Issue 10: November 2012

Feeling Overwhelmed or Stressed? Written by: Josie Oramas, STU Counselor

Are you feeling overwhelmed or stressed?

What is stress? A reaction response to certain

events or situations perceived as threatening.

Some of the responses to stress are:

Constant worrying, Inability to concentrate,

Negativistic thinking, Substance abuse, Racing thoughts, Moodiness,

Irritability, Isolation, Frequent colds, Aches and pains, Interrupted sleep

Here are some ways you can cope:

Exercise, Express feelings, Write in a journal, Maintain a healthy diet, Get

enough sleep, Focus on the positive, Talk to friends, Plan each day,

Prioritize tasks, Set time limits, Say no to nonessential tasks, Break large

tasks into smaller ones, Take time to do a quality job, Evaluate how time is

spent, Limit distractions, Take breaks as needed, Delegate

VISIT YOUR COUNSELOR

Health & Wellness Center

305-628-6695

joramas@stu.edu

Word Up! with QEP

Many of you have seen the black and red t-shirts around campus with the phrase “STU QEP” on it.

Some of you may recognize the QEP from the “Name the QEP” contest that has happened recently. But

some of you may be wondering “What is the QEP?” QEP stands for Quality Enhancement Plan. This

plan describes how St. Thomas as a university will enhance some aspect of student learning. STU’s

QEP focuses on undergraduate writing. The QEP at STU has three core elements: First-Year Writing

Communities, Writing Intensive Courses, and Writing within the Discipline Courses.

Our QEP now has a new name! Many of you may be excited to hear the results of the “Name the

QEP” contest. We had over 100 submissions, but one stuck out as particularly noteworthy. Our winner

of the contest is “Word Up!” submitted by Psychology major, Admira Janvier. This student received a

free iPad as their contest prize. Congratulations, Admira!

Students are excited about the Word Up! QEP Writing Community pilot taking place this Fall.

Freshman Jose Farrera describes his experience this way: “My experience in the writing community was

beyond anything that I expected. It was so much more than just a "writing" community. It really was the

best decision I could have made. Whenever I had questions about professors or homework they were

always there to give a helping hand.”

Jose particularly appreciated how it connected him to other students: “one of the most enjoyable experiences was that it connected us with

other incoming freshmen and we were able to make friends rather quickly. These friends that I met at the writing community have been there

to help each other out either by peer editing a paper or just simply help you out with any problems you might have. The unique thing is that

the writing community will stick together for the 2nd semester, so instead of just being a community its sort of become a second family.”

When asked if he would recommend the Writing Community experience to other students, Jose said, “Without a doubt in my mind I would

recommend the writing community to absolutely everyone. Not only will you make a close group of great friends but you will also benefit

from the outstanding help that the advisors will provide you with. The writing community will help you academically and personally.”

Written by: Professor Beth Stovell

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012

STU Senate Written by: Samantha Hidalgo, STU Senator

The senators at St.Thomas University are a diverse group of

students who join together with one purpose. Our objective is to

represent the student body by voicing their opinions and

concerns. The senate prides itself in having a good relationship

with our faculty and administration to reach our goals for the

well-being of all our students. I am delighted to have joined this

committee. As an incoming freshman, I have high hopes of

making a difference and voicing new and innovative ideas. As

many of you may know, the Senate is working hard with SGA in

seeking approval towards implementing "The Common Hour" on

campus which will provide students the opportunity to have a

free hour throughout the week. The Common Hour will provide

an opportunity for students to partake in extracurricular

activities, and will allow students to interact on a social and

academic level. In addition, we recently had our Senate

Assembly which gave students the opportunity to meet their

senators, and bring to their attention any ideas or topics of

interest. As a senator I encourage the student body to reach out to

us and not hesitate in getting involved. By voicing your opinions,

and being active you can always make a difference!

This past election was defined by many issues which posed a life

altering decision as soon as the ballot was casted. The candidates

stood on opposite poles when it came to many issues and we

witnessed as Governor Romney and President Obama clashed for

months. It altered our relationships with colleagues, friends, and even

ourselves. Vote blue or red? Vote conservative or liberal? It made

voters feel that they had the power at the tip of their hands. The

candidates were willing to do anything to get the vote, even if it

meant making empty promises or outlining a plan that was unclear to

most of the American people. At a 7.9% unemployment rate,

different countries going bankrupt, a nightmarish fiscal cliff looming

in the horizon many voters were concerned about the economic

future of our country. Yet there were others who had social issues as

a primary voting reason. Abortion, LGBTQ rights, immigration, and

education played an equivalent role in these elections. Both

candidates had their views expressed on different issues and thanks to

gargantuan amounts of money they were able to reach our radios,

televisions, newspapers, internet, even our facebook pages. At the

end of the day, the candidate with the most influence on voters and

better strategy took home the win for another 4 years. So with the

slogans that President Obama utilized to its fullest, we must continue

with hope and help our country and our fellow Americans, no matter

their party, moving forward to a better tomorrow.

Written by: Jose Salcedo, SGA President

Elections Recap!

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of

the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to

life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere

through local, national and global activities designed to help them ex-

plore their potential as self-starters and innovators. These activities,

from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gather-

ings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even

investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportu-

nities.

The first place winner from the New Entrepreneur Category Jianpeng

We (Jacky) wanted to share his gratitude: “Thanks St. Thomas Univer-

sity for providing me with an opportunity to participate in a special business competition: 2012 Student Entrepreneur Competition

sponsored by the Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. It enabled me to use my business knowledge and experience, coupled with

diligence, to succeed by being awarded 1st Place in the New Entrepreneur Category for “Golden Age Travel & Education Agency.” I

would like thank all the competitors, who share the entrepreneurial vision of creating more jobs for society, of providing better ser-

vices, and of developing our humanity. Thanks to those who supported my effort, including the Business School professors, and the

tutors in the University Writing Center.”

The youth vote (ages 18 - 29) determined the outcome of the 2012 Election. In fact, the 2004, 2008, and 2012 election cycles have demonstrated

a positive trend in youth voting patterns, with turnout nearing the vicinity 50% in each of those elections, as compared to just 37% in 1996 and

41% in 2000. Young people represented 19% of the voters in the 2012 Presidential election according to the Center for Information and Research

on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) and despite most predictions, the youth vote actually increased in the 2012 Presidential election as

compared to 2008. In key battleground states such as Florida, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania, which represent 80 electoral votes, the youth vote

ultimately decided the outcome the 2012 Presidential Election.

The positive trend in youth civic engagement is essential to our democratic society. Young people are a major demographic of our electorate and

their voice matters. To give some context consider that there is an estimated 46 million people 18-19 years of age who are eligible to vote while

there are 39 million seniors who are eligible to vote. Youth make up approximately 21% of the eligible voting population in the United States and

involving young people in civic education and action greatly expands our democratic society.

Educational institutions as well as other non-profits are playing a key role in these increases. According to Nonprofit VOTE, in 2012, the entire

nonprofit sector helped encourage communities across the country to participate and vote. Specifically they have cited that in this year’s election

youth, lower-income and diverse communities accounted for a greater share of voter turnout than ever before.

Young voters (under 30) defied predictions by claiming a higher share of total turnout in 2012 (19%) than in 2008 (18%).

The Latino share of the electorate continued to rise, increasing to 10% this year.

Black voters maintained their share of the electorate from 2008, holding at 13%.

Voters with family income below $50,000 increased their share of the electorate, jumping three points to 41%, despite the fact that the

population of that bracket has remained unchanged from 2008.

Young voters matter, and their electoral voice presents either huge obstacle or potential power for future political candidates. In the words of

Heather Smith, President of Rock the Vote: “I think we’ve now established a fairly decent pattern that this generation is different from their older

brothers and sisters, and we can put those rumors of apathy to bed … This voting block can no longer be an afterthought to any party or

campaign.” Hopefully, these numbers will continue to rise and we can truly put “the apathy of the youth” behind us.

Picture of the Month

Sudoku

Directions: Solve the Sudoku, bring it to the Student Center.

First person to have it correctly completed will receive a gift

card, 2nd and 3rd Place winners will receive a prize also.

Good Luck, Bobcats!

STU Criminal Justice major student, Zhen Liu enjoying

herself with kids from Teen Upward Bound! Join us next

time for our next 054 Soul Service Learning Project.

Youth Power in the 2012 Presidential Election Results Written by: Isaac Carter, Chief of Staff for Florida New Majority

Contact your S.G.A: Jose V. Salcedo- President, jsalcedo@stu.edu Maria Galvez - Secretary of Communications, mgalvez@stu.edu

Jarrel Hall -Executive Vice President, jhall2@stu.edu Ashley Perez - Treasurer, aperez10@stu.edu

Laura Safstrom - Speaker of Senate, lsafstrom@stu.edu Jackson Weber - Advisor, jweber@stu.edu

.

About five years ago, while walking the halls of Kennedy and waiting for one of my literature classes to begin,

I overheard a couple of students talking animatedly near the water fountain on the second floor. Well, actually,

they weren’t just talking. It was a steady profanity-laden tirade against a particular professor. A rant, if you will.

Although I was pretty impressed by the originality of the cursing, the conversation boiled down to an absolutely

certain conviction that Dr. X had not only no idea what he was teaching about but was such an incredibly terrible

professor that it was a miracle they actually had swindled a university into handing him a job. In their humble

opinion, the boring, irritating, easily befuddled, disorganized, tyrannical, hell-spawn Dr. X was just something

that was “killing them” and that they had had simply enough.

Although I had a pretty simple decision to make—interrupt, intervene, instruct—I felt that my momentary

correction of the student’s behavior would have not been enough of that ever elusive teaching moment that all of

us in academia are constantly waiting and wishing for. The next morning, the frustrated ranter walked into my

class, like any other Tuesday, bid me good morning, opened his notebook, and was ready for my lecture. I

announced to the class that on that particular day, I wanted to mix it up. Since most of them know me already, they usually are not fazed

by my “mixing it up” and braced for what came next. I called on the ranter, asked him to stand before the class, and to teach us something

about captivity narratives, the subject we had been covering for two class sessions. I requested a measly five extemporaneous minutes.

I believe people on the frontlines of war have been less nervous and less lost about what to do. He looked at me, trying to f igure out if I

was kidding. Since he realized I wasn’t, he stood up and walked to a corner of the room. I instructed him to stand in the middle, just like I

do every class day and have done for 21 years. He wanted his notebook, but told him to just teach—sans notes—like I do every class day

and have done for 21 years. He stood there, hands probably sweating in his pockets and hmm’d and awwer’d for about 25 seconds and

then smiled a bit and then the nervous laugh and then another awwer for the next 15 seconds. Suddenly, he said something incredibly

unprofound: “The captivity narratives are, well, all about the Indians, like yeah you know right.” After about another 30 seconds of some

type of apparent tongue numbness, bringing all the words down to a breathy whisper, I asked him to take his seat. When he had returned to

his safe-space, and began breathing normally again, I looked him in the eye and said, “That’s exactly why you shouldn’t badmouth your

teachers!”

Am I wrong? Sometimes. Am I juvenile? Often. Should I and my work be respected? Yes. All of your professors work and have worked

unbelievably hard all their lives to be where they are and who they are today. We are scholars, thinkers, advisors, helpers, coaches, soul-

nourishers, punching bags, confidantes, allies, cheerleaders, and our job is to ensure that every one of you receives the absolute best

education that we can bring you. Some of you think all we are doing is talking and that is easy to do. Most of you learned how to do that

by age three. But we don’t just talk. We teach, we instruct, we entertain, we make material come alive. For 75 minutes, four times a week,

several times a day, we build worlds for you. And that, my young friends, is neither a talent nor a task to be taken lightly.

Dr. Rafael Miguel Montes

“Must See/ Must Hear”

Friday, November 30th

-“Pump your Flag” (10PM) in Fernandez Center

-Women’s Basketball at Trinity Baptist, Jacksonville Fla. (6PM)

- Capoeira (5:30PM) in the Multi-Purpose room FFC

Saturday, December 1st

-A Night of Hope (6PM) in the Moot Court Room

-Men’s Basketball vs Southeastern, Miami Gardens, Fla. (7PM)

Monday-Thursday December 3rd-December 6th

-Fall 2012 Final Examination Week

Word from the Wise

@STUstudentgovernment @SaintThomasSGA

Wednesday, December 5

-Men’s Basketball at Florida Memorial, Miami Gardens, Fla.

(7PM)

Thursday, December 6

- Capoeira (5:30PM) in the Multi-Purpose room FFC

-Men’s Basketball vs Devry, Miami Gardens, Fla. (7PM)