The Sunflower v.123 i.40

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 • VOL. 123, ISS. 40

THESUNFLOWER.COM

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1896.

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WSU reaches $495,000 settlement with former VP; explicitly forbids contact with The Sunflower BY MATTHEW KELLY

W

ichita State has reached a $495,000 settlement with a former university vice president who sued WSU for retaliation in 2016. Wade Robinson, who served as vice president for student affairs until 2015, alleged that WSU and President John Bardo demoted him and eventually terminated his employment after he tried to investigate two student athletes, including one member of the 2013 Final Four men’s basketball team, for alleged rapes. ROBINSON The settlement agreement, obtained through a Kansas Open Records Act request made by The Wichita Eagle, is intended to “resolve all disputes and differences” between Robinson and the defendants. As a result of the settlement, Robinson will receive a $297,000 check and his attorneys will receive a $198,000 check. The agreement is signed by Robinson, WSU acting President Rick Muma, and WSU Chief of Staff Andy Schlapp. The settlement contains a nondisclosure agreement ensuring that Robinson will not speak negatively about the university. “You agree that you will not make, directly or indirectly, nor will you prompt or encourage any other person to make (i) any express or implied negative or disparaging oral or written statement, question, comment, or other communication regarding WSU, Dr. Bardo, or any of the Released Parties,” the agreement reads. The agreement goes on to explicitly forbid Robinson from communicating with The Sunflower. “Consistent with the spirit and intent of this agreement, you will not engage in making any posts, comments, letters to the editor, or other communications of any kind to or with The Sunflower or its Staff,” the agreement reads. The comment policy on The Sunflower’s website allows for readers to comment on stories using an alias. One frequent commenter who goes by the name “Real Shocker” is often very critical of the WSU administration and its decisions. Believing the commenter to be Robinson, another commenter, “Office of the General Counsel,” has taken to responding to Real Shocker’s comments on Sunflower articles. SEE ROBINSON PAGE 5 “Real Shocker,” who has been an avid commenter on The Sunflower’s webiste, is very critical of the WSU administration. Believing Real Shocker to be Wade Robinson, another commenter, “Office of the General Counsel,” has taken to responding to all of Real Shocker’s comments. WSU General Counsel David Moses declined to comment on the terms of Robinson’s settlement.

Former student arrested for battery of officer, drug paraphernalia

BY ANDREW LINNABARY

Wichita State police arrested a former student shouting and throwing objects at officers inside Wilner Auditorium last week, Police Chief Rodney Clark said. Three officers arrived at Wilner Auditorium around 6 p.m. last Tuesday. After their arrival, the man — a former student that Clark would not identify — “immediately is yelling [at the officers],” Clark said. “He just started yelling, ‘f*ck you [racial slur]’ and ‘all you

[racial slurs] suck,’” Clark said. Clark does not believe the incident was racially motivated, he said, and clarified that the individual — who Clark would not identify the race or age of, but described as having a “darker complexion” and being in his late 20s to early 30s — used the n-word in a slang way. “I’m not sure if that’s something young people just say or what,” Clark said. SEE ARRESTS PAGE 5

Muma, Hall address referendum concerns at SGA meeting BY EDUARDO CASTILLO

Acting President Rick Muma and Vice President for Student Affairs Terri Hall addressed student senators’ questions and concerns about next week’s referendum at Wednesday’s Student Government Association meeting. Of the questions and concerns senators conveyed, many focused on the construction of the new business building, and why it is a priority in the Shock the Future campaign. SEE MUMA/HALL PAGE 5

“The business building has been discussed for many, many years,” Muma said. “Feedback has been sought from students, faculty, and staff in the business school.” The construction of a new business building has been on the table for the past six years. Information that was collected from the exit survey that students intending to graduate are required to take showed support the new building on campus, Muma said.

The state of Kansas does not give funding for the construction of a new academic building. If the referendum fails, business students will vote on a program-specific $30-$35 per credit hour fee hike to pay for the new building, Woolsey Hall, which donors have already raised $30 million for. The date of a potential second referendum has not been scheduled yet due to SGA elections that will be held in April, Hall said.

EASTON THOMPSON/THE SUNFLOWER

Acting President Rick Muma and Vice President of Student Affairs Teri Hall listen to a question about the Shock the Future referendum from a student senator at Wednesday’s SGA meeting.

INSIDE

VISITING WRITER

UCONN DRAW

SURGERY FOR UDEZE

WSU will deploy a new cyber security system for university employees.

Decorated visiting writer Margaret Malone reads at the Ulrich Thursday.

The Shocker women’s basketball team had a near-record attendance against UConn.

Freshman forward Morris Udeze will miss the rest of the season.

NEWS • PAGE 4

NEWS/CULTURE • PAGE 5

SPORTS• PAGE 6

SPORTS • PAGE 6

CYBER SECURITY


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