SAE ordered to cease and desist
The University of North Florida chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
has been issued a cease
and desist order by its
national organization.
Greek Life Coordinator Tyler Young said the university and the Interfraternity Council, which oversees the operations and judicial aspects of Greek Life, are looking into allegations of potential hazing by members of the Florida Nu chapter
of SAE.
The order, issued March 9, results in the suspension of all chapter functions including meetings, community service and social activities, Young said. He also said he anticipates the order to be lifted by next week allowing the chapter to resume business as usual.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon President David Hacker, a junior construction management major, declined an interview with the Spinnaker but said, "This is a minor situation being handled between us and our national organization."
In March 2006, IFC charged SAE with 28 convictions of underage drinking and possession of beer kegs.
After a nine-month period of probation, the chapter was reinstated Jan. 1, 2007.
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New amenities: Skate park
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University of North Florida skateboarders will have a new place to practice their tricks on campus beginning March 29 with the opening of the 10,000-square-foot skate park.
The skate park cost approximately $420,000, with Student Government funding $250,000 and the UNF administration paying the difference, said Michael Gibson, director of engineering and construction for SG.
The park's opening event is March 29 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will include a skateboarding demonstration by Skate Lab, free food, music from Osprey Radio and giveaways, said Adrian Semerene, director of Osprey Productions and a junior public relations major. "There's going to be crazy stuff going on."
The park is located behind the intramural fields near lot 18 and will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (7:30 p.m. during daylight-saving time), according to the draft of the skate park rules. Skateboards and in-line skates are permitted in the park as long as the user is a UNF student and is wearing
a helmet.
"I hope it will really be used and enjoyed," said Student Body President Justin Damiano.
Damiano, a senior business economics major, said he plans to experience the park first hand. "I'll try it out. I'll probably fall, but with the padding, it will
be fun."
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New amenities: Osprey Fountains
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As the University of North Florida continues to grow, so do its demands for updated, amenity-filled housing. The campus' newest housing complex, Osprey Fountains, is projected to open to students as early as fall 2009.
The five-story complex will be located on the eastern ridge of campus near Kernan Boulevard and will house 1,000 students in suite-style units, said Paul Riel, director of housing operations.
The complex will have 120 units designed to house four students in private bedrooms and two bath rooms, while 80 units will be made to house six students, four in private bedrooms and two sharing a larger bedroom in the suite, Riel said. There will also be 20 private rooms with private bathrooms and 20 resident assistant rooms, he said.
"From what we have, we know students want private bedrooms, we know they want more amenities and they want to be able to socialize in an environment that supports their ideas. We think this building will give them what they want," Riel said.
"I think since students won't have to share rooms, more people will want to live on campus because living with another person in the same room makes it hard to study," said Becky Trimmer, a freshman education major.
North Florida developed a criteria package for what the university wanted, solicited companies to design and build the housing, calculated costs and chose Haskell and Design Plus, Riel said.
"The price proposal submitted by Haskell was approximately $80 million," said Zak Ovadia, director of facilities planning.
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