Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® WKU Archives Records WKU Archives 9-4-2014 UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 4 WKU Student Affairs Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records Part of the Higher Education Administration Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, and the Mass Communication Commons Recommended Citation WKU Student Affairs, "UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 4" (2014). WKU Archives Records. Paper 6390. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/6390 This Other is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in WKU Archives Records by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY > VOLUME 90, ISSUE 04 STEP UP NPHC Greeks participate in annual Yard Show BY SHANTEL-ANN PETTWAY [email protected] he rain didn’t stop stu- dents from filling up the Twet seats of the Colon- nade Tuesday, as National Pan- Hellenic Council Greek organi- zations gathered to participate in a Yard Show. As the DJ continued to spin, sororities and fraternities prac- ticed softly in their own hud- dles. The organizations gathered at 7 p.m. to showcase what each specific organization stands for and what services they offer, giving histories of their respec- tive organizations in between LUKE FRANKE/HERALD their performances. ABOVE: Nashville senior Andre Scott steps with his Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers Louisville sophomore Breanna during the annual Yard Show at the Colonnade on Tuesday. JUSTIN GILLILAND/HERALD SEE YARD SHOW PAGE A2 TOP: Zeta Phi Beta sorority sisters perform their routine during the annual Yard Show. WHAT'S ONLINE AT WKU works to improve LGBT-friendly reputation WKUHERALD.COM BY WHITNEY ALLEN 5 from Campus Pride Index, WKU is Salman said. [email protected] making efforts to reach out to trans- “I think every offi ce on campus has gender students in order to improve some learning to do,” Salman said. The Campus Pride Index rates 435 this statistic. “Ultimately, they (Housing and Resi- universities in the United States based President Gary Ransdell has reached dence Life) did correct the problem.” on how LGBT friendly their campuses out to Student Identity Outreach Presi- Salman said that campus represen- are. They have ranked WKU behind ev- dent Andrew Salman to discuss how to tatives he has encountered are not al- ery other listed institution in Kentucky. make the campus more inclusive for ways initially aware of how to proceed Other state universities ahead of WKU all students. with situations that have arisen. include Centre College, Northern Ken- “The president has reached out to Kit Tolbert, director of Housing Oper- Video recap of WKU's tucky University, Transylvania Univer- me, so I think… that we are going to be ations, said HRL doesn’t have a specifi c First Home game sity, University of Louisville, Morehead seeing changes,” Salman said. policy regarding transgender students, State University and Eastern Kentucky Although Salman said he couldn’t but the offi ce will work with students University. speak from personal experience, he to make them comfortable. The Campus Pride Index rankings has heard stories from transgender “Well, the students that have come WHAT YOU SHOULD are based on various factors includ- students about problems they’ve en- to us and said they are transgender, we BE READING TODAY ing policy, programs and practices, countered on campus, including those work with them individually,” Tolbert academic life, student life, housing with housing issues. said. “Because each one might feel Salman said a friend and former differently about how they want to be and recruitment and retention efforts. » Yard Show: Check out WKU was ranked lowest in support student had issues with a dorm as- housed or where, so I just talk to each signment during his time on the Hill. one of them separately and see what more photos from the and institutional commitment, cam- event A6 pus safety and recruitment and reten- The student was told that he “was his best suits them.” female roommate’s learning experi- Tolbert said that as of now, there is tion efforts. » Dorm: Is your dorm Despite the low rating of 2.5 out of ence and that it was his job to teach his no offi cial format for approaching the A4 roommate to be transgender friendly,” SEE LGBT PAGE A2 worth the money? A2 SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD YARD SHOW The crowd applauded as the two Omega Psi Pi and Kappa Alpha Psi by a police officer in Ferguson, Mis- Continued from FRONT “pretty poodles” of Sigma Gamma fraternities heightened the comedic souri in August. Rho sorority began their perfor- atmosphere, making “your mama” Phi Beta Sigma wasn’t the only Burton said due to the weather, she mance. jokes and talking about stealing each group who designed a step dedi- thought the organizations might As the Yard Show continued, the other’s lady friends. Delta Sigma The- cated to someone else. The AKAs not do their step show. sororities and fraternities poked ta sorority joked about all the other stepped in a style similar to Alpha “But when the rain lightened fun at each other and continued to sororities not working hard enough, Psi Alpha fraternity, which is not up and the AKAs (Alpha Kappa ask the crowd who ran the yard. while Zeta Phi Beta sorority made currently active on the yard this se- Alphas) started speaking to the “It’s cool how all the fraternities it known that if “you weren’t in blue mester. crowd, I was ready for the show,” and sororities can diss each other and white, it wasn’t right.” To conclude the show, all the fra- Burton said. and turn around and scream for On a more serious note, during ternities and sororities, including The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority their friends who are in different or- the middle of the show, Phi Beta Alpha Psi Alpha and Iota Phi Theta Epsilon Zeta chapter amped up the ganizations all in the same breath,” Sigma fraternity did a “hands up, fraternity, neither of whom per- crowd by asking everyone how they Lexington sophomore MarShaye don’t shoot” tribute to Michael formed that night, strolled around felt before the first performance. Griffin said. Brown, the teenager who was shot the front of the Colonnade. LGBT “We get a lot of students complaining fi led anonymously. article. Continued from FRONT about getting called a fag on the side- WKUPD isn’t required to follow The article recognized an organiza- walk and stuff like that and that really through with a complaint of harass- tion of students back in 2010 as one situation, and students approach HRL fosters a climate in which they don’t ment, but they must document when of the reasons WKU made the list. The based on individual need. feel safe,” Salman said. “That leads to a such an incident is reported. After a group of 200 gathered during a visit by “I imagine, as we progress, that would lot of them transferring.” complaint is made, the decision to Sen. Mitch McConnell to work toward be something we would make more of Students not only have the choice of pursue legal action is up to the stu- providing same-sex domestic partner a formal process,” she said. whether or not to report harassment, dent. benefi ts for WKU employees. The housing application doesn’t al- but also a choice in how to report it. “We don’t run with it unless the vic- Students were also named by the ar- low for students to indicate their gen- Students have three options regard- tim or complainant wants us to,” Os- ticle as a driving force behind the cam- der identity, but if a student contacts ing what action to take following such sello said. “It really boils down to their pus completing the aforementioned HRL in advance it will be easier for the an incident, WKU Police Department comfort level and what they want to Campus Pride index in June. offi ce to accommodate the student’s Captain Dominic Ossello said. see happen.” In order for LGBT students to feel needs, Tolbert said. “Whether it’s a male, female, trans- WKU was recently named as one of more comfortable and safe on cam- The Student Identity Outreach on gender — none of that plays into how the bravest universities for LGBT stu- pus, these issues need to be taken seri- campus serves as a place for LGBT we deal with harassment or sexual ha- dents in the south by advocate.com. ously, Salman said. students to discuss campus issues and rassment,” Ossello said. WKU and seven other universities “I think that in order for it to stop, fi nd resources. It also acts as a place for Students can report incidents to were identifi ed by the magazine for people need to realize that it’s a prior- students to fi nd a community. the police department, the Offi ce of having a strong group of LGBT adults ity," he said. "In time, that will foster Salman said one of the most com- Equal Opportunity, or they can fi le a that stood “up against the politics of a more inclusive climate on campus. mon concerns discussed is harass- complaint online through the human bigotry and pushed forward, driving We have been making strides recent- ment from peers. resources website. Complaints can be grassroots progress,” according to the ly.” Crime Reports Rakan Alharthi on an E-warrant for disregarding traffi c control device and not having an Opera- • Versailles freshman Robert Kral and Lexington tor’s Moped License on Aug.