University of North Florida UNF Digital Commons 25th Anniversary Printed Materials 25th Anniversary 10-8-1997 The pinnS aker Vol. 21 No. 5 University of North Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/anniversary25_materials Recommended Citation The pS innaker Vol. 21 No. 5. 1997. UNF History. University of North Florida, Thomas G. Carpenter Library Special Collections and Archives. UNF Digital Commons, https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/anniversary25_materials/3/ This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 25th Anniversary at UNF Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in 25th Anniversary Printed Materials by an authorized administrator of UNF Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Digital Projects. © 10-8-1997 All Rights Reserved .. .. : .· • .. • • .. .. .. .. .. .. • • + • • • • • .. • • • .. • .. • • • • . ·· _. · · · · :: · :.- · ·:: ·:: ·:: ·:: ·,. · · ihe· ·otfiCiat· Citni})i\s :in;WSi)a})e·r ·Of UN}~· ·· · · OctolJer 8, 1997 voll.tme 21 11ttml1er 5 Safety concerns slack after false report By Kathryne Roesch tions to ensure their own safety. Both Anderson and Heather Blackburn, a UNF freshman, said she Contributing Writer the university spokesperson Dan Dundon said thinks people are used to the fact that they have to whether or not a serious incident occurs, the recom­ look after themselves. Howell said that increased · On Tuesday, Sept. 16, a women left work at the mendations for remaining safe are the same. awareness of your own behavior is necessary for University of North Florida at 11 p.m. As she First. people who must stay on campus or away ensuring your safety. Sometimes a woman's appear­ approached her car in the campus parking garage, a from their dormitories during evening hours should ance draws unfavorable attention to her, said Howell. man in dark clothing rolled from beneath it and walk with a companion to and from their vehicles or Walking around campus while standing tall and mak­ allegedly assaulted her at knife-point. The attacker, rooms. Second, those who have no one to walk with ing eye contact reduces the projection of vulnerabili­ according to the police report, cut the victim several can avail themselves of Safe-Ride, a complementary ty. Safety is often a matter of habit, and people some­ times before dropping the knife and fleeing the service for transporting people across campus at times need to be reminded of that. scene. night. Anderson said that personal security issues should Bright green signs detailing the attack appeared "People should not be afraid to use the resources be considered at all times. He often sees women run­ across campus during the week this incident was available to them," said Bonnie Nowell, a UNF police ning alone at night in wooded areas of campus or under investigation. Freshman Erica Swindell said officer who works in community relations. along the roadways without light-reflecting clothes. those green signs scared her a lot. She spends most Resources are available to people when they are off Common-sense steps should be taken by these indi­ evenings on campus with her friends and usually campus as well. For example, Howell suggested ask­ viduals. does not leave until11:30 or midnight. She said she ing security personnel at malls and shopping centers Blackburn said those green signs probably made does not walk around campus alone when it's dark, to act as escorts when it is dark. Not only is that what many people apprehensive. Now that everyone and she always asks at least two friends to walk her those people are paid to do, said Howell, but the idea knows the assault did not happen, there is a tenden­ to her car. She never parks in the parking garage. of security in numbers is a good rule of thumb. cy for them to have a false sense of security. She The parking garage may not be such a bad place Female students and alumni also have available to thinks the campus is safe, but she said she could not after all. A two-day police investigation led to the them a 12-hour self defense course taught by Howell. help but think, before learning the incident was not arrest of the alleged assault victim for filing a false Participants are first reminded of the things they real, that it could have happened to her. police report. already know which can help them avoid becoming Howell said one of the best rules of safety for Anderson said he believed all along that the inci­ victims. They are then introduced to some of the women is to avoid creating dangerous situations for dent was an isolated one and that people had no rea­ hands-on tools available to anyone, regardless of her themselves. son to fear from it. Cases of aggravated assault on size and strength, to fight off an attacker. The student "Because this is a very safe campus," said Howell, campus are rare, but people still need to take precau- cost for the course is $15. "people tend to be too complacent." Happy 25th Anniversary UNF! Photos by Mike Fara Scholarships and scams are us by Jill Keating The largest ploy used in such frauds is the claim 5 Signs of a scholarship scam: Staff Writer to have "billions of dollars of unclaimed financial aid." Newsletters or advertisements will claim that • The scholarship is guaranteed or your money As students scrape to save enough money to fund this pool of leftover cash is available to all who back. their education, a new concern has been brought to apply and can front a holding fee. our attention, raising awareness about where the UNF students have found such offers placed in • Make sure you have receipts and policies in money will come from. front of them as each summer letters and pam­ writing before paying. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released phlets flood in offering financial assistance in the a warning for college students about fraudulent upcoming school year. These offers may state that • The information being offered is said to be scholarship offers being made through mail and the student has been selected or chosen at random available nowhere else. Legitimate advertisements. The FTC has pegged several inde­ from a pool. Others would include a lengthy ques­ scholarship lists are free of charge. pendent companies that promise "free money" to tionnaire requesting such information as credit card college students as part of "Operation Missed numbers and bank account information. • Company ·requests credit card information. Fortune," a federal crackdown on business opportu­ Freshman Amy Brousard says. "as a high school nity schemes. senior, mail comes in on a daily basis with all sorts Eight companies, including Progressive Media, of offers, you just have to learn to sort through it • Any company that claims to "do all the work for Inc. and Collegiate Communications Group. Inc., and decide what looks real ... " you." To receive a scholarship. you have to apply have been sued thus far for making false promises The financial aid offices attempt to warn students yourself. of financial aid to students. These companies would about illegitimate offers: however, many slip by as charge between $10-$400 in fees for such services as they disguise themselves well. Such ads appear • Any letter claiming you've been selected or cho­ college directories and lists of legitimate scholar­ within college guides and magazines. often among sen for sop~ething you did not enter. • Make sure ships, most of which the student is ineligible for. many official offers. The best advice is to simply the foundation is legitimate before sending any Attorney Joe Lipinsky. for the FTC, says "... for look further into any company offet:ing free cash for money regardless of what personal information years. these companies have fleeced tens of thou­ college, and never send any money to an organiza­ they may have on you. sands of dollars a year from college students by tion promising financial assistance. enticing students to pay money for rudimentary Free money shouldn't cost a thing. advice and minimal services . " Companies recruit UNF students by Edward Carifio companies. it also helped UNF students staff writer looking to enter the job market. UNF hosted a job fair Thursday in the Arena, giving 66 local and out of state "The fair is really good. It gives stu­ companies a chance to start recruiting the work force of tomorrow. dents like me the opportunity to hunt "We feel that UNF is competitive with most other schools in the area. So, we for jobs. It's a lot better than searching thought we'd give it a try. There have been a lot of good candidates in all areas," through newspapers because, here, said Sam Gibson, college relations director for Alltel Communications. , everything is in one place," said Scott In addition, some companies came to the fair because of previous good fortune. Draberk, senior. "We consider UNF a major school. and we have been successful at past job fairs Others came not necessarily looking that were hosted by this school." said Allen Randolph, general manager of the for jobs now. but in the future. local AMC Theaters. ''I'm a computer science Not just corporations atten~ed, major, which requires con­ but most of the United States Armed tacts. That's what I'm here Forces were represented as well. for - to find out what's "We came here to expose the available, and what's in opportunity that the Army gives to f.iiWI~ d~mand, so I can prepare college students and helps better myself for what is needed," said Carol Rukab, junior. their careers," said Army Sgt. All in all, the fair was a success.