Issue 5, Volume 123 Thursday, September 29, 2016
Rollins welcomes refugee family page 7
Page Page #2 •• SECTION OPINION
Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
11, 2014 Thursday, September 29, 2016
Trump takes a dump on debate stage Ellie Rushing
EXECUTIVE STAFF Lauren Waymire Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Mariano Managing Editor Caroline Arrigoni Production Manager
CONTENT STAFF Raquel Leon Head Content Editor Amanda Grace Head Copy Editor
Barbara Padilla Minoska Hernandez Morgan McConnell Copy Editors Eric Hilton Kalli Joslin Section Editors Christina Fuleihan Staff Writer Kalli Joslin Nolan Brewer Web Editors
DESIGN DEPARTMENT Shaayann Khalid Head Designer Victoria Villavicencio Zoe Kim Maliha Qureshi Designer
BUSINESS & FACULTY
Writer
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton met Monday night for a pivotal moment in their campaigns—a presidential debate which provided each candidate with broad exposure to voters in a nation currently divided at very close percentages. With the biggest audience a presidential debate has ever held, Hofstra University in New York hosted one of the most important debates to air in election history. Viewers were interested to see how the two nominees interacted without any other candidates interrupting their spotlight; Many wondered if Trump would prove short-tempered and unprepared enough to let Hillary speak sensibly the voters. As Hillary stepped on stage, she was prepared to throw bait to Trump multiple times, which he gladly took. Completely and utterly incapable of remaining calm in a time of serious pressure, The Donald continued to contradict himself for the entirety of the evening.
When the moment arrived that moderator Lester Holt questioned Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns, he immediately used the classic “routine audit” and deflected the question back towards Clinton’s e-mail scandal. Clinton used this as an opportunity to poke and prod at Trump’s credibility, saying, “Maybe he is not as rich as he says he is. Maybe he is not as charitable as he claims to be. Maybe he doesn’t want the American people to know that he has paid nothing in federal taxes.” Not only did this deflect the attention away from the overused e-mail accusations, but it also set Trump up to make some classic, routine contradictions. At one point, he basically admitted his refusal to pay federal taxes, claiming it “makes [him] smart.” Trump was alone on stage, with no other GOP candidates present to throw in digs towards Clinton—instead, he baked in the spotlight like a fish out of water. Hillary mentioned the recession, something that hits home to all citizens voting this Novem-
ber. Between December 2007 and June 2009, the US workforce lost 8.4 million jobs, and 4 million houses were forcelosed on. Clinton keenly insinuated that Donald Trump was actually rooting for the economy to collapse. In reference to the housing bubble mentioned in a late 2006 interview, Trump says, “I hope that happens because then people like me would go in and buy.” His response to this accusation? “That’s business.” Tell me, Donnie, do you have any idea what it is like to watch your mother pull quarter jars out from under her bed to pay for groceries? How it feels to have your house taken from you, forced to sell your belongings, so you can rent a place to live short term? No, you only know what it is like to build a corrupt empire from a “small loan” of over $9 million, and struggle to decide which local company you want to bankrupt. Some of my favorite parts of the debate occurred as Trump lied through his teeth to the American people. The smaller
ones centered around the subject of global warming and Trump’s countless claims of it being a “hoax” and a way “for the Chinese to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” When asked about these verbatim quotes and tweets, what else would the businessman say besides, “I do not say that. I do not say that.” Thank you to NPR for the live fact-checking throughout the debate and thank you to Hillary Clinton for arriving well-prepared and remaining composed and factual throughout her speaking time. Maybe I should even thank my friend Donald Trump, for proving he could not, in fact, remain temperamental and knowledgeable on any of the current social, economic, and environmental issues. With election day a little over a month away, I urge everyone to read into the plans and statements made by the two presidential candidates. Although neither one may be completely satisfying to vote for, it is quite obvious who the smartest option is.
The views expressed in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
Greg Golden
General Manager of Student Media
Dr. Bill Boles Faculty Advisor David Neitzel Business Manager Taylor McCormack Business Intern Jose Araneta Student Media Graduate Assistant
ADVERTISING
Contact: advertising@thesandspur.org
Cover Art Designed By Caroline Arrigoni ‘19
Rollins, in a historic move, joined Guilford College in North Carolina to become the second school in the nation to house refugees. The news was met by praise from most of our community but—much to our dismay— garnered outrage and protest from others. Some questioned our patriotism in helping foreigners before helping our own citizens and others expressed concerns for the safety of the students. We feel that those who find Rollins’ decision to offer hospitality to a family in need may have failed to read the mission of the College. Please allow us to briefly outline it for you: This mission has been shared by professors, posted around campus, and hammered into our skulls since we first arrived as freshmen. The most important part of Rollins’ Mission Statement is summarized within the first ten words: “Rollins College educates students for global citizenship and responsible leadership.” In extending a welcome
to those who desperately need a home, our school has taken its historic commitment seriously. This promise provides context for every action the college takes. The term “global citizen” can be easily defined as a “person who places their identity with a ‘global community’ above their identity as a citizen of a particular nation or group.” Rollins’ goal of promoting global identity within their mission is to influence students to venture out of their comfort zones politically and geographically to promote hospitality and coexistence on a larger scale among humanity. Welcoming our first refugee family—a mother, father, and their four year old son from Colombia—is a way for faculty, staff, and students to be global citizens right here on our campus. In a time when global cooperation is more important than ever, we cannot afford to stick our heads in the sand. We do not exist in a vacuum; Rollins recognizes this. How can we boldly claim in our mission statement
that global citizenship is a core belief if we do nothing to address that which happens outside our borders? The most prominent argument against housing refugees—which we will examine in a moment—is that providing resources for this family will somehow use up resources that should be provided to people from our backyard, specifically homeless veterans. What the people raising this concern do not realize is that Rollins is already a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which funds the education of eligible veterans in any Rollins program through aid from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the College itself. What’s more: housing this family comes at virtually no cost to the College or anyone attending or working for it. With no opportunity cost or expense lost, there is absolutely no reason other than fear of the unknown to not extend a hand to these refugees.
As to specific, recently heightened fears of radicalized violence: students at Rollins are at no risk. This family is already part of the Rollins family, and we know them well. But as to anti-refugee attitudes, The Sandspur would like to say this: our nation’s past leaders—Democratic and Republican alike (see the policies of Ronald Reagan and more)—have understood that welcoming refugees is an efficient measure to decrease radicalization by showing understanding and acceptance. The work of education pertaining to global citizenship is to extinguish and eradicate this fear. It has no place in an increasingly globalized society, and it has no place on a campus that has historically taken gracious steps forward out of hope rather than hiding away in the dark. Rollins students will graduate with the immense benefits of global citizenship, but they must choose to act as global citizens here and now. - The Sandspur Staff
The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect those of Rollins College.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Page 3 • FEATURES
FSL and Democracy Project partner for voter registration event The Democracy Project and Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) house managers are partnering to host a campuswide voter registration event to increase student voter turnout. Kalli Joslin
Section Editor
On Thursday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m.—4 p.m.,The Democracy Project will be partnering with all of the 9 Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) house managers to host a campus-wide voter registration event. Tables will be located in the courtyards of the Non Compis Mentis (NCM) sorority in Mayflower Hall and the Chi Psi fraternity in Hooker Hall. Miola Aganovic ’17, house manager for NCM, said that “FSL and the Democracy Project are partnering together to help get more voter turnout as a campus and to promote civic engagement this voting season.” While multiple events are being held between now and Oct. 11 (the last day to register in time to vote in the 2016 presidential election), the event is specifically designed so that students active in athletics, extracurriculars, and FSL are able to register with ease. “It only takes about two minutes to fill out a registration form,” said Aganovic. The forms are then submitted by The Democracy Project—this means that students are not required to do anything else besides filling it out to receive their new voter identification card in the mail. Additionally, at least one house manager and representative from The Democracy Project will be at each table to answer
any questions and assist students. Most importantly, students can re-register even if they are registered in another state or another part of Florida if they prefer to vote in a local precinct by using their Rollins address. Buses will be available on the day of the election to transport students to and from the polls. “This is a school-wide initiative to get more students to vote, because a lot of them say they just don’t have time,” stressed Aganovic. A CNBC statistic illustrates this struggle: in 2012, only 38% of college-aged Americans voted, the lowest of all age demographics. This is just one of The Democracy Project’s many registration events over the next few weeks. Also coming up is the FSL Block Party on Oct. 1, where they will be tabling. Additionally, The Democracy Project will host Debate Watch Parties in Dave’s Boathouse all through October, starting with the next debate on Oct. 4 from 9 p.m.—10:30 p.m. Lastly, on Election Day (Nov. 8), their Rally to the Polls event will shuttle voters from Tars Plaza to the election site. “Not everyone gets the privilege of choosing their leader,” said Aganovic, “and I think if there’s an opportunity for you to register and vote with little effort, you should take advantage of it.”
Photo by Kalli Joslin
Hillary Clinton speaks in Orlando
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton delivered a speech in the overfilled Frontline Outreach Center in Orlando. Kalli Joslin
Section Editor
On Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m., former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, spoke to a crowd of roughly 400 people in a temporarily-converted gymnasium at the Frontline Outreach Center in Orlando, FL. The event had been announced just two days before in order to prevent security risks and ensure seating for as many attendees as possible. Still, the line of people waiting to get in—hours before she was scheduled to speak— wove through the outdoor pavilion and stretched far in front of the building. Many attendees were forced to watch her speech on screens in their “overflow” room streaming live from the gym next door. Attendees ranged in age, race, sexuality, religion, and dozens of other identities. Canvassers worked their way through the lines gaining signatures and handing out fliers and stickers for Planned Parenthood and local Congressional candidates. Everyone seemed to be mostly in high spirits, despite the heat; some had called out of work and drove as many as three or more hours in order to see Clinton’s speech. A handful of vendors arranged tables with merchandise depicting Rosie the Riveter and buttons and caps proclaiming their wearers “Ready for Her.” On the fringes of the lawn, anti-Planned Parenthood protesters waved signs and posters with graphic images of aborted
fetuses and phrases including “Planned Parenthood Kills Babies.” Inside the gym, a small rectangular stage with a podium sat in the center with a ramp leading back into their staging area. Behind and to the side of the stage were temporary metal bleachers, and the area in front of the stage were ringed with plastic chairs. Behind these, dozens of cameras and reporters from local news stations were primed and ready to go. Before Secretary Clinton spoke, she was preceded by a host of speakers including Mayor Buddy Dyer, who spoke Orlando’s recovery in the wake of the recent Pulse tragedy, and Congressional candidate, Val Demings. Demings inspired the audience with her vibrant speech about her experience as the first female Chief of the Orlando Police Department and the need to fight for racial and gender equality moving forward. Secreaty Clinton’s speech focused on advocacy for disabled Americans. Representing this issue were three other speakers, two who spoke about epilepsy and invisible disabilities, and Anastasia Somoza. Somoza had previously spoken at the Democratic National Convention about the positive impact Clinton has had on her life since she was 9 years old. Clinton herself spoke for about 40 minutes on topics ranging from racial inequality to the need for national paid maternity leave and affordable child care. She focused most of her speech, however, on disability. She
claimed that holding disabled Americans back from employment opportunities, even in the wake of the Americans with Disabilities Act, impacts the American economy as a whole. She cited the disabled unemployment rate—60%—and the fact that it is legal to pay disabled citizens sub-minimum wage in support of her argument. Her calls for recognition of the talents, skills, and dreams of disabled Americans were met with thunderous applause. Noticeably absent from her speech were any references to her opponent, Republican nominee, Donald Trump. She instead focused her speech entirely on issues and policy proposals, including apprenticeships, technical programs at the high school level, and affordable community college for all Americans. Clinton believes that America needs to institute these programs to set examples for other countries— influenced by a global perspective on policy gained from her time as Secretary of State. It directly contrasted Trump’s nationalistic “Make America Great Again” slogan. Hard work and dreams, Clinton proclaimed, are what really “made our country great.” Regardless of whether you support Hillary Clinton, all U.S. citizens over age 18 have the right to vote and should exercise that right. The Democracy Project is teaming up with multiple organizations at Rollins to make the registration process as easy as possible. The last day to register in time to vote in Florida is Oct. 11.
Page Page #2 NEWS& ENTERTAINMENT 4 •• SECTION ARTS
11, 2014 Thursday, September 29, 2016
Annie Russell opens season with ‘The Foreigner’ The Foreigner, a delightful comedy about a man who is made to pretend he does not speak English, is the first show in the Annie Russell Theatre 84th season. It runs through October 1. Madeline Spies
Writer Wit and irony always leave a pleasant taste on one’s tongue, particularly when one’s tongue is named “Floppy.” Rollins’ recent rendition of The Foreigner was “remarkable.” This comedic play features a shy man named Charlie and his British friend Froggy, who leaves him at a Georgia bed-and-breakfast with the instructions for the others not to bother him under the guise that he cannot speak English. This results in poor Charlie hearing a few things he shouldn’t and eventually developing a personality and a reputation as a
“raconteur.” While I went in with some skepticism—having seen only one Broadway play and a strange rendition of Peter Rabbit—the immaculate set design quickly proved my low expectations wrong. The simple country style, cluttered with endearing relics from taxidermied fish ready to sing to a smattering of antique spoons, instantly set the mood. One of the first indicators of the professional quality of The Foreigner was the real water running down the windows of the house and the flashes of lightning perfectly cued to claps of the thunder as the story opened on Charlie and Frog trudging through
heavy rain. Once inside the homely Southern abode, the actors are meticulous in preserving the realistic atmosphere. They perform very normal actions, from getting drinks to adding wood to the fire, careful to never give an inkling that they are on stage. One of the most commendable aspects of the actors and actresses were their facial expressions. Even while sitting in chairs off to the side of a larger scene, each played their character perfectly, arousing laughs with their reactions to the others. While Charlie was the undeniable star of the play, with his Robin Williams-esque ability to spout nonsensical
and hilarious babble, Ellard was a favorite of mine. He is a charming lad with a flighty mind and whose intellect is exploited by the less savory members in the house. In one morning scene, Ellard is asked what he likes for breakfast by the kind Southern belle of the house: Betty: All right. How do ye like yer eggs? Ellard: What? Betty: How do ye like yer eggs? Ellard: They’re real good. Thank you. Betty: Ellard! Ellard: What? Betty: When I say, “How do
ye like yer eggs,” that means, “How do ye want me to fix ‘em.” Ellard: Oh. Betty: So how do ye like ‘em? Ellard: Fried? Betty: All right, then! Later, Betty asks him how he liked his eggs and he responds, much to her frustration, with “fried.” A comedy worth its laughs, The Foreigner exposes real issues like xenophobia, adultery, and how people can change. All’s well that ends well, though: the final lines left the audience laughing and giving a standing ovation to the Rollins Theatre Department.
Dawn Roe honored at Orlando Museum of Art
Professor Dawn Roe was selected along with nine other artists to display her work at the Orlando Museum of Art as part of the Florida Prize competition. Manny Rodriguez
Writer Professor Dawn Roe’s photography was selected for display at the Orlando Museum of Art as part of their prestigious Florida Prize competition. Her artwork was displayed from May 16—Aug. 28, 2016. Dawn Roe was very young when photographs first began to intrigue her. She would always look at her family albums along with snapshots stored in shoeboxes (yes, real photo albums existed; ask your parents). Even as a child, Roe was the one in her family who took photos and captured memories. She has been interested in photography ever since; however, she was not always serious about it as a profession. Before her career took off, Roe majored in anthropology but withdrew because she did not feel it was the right fit for her. It wasn’t until her mid-twenties that she realized what she wanted to do. She got her Bachelors in Fine
Arts at a small liberal arts college outside of Portland, Oregon. Here, she gained experience as a photographer and began her career. Last year, a curator at the Orlando Museum approached Roe and asked to visit her studio. A couple of months later, her work was selected and was displayed with nine other artists’ work up until recently this year. Her field study-slash-sabbatical in Iceland and her visit to Australia inspired her work. She was grateful for the opportunity
and carried out her long-term project on rugged, mountainous landscapes to express their form and display their geography. After this journey, Roe also went to Banff, Canada, where she focused on glaciers and ice fields. She spent a lot of time in her studio sorting through photos and videos of her excursions. As a teacher at Rollins, Roe wants to inspire the new generation of artists and photographers. She hopes that people can see the power of the photograph as a tool for communication.
Photo courtesy of Dawn Roe Photo courtesy of The Banff Centre
Page 5 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, September 29, 2016
GPFF exposes pain and heartbreak around world
As the 2016 Global Peace Film Festival comes to a close, reviewers discuss the emotional impact of this year’s documentaries and short films. Maura Leaden
Writer Newtown Newtown was an extremely emotional film that left viewers in tears, with a rawness in their hearts for a tragedy that occurred more than three and a half years ago. It was a remarkable documentary that tracked the effects of the Sandy Hook shooting on the Newtown, Connecticut community after the murder of twenty children and six elementary school staff members. Newtown captures the pain felt by a small town and the ache that continues in the hearts of the families most tragically affected.
Hind Berji
Writer
The Deportation of Innocence Amidst the spectacle of the 2016 presidential election, U.S. immigration policies are more convoluted than ever before, especially considering the complex cross-border relationship between the United States and Mexico. The Deportation of Innocence showcases the stories of people struggling to remain with their families while they exist in a state of legal and locational limbo. Drawing upon interviews from immigrant parents and their four U.S.-born children as well as discussions with immigrant advocates and legal practitioners, director Francisco
Viewing the film was an especially difficult experience for me because I felt extremely close to the events of the actual day. My hometown, Bethel, CT is the town right next to Newtown. I sat in lockdown with my classmates on that horrible day, and we listened to the rumors circulating about active shooters only a few miles from our school. Ultimately, we learned the story and we heard the death toll. We were numb, and I don’t think that most of us could wrap our minds around the tragedy. I had never fully comprehended the magnitude of the day, but while re-watching the events unfold during the film, it finally hit me; I realized the mag-
nitude and extent of the awful reality. The images of quaint, nothing-bad-should-happen-here Newtown and the innocent home videos of the child victims, just days before the tragedy took place, struck chords of emotion in everyone in the room. But they affected me particularly so because the yards and houses shown looked just like they could have been my yard back home. I recognized the streets that the cameras panned through, and the ice cream sign that one of the little boys was photographed in front of. I recognized the stories and the rumors brought up by the interviewees. Although
Alarcon questions the expedited removal process of immigrants from mixed-status families in his film, which was featured in the Global Peace Film Festival. Some films feature one or two poignant scenes. Alcaron’s movie abounds with them. At one moment, we see a man painting children’s faces outside of Yankee stadium; we learn that, in the throes of despair over his circumstances, he contemplated ending his own life. We also hear the account of a mother whose newborn baby was ripped from her arms while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported her to a detention center in Tijuana. U.S.-born children who are often forced to abandon their homes in the States to remain with their parents in Mexico,
which causes a discordant rift in their lives. When both parents are taken away, these children end up in the foster care system. The ones who have a guardian looking after them in the U.S. face the psychological implications of living without one or more parent for prolonged periods of time. As one interviewee noted about her father’s separation from her family, “It’s the little things that others take for granted—that’s what I miss the most.” That’s something immigrant children know well, whether they’re U.S. citizens or not: take nothing for granted. The Deportation of Innocence prompts us to do the same while looking at immigration as a human problem that transcends statistics and stereotypes.
I can only speak as a member of the extended community of Newtown, I can say that this tragedy hurt everyone, deeply. Consequently, I highly respect the director, Kim A. Snyder, and her decision to create a film centered on unity and healing rather than political activism. By capturing the community’s shared tragedy, this film can start a more effective type of conversation. When politics are introduced, conversations tend to become hostile and unproductive because there are so many aspects to debate—topics from mental health, to assault rifles, to the purchasing of guns. Snyder’s focus on community cuts to the
Andrew Matthews
Writer
Rebels With a Cause In the early 1950s, a national movement to protect open spaces from urban development spawned in areas across the United States. People began to realize the importance of preserving nature, and Rebels With a Cause follows this journey by focusing on how a group of citizens in Northern California banded together to defend their green spaces by turning them into public parks for the community. The film dives deep into the political complications these people faced when trying to protect the area they love. You must truly care about green spaces and our environ-
importance of the issue. It was a horrific event that united us all, in some way or another. A town minister, a high school student, a first responder, neighbors, a surviving teacher, and most significantly, the families of three of the victims all shared their experiences and emotions throughout the film. Their stories all pointed to similar conclusions: that we must not allow this unthinkable grief to occur to any other families and community. This film is a grief-inducing experience, but it ignites an important conversation, and I am grateful to have been one of the first viewers before this film begins screening in larger venues. The story needs to be told.
ment to fully appreciate the film, because the pace feels as if the audience is trying to pass the citizens’ bill through congress themselves. Rebels With a Cause is less about portraying the beauty that open spaces hold, and more focused on how these inspiring individuals used governmental processes to protect land. If you can handle a bureaucracy-filled documentary, then this film is a fascinating example of how a hard-fought political campaign can preserve something important to everyone. Rebels illustrates how our personal battles are intertwined with political ones. Rebels With a Cause is a slowpaced but feel-good cinematic experience that conveys a truly American idea: any ordinary individual has the power to change the rules.
Page 6 • FEATURES
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Opening the door to religious life Reverend Katrina Jenkins has been settling into the Rollins community as the new Dean of Religious Life. Rebecca Candage
Writer
The Class of 2020 and transfer students are not the only newcomers to Rollins. Reverend Katrina Jenkins has become the new Dean of Religious Life this semester. She earned her Master’s degree in Theology before beginning her spiritual career as a college chaplain. Rev. Jenkins has continued on this path for sixteen years now, and Rollins is the third college at which she has been employed. When asked why she chose Rollins as her newest home, she replied, “Rollins was offering an opportunity to do interfaith work and to me I saw there was a commitment to theology through word and deed…
to show that commitment was really major for me.” However, one does not have to be distinctly religious to have a relationship with Rev. Jenkins. Though she describes that her job is “to maintain religious or spiritual life on this campus, to be a presence… being where the students are, attending meetings… and representing Rollins in the community,” she also calls herself an ambassador to people. Expanding on this, she said, “you don’t necessarily have to be religious; I’ve lead atheist groups and agnostic groups. A lot of folks are searching for something... it could just be someone to talk to who can be objective.” The Dean is also excited about introducing a few new programs to campus. A major
program is “We Choose Love.” Rev. Jenkins describes We Choose Love as “a program on how we are going to engage with each other on campus. Learning about each other, whether about faith or not.” She has been working with Quang Le to create a Buddhist meditation class beginning next week. While the Dean says there may be other new student groups in the future, she doesn’t “foresee a lot of new changes… my goal this year is to assess.” She is clearly working to evaluate preexisting programs and getting to know student groups, student leaders and faculty instead of teaching any classes this year. Smiling, Rev. Jenkins remarked the thing which surprised her about Rollins was that
“everyone has been so welcoming. Even before I stepped on this campus I’ve been receiving emails… when I arrived the first day I have had faculty and students stop by my office.” This is most likely due to her open-door policy, surprising both faculty and students. “People will come up to me and say, ‘That hasn’t happened in a long time,’ or ‘I’ve never seen it before.’” The new Dean considers one of her best moments so far to be SPARC day, when she met students and faculty while working alongside them at the Ronald McDonald House. “I love service… I would like to [use service to] offer opportunities to connect with people on and off campus.” Since this is her first year as well, advice she gives to new
Former Peace Corps members share experiences Recruiters, faculty, and Rollins alumni share stories about their time volunteering with the Peace Corps. Rebecca Candage
Writer
Created by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has been fulfilling its mission to work toward world peace and understanding for over half a century. Volunteers are sent all over the globe to help with international projects, including Let Girls Learn, Feed the Future, and President’s Malaria Initiative. Why should Rollins students and alumni consider joining this organization? UCF campus recruiter Brittany Libbey explains the many advantages of serving in the Peace Corps: “Volunteers… have the opportunity to travel, learn a new language, and gain handson work experience. “Additionally, upon finishing service, returned volunteers benefit from transition funds, advantages in applying for federal employment, career services support, and financial assistance for graduate school programs through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship.” Many Rollins alumni and
professors who served in the Peace Corps stress the importance of its impact on their lives as a whole. As Ryan Wolf ’08 attested, “I had never been out of the country before, and it was incredible to see… how people interact and what they have to deal with on a daily basis is completely different.” T h e Peace Corps is an opportunity to witness, help, and learn about different cultures firsthand, something that can clearly have a large impression. Kayli Ragsdale ’12 also understands this, stating, “…my Peace Corps service is much more than just a
“
highlight on my resume… Peace Corps isn’t some mountaintop experience where one discovers the meaning of life…. One isn’t up on the mountain top; one is down in the trenches. “...I was exposed to such high degrees of adversity that all the things I once thought were important or essential to a happy life— anything else society tells we need to be happy—were all burned away.” Ultimately, the Peace Corps offers students the chance to act upon the desire for global citizenship fostered here at Rollins. That being said, these experiences are not limited to Rollins students.
The most rewarding aspect of Peace Corps service is knowing that the impact you make within the community survives long after your service has ended.
Tutoring and Writing Center Coordinator Suzanne Robertshaw and her husband, Chris Rock, have integrated teaching and world travel into their graduate school and later professional lives through the Peace Corps. When asked about the effect the Peace Corps had on their lives Robershaw stated, “We both had changed our focus from our undergrad majors, mostly due to our time in the Peace Corps and in France and Portugal…. The Peace Corps opened up the whole world to me.” Rollin’s own Peace Corps Regional Recruiter, Chad Chernet, echoed Robertshaw’s sentiment when he attested that “the memories… cannot be replicated through any other life experience. “The most rewarding aspect of Peace Corps service is knowing that the impact you make within the community survives long after your service has ended.” If you would like to be a part of this impact, applications are due October 1 in order to begin service in Spring 2017.
freshman and transfer students is to “keep an open mind” and travel if possible. “It opens a door for you, for new experiences.” Clearly, our new Dean of Religious Life will be a welcoming presence for everyone at Rollins.
Photo courtesy of Jim Hobart Photo
Q
uick facts
Founded in 1961 by Executive Order of President John F Kennedy
63% of Peace Corps volunteers are women and 95% are single
The average age of a Peace Corps volunteer is 28
The largest proportion of volunteers work in education
The largest percent of volunteers (45%) go to Africa.
Since its conception, over 220,000 volunteers have joined and served in 141 countries.
Page 7 • FEATURES
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Ellie Rushing
Writer
Tamara Vuckovich
p.m. Students in Spanish classes will present artwork and other cultural presentations. Ashley Kistler, director of the LACS program, hopes to receive a great turnout during this week of events. As Dr. Kistler stated, “It is important to honor Latin America’s cultural legacy, especially living here in Central Florida where we have many people of Latin American origin.” LACS will continue its annual Día de los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, November 2. Students are encouraged to honor and celebrate those that have passed by bringing photos of deceased loved ones and their favorite dishes to place on an altar. This event is open for all students to come and enjoy a day of love, life, peace, and tamales (traditionally served on this holiday). The celebration will be held on the patio of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at 5 p.m.
Writer
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) program will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a week full of fun events and festivities to raise awareness of Latin American culture and to highlight the region’s amazing artistic and cultural accomplishments. Semana LACS is usually held every year in November on campus around the holiday Día de los Muertos— The Day of the Dead—but this year, LACS chose to celebrate Hispanic culture and tradition in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage month. Students will be able to experience firsthand many aspects of Latin American culture through the events featured on our campus, from delicious food to rhythmic music. On Friday, September 30, Fiesta Hispana will be held at Casa Iberia at 4
Accepts R-Cards! “My favorite is spinach, tomato, and feta”
Locally Owned and Operated Maitland 1510 S Orlando Ave.000-000-000 STORE LOCATION
Orlando, FL 32751
Roger Lewis, your local Domino’s Manager
OPEN 000-000-000 STORE LOCATION
Minimum Purchase required for delivery. Delivery charge may apply. Limited delivery areas.
1 LARGE ANY WAY! Large 1-Topping Pizza
LATE ©2014 Domino’s IP Holder LLC. Not valid with any other offer.
This innovative program is a pilot run to make sure the transitional living situations are ideal for both the Rollins community and the family being housed. Refugees often find the United States culture overwhelmingly different; this program provides them with a more interactive way to integrate into our country. Since the United States government provides approximately twelve weeks of transitional assistance, the Rollins Refugee in Residence will host the family for one semester as well. If all goes well with this family, Rollins may begin housing a new family each semester. Chong, an expert in human rights and refugee crises, provided some wonderful insight on how this program has the opportunity to change the lives of refugees while also inspiring Rollins students to take interest in global issues. When asked about his involvement with the program, Chong said, “I was immediately sold on the idea because I saw it as a tremendous opportunity for Rollins to live our mission and to provide transformational, intimate, personal learning experiences for our students. We spend lots of money each year taking our students abroad to see global issues, but this is a great way to have Rollins students directly engage with global issues here on campus.” Chong and the other members also made it very clear that the program is always looking for volunteers. If anyone is interested in helping by contributing both time and resources to the program and family, do not hesitate to reach out. These three new members of the Rollins community have shown strength and perseverance in their will to learn an entirely new culture and start over with their lives. Anytime you see them on campus, a warm smile and Spanish greeting would be so appreciated. Every year, Rollins strives to better the community and make a difference; the Rollins Refugee in Residence Program is taking these bounds to the next level, bettering the world one step at a time.
©2014 Domino’s IP Holder LLC. Not valid with any other offer.
The refugee crisis has been a topic of concern for many years now. Countries around the world including Syria, Turkey, Jordan, and parts of South America are drowning in dangerous war conditions and harsh government treatment. Families find themselves being forced to flee these unsafe conditions in hope of a new start and a brighter future. Tragically, the refugee crisis recently has grown at an unprecedented rate. What used to be thousands of sanctuary-bound individuals has become millions, overwhelming Westerners far removed from the crisis and feeding controversy and grief throughout politics. However, the Rollins community has stepped up and shown that our faculty, staff, and students plan to demonstrate our mission of global citizenship and responsible leadership by making the ultimate commitment to humanity: providing transitional housing for a refugee family. About a year ago, Rollins’ Women’s Head Golf coach (National Champion and NCAA Coach of the Year), Julie Garner, was updating herself on the refugee crises. The tragic tales of families dying as they struggled to escape wartime violence inspired her to investigate what Rollins could do to help. She immediately began gathering faculty and staff across campus, including Dan Chong from the political science department, Leon Hayner from Residential Life, Shelby McGuire, Marissa Corrente and Meredith Hein from CLCE, and Campus Safety officials Ken Miller and Maria Martinez (who is a refugee from Cuba herself). With the support and admiration of President Cornwell, this team of dedicated individuals connected with Catholic Charities of Central Florida to help a family escape danger and begin a better life here in the United States. The family that Rollins has taken in is comprised of a mother, a father, and their adorable three-year-old son. They have
traveled all the way from Colombia, a country that is not often placed in the spotlight when it comes to internal conflict and war. Ubeknownst to many, Colombia is currently experiencing the world’s longest running civil war, forcing five million residents to abandon their homes. This “invisible crisis” has been largely influenced by the war on drugs throughout Colombia, which some say is the stabilizing factor of their economy, bringing in $9 billion USD a year. When an economy depends on drugs, the government and other key industries remain corrupt and it becomes extremely difficult for families to feel safe and receive the proper employment opportunities and health care they need. Women and children of Colombia have been particularly vulnerable to the effects the civil war has caused. They suffer from sexual exploitation, malnutrition, violence. It is not uncommon to hear of young girls forced into prostitution by gangs, surviving only by willpower. These tragedies drove the Rollins team to bring this family to safety at the first opportunity. The team worked countless hours to put together the most sustainable and supportive program they could dream up. The Rollins Refugee in Residence program has been completely supported by the excess materials here on campus. For example, Sodexo has an established practice of packaging the extra food that isn’t eaten in the Campus Center each day, making it easy to donate to the family. The on-campus Sutton Apartments often have vacancies each year, which are to be used to house the family. All other goods and services have been generously donated by Rollins faculty and staff at absolutely no charge. Rollins Spanish Professor Patricia Tome has been helping the family learn English, and students stop by to help with laundry, computer programs, and child care, while some even offer to drive the family throughout Orlando to places like church and soccer games.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latin American Caribbean Studies (LACS) program will be hosting a series of events including dance lessons and food sampling to honor Latin America’s heritage.
STORE LOCATION
000-000-000 ORDER NOW AT DOMINOS.COM
2 LARGE
Minimum Purchase required for delivery. Delivery charge may apply. Limited delivery areas.
Large 3-Topping Pizza & Marbled 2-Topping CookiePizzas Brownie
$13 99 99 14 12 Choose any style with any toppings
& Marbled Cookie Brownie
$
each
CODE 5041
LIMITED TIME OFFER
LIMITED TIME OFFER Cash Value 1/20c. Prices may vary. Tax may apply. Code 5908
CARRYOUT OR DELIVERY Additional toppings extra.
Additional Toppings extra.
CODE 5364
LIMITED TIME OFFER
LIMITED TIME OFFER
Code 5909
Cash Value 1/20c. Prices may vary. Tax may apply.
CARRYOUT ONLY Additional toppings extra.
Valid with coupon only at participating stores.
Rollins helps alleviate the global refugee crisis by welcoming a refugee family from Colombia on campus.
LACS hosts Hispanic Heritage Month
Valid with coupon only at participating stores.
Rollins welcomes first refugee family
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Page 8 • SPORTS
Rollins Soccer ties with Tampa In the first game and tailgate of the season, the Rollins Men’s Soccer team tied with the University of Tampa 3-3 in overtime. Manny Rodriguez
Writer
Last Wednesday was a TAR-riffic day, some may say, but it took a bit to get there. The turnout after the tailgate was a little disappointing, in my opinion as one who has great spirit for sports. If you want to show school spirit, this is one king of event that you have to go to. Unfortunately, there are more students interested in free food than supporting their fellow classmates out on the field. I would rate the tailgate 6 out of 10 stars. I love the drive to get students out with free food and drinks, but that was it for most attendees. In comparison to Coffee Talk at the Holt School or the common hour event CLCE had at the beginning of the semester, the tailgate was wonderful, but as an actual tailgate, it could have been better. When there is an event like this, you have to go! Tailgating isn’t just about hanging out; it is about supporting our teams and showing what Rollins is all about. From the free shirts to the free food, what can go wrong? Many students stopped by for the amazing grilled burgers, the icy snow cones, and the tasty hot dogs. The lines were long, the stands were filled with laughter, and the music and weather was great; it was a perfect day. Sadly, when the game started, the crowd was not very loud. Come on, Rollins, where’s our pride?
Rollins played against Tampa last Wednesday—the team’s second home game, but their first conference home game. The stands were almost full, but accounting for the amount of students on this campus and the supporters of the opposing team, those stands should have been overflowing. The tailgate helped to bring in some people, but other students seemed to have had better things to do. Where was the hype? Students were coming in to watch the soccer game, and the flow of the game began very slowly. “LET’S GO ROLLINS!” exclaimed one man in the stands, while everyone else simply sat talking to each other or busying themselves on their phones. Within those first ten minutes, UT scored the first goal. Rollins fans began to boo and moan, and our team walked back slowly. It was just sad to hear the majority of the stands boo so soon into the game. However, that goal gave a push to our Rollins soccer team, who stepped out to score a goal. Finally, students were getting excited. It was an excellent shot by Tosan Popo ’17. Popo shot it into the bottom corner, making sure it went to the back of the net. Rollins students began to feel the hype; it was about time! About twenty minutes after the second goal of the game, silence began to return. Tampa scored another goal, and the same thing that happened in the beginning of the game occurred. Roll-
ins supporters booed; our soccer team wanted revenge; Rollins’ Matt Volk ’18 scored an excellent header with only six minutes left of the first half. The second half began, and both teams were really getting in on each other. Needless to say, Rollins had more possession, but
taken. This goal by UT tied the game. All of a sudden, regular time was over and students were already leaving. This was when some students in the stands (like me) told others hat there would be sudden overtime. Some still decided to leave, but the majority stayed. I would say that the end
crossbar. That one chance of winning went away, and the game ended three to three. What an excellent game! I hope to see more games like this, and to see Rollins students give more support to our fellow classmates who are playing this season.
Photos by Natalie Hayes that doesn’t matter if the game is tied. Thankfully, Popo ’17 scored again! The game was three to two, and the stands were finally feeling the victory. UT ended up winning a free kick outside the box, and it was wonderfully
of the second half and the whole period in overtime were the most exciting parts. I just wish that we as students could carry excitement through the whole game. Rollins almost secured a goal, but the ball ended up hitting the
Volleyball: Friday September 30 @home vs. Nova Southeastern Men’s Soccer: Saturday October 1 @home vs. Eckerd Women’s Soccer: Wednesday October 5 @home vs. Florida Southern