November 30, 2017

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This is the last print edition of the College Heights Herald for the fall semester. Follow along with us online, on Facebook and Twitter (@wkuherald) and catch us back on newsstands next spring!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

VOLUME 93, ISSUE 26

SILAS WALKER • HERALD

President Timothy Caboni gives out faculty awards and delivers his convocation speech on Aug. 18, 2017 in Van Meter Hall. Caboni started his speech by stating that what was more important that his vision for the university was “What is our collective vision for our university?” Caboni went on to talk about strategic planning and strategic doing that was upcoming, including reinstating the spousal tuition benefit, which reduces tuition for spouses of employees of WKU.

FINDING HIS WAY Reflecting on the 10th president’s first semester BY REBEKAH ALVEY HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

S

tanding behind a new transparent podium, President Timothy Caboni addressed the faculty and staff of WKU for the first time as president at his opening convocation. A little over six weeks before, he officially stepped into his new role after a five-month transition period. In his speech, Caboni said during the transitional period he held meetings and listened to stakeholders in WKU to analyze what the next steps would be. In order to create student success, Caboni had a new charge and plan for WKU. “To inspire innovation, elevate communities and transform universities,” Caboni said, will steer the university toward the mission of a

“student centered, applied research university.” Throughout the rest of the address, Caboni said the university would be looking ahead in a strategic way and laid out the core strengths and areas of growth. During the fall 2017 semester, there have been administrative differences, major and minor, between Caboni and his predecessor Gary Ransdell, who held the position for 20 years. A Leading American University GRACE PRITCHETT • HERALD

During Ransdell’s administration, the tagline “A Leading American University with International Reach” could be found on WKU business cards, advertisements, speeches and websites. When Caboni began his role as president, the motto was removed from several mediums, including the university website.

President Timothy Caboni stands for the Pledge of Allegiance during the Veteran’s Day celebration on Friday, Nov. 13, by the Guthrie Bell Tower on WKU’s campus.

Caboni was contacted through the Office of Media Relations for comment, but did not respond in time for publication. SGA president Andi Dahmer has

gone abroad four times and is also planning future trips. When deciding which college to attend, Dahmer said the motto influenced her decision to attend WKU. When she arrived at WKU, Dahmer said she found that the international programs were an “outstanding” feature of the university. “The core mission rang so true,” Dahmer said. Dahmer said the ability to meet international students and go abroad is a unique experience she hopes will be maintained. Patricia Minter, a former faculty regent and senator in the University Senate, said she is relieved the motto has seemingly been removed. She said while on the Board of Regents, a branding consultant was hired and reported that the motto was testing poorly because of misunderstanding SEE CABONI REFLECTION • PAGE A3

WKUPD builds trust with more diverse force

BY CAMERON COYLE

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

The United States has been host to an uneasy relationship between African-Americans and police departments for many decades, but the idea of diversity in police departments easing tension has become more popular over time.

Tim Gray, the public information officer for the WKU Police Department, also believes in this idea. “The community knows what a police officer can do,” Gray said. “They know our powers. They know the authorities that has been invested in us, but the community is hungry for something different.” WKU Police Department Chief Mitch Walker, an African-American, said diversity was one area of focus for cam-

pus police after he was named full time chief following his year-long interim status in September earlier this year. Investigations about hiring practices regarding minorities in law enforcement have become more common over the past few years, including a 2015 investigation into the Bowling Green Police Department led by the Department of Justice. The investigation led to the hiring of four minority officers, according to WBKO.

Lack of Trust

When asked why he became a police officer, Gray said, “Change.” Gray, an African American as well, said he was raised in a low-income, predominantly black neighborhood in the south side of Nashville, but later attended a high school where the majority of the student body was caucasian.

SEE POLICE DIVEERSITY • PAGE A2


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