Issue 1 • Volume 126 Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 www.thesandspur.org
Students struggle with rising tuition costs
Administration insists that $1,940 increase is necessary to fund key programs Zoe Pearson
R
zpearson@rollins.edu
ollins’ tuition fees for the 2019-2020 term have increased by $1,940 from the previous academic year, and students are feeling the effects. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, tuition has increased by $6,940 since 2015. It is expected to continue rising. In Spring 2019, transfer student Jacob Davis (‘21) was awarded a scholarship from the Department of Theatre & Dance. For Davis, the extra money was a huge deal, since his family lives in California and the Free Application for Student Aid does not take into account out-of-state travel expenses. This affects his ability to take out loans and access other forms of need-based aid. Davis was proud of his accomplishments and looked forward to another term at Rollins, so it came as a shock to him when a friend of his mentioned that the price of tuition would be increasing. Davis checked his account and called the Office of Financial
Aid to confirm. He learned that the scholarship he worked so hard to get was essentially nullified by the increase in the price of tuition. “It was a slap in the face. It told me that it isn’t a school for people who are struggling to get by; it isn’t for people dreaming to get a degree here; it’s a school for people who can afford it,” said Davis. Because of the combined impact of the limits placed on his loan eligibility and the increase in tuition costs, Davis made the decision to drop out of Rollins before the beginning of his senior year. “If [Rollins] does want a body of affluent and higherincome students, they’re doing a really good job at it, but they’re overall forgetting about middleclass students that are trying to make it here because they want to learn. I moved five states away just so I could go to this college; I did a lot of that without anybody’s help. I’ve tried my hardest to attend this college again, and in the end, it just didn’t matter,” said Davis. According to Faye Felterman Tydlaska, vice president for
Enrollment Management and Marketing, 77 percent of students who applied to Rollins said that cost was a significant factor influencing their choice of college. According to topuniversities. com, the national yearly average price for private non-profit institutions for 2018-19 was $35,830. Rollins’ tuition price for the same term was $49,760. Despite this, Tydlaska said Rollins received nearly 6,200 first-year applications for this fall semester, the largest number in the college’s history. Some colleges have devised creative ways to ensure students have access to quality education at all income levels. At Amherst College, 100 percent of financial need is guaranteed to be met without any loans, and at Brown University, students pay on a sliding scale according to their income. Ed Kania, vice president for Business and Finance, said while this is a good philosophical stand for colleges to take, it’s expensive, and Rollins does not have the endowments to cover all of its students’ financial ‣ See TUITION Page 7
Graphic by Hannah Jahosky
Incoming first year class boasts Rollins grad teaches in record international numbers the World Cup College sees decrease in minorities and in-state students
Hannah Butcher
T
hbutcher@rollins.edu
his fall, Rollins College welcomes its large group of first-year students who make up the largest international class in Rollins’ history. Despite this, the Class of 2023 includes fewer students of color than previous years. The Office of Admissions received just under 6,200 firstyear applications, the largest number in Rollins history, said Faye Tydlaska, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. The incoming class is made
up of 540 new students and 85 transfer students for a total of 625 first-years who were admitted at a 58 percent acceptance rate. This rate decreased from last year’s 64 percent and the previous year’s 61 percent. “Selectivity increased because we had more applications this year—with more applicants to choose from, we were not looking to grow the size of the entering class, so that allowed us to be more selective in our offers of admission,” Tydlaska said. While 37 percent of Rollins undergraduates identify as students of color, 60 ‣ See INCOMING Page 2
Sarah Buckley helps Jamacian team to 13 games in six countries
Henri Balla
Graphic by Hannah Jahosky
hballa@rollins.edu
Numerous U.S. fans trekked to France this summer to witness Alex Morgan and her teammates defend their world title, but Sarah Buckley (‘19, ‘21 MBA) participated in the World Cup in a more unconventional way. “It’s the biggest stage,” Buckley said of the World Cup. “You think you’ve seen it all, but this is different.” Buckley was a versatile member of the technical staff of the Jamaican National Team, providing input in meetings and conducting scouting.
She also set up the training sessions and ensured the players had the proper gear, serving as something between a player and a coach. “Sometimes I was an extra body in practice. Pretty much anything you can think of, I did it,” Buckley said. With the entire world watching, every detail of the experience was scrupulously planned. “There is a schedule in the locker room with the exact times things are supposed to happen, down to the last minute.” They
‣ See WORLD CUP Page 8
2 Established in 1894 with the following editorial:
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The Sandspur August 29, 2019 ‣ INCOMING
Continued from Page 1 percent of undergraduates at Valencia Community College identify as students of color. “To identify as a student of color is an American construct,” Tydlaska said. “International students would not identify themselves as such.” The first-year international student population increased from 6.5 percent to 10 percent this year, adding to Rollins’ existing international pool. “If you add that count to the number of U.S. citizens who are coming from abroad, that brings our international total to 13 percent,” Tydlaska said. More countries are also represented in this year’s cohort, increasing from last year’s 29 representative countries to this year’s 38. More international students hail from Germany
than any other country, followed by Spain. Other represented countries include the UK, Canada, Trinidad, and Brazil. Around 80 percent of firstyears are receiving some sort of Rollins-specific scholarship, according to Steve Booker, director of Financial Aid. This year, Rollins offered a total of $11 million to help students of diverse economic backgrounds. When The Sandspur asked about how this number compared to previous years, the Office of Financial Aid did not respond. Tydlaska said that it is part of the college’s strategic plan to create a diverse learning environment that encourages international students to apply. Such a plan includes abroad recruitment and other advertising efforts targeting
diverse groups. Rollins’ athletics also attract international athletes committed to playing for the college. “The international department on campus works hard to recruit, support, and aid international students throughout their time at Rollins,” Tydlaska said. Most of the diversity on campus will stay on campus; 87 percent of the first-year class will live in residential halls. “That’s about four points higher than last year, but in line with prior years,” said Booker. Since more first-years will live on campus, administration emphasizes that each student should make the most of campus resources and give themselves time to adjust. “Take your time. You don’t
have to do everything your first week or first semester,” Hayner said, “[But] ask for help or assistance when you need it.”
Graphic by Hannah Jahosky
Undocumented activist to speak on campus New York Times published, Emmy nominated creator shares his story Ariana Cardenas
J
acardenas@rollins.edu
ose Antonio Vargas is a prize-winning journalist and filmmaker, activist, Broadway producer, and nonprofit founder. In short, Vargas is a modern day Renaissance man who also happens to be an undocumented immigrant in the United States. Vargas will be visiting Rollins this semester as a visiting scholar from the Winter Park Institute to speak on his experiences in a nation divided over who should gain citizenship and who should not. “[Vargas] advocates for the rights of equality and citizenship and challenges audiences to think about how we define what it means to be an American,” said Gail Sinclair, executive director of the Winter Park Institute. “His energy and passion will no doubt inspire our students.” In 2011, Vargas published a ground-breaking piece in the New York Times Magazine, in which he shared his story as an undocumented immigrant embracing an American lifestyle in every way except citizenship. At the age of 12, Vargas’ mother sent him on a plane from the Philippines to America with a man who she claimed was his uncle. There, he was placed in the care of his grandparents—
naturalized citizens from the Philippines—and did not find out his immigration status until he tried to apply for a driver’s license with a fake green card when he was 16-years-old. Despite facing countless obstacles and uncertainty throughout his entire life, Vargas has forged his own path of success. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2004 and was immediately hired by the Washington Post. Some of his accolades include his honorary degrees from Emerson College, Colby College, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Vargas’ best-selling memoir, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” was published in 2018, and his activism in immigration law has inspired people across the globe. Vargas also founded the nonprofit organization known as Define American. This media and culture group works with popular media platforms to redefine and influence the conversation on immigration. Define American has worked on movies and television shows, such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” and it works with streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Hulu. Vargas received Emmy nominations for his MTV special “White People,” a documentary on what life is like for young white Americans in a country where the racial demographics
are shifting rapidly. He also coproduced Heidi Schreck’s Tonynominated Broadway play, “What the Constitution Means to Me.” As the 2020 elections near and immigration becomes a more divisive topic, Vargas’ lifelong work becomes increasingly relevant. Over 2.3 million immigrants have been reported as deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since Vargas arrived in the United States in 2012. Vargas believes that coming out as undocumented is necessary for rich discussion about immigration reform. Since he nationally came out as an undocumented immigrant in his New York Times Magazine article, over 2,000 people have done the same over social media, emails, or in person. Vargas himself has reached out to the ICE headquarters in Washington to inquire about the status of his case and the cases of those who also publicly announced their undocumented statuses. In an article he wrote for TIME Magazine, Vargas said that when he inquired about the consequences of publicly disclosing one’s undocumented status, he received an unsatisfying response. “‘We do not comment on specific cases,’ is all I was told,” said Vargas. Vargas’ visit at Rollins will
expose students to a side of the immigration debate that is rarely available to the public. He will create the opportunity for students to gain insight into the complex life of one undocumented immigrant. “Regardless of political persuasion, I think we all understand that citizenship is a privilege we hold dear in America, and Jose Antonio Vargas will share this value from his perspective,” said Sinclair. “Being able to hear multiple, well-articulated perspectives is the basis of our democracy, and incidentally, of our academic charge as well.” On Oct. 17, Vargas will lead a student-centered Q & A at 4 p.m. in the SunTrust Auditorium. An evening lecture will follow in the Warden Arena. Tickets are free to students and faculty, and all first-year students will be required to attend the event with their Rollins College Conference peers. Find out more about Jose Antonio Vargas and his work at joseantoniovargas.com and see a full list of the Winter Park Institute’s visiting speakers at rollins.edu/rollins-winter-parkinstitute/.
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The Sandspur August 29, 2019
CFAM premieres artwork by mixedability students for first time Traveling education program allows students to express themselves through art Maura Leaden
U
mleaden@rollins.edu
nlike other exhibits on display in the Cornell Fine Arts Museum (CFAM) this summer, “Shifting Perspectives” is comprised of amateur artwork. For the first time in CFAM, artists range from kindergarteners to high schoolers—all local students from mixed-ability backgrounds. Photoblocks, interactive audio stations, and television screens fill the room. Graceful black-and-white photographs line the walls in a grid formation, and they are coupled with clay sculptures that artists based off of original drawings of imaginary creatures. Each creature holds its own personality. One seems to spread its wings to bathe in the sunlight, and another resembles an alien welcoming humans to its planet for the first time. On the televisions in the room, a montage shows dried flower petals lying on sharp stones, gnomes resting in the sun, and cats prancing across
open grass. “Shifting Perspectives: Art by the Students of the Art Time Outreach Program” has been on display since May and will be up until Sept. 8. The exhibit features work from an outreach program run by CFAM education coordinator, Louise Buyo, and teaching artists Kristin Eaves and Jacoub Reyes. The Art Time outreach program began in 2016 and involves the Paragon School and the Lyman School. The Paragon School is designed for students on the autism and Asperger spectrum while the Lyman School is a blended Montessori school for students of mixed abilities. Buyo established connections with these schools through Rollins’ Center for Leadership & Community Engagement (CLCE). She wanted to connect with community partners who could fully benefit from a traveling art curriculum, and a need was met for the Paragon School—they did not have an art program prior to
Art Time. The program’s curriculum is designed to help students unlock their imaginations and give them basic art tools to express their experiences in meaningful ways. “You don’t have to be great at drawing or painting to say something meaningful with your creative expression,” said Buyo. Students were prompted by viewing contemporary art from the CFAM permanent collection, largely at the Alfond Inn. Then, they partook in creative exercises to think outside the box and develop their visions. “Learning to think outside the box is a skill like any other. You have to practice doing it,” said Buyo. To help students unlock their imagination, Buyo and her colleagues coached the younger students through role-playing. “We’d give [the young students] a length of fabric and tell them to act out scenarios so their classmates could guess what they were doing. One student turned it into a boat and another rolled it into a bat for
Photo by Maura Leaden
Rollins student observes “Recorded Montage II” while listening to separate audio recordings created by student artists.
baseball,” said Buyo. The older students explored the open-endedness of words like organic and mysterious. They used word webs to brainstorm what those words meant to them. Buyo also said that an important aspect of this project is that everything is accessible. The tools, such as cameras and audio-recording apps, were intentionally easy to navigate, and the exact surroundings provided inspiration: the hallway, roof, garden, and even the Paragon School’s cat, Spooky. Accessibility relates to the audience as well. Buyo is aware that the exhibit will not be much of an accomplishment unless others come to enjoy it. She said, “Museums don’t thrive without community. If they are not accessible, then we’re not fulfilling our mission.” Hands-on exhibits such as blocks available for play, headphones draped over padded benches in the middle of the room, and flickering television screens all invite viewers to fully experience the exhibit.
“Of course we want artmaking to be an exploration of materials and of concepts, like line and form and color,” said Buyo. “But we also want our students to take their preferences, their feelings, their observations, and make art based on the world around them from their very individual point of view. That’s why we called the exhibition ‘Shifting Perspectives.’” Dr. Sara Hoefler, principal of the Paragon School, is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Rollins. “We are all so proud to have our students’ artwork featured at CFAM and so excited for another year of art to begin,” said Hoefler. Paragon has been participating in the program for four years. “I’ve been teaching art for 10 years . . . It’s always been a dream of mine to one day show my students’ work in a museum,” Eaves said. “This is a career milestone for me, and I’m so proud of them for the beautiful work they get to share with the public.”
Photo by Maura Leaden
Artwork created by a Paragon student explores what ‘mysterious’means.
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The Sandspur August 29, 2019
Summer stories: Meghan Harte Weyant and family travel the U.S. AVP of Student Affairs & Dean of Students escapes the Florida heat in northern states Meghan Harte Weyant
mweyant@rollins.edu
A Courtesy of Meghan Harte Weyant
Henry (2), Jack (6), and Thomas Harte Weyant (5) carried their Flat Tommy through the mountains.
s you probably know, we live here on campus, and it is so much quieter in the summer when the students are gone. I spent most of June on campus planning for the 20192020 school year and supporting the design and construction of the Lakeside Neighborhood. Our boys spent their days swimming in the Sutton pool and hanging out in the gym. They participated in Rollins’ Baseball and Soccer Camps. They loved it! At the end of June, we set out on a road-trip adventure. We
left Winter Park before the sun was up with plenty of snacks and nowhere to be until the end of July. Our trip included Savannah, Georgia, a tiny house in North Carolina, hiking to the top of Clingmans Dome in the Great Smokie Mountains National Park, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We spent most of July in Hell, Michigan (yes, you read that right) with family. It was great to spend the hottest months of Florida away from Florida! I spent most of my mornings working remotely, drinking coffee, and wearing socks with birkenstocks. We filled our afternoons with swimming, boating, and squeezing every
ounce of sunshine out of the long days. Michigan summer nights are perfect for sweatshirts and bonfires, smores and lightning bugs. As July came to an end, we headed home. We explored Columbus, Ohio and Daniels, West Virginia on the way. As summer came to a close, we spent early August preparing for the school year. Jack started first grade. Thomas started kindergarten, and Henry began his first year at the Rollins College Child Development Center. We had a great summer, but we are so glad to have all the students back on campus. We missed you!
Summer stories: Micki Meyer, Lord family AVP of Student Affairs & Community, has a peaceful summer Meyer explores her inner self during her summer free time Micki Meyer
T
mmeyer@rollins.edu
his summer I took a breath, literally. I spent time embarking on a journey within to deepen my meditation and mindfulness practice. When I was in college, I believed having an overactive mind was my competitive advantage. I let stress fuel my ability to be over-productive inside and outside the classroom. Between managing a full academic course load, multiple organizations, and an active social life, I thought I had it all figure out. Fast-forward fifteen years into my career as a working mother, partner, manager, and community advocate. I was burnt out, sick, and in overdrive. I wasn’t enjoying the present moment and was always worried about the future. I needed to find a better way to manage my stress. During that difficult time, I learned about mindfulness, and over the last five years, I’ve made
an effort to practice meditation as part of my wellness routine. This summer I spent time learning a technique called Transcendental Meditation (TM). TM comes from the teaching of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and was brought to the West in the late 1950s. As part of the technique, participants are given a mantra and commit to meditating for 20 minutes, twice a day. The technique is easy, efficient, and can be accomplished in a seated position while closing your eyes. As Maharishi shares, “Wherever we can think a thought we can meditate, therefore we can meditate anywhere!” This summer reminded me that taking time each day to pause, breathe, and engage in the present moment helps alleviate stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed with the daily demands of life. Meditation is the greatest gift you can give to your mind, body, and spirit. My goal is to continue to use meditation and mindfulness activities to teach students how to center, tune-in, and be present.
Courtesy of Micki Meyer
Micki Meyer aims to practice 20 minutes of Transcendental Meditation twice a day.
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The Sandspur August 29, 2019
$10 million donor hopes to empower
Kathleen W. Rollins gives glimpse into her life Heather Borochaner
hborochaner@rollins.edu
M
ills Memorial Hall has been renamed Kathleen W. Rollins Hall after the Rollins Board of Trustees member gifted $10 million toward the building’s renovation. She was part of the graduating class of 1975 with a degree in behavioral science, and she was elected to the board in May 2018. During her years at the college, Rollins was active in the Chi Omega sorority. She currently serves as the executive director of the Gary W. Rollins Foundation, which supports children’s health, education, and arts. But what else should students know about her? The Sandspur asked Rollins some questions ranging from her favorite campus memories to what she wants her impact to be. Q: What is your history with Rollins College? A: In the Summer of ’72, I was attending the University of Hawaii taking summer classes in Southern Literature and Hula. At that time, my mother was anxious for me to transfer from the University of Georgia to another school. She had heard about Rollins from a friend, so she and my sister made a trip to Winter Park. They convinced the registrar to find me a spot in the Fall class. My transcripts were quickly provided, and without an admission interview or typical college visit, I started my junior year at Rollins College. Q: Why is Rollins College important to you? A: I entered Rollins at a point in my life when I was discovering that there were very different points of view, lifestyles, ways of thinking, etc. than what I had experienced growing up in a small town in Georgia and attending a traditional southern university. At Rollins, I found acceptance from like-minded people as well as many more exciting questions, answers, and possibilities. I was inspired by professors and other students
to think out of the box and to imagine possibilities not previously considered. I just seemed to “fit” well at Rollins. Q: How has Rollins impacted your life and career? A: The small classroom experience and the senior research requirement would later motivate me to pursue a master’s degree, which fasttracked my career. My resume was very weak in the job history area; however, graduating from Rollins and the advanced degree and research experience put me in a better position to compete in the job market. I was able to pursue high-level management positions, which typically would have required years of experience. At Rollins, I was able to develop friends and mentors from other cultures and even geography not previously enjoyed. I think the Rollins experience made me a better person, student, and executive. Q: What is a fond memory from your time spent at Rollins? A: The most memorable occasion was when my sorority sisters and I stole the X-Club flag. I crawled into the second story window of the X-Club house and took their flag, but I put my elbow through
the glass window and cut myself. I had to go to the hospital and get stitches. Knowing the guys would be looking for someone with a bandage (I had left a broken window and a bloody trail), I wore long sleeve blouses for several days to classes and the “beanery.” [Editor’s Note: Students used to call the dining hall “the beanery.”] We became so bored with their inability to catch us that we drove my car around the horseshoe blowing the horn with the flag hanging out the window.
Food trucks on campus
Alternatives offered during Campus Center construction
Q: What do you hope your gift achieves? A: I want all students to have the opportunity to participate in the new Career and Life Planning programs, which will now be available at the Kathleen W. Rollins Hall. It is very important to me that students pursue and achieve their full potential as a result of their experiences and education at Rollins. It is imperative that students not only be empowered to successfully compete in today’s job market, but also be encouraged and prepared to become responsible citizens.
Courtesy of Kathleen W. Rollins
Kathleen W. Rollins poses with her husband, Gary Rollins, CEO of Rollins, Inc.
Photos by Curtis Shaffer This week, several food trucks serve students on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The Sandspur August 29, 2019 6 Concealed carry proposed for public colleges
Rollins policy will not automatically change if adopted, but it would be reviewed
Graphic by Hannah Jahosky and Francisco Wang Yu
Heather Borochaner
hborochaner@rollins.edu
A
s gun violence dominates discussions in American politics in the midst of deadly mass shootings, colleges and politicians are reexamining the status of guns on college campuses. Florida lawmaker Anthony Sabatini is heavily advocating to allow concealed carry on public campuses. Ken Miller, assistant vice president of public safety, said that Rollins currently sees no reason to reexamine its weapon carry policies, but it would review them if state laws were to change. Current Florida law has a concealed carry statute that forbids permitted gun carriers to bring their weapons onto college and university campuses. The statute allows students and faculty to carry stun guns and electrical non-lethal weapons. Sabatini is seeking to change that on public college campuses. This is not the first time Sabatini has proposed such a bill, and he has sworn to do so every year he is in office. While the bill has passed the Florida House before, it has never passed the Senate. Sabatini cites the recent mass shootings as evidence for why college students should be
able to conceal carry on campus. “How many mass shootings must we witness before we allow law-abiding citizens to defend themselves?” Sabatini posted on Facebook. “Why do we strip Florida citizens of their rights without a shred of evidence that doing so makes us safer?” Rollins, a private college, currently has a no-tolerance
“...[I]f this, or a similar bill should pass...we would examine the impact [and] discuss what is best for us as a campus community.” policy for weapons of any kind except for personal defense spray. If Sabatini’s bill passed into law, Rollins would not be obligated to allow concealed carry on campus. Stetson, another small private university in Florida, has an identical policy. However, the University of Central Florida, a large public university, states that “an adult may possess a lawfully concealed firearm or weapon within a private conveyance so long as
the firearm or weapon is securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.” UCF allows chemical defense sprays as long as the containers do not exceed two ounces of chemical. The university also allows “clearly simulated” weapons (or toy weapons) for academic or instructional purposes. Rollins and Stetson do not permit simulated weapons on campus. Miller finds it “hard to contemplate” that in the wake of the most recent mass shootings to hit national headlines, legislators would want to increase the number of firearms on college campuses. “A significant majority of higher education institutions across the state of Florida have come out against this bill and the idea that the way to solve violence in our society is to increase the number of firearms,” he said. “However, if this, or a similar bill should pass dealing with public institutions, we would examine the impact, discuss what is best for us as a campus community, and make the best decision for our campus.” Miller added that if Rollins did decide that making a change was in the best interest of the campus community, it would be “a lengthy process evaluating all of the potential impacts and how other institutions may
have previously navigated the change.” He currently does not see it on the horizon and hopes that, through compromise, regulations that respect the right to carry will also preserve others’
rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “[I hope] that the will of the majority of Americans, as expressed in recent polling, is listened to rather than a small group of lobbyists,” said Miller.
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The Sandspur August 29, 2019
‣ TUITION
Continued from Page 1 needs. At Rollins, 85 percent of students receive some form of financial aid, including meritand talent-based scholarships, need-based aid, federal workstudy, and federal loans. Tydlaska said that, while need-based aid increases in order to meet a fixed percentage of a student’s financial need each year, merit- and talent-based scholarships do not increase when tuition does. Steve Booker, associate vice president and director of Financial Aid, said the rising costs are based on increases to faculty and staff expenses, which include healthcare expenses, salaries, and benefits, as well as changes in utility costs. When costs go up, Booker says the college has two options. “[Rollins] can try to cut other expenses, which we always try to do, or increase tuition to make sure we aren’t cutting student support systems and aren’t cutting things that add to the mission of the college,”said Booker. Expenses for salaries, fringe benefits, and general and administrative costs are expected to increase compared to the 20182019 term’s actual expenses, while expenses for utilities, debt service, and capital expenses are expected to decrease. The decision to raise tuition was made based on projected expenses for the coming term, not on actual expenses. The Finance Department was unable to provide the projected expenses from the 2018-2019 term. Therefore, The Sandspur was unable to calculate the change in budgeted expenses. Bill Short, associate vice president for Finance, attributed the increase in part to vacant staff positions being filled. In Spring 2019, Rollins hired a new Title IX Specialist and Writing Center Coordinator. However, Short mentioned that the college’s actual salary expenses were less than the budgeted amount for the last semester; the increase in salary expenses for the new positions from the 2018-2019 budget to the 2019-2020 budget is not as drastic as it seems. The Sandspur compared actual costs from the 2018-2019 term to projected costs for the 2019-2020 term, while Rollins budgeted for the salaried positions as if they were filled. Overall, the college’s expenses are projected to increase by $894,033 this term. Kania said
Rollins is mindful of the cost of a Rollins education and the sacrifices that students and their families make to get a liberal arts degree, and for those reasons the college does everything it can to mitigate costs. For the past two terms, prices for room and board and on-campus meal plans have not increased. To keep the cost of utilities from rising exponentially, Rollins uses high-efficiency options for utilities such as air conditioning and water heating. The college will also install modern technologies in renovated buildings as well as the new Lakeside Residential Hall. The college is also enrolled in the Independent Colleges and Universities Benefits Association, which offers cost-effective health care for Rollins employees and encourages preventative care in order to reduce the need for costly emergency care. Despite these efforts, some Rollins expenses cannot be avoided. Salaries naturally go up each year, insurance costs increase, licenses for information technology have to be renewed, and library resources (subscriptions to publications and databases) have to be purchased. The cost of tuition continues to increase at Rollins, causing rising stress levels for students. Victoria Fletes (‘22), like Davis, found out about the tuition increase in a conversation with her peers. When her updated financial aid statements
“The cost of tuition continues to rise at Rollins and with rising costs come rising stress levels for students.” confirmed what she feared, Fletes said she became worried about her ability to finance her education. “I’m an independent student, so I basically have to pay for school myself; I don’t qualify for any of the studentparent loans, so I have to qualify for loans on my own, which is
hard because I don’t have credit, and the people I trust to be cosigners aren’t credible according to the [loan] companies,” said Fletes. Fletes’ account has been placed on hold since she has not been able to find a loan to pay the bill, leaving her unable to register for classes she was waitlisted for and forcing her to drop classes that she does not need. The Office of Financial Aid reached out to Fletes when her account was placed on hold, but Fletes said there was not much they could do besides give her links to scholarships that she does not qualify for and recommend that she take out loans that she cannot access. The added stress of scrambling for new funding sources combined with the challenge of finding a new job after her on-campus employer, the Fox Club Student Phonathon, unexpectedly shut down has exacerbated Fletes’ existing mental health issues. The phonathon employed
approximately 20 students to solicit donations from Rollins alumni. These students were notified by email on Aug. 7 that the program would be suspended due to its staff supervisor’s departure from Rollins. Fletes said that under her new circumstances, all her problems feel magnified and her medications, which she uses to regulate her mental health, have become less effective. To Fletes and Davis, it seems Rollins students with financial need are expected to work exponentially harder than students who are able to cover the cost of a Rollins education. Fletes said that between working jobs on and off-campus, applying for scholarships, and meeting with offices across campus searching for a way to make ends meet, all while taking a full course load, she is exhausted. Both Fletes and Davis said that students are then left to decide whether all the extra work will pay off in the long run; they are forced to weigh their career
ambitions against their financial statuses and mental health. Kania said the value of a Rollins education lies in the personal connections made on campus. The hands-on learning environment, small class sizes, professional and personal advising, and focus on holistic student wellness are all pieces that make this experience different from other institutions. Without increasing tuition, Kania says the college would have to compromise on programs and characteristics that make it unique. “We care about value to students, and we care about operating this institution as costeffectively as we possibly can so we can provide what you need as a student,” Kania said. “I know it might not seem that way when you see increases coming out every year from Rollins and other colleges, but those of us behind the scenes here are working really hard to keep those as small as possible,” said Kania.
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‣ WORLD CUP
Continued from Page 1 don’t want you early, either. You have to be bang on time,” Buckley said. Once, the team was about 45 seconds late to work-outs, and “[FIFA] freaked out and started knocking on our door,” Buckley said. “It was crazy, but it’s a World Cup after all.” A distinguished member of the Women’s Soccer team at Rollins, Buckley was instrumental in last year’s postseason stretch, which saw the Tars make it all the way to the regionals. Buckley’s connection to Jamaica happened through Hue Menzies, head coach of the Reggae Girlz. “I worked for [Menzies] at Florida Kraze Krush, a local club,” Buckley said. “It was one of those situations where they needed help, so they called me.” Upon receiving that call, Buckley dropped what she was doing. She had less than 24 hours to prepare, not knowing if she was going away for a day or, as it turned out, seven weeks. Buckley credits Menzies and especially her father, RollinsHall-of-Famer Keith Buckley (‘88), for her coaching penchant. This semester, Keith Buckley will begin his 30th year coaching Men’s Soccer at Rollins. Naturally, Buckley’s participation in the World Cup came with its challenges. The players’ dialect, she recalled, took some getting used to, and the stadiums were deafening, even during warm-ups. She quickly realized coaching was only one of many logistical aspects, and it was impossible to control everything. She described those World Cup weeks as stressful and sleepdeprived. However, when asked about the fun parts of the experience, Buckley described them as lifechanging. “The night before a game, we got to visit the stadiums and walk around,” Buckey said. The first walk-through was an emotional one. “It was unbelievable. I was
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The Sandspur August 29, 2019 crying. It’s hard to explain. If you had been there, you would have known what I mean. It still gives me the chills. It was a dream come true,” said Buckley. She experienced a similar feeling when Jamaica scored its first World Cup goal. “I was actually on the bench that game,” Buckley recounted. “It was one of the proudest moments to be part of. It was historic, my favorite part of it all.” The moment was so special because of the odds that the team had endured up to that point. Five years before, the Reggae Girlz were disbanded by the federation after failing to qualify for the 2015 World Cup. They were resurrected, but the coaches still have not received any wages. “It goes to show the heart of this phenomenal staff. They love their country and see soccer as a way of giving back,” said Buckley. Meanwhile, she sees a bright future for the relatively young Jamaican team. “It was eye-opening, on and off the field for them, and me too. Nerves played a part, yet overall they handled it well,” Buckley said. Buckley finished her business management degree at Rollins and is starting her master’s. “I’ve already accepted a graduate assistant position at Florida Southern University, starting January. As far as Jamaica, I hope I can still be involved with them or their youth systems,” Buckley said. Buckley’s World Cup journey took her to six countries in seven weeks, attending 13 games in 21 cities. When asked if she sees herself coaching at Rollins one day, she said, “If the opportunity presented itself, I would definitely look into it. I played here, my dad played and coached here; Rollins is in my blood. Someone once told me I’m a lifer. I think that’s what they call it.”
Courtesy of Sarah Buckley
Sarah Buckley worked as a member of the Jamaica team’s technical staff, which she praises for its dedication and heart.
“Rollins is in my blood. Someone once told me I’m a lifer. I think that’s what they call it.” Courtesy of Sarah Buckley
Sarah Buckley’s first walk-through of the World Cup field was life-changing.
Sept. 05
Sept. 06
Sept. 07
• HOME Men's Soccer vs. Wingate vs. Florida Tech. 4 p.m.
• Women's Volleyball vs. Southern Wesleyan 10 a.m.
• Women's Soccer vs. Cedarville 11 a.m.
• HOME Men's Soccer vs. Wingate 6 p.m.
• HOME Men's Soccer vs. Chowan 7 p.m.
• Women's Volleyball vs. Shorter 2 p.m.
• HOME Men's Soccer vs. Chowan vs. Florida Tech. 12 p.m.
• Women's Volleyball vs. Flagler 7 p.m.
• Women's Soccer vs. Grand Valley St. 7:30 p.m.
• Women's Volleyball vs. Newberry 2 p.m.