Photo By: Taylor Fisher

The weather in Jacksonville is finally starting to brighten up and the students are enjoying it more and more. But while many of the students enjoyed the pool, sorority women of Jacksonville University and the International Student Association were hunting for the coveted Golden Derby.

The week of April 1, Sigma Chi presented their annual philanthropy week, Derby Days to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. According to their website, Huntsman Cancer Institute is a National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, which means it meets the highest national standards for cancer care and research and receives support for its scientific endeavors.

Sigma Chi has been supporting Huntsman since 2005. A brother of the fraternity, Jon M. Huntsman Sr. founded the organization and now challenges his brothers to do the same. To support Huntsman, Sigma Chi nationally came up with Derby Days as a weeklong philanthropy event.

The entire week is filled with events such as a brother-auction, dinner, concerts, and of course, hunting for the golden derby. Each team in participation decorates a derby and hides it on campus, but the golden derby is the one that everyone is after. One clue goes out at midnight every night and the hunt is on.

“Looking for a place was hard because if it were hidden in central campus someone would have found it the first or second day,” said Ethan Wellhausen, the brother that put the entire week together.

By the end of the week participants were getting frustrated with the clues, but the search continued until Alpha Epsilon Phi announced they had found the golden derby. Some people were mad while others were relieved it was all over with.

“It’s actually a really stressful week so when we heard the derby was found I was upset it wasn’t us but relieved it was all over and I could finally go to bed early,” said junior Tala Farah, member of Delta Delta Delta.

Although finding the golden derby is important to some people, no one forgets the real reason they are all participating.

“Finding the golden derby was a huge accomplishment, but I think donating the amount of money we did for the reason we did was even better,” said sophomore, Rachel Kaslow, member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. “We all pulled our money together to reach a goal that was not only important to us, but is important to the world as a whole. We all just helped fight cancer.”

During the brother auction, Sigma Chi raised almost $2,500 and people still left ready to donate online.In total, Sigma Chi raised $10,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

“The more people realize that we are all coming together for one goal not to win individually, but win as a group, there will be a betterment of society,” said Wellhausen. “You can find out info about it on the Huntsman site and on the Sigma Chi headquarters page.”

The editor-in-chief of the Navigator is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Photo Courtesy of: University Advancement

The sunlight glistens off the meditating pond, mere feet from the multitude of green robed graduates and teary-eyed parents. That is the vision, at least, of Katherine Thomas, a graduating senior and chairwoman of the Class Gift of 2013.

“We will walk past our class gift at graduation, something that graduates in the past haven’t done,” Thomas said. “That’s something new this year.”

The class gift of 2013 will be a meditating pond, which is the choice that won out over several other options. Seniors were invited to a group on the Blackboard web site where they were presented with multiple choices, but the prevailing opinion was that the Jacksonville University campus needed another water feature. Past class gifts have included the infamous J’s, the swing benches and the circular benches found around campus. The President of the Green Key Honorary Leadership Society will present the class gift on May 4 at the commencement ceremony.

Thomas says that the pond will be added on to eventually, turning it into a “park-like area.”

According to the brochure detailing the giving options and soliciting donations, “this beautiful addition to our campus will be a great place to study, chat, read or have lunch.”

“The class gift is a great way for graduating seniors to say thanks and say goodbye to their university,” said Karen Jackson, the faculty advisor for University Advancement. “It’s a tradition on a lot of college campuses.”

University Advancement is the department in charge of organizing the class gift, and was behind the appointment of Thomas to the position of chairwoman.

“She’s Miss Class Gift,” Jackson said.

Donating to the class gift is very important for several reasons. The first is that it is a sign of appreciation from the graduates and it also contributes to the value of the university. The U.S. News and World Report school rankings look at the rate of alumni giving. They look at the amount of alumni that donate, not the amount of money that is donated, so it is more important to the ranking if a lot of alumni donate small amounts, rather than a few alumni donating large amounts.

“It’s the idea of giving forward and paying it back,” said Jackson.

Current alumni have already donated matching gifts, so if someone donates the minimum of the class year, $20.13, they are really donating $40.26.

There are three different levels of giving, green, gold and platinum. The green level is the minimum donation of $20.13. The gold level is $50. The platinum level is $150. Donations above $150 are welcome and accepted.

Individuals can donate the minimum to have their name on the pond, and organizations can donate at the platinum level to be included on the pond.

Thomas encourages everyone to donate, not just seniors.

“People who are not seniors have already donated.”

Donations are possible online at mydolphin.ju.edu/give.

Thomas says that in order to have the pond built in time for graduation, more donations need to be sent in, and encourages people to tweet about the gift using “#thepond.”

“You need to donate now.”

Some meetings are held to gather with old friends and meeting new ones. Others are used to meet with people of the same interest.

From March 20- 23, the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga. held the 42nd annual Benthic Ecology Meeting for those with a marine biology background.

Hosted by Georgia Southern University, the 2013 BEM had more than 600 registered participants, including a mix of the nation’s top marine ecologists as well as marine biology graduate and undergraduate students, according to the Georgia Southern website.

The four day event kicked off the festivities with a social event and scientific presentations. Poster sessions were also available as well as a film festival and the event closed with a banquet for all in attendance.

Five undergraduate students and three faculty from Jacksonville University participated in three oral presentations and two posters during the event.

The students included Jodi Coia, Laura Wenke, Tayler Massey, Stephanie Shankle and Anna McClure. The faculty included Dan McCarthy, Lee Ann Clements and Jeremy Stalker.

“My presentation was titled “Latitudinal Variation among populations of Phragmatopoma lapidosa along the east coast of Florida,’” said senior, Tayler Massey. “The project was an independent study I completed with Dr. McCarthy and basically it looked at differences in the characteristics of populations of a tube building marine polychaete worm at different beaches along Florida.”

Massey said the meeting was informational and she plans on going back next year.

“I feel as if the conference was a great networking experience and way to see what types of research is being done by other graduate students and professors,” Massey said. “It was very eye opening and I learned a lot from attending.”

The meeting for next year has not been announced yet but if interested, visit the Benthic Ecology Meeting page on Facebook.

Margaret Thatcher Dies at 87

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher passed away earlier this week in London after suffering a stroke.

She was the first woman to hold the position of prime minister, from 1979 to 1990.

A conservative, her policies and actions drew much controversy. Her passing was greeted with both solemnity and celebration throughout England, as reported by the Guardian.

In Brixton and Glasgow people took to the streets in celebration with cheers of “Maggie Maggie Maggie, dead dead dead,” and “so long, the witch is dead,” according to the same article.

Clive Barger, one of those in celebration said “she embodied everything that was so elitist in terms of repressing people who had nothing. She presided over a class war.”

David Cameron, current prime minister, praised Thatcher as “the patriot Prime Minister” who had “taken a country that was on its knees and made it stand tall again” according to the BBC.

Mayor Boris Johnson of London said her legacy would “live long after the world has forgotten the grey suits of today’s politics.”

Hunger Strikes in Guantánamo Bay

U.S. military prisoners in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba are holding a growing hunger strike. There is dispute between military officials and lawyers over how many are participating.

As of March 25, 28 of 166 detainees refused food for three straight days, reported the New York Times.

Lawyers reference declassified notes, claiming that the actual levels of participation are much higher.

Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer for several prisoners said “prisoners are not eating anything, surviving only on water. Any supplies left on cellblocks and with prisoners have now been exhausted.”

The reasons for the strike relate to military inspections of Korans for contraband which many prisoners see as religious desecration.

Military officials contend that no such desecration occurred and that the strikes are an “orchestrated event intended to garner media attention.”

Captain Durand explained that “The hunger strikers have created an unfortunate situation with no clear path to resolution. They have presented no demands that we can meet , we will not admit to Koran abuse, which did not take place, we will not exempt the Koran from search, which will continue to be in a respectful manner, and we will not accept the detainees’ offer to ‘turn in’ their Korans and deprive them of the religious articles needed to practice their faith.”

Whistle Blown on Whistle-blowers

State legislatures across the country are enacting bills which will make the taping of animal cruelty in farms illegal.

Videos and undercover exposés have served to reveal illegal farming practices, leading to the punishment of several guilty parties, reports the New York Times.

At the same time, laws pushed by the lobbyist group the American Legislative Exchange Council, a business advocacy group representing farm states, has sought to curtail this practice.

One such piece of legislation, “The Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act,” prevents filming or taking pictures that would “defame the facility or its owner,” by placing those who do on a terrorist watch list.

While some fear that such laws would punish and discourage whistleblowers, others argue that videos such as these serve only to discourage eating meat by misrepresenting reasonable and legal practices.

Matt Dominguez of the Humane Society of the United States argues that “instead of working to prevent future abuses, the factory farms want to silence them. What they really want is for the whistle to be blown on the whistle-blower.

Jacksonville Urban League Loses its Head Start

The Jacksonville Urban League faces a 30-day federally imposed suspension as the management organization for the Head Start program.

The suspension follows a series of violations cited by the Department of Children and Families, reports the Florida Times-Union.

Organizations that receive Head Start grants may be suspended for financial, health or safety reasons.

The reasons for the Urban League’s suspension are unclear but among the problems identified are the cases of a 3-year-old child being left on a bus for six hours and a child leaving a facility without supervision.

The suspension does not stop Head Start services for the 2,100 children that attend.

The Urban League may face further suspensions if the problems are not resolved.

Duval County Public Schools and Episcopal Children’s Services both have shown interest in the Head Start grants.

The Constitution has been rolled out and the political debates have now begun in Washington D.C. for equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear the marriage equality cases and Jacksonville University students have started speaking out for what they believe is right.

On Tuesday, March 26, members of the JU Gay-Straight Alliance decided to join the Jacksonville Committee for Equality in a peaceful protest in front of the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse in Downtown Jacksonville. Students and community members from across Jacksonville teamed up, raising signs and voices as they exercised their freedom of peaceful assembly.

JU GSA president Jairid Pacileo decided to attend this event to be the voice of JU in efforts of making a difference and letting the student voice on this issue be heard.

“Our generation is one of the most supportive and I don’t doubt that in our lifetime same sex marriage will become known as just marriage,” Pacileo said. “Same-sex love will no longer legally be called into question. We should want each other to be happy.”

Among the JU students at this protest was the organizer of the protest, Keri Kidder, who rallied together several of Jacksonville’s hearts and minds in light of the Supreme Court hearing DOMA and proposition 8.

“I think that by getting college students involved that there are a lot of gay, and straight allies are here in town and it’s important that people want them to be equal,” Kidder said.

Students that were asked about this issue had a common theme about the gay marriage debate.

“Although every person is entitled to their own opinion, I think as good citizens we should at least respect others,” said Brittani Wyskocil junior theatre arts major . “If they choose to be with someone of the same gender, so be it.”

By having students attend this rally, Kidder wanted to ensure that college students are able to learn how to be an individual and recognize differences amongst community members.

“College students are in the generation in which it is very important for each to be individuals and to make sure that they are fighting for things in which they are passionate about,” Kidder said.

DOMA, a federal law that restricts federal benefits and denies interstate recognition to same-sex marriages, has been found unconstitutional by several lower courts, according to Business Insider.

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment that passed in the Nov. 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution which provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California, according to the Huffington Post.

“The one thing I don’t like about the current law of marriage is that it is the only law that does not seperate church and state” said Mykayla Baier, a junior psychology major. “JU students should speak out for equal marriage because due to the vast amount of students who are against bullying, not allowing someone to be with who they love is literally the same thing.”

Both matters are currently being heard within the Supreme Court and in order to strike down the law  there will need to be a 5-4 majority vote within the Court.

Environmental Debate Spills into Arkansas

An Exxon Mobil pipeline burst last week, leaking “a few thousand” barrels of crude oil just outside Mayflower, Ark., calling for the evacuation and cleanup of surrounding residential areas. The Pegasus pipeline carries Wabasca Heavy crude oil from Patoka, Ill., to the Texas Gulf Coast, according to an article in the Washington Post. By Sunday, 15 vacuum trucks and 33 storage tanks had been deployed for the clean-up and temporary storage of nearly 12,000 barrels of oil. These efforts have targeted effected residential areas and sites of possible fresh water contamination, according to the same article. The spill serves as a talking point in discussions regarding the Keystone XL pipeline proposals and the environmental dangers of using aged pipelines for heavy crude oil transport. Representative Edward J. Markey (Mass.) claims, “This latest pipeline incident is a troubling reminder that oil companies still have not proven that they can safely transport Canadian tar sands oil across the United States without creating risks to our citizens and our environment.”

A New Bird Flu Found in China

A new strain of bird flu has been detected in China after claiming the lives of two men in Shanghai and leaving a woman in critical condition. The three individuals showed symptoms of coughing and fever, followed by pneumonia and difficulty breathing, reports CNN. These are the first cases of H7-N9 avian influenza infections in humans. Investigators, knowing that H7-N9 is already carried by wild birds, have hypothesized that transmission occurred through poultry. No cases of H7-N9 were found in those who had close contact with the victims, indicating that the virus is not highly contagious. However because there have only been three documented cases, little research exists nor is there a vaccine. At the same time, researchers speculate that current anti-flu drugs will prove effective.

Doom for DOMA?

The same-sex marriage debate continues as the Supreme Court seems poised to strike down key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) based on its constitutionality. The justices remain divided on the issue but appear to be looking for the slimmest way to resolve the case without passing judgment on whether gay people have a constitutional right to marry, reports the Washington Post. Despite the expected divide between liberal and conservative justices, opinions and interpretations of the law varied greatly. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy showed concern that the federal law may present the “real risk of running in conflict with what has always been thought to be the essence of the state police power, which is to regulate marriage, divorce, custody.” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., on the political power of the gay rights community, said, “As far as I can tell, political figures are falling over themselves to endorse your side of the case.” Roberta A. Kaplan, one of the lawyers challenging DOMA responded that no other group in recent history has been subjected to popular referenda to take away rights that have already been given or exclude those rights the way gay people have. Congress passed DOMA in 1996, driven by a desire for “uniformity,” and a “collective moral judgment.” Justice Elena Kagan asks however, “‘Do we really think that Congress was doing this for uniformity reasons or do we think that Congress’s judgment was infected by dislike, by fear, by animus and so forth?”

Deep Concerns over a Deeper St Johns

The Jacksonville Port Authority’s plan for a 47-feet-deep channel made steps forward after the Army Corps of Engineers agreed to do analysis for that depth. The previously approved 45-feet-deep channel has federal approval and funding, but in order to dredge the additional two feet, JaxPort would need the Corps to assess and approve of the plans, according to an article in the Florida Times-Union. The Corps expect a decision within the next three weeks. However environmental analysis will not be complete until May or June. St. Johns Riverkeeper, Lisa Rinaman, questioned why the Corps would make a decision prior to completion of the studies according to the same article. Corps’ project manager, Jason Harrah, answers that studies had already been done at 44, 46 and 50 feet. Hence, the Corps can make a “good assumption,” about the effect of a 47-foot channel. Rinaman expressed her concerns saying, “It’s a piecemeal fashion, and I worry about mistakes being made and information not being correct.”

Photo By: Makayla Earl

Dr. Edith Perez grew up with books, the inevitable authority of words and the veiled power of knowledge, veracity her parents did not hide from her.

“I was very fortunate because my parents believed I could do something,” she said.

Now that she is an adult, the support is evident as she stands to thank the community for honoring her as JU Community Woman of the Year along with Donna Deegan.

Since 1999, JU has hosted the Women’s History Month Luncheon to honor women who have succeeded in life as a way to thank them for their philanthropy and contributions to the community. The 2013 luncheon was held March 26 in the Kinne Center.

Dr. Lois Becker was honored at the luncheon as JU Woman of the Year. She spoke to the community about JU’s Quality Enhancement Program and SACS accreditation which has placed JU in the top five percent of schools.

“This is a great institution,” Becker said. “We need most of all to take pride in this school because regardless of the fabulous people that I’m about to thank, regardless of that, you cannot thank the top five percent. I think we should all applaud ourselves right now.”

Dr. Francis Bartlett Kinne stood to introduce the JU WHM Student of the Year while also congratulating the entire university.

“We all work toward it, the board members, faculty, administration, but the students are the reason we are here,” Kinne said. “And I want you to know how proud I am of you. And President Tim, we are very fortunate to have him here. He has brought with him not only a lovely wife but he has certainly brought the world to us. His background is so indicative of what we need.”

Taylor Massey, JU WHM Student of the Year, will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in marine science with university honors as well as an impressive list of accomplishments. Massey has presented undergraduate research throughout the country, has been an honors orientation group leader as well as coordinator, has served as an executive board member for the Honors Student Association, a member of the Environmental Conservation Organization, Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society has volunteered more than 100 hours and more. Participants of the luncheon congratulated her on her many successes and smiled in view of her bright future.

Deegan served as keynote speaker following the celebration of Massey, taking in the sentiments of past years at JU and future memories still to come. Her mentor, Kinne, helped the moments from the past linger in bliss.

“I can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful mentor Fran Kinne has been and the fact that you all still have her here every day doing what she does; I hope you realize the jewel that you have with Dr. Kinne,” Deegan said. “She said that she recently had an MRI and they told her she had the brain of a 35 year old.”

With the help of her mentors, Deegan was able to transform and shape JU.

“It has been really the greatest pleasure of my life to try to make this a healthier community, to bring people to this wonderful community,” she said. “I applaud so much everything you all are doing here at JU. And it may sound strange for you to hear this, but I truly believe that I have lived an absolutely charmed life, because of the fact that I am able to bring people to this wonderful place that we call home, the fact that I have been able to be part of something so much bigger than I have been able to be a part of before.”

After Deegan was diagnosed with breast cancer, Perez helped her through and the experience was not a regretful one.

“Breast cancer was absolutely not a part of my plan,” Deegan said. “I am very Type A and I had my very scripted plan through life. I had checked off every box. But it was in facing a terrible disease that I found my true purpose in life, and I’m grateful that I was open to that. So I would encourage you to be open.”

Deegan closed with words of wisdom for the students at the luncheon.

“The most important thing that I think all of the students can realize today is that I know you have all of your life in front of you and you have wonderful dreams,” she said. “Just be open and know that things are going to happen to you that will be unexpected in life.”