10/14/2010

Pumpkins and Pitt Pals

With the band

International club holds Jack o’ lantern activity (pg. 6B)

Marching band participates in CBS contest (pg. 4)

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID PITT STATE Change Service Requested

OCTOBER 14, 2010

Volume 95, No. 8

P I T T S B U R G

www.psucollegio.com

S T A T E

U N I V E R S I T Y

PSU student slain in police shootout MADISON DENNIS Editor-in-Chief Trenten Bird, a senior in art, was identified as the man killed in a shootout with law officers in Wilson County, on Thursday, Oct. 7.

Early Tuesday morning, the Wilson County sheriff’s office was called with reports of a man inside a car firing at a passing motorist. A Wilson County deputy arrived at the scene, Highway 400 between

Neodesha and Fredonia. On arriving, Bird and the deputy exchanged gunfire.

The shooter was pronounced dead at the scene, and was identified later that day as Bird. The deputy involved was uninjured.

Bird had been driving a 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora, which was stolen during a burglary in Carl Junction the morning of the shooting. Officers found items from the burgled home in the car.

The investigation was turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Bird was remembered by his friends and family in a memorial at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 13, which was held at the Parker Mortuary in Joplin.

Shawnna Setterstrom recalls Bird as someone who recently went through a life change.

“He began to tell me about a new way of life he had stumbled upon,” said Setterstrom. “He said he knew more than ever

see SLAIN page 3

psucollegio@gmail.com

No Collegios

Sneak peek

Oct. 21 or Oct. 28 Because of fall break next week, the Collegio will not publish an edition on Thursday, Oct. 21. Additionally, the PSU Student Publications staff will attend the Associated Collegiate Press convention from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30 in Louisville, Ky., and will not publish an issue on Oct. 28. The next scheduled Collegio will be published on Thursday, Nov. 4.

Crowning coronation Get inked Student group offers henna tattoos (pg. 4)

Aaron Anders/Collegio

Students cheer as the homecoming queen is announced.

Jessica Berberich, a sophomore in education from Olathe, and Taylor Sibala, a senior in mechanical engineering technology from Overland Park, Kan., were crowned homecoming king and queen Wednesday afternoon.

They were chosen after the convocation at noon in Carnie Smith Stadium.

Berberich was nominated by the Lambda Sigma honor society.

She is a member of the Honors College and is the drum major and a member of the Pride of the

Plains Marching Band.

Sibala is also a member of the Honors College, and was nominated by the Honors College Association. He is the starting second baseman for the Gorillas’ baseball team and is a 2010 ESPN CoSIDA academic All-American.

First-runners up this year are Emily Smith, from Olathe, and Luis Reyes, from Asuncion, Paraguay. Second runners-up are Jessica Simmons, from Topeka, and Ivan Hunnicutt, from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Field goal fail Yuyang Xiao/Collegio

Jessica Berberich, the newly appointed 2010 Homecoming Queen, is crowned by last year’s queen, Holly Kerr, during the Homecoming Convocation on Wednesday, Oct. 13, in Carnie Smith Stadium.

Missed field goal costs Gorillas game (pg. 1B)

Pitt State gives a damn Two students organize candlelight vigil for recent suicides WHITNEY SAPORITO Managing Editor Brian Woods and James Smith give a damn.

Smith and Woods, Pittsburg State University students, are planning to host Pittsburg State Gives a Damn, Tuesday Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. in the Oval.

“Basically it’s going to be a candlelight vigil,” Woods said.

“We decided to plan it due to the

recent suicides, especially in the LGBT community.”

Suicides in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community have received increased media attention in recent weeks, starting with the suicide of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi. The recent string of suicides has been tied to bullying.

“There have been a lot in the past couple weeks,” Woods said.

“It’s an issue that really hits home.”

Smith said the increased media attention gave them the idea to do something at PSU. “We saw a lot of suicides happening and a lot of celebrities taking action and we got the idea of a candlelight vigil,” Smith said.

Woods says donations will be accepted at the vigil and pro-

ceeds will be split between The Trevor Project and Big Brother Big Sister.

According to their website, The Trevor Project is a national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBT youth.

Woods says they plan to give half of the proceeds to Big Brother Big Sister because bullying is not limited to LGBT youth.

“It is for a lot of teens in the LGBT community but also for anyone who has ever been bullied,” Woods said. “It’s not just a gay event; it’s for anyone who’s ever felt like that.”

Smith says wristbands will be sold for $5 to help raise the funds. The wristbands will say

see SUICIDES page 3

ASHLEY BAILEY Collegio Reporter

SARAH POLAND AND BART KLICK Collegio Reporters

see PHELPS page 3

Think pink

Behind the mask Local costume store gives students new faces (pg. 6)

Students raise awareness during breast cancer month

Phelps sued for privacy violation Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in the United States, but the Supreme Court is currently being challenged with a case in which they must decide which is the more important aspect of that right: that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the exercise thereof, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble.

Fred Phelps, pastor of the

Tiffany Moore/Collegio

Russ Hall is used to promote breast-cancer awareness with lights that have been gelled to glow pink.

AP

Margie Phelps, right, and Shirley Phelps-Roper, second from right, of the Westboro Baptist Church, of Tokepa, speak to the press in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 6, after the court heard arguments in the dispute between Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., and the Westboro Baptist Church.

Noelle Kownslar never thought that cancer could strike her family, but one lump changed everything.

Kownslar’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in February. The lump she found turned out to be 18 cancerous lymph nodes, which doctors removed. After the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Kownslar says her mother is now cancer-free.

“When I found out, I was really scared. You don’t really think about it until it affects you,” Kownslar said. “I know she’s going to be OK, but it was just really scary.”

Kownslar, sophomore in communication, was a freshman when

she found out, and says this made it hard to find people in Pittsburg to turn to.

“It was hard finding friends here, so I would call my friends from high school that go to other colleges,” she said. “I would go home for her surgeries, but it was really hard to not be there all the time for her because I had school and she was in Joplin.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and PSU students as well as other Pittsburg groups are all pitching in to raise awareness for the disease, and for those afflicted with it.

Samantha Meneely, sophomore in biology, organized a Women’s Society project to have all the lights on Russ Hall facing Broadway to be turned pink.

see PINK page 3

Last week’s question Do you think Pitt State has a diverse campus?

Remember to check out this week’s question on page 5

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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JAKE FABER Sports Editor

I hate to say I told you so...

Although my prediction about the Gorillas making a quick turnaround last weekend against Emporia was a little off, there is one team that I can always count on. So as I was trying to decide what I should write for my weekly column, I figured it was about time that I checked up on my good friends to the East, Lincoln University.

For those of you who aren’t clued in on this situation, let me give you a short recap: The Blue Tigers of Lincoln University, featured in my Aug. 26 column, were recently invited to join the prestigious conference of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Normally, I am fully for expansion, but the problem that I have with this is that sending the invite to Lincoln is the equivalent of calling Gary Busey to perform at your 4-yearold’s birthday party—all you’ll get is an awkward situation and some disappointed fans. In my August column I stated that if the Blue Tigers played games against anyone in the MIAA this season they would “head back to Lincoln with their blue tails between their blue legs.” So far, the winless wonder that is the Blue Tiger nation has done nothing but prove me right.

In its second game of the season against powerhouse Missouri Western, Lincoln was blown away to the tune of an 81-14 score. Besides providing an opportunity for the Griffons to pad Drew Newhart’s passing stats, the matchup presented a dark outlook for the future expansion of the MIAA. As I previously stated, I am fully for the expansion. But if the MIAA is going to add teams, then the teams need to be prestigious, not embarrassing, which prompts my next question: Is it too late to call this whole thing off?

I’m surprised that Lincoln has somehow managed to win a game this year. Keep in mind, this was a 23-22 victory over Panhandle State, which Pitt State used to consistently roll every year, with the most recent score being 87-0 back in 2006.

I hate to harp on this. Maybe it’s the fact that my prediction of how the Blue Tigers would do was so spot on, but this situation is so puzzling to me.

So far, Lincoln has played three games this year against MIAA opponents, and keep in mind that these games are technically non-conference because they won’t begin a conference schedule until next season. The average score of these three games was 60-19, with their closest game being against independent Southwest Baptist, in which the newest addition to the MIAA allowed 62 points and 548 yards of total offense. These numbers are ridiculous. If we’re allowing mediocre teams to join our conference, then why don’t we go ahead and call up Colgan or Pittsburg High? At least then the Gorillas wouldn’t have to drive two and a half hours to beat someone by 60 points.

But for now, all we can do is marvel at the decision to add these baby blue jungle animals to the conference.

As for me, I’m just spending a few nights a week sitting in my dorm room, wringing my hands together in excitement over the first time that the Gorillas take on the Blue Tigers.

One suggestion that I would like to extend to Lincoln: Maybe you would like to change your name to something that more exemplifies your results before you officially begin MIAA play. The Turquoise Turtles, perhaps?

Photos courtesy Jim Quist

Emporia State’s Julian Dozier blocks a field goal attempt by freshman kicker Jake Craig. This was the second week in a row that Craig attempted a game-winning kick.

On the other side Hornets sting Gorillas with blocked kick TYLER SMITH Sports Writer One week after freshman kicker Jake Craig sealed a Gorilla victory with a last-second field goal against Missouri Southern, he was called upon once more to kick a 53-yard field goal in an attempt to tie a game.

Only this time, it would be the Emporia sideline that would be celebrating a 17-14 win in Welch Stadium after overcoming a 14-point first-half deficit to squeak by the struggling Gorillas.

In what was expected to be a fast-paced, run-packed game, the Gorillas got off to a slow start.

After a few three-and-outs, red-shirt

see FOOTBALL page 3B

Pearson’s setting puts Pitt back on track JAKE FABER Sports Editor After five straight points to open the first game last night against Missouri Southern, the Pitt State volleyball team cruised to a 3-1 victory over the Lions as a part of the Sonic Miner’s Bowl Series.

Redshirt freshman setter Becca Pearson and freshman Katie Wright were the real playmakers for the Gorillas: They contributed an astounding 22 assists each, effectively keeping the Gorillas’ ball movement flowing.

The offense of the first game was paced by senior Molly Bergkamp, who had five kills to begin the match, and Corinne Stringer, who nailed the kill on a match point, which started the Gorillas off on the right foot and gave them the win.

Although the Lions were able to put 18 points on the board

Punter Jared Witter nails a punt inside the Emporia 5-yard line, which led to a safety by Nate Dreiling on the following drive.

freshman Nate Dreiling changed the tone of the game with a tackle inside of the Hornets’ end zone for a safety, giving the Gorillas a 2-point advantage early in the first quarter.

Later in the first half, quarterback Zac Dickey scrambled for a 29-yard touchdown, executing the option attack that the Gorillas are known for.

A sputter in the offense caused the following 2-point conversion to be unsuccessful, but the Gorillas still held an early 8-0 lead.

Dickey and the Gorillas were able to get their momentum going

Road trip Volleyball team goes 0-2 over weekend ALEX MOTT Sports Writer

Tiffany Moore/Collegio

Senior Molly Bergkamp hits an off net-shot at Missouri Southern State University on Wednesday night.

The Gorillas beat MSSU 3-1. during the first set, the Gorillas effectively dismantled Southern’s attack in the second set, winning easily at 25-11.

Southern’s primary attack was rumored to come from

see GAME page 3B

The Pittsburg State volleyball team came up short this weekend, adding two losses to their record. Friday afternoon, Pitt fell to No. 15 Emporia, in three sets with scores of 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17. Saturday evening’s game against No. 6 Washburn was also lost in three sets, with scores of 25-22, 25-21, and 25-16.

Both senior defensive specialist Cassie Wilson and redshirt freshman setter Becca Pearson agree with head coach Ibraheem Suberu that the team’s problem

Midnight (I’m Mad)ness To all the readers of the sports section, happy Homecoming week. The leaves are starting to fall, “The Grass is Greener on the Gorilla Side” buttons are appearing, and organizations are adding the final pomp to their floats, or tweaking some moves in Yell like Hell, while the football team prepares for a massive MIAA matchup. No matter who you are, homecoming always turns out to be one of the most memorable weeks of your college life. The only thing

that could make this time of year better is a little … basketball?

Tonight will mark the first time PSU Athletics starts this MICHAEL “new tradition” of Midnight Madness.

ADMIRE After Yell like Hell, Sports the football team Writer will lead the students in a reverse walk to John Lance Arena, where the basketball team will do skits and the cheerleaders will perform prior to the team taking the court for the first time in the 2010-11 season. This Midnight

Madness couldn’t be more out of place or awkward.

First off, the teams are doing skits in front of a group of people who aren’t even there to see them. I am all for new events, especially when they involve my first love, sports. But without even seeing this event, I can picture how poorly it will be received. Organizations don’t get a whole lot of love through the year and homecoming week is one of the few times they get to be in the spotlight. Right up until kickoff, organizations are the focus of the week. To add a basketball skit right in the middle of a long-running tradition and biggest event for organizations

is their inability to consistently score points.

“We just didn’t score enough points to win the match,” Suberu said. “We led a few times, but we didn’t consistently score points from start to finish.”

The Gorillas have faced this issue on and off throughout the past several matches. Focus has been put on bringing consistency to the team’s play and isolating certain aspects of its game. The focus will not change much this week, according to Pearson.

“We are basically beating ourselves because we aren’t doing what we have been trained to do,” Pearson said. “We are going to focus on what the other teams will see as our weaknesses and focus on ourselves.”

With no seriously technical errors and team morale high, the team’s frustration comes with the inability to score enough points to beat its opponent.

“Our point scoring is one of

see ROAD page 3B

all year just is wrong. Put the event next Monday before fall break when everyone is itching to get out-and-about before heading home for fall break, but come on, not in the middle of Yell like Hell. I know there are a lot of not only good people but great people who work in the Athletics Department. I do, however, think they really messed up by stepping on the toes of the organizations that work hard and put a lot of time into this one event. I also have talked to people involved in putting on the competition and there’s no one who is thrilled about the change in tradition.

The press release also mentioned doing a reverse walk, which is perfect because this whole event is extremely backwards.

This week is about alumni, organizations and, most important, football. To

see MADNESS page 3B

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

POLITICS

2

October 14, 2010

Pittsburg state hosts political debate WHITNEY SAPORITO Managing Editor Jobs, taxes and health care were three of the issues discussed by state legislative candidates during a Sunday, Oct. 10, political forum hosted by the Interfaith Alliance of Pittsburg at the Campus Ministries center.

Participants included candidates from the 2nd district, Republican Jeff Locke and incumbent Democrat Bob Grant. Julie Menghini, State Rep. for the 3rd district, also participated in the forum. Her opponent, Terry Calloway, did not attend.

When asked by moderator Mark Peterson, assistant professor in political science, what they would do to support PSU if elected, both Grant and Menghini agreed that not allowing any further cuts in educational funding was a priority.

“As the economy improves, I would like to see some of that funding increased,” Menghini said. “I think what we’re doing is we’re pricing an affordable education out of reach for some of our Kansas children.”

Grant said the state’s portion of funding for higher education has increasingly gone down over time.

“I hope we can increase funding for regents universities,” Grant said. “Kids we send through K-12 and then through higher education, they’re our

Yuyang Xiao/Collegio

Democrat Bob Grant talks during the Crawford County candidates public forum for the office of Kansas state legislator at United Methodist Campus Ministries on Sunday, Oct. 10. At right is moderator Mark Peterson. future, we damn well better take care of them.”

Locke said he supports the construction of a fine arts center at PSU. He says it is important to not be entirely dependent on government funding.

“We have to look at trying to keep the federal government from bailing us out all the time, because when we have that happen we have a lot less

autonomy,” Locke said.

When asked about the health care reform bill, Locke said government’s role was too large in that as well.

“I think it’s too big of a hammer to fix what’s wrong,” Locke said. “I believe the citizens of Kansas should have a right to vote on the health care

Obamamania wanes among college students WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obamamania that gripped college campuses two years ago is gone.

An Associated Press-mtvU poll found college students cooling in their support for President Barack Obama, a fresh sign of trouble for Democrats struggling to rekindle enthusiasm among many of these newest voters for the crucial midterm elections in three weeks.

Forty-four percent of students approve of the job Obama is doing as president, while 27 percent are unhappy with his stewardship, according to the survey conducted late last month. That’s a significant drop from the 60 percent who gave the president high marks in a May 2009 poll. Only 15 percent had a negative opinion back then.

Obama’s weaker performance on campus also underscores his party’s struggles to turn the 15 million first-time voters of 2008 - nearly one in eight of that year’s total - into a solid political army. Exit polls from 2008 show 55 percent of new voters were age 18 to 24, and those young first-timers strongly backed Obama and Democratic House candidates a potent bloc if Democrats could lure them back to the voting booth.

Hoping to rekindle campus enthusiasm, Obama planned to appear Thursday at a youth town hall being shown live on MTV, BET and other networks.

He also is to lead a rally Sunday at Ohio State

Debate in question: unplanned format leaves politician cautious WHITNEY SAPORITO Managing Editor

AP

President Barack Obama greets the audience before he speaks at George Washington University in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 12.

University, and in recent days he headlined a massive gathering at the University of Wisconsin and a webcast town hall at George Washington University.

Political scientists say many students are unhappy with Obama’s handling of the economy, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and failures to end the ban against gays serving openly in the military or to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. There’s also frustration with the messy political process and his inability to deliver on his campaign promise to change Washington.

The findings in the AP-mtvU poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 undergraduates age 18 to 24, come as students and others say political activity on campuses is way down from the levels of the 2008 presidential race. College Republicans and Democrats are still registering students and helping them vote with absentee ballots if needed. Minority students are positive by 58 percent to 13 percent margin, slightly worse than in May 2009. In both polls, about a quarter overall were neutral.

A flap at the Sept. 29 Student Government Association meeting has put a scheduled debate between State Rep. Julie Menghini and Republican candidate Terry Calloway in flux.

In a letter to the editor published in last week’s Collegio, Zach Sachs, president of the College Republicans, said he was informed that Menghini was reconsidering her participation in the debate unless given certain assurances.

“Basically what had happened was that she said she didn’t want to do a debate if Jeff Locke showed up, even in the audience,” said Sachs, junior in political science.

Sachs is referring to Republican candidate for the 2nd district, whose unplanned appearance at the SGA meeting resulted in a short debate between him and Menghini.

However, Menghini says the only assurances she has requested for the debate, which is sponsored by the College Republicans and Campus Democrats, is that it be neutral.

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freedom act, so that they could have had a way to hold back on this.”

Menghini said she believes there are both positive and negative aspects to the bill.

“I can see pretty clearly that being able to keep your students on your insurance until they are age 26 is a benefit,” Menghini said.

Grant says he has not actually read the entire bill.

“I guess the thing that really bothered me was the same people who are trying to pass it and put it down on us don’t want it themselves,” Grant said.

Peterson also asked the candidates about the benefits of the 1 percent increase in sales tax, which went into effect in July.

Menghini said voters in her district benefited from the increase because the added revenue saved jobs.

“When we pay in tax dollars, our area of the state remits money and we always get more money back than we give,” Menghini said. “That’s because we live in one of the poorest parts of the state.”

Locke called the tax increase a “desperate move.”

“This was the second-highest tax increase in Kansas history,” Locke said. “I believe we have government saying that it’s very important that they continue to exist, while the people find a way to pay the taxes.”

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“I generally like to know what the parameters are and they still haven’t responded with how the debate will be set up or who the moderator will be,” Menghini said.

She says in most political debates, participants are given information beforehand, such as who the moderator will be, the time allotted for rebuttals, and how questions will be selected.

“Clearly, the moderator can direct and have a great deal of influence on how the debate proceeds,” Menghini said. “I’m not looking for an edge, I’m only looking for an unbiased neutral moderator so that I have as good a chance as my opponent would have.“ Menghini says it was Locke’s surprise appearance at the SGA meeting that contributed to her concern about the debate.

“If you’re given parameters you should try to follow them,” Menghini said. “It made me concerned about what the parameters were going to be and if they were going to be followed when we’re in a debate-type setting.”

Sachs says he is still searching for a neutral moderator.

“I’m surprised she even wants to debate,” Sachs said. “I’m wel-

come to open debate, I just want people in politics to understand you have got to go up in front of people and answer to the public.”

Menghini says she plans to participate in the debate, so long as she is approached with the parameters beforehand.

“I don’t think it’s fair to the other PSU students or faculty who wanted to attend for me not to (participate),” Menghini said.

Sachs says he plans to approach Menghini after he finds a moderator.

“I want to put on a debate where the public has a voice,” Sachs said. “This is going to be an open debate to anyone.”

Sachs says that the event will be held with or without Menghini.

“Look, we’re rolling whether she decides to come or not,” Sachs said. “The College Republicans will still be hosting it. She has to either accept or decline and she has until the minute of the debate to decide.”

Menghini says she is waiting on the organizers before she makes her decision.

“I’m planning on it,” Menghini said. “I hope that they get back to me.”

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2B

October 14, 2010

pittstatebriefs Campus to observe Alcohol Awareness Week A number of events are planned on the PSU campus Oct. 14-20 to observe Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Be an everyday hero” and the events are designed to contain messages of personal responsibility as well as the importance of taking care of friends.

Activities begin on Thursday, Oct. 14, with a climbing wall set up from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Lindburg Plaza.

On Friday, students will be invited to play “Alcohol Jeopardy” for prizes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Overman Student Center.

On Saturday, Oct. 16, students will staff a drinking and driving awareness booth from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the east side of Brandenburg Stadium.

On Monday, Oct. 18, students are invited to participate in a jousting game from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Lindburg Plaza.

The Alcohol Jeopardy game returns on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 19-20, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Overman Student Center.

For more information, call J.T. Knoll at 2354062.

information, call Sarah Jensen at 785-969-8143 or go to www.colonialfox.org.

information, call Shalin Patel at 757-303-0104 or shalinbaba@gmail.com.

Spain study-abroad info session Friday

Intramural dodgeball, softball tournaments slated

International Programs and Services has scheduled informational sessions on studying abroad in Spain for 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in 203 Grubbs Hall and for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in 201 Whitesitt Hall. For more information, call International Programs and Services at 235-4221 or go to 118 Whitesitt Hall.

Intramural Sports is organizing a dodgeball tournament and a slow-pitch softball tournament.

Deadline for entries is Sunday, Oct. 24. A managers meeting is planned for Friday, Oct. 29, and matches are slated to begin on Monday, Nov. 1. For more information, call 240-6778 or intramurals@pittstate. edu.

College of Education student event Thursday

Impact of social media presentation Wednesday

The College of Education will hold a student appreciation event Thursday, Oct. 14 at the South entrance to Hughes Hall. Free food will be provided.

The Southeast Kansas Human Resources Association has planned a social media workshop from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, in Memorial Auditorium. Registration costs $20 for Southeast Kansas Southeast Human Resources Association members and students, and $30 for non-members.

To register or for more information, call Michele Sexton at 235-4188 or msexton@pittstate.edu.

Recital Thursday Gloria Britez Scolari and Irene Diaz Gill are scheduled to perform a viola and cello recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in the McCray Recital Hall.

Special guest Luis Reyes will play the piano.

Marchant to perform in faculty recital

Physical therapy students invited to conference

Susan Marchant, professor in the Department of Music at Pittsburg State University, will perform a faculty recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, in PSU’s McCray Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public. For information, contact the Department of Music at 620-235-4466.

The Central States American College of Sports Medicine Annual meeting is slated for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 21 and 22, in Lawrence. PSU prephysical therapy majors are invited to attend. For more information, e-mail Mike Leiker at mleiker@ pittstate.edu, Peter Chung at pchung@pittstate.edu, or Zac Snow at psuprept@gmail.com.

‘Back to the Future’ showing for Friday Flix

Henna tattoo stall open

The Colonial Fox theater has scheduled a showing of “Back to the Future” at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, as part of its Friday Flix series. A $3 donation is suggested. Concessions will be available. For more

The Indian Student Association will have a henna tattoo stall in The Oval from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 14 and 15. For more

Speed dating Wednesday, Thursday The Marketing Association has scheduled Date & Dash for 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 27 and 28, in the U-Club of the Overman Student Center. There is a $5 charge to participate. Food will be provided. For more information, e-mail marketingassociation@ymail.com.

Communication Department alumnus speaker on Friday The Department of Communication has planned for PSU alumnus Toby Cook to speak at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in the Grubbs Hall studio theater. For more information, call Debbie Sullins at 235-4716 or dlsullin@pittstate.edu.

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Zumbathon Friday The PSU student chapter of the International Interior Design Association has scheduled Zumbathon for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in the Student Recreation Center. Registration is $7. For more information, call 704-9369 or 913-269-4014.

Homecoming activities Yell Like Hell is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at Carnie Smith Stadium. The Crimson and Gold dinner in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom of the Overman Student Center is scheduled for 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, and Opera Scenes in McCray Hall is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. the same day. For tickets to the Crimson and Gold dinner, contact Alumni and Constituent Relations. The homecoming parade is slated for 9 a.m. in downtown Pittsburg and GorillaFest at 11 a.m. in Area 51 of Gorilla Village, on Saturday, Oct. 16. The PSU vs. Washburn football game is planned for 2 p.m. at Carnie Smith Stadium.

5K and 10K run Saturday The PSU Rotary Club has planned a 5K and 10K run at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, in front of the Weede gymnasium. To register, go to pittsburgrotaryclub.org. The proceeds go to PSU scholarships.

For more information, call 687-2452.

Organizations accepting allocations applications Organizations looking for money are invited to apply for allocations. Those interested must sign up to attend a mandatory information session by Friday, Oct. 15. Sessions are at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in the Prairie Room of the Overman Student Center; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the Inaugural Room of the Overman Student Center; and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, in the Sunflower room of the Overman Student Center. For more information, call the Student Government Association Office at 235-4810.

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3

October 14, 2010

■PHELPS from page 1 Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) near Topeka is being sued by Albert Snyder for picketing at the funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder. In the original ruling, the Snyder family received a $5 million settlement against the WBC. In an appeals court, the original ruling was overturned because the court ruled Phelps and his church were covered under the First Amendment. The case has now reached the Supreme Court. “I love it,� said Shirley Phelps-Roper, spokesperson for the WBC in a telephone interview. “I just love it. This lawsuit has one function: to put the word of God before the whole world.�

Connor Callahan, freshman in music education, encountered the WBC during a protest at his high school, where an openly homosexual boy had been elected prom king. Callahan says he felt disgust and hate in the beginning of the encounter but his feelings changed into peace because of a peaceful counter-protest his community organized as a response. “(The protest) was right after school, so we had about 500 kids from our high school and community start a peaceful anti-protest where we sang the national anthem, had chants that talked about supporting open gays,�

Callahan said. “Most importantly, we had a fundraiser that raised money for AIDS research.

Every minute that the Phelpses were there we raised X amount of dollars for a cause they hate, AIDS research. We ended up raising somewhere between $2,000-$3,000. The only way to beat this group is to show them what love is and that people and God love everyone.�

Callahan says that he supports

the right to freedom of speech but that there should be rules to where people can protest. “I do believe they can protest if they want, but, and but is a key word, I also believe in letting families grieve and celebrate life in peace,� Callahan said. “I think the decision should be to allow Phelps to protest, not on church or graveyard grounds, but only on other public grounds while still being a quarter mile from the ceremony. I also think he should only be able to do it up until 30 minutes before the entire ceremony starts and 30 minutes after the whole ceremony is finished so that the family can be in peace and can leave if so desired.�

Megan Phelps-Roper, graduate of Washburn University in Topeka and member of the WBC said in a telephone interview that the media have “the worst facts possible� about the protest that started the lawsuit. “We were more than a thousand feet away from that funeral,� said Megan PhelpsRoper. “There were buildings between the funeral and us. And counter-protesters.�

Megan Phelps-Roper says that the seven-person protest was on a public sidewalk, and that their signs reflected issues of public interest. “If this judgment stands, then the First Amendment is meaningless,� Megan Phelps-Roper said, speaking of the previous court ruling.

Kristen Bowman, freshman in business administration, says she believes that the Supreme Court should rule against Phelps’ actions completely. “Phelps thinks that it is freedom of speech, but I believe it’s a hate crime,� Bowman said.

■PINK from page 1 “What he is doing is harmful to people and he’s out there to put people down.�

In a statement after the Supreme Court hearing, Margie Phelps, daughter of Phelps and lawyer for the case, says that the soldiers’ deaths are the payment for the sins of the people of the United States. “When you have a public funeral and you broadcast to the nation that that dead soldier is a hero and that God is blessing America, we will be there and tell you that God is cursing America,� Phelps said. “If you want that to stop, stop sinning.�

Rachael Osborn, freshman in math education, says she believes that the Westboro Baptist Church does not represent true Christians, and that the Supreme Court should rule against Phelps. “I feel that he is an extremist who misrepresents the Christian name,� Osborn said. “His radical ideas conflict with values in the Bible. He should have the right to voice his opinion, but I think that picketing at soldiers’ funerals is going too far. Funerals should be kept as sacred events for the family and friends of the soldier.�

In a CNN interview, Snyder acknowledged that the Phelpses may have had a right to protest, but the protest caused personal damage. “It might not have been illegal, but it did cause emotional stress and emotional damage,�

Snyder said. “You have to look at this as tort law, too.�

In the end, the case is a matter of right to privacy against freedom of speech that can affect the families of soldiers across the nation. The Supreme Court is still reviewing the matter and a verdict has yet to be given.

“We are doing it for women’s health awareness and wanted to show breast cancer awareness,�

Meneely said. “It was really easy.

We just got a hold of the main person, told them what we wanted to do. It only took about a week to get the lights changed.�

Via Christi Cancer Center is working with the Pittsburg Cosmetology School to raise money for materials that patients might need while undergoing treatments. The cosmetology students are going to places around the Pittsburg area and offering pink hair extensions, one for $3 or two for $5. One dollar out of every extension goes to Via Christi to help provide gas cards for out-oftown patients, as well as coupons for nutritional supplements, and gift cards for Ron’s IGA and Wal-Mart. Items like these help

patients who may not be able to work during their treatment and to help ease the burdens on patients’ families.

Pittsburg Cosmetology lead instructor Fawn Lallemand says this not only helps the cancer patients through donations, but helps her students as well. “It’s to show the girls how to understand how to deal with people with illness and to get their names out in the community,� Lallemand said. “We did over 200 extensions the first day, and hope to do a lot more.�

The school plans to offer the extensions at various locations throughout Pittsburg, including PSU. Interested parties can also call 231-4497 to make an appointment. “We have done breast cancer awareness activities for several

years and have always celebrated the different cancer recognitions, and we just continue that tradition,� said Lisa Lovell, Via Christi Hospital coordinator. “The breast cancer awareness is by far the most well-known. Everyone knows somebody who has been affected by it.�

Lovell has helped organize a candlelight vigil with Early Detection Works, the pink extensions with Pittsburg Cosmetology, and she gives out pink bracelets and ink pens, and also played a part in the awareness efforts at the Sweet Design Cakery, on 311 N. Broadway. The bakery donates $5 for every dozen of the breastshaped “Tasty ta-tas� cupcakes. “I just think it is a good cause and there are such fun events that we have scheduled, so people should get involved,� Lovell said.

â– SUICIDES from page 1

â– SLAIN

will say “Pittsburg State gives a damn� on one side and “It gets better� on the other.

Smith says the event is open to everyone. “It isn’t a gay rights issue, it’s a life issue,� Smith said. “It’s not about being gay or being straight, it’s about the recent suicides.�

Smith says the goal is raise at least $1,000 to split between the two organizations. He says he also hopes to raise awareness on campus. “Once you hear the number of suicides, it’s kind of ridiculous,�

Smith said. “For someone to go through something so dark, we just want to let people on campus know that we do care and we do give a damn.�

Laren Curry, sophomore in biology and president of PSU’s GayStraight Alliance, says LGBT suicide rates are two to three times higher than that of heterosexuals.

that the energy you push out onto the world is the energy you are going to receive later on.�

Setterstrom says Bird had become an entirely different person from when she first met him. “When I first met him, he seemed very dark,� Setterstrom said. “He talked about the loss of both of his parents and living with no running water or electricity.�

He was looking forward to applying for art jobs, says Setterstrom, and had a list of books he wanted to read. “He was so creative and inventive. He talked about making steam engines and magnetic engines,� said Setterstrom. “He had so many plans.�

He says that these numbers make events such as the vigil important. “With all the suicides that have been going on, it’s important for Pitt State to be aware of what’s going on with the LGBT community,� Curry said.

Curry says he is worried some students may think the event is out of their comfort zones. “I think it’s going to open some minds,� Curry said.

Although the GSA is not putting on the event, Curry said many members will likely attend.

Smith says the reason he and Woods chose to host the event without the help of an organization is that they want the event to seem open to everyone and not political in any way.

Woods says candles will be provided at the event. “The only thing you need to bring is yourself,� Woods said.

from page 1

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3B

October 14, 2010

■ GAME from page 1B

■ FOOTBALL from page 1B

Brita Vavao-Huggins, who had racked up a total 19 kills of off serves coming into last night’s match-up.

The Gorillas’ offense sputtered in the third set, as the Lions shifted the momentum in their favor with a 25-19 win. Although the score was close, the Lions dominated most of the contest, until a few scattered points by freshman blocker Lauren Brentlinger brought the score to 19.

But it would all be for naught as the Gorillas battled back to win the fourth set, snatching the victory and getting back on the winning track.

Although both teams came into the match, averaging close to the same number of kills, the Gorillas with 11.9 per set compared to Southern’s 12.7, the offense was dominated by the visiting team.

The overall offensive attack for the Gorillas was led by Stringer, who finished the match with a team-high 13 kills.

Stringer was followed by Brentlinger and Bergkamp, who contributed 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Leah Flynn also made a mark on offense, contributing 10 kills and 26 total hits.

Defensively, senior defensive specialist Cassie Wilson led the way with a team-high 19 digs, while Bergkamp was also a big part of the Gorillas defense with 15 digs and one block. Overall the Gorillas were stellar on defense with a team total of 67 digs and 12 blocks, but Pitt State really shined on offense.

With 57 total kills, compared 24 errors made by the opposing team, the Gorillas were finally able to finish strong, which is the one thing that coach Ibraheem Suberu has emphasized since the beginning of the conference season.

again with a 14-yard touchdown strike to wideout Gavin Lutman, heading into the locker room with a 14-0 advantage.

Head coach Tim Beck and the Gorillas emerged with a slightly slowpaced offense, and would be held scoreless for the rest of the game.

After two touchdown passes by the Hornets’ sophomore quarterback Tyler Eckenrode, the Gorillas watched as their 14-point lead slowly slipped from their grasp.

“I thought we played good the first half, and then we just lost focus in the second and that really cost us big time,” said freshman linebacker Nate Dreiling. “Our defense played well besides for a couple of plays where we just didn’t execute and finish. That’s all it took to lose the game.”

With his sack for a safety early on

Gorillas go up to block the ball against the Lions at Missouri Southern on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The Gorillas beat the Lions 3-1.

Andrew Dodson/ Collegio

■ ROAD from page 1B the biggest challenges,” Suberu said.

“Over all, from set to set, we are very competitive. We just aren’t able to score enough points.”

According to Wilson, this inability to score points is because the team hasn’t been able to put the ball down; offensive emphasis is the way to earn those points.

“We are going to focus a lot more in isolating hitters and hitting around the blocks,” Wilson said. “We are going to

go for our opponents’ weaknesses on defense and become more consistent.”

Finding that consistency has been a difficult task for the Gorillas. The team’s results have been scattered throughout the season. With such inconsistency, there is only one thing that the team can do.

Suberu says that the team is going to try to refocus by evaluating videotapes of its games over the course of the upcom-

ing week.

“This will allow for attackers to see what they don’t see in matches,” Suberu said. “Blocking and defense was really good this weekend. We just didn’t capitalize on those plays by scoring.”

Although the Gorillas plan to capitalize during their next matches, they will face another tough road match, this time against Southwest Baptist, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16.

■ MADNESS from page 1B add in basketball just throws off the balance in the world of sports.

Homecoming is football. Not football and basketball. None of the athletes or coaches involved with the football team will ever admit this is their week, too, but not basketball’s.

Before Yell like Hell, there is a pep rally honoring the fall sports and announcing the captains who speak about their season. Again, these are fall sports — not basketball.

Finally, before any readers get mad and write a letter to the editor complaining about my impatience again, read the entire article thoroughly. I’m not mad at the basketball

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team, I’m not hating on them, either.

I just think the timing of this potentially great event is way off. No one has an event to trick the basketball team into going over to a fraternity house to watch film, but before the team can watch film, they have to watch the brothers perform skits.

That sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Well, it is. Basketball doesn’t start until the end of November and I don’t want it to start in the middle of hearing the much-anticipated results. Yell like Hell is its own tradition, we don’t need a new one.

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and a total of 11 tackles, including four from behind the line of scrimmage, Dreiling had yet another solid performance. Chas Smith also contributed with nine tackles of his own.

Even with their mistakes, the Gorillas managed to hold on until the last few minutes, when they caused the Hornets to punt, putting themselves into a position to be tied up with a 53-yard field goal. When the Hornets’ Julian Dozier was able to get a hand on a very low kick by Craig, the Gorillas were sitting on the other side of a last-second victory.

PSU plays at home this week, where its team will take on Washburn for the annual Homecoming game.

The Gorillas will be looking for a measure of revenge against the Ichabods after being routed 55-3 on the road last year.

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4

October 14, 2010

Tactile tattoos

Expansion of student center may fall into master plan

The Indian Student Association has been gearing up for the Diwali festival, which will take place Nov. 7.

They’re funding the event in part by selling henna tattoos. The association has set up a table on the Oval, selling the bodyart between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., until Friday, Oct. 15.

“People can get any design,” said Anupam Thakur, graduate student in business administration. “We have a few prints to look through, or they can print their own design and we can create it for them.”

Henna tattoos are non-permanent and are created by staining the top layer of skin. The staining is done with a henna paste, in a process called mehndi. Henna tattoos date to the Bronze Age and have been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. Thakur says no special training is required to create henna tattoos; the artists simply look at the desired design and draw it onto the skin. The paste spreads, so the artists don’t have to be as precise and accurate as they

The university has a master plan to build new buildings and expand existing buildings, one of which is the Overman Student Center.

“Right now, the Student Government Association office and the Student activities council office are on one side of the building and the offices of professional staff on the other side. We do that because that’s what we have to work with,” said Jeff Steinmiller, director of the student center.

He says the expansion will group the offices together into one, high traffic location.

Therefore, the student activities offices would be highly visible for the campus population. Another area of expansion in the student center will include the Crimson and Gold Ballroom.

“We have a ballroom that has a capacity of 500 people and is a unique shape,” Steinmiller said. “We were looking at enlarging the ballroom and making it into a more uniform shape, as well as raising the ceiling. It will be similar to what you would see in a major hotel.”

Extra meeting spaces are in the plans for the expansion as well. Currently, there are several meeting spaces but the number of organizations on campus often makes find-

JEN RAINEY Collegio Reporter

would with permanent tattoos. Generally, the tattoos are brown, and fade in about two weeks. Thakur says the length of time a henna tattoo lasts is determined by where it is located on the body.

“If you get it on your hands it generally won’t last as long, because each time you wash your hands it wears off a little,” said Thakur. “If you get it done on a part of the body that isn’t usually exposed it generally will last for two weeks.”

Henna tattoos are very common in India. Thakur says hennas are worn during every wedding and that some believe that darker tattoos indicate a better relationship with future in-laws.

Members of the Indian Student Association have been pricing the henna tattoos between $5 and $30.

The association sells the henna tattoos every year to raise money for the Diwali festival, which is the association’s main event every year. The event will feature Indian food and entertainment, including Indian dancing.

There will also be a presentation on India for people to learn more about the country and cultures of India.

JEN RAINEY Collegio Reporter

Shalin Patel/Collegio

Menna Garedew, freshman in psychology, shows her henna tattoo on the Oval.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Thakur. “It’s open for all.”

ing meeting spaces for specific times and dates difficult.

“We have not been given rough estimates, but we’re talking a large sum of money. Anywhere from $5-$10 million probably,” Steinmiller said.

Steinmiller hopes that part of the funding will come from a donor. He says a portion of the current bonds may also cover the costs, but that the largest portion of the funds will come from student fees, since the student center is a student fee-funded building.

Last year was spent working with architects and discussing the master plan with students, staff and faculty. Steinmiller says employees of the student center are currently comparing their master plan with the university’s master plan. They’re looking into what the needs and priorities of the university are. The university is dealing with a number of other issues, including the construction of the performing arts center—another project that Steinmiller says is important to the university.

“It’s a project that I think people will get really excited about and should fall in line with the rest of the university master plan,” Steinmiller said. “I’m very excited about this project, but I’m also very excited about some of the other projects coming up, as well.”

E-graduation: Graduation application process goes online MADISON DENNIS Editor-in-chief Graduation now begins online.

Starting this semester, the graduation process will become entirely electronic, according to Janet Hoyer, assistant registrar for degree certification. Previously, undergraduates were mailed a letter that informed them that they were qualified to graduate in the upcoming semester and instructed them to go to the Registrar’s office to apply.

This letter is now an e-mail alert.

“This was available for graduate students in the past,”

said Hoyer. “But now we’ve opened it up to undergraduates as well.”

When students receive the email, they are instructed to do an online degree audit through their GUS account. At the end of the degree audit, there is an option to apply for graduation.

“Pretty much everything else is online, so this will be easy,” said Sarah Terrell, a business major who plans to graduate in the spring.

Moving this process to an online format is part of the university’s grand scheme.

“This process is part of the president’s initiative to go green,” said Hoyer. “We’re go-

ing electronic and eliminating the need for paper.”

Hoyer says that this makes it all the more important for students to check their GUS e-mail accounts; the university now uses these accounts for most contacts and notices.

For students who use their GUS account for more than school business, this can create a heavy flow of e-mail.

“I basically only use my GUS account, since so much stuff comes through it,” said Terrell.

As students begin to use the online graduation application, they also need to prepare for the Grad Finale, which takes place Oct. 27. Grad Finale gives grad-

uating students the opportunity to ask questions, learn what they need to complete for graduation, and take care of graduation business. Some of that business can be taken care of through the online graduation application process, said Hoyer.

“Once they click on ‘apply for graduation,’ they will go through some steps and identify their degree, their major, their diploma and diploma mailing address, and their hometown,” said Hoyer. “All that can be verified online.”

The benefits of the electronic process vs. the paper process are especially apparent when taken into account with a student’s

typically busy schedule.

“The students can go in anytime, on their own time, to review this,” Hoyer said. “They don’t have to come in during our eight-to-four hours.”

In addition, the application can be viewed and changed immediately, and as many times as necessary before Oct. 27.

Students can also check their e-mail more frequently than their mailbox.

But some students say they prefer to deal with paper and people rather than electronics.

“I understand why they’re doing this, but I have more faith that I’m getting what I need done when I’m working with a

person,” said Trent Holdings, a senior in biology.

Still, several key parts to the graduation process remain non-electronic because in some cases, face-to-face interaction is required. Students who had planned on graduating, but do not qualify, are also sent a notification. They are allowed to apply, but if their application is rejected, they are alerted and directed to the Registrar’s office.

“They’ll have to come into the office to see why they aren’t on track to graduate,” said Hoyer.

The deadline to register for graduation is Wednesday, Oct. 27, the date of Grad Finale.

PSU Band members compete in Hawaii Five-0 contest JEN RAINEY Collegio Reporter The PSU Pride of the Plains marching band recently competed for a chance to win $25,000 and national recognition in the CBS Hawaii Five-0 Marching Band Mania.

The competition is a promotional piece for the remake of Hawaii Five-0, a TV show that ran for 12 seasons from 1968, until 1980. The remake’s first episode premiered on Sept. 20.

The Pride of the Plains Marching Band competed against universities such as Yale, University of Hawaii and Notre Dame. The videos were online from Sept. 20 through Oct. 4, and fans could log on and vote for their favorite video and band. The winning band, The Mighty Sound of Maryland, was announced Monday, Oct. 11.

“With bands like Indiana and Notre Dame, we knew we weren’t going to win,” said Doug Whitten, band director and associate professor of music. “That wasn’t the point.

It was to gain awareness about our school through the contest. It was a little bit of a rally cry for some of the community members to get them involved.”

Whitten says CBS Sports notified him by e-mail in July regarding the contest. All competing bands had to submit a clip of their band performing the theme song for CBS’ Hawaii Five-0. They also had to be two minutes in length. Any band with a performance longer than two minutes risked being disqualified.

“The contest meant a lot of publicity for

Pride of the Plains Marching Band beats on buckets during the halftime show Saturday, Oct. 2, at Carnie Smith stadium.

Photos by Jodi Heflin

our band and the university,” said Tracey Fienen, junior in marketing. “Had we won, it would’ve also meant more money for the program to upgrade equipment.”

The Pride of the Plains band members say that although they didn’t win, they feel that their video shows more unity than a lot of the competing videos.

“Most of the bands didn’t march on their video,” said Aaron Shockley, senior in music education. “They just had a studio recording company come in and they just stood and played. We were one of the few bands that actually marched on the field with everybody, so it was nice.”

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Shockley says that even though they didn’t win, the contest helped spread the word about their marching band.

“Some people may not know about Pitt State and the area, because they’re from further away,” Shockley said. “This was an opportunity for them to see us online and it gave us a little more promotion.”

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October 14, 2010

(Silly) banded together: BRENNA CHRISTIAN Collegio Reporter The oddly shaped silicone rainbows on people’s wrists are more than a trend. Marketed as Silly Bandz, Crazy Bands, Goofy Bands, Zanybandz, and Stretchy Shapes, the colorful bracelets have spawned their own corporate and fan-built Twitters, Facebook pages, and websites. Vast array of shapes the wrist-bands are molded into have caused a number of people to consider them collectable, and a number of school superintendents to ban them.

So it’s no surprise to see a number of PSU students channeling their inner child in the form of brightly colored, fun-shaped silicone wrist-bands.

Mattie Benedict, freshman in nursing, is one of the craze’s many supporters.

“They are unique and cool,” Benedict said. “It’s different from any other bracelet.”

The new style is transforming rubber bracelets, to say the least.

They look normal while they’re on someone’s wrist; removed, however, they transform into a molded shape.

The wrist bands come in the form of everything from dinosaurs to musical instruments, and some companies even sell bands molded into familiar shapes and phrases from popular TV shows and songs.

“It’s mind-boggling, really,” Benedict said. “The way they transform and hold their shape is

just very unique.”

The bracelets, which can be found at any department store, vary in more ways than color and shape. Some glow in the dark, some are neon, some are coated in glitter. They’re never more than a few dollars for a pack, and despite their connections to popular culture, they’re completely viral: No marketing campaigns, no advertising. The demand for the bands spread by word of mouth.

“I got into them at the beginning of the summer,” Benedict said. “My 12-year-old sister had a bunch and I just took one. That’s how I got hooked.”

But some aren’t happy with the new fad. According to the Seattle Post, schools in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida and even

local Kansas schools are either banning or limiting the number of the bracelets a student can wear.

“My little sister goes to Colgan and is only allowed to wear three at a time,” Benedict said. “It’s stupid to ban them. I don’t see what the big deal is. They’re just bracelets.”

Rachael Bishop, sophomore in art, is also a fan of the colorful wrist-gear; she has about 15.

She says the fad is dorky, but that dorky is the new cool, and that she wears them to make a specific point.

“I wear them so I can be cooler than everyone else with my bad-ass bands,” Bishop said.

Although Bishop doesn’t wear her bands as often as she used to, she still managed to convert

Students react to wristband craze her boyfriend, Matt Porter, into a believer.

“They just started to irritate my skin,” Bishop said. “But my boyfriend wears his 24/7.”

Porter, who is also a sophomore in art, said he wears four Silly Bandz all the time: a turtle, a car, a plane and a snake.

“I started wearing them when my lovely girlfriend got them for me,” Porter said.

Porter says their popularity goes beyond the shapes and colors.

“I think students are wearing them as a way to hold on to their childhood,” Porter said. “People are too serious.”

Like Benedict, Porter also agrees that the Bandz shouldn’t be banned from schools.

“Unless it is a private school with a strict dress code, I just don’t see the point,” Porter said.

But not everyone is following the trend. Although she doesn’t hate the bracelets, Courtney Ferreira said she just doesn’t see the point.

“I just think they look cheap and trashy,” Ferreira said. “But I’m not a big bracelet-wearer anyway.”

Ferreira, senior in Spanish education, says the wrist-bands are just a trend, like a brand of clothing.

“People are followers,” Ferreira said. “I don’t know if it is immature but I think it is kind of adolescent. There is no point to them, like a watch, and they’re not pretty like a regular bracelet.”

New senate provides opportunity for unclassified employees JEN RAINEY Collegio Reporter A new senate will offer opportunities for unclassified employees to be represented in issues that concern them.

“At PSU we have three categories of employees,” said Michele Sexton, director of budget and human resource services. “We have classified (employees), what I call unclassified employees, and faculty employees, which are also unclassified employees.”

Sexton says that classified employees are employed through the Kansas Civil Service system. Their rules and regulations come from the state of Kansas.

Unclassified employees, which include faculty, are governed and employed

by the board of regents. Unclassified employees have the Faculty Senate, but not all unclassified employees fall into this category. The administrators and people not included in the Faculty Senate would be included in the new unclassified senate.

The Kansas Board of Regents has representation from certain groups on campus. Sexton says all universities in Kansas, except Pittsburg State and Fort Hays, have representation for their unclassified senates.

“The president asked me to lead the formation of the unclassified senate and what I asked for was a task force,” Sexton said.

The unclassified senate will include representatives from all divisions and

areas on campus. Task force members for the unclassified senate have already been decided. Besides Sexton, they include Misty Button, internal auditor, Vince Daino, director of campus recreation, Heather Eckstein, director of first year programs, Shawn Naccarato, director of planned giving, Matt Osterthun, coordinator of underwriting and listener relations for KRPS, Melinda Roelfs, director of admission, Howard W. Smith, dean of the college of technology and B.B. Stotts, director of continuing and graduate studies. Several meetings have been held already.

Various members of the Classified Senate and Faculty Senate have been giving the Unclassified Senate input on getting started. Members of the Faculty

Senate are scheduled to attend Friday’s meeting to provide their input.

The current goal of the senate is to come up with a constitution and bylaws.

Howard Smith, dean of the College of Education, and former liaison for the Classified Senate, has helped brainstorm issues to consider in drawing up the organization’s governing language. Sexton says the group is also working on getting enough people involved, so the group can determine how it wants representation to work, and to also see the group through their first elections.

“We have a draft we’re looking at.

Right now we’re waiting on a determination on which individuals and administrators will be excluded from our group,” Sexton said. “For example, anyone who

sits on the president’s council is not eligible to be on this group.”

Sexton says the task force members want to make sure that decisions can be voted for online, in case the turnout at meetings are too low. She says this will prevent issues from suffering under lack of participation. She says she doesn’t foresee the agenda for the unclassified senate to be as extensive as the Faculty Senate.

However, the organization will need good leaders to get the organization up and running and in turn, to keep it going.

“What I hope is that unclassified admin see this as an opportunity to become involved in the governance of the university and that we get some individuals with leadership skills to step in and become involved,” Sexton said.

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October 14, 2010

5

PSU support, resources needed

Editorials and columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Collegio as a whole.

Recent suicide should not be taken lightly What has happened lately in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community should not be taken lightly. This is a problem that has been going on for some time now, and because Laren of recent events, Curry has gained public attention.

Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi was one of several recent LGBT suicides related to bullying. There are many people in the LGBT community who try to take their own lives at some point in time, and I think this is due to an overwhelming amount of emotions that they are feeling.

When many people decide to take the brave step and express themselves fully, society has a tendency to shun those who do not fit into the generalized mold of how they should look, or how they should act.

I also believe that it makes it harder for people to be honest with themselves, to some extent.

I understand oh-too-well what the kids who tragically took their lives were feeling, because I have been in that position before and it is not an easy thing to overcome.

Although I did not succeed, the fact that these young men did is sad, and I wish that they would have been able to find some sort of resource to prevent this from happening, be it finding a social group or being able to receive counseling.

PSU should take this to heart and help confront discrimination head on by helping to make sure that everyone feels as though they fit in.

In order to serve the LGBT community on our campus, they should be provided with enough resources and support from the school. The support should be enough to make an impact on the LGBT people who already attend PSU and for those to come.

Ad & Business Manager Amy Spigarelli Bowyer 235-4816 Editor in Chief Madison Dennis 235-4901 Managing Editor Whitney Saporito 235-4815 Adviser Gerard Attoun 235-4809 Copy Editor Bartholomew Klick 235-4900 Design Manager Lauren White 235-4843

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Rutgers University students sign condolence cards Friday, Oct. 1, at Rutgers in New Brunswick, N.J., for the family of fellow student Tyler Clementi.

What our school really needs to see is that there are people around who may not be what they consider the gay stereotype to be like; these people are just as studious, talented and capable as everyone else.

They should not be singled out because of the gender, or lack of gender, of the person that they choose to have a relationship with.

If we could look at the quality of people based on how they treat others and take the labels

and throw them out the door, we could start to see a major shift in the way that people form bonds with their fellow students.

- Laren Curry, sophomore in sociology, Gay-Straight Alliance president

letters You want diversity?

I have kept it no secret that I am not particularly fond of Pittsburg State, but of all the issues about which I may complain, the diversity of this campus is not one of them. In fact, the diversity of this campus is the thing I enjoy the most.

With that in mind, there is no doubt I was taken aback when I picked up The Collegio last Thursday and read an opinion column about Pittsburg’s lack of diversity.

I was nearly knocked off my feet!

Just last week, I attended an international gathering at the UMCM, hosted by the students from Sri Lanka, where we sampled their homeland food and listened as they told us about their culture. This was by no means an isolated occurrence; I am not an expert on the international happenings of Pitt State, but it is a logical inference that similar gatherings are not uncommon.

My roommate this semester is from Brazil, and although I do not know the ex-

act numbers, there are at least half a dozen international students living on the same floor as me in Tanner Annex. That’s just on my floor. Go down to the lobby at any time of the day and you will find international students hanging out.

Go to Gibson Dining Hall at any time of the day and you will find international students enjoying a meal. Go to the student recreation center at any time of the day and you will find an abundance of international students working out.

Go to The Jungle on a Friday night and you will be overwhelmed with international students. They even enjoy a good Frat party here and there. That’s just international students! Frankly, if you miss the diversity on this campus you are walking around with your eyes closed.

Yes, a lot of Pitt State’s student body is white. Everyone can agree that this is not a bad thing at all, especially if you stop and think about it for just a nano-second.

We live in Kansas. South East Kansas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 88.5% of the nearly 3 million Kansas residents are white. In Crawford County, 92.9% are white, with none of our surrounding counties dropping below 90%.

You are going to see a lot of white people.

Yes, Pittsburg State wants to help students experience more of the world.

We have an award winning international program that has brought students from 37 different countries to little old Pittsburg, Kansas. 37! If that is not experiencing the world by staying in Pittsburg I don’t know what is.

Yes, racism is a fact of life that happens here in Pittsburg and everywhere else in the world.

I myself actually came from one of those predominantly white societies, and racism was not exactly something people tried to hide. Yeah, it happens, but is it a huge problem here in Pittsburg? I would

say not at all. The people of this university and the surrounding area are some of the kindest individuals you will ever meet. Not a day has gone by when someone does not hold a door open for me as I am on my way to class.

Sure, there are going to be a lot of white people around here, but even within the same race can you find an unlimited amount of differences from person to person. Some white people come from western Kansas, some from eastern Kansas, others from California. Diversity does not lie solely in the color of our skin, and I cannot help but feel that the article I read last week was completely focused on that one very small aspect of life.

If it’s diversity you want, it’s diversity you’ve got. You just have to open your eyes. If it’s a white minority you want, you came to the wrong damn school.

- Josh Hatch, sophomore in math education

international students.

Most find Pittsburg to be a very welcoming place and they are warmly asked into the homes of many residents and hosted on many occasions. Certainly, they find themselves “sticking out” in our community and sometimes are discriminated against, but their experience is very different from what Matt was talking about.

I won’t go into all the complications of why this is — after all, working with diversity is not simple. My point is this, the Office of Student Diversity, the International Programs and Services Office and the Tilford Group have worked hard to help the campus see that the easier part of cultural diversity may be the many international students on campus, but there is a much more difficult and maybe personal side that involves recognizing and

embracing domestic minorities.

Yes, it is similar. However, it is different.

Running Matt’s article with a picture of Indian students doing a cultural dance is very similar to illustrating it with a picture of a person with a physical disability, or a learning disability. All represent diversity, but Matt is speaking to a particular issue that is unique to domestic minority students at PSU. Certainly, you must have stock photos of events that the BSA has held.

Diversity is a very complicated and important subject for us in the United States today. To do it justice we must all strive to give respect to all the various aspects that make us a richer culture today—to see the richness of diversity and not just lump it together in a stew of difference.

- Chuck Olcese, Director of International Affairs

people who have been raised through foster care, in single-parent homes, divorced households, etc. There are traditional and non-traditional students within our classrooms, which has been even more evident since the decline in the economy.

Addressing race: Kansas, is 88.5% white. Missouri and Oklahoma are not much less than that. In order to correspond with Kansas, demographic statistics, PSU, which has 7,131 students, would only have to have around 900 nonwhite students. I believe that PSU probably achieves, if not surpasses that.

PSU also has professors and staff members of various backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, ethnicities, etc. For example, look at the diversity among the Kelce Business School’s faculty. With this said,

I believe that for a Midwestern university, PSU does a great job at implementing diversity; however, there is always room for improvement. I would hope that students, faculty, and staff at PSU, as well as Pittsburg and its surrounding communities, would see the beauty in what makes this country unique, its diversity.

Regardless of where we came from or what we believe, we can all be respectful of each other’s differences. With this, I hope to give this community the justice it deserves as well as to allow those who may be small-minded a chance to reevaluate their perceptions of others who are different than themselves, as well as the way they respond to those differences.

- Lauren Brogan, senior in elementary education

Diversity is more than color I want to comment on the opinion article regarding diversity at PSU by Matt Shortino in the recent Collegio.

First, I want to commend Matt for taking the time to write such an insightful article and to share his very unique experience as a white male raised in a predominantly white environment, and one who has chosen to embrace racial diversity as part of his education.

I know the things he says are certainly true and part of the struggle we all work with in a racially diverse country, and particularly in a predominantly white community that is Southeast Kansas.

Matt’s perspective is certainly one that not many in his position have encountered so personally. Thanks, Matt, for doing the work and taking the risks and sharing that with us all.

We all certainly have a long way to go

in understanding that people have very different experiences based on racial and ethnic differences, and we are richer when we seek to truly understand each other.

Secondly, I am concerned by the choice to have the article accompanied by a large picture from the International Student Association’s Food and Culture Fair from last spring. I understand that this might be a logical choice for many and obviously for the Collegio. After all, international students are part of our diversity here at PSU. However, I’d like to point out the diversity of diversity for you.

What Matt was addressing is something particular to domestic minority students at PSU, and probably most of the United States. International students face this on a certain scale, but the issues are very different for them. I know because I’ve spent my career working with and serving

Diversity is not only about race On behalf of those who were offended by the article that brought attention to the apparent lack of diversity at PSU and racism within this community, I would like to provide a different perspective.

I am a lifelong resident of Pittsburg; however, I am in no shape or form a bigot, nor are any of the people I associate with. I have been taught to respect people regardless of their backgrounds, cultures, race, or socioeconomic status.

Most people in the community are giving, caring people who will lend a hand to help others regardless of differences; however, I will acknowledge that there are those who are small-minded within this community.

Those small-minded people should not be the representation for all of us in

this community who respect differences among all people. The accusations based on the perception made by those affected by a few community members, actions are in no shape or form different than having the perception that all people from the Middle East are terrorists or have ill will towards America and its citizens. I would like to bring attention to what is TRULY diverse. Diversity is not only about race.

Diversity is variety.

When I look at PSU and its students, I see a diverse student population. There are people who come from Tulsa, Kansas City, Wichita, and other larger communities, to communities as small as less than one thousand citizens like St. Paul, KS. Some people come from urban communities, some from rural. There are also

thisweek’squestion “I think it is very important because its good for school spirit and it helps all the students get involved in the activities that take place.”

Scott Dalton, Senior in commercial graphics

How important do you think the homecoming tradition is?

“I think it’s pretty important because it gets the school together and the community together.”

Kevin Wellington, junior in psychology

“I think it’s fun and exciting and kinda important I guess for college.”

Carissa Fink, senior in family and consumer science

Photo Editor Aaron Anders 235-4900 Sports Editor Jake Faber 235-4821 Reporters Ashley Bailey Jacob Faber Sarah Poland Jen Rainey Tyler Smith Alex Mott Michael Admire Caitlin Taylor Brenna Christian 235-4821 Photographers Andrew Dodson Jodi Heflin Shalin Patel Hunter Peterson Yuyang Xiao 235-4843 Designers Brittany Frazier Rachel Murdock Zach Waggoner 235-4843 Ad Representatives Hilary Erbert Suzy Jecha Leah Mackey Mollie Thompson 235-4937 Web Editor Amber Youngers 235-4843 Circulation Manager Jeremy Elsworth 235-4843

To submit a guest column, letter or story idea, contact the Collegio: e-mail psucollegio@gmail.com phone 235-4901 address 210 Whitesitt Hall Letters and guest column submissions must be typed, double spaced and include the writer’s name, signature, address and phone number. Please limit letters to 300 words or less. Please limit guest columns to 600 words or less. Letters become the property of the Collegio and may be published in the newspaper’s online edition.

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5B

October 14, 2010

Concerns voiced at SGA WHITNEY SAPORITO Managing Editor Vidhi Kundalia, graduate student in technology, expressed concern about the relationship between American and International students at the Student Government Association meeting Wednesday night.

Kundalia, former president of the International Student Association, asked SGA members to help bridge the gap between students of different cultures.

“The most important thing is they feel they are not accepted as part of the family,” Kundalia said. “For us, you are international students.”

Kundalia said that when the International Student Association hosts events, the attendees are usually all international students.

“Can SGA support us to be one of you?” Kundalia asked.

“Can we make a diverse culture?”

Brandon Mills, SGA president, said he and other SGA members would try to help ISA gain publicity.

“I’ll personally show up to events and spread the word,” Mills said.

Kundalia said one way that SGA members could help is by signing up with the International Programs and Services office to become a Pitt Pal. She said that once signed up, students will be paired with an international student. She suggested that the students then at-

Aaron Anders/Collegio

Vidhi Kundalia asks SGA to help raise awareness for the inclusion of international students on campus. tend one another’s group events.

“It’s how we know each other’s culture better,” Kundalia said. “This is how we make friends.”

Mills said that SGA members would discuss co-hosting an event with ISA in the future.

SGA members also passed a resolution to recommend that PSU administration change the name of the Student Recreation Center to “The Jungle Gym.” Seven senators voted against the resolution.

Jacob Dvorak, senator, said he felt the name change was a bad idea.

“I really don’t think it’s necessary for us to push something

Running for the Son

that sounds so pre-school-ish,” Dvorak said. “We want to make sure that we’re taken seriously by our constituents and this doesn’t put us in that position.”

Tieg Tullis, senator who sponsored the resolution, said he realizes the name change probably will not happen.

“Obviously a 12-14 million dollar building is not going to be called “The Jungle Gym,” Tullis said. “I might have had something else up my sleeve by putting this out there.”

Tullis said by proposing the resolution he hoped to help SGA gain students’ interest.

“It is kind of a silly idea, but it may make a difference in the long run,” Tullis said.

Dvorak said there are better ways to get attention.

“We want to do things like help the international student that came in today, things that can make a change for a lot of people,” Dvorak said. “I agree this is something we can do to get people involved to try to get our name out there, but I disagree with this being the right way to do it.”

Eric Jones, treasurer, said allocations meetings for student organizations will be held next week. He said signup sheets are available in the SGA office.

SGA members also passed a resolution to update the allocations handbook.

There will be no SGA meeting next week because of fall break.

Evangelist Michael B. Wheeler, 60, runs across campus as a testament to his religion on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Wheeler says he runs to spread awareness about the importance of a drug-free lifestyle.

Shalin Patel/Collegio

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ROOMATE WANTED Female Roommate wanted 1/2 rent/bills. Fall only! 620704-4844.

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Make a Dfference Today You can make a difference today by working at Mosaic supporting individuals to live a quality life.

Mosaic is a Kansas wide organization that provides services to individuals with disabilities. Now accepting applications for a PartTime Human Resources technician. This position is 20 hrs. a week. Must have a H.S. Diploma or equivalent. Minimum two years work experience in office procedures. College coursework in business or personnel management is preferred. Must have a valid drivers license, drug free workplace, EOE. Apply in person at 2420 S. Rouse, Pittsburg or call Amanda Guy at 620-231-5990 for more information. A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

10-7 Solutions

6B

October 14, 2010

Above: Participants appreciate their works in the PSU Pitt Pals activity, Pumpkin Carving, at Dennis Hurt’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Hunt volunteered his home for the event and offered Halloween-themed food and beverages.

Left: Abby Olcese, a PSU PITT Pals volunteer, scoops out the pumpkin seeds at Pittsburg resident Dennis Hurt’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Photos by Yuyang Xiao

Jack o’ lanterning Pittsburg State University Pitt Pals program groups international students with American students to help the international students with their transition to American culture. Pitt Pals hosts several events throughout the year. They aim to incorporate American traditions and holidays with events to familiarize internation-

PSU Pitt Pals students Whitney Kraft and Xinnan Zhong carve a pumpkin together at Pittsburg resident Dennis Hurt’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

al students with American life.

Pitt Pals held a pumpkin carving event the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Pitt Pal member David Hunt’s residence. Registration was $ 4, and pumpkins were provided.

Approximately 50 international and American students showed up for the event.

Abby Olcese and Xiang Li carve a pumpkin together at Pittsburg resident, Dennis Hurt’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Participants record their efforts in the PSU PITT Pals activity, Pumpkin Carving at Pittsburg resident, Dennis Hurt’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

t e f f u B Yummy Sushi and Chinese Food LUNCH BUFFET $5.99 (Mon. - Fri.: 10:30 am -4:00 pm) Children 4-10 Years Old $3.99

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Saturday & Sunday ALL DAY BUFFET

$8.29 Children 4-10 Years Old $5.49

Carry Out Buffet Available

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MON. - THURS.: 10:30am - 10:00pm Fri. & Sat.: 10:30am - 10:30pm Sunday: 11:00am - 9:30pm

Tel.: 620-231-8838 Fax: 620-231-8839

101 W. 29th Street Pittsburg KS 66762

6

October 14, 2010

Pittsburg's haunt spots Ghosts of southeast Kansas up for review CAITLIN TAYLOR Collegio Reporter Recorded ghost sightings in Pittsburg go as far back as Dec. 10, 1885, when a house that existed between 7th and 8th streets was supposedly haunted.

The feisty spook in this house happened to vanish when the family living in the house moved on, but its legacy remains in a series of articles about haunted sites in Pittsburg, written by the former curator of the Leonard H. Axe Library’s Special Collections department, Gene Degruson.

Another house, this one at College and Jefferson in the 1960s, was reportedly haunted by a female ghost who sat on the landing between the first and second floors, sadly stitching away at a garment.

A house at the corner of College and Quincy supposedly lodged a male ghost, who lived on the top floor and was able to be seen only by women.

One of the more popular haunted places is a stretch of country road called “Devil’s Promenade,” which plays host to the Spook Light, located 14 miles west of Joplin, Mo. Known murderers and bootleggers used to live there. Supposedly, people driving slowly at night down

this road, would see a jack-o-lantern the fourth floor, but the people who light, traveling from west to east. reported that have passed away. Jones This light always stays near the road, says he had never heard the ghost and even in McCray Hall, but he scientists who has heard have visited stories about this site canher. not explain “I did this phenomhear that enon. at one time But the that an ormost comgan student monly known committed ghost in suicide, Pittsburg is and some the Lady of mischievous McCray Hall. students No one has hung a dumbeen able to my in effigy put a specific inside of the date on when louvers of sightings the old orbegan, but gan,” Jones many have said. “When speculated on the louvers who or what were opened it is. while playRussell L. ing, the forJones, interim mer organ chair of the Photo illustrations by Aaron Anders instructor Department was completely unnerved.” of Music, says that several people Jones says he’s not sure if the reported hearing strange noises on story is true, and at press time, no

Pumpkins and PSU ASHLEY BAILEY Collegio Reporter Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls.

Witches, Warlocks and wizards.

Ladybugs, Bumblebees and fairies. Halloween dates back to the 16th century, and was originally called All-HallowsEven (evening), the day before All-Hallows Day, and was later shortened in the 20th century to Hallowe’en.

The tradition’s Celtic roots reach back to the festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day. Samhain celebrates the end of the lighter half of the year and the beginning of the darker half. The ancient Celtics believed that the border between this world and the Otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits to pass through.

Betty Urich, owner of Broadway Productions, a costume and accessory shop located at 216 S. Broadway in Pittsburg, says she has had a lot of students already come in, but the last two or three

days before Halloween will be her busiest days.

“We have had a lot of foreign exchange students come get their costumes already,” Urich said.

“They are so fun and excited because in a lot of their countries, they don’t celebrate Halloween.”

Urich has been in the same building for 25 years and went from being an antique vintage clothing store to a costume shop because of the demand.

“We are open year round and sell and rent costumes to schools for plays and other themed parties that the university students go to,” she said. “Every year it seems to get bigger for us. We sell a lot more adult costumes anymore with being in a university town.”

Urich recommends coming in early for a wider selection.

Broadway Productions is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

One student says she hasn’t picked her costume yet, because she’s waiting for her friends to

decide.

“I don’t know. I’m waiting to see what other people pick because we might end up dressing up as a group or theme,” Michelle Pettit, freshman in biology, said.

Dallas Shalz, freshman in justice studies, says he is excited to wear his costume for the accessories.

“I’m being Dog the Bounty Hunter. He has a mullet. That’s about the only reason I picked him,” Shalz said.

The taunting is freshman Colton Leet’s costume goal.

“I’m being a scary clown because my girlfriend hates clowns, so I’m going to torture her,” Leet said.

Freshman Hannah Caplan and sophomore Kaitlin Tilley say it doesn’t matter where they go for Halloween, so long as they’re able to dress up and look cute.

Even if the holiday is on a back burner for now, PSU senior in justice studies Chris Sanders says he is ready to party.

documentation about this suicide has turned up.

There are two theories on the haunting of McCray. The first story claims that the spirit of a former teacher inhabits the building, returning to listen to the music he once taught and enjoyed.

The second story claims that there are two ghosts, one being that of a beloved teacher who died, and the other a despondent student of that teacher, who committed suicide because of her death.

It has been reported that music comes from the empty practice rooms, and a lady dressed in black has been seen.

There are two specific rooms where much of the activity circulates.

Room 307 of McCray is the organ room where music comes from, even when the organ is not being played.

The other room is room 318, where former custodian Steve Gideon reported that the chairs had been rearranged.

Jake Rasdall, former reporter for the Collegio, wrote an article May 6, 1999, of his experience in McCray.

Rasdall and two friends came to McCray at 10 p.m. and set up equipment in the hall for their own investigation.

Rasdall reported having only one

experience that happened on one of his cameras pointing into room 318.

It showed Rasdall and his friend Matt Peters, a sophomore at Wichita at the time, moving out of the way of the camera. Seconds later, the camera went black and recorded the black screen for about 60 seconds and came back to the empty classroom.

When Rasdall came back about 5 minutes later, he reviewed the camera and noticed that when the camera came back to the empty classroom, there was a blurred figure in the way.

Neither Rasdall nor his friends could explain this.

On Oct. 14, 2006, the Southeast Kansas Paranormal Investigation team came to investigate McCray.

During its investigations there were no experiences, and they concluded McCray was not haunted.

As it turns out, PSU is not the only school in Pittsburg to report haunting experiences.

Pittsburg Middle School has reported many different creepy things.

It is said that there used to be a piano up in the very top of the school that would play by itself.

More experiences are being reported each year, but no one has come up with hard evidence to support the claims of a haunting.

Students gear up for the scariest day of the year

Aaron Anders/Collegio

Scary mask set in the display at Broadway Productions located in downtown Pittsburg.