Suspended for smoking hookah Page 8
Trusler renovations Page 5
E M P O R I A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
THE BULLETIN T H U R S DAY, JA NUA RY 23, 2014
V O LU M E 113 - N U M B E R 10
THE STUDENT’S VOICE SINCE 1901
Faculty fight social media policy
Some call new policy threat to free speech S usan W elte editor-in-chief
Faculty and staff at Emporia State and other regents schools may now be fired because of what they post on Twitter, Facebook and other
social media. In December, KBOR unanimously passed a new policy that restricts the use of social media if messages aren’t considered in the “best interests” of the institution, in the view of the president or chancellor of the school. Because of the backlash from faculty across the state and elsewhere, the Kansas
Board of Regents backpedaled on the policy and announced Friday a working group of two representatives from each state institution that will study the policy and give recommendations to the board. Meanwhile, the policy remains in effect. The representatives that have been chosen from ESU for the KBOR work group are Max
McCoy, an associate professor of journalism and adviser to The Bulletin, and Kevin Johnson, ESU’s general counsel. “The chairman (of KBOR) has asked for any recommendations (from the work group) to be brought to the Governance Committee by April (of 2014),” said Breeze Richardson, a spokesperson for KBOR. “Implementation
would depend on what was recommended and what kind of discussion ensues.” In December, a letter collectively signed by a trio of free speech groups was sent to Fred Logan, KBOR chair, asking the board to reconsider. The groups were the
see KBOR page 2
Foundation receives anonymous donation for School of Business E mma D e P riest s ta f f w r i t e r
Last semester, the Emporia State Foundation received a large donation that would establish a scholarship program for distinguished scholars in the School of Business – from an anonymous donor. And, the question that everyone seems to be asking is who exactly is this generous donor? “I will tell you that not even the school of business knows, so it’s exciting and I kind of put it as it could be anyone here,” said Jessica Buchholz, marketing and recruitment coordinator for the School of Business. “It could be anybody you’re standing next to at the movie theater or grocery store. This really shows our community is supporting ESU.” Jennifer Denton, vice president for Stewardship and Administration for the Foundation, said it’s a wonderful and interesting gift. “It is both cash today and a planned gift that will come in the future when this anonymous individual passes away,” Denton said. “The planned gift portion of it is a million dollars.” The gift began as a primary
see DONATION page 2
Dennis Strait, Gould Evans consultant, answers questions from faculty members regarding the proposed relocation of the Art Annex. The ideas presented in the Campus Master Plan include revitalizing the north and south entrances to campus, as well as adding a central entrance along Merchant Street. JON COFFEY | The Bulletin
Campus looks to the future Phase Two Begins, Phase Three to come K ati S trickland s ta f f w r i t e r
A 10-year vision in order for a better learning environment, living facilities, and involvement with the community has been the focus of Emporia State’s Campus Master Plan. On Jan. 13, ESU hosted an open fo-
rum where Gould Evans, the campus master planning consultant company, had a representative present the plans of Phase Two for their vision. The strategy of Phase Two is to specify the outcome of where they want to go with this project and finalize their plans. They have been working on this part for the past three months. In the spring, Gould Evans will move on to the third phase, which is how they will get the project started and completed.
Dennis Strait, Gould Evans consultant, has narrowed down to two new alternative entrances to campus, the North Entrance and Central Entrance. “This new north entrance is positioned just north (of) where the one room school house is, but south of where the existing drive is,” Strait said. “It would give ourselves a much more gracious front lawn and entry to the community, and also view from
see PLAN page 5
Shonrock reflects on past two years with ESU S usan W elte
Q: Since you have been president of Emporia State, what has been the biggest surprise?
tinue to be excited. I was excited two years ago as anyone would be when you come into a new role. And part of that I think is that you get a sense of a place and of the people. I can tell you not just from the mind but from the heart – I really believe in this campus. I believe in this community, and it’s amazing what happens when you start to believe in yourself. I think we’re starting to feel that – we’re getting a sense of pride, a little excitement. I hate to use the word, but a little more buzz on campus. Lots of things have gone well. It’s been a great team effort.
I don’t know if there were any big surprises. You know what you’re getting into. What I’ll say is that over two years is just really that I con-
Change is difficult. I like
editor-in-chief
Emporia State President Michael Shonrock sat down with The Bulletin recently to review his first two years in office. The discussion ranged from the changes he’s implemented on campus to the challenges he sees facing ESU in the years ahead. What follows is a transcript of the interview, edited for length.
to talk about improvement, but some things are changes. I think the effort we all are behind are the things in terms of enrollment, which makes a huge difference. We are really proud about our foundation and the things we’ve done there and really moving forward in so many ways with private dollars, real proud about the campaign in terms of in terms of marketing the institution and getting things out there. The partnerships have been incredible. There’s so many things, but the thing I’m most proud about is our people. I really am. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and Q: What is the biggest said, “We’ll get ‘er done.” change you’ve been a part of President Michael Shonrock discusses several of the upcoming projects that on campus? Q: What is the hardest are in line for the spring semester. Shonrock said that they are doing a lot of
see SHONROCK page 3
“exciting” things with enrollment and the foundation. JON COFFEY | The Bulletin