Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The Beacon Special Collections and University Archives 7-22-2009 The Beacon, July 22, 2009 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, July 22, 2009" (2009). The Beacon. Book 397. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/397 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 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. 22, Issue 5 www.fi usm.com Wednesday, July 22, 2009 SSeagrasseseagrasses aarere ddisappearingisappearing IIss ttherehere a rreasoneason bbehindehind aatt aann aalarminglarming rrateate HHonduras’onduras’ ssingleingle tterms?erms? PAGE 36 PAGEPAGE 84 SPOTLIGHT SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE UNIVERSITY-WIDE COUNCIL AT THE BAY PAGE 3 Councils A forum at the Kovens Center in BBC showcased how you can get a part of the economic recovery package by next semester. SHE THINKS SO aim to boost EDITORIAL PAGE 4 The CLAST examination’s repeal will leave students with inconvenient circumstances. Student vies for top spot alumni OPINION PAGE 4 on popular TV dance show membership ELSIE PUIG Staff Writer FRANCISCO MARADIAGA In 2008, Syesha Mercado was a fi nalist in Staff Writer American Idol. This year, fellow Golden Panther The “go green” movement, though Both Student Government Coun- noble, has become overbearing in Janette Manrara, 25, is making dance judge Mary advertisements. Murphy scream as she graces the stage of “So You cils came together to create a committee Think You Can Dance.” to study the merits of special elections, LIFE! PAGE 6 Manrara is competing for the title of “Ameri- unveiled plans to make every current FIU ca’s favorite female dancer”, a national tour with student part of the Alumni Association, and the top 10 of the show and $250,000. among other things, tweaked the constitu- On July 15, 20 of her close friends and family tion at their fi rst University-wide Council gathered at Don Shula’s Athletic Club to watch the meeting on July 15. show at 8 p.m. Karen Alvarez, one of her cousins, Anthony Rionda, SGC-Maidique New Web site uses an algorithm Campus president, motioned for the to make your decisions for you, said they gather religiously to watch Manrara freewill becoming obsolete. perform ever since she auditioned for the second council to be against special elections after time to be on the show. the SGC advisors of both campuses recom- LIFE! PAGE 5 mended to do away with them. A college age-old tradition comes “Janette is defi nitely one of the hardest to stage in the new version of working people I know and the fact that she made Speaking on behalf of both advisors, Reefer Madness. it to the green mile last year and got cut at the top SGC-MC advisor Jose Toscano pleaded 30 only added more fuel for her to better herself his case to the UWC that special elec- SPORTS PAGE 8 and secure her spot in Season Five’s Top 20,” said tions, held after the spring general election, her brother, Alex Manrara. cost both University campuses upward of Her brother Alex described the emotions he $1000 in coordinating and administering felt when he heard of news that she while only attracting around a combined had been selected at the auditions. 250 student voters. His suggestion was for “At around 6:30 p.m., while driving the senate to approve or reaffi rm students New martial arts inspired excercise seeking offi ce. program keeps students in shape at home from work, I received a call from the Rec Center. my sister letting me know she was the fi rst “To save all that time on both the admin- person in Vegas to fi nd out she made it into the top istrative side and the student that wants to get elected or reelected into the senate, we UPCOMING EVENTS 20. It’s hard to describe the mixture of emotions I felt. I completely stopped my vehicle and started are looking for you as the UWC to adopt Contemporary Art Boot Camp, July the idea to have students come and be reaf- 22, 7:30 p.m. Come out to the Museum yelling, crying, smiling, a little bit of everything. of Contemporary Art and free with your I was defi nitely the proudest brother in Miami at fi rmed through the senate,” Toscano said. $12 admission listen to a lecture about that moment, I could tell you that,” he said. During discussion on the motion, it was “Pleasure Principle in Art” . The group at the watch party cheered as she brought up that certain consequences may Hemingway Days Festival, July 22-26, received rave reviews from the dance judges arise from eliminating special elections. 3 p.m. It’s a haul but if you’re looking for One of them might be that students may something this weekend, who doesn’t like when she performed a Bollywood dance number Key West? It takes place on Duval Street with the fi ve remaining female dancers, and after circumvent the election process for the and is free! chance at an easier appointment in the fall, as well as the prospect of having offi cials International Bullriding Bash, July 25, PHOTO COURTESY: FOX DANCE, page 6 6 p.m. Taking place in the Davie Arena in seats that were not voted upon by the you can go watch a bunch of cowboys get entire student body. tossed off bulls; all for the low price of $15. BUDGET CRISIS SGC-BBC President Sholom Neistein argued against the notion that the student WEATHER body would be adversely affected seeing WEDNESDAY Institute to award scholarships how not enough students run to fi ll every Scattered T-Storms seat. LOW: 79 HIGH: 89 and anthropology alumn, spoke JOSHIMAR GARCIA economic stimulus package. “Four people ran when there were 20 THURSDAY at the forum about the economic Staff Writer CBCF is a non-profi t, non- senate positions,” said Neistein refer- Isolated T-Storms crisis. Benford is a community partisan public policy, research ring to past BBC elections. “If there were LOW: 79 HIGH: 91 organizer at the Miami Worker Public educational institu- and educational institute founded 20 people running, they would have been FRIDAY Center, which helps working-class tions are facing deep budget cuts, in 1976, which aims to improve elected.” Scattered T-Storms people build organizations, and LOW: 80 HIGH: 90 but through an economic stim- the socioeconomic situation of Rionda then withdrew his motion in organize campaigns and educa- ulus package, University students African Americans, as well as favor of creating an election committee tional programs. Benford's latest can expect help from the U.S. poor communities around the to evaluate the election process. It passed CONTACTS project is to launch campaigns to government. country. unanimously. Editor in Chief .................... 305-348-1580 study the impact of the recession The Congressional Black The event was free and open Neistein and Rionda presented the idea chris.necuze@fi usm.com in different communities. Caucus Foundation Inc. hosted to University students and the of making every current student a basic MC Offi ce ........................... 305-348-2709 “There are educational impli- news@fi usm.com the “Economic Recovery Forum” general public. Multiple informa- member of the Alumni Association. cations for the work that we do BBC Offi ce .......................... 305-919-4722 in the Kovens Conference Center tion sessions were held, ranging “Everyone would be an automatic bbc@fi usm.com because when you talk about the at the Biscayne Bay Campus. The from the green recovery efforts in member, and get all the discounts and Tips & Corrections .............. 305-348-2709 FIU cuts, those are just emblem- lecturers spoke about the Amer- South Florida, to the impact of the perks,” said Rionda. “But if they wanted tips@fi usm.com atic of state-wide cuts that are Advertising ........................ 305-348-6994 ican Recovery and Reinvestment ARRA on the community. advertising@fi usm.com Act of 2009, also known as the Hashim Benford, a sociology STIMULUS, page 3 SGA, page 3 2 The Beacon – Wednesday, July 22, 2009 NEWS www.fi usm.com NEWS FLASH CLAST repealed by legislature FIU Miami Dade College belongs to Alumni Association challenge exceeded Skills requirements still to be the Florida College System, both of which are separate entities func- The challenge set by FIU President-designate Mark met through alternative classes tioning under different protocols. Rosenberg exceeded its goals. The Board of Governors, at the According to the University, Rosenberg set a chal- head of the SUS, have yet to approve lenge of recruiting more than 2,000 members for the CHRISTOPHER LAZAGA or ACT scores. of the use of the CPT as a means of Alumni Association in less than two months. Staff Writer According to FIU’s online satisfying CLAS requirements. The deadline was June 30, and by that date, more than academic advising guide, scores “The Articulation Coordina- 2,000 people have joined the Association. After new legislation passed in yielding CLAS exemptions on the tion Committee (a committee in the “We recruited more new members in two months than March this year, the state of Florida SAT are 500 or above for both the Florida Department of Education) is many other schools recruit in a full year,” said Duane has made the decision to discontinue verbal and math sections.