Full issue january 21, 2016

Twin Rivers page 6 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 21, 2016

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V O LU M E 115 - N U M B E R 14

THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1901

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University welcomes Garrett Garrett discusses plans

ships, as well as outstanding academics and athletics. copy editor “The faculty, staff and students impressed me tremenPresident Allison Gardously when I first visited” rett discussed her plans for Emporia State University and said Garrett. “I was also impressed by the support her views on the vast diversity that makes up ESU with the University receives from everyone in the community.”

The Bulletin.

Garrett says that her imStarting off, Garrett mediate plans are to focus mentioned that there were many things about ESU that on getting to know students, faculty, staff and consultants attracted her to the univer(community members and sity and gave her reasons to alumni). consider Emporia and ESU “Over the next few sevas her new home. Along with eral months, I will focus on being closer to family and learning how I can support her hometown of Neosho, these groups and their Missouri, Garrett said that ESU seems to be a close-knit and supportive community see GARRETT page 5 that values strong relation-

D ustin B ittel

No vote, no problem?

were representatives on the Board of Regents. They were opinion editor able to hear the conversation we had, but there was no No official vote was taken, and no recommenda- vote that we presented to the tion was given to the Kansas Board.”

Andy Tylicki, chair of the Board of Regents from the Presidential Search Commit- Presidential Search Committee, ESU alum and president tee for Emporia State’s 17th of St. James Academy in president.

Lenexa, also confirmed this.

“We didn’t vote on “There was not a vote or them (the candidates), there a recommendation given to was no voting,” said Janet KBOR,” Tylicki said in an Weaver, senior psychology email to The Bulletin. major, president of AssociThe search committee ated Student Government did not release how many and member of the search committee. “When we pres- candidates were in the pool ent it to the Board of Regents, of finalists until the last two candidates, Allison Garrett you don’t rank them, you just give them the names (of the finalists) and there see VOTE page 3

S usan W elte

Student’s video gets over 8 million views

B randon G oodman j u n i o r h e a lt h p r o m o t i o n m a j o r

D errick D uncan s ta f f w r i t e r

An Empoira State linebacker posted a video on Dec. 28 that went viral.

The video received a combined total of 8 million Facebook views and 50,000 Twitter favorites on several accounts.

“I was very shocked about the response to my video,” said Brandon Good-

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man, junior health promotion major. “I thought it would be a video that would be shared just around town, and by just people that I know, but I never thought it would blow up like it did.”

The video shows Goodman dancing in a dress shirt, tie and slacks to the song “Bet You Can’t do it Like Me Challenge” by DLOW. The video received nation-wide attention when it was quoted by major Twitter accounts that have hundreds of thousands of followers. Accounts such as “Black People Vines” and “World Star Fans” quoted his tweet and received thousands of likes and retweets, helping expanding the video far beyond Emporia.

“Goodman is a talented guy, so I’m not that surprised he got recognized

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Source: Weather.com INFOGRAPHIC BY WENDY BRIGIDO | The Bulletin

see VIDEO page 5

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Presidential salary increases 3 percent S usan W elte opinion editor

Emporia State’s new president is making three percent more than her predecessor.

Allison Garrett, the 17th president of ESU, will earn $7,981 more than ESU’s previous president, Michael Shonrock.

While Shonrock earned $255,019 in his last year, Garrett will make $263,000, according to information released by the university.

“As an institution in Kansas and wanting to bring in candidates from all across the United States, we need to be competitive and I think that is why we have to raise the stakes to get the best people here and to stay at Emporia State,” said Janet Weaver, senior psychology major, president of Associated Student Government and a member of the Presidential Search Committee. “So I think it’s probably necessary.”

Weaver said the search committee did not have a say in the president’s salary or the accommodations they would receive. Those factors are decided by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Garrett, who was formerly the executive vice president at Abilene Christian University, began her tenure at ESU on Jan. 4, according to the university’s official website. Other previous experience in-

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President Allison Garrett meets with the university at the General Assembly on Tuesday to discuss future plans for Emporia State, including a new lightboard system. Garrett spent the first few weeks of the year getting acquainted with campus. ARIEL COOLEY | The Bulletin

cludes five years as senior vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma Christian University and teaching law as an associate professor at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama.

“I really, really like President Garrett,” Weaver said. “She is going to be

great, and I think she’s up for the challenge and I think she’s willing and able to overcome the obstacles that are placed before her. She’s going to exceed everyone’s expectations.”

see SALARY page 5

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S arah S poon James Persinger, interim chair of psychology and psychology professor at Emporia State, was struck by a large vehicle while crossing the street in the crosswalk on Dec. 11.

He sustained many injuries, however none were internal and he has no broken bones.

“Unfortunately, I’d been left with a concussion with effects I’m told will be up to a year to recover completely from,” Persinger said. “I have whiplash, of course, and taking the initial full force of the impact on my left hip did a pretty good number on me. It’s been a month, and my left thigh is still badly swollen.”

Persinger also reported that his knees and elbows were bruised black for a week and are still bruised. He also suffered from road rash that will likely cause scarring on his hands and elbows.

Persinger was the 2015 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor and had planned to give the commencement speech for the ESU undergraduate graduation in December.

“I think somehow I had enough reflex to protect my head with my hands as I came down,” Persinger said. “My right hand is so swollen still, that four weeks later I can’t close it, and both (hands) were so scraped up they still aren’t healed.”

Officer Billie Schultz was a first responder to the accident.

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Professor struck by car, sustained minor injuries managing editor

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K99 Hwy/W. 12th Ave

E. 12th Ave.

INFOGRAPHIC BY WENDY BRIGIDO | The Bulletin source: police report

“I responded to a reported injury accident between a pedestrian and motor vehicle,” Schultz said in the police report.

“Upon my arrival, I could see a white male, later identified as James D. Persinger, lying face down...I could see Persinger was bleeding from his head.

At this time a Lyon County Deputy had already made contact with Persinger and had an ambulance en route.”

Schultz then spoke to the driver of the vehicle who said he turned left on a green light, and did not see Persinger until he had struck him. The driver speculated that he had been driving about 15 mph and had struck Persinger as he was walking in the crosswalk.

The driver showed no signs of impairment and no impairment test was given, according to the police report.

“The driver of the vehicle was cited for Failure to Yield at a Pedestrian at a Crosswalk,” said Lisa Sage, administrative sergeant at the Emporia Police

Department. “The citation was issued through Emporia Municipal Court.”

The failure to yield to a pedestrian is a fine of $105, according to kslegislature.org.

The effects of Persinger’s concussion are extensive and effect his memory.

“My first clear recollection was being in the ambulance and a paramedic was shining a light in my eyes and saying ‘left pupil non-reactive,’” said Persinger. “I remember thinking ‘oh crap, they’re talking about me.’ and then remember saying to the paramedic, ‘I don’t have time for this, I’m supposed to give the commencement address tomorrow.’”

Persinger was the newest Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor and had planned to give the commencement speech for the ESU undergraduate graduation in December.

“I’m often interrupted too

see PROFESSOR page 7

NEWS

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Faculty discusses gun survey,budgets A riel C ooley

OBITUARIES

Raymond Eugene Vietti

editor in chief

Faculty members met on Tuesday in the Preston Family Room for the biannual faculty meeting.

Cynthia Kane, professor of University Libraries and Archives and Faculty Senate president, Allison Garrett, president, and David Cordle, provost and vice president of academic affairs, all gave updates about recent events.

“We should note that the temporary extension for state university buildings on the Kansas Statute that address concealed carry of weapons will indeed expire as of July 1, 2017,” Kane said. “I know that’s on everybody’s minds these days.”

Kane said that the Kansas Board of Regents was working on procedures to deal with the expiration of the exception.

70 percent of faculty and 55 percent of students from all regents school that responded to the gun survey said they would prefer to amend the law so that guns are not allowed on campus, according to the Kansas Board of Regents survey.

Garrett began her 15 minutes at the microphone by thanking the faculty for welcoming her and her family to Emporia and for their hard work recruiting and retaining students.

“Over the last year, the number of students of concern who were reported has tripled and retention rates have gone up quite a bit over the last several years and that doesn’t happen without an engaged faculty who are well

The Bulletin | January 21, 2016

ter pilot. He received several decorations and was eventually honorably discharged from the military. He then went on to have a career in the automotive and insurance industries.

Vietti considered EMC Insurance Company, where he was employed for 18 years, extended family. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and David Cordle, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, answers COURTESY PHOTO faculty questions during the last few minutes of the faculty meeting on friends and supporting the Raymond Eugene Vietti, Tuesday in the Preston Family Room. The faculty have a meeting at the Butler Community College husband of former interim beginning of every semester. ARIEL COOLEY | The Bulletin Grizzlies. president, Jackie Vietti, died He is survived by his wife on Dec. 24, 2015 after being ill aware of what’s going on sponse on two required of 45 years, Jackie Basham for two weeks. with the students in their monitoring reports that Vietti; five children, Dana Vietti was born on Oct. classrooms,” Garrett said. were sent to the Higher Vietti, Angela Vietti O’Kane 24, 1947, at his parents’ home In the following two Learning Commission last (Steve), Mike Vietti (Emily), weeks Garrett plans to month sometime in March. in Pittsburg, Kansas to Mike James Vietti and Chris Vietti Vietti and Minnie Vietti Katour buildings on campus, “I will tell you I have (Rosario); and four grandchilzmierski meet with deans and learn every reason to believe dren, Sophie, Arthur, Audrey Vietti graduated from about shared governance. that those reports will and Penelope. He is also Pittsburg State University in “Part of budget is adbe received quite well,” survived by his two brothers, 1969 with a degree in Autodressing pay issues,” Gar- Cordle said.

Tony Vietti (Joyce) and Tom motive Technology. After rett said. “I’m well aware The American Library Kazmierski, and stepbrothers, graduation, he was commisthat that’s something that Association renewed Jim (Twalla) and Len Kasioned as a 2nd Lieutenant is a concern here at Emthe accreditation for the zmierski. in the United States Army. poria State. I know that School of Library and A visitation was held on Vietti served in Vietnam with raises were given out, but Information Management Dec. 29 and a mass was held the seventh Squadron, 17th I understand that there are for seven more years. on Dec. 30 at St. John Catholic Cavalry Regiment in the First still some needs and some The ALA visited Emporia Church in El Dorado, Kansas.

Aviation Brigade as a helicopground to be made up, so in September. The next that’s something I will be scheduled review will be working on over the next in 2022. several years.”

“You know it was an Cordle took the stage interesting fall semester, by announcing winter but I think this puts a real After retirement, Glenbreak of next year will be positive cap on the work nen served as the interim a week and a half shorter done in SLIM last semesPresident at the Colorado than it has been the past ter,” Cordle said.

State University-Pueblo three years, to the disapAcademic Affairs is in (then University of Southern pointment of many facthe process of allocating Colorado) from 2001-2002. He ulty members. He also 698 thousand dollars to also served as Assistant to the introduced a new full time buy equipment to “supBishop for the Archdiocese of faculty member, Bethany port instruction,” accordYakama from 2006-2009.

O’Dell, professor of Uniing to Cordle. He said he While at ESU, Glennen versity Libraries and cannot promise that it will was faced with difficult times.

Archives. be enough to do everyGlennen followed Daring to The university is exthing he hopes, but it will Excel as his administrations pected to receive a rebe a good start. theme when faced with a $1.1 million budget cut, declining enrollment and the threat of COURTESY PHOTO the institution closing. By the Robert E. Glennen, Jr., for- end of Glennen’s presidency, mer Emporia State president, the university was financially died on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in sound and had a reputation of

Melvin Hale, assisJason Brooks, co-chair of Las Vegas, Nevada, as a result a leader in teacher education tant professor in the School the alliance and who was reform and student retention. of Library Information and recently appointed to a new of complications after a fall.

Glennen was also involved in Management, and Angelica position as assistant dean of Glennen was 82 years old.

Glennen was born on the founding of the National Hale, former assistant to the students for diversity, equity Teachers Hall of Fame. dean of SLIM, sued ESU for and inclusion, said that after March 31, 1933 near Omaha, He is survived by his wife at least $75,000 for defama- the incident with the Hales, Nebraska to Robert. E. Glenof almost 58 years, Mary, tion, false light and invasome of the black and Latino nen, Sr. and Laverda Elledge Glenne. his eight children, Maureen, sion of privacy. The lawsuit faculty and staff at ESU He earned a doctor of Glennen, Robert E. Glennen, stemmed from a complaint wrote a letter to Jackie Vietti, philosophy degree in counIII, Mary Colleen Glennen that a racial epithet had former interim president, seling from the University of Betts (M. Dean), William been written on a graduate addressing their concerns Notre Dame, a bachelor of O’Brien Glennen (Christiana), student’s notebook in the about the situation. arts degree in languages and Barry Glennen (Debbie), Katie SLIM offices, as well as the “Dr. Vietti said this is a an master of education degree Glennen, Molly Glennen deliberate movement of an very large issue that we do in Educational AdministraSingleton (Joseph) and Kerry employee’s possessions in need to talk about,” Brooks tion from the University of Glennen Williams (Jason); the office. said. “She said, ‘Let’s go Ten grandchildren, Abby Both of the Hales and ahead and create a spearing Portland.

Glennen was an associGlennen, Ian Glennen, Josiah other employees said they committee,’ and it’s expandGlennen, Hannah Glennen, brought the complaint to ed. It’s very diverse and it’s ate dean at the University of Notre Dame, moved on to Rachel Glennen, Lucy GlenGwen Alexander, dean of very representative.” become the acting president, nen, Eva Glennen, Ellery SLIM at the time, and allegOf the 46 on the alliance, vice president and dean at Singleton and Evelyn Singleedly no action was taken. five are students. Kayla University of Nevada, Las Veton, Calli Wolf and Keegan ESU released a press release Gilmore, sophomore pogas and eventually served as Wolf. in November that stated, the president of both Western A mass and memorial ser“No hate crime or racial New Mexico University (1980vice was held on Dec. 7 at the discrimination found in see DIVERSITY page 3 1984) and ESU (1984-1997), St. Joseph, Husband of Mary investigation.” where Glennen then retired.

Church, in Las Vegas.

Robert Eugene Glennen, Jr.

After lawsuit, diversity alliance formed S usan W elte opinion editor

In response to a lawsuit against Emporia State, the University Diversity and Inclusion Alliance with 46 faculty, staff, students and alumni, has been created.

“It became apparent that there were issues involving diversity and inclusion that we needed to make progress on (and) that we weren’t quite where we want to be,” said Gary Wyatt, associate provost, director of the Honors College and co-chair of the alliance.

“There’s a need for a very broad group from across campus to carefully analyze the way the university structures and functions in terms of our ability to truly create a diverse and inclusive place where all students can be welcomed and successful.”

Police Reports

at 12th and Merchant.

Officers stopped KS 225DVP in 100 E 12th. Verbal warning for following too close to a bicyclist.

Officers stopped KS 532DVU in Lot 3. Verbal warning for driving while wearing ear buds.

Reports from ESU Officers stopped KS 174HPU in 1000 Commercial.

Police and Safety Verbal warning for defective Jan. 13 headlight. Citation for an Officer stopped MO UKexpired driver’s license.

8DOJ in 1300 Merchant. Verbal Officers stopped KS for a stop sign violation at I-35 919BMJ in Sector 1. Verbal and Merchant off-ramp. warning for defective headOfficer stopped KS light.

383GDW in 300 W 12th. Verbal Officer stopped MO for a defective headlight.

FM7G1V in 1400 Merchant.

Verbal warning for a stop sign Jan. 14 violation at I-35 off ramp and Officer assisted Emporia Merchant.

Police Dept. with traffic control Officers stopped KS

892DBG at 1701 Hammond Dr. Verbal warning for defective headlight.

Officer stopped KS 926EAN in 100 W 13th. Verbal warning for defective headlight.

in 100 W 13th-CVS Parking lot. Verbal warning for driving without headlights.

Officer stopped KS 60AFU in 100 W13th-CVS Parking lot.

Verbal warning for driving without headlights.

Officer stopped KS 724GWD in 1500 Merchant.

Verbal warning for a stop sign violation. Citation issued for no proof of insurance.

Officers stopped KS 283DVQ at 1829 Merchant.

Advised of a headlight malfunction.

Officers stopped MO 93ARON in 1400 Merchant.

Verbal warning for a defective headlight.

Jan. 15 Officer stopped KS 310FNP in 1100 Cottonwood. Verbal warning for defective brake light.

Officer stopped MO MK2Y2T at 1700 & Merchant.

Verbal warning for a seat belt violation.

Officer stopped KS 091GDV at 800 and Merchant.

Verbal warning for defective brake lights.

Officer stopped KS 932HCL in 1700 Highland. Verbal warn- Jan. 17 ing for a stop sign violation.

Officer stopped KS 651FLL Officer stopped KS 60AFU in Kellogg Circle. Verbal warn-

ing for defective head light.

Jan. 18 Officers stopped KS 321EES in Lot 11. Verbal warning for a defective head light.

Officer stopped KS 462EJF on I-35 at mm 130. Verbal warning for driving without headlights in 1800 Merchant.

Citation for no proof of insurance.

Jan. 19 Officer assisted Emporia Police Dept. with an auto accident at 12th and Walnut.

Officer responded to a report of a suspicious odor in Singular/Trusler Complex.

Student was taken into custody for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

The Bulletin | January 21, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

CHECK IT OUT S II

BY RALVELL ROGER

“Save Your Own Life” by Amy Sage Webb As one can only imagine, this winter break was filled with quite a bit of reading for me. So much so, that I actually decided to take a stab at reading some published work by Emporia State’s very own creative writing guru and

co-director, professor Amy Sage Webb.

In “Save Your Own Life,” Webb carefully uses a multitude of unrelated short stories to seemingly answer the “what now” question that quickly comes after the ending of

transactions by those entities that are legislative or administrative, part of a continued from page 1 political or taxing subdivision of the state, receive from Abilene Christian or expend public funds, University and Petra Roter from the University or are supported in whole or part by public funds, of Wisconsin Oshkosh, according to the Kansas were announced. FollowPress Association’s guide ing campus visits, KBOR to KOMA. conducted interviews Blake Flanders, presiand made the final selecdent and chief executive tion, according to a press officer of KBOR, and release from ESU. Zoe Newton, vice chair “It was the committee of KBOR, served as the that selected the semiBoard’s representatives on finalists, held interviews, the search committee. and then identified who “President Flanders and should continue on as Regent Newton served on finalists – both major the committee, specifically contributions to the seso that the discussions lection process,” said Breeze Richardson, direc- and opinions expressed tor of communications for by the committee could be carried into the final interKBOR. Interviews for the final- views.” Richardson said.

Allison Garrett was apists were held last fall by pointed as 17th president the search committee at of ESU at a public meetthe airport Marriott hotel ing on Oct. 22 in the KSTC in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ballroom in the Memorial Since the meetings were Union on campus. From a held in Missouri and not motion made by Newton, Kansas, they were not KBOR voted to approve subject to the Kansas Garrett as the 17th presiOpen Meetings Act. The dent unanimously. act applies to all meetGarrett took office on ings for the conduct of Jan. 4. the affairs and business

VOTE

a marriage, the mourning of a deceased family member, or even the revelation of two brothers having fallen in love with the same woman.

After reading these short stories, the reader can only appreciate the overarching lesson that Webb is trying to teach, and it’s quite simple really – save your own life! And though I know we are now in a heavily technological world that has given us “the selfie,” “Save Your Own Life,” by my interpretation, is actually not about being selfish or just completely looking out for yourself. No, “Save Your Own Life” is an anthology that evokes growth and maturity and calmly instills the idea of freedom into the

reader’s mind.

At times Webb’s gaze proves to be a bit too calm and often lack-luster.

Throughout stories such as “Lost and Found,” “Animal Control” and even “Helping,” readers are left with a slow-moving plot that sometimes ends in either questions unanswered or a feeling of bewilderment altogether.

All of that being said, Webb manages to conjure up an array of highlights in “Save Your Own Life,” just as a guru should. She carefully handles her characters and beautifully weaves together images that many Kansans should recognize, especially those from the Emporia and Kansas City areas.

3

Every ESU student, faculty and staff member should go check this book out, especially if you are a student of professor Webb’s. I stumbled upon it myself at the ESU Bookstore so you can get yourself a copy and maybe even get it signed.

My highlights for Part One of “Save Your Own Life” are “How It Goes” and “The Memory of Water.” For Part Two, “FortySix Pounds” and “The Wedding Gift.” “Forty-Six Pounds” was definitely my favorite, but only because the romance was written in such an artistic fashion. So, if you’re into some Nicholas Sparks-type romance, Webb’s got your back on that front, as well.

“The Treehouse Effect” accepted to theater festival R alvell R ogers II s ta f f w r i t e r

sabers, space travel and even a dragon during their game of “Dungeons & Dragons.”

The three leads of the play are Justin Tinker, who received his bachelor of Fine Arts in December, Elliot Brest, senior English major, and Cameron Reynolds, junior theater major.

Tinker, who played the stoner character, Tyson in the play, said he was excited about performing on a bigger stage in Minneapolis.

“The anticipation is pretty killer,” Tinker said. “Not having an audience makes the rehearsal process a little difficult because you rehearse with no laughter, and laughter really changes everything.

You really feed off the audience. So their energy drives us to give a bigger and better performance.”

Besides hosting the top plays of the region, the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival will be conducting plenty of theatre workshops for thousands of students to participate in.

“It’s a great honor and we’re excited to be able to share this with other students across the region,” said Theresa Mitchell, professor communication and theater and director of “The Treehouse Effect.” “It’s sort of like a child that we’ve raised, and now we’re ready to take the

On Dec. 15, 2015, “The Treehouse Effect” was recognized nationally after being accepted into the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The play was selected out of 250 plays submitted and reviewed. Emporia State University alumni, Mark Warner and Brandon Jensen co-wrote “The Treehouse Effect” after noticing a Lucas and Tyson, played by lack of support from their felCameron Reynolds, junior theater low students for theatre promajor, and Justin Tinker, Emporia ductions hosted on campus.

State alumnus, respectively, sword Warner graduated in 2014 fight in a match to attempt to dewith a bachelor’s degree of cide who will be their friends best man. “The Treehouse Effect,” writFine Arts, and Jensen graduten by two Emporia State graduated in December of 2015, he ates, was originally performed in also obtained a bachelor’s deMarch 2015. ARIEL COOLEY| The gree of Fine Arts.

Bulletin “It was just me and Brandon,” said Warner when asked where the idea of the child out to meet other chilplay came from. “We felt an dren.” issue at ESU that we didn’t A performance of “The get a lot of students at our Treehouse Effect” was staged shows and we just came up in Bruder Theatre in King with an idea to really connect Hall of the March 2015 play with the college ideas.” production of the same name.

“The Treehouse Effect” folThere was a suggested $10 when you come to this campus, you’re automati- lows three childhood friends admission fee that was be cally accepted no matter who address both their relaused for travel expenses. continued from page 2 what you believe or what tionship issues and general The Kennedy Center you look like, you’re a life issues in one friend’s old American College Theatre litical science major and part of the Hornet nation.” treehouse. The friends go on Festival will be at the Ames a member of Black StuESU will be one of the a series of highly imaginaCenter in Burnsville, Minnedent Union, said she was institutions spearheadtive adventures that includes sota today and will perform recommended to be a ing the concept of divergladiators, pirates, lighttoday. member of the alliance sity, equity and inclusion,

by Vietti. She said one of Tyson, played by Justin TinBrooks said. her goals for the alliance ker, Emporia State alumnus, “There’s not too many is to establish a place of jokes around with his two Division II schools that accountability at the unibest friends, played by Elliot have a massive diversity versity where conversaBrest, senior English major committee that’s committions about diversity and and Cameron Reynolds, ted,” Brooks said. “With inclusion can be openly junior theater major. “The this particular committee, Treehouse Effect” was perwelcomed. formed on Friday in Bruder I guarantee we’re going to “I hope it creates a safer Theater for Emporia State see results.” space for people with before the cast left for MinOn a smaller scale, identities that don’t fit the nesota. ARIEL COOLEY| ESU also currently has normal standards,” GilmThe Bulletin the Diversity Education ore said.

Committee, which is a An email was sent out presidential-appointed to all faculty and staff committee, Brooks said. inviting them to join the alliance, while it was only The alliance is a much sent to recommended stu- larger initiative and will focus on all aspects of the dents, said Sarah McKeruniversity. nan, executive assistant “We’re willing to tackle for the president’s office. it as much as possible to “The number one goal of the alliance currently is get to the end result to to create a university mas- make sure this is a more inclusive environment to ter plan towards divereverybody that steps on sity, equity and inclusion that’s going to benefit not this campus,” Brooks said.

Wyatt said that he asonly the students, but also sumes the committee will faculty and staff and all of our guests that come to be ongoing and will beEmporia State University’s come a permanent part of the campus community. campus,” Brooks said.

“I think that’s what it The alliance is lookmeans to be a Hornet – ing at making a complete not to just look at diverreview of all policies, reviewing the strategies and sity but to celebrate it, and I think that’s what the resources the university offers to address diversity alliance is about,” Gilmore issues and gathering hard said.

While an actual date data for university statisand time for the alliance’s tics. next meeting has yet to be “One of our goals is to scheduled, it will be some Tyson, Jeremy and Lucas, played by Justin Tinker, Emporia State alumnus, Elliot Brest, senior English major help market and brand and Cameron Reynolds, junior theater major, respectively, discuss the adventures they had together while time in February, Wyatt ESU as an inclusive camgrowing up at a dress rehearsal on Jan. 14 in Bruder Theater. “The Treehouse Effect” was chosen to perform at pus,” Brooks said. “So that said.

DIVERSITY

the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Minnesota. ARIEL COOLEY| The Bulletin

OPINION

4

The Bulletin | January 21, 2016

Out of the Loop STAFF EDITORIAL

Do you ever feel your opinion doesn’t matter?

In selecting the new Emporia State president, you’re right.

No official vote or recommendation for the 17th president of ESU was given to the Kansas Board of Regents by the Presidential Search Committee.

If no vote or recommendation was given, then what was the point of the search committee?

While we see many positives of President Allison Garrett, like her experience in higher education and her love of communicating with students, we can’t help but wonder what kind of recommendation was brought to KBOR by our representatives who were on ESU’s search committee.

Blake Flanders, president and chief executive officer of KBOR, and Zoe Newton, vice chair of KBOR, were the Board’s representatives on the search committee. The Board of Regents also conducted their own interviews after the search

committee’s, and ultimately made the final decision, which they have the authority to do.

But the search committee not taking a vote was just the icing on the cake to a carnival of unsettling factors in the presidential search process.

The interviews that the search committee held were 128 miles from campus at the Marriott Airport hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.

In the past several presidential searches, three to five candidates have been chosen to visit campus and interact with the community to offer a broad array of possible leaders with a myriad of experience and backgrounds.

This time, there were only two. And in addition, the university refused to release the names of the candidates until Garrett, who is from Abilene Christian University, and Petra Roter, who is from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, were announced. Why the change?

The more the university sweeps information under the rug, the more the campus community becomes suspicious.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the results of the survey about campus’s impression of Garrett and Roter were not released.

What KBOR has done is establish a crippling cloud of paranoia and distrust among ESU. A near-impossible hurdle to jump has been created for Garrett, and that hurdle is regaining the confidence from the campus community in letting us know that we have a say in who leads our Hornet nation.

If our leaders want to reestablish that trust, a valid starting point would be releasing the results of the presidential surveys. Being honest and open with ESU is the best remedy KBOR can offer.

More than lip service should be dedicated to shared governance.

Recycle More, Worry Less

C ourtney E vans opinion writer

Emporia State’s campus is beautiful with Wooster Lake and the architecture of the buildings. One appeal to this campus is how clean it is -– I’ve never seen trash bins overfilled and the lawn and sidewalks are never littered.

There’s only one problem: There aren’t enough recycling bins.

The plants and flowers around campus are extremely well kept and if there is a problem, like when the tree in Union Square got struck by lightning during one of

those crazy storms we had last semester, it is taken care of. Students are taking responsibility for their trash, but maintenance really does an amazing job keeping our campus beautiful.

However, ESU can take this clean campus to the next level by adding recycling bins outside. Most recycling bins I have seen have been inside buildings like the Memorial Union, Plumb Hall and Morse Residence Hall, but I have not seen any in convenient spaces outside. I realize it’s not that much of a problem for students to carry a bottle or a can into the nearest building and find a recycling bin.

But with no recycling bins outside on students’ paths to class, they are more than likely to throw away recyclables in the trash. To make ESU a little bit on the greener side and reduce landfill, it would only make sense to put glass, aluminum and plastic recycling bins

near trash bins outside all of the buildings. Paper recycling bins would not be included because the paper could be affected by the elements outside, making it unrecyclable.

This can be achieved by first starting a recycling club on campus and promoting green ideas. If the university wouldn’t want to pay for the extra workers to clear out the recycling bins, the recycling club or other Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) could do it, declaring it as community service.

My community college I went to had a recycling club, and the students apart of that club would do the same thing.

Weekly, they would walk around the campus and empty the recycling bins and take them to the nearest recycling center. What’s the harm in that? There is none.

We need to make Emporia a greener school to keep our campus looking fresh.

CARTOON by ITZEL LOPEZ-VARGES

Watch out for Pedestrians

S usan W elte opinion editor

proach.

I’d be dead.

In December, James Persinger, 2015 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor, was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 12th and Merchant. Persinger was turning west on Commercial Street from 12th. Due to his injuries, he was unable to speak at winter commencement the following morning, and still remains unable to teach Back in 2012, Yali Huang, an international student from China, was hit by a car while crossing the street in the 1500 block of Merchant. Huang was in a coma for several months and needed 24-hour care after the incident.

Students need to feel secure walking on and around campus, and the problem needs to be addressed by ESU Police and Safety, as well as the administration.

So, what can we do to make the streets more safe to cross?

Perhaps reduced speed limits around campus are the answer to our problem, or even specific crosswalk signs with flashing yellow lights, like the one that was put in the 1500 block of Merchant awhile after Huang’s accident.

It’s also our responsibility, as drivers, to slow down and remind ourselves that pedestrians have the right away in most situations. Leave early for class so you don’t have to cut someone off and put your cell phone down.

Public safety is a major concern here, and it seems like it is being ignored rather than being adequately discussed to find solutions to the problem.

If we don’t work on improving the crosswalk situation, it’s only a short amount of time until the next student, faculty or staff member gets hit -- or even killed.

Keep our streets safe.

I was almost hit by a car crossing the street near campus last week.

It was Thursday afternoon, before classes were in session, and not much traffic was around. Despite that, I pushed the crosswalk button to the stoplight by the science building on Merchant Street.

The light turned red, the cars going north stopped.

As I started to cross the street, I noticed that the car going south was going fast -- faster than the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour -- and didn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. “They’ll probably stop,” I told myself as the distance between the car and my body how to handle one’s finances, individual’s life drastically grew smaller. But just in case, I it’s a completely different and quickly. If even just a paused before I crossed in front story when someone comes basic economics portion was of the vehicle. face-to-face with their own included in my orientation, To my surprise, the driver bills. In reality, a freshmenI would likely have better flew by when without even level course, on top of orienmoney management skills. glancing in my direction or tation, needs to be created to Never forget about your noticing the red light and that help new students learn how savings. the cars going the other directo handle the new experiI’ve forgotten about puttion were stopped. She held ences. ting some money into my Let’s do a little breakdown. account time to time, and you her cell phone with one hand B luelake P ritchett For me, rent is nearly $500 don’t want to make that mis- on the steering wheel, texting opinion writer a month. Other bills added take. Trust me. If you have to furiously.

I was shocked and instantatogether average out to nearly take out a loan for anything, neously angry, fuming because Money makes the world $200. Imagine trying to pay you will be glad that savings go ‘round. $700 a month when the only account is there to cushion the the woman, who was probably in her mid-50s, had plenty of Everyone knows that, and job a college student is likely impact. time to see the red light and everyone knows how stressto get is a minimum wage Set aside around $10 each ful money can be. But nothing ($7.25), part-time job. paycheck for that account just stop. Had she even been looking at the road at all? I couldn’t really compares to the level Now add that $3,500 dolso something is going into help but wonder about what of stress that comes with the lars in tuition per semester it. On top of that, keep your would have had happened if realization of your first adult and hundreds for textbooks focus always on your bills, payments. Even if college and supplies. Needless to and never fall behind on your I hadn’t noticed her rapid apstudents are used to working say, college is one of the most payments. a summer job or a part-time financially tight situations The most drastic change job while still living with their young adults will find them- new college students face is parents, they might not be selves in. living on their own for probaware of how tight finances Money and finances ably the first time. If we are Letters to the editor should be no more than 400 words and can get when they’re on their are far more important than going to be serious about can address any issues, concerns, ideas or event you choose. own for the first time. most other aspects covered in curbing student loan debt, Letters may be edited for content and length.

While freshman orientaorientation classes. This type we have to educate students Email letters to editor@esubulletin.com. Include your name tion offers some insight on of responsibility can affect an about that responsibility. and student email so we can verify authorship.

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The Bulletin | January 21, 2016

5

ESU’s educational administration program Weapons allowed on campus receives national recognition despite faculty concern D ustin B ittel copy editor

Emporia State’s online master’s degree in educational administration was recognized at the national level by OnlineColleges.net. Emporia ranked 14th out of the top 25 universities and was the only Kansas program recognized.

Dan Stiffler, chair and professor of School Leadership/ Middle and Secondary Teacher Education, is currently working with the program.

Stiffler said that the online program in Educational Administration began in 1996, as a way to meet the increasing need for qualified teachers, principals and superintendents.

“The program is primarily for teachers who want to become building principals or serve in some capacity as a school leader,” Stiffler said.

“The 35-hour master’s program leads to a Kansas Building Leadership License.”

When comparing this online program to other online programs, Stiffler said that the difference is that the courses in the degree program are all required courses (no electives) and provide the candidates with the foundational knowledge needed to lead a school.

In addition, the degree culminates in an eight hour (two semester) Practicum or internship experience with handson, real life leadership experiences, including supervision of staff, students, and building level activities.

“Our faculty constantly review and refine such things as admission requirements, course curriculum, learner outcomes, student dispositions, and course activities in order to stay current with the needs of our students and to ensure that our programs align with state law and accreditation standards,” Stiffler said.

In order to keep the program running smoothly, it takes a team of dedicated

GARRETT continued from page 1 programs” Garrett said. “We will continue our focus on ESU’s strategic plan, which ties into the Kansas Board of Regent’s Foresight 2020 plan,” The Kansas Board of Regents website, kansasregents. org, states that the Foresight 2020 plan is a 10-year strategic agenda, approved in 2010, for the state’s public higher education system. The plan sets longrange achievable goals that are measurable, reportable and ensure the system meets Kansas’ expectations. The plan includes six strategic goals that range from achieving alignment be-

P ayge Q uintana s ta f f w r i t e r

faculty members to help the graduate students. Two of the team members that help with the program are Megan O’Brien and Missy Nurnberger. O’Brien serves as the graduate student advisor for the Department of School Leadership/Middle and Secondary Teacher Education, and works with the department’s administrative assistant to help their graduate students navigate the admissions process, enrollment, and other university procedures.

“Some of our students have never taken online courses before and don’t know what to expect. Even those who have taken online courses can be intimidated by a program that is entirely online,” O’Brien said.

“Part of my job is to work with faculty to ensure that the students have what they need to be successful in online learning. I have found that students adjust very quickly and embrace the flexibility that our programs offer.”

Nurnberger serves as the senior administrative assistant in the Department of School Leadership/Middle and Secondary Teacher Education.

Her job is to process new student Educational Administration Master’s and licensure ap-

plications, assist students with submitting and track program admission items, release students from probation and admit them to degree candidacy when all admission items are successfully submitted.

Nurnberger also coordinates the comprehensive exam, compiles program completer data for various National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) & Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) reports, answer student questions, create and update student degree & licensure plans, create monthly newsletters to inform students of various upcoming events & deadlines and acts as the liaison between the students and the several other offices, like the Financial Aid department.

“When working with our online students I continually check where they live if I need to call them. I called a student in Korea once, (not knowing she had moved to Korea,) and it was three a.m.,” Nurnberger said. “Not meeting them in person is not really a problem, but something I had to adjust to when I started this job. I know their name, email address and sometimes phone numbers if we talk frequently, but not their face.”

Despite the results of a survey to all regents schools regarding the expiration of the exception of the conceal carry law for schools in June 2017 being 70 percent of all faculty and 55 percent of all students preferring guns not be allowed on campus, the exemption is going to be allowed to expire.

In April, Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a bill stating that it is legal in the state of Kansas to carry a concealed handgun without training or requirements.

This January, the Regents Council of Faculty Senate Presidents met at Fort Hays State in order to discuss their opinions of gun control on each of the seven major campuses in Kansas.

“Whether guns are allowed or prohibited at (Emporia State) the student population will be affected,” said Janet Weaver, senior psychology major, Associated Student Government president.

“Ultimately, as an adaptive university, all entities of Emporia State will need to be open to any changes and willing to work together as an institution to represent students, faculty, and staff and to continue the forward momentum of ESU.” The topic of firearms being allowed on campus is a concern for both ASG and Faculty Senate. In addition, there was a survey issued asking students what their opinions of having concealed firearms in campus buildings were, whether the law should be amended and how the students thought it would affect attendance on campus. ESU was in the middle ground of the aforementioned topics with 56 percent saying that guns should not be allowed at all on campus, and 43 percent saying they would be less likely to attend the university if guns were allowed

tween PreK-12 and higher education systems to enhancing the regional and national reputation of Kansas universities through aspirational initiatives.

Garrett plans on supporting students by attending different events like music, theatre and athletic events. She is also working on scheduling opportunities to get to know student leaders so she can learn more about what the students would like to see at ESU. “I think it a fantastic idea that she is going to attend various events and meet with students” Said Elizabeth Kennell, senior theatre major. “She came into the Bruder Theatre during the rebuild of The Treehouse Effect and met with faculty and

student designers and toured our facility.”

Garrett said that work has begun to develop a plan that a assure everyone – students, faculty and staff – work together to create and sustain an environment of mutual respect and understanding that supports their goals.

Garrett added that work done through the fall semester was continued over the holidays. Groups will be working to during the spring semester to complete a plan for ESU, with input from people all around campus.

“The plan will address many different aspects of diversity and inclusion including faculty and staff hiring

and retention and creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for students,” Garrett said. “In the past, I’ve worked closely with the university’s chief diversity and inclusion officer and with student leaders of various organization’s and I’m looking forward to working with those individuals here.”

One of things Jackie Vietti, interim president, did during her time at ESU was establish focus groups among the staff and student body to help with diversity and inclusion. Emmanuel Cockrell, senior interdisciplinary studies major, said Vietti helped make the student forum happen and was holding the focus groups.

“I don’t know about change, but I would love for her to continue what Vietti started with diversity and inclusion to show how much she cares,” Cockrell said.

The world is tremendously diverse and every student will enter a diverse workforce where intellectual competence and adaptability is crucial, Garrett said.

“It’s important to gather input from people coming from all sorts of backgrounds because multiple perspectives improve the approach to any task or issue,” Garrett said. “We can all learn from each other and a college campus provides an ideal environment for rich experiences from many cultures.”

VIDEO continued from page 1

do the dance, and I knew I could do it, so I decided to go for it,” Goodman said.

“I thought it would be cool to try the dance and post it online.”

Students all over Emporia quoted the video and tweeted about their reactions to the video. The many people that know Goodman were excited seeing their friend all over social media.

“I was very surprised it received the attention it did because it all started in Emporia, which is a smaller city and you wouldn’t expect it to get out like it did,” said Erika Jaremko, sophomore elementary education major.

Goodman says he has ideas for future videos.

“I don’t plan on making more dance videos anytime too soon, but I know there are other dance videos I would like to try,” he said.

GRAPHIC BY WENDY BRIGIDO | The Bulletin

source:w w w.onlinecolleges.ne t

increase that was offered across the board to Regents university presidents in Kansas for fiscal continued from page 1 year 2016.

Martin “said she wouldn’t Of Pittsburg State, Fort Hays take a raise while the school State and ESU, Garrett will be continues looking for ways to the highest paid president for provide pay raises to faculty this year. and staff,” the Topeka-Capital “When the Board decided Journal reported. what to offer Allison Garrett “I think that the Regents’ as the incoming president approach was to acknowledge of Emporia State University, the fact that the state of Kansas they examined what CEO is facing budgetary issues, and compensation looked like at peer institutions and used that generally speaking, universities have struggled to keep up with market-based consideration cost of living increases with reto negotiate an appropriate amount,” said Breeze Richard- spect to faculty and staff pay,” Garrett said. “It’s my underson, director of communicastanding that the package I was tions for KBOR. offered was essentially what Mirta Martin, president Dr. Shonrock was making.” of Fort Hays, earns $260,000 Garrett said that her unique annually, while Steve Scott, experiences in higher educapresident of Pittsburg State, earns $258,194, according to the tion, which include working as an associate professor and Topeka-Capital Journal. provost, will be beneficial to Both Martin and Scott her career as president of ESU. declined a two percent salary

SALARY

on campus.

“Associated Student Government’s purpose is to represent the student body and promote student’s engagement in decisions to better Emporia State University,” Weaver said.

“I believe the Kansas Regent student governments working together to create and administer the gun survey was a milestone in presenting an opportunity for students to voice their opinions on this issue.”

The University of Kansas and their Medical Center, Kansas State University, Washburn, Wichita State University, Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State also participated in the survey.

“The healthy response rate from each institution and the overall response rate of 54 percent are proof of the concern campus employees have with the current weapons policy,” said Lorie Cook-Benjamin, associate professor at Fort Hays State, president of the FHSU Faculty Senate and chair of the Council of Faculty Senate Presidents. “The survey’s results clearly show that a majority of our employees want to see the law amended so guns are not allowed on campus.”

In the survey, both for students and faculty, there were trends noticed. “Overall, the majority of respondents favored the prohibition of guns in all buildings, at sporting events, and in open areas of campus,” according to the Kansas Board of Regents Council of Faculty Senate Presidents Campus Employees’ Weapons Survey. “However, respondents were slightly more likely to favor allowing concealed carry by faculty and staff than students or visitors. Respondents were slightly more likely to favor prohibiting guns at sporting events than all other areas, and were most likely to favor allowing concealed carry in open areas of campus by all groups and in faculty offices by faculty and staff.”

Comparative Presidential Salaries

source: kansas board of regents

for his video, but I don’t really follow these accounts on Twitter so I never saw what people said about the video,” said Garin Burgess, junior business administration student. “But I think it is cool when someone gets recognition for something they love to do.”

Goodman has made dance videos prior to this one that received mild attention, but not near the attention his latest one received. His “Hit the Quan” dance video that was only uploaded to his Instagram acquired 374 likes.

Goodman said he was inspired by the original video he saw online and knew that he could perform the dance moves.

“A friend asked me to

The Bulletin | January 21, 2016

NEWS

Former professor files suit against university officials S arah S poon

managing editor

Rajesh Singh, a former Emporia State University employee, is suing Michael Schonrock, Gwen Alexander, David Cordle and Andrew Smith for monetary damages, upwards of $75,000, for discrimination toward him during his time at the School of Library and Information Management at ESU. Singh is from India and currently works at SLIM at St. John’s University in New York.

Singh was employed as an assistant SLIM professor from Aug. 12, 2009 to May 9, 2015, according to Jackie Vietti, former interim president of ESU. “Since the conditions of Dr. Singh’s departure from Emporia State University are a personnel matter, I am not able to discuss them,” Vietti said. “The University has written policies and processes, including multiple appeal steps, to ensure that professors of all races and ethnicities are treated fairly.”

According to the court document filed by Singh’s lawyers on Oct. 30, 2015, Singh is suing Alexander for treating him unfairly wage-wise.

“On June 23, 2010, Dr. Singh met with Alexander to

discuss the possibility of salary equity (with two employees),” according to the complaint. “They were no more qualified than Dr. Singh, yet they were hired for a 5 percent higher salary just one year after Dr. Singh…Despite it being a reasonable and polite request, Dean Alexander became enraged and behaved in a confrontational and unreasonable manner during the meeting. She refused to consider pursuing salary equity for Dr. Singh.”

The situation only became more heated after Singh asked for equal pay, also according to the complaint.

“Alexander pitted other faculty against Dr. Singh by discussing the private details of the June 23, 2010 meeting with…other faculty. Dean Alexander maliciously, deliberately and repeatedly began marginalizing Dr. Singh by removing him from committees, blocking opportunities through policy changes, and otherwise abusing her power with the express purpose of damaging his work and reputation,” the complain also stated.

This mistreatment was, Singh believed, based on his skin color, which is brown, and his ethnicity, which is asian, according to the court document.

“SLIM treated Dr. Andrew Smith, a white professor and also a foreign national, more favorably than Dr. Singh,” said the court document. “Dr. Smith was hired a year after Dr. Singh at a higher salary and was given 2 years credit toward tenure despite the fact that Dr. Smith did not have the tenure-track experience required by the ESU Policy Manual for this credit, nor did he have master’s degree in library science.”

The court document also claimed that Smith’s starting salary was 5 percent higher and was eventually 30 percent higher than Singh’s salary, despite Singh being more qualified for the position. Singh also claimed that ESU administration barred him from obtaining tenure.

Alexander, Cordle, Schonrock and Smith all declined to comment on the situation, as litigation is still pending.

“David Cordle, Gwen Alexander and Andrew Smith

still are employed by Emporia State University,” Vietti said.

“Michael Shonrock resigned from Emporia State to accept the position of President at Lindenwood University.”

Alexander, dean of SLIM, is currently on administrative leave and has announced her retirement for the end of the semester, Smith is an associate professor and interim associate dean of SLIM. Shonrock was just named the President of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. The complaint says that no faculty of color have attained tenure in the SLIM department since 2009. David Cordle, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs said this is not true for the whole university.

“Seven faculty members of color have been awarded tenure since 2009,” Cordle said.

“No black faculty members have been awarded tenure since 2009, nor have any applied for tenure during that period. All seven were Asian.”

The court document also cites the SLIM faculty’s discriminatory atmosphere during Singh’s time at ESU as further proof.

7

“The university has written policies and procedures, and appeal procedures, to ensure faculty/staff of all races and ethnicities are treated fairly,” said Judy Anderson, executive director of affirmative action.

“If determined that policies and procedures have been violated, resolutions are recommended on a case-by-case basis.”

The case will be held in court at Kansas City, Kansas as agreed upon by Singh and his attorneys, according to the complaint. ESU’s attorney’s office has appointed another law firm to take on the case.

“The Kansas Attorney General’s Office handles all litigation in which Emporia State University and other state agencies becomes a party,” said Kevin Johnson, general counsel. “That office has appointed a private law firm in Topeka to represent this particular case on behalf of the university and all individually named defendants. The only effect on the university resulting from this case is that the university will vigorously defend against the allegations and claims in the complaint.”

Diversity forum opposes media presence

Jessie Wagoner, reporter for the “Emporia Gazette;” Melvin Hale, assistant professor of the School of Library Information and Management; Doug Brown, chief photographer at 13 News and Kevin Johnson, general counsel, discuss the legalities of the news being asked to the leave the student forum on diversity and inclusion. The meeting was in the Preston Family Room in the Memorial Union on Nov. 19.

ARIEL COOLEY | The Bulletin

A riel C ooley editor in chief

Although media received a press release about the student diversity forum on campus in November, they were asked to leave after students said they felt uncomfortable.

“It is a First Amendment issue, but the controlling policy statement is in the statute,”

PROFESSOR continued from page 1

frequently in my office to concentrate on complex tasks, so I left campus around 11:20 that day, and was on my way home to polish and practice the address,” said Persinger.

“I was waiting at 12th and Commercial as the light was red, pushed the button and was waiting to cross and head down Commercial toward my house. The light changed, I made it about 10 feet through the crosswalk.”

Based on the report filed, Persinger was thrown approximately 38 feet from the crosswalk after he had been hit.

Keely Persinger, director for the Center for Early Childhood Education and James Persinger’s wife, was working the day her husband was hit.

“Learning of the accident was very surreal,” Keely

said Max Kautsch, attorney at kspress.com. “‘In recognition of the fact that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be the policy of this state that meetings for the conduct of governmental affairs and the transaction of governmental business be open to the public.’”

Emporia State has faced a

series of public relations challenges this fall, including racial discrimination lawsuits and a reported rape at a fraternity. Melvin Hale, assistant professor of the School of Library and Information Management, who filed one of the discrimination lawsuits, was in the hall outside the forum at the Preston Family room when administrators drew the

Persinger said. “Officer Jerrod Schumann with the ESU police had walked in and I didn’t think much of it as he often comes to visit and play with the children.

I recall making a snarky comment about which one of us or the kids were in trouble now and then heard, ‘It’s James.’”

Keely Persinger said she immediately began running through all the kids and staff that were named ‘James,’ before she realized what Officer Schumann was talking about.

“Officer Schumann continues with something like, ‘He’s been in an accident. They are taking him by ambulance to the hospital,’” Keely Persinger said.“About then I processed, ‘Oh, James, Jim, my husband’ and dashed with child in tow to the classroom and said, ‘Jim’s been in an accident.’ I flew back by my office and grabbed keys and purse as Officer Schumann asked if he needed to take me. I just ran out the door.”

Initially, James Persinger could remember very little of what had happened.

“On Dec. 20, I made contact with Persinger by telephone,” Officer Schultz said. “I asked Persinger, given some time after the accident, if he could remember anything in regards to the incident. Persinger said he could not remember much, besides telling his secretary he was leaving the office. Persinger said the last thing he remembered was waking up in the street.”

James Persinger said he depended heavily on his wife, as he couldn’t even walk without assistance for the first two weeks after the accident. He was thankful to her as she drove him to his appointments and “waited on me hand and foot.”

“It is hard to explain until you go through such an experience, but you somehow find the strength and just proceed with what is needed,” Keely Persinger

blinds.

Hale said he thought the only reason the university conducted a diversity forum was because of the lawsuit filed against the university by him and his wife on Oct. 14, claiming false light, invasion of privacy and defamation.

“I consider it part of the sham, part of the cover up,” Hale said. “They won’t talk to us and they won’t resolve our issues. They want to move forward and leave us behind.”

The purpose of the was to seek input on how to build a better, stronger, more inclusive Hornet Nation in which all voices are heard and respected, and everyone has a sense of belonging, according to a university press release on Nov. 17.

The university hired a consultant, Robert Page, founder of The Legacy Group, to help with the project. Page said he took full responsibility for the request that the media leave the forum.

“My role is to make sure we’re providing students with a safe environment,” Page said. “I messed up and now we want to know how we move forward.”

Page, who has been working a diversity and inclusivity for 24 years, said his goal was to create a road map detailing ways to foster an inclusive environment by February.

“It’s come to my attention

students were under the assumption that media would not be here,” said Jackie Vietti, interim president. “On the other hand, media received notification about the forum.

When the students expressed concern about their not feeling as comfortable speaking up, it’s true the media were asked to leave. In the future, we will avoid that confusion and move forward from here as we plan future conversations with students.”

Despite the confusion with the media, Vietti said she thought the forum went fairly well, but she wished more students had shown up.

“I don’t want the confusion to overshadow what we are trying to do,” Vietti said.

“And what we are trying to do is learn from the students’ experiences what their unmet needs are so we can build that diversity and inclusion plan.”

After assessing the situation and speaking to both parties, Kevin Johnson, general counsel, said the meeting had to be open to the public.

“Regardless of whether it (asking the media to leave) was the right thing to do or not, I think the intention was to create a safe space for students to speak, so at least in terms of intention, I think the intentions were good,” said David Cordle, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

said. “I was hyper-focused on Jim’s care and monitoring injuries and new symptoms...It took me well over a week before I really started processing and getting my thoughts together. As far as strength, it has come out of my love for Jim, the Holy Trinity, and the awesome support and prayers of family and friends and colleagues at ESU and in the community.”

James Persinger is struggling with his concussion and head injuries, as it severely limits what he can and cannot do. He says he has difficulty focusing on activities and isn’t allowed to look at any screens. When he does look at screens, he finds himself nauseous and suffering from a headache within minutes.

“The only real treatment seems to be complete rest, but I’m not the kind of person who looks forward to hanging out all day at home, doing nothing,” said James Persinger. “I teach a weekend intensive course,

which runs Friday evenings and all day Saturdays. If I were to attempt to teach that now, I’d be a great instructor for about 10 minutes, could fake it for another 10, and then would be rambling and unfocused and would have to dismiss class.”

There is no set date as to when James Persinger can return to work, however he expects to work with accommodations by Feb. 15.

“The Teachers College will work to assure all of my classes and responsibilities are covered until I return,” he said. “I’m usually working well over 40 hours a week between now and mid-March, including teaching my weekend class and visiting a dozen interns in the field, but I’ve had to let all of that go...I’m trying to be okay with letting go of things and focusing on healing, which is really tough to do. I love my job and it’s an exciting time to be working at Emporia.”

SPORTS

8

The Bulletin | January 21, 2016

Hornets defeat Griffons in close game

any day.”

The Hornets were ice cold to start the game. They made no points in the first six minutes. The Hornets held the Griffons to just four points in that span. Two threes by Charles Mckinney, senior graduate, got the Hornets on the board.

With 9:37 remaining in the first half, ESU trailed Western 13-12. The Hornets went on an 8-2 run during that stretch to take a 10-8 lead. Mckinney led the way in scoring with eight points.

Two straight threes by ESU forced a Western timeout with 4:58 remaining. One was by Terrence Moore, senior guard.

The other was by Jay Temaat, junior guard. The Hornets were only up two after managing to give up easy looks at the rim on dribble penetration.

The Hornets ended the half on a 15-2 run to take a 35-26 lead into the locker room. As the Hornets got into more of a flow offensively, the tough interior defense took shape forcing Western to shoot more three’s which was not the Griffons strong suite.

The Hornets stretched their lead to double digits out of the halftime on a Mckinney dunk. Two straight three pointers by Western forced Brandon Hall, freshman guard, pulls up for a shot on Saturday against a Hornet timeout. Out of the Missouri Western State. The Hornets scored five points within the last timeout the Hornets looked minute to win the game 67-66. ARIEL COOLEY | The Bulletin stagnant on offense getting a shot clock violation.

67-66 battle that came down A ce F inch A 7-0 run by Western to the final seconds. spor ts editor forced an ESU timeout with “Give our guys credit, 9:49 remaining.

The Hornets The Emporia State men’s they kept fighting and battled were giving up buckets out basketball team won a oneback,” said Shaun Vandiver, of a full court press that the point thriller over Missouri head coach. “We’ll take an Griffons broke.

Western’s deWestern last Saturday in a ugly win over a pretty loss

fense tightened, forcing ESU turnovers.

With 6:42 remaining, ESU went on a 6-0 run to take a 57-52 lead, capped off by a Devin Spencer, junior forward, dunk. At that point in the game, ESU shot just 41 percent from the floor but did shoot 7-17 from three point range.

The game was tied at 59 with 4:33 to go. The Griffons scored on two, two point baskets and a three point play with a layup and a free throw.

To that point, Moore and McKinney led ESU in scoring with 14 points.

The Griffons made the game look over as they were up four with less than a minute to go. However, Temaat knocked down a three with 41.8 seconds remaining. In the final seconds, ESU scored on a floater from Moore. ESU gained the lead with 10 seconds and the Griffons could not score, securing the ESU victory.

“I saw Jay trailing, but I saw a wide open lane and as a senior I took it and it’s good that I knocked it down,” Moore said. “It’s just good that we got the win.”

ESU will try to put three straight wins together as they travel to Topeka to take on Washburn in the first addition of the Turnpike Tussle this Saturday. A pep bus will be available to take students.

“We always talk about how good teams don’t panic,” Temaat said. “We’re always in the huddle saying, ‘Come on guys we can get this.’ And we pulled out a pretty exciting one.”

ESU goes cold in loss to Missouri Western A ce F inch spor ts editor

The Emporia State women’s basketball team suffered their first loss at home and third overall when they fell to Missouri Western last Saturday afternoon.

“You have to play smart and we didn’t play very smart in certain situations,” said Jory Collins, head coach. “We wanted to go to the rim and we just weren’t aggressive enough.

When someone comes into your house and shoots 20 more free throws than you that raises your eyebrows.”

With 4:07 left in the first quarter, the lady Hornets led 9-8. Both teams played man to man defense and did not allow easy buckets. Though they led by one, ESU shot just 3-11 (27 percent) to start the afternoon.

The Lady Hornets finished the quarter on a 6-2 run and led 15-10. Kathryn Flott, junior forward, led the team with four points. ESU finished the quarter shooting 6-19 (34 percent), but held the Lady Griffons to 5-13 from the floor.

The Lady Griffons opened the second quarter on a 17-8 run and led the Lady Hornets 27-23 with 3:50 left in the second quarter. At halftime, the Griffons led 31-29. ESU had open looks in the first half but shot just 1-13 from three and 11-35 from the floor. Kelsey Barnwell, senior guard, led all scorers with nine points. Flott led the rebounders with nine.

“They were just aggressive getting to the rim and we

PREVIEW

Emporia State’s track teams started their 2015-16 indoor debut back in December at the Boo Rogers Combined and Crimson & Gold Invitation in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Hornet men are ranked 17th in the United States Track & Field/ Cross Country Coaches Association.

weren’t,” Barnwell said. “They shot I don’t know how many more free throws.”

After the first five minutes in the third quarter, ESU trailed 42-38. The Lady Hornets shot better to start the half, but stops became an issue as Western scored 13 points. The Lady Griffons raised their shooting percentage by 9 percent, shooting 44 percent for the game to that point.

After three quarters, the Griffons led the Lady Hornets 51-44. Two Hornets were in double figures -Barnwell had 14 and Kathryn Flott had 10.

The Hornets shot 37 percent to that point and less than 20 percent from three.

“We just didn’t knock down shots that we have been knocking down,” Flott said.

“They just didn’t go in the hole tonight.”

With 5:11 remaining in the game, the Lady Hornets trailed by three. They cut the lead to two on a 7-2 run to start the quarter, but Western answered and pushed it to multiple possessions. Trailing 69-60 with 1:49 remaining, Collins called a full timeout. ESU hit a three with almost a minute and a half to go to cut it to six, but a missed opportunity of a rebound led to two more points for Western, ending ESU’s chances at victory.

Following the loss, the Lady Hornets fell to 14-3 on the season (8-3). They will continue their season this Saturday as Jacee Kramer, sophomore guard, pushes through Missouri Western State they travel to Washburn. A pep defence to score for the Hornets. After a close game, the Lady Hornets bus will be available to take lots fell to the Griffons 73-64. ARIEL COOLEY | The Bulletin students.

Duke Tibbs, junior sprinter, leads the Hornets. He is currently ranked seventh in the nation in the 200m and 12th in the 400m entering this season.

Tibbs ran a 21.51 in the 200m at the Wichita State Invite last season and a 48.02 in the 400m at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational last year. He is also a member of the 4X400m relay team that had the 14th best

time in the nation last year.

Payson Maydew, senior multi-event specialist, is ranked fourth in the heptathlon with 5,387 points scored at the MIAA Championship last season. He is also ranked 11th in the pole vault after clearing 16-00.75 at the K-State Tuneup.

Samuel Saidi is also listed among the preseason scorers after he cleared 6-11.50 at the

2015 MIAA Indoor Championships.

The Hornet women are ranked 64th based on the pair of throwers returning. Morgan Gilliland, junior thrower, is 11th in the shot put and 22nd in the weight throw. Kayla Henault, sophomore thrower, is ranked 20th in the shot put.

The next meet is Feb. 5-6 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sports Previews Baseball looks to continue momentum This spring, an experienced Hornet baseball team will look to take care of some unfinished business from last season.

Heading into his 13th season as head coach, Bob Fornelli led his team to a 39-16 record in 2015. While the Hornets won the MIAA Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship, they were eliminated after two games.

A couple of key players that got a taste of tournament play last season will look to help Emporia State punch their return ticket.

Evan Koehler, senior infielder, was an offensive force for the Hornets last season and contributed steady defensive play.

Koehler hit .368 with fourteen doubles and fourteen homeruns and was second on the team with 62 runs batted in. While the Hornets did lose a couple of their top batters from last season, numerous players who maintained healthy offensive numbers in limited action last year will see their roles expand in 2016.

Hornet pitchers will be tasked with lowering a somewhat high team earned run average from last year, but experience is on their side. Seniors Shane Davies, Grant Bachura and Jake Eikleberry all return from last year’s team.

ESU will open its season at the Trusler Sports Complex with a three-game series against Colorado State-Pueblo scheduled for Feb. 5-7.

Young softball team under new leadership After missing NCAA Division II Championship Tournament play last season, the Lady Hornets softball team will look to return the postseason under new leadership.

A long-time member and assistant of the Emporia State softball program, first-year head coach April Huddleston will inherit a young squad. While there is not a single senior on this year’s roster, numerous key contributors return from last year’s 35-20 team.

Two sophomore outfielders will look to build on their impressive freshman campaigns. Caitlin VanVleck, sophomore outfielder, started every game for the Lady Hornets last season and registered a .347 batting average with three doubles, a team-high four triples, a homerun, 20 stolen bases and 21 runs batted in. Danielle Sprinkle, sophomore outfielder, will provide another potent offensive force for Emporia State. Sprinkle was second on last year’s team in onbase percentage and batted .348 with seven doubles and four homeruns in limited action.

Eryn Stockman, junior pitcher, will be the leader of a young Hornet rotation.

Stockman had a breakout season last year, recording a 2.34 earned run average in 122.2 innings pitched.

Stockman pitched 12 complete games and had the team’s lowest batting average against at .251.

The Lady Hornets will begin the season Feb. 5 at the Southeastern Oklahoma State Tournament in Durant, Oklahoma.