News

By Haley M. Walker | gargoyle@flagler.edu

In the poll of Flagler students, the war, the economy, and health care were the top three subjects of concern. Thirty-nine students of the 100 polled said the war was important to them, and 30 students said the economy is a point of interest as well.

Also, several students cited health care as being important. In addition to these three major topics, other issues brought up by students in the survey included gun control, the environment, same-sex marriage, foreign policy and immigration.

Realizing the power and concerns of the youth vote, several candidates in the current election have begun to steer their campaigns toward this demographic.

By Eli Nuzzi | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Joseph Provenza is helping to decide on a way for the new FEC buildings to receive fiber optic cable across property Flagler College doesn’t own.

Provenza, chief information officer of Flagler College, is set on running the cable 15 feet underground using a process called “directional boring” to avoid contact with other underground utilities.

From Staff | gargoyle@flagler.edu

All Flagler College students will have the opportunity to express their opinions this month through two electronic surveys.

Both surveys will be sent to students during the month of February from survey@flagler.edu.

Seniors and freshmen will be surveyed with the National Survey of Student Engagement.

By Julie Hirshan | gargoyle@flagler.edu Flagler’s Legacy is now accepting entries for the Third Annual T-shirt Design Contest. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are eligible to enter until Feb. 15. A committee of faculty, staff and students will judge the entries. The top three entries…

Photo by Tad Mask

Studies show that the job market might be changing for college grads

By Steffi Shook | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The job market is booming! Record increase in employment! College grads need not worry about jobs!

These are all statements the National Association of Colleges and Employees is screaming in its new study on the job market. If this is the case, then why are so many seniors nervous about graduating?

It turns out that just because the job market is improving, that doesn’t necessarily mean good things for prospective graduates.

Direction of Student Government Association uncertain with loss of leader

By Danielle Marsh | dmarsh1@flagler.edu

After a failed attempt by students to impeach Student Government President Brandon Collins, Student Services has relieved him of his duties.

In an official letter delivered to Collins by Assistant Dean of Student Services Dirk Hibler, the main reason for his removal was “a lack of leadership.”

Upon receiving notice of his removal, Collins wrote an appeal letter to the Dean of Student Services Dan Stewart. His appeal was denied.

Local officials say counties’ interests are ignored at the state level; lobbyists close the gap

By Rachael Yaeger and Jennifer Gager | gargoyle@flagler.edu

St. Johns County pays David Ramba up to $10,000 a quarter to lobby for the county’s interests at the state government level. But, don’t we have local representatives and senators that should represent local issues?

“They [local representatives] represent the people, not local government,” Ramba said.

St. Johns County has three local senators and three representatives that represent the county. However, even with all these representatives state Sen. Stephen Wise said, “You cannot know everything about everything.” Still, average citizens often do not see the need for lobbyists.

By Haley M. Walker | gargoyle@flagler.edu

“Most Involved” used to be a title held only by someone considered a nerd. However, this title is becoming much more desired on college campuses around the nation.

Colleges are not only being ranked today by academic standards or by the population of attending students, but are now being evaluated by the amount of students participating in cultural and academic features of their school.

According to a recent article in USA Today, The National Survey of Student Engagement is offering an alternative way for prospective students to look at colleges and a different way for schools around the nation to be ranked.

By Eli Nuzzi | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Stephanie Snyder, a recent Flagler graduate, leads the College Reach Out Program, which encourages students to excel in their classes, and has about 100 students from St. Augustine High School.

Krista Purcell, a senior at Flagler College, helps about 20 students and personally tutors five of them.

“[The students] meet at the Flagler campus student center on Saturdays,” said Purcell, who has been in this program since late September.

By Brittany Hackett | bhackett@flagler.edu

After being denied by Student Services last month, the proposal for Club UNITY has now been approved on appeal by Flagler President William T. Abare, Jr.

Chris Lauth, Club UNITY’s executive director, said it’s “wonderful” to finally have official club status on campus. The club’s focus is to “create a safe and supportive environment” for gay and lesbian students, and promote unity regardless of sexual orientation.

“It’s a relief,” Lauth said. “A lot of us are that much happier with Flagler. We went from feeling kind of pushed aside, not feeling validated as students, second-class students, to now feeling as if we’re in the crowd.”