Mount Hood

‌Five impactful TEDTalk videos on YouTube

Explore vulnerability, personal power and strength in these TEDTalks

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

As the new year begins, lists of resolutions and affirmations are being crafted, big changes are being made and we all continue to adjust to our new normal. With content being created and released left and right across platforms, it can be hard to sort through all the options available. TEDTalks are well-known ⏤ having been hosted all across the world ⏤ with speakers who describe compelling and moving stories of their experiences. Here are some videos that may help provide some perspective on topics like vulnerability, gaining confidence and releasing fear while bravely moving forward. 

 1. “How not to take things personally?” by Fredrick Imbo. TEDxTalks. (March 4, 2020)

Looking to help grow people’s communication skills and support them in their experiences, Fredrick Imbo has embarked on his own journey of learning to not take things personally, after struggling with it in different situations both personally and professionally. In order to confront the ways in which he wanted to grow, he took a job as a referee and kept making meaningful changes along the way. 

2. “To overcome your challenges, stop comparing yourself to others” by Dean Furness. TED. (June 8, 2020) 

After Dean Furness lost the use of his legs in an accident, he had to adopt a new mindset that freed him from the restraints of comparison, which helped him get better day by day. Exploring new definitions of his “personal average” helped him reach his best when all judgment and comparison were released unconditionally.

3. “How to become your best when life gives you the worst” by Peter Sage. TEDxTalks. (July 15, 2019)

Peter Sage spent six months in one of the United Kingdom’s toughest and most violent jails as the only civil prisoner there. Through his experiences, he gained friends, countless stories and a national award for his work that improved the lives of prisoners. With his unique knack for storytelling, he guides people on how to get through some of the hardest times in life while staying authentic. 

4. “Finding Home Through Poetry” by Najwa Zebian. TEDxTalks. (Nov. 29, 2016) 

World traveler and poet Najwa Zebian uses her vivid language and spoken word poetry to describe her experience of growing up in many different countries, and how she often struggled to find a place where she felt fully at home. Through her captivating words and experiences, she redefines what a home is, and how to find belonging in the ways that matter most. 

5. “The power of vulnerability” by Brene Brown. TED-Ed. (July 10, 2013)

In Brene Brown’s study of human connection, she goes one step further and explores how empathy, love and genuine connection shape our experiences as people. While on a journey that explored people’s humanity and inner workings, she also had to be vulnerable with herself in order to go further. 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

‌10 scrapbooking tips and tricks to try out

A well-loved pastime is making a comeback in 2021 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Scrapbooking has been cherished by many types of people, and one of the beauties of the craft is that it’s open for anyone to enjoy. It can be used to remember the passing years and fun times and can be incorporated into cards, letters, journals and photo albums alike. The art form has been used for centuries to capture important moments and faces filled with smiles. In past times, some people would compile scrapbooks throughout the years for their children ⏤ occasionally gifting them on their wedding day or important birthdays. It can also be used as a thoughtful way to commemorate a loved one who has passed away. 

Although not as many people are utilizing scrapbooking nowadays, the craft can be explored individually but can be enjoyed with company such as groups, retreats or classes. The world of scrapbooking can be intimidating; there is no one “right” way to scrapbook, and the most important part is to have fun with it and to see where it goes. That being said, there are a few tips and tricks that can make the activity easier to explore:

  1. If a traditional scrapbook isn’t available, any drawing booklet, old journal or photo album will work just fine. 
  2. Reduce, reuse and recycle. Most materials used can be found around the house or bought at thrift stores and yard sales.
  3. Pick a color scheme and a theme. If using photos, the rest of the page layout can be inspired by colors or details in the pictures. 
  4. If using older photos with limited or no copies, it can be best to leave them as is or to cut them in traditional shapes like squares or ovals. If they are more recent photos, consider developing extra pictures.
  5. Thicker cardstock paper works best for backgrounds since it withstands materials like thick markers, lots of tape and paint. Pictures from magazines, newspaper clippings and drawings all work too. Put unused scraps in a resealable plastic bag to avoid a mess.
  6. Journaling highlights and details from the event, memory or photo can be a good jumping-off point for a page, which could include the location, date, weather, favorite parts and the people involved. 
  7. If the page layout doesn’t include journaling and isn’t quite centered around one theme, quotes from books, movies, tv shows or lyrics can be used to balance the design. 
  8. For an added design element, include dried or pressed flowers or leaves, or embellish with bits of fabric, ribbon, stickers, paint and different writing techniques.
  9. Using textured paper adds a little pop to the page, and envelopes can double as pockets for photos or journaling snippets. Two-page layouts add extra space.
  10. Don’t glue or tape things right away; lay it all out and experiment with the design. Double-sided tape works best when layering, and glue sticks work better with paper.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Like, comment and subscribe to these lifestyle channels

Eight lifestyle YouTubers to check out today

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

YouTube has a massive array of channels that cater to any and every type of viewer. Even within the subsection of lifestyle channels, there is something for everyone ⏤ from beauty and fashion to health and wellness. Look up these lifestyle YouTubers and see the creators who need to be added to the subscription feed. 

cup of jasmien: Jasmine Chan shares her creativity through painting, tattoos, makeup and many more artistic outlets. Chan also offers a look into her personal life in discussing such topics as her art school experience, working and confidence. 

bestdressed: Ashley Rous is all about fashion. Rous shares her aesthetics and crafting skills through sewing and thrift shopping with an added dash of dry humor.

Ris Igrec: Ris Igrec’s channel has something for everyone. As a Yale University student, Igrec shares both her struggles and her exploration with things like style and decor while maintaining humor throughout. 

sini시니: Lee Sini makes fun vlogs ⏤ most of which are mukbangs, or eating videos. Lee also goes shopping, cooks and styles her and her friends’ hair.

효뎡 Dyeong: Hyo Dyeong shows of her cooking skills in her vlogs. With the large variety of home-cooked meals Hyo makes, viewers can be inspired to cook something of their own as well.

Annette Kim: Annette Kim shares numerous aspects of her life with her audience; from her daily routines, to her quarantined activities, to her vacations, Kim has a video for any type of viewer.

Jelian Mercado: Jelian Mercado is a single mother with an eventful life to share online. Mercado vlogs many aspects of her family’s daily routines and also adds some extra fun with challenge videos.

Halle Burns: As a college student, Halle Burns makes content that many of us are familiar with. Burns has an optimistic tone throughout her videos while being very open about her experiences and challenges.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Five resolutions to revel in this new year

Kick off 2021 with these New Year’s resolutions

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

The start of 2021 brings about a new sense of determination in the form of New Year’s resolutions. Though some may be just for fun, this time of year is also a great opportunity to think about trying some practical self-improvement resolutions. Here are five New Year’s resolutions to consider adding to the list and a few tips to help achieve them. 

Get more sleep: According to Georgia State University, getting enough sleep — approximately nine hours for college students — is important to improving concentration and memory, rejuvenating energy and strengthening the immune system. In order to get a better night’s rest, healthline.com says to create a sleep schedule that involves going to bed and waking up at around the same time every day. Set a recurring alarm on one’s phone, and be sure to plan ahead for school projects that may otherwise take away from sleep. If sleep is difficult, try turning off electronics at least 30 minutes before bed, avoiding caffeine in the evening or taking melatonin. 

Start saving money: Whether it’s for a house down payment, retirement or a rainy day fund, saving money is a great habit to start as soon as possible. To begin, set up a savings account at a trusted bank or credit union. Then, as thebalance.com recommends, transfer a set amount out of each paycheck into savings; even if this can only be a small amount, saving any money is better than saving no money in preparation for the future. 

Get organized: Decluttering and keeping organized can decrease stress while increasing productivity as stated by organizedmindandlife.com. Start small with just the desk or closet; throw out things deemed unnecessary and use containers to organize like items. Keep things organized by doing a little cleaning every day as opposed to letting it pile up overtime. 

Go vegetarian: According to healthline.com, going vegetarian has health benefits, including lower cholesterol and improved cardiovascular health, and environmental impacts through supporting animal rights and decreasing the need for factory farming. If cutting out meat all at once is challenging, try participating in “Meatless Mondays.” Also stock up on plant-based alternatives to one’s favorite meat products in order to curb cravings. 

Reduce time on social media: Social media is all but an addiction for many of us, yet curbing time spent on social media can be beneficial to mental health says healthguide.org. Set aside a specific amount of time to spend on social media per day — 30 minutes for example — and utilize screen time apps to help. Also try turning off notifications for certain apps and muting or unfollowing accounts that don’t bring happiness. Deleting social media altogether is another option, though depending on one’s attachment to their feed, this may be a goal to work up to.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Out with the old in the new year

Where to donate and sell old clothing items

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Starting the new year off with a clean closet can be refreshing and stress relieving. If getting rid of old clothes is on the to-do list, check out these places ⏤ both local and online ⏤ where gently used clothes can be sold or donated. If dropping off clothing in person, be sure to mask up and follow the location’s COVID-19 regulations. 

Many cities have Goodwill drop off locations, including nearby in Independence at 1475 Monmouth St. Meanwhile, Dallas, Salem, Albany and Corvallis, among many other cities, have Goodwill stores where donations can be turned in. Though the donor doesn’t receive payment this way, they may earn a tax deduction or in-store coupons if offered. 

Salem has quite a few other thrift stores that take clothing donations. Willamette Humane Society Thrift Store and Salem Friends of Felines both support animal shelters with their selling of thrifted donations. Both stores are currently taking donations by appointment only; contact Willamette Humane Society at 503-362-6892 and Salem Friends of Felines at 503-689-1759 to schedule. 

There are also Union Gospel Mission and Salvation Army locations in Salem. Drop off donations to Union Gospel Mission to support their therapy program at 885 Commercial Street NE. The Salvation Army is open for donation drop offs that fund their adult rehabilitation programs at 642 Lancaster Drive NE.

Plato’s Closet will pay patrons for their donations, and there is a Salem location at 3884 Center Street NE. Check their website or call them at 503-362-3778 to see what styles of clothes they are currently in search of. 

Clothes can also be sold from home on apps and websites. Apps like Depop, Poshmark, Mercari and ThredUP each have their own unique layouts and styles for selling clothing to cater to all kinds of users. Facebook Marketplace and ASOS Marketplace are websites that can be used to make a quick buck as well. Social media accounts can also be made specifically for selling old clothes locally. Some online stores take a percentage of each sale made, so be sure to read the fine print and choose which site works best personally. 

Getting one’s closet cleaned out can help start the new year off on the right foot. Do some extra good by earning some extra funds or donating to a local thrift store with a meaningful cause. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Aries 3/21-4/19  

Is that an expired COVID vaccine in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? 

Taurus 4/20-5/20

2021 is 2012 backwards but at least this time I’m prepared to die

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

what’s your favorite absurd way to package wine? mine’s canned

Cancer 6/21-7/22

*claps hands with Libra*

Leo 7/23-8/22

Just send them to the Bermuda Triangle and we won’t have these problems anymore

Virgo 8/23-9/22

a tubular optical instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer obtains an otherwise obstructed field of view

Libra 9/23-10/22

If you’re about to spend the stimulus money on things you don’t need and you know it, clap your hands!

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

I’m not saying I hate you, but I’d unplug your life support to charge my phone

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

I can drink (responsibly) now

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

Glad we’re still in the peppermint mocha stage of seasonal beverages

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

nobody: 

absolutely nobody: 

pharmacist: destroys 500 vaccines because just anyone can be a pharmacist

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

The amount of serotonin I get from drinking out of odd shaped mugs is unnatural.

Approved IFC fee application makes historic changes for student run committees

ASWOU and WOU administration debate over IFC fee application leads to new Oregon Legislation proposals 

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

The Associated Students of Western Oregon University and Western administration have concluded their debate over fee application for winter term. 

As a result of the actions of administration, ASWOU is working with Oregon legislators to improve the current Oregon statue that is supposed to protect and guarantee student autonomy over incidental fees.

“Much of the problem is that the law as written now provides the opportunity for an institution to ‘pocket veto’ the student fee through inaction and enough delays,” said Oregon Student Association Executive Director Andrew Rogers in an article written by Oregon Public Broadcasting. 

During the discussions fee revision, ASWOU President NJ Johnson reports delayed action and staling of IFC processes by President Rex Fuller.

“We had sent the fee request on Nov. 25,” said Johnson, “ We needed … for him to respond to the fee request by Dec. 9.”

At the time President Fuller was sent the request, he had no authority to approve the fee in its entirety. However, in an emergency Board of Trustees meeting held on Dec. 8, the committee gave Fuller temporary permission to approve the IFC fee. According to President Johnson, President Fuller was asked to approve the fee by 1 p.m. on Dec. 9, and reports receiving a response around 12:34 p.m that day. Instead of approving the fee Fuller questioned aspects of the proposal.

“He had two weeks to ask questions,” said Johnson, “All of the questions asked were just meant to stall our process so that a potential HECC appeal would have been nullified. We’d be in a position where we have to accept the university’s offer for another stimulus. A stimulus that wouldn’t be able to sufficiently fund the programs that we needed to.”

At that time, ASWOU was in the process of filing a second appeal to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to have a third party evaluate the administration’s rejection of the IFC fee. 

The first appeal was written in September after the IFC was denied consultation with the Board of Trustees to discuss formatting their fee so that it reflected a campus attending classes 95% online. The appeal was ultimately withdrawn by ASWOU after Fuller stated that the IFC would receive a negotiated million dollar deal on the condition they withdraw their appeal to HECC. ASWOU filed their second appeal later that afternoon on Dec. 9, after their discussion with Fuller.

Following the HECC appeal, Johnson received an email from Fuller saying he would charge the IFC fee.

“For the IFC it seemed that we appealed and there was an attempt to stall us, but we didn’t let it stall us,”  said junior communications major and IFC chair Makana Waikiki. “The president then realized that we were very serious and prepared to move along with the HECC appeal.”

Waikiki explained that it appeared the administration didn’t want ASWOU to make the HECC appeal, so they agreed to charging the IFC fee. Never in Western’s IFC history has a fee established for the year been changed in the middle of that fiscal year. Although a monumental moment for student autonomy, Johnson expressed how disappointed he was that the fee was only accepted after legal action was taken.

“It’s a disappointment that so much effort and time has to go into retaining our rights as students,” said Johnson.

For the upcoming term, regardless of modality and amount of credits being taken, all students will see an flat rate IFC fee of $150 on their bill in comparison to their previous two tier fee system approved back in Apr. 2020. This fee charged students over $200 depending on course load.

In a press release issued on Dec. 16, ASWOU calls for students to participate in the new legislative process taking place within Oregon law. To be involved in the statewide student effort to pass legislation which regulates student fees, contact Oregon Student Association at andrew@orstudents.org to learn how to advocate for student voices.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Press Release: IFC fee autonomy is a win for student voices

President Johnson outlines IFC’s success against obstruction and clears up misinformation about the Incidental Fee

NJ Johnson | ASWOU President

Dear Campus Community,

The ASWOU Incidental Fee Committee will be charging a flat student incidental fee of $150 for winter term to all WOU students and President Fuller has confirmed that this will be collected by the University. This fee funds vital resources and programming such as the food pantry, student government, multicultural groups, and activities-based clubs which, during this pandemic, remain just as essential to the success and well-being of WOU students as ever.

I would like to thank the hundreds of students who took part by giving feedback in this process. While our campus community is a vibrant and diverse group of individuals with different perspectives, the overwhelming sentiment we heard was that students wanted us to protect funding for student jobs, access to the food pantry, multicultural groups and resource centers, student government, and activity-based clubs.

Just as they did earlier this year regarding Fall term’s incidental fee, President Fuller and his office attempted to obstruct this student led, democratic process this term. We filed an appeal with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and soon after, Administration officially recognized ASWOU’s fee autonomy regarding our right to fund these student led programs and resources. Amidst a host of other attacks on the rights of our faculty, staff, and students coming from President Fuller, this acknowledgement of the student voice is a huge win for this year.

Given some of the false information that President Fuller’s staff has been directed to spread to students, we wanted to provide some factual context regarding the student incidental fee.  First, this fee is less than the original fee that the vast majority of students would have paid were it not for social distance learning.

Second, while administration has targeted graduate students with the false assertion that this is a change to the structure of fees that Graduate students pay, the fact is that there is no change to whether graduate students take part in paying the incidental fee and are able to benefit from these paces and services it provides. Graduate students are often exploited by administration both as students and as workers, we acknowledge this unique circumstance and reiterate that we as ASWOU are here to fight for your rights and interests.

Third, this fee is the only amount of money you pay into WOU that students have democratic control over. We share the student body’s concerns regarding the cost of tuition and fees at WOU; a large amount of the work ASWOU does is in advancing legislative initiatives to combat the cost of attendance at WOU. Because of our commitment to fighting to keep the cost of attendance at WOU down, we have directed the Oregon Student Association to introduce legislation which will increase transparency and regulation around all fees that students pay, both the incidental fee and the large host of other fees which students currently have no democratic control over.

We encourage students to get involved in the incidental fee process in the upcoming terms through attending our hearings, filling out the survey forms we send out, and contacting ASWOU officials, whose email addresses can be found here. Information and updates can be found on ASWOU social media and wou.edu/ifc. We also ask students interested in more transparency around the large amount of fees charged to students at WOU to get involved this winter in working to pass state-level legislation which would better regulate student fees at public universities and colleges in Oregon. If you would like to be involved in the statewide student effort to pass legislation which regulates student fees, please contact Oregon Student Association at andrew@orstudents.org for info on how to do so.

Make no mistake that more work lies ahead to protect the legal autonomy students must retain in the process of assessing and distributing incidental fees. The overwhelming majority of students have expressed to us the importance of protecting the areas funded by the incidental fee and the rights students hold over this process. ASWOU will continue to ensure that students are kept updated on these matters and encourage every student to engage in the process for Spring 2021 and the 2021-22 academic year. Remember that when students are heard, students win.

For more information, contact ASWOU President NJ Johnson by emailing at aswoupresident@mail.wou.edu or by phone at (503) 838-8555

Two days left to enter the #SafeHolidaysOR Student PSA Contest

Governor Brown asks Oregon students to design PSAs on how to safely celebrate the holidays

Cora McClain | Editor-In-Chief

While the weather outside is frightful, the rise in Oregon COVID-19 cases is far less delightful. The easiest way to spread COVID is through large gatherings, even if those gatherings are with friends and family. The fact of the matter is, traditional ways of celebrating the holidays are less safe for everyone involved. 

The Oregon Health Authority has said that people in their 20s continue to be the most likely to test positive for COVID. To raise awareness, Governor Kate Brown launched the statewide COIVD-19 #SafeHolidaysOR Public Service Announcement video contest. The contest entails any and all Oregon students to answer the question “How Do You Plan to Celebrate the Holidays Safely?” in a 30 seconds or less. 

Whether a student attends a school located in Oregon or lives in Oregon while attending school out of state, any K-12 and college student is eligible to enter. Governor Brown will choose the winners of the contest, share the videos across her social media platforms and invite the winners to a video chat with her. 

The deadline for these videos is Dec. 18. There’s only a couple of days left to enter; so, if you are interested, get your video in soon.

A student can enter by submitting a PSA in video format through their form. If there are any issues submitting your video, email your submission directly to Sarah Dean at Sarah.Dean@Oregon.gov along with your name, city, school, and PSA title. 

Rules:

PSA Videos must:

  • Answer the question: “How Do You Plan to Celebrate the Holidays Safely?”
  • Be 30 seconds or less.
  • Observe proper physical distancing and other public health recommendations.
  • Be student created. An adult may assist with the video editing and filming, but the content must be student created.

PSA Videos must NOT:

  • Use music that is copyrighted. Royalty-free music websites such as freeplaymusic.com offer songs that can be used without violating copyright.
  • Use images of any kind that are copyrighted. Royalty-free image websites such as pixabay.com provide images that can be used without violating copyright.
  • Include violations of physical distancing or other COVID safety requirements.
  • Contain non-factual information, content promoting hate or discrimination, or other offensive content.
  • Include audio, images, or other footage of other people without their permission, and, if the video includes minors, without their parent/guardian’s permission.

PSAs that do not comply with contest rules will be disqualified. 

By submitting, you consent to have your submission featured on Governor Brown’s social media accounts. If your video is selected, you and your parent/guardian, if applicable, may be required to sign permission form.

For more information and ideas to include in your videos, visit the official My Oregon News article on the contest.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Some examples of the video PSA from The Western Howl staff below!

“My immediate family and I are doing all of our gift shopping online.”

– Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

“I’m going to be celebrating Christmas with my roommates by watching a ton of movies throughout the day.”

Sean Martinez | Copy Editor

“I’m staying safe this holiday season by staying home as much as I can.”

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

Polk County Warming Centers celebrates its third season of service

Warming centers continue to provide temporary sleeping accommodations to Polk County’s homeless population

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

During the winter months, Oregon temperatures can drop below freezing at night, leaving those without a place to call home exposed to the elements. Starting in 2017, a group of pastors around Polk County identified the growing need for temporary housing within the area.

“A few pastors and I were having a meal at Rock-N-Rogers when a young gentleman walked in   needing a place to stay,” said Pastor Matt Smucker of Praise Assembly Church and co-founder of the Polk County Warming Centers. “We, through the course of the day, realized we don’t have any shelter options in Polk County.”

Determined to help a community in need, Smucker explained that he and Monmouth Christan Church Pastor Sean Bitzer reached out to the Director of the Family and Community Outreach Program, Brent DeMoe, and began drafting a grant proposal to fund the Warming Center in Polk County. According to Smucker, their initial ask was $12,000, but they were pleasantly surprised when they received $25,000.

 “It really allowed us to do so much more that first year,” explained Smucker. “We were able to get a trailer, to get all of the equipment, mattresses and even to start paying our overnight hosts a stipend to oversee the program that night.”

Under their current model, the Warming Center rotates through seven churches in the communities of Dallas and the IndyMo area — each location on call for a two-week period — rather than having a designated facility. According to their website, this was done to avoid overburdening any singular faith community or resource partner. 

The Warming Center season runs from Nov. 1 through March 31, and is active on nights when the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing, housing a maximum of 25 people. This year, Smucker says that they are trying to open up more on nights that are above freezing when weather conditions are particularly wet or stormy. The center welcomes singles, couples, families and people with animals.

“We want to have as low a barrier as possible,” said Smucker. “We want to make sure that everyone is able to be safe and warm on nights that get below freezing, because death from exposure is a real threat.”

According to Smucker, a resident of Polk County passed away from hypothermia on the streets in Independence about four years ago.

To abide by COVID-19 regulations, the Warming Center now takes people’s temperature before admitting them into the church. According to Smucker, the Warming Center has been able to partner with some hotels in Polk County to temporarily house and quarantine anyone running a fever of 100.4 °F, in accordance with the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, for community members permitted into the church, all beds are placed 10 feet apart to ensure maximal social distancing.

“We need to still address this emergency need even though we are still dealing with COVID,” said Smucker. “We are trying to put in the best practices of keeping people safe with masks, distancing, cleaning procedures and things like that.”

Smucker says he firmly believes that the Warming Center is an essential service for the community that needs to keep running, but safely. Despite current circumstances, the Warming Center has continued to receive volunteers and could always use more.

“I found out about the Warming Center through Polk County Service Integration,” said new volunteer Ramon Martinez. “I just think that this is an important initiative that’s being done. We’re not in the big city, but the reality is that there are some folks in our community that do need a place to stay.”

Martinez explained that the Warming Center is not only a place to stay, but also a place that helps people get on their feet. The center acts as a resource to help an individual get access to information that improves their overall quality of life. Depending on volunteers, guests also are served snacks and hot meals.

To learn whether the Warming Center is open, check their website www.polkwarming.weebly.com, or their Instagram page @polkwarming. If someone needs transportation to their sites or wants to donate items, call 503-949-4987 to speak with Annie. Currently, they need granola bars, packaged nuts, menstrual care items, Christmas gifts, wool socks and hats, gloves, hand warmers, medicated chapstick, bath and hand towels, disposable drink and plateware, soda, peanut butter and jelly and anything water resistant. 

For volunteer opportunities, contact them via Facebook or Instagram @polkwarming. 

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

15 films to close off the year

Scope out some of the newest December films

Natalie Dean | Entertainment Editor 

There’s no shortage of memorable movies that have been released this year, and new flicks are still being produced through December for anyone to enjoy during the holidays. Ranging from action movies, thoughtful tales and lighthearted family films, all these films can help make a cold night feel more comfortable. Plus, staying at home, kicking back with some cocoa and throwing something on the big screen sounds like a pretty solid way to close off the year. 

Here are 15 movies that are sure to keep everyone occupied during winter break and help beat any boredom. Most of these films are or will be available on video streaming services, and some can be found in select theaters after their release date. 

 

  1. “The Sound of Metal” (Dec. 4) (Amazon Prime Video)
  2. “Let Them All Talk” (Dec. 10) (HBO Max)
  3. “Songbird” (Dec. 10) (Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes and Youtube )
  4. “The Prom” (Dec. 11) (Netflix)
  5. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Dec. 18) (Netflix) 
  6. “Greenland” (Dec. 18) (Amazon Prime Video)
  7. “Coming 2 America” (Dec. 18 — postponed) (Amazon Prime Video)
  8. “Breach” (Dec. 18) (Amazon Prime and in theaters)
  9. “The Father” (Dec. 18 — postponed) (Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix)
  10. “Soul” (Dec. 25) (Disney+)
  11. “Promising Young Woman” (Dec. 25) (In theaters)
  12. “Wonder Woman 1984” (Dec. 25) (HBO Max and in theaters)
  13. “News of the World” (Dec. 25) (In theaters)
  14. “We Can Be Heroes” (Dec. 25) (Netflix)
  15. “One Night In Miami” (Dec. 25) (Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Netflix)

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu 

20 classic games to play with family and friends

Board and card games to revisit this season

Natalie Dean | Entertainment Editor 

Between the stress of buying gifts for the holidays and the building excitement of the incoming new year, a classic board game can be all anyone needs to destress. Tabletop games are about coming together with family and friends to have a lively, fun and lightly competitive time together. Some games are straightforward and lighthearted, like Candy Land or Connect Four, while other games seem like they are designed to cause an all-out debate about the rules and technicalities at the table, like with Scrabble or Clue. 

In any case, here’s a list of classic board games that everyone loves to play and hates to lose. Nearly all of these can be purchased online or in stores; thrift stores are also a good place to check for more unique games or neat card decks to try out. These games are ranked from the least to most likely to start a debate about the rules and who won. 

  1. Uno
  2. Marbles
  3. Mancala
  4. Connect Four
  5. Dominoes
  6. Hungry Hungry Hippos 
  7. Candy Land
  8. Chutes and Ladders
  9. Operation
  10. Don’t Break the Ice
  11. Sorry!
  12. Jenga
  13. Battleship
  14. Checkers
  15. Chess
  16. Twister
  17. The Game of Life 
  18. Scrabble 
  19. Clue
  20. Monopoly

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Artist Spotlight with musician Neal Cranston

A Western student and musician with many talents 

Natalie Dean | Entertainment Editor

While majoring in history and minoring in geography at Western, senior Neal Cranston has still been able to build himself a strong audience for his music over the years. Cranston taught himself how to play the guitar, harmonica and has continuously developed 14 years of experience with the piano. He regularly explores different areas of music, but the piano is his favorite instrument to play. Cranston said he learned to “train the ear to play what you hear;” he admits it’s not the most traditional route to go when mastering instruments, but it’s kept his passion for music alive because of its organic roots.

He first found his passion for music in the third grade, where he began teaching himself to play piano by ear. He was first drawn to music on his own and spent time at home in Canby, OR ⏤ where he trained his ear to pick out melodies and practiced his piano skills. After he started honing his talents in different music genres and gaining more experience, a family friend encouraged him to take lessons and explore the scales on the piano. 

The years of his hard work have paid off, with his talents booking him in-person gigs at restaurants, weddings and wineries. Cranston described one of his favorite experiences which occurred last December. He was playing Christmas music on a beautiful grand piano at a winery and saw CJ McCollum from the Portland Trailblazers in the audience. 

When he isn’t playing for venues or famous basketball players, Cranston works on his own music, and even released his first single, “Make it Without You,” this September on all streaming platforms.

With help from some friends, he was able to record and produce this single that incorporates old school rock with a modern vibe. He wrote the lyrics in a few days and crafted the rest of the song for a few months before releasing it, taking time to make sure the song stayed true to his rock roots and live band feel, while also taking influence from modern music.

Along with developing more albums and EPs, Cranston is also curating music that highlights his strengths in piano and other instruments. He hopes to release more music that incorporates raw human feelings and experiences, as he believes that “there’s a lot of power inside the human aspects of music.”

These days, Cranston can be found performing socially distanced shows at certain local restaurants and venues, like Wayward Sandwiches in Canby, OR. If he’s not performing in person, he’s probably developing his website, or posting more music on his YouTube page, Neal Cranston. Make sure to keep up with new songs, shows and interactive posts on his Instagram @neal_cranston_music.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu 

Happy holidays from The Howl

The Western Howl’s favorite holiday traditions

The Western Howl Collective

Every family celebrates the holidays differently, and the staff at The Western Howl are no exception. Though some traditions may be affected by COVID-19 this year, the memories of past celebrations can carry us through whatever this December brings. Here are our staff’s personal family traditions, and we hope this holiday season brings comfort and joy to all.

Stephanie Moschella

On every Christmas Eve, my entire family would go to my grandmother’s house to spend the day there. Afterwards, we would go home, open one singular present before going to bed. Then, on Christmas Day, my immediate family would open all of our presents, eat some fast food (usually Taco Bell or Jack in the Box) and then head over to my grandfather’s house. It is always a busy couple of days, but a great way to make it feel like you’re receiving, giving and opening a lot more presents! 

Cora McClain

For my family, Christmas Eve is taken up by wrapping presents while “White Christmas” plays in the background. Come Christmas morning, all that wrapping (and stockings, which we always do first) has been undone, then it’s time for a full breakfast feast. Afterwards, we get ready and zoom down to my great aunt’s house, where the family (10 to 14 of us) gathers often. Following a potluck feast of festive foods, we move upstairs for dessert  ⏤ often the grandchildren serving the grans ⏤ and open Christmas poppers. When these little wrapped cylinders pop open, a paper crown, little toy or game and joke fly out. The rest of the evening we play the games and read the jokes out loud while wearing our crowns and eating homemade apple pie.

Rylie Horrall

On Christmas Eve, my family goes up to my grandparents house (on my dad’s side) and we chat and have a big dinner with some extended family. Then we do gifts before everyone heads home to put their kids to bed. My family and I take shifts in the living room to wrap presents ⏤ since we can’t do it all at once ⏤ before going to bed. In the morning, my dad wakes us all up and gives us coffee, then we open our presents before heading to my grandparents’ (mom’s side) house to do the same thing. Then we head home, eat brunch and watch Christmas movies before heading back over there for dinner and games!

Sydney Carpenter

During the holiday season, my family has always done one of those chocolate advent calendars that count down the days ’till Christmas. Each year, my dad and I go to our local supermarket and pick one that has the numbers scattered rather than in order, because that makes it a little more challenging to find. At night, my dad and I sit in the living room and search for the hidden number. When I was younger, I was allowed to eat the entire piece of chocolate after we found it; but sharing is caring y’all, it’s the season of giving. Now, when we find it we always split the chocolate in half.

Kyle Morden

The holiday season is full of many festivities for my family — it’s our favorite season. During the first week of December, there’s a birthday for us to celebrate from Dec. 1 to Dec. 10. I’m not entirely sure how our birthdays were lined up like that, but it happened — at least we can annoy our neighbors by blasting our karaoke machine for more than a week. My family also celebrates Christmas and New Years by having parties at my grandparents’ house; once again, we blast our karaoke machine. Basically, my entire family sings throughout the holiday season — it’s the best way for us to let it all go after a long and stressful year.

Allison Vanderzanden

A few weeks before Christmas, my family goes out to cut down a tree, and we spend the day listening to Christmas CDs and decorating the entire house. On Christmas Day, my parents have always made us wait to open presents until after church and breakfast cinnamon rolls. We all spend the morning opening presents — my husky included as she loves to tear up tissue paper — then we usually spend a couple hours setting up our new electronics or playing a new game. We have ham for dinner, but usually skip dessert as my birthday is the following day and my sibling’s the next, and we know we’ll have plenty of cake to get through. 

Natalie Dean

Besides the normal stockings and tree decorating, my family comes together through cooking, normally for big holiday dinners. We’ll make a bunch of dishes through the month, and normally there’s a few people helping cook by cutting vegetables or making sure the kitchen doesn’t burn down. Some staple menu items include roasts and stews, cornbread or banana bread, carrot cake and pumpkin pie, fried okra and gumbo. My mom’s birthday is mid-December and we celebrate as a family and make sure it feels special but distinct from Christmas Day. For Christmas Eve, we relax with hot cocoa and each open one gift. At some point, I make my brother help me bake cookies for Santa. We wake up early on Christmas Day to grab coffee and make breakfast, and then open presents together.

Sean Martinez

On Christmas Eve, my mom and I sit down and watch a new movie that neither of us have seen, followed by “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Then on Christmas Day, my mom and I have our own little gift exchange, before heading over to my grandma and grandpa’s house to celebrate with the family. Every year, it’s me and Mom, my grandparents, my uncle and my cousins. We always open our presents around noon, have lunch and spend the rest of the day just chatting with the TV on in the background. 

Kiara Wehrenberg 

The holidays usually always look a little different every year, but they always include time with the family! Every year would include me, my dad and other family members coming together at my grandmother’s house Christmas Day to eat dinner together and open presents. The Christmas season also includes plenty of movies like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “A Christmas Story” with a cup of hot cocoa. 

Oh, what fun: winter hobbies to try

Indoor and outdoor activities for the winter season

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

COVID-19 has forced many people to find new ways to fill their time, like picking up on a variety of hobbies. As quarantining continues, the cold winter months bring on a new season with an abundance of new activities. Get inspired to try something new or rekindle an old favorite activity with this list of indoor and outdoor winter hobbies.

Knitting/crocheting: Whether it be a scarf, hat, blanket or sweater, knitting and crocheting generate perfect products for winter days. Knitting needles and crochet hooks can be purchased for as little as $5, and yarn costs as little as $3 depending on the type. Numerous blogs and YouTube videos exist to help get started, or ask a family member who knows how to knit or crochet to pass down their skill.

Baking: Home-baked desserts can make any dull winter day sweeter. Whether it be cakes, cookies, breads or other confections, there are endless possibilities of baked goods to choose from. Check out recipes online, including on The Western Howl’s website, or invest in a cookbook; add a fun challenge by making a dessert only with items currently in the pantry.

Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles are great for all ages with their wide variety of piece numbers and artworks. There are also other types of puzzle games to try, like sudoku, crosswords and word searches. Many different apps are available for any of these puzzles, or go old-school pen and paper by printing them from websites or buying a whole bookful.

Birding: Though the weather is cold, the trees are now bare, and that creates the perfect opportunity to pick up birdwatching. According to the Fernhill Wetlands Council, common birds to see in the winter in Oregon include the black-capped chickadee, red-tailed hawk, killdeer, northern flicker, house finch and song sparrow. Use a birding app or book and get outside to spot and identify some birds.

Photography: The world is a piece of art that can be captured in a photo. Winter’s shimmering snow and monochromatic backdrop can make for beautiful photos, and now is as good a time as any to try it out. Even phone cameras can capture great shots — try adjusting different settings and filters to see the wide range of possibilities photography has.

Winter sports: Getting outdoors and exercising can be a good stress reliever while simultaneously getting out of the house. Hit the slopes on skis or snowboard, go snowshoeing or learn how to ice skate or play hockey. Make sure to research if venues are open and what their COVID regulations are. Another outdoor activity that can be done with family or neighbors is a snowball fight.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Heartfelt holiday gifts

Low and no-cost presents for this season of giving

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

The holiday season can quickly burn a hole in your pockets by the time gift shopping has been completed. But there are numerous heartfelt gifts to give that cost little to no money and still bring the holiday joy. Consider these low and no-cost thoughtful presents for friends and family this year.

Art piece: Having a knack for art — whether it be drawing, painting or crafting — can make for personalized and low-cost gifts. Depending on one’s skill set, ask loved ones for their favorite flowers, quotes, animal or character and create something special for them.

Memory jar: Use sticky notes or strips of paper to write down some favorite memories between one another. Roll or fold the notes up and place them in a jar or similar container. Decorate the jar if desired with sequins, twine, stickers or lettering.

Mixtape or playlist: Though cassette tapes are pretty outdated, the thought behind making a music mix for someone can translate to today’s era. If the gift receiver has a way to play them, make a cassette tape or CD and design a fun cover. Otherwise, create a playlist on their preferred music streaming service, and get creative by sticking to a theme. This could be the gift receiver’s favorite genre, songs that lift their spirits or songs that remind the maker of the receiver.

Offer services: Time can be one of the most useful gifts to all in our busy lives. If one has time to spare, write out a coupon book of services which the gift receiver can redeem for future use. These services could include babysitting or pet sitting, cooking meals, cleaning or yard work.

“Open when…” letters: Take some time to write personalized letters for the gift receiver to open in the future. Choose a number of specific occasions, such as “Open when you need a pep talk” or “Open when something worth celebrating has happened,” and write letters and notes to put into individual envelopes. Gather all the letters in a nice box to present to the gift receiver.

Personalized journal: Buying a journal, planner or sketchbook can be useful for many types of people. These kinds of presents can be made more personal by writing a note on the front page: give them some words of encouragement or best wishes, or draw them a picture.

Recipe cards: For families and friends who share their love through cooking, consider designing recipe cards for one another. Choose a personal favorite recipe and decorate a note card with the recipe written on it. If there are too many recipes to choose from, create multiple cards and compile them with a binder ring.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Aries 3/21-4/19  

Huh, weird. 

Taurus 4/20-5/20

Damn that movie was really bad. 

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

Wow that was worse than 2016

Cancer 6/21-7/22

Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me….

Leo 7/23-8/22

When the whole world took the L … lel

Virgo 8/23-9/22

“This mac and cheese, man, Oh, he’s got a plan to end my life” 

Libra 9/23-10/22

I would like a full refund and a heartfelt apology.

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

GG, we’ll pick it up next time

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

Weird flex but ok lol

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

Thanks, I hated it

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

At least it’s over

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

… if you have nothing nice to say then – 

Roxxxy Andrew hosts online Drag Show Bingo

Student Activities Board organizes drag show bingo event hosted by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Roxxxy Andrews

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Under current government guidelines, much of Western’s planned in person activities have been altered to a virtual format or dropped entirely to ensure the safety of all of Western’s community.

Although some events have been canceled, organizations such as the Student Activities Board  have put together events that equate to or surpass the typical in person events. This week, the SAB has organized Drag Show Bingo. Students were given the opportunity to select one of four prominent drag queens to host the event: Alexis Michelle, Roxxxy Andrews, Brita Filter and Pandora Box. Ultimately, Western students voted to have “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Roxxxy Andrews lead the activity.

Michael Feliciano, known for his drag persona Roxxxy Andrews, began doing drag in Orlando nightclubs, and later competed in drag show pageants. In 2012, Feliciano’s stage character became a nationally recognized household name after being featured in the fifth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and being that season’s runner up. 

Since the show, Roxxxy Andrews has won titles such as Miss Gay Southernmost USA 2015 first alternate and crowned Miss Angel City Continental 2019. Additionally, Andrews has been featured on the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” spin off “Untucked” seasons one and two, “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” seasons two and five, “Queen to Queen” and “The Queens.”

For students that are interested in meeting Roxxxy, the Drag Show Bingo event is being held on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. over Zoom. Winners will receive SAB swag and various Western items. The Zoom link for the event can be found on the WOU Engage event page.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Cuts to Western’s departments and programs

President Fuller’s Article 15 Task Force proposes draft of program curtail and Non-Tenure Track reductions

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Beginning in 2011, the administration office began seeing lower enrollment rates at Western, resulting in financial challenges in the years following.

In spring 2020, COVID-19 accounted for 70% of the university’s 25% drop in enrollment. This resulted in the university asking the deans to propose two budgets to reduce salaries by 10% and 17% in June. In addition, all Cabinet members were asked to review budgets for FY21 and develop 10% and 17% cuts, based on salary. 

When the task force began reviewing program curtailments, an extensive list of qualitative and quantitative factors were taken into account. 

Additionally, the task force also utilized feedback from original reports from the deans, the recommendations from Western Oregon University’s Federation of Teachers, the recommendations from the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, PowerPoint for panel discussion, feedback from three faculty panel discussions, the report from the faculty Sustainability Task Force and Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement outlining faculty contracts and rights.

In totality, the task force has proposed the elimination of five majors, two programs, seven minors, one program freeze and one history concentration removal. For non-tenure track faculty, 15 departments have received deductions in full-time equivalents.

“All of us are frustrated and shocked, and more importantly we are not okay with it,” said senior earth science major Nicole Niskanen. “Granted, the times we are in are very challenging and it is understood that the university is not exclusive with the sacrifices it is making, because many other schools are in the same position.”

Niskanen explained that a lot of the cuts are impacting first-generation college students that are interested in pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

“Western Oregon University is an affordable option for many first-generation college students, along with that, the campus prides itself on diversity and equality,” said Niskanen. “The Earth Science program at Western has a significant number of women and other individuals from diverse backgrounds and populations enrolled in the program including students with disabilities.”

According to Niskanen, eliminating the program strips away the opportunities for some of those underrepresented first-generation college students and deprives those who cannot afford to attend expensive STEM-focused universities.

Under the current program cuts, students will be permitted to complete their major and professors will still teach until students learning in their areas complete their major or minor; the effects of program cuts will impact all incoming students starting in 2021.

“I am writing on behalf of all of the Earth Science students who have completed the program, who are currently trying to finish the program, and those who will complete the program; we don’t want to see any of our professors leave because they have done so much for us by dedicating their time to support us and by selflessly helping prepare each student for whatever career path they take. We want to fight for the program and fight for our educators,” said Niskanen.

Currently, faculty are working to try and save these programs. To advocate for programs or faculty jobs, students can go to the ASWOU site within Engage. From there, students can fill out the Student Concern Report.

UPDATE (DEC. 15TH, 2020 @ 6:52PM)

Western has announced its final program curtailment enacted by Article 15, as well as non-tenure track layoffs outside of Article 15.

Under the article, the university is permitted to make reductions in cases of demonstrable financial need, discipline curtailment or retrenchment. As of now, Western is claiming financial strain due to COVID-19 and long-term decline in enrollment as the cause of enacting Article 15.

Since fall of 2011, Western’s enrollment has decreased over 25% from 6,217 to 4,552 in fall of 2020, as reported in the Article 15 Task Force’s finalized plans. Currently, under the Article 15 program curtailment plans, 14 full time positions will be lost, and a total of 10 majors and minors will be eliminated along with two masters programs. Outside of Article 15, a total of 16 full-time non-tenure tracks are being laid off.

“Quite frankly, our options for achieving a balanced budget are limited,” said President Rex Fuller in a letter to the campus community. “Given that more than 85% of our expenses are salary and benefits. With limited options for tuition increases, declining enrollment, and likely cuts to state funding, we must act decisively to align our budget with our fiscal reality.”

As of now, the impact of the program cuts will not impact students who are currently majoring or minoring in the program. In the letter, Fuller noted how important it is for students impacted by the program cuts to finish their degrees. According to the campus-wide letter, program curtailment will only impact incoming students starting in the 2021 to 2022 school year. Tenure-track and non-tenured positions will not be cut until deans and division heads submit final layoff decisions. The decisions are expected to be an ongoing discussion through the month of January.

Some members of Western’s faculty union — the WOU Federation of Teachers — are asking for program curtailment to be delayed until the new university president comes into office.

“We know that WOU is in some financial difficulties,” said WOUFT Communications Director Scott Beaver. “We just don’t want to rush, do long term solutions without due diligence.”

In an effort to advocate for faculty and departments WOUFT included some alternatives to department layoffs in the finalized plan, including moving Western out of Division II sports, looking for efficiencies in non-instructional office budget cuts and personnel assignments, reduce the number of campus sponsored events and used additional money from the fund balance.

In the final plan, all layoff notices must be given to designated faculty no later than the end of January. Affected tenure-track faculty will receive a one-year layoff notice before their positions end, at the latest by the end of January 2022.

The union at this time remains hopeful that there are departments that can be saved before layoff notices are issued. Beaver said the union is still fighting. 

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

The IFC decides winter term fee and department area funding

The IFC has completed 85% of their fee establishment process, but are still in debate with WOU Administration and Board of Trustees Chair

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

In the third open hearing on Nov. 25, the Incidental Fee Committee evaluated all student feedback they received on fee proposals and department area funding. From their survey sent out to students, it was revealed that 192 students participated in the questionnaire.

Based on their feedback, the IFC ultimately determined all funded areas would receive their full asking amount. However, Interim Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randi Lydum asked for a budget reduction of approximately $100,000 due to some sports opting out of traveling.

Of the two fees proposed, 62% of the respondents voted on the lesser fee of $150. Unanimously, the IFC agreed to the $150 fee proposal and approval of all area funding proposals. With total operating costs of around $920,000, the IFC is pulling around $270,000 out of reserves.

While the IFC has completed most of its legislative process, they are still being opposed by WOU Administration and Board of Trustees chair Betty Komp. In an emergency IFC meeting held on Nov. 23, IFC members discussed the areas of disagreement between the IFC and the Board of Trustees with President Rex Fuller. 

In the meeting, Fuller voiced he does not agree with changing the current fee structure that was approved by the board in April. Fuller went on to say that he couldn’t fully say whether he would be in support of the IFC’s request of an emergency meeting with the Board of Trustees because he had seen no formal proposal from the IFC.

“I would need to see more of the argument for resolution or the recommendation you are proposing,” said Fuller. “I have not seen a clear definitive argument that you want the board to consider. What I’ve seen are ideas.”

Although Fuller says he is unwilling to have the IFC change their fee midyear, many IFC members explained that their attempts to meet with the Board of Trustees during the summer were denied, believing the discussion would be better at a later date. According to IFC Vice Chair Nick Denning, when ASWOU President NJ Johnson and President Fuller were discussing the million dollar deal, Fuller said the IFC would be given time to discuss fee applications in the winter..

“In an email that you (President Fuller) sent to NJ regarding what your plans were for winter term,” said Denning, “we (The IFC) agreed we would take your million dollars on the condition that you would plan to organize 2020-2021 IFC at the earliest possible date in order to advance incidental fee for winter and spring term of 2021. This work will form the basis joint presentation to the board of trustees at the Nov. 18 meeting.”

At this time, due to the unwillingness of the Board of Trustees to initiate an emergency meeting — granted by the bylaws — and President Fuller’s plans to withdraw funding for winter if the IFC continues its process, the IFC will continue to look into writing an appeal to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

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