August 8, 2008

CM YK

Many campus organizations assist with the move in process.

Nashville musician Steve Means performs at Party on the Lawn.

Jay Meara opens senior exhibit in Gilson Gallery

See page 3

See page 2

See page 6

Lane announces goals, changes for fall semester

Aaron E. Cox 1972-2008

Kelsey R yan

Aaron E. Cox, a 36-yearold special ed teacher who wanted to attend Emporia State this fall as a graduate student died August 17, 2008, at Hospice House in Hutchinson.

“The ESU flag will be flown at half-staff on Thursday, August 21, 2008 in honor of Aaron E. Cox,” a Buzz In Announcement from the President’s Office said Wednesday. “Aaron was pre-enrolled for Fall, 2008 as a graduate student.”

He was born March 17, 1972, in Hutchinson, the son of Steven E. and Linda S. Stiggins Cox. He graduated from Shadow Mountain High School, Phoenix, in 1990, McPherson College in 1998 and was a graduate of Emporia State University. He had been a special education teacher at Nickerson High School for the last two years.

He belonged to Holy Cross Catholic Church.

On Aug. 28, 2004, he married Christina A. Spotanski in Grand Island, Neb. She survives. Other survivors include: their first unborn child, due in March 2009; his parents, Hutchinson; grandparents, Jesse and Shirley Cox, Hutchinson, Chloe Ann Stiggins, Inman; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, W. Verl Stiggins; and an uncle, Douglas L. Stiggins.

Parish Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday followed by funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, with Father Joseph Eckberg presiding. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. The casket will remain closed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Baby Cox Education Fund in care of First National Bank. Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences.

staf f writer

Faculty and students met in Albert Taylor Hall Tuesday to hear remarks from President Michael Lane and Faculty Senate President Amy Sage Webb regarding the upcoming fall semester.

Lane accepted a Department of Defense Patriot Award on behalf of Emporia State during the assembly.

“Emporia State University is honored to be recognized in this manner,” Lane said. “We will continue to support the men and women who serve this country. The very least we can do for these patriots, whether they are employees or students, is to make their transition back to ESU as seamless as possible.”

The award is given to employers who support staff and students during their transition between school and military duty and is given by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

In his speech, Lane noted several university accomplishments of the last six months and cited changes that have occurred on campus since last semester.

In regards to the new General Education requirements that were approved last spring, Lane said that the new program will become effective in the fall 2009 semester. The new General Education program does not require that students take history or economics.

“It’s here, it’s new and it’s approved,” Lane said. “Last spring, I

Photo by Kellen Jenkins President Lane speaks to an audience of community members, faculty, and students the afternoon of Tuesday August 19 in Albert Taylor Hall. Lane covered topics ranging from accomplishments by ESU in the previous year to issues concerning future changes to campus facilities and security. signed the Senate Bills that put that program into effect... I want to thank all of the members of the General Education Council and all of the members of

the university community who provided input to that council during that long process of revising that General Education program.”

Safety on campus was also addressed, with a special emphasis on new locks for classroom doors, pop up emergency alert messages on campus See General Assembly, Page 3.

Student death punished, commemorated KA TE GARRETT staf f writer

Photo by Kathi Walker Corky leads the way on the Hornet Walk with ASG President Angela Blauffauss and Vice President, Sarah Schulte from the Sunken Garden to Plum Hall on Sunday, August 17. The new students followed to the Convocation ceremony

W e a t h e r

Thursday

Friday T-storms

Sunny

Hi: 78 Low: 65

Hi: 85 Low: 67

Saturday

Sunday T-storms

Hi: 84 Low: 65

T-storms

Hi: 82 Low: 62

It has been eight months since the death of Beau Arndt shocked the Emporia State campus. Arndt, an ESU freshman at the time of his death, was shot and killed December 15, 2007 in a hunting accident in rural Lyon County.

Strong memories of Ardnt have resurfaced throughout the trial of his killer, Theron Thomas Kent, and the creation of “Love for Outdoors,” a scholarship created in Ardnt’s name.

“The trial seemed to bring everything back,” said Jacquelyne Leffler, a freshman majoring in kinesiology and business at Kansas State and former close friend of Arndt. “It was almost as if we had to relive it. Hearing the 911 dispatch with Derek Jackson was probably the hardest. It broke my heart to have to hear that.”

Arndt, an Americus resident and graduate of Northern Heights High School, not only had deep ties to the university but to the Emporia and Lyon County communities as well. Arndt was only three days away from his 19th birthday on the day that he was killed.

That day, Ardnt decided to celebrate by doing what he loved the most - hunting.

He and two friends had set up a number of goose decoys when a truck pulled up and fired a single shot. At the time, it was presumed the shot was being fired at the decoys. The shot that hit Arndt in the chest was fatal. The driver of the truck fled from the scene.

It was later revealed that Kent was the

man that had fired the fatal shot. Kent’s trial took place over the summer and he was convicted on June 30. As reported by the Emporia Gazette, Kent stated that he believed he was shooting at a coyote from his truck.

The Gazette also reported that Kent was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and two misdemeanors, which include criminal misdemeanor and criminal discharge of a firearm. These convictions resulted in Kent being sentenced to approximately three years in prison. At the time of the Gazette’s press release,

“No matter what, nothing is going to bring Beau back.”

-Jacquelyn Leffler freshman, K-State the Arndt family had filed for a wrongful death suit against Kent.

A great deal of Arndt’s family and friends were present in court for the proceedings this summer. Although the trial brought forward many emotions, many felt that the final result brought about justice, including Ardnt’s family.

“I believe that the trial got the job done,” said Bob Arndt, father of Beau.

“It carried out the law. If you do something wrong you will be punished for it.

We got justice.”

Others felt that justice can never be fully granted where Ardnt’s death is

concerned.

“Honestly it didn’t matter to me if he got max sentence or just one day,” Leffler said. “No matter what, nothing is going to bring Beau back” The healing process continues to be a long journey for the friends and family of Beau Arndt. The outpouring of support from the communities surrounding Emporia, as well as the university, has been a great help to his family.

“We of course have our good days and bad days,” Bob Arndt said.

“We have support from our great friends as well as the college. Beau went to the university for a semester but since his death we have had so much support from them.”

Now the greatest concern for Ardnt’s family and friends is to be certain that his name, as well as the circumstances of his death, are not soon forgotten.

Arndt’s life and story have inspired many organizations to step forward and create a variety of programs in his memory. The Kansas Department of

FACEBOOK PHOTO Wildlife and Parks has created a video through their Hunter Safety Education program which details the story of Arndt to promote smart hunting. The video is six minutes long and can be viewed at the organization’s Web site.

To be certain that Arndt will always have a tie to ESU, a scholarship has been created in his name. The scholarship See Arndt, Page 2.

2 AUGUST 21, 2008

Ardnt Continued from Page 1 It has been eight months since the death of Beau Arndt shocked the Emporia State campus. Arndt, an ESU freshman at the time of his death, was shot and killed December 15, 2007 in a hunting accident in rural Lyon County.

Strong memories of Ardnt have resurfaced throughout the trial of his killer, Theron Thomas Kent, and the creation of “Love for Outdoors,” a scholarship created in Ardnt’s name.

“The trial seemed to bring everything back,” said Jacquelyne Leffler, a freshman majoring in kinesiology and business at Kansas State and former close friend of Arndt. “It was almost as if we had to relive it. Hearing the 911 dispatch with Derek Jackson was probably the hardest. It broke my heart to have to hear that.”

Arndt, an Americus resident and graduate of Northern Heights High School, not only had deep ties to the university but to the Emporia and Lyon County communities as well. Arndt was only three days away from his 19th birthday on the day that he was killed.

That day, Ardnt decided to celebrate by doing what he loved the most - hunting. He and two friends had set up a number of goose decoys when a truck pulled up and fired a single shot. At the time, it was presumed the shot was being fired at the decoys. The shot that hit Arndt in the chest was fatal.

The driver of the truck fled from the scene.

It was later revealed that Kent was the man that had fired the fatal shot. Kent’s trial took place over the summer and he was convicted on June 30. As reported by the Emporia Gazette, Kent stated that he believed he was shooting at a coyote from his truck.

The Gazette also reported that Kent was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and two misdemeanors, which include criminal misdemeanor and criminal discharge of a firearm. These convictions resulted in Kent being sentenced to approximately three years in prison. At the time of the Gazette’s press release, the Arndt family had filed for a wrongful death suit against Kent.

A great deal of Arndt’s family and friends were present in court for the proceedings this summer.

Although the trial brought forward many emotions, many felt that the final result brought about justice, including Ardnt’s family.

“I believe that the trial got the job done,” said Bob Arndt, father of Beau. “It carried out the law.

If you do something wrong you will be punished for it. We got justice.”

Others felt that justice can never be fully granted where Ardnt’s death is concerned.

“Honestly it didn’t matter to me if he got max

UAC invites students to "Party on the Lawn"

PHOTO BY KATHI WATKINS Acoustic singer/songwriter Steve Means performs for students at Party on the Lawn on Monday August 18. Means covered a variety of songs and was the main musical entertainment for the evening SHEENA LAMAY STAF F WRITER

The Union Activities Council welcomed new and returning students Monday night by hosting “Party on the Lawn.”

“It’s an event every year,” said Lauren Padgett, senior communication major and UAC president. “We started planning at the beginning of the summer and everything came together in the last couple of weeks. It’s a great way for freshmen to meet.”

Students gathered on the Morse Hall lawn to enjoy live music, mingle, and learn about the Greeks and other campus organizations. Many groups also handed out gifts and food.

“I came out for the recruitment for sororities,” said Brooke Cunningham, freshman elementary education major. “Also, my RA told me about it.”

Party on the Lawn also served as an opportunity for some freshman students to go out and meet new people and relax before the semester becomes hectic. “[Emporia] is really different compared to Kansas City,” said Ash-

Williams, Henrie assume new administrative roles

MA TT BULICZ

Two key members of the Emporia State administration have assumed new duties.

Jim Williams, the former Vice President of Student Affairs, and Elaine Henrie, the former Interim Registrar, both have changed titles and responsibilities.

Elaine Henrie began work as Interim Registrar last April and accepted the permanent Registrar position in July.

“I was a part of the Registration Office for 12 years before accepting a position in the Financial Aid Office,” Henrie said in an e-mail interview.

The switch in departments has given Henrie a chance to spend more time with faculty members. This connection with the faculty is what has made her acceptance of both positions possible.

“In registration, there is more interaction with faculty,” Henrie said. “It has been nice to reestablish those relationships… they are the folks who make this work very well.”

Despite the additional responsibilities, Henrie continues to act as Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Henrie feels that the responsibilities of both positions work well to-

gether because they both have such an impact on students and faculty.

“It helps us all keep thebroader picture in mind,” Henrie said.

Jim Williams jokes that, in his time at ESU, he has changed job titles more frequently than most faculty members ever will. Though he finds humor in his latest change of title, he said that he remains sincere

HENRIE

and passionate about continuing his work with student affairs.

Williams, the former Vice President of Student Affairs, is now the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Student Life. The purpose of the new title is to help further the connection between the university and the community and to provide new opportunities for each to gain from the other.

The change in title from “student affairs” to “student life” reflects a broader ap-

STAF F WRITER

proach to the needs of students. Rather than focus only on affairs on campus, Williams now focuses on connecting ESU and the community, and specifically on finding the best way to connect students and community members with the opportunities that Emporia has to offer.

“The first challenge is solidifying our approach,” Williams said. “We want to build resources for students and the campus as a whole.”

These opportunities include increased outreach with community organizations and partnerships with community colleges to expand ESU’s reach.

This growth is an onWILLIAMS going endeavor both for him and for the university.

“That’s the part that’s exciting,” Williams said. “There are many different areas we’ve worked on in the past. We’re starting to make [community connection] a priority.”

ley Wakefield-Hall, freshman pre-engineering major. “I’m ready for school but not looking forward about being stressed out with deadlines.”

E-Zone, Emporia State’s student spirit organization, presented a skit to get students fired up. During football season, the group hosts a pre-game event called the Black Hole, which starts at 10:30 a.m. on game days and ends when the game begins. They have themes for each football game, and give away food and prizes.

Steve Means, a Nashville, Tenn., musician, played the acoustic guitar and sang. Padgett said that UAC chose Means as an entertainer for the party after hearing one of his CDs. “The music is pretty good actually,” said Derrek Zietz, sophomore communication major. “This year [Party on the Lawn] was better because there was more interaction.”

A schedule of upcoming UAC events can be found on the UAC page on the ESU Web site.

Convocation, Hornet Walk welcome, inform new students MA TT BULICZ STAF F WRITER

Students, parents and community members attended the annual Hornet Walk and Convocation on Sunday. Participantswere greeted by ESU faculty and Student Ambassadors as they walked through the Sunken Gardens toward Albert Taylor Hall for Convocation. Once inside, they were given advice about college and some students were awarded scholarships. The convocation, which has been held for several years, is considered the official welcome for incoming students.

Provost and Vice President Tes Mehring began the welcoming ceremony and introduced President Michael Lane. Lane said that the two parts of his job that he enjoys most are watching students enter the university and seeing them graduate.

Lane also recited a list of ten recom-

mendations for ESU students, as well as ten things they ought to avoid. His advice included studying, going to class, getting involved, and keeping everything in balance. Lane also joked with parents who were sending their only child away to school.

“If this is your only child going away to college, get a hobby,” Lane said.

Alexis Downs, associate professor in accounting and information systems, spoke to students about their new freedom. She said that liberation really means economic freedom, and that one of the best ways to economic freedom iss through an education.

Though each student works hard for this freedom, Downs said, it can sometimes seem less exciting once it is achieved.

“You’ve got to pay bills and eat,” Downs

said.

Matt Seimears, assistant professor of early childhood and elementary teacher education, shared his own story of success.

Seimears said that if students permit lax standards and negative messages to become part of their lives, they will live up to each ofthose expectations.

However, if students permit positive messages and hard work to become part of their academic careers, they can achieve personal and professional success.

“What you permit, you promote,” Seimears said.

After the speeches, five winners of $500 book scholarships were drawn. Each winner came up on stage, told the audience their name and hometown and shook hands with Williams and Mehring.

Scholarship win-

ners enjoyed the event and were excited to be presented with their awards.

“It’s really good to get back into it,” said Chris Heath, freshman library sciences major and book scholarship winner.

One of the book scholarship winners felt that attending the assembly benefited him in more ways than one.

“The advice is what you’d expect – study hard and use the faculty for help,” said Christopher Then, freshman environmental biology major and book scholarship winner. “It’s great to see how committed they are to the students’ health and welfare.”

The convocation marked the Union Activities Council’s first activity with incoming students. UAC hosts events centered on student involvement and entertainment

3 AUGUST 21, 2008

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New, returning students settle into residential life

HELP WANTED Need a good paying campus job and don’t want to work nights and weekends? Visit www.collmedia.net for more info. References required.

ESU P O L I C E R E P O R T S Officer stopped KS 30 day 472998 in 1500 Morse Dr. Verbal warning for stop sign violation at 15th and Wooster Dr. Officer stopped KS XBR652 in 200 E 12th. Citation for stop light violation at 6th and Mechanic.

Officer provided welfare check for Overland Park Police Dept in free parking north of the football practice field.

Twin Towers Complex staff reported a cord stuck in an elevator door and the elevator stopped working. Officer opened the door and removed the cord.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept with suspicious activity at 27 Congress.

Officer assisted Lyon Co. Sherriff’s deputy at 18th and Merchant.

Officer stopped KS WGB203 at 1200 Block Market St. Verbal warning for driving without headlights and no safety restraint.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept with street obstruction in 600 Sylvan.

Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept with a call at 6th and Constitution.

$15 Off Any Eyeglass Purchase Offer can not be combined with any other coupon, discount or insurance plan. Offer only valid at National Vision operated Vision Center locations. Offer expires 12/31/2008. (C) 2008 National Vision, Inc.

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ESU implements new payment plan D AV I D V E L A S Q U E Z STAF F WRITER

A new payment plan featuring an Extended Payment Agreement may make it easier for students to pay their tuition this year.

The system is designed to eliminate confusion surrounding payment of student fees and tuition. The new system will bring many changes, including the institution of the Extended Pay Agreement, which has lead to the elimination of deferments as a payment plan option.

The Extended Payment Agreement allows a student to make a payment of $150 by the Friday before classes begin in order to avoid being dropped from classes. Any student who has problems with financial aid processing may be eligible for special consideration, but such consideration will not by given in all cases.

Under the new system, both graduate and undergraduate students can be dropped from their classes

for failing to make tuition payment arrangements before the drop date.

In the past, only undergraduate students could be dropped from their classes for failure to make these arrangements. However, a total of 265 students were dropped from their classes this year, a number that represents 35 less students than last year.

The $150 down payment is applied toward a student’s total semester fees. Students were given until the first day of classes to pay in full or pay a $50 Administrative Fee for further extension. The Administrative Fee is not refundable and will not be applied to a student’s fees.

Any account still not paid in full by September 12 will require a second $50 Administrative Fee to continue the extension. October 8 is the last day that an account can be paid and not incur late fees or holds.

General Assembly Continued from Page 1 Faculty and students met in Albert Taylor Hall Tuesday to hear remarks from President Michael Lane and Faculty Senate President Amy Sage Webb regarding the upcoming fall semester. Lane accepted a Department of Defense Patriot Award on behalf of Emporia State during the assembly.

“Emporia State University is honored to be recognized in this manner,” Lane said.

“We will continue to support the men and women who serve this country. The very least we can do for these patriots, whether they are

employees or students, is to make their transition back to ESU as seamless as possible.”

The award is given to employers who support staff and students during their transition between school and military duty and is given by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

In his speech, Lane noted several university accomplishments of the last six months and cited changes that have occurred on campus since last semester. In regards to the new General Education requirements that were approved

last spring, Lane said that the new program will become effective in the fall 2009 semester. The new General Education program does not require that students take history or economics.

“It’s here, it’s new and it’s approved,” Lane said.

“Last spring, I signed the Senate Bills that put that program into effect... I want to thank all of the members of the General Education Council and all of the members of the university community who provided input to that council during that long process of revising that General

KA TE GARRETT STAF F WRITER

Boxes, bedding, couches, suitcases and refrigerators lined the sidewalks in front of the Residential Halls last Sunday as students moved in for the semester, many for the first time. For many freshmen, this day marked the first time they will ever live away from home, an event that is often met with mixed reactions.

“I live ten miles away from Emporia so I wasn’t too nervous about not living at home anymore,” said Lizzy Wendling, freshman nursing major.

Others came from further away but were excited about the idea of living on their own.

“I was excited to move,” said Nick Watson, freshman undecided major. “I was ready. I packed up a whole bunch of stuff up and was ready to go.”

With a great deal of incoming freshmen and returning students arriving

PHOTO BY KATHI WALKER New students line up in Schillinger Lounge to get checked into the Morse Complex on Sunday, August 17. While students were checking in on the inside, the Hornet Helpers important for were hard at work unloading their cars to lighten their load. students, especially freshat the residence halls at the same courage student involvement. time, preparation for their ar- “Student involvement is impor- men. They get to meet a bunch of rival was a process that involved tant,” said Jen Newell, sophomore people who may eventually one a great number of people. The communications major and presi- day become their friends.” walls of each floor were decorated dent of Towers Complex Govern- Residents were finally greeted with signs informing students of ment. “It’s a great way to meet by their complex coordinator and told to proceed to their designatupcoming events, floor meetings, people” rules and information residents The first checkpoint that students ed rooms. Upon arriving on their would find helpful and every door went through was to meet repre- floors, students were greeted by was adorned with a personalized sentatives from student health their RAs and were allowed into decal meant to welcome each in- in order to confirm that residents their rooms for the first time. The dividual student. had verification of their menin- staged process of moving in made Students representing Greek life, gitis vaccination. Students were the transition much easier for sports, student government and then greeted by representatives of many students.

“The process of getting to my room residential life were all present on TCG. move in day to help the process “I handed out flyers to the Tow- went pretty smoothly,” Wendling go as smoothly as possible. The ers Complex as well as Hornet said. “It took a couple hours to get volunteers served a dual purpose, ID holder,” said Abigale Ely- my room situated. It went well” to assist students with moving and acharshuster, senior international With move in day complete, many to spread the word about their studies major and vice president residents are looking forward to respective organizations and en- of TCG. “I think move in day is so what they hope will be a smooth transition into college life.

Block party boasts big crowd

An estimated 1000 students attended the annual Block Party on Tuesday evening. Students agreed that this year’s Block Party surpassed those of the past.

“I think there’s a lot more people here than last year and I think it’s a little more organized as far as where the booths are,” said Rachel McCommon, sophomore elementary education major.

Some students at-

tended the Block Party to learn more about local businesses and opportunities, while others came to reconnect with old friends. “[The best part was] seeing a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time,” McCommon said. “It’s been like a reunion.”

Some freshmen were excited about their first impressions of the Emporia community. “It’s really diverse

with a lot of different people and there’s more stuff to do and more stores around here than I thought,” said Raeanne Yoder, freshman nursing major.

Students were given a Student Passport to Downtown Fun as they entered the Block Party. As students visited various booths, they could have their passports stamped and then enter a filled passport into a draw-

ing for a prize. Free t-shirts, food, flowers and other promotional items were also available.

Over 35 booths representing local businesses lined Commercial Street, and gave students and business owners the opportunity to meet. One booth was sponsored by the David Traylor Zoo. Zoo volunteers said there were many reasons they wanted to have a booth.

KELSEY R YAN STAF F WRITER

“Many people don’t know there’s a zoo in town,” said Deb BurnsHeinitz, a volunteer at the zoo. “There’s several opportunities for students. If students want to go through docent training, they can show animals, especially the biology and zoology people.”

Local business owners enjoyed the opportunity to greet students who are new and who are returning to the community.

“We like things to be downtown and we like Emporia to have a strong downtown and Emporia State is really the center of that, too,” said Marla McClellan, a representative of The Town Crier bookstore.

“We like to see the kids and we like to see the ones that are excited about reading.”

The party also included recorded music, Karaoke, and the Emporia Art Mobile.

4 AUGUST 21, 2008

“A budget tells us what we can’t afford, but it doesn’t keep us from buying it.”

-William Feather

OPINIONPAGE

On Our Mind: Stretching your dollars Financial aid disbursement day is a day many university students look forward to each semester.

Last Friday was no exception.

When excess financial aid payments hit students’ bank accounts, one can almost hear a unanimous sigh of relief.

However, what students do with those financial aid payments can mean the difference between eating ramen noodles from October to January or having money left over when January’s payments arrive.

While some students choose to spend their excess financial aid on high-dollar items like big-screen TVs and gaming systems, the wise thing to do is use the money for

living expenses incurred while going to school. After all, that’s really what the money is meant for.

But how can students make the money last until January?

The easiest and most practical method is to sit down and make a budget for yourself. Include expenses you know you will have until the January disbursement date. Make sure to leave yourself wiggle room for expenses related to your social life, such as restaurant bills, movie tickets and nights at the bar (if you feel so inclined).

Once you have your expenses lined out, determine whether you have enough cash to last until

January. If not, consider cutting your expenses or bite the bullet and find a job. If you do have enough, budget the amount of your expenses for each month plus a little extra for emergencies or incidentals.

The last step is the most difficult. Make yourself stick to your budget. After all, if you can’t stick to it there’s no point in making it. If necessary, you can even set up a savings account and transfer only your budgeted amount from that account each month.

By managing your money wisely you can stretch your dollar and have money to spare when January arrives.

Editor requests reader feedback, ideas It’s hard to believe that a brand new semester is already underway – it seems like only yesterday that the spring semester was coming to an end, and The Bulletin staff had only begun to conceive plans for the fall 2008 semester.

But believe it or not, the first week of school is in full swing, and The Bulletin is back in business. After a long summer of hard work and preparation, it is with great excitement that we present the first issue of the 2008-

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF M ALLORY L IVINGSTON 2009 school year.

As The Bulletin’s editor-inchief, I have high hopes for our success as a student publication.

That success will be obtained

primarily through our ability to reach one single goal – to fairly and accurately represent the students of Emporia State.

I know that in the past The Bulletin has not always represented what many students would consider their own voice, which is why I would like to begin by encouraging an open line of communication between ESU students and Bulletin staff members. What will allow us to continue to improve, above all else, is the cooperation, input and

support of our readers.

Perhaps the number one complaint I have heard since I began searching for ways to improve The Bulletin’s content is that organizations and student groups feel that they have not been represented as much as others. As a staff, we will strive to give equal representation to as many groups as possible, but we need your help. Do you know of an event coming up? Call, e-mail, or stop by our office on the third floor of the Memorial Union and let us know.

I would also encourage readers to remember that we cannot

represent your voice if you don’t share your thoughts and opinions with us. It is imperative that readers call the phone forum and submit letters to the editor in order to let us know what’s on their minds. At times, story ideas are even born from comments and suggestions left on the phone forum or comments section of our Web site.

Last but not least, don’t forget that while we welcome your suggestions and constructive criticism, we also want to know when you read or see something that you like. So if you find a story or photograph that we

publish interesting or informative, don’t forget to give us a call also.

Any reader with a question or concern that he or she does not want to submit for publication should feel free to send an email to editor@esubulletin.com or call our office directly, and we will do what we can to assist you.

I look forward to serving the students of ESU this semester, and hope to hear your comments and suggestions throughout the coming year. I believe that with continued hard work, dedication and reader input, The Bulletin can truly operate as the voice of all ESU students.

President discusses changes on campus, welcomes students Welcome, students!

I am looking forward to meeting those of you who are at Emporia State University for the first time, and it will be a pleasure to welcome back you who are returning to complete your degrees at ESU. It’s definitely been a busy summer! Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were celebrating the achievements of the class of 2008 at spring commencement? Now, here we are about to launch a new

P RESIDENT

OF

E MPORIA S TATE

M ICHAEL L ANE season of learning.

We anticipate another exciting

year at ESU. Our efforts will be driven by a new mission statement produced as part of a yearlong strategic planning process: Emporia State University is a dynamic and progressive student-centered learning community that fosters academic excellence, community and global engagement, and personal and professional fulfillment.

A personal mission of mine is to continue listening to the opinions and concerns of students.

Last year I invited groups of

students to share their thoughts and college experiences over pizza. While Pizza with the President was successful, I heard from some students that the timing didn’t fit into their schedules. It is my goal to fulfill the “student-centeredness” highlighted in our mission statement. Students will be receiving a survey so that you may tell me when and where you would like to meet with me.

In addition to many new student faces on campus, we welcome several new staff and faculty faces to ESU. One of those is the new dean of the College of Business,

PHONE FORUMS -Summer went way too fast. Can we please start over again?

-I can’t wait for football season to start! Go Hornets!

-Parking on campus seems to be going much better this year. Is enrollment down?

-I just had my last first day of class ever. That is, of course, unless I choose to pursue my master’s or doctorate later. But that’s different.

-To those of you who got to sit around doing nothing all summer: some of us had to work and take summer classes. So please don’t complain to me about how bored you were this summer. Things could have been much worse for you.

Much worse.

-The block party rocked. Thanks Emporia.

-This town is starting to get really boring. At this time last year there was so much more stuff going on.

Voice your opinion: Call the phone forum at

and get a degree…and once you’ve done all that, maybe you’ll decide to make Emporia your permanent residence and put that degree to work right here.

I hope you are as excited as I am to start the 2008-09 academic year. I look forward to seeing you all at the various events that will take place during the year and I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities that ESU offers for student involvement.

It’s great to be part of the black and gold!

Michael R. Lane, Ph.D. President

THE BULLETIN

Editorial Staff Fall 2008 -I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it. I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.

-Only six more months of Bush ruining our country! Thank God! -To the girl who was staring at me in class this morning for no reason... you better knock it off because I will kick your a**.

-My first day at ESU was not as bad as I anticipated. Maybe this won’t be so bad.

341-5469

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Dr. Joseph Wen. ESU is also fortunate to have Dr. Tes Mehring as our new provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Mehring’s 27 year association with Emporia State most recently included her tenure as dean of The Teachers College.

A number of ESU staff members, including Dr. Jim Williams, our vice president for strategic partnerships and student life, have been involved in the Emporia Chamber of Commerce Building Futures campaign.

Building Futures is the blueprint for making our city an even better place for you to live, go to college

or go online to

The Bulletin reserves the right to edit or refuse to print phone forums.

| EDITOR IN CHIEF | MANAGING EDITOR Jordan Haiduk | DESIGN EDITOR Rutherford Rankin | OPINION EDITOR TBA | SPORTS EDITOR Eric Sonnakolb | A&E EDITOR Kellen Jenkins | PHOTO EDITOR Ali Nashatizadeh | ONLINE EDITOR Jeremy Michelbook | OFFICE MANAGER Matt Bulicz | INTERIM ADVERTISING MANAGER Yifeng Lin | BUSINESS MANAGER Max McCoy | ADVISER THE BULLETIN Mallory Livingston Kelsey Ryan

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5

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

AUGUST 21, 2008

Senior art student to exhibit in Gilson Gallery B Y E RIC S ONNAKOLB

Each year senior art students are given the opportunity to show their work in the Gilson Memorial Gallery located in King Hall. The first student to do so this year

PAINTING BY JAY MEARA This painting titled “Zombie” is part of an exhibition by senior art major Jay Meara. His show is set to open tomorrow at 8 p.m. in King Hall.

will be senior art major Jay Meara with his show titled ‘Organ.’

The main theme of Meara’s show is an exploration of his relationship to his Catholic faith.

“As my perspectives change, my opinions about the Church change along with it,” Meara said. “There are many aspects I love about the Catholic Church and other teachings which I disagree with. Like anyone else, there comes a time when you look at what you have been taught and assess this with what you believe.”

Many of Meara’s works are self-portraits, but not in the traditional sense.

“A majority of the work has to do with the human body,” Meara said. “I commonly use myself as the model, which is why I chose the name ‘Organ.’”

One example of his work features a depiction of Meara as a zombie.

“I chose the zombie as a metaphor for being in a state of sin,” Meara said. “As a Christian I can’t stop myself from sinning, it is built into my nature. Sin is something that weighs upon me and I often feel like a zombie, moving from place to place looking for my next meal. Also, in Catholicism we believe that during communion you are actually eating and drinking the flesh of Christ, which could be viewed as a kind of cannibalism, harking back to the zombie.”

Meara has a number of reasons for using himself as a model.

“The first is not because I’m conceited, which is something I am afraid people will think when viewing the show,” Meara said. “But because I’m always available for a photo shoot. The other reason is that these works are representations of me trying find a balance between the Catholic Church’s teachings and my evolving outlook on life. I was also thinking of a pipe organ, which plays an integral part in the Catholic Mass’s responses and singing.”

Meara’s mixture of the quirky and classic imagery recurs throughout his art work. Through this mix Meara is

finding his own unique style and iconography.

“Another recurring image in the show is the use of Cathedral floor plans and other architectural elements, like columns and archways,” Meara said. “I was thinking that as I try to create a balance in my life between aspects of Catholicism that I love and cherish along with areas that I don’t agree with, I am in a way constructing my own religion.”

Meara will showcase a mixture of prints and paintings in ‘Organ.’

“I love the process of printmaking,” Meara said. “It is very tedious and methodical, which goes well with the way I work. I can be very anal-retentive when it comes to creating work, which causes me to work very slowly. I also love that you can create almost an unlimited amount of prints in printmaking, as compared to painting’s single piece.”

While attending Emporia State, Meara has been impressed by the faculty of the Art Department.

“Somehow ESU attracts amazing professors who are all very passionate about teaching and very dedicated to creating work, despite some of our deplorable facilities,” Meara said. “I am constantly amazed at the amount of effort the faculty put into their job. They are all constantly pushing us to become better artists by providing generous and intuitive feedback. Also some even supplement their class’s overstretched budget by contributing supplies from their own pocket.”

Through his exhibition, Meara wants to express his ideas while also allowing viewers to come up with their own meanings behind works.

“As soon as I’m done with a piece and I display it, the personal meaning I associate with it is gone,” Meara said. “I can’t stand there and tell every passerby what the piece is about, he or she creates their own narrative based on their beliefs and experiences.”

‘Organ’ opens on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Gilson Memorial Gallery. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

VH1 Save the Music benefit tour to make two stops in Emporia B Y E RIC S ONNAKOLB

California native Andy Frasco and his band by the same name are bringing their VH1-sponsored Save The Music tour to Emporia. In the middle of the first trimester of the tour, Frasco took some time to talk about his band and their tour.

“I wanted to raise $20,000 dollars to help get music education back into the public school system,” Frasco said. “So I decided to book a 96 show tour in120 days and get some sponsors and raise some money and we’re doing it.”

This is only the piano-based rock band’s second national tour and a portion of the proceeds will go to the VH1 Save The Music foundation. According to their Web site, The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring music education in public schools. More information is available on the organization’s Web site: http://www. vh1.com/partners/save_the_music.

Andy Frasco is scheduled to play five of the 96 shows in Kansas, two of which are here in Emporia.

“We love what we do and its for a great cause so we’re having a great time,” Frasco said. “We’ve been getting a great response.

We’ve sold out three of our shows now,” Frasco said.

With a sound akin to Jason Mraz channeling Billy Joel, Frasco’s music has a lot of energy but maintains a positive message behind the songs.

“We like to encourage people to do things because they love to do it, not because someone tells you what you should do,” Frasco said.

“You have to do things for you to be happy. That’s why we’re doing what we do, because we believe in this music and this project.”

Out of their growing number of fans, Andy Frasco and company appreciate their biggest supporters, their families.

“Our families are so good to us, they really believe in us,” Frasco said. “I feel like in this industry, a lot of people are more worried about their self image and not about the music itself and the people who are

PRINT BY JAY MEARA Emporia State student Jay Meara will exhibit a number of prints and paintings including this print entitled “Onement.”

Local Event Calendar SUNDAY August 24 Slany Grogan @ Emporia Arts Council 2 p.m.

TUESDAY August 26 Andy Frasco @ Josie’s 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY August 27 Andy Frasco @ Emporia State 7 p.m.

THURSDAY August 28 UAC’s Bingo Night @ Hornet’s Nest 7 p.m.

FRIDAY August 29 The DeWayn Brothers + Snake Bite @ Beer:30 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Sept. 3 Activities Fair @ Union Square & Mall 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

THURSDAY Sept. 4 Abandon Kansas + Jonas Sees in Color + PMToday @ Wooster Lake 8 p.m.

FRIDAY Sept. 5 UAC’s Movie on the Lawn: “Dirty Dancing” @ Morse Hall Lawn 8 p.m.

SATURDAY Sept. 6 ESU Family Day @ Emporia State Chalkfest @ Emporia Mainstreet (Commercial St.) Anchondo + Radio City @ Beer:30 8 p.m.

COURTESY OF ANDY FRASCO Andy Frasco will be performing two shows in Emporia as part of his VH1 sponsored benefit tour. He will be at Josie’s on Tuesday and at Emporia State on Wednesday.

supporting them. It makes it everything incredibly better, it makes the music more soulful, its like when you first find love.”

Frasco has been involved in the music industry since he was in high school.

“I used to manage and market bands before,” Frasco said. “When I was like 16 or 17, I used to work for a band called Hellogoodbye with DriveThru Records.”

In 2004, Frasco quit managing acts in order to focus on his own musical career. He soon left the West San Fernando Valley to embark on his first tour.

“We’ve been getting such a great reaction, its just unbelievable,” Frasco said. “Everybody really likes what we’re doing, so we’re just going with it.”

Frasco met bass player Matt Romero through managing bands,

and found drummer Greg Garman through Craigslist. The three have been having a blast on the road together and are trying to make every show different from the last.

“Most of our set is all improv,” Frasco said. “We really don’t have a set list so its always different. We make every show different so people want to keep going to the shows and make each one a unique experience.”

The band has scheduled over two hundred shows in 2008 and are loving life on the road.

“We just love being on the road,” Frasco said. “There’s nothing like it. Seeing new people every day and playing music. It’s the best job in the world.”

Frasco recently released his fourth record ‘Growth and Progress.’ The record was recorded entirely in a small apartment in New

York City.

“I moved to New York by myself and I was sure I wasn’t going to leave until I recorded a record,” Frasco said. “It took six or seven months but I finished it.”

Fans can check out a number of tracks by Andy Frasco on his MySpace page http://www.myspace. com/andyfrasco.

Despite a strenuous tour schedule, the group has already made plans to record a follow up to ‘Growth and Progress.’

“We have to do 220 shows this year, so we are going to keep playing,” Frasco said. “But in five months we’re going to move up to northern California and write a record.”

Andy Frasco is scheduled to play at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Josie’s, 19 East 6th street, and at 7 p.m. on the Emporia State campus on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY Sept. 10 UAC’s ‘College Worst Case Senerio @ MU Webb Lecture Hall 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Sept. 17 UAC’s Night at The Movies @ Flinthills 8 Cinema Anthemous @ Desperados 9 p.m.

FRIDAY Sept. 19 Ha Ha Tonka + Backyard Tire Fire @ Beer:30 9 p.m.

SATURDAY Sept. 20 The Dead Idols @ The Wagon Wheel 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Sept. 24 Recycled Percussion @ Albert Taylor Hall 8 p.m.

Mark Millar @ The Inner Bean WEDNESDAY Oct. 1 Comedian Alex McHale @ Memorial Union Ballroom 8 p.m. ***all dates subject to change***

Have your event included in our calendar.

Email your event details to bulletin@emporia.edu

6

WIRE NEWS

AUGUST 21, 2008

College presidents seek debate on drinking age College presidents from about 100 of the nation's bestknown universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus.

The movement called the Amethyst Initiative began quietly recruiting presidents more than a year ago to provoke national debate about the drinking age.

"This is a law that is routinely evaded," said John McCardell, former president of Middlebury College in Vermont who started the organization. "It is a law that the people at whom it is directed believe is unjust and unfair and discriminatory."

Other prominent schools in the group include Syracuse, Tufts, Colgate, Kenyon and Morehouse.

But even before the presidents begin the public phase of their efforts, which may include publishing newspaper ads in the coming weeks, they are already facing sharp criticism.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving says lowering the drinking age would lead to more fatal car crashes. It accuses the presidents of misrepresenting science and looking for an easy way out of an inconvenient problem. MADD officials are even urging parents to think carefully about the safety of colleges whose presidents have signed on.

"It's very clear the 21-year-old drinking age will not be enforced at those campuses," said Laura Dean-Mooney, national president of MADD. Both sides agree alcohol abuse by college students is a huge problem.

Research has found more than 40 percent of college students reported at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependance. One study has estimated more than 500,000 full-time students at four-year colleges suffer injuries each year related in some way to drinking, and about 1,700 die in such accidents.

A recent Associated Press analysis of federal records found that 157 college-age people, 18 to 23, drank themselves to death from 1999 through 2005.

Moana Jagasia, a Duke University sophomore from Singapore, where the drinking

JUSTIN POPE A SSOCIATED P RESS

age is lower, said reducing the age in the U.S. could be helpful.

"There isn't that much difference in maturity between 21 and 18," she said. "If the age is younger, you're getting exposed to it at a younger age, and you don't freak out when you get to campus."

McCardell's group takes its name from ancient Greece, where the purple gemstone amethyst was widely believed to ward off drunkenness if used in drinking vessels and jewelry. He said college students will drink no matter what, but do so more dangerously when it's illegal.

The statement the presidents have signed avoids calling explicitly for a younger drinking age. Rather, it seeks "an informed and dispassionate debate" over the issue and the federal highway law that made 21 the de facto national drinking age by denying money to any state that bucks the trend.

But the statement makes clear the signers think the current law isn't working, citing a "culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking," and noting that while adults under 21 can vote and enlist in the military, they "are told they are not mature enough to have a beer." Furthermore, "by choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law."

"I'm not sure where the dialogue will lead, but it's an important topic to American families and it deserves a straightforward dialogue," said William Troutt, president of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., who has signed the statement.

But some other college administrators sharply disagree that lowering the drinking age would help. University of Miami President Donna Shalala, who served as secretary of health and human services under President Clinton, declined to sign.

"I remember college campuses when we had 18-yearold drinking ages, and I honestly believe we've made some progress," Shalala said in a telephone interview. "To just shift it back down to the high schools makes no sense at all."

McCardell claims that his experiences as a president

and a parent, as well as a historian studying Prohibition, have persuaded him the drinking age isn't working.

But critics say McCardell has badly misrepresented the research by suggesting that the decision to raise the drinking age from 18 to 21 may not have saved lives.

In fact, MADD CEO Chuck Hurley said, nearly all peer-reviewed studies looking at the change showed raising the drinking age reduced drunk-driving deaths. A survey of research from the U.S. and other countries by the Centers for Disease Control and others reached the same conclusion.

McCardell cites the work of Alexander Wagenaar, a University of Florida epidemiologist and expert on how changes in the drinking age affect safety. But Wagenaar himself sides with MADD in the debate.

The college presidents "see a problem of drinking on college campuses, and they don't want to deal with it," Wagenaar said in a telephone interview. "It's really unfortunate, but the science is very clear."

Another scholar who has extensively researched college binge-drinking also criticized the presidents' initiative.

"I understand why colleges are doing it, because it splits their students, and they like to treat them all alike rather than having to card some of them. It's a nuisance to them," said Henry Wechsler of the Harvard School of Public Health.

But, "I wish these college presidents sat around and tried to work out ways to deal with the problem on their campus rather than try to eliminate the problem by defining it out of existence," he said.

Duke faced accusations of ignoring the heavy drinking that formed the backdrop of 2006 rape allegations against three lacrosse players. The rape allegations proved to be a hoax, but the alcohol-fueled party was never disputed.

Duke senior Wey Ruepten said university officials should accept the reality that students are going to drink and give them the responsibility that comes with alcohol.

"If you treat students like children, they're going to act like children," he said.

Fort Hays debate coach defends profanity KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A bate coach for Fort Hays State University traded profanity-laced barbs with another coach from the University of Pittsburgh during a tournament and at one point during the argument pulled down his shorts, exposing his underwear.

An eight-minute segment of the teachers' tirades, during which they hurled the F-word several times and one student near the camera can be heard crying, is posted on YouTube and has garnered more than 100,000 hits.

"In 18 years of taking part in debates, I have never seen an incident like this one," said Gordon Stables, first vice president of the Cross Examination Debate Association, which sponsored the tournament in March where the argument took place.

The exchange took place in March at the CEDA quarterfinals in Wichita, Kan., Stables said.

Stables, who is also director of the University of Southern California's debate squad, said CEDA was investigating the incident.

In the video, which was posted on YouTube on Aug. 2, Fort Hays debate coach William Shanahan is shown arguing with Shanara Reid-Brinkley,debate coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

The video begins with Shanahan, who has a long beard and is barefoot in the video, and Reid-Brinkley screaming criticisms about one another's body language during students' debates.

The argument, which appears to be at least in part

about race, and thefact that Fort Hays students excluded Reid-Brinkley as a judge because she gave them low scores, is punctuated with frequent cussing and name-calling.

"You're an (expletive). ... Get the (expletive) out of my face,"Reid-Brinkley, who is black, screams to Shanahan, who is white. "You (expletive) walk around and act like you do (expletive)."

Shanahan responds with more profanity.

"I am an (expletive)," he screams as he jumps up and yanks his khaki shorts down to his knees. "I embrace my being an (expletive)."

Phone messages left for Reid-Brinkley and Shanahan were not returned Thursday.

Larry Gould, provost of Fort Hays State, a four-year university of about 9,000 students in western Kansas, said the university was investigating.

But he had not yet talked to Shanahan, who was returning from the East Coast. Shanahan has taught at Fort Hays State since 1999 and led its debate team to a national championship in 1999.

Shanahan told university officials after the March tournament that he had been involved in an "intense incident" but he did not portray it as explicitly as the video, Gould said.

"Bill is a non-conformist," Gould said. "He's very much a provocateur when it comes to learning experiences. ... He's done a really prettygood job in the classroom.

"But the university does not condone the language or the behavior inthat video."

The University of Pittsburgh was also reviewing the matter.

"We're aware of the situation, and we're looking into it." said John Fedele, spokesman for the University of Pittsburgh. He said he could not comment further.

The shouting on the video, which continues for minutes, subsides while another adult tries to calm the situation.

"Sometimes people care so much that it bubbles over. I'm not ashamed of my behavior," Shanahan says on the video.

"I don't think I'm acting immaturely.

"We don't come here to just talk," Shanahan says on the video. "We come here because it's about competition. ...

People wouldn't come to just see four of us talking about race. People come because it's about competition."

When Reid-Brinkley complains about Shanahan excluding her as a judge, he tells her she made his team uncomfortable.

"How did I make them uncomfortable? ... Your team gave bad speeches,"she screams.

Matt Vega, director of debate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, was in the next room when the argument took place. He said it was unfortunate the argument got more attention than the contributions Shanahan and Reid-Brinkley have made to their

field.

"Both have worked tirelessly for years to increase participation by previously underrepresented groups in our activity," Vega said in an e-mail. "I think that these two agree far more than they disagree about issues concerning the community, and this seems to be just a small disagreement about differing strategies to reach thesame end.

"Unfortunately, the way that the argument progressed both said and/or did things that offend the taste of some people."

Gould said Fort Hays State was considering several options, including firing Shanahan, who holds a non-tenured position.

"Bill is very much a social critic, very much a person who believes in righting every injustice he finds," Gould said. "But in terms of the Bill Shanahan brand, he often forgets he's part of the Fort Hays State brand as well."

Giant mushroom amazes Lawrence residents LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) An unusually large and rare mushroom has appearedfor a second straight year in North Lawrence.

At the base of a white oak tree that stands 65 feet or so rests a 2-and-a-half-foot wide polypore mushroom. It weighs more than 15 pounds. The mushroom is uncommon in the area and has been a wonder to those who have seen it.

"I didn't know mushrooms grew that large," said Jennifer Haight, a recent visitor to the mushroom in a residential area.

Hank Guarisco, Lawrence resident and adjunct curator of arachnids at Fort Hays State University, has given personal tours of the mushroom since it was brought to his attention last summer by the property owner.

On July 1, he led friend Haight and her daughter, April Haight, 4, to see the "wild-looking thing," he said.

"It was like a special field trip to see an oddity in Lawrence,"Jennifer Haight said.

In late June and early July, the mushroom was cream-colored, its several lobes overlapping, blossoming like a large flower. Now, it's a pile of brown moldy fungus that's attracting

more flies than people. And it smells like rotting vegetation.

"It is really big and beautiful when it's fresh," said Sherry Kay, secretary and founder of the Kaw Valley Mycological Society, who identified the mushroom last year.

The mushroom was first noticed last summer by the property owner, Dan Bentley.

He purchased the house east of his last year and noticed the growing mushroom on the south side of the white oak tree when he was mowing.

"I saw it come out originally," he said. "It was real small, and then it kept getting bigger and bigger. ... I didn't think it would get that big."

When it got to be about 15 pounds and measured two feet across, he called on his friend Guarisco to check it out.

Guarisco alerted Kay. Kay identified the mushroom as Bondarzewia berkeleyi. It has been identified in New Zealand, Sri Lanka, New Guinea, Europe and China, according to Guarisco's research. The mushroom is generally found in the eastern half of the United States. The berkeleyi mushroom is often found at the base of oak trees and — because they are parasites —eventually will

cause the tree to rot and hollow out.

The mushroom reappeared on the north side of the tree this summer and grew even larger than last year. It will likely continue to reappear.

"This was pretty amazing," Kay said. "It hadn't been seen in Kansas for 50 to 75 years."

She said she was surprised to see it growing on an oak tree in Lawrence, because the mushroom is typically found in thicker woods.

Guarisco and Kay co-authored a brief journal article on the reappearance of the mushroom for the Kansas Academy of Science.

In its early stages, the mushroom is edible, but Bentley wouldn't recommend that now.

"It kind of left a nasty taste in your mouth," he said. "You'd have to be desperate to use it for food."

7

SPORTS

AUGUST 21, 2008

KU athletic director tops list of sate employees WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Lew Perkins, the University of Kansas' athletic director, topped the list of state employee paychecks last year, according to a newspaper report.

The Wichita Eagle, reviewing a database of state employee compensation, said Perkins made $646,281 last year. Most of that pay came from Kansas Athletics Inc., the university's private booster organization, with state dollars contributing less than a third.

Almost 1,600 state workers made more than $100,000 last year in salary, overtime and other pay, the newspaper reported. Most of those employees worked in academia, including professors and medical specialists.

Overall, however, three-quarters of the state's 39,350 employees made less than $50,000 last year.

Many of the top earners on the list, like Perkins, received some or all of their pay through sources other than state dollars.

In fact, Kansas basketball coach Bill

Self and football coach Mark Mangino, who earned $3 million and $2 million respectively, didn't appear on the list because of their pay came from Kansas Athletics Inc. The University of Kansas showed itself particularly adept at mixing public and private dollars to attract top talent as 126 of the 200 top-paid employees at the university's Lawrence campus received no state dollars, said director of university communications Lynn Bretz. For example, William Fuerst, dean of the university's business school, received $291,810 last year, all of it from grants and endowments.

The University of Kansas Medical Center also had several of top-paid workers last year although many counted on state dollars for less than half of their paychecks, said Amy Jordan Wooden, senior director for public affairs.

Barbara Frajola Atkinson, executive vice chancellor and dean of the medical center, earned $517,420, all of it

from the state.

Besides running the medical center, Atkinson is a renowned pathologist and has been instrumental in recruiting talent and boosting the medical center's reputation as it seeks designation as a National Cancer Institute, Jordan Wooden said.

The medical center has also attracted more research funding from the National Institute of Health during a period when overall funding growth has been flat.

"We're taking money from other schools and that comes from leadership that is able to recruit the best and the brightest from around the world," Jordan Wooden said.

Bretz similarly defended Perkins' high salary, saying that Perkins has been cited as a top athletic director, helping connect alumni and fans to the school. That can ultimately help fundraising.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the state's top elected official, came in at 1,296th on the list at $106,948.

PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS Jr. forward/ midfielder Courtney Cowan defends against a fellow teammate Wednesday afternoon at the ESU practice fields. Cowan and the rest of the ESU soccer team will be playing their first game of the season on Aug. 29th against the Angelo State Rambelles.

PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS Runners for the ESU Cross Country team train Wednesday afternoon on the Emporia State campus.

The CC team’s first meet will be the Maple Leaf Invitational held in Baldwin City, Kansas at 10:00am on Saturday September 6th.

KU coaches, athletes welcome new facility

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas football program is no longer trying to support a champagne taste on a beer budget.

Coaches won't feel like hiding their eyes any more when visiting prospects see the locker room. Players won't have to stand in line to get treatment for injuries. And they'll no longer suffer the peonage of having to ride a bus to their own home games.

It's a new era in Lawrence. The Anderson Family Football Complex, gleaming a state-of-the-art facility, now sits on the southwest side of Memorial Stadium like a bright and shining monument to last year's amazing 12-1 season.

When the doors swung open just in time for fall practice, the Jayhawks leapt forward about 60 years, from the squiggly lined black-and-white 1950s to the hightech, high-impact HDTV of today.

"This place is awesome. I'm telling you it's awesome," said junior safety Justin Thornton, sitting in the spacious auditorium. "The first time I came in here I felt like I was being recruited all over again."

Recruiting is the name of the game in college athletics, and ultimately that will be the main benefit of the $31 million complex that now houses the training tables, locker room, weight room, training room, video room and spacious coaches offices.

"The No. 1 thing, it's going to be a good recruiting tool," coach Mark Mangino told a larger-than-normal contingent of reporters and photographers at Kansas' annual media day. "That's the No. 1 thing. We were able to do some good things at the old place. But for long term, it helps re-

cruiting."

Calling the drab and outdated facilities the Jayhawks used to work out of "the old place" is being kind. No only was everything outmoded, everything was also inconvenient. There wasn't enough of anything, and nothing was close to the stadium.

Now, not only do players have a stateof-the-art building and equipment, they have it all in one place, and they have plenty of it.

"It's 1,000 times better than the old facilities," said wide receiver Dexton Fields.

"I think it shows how much our program has evolved from where it used to be."

Like a freshly painted automobile that's just been driven off the showroom floor, the Anderson Family Complex even smells new.

"I love it. It's top of the line," said linebacker Joe Mortensen. "We have flatscreen TV's everywhere. Our locker room is huge. Our players lounge is great. I'm so glad my senior year I get to have facilities like this."

Even if the Jayhawks had not gone 12-1 last season and beaten Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, the new complex would have been built. Construction began more than a year ago. But having it open just as players return following the greatest season in school history makes it all feel like a grand reward for a job well done.

"It's pretty unreal," said quarterback/ wide receiver/punter Kerry Meier. "We almost have too many things. And that can< The head coach's office is larger than a lot of apartments people live in, and includes an enormous private shower.

"You need to have a place in college football that you have access to everything you need when you need it," said Mangino. "When you need to be in the weight room, you're there. When you need to use the auditorium for meetings, it's there.

When you're having two-a-day practices and you have a lot of kids who need taped or treatment, the tables are ready.

They're not sharing them with others who are waiting."

It may not sound like a big deal, but having to pile onto a bus, all dressed out in uniform, and ride across campus for a home game had coaches and players muttering under their breath for decades.

Now they'll get dressed and march right onto the field just as their counterparts — and recruiting rivals — at places like Oklahoma.

"The thing the kids will really enjoy more than anything else is coming over here and actually relaxing in their complex and being able to concentrate on game day," Mangino said.

"They don't have to worry about having meetings in one facility and then getting on a bus. A lot of times coming (to the stadium) on the bus on game day, there are people stopping traffic to try to sell tickets. Our buses are sitting in the traffic waiting while somebody is trying to scalp some tickets."

Like somebody once said, there's nothing like a new pair of shoes to put a bounce in a fella's step.

"I always felt like KU was a big-time program," said wide receiver Marcus Herford. "It was just a matter of turning the program around and getting the facility to show it."

Self signs $30 million contract with KU KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bill Self, the Kansas basketball coach who guided the Jayhawks to their first NCAA championship in 20 years, signed a 10-year, $30 million contract Wednesday.

The deal had been in the works since April, when Self's Jayhawks came from nine points down in the final minutes to beat Memphis in a thrilling title game and he subsequently turned down an offer to return to Oklahoma State, his alma mater.

Kansas and Self said in April he had agreed to the deal while the details were worked on. Kansas also agreed to big raises for his staff as well as improvements on the school's basketball facilities.

"This will take me to 55 if both parties want to continue, which hopefully will happen," said Self, 45, in an interview while he was playing golf at Pine Valley in New Jersey. "I like to think I'll still want to keep coaching when I get to 55. But if we continue to do our job, this will get us close."

This summer, Kansas opened a new $31 million football complex. Improvements to Allen Fieldhouse and other facilities, including basketball training rooms and locker rooms, are expected to be in the same neighborhood.

"It turned out pretty well. I'm very happy," Self said. "But I'm looking at it as 10 one-year con tracts."Self's prior contract paid him an annual total of $1.61 million and had three years remaining. The new deal is retroactive to April 1.

Coaches' contracts are difficult to compare because they all contain various clauses, incentives and private money donated by boosters. Florida's Billy Donovan is thought to be the highest-salaried basketball coach at about $3.5 million.

Under Self's new contract, his salary will remain at $229,900. But the package will include an annual payment of $2,270,100 in private money for "professional services" and other incentives.

Athletic director Lew Perkins said the contract was easy to work out.

"I wouldn't even use the word 'negotiate,'" Perkins told The Associated Press.

"The entire process was positive from day one. We didn't squabble over anything."

Self said he and Perkins saw eye-to-eye from the outset.

"When we first sat down to talk, Lew asked me, 'How many years do you want?' I said 10 and he said, 'Perfect, that's what I had in mind. We're going to take care of you,'" Self said. "There was no negotiating on my part, either.

I can't think of any place I'd rather work or live."Perkins hesitated to call it a lifetime deal. "Bill's only 45. In 10 years, he'll still be a young man of 55," Perkins said. "But we feel very good about where we are, and where we're going."

The professional services, the school said in a release, could include "educational, public relations and promotional duties as assigned by the director of athletics. Such duties could include the production of any radio or television shows, Internet features or Self's occasional endorsement of products affiliated with and approved by Kansas Athletics or its marketing partner(s)."

There had been speculation that oilman and Oklahoma State fan T. Boone Pickens would make Self a megabuck offer to return to the Cowboys. But Kansas made it clear in April it meant to keep its coach for the rest of his career.

"From the moment he stepped on campus, Bill Self has represented this university with class and with dignity," chancellor Robert Hemenway said when announcing that Self had turned down the Oklahoma State offer and accepted the tentative 10-year deal with Kansas.

In five years since replacing Roy Williams at Kansas, Self has a 142-32 record, including going 64-16 in Big 12 games.

He has won or shared the last four Big 12 regular-season titles and the last three conference tournament championships. The Jayhawks' 2008 NCAA championship came in the same academic year as the football team's 12-1 record and Orange Bowl victory, giving Kansas its greatest run in athletics.

Football coach Mark Mangino recently signed a $2.3 million contract extension that makes him among the three highest-paid football coaches in the Big 12.

Self's package has a retention clause paying him $500,000 for each year during the contract that he serves as Kansas' coach.

The contract also includes several incentives that could total an additional $425,000 per year. Self's incoming freshman class has been rated among the top three or four in the nation.

"I'm looking at it that we have some momentum off last year and we need to build on it," he said. "We want to put ourselves in the championship game again as soon as we can. But getting the security is definitely a nice thing. Our coaches and I are very happy about the commitment the university has made to us. We want to make a similar commitment back."

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APRIL 23, 2007

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