Unemployment Compensation - Or Lack Thereof

Hillsborough County, or the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, reached a new high for unemployment: 13.1%.

The number of jobs in the region was once 1,136,512. Since the recession began in December 2007, 106,990 jobs have been lost, according to the Department of Numbers. Many Floridians rely on unemployment compensation during the economic slump.

Individuals must apply for compensation. Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation reviews claims. To qualify, citizens must be unemployed through no fault of their own. They must be on an active job search and ready to take a job that is offered to them.

 Unemployment insurance consists of what the agency calls “temporary wage replacement benefits.” The most a former employee in the state of Florida can receive is $275 per week. The weekly amount is based on previous earnings.

After a claim is filed, it must be verified every two weeks that the individual’s job search is still ongoing. The first check arrives after approximately three to four weeks. The agency works with individuals through local One-Stop Career Centers and the website www.employflorida.com.

Florida’s compensation system is not prepared for the 13.1% unemployment rate. The money originally came from Florida’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund (UCTF). At the end of 2008, the UCTF contained more than $1.3 billion. The fund was emptied by August 2009.

According to the Citrus County Chronicle, the UCTF cut funds during better economic times instead of saving for today’s recession. The state is forced to borrow approximately $300 million from the federal government each month. In September 2011 hundred of millions will be due in interest payments.

Florida employers are taxed to provide unemployment compensation. The Department of Revenue formulates the tax rate. A $1.2 billion increase was proposed last year to become effective January 1, 2010. The Sun Sentinel printed specific numbers. Employers formerly paid the compensation tax of $8.40 per employee. The suggested increase was $100.30 per employee.

This proposal did not go over well, especially with small businesses. Some organizations are against any tax increase. The Florida Chamber of Commerce encouraged employer protests.

The House of Representatives passed legislation in March to delay the employer tax increase. Miami Rep. Ronald Brise said, “Let’s do everything we can in our power to encourage businesses to open and employ Floridians.” The minimum compensation tax rate is now $25 per employee, a lot less than the suggested $100.30.

Employees pay an unemployment tax determined by their salary. The taxable wage base remains at $7,000, according to the American Payroll Association. Recent legislation denied the $8,500 wage base.

While Hillsborough County’s unemployment rate is 13.1%, the state of Florida’s is approximately 12%. Nationally, unemployment hovers around 9.7%. The alternative to increased employer and employee taxes is further debt with the federal government.

Campus Hauntings

In the early 1900s the Tampa Bay Hotel was a popular destination. Now Plant Hall, guests’ spirits are said to haunt the building. Although there are no official records of ghost sightings, students and faculty have claimed to witness apparitions and strange disturbances. Historical figures lodged at the old hotel where two suicides were committed. Theodore Roosevelt was a guest and his presence is allegedly felt in the current science wing.
The next time you’re bored in class, take a look around the room. Notice any sinister decorations? According to local mystics, the chill you may feel is not necessarily coming from the window.
Supernatural figures are rumored to walk the halls. A man dressed in a brown three-piece suit once walked toward a student with glowing red eyes as she ascended to the second floor. A second student saw this “brown man” on the staircase drinking from a cup. Both students described the gentleman as older and out of place. Of course, the students’ eyesight and sanity should not be ignored.
A dark skinned man with boots and a straw hat apparently still resides in the science wing. Once a hotel caretaker, several students reported seeing his apparition. The creaky wheels of the servants’ carts have also been heard in the science wing.
Security guards who roam the building at night have had their share of strange occurrences. One guard felt a force on the doorknob he was trying to secure and moments later a flashlight was knocked from his hand. Knocked by a transparent figure or his clumsy coworker?
Falk Theater across the street was built in 1928 and is home to the infamous Bessie Snavely’s ghost. The visiting actress discovered her husband was cheating on her with another member of the troupe. In despair, she hung herself on a stairwell behind the stage. Rumor has it her spirit is angered by the color red. Red costumes were mysteriously ruined and one actress could not physically wear a red skirt on stage. The Speech, Theater and Dance department at UT considers Bessie a friendly presence. Despite occasional door slams, footsteps and singing she is quiet. Some believe she saved a stagehand from falling to his death off a scaffold.
On-campus presences are generally forgotten until an apparition is reportedly seen. Paranormal individuals like Bessie are welcome; any theater student could use a friend on set.
Admittedly, the aging buildings are eerie at night and it is easy to believe the mystifying minarets could be haunted. With Tampa Bay Hotel guests ranging from the Prince of Wales to Babe Ruth, a ghost encounter would be welcome.

Corey Smith: Singer/Songwriter

Corey Smith sings about getting a real job. He gave one up as a social studies teacher, and his musical talent doesn’t suggest that singing should be his only profession.
However, Smith has a great relationship with fans and his lyrics have a carefree, f--- authority attitude. The singer/songwriter describes nights on the town and anecdotes from his life with a country twang. A fan, Diego G., says on Smith’s website, “"It's like listening to your friend talk about what you did last night."
After a modest start playing at bars in Athens, Georgia, Smith now plays for sold-out concerts with young audience members. College students can relate to his drunken antics and value of friendship.
While his songs are catchy and fun, Smith’s vocal and guitar skills are average. His music is the type one could play with the car windows down on a slow day. Each track is acoustic and his voice is especially smooth on select tracks.
No matter how smooth, no one wants hear the phrase “maybe next year” or “there’s a party” repeated twenty times. A few songs drag on long after the theme is well-emphasized. His more heartfelt lyrics relate to genuine problems in his life, such as a troubled history with drinking.
Compared to other singer/songwriters, Smith perhaps has less talent but equal heart. His songwriting can be appreciated for subject matter and the occasional striking chorus.
Smith hopes to “mature artistically”. If this is achieved, his relatable lyrics could be taken to the next level. For now, his “high-energy” live performances are true to spirit.

Violence Against the Homeless

The homeless have become a class of people discriminated against. There is little regard for their existence, and least of all, their dignity. The House of Representatives proposed Bill HB 11: Crimes Against Homeless Persons. If passed, the bill will “reclassify offenses evidencing prejudice based on homeless status of victim.”
Authorities often view the homeless as a burden, which increases public animosity. Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, said, “…there are increasingly punitive actions taken by cities against homeless people. So that also sends a message that these people are less human and that attacking them is okay.”
That is exactly what homeless discrimination has escalated to: physical attacks. 2006’s video Bumfights forced homeless people to brutally fight each other. The homeless are targeted for violent crime because they are not considered equals. In 2008 TIME Magazine deemed homeless brutality a potential hate crime. A few years ago the National Coalition for the Homeless reported over one in four attacks result in murder.
We as a community, state, country and even world need to take action against this tragedy. A homeless California native was doused with gasoline and burned to death in 2008. His sister, Susanne McGraham-Paisley, said of his killer, “That person had so many opportunities to change [his] mind and … didn’t.”
The fact that a bill would need to exist to end these crimes reflects very poorly on our society. Legislation already exists for violence against the homeless, yet clearly more is needed. Government’s ultimate aim is to house the homeless and provide social services. Bill HB 11 would ensure homeless persons’ safety during this process.
The homeless deserve more respect than they are shown. We should acknowledge their misfortune rather than any inconvenience they may cause.
The bill’s effective date is October 1, 2010. We can hope the House of Representatives does not choose to ignore the brutality occurring on the streets of their own cities.

Bulletin Boards...Old-Fashioned but Not Forgotten

“You there! I bet you’re creative.”

And so it reads on Vaughn Center’s second floor bulletin board at the University of Tampa.

Posts ranging from Latino Bible studies to the Spring Dance Concert scatter the board. The poet searching for creativity presented blank lines for students to write three-word phrases, hoping to find a subtitle for his or her piece.

Bible study attendance may increase, but not necessarily due to the bulletin board.

In today’s world of multifaceted communication, students can find information from a variety of sources. Facebook groups and events are a simple way to stay informed – who doesn’t have a profile these days? If the Internet were to shut down, students would need to turn to the old-fashioned bulletin board for academic and social news. In an era of text messaging and Facebook, one relic of the past still endures – the college campus bulletin board.

Cheryl Chernoff at the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE) oversees publications. They must be endorsed by a student organization and “cannot promote alcohol or smoking,” Chernoff warned. Not all bulletin posts are directly related to a campus group, such as Hertz car rental. Student government decided to back up the service. Announcements can also be “approved as a courtesy to the community,” said Chernoff. Babysitting falls under this category.

No student can casually tack an employer’s restaurant menu or a band’s concert dates to the board. Fliers are run by OSLE for permission to advertise. Student groups are penalized for posting without authorization. Chernoff explains the consequences with no apparent leeway or sympathy. After an initial warning, there is a suspension from advertising anywhere for 30 days. The third strike is a 60-day suspension.

Rules pertaining to the bulletin board may be strict, but diverse material covers its surface. A VW Cabriolet convertible is $3,500 for any takers. Jeans are needed as donations to teen homelessness.

How many students mill around the photograph of the convertible considering their bank accounts or mentally count the pairs of jeans in their dorm? The bulletin board is not flashy and is not the best means of catching attention.

Sophomore Resident Assistant Chelsea Michelson describes her hallway’s board as “aesthetically pleasing” and attempts to “grab their attention first” before getting into detail.

Her neighboring resident, sophomore Michael Weber, was questioned on the second floor bulletin board. “I don’t even look at them – I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said slowly, as if completely lost to a huge concept. Which, in a way, he is. “The only thing that comes to mind is the TV with the weather on it,” he admitted.

Weber speaks of the television screen by the elevators on the first floor of Vaughn. Other students recognized those as well. Perhaps, in the end, technology will win the battle against written word. The screen flashes images of dining specials or guest speakers. Interactive communication among students is more feasible, though, on the somewhat dated bulletin board.

Opportunities can be taken in with a sweeping glance. “You could be here” is a bold statement on a Campus Movie Fest poster with flashing bulbs and a red carpet. Free pool in the Spartan Club promoted Random Acts of Kindness week. Metropolitan Ministries wants volunteers.

“I usually take pictures of fliers with my phone because I’m not going to remember,” said Michelson. Busy students do not take the time to view the boards and some, of course, do not know where to find them. The average college student finds maybe ten times a day to check their Facebook homepage. Unlimited text messages fly among friends. But when it comes to discovering on-campus events, students might check their email or simply miss out.

“The things that I look at most are what’s going on around campus,” said sophomore Elaine Thornton. Most campus events can be found online. Students post off-campus housing options on the bulletin board that could take hours to find on Craig’s List. It is a matter of standing before the board at the right time – to find a post that peaks genuine interest.

Students rely on technology for so many aspects of their lives. The Internet is an excellent means of on-campus communication but this shouldn’t mean the bulletin board doesn’t deserve a look. How else would students know that Ryan repairs cracked iPhone screens?

Without a glance at the old-fashioned, yet relatable, college bulletin board, students are less aware.

Dance Happening Has Sprung Again

The dance program at the University of Tampa will present Spring Dance Happening at the end of the semester. Auditions take place Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m. and Sunday the 28th at 1 p.m. in the Edison building. Student choreographers will have three months to perfect the biannual show coming this April. Susan Lennon, head of the dance department, is excited for the performance. “Overall quality is going up,” she says, “and we have a lot of first-time choreographers.”
There are around twenty choreographers who choose a musical number that speaks to them. It is then expressed through student dancers. Pieces can be light and fun or more serious; all are extremely creative. Costumes are chosen and the dances are ordered in a visually pleasing format. The title “Happening” implies that the show travels, meaning audience members follow the performers to a new location. UT’s Dance Happening is two parts, beginning in Edison and finishing on the verandah of Plant Hall. Last semester Falk Theater was available for the first act but no longer is. Walking doesn’t bother spectators: “It’s a really fun atmosphere, it’s cool how it’s in two locations,” says sophomore Danielle Dougherty.
The dance program is full of friendly faces. Sophomore participant Brie Zupko calls auditions “the most laid-back” she’s ever seen. The style of the audition is more like a dance class, with stretching and exercises across the floor. Zupko has performed in three Dance Happenings since freshman year. “Having students choreograph is really unique and dynamic. All the ones I've worked with have made it a great experience for me,” she says. Many student choreographers return for semesters to come.
There is always a big turnout. Students and faculty cram into the Edison building and a crowd forms at the verandah for the second act. 2009’s Fall Dance Happening included UT’s dance team the Spartan Scarlets, most likely to perform in the spring as well. All styles of dance are addressed – there is something for everyone. Show tickets are free, but limited seating in Edison is offered on a first-come basis. The 2010 Dance Happening is April 28 through May 1 at 8 p.m.

The Tonight Show Feud

The Tonight Show has been in important lineup on NBC for over sixty years. Due to poor ratings, the network planned to move it a half-hour later than its original runtime. Host Conan O’Brien’s anger over the proposed time change resulted in his resignation on January 22, after his last show. The Jay Leno Show also received poor ratings and was going to replace O’Brien’s 11:30 PM timeslot. O’Brien did not want to follow Leno in the lineup nor did he want Late Night to be pushed back an hour. Since O’Brien’s leave, NBC decided Leno would return as host of The Tonight Show starting March 1, at its original 11:30 timeslot. The debate over NBC’s decision caused celebrities and critics to take sides.

The college generation is somewhat removed from the Leno and O’Brien feud. Many students are aware of the time scheduling conflict, but do not know specifics. A succession of late-night hosts: David Letterman, Leno and O’Brien, understand the importance of the show’s timeslot. O’Brien felt slighted by the suggested move and quit after a two-week battle. He walked away with $35 million severance and $12 million for his staff.

“It’s not really our generation,” says sophomore Danielle Dougherty of the dispute. Students who have not heard of the conflict would most likely agree. Long-time viewers of the Tonight Show are more opinionated. Leno’s fans are older whereas the younger crowd generally sides with O’Brien. Students who knew of his departure tuned in to his last show. O’Brien ended the segment with a speech thanking NBC for the opportunities to his career. “It was a great last show; I just remember laughing the whole time,” says sophomore Stephen Koch.

The Minaret’s Derrick Austin covered late-night television in his twelve suggestions for a promising new decade. He hopes to see a fresh, young face on the air. A young and relatable host may prompt more students to tune in. Leno will be a return to the familiar. O’Brien’s exit has not distressed many UT students. Koch says, “It didn’t bother me to a great degree.” Other students confessed to not caring at all.

Leno is back in the spotlight while O’Brien takes his chances elsewhere. After a seven-month run he closed saying, “If our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.” 

Alex Bass

Born only twenty minutes from The Big Apple, Alex Bass has since relocated to the city of Tampa, Florida, a current junior at the University of Tampa. He celebrated his 21st birthday a few days ago in his hometown of Norwood, New Jersey. The reason for his move to Florida is a popular one: the beach. He currently lives in an off-campus apartment near the MacDill Air Force Base and drives a black Jeep Cherokee. Advertising and Public Relations is his chosen major.


Bass entered the world with a rocky start, with six fingers on each hand. Instantly removed, the abnormality did not prevent him from becoming soccer and lacrosse captain in high school. He has since taken a break from sports, yet played for two years in the Florida State Men’s League. Bass has two much older half-brothers, Pete and Michael – 44 and 41 respectively.

As a sports enthusiast, Bass’ dream career would involve ESPN. The company is based in either Los Angeles or Bristol, Connecticut and he hopes to end up at either location sometime after graduation. Working for ESPN in terms of journalism, advertisement or public relations would make him happy.