Students protest Wichita State Student Body President Paige Hungate
“Temporarily stepping down is not going to happen.” — Paige Hungate, Student Body President
Students have organized a protest outside of the Student Government Association offices demanding for Student Body President Paige Hungate to issue a statement of apology to former Student Body President Joseph Shepard and his family.
The list of demands calls for Hungate’s temporary dismissal as Student Body President until an investigation involving her parents concludes.
“Temporarily stepping down is not going to happen,” Hungate said, arriving to the protest after completing a final exam. “The investigation could take months.”
Sandra Carlo reads a list of demands of Student Body President Paige Hungate.
Hungate’s parents are involved as part of alleged battery and discriminatory hate “fighting words” that took place in an altercation with Shepard and his mother following a farewell speech delivered by Shepard at the end-of-the-year SGA banquet. Shepard is pressing charges against both Trent Hungate and Stacey Steffes-Sundquist for the alleged incident.
Hungate said she will not sign the list of demands distributed to her by the student protesters today.
“I’m here to see a list of demands and hear you all out,” Hungate said. “I’m not going to sign anything today, but I’m here to hear you all out.”
Document presented to SGA President Hungate
The list of demands call for Hungate to complete diversity training, address former Student Body President Shepard and his family, and declare Black Lives Matter — a SGA resolution Hungate voted not in favor of in the 59th Session as a senator.
“You have more than enough time to make a decision on this,” a protester said.
Hungate said she will not address the alleged incident on her parents while the investigation is ongoing.
“I won’t be stepping down from my position,” she continued. “Nobody at the university can speak out about that while the investigation is ongoing.”
“You cannot be the face of this Association right now,” Sandra Carlo, a protester said.
“There is no conflict of interest with me serving as Student Body President. I was not directly involved in this incident. I was not involved.”
Hungate called for compassion, saying she has continued come to campus at times while she debated leaving Wichita State, and dropping out of college entirely.
“I’ll look through it,” Hungate continued, “I think a lot of these are good ideas. I will think about it. I’m here to listen. I hope me standing here shows I’m here, I’m trying to hear you out. I’m trying. I’m really trying.
“I want to understand the concerns you have and that your concerns are being addressed. I understand you want change.”
Carlo reminded Hungate that the protest group has no intentions of leaving the area until Hungate signed the document.
“We’re not going to leave until you’re stepping down,” said Taben Azad, former Student Body Vice President and protestor.
“I’m not stepping down,” Hungate said.
“Then we’re not going to leave,” Azad said, adding that he said that she was not appropriately serving students.
“Where was everyone when Joseph was being attacked?” Azad said. “Every day we have to go through this oppression.”
“Joseph has been silence, and in all honesty Paige, you’ve received all kinds of attention, you’re getting things pushed through simply because you’re Paige,” Azad continued. “Recognize that privilege.”
Hungate said she could reach out to Shepard and offer her support to him. She could not speak on the alleged incident, however.
“You have a moral obligation to step down,” a protestor said.
“I’m not going to make a snap decision now,” Hungate said, expressing intent to go home and consider the list of demands.
“With the alleged incident that occurred, I can’t do somethings,” Hungate said. “I know I can accomplish this job and do this job effectively.
“I want to help, I want to make change.”
“Why do we have to push to be treated equally?” a protestor asked.
“You can take me for my word, I want to implement change and express these concerns that have been brought forward.
“You can take me for my word.”
Hungate said she will go home and mull over the ideas.
Wichita State Student Body President Paige Hungate discusses with student protestors who have staged a sit-in outside the Student Government offices.
“I know I can accomplish this job,” she said. “I know I can.”
Hungate said she will contact her cabinet members to discuss the matter.
Protestors demanded a timeline to hold Hungate and her cabinet accountable.
“We’re here until you sign this,” Carlo added. “If not, we’re formally calling for your resignation.”
“Sure,” Hungate replied.
“I will follow through on the things I have promised to do,” Hungate added. “That’s the value of my word. I accomplish things I say I will do.”
“I can’t say I have a decision now,” Hungate said.
“To be honest, your word doesn’t have much weight,” a protestor said. “You haven’t shown much evidence for your capability to be president and address diversity problems.
“Remember, your word doesn’t have much weight right now.”
Hungate left the protest at 4:30 p.m.
“Thank you for your concerns, I am happy to listen,” Hungate finished with.
Evan Pflugradt is the former sports editor of The Sunflower. Pflugradt past served as the publication's Editor in Chief, Opinion Editor and a reporter....
Brian is the photo editor at The Sunflower. Hayes is a junior majoring in mass communication with an emphasis in journalism. He is from Wichita. Hayes enjoys...
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Brian • May 28, 2017 at 12:42 am
You guys are such a bunch of pansies. What a bunch of whiney b***** lol.
The WSU PD is a joke • May 12, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Paige, I think that it would just respectful and honorable and humble of you to step down. I have respect for you as a female, I know that you are intelligent and you are able. And even still, I would find you more admirable if you would step down ans show kindness and understanding, and unwavering support for a man whom you respect. I think you respect Joseph, and I really believe it you do. I believe you would be more respectful if you would lie down your sword and bow out…
and with great sincerity.
Kevin • May 16, 2017 at 2:07 pm
No, she was elected by the student body. A small group of students, who have never supported her, are making unreasonable demands. She needs to stay in her position.
Reason • May 11, 2017 at 11:37 am
Those who hate Trump supporters and are condescending and demeaning are as much haters as those you profess to be against. Get your heads on straight… hate speech is hate speech whether you agree with the topic or not. Hate speech is NEVER productive or conducive to solving problems… you just make yourself look like an idiot.
Mr. Jones • May 10, 2017 at 9:23 pm
I find it interesting that 20-25 students act as though they represent 15,000 of us. They are pathetic to say the least.
Kirk Heithaus • May 10, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Not a student; nor have I been a student for some time…..but really……did the few who are crying out loud not get their 5th , 6th, 7th, or last place trophy ….wow and just give them some tissue. Obviously they are taking to many government classes and need to take more get off your ass classes and go sweat for a living.
Some younger generation are whiners not workers. One must work sweat , bleed and develop sore spots on their hands from work not trying to become professional politicians in college. We have enough of those folks in Washington D.C. and I am sure you can ask any HARD WORKING AMERICAN how they describe those people and what they think of those people.
Kevin • May 11, 2017 at 11:31 am
The students protesting are not hard working. Have you seen them? Not for sure healthy lifestyles are understood by them.
Arrah • May 10, 2017 at 8:20 pm
I need to clarify me earlier post—I should have said “alleged” actions of Paige’s parents. For folks who are obsessed with rights and fairness; the parents should be extended the basic right of innocent until
proven guilty.
Tanner Lampe • May 10, 2017 at 8:18 pm
“The son (or daughter) shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father (and/or mother), nor the father (and/or mother) suffer for the iniquity of the son (or daughter).”
Arrah • May 10, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Obviously the outcome of the investigation of Paige’s parents is not known. But even if it were, she was not directly involved and should not be held culpable for the actions of her parents. Some of her twitter remarks (which were made well before she was student body president), may have been at odds with the prevailing beliefs on campus; but hey diversity of thought is real diversity!
Social Media • May 10, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Have Paige read the list of her social media statements about gays and race and other things. It would be interesting to hear them in her voice and then ask for an explanation.
Tex • May 10, 2017 at 5:16 pm
You must have voted for Trump.
Bob • May 10, 2017 at 5:31 pm
You must have been dropped on your head as a kid.
Tex • May 10, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Bob,
You sound like you are familiar with pediatric head trauma; are you basing it off personal experience? You poor soul, I hope it did not scramble your noggin too badly. I will pray for you and fight to make sure you have health care coverage to deal with the ongoing psychological trauma and physical recovery.
Assuming they voted for Hillary: did she not say a bunch of racist stuff back in the day? Like how African-Americans were “super predators”. And did she not only support the LGBTQA community when it was politically advantageous to her?
So I mean if the old social media posts of Paige has you “triggered”, you clearly would not have voted for Hillary based on her actual, racist comments and lack of outspoken support for the LGBTQA community. Ergo, you would have voted for Trump or a third-party candidate, which let us be honest, based on the math is a vote for Trump.
So at the end of the day you voted for a racist or a misogynist, both of whom were not huge supporters of the LGBTQA community, and you all need to be willing to own up to that.
I voted for Hillary who admitted that saying and doing those things were wrong and that she had changed. Which…wait a second, Paige has done as well! So unless I am a hypocrite you can bet I will accept the apology from Paige and support her as the Student Body President of Wichita State University.
Hope your head gets better,
Love Tex
Kevin • May 10, 2017 at 4:45 pm
These students should quit bullying Paige. The students protesting do not speak for the student body.
anonymous • May 10, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Nobody listened during the elections. She’s a homophobe and a trump supporter.
Anonymous • May 10, 2017 at 8:38 pm
I have known paige all my life and have gone to school with her since kindergarten. As a gay man and a friend of her’s I can say she is in no way a homophobe.
other • May 11, 2017 at 9:21 am
The social media messages she wrote in the past about gays and gay marriage seem to contradict that Have you read those?
Student • May 10, 2017 at 5:57 pm
I can tell you right now that as a student they speak for me. Every student that I have talked to since this occurred agrees that this is not acceptable of the student body president. Just because you don’t agree with it doesn’t mean that everyone doesn’t agree with it.
Kevin • May 11, 2017 at 11:29 am
And as a student, the protestors do not speak for me and a lot of students I speak with agree that the protestors do not represent them.