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5-3-2016

UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 91, No. 26

WKU Student Affairs

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Recommended Citation WKU Student Affairs, "UA12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 91, No. 26" (2016). WKU Archives Records. Paper 6469. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_ua_records/6469

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Brewery supervisor Joe Walls f ushes the line before transferring the wort, a sweet liquid made from steeped grains, from the kettle into the fermenter during a trial brew on March 24 at the new brewery at the WKU Research and Development Center. Walls, who started on the Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company bottling line three years ago, was the sole employee managing the construction and trial runs at this location until recently. LEANORA BENKATO/HERALD Buying into the barrel WKU starts brewing, distilling program with Alltech BY EMMA COLLINS search for Ogden College. Michael said. all sides of the industry. [email protected] Graduate and undergraduate certi- The responses McMichael and Webb “In a craft brewery that person, the fication in Brewing and Distilling was received were consistent. Most brew- craft brewer, has to be the sanitation approved at the second quarterly WKU ers said they wished they had more This semester, WKU successfully manager, has to be the fermentation Board of Regents meeting in April. knowledge about how to make a busi- opened the largest on-campus brew- scientist, and so they need a little bit of McMichael said the idea for the pro- ness plan, how to manage employees, everything,” Webb said. “ A liberal arts ery in the United States and was ap- gram really began to take shape dur- how to make a label and how to navi- proved to launch its Certificate in degree is very appropriate.” ing the summer of 2014 when he and gate the law. The program also includes another Brewing and Distilling Arts and Sci- Webb spent several days visiting vari- These answers provided the founda- ences program. aspect brewers said was often missing: ous sized breweries. tion for the certificate program, which hands-on experience. The certificate is a joint project When they visited each brewery, Mc- requires students to take classes from “Another thing that we took away from among three colleges: Potter College Michael said they asked the brewers a variety of disciplines. Currently, the the summer of 2014 was that hands-on of Arts and Letters, Ogden College of two questions. undergraduate certificate requires Science and Engineering and Gordon “‘What would you want to see on a classes in brewing and distilling, entre- experience was absolutely critical, and Ford College of Business. It is the result transcript from someone from West- preneurship and history as well as an the more hands-on experience an em- of hard work by Andrew McMichael, ern if you were going to hire them?’ internship in brewing or distilling. ployee had, the more likely they would assistant dean of Potter College, and and ‘What do you wish you had known Webb said knowledge in all of those be to be hired,” Webb said. Cathleen Webb, associate dean for re- before you got in the business?’” Mc- subjects will help students understand SEE BREWERY PAGE A2

Administrators host budget reduction open forum BY MONICA KAST forward, we spent most of this legisla- [email protected] tive session, instead of playing offense, trying to capture additional funding in the state budget process.” Students, faculty and staff were able Ransdell said the council’s priority to ask questions about the budget re- with the budget reduction plan was duction plan announced earlier this to protect credit-bearing academic week in a forum hosted by the Admin- programs, personnel and essential istrative Council and department of student services. He said 24 programs human resources on Thursday after- will be affected either by elimination noon in Downing Student Union. or consolidation. President Gary Ransdell opened the A major part of the budget reduction forum by giving background on the plan is the transfer of WKU custodial, state budget cuts that have been talked building services, groundskeeping and about since January. Ransdell said that waste management on the Bowling at the beginning of the year, he was op- Green campus to Sodexo, a privately timistic about the state budget. That owned employment management sys- changed, however, when Gov. Matt tem. As a result of this transfer, Rans- Bevin announced cuts to higher edu- dell said, 202 employees were able to cation. keep their jobs. Faculty, staf and students meet with President Gary Ransdell, members of the “The whole world changed in terms Employees who will be transferred Administrative Council and the director of human resources in the budget reduc- of our perspective on our financial to Sodexo in the fall were able to ask tion forum on Thursday, April 28. More than $6 million in spending will be cut to circumstance,” Ransdell said. “Fast SEE BUDGET FORUM PAGE A2 achieve a balanced budget for the university. MATT LUNSFORD/HERALD

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HOT-N-READY5 STUFFED10 CRUST LUNCH DEEP! DEEP! DISH COMBO LARGE PIZZA a2 MAY 3, 2016 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD BREWERY Before Baker and another part-time partner with WKU instead of other level of success,” Webb said. Continued from FRONT student worker were hired, Walls, an universities may have been because of Webb said she has already received Alltech employee, was the only em- the innovation of WKU’s program. emails from many students who have McMichael said hands-on experi- ployee working in the brewery. It was “Most programs around the coun- expressed interest in the program. ence is vital when applying to work for his job to monitor the brewing process try, the few that exist, are … effectively “We have received multiple emails in a small brewery. and make the beer, which is an Ameri- chemistry degrees with a specializa- the last week and a half from students “When you’re running a small busi- can pale ale called College Heights Ale. tion in fermentation science, or they’re who are interested in doing the certifi- ness — and there are maybe four or Walls said the beer will not be sold on a hospitality degree,” Webb said. cates,” Webb said. five of you — you don’t want to bring in campus. Instead, it will be marketed to McMichael said there is nothing McMichael and Webb both said they a fifth person, 20 percent of your labor local restaurants. wrong with this approach. expect the program to experience rapid force, who doesn’t know what they’re Baker, who has only taken one brew- “Those work fine for some situations. growth. Plans are already underway to doing and have to spend months train- ing and distilling class, said she would It’s just that no one we talked to in the expand the program and bring in a still. ing them,” McMichael said. recommend that other students take industry tells us that’s what they need,” McMichael said it will be difficult to Hands-on experience also holds true advantage of the opportunity. McMichael said. add hands-on distilling experience. to the history of brewing. Webb said “I’ve taken the one class, and I defi- McMichael and Webb attribute the “We can brew beer in class legally that in the past, the industry was built nitely encourage students who are inter- program’s relatively quick success to without any kind of permit or license on an apprenticeship model. ested in brewing at all to take the classes their partnership with Alltech. In addi- or anything like that, but running a “We have tried to incorporate that that they’re going to offer,” Baker said. tion to providing the machines for the still, obviously, the federal government into our curriculum,” Webb said. Inspiration for the program would brewery, which is located in the WKU is much more restrictive on, so that One student who showed interest in have remained just an idea if Webb and Center for Research and Development, requires a special license,” McMichael the program now works for the brew- McMichael had not been able to form Alltech also made a $150,000 commit- said. ery gaining experience that will help a partnership with Alltech, a brewing ment to WKU over the next five years. Despite the lack of a still, Webb and her in the future. and distilling company in Lexington. “It is extraordinarily generous,” Webb McMichael are excited about the new Lexie Baker, a senior from Bowling McMichael said when they met with said. program in part because of the impor- Green, said she had no experience Alltech, the company expressed interest WKU’s Brewing and Distilling pro- tance of brewing and distilling in Ken- with brewing when she was first hired. in expanding its brewery and continu- gram currently does not receive any tucky. This semester she took a course with ing education in the science of brewing. funding from the university. As a result, For Baker, her job at the brewery has McMichael, and he asked Baker if she Alltech had recently begun work on a its progress will not be impeded by the already left an impact. She said she is would like to work at the brewery. So brewery and distillery in Pikeville, and university’s budget reduction plan. considering pursuing a master’s de- far, Baker said, she has enjoyed the job. McMichael said the company was now Webb said the program’s progress gree in brewing and distilling. “It’s just a really neat experience,” interested in expanding into the west- has already exceeded her expectations. “I would definitely love to do that full Baker said. “You a learn a lot hands ern portion of the state. “Neither Andrew or I would have time — become a master brewer or some on — more than you ever could in the “In some ways, we were in the right dreamed that we would ever have this kind of distilling supervisor,” Baker said. classroom.” place at the right time,” McMichael Baker said when she first began said, adding that Alltech had already working for the brewery, she would fol- received offers to partner with other low brewery supervisor Joseph Walls Kentucky universities. around to learn about the process. Webb said Alltech’s willingness to

BUDGET FORUM things when one of your commit- Continued from FRONT ments, your guiding principles for the budget cuts, are a commitment to NOW HIRING questions and receive clarification diversity,” Darst said to Ransdell. “All about the change, and Ransdell and three of these programs directly serve Provost David Lee addressed those diversity.” concerns. Employees were told they “Our commitment to diversity is no would meet individually with repre- less today than it was yesterday, or has sentatives from Sodexo, and specific is- been, in my mind, for the last 19 years,” sues and concerns could be dealt with Ransdell said. on a case-by-case basis. Ransdell explained that “some pro- WKU has contracted positions with grams that are awfully important were Sodexo for several years, but Tamela reduced or consolidated” to make nec- Smith, the Board of Regents member essary cuts. HERALD representing staff, said there are con- Lee said he was optimistic and cerns from employees who feel like thought that the Alive Center and ICSR they won’t be able to communicate would function well together and that Ambassadors with Sodexo. neither were being eliminated. FALL 2016 "Some of the people I've talked to Concerns were also raised about the said there's some questions for So- elimination of predoctoral interns dexo that they had, and you might from the Counseling and Testing Cen- want to try and make sure that those ter. Peggy Crowe, the director of the answers are available for them be- center, and Brian Lee, staff counselor, Join the team. cause there is some uncertainty any spoke of changes to WKU’s counseling time there is change,” Smith said. and testing services. Help market “Maybe it just needs a little more Crowe said the elimination of pred- clarification.” octoral interns would have an impact, & distribute our Ransdell said by moving 202 build- and as a result, the rest of the depart- ing services employees to Sodexo, ment would be taking on a greater WKU was able to protect about 25 caseload. award winning paper. jobs. He added that although vaca- “I’m confident in my team to make tion days are different, the starting this work and still serve students,” • Position Paid wage will be raised by $1, and there Crowe said. “I have a wonderful staff, are more benefits on Sodexo’s insur- and they do great things. But I’m not • Contact Will Hoagland for more ance plan. going to lie that it isn’t going to have an information @ [email protected] “I may not get universal agreement impact.” on this, but in my heart, I’m genuine Lee said that as of a few days ago, in saying that every one of these 202 each licensed professional in the cen- employees will continue to be mem- ter was responsible for serving 2500 bers of this university family, and most students — 1000 students above what of you won’t know who’s a Sodexo em- is nationally recommended. With the ployee and who’s a WKU employee loss of the interns, each professional when you’re working with them near will be responsible for 3300 students, buildings or across the campus or he said. Lee added that these cuts also whatever the case might be,” Ransdell mean fewer opportunities for intern- said. ships for students. Students from the Institute for Citi- “I’m concerned, but I’m not defeat- zenship and Social Responsibility were ed,” Lee said. Later he added, “this is present and voiced concerns about the a tremendous, tremendous challenge consolidation of ICSR and the Alive for us.” Center. Other students voiced concerns Aeryn Darst, a Bowling Green senior about cuts to classes and programs, with a minor in ICSR, raised concerns specifically in the communication about changes in ICSR, the reorganiza- department and Potter College, that tion of the Office of Institutional Diver- they need to graduate. Lee, who led sity and Inclusion, and the effect this the meeting after Randsell left to at- reorganization might have on campus tend an ROTC graduation, said he diversity. shared those concerns and said the “What I would like to know is how council was currently looking for so- you can justify … subsidizing these lutions. WE’RE HERE FOR YOU, SO YOU’LL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THEM Ofering care at times that are convenient to your schedule. GGC@WKU Health Services facility provides services for all your healthcare needs. Call today to schedule your appointment Health Services (270) 745-CARE [2273] Graves Gilbert Clinic 1681 Normal Drive Bowling Green, KY 42101 Big Red Card Accepted For more information, please visit www.gravesgilbert.com/ggcwkuhealthservices Mon - Thurs: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Fri & Sat: 8:00 AM to Noon WKUHERALD.COM MAY 3, 2016 a3 Work Ready Scholarship opens path for incoming students BY EMMA COLLINS not covered by FAFSA or other wanted to receive the four- In the original draft of the August 2015. [email protected] scholarships and grants will semester scholarship would bill, recipients were required Kentucky’s Work Ready Pro- be covered by the Work Ready graduate from a high school in to maintain a 2.0 GPA and take gram is similar to the Tennes- Under a new scholarship Scholarship. Kentucky and enroll in a col- a minimum of 12 credit hours see Promise; however, unlike program, incoming college “It’s going to make a huge lege in Kentucky the semester per semester. After budget ne- Tennessee’s program, appli- difference in student debt,” after they graduated. Kentuck- gotiations, the required GPA students will be eligible to re- cants are not required to com- was increased to 2.5, and re- ceive free tuition while they plete a certain number of ser- cipients were required to take pursue a two-year degree or a minimum of 15 credit hours vice hours. certificate, but the program When it is passed, I think it’s going to per semester. Representative Rocky Ad- will not be offered until 2017 If students failed to maintain kins said during the legislative due to a line item veto from be something that is going to be very the required GPA or if they do session, the general assembly Gov. Matt Bevin. helpful to students and our youth in not complete the academic heard from a number of busi- Students will receive their making sure that we continue their term, they would have been nesses about the shortage of free tuition through the Work required to repay the scholar- skilled workers in the state. Ready Kentucky Scholarship education without tremendous debt.” ship. Adkins said the general as- Program. Merrall Price, associate dean House Speaker Greg Stum- sembly has also been con- Rocky Adkins for University College, said the cerned about the low percent- bo, one of the bill’s sponsors, program was good news for said the program, which will age of Kentuckians who hold a Stumbo said. ians younger than 19 and with WKU and its students. college degree. be administered by the Ken- On April 28, Bevin vetoed a GED would also have been “It means that, essentially, “We really put our heads to- tucky Higher Education As- House Bill 626 which defined eligible for the scholarship if the first two years at WKU sistance Authority, will allow the regulations of the scholar- they enrolled in a two-year would be free for eligible stu- gether with our budget chair current Kentucky high school ship and cut the funding in the program before they turned dents as long as they enroll in and leadership as a whole and students to receive free tuition bill for the 2016-2017 school 19. an associate degree program tried to look at a unique way if they chose to pursue an as- year. He left $15.9 million in- The scholarship was eligible on their way to a bachelor’s that we could use money to sociate degree, a certificate or tact in order to fund the next for students seeking an as- degree and maintain their eli- attract students to enter into a diploma. academic year for the pro- sociate’s degree or certificate gibility,” Price said. the community and technical “I think it’s the most excit- gram. The legislature will have who chose to attend a school Stumbo said the idea for the college system,” Adkins said. ing program — not because to rewrite the regulations for in the Kentucky Community program came from Tennes- Adkins also said he hopes I’m sponsoring the bill, but the scholarship program. and Technical College System, see’s scholarship program, the program will serve as a because it really does give us a "Developing and imple- a four-year public college or called Tennessee Promise. feeder system to encourage leg up on getting our kids work menting a properly function- university or a four-year pri- Under the Tennessee Prom- more students to continue on ready for the 21st century,” ing Work Ready Scholarship vate college or university. ise, high school students in to receive a four-year degree. Stumbo said. program will take a great deal Those were the only require- Tennessee who want to re- “When it is passed, I think it’s Stumbo referred to the pro- of time and effort,” Bevin said ments to receive the scholar- ceive an associate degree will gram as a “last-dollar” schol- in his veto message. “There- ship; however, beginning in be eligible to participate in a going to be something that is arship, meaning students will fore, the most prudent action the 2020-2021 school year, scholarship and mentoring going to be very helpful to stu- only receive the scholarship is to develop the program for applicants were required to program. dents and our youth in mak- after they have applied for and implementation in fiscal year have taken a certain number The first students who par- ing sure that we continue their received money from FAFSA. 2017-18.” of dual credit courses while in ticipated in the Tennessee education without tremen- The remaining tuition that is Originally, students who high school. program enrolled in college in dous debt,” Adkins said.

6 WKU colleges face empty faculty position eliminations

BY EMMA COLLINS of Education and Behavioral Sciences, McGee said she expects that the de- man, Japanese and Russian are offered. [email protected] the College of Health and Human Ser- partment will be able to fill the position Many of these languages still have vices, Gordon Ford College of Busi- despite the budget reduction plan. openings in the introductory classes. In an effort to reduce the university’s ness, Ogden College of Science and “No one has indicated to me that we In his email, Lee also included a list budget, WKU has decided to leave a Engineering, Potter College of Arts and need to stop that search,” McGee said. of the other schools and departments number of currently open faculty po- Letters and University College. Open “That search is continuing.” that will have unfilled faculty positions. sitions unfilled in the 2016-2017 aca- positions in University Libraries will McGee said there are other options Schools include the School of Uni- demic year. also remain unfilled. for students who were planning to take versity Studies, School of Nursing and Due to state budget cuts, WKU must Craig Cobane, the executive director Spanish 102 to fulfill their language re- School of Teacher Education. Depart- reduce its budget by $6,039,200. Sev- for the Honors College, said the Hon- quirement. ments include public health, finance, eral programs will be consolidated, ors College will not be affected. These options include testing out of management, chemistry, math, phys- reorganized or eliminated. Vacant fac- “The Honors College had no open a language class or choosing to study ics, astronomy, philosophy and religion. ulty positions will also be strategically faculty lines, so faculty or sections for another language besides Spanish. In According to the budget, the elimina- eliminated as a part of this plan. next year are not [affected] by this lat- addition to Spanish, other languages tion of these empty positions will save During the announcement of the est set of state cuts,” Cobane said. such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Ger- the university $942,000. budget reduction plan at a media Currently, most of the colleges have briefing Wednesday, President Gary not yet released any information about Ransdell said the reductions kept in how these unfilled faculty positions mind the goal to protect current fac- will affect next semester’s classes. ulty positions and academic programs. The department of modern languag- “Our priority has always been to pro- es, however, is already anticipating a tect people, preserve academic qual- reduction in the number of classes of ity and maintain student services, and Spanish 102 that will be offered. that continues to be my goal,” Ransdell Laura McGee, the head of the mod- said. ern languages department, said the In an email, David Lee, provost and department is currently short one fac- vice president for Academic Affairs, ulty member for Spanish. Because of said six colleges will lose unfilled fac- this, the department will not be able to ulty positions. offer the number of Spanish 102 class- The six colleges include the College es that have been offered in the past.

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Have an opinion? Tweet us @wkuherald or find us on Facebook at WKUHerald as well. Let us know your thoughts about the editorial, or write us with what is on your mind. WKUHERALD.COM OPINION SKIPPING BREAKFAST EDITORIAL Gentleman's guide to a day at the Downs

Boys, don't think I forgot about you last week. Derby isn't just for the la- dies; the races are the perfect excuse for men to get just as gussied up as the gals. The belles SCOUT may steal the show HARDIN with their larger- than-life hats, but SKIPPING BREAK- gentlemen, the FAST AT TIFFANY'S: Kentucky Derby is Your weekly guide your time too! Put to having fun with on your best seer- fashion on campus. sucker suit, grab a cigar and head to the tracks. Essential services The same goes for the men as it goes for the women: what you wear de- pends on how you are spending your Counseling and Testing Center affected by budget race day. We'll keep it simple and go over the three most popular options: brunch, backyard party and the tracks. reduction plan If you've been invited to brunch, the first thought that might barrel through THE ISSUE: Last week President Gary to the university, and the reductions completion. your mind is "What the heck is brunch?" Ransdell announced the budget reduc- will have a negative effect, but the Mental health issues affect cam- All you need to know is that it's an event tion plan for the 2016-17 f scal year, which center is an essential and important puses nationwide, and WKU has faced where it is acceptable to get drunk be- part of the university that provides these effects in the past year. fore 11 in the morning. Everyone may reduced and eliminated multiple pro- services to students, faculty and staff. College is an extremely stressful be planning on getting schnockered, grams including the predoctoral intern Eliminating the predoctoral intern- time in a person’s life. There are a lot but they are also planning on looking program in the Counseling and Testing ship program in the center eliminates of expectations that students have to put-together and polished. Center. jobs. There are currently two doctoral live up to. Many students are taking So what do you wear? Lucky gent, OUR STANCE: President Ransdell said interns working at the center, accord- classes full time as well as working. brunch means dressing to the nines. A ing to the staff directory. These two The services provided by the center the university tried to maintain programs seersucker suit or a three-piece tweed interns will no longer have a job, and are capable of helping students tre- are both excellent options. If you’re and services that are essential to students, their internship will stop. which they mendously. feeling like a pretentious halfwit, you student productivity and degree comple- need to finish their degree so they will The American College Health As- could wear a fedora. I think fedoras tion. We feel the interns in the center are have to look for another. sociation found in its 2014 National are the hat choice of the devil, but absolutely essential to our campus and to It won’t just affect the interns, College Health Assessment that 32.6 don't let me influence you. students. though. They do a lot of work within percent of college students “felt so If you're headed to a garden party the center, including actual counsel- depressed that it was difficult to toss out the three-piece because re- ing. When the interns leave, their pa- function” any time within the last 12 laxed slacks, a button-down and a or the 2016-17 fiscal year, WKU tients will have to switch therapists, months, but only 12 percent were ac- bow tie are going to be your choice has reduced its budget by which means they have to start com- tually diagnosed or treated by a pro- picks here. Don't be afraid to play with F$6,039,200, according to the Fis- pletely over with the whole process. fessional. color. Wear a vibrant pair of chinos cal Year 2017 Budget. That takes time away from the actual The center is an essential service with a more muted button-down, and In the budget reduction plan mul- therapy process. on campus. Yes, everyone is go- then a tie to pull it all together. tiple programs were reorganized, The center doesn’t only provide coun- ing to be affected by these budget Finish off the Derby extravaganza reduced and eliminated including seling. It also provides clinical testing, cuts, and they couldn’t be avoided, with a day at the tracks. Turn the heads the consolidation of the Alive Cen- sexual assault response and community but it seems like the welfare of the of ladies in a navy suit with a bright ter and the Institute for Citizenship outreach. The work it does reaches a lot students isn’t being thoroughly con- button-down. I prefer the bow tie, but and Social Responsibility, reducing of people. sidered. Despite essential student a tie is perfectly acceptable as well. budgets for Gatton Academy and At last week’s forum, Brian Lee of the services being cut, the administra- Polish a pair of your old oxfords or the track and field teams and elimi- Counseling and Testing Center said tion and Ransdell himself have no loafers. Don't wear a brand new pair nating the pre-doctoral intern pro- each member of staff is responsible for interest in showing equitable soli- of shoes to the races. gram in the Counseling and Testing 3,333 students. It doesn’t make sense darity by taking a cut as well even if Throw back some bourbon and pick Center. that the center isn’t considered essen- it will help the university — albeit in your pony — it's Derby time! All of these programs are important tial to student productivity or degree a smaller way.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

When I first visited WKU as a pro- would consolidate the ICSR and the that the administration promised not scholarship to our campus. It was the spective student, I met with a profes- ALIVE Center. to cut any credit-bearing programs, uniqueness of the ICSR that convinced sor who mentioned the Institute for Both the ICSR and the ALIVE Center yet my credit-bearing program is be- me to choose WKU over nationally rec- Citizenship and Social Responsibility. I provide important services and op- ing slashed. ognized institutions like Georgetown was intrigued by the concept of an aca- erate with unique voices. The ALIVE All students, staff, faculty and alumni University. In the future, students will demic department dedicated to teach- Center’s mission is service; the ICSR’s of WKU should be concerned about look elsewhere, including at the Uni- ing students to advocate for issues mission is cultivating social justice ad- the disappearance of the ICSR, even versity of Kentucky, whose adminis- they care about. I was a student who vocacy and intersectional diversity on if they have never set foot inside our trators are enthusiastically planning a was searching for a meaningful college campus. Key to this mission is ICSR doors. The ICSR makes WKU a wel- social justice institute even in the face experience, and the ICSR sounded like programming, which fosters a place coming environment for diverse of statewide budget cuts. the home I was looking for. for social justice scholarship outside students and increases our national It is my wish that our administrators I wasn’t wrong. Today, more than 700 the classroom. competitiveness. Across campus, the be enthusiastic about our social justice miles away from my actual home, the These events are a valuable part of ICSR has been instrumental in mak- program. The budget cuts are not final ICSR has made WKU a second home. students’ interdisciplinary university ing WKU a safer space for students The courses I have taken as a social experience. Consolidation means they from all walks of life. The ICSR is a levy until July 1, which means there is still justice minor, the faculty I have worked cannot be offered on the same scale, against the bigotry that has flooded so time for administrators to protect the with and the extracurricular program- if at all. Additionally, Director Judy many college campuses, yet without ICSR from disappearance under the ming have created a space for me to Rohrer is now the only ICSR faculty administrative support, that levy will guise of consolidation. Whether or not develop my critical thinking skills and member, which threatens the vitality break. As a woman, I am hurt that my you have known it, the ICSR has been expand my role as an engaged and of ICSR course offerings. As an ICSR university considers it nonessential working for you. Do not accept its thoughtful citizen. minor, I fear a more limited schedule to protect vulnerable student popula- elimination. I’m not going to. But now this home is at risk. Last of course offerings will impede my tions. week, WKU administration an- ability to graduate with the degree I The ICSR is a groundbreaking or- nounced budget reduction plans that was promised. What I find puzzling is ganization that brings research and -Lily Nellans

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Interested applicants can apply online www.bgky.org/ 15 Like much 54 Either of two auditoriums viewfinder hr/jobs or at the computers in the Human Resources sushi Henry VIII wives 11 Bordeaux bye 47 Ill-suited Department in City Hall, 1001 College Street, Bowling 16 Set of lines on 55 Lacking light 12 Not even once 48 Rodeo rope Green. The City of Bowling Green is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. personal stationery 58 Victimized 13 Hang loosely, as 49 Penny pincher 17 *Motorist’s lieutenant in on a clothesline 50 New Zealand Note to Readers: The College Heights Herald screens ads for misleading or false headache “Othello” 18 Govt. security native claims but cannot guarantee any ad or claim. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when asked to send money or provide credit card information. The College 19 DNA sample 60 “Chestnuts 23 Character 51 Data to be Heights Herald is not responsible for the content or validity of these paid classifi ed ads. source roasting” spot weaknesses entered 20 Vietnamese ... and a hint to 24 “__ Theme”: 52 January, to José New Year a divided word “Doctor Zhivago” 55 Desperate 21 Dutch South found in the song 56 Commonly African answers to starred 25 Three-time purple bloom 22 Censor’s cover- clues Wimbledon champ 57 Swimming SUDOKU up 62 Election Chris event 23 *Enjoy, with surprises 26 Up in the air 59 ‘40s spy org. “in” 63 1921 robot play 27 Aswan High 61 Shriner’s hat 26 Counting 64 Pennsylvania Dam river everything port 28 Once again 29 Part of DJIA: 65 Mall directory 31 Less dangerous Abbr. listings 32 Burglary, for 30 *Recap on a 66 “What was __ one sports crawl line do?” 33 “The Star- 34 Phi __ Kappa 67 Lemon peel Spangled PREVIOUS SOLUTION 38 Took wing Banner” 39 Toward the Down contraction back of the boat 1 It’s not right 34 Ballerina’s 40 Physics class 2 Just hanging rail subject around 35 List- 41 Evergreen 3 Vegan no-no ending abbr. shrubs 4 Wee hill builder 36 __ list: 42 *Kids’ 5 Hunter chores introduction to a constellation 37 “I’m with full school day 6 Peeled with a you!”

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END MAY 3, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM PHOTO

A rider struggles to get his all-terrain vehicle through the mud during the annual Mudfest at Gregory Lake RV Park on Saturday, April 30. Numerous events were held at the Mudfest including drag racing, strip and slides and a mud pool. HARRISON HILL/HERALD

GoneThousands of “mudders” took to the woods surrounding Muddin' Gregory Lake RV Park in Drakesboro this past weekend for the sec- ond annual Mudfest. Rainy days made for perfect muddy conditions for the many four-wheelers and ATVs that tore up the already soggy trails. The scent of bonfires, engine fumes and hot dogs hung in the air and made for a unique atmosphere that few outside this culture experience. Organizers estimated that about 10,000 attended the event this year and hope for an even bigger, wilder event in 2017.

Justin Spalding of Uniontown poses for a portrait after riding through the trails at All-terrain vehicle riders hang out before hitting the trails during the annual Gregory Lake RV Park during the annual Mudfest on Saturday, April 30.. HARRISON Mudfest at Gregory Lake RV Park Saturday, April 30. Thousands of people from all HILL/HERALD around the region came to the Mudfest to drink, ride ATV's and have a good time. HARRISON HILL/HERALD

Travis Phelps, 24, yells after being hit for kissing the wrong woman on the cheek at the second annual Mudfest in Drakesboro on Friday, April 29. GABRIEL SCARLETT/HERALD MAY 3, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM LIFE Small hemp plants grow inside a greenhouse at the WKU Agricultural Exposition Center in Bowling Green on Thursday, April 28. Agronomy professor Todd Willian has been tending to these young plants alongside WKU students. GABRIEL SCARLETT/HERALD My old Kentucky home the 'Silicon Valley' of hemp STORY AND GRAPHIC BY They will be finishing their third year farming until this activity was made il- cal that produces a high. THC levels in KATHERINE SPROLES of researching hemp at the University legal. According to the Kentucky De- marijuana average “about 10 percent” Farm. partment of Agriculture, the state’s first while hemp holds less than 1 percent [email protected] The United States is the only indus- hemp crop was grown in 1775, and it THC, according to the Kentucky De- trialized nation that does not allow in- produced 40,000 tons of hemp by 1850. partment of Agriculture. There is not Past goats, grapevines, calves and dustrial hemp production, according The 1938 Controlled Substances Act enough of the chemical for people to corn sit small plots of tilled soil ready to the Kentucky Department of Agri- outlawed hemp, along with marijuana, use hemp as a psychoactive drug. to be planted. In a few months, tucked culture. Eleven states have legalized in the U.S. Moreover, the production of At the farm, agronomy professor at the back of this farm, rows of deep the research of hemp, including Ken- hemp isn’t controlled by the Depart- Todd Willian rubs a baby plant leaf green plants — each with pointy, tucky. Right now, the farm is prepar- ment of Agriculture but by the U.S. between his fingers and to see if any ribbed leaves — will reek of weed. Sun ing to plant what will be its third year Drug Enforcement Administration. cannabis smell will be produced. Wil- will soak tall stalks while research- of a five-year pilot program to study While the plant is of the same canna- lian specializes in the study of plants ers and students test the plants be- hemp in Kentucky called the Industrial bis sativa species as marijuana, hemp at WKU and helps supervise students fore tearing them down. They won’t Hemp Pilot Program. plants have very little tetrahydrocan- and researchers who work with the be tearing down marijuana, though. Kentucky used to be a leader in hemp nabinol, or THC, which is the chemi- crops. He admits the only way people Two sides of the same leaf While hemp and marijuana share some similarities, a major dif erence is the main chemicals in both plants. Generally marijuana holds a greater amount of THC than hemp, and in turn hemp mainly holds the chemical CBD.

Marijuana Hemp

THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol CBD: Cannabidiol A type of cannabidiol with psychoactive Chemical compounds found in both marijuana properties found in marijuana and hemp that and hemp that have been used in recent research produces a high for its medicinal properties • Average THC concentration in marijuana is less • Not psychoactive than f ve percent • Recent research suggests it could be used to • Used recreationally or where legal to alleviate treat depression, epilepsy and psychosis disorders symptoms of glaucoma or cancer and prevent cancer cells or tumors Cultivation Cultivation In general, grown mostly from female f owering In general, emphasis is put on growing the tallest plants that produce buds and usually not as tall as stalks with plants being grown close together. hemp plants. Grown generally 6 feet apart from Hemp plants usually have few branches or leaves other stalks with many leaves. below the tops. Legalization General uses Pot is legal in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and A common misconception is that hemp is just for Washington. Twenty-four states including D.C. f ber products such as rope. Other uses include have legalized medical marijuana. industrial textiles, pharmecuticals, paper, building materials, foods, fuels, soap, shampoo, animal feed, apparel and auto parts.

can distinguish between hemp and making it useless as a drug. in economic demand for tobacco would remove hemp from the federal marijuana is to test the plant for its Research came at a convenient time products. This downturn stemmed list of controlled substances. THC content. In the U.S., less than 0.3 just 10 years after the Senate approved from increased taxes on tobacco that In a 2013 Frankfort hearing, Paul percent is considered hemp, and any- the Food and Drug Administration to dissuaded the public from buying due told lawmakers that Kentucky hemp thing more than that is marijuana. regulate tobacco at the protest of Ken- to health concerns. consumers “are exporting our profit to Willian said another common mis- tucky and surrounding lawmakers. In 2013, farmers only had one year Canada,” according to Politico. “I see conception is that hemp crops can be This regulation, passed in 2004, ended left before the subsidy ran out, and to no reason we wouldn’t want to be a a place for people to hide marijuana. price supports still in place from the many hemp seemed like the solution leader on this,” he said. When marijuana and hemp are plant- Depression and forced growers to sell for revitalizing farming in Kentucky. Canada is one of the U.S.’s major ed close together, the cross pollination tobacco at whatever cost they could That year Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. suppliers of hemp. In 2011, Canada’s ruins the THC content in marijuana, get. The incentive for Kentucky law- Mitch McConnell, with the help of two hemp exports exceeded more than makers was a $12 billion buyout to aid senators from Oregon, introduced the farmers struggling from the decrease Industrial Hemp Farming Act, which SEE HEMP PAGE B2 ONE TICKET. TEN KIOSKS. #HERALDBLACKBOX Find the newspaper with the red envelope in one of the ten kiosks around campus and win a $25 gift card to Lost River Pizza.

FOLLOW US FOR MORE INFORMATION /WKUHERALD @WKUHERALD @WKUHERALD COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD MAY 3, 2016 b2 HEMP counterpart. The crops will grow for a treat depression, anxiety, epilepsy and going to work, but there is potential,” Continued from LIFE few months and then be harvested in psychosis disorders and could prevent Hendrix said. “We don’t know if we are the fall. The researchers will then test tumors and cancerous cells. going to make money at this.” $10 million with the majority of prod- the crops for fiber content and other Farmers like Josh Hendrix are look- Hendrix said hemp has caused uct going to the U.S. benchmarks before discarding the ing to prove that there is a market for younger generations to become in- Opposition to this legislation came plants. This research is shared with hemp in Kentucky, which hasn’t legally terested in farming again — notable, from inside the commonwealth. U.S. other universities and made public for grown the plant in more than 70 years. considering that the average age of a Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky and Ken- farmers and growers to learn how best While universities like WKU have the farmer in America is 59. tucky State Police, two major oppo- to grow hemp in a climate like Ken- ability only to research the plant, farm- Marijuana is currently Kentucky’s nents, argued that law enforcement tucky’s. ers like Hendrix have the ability to No. 1 cash crop and outsells traditional would be unable to tell hemp and Willian said while they can success- market and sell their crops. tobacco, which comes in second, ac- marijuana apart because the plants are so similar. While the Industrial Hemp Farming Act is still in consideration in the Sen- ate Judiciary Committee, McConnell Everyone thinks it's cool that Kentucky pushed further in 2013 for a provision to be added to the Farm Bill that would allow for research on hemp produc- is leading the way in something. We can tion. That provision passed in 2014, and that year WKU started research with other Kentucky universities. kind of be the Silicon Valley for this.” It hasn’t been easy, though, for the state to regain growing hemp. When president of Hendrix Hemp Josh Hendrix the pilot program began, the state bought 250 pounds of hemp seeds from Italy. The DEA seized the ship- fully gather data in the five-year time “The most common misconception cording to the Appalachia High-Inten- ment of seeds, forcing the Kentucky span allotted, 10 years would be a bet- is that this industry exists,” Hendrix sity Drug Trafficking Areas. Department of Agriculture to sue by ter period of data for growers to refer- said. “We are creating the domestic in- Research, Hendrix said, is critical for citing the 2014 Farm Bill. The Depart- ence, and hemp’s legalization would dustry. There are companies out there farmers to make hemp a staple of the ment of Agriculture was compelled by be the biggest advantage since most that make hemp products; they just Kentucky economy. the DEA to apply for a controlled sub- crop research is federally funded. don’t use domestic hemp yet.” “WKU is so important because their stances permit, which was later grant- “One of the big questions we have is Hendrix is the president of Hendrix research is public information for ed, and the seeds were returned. ‘What variety can you grow?’” he said. Hemp, a farm licensed by the Depart- farmers in the future and now,” he said. Today, small plots of dark brown dirt “With any crop, you have varieties that ment of Agriculture to research grow- Hemp re-emerging in Kentucky has are waiting for warmer weather before do better with certain needs and cer- ing and marketing hemp. Hemp lured had surprising effects on changing the the hemp can be planted. 2016 is the tain climates, and we are just now get- Hendrix back into Kentucky in 2014 stigmas hemp traditionally holds. first year researchers have been able to ting research on that.” when the Farm Bill passed. He had “Students are very interested in plant this early in the season with suf- While the farm has done plenty of re- heard of hemp in college and was in- hemp. Everyone is interested in ficient rain for the crop to flourish. This search with the stalks and seeds of its trigued to take over his grandfather’s hemp,” Hendrix said. “When we have year, WKU is one of eight Kentucky hemp plants, Willian said it has yet to farm. tours on the farm ... it’s the only crop universities in the program. really research the chemical cannabi- Hendrix said Kentucky hemp pro- where people will get off the wagon A small greenhouse now holds about diol, or CBD, which he believes might duction is in the early stages of what and go into the field and take a selfie.” 30 potted hemp plants that in their be a way for Kentucky to turn hemp may be a multidecade project in the More important, Hendrix said, is that youth look more like mint than canna- into a major crop. way that it took farmers years to per- hemp has put Kentucky on the map bis. These plants are used to test the ef- CBD, unlike THC, is not psychoactive fect tobacco growing. An even bigger politically and socially. fects of herbicide on hemp, which has and is being tested more and more as struggle is that the variety of hemp “In Kentucky, hemp is cool,” Hendrix presented mixed results in the past. a potential new medicine. In a 2013, grown here in the early 1890s, when said. “Everyone thinks it’s cool that In a few months, their sister crop will the British Journal of Clinical Pharma- farmers were familiar with the crop, no Kentucky is leading the way in some- be almost 15 feet tall and will look and cology published a review stating that longer exists. thing. We can kind of be the Silicon Val- smell identical to hemp’s marijuana studies showed CBD could be used to “No one is saying this is 100 percent ley for this.”

Bernie Sanders campaign of ce opens in Bowling Green BY BRITTINY MOORE for an election. This is accom- [email protected] plished by canvassing to vot- ers to help inform voters of Welcomed by a bright red campaign ideals. Canvassing door, two blue “Bernie Sand- usually includes calling and ers for President” posters rest- going door-to-door as a way ed on either side of the frame. to spread the information to Walking inside, you would the voters. have no doubt that the Bernie “I think Kentucky is especially Sanders campaign had come engaged in a way that I haven’t to Bowling Green. seen in a couple of the other The air was filled with the states that I’ve been in,” Kass smell of pizza, and people Bessert, director of the Sanders from all walks of life stood campaign in Kentucky, said in around in circles donned in an interview with the Kentucky “Feel the Bern” tops. More Center for Investigative Re- blue Sanders posters were porting. “We’re seeing people scattered around the nearly get involved in politics who bare room, and a single hand- have never felt empowered or drawn bust of Sanders rested involved to this extent.” on the wall. Sen. Sanders' campaign an- Daniel Deriso, field organizer nounced that he will be hold- for the Sanders campaign, said ing a rally in Louisville Tuesday polls seem promising in Ken- on the Big Four Lawn in Louis- tucky, so the campaign decid- ville’s Waterfront Park, accord- Chris Peters, left, 24, of Bowling Green, is helped by f eld organizer and of ce manager Daniel Deriso, ed to open a field office in the ing to the Herald-Leader. area at 2317 Russellville Rd. The very same day, former center, 23, of Birmingham, Al., and Jonathan Taylor, right, 22, of Bowling Green to set up for phone The Kentucky Center for In- President Bill Clinton will be banking on Saturday, April 30, in Bowling Green. "I believe in [Sanders] more than any other candi- vestigative Reporting reported campaigning for his wife in date for his ability to change the political structure," Peters said. MICHAEL NOBLE JR./HERALD Morehead, Lexington and that Sanders raised $126,639 “We want to get people to re- paign to the right people. May 17 is the date of Ken- Louisville. Monday, Hillary from Kentucky donors in March. alize there’s a lot of support for “We want to get other volun- tucky’s primary, which is a This was more than the com- Clinton visited Ashland on a Bernie,” Christian said. “It’s all teers at the grass root levels,” closed primary. With the pri- bined receipts of former Sec- campaign stop as well. over; it’s diverse.” Deriso said. mary being closed, only vot- retary of State Hillary Clinton, Alisa Christian, 34, of Ow- According to Deriso, about In democratic primaries Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted ensboro has been volunteer- ers registered as democrat can Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. ing and canvassing since Au- 35 to 50 doors per volunteer and caucuses, delegates are vote for Sanders. Kentucky has “The internal polls look good gust 2015. per day is the ideal figure that awarded proportionately to 55 delegates for the two com- in Kentucky,” Deriso said. “If “I’m very excited about it,” is needed. Along with that, the percentage of votes gained peting democrats to claim. we have a good GOTV, we’re Christian said. “It helps get re- around 50 to 100 calls need to in each state. Deriso said the “An overwhelming number going to win this state.” sources to get votes for Bernie.” be made per volunteer. goal of the campaign is to win of Americans are switching GOTV, or “Get out the vote,” Christian said her favorite Deriso said the office is scop- as many delegates as they can. to independent,” Deriso said. is used in campaigns to in- part was getting to talk to peo- ing out democratic voters in “GOTV can make or break an “It’s ridiculous that they are crease the numbers of votes ple about Bernie Sanders. the area so the office can cam- election,” Deriso said. not being able to vote.” COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD MAY 3, 2016 b3 Class project attempts to break Guinness World Record

BY EMMA AUSTIN [email protected]

When five senior public relations students saw a disconnect between WKU’s campus and downtown Bowl- ing Green, they decided to do some- thing to bring the two communities together. The five students began working on a semester-long project as a part of their senior capstone class with Ken- neth Payne, associated professor in the School of Journalism and Broadcasting. Frankfort senior Sawyer Coffey said the class communicated with other students and established the need for downtown events to cater more close- ly to WKU students. “We kept brainstorming and brain- storming on what event we could do downtown that sounded like fun to students,” Coffey said. “We asked ourselves what we could do that they would want to come to.” Eventually, Coffey said one of the students had the idea to break a Guin- ness World Record. “We all loved the idea,” Coffey said. “So we went on the website and saw one of the records was the longest human chain to pass through a hula Participants in the "Rue De La Rouge" street festival attempt to break Guinness World Record of the largest hula hoop chain on hoop.” Friday, April 29, on College Street. The current wold record is 572 participants, but there were about 150 participants in Friday’s The class saw this as a way to in- attempt. SHABAN ATHUMAN/HERALD volve a lot of people from around the on College Street. the capstone class for three years now. The class also developed BGVibe, a community. By setting up the human About 150 people, including Presi- “We regenerate the ideas every year, website offering information about chain down College Street, they used dent Gary Ransdell, showed up on Fri- and the students follow through with multiple Bowling Green businesses the record-breaking attempt to sym- day to join hands down College Street different projects,” he explained. including Hilligans Bar and Grill, bolize the joining of campus with in the record-breaking attempt. Payne said they have been working White Squirrel Brewery, Spencer’s downtown Bowling Green. According to the Guinness World “When’s the last time any of you with the Downtown Redevelopment Coffee and more. Records website, the record for the played with a hula hoop?” Ransdell Authority to come up with different After meetings with the Downtown longest human chain ever to pass asked the crowd before he passed the ways to entice students to go down Redevelopment Authority, Payne said through a hula hoop was last broken first hoop down the line. and participate in activities and fa- the merchants and vendors of Bowling on August 3, 2014, by Misha Collins, Although the group didn’t succeed cilities, including restaurants, the Green have shown interest in finding who organized the record-breaking in breaking the record, Payne said the Capitol Theater film festival and the out how to bring more students down- attempt as a part of a project called point of the event was not to break a Hot Rods Stadium. town. the Greatest International Scaven- world record. The record-breaking attempt on “I don’t think just one activity is go- ger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen. “The point is to try to get more stu- Friday was a part of Rue de la Rouge, ing to move the needle,” Payne said. To break this record on Friday after- dents participating in things going on a street festival organized by the cap- “It’s going to be a series of things that noon, there needed to be more than in the downtown area,” Payne said. stone class to involve each of these ultimately help better connect the 572 participants in the human chain Payne said this goal has been a part of businesses. community with the town.”

Impact Expo to highlight students’ community solutions BY MADISON MARTIN groups to present what they tional classroom setting, and [email protected] learned and accomplished it also prepares them for life,” with crafted posters and Dealing with adversity and try- Anyigbo said. “Dealing with It’s that crazy time of the slide shows. According to the adversity and trying to come year when projects are being ALIVE Center’s website, the ing to come up with a long-term up with a long-term solution completed in a frenzy and $100 Solution is a framework solution to an issue with minimal to an issue with minimal re- material is being reviewed for students to develop their sources is a hard thing to do.” yet again in the wee hours of service learning skills as they resources is a hard thing to do.” Shelton identified five pil- the night. But other ritual- work with the community lars central to the $100 Solu- istic components of the se- to address a need using just Kene Anyigbo tion: partnership, reciprocity, mester’s end are banquets, $100. capacity building, sustain- awards nights and presen- “Our goal with the Impact those who have experienced and more. ability and reflection. He said tations to review and com- Expo is to just let people know domestic violence, along with “One of the things that the they are all key to college stu- memorate what has been what has been done, what building and repairing flower $100 Solution is learning skills dents’ taking advantage of accomplished over the past can be done, and ... what else beds for HOTEL INC. that you … wouldn’t have oth- the opportunity to connect several months. there is to do,” Louisville grad Michael Shelton, Owens- erwise learned,” Shelton said. with and influence the world One such presentation is the student Kamla Jones said. boro sophomore and resident Although $100 Solution around them. 2016 Service-Learning Im- Jones is a graduate assistant at the $100 Solution House, projects vary from semester “It goes on to show that pact Expo Tuesday afternoon at the ALIVE Center who worked with the rest of the to semester, Houston native service learning is being per- in Mass Media Auditorium helps train $100 Solution stu- house’s residents to create a Kene Anyigbo, another grad- formed here on campus, and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. dents in the program and in storyboard to produce a pro- uate assistant working with students are making an im- It’s a semiannual event open grant writing. motional video for United service-learning students, pact through service learn- to all those who would like to Some examples of projects Way of Southern Kentucky. said their positive effects on ing,” Jones said. “It shows that learn how students impacted to be presented are the repair The video is a part of a mar- community partners are un- there is care — that students the community this semester of bicycles for children and keting strategy for the imple- changing. do care about the Bowling via $100 Solution projects. creation of a bicycle mainte- mentation of 2-1-1, a hotline “[The students] learn more Green community and want The presentation will be nance video for Barren River that connects individuals to things that they wouldn’t to have a greater impact on an opportunity for student Area Safe Space, a shelter for food, transportation, housing have learned in the tradi- that community.”

WKu's no. 1 source Wkuherald.com for campus news b4 MAY 3, 2016 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD TRACK AND FIELD Hilltoppers wrap up regular season over weekend

BY BAILEY TOWNSEND [email protected]

As the countdown to the Conference USA champion- ships continues, the Hilltop- pers and the Lady Toppers track and field teams have been using every opportunity to improve before the final meet. This weekend, the men’s relay teams competed in the esteemed Penn Relays while both teams competed in the Memphis Invitational. The Penn Relays, held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, is the oldest and largest track and field compe- tition in the United States. Head Coach Erik Jenkins was proud of how his team performed at the Penn Relays, saying that they did a good job against the best in the NCAA and the world. The men’s relay team re- corded strong finishes at the meet, one of the highlights being a sixth place finish by 4x100 relay team. This team consisted of senior Ja’Karyus Redwine, junior Kyree King, junior Emmanuel Dasor and sophomore Julius Morris. Runners compete in the men’s 1500-meter race at the Hilltopper Relays track meet in Bowling Green on April 9. Northern Kentucky The 4x400 men’s relay team University grabbed the f rst and second place f nishes with times under four minutes. GABRIEL SCARLETT/HERALD of Redwine, Dasor, junior the invitational over the week- successful at the Memphis In- more Peli Alzola placed sixth. and are heading to the C-USA Ventavius Sears and fresh- end, recording two top-two vitational. Alzola finished with a time of championships with some man Maor Seged also found finishes. Senior Shantol Hemley 11.92 and Beasley with a time great times on their side. success in Philadelphia, plac- Hayden won the 110-meter stood out at the event as she of 11.83 seconds. When asked how they are ing runners-up in their event. hurdles event with a time of going to prepare for this They finished with a time of 14.28 seconds. This time was championship meet, Jenkins 3:08.74. only 0.01 seconds off from his responded with his plan. The Hilltoppers also com- career best. We want to train wisely, stay “We want to train wisely, stay peted well in the hurdles Hayden also finished run- healthy and stay positively deter- healthy and stay positively de- with senior Venavius Wyatt ner-up in the 400-meter hur- termined over the next two finishing in 11th place in the dles with a career best time of mined over the next two weeks.” weeks,” Jenkins said. “We have 110-meter event. 53.11 seconds. worked hard to put ourselves While some of the Hilltop- Hayden wasn’t the only Head Coach Erik Jenkins in a position to be successful.” pers were competing in Phila- Hilltopper to find success on With a season full of career- delphia, the rest of the team the track as the rest of them best performances, the Hill- was at the Memphis Invita- gained five top-10 finishes. set the second-best time in Junior Sandra Akachukwu toppers and Lady Toppers tional. Just like the Penn Re- Junior Corey Parks was one program history with a time of led the Lady Toppers in the look to continue their success lays, this proved to be a suc- Hilltopper who performed 2:09.16 in the 800-meter race. field as she won the high jump come championship time. cessful meet for the track and well this weekend, placing WKU had two runners place event with a season-best re- The 2016 Conference USA field program. fifth in the 100-meter dash in the top 10 in the 100-meter cord of 1.75 meters. Outdoor Championship will Sophomore Jonathan Hayes and sixth in the 200-meter. event as freshman Jadzia Bea- Overall, both teams were take place May 12-15 at Middle had a stellar performance at The Lady Toppers were also sley came in ninth and sopho- very successful this weekend Tennessee State University.

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BIGGER, 2426 Thoroughbred Dr. Bowling Green, KY 42101 We’re BETTER! (270)781-7033 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD MAY 3, 2016 b5 FOOTBALL Continued from SPORTS limitations,” Kiper said. “He doesn’t have the big arm. He’s a kid who will battle — he’s a fighter out there — but does he have enough arm strength to get it done in the NFL and get it into the tight windows? As a backup or third quarter- back, maybe he has a chance to stick on an NFL roster.” Doughty has dealt with less- than-desirable physical attri- butes for his football career, and they have yet to deter him. “He had the most attempts Former quarterback Brandon Doughty (12) gets ready to hand of of any FBS quarterback the the ball during the Hilltoppers’ 58-28 win against Middle Tennes- past two seasons,” McShay see Oct. 10, 2015, at Smith Stadium. SHABAN ATHUMAN/HERALD said. “This guy played in a Former defensive back Prince Charles Iworah (30) attempts to pass-happy offense. The ball 49ers general manager Trent season with 15 pass breakups, bring down Indiana Jordan Howard (8) during an comes off his hand smoothly. Baalke said in a postdraft press the fourth-most in C-USA play NCAA game at Memorial Field on Sept. 19, 2015, in Bloomington, He’s an interesting develop- conference. “He’ll come in last season. He finished his Ind.MICHAEL NOBLE JR./HERALD mental late- round prospect.” here like the rest of them and collegiate career with 91 total The third and final player really compete. He has blue tackles, five and At every step, he stood out.” attle Seahawks’ rookie camp. to be selected from WKU was traits in his body … run, jump, 21 pass breakups. In addition to the three draft The last time WKU had three perhaps the most unlikely of change direction — physical- “We went through the picks, the Cincinnati Bengals, draft picks, the draft was 17 all heading into last season. ly, [he] can do all those things.” school,” Baalke said. “It’s not New Orleans Saints, Tampa rounds long and 442 picks Iworah, a former track Iworah ran a 4.32 40-yard like we didn’t know about this Bay Buccaneers and Seattle deep; Richard Nixon was the sprinter turned walk-on run- dash, posted a 38 1/2-inch kid. Each time we saw him, he Seahawks all added former president of the United States. ning back, is now an NFL cor- vertical jump and recorded 25 impressed us. We went to the Hilltoppers to their rosters: While Saturday proved to be nerback after being selected reps on a 225-pound bench school in the fall, liked what we Grant, Dangerfield, Morris a great day for several former with the 249th overall pick by press at the WKU Pro Day in saw. He showed up at the all- and Fant, respectively. Hilltoppers, their journeys the . March. Iworah started for two star game, had a heck of an all- Linebacker Nick Holt also have all just begun, and they “Well, he has 4.3 speed. years in the Toppers’ second- star game, wasn’t invited to the has a chance to make the will have to make their re- That’s how he comes across,” ary and finished his senior Combine, and had a Pro Day. league as he was invited to Se- spected rosters next.

BASEBALL “I’ve been around a while, and I’ve livered for the Toppers. DiPuglia finished it off. With Scanlon Continued from SPORTS seen a lot of baseball,” Pawlowski said. The Mount Washington native hom- on third base, DiPugla singled through “I’ve never seen a fastball wild pitch go ered to right field to put the Hilltoppers the right side to score Scanlon for the Hudzina gathered the ball, tagged to the backstop and hit off the concrete on the board. Soon after, sophomore game-winning run. out one Panther at third base and and go right back to the catcher like outfielder Kaleb Duckworth singled “This was a big win for us,” Thurston made a throw to first base to get the that. It was so fast. He was clearly out, up the middle to score DiPuglia to tie said. “We have a lot of opportunities double play and end the inning. and it wasn’t even close.” the game. ahead of us. This is the time where In the bottom of the eighth, the Top- A scoreless ninth inning brought the “What a tremendous job our guys RPIs are made. If we can get two, three pers also nearly broke the scoreless tie. game to extra innings when the Pan- did,” Pawlowski said of the 12th in- or four wins in our next four games, With redshirt sophomore first base- thers finally broke the tie in the 11th ning. “The game was scoreless for so hopefully we can get a streak going man Harrison Scanlon on third base, inning. FIU’s Jack Schaff singled to long, and then Florida International into postseason.” FIU’s Andre Nunez threw a wild pitch second base to score Nick Day for the scored two runs. The next thing you The win improves the Toppers to that seemed to allow Scanlon to come game’s opening run. know, Hunter Wood hits a home run 24-20 (10-11 C-USA), which places home to break the tie. However, the A Topper error at second base also and we’re able to manufacture the ty- them seventh in the conference. The ball bounced perfectly back into the allowed Perez to come home to make ing run.” Toppers travel to Nashville Tuesday to FIU catcher’s glove and allowed him to the score 2-0. Desperately needing a After redshirt junior pitcher Kevin take on the top 10 nationally ranked tag Scanlon out at home. spark, junior catcher Hunter Wood de- Elder pitched a scoreless 12th inning, Vanderbilt Commodores.

REECER'S PIECE his game to the NFL style. showed vast improvement on the field free agents and will still have a chance Continued from SPORTS Time will tell if Doughty will prove and in the gym, which led to a great to be professional athletes. the naysayers and most of the NFL showing in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Even with Doughty’s fall in the late quarterbacks, but falling behind as wrong, but he has spent his entire col- and on Pro Day. rounds, Saturday was a special day for many as he did was just absurd. lege career proving people wrong. Why Hopefully he will be able to make the both WKU football and the families of As fate would have it, though, Dough- stop now? 49ers’ final roster as the team currently athletes whose lives changed as a re- ty ended up back in his hometown; he As for Iworah, his selection in the has multiple talented defensive play- sult. grew up just a few miles down the road seventh round is a testament to where ers. I’m not sure what the future holds, from the Dolphins’ practice facility. true hard work can get people. This Overall, it was slightly disappoint- but it certainly seems like the sports This is an ideal situation as he can sit was a guy who wasn’t on many scouts’ ing that Jared Dangerfield and George community needs to get used to see- behind current starting Miami quar- radars at the start of the season. Fant did not get drafted, but it was not ing the WKU brand when draft day terback Ryan Tannehill and develop Iworah quickly changed that as he surprising. They both were signed as rolls around each spring.

SOFTBALL Lady Toppers drop series against nationally ranked FAU

BY HUNTER FRINT in the circle. Hanson had six strikeouts [email protected] from just four innings in the circle, ac- cording to WKUsports.com. WKU softball traveled to Boca Raton, “I think they dominated the circle,” Florida, where it gave away its three- Tudor said. game series to No. 24 Florida Atlantic Game two was a full seven-inning University within the first two games. match where FAU took the lead from The first two contests were played the beginning and held it until the top on Saturday at the FAU Softball Sta- of the fifth. The Owls scored five runs dium. The first game was shortened to within the first five innings before five innings due to the near-shutout, the Lady Toppers attempted a rally of which FAU won 16-1. three runs off two hits. The Lady Toppers fought harder in Holloway was once again involved in the second game but still fell short 8-3. a run with her RBI double, a pair with This clenched the series win for FAU. sophomore Carleigh Chaumont’s RBI By this time, the third match was a for- double. Together, the two Lady Top- mality that ended in a 6-0 shutout. pers added the three runs to prevent a “I think we were aware that this would shutout and knock the score to 5-3. be very hard to win, but game two we The sixth inning was fatal to WKU competed in, which is all I can ask for,” when FAU posted three additional Head Coach Amy Tudor said. “They’re a runs to bring the score 8-5, where it very good team, very solid offensively, stayed for the remainder of the game. Sophomore Hannah Parker (21) winds up for a pitch during the WKU vs. Missouri Parker pitched for WKU through the defensively and in the circle.” State softball game at the WKU Softball Complex on Feb. 20. KATHRYN ZIESIG/HERALD The first match started out in WKU’s six inning of the second game and al- favor when sophomore Hannah Park- lowed only three earned runs with 11 ing to WKUsports.com. This was her C-USA), will close the regular season er nabbed an RBI single that moved hits and four strikeouts. fourth one-hitter of the season. at home next weekend in another con- senior Brooke Holloway from second Game three took place on the follow- WKU had one hit during the spread ference three-game series, this time all the way home. ing day and was a repeat of the first two of the match from the consistent Hol- against Marshall. The matches will The Owls (44-7, 19-2 C-USA) made games. Both teams were held scoreless loway, who made it to first base in the take place with one doubleheader be- their biggest comeback of the series off until the third inning. Throughout the first inning. This was Holloway’s third ginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and a single two hits and two WKU errors to notch third and fourth, FAU scored six runs. hit of the series against FAU. game at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. six runs in the bottom of the first. Hanson once again showed her tal- “For us, we put ourselves in a very “A lot of what we do this upcoming FAU, Conference USA leader, collect- ent in the circle for the Owls when she tough position after this weekend to weekend and other variables are going ed an additional 10 runs throughout finished the game after allowing WKU make the Conference USA tourna- to come into play for us to make con- the next three innings. It also outhit the only one hit and taking in her NCAA- ment,” Tudor said. ference tournament,” Tudor said. “It Lady Toppers 12-2 with Kylee Hanson best 13th shutout of the year, accord- The Lady Toppers, now 16-28 (7-10 was a pretty disappointing weekend.” MAY 3, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

» Baseball: Redshirt sophomore Ryan Thurston was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week after Saturday's performance. WKUHERALD.COM SPORTS REECER'S PIECE BASEBALL Hilltoppers have big day at draft

BY JOHN REECER [email protected]

If, for whatever rea- son, you haven’t been taking the WKU foot- ball program seriously, that probably changed after the NFL Draft concluded Saturday. Not only did Ty- JOHN ler Higbee, Brandon REECER Doughty and Prince Charles Iworah all have their dreams re- alized, but the WKU football team also saw more players drafted than the University of Kentucky and the Uni- versity of Louisville had combined. Still not impressed? How about this: WKU had more players drafted than the University of Tennessee and just Senior inf elder Danny Hudzina swings at a pitch during the game against Florida International University Panthers on Friday, as many draft picks as Auburn Univer- April 29. Hudzina had three hits and scored one run during WKU’s 8-7 loss. MATT LUNSFORD/HERALD sity, Mississippi State and Texas A&M. Now, having success at the draft doesn’t necessarily make a college program great. But it definitely doesn’t hurt a program, and for WKU, this was just the icing on the cake for its best season in program history. So with the program having a great day, how did individual Hilltoppers who were drafted fare? For starters, Higbee was a very lucky man on Saturday. The St. Louis Rams looked past his nagging knee injuries heroic and his recent run-in with the law to select him with their second overall pick in the draft. While he dropped in the draft as a re- sult of his off-field incident, he did not fall as far as some people expected. In fact, Higbee landed on a roster where he will get a lot of playing time early in his career if he stays away from trouble and injuries. efforts For Doughty, Saturday was a disap- pointing day until the Miami Dol- Hilltoppers earn walk-off victory to avoid series sweep phins selected him with the second pick in the seventh round. BY SAM PORTER Thanks to redshirt sophomore get us through the last game because I have no idea how or why, but 14 [email protected] pitcher Ryan Thurston and freshman Florida International’s pitchers were quarterbacks were selected in front of shortstop Steven DiPuglia, the Top- doing a phenomenal job too.” Doughty. The WKU baseball team hosted Flor- pers defeated the Panthers 3-2 in 12 Thurston and several FIU pitchers Fourteen. ida International University this past innings in walk-off fashion. kept the game scoreless during regula- I am not going to doubt the overall weekend in a three-game Conference Thurston pitched 10 scoreless in- tion; neither team threatened to break football knowledge of those 14 NFL USA series showdown. nings and gave up only seven hits, and the scoreless tie until the top of the teams, but I honestly think they are After losing two heartbreakers by DiPuglia’s walk-off single in the 11th eighth inning. simply wrong about Doughty. two scores of 8-7 in Friday’s double- inning gave WKU the victory. With men on first and second with Some of Doughty’s weaknesses are header, the Hilltoppers desperately “Our club was very down after losing only one out, Thurston faced FIU’s noticeable enough that it is under- needed to win the final game on Sat- the first two games,” Head Coach John Ray Perez. Perez hit a line drive right to standable if he fell behind six or seven urday to avoid falling too far from .500 Pawlowski said after the series. “It took senior third basemen Danny Hudzina. SEE REECER'S PIECE PAGE B5 in C-USA. a heroic effort from Ryan Thurston to SEE BASEBALL PAGE B5

FOOTBALL Higbee headlines big day for Hilltoppers in NFL Draft

BY EVAN HEICHELBECH pick in WKU history. [email protected] “As a pass-catching tight end, he’s as good as it gets,” The WKU football program draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said followed up arguably the most during ESPN's broadcast. successful season in its histo- “With his size, he’s got huge ry on the biggest of stages on hands, [and] he’s got to im- Saturday. A program record- prove as a blocker, but this kid tying three players heard their was on fire catching the ball.” names called in the third day Higbee steps onto a Rams of the 2016 NFL Draft. roster alongside No. 1 overall Former Hilltoppers Tyler pick Jared Goff out of the Uni- Higbee, Brandon Doughty versity of California. and Prince Charles Iworah be- Goff is expected to compete came the 29th, 30th and 31st for the starting quarterback picks in WKU history. position in Los Angeles, and Four more ex-Hilltoppers — Higbee will be vying for a Jared Dangerfield, Antwane starting spot as well. Grant, George Fant and Jon- Despite being the first of- tavious Morris — were signed fensive player drafted from as free agents after the draft WKU since 2003, some ques- ended. tions about Higbee’s character Higbee was the fourth tight loomed due to a recent arrest, end off the board as the Los causing him to fall in the draft. Angeles Rams made the WKU “He would’ve been a second- standout the 110th overall day pick had it not been for a pick in the fourth round. recent incident off the field,” Higbee started eight of the draft analyst Todd McShay nine games he appeared said during ESPN’s broadcast. Former tight end (82) evades Middle Tennessee’s safety Quay Watt (22) during the Hill- in during an injury-riddled “He led the FBS for tight ends toppers' 58-28 win Oct. 10, 2015, at Smith Stadium. NICK WAGNER/HERALD in catches and receiving yards 2015 season for the Clear- enjoys the nightlife and he’s Hilltopper to be selected in Doughty will have to compete water, Florida, native. Hig- and before he hurt his knee against North got some growing up to do. the seventh round. With the for a roster spot with veter- bee’s 6-foot-4, 243-pound But if he does grow up and 223rd overall pick, the Miami ans Matt Moore and Logan frame and impressive stat line Texas. So you’ve got durability issues [and] character issues, mature, he’s got a chance to be Dolphins picked quarterback Thomas behind starter Ryan through nine games — 38 re- really, really good.” Brandon Doughty, making Tannehill. ceptions for 563 yards and but this guy can play. Even before this incident, everyone The man credited for throw- him the 15th and final quar- “You look at Brandon eight touchdowns — helped ing all the passes Higbee terback selected in the draft. Doughty, [and] you look at the make him the highest draft has known around the scout- ing community that this guy caught was the next former Listed at 6-foot-3, SEE FOOTBALLPAGE B5 TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2016 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY > SPECIAL EDITION

President Gary Ransdell f elds questions from students, faculty and staf during an open forum discussing budget cuts facing WKU on Thursday, April 28. During the forum, Ransdell was asked why he won't be taking a salary cut as part of WKU's response plan. "Because I said so," he said. NICK WAGNER/HERALD ‘Because I said so’ There is another side to President Gary Ransdell's legacy that should be told. The Hill and its people look radically dif erent today than they did two decades ago. The man who rebuilt WKU did so according to his

vision — but at what cost? STORY BY TANNER COLE, GRAPHICS BY CAMERON LOVE

n August 2015, Gary Ransdell moment of sobriety kick-started a spent lots of money growing. But virtually no raises, and a proposed stood onstage in front of a crowd year of harsh truths for Ransdell. in 2008, the university started get- 3 percent increase for 2016-2017, Iof WKU faculty and staff at the In the 2015-2016 academic year, ting less cash from the state. WKU while a step in the right direction, is annual presidential pep rally called Ransdell faced much: a new gov- started tinkering with admission just that — a first step. Meanwhile, the Fall Convocation. ernor hell-bent on gutting support standards and continued the previ- in-state tuition has nearly quadru- Ransdell praised Gordon Emslie, for higher education, a $1.4 million ous decade’s growth in enrollment. pled since 2000 from $2,290 annu- the former WKU provost, who was dip into reserves to cover a budget When it comes to the annual bud- ally to $9,482. reassigned to faculty status after shortfall, a $6 million budget cut, a get, enrollment drives revenue. Athletics spending went from $19 five years as the university’s chief foundation that’s losing money, de- “We had to create the budget ca- million in 2010 to a projected $22.9 academic officer. Few in the crowd clining enrollment, grief over insub- pacity to do things that needed to be million in 2015, WKU budget docu- applauded as Ransdell articulated stantial raises for faculty and staff done, and 50 percent more students ments show. The football team’s Emslie’s “successes.” Some folks for the better part of a decade, and helped create that budget capacity,” budget is $6.4 million in the 2015- cheered a little — why was not clear a series of annual workplace surveys Ransdell said. 2016 budget. It includes $500,000 — and Van Meter Hall remained for team travel costs, $2 million for mostly quiet, save for Ransdell’s roll- When Ransdell started as president in 1997, employee wages and $320,394 la- ing voice. beled “Materials — Contingency.” A little more than five years earlier, he made $149,000. In 2016, his salary is $427,824. The football team finished a suc- Emslie and David Lee — then dean cessful 2015 season, and Head of the Potter College of Arts and Let- that show growing dissatisfaction In 2012, Emslie tightened 2009’s Coach Jeff Brohm got a $200,000 ters — became finalists for the pro- with his leadership. loosened admission standards. Un- raise — private money, the news vost job. Emslie got it. On Jan. 29, Ransdell threw in his dergraduate enrollment took its first media reported. But here’s the bot- But in 2015, when Ransdell intro- red towel and announced his retire- dive in more than a decade, drop- tom line: the WKU athletics budget duced Lee at the convocation as ment. ping from 18,115 to 17,517. The is twice as large as the revenue it provost, replacing Emslie, the hall “My last day in office will be June freshmen class of fall 2013 had bet- produces regardless of the source of erupted in applause. 30, 2017,” wrote Ransdell in his re- ter ACT scores, but overall retention budgeted money. “Next week, [Emslie] begins his tirement email. “As provided in my hardly changed. Meanwhile, WKU’s As a living president, Ransdell well-earned sabbatical before as- contract, I will then begin a six- “Age of Construction” was peaking. earned himself a namesake building suming his teaching and research month sabbatical leave from July 1 to In June of 2012, WKU took out a bond on campus. The man has a quote duties as a full professor in physics December 31, 2017 — at which time for $35.8 million to pay for phase engraved near Guthrie Bell Tower and astronomy in January [2016],” my employment at WKU will end.” three of renovations to the Downing alongside quotes from Martin Lu- Ransdell said. “Thank you, Gordon.” When Ransdell started as presi- University Center. WKU’s long-term ther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. With that, Ransdell ended a five- dent in 1997, he made $149,000. In debts totaled $175.6 million. WKU has been celebrating Rans- year Emslie experiment met with 2016, his salary is $427,824. Today, faculty salaries fall well be- dell’s successes for years. But there faculty and staff disapproval. This During the past 15 years, WKU low benchmark after eight years of is another side to his legacy.

story continued inside

The ‘gordon and The New Millennium cash money gordon’ show The university senate jumping ship

WKU entered the century with a Ransdell prioritized spending After stepping down from their positions, At best, the administration A portrait of the president as he “bigger is better” mindset. More money on athletics and administrators under Ransdell keep marginalized the senate. At prepares to leave WKU. students meant more money. construction projects. six-fi gure salaries for light course-loads, worst, it censored it. regardless of their performance. COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD SPECIAL SECTION MAY 3, 2016 THE NEW MILLENNIUM WKU entered the century with a “bigger is better” mindset. More students meant more money.

n 2000, Ransdell’s fourth year rated Burch’s provost perfor- $52 million in general receipts size, but he’s referring to its classes at the Commonwealth as president, 15,516 students mance as “poor” or “very poor” bonds in 2007, pushing WKU’s size after he became its leader College, later South Campus, Iattended WKU, according to as the Faculty Work Life Sur- long-term debt to about $115 and it started to grow rapidly. before they could start earn- WKU’s Office of Institutional vey from that year shows. The million. From then on, WKU’s “You don’t rebuild the campus ing credit toward a degree pro- Research. Today 20,178 attend. same year, the WKU Faculty accountants started calling without incurring some debt in gram. But here’s the catch; they Then Kentucky residents paid Senate became the University its debts “obligations” on the the process,” Ransdell said. still paid full tuition. An open $2,290 per year to attend un- Senate, which meant stronger school’s financial statements. In 2009, a special President’s records request for records on dergraduate classes. Now they administrative control. WKU’s long-term debt now Task Force headed by Lee pro- the number of students let in pay $9,482. In 2000, Barbara Burch stepped down from stands at $200 million with a posed renaming the Bowling conditionally through the years Burch served as provost. Now her provost position 10 years payment schedule ending in Green Community College to was denied because “such doc- she sits on the WKU Board of later after a decade of constant 2034, according to WKU’s fi- the Commonwealth College uments do not exist,” accord- Regents as faculty regent. growth at WKU. During those nancial statements. Roughly and recommended admitting ing to paralegal Lauren Ossello, “All of this is not by acci- 10 years, total enrollment in- 75 percent of that money is some students who did not WKU’s executive legal assistant. dent,” Burch told a College creased 34 percent to 20,903 bond debt. For example, trans- meet WKU’s admission stan- Task force recommendations Heights Herald reporter in students. In-state tuition in- forming Downing University dards. The task force report not- went into effect in 2010, the 2000 for an article with the creased 230 percent to $7,560 Center into the Downing Stu- ed that historically WKU has ac- same year Burch stepped down headline “Focus on enroll- per year. Money granted to dent Union added $35.9 mil- cepted some students who did as provost. Emslie got the job. ment and retention is starting WKU from state appropriations lion in 2012. Then WKU took not meet admission standards. “I think over time people to pay significant dividends.” increased about 17 percent. out another $36 million in Both recommendations will come to get to know The article explained plans to The Division of Enrollment 2013 to build the Honors Col- eventually took hold. The me,” Emslie told the College further push enrollment. Management started tar- lege and International Center Commonwealth College later Heights Herald after his hire. “Look at the university’s stra- geting that 20,000-student and put the finishing touches became South Campus. They did, and data from the tegic plan,” she said. “We have benchmark in 2006. The fol- on DSU. In 2016, WKU will pay Some applicants with an ACT annual Faculty Work Life Sur- goals of our own to increase lowing year, WKU started sell- $13.7 million on long-term score of less than 15 gained con- vey administered by the Uni- the number of students.” ing bonds to pay for construc- debt. Ransdell says this debt ditional admission. These stu- versity Senate shows that they In 1999, 49 percent of faculty tion projects. WKU took out is low for a university of WKU’s dents needed to take remedial didn’t like what they learned.

Ransdell prioritized spending money CASH MONEY on athletics and construction projects.

he biggest chunk of WKU’s revenue comes from tu- Tition and fees. That “big- gest chunk” status used to ap- ply to money from the state. Ransdell usually points to this as an explanation for why tu- ition keeps increasing. But a closer look shows that tuition hikes have far outpaced state cuts and did so even before state cuts began. The first big hit came in 2008, when state appro- priations to WKU dropped from $83,842,700 to $80,683,800. Tu- ition costs had increased every year since 2000 — from $2,290 annually at the turn of the cen- tury to $6,930 in 2008. Revenue brought in from tuition and fees increased to $97.9 million in 2008 from just $40.8 million in 2000, a change of 139.7 percent. Gov. Matt Bevin’s attacks on higher education further in- crease WKU’s dependence on tuition. WKU already lets in about 93 percent of applicants, so another tuition hike became WKU will turn around and pay inevitable. Tuition is increasing $300,000 of that to play Hous- another 4.5 percent. ton Baptist University. The new Kentucky state Another item on Ransdell’s budget brought a 4.5 percent priority list is the Honors Col- cut to state money — a loss of lege, one of his prime and about $6 million. costly legacies. Professors such as Eric Bain- Some programs within the Selbo, the head of WKU’s Honors College, such as travel philosophy department, are abroad funding, are losing worried that people in WKU’s liberal arts programs could $51,000. The Honors College lose their jobs. budget nearly quadrupled in “The overwhelming major- the last decade from $271,117 ity of the budget is faculty sal- to $2.5 million today. The lat- aries,” Bain-Selbo said when est WKU Factbook brags that cuts were first being discussed the number of Honors College earlier this semester. “When enrollees increased by 42.2 you decide to cut state ap- percent in the last five years propriations by nearly a 10th, from 988 students to 1,405. you’re not going to offset that “Most students are on aca- demic scholarships in the by cutting down on the num- also cutting $50,000 from the team on this campus. We de- WKU budgeted $22.9 million for ber of copies being made.” Office of Diversity and Inclu- serve an explanation.” intercollegiate athletics, accord- Honors College, but again, it Instead, the financial bur- sion as well as $151,000 from Ransdell said balancing the ing to WKU budget documents. raises our academic strength den is landing on custodians, the newly combined ALIVE athletic budget is the respon- It’s projected to make just $8.8 of our campus,” Ransdell said. diversity programs and 23 Center and Institute for Citizen- sibility of Todd Stewart, the million in revenue, a deficit of The new Honors College and other sources around cam- ship and Social Responsibility. director of athletics. It’s his de- $14.1 million. International Center added pus. WKU privatized custodial Sports spending is also tak- cision to make, Ransdell said. The biggest source of rev- another $22 million to WKU’s and groundskeeping services ing a hit after years of steady “Track has been a terrific enue for WKU athletics comes long-term debt. through a contract with Sodexo. growth, but one team is taking program,” Ransdell said. “Un- from “guarantee games” — big Space inside the building that Sodexo, has faced repeated the full brunt of the cut. The fortunately, it’s not a program payments to WKU from big- was reserved for the Navitas pro- student protests at universities track and field team is losing 50 that our athletic department is time programs that think play- gram — nine offices, a reception throughout the U.S. for years. percent of its budget. Students built around.” ing WKU can guarantee a win. room, a workroom and a little Its work on U.S. campuses in- like junior Jenessa Jackson of WKU spent more than $20 This football season, LSU paid sign that reads “Navitas Suite” spires organized protests by Marietta, Ga., an All-Confer- million annually in recent years WKU $975,000 to play the Hill- — is all empty. WKU canceled United Students Against Sweat- ence USA shot put competitor to prop up revenue deficits in toppers, according to public its partnership with Navitas on shops, the organization’s web- on the track team, is now stuck the athletic department’s bud- records. WKU lost that game Dec. 15, 2015. During the 2015- site states. with a half-axed track program. get. Athletics usually generates 48-20. The University of Ala- 2016 academic year, two Honors WKU is keeping its “Interna- “It’s unfair,” Jackson said. enough revenue to recoup about bama is paying WKU $1.3 mil- College academic advisers quit, tional Reach” tagline, but it’s “We are the most decorated one-third of that. For 2015-2016, lion to play the Toppers in 2016. and so did its associate director. MAY 3, 2016 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD SPECIAL SECTION THE ‘GORDON AND GORDON’ SHOW After stepping down from their positions, administrators under Ransdell kept six-fi gure salaries for light course-loads, regardless of their performance.

ack in 2011, then Provost Gordon Emslie and then Vice President Bof Research Gordon Baylis met with students during a series of lis- tening sessions meant to increase ad- ministrative understanding of student concerns. The “Gordon and Gordon” show, as it came to be called, traveled to each department on campus. Baylis still makes $169,452 a year. Emslie makes $208,321. Barbara Burch, the provost before Emslie, still makes $195,384.

“There was some squawking that perhaps we came into those meetings with an agenda, but we certainly didn’t have one,” Emslie said. The “Gordons” shifted out of their roles early last year. On Jan. 4, 2015, Baylis’ job was eliminated. Baylis was reassigned to a position teaching psychology classes. Emslie suddenly stepped down from his provost posi- tion in August 2015, and he too took on a teaching position this semester. Baylis still makes $169,452 a year. Emslie makes $208,321. Barbara Survey said Emslie did not seek input Emslie detailing his sabbatical terms In a 2007 opinion piece Emslie co- Burch, the provost before Emslie, still from the people most affected by his grants authorization without the stan- authored as dean of Oklahoma State makes $195,384. decisions. Only about 17 percent said dard review process by a sabbatical University’s graduate college, he ar- WKU just ended its eighth straight that he properly prioritized the budget. committee. gued that conducting research is di- academic year without substantial And just 35 percent said that Emslie’s “I think he was frustrated and ready rectly tied to financial prosperity. The raises for faculty and staff. The school plans reflect the university’s mission. to resume his academic career, and I piece references a "human capital cri- has fallen behind comparable bench- And this was his best set of survey thought the timing was good for the sis" in fields requiring graduate-level mark universities, shows data col- scores since becoming provost. Emslie university as well,” Ransdell said last education. lected and published online by Eric declined to comment on his survey fall. “So we talked our way through “You want your degree to be as valu- Reed, the interim dean of the graduate scores as provost. it and came to a good, gentlemanly able as possible,” Emslie told the Herald school and the faculty representative on WKU’s budget council. There is no application on fi le for Emslie’s sabbatical. WKU paralegal Lauren Ossello “We’ve recommended that we make increasing staff salaries a priority mov- said Ransdell’s letter to Emslie detailing his sabbatical terms grants authorization ing forward,” Reed said. “It’s been without the standard review process by a sabbatical committee. heard, but whether there is a will to ad- dress it is another matter.” Emslie tried for other jobs twice agreement.” in 2010. “It’s my job to make sure it is.” In the 2014-2015 Faculty Work Life while serving as provost. In April 2014, As to what Emslie would do on sab- Emslie points to research improve- Survey, only some 17 percent of faculty Emslie was a candidate for University batical, Ransdell said this back in fall ments at WKU as a key accomplish- agreed or strongly agreed that Ransdell of Central Florida’s provost position, 2015: ment during his time as provost. He’s works to provide adequate pay raises. and he applied for the same title at the “Well, I assume he’s preparing for two proud of the esteem lauded on doctor- The proposed 3 percent raise for the University of Alabama a year prior. things — to return to the classroom al programs under his watch, and he’s 2016-2017 academic year — money During a fall 2014 Administra- as a full-time professor in the spring proud of a student research presenta- partially generated from the tuition tive Council meeting with the Col- (2016) semester. It’s not easy going tion week that he says exceeded high increase — comes at a time when stu- lege Heights Herald, the paper’s for- from being a 60 hours a week, or more, expectations. dents fume over tuition hikes. mer news editor Trey Crumbie asked administrator to going right back to “If I brought anything to the provost Weeks after becoming the replace- Emslie why he was trying to leave the classroom. There’s work to be done position, it was a data-focused deci- ment for Emslie as provost, Lee sat in WKU. The other administrators cov- and class syllabi to prepare. And the sion making model,” he said. his office in the Wetherby Administra- ered their mouths and giggled before other is ramping up his personal schol- Graduate student enrollment has tion Building and said that he doesn’t Ransdell explained to Crumbie that arly research.” dropped about 10 percent since Emslie want his term defined by his predeces- the question was inappropriate. Emslie earns his $208,321 to teach two started as provost. The New York Times sor. His decision-making techniques recently reported that WKU’s graduate differ, he said. Emslie earns his $208,321 to teach two physics classes for program enrolls international students “This is not to say that (Emslie) didn’t that don’t meet basic requirements but by any means, but I have a very collab- WKU. Baylis is teaching two Intro to Psychology classes. are willing to pay. Ransdell notes that orative style,” Lee said. “I have a fairly international students are graduating interactive approach to decision mak- Emslie spent the fall 2015 semester physics classes for WKU. Baylis is teach- at a higher rate than native Americans, ing and generating ideas about deci- on sabbatical. The WKU faculty hand- ing two Intro to Psychology classes. but numbers from the Times piece sions. I want to be in touch with folks.” book states that administrators seek- Now that Ransdell officially an- are still shocking — of 132 students Larry Snyder, now dean of the Potter ing sabbatical must apply by Nov. 30 nounced retirement, he’s planning his recruited through one program, 106 College, offered this insight. during the preceding academic year. own sabbatical. Emslie kept his origi- didn’t meet English language skills re- “Dr. Lee used to have meetings with A sabbatical is a paid leave for “profes- nal $231,468 salary during his sab- quirements. students in here all the time,” Snyder sional improvement.” In addition to batical. Ransdell will keep his current Emslie’s other efforts include both said, gesturing around Lee’s previous formally proposing their leave, candi- $427,824 salary for the his sabbatical, the aforementioned tightening of office in the Fine Arts Center. “I don’t dates must have “consistently high job which will start immediately after he WKU’s admissions standards, which expect that Dr. Emslie was much to do performance” and conduct research. steps down as president. was followed by a 598-student drop that in his office. It isn’t his style.” There is no application on file for As for what he’ll be doing, Ransdell in undergraduate enrollment in 2013- Fifty-six percent of respondents to Emslie’s sabbatical. WKU paralegal said “We haven’t quite figured that out 2014, as well as his expansive (and con- the WKU 2014-2015 Faculty Work Life Lauren Ossello said Ransdell’s letter to yet.” troversial) bi-term proposal. Read this full story on wkutalisman.com COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD SPECIAL SECTION MAY 3, 2016 THE UNIVERSITY SENATE At best, the administration marginalized the senate. At worst, it censored it.

fternoon light streamed wrote that “the primary moti- comments section. The ques- of convenient record keeping dents believe that academics are through the windows of vation is based on academic, tions mostly ask for adminis- at WKU, and I wonder if we’re the Board of Regents’ top prior- Athe Faculty House on Feb. not financial, considerations.” trator evaluations, particularly violating state law.” ity, the 2014-2015 survey results 18, giving its wooden walls a In meetings about the plan, he of the president, provost and WKU replied to a records re- show, and 48 percent of respon- warm glow. Inside, senators repeatedly denied even think- Board of Regents. All respon- quest for the documents say- dents think Ransdell doesn’t took their seats and chattered ing about the potential rev- dents remain anonymous. ing they “do not have the re- seek input from the faculty most about campus happenings. enue for pushing potentially When one tries to track sults of the survey and no way impacted by his decisions. Then, with three pounds of a more expensive bi-term se- Emslie’s and Ransdell’s scores of knowing if it was actually WKU denied a Talisman gavel, the meeting began, and mesters onto students. He still prior to 2012, however, a large sent out to the faculty.” request for access to the that warm glow quickly start- denies it today. record-keeping problem pres- Minter confirmed that the comments sections of the ed to cool. But about 90 minutes into a ents itself. Every year between survey is carried out annually 2014-2015 survey, and the Lee, seated in front of fac- special Senate Executive Com- 2000 and 2011 has vanished and was done so during the denial was supported by the ulty and staff with campus mittee meeting on July 23, 2012 from WKU’s archival systems. documentation gap. So did Kentucky attorney general’s administrators in the gallery — a meeting called to hear University Archives and Re- 2003’s senate chairman Doug office after the Talisman filed to his right, announced WKU’s more about the proposal — cords Management says it post- Smith. And so did three-year an appeal. The attorney gen- new medical school partner- eral ruled that the documents ship with the University of were preliminary in nature Kentucky. The contract was For the archivists to say that it’s the responsibility of Heidi is and therefore not subject to already signed. open record law. This was the first the senate simply not true. There’s a lot of convenient record keeping at WKU, Recent surveys received had heard about the deal but and I wonder if we’re violating state law.” patricia minter about 52 percent participa- not the first time it had heard tion, Minter said. She said about a significant deal after it “ those numbers would plum- was made. Emslie referenced a rather spe- ed every document received senate chairman Robert Dietle. met if the comments sec- Back in 2010, controversy cific dollar amount. The record- from the University Senate and “Yes, we conduct one every tions were made public even stirred over the low representa- ing of the SEC meeting reveals that the senate’s secretary, Heidi year,” Dietle said. “We’ve al- though no names are attached tion of faculty on a committee that Emslie said the following: Alvarez, is the person to con- ways relied on the adminis- to the comments. deciding a new faculty benefits “If students do this — and if the tact for more. Alvarez also was tration to keep track of those, “There’s a paranoia on this plan for the university. fraction that choose to do this unable to provide the results but it’s my understanding that campus,” she said. “A lot of In January 2013, it was accelerated track to graduation and deferred to Patricia Minter, some have gone missing.” people think Big Brother is Emslie’s bi-term plan that had and pay more tuition to reduce chairwoman of the senate’s On the results that are avail- watching no matter what.” senators simmering. the total cost of their degree is, Faculty Welfare and Profession- able after 2011, the anony- The gap in the survey records Emslie’s plan, titled “An In- say, 10 percent of our students al Responsibility. mous comments from fac- began when WKU switched creased Emphasis on Bi-Term — that’s about $7 or $8 million Minter said the archival of- ulty respondents are marked from the Faculty Senate to the Courses at WKU?” proposed we’ve got to address some of fice response was improper, “Confidential.” University Senate in 2000. The “that WKU consider a move to these items in the action plan and she also could not pro- Survey results from the 1990s University Senate makeup di- offer a substantially greater num- with regard to faculty compen- vide the documents. She had that are available on WKU’s ar- minished faculty representation ber of courses in bi-term mode.” sation, more faculty, and so on previously been unable to find chive website include the full in favor of more administrators, The senate leadership op- and so forth. It puts more of the records of the survey she con- text of the anonymous com- including department heads. posed the plan from the out- students’ dollars in the resources ducted as senate chairwoman. ments section, including com- The senate hasn’t been quite set, and Emslie abandoned it. students really want.” “State archival laws require ments on Ransdell. the same since, many believe. This killed a key moneymak- The senate’s annual Faculty that the University Archives One comment from 1999’s When the change appeared ing component of Emslie’s Work Life Survey reflected take control after a certain results alluded to Ransdell’s on the horizon, Edward Wolfe, plan to improve WKU aca- respondent concerns about amount of time,” Minter said. priorities: “Does President WKU’s last Faculty Senate demics. He denied that reve- Emslie every year after 2012. “For the archivists to say that Ransdell realize we have an chair, told the Herald “I think nue was a motivator for the bi- The survey includes a series of it’s the responsibility of Heidi academic component?” there is an intimidation factor term plan. In his proposal, he rating-based questions and a is simply not true. There’s a lot Only 21 percent of respon- going on.”

A portrait of the president as JUMPING SHIP he prepares to leave WKU.

ansdell’s fall 2015 convo- day before in an email to facul- cation remarks came to ty and staff. Students were left Ra heartfelt close, but one out but soon started to catch that did not necessarily align wind of the news. The next day with his spending priorities. in that tense forum in the DSU “You are the lifeblood of auditorium, one student asked this university,” Ransdell said. Ransdell why he isn’t taking a “Your wellbeing is rivaled only pay cut. Ransdell, after dodg- by the wellbeing of our stu- ing the question a few times, dents, and I’m proud to work replied, “Because I said so.” with you.” At 4 p.m., Ransdell left the He spoke those words of auditorium, leaving Lee in praise a few months before charge. The event soon came Bevin won the Kentucky gu- to a close, and the crowd dis- bernatorial race and before persed. Lee stuck around field- massive budget cuts loomed ing questions from students over higher education in the for a little while longer. Asked commonwealth. Those words whether there is any reason to came a half-year before he believe this would be the last made multiple trips to Frank- round of budget cuts, Lee said, fort to lobby desperately for “I honestly have no idea. Rans- Board of Regents members clap for WKU president Gary Ransdell after he announced his resignation more higher education money. dell says so. I have no idea.” at a Board of Regents meeting on WKU's Elizabethtown campus on January 29, 2016. Ransdell will “I intend to spend what- Ransdell — a 65-year-old retire on June 30, 2017. EMILY KASK/HERALD ever political capital I may with graying hair, small- But among faculty, there is a dell sat in the president’s office occur in 10 or 15 years, but 25,” have built up over the years in framed glasses and a trade- documented tension over his building. He wore a red tie on he said. “You bet.” pursuit of what higher educa- mark “Hi, how are ya?” priorities as president when a white shirt and a red-faced But now, Ransdell is prepar- tion needs in both dollars and — leaves a complex and con- it comes to things such as fac- watch to match. He warned, ing to leave the Hill five years knowledge of our values,” he flicting legacy at WKU. ulty compensation, athletics correctly, that news of aca- short of his self-mandated wrote in his retirement an- One the one hand, Ransdell spending and building proj- demic cuts would come on quarter century. He smiled nouncement email. completely revamped the uni- But now that the end of the versity since 1997. The campus year and full budget news has changed radically in terms One student asked Ransdell why he isn’t taking a pay cut. Ransdell, has reached WKU, Ransdell is of cosmetics, enrollment and after dodging the question a few times, replied, “Because I said so.” facing criticism and rowdier governance. He’s kept WKU crowds. cheaper than the University On April 28, administrators of Kentucky and University ects. It appears that previous Wednesday. in his chair and said, “I was a lined the front the DSU audi- of Louisville but more expen- members of his administra- Back in 2007, Ransdell said younger man back then,” with torium. They looked uneasy. sive than the rest of Kentucky’s tion find high-paying jobs the transformation of WKU a laugh. The auditorium was mostly schools. The Honors College teaching small course loads he envisioned when he first “You have to be all in on this full. Ransdell was watching his has brought talented students regardless of their perfor- became president was not yet job,” he said. “I’ll be 65 in Oc- watch. He had a 4 p.m. meet- to this university, and WKU’s in- mance. His building projects complete. His contract was tober, and I’ll be 66 for my last ing. A single light near the front ternational reach has improved accrued a lot of debt to invest extended to 2022, and he said year. Twenty years on the job, of the auditorium — one of the Bowling Green’s overall cultural in an expansive future, yet his dreams for the university I’ve determined, is a pretty newest structures on campus diversity. And he has raised a it looks like budget cuts will would be accomplished in that good number. We’ve done the — was flickering on and off. tremendous amount of private shrink WKU’s academia. span — a 25-year presidency. best we could, and it’s time to News of the cuts came out the money for the university. On Monday, April 25, Rans- “True transformation doesn’t turn it over to somebody else.”