Wichita State’s Office of Student Accommodations & Testing said it is catching more students cheating during tests. In response, the office sent out an email to students who use OSAT, and an announcement to the general student body regarding its testing policies.
The email lists more than 10 policies, including a list of items that students aren’t allowed to bring into testing rooms unless otherwise given permission.
These included that students will be asked to raise pant legs and long skirts to just above the ankle and pull back sleeves, will be waved with a metal detector wand and will be asked to show that their pockets are empty.
Prohibited items include cell phones, lip balm, hats or other headwear not worn for religious reasons, hooded jackets and hair ties not worn in the hair.
“(The) reasoning for the timing is because we're getting close to going into finals, and I want our students to be aware that it's going to be happening as far as the different things that we're going to be asking them to do,” Isabel Medina Keiser, the director of OSAT, said.
Medina Keiser said that many of the policies were already in place. The only new policies are asking students to raise pant legs and long skirts just above the
said, is that OSAT will provide emergency blankets if students require them. According to Medina Keiser, OSAT has “always discouraged” hoodies.
“But we've had students say that they were cold, so that's why we're providing them the blankie,” she said.
Just like faculty, OSAT can report suspected incidents of cheating to Wichita State’s Student Conduct and Community Standards office.
According to data provided by Kyle Wilson, the director of SCCS, OSAT reported 12 cases of alleged academic misconduct in the 2023-2024 academic year. Those 12 cases comprised about 4% of the reports SCCS received that year.
INCREASE IN CASES
This year, so far, OSAT has made 19 reports, roughly 12% of the 156 that SCCS has received.
The more than twofold increase in OSAT reports in less than a year was due to the office being better able to monitor testing and catch people cheating, according to Alicia Newell, the assistant vice president of Student Belonging in WSU’s Student Affairs division.
OSAT moved into the new Shocker Success Center at the start of the academic year.
According to Newell, the office installed “additional and upgraded” cameras and improved systems for proctoring tests.
“This has significantly improved our ability to observe and document testing behavior,” Newell said in an email. “... The
number of violations reported this year is directly tied to our improved monitoring — students are simply being caught more often because of the expanded visibility. The conduct being observed is not new; what has changed is our ability to detect it.”
Matthew Eimer, a graduate teaching assistant in the College of Engineering who uses OSAT for testing accommodations, said he was surprised by some of the policies listed and felt that the announcement didn’t provide enough explanation for students about the reasoning behind them.
“After reading the email, my first instinct was ‘Well, this seems a little much — it seems a little severe and harsh.’ It seems a little severe without more explanation,” Eimer said.
As a GTA, Eimer said he understands the need to protect academic integrity.
“But the way the email read
was almost as if they’re assuming we’re trying to cheat,” he said.
“These are kinds of procedures that you go through at the airport.”
Eimer said that while he recognizes he’s never experienced being an OSAT employee, he’s responsible for student instruction as a teaching assistant.
“I like to give students the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
“If there’s reason for suspicion, if, for example, a professor or faculty came back and said, ‘There are inconsistencies on this exam,’ then that’s a different conversation. There are cameras in all the testing rooms so … I don’t understand where the uncertainty’s coming from.”
Medina Keiser said that OSAT wants to limit students’ ability to cheat on tests by adding some new policies and more strictly enforcing existing ones.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, OSAT proctored 6,000
tests, Medina Keiser said. Not all of the tests OSAT proctors are part of students’ normal WSU coursework; the office also proctors certification and licensing exams.
“The numbers (of students utilizing OSAT) keep increasing, and our staffing doesn't keep increasing, and so we're just trying to stop the problem before it becomes a problem,” she said.
“... Let's try to take care of it at the front and not have these students get into trouble.”
Newell said in her email that the message to students remains clear: "It's (cheating) not worth it."
“We strongly encourage students to uphold academic integrity and take advantage of the many resources available to help them succeed the right way,” she said.
Medina Keiser pointed to many resources available for students struggling with classes, including tutoring through TRIO Support Services. Students can also utilize departmental tutoring, Supplemental Instruction and general tutoring for various subjects and courses.
One of the computer testing rooms belonging to the Office of Student Accommodations & Testing. The room includes several clocks and reminders that the room is one under video-surveillance. | Photo by Peyton Eck / The Sunflower
Matthew Eimer talks about OSAT's updated policies. | Photo by Owen Prothro / The Sunflower
Wang, Nguyen build on friendship in Student Government campaign
BY ALLISON CAMPBELL editor@thesunflower.com
When Jia Wen Wang and Amy Nguyen first met, their introductory interaction consisted of an enthusiastic hug from Nguyen that put Wang “in panic mode.”
“The first time I met Amy … she came in for a hug,” Wang said, retelling the story with Nguyen. “(I was like) ‘Now, what do I do?’ Because one, I’m meeting this person for the first time (and) her energy was way off the track for what I was expecting, and two, she was coming in for a hug. All I was in was panic mode.”
Wang, who said she was a “pretty reserved” person at the time, was serving in her first year as the student body treasurer for the Student Government Association. She gave in to the show of affection initiated by Nguyen, the director of public relations for the 2023-2024 session.
What started as an awkward, unexpected hug between the two girls quickly developed into a friendship and, eventually, a shared campaign for student body president and vice president.
“We just kind of got to learn more about each other as we worked together on cabinet and things like that. So I just really remember our first interaction, because it was full of panic for me,” Wang said, laughing. “ … (But) I reciprocate her hugs now.”
While the two have their many differences — such as their contrasting views on physical affection — Wang and Nguyen said they’re using both their distinct dissimilarities and common ambitions to work toward a unified goal: how to best serve and represent the students of Wichita State University.
COMMON GROUND AT WSU
Wang and Nguyen, who are both first-generation students, chose Wichita State for its affordability and its proximity to their families. Wang, the oldest of four children, wanted to make sure she could be around to take care of her siblings if needed. Meanwhile, Nguyen, an only child, wanted to stay close to her parents.
But both said they’re glad they ended up choosing WSU, especially for its opportunities for involvement.
“Wichita State has been such a great university for me in general,” Nguyen said. “I knew I wanted to get involved when I first came into campus … whether it was like applied learning or being able to do more in the classrooms … I was able to take on those opportunities coming into Wichita State, and I ended up falling in love with it.”
And while both had similar motivations for joining SGA — a shared desire to advocate for and represent students without a voice — they initially had opposite reactions to joining the association. Wang wanted to join SGA as soon as she learned about it, serving as an underserved senator in the 65th session. She said it was intimidating at first, but longtime friend and Sen. Jasmine Peng helped introduce her to the organization. A year later, she became the treasurer under the Iris Okere and Sophie Martins administration.
“It’s taken a lot of growth to get me to where I am now, but I’m really glad that they (Okere and Martins) took a chance on me, and so I’m really grateful for the
opportunities and the mentors that saw the potential in me and guided me to where I am today,” Wang said.
Conversely, Nguyen said it took a little more coaxing to convince her to join — but the Okere Martins administration also played a significant role in her decision to run for a Student Senate cabinet position.
“I came onto campus and I was like, ‘Student government is not for me,’” Nguyen said. “I don’t want to be involved in it … I’m not really interested.’ But then that’s when Iris Okere from the Okere Martins administration came up to me and just talked a lot about her experience in SGA, and asked me to apply for cabinet … And that’s when I kind of dove into SGA.”
Wang and Nguyen said they had a whirlwind start to their student government careers: learning SGA policy and procedures and learning how to interact and engage with constituents. But by the end, they fell in love with their roles and the opportunities for student advocacy.
“I had no idea what to expect. And so it was a crazy start, for sure, but then I was able to learn a lot through that experience,” Nguyen said. “At the start, I didn’t
think I would come back, but then at the end, I was like, ‘Actually, like, I really do enjoy it here.’”
The encouragement from their mentors and the opportunity for advocacy would lead to Wang and Nguyen’s fateful encounter in the SGA office and, later, their decision to campaign together for the 68th session.
WANG NGUYEN CAMPAIGN
Initially, the pair considered running for student body president and vice president last year for the 67th session. However, they both had opposing areas of improvement they wanted to focus on before tackling a larger representative role for WSU’s more than 17,000 students.
Wang, who was fairly familiar and comfortable with SGA’s policies after a successful year as student body treasurer, was still working on becoming more outspoken and outgoing when interacting with her constituents.
Wang said, from her first interaction with Nguyen, that she admired her personable nature, and saw a strength in her where she saw a weakness in herself.
Read the rest at thesunflower.com
Engineering dean leaving for provost position at Cal State East Bay
BY AINSLEY SMYTH news@thesunflower.com
Wichita State’s dean of the College of Engineering, Anthony Muscat, has accepted a position as provost and vice president for academic affairs at California State University, East Bay. Muscat’s last day at WSU will be June 30, according to the announcement from Provost Monica Lounsbery on Tuesday morning.
Muscat has been the dean of engineering since July 2021 and, according to his university profile, has been working in higher education for more than 30 years. The College of Engineering was ranked eighth in engineering research and development this year.
According to Lounsbery’s announcement, the university will select an interim dean and begin a nationwide search for Muscat’s replacement.
“I am confident in the strength and dedication of our faculty and staff,” Lounsbery wrote.
DOGE cancels environmental grant to WSU
BY KASS LEWIS lewkass05@gmail.com
Wichita State was supposed to receive $10 million over five years from the Environmental Protection Agency starting in 2023. Last month, however, DOGE cancelled the grant, claiming the cut would save the federal government $3.9 million.
“At the time of termination, WSU had performed and received $2 million,” said WSU’s Director of Strategic Communication Lainie Mazzullo-Hart. Mazzullo-Hart did not respond to emails asking for clarification of the discrepancy between the various numbers given.
WSU was one of 17 locations chosen to create an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center. Other locations are throughout Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and some Indigenous nations. Each of these centers were to receive $10 million from the EPA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.
BY AINSLEY SMYTH
In a message to Wichita State University staff and faculty, university President Richard Muma advised employees to prepare for financial challenges. He said the university is projecting a 4-5% budget shortfall.
He cited challenges including state and federal funding changes, nationwide shifts in enrollment and decreased enrollment across total credit hours.
“I want to be candid: reductions will occur,” Muma wrote.
He outlined four ways the university will look at cutting costs:
“As we prepare for the upcoming fiscal year, I want to be transparent about our budget outlook and the realities we face,” Muma wrote. “... We are navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape.”
“Intense scrutiny” of current budget expenditures
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• Reallocation of existing budgets to cover mandatory expenses and “absorb unexpected costs.”
• Raising tuition rate, likely by 3.9%, although that the amount could change based on how much is allocated by the state.
• “Assessment of ongoing financial obligations,” including those related to athletics. A recent change by the NCAA means universities will soon be able to pay athletes, likely leading to
increased costs to recruit and keep top players.
Muma said that the university remains committed to, its priorities, including the push for market-based compensation for employees.
“These measures may feel disruptive, but they are necessary to sustain the long-term health and competitiveness of our university,” Muma wrote.
MANAGING EDITOR Mia Hennen managing@thesunflower.com
NEWS EDITOR Ainsley Smyth news@thesunflower.com
Earlier this month, the Heartland Environmental Justice Center at WSU announced an immediate pause on all activities across all locations. According to their website, the HEJC’s goal was to “support communities across the Midwest in reaching their environmental justice and energy goals.”
A statement provided by Mazzullo-Hart confirmed the termination of the EPA grant but said the “transition does not diminish the center’s deep commitment to environmental sustainability.”
CONTACT US 019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus
Jia Wen Wang and Amy Nguyen smile for a photo in the office where they shared their first hug. The pair were selected for student body president and student body vice president, respectively, in unofficial election results. | Photo by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower
ARTS & CULTURE
ONE MAN BAND
WSU philosophy professor collects an eclectic array of instruments
BY MYA SCOTT mds.200624@gmail.com
genres of music, there is one in particular that has stolen the majority of his time as of late.
just stumble across a harp because that’s a more expensive kind of instrument,” Bondy said. “You can’t just get them for $100 at Guitar Center.”
In the midst of balancing textbooks for his philosophy classes and the steep responsibilities of being chair of the department, associate professor Patrick Bondy expands his love of wisdom by honing his appreciation of music.
Since his teenage years, Bondy said he’s played a multitude of different instruments, from the guitar to the mandolin to the harp to a penny whistle.
“I started when I was a teenager, just playing bass and then a little guitar and stuff,” he said. “And then over the years, (I) would get an opportunity to pick up another instrument and then after a while, I started thinking, ‘Oh, here’s another instrument. This one’s cool. I haven’t tried that yet. Let’s try it, and then I like it’… Anytime a new one comes along to try and it seems interesting. Why not try it?”
In all his time spent learning new instruments, Bondy said he only had a few lessons “here and there” on his eclectic mix of musical tools.
“I mostly am self taught on most,” Bondy said. “... I like to play just by myself.”
Bondy said while it can be difficult at first, once he understood the fundamentals of music, he could learn to play multiple different instruments.
“Once you’ve learned sort of basic music theory, and you’ve learned how to play one instrument, it becomes a lot easier to learn other ones,” Bondy said. “Even if they’re a little funky.”
While Bondy said he enjoys playing all
‘Celebrating
BY KAMI STEINLE
steinlekami@gmail.com
“These days, (Irish music is) what I’m playing,” Bondy said. “And I grew up in Canada, and some of my favorite music was the East Coast Canadian music. It’s inspired by a blend of Irish traditional and Scottish and French, and then it’s sort of got its own East Coast flair.”
Bondy is not only inspired by certain genres but also by artists who have made their mark within those groups.
“Loreena McKennitt – she’s a Canadian artist. She’s got a bunch of albums and if you’re into vocals, she’s got such a nice voice,” Bondy said. “She plays in her songs all sorts of different eclectic instruments … (She) inspired (me into) branching out into just doing all these different things.”
McKennitt plays more standard instruments like guitars and basses, but she also plays “a different wacky instrument” which Bondy aims to add to his collection.
“There’s a hurdy gurdy in some of them,” he said. “I think at this point the hurdy gurdy would be a cool addition.”
While Bondy hasn’t been able to secure a hurdy gurdy, a small pear-shaped fiddle with a crank on the end, quite yet, he did pick up a new instrument around three years ago: the harp.
He said he became interested in the stringed instrument after hearing harp music around and finding its sound to be “really really nice” and “soothing.” As he listened, he began to think he could play one, if only he could get his hands on one.
“It’s hard to
to sharpen his playing skills by simply practicing.
“Just learn where your fingers go and you practice it again and again and your hands just get used to the tunes.”
Bondy said he likes to play his music by himself, but this hasn’t stopped him from broadening his reach and posting his talents for others to see.
Bondy said he started with purchasing a lyre — a cheaper instrument that would still allow him to grasp the basics of harp playing while determining if he really wanted to pursue this expensive expenditure. As he learned, his resolve was hardened and he began to look for something with “more strings, more range, more versatility.” Bondy said he looked for six months before he found a sale on a lap harp.
“The best part about playing the harp is that it is so relaxing,” Bondy said. “When you’re playing tunes, that’s one thing, but if it’s been a long day, you’re wound up or you got a headache or something, you sit down (with) your harp back on your shoulder, pluck out some arpeggios, and it’s like one of the most relaxing things I know.”
Despite the relaxation that repeating scales brings, there are several trials that come with playing the lap harp, alongside the exuberant entry fee.
“It moves around so it’s a lot harder just to keep it stable enough and be accurate,” Bondy said. “... Another challenge is the size of my fingers. It’s very easy to accidentally hit the string next to it and if it’s still ringing, then that’s not nice.”
Despite the difficulties, Bondy continues
He created his own YouTube channel called Pat’s Music where he posts recordings of himself playing his wide array of different instruments. He said he just created it for fun, but the comments holding compliments help him feel good about his performance.
“I don’t expect it to take off at all,” Bondy said. “... But you know, I really like making songs, and when I get a recording of a tune down to a good enough point that I’m happy sharing it, then I throw it up on the YouTube channel.”
Bondy records covers of songs frequently but has also recorded a song composed by himself titled, “The Band Playing in the Old Town.”
“Sometimes, you just have a tune that gets into your head,” Bondy said. “You don’t know where they come from, sometimes it just gets to your head and you think, ‘Oh man, better do a recording of that.’”
While not everyone has such a diverse interest in musicality, Bondy said he encourages people, even those who only have a slight interest in music, to “just pick it up.”
“If you still have an interest in it, then I tell you, you can totally just learn a few chords and then strum them like 10 minutes, 20 minutes a day,” Bondy said. “And over time, those get second nature and then learn a few more chords, and then learn some scales … Don’t put it away in a case
your authentic self’: Makers and Masterpieces at the Ulrich Museum of Art
Inspired by Devan Shimoyama’s “Rituals,” the current exhibit in the Ulrich Museum of Art, a recent Makers and Masterpieces event called Colorful Cultural Collisions, was attended by many Wichita State University students and families.
Makers and Masterpieces, previously known as Family Fun Days, offers opportunities for people to be able to engage with the current exhibits in the Ulrich in interactive ways. The museum usually holds these events twice a semester for each exhibit they have on display.
“Families can come; college students can come; any adult can come,” Associate Director of Education Brenda Lichman said. “It’s for everyone.”
This year, there were stations set up throughout the museum. The first station was where people could get their silhouette sketched by a member of the WSU Sketch Club.
“I figured it’d be a good career opportunity, actually, because I’m trying to get my foot out there (in the art world),” said Ashton Wilcox, a sophomore art education major and member of the WSU Sketch Club. “… I feel like being able to work in museums, especially with local communities, really helps get my name out there. It’s been really fun, actually. It’s been nice getting to interact with the kids and everyone.”
After visitors had their silhouettes sketched, they had the opportunity to walk through the Shimoyama’s exhibit to get inspiration for when they decorated their own portraits. Many of the pieces in the exhibit worked with lots of textiles and incorporate vivid colors and gems.
“His (Shimoyama’s) work is figurative, and it’s a lot about identity, and it’s colorful,” Lichman said. “Tonight, it’s about celebrating your authentic self … Devan’s work is a lot about transformation and growth, like how your life goes through journeys.”
Across the skybridge, which connects the Ulrich and McKnight Art Center, there were accessories people could add to their portraits like jewels, fabric and paper. Messages on the window read “Celebrate your authentic self” and “I have my eyes on you” as
people picked decorations that fit them the most.
“This one’s very cohesive and extensive. Like, usually there’s like one little activity (at Makers and Masterpieces events) … but this one’s got, like, people involved,” said Emma Glover, senior
education major and student assistant for the Ulrich. “It’s more personalized, and then the supplies (are) like so expansive, like you can have anything you’d want to play with, which isn’t always the case.”
The Wichita Sketch Club create shadow portraits of guests using bright lights and paper taped to walls. Guests then used the portraits as templates to build off of. | Photo by Peyton Eck / The Sunflower
‘A Minecraft Movie’ garners a first watch, but not much more than that
Mya Scott mds.200624@gmail.com REVIEW
Remaking a beloved video game franchise into a movie or TV show is always going to be a gamble. It’s playing with people’s nostalgia, and if it’s done wrong, it could cause an uproar. Take, for instance, the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie. The original design for the beloved blue hedgehog was so bad that fans quite literally bullied the production into changing what he looked like.
Fandom fans are cruel, and the “Minecraft” community is no exception.
Released in theaters last week, “A Minecraft Movie” was highly anticipated, at least in my friend group, but not exactly for the best reasons. My friends and I were convinced the movie was going to be so awful that it would, in turn, become one of the best movies ever made.
And this sentiment wasn’t exactly far off.
The movie follows Henry and Natalie, two kids who have just lost their mom and moved to the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. Natalie, maybe a child, maybe a young adult (I could never tell), gives up being a kid for a little bit longer to take care of her younger brother, who has an imagination that runs wild.
Henry meets Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a man once renowned for his talent at a street arcade game but who has hit a losing streak in finances and friends. After Garrett purchases a mysterious storage unit, the three of them, plus a realtor named Dawn, are transported to the Overworld, a land where anyone
Amazon is expanding its footprint in Kansas, with plans to build a 176,000 square-foot delivery facility in Bel Aire. The development, expected to be completed in 2025, will create jobs and mark the company’s third facility in the Wichita metro area.
On paper, this sounds like a win. Jobs are coming to the area, and with rising costs of living, employment opportunities can be a lifeline for many. But before we can celebrate another corporate giant planting roots in our city, we need to consider why this facility matters and what impact it will have — especially with two other Amazon sites already operating in the metro area.
Unlike the fulfillment center in Park City or the sortation center in Wichita, this new facility will serve as a last-mile delivery station. That means more Amazon vans on the roads, especially near Bel Aire’s residential areas and the local highways.
Bel Aire — which sits right outside of east Wichita — already struggles with aging roads and limited infrastructure. This facility will increase daily traffic volume in an area not designated to absorb it, potentially worsening road conditions and delaying commutes for local residents.
Wichita has a strong base of mom-and-pop businesses, many of which struggle against rising rent and with competing chains. Amazon, an already dominant force in the industry, only makes
can build anything as long as they can imagine it.
The plot is, honestly, better than I expected. It’s more or less cohesive and has a clear beginning and end. There were random bits thrown in of Jennifer Coolidge’s character getting with a villager after she hit him with her Jeep Grand Cherokee, but overall, it kept itself together.
Unfortunately, in keeping this cohesive plot and maintaining a run time of one hour and 40 minutes with no promise of a sequel, it left no room for the crumbs of nostalgia they attempted to give to their fans. Every wellknown “Minecraft” item was thrown into the film, giving it a chaotic and an overall messy feel at the end.
Items not from “Minecraft,” like the tot launcher that Henry creates, were also added in. While this is a cool concept, the writers give no explanation of how realworld items can create these new, powerful items that aren’t included in the original game. While I’m not caught up on the full lore of “Minecraft,” it felt like a weird addition for hardcore fans. There were plenty of powerful items Henry could have created that still would have showcased his ingenuity.
There’s also the issue of the smaller moments within the movie. There were plenty of moments where they started a discussion about a serious topic, that honestly would have benefitted the character arcs of the cast, like when Natalie discusses the pains of growing up too quickly or Garrett talks about how his life has fallen apart, but it was quickly overshadowed by what can only be described as stupid humor.
I will fully admit I was laughing during these jokes. Some of them
“
Nearly every animal was terrifying to look at, and don’t even get me started on the piglin’s design. It was a fleshy nightmare that will haunt my dreams for decades.”
MYA SCOTT Assistant Editor
were genuinely funny, while others were so absurd I couldn’t help but chortle. The writers seemed to be trying to appeal to their original fans, Gen Z and millennials, while also keeping it funny enough that the newer generations of “Minecraft” would still laugh. It ended up being an amalgamation of buttcheek jokes, hidden adult humor and the most extreme bromance known to the theater screen between Jason Momoa and Jack Black’s characters.
Like a lot of people, I am a fan of Black. I’ve loved him since his role in “Goosebumps,” and he as Bowser in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was gold. I respect his dedication to the craft of the game by playing several hours of “Minecraft” to prepare for the role, but his line delivery was slightly off-putting.
I mean, he yelled almost every line in his script. And while it probably wasn’t fully his decision, it was unfortunately his voice. It was funny, but it made my vocal cords strain at the thought, and after a while, especially during the more serious scenes, it grew old.
Also, he sang. A lot. Black sang a total of four songs, and it was definitely unexpected, making the movie a musical.
My biggest problem with this movie, though, was the design.
I will never understand why they chose a realistic style for a game completely made of cubes. Nearly every animal was terrifying
it harder for small businesses to survive.
Instead of funneling money back into the local economy and supporting Wichitan’s passions, profits from this new facility will ultimately enrich a multibilliondollar corporation rather than Wichita-based entrepreneurs. Then, there is the issue of infrastructure. Wichita’s roads are already in dire despair and need repair. With Amazon’s addition of more delivery trucks to our streets, the wear and tear will only get worse.
The city has already floated and passed controversial plans, like paid downtown parking, to fund road maintenance. Will Amazon contribute to these costs, or will taxpayers have to support a multibillion-dollar corporation?
Quality of life is also a concern. Mail delivery in Wichita is already unpredictable. I get my mail late in the evening and feel awful that the city delivery services are struggling to fulfil their routes everyday. They are worn too thin.
Some may argue that another facility could alleviate these delays — especially through Amazon deliveries, but that raises a broader question: Should we rely on private corporations to patch gaps in public services?
Amazon will be adding another layer to the city’s delivery network with more vans on the road, and I am not confident that our areas can handle Amazon’s expansion.
Bel Aire officials are thrilled about Amazon’s investment, citing economic growth and job creation.
But at what cost?
Instead of celebrating corporate expansion, we should be asking how we can invest in Wichita’s growing community. Every dollar spent at a local shop stays in the community, supporting our neighbors rather than boosting the bottom line of one of the world’s richest men.
Amazon’s expansion may offer short-term gains, but Wichita must weigh the long-term consequences before welcoming the company with open arms.
to look at, and don’t even get me started on the piglin’s design. It was a fleshy nightmare that will haunt my dreams for decades. This movie could have easily, and should have been, made into a cartoon style. I think a style similar to the 2023 Mario movie would have benefited this production greatly.
It was just weird for me. I mean, the “Minecraft” fandom has proven for years that it’s possible to animate creatures and characters while making it look decent with their multiple music videos and short stories.
I appreciate what the designers were trying to do with the style, and I can’t even imagine how much time went into rendering, but it unfortunately fell straight into a pool of lava while searching for diamonds.
Overall though, with all of my complaints, the movie was a fun watch. I did appreciate seeing the sheer wildness of the game be embraced while encouraging kids to continue to be creative, especially in the time of artificial intelligence art, where creativity can easily be killed off.
It was sweet; it was cute; and it was a good laugh, especially in a movie theater where every reference to the game was met with a clap and cheer. It also paid tribute to those on YouTube who helped the game rise to the height of its popularity.
“A Minecraft Movie” is definitely worth a first watch, but probably not much more than that.
Illustration by Emma Wilks / The Sunflower
Women’s bowling advances to NCAA Final Four
BY OWEN PROTHRO owenprothro@gmail.com
Wichita State’s women’s bowling team advanced to its first NCAA Final Four in its first season of NCAA eligibility. The Shockers swept through the Lansing Regional in three, best-of-three Mega Matches on Friday and Saturday.
Wichita State, Lansing Regional’s No. 1 seed and the No. 4 overall seed in the 19-team tournament, didn’t drop a match against Felician University. They also beat fellow Conference USA member Vanderbilt University twice in the same fashion to win the Regional.
The Regional win and Final Four berth comes less than two weeks after WSU caught fire out of the contender’s bracket of the CUSA Championship to win its first NCAA conference tournament.
The Shockers are now riding a 10-game winning streak heading into Las Vegas for the Final Four.
The Final Four is scheduled for Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, at Suncoast Lanes in Las Vegas. WSU will play against another CUSA opponent and the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, Jacksonville State University.
The Shockers beat Jacksonville State in two consecutive matches to win the CUSA Championship.
Last Thursday, WSU head coach Holly Harris was named CUSA Coach of the Year. Sophomores Ashtyn Woods and Sara Duque Jiménez were named All-CUSA first team.
Graduate student Mary Orf and junior Paige Wagner were named All-CUSA second and third teams respectively.
Against Felician on Friday, a Division II school in New Jersey, the traditional match was highlighted by five consecutive strikes from
sophomore Aleesha Oden from frames five to nine. In the sixth frame, Woods converted a 2-10 split to pick up the spare.
Against Vanderbilt, WSU trailed early in the traditional match but still found a way to win, 1,046-963. Duque Jiménez threw six strikes throughout.
The Shockers and Vanderbilt traded games in the baker total pinfall match as WSU eventually won, 1,079-982. The Shockers won games one and three, and Vanderbilt won games two and four. In the fifth and final game of the total pinfall match, WSU pulled out a 234-185 win to seal it.
Duque Jiménez highlighted game three of the total pinfall match with a turkey in the final frame to put WSU up 683-550 in total score at that point.
On Saturday, the Commodores beat Felician to avoid being knocked out via
double-elimination and later faced WSU, which set up the 11th meeting between the Shockers and Vanderbilt this season.
The Shockers picked up where they left off against Vanderbilt the day before and won the traditional match, 1,031-928. Senior Piper Reams led the charge with four consecutive strikes out of the gates and finished with a team-high 234 points.
In the baker total pinfall match, the first three games started the same. WSU took a narrow one-point advantage after wins in games one and three, but dropped game two.
After game four, the Shockers broke the trend with a 215-205 win and gave themselves an 11-point cushion going into the final game.
In game five, WSU shot its best game of the match with 232 points to secure the sweep of the Lansing Regional.
Baseball run-rules Newman in front of Wichita students
BY MACK SMITH mackred22@gmail.com
In front of a crowd made up of mostly USD 259 students on a field trip, Wichita State’s baseball team run-ruled crosstown Newman University in seven innings, 14-2, on Tuesday morning.
“(This) was my third kids’ game,” junior Jaden Gustafson said. “It’s always a fun game. They always bring energy to these early morning games.”
With the win, the Shockers’ record rose to 12-20, while Newman, a Division II school, fell to 8-27 on the season.
In the first inning, Gustafson started a three-run inning for WSU with a single to left field.
Gustafson continued a hot streak in the batter’s box. Since failing to record a hit during a loss at Oklahoma State late last month, he’s hit 12-25, including his first collegiate home run. Gustafson has also extended a multi-hit streak to three games with the win on Tuesday.
“I’m just getting my best swings off right now,” Gustafson said.
Senior Jordan Rogers followed the RBI single with a two-run home run to left field.
Sophomore Jeremiah Arnett started the game and pitched two no-hit innings. WSU head coach Brian Green wanted to keep Arnett in the game but took him out to keep him fresh for the weekend.
The Shockers added three more runs in the second inning. Two of the runs were scored on wild pitches and the other one was scored on a Gustafson single. Gustafson won a 10-pitch battle to get the RBI and extend his multi-hit streak.
“(My mindset) was just not to go down, get the run and do a job for my team,” Gustafson said.
In the fourth, seniors Josh Livingston and Cole Dillon pushed the Shockers’ lead to double digits, 10-0.
The Shockers scored four more runs the rest of the way and Newman scored twice in the seventh.
Wichita State will play the University of Texas at San Antonio over the weekend. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, April 11.
Baseball outlasted in series at Charlotte
BY ANANDA SMITH anandanicholesmith@gmail.com
In Wichita State baseball’s road series at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Shockers found late-inning heroics to win on Saturday — but that magic ran out Sunday afternoon as they fell in the decisive game, dropping the series. With the series loss, the Shockers are 11-20 on the season and dropped to 4-5 in American Athletic Conference games. Charlotte’s record rose to 18-13 overall and 6-3 in the AAC.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4 LOSS, 7-1
SATURDAY, APRIL 5 WIN, 4-2
Standout performance: Aaron Arnold: 3.2 IP, 6 SO, 3 H, 1 ER
Weather posed challenges for Wichita State softball’s road series against the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Shockers took two games in the series that saw a Saturday doubleheader due to the rain.
Wichita State improved to 7-7-1 in conference play and 19-18-1 on the season. UAB dropped to 6-9 in the AAC.
Standout performance: Ryley Nihart: 6.0 IP, 3 SO, 4 ER
Photo courtesy of Bryan Chavez / Wichita State Athletics
Standout performance: Mauricio Millan: 2-4, 1 RBI
Students from USD 259 play “Simon Says” during Wichita State’s baseball game on April 8. The Shockers beat Newman via run-rule, 14-2. | Photos by Mack Smith / The Sunflower
Senior Josh Livingston fist bumps USD 259 students while he is on deck against Newman. Livingston hit 1-2 with an RBI in the 14-2 run-rule win on April 8.
Junior Jaden Gustafson talks with outfield and hitting coach Anthony Miller. Gustafson hit 2-3 with three RBI, which included his first collegiate home run.
MUSICAL MAYHEM
Battle of the Bands competition raises money for local foster care organization.
PRIDE PROM
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
7 - 10 p.m.
Marcus Welcome Center
Celebrate queer and trans love with dancing, food and community at the annual Pride Prom hosted by Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies. Themed “captured by the fae,” all are welcome to attend. Formal and semi-formal dress are encouraged.
ULRICH COMMUNITY ART MARKET AT OPEN STREETS SHOCKER NEIGHBORHOOD
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
3 - 4 p.m.
Circle drive south of Ulrich Museum of Art
Celebrate identity and community at the Ulrich Community Art Market. Mingle with artists and local organizations and create free art to take home. Both local and regional artists will set up booths to sell products and provide demonstrations.
GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: DR. CÁRMELO DE LOS SANTOS, VIOLIN
MONDAY, APRIL 14
9 a.m.
Weidemann Hall
Professor of Violin at the University of New Mexico and Concertmaster of the New Mexico Philharmonic Cármelo de los Santos has performed as both soloist and conductor in prestigious concert halls around the world. In this concert, he will present a program of violin and piano works with collaborator Falko Steinbach, Professor of Piano at the University of New Mexico. This event is free and open to the public.
QT-TV TRIVIA NIGHT
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
3 - 4 p.m.
Rhatigan Student Center, room 262
Put your television knowledge to the test with QT-TV Trivia Night with prizes and friendly competition. Learn more about this Student Engagement & Belonging event at wichita.edu/seb.
SAVVY SCHOLAR
WORKSHOP: TELLING A STORY IN TABLEAU
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
3 - 4 p.m.
Ablah Library
Learn how to simplify your data and make your presentations stand out in this online or in-person event. Using the free version of Tableau, you’ll learn how to turn your research from complex and confusing data to clear and easy-tounderstand visuals. Learn more at libraries.wichita.edu/savvyscholar.
WIND ENSEMBLE CONDUCTED BY TIMOTHY SHADE
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
7:30 - 9 p.m.
Miller Concert Hall
This performance offers a diverse collection of works ranging from classical masterpieces to world premieres. This show will focus on the advancement of wind band performance and cross-genre concertizing. With a one-on-a-part ensemble format, this specific concert will highlight the talent of graduate and undergraduate individuals in the School of Music. Students can get a free ticket in advance at the Fine Arts Box Office in Duerkson Fine Arts Center, by phone at 316-978-3233 or online at wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. Sales at the box office are suspended three hours before the performance and open up again one hour before the event. Tickets are $6 to $12 otherwise.
HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED?
CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com
CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com
Harrison Steele finishes his set by singing his song, “Finding Myself”. This was the final song of the Battle of the Bands. | Photos by Angellica Klingsick / The Sunflower
The lead singer of the band Rebel Outlaws sings “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith. The band performed this song as a tribute to veterans.
Bands. The Battle of the Bands was hosted by CASA of Sedgwick County at WAVE on April 5.
Ashley Stilwell dances to Chronic Audio covering “Seven Nation Army,” a 2003 song by rock band The White Stripes. Chronic Audio was the first band to perform at the Battle of the Bands on April 5 and ultimately took home the victory. The event featured local bands competing with each other to raise money for a local non-profit supporting foster care advocacy, CASA of Sedgwick County.
