Politics
Bear trap assignment sparks probe at UCF
The University of Central Florida is investigating an engineering faculty member accused of requiring his students to make bear deterrents for a class project then using some of their work at his home, according to school records released by the university.
An anonymous tipster said each student group spent $100 on the project for senior instructor Mark Calabrese’s class in Fall 2024, with Calabrese taking the devices back to his North Georgia home.
Calabrese, who is paid $141,744 annually, has taught at UCF since 2004.
School records said Calabrese later admitted what he did was wrong and was required to return the bear deterrents back to the students. School officials nixed him from assigning the bear projects again in the future.
When Florida Politics reached out for comment, Calabrese denied that he personally benefited from the bear deterrents. He said students were also allowed to get first dibs on their projects at the end of the assignment.
“Remember that the students didn’t want their projects, so even though I used it (once before it broke), it would have been trashed otherwise,” Calabrese wrote in an email. “There will always be a student who’s unhappy about something. It could be the grade they think they are earning or something else.”
The bear device assignment was one of several projects Calabrese teaches to help his engineering students understand project management, he said.
Calabrese said he receives high student reviews for his class, above the average for the department and across campus.
Following the complaint, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Engineering and Computer Science Manoj Chopra followed up with Calabrese.
“During their conversation, Professor Calabrese acknowledged using the design and construction of a bear trap as an example of a project in the course, but stated his intention was to teach project management principles,” the Integrity Line ethics investigation records said.
“He conveyed to Dr. Chopra that students were allowed to keep their prototypes and manufactured systems. He admitted, however, to taking some for personal use, which he realized during the discussion was not appropriate. Dr. Chopra instructed Professor Calabrese to return all bear traps.”
The anonymous complaint was filed in November 2024, with the probe finishing in May. UCF took several weeks to publicly release the records after a Florida Politics records request.
The anonymous complaint said the bear deterrent project was mandatory. Students who did not submit a device would fail the class.
“He made multiple teams of 10 students, with a maximum budget of $100. Each team made a device,” the anonymous tipster wrote in late 2024. “Students had to spend their personal money to build the device. … As far as I know he made no attempt to repay the students for the money they spent on their ‘class projects.’”
The student group leaders submitted receipts.
Calabrese countered that the $100 cost was a ceiling and spread among the group, equaling roughly $10 per student.
“But as stated in the course, students are encouraged/incentivized to come in at minimal costs. Further, students can and do utilize free educational resources of the college to construct their projects (e.g. 3D printing),” Calabrese said in an email.
According to his UCF bio, Calabrese is “a senior instructor in the UCF Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, serving as director of its senior design program. He also facilitates program management for the department’s internet technology and engineering services opportunities.”
UCF is trying to build its reputation as a premier engineering school. Trustees recently supported a plan to ask for $50 million in recurring state money in next year’s Legislative Session.
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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