March 14, 2019

Page 1

‘We are committed to inclusiveness’ -President Scott D. Miller-

Bethany Walker|Marlin Chronicle THURSDAY 3.14.19 || MARLINCHRONICLE.VWU.EDU ||

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Campus reaffirms inclusivity VWU vows to remain inclusive to all people despite the United Methodist Church’s decision to ban LGBTQ+ from obtaining leadership. BY MICKELLA RAST mjrast@vwu.edu

The United Methodist Church (UMC) voted 53-47 in Feb. to ban gay clergy and officiating LGBTQ+ weddings. The outcome of such a long-anticipated vote stunned and disappointed those eagerly awaiting the results of the UMC General Call, a yearly summit to discuss and vote on church matters. Though many points of discussion have caused controversy in the church over the years, perhaps none has caused as much conversation as the intersection of religious doctrine and LGBTQ+ rights. The debate and resulting vote spanned three days. Such a decision appears to contrast the UMC’s new motto, ‘open hearts, open minds, open doors.’ In addition to the bans, punitive measures were also instituted to punish clergy members who officiated same-sex marriages: first-time offenders may be suspended without pay, while those who continue to defy the church may be defrocked. President Scott D. Miller denounced the decision and said that Wesleyan would not be following this new doctrine. “The vote we consider to be disappointing.” Miller said, “We are welcoming and educating in an equitable and inclusive environment and the vote won’t erode our commitment to inclusion and diversity. We are committed to inclusiveness.” Senior Melissa Fisher said this topic arose during her meetings with the administration to implement a

transgender-inclusive housing and nondiscrimination policy on campus. Fisher is the president of Spectrum, an organization that promotes LGBTQ+ rights and education. “It really just came up in context of, you know, ‘we have your back, we’re here,’ ‘we’re trying to support you, we believe this is the correct step for the future of Virginia Wesleyan University,’” Fisher said. Associate Professor Kathleen Casey, the advisor for and founding faculty member of Spectrum said, “Honestly, I see this more in terms of a loss for the church. I am really glad that President Miller has distinguished our campus from the formal church’s policy on this issue. Not only is this the right thing to do morally, but we need to remain and inclusive, welcoming institution that changes with the times.” Spectrum Officer Kayla Bennett called the decision “disappointing, but not surprising.” She also expressed hope that the higher administration would continue to support Spectrum and other organizations that promote diversity. “We LGBTQ+ identifying students need to be supported and uplifted by the VWU administration in order to thrive as individuals and as a community,” Bennett said. “More and more people continue to identify as LGBTQ+ and/or have friends and family members who identify as such. [Wesleyan is] a place where everyone can pursue their education regardless of their

sexual identity or religious affiliation,” Casey added. The growing LGBTQ+ community is what eventually caused Justin Robins to change his mind, who is both a Spectrum member and heavily involved in the UMC community. “When homosexuality stopped becoming a hypothetical problem and it started becoming people in my life who truly loved and cared for one another, my mindset totally changed,” Robins said. After his aunt married her partner, he said that he felt like he “realized that this was a situation in the church that really mattered and really affected the people that I loved.” Despite this growing community, the UMC has declined in membership over the years. Miller attributed part of this to the church’s aggressive international outreach, which he believes came at the expense of youth outreach in the U.S. “The Methodist services have followed the same format for years, and it’s not involving young people in readings and music, and so young people go somewhere where they can [be involved],” said Miller. “The Methodist Church’s choice to strengthen the ban on same-sex marriages makes it more likely that the church will continue losing members, particularly millennials and Generation Z-ers,” Casey agreed.

SEE DECISION Pg. 2

Duplain returns to the softball field BY MEGAN SHERMAN mrsherman@vwu.edu

2017 marked the year that the softball team captured its first Division III National Championship in program history. After such a successful season, returning players got the chance to defend their National Title and prepare with that distinction under their belts. However, Kaylah Duplain had to put away the glove and cleats for her sophomore season, as she was unable to play because of an undiagnosable stomach issue and a torn labrum in her hip. “I was happy for them but it was really hard not being out there because I’ve played since I was like four years old, so it’s all I’ve ever known,” Duplain said. Duplain is a member of the class of 2020 along with AllAmerican pitcher Hanna Hull and 2018 All-ODAC player of the year Madison Glaubke. All three made a significant impact in their freshman season as starters, Glaubke in left field, Hull at the mound and Duplain at third. In this first season, Duplain found success on the offensive and defensive end as she logged 25 RBIs and a .277 batting average, as well as a .949 fielding percentage. Her efforts earned her a spot on the All-ODAC First Team and All-State Second Team.

SEE DUPLAIN Pg. 7

‘Winter blues’ explained BY MICKELLA RAST mjrast@vwu.edu

Wednesday, March 20, marks the official beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and plenty of people are excited for the warmer weather that will hopefully accompany its arrival. However, there are some students whose gratitude is due to more than just an appreciation for the beach. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting young adults, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an increasingly common subset of this. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood

Alex Powers|Marlin Chronicle

disorder characterized by depression, sadness, lethargy or apathy that a person feels at a specific time every year. Most people are affected during fall and winter. Associate Director of Counseling Services Crista Gambrell described SAD as “any time you experience mood symptoms like sadness or depression-like symptoms based on the season or weather changes” repeatedly over the years. “It’s pretty much depression based on the seasons.” Director of Counseling Services Bill Brown added that “it tends to repeat itself year after year; people who have it tend to notice a pattern.” Counseling Services offers a variety of services, from offering a friendly ear to those students who’ve had a bad day to helping students who struggle with specific mental disorders such as SAD. Counseling Services conducted a total of 1,529 student sessions in the 2018 academic year, and report that many students have continued to use their services into 2019.

SEE SAD Pg. 3

Erin Highsmith |Marlin Chronicle

Duplain fielding a ground ball and throwing to first base.

Screenshot from Somethinginthewater.com

SEE MUSIC Pg. 9


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March 14, 2019 by The Marlin Chronicle - Issuu