When children all over the world climb aboard the future train and head off for tomorrow, will Florida's children be left at the station? Florida's leaders appear bent on making sure that happens.
Consider their enthusiasm for a constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes for schools. Then consider their slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from the school budget. Their actions and words speak loudly of their intentions.
Their actions imply a willful and deliberate effort to bankrupt Florida's public education system. Their words speak of economic necessity during hard times. We can't raise taxes, they say, so we must cut spending.
Student Paper: Common Use of Questionable Study Habits
Common Use of Questionable Study Habits
Amanda Freilich
Generation Y is slowly but surely maturing and getting ready to enter the business world. Competition is increasing, and pressure is felt by both college students and corporations to strive for perfection.
With pressure comes studying, with studying comes stress, and with stress comes questionable practices that students may feel the need to resort to.
Adderall is not an uncommon medication taken by prescribed and non-prescribed students in college. The effects, however, are overlooked, and the instant gratification is helpful, but future affects may make students reconsider.
"It's a central nervous system stimulant," said Dr. Steven Bass, a Disease Specialist at Cleveland Clinic Hospital. "It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control."
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy are the main reasons for Adderall use. The majority of college students buy and/or sell their medication for non-prescribed use.
"Being pre-med is very competitive, and using Adderall definitely helps me focus and learn complex concepts easier and quicker. It allows me to study for longer than usual," said Josh Steinberg, a junior at the University of Florida.
Applying to college is a very stressful time for young students. The unknown is nerve-racking, but the anxiety does not stop once acceptance is granted.
Students constantly have to prove themselves and supersede expectations daily. When it comes to in class discussion, 15 page research papers, and four tests inconveniently timed-out to be in the same week, students search for study methods, which may potentially lead to Adderall.
Taking a stimulant like Adderall late in the day may cause insomnia. Considered a drug of abuse, Adderall may be habit forming leading to risk of: heart arrhythmia, circulatory and respiratory problems, psychotic episodes, increased aggression, and toxic shock.
"Adderall is taken to function day to day, not to specifically improve study habits," said Natasha King, a registered pharmacist at Public Pharmacy.
The short-term affects of Adderall may make 10 chapters seem like two, according to Steinberg, but use by non-prescribed students may constitute a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity.
The growing Generation Y is a generation of independence, competitiveness and success. Independence is distinguishing, and life should not be hindered by the dependence on Adderall if its utilization is not necessary.
Student Paper: No Green Policy for UF Greek Houses
No Green Policy for UF Greek Houses
Elizabeth Schoenthal
Despite the University of Florida's efforts to promote the idea of going green, there is no official recycling program aimed at on campus Greek housing.
Sorority houses are a major on campus housing unit that cater to a number of students living on and off campus. Every meal is prepared for at least 100 girls who live in house and out of house, sending plenty of paper, plastic and cans straight to the garbage, said Nita Ray, house director and house mom for Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.
"All the waste that goes on because there is no recycling program at the houses is just such a shame," Ray said.
Student Paper: No slow-down in new student housing market
No slow-down in new student housing market
Elizabeth Schoenthal
Despite a vacillating real estate market, new apartment buildings are being constructed all over Gainesville.
Many people may wonder why builders are taking the time and money to invest in new buildings when there may not be a market for new buyers as enrollment for UF plummets.
"Student housing does not always follow the regular real estate market and it is hard to predict how all of the new apartment complexes will do," said Phil Wagner of Trimark Properties. "Enrollment is only one factor and you have to take into account individual student preferences, tag-alongs who follow their friends to the university, and students attending Santa Fe Community college."
Though the economy is not in a recession, it is definitely at a slow. This could have an effect on graduating seniors at the University of Florida planning to enter the workforce come this May.
Any economist would have predicted a recession if the price of oil and gas was as high as it is today, said Professor of Economics at UF, Mark Rush.
"We should be surprised at how strong the economy is right now for what it is going through."
