08-21-17 by Kansas State Collegian

B A C K TO SCHOOL

presented by

The best spots on K-Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus for between-class naps

GUIDE

Two K-State students open up about mental health struggles

monday, august 21, 2017

ONLINE ONLY:

OPINION: Advice from a K-State grad student

back-to-school GUIDE

DISPLAY ADS.................................785-370-6351 advertising@kstatecollegian.com CLASSIFIED ADS.............................785-370-6355 classifieds@kstatecollegian.com NEWSROOM..................................785-370-6356 news@kstatecollegian.com DELIVERY......................................785-370-6350

EDITORIAL BOARD Iris LoCoco editor-in-chief

Kyle Hampel news editor

Fabiola Sierra ad manager

Dené Dryden copy chief

Jakki Forester opinion & features editor

Steve Wolgast adviser

Justin Wright multimedia editor

TWITTER POLL

FOOTBALL

between-/in-class naps

sweater weather

pumpkin spice lattes

monday, august 21, 2017

The Collegian welcomes your letters. We reserve the right to edit submitted letters for clarity, accuracy, space and relevance. A letter intended for publication should be no longer than 350 words and must refer to an article that appeared in the Collegian within the last 10 issues. It must include the author’s first and last name, year in school and major. If you are a graduate of K-State, the letter should include your year(s) of graduation and must include the city and state where you live. For a letter to be considered, it must include a phone number where you can be contacted. The number will not be published. Letters can be sent to letters@ kstatecollegian.com Letters may be rejected if they contain abusive content, lack timeliness, contain vulgarity, profanity or falsehood, promote personal and commercial announcements, repeat comments of letters printed in other issues or contain attachments. The Collegian does not publish open letters, third-party letters or letters that have been sent to other publications or people.

CORRECTIONS If you see something that should be corrected or clarified, call editor-in-chief Iris LoCoco at 785-370-6356 or email news@kstatecollegian.com.

The Collegian, a student newspaper at Kansas State University, is published by Collegian Media Group. It is published weekdays during the school year and on Wednesdays during the summer. Periodical postage is paid at Manhattan, KS. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 828 Mid-Campus Drive South, Kedzie 103, Manhattan, KS 66506-7167. First copy free, additional copies 25 cents. [USPS 291 020] © Collegian Media Group, 2017

Voting on this week’s Twitter poll closes tomorrow

Call

776-5577

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

From one student to another: Advice for first years JAKKI FORESTER THE COLLEGIAN

So...this is your first year. You are most likely new to Manhattan and the Kansas State University campus. While you might experience fear, dread or anxiety about being in a new place and starting a new chapter of your life, here is some advice from a student who spent five years as an undergraduate and completed my first year as a graduate student here at K-State that may help. 1. Time management I do not think anyone anywhere on this campus can emphasize this enough. Time management in college is so important and completely different from what you experienced in high school previously. There is more unstructured time in college, and no one is forcing you to attend classes. Buy a planner, download organizational applications on your phone or tablet, or simply find a way to organize yourself and your time that best suits you. For me, it is a combination of all three of the techniques mentioned above. You will need organizational aids. Time management is honestly one of the hard-learned secrets you learn in college. 2. Attend your classes If you chose not to attend classes, you will learn early on how important attendance is to your overall success in college.

Some professors and instructors have attendance policies; others do not. Research study after research study have shown the importance and greater success of students by simply attending class. Make a habit out of going to class, and do not break that habit. 3. Check/download necessary websites and applications One of the best pieces of advice I always have to offer to new students is to check K-State’s academic websites frequently. In the digital age of education, this is generally crucial to your success as a student. K-State courses operate through Canvas, an online classroom software. If you are not checking Canvas daily, you might miss something. Canvas has a wonderful application for your phone and tablet I would recommend downloading now. Download the K-State campus application while you are already in the App Store/ Goolge’s Play store. This app will help you navigate your way around campus on your first week. Check your K-State email regularly and sync it to your phone. This will help you in ways you cannot expect right now. Also, checking KSIS is important, especially during the first week. There are times when classrooms are changed before the first day, and KSIS is usually the only way to know about the room change. Check

these sites frequently. You will use most of them at least daily. 4. Get involved Oh, my goodness. There are hundreds upon hundreds of different campus organizations at K-State. If your niche is Greek life or Harry Potter or your career path or academic organizations or physical activity and fitness or religion, there is most likely a student organization that caters to your interests. I would highly recommending browsing K-State's Orgsync page to view all of student organizations currently offered at K-State to find a way to get involved. It may take time to get your bearings in college, but getting involved helps you find others who are passionate and driven about the same interests, as well as create networks of people faster. 5. Freedom comes with a price College may be the first time some of you have freedom away from your families. Freedom to freely schedule your time, experience things you never had the opportunity to and just generally make your own decisions. But keep in mind that freedom comes with a price. If you miss assignments because you overslept due to a late night out, that is not an excuse your professor will care about. If you do not study for an exam and do poorly on it because you got caught up hanging out with your friends,

that is simply another ramification of freedom and lack of time management. College comes with a price, and I am not talking about tuition right now. The freedom of college comes with a cost. 6. Find balance College is going to stretch you in many different ways. You will find yourself trying to manage class, homework, work, friendships, intimate partnerships, family, involvement in student organizations and other obligations. All of these areas will demand a lot from you—more than you expect right now. But you must find a balance between them. If you cannot make it home for a weekend with your family so you can work on homework or study for exams, explain that. Understand that you will not be able to do it all. If you try, you will not be successful in many

of these various areas. Find a balance to allocate time and appropriate amounts of energy to your obligations. Jakki Forester is a graduate student in communication studies. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.

Relive the past kstatecollegian.com/print-edition

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

K-State First helps students take first steps to success ALEXCIA RODRIGUEZ THE COLLEGIAN

Transitioning to college life can be a challenge for some first-year students. Acknowledging this issue, K-State First offers guidance to help set students up for success for their freshman year and the rest of their college careers. “We actively seek ways to continually improve upon what we do and how we help K-State students,” Brent Weaver, learning assistant coordinator for K-State First, said. “Programs like K-State First represent how intentional our university is about the success of our students. We have so many programs that are designed to help students maximize their time at K-State, and I'm proud to work for a university that puts this level of care to the well-being of its students.” K-State First offers four main programs to students, which includes Connecting Across Topics (CAT) Communities, First-Year Seminar, K-State Book Network (KSBN) and Guide to Personal Success (GPS). “Our Connecting Across Topics learning communities offer students the chance to take a group of three courses together and build a community of peers that share the same interests,” Mariya Vaughan, assistant director for K-State First, said. “FirstYear Seminar courses, which are small, exciting classes taught in a lively, interactive way. We are the home for the university's common reading program, KSBN, and a oneon-one mentoring program, GPS, that connects first-year students with K-State faculty, staff, graduate students and alumni.” Greg Eiselein, director of K-State First, said the program aims to integrate students into campus and into their classes, but also works to build and encourage community involvement. “We’re trying to make

FIle photo by Logan M. Jones | THE COLLEGIAN

Students and faculty gathered in the student union on Monday to listen to speakers talk about the K-State First program. them feel like they’re part of the K-State family and introduce them to some of the key programs, the key people, their professors, other students and the key parts of K-State that are going to help them be successful during their college career,” Eiselein said. CAT Communities are interest-based and are available to students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are able to enroll in CAT Communities and First-Year Seminar courses during orientation and enrollment. For the spring semester, there will be 10-15 First-Year Seminar courses available for students. If students are interested in the GPS program, they can email gps@ksu.edu to receive a link to fill out a questionnaire. A smaller program of-

fered to students is Beyond the Classroom. “We take professors into the residence halls, and they share their research in kind of an entertaining, interactive way with students living in the residence halls,” Eiselein said. K-State First offers guidance while transitioning from high school to college, but the program has also been proven to enhance academic performance and student engagement. “Students have indicated they are more engaged in their K-State First courses, and they truly enjoy the experience and are active participants in their learning,” Vaughan said. “Students in the K-State First program have higher rates of persistence, quicker time to degree completion and tend to

“The Students you meet your first year will be the key to your success. Building a social and academic suport network--that’s going to help you through the rest of your college career.” Greg Eiselein

director, K-State First have slightly higher GPAs.” Eiselein said one of the most important aspects of success during the first year of college is creating connec-

tions. “The students you meet your first year will be the key to your success,” Eiselein said. “Building a social and aca-

demic support network—that’s going to help you through the rest of your college career.” K-State First emphasizes the importance of a student’s first-year experience at a university. “In general, the first year is the time where students are most likely to encounter a whole range of obstacles that might deter them from the degree and the learning they want, but K-State First works to help students avoid those obstacles and help them learn the skills and confidence to succeed,” Vaughan said. Eiselein said first-year experience programs are increasingly growing at other universities across the country. “I think we’re part of a bigger national trend that has to do with making sure that college is really effective and interesting for students from the very first semester on,” Eiselein said. K-State First not only benefits students socially and academically, but also introduces them to the K-State atmosphere. “I think what makes our program distinctive and very K-State-like is family,” Eiselein said. “K-State has one of the best campus cultures — high-quality student life. I think there’s something about what we emphasize that fits perfectly with K-State culture and our K-State values.” K-State First will also be offering a new program called Transfer Connections. The program will be available for transfer students only. “I think our program highlights how much those who work for K-State truly care about students and how much we want to help them succeed,” Vaughan said. “We have some amazing faculty and staff members teaching our CAT Community and FYS courses. They go the extra mile of attending workshops and professional development year-round so that they can be the best teachers and meet the needs of first-year students and beyond.”

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

REVIEW: KSBN common read uncommonly offensive IRIS LOCOCO

THE COLLEGIAN

I am not sure why the K-State Book Network picked “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” for this year’s common read, but they probably should have picked something else. Anything else. I have read every single KSBN common read book since the program was first conceived, and this one--by far--is my least favorite. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime” by Mark Haddon is a first-person narrative story about teenager Christopher Boone, a mathematical savant with a photographic memory who prefers the company of animals to other people and struggles with empathy and identifying human emotions, who must solve the mystery of who killed the neighborhood dog. At least, that is what the book alleges to be about. In all actuality, the book is really about abusive father Ed Boone lying about Christopher’s mother’s death, blaming his mother’s disappearance on his son’s developmental disability and physically abusing his son. It is implied that this is okay, since Christopher himself is incapable of recognizing his father’s actions as abusive, and even going so far as to suggest that Christopher himself is responsible for it. He buys his son a dog at the end, so all is well … right? Wrong. Christopher’s developmental disability is never mentioned (at least in my edition of the book), but it was profoundly obvious that Christopher is meant to have Asperger’s Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger’s Syndrome was even mentioned by name on the cover of an

earlier edition of the book. But “The Curious Incident” is not a story about an autistic boy … at least, according to Haddon in a 2009 blog post, where the author scrambled to defend his offensive depiction. Haddon admitted that he knew “very little about the subject,” and did no research for the novel, relying on imagination instead of hard facts about the disorder he chose to portray in his main character. Haddon may have

so obviously and so poorly represented. This book is beyond problematic. It is downright offensive. In addition to being poorly researched and narratively uncompelling, it perpetuates the very worst of stereotypes that stoke the fires of discrimination that make life difficult for autistic people all over the world. This is not a charming tale of an autistic boy using his greatest strengths to solve a mystery that is im-

“In addition to being poorly researched and narratively uncompelling, it perpetuates the very worst of stereotypes that stoke the fires of discrimination that make life difficult for autistic people all over the world.” a compelling reason for denying the obvious and pivotal plot point of his entire story, which is that Christopher embodies some of the most harmful and negative stereotypes about people with ASD. Through the admission of his father, it was Christopher’s fault that his parents’ marriage fell apart, he shows no understanding of human emotions, believes himself superior to other humans to the point of wishing for humankind’s extinction, is overly fond of knives and has frequent violent outbursts. “The Curious Incident” is a horrible examination of autism and a profoundly harmful and shamefully inaccurate depiction of life on the autistic spectrum, made worse by the fact that the author himself refuses to admit the truth of what he has

portant to him. It is a gross normalization of abuse, victim-blaming and autistic stereotypes. “The Curious Incident” is an awful book, and I am deeply saddened and ashamed the KSBN selected it. Unless you have received a copy for free, I would recommend against wasting your money on it. Haddon does not deserve your dollars, nor does this book deserve your attention. Iris LoCoco is a sophomore in computer science and 2015 K-State graduate in art history. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send all comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.

Courtesy Photo

The cover of this year’s Kansas State Book Network common read, Mark Haddon’s ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.’

back-to-school GUIDE

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

The art of the on-campus nap IRIS LOCOCO

THE COLLEGIAN

College can be stressful and full of sleep deprivation for upper- and underclassmen alike. Whether you are looking to quickly recharge before a Biology 198 quiz or lagging from an all-nighter before your calculus II exam, napping is a perennial favorite (and necessary) pastime for tired students of every age and major. But what to do when you have no time to rush back to your dorm or apartment to catch some much-needed, mid-afternoon zzz’s before your next lecture? Why, you nap on campus, of course. Napping etiquette and safety If you choose to nap on campus, you must keep in mind both your personal safety (and the safety of your possessions) as well as the comfort of those around you.

For example, if you tend to snore when you nod off for even short periods of time, you may want to avoid trying to nap in the quiet zone on the third floor of Hale Library where others are trying to concentrate on their studies. Instead stick to more high-traffic areas. If you cannot avoid a high-traffic area, sound-cancelling headphones, or even just a pair of well-fitting ear buds, can help drown out the background noise of your favorite nap spot and help you recharge faster. Keep a pair of sunglasses with you for naps in spots where sun exposure is high, or use a hoodie so you can pull the hood over your eyes for decreased light and increased privacy. Whenever you nap on campus, make sure you are well-attached to your things — literally. If you purchase a backpack that has a well-padded laptop protection sleeve, it can easily double

as a pillow, and more easily alert you to anyone who tries to mess with your stuff while you are off in dream land. If using your bag as a pillow sounds too uncomfortable, then be sure to wrap a strap of your bag around your arm or ankle to make it more difficult for anyone to make off with your belongings without your notice. The best nap spots After the recent renovation of the Kansas State Student Union, there are now more comfy nap spots than ever on campus. The second floor of the Union features high-backed swivel chairs in front of a fireplace that are perfect for a power nap. The high backs provide both privacy and comfort, and the proximity to the fireplace will be a bonus when the weather begins to grow cold.

see page 8, “NAPPING”

NAPPING | where and how to take refreshing on-campus naps this fall continued from page

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

Also on the second floor of the Union are some comfy padded stadium-style bench seats, conveniently located in front of Radina’s for your post-nap, pick-me-up espresso needs. The bench seating allows you to stretch out and relax if napping in a chair is not quite your style, and the high traffic area could be a bonus if you are someone who sleeps best with noise in the background. If you need a quieter environment to enjoy a nap, the quiet zone on the third floor of Hale Library is your best bet. The balcony overlooking the second floor entrance has several comfortable low-

backed chairs that are perfect for napping, plus convenient tables nearby that can be pulled up to use as a foot rest. But if you plan to nap there, plan ahead, as it is also a popular study spot that others like to call dibs on. The couches on the first floor of the new business building are also a great spot to stretch out and relax for a nap. There is plenty of seating. Plus, the couches have no arm rests, so no matter how tall you are, you do not have to give yourself a neck cramp trying to cram yourself into a small space just to catch some shut-eye. The couches are large enough that there would still be enough room for several of your sleep-deprived friends. Bring them along and

make it a nap party. Power naps are an art form, and after a few semesters at K-State, you too can become an on-campus napping expert. Just do not forget to set your alarm. “The business building’s couches were too comfy, and I overslept” is not a fun thing to have to tell your professor after you are late to lecture ... again. Iris LoCoco is a sophomore in computer science and 2015 K-State graduate in art history. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.

Photo illustration by Justin Wright | THE COLLEGIAN

COVER PHOTO: Dené Dryden naps with a little help from the Willie the Wildcat statue at the K-State Union in Manhattan, Kansas on July 20, 2017.

More than books: A guide to library resources at K-State

STEPHANIE WALLACE THE COLLEGIAN

Though most students know about Hale Library, K-State also has four other libraries. Sara Kearns, associate professor and academic services librarian, said she encourages students to visit all of them. “Beyond Hale, K-State’s Manhattan campus is also home to the Math and Physics library in Cardwell Hall, Weigel Architecture Library in Seaton and the Veterinary Medicine Library in Trotter Hall,” Kearns said. “In Salina, students can find the K-State Polytechnic Library. Not only do these libraries provide books, resources and staff with expertise, they offer a cozier library experience.” Students can study at any of K-State’s libraries, but Hale Library has a designated quiet floor on the third floor. Students can study in peace at one of many tables or in the historic Great Room. It features stained glass windows, high ceilings and college murals. If students need a quiet, reflective space for meditation or prayer, Hale Library also has a Meditation Alcove on the south side of the fourth floor. It is open to all students. The library only asks that students practice quietly and do not move furniture or leave personal items in the alcove. Night owls and early birds alike can study any time at the Anita C. Lehner 24-hour study area on the first floor. It has Macs and Windows-based PCs as well as a printer. Students can get coffee and snacks at vending machines and at the Einstein Bros. Bagels shop next to the

study area. If you find yourself working on a group project, Hale has ample space to meet with your classmates on the first, second, and fourth floors. The first floor in particular has plenty of comfortable couches, tables and outlets. When it comes to research, the K-State libraries have you covered. Besides the stacks and special collections filled with books on practically every subject imaginable, K-State gives all students access to more than 300 databases. To access the databases, simply go to the K-State Libraries home page. Use the Search It navigation bar to search all databases at once or click Advanced Search or Databases to use specific databases. K-State Libraries also offers research guides tailored to each major to make finding databases and resources easier. To see if your class has a research guide, click the Research Guide link in the middle of the Libraries home page and look under your major. Before you buy your textbooks, check to see if they are available through Hale Library Reserves to save some money. Instructors can place items on reserve for students to check out. The loan periods vary from two hours to two weeks depending on the book. If K-State does not have a book you need, you can still request it for free by setting up an Interlibrary Loan account. Digital items are typically ready to be downloaded in two to five days. Physical items can be picked up at the Library Help Desk in usually three to 10 days. When it comes to technology, student resources do

not end at databases. In addition to the numerous computers available throughout the library, Hale is also home to the IT Help Desk and the Media Development Center (MDC) on the second floor. At the IT Help Desk, students can check out laptops, cameras and other equipment for free for up to three days. If you encounter issues with your computer, the IT specialists can help you troubleshoot solutions. Just across from the IT Help Desk is the MDC, a high-end computer lab with 3D printers and a green screen. Students can work on video editing, scanning and editing images, creating audio recordings and much more there. To learn more about everything else K-State libraries has to offer, you can explore their webpage, talk to a library help specialist at the Library Help Desk or through their online chat portal, “Ask a Librarian,” or call, text or email them. You can also follow K-State libraries on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and/or Flickr. In the first week of classes, library employees will answer questions, provide campus directions and free water at the Info Oasis on the sidewalk between English/Counseling Services and Hale from Aug. 20 to 22. Hale library will also host “Do Not Pass Go!: A Real Life Board Game” Aug. 23 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Students will explore all five floors of Hale Library and be eligible for prizes, including T-shirts. More workshops and events happen throughout the semester, so check out K-State Libraries’ events page to see everything they have planned.

OPINION: Stick with the arts DENÉ DRYDEN

THE COLLEGIAN

When I attended high school in Palco, Kansas, I had the unique opportunity to be involved in almost everything I could. Palco High School is tiny: graduating-in-a-class-of-six tiny. The yearbook staff and the choir had less than 10 students involved each. It was easy to take advantage of the space and be extremely involved. Because of my heavy extracurricular involvement in high school, I was warned not to spread myself too thin when I came to Kansas State. Extracurricular activities would not be as easy to manage in college. That is true. Try not to bite off more than you can chew. But I offer one piece of advice for new students: stick with the arts. After playing in bands ranging from six to 225 pieces, I was ready to take my clarinet to K-State. Music led me to great friends, memorable experiences and helped me grow as a person. I wanted to continue my involvement. I was interested in the marching band. The Kansas

State University Marching Band is one of the best college bands in the nation, plus both of my high school music teachers recommended I try it. But with my focus on academics and commitment to other activities, I decided marching band would be a little too much. Instead, I opted to be in women's choir for two hours a week with Julie Yu, co-director of choral studies, for my first two semesters. Then, I played bass clarinet in the non-audition university band last spring. My point is that you should find a way to express your musical self (or artistic self or theatrical self) in a way that is fulfilling but not distracting from your other responsibilities. Do not shy away from opportunities to audition or be involved just because you are not an art student or vocal performance major. What made me feel connected to the 40-50 other women in women's choir was the fact that more half of the room was not enrolled in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. University band is non-audition because it is meant for music education majors. Older students get to conduct the ensemble. Some students picked

back-to-school GUIDE

monday, august 21, 2017

up new instruments to master. (The first tuning note in a band of new players is wonderfully awful.) However, there were a handful of non-music students like me participating because they wanted to be part of a flexible, learning-centered ensemble. Do not be afraid to ask questions to get where you need to be. Need an instrument? Visit the department office to see what you can rent; I rented a bass clarinet for my semester of band. Loved forensics in high school? K-State has those teams. Email the faculty in charge. If I have learned anything about the people at K-State, it is that they will help students with most anything. Staying in touch with music has been one of the most rewarding choices in my first year of college. My one hour of choir on Mondays and Wednesdays was time I could spend releasing my stress and focusing on myself. It was a great way to distract myself from stressful schoolwork and take a productive break.

see page 10, “ARTS”

File photo by George Walker | THE COLLEGIAN

Members of the K-State band play during the first game of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic between K-State and Mizzou on Nov. 23, 2015.

The campus mystery of McCain's double toilet stalls solved

Justin Wright | THE COLLEGIAN

Kyle Hampel and Dené Dryden in McCain Auditorium’s double toilet stall in Manhattan, Kansas on July 20, 2017.

KYLE HAMPEL

THE COLLEGIAN

For many college students, going to the bathroom is a solitary act of forced meditation and contemplation. There are no friends, no lovers, no professors to provide words of encouragement as your body bitterly regrets all the Chipotle you ate last night. But what if I told you there was a better way? For Kansas State students, bathroom breaks are not a hurdle that must be overcome alone. In the first-floor bathrooms of McCain Auditorium, dreams come true in the double toilet stalls. The double toilet stalls, located in both the men’s and women’s restrooms, are single handicap stalls that have two toilets seated next to each other with nothing to separate them. Theresa Breymeyer, office staff member at McCain, said the double toilet stalls are the result of accessibility gone wrong. “When the university decided that all bathrooms should have a handicap stall, they simply took a [divider] out of the two

stalls nearest the wall and put a wider door in,” Breymeyer said. “I don’t know if there are plans to change it or not.” While their existence may be due to poor planning by K-State, the double toilet stalls provide numerous advantages over a typical stall with a single, lonely toilet inside. It sounds ridiculous at first, but I think a double toilet stall is the best place to exercise your excretory system on campus. First, the double toilet stalls allow you and your friends to engage in jolly cooperation as you conquer Brown Mountain together. No longer do you have to take turns doing your business. Take your friend on a poop date, and you can hold hands and share the experience of defecation together. Second, even if you are alone, the double toilet stalls provide a choice that you do not normally get when you decide where to blow your butt trumpet. Do you want the left toilet or the right toilet? Whether you are right-handed or left-handed, you can choose a toilet (and toilet paper dispenser) that best suits your body’s needs.

Third, the double toilet stalls allow you to experience the music of McCain while you are carpet bombing the porcelain sea. You can hear a capella groups singing and jazz bands playing, lifting your spirits as you wipe your dirty bottom. Fourth, two toilets in one stall make it much easier to deal with the messy aftermath of a night on the town. McCain is within walking distance of Aggieville, so when you eat and drink too much on a Friday night, simply waltz into a double toilet stall with your friends. If bodily fluids are coming out of both ends, you can even use both toilets at the same time for maximum efficiency. Finally, the double toilet stalls are just another quirk that sets McCain apart from the rest of campus. You can come for the music and the people, but you will stay for the experience of sending cigars back to Cuba in a double toilet stall.

To read more, visit kstatecollegian.com

back-to-school GUIDE

ARTS | Sticking with

artistic pursuits in college enriches studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; futures continued from page

Though I cannot say much about theatre or other arts since I primarily practice music and poetry performance, one of the highlights about the arts is the people you meet while involved. I met new connections in university band, especially when I was one of the few non-music majors in the ensemble. I even knew one of the music education students in my ensemble from high school band camp. University band is also how I met my boyfriend, another English major. Your time at K-State is a chance for you to invest in your

future. Obviously, this includes your education and training you will need for your career and livelihood later on, but the people you surround yourself with and the hobbies you participate in will have an impact on your personal life. If you are an artist, stick to what you do. You will not regret it. Dene Dryden is a sophomore in English. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.

File photo by Evert Nelson | THE COLLEGIAN

Sarika Brinkman, then-junior in metalsmithing, works on her final project for ceramics 1 on May 2, 2013.

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

OPINION: K-State Mobile app review, introductory tour NICHOLAS CADY THE COLLEGIAN

Kansas State unveiled an updated version of the K-State Mobile Application in August 2016. The app is visually appealing, neatly organized and contains an approachable iconography layout. According to an Aug. 25, 2016 K-State Communications and Marketing press release, the app is especially useful to new students at the university. In an effort to examine the practicality, functionality and overall convenience of the application, I explored the app’s 21 icons. Some are more useful than others, while some left me totally bewildered, even as a seasoned K-Stater.

THE USEFUL FEATURES:

“Map” icon: When it comes to trekking through campus, this section beats your phone’s default map app by a long shot. Buildings and areas are fully animated and labeled. “People” icon: A simple, easy-to-use version of the K-State white pages. Find any K-Stater by searching with their name or eID. “Parking Garage” icon: This one gets an A for the day. No redirection, no pop-ups, just clear charts showing the percentages of availability for access into parking areas and garages. “Sports” icon: This section lists all of the K-State sports and allows you to check schedules and upcoming events pertaining to each activity. Straightforward with a simple

layout. “Campus Dining” icon: This one is a gold mine that includes all the information you would ever need to have a pleasant on-campus dining experience. It lists menus and serving hours for the campus dining halls, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. There is information found here you would not be able to get from a quick Google search. One of the coolest features in this section is the calorie calculator which sums calorie-intake based on items selected from the dining hall menus. “Events” icon: You can never go wrong with a well-made university calendar, and that is exactly what this section is.

see page 12, “MOBILE”

MOBILE | K-State app update contains both ambiguous, useful features continued from page

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

There is even a nice little bookmarking option that makes marking upcoming affairs a delight. “Social” icon: Live updates from every official K-State Twitter and Facebook account. The best part is that there is no following, liking or sign-in necessary. “Videos” icon: Essentially a listing of all recently-published K-State informational videos that is set up similarly to a YouTube channel. “Transit” icon: Though there are page redirections galore, this section contains lots of neat content, including interactive bicycle maps of Manhattan. It also includes charts and explanations of bus route maps. “Emergency” icon: A listing compiling every K-State emergency resource. The automatic call options make this section an invaluable addition to the app.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT:

“Connect” icon: Redirects you to your eProfile under the K-State website’s Connect page. A pro is that there is always useful, important information found here including password management options, alert settings, as well as your Cat Cash and PaperCut balance information. One con is that the K-State website’s mobile version is not very different from the desktop version, so therefore not incredibly user-friendly. In a better app, the eProfile page could be accessed within the application itself instead of redirecting users to a web browser.= “K-State Today News” icon: Wonderfully displays the day’s university news updates. The downside to this section is you can only view the updates of the present day and nothing older.

The website is probably the more useful option if you are looking for information older than 24 hours. “Libraries” icon: Awesome library stack maps and research guides make this section respectfully ambitious. But as a student with four years of research under my belt, I would recommend using the desktop versions of the library research portals. “Course Catalog” and “IT Help Desk” icons: No unique mobile variations for the course catalog and IT Help Desk icons. Merely a redirection to the K-State website. Furthermore, as an employee at the IT help desk, I can affirm if you contact the IT Help Desk, I will ask you to have a computer available anyway.

THE MYSTERIOUS ICONS:

“K-State 360” icon: As a student beginning his fifth year of his undergraduate career, I had never heard of K-State 360 before seeing the icon. When you click the icon, a foreboding, incorrectly punctuated message appears asking you if you are sure you would like to participate with no information or explanation as to what exactly you will be partici-

pating in. The decline option literally says, “Get me outta here,” which does not help sell the program at all. I am sure whatever K-State 360 is, it is lovely and helpful. But based on this app’s presentation, it is a total enigma. “Offices Directory” icon: The layout is similar to the People search tool, but the search results are virtually nonexistent. It instructs you to “search by department.” I searched with phrases such as “English,” “Mass Communications,” “Theatre,” “iTAC,” “Financial Aid,” "Kedzie" and even some professor names. No results were given. This tool definitely needs improvement. “Student Services” icon: Leads to nothing. Blank pages do not make friends. The K-State Mobile application is not the app to end all apps. There is enough redirection to other apps and programs for it to be considered a good starting point rather than a bare necessity. But download it? Yes. I discovered enough useful content for at least a temporary download, especially if you are new to K-State. The way I see it, the more users, the better. This way, suggestions for changes and improvement can be made from those who matter the most: K-Staters. The K-State Mobile app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Nicholas Cady is a senior in mass communications. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@ kstatecollegian.com.

Seeking help: K-State’s student mental health resources explained JAKKI FORESTER & KYLE HAMPEL THE COLLEGIAN

Jakki Forester (Publishing Editor), Kyle Hampel (Writer) Mental health should not be taken lightly. Two students offer advice from their personal experiences on seeking help and using K-State's Counseling Services. Mental health concerns disproportionately affect college-aged individuals. According to data from the American College Health Association and the University of California, Berkeley, 55 percent of college students reported feeling “overwhelming anxiety” in 2014, but only 9.5 percent of college students accessed their university counseling services in the same year. This statistic shows an alarming trend: university students are not getting the help they need for their mental health concerns. While Kansas State provides robust counseling services, many students may not know how to use them or what to expect. Kyle Hampel, junior in English, and Jakki Forester, graduate student in communication studies, hope to shed some light on what K-State’s Counseling Services offers through their own lived experiences with mental health concerns and seeking help when needed.

UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE

I had only been in college for a few months when I had my first thoughts of suicide. It only lasted for a few seconds during a 30-minute-long panic attack, but it was enough to convince me that I needed help, and fast. Going from high school to college can be a stressful transition. But it was especially bad for an introvert like me. I felt lost, unsupported and lonely. I felt like I was lacking in all of my relationships with the people

around me. I was letting a nagging voice in my head tell me I did not belong. When that voice told me to kill myself, enough was enough. K-State Counseling Services seemed like the best option for my situation, and I do not regret going to them for help as soon as possible. After completing a survey about what my concerns were, I was assigned a therapist. I began going to hourlong therapy sessions every week. Immediately, one of my favorite things about K-State Counseling Services was that you do not have to worry about the cost. The first four counseling sessions are completely free. After that, the cost per session is much lower than it would be at other mental health facilities, especially without health insurance coverage. Cost was not the only benefit, of course. While my progress was slow, I did notice an immediate difference in my mood and outlook. Even though it would take a while for my life circumstances to change, talking to someone who was listening and giving professional advice helped me make the best of a bad situation. Ultimately, after nearly half a year in counseling, I ended my therapy sessions on my own terms. I still struggle with my chronic depression, but K-State Counseling Services gave me advice and techniques for keeping my personal demons in check. The most important thing I learned in college is that mental health is not something that should be ignored or taken lightly. If you need someone to talk to, please call K-State Counseling Services at 785-532-6927 and make an appointment.

THE GRADUATE EXPERIENCE

Having experienced my undergraduate career at K-State, I thought I could handle graduate

school at the same institution with ease and grace. I knew what resources I had available to me. I had a network of people. I thought I knew what I was in for. In all actuality, I had no idea. My mental health tanked almost as soon as I began graduate school. Life, school and relationships with others were all completely different from what I experienced as an undergraduate. Graduate school is one of the most isolating experiences while being constantly surrounded by people. I was thrown into this immersive experience in a completely new environment with completely new people with a short time to get to know the others I was in a cohort with. I struggled with learning who I could or could not trust with personal struggles, especially related to mental health. I continued to feel more and more alone. Although graduate school is an isolating experience, I also further isolated myself. I became clinically depressed again. I do not mean sad. I mean when I was not on campus in class as a student or teaching, I was at home sleeping so I did not have to be awake to cope with my depression. A part of my assistantship for graduate school is also teaching. I have taught for the past three semesters, and the anxiety I feel standing in front of a room of students has never lessened. I constantly worry about that students are judging how effective I am as an instructor, what I am wearing, how I lecture and even the tone of my voice, among other things. This anxiety becomes exponentially higher and is exacerbated when I read the feedback on teacher evaluations. Through these experiences though, I have reached out to some of the resources I knew

see page 14, “HELP”

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

monday, august 21, 2017

HELP | Two K-State students open up

about their struggles with mental health continued from page

about on campus and through the university. I have met with doctors at Lafene Health Center multiple times to have conversations and find solutions for some of these concerns from a medical perspective. I have also been in and out of K-State Counseling Services my entire time at K-State. When I was an undergraduate, I experienced traumas I needed to work through immediately. Then after I completed my undergrad-

uate degrees, I sought out help again due to another large-scale loss that occurred in my life. I recently went back to K-State Counseling Services to continue to work through traumas I have experienced. No matter what age you are, how short or long you have been in college, if you are struggling with your mental health, even if you never have before in your life, seek help. There is nothing worse than trying to stay afloat while you are continually just being pulled down. You are not alone in

your struggles. Do not try to push through those struggles alone. There are people to help who are willing to help. Seek help. Kyle Hampel is a junior in English. Jakki Forester is a graduate student in communication studies. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@ kstatecollegian.com. Justin Wright | THE COLLEGIAN

The English and Counseling Services Center on the Kansas State campus in Manhattan, Kansas.

2017 Fall Sports Preview: What to watch from the Wildcats DEAUNDRA ALLEN THE COLLEGIAN

Kansas State's athletics program has a reputation for being high-octane, experienced and hard-working. For the 2017–2018 season, this pattern will surely continue. With so many sporting events to look forward to this fall at K-State, there is something great for everyone to watch.

THE SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWNS

This fall, there will be three Sunflower Showdowns between K-State and the University of Kansas to look forward to. The women’s volleyball team will host KU at home Saturday, Sept. 23 in Ahearn Fieldhouse. For the last two years, the Wildcats have lost both games to KU each season, but this could be the year K-State makes a comeback. Susie Fritz, head coach of the women's volleyball team, has a 316-178 coaching record at K-State. Fritz has also been named Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2002

and 2003. Women’s soccer will begin its second season this year, and the Wildcats will be facing off against KU at Rock Chalk Park on Friday, Oct. 6 for the first time. Sophomore Dora Gallo may be a key factor in the outcome of this Sunflower Showdown. Gallo played 16 matches last season and scored the game-winning goal against Omaha. Gallo is the team leader in total shots, with 25 in her career. The football team will play at KU's Memorial Stadium Saturday, Oct. 28. The Wildcats are already looking for another win — since 2009, the Wildcats have won every Sunflower Showdown in football. If they win this year, it will be the ninth season in a row that the K-State football team beat KU. Bill Snyder, head coach of the football team, will begin his 26th season with the Wildcats this year. Snyder has a record of more than 200 wins as a football coach, and he is being named to the Bobby Dodd Trophy Watch List this month.

Wildcats will face off against either Elite Eight participant Xavier University or Atlantic 10 opponent George Washington University.

JEFF MITTIE AND THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

File photo by George Walker | THE COLLEGIAN

Football game between K-State and KU at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Nov. 26, 2016.

MEN'S BASKETBALL AT THE LAS VEGAS INVITATIONAL

The K-State men's basketball team will be playing against Arizona State University to open the 17th annual Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational on Thursday,

Nov. 23 at the Orleans Arena. This is the first time the Wildcats have played Arizona State since 1998 in the Maui Invitational, where K-State won 84-80 in overtime. One day after the game against Arizona State, the men's basketball team will play another game in Las Vegas Friday, Nov. 24. The

Jeff Mittie, head coach of women's basketball, is one of the many people to watch for in the 2017–2018 season. Mittie, who was named KBCA Coach of the Year, named 2008 K-State graduate Jayci Stone to the women's basketball staff over the summer. Once the staff and team get back from their trip to Europe that will take place Aug. 2–13, they will then prepare for the season. Mittie’s coaching staff has led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament for back-to-back seasons. In the 2016–2017 season, Mittie’s staff coached the team to 23 game wins, the most wins for the women's basketball program since the 2008–2009 season.

BILL SNYDER'S 26TH SEASON OF FOOTBALL

When it’s fall in Manhattan, that can only mean one thing: the return of K-State football. K-State has been a model of consistency since Bill Snyder returned in 2009, and the Wildcats have won at least six games every season. With an experienced, passionate team this year, the Wildcats could become one of the biggest threats in the Big 12 and potentially dethrone University of Oklahoma. If Snyder develops a few players on defense, the Wildcats would be more than worthy of a Big 12 Championship. Currently, AthlonSports. com has a predicted ranking of K-State football at fourth in the Big 12, and 22nd nationally. DeAundra Allen is a junior in public relations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to sports@ kstatecollegian.com.

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

PISCES Feb. 19 - March 20

You can’t have it both ways, Pisces. You want intelligence and eye-candy all rolled into one convenient person, but that is just not going to happen, at least for you. So the choice is yours: Smart and ugly, or dumb and gorgeous?

ARIES March 21 - April 19 SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Iris LoCoco | THE COLLEGIAN

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22

Once again your complete inability to regulate your emotions, paired with an explosive temper, will certainly lead to a humiliating encounter. Just this once, could you please try to not act on impulse? The Stars are getting anxious with secondhand embarrassment.

Something black and white looms in your future. Either you are being invited to a formal dinner event or pulled over for a moving traffic violation. Either way, shine up your most debonair smile and practice batting your eyelashes.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Believe it or not, other people actually appreciate you—even if they love you for all the wrong reasons. Perhaps you are easy to take advantage of because your life is a constant train wreck, but whatever the reason, embrace it! Be yourself and revel in your ill-gotten love!

LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

Resist the urge to drape yourself in a colorful scarf and parade about in a acid wash jeans. You think you are trying on the hipster look; everyone else thinks you are just homeless.

If you are feeling especially picked on and victimized today, it is no coincidence. Your friends and colleagues have bets out on who can make you cry first. The Stars bet $50 on you, so you better stay strong, champ!

Your heart is all aflutter with an exciting new romantic prospect—one that would be best left as a prospect, actually. Once you get your would-be lover home and out of the package, you will find yourself wishing you had spent a bit more time shopping around.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

If you are not getting the attention you feel your deserve, then you will just whine louder. Your friends can only take so much belly-aching though, leaving you with only those pathetic few who see you as a kindred spirit. Hang up the pity party dress and stop dancing.

The myriad failures of your past plague you even now. You would think that after all this time you would finally be over it. It is high time to clean up all of that emotional baggage you have been carting around before it gets as bloated as your ego.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

You have more issues than a Monday morning newsstand, but lately romantic problems seem to dominate your emotional landscape. There is no use fretting: either tomorrow will be better, or it will be worse. Probably the latter.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

Stop your relentless pursuit of perfection. Nothing about you even remotely says “role model.” Instead embrace a new direction a become a complete &$#%-up. It’s an easier goal to achieve and much more your aesthetic.

CANCER June 21 - July 22

The truth is that you are an irritating, irresponsible emotional vampire, but you must come to terms with this depressing fact all on your own. Have you ever wondered why you have no friends? Never get phone calls or texts? Dig deep now, Cancer. For you that’s about half a centimeter.

Relive the past

kstatecollegian.com/print-edition

back-to-school GUIDE

monday, august 21, 2017

Hale Library celebrates its 20th year with students room," Goetsch said. Before Farrell Library was constructed, K-State's library was housed in Farm Machinery Hall, Thousands of Kansas State then Anderson Hall, then the Listudents will be sharing a birth brary and Agricultural Sciences year with Hale Library this fall, Hall, now known as Fairchild. as the building was constructed Today, Hale Library is one of five in 1997 and dedicated on Oct. 5 libraries that K-State maintains, of that year. This year also marks housing over 1 million books in its the 90th anniversary of Farrell Li- 500,000 square feet of space. brary, the first free-standing library 1997: The year of tweaks building on campus. and touch-ups The historic Farrell Library The Hale expansion cost $30 exists within Hale along with two million, including $5 million colother additions to the building lected through student fees. Joe constructed in 1955 and 1970, and Joyce Hale, whom the buildLori Goetsch, dean of Hale Li- ing was named after, also donated brary, said. $5 million toward the renovation. "The 1927 historic Farrell One issue the renovation Library, where the Great Room fixed was the need for more space. is, that’s the original 1927 reading Sarah Hoyt, writer and editor for Hale Library, said the new construction nearly doubled the Photo courtesy of the K-State Libraries floor space in the library. "Hale Library is so big that K-State students browse the shelves and study in Farrell it’s nearly a quarter-mile round Library. trip from my office to the coffee

DENÉ DRYDEN

THE COLLEGIAN

pot on the other end of the first floor," Hoyt said. Advancing computer technology contributed to this need for space. Hale Library now has 220 public computers for students to use, as previously reported by the Collegian in March. “Space was certainly a big reason to expand ... particularly as computing was becoming more prominent in the early and mid '90s, to accommodate more computers," Goetsch said. Goetsch said the 1997 renovation of the library not only added space, but fixed structural issues in the building. "When the 1927 building was added onto in 1955, it wasn’t done in a very seamless way, and then there was the 1970 addition that was also added," Goetsch said. "Those three buildings weren’t fitting together very well in terms of providing access and being able to easily get to one place to another. I’ve heard stories from [alumni]

about having to crawl through basically something the size of a window to get from one floor to another because the floors didn’t meet.” A new face for a wellknown place The library's 1997 renovation also gave it a new look. Hoyt said that Hale's present appearance has elements of Romanesque buildings like Holten Hall and Collegiate Gothic buildings like Van Zile Hall. "When the architects designed the new structure, they wanted it to echo the look and feel of some of the much, much older buildings on campus," Hoyt said. "Before they added that unifying exterior, the south side of the library looked more contemporary ... a lot more like a parking garage or a bank building."

To read more, visit kstatecollegian.com

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

OPINION: How to be a decent college roommate IRIS LOCOCO

THE COLLEGIAN

Throughout your college career, and perhaps even through your early 20s, it is likely that you will be forced— whether by finances or circumstance—to share a living space with another person. Having a roommate can be both fun and challenging. Living in the company of another person who is in a similar stage of their life can be a comfort, and great friendships can form between roommates, but being in such close quarters with another person can also frustrate and annoy you. Conflict resolution and clear communication, as in all relationships, are key to enjoying your stint as a roommate, but there are many other things you can do early on to head off any problems at the pass. 1. Remember that you don’t have to be best friends This is especially important if you are living in the dormitories, where a roommate may be assigned to you. If you went potluck during the roommate selection process, you likely know very little about your new roommate before move-in day, and feeling trepidaceous or uncertain about them is perfectly normal and okay. Some people bond with their roommates instantly and becomes fast friends, but it is important to remember that roommates who turn into best

friends is the exception rather than the rule. You might not end up being best buddies with your roommate, or even good friends. That is perfectly OK. You do not have to be best friends—you simply have to treat each other with respect. Take the pressure off, let the relationship unfold naturally and be honest with each other. Friendship may come, or it may not. Learn to be OK with the situation if a friendship does not form immediately, or at all. You are in plenty good company.

2. Have the hard discussions early. Do not wait until you begin chafing at each other’s pet peeves to have a conversation about your lifestyles and expectations. It can be awkward to bring up with someone you have just met, but future you will thank you for weathering the awkwardness. Is one of you a night owl and the other goes to bed early? Best to know right away so that you can discuss ways you can avoid keeping each other awake at inconvenient hours. Who is going to be responsible for taking out the trash, and how often will you clean? Are you both neat or messy people? How often is it acceptable to have friends over and at what times? It may feel awkward or demanding to put all of your needs out of the table before you have really gotten to know someone, but quashing your own needs and desires will not do you any favors in the

long run. Failing to make your needs known early can lead to emotional blow-ups and hurt feelings later on when your new roomie inadvertently crosses a boundary you failed to express. Be patient with each other and, most importantly, be honest. Competing needs happen, but being able to discuss and work through them civilly is an important part of becoming an adult. 3. Don’t be a jerk. We all have our quirks and habits, and it may be tempting to be far more judgmental of your roommate’s than you are of your own. Does your new roommate have a disturbingly large collection of Beanie Babies that she dusts every night before she does homework? Does your new roomie’s shirtless Nicholas Cage wallpaper really wig you out? Does your roommate eat gross foods and watch weird television shows that you cannot stand? Well, I have news for you: you are not perfect, either. (And if you think you are, then perhaps you would be better off moving out now and getting yourself a single room.) Being able to get along civilly with people you find off-putting is an important adult skill, and finding your roommate’s quirks strange or annoying is not a viable excuse for disrespecting them. So long as they are respecting your space and your privacy and treating you with decency and consideration, let the small things go. In the grand scheme of things, having a

roommate who collects potato chips shaped like Christopher Reeve’s head but always remembers to take the trash out and leaves the thermostat alone is a small-fry issue. Pick your battles, and make sure you are saving your anger for something that actually matters. Avoid the temptation to deal with it by gossiping cruelly behind their back—freshman year is difficult enough without garnering a reputation for being the floor’s gossip monger. 4. Solve conflicts when you first notice them. Passive-aggression is so passé. If you have a conflict with your roommate, there is only one way to deal with the issue maturely and effectively: talk to them. Talk, with your mouth. Do not subtweet about them. Do not post vague Facebook statuses about “difficult people” and pretend you are not talking about them. Do not retaliate by meeting they own annoying behavior with their own. Do not act like nothing is wrong and then blow up at them later over something that happened weeks ago. You are an adult now, and you must learn to solve your problems like one. That means using your words to make your frustration known and clearly communicating how your needs are not being met. If confrontations are difficult for you, there may be extra resources available if you live in the dorms. The resident

assistant, or RA, on your floor has been specially trained for dealing with situations such as these, and may be able to give you some helpful pointers for facing the conflict head-on in a respectful and productive manner. They may even be able to help directly mediate the discussion between you and your roommate if you fear things will get really out of hand. Even if you get along just fine with your roommate, setting aside some time each week for the two of you to chat about how things have been going can do wonders to prevent conflict from happening. By having a scheduled and structured time for you to bring up and work through issues, you can alleviate some of the stress that comes with never knowing whether it is a good time to bring up a problem. 5. Remember that roommates aren’t forever. Whether you get along with your roommate or not, remember that roommates are not forever. If the two of you get along, great! You can always ask them if they would like to live with you again next year. And if you do not get along with them, then all is the better: eventually, one or both of you will move on to live somewhere else; take comfort in knowing that your current living situation is only temporary. Sometimes a roommate who you thought you had gotten along with very well might choose to move on anyway.

This can come as a hurtful shock if you thought that the two or you had meshed well or become friends, but try to remember that your roommate likely has made other friends outside the confines or your dorm room or apartment. Just because they choose to live elsewhere or with another friend does not mean that they do not like you or value you as a person. Keep in touch with roommates with whom you have gotten along; invite them out for coffee or to a sporting event after they have moved out and keep those relationships strong. In college, networking is golden. And if you roomed with someone who you later found out you could not stand to live with? Well, there is always next year, and with the size of Kansas State’s campus, there will always be another roommate you can try. Eight semesters is a long time, and if you follow these rules, practice open communication and act with honestly and integrity, you can easily become the roommate that every senior wishes they had as a freshman. Iris LoCoco is a sophomore in computer science and 2015 K-State graduate in art history. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.

back-to-school GUIDE

12 tips to help you survive your first K-State football game DENÉ DRYDEN

THE COLLEGIAN

As a returning student, one part of the fall semester I am very excited for is Kansas State football. The energy in the student section at Bill Snyder Family Stadium is invigorating and exciting, especially with the marching band blaring away and our football team (hopefully) winning the game. If you are new to the K-State family, I recommend watching at least one Wildcats game on our home field. Last fall, I worked for K-State Athletics Event Services as peer security, aka the people who stand outside the stadium and check bags. With my experience as a staff member and a student in the stands, here are some tips to help you have

fun and stay sane at a K-State football game. 1. Bring an (unopened) water bottle Don't pay four dollars at the concession stand for water. Bring an unopened, storebought bottle of water to drink throughout the game. The stadium has water fountains, and though the fountains are few and far between, you can refill your water bottle for free. 2. In fact, find out what you can and cannot bring into the stadium K-State Athletics has several rules concerning what is not allowed inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. An important and fairly new policy is the Clear Bag Policy, so if you are bringing several items to the game, make sure to carry it all in a clear gallon bag or another approved bag (all listed on the

K-State Sports website). As a former K-State Athletics employee, I know it is super helpful for guests to be prepared and knowledgeable. If you bring a blanket, have it unrolled and tossed over your shoulder. Signs that have profanity or lewd words on them won't be allowed in, so don't bother bringing them. You can review the rest of the stadium's policies online as well. 3. If you do not buy an athletic pass, don't stress If you only intend on attending one or two home games this season, buying an athletic pass may not seem worth your while. Odds are, someone you know has a pass and won't make it to all of the games.

see page 19, “FOOTBALL”

monday, august 21, 2017

back-to-school GUIDE

FOOTBALL | More tips for surviving your first football game with the Wildcats continued from page

Ask the people in your living community and Facebook friends several days before the game and see if you can borrow someone's pass. Chances are if they will miss the game, they will let you go in their place. 4. If you do buy an athletic pass, know the difference between ICAT and GA. Student athletic passes are available for purchase on the KSIS website under 'Marketplace.' As of Aug. 1, ICAT combo passes for football and men's basketball are sold out. General admission tickets are still available for $150 (football only) and $235 (football and men's basketball). The main differences between these student seating sections is the price, benefits and locations. ICAT tickets are slightly more expensive

than GA but come with two T-shirts, and ticket holders sit in sections 24 and 25, about midfield. The GA sections are 26 through 28, nestled near the corner of the stadium wear the marching band sits. 5. Prepare ahead for the weather. Since our first home game is in steamy September and the last is held on Nov. 25, be ready to adjust to a range of weather conditions. We are in Kansas after all. Check the weather before you head to the stadium to see if you need a rain jacket, warm layers or sunscreen. If rain is in the forecast, however, remember that umbrellas are not permitted inside the stadium. 6. Always have your student ID card. I believe this is an important guideline in general, but you will not be able to enter the stadium with a GA or ICAT pass without a student

ID. Ushers also verify this when you actually get to the GA seating section (ICAT patrons are given wristbands at the gate, so they look for those instead at that section). 7. If you want to be in the front seats, be early. Gates open for the stadium two hours before kickoff, but the line for the student sections start way before then. If you are determined to get those front-row bench seats, arrive early so that your chances of watching the game up close are better. If you do not arrive early, the back benches still give you a good view of the game, I promise. 8. Don't pay for parking; catch the shuttle bus. Parking at Bill Snyder Memorial Stadium costs $20 for non-reserved stalls and can fill up fast. Save yourself the hassle and take the shuttle bus from campus instead. The buses begin their routes two

hours before the game starts and pick up people from the K-State Union and a few Aggieville locations. You can ride back on a shuttle bus after the game, too. Another hint: even if you do not drive to the game, consider bringing keys. Rattling them right before kickoff is a fun tradition. 9. Wear comfortable shoes. You will be standing the whole time in line and at the game, whether you want to or not. Students in ICAT and GA stand on top of the metal benches to watch the game. Wear some comfortable shoes to last through all the stomping, cheering and Wabashing. 10. Stick around for halftime. K-State has quite literally one of the best marching bands in the nation. Their halftime performance is always entertaining, so stay to watch

it. You will be supporting your fellow students' hard work and passion on the field. The spectators in the student sections also sit down during halftime, so resting your feet is an added bonus. 11. If you leave temporarily, make sure you get scanned out. Ticket takers by the gates can "scan out" your ticket so that you can come back into the stadium. If you leave the stadium but plan on coming back during the game, be sure to have your pass scanned out. Keep in mind that the same rules and regulations that you followed when you first got there still apply when you re-enter the stadium. 12. To get paid to watch football games, apply to be an usher. As I mentioned earlier, I was part of the peer security staff for football season. We are the gatekeepers who primarily

enforce stadium entry rules. One downside to this position is that I never got to watch the football game that day; I only caught a few minutes of the game on breaks. This is the same circumstance for ticket takers and parking attendants. I was assigned as an usher for basketball season, and I can definitely say it is a good way to get paid to watch a sports game. You will spend a lot of time standing and climbing stairs, plus helping guests with questions, but the trade off is a good view of the game and a paycheck to boot. What's most important is that you spend your K-State game day your way. You can tailgate, you can arrive at the stadium five minutes to kickoff, you can leave at halftime. However you spend your Saturday at the stadium, these tips will help you have a wonderful day cheering on the Wildcats.

back-to-school GUIDE

monday, august 21, 2017