Issue 9 • Volume 125 Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 www.thesandspur.org
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Faculty speaks out against Cru
Forum attendees showed sadness and frustration with President’s pending decision By Ellie Rushing
F
Curtis Shaffer
Faculty and staff spoke out against any potential changes to the college’s non-discrimination policy during last week’s forums.
erushing@rollins.edu
aculty and staff members who attended open forums held by the Diversity Council took a firm stance against allowing Cru to become a registered student organization. Last week’s forums were part of a multi-step effort to understand the campus climate on President Grant Cornwell’s pending decision of changing the non-discrimination policy to allow the evangelical Christian organization to be recognized on campus. The consensus among those in attendance was clearly against changing the non-discrimination policy and the group showed growing frustration and impatience with Cornwell’s lack of a decision. Some professors choked back tears as they recalled personal instances of discrimination. One professor read a list of names from Florida’s LGBTQ
community who have been murdered on the basis of their sexuality or identity. Many questioned the integrity of the college and the President for even allowing this conversation to take place. “The fact that we’re having this conversation right now is so offensive to me. It’s a slap in my face,” said Dr. Samuel Sanabria, associate professor of counseling. “We are looking at a group of people who, historically, have been so oppressed, especially at the hands of religious groups,” Sanabria said. “We would not be having this discussion if it were about discrimination on the basis of race or sex. So, why are we looking at LGBT people and saying maybe we should have a discussion about their community? Are we saying that LGBT people are less than women, racial, or ethnic communities?” Sanabria is just one of approximately 40 faculty and staff members who attended the three forums. His comments stem
from the fact that the Orlando-based Cru would not allow gay students to be campus leaders, which is a direct violation of the college’s non-discrimination policy. Students involved in Cru submitted an application to become a registered student organization last spring, but were denied because of the policy violation, which all campus organizations are required to uphold. From there, the students took their application to Cornwell in protest, claiming that the policy discriminates against their religious freedom. Cornwell has been contemplating the subject since last April and has stressed that a decision is not imminent as he seeks to hear the perspectives of all parties involved. Ultimately, his decision would be to either uphold the current policy or create a “carve out” within that would offer religious organizations an exemption. ‣ See CRU Page 7
Still undefeated at home, women’s soccer’s journey continues Team’s 1-0 win against Florida Tech gives them an edge on way to semi-finals By Henri Balla
hballa@rollins.edu
W
omen’s soccer continued their season’s success with a 1-0 win over Florida Institute of Technology, propelling them into this Thursday’s conference semifinals. When asked about the team’s first win in the conference playoffs, the typically serious Head Coach Alicia Schuck said, “I think we’re badass!” This was an apt description of the game’s lone goal, a flying kick with the outside of the foot by Chynna McGirt (‘21), following an elegant assist by Kathryn O’Brien (‘19). “We wish we would’ve got our second goal, but one is sometimes all it takes to win a soccer game,” Schuck said, smiling at
the bigger picture in a post-game interview. “We’ve formed this identity that we’re tough, we’re physical, we’re strong, and we like to shoot and try to score goals.” After a slow start, Rollins dominated the rest of the match, despite notable efforts by the Panthers. For McGirt, author of the match-winning goal, there were scores to settle: “We had to leave it all out on the field. Last season, we did not do very well. This team actually ended our season last year. We were determined to end their season, and in turn, to go as far as possible.” O’Brien, who scored a brace against Florida Tech last week, inflicted constant chaos among the opponent’s ranks with her explosive incursions on the wing. ‣ See SOCCER Page 6
Rollins Sports
Chynna McGirt, No. 7, scored the game-winning goal against Florida Tech on Monday, Oct. 29.