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Mount Hood

Take a hike on a trail near Western

Hiking trails within an hour of Western

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Living in Oregon offers exceptional opportunities to get out and experience nature. According to alltrails.com, there are almost 2,500 trails to hike, bike, run and horseback ride in Oregon — and there are dozens to choose from that are near Western. Read on for some hike recommendations that are within an hour drive from campus.

 

Baskett Slough (14 minutes away): Featuring a pond and a short climb up Mount Baldy, this 5.1-mile trail is a beautiful hike to do, even on a cloudy day. Keep an eye out for numerous birds as well.

Luckiamute Landing (19 minutes away): An easy walk along the Willamette River, this 3.8-mile trail is great for anyone looking for a quick, relaxing outing.

Calloway Creek (20 minutes away): This short, 2.6-mile hike explores Peavy Arboretum, one of Oregon State University’s research forests. Add a quick loop around Cronemiller Lake, and check out OSU’s logging sports arena.

Davies Nettleton Loop (24 minutes away): This 6.6-mile loop offers nice forest views throughout and a moderate 767-foot elevation gain. Customize with detours at trails like the Old Growth Trail and the Upper Dave’s Trail for more traditional dirt paths.

Dimple Hill (24 minutes away): When accessed via Patterson Road 600, this hike is 4.9 miles long with an elevation gain of 692 feet, though it can be accessed from other trailheads. The top offers great views above the McDonald-Dunn Forest and Corvallis.

Fitton Green Natural Area (36 minutes away): This 5-mile hike caters to those looking for some hills; there is a total elevation gain of 1,190 feet. Great views await those who make the climbs.

Willamette Mission (40 minutes away): This state park has several miles of trails to explore alongside two lakes and the Willamette River. Be prepared for a day-use fee, but feel free to pack a lunch and spend a full day relaxing there.

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Mega Loop (46 minutes away): A hike with many options for customization, this 8.3-mile loop combines five trails throughout the wildlife refuge. The serene, wet prairie landscape is home to an abundance of bird species — perfect for birdwatching.

Be sure to dress according to the weather forecast, and wear a face covering when passing other hikers.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Aries 3/21-4/19  

Gang gang. 

 

Taurus 4/20-5/20

Just … go back to sleep.

 

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

haven’t had coffee yet, pls don’t talk to me

 

Cancer 6/21-7/22

“I wish I could, but I don’t want to.”

 

Leo 7/23-8/22

Out on lunch break, will be back next week 

 

Virgo 8/23-9/22

As the days get shorter, you become your true self. Embrace the dark, baby.

 

Libra 9/23-10/22

No <3

 

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

Some fish can walk out of water, but will they climb trees?

 

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

Hey, I hope you have a wonderful day — you deserve it! Get out there and DEVOUR SOME AVOCADOS.

 

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

Go to bed early tonight, treat yourself to at least 8 hours of sleep 🙂

 

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

Is it just me, or is my FBI man listening a little too well?

 

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

Go ahead and buy that extra sticker for your water bottle. You deserve it. 

Valsetz delivers meals to WOU students testing positive for COVID

Western introduces quarantine meals to campus dining

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Over the course of back-to-school season, many universities are facing COVID-19 outbreaks and are being forced to shut down. Western’s administration observed these outbreaks and planned for fall term accordingly.

Instead of having one move-in day for all new students, Western reduced its numbers to less than two-thirds and had four days designated for move-in. During that time, all students were subjected to COVID testing, and students that tested positive were relocated to Gentle Hall and Butler Hall for isolation purposes.

The people currently living in those halls are receiving “dining accommodations” known as quarantine meals. 

“The quarantine meals were food for the entire day and (were) delivered to them,” said Albert Worotikan, Director of Campus Dining. 

Originally, the food served in the quarantine meals was similar to foods given to students experiencing flu-like symptoms. Students could expect to order things like soup, gatorade, milk or orange juice once a day. However, Worotikan said that after their first weekend starting on Sept. 26, students sent feedback to dining about the quarantine meals. 

According to Worotikan, many of the residents living in the isolation zones have reported to be asymptomatic and requesting food with sustenance. The residents don’t want meals that are designated for flu-like symptoms because the meals are light and not filling.

“Yes, they have the virus, but they still want to eat normal (food),” Worotikan explained.

After a meeting with the Dean of Students and Director of Dining, Tina Fuchs, they completely flipped the system; starting Oct. 5, students living in Butler Hall and Gentle Hall are able to order three regular meals a day under the ‘quarantine meals’ section of the app, Nutrislice, with no additional cost for delivery.

For labor efficiency, campus dining has designated specific times for delivery service, Worotikan said. From 8 to 9 a.m., students can have breakfast delivered, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., students can request lunch to be delivered and from 4 to 5 p.m., dinner can be delivered. The residents are also allowed to order snacks during these times. 

In an effort to reduce physical contact during delivery, dining has also set up a notification system to let the person know when their food has been delivered.

“In our system we would be able to email the individual and let them know that the food has arrived,” Worotikan said. “Also with the way Butler and Gentle is set up, the door is outside. Of course we are also going to wear the face masks as well.”

If students start experiencing symptoms late in the term, they are advised to contact the Student Health and Counseling Center to see if they qualify for testing. If a student does qualify for testing, they will be charged $95 for the lab work. Most insurances cover the testing fee, but if a student doesn’t have insurance they can call 211 for additional resources. 

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

The President of the United States tested positive for COVID

White House begins tracing other potential COVID cases after President’s diagnosis

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

The citizens of America have been enduring the financial, physical and emotional impacts of COVID-19 over the past seven months. Currently, the United States accounts for 21% of the global population’s COVID cases.

On Oct. 2 at 9:54 p.m. (PST) President Donald Trump announced that he and the First Lady tested positive for the virus. Suspicions of potential contraction came after White House Senior Advisor Hope Hicks reported symptoms of the virus at a Trump rally held on Sept. 30.

Following President Trump’s positive diagnosis, the White House launched a massive contact tracing effort, reaching out to the people who were around the First Lady and President within seven days of them testing positive. 

During that time, the President attended multiple events: the Supreme Court Justice Ceremony, the presidential debate, fundraisers and a Trump rally. The White House has since identified nine people testing positive for COVID, including the president’s assistant, Nicholas Luna; R.N.C. Chair Woman, Ronna McDaniel; Senator of Utah, Mike Lee; Senator of North Carolina, Thom Tills; Campaign Manager, Bill Stepien; Kellyanne Conway; President of the University of Notre Dame, John Jenkins; Chris Christie; and White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany. 

All of the people who tested positive are currently receiving treatment if they are symptomatic or are undergoing the Center for Disease Control’s 14-day quarantine guidelines. 

After receiving three days of treatment at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, President Trump was released on Oct. 5. Doctors at Walter Reed say Trump passed all the patient release requirements and treatment can be continued from the White House.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Western’s sidewalk signing adheres to COVID guidelines

Students participate in traditional sidewalk signing despite COVID

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

In the United States, many colleges have traditional ceremonies welcoming new incoming students. Due to COVID-19, many of these activities have been cancelled per social distancing guidelines.

In spite of COVID, Western upheld its tradition of first-years signing their name on the sidewalk by following social gathering regulations put in place by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Compared to prior years, the 2020 sidewalk signing required students to preregister for the event by selecting Oct. 3 or Oct. 4 to participate in the activity themselves, or have a member of PLUS team sign their name. The students who opted for the in-person option were scheduled fifteen minutes apart to maximize social distancing. 

“There’s probably other universities that definitely wouldn’t have the sidewalk signing,” said first-year history major Wyatt Smith. “When I first came here my junior year (of high school) for state track, seeing all the names on the sidewalk was one of the things that drew me here in the first place.” 

Smith went on to say that he believes a lot of universities wouldn’t put in nearly as much effort as Western has to ensure students living on campus still have a great time and are able to interact with other students in a safe way.

According to PLUS team, 163 out of the 750 students living on campus preregistered for the event and they as a team are happy to keep the tradition alive.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Aries 3/21-4/19  

Who else is getting up at 6 a.m. to run? Just me?

 

Taurus 4/20-5/20

Let’s not and say we did…

 

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

Yeah, no I’m going back to bed, later.

 

Cancer 6/21-7/22

Morsmordre!

 

Leo 7/23-8/22

FABULOUS JUST FABULOUS

 

Virgo 8/23-9/22

Mercury is not in retrograde. You can blame Earth for your problems.

 

Libra 9/23-10/22

Have a lovely cup of tea and talk with a stranger

 

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

No Scorp…io

 

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

Contact the author at smartinez17@wou.edu

 

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

Salad is just a vehicle for croutons, thanks for coming to my TED Talk

 

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

Don’t mind me, just going to go casually have a breakdown in the men’s room, thanks.

 

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

“Suck it up and ask for help” – E.M. 2020

Disney’s Affinity War

Discussing the controversy of Disney’s casting 

Sean Martinez | Copy Editor

Now, I’m going to go on record and say that the most complicated relationship in my life is with Disney. As problematic as it can be at times, I still greatly appreciate the things I gain from it — namely Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar — but I also acknowledge that they have an unhealthy obsession with trying to make it to the top of the box office every year. 

Coincidentally, this obsession landed the company in hot water. 

Before Disney released 2020’s “Mulan” exclusively on Disney+ in early September, Disney fans attempted to boycott the film. The problem didn’t have anything to do with the fact that Disney launched a more accurate rendition of the story, or the fact there was an Asian female lead character. Rather, the problem had to do with the actress cast as Mulan, Liu Yifei, and her stance on what’s been happening in Hong Kong.

In June of 2019, residents of Hong Kong protested for pro-democracy when Hong Kong attempted to pass a law that would extradite residents of Hong Kong to China. However, things took a turn when the police retaliated. The situation has gotten so violent that protesters had to use umbrellas to shield themselves from tear gas and other chemical weapons.

In response to the police force’s actions, Liu Yifei shared a controversial post on Sina Weibo, a Chinese blog, that read, “I also support the Hong Kong police. You can all attack me now.”

Perhaps what’s most upsetting about this situation is that Disney finally cast a Chinese American woman to star in a groundbreaking film, but some believe the actress they chose does not represent Asian people in a positive light. 

Sadly, this is not the only casting problem in 2020; another example is the casting of Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano in “The Mandalorian.” 

Again I reiterate: the issue does not concern the fact that Dawson has a mixed diverse ethnic background — it’s about her beliefs. 

In 2019, a lawsuit was filed against the Dawson family when they verbally and physically assaulted a transgender man named Dedrick Finley. Instead of facing consequences for her actions, she’s being rewarded by playing one of the most iconic and strong female characters in Star Wars.

I’m sure there are countless more controversial casting decisions that I’m not yet aware of, but regardless, the message remains the same. Disney needs to prioritize casting accurate portrayals of their characters over the amount of money they wish to make. Casting someone who fits the character’s ethnic background isn’t enough. The problem with Yifei and Dawson is that they have no affinity to their respective characters. Mulan would not condone police brutality in her country, and Ahsoka would not assault someone just because they’re transgender. 

My intention with this piece is not to persuade anyone to not watch these films. Like I said before, I’m a huge Disney fan, and I’m still going to enjoy watching whatever content they produce; it is because I’m passionate about the characters and stories that Disney has created that I want them to strive to do better and succeed, without a cynical penny being spent. 

If Disney can let go of their obsession, and shine a brighter spotlight on characters they’ve misrepresented in the past, they could win back the respect from fans that have left. With a new generation watching these movies, young audiences will have proper role models teaching them valuable life lessons. 

Contact the author at smartinez17@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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