April 23, 2019 by College Heights Herald

FAHAAD ALOTAIBI • HERALD

The rapid pace of life on a college campus can quickly become overwhelming. A necessary focus on a person’s mental well-being is often lost in the shuﬄe of life’s everyday motions and routine activity. Challenges to the overall health of a person’s mind reach individuals from top to bottom and aﬀect people in every corner of WKU’s campus. The question begging to be asked is this: Does mental health receive the proper attention it deserves, or does it consistently find itself stuck below the other immediate and troubling hurdles life presents us with?

Medicine often the solution for struggling students BY NICOLE ZIEGE HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

or college students, diagnoses of mental illnesses have increased significantly in the past 20 years. Those diagnoses have led to an increase in antidepressant use among college students and adults in the country. In 2018, about 15.5 million Americans were taking antidepressant medications for at least five years. That rate has doubled since 2010 and more than tripled since 2000, according to The New York Times. Antidepressants are medications that affect brain chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine to elevate a person’s mood. They are often used to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Many of those Americans taking antidepressants include college students who started taking the medication before coming to college. New Albany, Indiana, junior Olivia Eiler was one of those students. She began experiencing depression in the eighth grade and started self-harming for a short time before going to a counselor and a pediatrician. She was prescribed Lexapro and took the medication until after her first semester of college at WKU. When Eiler started seeing a psychiatrist, she switched from Lexapro to Zoloft, which she currently takes. “It also helps a little bit with stability, because I also have anxiety,” Eiler said, referring to her medication. “It can get high, and it can get really low, but medicine kind of bridges those two lines and brings them closer together.” Although cost has not been a barrier for her to receive her prescriptions and treatment, Eiler said she could see how it could be a barrier for someone who might not have health insurance. Eiler goes to see her psychiatrist four times a year to refill her medication. With insurance, Eiler’s psychiatrist visits cost

Inside this section: Page 2: Emotional support animals Short term coping mechanisms Mindfulness Page 3: Mental health, social media & enrollment Page 4: Services available $55 out of pocket, totaling $220 at the end of the year. To refill her Zoloft, the cost was about $19 per prescription, and it rose to $45 over a year without a change in her dosage or medication. “If I wasn’t so fortunate as to be on my parents’ health insurance, I can’t imagine what the cost would be,” Eiler said. The most common antidepressants include Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa, with their prices ranging anywhere from $10 to $74 per prescription, depending on the medication and the insurance, according to Consumer Reports. Some antidepressants cost hundreds of dollars to refill per prescription, like Pexeva, which is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks and costs more than $300, according to GoodRx. Eiler said she was initially scared to start taking an antidepressant medication when she was in eighth grade because she was worried about the medication “changing” her and making her into a different person. Now, Eiler compared antidepressant medications to taking antibiotics after being diagnosed with strep throat. “It’s not changing me or making me fake,” Eiler said. “It’s just bringing my baseline up to where it needs to be to meet other people’s baselines.” However, Eiler said she could not get by on antidepressant medication alone. She

said she goes to see a counselor and attends a support group as other forms of treatment to help with negative thought processes she has developed. For those with general or mild depression, Eiler recommended seeking treatment from support groups or traditional counseling instead of antidepressants. “I think there are people paying into it who could benefit just as well from support groups or from traditional counseling,” Eiler said. Karl Laves, associate director of WKU’s Counseling and Testing Center, said about 25% of the clients who come to the CTC have already been taking antidepressants before coming to college and about onethird of them begin taking the medication after starting college. Laves said he saw the rise of students taking antidepressant medications as more students being willing to try medication in addition to or instead of counseling. Laves recommended both medication and counseling or other forms of therapy for students, because he said medication provides enough support for the brain to “re-wire” itself. “Most medications used today work by making more serotonin available in the brain,” Laves said. “They simply enhance what the brain is already doing. For most people, side effects are minor and go away within the first week or two. In a way, these medications are more like a cast for a broken bone.” While some students decide to stay on the medication throughout their lives, Laves said some students might take the medication until they feel like they can handle their symptoms on their own. “A simple rule I like to use with medication is this: If it is working and you need it, take it,” Laves said. “If it isn’t working or you don’t need it, don’t take it.” Nashville junior Jessica Undis started taking antidepressant medication during her freshman year of college. She took it as an additional form of treatment on top of counseling. SEE MEDICATION • PAGE 4

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Emotional support animals provide motivation

BY EMILY DELETTER

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU In a small room in Meredith Hall, a tiny Pomeranian named Meeko races back and forth, running after a tiny chew toy. His owner, sophomore Cami Flowers, pauses to pet him and tries to tug the toy from his mouth. He resists for a moment, then gives in, and she throws the toy again, Meeko happily giving chase. Flowers began living with Meeko as her registered emotional support animal on campus at the start of the 2018-2019 academic year. She grew up with dogs and realized how much she hated living alone after her freshman year roommate moved after their first semester. Instead of getting a random roommate, she elected to have a private room. Going into her sophomore year, although she would be moving into Meredith Hall through Phi Mu sorority housing, having a dog with her “just made sense.” Flowers is diagnosed and currently takes medication for manic depres-

TYGER WILLIAMS • HERALD

Cami Flowers emotional support animal Meeko has a playdate with Abbi Becker’s emotional support animal Koda. Meeko and Koda live down the hallway from each other and are both Pomeranians from the same breeder. Meeko has just recently been able to walk after having his legs in casts for the last couple of weeks.

sion, or acute bipolar disorder. She went to her doctor, who she said was very understanding of her situation and agreed that having an ESA on

campus would be helpful to her. “Some days my medication doesn’t work as well as other days,” Flowers said. “Instead of upping my dosage or

changing it, Meeko has been there to help me level it out.” Flowers described the attachment between her and Meeko as “insane.” On both her good and bad days, he gives her a reason to get up, get the day started and keep her days consistent. “Having Meeko is like raising a kid as a college student,” she said. “There used to be days where I just wanted to lay in bed and not do anything, but you can’t do that when you have a dog.” Flowers is just one of the estimated 80 students currently living on campus with an ESA. Students register their ESA through WKU’s Student Accessibility Resource Center. On SARC’s website, they must register through accessibility, fill out an online form with documentation from a licensed medical professional expressing their need for an ESA. SARC will then send the information to Housing and Residence Life, which will work with the student to sign an agreement and notify the student’s roommate of the registered ESA. SEE ANIMALS • PAGE 4

14 quick ways to improve your mental health

BY TAYLOR METCALF

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU College is stressful. Classes, studying and even just socializing can take a toll on you and your mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, in 2012, 72% of students had a mental health crisis on campus, and 34% of students said their college didn’t know about the crisis. Mental illnesses on campus are extremely common, and sometimes they can get the better of you. Students and counseling professionals compiled a list of things you can do to combat your mental illness. Here are a few ways you can cope if you can’t get in to see a professional therapist: 1.

Look at pictures of things that make you happy. Even something as small as this can bring you out of a funk. Seeing things that make you happy can encourage you to keep going, too. 2. If you are surrounded by too many people and you feel like you are about to have a panic attack, imagine everyone around you is tiny and you can’t hear them. One student said this helped her with anger issues and social anxiety.

3. Remind yourself that people do care about you — even when you feel like you don’t deserve it. 4. Get out of your room. Listen to music as you walk somewhere or sit down under a tree and read a book. Do something outside of your normal routine that might make you feel less overwhelmed. 5. When you feel alone, talk to someone who loves you and you trust. Sometimes just talking to someone can make you feel the tiniest bit better and less alone. 6. Eat healthily with a balanced diet and get an adequate amount of sleep. Professionals recommend getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Try to sleep on a normal pattern rather than sleeping for four hours one night and 11 the next day. 7. Color or paint something! Focusing on an activity like this can lessen stress, and working with your hands can help ease your mind and body. 8. Take time for yourself. School can take a huge toll on your body and your mental health. Taking even a 15-minute break every once in a while can make a huge difference. If you feel like you need longer, take longer and recharge your mind and health before returning

to work. 9. Yoga and breathing exercises are a great way to deal with in-the-moment mental health issues. Yoga stretches your body and makes you feel relaxed. Try breathing in for six seconds and out for four seconds to calm your heart and mind wherever you are. 10. One student said CBD oil helps her. CBD oil is said to ease the effects of anxiety and depression. The oil can be found in several different forms and can be found locally at First and Last CBD in Bowling Green. Remember to consult a medical professional to decide if this path is right for you. 11. There are several apps to help you manage stress, anxiety, panic attacks and depression. “Insight Timer” and “Virtual Hope Box” are both free, very effective and created with your needs in mind. “Booster Buddy” is an app created to help you complete daily tasks and improve your mental health. 12. Join a campus support group. There are several different groups on campus such as QPR Suicide Prevention and Awareness, Healthy Relationships and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. 13. Take care of your body. Try to shower, brush your hair, brush

your teeth and eat enough. Taking care of yourself physically can help you take care of yourself mentally. 14. Reach out to people who understand what you’re going through. You are not alone in your mental illness even if it feels like you are. Let people help you help yourself. While these in-the-moment coping strategies can be helpful, they don’t stand in for the help of a professional. Schedule an appointment with a therapist or counselor and discuss your problems. They will help you choose the best plan to better your mental health and teach you even more coping strategies. The WKU Counseling and Testing Center is a good place to start, or you could seek a therapist off campus. Here are a few counseling options off campus: 1.

The Cognitive Refinery: 948 Elm St. #2. 2. Maple Tree Mental Wellness: 1183 Kentucky St. 3. Hilltop Counseling Services: 1721 U.S. 31 W Bypass

Features reporter Taylor Metcalf can be reached at 270-745-6291 and taylor. metcalf496@topper.wku.edu.

Mindfulness and yoga used as a form of therapy BY ABBIGAIL NUTTER HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU For some, mindfulness practices such as yoga, meditation and tai chi is a form of stress release which helps them stay in control of their mental health. According to theatre professor Scott Stroot, yoga is an ancient Hindu practice based on energy centers known as chakras that lie throughout the body, similar to the Chinese idea of qigong or the manipulation of qi. Both practices centralize around the idea of energy bodies. Stroot has practiced tai chi for nearly 30 years and said he moves through the world differently. “One of the things that attracted me to tai chi in the first place was that I knew and understood the value of meditation when I was younger,” Stroot said. “I was one of those people who had a very hard time sitting still, I would constantly get bored.” Stroot said because tai chi was physical, the additional things he had to focus on throughout his practice helped him reach a meditative state of mindfulness and defined tai chi as a series of slow-moving postures with different hand gestures all connected to the body and the breath and the upkeep of a relaxed state of alertness. “Essentially, it is a very slow, meditative form of a martial art,” Stroot said. Stroot explained that there were hard and soft styles of martial arts and that

ILLUSTRATION BY ABBIGAIL NUTTER • HERALD

in soft styles such as tai chi, the focus is on controlling what Stroot referred to as “monkey mind” by controlling the breath and the body. He also explained that the lifeforce, or qi, is a vital part in these practices and is based on the same conceptual foundation that underlines all of acupuncture, all herbal medicine and massage therapy in Chinese medical philosophy — balancing a person’s qi. “Knowing how to properly build up the right amount of qi and have it circulating appropriately and freely through your body is an important part of tai chi,” Stroot said. Stroot said that he teaches tai chi to help students with performance anxiety. He said research has proven that training your mind to let things go and being mindful and relaxed can have long-term benefits for reducing depres-

sion and anxiety. “Of course, it doesn’t work in every case, but neither do medications or talk therapy,” Stroot said. Lacretia Dye, an associate professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs, teaches Soul Yoga at the Preston Center in her spare time. She also spoke about research regarding the practice. “Research has shown time and time again how mindfulness and meditation or yoga practices can lower the stress response in the brain,” Dye said. Dye said one of the benefits of yoga is that it boosts serotonin levels, and the practice lowers the stress response in the brain and lowers the cortisol levels. “Serotonin and oxytocin are both really good hormones that we like to have shots of through our bodies,” Dye said. The systems of the human body are often at the back of her mind when practicing yoga. “Yoga, being able to connect the breath with the movement, it’s like taking care of all those systems through

the things you do,” Dye said. Dye spoke about releasing the undesirable emotions in our bodies and also creating new space to get to some things you might not be paying attention to. “Sometimes, however, our bodies are feeling, our emotions will go there too and vice versa,” Dye said. A lot of times, Dye said anxiety is caused by our thinking about things we need to get done, stuff that happened in the past or things we are worried about happening in the future. She added that mindfulness is a form of yoga, and breathing is a component of yoga that brings people into the moment and encourages them to be present. “Think about how stress-free it can be if you’re just thinking about being here now instead of thinking of things that need to get done, things that get your heart rate to speed up,” Dye said. Dye considered being aware of emotions and being able to notice where people feel the emotions in their bodies to be the most important facet of the practice of yoga. “When you check in to see what’s going on with yourself, you’ll find that there’s already answers,” Dye said. She also said she believes there’s so much noise, so many distractions around that people often forget to pay attention to what their bodies are telling them, opting to ignore the advice in favor of taking a pain reliever. SEE MINDFULNESS • PAGE 4

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Social media builds bridges and barriers for users

BY LILY BURRIS

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

Social media opens doors and causes problems. There are many popular social media outlets people used today such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. On these sites, people can post pictures, videos and messages about their thoughts, opinions and life online for people to see. “I use social media to stay in the loop with other organizations, friends, family,” said Mariah Morgan, a public relations junior from Ferdinand, Indiana. “Also, to put my information out there, just to let people know what’s going on in my life.” However, social media doesn’t just open a door for people to communicate with each other. According to NBC News, a recent study showed that young adults and adolescents were showing negative effects on their mental health through depressive symptoms and symptoms of social anxiety. “I think that [influencers on social media] can be very manipulating within staying true to yourself and not trying to be someone else,” Morgan said. Morgan said she uses mostly Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat. She said her life doesn’t revolve around social media because she considers herself “always on the go.”

Morgan said she sees people struggle with trying to imitate people they see on social media. One study discussed in an article by Forbes brings to light the relationship between social media and anxiety, depression and the fear of missing out. The study points to how less time on social media can have positive impacts on someone’s mental health. “I think it’s a great way to meet people and see different experiences,” said Brittany Baker, a nursing sophomore from Crystal Lake, Illinois. “It also can lead to negative effects with people’s mental health and can create problems with people depending on it too much.” Baker uses Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat. She said she uses social media to connect with people and to keep up with what’s going on in the world. “People on social media only post the best parts of their life, and no one really gets to see behind the scenes of the other aspects of their life,” Baker said. “I feel like everyone’s social media is the highlights.” Psychology Today discussed how social media can make depressive symptoms worse and how people only post the best parts of their lives. Rose Render, a business management sophomore, uses mostly Instagram and Snapchat. Occasionally, Render uses Twitter, but she rarely checks it. “You’re only going to show what

KENDALL WARNER • HERALD

Social media has been found to have positive and negative eﬀects on its users, allowing people to maintain communication with people who live far away, but occasionally playing a role in causing symptoms of depression and social anxiety.

you want people to see,” Render said. “You’re not going to show your downfalls, so everyone looks like superstars on Instagram, but that’s not their life.” Render spoke about the importance of keeping one’s personal life personal and not posting problems for the world to see and give opinions on. However, Render does see the benefits of social media. Render said you see “lots of beautiful people and success stories” on social media. Render said people want to

post their job, money or career moves and forget that people know them and know what’s going on in their lives. “It gives you a great opportunity to express who you are in the way you want to do it,” Render said. “There are a lot of negative effects, because it does affect a lot [of] people’s self-esteem.”

News reporter Lily Burris can be reached at 270-745-6011 and lily.burris203@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @lily_burris.

Students are increasingly seeking mental health help BY JAKE DRESSMAN HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU academic adviser Carol Alicie said she frequently has students cry in her office, reflecting a general trend across college campuses today. “Some of the student problems that are being encountered now more so than in the past are emotional,” Alicie said. An increasing number of college students are seeking counseling each year, according to a 2015 report from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health. Anxiety, stress and depression are the leading concerns that students reported. Alicie said she has 184 advisees, but she makes sure to treat each one of them as an individual. “I am very involved with my students,”

Alicie said. “And I work very hard to see that they know about the counseling center in Potter Hall 409.’’ Betsy Pierce, a clinical psychologist at the WKU Counseling and Testing Center, said the numbers of students seeking counseling may be increasing due to the stigma around mental health decreasing as well as better advertising of the help available. However, the center can only have about 30 appointments per day. Its website lists 11 staff members, including the CTC therapy dog, Star. Katy, a social work major who requested her real name not be used due to concerns about the stigma associated with seeking help, said sometimes it is difficult to schedule an appointment with work and school taking up so much of her time. “I’m stressed about being stressed,” Katy said. “It’s like one thing builds upon another, so if you fall behind in

one area, it’s like a domino effect, and everything just piles on top of each other.” Katy said her anxiety makes it a lot harder to participate in the learning environment, especially with group and other social projects, and that one of her greatest causes of stress is finances. Shohei Downing, a senior English major, also said finance was a significant stressor as well as relationship struggles. “I think there’s a lot of superficial relationships, especially online,” Downing said. “It doesn’t feel positive. People are just aggressive on social media.” Other leading factors for stress and anxiety are academic challenges, lack of a parental support system and the struggles identifying as a new adult, according to an article from former academic adviser Sharon Rauch. Rauch advised at Westwood College before becoming the academic dean

there. Rauch recently got her doctorate in education, and she wrote her dissertation on the connection between academics and mental health, which she draws from numerous scientific studies. One study from the paper reported that at-risk students show more academic success if counselors combine mental health treatment and academic advising to assist each student. “The college environment can either empower students to mature or impede their maturation,” Rauch said. Alicie also talked about her efforts to push students toward independence. “I encourage students to think for themselves,” Alicie said. “Mom and dad still want to keep you right under that thumb a lot of times, but you need to think for yourself.”

News reporter Jake Dressman can be reached at 270-745-6011 and jacob. dressman200@topper.wku.edu.

How mental health influences student retention

BY NATASHA BREU

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

For some students, mental health can be a growing problem, which can eventually lead to them taking time away from WKU or changing their major. Amelia Hicks, a former sophomore journalism major from Florence, said mental health was a big reason among a combination of things that caused her to leave WKU. She said she had a history of anxiety and depressive episodes, and while freshman year went fine, she hit a wall her sophomore year. Hicks said she noticed a change

when she did not want to go out to parties anymore and said some days she was too afraid to leave her dorm room. She said she was three hours away from her support system at home and felt isolated. She also said she was working “weird” hours as a desk assistant, so her sleep schedule was off. Hicks said she decided to leave after realizing she was struggling with her mental health and because of stress from paying for college by herself. “I just felt like I was losing control,” Hicks said. Hicks said while she does not regret her time at WKU, she regrets the way she left. But Hicks said it was for the best because it was not working out for

her. “School is not more important than your mental health,” Hicks said. “You have to take care of yourself first.” Karl Laves, associate director of the

Counseling and Testing Center, said students leave WKU every semester for mental health reasons. He said by SEE ENROLLMENT • PAGE 4

IVY CABELLO • HERALD

Pre-med student Amanda Harder always carries her textbooks with her. Harder cut her course load from 21 credits in the Fall 2018 to 15 credits in Spring 2019 by dropping business, her second major, to a minor.

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How the counseling center can help you find balance BY JACK DOBBS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The life of a college student can be stressful. To balance classwork, maintain a social life and, keep a job is especially challenging for many students. To curb this issue, universities across the United States, including WKU, have counseling centers. These centers provide services that assist college students with the challenges they face. Betsy Pierce, outreach coordinator of WKU’s Counseling and Test-

ing Center, said individual counseling for WKU students is available. “We work with a wide variety of mental health concerns, including mood and personality disorders,” Pierce said in an email. Pierce said the CTC provides services that deal directly with LGBTQ students as well as sexual assault survivors. Pierce also said the CTC provides psychoeducational presentations for classes that are given upon request. According to a 2013 report by the American College Health Association, 57% of college-age women and 40% of college-age men reported experiencing “overwhelming anxi-

ety.” Moreover, a 2018 study by the World Health Organization found that one in three college students reported symptoms that were consistent with at least one mental health issue. “One of the biggest challenges for students that affects mental health is the overall adjustment to the world of college and the enormous demands of this academic environment,” Pierce said. “If a student already struggles with a mental health issue, anxiety or depression for example, then college stress is compounded.” While the CTC has been open, the staff regularly sees students that

not only suffer from just one mental health issue but also from a combination of issues, Pierce said. Pierce said the CTC has not seen much of a change in the number of students that visit the center. “However, we are pleased that the stigma of seeking help for mental health is slowly dissipating,” Pierce said. The CTC is located in Potter Hall 409 and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Reporter Jack Dobbs can be reached at 270-745-0655 and jack. dobbs469@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @jackrdobbs.

ANIMALS

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Daniel Rosner, assistant director for student behavior and conduct with HRL, said students find both benefits and additional levels of responsibility living with an ESA on campus. “Students find it’s difficult sometimes to have [an] animal and fit it into their schedule,” Rosner said. “We always encourage students to rely on their licensed medical professionals to talk about their treatment plan and how their ESA is helping them with their diagnosis.” Due to the Fair Housing Act, there are not pet, size or breed restrictions for an ESA. Rosner said although he sees mainly dogs and cats registered, he has also seen rabbits, gerbils and even ferrets. If it’s a student’s first time living with an ESA on campus, Rosner said HRL will meet with them to go over the agreement the student must sign as well as to talk about what living on campus with an ESA is really like. Part of the agreement requires students to agree to keep their room free of pet odors, noises under control and restrictions on where the animal is permitted. Flowers said as part of her agreement with HRL, she is the only person permitted to take Meeko in and out of Meredith Hall. If she has to work or has classes all day, it can be hard to leave him alone crated in her room. “That’s where it gets kind of diffi-

ENROLLMENT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 leaving under medical reasons, their transcripts are “protected” until they decide to either return to WKU, transfer elsewhere close to their support network or start working and then eventually decide to return to WKU. “While we encourage students to stay enrolled — and we may recommend reduced hours — there are times when the best option is to take a medical withdrawal and focus on

MINDFULNESS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Instead of going and taking some pain pills and shoving the message away, Dye said she will sit still in meditation and breathe through it. “When I have aches and pains in

MEDICATION

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Undis has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder since her freshman year. With her OCD, she said she experienced obsessive thoughts that would take over and prevent her from completing her assignments or getting to work on time. Undis has taken four different antidepressant medications to find the medication that worked for her, starting on Wellbutrin, which is another common antidepressant, and is now taking Prozac. Undis said she notices a change in her mental health if she doesn’t take the medication. “If I miss one day, it doesn’t really mess with me, but if I miss a few

BRITTANY MORRISON • HERALD

Cami Flowers’ emotional support animal Meeko waits for his toy to be thrown. Meeko has just recently been able to walk after having his legs in casts for the last couple of weeks.

cult,” she said. “I feel like I have to study in my room so he’s not alone, but that can be very distracting.” Although he’s usually lively and full of energy, he can quickly sense and act if he notices something is bothering her. “He’s always running, he’s always energetic and happy, but if I’m upset

or angry, he’ll go completely still,” she said. “There’s attachment on both ends with us.” But Flowers said the benefits to having Meeko with her far outweigh any of the negative aspects. “Having him here with me has been the biggest help,” she said. “I didn’t even know [how] much he was going to help me until we moved

healing and recovery,” Laves said. Laves also said the main goal is not necessarily only about keeping students in school. Sometimes when students “take a break,” they can come back to school later and be successful. Laves said it is harder to measure students who change majors due to mental health reasons, but students are encouraged to use career services to find the right major for them. Amanda Harder, a former business major on a pre-med track, said she switched majors to biochemistry

because of stress from her classes not overlapping. She said at first one of her advisers asked her if she was sure business and pre-med was what she wanted to do, but eventually all of her advisers and friends encouraged her to keep going. She said she was taking 18 hours each semester along with having to do summer and winter classes online. “It was the worst thing imaginable,” Harder said. Harder said at one point, though she had support, she was accidentally sleeping through alarms from ex-

my body, it’s my body sending me a little love, not to say, ‘Hey, you need to slow down,’” Dye said. Dye said taking a slow, full breath can help people feel more calm. At the end of her yoga practice, there are those same benefits. “I may come to my mat with something on my mind, go through my

practice and then feel at peace or have answers that I didn’t have,” Dye said.

News reporter Abbigail Nutter can be reached at 270-745-6011 and abbigail.nutter168@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @abbeynutter.

days, it starts to get more noticeable and more difficult,” Undis said. Because she is currently on Medicaid, Undis said she does not pay her prescriptions. If she does have to pay, the prescriptions are $20 each month. With her other medications, she said the prices ranged from $10 to $40 each month. Without insurance, Undis would have to pay about $150 for her monthly prescriptions, and she said she wouldn’t be able to afford it. “I’m lucky that my dad is willing to help me pay for medical stuff, but I just wouldn’t have been comfortable asking him for that much money every month,” Undis said. “And there’s no way that I could’ve worked to get that much every month.” In place of antidepressants, though, some students are seeking alternative forms of treatment to

handle their depression, anxiety and general daily stress. Campbellsville senior Shelby England said she has struggled with stress and anxiety since high school. As work and classes became more overwhelming, she said it became worse by her not dealing with it. “It’s a downward spiral until you’re stuck and you don’t know how to deal with it,” England said, referring to her stress and anxiety. Last semester, England started taking Lexapro and took the medication for a few months. However, after a few months, she felt the medicine was unnecessary and her condition was temporary. England said she decided to stop taking the medication after being cleared by her doctor. Now, when she experiences stress and anxiety, England said her emotional support animal, a nearly

in. I’ve seen a big change from last year, and I’m a lot happier with him around.”

Assistant News Editor Emily DeLetter can be reached at 270-745-6011 or emily.deletter304@topper.wku. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @emilydeletter.

haustion and making herself physically sick because she was not doing well enough mentally and had a high anxiety level. Harder said now that she has decided to switch majors, her mental health has improved along with her school work. Now that she is taking only 12 hours, she said she feels like she has time to breathe and is able to work out and study more.

News reporter Natasha Breu can be reached at 270-745-6011 and natasha.breu597@topper.wku.edu. Follow Natasha on Twitter @nnbreu.

ILLUSTRATION BY ABBIGAIL NUTTER • HERALD

1-year-old dog named Bear, has helped her significantly. She said while taking care of him, she forces herself to get out of the house where she can take a walk and take time for herself if she had a difficult day. England said she currently lives with her boyfriend and her friends, and they have also helped her cope with stress. “I feel like I have a good support system around me,” England said. “I’m more confident in myself and my ability now to face whatever it is that I’m dealing with.”

News reporter Nicole Ziege can be reached at 270-745-6011 and nicole. ziege825@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @NicoleZiege.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

VOLUME 94, ISSUE 26

WKU to end relationship with Confucius Institute BY REBEKKKAH ALVEY HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

WKU was denied a waiver from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue hosting the Confucius Institute located on WKU’s campus.

President Timothy Caboni announced partners have been notified to end the agreement between WKU and the Confucius Institute headquarters in an email to faculty and staff on Monday. In the email, Caboni said dialogue with programming partners will con-

tinue and activities will be phased out over the next several weeks. “We hope to strengthen, deepen, and broaden our relationships with partner institutions in China throughout this process,” Caboni said. Caboni also said WKU and partners will find ways to continuously support

school districts and have a pipeline for students and instructors from China. “Having a diverse student population, we continue to remain strongly committed to international education and creating opportunities for each of our students to broaden their horiSEE CONFUCIOUS • PAGE A2

TYGER WILLIAMS • HERALD

Carol Jordan (holding sign above her head), instructor and department adviser of theatre and dance, stands in protest outside of City Hall for the fairness ordinance. Jordan works with a lot of students that are a part of the LGBTQ community and believes that all members in the community have equal rights. “I think it’s a serious problem that we should be addressing,” Jordan said. “It’s embarrassing to be in a city in Kentucky to not have a fairness ordinance.”

A FIGHT FOR FAIRNESS Fairness ordinance fails to pass first reading

BY EMILY DELETTER HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

On April 16, the Bowling Green City Commission voted not to pass beyond the first reading of an amendment which would add language “prohibiting discrimination in housing accommodations and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity,” according to the meeting’s agenda. In addition, this amendment, more commonly known as a fairness ordi-

nance, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to a list of prohibited classes under discrimination in public accommodation. The vote failed to pass by a count of 3-2. Commissioners Brian “Slim” Nash, who introduced the the amendment, and Dana Beasley-Brown voted in favor. Mayor Bruce Wilkerson and commissioners Sue Parrigin and Joe Denning voted against. This vote came last Tuesday after several hours of debate both in favor and against the ordinance. Kentucky state Rep. Patti Minter said it was “puzzling” some were acting as

if the first reading not being passed was the end of the fairness ordinance. Although a majority of commissioners voted against the first reading, every ordinance is required to have two readings. The purpose of the first reading is to give the commissioner introducing the ordinance a chance to explain why it is being proposed. Nash proposed the ordinance, which was seconded by Beasley-Brown. Nash then yielded his time to allow attendees of the meeting to speak in favor of or against the ordinance. A second reading will occur during the May 7 meeting, where a vote to

put the ordinance into effect will take place. “That’s the meeting that counts,” Minter said. Bowling Green is the largest city in Kentucky not to have adopted a fairness ordinance. Louisville and Lexington both passed fairness ordinances in 1999. Since then, eight other Kentucky cities including Covington, Frankfort, Morehead, Danville, Vicco, Midway, Paducah and, most recently, Midway which have passed fairness ordinances. SEE FAIRNESS ORDINANCE • PAGE A2

WKU’s sexual assault reporting procedures BY LILY BURRIS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

One in three women will be a victim of sexual assault, and one in six men will be a victim of sexual assault, according to WKU report it website. “I think that they [sexual assaults] go

underreported. And a lot of it — the victims are afraid to come forward for various reasons,” WKU Police Chief Mitchell Walker said. April is sexual assault prevention month, which brings attention to assault victims and prevention efforts. WKU and several groups in the Bowling Green community worked together to plan and host events about sexual

assault, including a kickoff event, bystander prevention information and an event where people could share their stories about sexual assault. WKU’s resources for sexual assault include the Office of Student Conduct, the WKU Police Department and organizations in the Bowling Green community such as Hope Harbor. “We take sexual assault very serious,

not just our police department, but in this community, we take that very seriously,” Walker said. To report sexual assault or misconduct at WKU, students can email their complaint to student.conduct@wku. edu. Students are then encouraged to meet with the director of the Office of SEE PREVENTION • PAGE A2

A2 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

CONFUCIOUS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT zons through experiences with Study Abroad and Study Away,” Caboni said. “A hallmark of the WKU Experience is

PREVENTION

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Student Conduct, Michael P. Crowe Jr., to discuss the incident. Walker said WKUPD sees two or three sexual assault reports a year. He said the most common type of reported sexual assault is when people go back to someone’s place after a party and one person has nonconsensual sex with the other. Hope Harbor, a sexual trauma recovery center in Bowling Green, works to help victims of sexual assault and their families. Londa Stockton, a community educator at Hope Harbor, said victims do not have to report a sexual assault, but there are victim advocates at Hope Harbor to help them through the process. “It can happen to anyone regardless of their gender, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Stockton said. “It can happen to literally any person.” The Office of Student Conduct investigates the report and holds individuals accountable when appropriate, according to the procedure in the website’s student code of conduct. “We’re here to help the victims in

FAIRNESS ORDINANCE CONTINUED FROM FRONT Elizabethtown senior and WKU Queer Student Union member Thomasina Haight said she felt hopeful the fairness ordinance would be passed during the May meeting. Haight, who identifies as cisgender pansexual, said she believes it would be a step for equality of members of the LGBTQ community in Bowling Green. “It feels very Jim Crow if we don’t

our students being able to see the world and cultures different from their own.” Caboni said more details about the transition are being finalized and will be shared when available. Caboni also said the six graduate students currently enrolled will have the

opportunity to complete their degrees. Director of Media Relations Bob Skipper said the six students are enrolled in a masters program in teaching and are provided a stipend through the Confucius Institute. At the time, Skipper said WKU did

those cases that we have,” Walker said. “We do everything we can to protect the victim.” The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for notifying the people involved in the situation of the report,

ty Disciplinary Committee, and both parties involved will be informed of the outcome, according to WKU’s Report It website. Walker’s advice regarding sexual assault included the phrases: no means

“In reality, each one of us knows someone who sexual assault has aﬀected — it’s that prevalent.” Community Educator at Hope Harbor LONDA STOCKTON

conducting the investigation and determining if there is a violation of the student code of conduct, according to the website. Furthermore, both parties are allowed to give a statement about the situation, and witnesses may be requested, according to the website. “I would like to see people feel like that they can report or that they can report things to the police like that,” Walker said. Cases that violate the student code of conduct can be heard by the Universi-

no, respect one another and the WKUPD is there to support victims. “They [boys] should respect females when it comes to dating and things like that and not try and take advantage of someone and to be mindful of the choices that they’re making,” Walker said. Walker also warned of getting intoxicated at parties, as it can make girls an easier target or can cloud one’s judgment. “If your sixth sense is saying something ain’t right, it’s probably not right, so it’s best to avoid it and get away from

pass the [ordinance],” Haight said. “The discrimination LGBT people face isn’t warranted. There’s no reason people should be allowed to discriminate based on what they perceive to be inappropriate.” Glasgow sophomore Jayden Thomas, who identifies as gay, said he didn’t feel a welcoming community until he began attending WKU. Thomas attended the April 16 city commission meeting in support of the fairness ordinance. “Feeling accepted was monumental

here,” Thomas said. Jillian Kenney, a Bowling Green freshman who identifies as queer, also did not find much of a queer community growing up in Bowling Green until beginning at WKU and was in support of passing the fairness ordinance. Kenney joined the QSU as a way to feel more connected to the campus. “The LGBT community here is so

not have plans for future use of the Confucius Institute’s building.

News Editor Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and rebekah. alvey660@topper.wku.edu. Follow Rebekah Alvey on Twitter at @bekah_alvey.

the situation as quickly as possible, call someone, contact the police,” Walker said. Sexual assault has changed from what children were taught, Stockton said. It’s no longer the “guy-in-the-bushes” situation or a stranger committing the assault. Instead, she said it can be someone in the victim’s life. “In reality, each one of us knows someone who sexual assault has affected — it’s that prevalent,” Stockton said. “It is something that affects the community. It affects each and every one of us.” Walker said faculty and staff are generally quick to report sexual assault, adding that more reports come from them than any other group of people. Moving forward, Walker said the WKUPD is trying to build a better relationship with students so they will feel like they can approach WKUPD about situations such as sexual assault. “It’s OK to report those things,” Walker said.

News reporter Lily Burris can be reached at 270-745-6011 and lily.burris203@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @lily_burris.

nored the vote. It was not until 2011 that the movement was revived. 2012 was the first year it was brought up at a city commission meeting, where members of the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission spoke of why it was time for Bowling Green to join the other cities in Kentucky supporting a fairness ordinance. In 2017, supporters began attending

“I think that the people of Bowling Green have made it pretty clear that [Bowling Green] is a place that supports fairness, human rights and equal rights for all people.”

Kentucky state rep PATTI MINTER

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great, and it’s really important that people feel safe to be who they want to be,” Kenney said. On Monday, the United States Supreme Court accepted three cases for the term beginning next October that will decide if anti-discrimination employment laws protect on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Although the city commission most recently voted against a second reading, this is not the first time the fairness ordinance has tried to become part of Bowling Green’s law. The fairness movement first began in Bowling Green in 1999 after Lexington and Louisville’s fairness ordinances were passed. Minter began to participate by writing a letter in 1999 in support of Bowling Green’s own fairness ordinance. “I naively thought that by writing letters, everyone would see that fairness needed to happen in Bowling Green,” Minter said. The same year, the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission voted that the city adopt a fairness ordinance. Minter said the city commission ig-

city commission meetings, a push led by Nash. The ordinance was placed on the agenda during the February 2017 meeting, but without a second, the motion died. May of that year saw a work session for the fairness ordinance, which Minter described as a “high watermark” for the movement. With the ordinance’s re-introduction to the city commission’s agenda in April, and even if the second reading fails to pass, Minter said the first reading was a “wake-up call” for residents of Bowling Green. “A lot of people came to realize that they have commissioners who don’t support equal rights for all people and don’t think discrimination is a problem,” Minter said. “I think that the people of Bowling Green have made it pretty clear that [Bowling Green] is a place that supports fairness, human rights and equal rights for all people.”

Assistant News Editor Emily DeLetter can be reached at 270-745-6011 or emily.deletter304@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @emilydeletter.

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NEWS/SPORTS A3

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

University Senate amends faculty/student relationship policy BY NATASHA BREU HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU’s University Senate voted to change parts of WKU’s policy on consensual faculty and student relationships during a meeting last Thursday. The change comes from the University Senate’s Faculty Welfare and Professional Responsibilities Committee. The current policy states dating and sexual relationships between students and faculty members with whom they have an advisory, supervisory or evaluative relationship are strongly discouraged, but the new changes strictly prohibit them. University Senate Chair Kirk Atkinson said there were no speciﬁc events that prompted the change but the committee has been working on this policy for a while. He said there have been times in the past where the policy has been debated, and some people have argued it infringes on the privacy of both parties involved in the faculty and student consensual relationship. In this case, Atkinson said it is about balancing that opinion with protecting students from being in a “tough situation” and putting emphasis on the responsibility of faculty members.

RECRUITING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A6 247Sports ranks Ongenda as the 208th best player in the 2019 class and the 44th best center. Stansbury added another piece to the 2019-20 roster puzzle on the ﬁrst weekend of the spring signing period, as four-star point guard Jordan Rawls committed and announced his intenQUIT STAHL-ING CONTINUED FROM PAGE A6 the easiest thing for your school. If a player is good enough to leave WKU for Clemson or Alabama, more power to them. There’s no reason they should be stuck here in a market that limits both their professional and commercial potential going forward. The proposed grad transfer rule is

The updated version of the policy still allows relationships between faculty and students of which there is not an advisory, supervisory or evaluative relationship, but it is now “strongly discouraged,” which the previous policy did not mention. In this case, the faculty member must report the relationship to their department head. Lauren McClain, an associate professor in the sociology department who serves on the Faculty Welfare and Professional Responsibilities Committee, said in cases regarding spouses of faculty members returning to WKU, efforts should be made for the faculty member to avoid evaluating or advising their spouse’s work. Atkinson said in faculty and student

Conner Hounshell speaks in front of faculty and staﬀ during the University Senate meeting in the Faculty House on Thursday, April 18.

relationships there is the opportunity for “undue power.” He recognized in the event of a breakup, the student could feel “odd” or as if they were in a bad situation where there was too much inﬂuence from the faculty member over their grades or other academic pursuits. McClain also commented on the power dynamic in faculty and student relationships and questioned the state of consent. “The power differential between faculty and students makes relationships between them fraught with potential for exploitation and makes voluntary consent by the student suspect,” McClain said. She said students may feel compelled to date a faculty member for fear of repercussions, or in the circumstance the relationship does start out voluntarily, they may feel like it is difﬁcult to end it. She said if a student does initiate a relationship with a faculty member there could be issues for that faculty member such as a “perception they are showing favoritism toward that student.” She also said there may be a “potential liability” for faculty members if the relationship does not go well and said it is in the best interest of students for

tion to join the Hilltoppers next year on Saturday. Rawls, a member of the 2020 class, originally tweeted he would reclassify and become a part of the 2019 class, but soon backtracked, clarifying in a tweet posted Sunday he was a WKU “commit for the class of 2020” and would “revisit” his options to reclassify “later in the summer.” If the Tennessee prospect ultimately elects to join the Hilltoppers’ 2019

class, he will be eligible immediately. With Dalano Banton transferring and Lamonte Bearden graduating, Rawls will likely compete for point guard minutes very soon after his arrival on the Hill. 247Sports composite rankings have Rawls ranked 70th overall and as the sixth-best point guard. Not to be forgotten, redshirt junior forward Carson Williams and redshirt freshman guard Jeremiah Gambrell will

the exact opposite of the free market economy so many of its supporters claim to be the best and fairest way. The rule only applied to football and basketball, so clearly it was made less in the spirit of caring about players academically and more with concern for keeping assets in the same place. On top of that, it’s bad even for the schools.

Think back to Rick Stansbury’s first season on the Hill, or for that matter, any coach’s first season anywhere. It’s an extremely common practice to bring in grad transfer players to fill out the roster. The 2016-17 Hilltoppers were very short on players, so Stansbury brought in Junior Lomomba, Que Johnson and Pancake Thomas to fill spots. If WKU had to fear losing fu-

ture scholarships due to the transfer rules, I guess Stansbury would have been forced to have open tryouts at the Preston Center. It’s probably best for all parties if it doesn’t come to that.

BASEBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE A6

regular season, they have four more C-USA series before the conference tournament begins, starting with Texas-San Antonio and followed by Rice, Louisiana Tech and Old Dominion.

TYGER WILLIAMS • HERALD

April 26-27

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pace to pass their conference record from last season, currently sitting at nine wins compared to only 11 last year. WKU is currently 13-7-1 at home after going 12-17 at home last year. Senior pitcher Troy Newell has been a key contributor for the staff, posting a 2-3 record. Newell leads the team in strikeouts with 36, and opponents are batting .316 against him. “We just got to keep going throughout this last third of the season … just really turn it into gear and get ready for postseason play,” Newell said. Other key contributors include sophomore Dalton Shoemake, redshirt sophomore Bailey Sutton and graduate transfer Joe Filosa. Shoemake has two wins and 26 strikeouts on the season, while Sutton has posted three wins, 34 strikeouts and the second-best ERA on the team at 4.21. Filosa has 23 strikeouts and leads the team in saves with four so far this year. As the Hilltoppers close out the

these relationships to be avoided altogether. Conner Hounshell, a student on the Faculty Welfare and Professional Responsibilities Committee, said he believes consensual faculty/student relationships should be banned altogether except for preexisting relationships. He also argued it would give a “deterrent to faculty preying on students.” Hounshell said his main concern is the potential for unhealthy and abusive relationships forming, and a policy banning this dynamic would help prevent WKU and faculty from getting into lawsuits. He said although the policy change is not what was decided on, he thinks the new updated policy change is a step in the right direction. In the future, Hounshell said he hoped a ban on these relationships will be implemented except on those in which faculty have spouses wanting to attend WKU. The policy amendment was sent to acting Provost Cheryl Stevens following the senate vote and is awaiting approval.

News reporter Natasha Breu can be reached at 270-745-6011 and natasha. breu597@topper.wku.edu. Follow Natasha on Twitter @nnbreu.

get their chance to crack the rotation after redshirting in 2018-19. Only one more scholarship offer remains before Stansbury reaches the maximum roster limit of 13, but WKU is likely still not done making moves this spring in preparation for next season.

Reporter Alec Jessie can be reached at 270-745-6291 and ajessie97@gmail. com. Follow him on Twitter at @Alec_ Jessie.

Sports Editor Matt Stahl can be reached at 270-745-6291 and matthew.stahl551@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter @mattstahl97.

“We have come a long way from the beginning. Coach preaches limiting the free bases, and I think we’ve come a long way doing that.” Redshirt sophomore pitcher COLIN LOLLAR

Baseball reporter Kaden Gaylord can be reached at 270-745-6291 and kaden.gaylord559@topper.wku.edu Follow him on Twitter at @_KLG3.

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OPINION

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

ILLUSTRATION BY MADALYN STACK • HERALD

MIND GAMES

Mental health can’t receive enough attention BY HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU

Issue: Mental health illnesses continue to plague young adults, and not all who experience these problems get the help they need despite the growing awareness around issues like depression and anxiety. Our stance: While the public has become more conscious about mental health issues, there is still much more progress to be made both in terms of the stigma mental health illnesses carry and the tangible benefits needed to treat them. Mental health illnesses plague all demographics. They leave people feeling alone, defeated and even helpless. Regardless of this, people still don’t get the treatment they need, whether it’s because of the stereotypes surrounding these ailments or a lack of resources preventing someone from getting necessary help. Over 5 million adults in America will battle a serious depressive event once per year and don’t pursue treatment, according to a 2016 Nerdwallet study. More than 20% of American adults live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That’s more than 46 million people battling the most internal, personal struggle they can on a daily basis. It’s common knowledge that mental illness-

es are not uncommon, yet they are treated by some parts of society and health insurance agencies as second-rate issues. Progress has been made in past decades. In 1996, the Mental Health Parity Act passed, forcing health insurance agencies that gave mental health coverage to their clients the same price or cheaper than the physical benefits being offered. Additionally, 87% of corporate health plans offer mental health coverage, according to a 2014 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management. However, inconsistent health care laws have not made progress to assure insurance agencies are offering clients any mental health coverage at all, leaving many in need empty-handed. People battling mental illnesses either have to be lucky enough to find an insurance agency that will cover their illness at a reasonable price or hope their employer will do it for them. Under these circumstances, a person’s intellectual wellness is being treated as an afterthought. Serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression cost Americans $193 billion a year in total, according to ABC News. When people are not well enough to function, they are not able to work. When they cannot work, they cannot make a living for themselves, which prevents them from affording the treatment they need. It is a vicious cycle that only preys on the people who ultimately need support. The majority of mental illnesses start early in a person’s life. Half of mental illnesses start developing in a person at age 14, and

This week’s poll:

75% develop by the age of 24, according to Mental Health First Aid. Major depressive episodes rose in youth from 11.9% to 12.6% within the last year, and 62% of young people who suffer from major depressive episodes don’t acquire necessary treatment, according to Mental Health America. These facts coupled together make it slightly more apparent why suicide is the second leading cause of death between people between the ages of 10 and 34. Even if someone has insurance and seeks out help for their mental illness, there is still no guarantee they will be covered. Therapists can decline insurance coverage because their program and the insurance agency might not be in the same network, forcing the client to check for out-of-network benefits, which causes them to possibly pay the full amount and later become reimbursed. This is not assured either, though, because not all insurance agencies offer such benefits. The hoops people must jump through to ensure their mental wellness make their treatment seem like a luxury, not an absolute need. It’s important to remember supporting those with mental illnesses emotionally is essential, but fighting for fundamental priorities that have tangible results is also an equally vital element to aiding those in need. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact: Kentucky Suicide & Crisis Hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433); 1-800-273-TALK (825); WKU Counseling and Testing Center: 270-745-3159

Last week’s poll:

WKU Herald

Do you think you can adequately access the resources needed to help with your mental health issues (if applicable to you)?

WKU Herald

How have the recommendations from the CAPE process aﬀected you? Has your program been recommended for suspension?

Yes, I receive them now

It directly impacts me

10%

No, I am unable to now

It impacts people I know

31%

I’m too afraid to seek it

I have felt no impact It impacts faculty more

29% 30%

Resources could improve

78 votes

Vote

DISCLOSURES

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TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

FUN PAGE

Miscellaneous

Across

1. What year did cigarette commercials stop appearing on TV? (a) 1977 (b) 1966 (c) 1971 2. Whose real name was Thomas Lanier Williams? (a) Andy Williams (b) Tennessee Williams (c) Robin Williams 3. In 1988, 18-to 24 year olds from what country had the worst average score in a geography test given by the National Geographic Society? (a) United States (b) Norway (c) Germany 4. A group of lions is called a 'pride'. What are a group of crows? (a) Colony (b) Murder (c) Congress 5. What member of the Ivy League was founded under the name King's College? (a) Cornell (b) Brown (c) Columbia 6. What is a fandango? (a) Hat (b) Dance (c) Dessert 7. In what field are the Effie awards given for excellence? (a) Marketing (b) Cyber Security (c) Newspaper advertising 8. Malcolm Forbes celebrated his 70th birthday with 600 friends where? (a) Barcelona, Spain (b) Paris, France (c) Tangiers, Morocco 9. The Peace Corp had its greatest number of volunteers in what year? (a) 1973 (b) 1966 (c) 1960 10. On what island in Mt Pelee located? (a) Martinique (b) Sicily (c) Java

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TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

SPORTS

A6 QUIT STAHL-ING

Grad transfer rule would have been step in wrong direction BY MATT STAHL HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

west Christian Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Standing at 6 foot 10 inches tall and possessing a 7-foot4-inch wingspan, Ongenda brings immediate length to the Hilltopper frontcourt for the upcoming season. “Nick brings great potential with his ability to run and block shots,” Stansbury said in a press release in November. “His defense is ahead of his offense, but no question he has a tremendous upside as he continues to get stronger. He’s one of those players that it’s not what he is now, but what he can become that excites you. We’re happy to have him as part of our program.”

On Friday, the NCAA made one of the few good decisions in the organization’s history. The Division I Council struck down a proposed rule change that would have made it much more difficult to graduate transfer in football and basketball — a rule that would have made what is already an unjust system for athletes even worse. The fact this rule even came up for a vote is terrible optics for the NCAA. Tightening up the transfer rules is the absolute opposite of what the organization should be doing right now. The current rules for college athletes are draconian, and players should be compensated for the millions of dollars they bring both their schools and the NCAA. Let’s be honest here, the transfer rules already in place are super unfair to the athletes. The rules are one of the main beefs I have with the NCAA’s use of the term “student-athlete” as a descriptor of its players, a term the organization uses to claim the players are normal students and shouldn’t receive extra benefits for their athletic skill. Normal students can transfer. If I wanted to bail on WKU and take my talents to the student paper at Tennessee or Florida or Hawaii or MTSU, I can do that without having to sit out of sportswriting for a year. I don’t think any of those schools are currently suing their student newspaper to protect faculty accused of sexual misconduct, so maybe that’s a good idea. However, if an athlete gets to campus and decides the school they’ve signed to is not a good fit — maybe due to a coach showing a different side than they did during recruitment or not seeing the playing time they initially expected — they can’t leave without sitting out and losing a full season of eligibility. That’s wrong. I can already see the people with WKU logos as their profile picture arguing in the Facebook comments of this column. “That would hurt WKU. The moment a player had a good season, they’d just slide off to the SEC, and we couldn’t keep any talent.” Tough. Honestly, if a player has a huge game on Saturday and wants to transfer to the SEC the next Monday, what justification do you have to force them to stay? Schools are (supposedly) not paying them, so the players don’t owe them a thing. Sometimes the right thing to do isn’t

SEE RECRUITING • PAGE A3

SEE QUIT STAHL-ING • PAGE A3

JOSEPH BARKOFF • HERALD

WKU basketball coach Rick Stansbury and his staﬀ will now have to focus on ﬁlling out next season’s roster following the Hilltoppers’ loss in the Conference USA tournament..

WHO’S GOT NEXT? Hilltoppers turn attention to recruiting

BY ALEC JESSIE HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

With the college basketball season wrapped up, it is time to look forward to the 2019-20 season. April 17 marked the beginning of the spring signing period in which all unsigned high school basketball players will put pen to paper and make official their commitments to play for their respective schools. The WKU men’s basketball team entered the spring signing period with roster gaps to fill, but head coach Rick Stansbury addressed some of those needs during the fall. The first of the fall signees was forward Isaiah Cozart, who committed back in October and signed on Nov. 14. Cozart played his high school ball at Madison Central High School in Richmond. The 180-pound forward has a knack for shot blocking thanks to his 6-foot7-inch frame. Just two games into his senior year, Cozart became Kentucky’s all-time leading shot blocker, recording his 542nd block. He finished his career with 716 blocks. Cozart averaged 20 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.8 blocks and one assist per game as a senior this season. On March 18, Cozart was named the Gatorade Kentucky Boys Basketball Player of the Year. 247Sports ranked Cozart as the 359th player in the 2019 class and the seventh-best player in Kentucky. Stansbury said he looks forward to coaching the Kentucky native. “We’re excited to have Isaiah join

our family,” Stansbury said in a press release in November. “It’s very obvious he comes from a really good high school program where he’s been coached by coach [Allen} Feldhaus, and he played for the same AAU program, M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs, as Taveion Hollingsworth. He’s a terriﬁc student and comes from a great family…and anytime you have the chance to do something that no other player has done in the history of high school basketball in the state of Kentucky, there’s something special about that. He’s a young player, and no question

with coach [Todd] Messer. He has a terrific family. His father played college basketball at Transylvania, and his mother is a Western Kentucky graduate. He brings a lot of different abilities, most of all the ability to shoot that basketball. At the same time, he can put it down and go score it.” The final signee from the fall is the current headliner of the Hilltoppers. Center Nick Ongenda reclassified to 2019 and signed with WKU on Nov. 18th. The South Africa native played his high school basketball for South-

“[Ongenda’s] defense is ahead of his oﬀense, but no question he has a tremendous upside as he continues to get stronger.” WKU men’s basketball coach RICK STANSBURY his best days lie ahead of him.” Stansbury continued to recruit Kentucky hard, adding another signature from the Commonwealth after guard Jackson Harlan inked his commitment on Nov. 15. The 6-foot-5 inch guard attended Clinton County High School in Albany, Kentucky. Harlan is a high-scoring player and averaged 26.4 points per game on 47% shooting as a junior. 247Sports did not include Harlan in its rankings. “We’re excited to have Jackson become a part of our program,” Stansbury said in a press release in November. “He’s a Governor’s Scholar in the state of Kentucky, and he comes from a really good high school program

WKU pitchers seeking consistency in conference play BY KADEN GAYLORD HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU The only way to describe WKU’s pitching this season can be summed up in two words: roller coaster. When WKU lost nine pitchers in the rotation from the 2018 season, there were many questions to be answered before the 2019 season began. Head coach John Pawlowski and his coaching staff responded by bringing in 12 new pitchers that included three true freshman and nine transfers. “I like the options we have — that’s the exciting thing,” Pawlowski said of his rotation in February before the season started. “You know, our pitching staff might look a little different.” The Hilltoppers started the season by winning six of their first eight games, with the pitching staff striking out 65 batters and only giving up over five runs in three of those games. The first dip into hardship came right after a successful February. WKU trav-

eled to Florida for the Cox Diamond tournament and lost all three games, getting outscored 19-7. This catapulted the Hilltoppers to a seven-game losing streak where they gave up at least nine runs in six of the eight games. After getting obliterated by Kentucky 15-0 on March 13, WKU opened Conference USA play by going 7-1-1 and giving up no more than ﬁve runs — except in a tie with Charlotte, where they gave up 13 — in the process. “We have come a long way from the beginning,” redshirt sophomore pitcher Colin Lollar said. “Coach preaches limiting the free bases, and I think we’ve come a long way doing that.” Lollar has been a standout this season, posting a 4-1 record, the best on WKU’s staff. He is third on the team in strikeouts and one of the hardest pitchers to hit against, as opponents are batting only .265 against him. The Hilltoppers caught another downhill drift after a 13-13 tie with Charlotte on March 31. The skid started with a heartbreaking road loss to ﬁfth-ranked Vanderbilt.

FAHAD ALOTAIBI • HERALD

WKU sophomore Collin Lollar pitches to Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday, March 16 in Nick Denes Field. WKU won the game by a score of 6-5.

WKU led the contest for eight frames before blowing the lead and ultimately falling in the tenth inning. WKU then went on to have its worst series of the season thus far, getting swept by Middle Tennessee. The pitching staff gave up 10 or more runs in all three games, totaling 37 runs, while the offense scored 18. The three losses bumped WKU down the standings, which it has yet to fully recover from. Fear sat in as WKU lost its next se-

ries against Marshall, giving up double-digit runs in two out of the three games, with a single win. WKU currently sits in last place in the conference with an earned run average of 6.22. The team is second worst in runs with 259 allowed while also allowing opponents to bat .297 against them. WKU’s opponent batting average is the second worst in C-USA. All pitchers with at least one appearance have an ERA of 3.86 or worse for the season. In conference play, the Hilltoppers are in ninth place with an ERA of 6.21 and 10th in the conference in batting average after allowing opponents to bat .311 on the year. One positive for the Hilltoppers is the depth of their pitching staff. WKU has also avoided going into a season-ending slump like last year, when it started off strong before losing 11 of its last 13 contests and missing its chance to play in the postseason. This season, the Hilltoppers are on SEE BASEBALL • PAGE A3

LIFE

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

BRITTANY MORRISON • HERALD

Cole Mattingly (left) and Nick Fischer of Sigma Phi Epsilon stay up late to draw the banner for Greek Week 2019. Fischer is the main artist for the banner that will be showcased all week along with many other fraternity and sorority banners in DSU.

GREEK TO ME

A non-affiliate’s guide to Greek Week

BY JULIE SISLER HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

What do a blood drive, synchronized dancing, can-made architecture and a muddy game of tug-of-war have in common? For one week each year, they are among the top priorities of WKU’s Greek population. Monday marked the beginning of WKU’s 2019 Greek Week, a week of philanthropy and fun dedicated to bringing together the Greek organizations on campus. Each day holds a specific event, some of which are open to both Greek and non-Greek students. “Greek Week is a series of events that show WKU and the Bowling Green community the WKU Greek community’s passion for leadership, service, scholarship and brotherhood and sisterhood,” Greek Week overall co-chair Kylie Schaefer said. “Greek Week occurs every spring and highlights the accomplishments and achievements of both fraternities and sororities.” Monday kicked off the three-daylong blood drive, which invites Greek and non-Greek students, faculty and staff to donate to the Red Cross at the Preston Center from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Will Harris, vice president of judicial affiars for the Interfraternity Council and student body president-elect, said the blood drive is a way the WKU

community comes together for a common cause. “We usually have several hundreds that donate,” Harris said. “It’s a great way to give back to the Red Cross.” Monday morning, each organization hung a banner it created in DSU. Banners follow each year’s theme, with this year’s being “Heroes on the Hill.” Monday evening a faculty and staff

the founders, history and significant symbols not just of their own sorority or fraternity but of all organizations. Wednesday will be the last day of the blood drive in the Preston Center. Thursday is Events Day at 5 p.m. at Houchens-Smith Stadium, a carnival game day with competitions between teams put forward by each organization.

“Although it is Greek Week, these organizations and events are open to the general public. It’s the WKU family and community that we thrive on.” IFC VP of judicial aﬀairs WILL HARRIS

appreciation dinner was hosted at the Augenstein Alumni Center. Each organization nominated and selected a faculty or staff member that made an impact on its members. This individual was honored at a free meal served by Greek students. Tuesday continues the blood drive and features Greek Jeopardy, which will take place at 7 p.m. in the Downing Student Union auditorium. For this event, each organization puts forth one member who competes against the other organizations to answer questions about

Friday holds one of Greek Week’s most popular events, TUG. This event starts at 2 p.m. at the WKU Agriculture and Research Farm. “It’s a big mud pit where the teams kick holes into the ground and use it as their footing,” Harris said. “Instead of your typical tug-of-war where you’re standing up, they actually lay down in the mud and have the rope. “It’s just a couple minutes, but it’s the longest couple minutes of your life.” Spring Sing, another crowd-fa-

vorite event, will be held on Saturday. Spring Sing features a team from each organization that participates in a synchronized dance relating to the year’s theme where it is judged on aspects like the dance, vocals, set and costumes. Spring Sing is open to the public and will be held in Diddle Arena with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Saturday also marks the beginning of “Canstruct,” a philanthropy project where organizations host canned-food drives and then use the collected items to design and create specific structures. The cans are then donated to local charities and food banks. In 2017, over 47,000 canned food items were donated. Sunday wraps up the week with Greek Week Convocation in Diddle Arena. At this time, all organizations come together to celebrate not just their accomplishments from Greek Week but from the entire year. Points are totaled from the week’s activities, such as how many participants were at the blood drive, what organization won the most events between Events Day, TUG and Spring Sing and which organization had the most cans and best design for Canstruct. The overall Greek Week winners are announced for both fraternities and sororities. SEE GREEK WEEK• PAGE B3

Alumna pens book for education and awareness BY KATELYN LATTURE HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU

Looking at someone when they walk in the room. Saying “hi” for the first time. Seemingly mundane or ordinary things are actually triumphs and successes in Keeley Shaw’s world. She works as a teacher at the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex. Her weekdays are filled with children who are on the autism spectrum, and no day is quite the same. “I like talking to kids more than adults,” Shaw said with a giggle. She twirled her wavy brown hair as she sat in Spencer’s Coffee on a warm Wednesday morning. Her iPad, the one on which she creates many of her illustrations, sat next to her. “She’s sure about what she cares about,” Audrey McDole, who has been friends with Shaw since high school, said. “She cares about people who might not be seen or heard.” Shaw earned her undergraduate degree in early childhood development and her master’s degree in special education, both at WKU. She said working in special education can be difficult when “you feel

MHARI SHAW • HERALD

Keeley Shaw is a WKU alumna who currently works as a teacher at the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex in Bowling Green. She recently wrote and illustrated a book set to release on April 30.

like you’ve hit a wall,” but the seemingly small victories made by the kids make it worthwhile.

“It’s cool to see other WKU alumni doing good things,” Allison Millet, a WKU alumna and the mother of one of Shaw’s

students, said. When Shaw was still student teaching in her undergraduate years, she was able to see one of her students take his first steps. She said that is one of her favorite victories of working in special education. Shaw is a teacher on weekdays, but much of her free time is spent creating things. She has her own art website as well as a Facebook page and Instagram account. Her sister dropped off some prints of her latest illustrations as she sipped coffee and talked. One illustration was an iPad drawing of a family with a quote written underneath. “It’s a new thing,” Shaw said of the popularity of drawn family portraits and houses. One of McDole’s favorite creations of Shaw’s, besides the wedding cake Shaw and her mom made and painted for McDole, is the iPad drawing she did of the house they shared in college. They called it “The Giggle Box,” a house with a blue exterior, yellow front door and uninsulated floor. SEE BOOK • PAGE B3

Evan Heichelbech “Before I even stepped foot on campus, I knew I wanted to work for the College Heights Herald. The high reputation and quality of work done by the Herald’s student journalists drew me in, and I’ve been a part of YMJ XYFϫ XNSHJ R^ ƳWXY IF^ FY <0: The thought never crossed my mind that one day I would be trusted as the person responsible for running one of the best student newspapers in the country, but I’m very grateful that I’ve had that chance. I chose the Herald because I knew it would set me up for success and give me a wide range of opportunities. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything this place has done for me.”

@wkuherald WKU Herald @wkuherald

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LIFE B3

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

GREEK WEEK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 Other awards are given out for work throughout the year such as the Karen Towel Award, Greek Member of the Year and other awards. Harris said convocation is what demonstrates what the Greek community is trying to accomplish. “We’ve spent the entire week with each other,” Harris said. “And we get together and celebrate what Greeks are trying to establish ... Oftentimes Greek communities don’t really come together as a whole until Greek Week, but this is the one time where all of us truly get together, and it’s awesome to see everyone come together and celebrate the histories of our organizations and band together as a WKU family and community.” Though the events only last a week, the planning started shortly after last year’s Greek Week ended when committees for the upcoming year were selected. Schaefer and Ben Hopper, the coGreek Week overall chairs, ahave been working on events since November. “We lead a committee with 30 members and hold weekly meetings with this committee as well as weekly meetings with Greek chapter delegates,” Schaefer said. “Ben and I work closely with the director of Greek affairs and student activities as well as members of the WKU and Bowling Green community to help prepare for Greek Week.” Schaefer said Greek Week involves a lot of help from committee members to make sure the events run smoothly.

BOOK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 Shaw recently created a family portrait for one of the families with which she closely works. The picture of the Millet family is featured on her Instagram and her website. Millet, whose younger son is on the autism spectrum and is nonverbal, said she’d be happy “talking about one of [her] most favorite people.” “She’s done far more than therapy for him,” Millet said of Shaw’s work with her son. She was looking at some of Shaw’s sketches that sat on her bookshelf. “They’ve got a special bond.”

BRITTANY MORRISON • HERALD

Each organization paints a banner for Greek Week which will hang in DSU. The designs are based on this year’s theme, “Heroes on the Hill.”

“When it comes to Greek Week, there are a lot of moving parts,” Schaefer said. “We’re extremely fortunate to have a team of committee members that work diligently to make their event the best it can be.” For fraternities and sororities, planning is only allowed to begin at the start of the spring semester. Organizations begin choosing their teams, creating ideas and talking strategies right when classes start. For Kody Okert, who participates in both TUG and Spring Sing for his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, Greek Week preparations become an important part of a

weekly routine. “Most TUG teams practice three times a week,” Okert said. “I know we have really late practices, because it’s about the only time we can practice. As much as TUG practice can be the worst, they’re always fun. Especially those late-night practices where it’s just truck headlights lighting up the field and music playing in the background.” Spring Sing groups practice about four times a week, also with late practices in order to make sure all members can be there. Choreographers begin working on routines at the beginning of the semester, and practices are in full swing shortly

Millet’s son influenced and inspired parts of Shaw’s children’s book, which is going to be published and released at the end of this month. “It’s been kind of natural,” Shaw said of illustrating the book, which is about a turtle who has autism. Millet’s son’s favorite animal is a turtle. “That’s just how my mind works.” Shaw said the book, titled “Tully and Me,” never says the turtle has autism, but the turtle has behaviors and qualities that reflect the spectrum. The book, she said, is very much about how “we’re more alike than we are different.” Shaw said she hopes it can educate typical children about those who are not typical and how to interact with them as well

as speak and relate to families who have children and other relatives with special needs. “They’re just like you,” Shaw said of children with special needs and disabilities. Most of them are willing and able to talk and want to be happy just like anyone else, she said. Millet said she wasn’t surprised by Shaw’s decision to write, illustrate and publish a book because of how talented Shaw is. “She’s so gifted at it. It makes a lot of sense,” McDole said. Millet and McDole both said they cried the first time they read one of Shaw’s drafts of the book. “The book shows a combination of

after. Event practices tend to be late, long and secretive. Organizations work hard to keep their months of work under wraps in order to protect their ideas and keep competitions fair. After months of preparation, Okert said he believes the organizations that participate in each event can be proud of what they’ve accomplished whether they take home the Greek Week plaque or not. “Even if we don’t win, I think it goes a long way just to be able to organize and execute those events,” Okert said. “Just to be able to compete and see the work you’ve put in is great.” Seeing the results of organizations’ hard work is one of the reasons individuals say Greek Week is so impactful to them. “I have seen the impact that Greek life has on individual members, and I feel like Greek Week celebrates the success of our chapters and individuals in our community,” Hopper said. Though the events celebrate the Greek community, Harris said he believes the support from the rest of the community is part of what makes the organizations and events thrive. “Although it is Greek Week, these organizations and events are open to the general public,” Harris said. “It’s the WKU family and community that we thrive on.”

Features reporter Julie Sisler can be reached at 270-745-6291 and julie.sisler389@topper.wku.edu. Follow Julie on social media at @julie_sisler.

God’s faithfulness in her life,” McDole said of Shaw’s different gifts and talents coming together in the one project. “Her heart of justice comes through in the book.” Shaw is self-publishing through IngramSpark, and the book will be released on April 30. It can be found on Amazon and through other companies that partner with IngramSpark. “[It felt] really natural to write about that,” Shaw said with a smile. “I want everyone to see it.”

Features reporter Katelyn Latture can be reached at 270-745-6291 and katelyn.latture423@topper.wku.edu. Follow on her on social media at @katelynlatture.

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PHOTO

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2019 WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

SENIOR SHOWCASE Photojournalism senior shows her favorite frames

PHOTOS BY KENDALL WARNER HERALD.PHOTO@WKU.EDU

My name is Kendall Warner, and I am a senior graduating from the photojournalism program with a minor in political science. This is my second semester working for the College Heights Herald as a staff photographer. I am originally from and still call northern Virginia home, but shortly after graduation, I will be heading to Victoria, Texas, to intern at the Victoria Advocate as a photojournalist. I have been doing photography since I was a sophomore in high school where I started by shooting completely on film, developing and printing my own photos in a dark room. My dream is to one day work in the political field of photojournalism in the Washington, D.C. area.

Karen Vela Lima celebrates her Quinceañera in Bowling Green. This cultural celebration symbolizes the transition from childhood to womanhood. “It means that I’m a girl coming of age and I’m not the little girl that I used to be,” Vela Lima said. “I’m becoming a woman now.”

Michelle Howell shares a rare quiet moment with her youngest son, Sterling, after he awakes from a nap. The Howell family became full-time farmers in 2013 on only two acres when it founded Need More Acres Farm. Now the Howell’s live on a 20-acre farm in a 19th century farm house in Scottsville.

Ellen tries to put Winston, who weighs 25 pounds, into his cage at the Chevy Chase Animal Clinic in Lexington. Ellen works part-time there as a vet technician mostly working with cats doing things such as grooming. “The love from the cats makes me want to do everything I can for them,” Ellen said. “It didn’t take me long to find out I had to go back to work to provide for them.”

Jennifer Fuchs, 40, has been with the Paducah Fire Department for 10 years. Fuchs was one of two women hired on to become the first women employed by the Paducah Fire Department. “I always wanted to be a firefighter when I was little,” Fuchs said. When asked how it felt to become one of Paducah’s first women firefighters Fuchs said, “It was pretty exciting, to say the least. I didn’t want any special recognition. I was just ecstatic that I even got the job.”

Ashley Tidwell started working with the Alvaton Fire Department in November 2015. When she first started at the academy, Tidwell’s initial intention was to do more patient care in the pre-hospital setting. “I didn’t initially have interest whatsoever in the fire side of it”, Tidwell said. But after training and putting her turnout gear on for the first time, Tidwell was hooked. “There is something about running into a burning building when everyone else is running out,” Tidwell said.