THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 • VOL. 123, ISS. 23
THESUNFLOWER.COM
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1896.
Health professions, fine arts deans talk student input on infrastructure proposal BY MATTHEW KELLY
Wichita State’s deans were tasked with generating infrastructure priorities for their respective colleges in preparation for a “student-driven” initiative to raise student fees by $6 a credit hour for the purpose of upgrading campus facilities. The proposal will be voted on by students in March, and although WSU is not required by law to respect the outcome of the referendum, the university’s infrastructure priorities list states that using student fees requires “serious student support.”
BIBB
MILLER
The proposed hike would allow the university to bond $38.5 million — $20 million of which would be allocated to the construction of the new business school. The rest would go toward other colleges’ priorities. There is no hard data available on
student input for the infrastructure priorities, Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall said. The Sunflower reached out to the deans of each academic college to ask how they used student input to set their infrastructure priorities. Health Professions Dean Sandra Bibb and Fine Arts Dean Rodney Miller responded. The top infrastructure priority for the College of Health Professions is relocating the dental hygiene program to an expanded oral health facility at the Hughes Metroplex — a project Bibb said has been in the
works since before she arrived at WSU in 2014. “The goal always was to move dental hygiene over there and build out the first floor into the parking lot,” Bibb said. “There was input from faculty and students and the department chair of dental hygiene at that time in designing that first floor.” Architects provided an estimate for the facility, and Bibb said the college planned to seek donor support for its funding. Then WSU’s infrastructure proposal came along and she saw an opportunity to
expedite the process. “It made sense then, when there was an opportunity to move [the new dental hygiene facility] forward with the possibility that we could have both donor support and then have it be part of this referendum, that we would have it at the top of the list,” Bibb said. Moving the dental hygiene program would free up space in Ahlberg Hall for a renovated advising and student services suite — the college’s other infrastructure priority.
SEE DEANS PAGE 2
blackhawk down SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
Provost Rick Muma answers questions about the proposed infrastructure student fee during the SGA meeting Wednesday in the RSC.
Student senators raise concerns over potential hike in student fees BY JOHN DARR
Representatives from the student steering committee for the “student-driven” campus infrastructure project and proposed increase to student fees — Hannah Foster, Gentry Thiesen, and Ashley Estes — presented to student senators during the open forum of Wednesday’s Student Government Association meeting. Most of the answers were either provided or clarified by Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall and Provost Rick Muma.
The student committee explained that the state of Kansas would not pay for the construction or maintenance of any building on campus, so the funding would come from increasing student fees. The proposed increase would be a $6 per credit hour increase, but the increase could initially start as low as $4 before gradually increasing. INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
SGA senators voiced a number of concerns during the presentation. SEE SGA PAGE 4
Kansas Army National Guard showcases helicopter before campus flyover SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
Above, a Blackhawk sits near Braeburn Square before a flyover performed by the Kansas Army National Guard. Right, a pilot’s helmet sits in the cockpit of a Blackhawk helicopter. Members of the Kansas Army National Guard flew Blackhawks over the Wichita State campus Wednesday morning.
Freshman Cavves drummer helps set the rhythm of Wichita BY RYAN CREWS
ELLA DOMINGUEZ/THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State freshman Jackson Relph is a drummer for The Cavves.
The Cavves have risen right alongside Wichita’s music scene. The band literally grew up with it. As the city entered its cultural renaissance, members of The Cavves were in Catholic high school writing their first songs. In 2016, they were finishing school. Tthey played their first 70 shows in dive bars and coffeeshops in the span of a single year. Pulling the essence of the city and channeling it into their music is something the band learned early on. In the
background of every show, channeling the precision of that pulse, was drummer Jackson Relph, now a freshman at WSU. Relph embodies the band’s passion and hometown pride to its core. Often regarded in jest as “the band’s 13 year-old drummer who just graduated eighth grade by front-runner Sophie Emerson, Relph is the youngest member of the band by a year. As the most youthful in a band that embodies the rowdiness of growing up, Relph holds a unique position in The Cavves. He feels like his age doesn’t hinder him.
Instead, he gleefully states that his bandmates see him like “the nerdy little brother” of the group. Relph’s musical journey started in middle school, when he got his first drum set from a fellow churchgoer. He started carrying sticks with him everywhere he went. As Relph puts it, “You never know when you’ll hear a sweet lick that you’ll want to learn immediately.” This habit stood out to Emerson, who was a sophomore in high school at the time.
SEE RELPH PAGE 3
Military student finds voice through service BY ANDREW LINNABARY
Riley Jones found his voice by shouting over roaring Humvee engines and giving reports to rooms full of high-ranking officers. Jones always had a weak voice growing up, he said. At 18, he joined the Air Force, where he worked as a radio operator. Now 25, Jones is in the Air National Guard — and less than a year away from completing his business management degree at Wichita State. A strengthened, confident public speaking voice came in
handy while chasing that degree. “I was and still am terrified [of public speaking],” Jones said. “It’s just I’m a little more effective at it.” He became more effective because of pressure. There’s a constant weight on your shoulders, Jones said, to perform well in front of your peers and superiors in the military. “It’s making you work a little bit harder on it because you’re wanting to do the best you can.” That extra work paid off. Jones joined the military as an “absolute couch potato,” he said.
He quickly learned that wouldn’t fly in the Air Force. “There’s very high physical standards — a lot of attention to detail,” Jones said. “I learned to roll my socks perfectly. Stuff like that.” And he quickly learned discipline. The motivation and drive he acquired through training and repetition are what stuck with him most, public speaking skills aside. “Having an attitude where you can’t quit, won’t quit — it puts that in your mind.” SEE JONES PAGE 3
COURTESY
Riley Jones leads a group of students and student veterans at the second annual Shocker Ruck event. The event aims to give insight into the life of veterans in a multitude of ways, including a 1.25 mile walk along Perimeter Road while wearing backpacks and other military equipment.
INSIDE
HIGH ASPIRATIONS
STREAK SNAPPED?
B-BALL PREDICTIONS
Marvel mastermind left mark on industry.
Tommy Newport says he’s bigger in Cali than in Kansas.
Shocker volleyball could miss out on winning 20-plus games for first time in 15 years.
Sunflower staffers give predictions for first game of Charleston Classic.
OPINION • PAGE 2
CULTURE • PAGE 3
SPORTS • PAGE 4
SPORTS • PAGE 4
RIP STAN LEE