Mount Hood

Work and more work, Robert x 2/ Fragments & Paper

By KATRINA PENAFLOR
Campus Life Editor

 

From Jan. 7 through Feb. 6 the Cannon Gallery of Art, located in Campbell Hall, will showcase the work of artists Robert Tomlinson and Robert Schlegel.

Gallery director, Paula Booth, heard both artists wanted to collaborate with one another, so last year she decided to combine their work for a show.

The exhibit is a collection of mixed media sculptures, photography, drawings and installations all created new by the artists for the gallery.

Tomlinson and Schlegel worked collaboratively on several pieces in the exhibit. The artists would individually work, add to the pieces and pass them back and forth until they felt they were complete.

They, along with several art students, created and organized the placement of their work in the gallery, a job typically done by the gallery director.

Robert Schlegel, an artist from Banks, Ore., is known for his paintings of birds and landscapes. He carefully constructed intricate sculptures of houses and birds that reflect upon his rural life and style.

Paula Booth, gallery director says, “Just like in his paintings, [the birds] are so bird like.” He likes to pull elements together that he finds around him, from his home or junk shops.

The results are stunning. The large arrangement of birds in the center of the gallery immediately catches the observer’s eye the second they walk in the door. Booth enjoyed this part of the collection,

“There are a couple birds that I am particularly fond of.”

Erin Westfall, a senior and contemporary music major, took a tour of the show and admired Schlegel’s work, “The birds were my favorite, each portraying an individual personality.”

Robert Tomlinson, a local artist who resides in Independence, created pieces that reflect a new style for his art. His work combines elements of poetry, photography, household items, nature, and more that together form installations that are unique and visually striking. Some of Tomlinson’s work pays homage to artists like Yves Klein and writer Raymond Russell.

Booth had a few favorites of Tomlinson as well, “I loved all three pieces that were on the big disk, plates. I really liked the ‘lost at sea’ one.” She adds on the bold color choices, “You don’t see much gold, and gold implies something precious.”

Gallery hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Clubs come together for social issues

By AMANDA CLARKE
 Staff Writer

The Criminal Justice Club and the Black Student Union will be collaborating to host “Discussing Ferguson: Lessons Learned and Underlying Social Issues” on Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center (WUC).

“It represents all minorities,” said Dolan Kasnick, a member of the Criminal Justice Club who organized the event. “It is an uncomfortable issue; it is ugly, but it is time to have a reasonable conversation about it. But if we ignore this, who knows if we’ll see it again.”

Guest speakers include a representative from the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership, a police officer to talk about current events, a professor who was an officer during the Rodney King riots, and Dr. Dean Braa, from the Sociology department. They will be discussants at a roundtable format.

“I have some background on issues of race and ethnicity, specifically some thoughts and/or theories on racism,” Braa said. “One key issue is the history/evolution of predominantly Black communities as part of metropolitan areas”

The event will talk about historically similar events such as the Rodney King riots, and will speak about what can be learned from the past as well as what steps can be taken now.

It will cover various issues that caused the events that the United States is currently experiencing, such as Ferguson and other riots.

“Lots of questions, but not so many answers,” Braa said. “How is it that Ferguson evolved into a mostly Black suburb? Is residential segregation part of the problem in race relations? Why has the predominant Black population of Ferguson not taken control of city government? Will this happen in the future? How do
we connect issues of race and class in understanding problems in communities like Ferguson?”

The purpose of the event is to hopefully reach a conclusion and learn from the past events in American History.

There will be a table in WUC Thursday and Friday as well as Monday and Tuesday regarding the event.

The event is free and open to all students, faculty and guests.

For more information,
contact Dolan Kasnick at
dkasnick11@wou.edu

Monmouth Momiji open for business

By KATRINA PENAFLOR
 Campus Life Editor

The much anticipated sushi restaurant, Momiji, finally opened its doors last Friday, Jan. 16.

Momiji already holds a popular location in Salem, but the new restaurant, located on the corner of West Main Street and Monmouth Avenue, is the ideal spot for students.

“You don’t have to drive far,” said Shauna Fansler, an education major.

Much of the buzz amongst students can be credited to Momiji’s active presence on Facebook and Instagram.

Jeff Berneski, the manager of Momiji, has been the force behind the strong social media presence. He actively posts photos of sushi dishes and video updates about the restaurant and credits a lot of the anticipation to the timing and content of the posts.

“You have to know when to post,” he said, “[and] what will grab people’s attention.”

And the “people’s attention” has definitely been grabbed, with lines forming out the door. The overall consensus: the food and atmosphere are a hit.

“Best decision Monmouth ever made,” said Jessica Esparza, an English and psychology major.

Students trying Momiji for the first time said the service is fast, friendly, and efficient. And if fortunate enough to be seated at the bar, you can watch the sushi be made right in front of you.

“As a junior, I’ve waited three years for a sushi restaurant to open in Monmouth,” said Janessa Rook, a communication studies major. “I could not be happier.”

The menu suits a large variety of tastes, with options for fresh sushi rolls, tempura dishes, bento boxes, crepes and more.

Students who have never had sushi, or are perhaps hesitant, are encouraged to come in and give it a try. Berneski is confident he can form a roll to suit someone’s individual tastes, and the menu is diverse enough to have something for everyone.

Lunch specials are also available, with combo choices of select rolls, salad and soup for $8.95.

Aside from the regular sit-down dining experience, customers will also be able to call ahead and order meals to go: a convenience that is always helpful for students.

Jeff says the restaurant is excited to show students and the community their great food and service.

“Come in and be ready to have some of the best sushi you have ever tasted,” Berneski said.

For restaurant hours and more information head to over Momiji’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Momijimonmouth, check out their Instagram @momijimonmouth, or call 503- 837-0111.

ASWOU presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”

By KATRINA PENAFLOR
 Campus Life Editor

The Associated Students of Western Oregon University organized a performance of the cult hit “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6p.m.

The movie adaption centers on the couple Janet Weiss and Brad Major, famously played by actors Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. The two stumble upon the mysterious mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and are immediately thrust into a world of transvestites, human creations, and of course, music.

Fans of the live performance know the production to be a wild and interactive good time. Full of music, dancing, sexual innuendos, and the tradition of throwing things at the stage. Prop bags were available to buy for $2 each. They were filled with cards, glow sticks, and more to throw and wear during the show.

Tony Young, the emcee for the evening and actor of the character Dr. Scott, got the crowd riled up and ready for the show. He welcomed all Rocky Horror “virgins” to come forward and participate in several saucy and hilarious activities. From a duel ended Slim Jim eating contest to “how many sex positions can you reenact in 30 seconds,” the emcee made sure all new-comers were laughing, comfortable, and ready for the show to begin.

Tony even facilitated a faux wedding between audience members Janessa Rook and Felice Lilly.

The performers were a group called The Denton Delinquents from the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver, Wash. They donned classic Rocky Horror costumes and acted simultaneously with the movie playing in the background.

The audience was included throughout the whole performance. Actors, while singing and dancing along to the movie, would sing and connect with audience members while performing.

“It’s really interactive,” said early education major, Tianna Flannery.

Playing cards and glow sticks were among some of the items thrown and used during the performance, all playing along with the tradition of the show. People also donned newspapers on their heads during the rain scene of the film. The emcee encouraged people to shout “slut” and “asshole” when the characters named

Janet Weiss and Brad Major were mentioned.

During the famous Time Warp song, the crowd all stood up and danced along with the performers.

The show was outrageous and fun. Die hard Rocky Horror fans were impressed and first time viewers enjoyed the lively show. ASL interpreting major, Gabriela Guzman, said the show was, “very enjoyable, unless you are conservative.”

Lilly, a public relations and graphic design major, loved having the opportunity to attend Rocky Horror on campus.

“I think it’s really great to have a student organization who can bring a show like this to the university,” Lilly said.

Commendation to University Computing Services for speedy network fix

Laura Knudson Editor-in-Chief
Laura Knudson
Editor-in-Chief

 

From the early hours of the day to the late hours of the night, phone and computer screens are illuminated by professors checking emails and students browsing the web. Clubs update their event calendars and students turn homework in on Moodle. Western portal tabs are opened again and again, all with little regard to the inner workings of our network.

Yet, the moment Wi-Fi cuts out, students are quick to complain and point fingers. But do they know who they are pointing at?

It’s time to call attention to a behind-the-scenes department working around the clock to support academic and administrative life.

University Computing Services (UCS) is responsible for network maintenance and other campus IT services.

But they are not who you should be pointing at. They are who you should be applauding.

On Wednesday, students, staff and faculty found themselves unable to access the internet. Although this was probably frustrating, it was nothing in comparison to what UCS went through.

A core router was overwhelmed with 99 percent usage causing the network to shut down. On top of that, a host server happened to be attacked at the same time. The IP was traced to China. 430,000 attempts to break into Western’s system occurred within two minutes.

Talk about a bad day at work.

After phone calls to multiple Cisco engineers, they were able to get the network back up. By 9 p.m., they were finally able to go home and get some shut-eye. But that is only the beginning. They now continue to work to diagnose exactly what went wrong with the router and how to fix it.

What seems like a long day without internet for us was much longer for those working to fix the problem.

And it wouldn’t be the first time.

Let us not forget Dec. 2, 2013 when one of the transformers blew in the main uninterruptible power supply (UPS) located in the administration building causing the entire Western network to shut down. UCS arrived at 5 a.m. to find the basement filled with smoke.

Physical Plant removed doors and built ramps in order to haul the 1800-pound UPS device out of the building to be replaced with a brand new one that Bill Kernan, director of UCS, had, (lucky for us) ordered a week before.

The rest of their day was spent skipping meals, connecting and testing the new UPS which they had up and running by 9:30 p.m. — less than 24 hours.

When the network is down, let us not assume it’s as easy as flipping a switch. Assessing, diagnosing, testing and securing the problem all need to happen, not to mention finding time to inform the campus and brief the University president.

Homework due dates can be extended, emails will wait in your inbox and other activities can replace Netflix.

It is easy for those who use the network to take it for granted. Let us not forget those who maintain it.

The ongoing, timely dialogue presented through Kernan’s blog, faculty senate updates and all student/all faculty emails keeps everyone in the loop.

The Journal would like to commend UCS, Bill Kernan, Paul Lambert, Dave McEvilly, Michael Ellis, Megan Eichler and all others involved, for working long hours to get the network back up and running Wednesday.

We appreciate you going above and beyond in your jobs, so the rest of us can do ours successfully.

Old fashion methods still effective in job hunt

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By MARC MILLER Guest Column

Take it from an experienced alumnus. The “old fashioned” ways are still the most effective when applying for a job and keeping it even with the convenience of modern day technology.

In the decade since my wife and I graduated from WOU, I have experienced professional setbacks that could have been avoided had I better utilized the resources that were available to me when I was a student. Because of that, I have decided to convey some of my advice to you all in this article. The focus of this article will be the proper use of technology when seeking employment and when you are employed.

To start, let me provide you with a comparison of what kind of technology was available in 2002 verses now. E-mail was not a major form of communication. You had to either call your professors or meet with them during their office hours. Assignments were submitted in paper form, not by e-mail. A fast Internet connection was 1.5 megabytes, not gigabytes, and was accessed through a DSL modem. Wireless intent was a theory. MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn did not exist. The first iPod had just been released and you downloaded your music from Napster and LimeWire, albeit illegally.

Web sites largely consisted of text, pictures and drop down menus. You could not post your resume on a web site; you had to hand deliver it to the person who would make the hiring decision. This is where my first piece of advice comes in.

Although you may have to post a resume online as part of the process, you should deliver a paper copy to the person who could be your future boss. I have witnessed a person being hired on the spot because they were the only candidate that submitted their resume personally.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can provide you with a place to promote yourself, your skills, experience and interests at no cost and with little effort.

However, be careful what you post. Employers will look at your accounts and form an opinion of you. Also, I recommend not including your boss as one of your “friends” or “followers.” Your personal opinions could cost you as they did me. A good rule to follow is to keep your personal and professional life separate.

At the same time, do let everyone know when you are seeking employment. Recommendations from professors and WOU staff can make the difference of you getting an interview.

Oregon State basketball win against Arizona raises question

By Haunani Thomas Managing Editor
By Haunani Thomas
Managing Editor

College students and basketball enthusiasts alike were (not so) pleasantly surprised when the men’s Oregon State basketball team unexpectedly beat No. 7 University of Arizona on Jan. 11.

ASU, then ranked at No. 7 in the AP poll, now stands at No. 10.

Although the Beavs performance was undoubtedly a highlight in the season thus far, it is of great interest to reflect upon the Beavs’ preseason performance, or lack thereof, against Western.

Throwback to Jan. 7 when the Wolves (very, very unexpectedly) beat the Beavers 57-47 in an exhibition game at Gil Colesium.

While it’s easy to say that OSU played a bad game or (my personal favorite) the odds were in Western’s favor, the score stands unforgotten. We also remember the Beav’s inability to break 50-points against a Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) team.

The recent unforeseen turn of events raises the very contentious question: is Western capable of beating top 10-ranked Arizona?
Without considering the circumstances, this question seems laughable to anyone. How could a GNAC division II team beat a Pac-12 division I team?

Oh, wait a minute. That did happen.

After a loss to the Wolves, any Pac-12 or division I team would decribe the experience as “humbling.”

I also imagine the Wildcats basketball team would consider their loss to the Beavs as “humbling.”

According to ESPN, the last time Oregon State beat a top-ten team was when the Beavs beat No. 3 Arizona 70-69 on March 2, 2000. I was six years old.
Fifteen years ago.
FIFTEEN.

A loss to Western provided the motivation for Oregon State to perform it’s best at home since their 1981-82 and 1983-84 seasons.

It’s safe to say that the Beavs, predicted to finish last in the Pac-12 for the 2014-15 season, were nowhere near the Wildcats’ radar, who were ranked in the
AP poll top 10 for the past 29 weeks.

However, claiming that Western would be able to beat Arizona based on their performance against the Beavs implies that they would also beat the list of teams the Beavs beat in the season hitherto — in addition to alls division II teams.

Division I prospects like forward Andy Avgi, Jordan Wiley and Devon Alexander who frequent Western and GNAC’s athlete of the week make assumptions like that believable.

Simply said, Oregon State capitalized on turnovers and foul shots in their game against Arizona, much like Western exploited the mistakes made by Oregon State.

Case in point: Avgi recorded 21 points against the Beavs, more than both Oregon State leading scorers combined.

Go Wolves.

In addition, Western beat the Beavers by 10 points where as the Beavers beat the Wildcats by a lay up. With numbers like that, assertions such as “Western can beat Arizona” become credible.

However, there are many factors that impact a game, namely location, level of play and, obviously, the players. Duh.

Without getting into logistics, statistics, starting line-ups or play-by-plays, its important to remember why we love college sports: they are completely unpredictable.

Yes, we expect teams to perform to their ranking and are blind-sighted when our predictions are incorrect. We make a science out of predicting performance based on games past.

Whether you win against a ranked team or lose to an opponent in a different division, people don’t forget.

Both of the above mentioned games have brought to fruition the underlying fear that an underdog team has the potential to rival an otherwise undisputed competitor.

Realistically, we’ll never know. Most importantly, the potential is there and it always will be. The possibilities that lie in the realm of college sports is fickle at best and creates the thrill of uncertainty we collegiate sports fanatics thrive on.

Western Oregon University

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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