Spinnaker [Distributed: Wednesday, October 18, 2006]

This is the story of a University of North Florida bus. The bus sits in Lot 14 all day and night, where it's been parked since at least mid-September. It sports the UNF logo running up and down its sides, boldly proclaiming its owner to anyone who passes by on either side of the four parking spaces it occupies.

Also in Lot 14 are many students' cars. So many cars, in fact, that it's a rare occurrence during the high-traffic time of any given school day when there are enough parking spaces to provide for all the students that need to park there.

What almost universally happens is that several cars are forced to park on the grass and sidewalk around the lot. Then an industrious Parking Services employee makes her rounds and leaves lots of little yellow tickets on students' windshields, citing them for parking violations and charging them $25 each to be paid within the following two weeks.

A little simple math will reveal what the real problem is here, if three factors are taken into consideration. First, there is not enough parking to accommodate all students who want to park in Lot 14. Second, the UNF bus is and has been occupying four spaces in that lot since mid-September. And third, each parking ticket costs a student and benefits the university on the order of $25 per infraction.

Using the most conservative estimate possible, at least one student parks in each space per day. For each of the four spaces the bus occupies daily, four students with valid, paid parking permits are ultimately forced to find alternative parking on the grass and sidewalks around Lot 14, most commonly. These four students will then each get ticketed at $25 apiece, totaling $100 the university will collect per day.

The longer this construct is stretched out-and it has been since at least Sept. 19, the earliest date it was certifiably observed-the more money UNF makes, just by having its bus sit in the lot in disuse. Over a week, the school stands to make $500. Over the four weeks or so since it was first observed, the school may have made $2,000 or more.

And remember, this is using the most conservative numbers possible. If it is considered instead that two students will use any given parking space per day, a more realistic but still low number, the money the school can make over a month then doubles to $4,000. All this goes into the big pot that UNF has accumulated from ticket fines since the beginning of the semester-a number that totaled $133,000 over the summer.

This is just one microcosmic situation indicative of a larger problem. Students' interests are underrepresented and underappreciated across the board when it comes to parking issues-that's why nothing is changing. What is the university doing to remedy the situation? Well, Sept. 29 they appointed a staff member to the traditionally student-held position of vice chair of the parking council. So, expect even less representation in the future.

At a university that prides itself on making students the "first priority," there are a suspicious number of indicators that the truth may be much closer to the inverse. Rising permit prices, diminishing representation, a prohibitive appeals process-it's safe to say things aren't fairing well for students at all at this point.

Until UNF decides to honor the "students first" policy they relentlessly advertise, it looks like all students can expect to be first at is standing in line at the cashier's office.

Electronic voting is good start, needs work

Editorial

The recent Student Government elections went off without a hitch. Voters turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots, or more correctly, punch in their selections electronically.

It was a first for the University of North Florida. There were no bubbled pieces of paper to organize and tally. Voting officials could simply print out the results tabulated in the computers. It was the picture of efficiency.

But efficient does not necessarily mean effective. The computer voting system had one fundamental flaw that, if SG continues to use electronic voting, it must amend.

The voting procedure essentially resembled the same one used in previous elections. Students approached a polling station and presented their student identification cards and gave the poll worker their N numbers to verify that they were indeed UNF students, that they were the UNF student they professed to be and that this was the only vote they cast in this election.

But when those same, already identified and verified, students approached the electronic voting terminal, the computer asked them to enter their N numbers and universal passwords. Instantly, the students' votes were inextricably tied to their identities within the computer system. Through this login procedure, anonymous voting was thrown out the window.

Of course, the data that SG received from the electronic ballots did not contain any information other than how many votes were cast for each candidate and the supervisor of elections professes to have no knowledge of a function within the system that could link votes with students' identities. There is no doubt that this is true, but that does not change the fact that somewhere within the saved results, there is probably a way to link votes with their voters.

Electronic voting has been a hotly debated subject during the last few state and national elections, particularly in Florida. After recent election debacles, the state set aside more than $100 million for new voting technology along with improved training for voters and those working the polls. But the first elections with the new electronic-voting technology led only to technical difficulties and "lost" votes in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Not that any of these problems occurred during UNF's election, but it must be acknowledged that electronic voting is still a new entity at all levels of government, and there are a lot of kinks that still need to be worked out.

Electronic voting is the way of the future, and UNF should be commended for being on the cusp. But as with all new systems, things need to be adjusted after getting a test run in the real world. The most important adjustment is to re-work the system so that students do not have to login to vote. Anything to deter confidence in the voting system will only add to the uphill battle of getting people to the polls.

Citizens should revisit tenets of democracy

Student Opinion

The last time we, the people, elected a presidential candidate that actually seemed to prioritize the best interest of the American people, and the best interest of the people of the global community, he was assassinated. May John F. Kennedy rest in peace.

That's as close as we have come to having some human consciousness in the White House over the past three decades, give or take a few years.

It's about time we took some responsibility upon ourselves and stopped playing the blame game for the mistakes we've made. We love pointing fingers don't we: "he who is without sin among you, let him through a stone at her first, " John 8:9.

It's OK, if we make mistakes and vote for wrong candidates, we can fire them and elect someone else, right? We're human and we make mistakes. But shame on you if you fool me once, shame on me if you fool me twice.

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, dilemmas we have in our country is that too many of us seem to think that the entire constitution is open to interpretation. Perhaps some things are, but separation of church and state, and freedom of religion, for that matter, ought to be clear.

The founders of this amazing democracy risked and sacrificed their lives escaping religious persecution.

When they finally achieved it and claimed independence, they drafted a phenomenal document giving us, the people, the right, not the privilege, and the responsibility of electing a government "by the people and for the people."

The laws of our country shouldn't have to reflect faith, religion or whatever we choose to spiritually believe in.

Freedom of religion doesn't only mean we have the right to choose what to believe in, it also means that we shouldn't have to be governed by laws our representatives draft reflective of their beliefs and imposing these on entire populations, regardless of the distinct beliefs within populations.

Are we not better than that? Seriously, we are so much better humans than that. Let's lead humanity by example. Let's take our government back, and while we're at it, let's take our public airwaves back, too. Airwaves belong to us and not to corporate media that uses and abuses them to numb, mislead and condition our societies.

Media conglomerates control almost every media outlet, along with production and distribution of content, from local broadcasts and print to cable, satellite and even the Internet.

These conglomerates prioritize their agendas instead of the best interest of the community. They even decide for us to elect into public office, therefore nearly guaranteeing their interests get served.

How about it? Let's prove to ourselves and the international community that we are conscious and responsible citizens that care, and very much cherish, true democracy.

Letters to the Editor

'Liberal' is not a four-letter word

Ms. Manning, You write the word liberal as if it was a four-letter word and was the most evil group of people that ever walked on this planet.

Basically, a liberal is one who believes in the Liberty of the individual over the totalitarian tendancy of government. Men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, to name just a few, were proud to be called liberals. Abe Lincoln gave freedom to the slaves, which was the most liberal idea to ever be espoused in this country.

Your right to print the slanderous garbage you place in your column was given to you by liberals, who fought for the freedom of the press.

The true hypocrisy in the Foley scandal is that he professed to be the advocate for exploited children to include protection from internet predators. Then he tried to use his position to do exactly what he claimed was done by only the lowest low-lives, and he would have gone on doing it if he had not been caught. And it appears that the present majority party in Congress would change the meaning of GOP from Grand Old Party to Guard Our Perverts.

Homosexuality and abortion is not a crime in this country, but soliciting sex with a minor is, in large, because of laws Foley sponsored in Congress. Was he trying to protect those children or eliminate his competition?

A liberal believes in protecting the rights of the individua,l and that includes protecting the rights of a child to be protected from perverts like Foley.

Rep. Gerry Studds did not break any law. You see it is a recent phenomenon that the age of consent for males in most states was raised to 18. The fact that he was reelected five times after that proved the majority of his constituents respected his performance in Congress and the fact he had not broken any laws.

Do you think the good people of Foley's district would approve of his using his position in Congress to try and seduce children?

The way you say liberal and how others say it insults the very men that have fought and died for this country since 1776. They have done so for the most Liberal of all principles, the right of the individual. Franklin said it best when he said "he who would sacrifice liberty for security deserves neither."

The truth is that the GOP is beginning to come around to the idea that the War in Iraq has nothing to do with fighting terror, except that it provides the training ground for the terrorist that will come when America can no longer defend itself. The present government can do nothing about North Korea because it has no way of backing up its threats.

I will vote my Liberal Ideals in November, because I believe they are what have made this country the greatest on the planet.

A note from the parents of Richard O'Bryant

To all of the University of North Florida Staff and Students:

My husband and I would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you that has been so supportive in the time of our loss. Richard seems to have touched so many in his short life, but what a life he lived.

A donation has been made in honor of Richard's memory to the University of North Florida First Generation College Student Matching Gift Program by his friends and family. We both feel that this money will reach so many and that would be a positive reflection on Richard's life.

We would like to extend a personal thank you to Dr. Terry DiNuzzo, Chief Mark Foxworth, Lt. Tammy Oliver and all of the Spinnaker staff for their personal support during this year.

In loving memory of Richard Wayne O'Bryant.

College women's moral fiber should be in question

Hey Jeff,

This is the first time I've e-mailed a school journalist. I read your article concerning decent girls on campus.

I must admit I was surprised to read your article. It is a tough topic to write about and you take a vulnerable stance. I was in complete agreement with your article "Where have all the decent girls gone?" So many girls on campus dress themselves up like sluts and waste their bodies on unhealthy behaviors.

It is a tough challenge to find a beautiful girl who is beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside, one who doesn't flaunt her body in almost nude form for attention. I just wanted to thank you for going out on a limb and speaking out against what is going on today with these indecent girls. Keep up with the good work, Jeff.

Student opinion doesn't encompass all aspects of Greek Life

Reading last week's newspapers and seeing the article titled "where have all the good girls gone?" was appalling. It was both childish and inexperienced. I have seriously never been more pissed off at something that has been written.

My first reaction was to say that women could say the same thing about the boys in college, but where would that lead us? To a never ending fight about who's wrong or who's right. While there is validity to the comments made on some of the girls that can be seen out drinking and exposing themselves or acting in a ridiculous manner, there is also the flip side, where boys can be seen doing the same thing. It may not be to try to get a shot of their favorite liquor, but it could be fighting for the attention of a certain girl or even worse, acting sloppy drunk and degrading women.

I have been disgusted by some of the choices on campus, but never would I ask myself "where have all the good men gone?" It is a matter of where you are looking. Once you take yourself out of the situation where these things are happening, I am quite sure that there will be a change in the attitudes of the opposite sex. Being a sophomore in college and being part of Greek life does not only expose you to a life of party, drink, party, sex and girls. It is an opportunity to better yourself and make connections. If you are not using it for that then I suggest you reevaluate your own morals. Reevaluate the way you look at women, or I'm positive your mother would not be proud either.

Being Greek myself, I find it very offensive that this is what you think of your organization. There is a privilege in being Greek and I find that my sisters are people with extremely high morals and hold themselves to high standards. Maybe it should be an objective for some of the people who agreed with this article to check the people you are associating yourself with and then figure out why you cannot find a good girl.

Take a look into your classrooms, where there are people with serious goals in mind and don't find the time to get drunk and act in a promiscuous manner. There are many women on this campus that would far exceed what you might think a college girl is like.

On matters of going out for "college night," what kind of argument is that? Have you ever expected to meet the person you're going to take home to your parents at the club? NO, and you shouldn't. People influence each other in many ways, and while it is unfortunate, it is true. What would be the point of going to the club in a turtleneck and long pants? That is your time to show off your new outfit or show people how amazing you look. And as boys seem to prove every time that the less clothing someone is wearing, the higher the chances are they will try to talk to you.

So while there is a line to be crossed with clothing choice, it is not your place to say what attire is worn at the club and how that shows a girl is not worth it. You can never judge a book by its cover, and while I am not dismissing the obvious that yes, some girls just are THAT girl, there are many, many women on this campus and everywhere for that matter that are that amazing girl that you take home to your parents, show off to your friends and say "Yeah, that's her."

Nice guys still finish last

OK so, this article on good girls has certainly caused quite the stir. I do admit that the author's argument probably would have been sounder had he focused on the idea of a moral decline that was independent of gender. However, I do have to ask, in all sincerity, where oh where have all the good brains gone?

For a student to return with a retort such as, "Where are the gentlemen who would guard her safety by not allowing any guys to take advantage of her while in her condition?" was giggle-worthy at best. Honestly, there are thirteen year olds who better comprehend the consequences of alcohol consumption. I would probably have to say that the gentleman who normally would have "defended her honor when she is being pressured by some irreverent guys to show them her boobs" probably got tired of going home alone at night with a black eye while the "good girl" they were defending took off with the other guy. If you feel so horribly about the lack of gentleman available to meet your aid, maybe it's because you should quit working so hard just standing there at the bar waiting for the next drink from these irreverent guys and start taking a few punches yourself.

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DISCOURSE

Parking marred by 'university first' behavior

Editorial

Electronic voting is good start, needs work

Editorial

Citizens should revisit tenets of democracy

Student Opinion

Letters to the Editor

'Liberal' is not a four-letter word

A note from the parents of Richard O'Bryant

College women's moral fiber should be in question

Student opinion doesn't encompass all aspects of Greek Life

Nice guys still finish last

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