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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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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Freshmen Meghan and Caroline Murray hang decorations on their dorm room door with the help of their friend Brooke Schmidt (far left) during Move-In Day Saturday afternoon at the Towers Complex. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin.

Part I: A Freshmentality

The dawn of a new year is upon us once again. For the returning students, seeing the old sights of places like Silent Joe, the Memorial Union and William Allen White Library can bring a rush of nostalgia, sometimes followed by high levels of stress.

But freshmen have a different kind of stress. Their stress does not stem from realizing that the toils of another school year are here, but from the fact that most of them are in a very unfamiliar place. They are separated from their parents, tossed into the sea of college and are forced to either sink or swim.

Four such freshmen are Lei Zhang, Will Smith, Meghan Murray and Caroline Murray.

Meghan and Caroline Murray are two twin sisters who hail from down the road in Olpe. They decided to come to Emporia State because it is close to home, and like Olpe, is small enough to have a down-home atmosphere.

“I liked that it was one of the smaller universities because that’s what we’re used to,” Meghan said. “It would be an easier adjustment.”

Between the two of them, they participated in just about every activity their high school had to offer: Student Council, forensics, theater, volleyball, track and cheerleading, just to name a few.

“I’m excited to meet a lot more people,” Caroline said. “In Olpe, we never really met anyone, we just got really close to them. I think it will be fun to meet people and have a large group of friends so that you don’t always have to be with the same people every single weekend.”

Meghan and Caroline are no strangers to ESU. Their mother is Jacquelyn Murray, an instructor for Newman Division of Nursing. They also plan to go into different fields. Meghan is studying biology, while Caroline is working toward a degree in secondary education.

“I wanted to do speech language pathology, it’s like speech therapy,” Caroline said. “I’ll have to transfer to K-State, but I can get a degree here in education. You have to have four years and then you go apply to the school.”

The twins are also already used to their roommates, because they are rooming together. Even their room at home is approximately the same size, so they are very comfortable with their new surroundings.

“I would rather be together,” Meghan said. “I think it will make school easier. We can still meet people, we can meet everyone on the floor, but it’s nice to go somewhere that you know is private to you and comfortable.”

The girls are jumping straight into school, with Meghan taking some of her biology and chemistry courses and Caroline trying to get some general education classes out of the way. One thing that they are nervous for, however, is the trouble they will have in finding their independence from each other.

“It’s kind of the same because we’re still the twins,” Meghan said. “We’re not really separate, which kind of stinks sometimes. You want to be your own person, have someone actually know your name… We’ve already had some people say, ‘alright, we’re just going to call you the twins.’”

Another new name to ESU is Will Smith. No, not the famous Hollywood actor, but the freshman from Wylie, Texas.

“It’s a big change, coming from Texas to here, with a lot of flat land,” Smith said. “To be honest with you, I thought it would have been boring, because it’s out in the middle of nowhere. That’s not the reason why I came here though – I just want to get an education.”

Smith is studying criminology and his ultimate goal is to be a U.S. Marshall. He is cousins with Kameron Gee, a football player here at ESU, and lives in the co-ed dorms of South Towers, which he finds to be a very friendly experience.

“It’s real tight, everyone comes up to our floor, even North Tower comes up to our floor,” Smith said. “I think we have the best floor out of all of the floors there, so I’m lucky out on that part… there was a room with probably 10 people, girls and guys, just chilling.”

Smith lives about six or seven hours away and, like many freshmen who live a long distance away, he said he feels homesick. Although he gets along excellently with his new roommate, he still misses his old room and his parents.

“They’re actually really happy for me,” Smith said. “It’s saddening, but they’re really happy that I’m out and going to school, so it doesn’t matter… They actually called me today and yesterday. My mom and my dad (were crying.) I was crying, too. I’m not going to lie. I’m from Texas, it’s so far away. Maybe if I lived in Topeka or something, it wouldn’t be bad.”

For all four years of high school, Smith ran track and currently trains with the ESU Cross Country Team. He is considering doing track here, but has much higher expectations for himself after his college experience.

“I expect for me to become a man, I guess,” Smith said. “I’m not going to be babied by my parents anymore, so after college I’ll be a man, really… I’m excited. I’m ready to grow up and become a young man, living on my own, you know?”

ESU is known for its large international student population, of which Lei Zhang is a new member. Zhang is a Chinese student who attended Polytechnic University, but now must complete the Intensive English Program before she can start taking classes for her business studies.

“I hope I can start my start my major classes and get my diploma,” Zhang said. “I also hope I can enrich my life and make some new friends.”

Zhang came here with her roommate, Ziwei Li, on Aug. 9. Since then, they have moved from their temporary dorm room in the Towers to their more permanent residence in Trusler. She plans to be in Emporia for three or four years and has already met new friends.

“I met a lot of new friends, and not just Americans,” Zhang said. “I’ve met Japanese, Korean, and some from Indonesia… I think it is real interesting and I think we can get some things that are new that I would never get otherwise,” Zhang said.

As is common with many freshmen, Zhang has found that it is not very easy to be so far from home.

“It is very hard without my friends and parents because if I had some problems, I could tell them,” Zhang said. “But instead, I must solve this problem myself and not with them. So I think it will be better for me than there, but I think I can adapt to this and do my best.”

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ESU President Michael Lane updates faculty and staff over the changes that have happened over the summer. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin

Survival in a vacuum of state revenue and retention of incoming freshmen were the focal points of Emporia State University President Michael Lane’s 2010 General Assembly which took place in Albert Taylor Hall on Tuesday afternoon.

“My main goal for the university this year is survival,” Lane said. “My other priority is improving how we deal with our freshmen and helping them succeed at Emporia State.”

The assembly began with the traditional introductions of new faculty and staff in the different departments at the university. Joella Mehrhof, president of faculty senate and professor of health, physical education and recreation, told a story about her hobby of marathon walking to try and inspire faculty and staff to make a difference.

“I challenge you to begin this new year with a mission to connect,” Mehrhof said. “Change something for somebody, if you can.”

Mehrhof also asked that many stand to be recognized for their contributions to the school’s collective successes, which was labeled as “shared governance.”

“I’m honored to serve as president of faculty senate,” Mehrhof said. “Give the person next to you a high five or fist bump for contributing to shared governance.”

Lane’s portion of the assembly was devoted largely to emphasizing the continuation of the Strategic Plan that was adopted by ESU last year to combat the effects of lower enrollment and low state funding for higher education.

“This recession is not yet over, particularly in Kansas,” Lane said. “In the last eight months since my last address, not much has improved in state revenue.”

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities reported that any significant increases in state funds for higher education would appear in 2013 at the earliest, Lane said.

Another statistic, shown on a Power Point presentation to the audience, was that since fall of 2002, the domestic enrollment for Emporia State has dropped from 4,899 to 4,042 in 2009. The international enrollment has increased in that time from 184 students to 519.

“We didn’t start recruiting international students to replace domestic students,” Lane said. “We’ve signed a significant number of partnerships to intentionally increase international student numbers. We need to refocus our efforts to increase the number of U.S. students, particularly in Kansas.”

Lane also addressed the consolidation, or elimination, of some courses and departments on campus.

“We made it through a very tough year,” Lane said. “Administration had to make some very hard decisions. If I’ve learned anything in these past two years it’s that faculty and staff at ESU are survivors, and very resilient.

Lane also spoke about the necessity to continue providing the quality of education that ESU is known for while updating the methods of delivering that education.

“I got that they really want to work on updating the campus and the technology,” said Kylie Lewis, junior information resource systems major. “I think they’re doing a pretty good job of getting on the right path. It’s just a matter of time I guess.”

Lewis is a transfer student from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where the technology gap is less apparent.

“Kearney is up to date with the technology,” Lewis said. “Blackboard isn’t something that was recently implemented there, and even the buildings are newer. I am still very happy I transferred here though.”

Josh Johnson

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Demolition contractors began removal of the ramp at the east end of the east/west Union concourse. At the end of the day, about 40 percent had been removed, creating a view into the basement of the Memorial Union. Courtesy of Roger Heineken.

The major renovation project for the Memorial Union has continued over the summer since its groundbreaking ceremony on April 16.

“Since students left in May, most of work has been demolition,” said Dave Hendricks, director of the Memorial Union. “So far, I think it has gone extremely well.”

However, the change of locations for some offices within the Memorial Union has proven to be a challenge for some students, especially for new international students.

“I went to bookstore the other day, but got lost on my way back,” said Xinhui Tan, freshman communication major.

Seven offices and stores have moved to temporary locations for the current stage of the renovation, with the Office of International Education now on the first floor of South Morse Hall and the bookstore where the old OIE offices used to be. The Library for the Blind and Conference/ Scheduling Offices have been relocated to Lower Level West, the space that was previously the Hornets Nest. The Information Service Center is now located in the West Lobby. ID Office and Hornet Express are on the Main Street of MU.

“We spent a lot of time talking about the project schedule,” Hendricks said. “When to do certain part of the project, we are keeping in mind that we are still here to support the campus and how can we minimize the inconvenience for the campus. We are trying to keep it open as open as we can.”

Students who were on campus during the summer have been watching the renovation project’s progress.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Kyle Granzow, sophomore information systems major. “(From) all the drawings I’ve seen, it looks like it’s going to be good. I’ve been here all summer. I’ve seen the progress moving along in a good pace. I guess I am happy to be more centralized.”

Roger Heineken who works at Information Service Center in Memorial Union has been at Emporia State since 1969 when he was a student. Heineken said he is excited about the renovation.

“As the first student union west of the Mississippi, this building is undergoing the largest and major renovation by far that it has ever seen,” Heineken said. “I think it will transform student’s social life on campus. Students will interact differently in a positive way.”

Some students were still hesitant about whether student fees should go towards the renovation.

“I keep hearing we have a lot of problems in our budget,” said Carisa Smith, a psychology major student. “It seems like a waste of money since I thought it worked before.”

Hendricks hopes that this renovation will create and build a facility that students will be proud of.

“Hopefully that will be a place students would like to come and hang out,” Hendricks said. “We want it to be their home away from home. When walking through with their friends and family, they will say ‘this is my school and this is Emporia State.’”

Hendricks writes updates about the renovation project once a month. In his most recent update, which is to be published today, he introduced the project’s effort on protecting environment and saving energy, especially through new lighting and windows.

Up to 378.7 tons of debris have been removed from the building and 72.5 percent (274.9 tons) has been recycled or preserved for reuse in the project so far.

Han Yan/Staff Writer

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This week marked the annual Senior Week, which recognizes the accomplishments of the 2010 graduating class of Emporia State.The theme of the week was “Nickin’ It Old School,” based on the Nickelodeon Channel.

“There will be slime. There will be prizes. There will be fun,” said Lacee Hanson, senior week chair and ESU Ambassador. “I would love for seniors to come reminisce the good ol’ days and let us take care of the rest before it all gets real at the end of the semester and graduation.”

Hanson said there are approximately 800 students graduating from ESU in either May or December 2010.

The Newberg Outstanding Senior Award banquet was held in Memorial Union Ball room on Monday. Outstanding Senior Awards were presented to Jonathan Krueger, political science, public affairs and national security major, and Jeremy Walter, crime & delinquency studies major.

“It’s a formal banquet that gives awards to outstanding students. President Lane and student’s family members are invited to have dinner with students. And it’s the only activity that costs money in Senior Week,” said Nikki Metz, alumni programs coordinator.

Other activities that senior could participate in included a lunch yesterday hosted by the Emporia State Federal Credit Union and a barbecue yesterday afternoon hosted by the Alumni Center, Office of Student Affairs, ESU Ambassadors and the President’s Office.

“The lunch is very cool. They provide you free food, prizes. It let me to meet other senior students. It makes us feel that the school really cares about senior students,” said Michael Wormington, who is going to graduate in this May and prepare to enter graduate school.

Students had the opportunity to win to prizes at both events.

“Through this I can talk to senior students that I have never talked to before,” said Kelly Knight, senior biology major.

When she was asked how she felt about entering the real world after graduation Knight said: “It’s scary, but still exciting. I hope people can have fun and enjoy their life in college, because real life is scary.”

“Last year’s Senior Week was a hard one to follow. We have made some changes and swapped some events, such as the First Alumni Event for the Senior BBQ,” said Hanson, “The Liberty Mutual sponsorship this year gave us the opportunity to give Senior Week t-shirts away for free to the first 150 senior toregister at the Alumni Center.”

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Tie dye was the theme and covered Kellogg Circle from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday as Emporia State channeled Woodstock with this year’s Flintstock event. The Paperclips opened for bands Antennas Up and John Henry and the Engine.

“We tried not to go on any avant-garde jam sessions or anything like we might have in Woodstock if that had been the case,” said Jake Briscoe, Paperclips’ guitarist.

Graduate adviser for the event Katie Moldenhauer said the nameFlintstock is a play on Woodstock, with Emporia State being in the Flint Hills. She said it’s an end of the year celebration that ESU has had for a long time and after not having it for a couple years, the Union Activities Council brought it back last year and it was a success.

“It’s a good opportunity just to enjoy yourself even if it’s just for five minutes, to get away from studying or finishing up projects or whatnot and it’s just completely free,” Moldenhauer said.

There were free corndogs, funnel cakes and popcorn as well as an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable slide and a graffiti wall for people to spray paint. Groups from around campus and businesses from the community including Airsoft Club, Greek Life and Midas Touch tanning salon had tables at the event. Senior Week had a table with a water balloon toss with a twist – water balloons filled with slime. Lacey Hansen, Senior Week chair said the slime went with the event’s theme “Nickin’ it Old School.”

“When I was asking around seeing what people really wanted to see with senior week and the Nickelodeon theme, kind of the resounding answer was slime, so that was kind of a lot of pressure,” Hansen said.

Seniors were given the chance to enter a raffle at the table and CDs and DVDs donated by CDTradepost were given to those whose names were drawn in between bands.

“Only seniors can get tickets and they can get tickets for participating in the slime activity and then get candy bars if they slime somebody,” Hansen said.

Moldenhauer said Ha Ha Tonka was originally supposed to play, but the band is currently touring, so UAC booked John Henry and the Engine instead. The Paperclips earned their opening slot by winning the Battle of the Bands in February. Moldenhauer said members of UAC went to a National Association for Campus Activities conference in Arlington, Texas, and saw Antennas Up play and decided that they would be a good band for Flintstock. The Paperclips and Antennas Up are both from Kansas City, Mo., and John Henry and the Engine is from St. Louis/ Columbia, Mo.

“We had all of UAC, the council and committee members vote on who we would like and that’s who won,” Moldenhauer said.

Briscoe said there was some trouble with wind and equipment for the bands; one had a cymbal fall and cut a microphone cable and various other pieces fell. Bassist Jason Richards said they were lucky none of the accidents happened with their stuff, but they did have to pay special attention to drummer Chris Evan’s set.

“We had to like rig up this like drum set inside of itself so everything interlocked like a Jenga puzzle,” Richards said.

Briscoe said that despite the wind, he felt good about the show. He said that if it hadn’t been in Emporia, people wouldn’t have come because of the weather, or they would have been too busy enjoying the corndogs and funnel cakes to listen.

“It feels great, we love being in Emporia. Coming to Emporia can’t be a bad time, you know what I mean. It’s a lot more inviting and responsive than a lot of towns,” Briscoe said.

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Emporia State University named former Brandon Schneider assistant Jory Collins the sixth women’s basketball head coach at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

ESU Athletic Director Kent Weiser talked about the events leading up to the eventual hiring of Collins at the presser.

“For the last seven days, I’ve had daily conversations with a man who’s played a major role in the success of our program, both on the court and in the classroom,” Weiser said.“We talked about not only his qualifications for the job, but about his vision for the future…I am confident that the future of the program is in talented and capable hands, and I’m excited to work with him as he makes his mark on our exceptional women’s basketball program.”

Weiser also talked of the importance of hiring the right person for the job, given Emporia State’s special circumstance.

“One week ago, we learned there would be a change in leadership of Emporia State women’s basketball,” Weiser said.“Whenever such a change occurs, regardless of the sport, it’s important to give careful consideration to the personal and professional qualities needed for someone to assume the responsibilities of head coach.When a program happens to be the reigning National Champions, the consideration is of special importance.”

Collins’ was introduced to a full crowd who showed their appreciation with sizeable applause.

“It is an absolute honor to be named the head women’s basketball coach at Emporia State University,” Collins said.“It’s a privilege to be able to head a program that has the national prominence that we do.The support that the community provides Emporia State makes this one of the elite places in the country to coach and play women’s basketball.That’s why we’re able to attract some of the top student-athletes in the country.”

Collins, a 2002 ESUgraduate, was the prime candidate for the job based on his track record with the program.

Although the administration believed he was the right man for the job, there were a few concerns.

“It was obviously an issue that I don’t have head coaching experience,” Collins said.“I think I make up for that (in that) one of my biggest strengths is that when I started in this program, I was doing laundry as a student assistant.Every year I’ve worked up from that, to a graduate assistant to a full time assistant.I know exactly what it takes at each of those levels for this program to run smoothly.”

Current and former Lady Hornets were pleased with the hiring.According to former point guard Cassondra Boston, the Collins hiring made sense.

“I think it’s a great fit for both him and the team,” Boston said.“Jory’s obviously been with this program for a really long time.He has a great work ethic and I think that work ethic is going to transfer over to everyone on the team.”

Collins looks to join the ranks of five previous Emporia State women’s basketball head coaches with records over .500, most notably Schneider, who left ESU with an impressive 306-72 (.810) record.

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