Best of Florida Schools 2002

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Best On-line Voting
Hanging chads, voter recounts, disappearing ballots: the debacle that was the 2000 presidential election placed a negative spotlight on Florida. With its students still dreading the thought of having to fill out another paper ballot, Santa Fe Community College decided to leap into the future with Florida’s first on-line Student Government election. According to Dan Rodkin, coordinator for student leadership and activities, the new election system, which was first used last spring, was a huge success. “We had a record turnout in terms of number of students voting and number of students running for office.”

The jump in student participation (from 417 ballots before 2001 to 812 ballots last spring) was due in part to the ease and novelty of the new system, Rodkin says. SFCC was looking to make the elections accessible to everyone. In previous years, the school hasn’t always been able to set up polling booths at all of its three campuses, and not everyone could make it to the Northwest campus where elections are held. “Student had the ability to vote from anywhere the were connected to the internet,” Rodkin says. “They could do it from home, the computer labs, and on any of the three campuses.” JL

Best Do-Good Groups
Some students keep it secret. Some students do it right out in the open. But showing appreciation seems to be a trend on some campuses, and student groups are flourishing.

Nova Southeastern University's "Nova 9" and Jacksonville University 's "JUST-US" are secret societies that go out and do good. In fact, Nova 9 members aren't revealed until graduation. Both groups recruit students based on their character, looking for humble, caring individuals. "Nova 9" has performed such good works as delivering flowers to the basketball team and providing Valentines on campus for students. "JUST-US" has delivered thank-you notes to orientation leaders and created a banner used in the cafeteria for the football team.  "Some student leaders who like what they do thought people were underappreciated and decided to just get out there and do something, " says a secret source from JU.

At the University of North Florida and New College , the groups aren't secret, but they're just as busy. UNF's student leaders "attack" the campus by going out into high traffic areas every Monday and handing out fliers to publicize campus services, events, and offices. New College's program was put together by Matt Ramsey, a student who "just wanted to spread some good philanthropy." His group, "Nice RAK" (Random Acts of Kindness), provided coffee and doughnuts on the first day of the new semester for returning students, created sand buckets for smokers on campus, and took out all the trash from the 6 resident halls and left the housekeepers flowers and gift certificates. SRR

Best Homeless Night
Grab your cardboard boxes and hit the road. That’s what the Chi Tau chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at St. Johns River Community College did when they staged a homeless night to help raise awareness for Putnam County’s growing homeless problem. During a 24-hour period last October, 20 students spent day and night in cardboard boxes and were slapped with a $10 building site fee set by the Chi Tau chapter,  which donated the money to the local Habitat for Humanity.

The CEO from the Putnam County Housing Authority, representatives from Habitat for Humanity and a Palatka Daily News journalist gave information on the homeless situation and vital statistics on poverty.

SJRCC Director of Public Relations Dana Wingate says the Chi Tau always goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to serving their community. “ ‘Homeless Night’ was no exception,” Wingate says.  “This group of students wanted to raise awareness about the homeless and its impact on this community, and by becoming homeless for 24 hours, they really achieved their mission.”

Students cooked over trash-can fires, and toothbrushes and razors were considered contraband.  After “roughing it” throughout most of the night, students rushed to the local Habitat for Humanity and worked for the remainder of the day. SS

Best Campus Service
If you’re not volunteering, serving, or helping at Florida College, you’re in the minority. About 85 percent of FC’s 500 students are involved in some sort of community service, according to Vice President Buddy Payne.

FC students get involved in the Footlighter and Madrigal Dinner, a lavish play that involves about 100 students or 20 percent of the student body. In addition, Florida College may have the largest Circle K club in America with 107 members, according to Advisor Dan Petty, professor of biblical studies. The premiere group on campus may be the Pi Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, whose members volunteer in the writing lab.

Director of Public Relations Ralph Walker says FC students also help out with coastal cleanups, special projects by SBGA (Student Body Government Association), and parties for children at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Contact Walker at walker@flcoll.edu or visit www.flcoll.edu.

Best Safe-Sex Event
They don’t serve aphrodisiac sundaes at your favorite ice cream parlor, but if you visit the University of West Florida’s Martin Hall, you might get lucky.  Resident advisors Derrik Lang and Sara Grabowski created a safe-sex program that was informative, fun, and very successful. The event, “Let’s Talk about Safe Sex, Baby,” drew over 100 residents, the most successful program in the history of Martin Hall. A speaker from event sponsor Escambia AIDS Service and Education gave a 45-minute presentation about AIDS and safe sex. “Residents really enjoyed it, and they still talk about the [contests] today,” Lang says. “I couldn't be happier. It's important they remember the program and the reason we had it—to promote safe sex.”

Oh, and let’s not forget about those aphrodisiac sundaes. Before the presentation, residents were treated to the sundaes: chocolate ice cream, bananas, walnuts, sprinkles and gummy candy in shapes that left very little to the imagination. After the presentation, they held contests reminiscent of the “When Harry Met Sally” diner scene. Co-sponsor Lovin’ Moods donated door prizes and giveaways including hundreds of condoms and novelty items. MCB

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