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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Rabas

An airborne keyboard soaring out of the back of his father’s truck bed was the inspiration for the title poem in Kevin Rabas’ award-winning new book, “Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano.”

“I decided to make (that) the title of the book because a lot of people seemed to enjoy that particular poem, plus it’s catchy and easy to remember,” said Rabas, an assistant professor of English who co-directs the Creative Writing Program at ESU, co-edits the Flint Hills Review and writes regularly for Jazz Ambassador Magazine.

“Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano” was one of 15 books written either by Kansas authors or about Kansas-related topics to make the 2010 Kansas Notable Books List. The annual list was created by the Kansas Center for the Book to identify exceptional works reflecting the culture of the state.

Rabas’ second book features a collection of poetry about jazz, nature, family and living in the Midwest.

As fans of Rabas’ work may note, this book follows the trend of its predecessor, “Bird’s Horn,” as both have sections of music poems.

“I’ve conducted interviews with famous and not-so-famous musicians, and I’m a jazz musician myself… I write a lot about those experiences,” Rabas said.

“Bird’s Horn” won ESU’s Research in Creativity Grant, and the university continues to have a positive influence on Rabas’ artistic quality.

“(It’s) really a warm and accepting atmosphere… a nurturing environment. And it feels great to work at a place where the university as a whole respects what you do and encourages you to do more of it,” Rabas said.

Marie Miller, English Department Chair, said that having another award-winning professor on staff brings a lot more recognition to the department and ESU as a whole.

“It’s just one more indication of our faculty’s scholarly work,” she said.

Students are taking notice, too.

“I definitely respect (Rabas) as a writer, and this award gives him credibility… it’s reassuring to have him as an instructor for creative writing,” said Ryan Baxter, junior English major.

When comes to writing, Rabas jumpstarts the process by reading works of other authors like Thomas Lux, Terrance Hayes and Mari Baraka, to name a few. He also does classroom activities along with his students as assigned.

For Rabas, there are no easy aspects of writing.

“It’s a difficulty in all stages… revision can take time. For instance, I believe I have 47 drafts of a single poem in the new book… but it can also be fun, and it’s rewarding to see the end product,” Rabas said.

Rabas advises aspiring writers to read, take writing courses and carry a notebook at all times.

“Read the things that get you excited… (it) leads to better writing,” Rabas said. “Also, set up a writing schedule, be it 15 minutes during your lunch hour or from 10-12 p.m. Keep a notebook in your pocket… find friends and colleagues who will support you. Just keep at it… no one cares if I stop writing today, but I still do it.”

Kenzie Templeton/The Bulletin

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Photo illustration by Alissa Miller.

A study done over the summer by researchers at Northwestern University found no link between the time spent on social networking sites and grades. Approximately 1,000 first-year students were surveyed for the study where no effect was established.

This study published in the latest issue of the “Information, Communication, & Society” magazine rejected other studies done prior to July 2010.

The average time spent on Facebook and other social networking sites by 10 interviewed Emporia State students was one hour. These students felt that their grades have either not changed or were better with the use of Facebook.

“Facebook helped me pass classes at K-State – my friend helped me with my grammar,” said Jackie Denton, junior marketing and business major.

First-year ESU students that were interviewed spent an average time of one to three hours a day on Facebook. None saw changes in their grades or study habits.

Surveyed second- to fourth-year students spent less time on Facebook on average but again saw no change to their grades regardless of time spent.

Overall, the interviewed ESU students also found no link between Facebook and grades. They saw Facebook as way to stay in touch with friends and teachers, get information regarding homework and connect with fellow classmates for help.

Director of the Office of Professional Education Services Sue Peterson noticed a different correlation between social networking sites and academic performance.

“It does affect professional performance, not necessarily the grades or GPA,” Peterson said.

She did not see the direct link of time spent on social networking sites to lower grades, but relayed stories of situations in which Facebook had led to lower grades due to content on the pages.

Psychology Department Graduate Assistant Megan Koranda also saw a different correlation of Facebook use to grades. Koranda believed social networking sites such as Facebook were great communication tools that could correlate to grades.

“With all the network sites that everyone is sharing, it could be a situation that it could be sharing too much information,” Koranda said. These social networking sites impact students with their communication and access to information that could ultimately affect their grades.

The 2010 study referenced the results of a 2009 study done by researchers at Ohio State University. Researchers at Ohio found that Facebook use directly led to lower grades in students.

When a researchers later went over the data of the 2009 study it was found that was not enough information to determine if that conclusion was true.

A commenter on the 2010 study felt that students used Facebook and other social networking sites as a diversion. But with this diversion came a connection to other classmates and discussion that led to more comfort in academic settings.

Liz Coffey

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Intersections are closed in downtown Emporia due to continued water main maintenance Monday afternoon on Commercial Street. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin.

Businesses and drivers are to expect traffic control systems such as closed roads and fencing on the 1100 block of Commercial Street as construction on a project to replace 100-year-old water main lines is underway.

“Everyone should still come downtown and shop and take advantage of what we have to offer but be careful around construction zones,” said Casey Woods of Emporia Main Street.

Mies Construction and BG Consultants, Inc. were contracted to complete the project, which began June 9 and is projected to finish in late September or October. The project is estimated to cost a little under $1 million.

“(This is) necessary work for the quality of everyone,” said by Earl Mies, media contact for Mies Construction. “If students could please support the downtown area, it would be very much appreciated.”

Some problems have surfaced during the duration of the project, including stolen equipment that has since been recovered by the Emporia Police Department.  City residents and students are warned to avoid leaning into water meter pits and trenches to avoid a dangerous situation.

Three construction zones were laid out that stretched from the 1100 to 300 blocks. Crews work approximately five weeks on each zone including installation, testing and final cleanup.

Work on these streets will typically be done from 7:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with a possibility of Saturdays if behind schedule.  However, the project is currently on schedule, according to Mies.

Lane Hollern of L&L Pets commented on the efficiency and quality of the construction and the construction workers.

“They just started cuttin’ in yesterday and they’re ready to start hooking up the main line. The workers are clean…and high quality,” Hollern said.

An update issued on Aug. 12 from the Emporia Main Street website included a warning to businesses that they would lose temporary access to water for variable durations.

According to the construction plan, businesses would be notified two weeks prior to construction and 24-48 hours in advance of any water access loss. Businesses are encouraged to have a supplement water supply.

“It will affect other people more than it will affect us,” said Marla McClellan, an employee at Town Crier.

Some community members have raised questions about the impact the project will have on water quality, but a representative of BG Consultants, Inc. ensured that the water quality should not be affected. Mies Construction confirmed that statement on Aug. 24.

Emporia Main Street has been working with the business owners in ways of promotion to avoid a negative impact on sales and services. McClellan felt that this was indeed true.

“KVOE’s running some extra ads at better pricing than we normally get. That’s helped,” McClellan said. She felt that the businesses have been working to support in each other.

The blocks of 1100, 1000, and 900 are complete and the 800 block will reach completion in two weeks if the current pace is sustained.

For more information call Emporia Main Street at 620-340-6430 or stop by its office at 12 East 5th Avenue.

Liz Coffey

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Nationally known professional leadership speaker Dave Kelly is going to pay his first visit to Emporia State at 6 p.m. tonight in the Memorial Union Kanza Room.

“I am actually going to be making several presentations when I am on campus,” Kelly said. “Thursday night is an open workshop for campus leaders and really any student who wants to improve their leadership skills.”

Kelly’s first section will teach campus leaders about recruitment and retaining members in organizations, as well as making meetings more fun.

“I think it is a great opportunity for students to get different perspectives about how to better the organizations,” said Jonathan Rivers, president of ASG and senior secondary social sciences education major. “It enables students to talk with each other and expand their networking.”

His second session will deal with personal leadership topics like affirming your abilities and time management.

“These specific sessions will encourage more students to be involved on campus and I found my collegiate involvements to be the most important in shaping who I have been since I graduated,” Kelly said.

Besides his professional speech, Kelly will also be working with organization advisers to show them how they can help to increase involvement on campus on Friday morning. The Associated Student Government, Leadership Education and Development and the Special Events Board are hosting him.

“I think students can absolutely learn something about how to work within a group with each other, and moreover, how to better themselves as a leader,” said Whitney McGinnis, graduate student and graduate adviser of Associated Student Government and Recognized Student Organizations.

Kelly has presented programs for more than 100 different college and universities and is a two-time finalist for Campus Speaker of the Year (APCA). He also blogs on leadership at CampusTalkBlog.com.

Alison Li

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Students listen to a live performance by LivyHigh hosted by UAC for the fifth annual “Party on the Lawn,” last night on the Morse Hall lawn. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin.

Union Activities Council hosted its fifth annual “Party on the Lawn” on the Morse Hall lawn at 7 p.m. last night.

“The UAC held the annual ‘Party on the Lawn’ since I was in school,” said Samantha Beye, president of UAC and senior communication major. “It has been a very long time.”

The “Party on the Lawn” started with the band Livy High. Free popcorn and tropical snow were provided to all the party guests.

“It is my second time to participate this UAC party. Last year it got rained and they moved the party inside. The band today is so cool and I really enjoy the free food,”said Cassie Sutton, sophomore elementary education major. “I am excited to come back. I miss it.”

UAC has come up a detailed schedule for the whole fall 2010 semester stared from Aug. 18. UAC activities this semester include Night at the Movies at the Flint Hills 8 Theater every month from September to November, Monthly Music Series in the Memorial Union Main Street and the Eric O’ Shea Musical Comedy in the Memorial Union Ballroom, among others.

Resident Assistant Liz Zhang, junior accounting major, brought all her residents to the party.

“I work in Towers, and I brought all my girls here tonight,” Zhang said.

Even some returning upperclassmen decided to stop by the event.

“It is fun to see a lot of people out in activity,”  said Ariel Vandiver, sophomore earth science major. “The music is really good. I am happy to be back, though a little anxious.”

Collaboration between the six committees made this year’s “Party on the Lawn.”

“We initiated the plan for this party last semester so that we could have sufficient time to prepare without messing up all the things at the beginning of this semester,” Beye said. “The UAC wants to include different activities during the party. So we broke the program up into our six committees. In this case every community had exact jobs to do, which could help us to be more efficient.”

UAC also set up an advising table for students who are interested in becoming members of UAC. Students could sign up to be members of one of the six UAC committees, which consisted of Featured Events, Live Music, Talks & Topics, Variety Entertainment, Public Relations and Visual Arts. Membership application forms are due by Sept. 1.

“Our goal is to bring great entertainment to all the student groups, all the faculties, and the whole ESU community,” Beye said.

Alison Li/Staff Writer

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