The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) has announced that by 2012, Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding will be cut for high school journalism classes. Photo Illustration by Kellen Jenkins & Jon Coffey.

The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) has announced that by 2012, Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding will be cut for high school journalism classes, and VE-2 funding will be limited to Information Technology, Web and Digital Communications programs.

According to Laurie Folsom, a member of the KSPA’S ad hoc CTE action committee and Lawrence Free State adviser, CTE funding helps pay for the technology used to create high school journalism publications. Additionally, the KSDE said VE-2 funding supplements high-cost, low-enrollment vocational education programs that lead to occupational-specific programs. The emphasis is on technical skills needed for employment and related to a specific occupation.

“Design programs such as InDesign are expensive, as well as equipment like digital cameras; both of which are somewhat essential in teaching high school students about the field of journalism,” said Anna Altwies, a senior Secondary English and Journalism Education major.

In order to compensate, “individual high schools that depend on CTE funding will have to decide if they can afford to continue offering journalism courses. In this economy, high schools are already faced with a lot of financial decisions in terms of what to keep and what to cut. Hopefully, Kansas high schools will be able to find a way to keep journalism programs in our schools,” said 2010 journalism BSE graduate Mallory Raugewitz, former Editor-in-Chief of The Bulletin.

Although CTE funding is seen as an integral part to journalism programs, Altwies and others in the field do not believe that the programs will die altogether.

Jeff Browne, Executive Director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA), said, “The cuts are bad for smaller schools and districts. Most large districts will have difficulties (surviving) without the funding, but they will probably stay.”

Additionally, Browne said that students will have to “work behind the curve” in acquiring new software and other equipment.

According to Kathy Martin, District 6 representative, the KSDE’s decision to cut CTE funding and limit VE-2 funding for high school journalism results from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

“Under this legislation, states are required to support and fund programs that lead to high-demand, high-skill and/or high-wage career. We have (also) focused on courses and programs that prepare Kansas students to be both career and college-ready by the time they finish high school,” Martin said.

A survey by Jim McCrossen, KSPA president, found that both parents and students agree that journalism and yearbook classes help develop the “10 unifying themes” of today’s college-ready learner.

“These classes use skills such as creativity, critical thinking and collaboration… while other courses offered in high school may teach these skills, it is argued that no one course does as much in all these areas as journalism,” Browne said.

The survey also listed innovation, flexibility, self-direction, leadership and accountability as skills gained in the journalism classroom.

“Journalism programs are excellent for developing many of the ‘real-world’ skills that high school is intended to help students develop. By participating in (these) programs, students develop highly functional communication skills, learn to work cooperatively to finish a product, practice meeting deadlines and explore and perfect their abilities in writing, art and many other areas,” Raugewitz said.

In response to the KSDE’s decision, the KSPA has put together an ad hoc committee that has been lobbying privately for flexibility in journalism CTE funding.

“We hope that there is some leeway (and that) the decision is not final,” said Browne.

Still, most in the field agree that the face of journalism is changing.

“I think it very important for traditional journalism to remain as much a part of society as possible. In a way, journalism is a foundation of our country,” said Altwies.

Browne adds that there is a misperception of newspaper loosing readers, but journalism as a whole is not.

“It is still a vital part of what our country is about,” Browne said.

Altwies advises current and future high school journalists to take a stand.

“My advice would be the same I would give to any person at any age who is willing to fight for something they have a passion for; don’t give up,” Altwies said. “If you truly love to do something, you will exhaust every option. I think there are plenty of teenagers out there who are interested enough to keep high school journalism programs alive.”

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HALO hosted a traditional dance performance Wednesday afternoon in front of the Sunken Gardens. Ashley Wells/ The Bulletin.

Where can you get piñatas full of candy and Hispanic sweet bread?

Emporia State’s chapter of the Hispanic American Leadership organization hosted activities all of this week in an effort to increase membership.

“We are the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) and represent one of the minority groups on ESU campus,” said Manny Requenes,  sophomore pre-pharmacy major and president of HALO.

The week was organized to have HALO more visual to the ESU students.

“(HALO Week was established) to get more people involved in the organization,” said AraceliBaena-Pineda, senior biology major and secretary of HALO.

This week’s activities included a piñata decorating workshop held on Tuesday was a way to allow students converse with the leadership of HALO and to make colorful piñatas full of candy. Members also performed an authentic dance in the Sunken Gardens yesterday afternoon.

The Pan Dulce bake sale is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow in Union Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The message conveyed by the members is one that includes the education of students and the community in the Hispanic culture. Claudia Gomez, senior biology major and community service and fundraising chair, said being Hispanic is not a requirement.

“(We’re) getting the word out there, for people to know that there are more cultures out there. You don’t have to be a Hispanic to be in the organization, so you blend all the cultures together and see how we are different and similar at the same time,” Gomez said.

HALO has plans to take part in the National Hispanic Culture month taking place from Sept. 12 to Oct. 13. They plan to bring various speakers to talk about their experiences as Latinos in adapting. They are also co-sponsoring events with the Department of Agriculture.

The organization has also taken part in the Multicultural Day sponsored by Admissions.

“The HALO members go through training provided by Admissions to go through the entire day and take groups of students to each activity,” said ConchaDikin, HALO’s adviser.

HALO is always looking for new members, Hispanic or not. Dues are $10 a semester, which pays to get into all the events, regional conferences and presentations. For membership through the year, HALO is requiring $15 for dues ending on Sept. 22.

HALO’s website said, “The vision of HALO is ADELANTE, which means, move forward.”

Liz Coffey/The Bulletin.

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For over two months, 22-year-old fashion designer Angelia Barbee had been putting the finishing touches on her fashion show, The Carnivale Couture, and promoting the event locally. The event was scheduled to take place last Saturday night at Old Winter Furniture, located at 709 Commercial.

But the events that took place before the show resembled a circus more than a carnival.

At about 5 p.m., just an hour before the doors were to open, the entire crew was informed that the show would not be able to take place in the building. Emporia Fire Captain Bill West informed the group that the furniture store was strictly to be used for the selling of merchandise and not for general assembly.

“709 and 711 Commercial are zoned for merchandising only and not for assembly, especially for a showing of this magnitude,” West said.

Although the show was to have four live bands playing there as well, West verified that the noise was not part of the complaint or problem.

“They let us know less than an hour before the show, even though it has been pretty well promoted for the last two months. It’s amazing that it came together the way it did,” Barbee said.

The show was moved to Beer:30’sbeer garden. Moving the 40 models, four live bands, the crew and materials delayed the show only an hour from the original starting time of 6 p.m. and the estimated 300 people that attended hardly noticed, packing the outdoor venue.

The Carnivale Couture was Barbee’s second showing of her work, with the inspiration coming from the HBO show,“Carnivale.”

As early as sixth grade, living in Austin, Tex., Barbee said she knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. It was at this age she started making her own clothes. Barbee and her husband Josh Barbee, a former ESU student, are the owners of Post-Abandoned Thrift Store, where Barbee finds most of the material to make the clothing.

“She would get scraps from anywhere she could find them, sometimes spending 14-15 hours a day working on the outfits,” Josh Barbee said.

Angelia Barbee said that she wanted to do the fashion show to give the people of Emporia something new to do.

“We wanted to do an event that could be entertaining, different and have a little something for everybody,”Barbee said.

Before the finale walk the models of the “Carnivale Couture” fashion show were given red balloons. The fashion show was hosted by Post Abandoned and Angelia Barbee on Aug. 28 at Beer 30. Erica Cassella/ The Bulletin

Senior art major Katie Donley has known Barbee for nine months and said that more time and publicity was spent on this show compared to the first show Barbee did in January.

“She is really trying to get her name out there. In this show, she focused more on an older, classic style rather than what is necessarily popular right now,” Donley said.

Barbee is not wasting anytime as she is aiming to have another show with her line in early January. The theme for that show, she says, is going to be inspired by the Mel Gibson hit “Mad Max.” Barbee’s work is for sale at her store, located at 504 Commercial Street.

Chris Hopkins/The Bulletin

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Kristin Chambers stands with one of the horses at her rescue in the fall of 2008. File Photo, Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

Kristin Chambers, a former Emporia State student, faces charges of animal cruelty and neglect after the Coffey County Sheriff’s Department seized more than 80 horses, miniature horses and donkeys from her property on July 30.

A police report filed with the Coffey County Courthouse confirmed the seizure.

Karen Everhart, owner of Horse Calls LLC and director of Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue and Retirement, is in charge of overseeing the placement of the horses from the rescue. She said at the moment, the police have placed the horses are in an undisclosed location near Burlington.

“The shape (of the horses) is across the board, we have some very, very emaciated horses, we have a number of thin horses and then we have some that are marginally acceptable, we don’t have any fat horses there at all,” Everhart said.

Everhart said the majority of the animals appeared to have little to no wellness care, little sign of grooming, and she is unsure if they’ve had their vaccinations.

“We have very sketchy details, we don’t know a lot about them, we have no idea about their training or their wellness status, but they certainly are deserving of a loving home,” Everhart said.

On Sept. 18, 2008, Chambers was featured in an article in The Bulletin called “Local horse rescue: A thrifty solution.” The article chronicled how Michael Soyez, a local businessman, donated one-fourth of the profits of his business, Winding Road Thrift Store, to Chambers’ Winding Road Equine Rescue and Retirement.

“WRERR is a public charity that rehabilitates horses that have been abused or neglected. They save horses from slaughter and often work with law enforcement in animal cruelty cases,” the article stated.

Chambers had worked with volunteers to care for over 50 neglected and abused horses at her farm located outside Waverly.WRERR had received national media attention in 2009 when Chambers rescued Clever Allemont, a champion thoroughbred, from slaughter.

Chambers did not return calls for comment by press time.

Everhart said she’s trying to find homes for the animals before the court orders that they are put up for public sale. She said that it is not certain, but possible that they could have to go up for sale in two weeks. Anyone interested in adopting the seized animals can go to Horse Calls’ website, www.horsecalls.com.

Liz Coffey

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Freshman Pharmacy major Nicolas De La Torre buys a Coke from a Coca-Cola vending machine Wednesday afternoon on the ESU Campus. Alissa Miller/The Bulletin.

After Emporia State’s 10-year contract with Pepsi expired on June 30, the campus officially switched to Coca-Cola products. ESU started the new 10-year contract with Coca-Cola on July 1.

Raymond Hauke, vice president of Administration and Fiscal Affairs Department, said that Coca-Cola offered a better deal than Pepsi. Now, the university will receive a 10.5 percent cut of products sold, and the Coca-Cola Company also provides an amount based on the total cases and products consumed at the end of the year.

“So, how much money ESU can make depends on how much the products are considered and it really depends on how much product people drink,” Hauke said.

The contract with the Pepsi Company provided a flat amount of money plus $30,000 at the beginning of the year with a percentage. The campus had been a “Pepsi campus” for the past 12 years.

“We felt what Coca-Cola offer is better arrangement for the university,” Hauke said.

There will be 38 vending machines selling Coca-Cola products on campus, and Hauke believes that people will find that the arrangement and service of machines is better than before. The price of soft drinks went up from $1.25 for Pepsi products to $1.50 for Coke products.

Senior Rehabilitation Major Lauren Lowry said she felt Coke burns her throat, and it would be better if they had both Coke machines and Pepsi machines on campus.

“It never bothered me until it changed this year. I was upset that I found out last week that I can’t get Mountain Dew on campus and I get used to get Mountain Dew and do homework in the library,” Lowry said.

Hauke said that if Pepsi and Coke both had machines at the university, the school wouldn’t get any money.

“So at least the university and the students of the university get some money from the products that they are consuming,” Hauke said.

Hauke said Coca-Cola Company is local in Emporia, so it is an advantage because the company is able to refill the Coke machines more frequently than Pepsi.

“Over the last few years, since Pepsi served out of Wichita, it took longer to get products in the machines,” Hauke said.

Jeff McCullough, General Manager for Sodexo, food services contractor for the Memorial Union, said he has had good experience with the new vendor during the transition.

“Coke has been instrumental in helping us upgrade the concession program at the stadium, as well as supporting our recycling and sustainability efforts,” McCullough said.

Hauke said he thinks the new contract will work out well.

“I think the Coke Company enjoys doing business with us,” Hauke said.

Lauren Lau

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After teaching in Emporia State for 26 years, Joella Mehrhof, professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), is now the new Faculty Senate President.

“My personal goals for the faculty are to connect to the community, students and the colleagues and renew collections,” Mehrhof said.

As a new Faculty Senate President, Mehrhof said she is looking forward to going to faculty offices. She said Faculty Senate will try to connect with the students better by attending to certain issues of ASG and offering assistance or gaining student insight.

“Hopefully, we are going to do things to recognize members, and become more involved in the community,” Mehrhof said.

Mehrhof received a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Missouri Western University, a master’s degree in dance at Colorado State University and her doctorate at Kansas University. Mehrhof said teaching is always the only thing she knew she wanted to do, even when she was little.

“It was something in the heart, it just came out. It was something I supposed to do,”Mehrhof said.

Shawna D. Shane, assistant professor of HPER, has known Mehrhof for 13 years. She said Mehrhof looks out for everybody and students call her “Mama Mehrhof.”

Marci Henderson, junior physical education and health major, said that Mehrhof is welcoming and interested in getting to know her students.

“In Mehrhof’s dance and elementary classes, she takes pictures of students to learn their names easier,” Henderson said.

Henderson said last year Mehrhof was named the AAHPERD (American Alliance Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance) Physical Education Adviser of the Year.

“At the local level, every student I have talked to respects and looks up to Dr. Mehrhof,” Henderson said.

Having been the adviser for the undergraduate students for a long time, Mehrhof now is the graduate adviser.

“I love the students and they make my day. It’s just nice to see them in the hall, yell at you and ask you how are you doing and give you a hug,” Mehrhof said.

Lauren Lau

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President and founder of Dallas Sports University and Dallas Athletes Tom Ryan is going to present his “Fight the Freshman 15” lecture for students at 7 p.m.tonight in the Memorial Union Ball Room.

“Basically he is going to talk about how to be healthy during college life,” said Katie Moldenhaver, adviser of Union Activities Council and graduate student.

Ryan is a triathlon athlete. He is also a body builder who is familiar with body shape fitness.

“It gives people a good idea about how to be in a college lifestyle and yet stay healthy, especially for students who live in the dorms and eat in the cafeteria, this speech definitely helps everyone stay fit in their busy school life,” Moldenhaver said.

Moldenhaver said college students found themselves gaining 15 pounds on average during the first year of college.

“I’ve gained 31 pounds since I came to college. College life is so busy, it makes me addicted to high calories junk food, especially pizzas. Moreover, because I grew up in another country before entering college here, the diet difference makes my situation even worse,”said Songshan Bai, sophomore psychology major.

According to his website, Ryan’s information comes from a combination of personal experience and extensive hands-on training.

“Tom Ryan is a motivational speaker. I think he can definitely provide useful nutrition information to students and help them avoid gaining weight,” said Karie Nicholson, sophomore accounting major and chair of UAC Talks & Topics committee.

Ryan has spoken at over 200 colleges regarding health, fitness and nutrition, offering students “how to” programs for successfully fighting the “Freshman 15” and staying fit with a hectic college lifestyle, according to his website speech introduction.

“I definitely gained the ‘freshman 15’ during my first year. Luckily I have lost that weight, but I still remember I was so upset at that time,”said Alli Jordan, senior secondary English education major and vice chair of UAC Talks & Topics committee.

Jordan can relate her own experience to the themes of Ryan’s speech.

“We are so excited to bring this presentation to ESU students,” Jordan said.

Alison Li/The Bulletin

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Gray

Pre-Law Club’s first meeting of the semester is on Thursday at 7 p.m., in KSTC room on the upper level of Memorial Union.

“Our biggest purpose is to form a support group, a group of students. They can share their experiences and get into law school,” said Miriam Gray, sophomore political science major and president of Pre-Law Club.

As a new student organizationestablished last March, Pre-Law Club is not familiar to most students.

“Last semester when we started it we only hadfive or six members. This semester, instead of recruitment, we are trying to make some big announcements,” Gray said.

This semester, Pre-Law Club is going to invite speakers from Kansas University and Washburn University to speak to students and answer their questions. The club hasalready had a library check out system and is building a resume writing workshop.

Phil Kelly, political science professor, is advising the Pre-Law Club.

“Pre-Law club is open to students that are interested in pursuing a law degree. We have a series of classes that students can take, any major,” Kelly said.

Gray said even though there isn’t a law major or law curriculum at ESU, there is a pre-law concentration.

“We like diversity. We like students to have their own major, because that’s their interest, but they can still go to law school,” Kelly said.

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The 2010 Kansas gubernatorial election will be held on Nov. 2. The winning candidates will commence on the second Monday of January after election, and serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015.

After the primary election on Aug. 3, Senator Sam Brownback, the nominee from the Republican Party leads in polling against the Democratic Party’s Tom Holland.

“Probably, I will not go (to vote). I am more neutral than anything. I don’t believe that either side is doing good job. That’s pretty much why I stay out of it,”said Megan Anderson, senior art major.

Anderson’s family is Republican. She said most people in Kansas are Republicans, but a lot of the people in college towns are Democrats.

“I’ll go vote. I’m a Republican, so I will vote for Republican,” said John Duch, junior Elementary Education major.

A qualified voter must be 18 years of age or older, a U.S. citizenship and a resident of Kansas, without federal or state felony conviction or declaration by a Kansas court of law.

Once the voter registration form has been completed and signed, the voter needs to return it by mail or hand-deliver it to county election office. Lyon County’s election office is on 402 Commercial Street.

As Kansas electors, people have rights to ask questions, to mark their ballots privately and free from coercion or intimidation. They must register to vote at least 15 days before the election and follow all federal and state voting laws.

Oct. 18 is the deadline to register to vote,while Oct. 29 is thedeadline to apply for an advance ballot to be mailed.

Wayne Stallard, freshman International Business major, said he voted for president, but has never voted for governor.

“I haven’t thought about it, but I really should. I should find out what their issues are (and) what will they do for Kansas. I think it depends on the person not necessarily (on) the party,”Stallard said.

Since becoming the “Sunflower State” in 1861, Kansas has had 45 governors, including 32 Republicans, 11 Democrats, and two Populists. The incumbent, Mark Parkinson from the Democratic Party, took office on April 28, 2009, when previous governor Kathleen Sebelius was appointed United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

For more information about guide to voting, visit http://www.voteks.org/guide/voting.html

Han Yan/The Bulletin

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Finlayson is the anchor for the defensive line at Emporia State. Photo by Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

In summer 2004, Burlington High graduate Casey Finlayson was elected to play in the 2004 Kansas Shrine Bowl as a defensive end. After a player profile from the Emporia Gazette and despite many offers, Finlayson had decided that the upcoming game would be his last.

But he was wrong.

At 24, Finlayson is the anchor for the defensive line at Emporia State.

After graduation, Finlayson attended Flint Hills Technical College where he aspired to work with technology at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Burlington. During that time, Finlayson  spent many hot days roofing houses when most were taking the summer off.

“I decided roofing houses wasn’t for me in the long-run, and I wanted to push myself at the next highest level of football,” said Finlayson, a senior environmental biology major.

During the 2006 season, Finlayson walked on for the Hornets and was a full-time starter last year, missing only one game due to a sprained shoulder. Finlayson believes the defensive line should be a point to watch this season, as should the entire team, with many returning players. This should lead to more consistent play not just on the defensive line, but across the board, he said.

Defensive Line Coach and former Hornet linebacker Matt Loporto has seen the transition from the player Finlayson started as, to the leader that he is today.

“Casey is a wily old vet, not the biggest, not the most skilled, but does the dirty work, everyday,” Loporto said.“He is the epitome of what being a defensive lineman is all about.”

Loporto recalls that since the day Finlayson came in, he has strictly led by example and work, and despite putting on 50 pounds, Finlayson has not lost his athletic ability.

“Those two years were probably the best thing for him at the time because it allowed Casey to mature as a football player and as a person. In return, he has came to work harder than ever, and it has been fun to watch him transition from a good to a great player,” Loporto said.

Senior defensive lineman Daniel Webb has been able to see the leadership role Finlayson has taken.

“Everyone respects him as a player and person, and knows that he will be a big part of success this season,” Webb said.

When asked if this really is his last season this time, Finlayson said,“This is my last year for sure this time. The body has one more season in it.”

Chris Hopkins/The Bulletin

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A new federal law aimed at helping students access more affordable course materials went into effect in July. Photo Illustration by Megan Gartner.

A new federal law aimed at helping students access more affordable course materials went into effect in July.

The law, which is part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, requires textbook publishers to provide detailed information about the prices of textbooks, the copyright dates of the three previous editions, the revisions of content in the new edition and how the textbook is available in other formats, like online.

“I paid about $700 for textbooks only for this semester,” said Ellie Rivera, junior Elementary Education major. “I am a little bit excited about this law. If the textbooks will be a little bit cheaper, I will be a little bit excited.”

Students usually pay several hundred dollars for their textbooks every year depending on their majors.

“I paid close to $500 for my textbooks. I think the textbooks are higher than what they need to be right now,” said Joel Wilburn, senior secondary education major. “My major is not as expensive as Nursing or Business.”

Professors also think the textbooks are getting expensive.

“Textbooks in general, I think (are) very expensive. Over the years, it has become more and more expensive,” said Alexis Downs, associate professor of Accounting and Information systems.

The effect of the new textbook law on decreasing the price of textbooks is limited.

“I think it will have some sort of effect. But, it won’t be perfect, it won’t drive down the price as much as students would like them to do,” Wilburn said.

Mike McRell, manager of the Memorial Union Bookstore, thinks that the new law is not going to lower the textbook prices immediately.

“Because the publishers have the price set at a certain point, and they are not going to drop the price just because the information is out there,” he said.“The law doesn’t tell them that they can charge only certain amount. The law just said they had to provide the information.”

However, the change in the law has affected the way the campus bookstore does business.

“We had to update our website and be ready for July, because we are the distributor of that information for the university,” McRell said.

Downs said this new law is helpful for faculty who are choosing textbooks to teach from.

“The publishers will provide more information about the different versions of the textbooks, so I will know more about the options,” Downs said.

The quality of the textbook’s content is always a professor’s first concern, she said. At the same time, a lot of professors are aware of the prices of textbooks.

“The problem for tax textbooks is that the government changes the tax law every year, so I will need to change the tax textbook every year,” Downs said. “Price is really important. The textbook I am using right now costs about half as much as the book that I used two years ago.”

The new law is intended to encourage students, faculty, administrators, bookstores and publishers to work together to decrease the price of the college textbook by enhancing transparency.

“The publisher cares about the price most.If it’s pricier, they will get more money,” Rivera said.

McRell also believes that the publishers control the textbook price.

“That’s publisher’s business. They are out there to make money,” he said. “(But) I do think the textbooks are expensive.”

Students will have more options to get their textbooks, after getting the detailed information provided by publishers. They can buy new books, used books, digital books or rent books, either in the bookstores or online when planning their textbook budget.

“I don’t think there is any one way to control the textbook price,” McRell said. “I think students have to have their voice.”

Han Yan/The Bulletin

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