Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 1-22-2007 The Beacon, January 22, 2008 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, January 22, 2008" (2007). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 217. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/217 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]. Our View: SGC-UP trying to save a buck at other organizations’ expenses. Page 5. A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University Vol. 20, Issue 41 www.fi usm.com January 22, 2008 A NEW PLANNER THE REAL RON PAUL CIRCUS TIME VERSATILE PANTHER Events coordinator elected Inaccuracies, lies dispelled Fair carries carnival theme Football player tackles the court AT THE BAY PAGE 4 OPINION PAGE 5 LIFE! PAGE 6 SPORTS PAGE 12 FLORIDA BOARD OF GOVERNORS AIN’T IT THE LIFE Board joins fi ght over travel ban DANIELLA BACIGALUPO Staff Writer Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Governors agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Faculty Senate of FIU that the Travel to Terrorist States Act - which, among other things, bans university research travel to Cuba - should be reexamined to determine if it has constitutional merit. “These professors saw this law as a restriction on their ability to meet their obligation as professors in their fi elds,” said Bill Edmonds, director of communi- cations of the Florida Board of Governors. “We are agreeing that the court needs to look at the issue of non-state dollars [in the act].” Signed into law by the Florida Legisla- ture in 2006, the Travel to Terrorist States Act forbids the use of university state and non-state funds to travel to countries deemed “sponsors of terrorism” by the U.S. Department of State. The countries FERNANDO GARCIA/THE BEACON deemed “sponsors of terrorism” are Iran, TIMES LIKE THESE: Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl performs during the band’s concert at Bank Atlantic Center on Jan.16. Against Me! and Jimmy Eat World also performed during the concert. Read a review of the concert in the Life! section on page 6. TRAVEL BAN, page 3 STUDENT INVOLVEMENT COUNCIL AFRICAN NEW WORLD STUDIES Proposal looks to So you know... Yoruba leaders HC, SOC, and GSA combine councils Budgets reveal written canon $197,000 - SOC $47,000 - HC CATHERINE KAIMAN the selective members invited BEN F. BADGER JR. to a group in need. BBC Life Editor to the meeting, hosted by FIU’s Asst. News Director SOC President Maria Cedaño $23,000 - GSA African New World Studies has concerns about the SIC pro- $73,000 - Council Expenditures After years of criticism for Program. A proposal submitted by the posal. Total: $340,000 not having a written religious “It is very important to reveal University Park Student Govern- “I believe it is in the best interest - $23,000 in U-wide spending canon, leaders of the Yoruba these texts at this time because ment Council could combine the of students that [the three councils] Total: $317,000 overall budget religion have decided to reveal people tend to think of African Student Organizations Council, have a more active input into the two original texts that were knowledge as a knowledge the Honors Council and the Gradu- proposal,” Cedaño said. kept for decades in the hands without texts, and we live in ate Student Association into the After the proposal was drafted Proposed SIC of privileged priests. a digital society where people Student Involvement Council if and presented to SGC-UP, the Budget The texts were showcased at have access to everything,” said approved on Jan. 23. three councils were asked to give a meeting for the inauguration Akin Ogundiran, director of the Sergio Ibarra-Bolaños, comp- input during a meeting, according $180,000 - individual groups of Africana Knowledge Work- ANWS Program. troller of SGC-UP, said that SIC to Cedaño. $80,000 - special allocations ing Group of South Florida African knowledge is a term would streamline financial pro- However, the meeting was can- held at Biscayne Bay Campus that encompasses African his- cesses, making them more effi cient celled due to the Dr. Martin Luther $40,000 - SIC Executive Board on Jan. 18. tory, culture and philosophy. and easier to do. King Jr. holiday, . Total: $300,000 This event marked the fi rst “It is time for the world to “Instead of a giant three-headed “It concerns me that the pro- time any sacred text of Santeria, see that we do have a religious Source: SIC Proposal monster, it would only be one giant posal is being rushed,” Cedaño the syncretic Yoruba religion, canon that is written down,” monster,” Bolaños said. said. has ever been exposed to the said Oba Ernesto Pichardo, an The merger would save $17,000 If the proposal for SIC is passed, power to call for a tabling motion, public. African leader. “This book was between the three councils. all SOC programs will continue as which would postpone voting until The Book of Diagnosis in a long process; slaves, Afro- Currently, an organization normal for the rest of the year. the next SGC-UP meeting, she Ifa Divination was written in Cubans, and priests took the could underspend its budget while “We are fi nishing our full year,” hopes a representative will call for 1940 by a group of priests and oral tradition and documented it another could be in need of those Cedaño said. “We were elected for one to allow more time for the pro- recopied by the same authors over a long period of time.” unused funds, Bolaños said. SIC a full year of service.” posal to be discussed by SOC, HC within the next ten years. would make it easier to move funds While Cedaño does not have the and GSA leaders with SGC-UP. The original was revealed to TEXT, page 4 2 The Beacon – January 22, 2008 NEWS www.fi usm.com RECREATION SERVICES THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS Fourth annual ski trip planned TUESDAY • JANUARY 22 AMANDA MASSA Anyone can attend, Included in the $225 fee students can bring friends SOC- Spring Club Fair 2008: Staff Writer according to Matt O’Connor, for FIU students and a $250 to accompany them, new 11a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lawn in front of GC Ball- intramural and club sport fee for all others is bus trans- friendships are also made rooms When an infrequent cold coordinator. portation, lodging, a lift during the trip. front hits South Florida, A non-FIU attendee must ticket, equipment rental, a “You don’t know a lot Honors Council Society Orientation: students and faculty around be accompanied by an FIU wristband for the amuse- of people at fi rst, but you’ll 3:30 p.m., Graham Center 140 campus pull out their winter student or faculty member. ment area and a beginner’s make a lot of friends on the wardrobe from the back of trip,” Pita said. “I still see Bring your resume to school day: their closets for a few days. Natasha Davila, FIU Alum people I know from the trip 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Panther Square (BBC) For those who wish to walking around today.” have a real winter experi- “Living in a place like Miami, there are The deadline for early ence, Recreation Services a lot of people who have never seen registration is Jan. 25. Stu- WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 23 has a solution: a ski trip. The dents who apply by the early The Chill Skill: trip is scheduled for Feb. 22- snow before. deadline will receive $25 off 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., WUC 255 (BBC) 24. The registration deadline the trip. is Feb. 1 at 5 p.m.. “Living in a place like ski lesson. “It’s affordable, fun and SOC- Spring Club Fair 2008: For the fourth year in a Miami, there are a lot of “The lesson is included, you meet a lot of people 11a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lawn in front of GC Ball- row, RS is presenting a ski people who have never seen so if you’ve never skied you’ll become friends with,” rooms trip for students, faculty and snow before,” said Natasha before, it makes it easier to Pita said. friends. Davila, a graduate student learn,” Davila said. For more information, Welcome Reception: The trip offers an outdoor who went on the trip last Davila and Stephanie contact O’Connor at 305- 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., WUC 2 1/2 Balcony recreation program for 50 year. “When they fi nally see Pita, who also went on last 348-7530 or, via e-mail, at guests. snow, they go crazy.” year’s trip, says that although matthew.oconnor@fi u.edu. Asian Student Union General Meeting: 6 p.m., Gracies Grill ”So You Think You Can Dance?” Auditions: Police Notes SGC-UP Notes Noon - 2 p.m., Graham Center Pit Jan. 7: An offi cer was dispatched to the PAC Call to Order: 4:10 p.m. • Adjournment: 5:40 p.m. SGA General Meeting: building after being told that a suspicious female 4 p.m., Graham Center 150 - non-FIU student - was sleeping in room 150, President’s Report (Marbely Hernandez): trespassing on school property.