1. WKUPD explains safety protocols in case of gunman

In 2014 alone, 11 school shootings have already occurred, costing two lives and 11 injured. 

Because of this, and other past incidents including the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, WKU has formed a Special Response Team (SRT) to train officers for similar situations.

The formation of the SRT has been an ongoing process, recruiting its first seven members in 2009.

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2. Jr. Food Stores closing saddens WKU community

For years, Jr. Food Stores has been a convenient place for students to go when they’re in need of anything from bottled water to a phone charger for their car.

However, when Houchens Industries’ (the store’s distributor) lease for the building ends on July 31, the 1306 Center St. location will close.

Joey Tiberi, a Madisonville junior, said when he first came to campus, “Junior’s” was one of the first places he knew to buy products on-the-go. 

“Everyone I know that wanted to buy beer or cigarettes on-the-go, they went there because of its efficiency and how close it was to campus.”

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3. Lady Toppers defeat UT-Arlington 59-46 at Diddle

The WKU women’s basketball team recovered from a somewhat sloppy first half to defeat UT-Arlington for its third straight win.

The Lady Toppers have 10 games to go before the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in March.

“I think they’re starting to believe that they are in a position where they could have a chance to win and continue to keep winning,” Coach Michelle Clark-Heard said. “But that’s a growing process, and that’s what we’ve got to continue to keep doing.”

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4. Sundance course offers opportunity to attend prestigious film festival 

Herald reporter Taylor Harrison writes a reflective column on her time at the Sundance Film Festival, which she attended through a Study Away course.

“I never thought I’d get to take a class that would allow me to watch films at one of the biggest film festivals and give me the chance to interact with filmmakers and actors,” writes Harrison. 

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5. Favorite campus shortcut is back

The Grise Hall elevator, a frequently used shortcut to get to the top of the hill, is back in operation after a semester of inaccessibility. 

The elevator returned to operational status after a hydraulic assembly leak prompted campus officials to shut it down for maintenance.

“It’s a huge improvement,” Michelle Trawick, associate dean for faculty and administration, said. “There was major turmoil during all the last minute switching last semester so this is great.” 

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