Jan. 31, 2012 College Heights Herald

WKUHERALD.COM

FOUR GREEK ORGANIZATIONS FACE SANCTIONS FOR HAZING LAST SEMESTER

INSIDE ON PAGE 3 TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 • College Heights Herald • Vol. 88, No. 3 • Western Kentucky University

'Massive temporary transition'

By MICHAEL MCKAY news@wkuherald.com

What and where:

The start of the Downing University Center’s renovation plan will force spaces being used in DUC to relocate in the middle of March, marking the start of the first phase of construction.

President Gary Ransdell said information regarding the renovation plan will be important to get to students.

“It’s a massive, temporary transition plan,” Ransdell said.

“With all the student services, all the offices, all the functions in the Downing University Center, most of them having to relocate, some for a year, some for two years, in order for this work to be done as quickly as possible — students need to know where to find those services in this transition.”

Most of the project should be finished by July 15, 2014.

The postal office, I.D. center, Students in Free Enterprise, and the Student Government Association will be moved into Garrett Conference Center for at least a year before moving back to DUC. Subway will move to a permanent location at the bottom of Bates-Runner Hall in the space that previously housed NStyle Hair and Tanning Salon. It's set to open by July.

Dining Services and Catering will be temporarily relocat-

■ ID CENTER to: Garrett Conference Center ■ POST OFFICE to: Garrett Conference Center ■ DINING SERVICES AND CATERING to: Carroll Knicely Center ■ SIFE to: Garrett Conference Center ■ SUBWAY to: permanent location to bottom of Bates Runner Hall ■ FRESH FOOD CO. to: temporary structure on South Lawn ■ WKU BOOKSTORE to: Garrett Conference Center

ed to the Carroll Knicely Conference Center.

The floors of DUC will be renumbered and referred to as Ground, First, Second and Third as part of the renovation.

The third floor of DUC, home to REDZ and space for Building Service Attendants, will also be shut down in March. REDZ has not been open since December.

Fencing from the bottom floor of DUC will extend into one lane of the Avenue of Champions for the construction, causing the road to be closed in front of the building.

The fencing will also temporarily close the Avenue of Champions entrance of DUC. The Annex entrance on the Avenue of Champions side will still be usable.

The first and second floors of DUC — where Fresh Food Company and the WKU Store are located — will remain open in the spring.

Other areas of DUC will start to be renovated in May after commencement weekend.

The WKU Store will be relocated to a temporary location in the Garrett Ballroom, while Fresh Foods Company will be moved into a “temporary structure” similar to a tent, tentatively called “The Big Top,” set up next to the Preston Health and Activities Center.

SEE PROJECT, PAGE 3

ICSR not wanting to move during renovations

By TAYLOR HARRISON news@wkuherald.com

Many organizations have to relocate during the Downing University Center’s renovations, but not all of them are happy about it.

The Institute for Citizenship and Social Responsibility does not feel that their proposed new location is comparable to their current space in Garrett Conference Center.

Rebecca Katz, a student worker for ICSR, said they have been offered a place in the basement of Cravens Library.

The main problem is that the space in Cravens consists of offices rather

than the large, open space they currently have. That public space is important because many organizations regularly meet there, students can come and go and the classrooms in ICSR are used for courses.

Events put on by ICSR, such as Wii the People Bowling League, depend on space. This event allows organizations to come together to talk about issues while playing Wii bowling. The public space is also good because students can spend time there.

“Our program will be greatly diminished if we lose our space,” Katz said.

Another problem ICSR has with the move

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is the process by which it was done — the process was not transparent, and they believe they weren't given an option.

“For us, it was more of the nature of how it all came about,” said Lindsey Ardrey, a graduate student who works at ICSR. “We were just kind of pushed to the side.”

Katz said she's been trying to cultivate the space since she was a freshman.

“It feels like the university hasn’t taken anything I’ve done into consideration.”

Despite this, Katz said she realizes the university SAM OLDENBURG/HERALD probably didn’t set out to Originally built in 1970 at a cost of $4.1 million, Downing University Center will be renovated hurt the ICSR program. beginning in March at a cost of $49 million.

SEE ICSR, PAGE 3

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2

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

JANUARY 31, 2012

a thousand words

Photo & Story By CONNOR CHOATE

John Law, center, WKU alumnus and “Dungeon Master,” relaxes during a 4x4 table-top version of the game Suikoden. Along with being the leader of the game as the Dungeon Master, Law also developed the storyline and rules of the game. It’s an altered version of Dungeons and Dragons, where the player uses a system of runes to create their character.

Downing University Center is a slow place on Saturday night. The line for Subway is virtually non-existent, and if someone were to drop a pen, it could easily be heard.

However, every Saturday night a group of gam-

ers gets together in DUC to do the thing they love: play games. The Gamers’ Guild is a group that students can join for a small fee. The membership isn't limited to current students — some members are actually alumni who have

been members since their studies at WKU. At the Gamers’ Guild, you can find games like Magic: The Gathering, table-top role-playing games or Batman: Arkham City being played.

The games are not lim-

ited to a certain version.

But most games played are mixes of various ones combined for a role-playing table-top game. One of the most popular is Opus Terra, a table-top game with a post-apocalyptic setting created by WKU

alumnus Austin Roberts.

“We are gamers that create gaming groups and learn how to play various games,” Bowling Green junior Daniel Hood said.

The Gamers’ Guild also has a library full of books on almost any

game, and members are allowed to check out or even purchase select books. The group encourages people who are interested in all types of games or who want to learn how to better their skills to stop in and play.

CRIME REPORTS

her rear window was shattered while it was parked in the Adams Street Lot. The value of the vandalism is $200.

■ Freshmen Amel Phel and Robert Dubell, PearceFord Tower, reported on Jan. 29 that $20 and an Apple Macbook were

missing from their room.

alcohol intoxication in a public place on 524 E. 14th Street.

■ Junior Taylor Graham, Southwest Hall, was

arrested on Jan. 29 for alcohol intoxication in a public place and representing another’s operating license as his own.

Reports

■ Sophomore Kristen Carter, Gilbert Hall, reported on Jan. 29 that

Arrests

■ Senior Doug Kleeschulte, Kingston, N.Y., was arrested on Jan. 29 for

JANUARY 31, 2012

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

3

Four Greek groups sanctioned for hazing last fall

By AMANDA YOUNG news@wkuherald.com

Four Greek organizations are suffering the consequences after being sanctioned by WKU last semester, a higher incidence of punishment than any other semester in several years.

Kappa Delta sorority, Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were all cited for hazing and “organizing, sponsoring, implementing or conducting programs or activities which are violations of the law or university regulations,” according to the official sanctions provided to the Herald.

The Alphas have lost all university recognition until Aug. 15, 2013, and cannot participate in any university-sanctioned events nor recruit new members until after this date, according to an undated letter to the Alphas

ICSR

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Katz also said she feels like this shows that working toward a better society, which is what ICSR does, doesn’t mean as much as anything else. Katz felt like the program was just thrown around and that no one program should be valued more than another.

Katz’s favorite part of the current space is the whiteboards that are all around the room. People who come in and out of the common area will leave notes or ideas for others to see and build on.

“It shows people’s minds working,” Katz said.

The ICSR room was renovated using Academic Affairs money — which cost about $150,000. It would have to be renovated again for the people coming in to the space, then renovated once more when ICSR gets the space back two years later. Katz said this was not fiscally responsible.

ShéRohn Draper, another graduate student working at ICSR, said he doesn’t believe ICSR would actually get the space back after two years.

ICSR held a meeting which members of the Student Government Association also attended. At the meeting,

from Charley Pride, director of Student Activities and Organizations.

The KAs and SAEs have lost recognition as a student organization until May 14, cannot participate in WKU Greek events until May and cannot recruit new members until fall 2012, according to undated letters to the individual fraternities from Pride.

Kappa Delta, the only sorority cited last semester, is on probation until May 14, according to a letter from Pride. The chapter must also participate in two educational programs — one of which must focus on hazing, and each active member at the time of the incident must complete two hours of community service

by March 9. The chapter is also ineligible for achievement awards.

Individual student records of all involved are protected by federal law and SGA expressed their intent to support ICSR. When the SGA office has to move out of DUC, they could possibly be taking over ICSR’s space along with the rest of Student Activities.

SGA President Billy Stephens said he doesn’t want to take ICSR’s space, but it’s not SGA’s choice where they will go. He also said he wishes he had known earlier where they’d be moving when they have to leave DUC. “The way I look at it, this is from me personally, I would not want ICSR to come in and take SGA’s spot,” Stephens said. “I mean, it’s their spot — I totally understand why they’re upset.”

Katz said ICSR’s current plan of action started with that meeting. The second step they are taking is asking students to email President Gary Ransdell and the Board of Regents members showing support for ICSR. There will also be a meeting with Ransdell on Friday at 4 p.m. Student delegates will attend the meeting, possibly including SGA members.

While ICSR is hoping this will be the final step, if the meeting does not solve their problem, they will start reaching out to the community for support.

could not be released.

Sanctions, official punishments handed down from the university to organizations, can range from losing privileges to being expelled from campus.

“The most severe sanction that an organization would ever receive is if the institution expels them,” Howard Bailey, vice president for Student Affairs said. “More often than not, universities will suspend an organization for a period of time. They cannot participate in any activities.

They’re shut down.”

Presidents from all of the organizations involved have declined to comment on the sanctions.

“The purpose of student organizations is to develop relationships and camaraderie,” Bailey said. “We try to match the sanction with the violation.”

Bailey declined to go into specific details of the

incidents.

The process that an organization goes through during a sanction is long and involves many different parties. When an incident is reported, it must be investigated by the university, a group of local alumni and the national organization, Bailey said.

“You’ve got a tripod of entities looking into the matter,” Bailey said.

“Sometimes the national organization will want to take a soft approach when the university wants to take a more severe approach.

They can hopefully get on the same page as to what needs to occur.”

Pride said that having four sanctioned organizations in a semester is “more than we’re used to.”

“It goes in cycles,” Pride said. “We have a group that tested the boundaries of what is acceptable.

They may have been doing

■ NEWS BRIEF DUC renovations to affect Garrett offices

The forensics department is one of many offices having to make changes due to the Downing University Center renovations.

While the department did not have to move out of their space in Garrett Conference Center, they will now have less space to work with.

Dawn Lowry, individual events director for forensics, said the process of condensing their space has been hectic but that the university has been accommodating and helpful.

Forensics has had to condense their space by doubling up on usage to accommodate the WKU Bookstore in the Garrett Ballroom.

Lowry said the team understands that it’s only a temporary move.

“It’s kind of exciting — we’ll get new neighbors,” Lowry said.

Dining Services and Catering has moved to Garrett from the ground floor of DUC due to the upcoming renovations.

Dining Services and Catering is using a space in Garrett that was already theirs — they are not causing anyone else to lose space or have to move.

The space previously housed the catering offices, but it will now serve as their main office. Their catering offices will now be at the Knicely Conference Center.

The postal offices will be moving to Garrett as well.

Marshall Gray, director of postal services, said postal services will still offer the exact same things.

“We’re carrying all of our services up the Hill,” Gray said.

These services include mailboxes and P.O. boxes.

—Taylor Harrison

this for the past couple of years, and each year it got worse until something went wrong.”

In Kentucky, as well as most other states, hazing is a misdemeanor, Bailey said.

In some states, such as Florida, hazing is a felony.

“The police don’t usually want to deal with it,” Bailey said. “When it’s all said and done, (the organizations) march down to the court house and pay a fine like a traffic ticket and move on.”

Even though there is no tolerance for hazing at WKU, Bailey said it can be very hard to pinpoint exactly what happened when a hazing incident occurs, especially in sororities.

“Sorority hazing is less likely to occur, and it is usually more difficult to investigate and give a clear picture of what went on,” Bailey said. “Women are less likely to use physical

PROJECT CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Plans on where meeting rooms and offices on the second and third floors will be moved to have not been finalized.

Red Zone and the DUC Food Court will remain open while construction works on the Avenue of Champions side and will be relocated once construction starts on the Minton Hall side.

Bryan Russell, director of Planning, Design, and Construction, said the group plans to send emails and put up signs on fencing showing where each office or service will be relocated.

“This project is gonna really take a lot of cooperation from everybody, and patience,” Russell said.

The changes won’t affect incoming freshmen as much, Russell said.

“They’ll say ‘Hey, where do I go eat?’ and we’ll say, ‘Go to the Big Top,’” Rus-

abuse. They’ll do things that will psychologically frighten students.”

Pride said that Student Affairs will continue with Greek education on hazing prevention and hope that other organizations will learn from what happened to the organizations last semester.

“We will continue to educate them and let them see that this can happen to any group,” Pride said. “If they see that something can happen to anybody, maybe they will learn from other people’s mistakes.”

Bailey said abuse is not a training method.

“Hazing usually involves individuals who want to follow silly traditions or they have sadistic egos and like to harass other human beings," he said.

“I was hazed when I was in undergraduate school. I know that it doesn’t have any value in it.”

sell said.

Russell said safety will be the main concern, since the building will be open while construction takes place. He said his department will be working closely with the department of Environment, Health and Safety to monitor air quality and other safety issues.

“Any time you do something that’s different, you do have to take safety into consideration,” said Susie Johnson, Manager of Health and Safety.

“You can’t just ignore the people that are going to be in there.”

Johnson said her department will work with the contractors to make sure safety measures are in place. “…Folks from our office will just pop by to make sure things are going OK, that there’s not anyone sitting, suffering in silence,” Johnson said.

Russell said bids for the Selective Demolition package of the ground and third floors of DUC will be made soon.

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1.31.12

College Heights Herald • Western Kentucky University

people

STAFF EDITORIAL

WKU needs to raise the bar THE ISSUE: WKU has recently changed its admission standards which will not go into effect until the fall. Under the new standards, a student is automatically admitted to WKU with an ACT composite score of 20 or a high school grade point average of 2.5 and ACT score of 15 or more.

Are the DUC renovations going to cause an inconvenience to your schedule?

ADAM KEYSER Bowling Green sophomore

“No, it shouldn’t. Most of the time I just walk through here and take a break from my classes.”

OUR STANCE: The Herald commends WKU for raising their standards, however the new standards do not do much to change the safety school reputation that WKU has gotten.

Students attending WKU have much to be proud of: a beautiful campus, nationally ranked departments and surging athletic teams. However, some students would agree that the pride they have in attending WKU would be heightened if they knew it was more difficult to get into.

When the new standards go into place in the fall, an ACT score of 20 and 2.5 grade point average are the academic credentials needed for automatic admission into WKU. While there is no denying it takes hard work for any student to make it to college, these are not credentials that are difficult for most students to achieve.

Changing the admission standards is one of several things WKU has done to improve student retention and academic success in college. Despite these changes, the quality of students they are admitting, on paper, is still pretty much the same.

The Herald believes the new standards are far better than the previous 2.0 GPA requirement, but more work still needs to be done on WKU’s part. The standards need to be raised higher.

WKU's enrollment has grown tremendously in the past decade, but would that be the case if the admission standards weren’t so low?

Does WKU want to con-

POLL

Jamiesha Sandifer Nashville sophomore

“No, it’s not going to interfere with my schedule.

There are several other places to eat besides DUC.”

KATIE SPEARS Springfield, Tn. junior

“No matter what construction thing is going on at Western, it’s going to cause people to reroute their schedule.”

tinue to be known as simply a safety school that ranks among the nation’s highest in acceptance with a 92 percent acceptance rate?

WKU does have initiatives in place that help its standing in the region: the only Honors College in the state and the many national awards that WKU students win yearly.

On that front, the Herald applauds WKU and hopes they continue the good work. However, those distinctions don’t completely overshadow the fact that — for the average high school student — being admitted to WKU does not take an outstanding academic record.

The Herald believes that WKU is on the right track by

changing its admission standards, but for WKU to truly be the college it aims to be, the “Leading American University,” it has to admit students with leading scores. And right now, a 20 ACT and 2.5 GPA isn’t it.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 10-member editorial board.

have an opinion?

Write a letter to the editor (250 words or less) or a commentary (500 words and a photo). Email them to opinion@wkuherald.com.

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Campus Forum: General Education Proposal, Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium, 3:30 p.m.

DECA spring 2012 conference, Downing University Center, 8 a.m.

CAB PR 'Headphone Disco,' Downing University Center Lobby 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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DECA spring 2012 conference, Downing University Center, 8 a.m Presentation: Why a Communication Major Matters in Your Career by Dr. J. Ann Selzer, pollster for Iowa caucuses, Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, room 156, 4 p.m.

'Dogs on a Catwalk,' Downing University Center, 310A, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Presentation: Inside the Iowa Caucuses: A Pollster’s View by Dr. J. Ann Selzer, pollster for Iowa caucuses, Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center’s Russell Miller Theatre, 7 p.m.

Head Phone Dance Party, Garrett Conference Center Ballroom, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Presentation: Women and Business: Give and Take by Dr. J. Ann Selzer, pollster for Iowa caucuses, Faculty House, 12 p.m.

Student Activities Greek 101, Gary A. Ransdell Hall 1074, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Workshop: Show Your Spirit Basket with Beth Hester, Kentucky Museum, two-day workshop, fee is $85, 3:30 p.m.

Concert: Orchestra Kentucky’s Motownmadness. Van Meter Hall, 8 p.m.

Celebration of Lady Topper Final Four teams from 1984-85, 1985-85 and 1991-92. Diddle Arena. Teams will be recognized at halftime of WKU vs. South Alabama games.

Double Reed Day, Music Hall, 8 a.m.

Workshop: Show Your Spirit Basket with Beth Hester, Kentucky Museum, fee is $85, 8:30 a.m.

Winter Super Saturdays, 12:30 p.m.

Performance: An Evening of Chamber Music

by Jim Przygck, violin; Sherry Snift, viola; Ching-Yi Lin, violin; Andy Braddock, viola; and Sarah Berry, cello, Music Hall’s Choral Rehearsal Hall, free admission, 3 p.m.

Women’s basketball vs. South Alabama, Diddle Arena, 4 p.m.

Men’s basketball vs. South Alabama, Diddle Arena, 7 p.m.

Concert: Orchestra Kentucky’s Motownmadness, Van Meter Hall, 8 p.m.

Southern Kentucky team penning, L.D. Brown Agricultural Exposition Center, 10 a.m.

Pioneer Cabin Concert Series: Matt Flinner Trio, Pioneer Log Cabin, tickets are $15 and must be reserved in advance, 2 p.m.

6

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

JANUARY 31, 2012

SGA’s Bryan running “WTF” lecture series focuses on unusual topics for state office

By TAYLOR HARRISON news@wkuherald.com

After serving WKU’s students since 2006, Kendrick Bryan, Student Government Association executive vice president, is looking to serve at the state level.

Bryan officially declared his candidacy for state representative last Friday.

Bryan is running as a selffunded Democrat for the House’s 25th district, which serves part of Hardin County.

Bryan will face incumbent Jimmie Lee — who has served as a representative since 1993 — and Glenn Fonda.

“I’ve always wanted to serve in Frankfort," Bryan said. "I thought it’d be a good idea to start my political career now, because later in life, I want to be in the classroom."

He said he hopes to avoid campaign contributions, but may host one fundraiser.

One major issue Bryan said he wants to work on is transparency, by making voting records and budget outlines available to the public.

Bryan told his fellow SGA executive officers last Tuesday about his decision to run for office and said they were encouraging and optimistic.

Bryan has been in SGA since August 2006. He served one year as a senator, and in his junior year, he was a committee member. His senior year, he became executive vice president.

Cory Dodds, director of information technology for SGA, has worked with Bryan for two years. Dodds said he believes Bryan is well-prepared for service in state office.

“Any time he faces an issue or a problem, he approaches the issue with a creative mind and truly develops unique, creative solutions,” Dodds said.

Bryan’s understanding and work with budgetary concerns for SGA — though smaller than

issues at the state level —will prove valuable in elected office, Dodds said.

Bryan has contributed to several SGA initiatives, including scholarships, free blue books and scantrons for students and library development efforts such as test prep books and iPads.

“Kendrick has always been an advocate for secondary education and higher education in the Commonwealth,” Dodds said. “Both of these subjects face problems that Kendrick can lend a unique viewpoint to from his work as a substitute teacher and as a graduate student.”

Bryan said he wants to help colleges and universities in regards to funding if elected.

While Bryan and Dodds haven’t spoken a lot about the campaign, they discussed the possibility of Dodds designing Bryan’s campaign website.

“I can’t speak for all of the SGA, but I believe that many people have seen the dedication that Kendrick brings to all of his work,” Dodds said. “Because of this, I think you’d find many people in the SGA who support his civic and political engagement.”

Katie Stillwell, chief of staff for SGA, said Bryan’s experience with the organization will be a strength for him, particularly because he’s had the chance to work with people with different ideologies.

Stillwell said it will be interesting to see how Bryan handles both SGA and running a campaign.

Dodds also said that since Bryan has just recently made his announcement, SGA hasn’t discussed how it will play a role.

The topic could come up in future SGA meetings.

Bryan said he is going to run a very aggressive door-todoor and telephone campaign.

He said he would love to have WKU students help with his campaign, and anyone who is interested can contact him through Facebook or email.

By SHELBY ROGERS news@wkuherald.com

There are many lectures given at WKU about society and wars. But of those, how many discuss the importance of cannibalism in society? Or the correlation between superheroes and wars?

Potter College of Arts and Letters, along with Housing and Residence Life, is bringing these and other intriguing issues to light with the upcoming “WTF?!” series.

“WTF?!” discussions seek to connect everyday life with bizarre happenings in academic research. Currently, there are 11 seminars planned, with topics including zombies, cannibalism, superhe-

roes and stock car racing.

Jennifer Markin, coordinator for the Potter College Dean’s Office, helped develop the concept of "WTF?!"

“We were looking for ways to help connect students with faculty in a unique setting,” Markin said. “It was also created to show the fun side of academics, that (these subjects) are interesting and exciting.”

Potter College identified engaging faculty who had done intriguing research and not had adequate time to share their findings with students, Markin said. The topic choices were then left up to the faculty.

Kate Hudepohl, an associate professor in the folk stud-

ies and anthropology department, kicks off “WTF?!” with a seminar titled “If You Loved Me, You’d Let Me Eat Your Brains — How Cannibalism Saved the World.”

Not wanting “to give away the punch line” before her presentation, Hudepohl said she “hopes the discussion helps (students) understand the value of anthropological research” as well as “the practice of cannibalism and the relationship between culture and health.”

The discussions will take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, hence the series' name. The series begins at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, and all events will be held at McCormack Hall.

Interested in WTF?! Lectures?

■ Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m.

“Real Clothes for Imaginary People: From Avant-Garde to Zombie” with Shura Pollatsek ■ Wednesday, March 21 at 4 p.m.

“If You are a 90-Year-Old Woman who Smokes a Cigar, You are My BFF — A Look at Cuban Culture from the Viewpoint of a Visual Storyteller” with Jeanie Adams-Smith

■ Wednesday, April 18 at 3 p.m.

“Why Didn’t Superman Just Beat Up Hitler? Comic Books and World War II” with David Serafini

Vietnamese New Year

WKU freshman Khoa Nguyen from Boon Ma Thuot, Vietnam, decorates a homemade Hoa Mai tree before the start of the a Vietnamese New Year party put on by Vietnamese Students Association Jan. 28 at the top of Pearce-Ford Tower.

The actual holiday, known as Tet Nguyen Dan, was Monday, Jan. 23, but because many students remained home in Vietnam to celebrate, the group held off its party until the weekend.

ELIZABETH FRANTZ/HERALD

JANUARY 31, 2012

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

7

WKU grad trains for trail race

By ZIRCONIA ALLEYNE

diversions@wkuherald.com

WKU alumna and mother of three, Tina Harris, had two lifethreatening seizures after giving birth to her now 6-year-old son, Roddick.

She was healthy — an avid runner and fitness instructor, but preeclampsia showed no discrimination.

Preeclampsia is hypertension, or high blood pressure that only occurs during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

According to preeclampsia.org, the disorder can cause seizures, strokes, organ failure and death to the mother and baby.

“There are lots of babies that are lost from it,” Harris said.

Harris, 39, was able to manage the disorder during her following pregnancies with Salem, 4, and Paisley, 2.

However, the frightening effects still ring true as her 40th birthday approaches.

To Harris, 40 is just a number, and she wants to do something big to prove it.

“It’s not necessarily the top of the hill and downhill from there,” she said. “It can be just as good as any other age.”

In December, she will run the 50-Mile Ultra Trail Race in Chattanooga, Tenn.

She created a blog, “Momma’s Gonna Run 50,” documenting her journey leading up to the race.

Along the way, she plans to raise money for the Preeclampsia Foundation.

“I thought if I was going to do something big, I might as well do it for a cause,” Harris said.

She originally decided to raise money for breast cancer awareness but had a change of heart.

“My husband, Brandon, thought it would be a great foundation because not a lot of people knew about it,” she said.

Brandon, a WKU alumnus, said it was scary witnessing his wife and babies being affected by preeclampsia.

All three were born premature in order to avoid more severe effects of the disorder.

“It was a wake-up call for us,” he said. “I just wanted to get them all home.”

Brandon admits he wasn't on board when she first mentioned the 50-mile Ultra.

“I was not for it,” he said. “I felt like the Ultra would be more than she expected.”

An ultra-race is much longer than a 26.2-mile marathon.

It also forces runners to travel through different types of terrain.

Brandon also said he isn’t nervous for his wife, because she loves running.

“This race would be tough for anybody, but I think her desire is her greatest strength,” he said.

Tina is an aerobics coordinator and group fitness instructor at

JABIN E. BOTSFORD/HERALD

Tina Harris, a 2002 graduate of WKU, is training for a 50-mile trail race in Chattanooga next December. “I run first and foremost for my Lord,” Harris said. “It is Him that blessed me with chance to survive and recover from three preeclamptic pregnancies. Maybe through what I’m trying to do, a life can saved.”

Total Fitness in Franklin.

She also runs three days a week during nap time, school time and bedtime.

“I love the way I feel when I’m fit,” she said. “I want to instill in my children how important it is to work out.”

Brandon said he can tell that it’s much more than a race for Tina.

“She wants to show them that we’re living a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

Tina also garnered support from TRAX, a specialty running store in Bowling Green.

Nick Wheet, TRAX co-owner and physical therapist at Total Fitness, said he can tell that she really wants to give back to the community.

“She’s a good inspiration to all runners,” he said.

TRAX is outfitting Tina with proper running shoes and other gear.

They’re also helping her with

training, nutrition and spreading the word.

“We’re using pure grassroots marketing,” Wheet said.

The store will be selling shirts inspired by her blog, mommasgonnarun50.blogspot.com.

With the help of her family, friends and faith, Tina said she wants to raise as much money as she can for the foundation.

“It’s going to be challenging,” she said. “But that’s part of it.”

Honors student to teach in South Korea

By HAYLEY HILBERT news@wkuherald.com

Sarah Schrader has been interested in Korea since she began taking Tae Kwon Do at the age of 11.

Now, Schrader, a Bowling Green junior, has been selected to participate in the TaLK program, where she will be spending six months teaching English in Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.

The TaLK program — Teach and Learn in Korea — began in 2008. Directed by South Korean president Lee

Myung-Bak, TaLK ensures support of public English education in rural areas of South Korea, where access to higher quality education is limited, according to a WKU press release.

“English is a vital skill in Korea,” said Schrader, a double major in chemistry and biology. “In fact, English is becoming increasingly important in Korean professions. I’m excited to meet my students and to provide them with the muchneeded access to English education.”

Working alongside Audra Jennings, director of the Office of Scholar Development, Schrader fit the TaLK program into her goals and plans.

“Sarah is an extremely talented and dedicated student. She is always ready to seize the opportunities before her,” Jennings said via email. “Sarah was able to articulate how she could contribute to the program and how the program would benefit her.”

Schrader is admittedly nervous for the trip and said

that she has no formal education in Korean language.

However, she did begin to study the language this past summer.

“I know this will prove to be a unique opportunity for me,” she said. “I will be helping the Korean students develop skills needed for international opportunity while also learning lessons in Korean life myself.”

Schrader’s story has sparked interest in the TaLK Program among other WKU students who are looking to study abroad.

Louisville freshman Mallory DePorter stumbled upon Schrader’s story while on the WKU website.

“TaLK seems extremely beneficial and rewarding,” DePorter said. “I plan on learning more about the program and how to participate in it.”

Jennings recognizes the unique opportunity TaLK provides, and hopes for a growth in the number of students who, like Schrader, take initiative to become engaged in the program.

“TaLK allows current

students and graduates to spend time abroad teaching English.” Jennings said. “We hope that more WKU students will take advantage of all of these amazing opportunities to live, work and learn abroad, engaging in cultural exchange.”

Schrader departs for South Korea on Sunday.

“I’m both worried and thrilled about being in a radically new place on my own,” Schrader said. “This is different from anything I have ever done before.”

be shy

get your picture taken during

spring photo week March 20-23 talisman@wku.edu

8

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

JANUARY 31, 2012

Fight in front of Zacharias Hall leads to lawsuit for WKU

By CAMERON KOCH news@wkuherald.com

A confrontation between two students at Red Zone, and later in front of Zacharias Hall, has led to a new lawsuit against WKU. Arianna Petty, a former student from Hendersonville, Tenn., is suing WKU and Michael Crowe, director of Judicial Affairs, for not taking further action to prevent a confrontation between her and another former WKU student.

Though the event itself took place in December 2010, the claim wasn’t filed until Dec. 14, 2011.

Petty had one year to file a suit before time ran out.

On Dec. 15, 2010, a verbal argument broke out between Petty and DeLancia Davis, former friends, in front of Red Zone. Red Zone employees broke up the argument and contacted campus police.

Two months prior in October, a verbal argument between Petty and Davis led Petty to file a complaint about Davis. This, in turn, caused Crowe to issue a “no contact” order between the two students.

Following the verbal argument in December, campus police notified Petty and Davis that Crowe would be informed of the breaking of the “no contact” order.

The pair then returned to Zacharias, where they lived across the

RECRUITING CONTINUED FROM SPORTS

Moore, who also listed offers from Illinois, Kentucky, and others out of high school, is awaiting news from Louisville about his release to see if he will be eligible in the fall.

Also already on campus is 6-foot-5 wide receiver Michael Fluellen, who joins four-star quarterback DaMarcus Smith as new additions to WKU’s program from Seneca High School in Louisville.

“I’m really excited to suit up for WKU,” Fluellen said. “I can’t wait to come out of that tunnel in red and white.”

Fluellen thinks his height can bring a unique addition to the WKU roster.

“I’m a big, physical receiver that can go up and get the ball downfield,” he said. “Being a dangerous down field threat will help us stretch the field.”

WKU also hosted Class of 2012

hall from one another.

The following day, another confrontation erupted between the two in front of Zacharias, this time leading to physical violence.

After these events, both students had administrative holds placed on their accounts and were required to meet with Crowe to be able to register for spring semester classes. Petty returned to WKU for the spring of 2011 but then transferred schools. Davis did not return to WKU. Deborah Wilkins, chief of staff and general counsel, said that Petty willingly put herself in contact with Davis.

“She’s suing us because she

receiving targets on-campus this weekend.

Stephon Brown, who has trimmed his list to Boise State, Central Florida, Middle Tennessee State and WKU, said his visit “went great.”

“It was a real college town, and I can tell they have a great fan base,” he said. “I liked the family atmosphere. It was really a place I could see myself calling home.”

Brown plans to announce his decision Wednesday as a part of National Signing Day. Rivals three-star WR Austin Aikens was also at WKU this weekend.

Aikens, whose offer list includes Vanderbilt, Boston College, Cincinnati and others, is listed at 6-feet, 180 pounds, with a 4.5 seconds 40-yard time.

WKU coaches will officially announce the recruiting class after recruits have sent their national letters of intent to the school on Wednesday.

said she was hurt in the fight and says we should have done something to stop it,” Wilkins said. “We didn’t do anything to cause her injuries.”

Petty’s lawyer, Michael Thompson, said that even though the order for no contact was in place, the university allowed the two students to live in the same dorm.

Thompson said Petty informed Housing and Residence Life that Davis lived across the hall from her, but still the university did nothing.

WKU said Petty never requested to be relocated from Zacharias, according to official documents.

“It’s one thing to not commu-

nicate, but she did bring it to their attention, and they still didn’t do anything,” Thompson said. “They didn’t take any action.”

Petty is suing for compensation for her mental and physical suffering and pain as well as for the medical expenses she paid as a result of her injuries.

“Ms. Petty was beat up pretty bad, is the best way to put it,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he and Petty hadn’t calculated the total amount of damages they are seeking.

WKU seeks to dismiss the case based on lack of jurisdiction and claims governmental immunity, with a hearing set for Feb. 6.

The Herald’s plan for Signing Day Wednesday is a big day for you Topper football fans. It’s National Signing Day, where recruits can finally fax in their official letters of intent.

WKU is expected to be signing at least 13 high school and junior college recruits, with others transferring from other places to play for the Toppers.

As we’ve done the past several years, we’ll have a team of reporters dedicated to keeping you up to date with everything that’s happening.

We’ll have a live blog starting at 8 a.m. at wkuherald.com, and we’ll be there the entire day to field your questions and comments.

Stop by and chat about the recruits, read up on their comments that our staffers will be bringing in and follow along with Head Coach Willie Taggart’s afternoon press conference.

Last year, Taggart announced via Twitter when each letter of intent came in by tweeting the recruit’s area code.

We have every reason to believe he’ll do the same this year, which makes for a pretty fun game. We’ll be feeding Taggart’s tweets into our live blog for those of you who don’t have Twitter.

We’ll have video of both Taggart’s press conference and the Signing Day Celebration planned for later in the evening.

We’ve also got a Signing Day special section planned for Friday’s paper where we’ll highlight everything you need to know about this year’s recruiting class. The best part? It’s all free for you.

— Cole Claybourn

Get caught reading the Herald on Tuesdays and Fridays and win some great prizes.

JANUARY 31, 2012

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

SENIORS

CONTINUED FROM SPORTS

Senior guard Vanessa Obafemi said after the loss on Saturday that the Lady Toppers will have to learn from previous mistakes in order to get back on track against a difficult schedule.

“We’re not giving up on this season, the players or the coaching staff,” Obafemi said. “We just have to come out ready to practice every day and play hard like it’s our last day.”

Obafemi was one of the few bright spots for WKU on Saturday in Miami, scoring a teamhigh 14 points and hitting three three-pointers.

But the Lady Toppers had no answer for FIU guard Jerica Coley, who scored 29 points in the second half and led the Panthers back from what was at one

point a 36-21 WKU lead.

Coley, the nation’s second leading scorer, finished with 36 points for the game.

Her go-ahead stepback threepointer with 2:48 to play gave FIU a 52-49 lead it didn't relinquish.

Noticeably absent from the Lady Topper rotation against the Panthers was senior forward Keshia Mosley.

The Detroit native came into the game WKU’s second-leading scorer, but never stepped foot on the U.S. Century Bank Arena floor, instead staying on the bench for the entire game.

Head Coach Mary Taylor Cowles said after the game the decision to not play Mosley came from “trying to find combinations.”

No matter their on-court roles, Cowles said she expects Mosley, Obafemi and the team’s other three seniors, forwards

9

LaTeira Owens and Teranie Thomas and center Jasmine Johnson to step up as their Lady Topper careers wind down.

“They know that their career is very limited as far as the number of games they’ve got left in the regular season and even as far as the postseason,” Cowles said.

“They’re very aware of that, and you hope at this point the senior leadership really does come true and really does stand up strong.”

Just seven regular season games remain for WKU, and Obafemi said she and her fellow upperclassmen are embracing the leadership role for the stretch run.

“Everybody’s looking up to us, and we have to lead the team and show them how it’s done, because we don’t have a lot of players with experience on this ELIZABETH FRANTZ/HERALD team,” Obafemi said. “We just Senior guard Vanessa Obafemi looks to shoot during the Lady Toppers’ have to turn this thing around, 64-38 win over Troy Jan. 7 in Diddle Arena. The Lady Toppers are currently and I think we still can.” on a three-game losing streak, and are 3-6 in Sun Belt play.

Depth the difference in WKU sweep of SIU

By KURT CARSON sports@wkuherald.com

WKU swimming and diving has never had just one person dominate the stat sheet throughout the 20112012 season.

That proved to be the case again in their regular season finale Saturday as both the men (8-1) and women (10-1) swept Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., at the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium.

Once more it was depth that was the difference-maker between WKU’s squad

BRADLEY CONTINUED FROM SPORTS

Bradley said she can't wait for the CF tournament.

“It’s going to be a good day for WKU and rugby to look at and learn about CF,” she said. “We’re really just looking to give back at the community.”

In games Bradley is the bond between forwards and backs.

and the Salukis.

Head Coach Bruce Marchionda said it was a vital component in earning the victory.

“That was probably the key to the win over the weekend for both the men and women,” Marchionda said. “We won our share of events, but we also, a couple of times, took the top three spots. Any time you can do that in an event it is pretty devastating to the other team.”

The Lady Toppers finished 1-2-3 in both the 100yard and 200-yard backShe receives the ball from the lineout and must remove the ball from the scrum, an ordered formation of players in which the forwards of each team push up against each other with arms interlocked and heads together.

Bradley has big goals for the rest of WKU’s season, even after the team dropped its first match of the season 69-10 to Alabama Saturday at the Pres-

stroke events.

“It kind of sent a message that it’s going to be a very difficult thing for [SIU],” Marchionda said.

A total of nine different individuals from both the men’s and women’s teams won 15 events in the dualmeet.

That kind of top-to-bottom contribution has been something WKU has seen from its squad all season.

Within that depth, freshman Seth Musser led the way for the men with wins in the 100-yard and 200yard backstroke events, as ton Intramural Complex.

Bradley saw the positive side of their first competitive match, which came after just two practices.

“I think it was awesome,” she said. “We played a lot better than we did last year.

“We just need to do a lot of conditioning. We need to start running, weightlifting and getting fit because we’re not used to playing 40-minute halves yet.”

SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY RESIDENTIAL COUNSELORS FOR GIFTED STUDENT PROGRAMS Job Description and Qualifications Western Kentucky University’s Center for Gifted Studies will employ 16-18 individuals to serve as residential counselors for the two-week Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students (June 09-June 22) and the three-week Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (June 24-July 14). Each counselor will have direct responsibility for supervising the conduct and activities of 12-16 residential students when these students are not in class. In addition, the counselor staff will be responsible for planning, implementing, and supervising individual and group recreational activities for SCATS and VAMPY students in the evenings and on weekends. The residential counselor staff will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Julia Roberts, Director of The Center for Gifted Studies, and Mrs. Carolyn Hagaman, Coordinator of Summer Programming.

Because the residential counselors must work closely with gifted young people and are expected to serve as positive adult role models for these students, individuals selected for these positions must: 1.

Have completed at least one year of college and be enrolled as a college student or have a college degree,

2.

Have demonstrated a high level of academic performance,

3.

Be of high moral character,

4.

Have had successful experience working with young people, and

5.

Have recreational interests/skills which can be shared with young people.

Once selected, the individual is responsible for submitting a criminal background check.

Residential Counselors will live in the residence hall with the camp/program students and will work seven days a week. The salary is $350 per week plus room and meals.

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to Dr. Julia Roberts at The Center for Gifted Studies or gifted@wku.edu.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15, 2012

well as the 200 individual medley.

Marchionda said he was impressed with Musser’s performance, as he has been all year.

“He just continues to perform at a very high level, which is really exciting given he’s only a freshman,” Marchionda said. “We’re hoping to ride his success throughout the conference championships.”

Marchionda said he was pleased overall with how his team prepared for SIU and how they executed during the dual-meet.

Volunteer Coach Sheryl Turse also said she felt confident about her team going into their next game, a Saturday date in Auburn, Ala., against Auburn.

“They played with great spirit and support in the face of a very lopsided score,” she said. “We have a lot of young players, but our attitude is definitely our strength. We just need to gel together as a team and we’ll be fine.”

“SIU on paper was going to be a very difficult meet for us,” he said. “We were able to win a lot of close races yesterday, which was exciting to see. We’ve been working on a lot of little things in practice, and that seemed to come through yesterday. That’s a very positive sign for us.”

WKU will now prepare for the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in Rockwall, Texas, on Feb. 22-25 at the Rockwall Aquatics Center of Excellence.

Marchionda said he expects the win over SIU to give them motivation as they begin to prepare for the championships.

“Our last dual-meet heading into conference [championships], we obviously wanted to pick up two wins which we were able to do,” Marchionda said. “Hopefully that will build up momentum and confidence heading into the championship season in three-and-a-half weeks.

“Hopefully we can ride that momentum.”

MATURITY

a great job, and we’re just happy to get out of here with a victory.”

Zollo said it’s simply a product of the team maturing.

“The whole freshman thing — we don’t like to use that as an excuse. We’re not freshmen anymore,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of strong characters.

“Those characters kind of butt heads sometimes, but that’s OK. That’s part of the learning process for our team.”

CONTINUED FROM SPORTS

Defensively, the Toppers held the same team that blew them out at home a month ago to 30 fewer points than the last matchup.

“I thought defensively we were terrific, especially in the first half,” Harper said. “We got a little tired at the end and gave up some drives to the basket. I thought we relaxed a little bit. But the kids did

WKUHERALD.COM

FOR UP TO-THE-MINUTE NATIONAL SIGNING DAY COVERAGE FOLLOW

@WKUHERALDSPORTS 1.31.12

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD • Vol. 88, No. 3 • WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

FOOTBALL

WOMEN'S RUGBY

WKU makes WRs a recruiting priority

By JORDAN WELLS sports@wkuherald.com

SAM OLDENBURG/HERALD

Corbin senior Christina Bradley, center, fights for the ball during the Women’s Club Rugby Team’s 69-10 loss to the University of Alabama Jan. 28 at the Preston Complex.

Wide receiver was a position of inconsistency for WKU in 2011.

Topper wideouts combined for just 54 catches as sophomore Willie McNeal and junior Marcus Vasquez both sustained season-ending knee injuries.

But WKU is looking to build depth at wide receiver thanks to some high-profile transfers and recruiting targets.

Already enrolled is Jerrell Moore, a Rivals.com three-star transfer from the University of Louisville, who said he thinks WKU is ready to “shock the world.”

Recruited as a running back out of Fern Creek High School (ESPN.com listed Moore as the No. 27-ranked running back in the country in the Class of 2011), he’ll make the transition to receiver for WKU. “My strengths are my speed and being able to cut on a dime,” Moore said.

Moore is listed at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, with a 4.4 second 40 yard time.

“I feel if I get in open spaces, I can do some real damage,” he said.

SEE RECRUITING, PAGE 8

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Fighting Forward Bradley captains women’s rugby, battles cystic fibrosis

Lady Tops hope for seniors to lead turnaround

By BRAD STEPHENS

By CHRIS CHAMBERLAIN sports@wkuherald.com

Christina Bradley fights battles both on and off the rugby field.

On the field, Bradley, a Corbin senior, serves as the captain for WKU’s women’s rugby team and plays scrum half, a position similar in importance to a football quarterback or basketball point guard.

Off the field, she lives with cystic fibrosis, or CF. It’s Bradley’s on-and-off-field fights that earn the respect of faculty adviser and WKU rugby alumni April Schleig.

“She suffers from CF and struggles with her health,” Schleig said. “Even though she has it, she is still a tremendous athlete and leader on the team.”

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe lung damage and nutritional defi-

ciencies, according to the Mayo Clinic's website.

Treatments and screening for the disease have improved in recent years, according to Mayo, though in 2009, the average lifespan of people with CF was in the mid-30s, according to the CF Foundation.

Bradley is using her sport to raise awareness for the disease, organizing a six-team tournament to take place April 28 at the Preston Intramural Complex.

Money will be raised from the tournament through sponsors and will go to the CF Foundation.

“This was her idea to have this CF tournament, and it’s a hard thing to do, but she’s doing it,” Schleig said. “There’s a lot of time, energy and hoops to jump through, but she already has four teams committed.”

SEE BRADLEY, PAGE 9

sports@wkuherald.com

A seven-member freshman class this season brought an overhaul of nearly half the Lady Topper roster.

But the new talent was supposed to be balanced by the experience and leadership of a five-member senior class.

And now, after three straight losses, that leadership may be tested more than ever.

WKU (6-15, 3-6 Sun Belt Conference) sits fifth in the league’s East Division after a two-game road trip to South Florida resulted in a 60-58 loss to Florida Atlantic on Wednesday and a 60-56 loss to Florida International on Saturday.

Things don’t get any easier for the Lady Toppers, who have their first of two meetings with South Alabama (12-9, 5-4) at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Diddle Arena.

WKU’s schedule also includes another date with FAU (118, 6-2) and two games against first-place Middle Tennessee State (17-5, 9-0).

SEE SENIORS, PAGE 9

MEN'S BASKETBALL

FIU win shows new signs of Topper maturity

By COLE CLAYBOURN sports@wkuherald.com

There was a sequence in WKU’s game Saturday against Florida International that looked eerily similar to one just two nights before against Florida Atlantic. The Toppers were up by 15, their opponent made a run to cut the lead to single digits, and a timeout was called.

In a similar situation Thursday, FAU came back and dealt WKU a 67-66 defeat.

Freshman forward Vinny Zollo said Saturday’s game felt like “deja vu.” But WKU (7-15, 3-6 Sun Belt Conference) sustained its lead.

And even when FIU made another late run to make it a five-point game, the Toppers had just enough toughness to hang on for the 61-51 win on the road.

“This team — a month ago, we lose by 15, we lose by 12 in a run like that,” Zollo told WKU’s Big Red Radio Network following Saturday’s win. “When they throw that punch and Coach calls a timeout, that’s the time you regroup and you gain that ground back and you really go forward.

“We’re realizing that we need to be a team that can sustain our lead through toughness, not just rely on our shots going down. Down the stretch, you can’t rely on

CONTACT: NEWS 270.745.6011

that. You’ve got to rely on your defense and how bad you want it.”

It’s no secret to those familiar with WKU’s 2011-2012 season that the team has blown several late-game leads.

But on this road trip, the Toppers were one successful possession against FAU away from picking up two much-needed road wins.

Whether Saturday’s 10-point win is an indication of things to come for the remainder of the season is yet to be seen, but Interim Head Coach Ray Harper said the team is heading in the right direction.

“I was proud of our guys for bouncing back after a tough loss on Thursday,” Harper said. “This was a team that beat us by 16 or 18 three or four weeks ago. For us to respond the way we did, I’m awfully proud of those guys.”

It was arguably WKU’s most dominating performance of the season.

After missing their first 15 shots of the game, the Toppers took an 8-5 lead midway through the first half off a 3-pointer from senior guard Jamal Crook and never trailed the rest of the way.

WKU also out-rebounded FIU by five, had more production from the bench and held the Panthers to just one three-pointer.

SEE MATURITY, PAGE 9

ELIZABETH FRANTZ/HERALD

Freshman forward Vinny Zollo is hugged by junior guard Jamal Crook after scoring in a 67-65 loss to Troy Jan. 7 in Diddle Arena. WKU has won two of its last three games.

DIVERSIONS 270.745.2655 OPINION 270.745.4874 SPORTS 270.745.4874 PHOTO 270.745.6281 ADVERTISING 270.745.3914