THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
SPORTS
INSIDE Fraternity members gather to discuss issues like hazing, drinking and more. p. 3
The Kansan’s football writers predict the outcome of the Big 12 this season The University Daily Kansan
vol. 135 // iss. 4 Monday, Aug. 28, 2017
Matt Stansberry & The Romance performed a high-energy set at The Bottleneck. p. 5
SEE FOOTBALL • PAGE 9
AGD closure due to low membership
Former members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority have learned why KU’s chapter closed last week
Marissa Ventrelli/KANSAN Alpha Gamma Delta sorority house, located on Indiana Street near the Oread. EMILY BECKMAN @emilybeckman7 The Alpha Gamma Delta Epsilon Beta chapter at the University, which was established in 1922, was closed by the sorority’s international council on Aug. 21, according to a press release. “Challenges in achieving continued successful membership recruitment results have hindered the ability of the chapter to provide the quality membership experi-
ence for which we seek for any of our sisters,” the release stated. There have been concerns regarding the chapter’s retention in recent years, Wendy Theus Barker, director of communications and marketing for the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, said in an email to the Kansan. “A chapter’s operations are impacted by retention and recruitment, and the resulting low membership takes away from the mem-
bership experience and opportunity for a chapter to be successful,” Barker said. According to Barker, the KU Panhellenic Association set the membership that each sorority should retain about 222 members. Alpha Gamma Delta had 54 initiated members and had recently gained 15 new members during recruitment, she said. Due to the closing of the chapter, members will become alumnae, Barker said, and members who currently
reside in the sorority house can continue to do so for the rest of the academic year. As for new members — they have been released from the sorority, she said. “[New members] have been released from membership in Alpha Gamma Delta and can join another organization at KU,” Barker said. “We understand several have already accepted bids into other sororities at KU.” Alpha Gamma Delta has
not had to close any other chapters this year, according to Barker. “Closing a chapter is never easy and is only agreed upon after much discussion and consideration,” she said. There is a possibility that the chapter will be reinstated at the University, which would “require a mutual decision” between the University and Alpha Gamma Delta, Barker said. “We hope to return to KU in the near future and are in
discussion with the KU Student Involvement and Leadership Center staff to identify the appropriate timeline,” she said. The Student Involvement and Leadership Center, along with several members of Alpha Gamma Delta, declined multiple requests for comment.
— Edited by Paige Henderson
Marginalized groups voice campus carry concerns
At a Student Senate panel, multicultural students and faculty discussed their worries and confusion about guns at KU HAILEY DIXON @_hailey_dixon Over 100 students, faculty and staff came together Friday afternoon in the Kansas Union to share their worries surrounding concealed carry on campus. Student Senate hosted the event, “Multicultural Perspectives: Concealed Carry,” that featured eight panelists: – Kathy Rose-Mockry, director of the Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity – Vanessa Delgado, assistant director and coordinator for the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity – Chris Keary, police chief at KU PSO – Clarence Lang, chair of the African and African-American Studies Department Callie Pearce/KANSAN – Subini Annamma, asStudent Senate Director of Diversity and Inclusion sistant professor in the Rusha Bajpaj kicks off “Multicultural Perspectives: ConSchool of Education cealed Carry” on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Multicultural Student
“How am I supposed to stand up in a classroom and address a fellow peer and say, ‘You need to conceal that, or I am going to call the cops’?” Brittney Oleniacz geology graduate teaching assistant
Government President Chiquita Jackson and Student Senate Director of Diversity and Inclusion Rusha Bajpai started the event, and gave background for why it was being hosted. “It’s [the event] the first of its kind,” Bajpai said following the event. Provost Neeli Bendapudi also attended the event and introduced the panelists. “Conversations like this are incredibly important,” she said about the event. Students, staff and faculty engaged in discussion with the panelists on topics, specifically the concern for individuals such as those
that are people of color, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized communities. To help marginalized identities, panelists gave advice to individuals with privilege on campus that will, they said, hopefully help make campus safer for everyone. In addition, safety concerns for students with disabilities in relation to concealed carry were also highlighted. A 57-year-old student with cerebral palsy shared worries about taking physical education classes and being completely vulnerable in locker rooms.
Students also shared confusion about concealed carry and what it clearly means on campus. Although open carry is prohibited on campus, it is legal in the state of Kansas. “I think that it’s important for all of us to read all the information that is coming out that specifically defines what the law says and what it doesn’t,” Rose-Mockry said during the event. Brittney Oleniacz, a graduate teaching assistant, shared sentiments during the event about concerns for maintaining safety for herself and her students. “GTAs are still students. How am I supposed to stand up in a classroom and address a fellow peer and say, ‘You need to conceal that, or I am going to call the cops,” she asked the panelists during the event. Bajpai described the event as a “starting point.” “I’m glad with the way it turned out,” Bajpai said after the event.