K-State Collegian (Nov. 16, 2016)

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Page 3: Interim President Gen. Richard Myers will serve as the 14th president of Kansas State.

vol. 122, issue 51

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‘Love Trumps Hate’ peaceful protest in Bosco Plaza

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Men’s basketball easily handles UNO at home

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EDITORIAL BOARD Timothy Everson editor-in-chief

Scott Popp sports editor

Jessie Karst managing copy chief

Kaitlyn Cotton current editor

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Jason Tidd news editor

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Evert Nelson | THE COLLEGIAN

Interim President Gen. Richard Myers poses with wife, Mary Jo Myers, outside the President’s Residence on campus on Nov. 5.

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Gen. Myers chosen by Regents as 14th K-State president JASON TIDD

THE COLLEGIAN

“Well, I guess this means the honeymoon is over,” Gen. Richard Myers said as the audience laughed.

Myers will be staying at Kansas State longer than originally planned. The former interim president was officially announced as the 14th president of K-State at a special meeting with the Kansas Board of Regents in the K-State Student Union’s Forum Hall on Tuesday morning.

“I’m privileged and humbled to have gained the confidence of the Board of Regents and I thank you very much for that,” Myers said.

Myers graduated from K-State with a mechanical engineering degree in 1965. His career in the U.S. Air Force led him to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to the K-State annual budget, Myer’s salary as interim president was $360,000. There was another $476,290 budgeted for the vacant president position when the budget was published in August.

Myers said he and the Regents have not put a number on how many years he will serve, but added that the average tenure of a university pres-

Payton Heinze | THE COLLEGIAN

Gen. Richard Myers gives a speech accepting his postion as president of Kansas State in Fourm Hall on Tuesday. ident is 4.5-6.5 years. ”This is another partnership that will serve you,” Mary Jo, Myer’s wife, said, talking about herself and the president before sharing a kiss.

Myers said he and Mary Jo love what K-State has meant to them.

“This is just like every other endeavor in life in that it takes the whole family to be supportive,” Myers said.

Myers said there were three reasons why he chose to apply for the position.

“One, my love of Kansas and Kansas State,” Myers said.

“Two, the people ... Three, the chance to support higher education and be an advocate for higher education in the state of Kansas.”

Myers said K-State and other land-grant institutions have contributed significantly

to the country.

“The whole notion of a land-grant university is one of the notions put into play a long time ago — over 150 years ago — that has probably had as much to do with the development and prosperity of this nation than anything that has ever been done,” Myers said.

Myers also said K-State has a role in the future to bring access to all who want to at-

tend a university.

“We have to provide that access,” Myers said. “That’s our role in life. We do that pretty well, but it’s getting harder and harder to do that with the budget situation.”

Myers said the state budget has had an impact on student tuition.

“One way (to stop yearly tuition increases) is to level off the state budget,” Myers said. “We’re in (fiscal year) ‘17.

We know we’re going to have at least one cut — at least we anticipate one cut, maybe two cuts before we finish this fiscal year. It’s very difficult to budget with that kind of uncertainty.”

According to the October tax revenue estimates from the Kansas Division of the Budget, the state has collected $80.5 million less than the estimates for the current fiscal year.

When February 2016 tax revenues were $53 million short, Gov. Sam Brownback cut higher education budgets by $17 million. This resulted in a nearly $5 million cut to Kansas State.

Afterward, the university increased student tuition.

“We needed that tuition increase last year — the 5.81 percent — which was necessary to bring in the revenue to operate the university,” Myers said. “But the rising cost of tu-

ition is a real issue.”

Myers said there has been inflation in the cost to the university to educate a student, but not as high as the inflation in the cost of student tuition.

“I hope that the people of Kansas and the Legislature will realize the value of higher education in the state,” Myers said.

Myers referenced the new legislators who were elected in last week’s election.

“We have some new representatives that are going to be in Topeka and maybe their views on values of higher education will be very positive,” Myers said.

Myers also said it is up to the Legislature if they want to revisit the state law that will allow concealed carry on university campuses starting July 1, 2017.

“I’m on the record as believing that concealed carry on a university campus is not in the best interest of the folks on campus,” Myers said. “That’s my stance.”

He added that not everyone at K-State agrees with him.

“I think it would be a lot better if they said you had to have some sort of training, because in the military we give people weapons, but we train them on how to use those weapons,” Myers said.

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wednesday, november 16, 2016

‘Love Trumps Hate’ peaceful protest makes a statement in Bosco Plaza BAILEY DRIVER

THE COLLEGIAN

In a small circle in Bosco Student Plaza, protestors sat silently, holding brightly-colored poster board signs that displayed encouraging statements.

Some signs read “choose love” and “we’re stronger together.” Several students stared as they walked past the peaceful protest, some even taking pictures.

Protestors included Penny Lighthill, junior in psychology, Yashera Ames, Kansas State alum and Manhattan resident, and Manhattan residents Joy Spickelmier and Liz Gassmann.

Although they were small in numbers, the group wanted to make a statement about spreading love after an election result they were not pleased with.

“In the wake of all the

violent protests and riots going on after the election we wanted to stand out in a way that wasn’t something destructive,” Lighthill said.

“I get why people result to violence because they think that’s the only way they’re going to be heard, but we’re trying to add some contrast to that.”

The protestors explained they were unhappy with the policies President-elect Donald Trump plans to enact, specifically regarding religion and LGBT discrimination.

“People are scared for the state America is in and where we’re headed,” Ames said. “We just want to show that we stand with these people in solidarity. We’re here to listen to those that are terrified and show them that this is a safe place to release any emotions they’re feeling.”

Spickelmier and Lighthill organized the “Love

Trumps Hate” protest after the election ended. They created a Facebook event page and shared it with the Manhattan community to get the word out.

“I had a lot of positive feedback from people who saw the event on Facebook,” Spickelmier said. “Even those who said they weren’t able to come sent us their love and said they would be there in spirit.”

The description on the Facebook event page read, “Meet in the center of Bosco Plaza on Nov. 15 from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. We’ll have signs, it’ll be chill. Don’t show up if you want to start violence. We will sit in the middle and hold hands, hug one another. We are stronger together. I want people to see us and understand that we are very vast in numbers. I want them to see that we will support each other, we will love one another.”

Payton Heinze | THE COLLEGIAN

Penny Lighthill, junior in psychology, Yashera Ames, K-State alum, and others protest Donald Trump’s presidency in Bosco Student Plaza on Tuesday.

Firefighters educate students on importance of rental safety, insurance LAMEESE MADI

THE COLLEGIAN

The firefighters of the Manhattan Fire Department took it upon themselves to come to the K-State Student Union and offer information regarding safety and awareness to students who rent.

Firefighters Brooke Harshaw, graduate student in agricultural education and communication, and Aleksey Akoyev, K-State alum, came to educate students on what to look for when renting.

When finding a new place, Akoyev said to make sure the apartment has adequate outlets and that they are in good working order. Harshaw said this is important in prevention of electrical fires and for the safety of any person looking to rent.

They also highly suggested when renting a basement apartment, to make sure it has an egress window in case of an

Lameese Madi | THE COLLEGIAN

Manhattan firefighters Aleksey Akoyev and Brooke Harshaw came to the Union on Tuesday to educate students on what to look for when renting. emergency, which will provide a good escape route.

Harshaw also said it is to the renter’s benefit to check and walk through the space they are renting. It is all too common to find windows that are glued or painted shut, which he said can

be dangerous in the long run.

Pamphlets were handed out with information about what to look for when apartment hunting. The information advised potential renters to make sure the apartment has adequate heating and air

conditioning as well as working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Akoyev informed students of the importance of checking their smoke detectors. He said it is important to make sure the smoke detectors not only work, but also to replace batteries when needed.

On Oct. 17, a fire at Building G at the Founders Hill apartment complex displaced 91 people, including students.

The loss of the building was estimated to be valued at $3.5 million. Another $500,000 was estimated in loss to contents of the building.

In light of the recent event, Harshaw also stressed the importance of getting renters insurance. “(It’s) cheap and a convenient means of insuring that property will be replaced,” Harshaw said. “Any insurance company has it such as Allstate and Geico.”

The pamphlet also said

the landlord’s insurance does not cover the renter’s property and that in case of disasters, personal belongings will be replaced at the renter’s personal expense. Harshaw said is important to get renters insurance

to be certain that belongings are insured in case of emergencies.

To find more information, visit cityofmhk.com/students and follow @cityofmhk and @ manhattanFD on Twitter.

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wednesday, november 16, 2016

Driving simulator raises awareness against texting while driving KELSIE SHAPLAND THE COLLEGIAN

Students at Kansas State gathered today with representatives from AT&T, the Kansas Insurance Department and Miss Kansas to take the pledge to stop texting and driving and to try the driving simulator.

According to the Kansas Insurance Department’s website, a AAA poll showed that 94 percent of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35 percent admit to doing it regardless.

“The simulator is here today to give college students here at K-State the opportunity to experience firsthand the dangers of driving while distracted,” Katie Koupal, area manager of external affairs for AT&T, said.

Koupal said it is a virtual reality simulator that responds to your every move and feels just like you are driving a car.

“The simulator felt real, it made my heart speed up,” said Megan Varhola, Union Program Council graduate adviser and graduate student in

Payton Heinze | THE COLLEGIAN

Anna White, freshman in kinesiology, uses the ‘just drive’ simulator in the K-State Student Union on Tuesday. accounting. “It was just like a real-life experience.”

Damarea Haney, freshman in life sciences, said she thought the event was beneficial.

“I feel like this event is very beneficial because many people probably don’t pay attention to the dangers that come with texting and driving,” Haney said.

Haney said going through the simulator was a good experience. She said her mom was in a three-car accident, so she

is taking the pledge to not text and drive.

“I just want people to know that accidents happen all the time, so this is something you should be serious about and don’t text and drive,” Haney said.

The “It Can Wait” campaign has been running for six years, Koupal said, and is hoping to have 16 million pledges by the end of 2016.

“About a year and a half

Daily briefs on local, national news JASON TIDD

THE COLLEGIAN

SEN. BARBARA BOXER, a Democrat from California, said in a statement Tuesday that she would introduce a bill aimed at eliminating the electoral college in favor of a popular vote presidential election, according to CNN. ZACH BURTON, a Manhattan area developer and owner of Fieldhouse Development, was sentenced to

32 months in prison Tuesday for sexual relations with a female student who was younger than 18. Burton was the assistant basketball coach and a substitute teacher at Riley County High School, WIBW reported. Burton was a backup quarterback at K-State before graduating in 1999.

WICHITA STATE University’s Student Government Association President Joseph Shepard and other student leaders sent a series of letters to Kansas Board of Regents

President Blake Flanders last month detailing their concerns with university administration and specifically President John Bardo, according to the Sunflower. “I think it is important for you to know that we are living in a culture of fear here at Wichita State University,” Shepard wrote.

“There are students, faculty and staff afraid to speak up because they’re fearful that they will be fired, alienated or unjustly stripped of an opportunity to continue their education.”

stay up-to-date @kstatecollegian

ago our commissioner talked to the insurance commissioner in South Carolina and they said they did a contest between the University of South Carolina and Clemson, to see who could get the most pledges to stop texting and driving,” Lacey Kennett, assistant to the commissioner, said.

Kennett said each of the schools were able to get about 13,000 pledges, so they decided to do the contest here in Kansas.

The sponsors for the contest included State Farm, AAA, the Department of Transportation, AT&T and also Miss Kansas.

“It’s really an important thing to the commissioner because insurance premiums for auto insurance, every time there is an accident it drives everybody’s rates up,” Kennett said.

He said it is important that people try to keep crashes and distractions to a minimum to

keep everyone’s auto insurance premiums as low as they can and so that everyone stays safe.

Along with K-State, the University of Kansas, Fort Hays State, Wichita State, Washburn University, Pittsburg State and Emporia State are all competing for the most pledges to not text and drive.

According to Kennett, K-State has the most pledges so far.

Varhola said she thinks the competition among the universities will be exciting.

“It’s really good to raise awareness and the competition between the universities I think will be exciting,” Varhola said.

“It’s always nice to beat KU in something.”

Kendall Schoenekase, Miss Kansas 2016, said it was a personal experience that led her to campaigning against texting and driving.

“I was in a car crash about two years ago due to texting and

driving, so the issue I’m very passionate about promoting is stay alive, don’t text and drive,” Schoenekase said.

She said that was the first time her eyes were opened to the severity of the situation.

“It’s really scary and everyone’s life is at risk,” Schoenekase said.

When she won Miss Kansas, she decided to use it as her platform and educate people in the state. She partnered with many organizations across the state to push the message.

Koupal said she would like everyone to know that no text, no email, no Snapchat, no Facebook nor anything else is worth risking your life or others on the road.

If you are willing to take the pledge, Koupal said you can do so on the website itcanwait. org. You can also help K-State earn more pledges to not text and drive by texting WILDCAT to 50555.

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K-State easily handles Nebraska-Omaha at home SCOTT POPP

THE COLLEGIAN

The Kansas State men’s basketball team won its second game of the season, 81-68, Tuesday night over the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks in the friendly confines of Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats got off to a slow start before getting things going, but once they did, they really played well.

OFFENSE

Miranda Snyder | THE COLLEGIAN

Senior guard Carlbe Ervin II dribbles the ball during the K-State game against the University of Nebraska-Omaha in Bramlage Coliseum on Tuesday.

K-State had more turnovers than points after the first media timeout, but things were all uphill from there. Midway through the first half, the Wildcats went on a 21-0 run that spanned for more than six minutes. K-State went into the half up 42-31. Sophomore guard Barry Brown, senior forward Wesley Iwundu and senior forward D.J. Johnson all had 11 points in the half.

The second half was more of the same; the Wildcats came out of the half and pulled ahead even more after three straight 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Kamau Stokes scored nine in the half.

K-State was very balanced on this side of the ball. Four Wildcats were in double digits and two more finished with eight points.

Brown led K-State with 15 points and five assists. Johnson also contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.

Ervin only finished with four points but made the tough plays and fed teammates all night.

The senior guard came close to a double-double that almost never happens; he finished with nine rebounds and eight assists.

DEFENSE

QUOTE OF THE GAME

K-State came out of the gate slow on the defensive end, as the team allowed UNO to go up 10-2 very early in the game. The Wildcats would toughen up from there. During a stretch midway through the first half, the Cats held the Mavericks scoreless for more than six minutes.

The Wildcats never let it get close in the second half. UNO

shot just 40 percent from the field and was led in scoring by senior guard Tra-Deon Hollins, who finished with 12 points.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: CARLBE ERVIN II

“There was no plan, (Ervin) just does what (Ervin) wants to do,” Johnson said on Ervin’s mindset to grab rebounds and record assists going into the game.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats will have a bit of a break before they take on the Hampton Pirates on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum.

Wildcats ready to take on Baylor Bears after break during bye week SCOTT POPP

THE COLLEGIAN

The Kansas State football team is coming off a bye week after eight straight games and a tough 43-37 loss to Oklahoma State. Head coach Bill Snyder and select players held their weekly press conference on Tuesday. Here are two things that stood out:

1. K-STATE IS READY FOR BAYLOR AND TRUE FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK ZACH SMITH.

Baylor’s starting quarterback senior Seth Russell fractured his left ankle in the Bears’ loss to Oklahoma on Saturday and is done for the season. That leaves freshman quarterback Zach Smith to take the reins of the Baylor

offense on Saturday against the Wildcats.

Smith came in against Oklahoma on Saturday and threw for 144 yards and a touchdown. Snyder said he thinks Smith is capable of leading the Bears offense just fine.

“He is a good, young guy,” Snyder said. “I like the poise in which he seemed to handle himself, thrust into the situation he was in this past week. In the previous ballgames, it was substantial leads that put him on the field and he handled those fine, but under the pressure that existed in that ballgame, I thought he was as collected as anybody you can imagine.”

While Baylor has been known for airing it out frequently in past years, this year’s offense has relied heavily on the run, which is some-

thing that should help the young quarterback out.

The Bears will have senior running back Shock Linwood back to help out the run game after being suspended against Oklahoma. Linwood is the school’s all-time leading rusher.

“I think he will be everything that he has always been,” Snyder said. “I do not think there has been any let up in that regard and he is a very talented running back. I like the others that they have as well, three young guys that I think do quite well and they have proven that.”

2. THE BYE WEEK PROVED BENEFICIAL.

While the sting of losing late in such a close game against Oklahoma State had to last a while, the bye week

Abby Cambiano | THE COLLEGIAN

K-State football players exit the tunnel for the game against Oklahoma State on Nov. 5 in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. came at a good time for the Wildcats. Snyder and players said the bye week was beneficial, as K-State played eight

straight games since their last Saturday off.

“It was pretty good to get the mental break,” freshman

running back Alex Barnes said. “Being able to wake up on Saturday and watch football for a change was nice.”

Snyder said the bye week can be good and bad, depending on how you look at it.

“Well, as I have said so many recent times, open weeks can be different from time to time,” Snyder said.

“Part of it has to do with who you are playing against, part of it is how the young people in your program — and the coaches — handle that period of time. ... The downside is you can lose the continuity, to a certain degree, of playing every single week. Obviously, there are positive things like giving the players a peace of mind, so to speak, not that there are any real significant days off, but nevertheless the opportunity to not be under the gun constantly.”

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wednesday, november 16, 2016

K-State volleyball gears up for battle against Oklahoma Sooners AVERY OSEN

THE COLLEGIAN

The Kansas State volleyball team will look to pick up another win tonight when it hosts the Oklahoma Sooners inside Ahearn Field House.

K-State is coming off a fiveset win over the West Virginia Mountaineers on Nov. 9.

“We are happy about it for sure,” assistant coach Trent Sorensen said after the match in a radio interview. “A win is a win, especially anywhere on the road is nice to get.”

The Wildcats had a bye this past weekend before they finish up the season with three final matches.

“I think when you have this

many seniors a bye can never come at a bad time,” Sorensen said. “We are going to watch some film, get some rest and get ready for Oklahoma on Wednesday.”

Last month, the Wildcats defeated the Sooners in four sets in Norman, Oklahoma. In that match, K-State dropped the first set before winning three sets in a row to win the match.

Senior outside hitter Brooke Sassin led the way for the Wildcats with 17 kills. Sophomore middle blocker Alyssa Schultejans had 15 kills, while junior opposite hitter Bryna Vogel provided 10 in the winning effort.

Senior setter Katie Brand had a double-double with 52 assists and 10 digs, while se-

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nior libero Kertsen Kober led K-State with 15 digs.

The Sooners were led in that match by junior middle blocker Marion Hazelwood, who had 16 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Madison Drescher provided 15 kills for the Sooners and sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Enneking had 12 in the loss.

The Wildcats are 18-8 overall and 7-6 in Big 12 play while the Sooners are 14-12 overall and 5-8 in conference play.

Oklahoma has lost five of its past seven matches, but are coming off a three-set win over Texas Tech on Saturday.

The Sooners’ and Wildcats’ first serve is set for 7 p.m. inside Ahearn Field House.

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Students toss newspaper in the air at the start of the volleyball game between K-State and Kansas in Ahearn Field House on Nov. 2.

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Supporting local art creates community MAGGIE STANTON THE COLLEGIAN

The Manhattan Arts Center began its annual “Wrap It Up! Art Exhibit and Sale,” which features local artists and their work, on Nov. 7. Pottery, paintings, scarves and ornaments are just some of the items available to buy.

Obviously, this event proves useful for those of us who aren’t great about buying holiday gifts ahead of schedule. There’s bound to be something your family or significant other would like at the sale. They even gift wrap it for you — thus the event name.

Problem solved.

But buying a mug for your mom or a necklace for your girlfriend has ramifications that reach far beyond Poyntz Avenue.

Supporting local art is incredibly important, as it adds strength to the community and the artists involved.

Research by the University of Pennsylvania has shown that

“a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare and lower poverty rates.”

Michele Ward, marketing director of the Manhattan Arts Center, agrees local art has a positive effect on the area surrounding it.

“The local art scene helps set the tone for a town,” Ward said. “Offering people of all skill levels a place to both create and display art pours over into a community’s everyday lives, increasing the inventiveness and cultural awareness within the community.

There is a sense of both past and future in art, which makes for a really well-rounded way to move a community forward.”

Don’t we all want to make Manhattan a better place to live?

That alone should be reason enough to support local art, but there are even more rewards than a positive community response.

For me, there’s a unique aspect that comes from buying

local art that you just can’t get from buying a vase at Target.

Knowing there’s a story to the piece and the artist put so much time and effort into one individual work, as opposed to something manufactured on an assembly line, makes the piece that much more special.

If you support local art, it can also further inspire the artist who created the piece. Penny Cullers, local artist and artistic director of the Manhattan Arts Center, said she finds personal enjoyment when events like “Wrap It Up!” are well-received.

“As an artist who has sold two paintings in the first week of ‘Wrap It Up,’ I can say that I have been inspired to return to my unfinished canvases knowing that there are people who will be treasuring what I have made,” Cullers said. “By supporting local artists, you support their ability to continue to give those gifts to our cultural future for our children and our children’s children.”

College students can easily

find ways to support local art firsthand and they should. This is, after all, the time in our lives when we’re encouraged to explore all creative aspects and see what appeals to us. Supporting the local art scene is easily the best way to do so.

“College students can volunteer here at MAC or at many of our other museums and galleries,” Ward said. “Art is not just found in museums, it’s in our homes and workplaces ... College students will find that the local art scene is one of a kind.”

K-State students can also find joy in creating art themselves. There are so many different mediums to choose from.

For example, Regan O’Rourke, junior in communication studies, designs her own jewelry.

“I can do almost anything I want,” O’Rourke said. “It’s also a hobby I can share with others.”

Supporting local art is a wonderful way to spread joy this holiday season, to the artists, the community and the person

Nick Horvath | THE COLLEGIAN

Local artists put their work on display at the Manhattan Arts Center for the “Wrap It Up! Art Exhibition and Sale,” which will be running until Dec. 24. receiving your gift.

“We all have a passion for our town and it is a joyous part of the holiday season for us all to gather under one roof at the Manhattan Arts Center to bring quality art into the lives of our fellow Kansans,” Cullers said.

Bottom line: Getting a nice gift is one thing, but supporting the local art is invaluable to the Manhattan community.

If you want to be a part of supporting local art, “Wrap

It Up!” will go until Dec. 24, excluding Thanksgiving. Hours for the Manhattan Arts Center can be found at its website.

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.

Maggie Stanton is a senior in mass communications.

Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.