Hummus Recall and What it Means for FSC

Sabra Dipping Co. LLC voluntarily issued a recall of roughly 30,000 cases of their hummus last Thursday due to possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

Once Sabra Dipping Co. announced their recall; stores around the country were checking their product codes to ensure that the recalled products were taken off the shelves.

Florida Southern’s Moc Mart sells Sabra Hummus Dual Packs with pretzels. These snacks are popular amongst Florida Southern students for their convenience and because they are considered a healthy alternative to most snacks.  

Andrew Severance, a Moc Mart cashier who is primarily responsible for quality assurance within the store said that the Sabra products that the Moc Mart handles were not affected by the recall.

“Employees are informed immediately if any product they sell needs to be recalled,’ Severence said. “We are informed within hours of the recalls if any product we carry needs to be out [of The Moc Mart].”

They make sure to check for food safety concerns for any product The Moc Mart receives. “Whenever we get products from the companies that deliver to us, we always check the dates and the physical look of the product before selling it to students,” Severance said. “The batch numbers were after the batch numbers for the hummus that was required to be recalled.”

He also stated that in the two and a half years he has worked at the Moc Mart, they have never had to take a recalled product off of the shelves.

Some students who regularly consume Sabra Hummus from the Moc Mart were concerned initially, but were relieved to find that the recall didn’t affect Florida Southern.

“I eat the hummus from the Moc Mart pretty often, so I’m glad to see that we weren’t involved with the Listeria incident,” senior Nick Stone said. “I think the Moc Mart does a good job of catching that kind of stuff before it gets to [students].” 

 “We have had several recalls come in from products  we carry, but we’ve never had any of the batch  numbers that need to be recalled,” Severence said.  “We make sure that anything that is put on the shelf  is of the best quality possible.”

 In healthy individuals, consumption of Listeria  monocytogenes might cause short-term flu like  symptoms, but in children or the elderly, the  illnesses could be more severe.

Consumers of recalled Sabra products are advised to throw them away. They can also return their product to the store it was purchased from for a refund. Any questions can be directed to Sabra’s headquarters via email or at 888-957-2272 Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

Burning Questions: FSC Edition

Ryan Buckley and I debate issues at Florida Southern, as well as what could be done to fix said issues. We also talk about the Men’s Basketball team making it to the Elite Eight.

A Lesson on Lent

The Lenten season has started and many people have put their focus on a time of suffering, fasting and waiting. College students take part in giving up certain distractions, yet most misuse the meaning of the sacred time. Kate Becker tells more on the story.

 

In the Write State of Mind

Has handwriting become a lost art?

In today’s world, it just may be. Note taking in college classrooms has become obsolete. Now, students are trading out the writing utensil for a technological device.

Learning can be impaired while taking notes on a technological device

Laptops or iPads are beneficial in many ways. They are convenient, fast and give you summary analysis on everything and anything. Thank you, wireless access. Unfortunately, typing does not help you process or retain the information when learning. In fact, it is impairing your learning ability. Nerve racking.

“When you write, it is a deeper level of processing and you are going to remember the material a whole lot more. So you should just write,” Psychologist, Dr. Deah Quinlivan said.

In 2012, psychologists Pam Muller and Daniel Oppenheimer conducted a study to test what note taking method was most effective. Students using a laptop were able to gather more information from the classroom than the students handwriting notes, yet the study revealed that the students instructed to write were able to conceptually understand the material better. They had the ability to process information and apply it overtime because their memory performed well.

Survey created on surveymonkey.com

A week after the study, participants were given a test on the material. Results showed that the note-taking students outperformed the students who used their laptop.

Not all students agree with the idea on taking notes on a technological device. In fact, 31 students at Florida Southern
College took part in a survey on note taking. 25 out of the 31 students committed to the answer of traditionally sticking to note taking.

“I feel like I am paying less attention to the professor while typing, and I get distracted on the computer a lot easier. So it is a self-disciple just to take notes,” senior Amy Scroggin said.

Handwriting notes requires mindfulness in order to grasp the concept. When focusing on what is being written, individuals are likely to be processing the information. On the other hand, typing has been proven to be more of a mindless task. Students do not synthesize or summarize the words outlined in the lecture therefore they are lightly engaging in the material being taught.

“Writing forces you to slow down and be able to write it. The trick is you cannot be mindlessly writing it you have to be thinking about it,” Quinlivan said.

So, should students completely give up technology in the classroom? Professor William Allen of the FSC communications department believes that technology enhances the learning experience, but it also alters our senses differently than writing.

Majority of students type their notes in a Law and Ethics class lecture

Allen was so intrigued by the idea of the pencil that he even created a documentary called Number 2: A Story of the Pencil, in which he questions whether or not society is moving away from the inanimate object.

“The core of the documentary focuses in on writing. There is a segment that is framed recognition. I want us to recognize what we would lose when we move away from the pencil because writing and the pencil is all about being connected to our senses,” said Allen.

From the psychological, technological and student perspective, writing is a powerful way to connect the mind to the senses, allowing your memory and listening skills to be enhanced. After knowing this information, perhaps we will see a change in today’s college classrooms, understanding that the method of basic pen and paper is the write way.

Related Stories:

A Learning Secret: Don’t Take Notes With a Laptop 

Take Notes By Hand for Better Long-Term Comprehension 

Ditch the laptop and pick up a pen, class. Researchers say it’s better for note taking

Here’s Why Writing Things Out By Hand Makes You Smarter

Religious Ideologies at FSC

Duke University, a Methodist school, has sparked an outcry this week on ending Muslim prayer call from the Chapel Tower. Religious tension has occurred on the campus between Christianity and Muslim faiths. Many wonder if this tension could affect schools, such as Florida Southern College, who share similar beliefs. Kate Becker has more on the story.

Not Just a Day Off, But a “Day On”

While many students enjoyed a day off on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, some students made their day off, a “day on”. The Student Government Association and the Muliticultural Student Council partnered together on MLK Day and hosted a Day of Impact event. The day began with a guest speaker, Deric C. Feacher, and ended with a service organization; Feeding Children Everywhere. Over 200 people attended this event.

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Yacht Club Still Yacht-less

A Lakeland landmark will undergo a historic change as 200 members of the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club voted to renovate the 90-year old building.

There had been talks of potentially tearing down and rebuilding the structure. However, majority of the members decided to renovate the building.

The Lakeland Yacht and Country Club has been without a yacht since the 1920’s.

“The renovations are going to be a long process, but a necessary one,” Dalton Yelvington said. Yelvington is a sophomore and employee of the Yacht Club.

According to General Manager Marilyn Sams, planning will take 6-12 months and renovations will take approximately 9-12 months.

“The renovation will upgrade a 90-year-old facility to current standards,” Sams said. “Additions include a fitness facility with locker rooms, go to one kitchen to service the members and banquets, upgrade the pool area, and add outside dining pavilions similar to the ‘Buck Stop’ at FSC.”

Not mentioned in any of the changes was the possible addition of a yacht. So even after millions in renovations, not one single yacht will be present at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club.

This means that during the nine-decade time period of the buildings existence, not a yacht has been present. This left some students puzzled.

“When you hear about a yacht club, you think of all the wealthy people and their fancy yachts,” junior Jonathan Glass said.

Beautiful Lake Hollingsworth. No yacht here.

“Then you look at the Lakeland Yacht Club and see they have no yachts, all they have is a restaurant. It should just be called the dinner club.

“It doesn’t have to be a big yacht, a small yacht would do just fine,” sophomore Teanna Parisio said. “Until then, they should just leave out the yacht part and call it a country club.”

Even alumni members of Florida Southern College were surprised at the exclusion.

“Wait, there’s still no yacht?” Derek Snyder said. Snyder graduated Florida Southern in Fall 2013.

Other students were not as surprised by the lack of yacht.

“I find this business decision quite reflective of Lakeland in and of itself,” sophomore Corey Reichert said. “For example, Florida Southern College owns 30 golf carts yet we have no golf course.”

“The yacht club is still a nice place for rich people to hang out even if they have no yacht,” junior Ali Sanders said. “They can come rent our kayaks on campus.”

According to Bay News 9, one member of the Yacht Club stated that the renovations would mean a lot to the community in general. Students have mixed feelings towards the impact of the renovations.

Many students flock to this dock for the tranquil environment due to the lack of yacht.

“I am a firm believer that a newly renovated yacht club will boost member morale and create a stronger sense of community within the club,” freshmen Spencer Asparilla said.

“I just don’t see how it is going to impact me or anyone else in the community,” senior Catherine Brusie said. “I feel like these people could use this money elsewhere to impact the community.”

“I’d like to know more of the specifics as to why it would be good for the community, such as how the building values might go up or any projects or plans the yacht club has for the community,” sophomore Alex Cwiok said. “However, that does sound counterproductive when that money could have been donated to the community or been put into a plan to reverse the poverty and hunger issues.”

Cwiok brings about another interesting talking point: problems within Lakeland and Polk County. In a 2013 Takeapart article, 22 percent of Lakeland inhabitants did not know where their next meal was coming from, the eight highest percentage in America. Additionally, Poverty Map indicates 18.1 percent of the Polk County population is below the poverty line.

While many students debate over the renovations and allocation of funding, one thing is for certain: there will still be no yachts at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club.

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Related Stories:

Members Vote to Restore Yacht Club TheLedger.com

European Yacht of the Year

Feeding America Hunger and Poverty Fact Sheet

The 10 Most Exclusive Member Clubs in the World

Starbucks: Local Family Liquor Store

Starbucks has been known for their sale of coffee in a relaxing environment. The expansion of their alcohol sales may be the next addition to that service.

Starbucks, which started as a small store at in Seattle, has developed into a cultural phenomenon and the expansion of their alcohol has made  news across the country.

College USA Today writer Bruce Horovitz quoted Starbucks spokeswoman Lisa Passe in the reasoning for their expansion.

“The concept is a natural progression for Starbucks as we seek to create a new occasion for customers to gather, relax and connect with each other in the evenings,” Passé says.

Some unlikely stores have attempted serving alcoholic products at their locations. Red Robin, South Beach Burger King, and Sonic have all attempted various beverages such as wine shakes, beer shakes, and draft beer.

Florida Southern students have recently received the news about Starbucks idea have more stores with alcohol.

A timetable hasn’t been set yet for if or when the Lake Miriam Starbucks will receive the clearance, but some of their customers do have some concerns.

Junior Dylan Davis feels conflicted by the idea of a “family coffee shop” be changed with the sale of alcohol.

“I believe they start the as a family place, to me it would be going against the values that they stood for,” Davis said.

Handel Aikan believes that it would be something that would have to be “monitored”.

“The concept is cool to me, but I just have some concerns about how the alcohol would be provided and

Florida Southern College student Austin Stratton works for the Starbucks located by Lake Miriam.

While his store currently has not been assigned as one of the “alcohol friendly” locations, he still is able to comment on the possibility of his store adopting the policy.

“I think it would be a good idea if we manage it, like obviously we would have to make sure people were not drinking and driving,” Stratton said.

Starbucks was quoted as saying that they would only provide alcohol after at certain time of night and never though the drive-thru.

Unfortunately the Lake Miriam and Becon Starbucks management were unable to make a commit because of the fluidity of the situation.

Since their first store in 1971, we have felt a responsibility to make a positive impact one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

The Starbucks seems open to the idea of having the alcohol in hopes to add more customers to their list of devoted fans.

“It really is something that can help us to market to more people. There are so many reasons why people come in to a starbuck to being with, a relaxing time with a cup of wine might just be the next thing,” Stratton said.

Starbucks Evenings

Business Increase

Fast Booze

Starbucks CBS

How safe are we really on campus

Lakeland Police center Photo shot by Justin Richards

Students can rest assured that despite recent shootings around the country, campus safety and the Lakeland Police Department have a specific protocol for the protection of this campus.

Student Dylan Spinks shared some of his concerns with the security system that is set in place.

“It’s kind of concerning to just think that someone can just come up and attack one of the classrooms and not be stopped. It’s just something I think it’s in the back of a lot of student’s minds.”

The ability for students to be on the same page as the safety officers is the most important aspect of safety that can be provided.

Bill Carew, Director of Campus Safety & Security, explained that students should know that their concerns are taken seriously.

“The Board of Trustees, have made it a high level priority for students to feel safe on campus at all times.” said Carew

Statistically Florida Southern is one of the safer campuses across the nation.

Since 2010 there have only been a total of 20 criminal offenses that have occurred on campus, none of which included murder, attempted murder, or sexual assault.

Which is significantly lower than the average across the country.

Campus Safety office, Shot by Justin Richards

Just because the perception of the school is that of an “open” campus, doesn’t mean it couldn’t simply be locked down.

“Within a few minutes we can have the campus completely shut down, if need be.” Carew said.

Carew explains that the text message system is the best way to relay the important information throughout the campus. The professors and faculty must keep their phones on them at all times just in case something would happen during class time.

Carew also believes that making the incoming freshman set-up with locator devices and the text message system will help with safety.

The text message system not only allows for students to be informed of situation on campus but also for the LPD.

“It would take about two to three minutes for officers to arrive on campus” said Carew

The relationship with the police here in Lakeland is vital for the protection of the campus.

Sergeant Lord spoke of the overall responsibility that members of the police force feel towards the safety of the school.

“ We take the protection of Lakeland as not only our job, but our responsibility, protecting the school falls into that category.”

http://www.universitylanguage.com/guides/safety-on-campus-how-to-stay-safe-at-college/

http://www.collegeview.com/articles/article/fundamentals-of-campus-safety

http://www.collegesafe.com/index.php/safety-rankings/college-safety-statistics

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/twice-the-college-advice/2011/12/06/6-ways-to-stay-safe-on-college-campuses