Issue 8 • Volume 125 Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 www.thesandspur.org
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driving students to the polls Democracy Project aims for at least 50% student voter turnout for the midterms
By Caroline Klouse
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cklouse@rollins.edu
he Democracy Project at Rollins has registered over 250 students this semester. Through voting simulations, tabling events, and attending classes, this non-partisan political organization is gearing up for the upcoming midterm elections. They hope to reach their goal of having 50 percent of the student body make it to the polls on or before election day on Nov. 6, which is over 30 percent higher than the national college student turnout in the 2014 midterms. In 2014, the rate was only 18 percent. There are two main barriers that stand in the way of student voting. The first is “educating students on the compelling reasons why it is so important they
vote in the first place,” said Dr. MacKenzie Moon Ryan, assistant professor of Art History. The second barrier is getting students to physically show up at the polls or send in their absentee ballots. According to Frances Asbury (‘19), a coordinator from the Democracy Project, they
INSIDE Page 4-5 ‣ Everything you need to
know about amendments will be tackling that first barrier by “hosting early voting drives from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4 to get students to the polls before Election Day.” The Democracy Project wants to inform students on the candidates and their platforms. Asbury said that “when students realize that the policies that politicians implement actually affect
us, and that we can have a say in those policies, students do go out to vote.” Earlier this month, they held a voting simulation where students could practice filling out a ballot and learn about the various candidates and their positions. Approximately 70 first-year students engaged in the simulation, according to Ryan. The League of Women Voters, a historic civic organization, was in attendance helping students register and explaining the 12 amendments on the ballot. The Democracy Project’s efforts will not cease on Election Day, when they will be running buses to and from the polls every hour on the hour. After voting is over, they, in conjunction with Rollins Entertainment Programs, will host an Election Watch Party in Dave’s Boathouse. ‣ See VOTING Page 7
Hurricane Michael hits home for two first-year students
Complete destruction to grandparent’s home, a place filled with memories By Maura Leaden
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mleaden@rollins.edu
Bryant said. She also remembered fighting with her siblings over playing on the computer in the backroom. It is hard for her other family members, too. “My uncle, he called me… crying. And I don’t ever, like, hear or see my uncle crying, but... that’s the house he grew up in, so he was really upset,” said Bryant. Bryant’s parents live in Niceville, approximately 50 miles west of Panama City, and their home fared well in the
storm. While her parents were safe, her grandparents did not have time to evacuate before Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle on Oct. 13. Overnight, the storm changed from a Category 2 hurricane to a Category 4. It was only two miles per hour shy of a Category 5 and was the largest hurricane to ever hit Florida’s panhandle, according to an online Time article. ‣ See HURRICANE Page 8
he roof of the one-story house in Panama City is caving in and splinters of wood poke out. The planks of wood the homeowners used to board up the windows in preparation for the hurricane hang helplessly like loose shutters. Damp pink insulation covers all of the furniture inside. This is what the Panama City home of Raiven Bryant’s (‘22) grandparents looked like after Hurricane Michael. The physical structure of the home was completely destroyed, stealing away many childhood memories Bryant made there, she said. The house had been in their family for more than 40 years. “[I] learned how to shuffle cards in the living room of that house. After that I always wanted to play cards when we would visit my grandparents,” Raiven Bryant’s grandparent’s Panama City home. (Photo courtesy of Raiven Bryant)
Graphic by Anastasia Rooke
WiFi troubles continue to plague campus Despite an increase in funds for Wi-Fi, service provider issues cause connection problems, according to IT By Heather Borochaner
hborochaner@rollins.edu
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he mass Wi-Fi problems that the Rollins community has dealt with this fall are due to the campus internet service provider, CenturyLink, not upholding service deals and bugs getting into the software, according to Troy Thomason, chief information officer and assistant vice president of the Office of Information Technology (IT). Campus frustration grew when returning students and faculty faced a wide range of WiFi connection problems, causing disruptions in many classes and chaos for student assignments. Thomason said that many of the connection issues at the start of the semester were vendor-related, meaning that the companies who supply the tech
equipment that supports the WiFi were not delivering what was promised. These disruptions, however, are being fixed, according to Thomason. “There were software bugs on the routers and our [Internet Service Provider], which for Rollins is currently CenturyLink, wouldn’t give us what we paid for,” said Thomason. CenturyLink openly advertises its use on college campuses on its website, promising “high-speed, on-demand networking to power education.” “We’re holding vendors accountable and trying to get out of our current contract with them, but it’s a slow process,” said Thomason. Currently, IT is evaluating new vendors. “Unfortunately, the timing with the beginning of the semester was bad,” Thomason said. ‣ See WiFi Page 3
2 Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
Museum’s exhibit explores femininity and power Connecting Dangerous Women’s Renaissance-based messages to today
EXECUTIVE STAFF Ellie Rushing Editor-in-Chief Christina Fuleihan Managing Editor
CONTENT STAFF Alex Candage Head Copy Editor Siobhan Nolet David Smith Copy Editors Maura Leaden Assigning Editor Alyssa Malto Headlines
DESIGN DEPARTMENT Lya Dominguez Head Designer Dana Wagenhauser Pat Murray Hannah Jahosky Head Designer Anastasia Rooke Designer / Illustrator
WEB STAFF Kalli Joslin Neny Lairet Katie McCree
By Victoria Alvarez
valvarez@rollins.edu
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ith goosebump-worthy artwork tied to enriching backstories, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum’s (CFAM) latest exhibition provokes social commentary about the role of women that transcends time, making it a must see for all. The paintings featured were created hundreds of years ago, but their messages about women’s struggles in society are still very relevant topics today. However, the exhibit is not just about women suffering under male rule; it is about women finding agency and empowerment despite the obstacles facing them. In short, these paintings depict women pioneers. Due to its backstory, the painting “Susannah” resonated with me. The painting depicts a story from the apocryphal Old Testament Book of Daniel, when two political elders made sexual advances toward Susannah
while she was showering. Susannah was married to a very wealthy man named Joachim, and being loyal and chase, she declined. The two men said that if she did not engage in sexual relations, they would tell everyone she was having an affair. She still declined, which eventually led to her being sentenced to death for her “adultery.” However, Daniel, a man that knew of Susannah’s innocence and the elders’ plan, came to her aid and she was saved. In the painting, Susannah is at the bottom corner, while the men who are trying to sexually assault her are placed on a higher angle, showing their superiority and her powerlessness. On the surface, this seems like a very outdated story. However, the story of how the public is reluctant to believe a woman’s story of sexual harassment by male political figures is actually relevant today. For example, the #MeToo movement and recent incidents involving Brett Kavanaugh come to mind. So, while the story may seem
outdated, it is still an extremely prevalent problem in our society: women are still struggling to find their voices against men in authority. The exhibit is not solely about women’s struggles. As soon as you walk in, the first section of paintings on both walls, as well as the center painting, depict women responsible for the deaths of powerful men. The majority of these paintings are of women posing next to a man’s severed heads. Dangerous Women, am I right? For me, the most memorable painting of this particular story is the main centerpiece, seen as soon as you walk into the exhibit. It does not have any decapitated heads involved, but it does have Salome in the middle of her infamous, enchanting dance. She is beautiful and, yes, sexualized, but I think this brings up an important point. Women can use their sexuality as agency. Yes, women should not have to rely on their bodies to be seen as equal. However, I think it is admirable when a woman owns
her sexuality, especially because they are usually shamed for it. This exhibit is brimming with social commentary, not just on a feminist front, but also in regard to topics of class division and racism. Elizabeth Coulter, Dale Montgomery fellow of CFAM, brings up the point that museums are seen usually as a place for quiet contemplation—but they can also be seen as places to have these pressing conversations about societal issues. Dr. Mary D. Garrad, a feminist art historian, is one of the main contributors in creating the exhibition. She is coming to Rollins on Nov. 27 and will definitely shed some light on these pieces and their meanings. Check out the Dangerous Women exhibit Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition began Sept. 8 and will continue with talks and tours until Dec. 12.
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The paintings in the Cornell Fine Arts Museum’s latest exhibit, Dangerous Women, explore feminity in the Renaissance era. (Photo courtesy of Angela- Maria Martin)
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The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
Students to walk a mile in refugees’ shoes Student-led effort highlights challeges faced by migrants and refugees with an interactive experience By Christina Oliviera
coliviera@rollins.edu
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nly one percent of the 21 million refugees worldwide are ever resettled after registering at a refugee camp, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Students can experience what this process of migration and resettlement feels like in the upcoming simulation event hosted by the Rollins chapter of No Lost Generation, a national organization that focuses on providing equal opportunities to young people in conflict countries. The refugee and migrant simulation is called Walk-AMile, and it plans to give students the most accurate refugee experience possible. It will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 30 in McKean Gym from 12:30-2 p.m. According to Kate Knight (‘19), president of the Rollins chapter of No Lost Generation,
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WiFi Continued from page 1 “We went from having no load over the summer to a ton of load on our network. Our whole lives revolve around tech support, it wasn’t that we weren’t ready for it, but those bugs manifest when there’s a huge spike in server activity.” Students were quick to seek answers about the Wi-Fi situation. Savannah Watermeier (‘20), Student Government Association (SGA) senator, voiced concerns that the solution proposed by student government last year has not been followed. “Me and two other senators met with Leon Hayner, the senior director of residential life and explorations, and drafted a bill with him stating that Rollins would get rid of cable in dorm rooms but keep it in the common areas. The money that was saved was going to go towards creating better Wi-Fi. What actually happened was that cable was removed everywhere except for Dave’s, and I have no idea where that money went,” said Watermeier. The bill was never officially passed due to a time constraint, as it had been drafted toward the end of the semester. Hayner confirmed his role in
the simulation “is extremely well-thought-out and mindful to the communities it aims to represent.” The event will start by placing students in family groups where they will be required to navigate the challenges that refugees and migrants face. Each family will assume a cultural identity representing one of eight migrant and refugee populations: Syrian, Somali, Burmese, Kenyan, Rohingya, Congolese, Cuban, and El Salvadoran. Once placed in their families and groups, the students will begin the simulation by fleeing their home country and encountering an obstacle course at a national border. They will have to avoid border patrol agents who are looking to send them back to their home country. If a participant crosses the border successfully, they will then face the many challenges found in a refugee camp. These challenges include registering as
a refugee in a foreign language, finding materials to build a shelter, getting health examinations in a medical tent, obtaining and purifying water, learning a new language at a camp school, completing a security screening, and a variety of other scenarios. Dr. Dan Chong, faculty advisor for the organization and assistant professor of political science said, “it’s impossible to truly replicate the experience of being a refugee on a college campus, but hopefully this brief event will encourage students to delve deeper and learn more.” It is the first time the chapter is holding this simulation. Each station will be managed by trained community members. Students may also have to avoid jail or deportation. The end of the simulation occurs when a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees camp officer selects just one family to be resettled. This reflects the fact that only one percent of the 21 million refugees
worldwide are ever resettled, according to the United Nation’s website. After the simulation, students will have the option to debrief by listening to refugees speak about their experiences, connect with local services that help refugees and migrants, and attend presentations on advocacy. This reflective session aims to connect students to advocates and organizations. “The mission of the simulation… [is] to connect student leaders, humanitarian workers, and public and private sector employees so that we can engage in creative and effective methods for immigrant advocacy. It is important we use our position of privilege to serve as responsible allies, and hopefully advocates, for displaced populations around the world,” said Knight. Dr. Chong added, “Hopefully this brief event will encourage students to delve deeper
and learn more… People who lose their homes and livelihoods should have a basic right to safety… there’s much more we could be doing to ensure that.” The event is being organized with the help of the Global Human Project, an organization that Knight contacted after discovering them through her research. Knight said that the organization has provided “consultation and planning, volunteer training, age-appropriate educational materials, and an in-depth debriefing experience” to ensure that the simulation is carried out in a responsible manner. The upcoming experience is open to everyone, and participants can register through recent campus emails about the event. However, registration is not required to attend. Afterward, students will fill out an online survey that will gauge their feelings about the event.
discussions with Watermeier and the senators, including survey data about cable usage, which showed that only 20 percent of students used the cable and that majority preferred stronger wifi over keeping cable television hook-up. “I never saw a final draft of the bill nor was the RLE office a supporter of any particular legislation,” said Hayner. “Clearly campus is still having Wi-Fi troubles. The majority of SGA said they still have issues. IT claims they fixed whatever the issue was, but, honestly, that’s just not true. It’s now past the middle of the semester, and quite frankly this issue should’ve been dealt with before school started or at least within the first few weeks,” said Watermeier. Thomason confirmed that the money previously allotted to cable went to IT. However, he said that the intent was not to improve the Wi-Fi. The intent was to increase bandwidth, or the range, of the Wi-Fi. “We did a Wi-Fi overhaul in the summer of 2017 prior to the cable issue, especially in the resident halls,” said Thomason. Thomason wanted to emphasize that cutting cable was not about money usage; students were not using the cable and its master system was located in
the Mills building, which was on its way to being torn down. “It wasn’t worth reinvesting. So instead we used that money to double our bandwidth,” said Thomason. He said that this should be saving the campus about $50,000 a year. According to Thomason, the IT crew is always investing to improve Wi-Fi infrastructure, support larger amounts of usage in the future, and meet the constant growing needs. “This isn’t just where people go to school; this is where they live,” said Thomason. “We know they’re watching Netflix and other streaming services and playing online games, and we don’t discourage that. We try to keep that in mind to the best of our
ability,” he said. As addressed in a campus-wide email a couple of weeks ago, Thomason believed those issues have been cleared up. He said that the biggest problem they now have is getting students to let IT know when they have a problem and being willing to engage with them to fix it. “People automatically as-
sume that we have all the answers and know all the problems,” said Thomason. “We need students to work with us, tell us there’s a problem, and let us help you.... When people have issues, call or email the [IT] help desk. That’s what they’re there for,” he said.
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The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
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n the 2018 Florida ballot, 12 proposed amendments to the state constitution are up for public vote. Each amendment must receive 60 percent approval to pass, according to the League of Women Voters of Florida. The Sandspur, with all information courtesy of the League of Women Voters, has compiled a list of the amendments on the ballot this November and what a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote means. Amendment 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption Grants an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homes valued over $125,000. Owners of homes worth more than $100,000 would also receive an increase in their exemption. A YES vote on Amendment 1 would: allow homeowners to deduct an additional $25,000 from the taxable value of a home worth more than $100,000, starting Jan. 1, 2019; exclude local school taxes from the new exemption; cost Florida’s cities, counties, and other taxing authorities an estimated $687.5 million annually, starting in 2019, according to the Florida Association of Counties; [and] likely result in cuts to services or higher local rates to make up for the revenue losses, or possibly both. A NO vote on Amendment 1 would: retain the current homestead tax exemptions, which total $50,000. It would have no effect on the amount of tax revenue collected by city and county governments. Amendment 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments Makes permanent what cur-
rently is a temporary cap of 10 percent on annual property value increases for vacation homes, apartments, and commercial property, effectively limiting increases on tax bills. A YES vote on Amendment 2 would: make permanent the 10 percent limit on increases in tax value for non-homestead property, thus reducing tax bills. It would continue to deny local governments (excluding school districts) tax revenue they would otherwise collect from rising property values. A NO vote on Amendment 2 would: end the practice of limiting tax increases on non-homestead property by limiting property-value increases to 10 percent; possibly lead to higher tax bills for non-homestead property, resulting in additional revenue to local governments of about $700 million, according to the state Revenue Estimating Conference. Amendment 3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida Requires approval of any new casino gambling through a citizen-initiative constitutional amendment, effectively barring the Legislature from making those gambling decisions by passing laws. A YES vote on amendment 3 would: require that voters approve a constitutional amendment through a citizen initiative to authorize any new casino gambling in Florida, essentially stripping that authority from the Legislature; preclude constitutional approval of casinos through other means, including amendments offered by the Legislature or by the CRC; continue to allow the Legislature to approve other types of non-casino
gambling, such as poker rooms, bingo, lotteries and fantasy sports; allow the Legislature to oversee, regulate and tax any casino-type gambling that voters approve through a constitutional amendment; and not affect the state’s ability to negotiate casino agreements with Native-American people. A NO vote on Amendment 3 would: continue to allow casino gambling either through new laws passed by the Legislature or through various types of constitutional amendments. Amendment 4: Voting Restoration Amendment Allows those who have completed their entire sentence to earn the right to vote back except for those convicted of murder or felony sex offenses. A YES vote on Amendment 4 would: grant felons—excluding those convicted of murder or felony sex crimes—the right to vote after completing all the terms of their sentence. The Governor’s Clemency Board studies have shown that recidivism rates drop about 30 percent if a person has their voting rights restored. Another study shows that with a lower recidivism rate, costs of incarceration go down, employment goes up and that the positive impact on the Florida economy is $365 million per year. A NO vote on Amendment 4 would: continue the current requirement that felons wait a minimum of five years before applying to have their voting rights restored, and then appear before the governor and Cabinet to appeal for those rights. It would continue allowing the governor and Cabinet sole authority to determine whether a felon is allowed to vote again.
Amendment 5: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees Requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to approve any new or increased taxes or fees, rather than a simple majority. A YES vote on Amendment 5 would: require a two-thirds vote by the state House and Senate to increase existing taxes and fees or impose new ones; require that any new or increased taxes or fees be voted on in stand-alone bills; and exclude local governments from any supermajority requirements if they choose to raise taxes or fees. A NO vote on Amendment 5 would: allow the Legislature to continue approving increased or new taxes and fees through a simple majority vote and allow the Legislature to continue bundling tax and fee increases with bills that include other measures. Amendment 6: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges Vastly expands the scope of victims’ rights under the state Constitution; increases the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75; forces courts and judges to interpret laws and rules for themselves rather than rely on interpretations by government agencies. A YES vote on Amendment 6 would: enshrine in the state Constitution an array of victims rights, many of which are currently in state law; place new time limits on filing appeals; require that victims receive some type of written notification of their rights; eliminate an existing constitutional provision that ensures victims’ rights don’t infringe on the rights of accused
criminals; raise the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court justices and judges from 70 to 75; and prohibit courts and judges from deferring to an administrative agency’s interpretation of state laws or rules when deciding cases. A NO vote on Amendment 6 would: retain existing victims’ rights in the Constitution and in state law; keep the mandatory retirement ages for justices and judges at 70; and continue allowing courts and judges to rely on state agencies’ interpretation of state laws and rules when deciding cases. Amendment 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities Creates a supermajority requirement for universities to impose new or increase existing student fees; enshrines in the Constitution guidelines for the State College System; [and] mandates that employers or the state pay a death benefit to first responders and members of the military killed in the line of duty. A YES vote on Amendment 7 would: force universities’ boards of trustees and the state Board of Governors to get supermajority approval from their members to increase student fees or impose new ones; make the governing framework for state colleges a part of the Constitution; create a constitutional requirement for state and local governments to pay death benefits to first responders; expand the definition of first responders under state law to include paramedics and emergency medical technicians; require the state to provide death benefits to members of the U.S. military who
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The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
Graphic by Anastasia Rooke
are either residents of Florida or who are stationed in the state; and create an undetermined financial burden on local and state government from paying death benefits to a larger group of first responders and members of the military. The amendment does not specify a funding source for those payments. A NO vote on Amendment 7 would: continue allowing universities to increase student fees or impose new ones with a simple majority of votes from governing bodies; exclude a governing framework for state colleges from the Constitution, while keeping it in state law; continue providing death benefits for first responders through state law rather than making it part of the Constitution; maintain the current definition of first responders eligible for death benefits, which excludes paramedics and emergency medical technicians; and continue providing death benefits to the families of National Guardsmen who are killed in the line of duty, but not extend those benefits to the families of U.S. service members who live in Florida. NOTE: The Florida Supreme Court has removed Amendment 8 from the November 2018 Ballot, upholding the decision by a lower court. Amendment 9; Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces Prohibits oil drilling beneath waters controlled by Florida; prohibits the use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, at indoor workplaces. A YES vote on Amendment 9 would: enshrine in the Consti-
tution a ban on oil and gas drilling beneath Florida state waters; exempt shipments of oil and gas on Florida’s waters; possibly signal to the federal government Floridians’ opposition to offshore drilling; apply constitutional restrictions to drilling only to waters under state control, not to waters under federal control; add new restrictions to the Constitution on the use of electronic vaping devices, largely mirroring current constitutional restrictions on indoor workplace smoking; create exceptions to the vaping restrictions in homes, bars, vaping retailers and hotel rooms designated for vaping; and allow local governments to pass stricter regulations on the use of vaping devices. A NO vote on Amendment 9 would: keep a drilling ban out of the state Constitution but would not alter existing state laws that ban drilling; allow Florida legislators to change the current law that bans offshore drilling in state-controlled waters; possibly signal to the federal government Floridians’ openness to offshore drilling; keep restrictions on vaping and the use of vaping devices out of the state Constitution; and leave any such vaping restrictions to the discretion of the state Legislature. Amendment 10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation Requires the Legislature to hold its session in early January on even-numbered years; creates an Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; mandates the existence of a state Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and forces all counties to elect a sheriff, tax
collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections and Clerk of Circuit Court. A YES vote on Amendment 10 would: Fix the date for state legislative sessions in even-numbered years as the second Tuesday in January; create an Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and establish it as the lead agency in terrorism investigations and responses; force the Legislature to always have a Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and force all of Florida’s counties, even those with a charter, to hold elections for all five local constitutional offices found in the state Constitution–sheriff, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, tax collector and clerk of the circuit court. A NO vote on Amendment 10 would: continue allowing the Legislature to set a start date for its lawmaking session in even-numbered years; reject a constitutionally mandated Office of Security and Counterterrorism under the FDLE; reject a constitutionally mandated Department of Veterans’ Affairs, allowing the Legislature to determine if Florida should have such a department (which it currently does); and allow Florida’s charter counties to continue determining the duties of five county offices identified in the state Constitution, and whether those offices should be elected posts. Amendment 11: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes Repeals the state’s ability to prohibit non-citizens from buying, owning, and selling property; deletes a provision that forces the state to prosecute criminal
suspects under the law they were originally charged under, even if the Legislature changes that law; deletes obsolete language having to do with high-speed rail in Florida. A YES vote on Amendment 11 would: repeal a nearly century-old provision that allows the Legislature to restrict the property rights of non-citizens; deletes language that requires criminal suspects to be prosecuted under the provisions of the law they’re accused of breaking, even if that law is changed by the Legislature. Keeps language that requires prosecution if the law is repealed. Deletes a section of the Constitution–concerning high-speed transportation–that was repealed by voters in 2004. The language, however, was not removed. A NO vote on Amendment 11 would: continue to allow the Legislature to pass laws restricting the property rights of non-citizens; continue to mandate that criminal suspects prosecuted under the law they’re accused of breaking even if the state changes that law; and retain a section of the Constitution about high-speed transportation even though voters repealed that section in 2004. Amendment 12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers Expands ethics rules for elected officials and government employees, notably by expanding from two to six years the time that many officials would have to wait before they could lobby state government. A YES vote on Amendment 12 would: extend the ban on state lobbying by legislators and statewide elected officials from
two to six years; prohibit legislators and statewide elected officials from lobbying federal and local government agencies while in office; prohibit top state agency employees from any lobbying while working for the state and from lobbying state government for six years after leaving their job; prohibit local elected officials from getting paid to lobby anyone while in office and from lobbying their own governing body for six years after leaving office; prohibit judges from lobbying any branch of state government for six years after leaving the bench; and prohibit any elected official or public employee from using his or her position to gain a “disproportionate benefit,” a term to be defined by the state Ethics Commission. A NO vote on Amendment 12 would: keep in place the current constitutional restrictions on lobbying by sitting and former government officials. Amendment 13: Dog Racing Bans wagering on any type of dog racing, notably greyhounds, as of Dec. 31, 2020, while continuing to allow dog tracks to continue offering other types of gambling, including poker rooms. A YES vote on Amendment 13 would: ban all dog racing in Florida by Dec. 31, 2020, while allowing tracks to continue operating card rooms and slot machines; and result in a loss of about $1 million in taxes and fees. A NO vote on Amendment 13 would: continue to allow wagering on dog racing in Florida.
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The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
Rollins Football: History of the Fightin’ Tars Contrary to popular belief, Rollins did have a football team — and yes, they were acually good By Henri Balla
hballa@rollins.edu
Every Saturday in the fall, Rollins students longingly watch as nearby college students dress in spirited colors and tailgate with peers before heading into a rumbling stadium to cheer on their football team. As depressing as fall without football can feel, it has not always been this way—in fact, Rollins had a state championship-winning team at one point, and even beat the Miami Hurricanes and University of Florida Gators. Rollins’ football team, originally called the Fighting Tars, faced adversity since its start in 1904. The game’s brutality worried most parents. That year alone, football was responsible for 18 deaths and 159 serious injuries around the country, according to the Chicago Tribune. Florida’s sweltering heat worsened this. The fields in Winter Park were full of sandspurs, and the players would go back to the locker rooms aching from all the burrs lodged in their skin and gear. Picking the spurs before practice was even a hazing ritual for the freshmen players.
Considering their first win came in 1906, the Tars caused quite a surprise when they grabbed the State Championship in 1908. On Christmas Day of that year, Rollins became the first American college to play international football when they traveled to Cuba and faced the University of Havana. Rollins technically inaugurated football in Florida. Talks of a state intercollegiate athletic organization started in October 1914 and concluded in 1917 when Rollins became a founding member of the Florida Collegiate Athletic Association. The Tars led by example in terms of fair play and sportsmanship by consistently fielding more freshmen than their opponents. The September 1924 Alumni Record said, “Although Rollins inaugurated football in Florida, she has not been able, because of the smallness of the college, to establish an enviable record in scores. But since football has developed into more of a science than a fight, the small college is rapidly assuming its rightful place on the gridiron.” In 1925, Rollins supported Winter Park’s Rotary Club, an organization based on commu-
nity service, in organizing a high school tournament. In an attempt to depart from the old traditions, the Fighting Tars changed their name to the Orange Typhoon, only to revert to their original nomenclature the following season. Hamilton Holt, Rollins president from 1925 to 1949, decided to sacrifice results for the sake of scholarship, demanding recruits who “promise of being good athletes in addition to being good, all-round students and citizens of Rollins.” The golden era In 1929, Coach Jack McDowall took charge of the Tars. An All-Southern half-back, McDowall had captained the basketball team and served as first baseman of the varsity team at North Carolina State College. McDowall’s reputation, authority, and understanding of the game set him up for coaching greatness. Per the Rollins College News Service, McDowall was “frankly pessimistic” for the 1932 season, as graduation had butchered the backline. “I doubt if we [will] win half our games,” he said. However, that year Rol-
lins went undefeated for the first time in its history, culminating with a 6-0 win against Miami. Phil “Skeeter” Horton, a stand-in quarterback, played the game of his life against the Hurricanes. Half-back Will Rogers, who had received the Omicron Delta Kappa cup as outstanding athlete of the year in 1931, also had a glorious season. His no. 43 jersey was retired at the end of his Rollins career, only to be worn in the future by outstanding players on the last game of their senior year. In 1934, Rollins won the unofficial Small College Championship of Florida, beating Tampa in a tense final. The Tars also beat the Florida Gators B team and the Gators refused to play Rollins again until 1948. World War II reduces funds Between 1939 and 1940, Rollins played 20 games, winning all but two. However, World War II caused another program hiccup, and this time it never recovered. The G.I. Bill, which provided benefits for returning veterans, incurred huge economic burdens for Rollins, and in 1948 the ticket price to games was lowered in an attempt to attract more fans.
Amusingly, the season’s unconventional mascot was a live goat named Witherspoon II. Yet the main talking point from that season was the homecoming game against Ohio Wesleyan University. An eagerly awaited event, the game had to be cancelled due to controversy surrounding Kenneth Woodward, Ohio Wesleyan’s African-American player. Despite its liberal convictions, the Rollins administration, fearing potential incidents, considered it dangerous for a player of color to come to, as Holt said, “the deep South.” Holt explained his motives in front of faculty and students, admitting this was not his preferred course of action. Entering the 1949 season, Rollins was plagued with the departures of key veterans, who were replaced by inexperienced sophomores. Despite having Harry “The Clearwater Bald Man” Hancock, one of the best centers in the South, supported by Joe Swicewood and Buddy High, the team struggled.
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IT to replace Blackboard with new system
Two replacement programs are in the works, along with Foxlink scheduling changes By Heather Borochaner
hborochaner@rollins.edu
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any changes are coming to the way Rollins students will manage their classes. The Office of Information and Technology (IT) will be replacing Blackboard with a new educational technology system, as well as rolling out a new class-scheduling system on FoxLink. Rollins is testing out two new programs to replace Blackboard. One is an upgrade called Blackboard Ultra, which combines a modern design with a mobile-friendly layout. Developers advertized that it allows students to have quick access to the most critical information for their courses, such as an activity feed that shows upcoming and recently graded assignments.
Developers believe this will save time for both students and faculty, as they will not have to dig through their class sites to access documents and information. The other potential replacement program is Canvas, a competitor of Blackboard that has a similar design. Canvas developers said that their goal is to make learning more interactive and engaging. They have a video program for online learning where professors can upload videos to a digital classroom, and students can create conversations or leave comments on that video. Canvas also has a web-conferencing feature, where professors and students can engage one-on-one or in a group. Various Rollins professors and classes are trying out the two programs in order to compare them. Ultra is a newer product
of Blackboard that is still in its piloting stages, whereas Canvas is a long-established competitor. “We decided this was the right time to compare vendors,” said Troy Thomason, assistant vice president of IT. “We haven’t made a decision on replacing Blackboard yet.” The announcement of these changes is timely, as students have recently had to deal with connection issues and system failures that caused both Blackboard and FoxLink to be inaccessible. While these issues have since been fixed, Thomason said that the upcoming changes were decided on before these problems occurred. A number of demos have been set up so students and faculty can see the programs for themselves. On Tuesday, Nov. 6, there will be an open demo for Canvas from 10-11:30 a.m. and
from 1:30-3 p.m in Bush Auditorium. Demos for Ultra will take place on Monday, Nov. 12 at those same times in Bush Auditorium. After the demos, surveys will be sent via email so that students can offer feedback. The final decision will be made by a group of faculty members, and the replacement will be rolled out next fall. “We want this to be a community decision,” said Thomason. “Although the final decision is being made by faculty, both the IT department and the professors will take the thoughts of students into account.” Foxlink scheduling changes On FoxLink, a new Fox Scheduler program is to be implemented. “The goal here is to make class scheduling more
user-friendly and have a better planning system,” said Thomason. Among other features, the system will allow advisors to see what their students are planning. This new program will be introduced at the end of the spring semester in order to be used for planning summer and fall 2019 classes. “Change is sometimes difficult,” said Thomason. However, he said he believes that these changes will roll out smoothly. “Our instructional technology team is putting an incredible amount of effort in putting together training for the new systems and are always available for support just by calling the help desk,” said Thomason. The IT help desk can be reached by phone at 407-6286363 Sunday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
Learning self defense in a comfortable, yet nearly empty, environment Free Thursday class teaches valuable protection skills with a Kung Fu twist
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VOTING Continued from page 1 All year long, the Democracy Project is educating and empowering students on the political climate and the responsibility of making a difference by using their voice. Voting is just one of the ways that students can express their opinion. The Project is providing, “the tools for students to educate themselves and promote the election, so that students know that this is their chance to make their voice heard,” said Asbury.
Getting greek life to vote
Graphic by Anastasia Rooke
By Victoria Alvarez
valvarez@rollins.edu
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OPINION
took my first Rollins self-defense class ever, and I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised. I felt slightly overwhelmed going into the class, not only because of the fighting aspect, but because the thought of having to defend myself in general is scary. While hearing about all the awful things happening in the world today enhances that daunting feeling, this class took my mind off that for a moment and it was actually loads of fun. Rollins hired trainer Ronny Vega, expert in Jeet Kune Do (JKD), a form of Chinese KungFu, to teach a self-defense class every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. at the Alfond Gym in Studio 139. Vega has been training in JKD since 2001 and previously had his own gym. The self-defense class is
based on this form of martial arts started by Bruce Lee. The basis of Lee’s JKD consists of simple, quick, yet effective moves. The moves were easy to learn, too, making JKD the perfect form of self-defense for beginners. Vega’s overall goal for us was to make sure that we had a solid understanding of what to do if we came across an attacker, while still having fun in the class. He taught us what is considered the “appropriate distance” you should keep between you and any stranger. Vega initially stressed that it is best to run and scream first, and that fighting should be a last resort. First, we learned an “on guard” stance, which is basically a way of standing that makes it harder for someone to knock you off balance. We also learned simple blocking techniques, and Vega used props, like soft old mannequin arms, to make it easier to get in the correct mindset. Then, we learned how to punch and kick.
I take boxing classes, and the fighting techniques in JKD are very different from what I am used to. Your dominant hand is placed in the front instead of the back, and your punch is at a tilt. It is really cool because I did not realize how effective this form of fighting is compared to the conventional idea of just blindly punching. The thought of needing to learn self-defense is scary, but Vega made the class a comfortable environment. It is essentially a fun workout class that helps you feel more comfortable in going out alone. Speaking as a petite 21-yearold girl, this gave me peace of mind. I am used to feeling on edge while walking to my car at night or when I am alone at night in general, but learning these moves makes me feel slightly more safe in these situations. It was noteworthy, though, that only one person besides me showed up. I am not sure if it was due to fall break and cra-
zy schedules, but this worried me. Regardless of your gender, I think it is vital that everyone has some knowledge of self-defense. Our world is not safe. According to Areavibes, “Orlando crime rates are 94 [percent] higher than in comparison to the Florida mean and are 114 [percent] higher than the nation’s mean. In regards to violent offenses, Orlando, FL has a rate that is 95 [percent] higher than the Florida average; compared to the United States, it is 117 [percent] higher than.” I think Rollins students get so used to the “Winter Park bubble” that it becomes easy to forget that the greater Orlando area is not the safest place. So why not take a fun, free self-defense class? It is only an hour long and the reassurance of knowing that you can take care of yourself makes the experience worthwhile. Besides, it is a good workout.
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur or Rollins College.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) at Rollins has also joined the voting bandwagon and partnered with the Democracy Project to promote the engagement of its members in civics by hosting a friendly voter registration competition. FSL held a week-long voter registration effort in early October that awarded the chapter with the most registered members. Delta Zeta came in first place, Chi Psi in second, and Alpha Omicron Pi inthird. Since Delta Zeta won, they were awarded $250 to their chapter account. Since a chapter typically spends $200 for their philanthropy event, an additional $250 will increase the profits they raise for the Starkey Hearing Foundation, their national philanthropy organization that provides hearing aids for people in need. The competition was scored in terms of points, and chapter members could either register on site at Rollins with the Democracy Project or prove their previous registration status. However, small chapters were not put at a disadvantage, as each chapter was allowed to bring non-chapter members with them to register. According to Juan Franco, the FSL Graduate Assistant and FSL Hall Director, “at least ten members were registered per chapter,” and the promotion of civic duty will not stop there. On Election Day, which is Nov. 6, FSL will again partner with the Democracy Project to host a competition to see which chapter has the highest voter turnout. Competition and democracy do not just thrive in Washington D.C., but in Rollins’ own community, too.
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The Sandspur • October 25, 2018
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HURRICANE Continued from page 1 “By the time that... they realized how bad it was going to be... it was too late for them to go anywhere,” said Bryant. Her grandparents were in the back room of their house when the hurricane hit and their roof caved in. “If you look at the pictures of the front of the house you can see which room they were in and [the section where the roof came off is] right next to them, just a wall separating them. It’s an old house too… so thin walls,” said Bryant. The shed in their backyard was also completely blown onto its side. “There’s definitely no way for them to live there again,” said Bryant. “They’ll apply for [Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid, and] see what they can do.” As they wait to hear back from FEMA, they are staying with Bryant’s parents in Niceville. Fortunately, her grandparents are alright, but others were not as fortunate. There were 15 deaths alone in Bay County, which includes Panama City. Fellow first year Reagan Raley (’22) of Gulfbreeze, west of Niceville, was also fairly lucky. Both girls stayed at Rollins as the storm approached, and they comforted each other as the storm passed through their hometowns. Raley’s family evacuated in the middle of the night, but their home survived. “My house
was... not really affected. There was just a lot of rain and some trees fell, but... my house is perfect,” Raley said. Bryant and Raley said that the Rollins’ Dean of Students office sent them personalized emails of support. “We got emails… directed to us individually,” said Bryant. Those emails directed them toward faculty members they could talk to if they wanted to. The emails also included an offer of any further assistance from the college. “It was nice to see,” said Bryant. Bryant said that the hardest part about being away from home during the storm was that she could not contact her grandparents and cousins, because allthe power lines were down. “I could talk to my mom, but all she could tell me was like ‘we haven’t talked to them yet, we still can’t get in touch.’ So, I’m just 6 hours away like, ‘Oh my god what’s going on?’” she said. Panama City is receiving support from neighboring cities, as well as several aid organizations like the Salvation Army. In a National Public Radio “Morning Edition,” a representative from the organization said that they have been serving meals in “various locations around the Panama City area.” At first, “they had everything blocked off, only first responders were going in for like the first two days after,” said Raley. But now, she said that a lot of neighboring towns are help-
ing out. Raley lives 45 minutes away, “but my town is making so many trips [up to Panama with supplies.] They’re getting a lot of support from local places,” she said. For students who were not impacted by the hurricane but want to help in the recovery process, the Rollins Center for Leadership and Community Engagement (CLCE) sent out a campus-wide email with ways to do so. CLCE encouraged students to support hurricane relief efforts by providing cash donations, which they said are “the most effective way to support survivors.” The most direct option is to text DISASTER to 20222 to “provide a one-time $10 donation or Disaster25 for a $25 donation” via The Florida Disaster Fund. Other hands-on service opportunities shared by the CLCE have already passed. Students or faculty and staff can also extend their support by donating blood. The easiest way to find a donation center is to go to oneblood.org. Further information sent out via the CLCE email revealed that Airbnb is “looking for hosts with housing available in the Florida Panhandle.” If students know of available housing in the Bay Country area, this may be one way they can help. Bryant added that besides active support, the only thing left to do is pray.
Campus Safety gets in the Halloween spirit In an effort to positively connect with the student body, Campus Safety will pass out candy during escort rides Monday through Wednesday. By Maura Leaden
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mleaden@rollins.edu
n celebration of Halloween, Campus Safety will be passing out candy to the students they escort on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week. Ken Miller, assistant vice president of public safety, called the event “reverse trick or treating,” and students will have the chance to ride golf carts accompanied by sweet treats from 3
p.m. to 7 a.m. Miller said that their staff likes to interact with students in ways that are not writing up parking citations or incident reports. “We challenged our staff to find ways to engage the campus community in positive ways and this is the first in, what I hope to be, a series of similar engagements,” said Miller. Campus Safety has done something similar in the past, but this is not a tradition.
Fun fact: Miller’s favorite Halloween candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter cups! “While I now try to avoid them, I have always been partial to [them],” he said. He said that when staff gets to see students repetitively, “relationships are formed, trust is built, and they get to see that student develop and progress through their college experience.”
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FOOTBALL Continued from page 6 However, the real struggle lay in the checkbooks. At this point in time, the program’s costs were double the revenue. Football also used up two-thirds of the sports budget and cost three-and-a-half times more than the new library. Projections for the 1950-51 season showed that in the bestcase scenario, the team could only break even, whereas in the past season it had lost money in three out of four home games. When factoring in the scholarships for veterans and the general economic situation after WWII, it became clear that, despite affection for the game, football had to go. In 2011, Rollins thought they had found the answer to bring football back. Jeff Hoblick (‘14), a sophomore at the time, made a monumental effort to assem-
ble players, coaches, and enough donations to cover operational costs for a new team—the first one in 62 years. Although at the club level, it was enough to galvanize the atmosphere on campus. Hoblick served as president and quarterback, and the team played two games the first season, managing a win against Clemson. However, it was a short-lived endeavor. After Hoblick and his cohort graduated, there was not enough manpower to keep the ball rolling. It did show that, despite the lethargy, the spirit of the game had anything but disappeared from Winter Park. As the former Rollins yearbook, the Tomokan, wrote in 1938: “They were hot and they were cold—those football Tars of ours.” The story of football at Rollins is full of ups and downs, but it is a story of progress, innovation, and, above all, passion— both then and now.
The 1932 Fighting Tars congregate for their team photo. (Photo courtesy of Rollins Department of Archives and Special Collections)
Rollins football History 1904
Rollins gets a football team, the Fighting Tars
Fighting Tars win state championship
1932
1908
First undefeated season
Final season due to lack of funding because of WWII
1951