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Safety takes the lead in campus organization planning

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By Johnny O’Brien

Campus organizations at Florida Tech have commenced with the start of the school year, with organization leaders prioritizing safety as they plan their events. 

Florida Tech’s First Year Experience, spearheaded by Jessica Ha Bittner, offers a 1000-level university experience course, with the purpose of helping out new students during their initial academic and social transitions to Florida Tech. Their office offers educational and social programming throughout the year. The first program in their lineup debuts on Sept. 18, with Oscar-winning film Parasite for the FYE Film Series.

Ha Bittner says that FYE is following all protocols outlined in the Florida Tech Safe: Return to Learn plan. 

“We require masks for anyone to enter our office space, and we also offer in-person appointments for students who are on campus this fall, but highly encourage all students to meet with us virtually through Microsoft Teams meetings or via phone conferences,” Ha Bittner said.

The FYE office works primarily with incoming students who transfer in less than 30 credits and are considered first year students. Ha Bittner mentioned the office is not only providing students with resources and knowledge for first year at Florida Tech, but also ensuring they understand the safety measures in place at the university. 

“All FYE advisees are encouraged to speak with their advisor if they have any questions or concerns about Florida Tech, the transition to college life, or our pandemic response,” Ha Bittner said. “We promise to assist students with any questions they may have, including connecting the student with the appropriate resource needed to provide that assistance.”

The Homecoming committee is also having to adjust with all things COVID, as homecoming committee head Samara Gallion is taking precautions to ensure a fun and safe gathering for this year’s event. Gallion said that last year’s events were extended by a day and a half and the committee plans on doing the same for this year.

“Last year our events included Kick-off, Fall Earth Day, Big Night Out 2.0, Talent Show, Downtown Fest, Homecoming Football game, and Homecoming Carnival,” Gallion said. “These activities provide a lot of diversity for all students to find something to enjoy during the week and also gives them an outlet to destress.”

With COVID-19 still a major concern, the homecoming committee made an executive decision to move homecoming to the spring semester. 

“All of our plans have been shifted back and we will be working diligently to make Homecoming possible this year in an environment where everyone can feel safe,” Gallion said.

Gallion said she cannot make any statement yet if the school will have any limits to who can attend Homecoming activities this year, but the homecoming committee will be thoroughly discussing the implications of the population and safety adjustments that the school will be implementing come spring semester.

“The policies that we set in place this year might not occur in the following, but they are something that should be kept around as a baseline for any event such as COVID,” Gallion said. 

Nicolette Murphey, president of the Marine Biological Society at Florida Tech, and treasurer Erika Kurtzweil said that the organization is unable to gather large groups for their beach cleanups due to COVID-19.

“We’re strongly encouraging people to still go to the beach independently and pick up any trash they find, but it’s not the same group effort we’ve been able to have in the past,” Murphey said.

Kurtzweil said the group is hopeful that they will be able to pick events back up in the spring semester. 

Murphey said the organization has had to make some changes to adapt to the new normal, including cancelling their spring snorkeling trip and placing many plans on hold to keep members safe.

Florida Tech’s fall sports have also experienced delays and changes due to COVID-19. Daniel Supraner, director of athletic communications, said that the department is doing all they can to make sure student-athletes remain safe on campus, with team practices halted from the start of the semester until Sept. 7.

“We are educating and encouraging student-athletes to wear a mask, social distance, and avoid large gatherings and parties,” Supraner said.

Supraner said that practices will be based around small groups of ten or less athletes. 

On July 18, the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Presidents Council announced that the 2020 fall sports season was being postponed, which included men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country and volleyball. 

“Right now, the plan is to have fall sports compete during the Spring 2021 semester but the exact start date has yet to be determined,” Supraner said.

Supraner said the start date for winter sports, including men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming, has yet to be announced as well. The normal start time for competition is usually in November. 

According to Supraner, fall sports will do a conference-only schedule and winter sports will likely do the same.

“At this time, none of our teams are able to schedule contests outside the state of Florida,” Supraner said.

Drone club kicks off the new semester

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Florida Tech’s resident drone club soared into the public eye as it hosted its first meeting of the fall semester on Friday, Sept. 27.

The Florida Tech Drone Club was founded to “bring awareness, provide experience and to be able to get the tools that we need to have to use drones to their full efficacy,” according to Nathaniel Bouchie, junior aerospace major and vice president of the drone club.

The club meets roughly once or twice a month and performs most of its other activities outside of its official meeting time.

These activities include drone building, racing and photography, but can span beyond those three categories for others interested in the club.

Furthermore, there are several opportunities for students who are interested in flying drones that are offered by the club as a whole and by its members.

The club has simulators that new flyers can practice on before piloting a physical drone.

They also have drones owned by the club’s members and by the university that can be used for events undertaken by the club, which include drones that use first-person view.

The club has taken steps to get involved in Florida Tech’s other clubs as well as in the community.

Robert Tonning, a junior in mechanical engineering and the current president of the drone club, said he enjoys flying because there are so many things that can be done with drones.

“I love the photography aspect with the Mavericks,” Tonning said. “You can race them, you can take pictures, you can map—there’s so many applications, so it’s a really good side hobby to have.”

The drone club had the opportunity to map out the animal sanctuary in Cocoa Beach last year and has considered going back, as it’s a good outreach opportunity for the club and its members.

The club also films some of the university’s athletics using drones, which included a soccer game last year.

The club wants to work with FITV as well to film an overview campus tour using their drones.

For those interested in drone racing, the student-led organization is looking to work with Eau Gallie High School to gain access to their hangar and to form a local drone racing league.

The club also encourages freestyle flying, using both line-of-sight piloting and FPV.

Eddie Torres, an experienced drone pilot from Homestead, Florida, described FPV freestyle flying as something incredible.

“It’s amazing,” Torres said. “The first-person view experience is something that everyone should try because you get the sensation of flying. You have the freedom of flight, being able to put yourself in places that you can’t [without a drone].”

The drone club is currently looking for new members.

Those interested in joining can find their meetings in Skurla, room 106 on Thursdays or on Florida Tech Engage.

Florida Tech hammock club sets high hopes for next semester

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A pair of freshmen have recently been attracting attention around campus by setting up hammocks in popular public areas.

The most noticeable location has been over the wooden bridge by the botanical garden between the SUB and dorm quad.

Kellen Sappington and Stephen Minnick have put forth efforts to make an official club out of “hanging-out and posting-up.”

They initially set up under the bridge leading toward the Columbia Village dorms, but their time was short lived as security expressed safety concerns and put a stop to their social gathering.

Kellen Sappington and Stephen Minnick hangout over the wooden bridge. Photo by Seamus Burns.

There are some spots on campus where hammocks can be set up, but the two freshmen said they believe that with more activity and popularity within the potential club, more areas will surface where students can gather for activities, like spikeball and slackline.

“We have caught a bit of attention,” Sappington said. “It’s been mostly positive and supportive. A lot of people like to hammock, but getting enough people for a club to get started has been a bit difficult.”

Starting a club on Florida Tech requires 10 members, and gaining students commitment has been the largest roadblock.

Junior Ashley Letendre is president of the public relations club and said she understands what it is like managing a club in order to stay afloat.

“I can see how a club such as hammocking might be hard to manage,” Letendre said. “You would need to find somebody who is a part of school staff to help and support.”

Minnick said they haven’t gotten enough members yet to start trying to find a club advisor.

“Honestly, gaining publicity, enjoying the day and people watching is all we want to do for this semester,” Minnick said.

They have no plans on moving away from the main wooden bridge near the botanical garden.

“I wasn’t nervous or worried, but I can see how some students might be concerned or confused while walking under them,” Tyler Donahue, a freshman, said.

The two freshman plan to continue their tree-high antics into the fall semester and will also look further into becoming a club.

A small, yet good turnout for Florida Tech’s first pride week

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Spectrum members and friends at the brunch on Saturday. Picture by Khemari Howard.

The small turnout for Florida Tech’s first Pride Week encouraged better planning for the event in the future, Spectrum members said.

Pride Week is a week-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community at Florida Tech hosted by Spectrum, Florida Tech’s group for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies on campus.

Jacob Chesslo, a junior physics major and the president of Spectrum, said Pride Week, in its first iteration, had lower attendance numbers than expected.

He said the lack of attendance could be due in part to the organization not being able to advertise the event effectively.

Participants at the drag show hosted by SPECTRUM.

He also said the group didn’t take advantage of other resources on campus such as Greek life, residence life or athletics to advertise events like sex ed boot camp.

Chesslo said another factor that could have led to low attendance numbers was the week the group chose.

Chesslo said one of the common calculus tests coincided with sex ed boot camp, which he said he believed led to a small turnout.

Hannah Blackburn, a senior astrobiology major, said along with many people she knew falling ill in the past week, the senior design showcase was approaching, which may have consumed time for her and her colleagues.

She also said starting the event on April 1 probably wasn’t the best idea.

“In retrospect, we probably should have gone for a different day,” Blackburn said. “Maybe we’ll go for earlier in the year next time.”

Chesslo said the idea of Pride Week was pitched as early as the beginning of last semester, but planning didn’t start until January.

He said the low attendance numbers didn’t discourage him from trying to do better for next year’s event.

“There were probably only about a dozen people at each event,” Chesslo said. “But the experience of all of those who have attended has been amazing.”

Pride Week at Florida Tech took place during the week of April 1.

“Pride is knowing who you are and being happy that that’s who you are. And also, being happy to let other people know that’s who you are,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn was the former president of the Spectrum.

She assisted Chesslo with most of the planning for the week.

She said the group was inspired by the efforts of similar groups on other campuses around Florida.

The idea to host Pride Week was originally Chesslo’s idea.

Each night featured a different event hosted by the group.

The week started with a movie night on Monday, April 1, followed by the president of Space Coast Pride, Cortney Thompson, as the keynote speaker on Tuesday.

A game night was held on the second floor of the SUB Café on Wednesday. Thursday saw sex ed boot camp in the Hartley Room.

The event scheduled for Friday, Pride Celebration, was canceled due to the increased lighting that came with the weather.

Saturday morning, the group hosted brunch in the Harley Room catered by Panther Dining, and a drag show in the evening at the Rathskeller.

Sunday was a spa day on the second floor of the SUB Café in the morning followed by a beach outing later in the afternoon.

Chesslo said he and the rest of the group are already planning for next year’s event.

He said this event was something he dreamed up and he never thought he’d see it come to fruition.

Chesslo said he believes this is a step in the right direction for the increased awareness and inclusion for the people of the LGBTQ+ community.

Students work for a “more inclusive” campus

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A student raised the possibility of creating a LGBTQ+ center at Florida Tech during the student leader luncheon on March 13.

Rodney Bowers, the dean of students, reportedly responded that the campus is small and is already inclusive.

Jacob Chesslo, a junior in physics and the president of Spectrum, Florida Tech’s LGBTQ+ student organization, submitted the question about an LGBTQ+ center for consideration at the student leader luncheon.

Chesslo said other universities have LGBTQ+ centers that offer resources such as safe sex information, hormone therapy information and clothing swaps.

“Basically, an LGBTQ+ center— it’s not only a resource for students who don’t know what they necessarily want or who they are, but it also provides a safe space for students facing challenges, whether they’re transitioning or just getting out of a relationship,” Chesslo said.

While Bowers said there are no current plans for an LGBTQ+ center for Florida Tech, he said the creation of one could be a possibility for the future, depending on funding.

For now, a group of faculty, staff and students meets every two weeks to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, according to Bowers.

“It’s called the gender identity group, and we’re trying to look at things to be a little bit more inclusive,” Bowers said. “For instance, allowing faculty, staff and students to use a preferred name in any internal communication. We’re looking at gender-neutral bathrooms, gender-neutral housing and the use of pronouns and how we can get that going like some schools have. Anything that has been brought up to our attention that doesn’t appear to be inclusive, we try to change.”

Currently, Bowers said they are looking into the possibility of installing a gender-neutral bathroom in Harris Commons.

Gender of bathroom
Florida Tech is looking into creating more gender neutral bathroom. Photo by Emily Walker // Crimson

Gender-neutral bathrooms are an area Evangeline Archer, a senior in aerospace engineering, believes Florida Tech needs to improve on.

“I keep getting told there are a bunch of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, but I’ve only seen two,” Archer, who goes by Evie, said. “The dean said it’s a small campus. If it’s so small, start working. It would benefit everyone if they just demolished the wall in between [two bathrooms] and they became unisex bathrooms.”

Archer has experienced a mix of support and discrimination on campus.

In 2017, her roommates at the time sent an email to the entire school outing her as transgender. “Overnight, I was just outed,” Archer said. “I had calls from friends that next morning that said, ‘Hey, did you check fitforum? There was a nasty email about you.’”

According to Archer, she read the email and took a day to think about what she wanted to say.

When she wrote a response that night, she said she was surprised with students’ reactions.

“That’s when I started seeing actually that a lot of people—even people that I don’t know—were just really supportive,” Archer said.

Archer said students sent her texts and emails in support, some using the hashtag #SupportEvie.

“I thought it was cute and a thing that kind of empowered me to be more myself,” Archer said. “I basically just answered the email, and at the very end, where my signature was automatically put in by Gmail, I crossed it out and put in ‘Evangeline’ instead.”

Chesslo said while he doesn’t know of any hate crimes committed on campus recently, that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been discrimination and that those on campus are trying to actively include LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty.

“There are definitely some areas in which faculty and students could improve,” Chesslo said. “I know that, especially for those who are transgender on campus, there’s no clear, set way to get your given name off of documents and your preferred name onto them. I know that a lot of faculty and staff sometimes don’t know how to approach certain students with that.”

According to Bowers, this is something administrators are currently working on with IT.

Their goal is to allow PAWS users to select a preferred name, which will affect their email addresses, usernames and class rosters.

Caroline-Willow Mctigue, a freshman in electrical engineering, said not having her chosen name used in her email is a source of discomfort for her.

“The email is quite annoying,” Mctigue said. “Every time I type my email in, it kind of has a small blow to have to type in the first letter of my first name.”

Mctigue said if there was an option for students and faculty to put their prefered name in PAWS, it would help a lot.

The gender identity group and its goals are a “work in progress,” according to Bowers.

“None of us are experts in this field, and we’re trying to address issues as we become aware of the issues,” Bowers said. “It’s all based on what we can get done in a reasonable timeframe.”

Students with concerns related to how LGBTQ+ issues are handled on campus can contact Bowers at rbowers@ fit.edu.

According to Bowers, he will bring up students’ concerns to the gender identity group.