Volume 121 Issue 24 Friday, April 24, 2015
Senior Farewells page 8
Page 2 • NEWS
Friday, April 24, 2015
Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
Moscow, Russia
EXECUTIVE STAFF David Matteson Editor-in-Chief Ali Perry Managing Editor
Washington, D.C.
CONTENT STAFF Lauren Waymire Head Content Editor Alexandra Mariano Head Copy Editor Nolan Brewer Webmaster Marta Lazowik Web Assistants
Sana’a, Yemen
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
Johannesburg, South Africa
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
Contact: advertising@thesandspur.org
Compiled by Lauren Waymire
Cover Art By: Kayla Powers ‘17
Johannesburg, South Africa A wave of intense xenophobia has taken over parts of South Africa with the latest manifestations hitting Johannesburg. Protestors attacked and looted foreign-owned businesses to show their displeasure for the growing number of foreigners in a country whose unemployment stands at approximately 24 percent. While President Jacob Zuma offered harsh condemnation of the acts, police were still forced to provide a buffer between the shops and protestors. Foreign nationals currently make up about 4 percent of the South African population. A total of 62 people have died as a result of xenophobic attacks since 2008.
Washington, D.C. The man who landed a gyrocopter on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol building has been taken into custody. Doug Hughes of Florida landed the unregistered aircraft on the lawn to draw attention to the need for campaign finance reform. Lawmakers are demanding to know how the Florida native managed to fly the gyrocopter from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Capitol Hill in Washington without it being detected. Members of Congress and national defense agencies alike have remarked that the incident shows a gap in national security that needs to be rectified. Moscow, Russia The Russian government
made the announcement this past week that they are lifting the ban on selling air-defense missiles to Iran, a move that has already caused an uproar in several countries. The ban was put into place in 2010 under pressure from western nations when the United Nations introduced an arms embargo. Israel and the United States have already expressed their concerns over the action. Israeli intelligence and international relations minister Yuval Steinitz remarked that Iran is being exploited to arm itself and that the move will only increase aggressions. Russian officials claim the behavior is acceptable under the terms of the Iranian nuclear deal
made in Switzerland earlier in the month. Sana’a, Yemen The fighting has continued in several areas of Yemen between multiple groups. Al-Qaeda has taken control of a major airport and an oil export terminal in a southern region. Many fear the continued fighting as the collapsing government is allowing for the strengthening of Al-Qaeda’s presence and operations within the country. The U.N. has asked for $275 million in humanitarian aid for the nearly 150,000 people that have been displaced because of the fighting. According to the organization, 731 people have died and 2,754 have been injured as a result of the conflict.
Page 3 • OPINIONS
Friday, April 24, 2015
The End Long-term Sexpert David Matteson concludes with his thoughts on love and sex in his final column. David Matteson
Editor-in-Chief
It started four years ago on a hot, muggy Florida morning. I didn’t know it at the time, but the words he said would shape me throughout my entire college experience: The charming tour guide stopped our group of eager eighteen year olds outside of Knowles Chapel to say a phrase I am sure is programmed into the script, “Alumni are able to marry in this gorgeous chapel. The trick is to put your name on the waitlist as a freshman and hope you meet the one in the next four years.” That was it. I was hooked from the get-go. And while it might not have been the only reason I came to Rollins, it certainly is the only thing I remember from Accepted Students Day 2011. Sure, gay marriage wasn’t even legal then, but that clichéd line clutched my attention from the start. As I began my college career, the search for love was always demanding of my time and energy. No, it wasn’t my academic studies that pulled the majority of my attention, but rather the quest for the perfect partner to spend the rest of my life with. I came in as a freshman, having recently experienced my first heartbreak—the clichéd high school sweetheart idea had failed me—and now I thought I was ready for the real thing. As a Ward resident, I played the hookup game that has be-
come the stereotypical marker partners, I’ve found that the peoof our generation’s mishandling ple we are the most dishonest of intimacy. But after a few with are ourselves. We deceive careless rides on the one-night ourselves on a daily basis—espestand merry-go-round, I knew cially, when it comes to romantic that this laissez-faire approach entanglements. I have frequently to dating was not for me. I met told myself that the misbehavior an incredible man early in my of my lover is acceptable to me— freshman year, definitely a lie. and for the next Or, even worse, two years we I have confought to keep vinced myself Love in the form p r e m a t u r e l y our relationship alive. I am emoof friendship offers that But then, tionally ready following my us strength against to enter a new sophomore relationship. the culturally year, I met him: It’s importthe man who ant that we have constructed I would leave honest relationfascination with ships with both my underclassman boyfriend our partner and coupledom. for and who ourselves. Only would shape when we are the remainder able to effecof my college tively commulove story. He took my breath nicate our amorous hopes and away, and it was the closest I desires are we able to successfulhave ever come to love at first ly hold on to love. Self-awareness sight. is a gift that comes with growing But summer love is not eter- up, so just keep listening to that nal; though we tried to preserve little voice in your head. the passion we felt in the beginHookup culture is a choice, ning, it eventually turned sour in and it may cost you: It was the my senior year. sort of night that echoed the poor This story might not have a decisions of my underclassman traditionally happy ending, and past. Drinks at Prato followed I’m sorry for that—trust me, it by locking lips in his Mercedes, wasn’t for a lack of effort. But and you can guess where things since this is my final column, af- ended up. In the moment, everyter four years of chronicling my thing seemed fabulous, but as I search for love, I feel it necessary began to surface from this oneto offer a few last thoughts: night stand, I felt a familiar feelHonesty is the best policy: ing—despair. While I am a firm believer in Three months later, as I sit honest communication between here and consider this last hook-
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up in retrospect, I recognize that my motivations were never pure. I was trying to stifle the pain I felt as the result of a breakup, but hooking up is not a replacement for true intimacy. For those of you who are able to have sex without any form of emotional engagement, I applaud you. It’s the moment that we begin to set expectations upon the person we are hooking up with that things go terribly wrong. Several of my friends often share that they feel trapped in the endless cycle of pleasure and despair that accompanies hookup culture. It’s important to relinquish these feelings of powerlessness in order to stay true to who we are. For me, hooking up is settling in defeat—something that I am no longer okay with. Love isn’t everything (but actually it is): The search for love has often left me paralyzed in anxiety. “Will he call? Does he like me? Will we get married? How do I maintain the perfect couple?” These questions I have anxiously tried to answer leave me in no position to give or receive love; rather, I am stuck in a constant worry about the state of my relationship. This model of romance is simply unfulfilling. Rather than filling our days with concern over our participation in a romantic relationship, it is much more satisfying and healthy to seek connections with others who love us unconditionally. Love in the form of friendship offers us strength against the cul-
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
turally constructed fascination with coupledom. Following my breakup in December, I was arrested with overwhelming loneliness. And while this period was painful, it helped me discover that the only love I truly need comes from my beautiful and caring friends. Never again will I allow a partner to control my happiness—it has to come from confidence in myself. The End: There are some endings that come naturally. My undergraduate career, for example, has come to a peaceful close after four incredible years. There are other endings that are necessary. Breaking up, for example, is the termination of an affair on the basis of pursuing individual happiness. When things come to a close, we often reflect on what we have learned by going through that process. Each of my relationships have taught me so much about connection and the endurance of love. Each breakup has brought me one step closer to figuring out who I am—growth as an individual is certainly necessary before commencing a new romantic affair. But, overall, my majors in Studio Art and English have left me with the greatest lesson of all: the ability to communicate and express love. While I’m not planning on marrying in Knowles Chapel anytime soon, I’ve learned to define fulfillment through the connections I’ve made here at Rollins. I guess you could say that you, my beloved reader, will always be “the one.”
Page 4 • FEATURES
Friday, April 24, 2015
Campuswide emails prove non-inclusive Holt and Crummer students feel as though the dozens of emails sent by Rollins announcing campus events and opportunities are not meant for them, creating a sense of alienation. Elaine Clark
Writer
Every week there is an explosion of emails publicizing the latest volunteer opportunities from the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, yet some students believe the emails are not meant for them. “I don’t read all-campus emails, we get so many irrelevant ones and most of them don’t apply to Crummer students,” said Jordan Wilson ’16. According to Wilson, Crummer has its own Leadership Center that posts opportunities, in addition to a Crummer group Facebook page. Opportunities are also communicated to students within a class. While Wilson reads the emails from CLCE, her recent participation with the Food and Outreach Center was through a Crummer posting and in-class announcements by other stu-
dents. After graduating from the University of Florida, where email communications centered on campus safety, Jordan was surprised to find that anyone or any club at Rollins could send out information about campus-wide events. “I think it is important for a small school to keep the student population engaged via email marketing and updates, but it is difficult to sort through all the campus emails each day, and it is difficult to sort out the important ones from the irrelevant ones,” said Wilson. Rollins reported 43,225 community service hours in 2013 and claimed eighty-five percent of the student body participated in a community engagement activity. But after speaking to non-traditional students, those numbers are not representative of the entire student body. The Center for Leadership and Com-
munity Engagement, while trying their best to be inclusive of the entire Rollins student population, has noted lower participation numbers of Holt and Crummer students. “We attend orientation for Holt students to let them know from the beginning that CLCE’s programs are for all students. We also share our events with Crummer through our graduate assistants, at least one of which is in the Crummer program,” said Alex Daubert, Graduate Assistant. Daubert also noted that leaders in Rollins Relief, JUMP, the Democracy Project, Student Support Foundation, Halloween Howl, and Hunger Banquet have been Holt students. In spite of the CLCE’s attempts to be all-inclusive, some students feel that they are separate from the Rollins community and that the opportunities made available to everyone are not well suited for non-traditional
student’s schedules. “Holt students feel ostracized. If there were more volunteer opportunities tailored to Holt schedules, I would engage, and it would make me feel more like a part of the Rollins community instead of feeling separated, “ said Gary Moses ‘16. Students (traditional and non-traditional) often chose Rollins because they enjoy the intimacy of a small campus. They expect that the professors will know them by name. They expect Rollins, as a small clommunity, to conduct business on a personal level. They expect to feel included in every aspect of campus life, which speaks to the volume of emails students find in their inbox every day. While most students may be aware that everyone can participate in clubs, and volunteer outreach, some students believe the opportunities are geared towards students who reside on
campus. “I do think Holt and Crummer students would participate more if emails were specific to them, assuming that means the volunteer opportunities would also be geared towards them,” said Filipa Bento ‘16. The number of recorded volunteer hours is remarkable and worthy of mention. Even more notable is that participation could be greater than 85% when it is considered that the non-traditional students may not be included in those statistics, and that there is a pool of students yet to be tapped. Email communication may be the best way to reach the largest number of students. But reaching out to unique groups in a more personalized and comprehensive manner may be a more effective way of communicating and engaging the diverse student body found on the Rollins campus today.
Students seek change in Rollins’ climate Emily Russell
Associate Professor of English
What would you do to change the climate on campus? That was the question posed to students by the Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) this spring. We sent a call for proposals seeking bold ideas for making Rollins a more just and inclusive place. Over 35 students responded by submitting proposals. Their ideas ranged from incorporating immersion trips into the RCC program to establishing a random study group system that would bring students together across social and academic lines. DAC knows from experience that students have lots to say about their lives at Rollins and ways to improve the campus. The results of our 2014 Student Campus Climate Survey told us that while 73 percent of students report feeling comfortable with the social and academic environment, there’s always more to be done. Themes from the survey reflected a desire for more campus unity; wanting to end incivility, especially in the form of catcalling; a split feeling of connection and alienation from fraternity and sorority life; and tension around socio-eco-
nomic class. Students are an essential starting point in thinking about campus change. Students’ relationships with each other—in classes, in clubs, on teams, and in housing—have a profound impact on the campus experience. The climate survey demonstrates that in the vast majority of cases (78.8 percent), students cite other students as the actors in incidents of incivility or insensitive treatment. Of course, we all have a role to play and a different grant award will support faculty and staff ideas for making change. But we believe it’s important to acknowledge students as agents in shaping our campus, for good and bad. Student submissions to the Innovation Award reflect most strongly a desire for campus unity. Some proposals focused on intramural athletics as an area for growth. Our second place proposal, “Rollapalooza,” described a combination of Fox Fest and field days, where participation in activities during the day earned students wristbands for entry into a concert at night. Many submissions discussed the failure of the e-mail system to communicate effectively with students and imagined a Rollins
App—using technology to build opt-in communities and audiences for specific kinds of events and activities. The immediate reward for these innovative ideas will come in the form of checks to the winning students. The deeper impact, though, will come in the months and years to come. As the members of DAC serve in our daily functions as professors, staff, and administrators on campus, we are all in positions to translate these exciting ideas into policy and practice. In making the case for investing energy and money in a new direction, it’s always valuable to be able to say that the idea is by students and for students. Thanks so much to the dozens of students who shared their thoughts with us. Congratulations to our winners: 1st place: Caroline Van Patten and Miya Furukawa with “Immersing the Freshman Class through the RCC Experience” 2nd place: Morgan Colley, Madison Papariello, Darby Uhl and Melinda Barret with “Rollapalooza” 3rd place winners: Natasha Gaye with “Brain Gain”; Myles Shealey, Rebecca Gakwaya, Luisana Herrera, and Jamie
Wadovick with “Rship: The App to Inclusiveness”; Cassidy Masso, Caroline O’Keefe, Stephanie Murphy, and Carlos Garmendia
with “Point-Pal Reward System”; James Tortorici with “Diversity Fair”; and Kendall Holly with “MotivaTars”
Page 5 • FEATURES
Friday, April 24, 2015
Rollins says goodbye to the bookstore Rollins has decided to close the bookstore, changes will be felt by 2016. All books will be sold online from now on. However, what students are most upset about is that the beloved Dianne’s Cafe will close its doors for good. is the best,” said Salyer. Despite the controversy regarding Dianne’s, Schoknecht is confident the changes are for the best. The new Rice Family Events Center, for instance, will be able to hold events like student fairs and career expos, which were previously restricted to spaces such as the gymnasium. She also believes that by starting this conversation early, with an entire academic year before the most dramatic changes start, students will be able to voice their concerns about the transition process. “Since the changes are only happening in 2016, we have time to discuss the changes and hear from the students,” said Schoknecht. On the other hand, the transition to the online book purchasing system does not alarm
students. Quinn Gorman ‘16 has already made the shift to online sales. “I completely agree with books being online,” said Gorman. “I have never bought a book in the bookstore since that year as well. Online is much cheaper.” Online appears to be the preferred option by most students. Schoknecht has received mixed responses from the faculty, but she expects them to be helpful in overall transition. Many professors already instruct their students to purchase their material online to save money. These changes will result from the combined efforts of staff, faculty, students, and the whole Rollins community. The final outcome of this transition will only be seen after 2016, but the preparations for it start now.
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increasing staff of other campus cafes, and the opening of Dave’s Down Under during the day. Effective next semester, the operations of Dave’s will also change at night. After its summer renovation, the space will offer wine and beer during specific hours of the night. Although a good start, these compromises are still not enough for students like Kayla Salyer ‘17, A loyal customer of Dianne’s. Salyer goes to the cafe every day for her morning coffee, and she regularly gets the Greek flatbread (only offered at Dianne’s) for lunch. “Dianne’s is the only actual cafe on campus. All the others are in academic buildings, such as the library and Bush. I like Dianne’s because I feel like it is the only cafe I can actually hang out and relax at. And the coffee there
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Center, and the bookstore space Writer will be used for the Rice Family Events Center, with a storage A couple of weeks ago our room in the basement and a cacampus was hit by surprising tering kitchen where Dianne’s is news: the bookstore will close. currently located. The Bush Café Rollins will terminate its current will be renamed Dianne’s Café. contract with Follett, all books Currently, Rollins relies on will be purchased online, the $100,000 in book sales each year. spirit shop will be relocated, and This amount is expected to be the Dianne’s Café space will be- replaced with the return of 330 come a catering kitchen. Winter Park Plaza to retail leasThe changes to the bookstore ing, with a percentage of the area will begin fall 2016. The Rol- profit of online book sales, and lins staff that will oversee the with the rental of the new events changes is already welcoming center for independent events. the communiHowevty into the diser, the change cussion about students are the changes. most uncomAn open meetfortable with ing about them does not relate occurred on to the book April 3. sales or the However, the “We have bookstore’s change students asked Follett relocation. It is to present us the alterations are most unwith options, to Dianne’s comfortable with Cafe that stubut their disappointing dents are finddoes not relate lack of reing more hard to the book sales sponse has to accept. led us to not “I do or the bookstore renew their agree with contract after relocation. When the book sales 2016,” said Pat changes, but I it comes to the Schoknecht, will feel devasassistant vice tated because I alterations conpresident/CIO really do like cerning Diane’s of business Dianne’s,” services at RolStone Cafe, students are said lins College. Flores ‘18. Like Schoknecht, many othreluctant to acresponsible for ers students, cept the transition. Flores is disapsupervising the bookstore pointed with changes, also the loss of the oversees Rolspace where lins’ contract Dianne’s curwith Follett rently operand the Soates. Since the dexo operation space will beon campus. come a catering kitchen, some The ongoing bookstore is- students will have to resort to sues derive from rising prices other on-campus venues for and from the decreasing number their morning coffees and quick of book copies Follett offers each meals. semester. Many students already Schoknecht is aware of the resort to online sales; therefore, issues and has plans to ease Rollins has decided to move all the transition. The backdoor to book sales to the virtual realm. the Bookmark Cafe has already The current spirit shop will been opened to facilitate access be moved to Cornell Campus to the venue. Plans also include
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Marcie Oliveira
Page 6 • FEATURES
Friday, April 24, 2015
Final show in hot demand ‘Guys and Dolls’ offers an unforgettable show. Nicholas D’Alessandro
Staff Writer
At the end of the 2014-2015 season at the Annie Russell Theatre, the department presents a musical to close the academic year. Guys and Dolls, music and lyrics Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, is one of the most famous musicals in the last century. The musical is directed by Missy Barnes and stars Ryan McCormick and Kristen Soto as Sky Masterson and Sgt. Sarah Brown. The show also co-stars Adelaide, played by Isabella Ward, and her fiancé Nathan Detroit, played by Nick D’ Alessandro. The show’s sets, designed by Lisa Cody-Rapport, are beautiful, incoporating color and majesty and fully bringing to life the magic of the Golden Age of Broadway. When the cast first stepped out and saw the magnificent drop that hangs at the back of the stage, many stood with their mouths hanging open. It was truly a wonder to see, the city brought to life in the matter of one week. With the technical elements done by Kevin Griffin and Robert Miller, the world appeals to the audience’s senses. The costumes, hair and make-up done by Seth Schrager and senior,
Alexandra Feliciano, bring the characters into reality as well, helping the audience and actors realize what the characters truly looked like. The story trails Nathan Detroit, a businessman who runs a floating crap game in New York City for the various gamblers in town. To book the place he wants to use, Detroit needs a thousand “bucks,” which he does not have. To get this cash, he bets with the highest gambler in town, Sky Masterson. The bet is simple: Nathan names a doll and Sky has to take her to Havana. If he doesn’t, Nathan gets the grand. Nathan names the leader of the SaveA-Soul Mission, Sarah Brown, the perfect opposite of Sky. Nathan must balance the bets and the greedy gamblers as well as hiding the bet from the police lieutenant and his loving fiancé, Adelaide. With the opening weekend selling out, tickets for the following performances, running from Wednesday the 22nd to Saturday the 25th (on which there are two performances), are in hot demand. Be sure to get over to the Annie Russell Theatre to see the last show of the season before it is too late. Next season’s shows will be listed online soon.
Page 7 • FEATURES
Friday, April 24, 2015
Page 8 • FEATURES
Friday, April 24, 2015
Senior staff says goodbye I’m writing this final letter in the old Sandspur office, which was located on the third-floor of the Mills building. Tomorrow, I will send my final newspaper to press in our current office on the fifth-floor—concluding a four year journey that has shaped me into the man I am today. I started with the Spur in 2011: a nervous eighteen year old clutching his high school portfolio of designs and unprepared for being hired as a deigner on the spot. Later my freshman year, I would help found the column, “The Sexperts.” Eventually, I filled various upper-level managment positions, ending my student journalism career as the Editor-in-Chief for the oldest college newspaper in Florida. I’ve learned so much from the experience of working at the Spur: patience, (pseudo) professionalism and effective collaboration techniques, to list a few. I also learned to have confidence in my own voice, and I am so grateful for that opportunity. But the greatest lesson of all was learning from the other student writers here at Rollins. This paper is yours, ours. Do with it what you will. Love me, hate me—at this point, I am indifferent. But the Spur will never fail you. It might outrage you sometimes. It might be your umbrella when you are caught in the rain. It might be the way you spend Friday afternoons, sitting outside of Dianne’s Cafe and learning from the stories shared by other Rollins students. Let this paper be where you connect with others and share your experience. Because college doesn’t last forever. With love always, David Matteson Editor-in-Chief 2014-15 Production Manager 2013-14 Designer 2011-2013 I came to The Sandspur as an outside hire unfamiliar to the paper. Of course, I had written a few articles, jotting away at my long-dead journalism dream. I mean, who didn’t have a journalism dream? We all watched Spiderman as kids. Mainly, I was the mama bear of the literature and arts journal, Brushing, and the newspaper had never crossed my mind. When David, Annamarie and Emily proposed I apply for the Managing Editor position, I decided to do so in less than an hour. To this day, it remains the best decision I made in my undergraduate career. My time at The Sandspur
was incredible. David Matteson is The Sassiest Best Boss. As for the staff, I cannot imagine a more talented and motivated group of individuals than the students typing away on computers in The Sandspur office. A lot of work goes into this publication, and often the exact nature of that work goes unnoticed. It will be sad to leave this environment. But the publication is in good hands. Lauren Waymire, Micah Bradley, and Marcie Oliviera were amazing this year. Micah, you will be an incredible Editor-in-chief. Lauren, you will be a Managing Editor that lays down the law. I am so thankful I have had the chance to work with this publication and publish Rollins students’ work. Thank you Rollins, and thank you Spur. -Ali Perry Managing Editor 2014-15 Writer 2013-14 I’m awful at goodbyes. Not that anyone is truly decent at them. It’s a two-part social transaction, goodbyes. There’s the person doing the going and the person doing the staying. It’s a wholly unsatisfactory exchange. Anticlimactic. I do find, however, that the leaving is always more difficult than the staying. And as a senior whose graduation is less than three weeks away, it would appear that I am the one that is leaving. My college experience was not at all how I expected it. If you had told me four years ago that I would be graduating with a Bachelor’s in English Literature and that one of my main activities on campus would involve writing sassy articles about sex in the school newspaper I would have laughed in your face. I walked into my first Sandspur meeting the first day of freshman year. I was immediately captivated by the energy in the room and the intriguing people I met there. I was so excited with the idea that I could actually create something, that I could contribute to a consistent product that was recognized by the college. I was hooked. I’m so grateful to have been an active editor, writer, and columnist for The Sandspur for the past four years. It has been a catalyst for self-exploration and created a platform for some invaluable friendships. The Sandspur will always remain in my mind as one of my favorite parts of my Rollins career. Thank you to everyone who made it that way. Sincerely, farewell or whatever,
Kait Alkass Columnist 2014-15 Head Copy Editor 2013 Staff Writer 2012-13 Over the past few years while I have been a student here at Rollins College, our school paper has been received by some criticism and controversy. That is exactly what attracted me to the prospect of writing for The Sandspur. A college paper does not simply generate controversy for the sake of generating controversy; it generates dialogue or perspective on naturally pre-existing controversy and campus-wide concerns. If you are passionate about the state of contemporary issues of any variety, both small-scale and globally, then your school’s newspaper is where to turn to gain a public voice. I was fortunate in getting to work with such talented staff members while learning and earning confidence in my own journalistic voice. My work with this publication was the first time I had the nerve to publish in any public forum. As I approach my graduation day, I reflect back upon some of the choices I’ve made with regret. But when I think about my time spent working for The Sandspur, my only regret is that I didn’t write more while I still had the chance. -Kyle McCoy Staff Writer 2013-15 Thank you all for your readership over the last two years, and for allowing me to express my thoughts regarding issues I believe are truly important. Being a writer for The Sandspur is something I never thought I would do when I came to Rollins. But watching the growth and change of The Sandspur, participating in that change, and looking forward to the change this paper will create in the future has truly been an honor. Before writing for The Sandspur I never viewed myself as a writer. The opportunities of expression the Sandspur has granted me helped me develop as a writer and form my activist voice. The Sandspur, its staff, and this college have changed me forever. I look forward to reading The Sandspur online, and remember if you’re not angry you’re not paying attention. -Peter Ruiz Writer 2013-15
It never hurts to mention that you write a newspaper column. That is, unless your column focuses on some vile or ridiculous subject, then you might consider leaving it off of your Tindr profile. A common question I get when asked about the column is, “Oh yeah? What do you write about?” Now, hopefully my little Tinsel Talk logo still has its place on the page during this last week—who knows what formatting is in store?—for first time-readers, or those who typically skimmed: Hi, I’m Chris, I’m a Libra, I wrote the pop culture column. Now, in case your wondering, Tinsel Talk was not a “gossip column.” I tend to veer away from the PerezHiltonist movement. Rather than devote attention to the kind of salad Kim Kardashian ate for lunch, Tinsel Talk sought to provide a critical analysis of pop-culture. While life plays out in front of us, so much more can be pulled from experience and interpretation. My goal was to look at the stories making headlines, and draw relative analytical conclusions. To my editors, the lovely Ali Perry and my beloved David Matteston, thank you for not firing me for all of my late articles. I need to address the latter, actually. David Matteston was the one who encouraged me to join the Spur. With my first article, “All Closet Doors Open,” appearing inside the ever-so controversial, “Come Out With Pride” issue, I never expected to one day see the word “columnist” underneath my name. Alas, Mr. Matteson gave me a chance. David, thank you for putting my mind to work. Thank you for giving me a chance. Thank you for having faith in me. And to you, dear reader, thank you for grabbing this paper, thank you for reading The Sandapur, thank you for skimming, even if you skipped my article, thank you for your support. I’ll close with a word of advice. applicable to everyone and anyone: As we ponder the ambiguous future hanging above us we, no doubt, predict failure. Consider embracing the failure. Let it make you stronger, learn from it, use it to fuel your passion. Remember: “If you don’t have any shadows, you’re not standing in the light.” — Lady Gaga -Chris Sarafian Columnist and Writer 2013-15
Nothing happens by chance, every person we have ever met, every interaction we have ever had, leaves an impact in our lives: sometimes so subtle we won’t ever associate it with that encounter, and sometimes, so significant it becomes impossible to imagine what our lives would be like if it had never happened. I remember my first day at Rollins. I remember walking into the dining hall. I remember proudly answering questions about where I was from. I remember talking to the people at my table. I remember their names, their faces, their stories and their reasons for coming to Rollins. And I remember them completely ignoring me every time I would see them on campus in the days that followed. I remember being scared to come out of my dorm room because there were other students in the living room, playing some game I was scared to ask the rules to. I remember crying in my bed that evening—being nineteen years old and crying for the first time since I was twelve. Crying because of how lonely I felt around all of these people. But then, I remember the image of a shattered mirror with the word “Paradise,”—the cover of The Sandspur I picked up that day, which has been on my wall and in my mind ever since. “This, you sometimes have to remind yourself—this is paradise.” And sometimes, all it takes is a college writer you’ve never met to open your eyes to something that has always been in plain sight. However, as much as I claim to remember everything, the most curious pieces of the puzzle often seem to be missing: I have absolutely no idea how exactly I ended up as an intern at The Sandspur. I vaguely remember the learning objectives I stated in my application, but I am still not entirely sure what my direct professional responsibilities entailed—apart from distracting the staff with meaningless jokes and pointless questions on a weekly basis. I may still be struggling with deadlines, names, language and directions—but since graduation is approaching, I am finally coming to realize that The Sandspur was the paradise that found me, sheltering me from delusions and becoming the only real thing I needed to keep sanity in my hectic pursuit of academic excellence. -Irina Ryabikina Multimedia Manager 2015 Multimedia Intern 2014
Friday, April 24, 2015 Rollins College
Page 9 • FEATURES
A rainy day in the neighborhoods With its first year nearing completion, the neighborhood program hopes to address concerns by both faculty and freshmen.
Micah Bradley
Staff Writer
The freshmen seem to be confused, annoyed, and avoiding participating. They are the first students in the new general education system, known as Rollins Foundations in the Liberal Arts (rFLA) or just as the “neighborhoods.” The first years have to watch the upperclassmen graduate using a different general education system, while they start a new system that requires more participation and less flexibility. Despite popular faculty support for the program, three of the neighborhood’s mayors are stepping down at the end of this year. Though the faculty and students both enjoy the classes themselves, the two groups have different perspectives on what needs to change about the system going forward. “Even though there have been some bumps, I cannot imagine a more smooth beginning for a complete curricular overhaul while 75% of the campus (the 2nd-4th year student population) remains on the previous system,” said Dr. Todd French, an Assistant Professor of Religion who will be taking over as the Mysteries and Marvels mayor next year. He added, “This success is largely due to the foresight of Claire Strom and the current mayors, coupled with the committed faculty who agreed to teach in the first round of offerings.” The main thing that works for both students and faculty is the engaging themes and content of the courses. Many of the classes have exciting titles, like “Sex,
Dr. Claire Strom, Director of General Education, speaks at the rFLA launch. The neighborhoods were started at the beginning of this semester. The adjustment was difficult for some students, as they watched the upperclassmen stay in the old system. Going forward, the students and professors have different ideas of what needs to change with the neighborhoods.
Drugs, and Rock ‘n Roll: Ameri- seeking to get students more ca in the 1960s,” “We don’t know involved, and the students are Jack: Looking for Jack the Rip- looking to avoid events and per,” “Gruesome Anatomy,” and only take convenient classes. “Creating the Comic Book City: For the administration, one of the From Fantasy to Urban Realities.” most obvious problems is sim“The unique topics of the ply reaching the freshmen and neighborhood courses are an in- convincing them to be a part of triguing way of getting through the neighborhood’s community. the dread“The firsted ‘gen eds,” year students said Grace are having Dearden, ‘18. some trouble The prowrapping their Even though fessors enmind around joyed creating that they are in there have been the courses as these classes, some bumps, I much as the that just they students enjoy are taking. I cannot imagine taking them. think that will a more smooth They also like go away once the increased the system is beginning for meetings with fully up, and a complete other faculeverybody is ty members, in [neighborcurricular which alhood] gen ed low them to classes,” said overhaul, while share ideas. Dr. Claire “My favor- 75% of the campus Strom, Director ite part about of General Edremains on the teaching in the ucation. “Perprevious system. haps we are neighborhoods is having the not explaining This success is opportunity gen eds clearly to craft a new largely due to the enough, perclass in relation it is just foresight of Claire haps to a theme. It’s because it is been great fun the first year.” Strom and the getting to know Another macurrent mayors. fellow profesjor problem is sors teaching the fact that in my neighthe classes are borhood,” full of only said Dr. Mackfreshmen. enzi Moon Ryan, who teach- This is the first time that the es in When Cultures Collide. college has secluded second-seDespite the fun classes, the mester freshmen, which elimfaculty and students have dif- inates the behavior modeling ferent perspectives on what is that usually comes with the not working. The professors are presence of upper classmen.
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“There would be a degree of peer modeling in terms of behavior,” said Strom, regarding how classes worked in the old general education system. She added, “We are having some interesting challenges in terms of how do you reach that group?” The answer? Most of the freshmen simply do not want to be reached. They are mostly annoyed because they continue to compare their new, less flexible neighborhood communities with the old “alphabet soup” system. “I wish we had the old gen ed system,” said Tiffany Chater, ’18. Many of their complaints relate to the time commitments and rigid structure of the new system. One major thing that students grumble about is the mandatory events, usually held to try and build community. “I hope to make events more appealing and feel less forced. My goal is to inspire students to recognize that their participation will only enrich their collegiate experience, both intellectually and socially,” said Dr. French. Some neighborhood events have been well attended, but others have been lacking. It seems that participation has gone down as the semester has worn on, but some of the neighborhoods lacked enthusiasm as early as the rFLA launch. Peter Ruiz, ’15, a Community Coordinator for ICE, said, “My least favorite thing about the job was Launch. Each neighborhood has its own particular identity and culture already forming, my particular Neighborhood, Identities: Mirrors and Windows, wasn’t really excited to compete.” Under the old system, students were able to take general
education classes at any point during their time at Rollins. Subsequently, a big complaint is the neighborhood system’s class flexibility. For example, the neighborhood classes are offered mostly during the morning. “I wish there was more of a variety of times for the classes. The majority are 9:30-10:45 on TR [Tuesday/Thursday]. It often collides with other classes I need to take,” said Zoe Monge, ’18. Students also have issues with the class options and the high levels of some of the newly required general education classes, instead of the basic, 100 levels that are common in the old system. “I do not like the idea of taking Gen Eds at high levels, such as 300+, as I am trying to finish classes for my major. I do not want to be worried about a Gen Ed that I could have taken a the beginning of my college career,” said Jasmine Stone, ‘18. Though the neighborhood system obviously has some issues with student support and participation, many of them will probably be rectified as they new system moves forward and gains more and more students, and the old general education system is phased out. “I think we have to understand, through this first term, how to work more effectively as a community,” said Dr. Maurice O’Sullivan, Mayor of When Cultures Collide. He added, “We don’t really quite have a grasp on that, which is not surprising for something so radically new.” For now, the freshmen remain confused, annoyed, and lacking the community Rollins wants to give them.
Page 10 • FEATURES
Chelsea Penther
Meredith Lax
Lisa Duemmling
Shelby McGuire
Jessica Wilson
Valedictorians discuss Rollins experience
Dani Del Pico Staff Writer This year Rollins has five Valedictorians for the 2015 Graduating class: Shelby McGuire, Lisa Duemmling, Meredith Lax, Jessica Wilson, and Chelsea Penther. So what was each Valedictorian’s most rewarding experience at Rollins? McGuire enjoyed her internship experience, Duemmling raved about her Immersion trips, Lax flourished working as a research assistant, and Wilson played volleyball. McGuire interned for the Bonner program in the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. “As an intern I acted as a mentor to the Bonner students, who are an incredibly inspiring group of young people, and gained valuable insight into program development and management. Everyday was different and challenging, and I was able to learn invaluable knowledge and skills from the people I was working with,” she said. For Duemmling, it was the Immersion trips she took that
Dani Del Pico
Friday, April 24, 2015
had the most value. “I really felt like I had a positive impact on the community and on the lives of others. Also, it was great to meet other students in such unique and challenging environments because it lead to very insightful dialogue,” she said. For Lax, it was working as Dr. Anne Stone’s research assistant in the Department of Communication. She elaborated on the position, saying, “I participated in the Student Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program for two summers and also did an independent study with Dr. Stone. Our research expanded Dr. Stone’s research on the quality of life of caregivers of loved ones/patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. We also examined the use of deception in the context of dementia care. I would not have had the incredible opportunities with Dr. Stone to present at local, national, and international academic conferences and be published in the Florida Communication Journal at any other institution.” For Wilson, playing on the volleyball team was an inde-
scribable experience. “Competing with passion and winning and losing as a team on the volleyball court is an experience like no other. I would not trade being a student-athlete for anything,” he said. So what advice can the Valedictorians give to Rollins students? McGuire advises students to study abroad: “Nothing will challenge you, shape you, or teach you like meeting new people and experiencing other cultures and ways of life. I would also encourage my peers to go somewhere in the developing or non-western world. I know it’s intimidating to think about living in a drastically different culture and perhaps without all of the modern amenities that we are accustomed to, but it will push you to discover some incredible things about the world and yourself.” Duemmling advises the same, adding: “You learn the most about yourself and what you’re truly capable of in the most challenging situations.” Lax encourages current
students to take advantage of the opportunities Rollins has to offer: “I believe that the experiences the college offers, whether they be in the classroom, on the field, in the community, in the creation of life-long friendships, or in study abroad programs, are truly unparalleled.” Wilson asks that students reflect on themselves: “Be happy with who you are. In regards to academics and school, I would advise students to focus on time management, have the eagerness and willingness to learn the material (it will help you much more than just getting the answers), and respect your professors.” Penther advises academically challenging yourself: “Choose classes that interest you as opposed to ones that are reportedly an easy ‘A’; a semester can be very long if you are attending a class that does not peak your curiosity.” McGuire, an International Relations major and German minor, plans to apply to MA/PhD programs in Peace and Conflict resolution for Fall 2016 and wishes to study in the United
States or Germany. Duemmling, a Physics major, has accepted a job offer at a management consulting firm in Miami, and she would like to attend graduate school to earn a Master’s degree in Operations Research. Lax is a Communication Studies Major with a Health Communication Concentration. She is in the 3/2 Accelerated Management Program and is set to Graduate with an MBA from the Crummer School of Business in Spring 2016. Wilson is an Economics major with a minor in International Business. She plans to move to Tampa to pursue opportunities within the financial services industry. After some work experience, Wilson wishes to continue her education in her major. Penther is an International Business major and Spanish Language minor. This summer she will work at a law firm in her hometown of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, until the fall when she will move to New York City to attend law school on a full-tuition scholarship.
Renowned producer, screenwriter to speak at graduation Staff Writer
Janis Hirsch ’72, is a prolific executive producer and screenwriter. She is also an alumna of Rollins College and is scheduled to be the speaker at the 2015 graduation ceremony commencement on May 10. Hirsch describes one of her favorite memories of Rollins: “When I was a sophomore at Rollins, I was sitting with a friend who is still a close friend today, and it was the end of the day. We started to talk as only people who take themselves extremely seriously can and said,
‘It’s never going to be this good ever again in our lives. We have to remember this.’” When asked what her hope was for the future of Rollins, she described Rollins expanding its reputation across the nation and beyond. She said, “I would love to see Rollins be more recognized for what it is. I think it is a top school. I am so impressed by the teachers that I meet. I wish I could take every one of their classes.” She added, “It’s like when you visit a little kid and they want to take you to their bedroom and show you every one
of their toys; I just want to take people and show them every little thing at Rollins.” What advice would Hirsch bestow on students? She describes how important is it to be a persistent and risk-taking student by saying, “People talk about ‘Oh, my dream is to be an actor. Oh, my dream is to be this or that.’ Well, no. Your dream is to be happy. I know a lot of people graduate and start it on ‘I’m going to do it my way and find the perfect job.’ Don’t do that! Don’t waste your time! Say yes. Just keep saying yes.” She added, “You fake it till
you make it. Sooner or later you will surprise yourself and you can do it. If you have to wait and be a perfectionist, you’re not going to get anything done. Life is not a straight line. That’s the fun of it. It’s a maze; you keep going around and trying different things and learning.” In a future that can always be uncertain, it is important to work on yourself and be a positive impact on the world around you. Hirsch said, “That’s the fun in challenging yourself. See what you can master. Money always comes if you are doing something. It’s not going to come if
you sit at home waiting. There are a hundred things you could be doing; you just have to do one of them. You have to be able to talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend, instead of all that negative talk.” Her delightful personality always shines through, especially when asked what her feelings are leading up to giving the big speech: “I’m nervous because this is a big deal. You know what I’m worried more about than messing it up? I’m very worried about cap hair. I know it sounds petty—I don’t have a lot going for me, but I got a good head of hair! I am extremely concerned!”
Page 11 8 • •FEATURES ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Rollins works to develop field studies
Ariana Simpson
interested in going to London or Ireland to visit popular sights, such as museums and churches. In the collegiate world it is a The trip to Selma, for examcommon sentiment that helping ple, has since generated a lot of others and seeing the world is momentum and interest. On the something that one must do—to trip, fingertips collided with the step beyond ourselves and be- pulpit used by Dr. King every come a part of something great- service, and students crossed er. We have to become conscious the Edmund-Pettus Bridge inof exotifying and “other-ing” famously known for Bloody unfamiliar lands while in the Sunday. Students incessantly process stepping into the role of encountered living legends of the ‘saving tourist.’ the movement who remarked in Here at Rollins we have ac- casual conversation their actions cess to great programs such as of solidarity that led them to the the Immersion program, which movement. advocates involvement within Rollins’ study abroad webour own communities. Unfor- site promises that while in Gertunaterly, Immersions only last many and Poland students will for the weekend, and field stud- “learn about the life experiences ies are not as of Germans, conducive to Poles, and extended local Jews under involvement the Nazi Reor a more adgime [and] The Immersion vocacy-based experience e n g a g e m e n t program advocates air raid shelwhen abroad. ters and uninvolvement While pushing derground for the creation bunkers in within our own of global citBerlin. [They communities. izens, the acwill also] tualization of visit the conUnfortunately, involved, selfcentration Immersions aware citizens camps of has in some Dachau, Raonly last for the ways been lost. ve n s b r ü c k , Thankfuland Ausweekend, and ly there has chwitz; as field studies are been a surge in well as tour creating more not as conducive the courtdomestic field room where to extended local Nazi officials studies, such as the most rewere tried involvement. cent one to Selafter the ma, Alabama, war.” which looked These at the history excursions of the Civil Rights Movement will be similiar to those takand the obstacles that are being en in Selma, where students faced fifty years later. visited plantation houses and Abroad, students are en- experienced an indescriibable gaging in the countries’ his- slave-reenactment. A bit differtorical and social issues. In the ent from these is the trip to the recurring summer trip to the Dominican Republic, where stuDominican Republic, students dents will go “into rural comwill address the issue of water munities” and “learn firsthand sanitation and health. Another how people are addressing the field study happening this sum- problem at the household level, mer is examining the Nazi state; and how to test water to make students will visit concentration sure that it is safe for human camps and gain more under- consumption.” standing of the somber history. No matter where the ImThe unfortunate side is that field mersion program goes, students studies like this do not receive will have a chance to experience enough recognition as they parts of the world other than the should. Students are often more Rollins community.
Writer
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Thursday, Friday, January April 24, 27, 2015
Downtown Credo breaks the mold Orlando is sporting a new coffee joint that challenges the stereotype. Downtown Credo hopes to unite consumers under a common purpose. Sam Toomey
Writer
The uniquely blended authenticity of energy and product at the Downtown CREDO coffee shop is currently making your dusty, unplugged, single-serving at-home brewery more irrelevant than it already was. While your apartment or home may share the features of mismatched mugs and cluttered wall décor that are among the staples of Downtown CREDO’s flagship location at 706 W. Smith Street in Orlando, that is likely where the similarities between your home and their organization end. The character of the small, hole-in-the-wall caffeine hub is not something that can be duplicated and does not seem to have been something that was intentionally created. There is no evidence of an attempt to build a certain image, no apparent concern for the fact that the chairs do not match, and no obvious desire to raid the local IKEA and give the place a fiberboard makeover. Simply put, from an aesthetic standpoint, Downtown CREDO is what it is, and it is what it has become. While the feel of Downtown CREDO certainly adds to the overall character of the organization, it seems to be a byproduct of the ambition of the men and women at the heart of the organization who are driven and guided by the following statement of purpose, known as the CREDO: “Life is worth living. I refuse to merely exist. I pursue a life of meaning and purpose, fulfillment, and joy. The world is not yet as it ought to be. Neither is my city. Neither am I. Yet, I reject apathy and despair. I engage the world, my city, and myself to make an impact for good. I am not alone. I press through narcissism, isolation and self-sufficiency striving to live in an authentic community.” To be blunt, in order to truly live by the CREDO, it is all but essential to let go of all that is petty (i.e. the color of the chair you are sitting in), forego materialism in favor of communalism, and focus on the things that matter. For those involved with Downtown CREDO, they engage the
world, their city, and themselves through the coffee—direct-trade coffee, more specifically, which takes the shape of CREDO team members maintaining personal relationships with coffee growers in Guatemala and Nicaragua and paying them regular visits to check in on how they continue impacting their lives more effectively. No middle man means more money for the growers, and more money helps them have a more stable life. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Downtown CREDO, though, is their “pay by donation” model. Every cup of coffee is essentially free, but donations are encouraged. As the organization’s Director and Co-founder Ben Hoyer explained, it is CREDO’s goal to make the transaction between the consumer and the growers. By allowing the consumer to name their own price, they are faced with the decision of determining what they believe their coffee is worth and thinking about the Guatemalan individuals who made that cup of coffee possible. While this model may sound impossibly risky from a financial standpoint, Downtown CREDO’s successful run of more than four years proves that it is in fact sustainable—so much so, that they have recently opened up their second location. Located at 550 E Rollins St. on the first floor of Florida Hospital’s Executive building, the new location marks the beginning of CREDO’s (physical) expansion. The “pay by donation” model will be in effect, the mugs probably will not match, and the overwhelming desire to reject apathy and change the world one sip at a time will be as integral to the new location as they are to the original. So take the CREDO mission statement to heart. Refuse to let yourself be bound by the shackles of apathy which have been cast upon us by society, challenge yourself to make a difference in this world, embrace the fact that our lives are worth living, drink a cup of direct-trade Guatemalan roast, and know that by becoming a part of CREDO, you are becoming a part of an authentic and global community.
In Brief CREDO offers coffee in exchange for donations, forcing the buyer to consider what the coffee is worth, which they call a “pay by donation” model.
CREDO is a downtown coffee shop with a mission. The atmosphere is cozy, with mismatched dishes and furniture. CREDO’s main location is at 706 W. Smith Street Orlando, about a ten minute drive from Rollins College Their secondary location is at 550 E. Rollins Street on the first floor of Florida Hospital’s Executive building The coffee shop has been in business for four years and opened a second location recently. The café was started in 2010 as a non-profit organization with the help of local charities and coffee farmers in Guatemala. CREDO encourages focusing on things that matter, not material possesions. The coffee house buys direct-trade coffee from Nicaragua and Guatemala. Cutting out the middle man means more money for the farmers.
Page 12 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, April 24, 2015
Alma Thomas, Untitled, 1968, Acrylic on paper, 12 x 17 inches, Collection of Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis © Alma Thomas
New exhibit features female artists Rosemarie Castoro, Green Blue Orange Y, 1965, Acrylic on canvas, 84 x 84 inches, The Alfond Collection of Comtemporary Art, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Rollins College © Rosemarie Castoro, Courtesy of the artist and Broadway 1602
The Cornell Fine Arts Museum has opened a new exhibit, entitled “Woman in Abstraction.” Nicholas D’Allesandro
Staff Writer
Launching into summer, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum opened their new exhibition, Women and Abstraction. The exhibition celebrates an art style which is often left unexplored and artists who are not celebrated nearly enough. Women and Abstraction features art across various different mediums. The art is in sculptures, paint, photography and even videos. The special thing about this exhibition is the artists whose works are featured are exclusively women. The work ranges from the beginning of the Expressionistic era to work completed a few months ago. One piece is a large series of cardboard flats, with drawings of cubic images that represent the fragility of tenement living. This work was done by Rollins professor, Dana Hargrove. In the same space, dangling in mid-air with two bright lights highlighting its tiny details, is a metal copper sculpture by Ruth Asawa. As Amy Galpin, curator of the museum, expressed that she wanted these images in the same room so that you can appreciate the difference in their size, yet one can also appreciate the similar impacts they have on the viewer’s emotions. In the midst of all this, you have such captivating works done by the famous artist, Georgia O’Keefe, side-by-side with photographs of erasers hang-
ing from wire. The wide range of colors and images leave you transfixed, even when your eyes aren’t entirely sure what they are seeing. The work continues in the Alfond Inn where the work sits, greeting visitors with colorful shapes and forms. One painting in particular, by Rosemarie Castoro, features blue and green Y shapes on an orange plane. At first, it seems to just be an interesting pattern. Yet, the more time you spend looking at it, the more details and forms you find. The painting becomes hypnotic, bringing even more light to the already bright and beautiful lobby of the Inn. The Inn also features work unrelated to the exhibit, such as paintings of favorite books of professors at the college, large pop art drawings by Pawel Przewlocki and a stop motion video by William Kentridge. The work is sometimes colorful and sometimes monotone. Whatever the style may be, the work yearns to recreate an emotion or a mood rather than represent a specific image on canvas. Every time you turn around, a new color and feeling faces you and leaves you staring longer than you realize. Right next to the main room of Women and Abstraction is the senior showcase which features beautiful work so captivating it only makes sense that such students work be featured right next to the masters of expressionism. Woman and Abstraction runs until August 2.