Volume 121 Issue 22 Thursday, April 9, 2015
Interfaith Space Room in Knowles Chapel designated for reflection and spiritual practice. page 9
Page 2 • NEWS
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
EXECUTIVE STAFF David Matteson Editor-in-Chief Ali Perry Managing Editor
Meyrin, Switzerland
Marcela Oliveira Production Manager
Prague, Czech Republic
Rome, Italy
CONTENT STAFF Lauren Waymire Head Content Editor Alexandra Mariano Head Copy Editor Nolan Brewer Webmaster Marta Lazowik Web Assistants
Amman, Jordan
Kate Barnekow Esteban Meneses Sabrina Kent Copy Editors Micah Bradley Eric Hilton Raquel Leon Section Editor Micah Bradley Dani Del Pico Nicholas D’Alessandro Staff Writers Matt Boggs Production Assistant
DESIGN DEPARTMENT Shaayann Khalid Head Designer Carmen Cheng Marcus Camacha Designers
BUSINESS & FACULTY Greg Golden
Interim General Manager of Student Media
Taylor McCormack Business Manager
PUBLIC RELATIONS Diana Drprich Multimedia Manager Jordan Cole Public Relations Intern Irina Ryabikina Multimedia Manager
ADVERTISING
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Contact: advertising@thesandspur.org
Cover Art By: Caroline Arrigoni ‘17
Rome, Italy The Italian government rescued over 1,500 migrants in approximately 24 hours as they attempted to enter Italy via five boats in the Mediterranean Sea. The mission took four coastguard vessels and an Italian navy ship to rescue those stranded not far off the coast of Libya. Of the 170,000 that crossed the Mediterranean last year attempting to reach Italy, more than 3,000 perished, and the majority of them departed from Libya. Arrivals have also gone up this year because of the chaotic situation in the North African nation as well as turmoil in the Middle East. Garissa, Kenya A militant group known as al-
Shabab took to the campus of Garissa University with guns and massacred 148 students, the majority of them being Christians. Five people are currently in custody in connection to the shooting. Many are now criticizing the university and the country in general for not taking the threat of such a tragedy seriously; several of these critics see these events as a repeat of the 2013 Westgate shopping center attacks. Only two security guards were present on the grounds at the time the gunmen entered. The group al-Shabab originates from Somalia and claims it is at war with Kenya. Prague, Czech Republic Czech President Milos Zeman
has barred the United States ambassador to the Czech Republic from visiting his home in Prague Castle. Ambassador Andrew Schapiro recently made comments about the President’s upcoming visit to World War II commemorations in Moscow that strongly suggest disapproval. European Union leaders are boycotting the events in Russia while the Czech government remains more sympathetic. While the position of President in the Czech Republic is highly ceremonial, Zeman remains outspoken concerning his views on international politics and tends to deviate from the rest of the E.U. in terms of the Ukraine and sanctions against Moscow.
Meyrin, Switzerland The Large Hadron Collider, the particle accelerator as well as pride and joy of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has started again after a two year hiatus for rebuilding. While testing will not commence for another month, CERN reports that the device will double the energy produced from the first run. The experiments done in Switzerland seek to study physical properties of the universe by injecting protons into the particle accelerator, crashing them together, and studying the fallout. The last run produced the discovery of the Higgs boson, an elementary particle in the Standard Model of particle physics.
Page 3 • OPINION
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Checking out everything but books
Brooke Varney
Writer
Walking into Olin Library at any given time of the day, I see the entire main floor bustling with students. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays it is hard to find an available seat or desktop computer. In the early mornings and afternoons there is frequently a considerable line at the Bookmark Café. It seems to me, though, that there is one particular resource that is not used too often: books. Actually, not just books, but practically everything that cannot be accessed by the click of a mouse. Whenever I visit the library, I will admit, I feel guilty. It is not the same as when I was a little girl and would revel in everything the local library had to offer. I loved the smell of books— old and new ones—browsing through and taking home more than I could carry, and even checking out the grainy VHS copy of The Sound of Music that ended up eventually breaking our VCR. I attribute my neglect of Olin to how busy I am. I know the archives hold countless treasures from throughout history—from original medieval and renaissance texts that could disintegrate in hands without gloves, to a sweater and pair of sneakers once owned by Mr. Fred Rogers. I also know that the shelves hold countless books and DVDs. The reason I visit the library, though, is usually to grab a quick snack or beverage between classes, to work on a group project, or to use the printer. It appears that many students are unaware of the numerous resources the library has to offer, even Maddy Clark ’15 who works in the library at TJ’s as a writing consultant and Spanish tutor. “I’ve never checked out a book,” she said. “I don’t know how to use the scanner in the library, and I literally don’t know what’s on the bottom floor— mysterious offices and archives of who knows what. I know there are people in the library whose job is to help the students take full advantage of the library, and
I don’t even know what they’re called or who they are.” One of these people is Susan Montgomery, Olin’s public service librarian since 2010. “I think Rollins students use the library for various reasons at different points in the Rollins career,” she said. “Our space is very popular for students to meet in groups, study quietly, relax, and unwind. I know they refer to the library as Club Olin, which we think is great.” While many, myself included, assume that checking out books is a thing of the past, Olin still sees the importance in providing a range of resources—including books—to students. “Students do different types of research. Some utilize books more than others, while some access our databases or use the technology available in the building,” Montgomery said. She added, “I know many academic libraries have seen declines in their usage, but we feel students at Rollins see the library as a valuable part of their learning.” Compared to 10 years ago, the library has seen a significant increase to almost 15,000 books. It also offers bicycle and equipment checkouts, including laptops, cameras, and more. Between August 2004 and May 2005 the library had 41,552 checkouts while the 2013-2014 school year had 55,319. Although checkouts are still a popular aspect of the library, it seems that not many students think to seek help from the librarians, whose main purpose is to aid students in the research process. “Students can access a majority of our resources online, which is great, because that is where they are and what they prefer, but the library is more than its content,” said Montgomery. “We have a variety of spaces for students to do their work, we are located in a place that students can get to easily, and we have librarians who are happy to meet with students and help them with their research.” Appropriately, the sign in her office reads: “Please Interrupt Me! Your request is more interesting than what I’m doing.”
Internationals deserve attention Despite internationals being exposed to many opportunities while studying in America, these students are stuck in a cycle of bureaucratic issues. Marcela Oliveira
Production Manager
In my two years living in the United States, I have yet to get through a five-minute conversation without being asked where I am from. I am from Brazil. I do not mind it; I think the curiosity most of my peers have toward my origins is endearing. Since I have moved here, many of my everyday conversations have revolved around cultural differences. However, the hardships that international students go through are many times omitted from these conversations. Yes, internationals add a new perspective to class discussions, and Rollins strives to bring more internationals each year. But do we actually talk about the issues they go through? And, more importantly, do we have a space to talk about changes that could be made in our community to increase the opportunities of this important minority group? These hardships can take many forms. They range from finding a legal job, obtaining a driver’s license, getting a Social Security number, or even finding a computer adaptor. On a more serious matter, international students can only have on-campus jobs funded by the departments opposed to the more available Work Study jobs. Additionally, internationals hold an F-1 visa (different from the J-1 held by exchange students), which does not allow us to work off-campus, unless it is an internship related to a declared major. It is not news to any student that most internships do not pay, but what may be slightly surprising is the lack of job opportunities whatsoever. It is not Rollins’ fault that the American government holds such restrictions, but more opportunities on campus could be life-changing. Judith Salim ’18 is an exchange student from Indonesia and is one of the many affected by the lack of on-campus opportunities. “I wish I could apply for certain jobs, but I can’t consider them because they are labeled as Work-Study,” said Salim.
In fact, most on-campus jobs are labeled Work Study, and since they are government-funded, international students are not eligible. Exceptions include The Sandspur (which pays only a small stipend to its staff), some summer programs, the Phonathon center, tutoring, and most recently WPRK. I work for The Sandspur and have also worked for the Phonathon center and for the Peer Tutoring & Writing Center. These opportunities have helped me in times of need, but none, besides the Phonathon center, provided a stable source of income. Is one job option really enough for a growing population of students? Yes, it is true that we chose this path. None of the international students came here forcibly, and we do understand that the system has its limitations. However, simple improvements could create more opportunities for internationals. Food is another complicated area for those of us who are far from home, especially those who cannot afford to go back during holidays. “Keeping more dining options open during the short breaks would be helpful. The C-Store is the only thing open most holidays,” said Bermudian student Fraser Keill ’17. Summer break can also be an issue. Most of us go back home, not of our own accord, but because we have no other option. I am positive that many internationals would love to get an internship in America, get some experience, and build a resumé. But how is that possible without a car? Or an American driver’s license? Or a Social Security number? Or a house? Or someone to sign a lease? Or a job to afford an unpaid internship? Many times internationals are put in a vicious bureaucratic cycle. I have an international friend from Peru, Alexandra Philco, who succeeded in acquiring both her driver’s license and a car; however, she had to wait for her parents to visit and rent a car for her to use during the driving test (you have to be 24 to rent one). People have asked me why
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
I don’t simply get an internship back home and live with my parents. Well, the problem is that when it is summer here, it is winter back home. This makes getting a summer internship difficult because people are not hiring during that period (I have tried). Moreover, the cost of going back home often equals the cost of staying the entire summer here, renting an apartment and paying for gas. Luckily for me, this year a friend of a friend will rent me a room. I will finally be spared of a boring summer with nothing to do besides watching my friends work and study. But I wonder, what about the unlucky ones? I believe the Rollins community can find better and safer solutions for its students. Last semester, I found myself rambling about my international problems with a sweet counselor from CAPS (the stress from being away from home catches up to me sometimes). After patiently listening to my innumerable sufferings, she told me about an idea she had. Why don’t we set up a program with the purpose of hosting internationals who want to intern during the summer? Local families could give these students the opportunity of staying here, for free. I was hosted by an American family in California when I was in high school. I do not see why the same idea could not apply for international students who need to stay in Orlando. A quick look at the Jobs for Tars website shows that most internships affiliated with Rollins are in the Orlando area. Since 59 percent of Rollins’ students come from out of state (9 percent being international students), I am sure many would benefit from an opportunity like this. It would be a small step toward helping internationals with these issues, and very beneficial for those who want to build a career here. Our community has to find ways not only to bring cultural variety to our campus, but also to allow students who come from far away to live well.
Page 4 • OPINION
Thursday, April 9, 2015
BDSM relationships make sex a vacation Sexpert Kait Alkass explores the benefits and the risks of BDSM relationships and shares where to get involved in Orlando. Kaitlyn Alkass
Columnist
BDSM: Bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism. A fun little way to remember it is with Rihanna’s song “S&M”: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me.” Alternatively, film buffs might remember mathematician Alan Turing’s words: “Man likes violence because it feels good.” And to beat the already beaten dead horse, Fifty Shades of Grey became internationally popular due to Anastasia and Christian’s dominant/submissive sexual relationship. Why is it that, in the most intimate of human interactions, violence is so prevalent? In my opinion, the appeal of BDSM can be explained in the same way that people decide to go on cruise vacations. It is about having a variety of options while
simultaneously not having to make a single decision. Like the many levels of a cruise ship, there are numerous, if not infinite, levels of BDSM relationships. Interested in some handcuffs or silk scarves? Go crazy at Fairvilla on Level 3. Interested in becoming a member of the leather folk? There are groups all over Orlando. Do you get sexual pleasure from being strung up 16 feet above a concrete floor? Head over to The Woodshed in Orlando, a BDSM resort of sorts. I will be at the ice cream machine with the other vanilla couples on Lido deck. The appeal of BDSM, particularly for individuals who prefer to be in a submissive position, is that they are afforded the luxury of not having to think. While getting tied up or restrained with handcuffs and rope might seem a bit extreme just for some peace
and quiet, so is jumping out of a perfectly functional airplane for an adrenaline rush. The two are not much different. A sadist is a person who enjoys giving consensually negotiated pain to produce an endorphin rush. A bungee jumping instructor is someone who enjoys strapping consenting individuals into a strait jacket and encouraging them to jump off a bridge. See? On a cruise, you are paying for the idea that everything will be taken care of for you; cooking, cleaning, transportation, entertainment, and excursions are overseen by the cruise line. You are paying to do nothing and the freeing sensation that comes with having to do nothing. At the beginning of a cruise the overly perky cruise director reiterates this lack of obligations for SEVEN WHOLE NIGHTS onstage, eliciting cheers from
middle-class Americans in the audience. BDSM relationships are about giving up control and putting your safety and sexual pleasure in the hands of someone else. This requires being comfortable with sharing total intimacy at the very early stages of your relationship. This is scary. In a typical “vanilla” relationship, you can keep your walls up for a very long time, gradually letting your significant other see various levels of your personality and emotional vulnerability. BDSM relationships do not allow for that. Due to the fact that these relationships are so physical and can put your health at risk, communication and divulging information is absolutely imperative. In fact, BDSM relationships employ the use of several acronyms that promote open communi-
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
cation between partners so that they understand the three Rs: risks, rewards, and responsibilities. Other acronyms such as RACK (risk-awareness consensual kink) and SSC (safe, sane, consensual) promote BDSM couples to take time to sit down and share their likes and dislikes about various aspects of their relationship, what they want to improve on, what changes they want to make, etc. Master Cecil, owner of The Woodshed in Orlando, defines a BDSM lifestyle as “a trust-based relationship between consenting individuals that is structures in a mutually fulfilling way.” The premise of a trust-based relationship should not only be specific to BDSM relationships. Moreover, the structure of these “alternative” lifestyles could have healthful impacts to even the most “vanilla” of couples.
Page 5 • FEATURES
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Alexis Ryan President of EcoRollins Heather Schleiffer ’15 works with Heather Grove to harvest kale. “I’ve been working closely with the innovators at Fleet Farming this semester and love everything they are doing for the local and organic food movement,” Schleiffer said. Construction is also underway to start a community garden at Rollins, which is said to be completed by the end of the semester.
Promoting Zero Carbon Farming In support of the local food movement, Fleet Farming and Rollins work together to endorse living as waste free as possible. Alexis Ryan
Writer
In today’s world, we often buy and eat food without thinking twice about where it came from or how it was made. Most food travels thousands of miles before making it to our plates and usually comes from large farms that use pesticides and other chemicals to treat bugs and maximize profits. In a nutshell, this is exactly what Fleet Farming and Rollins students are attempting to stop. Inspired by homeowners in the Winter Park area, Fleet Farming utilizes local yards to plot and grow fresh, organic micro-greens
that are then sold at nearby markets and restaurants. Such ventures are supported by East End Market and local members of the larger sustainable advocacy group IDEAS for Us. Gardens are approximately a quarter of an acre in size and are farmed every other Sunday by volunteers and students, including those who attend Rollins. To eliminate the need for large trucks and fuel, bicycles and bike carts are used to access the properties and transport the gardening materials and freshly cut greens. Not only does this minimize costs, but it also helps the group achieve its low-carbon carbon farming objective. Addi-
tionally, Fleet Farming does not use any harsh chemicals on any of its micro-greens, making them fresh, organic alternatives to the heavily treated greens found in stores. Once the greens are harvested, they are brought back for cleaning and then bagged for sale. You can find Fleet Farming produce either at the Local Roots located in East End Market or every Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Audubon Community Market. To become a part of the local food movement, stop by for a SWARM harvesting event or visit a local Fleet Farming distribution center to purchase your favorite greens.
This photoessay was completed as a collaborative assignment between The Sandspur and Dr. Brian Klocke’s class Photojournalism as Activism.
Alexis Ryan Heather Grove, Program Director at Fleet Farming, leads Rollins students by bicycle to various Fleet Farming sites.
Alexis Ryan Ashley Morris ’15 cuts fresh micro-greens for transportation back to East End Market.
Alexis Ryan East End Market, located at 3201 Corrine Drive, is a proud supporter of Fleet Farming.
Page 6 • FEATURES
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Rollins organizations represent at LipSync Organizations take to the dance floor for one of the oldest campus-wide traditions. Ali Perry
Managing Editor
LipSync 2015 was on Monday, April 6, marking yet another passing of one of the most popular campus traditions. Students gathered in the Alfond Sports Center to cheer on their favorite organizations and fellow Tars. The performing groups ranged from members of Greek life to independent groups like CLCE and Rollins Dancers. Each organization crafted their own unique blend of dance and
music, building unique set lists of themed songs. These performances took weeks to put together, demanding the participants invest time into choreography, music choices, and outfits. AOII kicked off the night with a compilation of flightthemed music and Chi-Psi closed, dropping dubstep beats and lip-syncing the infamous Knifeparty hit “Centipede.” CLCE lit up the night with sunglasses and amazing light effects; X-Club brought the bass with a phenomenal entrance and
selfie-worthy exit; Chi-Omega demonstrated brilliantly orchestrated acrobatics, throwing girls high into the air. In the end, no act left the audience wanting and there was tremendous applause for all the organizations. SGA presidential candidates also took to the stage throughout the night, pitching their platforms to the audience for the upcoming elections (April 13-17) . At the end of the night, Chi-Omega received first place with Chi Psi following in second and DZ in third.
Page 7 • FEATURES
Thursday, April 9, 2015
all photos by David Matteson
Page 8 • FEATURES
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Community celebrates Easter on campus An Easter sunrise service behind the Cornell Fine Arts museum drew many members of the community, but few students attended. Brian Barnett
Writer
Over 100 people attended the Easter Sunrise service behind the Cornell Fine Arts Museum Sunday morning at 7 a.m. The service was well attended by Winter Park community members, but not by students of Rollins College. “Easter is everything; without it there is no salvation, no eternal life, no hope,” said Karla Jongema, mother of a Rollins freshman in the Chamber Choir. Rollins holds a sunrise service on Easter to celebrate one of the most significant events in Christian history, the resurrection of Jesus following the crucifixion. To many Christians, this is the most significant holiday of the year, as it represents the reason for their faith.
Rollins hosts a sunrise ser- and surreal feeling to it. Beige, vice every year in connection plastic seats were set up on eiwith the First Congregation- ther side of Reverend Garvey, al Church of Winter Park, the some on the raised patio where church that founded the college. his podium stood and some be“I enjoy the outdoors and the hind him on the grass leading to natural beauty,” said Tom Bark- the lake. The Rollins chamber choir er, whose daughter is a member provided a of FCC. “I always look forbeautiful performance of ward to these several classic Easter morning Easter is hymns that services.” everything; carried genThe service was held without it there is tly down the street in the on the patio no salvation, no behind the Corsweet morning air. Members nell Fine Arts eternal life, of the audience Museum. Surno hope. followed along, rounded by old reading from trees hung with their bright Spanish moss, chirping birds, and a gentle sun- yellow programs that had each rise over the lake. Needless to hymn printed on the pages besay, the service had a peaceful hind the schedule.
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Among this ethereal event of natural beauty, Garvey provided a grounding message on the human aspect of the resurrection story. He asked the congregation to consider the emotional and psychological state of the many people involved in the Easter story upon discovering Jesus was not in the tomb. Garvey titled this message “Terrified.” Despite his fine white robes and the grand nature of Easter, Garvey’s friendly and personable energy made the message accessible. A style that makes him notably different from the previous Dean of the Chapel, Reverend Powers. “Garvey is more casual than Powers was,” said Barker, who has attended the Rollins Easter service for the last five years, “but his message is always good.”
In Brief Over 100 people attended the Easter sunrise service. This is an annual tradition that celebrates one of the most important events in Christian history. The service was held on the patio behind CFAM. Reverend Garvey provided a message on the human aspect of the resurrection story.
Page 9 • FEATURES
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Knowles Chapel opens interfaith space Due to student requests and administrative efforts, Knowles Chapel Rm. 102 will be used as The Center for Spiritual Exploration. Peter Ruiz
hope is that the Interfaith space Writer will be a resource center for information on all of the various After years of work by many faiths that reside at Rollins so we students, particularly in the last can better learn about one anothtwo years, Dylan Allen ’16, presi- er, celebrate our commonalities, dent of Coexist, along with Dean and lovingly honor and respect of the Chapel Shawn Garvey our differences.” have brought an Interfaith space As an educational instituto Knowles Chapel. tion, particularly one which is Reverend Garvey describes based in the liberal arts’ ideal of the space as “an intentional- creating whole, “renaissance” ly designated people, havspace for the ing a space in use of all faith/ which students spiritual praccan explore Allen is working tices and tratheir spiritual ditions for the is paraclosely with SGA selves Rollins commount. munity. It is a Allen is on how to fund safe space in working closethe space and which matters ly with SGA of faith and on how to fund will be seeking spirituality can the space and a committee of be explored, will be seekdiscussed, and students dedicated ing a commitdebated in tee of students to the cultivation dedicated to trust and compassion. It is cultivation and fruition of the the also a space for of the space, prayer, meditaprogramming space. tion, and woraround the ship. Above space, and getall, it is a space ting the neceswhere EVERYONE is welcome.” sary religious and spiritual maThe plan for this space was terials for students of different expedited when Allen intro- religious or spiritual traditions. duced Garvey to the less than He is working on legislation for ideal Interfaith space in the Mills funding; in the chance that this building as well as the campus is not possible, he hopes to use climate survey results regarding this committee of students brainthe issues of faith and spirituali- storm fundraising for the space. ty. Working in tandem with CoAllen said that, “the dediexist, SGA, Dr. Mamta Accapa- cation to getting tasks done is di, Micki Meyer, and President imperative if we want to see this McAllaster, they worked to get a space fully functional by the space that will be known as the Fall.” Center for Spiritual Exploration. This space serves as a markThe main issue that arose er of the changes that will allow was a lack of open spaces on Rollins to serve its students, faccampus; however, they came to ulty, and staff in better ways as the conclusion that this space it seeks to live up to its mission was necessary for a healthy and of “responsible leadership and thriving Rollins College. As a re- global citizenship.” sult, Knowles Chapel’s room 102 Garvey said, “My profound will cease to be a classroom and hope is that in having a dedicatnow be the Center. ed space within the spiritual cenAs a liberal arts school it is ter of Rollins to engage and grow important to have a space where in our spirituality together, we the myriad of spiritual and faith can create a better sense of spirbased communities at Rollins can itual community and be a paracongregate, discuss, and engage digm of how the diverse rainbow in respectful, healthy debates of spiritual colors that constitute around spirituality and faith. the Rollins community can be Garvey said, “In addition to an agent of healing, community, being a far more practical, wel- and ultimately action for the betcoming, and inspiring space, the terment of all.”
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Page 10 • FEATURES
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Surplus replaces last year’s budget deficit Micah Bradley
Staff Writer
In just two years Rollins College has had a $7 million budget turnaround. Last year, the school had a $4 million deficit. This year the school has a surplus of approximately $3 million. The problem? No one has really noticed the shift. The college’s operating budget was around $100 million, but it was increased to $104 million this year. The $4 million increase was due to increasing costs and attempts to keep tuition increases low (between 3 and 4 percent). The $3 million dollar surplus is primarily linked to high enrollment numbers, which the school does not have a lot of control over. The Rollins budget operates on a tuition-dependent model, meaning that a majority of the college’s operating budget comes from student tuition. Each year, Rollins budgets for a certain amount of students to attend the school. This year there were more students than anticipated, both in the fall and in the spring. Rollins budgeted for 1,875 undergraduate day students to enroll in the fall, but had
66 more students than that number, resulting in a $1.2 million surplus. In the spring the college budgeted for 1,811 day students but had 1,882, resulting in a $1.7 million surplus. For comparison’s sake, this year’s freshmen class was the second biggest Rollins has ever had, with 543 incoming freshmen. In Fall 2013, the year of the deficit, Rollins only had 480 incoming freshmen. Now Rollins has a problem: How do we spend the surplus? Instead of being used for improvements or changes on campus, the money will go back into the bank. The school’s reserve funds were used to pay one-time 2 percent stipends to faculty and staff last year instead of giving raises, and the surplus money will help replace those funds. Though the reserves were affected by the shortfall, the school’s endowment was not. Last year Rollins had a very different problem: a deficit of $4 million. The college is still feeling some of the effects of last year’s deficit and subsequent budget cuts. No one was fired due to the budget cuts, but some positions
that were vacated were not re“We never had to go to the filled and some positions were 6 percent, because the 3 percent combined. This resulted in ap- was enough to balance the budproximately seven lay-offs. get. . . Everyone went through “We didn’t put a freeze their budgets,” said Eisenbarth. on hiring, but we told every- “3 percent is not a big hit on opone, ‘When you have a position erating.” that becomes Interim vacant, you President Craig need to assess McAllaster whether or not weighed in Last year the you really need on the issue. to refill this po“We’re having school had a $4 sition,’” said a very good million defecit. Jeffrey Eisenyear, and so barth, Vice we’re using this This year, the President for as an opportuBusiness and nity to tightschool has Finance and en things up. a surplus of Treasurer. We had a very All departliberal interapproximately ments were national trav$3 million. The also asked to el policy that come up with that facproblem? No one meant plans to cut 3 ulty could travhas really noticed el a lot overto 6 percent of their operating seas. We’ve the shift. budgets. Aftightened that ter reviewing up. We’ve also the submitted tightened up plans, it was on programs in decided that every department the community like the Winter should cut 3 percent to balance Park Institute,” he said. the budget, saving the college Despite this year’s surplus, approximately $2 million. the tightening up of 3 percent
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will stay in effect for future budget plans. Other areas that were cut include administrative expenditures and travel expenses. But how has last year’s budget problem affected the students? Not a lot. “The budget reductions certainly didn’t allow us to be as flexible,” said Dr. Mamta Accapadi, Vice President for Student Affairs. “I would love to do more community building kinds of things.” Dr. Accapadi specified that in the future she would like to see more leadership development, multicultural and social justice education, and support for fraternity and sorority life. Even though the school saw such a large entering freshmen class this year, class sizes have not been impacted, and it should be no harder to schedule classes than in previous terms. Rollins has budgeted for an enrollment of 1,875 day students for next year, the same low expectancy that caused a surplus this year. The problem going forward? No one knows exactly how many freshmen will want to come to Rollins next year.
Sororities and fraternities boast increased membership
Kate Stefanski
Writer
Greek life on the Rollins College campus is on the rise. In the last year alone, the school added the sorority Alpha Delta Pi to the ranks of other fraternities and sororities already established on campus, and more new organizations are expected to arrive over the next few years in order to accommodate the growing interest. Even within the existing Greek organizations, new-member classes are growing each year. In recent years a new-member class of 10 to 20 was average while this year’s recruitment boasted new member classes closer to 30. “At the end of recruitment last year, 36 percent of our student body was affiliated. After this year it has jumped to 44 percent,” said Aubrey Frazier, Pan-
hellenic liaison and Community Engagement officer. So why the big increase? Organizations that used to be intimate and tight knit groups are turning into sisterhoods and brotherhoods sized more appropriately for a state school such as UCF where 3000 undergraduate students are involved in Greek life, not a small private school like Rollins. Most Greeks attribute this growth to a social-media-induced Greek explosion. Websites like Total Frat Move (TFM) and Total Sorority Move (TSM) have placed rose-colored glasses on college freshmen everywhere when it comes to Greek life. “It wasn’t really popular when I was a freshman,” said recent Rollins graduate Shelby Revis ’14, “but I think with the growth of TSM and TFM and that image becoming sort of mainstream, it definitely has
helped the numbers.” When a college freshman looks at TSM or TFM, what image are they getting of Greek life? What is this mainstream image? For female college freshmen, the mainstream idea of sorority life, according to TSM, is a mix of shirtless men carrying dogs, 11 drinking games to play while studying for an exam, 24 things only Disney princesses understand, and a guide for going from day drinking to going out at night. For males, TFM has everyone believing that there will always be a gallery of the “Instagram Babe of the Day,” 23 ways to convince a girl to perform oral sex, and a video of old men beating college students at drinking games. Despite the existence of certain chapters of Greek organizations that are truly like TFM and TSM suggest, this is not the true
nature of most Greek organizations. Greek organizations are centered on the idea of finding a group of people who share similar values as well as exploring social and philanthropic avenues in order to develop members as individuals—not getting drunk and hooking up. This explains the draw to rushing, or “trying out” for fraternities and sororities. But what is making members stay? “Sure, TFM and TSM pull people in, but that’s not what people stay for,” said Laura Sullivan ’17, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi at Rollins. “They love the idea of having people to party and act like stereotypical Greeks with, but they stay for the family. They recruit new members because they love their organization because of how it makes them feel, and how it accepts them.”
So how do we separate the Greek image that sororities and fraternities want us to have from things like Animal House and websites such as TFM and TSM? “Things like TSM and TFM and Animal House aren’t accurate,” Sullivan continued. “Once you really get in and figure it out, there’s so much more to it. You realize why you stay when you bond with your brothers or sisters, when you do community service, and when you feel at home in your house.” Although the stereotypical idea of Greeks may be implying the wrong ideas about fraternities and sororities; the growing number of Greeks at Rollins is not due to parties or popularity contests. Rather, it stems from a feeling of solidarity among members and a Greek-wide ability to feel safe, supported, and at home at Rollins that is adding to this growth.
Page 11 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Cummings comments on festival opportunities With hundreds of films in a wide array of categories, the Florida Film Festival presents students with an opportunity to gain perspective in other cultures and artistic medians. Dani Del Pico
Staff Writer
The 24th Annual Florida Film Festival, held on April 10-19, is a celebration of over 170 films that span a variety of genres and categories. Shorts, Documentaries, Florida, International, Retro, Family and the eclectic Midnight films are just a few examples of what you will see at this event. The primary venues are Enzian & Eden Bar, The Copper Rocket and RanGetsu in Maitland, as well as Regal Winter Park Village and Central Park in Winter Park. Enzian is a non-profit organization that is devoted to nurturing a creative and educational culture in Central Florida. By attracting audiences from around the country and beyond, viewers can anticipate an experience that will allow them to engage with others and have an opportunity
to network with a plethora of filmmakers and creative minds alike. Food makes its way into the program with parties featuring buffets, luncheons, Locally Fresh! Farmers market, and evening pitcher shows. Among the free public discussions presented are Film in Florida, Films that Change the World, American Screenwriters and British Madmen and a Filmmaker Forum. Dr. Denise Cummings, professor at Rollins and part of the Council Advisory Board for the Florida Film Festival, reflected on why Rollins students should become more involved in this artistic community, her own personal experience having worked with the festival for over a decade and having taught Film as Art with Dr. O’Sullivan over the past few years. “It is a way that I learn every
year. When you watch that many films, you understand something not only about the tastes and trends of filmmaking, but also what kind of equipment is being used, you can tell all these things,” said Cummings. Cummings continued to explain other good reasons to make the short trip to the film fest from Rollins. “There are all sorts of reasons to head over, like meeting filmmakers and stars. Enzian is not a producer of the film festival that throws a lot of money at stars, but we have been lucky to get a lot of interesting people. Some of the most generous in the past have been John Waters, Jon Voight, Susan Sarandon, and Emma Stone. These people are willing to come out on the patio and just chat with people. Rollins is not the only school that attends this event, so it’s an excellent networking opportunity. We are in a
film rich community here in central Florida,” Cummings said. This year the special guest is actor Sam Rockwell, in attendance for a Question and Answer session after a viewing of the film Moon, of which he is the star. In the fall semester, the Global Peace Film Festival is offered as a course for aspiring filmmakers and activists who wish to not only hone their skills but have a creative outlet for their manifests. For aspiring filmmakers here at Rollins, Dr. Cummings had a few pieces of advice for having your art be shown. “Like Brouhaha, Film Slam is another opportunity for Rollins student work to be submitted. For those students who may be reticent, there are all these wonderful opportunities to gain confidence and to get critiques. I think it’s hard to get an official
submission into the film festival, but I don’t think it’s impossible,” said Cummings. “One of the things that can benefit any student who is making and working in a craft is go see alot, you learn, you have to see a lot of film to understand what’s happening. The medium is still so young. Students have a world of opportunity in front of them; it’s easier to make film now, and there are lots of outlets for it. One of the things that I am passionate about is more inclusive cinema, more voices, more women, and more diversity. Everybody has a story, and that’s what film is about, telling stories.” Tickets may be purchased online, in person or by phone. For more information about the festival and passes, packages and individual tickets, feel free to visit www.floridafilmfestival. com.
VIDA Guitar Quartet earns standing ovation Jonny Scoblionko
Columnist
On Sunday March 29, Rollins College and the Bach Festival hosted a fantastic show in the Tiedtke Concert Hall. The VIDA Guitar Quartet is known for their unique style of classical orchestral musical adaptations. This was my first time seeing a show like this and I was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed myself. The quartet’s captivating performance spanned many genres including classical, opera, and even a bit of rock and roll. The first set featured some longer pieces and demonstrated the group’s undeniable synergy. Throughout the set, the guitars sounded as though their melodies cascaded into each other, uniting to find the perfect harmony. The set began with a wonderful rendition of “March: Seventeen Come Sunday” from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “English Folk Song Suite.” Following the opener was a surprise
rendition of Bach’s“Brandenberg Concerto No. 3” (in honor of the Bach Festival). The next segment featured four movements from Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony, Op. 4.” The highlight of the set came at the end when the quartet showcased one of the most impressive musical adaptations I have ever seen: George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” played on four guitars. I was astonished with how true to the arrangement they were and how much they were able to capture the original color of the piece; I felt as though I was in New York City in the middle of the night. After a brief intermission, VIDA retook the stage and performed one more magical set. They began with Pierre Attaingnant’s “Six Dances.” Each of the six movements were unique in sound, but all shared a very romantic feel. Next, the quartet performed Johannes Brahms’ “Hungarian Dances Nos. 1,3, & 5.” The final portion of the set was a dedicated opera as the quar-
tet played “Carmen Suits” f r o m Georges Bizet’s classic “Carmen.” After a standing ovation, VIDA returned to stage for an encore. Surprising everyone, they announced that their final piece would be a British Rock Medley. In what was without a doubt the most fun segment of the afternoon, numerous people were dancing to the music; it was beautiful. The medley featured “Pinball Wizard” (The Who); “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen); “Clocks” (Coldplay); “Paint it Black” (Rolling Stones); “That’s All” (Genesis); “Another Brink in the Wall” (Pink Floyd); and “Strawberry Fields” (the Beatles); all of these covers culminated into a final jam sequence. After the medley, the audience erupted in applause, and smiles filled the concert hall. It was certainly a fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Page 12 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TALK
Chris Sarafian
Columnist
After 17 years of reclusiveness, Monica Lewinsky has reemerged with a new mission. While the Clinton scandal’s dust settled, Lewinsky fled to the United Kingdom to escape public shame. She has popped up periodically over the past two decades, whether with a handbag line or a reality show, in hopes of redeeming her reputation and reinventing herself. With ost of her endeavors failing, Lewinsky dedicated her time to acheiving a Masters in Psychology from the London School of Economics in 2006. Lewinsky put her knowledge to good use this past March, delivering a TEDTalk entitled “The Price of Shame.” The 22-minute speech veers from any topic typically associated
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Lewinsky returns to the spotlight
with her name; for the most part, it disregards the gritty details of “Monicagate,” focusing instead on the internet, cyber-bullying, and the invasion of privacy. Lewinsky cites the death of Rutgers student Tyler Clemente as the inspiration behind her anti-bullying advocacy; Clemente took his life in 2010 after his roommate videotaped a sexual encounter between him and another man, then uploaded it to the internet. Lewinsky describes the effect of Tyler’s death on both her and her mother: “[My mom] was gutted with pain in a way that I just couldn’t quite understand. . . I realized she was reliving 1998 . . . a time when she sat by my bed every night . . . made me shower with the bathroom door open . . . a time when [my family] feared that I would be humiliated to death, literally.”
Lewinsky dubs herself “patient zero” of the cyber-bullying epidemic. Like Tyler, Lewinsky endured endless ridicule due to technology. “Tyler’s . . . death was a turning point for me. It served to re-contextualize my experiences. [I began] to look at the world of humiliation and bullying around me and see something different. In 1998, we had no way of knowing where . . . the internet would take us. Since then, it has connected people in unimaginable ways . . . but the darkness, cyber-bullying, and slut-shaming that I experienced had mushroomed,” says Lewinsky. “Every day online people, especially young people who are not developmentally equipped to handle this, are so abused and humiliated that they can’t imagine living to the next day, and some, tragically, don’t, and there’s nothing virtu-
al about that.” Lewinsky hopes to use her experiences to put an end to online bullying and internet-humiliation. In our post 9-11 world of gossip rags, celebrity bloggers, and social media, cyber-bullies need not look far for a victim. Unlike his playground predecessor, the cyber-bully has access to more cunning methods of torture. Wall scrawl might seem minute in comparison to having one’s nude pictures uploaded to Tumblr. Stories of photo hacks have even trickled their way into mainstream news and pop culture, particularly in the case of Jennifer Lawrence and the 100 other celebrities whose personal pictures found their way onto the internet. A newer form of humiliation called “doxxing” has gained momentum in recent months. Doxxers research a per-
son, either through social media or search engines, accumulate personal information, and publish their findings online. Information might include phone numbers to employers, schools, or family members. Some doxxers will contact academic institutions and employers in an attempt to have their victims punished, expelled, or fired. Lewinsky’s speech comes at an opportune time. The internet’s growth affords the cyber-bully a vast array of weaponry to use against his target. Lewinsky seeks to emphasize the possible consequences of this toxic, tech society. Lewinsky makes no excuse for her actions and admits to her mistakes. Through her anti-cyber-bullying advocacy, however, she seeks a social, cultural, and technological revolution in which mistakes no longer define lifetimes.
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