the Disc-iples are two prime examples of a perfect blend of creativity and originality.

It may sound peculiar, but intramural sports are like a buffet. They offer a wide range of selections and you can try all of them as long as you don’t put too much on your plate. Some leave a good taste, while others could have easily been skipped.

THE MINARET | PAGE 43

Living FANTASY the

By MARCUS MITCHELL

America’s pastime, baseball, was first played in 1876. After that point in American sports history, Americans have seen the creation of nationally acclaimed sports such as football in 1869 and basketball in 1891. But in today’s day age there is a new sports phenomenon which has particularly struck a chord with Generation Y. Fantasy sports have risen as a premier form of entertainment for sports fans wishing to take their fanaticism to the next level.

Fantasy sports are the combination of extensive statistic collecting alongside the hyper-competitive culture that has become a staple of Generation Y. Fantasy players spend hours upon hours researching players to draft for their leagues and fantasy players need to spend at least 10 hours a week for a chance to win championships and virtual trophies. Over 33.5 million Americans participated in at least one fantasy league in 2013, which is roughly 10 percent of the entire U.S. population, according to the Fantasy Sports Trading Association (FSTA).

Fantasy sports serve as perfect sources of active entertainment for college students who look to exert some sports knowledge and compete with others.

It’s that intensity that draws in sports fans to take part in fantasy. Freshman film and media arts major Micaela Figueroa is currently in a relationship with someone in the middle of their fantasy baseball season.

“He spends a significant amount of time on fantasy and is dedicated to knowing facts about any player he can,” Figueroa said. “Sure, whenever we are together he gets constant fantasy updates on his phone, but I’m totally fine with it because I knew beforehand that he and fantasy are a package deal.”

But not everyone is buying in to the hype. Freshman communications major Leila Marie argues the opposite.

“I mean, it is sort of helpful in terms of management skills I guess. But people get way too competitive for something with so much luck involved,” Marie said.

Opposition to fantasy is nothing new for the industry.

Fantasy sports found national criticism this past football season when Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received death PAGE 44 | THEMINARETONLINE.COM

threats after a poor performance. The Ray Rice incident is nothing new for our generation of fans who have been known to cross the line with other incidents like court storming after college basketball games.

However, while Generation Y has led to more tension between fans and players, our generation has become one of less tension between members within the fantasy community.

One particular gain that Generation Y has proven is that now women have become an almost regular part of the game, whereas before, women fantasy players were hard to come by.

In fact, women make up a significant 20 percent of fantasy participants now, according to the data recorded by FSTA. When she isn’t studying, freshman marine biology major Courtney Mastrogiovanni is an avid fantasy sports fanatic.

“Fantasy sports are definitely not as male dominated as they used to be. I know a lot of girls who fill out March Madness brackets and do fantasy leagues ranging from hockey to NASCAR,” Mastrogiovanni said. “It’s great to beat a guy who underestimates girl players and we can be just as sports savvy as the guys.”

We are a generation of winning. We have taken the casual gentlemen’s game of fantasy football and turned it into this multimillion industry filled with daily leagues and purchasable draft kits.

With 10 percent of the U.S. participating in fantasy, FSTA reports that sales related to fantasy sports, such as Insider subscriptions and league entry fees, have created an industry which tops $3 billion annually.

FSTA also reports that 20 percent of our generation of youth play fantasy sports, and it is particularly popular on UT’s campus. For those of you on the fence about fantasy sports, you should believe the hype and at least try a league before casting the idea out.

We are a generation of insane fans and fantasy fanatics of all kinds. A generation of a new brand of entertainment which seems hard to believe. A generation of fantasy.

RETWEET THAT. Social Media Dominates the Sports Landscape

By PHIL NOVOTNY Since the invention of Twitter, human interaction has increased tenfold, especially between celebrities and the average person. There is no doubt that social media has opened a door to Hollywood that society has never witnessed before. Generation Y has opened the ears of Hollywood stars by hearing the public’s opinion, but there is a point where people go too far and our generation needs to restrain from abusing the great privilege that technology has given us.

Hollywood is not the only place where fan and celebrity interaction is happening, as it is very prevalent in the world of sports. Before social media, the only way to interact with your favorite players was by going to see them play. Now, sports icons of Generation Y like Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis are now available via Twitter.

A fan can post something on a player’s Twitter page with the hopes of responding back.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Nate Burleson and St. Louis Rams running back Daryl Richardson are the most notable players to praise their fans’ support of them and their respective franchises.

“The increased communication between the average person and athlete is great. This is really the only way fans can interact with athletes and it gives fans the opportunity to show their support for their favorite players. It’s really the only way fan voices can be heard and lets fans actually get their opinion heard,” said Corey Maino, a junior sports management major.

The NFL has been the center of social media conversation in the sports world. Recently, Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Roddy White made a bet with a fan on Twitter during the NCAA Tournament. Sports fan Dylan Hoyt bet White that Mercer University would upset Duke in the second round of the tournament.

White said that if Mercer upset Duke then

he would give Hoyt season tickets right on the 50-yard line first row. Mercer did beat Duke that day and White gave Hoyt two season tickets, two tickets to the Super Bowl, a sideline pass to a Falcons game and an opportunity to be a VIP guest at training camp.

Unfortunately, sports fans also abuse the privilege of social media by going too far. During the 2013 NFL season, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson received criticism from the fans for underperforming in games which hurt the fans fantasy value or just hurt their team’s chance to win.

Michael Ames, a sophomore sports management major, sees the negative outcomes that can come from these fanto-athlete interactions.

“I think it’s great that the average Joe can easily communicate with an athlete. However, working for multiple professional sports teams, I know that there is a very strict social media policy set by the leagues and the teams that can often get players in trouble.

It’s cool to get retweeted by your favorite athlete, but it would also suck if he got suspended or fined for reacting to something that a fan said,” Ames said.

Whether you are constantly refreshing your Twitter feed to find out what Peyton Manning ate for breakfast or find the whole social media scene to be a waste of time, it’s sheer impact can’t be denied.

The degree of separation between people is exponentially decreasing and will only continue to decrease.

We live in a world where we can find out what our idols are doing with the click of a button. Who needs an autograph when your favorite athlete retweets you on the daily?

THE MINARET | PAGE 47

GENERATION BANDWAGON

BY GREG PRAVER

As a journalist, it is not my place to determine who is and is not a bandwagon or fair-weather fan. The mentality of those fans are to only show support for their favorite team during good times and vanish during times of trouble. They are usually the first to leave a team and the last to support a successful team.

I located a Huffington Post MLB fan map that shows which team is most rooted for in each county across the U.S. The New York Yankees dominate all counties of New York State and many different states around the U.S. Why would people in counties in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia root for the Yankees if the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals play in or near those states? Why don’t any counties in New York state favor the New York Mets? Even in Queens, where the Mets play, the Yankees are favored.

Junior communication major Kinane Palamittam lives in Dubai. He is a fan of Manchester United soccer, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Green Bay Packers. When hearing this, one might assume that he just likes winning teams.

However, after getting the chance to talk to him, I found out that he is as loyal as can be.

“Back in Dubai, the National TV networks only show the top teams [because those networks know that they will receive high viewership], but I would stay up until 3 a.m. to watch my favorite teams play because of the big time difference between the U.S. and Dubai.

For me, I am all about loyalty when it comes to my sports teams, and media coverage really has a lot to do with PAGE 48 | THEMINARETONLINE.COM

why I root for the teams that I root for,” Palamittam said.

Many fans gravitate to a certain team because they have an affinity for a player on said team. When a player leaves one team for another, those fans switch their loyalties to the new team. I always wondered what percentage of the current Miami Heat fans were Heat fans before LeBron James and Chris Bosh signed with the team.

Sophomore sports management major Cody Citro likes teams from different regions of the country. He is a fan of the Phoenix Suns, Colorado Avalanche, Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Growing up, as I grew an interest in each sport, I followed whoever was the best at the time or whoever had players that I really enjoyed watching and looked up to. ... The Suns I started following when Steve Nash was in his prime. There is no player that I look up to more and since he played the majority of his career there, I grew an interest in the [whole] team instead of just Nash,” Citro said.

Citro is a fan who remained loyal to his favorite teams in spite of the key players moving elsewhere.

Whenever I encounter people wearing team apparel, I see mainly the Yankees, Dodgers, Heat, Seahawks, Patriots and Blackhawks represented. This leads me to believe that many people base their loyalties on whether or not a team is winning. In reality, it will be hard to find someone who will admit to being a bandwagon fan. But shirts don’t lie, do they?

Senior Minaret senior staff say good-bye

Jess

Send-offs Jessica Keesee Editor-in-Chief I’m going to miss this: crazy late Tuesday nights in the newsroom with some of my best friends. I’m going to miss leading a staff of some of the most talented, creative, zany and beautiful individuals who made every stress-filled issue worth it. I picked up my first copy of The Minaret on a campus tour. I looked at my mom and said, “I’m going to be the editor of this one day.” Wow. Was I presumptuous.

And maybe slightly out of my mind, but it happened and it’s the best experience I’ve had in my four years here at UT. This academic year has been both my greatest and my hardest. I can say that The Minaret has made me a stronger editor, writer and teammate. It’s taught me more about journalism and working in a real newsroom than any class could have. But the best part of The Minaret is the family I gained: The Minafriends.

To Mia, I found my quirky soul mate in you. You’re going to rock next year as editor-in-chief! To Natalie, my partner in fashion and layout design, we better keep in touch and meet up on our worldly travels! To Lauren, my side-pony sister, you’re one of the sweetest people I know and I expect you to keep Ms. Mia in check as managing editor! To Jordan Walsh (Jurtle), I will never forget your awkwardness and random rolling entrances into my office. You were my favorite. Just, shh! Don’t tell anyone... To Griff, I couldn’t ask for a harder working editor. To Katherine, swerve. You’re hysterical and I adore you. To Bella, we’ve battled it out on content, but I’m glad we’ve pushed through! You’re one of the most intelligent people I know. To Jack, the strongest man in the world. ‘Nough said. To Llanes, you have a heart of gold. Thanks for always checking up on me. To Justine, the twerkin’ queen, you’ll make it on my quote board any day. To the stunning Casey, thank you for putting up with all our photography demands and being one cool chick the whole time.

To Paola, my bestie, thanks for being my shoulder when times were rough and my laughing buddy during those crazy Tuesday nights.

And to Professor Capouya, we couldn’t have done this without you.

Thank you for your wisdom. I am a better journalist because of it.

Some day, when I’m that fashion journalist I’ve always dreamed to be, I’ll thank The Minaret for getting me there.

Han nah

Hannah Webster Sex & Love Columnist People give me strange looks when I tell them writing for The Minaret helped me grow as a person. Any other writer could say this and it would be perfectly acceptable, but when the resident sex and love columnist says it, imaginations tend to wander.

While yes, the column did help me to discover a lot about my own beliefs concerning the sexier side of current events, being on paper staff in general taught me a lot of lessons that you would be hard-pressed to find in a classroom. I learned to form strong opinions while maintaining an appreciation for being proven wrong. I learned how to juggle a multitude of activities spanning across an array of different disciplines.

I learned how to behave in a work environment with some type of a hierarchy and that shutting my mouth is sometimes the best option. I learned to take criticism seriously without letting it break me. I think back on all the stories I’ve written and admittedly cringe in shame at some while glowing with pride or even simply laughing about others. Sometimes I admittedly think, “Hmm, I probably should have kept that story to myself,” but know in my heart that even the mistakes show my progression. I firmly believe that I am a different person now from the time I wrote that first article my freshman year. The Minaret, and of course my MinaFamily, acted as a way for me to work through that transition to graduate as a person I am happy to have become.

Paola

Paola Crespo Opinion Editor The Minaret has been a huge part of my life. It’s a big commitment that involves many late nights. And let me tell you, things get weird after 2 a.m. Our quote board is a tribute to the deterioration of the mind once it’s past the point of exhaustion.

At times, I was so swamped with work that I honestly questioned my decision of becoming opinion editor. But those thoughts were fleeting. Once I’d see the great issue we had created through all the stress and caffeine, I knew it was worth it.

To my writers who went above and beyond to make sure Opinion was the best section it could be, thanks for your hardwork and dedication. Jess, thank you for being such an amazing editor-in-chief. You’re one of the most dedicated, hardworking, talented people I know.

I am so happy to be a part of the staff this year. Guys, you are truly a crazy, fun, special group of people. The tears and laughter we have shared this past year have meant so much to me. I’m blessed to call you my Mina family.

My time at The Minaret will be one of the most cherished memories of my years at UT. I’ve grown so much both professionally and personally since I first started writing as a terrified freshman. The lessons I’ve learned are invaluable.

I will miss this office and the dear people in it. Thanks for everything, guys.

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CRE D IT S CREDITS

COVER Photo by Casey Budd EDITORIAL | Page 3 Photo by Casey Budd GENERATION NARCISSISM | Page 8-11 Graphic by Lauren Richey GENERATION MULTITASK | PAGE 12-13 Photo by Casey Budd RETROSPECTIVE ROMANCE | PAGE 14-18 Photos by Mia Glatter GENERATION ENTITLED | PAGE 19-21 Photo by Casey Budd Photos courtesy of Kaitlyn O’Driscoll, Jerry Young, Alex Hance and Lindsey Nixon GENERATION HIPSTER | PAGE 23-25 Photos by Casey Budd and Natalie Hicks THEY DON’T MAKE MUSIC LIKE THEY USED TO | PAGES 26-27 Neil Morall/Flickr GENERATION BAND GROUPIE | PAGES 28-29 Michael._Spencer/Flickr Photo courtesy of Dustin Spataro keepwoodstockalive!/Flickr GENERATION TALENT | PAGES 31-33 Nick Dessasore/Facebook RGatsbyFerdinand/Facebook Craig Tillman/Facebook TATTED UP & FOR HIRE | PAGES 34-35 Photo courtesy of Lauren Kennedy Model Betty Funderburk Photo by Casey Budd DEFINING THE MODERN WOMAN | PAGES 36-39 Photos by Casey Budd GENERATION APATHETIC | PAGES 40-41 Photo by Casey Budd GENERATION INTRAMURAL | PAGES 42-43 Photo by Raeshaad Long LIVING THE FANTASY | PAGES 44-45 Photo courtesy of David Clow RETWEET THAT | PAGES 46-47 Photo by Casey Budd GENERATION BANDWAGON | PAGES 48-49 Ken Fager/Flickr SENIOR GOOD-BYES | PAGES 50-51 Photos by Casey Budd SPECIAL THANKS John Capouya, Chris Lis, Tiffany Garcia, Kristin Anderson, Tim Harding, Keir Magoulas, David Reamer Congratulations to Mia Glatter and Lauren Richey, The Minaret’s new editor-in-chief and managing editor, respectively! We know you’ll do great next year, girls!

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