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Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 12-3-2015 The Beacon, December 3, 2015 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, December 3, 2015" (2015). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 835. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/835 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 One copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents. Vol. 27 Issue 47 fiusm.com Thursday, December 3, 2015 Fire at 109 Tower displaces students NICOLE MONTERO Asst. New Director [email protected] Nearly 500 University students were evacuated from their homes after a fire at 109 Tower, a 15-story building that functions as off-campus housing for students. The fire started on the 10th floor of the kitchen on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at around 1 a.m., according to NBC 6 News. The tower’s sprinkler system put the fire out quickly, but caused damage to the lower floors. There was damage caused by flooding because of a “robust sprinkler system,” according to Elizabeth Bejar, vice president for Academic Affairs at a faculty senate meeting Tuesday. “Around 1 a.m., I noticed that there were a lot of fire trucks and ambulances outside the building,” said Chloe Antoine, a junior majoring in liberal studies and a 109 Tower resident. “I understood there was a fire and I called the [person] on-call and they told me that it had already been put out.” But, at around 3 a.m., she was woken up by firefighters. “I woke up because firefighters were knocking on the door telling everyone to evacuate,” Antoine said. CAMILA FERNANDEZ/THE BEACON “Everyone in the building was locked outside and spent the whole morning there. I was there from 3 a.m. to 5:30 Hundreds of students who live at 109 Tower along Southwest 109th Avenue at 7th Street were displaced after a fire a.m. until I finally went to my grandmother’s house.” evacuation on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 1. At the time of production, it was unknown when they would return . However, some students don’t have anyone in South Florida to stay with. At 10:30 a.m., police let students change their clothes Avenue, according to NBC 6 News. “I am an out-of-state student from Puerto Rico,” said and grab their laptops and books on a floor-by-floor At the time of publication, it was unknown when the Daniela Garcia-Rovira, a senior majoring in advertising basis. They were also given meal passes to buy breakfast students would return to Towers. and a Tower resident. “109 is the place I call home. I at Fresh Food Company at the Modesto A. Maidique “There are electricians inspecting plugs on each floor have some friends who have offered me a place to stay Campus Graham Center. to make sure there’s no problem, and the firefighters in case of anything, [but] I’m just anxious to know what “I was on the last floor, so we were the last group to will also inspect each floor to make sure it’s safe,” said will happen.” be escorted up to our rooms,” Garcia-Rovira said. “The Antoine. “Most of the students were just really upset However, Bejar said the University will hotel some building is now on lockdown until further notice, and I because we were kicked out and weren’t allowed to go residents and shuttle them back and forth to campus if have not heard anything as to when it will re-open.” back in to get anything.” needed. She also said that she can validate for faculty The University released a statement stating that no one The cause of the fire was still under investigation. which students were affected. was hurt and that the building was going to be inspected “I want my bed,” said Garcia-Rovira. “I want the 109 Garcia-Rovira thought she would be allowed to grab later on. Tower officials to address this personally and explain her stuff before evacuating the tower, but they rushed her “We ask faculty be patient and sensitive to this everything to us. I want to get as much information as out. situation, as many of the evacuees likely will be possible.” “I was shaking and scared,” Garcia-Rovira said. “They unprepared for class today,” wrote External Relations in wouldn’t even let us be in the lobby. I sat outside in small a University-wide email. Additional reporting by Philippe Buteau. Visit fiusm. steps in front of the building, hoping this would only be a Hundreds of students were displaced by the fire in the com for continued updates as this story develops. couple minutes. Those couple minutes turned into hours.” building, located on the corner of 8th Street and 109th Student stimulant drug use – on the rise? SOPHIE HERBUT college students are reported to has on the future of a student that themselves in these situations. or an option to go home and set a Staff Writer use marijuana daily, according to has been caught in possession of “It’s a difficult decision when court date instead of arrest. They [email protected] a 2014 study by the University of illegal drugs. you have these students that could are also exploring civil citations Michigan. “It’s a very difficult moment be honor students, that could be as an option to non-students. Alexander Orta developed After the consistence of his in an officer’s life when that in the school of medicine, that The use of “study drugs,” such a routine when he graduated schedule, his friends decided to person’s future is in [his or her] could be a law student that have as Adderall, Vyvanse or Ritalin, from high school, preparing relocate to a hidden location with hands,” Navas said. “And it’s that everything going for them, and are also at staggering heights -- himself for college. One mistake, unmaintained, tall grass. After one decision that officer makes they don’t realize the potential about 30 percent, according to a however, almost dissolved all of a previous warning from a man that can pretty much make it or consequences of doing this,” he 2006 study by the University of his attempts to get an education. who lived close, they showed up break it for that person’s future, said. Kentucky. “I was finally of age of a to the same location and found a for a simple mistake.” Nicole Wallace, a junior The most common reason is to college student [so I wanted] police officer stationed and ready Orta was charged with a environmental science major, has focus while studying, especially to explore the stereotype of for suspicious activity. misdemeanor and was given a seen people in the University use during the time of midterm and college students,” Orta said. He “As soon as we turned our promise to appear in court. drugs. final exams. found one way to do this was to headlights off, a car turns theirs During the next few months, “There were people smoking Paola Silva said she tried recreationally use marijuana. on and drives up to us,” Orta said. Orta said he was living in fear of weed in the common area and Adderall because of the lack of There has been an increase He said the officer immediately telling his parents and thought walking around with, like, blunts time she had to do homework in the use of illegal drugs, with asked for the drugs and they he would be able to keep it from in their hands in front of the while handling a full-time job. an estimated 80.6 percent using complied. them. In that time, he had to fill dorms,” said Wallace. “I wish it didn’t come down marijuana in 2013 according to “[He asked us] if we go to out his FAFSA, and it asked if Navas said that as university to trying Adderall but it really did the National Survey on Drug Use school and I think that’s when he was ever convicted for drug- police officers, they have several help more than I had expected it and Health. he pitied us.” Orta said. “A lot related crime. options for students who are to,” the junior education major The senior English major of cops have pity of college “I didn’t know what to put,” discovered to be in possession of said. “When I would sit down to said his routine was simple: students.” said Orta. “That was my biggest illegal drugs or contraband. study I was so tired, and it was so work, school and once a week, David Navas, an officer fear. The fear that college would The officer has the alternative easy to get distracted.” he would hang out with friends within FIUPD’s Investigations be taken away from me.” to send the student to Student She said she was able to sit and smoke marijuana. and Compliance Division, said he Navas said he thinks it’s Conduct and Conflict Resolution, An estimated 5.9 percent of understands the power the officer a shame that students put give them a “promise to appear,” SEE DRUGS, PAGE 2 2 The Beacon – Thursday, December 3, 2015 NEWS fiusm.com NATION & WORLD Health Services hosts BRIEFS recharge for finals Atem iliquidi imporro debitati con re seque doluptio ALIANA ZAMORANO Pham.
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