the review washburn university
Madden NFL 2009 is now out, yet strangely Madden-less. A&E reviews this conundrum. Page B1 SERVING WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SINCE 1897
WWW.WASHBURNREVIEW.ORG • (785) 670-2506 • 1700 S.W. COLLEGE • TOPEKA, KAN. 66621
VOLUME 135, ISSUE 1 • MONDAY, AUG. 18, 2008
New shelving moves into library WSGA
preps for semester
James Ahrens WASHBURN REVIEW Students will find it easier to study and locate reference materials at Mabee Library this fall. The books at Mabee Library have a new home. Mabee started a renovation which continues this semester with the addition of compact shelving to organize books and provides easier access to Mabee’s collection of reference materials. The compact shelving significantly increases ease of access to library materials, specifically physical objects such as papers, CDs and, of course, books. Each unit is similar to a regular bookshelf, though one major difference distinguishes the compact shelving from traditional bookshelves. Each unit is controlled by an electrically powered sliding shelf which lets each unit slide on perpendicular tracks to the adjacent unit. The capacity for material acquisition will increase by approximately a third of the previous capacity. This increase allows for the acquisition of physical material needed by staff and students aside from the digital material already available for student studies and research. David Feinmark, coordinator for collection management, says that the shelving will be invaluable to the acquisition of new materials. “This will give the library the ability to allow the university the time to plan for new additions,” says Feinmark. Renovations to the east side of the basement of Mabee will be finished as soon as possible. If all goes according to plan, the west side of the basement level of the library will be tackled next summer. Alan Bearman, interim dean of
Kendra Ward WASHBURN REVIEW
Student government plans out big semester for campus
Although the fall semester just started, the Washburn Student Government Association has been working hard over the summer to organize events to begin the year. “We have been here countless hours working,” said Amy Billinger, WSGA vice president. Most of Billinger’s summer was taken up with editing the student planners. She included the iSave discount on the back of planner to make it more convenient to students instead of giving out a card with all the discounts. Whitney Philippi, WSGA president, has been working with the Heartland Visioning Project as a Washburn representative. Heartland Visioning is an organization that involves people all over Shawnee County working to improve Topeka. “I’ve really been working with making connections with the city, which is great, because we’re trying to get them more involved with Can Emporia,” said Philippi. The executive staff has been working on ideas for the last month for Can Emporia, as well as homecoming, which fall on the same week. “Those are just programs that it’s known WSGA is going to do,” said Billinger. “As soon as those fade out toward the middle of this semester, we can work on more of those things that we talked about during elections.” WSGA has been working with the Risk Management and Safety Department to work on a Emergency Notification System for students. They have also been meeting with Robin Bowen, vice president of academic affairs, to work on making Washburn’s general education program better and get students more involved. As per their campaign promise to help better Mabee Library, changes have already occurred. The gray walls have been repainted, a scanner has been made available to students, and different study environments have been provided, including a media center. A TV to watch the news will be installed soon. “Commuter students sometimes don’t have a place to go if they have 50 minutes between classes,” said Billinger. “They need somewhere to go between classes to kill time, and hopefully the media center will help with that.” Philippi and Billinger have been
Photo by Matt Wilper, Washburn Review
Spaces are booked: Movable shelving has been installed in the lower-level of Mabee Library. The shelving will aid in the space-crunch the library is experiencing, which is already utilizing overflow storage in Morgan Hall. libraries, expects to see the library transform into, according to Bearman, a place which will be much more student friendly and student accessible. Fall break is a much more realistic time to expect the completion of the newest additions and renovations to the library says Bearman. He explained that some of these changes include student study areas which will invite students into the library for a more pleasant atmosphere. Some of the reference shelves on the main level of the library will be moved. Also, the
reference desk will combine with the circulation and reserves desk. Flatpanel screens will be installed on the west and north walls of the main level with the help of KTWU. Some of the changes at the library are not new. John Christensen, Library Director and Professor of Law at the Washburn University School of Law Library, explains that the concept of compact shelving allows for ease of access. At the Law Library, the shelving is only available for private use.
Christensen explains that some of the lesser used and historical bound volumes available at the Law Library must be used with care. Though the manually operated compact shelving in the library allows for handicapped access, a librarian must be present in order to help with getting books on higher shelves. James Ahrens is a senior mass media major. Reach him at james.ahrens1@ washburn.edu
iCard design receives face lift Katelynn Heit WASHBURN REVIEW
New graphical design Horizontal layout WIN moved to back of card
Please see WSGA page A5
Graphic by K.J. Th ies, Washburn Review
News writer Annie Britt gives a firsthand experience of this year’s Bod Blast, from Wiiskeet shooting to awkward introductions. A6
A&E takes a look at the untimely death of one of the Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac.
B3
a&e
news & opinion
Katelynn Heit is a staff writer for the Washburn Review. Reach her at katelynn.heit@washburn.edu
iCard Revamp
Work on renovating Whiting Hall is underway, but it is far from finished.
sports
At Washburn an iCard can serve a variety of purposes including identification, campus purchases, and access to campus activities. The iCard, which was developed in 2001, has undergone a redesign for the 2008 fall semester. “We have a total new design,” said Janel Rutherford, Assistant Director of Business Services. The new card features a horizontal design instead of the traditional vertical card. Other differences include the location of the Washburn Identification Number, which has been moved to the back of the card, and a new graphic featuring the Ichabod. Rutherford explained that the new card was released because it was simply time for a change. Any student can receive the new iCard at the Ichabod Service Center located in the Memorial Union. Returning students and staff may also receive an updated card, although it is not required. Students and staff must bring the original iCard along with a photo id to the service center in order to receive a new card. If the iCard has been lost the service center can provide a card for a charge of $10.
B4
WELCOME BACK !! 20% Off all dictionaries 20% off all batteries 25% off all mugs and glassware
Sale Valid until August 29, 2008
Located in the Lower Level of the Memorial Union 670-BOOK (2665) * www.washburnbookstore.com