THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 • VOL. 123, ISS. 29
THESUNFLOWER.COM
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1896.
Farewell, Fairmount
For more than half a century, many Shocker students called Fairmount Towers home. HANNAH RUTH TABLER
BY JENNA FARHAT
D
emolition has started on Fairmount Towers, Wichita State’s former student dorms and home to many Shockers for more than 50 years. No long-term use has been determined for the site of Fairmount Towers, university spokesman Joe Kleinsasser said Wednesday. Last year, the abandoned buildings were used as a part of training for regional fire departments. In the summer of 2017, Wichita State announced that Fairmount Towers would close after more than 50 years of operation, saying that the student dorm building had “reached the end of its useful life.” About 300 students that had signed up to live there were moved to a private apartment complex on campus, The Flats, after they failed to fill up. When the university announced the closing of the student dorm, WSU still had five years worth of debt to pay off for Fairmount Towers — partially due to debt transferred from Wheatshocker Apartments when it was demolished in 2014. Fairmount Towers was built in the 1960s and is located caddy-corner to WSU’s main campus, across 21st and Hillside. The demolition process is expected to be complete before the spring 2019 semester. Around 40 percent of WSU buildings are in the same or worse condition compared to Fairmount Towers. According to a Kansas Board of Regents report on building conditions at state institutions, 34 out of 84 campus buildings at WSU are in the same or poorer condition than Fairmount Towers. The report rated Fairmount Towers a 76 out of 100, which falls into the “fair” category. Buildings in worse conditions than Fairmount Towers include Henrion Hall, Clinton Hall, Devlin Hall, the Engineering Building, McKnight Art Center, and Wilner Auditorium.
Lived in Fairmount Towers: 2016 “A group of probably six to eight of us got stuck on the elevator the day of move-in. I thought I was going to die in there. Fairmount always felt a bit like a death trap.”
GABRIELLE OWENS
Lived in Fairmount Towers: 2013-2015 “I wish they would’ve tried to salvage it so that students could still have the option to live/eat there. I specifically remember, from undergrad, having late-night in the cafeteria. We all congregated, ate, laughed, all that. It was so nice having all my friends in the same central location. It felt like a sleepover with your best friends every night.”
PAYTON MORGAN
Lived in Fairmount Towers: 2016-2017
SUNFLOWER FILE PHOTO
LUKE MCADAM
Lived in Fairmount Towers: 2012-2013
SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
Demolition on Fairmount Towers has begun. Fairmount Towers was formerly student housing located across the street from campus at 21st and Hillside.
Innovation Rebranded Wichita State public relations push to change the image of Innovation Campus BY MATTHEW KELLY
If you’ve read a piece of Wichita State promotional material this semester or listened to an administrator talk up new public-private partnerships, chances are, you’ve heard about upcoming developments on the “east side of campus” or “campus expansion” — not Innovation Campus. WSU is making a concerted effort to rebrand Innovation Campus — the 120 acres of land on the grounds of the former Braeburn Golf Course that operates as WSU’s hub for industry partnership. It’s a departure from the mantra of “innovation” that has pervaded campus since John Bardo became president in 2012. “We’ve been using some new language to describe the campus expansion because we’re expanding in a lot of ways beyond Innovation Campus,” Vice President for Strategic Communications Lou Heldman said.
“My mother ran the TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science program and every summer, students from all over Kansas would come and live there for the summer. So from birth, I spent summers with her students . . . I grew up in Fairmount and spent most of my summers there, so I have lots of memories. It makes me very sad to see it close. I remember my freshman year, living there with my roommate and the long walks to campus every morning. I had fun there and felt it was easy to make friends there. A strong sense of community on every floor. It also helped that it was somewhat affordable compared to the other on-campus living options.”
Heldman said the “innovation” terminology is simply evolving. “It’s not falling away so much as it’s evolving,” Heldman said. “It’s not going away but it’s growing in other directions.” In his February newsletter, Bardo wrote that “‘Innovation Campus’ has come to mean a mindset as well as a physical place.” “We’ve begun to think about Innovation Campus as any place where the university has the opportunity to put the strategic plan, vision and mission into action,” Bardo wrote. Last year, in partnership with WSU Tech — formerly Wichita Area Technical College — WSU opened the Shocker Studios recording studio on south Harry. This September, WSU and WSU Tech held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a satellite campus in the same shopping mall facility. SEE REBRAND PAGE 3
“My first night in the dorms set the pace of what wild shenanigans were to come from my fifth-floor comrades. I was setting my dorm room up as I heard an uproar from a few doors down. The result of the noise came from cheers of people being tazed at will . . . Throughout the school year, I obtained a core group of friends. From making a questionable-looking snowperson during a snow day to playing Super Smash Brothers in the lobby, my friends and I were always on missions to entertain our naive selves. I will always be thankful for the exposure of people from all walks of life that I was able to call my friends.”
Presidential day of remembrance upends finals prep BY MATTHEW KELLY
With finals week looming, Wichita State joined Kansas government offices in closing Wednesday to honor the late President George H.W. Bush, who died last Friday. The cancellation complicated end-of-the-semester schedules in many classes where final projects and presentations were due Wednesday. Despite Gov. Colyer’s executive order to close state agencies, both the University of Kansas and Kansas State remained open Wednesday as students prepare for finals. With WSU President John Bardo currently hospitalized, Provost Rick Muma made the call to cancel classes. “I recognize this will be a hardship for some students and instructors,” Muma wrote in the announcement Monday. Days off are a luxury for many students, but freshman health sciences major Alexandria Dunham said the cancellation could not have come at a worse time. Her anatomy class had a study session
EASTON THOMPSON/THE SUNFLOWER
Wu looks to the flag during the national anthem at WSU’s game against Missouri State on Nov. 10 in Koch arena.
scheduled for Wednesday. “We had a study session that we could only go to on Wednesday and school decided to cancel and now we can’t go to that,” Dunham said. With her anatomy test set for Thursday, Dunham said she’s worried a missed study session could hurt her final grade. “It’s going to have a great impact on the grade that I get for this class, which is phenomenal,” Dunham said. “It lowkey makes me feel like they just want me to spend more
money to retake the class.” John Willome, a communications graduate teaching assistant, said his students have been working hard to finish projects and wrap class up before finals week. That’s no longer an option. “It means I have to bring in both of my classes next week — finals week — even though everything was supposed to be due this week,” Willome said. SEE REMEMBRANCE PAGE 5
INSIDE
MORE THAN A RECORD
ADA PARKING FEE
PRESIDENTIAL VISIT
Donate food for parking fine forgiveness through an SGA initiative.
World-record mural celebrates overlooked Wichita communities.
WSU added a $10 ADA parking fee for men’s basketball game days.
WSU’s 1989 College World Series team visited President George H.W. Bush.
CULTURE/NEWS • PAGE 5
CULTURE/NEWS • PAGE 5
SPORTS• PAGE 6
SPORTS • PAGE 6
THAT’S THE TICKET
OPINION
2 | THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2018
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THE STAFF EDITORIAL
Editor in Chief Matthew Kelly Digital Managing Editor Andrew Linnabary Visual Managing Editor Madeline Deabler News Editor Jenna Farhat Culture Editor John Darr Sports Editor Evan Pflugradt Photo Editor Selena Favela Sports Photo Editor Joseph Barringhaus
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Top 5 ways to procrastinate the week before finals The weekend before finals is time full of stress and worries. The Sunflower’s (un)official guide to procrastination gives you new ways to avoid your problems, while already avoiding your problems. DISHONORABLE MENTION: STUDY
I know what you’re thinking: “Crap, I need to study for my finals next week.” Well, at this point in the semester, it’s too late. Just go ahead and accept that you can’t learn calculus in the half hour before the final and move on. You either know it or you don’t, and since you’re reading The Sunflower instead of your textbooks, I think it’s safe to say that you aren’t going to study anyways. 5: CALCULATE THE EXACT GRADE YOU NEED TO GET ON THE FINAL TO PASS THE CLASS
By far my favorite biannual activity, as a statistics nerd, nothing is more fun — or depressing — than figuring out that I need to get a 250 percent on the final to get an A in the class. Something about punching numbers into Excel and knowing down to the percent what I need to get is amazing for me, even if it is taking away from the time that I need to be studying.
AUSTIN MAY COLUMNIST
4: GO TO THE HESKETT CENTER
This isn’t the choice that I personally would make, but I guess this new fad of “trying to be healthy” and “living past 45” isn’t going to go away any time soon. And to be fair, I have been in the Heskett a few times this semester — usually immediately before pounding three Monsters in order to pass a test in the morning. For those of you who are more physically inclined, the Heskett Center will be a great place to avoid your problems in the coming days. 3: DISTRACT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU FROM STUDYING
There are a number of ways to
do this, but my personal favorite is to start a discussion that, at least in the beginning, has something to do with the topic. You’d be surprised at how quickly you can go from talking about the states of matter to the history of gas prices globally. After all, is it really procrastinating if you’re not taking someone else down with you? 2: INVESTIGATE CONSPIRACY THEORIES
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BY JOHN DARR, PAMELA DOMINGUEZ, AND RYAN CREWS
It’s that wonderful time of year again where every arts publication under the sun publishes their best-of-the-year lists. To accompany our student-generated top albums of the year list, we’ve compiled our personal favorite songs into a playlist for your jamming pleasure. We hope this edition of Sunflower Selections makes a good case that 2018 was, if nothing else, a wonderful year for music. JOHN DARR’S PICKS JULIA HOLTER – ‘UNDERNEATH THE MOON'
Holter had already established herself as one of the most exciting art-pop writers in the world before seizing the throne with conviction on this year’s mind-blowing “Aviary.” Simultaneously hyper-ambitious and invitingly melodic, “Aviary” — more than any other record this year — defies precedent with its sprawling compositions that meld atmospheric pop music, classical composition, and delicious electronic sound design. Though no one song features all that “Aviary” has to offer, “Underneath the Moon” comes close. Constructed around an infectious groove, “Underneath the Moon” shapeshifts with its swirling string arrangements and lilting vocal melodies. Each time it rises toward its breathtaking chorus, it blows away every other musical moment of 2018. If you only listen to one new song this year, let this be it. KIM PETRAS – ‘ALL THE TIME’ & CHARLI XCX – ‘NO ANGEL’
We are entering a bizarre musical universe in which alt-pop artists are making legitimately catchier, better-produced tunes than their chart-topping contemporaries. Decked out with lush percussion, absolutely glorious choruses, and enough bass to impress your subwoofer-addicted friend, both “All the Time” and “No Angel” take pop formulas and improve upon them without straying into weird, experimental territory. These vanguard singers are here to dethrone your Friday anthems — do yourself a favor and hit play. MITSKI – ‘GEYSER’
There’s something brutal about how hard love hits us. “Geyser” slams the listener outright with distorted organ that paves the way for singer-songwriter Mitski to stake her claim upon the heart of her love. Her commanding vocals and ripping guitar swell with controlled precision, then explode over the course of two minutes. “Geyser” vaults the listener through a body-shaking crescendo that very few rock artists achieve in twice the time. “I will be the one you need/I just can’t be without you,” vows Mitski. We’re privileged as listeners to feel every bit of the gravity carried in her words. MGMT – ‘ME AND MICHAEL’
In the brilliant music video for “Me and Michael,” MGMT “steals” the song after hearing a Polynesian band perform it on YouTube. The concept is pretty good on its own, but what really seals the deal is the song itself. “Me and Michael” boasts the kind of universally beautiful pop melodies and chord progressions that could take over the entire world. “Me and Michael/(whoa-oa-oa-oa!)/ Solid as they come,” goes the song’s perfect, soaring chorus. It’s impossible to hear it without singing along — bathing in the joy of musical friendship that radiates through the track. RYAN CREWS’S PICKS BROCKHAMPTON – ‘WEIGHT’
My favorite song of the year is also the one I find most emotional. It begins with a hopeful, string-laced instrumental as Kevin Abstract spits a coming-of-age confessional about the pitfalls of fame, finding himself, and embracing his sexuality. The strings drive me to tears the moment Abstract begins singing at the end of the second verse, in which he screams to the sky, “I don’t wanna waste no more time.” The instrumental then jumps into a cathartic break-beat that briefly has me dancing all over my bedroom until it takes another left-turn into sad-cry territory. “Weight” best showcases the schizophrenic nature of Brockhampton’s last year. They’re growing boys haunted by fame. This is most evident when Joba spits “pressure makes me lash-back/wish I could get passed that” in layered,
street speak
What are your thoughts on school being cancelled to honor the late President George H.W. Bush?
From the JFK Assassination to birds, surely the government is covering something up. You could be the first to know, even if it does mean failing that chem final. Who needs chemistry when you can uncover the truth?
1: BINGE WATCH YOUR FAVORITE SHOW
Let’s be honest, this is what most of us are going to do anyways. Personally, I think it should be illegal for Netflix to put out new seasons of my favorite shows for at least a month before the end of the semester. Hulu destroyed my motivation to study at the beginning of last month when they began streaming “King of the Hill,” and the new season of “F is for Family” on Netflix will carry me right on through finals.
Sunflower Selections: Best Songs of 2018 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
shocker
syncopated rhythm. It’s a conflicting note for such a beautiful song to end on, and it sends Brockhampton to an emotional depth that they haven’t reached before now.
“For me, personally, it is a bad thing. My class on Wednesday that has been canceled is supposed to be a review for our final. Not having the review before the final has set me back a bit. My professor is unable to make it to campus the rest of the week, and there is no chance of making up the review. It has messed up a few different things for me.” — OLIVIA BABIN, Journalism and Political Science, Sophomore
RYAN BEATTY – ‘BRUISE’
This track from Beatty’s debut LP, “Boy in Jeans,” is an act of daring. The abstract pop song structure of “Bruise” proves Beatty is blessed with a songwriting talent as wonderful as his singing voice. The song itself lives up to Beatty’s claim in the song’s intro: “This is a memory.” The track finds him ditching his female prom date to make out with a boy in the bathroom. It is gorgeously melodic, guitar-driven coming-ofage pop. “Went to a dance with my high school girlfriend, left the dance without my high school girlfriend. Give me the chance and I can tell you the story. Burnin’ books because life f***in’ bores me.” Go ahead, Ryan, sing it to us, baby! Sing us straight into the truth in your heart.
“I think that it’s a good thing that they’re closing the school, because of the day of mourning for the passing of George H.W. Bush. I think it’s also a little bit of a bad thing because many classes are having reviews.” —TAYLOR JACOBSON, History Education, Junior
KIDS SEE GHOSTS – ‘CUDI MONTAGE’
In a year where it’s become increasingly hard — even for life-long fans — to put up with the antics of Kanye West, he has released project after project of productive experimentation and stellar production. Some have worked far better than others, but the one that stands the farthest from the pack is his first collaborative album with Kid Cudi under the name Kids See Ghosts. The duo made this album to help each other heal from their mental illnesses. That purpose comes through in their work. The thought of the long-troubled Kid Cudi finding peace fills my eyes with tears. “Cudi Montage” is a Kurt Cobainsampling story of redemption that finds Ye spitting one of the tightest verses of 2018. “All growin’ up in the environment where doin’ crime the requirement/They send us off to prison for retirement . . . Lord, shine your light on me, save me please.” It perfectly encapsulates the phenomena of gang violence, death, and the afterlife that resonate throughout the project. “Cudi Montage” gives me hope for the futures of both artists. If nothing else, they have each other. When I hear Kids See Ghosts, I know that they will be okay.
“We were going to have a study day for our final in one of my classes. Now we can’t meet, and I am not sure what the final will include. I am much less prepared for the final because of the closing Wednesday. It’s stressing me out a bit.” —MARISSA NGUYEN, Nursing, Freshman
“The outcome was dissapointing for me, but it is what it is. I feel like I can’t say much about it, because I was unable to make it to my polling place.” —KJERSTEN ANDERSON, Media Arts, Junior
SEE BEST SONGS PAGE 3
Mattek: Cancelling class a ‘bizarre optics move’ for WSU Usually, when a student gets a text alert about class being cancelled, it’s cause for celebration. However when it’s the week before finals and students are counting on review sessions and already have a study day lined up, a cancellation is inopportune to say the least. I then read further and learned that it’s for a National Day of Mourning for a president whose tenure you weren’t even alive for. Upon contacting Teri Hall, Rick Muma, the Governor, and President Bardo’s offices, I learned that it was a move motivated by precedence, as WSU had cancelled for a couple of presidential funerals in the past. A representative from the president’s office stated that if anyone had
LETTER TO THE EDITOR reason enough to object before they made the announcement, they would have taken that into account. They had spoken with faculty and student representation from both senates just minutes before making the announcement to the public. Who was the administration expecting opposition from if they had only taken input from people who weren’t
taking or giving finals? It seems as if the administration didn’t truly take into account the student’s feelings on this matter in the slightest. I’m sure they assumed students would be thrilled about a break during one of the most stressful weeks of their college career, but they were sorely mistaken, as this has thrown a wrench in many plans, projects, and exams that were scheduled for that day. The question of motivation is posed. Does the administration wish to be in good standing politically with a Republican governor who leaves office in a month? Does it cost more for a university to run on a day where state employees are concerned? What does the university
expect from a cancellation? Are the students expected to have candlelight vigils for a war criminal, AIDS crisis-denying ex-president? The cancellation was in no way mandated by the state and none of the other universities in Kansas are cancelling, with K-State treating it as they do with Veteran’s Day, and KU not even mentioning the matter. With all the repercussions of this decision weighing on the professors and the students to figure out what is to happen with their classes, extracurriculars, and finals on Wednesday, this was a bizarre optics move on behalf of the university. -Xan Mattek At-Large Senator, Student Government Association
NEWS
www.thesunflower.com
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2018
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Business class makes real-world impact on local charities BY AUDREY KORTE
Barton School of Business Professor Brian Rawson didn’t intend to create a small army of philanthropic do-gooders out of his students when he redesigned the class curriculum ten years ago. He didn’t design the Building Effective Work Teams course to serve the community and assist local nonprofits. He wanted to teach his students the fundamental business skills he used everyday in his career — the kind that can’t be taught theoretically. Together, the class members have raised thousands of dollars for charity, gathered over 500 coats for the needy, taught students how to recycle, solicited donations for their causes from over a dozen local businesses. Team building, long-term planning, and accountability were some of the values Rawson hoped to infuse in his students. But how do you teach people practical, real-world business skills from Clinton Hall? Rawson decided to make his students work on group projects all term that would directly affect nonprofits and local businesses in a meaningful way. When he took over teaching this class nine years ago he restructured it immediately. “Traditionally, I don’t think we’ve done a very good job of teaching students how to work effectively in teams,” Rawson said. Because collaboration is key in the business world, it was important to get students working together regularly, but doing it effectively posed a challenge. “For the most part, at Wichita State, I don’t think people like projects,” Rawson said. “One of the reasons why is that the team is only as strong as its most committed member, and if you’re really committed, then you have to carry the team.” Rawson said he wanted to create a format for grading a group-focused
course that wouldn’t penalize someone for their teammates’ lack of effort. “Everything you do in the class is as a team,” Rawson said. “You take quizzes as a team. You take tests as a team and you’re graded based on the overall effectiveness of that team.” Students provide evaluations to Rawson about their group members four times over the course of the semester and Rawson gives the teams one luxury that most students doing group work would love — they can fire team members who don’t pull their weight. If fired, a student is still expected to complete a service project and its various components on their own. All students pitch their project idea to their peers on the first and second day of class before the teams are formed. Kellen Marshall and his team partnered with the Wichita Children’s Home (WCH). “I was like, you know what, I’m going to do it because I know my dad — he does a lot of things with the Children’s Home every year,” Marhsall said of his father, WSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gregg Marshall said. “I know it’s important to him. And my grandmother was actually in an orphanage until she was 13, so I chose it.” The team’s goals were to raise awareness for the home through social media campaigning, gather donations for the kids at Christmas, and fundraising as much as possible. Their first stop was WCH itself, where they wanted to learn as much about the organization as possible so the planning and promotion could begin. “I kind of got excited about it when we went to the Children’s home and saw everything that they’re doing, that was pretty cool,” Sonja Bogado said. “They are doing a lot.” On a daily basis, WCH takes care
KHANH NGUYEN/THE SUNFLOWER
Darren Adwell speaks during the business class Building Effective Work Teams, taught by Brian Rawson.
of between 135 to 141 kids ranging in age from newborn to 21. “Without the generosity of the community rallying around and hosting their own fundraisers for us as well, we wouldn’t be able to do as much for our children,” said Natalie Olmsted, WCH resource development manager. “At Christmas, it’s incredibly beneficial to have a community that’s generous — especially for the kids” Other teams partnered with The Salvation Army, Victory in The Valley, Operation Holiday, ICT S.O.S, the Wichita Recycling Center, and The Lao Buddhist Temple. Jacob Leuszler organized free events on campus with the help of fellow teammate Khamphou Milayome, a Buddhist monk at the Lao Buddhist Associates Temple. They offered guided meditation and yoga events on campus that were taught by real monks. That team
also raised more than $5,000 for The Lao Buddhist Associates of Kansas and worked with The Lao Buddhist Temple to set up a fundraising event, which over 600 people attended. The class briefly discussed how they felt about the time commitments and organization of the team projects last week. Mohammed Hamad said that the team dynamics were stressful. His group almost fired a member. “Well, the original leader actually stepped down and I volunteered to be the leader,” Hamad said. “I liked the idea of firing someone because it kept everyone alert and we almost had to fire someone from our group.” Marshall said he now appreciates the fact that fundraising is not only incredibly difficult, but a continual effort for organizations such as WCH. Only about 30 percent of their revenue comes from grants. Donors can be fickle.
“It’s hard to get people to act,” Marshall said. “Doing actual, tangible work on this kind of schedule, to try and bring in as much money as we can for the Children’s Home by the end of class — that’s a lot. “I understand why it’s so common for people to go after one big donor — someone who can write a check that covers everything. It’s serious work. It was great to experience but that was our biggest challenge.” Rawson said grades are based more on inputs than outcomes. “A lot of times, they learn a tremendous amount by, well, frankly by doing poorly,” Lawson said. Leuszler had high praise for Rawson’s class.w “I’m not going to lie, I’ve probably learned more in this class than any other class I’ve taken in college,” Leuszler said. “I’ve had more fun but I’ve also work harder in here than any other course.”
ARTIFICIAL TULIPS BLOOM ON INNOVATION CAMPUS
SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
Student Body President Kenon Brinkley speaks during the meeting on Nov. 28.
Student senate fails to meet quorum, tables fee reform bill BY DANIEL CAUDILL
Student Senate failed to meet quorum at its last meeting of the semester Tuesday. Nineteen senators are required to meet quorum and only 15 were in attendance. The special meeting was called after WSU announced that campus would be closed Wednesday during a day of mourning for the recently deceased former President George H.W. Bush. Since student government meetings are usually held Wednesday night, Director of Public Relations Andrew Martin said some senators petitioned to reschedule the meeting shortly after WSU’s announcement. The senate originally planned to hold a vote on a piece of legislation that would change specific parts of the annual student fees process, including the composition of student fees committees. Without quorum, the body is unable to vote on certain action items and had to table the student fees bill until the first meeting of
REBRAND
FROM PAGE 1 “With WSU turning up in so many new places, the most notable thing on the, let’s call it the legacy campus, has become the 120 acres to the east — Innovation Campus — so we’ve started thinking more about it as campus expansion or the east side of campus, just to designate the new part,” Heldman said. Director of News and Media Relations Joe Kleinsasser said it makes sense for students to simply think of Innovation Campus as “campus.”
the spring semester. One of the most notable proposed changes is to alter the composition of the student fees committee to allow more students to be on it. Previously, four students were appointed by the student body president, subject to senate approval. If the proposed changes pass, one student per senate voting block will be appointed to the committee, subject to senate approval. This standard would amount to 19 student voting members this year, according to SGA Co-Advisor Gabriel Fonseca. Martin said some students felt the student fees committee was too “cabinet-heavy” last year, and that SGA hopes to address that by adding more students. The student fees committee is also comprised of the SGA treasurer, SGA president, SGA vice president, vice president of student affairs, vice president of administration and finance, associate vice president for finance and administration, director of budgets, and director of financial aid. “Yeah, at first it was being dubbed the Innovation Campus when we first started talking about it, but at some point, you’re going to move on to the fact that it’s still Wichita State University,” Kleinsasser said. “It’s the east side of campus versus just Innovation Campus, so you’re going to see that more and more, I’m sure.” Heldman echoed Kleinsasser’s sentiment. “I said several years ago that at some point, in the same way that social media has just become media, Innovation Campus will just become campus because it will be built out and there will be whole new generations of students
SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
“Wulips” bloom in Braeburn Square on Innovation Campus. The yellow chicken-wire-and-bamboo flowers are the brainchild of WSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
BEST SONGS FROM PAGE 2
PAMELA DOMINGUEZ’S PICKS BROCKHAMPTON – ‘1999 WILDFIRE’
If Brockhampton is good at anything, it’s getting people hyped up. “1999 Wildfire,” the first of a string of singles released just before their most recent album, “iridescence,” stands out as the winner among the rest. This song highlights the strengths of each member of the alternative boyband. who don’t make any distinction,” Heldman said. Vice President for Student Affairs Teri Hall said she makes a point to refer to Innovation Campus as the “campus expansion.” “In five years, no one’s going to call it the Innovation Campus anymore,” Hall said. “For those of us that are watching it go up, it’s hard to imagine that, but eventually it’s just going to be who we are.” Heldman disagreed with Hall’s timeline — saying WSU’s industry partners have adopted the “innovation” terminology. “It’s going to be Innovation
“1999 Wildfire” overflows with energy and spirit. Lyrically, the track describes the group’s journey to success — comparing it to a magical quest. The song is a bop without being aggressive, which ultimately makes it a winner in my book. THE GREETING COMMITTEE – ‘MORE’
Kansas City natives The Greeting Committee are taking strides within the indie pop scene. Their debut album “This Is It” dropped in October to high praise. “More,” a slower track on Campus for many years to come because that’s a name that has caught on with industry,” Heldman said. Heldman said the Meritrust Credit Union branch set to open later this month on Innovation Campus has incorporated a design with innovation-themed wall quotes. The Wichita State Innovation Alliance (WSIA), the board that manages Innovation Campus’s public-private partnerships, is comprised of members appointed by Bardo. The university website describes it as “a nonprofit organization that serves as the governing entity for Wichita State University’s
the album, is a clear standout. Boasting a pair of simple but highly effective melodies that build up into a theatrical chorus, “More” stands as a particularly powerful pop tune. Lead singer Addie Sartino’s vocals shine throughout this loving serenade. Excellent performances from the rest of the band exemplify the talent of the group to great effect. Indie pop groups have a tendency to produce dazey songs with meaningless lyrics, but thankfully, The Greeting Committee is breaking from that trend. On “More,” they claim the genre as their own. Innovation Campus.” Heldman said rebranding Innovation Campus is unlikely to affect WSIA’s utility. He said Innovation Campus embodies intellectual property — not just new buildings. “The Innovation Campus is tied to that 120 acres, but it’s also tied to the development of intellectual property, because if the system is running on all cylinders . . . the campus will develop patents that may be licensed or turned into products,” Heldman said. “The twin goals have always been the education of students and the development of the economy.”
CULTURE
4 | THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2018
www.thesunflower.com
WSU student lives out her love of life through performance, eco-friendliness
S
BY RYAN CREWS
ophomore Madi Laughlin takes the hectic schedule of finals week to the next level. She takes on an enormous number of tasks in her day-to-day life. She’s the president of the WSU Green Group, works as an office aid in a neurology center, and serves as an SGA honors senator. She has Honors Council meetings weekly. On top of all that, she plays in a worship band at local churches, participates in Thrillerthemed flash mobs on Halloween, and sidelines as a musical theater performer when she miraculously finds any spare time. Laughlin is a true leader-in-the-making. Laughlin said her greatest passion is doing her part to take care of the earth by recycling and living a zero-waste lifestyle. She gets to show off her “save this earth” initiative as the president of the Green Group. The group organizes clean-ups on campus and throughout the city each Saturday. Laughin’s professional goal is to become a civil technology engineer, then save the earth by streamlining waste-processes. Through such streamlining, she said she hopes to minimize the waste that large companies generate. Laughlin strives to minimize her trash output. When she eats out, she carries Tupperware in her car to store her leftovers, she said. To live a zero-waste lifestyle, she makes her own food, deodorant, and toothpaste whenever she can. “It boosts confidence as a person knowing that what you put into the world, you will get out of it, and a lot
of people are putting trash into the world,” Laughlin said. “I’m trying to not put trash into the world, but I’m trying to put trees into the world . . . grow my own food, and make my own items.” When it comes to her other passion, theatrical performance, Laughlin usually plays the antagonist. She attributes this to her above-average height and broad shoulders. If she’s not filling that role, her self-described “big voice” often lands her “statement character” roles. It’s a departure from when Laughlin was still learning the ropes and played supporting characters with little stage timer. When she auditioned for Wichita Signature Theatre’s production of “The Adams Family,” she said her expectations were low. When she was called by director Deb Campbell to play Morticia Adams, it was a shock and an honor. After securing her role, Laughlin said she “Facebook-stalked” her counterpart, Nathan Houseman, who would play her husband Gomez. She said the first thing that popped into her head was, “This man is 20 years older than I am.” Houseman was only able to fly in from Savannah, Georgia, 14 days before the first show to begin rehearsing. When the two met, Laughlin said all of her prior uncertainties were laid to rest when she saw how funny and focused Houseman was. “I knew he would be fabulous for the role,” Laughlin said. “But . . . at rehearsal, where we would have to make intimate eye contact like, ‘you’re like my dad.’”
The thought of casting Gomez and Morticia with a 20-year age gap crossed director Deb Cambell’s mind but it never really impacted her decision, she said. “Morticia is timeless. She’s immortal,” Campbell said. “Madi reads very, very mature, so having Morticia young and beautiful was a plus. I have known Madi for three years, and so I’ve watched her mature as a performer, and so I was very confident to cast her.” Laughlin loved theater in high school, and said she knew she had to keep doing shows when she graduated. “I’ve always been dramatic my whole life,” Laughlin chuckled. “What excites me about theatre are the ways it can be cathartic for people. I feel like people carry a lot emotionally, and when they get to see someone else express onstage, the emotions they wish they could, I think it’s very relieving.” Laughlin said she also loves how theater allows people to understand and sympathize with different points of view. In her eyes, theatre helps people understand characters that society deems as bad, she said. When Laughlin talks, she has a warm sincerity to her personality that clashes with Morticia’s cold, yet familial presence. In real life, she’s a devout Christian, but on stage, she plays a character that thrives off of darkness. Morticia’s not evil, Laughlin asserts — she’s just different. Laughlin said she seeks out the beauty in that difference. Weirdly enough for a classic set of characters, the oddball Adams family scans as relatively normal in 2018. They’re actually one of
KHANH NGUYEN/THE SUNFLOWER
Sophomore engineering technology major Madi Laughlin plays the role of Morticia Adams in Wichita Signature Theatre “The Addams Family” musical.
the healthiest families portrayed in mainstream media’s history. Throughout the show, each family member learns to embrace their true selves. That’s something that instantly attracted Laughlin to the role of Morticia, she said. “There’s no boundaries on
what The Adams Family can be,” Laughlin said. “They don’t set limits on one another or themselves — they’re just honest. I think it’s refreshing to see people just be in their honest form.”
SEE LAUGHLIN PAGE 5
Wichita State’s top albums of 2018 BY JOHN DARR, PAMELA DOMINGUEZ, AND RYAN CREWS
This year, The Sunflower decided to reach out to readers via a Facebook poll to create our list of the year’s top albums. With no further ado, here are Wichita State’s favorite records of 2018. 1. TRAVIS SCOTT – ‘ASTROWORLD’
COURTESY
Travis Scott’s kaleidoscopic approach to hip-hop first reared its head on his 2015 trapsterpiece, “Rodeo.” The complicated song structures and meticulously selected features on that record displayed Scott’s ambition to marry mainstream appeal to experimentation. With follow-up LP “Birds in the Trap” and the collaborative “Huncho Jack,” Scott’s wild edge seemed dulled, and it appeared less and less likely that he’d be able to match the heights of “Rodeo” during his career. Thankfully for everyone, “Astroworld” is a return to form. Chock full of beat switches and unshakable hooks, “Astroworld” has dominated the radio this year while also offering a slew of excellent deep cuts for those who dig beyond “Sicko Mode.” It’s a delightful listen that lives up to its fun-park concept in form and function. It’s no wonder that the WSU album of the year is a brilliant crossover record with a deep bench and a knack for innovation. – JD 2. THE 1975 – ‘A BRIEF INQUIRY INTO ONLINE RELATIONSHIPS’
COURTESY
The 1975 took a rebellious approach to their latest release, “A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships”. The group outdid
themselves by addressing topics that are often considered taboo in pop music. As such, “A Brief Inquiry” is a massive step away from the chain-smoking “Chocolate” era. On their latest record, The 1975 uses their platform to expose the darkest corners of society. “Love It If We Made It” simultaneously addresses police brutality, immigration, the opioid crisis, and the war in Palestine in a way that only The 1975 can: with a bouncy pop single. The catchy tune provides perspective on all the hypocrisy in the world and runs with it. Similar to The 1975’s previous works, “A Brief Inquiry” follows the trend of alternating between energetic singles, instrumentally explorative transitions, and thoughtful ballads. “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” closes out the album with melodies that are phonetically reminiscent of a song that would play during the closing credits of a romance film. Lyrically, however, it is one of the most emotional songs the band has ever released. “A Brief Inquiry” vividly displays how much The 1975 has matured as a band. It’s a record that’s brave, vulnerable, and absolutely necessary in 2018. – PD 3. CARDI B – ‘INVASION OF PRIVACY’
COURTESY
Cardi B’s impact in the hip-hop community and the current landscape of popular culture is purely epic. She can snap between being a heavily opinionated badass, silly public persona, and harder-thannails rap personality with effortless precision. “Invasion of Privacy” puts all of her strong points on display without betraying an ounce of weakness. The album is a true gem of mainstream rap, featuring massive hits “Bodak Yellow,” “Be Careful,” “Bartier Cardi,” and song of the summer, “I Like It.” She has invaded the airwaves, so much so that you can’t go anywhere without hearing her music … and she did it all without a Drake feature! Cardi B went from collecting internet fame from stripping and appearing on “Love & Hip Hop:
New York,” to taking over every mainstream chart imaginable — including three number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100. Though Nicki Minaj is putting up a fight against her, Cardi B has the chance to be the most influential woman in hip-hop since Lauryn Hill. I personally haven’t felt anyone’s blow up this hard since I was in third grade, listening to 50 Cent. While 50 shined brighter than most ever have, he was a bright star whose music relevancy burnt out fast. “Invasion of Privacy” hits hard and showcases Cardi’s gut-punching flows and endless aggression, but we’ll have to hold tight and see what career moves Cardi B makes next in order for her to hold her top slot. If “Invasion of Privacy” is any indication, odds are that she’ll be resting at the top for quite some time. - RC
displays Grnde’s power in one way or another. “No tears left to cry” perfectly captures her desire to rise above misfortune. “successful” celebrates her accomplishments without coming off as arrogant or cocky. “Sweetener” consistently strikes this perfect balance. With a crystal-clear voice accessorized by her signature “Yuh,” it’s clear to see Grande has found her niche. Grande has proven time and time again that she will not crumble under adversity. “Sweetener” is a testimony to her personal strength, her freedom, and her love. With this album, she has ignited a fire in girls and the guys that aren’t intimidated by a powerful woman. - PD 5. KACEY MUSGRAVES – ‘GOLDEN HOUR’
4. ARIANA GRANDE – ‘SWEETENER’
COURTESY
COURTESY
Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener” instantly sparked a wave of powerful feminine energy across the globe. At the time of its release, a little over a year had passed since the bombing that killed 22 of her fans at a Manchester show. She had just broken things off with long-time beau Mac Miller and was enthralled in a whirlwind romance with Pete Davidson. Today, just about three months after its release, Grande’s life looks remarkably different. Even as a record grounded in an already-past moment, “Sweetener” continues to cement Grande’s place as queen of the pop music industry. The album single-handedly revived the stale genre with a new life. “Sweetener” has been shattering glass ceilings and Billboard records alike, as this is undoubtedly her most successful album to date. An unapologetically girly dedication to her bubblegum-pink personality, “Sweetener” channels Grande’s inner goddess. She navigates each track with a remarkable confidence that girls today are emulating in her wake. In a society that polices every aspect of a feminine identity, Grande is determined to celebrate womankind. “God is a woman” is sex-positive and liberating — it’s irrefutably a bop. Each track
There are a lot of ways to trick someone into loving a pop song. Simple earworm melodies, hip production choices, or a driving beat, can hide mediocre parts of track. Years later, most pop songs have rightly disappeared back into the void they always belonged. Even nostalgia can’t make such once-popular tracks last. Every blue moon, the pop music stars align and produce a miracle of a record. “Golden Hour” is one such miracle. Pop-country singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves takes the brilliant songwriting she displayed on previous records “Pageant Material” and “Same Trailer Different Park” to another level on her 2018 record. Opener “Slow Burn,” with its fittingly paced crescendo and transcendently beautiful vocal melodies, will likely stand as the peak of Musgraves’ career. While normally stripping genre elements away from a singer’s sound would dull their songwriting, Musgraves’s transition from standard country instrumentation to atmospheric soft rock allows her work to glimmer and breathe. The reflective calm in Musgraves’s lyrics makes even its most ordinary lines feel vital. - JD
CULTURE/NEWS
www.thesunflower.com
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2018
|5
World-record mural brings visibility to overlooked Wichitans BY PAMELA DOMINGUEZ
The largest single-artist mural in the world is currently in the works in North Wichita. While world records are notable, size is not the story here. For decades, North Wichita, composed of the North End and the North East Side, has been a cultural pillar in the community that has lacked the developmental attention given to other sections of the city. Street artist GLeo is painting the nameless mural while Armando Minjarez of Horizontes, a local nonprofit art organization, acts as its director and curator. Together, they are actively combatting the cultural erasure stemming from urban planning and gentrification by quite literally giving Wichita a face that is impossible to ignore. Stretching the capacity of Beachner grain elevator is the face of a stunning woman of color. An immigrant, the woman’s radiant dark skin is adorned with flowers. Surrounded solely by monumental figures of color, the mural provides
a necessary statement about overlooked Americans who call Wichita home. “The project in and of itself in its entirety is really focused on highlighting communities of color, specifically of North Wichita, which is primarily Latinx, and the North East, which is predominantly black,” explained Dale Small, art director and project facilitator of Horizontes. The project is “focused on building bridges between those two communities (the NorthEnd and North East Side),” Small said. “The two have been physiologically and physically separated by the industrial corridor and the interstate highway.” This mural would not have been possible without the photographic elements used to kickstart the project. A panel composed of local artists, community organizers, and North Wichita residents, commissioned four local photographers of color: Ashwin Govindarajan, Alexis Rivierre, Juan Carlos Garcia, and Xavier Leija, to collaborate on the Horizontes portrait project.
Sunflower Staff Predictions — WSU versus Oklahoma Oklahoma’s only blemish is a loss against No. 12 Wisconsin. The Sooners own impressive wins over Florida and Notre Dame. Christian James averages nearly 20 points per game, and Brady Manek — who exploded against Wichita State last year — will be dangerous again from the perimeter. Expect WSU’s first win streak of the season to be snapped on the road. 81- 74, OU — Marshall Sunner Trae Young is in Atlanta, but that hasn’t stopped Oklahoma from shooting the three-ball. Nearly 30 percent of OU’s offense comes from three-pointers — as a team, they hit 40 percent of them. This one will quickly become a shoot-out, but don’t expect either team to shoot upwards of 40 percent from deep in this
LAUGHLIN
FROM PAGE 4 Despite constantly dealing with academic and social responsibilities, Laughlin rolls with the punches and deals with life efficiently as it comes at her. Two days before opening night, there was an incident in which a fellow cast member accidentally stuck his foot in a doorway. The closing door bounced back and hit Laughlin’s left eye, causing it to bleed. Laughlin didn’t let it get to her, even when it was time to perform. Later, she laughed it off — that’s
REMEMBERANCE FROM PAGE 1
“It’s frustrating for me because like, I have stuff for my classes due next week, so it would have been nice to finish with teaching this week and then not have to worry about that.” Vice President for Strategic Communications Lou Heldman acknowledged the inconvenience to students and instructors Tuesday, but said WSU’s decision to close follows precedent from previous presidential deaths. “We know it’s a really important day, but we had the governor’s order and we had the precedent from the two presidents that died most recently,” Heldman said. Ronald Reagan died in June 2004 and Gerald Ford died in December 2006 — over summer and winter break, respectively. “It’s never the right decision for everybody,” Heldman said. Freshman nursing major Sydney Dixon, who had two finals review days scheduled for Wednesday, said she was frustrated last week when WSU only cancelled morning classes the Monday after fall break due to snow and icy conditions. “I fell and had bruises all up my leg twice on the way to sociology whenever they refused to cancel school last week,” Dixon said. “They wouldn’t cancel but then they cancel the worst possible day. “I understand that they want to respect [Bush] and have the day of mourning and like, cancel school, but they should make an exception because it’s the week before finals.”
high-domed arena. This isn’t the Trae Young show anymore. 70-59, OU — Evan Pflugradt Erik Stevenson and Samajae Haynes-Jones will have another hot game. While Oklahoma has high-caliber wins and some star players, WSU wants this one more. Expect WSU to fight off a slow start, pulling ahead in the final minutes. 76-74, WSU — Joseph Barringhaus WSU is still in search of a defensive stopper. If Dexter Dennis can help limit OU’s leading scorer Christian James and disrupt his rhythm from three, the Shockers will extend their winning streak to three games. 72-67, WSU — Sean Marty just the way Laughlin is. “Theater gives me joy in life, and it’s been something that’s kept me sane this semester since I’ve been so busy,” Laughlin said. “Sounds ironic because it’s been a contributor to my business, but I think we have an excellent cast family. “Going there, being with them and being able to express myself in a creative way and a way that accurately depicts the character, gives me joy. I don’t know what it is about that but it lights me up inside.” Suffice to say, performing adds a spark to Laughlin’s life, no matter the color of the costume she’s wearing. Dixon said WSU should close Friday — Dead Day — when there are already no classes. President Bush left office in January 1993. Nobody under the age of 25 was alive during his presidency. “Not a lot of students have been adults while Bush was president,” said Neal Allen, political science department head. Willome said he knows very little about the former president. “I do know some, but not enough to mourn his death,” Willome said. Dunham said she had no interest in honoring Bush Wednesday. “This man did not affect me at all,” Dunham said. “I was not alive for his presidency. I’m so sorry for your loss.” Allen said Bush will be remembered as a serviceman. “[Bush] clearly was someone who spent most of his life in some public service or another,” Allen said. He said Bush conducted himself with an air of civility that’s unfamiliar in today’s politics. “If you want to think about his particular legacy, it’s hard not to contrast it to the current president,” Allen said. Allen said he understands the frustration students and instructors have over cancelling classes to honor the former president. “He certainly picked an inconvenient time for our schedule to die,” Allen said. “The decision to close state agencies is clearly made by politicians who believe that the work of government and the work of elected officials is more important than a lot of citizens think it is.”
COURTESY OF ASCHA LEE/KMUW
The nameless mural street artist GLeo is painting on the Beachner grain elevator in North Wichita is the largest single-artist mural in the world.
Garcia is currently a student at Wichita State, and the others are alumni. Collectively, the photographers shot portraits of actual citizens of the North End and North East Side. Many of the portraits ended up being the reference material GLeo used to design her mural. With the recent surge of public murals taking over the streets of ICT, it’s relieving to see art that goes
beyond aesthetics and sheds light on the people who make Wichita valuable. Wichitans love to boast about living in a city that is proud of its origins. Wichita flags ornament businesses everywhere, ICT bumper stickers flood the streets, and locals go wild for Shocker basketball games. However, this pride is too often surface-level. With the recent
destruction of local pillars such as Mead’s Corner, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, and Starlite Drive In, it’s apparent that preservation is not the city’s top priority. GLeo’s mural is the first of its kind and will hopefully be the spark in a movement that preserves the traditions and integrity of this city. The roots of Wichita are not suburban. The roots of Wichita immigrated here.
Haynes-Jones the lone returner in Shockers’ return game with Oklahoma BY MARSHALL SUNNER
Wichita State will play their best opponent yet this season when they travel to Oklahoma City Saturday to face the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma (7-1) is ranked No. 38 in KenPom. Providence (No. 58 in KenPom) is the second-highest ranked opponent WSU has faced this season. For the second straight game, the Shockers will play a Big 12 opponent. A year ago, WSU fell to OU 91-83 at INTRUST Bank Arena. Eventual No. 3 NBA draft pick Trae Young scored 29 points in what could have been a poor performance on his part. Brady Manek scored 21 points on five
made three-pointers. Manek is a sophomore for OU this season. Samajae Haynes-Jones is the lone Shocker who played in last year’s contest. He scored one point on 0-4 shooting in six minutes of playing time. Senior Markis McDuffie was still nursing his broken foot when the two teams met last season. Gregg Marshall’s squad will have to figure out how to stop Oklahoma’s Christian James, who’s averaging 19.9 points per game for the Sooners. Manek averages nine rebounds per game, and Jamuni McNeace averages seven. For WSU, freshman Erik Stevenson is averaging 19.5 points per game over the last
By the numbers WSU
OU
33%
39%
3-pt%
65%
66%
FT%
33%
26%
OReb%
1.6
2.6
Average experience (years)
two games. McDuffie is leading the Shockers in scoring, averaging 19 per game. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
Food for Fines SGA initiative offers ticket-paying alternative BY ANDREW LINNABARY
Paying off a parket ticket has never felt so good. Food for Fines, a student government initiative that runs through Friday, allows students to pay parking citations with nonperishable foods and hygiene products. “Parking is a huge issue here at WSU,” Student Advocate Kitrina Miller said. “I knew that students were really going to be excited there was a different way they can pay off their parking citations. It was a win for students.” Anybody with a WSU ID can participate in Food for Fines. It works like this: for tickets up to $25, at least five items must be donated. For tickets up to $50, at least seven items must be donated. Donations must be brought to the SGA office, RSC 219. Only citations received within the last two months are eligible. Along with the donation, students must complete a parking quiz. Up to five citations can be forgiven. Citations older than two months are not allowed. The initiative debuted last month with 1,087 donated products and 151 forgiven citations. “I was thrilled,” Miller said. The program wouldn’t have been possible without the groundwork laid by Rheanna Pierce, SGA’s previous student advocate, Miller said. [Rheanna] had come up with this idea and had wanted to get it started,” Miller said. “I was able to get it up and running.” Miller said “quite a few” students have told her they were happy the initiative finally came to fruition. “Faculty and staff were thrilled too,” she said. Miller said she hopes to make Food for Fines a twice-a-semester program — once around midterms and once around finals. “I hope [the program] gains a lot more traction in the future, and I hope future student
SELENA FAVELA/THE SUNFLOWER
Canned goods are stacked in the Shocker Support Locker.
advocates continue on with it as well,” Miller said. With the extra donations coming in, “we almost have too much [in the Shocker Support Locker],” Miller said. “We have so much mac and cheese and vegetables. I’ve actually had to take things off the Food for Fines donations wish list. So it’s completely stocked. It’s a lot better than it was beforehand.” Students with parking tickets wanting to participate in Food for Fines can donate through 5 p.m. Friday. Full details can be found at wichita.edu/studentadvocate. HOW DOES FOOD FOR FINES WORK?
-Students with parking tickets can have up to five citations forgiven through donations. -For tickets up to $25, at least five items must be donated.
-For tickets between $26 and $50, at least seven items must be donated. -Citations older than two months are not eligible. ITEMS ACCEPTED
• Canned meats • Canned fruits • Whole grains (cereals, granola/protein bars) • Pasta, noodles, rice • Canned beans, soups, chili • Instant potatoes bags/boxes • Pasta sauces • Menstrual hygiene products • Toilet paper • Deodorants/soaps/ shampoos/conditioners -Donations can be dropped off in the SGA office, RSC 219. -Along with a donation, WSU’s parking quiz must be completed for citation forgiveness. -Food for Fines runs through Friday at 5 p.m.
SPORTS
6 | THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2018
www.thesunflower.com
Sunflower Archives – June 21, 1989
1989 Shocker baseball team pays President Bush a visit
SUNFLOWER FILE PHOTO
President George H.W. Bush receives a Shocker jersey from WSU’s Greg Brummett on the team’s visit to the White House.
I
n June 1989, after defeating the Texas Longhorns to claim the school’s first and only College World Series title, the Wichita State baseball team visited the White House and met President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. The Bushes visited with players and the president was even given his own Shocker jersey bearing the No. 1. President Bush died last Friday at the age of 94. Barbara Bush died last April.
SUNFLOWER FILE PHOTO
First Lady Barbara Bush meets the 1989 Shocker baseball team after they won the College World Series.
Wichita State adds $10 fee to ADA parking on game days BY EVAN PFLUGRADT
Fans who typically use disability parking spots outside of Charles Koch Arena had to choose to either pay $10 to park their vehicle or walk in the cold, wintery rain Saturday night. The fee for ADA parking during men’s basketball games is a new rollout, Associate Athletic Director Brad Pittman said. Before this season, those with a disability tag could park in handicap spots directly outside the arena without a charge. “Basketball, what we sell, is an entertainment product,” Pittman said. “Parking is a part of that.” The fee comes as a surprise to fans. Pittman assures that the fee is on-par with sister institutions. The University of Kansas charges $25 per vehicle for ADA spaces during men’s basketball games, and Kansas State charges
“IS IT FAIR THAT SOMEBODY DONATES $5,000/$10,000 TO PARK THERE, AND SOMEBODY CAN COME UP WITH A HANDICAP PERMIT AND PARK FOR FREE?” —BRAD PITTMAN, ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
$10 per vehicle. Both institutions, Pittman said, have operated with these fees for more than 15 years. “We didn’t feel like we were doing anything outrageous,” Pittman said. The lots nearest to Koch Arena are reserved to those who pay annual SASO donations. The minimum yearly donation, Pittman said, is $3,700. Pittman said the athletic department considered how they
could “bring value” to donors who contribute thousands annually to the program. “Is it fair that somebody donates $5,000/$10,000 to park there, and somebody can come up with a handicap permit and park for free?” Pittman said. “You can argue both sides of that coin. “I hate rolling out the charges, but it’s not something that we’re doing that’s way different than our peers.” Pittman addressed a mix-up that denied fans their usual right to be dropped off at the door before Saturday’s matchup with Baylor. Drop-offs are still permitted, Pittman said. “It’s troubling. It’s disappointing. It’s embarrassing,” Pittman said of the situation that occurred Saturday night. “There will be a focus and emphasis that those who had this issue won’t have that again.”
Gregg Marshall confident Ricky Torres, 0 for 13 from deep, will hit his first 3-pointer BY EVAN PFLUGRADT
Ricky Torres hasn’t hit a three-pointer for Wichita State this season. Torres, a 6-foot-2 guard, has missed all 13 attempts he’s taken from three-point range this year. Torres has just five field goals all season on 21 attempts for 23.8 percent. On three outings, he’s been held without a made field goal. Torres was a junior-college All-American last season at Missouri State-West Plains, where he averaged better than 43 percent from three. WSU Head Coach Gregg Marshall said he’s confident Torres’ shooting will turn around. “Ricky is going to make a three, and when he starts making threes, it’s really going to make us better,” Marshall said Monday, ahead of WSU’s game against Oklahoma on Saturday. Torres returned to the starting lineup against Baylor. He scored four points, while senior guard Samajae Haynes-Jones and freshman guard Erik Stevenson combined for 39. Stevenson and Haynes-Jones had eight first-half three-pointers. Torres missed two
JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State’s Ricky Torres takes a shot during their game against Catawba on Oct. 30 at Koch Arena.
three-point attempts that half. “He’s doing a lot of good things,” Marshall said. “He’s defending pretty well, and he knows our system.” Torres had a plus-minus rating of negative five against Baylor — meaning, when Torres was on the floor, WSU gave up five more points than they scored. His plus-minus rating was the second-worst on the team. Marshall pointed to the positives in Torres’s game — referencing
a 15-1 assist-to-turnover rating. Torres’s turnover rating is 21st nationally, according to data compiled by KenPom. He turned the ball over for the first time this season Saturday against Baylor. “When you have a 15:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, you’re running the club, you’re playing both ends, and you’re facilitating pretty well,” Marshall said. “You can live with an oh-for-whatever.”
JOSEPH BARRINGHAUS/THE SUNFLOWER
Fans who typically use disability parking spots outside of Charles Koch Arena had to choose to either pay $10 to park their vehicle or walk in the cold, wintery rain Saturday night.