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WORLD WAR II BOMBER VISITS BOWLING GREEN. PHOTO, PAGE A6
TTHURSDAY, HURSDAY, SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 115, 5, 22016 016 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 992, 2, IISSUE SSUE 8
Military students aided by program BY KYLIE CARLSON HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU’s Textbooks for Troops program has grown from 14 to 1,400 military students as of the fall semester, according to WKU Military Student Services. The Textbooks for Troops program is a non-profit, donation based organization founded by Tonya Archey, director of Military Student Services. The program offers free books to military students, as well as military dependent students taking WKU courses. “As long as the student is in the military, or is military dependent, meaning an I.D. carrying student, they can benefit from this program,” Archey said. In 2011, Archey realized there were many military men and women in the area who often went unemployed because they could not afford a college education. Archey believes this program is one of the main deciding factors in whether or not these students get to attend college. “Many military students do not get to attend college right away,” Archey said. Archey also said because military students don’t attend college after high school, they are not awarded first time merit scholarships, and can’t always afford the hundreds of dollars in textbooks required each semester. Archey said the program doesn’t just help military students at the Bowling Green campus. “We send these books everywhere, from right here at home, to bases, all the way to different countries,” Archey said. Rhiannon Karlsen, a WKU student serving overseas, said she has benefitted from the program. “I am very glad that I found this school after several months of careful research,” Karlsen said. “I’m about to start my first class,
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Candidates for the Bowling Green City Commission Board met in City Hall for a public forum on Tuesday. A prominent point of discussion was the refugee community in Bowling Green and what candidates were going to do to help make them a part of the community. Kelsea Hobbs/HERALD
OPEN FORUM Candidates for city commissioner address immigrant concerns
BY EMMA COLLINS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU
O
n Tuesday, the International Communities Advisory Council hosted a forum where 10 of the 12 candidates for the four city commissioner positions met to discuss issues relevant to new Americans, immigrants and refugees. The free event, held in the Commissioner Chamber of Bowling Green City Hall, attracted a crowd of nearly 60 people including a number of immigrants and refugees, several of whom are members of the ICAC. According to its website, the ICAC is an organization designed to “represent members of our diverse communities and identify issues of concern” relevant to immigrants and refugees. These concerns are
then passed on to Leyda Becker, the community services specialist/ international communities liaison, who works with the local government to address needs of the international community. Becker was also in charge of helping to select the questions asked by Chad Young of WKCT, who served as the moderator. Throughout the forum, Young asked the candidates a variety of questions regarding their stance on concerns voiced by the immigrant community. Several questions focused on the struggle many immigrants face when trying to learn English. All of the candidates who were asked about English classes agreed learning English affects an immigrant’s ability to become successful in Bowling Green.
When asked how the city could be more serviceable to refugees and immigrants, particularly in regards to English as a second language classes, candidate Matt Stephens said he believes the language barrier is one of the toughest challenges immigrants will face. “There’s no doubt that it’s our responsibility, the county government and the city government, to continue to support ESL programs,” Stephens said. “I believe that vocational tech schools, I would like to see them, if they’re not already, offer classes as well.” Candidate Derek Reeder said he also believes learning English is a challenge and the city needs to make sure the schools are prepared
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Search for Garrett renovation contract begins BY MONICA KAST HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU
WKU has begun the process of searching for vendors to help fund the renovation of Garrett Conference Center in the coming months, according to WKU officials. Bryan Russell, chief facilities officer, said Garrett has had no major updates since it was built in 1951. At the time it was built, Russell said only the basement and first floor were constructed. In the 1960’s, the building was added onto, according to Russell. “The plumbing, the wiring … the air conditioning has not been updated, and so it is failing,” Russell said. “It is old.” Russell said the building relies on a twopipe system for heating and cooling, which results in the building being too hot or too cold during certain times of the year. He said during those times of year, the building becomes “uncomfortable for the occupants.”
Architect’s rendering of what Garrett Conference Center may look like after renovations. Provided by chief facilities officer Bryan Russell
“It’s all about quality at the end of the day,” Russell said. “The building is just tired.” Russell also said by renovating, the current accessibility issues with the building would be able to be addressed.
Gary Meszaros, assistant vice president of business and auxiliary services, echoed the need to renovate Garrett. “We knew that was the last building that we haven’t really renovated,” Meszaros said. Since Garrett is categorized as an auxiliary building, WKU will not use state funding for the renovations. Instead, WKU has released a request for proposals otherwise known as RFP, in which an outside vendor would bid on and fund the renovations. According to Meszaros, WKU released the RFP in mid-July, and will be open for proposals until Oct. 21. Meszaros said WKU has recently heard back from several companies, and were able to provide more information about the building and renovations to those companies. Meszaros also said the RFP tells companies about the school and gives specifics about the current food programs on campus. Meszaros said in turn, the companies are able to offer al-
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