The Signs’ favorite class
Aries: philosophy, so I can say my inner thoughts and still sound smart
Taurus: Lunch hour
Gemini: animal psychology because it’s cooler than regular psychology
Cancer: nap time… like in preschool
Leo: recess!
Virgo: gender studies
Libra: art history…
Scorpio: the one your mom teaches
Sagittarius: Sex Ed
Capricorn: Cliterature
Aquarius: psychology so I can finally understand what’s wrong with me
Pisces: Music
Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer
Content warning: this article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Dan Schneider, former Nickelodeon producer and writer, is suing the producers of “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV,” stating that the show implies sexual assault of young actors with whom he routinely worked.
Schneider is suing Warner Bros, Discovery, Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures Television, who worked on the production of the series. The case will be brought before the Los Angeles Superior Court on the grounds of alleged defamation with misleading allegations of sexual abuse against child actors.
Schneider’s lawyers declared that the alleged false statements and implications harmed his reputation and legacy at Nickelodeon. The first four episodes of “Quiet on Set” premiered on March 17 and 18, 2024 while the fifth episode was released on April 7, 2024.
Schneider responded to the docuseries with a YouTube video titled, “Dan Schneider Talks about Quiet on Set” on Schneider’s YouTube channel, “DanWarp.” In the video, Schneider sits with BooG!e, born Bobby Bowman, who plays T-Bo on one of Nickelodeon’s hit shows, iCarly, that Schneider produced.
In this video, BooG!e recounts the docuseries and Schneider addresses allegations raised, such as pressuring female employees to perform massages, constant harassment and making co-writers uncomfortable in the writer’s room.
Concerning the alleged massages, Schneider said, “It was wrong that I ever put anybody in that position… I’d never do it today, I’m embarrassed… I apologize to the people who were walking around Video Village or wherever it happened because there were lots of people there who witnessed it who also may have felt uncomfortable so I owe them an apology as well.” Regarding writers, Schneider stated, “No writer should ever feel uncomfortable in any writer’s room ever, period, the end.”
The docuseries also features two writers, Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen, who remember Schneider illegally forcing the women to split their payment “I have nothing to do with paying writers, I never have. I’ve never made a writer’s deal and of all the writers I’ve been in a writer’s room with, I never even knew how much most of them were getting paid… it’s very simple, there’s a common practice in television when hiring… writers for your first job are willing to share a salary, you can both have the job (and) they have the opportunity to say ‘Yes, that sounds good’ or ‘No, no thank you,’” Schnieder said.
Back in 2000, Kilgen filed a lawsuit against Schneider for gender discrimination because of the alleged harassment and illegal payment, prompting an internal investigation. The lawsuit settled for an undisclosed amount.
Schneider states as the lawsuit is served to the producers of “Quiet on Set,” “… I sadly have no choice but to take legal action against the people behind it. In their successful attempt to mislead viewers and increase ratings, they went beyond reporting the truth and falsely implied that I was involved in or facilitated horrific crimes for which actual child predators have been prosecuted and convicted…”
Contact the author at tduff23@mail.wou.edu
Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor
With both men’s and women’s+ rugby in Washington D.C. for the National 7s Tournament Collegiate Rugby Championship, each team faced formidable opponents from all over the country. Though it wasn’t an easy fight, the Western rugby program put on a good show, representing the West Coast and Oregon in the Small College division.
First-round nerves hit both teams, dropping them to lower brackets in the first round. Women’s+ limited experience on the national stage may have manifested as they went scoreless until the third round, where they scored five tries against eighth-ranked team, Sewanee the University of the South.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking because it was our first time going, but we all fought as hard as we could,” said junior Shabryna Herrera. “We all wanted it. It was a great learning experience, not just for me, but for the team.”
This tournament was the second time the men’s team had attended the 7s CRC, and they fared better than their counterparts. Going two and two in their matchups, their results this year were an improvement from last year.
The teams now travel into the offseason, with many members of the men’s team playing for the Oregon Sharks Rugby Academy to hone their skills. Some players include Justice Donahoo, Isaac Bare, James Tiboni and Jacob Smith. Bare was also in a six-way tie for the most tries scored by a single player in the tournament — he scored five tries total — as well as in the top ten for most points scored all weekend — a total of 25. Smith was in the top twenty for conversions — the kick after a team scores a try, similar to a field goal in football, which offers the scoring team the opportunity to add two more points to the board.
“It was really fun to go to a large tournament like this,” Bare said. “I think the tournament was (a) good experience for our team because most of our team is returning next year and that has me already excited.”
Bare also talked about how it was a fun opportunity to compete against players he had met at the Men’s Rugby All-Stars tournament. “In our final we played Denver and one of their players was my roommate at All-Stars and it was fun to have the opportunity to play against them,” he said.
Sophomore Micahel Hager shared similar thoughts on his experience at Nationals. “I didn’t get the chance to travel with the team to the tournament last year, so it was an entirely new experience,” he said. “It was fun. A lot of the guys had never been to (Washington) before. We’re a pretty young team, but we’ll definitely be back next year.”
The men’s team took third place in the Bowl Bracket and eleventh overall, and women’s+ took second place in the Shield Bracket and fourteenth overall. The results of the matchups are below:
Men’s:
First round — versus Christendom College, loss 7 – 31
Second round — versus Howard University, win 29 – 10
Third round — versus Loyola University Maryland, loss 12 – 21
Fourth round — versus Denver University, win 20 – 14
Women’s+:
First round — versus Colby College, loss 0 – 50
Second round — versus Ohio Wesleyan, loss 0 – 34
Third round — versus Sewanee the University of the South, win 25 – 24
Fourth Round —versus Baldwin Wallace University, loss 0 – 34
Both men’s and women’s+ begin practice again in the fall for their 15s seasons.
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu
Written by: Michael Hager | Freelancer
The National Football League’s annual draft was held in Detroit, Michigan, which is home to the Detroit Lions. This year’s draft was in the downtown area at award-winning Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. The NFL draft started this year on April 25, 2024, and ended April 28.
The NFL draft is comprised of seven rounds, each consisting of 32 picks. Every NFL team has the opportunity to make a selection in each round. The draft order adds an intriguing layer to the process.
To maintain competitiveness and provide struggling teams with fresh talent, the NFL allocates the highest draft picks to teams with the poorest records. This means that the unfortunate silver lining of finishing as the worst team in a season is the privilege of acquiring the Number One Overall Draft Pick in the subsequent year.
Conversely, the reigning Super Bowl champions are relegated to the back of the line and receive the number 32 pick in each round. The remaining teams are positioned based on their regular season records, playoff performance, and, if applicable, other relevant factors.
The underlying principle is straightforward: by granting the most advantageous picks to struggling teams, the NFL aims to facilitate their improvement and sustain competitiveness across the league.
Nothing is set in stone in the intricate world of NFL draft picks. Teams have the flexibility to trade their picks for other selections, players or a combination of both.
The complexity of these exchanges is exemplified by a prime example from the 2024 draft. Last year, the Chicago Bears held the coveted Number One Overall Pick in the 2023 Draft. However, they made a strategic move by trading it to the Carolina Panthers before the draft commenced.
In exchange, they acquired wide receiver DJ Moore and a package of four draft picks spanning multiple drafts. One of these picks included the first-round selection in the 2024 draft.
The gamble paid off handsomely for the Bears. Despite relinquishing the top pick to the Panthers, who selected quarterback Bryce Young, the Bears secured the Number One Overall Pick in the current draft season, thanks to the Panthers finishing with the league’s worst record in the previous season.
Trading draft picks is a dynamic process. It allows some teams to accumulate multiple picks in a single round, while others may have fewer or none at all due to previous trades.
Teams strategically weigh the advantages of current and future drafts, searching for bargains in later rounds to maximize their chances of success. While the process may seem complex, adept maneuvering can yield significant rewards in the NFL draft.
For reference, offensive positions include Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Tight End and Center. This is the first time in NFL draft history where there were no defensive players selected in the first fourteen picks — additionally, this is the first time all quarterbacks were selected in the first round.
At the start of the draft, the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, goes on to the stage and says his famous line, “With the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft the…”
With the first pick, the Chicago Bears — from Carolina — selected QB Caleb Williams, from the University of Southern California. This year, the Bears have the first pick and it’s been known by the sports world that Williams would become their first choice. Williams has been projected to be the first pick ever since he declared his entry for the draft at the end of the season.
For the second pick, the Washington Commanders selected QB Jayden Daniels, from Louisiana State University — LSU. Daniels was a close second behind Williams for the first pick of the draft. The 2024 Heisman winner will likely bring great talent to the Commanders, but only time will tell.
The New England Patriots had the third pick and selected QB Drake Maye, from the University of North Carolina. The Patriots have been searching for their next Tom Brady — Maye has a shot at being just that.
In the fourth pick, the Arizona Cardinals selected WR Marvin, “Maserati Marv,” Harrison Jr, hailing from Ohio State University. The Cardinals got a true number-one receiver to help out Kyler Murry. Harrison was projected as the best receiver in this draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers, with the fifth pick, selected OT Joe Alt, from the University of Notre Dame. Alt is expected to be a great help to Herbert and the Chargers with the offensive line.
The sixth pick, the New York Giants, selected WR Malik Nabers, from LSU. Surprising the world, the Giants chose not to draft a QB, instead opting to bring in fresh receiving talent. Naber talks a big game and hopes that he can help QB Daniel Jones turn things around in New York.
The seventh pick, the Tennessee Titans, selected OT JC Latham, from the University of Alabama. The Titans shore up their offensive line to help out their young QB, Will Levis.
For the eighth pick, the Atlanta Falcons selected QB Michael Penix Jr., from the University of Washington. The Falcons shocked the world by drafting Penix after they signed Kirk Cousins to a huge deal earlier in the year. Kirk Cousins said to the press, “Honestly, that might be worse than 28-3.”
With the ninth pick, the Chicago Bears selected WR Rome Odunze, from the University of Washington. The Bears get some young help at receiver, hoping to grow with their young offensive players.
The New York Jets swapped places with the Minnesota Vikings and, with the tenth pick, they selected QB J.J. McCarthy, from The University of Michigan. McCarthy, fresh off a National title, was swooped up by the Vikings, in the hopes that Michigan produced another Brady.
The eleventh pick, the Minnesota Vikings, swapped places with the New York Jets and selected OT Olu Fashanu from Pennsylvania State University. The Jets are hoping that this addition will help QB Aaron Rodgers last more than three and a half minutes on the field.
The twelfth pick, the Denver Broncos, selected QB Bo Nix, from the University of Oregon. This was also a surprise to fans because, with Nix becoming the last QB in the draft, they seemed to steal it away from their division rival the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Las Vegas Raiders, with the thirteenth pick, selected TE Brock Bowers, from the University of Georgia. The Raiders were stunned that there were no more QBs left on the board at pick thirteen, taking Bowers who should make a big impact with a lackluster receiving core.
With the fourteenth pick, the New Orleans Saints selected OT Taliese Fuaga, from Oregon State University. Fuanga has the potential to be a great help to the struggling offensive of the Saints.
Finally, the fifteenth pick, the Indianapolis Colts, selected EDGE, Laiatu Latu, from the University of California Los Angeles. The Colts now have a defensive player off the board, making Latu the best defender in the draft. Time will tell if this proves to be the case.
Contact the author at mhager20@wou.edu
Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor
One should know how to treat others with respect once they have begun their college journey. I think this should go without saying, as there are many straightforward rules taught to children before the end of elementary school: wash your hands after going to the bathroom; don’t cheat on tests; practice the golden rule.
If you’ve forgotten, here is the definition of the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s truly that simple.
Let’s get this out of the way first. If a friend, foe, peer, professor or supervisor mistreats you, standing up for yourself is the correct course of action. The following article has nothing to do with these types of situations.
College is difficult. I don’t think a single person has graduated with a bachelor’s degree and said, “Wow, that was a breeze.” Between classes, jobs, relationships and the cost of tuition, daily life can be stressful. So, one thing to keep in mind is to be kind to those around you, and your days will become a little bit softer.
There’s not an easy way to say this — grow up. Not everybody has to agree with your opinions, and you don’t have to agree with theirs — but that absolutely does not mean you have the right to attack anyone. Not one single person is the center of the universe.
If you think you know more than a professor with a PhD, you don’t. Collaboration is an incredible thing, and I encourage every student to make as many connections as they can with faculty, however, one way to weaken a potentially lifelong connection and resource is by trying to tell a professor how to do their job.
Sometimes it’s okay to keep quiet. In my two years in college thus far, I’ve observed many students who want to share every opinion and life anecdote that crosses their minds; I used to be that student. Sometimes you can learn more by listening to others’ voices outside of your own, and often you will find your peers will provide you with the same level of attention and feedback.
It’s important to remember that every major is important and useful, and every student is equal. It doesn’t matter what area of study you choose to pursue, we all ended up at Western for a reason and should be supportive of each other’s ambitions. Our differences make the world go around. Putting a peer down will only hurt you in the long run — the good you do for others will eventually come back around.
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu
Written by: Libby Thoma | Staff Writer
Many consider equity and equality to be the same, if not extremely similar. In reality, equity and equality are different, and it is important to understand that a society with equity is a society that benefits us all.
Equality would be three people of different heights standing on the same amount of boxes to see over the wall. Equity would be giving those who are shorter more boxes to stand on.
Equality is the first step towards a thriving society. If a society can make it so far as to achieve true equality, it may begin to work towards equity.
Equality is important, but many don’t understand that everyone needs different levels of support — everyone has different abilities. For example, making two people walk up a set of stairs, and ensuring they have the same number of steps and railings would be equal.
Would this still be fair if one of these people is fully capable of walking and the other is in a wheelchair? No. Equity would ensure the ability of the person in the wheelchair to have access to an elevator, allowing them to get to the second floor just as well as the person who could climb the stairs.
Equity provides resources for every person to be successful. This is hard to understand for those who need fewer resources than others, as to them, it looks like someone is undeserving and taking the resources that they could have had for themselves — taking advantage of the system.
If this sounds familiar, it is important to understand that many aren’t as privileged as you are. There are many reasons a person may need additional resources, such as those who have mental and physical disabilities or even just a difference in height, weight or strength.
This is why America’s saying of “the land of the free” and claim to equality is problematic. As stated before, a society should work towards equity rather than equality to ensure its residents have the best quality of life possible. The freedom statement leads to the idea that all are free and can achieve “the American dream.” This is not true, due to America not being truly equal — but more importantly, because this train of thought does not work, as there is no equity.
If we, as a society, are going to celebrate diversity, we must acknowledge that equity is necessary and is the most fair way to run a society.
Contact the author at ethoma23@mail.wou.edu
Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor
In celebration of Western’s American Sign Language Club’s 30th birthday, an anniversary party will be held in the Richard Woodcock Education Center May 17. Running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m in room 101, the founder, co-founder and former presidents will be present, with the founders even delivering a speech.
“It’s a huge legacy of 30 years,” said Hearing President of the ASL Club and fourth-year student, Aiden Hare. “It’s pretty amazing that it’s been consecutively running for that entire time and it’s also one of the biggest clubs on campus.”
The club itself functions with both a Hearing President and a Deaf President. Operationally, events are hosted throughout each term such as game nights, intercultural panels, community nights and arts and crafts, all while communicating with the community. This spring term, the ASL club is hosting an LGBTQ+ panel.
“A lot of people know this program exists, and they know that it’s big,” said Hare. “But they haven’t stepped into it, or they live on campus and they’re just not aware, (but this is a way to get involved).”
Although open to the public, the event, like many others, is voice-off, sign-only and no interpreters will be provided.
According to Hare, the event is a good way to get connected with not only Western but the Deaf community as well.
“We have a lot of people coming from all over, which I’m excited about,” said Hare. “We have Washington State School for the Deaf students coming, Oregon State Students coming, teachers from other universities and random community members (that think) this is awesome.”
Visitors can expect a rather competitive match of musical chairs, amongst other games. Free food will be available as well, but RSVPing is highly recommended so a proper head count may be gathered to estimate how much food to order. Anyone with dietary restrictions or other preferences is encouraged to reach out.
“I think it’ll just be really cool to get that many community members there at the same time,” said Hare. “It’s a very impactful event… to be a part of this is pretty amazing.”
The event will also be handing out goodie bags as an incentive for attendance.
Contact the authors at howlnews@mail.wou.edu
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