March 7, 2016

Page 1

SUN FLOWER

the

WSU students protest against Donald Trump outside Century II during the Republican caucus | PAGE 3

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016

VOLUME 120, ISSUE 49

THESUNFLOWER.COM

Former university vice president sues WSU, President Bardo DANIELLE PREWITT

MANAGING EDITOR

@danimal902

Wade Robinson, a former vice president at Wichita State, is suing the university and President Bardo for alleged Title IX violations. Robinson, former vice president for Student Affairs, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Wednesday. The suit outlines that in April of 2013, former athletic director Eric Sexton delayed telling Robinson for four days that a WSU basketball player was accused of rape and that campus police were investigating the incident. The suit also states that Robinson was retaliated against when he brought forth the issue and his concerns of how Title IX compli-

ance was handled — costing him his job. Robinson was hired at WSU in 2009 and his employment ended on June 30 of last year. Sexton was then named the new vice president of student affairs. “He feels like he was wronged and he wants to seek justice through the legal system,” said Sarah Brown, one of Robinson’s two attorneys. “What happened to him damaged his reputation, as he’s alleged in the lawsuit, and he feels like this is the way to vindicate himself,” she said. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that says no person should be subjected to discrimination under an activity or education program that is federally funded. Title IX requires universities to conduct internal

investigations in a timely manner and lead by the office of student affairs — Robinson’s former department. The new Title IX coordinator, Natasha Stephens, who was appointed a month ago, did not comment on the lawsuit. “The lawsuit by Dr. Robinson involves a personnel matter which will now be addressed in the legal system. It makes claims that are without merit and we welcome to opportunity to set the record straight,” said WSU general council, David Moses in a statement Thursday. Robinson is seeking $2 million in monetary damages, according to the suit. He could not be reached for comment.

File photo by Manny De Los Santos

Wade Robinson, former vice president of Student Affairs is suing the univeristy for violations of Title IX.

Shockers fall in semifinals of Arch Madness EVAN PFLUGRADT

SPORTS EDITOR @evpflu

N

early eight months ago, Anton Grady looked at a list. He had been granted release from Cleveland State, and with one year of eligibility remaining, he had narrowed the list to three: Iowa State, Xavier and Wichita State. Looking for NCAA Tournament experience, Grady joined Wichita State in May. “Their mindset is not just getting into the tournament,” Grady said in May. “Their mindset is getting to the Final Four.” Now, after a 57-52 overtime loss in Saturday’s semifinal game against Northern Iowa, Grady sits wondering if those dreams from May are still alive. “It’s going to be a tough week, a lot of things going through my mind,” Grady said. “I believe we did enough to enter as an at-large seed for the NCAA Tournament. That’s what I’m praying for, I’m trying to keep the faith.” Somberly together, seniors Fred VanVleet, Evan Wessel and Ron Baker huddled, silenced in disgust. “We’re all pretty disappointed we came up short,” VanVleet said. “We didn’t want to put ourselves in this position. It’s a funny feeling, this is going to be a long week for us.”

SEE ARCH • PAGE 5 Photo by Manny De Los Santos

Seniors Fred VanVleet, left, and Ron Baker, right, walk off the court after a heart-breaking loss against UNI Saturday as the Shockers fell to the Panthers 57-52 in overtime at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Dr. Natasha Stephens appointed as Title IX coordinator CHELSEA MOORE

REPORTER

@chelslalamoore

Photo by Celeste Thompson

Title IX Coordinator Natasha Stephens, right, meets with Deborah Ojeda-Leitner, left, a member of the Community Psychology Association Friday

Natasha Stephens has been appointed Wichita State’s new Title IX coordinator. Before Stephens’ appointment, one person headed the Title IX and the Equal Employment Opportunity roles and approximately one month ago, the position was split in two. “It’s not all sports,” Stephens said. “Essentially, any institution that is receiving any federal fund of any kind, they need to make sure that they are practicing and provide adequate equal accessib-le for all on their campus.” Title IX is a federal law requiring

any educational program receiving federal funds to be gender equal. At WSU, the term “Title IX” has recently been brought up in conversations regarding a possible new football program. “Particularly, we need to make sure there isn’t any discrimination of a sexual nature at the institution,” she said. A new football program would bring in scholarships directed toward male athletes. Title IX would require equity in funding toward female athletes. “I’m a sports person,” Stephens said, “(But), I think that it is yet to be determined what that looks like... There are a lot of different parts at play. As conversation evolves, we’ll

determine what that looks like.” Items that could fall into a Title IX investigation include sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence and sexual-in-nature discrimination. Stephens said she likes to talk with people and wants to minimize the idea that talking with her means starting an investigation. “I want to make sure my students know they could come talk to me about their issues and concerns,” Stephens said. “I’m the Title IX coordinator, but you can still walk with me and talk with me. It can be nothing to do with Title IX. I’m all for it.”

SEE TITLE IX • PAGE 2

10% OFF WITH VALID WSU ID East: 3101 N Rock Rd. No. 110 | 316-260-9999 West: 756 N. Tyler | 316-351-7777


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.