The Sunflower v. 124 i. 11

/The Sunflower WICHITA STATE’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896

THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 2019

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VOL. 124 • ISSUE 11

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DOUBLE DEGREE

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LOVE OR LEAVE

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Wichita State, K-State partnering to address nursing staff shortage

The Sunflower Editorial Board addresses the bias incident against SLB

WSU student directs their own originally written play this week

Shocker volleyball takes on No.1 Cornhuskers on Saturday

SEE NEWS • PAGE 2

SEE OPINION • PAGE 3

SEE ARTS • PAGE 5

SEE SPORTS • PAGE 6

SGA passes resolution disavowing discrimination

BY MATTHEW KELLY

MATTHEW KELLY/THE SUNFLOWER

Sigma Lambda Beta’s stone is located at the Multicultural Greek Council Quad in front of Clinton Hall. The fraternity said Monday it’s filing a bias report after an incident over the weekend.

Sigma Lambda Beta files bias report after ‘racially motivated’ incident

BY KYLIE CAMERON

Sigma Lambda Beta announced Monday in a release that the fraternity has filed a bias incident report to the university after an incident on Saturday.

The release does not go into details surrounding the incident, but alleges that during Kappa Kappa Gamma’s capture-the-flag event this weekend, a “specific member” of an organization in the Interfraternity Council made a derogatory statement, “which directly affected [their] brothers.”

“I was not there but what I have been told was said was ‘link arms and build a wall,’” Nancy Loosle, assistant dean of students, told The Sunflower in an email Monday afternoon.

Sigma Lambda Beta is an international, Latino-based fraternity.

The fraternity’s release also states that the Sigma Lambda Beta will no longer attend, promote and support events and programs where they “do not feel welcomed.”

Beta Theta Pi at Wichita State issued an apology Monday night to Sigma Lambda Beta for one of its members using "an offensive comment" towards the fraternity.

The apology says that the member will deliver an in-person apology and that available Beta Theta Pi members will attend a speaking event Thursday hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Kat Lazo, a Latina video producer, is scheduled to speak about oppression and privilege.

The apology also says the

chapter will begin planning a diversity and inclusion training for one of its regular chapter meetings.

A release sent out by Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall expands on the statement made at the event, saying that “[it] was directed at, heard by and was perceived as racially motivated by other fraternity members.”

Hall says that diversity training will be added to Greek New Member retreat, as well as male and female Greek retreats.

Hall’s statement also says that Student Affairs will be calling a meeting between the leadership of all three Greek governing councils “to find a path forward that helps our Greek system be welcoming and inclusive to all of our members.”

Hall's statement was shared by Wichita State University's Facebook page Monday afternoon.

In another statement sent to The Sunflower Monday afternoon, Student Involvement acknowledged the Sigma Lambda Beta release.

Bias incident reports are filed with the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance.

“The purpose of reporting is not to start a punitive action but to allow the university to address incidents and respond in other ways using education, speaking out, and/or other appropriate means,” states the FAQ page for reporting bias incidents.

The FAQ also states that if any disciplinary actions are taken, they will be in compliance with university policy and in accordance to the law.

The Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday condemning acts of discrimination and prejudice and standing with underrepresented students. The resolution came as an investigation is underway into an incident of a racially charged statement made against members of Sigma Lambda Beta, a Latino-based fraternity.

Assistant Dean of Students Nancy Loosle said she was told the statement in question, made by a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, was “link arms and build a wall”.

“This is a gesture to support the underrepresented students on campus,” said Liberal Arts and Sciences Sen. Rija Khan, who co-authored the resolution.

Out of State Sen. Michael Brown asked if the senate could take any concrete actions to hold offenders accountable for derogatory statements.

“Is there any action being taken towards groups that uses any type of discriminatory or prejudice towards any underrepresented student?” Brown asked Khan.

“With this resolution, we’re not taking any action towards them, because we basically can’t do that,” Khan responded. “Considering it was Greek life, just in general, we cannot revoke their status. “[The resolution] can basically encourage people around us to take those actions necessary.”

The resolution notes that, per the WSU Student Organization and Advisor Handbook, an organization that violates university guidelines can face suspension or permanent removal.

Veterans Sen. Jonathan Miller said his military experience has shaped his outlook on handling discriminatory statements.

“In the military, there is zero tolerance, so if you do something like this, then it’s automatically no-go,” Miller said.

Underserved Sen. Hannah Azell said it’s important for the Student Government Association to take a stand against intolerance on campus.

SEE SGA PAGE 2

Uluave, Shockers excited for Creighton Classic, matchup with No. 1 Cornhuskers

BY MARSHALL SUNNER

The Wichita State volleyball team didn’t have the performances they wanted during last weekend’s Shocker Volleyball Classic.

The team went 0-3, hit below .200, and recorded 50 hitting errors, but the team isn’t dwelling on those matches.

Freshman outside hitter Sina Uluave, who was a member of the Shocker Classic all-tournament team, is taking the Shockers’ home tournament as a stepping stone moving forward.

“They [the teams] exposed all of our weaknesses,” Uluave said. “We know that last weekend should be our lowest point of the season, and we just have to learn from that and keep moving upwards.”

One thing the team is focusing on this weekend in preparation is working on their scramble balls, or balls that aren’t controlled after the initial hit.

During the home tournament, WSU struggled with their serve receive and recovery on those loose balls.

“It’s something we struggled with this weekend,” Uluave said. “We are working on our scramble balls because we need to learn how to fix these issues on the fly. We need to learn how this system works.”

Another thing that Uluave took out of last weekend was what Texas’ and BYU’s “high level of volleyball looked like.”

However, this weekend brings new challenges for Uluave and the Shockers.

So far this season, the team has already faced two top-5 teams, and three total top-25 teams: No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Penn State, and No. 12 BYU. This weekend in the Cornhusker state, WSU will have to face two more ranked opponents: No. 1 Nebraska and No. 15 Creighton. But the Shockers aren’t shying away.

According to Uluave, the team is ready.

Uluave said that the team is ready to take on the challenge of playing two more ranked opponents and that this experience will help the team down the road.

“We are ready for the challenge,” Uluave said. “Even when things don’t go our way against these teams, they are still learning experiences that will help us out in the long run.

“We are ready. We are ready to go in there for these matchups and see what we can do.”

As for taking on the No. 1 team in the country, Uluave said that the whole team is excited.

“I know we are ready to try and take them [Nebraska] on,” Uluave said. “It’s not often that teams like us can go up against the number one team in the nation, and with having all of this experience against BYU, Texas, and now seeing the number one team, I think there’s just a lot of anticipation going on in our locker room.”

SEE VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2

KHÁNH NGUYỄN/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State freshmen Sina Uluave goes up to serve during the game against Texas on Saturday at Koch Arena.

NEWS

2 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 2019

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Read Student Involvement’s, Student Affairs’ response to Saturday’s bias incident STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

“Student Involvement is aware of the recent press release from the Rho Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity regarding a situation that took place at a philanthropic event on Saturday, September 14.

Within our fraternity and sorority life community we work to uphold our strong commitment to ensure each of our members have an empowering experience within our community free from prejudice and discriminatory behavior. The statement that was made, regardless of interpretation of said words, brought valid and heartfelt feelings to the forefront; such words and feelings that we all must learn to understand and address. We

cannot tolerate behavior, actions or words that hinder the growth, bond and success of our fraternity and sorority life community.

We are committed to continuing education and facilitating discussions among our community members that will lead to enhanced action within all our fraternities and sororities.”

STUDENT AFFAIRS

I have learned of an incident that took place this weekend that has negatively impacted members of our Fraternity & Sorority Life system . During a philanthropic event hosted by one of our National Panhellenic sororities, it is reported that a member of a WSU fraternity made a derogatory comment that

was directed at, heard by and was perceived as racially motivated by other fraternity members.

No matter how the remark may have been intended, it was badly received and is not consistent with norms of civility we want in our university and society.

A bias incident report has been filed with the university. The purpose of this reporting system is not to start a punitive action but to allow WSU to address incidents and respond in other ways using education, speaking out and/or other appropriate means.

As I type this, let me tell you about some of the things we are working on: •Incorporating diversity training in the Greek New Member retreat

•Adding a diversity session to the male and female Greek retreats •Calling a meeting with the leadership from the three governing councils to find a path forward that helps our Greek system be welcoming and inclusive to all of our members I have faith that as we collaborate across campus and backgrounds, we can continue to make our campus more inclusive and find new ways to respect and recognize the various cultures, genders and identities that make Wichita State so unique within the state.

Anyone with additional questions or concerns can contact me at vpstudentaffairs@wichita.edu.

Sincerely, Teri Hall, Ph.D. Vice President

Wichita State, K-State hope to develop satellite nursing program in Manhattan

BY DANIEL CAUDILL

As part of a push to further educate more nurses, Wichita State University and Kansas State University intend to collaborate on a satellite nursing program in Manhattan.

The program would allow K-State students to earn a threeyear bachelor’s degree from the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences. If accepted into WSU's nursing program, the students could then earn a two-year bachelor’s degree of science in nursing (BSN) at the Manhattan site.

Potential benefits of the program, proponents say, include addressing a shortage of nurses in the state and drawing students to K-State who might otherwise not attend.

"This is such a quality program, and there is such a need in the state to have this level of preparation for our registered nurses," said Voncella McCleary-Jones, chair of the WSU School of Nursing. "For those individuals there in Manhattan that want to stay in place and bring more bachelor's-prepared RNs to that area, it's going to be highly desirable for employers."

Administrators from WSU and K-State signed a memorandum of

understanding in August, a first step in the planning phase that will lead to an application to the Kansas State Board of Nursing for the satellite program.

While she said she hopes the application will be submitted before the end of the year, McCleary-Jones said there are several working pieces that need to come together before it can be submitted — including preparing clinical "slots" for nursing students who would be enrolled at the satellite location.

Those arrangements would help students gain hands-on COURTESY experience with medical facilities WSU nursing students take turns practicing standard procedures on each in the Manhattan area. other at Wesley Medical Center. The WSU School of Nursing hopes to colThe proposed site for the satel- laborate with Kansas State University on a satellite program in Manhattan. lite program also has to undergo some renovations, McCleary-Jones associate dean of the College of The WSU School of Nursing is said, specifically to include a Health Professions. the second-largest nursing school simulation lab. Equipment like If the program is approved, in Kansas, offering bachelor’s, hospital beds and oxygen systems McCleary-Jones said it will use master’s, and doctorate degrees will also be added at the site. the same curriculum as WSU's in the field. The school’s baccaAfter receiving the applicafour-year nursing program. laureate program was first given tion, the state nursing board The universities also say the national accreditation in 1973. would review it at its soonest proposed program is in response to In 2018, the Kansas State Board quarterly meeting. a national effort to get more BSNs of Nursing awarded the school "Once [the application] is in the hands of working nurses. with a certificate of excellence for reviewed to their satisfaction, they In 2010, the Institute of Medicine having a pass rate higher than the then want to do a site visit to get released a report that recommendnational average among nursing on the ground and meet all the ed 80% of nursing professionals students taking the NCLEX-RN individuals that will be connected have a BSN by 2020. That number test for the first time. Students to that satellite location," said now sits at an estimated 50-60% of must pass the test to receive their McCleary-Jones, who is also the the nursing workforce. nursing license.

SGA appoints senators to pro-tempore president, alternate positions

BY DANIEL CAUDILL

The Student Senate elected a pro-tempore senate president and alternate at its meeting last week.

The pro-tem and alternate positions are part of the line-of-succession to executive SGA positions.

“The senate is charged with establishing the official line-of-succession,” said Student Body Vice President Michael Bearth. “If any position in the line of succession becomes permanently vacant, the senate must pass a bill appointing these vacant positions.”

Any SGA member, besides the current student body president

WEBB

ZACARIAS

and vice president, is eligible for the positions if they are at least a junior. Appointed senators were not considered for either role.

Eligible candidates for the positions were Business Sen. Cynthia Matson, Engineering Sens. Thu Mai and Olga Navarro,

The Sunflower, founded in 1896, is the student-run newspaper covering Wichita State University. The print edition is published Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and twice over the summer. The staff publishes daily online at www.thesunflower.com.

MISSION 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.

Graduate Sen. Michael Giunta, Honors Sen. Lucas Webb, Returning Adult Sen. Tyler Coats, Liberal Arts and Sciences Sens.

Olivia Babin and Crystal Zacarias, and At-Large Sens. Maribel Sanchez and Walter Wright.

After seeing the list of eligible candidates, senators were allowed to make motions to nominate specific people. Ultimately, Sen. Webb was selected as pro-tem senate president and Sen. Zacarias was selected as the alternate.

Webb, a senior aerospace engineering major, has been involved with SGA since he joined the Freshman Council. He has been

an honors senator for two years.

“My focus this year is getting honors students implemented into [the remodeled Honors College space] and seeing what kind of opportunities that brings us,” Webb said before his selection. “Also, a big focus has been getting more diversity within the Honors College.”

Before her selection, Sen. Zacharias, chair of the safety and student services committee, said her main goals this year are to implement services for students, including the annual Campus Safety Walk and a bill to change hours at the parking garage.

Meet the Staff EDITOR IN CHIEF Kylie Cameron

OPINION EDITOR Kevin Benavides

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Kelly

PHOTO EDITOR Easton Thompson

NEWS EDITOR Daniel Caudill

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Eduardo Castillo

SPORTS EDITOR Marshall Sunner

ADVERTISING MANAGER Madeline Deabler

A & E EDITOR Ella Dominguez

FACULTY ADVISER Amy DeVault

LEGAL One free copy of The Sunflower is available to members of the WSU community. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 in the newsroom, Elliott Hall 019. The Sunflower is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. The Sunflower is funded by a combination of print and online advertisment sales and student fees allocated by the Student Government Association.

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 the university.

The Sunflower is a member of Kansas Collegiate Media, the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association.

Copyright © 2019 The Sunflower. This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.

FIRST AMENDMENT Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

STAFF Morgan Anderson Olivia Babin John Darr Karen Galindo Brogan Gillmore Justin Gordon Kamilah Gumbs Ben Jacobson Audrey Korte Dalton Langham Sean Marty Austin May Khanh Nguyen Drake Robinson Nathan Schale Austin Shaw Lindsay Smith Maddie Spurlock Jeromiah Taylor Rhiannon Taylor Becca Yenser

Corrections The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in any of its publications, please email the editor at editor@thesunflower.com immediately.

Corrections and clarifications will be printed in this space.

VOLLEYBALL FROM PAGE 1 The Shockers kick off the Creighton Classic on Thursday with a matchup against the Bluejays in Omaha at 6:30 p.m.

The team is back in action on Friday with a match against Wyoming, and then travel to Lincoln for the matchup against the No. 1 Cornhuskers.

Overall, the Shockers are 24-40 all-time against this weekend’s opponents, including being 1-13 against the Cornhuskers.

SGA FROM PAGE 1 “What happened was really disappointing, and I think that it’s up to us as the body that represents students, that we basically let everyone know that that type of behavior doesn’t have a place here,” Azell said.

Khan stressed that people’s words and actions carry weight.

“We still want to show that, hey, we don’t support an action that might not be perceived in the nicest way possible,” Khan said.

Asked to elaborate after the meeting, Khan said the intention behind words should also be factored in.

“Intention is definitely important — because I also make mistakes.

I’m not perfect. I wish I could say I was, but it’s not true, and I know it,” Khan said. “But as long as one is making an actual effort to do something — to maybe face the consequences or just in general improve themselves.”

Regents disclose conflicts of interest

BY MATTHEW KELLY

Members of the Kansas Board of Regents disclosed their potential conflicts of interest at Wednesday’s meeting in Topeka, unanimously accepting and renewing each regent’s membership.

Regent policy warns against people with “actual or apparent” conflicts of interest serving on the board.

“If, however, involvement by the Board member would bring compelling benefit to the institution, the Board may approve such involvement subject to any conditions the Board deems appropriate to assure both propriety and the appearance of propriety,” the policy states.

Regent Helen Van Etten serves on the Washburn University Board of Regents. Regent Mark Hutton serves on the Kansas State University Board of Trustees. Regent Anna Brandau-Murguia serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, an out-of-state public institution with a certificate of approval from the Regents to operate in Kansas.

Hutton also has ownership interests and is CEO emeritus and director of Hutton Construction, which has construction contracts with Wichita State, K-State, and the University of Kansas. This spring, WSU awarded Hutton Construction a $10.4 million contract for the new Student-Athlete Success Center.

The board voted to direct regents with potential conflicts of interest to recuse themselves from any board matter related to that interest.

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Opinion

HAVE AN OPINION? contact The Sunflower’s opinion editor, Kevin Benavides

Do better.

opinion@thesunflower.com

WSU should have a stronger response to the racially charged rhetoric against Sigma Lambda Beta

A

n event rooted in Greek unity, a flag football tournament to raise money for the Fundamental Learning Center, quickly became divisive Saturday.

While the details surrounding the event remain unclear, a member of Beta Theta Pi reportedly told his brothers to “link arms and build a wall” while interacting with members of Sigma Lambda Beta, a Latino-based fraternity.

Beta Theta Pi released an apology and said the offending member intends to deliver an “in-person apology.” In response to these allegations, the university handed out a promise of “diversity training” for all Greek chapters.

Wichita State University is the most diverse university in Kansas — and they don’t let you forget it. For a university that routinely tokenizes and uses its diverse student population as a key marketing tactic, you’d expect WSU to have a stronger response to allegations of hateful speech against minority students on campus.

“No matter how the remark may have been intended, it was badly received and is not consistent with the norms of civility we want in our university and society,” reads the WSU statement.

The university response spends too much time equivocating on the intention of the offender without doing enough to condemn derogatory rhetoric.

STAFF

EDITORIAL By brushing off hateful words, the university shifted the focus of the scandal to Greek unity — the importance of maintaining strong relationships within fraternity and sorority life.

Diversity training should have already been a requirement for all student organizations, but it’s not. Diversity training is not a punishment — it’s a preemptive, necessary first step.

Using diversity training retroactively defeats the purpose of the training itself. Diversity training is meant to prevent events such as the one that allegedly occurred Saturday. Furthermore, using it as “punishment” sends the message that diversity training is a penalty or a sanction rather than an opportunity to learn and grow.

The idea that we need to “further educate” our students with these trainings insinuates that those being “punished” didn’t know any better — that they were naive to the consequences of their words and actions.

We live in a political climate that unfortunately promotes divisive and dehumanizing rhetoric. It fuels the hate that we see against people of color. It fuels acts of violence in our community.

This type of dangerous rhetoric

leads to hate crimes in Wichita — like when Petra Restaurant was burned down in 2017. It leads to racially motivated mass shootings in our country, like the shooting in El Paso, Texas, that killed 22 people.

Racially charged rhetoric isn’t just bigoted — it kills.

Students at this university need to realize that the words they say have real-world consequences.

Derogatory language has no place at Wichita State, whether or not its intent is malicious. Students deserve to feel safe here.

People of color strengthen Wichita State, the Wichita community, Kansas and the United States. Our diversity not only makes us great — it makes us strong. Our diverse community is what made the U.S. a bastion of freedom in the first place.

The Sunflower applauds the Greek community for condemning the divisive rhetoric that was used Saturday. Now, to prevent similar incidents in the future, it’s time for the administration to follow suit and stand against the incident in stronger terms.

It’s up to us and future generations to prevent this from becoming the norm. We need to do better — all of us need to do better.

We owe it to our students of color, we owe it to Sigma Lambda Beta, and we owe it to any individual who has been on the receiving end of this hateful rhetoric.

Do better.

‘Build the wall’ isn’t about building a wall The biggest obstacle to any plan is reality. Fortunately, we have a president who rejects reality.

I always had an issue with the phrase “build the wall.” It assumed that there was very little stopping illegal immigration up until then-candidate Donald Trump made that his biggest rallying point at every campaign stop.

In fact, his announcement to officially run included the claim that the United States needs a wall because, “they’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs.

They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

At least some of us are good.

Illegal immigration has been a highly contentious issue since before President Trump, even though an arrest report created by the FBI in 2017 shows that 81.9% of the people arrested in the U.S. are not of Hispanic or Latino descent.

The problem is, most illegal immigrants are already here.

Statistics from the Pew Research Center show that “About twothirds (66%) of unauthorized immigrant adults in 2017 had been in the U.S. more than 10 years.”

While illegal immigration is

KEVIN BENAVIDES OPINION EDITOR

still an ongoing situation, the fact is that most have already been established in the United States What’s a wall going to do besides keep them here?

Border security is undoubtedly important, but why doesn’t any government administration address the more common issue of immigrants overstaying their visas?

When illegal immigrants are caught at their places of work, why don’t the businesses face consequences of knowingly hiring them? And if illegal immigrants are taking American jobs, how is Wichita currently facing a worker shortage?

There are many issues with the current immigration debate, but the phrase “build the wall” has gone beyond putting up a garish fence along the southern border.

My parents used to be just like

Opinion LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and must be fewer than 350 words. Letters may be edited for accuracy, clarity and length. Please include your name, WSU affiliation and a phone number for verification purposes. To submit letters, email opinion@thesunflower.com or submit at www.thesunflower.com.

The opinions express 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 the university. The Sunflower reserves the right to edit or reject any submission. We also researve the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Corrections: The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in a story, email editor@thesunflower.com

the other “aliens.” They came here illegally, but put in their time and worked hard to both learn the language of this country and eventually become citizens.

Yes, my parents are former illegal immigrants. But now they can vote for the next president, just like anyone else.

They are proud to be citizens, and I am proud of the sacrifices they made so that my brothers and I could have better lives than they did.

They did not bring drugs.

They have not raped anyone. The only problems they had were the ones they and many others like them were escaping from. I can confidently say that my parents are model citizens — hard-working, church-going, salt-of-the-earth folks who only want to contribute to the society that gave them a chance.

There are many issues with the current immigration debate, but the phrase “build the wall” is now a rallying cry to those who think that any demographic change is a negative one.

Over the weekend, there was an incident involving two Wichita State fraternities at a philanthropic flag football game, where a member of Beta Theta Pi reportedly said, “link arms and build a wall” in

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reference to Sigma Lambda Beta, a Latino-based fraternity.

What sentiment would that member of Beta Theta Pi be trying to express by shouting this phrase, especially during a flag football game? Maybe he was simply expressing his political beliefs? He has every right to do that if he so wishes, but this also emphasizes my whole point.

To me, and to others students who are undocumented, this phrase means, “We don’t like your kind, and we want to keep you out.”

What makes this worse than calling us something like “beaner” or “spic” is that it isn’t just an insult about our culture or skin color. It’s a sentiment to remove us from the supposed identity of the United States.

There is such a fear of anything other than white being “the new normal” that the current administration treats its detained immigrants like rats under the pretense of “stopping the next 9/11.” They are now equating illegal immigration with organized terrorism.

The fact is, most Americans would not be able to tell an illegal immigrant from an ordinary citizen.

Using the phrase “build the wall” signals that they no longer

care to make that differentiation.

We are all illegal now, and we must be dealt with.

There are so many issues with the current immigration debate, but shouting “build the wall” will only increase tension and division on a campus that prides itself on its diversity and inclusion.

Hate and ignorance are easy because they allow a person to reject reality whenever they see fit.

They allow someone to not see people as human beings when they fill their magazines with bullets.

They allow that person to forget about the life that each person lives as they load their magazine into their AR-15.

They allowed that person to only see a faceless enemy as they repeatedly pulled the trigger, sending hate and destruction to any poor soul who bothered to go shop at Wal-Mart, or visit a garlic festival, or see their favorite country artist, or watch a new movie, or give reverence to the deity of their choice.

“Build the wall” isn’t about national security. It’s about embracing that which makes this country and any other country truly ugly — fear and hate for that which is different.

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HAVE A STORY IDEA? contact The Sunflower’s arts & entertainment Editor, Ella Dominguez arts@thesunflower.com

Filmmaking student’s play wins national competition

BY OLIVIA BABIN

EASTON THOMPSON/THE SUNFLOWER

Senior filmmaking student Emily Kirkman speaks during the rehearsal of her play “Love Me or Leave Me” on Sept. 16 at Welsbacher Theatre. The play will be shown Sept. 18-22 inside the Welsbacher Theatre at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

In the 44-year history of the Wichita State National Playwriting Competition, only six WSU students have ever won. Emily Kirkman became the sixth this year when her play, “Love Me or Leave Me,” was selected as the winner.

“Love Me or Leave Me” debuts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Welsbacher Theatre.

As a filmmaking student, Kirkman was required to take Script Writing 1 in Fall 2018. She wrote “Love Me or Leave Me” as her final script for the class. Her professor, Jeannine Russell, encouraged everyone in the class to enter their scripts into the playwriting competition.

“It just felt like a thing to do since I already had [the script],” Kirkman said. “I don’t think I would have done it if I didn’t take the class.”

The judges of the competition do a blind reading to avoid bias, meaning they do not know the name of the playwright or what university they come from.

“It was really exciting [to win] because you are your own worst critic,” Kirkman said. “A lot of people don’t recognize [filmmaking] as a legitimate career path, so I feel like I am constantly trying to prove to people that I can do this and it is an actual thing. Since

I won, it’s made me feel more confident in the field that I’m in and pushed me to keep going.”

“Love Me or Leave Me” follows a couple as they are signing their divorce papers. Employees from “Relationships Incorporated” take the couple through their relationship and show them important moments from it. They show them the good and the bad, giving them a new perspective on each other.

“I had a completely different story in mind that I was going to turn in for my final, but I decided I didn’t like it, so I scrapped it and created ‘Love Me or Leave Me,’” Kirkman said.

She said it was about a two-week writing process before she turned it in for the competition. Then, once her play was selected, she was able to workshop and develop it even more.

“The other day, I happened to read the first draft I submitted to the competition, and I was like, ‘How did this win?’ because I think it is so much better now than when I originally submitted it, and it’s because I’ve had that time to really look at it, have the actors read it out loud, and develop it more,” Kirman said.

She said she was fortunate that the show was cast in April — giving her five months to workshop her play and make it the best it can be.

“I think the moment where

it really hit me that people were playing characters I wrote was at callbacks,” Kirkman said. “These characters were coming to life in front of my eyes, and I had a really weird moment of, ‘Oh my goodness, this is happening. This is real.’”

The actors will have scripts in hand during the play. This allows for Kirkman to make changes to the text as many times as necessary before delivering the final product to audiences.

“Seeing the actors and the way they reacted to line changes really influenced the script,” Kirman said.

“I mean, I literally made a change yesterday.”

Kirkman said she hopes to take the play further than just WSU. “I am really excited to see how an audience reacts to this, because that will really influence where it goes in the future,” she said.

Audiences should be ready to get an inside look into these characters’ lives.

“You might not relate to everything, but I think everyone will find a moment in the play where they go, ‘I understand that,’ or, ‘I get that,’” Kirkman said. “I think a lot of people are going to walk away feeling vulnerable.

“I’m watching it every night in rehearsals, and I am still affected by it.”

“Tick, Tick... Boom!” debuts at Roxy’s Downtown with hearty humor “Tick, Tick… Boom!” is an autobiographical musical based on the life of Jonathan Larson, the man who wrote “Rent.” Despite its seemingly modest appearance in the form of minimalistic costuming, casting, and set design, “Tick, Tick… Boom!” provides a cathartic experience for anyone dealing with the anxiety or uncertainty of chasing their dreams.

The musical begins with a darkened stage and a persistent ticking sound. After several ticks, the narrator and main character, Johnny, affirms the audience that this is not a technical error, but rather, the sound of his mounting anxiety. Johnny explains to the audience that he’s torn between settling for a corporate job that comes with stability and money — a notion that manifests itself in the form of the character of Mike — and his dream, which is to write music for the rest of his life.

Both the musical numbers and dialogue are rapid-fire and quick-witted. There’s a lot of sharp wordplay and breaking of the fourth wall that could go right over audience members’ heads if they’re not fully engaged. There’s a particular scene in which Mike brings Johnny into his workplace to help him jumpstart his corporate career, but Johnny doesn’t want to take it seriously — his mind is already set on writing music.

Throughout the scene, shallow business buzzwords and halfbaked corporate jargon are slung around with great frequency. This scene, amongst many others, is humorous. It also serves as Larson reminding the audience that if someone is set on their dream, tearing them away from those and getting them to settle for something else, is an impossible task.

Larson himself tragically died a premature death at 35 due to a misdiagnosed aortic dissection.

He died the night before “Rent” premiered off-Broadway. Before his death, Larson visited doctors several times due to an abnormal heart rate and shortness of breath, which they diagnosed as anxiety.

Due to his untimely death, Larson never got to see the full potential of his greatest work.

Taking in this context, “Tick, Tick… Boom!” serves as a haunting reminder that life itself is uncertain, but finding certainty through dream fulfillment is in and of itself a North Star.

Many college students are

JORDAN SHANNON SHOW CRITIC

uncertain about their future, fearing that they might choose the wrong path. Rick Bumgardner, artistic director at Roxy’s Downtown, addressed this parallel with the same question he asks his actors each time they take on a role: “Who are you? What do you want? What’s your purpose? If you can answer these three questions, you will be fulfilled and happy.”

It’s no surprise that Johnny’s character arc is shaped around these three uncertainties, which he wrestles with in both internal and external monologue. Fittingly, the musical ends without any promise of certainty or future success.

Audiences know that Johnny eventually goes on to write “Rent,” but the musical never shows the aftermath of his choices — nor does it show the success and legacy he left behind. This element of uncertainty is a key component that Bumgardner wants to see in the upcoming film adaptation of “Tick, Tick... Boom!” directed by “Hamilton’s” LinManuel Miranda.

“The movie should continue to celebrate the joy of Jonathan staying with his purpose,” Bumgardner said. “The musical should feel unfinished — it doesn’t have a ‘happily ever after’ ending.”

Although there is a tragedy to be found at the end of Jonathan Larson’s life, the main purpose of “Tick, Tick… Boom!” is to show that life is full of uncertainty.

Throughout the musical, Johnny is constantly asking himself questions: “Should I settle for the job? Do I want to stay with Susan? Is my dream worth living in constant discomfort?”

Although these questions present themselves in the form of humor, there is a hearty takeaway at the center of the musical served with the exigency of Larson’s untimely death — nothing in life is guaranteed or predictable, but if one can stick to their dreams and their purpose in life, the journey along the way is worth it.

EASTON THOMPSON/THE SUNFLOWER

Ciaran Schaedtler (Jesse) receives ink as a birthday present from Trevor Seyl (Parker) as Julian Cornejo (Paul) and Ariel Glorsky (Nancy) watch during the "Love Me or Leave Me" rehearsal on Sept. 16 at Welsbacher Theatre.

Pocket-Sized ‘Love Me or Leave Me’ packs an emotional punch Tucked inside the intimate Welsbacher Theatre on a hot summer night are a few students, cast, and crew for Wichita State University’s student-run production, “Love Me or Leave Me.” The play, written by senior Emily Kirkman, is the 2019 winner of the WSU Playwriting Contest.

Second Stage Theatre, an organization at WSU, produced the play with the assistance of Jeannine Russell, theatre professor.

With a limited stage, set, and actors, the 60-minute play manages to create a world of possibilities. A couple, Jesse (Ciaran Schaedtler) and Parker (Trevor Seyl), are in a rocky marriage and contemplating divorce. We know what’s at stake from the very first minutes, as the opening shot highlights a stack of papers on the kitchen table, illuminated by a single beam of light.

As the divorce papers loom on the table, the couple argues over a jar of pickles. This is when the realistic narrative takes a fantastical twist: two employees from “Relationships Incorporated” breeze into the apartment, clipboards in hand. They are here to save the relationship. Nancy (Ariel Glorsky) and Paul (Julian Cornejo) are “memory specialists” who guide the pair through good and bad memories in hopes of providing insight to both parties.

The memories are accessed in a very “Black Mirror” manner. There is something innately creepy about being able to relive your memories and — as we find out later — access your future.

BECCA YENSER SHOW CRITIC

Indeed, “Love Me or Leave Me” nods to the rich history of time-skipping narrative. “I’m very inspired by movies that aren’t linear,” Kirkman said, citing “The Last Five Years” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” as inspiration.

It’s energizing to see an all-student production on campus. The very inception of the play feels like magic.

Kirkman said she got the idea for the memory specialist from a scribbled note she wrote years ago.

And her impetus for writing the play was a deadline in a class. “I wrote it in two weeks,” Kirkman said, laughing. But the script has morphed a lot since then. It was workshopped, then adapted even more once she saw her characters in the flesh.

Kirkman also did something unusual to her script — she made the roles of Parker and Jesse genderless. This leaves each director free to make their own decisions as to who will play Parker and Jesse. But in this case, there was no hesitation to cast Seyl and Schaedtler in these roles, Kirkman said. She just knew.

“I got goosebumps,” Kirkman

said of the callback process. “It was people fulfilling my characters . . .

I never thought, ‘An audience will see this.’”

Her goosebumps are understandable. Actors Glorsky, Cornejo, Schaedtler, and Seyl seem made for their roles. An eccentric and exuberant Cornejo adds a pop of energy to the play’s heavy themes.

Glorsky is a terrific ‘straight man,’ rolling her eyes along with the audience when Cornejo goes too far.

The chemistry between Schaedtler and Seyl is a slow sizzle. Jesse is a realistic counterpart to the more stoic, emotionally elusive Parker. Their relationship is believably complex, with a backstory of their ups and downs for the past nine years.

Their memories are perhaps the most powerful moments in the play, often comical and touching.

And like any good story, there’s character transformation.

The play has a cumulative effect of making one feel wistful — even nostalgic. Because even though “Love Me or Leave Me” works as a mind-bending thriller, it is ultimately a love story that doesn’t hold punches. It’s about asking yourself, ‘what if?’ And what’s more compelling than considering what could’ve happened?

“Love Me or Leave Me” runs at the Welsbacher Theatre (inside the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex) until Sunday. Admission is free for WSU students, faculty, and staff with a WSU ID.

6 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 2019

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Shockers prepare for three-match weekend in Cornhusker state

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 Softball: WSU vs.

Southern Nazarene 1 p.m.

Wilkins Stadium Baseball: WSU vs.

Nebraska 2 p.m.

Eck Stadium SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 Softball: WSU vs.

Arkansas Tech 1 p.m.

Wilkins Stadium SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 Softball: WSU vs. Central Oklahoma 1 p.m.

Wilkins Stadium SUNDAY, SEPT. 29 Volleyball: WSU vs.

Cincinnati 1 p.m.

Charles Koch Arena Softball: WSU at Oklahoma State 3 p.m.

Cowgirl Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma SATURDAY, OCT. 5 Softball: WSU vs.

Crowder 1 p.m.

Wilkins Stadium SUNDAY, OCT. 6 Softball: WSU vs. ESU 1 p.m.

DID YOU KNOW? All students get into Wichita State-sanctioned sporting events with a valid student ID.

MARSHALL SUNNER/THE SUNFLOWER

The Wichita State volleyball team celebrates a point during the team’s home opener against BYU on Thursday.

The Wichita State volleyball team travels to Nebraska this weekend for another set of marquee matchups with nationally-ranked teams.

This weekend, WSU travels to Omaha to participate in the Creighton Classic with matches against No. 15 Creighton and Wyoming. The team will travel from Omaha to Lincoln on Saturday with a matchup against the No. 1 team in the country, Nebraska.

Here’s what to know about the team’s the Shockers will be seeing in the Cornhusker state:

tournament with a 5-3 overall record and ranked as the No. 15 team in the country.

Through eight matches, Creighton is led on offense by outside hitter Keeley Davis who has recorded 83 kills on .184 hitting. Setting up the hitters is senior Madelyn Cole who has 325 assists and racks up 10.48 assists per set. Senior libero Brittany Witt has a team-high 154 digs.

As a team, the Bluejays are out hitting their opponents 413-376. They’re also hitting .197 as a team. Defensively, Creighton has tallied 48.5 blocks this season.

the match with a 4-5 overall record with their biggest wins against Northern Colorado and Buffalo.

Through nine matches, the Cowgirls are led by outside hitter KC McMahon who has 90 kills on the year.

Setter Mackenzie Coates leads the team with 288 assists and libero Madi Fields leads the team with 152 digs.

On defense, middle blocker Faith Waitsman has 26 blocks this year.

As a team, the Cowgirls are hitting .225 on the season and are being out hit by their opponents 475-426.

NO. 15 CREIGHTON

WYOMING

NO. 1 NEBRASKA

BY MARSHALL SUNNER

The first team Wichita State will see in the Creighton Classic is the hosts themselves. The Bluejays enter the

A matchup with Wyoming rounds out the Creighton Classic for the Shockers.

The Cowgirls come into

The Shockers wrap up their weekend with a marquee matchup against the No. 1 ranked Nebraska

Cornhuskers on Saturday.

Nebraska comes into the weekend with a 7-1 overall record after losing to No. 2 Stanford on Wednesday.

Through their first seven matches, the Cornhuskers are led by outside hitter Lexi Sun who has recorded 105 kills on .287 attacking. Setter Nicklin Hames has 259 assists and true freshman libero Kenzie Knuckles has a team-high 106 digs. On defense, middle blocker Lauren Stivrins four solo blocks and 28 block assists. She also has 56 kills herself.

As a team, Nebraska was hitting .245 through seven matches and were out hitting their opponents 338-290.

Wedge excited for coaching debut, home opener against Nebraska

BY SEAN MARTY

After a long, turbulent offseason with many changes, Wichita State baseball and newly hired Head Coach Eric Wedge are set for a scrimmage against Nebraska on Saturday.

“I’m excited for us — I’m excited for the players, more importantly — to play someone in a different uniform,” Wedge said. “They’ve been playing so many intersquad games. At some point in time, you have to play someone on the other side of the field.”

As a member of WSU’s 1989 National Championship team, Wedge knows the importance of developing a culture that breeds success, and that culture goes beyond the game of baseball.

“We talk about creating a culture.

We talk about driving success,” Wedge said. “We talk about helping these young people understand what it’s going to take to be the best version of themselves.”

With 18 newcomers on the team, Wedge said he’s been encouraged this far with their progress and how the team has shown signs of improvement.

“They’re starting to figure it out,” Wedge said. “It’s a good group. They care about the right things, they’re working hard, they’re grinding to get better, and they’re coming together.”

Without naming names, Wedge explained that two or three players have stepped up as leaders. But he said he wants the entire team to be leaders in their own way.

“We want them all to be leaders,” Wedge said of his players. “We’re

FILE PHOTO BY SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s Kendra Henry throws in the javelin event on the second day of the K.T. Woodman Classic last season.

FILE PHOTO BY KHANH NGUYEN/THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State’s new baseball coach Eric Wedge pledged during his introductory speech to push the program back to its winning ways. The introductory press conference was held on June 4, 2019.

looking for every individual to be a leader in their own way. But ultimately, you need people that go beyond that.”

Wedge said he hopes to be pleasantly surprised by fan turnout on Saturday.

“Now is the time to get on board, because not too far from now, everybody will,” Wedge said.

“Right now, get on board here and watch the process and be a part of that process.

The kids continue to work and get better. This was a special program for a long time — it’s going to be a special program again.”

“The only thing we’re not sure about is the timetable. Nobody’s smart enough to figure that one out.”

Wedge said he hopes as many players as possible see action Saturday . The scrimmage will be around 12 innings.

“We want to try to get as many of

the pitchers that we feel need to be exposed on Saturday,” Wedge said.

“We’re trying to work back, be strategic with everything we’re doing, but without a doubt, Saturday will be a special day for us.

“Regardless of what happens, we’ll have something to work off of, and that’s a positive.”

The game is set to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eck Stadium.

Last season, the Cornhuskers went 32-24 before falling to UConn in the Oklahoma City Regional of the NCAA Tournament. So far, WSU has one other offseason opponent on the schedule. They’ll travel to Springfield, Missouri, to play Missouri State on Oct. 5th.

WSU is looking to bounce back after a tough season which saw them go 28-31. The Shockers last made the NCAA Tournament in 2013 under legendary coach Gene Stephenson.

WSU track releases schedule which features seven home meets

BY MARSHALL SUNNER

The Wichita State track and field team announced its schedule for both their indoor and outdoor seasons on Wednesday. In total, the Shockers will host seven home meets throughout the seasons, five in which come during the indoor season.

The Shocker Prelude and the Triangular kick off the 2020 season for the team. The meets run from Jan. 17-18.

As for the outdoor season, the Shockers will host the annual KT Woodman meet from April 8-11, and the Shocker Open on May 8. The Shocker Open will be the last meet for the team before the postseason gets underway.

For a fifth consecutive year, the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships will be held in February in Birmingham,

Alabama. Last year, the Shocker men were runners up at the meet, and the women placed third.

This year, the AAC outdoor meet will be held in Tampa, Florida, on the campus of South Florida. The women’s team, led by Runner of the Year Winny Koskei, took the conference title home a season ago, while the men were runners up.

The NCAA national indoor championships will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from March 13-14, with the outdoor championships running from June 10-13 in Austin, Texas.

The NCAA West Regional, the Shockers’ region, will be held a short distance away in Lawrence, Kansas. It will be the qualifying round for the outdoor championships and will run from May 28-30.