READ ABOUT PLANS TO CREATE NEW SCIENCE SCHOOL NEWS, PAGE A3
STUDENTS EXPLORE SOCIAL ISSUES IN NEW MUSICAL LIFE, PAGE B1
TTHURSDAY, HURSDAY, APRIL APRIL 227,7, 22017 017 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 992, 2, IISSUE SSUE 5511
Finalists for the dean of libraries visit campus BY EMILY DELETTER HERALD.NEWS@WKU.COM
Big Red explaining why they wanted to donate. “I was eager to seize this opportunity to support WKU and support Big Red, knowing that every dollar contributed to WKU helps stretch or save a WKU dollar that otherwise would have been needed to keep Big Red looking great,” said Marc Archambault, vice president for development and alumni relations at WKU. “It felt great to know that once Big Red was in a new suit, I would remember that I played a little part in making it happen. And it was especially enjoyable to be a part of a group effort to support WKU through SpiritFunder.” There are currently multiple Big Red suits that have a lifespan of
The committee to pick the new dean of libraries will make its selection for the new position by the end of the week, according to the head of the selection committee. In preparation for Suzann the upcoming retiredeVries ment of current dean of Libraries Connie Foster, dean of Potter College Larry Snyder said the strengths and weaknesses for the two final candidates will be discussed by the committee. Snyder will then submit the committee’s choice to Provost David Lee, who will ultimately make the final decision. After Foster announced her retirement, a 12-member committee was formed, including Snyder and faculty from the libraries and other colleges at the university. They created an advertisement for the position and narrowed it down to two candidates, who were interviewed over Skype. “They were well-prepared, acted professionally and asked very good questions in front of the panel,” Snyder said. Susann deVries and Dallas Long, the two finalists for the position, spent two days on WKU’s campus following a packed schedule, including meet-and-greets with library faculty and staff, a tour of the libraries and a public forum faculty, staff and students could attend to ask questions. deVries, currently the interim University Librarian at Eastern Michigan University, visited April 17 and 18. She has a master’s of Science in Historic Preservation, a bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Education and a professional teaching certificate. “My guiding mantra is ‘connect with the library, connect with the world,’” deVries said at her public forum. “Libraries play a crucial role in knowledge creation and the stewardship responsibility for today and tomorrow’s generation.” deVries said she believes the library plays a crucial role as the
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SEE LIBRARY DEAN PAGE A2
Big Red called on help from his fans last week to raise money for a new suit using SpiritFunder, a recently established crowdfunding platform available to the WKU community. HERALD ARCHIVE
fan favorite Big Red needs new suit, calls on fans for help
BY ELISABETH MOORE HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU
B
ig Red, the iconic mascot of WKU, sought help on the internet last week. On Monday, April 17, WKU utilized a new tool called SpiritFunder to help freshen up Big Red with a new suit. The “Big Red Needs A New Suit” campaign began on SpiritFunder, a donation driven website much like GoFundMe, with a goal of $7,000. “Big Red is not in any danger of being removed as WKU’s mascot,” Kyle Neaves, associate athletic director at WKU said. “The SpiritFunder initiative, started by the WKU’s development office, is simply a fun, creative way to engage our fans who might
want to contribute directly to the Big Red program. If funds are not generated through this initiative, they will be pulled from another area.” To achieve this goal, donors had the choice of multiple donation levels ranging from the Big Red High Five, which cost $5, to the Big Red Ultimate Fan, which cost $1,000. The most popular level was the Big Red Belly Slide with a total of 12 backers who donated $25 each, though there was one ultimate fan who chose to donate a full $1,000 to Big Red. Within three days of the initial start date, Big Red managed to raise $7,025 with the help of 44 donors. Many of the Big Red donors chose to remain anonymous with their donations, though a few signed their name along with a short message to
SGA passes resolutions to improve campus safety BY JAMIE WILLIAMS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU
The Student Government Association passed four resolutions including one to support diversity, hate crime and sexual assault training for the WKU Police Department during its last meeting of the semester Tuesday night. The resolution was written by Francisco Serrano and Senator Brian Anderson after an increase of racially-motivated crimes at WKU. The resolution, which was passed unanimously, supports training for all staff
and officers at WKUPD. “This [resolution] is basically to make WKU a safer environment for everyone here,” Serrano said. “That goes for students, faculty and everyone that makes up this university.” Serrano clarified the resolution was not made to attack the police department but in acknowledgement there is always room for improvement. According to the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Act (SAFE) Act of 2016, WKUPD is already required to have five officers trained to deal with sexual assault cases. According to the resolution, all officers and staff
should be trained since other staff, such as dispatchers, interact with victims. Serenda Lobue, a representative from Hope Harbor, said the organization has offered to provide sexual assault response and prevention training to officers free of charge. Lobue said while Hope Harbor already has a positive relationship with WKUPD, the organization is willing to provide more training to follow up on students’ concerns. Another resolution was also unanimously approved regarding campus safety which supports listing events booked through the Campus and
Community Events Department on WKU’s website. This would include events taking place outdoors, such as in Centennial Mall. The resolution was written after several demonstrations took place in the Mall featuring graphic images and mentions of various genocide events. Authors of the bill said by listing these outdoor events on WKU’s online calendar, those who choose to avoid the events can do so. “In the interest of prospective students, students on campus, and just representing our values as a university, I think it’s best if these events
SEE SGA PAGE A2