Eastern progress Sept. 22, 2016

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 www.easternprogress.com Independent student publication of Eastern Kentucky University since 1922

Campus parking problem in numbers

ADAM HA/PROGRESS

Commuters park in the grass at the end of the Alumni Coliseum parking lot earlier this semester.

By NOENA ZERNA noena_zerna@mymail.eku.edu

Does EKU have a parking problem?

Students who commute to campus say they have to leave hours before classes if they’re to find a decent parking spot. Even students living in residence halls say they don’t leave campus because they are afraid to lose their space. The university, however, says the issue is overblown, pointing out that several lots frequently have rows of empty spots.

So who’s right? Consider the numbers.

As of June 15, EKU has issued a total of 12,530 parking permits and special EKU license plates for commuters, employees, freshmen and residents. That number

doesn’t include the small number of specialty tags, such as those for handicapped permits, residence hall coordinator permits and service permits.

The total number of parking spaces? As of September 15, there is a total of 7,732 parking spaces.

Here’s the breakdown: nn Commuter – 5,613 permits, 1,657 parking spaces (1,328 shared spaces) nn Employee –3,378 permits, 1,603 parking spaces (934 shared spaces) nn Residential – 2,094 permits, 1,612 parking spaces (1,829 shared spaces) nn Freshmen – 1,445 permits, 1,466 shared parking spaces

Graphic by CURTIS CONRAD

›› SEE PARKING, PAGE 3

Programs plead to CAA FAFSA bumps up early registration

By DESTINEE OTT progress@eku.edu

CHRIS BUNDY/PROGRESS

Members of the Council on Academic Affairs discuss pros and cons of suspending various academic programs.

By KORI HINKLEY progress@eku.edu

Twenty-one chairs of EKU academic programs took the stand for the second time last week to defend their majors and minors from being cut from the university.

All 21 programs recommended for suspension by the academic budget review subcommittee were given the chance to plead their case to Faculty Senate Sept. 12 and

the Council on Academic Affairs Sept. 15 before recommendations are sent to EKU President Michael Benson and the Board of Regents.

In similar fashion to the Faculty Senate meeting, the program coordinators were given 15 minutes to persuade the CAA why their program is valuable to the university. CAA deliberated and voted on whether to recommend suspension for programs, or move them to either probation or a “watch list."

College students have known about the FAFSA form for years. They know if they fill out the FAFSA they just might get some funding for college. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for Federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and a myriad of other types of financial aid specific to each college.

And there’s a significant change to FAFSA in the works: the early registration date.

Bryan Erslan, the director of Student Financial Assistance and Scholarships, said the early registration date for the 2017-18 FAFSA has changed from Jan. 1 to Oct. 1, meaning students seeking financial aid for the next academic year may submit their FAFSA three months earlier than in prior years. The change, Erslan said, is a permanent one. And it’s not the only change.

Erslan said that beginning with FAFSA applications for the next school year, students will submit tax information for the tax year that is two years earlier as opposed to one year earlier. For the 2016-17 academic year, for example, students provided tax information from 2015, the prior tax year. Beginning with the 201718 school year, however, students will submit tax information for the tax year that is two years prior. This too is a permanent change, Erslan said.

The changes are designed to make the FAFSA easier to complete and to help new students learn at an earlier date about their financial aid prospects.

Unfortunately, the earlier registration date is only helpful to new incoming students. Erslan said returning students will not be awarded aid until their grades are reviewed for both fall and spring semesters of the

›› SEE CAA, PAGE 5

›› SEE FAFSA, PAGE 5

Campus mock election gives Trump the win

By KENDRA ISAACS progress@eku.edu

KENDRA ISAACS/PROGRESS

Zach Kirschler, a freshman marketing major, participated in the mock election that was conducted on campus last week. Kirschler said he had “mixed emotions” about the two main presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

This just in: Donald Trump has won the U.S. Presidential race by a solid margin.

But don’t get too excited—or start packing for Canada quite yet, as those are just the results if EKU students and faculty were the lone voices choosing the next president of the United States.

Yes, the real Election Day is still several weeks away—Tuesday, Nov. 8, to be exact—but last Friday, EKU’s Department of Government and Economics and the Office of Student Life hosted a mock election in Powell Underground to give students a realistic taste of the voting process.

Lynn Noblitt, chair of the Department of Government and Economics and designated poll officer, said the authenticity of the mock election was made possible through help from the office of Madison County Clerk Kenny Barger.

Barger’s office provided two official ballot counting machines and printed authentic-looking ballots at no cost.

They delivered the machines prior to polls opening and secured them exactly as is done on Election Day. Polls were open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Noblitt said a steady stream of voters participated throughout the day, including several students from Model Laboratory School. After polls closed, Barger’s office returned to do an official tally of the votes. With a total of 403 votes cast, the results were as follows: nn Trump 169 nn Clinton 129 nn Johnson 46 nn Stein 24 nn Write-in 35 While the write-in votes were not tallied by name, Noblitt said that exit polls indicated several votes were cast for Harambe, the gorilla shot and killed at the

›› SEE ELECTION, PAGE 5

Page 2

The Eastern Progress, Thursday, Sept 22, 2016

CAMPUS BRIEFS

POLICE BEAT BEAT

#EKULocal

Sept. 16 A staff member reported a trailer missing from the Fitness and Wellness Center.

A resident reported his license plate was damaged in the Alumni Coliseum lot.

An individual reported the left rear window on his vehicle was broken on University Drive.

The Office of Sustainability is hosting the #EKULocal Festival Thursday Sept.

22 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Festival is meant to showcase local, sustainable goods and services available on campus. The Festival will feature the Madison County Farmers Market, guest speakers, and live music by Idylwild, Brother Smith and Up for the Adventure.

Students and employees are encouraged to register to sell handmade crafts and food.

The Festival will be at the Model Lab School baseball field.

For more information visit: http://sustainability.eku.edu/events

Sept. 17 A student reported her oboe missing from the Foster Music Building and was replaced by a lesser quality oboe.

Sept. 18 A resident was cited for marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia in Keene Hall after an officer responded to the odor of marijuana.

Walkabout Wednesdays Walkabout Wednesday is a weekly walk around campus that begins at the Turner Gate at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

This event is meant to give employees and students an opportunity to get outside and improve their cardiovascular health by walking through campus with their peers.

This event is weather dependent.

For more information visit: http:// www.eku.edu/walkabout-wednesday Darby Campbell

SPJ Bake Sale The EKU Society of Professional Journalists is hosting a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the Herndon Lounge located inside Powell.

SPJ will provide various baked goods alongside hot apple cider to coincide with the seasonal change.

Noena Zerna

COLONEL’S CALENDAR CALENDAR THETHE COLONEL’S Week of Nov. 13 – Nov. 19 Week of Sept. 22 - Sept. 28

THURSDAY 10 a.m.

Farmer’s Market Irvine McDowell Park

7:30 p.m.

Chautuaqua Lecture O’Donnell Hall

FRIDAY 7:30 p.m.

Soccer Belmont University

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

3 p.m.

10 a.m.

1 p.m.

Volleyball Jacksonville State University

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Soccer Jacksonville State University

SPJ Bake Sale Herndon Lounge

3:30 p.m.

Faculty Senate Keen Johnson

7:30 p.m.

Piano Guys Center for the Arts

TUESDAY 2 p.m.

Public Planetarium Show Hummel Planetarium

WEDNESDAY 12:20 p.m.

Interviewing Workshop Herndon Lounge

8 p.m.

Campus Outreach Grise Auditorium

5th Annual

ASSURANCE OF LEARNING DAY Friday, September 30

FACULTY— This is your day to evaluate student learning outcomes and make meaningful changes in your programs to enhance student learning.

Resources: http://oie.eku.edu/assurance-learning-day-resources All EKU day classes will be dismissed. (Classes resume at 4 p.m.)

STUDENTS— Scheduled activities include:

 3nd Annual Freshman Academy for Diverse Students Fall Symposium For more information, visit http://freshmanacademy.eku.edu/.

 Explore service activities with Student Life, including on-campus and Danville-campus activities and the Paddle Out Pollution project. To learn more and sign up, visit communityservice.eku.edu.

The Eastern Progress, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016

Page 3

Parking FROM PAGE 1

RENDERING COURTESY OF EKU

University officials hope the new parking structure, set to be built by July 2017, will elevate parking issues across campus.

were recently demolished with the intent of building a new lot at the site, temporary employee lots were paved behind the Rice House and a new lot near Brockton Apartments is currently under construction. Also, the university’s first parking garage is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by July 2017 said Paul Gannoe, interim associate vice president of facilities services and capital planning.

The garage is being built on the site of the New Science Building parking lot because it’s centrally located and hence convenient for students, Gannoe said. The three-story parking garage will have four levels, with the first at ground level.

“The garage will fit about 350 cars, but it depends on how we end up striping it,” Gannoe said. “We may stripe some of them different.”

The garage is part of the larger P3 construction project, which is the Public Private Partnership that also includes the New Martin Hall and New Hall B. Gannoe said there is no state funding for the garage project, but if EKU is able to secure state funding in the future, the university

could build additional lots.

Aside from construction, Parking and Transportation Services have been going to lengths to promote the Big E Transit Services. The transit services go to various bus stops located at every parking lot, including those on the south side of campus.

Parking Services Coordinator Janet Tronc said some areas around campus aren’t suitable for parking lots because the ground is swampy and unstable. If a parking lot were built on those areas it could cause a sinkhole, Tronc said, and many students don’t realize this when looking at the vacant areas on the university parking map.

The Lancaster Lot used to be a commuter lot, but Tronc said there were a lot of accidents that occurred there because of high number of vehicles entering and exiting the area. That’s why the lot is now turned a residential lot, as residents don’t come and go as frequently as commuters.

Tronc said many of the changes have occurred because the university cares about student safety.

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are reserved for specific permits, the Parking Advisory Committee—composed of faculty, staff and students recommended by the Student Government Association— examines a variety of facts and figures; everything from housing numbers, to permits sold, to handicapped-accessibility.

More recently, the committee has likewise had to contend with construction projects and how these projects have impacted various lots on campus, Snider said.

This semester also marked the first time EKU has included designated lots for freshmen. Although EKU initially reserved two lots—Vickers and Ashland— for freshmen living on campus, those lots were re-designated in mid-September as dual or triple lots, sharing spaces with commuters and employees. This was in part due to the pedway accident, which compounded the need to share lots among various permit holders, parking officials said.

University officials also said EKU is taking steps to add more parking on campus in the near future by adding new parking lots and a parking garage.

The houses alongside Summit Street

Bu Bu rrier ild ing

nn General – 460 parking spaces The parking lots come in three zones: nn Single zone lots are reserved for one type of permit. They include lots for employees, residents, commuters and those for general passes. nn Dual zone lots are shared between two different permits. There are dual zoned lots for residents and employees, freshmen and residents, and commuters and employees. nn Triple zone lots are shared among three different permit holders. There are triple zone lots shared among commuters, residents and freshmen.

Many of the lots have restrictions. For example, commuters can park in the combined commuter/employee lots only between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day. In contrast, general lots are open to any drivers, provided they have an EKU parking permit or a registered EKU license plate.

If there’s a group with the greatest discrepancy between the number of permits issued and spaces available, the commuters would appear to have the greatest difficulty finding an available parking spot.

Some 5,613 permits issued for just 1,657 parking spaces.

But this is one of those instances where the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Commuters, despite having the largest numbers, spend the least amount of time on campus, said Lora Snider, who serves as chair of EKU’s parking advisory council, which oversees parking lot designations. For instance, some commuters are on campus strictly for night classes, while others make the drive to campus only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Snider said. So, while they may have fewer spots in relation to the number of permits, that’s because fewer spots are necessary to accommodate them, Snider said.

Residents, however, are a different story.

“Residential students are easier to plan for,” Snider said.

When students living on campus register for a permit, EKU Parking and Transportation Services know and account for when those students will be on campus.

When it comes to deciding which lots

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The Eastern Progress, Thursday, September 22, 2016

EMILY VINSON/PROGRESS

Salome Nnoromele speaks with a group of upperclassmen as part of the newly-formed Upperclass Academy. The program is designed to aid juniors and seniors in their transition to the work force.

Upperclass Academy aims to guide graduates

By TAYLOR CUSICK progress@eku.edu

The new EKU Upperclass Academy for Diverse Students looks to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor (The Freshman Academy) by providing clear career help and guidance to EKU students, with a special focus on diversity and minorities.

Dr. Salome Nnoromele led the effort of creating the Freshman Academy with its original goal being to help with the recruitment and retention of minority students.

“If you looked at the retention and graduation rate for minority students at a time it was terribly low,” said Nnoromele.

“It was like 50 percent at a time, so it was like for every two minority students that made it, we lost one.”

After trying a few different things, Nnoromele designed the Freshman Acad-

emy. A year long program that caters to the needs of minority students, and helps guide them along their path throughout the year. The program includes assigning students with mentors who can help them with their specific needs from an academic and environmental stand point, as well as providing them with a sense of community, workshops, and trustworthy help across the board.

“The first year we had a 92 retention rate of people in the Freshman Academy, and then last year was 84, so compare that to 50,”said Nnoromele “That’s a lot.”

With the Freshman Academy moving into its third year, the people who started in the program are now juniors.

“We’ve helped these students succeed their first year, succeed their second year, and now they’ve come back a third year,” said Nnoromele. “They’re getting ready to graduate. Their needs are now different.

How do we help them finish out strong and then do well when they get into the work force?”

So, the Upperclass Academy was formed. While Nnoromele says it is her hope that the students who have been through the Freshman Academy program will be involved, the Upperclass Academy is open to anyone who is a junior or senior. Just like how the Freshman Academy focuses on giving students the skills and support they need to settle into college and become comfortable, the Upperclass Academy aims to give students the skills and support they need to be successful Upperclassmen and successful members of the work force in the near future.

Whether a student wants to attend grad school or get a job straight out of college, the Upperclass Academy aims to position students for success.

Though the Freshman and Upperclass

Academy programs are relatively new, Nnoromele has been passionate about helping minority students the entirety of her time at EKU. Nnoromele led the effort of creating the African and African American Studies program at EKU and served as its director up until 2 years ago.

She hoped to help provide a home to minority students at EKU, and this passion eventually led to the creation of the Freshman and Upperclass Academies. “For me, the happiest day of my life as a professor is when I see these students graduate,” said Nnoromele.

Students interested in joining the Upperclass Academy can email Dr. Nnoromele at salome.nnoromele@eku.edu or attend one of the workshops the group will be organizing throughout the semester, the next being Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Noel Discovery Classroom.

New Hall does away with check-in policy

By EVAN DAULTON progress@eku.edu

DAN KLAPHEKE/PROGRESS

The EKU Board of Regents moved on Wednesday to eliminate the high plan to the university's health benefits, a move that was estimated to save some $1.4 million.

Board of Regents changes health care plan

By DAN KLAPHEKE & MARY MCGILL progress@eku.edu

Eastern's Board of Regents on Wednesday, Sept. 21, voted at a special meeting to eliminate the university's highest health insurance plan in an effort to cut university expenses. The move, which was met by criticisms from faculty and staff in the audience, was estimated to save EKU about $1.4 million.

The special meeting was hosted on the EKU Center for the Arts stage with about 100 people in the audience. More than 20 members of the audience were custodial and grounds staff.

Chair Craig Turner opened by reading an excerpt from a recent Paducah Sun article that cited Kentucky as having the worst pension in the country.

"The pain is coming in education and elsewhere," Turner said. "Our goal here is to make sure Eastern stays financially solid."

Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Barry Poynter discussed proposed changes to EKU's healthcare plan, which he said would cut costs by $2.2 million, with an overall savings of $1.4

million to the university. The plan included eliminating the university's high plan health insurance coverage altogether, while changing nothing in the economy and standard plans.

Richard Carr, senior vice president of employee benefits at Assured Partners Insurance brokerage firm, followed and went into further explanation as to EKU's stance in health care compared to other state universities. When asked how much employees pay versus the university pays in health care plans, Carr said it was about 86 percent university and 14 percent employees, which he said was above average for the state.

Carr said savings for the university come from cutting the high plan, and savings for employees come in the form of deductibles.

"Cost per employee for high plan was $1,400 a month," Carr said. "You see a lot of groups getting rid of the high plan because nobody can afford those anymore."

After the presentations, the board opened the floor to public comment.

"Faculty appreciate to hear about these changes, but we question where we give input in an equal partnership," said Shirley O'Brien, chair of Faculty Senate.

Finance professor Zek Eser suggested giving the money that administration is deciding what to do with to the people who it affects.

"Give us our plan. Let us do what we want with it," Eser said.

Justice studies professor Peter Kraska said the university could see its health care system crumble in the next four years.

"This is a much bigger issue than 'we need to fix our budget and we're going to do it on the backs of you," Kraska said.

Management professor Mike Roberson said none of the university's risk management specialists were consulted about the plan.

"Shouldn't we tap every bit of talent we have here?" Roberson said.

Accounting professor Mary Beth Healy said employees were not given enough time to weigh in on the decision. She said by taking away the high plan, there is a disincentive for families to stay with EKU. "How as a board could you have approved this? Do you care about us?" Healy said.

After a 15-minute recess, the board voted to accept the change to the health care plan.

“I’m checking in a guest.”

“Check out for…”

Both of these phrases are familiar to most EKU students, but that may change for dorms across campus if New Hall’s front desk system is any indication.

New Hall switched over to a no-swipe process earlier this year, meaning residents are no longer required to swipe their student ID when entering the building. The change also applies to guests of residents in New Hall, although guests of residents must be accompanied by their guest at all times. Guests are not required to be checked in under the resident’s name, which used to store information from either an EKU ID or driver’s license.

“We figured since New Hall is an upper class dorm, people are responsible enough to check in and check out their guests without having to swipe their card,” said New Hall Residence Hall Coordinator Jailyn Stevenson. “A lot of other campuses are switching to a no swipe policy, so we’re doing a trial run with New Hall.”

Residents seem to appreciate the change.

“It makes me feel like I’m being treated like an adult,” said Alyssa Burrows, an English Education sophomore and New Hall resident. “I’m paying to live here. I like being able to walk in and out as I please with my guests.”

Stevenson said she could not provide any information regarding safety policies or issues because of the new system, but residents of New Hall don’t seem too concerned with any safety issues the change could bring.

“I haven’t thought a lot about safety concerns because I do feel safe, especially when I get to my room,” said sophomore English education major Lily Boone.

Some students are just happy they don’t have to deal with the process all together.

“I like not having to swipe in," said sophomore biomedical science major Tabitha Nicholas. "The cards don’t always work and the [card swipe] machines are a piece of junk most of the time."

Whether or not the new process will bring about any safety issues, only time will tell. For now, residents of New Hall seem to be enjoying the convenience of no longer having to swipe their cards at the front desk.

The Eastern Progress, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016

Page 5

New Student Success Center offers guru help

By DESTINEE OTT progress@eku.edu

Tucked away in the bowels of EKU’s Library is every student’s dream- a onestop shop offers students the opportunity to get help with a myriad of problems, everything from tutoring in their most challenging class to help with financial aid forms.

The one-stop-shop, called the Student Success Center and found in the library basement in room 106D, is designed to help students to to be academically successful and comfortable in knowing how to tackle various responsibilities of college life.

The Success held a “soft opening” in January, and many students took advantage of the Center’s services then. The fact that those students continue to come back whenever they have questions is a testament to how helpful the Center really is, said Lara Vance, the Center’s assistant director.

When April rolled around, the Center had its grand opening and has been experiencing a steady growth of students ever since, about 48 students per day, Vance said. She added that the Center assists a minimum of 200 students a week, 120 of whom are recurring visitors.

A big part of the Center’s success is their gurus, who provide much of the assistance offered at the Center. The gurus are student tutors who have a broad range of specialties. To be hired as a guru at the Center, students are required to have a letter of recommendation from a professor in the particular field in which they want to tutor. Not only are gurus knowledgeable on their particular subject, but they are also all trained to answer general questions in a variety of areas related to campus life, Vance said.

DESTINEE OTT/PROGRESS

Students work together in the Student Success Center, located on the first floor of Crabbe Library.

Gurus are available whenever the Center is open: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Students may either drop in to visit the center during hours of operation, or they may make an appointment through the Center’s website. Within a few weeks, the Center plans to have a schedule that details when gurus with particular specialties will be available, Vance said.

There are many other reasons to visit

the Center aside from guru help.

For instance, getting the hang of college life can sometimes be a hassle. To help students navigate college life, there’s an advisor on staff, Lucas Wallen. Who can answer questions on topics ranging from financial aid to student health center services to questions about majors and minors. Or, students who simply want a quiet place to study will find sanctuary in the Center.

In addition, thanks to the funding from Paul and Deborah Chellgren, the Center features a variety of computers and printers available for anyone who needs them.

The Center will also be hosting workshops on topics such as test anxiety to the ever changing FAFSA forms. The schedule of these workshops is available on the Center’s website at studentsuccesscenter.eku. edu.

CHRIS BUNDY/PROGRESS

Provost Janna Vice explains why cutting academic programs is necessary for the university's overall budget to the rest of the members of CAA.

CAA

nn nn nn nn

FROM PAGE 1 Programs the CAA voted to recommend for suspension: nn Comparative Humanities B.A. nn Humanities Minor nn Theatre Concentration in English B.A. nn Theatre Teaching Concentration in English Teaching B.A. nn Religion Minor nn Applied Ethics Minor nn MBA Concentration in Accounting nn MBA Concentration in Integrated Communication nn Science for Engineering A.A.S. Programs the CAA voted not to recommend for suspension: nn French Teaching B.A. nn French Minor nn Theatre Minor nn Horticulture B.S. nn Horticulture Minor

FAFSA FROM PAGE 1

current academic year, as federal regulations require. Those students will be awarded as usual in mid to late May of 2017. However, families of new students will have more time to get the form filled out, as well as getting their awards earlier, so they know what awards they are getting and can plan accordingly.

Though the date change will not benefit all students, Erslan said that the use of tax information on the FAFSA from two years prior still will prove helpful to both new students and those already enrolled. He said students usually have their tax information from two years prior by the October early submission date. As a result, students should no longer have to estimate their tax information while completing the FAFSA, which can prove difficult to do. Using accurate tax information also has the benefit of making it more likely that FAFSA forms will be accepted without being selected for verification, Erslan

Geography B.A. Geography Minor Journalism B.A. Journalism Minor Programs the CAA voted to recommending to be placed on a watch list: nn Technical Writing Concentration in English B.A. nn French B.A. Programs the CAA voted to recommend for probation: nn Social Intelligence and Leadership Studies Minor “The budget situation is not hypothetical,” Vice Provost Sherry Robinson said. “We are receiving three and a half million less.”

Provost Janna Vice agreed.

“We will have to look at cutting one million dollars elsewhere if no programs are cut,” Vice said.

Horticulture Chair Carla Hagan reiterated that the university could lose more by cutting some programs.

“EKU will experience a net loss of $173,113 if horticulture is cut,” Hagan said.

Geography and Geology Chair Melissa Dieckmann discussed the campus-wide need for the geography de-

said. Erslan recommends that students fill out the FAFSA as early as possible, and no later than November 1 so that they are categorized as priority. He said the earlier students complete their FAFSA, the more likely that students ensure that they qualify for maximum student aid and that funds aren’t depleted before awards can be made. Erslan said the FAFSA form still should take only about half an hour to complete. And, Erslan said, if students have a difficult time filling out the form, they can stop by the Financial Aid Office, on the second floor of Whitlock, for help. Also, the Financial Aid Office is sponsoring two workshops, which are scheduled for 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 4 and again on Nov. 15 in the Student Success Center (located in the basement of the library) on, designed to help students understand and fill out their FAFSA forms.

To complete the FAFSA, students should go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Also, to get the login and password information used to complete the FAFSA students should go to FAFSAID.ed.gov.

partment, stating that 18 of 25 classes offered in the GEO program double as general education courses or are required for 16 other majors.

Journalism chair Pam Parry proposed a merge of the journalism and broadcasting departments. Instead of completely cutting the journalism major this would create one the first broadcast news concentration programs in the state, and the department says it will draw students to EKU said Parry.

Programs placed probation simply means no immediate action will be taken, but the program will be reviewed again in one year to look at their overall growth.

The watch list means the program will be reviewed after two academic years.

The decisions made by the CAA are not final. Faculty Senate will meet again Oct. 3 and vote on its recommendations for suspension. Benson will have until Oct. 14 to make recommendations and the Board of Regents will vote on final program cuts in December.

Julia Dake, Amber Booth and Noena Zerna contributed to this story.

Election FROM PAGE 1

Cincinnati Zoo this past summer after a small child fell into its enclosure.

For many students who participated in the mock election, this year marks their first time voting for president.

The four students who spoke with The Progress are all registered and said they plan to vote, and several shared brief comments as they left the ballot machine.

“I have mixed emotions, because this election is one that we have never really seen before,” said freshman marketing major Zach Kirschler when asked about his feelings about voting for the first time.

Kirschler said although neither Trump nor Clinton seem to have a presidential demeanor, ultimately one of them will become the next president of the United States.

In contrast, freshman pre-dietetics major Tyler Wright said he is excited to vote for the first time.

Other students had stronger opinions about the election, particularly the choice of candidates.

“I can’t believe that these are the two I have to pick from,” said Jessi Harris, a sophomore social work major. “I’ve waited my whole life and these are the two.”

Although she does plan to vote, sophomore computer science major Madison Major said she hasn’t definitely decided which candidate she will support.

“Oooh! So many words. Not good ones,” said Major.

The mock election was the first of several planned election-related events sponsored by the Government and Economics and Student Life.

Government and Economics has scheduled watch parties for each presidential debate, beginning with the first debate Sept. 26. in Middle Powell lobby.

The Office of Student Life has also organized an election week movie marathon for Nov. 6, and an election night watch party on Election Day, Nov. 8.

OPINIONS

Julia Dake, Editor

The Eastern Progress | www.easternprogress.com

Thursday, September 22, 2016 Page 6

Enjoying music doesn't equal fangirl behavior ten. If it isn’t heavy, has an elaborate guitar solo, or a solid male following, it's no use.

Boy bands, fangirls, groupies: welcome to the world of shaming women’s interests and anyone admired by women. Boy band’s earned their title solely based on being attractive guys that target a young female audience, and fangirls and groupies earned their title solely based on being female and being overly obsessed with celebrities. Are there any fanboy’s? No, because men’s interests are rational, whereas women’s are viewed as irrational. Bands associated with a female following often have to prove themselves as respectable musicians in the industry.

Flashback to 2009: I was a 13 year old girl who had just discovered a band who displayed values reflecting more than dollar signs and fame. I spent hours studying the entire history of the band, watching every music video and reading every interview I could find. Like any imma-

STEPHANIE DARIA If a guy studies his favorite sports team, he’s a dedicated fan. If I research everything there is to know about my favorite band, I’m labeled a “fangirl.”

I’ve spent years reading up on the music industry, studying my favorite bands and becoming familiar with the music world. I still feel like I have to explain to my guy friends why my favorite band-with a major girl fan base-- is worth a lis-

ture teenager, I believed too much of what I read on the internet. I fell for the quotes that put my favorite band on a pedestal and I spent most of high school explaining why The Maine was just as good as Taking Back Sunday. I never spent time in my room crying because of how cute the lead singer was, nor did I write his name all over my notebook. However, that is how society likes to manipulate our view of young girls. Everyone should have the

right to like what they like without feeling they have to claim it as a “guilty pleasure.”

I was lucky and found a band who truly cared for their fans and promoted something that you don’t get very often in the music industry, and that’s honesty. They motivated me to start asking questions not just about music, but about the world around me. Today, I am studying to become a journalist, because I was what society likes to call a “fangirl.”

Environmental destruction too habitual qualities, but one we lack is taking care of American land itself.

Since its inception, the United States has been under construction. Whether it's for profit or government use, development has yet to cease.

This commercialization of the American ecosystem isn't new, no matter where you are in the country. In the 1800s, we nearly hunted the American buffalo to extinction. We polluted the Cuyahoga River to the point where it caught on fire in 1969, and spills from the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon have occured in more recent years.

The US seems to be stuck in this cycle of preventable disasters, almost always caused by human activity.

In 2016, we've fallen victim to this cy-

JULIA DAKE We're Americans. Innovation and progress have been ingrained into our DNA. We made it to the Moon first, invented the lightbulb and currently host one of the most diverse populations on the planet. The USA has a lot of great

cle again. Throughout the entire month of September, protests have erupted over the relatively new construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). This pipeline, commissioned by the Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, would stretch from North Dakota to Illinois for a total of 1,172 miles. The Dakota Access Pipeline, or DAPL, was scheduled to be fully operative later this year. But for now, it's been stopped by a federal court.

While the DAPL is an issue that affects everyone, a particularly vocal group of protesters are members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota. The DAPL would cross through the reservation's main water source in multiple locations, in addition to bypassing the Missouri River, one of the

largest rivers in the United States.

The argument for potential contamination of the Missouri and other water sources is "domestic oil." While it's important to utilize our country's natural resources, it's more important to harness and use them in a responsible way. Is the pride in having American products worth tainting valuable water supplies and putting thousands at risk?

Environmental disasters are typically preventable and can be extremely difficult to recover from. DAPL progress is halted for now, but if construction resumes, the American public will be forced to deal with the consequences.

America the Beautiful should stay beautiful, even if it means taking a profit loss every now and again.

L E T T E R S TO T H E E D ITO R

Fact-check on faculty benefits and course load

Parking changes have affected both commuters and residents

To the Anonymous Staff Member, I offer this open-book pop quiz: 1. Anonymous claims that “Vacation accrual impacted only staff.”

How many vacation days do faculty receive per a nine-month contract? a. 12 days b. 6 days c. 0 days d. 9 days 2. Anonymous whines about “faculty get[ing] their summers off.” How much do faculty get paid during their “summers off?” a. $3000 b. $0 c. $2000 d. $1000 3. Despite not getting paid during summers, faculty are expected to: a. conduct research b. prepare reports for promotion and tenure c. perform professionally-related service d. all of the above 4. Anonymous claims that “They [faculty] can teach a class with one person in attendance.” Such a class,

To whom it may concern, Did the changes made to EKU’s parking system this past summer of 2016 make things work any better for residents and commuters? No, because people have to park illegally and park in different lots that aren’t anywhere near their dorms. Also, this parking situation has filled the parking lots to their capacity and has caused students to park illegally on yellow caution lines or along curbs in hazardous zones.. Some people have also moved traffic cones and construction fences to find parking and that got their car towed. Because EKU made the decision to change up the parking zones, resulting in less spots for a large incoming class, it has resulted in mass chaos for resident and commuter students trying to park either near their dorms or near their classes.

EKU deciding to tear down so many buildings has also reduced parking. Ashland, Perkins and Vickers lots are all across the bypass from campus. This makes it either a long walk for students or they have to wait for a shuttle. Another reason it is so

taught in addition to faculty full teaching load, is called: a. seminar b. hybrid c. upper division d. independent study 5. Faculty get paid how much for teaching an independent study? a. $3000 b. $0 c. $2000 d. $1000 6. Anonymous claims that during transition to retirement, faculty receive “full salary.” What percentage of salary do faculty actually receive during RTP? a. 50% b. 25% c. 75% d.

100% So, put your big boy pants on, and do some research; good luck!

Answers: 1-c; 2-b; 3-d; 4-d; 5-b; 6-a Barbara Szubinska Technology Coordinator Department of English and Theatre

rough on residents is there are more residents than commuters, and there are huge lots for commuters and not very big ones for residents.

On the other hand, EKU does provide what they can for the parking situation for us. For example, they made a new lot, the Vickers lot for extra parking, and there is also a large lot called the Perkins lot next to the Stratton building. There is also the Ashland lot next to the Ashland building, and a decent sized lot next to the Center of the Arts that is marked for General parking that anyone can use.

Parking could be a lot better if they had not decided to make so many changes and tear down more than one building at a time.

The parking office could make more parking for residents and stop making all the big lots for commuters since there aren’t as many of them.

Sincerely, Jackson Roederer

››Eastern Progress Staff Dan Klapheke

Editor-in-Chief daniel_klapheke@mymail.eku.edu

Cassy Grey

Managing Editor cassandrea_grey1@mymail.eku.edu

Noena Zerna

News Editor noena_zerna@mymail.eku.edu

Curtis Conrad

Emily Vinson

News Designer curtis_conrad6@mymail.eku.edu

Copy Editor emily_vinson1@mymail.eku.edu

Julia Dake

Taylor Weiter

Opinion Editor julia_dake@mymail.eku.edu

Corey Wall

Features Editor corey_wall4@mymail.eku.edu

Sports Editor taylor_weiter@mymail.eku.edu

Kaitlin Wright

Sports Designer kaitlin_wright55@mymail.eku.edu

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: To submit a letter to the editor, visit www.easternprogress.com and click on the "Submit letter or press release" link at the top of the page.

Corey Wall, Editor

The Eastern Progress | www.easternprogress.com

Thursday, September 22, 2016 Page 7

SS

GRE

O /PR ALL YW

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By CASSY GREY cassandrea_grey1@mymail.eku.edu

Most students on Eastern’s campus share a love of coffee. Whether the morning pick-up is a straight black dark roast or a caramel Frappuccino with coconut milk, students stand in solidarity in the necessity of good coffee at a decent price.

EKU has recognized this need and there are plenty of places around campus that oblige the demand.

However, like most things in life, not all coffee is created equal.

The best and easiest way to tell how good a coffee place is is to test the products (obviously). Depending on what you enjoy, try a wide variety of the coffees offered. For the coffee tested, listed below, was a plain black coffee, an iced coffee, and a specialty

drink.

The four best places on campus for coffee are The Caffeinated Colonel, Java City, Einstein Bros, and, naturally, Starbucks. Each place has its distinctive pros and cons, though.

Plain black coffee should stand out on its own.

The Caffeinated Colonel does not have its own unique brand, however it uses Heine Brother’s coffee, a business based out of Louisville. The coffee is fantastic and tastes as it should. It doesn’t have over roasted beans or taste like slightly bitter water. It’s just coffee.

Shockingly, the best iced coffee on campus comes from none other than Java City. This creamy iced coffee tastes like coffee while still being sweet and refreshing. It’s made in-store every day, and it’s definitely worth a try. Java City iced coffee is a definite go to in the morning when it’s already hot outside.

starbucks

For specialty drinks Einstein Brother’s is the best. Their coffee isn’t oversaturated with sweeteners, milk or flavors. They use just enough in their coffee to change it up a little while still letting the drink taste like coffee.

Starbucks is the best place to go for coffee if you don’t like coffee. Your options include a drink that tastes like milk and sugar or a drink that tastes like coffee that was left on for too long, so you can taste how burnt it is (at least Pike Place, that is). Their chai tea is good, though.

In all, EKU has a decent amount of choices when it comes to coffee, no matter where you end up.

What’s in this article is not fact, so take what is stated with a grain of salt.

Go on your own coffee adventures and find your favorites. Let us know if you disagree. Tell us what your favorites are!

Java City

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

llConvenient location llTons of coffee choices

llExpensive llBlack coffee tastes like over-roasted beans

llCheap black coffee llBest iced coffee

llNo good food llThe specialty coffee is way too sweet

caff. colonel Pros

llServes premium organic coffee llBest black coffee

Cons

llWay out of the way llDoesn’t accept flex

einstein bros Pros

Cons

llGood breakfast and lunch options llBest specialty drinks

llSort of out of the way llCloses early COREY WALL/PROGRESS

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Taylor Weiter, Editor

EKU Soccer wins fifth straight

The Eastern Progress | www.easternprogress.com

Thursday, September 22, 2016 Page 8

The Kids Aren’t Alright

By ROBERT RISTANEO progress@eku.edu

EKU soccer won its fifth straight game on Friday, Sept. 15, beating Chattanooga one to nothing in their last non-conference game. The win gives the Colonels more wins than last year under new coach Nick Flohre.

The Colonels scored early, as junior forward Jordan Foster rebounded her own shot and put it in at the six minute mark.

The Colonels defense stood tall after that, only allowing four shots on goal the rest of the game.

Junior goalkeeper Anna Hall made a few key saves to maintain a shut out. Hall has won OVC Goalkeeper of the Week twice in the past season and currently ranks second all time at EKU for saves and is on pace to break that record.

The Colonels outshot Chattanooga 13 to 10 as sophomore defenders Haley Kemper and Kacy Eckley played all 90 minutes, anchoring the Colonel defense. 19 players played for the Colonels in total.

The streak ties the longest in EKU history at five and the Colonels have won four by shutout.

They have not surrendered a goal at home since the opening game.

“We just have to continue to not force mistakes and give other teams opportunities,” said Coach Flohre after the game regarding adjustments heading into conference play. “We like our depth and continuing to put fresh legs out their is valuable because we trust our players coming off the bench and we can really wear people down that way.”

Flohre also had high praises for his goal keeper.

“She has been in some tough spots and came through big. I would say she has been the best player on the field for us over this streak. That’s about all there is, she’s a heck of a goalkeeper,” Flohre said.

Tuesday, Sept. 13, Hall was named OVC goalkeeper of the week for the second time this season. She currently ranks first in shutouts and second in save percentage (.837).

The Colonels return Friday, Sept. 23 as they travel to Belmont for the start of conference play.

Opening tap is set for 7:30 p.m.

ROBERT RISTANEO / PROGRESS

The Colonels continue to roll past competitors.

CHRIS BUNDY / PROGRESS

The student section screams as the Colonels convert a turnover in their home-opening win to University of Pikeville.

PENALTIES AND TURNOVERS PLAGUE COLONELS IN SECOND LOSS TO FBS OPPONENT BALL STATE

By TAYLOR WEITER taylor_weiter@mymail.eku.edu

After a win against what one fan referred to as a “high school team” in the home opener two weeks ago, Eastern returned to FBS play against a tough, talented Ball State team Saturday in Muncie, Indiana.

It was obvious by the end of the first half the Colonels were not up to the challenge.

While the Colonels played well against a Purdue team still trying to find its footing in the Big 10 conference, their showing against NAIA competitor Pikeville revealed some seemingly irrelevant issues.

Against Pikeville, EKU turned the ball over five times.

While turnovers against a team that does not have neither the talent nor depth of Eastern’s roster can be the difference between a blowout and a simple win, turnovers against a team with more talent and depth can be the difference between a close win and a detrimental loss.

EKU faced a detrimental loss against Ball State on Saturday.

The Colonels turned the ball over twice in the second quarter, resulting in two conversions into 10 points for Ball State, whose defense attacked quarterback Bennie Coney every chance they could. Coney had just one completion for one yard on the day.

Coney shared his time on the field with transfer Maty Mauk, who was battling a shoulder injury previously, until it became obvious Mauk had the most control in the pocket.

Mauk stayed in the game for the Colonels and offered 285 yards on 19 completions, but was still unable to string together successful drives until the end.

The inability to continue drives, in addition to the defense’s inability to stop a drive, resulted in 41-0 score at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

While EKU’s offense has often been questionable as quarterbacks are switched in and out during games, it is the defense that pulls Eastern ahead of competition.

Eastern’s defense helped stop both Purdue and Pikeville in times of trouble, but saw a recurring issue plague their time in Munice: penalties.

Penalties destroyed EKU both offensively and defensively, with the team totaling 13 penalties for 128 yards.

Though the Colonels got into a semi-groove at the end of the game, with wide receiver Devin Borders catching a touchdown as part of his 1,577 yards at Eastern (now 10th in school history) to save the team from a shutout, the difference was insurmountable.

When the game clock hit 0:00, the Colonels lost 41-14 as Ball State’s Riley Neal recorded 28 completions for 238 yards.

After the game, Coach Elder said there was absolutely nothing to be proud of in their loss, taking the blame for the team’s penalties and turnovers.

While the team did looked dazed and confused on the field for most of the game, there is still plenty of upside for the Colonels.

The team has this weekend off, a weekend Coach Elder is sure to use as more practice time for the journey ahead: OVC play.

Eastern will kick off OVC play on Oct. 1 against Tennessee Tech, a 1-2 opponent EKU destroyed last year by a score of 48-17.

FBS teams are often difficult to beat, and many FCS teams find themselves making unlikely mistakes against those highly esteemed rivals due to immense pressure from fans, friends and even themselves.

Ball State is good. Better than much of Eastern’s upcoming competition. And though penalties and turnovers can be problematic, a week worth of practice and in-depth knowledge of OVC rivals should help the Colonels find their chill by their next game.

Mauk, Borders and newcomer Ryan Markush looked better with time against the Cardinals on Saturday and Bennie Coney is unlikely to have a game as worse as this one.

Defensive players such as Jean Louis Luder and Kiante Northington played well against Ball State, but not great. Against a weak offense in Tennessee Tech, there is no doubt the defense will have their chance to shine.

The Colonels are not great, and they are not exactly all right yet either, but with a new staff and new additions, fans should not go picketing just yet. Give them time, and OVC play, before you get your pitchforks out.

And if you’re really starting to feel down about EKU’s outlook, just remember how bad the team up the road is—and they have to play Alabama later.

Men’s golf is matured and ready for the season

By TAYLOR WEITER taylor_weiter@mymail.eku.edu

The EKU men’s golf team started out the season on top after its first home tournament in nine years.

Matured and experienced, the team won the EKU Intercollegiate at the University Club at Arlington on Sunday with Junior Noah Combs finishing first overall. The Colonels beat Ohio University by 14 points, outscoring all 17 of their competitors.

Alongside Combs, Will Sallee, Billy Balsam, Jared Brown and last week’s Adidas OVC Male Golfer of the Week Erik Lindwall finished in the top 10.

“This is the first time we’ve played at home in nine years and they can maybe put too much pressure on themselves with excitement and nerves,” Coach Pat Stephens said, “but they did really well.”

Entering his 20th season with EKU, Coach Stephens said the win gives him confidence about the team’s capabilities this season.

“Winning in March and winning at home raised the bar quite a bit for us,” Stephens said. “As long as they go out and scratch and claw their way through we’ll

be in really good shape for the remainder of the season.”

Stephens said the immense amount of talent on Eastern’s roster has helped the team succeed past expectations. Five of the current golfers are returning from last year’s fourth place finish at the OVC Championship, while newcomers such as Lindwall have proven to be helpful and successful additions to the team.

“The returning players obviously pulled themselves to the top after last year, but top to bottom we have a strong field,” Stephens said.

Healthy competition between returning players and talented newcomers is what Stephens said helps pull Eastern above the rest.

“That’s why we’re so good—if they slack off, someone’s going to their spot,” Stephens said. “All of the guys are capable of getting it done.”

But the team has more than talent on their side. Stephens, while a coach, is still playing the sport he loves. In fact, he won the Kentucky Senior Open just this summer.

Stephens said he thinks his continuous career has helped him connect to his players in a different way than most typical coach-athlete relationships.

COURTESY OF EKUSPORTS

The EKU men’s golf team poses after their win at EKU Intercollegiate on Sunday.

“I think because I still compete and play at a high level I can truly relate to what the guys go through,” Stephens said. “I’m still a player and I think they can relate to me better—I’m relevant to them.”

The Colonels still have a tough road ahead of them with invitationals at Western Kentucky and William and Mary, but Stephens said with a team as good as his, this season is looking to be great for EKU golf.