Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 10-30-2006 The Beacon, October 30, 2006 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, October 30, 2006" (2006). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 42. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/42 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 Vol. 19, Issue 25 www.beaconnewspaper.com October 30, 2006 Public Safety forum addresses student fears NAIHOBE GONZALEZ practice safety measures like keep- four cases. This year, there have Staff Writer ing room doors closed and not open- been two cases. ing entry doors for strangers. They Stalking cases have seen a Students raised questions and also offered other safety tips. similar decline, from 18 reported shared opinions with University According to Law Enforcement incidents in 2005 to four to date administrators at a safety forum held Captain Jesse Scott, Public Safety this year. Figures for other crimes at Lakeview Hall Oct. 17. divides crimes into two categories against persons have remained The forum is part of the Depart- – crimes against property and consistently low. ment of Public Safety’s attempt to crimes against persons — to gauge Crimes against property are keep up with the growing needs of how safe the campus is. decreasing as well. In 2004, there the University. “Is the campus safe for students? were 86 burglaries. That number The forum was coordinated and That’s the key question. Could you decreased to 58 in 2005. So far this hosted by Christopher Agard and have your car stolen? Sure, maybe. year, there have been 42 reported Robert Nguyen, president and vice We’re not trying to undermine those burglaries. president of Lakeview North. kinds of incidents, but our ultimate Vehicle theft in particular has “Things have happened to people priority is the personal safety of the seen the largest increase. In 2004, to receive increased funding to time of the day and night, and that I’m close with; like one friend students and faculty,” said Scott. 14 vehicle thefts and attempts were match FIU’s growing population. close to 4,000 students who live on finding a man in her room that He pointed to decreased num- reported. In 2005, however, the The number of active offi cers is campus, we’re talking about almost wasn’t supposed to be there. Then bers of crimes against persons: number increased to 17. This year, also expected to increase in the a small city,” King said, assessing it happened to another friend. I including rape, aggravated assault, there have been 61 auto thefts and near future. the campus’ safety needs. realized it could happen to anyone,” and robbery. In 2004, there were attempts so far. “If you look at the size of the King asked students to guess the Nguyen said. 14 reported cases of aggravated Bill King, chief of Public Safety University, with 38,000 going on Presenters asked students to assault. In 2005, there were only said the department was expecting 40,000 students on campus at any CRIME, page 3 Admissions IN HIS TWENTIES test to be revamped BEN BADGER JR. Staff Writer Some major changes are in store for students taking the Medical College Admis- sions Test. In the past, the MCAT was only admin- istered twice a year, once in April and again in August. According to Pre-Health Professions Advisor Dr. Barbara Roller, the dates in which the MCAT used to be held were very detrimental to students. “Students tend to blow off classes or study time in order to study for the MCAT,” Roller said, who added that the previous dates did not give students enough time to retake the exam if need be. One major change is the exam’s avail- ability. Beginning January 2007, the test will be available 22 times out of the year. The real change, however, is that it will FERNANDO GARCIA/THE BEACON no longer be a paper based test. Instead, the LIFE OF THE PARTY: President Maidique cuts a cake at a surprise party held for him on Oct. 26 by the Division of MCAT will be completely computerized. Student Affairs and SGA at the Betty Chapman Plaza to commemorate his 20 years of service as University president. “There is no reason it should remain a paper test,” Roller said. The MCAT will be conducted by Pro President celebrates 20 years of service Metric, a company that administers various computer tests nationwide, according to Matt Fidler, MCAT program manager for REUBEN PEREIRA Betty Chapman Plaza and hosted by the people who schedule me. I want to Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. Senior Staff Writer Division of Student Affairs and the Uni- know if I’m really going to San Diego As a result, Fidler warns students to be versity Park and Biscayne Bay Campus today?” diligent about signing up for classes. With an outdoor setting, food, confetti, Student Government Associations, was a The event started at 12:40 p.m. “Each Pro Metric testing location can party hats and salsa music, the surprise light-hearted affair, attended by University at the north entrance of the Graham usually accommodate about 20 people,” event to commemorate Modesto “Mitch” delegates, administrative, staff and student Center where the FIU Marching Band, Fidler said. “Many locations will fi ll up Maidique’s 20 years of service at FIU as body members. former SGA Presidents and the FIU fast.” University president had more in common “The fi rst thing I’d like to tell you is thank cheerleaders and Dazzlers awaited the In the past, the MCAT took an entire day with a brunch party than a formal University you and, boy, am I surprised,” Maidique arrival of Maidique from the Faculty to complete. With the new computerized gathering. said to the crowd of nearly 100 revelers. “I version, the testing time will be cut down to have now lost complete confi dence in the The surprise event, held Oct. 26 at the MAIDIQUE, page 3 MCAT, page 2 2 The Beacon – October 30, 2006 NEWS www.beaconnewspaper.com THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS Lectures mix education, religion MONDAY • OCTOBER 30 NAIHOBE GONZALEZ Scenes From Mozart Operas: 8 a.m., Staff Writer Wertheim Concert Hall, Free Panther Rage Meeting: 4 p.m., GC 150 A feminist theologian, a Grammy SPC Murder Mystery Dinner: 8 p.m., GC award-winning singer and a yogi chef Ballroom are just a few of the people that the TUESDAY • OCTOBER 31 Center for the Study of Spirituality has invited to FIU this year. Game Day: 12 p.m., Student Lounge, Free The center was inspired by the Dalai SPC Meeting: 3:30 p.m., GC 140 Lama’s 1999 visit, when he addressed RHA Halloween Extravaganza: 6 p.m., the role of spirituality in American Panther Hall education. “In the modern education system, WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 1 you pay attention to the proper devel- SGC-UP Meeting: 4 p.m., GC 150 opment of the brain, but you do not SPC Coffee House: 6 p.m., FIU Starbucks pay adequate attention to the develop- SPC Race Show: 8:30 p.m., GC Ballroom ment of the warm heart,” he said in an address to an audience of over 5,000 THURSDAY • NOVEMBER 2 people. Nathan Katz, who was responsible MELINDA BOONE/THE BEACON HLSA’s Abuela “Flan” Cook-off Student for both of Dalai Lama’s visits to FIU, JUST PREACH: Rabbi Daniel Lapin lectures on Oct. 24 at the Central Bible Cafe: 12 p.m., School of Law, $3 to try the desserts. took the words to heart and by 2004 AG Church as part of the Center for the Study of Spirituality lectures. Festival Grand Opening: 8 p.m., Wertheim had established an interfaith multi- Concert Hall disciplinary institute housed under the In past years, scholars have included “I always offer fi ve points of extra College of Arts and Sciences, stepping a kabbalist, a contemplative monk and credit to students who go to the lectures FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 3 down as the founding chair of the a Tibetan lama. Some students were and I’ve even been to a few myself surprised by the center’s choice for ... They’re interesting and highly rel- SPC Film “Talladega Nights: The Legend Department of Religious Studies to this year. evant,” Shulkes said. of Ricky Bobby” 7 p.m. become director of the center. According to Katz, the center is “Gloria Estefan? That seems a little University President Modesto. A. SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 4 primarily concerned with the study of different, when you’re coming from Maidique has also taken notice of the secular spirituality, what he calls, “a the Dalai Lama who’s made spirituality center’s work and last year wrote a FIU Big Band: 8 p.m., Wertheim Concert contemporary phenomenon that con- his entire life,” said freshman Jeffrey piece for El Nuevo Herald highlighting Hall nects spirituality to … everything.” Nejad. its role for the University as a whole. Adventure Recreation: Big Cypress Swamp “Our role is to build bridges and However, the center’s “big project” “People are passionately inter- Hike connections where the academic and this semester, according to Katz, is ested in spirituality, both for personal professional disciplines of the Uni- a program on the Torah and Qu’ran reasons and because of its profound SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 5 versity are addressed by spirituality,” that explores how Jews and Muslims impact on society, so we attract a lot perceive each other’s presence in the of attention,” Katz said.