Mount Hood

Navigating cuffing season under quarantine

How to snag a significant other during COVID

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an isolating time for people; being stuck indoors and needing to quarantine after contact has negatively affected the social health of some. Those who participate in cuffing season have suffered the consequences, having to weigh the risk of in person dating against a growing need for physical touch. For those still pursuing that special someone to spend the winter with, here are some tips to keep in mind. 

Video calls and chatting over direct message is the safest option for dating, but the goal of cuffing season is to find a partner to hunker down with in the cold weather. So, before meeting in person for a date, have both partners agree to quarantine for 14 days as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Even after meeting in person, try to keep social circles small to contain the spread of COVID. 

Communication is especially important to stay protected this year. Ask partners about their social distancing practices and recent exposure to large groups. Alongside this, be open and firm about personal comfort levels regarding being out in public.

Go on low-risk dates; at home activities like baking, TV binging and ordering takeout dinners are safest, but there are a few other options. Enjoy a local park by going for a walk or having a picnic — just don’t forget to bundle up. Drive around to see holiday lights or catch a drive-in movie. 

Cuffing season can still go on as long as certain precautions are taken. Be mindful of the health of all those involved so that one another’s company can be enjoyed safely.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Make a wish on the Geminids

The largest meteor shower of the year arrives December 13

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Every year in the middle of December, the night sky glistens with the celestial bodies of the Geminids meteor shower. This meteor shower produces as many as 120 meteors per hour, making this event exciting for both experienced astronomers and novice stargazers. The Geminids peak this year on Dec. 13 and 14 under the nearly new moon. 

To best view the meteor shower, head outside, away from city lights, let the eyes adjust to the dark for about half an hour and look straight up to view as much of the sky as possible. Be prepared for the cold and bring winter jackets, blankets and some hot cocoa to enjoy the show. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Navigating cuffing season under quarantine

Tips for staying sane when visiting family

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an isolating time for people; being stuck indoors and needing to quarantine after contact has negatively affected the social health of some. Those who participate in cuffing season have suffered the consequences, having to weigh the risk of in person dating against a growing need for physical touch. For those still pursuing that special someone to spend the winter with, here are some tips to keep in mind. 

Video calls and chatting over direct message is the safest option for dating, but the goal of cuffing season is to find a partner to hunker down with in the cold weather. So, before meeting in person for a date, have both partners agree to quarantine for 14 days as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Even after meeting in person, try to keep social circles small to contain the spread of COVID. 

Communication is especially important to stay protected this year. Ask partners about their social distancing practices and recent exposure to large groups. Alongside this, be open and firm about personal comfort levels regarding being out in public.

Go on low-risk dates; at home activities like baking, TV binging and ordering takeout dinners are safest, but there are a few other options. Enjoy a local park by going for a walk or having a picnic — just don’t forget to bundle up. Drive around to see holiday lights or catch a drive-in movie. 

Cuffing season can still go on as long as certain precautions are taken. Be mindful of the health of all those involved so that one another’s company can be enjoyed safely.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Take a sip of egg nog when …

The Western Howl Staff

Take a sip of egg nog when …

A family member complains about COVID-19

Someone mentions Kate Brown

A cousin wears a tail to dinner

Any family member impulse-buys off Amazon after a single recommendation

Someone tries to hit the high note in Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and fails

If one of your younger cousins tries to hit the woah 

A family member says the votes need to be recounted

A baby spits up and everyone says ‘awwww’

Your aunty shows off your baby cousin but it’s ugly :/

You film a tiktok (drink again if you post it)

You get socks as a gift

If your uncle brags way too much about the money he saved by going to Disney World during COVID

Your family still decides to invite those “family friends” you hardly know to dinner

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Aries 3/21-4/19  

I’m giving you a coupon to shut up 

 

Taurus 4/20-5/20

Oh look it’s a mug that says C–t and the C is the handle. I thought it matched your personality.

 

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

Unlock your next gift with a healthy donation of $30 

 

Cancer 6/21-7/22

I know you hate cheeseburgers, so I got you a cheeseburger without the cheese.

 

Leo 7/23-8/22

No, I didn’t get you anything. Did I get you???

 

Virgo 8/23-9/22

One (1) free pass to your local occult meeting

 

Libra 9/23-10/22

A stapler and loose staples placed inside neon jello. Useful and delicious! 

 

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

enjoy my half-drunk peppermint mocha 🙂

 

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

What’s that? You don’t want this gag ball?

 

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

I couldn’t afford a gift this year, so I got you this box

 

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

It’s sudoku toilet paper! Figured you needed something to do while you’re in there for an hour

 

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

I hope you enjoy this personalized notebook with a 2-page note I wrote for you and this scrap book and this mug and…

Western student petitions to change University Housing Guest Policy

Students rally behind petition advocating for a change in resident hall guest visitation policies

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

On campus, University Housing has adapted to the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19 by reducing housing capacity, reducing double rooms to singulars, ensuring masks are worn, prohibiting off-campus guests and students from visiting other students if they do not live in the same building.

In response to the current visitation policies, junior English education major Maya Schlosser-Hall created a petition advocating for a change.

“I created the petition because my partner also lives on campus, but in a different building,” said Schlosser-Hall. “The intention of the rule is clear; housing wants to protect their students from possible exposure. I have nothing but respect for housing staff and all the hard work they do. However, I do believe there are other ways of supporting students.”

After creating the petition, Schlosser-Hall received 193 responses. From there, Schlosser-Hall organized a meeting with Tina Fuchs — Dean of Students, Director, University Housing — and Shelly Clark — Associate Director, Residential Education. 

 

“I was expecting to not be taken seriously,” said Schlosser-Hall. “I started the meeting knowing Kate Brown had submitted a two-week freeze over Oregon due to spikes of COVID-19.”

Much to Schlosser-Hall’s surprise, she reported that both Fuchs and Clark were encouraging and adamant in hearing what she had to say.

According to Schlosser-Hall, University Housing is listening to their residents; discussions regarding the policy had already been in process prior to the petition. Additionally, guest policies will be reflected upon prior to every term, and both Fuchs and Clark are taking the petition into deep consideration.

“One of the solutions (given to me by another student) is to think of guests as a resource for other students on campus. Instead of fully opening guest policies, this suggestion asks students to document one or two people they deem necessary for their mental, physical and academic wellbeing,” explained Schlosser-Hall.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Services provided by Valsetz plan to switch online

Valsetz accommodates students opting to stay on campus over the Thanksgiving holiday 

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

During the holidays, most Western students return home to see family and friends. Under current circumstances with the two-week statewide freeze, many students have chosen to reside on campus through the entirety of Thanksgiving break. In a survey sent out by University Housing as of Sept. 13, nearly 25% of the 536 respondents stated they were staying on campus.

During Thanksgiving break, services like Campus Dining will be closed to allow student and staff workers time to enjoy the holiday festivities. However, like years prior to 2020, Campus Dining Services offered provisionals to those students on campus.

“What we end up doing is we ask students to put in an order,” said Albert Worotikan, Director of Campus Dining. “We can provide them with food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) that will stay (good) for three to four days like milk, sandwiches or frozen pizzas that they can order in advance and pick up before we close on Wednesday at 2 o’clock.”

After Thanksgiving break, Worotikan reported that Valsetz plans to convert its services to entirely online orders for the rest of fall term.

“Because some of the students who are coming back might be traveling around, we want to make sure we don’t spread the virus,” said Worotikan. “We will be adding an additional two weeks because we want to ensure the safety of students and staff.”

During that time, students will not be permitted to sit in the dining halls and are expected to continue wearing their masks and remaining six feet apart.

If students who are staying on campus still haven’t submitted their order for the four-day break, Worotikan said that while the deadline has passed, students can email him at worotikana@mail.wou.edu and ask for an extension. Worotikan explained that he too has children and understands that in times like these, extensions are important and students need understanding and support.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

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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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