The Franklin: March 8, 2019

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 | THEFRANKLINNEWS.COM

MAKING A

COMEBACK Phi Delta Theta submits petition to have chapter reinstalled at Franklin PG. 6

FEATURE: BLACK EXCELLENCE PG. 8

OPINION: LENDING A HAND PG. 11

NEWS

“THE Q:

What was your first record, tape or CD that you ever owned?

// OUR TEAM

“ WHO MAKES THE FRANKLIN?

Alivia Brewer Reporter “‘Grease.’”

Taylor Brown Reporter “‘Oops!... I Did It Again’

by Britney Spears.”

Claire Castillo Photographer “‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson.”

Quinn Fitzgerald Photo editor “Suzuki Violin School Volume 1 CD.”

Executive editor Shelby Mullis shelby.mullis@franklincollege.edu Opinion editor Erica Irish erica.irish@franklincollege.edu News editor Emily Ketterer emily.ketterer@franklincollege.edu Sports editor Hope Shrum hope.shrum@franklincollege.edu

Emily Hales Designer “The ‘Hannah Montana’ soundtrack.”

Erica Irish Opinion editor “The ‘Stuart Little 2’ movie soundtrack.”

Emily Ketterer News editor “‘Shrek 2’ soundtrack.”

Abigail Larken Copy chief “‘Lizzie McGuire’ soundtrack.”

Copy chief Abigail Larken abigail.larken@franklincollege.edu Photo editor Quinn Fitzgerald elizabeth.fitzgerald@franklincollege.edu Web editor Matt Thomas matthew.thomas@franklincollege.edu

Ariana Lovitt Columnist “A ‘Spongebob Squarepants’ CD.”

Peytan Mills Photograher “The Jonas Brothers.”

Shelby Mullis Executive editor “‘No Strings Attached’

by NSYNC.”

Danielle Nuckols Photographer “A Taylor Swift album.”

Advertising manager Tara Ricke tara.ricke@franklincollege.edu Publisher John Krull jkrull@franklincollege.edu Adviser Ryan Gunterman rgunterman@franklincollege.edu

AJ Prohaska Photographer “‘Coming to Your City’

by Big & Rich.”

Carolina Puga Mendoza Reporter “Vicente Fernandez.”

Victoria Ratliff Reporter “‘Kidz Bop 12.’”

Tara Ricke Ads manager “Martina McBride’s ‘Greatest Hits.’”

The Franklin aims for accuracy and clarity in all articles. We take errors seriously and regret any mistakes. If you find an error, please send an email to thefranklin@franklincollege.edu.

Submit letters to the editor to thefranklin@franklincollege.edu.

Hope Shrum Sports editor “A Taylor Swift CD.”

Matt Thomas Web editor “A ‘My First Bible Songs’ CD.”

Lacey Watt Reporter “‘High School Musical.’”

Taylor Wooten Reporter “‘Breakout’ by Miley Cyrus.”

COLLEGE RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE AMONG WOMEN Twenty women nominated for Women of Distinction ALIVIA BREWER | STORY alivia.brewer@franklincollege.edu

Women of the college and community are being recognized this month for their work and influence at Franklin College.

The Women of Distinction Breakfast will take place on March 13 at 8:30 a.m.

At the annual breakfast, four women will be recognized for their outstanding performance in leadership, volunteer efforts and civic involvement.

There are 20 nominated women for this award, including Franklin College alumnae, Franklin community members, college employees and students.

“Being nominated among so many other incredible women is such an honor,” senior two-time nominee Taylor McElwain said.

Six employees of the college were nominated because of their work on campus, including Director of Religious Life and Chaplain Hannah Adams Ingram.

“The award celebrates the work and lives of so many great women right here in our community, which serves as an inspiration for us all,” Adams Ingram said.

She added that women’s culture tends to tear each other down, but this event is an opportunity to encourage Franklin women to build each other up.

“In a culture that often encourages women to fight or compete with each other, I want to be a woman that lifts up and supports other women,” Adams Ingram said.

Kelli Jones, associate registrar at the college, was also nominated for the second year in a row.

“There is something special about sharing accomplishments together with women and appreciating each other in a meaningful

way,” Jones said.

Adams Ingram said these women are an example of what it means to stand out among others while also building up and helping their fellow competition.

“Empowered women empower women,” Adams Ingram said.

Student nominees include Megan Battles, Alexis Cheatham, Erica Irish, Samantha Loyd and McElwain. Faculty/staff nominees include Adams Ingram, Ann Barton, Meredith Clark-Wiltz, Keri Ellington, June Henderson and Jones.

3

INBRIEF

MINAR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCE TUITION INCREASE

President Thomas Minar sent a campuswide email Tuesday unveiling the new tuition and room and board rates for the 2019-2020 school year.

The Franklin College Board of Trustees set a 3.01 percent increase in tuition, room and board and other fees.

Students learned that tuition will increase to $32,770 and full room and board will increase to a total of $9,804.

“We are forever committed to keeping education as affordable as possible,” Minar said in the email. “We are just as committed to carefully controlling costs.”

Students with concerns are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid. ‘WHAT WERE YOU WEARING’ EXHIBIT COMING TO CAMPUS

Hannah Adams Ingram | SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kelli Jones | SUBMITTED PHOTO

WANT TO BUY AN AD? Contact advertising manager Tara Ricke for more information: tara.ricke@franklincollege.edu

Franklin College will host its first-ever “What Were You Wearing” exhibit.

The showcase will lead up to Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. The exhibit has been presented at many colleges across the country, and no exhibit is the same.

The display features real sexual assault stories with items of clothing similar to what the person wore hung next to the story.

The college is asking members of the college community to share their stories to be a part of the exhibit. Submissions can be sent anonymously via an online form.

“What Were You Wearing” will open March 18-22. For more coverage, visit thefranklinnews.com.

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INDIANA CONTINUES DEBATE ON HATE CRIMES President Minar, Franklin College weigh in on Indiana Senate bill EMILY KETTERER | STORY emily.ketterer@franklincollege.edu

The spotlight is on Indiana to pass a hate crimes law, and educational institutions, including Franklin College, are weighing in to urge state lawmakers to approve a more meaningful piece of legislation.

In February, Franklin College President Thomas Minar testified in favor of a bias crimes law on behalf the college, saying Indiana needs to protect its most vulnerable.

“Our job is not done until we have a law,” Minar said while he testified in front of the Senate Public Policy Committee Feb. 18.

Indiana is one of five states without some form of a hate crime law, and the bill’s current passage through the Indiana General Assembly did not come without controversy after the Indiana Senate watered down the original legislation.

The proposed legislation is Senate Bill 12, which would allow judges to increase a person’s sentence if a crime was committed with a bias toward the victim.

In its original form, the bill included a list of protected characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, age, gender identity and sexual orientation.

But that list was stripped from the bill by the majority Republican party the day after it passed through committee. The list was replaced by a simple statement that bias could be considered in sentencing a perpetrator.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb responded by saying this version of the bill will not get Indiana off the list of five states without a hate crime law. He is urging lawmakers to include a list of protected classes.

“I’ve tried to be very clear […] on what I would like to see in that bill,” Holcomb said. “As far as I can tell, and all the research that’s gone into it, being vague about this does not get us off the list.”

This is not the end, though. The now watered-down bill passed through the full Senate floor and will go to the Indiana House of Representatives, where those in support of a list hope changes will be made.

Junior Benjamin Fears, who is transgender, said a list of those protected classes is needed because without one, judges have too much room for interpretation.

“That would be just detrimental,” Fears said. “If you’re looking at something you think is transphobic, and that person in the judicial system disagrees that is a protected

Franklin College President Thomas Minar testified in favor of a bias crimes bill with a comprehensive list in front of the Senate Public Policy Committee Feb. 18.

ERICA IRISH | PHOTO class, there’s going to be real issue.”

The Senate will now let the House deal with the rest of the issues.

Indianapolis Republican Sen. Aaron Freeman, who authored the amendment to remove the list in the Senate, said, “I’m going to pop popcorn, kick my feet up and watch the show in the House and let them deal with it.”

And there already is pressure building on the House to revisit the changes the Senate made. In addition to the governor, major state businesses like Eli Lilly & Co., the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts, plus universities, have all echoed the governor’s demand for a comprehensive bill.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which rarely publicly criticizes the General Assembly, released a statement saying the chamber is “deeply disappointed” in lawmakers, and that 75 percent of Hoosiers support a comprehensive bias crimes law with a list.

President and CEO of the chamber Kevin Brinegar said in the statement, “It is time for legislators to truly represent the wishes of their constituents.”

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma, of Indianapolis, said from the beginning that

he supports legislation without a list. He and the majority of his party say a version of the bill with a list leaves people out. He said he is, however, still open to discussion.

Bosma also is not convinced Holcomb will completely disagree on a bill without the list of protected classes in the end.

“I didn’t hear him say ‘Hell no,’” Bosma said. “Gov. Holcomb, he’s not a hard sell, take a bat and start swinging. That’s not his approach.”

Fears compared a bias crimes law to Indiana’s Title IX law, which does list protected classes, and that there have been more classes added to that law since its creation, and argued the same process could be applied to a hate crimes law.

“Even though it may not be encompassing all the different identities and all the different classes that need to be protected in Indiana, it starts the conversation to add more,” Fears said.

Minar said higher education values diversity, and a bias crimes law is needed to not only protect Hoosiers but also continue to attract people to the state.

“All evidence shows that a list works,” Minar said. “It will protect future generations of Hoosiers.”

5

FORSYTHE HOUSE HOME TO NEW GRAD STUDENTS Once empty house now holds two students in college’s PA program LACEY WATT | STORY lacey.watt@franklincollege.edu

Two graduate students now live in the large blue house on Forsythe Street that sat empty during the fall semester.

The house, formerly occupied by undergraduate students in sororities, became a house for graduate students in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program for the fall 2018 semester. To the college’s surprise, no one moved in and the five-person house sat vacant the entire semester.

In January, graduate students Jerred Waggoner and Katherine Pak moved into the house before starting their classes in Franklin College’s new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

Waggoner, 24, from Lexington, Kentucky, and Pak, 28, from Fullerton, California, both were excited to be a part of the PA program, they said.

Waggoner completed his undergraduate at Eastern Kentucky University, and Pak completed her degree at California State University Long Beach.

Pak and Waggoner are two of 21 students in the college’s two master’s programs that

Graduate students Katherine Pak and Jerred Waggoner live in the Forsythe House.

DANIELLE NUCKOLS | PHOTO

are eligible to live in the house. The rest of the students either live off campus or are former Franklin undergraduate students who serve as residence hall assistants.

“I personally thought that a lot of students would consider this more like a secondary option,” Director of Residence Life Jacob Knight said. “We had to offer it because if

we lost a graduate student, then it would be devasting to the program … we had to provide that flexibility for them.”

For future graduate students, the house still has three spots open. Living in the house costs each resident $650 per month for 11 months, Knight said.

The biggest changes Pak experienced when she moved to Franklin were living with someone with similar goals and knowing that they had the same motivation, which was the original concept the college had in mind when creating the graduate housing.

Both students were offered the housing option when they enrolled at the college, similar to undergraduate students. However, graduate students submit a paper application that is different from undergraduate students living in dormitories. It is more detailed and comperable to living in a house, Knight said.

The students are also not required to have a meal plan.

Waggoner and Pak will graduate from the PA program in January 2021.

WOMEN’S STUDIES CLASS STILL MAKES AN IMPACT Class continues to promote awareness of gender, sexism in society TAYLOR BROWN | STORY taylor.brown@franklincollege.edu

Finding a place in the Franklin College curriculum for women’s studies was a goal back in 1982. Though it took almost 10 years to achieve, it was a success.

While no current students are pursuing a women’s studies minor, a women’s studies class is making an impact on campus.

Senior Taylor McElwain is currently enrolled in the course, and she said she enjoys learning the social and historical context behind women’s rights.

“It’s encouraging me to keep fighting for women’s rights,” McElwains said. “It’s also teaching me different approaches to different intersections of identity.”

The women’s studies course was not easy to create. In 1982, Franklin discontinued HUM 06, a Human Liberation class, which had a unit on the women’s right movement.

Male and female faculty and female stu-

dents joined together to find room for course funding – the biggest obstacle they faced.

After nine years of advocating for the course, they succeeded.

The course is now offered every other year. It presents an overview of major issues of women’s situations and experiences.

Meredith Clark-Wiltz, professor of the course, said she enjoys teaching the subject because it draws in students from a diverse range of interests in education, giving her a break from her other history curriculum.

Clark-Wiltz, who has taught the class since 2013, said women’s studies should have a place on all college campuses.

“We would want those institutions to focus some of their time and resources on understanding gender, understanding sexism and understanding women’s experiences as diverse as they are,” Clark-Wiltz said.

McElwain said she agreed with ClarkWiltz and thinks that Franklin College benefits from offering the course.

“Women’s studies has a negative connotation so we need to approach it in other ways,” McElwain said.

The course has seen high-enrollment and low-enrollment over the years. This year is a low-enrollment year with only seven students in the class. However, Clark-Wiltz thinks it is important to offer a space for students to inquire more about the topic.

“I hope that it inspires students to continue in thinking about gender as an important component of whatever work they do,” Clark-Wiltz said. “In terms of their academic work or their future careers but also in terms of their civic participation.”

McElwain said she has been inspired.

“I’m a proud feminist,” she said.

A BRINGING BACK THE

BROTHER

HOOD

Phi Delta Theta announces fall 2019 return to campus

ΦΔΘ VICTORIA RATLIFF AND CAROLINA PUGA MENDOZA | STORY EMILY HALES | DESIGN

A

fraternity suspended three years ago is making its way back to campus.

Franklin College’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity chapter is returning for the fall 2019 semester after a suspension from the campus in April 2016.

The chapter was suspended for “a history of failing to adhere to organizational standards,” including its alcohol-free housing policy and chapter size requirements, according to an April 7, 2016, news release from Phi Delta Theta.

The investigation began when “behavior that was contrary to Phi Delta Theta’s values” was reported, and members who individually violated the fraternity’s standards were removed from the chapter.

After that, the entire chapter was suspended. Even though only the fraternity headquarters have the authority to temporarily eliminate chapters, the suspension was a mutual agreement between Franklin College and the Phi Delta Theta headquarters.

This is not the first time the fraternity has left campus – the chapter was also suspended in 2003 for the same reasons, detailed in an October 2003 issue of The Franklin.

The 2003 article also addressed rumors that the suspension was because of alcohol on fraternity property and at events.

“Phi Delta Theta is a values-based organization,” said Mike Wahba, director of chapter services for the fraternity’s headquarters in the 2016 release. “Any behavior or statements contradicting those values are subject to significant action.”

The national fraternity has enforced alcohol-free housing for nearly 20 years, and the fraternity’s website says the chapter’s executive officers, members, advisory board, institution and other groups play a role in following the alcohol-free policy rules.

The 2016 release also said the fraternity planned to return to campus in spring 2020, but a Dec. 11 Facebook post from the national fraternity said different. The Franklin chapter will recolonize this spring and begin recruitment in fall 2019.

Leah Howell, associate dean of students, said Phi Delta Theta submitted a petition to make its comeback to the school’s campus.

Howell oversaw the review of the petition and any edits necessary to ensure the fraternity’s return will benefit the campus.

The petition is expected to be approved before the end of this semester so that recruitment can begin in the fall semester.

“We are working right now to make sure that as they do return, that all of the folks who are in the Greek community, our Interfraternity Council leadership, our Panhellenic leadership and people across campus are

aware of where they’re at,” Howell said.

When the fraternity departed Franklin College’s campus in 2016, alumni did not intend on that being the end of the fraternity.

“When the chapter was closed, it was expressed by both Franklin College and Phi Delta Theta that a return was the desired outcome,” said Alex Atkinson, director of expansion of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

After Phi Delta Theta’s suspension, another fraternity on campus, Tau Kappa Epsilon, began renting out the house for themselves.

The house, located at 698 E. Monroe St., is still owned by Phi Delta Theta, but TKE has rented the house since fall 2017.

The lease with TKE expires this spring, but Phi Delta Theta will not be eligible for any type of on-campus housing – a house or a suite – upon return because the minimum number of pledged members to be eligible for Greek housing is 25.

“When an organization is coming back, [housing] can’t be their priority,” Howell said. “It has to be about building their organization.”

The question remains on who will live in the house beginning in the fall. The Franklin College TKE chapter was not able to speak on this issue at the time of publication.

Phi Delta Theta’s recruitment process will not begin until fall 2019. Howell said the fraternity had to provide information on how they anticipate to better the campus and how to avoid future issues.

Because there will not be any active members of the fraternity left during the fall 2019 recruitment, Phi Delta Theta will bring consultants from its headquarters to help during the process, while also assisting in establishing leadership.

Following the 2016 suspension, all students who were active members were granted alumni status in the fraternity. Franklin’s chapter alumni declined to comment on the recolonization.

The Phi Delta Theta headquarters is excited for the opportunity to return to Franklin College’s campus and begin the process of recruiting new members.

“Starting with a new group is always an exciting process for our team, our alumni, the campus and the community,” Atkinson said.

Although the petition has not yet been approved, and the fraternity’s return isn’t official, Howell is working with the headquarters to ensure their goals upon return will enrich campus.

“I think that a new organization will bring some vibrancy to the campus community,” she said. “I am excited about the potential it has.”

PHI DELTA THETA SUSPENSION TIMELINE

Oct. 2003 Phi Delta Theta suspended for repeated alcohol violations Nov. 2006

Fraternity recolonizes on campus March 2016

Investigation into “behavior that was contrary to Phi Delta Theta’s values” begins.

April 2016

Phi Delta Theta officially suspended from campus for a “history of failing to adhere to organizational standards” – including their alcohol-free housing policy and chapter size requirements. Set to return in spring 2020.

Dec. 11, 2018

The national Phi Delta Theta headquarters announces the return of the Franklin College chapter, with recruitment set to start fall 2019.

Spring 2019

Petition written to return to campus –– recolonization begins.

THEY ARE

PICTURED: (left to right) Junior Taylor McDaniel, sophomores Samantha Loyd, Alexis Cheatham and Amari Thompson

EXCELLENT Black Student Union revitalizes educational fashion show with focus on black achievement ERICA IRISH | STORY

CLAIRE CASTILLO | PHOTO

EMILY HALES | DESIGN

n

It affects all of us, not just black people.

SOPHOMORE ALEXIS CHEATHAM

ophomore Amari Thompson’s mission for Black Student Union started with two words: “Black Excellence.”

For black women like Thompson, the phrase captures years of progress made in America’s black community in pushing back against generations of oppression and degradation.

“Our race has been literally stripped from a homeland that we can’t even track back to,” Thompson said. “We’ve come from that and changed people’s minds about how they look at and see black people as people.”

Thompson, a political science major, came to Franklin College from Avon, Indiana, after moving to the city in elementary school.

At that point, Thompson was the only black student in her class.

By the time she started her career at Avon High School, where she met several other minority students through the community’s own black organization – African Diaspora – Thompson furthered her identity and an awareness of black history in America.

Now, as president of Franklin’s Black Student Union, Thompson and an all-female executive board are leading the charge to revitalize the organization’s educational fashion show on March 15 to celebrate unity between a majority-white campus and its black community.

Most important, the women said they want to use their leadership roles to provide the community with a safe haven for complicated discussions.

Terri Roberts-Leonard, the college’s director of diversity and inclusion, volunteered to advise the organization after several requests from the executive board, she said.

She co-advises the group with Director of Religious Life Hannah Adams Ingram.

For Roberts-Leonard, Black Student

Union presents an opportunity to encourage students to move from involvement to activism on campus. The union also can help students who are expanding out of small, rural communities understand and appreciate black culture and identity.

“There’s a natural fear of blackness in the country, and more so than other dimensions of diversity,” Roberts-Leonard said. “Often through no fault of their own, society conditions students to be afraid if they haven’t had the right exposure before. It’s a perfect storm.”

Sophomore Samantha Loyd, who grew up with her single white mother and identifies as mixed-race, said Black Student Union is a place where all students can explore the nuances of race and race relations in America.

Loyd, in her first year consistently attending union meetings, recently joined the executive board as treasurer following a special election. She said the union’s leadership team has a responsibility to correct misguided beliefs about blackness on campus.

“Have an open mind and be willing to accept that maybe you are perceiving things in a way that’s incorrect or influenced by your own prejudices that you haven’t really thought about,” Loyd said.

Likewise, Thompson said the fashion show is the culmination of Black Student Union’s overarching purpose as a welcoming place, where students of all races, beliefs and experiences can gather and participate.

“I see black excellence as striving from a point A, through all the barriers and all the stops we had to make,” Thompson said. “We are still striving to a point of excellence.”

As co-captain of the Franklin College Dance Team, sophomore and union secretary Alexis Cheatham choreographed the March 15 program, which infuses musical

numbers and informal crowd discussions across three categories of black excellence: business, education and the arts.

The opening scene will outline the prominence of America’s black legacy in all lives through a performance of “We Built This,” a musical number that first aired on the ABC sitcom “Black-ish.”

Cheatham emphasizes a line from the performance: “My life would have been different/if I didn’t have cinnamon pigment.”

“It’s very powerful,” Cheatham said.

“We’re not going to sugarcoat it by saying, ‘Thanks for coming, everything’s great now.’

We’re going to be real.”

While the show is framed around education, Cheatham said, she and the union don’t want audiences walking away having learned nothing.

In the final scene, Black Student Union member Bennie Patterson, chosen to portray singer and actor Childish Gambino, will replicate a scene in the music video produced to Gambino’s controversial tune, “This is America.”

The video depicts gun violence based on real-life tragedies, including a shooting by a white supremacist on members of a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, that killed nine.

At the fashion show, Patterson will form his hand in the shape of a pistol, set it pointblank on the audience and pull the trigger, Cheatham said.

The goal isn’t to call allies out, nor is it to degrade advocates outside the black community. Instead, Cheatham said the motion is a call to action against the country’s long-standing history of racism, prejudice and violence.

“It affects all of us,” Cheatham said. “Not just black people.”

OPINION

EDITORIAL | STATE BIAS CRIMES LEGISLATION NEEDED Indiana Statehouse stalling critical protections for all Hoosiers Enacting a comprehensive bias crimes law is critical to providing basic protections and validation to all Hoosiers THE FRANKLIN EDITORIAL BOARD

In the Indiana Statehouse, lawmakers continue to debate the state’s need for a bias crimes law.

For the last decade, largely Democratic lawmakers have tried and failed to develop legislation that lists comprehensive protections for people targeted in a crime specifically on the basis of specific characteristics.

This includes race, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, among others.

Indiana remains one of five states without legislation like this, which permits judges to weigh the presence of bias in a crime and use that judgement to enhance a sentence.

In other words, the inclusion of protected classes provides guidance to judges when assessing the intent of a crime and the power to use that assessment to argue the perpetrator should spend more time in jail, engage in a specific form of therapy or community service or pay a higher fine.

At the start of the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers appeared poised to correct this gaping hole in state law. Leading Republican Senators Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, and Mike

SOURCE: FBI HATE CRIME STATISTICS

Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, teamed up with the Democratic caucus to author a bill that included a list of victim characteristics.

But before the bill advanced this mission, Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, and the majority of his Republican colleagues amended the list out of the bill, reducing its guidelines to a vague and open-ended consideration of “bias” in crimes.

This watered down a proposal that once recognized and honored the widespread and complex characteristics that define individuals across the state.

Those against the law in Indiana say judges can already consider bias in crimes.

And in one way, that criticism is correct.

In 2003, the Supreme Court of Indiana issued a critical ruling in the case Witmer v.

State. The state’s highest court ruled that a man murdered 17-year-old Sazely Richardson because she was black. The ruling set a precedent, therefore, to allow judges in lower courts to consider a victim’s characteristics as a potential factor behind the crime.

However, courts rarely use this precedent in court proceedings, so sentence enhancements for bias-motivated crimes are incredibly rare. That’s why those in support say it’s up to the General Assembly to draft specific rules for the courts to ensure bias is considered uniformly in every criminal case.

Speaking before the Senate Public Policy committee early Monday, Feb. 18, in a

three-hour hearing that gathered input from business giants, religious leaders, activists and students, Franklin College President Thomas Minar testified in favor of the bill’s passage.

“Show that we protect the most vulnerable with a culture of care,” Minar said about the original bill. “Our job is not done until we have a law and that law fully lists specific and broad protected classes.”

The Franklin applauds the president for representing our community at the state level in pushing for what our publication sees as a common-sense measure; not a limit on freedom. There is evidence to support this, too.

For one, it’s good business to show numerous successful companies and brands across the state — think Eli Lilly, Cummins, Salesforce and the state’s professional sports franchises, like the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts — that often work within an international frame that their employees, clients and business partners matter.

Second, for minority groups within the state, a bias crimes law offers a symbolic recognition of their validity as people.

In the Indiana Senate’s proceedings, members of the Democratic caucus — consisting of the chamber’s only black menand the legislature’s first openly gay man — expressed this with clear emotion and dismay as Republicans amended the bill.

“You can’t get rid of us. Everything you do, blacks had a part in it,” said Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, speaking from his personal experiences with racism and identity.

“What is so difficult about allowing this bill to go through and recognize that we are a part of you?”

But perhaps most important, as Minar says, enacting bias crimes legislation is a matter of staying true to the state’s values.

NOTE: IN 2011, THE COUNTY “Let’s show the EXPERIENCED A SPIKE IN REPORTED INCIDENTS, TOTALING AT SIX. nation and the world that Hoosier hospitality is not a hollow idiom, but an important principle that leads, that teaches, that protects, and that protects everyone,” Minar said.

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REALITY CHECK | IMMIGRANTS MAKE AMERICA GREAT Immigrants’ economic, cultural contributions deserve recognition, support “It’s time for immigrants to go, because all they do is steal jobs and bring drugs to the country. People CAROLINA need to save what’s PUGA MENDOZA left since obviously this country was not built with the help of immigrant labor.

It’s going to be alright if they leave.”

As an immigrant myself, I hear these phrases often, but I reject them, largely because the truth is the exact opposite.

“It's hard to find a story in America that doesn't involve immigrants,” said George Phillips, assistant professor of English at Franklin College. “So much of our story as a country is being a nation of immigrants; it's just kind of who we are.”

The point made by Phillips, who cotaught the International Honors Experience course last year on immigration, is only furthered by the wide array of research on immigration.

According to a 2018 report by the Brookings Institution, an independent public policy organization, foreign-born workers generate an estimated $2 trillion in annual

revenue, or about 10 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product.

And 7.5 percent of foreigners are more likely to be self-employed than the 6.6 percent native-born, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. So, in reality, immigrants like me aren’t stealing Americans’ jobs.

CBS News reports U.S. industries cannot function without illegal immigrants since they take on critical roles in constructing American buildings, working as house cleaners and nannies and paying taxes.

Well-known companies like Google, eBay, Yahoo! and more were all started by immigrants. The National Venture Capital Association said that more than 25 percent of similar companies were created by immigrants as well. Immigrants create the jobs.

They create commodities for citizens to use.

Pew Research Center, a nonprofit data-gathering service, recognizes that 76 percent of people “believe undocumented immigrants are as honest and hard-working as U.S. citizens” and that 71 percent said immigrants fill jobs that Americans aren't willing to take.

“Any culture and also any economy that wants to improve and do better doesn't care very much about where its movers and shak-

ers come from,” Phillips said. “If you put limits on that and say we only need the best ideas from within these borders, then you are setting a real problem for yourself.”

Former President Barack Obama’s webpage insists “immigration makes America stronger.”

This isn’t the perspective of current U.S. President Donald Trump, who tries endlessly to decrease immigration flow by pressuring Congress to fund a border wall.

Moving money to a place where it is proven to be ineffective is only separating families and causing hurt. When people fight for a better life, they become creative. Does the president really think a wall will work when it’s a policy based on fear?

“That kind of idolatry for white America comes from scarcity fear,” Phillips said. “If people who don't look like me start to get a bigger piece of the pie, then I get less of the pie.”

The push for border wall funding, which included a weeks-long government shutdown in January where federal employees weren’t paid, stems directly from this phenomenon.

As such, the president’s demands are harming U.S. citizens and immigrants alike.

We are makers; not takers.

SENIOR FAREWELL | GROW WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED

Taylor Brown presents her college career obituary, examines personal growth “This is all up to you, Taylor – a chance for you to bid farewell to Franklin College and have the last TAYLOR BROWN word.”

That is what the story budget read.

Anxiety. Stress. Sadness.

That is what filled my mind.

Ironically, the first thing I ever wrote at Franklin College was my own obituary. It was a cool concept, getting to say my own last words the way I wanted. So, in a sense, I guess this column is my college career obit.

I’m writing this as I sit on the floor of the newsroom on deadline night, patiently waiting for the next story to edit. Sitting here has made me realize that not much has changed in the past four years.

I can vividly remember the countless times I sat on Shirk Hall’s floor my freshman year, having a mental breakdown because the

spinning wheel of death destroyed my video project for Joel’s class — twice.

The difference between then and now is my sitting on the floor consists more of shoving pizza in my face at 2:30 a.m. rather than tears streaming down my face at 2:30 a.m.

I’ve grown a lot over the past four years.

I have taken classes that opened my mind and made me see the world differently. I have written stories that remind me why I decided to choose journalism as my major, even though I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the time.

However, the greatest growth I’ve had is my writing and love for journalism as a whole. I owe much of that growth to the people I’ve spent the most time with during my time at Franklin.

To Joel Cramer, for randomly quizzing my media law skills, even two years after I took his class.

To Ray Begovich, for always pushing me to be a better writer and to cross over to the dark side, also known as public relations.

To Hank Nuwer, for always keeping me interested in journalism and his life.

To John Krull, for encouraging me to keep pushing forward in my major and reminding me of the harsh truth: “Life is hard, then you die.”

To the queen of journalism herself, Ann Barton, for always greeting me in Shirk with a warm smile every morning, before Ray ruined it with a pop quiz.

And to my fellow senior journalism major, Shelby Mullis. The girl who has been by my side on this entire roller coaster. The girl who has helped me become a better writer and a better person. More importantly, the girl who has become my best friend.

Moral of the story, The Pulliam School of Journalism has changed me for the better; it has helped me grow.

So, my last words to those who come after me is this: Bloom where you are planted, even if it’s on the floor of Shirk Hall at 2:30 in the morning.

12

TO DO | ANN’S RESTAURANT LENDS A HAND

Homestyle diner provides comfort food, necessary community resources In 1952, a restaurant called Alta’s Place opened in the city of Franklin.

Owned by siblings Alta Spicer and Elton Leach, ARIANA LOVITT the restaurant began as a small hangout spot that quickly grew in popularity within the community.

As time passed, the restaurant faced minor setbacks such as a change of ownership and name, relocations, remodels and competition among new local businesses.

But the newly transformed Alta’s, now known as Ann’s Restaurant, still stands as a cornerstone of local life.

When I visited, it was nearly closing time. But the employees still weaved busily through the sea of customers – pouring coffee, serving food and clearing tables. The patrons themselves were a mix of regulars, college students, families and newcomers.

The menu was as diverse but traditional, offering everything from breakfast specials and pies to burgers and sandwiches.

Immediately, I was greeted with a smile.

A server delivered a fresh cup of coffee to me at a nearly inhuman speed. Despite the constant barrage of customers, Ann’s employees are always on their toes.

General manager Jim Klein sat with me and discussed his work. Despite only holding the position for three years, Klein is level-headed, diligent and knowledgeable about all things Ann’s.

As a nonprofit restaurant, the goal of helping people drives business.

Tara Treatment Center, a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation center established in 1985, leased Ann’s Restaurant in 1998. The restaurant pairs specifically with the center’s traditional rehab and residential program, taking volunteers who can later be hired as permanent employees. All of the proceeds earned by Ann’s benefit the center.

Klein also owns apartments on 801 West Jefferson St. as a place for volunteers to stay during their time in Franklin.

“It’s not just like putting money into someone’s pocket,” Klein said. “We’re literally trying to help people get back on their feet and in their lives.”

Ann’s Restaurant attracts a variety of patrons from town regulars to college students and their families.

PEYTAN MILLS | PHOTO

Since the restaurant’s opening, Franklin students have consistently visited Ann’s, most likely due to its proximity to campus and the downtown area.

As the local scene evolves, older restaurants and businesses like Ann’s may fear stiff competition from new storefronts. But Ann’s is a cut above the rest and a staple of the city, and not just because their food is so good.

BEYOND THE BEAT | THE POWER OF MEMORY

Music evokes a powerful form of nostalgia in adolescents, young adults A majority of car rides with my friends involve jamming to the greatest throwback hits from the soundtracks of Disney Channel KARA SIMON original movies.

Even though we’re all adults now and beyond the age group targeted by the likes of “Hannah Montana” and “High School Musical,” we can’t get enough.

The artists, too, surely see the power in profiting from the past. Just last week, the Jonas Brothers, a popular Disney boy band, released their first reunion effort single and music video, “Sucker.”

These memories are pleasant and more lighthearted, so I find myself going back to the music on a regular basis.

Dr. Ryan Rush, a Franklin College psychology professor, says this is caused by a phenomenon called the reminiscence bump.

This theory suggests that during mid-adolescence until young adulthood people experience enhanced memory.

Rush also said personal recall might be distorted by personal desires to remember the good memories more than the bad.

“We like to think of a simpler time, but we then strip away the complexities of that time and only remember the positive things to boost the ego, the self-esteem and our happiness,” he said.

Sophomore Micajah Rippy noticed this tendency when listening to country music.

“The only reason I still listen to the country music I grew up around is because it reminds me of my grandfather,” Rippy said.

“If those memories with him didn’t exist, I most likely wouldn’t enjoy that music.”

While reminiscing isn’t always to be feared, there are negative aspects to consider.

For example, during the 2018 holiday season Honda, a car manufacturer, used throwback messages from Care Bears toys in their advertising. By doing this, the brand

RELATED LISTENS “Fireflies”

by Owl City “Year 3000”

by Jonas Brothers “He Could Be The One”

by Hannah Montana evoked feelings of nostalgia from audience members who grew up in the late ’80s and early ’90s. But this can lead people to buy items they either don’t need or can’t afford.

This is where people need to be wary about letting their emotions get the best of them.

We must all find the ability to step outside of simple nostalgia and into the present, looking forward without serving the past.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE TEAM FALLS SHORT IN SEASON OPENER Players, coach share ins and outs of sport TAYLOR WOOTEN | STORY taylor.wooten@franklincollege.edu

A bat is to baseball as a stick is to lacrosse.

Different from sports like baseball and softball where a bat is used, or soccer where goals are made using feet, lacrosse is a game where players use sticks to catch a ball and pass it to other teammates.

However, while it might be a little different from some sports, it’s very similar to others.

“It’s a lot more like soccer and basketball than people realize,” senior Brooke Hughes said. “If you combine the two sports, it’s the same thing, just with a stick.”

Being involved in an underappreciated sport only makes the game more special to the athletes and head women’s lacrosse coach Chris Wilham. He said there are numerous little things that take a lot of practice when it comes to playing lacrosse, like cradling the ball.

Attached to the end of the lacrosse stick is a small net where a player cradles the ball so it doesn’t fall out.

“Cradling takes a lot of effort just to learn, and to throw and catch a baseball-sized ball with something other than your hand – it’s a lot different,” Wilham said.

The rules of lacrosse change every year, Wilham said, to adapt to the growing popularity of the sport. Because it’s still not as popular as sports like football and basketball, Wilham said there is a general lack of understanding of the game, but that has its perks. For example, Wilham said he typically doesn’t have to listen to spectators yell at referees for making “bad calls,” which is common in sports that have a larger following and fanbase.

One of Wilham’s most difficult duties as head coach is recruiting enough new members for the team.

“If you throw a rock down a street, you’re going to hit hundreds of baseball kids, basketball kids,” Wilham said. “There’s only about 30 women’s lacrosse teams in the state.”

Ten players are returning from previous seasons, and seven newcomers were added to the roster this year. The team is using its mix of young and experienced members to push it through the season. The Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference’s preseason poll picked the Grizzlies to finish fourth out of seven teams this year.

“It’s different than any sport I’ve played

before, and I like that it’s a challenge,” sophomore Madeleine Correll said.

This is Correll’s first year on the team and her first time playing the sport.

“The most challenging part is trying to get to the same level of play as my teammates as quickly as possible,” Correll said. “They’re all more experienced, and they help me a lot.”

Even though three players typically hold the position, the team only has one captain this year – Hughes.

“She’s a rock,” Wilham said. “She saw that it was her time to be a leader and she stepped up.”

The Grizzlies lost its season opener against Alma College Saturday, 16-12. Hughes scored five goals, setting a new single-game career high. Senior Shelbi Hunter and freshman Peytan Mills scored their first goals of the year in the second half.

Sophomore Courtney Jones made 19 saves in goal for Franklin while grabbing a team-leading seven ground balls.

The women will face off in their next game against Olivet College at 6 p.m. March 18 at Faught Stadium.

Senior captain Brooke Hughes encourages her teammates during a Friday afternoon practice.

ABIGAIL LARKEN | PHOTO

SPORTS

IN BRIEF SIX GRIZZLIES MAKE IT TO NCAA DIII CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SWIMMING, TRACK AND FIELD Six Franklin College athletes are going to the NCAA DIII Championships in two sports.

Five members of the women’s swim team landed spots in the national meet in Greensboro, North Carolina. The competition will take place March 20-23.

The women will compete in eight individual races and five relays.

Sophomore Brynna Sentel has qualified for the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke races.

Sophomore Courtnee Coffman will be racing in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle.

Sophomore Jessica Halsmer will swim the 100 backstoke and 200 backstroke.

Sophomore Ashley Snoke qualified for the 100 breaststroke race.

All of the relays, which have four swimmers, are made up of a combination of the five women. Sophomore Jacqueline Richard will be racing in every relay.

Franklin College will compete in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle, 400 medley, 800 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays.

The girls had spectacular performances at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference swimming and diving championships.

After three days of attaining multiple gold medals and breaking several school, conference and venue records, the women swam great times in the above-mentioned events, securing their spots in the NCAA nationals.

Back on dry land, senior Nathan Adams was Franklin’s lone qualifier for the men’s indoor track and field national meet.

The NCAA DIII meet will take place in Boston, Mass. today and tomorrow. Adams will be compete in the 35 lb. weight throw tonight at 6:45.

Adams is one of just three HCAC male indoor track and field athletes going to nationals. He will be entering the weight throw competition in the 18th seat.

Adams met the national qualifying standard in the Jan. 12 Robert H. Johnson Little Giant Open meet hosted by Wabash College.

With his throw of 18.29 meters, he placed himself in the top 20 in the nation, earning his place in the national meet.

SOURCE: FRANKLIN COLLEGE ATHLETICS

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OUR BACK Twin softball players open up about sharing the field

HOPE SHRUM | STORY + PHOTO

“SHE’S ALWAYS GOT YOUR BACK.” Sophomores Tyralee and Kyra Frye each said this about the other when asked what they enjoy about playing softball with their identical twin.

Kyra is a second baseman and Tyralee is an outfielder on the Grizzlies softball team. “[Playing side by side] would be the best part because if I let a ball go by, I knew she’d have my back and get it, and we’d have the out,” Tyralee said.

When the twins were in high school, Kyra was on the track and field team, which runs during the same season as softball. Because of her double commitment, she wasn’t able to play in a few softball games. “‘Wow, so this is what it feels like to be an only child,’” Tyralee said, recalling the first time she played without her sister. “It’s like half of me had disappeared.”

Kyra went through a similar experience during their last high school tournament because Tyralee was planning to attend the

SHELBY MULLIS | DESIGN

University of Southern Indiana instead of Franklin, signaling the end of their time playing together.

“She’s my throwing partner,” Kyra said.

But don’t let them fool you – the girls said they do have their fair share of arguments on the field, but the disagreements are usually short-lived. They both said their twin is their biggest supporter but also their biggest critic.

“She means well; she’s just trying to help me get better,” Kyra said.

While they enjoy their time apart, the twins are very close. They share a lot of the same interests, so they spend majority of their time together.

They also share similar majors. Kyra is studying exercise science and Tyralee is in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program with a minor in fitness.

Whether they’re on the field or in the dugout, the Frye sisters are always giving their all, head softball coach Brad Jones said.

“As far as any drills that you run through,

they give it 100 percent all the time,” Jones said. “As far as when they’re in the dugout, they’re always supportive of [the other] girls.”

And with similarities come differences, describing themselves opposite of the other.

Kyra said that although Tyralee may not show emotion as well, she has a big heart and is one of the sweetest people she knows.

“She’s loyal, so if you need help with something, she will help you,” Kyra said about Tyralee.

On the other hand, Tyralee described her sister as the joker of the two, adding that she’s always happy.

“She’ll make me happy if I’m in a mood,” Tyralee said. “She’s the one to get me out of the mood.”

Both twins agreed that one great aspect of playing with each other is being able to celebrate each other’s victories.

“Sharing the experience with my sister – my twin – has been great,” Kyra said.

LAST LOOK JAMES HONE, JUNIOR

Hone tries to knock cups off a table in under 60 seconds using only a balloon at the Math and Computing Club’s Minute To Win It event Feb. 27. “When all the concepts and formulas you learn come together and you achieve that wow moment, that’s what I love about math,” Hone said.

AJ PROHASKA I COVER + BACK PHOTO