THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 • VOL. 122, ISS. 46
THESUNFLOWER.COM
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1896.
Hungate expects Bardo to sign SGA fees recommendation
MATT CROW/THE SUNFLOWER
Student Body President Paige Hungate answers questions during a meeting of the faculty senate on March 12. BY CHANCE SWAIM
SGA President Paige Hungate said she expects WSU President John Bardo to sign whatever student fees recommendation student government gives him. While addressing Faculty Senate about proposed cuts to The Sunflower’s funding Monday, Hungate said she expects Bardo to sign the budget passed by the student senate, “just because that’s the role that he has to play and SGA represents the students and our vote counts.” Faculty Senate had just finished passing, unanimously, a resolution calling for Bardo to restore The Sunflower’s funding, which was cut in half during closed-door deliberations last month. The Student Fees Committee’s recommendation to The Sunflower increased by $25,000 after Bardo called for the deliberations to be re-held in public, citing “First Amendment questions” raised by the proposed funding to The Sunflower. The Student Fees Committee recommends funding levels to the student senate. The senate then votes on the proposal, with the ability to change recommended funding for non-fixedline items. The Sunflower is a fixed-line item on the student fees budget, meaning the senate cannot change the recommended funding level. Ultimately, the budget must be signed by Bardo and then approved as part of the tuition and fees proposal presented to the Kansas Board of Regents in June. “He has every right to change our recommendation,” Hungate said. “But the regents aren’t
interested in seeing a recommendation the president hand-picks himself. They’re interested in seeing a recommendation that students sign-off on.” Teri Hall, vice president for student affairs, also spoke at Faculty Senate’s meeting about the student fees deliberations. “So what has become crystal clear the last couple of weeks is that annual budgeting cycle that we go through for student fees can’t be used to make long-term decisions about how we give our organizations funding,” Hall said. Hall said she’s committed to having long-term conversations with The Sunflower, BAJA and Formula Team, and Mikrokosmos about getting “to a place where there isn’t this discrepancy about expectations for fundraising or revenue that get brought up in the student fees process.” “I hope to never have to see another editor in chief of The Sunflower go through what Chance (Swaim) has had to go through these last couple of times,” Hall said. “It’s hard.” “But because there are no clear expectations or definitions about the role The Sunflower plays on our campus and how it’s funded long term, it’s going to keep coming up,” Hall said. The Sunflower is a student group governed by the Publication Board with bylaws approved through the university president. The Sunflower’s mission statement defines The Sunflower’s role on campus as being — both in print and online — “a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. SEE HUNGATE PAGE6
MATT CROW/THE SUNFLOWER
Jay Price wears a t-shirt that reads “The Sunflower” at Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting. The senate voted unanimously in support of WSU’s student newspaper. Several faculty senators wore Sunflower t-shirts to the meeting.
Faculty Senate votes to support The Sunflower, opposes funding cuts, intimidation
T
BY JENNA FARHAT
he Faculty Senate voted unanimously to support The Sunflower and urge President John Bardo to restore the newspaper’s
funding. The Faculty Senate’s resolution supporting The Sunflower calls the proposed cuts to the newspaper’s funding “intimidation of free student press” and recognizes The Sunflower as “an invaluable resource of information for Wichita State University.” Dan Close, a faculty senator from the communication school, said he fully supported the senate’s stance. “I was The Sunflower faculty adviser for 16 years,” Close said. Close was also an editor of The Sunflower while a student at WSU. “This is not a battle that hasn’t been fought before, but never with this extreme heavy-handedness on the part of the administration,” Close said. An earlier draft of the statement read: “The Faculty Senate has concerns that such a budget cut will be perceived by WSU community and national press as intimidation of free student press.” Gamal Weheba, a faculty senator from the engineering department, took exception to the mention of a “perception” of intimidation. “It is intimidation,” Weheba said.
“Let’s call it by its name.” The draft was amended with Weheba’s suggestion. The final draft of the Faculty Senate’s resolution reads: “The Faculty Senate urges President Bardo to restore the funds to a level consistent with previous years and to ensure that the Sunflower is free to pursue its mission. The Sunflower, which reports on WSU news, current issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary, is an invaluable resource of information for Wichita State University community including students, faculty, staff, alumni and the wider Wichita community. In addition, the Sunflower represents a unique opportunity for applied learning experience for students, which directly aligns with WSU’s Strategic Plan. The Sunflower cannot survive without proper funding. The Faculty Senate has concerns that the proposed budget cut is intimidation of free student press.” Faculty Senate President Carolyn Shaw said she met with Bardo Tuesday to deliver the resolution in person. Shaw said resolutions serve to represent the feelings of the senate on particular issues. “The Senate rarely passes resolutions, and only does so when it feels strongly about an issue, as was
Staff member hit by car on campus dies, traffic safety concerns raised Center. Johnson said Hull A staff member who was suffered from inoperable hit by a car on campus last bleeding of the brain after week died Monday. the accident. Kathy Hull, visual Director of News resources coordinator and Media Relations in the Wichita State art Joe Kleinsasser said the school, went into cardiac accident is under investiHULL arrest Monday morning as a gation. He said that once the result of complications from investigation is complete, the her injury. information will be shared with the Kirsten Johnson, a graphic design District Attorney’s office to deterprofessor, announced Hull’s death mine potential charges. during a Faculty Senate meeting Kleinsasser said the driver of the Monday afternoon. vehicle was a student. March 6, Hull was hit by a car Johnson recalled another incident at a crosswalk between Wilner when someone was seriously injured Auditorium and McKnight Art after being hit by a car on campus. BY JENNA FARHAT
In 2016, a WSU history professor was hit by a car at a crosswalk near Henrion Hall. University police cited the “nearly fatal accident” as a reason to begin issuing traffic tickets on campus last semester. “I’m sick and tired of this. This is the second time we’ve had people hit in the crosswalk,” Johnson said. Johnson sent a letter to WSU President John Bardo suggesting that the university install speed bumps and lower the speed limit on campus. “I’ve never heard anything from administration,” Johnson said. “And now Kathy has died.” SEE HULL PAGE 6
SGA President Paige Hungate responds to Faculty Senate vote: “Counter what statements are being made about student fees from the faculty, it’s really not the faculty’s place to tell student government how to allocate student fees. Students are the ones paying them. Students are the ones allocating them. Faculty senate is not a step in that process.” evident from the unanimous vote,” Shaw wrote in an email. The Faculty Senate meets twice a month. At the end of its last meeting, George Dehner, a senator from the history department, brought up the subject of The Sunflower’s funding and its recent coverage detailing threats made to the newspaper by university administrators. SEE FACULTY SENATE PAGE 6
SGA proposes changes to student fees committee BY RAY STRUNK
The SGA Executive Cabinet proposed an amendment that would change the makeup and deliberation process of the Student Fees Committee. If the amendment passes a vote from the student senate March 28, Vice President of Student Affairs Teri Hall would be ousted as the chairperson of the committee. The Student Body President would step in and serve as chairperson. Hall would serve as an ex-officio non-voting member, along with Vice President of Administration and Finance
Werner Golling, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration and Director of Budgets David Miller, and Director of Financial Aid Sheelu Surrender. Hall and Golling are voting members of the committee. They both abstained from voting during the second set of deliberations Friday. The rest serve as ex-officio members currently, along with Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Aaron Austin who will no longer serve on the committee. The amendment would also require at least one deliberation meeting that is open to the public.
INSIDE
SMILES, JOY, AND DINNER
‘THOROUGHBREDS’ LACKS
VETERAN EXPERIENCE
Why does the rowing team get $237,899 in student fees?
This dining hall cashier brightens students’ days.
Read our movie critic’s take on the darkly funny movie.
The Shockers will rely on what they know best for March Madness.
OPINION • PAGE 2
CULTURE • PAGE 5
CULTURE • PAGE 5
SPORTS • PAGE 6
ROWING IN THE DOUGH
2 | THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
www.thesunflower.com
THE STAFF EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Chance Swaim Managing Editor Jenna Farhat Culture Editor Marissa Campbell Sports Editor Matt Crow Opinion Editor Evan Pflugradt Projects Editor Ray Strunk Creative Director Madeline Deabler Photo Editor Brian Hayes Digital Editor Nicole Byrne
ADVERTISING
Advertising Manager Christian Yost
OPINION
www.thesunflower.com
Innovation: A concept or a mindset? Innovation Campus occupies 120 acres of land on the grounds of the former Braeburn Golf Course, but perhaps its most valuable piece of real estate is in the heart of Wichita State President John Bardo. To hear Bardo tell it, Innovation Campus has transcended its physical presence at WSU since its inception in 2014. “In the past year, the concept has grown beyond those borders,” Bardo wrote in his February newsletter on the university website. “As the original site has developed more quickly than I could have hoped or forecast, ‘Innovation Campus’ has come to mean a mindset as well as a physical place.” And not just any mindset. To Bardo and his executive team, it has become something of a mission statement for the university. “We’ve begun to think about Innovation Campus as any place where the university has the opportunity to put the strategic plan, vision and mission into action,” Bardo wrote. So how did this mindset come to eclipse a physical presence, and is
MATTHEW KELLY COLUMNIST
it a good thing for the strategic plan to become one with the spirit of Innovation Campus? This spirit champions ideals of applied learning, public-private partnership, and community engagement. Bardo wrote that the “concept” of Innovation Campus has become a mindset within the past year, so, in judging the merit of WSU’s new strategic plan, it’s necessary to examine just what the university has achieved in that time. WSU has successfully incorporated Wichita Area Technical College, upgraded athletic conferences, and created a host of
new for-credit courses for non-degree-seeking students. It has also leased out a privatelybuilt apartment complex before formally asking permission from the state, leased a building on campus to the Innovation Alliance the same day it was subleased to a private, Koch-family funded elementary school without Kansas Board of Regents approval, and moved forward “on good faith” with a plan to bring a YMCA and wellness center to Innovation Campus — even after a false start with student leaders and the nagging sentiment that the decision was predetermined. And that’s becoming a problem. Innovation Campus isn’t just a place or a strategic mindset — it’s quickly becoming a crutch for the university to lean on — a guise under which questionable behavior and a lack of accountability can be easily explained away. This singular focus on evolving higher education has led WSU’s administration to dismiss dissenting opinions, ignore conflicts of interest, and even deny objective facts — failing to hold itself to a high level
of accountability. The Sunflower’s coverage of Innovation Campus has cast a critical eye on such behavior, and subsequently, our funding has been threatened — even though, as the Faculty Senate put it in their statement to Bardo in which they unanimously voiced support for the paper, The Sunflower affords students a “unique opportunity for applied learning” that “directly aligns with WSU’s Strategic Plan.” And yet, watchdog coverage is decried as unwillingness to accept the coming greatness of Innovation Campus. “Tell me anything worthwhile that has ever happened in the history of the world that hasn’t been controversial,” Bardo said last October. President Bardo, Innovation Campus should be controversial because it is a bold approach to redefining higher education at a public university — not because it repeatedly fails to meet the time-honored standards of accountability and transparency required of a first-class public university.
ADVISING
Faculty Adviser Amy DeVault
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Rowing draws big money. Why?
S
tudent fees deliberations have been dreadful. The deliberations have brought to question the legality of Kansas open meetings, and how Student Government defines a legislative body. WSU President John Bardo had to request that the committee re-do deliberations in public after First Amendment questions were raised by the committee’s to cut The Sunflower’s funding behind closed doors. And after the re-do meeting, recommendations changed. The Sunflower’s recommendations increased from $50,000 to $75,000. One item that didn’t change? Rowing and $237,899 in student fees money. Rowing made it through the second round of deliberations receiving a recommendation of $237,899 — just $1,500 short of their request. Their recommendation didn’t move from the first deliberations. During Friday’s deliberations, the Student Fees Committee passed through rowing without asking a single question; not a single word was spoken about rowing’s funding request. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Is it really fair to fast forward through something that receives such a
Major universities have strong, student-run newspapers. From what I’ve heard most people at WSU and in the community believe that. The question then becomes, how is it funded? It’s the same question that student government associations at major universities debate for campus organization each year, including funding their own student government operations. The challenge can become that as part of their mission and job, these independent, student-run newspapers report on the activities of the student government associations and the university leaders who may determine future funding. The question of how to fund
EVAN PFLUGRADT OPINION EDITOR
monumental amount of student fees? No. If the recommendations passed, the rowing team would receive a 4 percent increase over the last three years, and a 12 percent increase since 2014. And nothing clearly explains why the rowing team needs so much funding. The committee mentioned that the team could succeed without receiving their full requested amount, but still voted in favor of a 0.7 percent increase. In the weeks following the committee’s initial deliberations, questions have been raised in regards to The Sunflower’s funding. Why does the publication need $153,000? Sure, $153,000 is a lot of money, but broken down, this is reasonable for
LETTER to the EDITOR The Sunflower has been the topic of many conversations both on and off campus. Because this issue is important to Wichita State and its long-term perception and recruitment, as a community volunteer and communication consulting professional, I proposed a solution to SGA at its budget hearing. I offered to volunteer my time to help forge a solution. If the Sunflower is fully funded
the costs of running a 30-plus-person organization that pays all its employees — and we’re not even coming close to that in recommendations. The Sunflower can’t even break $100,000 in recommendations, but rowing passes with a recommendation of $237,899 without serious question? What does rowing even do with $237,899? If I had to guess, they’re likely patching holes in the boat with $100 bills. To fully fund the requested amounts, student fees would have to increase by more than 5 percent. Under the current recommendation, student fees would only increase by a little over 1 percent. The goal should not be to cut funding from the rowing team. However, with all the talk on cutting funds here and there, there should at least be decent discussions on something that receives such substantial allocations. Before the recommended cuts for The Sunflower can be explained with any appropriate rationale, there must first be clear explanations on why rowing cannot survive without yet another lofty increase.
this year, I will help work with SGA, WSU administration and the Sunflower to design a solution to remove concerns or perceptions that any cuts this year, or any other year, are related to recent news coverage. As an example, K-State has a three-year funding cycle to help eliminate perceptions that additional funding is a reward for perceived favorable SGA and university coverage or that funding cuts are in response to perceived negative coverage. This is only one of many solutions I’m certain we could explore. While I’ve heard several reasons for the recommended cuts to The Sunflower, some of those have been based on comparisons that should
be more fully discussed. A concern of many in the communication profession is that the decision is being made without a full understanding of the market realities of the Wichita-area demographics and advertising sales. I’ve volunteered for Wichita State University many times throughout my career because I believe in its importance for its current students and to our overall community and recruitment of future students. Decisions such as this have longterm implications and sometimes unintended consequences. The community cares, and I care enough to volunteer my time to work together to find a solution. —Vera Bothner
CULTURE
www.thesunflower.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
∂
Since 1896 The Sunflower has been the voice of the Wichita State University student body. It doesn’t go quiet when things get tough. Asking tough questions and shining light into darkness is exactly what journalism is supposed to do. The individuals listed on this ad strongly believe that. We learned it, first hand, as Sunflower staff. Cuts to funding – even threats of cuts – are attempts to turn off the light and silence criticism. We stand with The Sunflower and support sustainable funding for student journalism. We hope the WSU community will, too. It’s your eyes, ears … and voice.
∂
Melissa Angle 1998-2002 Director of audience Fans 1st Media Atlanta, Georgia Cliff Bieberly 1968-71 Communication department chair and associate professor Chaminade University Honolulu, Hawaii Billy Brown 2013-14 Sports editor and photographer Shawnee News-Star Shawnee, Oklahoma Kevin Brown 2014-16 Documentary TV/film producer New York, New York Jillian Clough 2013-16 Freelance graphic designer Denver, Colorado Jennifer Comes 1984-86 Community resource specialist KVC Kansas Wichita, Kansas Elaine (Records) Dority 1968-72 Communication studies adjunct University of Missouri – Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri
Josh Duncan 2014-16 Visual director at Slickwraps Wichita, Kansas Stacia Garlach 1994-96, 1999-2001 Graphic designer University of Hawaii Foundation Honolulu, Hawaii Travis Gillespie 2015 Content writer Salt Lake City, Utah Phillip Gray 2000-04 Editor New York, New York Amy Houston 1995-97 Marketing specialist/assistant manager Garten’s Music and Wichita Music Academy Wichita, Kansas Michael Hull 1998-99 Documentary producer/director Vancouver, Washington Davina Jamison 1997-2001 Romance novelist Hutchinson, Kansas James Kellerman 2014-15 Sports designer Omaha World-Herald Omaha, Nebraska
Christopher Kelley 1999-2002 Senior account manager KIK Custom Products Atlanta, Georgia
Brennan Smith 2015-17 Targeted case manager Rainbows United, Inc. Wichita, Kansas
Amanda Maier 2015 Public affairs coordinator Larimer County Government Fort Collins, Colorado
Corbett Smith 2000-02 Education reporter The Dallas Morning News Dallas, Texas
Teshia Morris 1999-2002 Senior staff editor The New York Times New York, New York
Lucas Soltow 1999-2001 Real estate broker/owner Hutchinson, Kansas
Alex Perry 2013-16 Tech writer International Business Times New York, New York Danielle Prewitt 2013-16 Script writer and content manager NMCO Media and NewMexi.co Las Cruces, New Mexico Shelby Reynolds 2012-16 Features reporter Naples Daily News Naples, Florida Michael Rusco 1996-99 Petroleum landman Murfin Drilling Co. Wichita, Kansas
Shari Stephens Burckhardt 1996-2000 Author, ESL teacher Düsseldorf, Germany Nicole Stockdale 1997-2000 Deputy editorial page editor The Dallas Morning News Dallas, Texas Jake Trease 2011-14 Copywriter and producer Brothers & Company Wichita, Kansas Jennifer Wegerer-Bertematti 1993-96 Manager of project management Intrust Bank Wichita, Kansas Anonymous
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4 | THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
SPORTS
www.thesunflower.com
CULTURE
www.thesunflower.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
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‘Thoroughbreds’ is darkly funny, but lacking
SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
Maureen Coleman swipes a student’s meal card in the dining hall.
‘Wichita State exclusive grandma’ shares joy, smiles with dining guests
A
BY ABIGAIL FAFLICK
midst the daily hustle of campus life, students often rush into the dining hall to eat between classes or to catch a meal with friends. The most dependable of those friends is Maureen Coleman, the cashier that greets everyone who walks through the door with a smile. Coleman, recognized for her continued support of students, is most notably known for taking the time to learn people’s names as they walk into the dining hall. “I try to call students by name because it gives a personal connection,” Coleman said. “Whether they call me grandma or mom, I don’t care. “I just notice that when I have the name down by sight, they just gleam.” Originally from the small-town
Americus, Kan., Coleman moved to Wichita in adulthood. She has worked for dining services with Wichita State for 20 years. The sense of hard work and service Coleman tries to embody is a testament to her own work ethic throughout her personal life. She beams talking about her kids’ and grandchildren’s hard work pay off. Whether assuming a more personal and maternal role, or even that of hero to some students, the simple mention of Coleman’s name brings joy to all that know her. “Maureen is such a genuine person,” first-year student Bailey Barber said. “She truly cares about all the students at WSU and brightens everyone’s day.” “She’s the brightest light on this campus,” first-year student Barak Cole Segura said. Coleman even remembers students who do not live in Shocker
Hall anymore, continuing relationships for years after through outlets like Facebook. “It is always nice to have a kind face and a wonderful lady remembering who you are,” senior Lara Brockway said. “Whenever I see her while giving tours, she will remember me. On Facebook, she likes all of my life updates. She’s like a Wichita State exclusive grandma.” Though Coleman has some sense of how students feel about her, she is humbled with nearly as much sincere joy as she gives others. “I hear kids say, ‘Oh you’re so awesome,’” Coleman said. “I don’t think of myself like that.” “I just think I am just a person—I am just me. It makes me feel really good that I could be that important to them. It makes me feel very special.”
Scientists have recently developed a new shade of black — dubbed “Vantablack” — a shade so dark it creates the illusion of depth in the object it’s painted upon. In watching “Thoroughbreds,” the first film from director Cory Finley, I was often reminded of this newly developed color. A black comedy in every sense of the genre, “Thoroughbreds” is an intelligent and darkly funny examination of the upper crust of American class and culture through the eyes of two young and precocious women. However, much like “Vantablack,” there is an illusion of depth present — a thematic muddiness that leaves the viewer somewhat disoriented, as if the novelty of the tone of the film could substitute for actualized depth. “Thoroughbreds” is about two young women, Amanda (Olivia Cooke) and Lily (Anya-Taylor Joy), estranged childhood friends who become reacquainted through SAT tutoring. Amanda feels nothing. Lily feels everything. They are polar opposites on the emotional spectrum, yet they share a common disdain for the slice of America they both inhabit, as personified through Lily’s cruel and distant stepfather. When Amanda suggests killing him, Lily eventually agrees, and the film spirals out from there. Radically dark teen comedies aren’t new (think “Heathers”), but “Thoroughbreds” carries itself with a confidence and aesthetic flair that separates it from the pack. Glossy manicured lawns and a buzzing soundtrack mesh together to provide an emotional dissonance that underscores the characters and their situation. The writing is sharp and sometimes seriously funny, but never in an ostentatious or
MATT GARNER MOVIE CRITIC
aloof manner. Twin leads Olivia Cooke and Anya-Taylor Joy both excel in their roles, bringing a fierce intelligence coupled with an immaturity that only youth can provide. All of the elements of a good picture are present, and for the majority of the film, these pieces work together to provide an assured and razor-toothed comedy. Yet, in leaving the theater, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. Some ethereal element — a thematic focus or filed point for the film to hinge upon. When the film reaches its conclusion, ending in a coda that reintroduces Anton Yelchin’s character (an ambitious and dumb drug dealer whose reach exceeds his grasp), the final notes ring out as almost hollow. There are all of these rich and resonant pieces in play: the slick cinematography and confident visual style; the cool and collected demeanor of the lead actresses and how that contrasts nicely with the messy and evil work they’re doing; snippets of dialogue that are honed and delivered with a metallic edge. Yet, these elements remain just that — elements. I never got the impression that they added up to anything more than what they were on the screen. There’s a shallowness present that only really reveals itself after the credits start to roll: a creeping realization that maybe everything presented on the screen is it — nothing more, nothing less.
Wichita Staycation 2018: A non-traveler's guide to staying home for Spring Break BY DANIEL CAUDILL
For those of us staying in the Wichita area over Spring Break, there are plenty of events out there to ensure that an at-home break is still a vacation. 1. WSU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT FEAT. ALAN HELD, BASSBARITONE
Where: Miller Concert Hall When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Entry: Free with WSU student ID, $12 otherwise The Wichita State School of Music will host a Symphony Orchestra Concert featuring voice professor Alan Held, flute professor Carmen Lemoine and violin professor Betul Soykan. Performances will include work by a range of composers. 2. SEDGWICK COUNTY ZOO’S “FOLLOW THE ROAR”
Where: Sedgwick County Zoo — 5555 W. Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212 When: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday Entry: Children 0-2 - Free Children 3-11 and Senior Citizens 62+ - $12 Adults 12+ - $16 $5 discount with NCAA ticket stub Ranked seventh in the United States, the Sedgwick County Zoo offers a wide range of animal and wildlife exhibits, five of which are based on the continents of North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Throughout the course of Spring Break, the zoo will offer a $5 discount for customers with NCAA tournament ticket stubs. 3. HISTORIC DELANO ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Where: Downtown Wichita from Douglas/McLean to Douglas/Walnut When: Sat, Mar. 17 at 12 p.m. Entry: Free entry for spectators The Delano District of Wichita has hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year since 2006. This year’s parade will be sponsored by Picasso’s Pizzeria, Fidelity Bank and ten other local businesses. You can start of your St. Patty’s with this event before hitting up old town for brews and
food.
4. KILL VARGAS, SUTPHIN AND VALLEYVIEW CONCERT
Where: The Backbeat at Midwest Drum - 2228 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67214 When: 7 p.m. Mar. 22 Entry: Free admission Local alternative rock bands Kill Vargas and Sutphin are starting their spring tour with an all-ages concert at Midwest Drum alongside the Kansasnative Valleyview. 5. DISNEY ON ICE: FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Where: Intrust Bank Arena - 500 E. Waterman St., Wichita, KS 67202 When: 7 p.m. on Mar. 22 and Mar. 23, Sat, Mar. 24 (11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.), and Sun, Mar. 25 (1 p.m. and 5 p.m.) Tickets: $30-70 (varies by section and date) For the first time ever, DisneyPixar’s “Finding Dory” will be a part of their annual “on ice” tour. The all-ages ice skating performance will feature an array of other Disney stories, including Frozen and Inside Out. 6. COLLEGE BASEBALL - FURMAN PALADINS AT WSU SHOCKERS
Where: Eck Stadium When: 6 p.m. Mar. 23, 2 p.m. Mar. 24, and 11:30 a.m. Mar. 25 Entry: Free entry for students, $5-12 otherwise (varies by section) The Shockers baseball team will host four home games over spring break, including three in a row versus Furman University of South Carolina. 7. ICT COMIC CON AND SCIENCE FICTION EXPO - YEAR 3.0
Where: Century II Exhibition Hall - 225 W. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS, 67202 When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mar. 24 and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mar. 25 Entry: Children up to 12 are free, adults 13+ $10 on Sat, $8 on Sun, $15 for Weekend Pass This Wichita convention is held annually for fans of all forms of media, especially those from the science fiction and horror genres. ICT Comic Con will feature special guests, cosplay competitions, vending booths and more.
Applications coming to our website this week.
SUNFLOWER EDITOR
The editor of the Sunflower is responsible for the hiring, management, supervision of the newsroom staff to ensure the newspaper is published on time, within budget and in accordance to the highest of journalism practices. The editor is ultimately responsible for what is published in the printed paper and the online edition. Qualifications: - Knowledge and understanding of journalism ethics, libel law and personnel policies and laws. - Leadership and organizational skills. - Ability to represent the Sunflower well and interact with the campus community. - Ability to work nights and weekends as needed. - Ability to meet deadlines consistently.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017 • VOL. 122, ISS. 12
THESUNFLOWER.COM
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1896.
HEADCOUNT
WHAT IS A BADGE COURSE?
PADDING
0.5 credit hour Online • Self-directed, selfpaced • No grades assigned • Appear on transcript • Free to anyone who signed up between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 • Counts towards university’s enrollment numbers • •
In the two weeks leading up to the official enrollment tally — after losing pace with last year’s headcount of 14,474 — WSU enrolled 668 non-degree-seeking students in free, halfcredit-hour badge courses. Then the university reported the highest enrollment increase of any four-year university in the state.
WHAT IS A LIFELONG LEARNING COURSE?
0.5 credit hour Offered at area churches, retirement centers Tuition-free Four, two-hour-long class sessions • Fees were waived to anyone who signed up prior to Sept. 15 • Counts towards university’s enrollment numbers • For students 60 years and older • •
• •
FREE BADGE COURSES OFFERED
CLASSES BEGIN 2016 ENROLLMENT
AUG. 21
SEPT. 1
2017 ENROLLMENT
14,474
15,081 SEPT. 18 OFFICIAL COUNT REPORTED
CHANCE SWAIM AND MADELINE DEABLER/THE SUNFLOWER SOURCE: OFFICE OF PLANNING & ANALYSIS
WSU reports largest student increase in state
DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS AT WSU 13,977
O
verall enrollment numbers at Wichita State are up, but fewer students are seeking degrees at the university this year than any of the last seven years, despite a multi-million dollar investment in student recruiting. But Friday, the university announced enrollment numbers indicating the fastest growth of any four-year school in the state. That increase was achieved largely through the last-minute enrollment of non-degree-seeking senior citizens, high school students, and working professionals in half-credithour courses. Since 2012, President John Bardo has stressed reaching a goal of 22,000 students. According to the university’s master plan, framework for the Innovation Campus is based on the assumption that enrollment will reach 22,000. Total headcount reported Friday was 15,081, nearly 7,000 from that goal, even with the last-minute enrollees.
The number of degreeseeking students at Wichita State has decreased each of the last three years.
13,977
13,802
By CHANCE SWAIM, RAY STRUNK, & MATTHEW KELLY
13,665
13,655 13,506 13,370
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2012
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2015
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2017
CHANCE SWAIM/THE SUNFLOWER
LIFELONG LEARNING COURSES BIBLICAL CITIES AND LANDSCAPES - Bel Aire Senior Center
INTRODUCTION TO METEOROLOGY - Oxford Grand Assisted Living KANSAS’ SACRED PLACES - Westside Baptist Church LEAD TYPE, BULLETS AND BRAZEN NERVE - Westside Baptist Church MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE DIRECTIONS - Derby Senior Center
SEE ENROLLMENT STORY PAGE 3
WICHITA LOOKS AT ROCK AND ROLL - Larksfield Place Retirement Community
State approves Westar, WSU land exchange By CHANCE SWAIM
The Kansas Legislature and board of regents have approved a land exchange between Westar Energy and Wichita State to build a Kansas Gas and Electric Company substation on Innovation Campus. “This partnership will bring increased reliability and capacity to Wichita as well as learning benefits to the engineering students at WSU,” said Jaycee Breese, a spokesperson for Westar in an email. At last month’s board of regents meeting, WSU sought approval MOSES of the land exchange. Wichita State will give Westar $260,000 worth of property in exchange for $86,400 worth of property owned by Westar. The request said KG&E had a plan to make up for the $173,600 cost difference. “To make up this difference, KG&E buried overhead electrical lines along 21st Street, between Mike Oatman Drive and Oliver Street.” KG&E estimated burying the lines cost an extra $537,000 than hanging them. “Not only will this add safety and reliability to the area by having the lines underground, the aesthetics will hopefully be a contributing factor in promoting economic development along this corridor,” the request to reads. David Moses, WSU’s general counsel, forwarded The Sunflower the legislative proposal for the land transfer, which said the exchange would provide KG&E with the space necessary to replace an aging substation and increase reliability and capacity through larger transformers and additional circuits. “These upgrades are essential to the anticipated growth of WSU and the surrounding area,” the proposal said. The proposed site will provide KG&E space to convert from 64 kilovolt lines to 138 kilovolt lines. “In addition to the aforementioned, the exchange would improve access to WSU’s material storage area due to the closer proximity of the Physical Plant complex,” the proposal said. The new substation will be near the Experiential Engineering Building on Innovation Campus.
Welder-turned-painter turns ordinary objects to art By ABBI FAFLICK
Full-time student and father of three boys, Collin Allen is also an artist who transforms common materials into jewelry, wallets, clothing, and furniture in his studio in the GoCreate space. After completing his associates degree in welding at Wichita Area Technical College, Allen returned to school to pursue a bachelor of fine arts in studio painting. “I’ve spent my whole life learning how to make things — anything” Allen said. “The skills that I have are kind of unusual, because I feel just as comfortable sewing as I do welding or cutting a board on a saw.”
“I look at art differently in that I don’t just do fine art painting ... I look for needs and make something. All of those skills help me build what I need.” Allen’s interest in art began when he learned how to sew and make jewelry at age 9. Now, at 41, Allen blends all forms of his artistry into making a variety of pieces, from paintings and sculptures to functional items. With the various labs available in the GoCreate space, Allen can combine his diverse skills in applied art more efficiently than he could at home. He said that as tools and technologies develop, artists can create more efficiently.
“The GoCreate space gives you more time to create efficiently ... [there is] a constant evolution here of ‘what can I do next; what can I create?’” Allen said he balances time spent making art with time spent studying and taking care of his family. Before he went back to school, Allen stayed at home with his sons until they were old enough to all be in school “That gave me the ability to have them with me in the shop. They could experience a lot of things they wouldn’t normally be exposed to,” Allen said. “It was a very important thing for me in that making art SEE ARTIST PAGE 5
BRIAN HAYES/THE SUNFLOWER
Collin Allen, a welder-turned-painter, works at a sewing machine, one of his many different artistic tools utilized at the GoCreate Makerspace.
INSIDE
DEADLINE - Thursday, March 29 SPACECRAFT COMMANDER
A SOUTHSIDE TRADITION
A VOLLEYBALL HUNTER
The Sunflower will be livestreaming SGA meetings.
Four questions with a former Shocker working at NASA.
Po Boy pizza passes the test.
Star volleyball player also an avid elk hunter.
NEWS • PAGE 2
CULTURE • PAGE 4
CULTURE • PAGE 4
SPORTS • PAGE 8
SGA DROPS LIVESTREAM
ADVERTISING MANAGER The advertising manager of the Sunflower and the online edition of the Sunflower is responsible for selling ads in The Sunflower’s print issues and online. The ad manager is also responsible for hiring, managing and supervising the sales team. Qualifications: - Self-motivated. - Accurate; detail-oriented person. - Professional attitude - People person. - Strong interpersonal skills. - Values integrity and ethical conduct. - Team player. - Enjoys selling.
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SPORTS
6 | THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018
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Shockers capitalize on veterans’ experience heading into March Madness BY ALIYAH FUNSCHELLE
Wichita State sees their seventh-straight NCAA Tournament on Friday in San Diego. After years of feeling like they were cheated on seeding, Head Coach Gregg Marshall was pleased with receiving the four seed. “I thought we were going to be a five or a four. Right on the border of a five and four, teetering towards a five,” Marshall said. “We had a lot of wins in those first two quadrants, because we had the opportunity to play good teams.” Wichita State has a leg up on their Big Dance opponents—nine of the 10 players who saw playing time in March Madness games last season have returned. The experienced Shocker squad is lead by seniors Shaquille Morris and Zach Brown who played in eight games with five starts, and Rashard Kelly who has also played in eight. Those three seniors have helped the Shockers to a 5-3 record over the past three tournaments. Kelly, who has never missed a game as a Shocker, emphasized the importance of working through the mental blocks March can bring. “It's a grind. Around this time of March, it's more mental than physical to prepare for the games. You just have to understand that you are capable of it and you are here for a reason,” Kelly said. “Just keep pushing...Everything's a grind.” Sophomore guard Landry Shamet, who averaged 16.5 points in 35.0 minutes over the two 2017 games, thinks the team should take the same FACULTY SENATE FROM PAGE 1
Dehner said at the last meeting that he was “greatly alarmed” that some members of the WSU administration “sought to intimidate The Sunflower.” Dehner took the lead in drafting the statement in support of The Sunflower. The resolution was approved by the executive committee of the Faculty Senate 7-1 before it was brought before the entire Faculty Senate Monday afternoon. Shaw said the only “no” vote on the executive committee was from Dehner, who thought the wording should be stronger. Last month, the WSU Student Fees Committee recommended cutting The Sunflower’s funding to $50,000 after deliberating in a closed meeting. The Sunflower had HULL
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Interim Provost Rick Muma said in an email that the university is working with a traffic engineer “to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety on campus.” Ram Lama Hull said his mother was receiving respiratory therapy when her heart failed. “They attempted to keep her alive, but after thirty minutes I was asked to make the decision to keep trying or to let her pass,” Ram Lama Hull said in a Facebook message. “In years prior, she had been very
mental approach, but should be locked in now more than ever. "With preparation, it's got to remain the same. No different than it has been the last couple games... all season really,” Shamet said. “Just be focused. Try to continue to do what I'm doing and continue doing what we're doing as far as the mental aspect goes.” The Shockers will rely on their veterans’ experience when taking on Marshall Thundering Herd, a team who has not been to the Big Dance since 1987. Marshall finished fourth in the Conference USA regular-season after going 24-10. Despite their fourth place regular-season finish, they were able to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 13 seed after winning the conference tournament in Frisco. Marshall has a group of three juniors that are the main contributors for the Thundering Herd: John Elmore, C.J. Burks, and Ajdin Penava. They account for almost 68 percent of the team’s points this season. Elmore ranks in national leaderboards for four different categories: scoring (8th, 22.8), assists (7th, 6.9), minutes (3rd, 38.2) and free throws made (4th, 217). Along with that he has recorded two triple-doubles this season and finished as a first team All-Conference USA selection. Coach Marshall says that out of all the opponents he has seen this season, Elmore reminds him the most of Houston’s Rob Gray. “[Elmore]'s probably a little better shooter than Gray but doesn't drive it quite like Gray does,” Marshall said.
requested $153,000, which is what the newspaper received until 2016, when funding was cut to $100,000. The Student Fees Committee’s decision to close the meeting and slash The Sunflower’s funding was met with controversy. WSU President John Bardo called for the Student Fees Committee to reconvene “so that the campus and the community know we are committed to the First Amendment and the freedom of speech required in a first-class university.” The next week, the committee reconvened for a re-do, after SGA President Paige Hungate called Bardo’s decision “the pinnacle of cowardice.” The committee once again recommended a cut to The Sunflower’s funding. This time, the committee recommended $75,000. The recommended allocation cuts The Sunflower’s student fee funding by 51 percent in three years.
clear about what she’d want me to do in this kind of situation so I honored her wish to be allowed to die.” Kathy Hull worked at WSU for 27 years. “Kathy Hull was a creative individual who cared about the students she served and who always had their best interests close to her heart,” Johnson wrote in her letter. Kathy Hull’s son said one of the highlights of his mother’s time at WSU was her leadership role in an art exhibit in 2002, called Sacred Spaces. It featured paper cranes, mosaics, and painted doorways representing five world religions.
“Similar size and that type of player.” Although Elmore is the general of Marshall’s offense, the other juniors are large contributors. Burks averages 20.5 points per game and ranks 36th nationally, and Penava averages 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and leads the nation in blocks per game (4.06). Coach Marshall said the Thundering Herd’s style of play will keep the Shockers on their toes. Marshall doesn’t quite remind him of any conference teams, but two teams Wichita State has faced in their non-conference schedule. “I would say that the teams they remind us the most of that we've played this year are Savannah State and South Dakota State,” Marshall said. “Both of those teams played some fast, high octane offense: spreading the floor, driving it, and shooting the three.” “They were entertaining games, so we'll have to be on our toes.” Marshall is not an unfamiliar program to the Wichita State coaching staff. Coach Marshall spent two years as a Marshall University assistant under Greg White from 1996-98. Assistant Coach Donnie Jones received his master's degree from Marshall, and served as an assistant from 1990-96 and later on as head coach for the 2007-10 seasons. “There’s a lot of really nice people from there. I'm glad that they're in. I hate that we have to play them in the first round,” Marshall said. “It's really incredible, and I know the city is so excited and behind their team.” Tipoff is at 12:30 CT and will be broadcasted on TNT. The winner advances to the Second Round played on Sunday. HUNGATE
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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 learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.” Its budget is prepared by the fiscal control adviser, from WSU’s financial operations department, in consultation with the editor, ad manager, and faculty adviser. Each year, The Sunflower receives funding from student fees as a fixed-line item based on a requested amount approved by the Publications Board. Usually, The Sunflower receives the amount it requests under the “Automatic Appropriations” division of the budget, which also includes the Rhatigan Student Center, Educational Opportunity Fund, Student Affairs, Campus Recreation, and Student Government Association. This year, while all the other “Automatic Appropriations” groups were recommended the funding they requested, within 1.5 percent, the Student Fees Committee recommended cutting The Sunflower’s nearly in half, from $158,000 to $80,000. Hall said she wants to have conversations with the director of the Elliott School, the Publications Board, and the university administrators about
KENZIE BORLAND/THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State center Shaquille Morris shoots over Tulane forward Bul Ajang during the first half at Koch Arena.
“the long-term viability of The Sunflower.” Several faculty senators asked questions about the proposed cuts to The Sunflower. “So, I guess my question is,” said Aleksander Sternfeld Dunn, a professor from the school of music, “how do you have that conversation in good faith if you’re already going to start it off on a foot that suggests this is not really going to be good?” Hall did not answer the question directly but cited The Sunflower’s reserve account. “Certainly we’ve heard from lots of alums over the last couple of weeks that are very passionate about The Sunflower, making sure that it stays. So, yeah, I think there might be some other things there that we can think about,” Hall said. Hall said this is part of a national conversation about funding student newspapers — whether they should receive student fees or be funded solely through advertisements. Sternfeld Dunn said Wichita businesses don’t rely on WSU for business, unlike businesses in college towns like Kansas University and Kansas State University. “While I understand the national conversation,” Sternfeld Dunn said, “it’s one of those things where I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all solution. And so I am concerned that ad revenue is being the thing that’s being looked at as
this fund generator, where I don’t think it’s practical with this newspaper. And I think any long-term cuts need to be part of conversation that needs planned out, not just done at the whim.” Dan Close, a faculty member from the Elliott School of Communication and former editor and faculty adviser for The Sunflower, asked Hall and Hungate if the proposed cut was retaliation for the newspaper’s coverage. Hungate denied the cuts were retaliation for The Sunflower’s coverage. “No,” Hungate said. “It was not in retaliation to that, which I have said over and over again. It doesn’t have anything to do with content or coverage. It has everything to do with equitability. Trying to make things in line with other institutions.” Hall swore it never came up. “If it was retaliation, they would have been the only ones that got cut. But BAJA and SAE both got cut 50 percent as well. Mikrokosmos got cut completely. So they were looking differently, and I swear that never came up,” Hall said. BAJA, Formula Team, and Mikrokosmos are all non-fixedline items. In the second student fees deliberations, those groups were recommended funding at 75 percent of their current funding levels after the committee decided to recommend 75 percent of The Sunflower’s current allocation.