Mount Hood

How the Percent for Art program altered Western’s campus

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

If a stranger were to stroll through Western Oregon University’s campus, they would stumble across many different art pieces of many different mediums: sculptures, tapestries, paintings and more. Oregon’s Percent for Art program is the biggest reason Western’s campus is brimming with art.

Discussions about the program began in Oregon in the year 1975, and by 1977 something that only existed in Marion and Polk counties was extended to a statewide project. The Percent for Art program dictates that when a public construction project is under way, no less than one percent of the project’s funds must be put aside “for the acquisition of public-facing artwork in all state building construction plans with budgets over $100,000,” according to oregonartscommission.org.

The Oregon Arts Commission states that the Percent for Art program places “high quality, accessible, and mostly visible” art where the public can enjoy it. The OAC’s collection now contains more than 2,400 art pieces that represent over 800 artists.

Art for public buildings is collected in one of two ways: existing art pieces are purchased from an artist or gallery, or a site-specific piece is commissioned from an artist. Commissions can be chosen through proposals submitted by artists through either an open call or exclusive invitation. Art pieces are then chosen by a selection committee.

Mike Elliot, the associate director of Facilities Services at Western, outlined the process of choosing an artist.

“It requires setting up a committee to help (with) defining the most appropriate type of art design based on: 1. size of the project, 2. budget of the project (and) 3. appropriate type of art based on the building program and is it new or existing construction.”

A pre-project information checklist for Percent for Art selections, provided by Elliot, states that the selection must consist of one to two representatives of the department where the artwork will be displayed (for example, housing or athletics), one student, one project manager from facilities, a project architect and one landscape architect.

These committees discuss potential art pieces, styles and themes the most appropriate for each building.

“There is a pool of prequalified artists that proposals can be solicited from,” added Elliot. The process for selecting an art piece takes “typically, about 1 year,” according to Elliot.

Elliot also provided forms in which instructions for maintenance of the art piece can be outlined by the artist. These guidelines include sections where the artist can detail handling instructions and “physical qualities for which (Western) should strive in order to maintain the artist’s intent.”

An example of the Percent for Art program is the current renovation of Natural Sciences. According to Western’s website, the renovation budget for the building is six million dollars. Therefore, $67,000 of that budget will go toward buying the art itself, through the Percent for Art program. Originally, $79,000 was set aside, but $7,900 was paid to the Oregon Arts Commission for an administration fee, minus $2,000 for an artists stipend, and minus another $2,100 as contingency.

The Percent for Art program has made a significant impact on Western’s campus, with its newest installation being the flower sculpture in front of the Richard Woodcock Education Center. What installation will the program bring next?

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

“You” and Ted Bundy: Analyzing how society ignores problematic content

Sean Martinez | Freelancer

On Sept. 9, 2018, Netflix introduced the world to a new style of thriller and suspense with a show called “You”. The main character, Joe Goldberg, falls in love with a woman named Beck and makes it his mission to become her boyfriend. But in doing so, he follows her, sees her friends as obstacles and obsesses over her.

While the show captivates its audience, it also sheds light on the social issue of stalking. The show tackles this subject by telling the story through Joe’s perspective, allowing viewers to understand his actions; this has sparked some controversy because it’s easy for people to use this as justification for his actions. The bigger issue, though, is people romanticizing Joe’s character.

Following the show’s success, posts on social media comment on the physical attractiveness of Penn Badgley, the actor who plays Joe. One tweet from @MalikaPlays read, “kidnap me pls,” to which Badgley, under the twitter handle @PennBadgley responded, “No thx.”

However, the issue does not stop with “You”; it continues with an upcoming movie on Ted Bundy’s life: “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.” Scheduled to be released sometime in 2019, the movie trailer highlights the fact that Bundy was a conventionally attractive man, using his charm and charisma to sway people away from the belief he was a serial killer. Zac Efron being casted as Ted Bundy has many people split on the decision.

Humanities and English major, junior Never Retallack, believes that casting Efron as Bundy is “… pushing that charismatic factor a little too far.” She goes on to explain that this choice is “… taking away who Ted Bundy really was (because) it’s Zac Efron playing him.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Jasmine Morrow, a junior English major, thinks casting Efron is “more realistic than anybody else because of how attractive he is and he has a charming side.” With Morrow’s perspective, in order for the movie to capture the accuracy of Bundy, it makes sense to cast someone as idolized as Efron.

Regardless of the controversy, it is possible that Efron will attract many people to this movie. The more people who watch it, the better odds are that people will receive the message. We are entering a new era of television where serious issues are presented on entertainment platforms. Shows like “You” and Netflix’s Jan. 24 release centered around Bundy titled “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” attempt to illuminate, enlighten, and educate audiences on the scope of these topics. But the controversy surrounding them and the tendency for some to warp the stories and misunderstand their messages can lead to the glorification of problematic and malicious people.

 

Contact the author at martinezs17@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of mylifetime.com

Review: Esmé Weijun Wang’s “The Collected Schizophrenias”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Esmé Weijun Wang has attended the prestigious institutions of Harvard University and Stanford University, and has an MFA from the University of Michigan. Wang is the winner of the 2016 Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, a published novelist and an experienced fashion blogger and editor. Wang also has schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

In her book “The Collected Schizophrenias,” Wang includes 13 essays concerning her life and what it’s like to live with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type and late-stage lyme disease. The book starts with the essay “Diagnosis,” wherein Wang describes the science, and controversy, behind her diagnosis and related disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Wang emphasized the importance of her diagnosis, even though some others with mental illness believe that diagnoses can be stigmatizing: “…I’ve always found comfort in preexisting conditions. I like to know that I’m not pioneering an inexplicable condition.”

In another essay, “High Functioning,” Wang discusses with brutal honesty the sensitivity she has about “appearing” ill. “I’m uncomfortable because I don’t want to be lumped in with the screaming man on the bus, or the woman who claims that she’s the reincarnation of God,” Wang wrote. The author wrote about how she often overcompensates with her fashion choices, so she can seem more high-functioning than she often feels.

Other essays cover topics including her choice to not have kids, how her psychosis has affected her life and higher education’s tendency to reject mental illness. Wang writes the fine line between accepting her mental illness as a large part of her life and being frightened of deteriorating and losing control of her life.

Wang’s writing is both relatable and informative — so little is known about schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and misconceptions about the disorders run rampant. Wang’s transparency and eloquent writing style was truly a breath of fresh air for me, a person who also identifies as mentally ill.

“The Collected Schizophrenias” is a courageous and important piece of literature that looks at the complexity of mental illness through an intersectional lens. Wang’s most recent work describes what mental illness is like and reminds readers that a life with mental illness is worth living.

Overall rating: I would strongly recommend this book.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of graywolfpress.org

Western lacrosse thrashes Seattle University

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

The sun began to set over the hills as the Wolves broke from their huddle for the pregame lineup. Standing shoulder to shoulder in their icy white uniforms and matte black helmets, the Wolves looked ready to dominate in their first home match of the regular season on Feb. 16.

Hoots and hollers rang out from the Western bench as the players knelt for the opening faceoff. Within seconds of the starting whistle, it became obvious that the 0-0 score would be the closest the Redhawks would be to keeping this game close.

After winning the opening faceoff, the Wolves swept the ball around to the back of the goal to let senior attackman Andrew Barnett begin to pick apart the defense. Minutes later, the Wolves found their way onto the scoreboard.

From that point forward, it became evident that Seattle University was no match for Western. With every pass the offense threw, another Western player waved their stick to signal they were open. Once the pass connected, a blisteringly quick shot found its way to the back of the net. At the end of the half, Western stood tall over the Redhawks, 16-0.

With the game already essentially over, the Wolves started to ease up on Seattle University. The final quarters highlighted Western’s restraint and their drive to improve. After putting up 16 points, the Wolves shifted their focus from hammering the back of the net to improving their offensive gameplay.

In the two games leading up to the home-opener, the offense seemed to have been struggling, only able to put up an average of six goals a game. But now with score heavily in Western’s favor, the Wolves wanted to ensure their offense was running as it should.

“The ball movement was a lot better,” said senior history major Alex Eidler. “Everyone was on the same page, and there was not as much selfish play. It was good.”

“I think we’ve got a lot of work to do, but it’s starting to come together. Once we learn to come together as a team, we’ll start playing better,” added Barnett.

On the other side of the field, Western’s defense was also a main influence on the lopsided win. The first and only goal the Redhawks scored was deep into the third quarter on the heels of a fluke play.

After snatching the ball and rocketing down the sideline, first-year goalie Wyatt Livengood was knocked out of bounds, later to be flagged for a delay of game. Being sent to the penalty box, the Wolves were forced to play in a man-down situation with a backup goalie. A powerful shot snuck past the Wolves, leading to a single smudge on an otherwise perfect day for the defensive unit.

“It was a good game, but kind of boring. We weren’t on defense a lot but it was still good,” said Livengood on the blowout win. “I think the defense played really well. I think the defense is what kept us in the last two games as well as tonight.”

As the final horn sounded, the Wolves were on top 23-1. Five different Wolves posted hat tricks, having scored three or more goals. Further, Livengood was credited with a statistical shutout having had six saves and not given up a goal. This victory marks the first home win for the Wolves as well as the first regular season win.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Cora McClain

Western’s new club sport: Women’s Volleyball

Mikaela Wong | Staff Writer

Another recent development in Club Sports has emerged — Women’s Volleyball. Started by multiple students who were interested in playing year-round for fun, the club is off to a strong start.

In the weeks since its inception as an official club, Women’s Volleyball has gathered 13 players. The team has already found its way onto the court by hosting weekly practices in the Health and Wellness Center. Along with this, the team has acquired a coach, junior exercise major Michael Burns, and is currently looking into holding friendly scrimmages with other local teams such as Willamette University.

“We just want it to be fun and give a chance to people who are interested in volleyball to be able to do it. That’s our main focus,” said Tatianna Brock, a senior psychology major who helped start the club and is currently co-president.

“I think a lot of people … get really involved in volleyball in high school and then go to college and say ‘what now?’ Because yes, there are intramurals, but that only happens for a couple weeks out of the year,” added Brock about how the club hopes to be a good transition from high school competitive sports to more recreational activity.

Many of those who know the struggle of wanting to continue their love for their sport without playing for the school can relate to Brock.

“That’s what happened to me. I got out of high school and knew I loved volleyball but I didn’t really want to play competitively at a college — I’m not really at that level yet,” Brock explained.

At the end of Winter Term, Brock is graduating from Western, but hopes the team of mostly first-years carry on what has been laid down as foundation for the club.

“We want this club to get to the point where we feel confident playing other schools and in tournaments,” Brock added. “I wish there was something like this when I was a freshman.”

Currently, the club does not have any matches scheduled but does still practice regularly, offering perspective athletes the chance at something a little more competitive than intramurals. Students can join the club or learn more information on IMLeagues.com/wou.

 

Contact the author at mwong16@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Incidental fee proposed for 2019-2020 school year shows widespread cuts

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

When students receive their bills from the university each term, there is a charge entitled “incidental fees” that appears.

According to Western’s webpage, every student who is enrolled at the university for at least 12 credits is required to pay an incidental fee, and this fee is lessened for students who are only enrolled part-time.

While this fee may seem random and frustrating for those who don’t understand its purpose, it is actually something that students can have a say in creating.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the Incidental Fee Committee met on Feb. 15 to determine the preliminary budget for this fee: $375 per term per full-time student, a $12 increase from the 2018-2019 academic year.

Rachel Rhodes, a senior communications major and one of the seven members of the IFC, shared what the purpose of the IFC is at Western.

“We do a review of the budget proposed from all the department heads. And then we decide where the money should go,” said Rhodes.

When looking at the budgets for different organizations by various department heads, Rhodes also shared that there are two different types of budgets that can be proposed.

“There’s their operating budget, and then they can ask for enhancements… outside projects, an extra travel trip, an upgrade to their building, whatever that is for them,” said Rhodes.

With the 2019-2020 IFC budget in particular, Rhodes shared that there was a significant outside voice who helped to determine how much money would be spent: President Rex Fuller.

“We were actually asked by the president not to up the fee more than five percent, and he said that if it was up more than five percent than he wouldn’t approve it. So that was our goal,” said Rhodes.

Having constructed their preliminary budget, Rhodes also noted that people who look over the spending plan may notice significant cuts.

“We cut almost every budget operationally, and that’s because the inflation was so much that, if we fully funded everyone, the fee would have gone up way more,” said Rhodes. “I think becoming the most affordable school in Oregon means you have to make cuts that scare people — like cuts to ASWOU or cuts to athletics — cuts to areas that people might question or that people might not like, but we had to make some hard decisions.”

In addition to the rising costs for both building operations and student workers, due to an increasing minimum wage, Rhodes noted another cause for the fee’s increase.

“It’s a rough subject to talk about right now, but enrollment is down,” said Rhodes. “So, we’re looking at ways to bring in more students, but it’s hard for the same number of students to pay for what more students paid for last year.”

In looking at the new funding sources that they approved for the upcoming year, Rhodes stated that IFC was very selective in their enhancements.

“We wanted to be mindful that we’re cutting operational budgets but we’re giving other organizations money to enhance their programs,” said Rhodes. “So we granted some enhancements to new clubs … because we wanted to help foster those new clubs.”

Having decided the preliminary budget, the next step for the IFC is to host hearings so that members of the community could advocate for programs that are important to them. With this process ahead, Rhodes encouraged all students to make their voices heard so that it will not merely be those directly benefitting from a certain fund who are making their voices heard.

The two open hearings will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center, and Friday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. in RWEC 101. After these hearings, the IFC will present their budget to the ASWOU Senate, the Board of Trustees and President Rex Fuller before it can be finalized.

Students can also voice their opinions through a survey at wou.edu/ifc/news.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Infograph by Brittany Figueroa

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