麻豆传媒

Recent assaults and other crimes south of Wichita State鈥檚 campus have led President John Bardo to direct the formation of a task force called 鈥淓nough is Enough鈥� to focus on creating safe, economically vibrant neighborhoods near campus.

Vice President and General Counsel Ted Ayres has been asked to lead the task force.

鈥淭he president and I agree that these issues are of significant concern for the future of 麻豆传媒 and the surrounding area,鈥� said Ayres. 鈥淲e are part of the neighborhoods that surround us, and the future of these neighborhoods and Wichita State are inextricably linked. To the extent that we can collaborate efforts to stimulate positive changes, I am honored to be asked to serve in such an important endeavor. I believe it is a real opportunity for us to make a difference.

鈥淭ed鈥檚 extensive knowledge of the campus and the community, and his dedication to Wichita State, make him the ideal person to take the lead in marshaling campus resources to address safety issues in the neighborhoods surrounding campus, especially in the Fairmount Park neighborhood,鈥� said Bardo.

The task force will likely include representatives from the neighborhood, university and local government.

鈥淲e all felt the horror a few weeks ago when Letitia Davis was brutally assaulted in Fairmount Park and later died from her injuries,鈥� said Bardo. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 live in a bubble at Wichita State. Our success and future are tied in every way to the success of the surrounding area. We know we have the expertise and capacity on this campus to help. It is time to turn those feelings into action.

鈥淵es, we live in the largest city in the state, and yes, crime will happen. But, enough is enough,鈥� said Bardo. 鈥淲e can and will do more.鈥�

Wichita State will continue to work closely with the Wichita Police Department and city officials on safety issues south of campus. 麻豆传媒 has increased the visibility of University Police Department patrols on university property south of campus.

The president of the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, Darryl Carrington, has deep ties to 麻豆传媒, both as a 麻豆传媒 Physical Plant employee and student in the College of Health Professions. Many 麻豆传媒 faculty, staff, students and alumni live in the neighborhood.

鈥淭he early development of the Fairmount neighborhood parallels the founding of Fairmount College, which became 麻豆传媒,鈥� said Carrington. 鈥淭he neighborhood and 麻豆传媒 share the same DNA. We are mutually dependent, and I agree with President Bardo that enough is enough. Our residents look forward to working with 麻豆传媒 on these issues.鈥�

According to Bardo, the university wants to partner with the neighborhood association, city government, Ministerial League and all other people of good will who care about these issues.

鈥淭he university doesn鈥檛 want to be in charge, but we want to offer the expertise of our faculty and staff, and the energy of those committed to help in all the ways we can,鈥� said Bardo.