Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 12-5-2014 The Beacon, December 5, 2014 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, December 5, 2014" (2014). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 773. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/773 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University One copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents. Vol. 26 Issue 48 fiusm.com Friday, December 5, 2014 New online PIC WITH SAINT NICK requirement for incoming students NICOLE MONTERO provides confidential assistance to FIU Staff Writer students, faculty, staff and University visitors [email protected] who have been victimized through threatened or actual violence and helps them support the Starting the summer of 2015, all incoming healing process. students will be required to take an online The center takes part in outreach activities prevention workshop on sexual assault, to educate the FIU community on the relationship abuse and other emotional resources available to them, while also raising distress before enrolling at FIU. awareness on topics like sexual assault. The program will be required for all “When people are told that they shouldn’t DIEGO SALDAÑA-ROJAS/THE BEACON incoming students, starting with those who talk about sexual assault, it’s like shaming enroll Summer 2015. It will be launched and blaming the victim. We’re saying it’s Graham Center Student Assistant Elyssa Nassar takes a photo of student assistants by the division of Student Affairs, in their fault and they did wrong — and that Mikahalia Berkman and David Diaz, who was dressed as Santa, at a charity collaboration with the Victim Empowerment isn’t true,” said Carney-Paine. “If we don’t event benefiting United Way on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Program at FIU. talk about it, we’re not going to learn how to “Because the workshop is required and prevent it and it’s never going to end.” everyone has to complete it, then all students One of the programs that the center offers, said. “When they’re ready, they go out and met some of those ambassadors in passing will learn about the resources that are other than its confidential services, is the Peer do presentations and help us raise awareness and they have brilliant ideas,” she said. “The available to them on campus,” said Victoria Education Program. The center interviews, across our campuses.” way in which they captivate you and help you Carney-Paine, health educator for the Victim trains and hires students to be ambassadors Zoey Laren, junior sociology major, has understand how to deal with these issues is Empowerment Program and FIU Counseling across the University. Those ambassadors heard about the Peer Education Program inspiring.” and Psychological Services. “This is one then educate others on topics of sexual and believes that it’s a great way to spread Ana Moran, senior majoring in special way that we’re hoping provides that extra assault and mental health. awareness on issues of mental health and education, is especially fond of the new prevention and awareness about these “The ambassadors are involved in lengthy sexual violence. requirement for incoming students and topics.” training sessions and become very familiar “I would love to be part of that one day The Victim Empowerment Program with victimization issues,” Carney-Paine because it’s making a huge difference. I’ve SEE SEX ASSAULT, PAGE 2 New partnership and facility University gears to help student botanists up for finals ALICIA DOBSON potential of the collaboration. an outstanding opportunity to and hired Chris Baraloto, Staff Writer “We saw in FIU a partner advance both of these areas,” a world-renowned expert with Cram Jam [email protected] who recognized the value said Associate Dean Mike on rainforest botany, to be of tropical studies, botany in Heithaus. the director of ICTB. Once ADRIAN SUAREZ that will be offered, The University recently particular, and was willing to According to Wichman, Baraloto is officially on board, AVILA will be taking place partnered with the National FIU-NTBG will initiate the full Staff Writer throughout the week Tropical Botanical Garden design of the new headquarters adrian.suarezavila@ in the MMC and the to create the International and start the permitting process, fiusm.com Biscayne Bay Campus, Center for Tropical Botany, a We saw in FIU a partner who recognized the after which construction will with a special massage non-profit educational addition value of tropical studies, botany in particular, begin. It’s that time of year session being offered in to the University that will and was willing to step up, really invest in that Maunder anticipates this again — final exams the Engineering Center utilize FIU-NTBG expertise to area and partner with us. to be a two year process. week. on Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. study and preserve plant life Charles Wichman The William R. Kenan Jr. In preparation for to 8 p.m. here in South Florida. Director & CEO Charitable Trust and the one of the most stressful “What we really As a symbol of National Tropical Botanical Garden Batchelor Foundation have periods of the academic want to do with Cram commitment, NTBG donated both generously donated $2.5 year, the University is Jam is give students land at The Kampong, a garden million to fund the construction extending library hours a better experience once home to renowned plant of ICTB’s headquarters and get and gearing up to keep during finals, when explorer David Fairchild and step up, really invest in that area many institutions are shutting the ball rolling. students well fed as they’re really stressed now one of NTBG’s tropical and partner with us. I guess you down their botany departments However, FIU-NTBG they study for their final out, when they’re not sensations, to the University might say that it was a match in favor of molecular studies, plans to get started right away. exams. really concerned about for ICTB’s headquarters to be made in heaven,” said Charles leaving a hole for FIU students “We don’t need to wait The week will kick off their health or their well built on. Wichman, director and CEO of to fill and excel in— given our for a building for the center with a 24-hour study hall being,” said Student “It [the donation] was NTBG. ideal tropical location, and now to take shape. It can already in the Graham Center in Government Council at very much a statement from ICTB is a series of the access that students have to begin as an academic center, Modesto A. Maidique MMC President Alexis National Tropical that they partnerships, FIU and NTBG NTBG staff and facilities, many which will, in the meantime, Campus, which will last Calatayud. are very serious about the being at the center, with of which are located in Hawaii be shared between people from Monday, Dec. 8, to Calatayud mentioned partnership and that it is a long- botanical institutions across and surrounding islands. who have similar academic Thursday, Dec. 11. that the University aims term investment,” said Mike the globe, all dedicated to “It’s an increased interests and are now aligning Fresh Food Company to make various campus Maunder, interim director locating, identifying, studying opportunity to work with themselves with this center,” will also open its doors resources readily at The Kampong and the and finding economic uses for some of the best botanists in said Wichman. at 10:30 p.m. to serve available for students University’s associate dean of tropical plant species. the world. It’s an opportunity For students interested in students a midnight during Cram Jam, which research engagement in the “With an ever-growing to study in the phenomenal tropical botany, ICTB provides breakfast on Dec. 8. costs about $10,000. College of Arts and Sciences. need for both harnessing the facilities here at The Kampong. a unique opportunity to learn Massage sessions, “It’s important and The University has long potential of tropical plants to It really gives them [students] from the greatest botanists this along with time slots it’s a tradition at FIU,” since been recognized for its help people as well as conserve a platform for international country has to offer and to in which snacks, hot she said. “That’s why we world-class tropical botany these species in nature, an influence,” said Maunder. internationally transform the tea and aromatherapy do it.” team and NTBG realized the FIU-NTBG partnership was FIU-NTBG have recruited lives of people in need. 2 The Beacon – Friday, December 5, 2014 NEWS fiusm.com NATION & WORLD BRIEFS Faculty senate discuss Heavy cell phone usage leads to uptight college students, Kent State sex assault, FIU Global study says REBECA PICCARDO Frittering away hours on your smartphone playing profit in the partnership. involvement with the national “It’s on games and using social media may seem like harmless News Director Cleveland said that the company us” campaign. fun. But a new Kent State University study suggests [email protected] funds the recruitment and program, and The teams is made up of the it’s actually making you more uptight and stressed out.