The conference was organized by Jennifer Sauer, coordinator of scholar services and electronic resources and discovery services librarian, and Elizabeth Downing, digital curation librarian.
“Over two days, the conference focused on sharing ideas, innovations and the best practices for institutional repositories,” said Downing.
Mark Eberle, Biological Sciences lab coordinator at Fort Hays State, was the keynote speaker and talked, from an author’s perspective, about the library as a publisher.
Other featured presenters at the conference were from Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, the Missouri Science & Technology University, Rutgers University, the University of Denver, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
This conference was specifically for users of the Digital Commons platform hosted by bepress. Representatives from the company gave updates and answered questions.
“Digital Commons is a really powerful network,” said Sauer. “Content gets picked up and indexed across the Internet fast, so it will come up in a lot of search inquiries and drive even more traffic to the FHSU Scholars Repository.”
Since contracting Digital Commons in 2015, FHSU has seen over 103,000 downloads on faculty and student work that has been published.
“We do a lot of great scholarship here at Fort Hays State,” said Downing “Because these are now indexed in Google Scholar, they are really discoverable by everybody.”
The conference was made possible by contributions from the Forsyth Library dean’s office, the Office of the Provost and bepress.
A University of Kansas study linked tighter welfare rules to a growing foster care load.
The University of Kansas School of Social Work. Then-KU social work professor Michelle Johnson Motoyama and current KU economist Donna Ginther received a grant to research the effects of safety net policies on child welfare. CREATIVE COMMONS
The state agency overseeing those programs backed those same new rules. Now, it’s hired a research team to question the findings of the KU study.
A team headed by University of Maryland professor Douglas Besharov — who once worked for a conservative think tank and who head’s the school’s welfare reform program — has been reviewing KU’s research.
But he said his goal is to see if the KU researchers’ conclusions hold up to scrutiny, and that he’s in the mainstream of data-driven opinions on welfare.
“I share the consensus view that some form of work-related activity is very good for welfare programs and welfare recipients,” he said.
Besharov is working with Neil Gilbert, a professor at the University of California Berkeley, to review KU’s findings. The two have written on welfare’s impact on marriage together for R Street, a conservative and libertarian think tank. They’ve also written for the Weekly Standard, a conservative opinion magazine.
Department for Children and Families spokeswoman Taylor Forrest said Besharov was suggested to the agency as a leading expert in child welfare and welfare programs.
She said the department approached Besharov to review the KU researchers’ work and, by extension, DCF’s policies. Forrest said DCF isn’t required to post an open call to researchers for consulting purposes.
Under then-Gov. Sam Brownback, Kansas added a requirement that able-bodied cash welfare recipients work 20 hours per week or take job training. Cash assistance benefits were also capped at 24 months over a recipient’s lifetime.
Annie McKay, head of the child advocacy group Kansas Action for Children, said the hiring of academics to challenge an ongoing study looks like an effort to shop for research backing up its policies rather than testing them.
“(DCF) wants to go poking holes in something rather than buckling down and owning the crisis at hand,” she said. “We have an administration that wants to continue to protect an ideology that is costing Kansas kids.”
Since DCF hired Besharov and his team to review KU’s findings, he and the KU researchers have clashed over sharing data.
Besharov emailed KU economist Donna Ginther and Ohio State social work professor Michelle Johnson-Motoyama on Oct. 5 to let the two know he was asked to evaluate their work. He asked about some of their methods and asked the researchers to share their state-level data.
Johnson-Motoyama replied a week later saying that their research is still a draft, not yet ready to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
“We view the peer review process as the most objective and independent approach to refereeing original research,” she said in the email. Johnson-Motoyama added that they’d be happy to share the study with Besharov once it’s published.
But Besharov pushed back. He emailed back on Oct. 18 saying he and Gilbert were “surprised” and hoped Ginther and Johnson-Motoyama would reconsider their decision to not share more information.
“The problem is that whether or not they have official findings, they’ve testified at official hearings,” Besharov told the Kansas News Service. “You can’t do it halfway. You can’t put it out there and say ‘it’s not done, so you can’t review it.’”
Johnson-Motoyama presented KU’s preliminary findings to members of the House Children and Seniors Committee and to a task force examining the state’s child welfare policies during the last legislative session.
The KU study is still ongoing, but researchers said preliminary results last year showed Kansas’ spike in foster kids — a 42 percent increase over the number of kids in 2012 — correlated with the new welfare policies.
Ginther said they’ve presented their preliminary findings to policymakers to alert them to potential harm to children.
“We’re talking about children’s lives,” Ginther said. “We have evidence that (Kansas’ welfare) policy is putting children at risk … so you inform the policymakers who are in a position to make a decision.”
Ginther and Johnson-Motoyama also presented their preliminary results linking Kansas’ changes in welfare policy to more kids in foster care at a conference in December. Ginther says they’ve continued to follow a standard protocol since then — talking with subject matter experts, adding data, and working on a draft to submit for peer review.
She said she was “stunned” by the request to see her data and programs.
“You don’t share your data and programs before your paper’s finished — it’s just not done,” she said.
Ginther said she also couldn’t share the data they used on child abuse and neglect because it’s restricted. She said she got that information from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.
The agency’s website says “Restricted use files of (child abuse and neglect) data are archived at the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN) at Cornell University and available to researchers who are interested in using these data for statistical analyses.” Officials from the Administration for Children and Families did not return calls for this story.
After Besharov’s second email, Ginther said she was contacted by KU’s department of public affairs passing on a request from Gov. Jeff Colyer’s office asking why KU couldn’t share the study data and programs.
Kara Zeyer, a spokeswoman for Colyer, confirmed that the governor’s office reached out to KU at Besharov’s request.
Zeyer said the governor’s office got involved because if the KU study showed Kansas’ welfare policy was harmful, “we would be happy to have that information so we could make improvements.” Zeyer said it’s a matter of transparency — if KU has the information, it should be able to share that data with Besharov and his team.
Besharov said he was initially given an Oct. 31 deadline to complete his review. He said he let DCF know he wouldn’t be able to make the deadline, and didn’t receive any pushback about his review not being complete before the November elections.
Ginther said she’s shocked by Besharov’s pushing to get her data and the governor’s response of reaching out to KU.
“I’m just flabbergasted by the steps they’ve taken,” she said.
Madeline Fox is a reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can reach her on Twitter @maddycfox.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court reappointed five people to two-year terms on the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee.
The committee, formed in 2016 at the direction of the Kansas Legislature, reviews and oversees improvements to the juvenile justice system in the state. Membership includes representation from all three branches of government.
The Supreme Court appointees are:
• District Judge Delia York, serving in the 29th Judicial District, composed of Wyandotte County.
• District Magistrate Judge Paula Hofaker, serving in Phillips County of the 17th District, also composed of Decatur, Graham, Norton, Osborne, and Smith counties.
• Kevin Emerson, chief court services officer for the 28th Judicial District, composed of Ottawa and Saline counties.
• Lara Blake Bors, Garden City, a juvenile defense attorney.
• Amy Raymond, director of trial courts programs, Office of Judicial Administration, Kansas judicial branch.
Today
Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values as low as 2 early. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
Veterans Day
A slight chance of snow before 9am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 9am and noon, then a chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. North northeast wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 33. North wind 9 to 14 mph.
LINN COUNTY— One person died in an accident just after 7p.m. Friday in Linn County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Honda Civic driven by Autumn R. Robinett, 43, La Cygne, was westbound on Kansas 152.
The vehicle crossed the center line and struck eastbound 2015 Chrysler 200 driven by Karen K. Clemens, La Cygne head-on.
Robinett was pronounced dead at the scene. Clemens was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The KHP did not report details on Robinett’s seat belt usage.
Kansas exports totaled $11.25 billion in 2017. Compared with last year’s data, exports increased by $1.07 billion, representing a 10.5 percent surge. A similar trend can be observed on the national level where U.S. exports experienced a 6.6 percent growth.
Kansas businesses are a global force, with goods and services being sought from Kansas internationally.
The annual Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award proudly celebrates the outstanding Kansas companies that excel in exporting and building relationships with companies around the world. We encourage you to nominate a successful Kansas business for the year 2019’s awards program.
Qualifications considered include:
Number and/or percentage increase in jobs due to international activities
Innovations in global marketing
Number of export destinations
Effective use of international distributors
Long-term international strategies and prospects for future growth
Commitment to the state and local community
Foreign language promotional material and general promotional activities
Trade shows and/or international expositions
Benefits of this award include:
All finalists will be invited to attend the Team Kansas Awards Banquet where top businesses from across the state are recognized and the award winning company will receive the trophy
The Governor will make a site visit to the award winning company to honor its management and workforce team
The award-winning company will receive a membership in Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council (KITCC) that selects the award finalists and winner
Recognition of export achievement which can be incorporated into marketing/advertising campaigns
Extended networking opportunities
The Nomination Process:
Any Kansas company engaged in exporting is eligible to be nominated for the 2019 Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award. Please visit https://kansascommerce.gov/GovernorsExporteroftheYear to nominate a business. Self-nomination is also welcomed. All nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2019.
April Chiang
Nominations can be emailed to program manager April Chiang at [email protected]
KANSAS CITY (AP) – Court records say a slain woman had an order of protection against the man charged with killing her in her pocket when her body was found in Kansas City.
42-year-old Gene Birdsong of Kansas City, Kansas, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 40-year-old Tabitha Birdsong. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
Court records in Kansas show the couple wed in 2009 and that Gene Birdsong was twice convicted of battering her. He spent 86 days in jail earlier this year after violating his probation for not complying with a protection order.
Under questioning, he told detectives it was “self-defense” before stopping the interview and requesting an attorney. The couple has a daughter.
COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a shooting in south-central Kansas.
Law enforcement on the scene of Friday shooting and standoff -photo courtesy KWCH
Just after 9:40a.m. Friday, Deputies with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office (CLSO) were dispatched to the 6000 block of 22nd Road, north west of Rock, Kansas, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.
Initial information indicated that a woman identified as Elizabeth Anderson, had sustained a single gunshot wound to the leg and she was lying outside by the road.
It was relayed to law enforcement that she had been shot by her husband, Marty Anderson and that Marty had two juvenile children in the residence with him and had threatened their safety.
Elizabeth Anderson was transported by Eagle Med to Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas for her injuries.
A perimeter was set up around the house and at approximately 11:15 AM the two female juveniles came out of the house and were removed from the area by law enforcement, according to Faletti.
Members of the South Central SWAT team then entered the house and arrested Marty Anderson without incident.
Marty Anderson had previously been arrested and was on bond for allegations of Rape, Criminal Sodomy, Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a child and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct.
These cases are still under investigation and no bond has been determined for the current arrest. Criminal charges are still pending.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 26-year-old woman pleaded guilty for her role in the killing an expectant mother and her unborn child.
Alora Mendoza -photo Johnson County
Alora Mendoza, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of reckless second-degree murder in the fatal shooting last June of 23-year-old Jocelyn Ybarra.
Ybarra was 12 weeks pregnant and her unborn child also died.
Mendoza was initially charged with two counts of first-degree felony murder and with attempted aggravated robbery.
Assistant District Attorney Darrell Smith said Friday that Mendoza helped another person who allegedly shot Ybarra during an attempted carjacking.
Mendoza will be asked to testify against her co-defendant as part of Friday’s plea agreement.
By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN FHSU University Relations and Marketing
A flashing digital billboard in a parking lot near the main campus at Fort Hays State University lit up the brisk autumn evening earlier this week.
It flashed a welcome to potential future FHSU students from Kinsley, Valley Heights, Natoma and South Central high schools, ones who have scheduled visits to campus.
Inside Picken Hall on the Quad, students from FHSU’s home county were getting a little extra TLC Monday night.
In what is believed to be a first-ever event for Ellis County students, Fort Hays State’s admissions office hosted a college information session specifically for students from the county’s four high schools – Hays High and Thomas More Prep-Marian in Hays, Victoria and Ellis.
Jon Armstrong
Jon Armstrong, interim director of admissions, said he and his staff came up with the idea of “Your Next Step” as a way to “better serve our students in Ellis County.”
“Trying something different to help our local people is very important to me and our office,” he said. “We want to try to be available to students on their time.”
Armstrong, whose youngest son is a high school junior, is quite familiar with the busy schedules of high school students.
“Students are so busy now,” he said, “and it’s harder and harder to get out of class to come down to campus. If we can slice out an hour or two here and there for the opportunity to get their questions answered, even if it’s in the evening, we want to do it.”
“Your Next Step” is just one of several events hosted by the Admissions Office during the school year and one of three new ones launched this year.
Last month, about 40 high school students from southwest Kansas were bused to campus for a day of learning more about the college application process.
Tuesday, Nov. 13, that many, and probably more, students from north central Kansas will arrive at FHSU for a similar day of college planning and campus visitation.
“This was something new we wanted to try for this area, and we were hoping to get at least 20 to 25 students,” Armstrong said. “Right now, we’re at 40.”
Before that, however, Armstrong and his staff are preparing for their largest event of the year – Tiger Day, which is Saturday, Nov. 10.
Approximately 400 students have sent in RSVPs for the day of learning about campus life. That’s the largest number since 2010.
After a welcome by FHSU administration, students and their families will have the opportunity to learn about the admissions process as well as visit the academic buildings and residence halls. The highlight of the day, Armstrong said, is the academic fair where tables from the different academic programs are set up in the Memorial Union.
“That takes a lot of work for our academic departments,” Armstrong said. “They are so supportive in really understanding the importance of recruiting.”
Making the college application process as easy as possible for students is high-priority for Armstrong.
One mother at the Ellis County night asked a question that stumped Armstrong, who chuckled, saying he gets asked that every so often.
“Is there a discount for twins?” asked Kelly Hutchison, mother of twin siblings Palmer and Mattie Hutchison, seniors at Hays High.
Armstrong said he was unaware of such a discount but did know that if the twins live in residence halls, they will both be offered the Ellis County residential hall housing reduction.
That discount, which Armstrong said a lot of people ask questions about, is $2,000 off the total cost of the yearly residential life contract every year a student from Ellis County lives on campus.
A total of 13 students took advantage of Monday night’s opportunity, but the number of people who came through was more than double that.
“Every student who came in had at least one parent with them,” Armstrong said. “And a couple of parents came on their own because their children couldn’t make it. All the parents seemed really thankful we did this.”
“We wanted it to be come-and-go, to accommodate people’s schedules,” Armstrong continued. “This is a start. I do know we had lots of questions about financial aid and the benefits of on-campus housing and the like.”
Brandon Hoffman from Hays High decided to take advantage of the opportunity despite having difficulty getting around.
Hoffman, maneuvering on a knee walker scooter with a cast on his left leg, which he fractured during football season, took one look at the large flight of stairs at the front of Picken Hall and thought, “Uh-oh.”
However, Hoffman was able to locate the elevator on the south end of the building and made his way up to the second-floor area where he was greeted with a table of all sorts of information about FHSU – and pizza.
“I was ready to hop up the stairs, though,” he said.
With that type of attitude, Armstrong said that Hoffman, who plans to major in business management, should do just fine in college.
Hoffman, the oldest of two siblings, was accompanied by his mother at the event.
“We just wanted to find out all about this process,” Marlene Hoffman said. “It’s all new to us. It’s so different than when we went to college.”
Armstrong and Kyle Stacken, admissions counselor for Ellis County, visited with the Hoffmans and talked about setting up a time for them to visit campus when Brandon could get around more easily.
Armstrong said he and his staff realize that sometimes local students don’t think about asking a lot of questions because they live here.
“We were able to visit with local students who have some difficulty getting to campus during regular hours,” he said. “We want to answer their questions, too. Of the 26-plus people we visited with, I think it made a big difference.”
Tom and Tina Albers and their daughter, Hays High senior Ady, definitely thought so.
“Ady really enjoyed the one-on-one conversation with Jon,” Tom Albers said. “He answered all of her questions and offered her some awesome advice. The entire event was very professional and comfortable and had a family feel to it. Thank you, FHSU, for this opportunity to help ease Ady’s concerns and help her answer several questions she had about the enrollment process.”
All in all, Armstrong deemed “Your Next Step” a success.
“This was a first step for us in wanting to provide more opportunities like this,” Armstrong said. “Our next step in our office is to offer an opportunity like this on the high school campuses. We’re going to try to do something like that in the spring. I’m excited.”
Today
