On July 21, a library employee was putting books on a fairly empty shelf when it became unstable and knocked over the other shelves in a domino effect. Police and paramedics were called and made sure no one was hurt. Almost 12,000 volumes were affected by the collapse.

However, many students don’t understand what is taking so long for the second floor of the library to open.
Junior Chiquita Keeble shared her frustration.

The second floor of the library has remained closed after a shelving collapse that happened in July. The staff is in the process of reorganizing the books. Photo | Debo'ra Baskin

Library Director Julia Schneider talks about what took so long to get the second floor open.

“We were thinking around the 16 or 17 of September we could start putting books up on the shelves,” Schneider said. “When we found out the stabilizing piece did not come, we weren’t going to risk putting books on the shelves without that there after what we had been through.”

Schneider said that the cast of repairs for the replacement of the new shelves cost around $55,000, which included the new shelves and the labor. All damages were covered by insurance.

Because the second floor has been closed, the librarians had to find other ways to accommodate students.
Jim Mulder supervisor of public services talked about what changes were made to help accommodate students.

“We didn’t want anyone to get hurt,” Mulder said. “If anyone needs a book from upstairs, we have one of the library employees get it for them to avoid the piles of books that are on the floor.”

Schneider explained other ways they helped to accommodate students, like bringing down tables and chairs to the main level for students to use.

“We’ve had some people who like to use the smaller study rooms and they haven’t been available,” Mulder said. “Some people like to browse the shelves and unfortunately they haven’t been able to do that.”

The library staff is continuing to work on reorganizing the second floor and hopes it will be open soon.

Many non-trads are uneasy about Kisker’s departure. Debra Potter, a nontraditional student at Western, has started a petition in hopes of keeping Kisker.

“I feel for the non-trads; to lose Ellen Kisker in non-trad student services is a travesty,” Potter said. “I knew she was offered a position working with clubs and traditional students and I feel her heart just wasn’t in it.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Esther Peralez explained what duties Kisker was asked to maintain along with working with the non-trads.

The non-traditional student office will not be closing, accodrding to Esther Paralez, vice president of studetn affairs. Here, non-trads lounge in their office, enjoying the company of their peers.

Peralez explained why changes were made for Kisker to move to the Student Affairs office.

“I really wanted to work with non-trads, because the student government has changed their funding and they’re willing to give up to $5,000 for programming and I want to work with non-trads to do that,” Peralez said.

“It appears that money was taken away, but it really hasn’t been taken away because I’m going to give it to them when they tell me what their programming efforts are going to be.”

The budget for the non-trad office has decreased from $79,142 last year to $69,172. Operational budget for the non-trad office last semester was $8,000 compared to this year when the non-trads have no money at all.

Barry Hersh, president of the Non-traditional Student Association agrees with Potter.

“I can see the point in why they wanted to do it and what benefits they’re looking for,” Hersh said. “I think the execution of it could have been done a lot differently with a lot more communication to the students and the staff. We’ve really had to run around and play clean-up for the last few weeks trying to put out fires which obviously are still going.”

Kisker was told she would be the new director of student life and that she would be in charge of student clubs and organizations to make them more active and more organized.

“When I asked about the non-trads they said I would maybe allowed to see them once a week.” Kisker said.“This job demands my undivided attention, I told them I just couldn’t walk away from the non-trads. I just couldn’t do it.”

Many non-trads are worried that without Kisker, the non-trad office will be closed. Potter expressed her views on the matter.

“I’m not worried about losing the community area; my main focus is that we keep Ellen,” Potter said. Potter has collected 300 signatures in hopes of keeping Kisker the director of the non-trads.

Acting Director of the Office of Residential Life Sean O’Reilly shared his views on how he feels students will react to the new residential halls that will be built.

“I believe that students will want more housing just like it,” O’Reilly said. “While many students want to be independent and have some control over their own space, students living on campus have the advantage of being included in the camaraderie everyone feels when they living with lots of people they know.”

Construction on the new residential halls has already begun and it is expected to be completed next August.

There will be three new residence halls built in one central area, located in the rear of Scanlon Hall. The three new residence halls will be an apartment like suite – four students will share a kitchen and two residents will share a bathroom. The costs of the new residential halls are estimated at $15 million.

Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Esther Peralez hopes more students will be drawn to Western due to the new residence halls.

“We were losing a lot of our upperclassmen,” Peralez said. “We need more juniors and seniors on campus to be positive role models for the incoming freshmen.”

This is due to the cost of design, construction and furnishing a building such as this is paid for with Auxiliary funds and not university funds, O’Reilly said.

“The cost of building will not have a negative impact on the university budget,” O’Reilly said. “It can positively impact the university by allowing more students to attend each year.”

Residential Assistant Deraan Washington shared her views on the new resident halls.

“I think that the new residence halls will be very beneficial to Missouri Western,” Washington said.

Washington’s experience over the summer made it clear that the new residence halls are needed.

“While working the commons desk over the summer, there were a lot of students who needed housing that we had to turn away because there was no room,” Washington said.

Residential Hall Director of the Suites Marqita Jones hopes that the new halls will bring back students that are no longer on campus due to a waiting list that exceed 100 each fall.

“Hopefully it will bring students who may have moved off campus back,” Jones said.

Jones feels the new resident halls will make student more independent and O’Reilly agrees.

“Off campus housing and apartment complexes offer privacy and a sense of independence,” O’Reilly said. “Many find it a lonely place to live also. Too many people keep to themselves. I get the feeling the new building will fill quickly, and remain full throughout the years.”

Peralez assures students that the new residence halls will not have any effect on the school’s tuition.

After 31 years Dr. Dennis Rogers, director of percussion at Missouri still feels like it’s worthwhile. “This is where we turn theory into practice,” Rogers said. Rogers feels that the “Extreme Percussion” experience is a great opportunity for his music majors.

“This actively builds positive and professional attitudes,” Rogers said. “We deliver academic excellence with personable compassion administrators, staff and professors.”

Composer of Percussion Night, Dr. Dennis Rodgers, conducts the performers during the percussion night held April 16 and 17 in Potter. Photo | Robin Ussher

“Whoever didn’t come definitely missed out,” Riaski said. Riaski enjoyed her first extreme experience.

“I really enjoyed the black light performance; you could tell they put a lot of work into what they were doing,” Riaski said. “I just really loved how they got the audience involved.”

Not even an hour drive can put a damper on audience member Laraine Jones’ parade. Jones was traveling with a friend to see her son perform in the “Extreme Percussion.”

“I just loved the sill drums and the drum line,” Jones said.

Kandus Jacobs, a friend of Jones’s, felt it was worth the drive as well.

“I loved “Base in Your Face,” it was very unique, very creative,” Jacobs said. “It’s just amazing that students wrote most of these pieces.”

There is no need to fret; there is always next year for those of you who missed out on this Extreme experience. There is a small admissions fee of four dollars for students and six dollars for non students. For those of you who want to love music and want to be a part of making the crowd go wild there is hope for you too. The Percussion Society is not only for those who are music majors or in the arts department. Please feel free to contact Dr. Rogers for more information on how to become a part of the Percussion Society and their meeting times.

So even if you don’t think that you have the God given talent of rhythm, maybe you do have rhythm and want to show your stuff. Either way the Percussion Society or the programs they put on are worth the time and the effort to starting a new and successful career in music and networking period.

So the next time you think there is nothing to do on campus open up your mind to new and extreme things that can change your world and your mood and attend “Extreme Percussion.”

On February 18, 2010, WAC held auditions for their annual fashion show which will take place on April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fulkerson Center.

The show uses student models and student volunteers to design, model, organize and put on the show.

All inspiring models on the Missouri Western campus came to strut their stuff at the auditions. Ladies came in their cutest high heels and men came dressed to impress in their hottest kicks.

Sasha Collings explained that she had no idea there was a spring fashion show.

“My friend Robin, a member of WAC turned me on to it,” Collings said.

Collings said her interest got the best of her and now she’s excited to be participating.

You don’t have to be an aspiring model to be in the WAC fashion show. Deandre Diamond was very excited to try out for the show and participate in a different aspect of life at Missouri Western.

“I’ve never done anything like this before; I just think that this is a very positive environment and I love fashion,” Diamond said.

Lauren Dillon, director of major attractions in WAC, said the organization is making some major changes in the process of the event. Dillon hopes these changes will help the process move more smoothly and also attract a large audience.

“We are having some student designers open up the show this year such as EMAN Brian, Noel Collier, Robyn Patti and Dana Andrews,” Dillon said.

Student designers like these are very excited to be a part of the show. Not only is it a way to get them involved in social events at Western, but it’s great publicity to the designers’ target audience: students.

Dillon went on to talk about the excitement in the atmosphere for the success of the show this year.

“I’m super excited, we had a lot of people come out this year … I’m hoping for an even better success than last year,” Dillon said.

Dillon said she thinks the show will be a hit also due to the fact that it’s free and open to the public.

Junior Nykeeisha Beasley said she wants to be a part of the fashion show because she thinks it will bring a positive experience to students at the university as well as allow them to have fun in the process by being with friends, meeting new people and gaining experience.

“I’m not doing this just to get anything out of it, I’m just doing this to have fun and to be around my friends,” Beasley said.

Like Beasley, the other models are excited as well. The students said they know the show will be a success this year and hope they will attract more students into participating and attending the show next year.

The models, designers and all involved want to encourage all Western students to mark their calendars for April 6 and attend the show to support their peers.

Emmanuel Williams prepares for his next ensemble. Photo | Robin Ussher

Williams came up with the line for his designs when a family tragedy hit close to his heart. “When my cousin died I thought it would only be right to name my clothing line after him, even though my last name is Williams,” Williams said.

Williams has been working in the Center for Student Engagement as a graphic design artist. “I just started working here this year,” Williams said. “But I’ve been doing graphic design since I’ve been in college.”

Williams expressed how he wants to be something great in the future. “I want to be a staple in fashion like a Donna Karan or a Yves Saint Laurent,” Williams said. “They don’t know my face but they know my work.”

Black Student Union president Leah Hayes said she is excited about Williams’ work. “I think people enjoy knowing that we have a student designer on the campus,” Hayes said. “I think a lot of people came out to the fashion show because they wanted to see his work.”

Williams said he is excited for the WAC fashion show in April. “I’m going to have all new pieces,” Williams said. Williams provided advice to up and coming designers. “I think you have to put yourself out there,” Williams said. “No one is just going to come up to you and ask if you design clothes, you have to make yourself known and build your career from there.”

Photo | Harvey Jackson

“Personally, I like his clothes,” Berger said. “I don’t know a lot of men who can sew, let alone design clothes.”

“I think that people are a little more opinionated. I don’t see a radical change when I think about it,” Kissock said. Although Kissock is older the younger generation does think there is a change in students’ attitudes.

Shanice Williams, freshman accounting major, expressed why our generation attitudes have changed.

“The younger generation is around the same age as their parents. These parents are treating their kids like their friends,” Williams said.

English Professor Bill Church reviews class topics as student Lauren Dillon shows great respect. Though quite a simple occasion respect still must be instilled. Photo | Robin Ussher

Not everyone agrees with how Williams feels. Freshman Jacqueline Waters expressed her thoughts on the matter.

“I think the staff and the students give the respect that they get. If they don’t get respect they won’t give respect,” Waters said.

It can be hard to define the differences from 30 years ago to now. The world is constantly changing and so are the people in it. For some people 30 years ago it would be disrespectful if you said the word “liar,” or called an adult a liar. But now it isn’t. In some areas it’s respectful to say no ma’am and yes sir, not just “yeah” or “okay.” Berger talked about how he feels it’s all in how someone is brought up that makes them respectful or not. “ I know with my family if you don’t say yes sir or yes ma’am, you’ll get looked at like you’re crazy,” Berger said.

You may hear a little boy tell his mother to shut up, or hear our workers in the business office get talked to disrespectfully. Does that mean that the child is being disrespectful if the mother allows her son to talk to her that way? If a teacher is being disrespectful to you does that mean you can’t say anything back? Or would it be respectful if you didn’t?

William continues to talk about respect. “I think the majority of students know they need to respect their elders. It’s just you have to give respect to get it.” Williams said.

The fact of the matter is, someone can’t give you respect if they don’t respect themselves. So in the end someone is going to have to be the bigger person. It really doesn’t matter what generation you come from. If you were born in the ‘60s, or in the 1900’s or in the year 2005, it all remains the same. Respect is universal; everyone wants it but not everyone gets it. Everyone learns it but not all know how to apply it. Perhaps if we all applied respect to one another, this controversy would subside.

Some would call Gladys Patten a very sanguine woman. She is always a happy, cheerful someone you can go to for help. Gladys Patten is a 44 year old, Saint Joseph native and is an inspiring hand bag designer. Patten is a mother, a grandmother and is living her life to the fullest. Patten talks about her love to help others.

“I just think students need someone to talk to,” Patten said. “They just need someone to listen. [So] we just have to have the willingness to listen to them. ”

Patten goes on to explain why she chose to work at Western. “I just wanted to work with students,” Patten said.

She suggests that students have a lot of stress on them and sometimes just need someone to vent their frustrations to.

After working as a secretary for 20 years in a prison, Patten worked for Missouri Western’s Provost Jeannie Daffern for two years before moving to Potter Hall. Since arriving on campus she has been determined to be a guiding light into a student’s journey to a better education. Art Department Chair Dr. Allison Sauls, who’s desk lies right next to Patten’s, shares her views on Patten.

“She’s like a second mom around here,” Sauls said. “Sometimes she knows what the students need before they even ask her.”

Graphic Design major Tara Sabbert expressed how helpful Patten is and what a joy it is to have her in Potter Hall.

“She is just so nice, and we don’t have a lot of faculty that is,” Sabbert said. “If a student needs help, she’s always there and if she can’t help you she’ll try to find you someone who will.”

Gladys Patten is truly a mother, a friend and a counselor to not only her family at home, but to her family here at Western.

Sandra Rogers, student development program coordinator and advisor for the Western Activities Council, shared her opinion on how she thought the programming was going on campus.

“Sometimes we have a good turnout and other times it’s not as many students there,” Rogers said. “We are getting a great turnout from the community. We ‘d love to have more students come.”

Rogers talked about how much time and preparation goes into planning the programs. “The programs that the Center for Student Engagement and the Center for Multicultural Education plan are good, well thought out, well prepared and well presented. These are real quality programs.”

Although many organizations have well thought out and well planned programs, students still aren’t joining programs or organizations. Some organizations are having trouble recruiting members. This is a struggle that many organizations have faced for years.

Freshman Benjamin Washington talked about his frustration with the lack of advertisement and involvement in student clubs.

“There just isn’t any fun activity to do here,” Washington said.

Washington expressed what kind of programs he feels should exist on the Missouri Western campus.

“I think they should do more fun programs like going out to group movies or just something everyone can go to for relaxation,” Washington said. “No one wants to just sit in a meeting for an hour and do nothing. We do enough of that in our classes.”

Sophomore Brittanee Standard, secretary of The Ebony Collegians, is equally frustrated with the lack of student involvement.

“We set up booths and plan programs that we think will of interest to the students,” Standard said.

Standard also talked about the lack of committed students.

“I think it’s the will of the students wanting to get involved. Personally I just think they’re too lazy or they just don’t care,” Standard said. “You can’t make anyone join your organization. They have to want to join.”

What many students do not know is that if they feel that the organizations on campus are not for them, that they can start their own by going to the SGA and applying and submitting the information necessary to do so.

Junior John Solomon, president of Living Eternally Victorious, expressed why LEV became an organization on the Missouri Western Campus.

“Religion is always a sensitive topic but it’s my duty to share the good news about GOD,” Solomon said.

He shared his optimism about membership.

“People will come when they’re ready,” Solomon said. “Our member has increased over the past year, I’m sure it will get better.”

Many organizations are having trouble getting students to come out to their programs and join their organizations. If students look at the poster boards in each hall, they will see flyers from different clubs and organizations that may interest them in some aspect of their life. The flyers could advertise sports, religion, or major oriented clubs such as the psychology club, which happens to be having a back to school bowling and pizza night from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. on King Hill Avenue.

This decision was deliberated for several months because of the noise level and behavior that was on going in the union.
Duane Bruce, associate for student development, said the decision was made in response to several occurrences of disruptive behavior in the Blum Student Union.

Bruce explained what would replace the old furniture in the Blum.

“Because it is our intention to make the lounge a place for students to meet and study, we are adding high top tables and chairs to facilitate a better learning and meeting environment,” Bruce said.

Students and staff have very different opinions about the new changes.

Western student Danyale Jones shared her thoughts about the changes.

“I think that it’s absurd because it’s a union for the students, he brought up the issue about when people come in to tour the school that some Caucasians sometimes get intimidated to see a large group of black people in the union,” Jones said.

Bruce clarified the misunderstanding.

“Often times what is seen in the lobby are students of color. The perception that comes off is that the students of color at that point become an issue and that’s what we’re trying to stay away from,” Bruce said.

“Yes the Blum is a community place, but it is not a place where disruptive behavior will be tolerated. Several complaints were made from students, teachers, faculty and staff about the behaviors, and if there is disruptive behavior the Dean of Student Development and public safety can make that decision,” Bruce said.

The staff at the Missouri Western bookstore had no comment about the new changes, and neither did Dining Service Director Jim Maides.

Grant Williams, a student at Western, discussed his feelings about the new change.

“People don’t know how to act, when people come to orientation they don’t need to see the Blum looking a mess and people being loud,” Williams said.

Diana Klumpe, another Western student, said she is not affected.

“It doesn’t faze me because I only went in the Blum to wait for my next class. Other than that I’m really not worried about it,” Klumpe said.

So many people are affected differently and some are not affected at all. But no matter the change, it is only made in the best interest of the Missouri Western community.
 

Unfortunately, they cannot disclose this information.

Janell Banks, WAC’s President, explained why this is the case.

“We are in our cycle for the Rap/R&B artists and we cannot give who is exactly coming because we are in the contracting stage and nothing has been made final,” Banks said.

WAC usually puts on 17 programs a semester but it will be shortened to 11.

Banks went on to explain the budget they have.

“We have a budget that we have to go by and to get better artists, we are having fewer programs but with better quality,” Banks said.

Olin Kinsey, standee for music entertainment, named some of the artists they are searching for.

“Some of the artists that were being looked for [for the concert] is Soulja Boy, Young Joc, Lil Wayne and John Legend,” Kinsey said.

Unfortunately, nothing is final on these artists.

Kinsey explained how organizations can earn extra money.

“During the time of the concert organizations can earn extra money by helping with the setting up of the concert, it will need to be from eight to ten people to help out, and the organization can receive up to $250.00 for their help,” Kinsey said.

Danyale Jones, a student at Missouri Western, shared her thoughts about a particular artist she would like to see perform.
“I hope that Keyshia Cole comes, she is really hot right now,” Jones said.

This is a great opportunity for all organizations to get involved on campus while having fun.

WAC has already started their programming.

On Jan. 24 they had a movie night, and on Feb. 7 they are having a Poetry Workshop for students to attend.

The workshop begins at 4 p.m. and will have an open mic night at 7 where Def Poetry Jams, Gina Loring and Shihan will help students with the workshop and also will be performing during the open mic night.

This workshop is required for some English classes also, so ask your teachers for more information.

For those students who are interested in becoming a WAC member, meetings are held every Wednesday in the junior college room at 4 p.m.

A program entitled “A Day On, Not A Day Off” was presented by Western’s Center for Multicultural Education in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 21.

In observation of the holiday, most schools and businesses are closed. However, CME had a day that talked about many people that were a part of the Civil Rights Movement. Some of the key events that went on throughout the day informed the students and the St. Joseph community about the key figures in black history.

Sophomore Emily Feger is the one of the brilliant brains behind this program. Feger coordinated and came up with ideas for how the MLK day should be coordinated. With the help of CME Director Tay Triggs and Student Development Program Coordinator Sandy Rogers, Feger put together a museum of famous black inventors, athletes and civil rights leaders.

 “The purpose of the MLK Day events is to help participants gain an understanding of the legacy of Dr. King, provide an opportunity to do ‘something’ relevant to social justice or service on this day and to make connections that will last a lifetime,” Triggs said.

Many students don’t know the true history about King and sometimes they take for granted the freedoms we have today.

 “I would hope that students would start to consider MLK Day as a special “holiday,” Triggs said. “It is one that should push us to do community service, volunteer for events and programs, or to educate ourselves or others.”

Students who experienced the programming made squares for a quilt in memory of the struggles and triumphs that blacks went thorough during the 1950′s.

The last event was a very powerful event; there was poetry by Avia Ramsey and Janell Banks. There was also praise dancing by Tracy Reese, Regina Turner and Tiffany Lakes.

A Speaker by the name of Tyrone Bates came to speak to students not only about King, but about how they can better themselves. Bates is a North Western graduate with a Masters in secondary education, and is receiving his doctorate in educational leadership, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

 He talked about what students should do rather than leave their remains, and what differences they can make in the world and the talented tenth.

“The talented tenth are student’s and people who stand out among others, who balance out the naysayer’s and none movers” said Bates.

“When he spoke he wanted the students to receive from his speech that, they have a purpose, that everything you do is about change or perpetuating struggle,” Bates said.

“Leadership is service not dictating, and that knowledge is the most powerful tool to help you grow and excel in life.”

This is good considering that a lot of young men do not always have someone to look up to in a positive way. It is always good to have someone around you that can lead you to success instead of failure. This is what Bluett feels that the men of Alpha Phi Alpha have done for him.

Qualifications for becoming an Alpha on campus are a  2.5 GPA or higher, a member of at least two organizations, have done community service and you have to be a registered voter, just to name a few. Bluett “came out” the second semester of his freshman year, he said that he worked hard to get to where he is today.

 “When I became an Alpha it was hard work, very hard work. I have to manage school, the two organizations I’m in and try to have my ‘chill’ time,” Bluett said.

Bluett said that he learned how to multi task, manage time and maintain his grades. They also get you ready for job opportunities and most of all they show you a true brotherhood.These are some of the pros of being an Alpha.

Many students don’t know that when you become a Greek, it helps you after college, you can get better jobs and the fraternity itself can teach you how to deal with life problems and how to be strong.

Cons of being an Alpha are the stereotyping of party animals, “pretty boys” and some may even be called a ladies’ man,” Bluett said. “Everyone gets stereotyped you just have to learn to fight though it.”

Advice Bluett would give to future Alphas is to get involved on campus, make and keep good grades, and work hard to get to where you want to be, because knowledge is power, so go get some.

A student, who is a police officer attends classes here at the Western.

On Oct. 10, he was spotted by students with his gun on him. This officer was off duty and was dressed as a civilian; there was no visual proof that showed he was an officer so the students went to the Dean of Student Services.

The students did notify the Dean of Student Services and Jon Kelley who is head of public safety.
Judith Grimes, Interim Dean of Student Development stated that “If this is a concern for students, I suggest that they may check with other institutions to see how they handle this, then make a recommendation to student affairs and we will be happy to further discussions about this.”
When the students talked to the Dean of Student Services they stated that although he is a student the rules for carrying firearms did not apply to him because the university can not contradict the state law that states that police officers can carry weapons on and off duty. 
The Missouri statues state that there is no such thing as an officer off duty.

This is understandable considering that criminals don’t take a break either. But is it necessary for this student who is also and officer to wear his firearm while in a classroom. One may have the thought if he feels safe or not on the Missouri Western Campus, or does he just wear it because he can. The concern that may be going through a lot of people’s minds is what if the gun went off in class.

If there is nothing in the Missouri Western handbook or any other documents stating that there are any regulations against a student, who is also an officer carrying a firearm in a class room.
Should the University notify their students that if anything were to happen and a tragedy was to occur, such as the gun going off. The University would not be liable for what may happen to them. But that the student would have to take up that matter with the state of Missouri.
 
The University says that they want us to have a safe community, but if our class rooms aren’t even safe how is our community going to be safe. Think about it.

How would you feel if one of your classmates were sitting next to you with a gun. You don’t  know if their gun was on safety or if it has one, but because their a police would it make you feel better, or if the policy  says no students can carry any firearms it should apply to all students even off duty officers.