Month: May 2019

KCKCC prepares for 2019 commencement exercises

Security changes included

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Graduation at Kansas City Kansas Community College is quickly approaching, and plans are already underway for the annual celebration.

There will be two commencement ceremonies, both on Thursday, May 23, at the KCKCC Field House, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Commencement participants must attend the ceremony that corresponds with the certificate or degree that they have earned. Seating at both ceremonies is on a first come, first served basis.

The doors will open one hour prior to the commencement ceremony. Reserved seating is available for those who require accommodations due to a medical disability.

Security changes

This year, KCKCC will continue to use metal detector screening for everyone entering the Field House. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the entrance of the Field House.

KCKCC is asking that everyone remove items from their pockets during the security check in process prior to approaching the metal detectors. This includes removing billfolds, cell phones, keys, change, and other items. These measures will likely increase time necessary to enter the event, so those attending are asked to take that into account when deciding on an arrival time. In an effort to enhance safety and expedite entrance to the Field House, KCKCC has also implemented a clear bag guideline.

Clear tote bags that do not exceed 12″ x 12″ x 6″ and one-gallon plastic freezer bags will be allowed. In addition, small handheld clutch purses no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” will be permitted. No other bags will be allowed inside the Field House.

No items can be left or stored at the gates. Questions about graduation safety protocol can be directed to KCKCC Campus Police at 913-288-7636.

Ceremony information

The ceremony for those students who have earned an associate of applied science and certificates will be at 2 p.m. Graduate check-in begins at 1 p.m.

Programs include: Accounting (AAS), Addiction Counselor (Certificate, AAS), Administrative Office Professionals (Certificate, AAS), Audio Engineering (AAS), Auto Collision Repair (Certificate – TEC), Automotive Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (Certificate-TEC), Automotive Technology (Certificate – TEC), Building and Property Maintenance (Certificate – TEC), Computer Repair (Certificate – TEC), Business Administration (AAS), Computer Engineering Technology (Certificate, AAS), Computer Software Technology/Technician (Certificate, AAS), Computer Systems Networking & Telecommunications (Certificate, AAS), Construction Technology (Certificate – TEC), Corrections (Certificate, AAS), Cosmetology (Certificate – TEC), Culinary Arts(Certificate – TEC), Digital Imaging (AAS), Drafting Technology (AAS), Early Childhood Education (Certificate, AAS), Early Childhood Education – CDA Preparation Credential (Certificate), Electrical Technology (Certificate – TEC), Exercise Leader (Certificate), Firefighter (Certificate) Fire Science/Firefighting(AAS), Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology (AAS), Heating and Refrigeration (Certificate – TEC), Homeland Security (Certificate), LPN to RN Articulation Program (AAS), Machine Technology (Certificate – TEC), Major Appliance Technology (Certificate – TEC), Marketing & Mid-Management (AAS), Medical Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Mortuary Science (AAS), Multimedia/Video Production (Certificate – TEC), Nail Technology (Certificate – TEC), Networking Technology (Certificate – TEC), Allied Health & Nursing/Practical Nurse (Certificate), Allied Health & Nursing/Registered Nurse (AAS), Office Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Paralegal (AAS), Paramedic/Mobile Intensive Care Technician (AAS), Paramedic/RRT to RN Bridge Program (AAS), Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS), Police Science (Certificate, AAS), Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory Care Therapy (AAS), Technical Studies (AAS), Victim/Survivor Services (Certificate, AAS), Web Application & Design (Certificate) and Welding Technology (Certificate – TEC).

The ceremony for those students who earned an associate of science, associate of arts or associate of general studies will be at 7 p.m. Graduate check-in begins at 6 p.m. Programs include Biology (AGS, AS), Business (AS), Chemistry (AA, AGS), Computer Engineering Technology (AS), Economics (AA), Education, Elementary (AA), Education, Secondary (AA), Environmental Studies (AGS, AS), Exercise Science (AGS), Fine Arts (AA), Forensic Chemistry (AA, AGS, AS), History (AA), Journalism (AA), Music (AA), Music Technology (AGS), Philosophy (AA), Physics/Physical Science (AGS, AS), Political Science (AA), Sociology (AA), Theatre (AA), Theatre Technology (AGS), Victim/Survivor Services (AA), Pre-Agriculture (AGS, AS), Pre-Chiropractic (AGS, AS), Pre-Dental (AGS, AS), Pre-Engineering (AGS, AS), Pre-Exercise Science (AS), Pre-Law (AA), Pre-Medical (AGS, AS), Pre-Medical Technology (AGS, AS), Pre-Allied Health & Nursing (AS), Pre-Nutrition (AGS, AS), Pre-Occupational Therapy (AS), Pre-Optometry (AGS, AS), Pre-Pharmacy (AGS, AS), Pre-Physical Therapy (AS), Pre-Public Administration (AA), Pre-Radiologic Technology (AS), Pre-Respiratory Therapy (AS), Pre-Social Work (AA), Pre-Sports Mgmt. (AA) and Pre-Veterinary (AGS, AS).

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the graduation rehearsal at 10 a.m. on May 23, as they will receive important information on the ceremony.

Students who have completed all degree requirements for the spring 2019 semester as well as fall 2018 are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who are within nine hours of completing degree requirements in summer 2019 are also eligible to participate.

In addition, those students with at least a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with honors and can wear an honors cord during commencement. Honors are awarded to students for completed coursework. Red, white and blue cords are available to active-duty service members, military veterans and spouses or dependent family members of active duty service members and veterans. These cords will be available at graduation check-in. Technical education students who have earned a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with distinction and will wear a silver cord.

For more information on 2019 commencement exercises including graduation fees, visit https://www.kckcc.edu/student-resources/graduation/index.html. Information is also available by contacting a graduation specialist at 913-288-7519.

Police notes

A few recent incidents in Kansas City, Kansas, that were noted on social media by Police Chief Terry Zeigler:

Serious injury accident reported at 59th and Parallel

A serious injury accident was reported on Tuesday at 59th and Parallel Parkway, according to a social media post by Police Chief Terry Zeigler.

The accident involved a motorcyclist, according to police. The rider was not believed to be wearing a helmet.

Aggravated assault reported on North 60th

An aggravated assault was reported on Tuesday in the 1500 block of North 60th. Officers responded to an armed disturbance, according to the police chief’s social media post.

The victims told police that a suspect yelled at them about their speed, pulled a gun and fired a round at them, the police chief stated on social media. There were no injuries, and the suspect could not be found.

Store robbed at gunpoint

A store at 47th and Parallel Parkway was robbed at gunpoint on Monday, according to a social media post by the police chief.

Three men armed with handguns entered the store, held a gun to a clerk, and allegedly took cell phones and money, according to the police chief’s social media post. The suspects fled before officers arrived.

Aggravated assault reported on North 16th

An aggravated assault was reported Monday in the 800 block of North 16th, according to a social media post by the police chief.

A suspect pointed a gun at the victim’s head, the police chief stated on social media. As parents approached the suspect to confront him about pointing a gun at their son, the suspect allegedly fired a shot in the air, the police chief stated. Detectives have identified the suspect, according to the police chief.

Kansas senators reject governor’s appellate court nominee, but that’s not the last word

by Stephen Koranda, Kansas News Service

Kansas senators met Tuesday to formally vote down Gov. Laura Kelly’s nomination for a Court of Appeals seat. In a strange twist, even Kelly wanted her nominee rejected.

The outcome was already known before lawmakers returned to Topeka for the single vote.

Kelly had tried to withdraw the nomination of District Court Judge Jeffry Jack after a series of a politically charged tweets came to light, but a Kansas Supreme Court ruling said that, instead, the Senate would have to vote down the choice. Then, Kelly could make official her new pick, Lenexa attorney Sarah Warner.

There’s a partisan divide between the Democratic governor and Senate Republican leaders. The GOP didn’t miss a chance to point out Kelly’s misstep and the fact that the chamber had to convene a special meeting just to vote down the nominee.

Republican Sen. Dan Goddard said lawmakers wouldn’t have needed the special meeting if the governor’s administration had more thoroughly vetted Jack.

“I am totally frustrated with a nomination and confirmation process that can be characterized as a cluster gaggle,” Goddard said.

The tweets from Jack included profanity, calls for gun control and insults aimed at President Donald Trump.

“A president who is objectively ignorant, lazy and cowardly,” read one tweet, which has since been deleted.

Kelly created a panel to screen the applicants for the court seat, and she said that group missed the tweets. It gave her a slate of three choices and Kelly initially picked Jack.

“I don’t feel like I made that mistake,” Kelly said last week. “Was that mistake made? Yes.”

The special meeting of the Senate will cost taxpayers between $16,000 and $17,000, said Legislative Administrative Services Director Thomas Day. That cost covers lawmaker wages, lawmaker expenses and pay for the staff.

Senate President Susan Wagle previously said “incompetence” in Kelly’s administration led to the problem. The Republican lawmaker was frustrated at the use of taxpayer dollars for the special Senate session and said senators will be keeping a close eye on Kelly’s future nominees.

“Most senators are very aware now that we need to thoroughly vet every candidate, ask them questions and make sure we aren’t putting a partisan hack on the bench,” Wagle said after the vote.

The chamber rejected Jack’s nomination on a 38-0 vote. The Democratic leader of the Senate, Anthony Hensley, said Kelly hadn’t vetted Jack well enough. But he gave her credit for trying to withdraw the nomination when the tweets became public.

“Too often in politics today, leaders do not admit mistakes have been made,” Hensley said on the Senate floor.

It’s not the last word on Jack’s tweets. Republican Sen. Richard Wilborn unveiled a letter Tuesday asking the Commission on Judicial Conduct to review Jack’s actions.

Wilborn stopped short of saying Jack should be removed from the bench. He said the commission will have to decide that, but Wilborn called the tweets “horrible.”

“I believe Judge Jack’s actions,” the letter reads, “impugn the dignity of his office and call into question his ability to serve as a judge in our Kansas court system.”

Jack previously said that as a citizen he has a right to call out comments by people in power, such as the president. He apologized to Kelly and said he didn’t intend for the tweets to be public.

“I am not sorry for believing that violence is bad, that discrimination is bad, that misogyny is bad or that hypocrisy is bad,” Jack said, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

It’s not unheard of for a political appointee to withdraw because screening missed something. Then-Gov. Sam Brownback’s choice for the state’s top tech job withdrew in 2011 because one of his degrees was from a so-called “diploma mill.” That job didn’t need Senate confirmation, so replacing the choice was easier for Brownback.

This situation is different, though, because the process dragged on through a court fight and then the special Senate meeting needed to reject Kelly’s nominee.

The whole process has created a stage for political rivalries, according to Emporia State University political scientist Michael Smith. Smith said the dust-up has been a chance for GOP lawmakers to show they’re holding Kelly’s feet to the fire.

“It’s working on the Republican base,” Smith said. “It’s working on the next Republican primary election.”

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio and the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda.
Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link to ksnewsservice.org.
See more at https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-senators-reject-governor-s-appellate-court-nominee-thats-not-last-word.