THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
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INSIDE School of Engineering narrows dean candidates to three p. 2 A new exhibition at the Lawrence Arts Center features live, adoptable kittens
The University Daily Kansan
vol. 137 // iss. 24 Mon., Nov 12, 2018
p. 3
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Task force to examine Greek life at KU
The 27-member task force is as follows:
· Mike Michaelis, task force chair · Rita Holms-Bobo · Alan Jones · Vicki Reyes · Jose Munoz · David Burkhead · Larry Winter · Cathy Frame · Jill McGee · Mark Mears · Kay Kimball Almanza · Karen Frederick · Jennifer Sanner · Interfraternity Council president · Panhellenic president · National Panhellenic Council sorority
Hailey Dixon/KANSAN University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod stands at the podium in the ballroom at the Kansas Union. NICOLE ASBURY @NicoleAsbury The University’s task force set to examine its sorority and fraternity life met for the first time last week, a statement from Chancellor Douglas Girod said. This task force follows a controversial year for sororities and fraternities on campus. During the spring 2018 semester, the University gained national attention
after hazing practices called then-Interfraternity Council President, Daniel Lee, to impose a freeze on all social activities. And more recently, fraternity members of Delta Tau Delta were under scrutiny after they vandalized pumpkins outside of a home in the West Hills neighborhood, behind Joseph R. Pearson Hall. “With sororities and fraternities under scrutiny nationwide and at
KU, we must commit to raising our standards for health, wellness and self-governance and seek new ways to meet the expectations we have for our community,” Girod said in the statement. “We must strive to set a new standard of excellence by providing university support, community leadership and an outstanding experience for all chapters and members.” The task force was an initiative put together by
the Interfraternity Council to combat hazing, and was originally announced in April. Now, the respective members who were appointed have been announced, and their first meeting date was Nov. 8, per the Chancellor’s statement. “The goal is to ensure that a strong sorority and fraternity system continues to be a valuable part of the student experience at KU,” Girod said. University and Beta
representative · Multicultural Greek Council fraternity
Theta Pi alumnus Mike Michaelis will be chairing the task force. “Mike cares deeply about this university, and I am grateful for his leadership in the coming months,” Girod said. Girod reported that no hard deadlines have been set for the committee, but it is expected that in summer 2019, the task force will submit recommendations for improvement.
representative · National Panhellenic Council fraternity representative · Multicultural Greek Council sorority representative · Tammara Durham · Reggie Robinson · Julie Murray · Lance Watson · Amy Long Schell · Marsha Carrasco · Jane Tuttle · Nikita Haynie
Director of Dole Institute of Politics to retire JULIANA GARCIA @slim_jim09
After attending President Ronald Reagan’s funeral in June 2004, Director of the Dole Institute of Politics William Lacy realized he wanted to share his political experiences with young people. He had an epiphany, so he reached out to longtime friend Sen. Robert Dole, who responded with a suggestion: someone needed to talk to Lacy about the Dole Institute of Politics. Soon, he met with Chancellor Robert Hemenway who offered him the position of director. On Oct. 22, 2018, nearly 14 years later, Lacy announced his plan to retire from that same position. He will remain the director for up to five years – and the selection process of finding his predecessor has yet to be decided, he said. “It’s not an immediate issue, but it is something that I wanted to put on the table and be very open and transparent about,” Lacy said. If it weren’t for former Sens. Robert and Elizabeth Dole, as well as Chancellor Douglas Girod, Lacy said he may not have remained in his position longer than his normal retirement date. But, he said the three of them want him to stay on – and because of the respect and admiration he has for them, “it’s actually a plea-
sure” for him to do so. The highlight of his 14 years at the Dole Institute, Lacy said, has been the accomplishment of getting young people involved in politics, specifically with the creation of a student culture at the Dole Institute. What was once a non-existent student advisory board now consists of more than 100 student members. “Creating the culture, kind of from scratch, has been, I think, one of the biggest and most important things we’ve done,” Lacy said. “It will enable this place to hopefully operate really well beyond my tenure as director.” Associate Director of the Dole Institute Barbara Ballard said the extensive programming, student involvement and the overall culture of the institute are because of Lacy. She has worked with Lacy for as long as he’s been director, and said his management style has made it enjoyable to work alongside him. “He lets you do your own thing,” said Ballard, a Democratic member of the Kansas House of Representatives. “You have a job to do, and I think he expects that you will do it, but he doesn’t tell you how to do it, and he’s quick with praise.” For example, Ballard said that with her focus on civic engagement and
Chance Parker/KANSAN Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute of Politics, announced his retirement in October. outreach, she was able to develop the Youth Civic Leadership Institute. Incoming high school seniors from across Kansas come to the University for three days to learn about civic engagement. It’s one of the Dole Institute’s biggest programs, Ballard said. “It was his idea,” Ballard said. “He said, ‘Well, you know they have band camp, they have cheerleading camp, they have football camp, all these things. But, we don’t have anything around the civics.’” Christina Ostmeyer, communications director
at Kansas Appleseed and 2016 University graduate, said Lacy “could foster a place and a culture of fund and friendship” at the Dole Institute. Her relationship with Lacy began at a scholarship luncheon, where she sat at the same table as Lacy. From the first conversation the two exchanged, Ostmeyer said she knew she would become heavily involved with the Dole Institute. “It is truly hard to imagine the Dole Institute of Politics without Bill Lacy,” Ostmeyer said. “He is al-
most synonymous with the Dole Institute of Politics, to me, and what the Dole Institute stands for.” Press secretary Marion Watkins stated in an email that former Sen. Robert Dole said Lacy’s work has set the Dole Institute up for future success: “Bill has done an outstanding job throughout his tenure at the Dole Institute. His steady leadership has impressed – but not surprised – me. Under Bill’s direction, we’ve all gained a better appreciation for the underlying mission of the Dole Institute. Over the
years, Bill has shaped the Dole Institute, setting it on a steady upward path.” Lacy said he plans to keep in touch once he retires, as he will miss the interaction with his team, the guest speakers and the students. “Far and away, that would be what I miss the most,” Lacy said. “Hopefully, though, I’m going to have a few more years barring some catastrophe – I’m going to have a few more years to have that [interaction].”