4-16-18

THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904

ARTS & CULTURE

INSIDE What comes next a sexual misconduct report is filed in IOA

Mario Chalmers’ iconic 2008 shot memorialized in

p. 3

downtown KC mural The University Daily Kansan

vol. 136 // iss. 26 Mon., Apr. 16, 2018

Does a trip to the Final Four increase KU enrollment? p. 12

SEE MARIO • PAGE 6

Meet the president-elect

Savanna Smith/KANSAN Noah Ries won the race for student body president on Thursday and will be the University’s first openly gay student body president.

SAVANNA SMITH @savsmith20 Noah Ries is a junior from Kansas City, Kansas, studying economics with minors in business and Chinese.

As of Thursday night, he is also the student body president-elect, having won the Student Senate election with his coalition, Crimson and Blue.

Ries has served a year in Student Senate in two executive positions — the director of internal affairs and the director of policy and development. In a past interview, Ries said, to his knowledge, he is the first openly gay president at the University.

Outside of the Senate chambers, Ries has dreams of becoming a human rights lawyer, travelling to China and eventually owning a pet pig. Yes, a pig.

The self-proclaimed “nerd” sat down with the Kansan and answered a series of questions so the student body could get to know its new leader. Here’s your chance to meet the president.

The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

KANSAN: How would you

describe yourself in three words?

RIES: Driven, because I see

something that I want or I see something that needs to be done, and I put in the time to get it done.

I’m open because I’m very honest with people, like I’m willing to admit my failures, I’m willing to admit my weaknesses, and I think that in itself is a strength. If you can’t admit your weaknesses, you’re never going to get over them.

Human ... there’s two sides to humanity. There’s the good and the bad, and you have to recognize that every single person has both.

When I’m saying that I’m human it means humans are capable of so many great things, you know? And I think I am too. But being human also means that you’re not perfect.... Realizing that you’re

not going to be perfect but still having the drive to get as close as you possibly can to it, that humility, I guess, in realizing you’re human is really important.

KANSAN: To you, what

does it mean to be a Jayhawk?

RIES: I literally can’t put it into words. It’s something you have to feel. You just have to walk around on campus and you feel it … It’s not something you can put into any language. You’ll feel the sense of community. You’ll feel the drive to get something done. To get that degree to go on to be a successful person in the world.

KANSAN: When you were

little, did you ever imagine you would be student body president of KU?

RIES: When I was little I never would have ever imagined myself to be even running for student body president, going to KU, none of it … I think when I got to college, I realized ‘Oh my gosh, I’m 19 years old, what am I doing with my life?’ I want to make a change, I want to help people, because that’s where I really find happiness, and I kind of got swept into it all.

I really think it was just a lot of luck and being in the right place at the time. But since then I haven’t looked back.

So, no I would have never imagined this, but I am so thankful for everything that has happened since then.

KANSAN: Why do you study Chinese?

RIES: I was like, well you

know, ‘I’m in college, I’m gonna try something new.’

So I kind of like pointed and picked Chinese because I knew it was interesting. And I really like East Asian culture.

I’m a big history guy. Chinese history, especially ancient Chinese history has always been super fascinating to me. I’m kind of a nerd, if you can’t tell. Because of that I thought it would be interesting to learn the language ... since then I’ve never looked

back.

KANSAN: What’s your dream job?

RIES: I definitely want to be a human rights lawyer. So I want to go into business for sure and just get my background in how things work.

I think just being in business for two or three or four years is a good way to learn the ropes of how the world functions. My end goal, or my dream, is to go to law school ... I one time got a fortune cookie, I have a picture of it if you don’t believe me, and I opened it up and it literally just said ‘you would make a good lawyer’ ... For whatever reason I’m being told I need to be a lawyer by a fortune cookies, and I want to use that for good.

So I think being a human rights lawyer would be awesome. And again, dream job, would be advocating for LGBTQ+ rights ... I think total dream job would be to use my Chinese and be a human rights advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals in China, through the law ... I know I want to be a lawyer, I know I want to help my community, and I can speak Chinese, let’s put it all together.

KANSAN: What is your favorite animal?

RIES:

Oh my gosh. So weird, but I really like pigs.

I actually want a pet pig when I’m older ... Pigs are really smart ... If there are actual small household pigs out there that really exist, I want one. Because you can train them and they’re really friendly and they’re smart, they remember stuff. They’re just like dogs. Isn’t that so weird though? People would expect me to say a Komodo dragon or something, but no.

Pig ... I want a pig. And they’re so interesting and people think they’re dirty because they roll around in mud, but they do it to cool off. They’re just really misunderstood animals.

KANSAN: Cats or dogs?

RIES: Dogs. All the way. I

want a Corgi. Corgi and a pig.

And a St. Bernard. One of the three, or hopefully all three. I think it would be so funny if you had this giant St. Bernard next to this little Corgi ... the Corgi’s gonna be the feisty one I bet and the St. Bernard will be the super calm one.

That’s my ideal pet situation and then a pig also, because why not? Oh, and the Corgi’s name will be Caesar. Caesar Augustus ... And I’ll call him emperor for his nickname.

Or, I guess I’ll treat him like an emperor.

After explaining his interest in the Roman Empire, Ries shared historical facts about his favorite Chinese dynasty, the Southern Song.

RIES: I think the Roman Empire is the coolest thing ever. Right behind the Southern Song Dynasty. I told you, nerdy. Southern Song Dynasty invented the first ticking clock, and this was like 1,000 years before the industrial revolution. Mind blown.

KANSAN: What sparked your interest in history?

RIES: I’m someone who has always questioned what is being told to me, who questions traditions, who questions why things are the way they are. And I try to find the morality in that.

When someone tells me that’s how it’s always done so that’s how we’re going to do it, I don’t agree with that.

So what’s nice about history is it’s kind of a fact checker for that. Is that how it’s always been done? … I can say to that person well that’s not true because for you know, in this empire for 600 years that’s how they did things and that wasn’t what we are doing right now and that seemed to work better.

KANSAN: Who are your role models?

RIES: My main role models, probably my parents first.

And then, I had a few really good swim coaches in high school and one in particular [Paul Winkeler, Rockhurst High School] ... he instilled in me this belief that you need

to set goals, or else you will never achieve what you want to achieve ... What he taught me has really allowed me to excel.

KANSAN: What do you do with your free time?

RIES: I guess I would say, I don’t have any. No, I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I joked with my mom the other day. She was like what are you doing to relax in your free time?

And I was like, I’m going to be honest, Mom, I don’t. But I do like to work out. I think that’s a really good stress reliever ...

I like running because it really clears your mind ... I like to read articles, news, stuff like that. I also watch educational YouTube videos.

KANSAN: Is there anything else about yourself that you’d like to add that we didn’t talk about?

RIES: I guess we didn’t really talk about me coming out ... I mean, I don’t mind. It’s not bad by any means. It’s not like a super emotional story or anything. It was my senior year. I was tired of not being out so I told one of my really close friends ... then told one of my other friends and basically those were the only two I told for about two months.

It is crazy how, if you internalize something, and you are the only person thinking about it like, your brain will trick you into thinking it’s this terrible thing that is just beating you down, but as soon as you tell one person they dispel all those fears immediately ... I definitely became more of an optimist and more of a believer in humanity because I had all these big fears, and I know everyone’s experience is different so I don’t want to discount that, but a lot of them were just like fears, and that was it. So it really made me believe in humanity.

When I say I want to be a human rights lawyer, it goes back to that. I want other people to have those fears dispelled. For some people, those fears are reality and that’s unacceptable.

news

Thursday, February 15, 2018

staff NEWS MANAGEMENT

Editor-in-chief Chandler Boese

Managing editor Erin Brock

Digital operations editor Brady Maguire

Social media editor Nathan Mize

Associate social media editor Emily Juszczyk ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT

Business manager Baylee Parsons

Sales manager Cooper Scott SECTION EDITORS

News editor Emily Wellborn

Associate news editor Katie Bernard

Sports editor Shaun Goodwin

Associate sports editor Michael Swain

Arts & culture editor Josh McQuade

Associate arts & culture editor Rachel Gaylor

Opinion editor Danya Issawi

Visuals editor & design chief Gracie Williams

Photo editor Missy Minear

Copy chiefs Gabby Cinnamon Emma Green ADVISERS

Chief financial officer Jon Schlitt

Editorial adviser Gerri Berendzen The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of The Kansan are 50 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS., 66045.

The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4967) is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year except fall break, spring break and exams. It is published weekly during the summer session excluding holidays. Annual subscriptions by mail are $250 plus tax. Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue.

KANSAN MEDIA PARTNERS Check out KUJH-TV on MidCo of Kansas Channel 31 in Lawrence for more on what you’ve read in today’s Kansan and other news. Also see KUJH’s website at tv.ku.edu.

KJHK is the student voice in radio.

Whether it’s rock ‘n’ roll or reggae, sports or special events, KJHK 90.7 is for you.

2000 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kan., 66045

editor@kansan.com www.kansan.com Newsroom: (785) 864-4552 Advertising: (785) 864-4358

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

news

Monday, April 16, 2018

staff NEWS MANAGEMENT

Editor-in-chief Chandler Boese

Managing editor Erin Brock

Digital operations editor Brady Maguire

Social media editor Nathan Mize

Associate social media editor Emily Juszczyk ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT

Business manager Baylee Parsons

Sales manager Cooper Scott SECTION EDITORS

News editor Emily Wellborn

Associate news editor Katie Bernard

Sports editor Shaun Goodwin

Associate sports editor Michael Swain

Arts & culture editor Josh McQuade

Associate arts & culture editor Rachel Gaylor

Opinion editor Danya Issawi

Visuals editor & design chief Gracie Williams

Photo editor Missy Minear

Copy chiefs Gabby Cinnamon Emma Green ADVISERS

Chief financial officer Jon Schlitt

Editorial adviser Gerri Berendzen The University Daily Kansan is the student newspaper of the University of Kansas. The first copy is paid through the student activity fee. Additional copies of The Kansan are 50 cents. Subscriptions can be purchased at the Kansan business office, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS., 66045.

The University Daily Kansan (ISSN 0746-4967) is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year except fall break, spring break and exams. It is published weekly during the summer session excluding holidays. Annual subscriptions by mail are $250 plus tax. Send address changes to The University Daily Kansan, 2051A Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue.

KANSAN MEDIA PARTNERS Check out KUJH-TV on MidCo of Kansas Channel 31 in Lawrence for more on what you’ve read in today’s Kansan and other news. Also see KUJH’s website at tv.ku.edu.

KJHK is the student voice in radio.

Whether it’s rock ‘n’ roll or reggae, sports or special events, KJHK 90.7 is for you.

2000 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence, Kan., 66045

editor@kansan.com www.kansan.com Newsroom: (785) 864-4552 Advertising: (785) 864-4358

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

Govt. puts KU work-study at risk

JULIANA GARCIA @KansanNews

Thapsi Mahendrada, a sophomore from Shawnee majoring in biochemistry, works as a lab assistant on drug discovery projects at the University. She’s the only student who works in the High Throughput Screening Lab and relies on her $10 an hour job to make ends meet.

Student office assistant, parking ticket writer, lab assistant and wood slicer all are positions available to students like Mahendrada who qualify for federal work-study funds at the University. Last year, the University had 693 federal work-study eligible students, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.

However, changes proposed by Congress could lead to a significant reduction in federal workstudy funding to students on campus and at other schools across the nation.

A proposed bill in Congress called the Higher Education Act Reauthorization, also known as the PROSPER Act, would reallocate federal work-study funds and reduce the University’s allocation by as much as 66 percent within six years if implemented, according to projections by the American Council on Education.

The Trump administration has also proposed a 79 percent cut to the the federal work-study program in its 2019 budget proposal.

Proponents of the PROSPER Act say it will simplify and improve the student financial aid sys-

Juliana Garcia/KANSAN Thapsi Mahendrada, one of the 693 students at the University who receives funding through federal work-study, looks at a sample in the High Throughput Screening Lab as part of her job as a lab assistant. tem, eliminate hidden fees and help students borrow responsibly. However, education advocates, such as The Education Trust, a group lobbying for educational equity, oppose the bill, saying it would limit students’ access to financial aid and hurt underrepresented populations.

Jack Cline, the University’s director of federal relations, said that University officials, including Chancellor Douglas Girod, have lobbied against the PROSPER Act since the bill was introduced in December 2017 by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina).

“I truly believe it’s important to highlight the cuts and outright eliminations being proposed,” Cline said. “At the end of the day, I’d rather them scrap it and start over again.”

In early March, Cline and Reggie Robinson, vice chancellor for public affairs at the University, met

with Sens. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) to discuss the difficulties the act would create for students and families, Cline said. Sarah Little, a spokesperson for Roberts, said a senate committee of which Roberts is a member is working on another version of the bill, but she would not discuss Roberts’ position on the legislation. Neither Moran, nor a spokesperson, could be reached for comment on the bill.

One of Cline’s main concerns is the proposed House bill would include a funding formula that would favor institutions that serve a larger number of Pell Grant recipients than the University. Roughly 20 percent of funds would be earmarked for universities with the highest Pell Grant recipient rates, according to the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators. At some universities, such as New

Mexico State University, more than 80 percent of students are Pell Grant recipients, according to U.S. News & World Report.

At the University, 23 percent of undergraduates received the Pell Grant during the 2015-16 school year — the latest figures available in the U.S. News & World Report. This falls behind the UMKC at 29 percent and Kansas State University at 25 percent.

During the 2015-16 school year, the University received $1.4 million, or at least 43 percent more than any other university in Kansas. Kansas State University received just over $795,000 followed

by Fort Hays State University at about $489,000.

Projections by the American Council on Education predict that by the sixth year of the act’s implementation, KU’s award would drop to $467,478.

Under the PROSPER Act proposal, graduate

and professional students would lose federal workstudy eligibility. Cline said graduate students account for 112 federal work-study students at the University this year.

KU and other universities would also have to pick up more of the costs of student wages. Currently, KU pays 25 percent of student wages. The proposal would require universities to pay 50 percent of student wages, according to Greg Parrish, assistant director for Financial Aid & Scholarships. As a result, departments would hire fewer students and cut students’ hours, Parrish said.

“These examples are likely not the full extent of the impact on students,” Parrish said. “But at the end of the day, we anticipate that fewer students would be able to find on-campus employment if the PROSPER Act is implemented as currently written.”

On-campus employment offers convenience and a sense of belonging at the University, Mahendrada said. If she were not working at the lab, she said she would find an off-campus job in order to help fund financial obligations.

Her current position helps fund things like tuition.

“What I’m doing right now helps me financially, college-wise, as well as academia-wise,” Mahendrada said. “Because, I am [a biochemistry student] and I am interested in drug testing and possibly going to med school.”

Losing coalitions hope ideas can live on SYDNEY HOOVER & EMILY WELLBORN @KansanNews Crimson and Blue’s presidential candidate might have won this year’s election, but the leaders of losing coalitions Rise KU and Jayhawkers are still pushing to make a change within Student Senate.

“We did everything for students. I’m proud of everything we did and everyone on our coalition. We made it about issues that have never been talked about before. This is just the beginning,” said Rise KU Presidential Candidate Zoya Khan. “There’s a lot of work to do.”

Crimson and Blue candidates Noah Ries and Charles Jetty unofficially won the race with 52 percent of the the 7,375 votes. Rise KU’s Khan and Nellie Kassebaum received 38 percent of the votes, and Jayhawkers’ Anna Buhlinger and Avery Anderson received 10 percent.

Khan said that, despite the results, she is proud of the coalition as a whole and conversations they started that will continue on campus. Khan and Vice Presidential Candidate Kassebaum ran on plat-

forms including free menstrual products on campus, transparency in Senate and increased CAPS resources.

Rise KU had a number of members win senatorial positions, and Campaign Manager Justin Kim noted that those not in Senate would continue the conversations started in other organizations on campus as well.

“We know that this is not the only avenue to change. None of this is done just because the election is over,” Kim said.

“There are a million other roles across campus and everyone in this coalition is just going to be really successful.”

Buhlinger said that fighting the Student Senate status quo was the whole reason that she decided to run. Her campaign ran on platforms including a holistic approach to health, a dead week before finals and sexual assault reporting reform.

“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle,” she said. “Yeah, we would’ve liked to win, but I’m really proud of our group.”

Buhlinger said that her coalition was filled with students who, much like herself, hadn’t been in-

Caitlynn Salazar/KANSAN Student Senate coalition Rise KU and presidential candidate Zoya Khan campaign in front of Wescoe Hall on Wednesday to start off the voting period of the 2018 elections. volved with Senate before. They thought that Senate wasn’t making big enough changes or that not enough students knew how to be involved. Buhlinger said that many of them will continue to work within their own schools to implement the changes they want to see at the University.

As for Buhlinger, she plans to share her critiques with newly elected administration about what can be done to improve Student

Senate sometime next week. Ries reached out to both losing coalitions’ presidential candidates to discuss what Senate could do better.

“I think that made it worth it that there was a realization that there’s something wrong with the current system,” Buhlinger said. “I think the students only hear from Student Senate when they need the votes for an election.”

Rise KU and Jayhawkers ran on platforms about

making Senate more transparent, which Ries agreed was something he would like to focus on during his tenure.

“It’s important that we’re open to that criticism,” Ries said. “A lot of what they said resonated with students and I want to make sure that we all come together, that the critical issues facing students are resolved.”

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A NEW GENERATION’S SYSTEM

Education, probation or expulsion

The Kansan takes a look at KU’s case-by-case process for ruling on and issuing sanctions for sexual harassment and misconduct RYAN LISTON @RyanListonUDK Editor’s Note: This story is the first in the Kansan’s series on sexual assault at the University in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The Kansan will examine how the University addresses sexual assault, four years after poor KU policies sparked national criticism.

Every Monday in April, there will be a new story on the topic.

When an individual is accused of violating the University’s sexual misconduct or sexual harassment policies, a procedure to determine the facts is launched. It begins in the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access before being sent to Student Affairs. Individuals found in violation of a policy can face sanctions ranging from required trainings to removal from the University.

When someone is accused of violating the University’s sexual misconduct or sexual harassment policies and are subsequently reported to the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, a process is launched to determine the facts of the situation and to issue sanctions, if evidence suggests guilt.

In 2016, three people were found in violation of the University’s sexual mis-

conduct policies and six in violation of sexual harassment, according to data obtained by the Kansan.

Sexual misconduct is the “large umbrella term” that “includes a wide variety of behavior,” according to Shane McCreery, director of IOA and Title IX coordinator for the University.

Sexual harassment falls under the umbrella and is defined as any unwanted “physical contact, advances, and comments ... based on sex or gender stereotypes” that create “an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment,” according to the University’s policy library.

Further, sexual violence falls under sexual harassment and is defined as “any physical act which is sexual in nature that is committed by force or without the full and informed consent of all persons involved.”

IOA’s role in the process is to determine the facts of the case and whether the evidence suggests a person has violated University policy. If IOA finds enough evidence, the case is passed onto Student Affairs.

Student Affairs conducts either an administrative process or a hearing process and then decides to either uphold, modify or reject the recommended sanctions made by IOA. If Student Affairs upholds or

Bettina Bugatto/KANSAN KU administrators are speaking out against the PROSPER Act that was introduced in December because it would eliminate federal work-student eligibility for 112 students. modifies the recommendations, the vice provost of Student Affairs conducts a final review of the recommendations before issuing the sanctions.

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS IOA receives reports of alleged violations of the University’s sexual misconduct and sexual ha-

rassment policies in three ways: third-party mandatory reporters, direct contacts or walk-ins. All University employees are mandatory reporters, except for professional or pastoral counselors, ombuds, and the campus assistance, resource and education (CARE) coordinator. Direct party contact refers to when a person reports to IOA, via email or phone, that they were sexually harassed or assaulted.

Both parties may seek assistance from a parent, attorney, friend or any other person during the process, according to McCreery. As CARE coordinator, Evans will often attend meetings and IOA interviews with complainants to act as an advocate.

“I really get to support students and believe them and show up in whatever way they need me,” Evans said. “Sometimes that’s getting them a drink of water or making sure they’ve had lunch.”

McCreery said he wants the complainant, the person who identifies as a victim, to control the process if they so choose to meet with IOA after a report is made.

“They have agency over the entire process,” McCreery said.

Complainants may choose to share their story without pursuing action, or they may file a formal complaint. In the latter case, IOA begins its investigation.

“If they file a formal complaint, they’re interviewed, they identify witnesses, we will interview the witnesses,” McCreery said. “We only interview the witnesses that we need to make a factual conclusion.”

There are, however, two instances where IOA investigates the situation regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed be a safe-

ty threat.

“There are two circumstances in which I will choose to independently investigate something ... If the party has engaged in other acts or was on our radar previously for similar behavior,” McCreery said.

“Let’s say, three women come forward and say that this student has stalked them or something like that. Or if I believe that the student or faculty or staff member is a danger to others or to themselves.”

Once the complainant and the witnesses have been interviewed by IOA, the respondent is notified

by IOA that they have been accused of violating University policy.

“The respondent is given the exact same process and information,” McCreery said. “It’s the same resources, same help, same everything, because it can be very traumatizing to be accused of this as well.”

The respondent then has a chance to give their account of the events and offer up more witnesses.

“They come back, they tell their story, we interview witnesses, gather any evidence, which is most often text messages, emails, things of that nature,” McCreery said.

When all of the evidence has been gathered and all of the witnesses have been interviewed, IOA writes up a summary describing its findings and sends the letter to both the complainant and respondent. If the evidence and accounts differ too greatly, IOA will not make a disciplinary recommendation. Provided there is enough evidence, McCreery said IOA will look at other similar situations to ensure consistency with the recommended sanctions.

“We also want input from the reporting party, again

as part of that empowerment,” McCreery said. “You know, what would make you feel comfortable? What is an appropriate sanction?

Sometimes the party is like, ‘Listen, I don’t want the person thrown out of school, but I don’t want to be in a class with them. I don’t want them to contact me again.’”

This input guides, but does not dictate, the disciplinary recommendations made to Student Affairs, McCreery said. McCreery said in the 18 months that he has served as director of IOA at the University, Student Affairs has not rejected any of IOA’s recommendations, although they have modified some.

“We’ve had a situation where a student is going to be on disciplinary probation for two years, they’ve reduced it to one,” McCreery said. “We’ve had a recommendation where ... I recommended a three-year ban from campus. I did not want the student returning to KU while the reporting party was still a student.

The hearing panel came back with a 10 year-ban.”

Once IOA has come to a conclusion, it sends an administrative report to Student Affairs.

STUDENT AFFAIRS

Lance Watson, director of Student Conduct and Community Standards in the Student Affairs office, said he reviews the administrative report from IOA completely and asks for clarification, when necessary. The report details who was interviewed, what IOA concluded and what sanctions are recommended, if there is responsibility finding. Watson said if he

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Student candidate discusses guns, activism

KALLI JO SMITH @kallijosmith

Ben Ferlo, a 19-year-old freshman at the University who is currently running for the 46th District in the Kansas House of Representatives, held a forum on Thursday night at Ecumenical Campus Ministries.

Ferlo, who would be the youngest person in the Kansas legislature if elected, began the forum by addressing topics like higher education and gun reform.

Ferlo said, as a part of a generation who grew up with going through active shooter drills, he believes dealing with guns on campus is something no student should have to go through.

“We recently passed legislation not too long ago that would allow for concealed carry on campus, and it’s something I am strongly opposed to,” Ferlo, a Democrat, said. “I grew up in the generation that’s used to dealing with shooter drills and having to go through lessons that go over what to do with an active shooter, and this simply just shouldn’t be a thing that we have to go through.”

Ferlo said he would like to see stricter gun regulations, comprehensive background checks, bans on gun sales to people with a history of domestic

MISCONDUCT FROM PAGE 3 sees substantial evidence suggesting that there could be a violation, he will reach out to the complainant to gather additional information.

“I want to make sure I give the complainant enough space that if they have other things they’d like to share or other thoughts around sanctions, things like that, that we give them plenty of space to share that information with us,” Watson said.

If the recommended sanctions do not involve suspension or expulsion and the complainant does not wish for the respondent to be removed from the University, Student Affairs launches an administrative process.

“I allow them to review the report,” Watson said. “I allow them to share all their thoughts on it and the findings. And then I make a determination of whether it’s a violation of the code and in turn what are the appropriate sanctions.”

Examples of sanctions that do not involve separation from the University include alcohol education, if alcohol was involved, sexual misconduct prevention training and disciplinary probation.

Watson said there are a number of factors that go into determining sanctions and whether to modify IOA’s recommendations.

“Usually when we think about sanctioning, what we think about is education,” Watson said. “We think about what’s going to help a student grow from that experience, and we also hope

Bob (Jiatong) Li/KANSAN Ben Ferlo speaks to KU students at the Ecumenical Campus Ministries Thursday night. abuse and ending the gun show loophole, which he said allows people to gain access to a firearm without background checks.

The 46th District that Ferlo is running to represent includes much of east and north Lawrence, including the University.

Ferlo said he felt that his current opponent, incumbent Dennis “Boog” Highberger (D-Lawrence), has not been active enough in his time representing the 46th District, and, as a member of the Kansas House, Ferlo would change

that.

During Highberger’s four years as a representative, Ferlo said he hasn’t given 110 percent and isn’t fighting for what Kansans need.

“He votes the right way when it comes to bills, but the problem is he isn’t really fighting for pressed causes and what the 46th District deserves,” Ferlo said. “In his two terms, he has presented 25 bills, 15 of which were to commemorate or congratulate people, and the rest didn’t really do much or get passed.

They just died in committee.”

Another reason Ferlo said he is running is to bring more representation to the LGBTQ community, because he said they are currently underrepresented in the Kansas Legislature.

Although he got a smaller crowd than he’d hoped for, Ferlo made the decision to keep the forum intimate by answering every student’s question.

Freshman Claire Loken from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, said she thought

Ferlo had a lot of good things to say, but she especially liked the fact that Ferlo was giving University students a voice.

“I’m not from Kansas and I can’t vote here, so I think having someone that could speak more for Lawrence and KU specifically would be a really big deal because a lot of us are outof-state students, and we don’t have that voice here, and he could give us that,” Loken said.

Madison Crees, a sophomore from Hays studying psychology, said, despite

students walk away understanding that being at KU is a big deal. There are a lots of folks that would love to be at a university, but can’t be.

And finally, we don’t want to have them come back.

We don’t want to have future behavior occur.”

If the recommended sanctions, by the complainant or IOA, involve suspension (separation from the university for up to two years), or expulsion (separation from the university for two or more years), Student Affairs will conduct a formal hearing process.

The hearing panel consists of two of the panel members are faculty or staff, and the remaining panel member is always a student, Watson said.

“Within that formal hearing process, I effectively present information on behalf of the University,” Watson said. “The complainant can be there as a co-complainant, or they can share their information, or they can come in as a witness and speak to it and then leave, or they can choose not to participate at all.”

After Watson details the reasons for recommending a suspension or expulsion to the panel, the respondent presents their case to the panel. The hearing panel then details its findings and recommendations for Tammara Durham, the vice provost for Student Affairs, who has the final say on upholding, modifying or rejecting the sanctions.

Durham said she rarely modifies the recommendations from the panel, but when she does, it is usually to specify definitions or sanctions within the recommendation.

“Sometimes I knew what they meant, but they were speaking university lingo, and I’ll say, ‘I’m going to be more specific here and say here’s what this means,’” Durham said. “So the specificity could just be defining terms.”

Once Durham has conducted the review, she will send a letter to the respondent and the complainant explaining Student Affair’s conclusion.

ual harassment violations, four individuals were required to complete such programs and one individual was removed from the University; the remaining individual only had to serve disciplinary probation.

With the SAPEC education program, individuals who miss a group session have to start the six-week training over. Individuals who do not complete assignments given from the training, or who have displayed behavioral issues, may also be required to start over.

action plan to help them achieve those goals.

Additionally, some individuals have been required to undergo alcohol education conducted through the Health Education Resource Office at Watkins Health Services. There are two different classes for alcohol education sanctions based on the severity of the alcohol use. Individuals found in violation of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment policies who receive these sanctions are required to take the courses one-on-one.

SANCTIONS Individuals who are found in violation of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment policies face a variety of sanctions from training and educational sessions to removal from the University.

Common sanctions for such violations are preventative training sessions conducted by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center. These sessions last six weeks, and each session is approximately 75 minutes long.

“It is a support group style with other students who are found responsible,” said Jen Brockman, director for SAPEC. “We do this on evidence-based and best practice recommendations.

Having individuals who have caused harm to others work in a group together actually provides more productive learning environments and allows individuals to reflect on their behaviors more fully.”

Of the three sexual misconduct violations in 2016, one individual was required to complete an education program through SAPEC. The other two individuals were removed from the University. Of the six sex-

“Usually when we think about sanctioning, what we think about is education.”

Lance Watson director of student conduct and community standards

In week one, participants set goals and conduct self-assessments.

In week two, participants learn about the role of toxic masculinity and entitlement in the perpetration of sexual misconduct. In week three, participants disclose why they were required to take the training program and look into patterns in their behavior.

In week four, participants focus on denial and are challenged to eliminate language that justifies their actions. In week five, participants talk about what desires led them to their actions and focus on healthy ways to meet those desires while avoiding harm. In week six, participants conduct a final assessment, revisit their goals and create a written

In the alcohol education program reserved for less severe usage, individuals are asked to consider why they use alcohol and set goals that allow them to control their alcohol consumption and drink responsibly, according to Jenny McKee, the program manager for HERO. The education program for more significant alcohol issues is broken down into three sessions. The first two sessions look at family history and establishing goals. The final session is a maintenance check 30 days after the second session.

While alcohol may play a role in sexual misconduct or sexual harassment violations, McKee said alcohol does not cause these violations.

“Alcohol use does not

agreeing with everything Ferlo discussed, she would like to see Ferlo expand his marketing to connect with more University students.

“I think it went really well, but the numbers were not as big as I would’ve wanted or what would be expected, and I think a lot of that means that he’s going to really have to play to our students’ audience and really get students involved more,” Crees said.

“But I think it’s definitely doable, he just has to expand his [social] media market.”

Next week, Ferlo said he plans to kick his marketing strategies up a notch by going door-to-door speaking with people, but also finding ways to become more well-known on social media, specifically Twitter.

Ferlo is currently in the process of putting together a Facebook campaign page, he said.

“That’s really the plan is to be active and out there with the constituents and voters,” Ferlo said. “One thing I need to focus on [to get students to forums] especially is social media and being more in-person to really get them here and active.”

For people planning to vote, the primary election will be held on Aug. 7, and the general election will be held on Nov. 6.

cause sexual assault,” McKee said. “The only thing that can cause a sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment is being in the presence of someone who perpetrates those acts of violence.”

One individual who was found in violation of sexual harassment policies in 2016 was required to take the more significant alcohol education course, and one individual who was found in violation of sexual misconduct was required to take the education for less severe usage.

Program removal from the University typically requires more severe violations of the sexual misconduct or sexual harassment policies, including being found in violation for similar behavior multiple times or for nonconsensual sexual activity, according to McCreery.

“Often when we’re talking about a nonconsensual sex act, which would be sexual violence, we would recommend separation from the institution,” McCreery said. “You have a situation where somebody engaged in relationship violence and threatened the person, broke into their apartment, engaged in other acts, either criminal acts or acts of violence, that would lead us to believe this person is a threat to the University community or a threat to this individual.”

Of the three sexual misconduct violations in 2016, two students were removed from the University. One was expelled for three years, while the second was suspended for a semester. Of the six sexual harassment violations, one individual was expelled for five years.

opinion Monday, April 16, 2018

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

Van Dyke: Don’t pull an Iraq in Syria

MAX VAN DYKE @StealYoRedBull

The year was 2008. The U.S. was deeply entrenched in an unpopular military conflict in Iraq, and the economy had collapsed. Riding on a wave of anti-war fervor, a little-known senator from Illinois named Barack Obama ascended to the top of American politics by becoming president-elect.

With his strong opposition to the war in Iraq and the Bush administration’s foreign policy, the anti-war movement galvanized behind Obama, following him all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue.

It may seem like ancient history now, given all that has transpired in the last decade, and the political climate we find ourselves in now, but this was not that long ago. In 2008, throughout the primaries and the general election, then-candidate Obama campaigned on a fierce anti-war platform promising to end the war in Iraq, reverse course on the Bush foreign policy, and immediately shut down Guantanamo bay.

Whatever one’s opinions about Obama are, it cannot be denied that his vociferous opposition to the Iraq War in 2008 played a considerable

role in helping him win the White House.

Fast forward 10 years and almost the complete opposite of what Obama campaigned on happened.

Guantanamo Bay is still up and running, and the number of military conflicts the U.S. is currently engaged in has more than doubled. Despite running on a campaign against the Bush foreign policy, as president, Obama not only continued Bush-era foreign policy, he expanded it in ways even Bush never attempted.

According to Time Magazine, “Barack Obama’s most far-reaching achievement has been to strip out any remaining legal limits on the president’s power to wage war.” After two illegal, undeclared wars in Libya and Syria and the bombing of no less than seven countries, Obama’s surprising legacy he left behind to President Donald Trump is endless war and a blank check for starting countless more.

As the saying goes, “politics makes strange bedfellows.” It’s therefore not surprising that now, in 2018, in the face of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons, we find both neoconservatives and establishment Democrats agreeing and allying in

favor of the use of military force.

Ignoring his long record of tweeting president Obama not to attack Syria, president Trump this week directly tweeted out threats to both Syria and Russia, threatening to do exactly that. And yet in light of the president openly threatening war against a nuclear power and threatening to take direct action against a country that did not attack us, many that you would expect to be “resisting” such moves, are either silent or cheering him on.

One of the most dangerous things to happen under the Obama administration was the complete collapse of the anti-war movement.

That Obama was able to ratchet up drone strikes and take us from two wars to seven is a direct result of the anti-war movement, which was instrumental in his election, failing to hold him accountable.

Trump frequently bemoans his negative cover-

age in the media, and yet the one instance last year in which the mainstream media corralled around him and universally praised him, was when he launched 59 tomahawk missiles into Syria.

Both Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, and even Hillary Clinton, applauded the president’s decision to unlawfully send missiles into another country.

Perhaps it’s because now Trump has directly mentioned Putin by name in his response to these chemical attacks and openly criticized Russia for backing Assad in the Syrian conflict that has all these “resistance” liberals calling on Trump to attack Syria. What’s ironic is that it’s these same people who never miss a chance to warn us, rightfully so, of how Trump’s recklessness could start World War III, are now literally pushing him to take military steps that could actually start World War III. The futility of the an-

ti-war movement to call out Obama’s failure to follow through on campaign promises allowed him to hand Trump seven wars and a drone program on steroids.

Syria did not attack us and has no interest in doing so. Syria was steps away from winding down its internal conflict. Trump, just last week, announced plans to begin withdrawing from Syria. Thus, a chemical weapons attack would be the last thing Assad would want to do. Daesh (the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), however, a prime makeup of the Syrian rebel forces that the U.S. has trained, helped and supplied weapons to, has used chemical weapons before — 52 times according to the New York Times.

In short, don’t pull an Iraq in Syria.

Max Van Dyke is a senior from St. Paul, Minnesota, studying communications and religion.

University students today are not what you used to know.

Almost 40 percent of college students today are over the age of 25. Close to 60 percent of them work, and 26 percent are raising children while pursuing a degree, according to educational advocacy organization Lumina.

Student loans are a constant weighing dread, of course, but even the hope that it’ll all be worth it seems to have dissipated into thin air. A recent study interviewing more that 32,000 students found around 35 percent of them they thought

that, by graduation, they would have the skills and knowledge for professional success. Additionally, only about half the students said they believe their major will lead to a good job.

Facing a dire job market and low-paying entry positions, students must have their heads in both worlds in order to succeed. College, for many, will never be the four carefree years before real-life pressures come knocking.

The pressures are banging on the door right now, screaming hysterically, telling them they’ll sleep when they’re dead. There are unpaid internships to fill. There are experimental discussion posts to write. There’s a so-

“I’m tellin ya, once you get rid of that seasonal depression you can do anything!” if i had a nickel for every time i heard/ read about KU football “getting back to the basics,” i wouldn’t need a job ready to physically fight anyone who voted no on the readership program “Why are you so fascinated by my dog’s penis?”

Get you a cat that waits outside the bathroom door while you shower.

This weather means my seasonal depression is turning into regular depression

Is “Get in the hole” _really_ the best slogan for a golfing fundraiser at a fraternity? either I’m still asleep or I really just saw the Oscar Meyer weinermobile drive up the side street behind my apartment

Associated Press Syrians walk past a picture showing Syrian President Bashar Assad with Arabic that reads, “We apologize for your inconvenience, We are working for you. Exit.”

cial media presence to maintain.

But that’s just life, right?

The hustle, the struggle, the fight to one day make something good out of yourself?

Which is why, professors, I now turn to you with a plea.

There is something within your power to do that would make an entire world of difference for the coming crop of undergrads. It could even make your own job more bearable.

So, I politely ask you, professors: Use our time constructively.

Give us more to read.

Let me explain.

Every class contains a certain number of activities that require no real thinking and pose no intellectual challenge but fill up time or check off pedagogical boxes of some sort. Perhaps it’s a role-playing game, or perhaps it’s a reflective discussion post that actually

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it’s spring 2018 we only drink on patios now

Lodos: We don’t have time for busywork

REBEKAH LODOS @RebekahLodos

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requires very little reflection.

It may be a 30-minute group discussion period during which your students, I guarantee you, will not be discussing the material you told them to discuss. In short: any activity with questionable academic merit.

I am asking you to cut these from your syllabuses.

Before you write this off as lazy, stuck-up, millennial whining, bring back to mind the statistics cited above.

Students are balancing work with academia, and academia with building a marketable resume as early as sophomore year. We can’t just graduate with our certificate anymore: We need above average amounts of work experience in our field, internships, portfolios, LinkedIn profiles, engaged Twitter followers, professional contacts and, I’ll say it again, lots and lots of work experience.

Because of this, it hurts — really hurts — when class feels like a waste of time.

Other arbitrary rules, like banning laptops in class and requiring 98 percent attendance, exacerbate this help-

less feeling. It is frustrating to be painfully aware of one’s inability to be prepared for the future job market while a professor calls for a 45-minute class game of “let’s pretend.” It’s frustrating to work hard, wake up at 5 a.m. to study and ace an exam — only to be told your grade relies on you completing mindless busywork for 50 percent of your college career.

So, I politely ask you, professors: Use our time constructively. Give us more to read. Give us better thinkers to read. Let us hear you lecture more. Tell us about your experience getting a job — no matter what subject area you teach in. Don’t give us tasks you wouldn’t spend your own half hour on. Help us with our resumes. We are an anxious generation, and we’re trying to do our best. Prepare us. But please, please, please don’t waste our time.

Rebekah Lodos is junior from London studying journalism and international relations.

contact us Chandler Boese Editor-in-chief cboese@kansan.com

Baylee Parsons Business Manager bparsons@kansan.com

Politics is just talking shit but with ties on My friends are trashing The Beatles right now and I’m ready to throw hands “I am the only child in my family who hasn’t puked in my dads mouth!” if u think being ghosted is bad try being ghosted for a perfect apartment in your price range can someone tell my body I don’t have time to be throwing up a lung right now?

Why tf did someone use the email listserv from my class four years ago to send out a survey? I can’t handle KU anymore.

That moment when you find out Cambridge Analytica may have accessed some of your information Election day means making it to class from daisy hill in 10 minutes because you’re running from all the candidates trying to throw fliers and buttons at you

editorial board

Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Chandler Boese, Erin Brock, Danya Issawi and Baylee Parsons.

arts & culture Monday, April 16, 2018

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

Memorializing Mario’s Miracle

Chance Parker/KANSAN The Two Light Luxury Apartments unveiled a mural of Mario Chalmers’ “Mario’s Miracle” buzzer beater shot on Saturday, April 14, for the 10th anniversary of the 2008 Final Four game that led to a national championship title.

JOSH MCQUADE @L0neW0lfMcQuade Mario Chalmers’ game-saving shot during the 2008 NCAA basketball championship has been engraved into the minds of Kansas basketball fans. Now, it’s plastered onto the side of the soon-to-be opened Two Light Luxury Apartments.

The night began with a walk into the ground floor of Two Light. Invited guests entered to find themselves in a sea of people awaiting the arrival of Chalmers. Quiet music set the ambiance as cameras placed themselves to face the lobby doors.

The moment Chalmers walked in, a small applause echoed throughout the room while cameras followed his movement to the raised platform in the corner of the room. Nate Bukaty, radio host of WHB, shortly took the podium to welcome the guests, including the player every-

one was there for, Mario Chalmers.

“If your picture is on the side of this building, then obviously you’ve done something special,” Bukaty said.

The mural is located on the Sprint Center side of Two Light Luxury Apartments, located at 1444 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri.

dium shortly after Bukaty labeled him as “the author of the greatest shot in Kansas basketball history.” Chalmers thanked everyone for joining him in unveiling the mural honoring his historic shot.

“It’s about Kansas. It’s always about the Jayhawks,” Chalmers said. “I love Kansas to death.”

“To be here and represent my city, my state and be a spokesperson for KU and be a spokesperson for Kansas City is a great opportunity.”

Mario Chalmers former Kansas player

“It was a dream come true,” Chalmers said. “Always growing up, wanting to be in the NBA, wanting to be in the NBA Championship, and actually being in that moment, it’s a dream come true.”

The Kansas star went on to win two NBA Championships with the Miami Heat, but those moments fell short of his favorite: the shot.

“The shot is up there, but the two NBA Championships are not too far behind,” Chalmers said.

Chalmers is entering free agency after this past season where he was signed with the Grizzlies.

When Chalmers was informed of the mural decorating the side of Two Light, he was ecstatic.

“To be here and represent my city, my state and be a spokesperson for KU and be a spokesperson for Kansas City is a great opportunity,” Chalmers said.

The mural features a sepia-styled photograph of the shot from behind.

Chalmers’ mural is joined by a blended mural featuring the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC. The mural is meant to highlight all that makes Kansas City, Kansas City, according to Bukaty.

Chalmers took the po-

Finishing up his speech by thanking his friends, family and teammates for all they have done, the party was then moved up to the eighth floor.

After his three seasons at Kansas, Chalmers was drafted to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008, before being traded to the Miami Heat.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) Cash flow rises today and tomorrow. Care for something you’ve been neglecting. Stick to basics. Act on previously laid groundwork. A lucky break can unfold.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) Benefit from the foundations you’ve built. Don’t spend what you don’t have. The action is behind the scenes. Clarify your direction. Set intentions and schedule them.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) Provide leadership. Take on more responsibility over the next few days.

Meet professional deadlines and goals. Grab an opportunity when it falls in your lap.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) Handle practical financial priorities. Work out project details and update the budget. Friends offer good advice and connections. Share resources and opportunities.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) Take a step back to advance. Nurture your heart.

Build your health, fitness and work upon previous foundations. Strengthen skills and practices. You’re making a good impression.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) Domestic comforts draw you in. Provide support to someone you love.

Persuade with grace. You have what others want.

Show appreciation for the effort of others.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) You’re especially confident and powerful. Check your course, and then full speed ahead. A spiritual advisor helps you stay on the right path.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) Reach out. Connect and check in with your people.

Teamwork provides satisfying results. Share nostalgic moments with friends.

Reflect on past glories and future possibilities.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) Long-distance travel and long-term possibilities beckon for a few days. You can solve a puzzle. Use something you’ve been saving. Study and learn.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) Make a special connection. An attraction is mutual. Collaborate on a shared passion and profit from the fruits of your labors. You’re in sync.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) Relax and play for a few days. Prioritize family and romance. Beauty and strong emotion inspire.

Enjoy beloved people and activities. Appreciate those who went before.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) Previously blocked communications channels open. Connect the dots.

Think outside the box.

Invest in efficiency. Get the word out about a creative project.

Chance Parker/KANSAN Former Kansas basketball player Mario Chalmers laughs while talking to a group of fans at the unveiling of a mural in his honor.

horoscopes

ARTS & CULTURE

KANSAN.COM

7

‘Love, Simon’ (mostly) reflects the novel NICOLE ASBURY @nicoleasbury All I ask for in a teen romance is awkward teen humor, a lot of sappiness and great solid relationships.

“Love, Simon” gave me all of that (and a bit more).

Let’s break down one of the most popular teen movies of the year and then whether it passed or flopped its original source material.

“LOVE, SIMON”

Everyone has seen a sappy teen romance, but it’s about time the mainstream media provided a teen romance for the queer community. “Love, Simon” doesn’t only provide great representation for teens struggling everywhere with these issues, it brings well fleshed-out characters and a steady plot.

The movie’s biggest strength is relating to its teen audience, whether it be through all of the teens’ obsession with iced coffee, or their messy production of “Cabaret.” Even the antagonist of the movie acts exactly like many teens I knew from my high school days.

The screenplay also does a great job of explaining the difficulty of finding your own identity, but especially doing so when there are so many tropes surrounding said identity.

It knows how to poke fun at those tropes, all while explaining how they can be damaging and unrealistic.

The best part of this movie is Simon’s relationship with his parents. The parents are not only actively engaged in Simon’s life, they’re both endlessly supportive of him. There are a lot of great scenes, portrayed wonderfully by the actors, between Simon and his parents that make the film fantastic.

Contributed photo The film “Love, Simon” is adapted from the novel “Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.”

The main critique I have of this movie is that the intro feels a bit strange.

Simon says repeatedly, “I’m just like you,” and it’s a bit off at first. Later, the viewer understands the original dialogue better, when it’s revealed to be a message to his love interest, Blue, but it initially feels like a forced way for the audience to connect with Simon.

“SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA” I first picked up the novel by Becky Albertalli a few months ago. I read it in light of Pride Month, but I just revisited it after the launch of “Love, Simon.” Both times I was

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able to start and finish the book in a day, since the story is genuinely just that captivating.

Additionally, Albertalli’s writing makes the whole novel flow. She writes from the perspective of Simon so realistically. Definitely one of the best aspects of the novel as a whole is Simon’s voice. He’s one of my favorite protagonists that I’ve read about in a young adult romance thus far.

He stands up for himself when he needs to and remains incredibly patient with those he needs to.

Albertalli’s biggest strength, though, is overall how realistic the novel is. High school friendships function the way she portrays them in the book.

Teens’ relationships with their parents function the same way they do in the book. There’s a fantastic scene between Simon and his mom, where he asks why she gets overly excited about little things in his life, and the explanation she gives is so wholesome.

Particularly, antagonists from the novel, like Martin, are very real.

The romance in the book is a bit slower, which is what gives it a bit more strength. It’s easier for the reader to understand the connection that Simon and Blue have throughout the novel since there’s more material.

That’s the best aspect of the novel, which outshines the movie in so many ways. The reader

gains more insight on Simon’s relationships and the people around him.

The reader understands Simon’s relationship with Abby a bit more, and why he seeks her out more often than he seeks out Leah for advice.

“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” is a short read, but it’s fulfilling. It’s not meant to be a literary masterpiece by any means, but the novel owns that.

THE VERDICT “Love, Simon” definitely passes when it comes to staying true to the original source material. Overall, when it comes to movie adaptations, it’s important to realize that the movie is its own piece. Typically, the

movie adaptation should stay true to the original novel based off the feeling; it reserves the right to change little details.

Though there are many alterations from the original book, I think those alterations were necessary to translate the movie across the screen well. Still, the relationship with Blue and Simon still has the same feeling and movie Simon still has the same characteristics as book Simon.

Now, time to cross your fingers that “Leah on the Offbeat” — the sequel to “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” — will get the movie adaptation it deserves as well.

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Dark humor sets ‘Isle of Dogs’ apart Wes Anderson’s new fantasy film brings an atmosphere and landscape that is unlike any of the director’s other work

Contributed photo Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs” differs from his usual style with its monochromatic setting and dark humor.

GRACE MENNINGER @KansanNews While offbeat director Wes Anderson is probably best known for his colorful sets, charming soundtracks and quirky tales of disgraced family patriarchs, he pivots away from this approach in his most recent film, “Isle of Dogs.”

Instead of the vivid, candy-colored, dollhouse-style sets seen in many of Anderson’s films, much of this animated story takes place on the desolate Trash Island where dogs afflicted by a canine flu epidemic have been exiled due to a decree of the iron-fisted, dog-hat-

ing mayor of a nearby city, Megasaki.

Trash Island is a bleak, apocalyptic place. Piles of garbage and abandoned buildings seem to stretch on for miles, and though the scenes are stylized and monochromatic, the environment’s ruin and oppression feels incredibly real. It’s a visually stunning film, as many of Anderson’s films are, but because it lacks the colorful sets seen in many of his films, the movie is honestly a breath of fresh air.

The film’s soundtrack is also unlike any of Anderson’s films. While his past movies have been rich with

1960s psychedelic rock and pop by bands like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and Nico, “Isle of Dogs” mainly features taiko — traditional Japanese folk music played with drums. The intense percussion fits with the fast pace of the movie.

Many of Anderson’s films follow a somewhat formulaic plot revolving around a disgraced patriarch attempting to rekindle a relationship with his family. I can think of at least three that rely on that basic plot. “Isle of Dogs,” however, instead tells a tale of a young man who risks his life on an epic quest to find his dog, Spots. He’s

joined by a pack of dogs with celebrity voices who constantly are gossiping to each other and taking votes on what to do.

The voice acting for the various canine and human characters was great but my biggest problem with the movie was the fact that the dogs spoke English while the humans spoke Japanese. In the beginning of the film, the audience is told that “All barks are rendered into English.” This seemed a bit gimmicky. The film would’ve worked better in Japanese with subtitles, because switching between Japanese and English made parts of the film feel dis-

jointed. Furthermore, Japan has no shortage of voice talent, given the country’s multibillion-dollar anime industry.

“Isle of Dogs” incorporates a number of story elements and themes that reflect the sad state of our current political environment, including widespread government corruption and manipulation of the masses through relentless propaganda. An unscrupulous mayor forces people to dispose of their beloved dogs, and the population is too passive to do much until a headstrong exchange student working at a local school newspaper challeng-

es the mayor. I enjoyed this allegory for disposable society and the power of the press to hold the government accountable.

In “Isle of Dogs,” Anderson subverts many of the tropes he’s created himself, which is what makes the film both enjoyable and unpredictable. And while it is a relentlessly dark film and there are fewer laugh out loud moments than usual with Anderson, it’s worth seeing for its dry humor and visually appealing setting.

RATING: 7.9/10

Shoebox Money wins Farmers’ Ball with ‘everything we had’

Katie Counts/KANSAN Shoebox Money members Patrick Spanier, left, and Ben Schenberg during their Farmers’ Ball winning performance at The Bottleneck on Saturday, April 16.

KATIE COUNTS @countskatie752 After a year of waiting, Shoebox Money won the 24th annual Farmers’ Ball hosted by KJHK 90.7 FM and Student Union Activities at the Bottleneck.

Maybe Not was the runner-up with Brendan Mott and MK Ultra behind them “in no particular order.”

Initially, there were 16 bands in the competition but it was narrowed down to eight after online voting. The eight performed on April 6 and were voted down to the “Final Four,” who performed Saturday night.

Shoebox Money consists of current and former University students including Ben Schenberg (vocals), Patrick Spanier (manager and bass), Ben Wellwood (guitar and harmonica) and

Dylan Mccune (drummer).

Last year, the group missed the deadline to sign up for Farmers’ Ball by a couple days. Since then, it has been the group’s goal to win Farmers’ Ball. They’ve worked the entire past year practicing and performing in hopes of winning.

“This is everything we had,” Spanier said. “We got off that stage, and I was like ‘If we don’t win, I’m not going to be mad because we could not have done anything else to win this contest.’ The fact that it all paid off is just surreal.”

Shoebox Money won $2,000, Maybe Not received $1,000, and both Brendan Mott and MK Ultra received $500.

This year’s competition wasn’t without controversy; in the semifinal round, MK Ultra experienced alleged harassment due to trans-

phobic comments from a Bottleneck staff member.

According to Mike Dye, Bottleneck manager, the venue made the green room bathroom gender-neutral for anyone who needed a “safe space.”

Dye also stated that the Bottleneck is meant for music and “we welcome everyone.” It’s a space where the Lawrence music community can come together, especially in the spirit of friendly competition, Dye said.

Spanier of Shoebox Money said he loves the Lawrence music scene.

“Lawrence is the weirdest, most beautiful music scene in the whole world.

The fact that for just tonight we get to stand on top of it is absolutely surreal,” Spanier said.

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SPORTS

KANSAN.COM

Last-minute goal gives KU soccer a win CARLEE MAHAN @carleemahan

With the seconds ticking away and Kansas on the way to its first dropped win of the spring schedule, sophomore defender Taylor Christie scored a rare goal to give Kansas a 2-1 win over Missouri State at Rock Chalk Park.

From the first whistle, the game was evenly matched between aggression and control. Kansas outshot Missouri State in the first half 5-2, but both teams failed to deliver, leaving the first 45 minutes with no obvious dominance from either side.

Coming into the second half, the Jayhawks showed a major shift in energy and found their rhythm, despite the heavy rain pouring from above.

Yet it was the Bears who broke the scoring drought in the 65th minute.

But the Jayhawks answered with a goal five minutes later by defender Chais Wright. Wright, a 2018 recruit from Kansas City, Missouri, carried the ball all the way down the field for a 1-on-1 shot with Missouri State’s goalkeeper.

Once both teams put the

Sarah Wright/KANSAN Sophomore defender Taylor Christie moves the ball away from the goal during a match against Texas in October. Christie scored the winning goal against Missouri State during Saturday night’s exhibition game. ball in the back of the net, it was an intense, foul-filled race to the finish.

With the teams goingback and forth for the next 15 minutes, sophomore forward Katie McClure and junior forward Grace Hagan controlled the tempo of

the final stretch for Kansas, making several attempts at a goal.

While the two forwards failed to get the ball past the goalkeeper, it was a defender in the form of Christie who got the winning goal for the Jayhawks.

Scoring off a shanked block from a Missouri State defender, Christie and the rest of the squad ran down the field in celebration and held possession of the ball for most of the final seconds.

As Kansas coach Mark

Francis said, the main focus for the spring season is to move the ball quicker and find a “two-touch rhythm,” and those two keys are what helped the Jayhawks secure a win against the Bears.

The Jayhawks continue the spring season this Tues-

day against the U14 Sporting KC Academy Boys team, in which Kansas Coach Mark Francis and his team hope to continue their sixgame winning streak in the spring season.

13-run inning powers Oklahoma over Kansas

Chance Parker/KANSAN Senior designated player Jessie Roane swings at the ball against St. Louis on Saturday, March 17.

MADDY TANNAHILL @maddytannahill With two outs in the top of the first, senior infielder Jessie Roane stepped into the box to face Oklahoma’s Mariah Lopez. Coming off of a two-hit performance in the series opener on Friday, Roane took the 3-1 pitch from Lopez far over the left-field fence to establish an early 1-0 lead for Kansas over No. 2-ranked Oklahoma.

The Sooners answered quickly in the bottom of the inning when Sydney Romero led off the inning with a single to center field. Junior pitcher Brynn Minor issued three consecutive walks to bring Romero home before freshman pitcher Tarin Travieso came in for relief and got the Jayhawks out of the inning tied 1-1.

Having held Kansas scoreless in the top of the

second, Oklahoma’s offense came up huge in the bottom of the inning. The Sooners batted through the lineup twice to put up 13 runs and extend the lead to 14-1.

Travieso gave up a leadoff double followed by three consecutive walks before Kansas brought in its third pitcher of the day, sophomore Mandy Roberts. The Kansas pitching staff could not find an answer for the hot bats of Oklahoma, returning to Travieso, who finally got Kansas out of the inning.

Oklahoma tacked on its final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Raegan Rogers cleared the left-field fence for a solo home run that brought the Sooner lead to 14.

Roane continued to see the ball well, as she singled to opposite field in an attempt to spark the Kansas offense in the bottom

of the fifth. Fellow senior catcher Harli Ridling kept the momentum going as she reached home on an error by the third baseman and a sacrifice fly by freshman infielder Shelby Gayre began to slowly chip at the daunting lead.

Sophomore infielder Becki Monaghan cut the lead to 11 with a two-run homer over the right field fence, but ultimately the deficit proved too much for the Jayhawks, as they fell 15-4 in game two of the series.

Travieso took the individual loss, going for 3 1/3 innings and giving up five walks and tallying one strikeout, moving her record to 2-1 on the season. Lopez went for three innings and dealt six strikeouts to take the victory, improving her record to an impressive 12-0 on the season.

K ANSAN.COM

SPORTS

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Coaches preach toughness in 2018 season In the starting weeks of Kansas’ spring football, David Beaty has put an emphasis on both mental and physical resilience MICHAEL SWAIN @mswain97 Sitting on a chair inside the Kansas football facility, sophomore safety Mike Lee attentively listens to questions from journalists. Biceps bulging through a tight blue Kansas strength and conditioning shirt, Lee boasts about the muscle he has put on over the offseason — a sign of physical toughness.

Only a handful of practices into spring football, Kansas coach David Beaty has been drilling his players on a myriad of things.

The thing that Beaty has emphasized most with this team doesn’t even have to do with X’s and O’s.

It’s toughness — both physical and mental.

Beaty first mentioned toughness at a press conference on April 4 when discussing how his team can improve. Now a week later, much like his team has, Beaty continued to talk about toughness and how it can help his team.

“The big focus for us in the spring was what do we have to do to make this team better in every situation, how do we close that margin of error so we can start producing,” Beaty said. “As we go back and look at the things that we think will help us close the gap, one of the major things, that comes to mind is toughness, and developing a toughness in this football team.”

Missy Minear/KANSAN Redshirt junior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. makes a tackle against Baylor on Nov. 4. The Jayhawks fell to the Bears 38-9.

Physical toughness is quantifiable. You can tell how much you can bench press or squat, or how fast you run 40 yards. But what isn’t quantifiable is mental toughness.

How can you tell person one is mentally tougher than person two?

It is hard to do without intensely watching two people compete.

In theory, it would seem that building something that isn’t quantifiable would be hard to do. Yet, Beaty’s players have learned how mental toughness can be improved — in their own

ways.

“Everything is not always going to go your way, you have your bad days in practice and persevering through that is what builds mental toughness,” sophomore safety Bryce Torneden said.

“I think it is just attacking the grind every day,” redshirt junior Joe Dineen Jr. said. “You know Joel Embiid’s saying ‘trust the process.’”

“When you’re dead tired at the end of practice, things like that, it’s discipline. When you are tired in the morning and you don’t want to go to

class,” junior wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. said.

“It’s a bigger picture at the end of the day and it all builds mental toughness.

When you don’t want to do it, that’s when it’s a perfect time to do it.”

Beaty pointed to discipline when talking about mental toughness. For Beaty, mental toughness is not jumping offside on fourth and one and changing the complexion of the game.

Beaty says those moments are what have set Kansas back in the past and he isn’t wrong.

Those mental errors

are what killed Kansas last year. Entering the 2018 season, sophomore offensive lineman Andru Tovi explained Beaty’s decision to focus on toughness.

“It is a bigger focus be-

cause last year we looked at where we are ranked in special teams, offense and defense and it was basically the little things,” Tovi said.

Tovi is right, out of the 130 division one schools, Kansas ranked 120 in total offense, 118 in total defense and 124 in special teams efficiency, all according to ESPN. It is impossible to make a significant leap as a team and a program as a whole if the fundamentals and the fight aren’t there.

For Lee, it is simple. If you aren’t tough yet, the team is going to make you tough.

“Tough players know they tough. Non-tough players they need to step up they toughness. We just have to make players that aren’t tough, tough,” Lee said. “Once we get to the season, we are going to bring all that toughness out during the game.”

That toughness Beaty and his staff have been breeding will be on display Saturday, April 28, as Kansas will participate in its annual spring game.

“Everything is not always going to go your way, you have your bad days in practice and persevering through that is what builds mental toughness.”

Bryce Torneden sophomore safety

The pros and con(s) of Romeo Langford at Kansas CARLEE MAHAN @carleemahan

Fresh off the NCAA tournament, the Kansas Jayhawks have locked down a number one position in ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25 preseason polls.” And that’s not including top-five recruit Romeo Langford.

Langford, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard with Indiana roots, has narrowed down his college options to three schools. After crossing Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky and UCLA off his list, just Vanderbilt, Indiana and Kansas remain.

So, what will happen to the Jayhawks if Coach Self manages to capture the signature of the highly-touted guard?

Let’s talk pros and cons.

PROS:

The No. 4 scorer in Indiana high school boys basketball history is just one a few immensely impressive things about Langford.

Averaging an unbelievable 35.5 points per game his senior season, it’s clear that Langford has no problem putting the ball in the basket.

With a great build, incredible stamina and a natural eye for the floor, Langford has the potential to be another Kansas legend and eventually hang his jersey up in the rafters with all the

other greats.

Aside from the fact that his offensive game is nearly flawless, whether it be inthe-paint play or beyond the arc, Langford poses a real threat defensively, as well. Standing at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Langford is on the taller end of the spectrum for shooting guards and has the ability to put some intense, defensive pressure on opposing teams.

CON (SINGULAR):

I’m sure at this point you’re thinking, “how in the world could there possibly be any cons?” Well, allow me to introduce the only issue.

Kansas is known for many things, but most famous of them all is Kansas basketball and its historic culture of winning.

The coaches build their lives here, the players don’t want to leave and the fans can’t get enough.

Larry Brown said it best: “There’s no better place to coach, there’s no better place to go to school and there’s no better place to play.”

The spirit inside Allen Fieldhouse is something even opposing teams have been known to behold. For a player, to stand on the court in front of 16,000 fans, is something many would die for.

Missy Minear/KANSAN Kansas coach Bill Self watches his team practice in the Alamodome on Friday, March 30.

But that very trait is also something that would be difficult to hold on to if Kansas starts becoming a “one-and-done” school.

Considering how talented Langford is, after one year at Kansas there is no question he would be debating an NBA Draft exit.

That’s not to say he would choose to leave, but he would definitely have the option to. Just like those before, such as Andrew Wiggins and Josh Jackson,

Langford would light up the court of Allen Fieldhouse before moving on to seemingly bigger and better things.

Some people may not care about how long players stay or how devoted they become to college basketball, but at Kansas, it’s a part of the tradition.

As ESPN has already predicted, with or without Langford, Kansas will have so much talent in the 201819 season that it’ll be hard

for Kansas coach Bill Self to utilize all of it. While yes, Langford would be an incredible asset to the team, the Jayhawks would not be incapable without him.

Even as junior guard Lagerald Vick and redshirt sophomore guard Malik Newman declared for the draft, Kansas still holds transfers Dedric and KJ Lawson and Charlie Moore who all averaged double-digit scoring at their previous schools. Not to mention,

the pair of freshman recruit five-star guards Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes are also joining Kansas’ roster.

Langford has announced that he will be making his final decision April 30 on where he will end up for college. Regardless of a possible one-and-done threat, I think Kansas fans collectively agree on the fact that they’d be happy to welcome him with open arms.

sports

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

Monday, April 16, 2018

Can a Final Four lead to admissions success?

An analysis of previous years’ NCAA tournament performances shows freshman admission rates sometimes increase with long tournament runs

Sarah Wright/KANSAN Fans begin their cheering early as the Final Four introduction video plays in the Allen Fieldhouse watch party for the Final Four on Saturday, March 31.

From then on, Kansas saw a huge boom in application rates uncorrelated with the NCAA tournament, jumping to nearly 16,000 in 2014. The jump backs up the claim from Director of Undergraduate Admissions Lisa Pinamonti Kress that “[the university] can never attribute any increases simply to basketball.”

While of course application rates cannot be attributed to just basketball,

the rise and fall of application rates compared to the success of the men’s basketball team is evident.

Although Kansas’ loss to Villanova in 2018’s Final Four may be a sore subject for the Kansas student body, there is at least a small section of Jayhawk nation in the admissions faculty that will still be bouncing with joy for the next round of application numbers.

First-time freshman applications compared to Kansas basketball’s NCAA tournament performance the previous spring

14,538

15,015

15,155

15,767 13,256

10,902

10,653

First Round

Elite Eight

National Champions

Sweet Sixteen

Second Round

Elite Eight

Championship Game

Sweet Sixteen

Second Round

Second Round

Elite Eight

Elite Eight

12,389

10,367

First Round

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Devin Foyle Baseball

It was an inconsistent week for Kansas baseball, but junior outfielder Devin Foyle was consistent throughout his team’s struggles. Foyle went 6-for-19 in spite of Kansas’ two wins and three losses last week. Foyle’s best game came against Creighton when he went 3-for-5 with a double and a home run.

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07

08

09

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10,035

10,240

Elite Eight

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02

10,157

10,030

Championship Game

20

10,442

9,700

athletes of the week

tournament,” Melvin said.

The third period, 2009 to 2012, saw application rates drop off slightly from the 2008 national championship season, but another run to the national championship game in 2012 saw a huge boom in application rates.

From 10,035 in 2011 to 12,389 in 2012 — a 19 percent jump — it was the largest application rate Kansas had seen in the last 10 years.

the NCAA tournament, an increase in first-time freshman applications is common across the board with good performances. In 2010, Butler saw an increase of 12 percent in freshman admissions following its championship game run, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“From a branding standpoint, you can’t beat the exposure that comes from strong performances in the

9,573 Final Four

Massachusetts Street is notorious for being the hub of celebration when Kansas basketball finds success in the NCAA tournament.

But the madness isn’t just contained to downtown Lawrence — admission officials at the University are also celebrating the basketball team’s success, but for a different reason than the fans.

From 2002 to 2017, there has been a steady increase in first-time freshman admissions at the University. While that can be attributed to many reasons, such as simply growth in the University, there are spikes and subsequent drop-offs in admission rates throughout the time period following successful seasons for the men’s basketball team.

“Regardless of the impact on application volume or yield, athletic success provides exposure that you could not get through traditional marketing channels due to cost,” said Matt Melvin, vice provost of enrollment management.

Looking at the gathered data, while there is a large jump following 2013, the application numbers can be separated into four main sections.

Firstly, 2002 to 2004 saw a successful period for Kansas basketball, as Kansas reached the Final Four

and national championship game in back-to-back seasons. The Jayhawks also reached the Elite Eight in 2004, while also winning two Big 12 conference titles in that time span, driving up interest in the program.

The Big 12 conference streak continued throughout the second period from 2005 to 2008, but the success in March did not.

Back-to-back first-round exits in the NCAA tournament also saw a dip in application rates compared to 2004’s total of 10,442.

The big ticket for Kansas came in 2008 when the Jayhawks were crowned national champions. With 10,902 applications flooding in, the University saw an increase in applications of 4.9 percent on the previous year.

While students in and around the Kansas area grow up with the success, the apparent rise in admissions due to the basketball team are also seen in the student body.

“I was coming from out of state, so I wanted something that had fun events to go to and if your team is good, that’s fun to watch,” said Haley Fleisner, a freshman from Anoka, Minnesota. “It seemed like it was a good environment to be in, Allen Fieldhouse is really well known, so that was cool.”

Whether a team is a one seed or a 10 seed in

First-time freshman applications

SHAUN GOODWIN @ShaunGoodwinUDK

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Fall semester

Graphic by Grant Heiman/KANSAN

Jessie Roane

Sof tball Despite Kansas softball’s poor performances against Oklahoma this weekend, senior Jessie Roane had a terrific weekend. The New Mexico native went 4-for-6 with a double on Friday and a home run on Saturday, her fifth long ball of the season.