Mount Hood

Bursting the tuition bubble

By Jerry Creasy
 Business and Economics Club President
 ARTWORK CREATED BY Carly Fister

ARTWORK CREATED BY Carly Fister

The continued rise in inflation-adjusted college tuition over the years has been a systemic problem, creating huge financial burden for students across the country. On average, tuition increases more than it should when adjusted for inflation. Inflation occurs when the average price for all goods and services increases from what they were the year before. This would also include wages, which hypothetically should be going up along with inflation. However, this has not been the case, but that is another matter altogether.

Between 1994 and 2003, inflation-adjusted tuition rose by about 4 percent per year, meaning that compared to all other goods, it increased 4 percent more than everything else. This is astronomical and leaves a devastating burden on the country’s educated workforce.

Educated people are often the most productive, and creating such a disincentive for people to pursue a higher education will have a negative impact on the country as a whole. If it doesn’t stop them from getting a college degree, then it will leave them financially strapped afterwards so that they will not buy a house or consume as much as they would have otherwise, thereby hurting the economy due to less aggregate consumption.

In addition to the economic cost of tuition, the impact is also felt emotionally. Students are often left stressed out and unhappy in their daily lives due to the financial burden that they are required to take on in order to receive an education in the first place.

The next question we need to ask, and probably the most important one, is: why is tuition going up so much? As with most problems facing social scientists, and especially economists, there is usually more than one simple answer. Unfortunately, the real world is not a math equation.

This question is rather hard to answer and is not as simple as many might think. There are a few different theories as to why this has been happening. Historically, many have thought that a decrease in state funding over time has caused students to foot more of the bill than they would have otherwise. However, this does not fully answer the question because in reality, public funding has grown, but the overall cost of education has also increased, and it is felt by a wider audience than just college students.

Another explanation is that increases in student loan limits have caused more demand for education than would have normally occurred in the market. This causes universities to justify raising tuition since students can pay for it with loans.

Under this theory, universities charge more for tuition than they otherwise would have because they know students can afford it. Increased competition between universities may also be another explanation. When one university builds a nice new building, other universities feel inclined to do the same. This causes costs to spiral as they compete to outdo each other with little real benefit to students’ education.

Also, administrative costs continue to increase due to constant expansion. According to a recent article by Paul Campos of The New York Times, between 1993 and 2009, administrative costs expanded by 60 percent. Over time, more administrators have been hired and salaries have increased tremendously. Tuition then must go up in order to pay for rising costs in both of these sectors.

Still, others argue that education is a bubble that has been expanding because people overvalue the benefits of higher education. Everyone wants to buy it, which then causes prices to escalate over time. High demand for anything can cause prices to increase because supply struggles to meet demand.

This concept would be similar to the housing bubble that we all experienced a few years ago when everyone wanted to buy and sell a house, thereby causing prices to go up drastically. These are just a few educated guesses as to what is causing tuition rates to rise so rapidly. There are still other theories up for debate.

It is almost impossible to say which of these theories is driving tuition up. It is more than likely a combination of them all with some playing a stronger role than others. It is hard to say what can be done to solve the problem.

Reducing competition between schools might be detrimental to education. In addition, it is difficult to say how any reform might take effect without actually implementing it. One thing is for sure though: making it harder for people to get an education and thus reducing the percentage of the population holding a bachelor’s degree is probably more harmful than it is beneficial.

In an economy so bent on knowledge and skill rather than brute strength or endurance, we can see how a more educated society will be a more productive one. In developed countries across the world, having a well-educated workforce is strongly associated with having a sturdy economy. Knowing this, it may be inadvisable to do anything except encourage higher education, but the cost must be lowered if we want to see a more educated society.

Original Play by Western Students Takes “Flight”

By Nathaniel Dunaway
 Entertainment Editor

The best word to describe Western theatre’s spring play, “Frankie’s Flights of Fancy” is this: magical.

An original – or “devised” – work created by a group of Western students, this family-friendly show is an exploration of what it means to be a child, when adventures of the imagination and “flights of fancy” are delightfully common, and can be propelled by something as simple as a favorite toy.

The play will run May 27-30 and each performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“Frankie” opens with a little girl, the titular Frankie, entering a cobweb-blanketed room decorated with faded posters and paintings. The wallpaper is water-worn and sagging; crates and boxes of all sizes add to the clutter.

It’s not long before Frankie, who is played by third-year theatre major Belladina Starr, wearing a full-head character mask designed by the Portland theatre company Wonderheads, soon discovers that one of the aforementioned boxes is different than the others; this box is a portal to the imagination, to a world of dreams.

With the help of this magic box, Frankie is transported to an assortment of different worlds, all with their own unique characters and dangers.

Through the use of masks, marionettes, shadow puppets, projections and animations, Frankie chases a Wild West villain, conducts an orchestra, does battle with a Japanese demon and more.

The process of creating “Frankie” has been a year-long endeavor which began last fall. A class led by Western theatre professor Michael Phillips started from scratch to “build” a show from the ground up.

Starr, no doubt the star of the show, has been involved with “Frankie” since the beginning.

“Devised theatre is hard,” Starr said. “It’s so much about working together and being a team every step of the way. But when everyone comes together — designers, actors, tech, crew, everyone — and get past the uncertainty, and the challenges that arise, it’s rewarding.”

This isn’t the first time Western’s theatre department has explored original work. In 2013, a similar class, also led by Phillips, created and performed the devised show “Half a Block From Home.”

Once the story outline and general script for “Frankie” was completed, a new class, held in winter term, carried the project closer to its completion, establishing the specific logistics of the puppets, animations, props, and more.

The music for the show, a complete original score, was designed by music composition major Ian Knowland. This score was central to the magic of “Frankie,” helping to transport both the little girl and the audience to locales that include a rollicking old-timey circus, and a dimly lit, noir-soaked interrogation room.

Once the show was cast, it was up to the nine cast members and director Phillips to bring “Frankie” life.

“I have never used puppets,” said first-year theatre major Edgar Lopez, who, among other roles, portrays an old circus custodian who is secretly a master of shadow puppetry. “It takes a lot of team effort to make [puppets] work. I’ve learned to be able to move as one in a group. I’m also glad I took the movement class, [it] has helped tremendously, because this show is all about movement.”

The end product of this yearlong undertaking proves to be a touching tribute to the magic of childhood, as well as the magic of theatre.

“Getting to see something you helped create is beautiful,” Starr said. “It’s not like anything else.”

Student tickets to “Frankie’s Flights of Fancy” are free. Tickets for faculty and non-students can be purchased at the Rice Auditorium Box Office or over the phone at 503-838-8462.

Larson earns First-Team All-American Honors

Javelin throwers Justin Larson, Sheila Limas De La Cruz and Amanda Short competed in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The trio competed at Grand Valley State University’s Track & Field Stadium in Western Michigan from May 21-23.

In his third straight national championship appearance, Larson threw a personal best of 66.68 meters (218-9) on his final throw of the competition. Larson broke a 24-year-old school record set by Western alum David Nickell in addition to earning U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Outdoor All-American honors.

Larson’s top-eight performance earned him the First-Team USTFCCAA All-American honors, a feat that has not been achieved by a Wolf since 2011.

Limas De La Cruz and Short made their national championship debut on Saturday, May 23 in the women’s javelin finals. Limas De La Cruz and Short placed 17th and 19th, respectively. Limas de La Cruz threw 39.19 meters (128-7) and Short threw 38.76 meters (127-2).

2015 NBA FINALS

The NBA Finals Playoff series is set to start in Oakland on Thursday, June 4 with tipoff at 6 p.m. PST. The Golden State Warriors are favored to win the series with in-form Stephen Curry coming in off the back of game three against the Rockets where he broke the record for most three-pointers scored in a playoff season at 67 and counting. Klay Thompson is also heating up for the Warriors sinking 20 points in the final game against the Rockets. This is the Warriors first finals appearance since their last NBA title win in 1975.

The Cavaliers and Lebron James are arriving to the big stage battered and bruised. With at least four players experiencing day-to-day injuries (including James), the Cavs played one less game but are still feeling the physical side. This didn’t stop James’ trophy-hunting side from putting up a triple-double in the overtime game three, and a respectable 23 points in game four against the Atlanta Hawks. Looking for a boost, Kyrie Irving returned to the starting line-up after missing two games and posted an efficient 16 points and 4 rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

WOU finalizes tobacco-free plans for upcoming year

By Madison McCammon
 Staff Writer

At the beginning of fall term, 2015, Western will become a tobacco-free campus — like many other universities in Oregon.

On Tuesday, May 26, President Mark Weiss sent out an e-mail to all students regarding the tobacco policy change.

Weiss said that “[the] use of tobacco on campus-owned property” will be banned at the beginning of next year. This includes any and all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vaporizers.

First-year theatre major AJ Saddler is a part of the Heritage Hall Government, a division of the Residence Hall Association. On behalf of Heritage Hall residents, Saddler and his co-workers were asked to vote on the issue based on what they thought was best for the campus.

“I was in favor, personally, of doing smoke-free, and that’s what I voted for. The vote that passed was tobacco-free and I realized that tobacco-free was the best option for this campus,” Saddler said.

Even some current smokers like Brandt Van Soolen, a junior philosophy major, saw some benefit to the policy.

“In a way [the policy change] is kind of a problem, because I smoke. And in another way, I don’t disagree with it,” Van Soolen said. “Not only did they address the problem, but they saw other problems that would come about from it and took care of that too.”

This policy has been under debate for more than five years. As the last public four-year university in Oregon to allow smoking on campus, some faculty felt that the change was overdue.

“[The policy] has been on the table of discussion for about five years, but faculty and student turnover—such as graduation — has impeded the process,” said Craig Wimmer, health education coordinator.

Some concerns raised regarding the policy change are the consequences for noncompliance and what smokers/tobacco users can expect next year.

“What future consequences occur for those not in compliance will be determined as appropriate,” Weiss said.

Weiss emphasized that even in his absence, the policy “will be implemented the WOU way —that is, with respect and consideration of those that need help complying…We will make sure to have on-campus resources in place to help our students and staff.”

“As a former smoker, I know quitting or regulating tobacco use is both stressful and can feel like an infringement on liberties we all share in America… I have seen up close and personal the effects of tobacco use,” Weiss said.

According to the Western Website Policies and Procedures page, the tobacco-free policy will become effective on September 16, 2015 and will be up for review in September 2020.

While smoking or the use of any tobacco products will not be allowed on campus, those who choose to will still be allowed to go off-campus in order to use their tobacco products.

President Weiss requests that those who do choose this option will be respectful of the residents of Monmouth.

“[Western] needs to be good neighbors to our bordering residents,” Weiss said.

10th Annual Academic Excellence event showcases students

By Jenna Beresheim
 Staff Writer

An entire day of classes was canceled for Western students in recognition of the 10th annual Academic Excellence Showcase.

Students were heavily encouraged to participate in the event by their professors, including the canceling of class, or the requirement of small slips handed out during presentations to show attendance. Certain classes require that students see presentations related to the typical course material, while others encourage branching out to view whatever catches the student’s eye.

“I’m nervous and honored,” stated Caitlin Masterson, a fourth-year ASL studies major who presented “Battle of the Sexes: Gender’s effect on ASL learners.”

Masterson said, “I became curious why there were so few men in ASL classes. I did a bunch of research to try and figure out if gender played a role in our ability to learn languages.”

Both the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Program for Undergraduate Research Experiences hosted this year’s Showcase.

The event is typically structured by areas of focus, such as music, computer science and philosophy. This allowed for students to pick areas of focus and attend many presentations in a row without running around campus frantically between presentations.

Presentations took shape in poster board productions, spoken presentations, and replicated performances of dance numbers and plays.

Brenda Puhlman and Sarah Pettigrew presented one of the spoken presentations in tandem. Their presentation was titled “The Adventures of Two SSP’s: Seabeck to Oklahoma” and discussed their personal experiences working with Deafblind individuals in that area.

“I had a phenomenal overall experience with Academic Excellence Showcase,” said Puhlman, a third-year in the ASL/English interpreting program. “It was an awesome opportunity to share my experiences and to share about a culture that not many people are familiar with.”

There was even an entire showing of the play “Frankie’s Flights of Fancy” for students to partake in for free. After the production, the cast members stuck around to answer any questions or take comments from the crowd as feedback.

Ultimately, it was another successful year for students to showcase the work that made them stand out from the rest.

Public Safety experiences temporary rise in on-campus alcohol violations

By Jack Armstrong
 News Editor

Campus Public Safety’s weekly crime reports have seen a rise in the number of alcohol-related violations reported over the past few weeks. For the past two weeks, over half of the reported contacts made by CPS on campus have been for alcohol-related incidents.

Both CPS and the University Housing Program stated that the rise in contacts made by CPS is not indicative of a wide spread problem on campus, but simply more violations requiring the intervention of CPS.

“In a year [the number of violations] ebbs and flows, there are times where there are more incidents and times where there is less,” said Charisse Loughery, University Housing program coordinator.

Loughery stated, “there might be more incidents being reported to CPS right now, but I wouldn’t say there has been an overall increase in alcohol issues.”

Often, incidents that happen within the resident halls are dealt with directly by either the Resident Assistants or the Resident Director.

“We try to use our RA and RD resources rather than public safety,” said Tina Fuchs, dean of students and judicial affairs. “But sometimes the involvement of CPS is necessary, and perhaps that is what is being represented in the blotters.”

With the end of the term approaching and the summer weather taking hold in the Pacific Northwest, more and more students are looking to spend their free time outdoors. This change in activity could be responsible for the increased CPS activity in on-campus housing.

“Spring hits, and it’s a little nicer out; people tend to be out and about, so we can experience more violations of housing policy in general,” said Fuchs.

Director of Public Safety Rebecca Chiles offered a counter-point, suggesting that the number of incidents overall has remained fairly stable despite the weather.

“In my experience, it’s not unusual this time of year versus any other time of year,” Chiles said. “This is my first year here, but I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary with the numbers.”

In addition to the restless students at the end of the term, CPS and University Housing are faced with the possibility of a sharp increase in the number of marijuana violations when the fall 2015 term begins.

“We are looking to campaign with a lot of education up-front concerning the marijuana policy. I believe we might have confusion due to the legality in Oregon,” Fuchs said. “I think some kids will think that it will be okay for them to bring it to campus.”

University Housing and CPS were both quick to stress that despite Oregon’s legalization, Western’s campus policy regarding marijuana will be unchanged.

As stated by the WOU student handbook, “the university will initiate disciplinary hearings for possession, consumption, manufacturing, or sale of illegal drugs or any other controlled substance on or off university owned or controlled property.”

“We have to comply with the drug-free schools’ policies,” Loughery said. “We receive funding from the federal government. Our current zero-tolerance policy in university housing will continue.”

In addition to the federal government’s prohibition, Western recently implemented a complete non-smoking policy on campus.

“I expect our marijuana policy will mirror the non-smoking policy that will be taking effect on campus in the fall,” Chiles said.