SUN FLOWER
the
Prosecutors give an update on homicide investigation | PAGE 4
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
VOLUME 120, ISSUE 8
THESUNFLOWER.COM
‘Just one piece of who we are’ How to wrap a hijab Step 1:
Fold one side of the head scarf under, and place the edge across the hair line.
Step 2:
Pull the sides of the head scarf along the the face and hold under the chin.
CEDAR MILLS
Step 3:
Photo by Tarun Bali Property Management
Junior Aly Jakes tries on a hijab during a discussion Tuesday on the headscarf worn by Muslim women. The talk was meant to dispel misconceptions about the hijab.
!
Take the right side scarf end www.cedarmillswichita.com and carefully wrap around
ODI holds Muslim hijab informational discussion MEGAN LOOPER
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
Many misconceptions exist about why Muslim women wear a headscarf known as a “hijab.” To help increase understanding, Wichita State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Brown Bag religion series organized a question and answer session Tuesday in the
Rhatigan Student Center. “We wanted to make sure we were educating the student population as well as the community about Islam and answer any questions,” said Danielle Johnson, program coordinator for ODI. “We wanted to make sure that the public knew that the hijab is not a form of oppression, and make them more comfortable about the
idea by showing them that these women are empowered.” A panel of Islamic women consisting of Sana Malik, a health professions faculty member; junior Maira Salim, president of the Muslim Student Association; junior Nibras Karim, a psychology major; and graduate student Ayesha Mosharraf, event coordinator, explained the hijab and what it
the chin and head.
Step 4:
means to be modest in Islam. The word “hijab” comes from the Arabic word “hajaba,” meaning “to veil or cover oneself.”
SEE HIJAB • PAGE 2 WATCH IT ONLINE Visit thesunflower. com to see a video demonstration of how to put on a hijab.
Secure the end of the scarf behind the head with a few pins.
Suicide is never the answer; THE GRANADA month dedicated to prevention BRENNEN SMITH
REPORTER
@brennen19_27
college student. September is suicide prevention month, and suicide prevention day is Sept. 10. According to the EveryDayMatters Foundation, suicide prevention month is about raising awareness that suicide is preventable, improving education about suicide, spreading information to increase awareness and decreasing stigmatization. Starting in 2012, Rohr has organized three “Out of the Darkness” walks in Wichita and participation grew from 75 in the first walk to 450 in last year’s walk. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) uses the walks to raise money in order to raise awareness of suicide and decrease the national suicide rate. Recently, Rohr began organizing suicide walks at WSU because she thinks it is important for college students to be aware about suicide
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“
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and depression. “Around finals it’s very stressful, especially for those who are on scholarship,” said Andrea Humphreys, a licensed clinical social worker at the Via Christi Behavioral Health Center. “If grades are slipping that is usually an indication that something is happening. If college students can help see what is going on with their friends, then that can definitely help them.”
SEE PREVENT • PAGE 5
1-800-273-TALK (8255) National suicide prevention lifeline
316-660-7500
WSU graduates push for bike, walking path near campus EMILEA FINLEY
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
Some Wichita State students spend lots of time looking for a parking spot, but not graduate student Lucas Cylke. Cylke said he uses the Redbud Trail as an alternative route to escape buying a parking permit or waiting for the shuttles. “I ride [the Redbud Trail] almost every day on my bike,” Cylke said. “I have really enjoyed it.” The paved path — an effort
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Nearly 3,000 people commit suicide daily throughout the world. Stop the self-afflicted violence. Talk to someone.
Photo by Celeste Thompson
Tina Murano, a local artist, works on a new art installation at the entrance of the Redbud Trail on the corner of 17th and Oliver.
Comcare Crisis 24-hour hotline
known as “Bike Walk Wichita” — stretches along a two-and-ahalf mile route starting from Oliver and 17th Street to I-135 west of North Minneapolis. The goal of Bike Walk Wichita is to extend the path to Andover and Goddard. The trail was initiated through the Rails to Trails program by the Bike Walk Wichita organization, a non-profit group that promotes community wellness.
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THE STAFF:
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Shelby Reynolds Managing Editor Danielle Prewitt Multimedia Editor Xavier Mortenson Sports Editor Reece Burns Opinion Editor Alex Perry Special Sections Editor Amanda Hansen Production Editor Jillian Clough
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Accidental comedy lifts objectively bad ‘We Are Your Friends’ The movie “We Are Your Friends” is kind of like college. “NineCOLUMN BY ty-nine ALEX PERRY percent of people in the world just want to party. The other one percent are the party!” That’s the kind of earnest dialogue that permeates every scene in the movie. It is a trashy tour de force so accidentally enjoyable that I could justify putting it on my five-star review scale. Zac Efron is Cole, a southern California lay-about whose only ambition is to make his mark in the world of electronic dance music (EDM). If he can just put together one hit track, he can make it big and buy his way out of the San Fernando Valley. In the meantime, all he has is a group of dopey friends to take on odd jobs with to make ends meet. Each one looks like he has his own unique, terrible stench. My favorite is easily the guy who looks like a skinhead and who has an almost erotic reaction to watching nature documentaries about apex predators.
2 bedroom, 1 bath, laundry hookups, partial finished basement, Multiple car parking, close to campus. 316-630-0309 Email admin@wichitasafehavens.com
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The cast is complete with Wes Bentley as the famous DJ (with a penchant for heavy drinking) who takes Cole under his wing. He’s dating his personal assistant (played by Emily Ratajkowski), who becomes Cole’s love interest because the young, attractive male and female leads can’t just be friends. You’d be forgiven for thinking “We Are Your Friends” is simply about breaking into the world of EDM, but you’d also be wrong. This movie picks up subplots and throws them to the ground like a hyperactive child going through a basket of toys. It ruminates on the lack of economic mobility for millennials, the social insensitivity of privileged Stanford students and the predatory housing loan market. It also comes to a somber halt in the final act as one character suffers a random, fatal drug overdose. Even with the best script in the world, it would be tough for a movie to juggle all of that in under two hours. “We Are Your Friends” does not have the best script in the world. However, it does have a lovable belief in itself. Everything is taken so seriously that I found myself enjoying things that are crap.
Courtesy Photo
I love that so much of the story is told in music video-esque EDM montages. The best one comes early as Cole unknowingly takes PCP at a party in an art gallery, which makes him imagine the art coming to life. I also love that Cole is functionally the same as a silent video game protagonist. He has dialogue, but his personality is empty and things constantly happen to him only because he’s the hero. Finally, I adore how the characters are drinking or doing
drugs in almost every scene without many visible hangovers. These people are pros. “We Are Your Friends” is sort of a disaster, but I couldn’t help but have a great time watching it. It feels like the crass result of a man in a suit demanding a movie about the beepy boopy music the kids love so much, but its overwhelming sincerity makes it unintentionally hilarious. If that’s your thing, I highly recommend it.
SEE IT SKIP IT ‘Mistress America’
SEE IT
The latest from acclaimed independent director Noah Baumbach can only be seen at the east Warren. If indie movies are your thing, you might want to check this out.
‘The Transporter: Refueled’
Musicians released just a few albums this week, but the variety provides an appeal for COLUMN BY everyone. MARISSA With a new CAMPBELL album from the classic Mötorhead to the extremely popular The Weeknd, there is sure to be a new album for everyone. ‘Brand New’ by Ben Rector Released: Aug. 28 Genre: Singer-songwriter Ben Rector’s latest album “Brand New” features uplifting, infectious tunes. The title-track, “Brand New,” is an exciting and up-beat song about being in love, which everyone can relate to. Between the lovely piano melodies and the clear, clean vocals, Rector makes yet another easy-listening album great for studying. Rector’s music is relatable, a good example being “The Men That Drive Me Places.” His soothing tones can make any moment relaxing or special, and listeners are sure to enjoy at least one song. Go download: “Brand New” ‘Bad Magic’ by Mötorhead
Courtesy Photo
has cheated death and survived an extreme heart problem. Through his constant battle, Kilmister and the band are still able to deliver the music that the fans are wanting along with his raspy, whiskey, cigarette-soaked voice. In the leading track, “Victory or Die,” the classic battle-cry song is sure to be a favorite amongst metal heads. The band continues to deliver the same distinctive sound fans have appreciated on this album for more than 30 years. Mötorhead continues to have a great metal album with songs like “Evil Eye” and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” Go download: “Evil Eye” ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’ by The Weeknd
the overall benefits of having the trail before it was approved. “I want to commend the mayor Image Name: FROM PAGE 1 and city council for helping build Customer Name Charles Fox the Redbud Trail,” said Barry PhoneWSU Numbergraduate 3162095859 Several students Carroll, founder of Bike Walk Email Address admin@wichitasafehavens.c have worked as interns for Bike Wichita. “Change can be scary. om Walk Wichita and helped promote There was concern by neighbors Color & White building the trail. ItBlack took more for safety and vandalism, but recent 1 column ×before 1 inch than 10Size years of planning trends show that trails are safe.” construction Placementbegan. Classifieds section Trails are a way of advocating A federal law, known as “rail community pride and promoting banking,” allows railroad compaequity of resources, Carroll said. nies to negotiate with a trail agency The northeast part of Wichita has and turn an abandoned railroad been neglected. This is just one into a public trail. Once the city more step to make these neighborwas granted permission to build hoods better and safer. the trail, they applied for a federal Furthermore, WSU and Bike transportation grant in which the Walk Wichita have built the federal government pays for 80 Redbud Trail to promote the percent and the city pays for 20 environment, advocating commupercent of the trail’s cost. nity health. Despite the city being granted “We want to build an environthis money, it took the help of Bike ment to make it easier and safer to Walk Wichita to convince city bike, run and walk,” Carroll said. leaders, city council members and Greg Meissen, professor of surrounding neighborhoods about psychology and coordinator of the
TRAIL
SKIP IT
The somewhat popular action franchise is back with some new guy instead of Jason Statham. Might be entertaining, but looks to be more of the same.
Marissa’s Melodies
Released: Aug. 28 Genre: Metal Thinking Abortion? Mötorhead has released 22 studio Alternatives: Free Testing Classifieds section - Housing - 1since column × 1On inchthe latest albums 1977. 265-0134 album, lead singer Lemmy Kilmister 2 Bedroom, Partial finished Basement, Laundry Hookups
www.thesunflower.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
PAGE 2 | ENTERTAINMENT
Released: Aug. 28 Genre: R&B/ Soul Starting off his career in the shadows, Abel Tesfaye (aka “The Weeknd”) is well known in the pop world. Beginning with his hit 2012 album “Trilogy,” The Weeknd has taken over pop music and the radio. The latest album features the singles “Can’t Feel My Face,” “The Hills” and “Earned It,” which have all made it to the top of the music charts. Most of his songs revolve around love (of sorts) and have the same sound and vibe. Overall, the album has a great pop sound that radio listeners like. Go download: “Cant Feel My Face” community psychology doctoral program, said this is the next frontier in health. “We are starting to hit a plateau on how to cure illnesses,” Meissen said. “Our next step is changing behavior.” Meissen said some of the biggest health problems are simply caused by a person’s eating and exercising habits, and tobacco use. “This is much more difficult [than taking a pill],” he said. “By creating policies to make people be healthier, we nudge people.” Meissen said the Redbud Trail is also a part of WSU’s plans for Innovation Campus. It focuses on people who live within two miles of the campus. The city of Wichita will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trial this fall. No date has been set. “We want students from WSU to celebrate this with us,” Carroll said. “This is for them, and the community.”
HIJAB
FROM PAGE 1 According to Muslim culture and belief, God has instructed women to wear it as a means of fulfilling his commandment and for modesty, Salim said. Wearing a hijab is a personal choice, not a forced action, made after puberty and is a reflection of a woman’s devotion to God. “For me, religion was a factor, but wasn’t the deciding one,” Karim said. “I wanted people to know that I was proud to be a Muslim. I wanted to keep myself in check and make sure I wasn’t using my appearance to impress others, but rather have my personality show.” Wearing a headscarf along with loose-fitting, modest clothing is cumulatively referred to as hijab. Some Muslim women choose not to wear hijab because modesty may be achieved in other ways. Some choose to practice their faith internally, and others might not have support from their family, Salim said. Women do not wear the hijab in order to not be objectified by men. According to the Quran, men should lower their gaze out of respect for women. There are many different ways to style a hijab, and according to the panel there is such a thing as “bad hijab days,” Salim said. Women can see other women without a hijab, as well as close family, or any male that the female could not marry. After answering questions, the panel shared their personal stories about why they chose to wear a hijab, and the hardships they have faced after worldly current events such as 9/11. After the discussion concluded, women from the audience volunteered to try on a headscarf and pose for pictures showing that there is more to a woman than her outward appearance. About 70 people attended. “This event was so informational,” said freshman Morgan Prather. “I learned a lot. I always respected (the) hijab from a cultural standpoint, but now even more so from a religious one, and the fact that it is something Muslim women choose.” The next discussion in the series will be about the Islamic faith, and will take place Tuesday in the RSC. A room has not been specified. “The hijab is just one piece of who we are,” Malik said.
www.thesunflower.com
PAGE 3 | NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
The local band that made it big Wichita native Calamity Cubes! sound off at Art for Your Ears SAVANNAH STEVENSON REPORTER @sunflowernews
The Calamity Cubes! began as a local band in Wichita eight years ago. Now, the band tours the nation exposing music lovers to their original sound, which the band describes as “Thrashicana” on its Facebook page. “They’re a mix of country, and bluegrass, and maybe even a little bit of rock,” sophomore Kayla Greer said. “Their sound is really unique.” The Calamity Cubes! performed Tuesday evening on the south lawn of Wilner Auditorium for an audience of toddlers, students, parents and grandparents. It was the last concert of the year for the “Art for Your Ears” concert series sponsored by the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State.
“
They were really good, and they didn’t sound like every other band on the radio today.”
KAYLA GREER
WSU SOPHOMORE
Together, band members Brook Blanche, Kody Oh, Joey Henry and Billy Cook create an original sound that often stuns new listeners. “When [Blanche] started singing it made me jump a little because his voice was so deep,” freshman Alexis Woods said. “He was an awesome singer. He had a lot of soul.” It is not just the brassy singing that attracts their audience, but the distinctive sounds of acoustic guitar, banjo and upright bass, Woods said. “There was one song where the guy on the bass started going crazy and getting really into it,” she said. “Me and my roommate looked at each other really shocked. We loved that part.” Unlike the other Art for Your Ears concerts, this performance took place during the fall semester, so more students attended. “I’ve never been to [a Calamity Cubes! concert] but I really like the Avett Brothers and they’re in the same genre, so I thought I’d enjoy it,” sophomore Leslie Strunk said. The band’s success is often attributed to its unique sound. Even listeners who don’t normally like country music have admitted to being intrigued by the sound of The Calamity Cubes!. “I was pleasantly surprised by their performance,” Greer said. “They were really good and they didn’t sound like every other country band on the radio today.”
Photos by Jessica Green
The Calamity Cubes!, a Wichita-based band, performed Tuesday as part of the Ulrich Museum of Art’s summer concert series, called Art For Your Ears. It was the first performance held during the fall semester, so more students were in attendance Tuesday evening.
LATINA brings Kappa Delta Chi back to campus BRENNEN SMITH
REPORTER
@brennen19_26
Kappa Delta Chi was the first Latina sorority on Wichita State’s campus in 2000 until membership dwindled six years later and the sorority later became dormant in 2007. Last October, the Latina Interest Association (LATINA) formed. One of their main goals was to charter and become a Latina-focused sorority. Its mission is to give back to the community through service and provide a safe place for women while increasing awareness of Hispanic culture.
“[KDC] is important because a lot of the Latinas from this generation are first generation college students,” said junior Erika Canchola, a spokeswoman for LATINA. “If girls join us we will be able to pass that experience and wisdom onto them.” With the help of WSU and the original women from LATINA, KDC will again be an official WSU sorority starting later this fall or early in the spring semester. “Getting permission from the school was the biggest factor for establishing a new sorority,” said sophomore Erendira Jimenez, president of LATINA. “The
school needed to make sure that the new sorority would enhance Greek Life and benefit students.” The new sorority had to be chosen from the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) because the sorority had to have the right credentials, Jimenez said. The university submitted documents to NALFO concerning LATINA and its activities so the NALFO sororities could respond if it was interested in being accepted into the WSU sorority system. The interested NALFO sororities then sent delegates to
WSU to explain the benefits of each individual sorority and requirements for joining. “Ultimately, everyone agreed with KDC,” Jimenez said. “From there, recruitment resembled a more traditional rush week since anyone who met the KDC requirements was given the option to charter.” The women from LATINA are not officially part of KDC yet. They submitted their 17 applications Monday and have to wait for them to be accepted. Afterward, there is an eight- week colony process, which involves education on the history and bylaws of KDC, studying, tests
and a designated amount of community service, Canchola said. “It’s kind of a tough process, and it will take good time management,” Canchola said. “Afterwards, we will be an official chapter.” Mireya Serna was one of the members who chartered for KDC in 2000. She is now an off-campus adviser for LATINA. “One of the main difficulties was time,” Serna said. “It takes an extra amount of commitment and time to charter a sorority. We had to prioritize, manage our time and encourage each other through the tough times.”
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
PAGE 4 | NEWS
www.thesunflower.com
While police continue homicide investigation, one suspect incarcerated for parole violation University Police reminds students of its patrols, services
Photo by Xavier Mortenson
University Police patrols campus to monitor students’ safety. CHANCE SWAIM
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
File Photo by Kevin Brown
A Wichita State student was found in the parking lot of Fairmount Towers on Aug. 8 with fatal gunshot wounds. SHELBY REYNOLDS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @_shelbyreynolds
Prosecutors are still deciding whether to charge two people connected to the fatal shooting of a Wichita State student on Aug. 8, but police say that’s no reason to be alarmed. The Wichita and University Police Departments are still investigating the homicide after the suspects were released from the charges of first-degree murder Aug. 14. Electrical engineering student Rayan Ibrahim Baba was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Fairmount Towers before the fall semester began, and two suspects, Isaiah Copridge, 23, and Eboni Fingal, 19, were arrested in connection with the shooting. “There’s no new information about the uncharged suspects that’s been brought to our attention,” District Attorney Marc Bennett said. One is being held in Sedgwick County Jail on a probation violation. The other has been transferred to serve a parole violation at Hutchinson Corrections Facility, said Adam Pfannenstiel, a spokesman with the Kansas Department of Corrections. Investigators brought the case to the district attorney to file charges
after the arrests. “We had a long discussion about the case and this is an ongoing investigation with law enforcement, and there will be a determination as to whether or not anyone is charged,” Bennett said. “It’s a process.” At a campus safety forum Aug. 22, Wichita Police Capt. Brian White explained that the suspects’ violations of probation and parole allow police to keep the suspects in custody while more evidence is gathered. “Otherwise, the suspects would have walked,” University Police Chief Sara Morris said during the forum because of laws in place that require investigators to file charges within a certain time frame of the suspects being arrested. “[The violations] allow investigators time to tie up loose ends.” Copridge was transferred to prison in Hutchinson last week to serve his parole violation, Bennett said. The violation stems from drug use, Pfannenstiel said. Copridge admitted Aug. 14 to using marijuana on Aug. 7 — the day before Baba was found outside Fairmount. That sentence can last a maximum of 180 days or a minimum of 90 days, depending on behavior while incarcerated. Meanwhile, police are investi-
gating new charges. “Once he’s released from prison, he would presumably go face those charges, if they are filed at that point,” Pfannenstiel said. “If there is a conviction, he would come back to prison and serve those new charges. However, at this time, it’s only for his violation for parole supervision.” Just because the suspects haven’t been charged in connection with the shooting, doesn’t mean WSU students should fear their safety, Bennett said. “Obviously it’s always good to be safe and aware of your surroundings, but there’s nothing about this to indicate that there’s an ongoing threat posed by anyone else associated with this investigation,” he said. “There’s nothing about this case that tells me there’s some ongoing emergency or ongoing threat to the students or people who do business on the Wichita State campus.” “That means we think we have the right people,” University Police Capt. Guy Schroeder said. The University Police Department has been working with WPD in the investigation. “The university is in the middle of a major city, and crime is going to find its way on to campus from time to time,” Bennett said. “But it doesn’t mean that people need to be [afraid].”
After students have expressed recent safety concerns, the University Police Department is reminding them of their frequent patrols and other services. Besides the main campus, officers also patrol parking lots at 21st and Oliver and the Metropolitan Complex at Oliver and 29th Street. Guy Schroeder, a support captain for University Police, said officers continue to patrol the areas until all students have safely left campus. “We have designated patrols that run all the time,” Schroeder said. “We want our presence known, so we’re always rolling.” During a safety forum last month with university and community leaders, graduate student Saeed Alsaleeb expressed concerns about nighttime campus safety. “All my classes are in the evening,” Alsaleeb said. “All the while, I’m scared to walk from my class to my car.” Schroeder said that although students may not see officers patrolling campus, that does not mean they are not there. “We have officers that may park and monitor a large area with binoculars so they can cover more area,” he said. The department has 28 commissioned police officers,
seven dispatchers, people in the records department and parking officers. Schroeder said the department wants to do whatever it takes to serve and protect, but he acknowledged the reality that UPD cannot be everywhere all the time. So, he wants students to take measures to ensure their own safety. “I want students, especially at night, to try to limit the time they are alone,” he said. “Do as much in groups as possible around campus. Try to travel in groups and move your cars into the campus lots after 5 p.m. if you have an evening class.” If walking in groups is out of the question, or if students feel unsafe at any time, UPD can escort students back to their cars. “It could just be you want us to watch you walk to your car so you feel safer,” Capt. Corey Herl said. “That is OK.” “If you don’t feel safe and you call us — and I can’t stress this enough — do not the leave the building you are in until you see us,” Schroeder said. Students are also encouraged to program UPD’s telephone number, 978-3450, into their phones and have it available in case of emergencies. “Let your instincts be your guide,” Schroeder said. “If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”
SGA debates bill promoting Boys and Girls Club partnership TJ RIGG
REPORTER
@tj_rigg
It was business as usual for most of Wichita State’s Student Government Association on Wednesday, up until a resolution was read late in the meeting. The resolution was designed to create Wichita State Inspire, an initiative partnering the university with the Boys and Girls Club. It would allow WSU students to mentor and tutor children in the club, and in turn, educate the children about the university. The resolution was an effort of Student Body President Joseph Shepard and SGA Chief of Staff Kiah Duggins. Shepard said the resolution was an important one. “It’s pretty much a reason for us to get back into our community,” he said. Shepard added that the Boys and Girls Club serves district one of Wichita, which he said primarily consists of low-income residents.
As a resident of district one, located in northeast Wichita, Shepard said he sees firsthand what children in that area want out of higher education. “They want to know what resources and tools are available to them, but oftentimes, they don’t have an individual in front of their face giving them the information they need in order to succeed and reach that higher education,” he said. “This program is going to allow us to do that.” Once the resolution was read, At-Large Senator Paige Hungate expressed concerns with the resolution’s wording. She said she was worried people could interpret the resolution as only serving minority groups and exclude Caucasian individuals. A debate then unfolded regarding the language of the bill. Some senators were in favor of the bill as is, while others suggested possibly amending the language to address Hungate’s concerns.
After several minutes of debate, Student Body Vice President Khondoker Usama called for a vocal vote from each senator. All but two Senators voted in favor of the bill, with Hungate one of the dissenting votes. Shepard said debates such as these are encouraged in SGA. “There’s not really a purpose for Senate if you’re not going to challenge anything, if you’re not going to debate something that’s
on the table,” he said. Shepard said he anticipated a debate during the meeting and was happy Hungate expressed her views. He said having debate is healthy. “I was very happy to see that senators challenged it because that’s how we create the best product, through trial and error and challenge,” he said. SGA will meet again at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ulrich Museum.
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There’s not really a purpose for Senate if you’re not going to challenge anything, if you’re not going to debate something that’s on the table.” JOSEPH SHEPARD
STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT
We’re here for you. From providing personal counseling and psychological assessments to ooering national exams, the Counseling and Testing Center at Wichita State University provides a range of services designed to help students, faculty and staa succeed in their academic, work and personal lives.
Centrally located! GRACE WILKIE HALL, RM. 320: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (M/Th/F), 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (T/W). Consultation and crisis services available by phone 5-7 p.m. (M/Th). Testing available 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and by appointment from 5-7 p.m. (T,W).
CALL (316) 978-3440 to learn more or to schedule an appointment. WICHITA.EDU/COUNSELINGTESTING
COUNSELING AND TESTING CENTER
www.thesunflower.com
PAGE 5 | NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
WEEKENDPLANNER Your weekend guide to events on and off campus.
FRIDAY
THURSDAY Thirsty Thursday: Diversity Fishbowl Discussion 11 a.m. to noon Rhatigan Student Center Room 208
The discussion helps participants listen actively to the experiences and perspectives of others. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.
SATURDAY / SUNDAY
Food Bank Fridays
Cross country meet: J.K. Gold Classic
As part of a series of community service efforts, volunteers will carpool to the Food Bank to support the Food4Kids backpack program. Register at wichita.edu/CSBvolunteer.
The Wichita State women’s and men’s cross country team will compete in the 67th annual J.K. Gold Classic.
2 to 4 p.m. Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas
For more information, contact Student Involvement at 978-3022.
For more information, contact Ryan Patton at 978-3364 or rpatton@goshockers.com.
First Friday Flix
Volleyball: Texas A&M Invitational
Student Activities Council will screen “Jurassic World” for September’s First Friday Flix.
The WSU women’s volleyball team competes in the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station, Texas. The first match will be against Texas A&M. Listen live and track stats on GoShockers. com.
4 to 9 p.m. CAC Theater
File Photo
8 to 11:30 a.m. RAFT Golf Course, 13218 SW Tawakoni Rd., Augusta
Noon College Station, Texas
Cost: Admission is free with Shocker ID. For more information, contact Student Involveemnt at 978-3022.
Fear Buster Challenge
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd. Tackle some of the most common fears this weekend — learn dance steps to a flash mob, walk through a narrow tunnel, create a clown, taste strange foods and more. Courtesy Photo
For more information, contact Exploration Place at 660-0670.
WSU professor informs decision on Wichita’s next police chief CHANCE SWAIM
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
Wichita State will have a hand in deciding Wichita’s next police chief. Michael Birzer, professor of criminal justice at Wichita State and director of the WSU School of Community Affairs, was appointed to the Community Advisory Search Committee for Wichita’s next police chief. The committee was designed to ensure a transparent process and involve community participation. Birzer said the first step of the committee’s involvement in the selection came when they met with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to establish professional criteria for the next chief. Birzer was a part of the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs’ 227-page assessment of the Wichita Police Department. The assessment focused on communication training, technology, recruitment, community relations and racial profiling. “One of the things WPD has done well, over the past 10 years, is address racial profiling in Wichita,” Birzer said. “I say that because they reached out to us. The city manager asked, ‘Can you look at our data? What do we need to improve?’” The public had the opportunity to hear from the Wichita police chief candidates, Terri Moses and Joel Fitzgerald, during a public
Photo by Chance Swaim
Michael Birzer, professor of criminal justice at Wichita State and director of the WSU School of Community Affairs, serves committee to aid in the search for Wichita’s next police chief. A decision is expected to be made by the end of the month.
forum Monday at Century II. Topics discussed during the forum were similar to the issues addressed in the Hugo Wall assessment. “If you look across the country, there’s models called smart policing, or intelligence-based policing,” Birzer said. “The next chief is really going to have to address technology and be prepared to be very progressive as technology comes out. That being said, it’s always a big budget expenditure for the city, but you have to get real. If you don’t, you’re going to get left behind in technology.”
The committee, together with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, chose the finalists, which now include Moses, executive director of safety services for the Wichita Public School system and a former deputy chief with the WPD; and Fitzgerald, chief of police in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Birzer said Wichita City Manager Robert Layton will make the final decision between Moses and Fitzgerald. “I think there are a number of factors he will have to weigh,” Birzer said. “He’ll probably weigh the public’s thoughts on this, the
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city The next chief council’s is really going to thoughts, have to address technology and the mayors be prepared thoughts, to be very and, of progressive course, the as technology men and comes out.” women in the MICHAEL BIRZER police POLICE CHIEF SEARCH department, and our committee, too.” Layton is expected to make his decision before the end of the month, but it could come sooner. “I think he has done very well,” Birzer said. “I think he’ll make a good decision.”
PREVENT
FROM PAGE 1
Senior Michael Burr said suicide is an important issue to him. A lot of his friends in high school went through depression and low points in their lives until they went to therapy and met together in groups. “We should talk about [suicide] more,” Burr said. Senior Michelle Robbins’ brother went through a similar problem. Her brother struggled with suicidal thoughts because of a transition from middle school to high school and a new stepfather, Robbins said. Eventually, he spoke with her mom about the issue. Robbins said she would tell someone with suicidal thoughts the bad feelings are temporary, but “suicide is very final — there is no way to come back from that.” In order to help prevent the finality of suicide, Rohr is organizing another walk on Oct. 3. Information for joining the Wichita walk and services provided by AFSP can be found on outofthedarkness. org. “We’re working to get rid of the stigma,” Rohr said. “The reason I do this stuff is to make sure people know that it’s OK to reach out. When I lost my loved one I was very alone, and I worked very, very, very hard to make sure no one else has to go through that.”