2018 – Page 56 – The Western Howl

Morgan Swaim | Staff Writer

As the regular season winds down, every game becomes more important for the men’s basketball team. Luckily, this past week’s two victories on Jan. 30 versus Concordia, 86-72, and Feb. 1 against Montana State-Billings, 71-60, showed that the Wolves are one of the teams to beat across the nation.

The Wolves grabbed the first victory at home despite Concordia’s best efforts. In that first game, junior guard Riley Hawken, who played at Concordia during his first year of college, was able to get hot against his former team. Scoring 11 points in 16 minutes, Hawken’s offense helped the team jump out to a 45-31 lead at halftime.
Throughout the second half, the Wolves were trying to break the game open even further. At one point the lead was 20, but the Cavaliers were able to keep the game from becoming a blowout due to the effort of senior forward Christopher Edward, who scored 33 points in an attempt to upset the Wolves.
The key to maintaining a large second-half lead was strong bench play. Senior guard Demetrius Trammell had another great game as a reserve, shooting 4/5 from the 3-point line and scoring 14 points in the second half alone.

The second game was on the road where four players reached double figures on the offensive side of the ball in the comeback.The first half provided some adversity for the Wolves, as they found themselves staring at an eight point deficit going into the final 20 minutes. Trailing 42-34, the team came out in the second half on a mission.
The Yellowjackets were only allowed to score 18 points, shooting only 22 percent. The Wolves were locked in with their winning streak on the line, and outscored Montana State Billings 37-18 in the second half to keep the streak alive at 14.

Next week, the Wolves will have back to back home games. On Thursday, Feb. 8, the Seattle Pacific Falcons make a visit. The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. The first matchup of the year was extremely tight, as the Wolves won 83-79, one of their closest games of the year.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, the St. Martin’s University Saints will also make an arrival to Monmouth. The Saints have a winning streak of their own right now currently at seven. With St. Martin’s sitting at third place in the GNAC conference this game will be one to watch, as it is one of the key matchups left in the GNAC conference-regular season.
Contact the author at mswaim16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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Time for political action

Natalie Dean | Freelancer

Dennis Richardson, the current Oregon Secretary of State, visited Western’s campus on Jan. 30 to promote local politics and expand education around state government issues.

Secretary Richardson spoke of his own political journey starting with his work for the Central Point City Council. Richardson noted in his speech one thing that he learned during his time there, “citizens do not come into their government office unless they have to. But when people came in, it was because something was amiss and they wanted their elected official to take action. It was an opportunity for common sense and ordinances to be balanced and resolve things citizens think are important.”

He continued by pointing out that, upon running for Secretary of State, the last Republican to serve in that position was Norma Paulus, who was elected 40 years prior. The cards were stacked against him, and Richardson explained, “it was said that it couldn’t be done. My advice is to focus on the principles you stand for and not focus on a party. I tell this to republicans, to anybody who asks me how to win (an election.) Have ideas on how to solve the problems that face the people, and run on that with the dedication to do what you said you would do.”

Later in the evening, Richardson posed an important question to the crowd, “What do you want out of your life?” he asked. “When you die, people say nice things about you if they have something to say. Wouldn’t it make sense to say ‘when I leave this life, here’s what I want to be remembered for.’. I want to be known as a good man, a civil servant, an honest man, a person of integrity, a hard worker. These are all important to me, and I’m trying to live up to it, because it’s not going to happen otherwise. So, what do you want to be remembered for?”

Richardson spoke on one current Oregon issue: the foster care system.

“The time for talk has passed, the time for action is now. Those that think it’s a broken system will not be surprised,” he said. “We have auditors who have been on the job for over 10 years, and they said this was the most difficult audit they had done … But these are issues that must be addressed if we are going to change the system and serve our most vulnerable population, which are the children.”

Secretary Richardson finished the speech by answering a final question from the crowd: how can college students become involved and educated in local politics? He urged folks to vote and seek out education, to reach out to local legislators and to ask questions. He encouraged all students to be actively engaged and in turn, create the world they would want their own children to live and thrive in.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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Stay updated on the Tuition Advisory Committee

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

What is the Tuition Advisory Committee?

The Tuition Advisory Committee is a committee composed of Western students, faculty and staff that want a voice in how tuition dollars are spent. Led by President Rex Fuller and interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Jay Kenton, the open meetings encourage an honest dialogue between students and administration on budget cuts, tuition increases and effectively spending student dollars.

How can students get involved?

Students are the basis of Western. If a student has ever felt like their thoughts and opinions are not being taken in account by the administration, this is the opportunity to voice concerns. Students can give opinions on whether they’d rather see tuition and fee increases or department budget cuts to make up for a shortage of funds. Are students willing to pay more tuition dollars if that means an increase in staff salaries? Additionally, should more money be put toward fee remissions or scholarships for low-income students? These are all important decisions that the administration needs to make, and students now have an opportunity to give their opinion on how student dollars are spent.

Will tuition increase next year?

Tuition is expected to increase no more than five percent next year. Money that goes to funding the university comes from tuition dollars and state funding. There is expected to be a shortage of $130 million, which could lead to a tuition increase. In future Tuition Advisory Committee meetings, the administration will prepare proposals for cuts ranging from one to five percent and students can give input on the proposals.

When is the next meeting?

Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. in RWEC 104. The dialogue will continue between administration and students and more information on the university budget and potential tuition increases will be discussed.

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Helping Western students succeed

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Week five can be a stressful time in a college student’s life. When midterm exams, essays and projects start to pile up, the Student Success and Advising Office can be an important resource to keep on track and receive academic help.

The Student Success and Advising Office aims to support students and provide them the tools they need to be successful in their academic and career goals. One of the major services provided by the department is free peer tutoring for Western students. Every student can take advantage of these tutoring services by simply clicking the “WCS” logo on Portal and making a tutoring appointment for a current class. Tutoring through the Student Success and Advising Office is available for most humanities, linguistics and social science classes.

Tutoring Coordinator and Student Success Specialist Carly DelaBarre emphasized that the peer tutors undergo extensive training in their position. This includes teaching to multiple learning styles, multiple intelligences, and general communication skills to effectively assist students in need.

Even if students don’t require tutoring for specific classes, DelaBarre encourages everyone to seek help at the Student Success and Advising Office, “I would really love students to know that they can come in and see us if they have a 4.0,” she explained. “I want to help you. I want to make sure that your time management is solid, study habits are solid, and your classes are going well. I genuinely care about every single student that comes in here … I have students from all different grade levels and all different backgrounds come in and see me regularly, and I wish more students did that.”

Student Success Specialists like DelaBarre can help with everything from test anxiety to studying for specific learning styles. When asked what advice she would give students during midterms week, DelaBarre replied, “It’s so crucially important to manage your time well … Take care of future you by planning now for the future.”

Visit the Student Success and Advising Office in its new location, the old Student Health and Counseling Center next to the WUC, starting on Feb. 12.

For more information on the resources that the center offers, visit wou.edu/advising.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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Giving a voice to student concerns

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Current Western students may have noticed a recent email in their inbox from university president Rex Fuller. The email emphasized Western Oregon University values such as community, diversity and respect, and introduced the recently developed Bias Reporting Form. But what is the Bias Reporting Form and what does it mean for Western students?

The form was created as a result of a bias-related incident that occurred in Monmouth last year. The individuals involved in the incident noted that there was not a clear path that they could follow to report what had happened. The university CARE Team, a team composed of staff members from various departments, took it upon themselves to create this form in hopes that it would simplify the process of reporting bias-related incidents for students and community members.

The Bias Reporting Form can be found on the Division of Student Affairs webpage on Western’s website. Students that have experienced or heard about a bias-related incident have the opportunity to complete the form online. Within the document, there is an option to remain anonymous and list details of the incident. The CARE Team then reviews the Bias Reporting Form and finds resources for the students involved.

“That’s our primary goal: to support students,” explained Tina Fuchs, Dean of Students and CARE Team Chair. “And continue to evaluate best practices in terms of how we address issues that might be coming up on campus.”

The CARE Team is made up of individuals from several campus departments including Campus Public Safety, the Student Health and Counseling Center, Student Success and the Vice President for Student Affairs. Fuchs explained the importance of this team, stating, “This gives us an opportunity to have all of those experts come in and look at that and do the best we can to support our students. I think by bringing multiple people together to do that, we’re giving them the best opportunities. We’re responding in the best way we can.”

Fuchs explained that the name “CARE” stands for Campus Assessment, Response and Education Team. In addition to supporting student concerns, the CARE Team also gives training and presentations to students regarding working with distressed individuals and responding to information on sexual misconduct. Fuchs emphasized, “We’re not just a response team. We’re also a team that educates.”

President Fuller hopes that the bias reporting form will be an easy and accessible method of incident reporting. When asked why the form is important to have available, Fuller replied, “The process is intended to support our campus values that were reaffirmed in the recent strategic planning process. These values are community, diversity and respect. I believe that all universities, especially Western, have a sacred trust with society to be places that are safe for all members of their respective communities.”

Find the Bias Reporting Form at wou.edu/student and contact Tina Fuchs at fuchst@wou.edu for more information.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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Saving cash on coffee

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

At Home

The cheapest option for starting your day with that morning cup of coffee is ultimately to make it at home. While it may not be as convenient as getting it on the go, the amount you’ll save is incredible. Think about it, you spend maybe $3 to $5 per cup when purchasing one cup of coffee. That money will add up quick.

But even when you are making it at home, there are ways to make that cheaper as well. First of all, buy beans instead of ground coffee. Whole beans stay fresh for a lot longer than ground coffee, so you’ll be able to keep them in your cupboard even longer. One trick for keeping your coffee beans or grounds fresh is to keep them in an airtight container and away from any light, heat or moisture. Avoiding those few things will keep your coffee tasting better longer, and you won’t feel like you have to throw it away too soon.

If you find yourself drinking your coffee too quickly and having to constantly buy more, you’ll find it to be a cheaper option to buy your beans in bulk. Waremart offers this, and if you live further away, you can also find it at stores such as Fred Meyer.

Make just enough coffee that you’re planning to drink. Think about how often you make a full pot of coffee, and then find yourself only having one cups worth. So much coffee has been wasted this way, so think ahead of time and make yourself one cup at a time. Or, you can opt for a french press. Not only does this allow you to regulate how much coffee you make, it gives it a more robust flavor.

That being said, if you do have leftover coffee, save it. It reheats a lot better than you’d think. You could also freeze it and make coffee ice cubes, which is perfect for if you make yourself an iced coffee or any iced drink that you’d like to kick up a notch with a little bit of java.

Perhaps you’re craving coffee that has a little more flavor than your usual drip; there are definitely some at-home options for you too. Purchasing a bottle of flavored syrup that will last you awhile costs about the same as a Frappuccino. And, it allows you to be creative and mix and match different syrups at home.

Coffee Shop

Sometimes, you simply do not have enough time to brew yourself a pot of coffee. When this happens, and you really need that kick of caffeine, most find themselves heading to their favorite coffee shop. While this can undoubtedly get expensive, there are a few key ways you can get away without spending an arm and a leg.

Order your coffee or iced drink with light ice — doing this oftentimes means you will get more beverage for your buck. Places like Dutch Bros confirms this to be true. So next time you order that iced coffee, make sure to do it with less ice — and with more caffeine, preferably.

While you’re at it, Dutch Bros also confirms that adding extra sweetener to your drink comes at no cost. If you’re worried about getting the best deal, might as well amp it up with some extra sweetness, as it won’t have any effect on your wallet.

You can also save money by purchasing your coffee on campus. Both Caffè Allegro and The Press will give you a 25 cent discount if you bring in your reusable coffee cup. While that might not seem like a lot, it can quickly add up if you’re someone who buys frequently.

Get creative with the drink you are purchasing. Sometimes, some shops will have cheaper deals of the day, why not try those? Caffè Allegro gives 25 to 50 cent discounts on their daily specials which are always changing. You can also try to mix up the drink you’re used to getting. For instance, if you like to order a grande iced white mocha at Starbucks, instead order an iced grande triple espresso with four pumps of white mocha. The first one only has two shots of espresso, and is over $4 — while the latter has three shots and is roughly $3. If you choose to get less flavor, it would be even cheaper. Try testing out different combinations like this to get the cheapest option for the same coffee taste you know and love.

And of course, you can always opt to just get a drip coffee, as they are cheapest at any shop. Then, most will supply coffee creamer you can just use for free. During the winter, I would purchase a drip coffee on campus and use the peppermint mocha creamer they had for free. It tasted just like a peppermint mocha, only it was $2 cheaper.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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Dear Ezi

Dear Lazy is the New Black,

Oooo kitty friend! I get you! Senioritis is real, heck even Google Docs recognizes it as a word! I’m not sure if senioritis is what you are experiencing but it sashays on to folks hard during winter term! I know the best way you can combat that is just forcing yourself to start something — other than a new show on Netflix — and stick to it. Once you start something don’t stop till you have a good portion of it done! Starting something is honestly the hardest part, once you get passed that things may be easier!

There are also more complicated things that could be at play, if you feel comfortable I’d make an appointment at the counseling center! If you are a full-time student it is free! The ole’ brain wranglers over there can help with many mental things! They are wonderful and they could help you better than this humble drag queen could ever. I am trained in death drops and lipsync; they are trained in all the things that go on in the old wig holder!

There is no perfect option for anyone, but for some people once they get motivated they don’t stop. Try bribing yourself with coffee or your treat of choice. The caffeine and sugar can help give you energy to do things! Best of luck my dear!

Ezi

P.S Once you get some stuff done you should watch Grace and Frankie, it’s great! BUT only after you get your stuff done.

P.S.S. I am serious!!!

Got a question that you’re dying to ask Ezi? Send them to chealy16@wou.edu.

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
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.

Accessibility Public Records Privacy Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

Keeping it going: men’s team extends win streak to 14

Time for political action

Stay updated on the Tuition Advisory Committee

Helping Western students succeed

Giving a voice to student concerns

Saving cash on coffee

Dear Ezi

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