The Sandspur Volume 125 Issue 7 by The Sandspur

Issue 7 • Volume 125 Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 www.thesandspur.org

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Women's soccer strikes again By Henri Balla

hballa@rollins.edu

fficient, tenacious, victorious—such was the women’s soccer team that stepped onto the Cahall-Sandspur Field for Saturday’s game against conference foe, Palm Beach Atlantic Univer-

Kelly Rowswell ‘20, the women’s soccer team’s goalie, has been instrumental in the team’s strong record. (Mike Watters / Courtesy)

sity.

The 1-0 win means that Rollins now sits second on the Sunshine State Conference Table. Although the team’s only goal was scored in the first half, the Tars’s defense was strong enough to deny all of the opponent’s attempts up until the final whistle blew.

Kathryn O’Brien (‘20) made the game-winning goal with what looked like an effortless placement of the ball into the net. She was assisted by Katie Evans (‘22), who executed a powerful throw-in into the box before O’Brien took over. “I knew that they [the defenders] were tight on me, so I

Professors police juuling

Juuling is popular across campus. (Caitlin Richard / Staff Photographer)

By Victoria Alvarez

valvarez@rollins.edu

tudents Juul on campus, that is no secret. But now it is becoming popular inside buildings and even

in classrooms, and professors are not happy about it. “Some faculty and staff have expressed their concerns that they were seeing students vaping/Juuling in campus buildings,” said Maeghan Rempala,

director of the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility. Dr. Jay Pieczynski, assistant professor of biology, is concerned with the overuse of Juuling. He said he sees students Juuling in the Bush Science Center on a regular basis. “Yes, I have seen it in Bush and I know other professors have seen it in class. I just caught someone Juuling after [Dean Weyant’s] email was sent out. I stated the Code of Conduct and reported him,” said Pieczynski.

‣ See JUULING Page 3

was turning her [the marker] a few times in the game,” O’Brien said. “[This time] she was blocking the ball to let her keeper get it and I just stuck my foot in there and tapped it in.” It looked like a goal out of thin air, but it was more than enough to give Rollins the win. The narrow scoreline might

give the wrong impression about the Tars’ attacking performance. With 19 shots, which forced nine saves in the process, Coach Alicia Schuck was very satisfied.

‣ See SOCCER Page 6

Parking appeals now under SGA

By Caitlin Richard

ckrichard@rollins.edu

s construction across campus limits available parking spaces, Campus Safety continues to distribute parking tickets. With each ticket usually comes an appeal, which will now be handled by a Student Government Association-sponsored student parking committee. Parking tickets issued on campus are abundant, with an average of 250 to 300 tickets issued each month. With multiple construction projects severely

decreasing the number of student-reserved parking spaces on campus, it appears that this number may only rise. Many individuals have found themselves parking in prohibited areas to avoid endlessly circling campus with the hope of finding a spot. Of the mass amount of tickets issued, many are appealed. Ken Miller, assistant vice president of public safety, said that “about 50 percent of all citations [tickets] are appealed for various reasons.”

‣ See PARKING Page 6

2 • October 11, 2018 Established in 1894 with the following editorial:

College hosts panel on felon voting rights Discussion on Amendment 4 featured previous imprisoned people By Caroline Klouse

EXECUTIVE STAFF Ellie Rushing Editor-in-Chief Christina Fuleihan Managing Editor

CONTENT STAFF Alex Candage Head Copy Editor Siobhan Nolet David Smith Copy Editors Maura Leaden Assigning Editor Kendall Clarke Staff Writer Alyssa Malto Headlines

DESIGN DEPARTMENT Lya Dominguez Head Designer Dana Wagenhauser Pat Murray Hannah Jahosky Head Designer Anastasia Rooke Designer / Illustrator

WEB STAFF Kalli Joslin Neny Lairet Katie McCree

cklouse@rollins.edu

mendment 4, which will be featured on the upcoming primary election ballot in Florida, is a proposed state constitutional changes that would, if passed, restore voting rights to non-violent felons who have completed their sentences and probation. A panel was recently held at Rollins featuring previously imprisoned people to discuss and support the amendment. “This is a civil rights issue of utmost importance,” said Dr. Matthew Nichter, coordinator of Rollins’ Africa & African-American Studies program (AAAS) and an assistant professor of sociology. The “Let My People Vote” panel was held on Mon-

day, Oct. 8, and was sponsored by the AAAS program. It was moderated by Erin Sledge (‘20) and featured three panelists including Dr. Brandon Jett, visiting assistant professor of history; Neil Volz, political director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition; and LaShanna Tyson, founder of the local non-profit, Empowering Kids with Incarcerated Parent, and a student at UCF. Both Volz and Tyson are returned citizens and convicted fel-

“

ons. A returned citizen is someone who has served their time in federal prison, due to a conviction, and has now returned to their life out of prison. Volz and Tyson relayed their experiences from before, during, and after serving their time in federal prison. Each of the panelists strongly advocated for the passage of Amendment 4 and urged the audience to get out and vote on Nov. 6. Jett, who specializes in criminal justice, emphasized the importance of “welcoming [felons]

Amendment 4, in particular, only restores rights to non-violent felons, who did not commit murder or sex offenses

back into society” and “making a positive change” for the lives of returned citizens. Amendment 4 would only restore voting rights to non-violent felons who did not commit murder or sex offenses and who have fully completed their sentences and probation. If this amendment is passed, almost 1.8 million people may be allowed to vote, explained Volz. The panel specifically highlighted how Florida is one of only four states that currently bar people’s right to vote. Jett highlighted that “over 800,000 people signed a referendum saying that they would want it on the [Florida] ballot.” Amendment 4 truly is a voter’s amendment, and it is one of the most debated items on the state’s ticket this year.

The Sandspur

Digital Content Editors

BUSINESS & FACULTY Greg Golden

Is hiring for 2018-19

Director of Student Media

Dr. Leslie Poole Faculty Advisor Luis Diego Student Media Graduate Assistant

ADVERTISING

Contact: studentmedia@rollins.edu

Apply today! Freelance writers Staff writers Copy editors Section editors Page designers Photographers Ad representatives Illustrators

Open meetings: 5 p.m. every Monday Olin Library Room 230

New data shows career planning pays off Approximately 80% of graduates are employed within 18 months of graduation By Caroline Klouse

cklouse@rollins.edu

According to Rollins data from the graduating class of 2015, 75 percent of graduates are engaged in the workforce, grad school, or volunteer service 12 months after graduation. After 18 months, this figure rises to 81 percent. This data is the most recent information published by Center for Career & Life Planning (CCLP), which has taken strides toward increasing graduate employment. They have established tools and resources such as the student-faculty advising program called R-Compass, an online graduate survey, and the new Career Champions Mentor Program. Lisa Gilliean-Crump, assistant vice president for Student Affairs at the CCLP, dissected the statistics and estimated that after a year and a half, about 80 percent of Rollins graduates are working full or part time, “and the other 20 percent of these graduates are in grad school.” Gilliean-Crump also explained that CCLP is encourag-

‣ JUUL

Continued from page 1 Pieczynski is referring to an email that was sent out by Meghan Harte Weyant, dean of students, to all students reminding them of the campus’ smoking policies. The email reminded students that Juuling is a violation against the Student Code of Conduct when not done in the designated smoking areas. The only acceptable areas to Juul are within the five designated smoking areas, namely Critchfield Park, the gazebo to the south of Olin library, the area between Elizabeth and Ward halls, the courtyard of the Annie Russell, and Science Village. These smoking areas are labeled on campus, and there are maps on the Rollins website showing their specific locations. Dr. Jana Mathews, associate professor of English, said she caught a student Juuling in the middle of her class last semester. “I was writing on the board, sud-

ing earlier career preparation, whether that is by making connections with Rollins alumni, applying for graduate schools, or reaching out to potential employers. The data shows that 2015 was a benchmark year for the CCLP, said Gilliean-Crump. This was due to the merger of Career Services and Academic Internships in 2014. This merger coincided with a new approach to contacting and interacting with current and former Rollins students in order to get them more engaged about career opportunities. In one change, the CCLP switched to an online graduate survey instead of the old paper and pen method. With the former method, Gilliean-Crump said that students would answer the question of “What job are you going to hold after college?” with responses like, “Batman” and “Superwoman.” The introduction of the online survey by the CCLP made the survey a graduation requirement. This requirement made soon-to-be Rollins graduates take the survey more seriously,

and it allows for the CCLP to gather more accurate data for their surveys. Gilliean-Crump said that, “prior to 2015, post-graduation outcome reporting was solely based on the survey response data from the Rollins First Destination Survey... the online survey was administered at the time [of] graduation and again at three, six, and 12 months after graduation.” The CCLP received an extremely low response rate to these surveys. Gilliean-Crump said that since the introduction of the new online method in 2015, “we have a more comprehensive approach to our data collection process, as the College began leveraging LinkedIn data, launched the CLP/Phone-AThon campaigns, and changed [their] post-graduation surveying system to Handshake.” The Phone-A-Thon campaigns, for instance, are a new approach in which the CCLP contacts Rollins graduates and conducts their post-graduation surveys over the telephone. The Career Champions Mentor Program is another way

in which students can still be attending school while making those important connections with successful alumni who can help them plan for the future, said Gilliean-Crump. This program had its pilot run last year, and 36 students applied for mentorship. The CCLP was able to match each of these students with an alum who worked in a similar field and carried a similar interest and passion. For example, Alumna Stacy Van Praagh (‘93), the President of the Americas at Alexander McQueen, was a mentor to Philip Denizard (‘16), who is now an assistant buyer at Gucci. This year, Gilliean-Crump hopes to expose more students to this amazing opportunity, as the CCLP’s goal was to reach 50 applicants for the mentee position, since “many alumni are more than willing to engage with the students and help them in any way possible.” The connection between student and alumni attests to the success of the Career Champions Mentor Program. GillieanCrump said that many of the

students are still in contact and collaboration with their mentors. The CCLP is now emphasizing the importance of thinking about early career preparation. And the introduction of R-Compass, in particular, helps students connect with faculty who will advise them on how best to apply for jobs that they are most passionate about and that fit their major. The CCLP page on Rollins’ website says, “R-Compass Advising Mentors (RCAMs) provide “peer-to-peer outreach to faculty on advising as needed on individual, departmental, and campus-wide levels.” Gilliean-Crump said the CCLP is also pushing for students to “develop LinkedIn accounts,” as they allow for students to be immersed in a community and truly “engaged in the process” of finding jobs. Students are also encouraged to refer to the Rollins Results page on the college website. It features the percentages of employed graduates and includes profiles focused on specific graduates becoming global citizens and responsible leaders.

denly turned around, and saw smoke appear around one of my seniors. I was like ‘are you smoking in my class?’ My student said ‘no, I’m just Juuling.’ So I made a joke out of it. I said, ‘okay creative license gives me the right to say you were smoking crack in my class. Whenever you need a job recommendation, I’m writing that you smoke crack in class.’ It became an ongoing classroom joke for the rest of the year.” Dr. Mathews continued, “I’m not talking about the health repercussions. I’m talking about what I would want in my class. It’s like if you were to eat a smelly burger and fries in my 8 a.m. it’s a distraction to me and the other students. And it’s just weird to do in a classroom setting.” The stories from the professors are not surprising considering the results of an anonymous student survey published in The Sandspur in early September. Out of 363 respondents, 3 percent said that they Juul in class. Another 3 percent said that they sometimes do, and 93 percent

said they do not. When it comes to students’ opinions on the issue, they felt that time and energy should be spent fixing other campus issues. Camilla Delfino (‘19)—who said she does not Juul—said, “This is stupid. People will do it anyways. They should attack other issues instead of focusing [on] juuling.” Erin McCusker (‘19) shared Delfino’s opinion: “I don’t smoke, so I don’t personally care. I do agree though that there are more important issues. Like fixing the elevators with expired licenses.” Christina McAlpin (‘21) thinks that Juuling should not fall under the same category as cigarettes. “It’s completely different to me.” Both Rempala and Weyant said that they do not have any opinions about Juuling, but stressed that smoking a Juul outside the designated areas is against the policy. Weynant said, “I do want students to know and under-

stand the policy, and understand that using cigarettes or electronic cigarettes inside campus building[s], during class, and in residence halls is not allowed per the policy, and that students choosing to do so will be charged accordingly.” “Rollins College recognizes that smoking poses significant health risks to members of the community and considers the needs and concerns of smokers and non-smokers alike in providing a healthy and safe living, learning, and work environment for all students, staff, faculty, and guests,” said Weyant. Pieczynski said it is unfortunate that “most users don’t realize that they are using a substance that has been repeatedly demonstrated to cause a physical dependency for that substance.” “Just like all fads on this campus, Juuling will pass when students decide that it doesn’t make them unique anymore,” he said.

Correction: In the article titled “Students debate Kavanaugh allegations” in issue 6 of The Sandspur, information attributed to Victoria Scott misrepresented her stance. The sentence on page 6 read: “Scott passionately and respectfully argued in disagreement, stemming from her perception of the President’s duty as a member of the Republican party, rather than a moral obligation to believe survivors.” This sentence has since been corrrected online, and should be read as: “Scott said it’s the President’s duty as a member of the Republican party to support Kavanaugh, but that she personally believes and supports survivors.”

Orlando spots to get you in the Halloween spirit

Graphic by Anastasia Rooke

By Caroline Klouse

cklouse@rollins.edu

n the midst of midterms, students may forget that October’s Halloween festivities are well under way. Rollins students not only have the chance to be spooked by impending exams, but by the following Halloween Festivities hosted in the Orlando area. The notorious Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort will feature five scare zones, 10 haunted houses, six attractions, and one live show from Sept. 14 until Nov. 3. This year Halloween Horror Nights offers a diverse range of frightening activities, whether that be a good throwback, like the “Poltergeist” Haunted House and

the “Revenge of Chucky” scare zone, or a twist on a modern classic, like the Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Haunted House. If you prefer huddling behind a close friend while being scared down a trail, the Petrified Forest is the place to go. Located in Altamonte Springs at 1360 E. Altamonte Dr., the Petrified Forest Scare Trail opened on Friday, Oct. 5 and will run through Nov. 3. The prices vary from a single trail ticket at $15 per person to a ticket for both trails at $25 per person. If a good cult classic or popcorn flick in the park is more your speed, the Enzian Theater in Maitland is showcasing 13 Films of Halloween throughout the month of October for a stu-

dent discount of only $9. The Enzian’s series will feature homages to famous writers, including Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, and Bram Stocker, through films such as “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “Frankenstein,” and the “Horror Of Dracula.” Horror classics like “The Thing” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will also be featured. If haunted houses, scary trails, or horror films are not how you want to celebrate the month of October, the Winter Park Pumpkin Party offers a free pumpkin decorating event with small pumpkins, paint, and more. It’s on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Ward Park. Students can also attend the Spooky Skate at the RDV Sports-

plex Ice Den in Maitland on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 2-4:45 p.m. For just $12, students can enjoy a nice, chilly Halloween-themed afternoon. The RDV also offers $1 off if you wear a killer costume, no pun intended! Also on Saturday, Oct. 27, Rollins will host its traditional Halloween Howl from 2-5 p.m. on Mills Lawn. If you would like to help pass out candy, dabble in some arts and crafts, or mingle with faculty member’s children during a friendly carnival game, then make your way over to this event. For students who want to see if they can survive a zombie apocalypse, the Zombie Outbreak attraction at 7364 International Dr. in Orlando offers just the right simulation all year long

for $24.95 per gameplay. For those who are looking for treats rather than tricks this October, Peterbrooke Chocolatier on Park Avenue in Winter Park is selling Halloween-themed treats, including a Day of the Dead chocolate mold and a Frankenstein cake pop. The chocolate shop is also hosting a Halloween Chocolate Party on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m., and spots are filling up fast! Whether you choose to get scared in The Stranger Things Haunted House, get in the Halloween spirit at Spooky Skate, or attempt to carve a pumpkin at the Winter Park Pumpkin Party, these festivities offer a chance to break away from the madness of midterms and indulge in some good old Halloween fun.

5 Students combat menstrual injustice

Accessibility offers new notetaking aid

Left to right: Lizzie Berry, Kenzie Helmick, and Addie Cursey tabling to collect menstrual products. (Kenzie Helmick / Courtesy)

By Heather Borohchaner

hborochaner@rollins.edu

oices for Women, a student organization that provides support for women and their allies, raised approximately $1,700 during their recent menstrual security drive. This money will help provide menstrual products, such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups, to underprivileged people in the Central Florida area. The drive—the fourth at Rollins—sought to raise awareness about the lack of menstrual justice in Central Florida. “Menstruation products are considered luxury items, so they’re not supplied in shelters or outreach programs,” said Addison Cursey (‘19), co-president of the Voices for Women meetings. “People overlook that it’s necessary.” Kenzie Helmick (‘19), the co-president of community outreach at Voices for Women, said that “buying menstruation products can cost anywhere from $6 to $12. For homeless or poor people, that’s simply not expendable money that they have every month.” A good solution, Cursey explained, is that people should have free and convenient access to their desired products during their time of the month. This is something that is out of their control and they should be able to focus on more important parts of their day. Proceeds from the menstrual security drive go to organizations such as the Harbor House of Central Florida, a domestic abuse center that provides housing and support services to survivors of domestic abuse. Money

will also be shared with the Pace Center for Girls, which provides at-risk young girls and women opportunities for better futures through education, support, and advocacy. Voices for Women will “also be making goodie bags full of menstruation supplies to give to homeless people who may not be able to afford them,” said Hannah Gonzalez (‘20), co-president for events at Voices for Women. Furthermore, the money raised will be used to pay for menstrual cups, which when used properly can last for up to 10 years; however, they can cost up to $30. After sending out emails to multiple menstrual cup providers, Helmick secured a partnership with myEverCup. They agreed to provide menstrual cups to the Harbor House at the considerably reduced price of $3. “Having this partnership allows us to expand our potential outreach tenfold,” said Helmick, “guaranteeing that we provide tens of years of security for dozens of menstruators in Central Florida.” Since menstrual products are seen as luxury items, Florida used to apply a luxury tax on the purchase of menstrual items like pads and tampons, whereas items like condoms and viagra were never taxed. In 2017, legislation passed to end that taxation. “This was a great step in the right direction but only a small chip,” said Helmick. Helmick, who developed a deep passion for menstrual advocacy, has spent much of her college career working on research, and she has also published articles in The Independent about menstrual justice. This coming December,

Helmick will travel to India to share her research, and she will also be teaching a class at the Harbor House on the proper use of menstrual cups. Since menstruation is such a stigmatized subject in society, people usually do not donate menstrual products, and the government does not supply them to housing facilities or place them in public bathrooms. “There’s a big lack in menstrual education all over,” said Helmick. Because so many do not know about the struggle that those who menstruate face every month, it is difficult to supply them with their needs. “Although it isn’t a widespread cause,” said Helmick, “it’s a growing movement with a couple of national organizations such as PERIOD.” The goal of the menstrual security drive was to raise $900, as this was their first monetary drive, having previously taken donations of menstrual products; so the members of Voices for Women were overjoyed with their fundraising success this semester and hope the movement continues to garner interest.

Graphic by Pat Murray

By Annie Murray-Campbell

amurraycampbell@rollins.edu

ollins Accessibility Services has added a new voice-dependent note-taking tool called Sonocent, a software that records lectures in easily categorized phrases. Sonocent has sent Rollins 25 trial licenses for their software. According to Whitney Horton, director of Accessibility Services, the 2018 fall semester will serve as a trial period. Horton also said that eleven of these trial licences are already in use, and the remaining fourteen have been assigned to students whose acceptance is pending. Sonocent operates in a similar way to the other note-taking softwares that students use. According to Horton, the students already using Sonocent say it is easy to use and familiar, as some high schools use it as well. A more formal report of student feedback will be sent out via email at the end of the semester. Originally formed to help dyslexic students, Sonocent is dedicated to helping students find and use the tools they need

to help them succeed. By finding a new approach to note-taking, this company has expanded gradually and refined their software to the point where it is now. Accessibility Services offers other kinds of assisted note-taking methods, including peer note-takers, students who are paid to submit notes after each class session; and Livescribe smartpens, Bluetooth pens that turn handwriting into text. The LiveScribe smartpens are Bluetooth devices, compatible with smartphones and tablets, that record lectures and convert handwritten notes into text. The downsides to the pens are that they are small, easy to lose, and take a while to get used to. Sonocent is meant to be an improvement and upgrade on this technology. As usual, all accomodations from Accessibility Services are provided at no extra cost to students. If any students are in need of, and interested in using this software, contact Accessibility Services by calling 407-975 6463, or by emailing access@rollins. edu.

Blocked off parking spots on campus leave students, faculty, and staff searching for spaces. (Caitlin Richard / Staff Photographer)

‣ PARKING

Continued from page 1 Of those appeals filed, roughly 30 to 40 percent will be granted and the citation will be reduced to a warning, said Miller. When appeals aren’t granted, many students end up footing the bill. Tickets range from $30 to $110 in cost depending on the severity of the infraction and the amount of time the person waits to pay it. Some students are shocked by the price of the tickets. Emilia Castillo (‘21) said that she has received a ticket on two occasions

for parking in a spot that Campus Safety claimed was reserved for faculty and staff, but she said there were no signs. “I think it’s ridiculous to charge $50 per ticket, especially for your very first ticket,” Castillo said. “I would understand if it worked up to $50, but I don’t think it should start that high.” Other students are worried about the construction. “The construction causes overall chaos. I appreciate the work that Campus Safety has done to try and make parking available, but clearly it’s still an issue that is affecting everyday life at Rollins for both students and faculty. I just think there could have been a better approach,” said Patrick Rhinehart (‘19). With the new student parking committee established, Samuel Alvarez (‘21), one of the new members, offered insight into the appeal process. “Once the offender has placed the appeal, the committee will convene and review all the included information in the appeal. That can include photos, descriptions of the event, or maps that the student might include to advance their appeal.” “We also have access to the students parking record with Campus Safety and can investigate whether this is their first infraction or their fifth, which plays a role in the decision the committee might make,” said Alvarez. The committee meets once a week for approximately 40 min-

utes to review appeals that were submitted that week. Appeals must be filed within 14 days of being issued, and the appeal form may be downloaded off of the Rollins website or filled out at the Campus Safety office. Its members consists of five SGA senators. For this school year, the members are Samuel Alvarez (‘21), Maximiliano Castrillon (‘19), Jessica Gonzalez (‘21), Caroline Powell (‘21), and Bridget Gorman (‘21). Requirements to serve on the panel are simple: have a positive judicial and parking record in order to provide an unbiased opinion. The selected members of the committee were already involved with the SGA senate and showed a strong interest in resolving parking issues. “This is an important opportunity to me,” said Gonzalez. “It allows students to be a part of the appealing process, and hold each other accountable. However, since we are students, we also understand and relate to the difficulties of parking, and take that into consideration.” The goal of the committee is to increase student involvement in campus offices while allowing students to be advocates for concerns that are passionate to them. With the addition of the Student Parking Committee, Campus Safety will no longer be the judge and the jury when it comes to parking infractions.

‣ SOCCER

Continued from page 1 “I thought our forwards looked amazing tonight. They were combining, they were working hard, they were creating some really dangerous chances to score and I love that,” said Schuck. The game’s second half was a Conference-worthy one, as the Tars managed to maintain the score with a whole-team effort. Wingback Gianna Merigliano (‘21) explained, “Really, the main thing we want to do, is not let them turn on the ball. Just high-pressure and win every 50-50 ball, if possible. We did a good job at that, I thought.” It helps when the backline gets a hand from the frontline. “When I get the ball, I have to keep it and not lose it. We have to give [the defenders] a break,” said O’Brien, adding that goals are usually conceded when attackers are not fulfilling their defensive responsibilities. “When we do our job and we hold the ball, make [the opposition] turn, go to the corners, and manage the game, then we can help the defense, take the load off of them,” O’Brien said. Schuck agreed, saying, “It just adds so much to our attack when our forwards are really stretching backline. That was something to be very proud of. Teams are good enough in this conference to break you apart. When we do get broken apart, we still create a wall of defense and it’s hard to get through us. For the chances that we gave them, we were exceptional all over the field, defensively.” The Tars are in the midst of a high-intensity stage of their season, as they face some of their toughest opponents. Yesterday,

they traveled to Eckerd College. For Schuck, it is all about timing and management. “Our team is a little bit tired right now, so we really have to spend some time on the recovery process to get ready. I’ve said this earlier, the girls are on a mission. They are just so focused on trying to end at the top of the conference, in those top positions in the conference, even if not first right now,” said Schuck. According to O’Brien, the atmosphere among the players is optimal. “Winning obviously helps a lot. Winning forms a habit. Once you’re winning, you’re used to winning. You know the feeling and you don’t want to not feel that. Losing sucks!” said O’Brien. The mentality becomes particularly important in such a physically-demanding phase, with the Tars having played on average every three days for the past three weeks. Merigliano is on the same page, attributing the progress to the work ethics. “Honestly, I think we’re in a really good place right now. We really worked hard from spring season, to pre-season, to now,” she said, emphasizing the intensity of the workload. “It’s been paying off. Towards the end of the season, I think we’re going to go far this year. I really believe that we will. As long as we keep working how we’re working, then we’re going to get to what our goals are.” But can the Tars end up in a high seat in the conference? Schuck said, “Whether Eckerd, Saint Leo, Embry-Riddle or [Florida] Tech, no matter our last four games, they’re just names to us. We just have to go out there and make sure we’re performing and executing the game plan.”

Shalisa Crowell (‘19) concentrates on moving the ball downfield. (Mike Watters / Courtesy)

7 OPINION

Defining sexual assault Controversy around Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation brings up difficult questions like how to define acts of sexual violence By Noelle Wamsley

nwamsley@rollins.edu

t seems as if we look at sexual assault on a spectrum, with rape being the worst offense, punishable with the most severe consequences. However, this point of view does not take into account that every act of assault, no matter how small, achieves the same goal of exerting power and control over the victim. According to the national anti-sexual violence organization Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), rape is categorized as one form of sexual assault. However, a lot of people have different opinions of what constitutes sexual assault, which stirs up a lot of questions that do not necessarily have definitive answers. Is groping a serious sexual offense? Does there have to be penetration in order for an assault to be considered rape? “Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is Rape,” according to RAINN’s website. So, determining where the line between assault and rape is may be complicated. Rape is considered sexual assault, but the amount of unwanted physical contact is contingent on the victim’s experience. Then there is the question of whether sexual assault in any form should be taken as seriously as rape in court. The emotional repercussions for assault victims vary and should be taken just as seriously as those faced by a rape victim. Each victim can have just as traumatic an experience, no matter the level of physical contact. Some emotional side-effects can include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and recurring flashbacks of past trauma. It can even be difficult for the victim to connect with their environment and those around them after the assault. A traumatic experience should be treated as such, and the goal should always be to support the victim. However, I do not know if we can create a baseline for sexual assault cases so that the punishment is fair every time. The victim’s emotional and physical injuries differ on a caseby-case basis. Should a college

kid accused of groping a female student get life in prison and be alienated from civilization as punishment for their offense? Assault is unacceptable regardless of the circumstances, and if we do not hold perpetrators responsible for their actions then these assaults are likely to continue to occur, justified by outdated platitudes like “boys will be boys.” Is the ultimate question really which is more severe: prison time or lasting trauma? Then we get “kids” like Brock Turner, who are seen as having a future that society deems valuable before committing assault. Turner was a college student at Stanford University when he sexually assaulted a female student in 2015. The female student was unconscious near a dumpster when Turner was found by two graduate students as he was thrusting on top of her. He was arrested under charges of “sexual assault of an unconscious person, sexual assault of an intoxicated person and sexual assault with intent to commit rape,” according to The New York Times. There was some debate in court on whether to charge him with rape because, “at the time, California law narrowly defined rape as ‘an act of sexual intercourse’ under duress or lack of consent,” according to the Times. Although Turner did not have intercourse with the student, he did penetrate her with his hands before he got caught. The courts found this sufficient in charging him with intended rape. However, during his appeal, Turner’s lawyer tried to spin the charges, saying Turner did not have the intention of raping the student, but only wanted “outercourse.” According to the NYT, “Mr. Multhaup referred to “outercourse” as “an alternative to or substitute for sexual intercourse, not a precursor to it, ” spoken as though rape is only constituted by penetration. As we can see, that is not really the case. The student’s life is forever altered, with her body violated in an extreme circumstance even without vaginal penetration. The emotional weight she will have to carry does not lessen by refer-

ring to her assault as a less severe offense than what is considered the most brutal. So, there is also the factor of intent. Should a man who sexually assaulted a woman without penetration, but with the intention of rape, be tried the same as a rapist? In the midst of the allegations against recently-confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, questions regarding the severity of sexual assault have gained prominence with the debate over crime and punishment. Christine Blasey Ford came forward after Kavanaugh’s nomination for the Supreme Court was announced. He allegedly sexually assaulted her at a high school party back in the 1980s, where she claims he pinned her down so he could grope her while his friend watched. Ford stated in her letter, “When I was in high school, the phrase ‘sexual assault’ was reserved for incidents of women being grabbed in dark alleys by strangers. It was always violent. If it wasn’t, then it wasn’t sexual assault. It wasn’t something the popular boy you went to school with did.” In this day and age, if offenders are not punished, then we will continue to be hit with outdated excuses like “boys will be boys.” However, perhaps we should reserve judgement until speculation becomes fact. We are, after all, innocent until proven guilty, and this notion should be respected as reputations are on the line, as well as justice. While this is an important philosophy within the American criminal justice system, sometimes presented facts that accompany innocence are not so black and white. Kavanaugh has now been sworn in as a Supreme Court justice after a Senate vote of 50-48. The majority of U.S. senators voted with the belief that the F.B.I. did not find sufficient evidence to prove Kavanaugh guilty of sexual assault, but this was only slightly more than half the gruop. This shows how divided America is on the issue of sexual assault at even the highest level of government.

Let’s be frank: The Rollins gym is gross

Students and faculty freely use the gym; however, students complain it should be cleaned more. (Curtis Shaffer / Staff Photographer)

By Victoria Alvarez

valvarez@rollins.edu

s you walk into the Alfond Sports Center’s Daryl’s Fitness Center, there is an overwhelming sense of humidity (regardless of the insufficient air conditioning) mixed with sweat and bad body odor. The atmosphere feels moldy and reeks of dirty towels. The floor is downright dirty. I do not recommend you try this because it is horrifying, but if you drag your finger across the floor, it will blacken your fingertip. Who even cleans the floors? How frequently? I need answers, Rollins. A gym that is properly cleaned is filled with germs, so you can only imagine one that is not—it is essentially a cesspool everywhere you turn. The handheld weights are covered in sweat, slippery to the touch. It is a struggle to find a weight that does not feel slimy, which is not only gross but unsafe. Once you finally have a grip, you stare into the mirror that has sweaty hand prints clouding your reflection. Ew. I honestly do not trust the mats. I do not think everyone wipes them down after using them, and given the state of the gym, it just seems nasty. I have to do abs at home. I pay how much to go to this school to do abs at home? Our tuition is to ensure that we have “grade A” resources while going to a beautiful campus. Much of Rollins lives up to that expectation, so I do not understand why the gym

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur or Rollins College.

is so below average. I am not saying there are not enough machines or complaining about the overall layout, but I do think that the upkeep is really lacking. The machines are a completely different beast. Not only do people barely use the sanitation wipes, making the machines permanently smell like sweat and tears, but they are also only set to a specific body type. Basically, only 6’0 men can workout on the machines without having to adjust anything. Whenever I do leg day, it is a constant struggle. I am 5’4 and I look downright ridiculous when I extend my legs and my feet do not reach the leg curl. Don’t even get me started on the hip abductor machine. My feet do not touch when I sit all the way back, so I have to either do the alternative workout, which is grabbing the front of the machine and do in-and-out squats, which is just awkward for everyone, or I scoot forward. It not only hinders my workout, but it is also extremely unsafe to not be using the machines properly. Why not just adjust them? Well, the machines are complicated and there are no instructions, and in all honesty, they are so slippery that I am worried for my safety. They are heavy weights; why would I risk it? The gym is not only dirty, but it has ineffective machines and can be a bit dangerous. During my time at Rollins, they have done renovations to better the gym. However, the upkeep since these renovations are lacking and it is ruining the overall experience.

Women’s tennis’ best and brightest

Savanna Fuller (Rollins Sports)

By Hali Reedy

hreedy@rollins.edu

tanding 5’7, with short blonde hair, senior Savanna Fuller (‘19) steps onto the tennis court with demeanor and determination every day of the week. One of the main characteristics necessary for student-athletes is the ability to show an increased amount of self-discipline. This is how athletes can contribute the most to their teams.

This discipline is embodied in Fuller, as is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to discuss the Rollins women’s tennis team and her overall passion for the sport. “I think I’m a leader in trying to always keep a very positive attitude. Sometimes it’s hard to practice day in and day out, and I feel like I do a good job of keeping spirits up when we don’t feel like being on the court,“ she said. Fuller has been playing tennis since she was 3 years old, following in her grandmother’s footsteps. She and her now 80-year-old grandmother still play tennis together and remain personally connected to the sport. “To my family, tennis is something that we can do together. We all have different interests, but tennis is the common thread that we can all enjoy,” Fuller said. When asked how she feels playing, the senior laughed and said, “Most of the time I have fun, but obviously with any sport you’re going to have bad days. I have done it for so many years, and I get to the point where I do love it.” Fuller hopes to improve

both her personal record of 10-9 overall last year and the team’s record of 13-9. “My record has always been reasonably good, as our conference is one of the toughest in the nation. We try to do our best every year, so my record could always be improved but I’d really just like to play well more than even winning,” she said. Being one of only three seniors on the team, Fuller likes to appreciate the other aspects of playing as she nears the end of her college career. “My favorite part of playing is my teammates,” she said. “It’s enjoyable to come and be a part of something. We are friends first and then teammates.” Making time for her teammates outside of practice not only improves the team dynamics but requires time management and flexibility, as student athletes often have to sacrifice a big part of their social calendar. To be successful, many student athletes aim to become just as well-rounded as Fuller. As a political science and international relations double major, Fuller has been juggling her responsibilities successfully for four years and is looking to attend

law school after she graduates in May. At this point in the year, in what is considered the tennis team’s off-season, the players have practice five days a week, in addition to morning workouts. This dedication has been led by Coach Beverly Buckley for 31 years. Buckley herself played for Rollins during the 1970s. She has appointed Fuller as one of the leaders of the senior team because she noticed the player’s strong will and devotion to the team. The team does not have captains. “I would say she cares for us all individually as people, and that is her priority: making sure we are mentally okay first,” said Fuller when asked about the player-coach dynamic. When asked what advice she would give to anyone considering to join the Tars, Fuller said, “It’s probably going to be one of the best things you will ever do. You have to be in it for the right reasons. The goal every year is doing well in our region and compet[ing] in the Sunshine State Conference.” Putting energy into these challenging tournaments takes a

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competitive edge and hard work. Last year the team placed 20th in the conference and is training hard to improve that record by cultivating more self discipline. As a disciplined player, Fuller insists that her nutrition heavily contributes to her ability to play. While living off campus, she makes it a priority to prepare her meals and tries to be as healthy as she can without a meal plan. As a competitive athlete, Fuller differs somewhat from other students living on campus. But she successfully manages her health, studies, and social life. The women’s team is more than excited to see what the future holds for Fuller in her final year. Fuller hopes to compete in smaller leagues in the future and continue to play tennis passionately and with commitment. The women’s tennis team competes next Friday, Oct. 26 in the Juan Varon Memorial Invitational at Daytona Beach. Wish them luck and stay up to date with upcoming tournaments by visiting rollinssports. com and using the hashtag #tarnation.

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