Catalyst

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"Like Yoda we speak, like Chaucer we spell" NEW COLLEGE CELEBRATES PRIDE WEEK Nick Napolitano New College and its gay and lesbian community recently celebrated its 2nd annual Pride Week This year's theme was "Community," to reflect the need for the Sarasota gay community to become more unified and centralized. Amy Andre, Leif Meneke, and Christa Polley organized the week long celebration. The week kicked off on the 13th of February with a catered reception (courtesy of Nature's Way Cafe), an art exhibit, and the screening of two short films: Both and Beauties Without a Cause. Two more short films were shown on Tues day, as well as the full-length feature Homoteens, sponsored by PFLAG. Peter Uitenbosch, the founder of AIDS Manasota, spoke about his experiences in AIDS activism at Sudakoff on Wednesday. He returned the following night to participate in a panel discussion with other community leaders. In attendance were Uitenbosch; Shirley Townsend of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC); Nancy Morris, organizer of Pridefest and founder of Southwe t Florida, a lesbian/gay business guild; and Betsy Nelson, founder of ALSO, a gay/ lesbian/bisexual youth group. Also participating in the discussion was Suzanne Hudson-Smith, the founder of Full Moon Theatre. The troupe gave their first performance at Sainer Auditorium on Friday. "We want to raise awareness through the arts," says Smith, "and give someplace for us to go that's not a bar." To finish Pride Week, Urvashi Vaid, the former director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and principal organizer of the 1992 March on Washington, delivered a speech and fielded questions. Her talk ranged from issues like gay representations in the media to the grass-roots strategies of the Christian Right. She also addressed the importance of reaching people through culture-paved avenues, the need for coming out, as well as the significance of local activism. These are only a few of the topics covered in Vaid's interesting and wonderful talk. For those interested in reading a transcription of her speech, it will be on reserve reading in the library, along with some quotes from the community discussion panel. Volume IV, Issue 21 February 28, 1995 STUDENTS WIN STATEWIDE WRITING C ONTEST Contributed by the New College Foundation Two New College students brought home first place awards in a statewide writing contest sponsored by the Florida Honors Council. The competition was open to students enrolled in honors programs at all state universities and community colleges in the state of Florida. The Florida Honors Council is composed of faculty, administrators, and students from these honors programs. Under terms of the competition, students could enter in categories including documented research, critical thinking, creative writing, and this year's specific theme selected by the Honors Council, "Celebrating Diversity Through Learn ing." Josh Heling, a second year student at New College, won first place in the category of critical thinking f9r his entry, "Orientalism--Precis and Critique." His faculty mentor at New College is Dr. John Newman. Lisa Swanstrom, a third year student at New College, won first place in the category of creative writing for a prose piece titled "Saturday." Her faculty mentor at New College is Dr. John Moore. The students will receive a cash prize, a plaque, and have their papers published in the Council's newsletter. Addi tionally, Heling and Swanstrom were invited to read their papers at the Florida Honors Council Annual Conference last week in Orlando. The writing contest was initiated in 1987 as a way to encourage and recognize the talents of students in Florida's honors programs. John McLeod, who is Director of Emphasis on Excellence, at Miami Dade Community College, has been the coordinator of the writing contest for the past two years. Inside This Iss u e Editorial .......................................... 2 Graham's Asylum ................................... 3 Construction Update ................................. 4 SAC Allocations .................................... 4 Isabella, The Multi-National Sex Goddess ................ 4 Mocktails Report ................................... 5 Outside the Ivory Tower .............................. 5 Announcements ..................................... 6

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2 The Catalyst February 28, 1995 EDITORIAL Wallpapering Ham Center with one's thoughts, politics, and random preoccupations is a time-honored tradition at New College Perhaps we do it because we're such children of the Infonnation Generation that we have a desperate need for constant visual stimulation Perhaps its because we're all closet exhibitionists yearning for attention. Maybe we just like the decorative quality of hastily-scrawled rants spread out across the walls. We at The Catalyst do not know. What we do know is that thesis student Jenny McKeel did something unusual when she pasted up her body image display on the north wall of Ham Center. She thought about it first. Her display was thought-provoking instead of preachy, inclusive instead of exclusive, and used statistics, examples, and well-selected quotations rather than mere slogans We have heard many healthy discussions about body image, the media, anorexia and bulimia, gender, and feminism that were spurred by her effort. That is why some of the more noticeable reactions to McKeel's display are so sad. Responses such as "The Uglier The Angrier" and "Nice looking women should have more of them on the walls. (Clothing optional)!" were some of the first commentaries added to the wall. Suddenly the focus of re sponses shifted from the issue of body image and media to attacking the juvenile scrawls. As pointed out in a message posted by Dwight Mann, some New College students respond to such offensive remarks by removing them. Every student should have the right to free speech, no matter how offensive, juvenile, or silly it may be. Students should also consider that the existence of such com ments should be acknowledged rather than hidden. We are all adults here, and our reaction to things we do not like should be to respond to them or ignore them, not to hide from them. But this is not simply a free speech issue. There are few reasonably intelligent mammals on this campus who would deny the significance of body image problems. Most of us have come into contact with body-related neurosis, either in ourselves or in people we care about. So let's give Jenny McKeel her say; and if we want to respond, let's put as much time and thought into our responses as she put into the original message. The Catalyst General Editor: Ken Burruss Managing Editor: lien Zazueta-Audirac Staff Writers: Graham Strouse, Rocky Swift, Jake Reimer, Byron Hartsfield, Kate Fink, Meg Hayes, and Nick Napolitano. Layout: Kelcey Burns and Michael Hutch Business Manager: Anjna Chauhan and Adam Rains The Catalyst is also available on-line at http://www.sar.usf.edu/-reffell/catalyst/catalyst.html Direct inquiries/submissions to our Computer Guy, James Reffell (reffell@virtu.sar.usf.edu) Co-Sponsored by Dean and Warden Michalson and Professor Vesperi Letters to the Editor should be submitted on disk if possible, if not then in type, to Box 75, the Catalyst envelope on the door of the Publication Room, or mailed to: 5700 N Tamiami Trail, Box 75 Sarasota, FL 34243 The Catalyst reserves the right to edit submissions for reasons of space or clarity.

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The Catalyst February 28, 1995 3 CHEERS, JEERS FOR DRESS TO GET LAID PCP Graham Strouse It was the best of PCP's, it was the worst of PCP's. Now that we've had some time to recover from the (in)famous "Dress to Get Laid" PCP, I'd like to offer some heartfelt cheers and halfhearted jeers to the dauntless souls whose task it was to spread post-Valentine's Day black humor across this campus. First, the cheers. To our scruffle-faced, bespectacled SAC Chairbeing Adam Stone, I give an opposable thumbs up for the those blue and pink wristbands. The pink wrist-tags the SAC distributed to us Novo Collegians made it far easier for both students and police to pick out the restless natives amongst the party-goers, thus helping to insure our protection (by enabling us to identify potentially troublesome nonstudents) The fact that they look like the hospital tags psychiatric doctors wrap around your arm when they take you to your padded cell only added to the ambience. The blue wristbands, which identified nonnative friendlies, served not only as markers but as a nifty revenue generating device for recouping the cost of the PCP. The cost for the blue plastic wraps was three dollars. Shrewd, Adam, shrewd. Also, cheers to the bubble makers With six bucks, some plastic wrap, carpet scraps and a fan, the progenitors of that little plastic love house planted near third court managed to create one of more interesting props (aside from the costumes and students) that made the "Dress to get laid" PCP such a memorable night. My third cheer is also my first jeer. To Oliver Luby, whose prodigious efforts helped make this rare mid-year PCP, I offer a hearty thanks and a gentle "Hello, McFiy." Luby's off campus advertising (which was originally inspired by a desire to bridge the gap between New College and the Ringling Art School) would have been a great idea for any PCP but this one. Although most New College Students realized that the "Dress to Get Laid" moniker is (mostly) a joke, some nonstudents (who couldn't quite tell the difference between a PCP and a frat party), didn't quite get it. For those nonstudents, and for the handful of women who they harassed, the evening was not so much fun. In his defense, Luby's efforts were well-intentioned, and even he realized the boo-boo of his ways. "I realize now it was foolish to put that ["Dress To Get Laid"] on the advertisement", he said. Thanks, Oliver. For any other party, your advertise ments will be greatly appreciated. Jeers (though an "A" for effort) to the engineers of that bicycle whirly-bird thing in front of first court. Several students, including at least one member of The Catalyst staff, spent over an hour in the mud trying to set up that god-forsaken, PVC abomination; proving yet again that New College is definitely not an engineering school. My last jeer goes to the beery swine, both students and nonstudents, who felt the need to hassle, harass, and otherwise irritate various party-goers. Come on guys, no one needs that kind of schnacka. By the by, a number of us would like to thank the campus police for not shutting the party down after they found a "35-year-old nonstudent" (Sgt. Gene O'Casio's words), tending bar at the keg. The police extended the Wall -organizers the courtesy of setting things straight rather than charging in truncheons raised. Muchas gracias. We appreciate it. Finally, thesis student Aimee Placas, the cofounder of the "Dress To Get Laid" party theme three years back, would like to offer her own special thanks to all those people who did not blame her for not getting laid. Until next time, true deceivers, make mine Marvel. Stop Smoking, Lose Weight, Improve Memory The Easy Way, With Hypnosis Why suffer with Cold Turkey or Starvation cures? Hypnosis can remove your desire to smoke or over eat and can help you enjoy exercise Overcome Test Anxiety, Poor Study Habits, Improve Your Memory and Achieve Your True Potential. Jerry M Campbell, CH Board Certified Hypnosis Student Discount with Ad Call Today for a Free Consultation 750-6553 SAN FRANCISCO STILE :HEAL TI-1Y. :MEXICAN FOOD HJOMilinSt. Saruota, R. 3U31 366-9439 FAX 366-9533

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4 The Catalyst February 28, 1995 SAC SPRI G ALLOCATIONS QrganizatiQn Mac Lab Pool Room Catalyst EndGame Play Sailing PA System Zymurgy GLBSA Pillow Book Urban Sympo ium Empowered Film Bl, ck Orchid Valasquez Hunger/ Activists Activist Coalition Womyn'sTea ISP Show and Tell New Collage Recycling Challenge 2000 Dance Student Events Committee Cartoon Book Glock EgoStroker NC-3 Chess IR Chess Tutorial Game Room Jewish Identity Total Allocations Buy Se ll Trade IQtal AllQS
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The Catalyst February 28, 1995 5 STUDENTS DISCUSS ALCOHOL USE Meg Hayes Question: So what's there to do at New College if you don't feel like chemically altering your mind? Answer: The RA-sponsored mocktail party at Tim Richardson's apartment on Thursday the 23. Students who attended received glasses of nonalcoholic daquiris, margaritas, pifia coladas and other mixed drinks, snacks and an invitation to participate in a discussion about alcohol use. Richardson and the RAs directed the discussion towards the role of alcohol in our community. The group's deliberation centered on why more people don't turn out for non-alcohol related events, and how individu als can organize activities that will draw as many people as show up for alcohol-centered parties. Richardson suggested that maybe one reason people have trouble attending social functions when there is no alcohol is simply that they feel self-conscious and that they can't relax without alcohol. Also, many felt that there is a pull towards spontaneous activities, and alcohol consumption is easy to do without any planning. Sara Kuppin, fourth-year student and RA, recognized that parties with alcohol are often accompanied by good music, and that draws people as well. The group suggested some possible activities such as "crafty study breaks" (such as the one B-dorm organized at the end of first semester), board game competitions, slyly planned but apparently spontaneous card games in Ham Center (be on the look out), billiards contests, more planned sports, movies and many other activities which do not require alcohol. They recognized that although many students complain about having nothing to do but drink or smoke up, few of us actually seek out other forms of entertainment. Richardson commented that it only takes one person to start a tradition, so those looking for alternatives to the alcohol party scene should take matters into their own hands. The SAC-funded party was not well-attended. Konnie Kruczek, thesis student and RA, commented, "Obviously, alcohol is a center of most of our social life, and it's too bad that more students didn't come out to talk about alternatives." OUTSIDE THE IVORY TOWER Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Lougainis admitted last week that he suffers from full blown AIDS. Lougainis, who acknowledged he was gay last year, has known he was positive since 1988 He had himself tested after he learned a former lover was dying from the disease Lougainis, 35, is the only diver in Olympic history to win gold medals in both the three meter springboard and ten meter platform events in consecutive Games James Herriot, author of the famous All Creatures Great and Small Series, died of prostate cancer on Thursday, February 23, at the age of 78 His books were dramatizations of his experiences as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales of England. On Capitol Hill, Congress is talking about drastically reducing the federal school lunch program. Under the new guidelines, only the neediest children would have their meals paid for. The "neediest" will probably be youngsters whose families fall under the federal poverty level of $14,800 for a family of four. Last year, 14-million American schoolchildren ate free or reduced-priced lunches, and another 5-million participated in breakfast programs. According to one estimate, about 6-million youngsters would lose lunch privileges. In an effort to offset severe budget cutting in state university systems nationwide, many institutions have adopted, or are considering adopting measures to ensure swifter gradua tion rates and higher revenue. These include lessening the requirements for degrees, eliminating entire departments, making freshmen declare their majors, imposing financial penalties on students who take more courses than are necessary to graduate or who take too few per semester, charging part-time students full tuition, and raising overall tuition rates. If you ever wanted to know what a Soviet bomber base looked like in 1966-now's your chance. The Clinton administration announced last Friday that some 800,000 spy satellite photographs taken between 1960 and 1972 will be available to the public, either by mail or over the Internet. A small preview of the collection, including photographs of bomber bases, volca noes, and the Aral Sea, is now available at http:// edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/dclass/dclass.html. Finally, in other news, our brand-new Republican dominated Congress announced last week that they will ask the President for more money in military spending than even the Pentagon wants for this year's budget. The United States already spends more money on its military than the rest of the world combined

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6 The Catalyst February 28, 1995 ANNOUNCEMENTS Join the Human Race! Saturday, March 4th/7:30am at Sarasota Square Mall. If you want to get sponsors and walk for Planned Parenthood or sponsor someone who does, call Sharon Maloney at 365-3913. * The Action Auction, sponsored by New College Foundatjon, has student job opportunities for the night of Saturday, March 18, 1995, from 5 pm until about 11 pm in Hamilton Center. $5.00 per hour. Cash paid at the end of the night. Sign up in the trailer next to Robertson Hall. Only 30 openings available; don't delay. You must be able to attend a short pre-auction meeting on March 14 at 4:30pm in the trailer by the admissions building. ***** A next Rape Aggression Defense Class is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 18th and 19th, from 9:00am to 4:00pm in Sudakoff Class is open to all female New College students, faculty, and staff at no charge. Class is limited to 10 participants. Call USFPD at 359 4210 to sign up. ***** The USF/New College Library will be having a New/Used Book Sale Tuesday, March 21, through Thursday, March 23, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Rita Kipp Music Room of College Hall. * AIDS-Manasota is offering free, confidential couseling for people who are HIV positive. Couselors are available from 10:00 am to noon and from 2:00pm to 4:00pm each weekday. For more information call (813)954-6011. * Student Activities are interested in joining a student/faculty/staff committee that will be writing a sexual harrassment policy for New College, get in touch with Kevin in the Student Activities office, or call 359-4266. There are still some cheap ($5) Van Wezel tickets available for the spring season performances. If you want one, let us know. Kevin would appreciate it if any students who have volunteered with a community service organization in Sarasota would let him know so that he can include it in the Center for Service Learning database. Thesis students who would like to present their work at a thesis colloquium later this semester should sign up in the Student Activities office. * There will now be recycling activities every Sunday at 2:00 in Palm Court, and volunteers are needed! Do you have what it takes? Requirements: One hour of your time, and the ability to crush cans and take caps off bottles. Interested CWSP students may be eligible to be paid for coordinating/working with the recycling program. Contact Mark Johnson or Amy Mormino (box 389) for more information. ***** David F. Noble, author of A World Without Women: The Christian Clerical Culture of Western Science (Oxford Paperbacks, 1993), will speak at 3:30pm, Wednesday, March 15 in Sudakoff Center. Dr. Noble's talk is entitled The Religion of Technology: The Myth of a Masculine Millenium. Dr. Noble is a n historian of the ideas and social structures that gave rise to modern science and technology. His work has demonstrated that the hostility toward women in science is a product of science's origins within an all male clerical culture formed in flight from women. This counters the popular beliefs that science rose in opposition to religion and that women were outside science because the scientific way of thinking was inherently different from women's way of thinking. Dr Noble is a professor in the Division of Social Science at University of Toronto. ***** FREE TICKETS TO THE MEDIEVAL FAIR!!!!! Tickets are available for the Medieval Fair March 2 thru March 5 for New College and University Program students. Present your student I.D. at the Business Office and receive 2 free tickets. First come, (j rst served.