The Sunflower i.122 v.5

THESUNFLOWER.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 • VOL. 122, ISS. 5

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1896.

Sexual battery reported at The Flats

‘WE ARE NOT BYSTANDERS’

MATT CROW/THE SUNFLOWER

By JENNA FARHAT

A sexual battery allegedly occurred at The Flats last Thursday evening, according to a university police report.

The University Police Department crime log describes the alleged offense as “unwanted physical attention from a male.”

The incident report said the alleged battery resulted in apparent minor injury.

The alleged offense did not appear on the university crime log until Sept. 5 — four days after the report was made.

UPD Captain Guy Schroeder attributed the delay to the holiday weekend. “The gal who updates it was off until Tuesday,” Schroeder said of the crime log.

The alleged sexual battery occurred between 6:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and was reported to police at 11:51 p.m. Aug. 31.

The Flats is a private apartment complex on Innovation Campus.

July 14, Wichita State announced it was moving about 300 students from university-owned Fairmount Towers to The Flats. Students moved into the complex Aug. 19.

State law defines sexual battery as “the touching of a victim who is not the spouse of the offender, who is 16 or more years of age and who does not consent thereto, with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of the offender or another.”

No arrest has been made in connection to the incident, and police said it is still under investigation.

BRIAN HAYES/THE SUNFLOWER

Above: Wichita State Students Karen Segura and Jaime Segura. Left: Tony Ibarra, mechanical engineering major. “#HereToStay” rally was held at the Historical County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon in support of young undocumented immigrants.

DACA student responds to uncertainty surrounding program’s future jobs. Recipients, often called Dreamers, can legally reside in the United States for ony Ibarra calls the United two years. After that, they can apply for a States home. renewal.

The Ibarra was born sophomore in Mexico. He was “US IMMIGRANTS WILL RISE just three years old mechanical engiABOVE THESE ADVERSITIES when his mother and neering major is one of nearly 800,000 AND SUCCEED. THAT’S WHAT grandmother took he Deferred Action for and his twin brother WE ARE HERE FOR.” Childhood Arrivals to the United States.

—TONY IBARRA (DACA) recipients “We don’t rememnationwide. ber anything at all The DACA profrom Mexico,” Ibarra gram, established in said. “We don’t know 2012, allows immigrants who arrived in the the roads. We don’t know the food. We US before the age of 16 and have lived here don’t know the people.” since at least June 2007, to legally enroll in college, attain driver’s licenses, and find SEE DACA • PAGE 4

By RAY STRUNK

T

Police Chief Sara Morris retires

By JENNA FARHAT

University Police Chief Sara Morris will retire Sept. 29, Wichita State announced Friday morning.

Morris is taking ten days off beginning Sept. 1, the day her retirement was announced. UPD Captain Guy Schroeder is filling in for Morris until she returns Sept.

11.

Other members of the university police department said they were informed of her plans to retire Aug. 31.

“She was just ready to retire,” Schroeder said of Morris. “She’s just got a lot on her plate. She’s ready to move on.”

Morris could not be reached for comment.

Morris was the first female police chief to serve at a Kansas Board of Regents school.

Morris became police chief in 2013 after former police chief Paul Dotson retired from the position.

Morris served as a captain in the university police department for eight years before being promoted to police chief. Prior to that, she spent 20 years with the Wichita Police Department, where she was the first female robbery/homicide detective, and the first officer promoted directly to homicide.

“She’s got a lot of things on her plate,” Schroeder said. “We all do these days, it seems like.”

SGA stands in solidarity with DACA students

By RAY STRUNK

The Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday night in support of students affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program at Wichita State and across the nation.

“This is just the first step,” said Student Body President Paige Hungate. “I encourage everybody to contact their representatives. I think that’s really the biggest thing we can do right now.”

Former Student Body President Joseph Shepard presented a series of amendments to the resolution.

The first recognized DACA students from Jamaica, Trinidad

and Tobago, and Nigeria.

“There is oftentimes a misconception that individuals who benefit from DACA are only Hispanic,” he said. “I believe that it’s vital that we educate the community and this campus that there are several populations who are benefitting.”

The second amendment called for SGA Organization Outreach Committee to work alongside Vice President of Diversity and Community Engagement, Marche Fleming-Randle to assess the need to establish a DACA Student Organization.

The third amendment called for SGA to consider using funds from the unallocated reserve account to

establish a book grant for DACA students at Wichita State.

“Many of us have to carry the burden of tuition but a lot of us are blessed with the opportunity to benefit from financial aid,” Shepard said. “That’s not the case for DACA students.”

“I believe that it is only right and that it is our civic duty and our moral obligation to at least look into whether or not we can use some of these funds to alleviate the burden of educational resources for these DACA students.”

In his last meeting with SGA, At-Large Sen. Alexander Vulgamore spoke in favor of the resolution.

“We are not lawmakers,” Vulgamore said. “What we can be is a voice, an advocate, a strong friend for the students that we represent. Right now, that is exactly what we have to be.”

“We all have political opinions, but we all also have compassion, love, and empathy. These are the tools we must use right now.”

Liberal Arts and Sciences Sen. Kenon Brinkley called on senators to continue their support through action.

“We as representatives have the responsibility to go out and do more,” Brinkley said. “I don’t want to see that we made this vote and nobody out there is actually doing anything.”

INSIDE

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

LOCAL MUSIC

CARTOON

BASEBALL

See what’s coming to the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Contagious Wednesday channels Wichita culture.

KU professor wears a bulletproof vest to class in response to concealed carry.

Former Shocker returns to Wichita.

CULTURE • PAGE 2

CULTURE • PAGE 2

OPINION • PAGE 3

SPORTS • PAGE 4

CULTURE

2 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 7, 2017

www.thesunflower.com

www.thesunflower.com

Contagious Wednesday breaks out at Roxy’s

THE STAFF EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Chance Swaim Managing Editor Jenna Farhat Culture Editor Marissa Campbell Sports Editor Matt Crow Opinion Editor Evan Pflugradt Copy Chief Matthew Kelly Design Editor Madeline Deabler Photo Editor Brian Hayes Online Editor Nicole Byrne

ADVISING

Faculty Adviser Amy DeVault

ADVERTISING

Advertising Manager Christian Yost

BUSINESS

Business Manager Linda Matney

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send letters to the editor to editor@thesunflower.com or submit at thesunflower.com. Please keep letters to 400 words or less. All letters are edited for clarity and length. Please include your name, WSU affiliation and a phone number for verification purposes.

Our Mission

DILLON CULLINAN COLUMNIST

Wichita is a boom town for new breweries, contemporary music, and sports fans looking to cling to a college team with national attention. That’s why Roxy’s Downtown felt like the perfect place for Contagious Wednesday to release their first album, “Trials.”

The Wichita-based band, formed in 2010 by Aaron Schoenhofer and Jared Wise, held a concert on Saturday to celebrate the achievement with family, friends, and fans. Roxy’s provided the drinks. Purple neon lights lit the stage, beer flowed like a college bar, and the band ran around like kids on Christmas morning.

The road to an original album was paved by a youth listening to the classics.

“When we started out, it was a lot of grunge,” Wise said.

“Nirvana, Alice in Chains, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and then we did some 80s covers.”

Wise said Contagious Wednesday finds inspiration in these bands and tries to blend it with their own sound.

“Jared grew up on Def Leopard,” Schoenhofer said. “I found Red Hot Chili Peppers and then worked my way to Ozzy Osbourne.

That’s where it started.”

Along with their drummer, Brandon Hasting, Wise and Schoenhofer beamed as copies of their album sold quickly at the door. In between signing albums, the band members passed out

TANAT MAICHAN/THE SUNFLOWER

Aaron Schoenhofer is the guitarist for Contagious Wednesday.

glow in the dark guitar picks with their logo.

Wise said that “Trials,” an acoustic outing named for the trials and tribulation of the past seven years, came from a personal place for the band. “’Trials” came out of a necessity really, because at one point, it was just me and Aaron and we were like, ‘What do we do now?’”

Wise said. “So, we decided to lay the groundwork for an acoustic album where the initial plan was just Aaron on guitar and me on vocals.”

“We were doing things we didn’t even think we were going to try — trying new techniques and instruments just to have new layers for the songs.”

After Sean Gross and Rylee Dulaney opened for the band, Contagious Wednesday burst onto the stage with a lively Def Leopard

The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learnig experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.

The Sunflower (published for use by WSU students, faculty and staff) is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. One copy may be taken for free. Additional copies must be purchased for $1 each. The Sunflower is also partially funded by the Student Government Association at WSU. The opinions expressed in The Sunflower editorials, columns, guest columns, reviews, advertisements, letters and editorial cartoons are not necessarily those of the staff, publications board, student body or university. The Sunflower reserves the right to edit or reject any submission. We also reserve the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

SUNFLOWER OFFICES Front Desk: 316-978-3640 Fax: 316-978-3778 ADVERTISING Christian Yost: 316-978-6906 admanager@thesunflower.com EDITORIAL Chance Swaim: 316-978-6905 editor@thesunflower.com ADVISER Amy DeVault: 316-978-6052 amy.devault@wichita.edu ---------ONLINE www.thesunflower.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/sunflowerwsu TWITTER @sunflowernews INSTAGRAM @thesunflowernews

CORRECTIONS

This space is reserved for corrections.

Spot an error? Call us at 316-978-6905.

CLASSIFIEDS The Sunflower will not knowingly publish advertising that is false or misleading. If you have a question about an ad or a classified, call the Wichita Better Business Bureau at 316-2633146.

Thinking Abortion?

Alternatives: Free Testing 265-0134

More classifieds can be found online at www.thesunflower.com/classifieds. Be seen in the classifieds by calling 316-978-6906.

said he is already looking toward the future.

“It has been a while since we’ve played live, so I think we’re ready to get some of that out of our system,” Schoenhofer said. “ [We want to] get some new fans and then we want to hit the studio again. This is our unplugged material, but we want to show people what we really want to play.”

Hayek and Gary Oldman, but even they look as if they’re cashing a check.

Combining these elements together in such a lackluster fashion makes the whole spectacle boring. That’s not to say there aren’t great films that thrive on the idea of movies as entertainment — look at this summer’s “Baby Driver” for a recent example — MOVIE CRITIC but those pictures are made with an intelligence and craftsmanship Some movies allow you to turn wholly lacking in “The Hitman’s your brain off and just enjoy the Bodyguard.” experience. Some movies require I admit, I cracked a smile during intense thought and critical more than one scene in the film, analysis for total comprehension. but my dominant emotion was Some movies attempt to do a bit boredom. I watched the bright, of both. neon clock tucked away in the There’s nothing inherently corner as much as the screen. I felt “wrong” with any type of movie, a complete disconnect between but some categories, especially myself and the internal lives of the former, lend themselves to the characters — a criticism that lower-quality films than others. seems a bit unfair when levied “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” fits at a film titled “The Hitman’s squarely into that first mold.

Bodyguard — but I felt the Starring Ryan Reynolds and disconnect.

Samuel L. What’s even “I CRACKED A SMILE DURING more frustrating Jackson as — you guessed it MORE THAN ONE SCENE IN is the screen— a bodyguard THE FILM, BUT MY DOMINANT play’s nod to and a hitman, greater creators EMOTION WAS BOREDOM.” (minor charthere’s a loose shell of a plot acters include centering on Kurosawa these two actors and Asimov, a as they riff and make fun of each Japanese film director and science other in a jaunt across Europe. fiction author, respectively), as Locations are blown up, people if the script itself is feigning an die, jokes are made, and almost intelligence it hasn’t earned. every action trope under the sun Everything is aptly constructed, is on display during its two-hour and the actors bring at least a running time. microscopic level of effort to their Mile-thick plot armor protects roles, but the whole production is our two heroes, as the accuracy as banal as its title. of bullets becomes a thing for I believe movie-goers have a lesser universes. An indiscrimsubconscious stereotype of critics inate Eastern European villain in their mind: snobbish, stuck-up, is hell-bent on a small slice of and unwilling to “have fun” at the world domination. Beautiful and movies while expecting too much. exotic locations are blown up for This is partially based in reality, the amusement of the audience. I but the idea of a critic being wondered what a movie about the unwilling to watch a movie for the local government trying to clean sheer enjoyment of it is countup the mess would look like. er-intuitive to the profession itself..

Nothing is new or even exeCritics criticize because they love cuted in a way that suggests a the form they’re critiquing. modicum of innovation within the How can the form live up to genre. Ryan Reynolds and Samuel its highest potential if a society L. Jackson are both on cruise condoesn’t hold it accountable for its trol here as well, with Reynolds errors? It’s not that I didn’t like recycling the same character he’s “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” just played his whole career while because it was “bad.” I’ve seen Jackson repeats profanities in such bad films before and I’ll see them a way as to evoke Julius from “Pulp again. I didn’t like it because I Fiction.” There’s two talented know movies are capable of so supporting actors as well in Salma much more.

MATT GARNER

CONTACT THE SUNFLOWER

----------

cover. Covers aside, the band went on to show some serious talent in performing their own songs.

Wise’s stage presence was engaging, and comfortable, especially considering the band got it’s start playing Metallica in bars.

The physical chemistry between Schoenhofer and Wise was unmistakable, infectious, and relaxing.

As for what’s next, Schoenhofer

Stuff blows up, people die, jokes are made, ‘Hitman’s Bodyguard’ misses mark

Legal

019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 134 Wichita, KS 67260-0134

TANAT MAICHAN/THE SUNFLOWER

Brannon steps on these pedals to create different sounds for the guitar.

COURTESY OF THE ULRICH ART MUSEUM

Ulrich Museum to premiere 3 exhibitions at Friday reception

By HANNAH TOBIAS

For Sally Frater, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Ulrich Museum of Art, an increased interest in art in Wichita provides reason to put together exhibitions that will capture the eyes, hearts and minds of anyone who visits.

“One of the things I firmly believe in is attempting to underscore the relevance of art in everyday life,” Frater said. “For people who are not that familiar with contemporary art, it can be intimidating. I’m interested in furthering the dialogue so that people can see the roles that art plays in their lives.”

To accomplish her goal, Frater has spent almost a year planning the exhibitions that will open in the Ulrich Museum on Friday.

These exhibitions include ‘Looking at The Overlooked,’ ‘The Slow Reckoning,’ and ‘Unmoored Geographies.’

‘Unmoored Geographies’ will be on view in the Beren Gallery from Friday to March 25, 2018 and in the Amsden Gallery from Saturday to Dec. 10.

Frater said she has selected works that have powerful messages and rich meaning.

“I curate the work that I do because I personally feel moved by it,” Frater said. “I think it’s the artists’ own thoughtfulness, their approach to current issues and response through their art that makes it so powerful.”

Several of the artists featured in the exhibitions will be coming to WSU for performances and artist talks.

Jennifer Lane, public relations and marketing manager at the Ulrich Museum, said she believes

IF YOU GO WHERE: CAC Theatre

WHAT: Performance by

Nathaniel Donnett: “I Can Show You Better Than I Can Tell You: Black Vernacular” 6:15 p.m. Tues.

Artist talk by Diedrick Brackens: “You Will Look Back On This and Smile” 6 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 12 Artist talk by Rodney McMillian: 6:15 p.m. Tues., Oct. 17 Artist talk by Jamal Cyrus: “Close To Home” 6:15 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 28

promoting these opportunities for public involvement is a significant part of the museum’s mission.

“Everything we do here should complement the art that we’re showing — that’s what we strive for,” Lane said. “All of the artists in these exhibitions are very well accomplished, and it’s a big deal that we continuously bring such established artists to Wichita.”

Frater said she hopes viewers will appreciate the depth of the upcoming exhibitions.

“I’ve personally found the pieces on display here to be engaging and dynamic,” Frater said.

“They have led me to reflect more deeply on a number of issues, and I’m hoping our visitors will be moved to do the same.”

The opening reception for the exhibitions will be held on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the museum.

The event is free, open to the public, and includes snacks and live music.

OPINION

www.thesunflower.com

|3

GET IT TOGETHER

Inconsistent student affairs leadership a problem for students

STAFF

EDITORIAL MADELINE DEABLER/THE SUNFLOWER

Concerning free expression and a bulletproof vest

In response to the new concealed carry campus policy at Kansas public universities, one professor at the University of Kansas is taking an extra measure to ensure he’s protected.

Kevin Willmott, a professor and film director, is teaching his college courses in a bulletproof vest.

His political statement encourages students not to forget the policy of keeping guns hidden and unseen, or “out of sight and thus out of mind” as Willmott said of the policy in guest commentary published in The Kansas City Star.

Willmott said he anticipates that handguns and ammunition have already become a student essential, much like a notebook, laptop and a backpack. “We cannot ask and they cannot tell,” he wrote, sharing his displeasure with the covert nature of the policy.

“Try to forget I’m wearing a bulletproof vest and I’ll try to forget that you could be packing a .44 Magnum,” Willmott said to his class at the start of the semester. His statement is a fair expression of his views, but will this yearlong stint he has planned be enough to get the point across?

Willmott has called out “the leadership in Topeka” because they “decided to encourage young people to secretly carry firearms on campus.” He said he hopes his actions and statements will discourage young, unlicensed individuals from discreetly carrying on campus.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7, 2017

EVAN PFLUDGRADT OPINION EDITOR

If Willmott wears the bulletproof vest though, isn’t he encouraging students to challenge his vest?

His image and mirroring statements mark a larger discussion than the policy warrants. He risks giving more attention to the policy than it otherwise would have carried. For some students, concealed carry is out of sight and, therefore, it’s likely out of their minds.

Willmott and others say we shouldn’t let the conversation on concealed carry die out and remain “out of sight, out of mind,” but their methods of disagreement challenge us to think solely on the subject of guns, and less on the heart of the issue — freedom of expression.

Willmott is not the first Kansas professor to publicly disagree with the new policy. Others too have taken action, elevating the concealed carry conversation.

Deborah Ballard-Reisch, a tenured communication’s professor in the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State,

resigned on July 1 — the day the policy went into effect.

In her resignation letter to WSU President John Bardo, BallardReisch wrote, “Clear, open, critical discussion cannot take place in an environment of threat and fear.”

“I can’t tell them (my students) that they are safe to claim their voices, their truths, when someone next to them, who might have a different view, may also have a gun.”

Ballard-Reisch is no longer with the university. She and like-minded individuals across the state fear a setting where free expression might be challenged. Open-minded conversations in a polarizing political climate could riddle a tragic episode for a classroom or professor.

Her reasoning for excusing herself from WSU, which was fueled partly by a home invasion in 2014 in which Ballard-Reisch and her son were pressured by gunpoint, is justified.

If someone fears a policy or cannot come to terms with the regulations of their employment, rightfully, they shouldn’t sit in silence.

With or without guns in the classrooms, we have freedom of expression. You and I, in spite of our fears, have to take the risk of having diplomatic, open-minded conversations here in classrooms at WSU. It is our responsibility as students and educators. We as an institution cannot grow otherwise.

Be willing to accept differences, risk disagreements and be open to free classroom expression.

Since April of 2015, Wichita anything but students their top State’s Division of Student Affairs priority. has been in almost constant In a July email to students upheaval. announcing his resignation from Look no further than the three the university, Lyston Skerritt, who vice presidents for student affairs worked in Student Involvement and the six Student Government before briefly serving as the advisors who have served since advisor for Student Government, then, to see that consistency in said, “We must refocus on the leadership is in short supply. students and be transparent about Student Affairs controls many our intent.” aspects of When the college former SGA adSOMETHING IS DRASTICALLY visor Christine experience – WRONG WHEN STUDENT from Student SchneikartInvolvement Luebbe AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS and Campus ARE INCENTIVIZED TO MAKE abruptly Recreation resigned from ANTHING BUT STUDENTS to Disability her position THEIR TOP PRIORITY. Services and after 23 years at Housing and Wichita State, Residence Life. members of Inconsistent SGA speculatleadership poses a problem for ed she had been forced out after students looking for familiar faces being pressured by the President’s to go to with their questions and Executive Team to censor SGA concerns. resolutions.

It’s Student Affairs leaders’ Consistency and security are job to get to know students so as key in Student Affairs, and it will to best advocate for them, not be to the benefit of students if students’ job to re-learn who’s in newly-named leaders like Student charge of what when leadership Government advisor Nancy Loosle seemingly changes by the month. and Associate VP for Student The revolving door of Student Affairs Aaron Austin are here to Affairs positions makes newly-apstay. pointed leaders painfully aware When leaders can settle into that they have a low margin of their positions without having error in their job performance. to worry about job security, they This ensures they stay on will be more likely to focus their their best, least-controversial attention fully on students. behavior, so as not to draw the For the sake of students and ire of higher-ups in university Student Affairs leaders alike, administration. let’s have some consistency, Something is drastically wrong transparency, and an end to the when Student Affairs profesfear of retaliation for prioritizing sionals are incentivized to make students.

Linnabary on his 2 months as SGA public relations director Journalism is grounded in fact, truth, and fairness.

Public relations is all about perceptions.

As one may guess, perceptions are not always true — not always fact.

I’ve been on both sides. This spring, I jumped ship from reporting and editing at The Sunflower newspaper, something I learned to love immediately, to take on the role of director of public relations for Wichita State’s Student Government Association, something I figured I’d love.

I did not love my time in SGA, nor did I like it. It was the worst two months of my college years.

I got to those worst months after coming down from my best months.

I began studying journalism in the spring of 2016, and started reporting for The Sunflower in February. The moment I saw my byline on a front page, I was hooked.

Journalism and The Sunflower provide opportunities to be creative, write, and put people’s voices and emotions on the page, to shed light on the good, bad — and odd — to be found on a living, breathing campus.

For a fledgling writer without an audience, my job as a journalist gave me a voice — it gave me readers.

I wrote like crazy, happy to pick up stories about students, events, crimes, what have you. I learned about reporting. I learned about writing. But what I liked most were the countless things I learned about this campus and its characters.

My first year with The Sunflower was the highlight of my collegiate experience. I made great friends.

I wrote good stories. I became managing editor, interned with The Wichita Eagle, won some cool awards — for awhile, I felt unstoppable. I heard great things from co-workers, instructors, community members, my parents. I felt good, like I was doing good.

I had finally found something I was good at, something that, while work, never really felt like work.

Then I applied to be editor-in-chief this spring, and I lost.

My ego couldn’t take it.

Up until that point, everything I’d worked and asked for in journalism had been handed to me. To be told I wasn’t good enough, someone was

ANDREW LINNABARY COLUMNIST

better, wasn’t something I could handle.

That’s when I went to Paige Hungate and the Student Government Association and applied to be the director of public relations.

I had written about Paige a couple of times in 2016, and had profiled her ticket, United We Stand, for the 2017 SGA elections. As a leader, I liked her.

Based on our relationship and her knowledge of my skillset, I saw an open door. Why not become the director of public relations? I did not get the leadership role I wanted at The Sunflower, so why not take this one? Documenting SGA had sparked an interest in the organization — a misguided interest in retrospect.

I talked to my best friends, highest-regarded instructors, and campus authorities. Their advice was mixed. Some said stick with what you enjoy, some said try something new.

If you know me, you know my indecisiveness will be the death of me. I applied for the job. I interviewed well and was offered the position, but I mulled it over until the last minute.

I still wasn’t sure.

Finally, I decided to talk about it with Chance Swaim, who beat me out for the editor-in-chief gig — hours before my confirmation. He said go for it, if I really wanted to try it, and gave me something to land on — if it didn’t work out, he’d let me back on staff at the paper.

So I did it.

Yes, I had no public relations experience.

I went in with the goal of cleaning up the image and perception of SGA, knowing I’d have my work

cut out for me. But a challenge like that excites me. Beating the odds is a thrill.

I did not beat the odds.

I went into the SGA meeting where I’d be voted upon by the senate with just a little bit of nervousness. I thought the senate would be inviting to me, given that most of them had never met me.

It took about five minutes for my excitement to extinguish, replaced with anxiety. Former SGA Vice President Taben Azad, who I’d written about a good number of times for The Sunflower, who heartily greeted me before the meeting, who I figured was a friend, took to the podium during public forum to denounce my nomination and encourage the senate to vote against me.

To be so casually thrown under the bus for the sake of “politics” was my first taste of SGA. That sour, sick-to-my-stomach feeling is what I remember the most from my time with the association.

I was about a week into the job when the SGA banquet incident hit. If you’re reading this, you probably know what happened, but for those who don’t: President Hungate’s parents and former Student Body President Joseph Shepard had an altercation at an end-of-year SGA banquet — meant to be a celebratory event.

Hungate’s parents were placed under criminal investigation for battery and anti-black, hate “fighting words.” The charges were eventually dropped, but not before any lingering hope or credence I had for PR and SGA was stamped out.

I got a message: “Why weren’t you at the banquet? They could have used you …” a senator said.

I was briefed on the situation. I felt sick. I was scared.

Then the aftershock: the crafted statements, the protests, the sit-ins, the live streams.

I felt fake. I had done no wrong other than being guilty by association.

I thought I’d get some relief through writing press releases.

I was wrong.

Dry, boring writing about covering your own ass doesn’t really

get the creative juices flowing. And things got off on the wrong foot from the start.

The first press release addressing the banquet situation was not penned by me, the person in charge of producing the releases.

Instead, it was a melting pot statement formed by President Hungate, the chief of operations, Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall, and Paige’s parents.

It sucked, was disingenuous, and made things worse. I didn’t write it. People — like a handful of SGA senators, who took to Facebook to call me out for my insensitivity and lack of tact — thought I did. I was pissed.

Though the subsequent releases were largely mine, and turned out okay, I was scared each time I wrote them, fearful that one small word, one little phrase, would shake the cage of an angry lion (that happened, but after I resigned from ‘white student government’).

I was never scared when I wrote for The Sunflower. I never worried about getting something wrong, because what I wrote was always backed by facts.

In public relations, abstract, vague thoughts and a lack of concrete evidence rule.

Though each press release had a different message or angle, it was all the same. I was re-treading the same phrasing, the same lifeless “Ra-ra, we’re all Shockers” and “Racism is bad, okay?” statements that mean nothing.

If you need a statement from Wichita State University Student Government Association to let you know racism is bad, that statement sure as hell isn’t going to change your opinion.

I began to feel like a man jumping through hoops. If I don’t do this, I’m brushing off the situation. But if I do this, it’s going to make Paige think I’ve turned on her.

The situation kicked me into a bout of depression, one fueled by the negativity surrounding my position, the stress I felt in handling it, and the sick feeling I felt each time I saw my Sunflower friends on the other side of the protest, seeking the truth, taking pictures, asking questions — streaming me.

One thing I learned — it’s not so easy to answer angry questions on a live stream. Also, protesters don’t like being offered pizza — let them take it themselves. Duly noted.

Sure, the job wasn’t for me, but there are some not-completely-bad memories.

The morning after the incident, before the sit-in occurred, protesters stormed the SGA office, live streaming as they demanded to talk to Hungate.

Vice President Breck Towner and I hid out in my office, backs against the wall, listening to the protesters go at Vice President of Student Affairs Teri Hall’s throat.

We laughed at our predicament and cowardice. We watched the livestream of the disaster one room over. It was surreal.

The protesters were acting as if we were a real governmental body with real power, and as if the unfortunate event that had unfolded the night before was a reflection of us as a student government cabinet.

Then and there, Breck and I were just two 20-something goofballs, scared shitless by a situation out of our control.

After the protesters left, we slipped out the back of the RSC to Towner’s fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, where we game-planned how to handle the situation. Towner, sure Paige would be forced to resign, contemplated the presidency. I contemplated quitting.

I figured I’d wait until the situation settled down to resign, hopeful that I’d still have a place at The Sunflower. So, after things had blown over and the protesters’ signs were removed from the SGA office walls, I quit. SGA found a fitting replacement in Bailey Minor, who is much more stoic and cut out for the job than I was.

Sure, the job wasn’t for me. It sucked, and I regret it, but now I know.

I’ve seen two sides of protests.

One side had me observing, inquiring, taking notes, seeking truth, and documenting the experience.

The other made me never want to walk on campus again because of something I didn’t do.

I prefer the reporter side. Thanks for having me back, Sunflower.

SPORTS

4 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 7, 2017

www.thesunflower.com

FEELIN‘ THE

FANTASY

By BRIAN HAYES

By MATT CROW

Picking seventh overall in a fantasy draft is a little lower than I’m used to — all the big names like David Johnson or Antonio Brown are off the board.

I took quarterback Jay Ajayi from the Miami Dolphins, who finished the season strong last year with Ryan Tannehill out for the season. He should get more snaps than a fresh-out-ofretirement Jay Cutler.

MATT’S PICKS

Wichita Lineman • QB-Aaron

Rodgers Nelson • WR-Keenan Allen • RB- Jay Ajayi • RB- Marshawn Lynch • TE-Rob Gronkowski • FLEX/WR-Larry Fitzgerald • K-Cairo Santos • DEF-Kansas City • WR-Jordy

In the second round, Dez Bryant was still on the board, but I took Jordy Nelson — no offence to Dak Prescott, but Aaron Rodger passing game gives you a higher upside.

By the third round, Rob Gronkowski still hadn’t been picked. For the record, there are only two tight ends worth taking in the first eight rounds — Gronk and Travis Kelce.

I’ve seen both go in the first and second rounds in previous drafts. Third is a steal.

Then I took the top quarterback in the league, Aaron Rodgers. I wouldn’t normally take a quarterback high, but if Rodgers or Brady are available, they’re hard to pass up. I think it’s worth picking one of them over a mediocre running back or wide receiver — especially in a league that rewards quarterbacks for extra passing.

In the end, I might have spread myself a little thin, but I prefer not to put all my eggs in one basket.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Sunflower editors give their picks for the 2017 season

six-game suspension, so his playing time may be in question.

And with the 56th pick in the He’s already eligible for play in 2017, Sunflower Fantasy Football this week’s game, and I expect the draft, Lambeau Leap selects Kirk suspension to be pushed back Cousins, quarterback for the even more as the court requests Washington Redskins. more time to evaluate the evidence NFL football in Elliott’s case, which kicks off Thursday questions whether or EVAN’S PICKS when the Kansas not he is in violation Lambeau Leap City Chiefs face of the NFL’s personal off against the conduct policy amidst • QB-Kirk Cousins reigning Super Bowl accusations of domestic • WR-Dez Bryant Champion New violence. If the court • WR-DeAndre Hopkins England Patriots adds more time to the • RB-Le’Veon Bell in Foxborough. case, Elliott’s suspen• RB-Ezekiel Elliott Football season sion will further be • TE-Martellus Bennett means fantasy pushed back, or even • FLEW/Tyreek Hill football — The possibly lifted.

• K-Sebastian Janikowski Sunflower has The gamble on • DEF-New England invited staffers to Elliott might have compete with one another for already paid off. bragging rights.

In past years, wideouts have At the helm for my team, been key, but don’t pass up top-tier Lambeau Leap, I have Kirk running backs in the early rounds.

Cousins airing out deep passes.

Wideouts like Tyreek Hill should Cap’n Kirk isn’t the legend Tom stay available in later rounds, so Brady is. He’s not the same MVP don’t be afraid to wait this one out.

Aaron Rodgers is. But in fantasy If you’re in search of advice for football, he ranks right at the top, this season of fantasy football, try and in the eighth round, he’s an this: pick winners. Don’t reach absolute steal. for Todd Gurley, who may be one This year, I’m not fooling of the best running backs in the around. I’m taking chances and league on one of the worst teams I’m sticking with players who have in football. Stay away from teams proven their skills for years on end. that are going to take a beating.

As the second pick in the draft, Sure, Isaiah Crowell can split it’s hard to pass on Le’Veon Bell. through defenses, but the Browns In short-yard situations, there’s will likely spend the majority of nobody better. In the second their games trailing by more than round, I took a risk with Ezekiel 10 points. I’m steering clear of Elliott, the reckless second-year teams like the 49ers, Jets, Jaguars, Dallas running back.

Colts, Bears, and others that are in The NFL and commissioner line to finish at the bottom of their Roger Goodell aren’t anywhere division. close to closing the case on Elliott’s You should do the same.

By EVAN PFLUGRADT

This was supposed to be the first year since 2011 that I wasn’t going to play fantasy football. I was going to be able to watch my team, the Baltimore Ravens, and not root for an opposing receiver to rack up yards without leading their team to victory.

Oh, it felt great. No last minute adds off the waiver to save my lineup from being just destroyed.

No more reading articles telling me who to sit, start or drop.

“Do you wanna join my fantasy football league?”

I wasn’t actively seeking out a league to join. I had resigned myself to the idea of just being a fan. But, being competitive I wasn’t going to say no when asked.

BRIAN’S PICKS

The Salami Pirates • QB-Tom

Brady Cooks • WR-Amari Cooper • RB-Kareem Hunt • TE-Zach Ertz • K-Justin Tucker • DEF-Baltimore • WR-Brandon

With my enthusiasm for the game at a new low, I did no research as to who is hot and poised to have a stellar year. I didn’t give a damn about sleepers or great gets in the later rounds.

I lucked out and got the first overall pick of the draft, choosing David Johnson. I opted out of Le’veon Bell and Antonio Brown because I didn’t want to feel so conflicted when they undoubtedly obliterate my beloved Ravens twice a season.

I continued to pick the highest ranked players for each position I needed to fill. I tended to lean towards players I had at least seen on the field.

Towards the later rounds, after I had filled my lineup and got a couple skill positions on my bench, it became a mad dash to grab the shiniest turd left in the pile.

Will I do good this season?

Who cares. I hope I win just so I can talk crap to my friends.

DACA

FROM PAGE 1

Ibarra said he didn’t know it at the time, but his family was trying to escape severe poverty.

His mother saw a brighter future for her sons in the United States.

“To be an American, it means the world,” Ibarra said. “It means you’re allowed to do the impossible.”

“My dream is to build highways across this great nation, to build stadiums, dams,” Ibarra said.

“One day, my brother and I will open up our own engineering firm.”

Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Trump administration’s plan to terminate DACA. No new applicants will be considered and current recipients have until Oct. 5 to apply for a two-year renewal.

“I was heartbroken,” Ibarra said.

Ibarra said he felt betrayed.

“You just can’t send young people who were raised here for the majority of their lives back to some unfamiliar territory,” he said. “It’s just not ethical. The moral code is not present. What Attorney General Jeff Sessions and President Trump showed is pure cowardice.”

“These [DACA] recipients are going to be our future lawyers, surgeons, engineers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, first responders,” Ibarra said.

Ibarra said he doesn’t plan to take the news sitting down — he wants to be proactive.

“I want you all to call your representatives, your senators.

Call for action,” Ibarra said. “We are not bystanders.”

Ibarra is no stranger to adversity. He said he realized early on that the odds have been stacked against him.

“I went to high school and that’s when the challenges really started rushing at me,” he said.

Ibarra dreamt of attending college but he knew that his family’s finances wouldn’t allow for it, unless he found scholarships.

“Being a DACA recipient, I could not apply for scholarships that many other people can,” he said. “I was heartbroken. . . frustrated that this government did not allow us the opportunity that they so promised.”

Then, Ibarra was introduced to the Kansas Hispanic Education & Development Foundation (KHEDF) which aims to provide educational opportunities to students like Ibarra.

“That was the light of hope at the end of the tunnel,” Ibarra said.

Help from the KHEDF allowed Ibarra, the saludatorian of his class at Wichita West High, to enroll at Wichita State.

Ibarra said that when he became a Shocker, his big dreams that once seemed unattainable felt perfectly within reach.

He said he now feels that he has control of his future, and, with the support of the community, he plans to make the best of it.

“The community has shown some strong support and I hope this continues,” Ibarra said.

Although the status of DACA remains in limbo, Ibarra said he, and others like him, will not give up hope.

“Us immigrants will rise above these adversities and succeed,” Ibarra said. “That’s what we are here for.”

“Our resilience today and from here on out is going to be judged by the comeback from our weakest point to our highest point,” Ibarra said. “We are going to come back stronger than ever.”

Wingnuts player knows Wichita State, AAC baseball

By ALIYAH FUNSCHELLE

SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita Wingnuts player Wesley Phillips fields the ball during the game against the Salina Stockades. Phillips played baseball at Wichita State in 2014 before transferring to another Cisco College in Texas.

Wesley Phillips, an infielder for the Wichita Wingnuts, has had a taste of both Wichita State baseball and playing in the American Athletic Conference.

After graduating from Maize South in 2013, Phillips was on track to play for Iowa Western Community College until Todd Butler was hired as Wichita State’s head coach in June of 2013. Butler showed interest in Phillips, and, when a spot opened up on the roster, he became Butler’s first recruit as head coach. “[Coach Butler] wanted me to come in, and I thought it was a great opportunity,” Phillips said.

In his one year at Wichita State, Phillips played in 19 games, all at shortstop, and had six starts. He hit .308 with two doubles, four RBI, and two stolen bases.

By his sophomore year, Phillips knew he wanted to transfer schools.

“I didn’t see much improvement for playing time, and I thought staying in Wichita kind of got to me since I’ve been here for 18 years,” Phillips said. “It just didn’t feel right.”

“I wanted to explore more schools.”

Phillips transferred to Cisco College in Texas for one season but ended up at East Carolina University, an AAC school, for his last two collegiate seasons.

“I thought ECU was a good opportunity because they had a new coaching staff and they did really well and were really successful their first year,” Phillips said. “I wanted to go and be with a big group and be on the east coast.”

In his first year at ECU, Phillips helped lead the Pirates to a Super Regional. During his senior season in 2017, Phillips produced 20 hits,

including six doubles, while driving in 11 runs.

Phillips said he thinks Wichita State’s move will help recruiting.

“For Wichita State to be thrown into the fire pit is good for them,” Phillips said. “It’s going to get them a lot more talent.”

As a 2017 graduate from East Carolina University, Phillips came back to Wichita after having little talk with professional baseball teams. Phillips did practice with the Wichita Wingnuts but did not hear anything from them for a month.

“I thought baseball was over for me,” Phillips said. “Coach Foltz called me and said ‘Hey we need you. We’re leaving for Texas tomorrow’ and I’ve been playing with them ever since, so I’m really blessed to have this opportunity.”

The Wingnuts ended their regular season on Sep. 4 with a sweep over Stockade. The Wingnuts went 61-38 for the regular season.