Washburn University
April 23, 2014
Volume 140, Issue 25
WASHBURN
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REVIEW
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INSIDE
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Campus News
H A P P Y
Page 2: In honor of Earth Day, there are different little things one can do to help preserve the environment.
EARTH DAY
Entertainment
Page 13: “The Language Archive” is currentlybeing performed at Washburn’s Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theater.
Sports
EcoBods events center around Earth Day Page 10: Washburn baseball team defeated the Blue Tigers last week with a 7-2 finish.
Patrick Barry
WASHBURN REVIEW
Earth Day was April 22 and the EcoBods are selling plants in Stoffer Science Hall and the Entertainment Union. The EcoBods are a student organization with a mission to raise awareness of environmental issues. They have been working to help Washburn become ecofriendly through recycling in every building on campus and advocating mindfulness about human impact on the environment. The group also maintains an organic garden behind the Union. Page 14: Members of the community strive “It’s open to anyone who has any to revive Topeka’s Jayhawk Theatre. interest in pursuing environmentally
friendly activities,” said Kellis Bayless, professor of biology. “It’s not a special interest group; it’s very broad.” Bayless says that people have joined the group for a variety of reasons, including gardening. The EcoBods meet every other Monday and Friday on campus. Local organizations like the Sierra Club sometimes attend the meetings to provide information about community improvement projects. The EcoBods are hosting a series of documentaries about environmental issues this week. They hosted “Blackfish,” a documentary about the problems of having whales in captivity
April 21. They screened “Coal Country,” a documentary about the controversial practice of mountaintop removal in the mining industry April 22. They will be screening “Food Matters” April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in Stoffer Science Hall 007. The film is about the effects of substituting medical treatment for a selective diet for diabetes, depression and cancer. The EcoBods will be selling plants in Stoffer Science Hall and in the Union this week. The plants are all cut from larger plants from the greenhouse at Stoffer. Some of the plants include aloe, stargazer, clover, ferns and rubber plants. “We don’t really call it a sale,”
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said Nicole O’Brate, treasurer of the EcoBods. “We don’t have set prices.” The EcoBods accept donations in exchange for the plants. The donations are used to fund a project where the EcoBods plant Kansas’ native plants around Stoffer Science Hall. The goal of this project is to create diversity in landscaping, increase aesthetics and preserve native plants.
Patrick Barry, patrick.barry@ washburn.edu, is a senior anthropology major.
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April 23, 2014
High hopes in honors department 50 shades of earth green Dana Stelting-Kempf WASHBURN REVIEW
Emily Engler, a sophomore physics major and honors program vice president, did a lot of research about honors programs at other universities before settling on Washburn for her education. Many universities offer compensation packages for honors program students and the programs vary from university to university. Engler, under the guidance of Michael McGuire, dean of the honors program, has been brainstorming with her peers and other faculty members in an effort to reformulate the current program into one with tiers. As the program stands, honors program students must complete 24 hours of honors course curriculum and a thesis project. The program is small, admitting very few applicants each fall. Normally these students are incoming freshman, something the department is looking to change by adding a tier to the current program that would be transfer student friendly. Both students and faculty agree expanding the program would be ideal; however, Enlger cites a low budget as a major impediment to expanding the department and attracting students. “A low budget and limited access to scholarships, along with limited availability of honors courses throughout the degree programs, contribute to retention issues,” said Engler. Washburn University offers a $500 book scholarship and other
perks to reward the students in the program, but compared to other universities that offer full paid tuition and cost-of-living scholarships, it is the love of academia that draws these students to Washburn. Throughout the year, the honors department hosts three events. In the fall they host an honors department tailgating event at the last home football game. This is a meet and greet to welcome new members. The second event is the annual fall Etiquette Banquet, which is a campus wide event. Tickets are sold for a multi-course dinner during which participants are treated to demonstrations on the proper way to handle silverware and glassware. Participants enjoy semi-formal wear for the occasion. The dinner serves to educate and entertain. The last event, the Spring Banquet, honors new members for the coming fall semester and scholarship recipients of both the Brunt and Outstanding Student. At this recognition dinner, the students have an opportunity to put into practice the pointers learned from the Etiquette Banquet, recognize accomplishments, say goodbye to the seniors and hello to the freshmen. The honors program also runs the Quest program. High school students from northeast Kansas compete in a quiz competition, which is aired on KTWU. The event leads off with Super Saturday, a day of testing for the young competitors. Honors students volunteer their
time to administer the tests, which will narrow down the teams that appear on TV. Through the process, honors students are hard at work making sure that the production is a success. As she endeavors to help firm out the walls of an expanded program, Engler also works to achieve personal growth. “I constantly strive to get better; it’s a mindset. You have to work for it,” said Engler. McGuire and other faculty dedicate to pushing the boundaries of conscious work toward expansion. McGuire hopes to get closer to this goal by looking at the challenges and responding to them. By creating a three-tiered system that continues the current tier, the department can also serve students with a two-year program and recognize the top students, including those that provide service to the community, hold the top GPAs and demonstrate the abilities that quintessential honors qualities. “I hope to provide more students with an opportunity to have an enriched educational experience,” said McGuire regarding the program changes.
Chloe Mooradian
WASHBURN REVIEW
The celebration of earth day April 22 works to bring awareness to environmental issues in the world today. It seems as if efforts to go green are all around, and it can often times be a challenge to select causes to contribute to. However, reducing consumption and promoting environmental awareness is surprisingly simple. The following suggestions can
cups. The EPA has also researched that a staggering 90 percent of plastic water bottles are never recycled, and when they are, the plastic takes years to decompose. One can’t help but benefit from this small change too, since filling up a reusable water bottle during the day instead of buying water will save money. Reusable coffee cups have great benefits as well. Not only does it cut down your paper product waste, a hot drink can stay heated longer. Some coffee shops
Dana Stelting-Kempf, dana. stelting-kempf@washburn.edu, is a senior English major.
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actually be done right now, and small changes can make a big difference in planet health. One small way to go green is to print on both sides of a piece of paper. When printing on campus, students can select the small check box in the printing options that allows the printer to utilize both sides of the paper. According to the Environmental Protection Agency statistics, there are more than 71 million tons of paper and paperboard used in the United States each year. Although printing on both sides of the page can seem insignificant, it essentially reduces your paper printing consumption by half. Another way to be earthfriendly on campus is to have reusable water bottles, or coffee
even offer discounts to those who bring in their own cup to fill. A final money and planet saving tip is as simple as flipping a switch. When leaving a room for more than 15 minutes, turn off the lights. Not only does this save the energy time of the lights bulb, it also reduces cooling costs in the summer by reducing heat in the house emitted by the light.
Chloe Mooradian, chloe. mooradian@washburn.edu, is a sophomore education major.
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alendar
Wednesday, APRIL 23
Contemporary Reflections: Brown v. Board After Sixty Years “Teach Your Children Well:” Shane Evans’ Images of African American Resistance Art for Social Change: Mulvane Museum Gallery. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Multi-Day Event.) Scorch on the Porch: Memorial Union / Stauffer Commons. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Brown Bag International Lecture Series: International Center Building. (12 to 1 p.m.) Study Abroad Internship Info Meeting: Living Learning Center, Wilson Seminar Room 254. (12 to 1 p.m.) Thursday, APRIL 24
School of Business Scholarship Luncheon: Washburn Room A & B. (12:30 to 2 p.m.) Friday, APRIL 25
Men’s Tennis vs. MIAA Championship Tournament in Cooper Tennis Complex: Cooper Tennis Complex. (All Day) Women’s Tennis vs. MidAmerica Intercollegiate Athletic Association in Cooper Tennis Complex:Cooper Tennis Complex. (All Day) Softball at Lincoln University of Missouri: Away. (2 p.m.) The Language Archive by Julia Co: (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday, APRIL 26
The Big Event: Bods Into the Streets: Lee Arena. (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ) Alumni Awards Banquet: Washburn Room A & B. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) Baseball at Northeastern State University: Away. (1 p.m.) Softball at Lindenwood University: Away. (2 p.m.)
April 23, 2014 News 3
Washburn campus police report APRIL 08
all medcial treatment.
APRIL 11
APRIL 12 05:07—Information report; notice to leave; Parking Lot 9; report taken: one notice to leave served: taken to DOC on warrant.
17:00—Information report, Notice to leave; Parking Lot 16; report taken: one notice to leave served: Individual escorted from campus. 09:02—Information report, Fire alarm; Morgan Hall; report taken: Probable cause: dust from construction: alarm reset. 19:32—Information report, Medical call; Facility Services; report taken: Individual refused
APRIL 14
13:00—Information report; Medical call; Student Rec. & Wellness Ctr.; report taken: Individual taken to the hospital by AMR ambulance.
APRIL 15
08:52—Criminal Damage to property graffiti; Mabee Library; report taken: Investigation into the graffiti continues.
APRIL 17
07:45—Motor vehicle accident; Washburn Institute of Tech.; report taken: Photos taken.
APRIL 18
15:17—Motor vehicle accident; on-campus location;
report taken: Photos taken.
APRIL 21
18:43— Information report possible criminal activity; West Hall; report taken: Investigation into possible criminal activity continues.
POLICE ;
WU
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Bleeding from the source Salvador Lopez
WASHBURN REVIEW
The Heartbleed bug was discovered by Codenomicon, a Finnish company. The security firm kept the breach under wraps for over a week so the world wouldn’t fall into a panic. The flaw affects over two-thirds of the world’s Internet servers, ranging from major companies like Google and Facebook to microblogs who are asking users to change their passwords. The bug affects thousands of websites. The protection a user believed they had has now been removed. Web surfers that relied on the Open Secure Socket Layer have found that the Heartbleed bug allowed malicious software to retrieve information about their activity online. Even though 64,000 bytes of information may not seem like a lot, it is still enough to gather data from the clientserver connection. A data grab could happen multiple times from a single call, allowing an intruder to grab random 64k of data from any information stream. A username, password, email and most other content can be captured within 64k worth of information. Though many files are much larger than 64k, it can still give the intruder a decent idea of what
is being transferred from a server to a client or vice versa. This has caused Internet users to question their anonymity and privacy when browsing and whether they need to change every password. Some consumers have contacted their online banking customer service asking if their accounts have been exposed to the bug. If the company or content provider has been affected, the user should wait until their content provider has patched the bug. Changing a password or other critical information before the patch will still allow those trying to exploit the bug to succeed because the security flaw is still there. The flaw in security has existed since March 2012. Ossi Herrala of Codenomicon is recognized as being the administrator that coined the name “Heartbleed.” “[Ossi] thought it was fitting to call it Heartbleed because it was bleeding out the important information from the memory,” said David Chartier, CEO of Codenomicon.
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The bug’s actual name is CVE2014-0160, based on the line of code it was found on. Yahoo first disclosed the flaw to its users. Following that announcement, Neel Mehta of Google claimed to have been aware of the bug for several weeks before information went public. Chartier and his company believed that it was best not to
Graphic by Erica Chen
release information about the bug until there was a patch. This means that those who discover a major bug such as this may withhold information and let the bug remain untamed before sharing information with colleagues and other developers to immediately work on a patch. Though there is now a patch that protects users from the Heatbleed
bug, many users pondered that the NSA may actually have been behind the bug due to their recent unveiling of spying on Internet users. These claims are very unlikely since the bug has only been known for a short time. If there were to be any organizations trying to exploit the Heartbleed bug, they would have had to act quickly and get as much information before the patches were released. A group of coders found a sixhour gap from when the news broke until the Canadian government could patch all their websites and servers, exploited Heartbleed and captured 900 social insurance numbers and other taxpayer information. The Canadian Revenue Agency is currently working around the clock to patch Heartbleed and contact those who have had their information stolen. It is easy to be misinformed about a security breach of this kind because there is not many who actually understand the process of debugging and patching computer software bugs. Heartbleed may not change everything about staying safe on the Internet, but its a good chance to learn about what appropriate measures you can take to protect online data. Salvador Lopez, salvador.lopez@ washburn.edu, is a junior mass media and computer science major.
4 News April 23, 2014
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Brownback signs Canipe-Bearman case closed school finance bill Adam Vlach
WASHBURN REVIEW
Ivan Moya
WASHBURN REVIEW
Governor Sam Brownback signed the school finance bill HB 2506 Monday, which will redistribute an additional $129 million to school districts but also ends mandatory due process hearings for experienced teachers. The bill was intended to address the Kansas Supreme Court mandate to address funding inequities in schools districts before July 1. The bill, however, included additional provisions that were separate from funding actions; the elimination of the due process hearings being the most controversial. “The importance of due process is being respectful of the professional position that teachers hold in our society. If you look at any other profession like law and medicine, those two professions have due process,” said Donna LaLonde, interim chair of education at Washburn. Under the current model, a teacher can be fired in their first three years or not have their contracts renewed without cause. After those years, a teacher receives non-probationary status, meaning that districts who want to fire a teacher must give a reason. In place since 1957, the ability of due process hearings grants teachers to request a proper hearing. “They have to have a real concrete case against the teacher. They have to have evidence. They have to have mediations with the teacher before they are released,” said Molly Rondeau, senior elementary education major. A concern for the legislature is that due process allows bad teachers to stay in the system without repercussion. The inability to fire teachers was seen as a barrier to quality education. Rondeau states that the situation is a mixed bag. “I feel like it is detrimental to have teachers who have been teaching 30 or 40 years who are uninterested and unwilling to learn new techniques,” said Rondeau. “I can also see how it is dangerous
to teachers. It comes down to the administration and you have to trust that administrators do the right thing.” Tracie Lutz, literacy instructor for Washburn and a teacher since 1989, states that there are two sides to the same coin. “I’m split on the decision,” said Lutz. “On the admnistrative side, I see the difficulty of running through red tape and all the steps the admnistration has to go through.” Lutz, however, has the same opinion with the Kansas National Education Association about the loss of advocacy rights. In an official press release by the Kansas National Education Association, they addressed their concern of adequately advocating for the needs of children without fear of retribution. They cited the teachers who have students with needs that are costly, like those with autism, dyslexia or severe physical or emotional exceptionalities. Their concern was that teachers would be pressured to minimize the need for services. “The biggest question is what is best for the kids?” said Lutz. KNEA also contends that the only redress by teaches who have been wrongly fired is to combat it with civil litigation. KNEA believes that the costly litigation hearings forces school districts to spend time and money to go to court and far outweigh the negative parts of due process. LaLonde states that despite the inability to adequately redress issues, this will not completely turn teachers away from teaching in Kansas. “Teachers are marvelous people. They have such a commitment to helping children that they rarely think of themselves first. I suspect that for most teachers that will continue to be their primary motivation,” said LaLonde.
Ivan Moya, ivan.moya@ washburn.edu, is a senior political science and mass media major.
Michell Canipe’s lawsuit against dean of libraries Alan Bearman and Washburn University closed April 15 with prejudice, meaning it cannot be reopened. With the case closed, Canipe feels more comfortable speaking to the Washburn Review. Canipe has read the “Washburn settles Bearman article” that was released in the Washburn Review April 2 and is concerned the issues that led to her constructive discharge are resurfacing. Canipe detailed the causes of her distress while working at Washburn, but she has now provided evidence that she was not alone in that. In an 18.5 minute recording of a conversation held in April 2011 between Canipe and former Washburn instructional librarian Keith Rocci, expressed his feelings about working at Mabee. “I hate working here, just so you know,” said Rocci. “I hate everything about it. I just can’t find another job. I hate it. I hate coming in here. I mean, it’s the worst place I’ve ever worked in my life, you know?” Canipe legally recorded numerous conversations with Rocci and other faculty in the time leading up to her resignation, which was officially April 13, 2011. In her resignation letter, Canipe said she was leaving because “[Mabee is] a hostile and unhealthy work environment that has caused me extreme stress, anxiety and depression, for which I’ve had to seek medical treatment during the course of my employment at Washburn….The continued risk to my physical, mental and emotional health leave me no alternative but to resign from this position.” “I felt compelled to record this [her conversation with Rocci] and other conversations for my own protection. I felt very strongly, and for a long time, that I was being targeted,” said Canipe. According to Canipe, Sean Bird, current assistant dean of libraries was aware that she had these recordings. Bird has no comment regarding the lawsuit. Bearman says to the best of his knowledge, there is no difference in the library’s environment between now and how it was around the time Canipe resigned, which was approximately two weeks after the aforementioned conversation with Rocci was taped. Washburn has given no public statement on whether it has taken any action regarding the lawsuit or the media coverage of the lawsuit. Canipe is concerned that the faculty and students may still be subjected to situations similar to hers. Director of University Relations Dena Anson also offered no
comment. Vice President of Academic Affairs Randy Pembrook was unavailable for comment. President Jerry Farley was unavailable for comment. However, in a previous conversation, his secretary Rugena Hall did confirm that Farley does read the Washburn Review and that he has read the “Washburn settles Bearman lawsuit” article, which details the concerns of some Mabee employees. University Compliance Officer Cynthia Waskowiak could not confirm or deny whether any measures have been taken by the university to prevent further lawsuits, but said any action taken by the university would be privileged. According to Bearman, dean’s council meetings are typically held every Wednesday. In an email Bearman sent to the council members April 11, he attached a communication protocol that he had received at a dean’s meeting April 4. The protocol has since been sent out to the faculty. The communication protocol, developed after the release of Washburn Review’s coverage of the Bearman settlement and 26 days before the House of Representatives discusses the education budget and funding, is “to ensure the timely and appropriate notification of parties to help ensure that the strategic direction of Washburn University is properly and consistently represented to both our community of learning and the greater public.” It instructs faculty members to inform Farley and Pembrook and wait for a response before acting in regards to any event involving local or state wide politicians. It also notes “all WUBOR [Washburn University Board of Regents] communication and legislative communication comes from the President’s office/lobbyists.” If a politician is coming to campus, faculty members are to inform Farley and Pembrook with all details as soon as possible, as well as notify Farley’s secretary Rugena Hall, Pembrook’s secretary Joan Bayens, executive assistant in the president’s office Sue Palmer, director of university relations Dena Anson, special assistant to the president Cynthia Hornberger and John Pinegar and Doug Smith, members of Pinegar Smith & Associates, a public relations agency. Similar steps are instructed to be taken if a faculty member is asked for a comment, story or meeting by a politician. The protocol also asks that faculty members send an email to Farley’s and Pembrook’s offices and to wait for a response before interacting with politicians’ staff members.
A note was added at the bottom of the document asking that faculty pay particular attention to the county commissioners, the Topeka mayor, the governor and Kansas legislators. Mabee Library employees received a modified version of the protocol. It is very similar, but it says that communications with Washburn Review reporters prompts an immediate email to the dean (Bearman) who will then contact Farley and Pembrook. It also includes a Mabee Library Social Media Policy. Because of this protocol, it was difficult to communicate with most faculty. The few who would talk would only do so off-campus or via private email, as one faculty member said the administration has the ability to monitor washburn.edu email accounts. An IT member was unwilling to speak or comment. No Mabee employees would give a statement. With all 15 counts in Canipe’s lawsuit having been settled, and each count having sought in excess of $75,000, Washburn may have potentially paid over $1.1 million in damages. But according to Canipe, the lawsuit wasn’t about the money. Canipe says she needed to stand up for herself, that there was a peace from doing so and now wants to help the faculty still at Mabee. She said she speaks out for the students as well. She does not want tuition to go up to compensate because of potential future lawsuits, either after the fact or preemptively. “[Helping those at Mabee] has always been my focus and was the reason I made the decision to move forward with the complaints and the lawsuit each time I did. I’m glad I did it, but I didn’t make those decisions for myself,” said Canipe. “I did it to stop what happened to me from happening to another person. “It is my hope that the EEOC, ACRL, Kansas Legislature and other agencies interested in preserving the integrity of the institution will investigate the failings of Washburn’s administration in matters related to my and others’ reports.” Bearman says he feels he has a good relationship with all Mabee faculty, though. “We have a staff that’s incredibly focused on student success and they come to work every day and do their jobs. I think the library’s an outstanding place dedicated to student success,” said Bearman. Adam Vlach, adam.vlach@ washburn.edu, is a junior English and mass media major.
April 23, 2014 News 5
washburnreview.org
Bone Appétit fundraiser at Helping Hands Humane Society Lauren Doherty
WASHBURN REVIEW
Helping Hands Humane Society is putting on another Bone Appétit fundraising event. This year’s theme is Paws Vegas. Guests can participate in a silent and live auction and watch adoptable dogs walk down the catwalk. For the past 13 years, Helping Hands has been raising money to support its organization and the pets they care for. Staff and volunteers pitch in to assist with the planning and organizing of the event. Each year has a different theme. “It’s a great and fun opportunity to support Helping Hands. [It’s also a] great way to meet people who share a common interest in pets,” said Bill Acree, president and CEO of the Helping Hands Humane Society Foundation. Part of the event includes a catwalk where adoptable dogs from the shelter are dressed in a doggy outfit, which is then auctioned off. Last year all 10 dogs on the catwalk were adopted within a week after the event. Some items in this year’s auction are an autographed KU basketball; a Spokesdog Package where the owner’s pet gets featured on Paws in the Park posters, brochures,
commercials and HHHS website; and a weeklong stay at Amelia Island in Florida valued at $4,000. A third auction consists of wine. Bottles of wine are lined up and numbered, then with a $20 donation a person can pick a number and get the chance to win a $20- $80-priced wine. There will also be a raffle for an Outback, which Subaru has on display at the shelter. Acree says it’s nice to see people come out and support the organization through their
donations and attendance. “The people are all there for the cause. That’s my favorite part,” said Acree. Each year the number of guests grows. Last year the organization planned for some 300 seats but had to gather more when the tickets sold exceeded that number. “It was a good problem to have,” said Justin Brokar, special events coordinator for Helping Hands Humane Society. This year Helping Hands hopes
to total 400 guests. The money raised goes to the organization and the pets. The animals receive food, medical care and training. Helping Hands receives no funding from local, state or federal taxes and is supported by volunteers and donations. Tickets are on sale for $50 for general admission or $75 for VIP. VIP tickets give guests a seat near the front along with a gift bag. Tickets can also be bought for groups of 10. The event is at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of hhhstopeka.org
May 31, in the Capital Plaza Hotel & Convention Center. Anyone is welcome to volunteer at the shelter or at the event. To find out how to volunteer or buy a ticket, visit hhhstopeka.org. “Anyone who supports the homeless pets and what we’re doing for animal welfare is welcome to come,” said Brokar. Lauren Doherty, lauren.doherty@ washburn.edu, is a senior mass media major.
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6 Opinion April 23, 2014
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Advice for Students Q: I’ve been with this girl for a while now and we’ve kind of kept it on the down low because I’m a girl too, but I want to be more than a secret and I’m not sure how to tell her that or how she will react. I don’t want to scare her off or pressure her into coming out too soon, but I also don’t want to feel like a dirty little secret. A: The great part about being a college student is we are not in high school anymore. The fact that people still worry about how others will view them is something I cannot understand. You should not have to hide who you are because someone isn’t comfortable with themselves. I understand maybe doing it in the beginning to ease
them into it, but how much longer would you be willing to sit through being a secret? You are obviously more comfortable and confident with yourself than she is and by hiding who you are you’re not allowing yourself to grow as a person. You’re actually taking steps backward. I know how important this person may be to you but you shouldn’t have to give up what you want in order to satisfy someone else. You both should meet somewhere in the middle, one that satisfies you both. You shouldn’t pressure someone to do something they aren’t comfortable with, but you also shouldn’t be with someone who wants different things than you do. If you just sit back and not say anything, your relationship most
BOD
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likely won’t succeed. You have to communicate what you’re feeling otherwise nothing will change. Talk to her and let her know you care about her, but you don’t want to be a secret anymore. If she can’t understand that then is she really worth being with? Stop worrying about how she will react or what she wants and just do what feels right to you. Don’t lose sleep over how you are feeling; tell her how you are feeling. You may not realize it at first, but you will feel so much better and free once you finally get it off your chest. A relationship should be equal parts regardless of the situation. Yes, she is not comfortable “coming out” but you are not comfortable staying in either. Without that equal communication, your relationship will always feel “off”. The best thing you can do is just tell her what you want and how you are feeling. You never know, she might want to be more, too, and needs that little push to help her. More importantly, never question yourself when it comes to
something you want. You shouldn’t worry about how people will react or think because if you are not happy and they are, you are just living a lie. If you are important to them they will respect your feelings and support you regardless. You can’t help how you feel but you can help how you live with it.
How would you feel if Michelle Obama spoke at your graduation? By: Ezgi Gulec
“I would feel very special.”
“It would be a great opportunity to hear her speak, but the day is about the graduates, not Michelle Obama.”
Josh Hernandez, sophomore, business marketing
Shawn’Yel Thoms, sophomore, occupational therapy
“I don’t necessarily agree with everything she does, but I would enjoy the opportunity to hear what she has to say.”
“I would be honored if she chose to come to my college to speak.”
Jacob May, junior, biology
Akira Robinson, freshman, sonography
Contact Us Phone: (785) 670-2506 Fax: (785) 670-1131 www.washburnreview.org Editor-in-Chief Kara Protasio Advertising Manager Mike Kerls Production Assistants Jamie Schartz • Andrew Escandon Kaw Editor-in-Chief Mallory Luney Art Director Andrew Escandon Assignment Editor Jennifer Lauber Assistant Assignment Editor Ivan Moya Multimedia Manager Shannon Kennedy Head Copy Editor Fatima Oubaid Online Editor Salvador Lopez Copy Editors Russell Budden Jessica Herrera Writers Qiujie Li • Colton Goeffert • Brian Cervantez • Mairui Li • Cindy Rose • Ya Xu • Scott Stormann • Terry Richardson • Annastasia Glover • Ezgi Gulec • Patrick Barry • Jacqui Savage • Adam Vlach • Connor England • Martha Custis • Michael McDonald • Kevin Sullivan • Dana SteltingKempf • Cindy Wright Photographers Scott Stormann • Terry Richardson • Erliang Zhou • Michael McDonald Graphic Designers Chelsea Howe • Gabe Palma • Christian Sauerman Cartoonist Chelsea Howe Kaw Yearbook Staff Kelsi Baird • Mikayla Douglas • Allen Selley Adviser Regina Cassell
April 23, 2014 Opinion 7
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Bearman lawsuit creates chilly climate for future Editorial Board
WASHBURN REVIEW
Michelle Canipe, a former instructional librarian at Washburn’s Mabee Library brought a civil lawsuit against Alan Bearman, dean of libraries. The case was settled out of court March 11. The way the case was handled has potential lingering side effects. Washburn acted in a way that seemed focused on saving face in a method that contributes to a chilly climate for any employee who would consider voicing concerns. This criticism of the way harassment is handled applies to institutions in general, not strictly to Washburn. Harassment is an extremely sensitive issue that is complicated by individuals feeling afraid to speak out. It is imperative that when an employee makes an accusation, it is handled in such a way that promotes the idea that employees should have no fear of retribution for stepping forward. It is understandable that an institution such as Washburn is concerned with their reputation, but there is more than one way to save face in a situation that could tarnish reputations. Declining comments, settling out of court and coming to the defense of the accused may be an attempt to make the issue go away and maintain appearances, but it is unlikely that such an issue will ever simply go away. This method may not be ideal because it makes the institution look callused and unsympathetic to the individual(s) raising concerns and could contribute to a climate where future victims feel they should not speak out. If Washburn had made a statement that they take all accusations of harassment
seriously and will investigate the issue fully, would their reputation be damaged? In such a case, if the accused were found not guilty upon investigation of the claims, a statement of apology for the stress and inconvenience could be issued, while reiterating the idea that the institution will treat all claims with sensitivity. If the accusations proved true, the institution would be seen as working to create a safer working environment. This sort of approach could preserve the reputation of the institution without discouraging concerned employees from speaking out. If employees are made to feel like they cannot voice concerns or speak out about what they perceive to be a hostile work environment, then a very serious problem has occurred. Washburn University has made many efforts to make the campus a safe environment, including the Safe Zone program, but it is necessary to be critical of any actions that are contradictory to creating an environment where everyone feels safe. This concern is very real at Washburn University, as evident with the Bearman lawsuit. Canipe was very vocal about a culture of feeling powerless in a hostile work environment. No employee should ever be afraid to talk about feeling uncomfortable in the workplace. Reporters for the Washburn Review have run into problems in getting information about the work environment at the library. Employees have voiced concerns about retaliation from the administration if they say something unfavorable. Living or working in fear is unacceptable and it is not part of Washburn’s mission. The reality is there are employees who are in fear. Technology Consultant
Farhan Makda did not press charges or talk to the police after a physical confrontation with Bearman for fear of losing his job. Canipe spoke out against the culture of being afraid to speak out. Regardless of how this should be put into practice, there is a need for actions that reassure concerned individuals that they should not be afraid to voice concerns. Washburn employees should feel that the institution would protect them even if the complaints are against an employee in a position of authority. Harassment allegations are a very serious and sensitive matter. It is necessary to ensure that all parties involved are treated with respect. Individuals caught in the middle of a harassment lawsuit can be made uncomfortable and individuals concerned can have their reputations damaged even if the allegations are untrue. This makes dealing with such issues a nearly impossible task, but it can never be acceptable for individuals to have a fear of speaking out if the concern is real. The problems are bigger than any one lawsuit and are of concern regardless of the validity of any one case. The issue here is no longer the Bearman lawsuit, which has been settled since March. The issue is what needs to be done to ensure that every student and employee feels protected by the university. The concern is not simply limited to Washburn or to other universities. It is a problem that needs to be addressed to ensure that institutions maintain a climate where all can feel secure. Washburn Review, wureview@ gmail.com
Autism Speaks, not for me
Colton Goeffert
WASHBURN REVIEW
One major foundation that claims to be for autism awareness is the Autism Speaks foundation, though as you’ll find out they’re less than legitimate. Before I get to them, a little background information on me. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a disorder on the autism spectrum, at Wyandot Mental Health Center when I was in late elementary school. While a well spoken educated person may not be the first image that comes to mind when you think of someone with autism, let me assure you that Asperger’s is a form of high-functioning autism and is typically characterized by trouble with social interaction and nonverbal communication, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Since my diagnosis, I’ve learned to accept who I am and learn my shortcomings. I tell people I’m not good at social cues and that rather than imply something, they should be blatantly obvious, and they usually comply. I’ve used this disability to help others. I‘ve appeared at panels about mental illness at mental health centers in the Kansas City area. I’ve volunteered with Families Together and Keys For Networking Inc., two foundations that help those who suffer from mental illness and their families. While I’ve attempted to use my mental disability to help others, the most well known autism awareness foundation in America has done far less to further the cause of people with autism. In fact, they actively repress the autism community, treating it as something to be “cured” akin to conversion therapy’s attempts at “curing” homosexuality. My Asperger’s is a part of who I am and effects the way I look at things. My lack of social grace makes empathy difficult, which leads to me looking at things from a more logical perspective. In a way, “curing” my autism would be taking away a part of me. Even Autism Speak’s logo of a small blue puzzle piece confirms the
mentality of “a disease to be cured.” To them, autism is a puzzle to be solved. To them a person with autism isn’t a sentient human being, but an odd piece that must be normalized to fit in with the other “normal” pieces. Another reason I encourage people to avoid donating to Autism Speaks is their misallocation of funds that has been proven using their 2008 tax returns. In 2008, this “non-profit” charity paid 36 employees a sum to the tune of over $100,000 each over the course of the year. Geraldine Dawson, their “chief science officer” was paid the most that year at $644,274. That same tax return can be used to find out how much they spent on payroll taxes, employee salaries, pensions/401ks, and benefits, totaling nearly $17.8 million. When that’s compared to the money they gave as grants to help those with autism, a measly $66,670, it becomes fairly obvious that Autism Speaks cares only for lining their own pockets. The final nail in the coffin for Autism Speaks is the short film they sponsored and produced entitled “Autism Every Day.”.In this film, the then executive vice-president of the Austism Speaks foundation, Alison Tepper Singer, claimed that her autistic daughter was such a burden on her that she considered putting the both of them in a car and driving off a bridge. Singer went on to say that the only thing that kept her from doing so was her second daughter who depended on her. That’s right, the executive vice-president of an autism awareness organization was willing to murder her child and herself. All in all, as an individual with autism, I’d recommend boycotting the Autism Speaks foundation. Instead, I’d recommend donating to or volunteering with a local organization like Families Together or Keys for Networking. Alternatively, if you’re more inclined to donate to or volunteer with a national organization, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation are both reputable and legitimate charities. Colton Goeffert, colton.goeffert@ washburn.edu, is a junior associate of sciences major.
8 Arts and Entertainment April 23, 2014
April 23, 2014 Arts and Entertainment 9
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Apeiron presents ‘bugs’ at Washburn this year Jennifer Lauber
WASHBURN REVIEW
KEEPING
Tradition
ALIVE
Photos by Michael McDonald
Taking a selfie: Washburn’s Greek community gathers outside the Memorial Union to serve ice cream to Washburn faculty. This is one of the many events that will take place during this week for Greek Week.
Washburn hosts annual Greek Week festivities
Ivan Moya
WASHBURN REVIEW
Washburn University’s Greek life organizations kicked off their annual Greek Week events this Monday where fraternities and sororities will compete in a series of games and activities to see who comes out on top. “It’s a way for all Greek chapters to have a fun competition and to do the best that they can do in differentent things,” said Blair Capps, junior political science major and coordinator of the Greek Week events. The week will provide a lighthearted, competitive environment. Capps believes that the week will reflect both physical and mental wellness in the Greek Week activities. This past Monday, the chapters participated in a trivia night competition at the Bradbury Thompson Center. Teams had to answer questions from Washburn and Greek history to ‘90s cartoons and song lyrics. The fraternity Phi Delta Theta and the sorority Delta Gamma were the finalists with the Phi Delts
winning out in the tie-breaker. Fraternities and sororities will also take time during the week to give back to their community through philanthropic efforts. Tuesday was used as a staff appreciation day. The chapters set up tables and passed out ice cream to the Washburn administration. The Greek chapters are also involved in a diaper drive to collect diapers for the Topeka community. Wednesday will feature a more leisure atmosophere for the week. The chapters will host a live performance from the Joe Moorhead Band, from Cleveland, Ohio at 7 p.m. The band will bring a soft Rock vibe to Washburn with its west coast acoustic style. Other competition events include a Thursday lip sync competition where contestants are asked to perform a seven minute song and dance routine in front of a row of guest judges. Fraternities and sororities will be judged seperately. On Friday, there will be a Greek Olympic competition at Yager Stadium. The Olympics will feature a relay race,
water balloon toss, sheet race, Bocce Ball and a tug-of-war. “It’s a fun experience for all students. It’s great to see how panhellenic the girls can really get as they cheer everyone on,” said Krysta Horning, junior psychology major and member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Capps coordinated the event with the help of Greek chapters, the Student Activities and Greek Life office and the Campus Activities Board. Some events, like the live concert, required preparation weeks in advance. “It was a whole bunch of busy work and making sure that everything worked right,” said Capps. The week-long events will finish off with the Greek banquet next Monday. Chapters will dress in formal attire and reflect on the year’s achievements of the Greek community. Chapters and specific individuals will be given the ability to receive and give awards out. Many of these awards can be out of the box. “Its fun to see all the different awards. Some of them are quite
funny,” said Horning. Among the most anticipated awards is the Grand Champion Award. The awards banquet will also give out an award based on the events that happened during Greek Week.
Bugs was just one of the many subjects included in this year’s Apeiron event held at Washburn University Friday, April 18. Apeiron allowed Washburn students to showcase their research, scholarship and creative activities. Students from all departments were welcome to participate and members of the public were invited to attend Friday’s event. Registration and poster setup began in the Memorial Union at 10:30 a.m. Entries included poster presentations, oral presentations and fine arts presentations. Fine art performances were held at 11 a.m. at Carole Chapel and oral performances at 1 p.m. at the law school. The chairman of the Apeiron committee, Shaun Schmidt, welcomed guests at 3 p.m. in Washburn A and B in the Memorial Union where student designers were recognized. Each year the creative media practicum class at Washburn designs two posters for the Aperion event. The first poster encourages students to register for the event while the second, which is put up later, provides more information about the event. The Apeiron committee selected Emily Juhnke and Carly Willis as the top two designers this year. After the welcome and recognition came the “Last Lecture” of the Apeiron event which was presented by Mary “bugs” McCoy, professor emeritus
of biology. McCoy taught for 33 years in the biology department at Washburn University. Her presentation “Reflections on My Life among Bugs” provided insight of the bugs she has studied over the years and her current project “The Maligned Species: Memoirs of Multi-legged Creatures.” From 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m students from all disciplines presented posters of their research in Memorial Union, Washburn A. Member of the public walked around at the various posters set up and were able to talk to the students about their research. Cheyenne Bartz, senior biology major, was excited to present her research on bugs. Her poster “Influence of Host Selection Behavior on the Spread of the Cowpea Weevil,” explained her research on “choosy” bugs. Bartz and her mentor professor of biology Rodrigo Mercader, researched to find out if there would be a difference in how choosy bugs are if they are raised on different types of food then what they are normally raised on. Bartz says before participating in Apeiron she never had the experience to do research and actually present it. She recommends other students participate in Apeiron. “The research was fun and I did get a lot of good information from it. But I think putting together this poster and just the experience... was really nice,” said Bartz. “But getting up and getting everything all together and trying to present
Photos by Jennifer Lauber
Cypher: Salvador Lopez gives an oral presentation on the software “Cypher“ which tells the user how many words are within each bill and might ultimately cast light on the cost of governmental bureucracy. it to people, I think it really helped me to understand more what I was doing.” Salvador Lopez, junior computer science major, who often studies a different kind of “bug,” presented research on a software product code named “Cypher” developed to scan government sites such as the library of congress database to gather information about legislation. Based off the legislation he is able to tell how many words are within each bill and from there can gather a total word count for each year or an entire decade. The ultimate goal is that this tool might shed light on the cost of governmental
bureaucracy. Lopez worked on his software program for about four to five months. During this time whenever he tried to talk about his program to others he felt like they weren’t getting it. “It was always going over people’s heads,” said Lopez. “But at Apeiron I was able to talk about it and people understood what I was trying to do with the programming. It was cool.” Although there were a few ‘bugs’ to discuss, Apeiron had a plethora of other topics to review. Including grazing goats, vegan eggs in cooking, sleep deprivation,
depression among the elderly, foil stamping, ceramics, the sound of clay, athletic performance, the influence of Mozart, abortion in Latin America, the impact of education, choices and making a true difference. Lopez says that he recommends other students participate in Aperion but to not expect to turn in just anything. He advises students to realize that the work should be superior to anything they would normally just turn into class. Jennifer Lauber, jennifer.lauber@ washburn.edu, is a senior Mass Media major.
Ivan Moya, ivan.moya@ washburn.edu, is a senior mass media and political science major.
Photos by Jennifer Lauber
Best of Washburn: Students have the chance to display their prowess in the fields they have studied while attending Washburn. Apeiron is held annually to showcase Washburn students.
Greek Life: The gentlemen of Phi Delta Theta gather to take part of staff appreciation day at Washburn.
Open to the Public: Washburn opens its campus to the public during Apeiron to showcase the success of their students. Apeiron is an annual free event.
Photos by Jennifer Lauber
10 Sports April 23, 2014
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Bods declaw Blue Tigers during senior game Jared Lauber
WASHBURN REVIEW
The Ichabods rode a threegame winning streak into their 2 p.m. contest with the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The Bods won the first contest of the double header 9-0 on two-hit pitching from pitcher Maustin Otterstatter. The 2 p.m. contest ended in similar fashion. After the preliminaries, the beat down of the Lincoln Blue Tigers continued as the Bods retired the first eight batters the Blue Tigers sent to the plate. Starting pitches were solid for the Bods as Mark Biesma dominanted for six scoreless innings with five strikeouts, one walk and one batter that was hit with a pitch. The same can’t be said for Blue Tigers’ starting pitcher Gatlin Wiggins, who threw just 2 2/3 innings and was relieved with his team down 6-0. The Bods pitching staff benefited from a lack of discipline on the part of the Blue Tigers at the plate. The Blue Tigers jumped on the vast majority of first pitches offered up by Bods pitching and because of
Picture by Scott Stormann
Hug Me Bro: The Washburn baseball team celebrates senior day. The Bods beat the Blue Tigers 7-2 making the Bods 20-19 for the season. They will play Northeastern State University April 25. that they never had an opportunity an unselfish play that included a score off a hard hit line drive from to adjust to the Bods’ pitchers. sacrifice bunt to move a base runner David Gauntt. In the bottom of the first, the Bods Taylor Herrington from second to In the bottom, of the third, the jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on third. Herrington would eventually Bods tacked on four more runs on
outstanding hitting from Washburn’s seniors who accounted for four of the six hits in the inning and took the Bods to a 6-0 advantage. The Bods got more help in the bottom of the sixth when they increased their lead to 7-0 on more aggressive baserunning. In the seventh, senior A.J. Green came on in relief and struck out two of the three batters he faced. The excellent relief pitching continued in the eight when Greg Mason came in and struck out three batters in a row. In the ninth, closer Spencer Schwandt let things get a little more interesting when he walked the first batter he faced, and gave up a long homerun to the second to allow the Blue Tigers to pull to 7-2. But as is the case with the best closers in baseball, they just like to make the game a little more interesting before they slam the door shut in the face of their opponents. Schwandt retired the next three batters in a row to earn a save and move the Bods to 20-19 overall and 19-15 in the MIAA. Jared Lauber, jared.lauber@ washburn.edu, is a senior political science major.
April 23, 2014 Sports 11
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This week in Washburn sports: Washburn Baseball:
Washburn golf:
Washburn Men’s Tennis:
The Washburn baseball team has a break until Friday’s opening game against Northeastern State University in a four-series weekend at Tahlequah, Okla. This series will be the final MIAA team the Ichabods will play before the MIAA tournament starting May 2. The Bods just finished a game Tuesday night where they beat Rockhurst University 8-3. The baseball team is now 21-15 overall and on a 6-game winning streak.
The Ichabods are competing in the MIAA tournament at the Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence, Kan. Washburn is currently tied for second 18 points over par with Northeastern State. Central Missouri leads in first place with five below par. The Bods will tee off Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. for the final round of the tournament.
The Washburn men’s tennis team will play its last match against the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats at 3 p.m. at the Washburn Tennis Complex. The Bods will begin MIAA tournament play April 25 in Springfield, Mo., that will be held all weekend. The men are currently 6-11 overall and are ranked fifth in the MIAA.
Baseball MIAA STANDINGS:
Golf MIAA Torunament
Men’s Tennis MIAA STANDINGS:
STANDINGS:
Central Missouri
29-7
Central Missouri
-5
Northwest Missouri
4-0
Central Oklahoma
25-11
Northeastern State
+18
Southwest Baptist
4-1
Emporia State
23-13
Washburn
+18
Nebraska Kearney
3-2
Missouri Western
20-14
Lincoln University
+19
Lindenwood
2-3
Nebraska Kearney
21-15
Lindenwood
+21
Washburn
1-3
Washburn
21-15
Missouri Western
+28
Emporia State
0-5
Photo courtesy of Washburn Sports Information
Fast Ball: Mark Biesma throws the ball during Saturday’s game against Lincoln University. Biesma threw six innings and only allowed two runs.
Washburn Softball: The Bods will wrap up their regular season this weekend in a doubleheader against Lincoln University of Missouri at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 25 in Jefferson City, Mo. The Washburn softball team will then travel to St. Charles, Mo., to play a doubleheader against Lindenwood University in their final game. The first game starts at 2 p.m. and the second will begin at 4 p.m. The Ichabods will practice until the MIAA tournament begins May 1. Photo courtesy of Washburn Sports Information
You’re Out: Deidra Jones tags a Northeastern player out during a home doubleheader. Washburn split the douberheader with the Riverhawks.
Softball MIAA STANDINGS: Emporia State 19-3 Central Oklahoma 19-3 Missouri Western 14-8 Central Missouri 12-10 Washburn 12-10 Northwest Missouri 12-10
Washburn women’s tennis: The Washburn women’s tennis team is 7-13 overall as they play their last regular season game beside the men’s team Wednesday. The Bods will play the Northwest Bearcats who are 5-4. The Ichabods have clinched a spot in the MIAA tournament this April 25, which will wrap up the team’s season this weekend.
Women’s Tennis MIAA STANDINGS: Southwest Baptist
9-1
Northeastern State
9-1
Nebraska Kearney
7-3
Emporia State
7-3
Central Oklahoma
7-3
Northwest Missouri
5-4
Lindenwood
4-6
Washburn
3-6
For more sports coverage visit www. washburnreview.org
12 Puzzle Page April 23, 2014
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Final Month of School Word Search ACADEMIC ANSWER CLUES CONCENTRATE COURSES EXAMS GRADE GUESS NOTES OBJECTIVE PAPERS PASS PROCTOR QUESTIONS READING RECALLING REVIEW SCORE SKILL WRITTEN
SPORTS WRITERS NEEDED! Find us in the lower level of the Union, or go online to
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April 23, 2014 Arts and Entertainment 13
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Topeka hosts yarn bombing downtown Michelle Hodges
WASHBURN REVIEW
Downtown Topeka had a yarn bombing event from eighth and Jackson to eighth and Kansas Avenue as part of a redevelopment project to attract visitors to local businesses during construction. Yarn bombing is when a tree is wrapped or decorated in knitted, crocheted, or woven creations that are attached with yarn. Edie Smith, director of marketing and membership of downtown Topeka, got the inspiration after seeing a yarn bomb display in the art district in Washington, D.C. Smith is part of a marketing team that comes up with ideas and helps with the process for this event. “It may turn into a yarn tour of Topeka,” said Smith. As many as 20 volunteers used their own works of art, including sweaters, hats, potholders, dishcloths, scarves and gloves to create unique designs around trees up and down the street. They used anything that was knitted, woven, or crocheted. Some decided to crochet their creations around the branches and trees as they worked. People as far as Holton attended the event. There were seven downtown locations where people could drop off unfinished projects, such as granny squares, along with extra skeins of yarn to donate for the yarn bombing event. Eventually they would like to decorate all of downtown Topeka over the Kansas Avenue Bridge and into the NOTO Arts District. The displays will stay up as long as they can. If they start to look worn, they will be taken down, but will stay up for as long as winter. “Fairlawn Plaza has interest in
Photo by Michelle Hodges
this project as well,” said Smith. Topeka’s newest and only specialized yarn store opened March 21 inside of Fairlawn Plaza between Hair Secrets and Kitchen Gallery. Yak ‘N Yarn is owned by Karen Taylor and features woven yarn that was spun by local fiber artists that is available for purchase. Yak ‘N Yarn also has knitting, crocheting and weaving supplies, in addition to needlecraft supplies like embroidery and counted crossstitch. They offer open stitch nights where one can bring in current projects or start new ones and meet other local fiber artists. Yak ‘N Yarn also offers classes for enthusiasts from beginners to intermediates. Michelle Hodges, michelle. hodges@washburn.edu, is a senior mass media major.
‘The Language Archive’ hits Washburn’s stage Dana Stelting-Kempf WASHBURN REVIEW
“The Language Archive” opened April 18 at Washburn’s Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theater in the Garvey Fine Arts Center and will run April 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and close April 27 with a 2 p.m. matinee. The lavish design of the set was a wonder to behold. Clearly delineated into three separate spaces, stage right contained the apartment of the two main characters. Center stage was devoted to the language lab, with stage left housing the home of the language teacher. The end spaces were later converted to a bakery stage right, a hospital room and subsequently a moving train stage left. The set was masterfully constructed and the experience and love of the art by the builder was apparent in every detail. Elaborate trim accented with a pleasing color pallate and attention to detail audiences are rarely treated to in this era of minimalist staging delighted the eye and helped draw the audience into the plot. So perfect in design, even the floor seemed to be made of real hardwood. The use of space was so masterful that not an inch of it was wasted as it came right up to the audience with the placement of a rail depot area where the painted floor invoked the feel of the rails. So realistic was the portrayal of the train that when it passed, it caused the audience to shrink back as if there was a real threat to safety. Although the title implies the plot is about language, the central theme is love. The love of a husband and wife, the love of language and unrequited love all converge in this brilliant work that caused the mind to consider one’s own place in the spectrum of love. The narrator, Ashley Vaughan, made an appearance at the beginning and helped the audience settle in to get centered. Her voice became the guiding force from offstage as the action unfolded. As the play begins, Mary, played by Natalie Shinn and George, played by Corey Perkins, are spending a typical evening at home. We quickly find that their marriage is in trouble, yet George, although concerned about Mary’s behavior, is so engrossed in his academia that he fails to understand what her issue is. The costumes are reminiscent of the 1950s, yet possess a modern quality that made the time line ambiguous. In the lab, we are introduced to George’s love struck assistant Emma, played by Jamie Schartz. We learn that George’s purpose in life is to record dying languages
Photo by Andrew Escandon
Mediation: George (Corey Perkins) attempts to referee an argument between Ellowans Resten (Isacc Medina) and Alta (Heather Ives) when they come to the language lab to record their native language of Elloway. Alta and Resten become iconic in helping George and Emma realize their feelings. in an attempt to save them from complete extinction. An old couple comes in to oblige by allowing him to record them conversing in their native language. They are the last two speakers of this language and George is over the moon that he has this opportunity. The actors create an excitement and desire so palpable that it is impossible not to get swept up in the desire to hear the language. Alta, played by Heather Ives and Resten, played by Isaac Medina quickly steal the spot light as their characters engage in arguing in English, not their dying language. Their dynamic is believable, engaging and humorous. It is completely entertaining and engrossing to follow their saga. This is one of the best subplots of the show as it digs deep into the soul and strikes every emotional chord it can find in the human spirit. Their performances are a delight as they become their characters and share them with the audience. We see the extent to which Emma is in love with George when she visits a language instructor, Marissa Meis, who also delivered a perfect performance as an elderly German teacher of Esperanto. Her accent is nearly flawless, and her delivery spot on as she brings out the character’s layers. As Emma desperately tries to learn this language of equality that George so dearly loves, the audience is treated to laughter and advice for the lovelorn. L.L. Zamenhof, played by Nicholas Washburn, invented the language Esperanto in an attempt to unify the town of Bialystok, Russia. This historical figure takes a key position in the
play’s second act and becomes one of the most important plot devices the playwright employs. Despite the brevity of time on the stage, his performance is pristine and extremely important in motivating Emma, as well as for the denouement where he imparts wisdom for the ages that the audience will integrate into their own lives. Also worthy of mention is Alex Vaughn, who forces to the audience to think about the nature of life and whether or not it is worth living as he grapples with the weight of his responsibility as a baker in an early scene with Mary. Additionally, he helps move the plot forward as a passerby. His performance adds a new dynamic to the play and his portrayal of the baker evokes sympathy and empathy, which adds to the complex emotional soup the production cooks up. Overall, the brilliance of set design, lighting and direction and acting came together in a symphonic convergence of perfection to deliver one of the most memorable and emotionally charged performances this reviewer has ever had the pleasure to witness. Kudos to the cast and crew on a job well done. The experience of this performance will have a lasting and perhaps life changing impact on anyone lucky enough to attend. Dana Stelting-Kempf, dana. stelting-kempf@washburn.edu, is a senior English major.
14 Arts and Entertainment April 23, 2014
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Jayhawk theatre lights up Topeka night life
Chloe Mooradian
WASHBURN REVIEW
The lack of life in the downtown Topeka area has been an ongoing issue in the city, but on the corner of Eighth and Jackson may sit the real solution to the downtown problem. From the street entrance, one wouldn’t know that a 1920s era theatre sits in downtown Topeka. Not only is the Jayhawk Theatre a classic, it is also the State Theatre of Kansas. Beginning with the acquisition of the theatre by Jim Parrish of Parrish Management in 1994, this year begins the second decade of the ongoing journey to restore the Jayhawk to its former glory. Architecturally, the Jayhawk Theatre is incredibly unique. It is soundproof because the foundation and support scaffolding of the building is made up of concrete and steel instead of wood, the typical construction material of the era. The Jayhawk also boasts of a freestanding balcony and fire exits by the front stage, which was innovative. Because of these modernizations, the Jayhawk Theatre served as the archetype for more than 300 following theatres designed by the Boller Brothers all around the world. The Jayhawk Theatre board of directors has an incredibly specific
Photo by Chloe Mooradian
History: The Jayhawk Theatre sits in decay while funding is being raised.
plan of what they wish to see at the theatre upon the re-opening. They plan to show art movies, which one now has to drive to Lawrence to view. They also have discussed silent movies, film festivals and annual theatrical events. Additionally, the theatre will be available for rentals for occasions such as formals, weddings and business meetings. The acoustics of the theatre were designed so that one could sit anywhere in the theatre and have the best seat in the house. Because of this, the Jayhawk hopes to have live music performers as well. When the Jayhawk reopens, technological advancements will also allow for performances via satellite. One could argue that Topeka Performing Arts Center already covers the venues necessary for a city the size of Topeka. Kathy
Duncan, founding member of the Jayhawk State Theatre, past president and a member of the Jayhawk Theatre board of directors, disagrees. “The beautiful aspect of this venue is that you can come for a performance, and feel intimate without feeling empty.” When completed, the Jayhawk will seat 978 people. TPAC seats 2,400 people. “I think it’s going to be very important [for the Washburn campus] because one of the groups they are eager to reach are college students,” said Kathy Menzie, mass media department chair. “And this is going to be a venue that college students will want to utilize for concerts and movies.” Menzie is currently teaching public relations II, which is a class that requires students to put together
the mass media banquet and do an additional campaign project. The campaign is usually a community group that the class provides a fullscale campaign for. This year, the class is focusing on the Jayhawk Theatre and is doing background research of the theater, comparing competing art organizations and meeting and visiting with board members to find out what they think is an important approach. The Jayhawk Theatre board of directors spent years polling and surveying all aspects of the Topeka area to discover what Topekans wanted. “This is Topeka’s theatre project,” said Duncan. “Since its founding, the Jayhawk has always been a community project.” Especially with the new movement in Topeka to revitalize the downtown area, the Jayhawk may hold the key to the success of the project. Along with the presence of shops and restaurants, the Jayhawk could serve as the hub for entertainment of all kind, ranging from classic to contemporary. Yet if the journey to reopen the Jayhawk is so beneficial to the city, why hasn’t the project been completed after 20 years? The theatre suffers from a problem that most Washburn students can identify with – limited funding. “The Jayhawk Theatre has never
had a major donor gift,” Duncan said. “And there is a definite sense of urgency now.” Just in the past two years, structural damage accrued from the elements has begun to eat away the plaster of the theatre. While the project is only $2 million away from the start of the revitalization, each passing month that construction doesn’t start, the more the budget must be estimated for further damage repairs. The Jayhawk plans to roll out a new fundraising campaign in the next few weeks. With the theatre sitting a mere six-minute drive away from the Washburn campus, Duncan encourages readers to come see the theatre for themselves. She also encourages students who have a taste for historic preservation and architecture to stop by and mention open spots on the board of directors. The Jayhawk Theatre and Upstage Art Gallery are open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff members recommend calling the office at 233-4295 to stop by after hours or on the weekend for a tour. The incredible historical details surrounding the theatre provided in the tour would definitely be worth the trip. Chloe Mooradian, chloe. mooradian@washburn.edu, is a sophomore Education major
April 23, 2014 Arts and Entertainment 15
washburnreview.org
The Who celebrate 50 years of revolutionary rock Patrick Barry
WASHBURN REVIEW
Four working class young men from Shepard’s Bush, London forever changed the look and sound of Rock music 50 years ago this April. A handful of months after The Beatles sang “I Want To Hold Your Hand” on the Ed Sullivan show, The Who exploded into the rock scene with a sequence of aggressive G chords, a thunderous bassline and the battlecry, “I Hope I Die Before I Get Old.” After they blew the audience away with their revolutionary sound, they smashed guitars and exploded their drum sets with dynamite.
Courtesy of www.rokpool.com
Live Performance: Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend perform live. Both were well respected for thier highly active performance styles. The Who sung about discontentment and engaged in destructive art 13 years before anyone would use the word “punk.” Nearly 10 years before anyone had heard of AC/DC, The Who had already been using distorted power chords with roaring vocals. They pioneered the concept of a continuous narrative in Rock music with “A Quick One While He’s Away” and released the first true rock opera “Tommy.”
Each of the four members of The Who are undisputed Rock legends in their own right. Roger Daltrey, the vocalist, is one of the most powerful faces in rock ‘n’ roll. Daltrey’s performance at Woodstock, as the sunrise bled through the fringe on his outstretched arms, is the archetypal image of the golden Rock god. Pete Townshend, the guitarist, would play until his fingers literally bled during intense solos on songs like “Sparks” and would finish the sets in a berserker’s rage, destroying his guitar and Marshall stacks of amplifiers. Nobody picked up a bass guitar after 1965 without having to bow down before John Entwistle. The driving force of The Who’s unique sound was the raw power and unrivaled talent of Entwistle’s bass playing. Keith Moon’s drumming style was unique and his wild tendencies toward excess created the stereotype of rock ‘n’ roll hedonism, ultimately serving as the inspiration of the Muppet’s character Animal. They were a band unlike any other. They churned out numerous studio albums that rank among the quintessential records every collector needed to have to prove their worth. They influenced many great bands, including Queen, U2, Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, Oasis, The Stooges and The Ramones. As a live act, they were larger than life. They were forced to stop playing venues with general admission after an incident in 1979 where 11 concertgoers were trampled to death in Cincinnati. “Beatle mania” may have been powerful, but the riots over The Who were downright dangerous. “The one thing that disgusts me about The Who is the way they smashed through every door in the uncharted hallway of rock ‘n’ roll without leaving much more than some debris for the rest of us to lay claim to,” said Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam in the notes of the 2001 album “Substitute: The
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Songs of The Who.” The Who appeared on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1967 and took their destructive performance style to a new level. Without the knowledge of his fellow bandmates or the crew of the show, Moon had bribed a stagehand with whiskey to rig his drum set with 10 times the amount of explosives as planned. The explosion is often blamed as the cause of Townshend’s hearing damage. In today’s rock ‘n’ roll culture, it seems unimaginable to have unplanned explosives in a television studio. The Who were born out of the mod subculture, which was the foreground for “Quadrophenia,” a revolutionary Rock opera released 40 years ago. The album tells the story of Jimmy, a young mod who is struggling to find his path in life. Jimmy has four personalities: the rebel, the romantic, the lunatic and the hypocrite, each of which is brought to life by one of the four members of the band. “Quadrophenia” was a magnum opus that spoke to the common identity struggles of teenage males who struggled to fit in. Lesser bands try to appeal to struggling teenagers through superficial suburban angst, but The Who tackled all of the complexities and hypocritical components of identity crises. The protagonist sings about being compelled to fight with his parents while knowing that in the end he still lives under their roof and shouldn’t complain. The album addressed the discontentment with becoming another number in a crowd of lost youth, being fated to fade away as an invisible laborer or identifying as one of many uncool men who struggle to stand out to the women they pursue. One of the unique things about The Who was that although they were undeniably successful, they wrote songs for the uncool. “The Kids Are Alright” starts off with watching another man taking a guy’s girlfriend and realizing that he may as well leave her behind. The protagonist in “Substitute” was born with a “plastic spoon” in his mouth and in the song “Bargain,” the protagonist states that to win this girl’s affection he would suffer anything and count himself lucky. In “Behind Blue Eyes,” the lyrics talk about the unbearable burden of pain that men are supposed to hide through callused anger. The Who wrote anthems for the faceless numbers in the crowd fighting for a break. I was introduced to The Who from birth because my father was an obsessive fan. At the age of 3 or 4, all I wanted to do was be a member of The Who. While other kids wanted to go to the moon, I wanted to smash guitars.
Photos by Patrick Barry
Meeting a Legend: Patrick Barry, the author, with his childhood hero, John Entwistle. Entwistle was the bass player for The Who. Eventually, everyone gets older and realizes some dreams have to be reworked for practicality. I stopped dreaming about being in The Who and transitioned to wanting to start my own band. When I was 5 years old, my father and I travelled to Chicago to see The Who in concert. It was one of the most influential moments in my childhood. By the time the concert ended, the buses were no longer running to United Center. We had to hitchhike through Chicago in the middle of winter, but it was well worth it. When I was 7 years old my father took me throughout the Midwest to various bars to watch Entwistle play in his solo band. At age 7, I met Entwistle for the first time in a pub in Nebraska. Not many kids get to meet their hero and fewer get to do it on more than one occasion. I count myself lucky to have been raised on The Who. I would credit “Quadrophenia” for helping me through adolescence. I was born 18 years after it was released, but it was the most important album to me while I navigated the invariably difficult path to adulthood. I wasn’t part of the mod generation, but psychosocial elements of the Rock opera fit perfectly with my struggle to find my place in life. The impact that record had on my social identity inspired me to conduct an independent study in sociology analyzing the functions and meanings of Rock albums. I would argue that sociologically, The Who is still relevant after 50 years. The majority of their songs were not simply a product of popular trends specific to the ‘60s
and ‘70s. As an example, I would direct any college graduate that can’t find a job to “Young Man Blues.” Categorizing The Who as just another British Invasion-era band is missing the Amazon Rainforest for the twigs. No other group pushed Rock to such limits. Debates rage on between record collectors about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but The Who are a different breed. The three bands fit into the holy trinity of British Rock, but The Who were the loudest, wildest and most destructive revolutionaries of their generation. In 1965, Daltrey shouted, “I hope I die before I get old.” After 50 years, some could argue they failed to live up to that rock ‘n’ roll mantra. In truth, they can’t die because the music will never get old. Patrick Barry, patrick.barry@ washburn.edu, is a senior anthropology major.
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16 Arts and Entertainment April 23, 2014
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Briefs: Things going on around campus
Scholar: Achieving excellence selection awarded to Sullivan The Student Life team made another Achieving Excellence presentation to Sharon Sullivan, associate professor in the theatre department. The Student Life Achieving
Study: College students not embracing tablets as expected
Excellence Award is presented to the faculty, staff, or community leader who has been nominated and demonstrates excellence in working with individual students, student groups, or organizations.
Ball State University found out that college students are not embracing tablets as much as expected a few years ago. About 29 percent of students report owning
a tablet in 2014, with a complete inversion of mobile devices where 89 percent of students use smartphones.
Robin E. Bowen, who was forced to resign from Washburn years ago, was elected President of Arkansas Tech during a special board meeting on the south lawn
of the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center Tuesday. He will assume the position of president July 1, 2014.
Join WU faculty and staff for the film “The Anonymous People” at 7 p.m. May 1, in Henderson 107. The film is a documentary about 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction
to alcohol and other drugs, told through the faces and voices of the leaders, volunteers, corporate executives and celebrities who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others.
News: Bowen elected president Poet’s event: Kevin Young reading at Washburn Kevin Young will be reading “Ardency: A Chronicle of the Blackness,” which was a finalist for of Arkansas Tech Courtesy of: http://www.washburn.edu
from his latest poetry collection, Book of Hours, at 4 p.m., April 24, in the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union. Young's other books include
Amistad Rebels,” which won the American Book Award; “Jelly Roll: A Blues,” which received the Paterson Poetry Prize; and “The Grey Album: On the Blackness of
the National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism. Young’s books will be available for purchase at the Ichabod Shop.
Film: Latest documentory “The Anonymous People” May 1
Courtesy of: http://sarahscarbrough.com
Student Media is Hiring for Fall 2014
For Leadership positions
This Fall, Get Your Great Opportunties in Student Media!!!
Applications should include 3-5 work samples in a PDF, and are Due:
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