The Sandspur Volume 125 Issue 4

Issue 4 • Volume 125 Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 www.thesandspur.org

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When religious beliefs and discrimination collide

By Ellie Rushing

erushing@rollins.edu

An evangelical Christian group, who was denied last spring to be a student organization, has re-applied to join campus. They were denied out of concerns that their organization’s values prevent gay people from becoming campus leaders, which is a violation of the college’s non-discrimination policy.

President Grant Cornwell is considering whether to allow the Orlando-based Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, to become a registered student organization.

“I’m still in search of a process that will allow us to openly listen to all of the stakeholders,” said Cornwell.

Cru submitted an application to be a registered student organization last spring; however, the Center for Inclusion and Campus Involvement denied their application because Cru’s requirements for student leaders do not align with Rollins’ non-discrimination policy.

Abby Hollern, director of the Center for Inclusion and

Campus Involvement, said that during her department’s meeting with Cru last spring, the students were asked if a gay person could be a leader and they said no.

“We want student organizations to be here, they just have to abide by the non-discrimination policy,” Hollern said.

From there, Cru took their application to Cornwell. Cornwell said he met with members of Cru, members of Spectrum, an LGBTQ organization, faculty and administrators to discuss bringing Cru on campus.

“I do think the non-discrimination policy has merit,” said Cornwell. “Maybe it isn’t perfectly worded, but the sentiments and principles are core to our mission and very important to me. But at the same time, it does trouble me that we have groups of Christian students who want to identify as such and pursue the study of their faith but that they have to do so off-campus because we don’t formally recognize their organization. That just doesn’t feel right to me. A truly inclusive campus should also be inclusive of all faith traditions.”

According to Cornwell, many think that formally recognizing Cru as a campus organization would require changing the non-discrimination policy.

“On this account, I would have to change the status quo. If I do nothing, then the current policy stands,” he said.

Others on campus are very concerned with the potential

O

sbrown2@rollins.edu

ne in five women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. In eight out of 10 cases, the victim knows the perpetrator, but Bethany England (‘20) did not.

It was a Saturday night, and England, a freshman at the time, was studying at her favorite restaurant on Park Avenue. She was casually drinking when a man nearly 30 years older than her approached her and slipped a drug into her drink. Later that evening, that man followed England back to her dorm room and assaulted her.

The next few months would be emotionally harrowing and

difficult to endure. “Waking up each morning was one of the hardest parts,” she said. “Getting out of bed was difficult.”

“Whenever I smelled my assaulter’s cologne, it induced panic attacks. One day I fought so hard to get to class but when I smelled the cologne on someone walking past me, I had to turn around and go home. I couldn’t do it,” she said.

Despite this immense difficulty, England channeled her experience into advocacy. She said that sharing her story has not been easy, but it has been necessary in breaking the stigmas of shame and guilt that are often associated with sexual assault and trauma.

‣ See ENGLAND Page 6

“You don’t get to say, ‘We don’t discriminate’ and then say, ‘Oh, you can discriminate.’ It’s one or the other.”

As one of the largest Christian organizations in the United States, Cru has active groups on 2,300 campuses.

‣ See CRU Page 6

Knowles Memorial Chapel is a central part of Rollins.Now, religion has become a touchy cubject (Carolina Skillman / Staff Photographer)

Overcoming assault: Survivor to advocate

By Sydney Brown

changes. “I have no issue with Christian groups at all,” said Dr. Jill Jones, associate professor of English. “I do have an issue with a Rollins student group getting our actual support in discriminating against any student who genuinely wants to be a part of that group.”

“I don’t think you get to have it both ways,” Jones said.

Lockdown shows security strengths

By Ellie Rushing

erushing@rollins.edu

Bethany England is a junior at Rollins.

(Curtis Shaffer/ Staff Photographer)

Rollins students were in a “shelter in place” lockdown for almost two hours after a man was shot on Orange Avenue next to the Rollins Alfond baseball stadium, less than a mile from campus.

Monday’s lockdown felt all too familiar for students, who experienced a similar event in March when Campus Safety sent out an R-Alert saying there was an active shooter on campus.

Panic was unveiled. Some students locked themselves in closets, while others were forced to flee their buildings after classroom doors did not have locks.

While it wasn’t related to that incident, over the summer, Campus Safety took measures to heighten campus security. With

the help of the campus locksmith, they surveyed all classrooms, student study spaces, and office suits to ensure they could be locked.

“We have addressed... just about every area we had listed or that community members had reached out to us about,” said Ken Miller, vice president of public safety.

“There certainly are a few outstanding areas that are physically challenging on a campus that is more than 130 years old and with a distinctive architectural style. In some situations, if the area is unable to be secured, we are designating places of refuge for entire floors or smaller buildings that will afford some level of protection,” Miller said.

‣ See R-ALERT Page 3

2 • September 20, 2018 Established in 1894 with the following editorial:

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Academic Honor Council uses education to lessen honor code violations Plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration are the most common violations

By Caroline Klouse

A

cklouse@rollins.edu

cross the Rollins campus, plaques adorn the walls and pledges are signed reminding students to obey and uphold the Academic Honor Code. From seminars during orientation to helping violators learn from their experiences, the Academic Honor Council is using education to help reduce violations.

Of the nine honor code violations, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration are the two most common cases, according to Morgan Richardson (’19), the education coordinator of the Academic Honor Council.

A total of 52 cases were reported last year and 54 cases were reported during the previous school year, according to Dr. Gabriel Barreneche’s, associate dean of advising and professor of Spanish.

The Academic Honor Code, according to the Rollins website, includes the following violations: plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, submission of work prepared for another course, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, violation of testing conditions, lying, and failure to report an honor code violation.

As of last school year, no one who was called to plead their case in front of the Honor Council was dismissed without consequences. At the same time, no one was dealt the harsh punishment of suspension, Barreneche said.

The most frequently administered penalties are either a grade penalty, an honors probation, an integrity seminar (where one answers a series of questions on academic honesty and integrity), or a plagiarism workshop.

There are Honor Code violations that do not occur very frequently, such as a failing to report honor code violation. During the three years Barreneche has supervised the Honor Council, he

said he has not seen a case for failure to report.

The Academic Honor Council has also included new measures to avoid violations. These include the honor code seminar held during orientation for all incoming first-years and the sharing of the Indiana University plagiarism tutorial to prevent violations.

Nevertheless, college is a foundation in which students are destined to make mistakes and learn from them, and if one of those mistakes happens to be an honor code violation, then Richardson said that the council will “try [their] best to make a first violation as much of a learning experience as possible to ensure that [they] need to move to harsher sanctions.”

According to Richardson,

plagiarism frequently occurs because each member of the Rollins student body comes from a “different background.”

For example, Richardson reflected on her own experience in high school only using Modern Language Association (MLA) format when citing sources.

However, if students are unfamiliar with certain writing styles and formats when completing an assignment, Richardson said that student should “take responsibility for their own knowledge, and if they know they are new to citations, to seek help at the Tutoring and Writing Center.”

An essential citation tip is to always check one’s paper before turning it in. Barreneche noted that professors can spot missing citations by “using Turnitin.com

or simply a Google search while they are grading.”

So, students can try Turnitin.com before they actually turn in their assignments in order to check for citation transgressions.

Resources like the Tutoring and Writing Center and plagiarism tutorials can be used to avoid Honor Code violations, as well.

In terms of unauthorized collaboration, Richardson explained that students generally “assume that they are allowed to collaborate.”

However, Richardson warned, “unless a form of collaboration is specifically allowed by the professor, assume you are not allowed to do it.”

3

Volleyball raises over $1600 for pediatric cancer

Orange Avenue was blocked off with police tape after a civilian was shot in a robbery-gone-wrong. (Ellie Rushing / Editor)

‣ R-ALERT

Continued from page 1 They also installed video cameras in almost all building entry points and placed R-Card readers at Bush Science Center entrances which allows Campus Safety to remotely lock the building in the case of an emergency.

In addition, students must now use their R-Cards to enter Bush on weekday evenings and weekends.

When Campus Safety sent the first R-Alert to the community at 3:33 p.m. ordering a “shelter in place” lockdown, people were unsure of what was happening. Ally Rost (‘20) said she was heading into the Alfond gymnasium when coaches and athletics personnel shouted to get inside.

“I honestly was thinking I can’t believe how often this happens (in a sad way) and I honestly was pretty nervous about the whole thing especially because there was little information at the time,” Rost said in a text.

While it was frightening, she said she felt safe the entire time.

“I felt very safe in the gym. We were in an empty office with no windows and there were many faculty in there with us that were keeping watch outside and checking for updates,” she said.

“Overall, I think Rollins handled the situation really well,” she said. “Even when the police had no more information, Rollins continued to send update texts and calls throughout the two hours.” She said that she thought Monday’s incident was much more organized than what unfolded last spring.

Manhunt ends in arrest Winter Park Police arrested 19-year-old Jerad Christopher Vasquez around 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17 after a nearly seven-hour manhunt.

Police were called to the Goodwill on Orange Avenue at around 2:40 p.m. over a suspected shoplifting. Police then allegedly saw Vasquez shoot an

approaching citizen in the groin.

The citizen did not die.

The shooting and search for the suspect prompted Campus Safety to send an R-Alert at 3:33 p.m. ordering students to seek shelter.

The notification read: “A shelter in place notification is in effect. Go into nearest room and lock the door. Await further information.” Students then received update notifications via text, email, and phone call every 15 to 20 minutes ordering them to continue sheltering in place until the all-clear notification came at 5:16 p.m.

Winter Park police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Jerad Christopher Vasquez. A person at Spatz, a local sports bar about a half mile from campus, videoed police with their guns drawn at Martin Luther King Jr. Park as they searched for the suspect.

The same park is where the Rollins softball team plays and practices. There were no players at the field during the incident.

Police officers were monitoring the field late into the night with K-9 units.

Police searched the surrounding area for nearly seven hours until Vasquez was finally apprehended around 10 p.m. on Monday. He was found hiding under a trailer and gunfire was exchanged between him and responding officers. No one was injured.

According to records, Vasquez was arrested after attempting to steal keys from valet drivers in April. He pled no contest to burglary, grand theft, petit theft, and carrying a concealed weapon, and was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years on probation.

Now, he faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, resisting officers with violence, shooting into a vehicle, and petty theft. He is currently being held without bail in the Orange County Jail.

By Maura Leaden

A

mleaden@rollins.edu

lthough the Rollins volleyball team lost Saturday’s match to Eckerd College, their event to support pediatric cancer, accompanied by a growing student section, was a success.

Groups of supportive parents, students and community members sporting gold shirts, representing pediatric cancer awareness, filled the stands for the “Colorful and Courageous” event. Players warmed up in tie-dye shirts they handmade the night before and the Alfond gymnasium was a colorful sight to behold.

Just outside the doors, three large bins of crayons and coloring books were collected for children in local hospitals, and crayons and paper were set up for supporters to write messages of encouragement for local hospital patients. Online, $1,653 dollars were been raised for Go 4 the Goal, a non-profit organization that helps kids with cancer reach their goals.

After the teams warmed up, players tossed extra handmade tie-dye shirts into the stands when their names were called.

All fans excitedly reached for shirts and helped to start the game with high energy; however, Rollins was ultimately swept in three games by Eckerd.

The first game resulted in a close loss for the Tars, with 2522 as the final score. The Tars picked up momentum at the end of the game and carried it into the second one, yet Eckerd came back and beat the Tars again with a score of 25-19. The final game ended with 25-17 points to Eck-

(Rollins Sports / Courtesy)

erd.

This was the second loss for the Tars in a run of conference games. Their conference record is currently 1-3 and overall they are 3-8.

On trend with the impressive turnout at the fundraiser, team members have been noticing a new batch of supporters at their other games. Marlee Johnson (‘22), a new member of the team, said that much of the stands are filled with fellow first years.

“They are awesome. They have cheers and they all enjoy coming and they make it just super energetic,” Johnson said.

“We want them to keep coming back...and to bring lots of people because it’s a lot of fun when you know people are behind you.”

Johnson said that some of the fans chants have included the cheer, “Anchor down, Tar up,” and that “they beat the bleachers when the other team’s serving.

Just like fun stuff. They get rowdy.”

Daniel Halquist (‘22), one of the leaders of the chants, said that his reasons for leading the fan section are “One—supporting the school, two—I grew up in a high school with a culture that was very enthusiastic when it comes to sports, and I’m [going to] bring that culture here and create something that’ll last beyond the four or five years I’m here.”

Rachel Fletcher (‘19), an upperclassman on the team said, “The fan section has grown and I love it! They’re so rowdy and it makes for a more competitive and lively energy in the gym.

They cheer after every point and have created chants, which is awesome.”

Head Coach, Mika Robinson, expressed thanks for the support of students and also faculty. The team members and staff “really appreciate the campus support for events and when people show interest into the great community service that a lot of our athletes do,” said Robinson.

The funds raised at the event will go towards for “Go 4 the Goal,” a national organization that raises money for pediatric cancer patients and research.

The team easily surpassed their initial goal of $1,000.

Go 4 the Goal works “with a lot of sports teams around the country...they reached out to us to start with, and we had already been thinking about the ‘Colorful and Courageous’ idea,” said Head Coach Mika Robinson.

This is the first year the Tars participated in this fundraiser.

Robinson has a personal connection to this event, as it was inspired by the daughter of the athletic physician at Robinson’s previous institution, Berry College in Georgia.

Sophie Pillar, a 5-year-old at the time of treatment for her rare cancer, realized after her recovery that the hospital she had spent time in was always low on crayons and coloring books.

“That was something that she really enjoyed doing when she was there for treatments,” said Robinson.

Marlee Johnson (‘22) raised the most funds with a total of $733 dollars for the team, according to their Go 4 the Goal page.

She shared that the event was “really personal to Mika from her last school, and I think it’s cool that we get to carry it on here.”

4

Graphic by Anastasia Rooke

By Christina Oliviera

T

New LGBTQ+ club seeks to educate

coliviera@rollins.edu

his year, LGBTQ students and their allies will be given more opportunities for social activism in the form of a new organization called Rollins College Queer and Allies, shortened to Q + A. The new group has different purposes than Spectrum, another LGBTQ organization on campus.

Zoe Ryan (‘19), Queer and Allies new members and events coordinator, said that founders began working on setting up Queer and Allies at the end of last semester. “Over the summer, we wrote the constitution and developed positions for the Executive Board,” she said.

The values listed in Queer and Allies’ constitution are inclusion, diversity, activism, and education. More specifically,

the organization’s goals include providing a safe space for LGBTQ students and allies, educating students and faculty on the LGBTQ community, fostering a relationship with the Winter Park community and other on-campus organizations, and participating and organizing social activism events in Rollins and the Winter Park area.

One unique aspect of the organization is its hierarchy.

“We were all in agreement that we didn’t want a typical hierarchy with a president and a vice president, so instead we created chairs based on our goals. To that end, we have an education chair, and communications chair, etc.,” Ryan said.

There were initial concerns over the possibility of the new organization overlapping in purpose with Spectrum, another LGBTQ organization. However, it was soon demonstrated that

the two organizations are different.

Leah Reich (‘19), Queer and Allies education chair, said that “we had a meeting with Destinee and Abby from CICI, because they had concerns of overlapping, but they found that we were different and loved the idea of more LGBTQ presence on campus, so they approved us.”

Reilly Aback (‘20), co-president of internal affairs for Spectrum, said that “there was a little bit of confusion because Queer and Allies came about really suddenly and we at Spectrum did not have a ton of information on it… but after having a meeting... differences were made clear.

Queer and Allies seems more for educating allies and even members of the community, whereas Spectrum seems to be focused on creating a safe space for discussion and community for people who are LGBTQ.”

The difference between Spectrum and Queer and Allies, Ryan said, can be found in the priorities of the groups. “Spectrum, she states, [is] more focused on bringing together LGBTQ people for social activities… promoting togetherness and support within that community. Queer and Allies wants to focus more on educational events and fundraising work on campus and in the Orlando area.”

Reich agreed, adding “we want to focus on Allies as well. I feel as though there was a huge missing presence for Allies to get involved, which is one of the reasons I wanted to start this club.”

The first meeting was held on Sept. 11. Since the organization is new, specific future events are not certain. However, Queer and Allies was fully aware of the direction it wants to go in.

Reich said, “we are in the process of planning Coming Out

Day. We want to ask the campus to wear a certain color the day before, so that people who are thinking of coming out know that those people are safe to come out to, and then wear rainbow/pride things for coming out day… We are also planning an event on LGBT stereotypes.” National Coming Out Day occurs every year on Oct. 11.

Ryan said that “we’re hoping that our two Executive Boards (Spectrum and Queer and Allies) will be able to collaborate in the future… Our hope is that people will feel empowered to join both organizations and that we can spread awareness of LGBTQ issues.”

Aback agreed and said that having multiple student organizations “provides more resources to the whole Rollins community, as well as more community for the LGBTQ community at Rollins.”

5

Wifi woes are never-ending Spotty wifi leaves students frustrated and unable to complete assignments

Graphic by Anastasia Rooke

Opinion: Cru has a right to set their own standards

By Hannah Butcher

C

nwamsley@rollins.edu

ru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, is on the verge of prohibition by Rollins College. Within the prospective club, members are not allowed to be leaders if they do not uphold what the group sees as true Christian values, and Rollins has interpreted this as a violation of its nondiscrimination policy.

Students at Rollins are grappling with whether they should take sides on this matter, and understandably so. Is Rollins’ reaction to this Christian organization reasonable? Or do religious organizations—and official Rollins clubs in general—reserve the right to choose their leaders based on club values?

If Cru is allowed to become a Rollins-affiliated organization, President Grant Cornwell will have to change the non-discrimination policy. The stakes are high for students’ rights, and the decision will affect all present and future clubs at Rollins.

There is no question that the non-discrimination policy should apply to all members of every club. No person should be turned away if they are seeking membership. A Christian should

be able to become a member of a Muslim club, and vice versa. A Democrat should be able to join a Republican club, and vice versa.

Encouraging a diverse membership is an essential part of college life. Rejecting members based on their race, ethnicity, politics, sexual orientation, or religion would be a violation of the ideals of this college and this country.

However, when it comes to internal leadership, it should be up to the members to decide democratically and ethically who should lead them. The leader of an organization or club is expected to reflect the ideals of that organization, and if the leader does not do so, then the members cannot truly look up to him or her and take the club seriously.

For example, a club for Democrats would not empower a Republican as a leader, since doing so would contradict the club’s mission. So, Cru’s members should be able to choose their leaders based on their own values, even if that means choosing not to elect LGBTQ leaders.

Then again, when you attempt to establish an organization at a private college (an institution that functions independently of federal funding), you have to expect to abide by that institution’s rules. A private college reserves the right to im-

plement its own nondiscrimination policies that clubs need to obey, right?

Maybe. But, as students of Rollins, it is in our best interest to exercise our right to confront authority, and if Cru thinks that its leaders should reflect its integral values, shouldn’t it fight for that?

Just because the non-discrimination policy originates from a place of authority does not mean that it should not be challenged.

It is healthy and right to question a college’s policies with the hope to better the student experience.

Violations of Rollins’ nondiscrimination policy are not unfamiliar on campus. Six years ago, InterVarsity, a Christian club at Rollins College, prevented a gay student from becoming a leader, saying it violated the organization’s vlaues.

As a result, Rollins banned InterVarsity from being a valid organization. To this day, the club is prohibited from officially operating.

Both sides of this current dispute, Rollins and Cru, cling to their own truths, and each hold merit. However, if Cru—and this applies to all on-campus clubs— simply wishes to internally choose its leaders based on its own values, there is not a strong enough reason to condemn it.

Graphic by Anastasia Rooke

By Victoria Alvarez

S

valvarez@rollins.edu

itting in the Olin Library with a deadline due in 10 minutes, I develop an overwhelming sense of panic as my laptop screen reads: “You are not connected to the internet.”

No matter how many times I reload the browser or disconnect and reconnect to the student wifi, the connection seems to get worse. I look around and ask, “Is there something up with your wifi too?”

Claire Lambert (‘21) responds, “Yeah, but that’s just Rollins at this point.”

We have given up all hope.

This exchange is an accurate representation of the past few weeks, as Rollins students and staff endure spotty, unreliable wifi.

Ever since Convocation when the student wifi needed to be rebooted, students have been leaving campus to find better wifi or scavenging for any form of connection on various parts of campus.

Students have also been more than eager to make their grievances with the school’s wifi situation heard.

It is easy to take students’ complaints lightly because, after

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of ‘The Sandspur’ or Rollins College.

all, we are millennials and it is just wifi—but on a serious note, it is actually hindering our education and productivity.

I nearly missed a deadline for a paper because Blackboard was loading for over 15 minutes. Eventually, I gave in and connected to my personal wifi hotspot minutes before it was due.

Most courses need ready access to technology, and it is disadvantageous that students on campus now only have unreliable access to online resources needed to be able to get work done at Rollins.

The Olin Library database, Blackboard, and Foxlink have been consistently unavailable because of the failing wifi, and it is wasting everyone’s time. I have little motivation as it is and waiting for wifi just amplifies the struggle.

It is also unhelpful that whenever a solution is requested, Rollins says that the wifi should be working. It should be working, but, sadly, it is not.

Students, as well as teachers, are still forced to struggle to get work done in a timely manner.

In short, the flawed wifi situation is a hindrance for everyone on campus. Come on Rollins, do better.

6 ‣ ENGLAND

Continued from page 1 “I want to advocate on behalf of women’s rights, helping other women going through sexual assault by sharing my story. I also want to provide strength to these women and create an environment within my personal life where women build each other up,” England said.

Last year, England shared part of her story on a Rollins platforms during a Women’s History Month segment. “Sharing my story felt empowering because I realized I could take back my life by speaking out,” she said.

England has been speaking about her experience publicly and discussing her coping mechanisms with colleagues and friends both on and off campus.

She said that she has not forgiven her assaulter, but gained courage and strength from her experience.

With the growth of social movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up, college campuses across the country have started offering more services to support victims of sexual assault and vi-

‣ CRU

Continued from page 1 “Our purpose is helping to fulfill the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit by winning people to faith in Jesus Christ, building them in their faith and sending them to win and build others and helping the body of Christ to do evangelism and discipleship,” Cru’s website reads.

All Rollins student organizations are required to abide by the non-discrimination policy, which reads: “It is the policy of Rollins College not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, age, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical characteristics, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law, in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, employment, or other school-administered programs.”

Fraternities and sororities are the only organizations that do not have to abide by the nondiscrimination policy, as they are exempt by Title IX. Cru’s constitution also includes a non-discrimination policy, but Rollins is concerned that

olence. Services through Rollins’ Office of Title IX are available to all students, and England encouraged victims of sexual assault or harassment to go to them if needed.

“I went to Title IX and received counseling. Title IX was extremely helpful and they gave me and my friend accommodations when I needed assistance speaking to my professors and getting help.”

The first six weeks of the college semester are what researchers often refer to as the “redzone.” It is a period of time when students, particularly first-semester freshmen, are at a heightened risk for sexual assault due to increased rates of alcohol consumption and unfamiliarity with new environments and experiences.

Before coming to Rollins, England spent time in St. Louis and briefly attended a community college. “I moved so much that I didn’t feel like I really grew up in one single place,” England admitted. “I was a military brat and by the time I turned 18, I had lived in 14 different homes.”

As a teenager, England was bullied by her peers who called

her a ditzy blonde, and she was told that she would never make it to college, let alone excel in her classes. Struggling with anxiety and dyslexia, England started to

their statement of faith could influence the admission of new members or the selection of student leaders.

Student leaders of Cru must abide by the statement of faith, which is a set of 17 promises that range from believing there is one true God to not engaging in premarital sex.

“Cru has student leaders with different sexual orientations,” said Laura Tobin (‘21), a potential student leader of Cru at Rollins. “We allow any involved student committed to the purpose and mission of Cru to go through the process of leadership selection and then potentially hold a leadership position.”

When asked directly, Tobin did not clarify whether homosexuality aligns with the purpose and mission of Cru. “As we seek to bring Cru to campus, we are looking forward to being fully part of the community. I love the campus and the rich diversity here. I know that groups like Cru will only add to the richness of the community,” Tobin said.

Tobin first got involved in Cru at the University of Central Florida. “I started attending Cru at UCF freshman year since Rollins has no Christian organizations on campus. Cru at UCF has been amazing because it brings students together to learn more about God and grow. It’s not

about the club, it’s about God,” she said.

“There are a lot of issues on campus we are all concerned about—rape, suicide, drugs, promiscuity—there is hope. Christians are supposed to have an impact on the world in which we live,” Tobin said in an email.

Rollins does currently have Christian organizations operating on its campus. There are three of them: Catholic Campus Ministry, Every Nation Campus Ministries, and Leaders United in Christ (LUX).

“

It was not until her arrival at Rollins that she realized who she truly was: an intellectually gifted feminist who loves all shades of pink.

believe the taunts thrown at her, and her self-esteem declined.

However, while at community college, England scored in the top percentile of her English

Campus controversies The college’s hesitation may also stem from an incident in 2013 when InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, another national evangelical organization, was kicked off campus after prohibiting a gay member from holding a leadership position. Their removal was a decision upheld by the board of trustees.

InterVarsity is still at Rollins, just not as a registered organization. Members can be found tabling across the street on move-in day or conducting bible studies in their dorm rooms.

They just cannot reserve campus rooms or receive funding.

Elsewhere, in 2016 the University of Miami’s student newspaper, The Tab, reported that a gay student was barred from

placement test, earning 109 out of 110 points.

Although England knew that she was smart on paper, she struggled to internalize her successes. It was not until her arrival at Rollins that she realized who she truly was: an intellectually gifted feminist who loves all shades of pink.

Three weeks into her first year at Rollins, England was assaulted. Immediately following the incident, England reached out to trusted loved ones and was able to receive counseling services and specialized, confidential support.

Eight months later, England is now a Dean’s List student studying international business, psychology, and communication studies. England is also a member of the Rollins Debate Team and works as a Marketing Strategist for a Tennessee-based nonprofit called Williamson Service Corps.

“Although my assaulter controlled me for two hours of my life, he does not get to dictate how I spend the thousands of hours I have left to live,” England said.

Upon graduation, England

hopes to pursue a career in research psychology, attend graduate school, and possibly work for NASA or Tesla.

“It has been less than a year [since my assault] but it’s important to stay in tune with your emotions. The sixth month mark was hard but I am confident about this next semester,” she said.

serving as a leader of the university’s Cru chapter because of his sexuality.

At the national level, Cru and InterVarsity work closely together. In January, they launched a partnership called Every Campus, which aims to bring their organizations to the more than 3,800 campuses that have no known Christian movements. Their focus is on smaller state schools, community colleges, historically black or tribal colleges, and liberal arts colleges like Rollins.

Their goal is to have a student ministry on every campus by 2025.

Tobin said that Cru’s quest to join Rollins is not a part of the Every Campus movement.

“I think the college’s thought process is, if you’re not allowing people who have differing opinions than you, how are you learning from each other?” Hollern said.

Mamta Accapadi, vice president of Student Affairs, echoed that statement: “How often do you have the chance to be surrounded with people so different than you, that you get to learn about their world views and cultivate a sense of empathy and compassion for perspectives that are different?”

Reverend Katrina Jenkins, dean of Religious & Spiritual Life, plays a unique role in the conversation, offering religious support to all students while remaining neutral in the process.

“We’re seeing what will fit.

Right now we have these regulations, and we are making sure our campus groups adhere to these regulations,” she said.

On Jenkins’ desk in the chapel sits a chalice, which is painted black and white with a section of grey dividing the two colors. On a recent weekday, Jenkins pointed to the grey section and said, “This is where Rollins is at,” in regard to the current conversations about religion.

“There are concerns on both sides… That’s normal, and they have the right to voice their opinions,” Jenkins said.

Religious inclusion at Rollins Under the non-discrimination policy, any student, regardless of their identity, can be involved in and lead an organization.

Technically, this means that someone of Christian faith can lead Muslim Student Union and vice-versa. Other religious organizations like Mecca, the Middle Eastern Cultural and Cuisine Association; Hillel, the Jewish student organization; Desi, the South Asian culture club; and the other Christian groups all abide by the policy.

England has channeled her assault to advocacy.

(Curtis Shaffer/ Staff Photographer)

7

Holt school searches Race, murder, capital punishment: for new dean Annie Russell’s upcoming play Evening college searches for new dean to uphold structural changes

By Noelle Wamsley

available for all 12 offered majors and will match up with the gennwamsley@rollins.edu eral education requirements of the day school. ajor changes have “We really wanted to bring been brewing in that into alignment, but recogthe Hamilton Holt nizing that we’re dealing with School, Rollins’ transfer students who already evening college, including the have credit,” said Brown. search for a new dean.

At the graduate level, there is Dr. Patricia Brown has a new Graduate Council that will served as the interim dean since act as a forum where students in January 2018 and has overseen the different graduate programs many changes. can exercise their interests and Interviews with prospective concerns. According to Brown, candidates will begin in early issues already on the table in2019, with the new dean expect- clude student support services ed to take and event manthe reins for agement. the 2019-20 “ We ’r e school year.

The dean’s role looking at scholThis will be arships and is the cement that we’re going to an important shift, as the talking about holds all the pieces be new dean the writing cenwill oversee together and makes ter and how we the rest of can improve the it work. the changes communication and form the for the writing framework of center,” Brown the school. said.

“The dean’s role is the ceOne thing that will carry ment that holds all the pieces to- on unchanged is the STARS Segether and makes it work,” said nior Enrichment program, which Brown. gives older adults in the comAn important part of the munity a chance to continue a dean’s role is to act as the direc- lifetime of education, or even tor of graduate studies. enroll for the first time. There is “The graduate programs no minimum age or cap on how really needed to have an advo- old you have to be to apply. Curcate and support in ways that rent STARS students are from it hadn’t had before. So this is 55-96 years old. The program is strengthening the whole support $70 for a month of instruction: structure for graduate educa- four sessions at 30 minutes each. tion,” she said.

Classes offered range from “CurA couple of years down rent Events” to “The Classics” to the line, after the new dean has “The Arts.” made an impact, Brown hoped “It’s basically lifelong learnall of Holt’s achievements will be ing, not credit, but for interestknown to the Rollins communi- ed enrichment and they’re very ty. hungry for it,” said Brown.

“I’d like to be able to see reAnother Holt project in the flected in the community a sense works is writing of a book. A of vibrance for Holt,” Brown series of anthologies written by said. “More celebration of the Holt students, faculty, and gradsuccesses of the program and the uates about their experiences in success of our students.” the program is expected to be As a part of the updates to published around 2020. A simiHolt, transfer students with at lar book was published back in least 30 credit hours will have 2004 with stories compiled from to go through the new Rollins a Holt creative writing class. This Complete program, a general is what they hope to recreate. education program, which is de“You ask[ed] the question, signed to help students map out ‘Who is the Holt student?’ We their remaining years at Rollins. want to answer that question The new degree maps will be with this book,” said Brown.

M

“

The cast members of “Twelve Angry Jurors” is working around the clock to prepare for opening night on Sept. 28. (Gaby Davenport / Staff Photographer)

By Annie Murray-Campbell

amurraycampbell@rollins.edu

“

One man is dead. The life of another is at stake.” This season, the Annie Russell Theatre is putting on “Twelve Angry Jurors.” Opening on Sept. 28, 12 complete strangers will crowd into a hot room to determine the fate of a suspected murderer, either sentencing him to death or allowing him to live.

“Twelve Angry Jurors” was originally a television movie titled “Twelve Angry Men” (1954).

Written by Reginald Rose, the play brings together people of diverse and conflicting perspectives and backgrounds, forcing them to unanimously agree on a verdict with a man’s life on the line. In the process, discussions about race, ethnicity, classism, and the weight of capital punishment arise. The blatant and profound social commentary is described by much of the Annie Russell Theatre cast to be timeless and transcendent.

This adaptation of the play

has been cast irrespective of gender, including female characters to add another layer to the play’s social commentary.

Cast member Josh Scott (‘20) said that including women in positions of power, especially in the context of the 1950s, makes this play uniquely compelling.

In a show where the characters do not have names, the raw humanity of the jurors is the focus of the play. By letting each character’s unique experiences contribute to their argument toward a verdict, implicit biases are brought to light and confronted.

In an interview with Professor and Director Thomas Ouellette, he said that he proposed this specific play as a response to the current tempestuous political climate in the United States.

“This play is about the rule of law, about the benefits and challenges of living in a democracy. I wanted to work alongside student actors grappling with issues surrounding fairness, empathy, class, and race. All of

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur or Rollins College.

that is deeply embedded in this play,” Oullette said.

“Each cast tells a new story,” cast member Ghina Fawaz said (‘22). Given the anonymous nature of the characters, the script can be interpreted in a number of ways based on the gender, culture, and ethnicity of the people performing it.

“Twelve Angry Jurors” does not seek to force an agenda on its audience, but rather to tell a story that lets “audiences draw their own conclusions,” said Ouellette.

“Like a piece of visual art or a line of poetry, this play will mean different things to different people—and that’s how it should be,” he said.

This season, the Annie Russell Theatre shows will be featured on their own dramaturgy website. Managed by the play’s dramaturg, Allison Wilson (‘20), audiences can find more information on “Twelve Angry Jurors,” including time period, historical context, and themes at www.rollins.edu/jurors.

8

Men’s soccer keeps ball rolling, remains undefeated

By Henri Balla

R

hballa@rollins.edu

ay Gerke (‘19) latches a diagonal ball that, despite the deflection, perfectly matches the pace and direction of the sprint

by Christian Adams (‘22). The latter buries it into the far post, making it 5-0 for Rollins against the Trinity Baptist Eagles.

The Sept. 14 game marks the third shutout win in six days for the men’s soccer team, with a combined score of 13-0. Now, the Tars will head into conference play with a perfect 6-0 record, their best start since 2013.

Coach Keith Buckley is content, yet contained: “We’re doing well, but tonight’s game was against a school with a new program. They are going to do a great job over the course of time.”

“We were really pleased with our trips to Pensacola and Spring Hill,” Buckley said. “We played really well. We are also

getting players back, so we have competition for places.”

The competition is particularly fierce for a spot on the field.

Buckley fielded a different goalkeeper for every half in the last two games.

Furthermore, Abdiel Martinez (’22) and Eidur Ivarsson (‘22) both picked up Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week awards for their goalkeeping efforts on the first and second week of the season, respectively.

Who is going to be the showstopper for the first conference game Wednesday, Sept.

19 against the Florida Southern Mocs? “It’s a very tough choice,” Buckley said, “We’re going to practice Saturday, Monday and decide on Tuesday.”

Buckley’s choice for goalkeeper will be important, as Florida Southern is also undefeated with a 5-0 record on the season thus far.

In the first half against Trinity Baptist, Buckley fielded a

more senior-based side, as Stefan Avram (‘19) went back to his scoring ways with two goals that nearly turned into three had it not been for the crossbar on two occasions and numerous heroics from the Eagles’ keeper.

Avram is the top scorer in the conference with eight goals in six matches. George New (‘19) also made his mark with a solid performance in midfield, coronated by a splendid free kick that sealed the game for the Tars before the half-time whistle.

The second half saw an almost complete rotation and more freshmen on the pitch.

“The goal was to give everybody 45 minutes,” said Buckley, who was quite happy with the newcomers’ contribution to the game. “Christian [Adams] and Ray [Gerke] played really well.

They were pushing the whole time,” he said.

Adams, a true freshman and constant offensive threat to the opponents, was delighted to grab his first goal in a Rollins jer-

Dominic Adomakoh, top, Stefan Avram, middle, and the entire men’s soccer team played well in their 5-0 win against Trinity Baptist. (Curtis Shaffer/ Staff Photographer)

sey: “It feels amazing. It was long awaited, as it took a little longer than I expected. I hope to score more this season.”

Earlier, Tyler Nagy (‘22) produced perhaps the most exciting moment of the match with a stunning goal from the edge of the box that created long-lasting enthusiasm on the stands. “The defender was coming up on me and I knew I just had to hit it as fast as possible,” Nagy said.

“It felt awesome. It took a couple of games to get the feel of the college game, which is a lot more fast-paced. I’m really excited,” said Nagy.

Rollins had 31 shots compared to only two for Trinity Baptist, but the true dominance laid in the dynamics of the game.

“I think we’re playing really well,” Adams said. “We kept the ball really well, we pressed well as a team, controlled the midfield and our wingbacks got into play 24/7. If that’s what the future is going to be like, I think it is very bright.”

Yet, Buckley is adamant that the team takes matches one at a time as they prepare to travel to Florida Southern College.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “Florida Southern has done really well so far this season. It’s always tough to go play there, it’s going to be a very tough game. We’re playing Barry, Lynn and then the fixtures just keep rolling. These are very tough games ahead of us.”

The players seem ready to take on Wednesday’s challenge.

For nearly a third of the team, this will be their first conference experience.

“We’re doing pretty well so far. It’s pretty difficult adjusting to the game’s speed and playing with the other juniors and seniors who are used to it,” Nagy said. “It is good for us to get accustomed to it before we head into the conference.”

“Florida Southern is going to be a tough match,” he said, “but we are looking forward to it.”