Issue 17, Volume 122 Thursday, February 25, 2016
Rollins
Rollins Reacts to Thespian Diversity page 6
Page Page #2 •• SECTION NEWS
Thursday, September 11, 2014 Thursday, February 25, 2016
Rollins promises more on-campus jobs
Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
CONTENT STAFF Amanda Hughes Head Copy Editor Esteban Meneses Barbara Padilla Copy Editors
Minoska Hernandez Raquel Leon Section Editor Christina Fuleihan Sianna Boschetti Staff Writer Eric Hilton News Intern Nolan Brewer Kalli Joslin Web Assistants
DESIGN DEPARTMENT Shaayann Khalid Head Designer
Caroline Arrigoni Zoe Kim Kayla Powers Designers Natalie Hayes Photographer
BUSINESS & FACULTY
Greg Golden General Manager of Student Media David Neitzel Business Manager Eva Weingarten Ashley Cruces Business Assistants Taylor McCormack Managing Director of Video Julian Sullins Lilly El-hamouly Delivery Assistants
PUBLIC RELATIONS Anneliese Duprey Social Media Manager
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to learn and gain as much experience as possible. With a normal job that’s not on-campus, I think the employers aren’t too focused on making sure that you learn a lot from the work you do.” For any questions concerning student employment or career advice—how to make an excellent résumé, how to succeed in an interview—the Center for Career and Life Planning is available to help.
On-campus job openings Summer event coordinators Project Custodians Work Study: Fraternity & Sorority Life Work Study: Lifeguard Peer Mentors Hall Directors
Accepts R-Cards! “My favorite is spinach, tomato, and feta”
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Despite an increase in on-campus job opportunities projected to continue next semester, Rollins has experienced a decline in the number of student employment applications submitted. Denisa Metko and Norah Peréz from the Office of Student Employment stated that the decrease in applications most likely stems from the misconception that there are no positions available. In the summer of 2016, Rollins plans to increase the number of on-campus student employment opportunities. A new program called the Frueauff Student Employment Program will create 10 part-time student positions. Wages are $10 per hour, with an increase to $3,000 for yearly compensation. The program is also available for students who qualify for workstudy and for international students, who are usually ineligible for work-study. The positions offered by the program will help students gain professional experience and engage in career exploration and preparation. Requirements include the ability to take on a leadership position for a specific program or event, such as SPARC (Service, Passion, Action, Rollins College) Day, to handle complex tasks and projects, and to supervise and train other student employees. Following the introduction of the Frueauff Student Employment Program, student interest has increased. The total amount of student job postings online went from 100 in fall 2014 to 116 in fall 2015. The number of applications went from 675 in fall 2014, to 779 in fall 2015, a 15.4% increase. For students, there are many benefits to working on- rather than off-campus. “They totally understand that we do more than just work. If I need to see a professor or go to lunch, they’ll let me,” said Maeci Simmons ’18. Barbara Padilla ‘18 had similar thoughts: “It’s different [working on campus] but comforting in that I know that I work with a team that really wants me
The positions offered by the program will help students gain professional experience and engage in career exploration and preparation.
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Micah Bradley Editor-in-Chief Lauren Waymire Managing Editor Stephanie Garcia Production Manager
A new student employment program promises to bring over ten new on-campus job opportunities for work-study and international student alike.
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EXECUTIVE STAFF
Page 3 • OPINION
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The problem with standardized tests Writer Ariana Simpson argues that graduate programs should not rely on the GRE to assess incoming applicants. Ariana Simpson
Writer
It is without a smidgen of humor or banter that I say I absolutely hated my senior year of high school. Junior year was incredible, but it was similar to all the years of education that came before it. There was one thing that I loathed throughout this entire time—standardized testing. Whether I was taking a statewide assessment such as the FCAT, or making the 7 a.m. drive to a neighboring high school to take the dreaded SAT, I disliked every standardized test. Senior year of high school, in spite of its magical and fleeting essence, proved to be the boundary beyond which I would no longer be subjected to assessments that seemingly determined so much of my future. Irrelevant to the premise of this op-ed, I was above adequate at standardized testing and most of the time did fairly well in spite of my vocalized loathing , which was echoed by my peers, and what I believe to be severe weakness in math. To continue with my allusive memoir: I was ecstatic about the execution of administered academic examinations. Oddly enough, I began trying just a bit harder in school; surely you know the phenomenon well. I asked my friend if I could borrow her SAT book. I looked at it exactly once, and now its outdated dusty pages sit on the shelf in my closet. From time to time, I wonder of how much its resell value has decreased over the years. I decided I probably could afford to not sleep for the first hour of practice questions. It is with great pride that I reflect on my numerically-scored successes won by fighting off weariness. Awesome. At some point within senior year I had completed my last ‘prove-how-great-you-areto-the-institution’ mission. College is no different. The GRE has now become a fretted subject matter that I thought I could evade... alas; I was mistaken. When I became a senior, I
started to see Facebook statuses flooded with laments and monologues regarding the GRE. At first I dismissed them as I had when I was in high school. I kept on ignoring the complaints because the only peers of mine I heard proclaiming the stresses of the GRE were majoring in hard science. For me, my concern is get-
“
These types of standardized examinations are really just limited evaluations of intelligence that aim to define an individual from a select few hours of test-taking at some typically-too-early time of day.
ting published, leading, perfecting my craft, becoming fluent in theories, and all that great stuff. If you haven’t been able to tell already, I am slowly revealing my absolute freaking ignorance to the fact that I actually had to take the GRE To me, the GRE and LSAT honestly became synonymous, as I rarely heard one referenced to without the other. A friend in a similar major to mine told me that essentially I would have to take the GRE to go to grad school. Well, more than anything, it was surely a prompting catalyst to get the motivation ball rolling. In the interest of completing grad school applications—due soon after—I started looking and re-looking over graduate programs at institutions and their prerequisites. Lo and behold, anteceding the colon, digits, and plus sign for every single program but one starred the irksome
three-letter exam. The GRE had come back to haunt me. GREeat. GREeat. GREEEEeat. (Is my sarcasm registering yet?) The weekend that followed was the practice GRE, which I saw the aforementioned friend off to, and while I pondered over my not-so-immediate future as someone who is set on attending graduate school, I guess you could say I filled with rage. Again? I would have to take another form of standardized testing? For one, I was fairly upset that I was never really administered this crucial information. But not only that! I had to unwillingly accept the fact that the GRE was comprised of two central topics: Math and English. Regardless of anyone’s fields of study and understanding, how could someone possibly be judged as adequate or inadequate for a graduate program solely on the evaluation of so few subject matters? Outside of math and language studies, there are infinite other programs, such as those in the social sciences or fine and performing arts, that are not dependent on your memory of finding the area of an isosceles triangle. These types of standardized examinations are really just limited evaluations of intelligence that aim to define an individual from a select few hours of test-taking at some typically-too-early time of day. This push for students to get the highest of degrees possible is inevitable in today’s society. An associate’s degree is simply not enough, and your bachelor’s just might not cut it anymore. There remains the terrifying possibility that after toiling for your four—or more—years of undergrad, you may not successfully achieve the marks needed to get into your desired graduate program. It could just be my own personal cynicism, but the importance graduate schools place on something not representative of one’s understanding and potential is completely crazy to me. A bad test score does not equate to a lack of talent or ability.
Verve for your verbs How can replacing commonplace verbs with vivid ones completely transform the meaning of a sentence, giving it drama and character? Heather Tufford
Writer
There is more put into creating succinct and beautiful prose than one would think. After several years of doing everything but writing, I have become a fledgling writer. I never suspected that words coming directly from my brain needed revision, revamping, and reduction, much less that I would need to analytically examine the words I was using! I naïvely thought editing would make them somehow less “mine.” Words have power to create images that transform and inspire others, so it makes sense to be precise and rethink the diction we employ. Not only must our stories make sense for the reader, but they should also engage her interest, using flow, tone, and cohesion. In “English 374: Editing Essentials”, I wanted to explore how using diverse and vivid verbs could completely transform my sentences, making them far more enticing to readers. Verbs conjure! They are the drama; the action; the pace. When being simplistic in creating detail, we are prone to using state-of-being, or common verb phrases, which are less interesting, sometimes unneeded, and, more often than not, could be replaced with thought- or picture-provoking verbs. I like consuming writing that entices imagination, like this passage from The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides: “The sky grew darker, and light abandoned the daytime, so that we found ourselves always moving in a timeless murk, the only way to discern the hour the taste of our burps, tooth-pasty in the morning, redolent in the afternoon of the jellied beef of school cafeteria meals.” A changed verb transforms an ordinary sentence, giving it movement and drama and verve.
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
Consider the following two sentences: “This dress was something new for Sadie that she could wear to celebrations and look enticing in for Jack.” “Magnificently new, and alluring, Sadie’s dress fit perfectly for celebrations and would knock the socks off of Jack.” Here, I transformed the sentence by using “fit perfectly” in place of the verb “was,” eliminated “could wear” (dull!), and substituted a figurative phrase, “would knock the socks off” in place of “look”. Of course, it all depends on the tone you wish to achieve, as well the picture you want to paint. Using different forms of verbs can transform language and ramp up audience interest level. Everyone’s idea of “knock your socks off” is different, but it is always good! Verbs also help determine tense and style, belonging, and attributes. There are different meanings for the same verb; you can sound upset, sound the horn, or be safe and sound. In those examples, the word “sound” becomes a verb: Jill sounded upset; the horn sounded to alert him. This business of learning grammar is quite complicated at times. Essentially, the identified verb, or verb phrase, determines all other parts of speech in the sentence. It is the active or passive state that determines who does what. In writing, we get to decide the picture we create; it remains the writer’s choice, but we often assume the reader’s competence. The ability of a great writer to determine what will best capture and retain the reader’s imagination does not come without repeated revisions. I have begun the lifelong process of learning and becoming grammatically adept.
Page 2 •• SECTION NEWS Page #4 OPINIONS
Thursday, September 11, 2014 Thursday, February 25, 2016
Why we lost The Great Debate Christina Fuleihan
Staff Writer
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the Rollins’ Great Debate was held. The Proposition, represented by the Rollins Debate Team, argued that conflict between the U.S. and China was not only unavoidable, but also in full-swing; the Opposition, represented by the Beijing Foreign Affairs Debate Team, argued that conflict, regardless of existing tensions, was very much avoidable. I stood by the Opposition that said “armed conflict,” at least, is preventable. Most of the world might agree that such conflict is neither desirable nor necessary. In my opinion, the Opposition’s argument lacked substance and evidence that would have convinced me of their claims. For instance, the Beijing Foreign Affairs Debate Team’s presumption that media outlets would serve as representatives of the people, encouraging better relations and diffusing tensions, rang very false to me. As recent events have shown, the “news” is rarely unbiased, and political leaders have
often depended on war propaganda to influence the masses. In China, internet censorship is readily practiced, and journalists like Mr. Pu have been jailed for remarks they posted on social media sites. Unsubstantiated claims like these made for unforgivable blunders and were quite common in the Opposition’s reasoning. “Corrupted idealism,” as the Proposition referred to it, is prevalent throughout the Opposition’s arguments; while idealism is admirable in most circumstances, it does not make for a good argument when no evidence is presented in support of this overly-simplified version of private vs. national interests. The Beijing Foreign Affairs team did present certain stimulating points, though, namely regarding their claim that all countries have competing interests on certain issues—so, tensions between China and America are not as unique as they are made out to be. Also, the Opposition’s choice to define conflict (in the context of this debate) as “armed encounters,” rather than political and pre-existing tensions, result-
ed in an interesting discussion. The Rollins’ Debate Team, however, presented a much stronger case that relied heavily on historical evidence and ongoing political tensions. Many members of the audience were shocked when the judges announced that the Beijing Foreign Affairs Team had won. Many people that I talked to reached conclusions that the debaters’ long flight from China, language barriers, and the judges’ reluctance to support a case that would presuppose conflict as an inevitable consequence of foreign relations (developed vs. developing nations) were heavily taken into consideration when determining the winner. I cannot make any firm assertions, only an attempted justification concerning the win by considering the appeal of the Opposition’s idealism versus the Proposition’s reluctance to admit potential for future compromise. While I do not begrudge the Opposition of its win, in my opinion, the notion of true debate, as a learning tool meant for stimulation and exposure, may have been undermined.
Photo by Josh David
Rollins women react to ‘legalizing rape’ Jasmine Kitterman
Writer
When you write about news and lifestyle, inspiration can hit you at any moment. And when it hits, the feeling can range from Christmas-morning, childish joy to the gut-wrenching pain when you realize that all Santa left was days-of-the-week undies. This time, my inspiration was of the latter kind. Scrolling through my Facebook feed, I could not help but notice that there was a type of hysteria over a “pro-rapist” gathering. Thinking it was a radical group of five men who live in their parents’ basement, I continued scrolling, since I felt confidently that nobody in his right mind could possibly think that legalizing rape would do anyone any good. Well, I was wrong. Exiting Facebook, my phone lit up with a text from my boyfriend asking if I had heard of the story. Coming from somebody who is not obsessed with social media, it clicked that this was something actually newsworthy. I said I would check it out later, but then more and more people I encountered were talking about
this meet-up. It was too good to be true. When I finally did research, I fell into a bottomless pit of neo-masculine propaganda found on the website of Roosh V, the self-proclaimed leader of a hyper-masculine group named “Return of Kings”. Scrolling through endless headlines that praise men and degrade women, it was unfathomable to think that in 2016 there were more than 40,000 radical people who subscribed to ideas like “gender equality is a myth that has no scientific basis,” or that American girls are the worst because “they’re obsessed with cupcakes.” I’m not making this stuff up. I really wish I were. The writer in me began to write a response about how ridiculous this group was, but something was missing. I did not want to give the group or Roosh V undeserved attention through criticism; the press was giving him enough of that—I just wanted to laugh. I asked a few women from the staff at The Odyssey to meet me the next day to watch a video about rape. This video was none other than Roosh V’s justification video for the legalization of rape
on private property, entitled “The Truth Behind ‘Rape Culture’ Hysteria”. In this video he talks about “fake rape,” women “self-drugging themselves with alcohol,” how men are being victimized through the idea of rape culture and more. I captured five women’s initial reactions. To summarize: they were not pleased. College women are at a particularly vulnerable stage in their lives; one in four women will be raped during their academic journey. With this in mind, the women filmed cannot help but feel strong emotions toward the content. The same applies to both sides of the argument. So when The Odyssey’s Kate Stefanski ’17 yelled “God forbid he loses his job,” in response to the consequences of rape, Roosh V’s followers yell “Redo it with women attractive enough to come into contact with men, then their opinions might actually matter something.” As a journalist, you live by the rule “if you’re pissing people off, you’re probably doing it right”. The expletive is probably in there because this rule does not apply to men who write comments about someone in this video having “Down’s syn-
drome” [sic] a serious mental disease! Anyway, these types of comments were to be expected. But then I started getting notifications that there was a flood of comments rushing in. There were not only one or two misogynistic viewpoints, but hundreds. I was informed that a commenter had tweeted Roosh V the link to the video and after he retweeted the link to his 21,000 followers, angry men attacked the comments section. Soon the video had a ratio of 76 dislikes to 16 likes, 135 comments, and more than 2,000 views. Comments ranged from calling the women in the video unattractive “slaves” to questioning why college women’s opinion matters or “why we let women vote”. Most of these commenters hide behind a pseudonym and meme for a profile picture, which is extremely brave of them. (Hope you caught that heavy sarcasm.) I still succeeded in my goal to laugh, because I had a great time recording the reactions of hard-working and intelligent women. It was also amusing to watch these men get all flustered and irritated while they ironically commented on the emotionali-
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
ty of women. How anyone could feel that legalizing rape would help anybody other than rapists is beyond my comprehension. They must have reached a state of critical analysis that I will never attain—even after receiving my diploma in May. We have not yet responded to these men because we do not feel the need to defend ourselves. These are our opinions as females, to which we are entitled. Our predecessors fought 80 years for our suffrage and even longer for gender equality. It is now our turn to take a stand. We will not let these ideas of misogyny continue to be perpetuated in our culture. But we may have a few laughs in the meantime. Scan the QR code below to watch the video.
Page 5 • FEATURES
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The importance of scholarships Rollins College places an emphasis on scholarships and their ability to help students impact the world through education. Christina Fuleihan
Staff Writer
Merit and talent-based scholarships at Rollins College can range from $2,000 to full tuition, room, and board (valued at more than $58,760). Rollins scholarships include the Dean’s Scholarship, the Alonzo Rollins Scholarship, Presidential Scholarships, Centennial Scholarships, and the Donald J. Cram Science Scholarships, among others. Fifty-eight percent of Rollins students currently have scholarships. In addition, some students receive supplemental state and federally funded scholarships. There are also many other resources for scholarships available through specefic departments, as
well as outside scholarships accessible. “The great thing about Rollins scholarships is that they do not only emphasize academics but also a strong focus on how to give back to the community and provide service for others,” said Scott Novak, a senior and Alfond Scholar. “I have seen many Rollins scholarship recipients use that opportunity to enter the world in ways they never could have without that scholarship.” Upon acceptance to the college, all applicants are considered for various Rollins scholarships. Of the $22 million given to our students in scholarships, $5 million comes directly from donors. On Wednesday, February
19, student scholars were able to meet some of the donors that make their education at Rollins College possible. The event was held in Galloway Room, in Mills Memorial Hall. “Rollins wouldn’t be Rollins without the scholarships that enable our students to attend,” said President Grant Cornwell. “Every great college has a foundation of philanthropy, and Rollins is no exception. It’s our donors that make our mission possible.” Rollins’ “foundation of philanthropy” has empowered alumni and current students to become innovative and comprehensive leaders all over the world. Rollins has an extensive alumni network. At the reception, Bonny Fish-
er-Pruit, a senior Holt student, described how her scholarship has given her the opportunity to complete her “40-year plan” after various impediments—years of working as a retailer and in restaurants and starting a family—had disrupted her plans to obtain a degree. Not only do scholarships provide the means and tools for success; they also give students self-confidence to achieve their visions. Courtney Banker ‘16, also an Alfond Scholar, was chosen to represent her peers at the Celebration of Scholarships Reception as the host of the event. “By being recipients of scholarships or endowed positions, you have been acknowledged as someone who is worth it. You are
worth it. Remember this, during times of immense challenge, discomfort, and failure, that others know you will ultimately bring good to the world,” Banker said during her opening speech. The same philosophy can apply to all members of the Rollins student body – whether they serve in faculty or student positions. As Banker continued, “There is no better gift than one that is a testament to your value and an investment in your abilities. You have been afforded one of the most sought-after things in the world: an education. Indeed, this education is more than special; it is a phenomenal opportunity, a privilege, and the most hopeful, peaceful, and powerful weapon we have.”
Finding connections for student veterans This semester marks the inception of the Student Veteran Association, a group that hopes to help immerse student veterans into the Rollins campus. Ariana Simpson
Writer
Rollins College has the privilege of being the institution of choice for many student veterans. However, while many undergraduate and graduate students who have served or are currently serving attend Rollins, there was something the college was still not offering them. Where is the communal solidarity to help student veterans with needs to which civilian students cannot relate connect, engage, and transition? This semester marks the genesis of the Student Veterans Association (SVA). It was in October, as a result of a reception for veterans hosted by the Department of Student Affairs, which but two students attended, when the question arose, “What can be done to better support student veterans at Rollins College?” The discourse regarding this recognized need took off. The organization is representative of all branches of
service, diverse age groups, different family backgrounds, and both men and women. The executive board of the SVA at Rollins is also comprised of this diverse group, along with students from each of the various Rollins schools. President Carlos Cuevas EMBA F-36, a former Marine, is a Crummer graduate student and was one of the two present at the aforementioned October reception that acted as a catalyst for the organization. Paul Allen ‘17, former Marine and Arts & Sciences day student, serves as vice president. Daniel Mock ‘18, a United States Army veteran and also an Arts & Sciences student, is the director of veteran’s advocacy. Jordan Lorenzen, director of events and community outreach, is a Holt student and former Marine. Rachel Moen ‘18, formerly of the U.S. Navy, is also an Arts & Sciences student and the organization’s treasurer. As stated by Mock, “we need to create a better environ-
ment for student veterans to integrate into society and society to help integrate us as well. In an ever-changing world, the veterans have to keep up or else we’ll fall behind, as we can see with the rising homeless numbers and other various issues facing the veteran demographic.” One of the premises that the members of the executive board emphasized was the fostering of opportunities for greater involvement of student veterans. “A lot of students don’t really know how to talk to veterans or really feel that desire, or that sense of commonality. So what ends up happening is that a lot of veterans more or less isolate themselves or vice versa. It just builds on the stigma rather than tearing down the source; so by in cooperating [with SVA] at Rollins College, we can get rid of it,” Allen said, to which Mock echoed in agreement, recounting the objective of “breaking down barriers”. The mission of the SVA, as outlined in its constitution is to
“advocate for the collective interests of all student veterans of the armed forces and those who support them”. Its goals are to foster camaraderie among the veteran community in order to provide academic, professional, and personal support; ensure that all military-affiliated students attending Rollins College have access to all the benefits entitled to them; promote communication and interaction among the Rollins veteran community, student body, faculty and staff, and associated organizations in order to maintain a healthy college experience; and introduce the SVA to a network of student veterans across America by creating an official chapter with the Student Veterans of America. “Once a veteran recognizes another veteran it’s like we’ve known each other for years,” said Allen With the semester at a fresh start, other goals of the organization, besides gaining membership, include the establishment of a student veterans’ service
center on campus. An eminent constituent of Rollins’ mission statement, SVA plans to extend their outreach into the community, either through outside nonprofit organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, or through connections with surrounding universities, such as the University of Central Florida. Through the formation of the organization and each individual’s background, there is also a hope to shed light on issues that the veteran community faces, including those concerning health care and employment. “Veterans, when they’re together, feel comfortable having that camaraderie and being able to have somebody that you can relate to, especially in a college environment,” said Allen, highlighting the sentiment of the SVA. Through the birth of the SVA and its anticipated growth over the year, it is exciting to welcome student veterans to Rollins in a way that is supportive and representative of their needs and community.
Page 6 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Rollins reacts to diversity at the Oscars and within theatre on campus And the Oscar goes to...
Nicolas Nagaoka
Columnist
It is that time again—the Academy has picked out what they consider the best films of the past year. This article constitutes my speculations on who and what will win in the most competitive categories. (Disclaimer: I was not able to see all the films nominated for an Oscar.) Best Cinematography The Revenant, without a doubt, has the best cinematography I have seen in a long time. Alejandro G. Iñárritu and his cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki nailed every aspect of visual fidelity and beauty. From the very beginning, the film completely envelops you in its world; the feeling of cold and chaotic violence in The Revenant is portrayed with the best that visual effects can offer. If The Revenant is to lose all other categories, this is the one that I believe it will win with full confidence. Best Director As much as I love George Miller, Iñárritu is insanely dedicated. Not only did some of his crew leave due to Iñárritu’s filming conditions, but he also put one of Hollywood’s most prominent actors into some of the harshest physical scenes he had ever experienced. This was all done for the sake of his art. He did not cut corners or use CGI, as the producers had originally intended. He went out of his way to create something that was beautiful and visually awe-inspiring; I suspect Iñárritu may go home with more than one award. Best Actor in a Supporting Role Those of you who read my Bridge of Spies review know that Mark Rylance’s Rudolf Abel was (in my opinion) the best part of the film. Rylance created an intriguing character filled with both mystery and moral ambiguity, and whether you hated Abel or rooted for his release, Rylance brought an incredible character that sorely needed more screen time, but made an impact nonetheless.
Best Actress in a Supporting role Sadly, the nominees in this category that I have seen in this year’s films were not too strong. However, the one that I was not able to see was Rooney Mara as Carol in the film Carol. Even though I was unable to see this film, I believe that she is the best option—the other candidates were good, but not excellent. Best Actor in a Leading Role While this was a close tie between Michael Fassbender and Leonardo DiCaprio, I have to give the actor to DiCaprio. DiCaprio is fantastic in The Revenant, showing a more visceral and physically ravenous version of himself. While I prefer the eccentric insanity that was DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street, this was still one of his most captivating roles. His physicality is what gives this performance such a distinctive edge over the other nominees. Best Actress in a Leading Role Saoirse Ronan (pronounced “sur-sha”) was an incredible surprise. The last time she was seen in a leading role was Hanna. However, this more dramatic role and a mature storyline that touched many immigrants displayed an amazing transformation. Ronan tells the story of a young and scared Irish girl who becomes a strong-willed woman in this believable and interesting tale of growth and alienation in a foreign country. Best Picture The biggest category of the Academy Awards is also an incredibly close race, but I have to give this to Mad Max: Fury Road. This is the best film that I have seen all year, mainly due to the fact that Mad Max: Fury Road is repping my favorite genre: action. This movie stands up to critics who say that action films are all nonsensical violence and gore. The characters, the cinematography, the costume design, and the action sequences tell a story of a world that has died and lives again in whatever insane filth is left.
Many complaints have been aimed at the Oscars for its lack of diversity in nominees. Rollins students and professors alike discuss ways to promote diversity in film and theatre. Nicolas Nagaoka
Columnist
Growing up, I had a passion to act in theatre. When I was 12, I aspired to win an Academy Award. It did not take long to realize, however, that this dream was not something that I could really achieve. I watched the Oscars; I have seen the actors who win and the roles that they play. I looked in the mirror and only saw one thing: my race. I am Asian, and I was pre-programmed to think that I could only be a martial arts master or a racially insensitive token character. I watched films knowing that there is not one person of my race who is at the same level as Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Colin Firth, Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, and so many others. What chance did I stand, as an aspiring young actor, to be not the next Jackie Chan but the next Eddie Redmayne? The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite has been trending since the announcement of the 2016 Oscar nominees. The Academy’s nomination of only white actors and actresses, for the second year in a row, caused an outrage. Dr. Bill Boles, an English professor who also teaches film and writing screenplays and plays here at Rollins, thinks that the diversity problem is not a result of the decisions of the Academy, but rather where the films come from. “While the movement has gotten a lot of media attention and headlines in major papers, they really are going after a group that has no authority or control over the movies that are made,” said Boles. “The Oscars really can’t do anything about who is cast in movies and whether the film is diverse enough. The people greenlighting the projects are, no doubt, white and the only diverse actors they want to see in films are named Denzel, Samuel, Will, Morgan, Chiwetel—maybe Idris, and most of them are getting up in age. They aren’t interested in hiring female directors or directors of color. It’s really
not the fault of the Oscars. It’s the people with the money.” Boles is not alone in this idea. Casey Casteel ‘16, a prominent student actor in the theater department here at Rollins, also shares the same sentiments with Dr. Boles. “I don’t think the Academy is to blame, I think the issues lie with what movies are being produced and the casting directors for movies. Off the top of my head, the new movie coming out February 26, Gods of Egypt, I believe to be cast very unfairly... This sits as one of hundreds of examples of ‘popular’ big name actors being cast to portray roles that should go to those that fit the description,” said Casteel. Dr. Hilary Cooperman, a recent addition to the theater department, thinks that there is still improvement to be done in the Academy itself, and how criteria are measured. “The criteria with which nominations are made should also be defined and more transparent,” said Cooperman. “An older, white, wealthy man may have a very different response to a movie that features an experience he relates to in comparison with a younger woman of color who is working to make ends meet as an acting instructor. Both may be excellent judges of talent, but their experiences and what they wish to see represented and recognized may be vastly different. The Academy needs to make a concerted effort to not only be representative of the racial diversity in this country, but also to represent diverse experiences, socio-economic levels and overall backgrounds.” She continued, “I read that they are working towards diversifying their membership to include 14 percent people of color and 48 percent women by 2020 (“Oscars Reflect Pervasive Racism,” Uwire, 25 Jan 2016). In my opinion, this is a very weak attempt to improve the diversity of the Academy and will not achieve much impact on who is nominated due to the other factors in all facets of the mov-
ie-making industry mentioned above.” While prominent figures like director Spike Lee (Malcom X, 25th Hour) are boycotting the Oscars, what is the theater department on campus doing to respond to the need for diversity in theatrical entertainment here at Rollins College? “The theatre department tries its best to pick plays that feature strong women protagonists, female playwrights, and plays that offer a variety of different viewpoints and ways of thinking. We do our best to cater to the demographic of our department and are always striving to choose plays that give our actors equal opportunity to participate and get involved,” said Casteel. According to the theatre department, they have recently added classes with more diverse content. Examples of this include “Global Theater”. There are also new courses within the Rollins Foundation in the Liberal Arts, which look at issues such as “Shakespeare’s A.R.S.E”, which focuses on racism and sexism in Shakespeare’s time. “Rollins theatre is doing well in terms of diversity on and off the stage, but it can get better. I think our professors in the department want to see us become more diverse and are taking the steps to make it happen. But the only way it will get there is if our school gets better at diversifying its student body,” said Alexandria Crawford ‘16, a theatre major. While the future is murky for the film industry, I hope that the next generation of actors, directors, and producers will push for diversity in film. The future actors and directors that come from this college and other colleges around the world will help shape the next era of the entertainment industry.I never felt like I had the chance to become something big because of what I saw in the mirror. I hope that the next generations of actors, both on campus and in Hollywood, see talent and passion, rather than color and ethnicity.
Page 7 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, February 25, 2016
‘Expecting Isabel’ a huge success The Annie Russell Theater recently held the play ‘Expecting Isabel’ which left viewers pleasantly shocked and wanting more. Christina Fuleihan
Staff Writer
The audience for Expecting Isabel laughed and cried, but was above all moved by the extent to which the characters’ stories resonated as true. Amidst expressions of “I loved it” and “what a great performance”, some of the older members of the audience could be heard discussing family members who had experienced similar struggles and exclaiming how they had “lived through parts of the story” themselves. Mary Robinson, one of the audience members during Friday’s opening night performance, expressed how “very truthful and authentic” the production was in depicting the life-long journey of an infertile couple battling disappointment after disappointment.
In the program’s “Note from the Director”, Director Dr. David Charles agreed that the reactions from community members were especially moving. “In undertaking our journey to bring Lisa Loomer’s Expecting Isabel to the stage, I am struck by the stories that emerged: colleagues and member of our community bravely shared with the company tales of infertility, the foster care system, and domestic and international adoption.” Despite all of this, Expecting Isabel’s final message is one of faith, hope, and the newfound realization that sometimes things are just not meant to be. Expecting Isabel was intended for mature audiences only, because strong language and darker concepts do make up a significant portion of the play. However, the characters’
struggles, brought to life by the excellent performances of lead actors Rachel Comeau ’16 and Nicholas D’Alessandro ’18 as well as supporting cast and crew, really did make the production a must-watch. The entire supporting cast was excellent at transitioning between one character to another. David Kahn ’18, for instance, stood out for his representations of sleazy fertility doctor and inept marriage counselor alike. It was Comeau who really stole the show, however, with her outstanding performance as Miranda. From her opening monologue and many asides, to her ability to navigate such emotions as tense frustration and hopeless self-pity, Comeau’s Miranda embodied the day-to-day disappointments and difficulties of a
failing mother-to-be. In summation, this truly incredible production by the cast and crew of Expecting Isabel brought the audience to tears of laughter and grief over and over again. As Dr. David Charles con-
Photos by Scott Cook
cludes in his “Note from the Director”, “Loomer provides a humor-filled and revealing investigation of [a] very human and personal question. Welcome to Expecting Isabel.”
AURA season coming to Florida This 2016 AURA season, expected to be filled with exciting events, will be an amazing experience from beginning to end. Jonathan Scoblionko
Columnist
Since its inception in 2010, AURA Music and Arts Festival has been a pivotal event for the Florida music and arts community. This year’s event will take place at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park from March 3-5 and marks the seventh installment of the festival. With the return of perennial jamtronic superstars, The Disco Biscuits, as well other repeat offenders such as the Heavy Pets, Tom Hamilton’s American Babies, The Main Squeeze, and Particle, AURA has maintained a strong sense of continuity with previous years. Furthermore, the addition of acts such as Thievery Corporation, the New Deal, and Bright Light Social Hour is sure to keep things fresh. With so many awesome acts and activities, I wanted to give you all my Top Five Reasons to make AURA your Spring Break destination. 1. Suwannee in the Spring It is no mystery that Spirit of Suwannee is one of the most beautiful venues in country. Between the enchanting live oaks draped with Spanish moss and the beautiful banks of Suwannee
River, the park is simply overflowing with natural beauty. Combine that with the springtime in north Florida and you can’t ask for a better festival environment. 2. The AURA Family One of the most incredible aspects about a grass-roots event like AURA is the core fan base that has been to nearly every installment. This loyalty has fostered a strong sense of community among attendees that goes far deeper than other events. There is a beautiful sense of comradery with festival veterans showing the ropes to first-timers looking to earn their stripes. Everyone looks out for each other because it doesn’t matter who you are there to see or how many times you have been there, once you are there, you are part of the family. 3. Diverse Lineup AURA will feature everything from balls-to-the-wall dance parties with acts like The Disco Biscuits and The New Deal, to psychedelic hip-hop with Thievery Corporation, to big band jazz-fusion with Grammy Award winners, Snarky Puppy. Furthermore, there will also
be blissful daytimes sets from acts such as piano virtuoso Holly Bowling, as well as late night ragers at the Silent Disco. 4. Live Art Every year the AURA live arts program seems to outdo itself. With over fifteen live artists, live interactive installations, and a full gallery, attendees are sure to be in for a stimulating sensory soirée. 5. Yoga and Healing Workshop For the fifth year in a row, Yoga and Healing Arts Program Director Joaquin Antonio will lead a team of 15 of the country’s top Yoga instructors to cultivate a program comparable to those you would find on top-tier retreats. Offering over 25 classes throughout the festival, the Yoga and Healing Arts Program will be cleansing AURAs all weekend. Weather you are looking to rejuvenate yourself after a night of partying or simply align your chakras, there will be a class for you. With so many activities, workshops, and incredible bands, there is no shortage of excitement leading up to the weekend of March 5. All in all, AURA will surely be the ultimate Spring Break destination.
Photo by Jonathan Scoblionko
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Page 8 • SPORTS
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Basketball tournament benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation Ten teams came together to compete for prizes and to create a change in their communities. Kyle Koszuta
Writer
Rollins Men’s Basketball has been on a tear this season, ranked number 11 in the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches)/Division II National Rankings in December. The team is currently battling Barry University and Eckerd College for first place and a regular season conference championship with an overall record of 19-7. The team has taken its skills in basketball in a slightly different direction by adding some fun to the competitive mix. This past Sunday, on February 21, the men’s team hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for Rollins students to benefit the Make-aWish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida.
I, as a member of the Rollins Men’s Basketball team, along with Women’s Lacrosse player junior Brittany Eveler, spearheaded the event. With the catchy title of ‘Make-a-Swish for Make-a-Wish’, the event raised over $1,200 going directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida. “Athletes often have a platform to create change in their communities,” Eveler said, “because people frequently take note of what we do. However, we don’t reach out as often as we should and take advantage of that opportunity.” I have and will always love basketball. I wanted to leave a lasting imprint on the community with an event like this. As a senior, I am all too aware that this final season of my collegiate
athletic career is rapidly coming to a close. With that in mind, I jumped at the opportunity to make this event possible to bring purpose to the end of my time on the team here. These children with life-threatening medical conditions have big wishes and we have the opportunity and the means to help provide additional funding for these wishes to be granted. The event saw ten teams come together in a double-elimination tournament to compete for prizes and bragging rights on campus. Sponsors who made the event possible included Alex Miller Organics (AMO), Power House Café, Waterboy Sports, Residence Inn Downtown Orlando, Antonella’s Pizza, and Pita Pit.
Photo by Rachel Perry of basketball game versus Barry on Feb. 17