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THE ORACLE

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H F L O R I DA

Additional funding for Bullstock awaits approval from SG Senate

By Jesse Stokes E D I T O R

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C H I E F

Historic music festivals such as Woodstock and Coachella have been around for decades.

USF has its own version — Bullstock.

The festival, however, could be in jeopardy depending on the amount of money the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is funded from Student Government (SG).

Bullstock is an event put on

by CSI, and the department initially requested an additional $100,000 to be added to their existing budget of $123,000 to fund the event from the Finance Committee during a meeting Tuesday.

However, according to SG Sen. Yusuf Fattah, who also sits on the committee responsible

for initially allocating dollars to events like Bullstock, the request was only approved for $50,000, not the full $100,000.

The money allocated by the Senate is from the Activity and Service (A&S) Fee, which is paid through student tuition.

Fattah said Bullstock’s 201718 budget was $246,000. The $50,000 that was passed by the Finance Committee this week and awaits a vote from the entire Senate puts forward the option of a budget totaling $173,000 for this year’s Bullstock, bringing the difference to roughly $73,000.

Fattah said CSI also presented multiple tiers of options for artists. “Tier one” was the most expensive, “tier two” was defined as a mediumlevel rate and “tier three” was

The Senate will either approve or deny the proposal passed by the Finance Committee this week, which would add an additional $50,000 to the budget for Bullstock. ORACLE FILE PHOTO the cheapest artist options.

Discussions of specific

artists that could be brought in for the event did not happen,

Celebrating the legacy of a king N E W S

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Building a wall to unify, not divide

By Alyssa Stewart

In suits and long dresses, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through song, prayer and spoken word at the MLK Plaza Wednesday night. Candle light reflected in between the crowd of about 60 people who listened intently to guest speaker, Bruce Gelin, a 1997 Alpha Phi Alpha initiate. After a closing song, the silent audience rested their candles on the MLK bust and had a moment of silence to commemorate his legacy. ORACLE PHOTO/LEDA ALVIM

according to Fattah, although

E D I T O R

Traditionally, a 6-foot high and 20-foot wide wall is meant to divide.

However, artist Bosco Sodi is using his 1,080 brick structure to unify.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a viewing of the “Muro” installation in front of the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) building. The purpose of the exhibit is for participants to disassemble the sculpture as a community

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and will allow them to take a clay brick to keep at the end.

The dismantling of the piece will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sodi will hold a reception to say final remarks from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

According to a CAM press release, the project was inspired by Sodi’s interest in organic processes, such as the clay used to construct the bricks. The bricks were individually hand made in Oaxaca, Mexico and sealed

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The Oracle THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1966

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Alyssa Stewart

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Aida Vazquez-Soto

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NEWS

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CONCERT

Continued from PAGE 1

example options were presented. Tier one included examples like All Time Low and AWOLNATION. Tier two included Plain White Tees and All American Rejects, among others, and the bottom tier included The Wombats and Night Riots.

Fiscal bills are not allowed to be edited on the Senate floor, so the request will either be approved or denied.

If the $50,000 is added to their budget, Bullstock would be able to fund a tier one artist, one lower-tier artist, and one “very bottom artist,” according to Fattah.

He added that some of the other members of the Finance Committee were having a hard time allocating hefty amounts because they would rather have dollars roll over to the next year.

“We need to spend this money to give students good programs now,” Fattah said.

“They are spending this money (in tuition) and this is what they should be spending it on.

“Had there been more money, I think the conversation would have been different.”

Monica Miranda, the director of CSI, could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.

Funding similar events to Bullstock have been points of contention within the Senate in the past and, according to Fattah, that is because it

comes down to “per-head numbers.”

“The reason people do not like funding concerts at this level is because they like to stress on per-head numbers,” Fattah said. “A lot of times when you are seeing Bullstock or the Homecoming Concert get attendance levels of at max 10,000 people, but you are spending $200,000 on artists, a lot of time that breakdown does not make sense in their minds because they are just considering per-head amounts and not how much it would cost a student to attend a concert outside of USF.” Fattah added that events like Bullstock help to shape the overall student experience.

“A lot of people have a hard time realizing that a lot of times at universities, concerts are not a luxury, it is the expectation,” Fattah said. “If we want to move USF in the next direction, a lot of times that is with concerts and these concerts could really improve our experience at the end of the day.”

Fattah encourages students to voice their opinions on the funding of Bullstock at Tuesday’s Senate meeting at 6 p.m. in the Senate Chambers.

“A lot of senators minds can be changed on the Senate floor, so I would encourage any students who have an opinion on this, who want to see this request pass through to come to the Senate meeting and voice their opinions at the beginning of the meeting to make it clear what they want,” Fattah said.

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CAM

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As a part of its exhibit, The Visible Turn, the Contemporary Art Museum will host an artist and community members to construct and promptly destroy a 6-foot high wall. ORACLE FILE PHOTO with Sodi’s signature.

“Muro” simply translates to “wall” in English from Spanish.

Each person who participates in the exhibition will receive a handbag and a “certificate of authenticity,” according to the CAM press release. The items serve as a token of gratitude from the artist.

Sodi is one of the four artists who is showcasing their art in The Visible Turn: Contemporary Artists Confront Political Invisibility exhibit.

The exhibit is curated by Christian Viveros-Fauné and is meant to showcase the “disenfranchisement of people and ideas” as well as reflecting

on “today’s social, political, economic and cultural life.”

USF students, as well as community members, have taken interest in this particular exhibit, according to Leslie Elsasser, the curator of education for CAM. About 60 USF students will participate in the installment and students from Blake High School and a Hispanic Outreach Program will also be in attendance.

The project has also been done in 2017 at Washington Square Park in New York and in London in front of the National Theatre.

“We’re really excited to have an international artist come and share his project for our very diverse student body,” Elsasser said. “That’s really

important for an academic environment and we try and do many things that will be different on USF campus.”

Elsasser does not want to speak for the artist, but she said one of the reasons for building the brick wall is because of the unity that could be accomplished in one day. She said the exhibit is important to showcase since students have shown interest in culture and the political nature of the world.

“The show really is very inclusive of nationality, ideas, humanity, goodwill,” Elsasser said. “It’s about the idea of culture and inclusivity and what we can do together.”

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OPINION

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Supporting #MeToo is not anti-conservative

Women are able to support #MeToo and conservative ideals at the same time. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Aida Vazquez-Soto O P I N I O N

E D I T O R

The rise of #MeToo and its reach shocked the world after a viral tweet from actress Alyssa Milano took more than a decade-old concept and made it a movement.

But as with all movements, while some rushed to support #MeToo, many others pushed back and got left behind — most notably, conservative women.

Being conservative does not exclude or protect women from the sexual harassment and violence that #MeToo targets.

While #MeToo can have its dark side, the principles that guide it are ideas that conservatives can and should support.

By far the most important feature of the #MeToo movement is its decentralized message.

Unlike other movements, like The Women’s March, #MeToo lacks good or bad figureheads. It instead relies on the universality of sexual harassment and sexual

violence.

It also makes #MeToo far more personal and less ideological because there is not a bureaucratic group or committee deciding who can and cannot be a part of the movement or defining experiences. #MeToo is also not inherently antithetical to conservative ideals.

It is not a movement that proffers up solutions, which can often be divisive and partisan. It focuses on the problem and the dialogue around that issue, creating a space where women and men can discuss what would protect and help victims.

The movement is sometimes criticized by conservatives. It is owned by Hollywood elites. It puts men at risk of false accusations and more.

These are valid concerns, but they exist beyond the scope of the core ideas of #MeToo. A poll from The Economist found that Republican women over 65 were by far the most hostile group to the #MeToo movement,

with 42 percent saying that false accusations were worse than unreported assaults.

These are women who have grown sons who they fear for.

These same women also have a tolerance for behavior that their younger counterparts find reprehensible, perhaps because these conversations did not happen sooner.

Conservatives need to recognize that empowering women to share their stories is an issue of free speech and self-determination.

In the same ways that conservatives find comfort in community, #MeToo created a community for women to share those experiences and heal and respond.

Being conservative isn’t mutually exclusive to supporting women.

Aida Vazquez-Soto is a senior majoring in political science and economics.

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Democrats should not take fossil fuel money

By Jared Sellick C O R R E S P O N D E N T

The Green New Deal has been a contentious issue within the Democratic Party. The proposed plan would consist of a federal jobs guarantee as well as a pledge to get off fossil fuels entirely in the U.S. by the year 2050.

Rather than implementing the Green New Deal select committee supported by the Sunrise movement and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the new leader of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and other House Democrats have implemented a different select committee made to combat Climate Change.

However, this new bureaucracy fails to keep the influence of the fossil fuel industry from the important decisions regarding climate change.

The proposed Green New Deal has brought national attention to the Democrat’s plans to mitigate climate change and, in the process, has pointed out the glaring conflicts of interest among House Democrats.

An issue often criticized by environmentalists is the Democratic Party’s willingness to accept contributions by the very industries they are meant to be regulating.

It is important for progressive environmentalists to hold Democrats accountable when they take money from an industry that is responsible for the majority of carbon emissions that result in global temperature increases.

The head of this committee, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), has not taken a significant amount from the fossil fuel industry for her own campaigns, which is

encouraging.

However, when E&E News asked about barring other potential Democrats on the committee who have received fossil fuel money Castor said, “I don’t think you can do that under the first amendment.”

With that comment, she implied that campaign contributions equate to legal speech, which follows the logic of the Supreme Court decision, Citizens United, a contentious decision in democratic circles.

It may be legal for fossil fuel companies to invest in politicians, but that doesn’t mean Democrats need to adhere to the absurd principle that representatives are somehow not influenced by the campaign contributions they receive.

That attitude toward fossil fuel contributions should not give anyone confidence that this committee will make bold moves when it comes to climate change.

Those contributions are just short of outright bribes. Oil and gas companies want to stop the select committee from mitigating their profits and they see those campaign contributions as an investment in order to facilitate that process.

While Castor’s personal record is encouraging, the rules she has chosen to apply to the committee do not bode well for the Democratic Party’s environmental record.

If democratic politicians want environmentalists to have faith in them, they must take a hard look at what kind of contributions they are willing to accept.

Jared Sellick is junior majoring in political science.

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JUDO

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he is proud to continue the club’s legacy as club president.

“This is only my second semester as the president here… [the Judo Club] has been around for a better part of 10 years now,” Ehl said. “I’m happy to be in the next generation to keep it going.”

When Ehl originally came to the USF Judo Club, he instantly felt a connection to the club as he recognized his old sensei from when he was a beginner.

“I actually knew the head instructor here from when I was 6 years old,” Ehl said. “I came to this school and I looked into the club and surprise, here he is as the head instructor for the class...

It was kind of a neat coming-ofage feeling for me to be here now as an adult.”

Over the years, Ehl has worked with some legendary judokas who have gone down in judo history. His first instructor is a famous sensei who has gone on to train some of the best judokas.

“My first instructor’s name is Yamata. He is now the national coach for Japan’s women’s team.

He is kind of a living legend in the judo community,” he said.

“He and his wife are very, very big in the judo community.”

Yamata was also a sensei to Shinjoro Sasaki, a prestigious judoka and one of Ehl’s sparring partners that traveled from Japan to practice judo in Florida.

“One of the guys that came over is named Shinjoro Sasaki and he was an all-Japan champion,” Ehl said. “I trained with him for a year and a half...his technique is just amazing.”

According to Ehl, judo is currently one of the most popular sports in the world and has an extensive history dating back to the 19th century.

“One of the things most people are surprised with is [judo] is one of the biggest sports phenomena

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in the world,” Ehl said. “It’s not quite up there with soccer, but you can go to any country and you can find people [who practice judo].”

The sport’s popularity stemmed from its evolution from jiu-jitsu, a similar martial art used by the Japanese as a form of hand-to-hand combat.

The pioneer of judo, Jigoro Kano, wanted to streamline jiujitsu and make the practice more accessible to all people.

As a result, judo, which translates to “the gentle way,” was born.

“Judo is really aimed at not just giving you a method to hurt somebody,” Ehl said. “It’s a philosophy of mutual respect and benefit. People don’t really have to be super athletic to come into judo.”

Because of judo’s philosophy of being open to all people, no matter their skill level, the judo club is very accepting of newer members and keeps the throwing and flipping at a minimum — at least for the beginning of the semester.

“It starts out simple. You’re not going to get picked up and thrown over somebody’s head your first week here,” Ehl said.

“We try not to just throw people in over their heads.”

One of the newer members to the club is Kaylie Johnson, a sophomore who has been practicing judo for a little over a week. She has a history with other martial arts, however, she fell right into judo.

“When I was younger, I used to do karate,” she said. “I looked up all the martial arts and judo just seemed right to me.”

Another rookie judoka is Yoonus Khan, who has been with the Judo Club for about two weeks. Khan is interested in the self-defense aspect of judo in relation to his future career.

“A friend referred me actually.

He told me that the senseis are

really incredible so I wanted to check it out,” he said. “I want to be a law enforcement officer so I want to know the basics on how to throw.”

He was relieved to discover that the club is accepting of newcomers looking to hone their judo skills.

“It’s definitely fun, they don’t scare you away,” he said. “So far it’s been really welcoming.”

The Judo Club has a balance of beginners and advanced judokas, with a wide range of belt-holders.

Sensei Russ encourages the more advanced judokas to spar and guide the beginners throughout the practice sessions. This method allows for rookies to learn the ropes and for veterans to further hone their skills, ensuring that each member has something to take away from each practice session.

The club also attends tournaments throughout the semester, which allows for judokas to test their skills by competing with other high-level judokas from other dojos.

“We try and get in two [competitions] a semester,” Ehl said. “The one we are looking at now is Feb. 9th. We’re looking to have six or seven people going to compete.”

As a sport growing exponentially in popularity, Ehl and the Judo Club are always looking for new members to join.

He explains that it is much more than a sport and that it provides a sense of discipline.

“It is one of the best things that you can do for your body and your mind,” Ehl said. “Academically, it has helped me immensely.

Having an outlet to put physical energy into and having some manner of discipline with it…It’s almost meditative afterward. You can come in with a bad mood and you are almost guaranteed to leave in a significantly better mood.”

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USF’s Judo Club is more than martial arts

By Nolan Brown

C O R R E S P O N D E N T

The sound of bodies hitting the mats echo throughout the USF Campus Recreation Center.

The rhythmic “thwap” cuts through the sound of whistles and buzzers.

In REC 101, Judo Club President Lance Ehl meets with his fellow judokas — practitioners of judo — for their practice sessions three times a week.

Each session is led by a Sensei. In this case, Sensei Russ, a veteran with more than 30

years of experience, leads his judokas in an intense two-hour session filled with sparring, throwing and lots of repetition.

Ehl holds a black belt in judo. With more than 17 years of experience, he is nothing short of an expert.

“I was kind of, for lack of a better word, indoctrinated since I was a toddler,” he said. “I started judo when I was 6 years old.”

Ever since Ehl joined the Judo Club, he feels he has become a part of an extended family and

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USF’s Judo Club meets three times a week where judokas practice sparring, self-defense and dsicipline.

PHOTO COURTESY OF USF JUDO CLUB

Men’s Basketball

Coaches raise cancer awareness with a change in footwear

By Sam Newlon A S S O C I A T E

E D I T O R

If you looked at members of USF’s coaching staff this week from the ankle-down, you might think everyone courtside would be playing basketball.

USF men’s basketball coaching staff joined coaches from across the country in Coaches vs. Cancer’s annual event, Suits and Sneakers Week on Tuesday night against Wichita State.

“The coaches have done an unbelievable job with the Coaches vs. Cancer,” USF coach Brian

Gregory said. “Not only in raising the awareness throughout this entire week, but also raising funds over millions of dollars in terms of that Coaches vs. Cancer has done.”

The event runs from Jan. 21-27 and is designed to raise awareness, funds and encourages people to educate themselves about cancer prevention.

Gregory said he sees how important this week can be for more than just basketball.

“I’m proud, as a coach, to be a part of that,” he said. “It’s something that is making a positive impact

throughout the entire country and the coaches, you look at some of the hall-of-fame coaches that lead the way and it’s incredible.”

On Tuesday night, Gregory wasn’t alone in wearing sneakers. 11th-year Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall also donned sneakers to complete his suit. Cancer is an important topic to Marshall and his family.

“Everyone I know has been affected by cancer in some form or fashion,” Marshall said. “It took my grandmother and stepfather, so anything coaches can do to bring awareness and try to raise funds to

eradicate that awful disease would be great.”

Gregory echoed Marshall’s statement.

“There’s not a single coach, not a single person, that hasn’t been impacted some way by the destruction that cancer can cause and the fight that you have to put up against it,” Gregory said.

The plan, according to Marshall, is that coaches will sign their gameworn sneakers from the week, then donate them to be put up for auction on the National Association of Basketball Coaches website. Part

of the money raised will then be donated to Coaches Vs. Cancer.

Though the reason behind the week is quite serious, the coaches at Yuengling Center had fun with it Tuesday night.

“You’ll see us in sneakers,” Gregory said. “I’m not sure it’s the best look around, but you’ll see us in them.

Marshall, on the other hand, was focused on the comfort of his new footwear.

“It’s a good idea, I might wear them all the time now,” Marshall said. “They felt good on my feet.”

USF men’s basketball coaches wear sneakers in support of cancer awareness.

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/GOUSFBULLS