The SpringHillian Volume 112, Issue 3
Thursday,October 22, 2020
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
ACA Challenge Could Affect Screenings Grace Crapps
bankruptcy.” Second would be the follow up care. For someone who is uninsured Reporter they would have a difficult Scheduled a week later af- time visiting and paying to ter the election, the Supreme see a private physician. One visit to the doctor’s office Court will hear a case that has the potential to eliminate without insurance can cost anywhere between $300the Affordable Care Act. $600 (Plushcare). When the ACA was first Needless to say, those enacted in 2010 it gave without health insurance almost 20 million people are place in a difficult posiaccess to health care and tion. They are faced with the the fear of it possibly being choices of destroying one’s overturned leaves people thinking: what will happen to credit, attempt to pay a hefty bill, or ignore their medical those who are uninsured? conditions. John Eads, a professor for While Eads said that one Spring Hill’s Division in Busicould argue everyone has ness, and who has a Master’s in Healthcare Administration access to healthcare, Dr. Harold Dorton disagrees. offered some insight on the healthcare system. “Not everyone has “Healthcare is extremeaccess to conventionly complicated and people al healthcare. Many don’t know much about it,” people rely on oversaid Eads. Heexplained how technically one could argue the-counter remethat everyone has access to dies and folk medihealthcare. “If I show up to cine, but that is not emergency room right now, they’re going to see me even the same as having access to anything if I’m uninsured.” He mentioned a friend of his that comprehensive. The had to be sent to the emerreal issue is millions gency room for an infection. of people in the U.S. Although Eads’ friend was uninsured he was still able do not have access to receive treatment. “It’s to healthcare that against the law to turn somemeets the standards one away from the hospital because they receive funding of an industrialized from the government,” said nation,” Eads. So, then why is health said Dorton. He did mention insurance so important? that what uninsured people The difference can be seen had “at best” was access to in two ways. One, is the bill. emergency rooms, but he An uninsured person who referred this as a “relatively is treated at the hospital inadequate option limited by costs on average $900 (USA geography and transportaToday). Although Eads made tion.” the remark, With the ACA granting 20 million people access to health insurance, the idea “I would say about that it could be overturned 95% of those who seems daunting. “Tens are uninsured and of millions of people lose receive treatment coverage within weeks,” said Dorton, don’t have to pay.
Eventually a hospital will write off the bill “this assumes that Medicare expansion and not collect it.” will collapse without He did acknowledge though, the 90% federal conthe ability to not pay one’s tribution to states, medical bill would “hurt one’s and that the excredit and possibly force changes will fold.” someone to have to file for
Communication Arts Department posing in a Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Dorton also brought up the fear that close to 10 million people would be in danger of losing coverage because of the protections for pre-existing conditions, which is something currently provided by the ACA. All in all, Dorton believes that if the ACA were to be repealed without a strong plan waiting in the wings to take its place, the consequence would be negative. This year it is estimated that a little over 300,000 women in the United States
will be diagnosed with breast cancer (Cancer.net). The ACA, the law whose existence is reportedly “hanging by a thread” helps many of those who are diagnosed with cancer receive affordable treatment in several ways (NPR). The law helps provide preventative care, such as mammograms, at no cost to patients as well help low and middle-income people afford health insurance.
One of the most important things for breast cancer is timely diagnosis and treatment. Low-income women without insurance have lower rates of mammography screening and often face additional roadblocks to receiving treatment (NCBI).
October 22, 2020 NEWS 2 The SpringHillian Women’s March Encourages Voting Olivia McNorton Reporter The Mobile Women’s March ended in a chanting of the word “love” on Saturday afternoon as men, women, and children pumped their fists in the air. On October 17, 2017, millions of Americans traveled to Washington D.C. in the “largest single-day protest in U.S. history”. The protestors held signs and chanted slogans in a negative response towards Donald Trump’s first day as President of the United States. According to Vox, on October 17th, 2020, “more South Alabama Handmaids Resistance Coalition than 400 marches in all 50 Photo By: Olivia McNorton states” occured in retaliation to efforts to have Amy Coney gan of “Stronger Together”, opposition,” Hickman said, Barrett take the late Ruth and organizer Mary Hickman “We’ve had a huge outpourBader Ginsburg’s seat in the commented that planning ing of support.” The event Supreme Court. the controversial event was garnered a variety of spectaThe Mobile Women’s much simpler than she extors, and featured informaMarch rallied under the slopected. “We didn’t have any tion tables for non-profit or-
ganizations such as Planned Parenthood, Rainbow Mobile, Penelope House, and The Poor People’s Campaign. The event also featured an organization known as Our Project 2020, a Mobilian non-profit dedicated to ensuring the 2020 election has as many eligible participating voters as possible, as well as formulating both a network and formal volunteer group to reach across humanitarian organizations in Alabama. Before participants marched around Memorial Park, numerous speakers recited poetry or gave speeches relating to the event-organizing committee’s agenda, including fighting against domestic abuse and white supremacy. A man known as Huggy Bear boldly recited “Break the Cycle” a poem based on his experience growing up in a domestic
abuse-ridden home. Another man, named Alexis, stood in front of the audience with his adolescent daughter at his side, reciting a poem he wrote the day she was born expressing his love and dedication to her. Speaker June Jones echoed a sentiment reverberated throughout the event: “Don’t ever think your vote is not important,” she said, “Without your voice, you cannot get what you want.” Attendees walked around the park holding up signs that boldly proclaimed “March. Vote. Win”, a cry for all American people to exercise their voting privilege this presidential election. The leader of the march, Kalla Etheredge, a woman running for the Mobile City Council District 5 seat, told the group to end the protest with “the reason why we’re here-love.”
Political Clubs Form in Election Year
Fergus O’ Rourke
Republicans during the previous semester: “I just saw a need, and I started this!” said Daffin. When asked what draws
him to the Democratic Party, Daffin said, “We stand for human dignity. It’s a cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching and I believe – and
people probably of all faiths believe – that human dignity isn’t something that can be taken or given. It’s intrinsic to our existence. I believe that the Democratic Party, especially in recent decades, has recognized the human dignity of every human person. That’s what I love about the Democratic Party.” The College Republicans club was set up in late spring 2019. Saunchegraw, from St. Louis, remembers the difficulty that he had in getting a faculty member to advise the club, which is required to set up an organization on campus, “I went through three faculty members; they all turned me away. And then I went to Mark Foster, my accounting teacher, and he was
@shcstudentmedia
@SHC_Media
SHC Student Media
Reporter The United States Presidential Election takes place in less than two weeks, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Two Spring Hill students will be particularly interested in the results of the election, namely Chris Daffin, president of the College Democrats, and Nick Saunchegraw, president of the College Republicans. Daffin, from Jackson Alabama, has voted already by absentee ballot, and Nick will do the same in his home state of Missouri. The College Dems got up and running last fall, and this happened largely in response to the creation of the College
newswire.shc.edu
(Left) Nicholas Saunchgraw, president of the College Republicans, (Right) president of the College Democrats, Christopher Daffin
like “Oh absolutely, I would love to do that.” “I think that colleges all across the country are being fed this mainstream, ‘one way or the highway’ way of thinking,” he added. “It’s all the liberal way of thinking. All the professors are just shoving it down everybody’s throat. Nobody gets to think for themselves. And I think at some point we need to have that freedom of speech back.” Despite their political disagreements, both Daffin and Saunchegraw are quick to point out that they are glad that the opposing party has a presence on campus. Both recognize the need to come together if anything constructive is to take place.
shcmedia@shc.edu
SHC MEDIA: The SpringHillian Editor: Nathan Taylor
Web Editor: Carlie Jamison
BTV Producer: Alexandria Rayford
Art Director: Abby Lollar
Advertising Manager: Gabriella Tucker
BTV Director: Carlos Salmoran
Reporters: Grace Crapps, Tara Summers, Olivia McNorton, Grace Thelen, Jared Jacoby, Andrew Spinks, Bessmorgan Baluyut, Conner Moore, and Genesis Gonzalez
Advisors: Stuart Babington, Gary Wolverton and Bill Rowan
3 OPINION Students Confused About Vaccination
Volume 112, Issue 3
Genesis Gonzalez Reporter With COVID-19 continuing to be a threat to public health, will college students get vaccinated for the flu? For years, the flu shot has been a part of our yearly routine. With the pandemic still affecting everyday life, many colleges are mandating their students to get vaccinated. Students in colleges such as Creighton and the University of California must get the Flu shot before they can return for the spring semester according to POLITICO. As of right now, Spring Hill has no change in flu shot protocol. This could become a new norm considering that colleges are trying to avoid large numbers of outbreaks. The Center for Disease Control recommends ev-
eryone get the winter Flu shot to ensure public health. According to the CDC the flu shot is 46% effective, but it still helps prevent a major outbreak. Still, this is not stopping people from protesting. COVID-19 guidelines have outraged people enough to go out and protest. Making people get vaccinated will
not be easy for local governments and as colleges. According to the CDC, local and state governments can make vaccinations a requirement for school entry. The issue with mandating vaccination is that many people argue that many of the diseases for which we vaccinate are no longer a threat, according to The His-
tory of Vaccines. In America, Anti-Vaxxers (those who refuse to get vaccinated or have their children vaccinated) have gained momentum in more recent years. Part of the idea behind this movement is that children could be highly allergic to certain vaccinations addressed by the CDC. According to The Children’s Health Defense many vaccinations still contain mercury, which is a dangerous chemical for anyone. There are many misunderstandings behind the vaccine that can be off-putting for most. For example, many believe that they can get sick from getting vaccinated. Additionally, there is a belief that simply maintaining hygiene can prevent people from getting the flu. Of course, we must go back to the issue that there
is currently a pandemic that is affecting the health of many. On top of COVID-19, the flu can be a big issue for hospitals and clinics considering that both illnesses have nearly the same symptoms. The CDC challenges many misconceptions by suggesting that the vaccination itself cannot give you the flu, just side effects, allergic reactions are rare but can be immediately treated and the shot cannot increase one’s chances of getting COVID-19. I believe that vaccinations are an important part of societal evolution. The reason many diseases have been controlled is due to the fact that there have been vaccinations for them. If students have to get Measles, Varicela (chickenpox) and Polio vaccinations, it is because they have been proven to be effective in keeping outbreaks from happening.
Oscars Try to Show Diversity Drew Spinks Reporter The Academy a few months ago announced new diversity initiatives that would make films have to meet certain requirements to qualify for Best Picture. Among these are requirements to diversify the cast of films otherwise they will not qualify. The Academy claimed these rules “are designed to encourage equitable representation on and off-screen in order to better reflect the diversity of the movie-going audience”. Diversity is important but I find it funny that The Academy suddenly cares so much about diversity in art. The Academy has spent years othering international
cinema into the “Best Foreign Language Film” category and not a single foreign language film won Best Picture until Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed film Parasite earlier this year. A well-deserved win in my opinion, and a step in the right direction but they still have quite a long
way to go. In 1989, Spike Lee’s racially charged classic Do The Right Thing was released to critical acclaim, yet was not nominated for a single Academy Award. This move was deemed so egregious in fact that Kim Basinger, the Oscars host that year called
out The Academy before presenting the Best Picture winner. The Academy reeks of the Hollywood elitism and favoritism that permeates the mainstream American cinematic landscape. Instead of amplifying diverse voices, The Academy is hampering artistic integrity and ultimately showing that they have no grasp about the medium they claim to represent. Even if the directors and writers of such films do not care about the awards, a studio might, and put extra pressure on them to conform to these rules. I doubt that studio-imposed representation will equate to good or genuine representation. Studio interference has long been an issue in Hollywood, and these measures might just make things worse for
already struggling creatives in an uncertain medium. Filmmakers should have no “requirements” imposed upon them, it is just another sign that the authorities in the medium do not see film as art, but as nothing more than a revenue stream. The fact that The Academy entertained adding a “most popular film” category further proves this. Maybe instead of trying to get all artists to conform, they could actually amplify some more minority voices who are already making films. They should also look more towards international cinema and the independent sphere if they truly wish to diversify as The Academy’s Hollywood bias is ultimately in contradiction to any attempt to diversify their awards.
EDITORIAL POLICY:
SUBMISSIONS:
The SpringHillian is published five times each semester from August to December. The views expressed herein do not represent the views of Spring Hill College and are not the views of the faculty, administration, staff or students. They are the views of the individual columnists.
The SpringHillian publishes guest submissions at the discretion of the student-editor and section editors. Submissions should be less than 300 words, and editors reserve the right to edit the submissions for length and content. Original writings should be mailed or delivered to: Student-editor, The SpringHillian, Communication Arts, Spring Hill College, 4000 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36608. Submissions may also be sent as emailed attachments to: shcmedia@email.shc.edu.
4 The SpringHillian
AROUND THE HILL
October 22, 2020
Right: A student biting into a watermelon in the spirit of watermelon bash. Photo by: Genesis Gonzalez
Right: Students working hard at their tables during Badger Expo. Photo by: Genesis Gonzalez
Students enjoying Watermelon Bash 2020. Photo by: Genesis Gonzalez
Volume 112, Issue 3
AROUND THE HILL
Top of Page: The Spring Hill College Student Government Association holds their first meeting of the semester. Left: Emma Pitts and Caroline Landaiche review their SGA portraits. Top Right: Caroline poses for her SGA portrait. Bottom Right: Layne Carlson poses for her SGA portrait. Photos by Grace Crapps
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6 The SpringHillian
LIFE STYLE
October 22, 2020
Mitchell Theater Remains Closed Jared Jacoby Reporter There are no plans to reopen the Arlene Mitchell Theater at SHC this semester.As the COVID-19 pandemic changes the services in and around Spring Hill College, there will not be a play or production at Arlene Mitchell Theater this semester. Built in 1997, the small theater at SHC closed last Spring along with the college itself. Although many services have opened back up with restrictions, the theater remains closed. Father Campbell, the SHC acting professor & play director, said that he does believe that it will be closed until the end of the pandemic. Campbell met with his acting class in the theater during the first week of school, but he switched to an online format afterward. He said it is too difficult to teach acting from six feet apart. “It’s like teaching boxing without having to touch each other or get close to each other,” he said.
One issue with acting Campbell ran into was social distancing. “If I open it up to the actors, they have to work in very close quarters, so I have to be comfortable for them to do that,” he said, when asked when the theater will open. There is a lot of close contact involved with acting and some actions include hugging and kissing, which he said was rare. Ally Whittemore, a senior and former student of Campbell’s, talked about the effects of the theater closing at SHC. “What sucks the most is the missed opportunity to perform here,” Whittemore said. “If your schedule is too busy, then you no longer have an opportunity to act and perform anymore outside of class.” Public movie theaters are not faring much better. The AMC theater on Schillinger Road is the closest theater that is open, but not many people are going. On Saturday afternoon at the AMC theater, the parking lot was empty. In the lobby, there was not a person at the tick-
Ally Whittemore outside of Mitchell Theater Photo By: Jared Jacoby et booth to collect tickets. Once customers get their ticket, they head straight to the auditorium. Some students believe it is still unsafe to go to the movies such as Whittemore. “I think people will ignore guidelines and share their food, while employees will have a hard time cleaning all
of the auditoriums,” Whittemore said. She suggested that having no food or drink would help. Other students disagree. Caleb Lyght, an SHC junior, believes that the theaters are safe. The seats are separated and they are disinfected after each feature presentation. Also, there are not
many people that go to the movies according to Lyght. The official AMC website states that the AMC theater on Schillinger Road is now only open from Fridays to Tuesdays. Right before the movie starts, a bumper plays that asks the audience to keep their masks on.
Among Us Grows on College Campuses Bentley Odom Reporter
There is a chat box for you and your friends to discuss who you think the imposter is. In the midst of a global Created by a team at pandemic, people are finding InnerSloth, Among Us hit new ways to stay connected, the app store in 2018 and even if they have to deceive, was met with widespread blame, or take out their indifference. The game really friends online to do it. became popular around April A recent surge of nearly 2020, at the height of the 85 million people have taken global coronavirus pandemic. to their phones, laptops and In the last month or so, desktops to play a game social media users have been called Among Us, according posting about their experito Sean Sands in an article he ences playing the game on wrote on the popular websocial media sites like Twitsite Vice. The game is set on ter and TikTok. a malfunctioning spaceship, There’s even been some and it is the job of the crewinteresting and humorous mates on board to fix it up. posts about how people have Played in a group of four to made new friendships, or ten people, the object of the even romantic relationships, game is for the crewmates to identify and kick out the one while playing the game. Popular gaming channels on or two imposters on board YouTube, like “PewDiePie” the ship. You have to create diversions, come up with ali- and “jacksepticeye” have collaborated to show their bis, and accuse other crewmates to win as the imposter. viewers how they play the game, averaging around 4
Mikayla Boyer, a sophomore at Spring Hill College, uses the game to relax after a stressful day: “There’s a lot going on right now in the world, and that can definitely take a toll on someone’s mental health. So I think it’s really important to not get too stressed about everything, and even try to get some fun in where you can. This game helps me do that.” She says that it’s become a new ritual to play with her roommates every night. “We’ll get cozy in our sepGabriella Tucker playing Among Us Photo By: Dr. arate beds and just play for Stuart Babington maybe an hour or so. I think thing in this game resonates it helps us stay pretty sane. to 11 million views on each at the same frequency as the It’s something to look forof their videos at the time practical experience of being ward to after a long day.” of publishing as seen on the Two years later after the alive in the year 2020. Among viewer count. release of the game. Students Us is rife with ever cascading There are many other are now being forced to live crises, and people trapped games one could play with in similar conditions, players in a sense of isolation while friends while in quarantine. get a sense of relief when they try to solve problems Sands draws an interesting they are able to complete for which they are woefully comparison in his article their tasks or kick out the unequipped.” published on Vice: “Someimposter.
Volume 112, Issue 3
7
SPORTS & LEISURE
Golf Teams Prepare For Competition
Conner Moore Reporter
With the cancelation of sports for the fall of 2020, one team is gearing up to bring back some competition to the hill. The golf teams at Spring Hill will compete in the Ryder Cup- which will throw in some competition between the athletes and allow them to get used to playing competitively again. Many of the golfers on both the guys and the girls Spring Hill College golf teams plan to compete in upcoming Ryder Cup tournateams are excited to play in ment. a tournament, but first they Photo By: Tara Summers must qualify, as only eight team event so it will be fun for us to get in the rhythm teammates especially when men and eight women can to get back out there with of playing again, not many it comes to tournaments. At compete in the tournament. my teammates and play.” of us guys played over the Spring Hill the short game is Sophomore golfer, YanFreshman, Natalia Michas, course of the time off so it important so we work hard nik Wessel, talks about his gave her explanation of how is all about getting in shape on that as well.” Yannik also preparation for the tournashe is preparing for the again and playing with my mentioned that “this is a ment saying, “It is important
tournament and said, “My first goal is to qualify for the tournament. After that, we can all think about having fun and enjoying the moment of playing again. Another thing that I am doing to prepare for the tournament is my short game because that is the most important part of the game in my opinion.” She also says that she hopes this gets her mindset right when it comes time for actual competition. The Ryder Cup will showcase the golf team and their competitive nature as each athlete is trying to top one another to make it to the final eight on both teams. There is no date currently set for when the Ryder Cup will be held, but look out for more information once qualifications are over.
Rec. Center Implements New Rules
Jared Jacoby
“It’s hard to be able to keep up a rate of physical activity Reporter that feels like your heart rate is up whenever you feel like Students at Spring Hill you are inhaling a mask most College who want to work of the time,” Gamboa said. out at the college’s recreAnother new rule is that ational center face regulathere is a 45-minute time tions and restrictions that limit for the fitness rooms. have changed the way the “That’s kind of a voluntary gym operates. enforcement,” Joe Niland, The Arthur R. Outlaw RecAthletic Director of Athletics reation Center closed back and Recreation at SHC. “The in the spring because of the idea was if we have a large COVID-19 pandemic, but it amount of people who want reopened in August. to use the building, then we There have been many have to have people move regulations made to reduce through the rooms.” the risk of COVID. The recreation center When students enter the requires students to wipe building, they must present down the equipment after their student ID, complete a they use it. In addition, some COVID-19 assessment from of the equipment was moved GuideSafe Healthcheck to out of the weight room and receive a passport and have spread out among the racket their temperature checked ball courts or around the before they can access the corners of the indoor track facilities. in order to space students In the fitness rooms, only out. four students are allowed in As for sporting events this each room and they must semester, there will not be keep their masks on. any games in the recreation SHC junior, Mikaela Gamcenter according to Niland. boa, has worked out in the Sports teams can still recreation center since her practice, but volleyball and freshman year. This semesbasketball teams are limitter, she has been wearing her ed to four hours a week for mask while working out. practice because they are
considered high-risk sports. Niland voiced concerns about when sporting events start to come back, as not a lot of decisions have been set in stone. Niland asked, “When we start sports in the spring, how are we going to manage the traffic flow with sporting events, or do we shut the building down? Do we bring fans? Do we allow students to come to the games and how many?” With the new regulations, students find it harder to exercise with each other. “My friends and I really like to workout together, but it is hard with the four-person limit,” Gamboa said. “I want to see regulations for more people to come in, but I know that is going to take some time.” The recreation center at SHC is open every day for workouts and practices to students, staff and faculty. Most areas are open, but the locker rooms remain closed. The hours of the recreation center this year are: • Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. • Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • Saturday: 12 -6 p.m. • Sunday: 1 -6 p.m.
The Spring Hill College cheerleading team holds a safety-compliant practice in the gym. Photo By: Jared Jacoby
Sign displaying the new 45-minute limit for fitness equiptment use. Photo By: Jared Jacoby
8 The SpringHillian
HILL YEAH!
October 22, 2020
ON THE SPOT
What is your FAVORITE Halloween movie? Adele Sakowski Freshman
Chris Daffin Senior
Elizabeth Plasencia Junior
Isabelle O’Neal Freshman
Waldo Toyos Sophomore
“Hocus Pocus is my favorite because I grew up watching it.”
“My favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus because I remember watching it as a kid.”
“The Nightmare before Christmas even though it’s considered a Christmas movie.”
“Coraline, because I like the way the characters look.”
“I hate Halloween, but I did like watching Halloweentown with my sisters growing up.”
Badger’s Top Spooky Movie Picks