5 Cheap textbook options

By Natasha Vashist
Along with all the other tensions of being a student, a big one is getting textbooks for the semesters. They are very important for schoolwork, extra understanding, practice, and perhaps for keeping for yours to come as a useful resource. There is one drawback, however: their cost. Textbooks can be very expensive. Here are some options to get cheaper textbooks for the coming semester.

1. Slugbooks

This website is one of the most important sites for buying textbooks online. As soon as you look up an ISBN or textbook name, it immediately compares prices from several different websites around the internet, including Chegg,  BookRenter, Amazon, Half, Textbooks and Abebooks. Students can also directly compare prices with each other without the assistance of a third party. It also gives you the options for renting, buying, new or used. 

2. Online Textbooks

Although some physical and digital textbooks cost the same amount of money, often the digital version will be cheaper than a physical one  since there is less cost for paper and ink. They can be easier to use, such as bringing them with you anywhere on your tablet, laptop, or smartphone (without needing the internet to be accessed), and also allow you to look up certain words by using the "find" tool. Definitely an option worth looking into.

Hidden treasures around South Lake Campus

Natasha Vashist, South Lake Campus

A Place to Relax

Location: Building 1, downstairs

Being a college student can be rough. It’s a stressful time and students often find themselves under pressure. This is the time when comfortable couches come in handy. Located in an open space, this area is used by students to unwind and catch a break. Some students work here or have a snack. Here, Josh Ortega takes a nap between final exams.

Lake County School Board disappoints the county

Christians applaud and cheer when a club to stop gay bullying is prevented from forming

By: Rodolfo “Rudy” Pérez, Leesburg News Writer

 Janet Onnie from the
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of Marion Count

The G.S.A., Gay Straight Alliance Club, of Carver Middle school has come into discussion again. Over 100 people crowded the Lake County School Board meeting held on April 22, both in support and opposition of the club. Many were asked to stand outside the conference room due to crowding.

The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. inside the board room of the old round Court House in Tavares. In the meeting agenda, it was listed as one of the last items on the list, but due to the large crowd, it was moved to be discussed about early on.

The discussion began with Kyleen Fischer, Chairperson, asking the board attorney about the new law that Governor Rick Scott had signed into effect the morning of the school board meeting. Previously, there was a clear definition stating that grades six – 12 qualify under the Equal Access Act. This means that the school board could not ban a specific club or organization on the school, unless they banned all clubs or organization in the school. In simple terms, it’s either all or none. However, Governor Rick Scott’s new law removed that definition from the state statue, leaving no clear definition as to whether middle schools qualify under the Equal Access Act.

Career Development Center here to help you

By Miles Gibson, Leesburg Campus

A future full of confusion and doubt can be scary, but that is why the Career Development Services (CDS) are here to guide students on the right path to success. The CDS helps students create resumes and critique them, helps students find jobs through job fairs and websites, do mock interviews with students, and researches universities that a student is interested in attended. The CDS is available to current students, graduates, and even perspective students who wish to attend Lake-Sumter State College. The top 5 benefits the CDS can provide are guidance on deciding for a major, learning job search skills using resumes and interviewing, networking and professional etiquette tips, assistance with plans for university transfer (but is not responsible for actual transferring), and gaining relevant or practical experience for a major. For a resume critique, a student could make an appointment with resume in hand, have it on a flash drive, or e-mail it to one of the advisors so he/she can have it beforehand.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes host a deceptive event

Party, or Church service?

By: Rodolfo “Rudy” Perez

On April 3, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted an event named Late Night. President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kayle Mullenix, stated this was her first event as president but that the club has not had a campus event in two years. The event drew a number of students, however it was not what many students expected as many of them left in the middle of the event. The event was advertised around the entire campus and was labeled as a party with free food, music, and a speaker.  Instead, the event seemed to be a way to host a church service on our campus as it consisted of Christian music, Bible reading and preaching in the same manner as attending a church.

Helping Students Unwind for Finals

Relaxation Day on campus gives students food, massages, and a much-deserved break.

By: Natasha Vashist, South Lake News Writer

From 11:000 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 17th, South Lake campus hosted a relaxation day for students in the Community Room in Building 1. In the midst of preparations for final exams next week, the event provided a quiet atmosphere to study or catch up with friends. 

There were free massages from a professional company based in Orlando, tips on how to study and soft music. The food included healthy delicious treats like fruits, vegetables, mini-wraps, and pastries.  

The day was co-hosted by SGA and the Youth Outreach Department Alumni Association (YODAA). Sidney Gray, a leading member of YODAA, says, “We know how stressful exams can be. We wanted students to have an environment they could be safe to study in and food already present so they wouldn’t have to go anywhere else.”

Anonymous: The Faceless Voice of the Internet

A look at the recent phenomenon of Internet activism's latest front.

By: Natasha Vashist, South Lake News Writer

The police and government are watching over us to protect and defend us in our everyday lives. But who watches over us when we are on the Internet? Who punishes those who breaks laws in the cyberworld and participates in unethical behavior? Enter Anonymous, a group determined to fight oppression and injustice in the digital world. Loosely organized in 2003 on a forum of 4chan, Anonymous consists of members from all around the world, referred to as “hacktivists” who wear the mask of Guy Fawkes.

College benefits Florida by $69.9 million

By William Nix, Media Editor

A recent study performed by Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI) shows that Lake Sumter State college contributes $69.9 million to Florida’s economy each year. The college contributes by graduating students who are better equipped to help Florida’s workforce and social structure.

The study also showed that students can look forward to receiving a 16.2 percent return on money invested into their education. This is encouraging to students who have to take time off work and invest in books and tuition. Students who spend one dollar in education can expect, according to the study, can expect their average income to increase by $5.20 over his or her entire working career.

Students suffer news blues

A look at how students get their news, and what news they’re getting.

By: Natasha Vashist, South Lake News Writer

There was a time when newspapers were the primary way of getting information. The first newspaper in America was established in 1704 in Boston, and the longest ongoing paper that is still published today is the New Hampshire Gazette. With the advent of the radio, television, and billboards, there were more rivals for the newspaper. But these days, there is another new technology dominating the media industry: the internet.

According to a recent survey of South Lake Students, 52 percent of students are getting their news from the internet. 32 percent hear their news from word of mouth and 10 percent watch TV news. Radio and newspaper were tied, both with 3 percent each.

Charley's Aunt set to open

By: Jeremy Van Cise, Editor-in-chief

Charley's Aunt is set to open on the Leesburg campus at the Paul P. Williams Fine Arts Building on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The farcical play tells the story of Charley and Jack, two Oxford students, who pressure their wild fellow student to pose as the Brazilian aunt of Charley. The two need a chaperon to be around the two women they wish to marry, but the girl’s uncle won’t let the boys be anywhere near his nieces. With Charley’s Aunt on their side, what can go wrong?

Admission is free for all students who attend. If you are not able to catch opening night, there will be additional shows. The play will be performed every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the next two weeks at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday for the next two weeks at 2:00

p.m Come show some support for the arts and for Lake-Sumter State College’s Theatre Arts Society.

Marriage equality is before court

United States Supreme Court hears its first case on same-sex marriage

By: Rodolfo “Rudy” Pérez

     

Defining Civil Rights has been an ongoing battle since the Emancipation Proclamation, and once again, conservatives in California bring the topic of same-sex marriage into discussion with their continued attempt to label marriage as one man and one woman. On November 2008, California voters voted in favor of Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment which would label marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Though it is voters who voted in favor of the amendment, the amendment passed with a mere 52 percent. In addition, this amendment would actually be taking away the rights of same-sex couples, as the California Supreme Court had already ruled that same-sex marriage was legal on May 2008.

The Center for Teaching and Learning helps students grow

Photo by Patrick Endicott

By Jesus Hernandez

Upon entering The Center For Teaching and Learning you are met by either a student or college employee offering to help. This is welcome experience for both first time visitors and students who regularly employ the center. In one corner there is a tutor with a group of students helping them out with Chemistry, in another section of the facility small study groups are working on assignments. The Learning Center offers a wide range of assortments and programs to aid students with homework and projects. It is located behind the Faculty Office Building near Pete's Preserve Nature Trail.

SAFIRE hosts Game-a-Palooza

By Amber Lopez, Leesburg Campus
The added stress of finals at the end of the semester leaves many students aching for
relaxation. S.A.F.I.R.E. is offering a fun opportunity to come together with other students
for a Game-a-Palooza! This will include different games for students to relax and try to
forget the stress of finals. It will be April 9 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Magnolia
Room. Come out and battle your frustrations with fun, food and friends! For more
information contact S.A.F.I.R.E. at SAFIRE@lscc.edu

Graduation deadline extended

Spring 2013 Graduation Application Deadline has been extended to Wednesday April 10 Graduation Applications are free of charge to students and can acquired throughout Lssc.edu or at the Lssc campus student services. For more information contact an academic advisor at 352-365-3574.

National Poetry Month celebrated by Leesburg

By Natasha Vashist

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Lake-Sumter State College. Throughout the month of April, the Leesburg campus will be publishing poetry on their library’s website. Also featured for the event is magnetic poetry and a book display.

Established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, it is designed to increase attention toward poetry and the rich cultural history of poets in mainstream media. Publishers, educators, librarians and students are encouraged to write one poem a day to celebrate, regardless of length or type. Memorizing, reciting, attending an open mic or writing a letter to a poet are all ways to celebrate. On April 18, called "Poem In Your Pocket Day," participants will carry a poem in their pocket.

While National Poetry Month has been criticized for releasing too much material all at once, there is still staunch support for it. It is endorsed by celebrities, politicians and educators alike.

Check out more on libguides.lssc.edu/aprilpoetrymonth or poets.org.