the
SUN FLOWER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2015
VOLUME 120, ISSUE 33
Shocker volleyball clinches sixth Missouri Valley Conference title | PAGE 6
THESUNFLOWER.COM
Rally for peace
Students organize movement to remember victims of terrorist attacks
Photos by Tarun Bali, Celeste Thompson and Manny De Los Santos
Students, faculty and staff join in solidarity Friday at the Plaza of Heroines in light of the terror attacks in Paris, Beruit and Lebanon. Attendees were asked to place gems inside a jar in remembrance of the victims of the attacks. The rally was organized by the French Honors Society at WSU.
NICK BEACH
REPORTER
@nickbeach1
F
or associate professor Brigitte Roussel, the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in France hit too close to home. “We are very sad, infinitely sad,” said Roussel, who was born in France and lived in Paris for a while. Roussel and Pi Delta Phi — the
French Honors Society at Wichita State — organized a peace rally Friday in the Plaza of Heroines, located in the heart of campus. About 100 people filtered through the plaza, which was adorned in blue, red and white candles, signs and drapes, in solidarity with the victims of international terrorist attacks, including in Paris, Beirut and Lebanon a week before the rally.
“I organized the event, and my students actually asked if we could put together a commemorative event so people could come together... at this time of grieving and sadness for the world,” Roussel said. About 130 people died in the attacks in Paris — France reported — and another 350 were injured. “We are here in order to be together,” Roussel said, “and to
“We are here in order to be together, to grieve, pause and reflect.” BRIGITTE ROUSSEL
Associate professor of French
grieve, pause and reflect, like the people of Paris and all the people all over the world who are being victims of the horrible and unjustified attacks.”
Students held signs that read, “#Shockers4peace,” “We welcome refugees” and “Liberté, égalité, fraternité,” which translates to “liberty, equality, fraternity.” Senior Amanda Babcock, vice president of the French Honor Society, was at the rally Friday, and said she plans to study abroad in France next semester.
SEE PEACE • PAGE 4
Westboro Baptist Church exits protest early, virtually ignored by WSU CHANCE SWAIM
REPORTER
@chanceswaim
Westboro Baptist Church protesters stood on a street corner Friday, waving signs and shouting at passing cars, but the gusty winds drowned the sound of the group’s hateful chants and nearly inaudible music. The protest of Wichita State’s inclusion efforts gathered only a handful of spectators, most of them from off campus. Protestors from the Topeka-based church — known for provocative pickets of veterans’ funerals and LGBTQ
rights — were scheduled to be on campus from 1:10 to 1:45 p.m. Friday. Almost 20 minutes earlier than scheduled, the six protesters packed up their windblown signs, crammed back into their minivan and drove away. University President John Bardo sent an email to faculty, staff and students via Shocker Blast on Thursday, notifying them of the protest and urging them to ignore it. “They have a right to speak, but no right to an audience,” Bardo said in his statement. “Ignoring
their protest deprives them of the fuel that drives their cause.” The group protested on the southwest corner of 21st and Oliver Streets — an intersection slowed by construction cones and a three-vehicle pile-up — beside a pile of dirt and a fenced-off construction hole. Despite the slowed traffic — and contrary to the lack of attention they received in the short amount of time they protested — WBC seemed to view the protest differently.
SEE WESTBORO • PAGE 4
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Members from the Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church protest the university’s inclusion efforts Friday on the corner or 21st and Oliver.
THE STAFF:
EDITORIAL
Letter from the editor: The story behind page 1
Editor-in-Chief Shelby Reynolds Managing Editor Danielle Prewitt Multimedia Editor Jessica Green Sports Editor Reece Burns Opinion Editor Alex Perry Special Sections Editor Amanda Hansen Production Editor Jillian Clough
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
PAGE 2 | OPINION
COLUMN BY
SHELBY REYNOLDS
Two contending groups were on campus Friday. One argued for peace, while one argued for
unrest. While the French Honor Society rallied for peace, protestors from Westboro Baptist Church defiled the university’s efforts for inclusion — a characteristic that makes Wichita State shine. In the fight for a viable platform
to spread a cause, newspaper inches become prime territory. As a news source, we must cover both parties, however abhorrent some opinions are to report on. But as a student newspaper, we can also give more attention to one cause over the other.
Readers should notice the amount of space provided to the differing causes on page 1 of Monday’s Sunflower. It was our decision to run the peace rally large, above the fold and with multiple photos. Meanwhile, the Westboro Baptist Church story is given little space below the fold.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Shepard’s resolution to remove himself from office was dramatic, frivolous Student Body President Joseph Shepard authored a resolution last week calling for his resignation from his position. The resolution was presented — to everyone’s surprise — to the Student Government Association meeting Wednesday. The theatrics threw most senators off guard, and they ultimately decided to delay the resolution until the Dec. 2 meeting. It was Shepard’s way of retaliating to certain members of the Senate going behind his back to gossip about his leadership in private group text messages. “I thought, ‘If senators are shaking with my leadership, if they don’t know whether or not they want me to be their leader, let me give them the opportunity to take me out of office,” Shepard said last week. Shepard’s actions were sensational and sudden, especially given a confusing week for the student body, with a list of demands, “the-protest-thatwas,” an agreed-upon solution with President John Bardo and other accusations. While Shepard has vied for answers and used a take-no-prisoner approach toward the administration — which is commendable — it is the The Sunflower’s opinion that a resolution calling for his own resignation was unnecessary and perhaps inappropriate. Sen. Paige Hungate called it a “mockery,” and chairman of SGA’s Campus Issues Committee, Matthew Brinkmeyer, said the timing was unfair and impeachment shouldn’t be up to the Senate.
Photo by Danielle Prewitt
Student Body President Joseph Shepard listens to Senate debates Wednesday. Shepard authored a resolution to remove himself from office.
“We are not senators representing ourselves, we are senators representing the student body,” Brinkmeyer said Wednesday. “There are probably people that want him removed and I think that if they are going to have that discussion, they should be the ones bringing it to the floor, not him.” Sen. Paul Brink was one of the first to speak during Wednesday’s resolution discussion and said, “I don’t think we should ever bring a resolution like this to the floor. I think it’s disrespectful to our institution.” Meanwhile, Shepard said he was trying to be upfront or what he calls, transparent. “I know there are senators who do want me removed and
instead of being transparent and saying it in front of everyone, they’d rather beat around the bush and they’d rather not be open and honest,” Shepard said last week. However, there are better ways to handle disagreement. While Shepard may think he’s meeting indirect criticism with transparency, airing the dirty laundry of a handful of people — the people you lead in office — in front of the public is undignified. Bringing the resolution to the floor himself proved ineffective in combatting indirectness when the resolution was tabled. Instead, take those in opposition forthright for an honest discussion to resolve personal disputes
face-to-face. Further, Shepard should trust the people the student body has elected to run student government. These are some of the best and brightest students on campus, representing a variety of backgrounds. If they so choose to call for Shepard’s resignation, let them be the ones to voice those concerns at the right time, in the right place, with the right audience. It is The Sunflower’s opinion that those students are not “beating around the bush.” In fact, the majority ultimately pledged their support for Shepard on Wednesday. They have a voice and know how to use it. — Editorial Board
Christians who refuse Trigger warnings are Syrian refugees important, harmless refuse Jesus Christ In the wake of the recent attacks in Beirut, Paris and other COLUMN BY places VICTORIA around the HENDRICKS world, innocent and scared people are fleeing from the Middle East where the terror group ISIS reigns supreme. They are looking for peace, democracy and freedom in the supposedly greatest country in the world, and we are turning them away. Specifically, I’m looking at you, Christians. I am a Christian. I love Jesus and believe in the word of God above anything else. I know from first-hand experience how loving, accepting, open and generous Christians can be. That is why it pains me to have to call us out all the time. We need to get a grip. I am going to lay some hard truths on my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I have sat back for a long time, and I have noticed a disturbing trend among my fellow followers. Why are some Christians loving, accepting, open and generous when it seems to fit our agendas? News flash— the only agenda you have as a follower of Christ is a Christian agenda. And, unless I am mistaken, Jesus would never turn away those in peril and in need, no matter what the circumstances. I don’t know which Bible some of you are reading.
I could list scripture after scripture illustrating and outlining how we are to be hospitable, available and kind to those that are struggling. If I did, I’d be writing a book instead of a column. The God you serve had a son, Jesus, who was the original outcast. He was not a blondehaired, blue-eyed Jesus you see in the calendars. He was a Middle Eastern, dark-skinned, bearded man. He looked like many of the people you are refusing to help. When you turn against a Syrian refugee, you are turning against Jesus. Christians have a responsibility to reflect the gospel of Christ, which is love. Love your neighbor. The Syrians are our neighbors. Jesus died for them just as he died for us. Jesus died for the members of ISIS. We need to understand that when we deny the refugees, we are helping ISIS. This is exactly what they want. We cannot let them win. We cannot be afraid. We have to be like Jesus: loving, tender, empathetic, kind and helpful. We have to sacrifice like Jesus did. This Christmas season, we cannot possibly say our cheerful and charitable sentiments while shutting other people out. We either have to admit that we are not Christians or that Jesus was a fraud and the Bible was a lie. How many of you are willing to denounce both? Not me. That is why I strive to be like him. Join me, please. I beg you. Do not continue giving our faith a bad name.
Last week, Wichita State faculty members convened to discuss the COLUMN BY merits of ALEX PERRY including trigger warnings (usually abbreviated as TW) on class syllabi. As The Sunflower’s news coverage indicates, the reception of trigger warnings at this panel was mostly positive, which is encouraging. Still, inside and outside of academia, many decry the concept. For those out of the loop, all trigger warnings do is tell you that what you’re about to read or watch contains images, ideas or language such as rape or abuse, which could trigger panic attacks or post-traumatic stress disorder in people who have experienced such heinous acts. For some reason, this is controversial. On college campuses, where nobody needs parental permission to read a book or watch a movie, all bets are off with regards to challenging content. In a beefy wall of text published by “The Atlantic” in September, authors Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt present an exquisitely well-researched version of the anti-TW perspective — a perspective that is wildly, impressively wrong on several levels. For detractors, trigger warnings serve to censor anything that merely “cause discomfort or give offense.” In the Atlantic piece, Lukianoff and Haidt propose that these warnings encourage “extra-thin skin” in young people that will leave them unprepared to deal with “the real world,” an efficient summation of the anti-TW point of view. The problem with this point of
view is it is based on fundamental misunderstandings. The idea that a graphic depiction of sexual violence is just “offensive” or “uncomfortable” deeply trivializes the real, intense trauma survivors suffer. I have the distinct privilege of never having experienced anything like that. For us, it’s easy to simply label a rape joke as “offensive” and move along. But for survivors, it is so much more. Take Katie Twyman, a woman who was profiled by MTV News last week regarding this topic, has a history of self-harm that stems from her teenage years, and although she hadn’t done it in six years, just seeing a friend with cuts physically reminded her about that time of suffering. She experienced a “sudden feeling that all the air had been knocked out of her chest” and, for the first time in years, felt the urge to do it again. By any standard, that goes well beyond the bounds of discomfort. Does that sound like something that is conducive to a learning environment? Surely, survivors would be better off knowing what to expect so they can prepare themselves for it. As for the concern about knowing how to deal with the “real world,” well, don’t worry about that. Survivors have dealt with the real world in ways nobody ever should. Ultimately, I ask people like myself to think of trigger warnings in the same way they think of the white-on-green disclaimer text that appears before movie trailers. They exist to let people prepare for what they are about to see, and they are not meant to inconvenient anyone who does not need them.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
www.thesunflower.com
PAGE 3 | NEWS
Students craft, sell holiday cards to support their future MARISSA CAMPBELL
REPORTER
@soupitup13
Graphic art students at Wichita State are bringing holiday cheer to campus and raising money for a conference in Dallas. For the second year in a row, graphic arts students in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries and students in the American Institute of Graphic Arts have created and sold holiday cards, which were sold at the craft fair last week and are available on their website. “I joined [AIGA] to be involved in the local design community and to grow personally and professionally,” said AIGA President Lauren Osoba, a senior in graphic design at Wichita State. “At first I was really intimidated by the art community, but now it has become one of my favorite parts about design.” Before the cards were sold, the group displayed all of their work at the Looking Glass gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center. Now the organization is raising money to attend a conference in Dallas. Each year, graphic art students are required to go to a conference to learn and listen to professionals and participate in workshops and competitions. “My son designed one of the
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Senior and graphic design major Lauren Osoba, right, helps a customer pick holiday cards created by American Institiute of Graphic Arts students Thursday at the Rhatigan Student Center. The holiday cards are to help raise money to attend the National Student Show and Conference in Dallas. Cards can be purchased at wichita.edu/aiga.
cards, and I wanted to help support the group,” said Lucy Graeff of financial operations, who bought cards last week. “Since the students are required to go to Dallas, I figured this would be a great way to
support him and get some great Christmas cards.” Although it is too soon to tell how well the fundraising is going, Osoba said she believes the sales have increased since last year.
“The cards were actually circulated in a news flash sent around financial operations, and that’s how I found out about it, so we tried to pass the memo around,” Graeff said. The craft fair this year was
advertised more widely, which attracted more students to their booth. “I read about [the craft fair] through an email so I decided to go check it out,” senior Brittney Stever said. “I’m really glad I did because I didn’t realize how many talented students we had on campus. Some of the student booths had amazing work, and I loved the holiday cards because of the inclusion.” A diverse selection of holiday cards were on display from Christmas and Hanukah cards, to cards with grumpy cat, Darth Vader, pugs and Iron Man. AIGA’s cards are on sale online throughout the holiday season, and most cards cost $2, or 10 cards for $15. In its effort to raise money for the trip, the students also hope to raise money to bring more speakers and artists to teach the student workshops at WSU. “It’s great to meet people who have similar interests as you,” Osoba said. “All of the professionals we have ever met have been so willing to help us, and there is a sense of camaraderie that I’m not sure occurs in other professions, so I really like that.” To purchase a card, go to wichita. edu/aiga. For cash purchases or questions, contact wsuaigagroup@ gmail.com.
Safety bollards to be added to sidewalks around Shocker Hall LEVI YAGER
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Community members pause Friday for a moment of silence after the Letitia Davis Memorial at the Fairmount Church of Christ.
Wichita State celebrates the life of Letitia Davis CHANCE SWAIM
REPORTER
@chanceswaim
Wichita State held a celebration and commemoration of Letitia Davis’ life Friday at Fairmount United Church of Christ. Davis’s memorial came nearly one year after she died in the hospital after being beaten, raped and set on fire on Nov. 14, 2014, in Fairmount Park. Davis died eight days after the attack. Four candles were lit in her honor and remained lit throughout the ceremony. More than 80 people — including Davis’s four children — attended. “In all candor, I was hoping for a bigger crowd,” said Ted Ayres, director of Community Engagement and Opportunity at WSU. “Actually, I was dreaming of a standing-room-only crowd.” The Letitia Davis attack prompted a series of actions taken by WSU to make the neighborhoods around campus safer, including the creation of the Enough is Enough task force, efforts included in a grant awarded by the Kansas Health Foundation, and increased lighting on the outskirts of campus. Ayres, who helped organize the memorial, was pleased with the crowd that did show up. “The people that came enjoyed the program, got the program and we had good representation — we had Letitia’s family, we had people from the neighborhood, from the university and from the city,” Ayres said. Ayres introduced a variety of speakers for the memorial, which included an opening prayer by Student Body President Joseph Shepard, and presentations from community liason Darryl Carrington; commentary by Karen Countryman-Roswurm, director of WSU’s Center for Combating human trafficking; Alicia Sanchez, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; WSU student Katie Crandall; and John Tape, pastor
at the Lutheran Student Center. “Ted and Karen and Katie, everyone. I think everyone did a wonderful job,” Carrington said. Carrington, who lives in Fairmount neighborhood and attends Fairmount United Church of Christ, read the poem “Momma” by Gordon Parks. “You want to do something that’s meaningful and touches people, and I think we did that,” Ayres said. “But you always want to do better.” “Doing better” was a major theme of the memorial, along with preventing future tragedies and attempting to look forward in a positive way. Countryman-Roswurm’s commentary focused on the consideration of violence against women. “May the memory of her life not only extend beyond tonight, but may it extend beyond Letitia to these other [victims of violence],” Countryman-Roswurm said. Ayres challenged the crowd to think during a silent meditation of what could be done in the future — both as individuals and collectively — in light of Countryman-Roswurm’s words and in recognition of the life of Davis. Shepard said he did not view the memorial as sad, but as an opportunity to celebrate Davis’s life. “[The memorial] is an opportunity to heal, so we can move forward in a positive way,” Shepard said. “We don’t mourn, but we celebrate,” Shepard said during his prayer. To conclude the ceremony, Ayres read a couplet by Scottish poet Thomas Campbell as the four candles were put out: “To live in hearts we leave behind / Is not to die.”
This week, a series of four-inch-thick, stainless steel, removable safety bollards will be installed in three locations of the Yale Mall Plaza, which is near Shocker Hall. Safety bollards are short poles that are often on sidewalks next to streets. Their purpose is to prevent public and private vehicles from entering sidewalk areas. “One day me and my friends were at lunch and we saw a girl driving her car through here. And I was like, ‘What are you doing? People walk through here’,” said freshman Tori Cardwell, a Shocker Hall resident. The Physical Plant at Wichita State is in charge of the project, and Bauer & Son Construction, a Wichita construction company that is also working on the north steps of Clinton Hall, will do the installation work. The three locations of the bollards will be between Shocker Hall and Morrison Hall, Morrison Hall’s parking lot and Jabara Hall and at the north side of Yale Mall Plaza, just south of Hubbard Hall’s truck dock entry. “The main emphasis is... pedestrian safety,” said Kevin Young, architect with the Physical. “And, of course, limiting vehicular traffic down through that plaza.” Young is the project manager for the safety bollards installation. He and other facility employees helped decide where the bollards will be placed.
“There were a few complaints as to vehicles going up and down that mall area, both private vehicles and commercial vehicles,” Young said. Sometimes drivers of commercial vehicles would bring deliveries to Shocker Hall or Hubbard Hall and drive onto the sidewalk of Yale Mall Plaza. “It really is not supposed to be used for commercial traffic down through there because, you know, there are docks — areas where they can access buildings,” Young said. The sidewalks of Yale Mall Plaza also serve as a fire lane for emergencies, so the bollards will be removable to allow emergency vehicles access to the campus. Disability Services and Admissions golf carts will still be able to access the area with the bollards up. The bollards will also be easily visible with reflective tape. During the first week or so that the bollards are present on campus, there may be caution tape or cones placed by the bollards to increase visibility while people become accustomed to them, said Randy Pulec, director of facility maintenance at the Physical Plant. “A lot of people walk up and down here to go to classes,” Cardwell said. “So, I think it’s a good idea to install those. I think it’s a good idea to keep it safe for students.” “By the time they [students] come back from Thanksgiving break, they [the safety bollards] should be in place,” Young said.
The criminal arraignment for Cornell McNeal, the man police suspect responsible in Davis’s death, has been scheduled at 9 a.m., Dec. 21, according to an email from Dan Dillon, media coordinator with the District of Attorney’s Office.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
PAGE 4 | NEWS
www.thesunflower.com
Student finds challenges, rewards in Rubio presidential campaign work ALEX PERRY
REPORTER
@sunflowerap
In a presidential primary season packed with big talk and bigger personalities, Wichita State junior Hayden Squires is working for the Republican candidate who he thinks relates best to the typical American. Sen. Marco Rubio’s parents emigrated from Cuba in 1956 and worked at various low-wage service jobs, according to the Republican Florida senator’s website. A young, Cuban-American senator with political chops at just 44, and a backstory that embodies “the American Dream,” an editorial on CNN’s website last month pondered the possibility that Rubio could be “the GOP’s Obama.” This is Squires’s first experience with campaign work. His official title is Resources Director for Kansas Students for Rubio, but he
admits that is a technicality at the moment. “It’s still a startup, so we don’t really have resources, technically,” said Squires. Hayden Squires “I’m more of a liaison between grassroots campaigns here at Wichita State and the exec board as a whole for the state of Kansas.” “Grassroots” is an accurate way to describe Squires’ day-to-day activities for the campaign. He has a “boots on the ground” role, sticking signs into yards and manning campaign tables. Squires said some campaign tactics are more persuasive than others, and finding the right ways to persuade people to join Rubio’s camp is a challenge. “We try this, we try that,”
Squires said. “These candidates continue day in and day out to get people interested.” He also compared some techniques, such as the aforementioned signs in yards, to advertising. “It’s a lot of product placement, as well, having people see your sign,” Squires said. “It’s just about sparking their belief in one man that can change the world.” He said that Rubio’s life experience makes him the most electable candidate in the primary. “He’s the most like your average American citizen,” Squires said. “He grew up struggling, he had a lot of student loans coming out of college; some of these candidates come from pretty well-off families.” Squires also agreed the most with Rubio’s positions on the pertinent issues of the day. Rubio is running on a conservative platform that advocates for protecting the rights of gun
owners, “Persuading reducing the one person to federal vote for Marco government role in people’s [Rubio], to me, it’s exhilarating. lives and defeating ISIS. You’re out there The latest working hard Republican to change the polls have country in a Rubio in third way you want place, behind it to be.” Donald Trump HAYDEN SQUIRES and Ben WSU JUNIOR Carson. While Squires would take any of the Republican candidates over Democratic frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, he said he thinks Carson and Trump will eventually falter, leaving Rubio with an opportunity to win the nomination. Squires said Rubio needs help from supporters of candidates behind him in the polls, like Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush. Once those candidates concede defeat, Squires
WESTBORO
FROM PAGE 1
“Nice flow of traffic & flood of potty mouth entitled students is our report,” WBC tweeted during the protest. On the southeast corner of the intersection, a counter-protest — consisting of three Friends University students and one WSU student — received more attention from passing cars than the Westboro protesters. Drivers honked their horns and waved to show their support. The Friends students held signs that read, “I’m a proud fag,” “God Loves Gays” and “Jesus Hearts Lesbos.” Elanor Ferris, a member of Unity Church, a non-denominational church across the street from the protest, said she welcomes homosexuals and transgender people. She came to the intersection to watch the protest unfold. Ferris said she was glad to see the Friends students’ signs referring to God’s love for the LGBTQ community. “Thanks for saving the day,” she said to the students. “We need to drive them out with as much love as we can.” “I want to let all the people in my community know that we still support them, and we love them no matter what they do,” said Kaylie Everett, one of the counter-protesters from Friends. “Even though we don’t go to WSU, us college students need to stick together,” said Friends student Jimmy Iniguez. “Times are tough already as it is. All we need to do is love each other.” Few passersby interacted with the Westboro protesters, and those who did honked or shouted inaudibly. They held their usual signs dooming America and condemning what they regard as “sin.”
PEACE
FROM PAGE 1 “It was difficult for me and other students who traveled to France to see the place you love and the people you love go through something this terrible,” she said. “Having this was a good place to put our grief.” After Christmas, Babcock will leave for France, but the attacks, however, will not change her plans. “Because then, you know, they win,” she said. She said it is important, while still vulnerable, for individuals to educate themselves on things that they have not yet been exposed to, and move to forward united. George Babcock, Amanda’s father, was supportive of his daughter’s plans to study in Paris in the spring, and he attended the rally Friday. “I think that they should continue with their airstrikes,” said George Babcock, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “I think that we should support them any way we can. I don’t support going in with the troops.” Wichita State junior Grace Kurban is from Lebanon. She said the recent events and rally revealed more than just local support for refugees.
Photos by Kevin Brown and Manny De Los Santos
(TOP) Students counter-protest the Westboro Baptist Church on Friday at 21st and Oliver. (BOTTOM) A member of Westboro Baptist Church holds signs during the protest Friday. The church was protesting the Univeristy’s inclusion efforts.
They also played their own versions of songs, such as “The Terror Rolls” (Garth Brooks’ “The Thunder Rolls”) and “God’s Love” (Macklemore’s “Same Love”). The poor audio quality and the strong winds combined to mute the offensive lyrics, and all that could be heard was the faint melody of the original songs.
“I think more people are here for Paris and France, but they realize it’s for support and unification,” she said. Wilson Baldridge, department chair of Modern and Classic Languages and Literatures, was a key leader in organizing the rally. Her connections to France started at an early age, she said. “I grew up in D.C., and at a young age I remember being introduced to the ambassador of France and also the president of a French-speaking country in Africa,” Baldridge said. “I was learning French in school and I continued. I consider myself bicultural for that reason.” Alyssa Cool, treasurer of Pi Delta Phi, stood at the rally with three small sacks in her hands, each containing gems colored red, blue and white. She walked around and encouraged participants to place them inside a jar to pay homage of the attacks. One by one, participants took the gems, one of each color, and dropped them inside the jar. “I came here today for one reason and one reason only,” Baldridge said. “That is simply to demonstrate solidarity with the people of Paris and also Beirut, Lebanon and any victim of international terrorism.” — Contributing: Danielle Prewitt
The church was also protesting the university’s celebration of Transgender Awareness Day on Friday. “God only loves his elect, whom he chooses,” said Betty Phelps, daughter-in-law of the late Fred Phelps, Sr. “If you read the Bible, you’ll see …. God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will
be saved. It’s a privilege to believe – to be chosen.” Meanwhile, at the center of campus, Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honors Society, held a peace rally as a show of unity and solidarity with France after the recent attacks in Paris. The rally surrounded a blue, red and white banner twisted around the
said their supporters will be more inclined to back Rubio, rather than a more extreme candidate. “It just depends on where those supporters of the other candidates go once they drop out,” Squires said. “I’m fairly confident they’re not going to go to Trump.” For Squires, the ideal ticket is Rubio for president, with Carson or Carly Fiorina as vice president. With his campaign work, Squires said he feels he is helping make that dream a reality. “Persuading one person to vote for Marco, to me, it’s really exhilarating,” Squires said. “You’re out there working hard to change the country in a way you want it to be.” TELL US YOUR STORY: Working on a presidential campaign? We would like to hear from you. Email editor@thesunflower.com
Danseuse Espagnole (“Spanish dancer”) sculpture in the center of the Plaza of Heroines. Amanda Babcock, vice president of Pi Delta Phi, said the timing of the rally — although not planned to take place at the same time as the Westboro Baptist Church protest — was fitting. “It’s appropriate to have these people on campus who love each other and are willing to have dialogue and come together, and then you have the opposite end of the spectrum at 21st and Oliver,” Babcock said. About 50 students, faculty and staff attended the rally throughout the day Friday. Student Body President Joseph Shepard said he wanted the focus to be on the peace rally. “What they want for our students to do is to feed into their negativity,” Shepard said of the church from Topeka. “What better way to combat the ignorance and negativity than with a peace rally.” Shepard said Westboro had been planning its visit to WSU for four months prior to this week’s events, and after reaching an agreement with Bardo earlier this week regarding Shepard’s list of five demands, the news of its early arrival piled on to an already eventful week. Wichita State police officers watched the protest from a distance and made sure no problems occurred on university property. “I’m really proud of our Shockers today,” said Sara Morris, chief of University Police. “Our students didn’t give them what they wanted.” Morris said Westboro surprised the university with its visit. Church members had originally planning the protest for December when students weren’t on campus. “It will probably be a couple years before they come back,” Morris said. “When they don’t get the confrontation they want, they leave.” — Contributing: Evan Pflugradt and Levi Yager
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
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PAGE 5 | NEWS + SPORTS
Trigger warnings: Faculty, staff learn at panel discussion BRENNEN SMITH
REPORTER
@brenen19_26
Some educational videos can be horrid. At least one was shown at Wichita State. “These are some ugly scenes,” Greg Meissen, WSU psychology professor, said he tells his students before watching Stanley Milgram’s controversial study unfold on video. “This is not about the people — it’s about a powerful setting that brought out the worst.” Milgram’s famous study of obedience to authority put many study participants in situations in which they were continually encouraged by a researcher to administer increasing levels of shocks to a person with a possible heart condition whenever he or she incorrectly answered a question. Meissen, community psychology doctoral coordinator, said he never thought of his description of the video as a trigger warning. A panel discussion earlier this month was hosted by the Tilford Commission and the Office of Academic Affairs at WSU, with the purpose of providing faculty and instructors an opportunity to talk through the use of trigger warnings. It has become a controversial classroom issue recently, said Jean Griffith, panel organizer and moderator. Trigger warnings started within Internet communities for the primary benefit of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Kate Manne of The New York Times. The warnings were made to flag content dealing with traumatic events like military combat or child abuse. Internet-users could then decide whether or not to view the material. Popular social forum websites, like Reddit, use trigger warnings to warn users of content with blood and gore, or content that may not be safe to view at work. The panel at WSU informed faculty and staff about whether they should issue trigger warnings in class syllabi and in what scenarios they should do so, Griffith said. The participating panelists that led the discussion were Angela Demovic, assistant professor in anthropology, Shauna Millar, bachelor’s of Social work Director, Maureen Dasey-Morales, director of the Counseling and Testing Center Maureen and Mary Stolz-Newton, assistant director of Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center. Alicia Sanchez, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, attended the discussion and said trigger warnings make people aware of sensitive information based on personal experiences. Sanchez said the panel initially focused on sexual assault, but the discussion widened and they acknowledged that many different things can trigger people, including racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia and many other “- isms” and phobias. “When I went in I was like, ‘Well absolutely, why wouldn’t you have a trigger warning?’” Sanchez said. “But, [the discussion was an] opportunity to see
the other side of things.” An instructor at the discussion talked about how she had shown an award-winning film without using a trigger warning beforehand and a student commented on the language of a specific scene, so she decided to provide a trigger warning the next time, Sanchez said. “But then what happened was the discussion after they saw the film was focused on that [content] and it took away from what she was trying to accomplish,” she said. Sanchez said she noticed the panel consisted of only women and wondered if male faculty members would have different thoughts or feelings toward trigger warnings. “I would have appreciated that different perspective,” Sanchez said. Griffith, Tilford Commission coordinator and English professor, said she summarizes texts before having students read them in her class because she teaches highly upsetting material at times, like the lynching of African Americans in the South. “You have to teach that kind of material with great sensitivity, both to the students in your class and to the victims who endured it,” Griffith said. “Not teaching this material is not an option for me, though. My goal is to help students understand written texts in a way that helps them understand themselves and the world they live in a little better.” The Milgram study showed the power of authority, even in a situation where the participants had objections to continuing. Sixty-five percent of participants went on to administer the full level of shocks (450 volts), which was labeled “XXX” on the shock generator. “Trigger warnings have taught me to be more thoughtful,” said Meissen, the psychology professor. “It has caused [professors] to think and remember that they are a powerful figure in terms of sharing information.” Meissen did not attend the panel discussion, but said he was already familiar with the national discussion on trigger warnings. He had already heard of articles like “The Coddling of the American Mind,” in which authors insinuate that recent changes in colleges and universities regarding the ideas of trigger warnings and microaggressions could lead to an increase in college student anxiety. The article cited a 2013 task force at Oberlin College in Ohio that released an online resource guide for faculty. The guide recommended that topics such as classism and privilege, among others, warranted trigger warnings and suggested these be avoided completely in the classroom unless they contributed directly to course goals. Meissen said arguments like this on the national level are problematic because they’re arguing from extremes. “I don’t think we’re going to coddle American college students,” Meissen said. “I don’t think they will stand for that, honestly … We’ve got to give more credit to students.”
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Photo by Manny De Los Santos
A student holds up a sign about Gregg Marshall’s 400th win Saturday afternoon as the Shockers went on to pummel Emporia State 76-54 in front of a sellout crowd at Charles Koch Arena.
Marshall earns 400th win as Shockers trounce Hornets REPORTER
EVAN PFLUGRADT
@evpflu
Wichita State defeated in-state rival Emporia State University on Saturday. The victory marked head coach Gregg Marshall’s 400th career victory. Marshall becomes the 12th-fastest District I coach to earn 400 career wins, reaching the mark in his 18th season. The game marked a runaway victory for the No. 9 Shockers, who led the game 38-13 at the half. “Today was all about getting our swagger back,” senior Ron Baker said. The Shockers recorded the team’s 34th consecutive home victory in light of routing the Hornets by a margin of 22. The Hornets were held to five field goals on offense in the first half, as the Shockers took control of the game tempo early. The Shockers kept point guard Fred VanVleet on the bench, who is nursing a left hamstring injury. With VanVleet sidelined, freshman Landry Shamet earned his first career start as a Shocker, pairing the backcourt with Baker. As WSU continues to rest VanVleet for the upcoming Advocare Invitational on Thursday in Orlando, Shamet and freshman Ty Taylor earned hefty minutes. “The backcourt rotation continued to show a lack of depth,” Baker said. “I’m pretty tired.” Baker racked up 39 minutes against Tulsa and 31 against ESU. Baker has stepped into the point guard position in the last two
games, something that Marshall said he thinks he can excel at. “I think [Baker] can play the [point guard] position well,” Marshall said. In his career spent mostly at the shooting guard, Baker said stepping into that role is a challenge all it’s own. “When I am playing the [point], I have to try to create my own shot while looking for other guys on the floor for open shots,” he said. Marshall said his point guards need to be able to communicate and run the floor, and Baker did just so. On an inbound pass by ESU, Baker called out the set and shouted to freshman Eric Hamilton to cover the pass. Hamilton noticed the errant pass and intercepted the ball in open court as he hustled down for the emphatic one-handed dunk that electrified the crowd. With injuries lingering for their All-American point guard VanVleet, the team continues looking for alternatives. Baker said the young guys on the team need to rise to the occasion. “We have to find ways to win without him,” Baker said. “(Fred) won’t get near as much time in Orlando.” With important games in a weekend tournament quickly approaching. Marshall eagerly awaits the return of his floor general, but the wait may come as a little longer if the injury continues to holdout the offense. “Based upon what I’ve researched, the probability of
recurring injury to the hamstring is very good unless you heal it back to 100 percent,” Marshall said. “There will be no push on my end.” Marshall said VanVleet looked like his “normal self” last Monday in practice before suiting up against Tulsa. VanVleet aggravated the injury in the opening minutes of gameplay, but Marshall didn’t recognize the setback to his point guard. “I couldn’t tell that he was laboring,” Marshall said. “There was nothing in transition, no burst to the basket, there was no defense because he couldn’t.” Freshmen players stole the spotlight against the Hornets. The guard play of Taylor and Shamet assisted in the backcourt as the offense continued to run through Baker. Taylor used the opportunity to build his confidence. The freshman led all scorers in the first half of play with nine points, all coming on three-for-three three-pointers. Marshall is quickly working on building Taylor to master the duties of VanVleet. Marshall noted he requires his point guards to take responsibility for running the offense, playing tremendous defense, taking care of the basketball, finding open shooters and taking the open shot when it’s available. Marshall said Taylor is best suited at taking open shots and creating his own shot, but the coach voiced his concern with the freshman.
SEE WIN • PAGE 6
Shockers can’t break losing streak, fall to Arkansas State JESSICA GREEN
REPORTER
@jesserca9
With their third game out of the way, the women’s basketball team can’t seem to break their losing streak with a 67-40 loss against Arkansas State University on Saturday. Even though the season has started off a little rocky, team leaders have definitely come to light. Junior Brittany Martin led the team with eight points, 11 rebounds and one assist. Junior Jaleesa Chapel also scored eight points with two rebounds and one assist. Freshman Jyar Francis was the final leader with eight points and four rebounds. With these three ladies
consistently leading the team in scoring, other team members followed Saturday against Arkansas State. Freshman Ellie Lehne scored six points and added four rebounds, followed by sophomore Diamond Lockhart with four points, one rebound and three assists. Junior TaQuandra Mike also added four points, and sophomore Aundra Stovall put up two points for the day with three rebounds and three assists. Overall, the Shockers seemed to struggle across the board with only 37 percent (19-51) shooting from the field and 11 percent (1-9) from the three-point line. Arkansas State seemed to take advantage of that by shooting 45 percent (27-60) from the field and
18 percent (2-11) from the three-point line. With such low shooting percentages, the final score was inevitable. WSU was out-scored in all four quarters, 14-10 in the first, 14-8 in the second, 17-6 in the third and 22-16 in the fourth. With their fourth game behind them, the team will take on Richmond, Florida International and Marquette during the FIU Thanksgiving Classic Tournament, which begins Friday at FIU Arena in Miami. Join the Shockers for the first tournament game against Richmond at 1 p.m. Friday. The Florida International game is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, followed by Marquette at 1 p.m Sunday.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
PAGE 6 | SPORTS
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Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Players celebrate their sweep against Evansville on Saturday night as they clinch the program’s sixth Missouri Valley Conference championship at Charles Koch Arena.
Photo by Manny De Los Santos
Sophmore Zach Brown goes for an acrobatic lay-up against Emporia State on Saturday. Brown played nine minutes in the game and finished with four points.
WIN
FROM PAGE 5 “He can score, but he’s got to get the other parts down,” Marshall said. The Shockers are learning to play in new ways without VanVleet, knowing that his minutes may be limited in the upcoming weekend tournament the pressure builds on the frontcourt to step up their production on offense. Senior Anton Grady went 1-5 from the field, scoring four points in 24 minutes. With Grady struggling to find shots and draw contact the Shockers looked for other players to step up, and then the call came to senior Tom “Bush” Wamukota.
Wamukota stepped in to snag seven rebounds, four offensive, in 14 minutes of play. Wamukota’s seven boards and six points was good enough for Marshall to name him his most improved player. “The guy I thought made the biggest improvement from the Tulsa game was Bush Wamukota,” Marshall said. “He rebounded the ball above the crowd, had a really tremendous defensive play, and then came up with a loose ball.” The Shockers travel for the Advocare Invitational played at the HP Fieldhouse in Orlando, Florida. The Shockers start the tournament with the first game against the University of Southern California at 1 p.m. Thursday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Shocker volleyball clenches conference title, earns No. 1 seed for MVC tournament MEGAN LOOPER
REPORTER
@meglooper
After falling to the Southern Illinois Salukis 0-3 Friday night at Koch Arena, the Shockers redeemed themselves Saturday against Evansville. Led by Abbie Lehman with 14 kills and hitting .609 percent, Emily Heibert with 36 assists, and Dani Mostrom with 19 digs, WSU lost to Southern Illinois by scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 25-22. Trading leads and battling the Salukis back-and-fourth, the Shockers were not on top of their game and couldn’t find a groove. The match against Evansville was a completely different story, as WSU earned the 3-0 sweep on senior night by scores of 25-15,
25-19 and a whopping 25-4, going out with a bang. “It was a lot of fun to get out there, not so much about me, but just to be with my team out there,” MaryAshton Floyd said. Lehman led once again offensively with 11 kills, hitting .643 percent, while Heibert added 34 assists and Mostrom contributed 12 digs. Wichita State rolled past the Purple Aces from start to finish to secure the sole No. 1 Missouri Valley Conference ranking and the name of MVC Champions, along with the No. 1 seed going into the MVC tournament. “That was fun for everybody,” head coach Chris Lamb said. “To wind down, having the final game at home, getting the seniors all in, you don’t always get that.”
Picking up the program’s sixth MVC title, Wichita State will travel to Springfield, Missouri, in search of a tournament championship. After a bye in the quarterfinal, WSU will compete in the first semifinal against the game one winner between UNI and ILS at 7 p.m. Friday. Semifinal winners will face off at 4 p.m. Saturday for the title as well as an automatic berth into the NCAA Volleyball Championship Tournament. In the regular season, Lehman led the squad in both blocks and kills, Shimen Fayad led in aces, Mostrom in digs and Heibert in assists. The Shockers finished the season with an overall record of 24-8 and a conference record of 15-3.