THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
SPORTS
INSIDE City commission debate over downtown security cameras stirs up privacy concerns p. 2
Two unnamed Kansas basketball players have been linked to the Adidas scandal The University Daily Kansan
vol. 136 // iss. 25 Thurs., April 12, 2018
Lawrence collector runs Museum of Odd out of his home p. 5
SEE BASKETBALL • PAGE 8
Charge filed in alleged rape at Downs The district attorney has filed a felony rape charge against a former student in connection with an alleged October assault
Sarah Wright/KANSAN Cora Downs Hall was reportedly the location of a rape that was reported on Oct. 6, 2017. The district attorney’s office has now brought charges against Stephen Owens in this case. EMILY WELLBORN @EmWellborn Charges have been filed on a rape that allegedly occurred in the Downs Residence Hall last October. Stephen Michael Owens, 18, was charged with one count of felony rape and was arrested on Thursday, according to
Douglas County Jail booking logs and a complaint filed on April 3 by the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. A University student, 19, was allegedly raped while “physically powerless,” according to the charge. The incident was investigated by the KU Public Safety Office, ac-
cording to the complaint, which listed four PSO officers and four KU students as witnesses. It was then turned over to the DA, but that office decided not to file charges at that time. Cheryl Wright Kunard with the DA’s office said in an email that the the office didn’t file charges because they were wait-
ing for “additional investigation” to be completed and given to the office to review. Campus Crime Reports list that there were two other reported rapes that month that were investigated by KU PSO, but were not charged by the DA’s office for similar reasons, according to previous Kansan articles.
Owens was a student during the fall 2017 semester, but also withdrew from classes during that time, according to an email from Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, director of news and media relations for the University. Booking records list his address as in Deer Park, Illinois, but he was arrested in Lawrence.
Wright Kunard said that Owens’ first court appearance would be on Thursday, April 19, at 3 p.m. Owens posted a $2,000 bail on Thursday, so he is no longer in custody.
— Edited by Chandler Boese
Voters’ guide to 2018-2019 Student Senate elections SAVANNA SMITH @savsmith20 The most recent data shows over 1,000 students submitted votes in the first six hours of voting on Wednesday, according to Jeremy Latronica, chair of the elections commission. The commission is waiting on voter turnout updates to be available Thursday. Polls close at 4 p.m. and Latronica said final results can be expected between 4:45 and 6 p.m. Thursday and candidates have 24 hours to request a recount if they choose. Editor-in-chief Chandler Boese and Associate News Editor Katie Bernard will sit in with elections commission to stream live coverage of the results on the Kansan Facebook page starting at approximately 5 p.m Here are a few things to know for those filling out their ballot on Thursday:
VOTING PROCESS The ballot on Rock Chalk Central will include a section to vote for a presidential/vice-presidential ticket, followed by sections for senators connected to fields that apply to the student, such as business, journalism, pharmacy and
This coalition’s watch party will be at the Bird Dog Bar in the Oread, starting between 5 and 5:30 p.m..
RISE KU Presidential candidate: Zoya Khan • Two-year chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (formerly Multicultural Affairs committee)
Caitlynn Salazar/KANSAN Student Senate coalition Crimson and Blue encourages students to vote in the election on Wescoe Beach on Wednesday afternoon. others. Students can also vote for on and off-campus, nontraditional, graduate student and international representation. Students may vote for representation from different coalitions if they choose, but each candidate is listed with an associated coalition. There is also a write-in option for all representatives. Also included on this year’s ballot is a referendum for funding of the Collegiate Readership Program that provides copies of the New York Times, USA Today, Kansas City
Star and the Lawrence Journal-World in 70 bins across campus. If passed, it would add $2.50 to student fees.
MEET THE COALITIONS JAYHAWKERS Presidential candidate: Anna Buhlinger • Intern for State Sen. Randall Hardy (R-Salina) Vice-presidential candidate: Avery Anderson • Liberal Arts and Sciences senator
• Intern for State Rep. John Carmichael (D-Wichita) The Jayhawkers have released platforms concerning student health, safety, affordability and gameday fun. Their platform, health and wellness, focuses on creating a holistic approach to wellness, promoting a partnership between Counseling and Psychological Services, the Ambler Student Recreation Center and Watkins Health Services. Additionally, they proposed designated nap areas in libraries to help alleviate sleep deprivation.
Vice-presidential candidate: Nellie Kassebaum • Off-campus student senator With a major focus in retention and Senate-student relationships, Rise KU launched platforms which, as proposed, would provide streamlined and affordable services to students. For example, Rise KU released a platform in early March that proposed access to free menstrual products in University bathrooms. This would include the free availability of pads and tampons in highly trafficked areas on campus. This coalition’s watch party will be at The Nest on the top floor of the Oread at about 5:30 p.m.
CRIMSON AND BLUE
Presidential candidate: Noah Ries • Current Student Senate policy and development director Vice-presidential candidate: Charles Jetty • Current Student Senate chief of staff
Crimson and Blue has introduced seven platforms since their campaign launch in February. Many of the platforms focus on underrepresented demographics on campus, including student parents, graduate teaching assistants, and women in science, technology engineering, math and medical fields. The Women in STEMM platform proposes an expansion of the Emily Taylor Center and Jayhawks Breaking Barriers WiSTEMM mentorship program. The program proposed would create an event where young women pursuing STEMM fields could gather to learn about available resources, as well as receive mentorship from women in the prospective fields. Their watch party will be on The Wheel’s patio, starting between 5 and 5:30 p.m.