Campus to gain Center for Global Health and Medical Diplomacy

Brooks College of Health will host center to promote global health discussion

By Tami Livingston
NEWS EDITOR

Robert K. Pietrzyk

University of North Florida President John Delaney announced the creation of the Center for Global Health and Medical Diplomacy within the Brooks College of Health Feb. 13.

The center will be directed by Dr. Yank Coble, a local endocrinologist and former president of the World Medical Association, the American Medical Association and Florida Medical Association.

Coble said the center will strive to improve communication between the different entities involved in the Northeast Florida health care system and hopes it will serve as a catalyst for discussion about the challenges facing the healthcare system today.

"There are so many areas of expertise within our community," Coble said. The center aims to bring local entities, along with national and international experts together to discuss health care issues.

"What we're hoping to do is to identify the problems we believe are the most critical and to be solved in Jacksonville and come up with priorities," said Dr. Pamela Chally, dean of the BCH.

Chally said Coble has 35 years of experience in medical diplomacy, and the center will bring in people from around the world that may have dealt with the same issues facing Northeast Florida, such as health care access, the uninsured, infant mortality and the disparities between the health outcomes of different ethnicities. Chally said the hope is that others who have dealt with these problems will talk and work with local leaders to find a solution.

"This is a great coup for UNF and a great enhancement for the Brooks College of Health," Chally said. "We know we wanted someone with connections across the globe."

"Yank is a huge asset in our local community and we're going to try and capitalize on it," Delaney said. "That's pretty special for a university of our size and age to land."

The center will collaborate with international experts in the medical field to work toward solutions to local and global health issues, Coble said.

"We want to make an impact and be relevant to our community," Delaney said.

Promoting excellence and balance in the caring, ethics and science of health and medical care will also be a large part of the center, Coble said. Its mission is "to foster global understanding and collective action for improving health and medical care."

Besides working to improve health care, the center will also benefit students, Chally said.

"It will open the world of health care to students," Chally said. In the past, students in the BCH have been involved in the Jacksonville area and the surrounding counties, she said.

The center will sponsor a series of forums to inform the public about local and global health issues and encourage discussion, Coble said.

The first lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 26 in the University Center Banquet Hall. The lecture will feature Project Hope President and CEO Dr. John Howe III, who will discuss "Global Health and Medical Diplomacy: Quiet Advocacy."

Project Hope is an international health foundation with offices and programs in 30 countries and publisher of "Health Affairs," a health policy journal. Tickets are available online at www.unf.edu, in the Spring 2007 lecture series tab.

Funding for the center is being provided by UNF, private donations and local hospitals, Chally said.

The center is located on the third floor of the BCH across from the dean's office.

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Florida tuition least expensive in nation

By Matt Coleman
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Robert K. Pietrzyk

Average tuition by state for 2006-2007 (Source: The College Board)

Tuition for in-state undergraduate students in Florida is the lowest in the country, according to information published by the College Board.

The board's 2006-2007 results, which ranked Florida $2,500 below the national average, calculated the cost of tuition and fees for all public four-year colleges within a given state. Undergraduate tuition is the same for every student at all 11 Florida state universities.

While Florida has a low cost of tuition compared to other states, a possible increase may be pursued by the Florida State Legislature.

Shari Shuman, the vice president of administrative affairs at the University of North Florida, said the state legislature controls tuition increases for undergraduate education. She said she is unsure as to whether the state legislature will raise tuition costs.

"I can't say what the legislature is going to do," Shuman said. "We will have to wait until the end of the legislative session to see what happens."

Although the legislature's future actions cannot be determined, Shuman said there was no tuition increase included in the governor's budget.

The difference in prices for all 11 of Florida's public universities is based on student fees.

Shuman said the cost of student fees is calculated in advance of knowing if there will be a raise in tuition.

Capped at 40 percent of an in-state undergraduate student's total tuition, Shuman said possible fee increases at UNF are being based on a theoretical 3 percent increase in tuition.

"We base our student fee increases on whether or not the state legislature proposes an estimated 3 percent tuition increase," Shuman said. "If the legislature went above 3 percent, there would be no additional changes to student fees even though we could raise them."

Compared to other Florida four-year public universities, UNF ranks lower in student fees. North Florida charges less than the maximum amount state universities are allowed to charge for late registration fees and transcript fees. There is also no added fee for an admissions deposit, which some universities bill students up to $200.

Including tuition and required fees on a 30 credit hour basis, UNF charts $.07 above the state average of $111.68 per credit hour for full-time undergraduate residents.

North Florida charts on the higher end for activity and athletic fees. Janet Owen, the vice president of governmental relations at UNF, said the reason for the cost is based on the relative size of UNF's athletics department.

"Some of the other larger universities, like UF, with more established athletic programs, can charge less," Owen said. "They make more money from athletic sales and they are at a generally higher level. However, UNF may get to that level eventually."

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Greek Life invites new sorority

By Sarah Diener
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The University of North Florida Panhellenic Council has extended an invitation to begin a new chapter of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority on campus.

After recruiting the highest number of new sorority members across all Florida universities in fall 2006, and over three years without a new organization selection, the expanding UNF Greek community sought out new chapters to add.

"We were getting way too big. Each chapter is huge," said Tyler Young, Greek Life coordinator.

Young said the extension process began by sending out an e-mail through the National Panhellenic Council, Inc., which regulates fraternity and sorority chapter extensions, to national sororities alerting them of the opportunity to apply for the 2007 extension of their organization.

Fifteen of 22 eligible chapters responded to the bid, which was one of the largest responses in the southeast, Young said. An extension committee for reviewing the application and organization material helped make the decision. After all the issues were considered, the pool was narrowed to three sororities: Chi Omega, Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Alpha Theta were all extended formal invitations, Young said.

Each current UNF sorority chapter voted on the organization they wished to add to campus, he said. Representatives from each voted at the Panhellenic Council meeting Feb. 6 and the Kappa Alpha Theta organization was chosen. It will join the four existing UNF sororities.

"The women are extremely excited about their choice and this is an exciting time for those who aren't Greek yet," Young said.

There will be around 100 founding sisters, and new member recruitment is set to begin within three to four weeks. Young said they chose this particular sorority because the Greek community felt its values and style were the best fit for UNF.

Kappa Alpha Theta was founded in 1870 and was the first Greek-letter fraternity for women according to the organization's Web site. Famous alumni of Theta include First Lady Laura Bush, singer Amy Grant and Rue McClanahan of "Golden Girls" fame.

"I think this is a great way to participate in Greek Life, especially for Greek housing," said Trisha Miller, a senior majoring in Deaf Education and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. "We can't stay the same size forever."

Young said that this new sorority will be a great opportunity for leadership, networking and fun.

"This experience will truly define who they are." Young said. Sororities have been an institution at UNF for 29 years.

More information about the recent selection of Kappa Alpha Theta and Greek life events can be found by logging on to http://www.unf.edu/greeklife/ or stopping by the Greek Life office in Building 14.

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Alumni offer career advice to young Ospreys

By Tami Livingston
NEWS EDITOR

Joao Bicalho

Dr. Mary Borg, director of the Undergraduate Academic Enrichment Program, spoke to students at the Career Connections luncheon Feb. 9.

Four University of North Florida alumni recently returned to campus to offer advice to current students and to answer questions about their careers.

Peter Reist, Conrad Stroman, Bree Frank and Dawn Hudson all took part in a Career Connection Luncheon Feb. 9 in the University Center.

The goal of the luncheon was to "bring students together with people in our community that are leaders," said Dr. Mary Borg, professor of Political Science and director of the UNF Academic Enrichment Program. The AEP sponsored the luncheon along with the UNF Alumni Association and the Honors Program.

The luncheon was part of a Career Connection program run by the AEP, which hosts Career Connection luncheons about twice every semester, Borg said. The luncheons have been going on for about three years and each focuses on a specific career field, such as banking, medical careers, law and communications, she said. This is to allow students to meet and spend time with professionals in their chosen fields, she said.

Last week's luncheon was part of a week-long series of homecoming events, Borg said. It was the first luncheon to feature a homecoming connection, she said.

While each of the alumni has pursued their own goals and careers, they contribute much of their success to UNF.

"I attribute my success pretty much to the network I made at UNF," Reist said.

Reist graduated with a Bachelor of Science from UNF in 2000, and after graduation co-founded an online car dealership with two other UNF alumni. He then helped build a real estate and mortgage network listed in Inc. magazine's 2006 list of 500 fastest growing companies. He is now a student at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing his MBA.

Reist said keeping in contact with former professors, faculty, staff and friends at UNF is important and will enable students to form a foundation for their future.

"You have to realize how much potential is sitting at your table right now," he said.

Stroman graduated from UNF in 2002 with a B.S. in Political Science and later received a master's in global political economy from the University of Sussex in England. He was a Harry S. Truman scholarship winner while at UNF, Borg said. Stroman is now the president and marketing director of Anidaso Coffee and Trading Company Inc., an Internet based company that imports coffee directly from African farmers.

Stroman said involvement on campus is a great key to success but not to concentrate on other activities so much that academics are forgotten.

Frank is a 2002 Truman Scholar and graduated from UNF with a B.S. in psychology in 2002. She is now working in Syracuse, N.Y. for Lockheed Martin MS2 Radar Systems. She received her master's in public administration from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in 2004.

Frank said success is a journey and "if you want to really make it, you have to take advantage of every opportunity."

Judge Hudson received her B.S. in criminal justice from UNF is 1995 and her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1999. Before being elected to the Duval County Court bench in November, she was an assistant district attorney.

Hudson said it's important to have direction, a plan and a goal but it's also important to constantly reassess those goals. She also said students need to find things they love doing and not pursue a career because of the money, or because "they're supposed to," or even because it's what they wanted to do when they signed up for a major.

"Do what you love and you'll be successful Ð it's true," Hudson said.

Edna Buenaventura, a senior accounting major, said she came to the luncheon because "this is an opportunity to meet and learn something about career connections. It's both educational and encouraging."

The goal of the luncheon series is to help students make the "transition from college to career," Borg said.

For more information about Career Connections visit http://www.unf.edu/dept/scholar-programs/cc.html or contact Borg at mborg@unf.edu.

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A day in the life of Briscoe

By Sarah Diener
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rebecca Daly

Student Body Vice President Dorrell Briscoe (center) meets with Osprey Productions member Kellie Conboy (left) and OP Director Adrian Semerene (right) to discuss upcoming projects.

Meetings, classes and goldfish keep Student Body Vice President Dorrell Briscoe's days full.

Briscoe starts most mornings by meeting with Student Body President Justin Damiano in his office for a daily briefing on the plans for the week. This sometimes includes a Bible study, Briscoe said.

After feeding his four goldfish, he checks his three different day planners, one for school, one for SG engagements, and another for miscellaneous information. While listening to his iPod, usually playing Fall Out Boy, he writes out a to-do list of things he hopes to accomplish throughout the day.

A typical day is filled with classes and attending various meetings with members of the SG staff about upcoming events and issues and meetings with UNF faculty and senate.

"Most of our job is dealing with people," Damiano said about the executives' duties.

Briscoe said there are many new ventures he is working on with SG. Briscoe's self-proclaimed biggest accomplishment as VP is a Martin Luther King Jr. history class in the works sponsored by the Political Science department. Briscoe said he is involved with developing the syllabus and curriculum for the new course.

"I wanted a baby project," Briscoe said.

A campus and city-wide recycling event dubbed, "Garbage on the Green" is being planned for March 8. A campus wide waste audit will reveal the types of garbage UNF students are throwing away and how much recycling is being performed.

Students, along with Jacksonville residents, are encouraged to attend this event which will be both educational and fun, Briscoe said.

The SG vice president is part of the executive branch, which works to resolve student concerns, serves on university committees, speaks to organizations and at events, and coordinates activities for the student body, he said.

Four major agencies comprise Student Government. Club Alliance oversees the over 140 student clubs and organizations. The African American Student Union develops cultural awareness events and educational opportunities. Osprey Productions provides a variety of entertainment at little or no cost to students. The Volunteer Center connects UNF students with Jacksonville service organizations.

Briscoe said he visits each office regularly. He said this is to ensure everyone has what they need, to chat with staff about upcoming events, to offer praise and feedback on performance and answer any questions.

"These are people who want to make a difference," Briscoe said.

In addition to meetings throughout the day, Briscoe said he attends weekly staff meetings in which SG members share their plans and current projects. Briscoe and other staff members offer input and suggestions on organizing events and seeing them through. He said the staff meetings allow for organization among different committees. Currently the staff is discussing issues concerning the new student union, the recycling event and events within SG, he said.

Every other week Briscoe oversees Senate meetings where legislation and other executive issues are discussed.

Along with the president and vice president, 46 student senators allocate and accept the SG budget, pass legislation and resolutions and debate and gather information on issues effecting students, staff and faculty, he said.

"As for the red or yellow party, the line tends to blur when we are all working for the same things," Briscoe said.

Briscoe said he manages to fit in a full day's worth of work at the office, take 15 credit hours, be an active member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, attend church regularly and still include time for a social life.

As a senior applying to graduate programs, Briscoe is, "looking forward to being a regular student again." Briscoe will graduate in the spring with a Political Science degree and a History minor. Although Briscoe takes his position as VP seriously, it's not the base of his life.

"I am not defined by my accomplishments alone," he said.

Briscoe said he got involved with SG after suffering a spinal injury while running, which put him out of athletics for an extended period of time.

Barely out of his back brace, he said he was approached by friend and current Student Body President Damiano to consider being his running mate in the next election. After much thought and input from family and friends, Briscoe was elected along with Damiano.

"In a way, if my accident never happened I would have never been part of Student Government," Briscoe said.

For more information on Briscoe or SG visit http://www.unf.edu/groups/sga.

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Nursing student wins international scholar distinction, study abroad opportunity

By Marc Von Mandel
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Media Relations

Stacey Enriquez, a junior nursing major in the Brooks College of Health, will travel to South Africa to study HIV/AIDS and nursing practices there as part of an international delegation on nursing. She is one of 160 students from around the world chosen to participate in the program.

A University of North Florida student has been selected to participate in an international nursing program that only 160 students from around the world were chosen to do.

Stacey Enriquez, a junior nursing student, will travel abroad this summer for a two-week program known as the International Scholar Laureate Program. The program takes its participants to locations such as Australia, Europe, China, India and South Africa to obtain hands-on experience in their particular fields of study. Enriquez will travel to Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, South Africa, where she will interact and observe other nurses in real-life settings.

Enriquez said the program will provide her with first-hand experience in the field of nursing and said she is excited with what she can do in the program. The program provides a "well organized group of scholars with access to things not available at a university," she said.

Throughout her stay, Enriquez said she will see the limited resources South Africa has and the manner in which they are able to treat HIV/AIDS. She said she will also witness issues that nurses and health care workers face in South Africa.

"When I go to South Africa, I may not understand what I'm seeing there, so it's important to put a face on what we are dealing with here in Jacksonville regarding this disease," she said.

Enriquez said she will prepare in the months to come. by working with Shands Hospital, the City of Jacksonville HIV Planning Council, and Family Festival located in Pine Forest, an area with a high density of cases of HIV/AIDS. Family Festival provides free HIV/AIDS testing in Jacksonville.

"HIV/AIDS is something everyone can prevent, and realistically it can be stopped," she said.

Dr. Lee Loriz, director of the school of nursing, said she is thrilled that a UNF student will have the opportunity to participate in this great educational opportunity.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Stacey and I support her in what she is doing," she said. "Stacey is an intelligent, bright, and very educated student and we are very proud to have her representing UNF."

Enriquez is the first Northeast Florida student to participate in this program, making this a benchmark for UNF, Loriz said.

Enriquez's academic achievement and leadership was the basis of her nomination. The Golden Key International Honor society nominated Enriquez because of her outstanding academic achievements and leadership.

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New York Times editor to discuss global conflict

By Matt Coleman
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

He's worked in Jerusalem, Yemen, Madrid and London. He's covered the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the war in Iraq.

After more than 25 years as a professional journalist, Ethan Bronner, the deputy foreign editor of The New York Times is coming to the University of North Florida Feb. 20 to relate his experiences covering global conflicts.

In a joint effort by UNF, the American Democracy Project and The New York Times Readership Program, Bronner will speak at 12:15 p.m. in the Robinson Theater.

David Jaffee, vice president for undergraduate research, said the regional representative of The New York Times Readership Program in conjunction with UNF chose Bronner as a guest lecturer.

"He is a regular speaker on many college campuses," Jaffee said. "The lecture will bring to campus an expert on international and foreign affairs, raise consciousness about the most pressing foreign policy issue as it relates to the so-called Ôwar on terror,' and provide insights on how such events are covered and analyzed journalistically."

The New York Times Readership Program on campus is funded by Student Government and Academic Affairs.

Bronner worked as the Middle East correspondent at the Boston Globe from 1991 to 1997. After his contract was up, Bronner said he wanted to move to one of the larger national daily newspapers in the country, such as the Washington Post or The New York Times. He applied to both publications, ultimately receiving job offers from each.

He made his decision to join The New York Times as he said "it felt like a better fit."

"In the end, I felt the Times would provide me with a broader canvas," Bronner said. "Working at the Post would have been an honor and a privilege, but the Times was the right choice for me."

Over the past seven years, Bronner has held a number of different positions at the Times. He started as a national education correspondent and was promoted in 1999 to the paper's education editor. He later moved on to become the assistant editorial page editor, where he covered a myriad of topics including foreign affairs and law. In 2004, Bronner became the Times' deputy foreign editor, the position he currently occupies.

Bronner said he feels that being assigned to a number of different sections has allowed his writing to stay fresh and relatable.

"The best journalism doesn't assume a lot of inside knowledge," Bronner said. "If you're a journalist for a long period of time, you can lose the broad focus that allows a writer to appeal to the general audience."

He said he became involved with The New York Times Readership Program while he was the education editor in 1999. Bronner said he participates by speaking at around 6 to 8 colleges every year. He spoke at Florida International University last year and is scheduled to lecture at the University of Miami later this year.

The presentation is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets can be printed from the Distinguished Voices lecture series Web site accessed via a link on the UNF homepage.

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Rock, Flock and Swoop draws record crowd

Joao Bicalho

Students show their homecoming spirit during a pep rally on the Green Feb. 8. "This has been the most outstanding homecomings ever," said Adrian Semerene, director of Osprey Productions. "We have far superceded every previous event's attendance."

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