The End of a Waterfront Icon Keeping the Campus Safe University Police Implement New Strategies for Crime Prevention
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Single copies free The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg Sept 28 - Oct 4, 2015 | Volume 50 | Issue 6 Blind veteran There’s an and guide app for dogs help that! others in need p.8 p.5 The end of a waterfront icon Keeping the campus safe University police implement new strategies for crime prevention By Jeffrey Zanker Staff Reporter As he was leaving Harbor Hall one afternoon in August, USF St. Petersburg student Nicholas Palmer, 20, was accosted by a bicy- clist who tried to grab his backpack. When an off-campus security vehicle pulled into a nearby park- ing lot, Palmer said, the would-be robber fled empty-handed. As unsettling as the incident was, Palmer said he believes the campus is a safe, secure area. “Just be aware of your surround- ings,” he said. Courtesy of Joey Vars The university police chief David The Pier, an inverted pyramid that was a symbol of St. Petersburg for more than 40 years, is tumbling Hendry said that’s excellent advice. While crime on campus is rare, he down as demolition crews prepare the site for another, $46 million attraction. said, students should stay alert and See story, more photos, p. 2 promptly report any suspicious activity. “Our department has a high visibility rate, and most students believe we are a safe campus,” he said. “But always take precautions.” Certificates provide a helpful boost into Over the summer, university police took steps to increase secu- the world of grad school and job seeking rity at Residence Hall One, home By Caitlin Ashworth degree; for instance, a certificate in those hours can be transferred to a Leal, 23, said an infant-family and to approximately 350 students. Staff Reporter infant-family mental health con- master’s degree, however, comple- mental health certificate could have They added new security cameras, tains courses that are required for tion of a certificate program does helped her chances into getting into eliminated some foliage behind the building, and installed a blue emer- Upon earning a bachelor’s the psychology master’s degree not guarantee admission into a graduate school at USFSP. gency phone there. degree, students can further their program. graduate degree program. “I had better grades and test Meanwhile, student government studies by enrolling in specialized Graduate admissions officer USFSP graduate student Karlana scores, but she had more experience plans to get involved in campus graduate certificate programs. Michael Slattery said the graduate June, 40, is pursuing a certificate and a certificate,” said Leal about security. Student Body President USF St. Petersburg offers gradu- certificate programs can be used to in food writing and photography her friend who was admitted into Jozef Gherman said he hopes to ate certificates to focus a student’s boost a student’s chances of getting alongside her journalism master’s the psychology master’s program. revive a so-called student Safe and learning and enhance their career accepted into graduate school. degree. All the certificate courses However, Leal said she wonders Free Escort Team (SAFE) team to options. The certificate programs “It shows you can complete are required for the degree except how much a certificate would have help campus police monitor park- are open to non-degree seeking graduate coursework and transfer for two extra courses, so she would helped her chances and isn’t sure ing lots and walkways. students as well as those who want 12 hours,” he said. be earning the certificate anyway. how much experience is expected Until it was disbanded in late concentrated instruction to supple- The programs vary from 9 to “So I graduate with a master’s for graduate school admission. 2010, students trained by university ment a master’s degree. 15-credit hours of graduate level degree and a certificate for no extra Career Center director Lesa police patrolled in six-seat golf carts At USFSP, all graduate certifi- courses, and cost the same amount money,” said June. cate programs pair with a graduate as graduate tuition. Up to 12 of USF psychology graduate Olivia Continued on p.3 Continued on p.2 Continued from p.PB Sept 28 - Oct 4, 2015 | Volume 50 | Issue 6 crowsneststpete.com Concealed weapons in campus That would mean “we are no buildings would also require longer sacred ground,” said chief stepped-up security at “events that Hendry. we didn’t have to cover in the past,” The legal issue turns on the ques- Weapons Hendry said. tion of whether state universities, The gun debate in Tallahassee which are governed by the Florida USFSP Gym pits pro-gun forces led by the Board of Governors, can trump a National Rifle Association and an law enacted by the Legislature. Fitness Class on campus organization called Florida Carry The UNF decision, which was LLC against state university pres- originally about guns in vehicles, Schedule idents and police chiefs, the state also weighed in on the authority of board that oversees high education, the state board to regulate weapons Hectic schedule? No worries. The and gun-control advocates. in the first place. Florida Carry, the Fitness Center in the Student Life The pro-gun forces say the pro- nonprofit that brought the lawsuit, Center gets beginners and exer- posal would help keep campuses contends that universities do not cise buffs alike in and out of a safe. They note that people must have the power to limit weapons. certified fitness class in less than undergo background checks before Around the country, most states an hour. Students can tone up, they can get a concealed weapons either ban firearms outright on burn extra calories, or just dance permit. campus or let their university sys- to hot tunes. The Fitness Center But opponents contend it would tems make the call on how guns offers fun, social workouts, so compromise schools’ ability to pro- are treated on campus. Eight states students can ditch the treadmill vide a safe learning environment. – Colorado, Oregon, Wisconsin, and step into a more exciting Permitting guns on campus would Kansas, Mississippi, Utah, Idaho, workout. make violence more likely, they say. and Texas – allow firearms on The hotly debated issue of on- campus to varying degrees. The Fitness Center recommends campus firearms follows a court At USFSP, reaction to the pro- arriving five minutes early for Courtesy of Wiki Commons case that pitted Florida Carry posal to permit concealed weapons classes. Bring water, a towel and If a campus concealed carry law is enacted, police fear that the change will against the University of North on campus seems mixed. a friend. Check out this week’s significantly alter their duties, as well as university culture. Florida. An appellate court ulti- An informal survey on the class schedule. mately ruled that UNF could not “USFSP The Know It All’s Guide By F.R. Carlson houses before becoming law. The ban firearms if they are stowed in To Knowing It All!” showed a 50-50 Crow’s Nest Contributor 2016 session begins in January. vehicles on campus. That forced split, with strong reaction on both MONDAY, SEPT. 28 David Hendry, the chief of the university system to change sides of the issue. Sculpt and Shred / 12:15-1 p.m. USFSP’s police department, warned its policy and allow people to keep Yoga Flow / 12:15-1 p.m. A bill that would allow people that the proposal would signifi- weapons in their vehicles. The Crow’s Nest attempted to Lower Body Blast / 5:15-6 p.m. to carry concealed weapons on cantly change the campus culture The bill under consideration in get comments from Florida Carry Restorative Yoga / 5:15-6 p.m. Florida’s college campuses has and his staff’s duties. the Legislature would expand the LLC, but it had offered no response Upper Body Blast / 6:15-7 p.m. passed initial committee hurdles in “What I really worry about is UNF case in a significant way. If at press time. Zumba / 6:30-7:15 p.m. both houses of the state Legislature. the change in culture,” Hendry enacted, it would allow people with A similar proposal died last year, said. “Right now, everyone knows concealed gun permits to take fire- Information from the Tampa and this year’s bill (House Bill 4001 that an exposed weapon on campus arms into classrooms, dormitories, Bay Times and the News Service of TUESDAY, SEPT. 29 and Senate Bill 68) would have to is prohibited, and that makes ‘See the Student Life Center and other Florida was used in this report. Bootcamp Yoga / 12:15-1 p.m. clear more committees and both something, Say something’ work.’” campus buildings. Sculpt and Shred / 12:15-1 p.m. Booty Bootcamp / 5:15-6 p.m. Full Body Strength / 6:15-7 p.m. The Pier Hip Hop Cardio / 6:15-7 p.m. continued from cover Yoga / 7:15-8 p.m Ab Attack / 7:15-7:45 p.m.