September 25 2014
Year 46, No. 2
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Liberal, Kansas
Former senator speaks in reunion tour
Christie Proctor Crusader staff
Crusader photo/Kim Nguyen
At 91, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole speaks to supporters in Liberal.
Student taken into custody over meth Christie Proctor Crusader staff A female student was taken into custody Sept. 9 by the Liberal Police Department, according to eyewitnesses. The police blotter confirms that a police vehicle was dispatched to the Student Living Center around 7 p.m. on suspicion of methamphetamine possession. Capt. Dave Odle, captain of investigations at Liberal Police Department, said “no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.” He could not release any more information because the investigation is ongoing. Student privacy laws protect the accused from being named by college officials, but as far as Dennis Mulanax, campus security supervisor, is concerned, the matter is done. The security department’s crime log states that due to possession of narcotics a student has been evicted. According to campus policy students cannot be evicted without proper procedures. The procedures for inspecting a student’s room are clear. Twice a month, random health and safety checks are conducted by two staff members, Celeste Donovan, dean of student services, stated. “These checks are not intrusive. They do not involve opening any drawers or delving into students’ personal possessions.” However, if a staff member does smell or see something that makes them suspicious during a routine check, college security is called in to do a more intensive search. “If it is something a student shouldn’t have, it is confiscated and turned over to the police,” Donovan added. Mulanax said, “All residents of SCCC campus dormitories have been advised that if illegal drugs are found in their possession or control, they will be evicted.” It is school policy for students who are caught with drugs in the dorms to be evicted. The substances are confiscated and turned over to the LiberaI Police Department immediately, along with the student if the police deem it necessary. “If people do not have a legitimate reason for being on the campus and are not legitimately using it, they will be removed,” Mulanax added. Students can always appeal if the college chooses to evict them. If a student decides to appeal a disciplinary action, an appeals board is pulled together. The board will then hold a hearing during which the college presents what happened and any documentation of the incident. At the hearing, the student who is appealing has the right to explain the situation, and their objections. The board discusses the issue and decides if the disciplinary action is fair or not. “Whatever they decide, we uphold,” Donovan said. The appeals board is the final decision-maker on campus, but the police department has the final say on whether or not an arrest will be made. The college does have to keep track of any and all arrests on campus and report them on an annual security report, the latest of which has recently been released.
Former presidential candidate and longtime Kansas Senator Bob Dole stopped by Liberal’s Depot for a brief talk Tuesday evening as part of his southwest Kansas “reunion” tour. During his speech, he briefly spoke about the upcoming elections and said that it was important that Republicans not lose senate seats. He supports the campaign of Sen. Pat Roberts who is in a tightly contested race
with self-made Independent Greg Orman. However, Dr. Duane Dunn, president of Seward County Community College, said that this was obviously not only a campaign stop. “(Dole) thanked residents of Seward who had helped him early in his elections.” The meet and greet was attended by about 60 people, and Dole delivered a short speech. At 91, Dole is still an impressive public speaker, and though he needed help to get to his chair, his voice
was strong and his wit sharp, Dunn said. State Rep. Reid Petty attended and said he has always been a big fan of Sen. Bob Dole. When the meet and greet portion of the night began, aides told the audience that Dole had had a long day, and that they should be brief, but Dole didn’t act like he was tired. “He just wanted to chat,” Dunn said. In visiting with Dunn, Dole reinforced his support for community colleges. “I’ve always been an advocate for community colleges and the
strength they bring to communities,” Dole said. “It was great to have someone who has brought so much recognition and benefits to our state speak,” Dunn said. Petty agreed, saying, “Sen. Dole is a true statesman who got many things accomplished in the U.S. Senate, including fixing social security. I really enjoyed his visit to Liberal, and it was great to hear him tell stories when he was the majority leader. Our country needs more people like Bob Dole.”
Arthur in America Tennis transplant from France makes new friends at SCCC A ll the way from a 2,000 in myself, but now it’s better year old city called Senles, and I want to continue theater
Arthur Courbis is seen here dramatically staring into the sunset out in the ampitheater. Courbis, a drama enthusiast plans on trying out for the fall play.
France, comes friendly tennis player and drama enthusiast Arthur Courbis. The idea of coming to a new country and not knowing anyone but your roommate did not intimidate Courbis. “Arthur is very friendly. He’s not afraid to be social or involved,” said suite mate and teammate Xavier Ramirez. On top of all that, he is also quite the lady’s man. Ramirez revealed that Courbis is always talking to girls. “He’s not usually by himself; he’s always with a girl. Which isn’t a bad thing,” he said. Courbis also has his habits. He likes to crush up his noodles and eat them in a cup, but not a normal Ramen Noodle cup -his own personal cup that he heats up in his neighbors’ microwave. Courbis is here in Liberal because since his sister studied in the United States, he thought it would be a good idea to do the same. He paid an organization to find him a tennis coach, and based on his SAT scores, he was accepted to Seward County Community College. Courbis’ mother is an airline pilot, which meant he could fly for free. Coming from France to America is a big change, but it’s a change Courbis didn’t seem to mind. “Here all the people are really, really friendly. The students, my teammates, and the teachers say hello every time,” Courbis said. Courbis’ two main interests are tennis and drama. He began his interest in drama three years ago when he did his first show at the age of 16. “I was really scared because I didn’t have confidence
in America because it’s a whole new way of drama and it could help improve my English,” Courbis said. He plans to audition for the next school production. Tennis is also important in Courbis’ life. He enjoys tennis at Seward because there are a lot of people on the team, and they have a fun time. It is also a way for him to reflect on his life. “I think if you have a good life, you’re good on the court,” he said. His teammate said his love for tennis and personality reflect on the court. “When it’s a good point Arthur will always celebrate, and I’ve noticed when he’s playing doubles with someone, he’ll always encourage the other person, even if they lose a point. He’s very enthusiastic,” Ramirez said. Even though Courbis enjoys America, he has come across some challenges. One of the hardest things is that he can’t call on his parents every time he needs help. He has started working at the Wellness Center on campus to help him become independent. “I tell myself not to be afraid and to have confidence in myself,” he said. Since this is Courbis’ first year here, he hasn’t quite decided on a major yet, but majoring in drama is his top option. For now he is taking his general education classes. “I learn every day who I am and what I want to do,” Courbis said. Fellow students can catch him hitting balls at the tennis courts, performing on stage, playing ping pong, or socializing in the halls. Knowing him, if someone waves at him, he’ll more than likely wave back.
• Story and photo by Tania Valenzuela •
Crusader photo/Maria Lara
MONARCH MIGRATION The annual migration of the Monarch butterflies is under way with butterflies flying south to Mexico for the winter to avoid cold weather and prepare to reproduce in the spring. These Monarchs were seen at the Coronado Museum.
Nursing students to lend a hand at SWMC Health Fair Daisy Torres Crusader staff Seward County Community College nursing students will be lending a hand at the Southwest Medical Center’s sixth annual health fair from 7 a.m to 12 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Seward County Activity Center. Nursing students will get hands-on experience performing tasks around the health fair. Students will work alongside SWMC lab staff, according to Veda King, SCCC director of
nursing. The two main tasks they will be performing are IV therapy and helping the Lions Club with screenings and lab draws. This will help them understand what it is like working with other medical staff, not just nursing students. King hopes students will learn volunteerism through this opportunity while getting experience in different types of screenings, lab draws and IV therapy. Keeley Moree, marketing and development director at SWMC,
Health Fair 2014
7 a.m. to noon
Oct. 4 Seward County Activity Center said the students are key elements of the fair and getting
everyone the services needed. Moree added that the medical staff enjoys mentoring students and seeing them gain new experiences with patients. First and second year nursing students help the fair reach its goal to provide quality screenings and tests. King encourages the community to take this opportunity to get lab work done that otherwise would be expensive. Admission to the Oct. 4 health fair will be free to the public. “There will be about 50 booths
offering information and education on many health topics and programs,” Moree said. For a $35 fee, the following tests will be provided: Comprehensive Metabolic Profile, Lipid Profile, Thyroid Screen, and Complete Blood Count. The fair’s main purpose is to provide health screenings and educate people on the best way to stay informed and on top of health issues that could be harmful to not only individuals but the community as well.