University Daily Kansan Feb. 4, 2019

INSIDE THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904

Professors say some anxiety could lead to more success based on study of statistics anxiety p. 2 A local businesswoman started a concert series that’s turned houses into music venues p. 3 Opinion: Gillette ad demonstrates phony activism p. 10

SPORTS Bounce back win over Texas Tech puts KU back in the Big 12 driver’s seat

The University Daily Kansan

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vol. 138 // iss. 5 Mon., Feb 4, 2019

SEE SOFTBALL • PAGE 7

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De Sousa decision incites outrage NCAA proves its hypocrisy

KU

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FULTON CASTER @FCaster04

sion over De Sousa, Long laid bare the process that KU Athletics followed leading up to De Sousa’s ultimate ineligibility, as well as his plans to appeal the decision.

“I remain profoundly disappointed at the NCAA’s decision that effectively takes away the college basketball career from a young man who did nothing wrong,” Long said. “I’ve been involved in college athletics for many years and at many institutions and have always respected the NCAA and trusted the process. But I must tell

On Friday evening the NCAA finally handed down a decision in the case regarding Kansas men’s basketball sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa. The NCAA ruled De Sousa must sit out the rest of the 20182019 season as well as the 2019-2020 season as punishment for a $2,500 payment that was agreed upon and received by De Sousa’s guardian.

Simply put, this is a shameful and disappointing decision. De Sousa did not have knowledge of this payment. His guardian accepted it without him knowing, and now De Sousa is being punished for this decision.

But as disappointing as it is, the decision by the NCAA is entirely not surprising.

The NCAA in the past few months and few years has done nothing but hand down ridiculous ruling after ruling and has devolved into a nonsensical organization that has completely lost touch with its intended purpose.

The NCAA is supposed to exist to govern college athletics and be a body that allows players to be protected if they are taken advantage of.

The problem is that the organization does not do these things. The NCAA’s

READ MORE ON PAGE 7

READ MORE ON PAGE 7

National Women’s Law Center CEO to speak on Title IX Fatima Goss Graves is set to give a lecture on Title IX as part of the Jana Mackey Distinguished Lecture Series.

Jayhawks win Langston Hughes Creative Writing University of Kansas alumna Jameelah Jones and student Molly Weisgrau react to winning the Langston Hughes

KU alumnus creates dark comedy about grave robbers University alumnus Sam Findlay has created a dark comedy called “The Heirloom.”

The film was shot in the Kansas City area.

Jeff Long responds to suspension SHAUN GOODWIN @ShaunGoodwinUDK Less than 24 hours after University of Kansas Athletic Director Jeff Long released a statement regarding the NCAA’s decision to declare Kansas men’s basketball Silvio De Sousa ineligible through the 2019-20 season, Long addressed the media before Kansas’ Big 12 faceoff with Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon.

“This process simply hasn’t been fair in our view. If the NCAA is trying to send a message or make a statement with an unwarranted, harsh punishment, they are do-

“I remain profoundly disappointed at the NCAA’s decision that effectively takes away the college basketball career from a young man who did nothing wrong.”

Jeff Long Athletic Director

ing it through the wrong messenger in our opinion,” Long said. “A young man that both NCAA enforcement and the institution agree had no knowledge of and did not benefit from the NCAA violation.”

The NCAA ruled that

De Sousa’s guardian had received a payment of $2,500 from an Adidas employee in order to steer the four-star recruit toward Kansas.

From voicing visible frustration to nearly being brought to tears regarding the NCAA’s deci-

Students hope for restored funding KYSER DOUGAN @KyserDougan With the legislature convening for another session in 2019, students are still concerned with the rising costs of tuition.

This session, the Kansas Board of Regents has requested $85 million more in state funding over the next two years, bringing funding levels back to where they were before cuts in 2009, per the Lawrence Journal-World.

Rep. Dennis “Boog” Highberger said since he is not on the right committees, it is difficult for him to work on higher education legislation directly, but the democratic delegation supports more funding for higher education.

“Since I’m not on the budget committee or the education committee it’s hard for me to work on that directly, but I know we have good people on those committees who are working on it,” he added.

The minimum Highberger would like to see done is funding levels restored to where they were before the

Contributed photo District 2 Kansas Sen. Marci Francisco represents Lawrence at the state capital and said she hopes to see more funds for higher education. most recent cuts.

“I’m not sure about the best way to address this legislatively, but I’m really concerned about rising tuition rates,” Highberger said.

“I have been following the administration’s response to budget difficulties and I’m going to make sure it doesn’t fall on the back of

students and faculty.”

Highberger said he thinks the current situation is not inevitable and is of the legislature’s making by cutting funding.

“The reason tuition is rising so much is not that we don’t have the resources,” Highberger said. “It’s because we are not allo-

cating our resources in the right way.”

Sen. Marci Francisco also said she hopes to see funding levels increased for higher education.

“I think the request from the regents is a responsible and appropriate request,” Francisco said.

Francisco said the governor has said she is not supporting any new taxes, which means the state is challenged with doing more with less, making it harder to find more funding for higher education.

“I think we can grow the economy, but it’s a slower process. It’s not going to happen in a single year,” Francisco added when asked about ways for the state to have more funding.

The most important thing that can be done for higher education is to “acknowledge the impact of a better trained and educated citizenry and offer state support so that tuition at technical schools, community colleges and universities could be more READ MORE ON PAGE 2

Sarah Wright/KANSAN Interim Provost Carl Lejuez discusses budget cuts

Analysis: Lejuez’s promotion perks NICOLE ASBURY & SOPHIA BELSHE @NicoleAsbury @SophiaBelshe Carl Lejuez gained $100,000 more in his base salary following his promotion to interim provost of the University of Kansas.

At a time when the $20 million budget cut is dominating conversation at the University, some

budget conversation attendees questioned how much funding goes to administration salaries, rather than funneling out to students, staff and faculty.

At a budget conversation in December, graduate student Hannah Allison addressed Lejuez, saying graduate teaching assistants only make an estiREAD MORE ON PAGE 2

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K A N S A N .C O M / N E W S

Some anxiety can create success SOPHIA MISLE @smisle18 While approximately 80 percent of college students experience some form of statistics anxiety, students need a little anxiety to do well in their classes, University of Kansas professors say.

Michael Vitevitch, chair of the University psychology department, Marsha McCartney, a University assistant professor of psychology, and Cynthia Siew, a University of Warwick research fellow, made this discovery together in a new study published in January.

“If you’re really low in anxiety or really high in anxiety, your performance is really poor in the class,” Vitevitch said.

“If you’ve got a little bit of anxiety, your performance is actually pretty good.”

Statistics anxiety can be defined as stress that comes from simply looking at a math or statistics problems and being unable to do the problem because of the stress.

Siew and Vitevitch worked with McCartney, who had data about statistics anxiety she collected from one of her classes, to do their research. She had asked her students to discuss where they were at with the information discussed in

FROM PAGE 1

Maggie Gould/KANSAN CAPS held a workshop on coping with anxiety and stress for students at Watkins. Dr. Kiersten Watkins presented and gave out items for students to use. class.

“We thought ‘Oh hey, have you done anything with that besides seeing how anxious people are?’

And she said, ‘No,’” Vitevitch said.

McCartney assessed 228 students in the introductory statistics class in the psychology department through a survey.

The questions consisted of asking students how they felt about their knowledge in mathematics, how they felt about the teacher and other similar questions.

“In a good collaboration, everybody brings something to the table,” Vitevitch said. “Cynthia Siew brought the real statistical chops to run the analysis. I had the initial idea. Marsha McCartney

had the data. Everyone made something bigger out of it. It’s a good kind of collaboration when that happens.”

Although University freshman Erin Bugee has not taken statistics, she knows the feeling of statistics anxiety.

“I struggle with math,” Bugee said. “It’s kind of overwhelming because we have been going through it so much.”

Bugee is enrolled in college algebra this semester. She said she has not gone over most of these concepts since her junior year in high school, and it’s overwhelming trying to pick up the material at a fast pace.

“Unit-by-unit they are going over stuff way faster than when I took high

school pre-calculus,” Bugee said. “We had the entire year to take the class, and this is only a semester, so this is way faster.”

Vitevitch said if students are experiencing statistics anxiety or need help with any classwork, they should visit their professor’s office hours.

The University also provides a number of programs to helps students succeed in mathematics, such as the Kansas Algebra Program and supplemental instruction sessions.

“We’re not here just for problems,” Vitevitch said.

“Even if things are going all right, you can still go talk to your professors.

We often sit during office hours doing other things because no one comes.”

PROVOST FROM PAGE 1 mated $16,000 per year, whereas Lejuez earns a six-figure salary — around $410,000, according to a letter from Chancellor Douglas Girod to Lejuez, offering him the position of interim provost.

“It feels like a lot of us are having to make less more,” Allison said during the meeting.

It is likely the salary would increase for whoever takes over the provost position permanently.

“The important thing is that most of the time you do not pay someone as an interim what you would pay them to do the job,” Lejuez said. “The interim salary, for good reasons, is almost always less.”

The search for a permanent provost is expected to begin in late spring 2019, according to a message from Chancellor Douglas Girod. University spokesperson Erinn Barcomb-Peterson confirmed the search is still expected in this timeframe.

“If you want to hire people, you tend to not offer less than the previous person made. I can tell you if we try to bring any new provost, there’s no chance that person would come for less than what we were paying previous provosts,” Lejuez said. “What does it say of their value? What does it say about how excited the University is?”

Before the search for a permanent provost, the Kansan overviewed the hiring contract of Lejuez while

HIGHER EDUCATION affordable,” according to Francisco.

KU Young Democrats President Jamie Hawley echoed this.

“Funding colleges and universities in Kansas is the only way to ensure that a dedicated and passionate generation of students has the chance to better themselves and the state,” Hawley said.

College Republicans don’t necessarily argue for more funding, but oversight.

“We believe that the legislature needs to increase its oversight over KU’s budget and large financial decisions,” said College Republicans President and Spokesman Garrett Miller.

College Republicans also see the Central District Science project as a prime example of misappropriations of funding.

“KU’s tuition and fees have drastically increased because the previous University administration overprojected enrollment, and the University is now paying the price for that decision with internal budget cuts and tuition increases,” Miller said.

Miller said the project “created a $350 million liability that now rests on the shoulders of KU’s faculty, staff, students and the state of Kansas to pay off.”

he was dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and for his interim provost position, and the contract of former-Provost Neeli Bendapudi.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLEMENT Lejuez accrues an administrative supplement of $60,000 per year as interim provost, according to the proposed budget books of 2019.

As administrators are hired on a 12-month contract — instead of a ninemonth faculty contract — their annual salaries include the supplement to account for both the leadership position and the additional three months included in the contract.

In the three months faculty are not in classes, they are expected to earn their salaries throughout the summer through their research, for example, Lejuez said. The money earned by faculty throughout the summer does not show up in the proposed budget books, as it’s usually funded through outside grants.

When he was dean of the College, Lejuez earned the same amount, $60,000, in administrative supplements, but his proposed annual salary was $100,000 less, at $310,000, according to a letter from then-Provost Jeffrey Vitter.

Bendapudi earned $455,000 for her annual salary, with a $60,000 administrative supplement, according to a letter from then-Chancellor Berna-

Chance Parker/KANSAN Interim Provost Carl Lejuez presents at a town hall meeting on June 6, 2018. dette Gray-Little, offering Bendapudi the position.

As is, Bendapudi earned $45,000 more than Lejuez has as interim provost.

Should Lejuez return to being a professor at the University, rather than a dean or provost, the $60,000 would no longer be a part of his salary.

“It’s tricky when it says ‘dean and professor’ or ‘provost and professor’ because these are 100 percent jobs,” Lejuez said.

LEJUEZ’S DEAN CONTRACT Lejuez is still officially the permanent dean of the College, though the position is currently occupied

by Interim Dean Clarence Lang.

Currently, Lejuez maintains access to research funds allotted during his contract as dean, “pursuant to the terms outlined

in your letter of appointment,” Girod wrote.

Vitter hired Lejuez as dean of the College, as he felt Lejuez’s goals for the College in 2016 would stay in accordance with “Bold Aspirations,” a strategic plan by the University rolled out by Vitter.

In a 2016 letter from Vitter to Lejuez offering him the dean position, he wrote, “You face several key priorities.”

The priorities included the following: “[I]mproving the four AAU metrics (namely, Federal research funding, citations in literature, national academy memberships, and prestigious awards).” “[I]mproving student learning (especially via effective course redesign).” “[I]ncreasing enrollments, improving retention and graduation rates.” “[M]anaging academic resources effectively, and

realizing new sources of revenue.”

Vitter encouraged Lejuez to maintain a close relationship with the top 15 donors to the College, the letter said. Vitter wanted Lejuez to create a strategic funding plan and “visibly model a successful partnership between the college and KU Endowment.”

At the time, Vitter offered $25,000 to Lejuez for rebranding and promoting the College across the University campus. This funding was allocated to raise the profile of the College and to develop print or video materials to be used for fundraising or recruitment purposes.

Lejuez was asked to take over as interim provost in April of 2018. Upon accepting the offer he effectively left the College in Lang’s hands and was promoted with higher compensation on an interim basis.

KANSAN.COM

arts & culture Monday, February 4, 2019

ARTS & CULTURE

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K A N S A N .C O M /A R T S _ A N D _ C U LT U R E

Brick and mortar meets PoorBoy Burrito Co. Lawrence-based breakfast cuisine PoorBoy Burrito Company now has a dine-in location to open this February after being an exclusively delivery-only service. The new location is located at the corner of 19th and Massachusetts Streets. Delivery services will still continue.

RACHEL GAYLOR @raegay218 Breakfast delivery restaurant PoorBoy Burrito Company will open its doors to allow sit-in customers starting Monday, Feb. 4. The quaint restaurant, which sits on the corner of 19th and Massachusetts Streets, will be open from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m.

The locally-owned business had previously been a food delivery service only but is hoping to reach more customers by allowing patrons to come in, sit and eat.

Owner Nate Keller hopes the business becomes a staple in the community. “[Expanding] has always been in the plan,” Keller said.

Keller described the new layout as “similar to Chipotle or Qdoba,” but will exclusively feature breakfast burritos along with beverages like coffee and orange juice.

The restaurant will also feature a lounge area with televisions and couches.

“Nowhere else really offers a breakfast that comes to you. I think we stand above for that reason alone...”

Alex Brewster Part-owner

“[We offer] convenience,” Keller said.

Alex Brewster, brotherin-law to Keller, is joining the business as a part-owner. He moved from Missouri to help front the business.

He said expanding allows for the evolution of the company and the establishment of its brand.

“It allows us to become more in-touch with the people,” Brewster said. “When we’re doing deliveries, we see you for one second, and then we’re gone. But when [customers] can come in and talk — that’s a whole different environment.”

PoorBoy Burrito Company will still deliver to customers who don’t want to leave the comfort of their house, but wants to have the option for people to come and stay. They currently have five employees who deliver around Lawrence.

“Nowhere else really offers a breakfast that comes to you,” Brewster said. “I think we stand above for that reason alone because no matter where you are, we can come to you.”

Keller said they aren’t trying to compete with chains like Chipotle and Qdoba but are providing a fresh and local option for Lawrence residents. They hope to expand more within the next month to offer lunch options as well. “[I’m excited] about getting out into the communi-

Chance Parker/KANSAN The dine-in PoorBoy Burrito Company opens at the corner of 19th Street and Massachusetts Street on Feb. 4, 2019. The space was home to Hank Charcuterie until May 2018. ty. We’ve only reached out to maybe a thousand people in the Lawrence area,” Keller said. “I think getting our name out there in front of more people will be pretty exciting.”

Brewster said he and Keller make all the food each morning and cook a certain amount so there

are no leftovers. The duo arrives to PoorBoy Burrito Company at 2 a.m. to begin prep work for the day.

“I think that’s pretty big in setting us apart — we cook everything every morning. It’s not precooked.”

Brewster said he and Keller are relatively new to

the restaurant business, having owned PoorBoy Burrito Company for three years, but they have a plan to grow the brand in the area and hopefully expand even more in the future.

“I’m excited to see us grow, see where it takes us.

Hopefully we can eventually open up more stores in

different places and have a bigger community,” Brewster said.

Customers can order delivery via text to 785-5503317 or email poorboyburrito@gmail.com.

Drivers will accept cash, as well as have tech to allow customers to pay with card upon delivery.

Residents open houses to musicians in concert series WYATT HALL @thewyatthall15 For local artists, finding a place to share their music with the community can be difficult. Karyn “Kitty” Marie, wants to change that with the LFK House Show Concert Series.

The series relies on people in Lawrence opening up their homes for artists to play and people to watch, without all the hustle and bustle of a traditional concert venue or a bar. All the proceeds go directly to the bands, unlike larger venues that take a cut of the money.

“I was fed up with the venues,” Marie said. “If a venue is hiring a sound guy and a door person,

then the venue should be paying them and not the bands that they are inviting to come play.”

Since Marie came up with the idea in December 2017, many artists have been part of the series.

One of the more popular shows featured Folk in the Flow, with upwards of 60 people in attendance.

Other artists include The Mad Kings, Jazz Cigarettes and, most recently, Lily B Moonflower.

Marie said she had previously taken cuts in the past to help her pay the bills, but she said this time around she just wants to support the musicians, both with earnings and recognition.

She’s running the series through her social media agency, Kitty

Connections.

“The thing I really like about working with Kitty is that she gives a lot of energy and a lot of acknowledgment to the bands,” said Janet Cinelli, a previous host.

“She shows a real level of professionalism within her.”

One thing that stands out during the concerts is the untraditional venue experience.

“People don’t talk during the sets, so it’s a different kind of setting compared to going out to a bar where all these artists are fighting over people talking,” Marie said. “This time, people are choosing to come into this intimate experience, and they want to hear.”

Another defining

Rachel Griffard/KANSAN Tyler Gregory performs at a house show on Jan. 28 on Prairie Avenue.

Rachel Griffard/KANSAN Lily B Moonflower performs on Jan. 28 at a house on Prairie Avenue. factor about the concerts is their start time. The house shows usually run from around 6 to 10 p.m., which opens up the shows to a younger audience.

Marie said the series has drawn substantial crowds.

So far, 11 concerts have taken place.

“This past year has been amazing — it has just blossomed,” Marie said. “There’s so many different people that come, including a group of regulars, which is really neat.”

Former performers will make another appearance, but Marie

“This time, people are choosing to come into this intimate experience, and they want to hear.”

Karyn “Kitty” Marie Concert organizer

plans on having mostly new artists each time.

“There’s so many artists in this town, I don’t have to worry about a repeat,” Marie said. “I could keep this going for

a while.”

Cinelli said her favorite part of the shows is their energy. She plans to host again in the future.

“I just love watching people sit in their lawn chairs and really enjoy the music,” Cinelli said.

“If she can build on a group of houses, I think that will help grow this thing into something that is really cool.”

The LFK House Show Concert Series takes place at the end of every month in various houses around Lawrence. More information can be found on the Kitty Connections Facebook page.

KANSAN.COM

4 ARTS & CULTURE

KU alumnus publishes after 15 years of work RYLIE KOESTER @RylieKoester

William Middleton recently published his first book, “Double Vision: The Unerring Eye of Art World Avatars Dominique and John de Menil” — a look into the lives of French-American art collectors and patrons Dominique and John de Menil.

“The de Menils are the kind of people we need to be reading about today,” Middleton said.

Middleton, a Wichita native who attended the University of Kansas, is the former Paris Bureau Chief for Fairchild Publications, where he oversaw W Magazine and Women’s Wear Daily. He was also the fashion features director for Harper’s Bazaar.

After his time at the University, Middleton worked in Kansas City, Missouri, and later in New York. However, when he saw the opportunity to move to a place he’s always wanted to go — he took it.

“I was 28 years old, and I had always had this kind of romantic idea about living in Paris, [France], so I decided to move to Paris,” Middleton said.

When Middleton returned to the United States after his time working in Paris, he learned about a French connection in

“Their lives were very big, so it took that amount of time and that amount of space to tell the story.”

William Middleton Author

Contributed Photo John, left, and Dominique, right, de Menil, celebrate at the opening of “A Young Teaching Collection,” Nov. 6, 1968.

Houston, Texas.

He went to Houston to write a story for Harper’s Bazaar, and that’s where he discovered the de Menils and their influence on the city.

The de Menils were a wealthy couple living in Houston who emphasized and understood the importance of art. Middleton said the de Menils had a great fortune, but they knew they had a responsibility to give back and “make the world a better place.”

He had wanted to work on a larger project like a

book, he said, so he jumped at the chance to write a biography about the de Menils.

Middleton then moved to Houston where he lived for about 10 years to be closer to the research and information about the de Menils.

“It wasn’t Kansas City; it wasn’t Dallas — it was a very different place,” Middleton said.

The entire writing process from the start of his research to the publication of the book took about 15 years, Middleton said.

He reviewed about 4,000 letters from the family archives, about 10,000 photographs and about 30 years worth of Dominique’s journals, which included every single appointment she went to, every work she bought and even every time she went to a museum.

Middleton had to do “detective work” to piece all of the puzzle together, he said.

“Their lives were very big, so it took that amount of time and that amount of space to tell the story,” Middleton said.

Middleton said the book, published in March

2018, was challenging to make. One of the things that kept him going is that he felt people needed to read their story, he said.

“Everything they did, everything they built, everything they focused on, was in Houston because they felt that they were needed there,” Middleton said.

Tim Bengtson, a retired professor of journalism at the University taught Middleton in an advertising class during his time there.

Bengtson said Middleton has an, “insatiable curiosity and wonderful interpersonal skills,” which are things that can’t be taught.

“I think [Middleton] has an absolutely fascinating life. What he’s doing as a profession changes every day, and he continues to grow.”

Tim Bengston Retired KU journalism professor

Contributed Photos (left) William Middleton’s book “Double Vision” describes the lives of the de Menils. (below) Dominique de Menil, 1969, smiles. This image was used by Andy Warhol for his “Portrait of Dominique” in 1969.

Middleton let Bengtson know several years ago he was planning to write a book. Bengtson said he replied to Middleton’s email by saying he’d buy five copies of the book.

“He remembered that,” Bengtson said. “He said I’m now free to buy only one.”

Bengtson said Middleton has gone on to do great

things throughout his career.

“I think he has an absolutely fascinating life,” Bengtson said.

“What he’s doing as a profession changes every day, and he continues to grow. This is a guy who’s not content to know something and practice that every day of his life — he wants to know more. He has a great curiosity, and I think that’s absolutely critical in this day and age.”

Middleton is currently living in New York City and promoting his book at events across the country.

His next challenge is to come up with an idea for another book — this time one less time-consuming and more commercial.

“I can’t do another ‘labor of love’ right now,” Middleton said.

Through all of his travels from Kansas to New York to Paris to Houston and back to New York, Middleton still remembers where he started.

“My time in Lawrence was terrific, and having been at the University of Kansas — and being from Kansas — I feel is such an important part of my background and something that I’m very proud of to be honest,” Middleton said.

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Monday, February 4, 2019

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FFA of the Day: naming my first-born pat mahomes This reminds me my children in child development last semester were called Pooka Williams Jr. and PAT MAHOMES YOUNG BULL can they put a frozen margarita machine in the underground pls i never thought 32 degrees would feel warm someone in front of me just said “merry birthday” who ever thought 2.5 hour classes were ok I love when my bus decides to chill in front of the Union for 20 minutes “sometimes i just want to drive for a week straight and start a new life” Is popcorn and cake a justifiable dinner “What’s going on out there...Toxic masculinity that’s what.”

“Why do I keep smoking pot when I need to leave the house?” ochai is my lord and savior “I don’t want you to rush into marriage, but if Ochai approaches you, you have my blessing” - my dad “Not everything is murder mayhem stabbing.”

The romance of Tik Tok is the pure cringe Burrito King after midnight is in fact a Lawrence aesthetic

K A N S A N .C O M /O P I N I O N

Don’t buy into corporate activism BRIANNA WESSLING @BriWessling

In a world where activism is easily monetized, Gillette has finally decided to get in on the cash.

Gillette’s recent “We Believe” ad imagines an idyllic world where men are held to a higher standard than they are now. The ad begins with dismal images of masculinity today: men catcalling women, reacting to the revelations of the “Me Too” movement and dismissing aggression among young boys with the all too common phrase “boys will be boys.”

The ad then goes on to show what men should be doing: shutting down these awful, yet all too common, actions by their fellow men. Gillette asks for a shiny new world where men hold other men accountable and eradicate toxic masculinity for good.

It’s a beautiful picture.

One which has elicited some ridiculous, but expected, backlash. There are men posting pictures of their Gillette razors in the toilet, leaving viewers to contemplate the plumbing implications of flushing a razor.

Fox News called the ad idiotic and another example of media boybashing. Similar to Nike’s Colin Kaepernick ad, lots of people are angry.

While the message of the ad may be controversial, the real issue with Gillette’s recent plea for men to do more and be better is that Gillette doesn’t seem to actually care about feminism or equality as much as it does preaching about it. In fact, Gillette is a company that actively upholds some of the sexism that is all too evident in consumerism today.

Gillette, among many other companies, is

Illustration by Philip Mueller/KANSAN responsible for what is referred to as the “pink tax,” a phenomenon in which products marketed toward women are more expensive than the same products, from the same brands, marketed toward men.

In 2015, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs found in a study that women pay 11 percent more for razors than men do. Gillette’s female marketed brand, Venus, sells a three blade razor with two blade refills for $8.49, while the same razor painted a different color only costs $7.99.

In the same way, Venus’ “Swirl” flexiball razor costs $8.99, while Gillette’s “Fusion5” flexiball razor costs only $7.99.

The problem of the pink tax comes in two parts. The first, and most obvious part, is that women are paying more for the same products. In

“Gillette doesn’t actually care about creating change...”

Brianna Wessling Kansan columnist

2016, the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee estimated that today, the pink tax costs women over $2,000 more a year.

This pink tax goes

help my neighbor has been practicing the drums for the past literal 6 hours and I‘m begging for someone to chop my ears off “welp, nobody gets props because nobody answered the question.” “you ever think about how it’s 2019, but America’s lack of subsidized medical care means some people literally don’t have access to basic life-sustaining measures?” “my favorite chaotic neutral activity is hijacking the chromecast to play vine compilations”

KANSAN.COM

Kansan File Photo A bronze patina sculpture, used in a 2009 Spencer Museum of Art installation, challenges the normal definitions of what it means to be a man.

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even further to uphold gender inequality. Many of the products marketed toward men and women separately don’t need to be. There’s no reason why men and women need different razors, shampoo or deodorant.

The marketing of these products only upholds current gender stereotypes.

Men’s products are associated with typically masculine language, words like “fortifying,” “power” and “endurance.”

Women’s products are advertised using much more feminine language like “silky,” “nourishing” and “sensual.”

Everything from the scents, to the packaging, to the advertising of these products is predicated on the idea that different things appeal to men and women. However, this isn’t the case.

Oftentimes, both men and women want quality products at the best price they can find.

Separating products that don’t need to be gendered only upholds dangerous stereotypes that Gillette’s ad claims to oppose.

So, it’s clear that despite their wonderful, uplifting ad, Gillette doesn’t actually care about creating change, but rather it saw an opportunity to make more money through pretend activism.

The sad part is, people bought right into it. Gillette has gotten praise left and right — OK, mostly left — for its half-baked form of social activism and will

contact us Shaun Goodwin Emma Greenwood Editor-in-chief Business Manager sgoodwin@kansan.com egreenwood@kansan.com

likely walk away with an increase in sales, if only temporarily, because of it.

As a public, we love to allow companies to get away with cash grabs disguised as political messages with good intentions. Even when those messages aren’t reflected in their actual business practices. It’s easy to look the other way when a company is feeding you exactly what you want to hear. It’s easy to only focus on those getting offended by the ad’s messaging, and to ignore what the company behind the ad is actually doing.

At the end of the day, Gillette’s goal is to make money, and this ad is another way to rake in the money. We only make it easier for the company by patting them on the back and letting it continue the same sexist, outdated business practices offscreen.

However, just like Gillette’s ad is asking us to, we can hold the company to a higher standard.

So, instead of choosing Gillette, try buying from a local business or brand that could benefit greatly from any support. Take a stroll down Massachusetts Street to the slew of local shops that do actually care about this community.

Put your money where your best intentions are, and stop buying into corporate activism.

Brianna Wessling is a sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska, studying journalism and English.

editorial board

Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Shaun Goodwin, Savanna Smith, Aroog Khaliq and Emma Greenwood.

KANSAN.COM

SPORTS

7

KU defeats Texas Tech despite adversity JACK JOHNSON @JohnyJ_15 It had been a rough stretch of four games for the Kansas men’s basketball team heading into Saturday’s matchup against No. 16 Texas Tech. Between falling at the hands of two below average Big 12 foes in terms of record and receiving word that sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa has been ruled ineligible for the remaining season and the next, Kansas was in desperate need of something to go its way.

It didn’t happen prior to tip-off, as it was also announced that sophomore Marcus Garrett would miss some time due to an ankle injury he suffered in practice.

Despite all misfortunes over the last 24 hours, it didn’t shake the fact that the outcome of this game would have definite repercussions on the title streak the Jayhawks have flaunted for the last 14 seasons.

Behind the loudest environment Allen Fieldhouse had shown this season, an enraged fan base was itching to take its fury and frustration out on the top25 showdown. From the moment the jumbotron presented a reading upwards of 120 decibels, total and utter dominance from the home team occurred over the ensuing 40 minutes of action.

“It’s just a hostile environment,” Texas Tech senior forward Tariq Owens said. “They came out ready to play.”

Stating that Kansas was ruthless on both sides of the ball would be an incredible understatement when chalking up just how well the Jayhawks executed.

“They beat us from tip to the final buzzer,” Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said. “They were the better team.”

A win in this conference is cherished in almost every measure, but in the way Kansas was able to throttle the Red Raiders from start to finish, puts an intriguing stamp on the otherwise shaky performances of late.

Although the victory came in the building where Kansas remains undefeated in this season and road struggles still very apparent, this afternoon showed the Jayhawks won’t be retreating with their wounded bunch.

Freshman guard Devon Dotson believes that if the team can play defense the way it did today, the rest of the conference will have a difficult time hanging with Kansas.

“When we are zoned in like that on defense, I think we are a pretty tough team to beat,” Dotson said.

The shutdown of Texas Tech defensively boosted the first successful hot start for Kansas in conference play that was sustained long enough to blow the doors open.

“I think that’s the best kind of basketball we’ve played in a while, if not all year,” coach Bill Self said.

Moving forward, the Jayhawks will once again be tested on the road, where they have lost two straight. The atmosphere, without question, will be the toughest they’ve been confronted with all season as Kansas travels to Bramlage Coliseum for the annual Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State.

Hearing the chants, boos, and of course “Sandstorm,” Kansas will need to

Chance Parker/KANSAN (Top) Senior guard Lagerald Vick shoots the ball against Texas Tech.

(Right) Freshman guard Ochai Agbaji celebrates after a three-point shot against Texas Tech.

look past its troubles in one of the more rowdy environments in the Big 12.

“There’s a point in time in every season when a team becomes a team,” Self said. “Hopefully today was a step in us doing that.”

next game

at K-State Tues., Feb. 5 8 p.m.

NCAA

JEFF LONG FROM PAGE 1 you, my faith has been shaken, and I know [University of Kansas] Chancellor Girod and [Kansas coach] Bill Self share my frustrations.”

Long revealed that the NCAA would only cooperate with KU Athletics under two conditions: De Sousa had to be declared ineligible by KU Athletics before it could seek his reinstatement, and that as part of the reinstatement request, KU Athletics had to hypothetically identity former Adidas consultant TJ Gassnola as an agent and booster of

KU Athletics.

“As we disagree with the NCAA staff on how to define Gassnola’s role involved in this, the NCAA told us they would not consider reinstatement unless we included that information,” Long said.

“If we did not include the hypothetical, they would not consider reinstatement until after the enforcement investigation was complete, which could last well beyond the season.”

De Sousa was declared ineligible by KU Athletics on Jan. 13, despite not playing a single game for Kansas this season amid

Chance Parker/KANSAN University of Kansas Athletic Director Jeff Long speaks to the media on Saturday, Feb. 2, about the NCAA’s decision to rule Silvio De Sousa ineligible.

the college basketball corruption trial.

Additionally, the NCAA requested that both Self and De Sousa were told as little as possible about the NCAA’s investigation, drawing further frustration from Long.

“They had little involvement in the process, and even less information,” Long said. “We were very frustrated with the NCAA’s procedure to require us to keep Coach Self and Silvio somewhat in the dark.”

Going forward, Long is looking to appeal the NCAA’s decision, having been told that the NCAA will review the appeal process in a timely manner. In the meantime, De Sousa can continue to remain on scholarship at the University, as well practice with the team.

He is also able to travel with the team after receiving waivers to travel.

“I’m confident in Silvio’s innocence in this and that he did not benefit from the alleged violation, and he did not receive a benefit, and he has no knowledge,” Long said. “So I am hopeful that a resolution will come about and that he’ll be able to play again for the Jayhawks.”

FROM PAGE 1 end goal is to line their own pocketbooks in any way possible.

The De Sousa ruling is not the only example of the NCAA’s recent insanity. The NCAA has issued a postseason ban on the University of Missouri’s baseball and softball programs effective for the 2018-2019 season and a postseason ban on the university’s football program for the 2019-2020 season.

The bans stem from a report whereby a tutor at the University took completed tests and coursework for 12 student athletes.

The University of Missouri self-reported the incident and cooperated fully with the NCAA hoping for leniency on the ruling.

The exact opposite happened, and it seems the University is being punished rather than being rewarded for cooperating with the NCAA. What is even more astounding is when the NCAA refuses to act.

In 2014, a report was published finding the University of North Carolina had fake “paper classes” that had enrollment of mainly student athletes to be used to inflate their grades, so the athletes could keep playing.

This went on for 18 years. Four school employees were fired over the incident.

With all that being said, a situation that objectively is worse than anything De Sousa or the University of Missouri did, the NCAA’s punishment for the University of North Carolina was astounding.

The punishment?

Nothing.

The NCAA did absolutely nothing to the University of North Carolina for inflating athlete GPAs for nearly two decades, with several of those athletes going on to win national championships at the University.

The NCAA doesn’t care about punishing wrongdoers.

The hypocrisy speaks for itself.

The NCAA doesn’t care about punishing wrongdoers. If you make money for the NCAA, then they will let you operate in peace.

It is disgusting, despicable and downright reprehensible.

What has happened to De Sousa is disappointing. What has happened to Missouri is disappointing. Yet the University of North Carolina continues

as if they have done nothing wrong.

This is to put it bluntly.

The NCAA needs to go the way of Old Yeller.

It needs to be put out to pasture and erased from existence.

It will sadly never happen, but real change needs to come to the NCAA. Until it does, these athletes will continue to be exploited for millions upon millions of dollars while receiving absolutely no compensation for their work.

These athletes will continue to be the ones punished for mistakes and actions taken by their parents and guardians.

The big-name schools will continue to get away scot-free while their smaller counterparts get railroaded simply because they don’t bring in as much money as the others.

Change needs to come, though it never will.

The NCAA is an equivocating disappointment of an organization. It is run by demagogues who pretend to be bastions of integrity while in actuality they are spineless, greedy cowards who want nothing more than to continue making millions of dollars on the labor of unpaid athletes.

The NCAA needs to be replaced, now more than ever.

8

sports

SPORTS

KANSAN.COM

Basketball Gameday Monday, February 4, 2019

K A N S A N .C O M /S P O R T S

Kansas at Kansas State, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 8:00 p.m.

Chance Parker/KANSAN Redshirt sophomore guard K.J. Lawson celebrates a three with the crowd against Texas Tech. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 79-63 Saturday, Feb. 2.

MADDY TANNAHILL & BRADEN SHAW @KansanSports

Beat Writer Predictions:

MADDY TANNAHILL

KANSAS 17-5 (6-3 BIG 12)

68-65

65-70

KANSAS ST 16-5 (6-2 BIG 12)

Devon Dotson

Dean Wade

★★★★

★★★★

Ochai Agbaji

Barry Brown Jr.

★★★★

★★★★

Coming off a career-high 24 points this past Tuesday against Texas, Agbaji came through once again with his first career double-double against Texas Tech (10 points, 10 rebounds). For a team that needs leadership, Agbaji has stepped up to the plate on both ends of the floor, whether it’s momentum-shifting alley-oops or timely steals to set up transition opportunities for the Jayhawks.

One of the Wildcats’ most lethal offensive weapons, Brown records a team-high 15.3 points per game. The hot-hand for K-State in its most recent outing, the senior knocked down a career-high-tying five three-point baskets, spearheading the way to 16 three-pointers for the Wildcats, their second most in program history. Saturday’s matchup marked Brown’s eighth-consecutive double-figure scoring performance.

Lagerald Vick

Kamau Stokes

★★★★

★★★

freshman guard

When the Jayhawks needed big-time performances against Texas Tech on Saturday, Dotson stepped up with a career-high 20 points. This wasn’t exactly surprising, given that Dotson has been one of the most consistent players this season. But, nonetheless, Dotson’s performance, especially from beyond the arc (3-of-5 from three-point range), is definitely something the Kansas offense can build on.

freshman guard

senior guard

Texas Tech boasts one of the best defenses in the nation, especially from three-point range, with opponents hitting just 26.4 percent of threes heading into Saturday. However, this wasn’t the case for Vick and the Jayhawks, with Kansas hitting a season-high 13 three-pointers and Vick shooting 3-for-4 from deep (13 total points). Vick is hoping to continue his hot streak against the Wildcats.

athletes of the week

BRADEN SHAW

Hussain Al Hizam Track & Field

Clearing the 5.61-meter mark on Saturday at the Texas Tech Open, Al Hizam captured yet another first-place finish in the men’s pole vault on the 2019 indoor season. Breaking the meet record, alongside freshman teammate Zach Bradford, who cleared the bar at the same height, the duo rank fifth in program-history in the event. His second consecutive victory, the senior also broke the Anschutz Sports Pavilion facility record at 5.58 meters at the Jayhawk Classic last week.

senior forward

Despite missing six contests midseason due to a foot injury, Wade averages 14.3 points per game for the Wildcats, who are 12-3 with the senior in the lineup. A primary source of offense for K-State, Wade has reached double-figure scoring in 13 matchups this season, including a season-high 24-point outing at Oklahoma State on Saturday, knocking down all 9-of-9 field goal attempts.

senior guard

senior guard

Consistently a strong outside presence for the Wildcats, Stokes posts a team-leading 34.6 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 36 of 104 outside attempts this season.

The senior ranks seventh in school history in career threepoint makes, tallying 176 thus far throughout his time at K-State. The Wildcats’ veteran point guard, Stokes averages 9.9 points and 3.5 assists per game on the season.

Andrea Willis

Track & Field Also climbing to No. 5 in Jayhawk history, Willis recorded a personal-best 4.37-meter clearance in the women’s pole vault at the Texas Tech Open to pick up a first place finish. The junior, who coach Stanley Redwine referred to as “a special competitor” in a Kansas Athletics press release, has been a continually strong performer for Kansas, winning all three meets she has competed in this season.