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Toddlers and Tuition Page 4: Finding the balance between parenting and the pursuit of higher education.
vol. 122, issue 65
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Bought milk? Certain dairy cooperatives might owe you
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Rising cost of college linger on students’ minds
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Men’s basketball team wins shoot-out against Cowboys
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EDITORIAL BOARD Jason Tidd editor-in-chief Danielle Cook managing editor Julia Hood copy chief Audrey Hockersmith design editor
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Emily Starkey | THE COLLEGIAN
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Ashley Bowman, senior in psychology, plays on the floor with her 8-month-old daughter, Audrey Twitchel, in their apartment on Tuesday.
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Welcome back letter from the president’s desk Welcome back, Wildcats! We hope you had a relaxed, family-filled winter break! It is time to get back in the swing of things this spring semester and we have a few exciting updates to share with you all. First things first, a program that we helped kick-start is beginning this semester and we could not be more excited to watch it develop and grow to serve the student body. Peer Advocates for Mental Wellness and Success, also known as P.A.W.S., prepares students to be peer advocates to give presentations on mental wellness, help teach stress management strategies and show students the many resources available to them on campus. Upon completion, students who take this non-credit hour course become a peer advocate from then on. This allows them to visit classrooms and organizations, as well as presenting on the topics they’ve
studied. Additionally, falling under our theme of political advocacy, we have an opportunity for students this semester to apply to the legislative advocates program. Civic engagement is an effective way for student leaders to represent their peers and what they believe in an effective way. This program’s plan is to build a bridge between the Kansas Legislature and the priorities of our university. Check our Twitter account for more information on how to apply to the program. Among many commitments this spring semester, there are a few we would like to highlight. The Tuition and Fees Strategy Committee and Student Centered Tuition Enhancement Committee will be meeting this spring. The Tuition and Fees Strategy Committee will be hearing multiple proposals from different units across
campus regarding fees, as well as recommending a tuition rate to the administration. The Student Centered Tuition Enhancement Committee will be reviewing startup projects and units on campus that have applied for funding and deciding what would best benefit students. We want to hear from you, in order to represent you to the best of our ability. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please reach out. Email us at jvanran@ksu.edu or tjken@ksu.edu, flag us down or come into our office. We appreciate any opportunity to connect with students. Also, please follow us on Twitter @KStateSBP_SBVP. Go Cats! Jessica Van Ranken, student body president Trenton Kennedy, student body vice president
File Photo by Parker Robb | THE COLLEGIAN
SGA Vice President Trenton Kennedy and SGA President Jessica Van Ranken.
Students offer advice after K-State has a ‘trending’ fall semester KAITLYN ALANIS THE COLLEGIAN
From the racist snapchat in September to the 4.0 freshman dropout in December with the Kit Kat thief in between, Kansas State had its fair share of trending time via social media throughout the last semester. While the Kit Kat thief brought in a sense of family when 6,500 candy bars were given out in front of Haymaker Hall, the racist snapchat and student dropout sparked divisive conversations about diversity, inclusion and the value of a higher education. Jessica Van Ranken, student body president and senior in political science, said she was able to use the social media attention to better amplify the messages she and the K-State Student Governing Association have been working
on.
“I think the fact that things can go viral easily nowadays, it definitely impacts the college experience in general for any student who engages with social media, which I think is probably most of us,” Van Ranken said. “In my role, it’s something I think about as it’s power to amplify important messages that maybe didn’t have as strong as an impact before.” For Van Ranken and the student government leadership, it has been a way to continue conversations about diversity and inclusion within their diversity platform as well as conversation about the ever-increasing costs of higher education in the state of Kansas during a time of budget cuts. “When posts like that go viral and statements regarding higher education go viral, I think it’s important to think
about what can we learn from that as an institution,” Van Ranken said. “How do we not just dismiss comments that maybe don’t align with our views of higher education and how do we not dismiss those, but rather make it a productive conversation with what can we learn to make it meaningful and affordable?” Van Ranken said social media has been a powerful way to connect with students, especially when students tweet them their concerns. “The posts definitely created more conversation and action about whether or not our climate at K-State really is inclusive and welcoming,” Van Ranken said. “Experiences of racism do happen here at K-State, as well as many places in the world, unfortunately.” “It has been a topic of conversation and this is an example that we still have a lot to do in our campus community
to improve the climate here at K-State and making it so students are culturally aware and sensitive, and to create a climate that is welcoming,” Van Ranken continued.
SOCIAL MEDIA STUDENT INSIGHT
Caitlyn Sabbert, junior in mass communications, said she knows a thing or two about social media after taking K-State’s social media management class over the winter intersession. She was able to apply the knowledge from that class to the real-life experiences she saw, which connected K-State to social media. “Literally any time of day anyone can see what you post, which really opened my eyes to the possibility of anyone knowing who you are based on your social media,” Sabbert see page
4, “TRENDING”
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Office of Student Life, Title IX help parents stay in school KELSEY KENDALL THE COLLEGIAN
Like many students, Ashley Bowman, senior in psychology, and Michael Twitchel, graduate student in architecture, go to class, often have sleepless nights and run on copious amounts of caffeine. Unlike many students, Bowman and Twitchel do all of that with their 8-month-old daughter, Audrey Twitchel. In September 2015, Bowman and Twitchel found out they were going to have Audrey, and though nervous, never even considered how having a baby might hinder getting a college degree. “(Parenting) just adds more layers to being a student,” Twitchel said. “It’s still the same. It’s just tougher and more difficult to be a good student at times.” Once they realized they were having a baby, Bowman and Twitchel went to the Office of Student Life for advice on how to balance classes, doctor appointments and what they could do if their daycare situation fell through. “We’ll do that problem solving with a student: talk about all those options, how to develop a schedule so they can stay on track with their classes and still have a successful pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby,” said Heather Reed, assistant vice president of the Office of Student Life. The Office of Student Life worked with around 25 preg-
Emily Starkey | THE COLLEGIAN
Ashely Bowman, senior in psychology, plays tug-of-war with Ammo, the family dog, as Michael Twitchel, graduate student in architecture, and their 8-month-old daughter, Audrey Twitchel, look on. nant and parenting students during the fall 2016 semester, Reed said. These students are told exactly what their rights are in regards to missing classes or receiving “reasonable accommodations” under Title IX. This federal rights law protects students from discrimination based on sex, which also includes pregnancy and parental status. Reed said though many
pregnancies that happen during college are unplanned, they do not have to derail students’ educations. Whether it means rearranging schedules, dropping certain classes or working with instructors to stay caught up in their classes, Reed said the office does what it can to help students. “People don’t realize there are so many things we can do,” Reed said.
Audrey was born in May 2016, just a week after finals. All throughout finals week, Bowman had to discuss with her instructors what would happen if she went into labor during finals. She said everyone was very supportive and were willing to work with her during that time. However, if she felt she had been discriminated against, the Office of Institutional Equity’s
page for pregnant and parenting students had a link where she could file a complaint. Bowman did not encounter discrimination. Other than one professor who told her not to bring Audrey to class, even if daycare fell through, most of Bowman’s instructors were fine with Audrey coming to class every now and then, so long as she did not disrupt class with her “talking,” which Bowman
said is more like screaming. During the fall semester, Bowman’s and Twitchel’s class schedules worked out so they did not have overlapping class times. This meant they were able to switch off with baby duty throughout the day and took turns taking care of Audrey in the mornings. “Most nights I’m up late just trying to balance all of my school classes on top of spending time with her,” Twitchel said. “I go to school when I have to, come home and then when she’s sleeping, I go back to work.” Twitchel’s classes make him go out of town often, so Bowman spends a lot of time alone with Audrey. Twitchel refers to being an architecture student with a baby as “the nature of the beast.” Bowman and Twitchel do not work on top of going to classes, which Bowman said is nice for being able to just spend time with Audrey. They watch television together and Audrey loves to bounce in her bouncy chair and play the same song over and over again on her toys. Audrey might not have been planned, but Bowman and Twitchel said they would not change anything. They said they had the time to plan and support from others to keep going with school and watch their baby get older and show her own personality. “In a perfect scenario, I would have waited,” Twitchel said. “Now, I can’t see it without her anymore.”
TRENDING | Student social media create campus publicity continued from page
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said. “People will recognize you are affiliated to K-State through your social media and what your actions were. Maybe those who made those posts had a lack of sense of who they are as a person and I’m sure they will regret
their actions they took on social media and how that affected K-State as a whole.” Kalene Lozick, senior in agricultural communications and journalism, also took the social media class over winter intercession and felt the K-State posts are a prime example to remember who you
are and what you stand for before you post something. “Make sure that whatever you post is in a good light,” Lozick said. “Whatever you post is published for life. Whatever you post should reflect your own personal brand.” After completing the social media class, Sabbert now
recommends students to have both a professional and personal account on social media, or to at least keep their personal accounts professional. “Have an account that’s professional on social media and then don’t post anything that you think you might regret one day,” Sabbert said.
“If it’s the slightest bit iffy, if you’re even slightly hesitant, I highly recommend not posting it at all. Keep your social media clean and professional. Your future bosses might be looking at your social media and that can be the deciding factor on if you get the job or not.”
Relive the past
kstatecollegian.com/print-edition
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K-State takes care of TCU for fourth straight win
The Collegian announces the
Susan Edgerley & Lon Teter Fund for Journalism Internships
Nathan Jones | THE COLLEGIAN
Senior center Breanna Lewis rebounds the ball during the K-State game against TCU in Bramlage Coliseum on Wednesday night.
SCOTT POPP
THE COLLEGIAN
The Kansas State women’s basketball team just keeps winning. The No. 22 Wildcats picked up their fourth straight win in a 74-63 victory over TCU Wednesday night in Bramlage Coliseum. K-State improved to 15-4 and 5-2 in Big 12 play with the win. Just like many games this season, seniors center Breanna Lewis and guard Kindred Wesemann led the way for the Cats. Lewis dominated the first half, scoring 15 points to keep K-State in the game. She ended the game with 21 points to go along with nine rebounds and four blocks. Wesemann took over the second half, scoring 16 points. She had 18 total points, including five 3’s. “I just wanted to play hard and be strong,” Lewis said. “I
know it was going to be a tough team so I really wanted to just (put) emphasis on having poise and concentrating on making hard plays and it was a great night for me.” The game started off slow for both teams. The score was just 4-4 almost seven minutes into the game. But then TCU made a few 3’s and K-State’s Lewis started making some baskets down low. Still, it was a less than stellar quarter for the Wildcats. They turned the ball over five times en route to a 16-13 deficit after the first quarter. The second quarter was much of the same as both teams struggled to score the ball. K-State shot just 36.4 percent in the quarter and missed all four 3-pointers. The game went to halftime tied at 27. Head coach Jeff Mittie said he told the team at halftime to embrace the physicality of the game.
“I just kinda reminded them them to embrace the toughness of the game,” Mittie said. “Embrace that part of it, embrace the physicality, ‘cause I felt like we were a little on the frustrated side early to that. And (I) just told them to embrace it because it was going to be one of those nights.” K-State embraced Mittie’s message and were finally able to pull away from the Horned Frogs in the second half thanks to a barrage of 3’s to start the half. K-State made five 3’s, including three from Wesemann to help them go on a 17-3 run that put the Wildcats up 44-30 early in the third quarter. TCU was never able to recover from the Wildcats’ run and K-State was able to coast for the rest of the game. K-State will look to win its fifth straight game Saturday when they go to Ames, Iowa to take on the Iowa State Cyclones.
Each year, a Collegian staff member will be selected by a Kansas news organization for a summer internship paid for by a generous gift from Susan Edgerley and Lon Teter. Edgerley, a 1976 journalism graduate and former Collegian editor, wants to help K-State students interested in journalism careers to get paid while getting professional experience. The Wichita Eagle will host this year’s winner. Submit a letter of interest and career goals, résumé, and your five best clips by February 3 to: Edgerley & Teter Internship Kansas State Collegian 103 Kedzie Hall Manhattan KS 66506 or internship@collegianmedia.com
Collegian Media Group • Founded 1896 • Incorporated 1946 103 Kedzie Hall • Manhattan Kansas 66506 • collegianmedia.com
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Bought milk? Some dairy cooperatives might owe you KAITLYN ALANIS THE COLLEGIAN
Dairy consumers in Kansas, 14 other states and Washington, D.C. who bought milk and other fresh dairy products from their grocery stores between 2003 and present day might be eligible for a piece of the $52 million settlement that many of the nation’s largest dairy producers agreed to pay after an antitrust class-action lawsuit was filed against Cooperatives Working Together, “a program designed exclusively by America’s dairy farmers for the benefit of America’s dairy farmers.” The lawsuit alleges the National Milk Producers Foundation, also known as Cooperatives Working Together, and its members, including Land O’Lake Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Dairylea Cooperative Inc. and Agri-Mark Inc. worked to limit the production of milk through premature “herd retirements,” thus leading to the premature slaughter of over 500,000 dairy cows between 2003 and 2010 in an attempt to reduce the milk supply and inflate the prices of dairy products. “The purpose and effect of the herd retirement program was to reduce the supply of raw farm milk in order to increase its price, which in turn increased the price paid by consumers for milk and other fresh milk products,” the
lawsuit states. “By all accounts, the herd retirement program was a huge success for CWT and its members. CWT financed ten rounds of herd retirements from 2003 to 2010 ... reducing the nation’s milk supply by approximately 10 billion pounds.” According to Carrie Mess, who is well known in the dairy industry through her account “Dairy Carrie,” the fund the cooperatives came together to create was to help the dairy industry better balance their supply and demand. “Farmers who were ready to retire from dairy farming could apply for the buyout and if they were accepted, the fund would pay for their cows and they could retire from dairy farming,” Mess said in her blog. “Usually when a farmer retires from dairy farming, their cows are sold to other dairy farmers. However that doesn’t help reduce the amount of milk, so the cows from farms bought out by the fund were slaughtered for beef.” By allegedly manipulating the supply of raw farm milk, the lawsuit states, the actions of Cooperatives Working Together resulted in a suppressed price competition, which resulted in artificially high prices of fresh dairy products throughout the United States. “As a result, indirect purchasers of milk and other fresh milk products have paid supra-competitive prices,” the lawsuit states.
REACHING A SETTLEMENT
The National Milk Producers Foundation released a statement on Jan. 18 on behalf of Cooperatives Working Together’s settlement agreement in the class-action lawsuit. “Our CWT leadership team, with support from the CWT membership, has worked diligently to put this legacy issue behind us,” Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Foundation, said in the statement. “Settlement of this litigation is the most sensible and responsible course of action to maintain the current CWT Export Assistance program and allow us to focus on the future.” Jill Seiler, senior in animal sciences and industry and agricultural communications and journalism, grew up on a dairy farm, but her dairy is not a member of the cooperatives named in the lawsuit. “I want consumers to know I spent my Christmas break waking up at 4 a.m. every day to milk 150 cows so that we can produce milk to make cheese and yogurt and ice cream and your drinking fluid milk and all of the other products,” Seiler said. “That’s why we do what we do each day. We dairy farmers love our cows.” Cooperatives Working Together will pay $52 million under this settlement agreement to the plaintiff class through both cash
File Photo by Brook Morris | THE COLLEGIAN
The National Milk Producers Foundation reached a $52 million settlement with dairy consumers in Kansas, 14 other states and Washington, D.C., after allegedly slaughering premature dairy cows. and in-story loyalty cards that are to be used to purchase fresh milk products. “The lawsuit against the dairy cooperatives was brought by an animal rights organization,” Mess said. “They alleged that the cooperatives working together to establish this fund was equal to price fixing. I personally don’t believe the organization cared anything about price fixing and instead used this lawsuit as a way to try and hurt dairy farmers.”
NO ADMITTANCE OF WRONGDOING
In the National Milk Producers Foundation’s statement, Mulhern said CWT makes no admission of wrongdoing by taking this
settlement. “It is important to note that the court has found no antitrust violation...,” Mulhern said. “The activity at issue in this litigation — the herd retirement program — has long since been terminated by CWT.” Seiler said the dairy farmers who did opt into this program more than likely did so because of the poor prices seen in the agriculture, especially the dairy industry. “Those who chose to participate in this program, it was a time of poor prices and it will always be a time of poor prices,” Seiler said. “Usually in the dairy industry, I guess what we say in farming is we get one good year and seven bad years. And the one good
year never balances the seven bad years.” Mess said instead of going to court and spending the money it would take to fight the claim, Cooperatives Working Together settled and established a fund to pay customers who do file a claim. Mulhert said Cooperatives Working Together is “poised for a quick rebound and a strong future” and will continue to help their members with creating new market opportunities and looking for innovative ways to increase the sales of fresh milk products.
To read more, visit kstatecollegian.com
Farewell Obama On Jan. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m, the Riley County Democratic Party is sponsoring a evening of mourning for the departed, President Barack Obama at the Holiday Inn at the Campus, 1641 Anderson Ave. Suggested donation is $10 at the door with cash bar.
Riley County Democratic Party
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Slightly sarcastic horoscopes for January DANIELLE COOK THE COLLEGIAN
AQUARIUS: Happy Aquarius season! Make friends while the semester is still fresh so you don’t have to party all alone when your birthday rolls around. Or you could just be alone, and eat a whole pizza by yourself. Let’s be real — that sounds more fun. PISCES: The new semester is three days in and your attitude is already out of hand. Just because right now is about new beginnings doesn’t mean the
stars suddenly have to be nice to you, you know. ARIES: You’re embracing a new version of yourself this semester — new look, new outlook and hopefully new motivation to actually study. TAURUS: Don’t second guess yourself so much this semester. Ok, maybe second guess yourself just a little, but only when making life-altering decisions. GEMINI: You’re already fantasizing about snoozing through your 8:30 every morning, which is fine — if you feel like failing a class this semester.
Help Wanted
Housing/Real Estate
Employment/Careers
Rent-Apt. Unfurnished
Help Wanted
MANHATTAN CITY Ordinance 4814 assures every person equal opportunity in housing without distinction on account of race, sex, familial status, military status, disability, religion, age, color, national origin or ancestry. Violations should be reported to the Director of Human Resources at City Hall, 785-587-2440.
THE COLLEGIAN cannot verify the financial potential of advertisements in the Employment/ Opportunities classifications. Readers are advised to approach any such business opportunity with reasonable caution. The Collegian urges our readers to contact the Better Business Bureau, 501 SE Jefferson, Topeka, KS 66607-1190. 785-2320454.
Rent-Houses & Duplexes COMPLETELY RENOVATED 2 bed/1 bath 831 Colorado available Feb 1. Entire house new in 2015. All new appliances, walls, floors, plumbing, electrical. Pets welcome. Large fenced yard, garage, basement, front porch. $1200/month. All utilities except trash paid by renter. Joe 816-8035226
HOME SHOW REPS. Mildand Exteriors is looking for enthusiastic workers to represent our company at scheduled weekend home shows. Must be outgoing, professional and dependable. Earn great money for a twothree day weekend. Contact Tammy at 785537-5130 or email resume to tammy@midlandexteriors.com.
Sleep is for the weak and people who don’t like coffee. CANCER:You might feel like you deserve a break this semester, but the stars say this is no time to take one. A single afternoon nap could come at a great cost. LEO: Start scoping out comfy-looking spots in the library — you’re going to need a lot of midday naps this semester. VIRGO: Try actually paying attention during class instead of just mindlessly copying down notes. The stars say you’ll miss something very enlightening if you don’t.
LIBRA: The stars aren’t the only ones who see you searching for cuties in all your new classes — you look like a weirdo, constantly checking over your shoulder and repeatedly scanning the lecture hall. Please, stop. SCORPIO: No need to start off the semester with so much angst. Save that for later when the inevitable doom of finals starts to really sink in. SAGITTARIUS:You’re just trying 1 to make a few new pals, but honestly, you come on pretty strong and it freaks most people out. Don’t worry, though. You might not have any new
friends, but the stars give you an ‘A’ for effort. CAPRICORN: The stars say to reconnect with someone you don’t really talk to anymore, but think about a lot. In case you didn’t notice, calling people is excessively easy now days. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Collegian.
Danielle Cook is a sophomore in mass communications. Please send comments to online@kstatecollegian.com.
Help Wanted
I’M Jane Strifler, a disabled female living in the Wamego area looking for an attendant for the following days: February 16,17,18,19Kitchen experience pre- th. Please know a Interview is required. If interferred. ested, contact me by at 785-456Apply at apply2adpi@g- phone 2862, or e-mail at jdsmail.com dbf@gmail.com. ASSISTANT COOK wanted for mornings and some weekends. 20-30 hours a week with competitive pay.
THE SPECIAL Services Cooperative of Wamego has positions available for Paraeducators and Substitute Paraeducators to work with students requiring academic, social, physical or emotional assistance in the Wamego, Rock Creek and/or Wabaunsee school districts. Starting pay for these positions varies from $8.76-$10.76 per hour depending on education and experience. Candidates must possess a high school diploma/GED, be reliable and have good interpersonal skills. Persons interested in applying must submit a completed application available at wamego.s c h o o l r e c r u i t e r. n e t . Please contact 785456-9195 or niderj@usd320.com with questions.
Volunteers Needed ASPIRING FREELANCE photographer seeking volunteers for free photoshoot in exchange for rights to use photos in public portfolio. first come first serve. engagement shoot, senior portrait, greek group photos, cap&gown headshots, etc. call for more info. you will also get digital copies of all photos.
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Rising costs of college linger on students' minds RAFAEL GARCIA THE COLLEGIAN
The start of a new semester does not just mean new classes, it also means a new tuition bill. And for most young adults, college tuition is one of the first major expenses they encounter. Many students, including Christina Chappell, freshman in English, rely on scholarships and loans to cover expenses stemming from tuition, course fees, books, housing, food and various other costs. “I’m lucky to have enough scholarships that cover most of the costs,” Chappell said. “I don’t pay much out of pocket, so it doesn’t affect me much, but I know that rising costs matter.
I might not see the effects of it as much, but I care about any increase in costs because they affect all students, really.” In Manhattan, in-state undergraduate students pay a rate of $300.40 of tuition per credit hour this semester, while outof-state students pay more than double at a rate of $797.10. In-state students pay a reduced cost because the university receives funding from the state government, which allocates those funds from taxes paid by Kansas residents. Last year, the Collegian reported on Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision to cut $17 million from funding to state universities due to a $53 million deficit in projected February
2016-2017 K-State Manhattan Tuition and Fees Cost per credit hour
Semester privilege fees
$800 $700 $600 $500
$431.00
$300.40
$797.10
$862.00
$900
$400 $300 $200 $100 $0
Out-of-State students In-State students
revenues. As a result, K-State received a cut of $4.9 million in March. In May, the Tuition and Fees Strategies Committee voted to propose a 5 percent increase in student tuition to help offset the decreased funding from the state. As previously reported by the Collegian, tuition increases had originally been capped at 3.8 percent per year on the condition that state funding to universities remains constant. The cap was repealed in early May; in June, the Kansas Board of Regents voted to approve a tuition rate increase of 5.8 percent at K-State for fiscal year 2017.
STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH COSTS
On campus, students have expressed concern with the yearly increases in tuition and fees, but have also said the effects of increased tuition are not always visible. “Tuition is definitely a big and growing cost,” Wyatt Vandepol, sophomore in industrial engineering, said. “There’s a lot of fees that just sort of pop up, like fees for classes in the College of Engineering, and other expenses, like housing and food. The costs of college don’t really concern me too much, but I know that I have to give a little bit of thought to it. As long as I’m careful with my money, I think I’ll be alright.” Rachel Stark, freshman in open option, said her college expenses are not a major point of concern for her, even thought she knows other students struggle with affording the cost of attendance. “It costs more to go to college, and that makes it harder for people that want to get an education to get one,” Stark said. “For expenses during the year, I put a certain amount of money in my checking account, and I try to stick to it. I also try to save some money for school expenses, like books or flash drives. It is difficult, especially since you don’t know how many expenses you really have to deal with as a freshman.” Earlier this month, Brown-
back challenged state universities to offer bachelor degrees for less than $15,000in his State of the State Address. In a Kansas Senate education committee meeting Tuesday, Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the Board of Regents, said it was not possible to meet that challenge if the figure were to in-
clude all of the extraneous costs of college, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. Brownback’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018, which includes the next school year, was releasedJan. 11 and if approved as it stands, it would cut $2 million of funding from K-State.
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