Issuu

Volume 93/Issue X

THE

November 18th, 2019

ANCHOR

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

Tempers burn hot at RIC seminar

CUFI event regarding Israel and Palestine conflict draws student protest

Sean Richer Asst. News Editor A deeply divided crowd entered the Fogarty Life Science auditorium last Wednesday to attend a seminar held by retired state police officer, Lt. Col. Joseph Philbin. Sponsored by the RIC chapter of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), it sought to share the Lt. Colonel’s experience and insight into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. However, it had its fair share of opponents. Just before the presentation, nearly 20 students led by RIC faculty member, Dr. Sadhana Bery, posted themselves just outside the auditorium decrying the event and what they perceived as the occupation and oppression of Palestine. When asked to move site to a designated area established by campus police, Bery answered, “No we are going to protest here. We have the right to free speech, and this is facism. What good is protesting over there when we are

protesting an event here?” Joel Reinstein, a member of Jewish Voices for Peace explained their positions stating, “The situation in Palestine is so similar to Apartheid in South Africa.

el will be blessed and whoever curses it will be cursed.” she went on to say that, “We are not a hate group, but Christians and Jews are under attack on all sides.” During the presentation,

killed around 290 Palestinians during protests according to the Human Rights Watch. Likewise Hamas, a Palestinian political organization has launched 100 rockets primaraliy at Jeru-

Jake Elmslie Sports Editor

The people of Palestine have been oppressed and denied a place in their own government. Children are thrown in prison with no cause.” On the opposite side of the issue, Luanne Pezzoulo, a lobbyist for CUFI and a Christian activist cited the Bible in defense of the state of Israel. “In Numbers 24:9, it says whoever blesses Isra-

Lt. Col. Philbin and several CUFI members cited the “Lone Wolf” attacks that occur between Palestinians and Israelis. One protester quickly took offense, “Have members of your family been killed?” she asked. “No, because they’re not killers!” one CUFI member answered. Last year, Israeli forces

salem. These missiles have largely been thwarted by the Israeli Iron Dome Defense System. These attacks have seen roughly 70 Israelis wounded and two killed. This conflict has been ongoing for decades, and as is evident from last week’s showing at RIC, has cut deep into many people.

Shocking loss of parking spots

Abigail Nilsson News Editor Starting on Tuesday four parking spots in K-Lot will be reserved for electric vehicles only. Two additional Electric Vehicle charging stations are being installed on the west side of the island closest to the Student Union. Being the first in the state to offer EV charging sta-

Mo’ tuition, mo’ problems

tions, RIC has received a grant through the Office of Energy Resources and National Grid to fund the installation of seven stations and funding the entire project. There are currently three EV stations on campus, one in the Welcome Center parking lot, D-Lot and I-Lot. Each station has the capability to charge two electric vehicles at a time. Fine Arts student Vanessa Rundlet says, “The chances of winning the lottery are better than finding parking in the Student Union Loop, I don’t think we can afford

The Anchor Newspaper

Photo by Thomas Crudale

to lose four spots for electric vehicles. The renewable energy funds given to the school could have been used to better light the dimly lit parking lots for the safety of us students, especially since we have to walk a long distance from student parking lots to our classes.” Continued on page 4 Photo by Abigail Nilsson

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For the fourth consecutive year Rhode Island College (RIC) students will be facing a tuition increase. On Wednesday night, the Rhode Island Board of Education voted to increase tuition for each of RI’s three public colleges, with RIC seeing the largest hike to in-state prices in both percentage and dollar amount. Under this proposal with tuition and fees, the total cost of attending RIC full-time for the 2020-2021 school year will be $10,260. This $681 increase represents a 7.1% hike in tuition; a larger increase than any of the previous three years. The groundwork for any tuition increase begins during the budgeting process. RIC’s administration, after assessing the wants and needs of the college’s various departments, determine whether a tuition increase is necessary to achieve a balanced budget. Following approval from the RIC President Frank Sanchez, who has the final say on all budgeting matters, RIC administration presents the RI Board of Education with a request for either a tuition increase to the state appropriation. This provides close to half of the school’s funding or some combination of the two. These tuition increases are pending approval by Gov. Gina Raimondo who traditionally releases her budget proposal around January. The budget will then be deliberated over by the state assembly before being passed by the end of the R.I. fiscal year on June 30th, officially allowing the tuition hike to take effect.