THE BAGPIPE MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019 14049 SCENIC HIGHWAY, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA 30750 VOLUME 66.9 Admissions Sex Trafficking and S.S.T.O.P. Afternoon Pickup Shadow and Substance Theology of Sexuality Terminations and resignations in Cyntoia Brown granted clemency, What will you find when the spot- A look at Contemporary Photogra- An exploration on the narrative the Admissions Department and raising awareness about sex light shines on Court 3? phy students’ show opening of sex trafficking Page 1 Page 2 Page 4 Page 7 Page 8 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN by Emily Brauer and Nathan Dolan As of Monday, January 21st, the U.S. government has been shut down for 30 days, making it the longest in United States history. In the past 6 years, the government has had three significant shutdowns—2013, 2018, and 2019; the latest one occur- ring due to a lack of funding for border patrol and, the most popular topic associ- ated with President Trump, the Wall. Essentially, a government shutdown is when discre- photo by Eden Anyabwile tionary government offices cannot stay up and running because there is no fund- ing left from the previous HIGH TURNOVER RATE IN ADMISSIONS year. According to investo- pedia.com, a government by Mallory Harmon and Zach its fallout is just the latest tire college––potentially Callie Nelson’s resignations shutdown occurs when the McKillop chapter in what admissions hindering enrollment ef- is just one example of the ad- federal budget has not been counselors describe as a forts. Covenant’s enrollment missions office’s high turn- approved by Congress and On November 5, 2018, Jon two-year saga of departmen- directly determines the fi- over rate within the past two the process to approve it is Fitzpatrick, newly hired vice tal instability. In the past two nancial well-being of the col- years. prolonged. president of admissions and years alone, the admissions lege, which impacts tuition, marketing, was fired. In pro- staff has fluctuated consid- the ability to keep and hire Of the current AC staff, Erik Contrary to what the word test to his termination, Lau- erably. However, the demand professors, and the develop- Vitolins has been employed “shutdown” implies, most ra Scott Madden (‘18) and on the admissions office for ment of new academic pro- the longest, for three and a government offices are still Callie Nelson (‘16) resigned increasing enrollment num- grams, among other things. half years. According to the up and running. The shut- their posts as admissions bers has remained the same. Admissions Departmental down only includes the counselors (ACs), thus cut- A History of Instability Organizational Chart, none non-mandatory spending ting the AC staff almost in ACs say they have strug- of the seven ACs who were section of the government. half. gled without leadership and The abrupt shift caused by are concerned that this high Jon Fitzpatrick’s firing and Fitzpatrick’s dismissal and turnover rate harms the en- Laura Scott Madden and CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 In a statement following his CYNTOIA BROWN decision, Haslam said it came down to doing “the right GRANTED CLEMENCY thing.” “Cyntoia Brown committed, by Marie Bowen ble in the slaying because she by her own admission, a hor- was impaired by her mother’s rific crime at the age of 16. Yet, Cyntoia Brown, who says she alcohol abuse while she was imposing a life sentence on was a 16-year-old sex traffick- in the womb.” She agreed to a juvenile that would require ing victim when she killed engage in sexual activity with her to serve at least 51 years a man in 2004, was granted Allen for $150. After getting before even being eligible for clemency by Tennessee’s gov- in his bed, she shot him in parole consideration is too ernor on Monday, January 7th, the back when she claims he harsh, especially in light of the according to the Chattanoo- looked like he was reaching for extraordinary steps Ms. Brown ga Times Free Press. She will a gun. has taken to rebuild her life,” be released on August 7th, 15 Haslam said, according to the years after she was first arrest- While serving her life sen- Times. ed, and is to remain on parole tence in the Tennessee Pris- photo from NBC News for 10 years. on for Women in Nashville, The Times wrote that Nash- Brown completed her GED ville’s Mayor David Briley “This will serve a more im- trafficking, particularly involv- Brown ran away from her and is currently one course praised Haslam’s decision and portant purpose,” Murray said. ing women from Asian coun- adoptive family in 2004 to live away from earning a bachelor’s saw it as a “great day for social “Hopefully it will lead to more tries. with a man known as “Cut degree from Lipscomb Uni- justice and our city.” Also, the sentencing reform and clem- Throat” in a hotel. Court doc- versity. In May 2018, the state Times recorded that Demo- ency.” “Honestly I would love to get uments record that he forced board of parole gave Governor cratic state Senator Raumesh people here at Covenant in- her to become a prostitute and Bill Haslam a split recommen- Akbari said that this clemen- Murray hopes to have the next volved with reaching out to verbally, physically, and sexu- dation on Brown’s application cy announcement shows that S.S.T.O.P. meeting in Febru- these women.” Murray said. ally abused her. for clemency, thus giving the Tennessee “can show love, ary. Some plans for the club “But, I am so hesitant to do governor freedom to handle compassion and mercy” for this semester include prayer this though because these sex Brown was convicted in 2006 the case however he saw fit. people who have experienced meetings, continuing to raise trafficking rings are backed by to a life-sentence for killing Haslam received very con- trauma such as Brown. awareness, and documenta- criminals and you never know and robbing Johnny Allen, flicting opinions on the ruling. ry viewings. Alex Gonzalez what is going to happen.” a Nashville real estate agent, Law enforcement officers -op Christian Murray (’19), the (’21) and Murray have active- after he picked her up from a posed clemency, arguing that leader of the club S.S.T.O.P. ly been involved in combating If you are interested in learn- Sonic Drive-In to have sex with she was not justified in the (Students Stopping the Traf- sex-trafficking in places such ing more about Human Traf- her. Brown’s lawyers pleaded killing, while celebrities such ficking of People) at Covenant as Roswell, GA and New York ficking or want to get involved that “she was a sex trafficking as Kim Kardashian West and College, hopes that with the and are willing to share more with S.S.T.O.P., contact chris- victim who not only feared Rihanna along with criminal publicity of this case, more about what they have learned [email protected] to for her life but also lacked the justice advocates pushed for people will be aware of human and seen. Most of their work be put on the email list and re- mental capability to be culpa- mercy. trafficking. centers around international ceive updates. NEWS 02 on Covenant College’s small Gabrielle Amorelli (’20) had campus. Reports tell us that 2 a different take on the event, ALIEN: transformers blew that fate- saying, “I was scared and con- ful Tuesday night. “What’s fused, but aren’t we all?” Good a transformer?” you might point, Gabrielle, good point. COVENANT ask. Our trusty friend Goo- Are you scared and confused, gle tells us that a transformer too? You’re not alone. by Anna Rogers is “an apparatus for reducing or increasing the voltage of If you’re wondering, “What It’s late. You and your friends an alternating current.” Seems happened? Why did these are lying in bed, watching the important. Electricity is super transformers blow? What else latest Netflix show and fighting important, hence everyone can spontaneously combust off sleep. running through the sleepy without my prior knowledge?” halls, scared for their lives. But, Well, transformers can explode “This blows,” says one of your some people had a different re- due to a sudden surge of too cool friends. “I wish anything action. Some were brave. much electricity. Sources say fun would happen on this quo- that old transformers can blow tidian campus.” Well-known Catacombian as well, due to faulty or old in- and local Mya Bosgraf’s boy- sulation. Aliens, if you’re into You’re surprised. Quotidian? friend, James Fuller (’20), told that sort of thing, are a definite What a word! You didn’t know us that he was driving on Sce- possibility as well, so don’t lose your friends knew words like nic Highway below the chapel hope if you’re expecting a vis- that. Is your cool friend a secret when he saw the blue flash of it from our mysterious space nerd? While you’re contem- the explosion. friends. As for other things plating your cool friend’s IQ, spontaneously combusting, something happens. The lights “I was passing Andreas on watch out for hoverboards, flicker. Your phone charger Scenic when I saw it happen pyrite oxidation, and absolute- cuts in and out. People scream again—I saw an electric arc ly fire beats coming from our and run down the hall because coming out of the transformer talented SoundCloud rappers, they have never seen darkness.