Dec. 6, 2017 Special Issue

Dec. 6, 2017 | Midwestern State University | thewichitan.com | Your Campus. Your News. | Vol. 82 SPECIAL ISSUE

“Yes, I am a Mexican woman, but I am much more than that. I’m a lover of art and a mass communication major. I have immigrant parents, and through their obstacles I have been shaped into the woman I am today. I have many things I am passionate about and that keep me going every day.

I am Mexican and proud but won’t let a label define who I can be or what I can achieve.”

JOANNE ORTEGA MASS COMMUNICATION SOPHOMORE

Dear Society, ll you te s u e k a m to y z a cr e r a We think you re daily. What do you care? who we thinks ywoue awant to see us, in the simplest You see us a e most convenient definitions. You see terms and thd, a lesbian, a Caribbean, a sorority us as disable dude, a Christian, a redneck, a girl, a frat a gay guy.

Hispanic,and But it is not that simple. from e m co o h w le p eo p of p ou r g We are a rounds eager to make a difference different backWg e are better together and more in the worlder. eotype you place on us. than the st Sincerely yours,

A BREAKFAST CLUB FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

A modern-day look at the different kinds of discrimination students face on campus and in a college town

6 | Dec. 6, 2017 |

A 21st century look at discrimination ZARYA MAIATO REPORTER

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“You see me only as a member of PRIDE. But I am much more than that. I’m a biology major aspiring to be a veterinarian.

I am much more than just the stereotypical lesbian. While it is a part of me, I am much more than my sexuality. I am a kind and gentle person. I’m an introvert.

I’m an aspiring artist. I love to love. Looking at me you wouldn’t have known that I lost both of my parents before I could properly speak or that I struggle with depression every day. I am more than just a black, gay woman. I’m Zaquera.”

ZAQUERA WALLACE BIOLOGY JUNIOR

tudents from all of backgrounds across the world travel for a higher education.

Each campus plays host to a mixture of cultures and ethnicity, but that doesn’t mean every student’s college experience is equal, as many are discriminated against for speaking their native language or for their outward appearance.

Hispanic students make up 16.3 percent of the population on campus, yet Lia Wiley, radiology sophomore, and others don’t feel comfortable speaking Spanish.

“If you speak Spanish out in public, people will look at you weird,” Wiley said.

Wiley recounted a man she saw on campus whose backpack had a button that stated, “This is America: Speak American!”

“The United States doesn’t have an official language, so I can speak whatever language I want. I was just so angry,” Wiley said.

Wiley thought the button portrayed ignorance and the dismissal of an entire culture.

“People look at you funny when you speak Spanish,” Lupe Munoz, nursing sophomore, said.

Joanne Ortega agreed with Munoz and added, “They’ll turn around and look at you.”

Wiley, Munoz and Ortega all feel as though their culture and native tongue is discouraged and not respected on campus Students aren’t solely discriminated based on the language they speak, according to Ortega and Wiley. Wiley said there’s a hierarchy where lighter-skinned people are seen as more beautiful in the Hispanic community.

“Even indigenous people in telenovelas are portrayed by white-passing people,” Ortega said.

“Because my skin is lighter than others, there’s almost always a shade for me in makeup,” Wiley said.

However, since brands like Fenty Beauty have hit the shelves, companies are striving to include darker shades for the industry.

“As a lighter skinned black woman, I’m treated better than my darker skinned counterparts,” Zaquera Wallace, biology junior,

the

wichitan Vol. 82 | Special Issue

Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd.

Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 wichitan@mwsu.edu thewichitan.com @wichitanonline

PHOTOS BY BRIDGET REILLY | | THE WICHITAN

Students and faculty finish the march around campus on the Jesse W. Rodgers Promenade for the rally against President Trump’s immigration executive order over immigration enforcement, on Feb. 1.

Asma Mohammed, radiology freshman, holds a poster of statistics disputing Trump’s immigration executive order at the rally on Feb. 1. said. “Although we’re the same ethnicity, I’m treated better because I was born with lighter skin than they were. I was told I’d fit in better with society.”

Wallace said she doesn’t believe she’s better than anyone in her race, but she said she’s

EDITORS: Avery Whaite, Morgan Haire, Lane Riggs ISSUE STAFF: Zarya Maiato, Denush Vidanapathirana, Latoya Fondren, Yareli Lora, Mia Heck, Daisy Reyes Guzman, Tyler Manning, Judelle Tyson, Ivy Martinez, Avery Queen, Devin Field, Jennifer Wright, Tre’ Jones, Halie Aldridge, Chloe Phillips PHOTOGRAPHERS: Rachel Johnson, Bridget Reilly, Marissa Daley, Justin Marquart, Shea James, Arianna Davis ADVISER: Bradley Wilson

constantly been told darker skin is linked to being inferior in her culture.

“There’s absolutely a standard on what is good hair. As a mixed individual, it’s preferred that I have ‘good hair’ and not kinky black hair. The more kinky, the more unprofessional,” Wallace said.

‘Good hair’ is a term used to describe more relaxed curl patterns, which are seen as more desirable in the black community.

“The kinkier your hair is, the less attractive you are. If your hair defies gravity, it isn’t as accepted as other hair. You’re encouraged to wear a wig, sometimes,” Wallace said. “Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of positivity movements for black women’s natural hair, though. I’m really happy to see that.”

Wiley said most of the discrimination she has experienced on campus had nothing to do with her race.

“I was discriminated against more so because I’m in PRIDE and I’m LGBT. Not so much because I’m not white,” she said.

READ THE REST ONLINE AT THE WICHITAN.

Copyright ©2017.

The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University.

The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

| Dec. 6, 2017| 7

Global enrollment continues to grow thanks to university’s outreach program “I like the community. The people have been very friendly,” Yoshimura said.

Selvin Peters, mechanical engineering he wall and shelves of Randy Glean, Director of the Office of International sophomore, said the Caribbean Student OrgaServices, are filled with pictures of smil- nization helped his initial experience.

“I came here for school. But I also came ing students, the result of his 20 years spent bringing in students from 46 countries to the here for the experience. I was on a scholarship, so I decided to come here,” Peters said. university.

“I got to travel the world, see more than “My transition was a bit easier because CSO 3,000 students come through, [and] see the showed me the roots.”

Peters said he came to the university with program grow. It’s interesting,” Glean said.

Glean said the cost of attendance played a the expectation that he would have to start huge role in bringing international students from scratch.

He said he was grateful for the help he reto Wichita Falls.

“Everyone is going to pick what’s best for ceived from organizations such as CSO, who them. Students pick MSU because the cost is ensured he had a place to stay and helped him reasonable, because there is a message coming get settled in as fast as possible.

Aeron said university officials were very to them in their home country and the message is that it is a safe school, it’s a strong pro- helpful when it came to reaching out to stugram. There’s lots of care and that’s why they dents after the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma. choose it,” Glean said.

“They were one of Yujin Yoshimura, a the fronts when it came computer science and to our relief. They got math junior and a nathe word out throughtive of Japan, said the out the organization,” school’s affordability Aeron said. played a key role in his Shehan Karunaradecision to come to the thne, accounting seuniversity. nior and vice president “The main reason of the Sri Lankan Stuwas the cheap tuition. dents Organization on My family lives here campus, said organiand they choose to live zations such as CSO, in Wichita falls because SLSO, Midwestern Indithe cost of living is so YUJIN YOSHIMURA an Student Association, low,” Yoshimura said.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MATH JUNIOR and other such student According to Glean, organizations are imthe outreach program the university conducts is also a factor in in- portant in getting incoming international students integrated into life in the United fluencing students to come here.

“We make sure the students’ expectations States.

“Before [new students] come, they expect are not grounded in promises. So, we make sure that whatever we promise, we deliver,” to come into a society that’s pretty much diverse. They expect to come and mix in with Glean said.

Calvert Aeron, mechanical engineering se- other cultures,” Karunarathne said.

Yoshimura said the university’s diversity is nior and president of the Caribbean Student Organization, said the international students’ an important part of why international stuoffice is helpful in regards to the on-campus dents continue to come here.

“For an incoming student, I’d say MSU is activities for students.

“They are doing a pretty good job being a great place and it is very connected to the the face for international students on cam- community. The diversity is very important pus. I know that with events like Caribfest, to the school,” Yoshimura said. “It’s importhey help us advertise and spread the word tant that people from different backgrounds are part of the same community. They don’t around campus,” Aeron said.

Yoshimura said the tuition and cost of liv- feel isolated. They feel connected and that’s ing was not the only reason he chose to come. very important.”

DENUSH VIDANAPATHIRANA REPORTER

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“For an incoming student, I’d say MSU is a great place and it is very connected to the community.

The diversity is very important to the school,”

51.9%

Caribbean students make up the largest percentage of international students

8.9%

China and India tie for second place for amount of students enrolled

PHOTOS BY RACHEL JOHNSON | THE WICHITAN

Lidenia Clarke, Spanish junior, shakes her chest for the camera during the Caribfest Parade that looped from Dillard to Jesse Rogers Promenade Sept. 30.

“You see me as just a Caribbean girl, but I am much more than that. I sacrificed my year-round sunshine, sea and sand to be here at Midwestern State University. I’m not just doing this for me, I’m doing it for my 6-year-old daughter’s future.

I make sacrifices in my life in hopes to make her life better.”

Dave Hughes, accounting senior, and Akeem Shaw, accounting senior, start to dance together during the Caribfest Parade that looped from Dillard to Jesse Rogers Promenade Sept. 30.

5.3%

Percentage of students enrolled from Nigeria.

JULEEN MANNERS SOCIAL WORK FRESHMAN

8 | Dec. 6, 2017 |

PHOTOS BY MARISSA DAYLEY | THE WICHITAN

Alpha Phi members show up in crazy outfits chanting to the judges at the Homecoming Parade held in front of Akin Auditorium Oct. 20.

Greeks prey to stereotypes; still a ‘necessity’ LATOYA FONDREN REPORTER

I “You see me as a member of the Baptist Student Ministry, but I am much more than that. I’m a sinner who has been saved by grace through my faith in Jesus Christ.

My identity is found in The Lord and I want show God’s love to everyone.”

MASON WINKLES BUSINESS MANAGEMENT JUNIOR

t’s the first night of recruitment, 80 anxious girls await the start of their Greek life experience. Each girl already has an idea of which sorority they would like to be a part of and what that sorority is like.

The Greek community provides students a chance to gain leadership skills and come together as a whole to serve a purpose, and as more sororities are incorporating diversity into their chapters, some members, like Hailey Morris, early childhood education senior, believe they have a range of girls involved in Greek life.

“We truly get a range of people, there are girls who are local, girls from out of the city, girls from out of state, and even girls from out of the country,” Morris said.

Hannah King, psychology junior, said students of other ethnic backgrounds shouldn’t shy away from a particular sorority because of the fear that they may not be socially accepted.

Mario Ramirez, assistant director of student involvement, said, “Every student that is interested should give each sorority a try.”

King said students aren’t pledging like they used to because the excitement for Greek life no longer exists.

However, the same goes for multicultural sororities,” Morris said. “People who aren’t involved in sororities have labeled what kinds of girls go through which recruitment process and because of this invisible, and inaccurate rule, the girls in sororities tend to divide themselves according to this manner.”

Prospective students spend one week visiting each of the sororities to figure out which

221

Girls involved in Panhellenic sorority chapters.

group makes them feel the most comfortable. so much diversity the sororities can gain.

Ramirez said, “Get to know the sororities, “People come into college, and we only don’t listen to what other people say or what have a couple short weeks to show them who you see in the movies and social media.” we are,” Morris said. “If they already have negKing agreed and said sororities face pres- ative thoughts because of things like movies, sure to look like the movies. However, she be- that really makes it hard on us.” lieves there is more to it than just that.

Ramirez said there are some sororities that Morris said she have some diversity believes the problem but the percentage lies in stereotypes, as is low in numbers. many people come to He also mentioned college with a preconthat sororities should ceived notion of Greek learn how to recruit life. different kinds of stu“The problem lies dents, such as firstin stereotypes because generation students of preconceived nowho don’t know what tions and ideas about sororities or sisterGreek life prior to or hoods are. during college,” Mor- Chi Omega and Sigma Alpha Epsilon members “Step one is recris said. “We tend to rock to music with their boom box heads riding ognizing the populose out on great po- on their neon covered float for the Homecoming lation, another step tential members sim- Parade. would be making an ply due to the fact that they think they don’t effort to make sure that students of different fit society’s image of being Greek.” ethnic backgrounds are being welcomed into Morris said one solution to the problem is the sororities,” Ramirez said. to begin dismantling cliche stereotypes.

“That’s another step, making sure that “We, Greek community, really need to show that being Greek isn’t limited or re- they are being inclusive with their language stricted to any one type of people or culture and actions to all students,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said the solutions that he suggestbecause essentially, if that’s the case, then there’d be no purpose for the Greek commu- ed are going to take some time and effort from Greek life nationals and his department to nity,” Morris said.

“We become as vulnerable as we can, shar- help the sororities better promote themselves ing our own stories and allowing people to see to the student body.

“I’ve seen the potential that Greek life that absolutely anyone is welcome,” Morris has,” Ramirez said. “I believe it’s a necessity to said.

However, when it’s the same pool of peo- have Greek life on campus.” ple going through recruitment, there is only

56

Girls in multicultural sorority chapters.

9

Panhellenic and multicultural chapters on campus.

| Dec. 6, 2017| 9

PHOTOS BY SHEA JAMES | THE WICHITAN Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Austin Leveridge, business Kappa Alpha Order members D.J. Hauser, criminal justice senior, catches a football finance senior, plays washers at a soccer tailgate at the soccer tailgate in front of his fraternity’s letters on Aug. 24. on Aug. 24.

Brother realizes fraternity not understanding, welcoming YARELI LORA REPORTER

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hough joining a fraternity should feel like someone is accepted by their brothers for who they are, one student felt the fraternity wasn’t as accepting as they had been lead to believe — as other members began to talk behind his back.

Brandon Brown, business management junior, made the decision to drop Kappa Alpha Order after being an active member for two years, due to disagreements, no common ground and a lack of communication with the chapter.

“I honestly had enough of Kappa Alpha, I had been wanting to drop for quite a while and finally I contacted my president back in the spring telling him that I was goBrandon ing to drop,” Brown said.

Students leave their Brown brothers because of the cost, they transfer, or simply because, as Brown felt, Greek life wasn’t for him.

Joining a fraternity allows students to network and make lifelong friends while cultivating leadership skills and helping the community through charity work, but Brown said KA did nothing for him.

“I wanted to network with others in hopes to help further my career when I graduate, but there’s nothing that KA really did for me,” Brown said.

1865

Dec. 21, 1865, was when Kappa Alpha was founded nationwide.

Noah Garcia, nursing sophomore and vice president of Kappa Alpha Order, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and tackling problems within the fraternity.

“We want all the active members to be united as we can be and always encourage people to think that they’re heard, and feel that they are heard,” Garcia said.

Brown did not always agree with some of the decisions that were made throughout the fraternity.

“The guys saw that I was drifting away from the group and tried to help me a little, but I don’t agree with all of the decisions that are made within the group and the guys don’t really like it if you disagree with their views. They kind of hold a grudge towards you,” Brown said.

In contrast, Garcia said the members get along pretty well.

“It’s all about connections, brotherhood, and where you feel at home,” Garcia said.

But Brown’s connections with some of the members faded and he stopped calling them brothers after he heard some of the members talking about him behind his back.

“KA has some good guys in the fraternity. There’s a few I’m friends with, some I’m neutral with and then there’s some where we just shouldn’t cross paths, plus lots of negativity between some of the members.

These guys call each other brothers, but I don’t,” Brown said.

133

Active Kappa Alpha chapters, as of December 2015.

Brown works a full time job at WellsFargo and said his job has prevented him from attending some of the events that the fraternity has.

“I feel like they started talking about me because I have a full time job and I wasn’t able to make it to all of the events,” Brown said.

Brown said he started to realize Kappa Alpha was strict and not understanding.

“I feel like you are in college and you’re young, and they put a hamper on that sometimes. A couple of guys like to talk behind closed doors and it’s one of those things that I’m just like, ‘Okay, whatever,’” Brown said Brotherhood is a term for an unbroken bond. For Brown, that term did not resonate with Kappa Alpha Order.

“I’d figure the president would try to talk me out of dropping the chapter when I contacted him about it, but he didn’t. He must have seen me as a lost cause,” Brown said.

Regret is what comes to mind when he thinks about Kappa Alpha Order.

“Greek life is for me, KA life isn’t. If I could go back, I would have gone with Sigma Alpha Epsilon,” Brown said.

Wanting to hear from current members of Kappa Alpha Order about the reasoning behind Brown dropping the fraternity, the editors reached out to several members who all declined to comment or didn’t respond to missed calls and voice mails.

34

Active members in Kappa Alpha Order on campus.

“You see me as the typical sorority girl. But who I really am is a strong, confident and driven woman. I am more than just big T-shirts and leggings, I’m a student striving to become an occupational therapist to help as many lives as I can. ” SARAH MAHAN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY SOPHOMORE

“You see me as a frat guy, but I am more than the letters I wear on my back. I am an honest, driven young leader. I just want to better myself, my campus and my community in any way that I can. With joining a fraternity I’ve been given the opportunity to build lifelong bonds with my brothers along the way. ” TRAVIS FUENTES NURSING JUNIOR

10 | Dec. 6, 2017 | PHOTOS BY JUSTIN MARQUART AND ARIANNA DAVIS | THE WICHITAN

Michael Clayton, early education freshman (right), participates in events at the Cook Out on Aug. 23 Ryan Luig, computer science senior, explains the process of roasting as he takes apart the coffee roaster machines. March 22.

Rednecks: “It’s just a way of life; you get to yell ‘yee yee’ whenever” MIA HECK REPORTER

“I am more than the boots I wear, the buckle on my belt or the small town I came from. You have no idea the hardships I faced to try to get where I am today. Growing up I had to not only go to school, but I had to work long hours to keep our family business afloat. I’m a first generation college student, going to school not only to get an education but so I can help take care of my family in the end.

I’m striving to be a mechanical engineer one day, and I’m taking a lot of classes this semester and it has been nothing short of easy. I know if I work hard enough, it will all pay off in the end.”

AUSTIN PRATER ENGINEERING FRESHMAN

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redneck can be identified by their camoflauge shirts, boots, cowboy belts, or by their Southern drawl and hospitality. However, these characteristics can also stereotype a redneck.

The well-known definition, which came into common usage in the ‘30s, stems from farmers whose necks had been burned by the sun during hours of outdoor labor.

Jeff Foxworthy, a famous comedian and redneck, sold twice as many as records as white-collar comedians, such as Steve Martin or Richard Pryor, setting the record for the most comedy recordings sold in history in 2007.

Michael Clayton, early education freshman, said,“I would definitely consider myself to be a redneck, but my definition of the term is just a way to describe someone who is in touch with their roots of where they come from, and that is often a small country town.”

Rednecks live in rural settings and are known for their love of pickup trucks and country lifestyle.

“I’m not kidding when I say I don’t need much, but my buddies and my pickup on a back road just driving around,” Clayton said.

“It’s the simple things that make me happy because that is the way I was raised.”

The term “redneck” has been dated back to the 1800s as way to describe a set group of people, though its meaning has shifted through the years.

In today’s society, a redneck refers to southern white people who are often unedu-

cated, poor or of low social standing; similarly, the term has also been used as a derogatory term to poke fun at people who live an excessive country lifestyle.

“Being a redneck means living a fantastic life that keeps you connected and learning to appreciate the nature around you. That includes taking pride in the animals we harvest and the land I preserve,” Jared Sharp, 2017 mechanical engineering graduate, said.

“It allows me to put meat in the freezer and provide for myself all year, and taking joy in the simple things like relaxing by a bonfire,” he said.

The commonplace for the redneck custom, even when researching the specific definition online, is the idea that all rednecks are often an uneducated group of people.

“The majority of rednecks I know are extremely intelligent. I know at least 15 rednecks who graduated college with engineering degrees,” Sharp said. “If that doesn’t prove the stigma wrong, then I don’t know what would.”

Famous rednecks include comedians Larry the Cable Guy, Phil Robertson and Bill Engvall, who are all college graduates.

“The stereotype is completely backwards.

Rednecks are very educated but usually in different aspects of life,” Zack McMahen, criminal justice junior, said. “We are able to adapt well to new situations and learn as we go.”

During the ‘70s, the redneck became a widely popular lifestyle in the fashion industry, and brought fame to the lifestyle with the help of the 1981 movie “Urban Cowboy.”

The movie brought a trend across Ameri-

ca that introduced southern drawls, cowboy boots and country-fried food from Hollywood into the homes of Americans across the country.

“I find it interesting that people sometimes use the word ‘redneck’ as a degrading term, yet glorify popular rednecks like the Robertson family from ‘Duck Dynasty’ or Larry the Cable Guy,” Clayton said.

People consider rednecks to be known for their southern hospitality, however, the common consensus also considers rednecks to be racist, due to a southern origin.

“It’s not that we are racists, it’s just that we don’t care about offending anyone because we are not easily offended ourselves,” Sharp said. “But we are also the type to give you the shirt off our backs if you needed it.”

Activities that are strongly associated with redneck people include hunting and fishing, as well as farming.

“Because I’m a country boy, I can kill or catch all the meat I need for a year, as well as keep a garden to provide my own vegetables,” McMahen said.

Despite the popular, though occasionally negative, connotation that is associated with being a redneck, the lifestyle is continually changing and becoming more accepted by society due to its acceptance of famous rednecks.

“It’s fun being a redneck because you get to shoot animals, go mudding, dip and spit and yell, ‘Yee Yee,’ whenever you want,” Clayton said. “To me, it’s not only a term to explain my lifestyle. It’s just a way of life.”

| Dec. 6, 2017| 11

The ADA compliant ramps and stairs outside of the Protho-Yeager and Bea Wood buildings.

PHOTOS BY MARISSA DALEY | THE WICHITAN

Students with disabilities struggle with non-ADA compliant buildings DAISY REYES GUZMAN REPORTER

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tudents with disabilities struggle to enter old buildings as classmates quickly walk up stairs and ramps. Most students don’t think of the accessibility of buildings - but for students with disabilities, it’s an everyday thought.

Former President George H.W. Bush signed Americans with Disabilities Act into law in July 1990. The act enforced an end to discrimination against people with disabilities in the workforce and public education system.

Based on the act, ADA compliance is making sure things are accessible to people with disabilities.

But although the Americans with Disabilities Act has now enforced buildings to include these things, students with disabilities still face buildings that are not ADA compliant.

“It is the physical accessibility of the campus and that means ramps and the signs in braille,” said Debra Higginbotham, director of Disability Support Services and ADA coordinator.

Ramps, braille, service dogs, elevators and automatic doors accommodate people who have a physical disability.

On the other hand, there are other “invisible disabilities” that need different types of accommodations.

“If a person has problems with concentration, we are not going to say, ‘You can do your best work when you’re in a classroom that may be extremely noisy and distracting to you,’” Higginbotham said.

Another thing a lot of people don’t think about is electronic accessibility. With online courses, the university needs to make sure a person with vision impairment is able to use a screen reader.

For people with a hearing impairment, if the course refers to a YouTube video, then professors need to ensure the video has captions. They need to think about all aspects of the courses.

Higginbotham said the law itself sounds sim-

ple, but the regulation book is not.

“Our goal is to have everything over and above,” Higginbotham said.

Elizabeth Speegle, history freshman, lives on campus and maneuvers around campus in a wheelchair and at times walks with the help of her crutches. Speegle was born with Cerebral Palsy and has had multiple surgeries to help her walk.

“It has always been my dream to come to college,” Speegle said.

She chose the school because it was close to home. At the time, she wasn’t concerned about ADA compliance because her disability was not going to stop her from reaching her dream, but once here, she noticed things need improvement.

Speegle said some doors in different buildings aren’t automatic and there’s a need for more ramps around the buildings. She also said some sidewalks are hard to get up or some doors are heavy.

The crosswalk on Taft Boulevard is a safety hazard because, “people don’t really see you and slow down,” Speegle said. The library has narrow aisles of bookshelves that she can’t get her wheelchair through.

“It’s not their fault,” she said, “They’re trying their best. It’s because they’ve been around for so long.”

MSU started off in 1922 as Wichita Falls Junior College, long before the concept of disability services made it into building codes. ADA compliance standards were permitted in 2010, but were not enforced until 2012.

“A lot of the complaints we get are because we are meeting the requirements, but we have such old buildings and it’s so hard to be sure that every door is wide enough,” Higginbotham said.

She said there are standards for the width requirements of doors, however, there are people who need power chairs, which are bigger than that.

“Fain is a nightmare,” said Higginbotham.

“It was actually put together pre-ADA. It’s nice and artsy and looks very pretty, but wow.”

Over the years, gradual changes were made to the Fain Fine Arts building. Higginbotham said she has looked at blueprints to double check for ADA compliance.

Ferguson Hall is in the works and Hardin Administration Building is expecting changes of its own.

“Some of the buildings you may say about, ‘Well they don’t look like they’re doing anything,’ and that may be because they’re actually about to come down,” said Higginbotham, “[For the Counseling Center] the plans were for that to come down.”

The funding for these projects comes from a combination, but a lot of it is from the state “HE” a fund.

“There is always some money available that we could get every year,” she said. “Things we are looking at right now are fire compliance and ADA compliance. The good thing is both of these sometimes work hand in hand.”

She said they also have to think about what buildings they should invest the money in and if they aren’t going to configure anything soon.

“A lot of times it’s really hard to tell a person, particularly if they’re in a wheelchair, ‘Hang on, we’ve got it in the plans. It’s going to happen,’ because they’re dealing with it on a day-to-day basis,” Higginbotham said. “But the truth really comes down to: you can’t just go in and knock down a wall.”

Higginbotham says this is because the state has to approve plans of the commendation.

Higginbotham has been working at MSU since the late 80s, which is long enough to witness the changes that ADA has brought to the school.

READ THE REST ONLINE AT THE WICHITAN.

“I have faced discrimination in the past because of my disability, but here in a college setting, people see me in a better light. I would describe myself first and foremost as a Christian, second, a history major, and third, a Priddy Scholar. I am a first-generation student that has been given the opportunity to study in a prestigious new scholarship program.”

ELIZABETH SPEEGLE HISTORY FRESHMAN

12 | Dec. 6, 2017 | PHOTO BY MARISSA DALEY | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO BY JUSTIN MARQUART | THE WICHITAN

Shaniece Dutch, sociology senior, holds up a pride flag with the word peace on it during the Resist Hate Rally held at the Sunwatcher Plaza on Sept. 1.

“You see me as the funny gay guy who wears makeup, but who I really am is a broken and incomplete person. After years of suffering from OCD, anxiety and depression, I put up a front to distract myself and others from seeing how twisted and messed up I really am.

Due to years of depression, I don’t really feel emotions anymore, and if I happen to feel anything it’s just pure anger and hatred. Despite the years of wanting to die, I’m at a point where I don’t know if I will ever go back to my former self, back to feeling human again.”

TANNER FLORES SPECIAL EDUCATION FRESHMAN

Zarya Maitao, mass communication sophomore, Jessie Tidwell, education sophomore and Zaquera Wallace, biology junior, flashes color and march in the Resist Hate Rally held in Sunwatcher Plaza on Sept. 1.

LGBTQ: avoiding the trigger point TYLER MANNING REPORTER

T

hey are just like everyone else on campus. They have the same likes, dislikes and struggles. They eat in the same cafeteria, walk in the same halls and attend the same classes. Though they are just like any other student on campus, they have had a history of discrimination.

Those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender have a long history of facing discrimination and violence. In 2011, the Gay-Straight Alliance was formed to educate students and alleviate misconceptions about members of the LGBT community, preceding campus stories about LGBTQ+ issues on campus.

In 2013, an openly gay man was refused the right to donate blood on campus because of his sexual orientation.

In 2015, other openly gay students on campus were ridiculed by multiple students on an anonymous social media app for their sexual orientations along with the caption, “See a fag, post a fag.”

In 2016, an openly gay athlete came to MSU to speak on the challenges he has faced because of his identity and the organization People Respecting Identity Diversity for Everyone had made itself more visible with peaceful protesting.

Throughout the past six years, there has been a tremendous amount of growth toward bettering the treatment of LGBT,

1970

First PRIDE march in U.S. history.

or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender directly persecuted,” Sinclair said. “MSU members on campus. does the best job it can. There are a lot of All of these events have led to the cam- great faculty and staff that are allies and pus climate now, where students that are supportive. That is the extent of what they part of the LGBT commucan do.” nity have yet to see disThough she does not crimination against them feel discrimination on or their friends on the campus, she has seen disbasis of their identity and crimination off campus in sexual orientation.

Wichita Falls.

That familiar back“I had my car decorated ground connected with pretty gay for homecomthe community is all too ing last year. I was off camfamiliar to Morgan Sinpus and when I came back, clair, sociology junior I had tobacco spit all over and president of campus my car,” Sinclair said. “It PRIDE. was disgusting to say the She did not grow up in least.” an LGBT accepting home.

Sinclair does fear what It was not until this past could happen on this camsummer that she came out pus. She referenced an to her family. event at Cleveland State “My grandma has not University, in which a sebeen the nicest person ries of fliers were spread PHOTO BY MARISSA DALEY | THE WICHITAN ever about it. For instance, Zaquera Wallace, biology junior, pos- around campus telling she has told me that I am ses for an interview for Channel 6 be- members of the LGBTQ+ attacking her in her own fore the start of the Resist Hate Rally community to commit home,” Sinclair said. suicide and hopes somein Sunwatcher Plaza Sept. 1.

Despite seeing discrimthing similar does not ination in her home, Sinclair said she has happen on this campus. yet to see that present on campus.

“I don’t want that to happen on campus “Surprisingly, considering how unac- because I fear that it could,” Sinclair said. cepting a lot of people in Wichita Falls are “It is a trigger point for a lot of people.” about gay people, I have not seen anyone READ THE REST ONLINE AT THEWICHITAN.COM

2011

Gay-Straight Alliance formed to educate students on the LGBT community.

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Students actively involved in PRIDE on campus.