But for every ill-conceived policy Brownback has recently been associated with, it seems like his approach to universities in Kansas deserves some praise and some suspicion as well.

Brownback toured a few colleges and universities over the last week promoting his stable funding proposal for higher education. He made a point to mention the proposed cuts in higher education from the legislature. The term “momentum killer” was used several times.

On face, it seems like Brownback is standing up against his party. Republicans tend to disagree with Brownback on state funding for public universities. Brownback wants stable funding, and leading Republicans want cuts.

But Brownback’s “Roadmap For Kansas,” the document detailing his platform for higher education, further distances Kansas from the humanities and liberal arts. It focuses primarily on economically productive disciplines, like engineering, science and technology.

In response to The Bulletin’s question regarding his office’s stance toward humanities and liberal arts, Brownback said, “It supports all of it.”

Why, then, aren’t those disciplines mentioned in the “Roadmap For Kansas?” It seems clear that Brownback’s history of indifference toward the arts is being put on display.

His proposed funding calls for augmented allocations toward needed programs. Don’t be surprised if glass blowing, communication, history or English are not considered worthy for those allocations.

Brownback wants to create a self-sufficient and economically viable higher education atmosphere in Kansas, and he apparently does not feel arts fall into that purview.

But there is more to education than what we can financially squeeze out of it. When we consider English and communication expendable, we sacrifice the building blocks of our social and political lives.

The Bulletin hopes that Brownback is successful in stemming the tide against higher education in general. We ask students who find value in programs ignored by Brownback’s “Roadmap For Kansas” to speak up and make a case for their inclusion in his crusade.

Kansans will find a way to be economically competitive. It’s in our nature. The threat, then, is not on our pocket books, but in our freedom to explore the full breadth of higher education.

Three finalists for dean of Emporia State’s School of Business visited the campus, Emporia Arts Center and various places in the community over the last two weeks. Each candidate’s visit consisted of individual meetings with the search committee, the ESU provost council, as well as an open forum with faculty, staff and students, as well as the campus community.

Kristie Ogilvie, associate dean of Academics at California State in San Bernardino, Calif., visited April 23-24.

Ogilivie worked for eight years with Aerojet, a space and defense contractor that specializes in missile and space propulsion and defense and armaments, as a senior business analyst. She said she wanted to bring what she learned from her experience with that position to students in ESU’s business school.

“I am most inspired by students, faculty and staff in their commitment to their institution, and it’s a primary reason I moved from industry to academia,” Ogilivie said.

Sam Beldona, associate dean of the Graduate School of Business at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., visited April 24-25, and Percy Poon, interim dean of the Lee School of Business at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, visited April 30 and May 1.

The three finalists agreed that creating new online programs would be beneficial for business students. Beldona discussed increasing the online presence of college business classes and decreasing the requirements for in-class attendance for students.

“By the time our second graders are in college, they will expect a more online-based education,” Beldona said.

Beldona said that nearly 70 percent of high school students in the United States have taken some form of an online class. He said that students today are busier and more involved with off campus activities than before, which can cause problems with attendance in traditional, in-person classes.

“Business schools right now are facing a lot of challenges,” Poon said.

Poon said enrollment in business schools has been declining nationwide.

“We have to look at the strength of the ESU business school and local businesses to create niche programs for the students,” Poon said. “The aim is make sure our students have a job after graduation. What is most important is that students find that job within six months.”

Surveys for the business dean finalists will be available on the business dean search page until 8 p.m. tonight.

Chick-fil-A® Leadercast® is a one-day leader development event broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, Ga. to hundreds of sites throughout the nation, including right here in Emporia. It has nothing to do with the restaurant coming to Emporia. Chick-fil-A is the national sponsor of this event, and that is the only connection to the Chamber and Emporia.

The Emporia Area Chamber respects the opinion of the editorial staff, but is disappointed that they were so quick to react without learning more about this exciting event coming to Emporia, or what we do as an organization.

Community business leaders and student can access the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending Chick-fil-A Leadercast at the Flint Hills Technical College, 3301 W. 18th Ave. on May 10, 2013. Speakers for this year’s event include:

Jack Welch, Former Chairman and CEO of General Electric

Andy Stanley, Best-selling leadership author and communicator

Mike Krzyzewski, Head men’s basketball coach, Duke University and Team USA

John Maxwell, Best-selling author and leadership expert

Dr. Henry Cloud, Best-selling author and leadership consultant

LCDR Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL and star of the 2012 movie Act of Valor

Sanya Richards-Ross, 2012 London Olympic gold medalist, track & field

David Allen, Best-selling author of Getting Things Done and productivity expert

Condolezza Rice, Secretary of State (2005-2009) , via exclusive Simply Lead video interview

Last year, over 100,000 leaders from 14 countries attended Chick-fil-A® Leadercast®. In its 14th year, this full day, experiential conference is predicted to reach its largest audience to date.

If you would like more information about this event or the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, please contact me; we area a proud supporter of Emporia State University and are always looking for ways to work more closely together.

Jeanine McKenna

President/CEO

Emporia Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau

719 Commercial

620-342-1600

jmckenna@emporiakschamber.org

After two quick runs – a single from Eric Dawson to run home Blake Sturgeon and Ashton McCoy hitting in Aaron Rea – the Hornets went scoreless the rest of the game, giving up single runs in the second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh innings to lose to Central Missouri, 5-2. The loss dropped Emporia State two places, where they now sit as the fifth seed in the MIAA Tournament.

The Hornets were set to start their open round series today in Edmond, Okla., but it has been pushed back to tomorrow and Saturday, due to bad weather conditions. Play will continue Sunday if needed.

If the Hornets defeat the University of Central Oklahoma this weekend, they will play in the MIAA Championship Tournament May 11-12 at the Community America Ballpark in Kansas City.

Rex

Once upon a time, school was considered a reasonably safe place for people to spend eight or more hours of their day. Not so much these days.

What has changed is that now we know that knowing what to do in a crisis can save lives. The Newtown, Conn. shooting wasn’t as bad as it could have been because the students and staff had training to prepare them for exactly that kind of event. Today, students need a plan of action, not an opportunity for reaction.

But a Google search for “school shootings in the United States” provides a list that is long and begins in 1764. It seems things haven’t changed all that much.

At Emporia State, we have been told that we have policies in place and a great crisis alert system. What happens when the Rave System for mobile texting isn’t accessible?

Believe it or not, some students can’t afford a phone. What if a student left their phone at home? In the case of the Boston Marathon bombing, cell phones were turned off because of concerns that mobile devices were being used as remote detonators. Just having a warning system isn’t good enough.

Some people have told me to follow the crowd. Back in February when gunshots were fired near campus, the trusted Rave system wasn’t utilized at all. I immediately started walking in the opposite direction while all the other students I saw that night seemed oblivious and behaved as if nothing had happened. Following students that don’t know what’s going on and don’t know what to do isn’t a plan at all.

I am a big advocate for knowing your options, planning ahead and taking responsibility for yourself. I encourage students to find out what exactly they should do in various emergency situations.

There are signs locating emergency fire exits and pointing out tornado shelters. But what do you do when something out of the ordinary happens? I haven’t found any kind of directions for cases like the earthquake aftershocks we felt in 2011, nor can I find information on what to actually do if there is a gunman on campus.

A basic search of the ESU website came up empty. Dependence on a warning system that has, thus far, failed us and isn’t accessible to every single student, is an inadequate plan at best and a recipe for disaster at worst.

I urge our administrators to give students the tools to plan ahead and save our lives.

Teresa Romey, case manager with the Kansas University School of Medicine in Wichita, offered students free and confidential tests for HIV in the Memorial Union last Thursday.
Will Austin/The Bulletin

Just 15 minutes after getting their fingers pricked, students could get results of a free HIV test last Thursday in the Memorial Union Main Street.

“It is really important to know what your status is,” said Teresa Romey, Ryan White Part D Case Manager for the KU Medical Practice Association. “We do free testing programs and HIV education so that people can know what their status is so they won’t spread the virus. And if they are HIV positive, they can find what their status is and take care of themselves.”

Candice Brooks, junior elementary education major, came up with the idea for the free HIV testing event in her Global Leadership class.

Both Romey and Brooks said they think getting tested is important for college students, who are in the range of high-risk people.

But only 10 ESU students got tested, including Brooks. She wore an “I Got Tested” sticker at the info table to help students realize that getting tested is nothing to be ashamed of.

“At my info table, I encouraged students to get tested,” Brooks said. “I also got tested myself to ensure people that I felt comfortable doing the test.”

Brooks speculated that students did not want to do the test because they were concerned about their privacy, but she, along with a few of the representatives from the Student Wellness Center, worked to ensure that they could make testing as private as possible.

“At the table, I created a list of other places in Emporia that they could go get tested, letting them know they may not receive the test for free, but they could have a more private facility to fulfill their concern,” Brooks said.

Xiang Li, graduate English student, missed the opportunity to do the test on campus, but said more free tests should be done for students on campus because it is a very good way to know more about students’ health.

Having HIV means a person is infected with the virus. Once people have the virus, it can develop into AIDS, which means that the immune system weakens.

“AIDS can be very well controlled with the drugs we have right now, but if you don’t take your medications, or if you let it go for a very long period, you can be very ill and possibly die,” Romey said.

Students can also get tested at Flint Hills Community Health Center, located at 420 W 15th Ave.

Gov. Sam Brownback paid a visit to Emporia State last Friday where he held a private meeting with select faculty, staff, President Michael Shonrock and representatives of the student government, among others. Afterward, he held a small press conference in the Kansas Business Hall of Fame in Cremer Hall.

“What I’m calling for is stable funding for higher education in the state of Kansas,” Brownback said during the conference. “I proposed a two year budget…because of the tax proposal last year to show people how we can make it through two years.”

He emphasized that this funding would support all areas of education, including both technical training and the liberal arts. He said that one of the goals was to bring “talent” to Kansas and to keep it in Kansas, though certain areas could be augmented if need be, such as business and engineering.

“We need more engineering in this state,” Brownback said. “Engineers are the key basis to growing an economy.”

Brownback also said that at some Kansas schools engineering is already being augmented.

“You keep your base steady, and where you want to grow, you put more funds in, and we have put more funds in those,” Brownback said.

The legislature, he said, will reconvene on May 8, and he expressed his desire to discuss in detail how the funding for higher education works.

“We’ve talked to our legislators, and we will continue to do so,” Shonrock said. “(The legislators are) good people who absolutely care about the state and about the future.”

One of Brownback’s main goals with this proposed stable budget is to avoid raising the cost of tuition.

“I think it’s important we try to do what we can to not hurt that tuition price point because students are becoming increasingly sensitive to tuition,” Brownback said.

Brooke Schmidt, Associated Student Government president and senior Spanish major, agreed.

“No one wants to see an increase in tuition dollars, and so to get that support from our state is wonderful,” Schmidt said.

Brownback said Kansas is a small state in regard to population, so “we cannot provide the highest ranked higher education for everybody in every field. But, we can be very good in a number of selected categories.”

Rachael Countryman, junior communication major and incoming ASG president, attended both the private meeting and the press conference. She said her interactions with the governor in both settings were very productive.

She said the students at the private meeting did their best to not only welcome Brownback to ESU, but to also tell him how the discussions about higher education could personally affect students and explain why many of the opportunities students have are helped by solid state funding.

Amanda Self, senior catcher, tags out a Lindenwood opponent just before she reaches home plate on last Sunday afternoon. With an overall record of 33-16, the Lady Hornets face Northwestern State in the MIAA conference tournament tomorrow in Overland Park.
Will Austin/The Bulletin

Every year, seniors come and go, leaving their mark on their school even when they’re gone. Some stand out more and leaves bigger marks in their university. This year’s seniors on the softball team are some of those seniors.

These five seniors include two conference tournament champions and a couple All-Americans, have been a part of three MIAA regular-season championships and have won 167 games and counting.

Last Sunday, Karley Scmelzer, Amanda Self, Jessica Brewer, Katie Huffman and Lauren Sharp took the diamond of at the Trusler Sports Complex for the final time in their careers. When they left, they walked away with a series split against Lindenwood, winning the first in an 8-0 mercy ruling victory.

“You always want your seniors to have a big day on senior day,” said head coach Julia LeMaire. “Karley was pitching very well, Amanda made some nice throws behind the plate, Katie has had a great season, Jessica had made some great plays, hopefully they feed off this going into post season.”

In the first game, Schmelzer got the start and continued her stellar senior year on the mound with six complete innings, striking out 9 batters and even retiring 12 straight batters, pitching four straight 1-2-3 innings between the second and the fifth.

Schmelzer got the help of a buzzing bat led by senior Amanda Self, who capped a four-run inning in the fourth with a two RBI single to put the Lady Hornets up 7-0.

“For three years now, I have seen seniors have this honor. Now, it was finally our turn. It was disappointing – we didn’t get the sweep – but we are just going to continue to work hard,” Self, a biology education major, said.

After mercy-ruling Lindenwood in game one, Sharp got her chance in the circle on her senior day. After being shut out through the sixth in the first game, Lindenwood got two quick runs in the first.

Schmelzer came in for relief in the third and then allowed only one more base runner the rest of the game. But the damage was done, and despite having a hit in every inning, the Lady Hornets couldn’t bat their way into a comeback, taking a 2-0 loss in the nightcap.

“It was bitter sweet,” Schmelzer, an elementary education major, said. “This is the last time I will play here, but not the last time I will play. Hopefully, we can bring it all together in conference play.”

Despite the senior day split, the Lady Hornets still sit at the fourth seed heading into the conference tournament. First-round game will be against Northeastern State on tonight at 6 p.m.

Smith

Beyond falling into patterns of de facto segregation on campus, there are rumors of exclusion of students from racial minority backgrounds during both Greek and P.R.I.D.E. Week that should cause us some concern. It is emblematic of a nation-wide ignorance about race.

Although my heart goes out to those affected by the violence in Boston, American media’s struggle to celebrate difference points to a larger issue we avoid on a daily basis – race.

The media’s bias in reporting the bombing suffered from racial bias we refuse to discuss. Initial reports about a non-white extremist were soon replaced by one of a white male who suffered from mental illness but who didn’t practice an “evil” religion.

Instead of meeting it head-on, people like to run away from the topic and speak for greater inclusion without looking for the reason people felt left out in the first place. Even though we’d prefer to be exempt from responsibility, this pattern has been seen on campus in the past few weeks.

In response to an important topic, Emporia State needs to hold a forum for students with targeted identities where they are given the chance to address their concerns to our administration. The necessity for greater input from students about their racial identity and treatment on campus should not be seen as a negative but a step in the right direction. We’ve found the wound that has been pestering us for the last 400 years and what better time than now to treat it?

A few years ago, Attorney General Eric Holder was criticized widely for calling Americans “cowards” when it came to race issues, but ESU students are up for the challenge of creating a new discourse on campus that precedes the changes in effective policies.

This is not a criticism of any particular members of the student body. All members are responsible for the conditions of our community. All change comes one person at a time. The conversation of race so close to home is hard to deal with, but I’m eager to see a result that invested members of the student body, faculty and staff are capable of producing.

By switching to turf the university saves money and time on maintenance of the baseball and football fields. There are plans to improve the soccer field over the summer.
Will Austin/The Bulletin

When game day rolls around, it is easy to look at the players and take note of the time and effort they’ve put into their sport because they are performing right in front of us. But, many overlook the hard work put into the upkeep of the field itself. If it was not for the behind-the-scene crews that cut the grass, paint the lines and keep the statistics, college athletics would not be the same.

“They have to make sure the PA is working, beef up the press box, got to have an electrician their and they have to have people on site for the unexpected,” said Kent Weiser, director of athletics.

Athletes go to work every day at practice so that they might perform their best when the vital game days approach When they step onto the field, they are playing for their university and fans as much as much as they are for themselves. But the university works just as hard everyday to maintain the fields, and the players as well.

Field maintenance times have dramatically decreased, Weiser said, and as technology progresses, the work does become easier for the staff, with the introduction of turf on the football and baseball fields. Some sports, like soccer and softball, still play on a grass field and require many hours of maintenance.

According to Weiser, the soccer field is in need of improvement. University crews will work throughout the summer to improve it for next season.

“The field is terrible…its weeds and the drainage system is terrible,” said Kayla Wegman, sophomore athletic training major. “Every time is rains, half our field is flooded, and we can’t play. It doesn’t look good to other schools or people visiting the campus.”

But it is not just the field that requires a lot of work. The sports staff, athletic trainers and people that work in the media put many hours before and after the game to make sure the players and the students get everything out of their game day.

Don Weast, director of media relations, is one of the hardest working members of the athletic staff, Weiser said. Weast updates game notes, writes sports releases and runs social media accounts for all university sports.

“It is a rare week in the school year that I will put in less than 50 hours in the office or at events,” Weast said.

“I’ve been to events at a lot of places across the country, and I will say that the game day experience and game administration across the board at Emporia State is some of the best you’ll find,” Weast said. “Emporia State is in the top 30 nationally in attendance in almost every sport out of nearly 300 NCAA Division II schools. That’s, in part, because we’ve been successful, but also because it is fun to come to our games.”

Weast says the focus should still be on the student athletes, and in some cases, the athletes help prepare it. The softball team worked about ten hours before the game drying out the field so they could play, proving that there is more to sports than just competing.

The academic year is coming to a close, and our final issue is published. As those of us who are graduating take a moment to catch our breath, it is important that you envision The Bulletin you want to create for the future. To that end, we want share with you what we’ve learned in the hope that our experience can guide you.

Journalism is evolving, and we must be part of that evolution, not a roadblock. The format and medium of journalism constantly moves forward. The process may change, but our core values do not. We are the seekers of truth and the counterbalance to authority. We are “the voice of the students since 1901,” and we cannot abandon that ethos, no matter what.

College journalism is not second-rate journalism. Our stories affect campus policy. We influence the student body’s perception of important events. This responsibility is nothing to take lightly. Be thorough, courteous, accurate and fair.

To ensure success is to trust the people around you. We are students, but more specifically, we are students of journalism. The resources you need to perform your job effectively are all around you. Appreciate your adviser’s experience. Listen to the senior staff. Humility will afford you the respect of your peers and allow you to grow both personally and professionally.

Not everyone will thank you for your hard work each week, nor should you expect it. This is a reality of the working world and is better learned now, with institutional and personal support, than when you’re on your own.

The strength to endure must come from an internal place. It may be different for every person, but it always revolves around passion. For some, it is a desire for truth. For others, it is a belief in the democratic power of the press. Whatever your reason is, stay true to it. Your commitment will be tested and your intentions questioned.

There are organizations and individuals on campus who will not like what you do or what you have to say. Understand that, despite our differences, we are all working toward the same goal – the betterment of Emporia State. This shared understanding will help to mediate tensions, to navigate difference and to seek common ground. The rifts that divide us are never as deep as the bonds that unite us.

There was a reason you applied for this job. There is likely for you an element of fun in writing, editing, photographing or designing. It’s up to you to push that joy to its furthest reaches. A joyless paper is obvious to a reader. Do not stagnate. Invest in your work. It’s yours to create.

Our hope is that The Bulletin takes on a new personality with every addition to the staff and that each student makes their mark in the story of our paper. We know that students want to be heard. Be their calling. Good luck next year.

Yours in print and spirit,

Kenzie Templeton

Charlie Heptas

Ellen Weiss

Matt Cook

Representing Emporia State University debate, junior political science majors Elijah Smith, Alex Turley, Ryan Wash, and Sam Maurer, director of Debate, receive recognition from Associated Student Government on last Thursday in the Senate Chamber in the Memorial Union.
Will Austin/The Bulletinhttp://www.esubulletin.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asg-RGB.jpg

Brooke Schmidt, Associated Student Government president and senior Spanish major, began this semester’s final ASG meeting April 25 by expressing her appreciation for the gathered senators and all the work they did for Emporia State during school year.

“I’m just really extremely proud with this past year we’ve had,” Schmidt said. “We’ve done a lot of outstanding accomplishments. None of this would have been possible without your time, your thoughts, your enthusiasm and, most importantly, your representation.”

Schmidt’s appreciation and recognition of her peers was met with smiles and applause.

What followed was an unusual resolution for ASG – a resolution congratulating the ESU debate team on their historic victory at the National Debate Tournament. Copies of the resolution were then distributed to the present members of the debate team amid another round of applause.

Elijah Smith, junior political science major and columnist for The Bulletin, was named as one of the undisputed champions of debate in the resolution.

“I appreciate everybody’s support,” Smith said. “They didn’t have to do this, and I definitely appreciate it. This I’m going to keep forever.”

Regular business formally began with the passing of a resolution in support of a specialized student parking pass for athletic students, a reserve fund for the pre-law club, recognition of the Society of Public Historians, a reserve fund for the ESU Marketing Club, support of HornetLife and the recognition of the Scuba Club.

The Scuba Club was the final bill of the year. Michael Torres, sophomore communications major, spoke on behalf of the recognition of the club.

Torres said the club allows students to learn scuba diving skills, about the environment and the marine life. He said the club already has ties to the HPER building and the community scuba club, and they plan to do fundraising throughout the year, since there are plans for a trip to Florida to apply the skills learned in the club.

“It’s both recreational and academic,” Torres said. “It offers something new to students, and I think it’d be a great addition. I think it’s a fun, new thing to bring to Emporia State University.”

The resolution was passed unanimously.

Lauren Merrill, senior elementary education major, gets dunked at Dunk an Apple last Friday at the Alpha Sigma Alpha house. ASA held this event to raise money for their sorority.
Lingzi Su/The Bulletin

People Respecting Individuality and Diversity in Education (PRIDE) puts on a show last Friday in the Memorial Union Ballroom to promote full of acceptance of all people. One of the main performers was Naquita Lynn, who entertained the audience with multiple over the top dance routines.
Jordan Storrer/The Bulletin

With the new campaign called, “Where in the World is Corky?,” started by the Office of International Education, students who are studying abroad will each receive their own plush Corky and will be encouraged to take a photos with him as they study abroad to show off all of the experiences Emporia State students are having abroad.
Jordan Storrer/The Bulletin

For many students, studying abroad can be a dream come true. For others, it may seem totally out of reach because of the cost.

But Michelle Cunningham, Study Abroad graduate assistant in the Office of International Education, said the cost is not as high as people might think.

“The student can use any financial aid that she (or) he receives toward study abroad. It is, after all, a part of the student’s study program,” Cunningham said. “Then ESU offers a grant called the Travel Grant. Eligible students can receive $2,000 for a full year, $1,000 for a semester program or between $400 and $900 for a summer program, depending on where in the world they go.”

Hilary Becker, sophomore political science major, received the Travel Grant for her trip this summer to China.

She and other students will teach about American culture to Chinese students in elementary school up through college.

“Even in high school, I knew that I wanted to study abroad when I was in college because I enjoy travel, and I enjoy learning about other cultures,” Becker said. “You can learn as much as you want from China without ever going there, but I feel like you can’t get that experience until you actually go and interact with the people there and really go see what you’re talking about.”

Becker has taken two semesters of Chinese, so she knows some of the language. Other students may be concerned that they don’t know any other languages than English, but Cunningham said that many overseas universities offer courses in English.

There are also countries, such as England and Scotland, where English is spoken. Elizabeth Reinhardt, sophomore English major, will travel to London for a 10-day trip as part of a summer course with the English department.

“For several years, I’ve wanted to see England. I’ve wanted to see the birthplace of English literature and to study its later impact on American literature,” Reinhardt said. “I’d like to be immersed in English culture and get a taste of real English life, not just the watered-down version we get so often in movies and television.”

Cunningham said ESU advocates for students to study abroad because it helps students become “global citizens.”

“Another reason (ESU) supports study abroad is that studying abroad can help students to learn to think critically, which is one of the qualities employers claim most college graduates lack,” Cunningham said.

To learn more about study abroad, stop by the Office of International Education.

I wasn’t allowed in.

Neither was anybody else who wasn’t invited – no press, no students, no faculty.

When The Bulletin received word a few weeks ago that the governor would be on campus to talk about his alleged support for higher education, we assumed, as student journalists on a public campus, that we’d hear what he had to say.

We were wrong.

I received an email last Thursday afternoon from Gwen Larson, assistant director of Marketing and Media Relations, letting me know the meeting with Brownback was “private” but that media could attend a press conference immediately after to ask questions for five to 10 minutes before Brownback had to be whisked away to his next engagement.

Immediately, I questioned whether or not the meeting could, under Kansas law, indeed be a private one. I asked Larson to cite the exemption under the Kansas Open Meetings Act that the university was invoking to close the meeting. The next morning, I was informed that the meeting was not, in Larson’s opinion, subject to KOMA. An hour later, Kevin Johnson, university council, echoed Larson’s response. Neither the offices of Attorney General Derek Schmidt or Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman returned my calls.

On Friday, I waited with the other press outside the meeting room in Cremer Hall. Inside, behind closed doors, were President Michael Shonrock, Regent Mildred Edwards, the President’s Executive Cabinet, all the deans and a handful of other campus leaders – 26 attendees altogether.

At the press conference after the meeting, I expressed to Brownback my concerns about KOMA and the meeting and asked why it needed to be private. Without even a pause, Sara Belfry, Brownback’s deputy communications director, said she would be happy to answer my question after the conference. As much as I hate to admit it, I was effectively silenced by a Brownback lackey.

Regardless of the legality of the meeting, I have to ask – what was so “private” that it had to be said behind closed doors? What did our governor – and our university – have to hide?

Why on earth would anyone allow a meeting regarding the future of students to take place anywhere but in a public forum? And why is everyone so afraid to stand up for our right to know?

Brownback’s plan for higher education is a priority for us. Receiving the information through a filtered press conference, where Brownback could tailor it to his own, questionable agenda, is not acceptable.

Emporia State owes its students more than that. Allowing our university to be bullied into Brownback’s own terms when he visits our campus is a cowardly and shameful act.

For the most part, I’ve been proud to be a Hornet for the last three years. Our university fosters award-winning creativity and research. And yet, what kind of message has our administration sent by submitting to “the big bad wolf” once again?

I can only hope that the next time Brownback steps foot on this campus, we tap into our inner Hornet and refuse to remain the silent masses. If we don’t, we deserve whatever government we get, including secret meetings.

A year and a half after the tragic house fire that resulted in the death of Chinese international students Yawei Fan and Zheng Lin in October of 2011, the building on 11th and Mechanic were demolished late in April. The demolition was part of the City’s Property Enforcement Program, which helps an owner fund the demolition of a house that does not meet minimum health and safety standards. According to the City Manager’s office, there are currently no construction plans in place for the empty site of the 2011 house fire.
Will Austin/The Bulletin

June Coleman, director of Career Services, said the goal of the program is to provide a variety of services for incoming freshman, helping them decide a major, working with students during their time at Emporia State and helping them to move on to the next phase after graduation. Coleman said that a major focus of Career Services is providing students with experience in their field while in college.

“Usually sophomore or junior year, we show them ways to gain experience while they are here,” Coleman said. “In the teaching program, (experience is) built in, but a lot of majors don’t have that option.”

Coleman said a lot of the focus revolves around preparing students for a job search. Career Services works with classes, teaching students how to write cover letters, create a resume and how to find jobs. They also host the annual career fashion show, which emphasizes how to dress professionally and how to know which outfits go together, Coleman said.

“We also host career fairs, allowing students to network with employers,” Coleman said. “We host interviews, so the employers can be here all day, and students can interview.”

Matthew Crome, senior management information systems major, said that Career Services has been vital to his post-graduation plans.

“About half way through my junior year, I really started to think about how, despite how capable I thought I would be in business, it wasn’t what I was looking for. I wanted something more hands on,” Crome said. “I was talking with Career Services about how I had reservations about going into business, and they started offering up alternatives.”

Crome, who will graduate this May, said he plans to attend the Navy Officer Training School in Rhode Island. He said most of his professors have been helpful throughout the application process.

“Several actually wrote letters of recommendation for the program,” Crome said. “I actually settled on the idea while working with Career Services about a year and a half ago.”

Kelsey Wilson, senior health promotions major, said that Career Services has helped her as well, despite the fact that she will not yet be graduating. Instead, Wilson will complete an internship in cardiac rehab in Washington before pursuing her master’s degree.

“We worked with Career Services, building our resumes and learning how to look for internships in classes,” Wilson said. “We’ve also had practicum hours preparing us for an internship.”

Career Services, located in the basement of the Memorial Union, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is available for all students.

Sincerely,

The Bulletin Staff

Tino Camacho, member of the Majestics Car Club of Kansas City, competed in the show. Camacho, along with other members of the Majestics, competed in the lowrider competition, as well as the hydraulic hop competition, which utilized the car’s aftermarket hydraulic system to see which car could “jump” the highest.

Camacho said that he, along with nine other members, came to the show after hearing about it from a potential new member.

“We have a guy prospecting for our chapter, and he let us know that this event happens here,” Camacho said. “It’s close to Kansas City, so we are just out here to back him up.”

Gilbert Rodriguez, senior painter with ESU facilities, hosted of the event. Rodriguez said the show has grown over the past several years, and this year saw entries from as far away as California and Texas. Rodriguez also mentioned that the proceeds from the day were donated for scholarships for ESU students.

“All this money is going toward the ESU general academic scholarship fund, and a little goes toward the ESU Karate Club. A majority goes towards scholarships, though.” Rodriguez said.

This year, there were 16 different categories, as well as individual trophies for categories such as paint, graphics and interior.

Beny Rodriguez and Sammy Zuniga, two local business owners, judged the show. Rodriguez, who owns Shop Auto Repair, said they had been contacted by Rodriguez to judge.

“We look for cleanliness, paint, body and modifications, wheels and any other aftermarket parts they put on,” Rodriguez said. “There’s some pretty good quality cars here today. We’re pretty happy with the level of (competition).”

Brent Simmons, junior business major, said he came to the show after hearing about it from a friend.

“It was a chance to see some cool cars, see people and their creativity,” Simmons said. “It’s inspired me to do something nice, if I ever get the chance. It’s a nice event. People like it, and kids enjoy it.”

The show continued on into the early evening, ending with a parade of the vehicles that competed.

Cook

Every town has a few local legends. Jesco White, a poor, Appalachian entertainer popularized in documentaries and folklore, is definitely legendary. His outlaw persona, flirtation with drug addiction and his brash philosophy lends itself to myth and mystery.

“White Lightnin’” (2009) is a fictionalized bioflick that takes White beyond the moonshine, tap dancing and gas huffing and into a spiritual place.

Director Dominic Murphy understands folklore. That’s why most of the film is so far-fetched. Edward Hogg embodies something greater than White in his performance.

Rather than mimic White’s movements, he attempts to create a man overwhelmed by a violent past. His performance is not a retelling as much as it is a different character altogether. The focal point is the legend, not the man.

And as legends go, White’s life is unusual and dark. A recurring fascination with inhalants, self-mutilation and dancing propel him into a constant search for gratification. Carrie Fisher – yes, Princess Leia of “Star Wars” – plays Cilla, White’s much older wife. Together, they form a Sid-and-Nancy-type duo united by love and bent on self-destruction.

The images are stripped of color but are not entirely black and white. The diluted spectrum hints at a depth that itches to be exposed. Like White himself, the shot selection is quick and angry. The cinematography chains us to him. We experience what he experiences.

There’s little room for interpretation here. The audience is as close to being drunk on whiskey as a film can make them.

The soundtrack is perhaps the best part of the movie. It features regionally and psychologically appropriate artists like Hasil Adkins, who, like White, is from Boone County, West Virginia. His music is stripped down, repetitive, simple rock and roll. The lyrics range from grunting to depictions of decapitation. As the film drags us through the mud, the music makes us all the more uneasy.

Forgive yourself for liking this film. White is not a likable person. But some of the most compelling characters are unlovable. Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro) in Martin Scorcese’s “Taxi Driver” (1976) is a good example of the iffy protagonist. White pushes your tolerance even further. He’s not just strung out – he’s certifiably psychotic.

Though White is known for his violent tendencies, Murphy hypes the instances of violence. The recurring themes of vengeance and torture take the focus away from White. Even as a child, White thought of ways to kill and torture those he felt wronged him. Most of the violence is fiction and, somehow, we’re okay with that.

It’s not appropriate to ask this film to be accurate to White’s life. For one, he’s still alive. More importantly, the documentaries made on the White family have already laid a claim to the facts.

Murphy, instead, made a film about a region, race and class embodied in a living man. White is deified in “White Lightnin.’” His journey is the story of the supreme hillbilly.

To watch this film is the cinematic equivalent to rubber-necking a five car pile-up on the highway. Sure, you’re not directly involved, but you’re still part of the spectacle.

Officer contacted male student at the Art Annex and advised to contact ESU PD HQ when working there after hours.

April 18

Oscar Hernandez reported a building services radio is missing and most likely lost.

Mike Dennis reported a non-injury accident involving KS 559CXG and KS 273BJQ in Sector 9.

April 19

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with a possible drunk driver call in 1800 Merchant St.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with a welfare check at 12th and Commercial Street.

April 20

Officer stopped MD 1AX4079 in 1400 Mechanic St. Operator was taken into custody for DUI and transported to Lyon Co. jail.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with an animal problem in 1100 Mechanic St.

Student guard reported possible fireworks in the vicinity of Twin Towers Complex. No problem was found.

Officer assisted Lyon Co. deputy with a car stop in 1400 Washington St.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with a car stop at 105 W 12th Ave.

April 21

Officer checked welfare of occupants of KS 491ESL north of I-35. Subjects were watching a meteor shower.

April 22

Officer stopped KS 773FNF in 200 W 13th Ave. Verbal warning for driving without headlights.

Officer stopped KS 802BIM in 1800 Highland St. Verbal warning for defective headlight.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with a burglary call in 1200 Exchange St.

April 23

Parking Enforcement removed immobilizer from KS 617EIB in Lot 3.

April 24

Two male students reported personal items missing from their dorm room in Singular Hall and possibly stolen. One alleged theft occurred between April 17 and April 19. The second alleged theft occurred between April 22 and April 23. Officer took reports for both cases.

Officers recovered two bicycles in the vicinity of northwest Plumb Hall and secured them at ESU PD HQ.

April 25

Officer stopped KS 360DBF in Sector 6. Verbal warning for turn signal violation and defective brake light at 15th and Wooster Drive.

Garin Burgess requested to speak with an officer at ESU PD HQ in reference to a possible burglary and theft of prescription medicine, and also the possible theft of his bicycle. Officer took reports on both cases.

April 26

Officer stopped MO HH9C9G in Sector 1 for improper left turn and failure to yield to oncoming traffic at Morse Drive and Highland Street. Subject was taken into custody for driving while suspended and no proof of insurance and transported to the Lyon Co. jail.

April 27

Officer stopped KS 065DVN in 1200 Sylvan St. Written warning for a stop sign violation at 12th and Burlingame Road.

Officer stopped KS 143ARM in 10 E 15th Ave. Verbal warning for defective brake light.

Officer stopped KS Fire Fighter tag FD 7990 in 1200 Market St. Verbal warning for a one way violation in 1300 Market St.

Officer stopped KS 859BDE in 1800 Merchant St. Verbal warning for a defective headlight.

Residential Life staff reported they found a gas can in the garbage bin.

Officer stopped KS 051DXD at 15th and Highland Street. Citation for a stop sign Violation at 15th and Wooster Drive and no proof of insurance.

April 28

Officer stopped KS 422CPE in Sector 3. Verbal warning for turn signal violation at 15th and Merchant Street.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with loose cattle in 1700 Whittier.

April 29

Justin Parton and Austin Hogan requested to speak with an officer in reference to suspicious mail received.

Officer stopped KS QVV013 at 100 E. 12th Ave. Written warning was for a one-way violation in 1200 Market St.

April 30

Officer contacted students in Science Hall Room 301 and advised to contact ESU PD HQ when in a campus building after hours.

Officers trapped a snake in front of Plumb Hall. It was released north of I-35.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with a child welfare call at 11th and Congress Street.

Josh Swartz, a Gardner-Edgerton High School student, practices the marimba for his Mall solo Saturday at the 6A State Music Festival held in Albert Taylor Hall. High school students traveled to Emporia to compete against other schools as groups or individuals.
Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

High school band students from eastern and central Kansas made their way to Emporia State for the Kansas State High School Activities Association 6A Solos and Small Ensembles Festival on Saturday. Soloists and ensembles performed before judges in Beach Hall, Plumb Hall and Roosevelt Hall.

Senior music major Kenji Bolden was among the many music students that volunteered for the all-day event.

“We help facilitate the ensembles,” Bolden said. “(We) make sure the music is numbered and official. We also walk them around campus and show them around.”

Bolden say noise control can be “pretty hectic,” especially in Plumb Hall because the sound carries well.

Solo percussionists performed in Beach Hall rooms 132 and 134. Percussion ensembles performed in Beach Hall room 134. The judges for percussion and percussion ensembles were Brian Fronzaglia and Keith Woolery.

Spencer Buff, who performed with the Olathe North High School symphonic percussion ensemble, said the time spent preparing and rehearsing for Saturday’s competition “was worth it.”

“If you really want to be great at something,” Buff said, “you have to put in the effort to achieve that greatness.”

Viola and violin soloists performed for judge Larry Williams in Beach Hall room 205 and judge Russ Pieken in Beach Hall room 206. Cello and bass soloists performed for judge Allen Probus in room 215. String ensembles performed for judge Carolyn Turner in Heath Recital Hall.

“There must be at least a thousand young musicians here in Emporia today,” said Gary McCarty, music education representative for Flint Hills Music.

The 5A Solos and Ensembles Festival was held concurrently with the 6A Festival at Emporia High School.

McCarty set up a table in Beach Hall stocked with supplies and “emergency equipment” such as drumsticks and mallets. McCarty said Flint Hills Music has been assisting with 6A solo and small ensemble competition for the last 10 years.

“Occasionally, I get away from the table to watch the percussion ensembles,” McCarty said.

McCarty was a judge in the percussion ensemble category last year.

Brass, flute and woodwind soloists and ensembles performed in Roosevelt Hall. High brass soloists performed for judge Stephen Patterson in room 206. Brass ensembles and low brass soloists performed for judge Jack Flouer in room 204.

Flute and woodwind soloists and ensembles performed for judge Ellen Johnson in room 100. Saxophone and double reed soloists and woodwind ensembles performed for judge Kimberly Krutz in room 112. Flute and clarinet soloists and single reed ensembles performed for judge Christopher Greco.

Vocal ensembles performed for judge Cecil Riney in Albert Taylor Hall and judge Cathy Holt in Plumb Hall room 408. Solo vocals were divided between rooms 310, 312 and 316.

Penelope Speedie was the judge for the girls solo vocal category, William Krusemark was the judge for the boys solo vocal category and Ronald Witzke was a judge for both categories.

Results for the festival were not available by press time Wednesday night.

Susan Fowler, D- Kansas House Representative of the 76th district, said she believes the meeting did not violate KOMA, but she felt there was no need for the secrecy during the meeting.

Kevin Johnson, Emporia State general counsel, also said that KOMA was not violated.

“There is no particular group or body that this is a meeting of,” Johnson said in a phone interview last Friday before the meeting took place. “The governor’s office invited people they wanted to be at the meeting by position, not by individual name and the purpose, as far as I know… his (Brownback’s) whole goal is to support the idea that there shouldn’t be any funding cuts to higher education.”

When The Bulletin asked about the potential violation and the need for a private meeting, Sara Belfry, deputy communications director for the governor, said she would answer KOMA questions after the press conference.

“KOMA only applies to a policy making body,” Belfry said. “The governor does not include a policy making body and, from my understanding from the university leaders, their leaders didn’t make up a governing body. So any discussions they have are just open discussions… discussions between people talking about several things.”

But Mike Merriam, attorney for the Kansas Press Association, said that if enough members of a body were in the meeting, then the meeting was subject to KOMA.

“If enough members of a subordinate group met, then they had a meeting, which is subject to (KOMA). The fact that they met with the governor isn’t relevant,” Merriam said. “The onus is on that group to not violate the open meetings act.”

Belfry said that the governor wanted to have an open and honest discussion and that some people were nervous around media, which was the reason for closing the meeting.

Lee Langston and Wanda Jae perform at the third annual Ice Box held in Webb Hall last Friday. The event was hosted by Multicultural Affairs and the Diversity Education Committee to raise money for scholarships.
Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

Cordle

David Cordle, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, is the new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

The job offer was extended by President Michael Shonrock Tuesday, according to a press release sent to The Bulletin.

Cordle said that after visiting both the campus and the community, he felt that this was a place he could “really be a part of.”

“It’s very important from the very beginning to take some time to learn the university and learn the community and sort of understand what makes the place tick,” Cordle said. “That means doing a lot of listening and having a lot of contact with people.”

Cordle said he is happy to be joining a place he is looking forward to being a part of.

“When my wife, Pam, and I were there for the visit, we were really struck by how warm and welcoming the people were, and we left with a very, very good feeling,” Cordle said.

As the new provost, Cordle will handle the academic side of university business, said Gwen Larson, assistant director of Media Relations. The deans will report to him, and he will handle course offerings.

Larson said that, generally, the provost handles internal workings, but Cordle brings some fundraising experience to the position, and he will be working in the community as well.

Cordle will assume his role around July 1, but he said he hopes to get started sooner.

Rex

Our country stands at a crossroads. The current debate between equal rights and morality creates a polarizing effect on our country. The tides are turning, but the direction is still questionable.

We have been at a crossroads like this before. Recognizing equal rights of black Americans and women started at state and local levels before becoming national issues that influenced our country’s identity. Because the United States was founded on a desire for religious freedom, the right to personal belief is ingrained in our national psyche. In each of those instances we, as a nation, chose equality over personal beliefs.

The recent bill passed by the Texas A&M student senate, allows students to opt out of school fees that go against their religious beliefs. Because of the original intent to cut funding to the university’s LGBT Resource Center, the bill was later vetoed by the student president.

The repercussions of the creation and passing of such a bill are indicative of the current state of our country. The student body has been divided between its LGBT community and its religious community, between its student body and its student government.

At Emporia State, we are fortunate enough to be a uniquely diverse group working within the mainframe of a conservative state. We have large religious and Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSM) communities that appear to work together. In order to maintain the peace we currently enjoy, I ask students to consider what is right for everyone, rather than what is right for select groups of people.

I support equal rights but not at the expense of personal beliefs. Equal rights mean little if we lose the liberty to act on behalf of our convictions. To be equal, we must advocate the rights of minorities and also accept the rights of majorities.

I don’t think anyone should be forced to pay into something that they don’t believe in, but I also don’t think that any given belief system should set the standard of rights. Diversity is not about making everyone the same but about enjoying and accepting our differences.

Smith

In times of crisis, mental health services are often the last line of defense for students who feel like they don’t have anyone to turn to. With all of the concern Emporia State shows for the student body, it’s disappointing that there isn’t a push for more visibility and use of the services that are offered.

College is a rough and messy transition for a lot of students. We have to deal with becoming more than teenagers but less responsible than adults. It almost seems unmanageable when coupled with tons of newfound freedom and exploring who we are and even who we want to be among a much longer list in the complex process of growing up.

After three months of living in Emporia, I have only heard two students mention the availability of psychological services for students, and I haven’t seen the welcoming arms of any of the counselors.

I grew up in a single-parent household and after learning about the death of my mother from a Facebook message during a lecture, someone I consider both a mentor and a friend took me directly to a professional who had the skills and the training to deal with a student in crisis.

It was scary to enter the office where “those people” go while summoning every caricature of a shrink that demanded I spill my deepest darkest secrets, but to my surprise, they made sure I knew my level of access to those services and that my disclosure, whatever the depth, would always be mediated by what was best for me.

With the stigma attached to mental illness, it is extremely brave to seek access to resources. But many students don’t know what or where those resources are, let alone which face to pick out of the crowd in a moment of need.

With the start of an athletic season, the immanency of final exams, graduation and students returning home for the summer, we are looking at a phenomenal moment to legitimize mental health services by ensuring students know there is always someone to turn to at ESU.