2009-10 issue18

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the review washburn university

Follow Ben Fitch on his journey through Nicaragua. Page 3 Serving Washburn University since 1897

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volume 136, Issue 18 • wednesday, February 24, 2010

ISS director Mike Gunter resigns Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW Tom Prasch, president of Faculty Senate, said he thought ISS Director Mike Gunter’s resignation was way over due. Gunter announced his resignation effective Feb. 9, citing personal reasons. “The atmosphere with faculty had become a problem,” said Prasch. “The faculty didn’t believe Gunter when he said anything.” Gunter filled the position of ISS director four years ago, and has since

faced ridicule from faculty and students. Last year, during a faculty senate meeting on April 13, a motion of no confidence was passed by a majority against Gunter. Faculty cited examples of poor communication and restrictions on academic freedom. “My personal take on it is that there are two issues,” said Prasch, “a personal issue, and the structural issue.” So this semester, when students and faculty experienced problems with my.washburn, fingers were pointed at Gunter. “You can’t blame everything on Gunter,” said Prasch.

He said that the problem was attributable to Sungard, the IT service company that supplies Washburn with its software and processing solutions, rather than Gunter, but that there was a problem with communication. “It’s not that there were problems, but how the problems were handled,” Prasch said. Garret Love, student body president, said the tech situation was not good for Washburn students, but that it is difficult to identify whether the blame placed on Gunter was justified. “I never could fully grasp what exactly the situation was,” he said.

Chris Hamm, a senior business management/marketing major, works for PremierOne Data Systems, a company that manages the IT for small businesses. “I’ve worked in IT for the past seven years,” Hamm said, “so in a way I can empathize with the stress that comes with managing IT. I also understand from the perspective of an actual user, like faculty and students. “But I think it was probably time with the events that have unfolded. Key events set up the perfect storm for his resignation. I think a lot of times what it comes down to

is scrutiny versus flexibility. In this regard I think there wasn’t enough flexibility, and we need to have that flexibility to pursue academic goals.” Last semester, Hamm created a mock survey about the general approval of ISS, which can be reached at www.wufeedback.com. “It’s a satirical survey,” said Hamm. Two weeks after the survey went up on Aug. 26, it had drawn 350 visits. In addition, Hamm created parodies of my.washburn and posted them on Facebook. During

Please see RESIGNATION page A2

New professor comes to WU Law School

Spring break on a budget

Robert Burkett WASHBURN REVIEW

tips to achieving the perfect vacation

New faces in new places is a recurring theme across Washburn this year and the law school is no exception. The law school is bringing in a new professor to help start up a new program at Washburn. Washburn’s law school features several areas of focus that are split down into Centers for Excellence. Joining the lineup of these centers is the Center for Law and Government. The establishment of the program is a step in the work to refocus the school’s ability to provide students the ability to better understand the functioning relationship between the practice of law and the machinations of government. “The Center will provide legal education to prepare highly qualified public servants for a broad range of careers associated with local, state and federal government,” said Thomas Romig, dean of the law school. The law school has recruited Reginald Robinson to be the new director of the Center for Law and Government. Robinson, prior to his new post, has been the president of the Kansas Board of Regents since 2002. Robinson has also held positions as chief of staff to University of Kansas chancellor Robert Hemenway and visiting associate professor at KU’s law school as well. Robinson has also spent time serving both in the Department of Justice as a Deputy Associate Attorney General as well as on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Robinson is looking forward to joining the Washburn law school faculty and getting back in front of students. “I look forward to returning to a law school classroom and working with students after so many years away from work that I love very much,” said Robinson. Robinson also has ideas for the new center and envisions what he would like to see as part of the center’s focus. “I am especially grateful that through my leadership of the law school’s Center for Law and Government, I will have the opportunity to create a positive connection with issues related to government and policy in Kansas and beyond,” said Robinson.

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu

Fun in the sun: When spring break fever hits, many students find themselves migrating to warmer places and sandy beaches to escape winter weather woes, relax and take a break from the routine of their lives. The most popular spring break destinations for students are Fort Lauderdale, Miami, South Padre Island, Cancun, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

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spring break early so the hit to the budget is a little less of a blow. “It’ll only cost us about $350 a person to stay for a whole week, but that doesn’t include gas and spending money once we get down there,” Hageman said. Like Hageman, Washburn senior Mollie Starks has been planning her trip to Pensacola, Fla. with her boyfriend and two other friends for a few months now. And though the trip is low-key and slight in cost, Starks recognizes the importance of advanced planning. “We probably started booking things about two months ago,” Starks said. “We wanted to make sure that we had rooms and a rental car booked far enough in advance.” While not all students are migrating to the beach for spring break, several are making plans to head to warmer climate. “I just want to relax for a while and work on my tan,” Starks said. Lauren Eckert is a junior mass media major. Reach her at lauren.eckert@ washburn.edu.

Read about “The Last Great Silent Picture Show” exhibit taking place at Mulvane Art Museum.

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Robert Burkett is a junior mass media major. Reach him at robert.burkett@ washburn.edu.

The Lady Blues will take on Emporia State tonight at 5:30 p.m.

sports

Drunk driving costs lives and money. See how others have been effected by this dangerous act.

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utilizing the service of travel agencies. “You will get better rates through a travel agency than if you were on your own,” Henry said. “We’ve got contacts with hotels, wiggle room with airlines and access to unpublished rates that other people simply don’t have access to. It is especially beneficial to use a travel agency when thinking about traveling abroad. It’s important for people to have an agent, someone in their corner just in case.” However, students planning smaller spring break adventures may decide that they can handle the booking and trip planning on their own. Matthew Hageman, a junior at Washburn University, is planning a trip to Padre with five other friends. “We just want to get away for a little while,” Hageman said. “It’s nice to get a break.” Hageman and his companions make a habit of saving for

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Despite the groundhog’s appreciation of his own shadow, spring will come again, as it always does. And with spring comes the week of hanging out and having too much fun that college students always seem ready to take advantage of…spring break. Spring break week finds college students around the country flocking to popular locations for social gatherings and the opportunity to get some relief from the monotony of school. And while the typical budget of a college student is rather tight, many students find ways to stretch their dollar and enjoy the spring break experience. Jade Travel, a travel agency with branches in both Manhattan and Topeka, has aided the community and surrounding area with its travel planning for 25 years. Each year, the company sees many college students looking for the perfect way to spend spring break. Kimbra Henry, vice president of sales management at Jade, said that

the popularity of spring break travel has become so nationally recognized, that tighter restrictions are placed on some of the most popular travel locations to help keep things under control. “Age requirements can be a big challenge,” Henry said. “Most 18-yearolds cannot stay by themselves in many hotels in popular spring break areas without an adult.” Henry also said that age restrictions are often imposed on cruise ship travel or residence rentals, when some places require that students be at least 21 or 25 years of age to board or sign a lease agreement. Some of the most popular locations that typically impose some kind of age restriction include Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Cancun, Las Vegas and South Padre Island. But for all those students who meet the age restrictions, travel for spring break and other major trips can be easy and inexpensive, especially for students

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Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW

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WASHBURN BOOKSTORE IS CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH }ATRTXeT ! ^UU aTcPX[ _aXRT ^] P[[ 4\_^fTaTS F^\T]b ?^bcTab 1^^Zb See www.washburnbookstore.com for more details

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2009-10 issue18 by Washburn Student Media - Issuu