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Florida Tech’s provost resigns

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As of Feb. 24, Korhan Oyman has decided to step down as Florida Tech’s provost. 

Oyman was appointed interim provost by Florida Tech’s President, T. Dwyane McCay, in Oct. of 2019. He began working in the position permanently by the spring 2020 semester.

Korhan Oyman began working at Florida Tech in the fall of 2004 as an assistant professor. He served as a graduate program chair, Associate Dean and Dean of the College of Aeronautics. Photo// Kevin Boodoosingh


A few months after Oyman entered the role of interim provost, McCay announced in a faculty senate meeting on Jan. 14 that a search committee would be formed in order to find a new permanent provost. 

Nearly a week later, McCay sent an email to the Florida Tech community introducing Oyman as provost, filling the position permanently.

In an email to The Crimson, McCay said administration was in the process of forming the committee when Oyman committed to stay.

“He had a brilliant grasp of the issues impeding our progress in the academic arena,” McCay said.  “Plus, I had a number of years of experience working with Dr. Oyman and he was an excellent fit for what we needed at this time.”

McCay also said that he did not need the committee’s approval of his decision of provost. 

Oyman will continue to be provost until the end of the spring 2020 semester, May 8.

Associate Provost, Marc Baarmand, will be taking over most of Oyman’s duties. 

Baarmand has been associate provost since Feb. 3. Over his years at Florida Tech, Baarmand has been a part of the faculty of the Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences Department. He has also served as faculty senate president and has been a chair member for the Faculty Excellence Awards committee for numerous years. 

According to Baarmand, associate provost acts as the second in command to the provost. Whereas, the provost acts as the second in command to the president of the university when it comes to the academic structure.

Baarmand explained that the offices that report to him are: Registrar, Online and Off-campus Education, Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Honors College and Graduate Programs.

“Needless to say that I support the daily operation of the Provost Office as needed, e.g. currently we are all dealing with the COVID-19 virus crisis and academic continuity plans,” Baarmand said over email. 

Baarmand explained that his short term goals are to manage his unit and make sure of a smooth transition while Provost Oyman steps down, and a new provost takes over. 

For his long term goals, Baarmand said he wants to devise and execute a plan to further enhance the university academics —both for the student learning experience as well as faculty teaching and research. 

Oyman stated that due to personal reasons he has decided to step down. 

“Being provost is very stressful and it is a demanding job,” Oyman said.

He added that it was time for him to leave his position. 

He has plans on returning to the Department of Aeronautics as a faculty professor in which he formerly taught in before taking on the provost position.

During his time as provost, Oyman worked on making online classes more available, specifically for general education courses. 

“I introduced this plan to give the students a little bit more flexibility with their schedules,” Oyman said. 

Oyman stated that administrators do not always understand that students need to have a life outside of academics as well. 

“Students need to have free time to work on their projects and courses but also to relax and enjoy a hobby,” Oyman said. 

“I wish the person who takes over the best of luck,” Oyman said. 

Breaking news: Provost Oyman resigns

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Korhan Oyman has decided to step down as Florida Tech’s provost effective week of February 24th. 

Oyman was acting provost in October of 2019. He began working in the position permanently by the spring 2020 semester. 

Provost Oyman has left his position due to personal reasons. Photo// Kevin Boodoosingh


Oyman stated that due to personal reasons he decided to step down. 
“Being provost is very stressful and it is a demanding job,” Oyman said. He added that it was time for him to leave the position. 

He has plans on returning to the Department of Aeronautics as a faculty professor, in which he formerly taught in before taking on the provost position.

During his time as provost, Oyman worked on making online classes more available, specifically for general education courses. 

“I introduced this plan to give students a little bit more flexibility with their schedules,” Oyman said. 

He stated that administrators do not always understand that students need to have a life outside of academics as well. 

“Students need to have free time to work on their projects and courses, but also to relax and enjoy a hobby,” Oyman said. 

Oyman will continue to be provost until the end of the spring 2020 semester, May 8. Associate Provost, Marc Baarmand, will be taking over most of Oyman’s duties. 

“I wish the person who takes over the best of luck,” Oyman said. 

This is a breaking news story. Follow along on our website for more updates.

Pierce Brooks and his 2009 BMW 335i Coupe

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The BMW 335i Coupe glistens vibrantly on the parking lot. Photo // Pierce Brooks

The BMW 3 series line of sedans have been considered one of the best drivers’ cars for some time now, especially the infamous M3 lineup, according to motortrend.com.

For Pierce Brooks, a senior in marketing, this was not his sole reason for choosing a 2009 BMW 335i Coupe as his daily driver.

“I got my car because I always had this attraction to BMW since my dad had a 1997 318is but sold it,” Brooks said. “That led me to want a BMW of my own.”

Knowing that he wanted a BMW, the quest began for which model Brooks should get.

“This led me to do more research and that’s when I saw what an amazing platform the 335i N54 [engine name] was since it came with a 3.0L twin turbo motor from the factory,” Brooks said. “I initially had a 328i but I wanted to do performance work as well, and knew I couldn’t do that and reach the goals I wanted with that car.”

There’s a reason Brooks did thorough research.

He knew that he wanted to own this car; this was done through multiple upgrades and modifications to the stock 335i.

To the engine, Brooks has done everything he could with just bolted on parts.

“I am running stock twin turbos at the moment with full bolt ons. I have a 7 inch front mount intercooler from VRSF, catless 3 inch downpipes from VRSF, an aftermarket HKS style exhaust, charge pipe and blow off valve from Active Autowerke, two cone intake filters I made myself and a Cobb tune running their stage 2+ aggressive flash tune which is their highest running 21psi of boost,” Brooks said.

And it doesn’t end there.

Brooks has also done a plethora of modifications to the exterior of the car.

He changed out his stock suspension for Megan Racing coilovers for better handling accompanied with 18×9.5 Varrstoen te37 style wheels, LED Halo headlights, a carbon fiber lip spoiler and a carbon fiber rear diffuser.

“And of course you can’t forget to add stickers,” Brooks said.

Although Brooks has not been able to dyno his car he believes it makes around 390-400 horsepower to the wheels.

“I’ve raced and beaten a stock 2015 M4 from a stand still and those come with 426 horsepower,” Brooks said. “I’ve also beaten a stock 2016 Cadillac ATS-V from a 40mph roll and those come with 464 horsepower.”

These upgrades are one of Brook’s favorite things’ about the car.

He said that there is so much room to make power on the N54 engine.

He also said that the design of the body is simple yet aggressive.

“The design of the car just seems so timeless and never gets old to me,” Brooks said.

Ever since he was in elementary school cars have been a part of Brooks’ life.

Once car video games started to come out, he was hooked on customizing different cars; one game being Midnight Club Los Angeles.

“Cars are such a piece of art and the design behind them is always so interesting to me, how it is much more than a machine,” Brooks said.

Brooks dream car doesn’t end at his BMW.

His dream is to own a Koenigsegg One:1, which became one of the “most beautiful cars” he has ever seen alongside the Mclaren P1.

“Both cars have such amazing engineering and designs behind them, creating a performance monster while maintaining aggressive beautiful curves,” Brooks said.

Julanda Al Shukaili and his 2017 Camaro ZL1

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The Chevy Camaro has become a benchmark for performance, design and price.

Directly competing with the Ford Mustang, the Camaro has developed into much more than a straight line performance muscle car.

Chevy has proved that muscle cars can perform even on a twisty race track.

With the introduction of the 2017 Camaro ZL1 variant, it proves that Chevy has developed a muscle car that now has the performance of a supercar.

For Julanda Al Shukaili, a senior in computer engineering, it’s the ZL1’s performance and design that made him gravitate towards it.

“My favorite thing about the Camaro is that it’s a car that can do it all,” Al Shukaili said. “You can drift it, track it, drag it and get your groceries while you are at it.”

Al Shukaili said besides how it looks and the specs, there are too many Mustangs around and he wanted something different.

As for specs, Al Shukaili has kept the car relatively stock.

He has, however, swapped the stock suspension for air suspension and added custom wheels.

The ZL1 comes with Chevy’s infamous supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, making 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, with a top speed of 198 mph.

Al Shukaili explained that being a car enthusiast is important to him.

“Cars pretty much gets my blood pumping, whether it’s going fast and straight or banging the limiter while drifting a corner,” Al Shukaili said. “It’s one of the most fun things I could do and it never gets old.”

Venezuelan immigrants’ impact on Trinidad

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Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley shaking hands with Nicolás Maduro. Picture by PRESA PRESIDENTICIAL on Twitter

Over the past two years the situation has worsened in Venezuela to the point that Venezuelans have been fleeing the country in the masses to get away from Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship. 

Under Maduro’s leadership, the country has faced hyperinflation, food shortages and political chaos. 

According to statistics posted by the U.N., 3.6 million Venezualens left the country between 2015 and December of 2018.

As one of the surrounding countries, Trinidad has acted as a safe haven for over 60,000 Venezualens. 

Keep in mind that Trinidad’s population is 1.3 million, excluding the Venezuelans. 

With most Venezualens not having documentation or passports, they must seek creative ways to sneak onto the island. 

“Private boats is the go-to method for many,” said Erich Koch, a Venezualen migrant who is now a citizen of Trinidad. 

Koch has been in Trinidad since 2005, but he has been around the world and traveled back and forth to Venezuela for many years before finally settling in Trinidad. 

Koch made his way to Trinidad after the Trinidadian government showed interest in a building technique that was being used in Venezuela. Through Koch’s expertise in this field, he became a manager at Macon Trader Co. 

Because of his position in the construction company and him being a Venezuelan native, he finds himself helping a lot of the Venezuelans find jobs and places to live. 

“My labor team consists of eight to 12 guys who are registered in Trinidad,” Koch said. 

In the early part of 2019, Trinidad’s government decided to register illegal Venezuelans and grant them a one year legal status to the island. This status allows them to work, have banking privileges and even have driving permits. 

In this process, only the Venezuelans with clean background records were allowed to register. For the individuals who have records, they were either sent back to Venezuela or kept in immigration facilities. 

While Koch said the registration of the Venezuelans was a good step for the government, he also said that there are a lot more issues involving the Venezuelans in Trinidad. 

“About 75 percent of the Venezuelans that have come into Trinidad are people who were already involved in crime and have come into Trinidad looking for avenues to practice what they know [crime],” Koch said. 

The crime in Trinidad has gotten to a point that people are afraid to leave their houses. 

The gang violence has gotten unbearable and the drug and human trafficking have only increased since the illegal migration of criminal elements from Venezuela, according to the OSAC Trinidad and Tobago 2019 Crime and Safety Report.

“Everyone already knows how bad the crime is in Trinidad and the criminals from Venezuela have found their way into it,” Koch said.

Koch said he believes that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, or TTPS, are not capable or equipped to handle these gangs. 

Human trafficking is also one of the major acts taking place in Trinidad, especially involving teenage Venezuelan girls. 

“It is the easiest way for them to make money,” Koch said. “They don’t speak English so it is easy for them to work in bars or casinos and make money doing [sex work].” 

The Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, said in multiple interviews that he is taking the increase in crime very seriously. 

In an interview on CNC3’s Morning Brew, Griffith said he already has a 78-point plan and is ready to reform the TTPS all in an attempt in the fight against crime.

Koch said he believes that this is good, but because of Trinidad’s government’s lack of involvement or concern to the increasing crime, he said he is concerned the condition of Trinidad will worsen. 

“I have seen Venezuela go through the process, and Trinidad will soon end up like that,” Koch said.“The same thing that is happening in Trinidad was happening in Venezuela.”

Citizens of Trinidad are continuing to express their frustration to the government and police but minimal efforts are being taken.

Business owners are now having to take matters into their own hands by having more security at businesses and even creating police-community task forces. 

One task force is the Tunapuna Police Station Community Council. 

They act in the city of Tunapuna and have been a voice between both the people and the police.

Since the year began, 16 people were killed in the area of Tunapuna of which 4 were killed in one week.  

While crime has always been a problem in Trinidad, Koch said he believes that it has escalated due to the influx of criminal elements from Venezuela. 

Not only has crime increased, but the form of crime has broadened, from drugs to human trafficking. 

While citizens like Koch are skeptical, he hopes that the police service and the government try their best to show some sort of combat against this surge in crime.

Skate Fast Eat Gas gang targeting car owners

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An electric skateboard gang has recently been terrorizing the student body.

Security reports have said that the gang is robbing and stealing students of their skateboards, bicycles and longboards.

These crimes are done with the intent to remove the campus of all inferior modes of transportation.

Their new attack has involved stealing all the mirrors off of cars.

A victim who preferred to remain anonymous said that she was heading to Panther Dining Hall when three individuals wearing body protection with LED lights stopped her.

They broke her car’s mirrors and said, “It’s all electric now. You and your petrol-powered friends need to learn who’s the boss.”

This has not been the only incident involving the “Skate Fast Eat Gas” gang, as they have spray painted on their victims’ cars.

Other individuals have found album posters from 80’s bands such as Duran Duran, U2, Pet Shop Boys and The Cars taped to their cars’ windshields.

The new director of Security made “Skate Fast Eat Gas” his first priority in his tenure.

He assumes his position on April 1.

In a general meeting discussing the director’s new initiatives, a security officer advised that they pinpoint the exact dorms where the gang members are located and cut the power of each dorm room.

While this was met with criticism, the director said he believes it’s a step in the right direction.

A gang member makers off with longboard. Photo by Emily Walker.

While they work on reducing the effects the gang has had on the campus, Security has advised students what necessary measures to take if are encountered by the “Skate Fast Eat Gas” gang in an emailed statement.

They told students to help stop the gang “by any means necessary”

Geneva show highlights electric vehicles

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The Geneva International Motor Show is one of the world’s most important auto shows in the first half of every year.

This year’s event, which began March 7, kicked off with an arrangement of new model launches and the latest concept cars.

The 2019 GIMS theme seemed to be electric, hybrid and high horsepower automobiles.

The event debuted some of the world’s most powerful and expensive production vehicles.

Beyond the outrageous cars for the ultra-affluent, the show also displayed mainstream cars aimed the global market, although many of the cars may not make their way to North America anytime soon.

Boasting the world’s most expensive production car is the The Bugatti Voiture Noire, for which the buyer paid $18.5 million.

It’s a one-off luxury touring car with an 8-liter quad turbo W16 engine with 1,600 hp (100 hp more than the $3 million Bugatti Chiron).

That should be good for driving it well past the Chiron’s 261 mph (420 km/h) top speed.

Bentley also represented well, regaining the title of World’s Fastest SUV, according to a Bentley press release.

After achieving this with the 2016 Bentayga reaching a top speed of 187 MPH the Lamborghini Urus then achieved a top speed of 189.5 MPH.

The British automaker says its new all-wheel-drive Bentayga Speed SUV can reach a top speed of 190 miles per hour, which just barely edges out the Lamborghini Urus.

Both SUV’s start around $200,000. Mazda has revealed the CX-30 SUV. Sizewise, it fits midway between the CX-3 and the CX-5 that, on their own, were 50 percent of Mazda’s 2018 US sales.

The CX-30 could reach the US in late 2019 or 2020.

The Honda Urban EV has now been revealed under the new name “E Prototype.”

The new Honda Urban EV, named as E Prototype for 2019.

The E Prototype sits on a new, dedicated platform for electric vehicles.

Honda claims the car will be capable of 120 miles on a single charge but hasn’t confirmed the size of the on-board battery.

A single electric motor on the rear axle drives the car, but Honda has yet to issue any performance figures.

Project leader Kohei Hitomi indicated the E Prototype will not be a budget vehicle.

In an interview with AutoExpress, he said, “Cost is an important factor. Look at the iPhone: They are not cheap products but still everybody wants them.”

“The high cost has a justification,” Hitomi said. “It is full of practicality and performance – we believe the same of our electric vehicle. We do not want to provide a low-cost product.”

With the majority of the world’s premier automotive manufacturers representing themselves with many new releases, there were a few manufactures missing from the line up: Ford, Jaguar-Land Rover and Volvo were a few of the absent.

A Ford spokesperson explained to Autocar that they “looked at all the things we had to do in 2019, and we’ve got a lot of stuff coming.” The spokesperson said the Geneva showcase timing didn’t “meet their requirements.” “

Rather than go to Geneva with relatively small news, we would rather do something later that would give us more bang for our buck,” the spokesperson said. “I don’t anticipate this will be a regular thing, though.”

As for Jaguar-Land Rover, they are going through a bit of a stagnant period due to the tariffs in China.

A spokesperson explained to Autocar, “We are implementing a turnaround plan and taking all the necessary steps to rejuvenate our business especially in China. This involves working closely with our sales network and balancing production with demand in the present market conditions to achieve healthy development for our future that is not unduly dependent on incentives.”

The 88th GIMS will continue until March 17, with auto enthusiasts anticipating a successful year for powerful electric vehicles.

Car washing tips for on-campus students

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Being able to bring your prized possession, your car, with you to college is an awesome feeling, giving you the freedom to escape off campus.

The only problem with having your car on campus is that you don’t get the hand-wash your car.

Being able to psychically wash your car is a major aspect in car ownership.

The fact that you get to clean and inspect your car is an opportunity that should not be missed.

Most car enthusiasts know that going to an automated car wash is about as effective as rubbing sandpaper on your car’s paint.

The reason that automated car washes are so destructive is the fact that a lot of cars go through a car wash everyday.

That’s a lot of dirt accumulating on the equipment, and most times they are not cleaned.

Not only is the equipment dirty, but it is also very tough.

The scrubbers are built to withstand wash after wash, so they are very abrasive.

All these features damage your car’s clear coat, which shows up as the paint being scratched.

Even touchless car washes are almost useless.

On campus, there is no place to hand-wash your car unless you are fit enough to fill buckets of water and walk from your dorm to the parking lot.

Instead, you could use a local coin car wash, since all you’re really using the coin wash for is the water.

The easiest way to go about this is to get a bucket with a seal.

At your dorm, pour the necessary amount of car soap into the bucket – at this point, you can add in some water to save a little money.

Car soap is specifically designed to be used when washing a car, as opposed to other types like dish soap.

Dish soap contains a lot of detergents that can strip away the waxes in your car’s clear coat.