THURSDAY
Sandspur The
APRIL 12, 2012
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 14
THESANDSPUR.ORG
FLORIDA’S OLDEST COLLEGE NEWSPAPER, EST. 1894
SAVE THE SHARKS
STEVEN COMBINES YOUR TWO FAVORITE THINGS: FOOD AND SEX
New student organization is making waves spreading awareness about shark finning
SEXPERTS, 3
CAMPUS, 7
V-Week Inspires Campus
Lauren Silvestri
on the tone of his department, Director of Campus Safety Ken Miller responded, “I would Many people at Rollins think that at times we can be know Campus Safety officer fairly militaristic — more than Paul Leahey and his upbeat half of our staff is either prior attitude. “Paul is one of those military or former law enforceofficers who truly looks out ment officers. The tactics and for the safety plans we use and well-beduring emergenI can say in my ing of Rollins cies and events students. He thirty years of working come directly wouldn’t drive from FEMA and that I have never an hour to originated in work each day been so harassed or the military... To to return home members of our bullied. to his wife and community that family after don’t have much midnight each night if he contact with our office or what didn’t love Rollins,” commentwe do, we might come across ed Blake Pierce ’14. as very militaristic. To a parMost would be surprised , ent that is concerned about the then, to hear that Leahey was safety and security of their sturecently let go from his position dent, we might not be militarisat Rollins. “When I heard Paul tic or police-like enough.” was let go, I couldn’t believe Officers within the departit. Paul is an asset to our Rolment may be reluctant to stand lins Community,” Pierce said. up against these issues due to Leahey’s departure raises questhe fear of being fired — espetions about recent turnover cially in tough economic times. of personnel within Campus Dawson Wright, former R-Card safety as well as broader concoordinator, shares Leahey’s cerns about the safety climate concerns over the shifting culat Rollins. ture in Campus Safety. Wright Leahey’s official reason for believes that the workplace entermination was for “writing vironment in the Campus Safesubstandard reports.” Leahey ty office is “creating a culture contends, however, that the resuch that good people want to porting system was confusing leave.” and lacked features like spellHe also noted that it is not ing and grammar checks. He the campus security departsees his termination as marking ment as a whole that is causing a shift from the friendly tone these problems. There are just a he tried to strike on campus to few “bad apples,” he said. Both a more militaristic attitude exWright and Leahey believe that pressed by some of his former the turnover rate within the deco-workers. He charges that partment, especially among the before going out on evening second shift — when many of rounds, officers would ask each the most serious incidents ocother, “Are you ready to go cur — is unacceptably high. duck hunting?” When asked about the al“I can say in my 30 years of leged high turnover rate, Miller working that I have never been answered, “When compared to so harassed or bullied,” Leahey other security groups, peers in said. “A comment was made to higher education, and the Orme that I need to be more mililando market, we have an extant and less friendly on camtremely low turnover rate.” pus, but why? I can maintain security needs and be friendly continued on PAGE 3 at the same time.” When asked for comment “Campus Safety”
The Sandspur
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Adrienne Barton The Sandspur
The concept of women and their rights has always been subject to much discussion. The topic is still prevalent due to the established culture of victim-blaming and legislative efforts that would make certain aspects of being a free and healthy woman difficult, if not altogether impossible. It is crucial, then, that when Voices for Women (V4W) brings VDay to campus that it is celebrated and embraced. V-Day (the V standing for Victory, Valentine and Vagina) started in 1998 and is dedicated to ending violence against women. Some colleges and organizations expand V-Day into V-Week during what is known as V-Season (Feb. 1 – April 30). V4W, an organization under the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), seeks to empower women at Rollins while educating community members on issues of feminism, gender equality and domestic violence. V4W also takes the week to highlight the prevalence of sexual violence against women on colleges, HONGJIN DU spreading inSPEAK OUT: Voices for Women use unconvenformation, and tional means to raise awareness for the plights of informing peowomen around the world.
Well-Known Safety Officer Fired
ple that there are resources to help available and that love and support after abuse may be provided, regardless of gender. The organization has been doing V-Week for over five years. This year, Rollins’ V-Week started March 26, and ran through April 3. Events kicked off on March 26 at 7 p.m. with a Fairvilla presentation in Sullivan House. While Fairvilla does not carry the steam-powered vibrators used in 1869, it does sell modern ones as well as goods promoting sexual wellness, including latex-free condoms. The rest of the week’s events included breast casting, movie nights, V-Town, Voices for Women’s student-run production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues on Friday and Saturday night, and a Take Back the Night march. Proceeds from T-shirt and The Vagina Monologues ticket sales went to Harbor House of Central Florida, Orlando’s domestic violence shelter. At noon on April 2, organizations gathered on Mary Jean Plaza to inform the community about women’s issues. Members of the Muslim Student Association and Introverts United had games dispelling misconceptions typically held about Muslim women and introverts. The Rollins Self-Defense Club gave demonstrations. Planned Parenthood returned, bringing a penis ring toss game as well as samples and explanations of contraceptives. Spectrum (Rollins’ LGBTIQQA organization) was also present, offering refreshments. V-Week and its associated events will always be important. Promoting discussion and information, V-Week provides an atmosphere that should persist on campus on a daily basis.
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“HOW IS THIS NIGHT DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER NIGHTS?” April 12, 1945
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies in office and Harry Truman takes the oath of office.
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By attempting to change Voter ID laws, Republicans are trying to make it harder for young people and minorities to vote.
CAMPUS, 7
WPRK FESTIVAL Local artists come to Rollins to celebrate 60th anniversary of radio station
— “Obama Reaches Youth,” 2
News 2 & 3 | Opinion 3 | Arts & Entertainment 4, 5 & 6 | Campus 7 & 8
CAMPUS, 4-5