2018 – Page 65 – The Western Howl

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Western psychology major Haley Morris is using her passion for global health to change the world. In late January, Morris will join a team of students and faculty from various universities on a month-long fellowship in Rwanda to conduct research on reproductive health.

In February of 2017, Morris was notified of the opportunity by her advisor, Western sociology professor Dr. Callero. The highly competitive fellowship, funded by the National Science Foundation, covers all domestic and international living and travel expenses. Morris decided to apply in May of 2017 and was notified that she was one of only nine applicants that received the award.

The program begins at Western Washington University in early January, where the fellowship recipients take classes and learn about qualitative research. At the end of January, Morris and her team leave for the country of Rwanda, where they will conduct research for a full month.

The purpose of the research is to gain a better understanding of the contraceptive programs that the country offers. Morris states that the percentage of individuals using contraception have tripled over the course of ten years, and the implementation of contraceptive use programs in Rwanda is much more successful than neighboring countries. The team hopes to obtain data that can give insight into Rwanda’s success and help other Sub-Saharan countries do the same.

In addition to the benefits this research provides for several African countries, it will also help Morris develop important data collection skills and international research experience. She noted that the opportunity is going to be important for her future endeavors. “Knowing how many doors it’s going to open for me is really, really exciting,” she commented. “After WOU, I hope to get my Masters in global health. Having this experience on my resumé is going to be incredibly helpful when applying.”

Callero explained that education abroad is important in gaining a new perspective on the world. “Most students who experience international education through study abroad report being transformed by the opportunity,” he commented. “When our personal beliefs and parochial assumptions are confronted with an alternative cultural worldview, change happens.”

“It’s really exciting knowing that I get to travel and see and experience things that many people go their whole life without seeing or experiencing,” Morris explained. “This experience is going to blow my mind, and I can’t wait for it to begin.”

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

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New year, new laws

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Over 700 laws were passed in Oregon in 2017, many of which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. Read on for a few examples to become familiar with.

Increased tobacco age

The age at which an individual can purchase and use tobacco products has increased from 18 to 21 with the start of the new year. This law also prohibits the use of vape products, e-cigarettes and other inhalant delivery systems by anyone under the age of 21. Western remains a tobacco and vape-free campus and prohibits the use of these products campus-wide.

Move Over Law

Oregon’s previous Move Over Law required vehicles on the roadway to change lanes or slow down if there are emergency or roadside assistance vehicles on the shoulder of the road. On Jan. 1, this law expanded to include any vehicle that is pulled over with activated hazard lights. If a far lane is available, it is required for drivers to change lanes. If not, they must slow down to at least 5 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. Drivers that do not move over or slow down can face a fine up to $400.

Bottle bill expanded

On Apr. 1, 2017, the deposit value of refundable beverage containers increased from 5 cents to 10 cents. But even more changes to Oregon’s Bottle Bill became effective with the new year. Now, the bill has expanded from only including water, beer, and soft drinks to including almost everything that comes in a container between 4 ounces and 1.5 liters. Exceptions include dairy, wine, distilled liquor, infant formula, and meal replacement drinks. Everything from energy drinks to coconut water is now refundable for a 10 cent deposit.

Process for changing name, sex on birth certificate

Before Jan. 1, individuals that wished to change their name and/or sex designation on their birth certificate had to obtain a court order to prove that they had completed sexual reassignment. Beginning in 2018, House Bill 2673 states that any individual born in Oregon can submit an application to alter their birth certificate to accurately reflect their name and gender identity.

Self-serve fuel

House Bill 2482, passed on June 6, 2017 and officially taking effect Jan. 1, 2018 allows individuals in low-population Oregon counties to pump their own gas. This law does not require gas stations to allow 24-hour self-service, but instead gives them the option to offer it. This policy change follows the 2015 law that stated that individuals in low-population counties – counties with a population of 40,000 or less – may self-serve fuel between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The law applies to counties in Eastern Oregon as well as Clatsop, Tillamook and Curry counties.

Visit oregonlegislature.gov for more information on bills passed in 2017.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

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Meet the Greeks

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

When Greek letters are displayed campus-wide, it can only mean one thing – fraternity and sorority new member recruitment.

There are currently four Greek organizations established on Western’s campus: Omega Delta Phi, Kappa Sigma, Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Delta Chi. Each organization has its own mission, philanthropy and standards that Western students can learn more about.

Omega Delta Phi is a multicultural service-based men’s fraternity with the philosophy “One culture, any race.” The traditional values upheld by the fraternity are unity, honesty, integrity and leadership. According to the Omega Delta Phi national website, individuals in the fraternity aim to “form an organization which not only challenges the traditional perception of fraternities, but also one with deals with the issues of culture and race for a completely new perspective.” Omega Delta Phi’s philanthropy is through Court Appointed Special Advocates, a national organization that provides advocates for abused or neglected children.

Kappa Sigma is a values-based men’s fraternity focused on the four pillars of fellowship, scholarship, leadership, and service. According to kappasigma.org, the fraternity aims to promote the ideal of brotherhood, promote ethical behavior, encourage service to others and contribute to the personal growth of its members. Kappa Sigma’s philanthropy is the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Military Heroes Campaign, which advocates for veterans and men and women wounded in combat.

Kappa Sigma is tabling every day during weeks one and two of winter term to recruit new members. Check them out in the WUC from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for more information on how to join.

Alpha Chi Omega is a social-based sorority on Western’s campus. According to the sorority’s national website, “The real, strong woman is what we aim to help Alpha Chi Omegas become in their four years of college and beyond. It’s what we’re most proud of, and the outcome we’re committed to creating for each member.” The sorority selects its members based on the five national standards of membership: academic interest, character, financial responsibility, leadership ability, and personal development. Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy is domestic violence awareness.

Alpha Chi Omega members will be recruiting in the WUC from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 and again from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18. Stop by for more information on joining the organization.

Kappa Delta Chi is a multicultural community service-based women’s sorority that values unity, honesty, integrity, and leadership. Stated on the chapter website, Kappa Delta Chi members “blossom into committed leaders, are able to network with our remarkable alumnae, and continue to serve as civic leaders well past their graduation.” The national philanthropy of Kappa Delta Chi is the American Cancer Society.

Greek organizations can be an excellent way to get involved on campus. Alpha Chi Omega president Julia Webster comments, “Just joining anything on campus is a great way to stay connected to the community and find your place to fit in.”

Visit OrgSync for more information on Greek organizations and upcoming events.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

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Finding time to be health conscious

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

During this time of year, many people want to begin moving towards a healthier lifestyle. However, the new year also marks the beginning of a new term. As a result, finding the time to cook healthy meals for yourself can seem almost impossible. Luckily, using a slow cooker can make this task far more simple than it seems.

With most slow cooker recipes taking hours to complete, all you have to do is get it started, go about your day and finish whatever you need to do. Then, when you get back, you’ll have a meal prepared that’s ready to go for you, and it required about as much work as going out to eat. It’s also cheaper. So go find yourself a slow cooker and get started on these meals.

Vegan Black Bean Soup

Recipe from emelieeats.com

Drain and rinse six cups of black beans. In the slow cooker bowl, place the beans, 4 cups of vegetable broth, 1 finely chopped yellow onion, 1 finely chopped red bell pepper, 2 chopped jalapenos, 1 cup of salsa or tomatoes, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground pepper, and ½ teaspoon of paprika. Cook on high for six hours, or until the beans are tender. Serve warm and top with avocado and cilantro. Feel free to omit or add any spices or ingredients that you would like.

Stuffed Peppers

Based on a recipe from delish.com

In a bowl, combine one pound of ground turkey with one can of drained black beans, 1 diced tomato, ½ cup of shredded cheese, 1 cup of cooked brown rice, 1 cup of corn, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Stuff 4 bell peppers with mixture, and place them in the slow cooker open side up. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours. Can be topped with avocado, cilantro, and sour cream.

Zucchini Lasagna

Recipe from primeverakitchen.com

In a bowl, mix 15 ounces of part-skim ricotta cheese, 1 egg, ¼ cup of parmesan cheese, and one cup of chopped spinach. Coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Ladle one cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer 5 slices of zucchini on the bottom. Place some of the ricotta mixture on this, and top with a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this process until you’ve used all the slices from 4 medium zucchinis. Top with mozzarella and parmesan. Cover and cook on high for three and a half hours. Turn off the slow cooker and let sit for one hour unopened. Serve warm.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

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Conquering the New Year’s resolution drop-off

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

We’re officially into the second week of the new year. In other words, we’re officially into the part of the year where people begin throwing their resolutions out the window and giving up on their goals entirely.

Like many, you probably started out strong. You kept up with your resolution every single day, and slowly you started allowing yourself to push all of it aside. If this sounds familiar, or you can feel yourself getting eerily close to this outcome, then it’s time to buckle down and focus on ways to stay consistent.

Your outcome often depends on the resolution you set in the first place. If you haven’t set one yet, it’s not too late. Refer to our online article titled “Setting the new year up for success” to learn what makes a proper resolution. However, if you already set one, and it follows all the guidelines of a realistic goal, then you can depend on the fact that with your willpower and determination, an ideal outcome will be reached.

First of all, to maintain your goal, you need to hold yourself accountable. Write down what you want to do and how often, and check it off as you go. Being able to put it in writing that you accomplished what you wanted to do will not only feel rewarding, but it will also be proof to yourself that you’re making progress and make it easier to track. You could even go as far as to put it in your planner. That way, it’s not something in the back of your mind, it’s an actual part of your daily schedule.

However, if you are someone who struggles with reaching goals on your own, you may want to consider looking to a friend. Having someone there to motivate you and keep you pushing will force you to work even harder at whatever your goal may be.

Second, review your resolution. Are you already failing in the second week? Perhaps the problem isn’t you; it may be that you simply set a resolution that is just impossible to reach. This is an easy fix. You can still reach the same goal in smaller increments. For example, if your goal was to workout five times a week, just cut it down to three. If that gets too easy, make it four, and then eventually five. You don’t have to meet your resolution all at once- time things out according to your own ability.

Third, if you’re comfortable enough, make it public. Tell your family, friends, or if you’re feeling courageous, even tell social media what your resolution is. Some people find it rewarding to be able to post updates on what they are doing. Also, you’ll have support from a large group of people who want to see you succeed.

Fourth, don’t let yourself give up. Say your goal was to eat healthy, and you chose fast food every day this year. So what? We all start somewhere. You slipped up, so forgive yourself and move on. Trust in yourself, and trust your determination, and you will start reaching your goal. Even if it’s a slow process, any progress is better than none.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

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Embracing the skin you’re in

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

According to a poll done by ComRes, the top three most common New Year’s resolutions are to “exercise more,” “lose weight” and “eat more healthily.” A common pattern can be found amongst these three that can lead one to make a simple assumption; the majority of those who set these goals are not happy with where their body or health currently is.

Choosing to make yourself healthier is an option that everyone has, and can take up at any time. Deciding to exercise and eat well can be incredibly beneficial to your health and well-being. However, it’s important that during the journey of reaching your resolution, you still choose to be body positive.

The meaning of this term can vary between person to person. While speaking with psychologytoday.com, Mallorie Dunn, founder of the body positive fashion line “SmartGlamour,” noted that to her, the phrase means “accepting the body you have as well as the changes in shape, size, and ability it may undergo due to nature, age, or your own personal choices throughout your lifetime.” She also adds that it’s “the understanding that your worth and what’s going on with you physically are two separate entities.”

While this definition of the phrase can read differently to everyone, the overall point is typically the same — every body is worthy of love and respect. During this time of year, where many people are trying to lose weight and alter their bodies, it can be difficult to remember this. If you are someone who is struggling with body image, there are a couple key things to keep in mind.

Body positivity is not always an easy thing to reach. It takes time, diligence and belief in yourself. It’s not something that everyone automatically has; it’s something that you must actively pursue. It’s your relentless attempt to have a positive body image.

You have to accept the fact that you can appreciate another type of body or appearance, and still love yours as well. Helping others be body positive can be incredibly important. But, still love every part of what makes you who you are, as well.

In the end, it’s okay to admire and accept your body for exactly what it is. It’s also okay to want to change your body — if your intention is for yourself and your own health, rather than the standards set by others. Do what makes you happy, wear what makes you happy and keep striving to have a positive outlook on yourself and the skin you’re in. Love yourself through every stage your body goes through.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

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Last year’s overlooked entertainment

Mitchell Martin | Freelancer

It’s 2018, and that means there are new movies, games, television shows and albums for us to bite into. And while I sit, awaiting the release of “Avengers: Infinity Wars,” Season 3 of “The Magicians” and for all of the Japanese RPG fans out there, “Dragon Quest XI,” I’m not ready to close to door on 2017 and you shouldn’t either.

Last year had some truly great films, but one film, released early on Jan. 23, did not get as much coverage as it should’ve. “Brigsby Bear,” directed by Dave McCary, follows a young man named James Pope, played by Kyle Mooney, a writer for the film, attempting to create the finale for his favorite TV show. The film has a sincere tone for such a dark premise — James was kidnapped at a young age and raised to believed the world is irradiated, his only connection to others being a TV show called Brigsby Bear, secretly made by his kidnappers. He is rescued and introduced to society but can’t seem to let go of the show. If you can get past the second-hand embarrassment you’ll find a truly charming experience. Mooney’s portrayal of James is particularly enjoyable as he nails the socially awkward boy who really just wants to live happily. All in all, give this movie a watch, it’s sure to warm your heart.

2017 also had a ton of good music, but I think the greatest musical crime committed was the lack of hype surrounding the album “Three Movements” from legendary video game composer Manami Matsumae. Matsumae has been in the video game industry for thirty years and is most famous for composing for the original “Megaman” soundtrack. As such, it’s no surprise that her debut album sounds like a classic NES title you never got to play.

The starting track “Choose your hero” is extremely catchy, emulating 8-bit era music perfectly. The songs act like levels in a video game, successfully using guitars and synthesizers to really invoke those memories of jumping from platform to platform and taking on the final boss. Two tracks, “Intermezzo, Part 1,” and “Intermezzo, Part 2,” stand out from the rest. They’re both completely composed using piano, and have a much softer tone which bring about a calmer feel than the other tracks on the album. Overall, Matsumae has a good shot as a solo composer, and I hope she continues to put out more of her own albums.
We had a lot of great big hits in gaming in 2017, one of which is “Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth” for the 3DS. The game is a hardcore old school dungeon crawler which sports map-making and as you venture up labyrinths of the giant tree Yggdrasil avoiding giant foes and slaying monsters. It has brilliant character creation, allowing you pick any hair and eye color you can imagine, 40 different voices, four races, ten classes, and ten portraits per class. The game lacks in story, but easily makes up for it in immersion by carefully playing small events around the map that help to build the world around you. Overall it’s a great addition to the series and a game that should be in any RPG fan’s library.

Contact the author at mmartin17@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.

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Psychology student receives fellowship abroad

New year, new laws

Meet the Greeks

Finding time to be health conscious

Conquering the New Year’s resolution drop-off

Embracing the skin you’re in

Last year’s overlooked entertainment

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