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The students’ voice since 1901 • Vol. 111 No. 1 • Thursday, August 16, 2012 • Check us out online
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Schmidt puts own ambitions on hold
C harlie H eptas news@esubulletin.com
For Brooke Schmidt, senior Spanish major and new president of Associated Student Government, getting involved on campus changed her whole perspective of ESU. “When I got here as a freshman, I wasn’t involved at all, and so I was kind of like ‘Eh, I don’t like it here,’” Schmidt said, “ but the second I got involved in an organization, it took off from there.” Schmidt, an active student leader on campus, has held many positions, including being the president of her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, and president of Alternative Spring Break. “I have always loved being involved with campus life,” she said. “I’m in Greek life, I was a community hornet and I’ve been in Sigma Alpha Lambda, and those really just inspired me to grow my passion for student life and student involvement.” She said that while participating in Day under the Dome last year she realized there was more she could be doing on campus. Schmidt also said her most important goal for her time as ASG president is to be an advocate for the students.
“I think it’s just really trying to feel for the pulse of what students want here on campus,” Schmidt said. “I’m not going to go out there and try to do my own goals and my own ambitions. I’m here to serve the students.” Stuart Sneath, vice president of ASG and senior sociology major, who has previously been an ASG senator, said that he has been helping Schmidt with the day-to-day procedures of ASG, but she was already well-prepared in the area of leadership. “The biggest thing is the procedure of ASG that people don’t understand, but we’ve worked on that a lot over the summer,” Sneath said. Sneath and Schmidt both said that one of ASG’s top priorities is to get their name out to the students and get them more involved in student government. “I think something that’s wrong is that we’re (students) not taking advantage of everything that’s offered. ASG is there to be your voice, and senators are there to represent you,” Schmidt said. “There’re a lot of awesome services on campus, and if you just try to go out there and find them you can make the best of your student life here.” Sam Beye, graduate student in
school counseling and returning senator, said that she liked the fresh take Schmidt has on student involvement and her style of leadership. “She seems to be in it not just for the politics, like some are. She seems to be more in it for the students,” Beye said. “She’s more student oriented, I think.” Beye said that her experience in ASG and in other positions of leadership throughout ESU help her to be a role model for other students. Sneath said the senators are excited to be advocates for students and that the administration was one of the best advocates students have. “Dr. (Jim) Williams has really encouraged us….Dr. Shonrock has been huge. He is the best advocate for students, next to Brooke and I, I would say, so that’s really what I’m excited for, the relationship students can have with the administration,” Sneath said. Sneath said as a part of the plan to get the university RSO’s to work together ASG will be introducing Hornet Squad, which will be a monthly meeting of RSO presidents to improve communication between campus groups.
Schmidt
Photo by: Yohan Kim
Q&A withShonrock: Priorities don’t include pomp S usan W elte welte@esubulletin.com President Michael Shonrock sat down with The Bulletin last week to talk about his decision to cancel his formal inauguration and his plans for the semester. When did you cancel the inauguration? When I (was) announced as president, all of the Board of Regents came to Emporia to introduce us (he and his wife, Karen). We felt quite introduced. Within the first week, I had to address the campus community in a general assembly. I hit the ground running and spring was, again, a very busy time. We didn’t cancel the inauguration – we just never scheduled it. President Shonrock discusses the reasons that lead to his decision to cancel his welcoming inauguration in an interview last week. After Shonrock became the new president for ESU in January, he mentioned that he and his wife, Karen, have felt so welcome since the beginning and that he wanted to put his energy into welcoming back new and returning students. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin
What was the main reason this decision was made? Was it money? It’s not just the cost of the things. There’s also cost of time….We have to prioritize not only resources, but one of the most precious resources, time.
My wife and I feel very welcome (here) Well, inaugurations are wonderIf you want to congratulate me, just ful, but once they’re over, they’re over. give me a high five. There are so many other things we What is the purpose of an inau- wanted to do (instead of an inauguration). With all the things that are hapguration on the collegiate level? pening, part of your job as CEO is to It’s a ceremony, introducing a new prioritize, and that’s what we did. leader to the campus community. It’s Are there any other big plans for certainly a tradition. Not every college has an inauguration. It’s articulating a changes this year? message…I like to just interact and try The biggest thing is that we’re to do things on a very personal level, and I’ve been involved over the years. going to start looking at our strategic plan and start looking at our 150th Are there other ways that you are year. I like to think of this year as the inauguration of the campus. You’re trying to save money on campus? going to hear shortly about our founIf you walk around campus, I’m dation trustees meeting next Thursday. sure you can see the changes. We We are soon going to announce the want to be sure we have the best curb largest, most comprehensive campaign appeal. We’re doing more landscaping in the history of ESU. on campus….We’re painting everyWhat else would you like to add? thing (and) we are trying to allocate our time and energy the best (way we An inauguration is a celebration. can). I’d like to consider the fall semester an Was there a reason the inaugura- inauguration (for) everyone. tion was not done when you first came to campus?
Raid closes alleged drug shop K enzie T empleton editor@esubulletin.com
A local business was raided last Monday by Lyon County authorities and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for alleged involvement in a synthetic drug ring. The KBI coordinated with local authorities to conduct a seven-month long investigation into the suspected sale of synthetic cannabinoids XR-11 and Ur-144, also known as potpourri, at Blitzed Detox Shop, located at 5 E. 7th Ave, and other business in Kansas. Richard Old, Lyon County undersheriff, said that the sheriff’s department provided manpower for the raid, but the operation was conducted by the KBI. “We started the investigation, found that it was larger than we had resources to handle and wanted to go wherever it lead us, so we got involved with the KBI, and they adopted the case,” Old said. Kyle Smith, deputy director of the KBI, said this is not the first
time a drug ring has been discovered in Emporia. “It’s not like Emporia is any worse or any better – there are always drug rings,” Smith said. “It’s a lucrative business and there are people who are willing to exploit other human beings weaknesses for money. That’s just the nature of the world.” So far several pounds of synthetic cannabinoids, five cars, a boat, a motorcycle, tools, equipment and more than $100,000 in cash have been seized as evidence, according to a KBI press release. Smith said he wasn’t aware of the drug ring’s involvement in any other states, but that the drugs were imported from China. Jonathan Pope of Emporia and Benjamin Huff of El Dorado were arrested on one count each of distribution of controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and drug tax violation, the press release said. Synthetic cannabinoids, which consist of a “variety of herbal mix-
tures that produce experiences similar to marijuana,” are sold under many names, including “spice, K2, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks,” and others, according to National Institute on Drug Abuse’s website. The kind sold at Blitzed Detox Shop is called “Diablo.” Because they do not show up in urine or blood tests, Smith said synthetic drugs are popular among people who are on probation or those who work at jobs where they are required to take drug tests. “One of the dangers is that it’s a legal drug,” Smith said. “It’s not legal because the FDA tested it and found it to be safe and appropriate. It’s legal because somebody just came up with it in a laboratory in China.” These drugs are often marketed as legal alternatives to marijuana and contain shredded plant material and synthetic, chemical additives that cause psychoactive effects, according to NIDA. The Drug Enforcement Administration has identified the five chemicals most
Synthetic drugs like these, known as “Diablo,” were seized by authorities at Blitzed Detox Shop at 5 E 7th Ave. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin
frequently found in these products as Schedule 1 controlled substances. “People are finding a way to create a compound that has that essential cannabinoid structure (found in marijuana), but it’s got enough additional atoms added or deleted that it’s not one of the (chemicals) found on the controlled substance
list,” Smith said. But according to NIDA, manufacturers of fake drugs “attempt to evade these legal restrictions by substituting different chemicals in their mixtures, while the DEA continues to monitor the situation and evaluate the need for updating the See DRUGS ...Page 3