K-State Collegian (Dec. 06, 2016)

Š 2016 collegian media group

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Student leaders reaffirm stances on Title IX lawsuits

05

What not to give your significant other for Christmas

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tuesday, december 6, 2016

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EDITORIAL BOARD Timothy Everson editor-in-chief

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Photo Illustration by George Walker | THE COLLEGIAN

When considering Christmas gifts, students can consider DIY gifts or low cost options for those closest to them.

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tuesday, december 6, 2016

Student body leaders reaffirm stance on Title IX policies KAITLYN ALANIS THE COLLEGIAN

As Title IX lawsuits against Kansas State continue to develop and after student organizations voiced their frustration with the responses they have seen from university administration and student body leaders, Jessica Van Ranken, student body president and senior in political science, and Trenton Kennedy, student body vice president and junior in entrepreneurship, sat down with the Collegian to clear up misconceptions the student body may have about their stance on Title IX issues.

“We’ve been advocating for the same thing since day one, which is a policy change,” Kennedy said. “But where I think it gets convoluted is that there could be a court decision that brings in nuances on how the university acts on sexual assault investigation policies and so after that court decision we will be obviously waiting and ready to help steward a new policy and advocate for a new policy if that were to happen.”

At the April 22 Student Senate meeting, Van Ranken and Kennedy said they do believe the university should investigate off-campus sexual assaults and they believe the current policy is insufficient.

Van Ranken said they have been advocating since that day, but depending on the court decision, it could be an even stronger opportunity to continue doing so.

“We’re saying that once the court decision is decided, that will be another opportunity to advocate,” Van Ranken said. “I don’t think it means that we’re waiting, I think it means that will be another time when it’s very important that we need to advocate for students and that if the court decision says that a change needs to be made or we need to alter a path in a different direction as a university, then we want to be there through those meetings advocating for students.”

POWER OF STUDENT BODY LEADERS

At the same meeting, Kennedy told senators that he and Van Ranken are deeply committed and compelled to seeing the policy change by doing everything in their power.

“Our power lies mostly in the fact that we have opportunities to talk with administration regularly and advocate for what students believe in,” Van Ranken said. “(We) have meetings with them where we can explain this is what a lot of students are pointing to us as a concern and this is what we believe, as student leaders, because we stand by that stance that we had in April, the policy being changed.”

Van Ranken said she and Kennedy do not have the power to change the university policy.

“If it were to be changed, I think our power lies strongly in that advocacy piece because we don’t have the power to actually change university policy, but we have the power to be a strong voice for what students think about that policy,” Van Ranken said.

WORKING WITH

“When we talk about the access we have, a big part of that access was over summer break because Jessica and I were still here and on campus multiple times a week, meeting with administrators and that was an advocacy priority of ours in making sure we really spent that summer time where it might have been off the hearts and minds of students, but we were still talking about it in engaging conversations,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also said a lot of the work they do is working in tandem with university administration.

“When we work with administration and when we are in those meetings with them, I find my role in those meetings a lot of time is constantly being that voice for students and representing students because administration really cares what students think and I never feel like they are trying to drag me into a position just to go along with university administration,” Van Ranken said. “The question we constantly hear is, ‘Well what do the students think?’”

Van Ranken said she would

We don’t have the power to actually change university policy, but we have the power to be a strong voice for what students think about that policy.

Jessica Van Ranken

STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION

Kennedy said they have been using the power they do have by working with administration, particularly over the summer break.

support a policy change at any time, but as she understands it, she does not believe the university administration will make any changes before a court decision.

“So while I would support

File Photo by Parker Robb | THE COLLEGIAN

Trenton Kennedy, student body vice president and junior in entrepreneurship, and Jessica Van Ranken, student body president and senior in poltical science, are advocating for an off-campus sexual assault policy change. a change at any time, the information I want to provide to the student body, I don’t want it to be misleading,” Van Ranken said. “I don’t want them to kind of think (a change) is coming before that because the university wants to receive all the legal context they can in this situation and the court decisions are really important to that.”

ACTION PLAN, PLATFORM INTEGRATION

In the meantime, Van Ranken and Kennedy said they encourage students to continue to advocate and have their voices heard by joining organizations and campaigns such as Wildcats Against Sexual Violence or the “It’s On Us” campaign or even by just being a resource to their living communities or social groups.

Van Ranken said it is not just about policy change, but about prevention and awareness as well.

“Administration finds that voice very important in this process and I think that lawmakers who represent students at

K-State need to hear those voices and need to hear the thoughts of students at universities who are around these issues and who deal with them in their lives as university students,” Van Ranken said.

On the executive end, Kennedy said it has been difficult to tie sexual assault policies into political advocacy, one of the three platforms the pair ran on.

“It’s difficult when we think about political advocacy because advocating on the federal level is just logistically harder than state level and a lot of our political advocacies have been at the state level to secure funding and those sorts of things,” Kennedy said.

However, Kennedy said they have found a way to integrate their advocacy for a policy change into both their political advocacy and mental wellness platforms.

“One thing I think where we fit sexual assault into those two (platforms) is with our peer education program because it will be those advocates of mental wellness going into the community,” Kennedy said. “It’s

about letting people know about the resources that they have and I think that’s great just to spread that message because a lot of people have been affected by sexual assault and a lot of people may have friends or family who have been affected by sexual assault.”

“Having access to that support for both survivors and supporters is really important and something our platform is going to achieve,” Kennedy continued.

Kennedy said for him, mostly when he steps away from his role as a student leader, he tries to analyze and study how Title IX is interpreted across the country.

“We’re not the only university in this situation and I think part of my motivation comes from the directive all universities will receive and this will be a complex issue after we get court decisions across the nation,” Kennedy said. “We’ll have to collectively come together as students at universities on what’s the best way forward after a court mandate or Legislative mandate.”

Holiday

Gift Guide

Sentimental value of presents depends on their intended receivers

Photo Illustration by George Walker | THE COLLEGIAN Headphones are a gift you can often give for under $20.

EMILY MOORE

THE COLLEGIAN

“It’s the thought that counts” is a common expression while

gift giving, but what really are the thoughts that count? After asking several Kansas State students about the best gift they have ever received, what makes a gift sentimental varies from person to

person.

For some, it’s the practicality and daily usability of the gift that makes it mean something.

Bailey Stein, sophomore in kinesiology, said her parents got

her a laptop for her graduation that she appreciates because of how much use she’s gotten from it.

“I’ve used it a lot last year in college and this year in college,” Stein said.

Others looking back appreciate a present not only because of the happiness it brought them, but also the growth it provided them with.

John Rogers, senior in history and geography, said his favorite gift was his first pet.

“I think the best gift I’ve ever received was my first dog when I was little because then I had someone that I could play with at any time,” Rogers said. “It also helped teach me some more responsibility by helping take care of her.”

Gifts received as kids can also bring back memories that make a present more meaningful.

Abbie Boucher, junior in social work, said she got the best gift when she was a child.

“When I was in elementary school, my grandma bought me the American Girl doll Kit, and she got me a matching sailor’s

outfit to wear with it,” Boucher said. “I guess I just remember that because taking pictures and everything, and I had wanted that for so long.”

In some cases, it can be the person who gives the gift that makes it special.

Sarah Alhebshi, freshman in accounting, said anything her mother gives her is special to her.

She remembers in particular a pair of earrings she received from her mom.

“She’s my mom, and I love her so much,” Alhebshi said. “So when I ever get something from her, I am so happy and I try to keep that thing from her. Well, she is the best gift for me, my mom.”

There are other gifts that aren’t concrete items, which carry sentiment for some.

Cameron Brown, graduate student in marriage and family therapy, said the best gifts he receives usually come from his wife, who gives him different experiences or “staycations.”

“My wife is really good at getting me fantastic gifts because she rarely gets me items or things,” Brown said. “They’re usually like tickets to shows, like she just recently got me tickets to go see “Annie” here at the McCain center. It’s always kind of getaways or going to a musical or a concert or something like that.”

Overall, the thoughts that go into the gifts depend on what matters to the person receiving the gift. From toys to pets or experiences, each present offers its own sense of enjoyment to the receiver.

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Holiday

Gift Guide

5 gifts not to give your significant other for Christmas this year MAYARA GARAY KOSTIANOVSKY THE COLLEGIAN

It’s that time of the year again. The time of the year when your brain overheats trying to figure out what to get your significant other for Christmas without messing up.

Fortunately, this year I will make it easier for you with a list of what you definitely should not give your boyfriend or girlfriend.

1. THINGS WITH SIZES

Clothes and shoes are very personal items. It seems like an easy gift to get, but it might end up being the hardest option. You might not know the

pecially if they are supposed to wear it every day. Amongst the most uncomfortable things in life is the feared question, “Is this exchangeable?” Avoid this by simply not getting jewelry if you are not 100 percent sure of what you and your girlfriend are looking for. The same rule could be applied to guys with watches. If you don’t know which specific watch they want, they probably will not love it.

right size and you could cause some body image issues if you go too big or too small on the size. Unless you know the exact size of the piece of clothing or the shoes your significant other has been dreaming about, avoid this at all costs.

2. GIFT CARDS

Gift cards are awesome if, and only if, they are wellthought out beforehand. For instance, get your girlfriend a Victoria’s Secret gift card and I assure you she will like it. For the guys, getting them food or electronics can be good options, but be generous. Five dollars on a Chipotle gift card is not enough, not for a burrito and much less for your boyfriend.

File Photo by Mauricio Caldera | THE COLLEGIAN

Avoid giving clothing as a gift this holiday season.

3. JEWELRY AND WATCHES

If it doesn’t come in a

Tiffany’s box, there is a big chance you’ll get it wrong.

Girls are very picky when it comes to what they wear, es-

4. KITCHEN APPLIANCES OR APRON

Do I really need to explain this? Neither of you belong in the kitchen unless one is a chef.

5. SHOWER GEL PACKS OR

TOILETRIES

Hygiene is personal for both men and women, but when it comes to a gift, it becomes completely impersonal.

I remember the first time I dated a guy, he gave me a box with a shower gel, lotion and a shell-shaped soap for Christmas. Little did he know, our “love” lasted three weeks and after this gift, I knew the right choice was to walk away.

Sounds mean, I know, but just remember what you get your significant other is not “just a gift,” but a symbolic demonstration of how much you care and know about each other, so be considerate when choosing it. see page

7, “GIFTS”

Stop by and visit our wide variety of stores for all of your Holiday needs!

Mall gift cards make great gifts!

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DIY gift for students: Mug cake in 1 minute DIRECTIONS

EMILY MOORE

THE COLLEGIAN

What better gift for a college student than something delicious that can be made in the microwave just by adding water? Only two boxes of cake mix can give you gifts for several people. The inspiration

for this recipe came from an article I came across that was pinned from the “I am a Baker” website.

INGREDIENTS

1. One box of angel food cake mix.

2. One box of cake mix, flavor of your choice. (I picked chocolate.)

1. Pour both cake mixes into the same bowl.

2. Stir the mixes together well. The egg portion of the angel food cake mixture may have clumps. It’s important to break up as many of those clumps as possible so the egg mixture is evenly distributed.

3. For added flavor or moisture add in mini chocolate chips.

4. Place however much mix you would like to give into a container and place the following cake instructions on the outside.

CAKE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add 3 tablespoons of cake mix with 2 tablespoons of water. (This will fill roughly half of a normal-sized mug.)

2. Stir this so the mixture is completely blended and

looks like regular cake batter.

3. Put in microwave for 1 minute.

4. Let cool, then add any additional desired toppings like frosting, chocolate sauce or sprinkles and enjoy!

Overall, the end product looks very spongy. The cake tastes very similar to angel food cake and has a very similar texture. This is why if you used chocolate cake mix, adding some chocolate chips may add more flavor and moisture throughout the mug cake.

Additionally, because of the high volume of cake mix, this recipe can make several different containers filled with mix. I was able to fill about six mason jars with mix, just to provide a spatial reference.

For the cost of one you can make this into several gifts, depending on how much mix you provide and it can last for quite some time!

Photos by Emily Moore | THE COLLEGIAN

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tuesday, december 6, 2016

GIFTS | One more piece of advice continued from page

5

One last bit of free advice: It is probably safe to say the smartest thing to do is to catch what your significant other has been

saying he or she needs or wants during the year or in the next few days or weeks. Write it down on a note on your smartphone — or a notebook if you are as old fashioned as me — and sur-

prise them with what they have been looking for. I assure you, this will put you as number one on your significant other’s favorite people’s list for 2017.

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.

Mayara Garay Kostianovsky is a senior in mass communications. Please send comments to opinion@ kstatecollegian.com.

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WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR SURVIVING FINALS WEEK?

LAKEN HORTON

MADISON HOPFINGER senior, architectural engineering

freshman, family studies and human services

LESHEYIA BOYD

MEGAN MELLRING

“Praying because when you are struggling to pass that is your only hope, to pray to the good Lord to pass.”

“Get things done early and don’t procrastinate. Starting early makes things a lot easier.”

“Do not wait to the last minute to study. If your professor gives you a final two weeks before it is due, just do it.”

“Maybe actually study and try to get some sleep.”

freshman, journalism and mass communications

junior, elementary education