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SAFETY GUIDELINES • Masks are required unless walking alone outdoors or working alone
NEWS
Wichita State to receive more than $8M in coronavirus relief BY DANIEL CAUDILL editor@thesunflower.com / @byDanielCaudill
• Facilities Services will clean classrooms daily • Maintain six-foot social distancing, limit close encounters to 10 minutes or less
• Gathering sizes limited based on state and federal guidance • Students and staff are asked to perform a daily wellness check before coming to campus
Wichita State is set to receive about $8.2 million in federal and state aid as reimbursement for its efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus on campus. As state universities prepare to start their fall semesters, the Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday approved two relief packages meant to curb the costs that come with additional safety measures. Fall classes will begin at WSU on Monday, with all courses either online or in a hybrid format — meaning partially online and partially in-person. WSU will receive about $5.2 million in aid from the CARES Act, the second round of aid from the federal legislation. The university previously received $8.8 million through the CARES Act in April, with half of it going to students as
emergency financial aid grants. The CARES Act money is meant to help institutions “make necessary preparations and expenditures to deliver in-person instruction and prepare for campus operations in the Fall 2020 semester,” according to KBOR’s agenda. That includes equipment and supplies, continuing instruction, on-campus healthcare and student health centers, and testing and preventative measures. “The purposes of these funds are entirely for our campuses to safely open for fall,” said Elaine Frisbie, KBOR’s vice president for finance and administration. “That’s essentially what the functions are for, but that can entail a lot of functions. On Thursday, KBOR allocated a total of about $55.5 million from the CARES Act fund to the seven state universities and about $9.4 million to community colleges and technical schools.
WSU Tech, the university’s tech school affiliate, will also receive about $676,000 in federal relief through the CARES Act. WSU will receive another $3 million as a grant from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund — a $26 million fund granted to the state by the U.S. Department of Education. Governor Laura Kelly gave all of the fund to state universities, with
each university taking an equal cut in its annual state budget. WSU is estimating a headcount of about 15,592 students this fall, down 466 from last year’s count, according to the university’s tuition and fees proposal submitted to KBOR in June. Due to limited campus activity this fall and lost revenue when campus shut down in the spring, the university is projecting a
What students can expect at Ablah Library this semester BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE copyeditor@thesunflower.com
As students start their fall classes, most daily aspects on campus are going to look different, and the Ablah Library is no exception. The library has made several changes to its operations in order to best serve students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ginger Williams, associate dean for academic engagement and public services, told The Sunflower students are expected to maintain social distancing and wear masks just like anywhere else on campus. When the library reopened in May, Williams said library staff had a lot of time to consider what needs to be cleaned and what resources are safe to use. Staff will give extra cleaning to high-touch areas and hand-sanitizer stations, and all books returned to the library have to be quarantined for four days before being handled by staff. Furniture has been rearranged in the Ablah library to promote social distancing, with most tables only having one chair. The only study rooms available during the fall semester are on the second floor. The library added additional focus rooms, and smaller group study rooms are being converted to single-use. There will be three study rooms available for groups of two-to-four students to use at a time, and all available study rooms will need to be booked in advance on the website. The rooms will be cleaned in-between every use. “We will be monitoring demand for these rooms as the semester progresses to determine if additional group study rooms need to be opened on other floors,” Williams said. If students need to pick up a book, they can visit the library catalog online and place holds on the items they need. Williams says students will be notified by email when the items are ready to be picked up. Items will be placed in a locker next to the circulation
desk to help provide contactless checkouts. Students attending courses remotely will be able to have material mailed to them by contacting Interlibrary Loan, and will be responsible for returning items via mail. Book drops will be available in the 24-hour study room in the entrance of Ablah and the 24-hour book drop between Ablah and the Media Resources Center. Not all of the university libraries will be as open as Ablah. Williams said the Thurlow Lieurance Memorial Music Library in Jardine Hall will be open with limited hours, but the McKinley Chemistry library is closed for the time being. Students can still place holds on items from the McKinley Chemistry Library and pick them up at the Ablah Library. The Special Collections and University Archives unit is available by appointment. “The reason for the limited
“Throughout the organization, we are coming together to help each other do what we need to in order to give Wichita State students what they need. Our dedication to our mission hasn’t changed.” GINGER WILLIAMS Associate dean for academic engagement and public services
hours is so that we can focus our staff on Ablah, where we get most of our traffic and hold most of our resources,” Williams said. With the help of technology, the library’s research and reference services will still be available for students. The Ask-A-Librarian chat box will be open, and students can also get in contact
The Sunflower, founded in 1896, is the student-run newspaper covering Wichita State University. The print edition is published Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters and twice over the summer. The staff publishes daily online at www.thesunflower.com.
MISSION The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.
LEGAL One free copy of The Sunflower is available to members of the WSU community. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 in the newsroom, Elliott Hall 019. The Sunflower is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. The Sunflower is funded by a combination of print and online advertisment sales and student fees allocated by the Student Government Association. The Sunflower is a member of Kansas Collegiate Media, the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association. Copyright © 2020 The Sunflower. This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.
KAYLEE STOUT/ THE SUNFLOWER
Sophomore Pedro Cupertino studies in the Ablah Library. While masks and social distancing are required at the library, staff are working to provide students with the resources they need.
through Zoom, email, text or phone. Individual face-to-face consultations can be scheduled as well, and staff at Ablah Library can connect students with a librarian. The only thing not available is walk-up research help at the reference desk. “Helping students is one of the very best parts of our job, so we really want students to keep in touch,” Williams said. “The librarians in the Research and Instructional Services will do a lot of class instruction, too. For now, that will take place online, as will our workshops.” Since the coronavirus outbreak, the Ablah Library has seen a number of behind-the-scenes changes, too. Ordering new books for the collection and Interlibrary Loan are taking longer, as new books have to be quarantined for four days and many libraries are
still not lending physical items. Library faculty are also transitioning to online teaching methods just like any other faculty on campus. They are working on lessons to deliver through Zoom, making videos, updating research guides, and embedding content into Blackboard. The mission of the University Libraries is to be an essential force in teaching and research, Williams said. She said they serve vital roles in educating and providing access to high-impact resources, preserving intellectual and cultural records, and continually evolving as a research network across campus and the larger community. “Throughout the organization, we are coming together to help each other do what we need to in order to give Wichita State students what they need,” Williams said. “Our dedication to our mission hasn’t changed.”
EDITOR IN CHIEF Daniel Caudill editor@thesunflower.com
VISUALS DIRECTOR Morgan Anderson visuals @thesunflower.com
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FACULTY ADVISOR Amy DeVault amy.devault@wichita.edu
Williams says students should keep in mind that the library is undergoing an evolving process and that things will change as the library gets a clearer understanding of students’ needs.
LIBRARY RULES • Social distancing and masks required • Study rooms for groups of two to four people available on the 2nd floor of Ablah • Items can be put on hold through the library’s online catalog • No-contact pickup available • Pickup lockers cleaned regularly
Contact Us 019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 134 Wichita, KS 67260-0134 EDITORIAL
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Corrections
The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in any of its publications, please email the editor at editor@thesunflower.com immediately.
NEWS
MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020 | 3
KHANH NGUYEN/THE SUNFLOWER
Left: Cade Cooper, a freshman studying music education, carries some of his belongings toward Shocker Hall on Monday. He said he is looking forward to starting college and being able to perform again. Top: More than 1,000 students are moving into Shocker Hall, The Flats and The Suites this month. The university added safety precautions to keep residents distanced and masked while moving in.
Students greeted with masks, social distancing at residence halls BY LINDSAY SMITH news@thesunflower.com / @Lindsay_KSmith
While move-in day is usually a bustling and busy day for staff and students, this year’s move-in days have been noticeably slower and quieter. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university put in place extra precautions this year to keep everyone safe and distanced. All staff and students are required to wear masks and people have to maintain 6-foot distance between one another. Instead of one or two big move-in days, the days are staggered across a nineday period, ending Sunday, Aug. 16. Only 10 students are allowed to move in each building per hour. Cade Cooper, a freshman majoring in music education, was among a group of students moving into Shocker Hall last Monday afternoon. He said he was
impressed with the social distancing measures the university put in place.
“It’s a marathon instead of a sprint this year.” KATIE AUSTIN Assistant director for assessment, outreach and events
“It’s kind of hard to keep everyone apart,” Cooper said. “But with less people, they’ve done a good job.” Cooper said even though the semester will be different than he initially thought, he is excited for the new opportunities he will be able to have during his freshman year. “I’m just glad I get to perform again,” Cooper said. “I got kind of cut off from my spring concert
during my senior year, and that kind of sucks. And I’m just glad that I’m here and I have the opportunity to just be here on campus.” Katie Austin, Housing and Residence Life’s assistant director for assessment, outreach and events, said there are pros and cons to the new rules the university set in place. “The slow pace of everyone spread out has made it really easy to manage,” Austin said. “It’s a marathon instead of a sprint this year.” Even though Housing and Residence Life had to sacrifice some fun aspects of move-in day, Austin said staff have focused on giving student residents a proper welcome to campus. “I miss some of the festivities that kind of made it a very fun and welcoming event,” Austin said. “But at the same time we’ve tried to
still make it seem festive, welcome students, and make their parents comfortable dropping them off here at the dorms.” Evan Fater, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, also moved into Shocker Hall last Monday. He said he felt the move-in process was done in an effective and safe way. “It was smoother than I expected,” Fater said. “It was really nice to move in with fewer people in the building.” Like Cooper, Fater said he was looking forward to starting his college experience, despite the pandemic. “I’m kind of curious how it’s going to play out, but I’m excited nonetheless,” Fater said. The university is expecting about 1,250 students in residence halls this semester.
Freshman Rudd scholar wastes no time getting involved on campus BY DANIEL CAUDILL
spread of the coronavirus.
editor@thesunflower.com / @ByDanielCaudill
Jordy Mozqueda is passionate about helping out. And while the coronavirus has limited in-person activities on campus, the freshman Rudd scholar is still taking steps to have an impact from the jump. “I definitely found a passion for making an impact with people,” said Mozqueda, who’s majoring in general business. “The first time that I walked into high school, I definitely wanted to make an impact.” Mozqueda was student body president at Wichita High School South as a senior last year and he was involved in student leadership throughout his high school career. At WSU, he is already a member of the Student Ambassador Society and is seeking a position in the Student Government Association. Mozqueda also expressed an interest in joining groups that advocate for diverse populations, like the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and HALO, or the Hispanic American Leadership Organization. As a member of the class of 2020, Mozqueda knows what it looks like when academics are flipped on their head because of the coronavirus. His fellow graduates had to finish their last semester online and missed out on the traditional graduation experience. As student body president at Wichita South, Mozqueda helped other student leaders transition end-of-the-year events like spirit week to an online format. And in a similar fashion, members of his freshman class will also have quite an unusual introduction to college, with masks, a number of classes online and other guidelines to limit the
“I definitely want to look back and say that I left the campus better than it was. I know that I’ll be mentoring and helping people as well, and trying to find a way to become a role model in the community — give back to the community where I came from.” JORDY MOZQUEDA Freshman, general business
“We’re definitely missing the social aspect, and that’s very needed,” he said. “Social aspects are what help us grow and help us communicate and learn from others.” Still, Mozqueda is remaining optimistic about entering a new chapter in his life. “I feel like [the college experience] is going to be a bit less than expected, yes, but I can say, when there’s a will there’s a way,” Mozqueda said. “All college students are going to have to adapt and overcome.” Alongside freshman orientation, Mozqueda had the chance to get familiarized with WSU through the Passage 2 Success program, a four-day retreat meant to help students from diverse backgrounds transition to college. Wendy de Loera, a sophomore and fellow Rudd scholar, mentored Mozqueda through the program last week. De Loera said she first
knew of Mozqueda when he won the scholarship but has gotten to know him better through Passage 2 Success. “I know what it takes to be a Rudd scholar, the amount of work, the work ethic that’s needed, so I can relate with Jordy [Mozqueda] really on a lot of that,” she said. The Rudd Scholarship is a program for Kansas residents who qualify for Pell grants and are planning to attend WSU, Emporia State, or Fort Hays State. According to the program’s site, recipients have to live on campus and maintain a 3.0 GPA, among other rules. In the time she’s known Mozqueda, De Loera said she can tell he has a bright future ahead. “He is super passionate about getting involved, making sure he has done everything he can here at WSU,” she said. “He wants to get the most out of the college experience … he has that grit and determination.” “Even though I am his mentor, I know I can count on him if I ever need anything.” De Loera said her best advice for Mozqueda and all incoming freshmen is to keep focused on their end goals. “There are people out here who are willing to help you: there are mentors, friends, famly members,” she said. “Stay true to yourself and you will be successful.” As for Mozqueda, he said he hopes he will look back in four years and say he’s made a difference at WSU. “I definitely want to look back and say that I left the campus better than it was,” he said. “I know that I’ll be mentoring and helping people as well, and trying to find a way to become a role model in the community — give back to the community where I came from.”
MORGAN ANDERSON/THE SUNFLOWER
Jordy Mozqueda, a freshman general business major, poses for a photo in front of a mural at Clinton Hall. “I definitely want to look back and say that I left the campus better than it was,” he said.
FRIDAY JAY WITH DR.
Students are invited to join President Golden on select Fridays for a casual, socially distanced meet-and-greet at various locations throughout our beautiful campus. The first Friday with Dr. Jay will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Aug. 28 on the lawn in front of Morrison Hall.
President Jay Golden
Upcoming Friday with Dr. Jay dates Aug. 28 | Sept. 11 | Oct. 9 | Oct. 23 | Nov. 6 | Nov. 20
4 | MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020
NEWS
Classrooms take a new form with COVID-19 precautions BY LINDSAY SMITH news@thesunflower.com / @Lindsay_KSmith
Whether they’re seniors or incoming freshmen, all Wichita State students can expect to see physical classrooms take a new form this fall. All classes that would usually be in-person will be in a hybrid format this semester, meaning part online and part in-person. Social distancing and masks are required in classrooms, but specific details about class formats vary from instructor to instructor. Some instructors have chosen to shift entirely online. Jody Fiorini, a professor and head of the School of Psychology, has been with WSU for six years. Because every class is different, Fiorini said the department had to get together to figure out the best choice for individual classes. “We got together as a faculty, so we looked at all the courses in our program as a group that really helped because we brainstormed ideas,” she said. Fiorni is doing a mix of in-person and online instruction for her class. “I have one of those weird classes that is difficult to teach without an in-person component,” she said. “It’s harder to do with Zoom.” She will be holding an in-person class with three students at a time and the rest of the students attending over Zoom. She has provided see-through masks for the students so they can practice reading facial expressions. The classroom will be big enough for
students to social distance. Fiorini’s advice to students is to carry a reminder to maintain social distancing. “Once you feel comfortable with a group of people you find yourself becoming closer and more careless with your distance,” Fiorini said. “[You need] some sort of reminder to yourself, something you carry around with you to remind you to not be as close.” Economics professor Patricia Bradley said after consideration, she also decided to teach partly in person and partly online. “There’s just a lot of information on the COVID-19 website from WSU, and it was just a process of reading through that and thinking about my classroom,” Bradley said. Bradley said that she will take every precaution necessary to keep her students safe. “There is enough space in the classroom that everyone can sit with 6 feet of distance in between,” Bradley said.”[I will] make sure that as students walk in they all have their masks on and in place, [I will] ask them to start seating from the back of the class to the front, and then when we leave we will leave from the front of the class to the back.” While it may seem easy to sit six feet apart, Bradley said the only way the university can maintain social distancing is to keep reminding students and faculty. “We just all need to be aware and maybe make reminders when it becomes necessary,” she said. Bradley’s biggest piece of advice for students is to take time
KAYLEE STOUT/THE SUNFLOWER
Desks at WSU have different signage promoting social distancing throughout campus. COVID-19 will affect the layout of classrooms.
during the pandemic to learn all of the new ways people are communicating. “Although this is a challenging time and a challenging environment, we are learning things that are going to be very important to know in the new work environment that students will be entering post college,” Bradley said. “I don’t think that any of the technology we learned in this pandemic will go away once the pandemic is over.” Alexandra Middlewood is a political science professor at WSU. While the majority of her classes are all online, her Model United Nations course will be a mix of online and in-person learning. “So much of Model UN is team building and getting to know the other students in the class, and I was trying to figure out the best way to do that,” Middlewood said. Her Model UN class will meet once a week. And while there are only 16 students in the class,
they’ll be in a room designed for 50 students to allow social distancing. Middlewood said she’s taking student safety into her own hands. “[I] went to Costco and bought a bunch of disposable surgical masks and I’ve been buying hand sanitizer to provide to my students,” Middlewood said. “That wasn’t something that the university required us to do, but that’s something I wanted to do to keep my students safe.” Middlewood said the biggest advice for her students is to take social distancing seriously, even if it isn’t an ideal situation. “Look, this isn’t an ideal situation for anyone, no one wants to be in this situation,” Middlewood said. “But it’s important that we do this so that we can get out of these social distancing measures earlier because the longer we don’t take these precautions, the longer this is going to be going on.”
WSU community a key piece of mayor’s civil rights council BY AUDREY KORTE podcast@thesunflower.com / @akorteshares
DANIEL CAUDILL/THE SUNFLOWER A banner celebrating Wichita State University’s 125th anniversary hangs on the university sign at 21st and Hillside. WSU is planning a number of events to mark the anniversary.
125 years of WSU: University to celebrate its history as anniversary nears BY LINDSAY SMITH news@thesunflower.com / @Lindsay_KSmith
Wichita State University is gearing up to celebrate its 125th anniversary — otherwise known as a “quasquicentennial.” WSU was originally founded as a private school called Fairmount College in 1886 but did not begin hosting classes until 1895, according to the Kansas Historical Society. It transitioned to a municipal university in 1926, before becoming a state university nearly 40 years later. Wichita State marks its official founding date as Sept. 11, 1895.
“We all have a thread in the fabric of the history of Wichita State University.” CARMEN HYTCHE Director of special events and community relations
Carmen Hytche, director of special events and community relations, has been leading the committee planning WSU’s 125th anniversary for over a year. And while events will look a bit different due to mask and social distancing requirements, she said she hopes to deliver a meaningful celebration. “We had a long list of things we mapped out to do through the course of the year, however we’ve been making some adjustments and trying to pivot,” she said. “Being able to celebrate all those things and what we’re doing now and how far we’ve come … we’re looking at celebrating ourselves.” Events on the calendar include WuShock’s birthday, a series of homecoming events,
and President Jay Golden’s official installation. The 100th or 150th anniversaries may seem more important, Hytche said, but the 125th anniversary allows an opportunity to reflect on change within the WSU community since its centennial celebration in 1995. “It’s also an opportunity to look at what’s happened in the last 25 years and [to fill] in that gap for our 150th,” she said. As part of the plan to celebrate WSU’s history, Hytche said she asked all of the colleges to share important dates and events within their various schools and departments. “The actual anniversary is about the whole university; it’s not about one specific segment or part,” She said. “It’s all the college [and] all the departments. We all have a thread in the fabric of the history of Wichita State University.” One piece of that history is shrouded in mystery: a sundial gifted to the university by the class of 1934. WSU plans to rededicate the sundial, which disappeared from the university for 60 years before it was returned to campus in 2014. The university also hopes to shed some light on the sundial’s history and its disappearance. “Number one. . where [was it] for 60 years?” Hytche said. “It’s a very cool mystery that would be wonderful if it could be solved or at least some holes filled in.” The 125th-anniversary celebration will stretch from July 1 to June 30, 2021. Visit wichita. edu/125 for a list of planned events, which are subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wichita State students and other community members are helping Mayor Brandon Whipple’s new civil rights council find its wings. The Advisory Council on Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights started meeting biweekly in June — a few weeks after demonstrations began in Wichita and around the globe in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It includes 20 members, each selected for three-month terms. One of those members is Kenzie Borland, a WSU junior studying strategic communication and co-owner of Dead Center Vintage. In addition to having conversations about inclusion and diversity efforts in Wichita, Borland said she applied to be on the council to talk about legislation against police brutality. “I think a lot of times people think, like, these things can’t happen in Wichita and that’s just not the truth,” she said. The council is led by Whipple and City Councilman Brandon Johnson, both of whom are WSU alumni. Whipple is also an adjunct professor in the political science department, and Johnson recently became chairman of the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training. Other members with WSU ties include Alicia Sanchez, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Ngoc Vuong, a junior studying psychology, public health, and economics. Vuong said he applied to join the council at the recommendation of several community members. “I became involved to advocate for strategies which address local inequities in healthcare, economics, education, and criminal justice,” he said. “You can’t address issues facing young people without having us at the table and more importantly, creating an environment where we are empowered to drive forth meaningful change and to hold bodies of power accountable.” “As a young person, my goal is to help move Wichita beyond the inclusion of youth and into the leadership of youth.” The council met in person for its first meeting and has since been meeting via Zoom. Borland said she thinks the virtual format
AUDREY KORTE/THE SUNFLOWER
Students and Wichita community members gathered for a protest against police brutality at the Wichita police station on Saturday, May 30.
somewhat changes the dynamic of the discussion. “Everyone’s still showing up to the meeting,” she said. “But obviously, like, it sucks not getting to see everyone in person and, you know, getting to hang around and talk.” That’s where the WSU Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) comes in. The city hired the PPMC to help handle the logistics behind the council’s work and facilitate meaningful discussion through the internet. “It’s difficult to do engagement via virtual and so you need a few more hands to help out with that and so that’s what we’re doing and trying to provide some research from other communities,” said Misty Bruckner, director of the PPMC. “Putting a group together that doesn’t know each other, you have to be sensitive to how do you create trust?” she said. A group of graduate students from PPMC is working on this initiative, Bruckner said. She said the graduate students benefit from the “applied learning” experience but also get paid for their work with the council. “Sometimes they’re helping to facilitate a conversation, they help do research, they help with a wide variety of making things go well during the meeting, taking notes, doing the follow-up work and then research from other communities.” The city employs over 3,000 people with a host of policies and programs at work. That can be daunting when undertaking an effort to improve diversity, inclusion and civil rights. “We are really a community service organization,” Bruckner said. “This is a topic that’s at the forefront of a lot of public
conversations, and we’re figuring out how to do this work better. Local governments are figuring out how to do this work better.” Borland said she sees students from the PPMC at work during meetings and finds it useful to have them there. “I think sometimes people can be really intimidated talking to city officials. And I think it’s less intimidating sometimes to talk to the grad students,” she said. Before the council’s most recent meeting, members took a survey to rank various topics based on their importance to each council member. Borland said she was surprised by some of the results. “Because I was a young person on the council my priorities are going to be different than someone that’s probably been in the Wichita business scene for a really long time,” she said. “Their vision for the council is talking about diverse hiring practices and creating an equitable future where, for me, my vision for Wichita is more in like promoting youth empowerment and, you know, talking about police brutality and making sure that the young multicultural people are getting a fair shake.” Borland said the conversations will help the council decide on a mission statement — an important step in sustaining the work they’ve begun. “Right now we’re kind of defining what the Council and the purpose is,” she said. “We’ll actually have a mission statement for the council that will help people in the future that apply to figure out what we’re trying to accomplish here in Wichita.”
MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020 | 5
NEWS
COVID-19 hit three generations of the Gonzalez family with different symptoms, varying degrees BY STAN FINGER Wichita Journalism Collaborative
No one has to tell Maria Gonzalez how real COVID-19 is. “It’s a nightmare,” she said. Her mother came down with it. Her three children, too. She got it as well. But no one was hit harder than her father-in-law, who was hospitalized on July 12 and placed on a ventilator days later. “My heart aches for my fatherin-law,” said Gonzalez, who is 33. “He’s another father to me…I cry every single day, wanting to take my father-in-law’s place (in the hospital), because it hurts.” After nearly a month on a respirator, Alejandro Gonzalez died on Aug. 9. He was 65. He had traveled to Baja California to help take care of his 98-year-old father, who had come down with the virus. After taking care of his father for a month, Alejandro returned to Wichita. His father died shortly after he left. Alejandro immediately returned to work as a truck driver when he returned to Wichita, but began to feel ill at the end of June. That’s when Maria came down with it, too. She developed the chills for a day and her fever rose to 101. “The next morning, the only thing I had was a sore throat,” she said.
She slept all day that Friday and felt pretty normal on Saturday – except she’d lost her senses of taste and smell. “I couldn’t smell my favorite perfume, and it’s a strong perfume,” she said. “That threw me off a little.” Her nose began to run a little that night, and then the cough arrived. “It was an up and down roller coaster” after that, including losing her appetite. Her children — a 12-year-old son and two daughters, age 11 and 13 — became sick the same time she did. “The weird thing is, we all showed different symptoms…we thought it was allergies,” Maria said. Her oldest child’s only symptom of note was the loss of smell. Her youngest suffered fatigue and severe headaches and “would sleep most of the time,” Gonzalez said. Her son complained of a sore throat when he woke up and his eyes turned red and would itch. Both Gonzalez and her son endured severe abdominal pain. “I felt like all my guts were going to come out,” she said. Her children and mother have pretty well recovered, but Gonzalez has been plagued by a persistent cough and occasional cold night sweats. Her senses of taste and smell have recovered somewhat, but not fully. She was already
COURTESY OF THE GONZALEZ FAMILY
Members of the Gonzalez family pose for a photo. Three generations in the Gonzalez Family were impacted by the coronavirus, all with different symptoms and to varying degrees. Alejandro Gonzalez, a 65-year-old member of the family, died after nearly a month on a respirator.
working from home before the pandemic struck, and she has been able to keep working on days she has the energy for it. Somehow, through it all, her husband has been able to avoid coming down with the virus, even though they all live under the same roof. Like his father and grandfather before him, he is diabetic, making him more vulnerable to the worst the virus can do. “This thing is crazy,” Maria
said. “It attacks the way it wants to attack, I guess.” Everyone washes their hands frequently and they sanitize everything they touch to protect the one family member who hasn’t come down with COVID. They even wear masks inside the house. “We try to take every precaution we can here at home,” she said. Her children have not complained about being stuck at home in quarantine, she said.
They want to be there to help however they can. “My children have the biggest heart ever, the greatest spirit ever,” Maria said. “They are my big support system.” This story was produced as part of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of seven media companies, including The Sunflower, working together to bring timely and accurate news and information to Kansans.
Keeping COVID-19 away means extra precautions at residence halls BY AUDREY KORTE podcast@thesunflower.com / @akorteshares
COURTESY/WSU
Dr. Gregory Hand, founding dean of West Virginia University’s School of Public Health, will be the next dean of the Wichita State University College of Health Professions. He will take over for interim Dean Steve Arnold on Sept. 7.
WSU hires new College of Health Professions dean After a months-long search, Wichita State University has a new dean for the College of Health Professions. WSU appointed Gregory Hand, founding dean of West Virginia University’s School of Public Health, to serve in the position, effective Sept. 7. Hand, a professor of epidemiology at WVU, was one of four candidates interviewed in June for the position, which was left vacant after former Dean Sandra Bibb’s sudden resignation in January. WSU officials provided no context for Bibb’s departure, which came as a shock to students. Hand will assume the role’s responsibilities from Steve Arnold, an associate professor who was named interim dean in February. “I am excited to be joining Wichita State University, which has a reputation as a university on the move,” Hand told WSU News in a Tuesday release. “Whether in the laboratory, treating people at the bedside, or promoting health out in the community, the College of Health Professions is having a significant impact on the vitality of Wichita.” Hand began his research career examining the neurobiological basis for cardiovascular adjustments to muscular activity, according to WVU’s website. His current research at WVU focuses on energy balance, weight management and the health outcomes associated with the amount of energy that an individual expends and consumes. Hand has published over 100 journal articles and book chapters on the role of physical activity and exercise on determinants of health and health outcomes.
“In Dr. Hand’s interviews, it was obvious from his background in providing health-care leadership, conducting research in the health field and conceptualizing new public health educational programs, that he was the best choice to lead the College of Health Professions,” said WSU Executive Vice President and Provost Rick Muma said Tuesday in a statement. Prior to his role at WVU, Hand was the associate dean for research, practice and information technology at the University of South Carolina’s School of Public Health. Arnold, outgoing interim dean, said in an interview with The Sunflower that the dean of the College of Health Professions needs to be a people person. “Every good leader — you have to build confidence and trust,” Arnold said. “Don’t come in with a pre-planned agenda. Spend a lot of time listening and getting to know the people and the culture.” Hand received his doctorate from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, his master’s degree in public health from the University of South Carolina and a master of science degree from the University of Arizona. He received postdoctoral training at the Moss Heart Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Kimberly Engber, dean of the Cohen Honors College, headed the 17-person search committee that ultimately selected Hand. Other finalists for the position included Phillip Funk of DePaul University, Sathees Chandra of Barry University and Kimberly McDowall Long of Newman University.
In case you missed the memo, there are a lot more regulations to keep track of at Wichita State this year. There are even more to remember if you’re staying at a residence hall. Face masks are required everywhere on campus, including in residence halls, unless someone is walking alone outside or working alone in an office. Masks are not required within apartments and suites at residence halls, provided that roommates agree to this. Living on campus means taking regular, required COVID19 tests, keeping faces covered the majority of the day, and not socializing with more than two friends at a time in dorms. And student residents may have to move rooms for an isolation period if they come down with the novel coronavirus. If a resident is exposed for an extended period of time to someone who catches the virus, they will need to quarantine within their rooms. Scott Jensen, associate dean of students, said there are fewer students who want to stay on campus this year, and though this isn’t exactly good news, it has allowed staff to prepare spaces to cope with positive COVID-19 cases in residence halls should the situation arise. Last year, Jensen said the university had about 1,400 student residents at the beginning. This year, the university is starting with about 1,250 residents. “It does leave us 150 beds that are open, so one of the things we did about three or four weeks ago was to start looking at spaces that weren’t full and start holding them,” he said. “So we have over 100 spaces that no other students are living in and we’re able to, if someone tests positive, to move students into those spaces.” During the moving process, staff will take a moving cart to the student’s room with a spray bottle of cleaner and a rag so they can sanitize the space they’ve been inhabiting before they leave. A student would use the cart to grab what they’ll need in isolation and then move to the assigned room for the isolation period. “We actually leave the keys in your space and that moving cart,” Jensen said. “We’ve done it in a way that we can keep our
KHANH NGUYEN/THE SUNFLOWER
This image shows a connecting hallway between the two buildings that comprise Shocker Hall. Residence halls will have extra safety steps this year.
staff safe, as well as keep students safe.” It’s not exactly ideal to have to move your stuff while battling the virus, Jensen said, but it is the best way to keep fellow students and staff healthy. But that’s a worst case scenario. Returning student Kiah Nesbitt said she isn’t too worried. She said she felt operations were being handled appropriately in residence halls. “I feel like everything is running pretty much the same,” she said. “We’re taking the safety precautions that are needed.” Housing and Residence Life also changed the move-in process, including by adding mandatory COVID-19 tests for residents and staff. Students were required to complete a test within 24 hours of occupying their rooms. Student athletes and employees working in Housing and Residence Life also have mandated COVID-19 tests. Students who were tested for COVID-19 when moving in said they took a spit vial test, which is much less invasive and uncomfortable than the typical nasal
probe test. Results are coming back quickly, too — students and staff told The Sunflower they received results in two to three days. “I feel really good about it,” Nesbitt said. “If there are any cases then the campus is catching them when they’re coming in. Most campuses aren’t testing, so it’s nice that we’re offering students getting tested first to maintain the safety of our staff and students.” “We will struggle with getting people to maintain safety precautions and cleanliness because this is something new,” Nesbitt said. But she feels like as long as students start off wearing masks, washing hands and keeping distance from others then students will become used to it. “It’ll become normal for students.” Testing for residents is happening in the Shocker Hall Building A Multipurpose Room and The Suites’ Media Room from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily through Friday, Aug. 21. Visit wichita.edu/student_life/ housing for more info.
6 | MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020
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Arts & Entertainment
HAVE A STORY IDEA?
contact The Sunflower’s A&E editor, Karen Galindo arts@thesunflower.com
The best food and coffee spots at Wichita State or nearby If there’s one recurring theme among most college students it’s that we’re always hungry. Sometimes we don’t have time, don’t live in the right dorms, or just do not know how to cook. Here are my top spots to get great food (and coffee) on and around campus. BY KAMILAH GUMBS kamilah@thesunflower.com / @KamilahGumbs
FAIRMOUNT COFFEE CO.
Fairmount Coffee Co. is located right across campus at 815 E. 17th St. N. This small coffee shop has been serving the Wichita community since 2017 and has brought a different element with their ambience and food. For coffee lovers, Fairmount Coffee has a wide selection and seasonal flavors. They also sell sandwiches, wraps, flat breads and baked goods. Delivery: Yes, through Grubhub and Doordash. Pick up: Yes, you can order online through their website: fairmountcoffee.com Kamilah’s recommendation: The Shocker (oven roasted turkey, sliced bacon, sliced avocado, monterey jack cheese, & jalapeño ranch on wheatberry bread) with a strawberry lemonade or caramel latte.
THE SHOCKER SPORTS GRILL & LANES
Located at the basement of the RSC, The Shockers Sports Grill & Lanes is a perfect spot to get a quick bite on campus. Their menu consists of your typical bar food and beer options for those who are over 21. Also, make sure to pay attention for their burger of the month and their lunch specials throughout the week. For those who have dining dollars, this is the best place to dump them when you have a lot left at the end of the semester. Delivery: No. Pickup: Yes, can call to place your order.
Kamilah’s recommendation:
Ten-piece Shocker wings, dry, with honey mustard sauce on the side, and an order of fresh fried potato chips.
JOURNEY EAST ASIA GRILL
Journey East Asia Grill opened up last year at Braeburn Square on campus. From the classic crab rangoon to specials such as roast duck curry ramen, Journey East gives you a quick tour of East Asian cuisine with their menu. This restaurant is also special as one of the owners is an alum of Wichita State University and Friends University. Journey East is open from noon to 9:15 p.m. This is the perfect place to have lunch after classes or for dinner night with your friends on campus. Delivery: Yes, through Doordash. Pick Up: Yes, order on their website: journeyeastasiagrilltogo.com
Kamilah’s recommendation:
Any of the bulgogi options (chicken, beef, shrimp and tofu) with a strawberry boba drink.
PASSAGE TO INDIA
Passage to India is located at 6100 E. 21st St, Suite 180 about three minutes east from campus. If you’re a lover of Indian food or someone who wants to try something new, this menu is packed with authentic Indian flavors and spices. Their 130-item menu gives you the options from curries to various vegetarian options. Passage to India also has a buffet option, where you can fill your plates with all they have to offer. It’s more on the expensive side, but this is definitely a way to celebrate a special occasion. Delivery: Yes, through Doordash and Uber Eats Pick up: Yes. Kamilah’s recommendation: Lamb tikka masala with an order of butter naan.
THE GROUNDHOUSE
The Groundhouse is Wichita’s State’s coffee shop, located right next to the Shocker Dining Hall. Their hours run from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on the weekends. You can also spend your dining dollars here — whether on coffee, in-house smoothies, snacks or even toiletries. The Groundhouse first opened in 2014 and has since become a staple on campus. Delivery: No Pick up: Yes
Kamilah’s recommendation:
Let’s say you rushed out of your dorm and forgot to brush your teeth. This is the place to get a small sample for a quick brush. I also recommend getting any of the smoothies, which is a great way to perk up your mornings.
PHOTOS BY KHANH NGUYEN AND KAYLEE STOUT/THE SUNFLOWER
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS THIS SEMESTER AUG. 21
OCT. 10
Clash of the Colleges will take place this year, but only a limited amount of students will be allowed to attend. There will also be virtual games available. If you have any questions about Clash, feel free to contact the Office of First-Year Programs at (316) 978-542.
In addition to the virtual celebration in May, graduates now have the opportunity for an in-person ceremony. Check-in time for graduates will be at 1:30 p.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. The RSVP period closes at 5 p.m. on Sept. 18.
AUG. 24
Pumpkin Run — 5K at 9 a.m. and 1K at 10:15 a.m.
Clash of the Colleges — 4 p.m. at Cessna Stadium
MGC Informational — 5 p.m. via Zoom The Multicultural Greek Council will be hosting its virtual informational event to give potential new members the opportunity to learn more about MGC organizations. The link for the event will be posted on the MGC’s social media platforms.
AUG. 28
Commencement Ceremony for 2020 Spring and Summer Graduates
OCT. 17
The annual Pumpkin Run is family friendly and open to community members. For more information, email cr.pumpkinrun@wichita. edu or call Campus Recreation at (316)978-3082.
OCT. 27 Last day to officially drop a course with a “W”
Last day to drop a course and not have it appear on your transcript
NOV. 20
AUG. 31 TO SEPT. 4
NOV. 23 TO 29
Last day of in-person instruction
Shocker Resource Fair
Thanksgiving Recess
SAC’s virtual resource fair will give new students the opportunity to learn about the resources and opportunities that Wichita State has to offer.
No classes. Offices will be closed Nov. 26 to 27.
SEPT. 12
Wichita Clean Streams — 9:30 a.m., location TBD Looking for volunteer opportunities? Join Wichita Clean Streams, Wichita RiverWalk Clean-up Crew for a morning of picking up litter around the Arkansas River. Gloves and other needed items will be available for volunteers.
OCT. 3
WU’s Big Event XIII — 8:30 a.m. at the Hughes Metroplex The Community Service Board will be hosting their largest, annual one-day volunteer event. If you’re interested, sign up at wichita.edu/VolunteerICT.
NOV. 30 Those few in-person and hybrid classes will resume to an onlineonly format.
DEC. 3 Last day of classes
DEC. 5 TO 10 Final exams
DEC. 13
‘TWISTER GRANDE’ UNVEILED Wichita State University and the Ulrich Museum of Art unveiled “Twister Grande” on Innovation Campus on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The 13-foot tall, aluminum structure closely resembles a tornado and is near the Airbus facility on Innovation Campus. The sculpture is the 81st piece in the Ulrich’s outdoor sculpture collection, according to the museum’s weekly newsletter. “Twister Grande” is a salute to late former President John Bardo, who led the development of Innovation Campus. It was commissioned by Alice Aycock, the 2018 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Contemporary Sculpture from the International Sculpture Center. PHOTOS BY KAYLEE STOUT/THE SUNFLOWER
Fall 2020 commencement ceremony This in-person celebration will be open to fall 2020 graduates, as well as spring and summer graduates who were unable to attend the virtual May celebration or the in-person October ceremony. Check-in time for graduates will be at 1:30 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. For more information, visit wichita.edu/ commencement.
We’re hiring. apply at thesunflower.com by clicking ‘work with us’ at the top of the page
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020 | 7
FILE PHOTO: MORGAN ANDERSON/THE SUNFLOWER
Aviance Battles, a student majoring in Dance at Wichita State University, performs her routine “Dear Me” during the Kansas Dance Festival on Saturday, November 24 in the Wilner Auditorium.
Virtual performances create challenges, opportunities for performing arts students BY KAREN GALINDO arts@thesunflower.com
Most learning spaces at Wichita State will be at least partially online this semester, and the stage is no exception. The School of Performing Arts’ shows this semester will be broadcast on a virtual platform and some scenes will be filmed and pre-recorded beforehand. Each performance will either have a very limited in-person audience or none at all. Linda Starkey, director of the School of Performing Arts, said students are following COVID-19 safety guidelines like wearing face masks, working six feet apart if not remotely, frequently using hand sanitizer, and even planning for some rehearsals over Zoom. “It will be a [really] innovative approach to producing a show we would normally do as a public performance on our stage,” Starkey said. “So we feel like we are learning a lot of new things, new ways to continue our craft and to continue story telling, but just using a virtual platform.” The School of Performing Arts is working closely with Shocker Studios to adapt this semester’s first theatre show for a virtual
platform. Dance concerts will also be held on virtual platforms this semester.
“...That’s a completely different set of challenges, especially for costume design and how it comes out on camera rather than on stage. It’s a different learning environment.” KATY REKO Senior, technical theatre and musical theatre and design
While virtual performances come with some downsides, Starkey said they have the potential to expand the School of Performing Arts’ reach. “We are hoping to reach some people who would have never come to the theatre,” she said. Starkey said she doesn’t believe hosting performances virtually will hurt the quality of students’ education. “That’s something we’ve all worried about when we first
started talking,” Starkey said. “...We love that audience applause and the actors always do better when they get an audience response. But some of the kids want to work in television anyway, and a lot of casting agencies … are requiring that actors, instead of coming into a live casting call, are asking for a video submission.” Senior Katy Reko is double majoring in technical theatre and musical theatre and design. Reko, lead costume designer for this year’s first production, says the costume shop is equipped with plexiglass shields and each student now has their own individual tool box to keep cross-contact at a minimum. “We had to completely revamp how we share our designs and it’s also affecting, in general, our season as well,” Reko said. “... That’s a completely different set of challenges, especially for costume design and how it comes out on camera rather than on stage. It’s a different learning environment.” Although these new guidelines have disrupted the usual work flow, Reko said she doesn’t necessarily believe it has made the process more difficult. “I actually found that in the performing arts it’s a little bit
Test your knowledge of WSU with this quiz
1. JAY GOLDEN WAS NAMED THE 14TH PRESIDENT OF WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY IN OCTOBER. AT WHICH UNIVERSITY DID HE MOST RECENTLY WORK BEFORE COMING TO WSU?
A. B. C. D.
Duke University Kansas State University Princeton East Carolina University
2. HOW MANY BASKETBALL PLAYERS COACHED BY GREGG MARSHALL HAVE MADE IT TO THE NBA?
A. B. C. D.
Five Four Three Two
3. WICHITA STATE OPENED THE DOORS AT THE NEW YMCA FACILITY ON CAMPUS IN JANUARY. WHAT IS THE NAME OF WSU’S OTHER EXERCISE FACILITY?
A. Koch Exercise Science Center B. The Heskett Center C. Shocker Fitness Facility D. Fairmount Gym 4. AS PRESIDENT GOLDEN CHANGED THE STRUCTURE OF WSU ADMINISTRATION, HE GAVE PROVOST RICK MUMA ANOTHER TITLE IN ADDITION TO HIS ROLE AS PROVOST. WHAT IS IT?
A. Director of government relations B. Vice president of Student Affairs C. Executive vice president D. Dean of students 5. ALONGSIDE RESIDENCES HALLS ON CAMPUS, MANY WICHITA STATE STUDENTS STAY AT A STUDENT HOUSING COMPLEX NEAR CAMPUS WITH FOUR DIGITS IN ITS NAME. WHAT ARE THOSE DIGITS?
A. B. C. D.
2109 1845 2909 4208
6. AMID THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, WICHITA STATE DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS ON CAMPUS, LIKE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THAT PLAN?
A. B. C. D.
Shockers United Shock the World Masks On, Shockers Up Wichita State United
7. WHAT IS THE GOVERNING BODY FOR WICHITA STATE?
A. The Kansas Higher Education Council B. The Kansas State Board of Education C. The Kansas Board of Regents D. Wichita State Student Government Association 8. WSU WAS ORIGINALLY FOUND IN 1895 UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME. WHAT WAS THE UNIVERSITY’S FIRST NAME?
A. Municipal University of Wichita B. The Wichita State University C. Fairmount College D. Wichita College 9. WICHITA STATE OFFERS MAJORS AND/OR MINORS IN SEVERAL FOREIGN LANGUAGES. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGES IS NOT OFFERED?
A. Japanese B. Italian C. Russian D. German 10. BECAUSE OF COVID-19, THE SUNFLOWER WILL ONLY PRINT ONCE A WEEK THIS SEMESTER. HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK DID THE SUNFLOWER PRINT IN YEARS PAST?
A. Five B. Four C. Three D. Two Answers: D, A, B, C, C, A, C, C, C, D
Whether this is your first week at Wichita State or you know the campus like the back of your hand, there’s plenty of trivia to learn about the university. The Sunflower prepared this quiz to test readers’ knowledge over Wichita State’s present and past. Most answers can be found in articles on thesunflower.com or on the university’s website. Correct answers are listed below the quiz.
individualistic, like, when we have to go online we get a little bit more individual instruction because we are sending videos and performances and we get more personal video back,” Reko said. “...It’s definitely been a really nice opportunity to learn something about my own personal work ethic and ability to keep up with the performing arts in this kind of capacity.” Starkey said she hopes that a live performance will be possible for the spring semester but said it depends on state regulations and whether a COVID-19 vaccine has been developed. “We will have to depend on the regulations we are getting from the state and the recommendations from the CDC,” Starkey said. “We are hoping to explore this, but none of us have a crystal ball to see what exactly is going to happen and how quickly it will happen.” Until then, Starkey is staying optimistic about the new changes underway at the School of Performing Arts. “Live audiences and live performances will come back, so we will be eager for that,” Starkey said. “We are trying to stay positive and look for the new things we are going to learn.”
It’s time to stop undervaluing our arts Karen Galindo A&E Editor arts@thesunflower.com
Welcome new and returning Shockers! I’m Karen Galindo, this semester’s arts and entertainment editor at The Sunflower. I am looking forward to covering campus culture to the best of my ability. In the age of COVID-19, student artists and performers will face new and difficult challenges, like rehearsing and performing through virtual platforms. I plan to cover these changes and the stories that reflect their impact on students. I also want to use my platform to support the arts and emphasize their value. The arts are usually underfunded, overlooked, and undervalued, which is interesting because everything involves art. The music you listen to on your way to class, the clothes you wear, the television shows you bingewatch — all are connected to fine arts. The arts are also a form of speech and expression. Throughout history they have been used for political action and statements, serving as catalysts
for societal change. They have also been used as beacons of hope during difficult times — just take a look at all the art that has emerged during this strenuous year and during lockdown. It’s time to stop underappreciating the arts and the benefits they provide. As your arts and entertainment editor, I hope to showcase all the good that WSU fine arts bring to our campus and the artists behind them. I also hope to meet and connect with interesting people throughout campus and bring their stories to life — especially since feature stories are the most fun to write. I like to think of the arts and entertainment section of The Sunflower as fun, meaningful and lively. I hope to highlight at least one local artist every month, whether they’re a student, community member or faculty member. If you have any story ideas, know any talented artists, or just want to share your input on the section, please email me at arts@ thesunflower.com. I’d also highly encourage you to apply to be a part of The Sunflower staff if you’re interested in joining the A&E team. I wish you the best of luck with this new and interesting semester. Go Shocks!
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The Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State University campus is currently closed to public gatherings, but that’s not stopping us from offering an exciting lineup of virtual programs in the coming months, featuring talks by international and local artists, book discussions, and more! All Ulrich Virtual programs are free and open to the public, and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home, but registration is required to get the Zoom link. Register at ulrich.wichita.edu/programs/ All programs begin at 6 P.M.
Tuesday, August 18 In the Studio with Ann Resnick Wichita-based artist whose Ulrich + Artists + You billboard is on display at 2518 E. Douglas
Tuesday, August 25 Hank Willis Thomas with Dr. Deborah Willis Thomas’s billboard is on view at 308 N. West St.
Tuesday, September 15 Artist Talk: Gajin Fujita Japanese artist Gajin Fujita’s billboard goes on view in September at 1500 N. Broadway.
Tuesday, September 22 Artist Talk: Terry Evans Evans’s billboard is on display at 1101 N. West St.
Tuesday, October 6 Jaune Quick-to-See Smith with Norman Akers The billboard featuring Smith’s work goes on display in September at 703 N. West St.
Tuesday, October 20 In the Studio with Larry Schwarm Wichita-based artist Larry Schwarm’s billboard goes on display in September at 4355 S K-15
Tuesday, October 27 Artist Talk: Zhang Huan Chinese artist Zhang Huan’s billboard is on display at 5455 E. Central
Tuesday, November 17 John Edwin Mason on Gordon Parks and Muhammad Ali Historian and photographer John Edwin Mason discusses the special bond between the photograper and the boxer. Parks’s billboard is on display at 5218 E. 21st St.
Wichita State University
MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020 | 9
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Opinion
HAVE AN OPINION?
contact The Sunflower’s opinion editor, Jeromiah Taylor opinion@thesunflower.com
From the editor: Help us amplify your voice Daniel Caudill Editor-in-Chief editor@thesunflower.com
If you made it this far in the paper, you’ve probably had the point drilled in your head already: this semester is gonna be weird. And while most of campus is adjusting its operations to be suited for a pandemic world, The Sunflower is no exception. Instead of printing twice a week, we’ll be printing only on Mondays for a couple of reasons. First, there will simply be fewer people on campus this semester at any given time. Second, producing one paper instead of two gives The Sunflower’s staff more room to work from a distance and stay safe. Don’t fret though — we’ll still be doing daily coverage on our website, and you can expect each issue to be a bit more packed considering we’ll have fewer issues overall. During my time as editor, I want The Sunflower to continue to be a reliable, independent source
of news for students at Wichita State, while growing its connection to the campus community. As a student publication, I think one of The Sunflower’s most important obligations is to provide a voice for the voiceless. We
“... We can be the ones to ask tough questions and make sure the university’s decisions are made in the best interest of the campus community.”
can serve our readers best when people from all backgrounds feel like they have a seat at the table. And as the university’s historical record, how can we be accurate unless we’re in tune with the struggles and triumphs of students from diverse backgrounds? Whether it’s writing a letter to the editor, sending a news tip, or applying for a position on staff, I want students to know that they can use The Sunflower to amplify their voices or shine light on
Khan: Let’s put students at the forefront Dear Shocker Nation, The last few months have been a challenge for us all. Not only has the pandemic changed the way campus operates, it has changed our lives and our futures forever. In this RIJA KHAN moment, much Student Body like the generPresident ations before, we must adapt to our current situation. I consider Shocker Nation fortunate since we have leadership that is able and willing to listen and act appropriately during this time. With the discomfort of the pandemic at hand, we have a golden opportunity to reevaluate our systems. It has given us the opportunity to look beyond the individuals and see our community as a whole. Everyone needs to take new precautions to protect others on our campus, in our communities, and on state and national level. Sometimes that protection applies to more things than just wearing a mask, it applies to giving fair opportunities to help others succeed. Higher education allows us the opportunity to be educated on issues around us and teaches us how to share platforms and amplify voices. These are revolutionary times, so let us partake in
positive change-making for all. This change can come through voting. This year we have many elections that will help shape our future. For some of you, it will be your first time voting in an election, and now more than ever, it is crucial that you utilize your right to vote. Be sure to take time to educate yourselves on each candidate and make an educated vote. During our campaign last year, Student Body Vice President Mackenzie Haas and I took time to educate ourselves about the student issues. Now we will take steps to solve those issues while working through a pandemic. Our respect, support, and love for the student body is endless and we will take any and every action to ensure your voices are heard. As your student body president, I am working and will continue to work towards putting students first. I urge every member of Shocker Nation to take time to read the COVID-19 requirements on Wichita State’s website. I encourage everyone to help protect those on our campus, and to take time to take care of the people around us. I wish I could welcome everyone back to campus in person, but for the time being let us take all precautions necessary and protect everyone around us. Welcome back, Shocker Nation.
issues that otherwise might not get noticed. The biggest challenge for Wichita State in the coming year will be its response to the coronavirus outbreak and its human and economic impact. Many students may not be able to return to class, especially if they’re facing their own hardships, and online learning has proved not to be a universal substitution for in-person instruction. State universities, already facing tens of millions in lost revenue, will have to find funding elsewhere. Given WSU’s track record and the fact that the state of Kansas will also be facing huge revenue losses in the coming year, it seems likely that the university will turn to private resources. And while there can be some benefit to public-private partnerships, they’re often obscured from public scrutiny and come with a lot of questions. That’s where I think The Sunflower comes in. As a student newspaper free of editorial oversight from the university, we can be the ones to ask tough questions and make
sure the university’s decisions are made in the best interest of the campus community. The Sunflower also plays a critical role in preserving the stories from this historic point in time. Through the brand new Wichita Journalism Collaborative, The Sunflower will be cooperating with other local news organizations to cover the COVID-19 pandemic. The project allows students journalists to pick up bylines in well established professional organizations, while also giving us the opportunity to pick up some high-quality coverage of the coronavirus. You can find an example of one of these stories on page 5. Despite the big challenges we all face in the coming semesters, I’m optimistic about serving in this role. I have a passion for storytelling, and over the years since I joined The Sunflower’s staff I’ve seen its ability to inform, connect and empower people. I hope I can lead the newspaper in a way that inspires other student journalists and helps establish truth in truly uncertain times.
Golden: Be resilient and surge forward Hello, Shockers. Welcome to the fall semester. So far, 2020 has been one for the record books. There’s no doubt that the COVID19 pandemic has turned the world on its axis. Education – and JAY GOLDEN University President nearly every part of our daily lives – has been temporarily altered. But with this uncertainty comes the chance for you to be resilient and surge forward as you continue reaching for your goals. I’ll be supporting and rooting you on along the way. Our normal back-to-school festivities won’t look the same this year as they normally do. It’s important to balance a comprehensive student experience with health and safety. We know that student involvement and connection are critical parts of the student experience, and we will be doing all we can to facilitate both, with your safety as our top priority. Along with physical health comes the importance of emotional health. It’s understandable that many of you may be experiencing extra stress right now. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the incredibly helpful services at Counseling and Testing Services. By now, most of you are likely used to some form of remote
learning. That will continue this fall at Wichita State. I could not be more proud of the work being done right now to ensure a continued top-notch educational experience for each and every one of you through our hybrid and online courses. Your instructors want the best for you and have done an amazing job preparing for this semester. As we get deeper into school, it’s quite possible that our routines may be upended again by circumstances outside our control. It’s important that we remain flexible and give each other grace as we potentially navigate more alterations to our routine. I promise to keep you updated throughout the semester if any changes to the current academic calendar are planned. Follow your student email for announcements, and keep up with me @ PresidentWSU on Twitter. I so look forward to seeing you on campus and experiencing my first fall semester here at Wichita State University. If you see me strolling along or walking my new golden retriever, Rudy, please don’t hesitate to say hello. One of my favorite parts of being your president is meeting the wonderfully diverse and talented students who have chosen Shocker Nation as their home. Until then, stay healthy and eager to learn. Go Shockers!
WSUPD: We’re here to keep you safe Welcome back, everyone, for another semester at Wichita State University! For all of our first-time students and their families, welcome to your college experience. My RODNEY CLARK name is Rodney University Police Chief Clark and I am the chief of police here at WSU. I hope you find your time here at WSU enjoyable. My job is to make all feel safe and welcome at our university. Wichita State University has a full-service police department, staffed with officers that receive the same training as any police officer in the state of Kansas. Last year, Wichita State was in the top 20 schools in the nation for campus safety and we have only improved through everyone’s efforts. The Student Government Association recognized WSUPD as being an outstanding campus partner and commended the
department for its work during the spring 2020 semester. Our students’ safety is our number-one priority. We operate the police department under the philosophy called Caring and Compassionate Policing or what I refer to as C2 Policing. This simply means our number one goal is to make you feel comfortable and cared for here at WSU. I want all new and returning students to feel safe and to please approach any of our officers with questions you may have or to report anything you think may require attention from a police officer. The department offers a program of safety escorts to class, to your car or anywhere on campus if you feel uncomfortable with someone or with a situation. Think about safety in all you do. It is smart, when possible, to travel with a friend off campus and to let others know where you are going. There is safety in numbers, and simple things like looking around your environment
and not walking while looking at your phone constantly helps convey the message to others that you are looking out for yourself and those around you. There are several features on campus for your safety. Any blue light on top of a pole on campus marks a police call box. If you find yourself out of battery power or without your phone, you may use these phones to get in direct contact with a police dispatcher. You can also save this number, (316) 978-3450, on your phone for a direct line to police dispatch. I also recommend the “Rave Guardian” app on your smartphone as a safety feature. Some of the features of this app allow you to share your location with friends and set reminders to check in with the people you choose. The Shocker Alert System is a messaging system the police department and the university use to send out a range of alerts, such as those related to weather and any type of criminal or emergency
situation that may exist on or near campus. It is important to stay aware of these messages as well. Finally, so much has changed in the world in just the last 4-5 months. COVID 19 has made all landscapes different in the way we interact and social unrest in our country has become a reality in United States culture. I can assure you all of your first amendment and constitutional rights are protected here at Wichita State University. Simultaneously as a law enforcement officer, I have the solemn duty of upholding all United States and Kansas laws. I will do my part, and please help me if you see anything here at all that you feel needs brought to my attention. As police chief, I can be found most days in my office inside the police station if you should have an idea or just want to talk. I and all of my officers have years of experience dealing with any questions or situations you might have, so do not be hesitant to come by and see us. Have a great semester and year.
Opinion writing is more important now than ever Jeromiah Taylor Opinion Editor opinion@thesunflower.com
Since the last print issue of The Sunflower, the United States has succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement has been reignited by the tragic deaths of George Floyd and others, and we as students are preparing to embark on a highly experimental semester with no real precedent.
“The facts can illuminate ignorance. But a poignant editorial or a stellar argument can transform a person.” Let me begin by saying I hope you are well — as well as one can be as we struggle to stay healthy and solvent while still doing our part to promote justice. These are exhausting times, scary times, and challenging times. Every industry has been forced to adapt to the new world in which we live. The Sunflower is no different. We will only print one issue a week for the fall 2020 semester. I hope that over the past several months readers have come to associate the Opinion Section with diverse, well-written pieces rooted in experience and scaffolded by thorough research. As we move into uncharted waters, I hope to serve you as readers who are living through a global crisis with powerful stories that affirm, expand or even dismantle your own points of view. In this time of baseless punditry and rampant misinformation, it might be tempting to dismiss opinion writing as inessential or even condemn it as harmful. Yet it is the very subjectivity of the opinion that comprises its admittedly slippery power. The facts can illuminate ignorance. But a poignant editorial or a stellar argument can transform a person. The transformation of peoples is no small thing. In fact it is crucial to the transformation of society. As sociologist Margaret Mead said “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” My priorities for this section include a real diversity of opinion, but especially the amplification of voices not heard, of voices essential, of voices valuable but not valued. As the United States reckons with race in the streets, at the ballot box and everywhere else, I will strive to publish Black voices as often as possible. It is only fundamentally decent to do so. I will also be looking for creativity — pieces that are unexpected and not easily replicated. The opinion section is where writers are strongly encouraged to bring personality and even accessible experimentation to their work. I aspire towards a well curated collection of work in every issue. Above all else, I want writers to tell their stories and I want readers to read these stories and find parts of themselves, old and new, within. Stories are an ancient coping mechanism and a way of finding meaning, building logic, rooting identity, staving off chaos and entropy. What time other than the present could possibly be more ripe for story telling? Let us assemble our defenses, stacking 600-word stories like sandbags against the rising tides of disaster. It just might make a difference.
10 | MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020
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Sports
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contact The Sunflower’s sports editor, Sean Marty sports@thesunflower.com
An offseason of change
COVID-19, transfers leave lasting impact on Wichita State Athletics 1:24 p.m. High school guard Chaunce Jenkins commits to WSU
10:45 a.m. AAC Tournament and other major conference tournaments get canceled
6:02 p.m. High school combo-guard Ricky Council IV commits
3:00 p.m. AAC suspends all spring sports 3:15 p.m. NCAA Tournament is canceled
MARCH 11
2:04 p.m. Grant Sherfield enters the transfer portal
MARCH 13
MARCH 12
7:45 a.m. AAC announces that no fans will be able to attend the AAC Championships
12:23 p.m. Asbjorn Midtgaard enters the portal
MARCH 19
MARCH 16
2:10 p.m. Tate Busse enters the transfer portal
6:58 p.m. Junior college guard Craig Porter, Jr. commits to WSU
MARCH 30
MARCH 28
MARCH 27
11:05 a.m. Morris Udeze enters the transfer portal
MARCH 29
11:32 a.m. Graduate transfer Alterique Gilbert commits to WSU
4:01 p.m. Erik Stevenson enters the portal 4:08 p.m. Jamarius Burton and Noah Fernandes enter the transfer portal 4:23 p.m. DeAntoni Gordon also enters the portal
4:20 p.m. Dexter Dennis declares for the NBA Draft
6:55 p.m. WSU signs six players on the first day of the spring recruiting period
APRIL 3
APRIL 2
3:20 p.m. Junior college forward Clarence Jackson commits
6:06 p.m. Morris Udeze announces he will return to WSU after entering the transfer portal
APRIL 17
APRIL 15
3:34 p.m. High school forward Jayden Seymour commits to WSU
6:36 p.m. NCAA agrees to allow summer athletic activities for basketball beginning June 20
MAY 20
APRIL 20
5:24 p.m. Junior college guard Trevin Wade also signs to WSU
3:52 p.m. Dexter Dennis pulls name out of NBA Draft and returns to WSU
JULY 22
JUNE 17
7:41 p.m. NCAA allows voluntary athletic activities in basketball and football starting June 1
JULY 28
1:07 p.m. AAC delays fall olympic sport competition until September 1
4:37 p.m. WSU signee JaDun Michael reopens his recruitment 6:41 p.m. NCAA grants extra year of eligibility for spring sport seniors
GRAPHIC BY MORGAN ANDERSON AND SEAN MARTY
MORGAN ANDERSON/THE SUNFLOWER
Koch Arena sits empty on Friday. Much uncertantity still surrounds sports this year, including whether or not fans will be able to attend.
Where every WSU sport stands going into the 2020-21 school year Sean Marty Sports Editor sports@thesunflower.com
While students are coming back to campus in a limited capacity this semester, much uncertainty still surrounds sports seasons for the 2020-21 school year. With rumors that fall sports or college football could be canceled, it’s unclear whether collegiate sports will take place this year and in what capacity. That said, here’s where every Wichita State program stands heading into the school year.
VOLLEYBALL After a disappointing 2019 season, the volleyball program looks to take a big jump this year with an experienced, returning roster. Despite losing three options at the libero position, the Shockers kept most of their remaining starters and could potentially see a breakout season. The program gained some vital experience for freshmen up and down the roster, especially with outside hitters Sina Uluave and Sophia Rohling, who joined the team late in the season. As the year went on, the rotation started to gain some momentum, which could carry on to the upcoming season. The program will also bring some leadership in the form of Megan Taflinger and Emma Wright. With these upperclassmen in the fold for the 2020 season, leadership will be less of a concern as it was at times a year ago.
CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK AND FIELD Despite an up-and-down season a year ago, the cross country and track and field programs look to be on the rise as star Winny Koskei enters her final season at WSU. As for cross country, Koskei and Ben Flowers had outstanding junior campaigns with Flowers earning all-conference and Koskei earning her second consecutive AAC Runner of the Year award. Both runners are set to return for their senior seasons and will play a major role in the upcoming season. On the track and field side, the outdoor season was canceled but athletes got off to a hot start in the indoor season. Both the men’s and women’s teams were able to record a top-five finish at the conference championships. It will be interesting to see how they are able to rebound after a shortened season.
MEN’S BASKETBALL After it looked like the men’s basketball team was headed back to the NCAA Tournament, the season was canceled. But that wasn’t going to be the only adversity the team faced this offseason. Only a day after the season was canceled, four WSU players entered the transfer portal. Seven Shockers entered the portal in total, including Morris Udeze — who ultimately opted to return to WSU. Despite the roster turnover, the Shockers sit in a good position for the upcoming season. The Shockers now have one of the conference’s best backcourts, with Connecticut graduate transfer Alterique Gilbert, sophomore
Tyson Etienne and combo-guard Dexter Dennis. The biggest key will be how newcomers adjust to the program and how quickly they can form chemistry. If the team is able to quickly form some bonds and the incoming recruits can quickly adjust to their roles, the Shockers could return as one of the top teams in the AAC.
GOLF After an up-and-down season for both the men’s and women’s golf programs, both teams look to be in a good place heading into this season. On the women’s team, Michelle Ledermann is back for her senior season and will look to continue her successful streak from last year. Her best finish from a year ago came during the Payne Stewart Memorial, in which she finished in a tie for fourth. If Ledermann can have another consistent season of play, then the program will be in a good place. In Judd Easterling’s first season at the helm, the men’s program had a lot of positives to take away from their season. One of the main positives came from freshman Joe Bultman, who was able to put together a pair of top-20 finishes while taking part in all six of the team’s events. If the program can continue to have production up and down the roster, they could be set for a big jump in Easterling’s second season.
TENNIS Despite having their seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the men’s and women’s tennis programs had
plenty of positives to take away from last year’s season. The men’s program finished the season with a record of 12-5 prior to the shutdown. Juniors Stefan Latinovic and Orel Ovil took big leaps a year ago, with both players finishing with seven wins. If the pair can take another big step this season the program could have another successful season. Despite not having as successful of a season as the men’s team, the women’s tennis program looks prepared for a solid season. The team is slated to have four seniors back for this upcoming season, which pays dividends in the leadership department. Marta Belluco will look to finish off her WSU career on a high note, finishing last season with a 15-8 record in singles matchups.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL After a couple of disappointing seasons for the program, the women’s basketball program took some big steps a year ago. During Keitha Adams’ third season at the helm, the Shockers went 16-15 and were able to pick up their first victory in the conference tournament. The Shockers were finally able to find some stability in the rotation and will return the majority of their roster next season. Maria McCully will be a major part of the team’s success next year after becoming the team’s go-to scorer in her first year at WSU. After arriving from Wabash Valley, McCully was averaging a team-high 12.6 points per game and was selected for the third-team all-conference. If McCully can have another successful season, the program could make another
jump this season.
BASEBALL Before the baseball season came grinding to a halt, the Shocker baseball program was one of the hottest teams in the country. In the first season with Eric Wedge at the helm, the Shockers finished 13-2 with 12 straight victories. One of the positives that WSU can take from the shortened season is the return of some seniors after NCAA gave them an extra year of eligibility. Preston Snavely, Alex Jackson and Tommy Barnhouse all have expressed interest in returning and will play a big role on the field. Freshmen Couper Cornblum and Cade Clemons also had early success last year and could be capable of breakout seasons this year. Most of the pitching staff is also returning to the team.
SOFTBALL After a season in which the softball program failed to win a single home game, the softball program looks poised for a much better season. Similar to the baseball program, softball will have some of last year’s seniors returning due to their extra year of eligibility. The current AAC home-run leader Madison Perrigan is set to return, along with Ryleigh Buck and Bailey Lange — all of whom will have a big impact on the team from a leadership standpoint. After a season with high expectations that led to an 11-16 record, the softball program could be set for a bounceback season and even a return to NCAA Tournament if all goes according to plan.
SPORTS
MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020 | 11
Steve Clark YMCA adds safety measures against COVID-19 BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @Theseanmarty
Since reopening this summer, the YMCA on campus has been maintaining safety measures to try to protect visitors from the COVID-19. As members enter the Steve Clark YMCA, they’ll be greeted by front desk staff with masks and gloves. Signs encouraging social distancing mark the floor. Thanks to a new app, members can then check into the facility with their phone, rather than punching in their PIN on a keypad. “I think we wanted to be safe and follow the guidelines that the state was putting out,” Branch Director George Sorensen said in a phone interview with the Sunflower. “Once we got the OK from the governor to be able to open then we wanted to make sure that we follow the guidelines and open up in a safe environment.” The Y is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Sorensen said the Y hopes to expand those hours at a date yet to
be determined. YMCA staff are alternating what cardio equipment is available each day, but all equipment is back on the floor and is able to be used currently. “Let’s say today’s an even day so all the even equipment is able to be used and then it will switch over,” Sorensen said. “So, tomorrow the equipment that’s not used today would be used tomorrow.” With an increased focus on sanitation, the Y is providing cleaning products and towels for members to carry around and use on equipment as they move around the facility. Members are still required to bring their own sweat and shower towels for personal use. While most of the workout space is open, some areas and equipment are prohibited due to safety guidelines. The track reopened Friday. “We have certain pieces of equipment that we’ve taken off of the floor that would be equipment that was handled a lot,” Sorensen said. Members are now allowed in locker rooms, basketball gyms and group exercise rooms, which is a
DANIEL CAUDILL/THE SUNFLOWER
Jack Tomlinson, an employee at the Steve Clark YMCA, wipes down a piece of workout equipment on May, 22. The YMCA is adding safety precautions to try to protect visitors from the coronavirus.
change from March. The YMCA is also hosting group exercise classes but they are limited to 15 participants in each room. Members now have to wear facemasks in order to enter and leave but will not be required while working out. Members must also wear a facemask in the basketball when they are not physically
playing in a game. Employees are also required to wear facemasks but must also undergo a wellness check before each shift. There is currently no limit on the number of members allowed in the Y at any given time. Sorensen said he doesn’t expect that to change. “It’s really more about the social distancing for us here at
the Steve Clark YMCA,” he said. “With the hours that we’re open, we’ve seen a good flow of members coming in but not massive numbers coming in.” The Y is placing reminders throughout the facility about social distancing and other guidelines for members to follow when using equipment.
‘Trust the process:’ A note from the sports editor Sean Marty Sports Editor sports@thesunflower.com
Hello Sunflower readers, my name is Sean Marty and I will be your sports editor for the fall semester. I’ve worked as a sports reporter for the paper over the past couple years, and I’m excited to take the leap for this new position. In the past two years, I’ve covered just about every sport, including the men’s basketball team for the past two seasons. I’ve learned about the journalism field in my time at The Sunflower and I hope to continue to learn and grow as sports editor. Growing up as a kid in St. Louis, sports were a big part of my childhood. Whether it was going to watch a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium or even playing some sports on my own, sports had a deep impact on my life. As I was thinking about what exactly I might want to do as a future career, sports journalism always stood out. I instantly became infatuated with learning about the athletes’ stories and the motivation behind their game. Through these first two years at The Sunflower, I’ve learned that my choice to go into journalism, and specifically sports journalism, was the right one. I’ve been able to learn through real-life experiences and from colleagues with more experience than me. As we prepare to cover sports during such an unprecedented time, one goal I have for my section is to inform readers about what’s going on behind the scenes at WSU — specifically about the plans and options they’re considering to bring back sports. One of my other big goals is to try to tell the stories of student-athletes that have been affected by the coronavirus. I think it’s important that we tell the stories of people whose athletic careers and personal lives have seen changes due to the pandemic. The sports world has so many unanswered questions because of COVID-19, and it will be a long journey before sports and fans can come back to campus like normal. But as Philidelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid famously said, “trust the process”. The sports landscape might look bleak as of right now, but there will be a return of sports to the masses, one way or another. If you’d like to get in contact with the sports section, you can email me at sports@thesunflower. com.
KAYLEE STOUT/THE SUNFLOWER
Paula Garcia, a junior track and field sprinter, trains in the Heskett Center on Friday. Masks are required throughout the building, but visitors can remove their masks once they’re at an “activity area,” like the gym or the pool.
Campus Rec adds social distancing, other rules at the Heskett Center BY KAMILAH GUMBS kamilah@thesunflower.com / @KamilahGumbs
The Heskett Center, Wichita State’s recreational center, will function differently this semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Campus Recreation Director John Lee highlighted the new procedures that the Heskett Center will implement during an interview with The Sunflower. “We run everything by the university’s health and safety committee for their input,” Lee said. Guidelines include sanitizing the front desk every 30 minutes, more thorough and regular cleaning of equipment and spaces throughout the building, and finding new ways to host campus recreation events. The center will be open from 6 a .m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The Heskett Center is planning to resume activities like F45 in
the fall semester. Classes will be half of the standard capacity, and participants will stay in one station throughout the entire session. Badminton, volleyball and shooting baskets are the only activities allowed in the gym. Intramural sports will also pick back up at the Heskett this fall. The semester will start off with table tennis and indoor tennis matches, as well as free-throwshooting contests. Flag football is a possibility in October, depending on the city’s public health standings at that time. Travelling for outside tournaments is also suspended until further notice. Campus Recreation will have a Welcome Fest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in front of the Heskett Center. “This is where we are going to promote our programs with fun social-distanced games, such as bag toss,” Lee said.
NEW PROCEDURES • Masks are mandatory in the building, but visitors may take them off when at an “activity area,” like the gym and pool • The front desk has changed to allow social distancing between staff and patrons. If you don’t have your ID, you can tell the front desk worker your ID number • No cash — all purchases must be made with a debit or credit card • Weight and cardio equipment will be spread out to accommodate social distancing • Rooms 141 and 143 are available for reservation, but they will only allow half of the room’s capacity at any given time
WSU adjusts testing protocol for athletes; questions remain for sports seasons BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @Theseanmarty
Wichita State Athletics is having to adjust on the fly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this summer, Athletic Director Darron Boatright told The Sunflower that only symptomatic student-athletes would be tested upon their return to campus. Now, with more student-athletes returning to campus and improved access to tests, WSU will be baseline testing all athletes. “We will be testing them so we can know what’s going on from when they return from home and then we’ll monitor them following,” Boatright said in a phone interview with The Sunflower. “We’ll do some cluster testing throughout the fall and the year, potentially.” If an athlete tests positive as part of this testing, the athletic department will attempt to use contract tracing to locate other
individuals that may be affected by the virus. As the summer progressed, student-athletes gained more leverage in terms of workout activity. On June 1, basketball players were allowed to start voluntary athletic activities, which eventually evolved into summer athletic activities on June 20. During a typical summer, coaches would be able to conduct complete practices, but this year’s workouts are significantly different. Boatright said the athletic department is limiting each workout to four student-athletes. The department is also limiting the number of managers and other staff present at workouts. One of the major questions remaining for college athletics is if fans will be allowed to attend games this season. Boatright is hopeful for this possibility and is looking at different ways that it could be possible amid a pandemic.
“We’re making plans into it with evaluations on various scenarios, percentages of fans that would be allowed into the venues to watch,” he said. One option on the table is hosting games inside the downtown INTRUST Bank Arena, which has a higher max capacity than Charles Koch Arena. In total, INTRUST could hold up to 15,570 fans, compared to 10,506 at Koch Arena. At this point, Boatright remains optimistic that there could be some form of athletics played on WSU’s campus this semester, but he said safety is of the utmost priority. “Hopefully, we’ll have some form of athletics if it’s safe for all concerned,” he said. The American Athletic Conference has already delayed the start of fall Olympic sports until Sept. 1, while also primarily using a conference-only schedule for those fall sports.
Conferences around the country, most notably the Pac-12, are opting to delay sports until 2021. With some of the conferences choosing this path, the NCAA is postponing Division-I Fall Championships. For WSU, it will only affect cross country and volleyball. “Sadly, tragically, that’s going to be the case this fall,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said Thursday in a video interview posted to social media. “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t and can’t turn toward winter and spring and say ‘OK, how can we create a legitimate championship for all those students?’” Emmert also brought up the possibility of introducing “bubbles” for some sports especially after the NBA and NHL utilized them to great effect on a national stage. “If we need to do a bubble model and that’s the only way we can do it, we’ll figure that out.”
12 | MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2020
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