The Sandspur Volume 121 Issue 13

Volume 121 Issue 13 Thursday, January 29, 2015

#CANILIVE Student activists organize community protest, writer Peter Ruiz shares the experience. page 4

Page 2 • NEWS

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Established in 1894 with the following editorial:

EXECUTIVE STAFF David Matteson Editor-in-Chief Ali Perry Managing Editor

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Athens, Greece The people of Greece have entered into a new political epoch after electing the anti-austerity Syriza party.

Alexis Tsipras was sworn in as the new Prime Minister and laid flowers at National Resistance Memorial at Kasparian, a memorial to resistance fighters who lost their lives after going against the Nazis during World War II. European economic powerhouse Germany have expressed some concern over the move, formally remarking that they hoped Greece would “not make promises they could not keep,” and continue to work with the EU to effectively reduce their national debt.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Ruler of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, passed away last week

after a decade on the throne.

His brother Salman was crowned king on Friday amid increasing political restlessness and turmoil that has long been absent on the day of coronation.

The Saudi government is currently battling the Islamic State (IS) and other extremist groups that are targeting Saudi citizens for recruitment, hoping to have a greater presence in the oil-rich nation.

Saudi police have already made nearly 300 arrests in connection to recent attacks and have encouraged imams, or religious leaders, to actively educate people on the difference between true Islamic values and those of the extremist groups.

Sanaa, Yemen After the Prime Minister and President of Yemen resigned last

week, the American embassy in the capital city of Sanaa closed to the public after concerns of security and the safety of the American employees. President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi attributed his resignation to the failed peace deal by the Shia Houthi rebel group.

The US State Department remarked that specific concerns for American citizens living and working in Yemen are vulnerability to kidnappings and terrorist attacks.

The CIA recently conducted drone strikes in the nation, killing three people believed to be associated with Al-Qaeda after the organization claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo and other Paris attacks earlier this month.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma has appealed to the Supreme Court requesting the stay of three executions after the inmates on death row challenged the drug concoction used in lethal injections. Convicted murderers Garcia White, Richard Glossip, and Robert Ladd argued that midazolam, the first drug used in the three-drug combination, was not effective enough to prevent inmates from feeling the pain of the two subsequent drugs, and that the effect was akin to “cruel and unusual punishment,” rendering it unconstitutional. While the Oklahoma Attorney General has recommended that the executions be stayed until midazolam is declared okay or an alternative is found, he remarked that the inmates will still be executed for their “horrendous crimes.”

Page 3 • OPINION

Thursday, January 29, 2014

Sext Appeal Sexpert Kait Alkass explores the art of sexting, which has become a staple of modern relationships. She shares her personal experiences and provides juicy sexting tips.

Kaitlyn Alkass

Writer

If you are a human being and you own a cell phone— which I am guessing you are because a) you are reading this right now and b) you are probably not Amish—then chances are you have stumbled upon the tricky subject of sexting. Even if you have never participated in this unequivocally clinical act of foreplay, you are familiar with the term. I am not talking about the standard bra and panties mirror photo you send to your boyfriend which he then forwards to all his friends. I do not care what he says, that s*** is never getting deleted. Quick tip: if you do feel the need to send photos of yourself, make sure your face is not in them, that way if you run for office or decide to join a convent you will be solid.

Sexting does not necessarily include nude or semi-nude photographs. It is the gritty exchange of sexually explicit messages between two people, describing in

great detail exactly what they would do to each other right now if only they were together. The cruel irony. The common sext is usually accompanied by a ton of winky faces. This emoticon is crucial to any sext. It lets your partner know that you are super fun and down for anything ;). I feel that I should mention that as I am writing this, there is a girl at a table in front of me studying the anatomy of the pelvic diaphragm. I wonder if this girl sexts. Perhaps she could turn it into a study method.

As someone who has been in a few long-distance relationships, sexting was just a natural part of the agreement. I never really had a problem with it. In fact, I was pretty good at it, which I chalk up to my former glory days as a middle-school spelling bee champion. I just happen to know a ton of synonyms for basic sexting jargon, such as “hard” and “hot.” Thanks, Mom. Leaving those sleepovers early to study really paid off.

While I am fairly decent at

describing sexual scenarios, it is not something I personally enjoy.

It is not like I read some dude’s poorly executed paragraph and then experience intense waves of ecstasy. Most of the time it is just a chore that I approach with the same enthusiasm as grocery shopping. On many occasions I have done both simultaneously.

Multi-tasking at its finest.

Typical grocery shopping/ sexting scenario: Kait: Yeah, you should definitely do that to me.

[Throws box of cereal into cart.]

Bob: How turned on are you right now?

Kait: I’ve never been so turned on in my life.

[Examines various brands of tuna fish.]

As somewhat of a well-seasoned sexter, I garnered a bit of a reputation with my girlfriends who were not so keen on the idea. Most of them were embarrassed or found it too intimate.

Despite being over the phone, there is an inherent vulnerabil-

ity that comes from being that graphic intentionally. You have to get over yourself a bit and have the guts to hit send. More often than not, this involves a fair amount of emotional detachment. I would explain this to my friends who would throw their hands up in desperation and shove their phone at me. “Fine.

Can you just do it, then?” And so it began. Numerous dirty messages sent to friends’ boyfriends, girlfriends, friends with benefits, etc. I was playing sexual mad libs with people who believed that their significant other had been miraculously endowed with a proclivity for procreation

by Aphrodite herself. Little did they know it was me, typing away while at yoga or out getting a drink. I had it down to a science. There are three important elements to ensure any sext is successful: 1) Mention how turned on you are: everyone is a narcissist, so whomever you are sexting will take this as a compliment.

2) Discuss how badly you

want the other person.

3) Adjectives. They are your friend.

There you have it—the basic sexting formula. If you want to practice your new skill, I have included a literal sexual mad lib below.

While I am sure sexting is enjoyable for many couples, I do not quite see the point. String a couple of carnal phrases together and feign intimacy? There is not much else to it. It is the digital equivalent to faking an orgasm.

It is a fun, creative way to spice up an otherwise stale relationship, but other than that, it is pretty useless.

‘Jack and Jill in the Bedroom’ Jill, you’re so [adjective]. I want to [verb] your [body part].

We will [verb] at [place]. You’re my best friend and a great [noun]. I want you to [verb] my [body part] [number] times. I guarantee that at some [noun], we may want to try [verb]. Also, did you remember to [verb] from [noun]? Oh Jill, you’re the [adjective].

Freshmen community disappoints students Sarajane Renfroe

Writer

You cannot buy happiness, but you can certainly buy community. With Rollins’ high tuition, it would be expected that events held to bolster the freshmen community would be successful. However, as a freshman I can tell you that is not always the case. In my brief time at Rollins I have experienced everything from glow parties with only a few dim glow bracelets to failed attempts at movies on the lawn.

Upon arriving at Rollins, I was giddy with anticipation to enter a community of intellectuals and ready to establish my own place in an open social circle.

Surprisingly, freshman orientation did not provide this sense of

community for me. Although my RCC was incredible, I longed for the fun-filled community events friends attending other universities told me about. Instead, the much-anticipated movie night on the lawn turned out to be an awkward conglomeration of students forced to attend by their Peer Mentors and others taking advantage of the free popcorn.

The excitement was missing. Students sat in small, quiet groups, and not talking and laughing like I had expected.

Julia Joyce ’18 attended as an RCC requirement. She mentioned that perhaps the awkwardness is inevitable for a group of new freshmen; “It was fine—I got to meet the people in my RCC.” Erin Hartigan ’18 did not

appreciate the mandatory aspect of the events, stating,, “People went and left; when something is mandatory for people to do, they don’t have any motivation to do it.”

It all boils down to this question: how do you make an event fun for students? After speaking to some friends at UCF, I have gathered that successful events are generally focused toward food, music, or a holiday.

The university holds a “Pegasus Palooza” during its “Welcome Week” to welcome incoming students into the college atmosphere. Events during this week include information sessions and volunteer work, like freshmen experience at Rollins, but notably also include a “Knight Rave” and a “Concert Knight” with

big name bands (2014’s Concert Knight hosted Alex & Sierra from X-Factor). Additionally the school has various opportunities for free food, such as a Bagel Bar, in their schedule for Pegasus Palooza. These food events are generally focused around getting students acquainted with different departments or organizations around UCF. Obviously UCF is a much bigger school than Rollins and can thus afford these larger-scale events, but the ideas have merit. Andrew Phillips ’18 believes that music and food are the way into the hearts of incoming students. “You have to find common ground in order to bond properly, and the easiest way to do so is, in my opinion, music.”

He also mentions the effective-

ness of a s’mores and movie hall event, saying the s’mores were the attraction and the movie was unnecessary, instead advocating to “play some nice music, have a nice little atmosphere.”

Phillips brings up a good point: the effective use of resources by Rollins SGA in these freshman events. Perhaps music would be a better use of money instead of paying for a huge deflatable TV. Zoe Mitchell ’18 supports some of the resource use though, saying, “Everybody likes events where they get free food.” She especially enjoyed the “Throw-back Thursday” event with snow cones, popcorn, and the bouncy house. Beth Walsh ’18 comments that perhaps “swag” is the solution: “Kids just like free stuff.”

Page 4 • FEATURES

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Syed Johnson

Syed Johnson Led by Jamaica Reddick ‘15, students marched from the Bush Entrance, down Park Avenue, and to a meeting space outside of the Winter Park Welcome Center.

Syed Johnson Sabrina Kent ‘15 marches down Park Avenue followed by a group of other activist students.

Page 5 • FEATURES

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Syed Johnson

Rollins community marches in solidarity

Understanding the concepts of intersectionality and solidarity through a discussion of the Jan. 24 protest.

Peter Ruiz

Writer

On January 24 students and faculty marched up Park Avenue in demonstration for the campaign #BlackLivesMatter to provide solidarity to Muslims abroad. This protest was organized by Jamaica Reddick ’15 to shed light on the rampant anti-black sentiment and modern police brutality as well as the Islamophobia Muslims are subjected to.

As we marched up Park Avenue, we chanted different things such as: “Black Lives Matter,” “Muslim Lives Matter,” and “No Justice No Peace.” It was not only communal and healing, but an example of how our community can expand beyond the ivory tower that is Rollins.

When asked why she decided to organize this event, Reddick replied, “I chose a protest because not only is it important to let people see that the #BlackLivesMatter movement isn’t dying out, but that we stand in solidarity with oppressed peoples worldwide.”

For me, there were two pressing questions after the protest: What does solidarity look like? And what is intersectionality?

Solidarity varies from person to person. For me, I equate solidarity with struggle. Ally-ship says I want to help you, but often that help falls into a “savior complex.” Rather, to struggle with someone is to

feel pain with them, to cry with them, to rejoice with them while also recognizing that their experience is uniquely theirs and as valid as your own. This is what I try to emulate with my solidarity and this is what I hope for when someone decides to participate in solidarity with me.

Intersectionality states that every identity you have exists in connection with your other identities. For example, my queer identity connects to my male identity, my racial identity, economic status, etc. Without recognizing these connections I cannot bring my authentic self into a space, and I am unable to recognize my unearned privileges and oppressions that shape my life experience.

When approaching activism one must look at issues through a holistic perspective. If you attack one part of the problem you are fighting the symptom, but when you attack the problem holistically you are dismantling the root causes of oppression and privilege.

Reddick organized this march because the open Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism surrounding the Charlie Hebdo attack upset her.

“If Charlie Hebdo can so freely express their freedom of speech that violently dehumanizes entire groups of people, then I thought I’d use my freedom of speech to stand up for them. As an advocate for Muslims, I have to use my privilege to say something,” Reddick said.

At the march, longtime Hannibal Square resident LaShanna Tyson, community organizer with Faith in Florida and leader of the campaign to “Let My People Vote,” spoke on issues of mass incarceration, prison privatization, immigration and the gentrification of Winter Park.

While these issues are rarely connected, LaShanna’s experiences did so fluidly, which clearly illustrates her understanding of both intersectionality and solidarity. She spoke on her identities as a formerly incarcerated individual, a woman, a mother, a black person, and a Winter Park citizen as they have shaped her worldview.

Intersectionality and solidarity are what shaped the march on Park Ave. These factors shape the speech I made at the event. They shape why I have radical politics and they shape how I express myself. As you move forward in your lives I implore you to look at your life and your experiences with an intersectional perspective. How does each facet of you shape and interact with other facets of you?

How can you move through spaces more authentically? I also implore you to ask yourself what solidarity means to you and to seek to create solidarity with seemingly vastly different people. Can you struggle with someone and what does that mean? I speak because I have to. I march because I have to. I love and struggle with people because I want to.

Syed Johnson David Matteson ‘15 and Kyle McCoy ‘15 participated in the march this past Saturday. “It was inspiring to see students participate in a shared cause off campus,” Matteson said.

Syed Johnson Olivia Matthews ‘15 carries a sign reading, “#CANILIVE, Black Lives Matter,” while marching down Park Avenue.

Page 6 • FEATURES

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Diverse committee continues new presidential search A 14-member committee is still searching for the new Rollins President.

The selection process has been going on for almost a year.

Micah Bradley

Staff Writer

After President Lewis Duncan stepped down over the summer, the Board of Trustees appointed Interim President Craig McAllaster. Now, Rollins is in the middle of an approximately year long search to find its fifteenth president.

The search committee has 14 members, including trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and parents. The Chair of the search committee is Allan Keen, a trustee of Rollins, and Vice Chair Dr. Susan Johnston is also a trustee. Some of the other members of the search committee are Elise Ablin ’15, SGA President; Dr. Mamta Accapadi, Vice President for Student Affairs; and Dr. Carol Lauer.

The school has also hired Storbeck/Pimental & Associates, a company that specializes as executive search consultants.

Past presidential searches that the company have assisted with were at the University of Wisconsin, Bates College, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A 26 page job description is available on the Rollins website. The extensive packet includes information on Rollins College, such as the history of the campus and its statistics.

Furthermore, the description includes a section detailing job requirements and the challenges the next president will face.

“I have been trying to keep students involved in the process by listening to what students value and what qualities the committee should be looking for in the next Rollins President,” said Ablin. Last semester there was a forum held for students who were interested in discussing the new

president and giving opinions, which only about 15 students attended. There is also a survey that was e-mailed to all students that allows them to give feedback and comments on the new president.

Due to the secrecy surrounding the presidential search, it is unclear how many candidates remain in the process, or when they will be visiting the campus.

Page 7 8 • ARTS FEATURES & ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, January 29, 27, 2015

January brings both film hits, flops Nicholas D’Alesandro

Staff Writer

January is always a weird time for going to the movies. It is not at all like Christmas time.

Christmas time is exciting.

You are off from work or school and you get an opportunity to really go to the cinema and see a movie and enjoy it. Also, all the movies are amazing because all of them are gunning for the Oscars.

Some Oscar contenders do Warner Brothers not get wide release until January. You can see them through‘American Sniper’ was the top grossing opening weekend for a film released in January ever. out the month as companies try to boost their popularity once they have been nominated (i.e.

Boyhood’s re-release).

However, there are more than late release award contenders in January. January to early February is a sort of graveyard when it comes to new release films. For example, this month we have had such releases as The Boy Next Door, Taken 3, Blackhat, and The Wedding Ringer, given poor reviews by the critics.

Blackhat, the Chris Hemsworth led spy thriller, had a budget of $70 million dollars.

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In its first weekend it almost made $4 million and is now currently just above $5 million. That “My favorite is spinach, tomato, and feta” is a tremendous bomb. Universal essentially flushed more than $60 Roger Lewis, your local Domino’s Manager million dollars down the toilet.

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nies can take big hits in January because they are bargaining on the Oscar movies that they are releasing. The Oscar contenders or other big movies get released in December or early January and get them loads of cash, so they place movies they know are going to fail in January so that they can recover from their own bombs and not really lose too much profit.

A good example of this is the new sci-fi film starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum, Jupiter Ascending. This film was slated to be released in late summer but was pushed back to an early February release. The company stated that they wanted to work on the CGI. Or, possibly, because they figured it would bomb.

You may be thinking, why would they take such a gamble?

What if it does not pay off? Jupiter Ascending is a perfect example. Warner Brothers produced this film. They moved it back to February, potentially expecting it to bomb.

Warner Brothers also put American Sniper into wide release on January 16th. American Sniper broke a record and was the biggest opening weekend for a film released in January ever, grossing $89 million in its initial release.

Since then, in one week it has made double what it cost to make the film. It is the highest grossing of the eight films nominated for Best Picture and, according to Box Office Mojo, has made more than Boyhood, Birdman, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash have made combined. The gamble paid off.

So when it comes to January, by all means, go to the cinema.

However, do not be surprised when something you watched may not be up to par with your expectations. It is a graveyard, after all.

Page 8 • SPORTS FEATURES

Thursday, January 29, 27, 2015

Athletes prove brain, brawn Amy Martin Writer Dumb jocks? Not at Rollins.

The Tars dominated the competition in the fall semester both on the field and in the classroom.

Rollins received the top Academic Success Rate, ranking them first in the Sunshine State Conference as well as in the Top 20 nationally among NCAA Division II. The Tars set the bar high with the Rollins Athletic Department garnering a 92 Academic Success Rate (ASR), which put Rollins athletes well above the national average of 71. Six sports programs lead the way with perfect 100 ASRs—men’s lacrosse, women’s swimming, men’s swimming, men’s cross country, and men’s tennis.

Men’s lacrosse sophomore Nick Schultz ’17 said, “Balancing school and practice can get tough, so I’m pretty proud of my team for getting such a high overall GPA last semester.”

With such high rankings in

the Sunshine State Conference as well as the national rankings, it was no surprise that this was a record-setting semester for Rollins Athletics. Rollins student athletes received a combined 3.306 GPA in the Fall 2014 semester, shattering the standing department record. An overwhelming majority of 343 students earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, marking the 27th term in a row that Rollins Athletes have accomplished this feat.

This was the first time in Rollins history that all 22 varsity teams earned a GPA above a 3.0. Women’s tennis lead the Tars on the academic arena with an impressive overall GPA of 3.71.

They also received the Rollins Athletic Communication Director’s GPA trophy. Volleyball followed close behind with a 3.67 and softball and women’s cross country tied for second with a 3.53 GPA. Rollins Athletes are hoping to carry their academic success from their record breaking fall into the spring semester.

Amy Martin

MOMENTUM

WITH

BIG ROAD

WIN

fensive powerhouse for the Tars, Writer netting 21 points and 8 rebounds.

Taylor hit three three-pointers Women’s basketball had a and both free-throw attempts. big win on the night of Wednes- With her impressive showing day, January 21 against Florida against the Panthers, she is now Tech, coming from behind to only three points away from upset the previously undefeated 1000 total points in her career.

Ashley Losch ‘15 and EmPanthers.

The Tars were down by six alee Schill ‘15 also led the Tars points at halftime, but the of- with dominant performances. fense turned around to post a 72- Losch contributed 13 points and 65 victory on the road. Rollins is 15 rebounds while Schill added now 13-2 overall and is 5-1 in the 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Tars will face Lynn UniSunshine State Conference. They move into the season tied with versity at home this Saturday. the Panthers for the #1 spot in the Come out to support women’s basketball as they look to defeat conference.

Sarah Taylor ‘15 was an of- their conference rival.

In recent weeks, some members of our community have expressed themselves in language that is racist, sexist, and homophobic. These statements do not reflect our values, which embrace open dialogue, civil discourse, responsibility, and respect. It is disturbing and deeply disappointing that the promise of anonymity has invited abuse of the free speech that we consider a fundamental right.

I ask you to join me in expressing our shared values and your own self-respect by rejecting hate speech and the channels that facilitate its transmission, such as YikYak, and by engaging in and encouraging constructive observations. The challenges we face as a society will not be resolved with hatred; they can be overcome only with cooperation and courage.

President McAllaster We join President McAllaster to embrace open dialogue, civil discourse, responsibility, and respect: Project Bridge

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