Central Florida Future, Vol. 27 No. 41, February 14, 1995

              UCF women's basketball team crushes Mercer University, see Sports, p. 12
Central Florida Future
Expansion continues:
UCF is building a new
computer center
by OMAR DAJANI
Staff writer
Officials at the ground
breaking ceremony of the new
computer science building actually got a chance to journey though
the completed structure before a
brick was laid.
A virtual reality tour of
three-dimensional graphics carried the attendees throughout the
building Feb. 6, with stops on all
three floors of the 52,000 square-
foot facility.
The building is located
across Pegasus Circle, opposite
the almost-complete student union
building. The new structure will
house the computer science de
partment, expanded research laboratories and a state-of-the-art auditorium that will enable two-way
audio, video and data interaction
from each of its 475 seats.
"We have research funds
and contributed lab equipment but
no space to make use of them
[without a new building]," said
Dr. Terry J. Frederick, professor
and chairman of the computer science department.
Frederick, who earned his
Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, which has one of the
nation's leading computer science
programs, added that "there is a
commitment from [UCF] Presi-
see BUILDING, page 2
photo/UCF
An architect's rendering of the $7.6 million, 52,000 square foot computer science building.
Construction is scheduled to be finished in Feb., 1996.
UCF Baseball team nearly defeats 'Canes in tournament
by JILL HUFF
Staff writer
KISSIMMEE— The sixth
annual Olive Garden Collegiate
Baseball Classic once again ended
with the UCF Golden Knights making an appearance in the champion
ship game.
This year, the Golden Knights
faced the University of Miami Hurricanes, ranked sixth in the nation.
UCF nearly hung on to defeat the
Canes, losing 5-4 in a nailbiter.
Converted pitcher Rich
Lawrence had a stellar performance,
hurling 7 1/3 innings while striking
out eight batters and allowing only
two runs. The defense came up
strong behind thejunior all day long.
"I was a little nervous in the
first when they scored two, but then
Isettleddown,"Lawrencesaid. "I'm
happy with my performance. It has
been a while since I got to play a lot;
it felt good to help the team. It was
a team effort, though; I had great
support from my defense, like that
unbelievable diving catch by Tony
Marillia."
Lawrence, who played last
season as a short stop, had his first
and successful start as a pitcher.
"I was real excited by getting
to go back out; it was a real boost for
me."
Miami Hurricanes, the home
team for the tournament, scored two
runs in the first inning. Lawrence,
however, came back tough and
struck out the second batter of the
inning to get back on track. After
that, Miami wouldn't score again
until the eighth inning.
UCF's magic inning offensively occurred in the fourth with
power hits by short stop Chad
Sheffer, catcher Scott Loubier, left
fielder Tony Marillia and an RBI
double by right fielder Adam
Johnson. After scoring three runs
that inning, the Golden Knights went
ahead by one.
UCF scored again in the fifth
when Todd Tocco pushed Rookie
Gageovertheplatemakingthe score,
4-2. After reaching his pitch limit,
Lawrence was pulled and relieved
by Brian Scutero, who allowed two
runs in the eighth inning. With the
game now tied at 4-4, John Foran
relieved Scutero to finish out the
see BASEBALL, page 2
Explosion rocks fraternity house
by BRADLEY BLOOM
Staff writer "	
The hottest spot this weekend seemed to be the Sigma Phi
Epsilon fraternity house, according to some students. An explosion and fire broke out in a Sig Ep
parking lot dumpster around 4:30
a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.
No one knows exactly how
the fire started; however, police
have determined that it was started
by natural causes. UCF Police
Sergeant Troy Williamson, supervising officer Sunday morning,
said, "It may be caused by too
many beers in the dumpster." He
added, "I got two calls saying there
was a fire in the dumpster. There
is no visible indication of an incendiary device to cause an explosion. It could've been a chemical reaction that blew into flames."
When asked if it looked like
arson, Williamson said, "There
will be no arson investigator
present, and it doesn't look like it
was caused by an outside source.
I think it [exploded] by natural
means." The Orange County Fire
Department agreed that the fire
was not due to arson.
UCF Police Lieutenant
Michael Zelanes said, "The fire
department found no signs of arson, therefore felt it unnecessary
to call in an arson investigator."
Zelanes added, "It was already
burning for a while and could've
exploded the paint and aerosol
cans inside the dumpster."
About 25 students were in
the parking lot before Orange
County Firefighters put out the
fire.
One of the first people at the
scene was electrical engineering
sophomore and Alpha Tau Omega
member Shawn Acker. He explained that he was sitting on the
patio of the ATO house when he
heard a loud "boom." He said that
he attempted to put out the fire
with two fire extinguishers he was
given, because no one else could
operate them.
"I got in front of the
dumpster and attempted to put out
the fire. A few minutes later the
police came and told us to leave it
alone. The blaze continued until
firefighters arrived and put it out,"
he said.
Most students at the fire suspected it was caused by arson,
before police officials concluded
it was started by natural means.
Acker added, "It could very
well have been a prank, consider-
see FIRE, page 2
Inside
Features
Ween writings by Jim Martin —see p. 9
Inside
Opinion
Being a parent is more than biology — see p.
News
1-5
Opinion
6-7
Classified
8
Features
9-10
Sports
11-12