by Andrea Calderón

Every time summer approaches most of us have already decided what plans with have for it. Some leave to go on vacation, and others; a great majority, stay to study. Though it is always tedious because classes last longer and the semester is very short, in the end we manage to make the best out of it.

Last June 4th we had our usual cookout, which once again ended in a successful way. Even though this time we had less variety of food because we only had hamburgers, “chorizos” and two gourmet salads, many students said that it was the best cookout of all. Well, I guess it is about quality and not quantity. And this time instead of having the “unidad movil” from 40 Pricipales like last semester, we had the music provided by “Fidelity Discotheque” which was great because they were on time, in comparison with 40 Principales. We also enjoyed the refreshing popsicles from Helados La Italiana while we watched the exciting soccer match between FSU and La Maritima which unfortunately ended in 3-1. As a special surprise for this summer we had an amateur magician whose name is “ Kachito”, although he has been learning magic tricks for only 5 months, he definitely amazed everyone in the cookout.

This edition we leave you with three articles and a cartoon, and remember for any suggestions or comments to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or ask for Andrea or Professor Benjamin Murphy.

That's right, we\ve got pictures of the building development!  See them in The Gallery .

It\s located under the "New Building Construction."

Post comments below and tell us what you think about the Ciudad del Saber.

by Carolina Tinajero

Some of us end our college life without even knowing the people “backstage”, the ones in charge of making everything easy for us. We don’t want these people to be unnoticed anymore!

As I walked in Mr. Langoni´s office, the first person I saw had a very nice smile on her face, a lady whose personality shined through. She was Valerie Myrie, Mr. Langoni and Mrs. Anyfanti’s assistant . Even though I was a little bit nervous to interview her, she was so friendly to me that the words easily poured out, and as our conversation went by, I realized the importance of getting to know better the members of our staff. I appreciated the time I spent chatting with her.

Valerie Myrie is from Panama City, though her origins are purely carribean: a Barbados and Jamaican fusion. She was born on June 25, and her zodiac sign is Cancer.  The moment you see her you discover her outgoing personality; she makes the office a better place. She loves the beach ,especially Santa Clara, and as every woman does, she loves to go shopping. Also, she enjoys cooking, especially traditional panamenian food.

An extremely funny and moving woman, who says to be layed back but tough when it is time to work. She studied Business Managment at Nova University and after graduating in 2003 she started to work at FSU as a student affair assistant . English wasn´t a barrier for due to her studies at University, where she was forced to speak English all the time.During the time she spent in FSU, she created strong bonds of friendship with every person that is or was part of the College Staff. Unfortunatly, she left the campus after a year , but came back on July 3 of 2006; She said: “My heart belonges to FSU”.

Recently, Valerie left her Students Affair position to work at Mr. Langoni’s office. She has ambivalent feelings about which position she likes best because she enjoyed having contact with the students. She said: “I don´t care what position, as long as I stay in FSU” . Even though Valerie is not working anymore as consultant, she is willing to help any student that needs help her help, especially those who want to transfer to Tallahassee and are clueless about the process. She encourages students to take decisions on their own, but help is always necessary little help. Valerie has a strong relationship with some students, and clicks instantly with all of her workmates. She loves being at FSU and she describes it as a first class education college.

You definitely should meet her, and remember, that It is very important to get know the people who work at our campus, because they are always willing to help us anytime we need it.

by Robert Jackson

Do you want the good news first, or that bad news? Bad news first you say? Bad News - Yes there sure are earthquakes in Panama, just about all the time. The good news, they're not around Panama City, at least not too often!

A short key:

RED mean within the past 5 years

YELLOW means > 5 years

You need to remember that geological history doesn't go back that far, but with a little help from USGS, (US Geological Survey http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/epic/epic_global.html we at least know where the last few ones where. Should Panama be ready for a “You sunk my battleship” like China just had?

If you have Google Earth, here is the kmz file to import it into your “My Places.”

by Andrea Calderón

During the past few months authorities such as The National Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization, and The “Asamblea Nacional” had been trying to decide whether the new Law “Decreto Ley #3” (February 22, 2008) was going to be applied or not; and it has finally been resolved that the Law will begin regulations in August 26 of this year.

This Law deals with the legal status of foreign residents in Panama.

As you may already know, identity cards for foreigners look exactly like a Panamanian ID card, with the only exception that on the ID number; and E, which stands for “extranjero” precedes it. One of the main reasons why the authorities argue that the card should be replaced by a different one is that they believe the card is often mistaken for the Panamanian card. In fact if one were to take a quick glance at it, it would seem so. But if you look closely you can clearly see that it’s not, simply because the ID number on the card of a Panamanian citizen starts by the number of the province in which he/she were born, and not by the E.

And if you add to that, that last year one modification was made, that now the card not only has the E preceding the ID number, but the word “EXTRANJERO” (foreigner) written on it beneath the personal information, -which I personally think is something redundant, and of course in some way offensive, sort of reminding you that you shouldn’t feel too from around here-; they have made it different enough as to keep saying that people still confuse it with the Panamanian one.

But let’s say it is okay that they change it, just because people do get confuse, and it could result in misunderstandings if somebody were doing some paper work at a National Legal Entity, (which may have happened a thousand times then); there is nothing wrong with that, they just want to make things clear for our security; taking into consideration that there has been a boom of a lot of people coming to live and settle down in the country, either because of business, social, or cultural reasons. But the problem is that the Law doesn’t say anything about foreign residents that have live in panama for more than fifteen years and have not done the proceedings to become Panamanian citizens yet; they are obviously still considered foreigners.

The only people that the Law would not apply to, as it says in the “Título Uno” of the Decreto are:

• Agents of Diplomacy and Consuls, Foreign Functionaries and their families on mission; legally permitted to live in the country.

• Permanent Representatives, sent and special Representatives, and foreign Functionaries of International Organizations and the Government, and their families with headquarters in National territory, based on the International agreements ratified by the Republic of Panama.

Since it doesn’t mention anything about them, one would assume that the regulations are also going to be applied to them. And considering the security regulations, such as that the person would have to inform the “Registro de Extranjeria” -entity created by the Law, and the one in charge to assign the legal status-, things like if he/she has change their place of residence recently, phone number, or when was the last time they left the country and etc., it seems a little unfair. We have to consider that there is a lot of foreign investment in Panama, and you don’t want people that contribute to the economic growth of the country, and employ a great amount of Panamanian families, to feel their privacy compromised.

It is understandable that the government is concerned about National security, and takes such measures as to restrict entrance to people who don’t meet the regulations, but the Law should not be apply as a whole. A lot of people who come to Panama do it with very good intentions; they come to invest, which at the same time generates more jobs.

If you make it difficult for people to come here, they certainly are going to get a wrong image of the country, and consider some place else. Also don’t forget about people who come because of mere pleasure and vacation (whom since May 22 is only given a tourist visa of 30 days extendable to 60) which was before given for three months, big difference. And Tourism too represents a lot of money as an on-growing industry. This new regulation will definitely affect it.

We are a very small country, nonetheless people have always been fascinated by all the commodities and facilities that Panama has to offer. Let us hope that doesn’t change and that The New Law can only bring us more benefits.

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