UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 39
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Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® WKU Archives Records WKU Archives 3-19-2015 UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 39 WKU Student Affairs Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records Part of the African American Studies Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Journalism Studies Commons, Mass Communication Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Recommended Citation WKU Student Affairs, "UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 39" (2015). WKU Archives Records. Paper 6437. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/6437 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]. LADY TOPPERS ‘THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES’ RECEIVE BID TO EMPOWERS WOMEN BIG DANCE THROUGH STORYTELLING SPORTS, PAGE B4 LIFE, PAGE B1 MARCHMARCH 19,19, 20152015 > WESTERNWESTERN KENTUCKYKENTUCKY UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY > VOLUMEVOLUME 90,90, ISSUEISSUE 3939 80 WKU employees report fraudulently fi led tax returns BY TREY CRUMBIE [email protected] The IRS has informed about 80 WKU employees that their 2014 tax returns have been filed fraudulently. The re- cent surge of reports come a little more than a month after Anthem, the nation’s second-largest health insur- ance provider, announced that it had suffered a data breach, leaving the personal information of potentially 80 million people at risk, including 4,600 current and former WKU employees. Anthem has functioned as the third party administrator for WKU’s self-in- sured Employee Health Plan since the beginning of 2003. The number of employees who have reported a fraudulently filed tax return has jumped by about 30 people since the beginning of March. Mac McKerral, associate professor of journalism, is one of the 80 WKU employees who have had a tax return filed fraudulently. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter President Dan Mulert responds to a question regarding his chapter's reaction to the racist McKerral said he received a letter chant that surfaced in a video from University of Oklahoma's SAE chapter last. President Gary Ransdell, himself an alumnus from the IRS on Feb. 23 stating that an of SAE, invited all Greek chapter presidents to meet, Wednesday at the Student Government Association Senate chambers in effort to direct deposit a tax return had Downing Student Union. NICK WAGNER/HERALD failed. McKerral immediately knew something was wrong. “I knew something was amiss be- cause my tax return hadn’t been filed yet,” he said. “And besides the fact, I never get refunds.” McKerral later received another let- ter from the IRS noting that the agency was investigating a fraudulently filed return. Harsh Words According to an email sent Monday to faculty and staff from President Gary Ransdell, there has been no evi- dence of any problems within WKU’s Greek presidents meet to address race relations own IT systems, but WKU encourages employees who have had their tax re- turns filed fraudulently to inform the BY LASHANA HARNEY AND in a WKU fraternity 40 years ago, that one in any WKU organization that university so that it may inform An- ANDREW HENDERSON I would be anything less than swift hints or suggests racism on this cam- them. and direct in dealing with any act of pus.” Tony Glisson, Human Resources [email protected] stupidity coming from any member Ransdell’s words were spurred by director, told the Herald earlier this ‘acts of stupidity’ of a fraternity half month that there hasn’t been any For the first time in 18 years, every or members of any WKU Greek orga- Greek organization president sat in nization today, then they are making the country away. common link between the employees A video uploaded online March 8 the same room to address the same a mistake,” Ransdell said, himself an that have reported fraudulently filed showed the members of University issue with President Gary Ransdell — alumnus of WKU’s Sigma Alpha Epsi- tax returns. of Oklahoma’s SAE chapter singing McKerral said he is not going to file “there will never be a nigger SAE.” any tax returns until the IRS confirms The chapter was disbanded, its mem- that the return already filed was not bers kicked out of the house, and two his. He will look into getting an exten- If anyone thinks that because I was in a WKU members associated with the chant sion beyond the April 15 deadline. Ransdell said it hasn’t been con- fraternity 40 years ago, that I would be any- were expelled. firmed if all fraudulently filed tax re- thing less than swift and direct in dealing with Since the video surfaced, fraternity turns are connected to the breach, and sorority members across the na- but said that it wouldn’t be out of the any act of stupidity... then they are making a tion have sought to dispel a growing question. negative image while reports of seg- mistake .” regation, stereotypes and racism in SEE TAX RETURNS PAGE A2 President Gary Ransdell Greek organizations steadily came into the light. Ransdell said what happened in racism within Greek culture. lon chapter. “I will be quick and harsh Oklahoma should never be repeated “If anyone thinks that because I was in my reactions to anything from any- SEE GREEK PAGE A2 WHAT YOU SHOULD BE READING TODAY » BG Eats: Mancino's not PFT residents discover mold in several rooms spectacular but satisfying B1 BY SHANTEL PETTWAY AND Pearce Ford SHELBY ROGERS Tower hall » Whimsical gifts: Sock [email protected] is currently monkeys help develop facing a mold Mold is plaguing several rooms in issue, with sense of community B1 Pearce-Ford Tower. residents » Greek Life: WKU The women of PFT were notified on being encour- March 3, via email, that the situation aged to email considers inviting a new had been brought to light through Housing and Twitter. Residents with mold were en- sorority to campus A3 Residence Life couraged to email their name, room about mold number and where the mold is to aff ected areas. FOLLOW US Housing and Residence Life. HARRISON HILL/ “We are definitely wanting to help HERALD you get these units cleaned ASAP!” HRL Coordinator Sarah Haught said in the email. wkuherald @wkuherald @wkuherald SEE PFT PAGE A2 A2 MARCH 19, 2015 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD PFT Continued from FRONT HRL Director Brian Kuster said it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where and when the mold began. “We’re not saying there is or isn’t mold, but no proper forms have been turned in, in order for us to investigate,” he said. LaRosa Shelton, a freshman from Louisville, said more could’ve been done to prevent the problem. “I feel like they do not put enough money into housing and don’t put enough time and energy into making sure the students on campus have a nice place to live,” she said. Kuster said any student can go online to request maintenance on their rooms. “We are happy to check students’ rooms because mold is a seri- ous issue, but no maintenance requests have been turned in from a lot of students to say they’re concerned about mold,” he said. Alesis Collins, a freshman from Louisville, said while she wasn’t personally affected by the mold, the news wasn’t something she liked getting. “I wasn’t pleased when I was informed about mold because I knew that it could get to me if it wasn’t handled,” she said. “But I did appreciate that [the] process of the effected was handled quickly.” Kuster said knowledge of the issues helps in addressing them, particularly with mold. Bryan Russell, chief facilities officer, said via email he was un- aware “of any issues in PFT,” but after inquiring with HRL said sev- eral people have been identified and contacted. “During the semester, we change filters in all HVAC units on a regular basis, but we usually do the coil cleaning during the sum- mer months because of the cleaning agent,” HRL’s response said. TAX RETURNS GREEK ma” and how it didn’t reflect WKU’s chapter Continued from FRONT Continued from FRONT or even the national values. “I never heard that chant before by the way,” Mulert said. “I can’t believe anyone “Conventional wisdom would indicate that that’s the likely cor- at WKU. would ever say that first of all." relation,” he said. “Also understand that the freedom to ex- Mulert said the situation provides a good According to the Financial Times, in 2013 the US government press yourself does not release you from the warned Anthem about computer security vulnerabilities. McK- consequences of your expressed thoughts,” opportunity to connect the Greek commu- erral said it was “a little frustrating” that the warnings were not Ransdell said. nity. heeded. The presidents congregated in the Student “We really do need to reach outwards and McKerral has identity theft protection, but is still keeping on his Government Association Senate chambers connect with both communities,” Mulert personal information. Wednesday, March 18 at 3 p.m. On each chair said. “I’m keeping an eye on my bank account every day,” he said. sat a label with the name and respective Amy Wolterman, Lexington junior, mem- “I’m keeping an eye on my credit cards everyday. There’s really not group for each official. ber of Alpha Gamma Delta and of the Pan- much more than… that you can do.” Ransdell’s speech opened the floor for dis- hellenic Council, thought the address was With more information being stored digitally, the threat of per- cussion on all sides of the issue.