September 12, 2017 by College Heights Herald

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TTUESDAY, UESDAY, SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 112, 2, 22017 017 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 993, 3, IISSUE SSUE 0077

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Federal comments signal Title IX change BY REBEKAH ALVEY

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU In an address at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced adjustments to rules on Title IX regulations. In her address, DeVos said that the current Title IX regulations have resulted in a failed system. “The era of ‘rule by letter’ is over,” DeVos said. “Through intimidation and coercion, the failed system has clearly pushed schools to overreach.” “Every survivor of sexual misconduct BETSY must be taken seriousDEVOS ly,” DeVos later conSecretary of tinued. “Every student Education accused of sexual misconduct must know that guilt is not predetermined.” Patricia Minter, WKU history professor, said that at this point the comments are very vague and do not reflect any direct policy change. One issue Minter had with the comments was DeVos’ use of the term “kangaroo courts” for sexual misconduct hearings. Minter explained the term means someone is presumed guilty and doesn’t have due process of law. “She’s charging that these university systems are pre-judging people, and innocent people are getting railroaded,” Minter said. “But that term is so pejorative and so inflammatory.” The use of this term, Minter said, is significant because it signals DeVos is planning an overhaul of federal directives on Title IX, which dictates how universities are legally bound to enforce and report sexual assault cases. After the comments, Minter said many sexual assault victims’ advocacy groups were upset and saw it as the Department of Education taking back a commitment to ending rape culture. Minter said the current federal administration has been rightfully criticized for being “openly hostile,” towards ideas about certain civil rights. “It’s a tone establishment,” Minter said while referring to comments made by President Donald Trump during the campaign about grabbing women. Minter said there has been a continued sense of fear of sexual assault after the election. She said certain groups felt targeted by the administration, while others were emboldened to commit acts of violence or openly talk

SEE TITLE IX PAGE A2

Parking Problems worsen with permit oversell BY EMMA COLLINS

Both Lester and Sawyer said there have been times when they have tried to park in their designated zones, but they have been unable to find empty parking spaces. “I feel like it’s impossible,” Lester said describing her experience of looking for parking. Cain said all students who have on-campus housing permits should be able to find a parking spot. He said commuters, faculty and staff may have a more difficult time finding parking spots, although all commuters should be able to park. However, he said faculty and staff who purchase FS3 or non-premium permits are not guaranteed to be able

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

ashville sophomore Reilly Cordell said she once spent 25 minutes looking for an on-campus parking spot. Louisville junior Katie Sawyer said she has had to drive around campus multiple times just to find an empty parking space. Jeffersonville, Indiana, junior Christy Lester said she has parked her car at a friend’s apartment when she couldn’t find a place to park on campus. “Honestly, I think the last time I couldn’t find a parking spot I just left and did something else,” Lester said. Cordell, Sawyer and Lester are just three of over 9,700 parking permit holders vying for one of just over 7,000 parking spots on campus. Parking on campus has been an ongoing battle with students, faculty and staff competing for parking spots on campus, but with over 1,500 more parking permits than spaces, finding an empty space can be a challenge. The struggle for parking spots began this semester when students with Housing 6 permits complained that there were not enough parking spaces. During the first few weeks of the

FS3 PERMIT 1,423 permits | 875 spaces to find an available parking space on campus. The number of permits sold for the on-campus commuter lots and the non-premium faculty and staff lots greatly exceeds the number of available spaces. There are at least 500 more parking permits than parking spots for faculty and staff with FS3 permits and over 1,900 more C1 permits than parking spaces. Cain said PTS works to ensure all C1 permit holders are able to find an available space even though there are more permits than spaces. He said PTS has collected over a decade’s worth of data to ensure that overselling C1 parking permits will not prevent commuter students from being able to park. Cain said there used to be no limits on the number of commuter passes sold, and commuter students often arrived on campus and were unable

C1 COMMUTER PERMIT 3,327 permits | 1,416 spaces semester, some students complained they could not find an available spot in the Adams Street Lot or at the Kentucky Street Apartments. Dennis Cain, a transportation analyst with Parking and Transportation Services, said H6 parking had been full during the first two weeks of the semester due to an administrative error. He said PTS set the target sales for H6 permits too high, resulting in too many H6 permit holders. The problem, he said, was recently fixed by relocating some students to other parking lots. Despite changing some permits, there are still 37 more H6 permits than parking spots. Out of all the parking lots on WKU’s Main and South Campuses, less than five have more parking spaces than parking permits. Cain said PTS intentionally oversells parking permits because there are consistently empty spaces in some of the lots. “We don’t limit it to just one permit per space because we know, if we have a big lot like Pearce Ford Lot that has like 450 spaces in it ... there’s some kids that are always gone; either they’ve gone home or they’re hanging out off campus with somebody else,” Cain said. Cain said he inspects the campus parking lots every day Monday through Thursday to count the number of empty parking spots. He said if he sees a parking lot consistently has open spaces, then PTS will sell more permits.

H6 PERMIT 523 permits | 486 spaces

TOTAL 9,763 permits 7,026 spaces

to park. He said PTS began limiting the number of permits, but they limited them too much, and the commuter parking lots consistently had empty spaces. Cain said PTS started collecting data to figure out the number of commuter permits that could be sold while ensuring all commuter students could park on campus. Four times a day, someone would go to the lots and record what car was in each parking spot. Cain said the results showed that a commuter parking space had an average of 2.4 cars in it everyday. He said the data helped PTS determine how many commuter passes to sell. Cain said the main reason students complain about not being able to find a parking spot is because they only go to the parking lots where they want to park. He said many commuters want to park in the Chestnut Street North

SEE PARKING PAGE A2

WKU prepares for potential changes to pension system BY MONICA KAST

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU In the midst of a state-wide pension crisis, WKU is looking at how potential changes to the pension system may affect employees, according to university administrators. In an email sent to all faculty and staff, President Timothy Caboni said “we must recognize that some change is likely inevitable, and it is better for us to engage proactively in a conversation with policy-makers as they wrestle with these very complex issues rather than waiting for them to make their decisions. “To that end, representatives from the six public universities and the KCTCS system whose employees are impacted by changes to the pension systems have been working on a set of principles that we agree are in the best interests of our institutions and our employees,” Caboni said. “The collective position advocates for no change for current employees.” According to the email, this may mean that all new hires will be using a “403(b) type defined contribution plan, which is consistent with what many public universities ... currently

offer.” According to Time Money, 403(b) retirement plans are typically offered to “employees of public education entities and most other nonprofit organizations. For the most part, they work the same as 401(k)s.” Ann Mead, senior vice president of finance and administration, said moving to a 403(b) plan will set WKU’s contributions to individual’s retirements plans “as a percentage of salary.” “It allows us to fix a contribution rate that we will know is sustainable,” Mead said. Mead said that university contribution rates could double in the next year, but that not much information has been available yet about what may actually occur. Mead said, under a 403(b) plan, the “employee chooses how it will be invested,” and added “It’s very employee directed.” Caboni also said “our highest priority is protecting those employees who are close to retirement from changes for which they have insufficient time to plan,” and WKU “will be steadfast in this position on behalf of our employees.” Caboni also wrote about the Kentucky Employees Retirement System

Illustration by JENIFFER KING /HERALD and Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System, saying “the current situation ... is unsustainable.” Caboni said because of rising percentages universities contribute to retirement programs, other areas on campus, including “tuition revenue and state appropriations,” are going toward contributions to pension.

“Without substantive reform, we soon may find ourselves in the untenable position of cutting campus budgets to cover our pension obligations,” Caboni said. “Further, we should not balance the state pension systems on the backs of parents and students who

SEE PENSION PAGE A2

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

PARKING

Continued from FRONT to park in the Chestnut Street North lot or in Parking Structure 2. He said those lots fill up quickly, but there are other parking lots authorized for commuters to use. Most commuters, he said, don’t want to park in those lots because they are farther away from classes. “It’s not a matter of we don’t have the parking,” Cain said. “It’s a matter of they need to park where there’s room.” Cain said students who cannot find a parking spot can call the PTS office. He said the office has a dispatcher who can tell students where there are empty spots. Louisville freshman Jalen Matthews said he is unhappy with where he must park. He said he can only park in the Creason Lot, and he always has to carry his things a long distance when he goes home or returns to school. He said he does not think there should be designated parking zones because then people can only park in one location. “I wish I could drive up to my classes,” Matthews said. Cain said the biggest problem with on-campus parking is parking for faculty and staff in the FS3 zones. He said the number of student permits and premium faculty and staff permits can be limited, but PTS cannot deny any faculty or staff a parking permit in the FS3 zones. Cain said faculty and staff non-premium parking became a problem when PTS decided the housing park-

PENSION

Continued from FRONT already are shouldering the majority of the burden of their public higher education costs.” Caboni concluded his email by saying recommendations from the state pension consultant are only recommendations and may not actually be implemented, and said the pension conversation will be ongoing at WKU. “Ultimately, any changes made to the existing pension systems will be decided in the legislative process,” Caboni said. “This important conversation will be ongoing, and our collective cooperation and communication will be important as we work toward an outcome that ensures a sustainable path forward for all.” The report, done by the PFM Group, recommended several drastic changes to the current pension system, including increasing the retirement age to 65 for many workers and significantly reducing the amount that current retirees receive. Tony Glisson, director of human resources at WKU, said Kentucky’s pen-

ing lots would be designated for students only. He said that eliminated many spaces where faculty and staff had parked in the past. The employees then had to compete for even less spaces. “I mean they’re just fighting all over each other,” Cain said. “Since we’ve taken housing [lots] away ... that’s really put a crunch on them.” Cain said he expects the FS3 parking problem to continue to worsen. He said construction on the top of the hill will begin soon, and then faculty and

ed to their tuition bills. Ann Mead, senior vice president for finance and administration, said the $30 semester fee will exist for 20 years, when the structure is expected to be fully paid off. Meghan Nevels, a freshman from Harrisburg, said she supported the new parking structure. Nevels said the number of students on campus means there needs to be more parking. “The college classes are getting bigger,” Nevels said. “We need more places to park.”

Honestly, I think the last time I couldn’t find a parking spot I just left and did something else.” Jeffersonville, Indiana, junior Christy Lester staff will lose at least 20 parking spaces. Cain said he hopes the completion of the new Parking Structure 3 in Creason Lot will solve some of the parking problems. Once open, PS3 will add 679 parking spots to campus. Chief Facilities Officer Bryan Russell said at first it looked like the seven-story structure would be finished in late September; however, the structure is now scheduled to be completed by Oct. 26. He said the structure cost $10 million or $14,728 per parking space. The cost for the construction fell on students with a $30 semester fee add-

Cain said PS3 will provide more spots when it opens in October as an Overflow Zone, meaning all students, faculty and staff with on-campus parking permits will be able to park there. Cain said PTS will also increase the number of H9 permits once PS3 opens, so all students with housing parking permits can park on the main campus. He said right now 390 students who park on South Campus are waiting to upgrade to on-campus H9 permits so they can begin parking on the main campus. Cain said although students may be

sion crisis is “one of the worst across the country,” and said he was concerned as a participant in the pension system himself. Glisson noted the report that concerned many participants in the pension system that was released earlier this year contains only recommendations. However, Glisson said the report is “drastic and includes pretty significant things.” “It’s important, also to note, that this is only a consultant’s report and it’s not cast in stone. It’s not exactly what’s going to occur,” Glisson said. Under the current retirement plan offered by WKU, “all full-time and certain part-time employees” were required to enroll in one of three retirement plans, according to the WKU Retirement Manual. Depending on his or her employment status, a WKU faculty or staff member could enroll in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the The Kentucky Employees Retirement System – Hazardous Duty Coverage, or the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System. Other options include enrolling in the Defined Contribution Plan or the Optional Retirement Plan.

According to a website run by Governor Matt Bevin’s office, Kentucky currently has over $64 billion in unfunded pension liability and over $15,000 of pension liability for each Kentuckian. The website also says by 2022, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System - Hazardous Duty Coverage will run “completely out of money.” “I think we all know that the pension is in trouble here in Kentucky,” Bevin said in a video posted to the Kentucky Pension website. “Especially in certain ... plans, frankly to all of them, but to varying degrees, run the risk of becoming insolvent, and if they were to become insolvent, the checks literally would not come. That’s a very real risk.” A special legislative system will be held in October or November to look at making official changes to the statewide pension plan for state and local government employees, including teachers and university employees. “We are going to save the pension system,” Bevin said. “I was grateful for the unified agreement to the fact that we are going to save the pension system. We’re going to do everything in our power to do exactly that.”

TITLE IX Name: 4429/Gender & Women’s Studies; Width: 4.8125 in; Depth: 5.15 in; Color: Black plus one; File Name: /Volumes/Herald/Advertising/Production Staff/Current Issue:9-12-17 CHH:4429-Gender & Women’s Studie.pdf; Comment: AFAM; Ad Number: 4429

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Continued from front about it in ways they didn’t before. “Presidents don’t lead people to behave in certain ways,” Minter said. “What they can do is normalize that kind of behavior.” According to an article by the New York Times, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 enacted a harder response to campus sexual-assault cases and prohibited sex discrimination in education. Universities were at risk for less federal funding if they did not comply with Title IX policy. Because of the drive the federal government has on operations and policy, Minter said there should be cause for alarm. Kristie Branham, associate professor and director of Gender and Women’s Studies in the department of Diversity and Community studies said she was ultimately confused by the comments. “It just seems so not in touch with reality,” Branham said. Through Title IX, Branham said students are supposed to be guaranteed equal access to university resources no matter their gender. She explained that predominantly female students are afraid to walk to the library or a parking lot at night, which isn’t equal

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

unhappy with on-campus parking, the situation has changed since he started working at WKU 12 years ago. “When we first started out this department years ago, it was the wild, wild west,” Cain said. “It was just a nightmare, and people and students would get tickets but there was no mechanism to hold them responsible.” Cain said housing and commuter permits were not limited, and people were often caught parking illegally. Cain said since then, PTS has created a more effective way to handle people who park illegally. He said making different zones that correspond to different permits has helped reduce the number of people who park illegally because people now know where they can park. “That’s what our goal is,” Cain said. “If people have a spot; they know where the spot is, then they’re less likely to get a ticket.” Cain said PTS always works to improve parking on campus. He said the parking permit waitlist is always being updated, and people who are on the waitlists are constantly being moved around to give them their preferred parking permit. “Our goal is to constantly improve the parking experience for all faculty, staff and students on campus, but our main priority right now is taking care of the students first,” Cain said. “They have first priority.”

Reporter Emma Collins can be reached at 270-745-6011 and emma. collins399@topper.wku.edu.

Bevin added the government has a “legal and moral obligation” to those who will draw pension, and they “intend to meet that” obligation. Glisson said WKU was looking to possibly work with other state universities, since “we likely have common issues, common problems and they can be likely addressed with common problems.” “We believe that conversation around some ideas that would be mutually beneficial and it could be applicable across all of us would seem to be appropriate and probably be more persuasive,” Glisson said. Glisson said some conversation has already occurred with other state universities, and will continue as more information becomes known, adding “we know that probably some change has to occur.” “What that change looks like and how that could benefit our respective faculty and staff, that’s really the question to be answered,” Glisson said.

News editor Monica Kast can be reached at 270-745-6011 and monica. kast187@topper.wku.edu.

access. Branham said an example of this at WKU is female students are more afraid of sexual assault happening at certain parking lots. “Real or imagined,” Branham said. “It still blocks student access.” As WKU decides how to make campus a safe and welcoming place, Minter said Title IX, the current federal administration and how federal policy affects a university should be up for discussion. Branham said WKU has taken positive steps forward with determination to make campus a safe space and there will be a lot of programming addressing sexual assault throughout the year. Andrea Anderson, WKU’s Title IX coordinator, was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication. Minter said she was encouraged by comments that the WKU administration would be focused on protecting victims. “I would hope we don’t need the education department telling us what the right thing to do is,” Minter said. “I would hope that we would just keep doing the right thing on this campus.”

Reporter Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and rebekah. alvey660@topper.wku.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

Habitat for Humanity builds sheds for community BY REBEKAH ALVEY

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The WKU chapter of Habitat for Humanity had their first building project for new members on Sept. 7, beginning work on sheds they will build over the next several weeks. Reaka has served as the adviser for the campus chapter for 14 years. He initially started working with Habitat for Humanity over 20 years ago while receiving his undergraduate degree at Eastern Illinois University. As a non-traditional student, Reaka said he was looking for a more meaningful and appropriate way to spend his spring break when he learned about the alternative trip through Habitat for Humanity. While building a home for a family of immigrants from Mexico, a high school girl in the family began asking the Habitat for Humanity volunteers about college. The girl would be to be the first member of her family to graduate from high school, and didn’t know what to expect in applying or attending a university. WKU chapter adviser Bryan Reaka, who was on the trip, said the girl went on to get a degree in nursing and is now a midwife. Reaka said the most impactful thing for him while working with families has been “giving that most valuable resource of time to someone I’ve never met and seeing appreciation.” Through the trip, Reaka said he was able to see how his work helped others. This, coupled with his pre-existing interest for building, caused him to stay with the organization

and help college students become involved as well. According to the Habitat for Humanity website, the organization works with community members on a local, state, national and international level. Homeowners work with volunteers to build their house or parts of their house. The first build was working on trusses for sheds. Reaka said these would be going to houses in Bowling Green and will be visible from Van Meter Hall. The Habitat for Humanity group will meet every other week in addition to chapter events. Reaka said a project will last about three weeks before they move on to another. At the beginners’ build, only one student in attendance had ever worked with tools before. After operating a power saw, freshman Chloe Cooper said she had never done anything like building or using tools which was “terrifying,” but it felt good to be doing something for other people. During a project, Reaka said people can still help even if they can’t build. He explained that the four core initiatives are building, fundraising, education and advocacy. Through the advocacy initiative, Reaka said people will address politicians and tell them about issues involving substandard housing in the community. Brandenburg junior Hannah King said she ultimately wants to go abroad through the program and has aspirations of joining AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. King participated in the organization last year and now serves as the president of the WKU chapter. Outside of local builds, the chap-

Radcliff sophomore Allison Hohenstein prepares lumber to be cut while building trusses for sheds to go to families in Bowling Green. This was Hohenstein’s first time participating in the WKU chapter of Habitat of Humanity, who had their beginners build Sept. 7. REBEKAH ALVEY /HERALD ter offers opportunities for students to go on trips during breaks from school. Last year, King said she went on two of these trips: one over spring break to Oklahoma and another during the summer to California. During both of these trips, King said she worked with community members and other WKU students on projects ranging from building the frame of a house to laying concrete. King said she was involved with service throughout high school and

knew she wanted to do something meaningful with her time. King said helping out when possible helps you “become a better version of yourself.” She said she also finds it rewarding to see the progress she has personally made in her skills, but also the progress she makes in other people’s lives. “There’s a lot of need,” King said.

Reporter Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and rebekah.alvey660@topper.wku.

Bosnian Film Festival continues this week BY MATT STAHL

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU The Bosnian and Herzegovinian Film Festival continues this week as part of the International Year of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The International Year of Bosnia and Herzegovina attempts to give students an international experience on campus, even for those who are unable to study abroad. The film festival will continue on Sept. 12 for three more nights of Bosnian and Herzegovinian films. “The Bosnian film fest consists of movies by Bosnian film directors, as well as movies about Bosnia by non-Bosnian directors,” said Marko Dumančić, a professor on the planning committee for the International Year of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dumančić said that he expects students to leave with a deeper under-

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standing of the civil war in Bosnia, which led to Bowling Green’s sizable Bosnian population. The films will focus on the war which took place from 1992 to 1995. “We had the choice of what kind of movies to focus on,” Dumančić said. “Because there are so many quality movies that show the war and genocide from different perspectives, we decided to make this the main theme of the film festival.” On Wednesday night, one short film and one feature-length film were shown. The short film, “Ten Minutes,” showed the very different lives of a young boy in Bosnia and a Japanese tourist in Rome over the span of 10 minutes. The feature-length film, which was introduced by James Kenney, a photojournalism professor who traveled to Bosnia, was titled “No Man’s Land.” The film involves three soldiers, two

of them Bosniak and one Serbian, who end up stuck in the same trench during the war. Each screening is followed by question and answer sessions of the films, led by WKU faculty members. Some students who attended the screening said they were moved by what they saw. Lora Darnell, a freshman, said she attended the screening because it was an extra credit opportunity for her history class, but was also glad she attended. “I thought it was very powerful,” Darnell said. “I didn’t realize how much turmoil had gone on. It really affected me. I really enjoyed becoming informed.” Darnell said she would be back for more of the screenings, and that hoped other students would consider attending as well. “I think it’s really good to stay informed,” Darnell said, “to not just

Correction

stay informed of our culture, but others and other people’s struggles.” Three more films will be shown on Sept. 12, 13 and 14, including the film “Grbavica,” which comes highly recommended by professor Jerry Daday, who is also on the “International Year of...” planning committee. “I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but it’s one of my favorites,” Daday said of the film. “It’s about the aftermath of the war and a relationship between a mom and her daughter.” The showing of “Grbavica” will be Tuesday, Sept. 12. All of the showings start at 7 p.m. and take place in Cherry Hall room 125. A full list of the upcoming films can be found on the “International Year of...” website.

Reporter Matt Stahl can be reached at 270-745-6011 and matthew. stahl551@topper.wku.edu.

In the Sept. 7 issue, the Herald used a photo of a U.S. Bank Celebration of the Arts exhibition at the Kentucky Museum with a story about a World War I exhibit in the Jackson Gallery in the Kentucky Building. The World War I exhibit was not sponsored by U.S. Bank. The Herald regrets any confusion created by using this photo.

Thursday - Sept 21 4:00 P.M. Grise Hall 439

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OPINION

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SYNTHESIS

Fresh out of the India Oven BY CHRIS DIMEO HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU

Warm, familiar, elegant. These words are precisely what one would not think of when approaching the rather bland exterior of the local Indian lunch and dinner buffet restaurant, India Oven. Situated at the end of a small shopping plaza on Scottsville Road, India Oven all too easily blends in with the laundromats and cheap Chinese takeout restaurants in the surrounding area. Quite frankly, to anyone passing by, it doesn’t look too special. However, visitors are greeted with an entirely different world upon entering. The first sight that catches the eye from the inside is the richly colorful, hand-painted mural of the Taj Mahal that sprawls across one wall, and then soon after, the unexpectedly upscale atmosphere of the restaurant beyond. Though its main selling point is its buffet, India Oven still allows customers to dine in relative style with swanky red carpets, small chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, white tablecloths and waiters in dress shirts and bow ties. The service, as well, is a cut above—fast and efficient, yet incredibly polite and friendly. Still, the eatery was not so fancy as to make an everyday college student such as I feel out of place. There were families and groups of friends all simply enjoying the food and atmosphere together. India Oven stood out to me as a restaurant that is open and enjoyable to all types of people, not just along demographic lines but even along lines of culinary taste. The strongest impression I took away from eating here was that it is approachable to people who are not incredibly familiar with Indian cuisine or who actively avoid it because they dislike spicy foods. I am, admittedly, one of these people myself, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that while there is the option of ordering more spicy dishes from the menu at dinner, the food available at the buffet is mild in heat while still having lots of delicious flavor. Campbellsville senior Jeremy McFarland said India Oven is, without a doubt, one of his favorite restaurants in Bowling Green. In fact, for a span of about two months last semester, he visited the eatery “at least once a week.” McFarland said he always eats at the buffet and his favorite dishes are the cabbage masala and chicken tikka masala which pair up well with another of his favorites: the classic naan. “And they have the best dessert in town,” he said. Specifically, McFarland said he can’t get enough of the gulab jamun: an incredibly sweet, doughy ball. In terms of price, I would rank India Oven as fair. The buffet is $10 on weekdays and $11 on weekends, which was not a steal for me as a light eater. However, I can imagine that, for someone with a larger appetite, getting such a quantity of high-quality Indian food is well worth the $10. McFarland said the meal he eats at India Oven is sometimes all he needs to eat for the day because he finds the food so satisfying and filling. He said it’s a bargain, especially considering how much he enjoys the atmosphere and the opportunity to talk to friendly staff. “The food is affordable; there is a wide variety of different food, and the staff is super nice,” he said. “Whenever I come in, it makes me so happy.”

Illustration by JENNIFER KING /HERALD

Rise above the static Abandoning armchair activism: fight the urge to do nothing

BY DAVID HORMELL HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU

ar too often, Americans elevate voting as the highest form of political participation. It’s not. Yes, voting is a right and one we should hold dear. No one should take the right to vote for granted, especially in the wake of remarkably high rates of voter disenfranchisement. Nonviolent drug offenders like Mantell Stevens don’t have voting rights. Seventeen years after receiving felon status, his basic American right is inexplicably still hanging in limbo. Gerrymandering and laws rooted in voter suppression run rampant. While voting is an important keystone component of maintaining the illusion of a democratic process, it’s not the pure and sanctified practice many of our parents made it out to be. It’s also not the most a person can do. There are other ways a college stu-

dent can make their voice heard, and in the process, achieve a degree of “advanced citizenship” – going beyond mere expectations and doing something more. For starters, discerning between what’s static and what’s not is intrinsic to finding one’s political footing, regardless of party affiliation. Every few months, rumors of new episodes of “The Office” returning to television manage to skitter to the surface. Despite its nagging persistence and poorly positioned case, the flimsy, fictionalized hoax still manages to fool a concerning number of my Facebook friends. I’m bummed, both about Jim and Pam moving out of my life and common gullibility. The Stanford Graduate School of Education researched the sprawling fake news epidemic and found that while millennials “use digital technology, they have terrible skills at judging what information is reliable and what is not reliable.” I know it’s cool and trendy to hate millennials, but in a more serious sense, the rising tide of fake news proved problematic in the 2016 pres-

idential election. Rising above the static, and reading news articles with a spirit of objectivity will help both parties wriggle out of their already established echo chambers. Only then can students cultivate thoughtful dialogue. Sure, it may sound trite and overlysappy, but being kind to one another in daily discourse – whether it’s in person or from behind a glowing screen – is strangely uncommon today. Political musings and conversations can be had in an environment that feels decidedly less hostile. Talk about issues. If you feel strongly about an issue, don’t subscribe to the perceived laurels of lazy armchair activism. Sharing a Facebook post rarely will solve anything, ever. Write a letter to your representatives. Get behind the issue. Be well-informed. Fundraise, mobilize, protest. Create conversations. Rise above the swirling undertow of negativity, and do something significant. Simply showing up to rallies and town hall forums is revolutionary when the norm is to do nothing.

COMMENTARY

Inclusivity: A Bowling Green cornerstone BY EBONEE GABHART HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU Without a doubt, there are some statements that are axiomatic: they can be left unsaid and still be understood. However, this particular issue must be stated. Each person, not just on a political level but also on an individual level, needs to be included and understood as complex, functioning human being. This mindset is behind many minority movements who look for others to gain an understanding of their needs that are being neglected. The human race collectively and continuously has exhibited ethnic conflict. When looking at this phenomenon from the national standpoint, it’s hard to dismiss the prevalence of ill-handled ethnic issues that arise naturally. The “salad bowl” dynamic that America portrays implies all cultures existent within the states, although integrated, have yet to fully assimilate and are still their own

unique cultures. Therefore, the existence of culturally inclusive environments in diverse communities is crucial, not just for the individuals who are being aided and acknowledged, but also for the well-being of the city. Each group has different needs that should be acknowledged and those who govern the groups have the responsibility of following through with them, as does the community. Despite the lack of inclusive-based practices being valued on the national scale, the city and community of Bowling Green has done its best to provide culturally-inclusive environments. According to the State Department, 3,987 refugees have been resettled in Bowling Green since Oct. 1, 2001. In addition, the U.S. Census of 2011-2015 approximated Bowling Green’s foreign born population to be at 13.9 percent. This percentage of foreign-born residents is higher than that of Louisville’s and Lexington’s, both more populous than Bowling Green. Home to the International Center

of Kentucky, Bowling Green has recently opened a new public school with the future of its refugee and immigrant population solely in mind. The emergence of this school is covered in an article by Meredith Kolodner in The Washington Post. This school, locally known as GIHS, or Geo International High School, is affiliated with the Internationals Network for Public Schools in New York. According to Kolodner, the schools in this network often have “more success than traditional schools” at boosting the graduation rates as well as the emotional and social well-being of immigrant students. Having the potential to exhibit much of the division between differing ethnic groups that has been showcased recently on a national scale, Bowling Green takes strides to be inclusive of the minority groups within its community. The benefits of valuing inclusivity are apparent through all outlets of life. Our community makes cultural inclusivity a cornerstone` rather than an empty political promise.

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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

THE FUN PAGE CLASSIFIEDS

Across 1 6 10 14 15

Classified Advertising Manager: Will Hoagland

herald.advertising@wku.edu

FOR SALE

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39 40 41 42 43 46 49

1. What type of rock is granite? (a) Metamorphic (b) Sedimentary (c) Igneous 2. What volcanic rock is formed from deposits of volcanic ash? (a) Obsidian (b) Tuff (c) Slate 3. What sedimentary rock is comprosed mostly of coccolith fossils? (a) Chalk (b) Dolomite (c) Shale 4. What meramorphic rock comprised of talc and magnesium is used for carving? (a) Gneiss (b) Soapstone (c) Limestone 5. The rarest color of jade is what? (a) Lilac (b) Orange (c) White 6. What is the rock type that forms directly from magma? (a) Igneous volcanic (b) Metamorphic (c) Igneous plutonic 7. What is the sedimentary rock similar to sandstone? (a) Chert (b) Arkose (c) Gritstone 8. Granite is made up of three different minerals: feldspar, mica and what? (a) Marl (b) Lignite (c) Quartz 9. The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is a geological formation made up of columns of what? (a) Basalt (b) Calcite (c) Rhyolite 10. A natural arch off the coast of Sicily was created from cooled lava. What is the arch called? (a) Lion's Arch (b) Dragon's Arch (c) Elephant's Arch

50 51 54 57 58 59 61 62 63

Solution 1.c 2.b 3.a 4.b 5.a

6.c 7.b 8.c 9.a 10.c

6 9

15 14 Leftover Tennis’s Steffi 18 17 Corker 21 22 20 Salon activity Part of the Corn 24 25 26 Belt Chop-chop 27 28 29 30 True up 31 32 Hockey score Banana split 37 38 36 topping Assembled 41 42 40 Polish money 43 44 45 Check information 46 47 48 49 Rod attachment Shoe part 50 51 52 53 Narrow-minded 58 59 57 Finish second Guesses (Abbr.) 62 63 61 Slough Tipsy 65 66 64 British Copyright ©2017 PuzzleJunction.com ceremonial lid Froth 64 Wing-shaped 41 10 Hit the dirt? Female rabbit 65 Utah lily 42 11 Ordinary Donnybrook 66 Kind of alcohol 43 12 Starbucks order In the sky 44 13 Knock over Southpaws Down 45 22 Waikiki wear Collar 24 Rolling in dough 46 Alcoholic 1 Study for finals 47 26 “You betcha!” beverage 2 Irritate 48 27 Mélange In apple-pie 3 Building block 28 Use a beeper order 4 Chinese food 52 29 Poet’s “below” Drink additive (Abbr.) 30 Query Patsy 5 Aromatic 53 31 High degree Present mo. hydrocarbon 54 33 Rude person “Cheers” regular 6 Libertine 55 34 Bozos Kind of motel 7 Dig like a pig 35 Clock std. Buddy 8 Out of town 56 37 Winnowings Smooth-talking 9 Artificially high38 Radioactive Seaweed dish pitched 60 39 Dog pest

16 19 23

___ gestae Hostile Athletic award With hands on hips Apprehend True inner self Kidney-related Haile Selassie disciple Spicy Mexican sauce Sailing vessel Window frame In need of a massage “Murphy Brown” bar owner Loophole

4 8 1 2 7 5 7

3 6 4 8 2 9 8 4 6

To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

5 5

2 4 9

1 6

7 1

6 2 5

2 4 5 3 5 7 2 3 5 7 9 8 1

Previous Solution

Gain marketing experience!

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SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM

PHOTO

Harper Ferrell crosses a street in downtown Bowling Green with her mother and grandparents at the annual Zombie Walk on Saturday. Ferrell lives with her mother Becky Valentine in Bowling Green, and has participated in the walk for the past couple years.

The Dead Walk STORY AND PHOTOS BY: LYDIA SCHWEICKART

n Saturday, the Kiwanis club of Bowling Green held their annual zombie walk. There was a required minimum donation of $15 per zombie and $50 for a group of four zombies. All proceeds raised from the event were used to benefit Life’s Better Together: an organization whose mission is to provide direct financial assistance to families with a child or parent that is battling an ongoing illness. Becky Valentine, who attended the zombie walk with her daughter and parents, has been going to the event for the past couple years. “It’s a great way to support the community,” Valentine said. The participants walked through downtown, where some local vendors had booths set up in preparation. “Seeing people’s reactions is always fun,” Ronnie Cleary said. Cleary is from Bowling Green and has attended the walk for three years. He came with his two children, Hunter and Aubrey. “I really like scaring people,” Hunter said.

A participant at the annual Bowling Green Zombie Walk gets her makeup done by volunteers on Saturday. The event was organized by the Kiwanis club to benefit Life’s Better Together, an organization that provides financial support to families with a child or parent battling an ongoing illness.

Participants attempt to escape the gated starting point of the Bowling Green Zombie Walk on Saturday. Once the gates open, the un-dead participants were unleashed into downtown Bowling Green.

Danny Heltsley emerges from the starting point of the Bowling Green Zombie Walk Emily Wooton receives a zombie makeover from Jacqueline Peterson at the Bowling after being splattered with blood by volunteers. This was Heltsley’s first time attend- Green Zombie Walk on Saturday. Wooton came to the zombie walk with her siblings ing the annual event. and this was her first time participating. Peterson has been volunteering for several years with Kiwanis, a non-profit organization in Bowling Green.

WKUHERALD.COM

LIFE

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY » Topic: Turn to B2 to find out how one professor has spent his life researching elephants.

SKyPAC offers free showing of “Pushing Dead” BY NOAH MOORE

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU The Capitol Arts Center kicks off its South Arts Film Series tonight at 7:00 p.m. with a free screening of the film “Pushing Dead,” a 2016 dramedy directed by Tom E. Brown, director of shorts such as “Tradesman’s Exit” and “Das Clown.” Brown describes the film “much more than an AIDS flick.” It follows Dan, a writer who has been living HIV-positive for 20 years. When he receives $100 for his birthday and deposits it, his universal health care plan falls through for earning “too much.” Dealing with the difficulties within the slippery slope of America’s health care system, the film follows Dan’s life’s as it unexpectedly flips upside down. As for the film’s genesis, it was inspired due to Brown “craving a film without IV bags and skin lesions” and more of a focus on the human experience. With funding by the Rockefeller foundation, he created an innovative story based on his experiences with HIV/AID, and “Pushing Dead” came alive. Brown is no stranger to Hollywood, where he spent many of his early years working on film. However, as Brown said, he experienced a change of heart midway through his career when he was diagnosed HIV+ in 1985. This is when he says he began to focus more on making peace with his life. “I was more concerned with having a big career in film, but after spending some time in Hollywood I became disheartened by how it worked,” Brown said. “My focus now is on what makes me happy and healthy.” His film “Pushing Dead” debuted at the San Francisco International LGBTQ Festival in June 2016 as one of the first AIDS comedies to be produced. The film won various awards including Best Director at the 2016 Orlando Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Such cultural films have been heav-

SEE AIDS PAGE B2

Sophomore Olivia Eiler is the leader of WKU’s Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Eiler started the DBSA on campus after attending the Louisville chapter, previously the only chapter in the state of Kentucky.

inspiring hope

LYDIA SCHWEIKART/HERALD

Mental illness organization hopes to spread awareness

BY GRIFFIN FLETCHER

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Depression and bipolar disorder affect over 21 million Americans, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, or DBSA, which manages more than 400 chapters across the country. Based in Chicago, DBSA is a non-profit organization aimed at providing guidance and support to individuals afflicted by depression or bipolar disorder. Inspired by a DBSA chapter in Louisville, New Albany sophomore Olivia Eiler worked throughout June and July to create a chapter at WKU, which would make Bowling Green home to the only other DBSA chapter in Kentucky. “I didn’t want to lose that support system when I came back to school,” Eiler said. “I thought it would be a good

opportunity for other students, too, to gain, really, a network of support.” In order to do so, Eiler had to fill out nearly 40 pages of initial paperwork, file for incorporation as a non-profit and file for affiliation with DBSA, which requires a set of written bylaws and would allow for establishment as a recognized chapter. Eiler recently sent an amended bylaws document to the DBSA national headquarters and hopes to be recognized as a formal DBSA chapter within weeks. In order to rent out a meeting space at Downing Student Union, Eiler registered DBSA as a student organization at WKU and recruited a board of directors, which includes herself, Memphis junior Brendan Ward and Lexington sophomore Desherra Bronston. Now DBSA is formally acknowledged as a student organization within

the WKU community, the first meeting will take place this Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third floor of DSU, room 3007. Unlike other WKU student organizations concerned with mental health issues that meet once every two weeks, such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, or NAMI, Eiler aims to coordinate weekly DBSA meetings. “With DBSA I really wanted to offer something every week,” Eiler said. “Every other week is nice, but it’s not enough.” In order to properly conduct a DBSA meeting, Eiler underwent specific DBSA-issued “facilitator training,” which entails an online video that discusses traditional DBSA meeting structure and how to handle various difficult situations that might arise during a meeting.

SEE DBSA PAGE B2

Fraternity hosts water-filled philanthrophy event BY HOPE CURRIER

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU On Sept. 15th, at 10 p.m. WKU’s Intramural fields will be filled with 50,000 water balloons that will be thrown by an expected 500-1,000 participants. Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, also known as Fiji, is hosting its first philanthropic water balloon fight Friday,

Members of FIJI’s fraternity fill water balloons for the largest water balloon fight in Bowling Green on Friday. They hope to fill 50,000 water balloons before the event. GRACE PRITCHETT/HERALD

I would love to get to the point, because I started this idea, where I can completely fund this event, so Fiji can just tell me how much money they need and I can just write them a check.” WKU senior

Carson Ball Meghan Malone, a freshman from St. Louis, Miss., fills up water balloons with other sorority sisters on Sunday in preparation for Fiji’s largest water balloon fight in Bowling Green. The event’s proceeds will go to victims of Hurricane Harvey. GRACE PRITCHETT/HERALD

to support relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. Although the fraternity’s main philanthropy is the Alzheimer’s Association, a last-minute decision was

made to send the money raised to Houston, said Carson Ball, a WKU senior and member of Fiji. Ball had the idea to start the water balloon fight, and hopes to see the event continue. “Whenever we started this idea we thought we would donate the money to the Alzheimer’s Association like we usually do until all the stuff starting happening with Houston,” Ball said. “And so we’ve decided to donate all the proceeds to victims of Hurricane Harvey.” Sophomore Will Scott, Fiji’s philanthropy chair, said the fraternity felt like “that’s where the money is really needed right now.” David Owens, a WKU graduate from Houston, explained some of the troubles his family and friends are facing as a result of Harvey. “My mom got stuck at work for a week,” he said. “Luckily, my house is fine. But I’ve heard from friends whose houses are completely destroyed.” After hearing about Fiji’s water balloon fight, Owens said he thought it was “pretty cool to see local organizations make a difference.” The event will cost $10 for students and will have several contests with prizes. Fiji is also offering to keep track of how many tickets each sorority buys and will reward the winning sorority with a social event. The fraternity’s biggest struggle has been start-up costs, but they hope to continue the event in the future. Ball said he hopes to ease the financial pressure of the balloon fight after he graduates. “I would love to get to the point, because I started this idea, where I can completely fund this event,” Ball said. “So Fiji can just tell me how much money they need and I can just write them a check.”

Reporter Hope Currier can be reached at (270)745-2655 and hope. currier591@topper.wku.edu.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

Professor finds calling researching wildlife behavior BY SARAH YAACOUB

HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU For Bruce Schulte, head of the biology department, studying herbivorous mammalian behavior is a passion that has shaped his career and is central to his research. Schulte is a biology and ecology professor and said he has always been interested in wildlife and biology. From investigating human-elephant conflict in Kenya to observing tree modification by African elephants in Tanzania, Schulte’s studies have taken him all over the world. As a doctoral student in New York,

Our world is filled with organisms and processes. For our own survival, it’s important to understand the interconnectedness of life on Earth.” Head of Biology Dept. Bruce Schulte he wrote his thesis on beavers’ chemical communication and ecology, then worked as a research scientist in Portland, Oregon, for two years, eventually moving to Roger Williams Park Zoo and studying behavioral and ecological characteristics of Castor canadensis, or the North American beaver, while teaching in Providence, Rhode Island, in the mid to late nineties. He then began his teaching career in 1994 as an assistant profes-

DBSA

Continued from b1 At the DBSA meeting set for Wednesday in DSU, Eiler plans to start with a “check-in,” where attendees may announce their diagnoses, if applicable, and share how their week has gone. Eiler then wants to peer-lead discussion based on whatever issue she deems relevant that week. “I might say, ‘How do you handle the transition from living at home and going to college, with your mental health?’ or ‘How do you address “stigma” with your classmates?’” Eiler said. Also, as a peer-leader, Eiler wants attendees to know there are various other local institutions that can help them, such as the WKU Counseling and Testing Center within the Potter College and the Graves Gilbert Clinic off Nashville Road.

AIDS

Continued from b1 ily engrained into the fabric of Capitol Arts Center as a hub for South Central Kentuckians to be exposed to the arts. Upcoming events at the Capitol

sor in biology at Providence College, where he remained until 1999 before spending 10 years as an educator and a director in the biology department of Georgia Southern University. Now, Schulte conducts research with graduate students at WKU, concentrating on elephants and their social and reproductive behaviors, as well as chemical mechanisms that affect interactions. He has also expanded more into the study and advancement of conservation in addition to facilitating and improving human-animal interaction and communication. Schulte has presented his findings at research conferences in places ranging from Bowling Green to Anchorage, Alaska, to Singapore, sharing his research with a local and international audience of students and scientists. Outside of teaching and research, Schulte enjoys outdoor activity—he listed equestrianism, hiking, biking, skiing, swimming and kayaking as a few of his favorites, as well as reading, playing games and partaking in community theatre. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s of arts in theatre at WKU, an artistic complement to his years of scientific education and research. Schulte said he believes educating and researching are intertwined, and he enjoys his job as a professor because it allows him to work with people interested in learning more about the world, which is what he does as a behavioral biologist. “Our world is filled with organisms and processes,” he said. “For our own survival, it’s important to understand the interconnectedness of life on Earth.”

Reporter Sarah Yaacoub can be reached at 270-745-6255 and sarah.yaacoub214@topper.wku.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @sarahyaacoub1.

Bruce Schulte is the head of biology department at WKU as well as a researcher of elephants. CHRIS KOHLEY/HERALD

“It’s not so much that I’m an expert on this topic,” Eiler said. “I’m just a peer, but I can connect you to the resources that you need.” Along with DBSA becoming an established WKU student organization, Eiler was invited by Andrew Rash, WKU Greek Affairs Coordinator of Student Activities, to speak about DBSA at the recent New Member Symposium for Greek students, which took place last Saturday in DSU. Rash believes the symposium is a good platform by which mental health issues can and should be discussed among students. “The more we talk about and the more we articulate various issues, the better, I feel, students are equipped to handle experiences down the road,” Rash said. Eiler hopes to spread DBSA’s message throughout the WKU student

body and Bowling Green community and eventually plans to reach out to potential donors. “One of the great things about being affiliated with Nationals is that they give you a lot of opportunities to write grants,” Eiler said. “I’m sure that after this weekend and after next week, I’ll start diving into grant writing.” Eiler gains more than professional experience from her continued work with DBSA; she was diagnosed with chronic depression and generalized anxiety in eighth grade. “I was terrified,” Eiler said, explaining her initial reaction to her diagnosis. However, after years of treatment and accommodation to her condition, Eiler realized mental illness is just like any other trauma and should not be looked upon shamefully. “It’s just like any other illness,” Eiler said. “It has impacts outside of your

Arts Center include a plethora of film nights, two-woman shows, musicals and even an appearance from Brett Michaels. This screening is a part of the 20172018 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers and begins at

7:00 p.m., and runs around 2 hours in length. The center is located at 416 E. Main St. Bowling Green, KY, 42101 and parking is complimentary. For more information, call 270-904-5000 or go to www.theskypac.com/capitol-arts-center.

head. Academic performance, substance abuse, relationships. All that kind of stuff.” Through her work with DBSA, Eiler wants to reveal the true prominence of mental illness within our society. However, she also wishes to express that it is not something to fear. In order to call attention to the commonality of mental illness, Eiler hopes to share the statistic that one in fivepeople is affected by mental illness with DBSA meeting attendees and those who ask. “I think that’s a really interesting way to kind of open up the conversation,” Eiler said. “Just to let everybody know that you are impacted by mental illness.”

Reporter Griffin Fletcher can be reached at (270)745-2655 or griffin. fletcher398@topper.wku.edu. Reporter Noah Moore can be reached at (270)745-2655 and noah.moore768@ topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter @noah_moore18.

Fall 2017 Tuition and Fee Payment Reminder Due date for Payment of Tuition and Fees for the Fall 2017 semester is:

September 18, 2017

*Failure to submit payment will result in a Financial Obligation hold.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

WKU and Herald alum holds book signing in Paducah BY ALEC JESSIE

HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU On Saturday, Sept. 9, alumnus and former Herald staff writer Thomas George held a book celebration for his newest publication, “Blitzed: Why NFL Teams Gamble on Starting Rookie Quarterbacks” in Paducah. George credited collaboration with his main editor Jason Katzman and the folks at Skyhorse publishing. “Blitzed” is a deep dive about how and why NFL teams make the decision on which quarterback they want to lead their franchise. The book is padded with interviews and conversations about the process of scouting, drafting and developing these young gunslingers. Rather than monotonous work, he saw the 16-month project as a labor of love and passion with each discovery adding to his interest. “I did some research and had some conversations and, like in any great story, the more you peel, the more layers appear and the more you find out about the direction you want to go with it,” George said. As for his favorite part of the book, George said he enjoyed his interview with former Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams head coach, Dick Vermeil. “He talks about how in identifying the rookie and franchise quarterback how important it is to have that mental toughness, the ability to get knocked down and get right back up,” George said of Vermeil. “I love the way he tells stories.” In a bit of controversy, former Rams offense coordinator Mike Martz denied an interview in the book which had some eyebrow-raising quotes. In the interview, Martz questioned the 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff’s landing spot and was expressed jealousy toward the Rams new head coach Sean McVay. “What is he, a couple of months older than Jared? They hired a buddy for Jared,” Martz told George in an interview. “The NFL has nothing to do with being the friend or the buddy of the quarterback. You’ve got to coach them and work them hard with respect. But buddy? And this guy is a quarterback expert? An offensive ex-

FOOTBALL Continued from B4

Sanford said about the defense. “What a tremendous surprise Devon Key has been. He’s playing at a high level. Iggy is playing as well as he’s played in his career here. What you’re seeing is coach Clayton White’s system is really a fit for the personnel we have here. There’s a terrific buy-in in terms of effort.” All three players are expected to be back soon, adding more depth to a secondary that gave up just 107 yards through the air Saturday and just 46 yards to former All-Big Ten second team receiver Mike Dudek. The secondary as a whole will look to improve after ranking in the bottom of the nation last season and giving up 320 yards through the air in Week 1. “I’d like to see a little more rotation

VOLLEYBALL Continued from B4

from the defense over the last few matches, especially in the 3-2 win over Pittsburgh. In Friday evening’s barnburner against the Lady Panthers, the Lady Toppers racked up 22 total blocks, including 10 from Amara Listenbee to fall within four shy of a new school record. Listenbee would go on to win All-Tournament honors for that performance. “Amara gave us a big lift last night,” Hudson said. “She’s a great teammate and she works hard every day and supports her teammates day in and day out.” On the season, Kowalkowski has led the Lady Toppers with 113 digs from her libero position while senior Sydney Engle has tacked on 86 digs of her own as WKU has out-dug opponents 461-388 on the season. Anderson has been making an impact on the defensive stat sheet

pert? Wait a minute while I puke.” Even with the attack from the former coach, George played it cool and found some humor from it. “It’s par for the course for Mike,” George said. “He has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to share them. One of the main things to take away from this is Mike Martz isn’t alone in being upset that 31-year-old Sean McVay got a chance before older, more renown names did.” George said even when defending his comments, he still agreed with the principles of what he said in the interview. George, a current writer for SB Nation, decided to celebrate his newest work back in his hometown. George saw a brilliant turn out at the local Books-A-Million with dozens of family and friends eagerly waiting for him to sign their books. Among the guest speakers, there was George’s former preacher and former NFL linebacker Al Smith, who claimed George was the perfect blend of talent and character and called him a trusted friend rather than a colleague. George graduated from WKU in 1982 and has worked for the New York Times and Detroit Free Press before ending up at SB Nation. Bob Adams, George’s former professor at WKU, also spoke, saying he’s mentored Thomas since his junior year of high school and remained in

Former WKU and Herald alum Thomas George’s new book “Blitzed” delves into how and why NFL teams take chances on franchise rookie quarterbacks. George held a book signing in his hometown of Paducah on Saturday, Sept. 9. ALEC JESSIE/HERALD special. “I knew it was possible,” he said. “Not only did I know it was possible, I thought if I worked really, really hard I expected it to happen.” George embraced the chance to come home to celebrate this special occasion with the ones he loved and

Young people have their future in this business today by continuing to pursue excellence and when you do that, everything works out alright.”

some history,” George said. “There’s many, many people from this area that went to Western and have gone on to do great things. There’s a reach for excellence in these two places.” George relished his time at WKU, saying it helped him strive for excellence and taught him how to be versatile within the field. As for advice for young, aspiring journalists, George pinned the pursuit of excellence as key. “Young people have their future in this business today by continuing to pursue excellence,” he said. “And when you do that, everything works out alright.” George is in talks to potentially come to Bowling Green for a book signing and to talk to journalism classes at WKU.

Former Herald Staff Writer Thomas George

contact with him ever since. George happily acknowledged that even though his beginnings were small, he always knew he had a chance to be

at the safety position,” Sanford said. “That way we keep our guys fresh and because Marcus Ward is as good of a player and leader that we have. Its just a matter of getting him back to full speed.” The secondary, as well as the entire defensive unit, will face another tough challenge Saturday, Sept. 16 against Louisiana Tech. Despite defeating Lou Holtz’s squad two out of the past three meetings, the Bulldogs have averaged 45.6 PPG in those contests. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Houchens-Smith stadium in a rematch of last year’s C-USA championship.

Reporter Sam Porter can be reached at 270-799-8247 and sam.porter270@ gmail.com Follow him on Twitter at @SammyP14. as well, posting a team-leading 43 blocks followed by Lucas and Cavanaugh’s 21 apiece as the Lady Toppers have racked up 87.5 total on the season to opponent’s 70.5. Feeding off of this weekend’s tournament, the Lady Toppers will now have to leave their home floor for a six-game road stretch before arriving back to E.A. Diddle Arenat on Sept. 26. “We love playing on our home floor,” Cavanaugh said after the Holiday Inn Invitational. “Having all of the fans, teams, and little kids here really means a lot to us.” The Lady Toppers will look to continue their hot streak on the road as they travel to Nashville to take on Lipscomb at 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday evening.

Reporter Clay Manlove can be reached at (270) 724-9620 or at clayton.manlove475@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @ctmanlove58.

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was most loyal to. “Here’s another reason why it’s a big deal: Western, Paducah, and Paducah Tilghman [High School] share

Reporter Alec Jessie can be reached at 502-648-7190 and ajessie97@ gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Alec_Jessie.

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SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY » Topic: Former Herald alum Thomas George holds book signing in Paducah.

WKU surviving brutal schedule BY CLAY MANLOVE HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

Joel Iyiegbuniwe said following the loss. “If the offense isn’t doing well, its the defense’s job to pick them up and vice versa. We understand that and we’re not upset about that. We want to help out the offense any way we can.” The Hilltoppers’ young defense was still able to perform well despite missing three key players due to injury. Neither of WKU’s defensive ends played against the Illini as senior defensive end Derik Overstreet didn’t start for the first time since his freshman season, and junior Carson Jordan was out as well. Senior safety Marcus Ward still has yet to play as he is working his way back to health from an injury dating back to last season. In Ward’s absence, redshirt freshman Devon Key has stepped in and immediately pleased Sanford. The Lexington native tied for the team lead in total tackles at Illinois with 12 and is second on the team in tackles for the season, trailing only Iyiegbuniwe who leads the team with 21. “That’s an incredibly improved unit with a lot of first time starters,”

The Lady Topper volleyball team is back on a winning track thanks to a host of depth to complement WKU’s highly productive offense, which has helped the team through a brutal schedule thus far in the young season. The Lady Toppers (9-2) have picked up five straight wins over the past week after dropping two games last Saturday against Louisville, who is on a 4-1 run since facing WKU, and Illinois, who played the Lady Toppers with an untarnished 4-0 record. Considering that both the Cardinals and the Illini are highly talented teams from Power 5 conferences, it should still be noted that the Lady Toppers only lost one set by more than 10 points in the two losses combined. Although being one loss away from matching last year’s total, the Lady Toppers still have all of the pieces – even more so than last season – to keep away from matching that total. “We’ve been winning a lot of matches, but we haven’t been playing that well,” WKU head coach Travis Hudson told the Herald on Saturday. “Hopefully, the win over Pitt will springboard us through this really tough stretch that we have over the next seven days.” The return of the Lady Topper offense has paid dividends through the young season, as WKU has seen itself out-killing its opponents 521-432 on the season with a total .311 hitting percentage. Although seeing premium production from the entire roster, most of the offensive production has fallen on the shoulders of seniors Alyssa Cavanaugh and Jessica Lucas, along with junior Rachel Anderson. On the season Cavanaugh, the Preseason Conference USA Player of the Year, has tallied 155 kills to lead team while hitting a .382 clip. Anderson follows close behind her with 116 kills on a .363 percentage, while Lucas has racked up 401 assists. “[Alyssa] and I spent some time together this week, and I think she is starting to settle in to just playing the game again,” Hudson said on Saturday. “I think she has been playing with a little bit of weight on her shoulders.” The Lady Toppers have racked up 45 service aces on the season led by 11 from Emma Kowalkowski, nine from Sophia Cerino, and eight from Hallie Shelton. WKU has also seen valuable play

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE B3

SEE VOLLEYBALL PAGE B3

WKU Head Coach Mike Stanford talks to senior quarterback Mike White (15) on Sept. 9, 2017 during WKU’s game vs. University of Illinois. SILAS WALKER/HERALD

Switching it up Defense proves to be the strength through first two weeks

BY SAM PORTER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU Across the nation, WKU has been infamous for putting up video game numbers on the offensive side of the football for the past few years. Under former head coach Jeff Brohm, the WKU offense finished first in the nation in scoring offense (45.5 points per game) last season while the defense gave up 30 points in a game six different times. Through two games in 2017, the WKU offense is averaging just 19 PPG including just seven points in Saturday’s loss vs. Illinois. For the first time in 16 starts under redshirt senior quarterback Mike White, the Hilltopper offense generated less than 10 points. “It was dissappointing to come out of there without a victory,” firstyear head coach Mike Sanford said on Monday. “We truly believed going into that game that we were going to find a way to get a victory. We fell short because of penalties and breakdowns in protection and the running game. The good thing is we have the ability to fix those issues and we need

to fix them very quickly.” White and company may not need to put up over 45 PPG if the program wishes to win its third straight C-USA title. The Hilltopper defense appears much more confident in first year defensive coordinator Clayton White’s defensive scheme. In the loss to Illinois, the Hilltopper defense consistently found a way to keep WKU in the game despite its offensive struggles. The first touchdown of the game was a real momentum changer. Right before halftime, Mike White dropped back deep in his own end zone, was pressured and threw the ball across his body and right into the hands of Illinois defender Julian Jones who walked across the goal line for a defensive touchdown. So in reality, WKU’s defense gave up just 13 points on the road in Big Ten territory. The Hilltoppers’ only touchdown came after an interception by freshman defensive end Antwon Kincade, giving White and company just a 29-yard gap between themselves and their lone touchdown. “It’s an offensive and defensive game,” redshirt junior linebacker

WKU’s attack sputtering as conference play looms BY TYLER EATON HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU The Lady Toppers soccer team comes into conference play with a 3-4 record, but that record could much easily be two or three wins better if it weren’t for an alarming trend. On the season, WKU has an overall goal differential of +1, outscoring its non-conference opponents 8-7 in seven games. However, in the first half of games, the Lady Toppers are being outscored 4-2. Over a weekend homestand featuring a Friday night game with Vanderbilt and a Sunday afternoon game against Samford, the Lady Toppers surrendered the deciding goal of each game within the first seven minutes of the match. The goal allowed against Vanderbilt came off a loose ball following a corner at the 6:09 mark. The goal scored by Samford was eerily similar, being put in by a header off a corner only 10 seconds earlier, at the 5:59 mark. The Lady Toppers are 0-3 on the season when the opponent scores first. On the other hand, WKU is 3-1 when they net the first goal of the match. The Lady Toppers’ defense has been the backbone of the team while

the offense has sputtered out of the gates, holding the opposition to one goal or less in five matches. Despite not allowing more than two goals in a match, WKU has fallen to 1-4 in games in which the opposing team has scored at least one goal itself. WKU had only been shut out once heading into this weekend’s pair of home games, but after failing to score against both Vandy and Samford, the Lady Toppers have been shut out in three of seven games, producing more than one goal only twice. This lack of offensive production early in matches cannot carry over if the Lady Toppers are looking to replicate last season’s success in conference play, which saw WKU go 7-3 against Conference USA opponents. This does not at all mean that an offensive resurgence won’t occur. While the Lady Toppers did fail to score in these last two losses, they outscored Evansville and UT Martin 5-1 in their previous two games, winning both games. This included a four goal outburst against Evansville on Sept. 3. Moving forward into conference play, continued progress from the attack would not be surprising, especially considering the talent behind the feet of young starting forwards Chandler Backes and Tally Bishop.

WKU sophomore Chandler Backes (5) attempts to head the ball during WKU’s game verses Vanderbilt on Friday at the WKU Soccer Complex. SILAS WALKER/HERALD Backes, a sophomore from Carmel, Indiana, has scored 14 goals in only 26 career matches, already putting her within one goal of being in a tie for 10th on the program’s all-time scoring list. Her starting mate up front, Nashville native Bishop, is only a freshman, creating a young, but ripe with potential starting frontline. While these last home games have

seen the offense fail to put the pieces together, particularly early in matches, look for this trend to end as conference play begins.

Reporter Tyler Eaton can be reached at 270-776-6797 and tylereaton1022@ yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter at @tyler_eaton1022.