Mount Hood

Nike under heavy fire

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

The athletic apparel company Nike took a bold move on Sept. 4, by making controversial athlete Colin Kaepernick the face of the 30th anniversary of their “Just Do It” campaign. Following Kaepernick’s protest of the unfair treatment of minorities by kneeling for the national anthem, many saw Nike’s move as being anti-police, or anti-America. Because of this many, people took to Twitter, posting pictures and videos burning their Nike shoes and swearing to switch to using other athletic brands. These actions displayed that they would rather destroy their belongings than continue to support a company that does not align with their political beliefs. But where do they turn now?

If you choose to protest Nike’s stance by banishing your Jordans to a bonfire, what company will you choose to switch to? If the political stance of a company is so important to you that you will destroy the belongings that bear their name, whose name will you support?

The first thought you may have is to switch to one of Nike’s largest competitors, Adidas. Let’s think about the political history of Adidas. According to “Golden Kicks: The Shoes that Changed Sports”, it was founded in Germany in 1949 by Adolf Dassler. 16 years prior to founding Adidas, Dassler joined the National Socialist Party, also known as the Nazi party. So maybe choosing a shoe company that provided shoes to Hitler Youth isn’t the best new stance to align with.

The next company one might look to is Under Armour. Looking back into their past, Kevin Plank, the CEO of Under Armour, has come out and publicly endorsed Donald Trump after his controversial Muslim travel ban. This prompted a backlash from major sponsored athletes of Under Armour. According to the washingtonpost.com, Stephen Curry, Dwayne Johnson, and Misty Copeland all came out against Plank. These actions have resulted in dips in their sales, proving that aligning yourself with a divisive president isn’t the best political move.

The last major shoe brand one might switch to is Puma. However, Puma faces a familiar issue. Adolf Dassler, founder of Adidas and a member of the Nazi party, had a brother, Rudolf Dassler. Rudolf Dassler found success in the shoe business like his brother, and just like Adolf, he joined the Nazi party (“Golden Kicks.”) Meaning, Puma was founded by a Nazi just like Adidas.

But what if I told you there was a company founded in America by not one, but two veterans of the US Army? Men that built a brand from selling shoes from the back of their car? Based on alumni.stanford.edu, that company is Nike. The same company people deem “anti-military” was founded by veterans.

If you want to take the nationalist route of whining about a company supporting a person kneeling for their flag because it doesn’t stand for them, maybe look to who you’ll be supporting next. If Nike is a burden to their choices of endorsing Kaepernick, then Puma, Adidas and Under Armour are a burden to the political beliefs of their founders and CEOs. But in the end, buying and wearing shoes doesn’t represent your beliefs. Whining about it does.

 

Contact the author at llarsen13@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of nike.com

New music releases

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

October 5:

Photo courtesy of mollyburch.bandcamp.com

  • Molly Burch: First Flower
    Over a year since her first album, “Please Be Mine,” Molly Burch will be releasing her sophomore album. “First Flower” is said to comment on the artist’s struggle with anxiety and broken friendships.

Photo courtesy of twentyonepilots.com

  • Twenty One Pilots: Trench
    After a year long hiatus, TOP has been alluding to the release of their fifth album since July when they released two singles. This will be their first album in the three years since “Blurryface.”

Photo courtesy of tokyopoliceclub.com

  • Tokyo Police Club: TPC
    “Hercules,” a track on the album, is available for listening now. This new track listens like a light, summer jam that will surely carry them on a wave of nostalgia through the fall.

October 12:

Photo courtesy of youngthegiant.com

  • Young the Giant: Mirror Master
    An album about shattering stereotypes and blazing our own trails, this will be the fourth studio album from this band, and is sure to satisfy Young the Giant’s fanbase.

Photo courtesy of tomodell.com

  • Tom Odell: Jubilee Road
    This album was recorded by Odell while living on a quiet street in East London, and promises to be his most honest album. The catchy piano melodies and passionate performances of his previous album “Long Way Down” are promised to return in this new project.

October 26:

Photo courtesy of robyn.com

  • Robyn: Honey
    Robyn is returning with her first studio album since “Body Talk” in 2010. This new album boasts a new emotional transparency and softness that contrasts with the party songs featured on her last album.

November 9:

Photo courtesy of universalmusic.com

  • Jeff Goldblum: The Capitol Studios Sessions
    That’s right, Jeff Goldblum is releasing an album. An accomplished jazz pianist, Goldblum’s debut album stars The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (and Jeff on the piano) playing at the Capitol’s Studio A and B, which they turned into a dinner club to capture the music in front of a live audience.

Photo courtesy of muse.com

  • Muse: Simulation Theory
    “Simulation Theory” is a science-fiction themed conceptual album inspired by 1980s pop culture. In their eighth studio album, Muse blends nostalgia with contemporary themes to create something unlike they’ve ever done before.

November 16:

Photo courtesy of mumfordandsons.com

  • Mumford and Sons: Delta
    “Delta” promises a journey back into Mumford and Sons acoustic roots, but also ushers in innovation. This album also incorporates genres such as jazz, electronica, and rap.

November 30:

Photo courtesy of the1975.com

  • The 1975: A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships

Two years after their last album, The 1975 returns with their third LP. The cover and tracklist have already been released, and if the song titles tell us anything, it’s that this album will be done in the band’s classic, indie-pop style.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Ensuring diversity in the arts

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Often, liberal arts colleges and universities are privileged environments; when it comes to the creative atmosphere they foster, they can promote critical discussions on important topics, and allow traditionally underrepresented voices to be heard and appreciated. Continuing this trend can be quite difficult as our generation transitions into the “real world” — a world in which white, male, cisgender voices are often still held up as the standard.

Americansforthearts.org states on their website, “We must all hold ourselves accountable, because acknowledging and challenging our inequities and working in partnership is how we will make change happen.” Holding ourselves accountable can start by analysing the kinds of art we ingest. People should go through the music they have on their phone or computer. How many straight white males’ music is downloaded? The same should be considered with literature and art collections. What types of perspectives dominate?

“I believe students need to see people like them doing the things that they want to do,” commented art professor Paula Booth in regards to the way diversity can be reflected through this creative outlet. Representation through this medium is a way to help all students feel included, and to give a voice to the underrepresented.

Booth goes on to add that “people need to understand that art is not just something that was made by white men a couple hundred years ago, which is often what we’re taught.” To get a deeper comprehension of this concept, students can benefit from being mindful about what they choose to expose themselves to, especially when it goes against what they might have been taught growing up.

“When we’re exposed to other people’s cultures… we become more compassionate, we have greater empathy, we express our curiosity,” stated Catherine Ndungo-Case, the founder of the Cheza Nami organization. According to chezanami.org, the goal of this organization is to “promote cultural education and diversity awareness.”

Of course, being perfect is not the goal here. Rather, the goal in ensuring diversity in the arts is to become more well-rounded individuals and to give a platform to the underrepresented. This can be achieved by looking at the literature, the art, the theater, and the visual content absorbed by most on a daily basis — by making an effort to surround ourselves with perspectives that aren’t our default.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

A look at “Inside Black Mirror”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Darkly satirical and terrifying, the cult show “Black Mirror” is peeling back a new layer in the form of a book that will be released on Nov. 10. “Inside Black Mirror” will dive into the minds of creator Charlie Brooker and executive producer Annabel Jones to give us an oral history of the show. Fans of this British science-fiction series will be able to follow the show from inception to execution and rise to global hit. Also featured in detail will be the inspirations behind every season. Various directors and other creators are interviewed in-depth about their creative process. Key actors will discuss their experiences bringing the show to life. Behind the scenes stories that have never been told before will also be included; all this content will be supplemented with photographs exclusive to this book.

Netflix bought the rights to “Black Mirror” in the fall of 2015, and recently renewed the series. Season five is already under production, rumored to be released in late 2018. “Inside Black Mirror” will be a nice companion to the show and is sure to be a hit among fans of its eerie symbolism and cultural critiques. Anyone who needs a fix of contemporary, technological fiction should keep their eyes out for when “Inside Black Mirror” hits the shelves.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Getting served at Mundo’s Cafe

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Something new has appeared in Monmouth, sitting quietly on Broad Street. A small white eatery, Mundo’s Cafe, which opened in June, is a petite restaurant specializing in breakfast foods. Curious about this new business and intrigued by the nicely decorated exterior, I decided to give the cafe a try and see what they have to offer.

I found the menu, which is posted on the front window, interesting in its variety. It includes classic American foods, such as pancakes and burgers, as well as some traditional Mexican ones such as enchiladas. I immediately decided on the enchiladas as they are one of my favorite dishes.

On stepping inside, I noticed right away that the subtle cross-cultural theme continued inside. The upper half of the wall next to where I sat is papered in various world maps, and over the wall on the opposite side are clocks showing the times of Tokyo, Athens, Mexico City and a few others. I was the only customer in the cafe.

As I took in the surroundings, I was greeted by the friendly waitress and ordered my food. I also asked if the owner was around and free to have a brief conversation with me.

The owner introduced himself as Reymundo Soto. It’s his name that really ties the whole idea of the cafe together. He told me his mother used to call him “Mundo” for short — hence the name of the cafe — and it so happens that “mundo” is Spanish for “world”. He also told me he hasn’t had many students in so far, which is not entirely unexpected since they are still settling in, but he hopes traffic will pick up soon.

A message he wanted to pass along was that he is open to customer feedback about whether he should expand on the menu.

“I’d like to, after two months or three, come up with new orders,” he explained in regards to him trying to get a sense of the customers in Monmouth. He also passed on the reminder that happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Overall, I enjoyed my visit to Mundo’s cafe and the enchiladas he made, which came with a healthy serving of fried rice on the side. However, seeing that the menu focuses on breakfast for the time being, I would recommend it mostly for breakfast, lunch or brunch. My other comment is that while it’s also a dinner option, the drink menu is very limited. I do, however, appreciate the affordable prices as a student who can’t always splurge on a night out. Overall, I see myself likely to go back and try some breakfast foods and enjoy the unique atmosphere.  

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Must-see places in Oregon

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Western students coming in from out of state, or even out of country, may have noticed that most Oregonians love our state. It’s full of diverse landscapes and natural beauty. While Oregon is full of extraordinary places to explore, there are a few that stand out — and with good reason.The following is a list of places that, in my opinion, everyone should make an effort to visit while they’re here and have a chance. Some are conveniently located only a few hours’ drive or less from Monmouth while others are a bit farther and better for a weekend adventure.

 

Multnomah Falls

This iconic landmark can be found along the Columbia River Gorge and is a popular spot both with residents and tourists. About half an hour east of Portland, the falls is home to the Multnomah Falls Lodge and features a hiking trail to the top of the 620 ft. drop.

 

Silver Falls State Park

One of the best things about this park is that it’s less than an hour drive from Western. The state park’s entry near the south falls offers a view of the largest, more well-known waterfall from which there’s an option to keep walking onto the trail of 10 falls. The south falls are a must-see, however, because the short trail down takes you behind the waterfall for a unique vantage point.

 

Crater Lake

Oregon’s only national park can be found farther south of the state. The lake, located in the caldera of Mount Mazama of the Cascade Range, is famously a stunning, clear blue. Visitors from the Monmouth visiting overnight should be aware of the difference in climate and likelihood of much colder weather due to the altitude.

 

Bend

The town of Bend and the nearby towns of Sisters and Sunriver are near the famous Three Sisters Mountains. Located in central Oregon, the town is also where the Cascades meet the high desert of central and eastern Oregon and showcases some of the different landscapes the state has to offer.

 

Highway 101

There are many towns on the Oregon Coast that offer stunning views of the coastline. Highway 101 connects all of these and takes visitors along a scenic drive. The highway connects a number of popular towns to stop in and enjoy the coast, such as Newport and Florence. Newport is home to two lighthouses open to the public and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Florence features the Heceta Head Lighthouse as well as multiple excellent locations to see tidepools up close.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of WolfmanSF

Small-town transformations

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Some returning students may have noticed differences in Monmouth and Independence this fall. The neighborhood was busy making changes while the students were away. Over the summer, Western’s town and its neighbor has gained and lost a few businesses – though more have been lost so far than gained.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the one nearest to campus. Now gone is the familiar red Bobablastic truck on Main Street. The bubble tea selling truck, which sat across from Main Street Park, shut down some time after spring term ended and took with it the covered picnic table area. Lovers of bubble tea don’t have to worry, however – DIY, a tea shop that opened last winter, has quickly become a popular place to buy all sorts of drinks, including bubble teas.

Also lost is the Happy Dragon, the Cantonese restaurant in downtown Independence. The restaurant was once reviewed by Statesman Journal food critic Brooke Jackson-Glidden, who called their Peking duck a “must try”. For those willing to take the drive, the family that owned the restaurant has moved to Portland and hopes to reopen there. For lovers of Chinese food, Monmouth fortunately still has Sing Fay’s on the corner of Monmouth Avenue and Main Street.

Independence also lost another beloved eatery that previously sat on Main Street. The Three Legged Dog, an Irish restaurant and pub, had to permanently close its doors this summer due to lease issues and late rent, according to the Statesman Journal. The restaurant has always struggled with costs and ultimately had to cease operations, however it’s brunch Bloody Mary bar will be missed by many.

However, Monmouth gained a new business not far from Western. Mundo’s Cafe officially opened for business a few weeks after the end of last spring term.

The area of Monmouth and Independence may have suffered some losses while students were away, but their removal will likely allow for other businesses to take shape. Once the excitement of the start of term settles, students will have a chance to take a look at how the town has evolved since their return. Both returning students and those who never left will have a chance to see what is next for Western’s hometown in the coming months.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Defensive domination

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

The Wolves’ looked to extend their winning streak to two as they took on the Simon Fraser Clan at McArthur field on Sept. 20 for the first home game with school in session. Coming into this game, Western had been on the losing end for the majority of the season. The Wolves’ had yet to be in the winning column at home having lost the first three games of the year. On the road, the Wolves’s season had taken a turn for the better as they picked up the win against Humboldt State in the week leading into their game against the Clan.

Saturday’s game was over fairly quickly as Western jumped to a 54-6 lead at halftime. Western’s defense was nothing short of exceptional as the Wolves’ forced an astonishing 10 turnovers. Seven of these turnovers were interceptions which is a single game Western football record and tied the Great Northwest Athletic Conference record. Three of the turnovers resulted in touchdowns for Western.

The special teams took some inspiration from the defense as they scored some points of their own. With seven extra points, a field goal, a blocked a punt returned for six points and a blocked extra point returned for two points, the defense and special teams scored the vast majority of points.

This record-breaking effort was met with a dysfunctional Western offense. The offense of Western found the endzone the same number of times as their defense, totaling three touchdowns. However these scores came at a cost as they turned over the ball five times, one of which resulted in a Clan touchdown. While this game will go down as a 54-13 victory for Western, it was anything but for the struggling Western offense.

 

Contact the author at llarsen13@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Home-field advantage

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

In recent seasons, Western softball has been littered with canceled practices and delayed games. While rain delays can be common occurrence in softball, especially in Oregon, these delays weren’t at the hand of the weather but instead the result of unfavorable conditions of the field. Due to these conditions, the playing surface has finally received a much needed renovation.

Over the previous summer, the softball field was transformed from an unplayable mess to a top of the line facility. The new field features a modern drainage system in the grass outfield to help lower the possibility of rain delays. It also has an entirely-turf infield complete with Western logos.

While the new playing surface is a welcomed change, the most exciting change for Western’s new field is simple: it will be able to host home games again.

“Two years ago we didn’t have any home games at all, we had to travel everywhere,” said senior first baseman Jenna Kelly.

“It’s hard to gain fans, too, when we’re not even here to have (home games),” added senior second baseman Raynne Whitaker. Because of the lack of home games for the previous seasons, the players greeted with open arms the ability to host games again.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of this, to be able to experience with my senior class,” noted senior catcher Nicole Miller.

Looking beyond the excitement of the new field and being able to host games again, the gift of the renovations are not forgotten by the team.

“(President Fuller) came and watched one of our home games last season when we had to tarp the field multiple times and we were out here doing fieldwork in between,” explained senior utility Cheyanne Rimer as to why the field was renovated.

“He came and watched that and realized this isn’t really how it’s supposed to be. (We’re) supposed to be here for game day, and not worry about loading bags of dirt onto the field and making sure that the field is playable. So I just wanted to really make sure that he knows that were thankful for him,” Rimer added.

The opening of the new field will allow Western Softball to no longer endure the headache of constant field management paired with the anxiety of not knowing if a game will need to get canceled due to conditions.

 

Contact the author at llarsen13@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

A league of change

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

IMLeagues has taken over the Western Oregon Intramural and Club Sports scene. After becoming a large part of the school in the previous school year, the scheduling and managing website now controls all aspects of Intramural and Club Sports. If students wish to join or play any sports this year, it’s important for them to familiarize themselves with the site.

Intramural and club sports are very popular activities among the student body at Western. With the integration of IMLeagues, participation in these have never been easier.

“You don’t have to go to 12 different places to be able to see if you can join this club, or that club, ‘can I play intramurals?’ It just lays it out for you.” said Andy Main, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Intramural and Club Sports.

“Once you’re in, (for) any club that you’re interested in joining you can see: ‘does it fit with my schedule?’” added junior early education major Brianna Jones, who is also the Club Sports Supervisor. “It’s easy to access and see their practice schedule and their game schedule.”

IMLeagues allows students the ability to plan out their game schedules to make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Visiting IMLeagues gives the user access to many more features used by both Intramural and Club Sports.

“Once you’re in, it’s a very intuitive program. It lays it all out for you, makes it easy to invite friends. It’s easy to join a team, it’s easy to find your schedule… Once you get the quote unquote difficult part out of the way, which is creating the initial account, it makes participation and organizing your life around intramural activities a lot easier,” added Main. Everything a student athlete might need, no matter what level of competition they are playing at, is laid out on the site. Overall, the experience within the app makes playing Intramural just about the sport and gets rid of the headache around running a team.

Joining IMLeagues is the first and biggest step a student can take to get involved with Campus Recreation. Students can join by visiting IMLeagues.com/wou.

 

Contact the author at llarsen13@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of IMLeagues.com

Upcoming games: October

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

10/6

Varsity-

Cross Country Lewis University. DII Conference Crossover 10 a.m.

Softball @ College of Siskiyous (eugene) 12 p.m.

Softball @ University of Oregon 2:30 p.m.

Soccer vs. Simon Fraser 1 p.m.

Football @ Texas A&M University Kingsville 7 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Western Washington University 7 p.m.

Club-

Lacrosse Fall Shootout

Men’s Soccer vs. Willamette  1p.m.

 

10/7

Club-

Lacrosse Fall Shootout

Men’s Rugby vs. Central Oregon Community College 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer @ Central Oregon Community College 1p.m.

 

10/9

Varsity-

Soccer vs. Saint Martin’s University 3 p.m.

 

10/11

Varsity-

Volleyball vs. Saint Martin’s University 7 p.m.

 

10/13

Varsity-

Cross Country @ Warner Pacific Cross Country Classic 9 a.m. M 9:30 a.m. W

Softball @ Oregon State University 12 p.m.

Softball @ Oregon State University 2 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Seattle Pacific University 4 p.m.

Soccer @ seattle Pacific University 4 p.m.

Football @ Central Washington University 6 p.m.

Club-

Men’s Soccer Vs. Portland Community College 1 p.m.

Men’s Rugby Vs. Seattle University 4 p.m.

 

10/14

Club-

Lacrosse vs. Rippers 2 p.m.

Men’s Soccer @ Willamette 2 p.m.

 

10/18

Varsity-

Volleyball @ Northwest Nazarene University 7 p.m.

 

10/20

Varsity-

Football v. Humboldt State University 1:05 p.m.

Volleyball @ Central Washington University 3 p.m.

Soccer @ Western Washington University 5 p.m.

Club-

Women’s Soccer vs. University of Oregon 4 p.m.

 

10/22

Club-

Women’s Soccer vs. Central Oregon Community College 11 a.m.

 

10/25

Varsity-

Soccer vs. Central Washington University 3 p.m.

Volleyball vs. University of Alaska Anchorage 7 p.m.

 

10/27

Varsity-

Volleyball vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks 2 p.m.

Soccer @ Saint Martin’s University 2:30 p.m.

Football @ Azusa Pacific University 6 p.m.

Club-

Lacrosse vs. Alumni 1 p.m.

Men’s Rugby @ Oregon Institute of Technology 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer @Portland Community College 8 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs. Willamette 4 p.m.

“WOU in Salem”

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

Addressing the crowd in his annual State of the University Address on Sept. 17, President Rex Fuller spoke about the “WOU in Salem” project, which will begin offering classes in January 2019.

The program was designed largely with adult learners in mind, as “Oregon has over 500,000 adults with some college credit and no degree.” In Salem specifically, the 2015 census indicated that only 21 percent of the workforce had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.

“WOU in Salem” will be a partnership between Western and Chemeketa Community College, according to the initiative released by the Office of Academic Affairs, and the classes will be held at the Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry.

To start, classes will be offered both in the evening and on the weekend, providing working adults with the chance to access a high-quality educational experience that is flexible with their busy schedules.

Then, beginning in Fall 2019, students will be able to complete a number of degree programs, including M.A. in organizational leadership, B.A. and B.S. in psychology, B.A. and B.S. in criminal justice, B.A. and B.S. in interdisciplinary studies, A.B. in information systems and Certificate in professional writing.

These programs will be hugely beneficial to students who have received an associate degree or have some college credit.

“It’s really great that (Western) is going above and beyond to provide a higher education for working adults and families because it’s really important right now, particularly, to have a bachelor’s or associate degree,” said senior education major Erica Stuckart upon learning about the new campus.

A number of other Western students echoed her sentiments.

“It’s catering to the people that really need it. These people are busy — they have busy lives, they have families of their own and they can’t spend all day in class…The fact that they’re putting that program in place is really nice and hopefully there are more that come about,” said Natalie Dean, sophomore English major.

Dean then proposed one service that she believed could be really helpful to this demographic of students.

“I think it’d be really cool to see something with childcare services… because a lot of them will be adult students and they don’t have a ton of time to spare. So, maybe it’s additional help with their children or financial aid,” Dean explained.

Finally, sophomore public policy and administration major NJ Johnson added that “my favorite aspect of it is the part that it’s night classes… One of my friends is a non-traditional student: he’s 44 years old, he has a wife and a child and a job. And going to Western Oregon in Monmouth during the day is not super easy for him… (having this campus) would make it a lot easier.”

All in all, the project described by President Fuller will deliver a more feasible college experience to a significant, but underrepresented group of students — making a future at Western accessible to a larger population.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy by Paul F. Davis

Disc golf pick-up

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

Working contentedly in the afternoon heat on Sept. 28, the members of Kappa Sigma fraternity had set one goal for themselves: to clean up the disc golf course. The seven members in attendance picked up trash and spread bark dust around the course, hoping to create a more inviting atmosphere for Western students to enjoy.

When asked what inspired them to do service projects on campus, Kappa Sigma Grand Master of Ceremonies and junior business major Andrew Wagman said that “one of our big values is service within our fraternity. Our national organization really promotes that and we really like being a part of campus.”

When it came to choose this particular project, Wagman shared that a number of the fraternity members had enjoyed having the course on campus, so they decided to “give back to the school by just making it look a little nicer. It’s always good to go out and have fun, but at the end of the day, service is important too.”

Fraternity president Brandon Linton, a senior computer science major, added that another motivating factor for Kappa Sigma was to help change the perception of Greek Life that has been perpetuated on many college campuses.

“Honestly, we’re really hoping that this can bring a better image for Greek Life on campus, because Greek Life (at Western) is… only five years old. So, we’re really hoping that this can open the community’s eyes that we’re not just the stereotypical fraternity.”

The Kappa Sigma brothers also shared how completing projects like this helps to connect them as an organization.

“It’s all about teamwork. I mean, I don’t think that just one of us could come out here and get the job done in the way that it needs to be done,” shared Linton.

“Obviously we all like to hang out,” Wagman added. “We’re all best friends with each other. But it’s always good to be outside working, just talking… it’s something to bond over.”

If students are interested in rushing Kappa Sigma, Wagman said that the best thing to do would be to contact Linton at blinton16@wou.edu or himself at awagman15@wou.edu. Even though first-year students aren’t able to rush during Fall Term, students of any age are welcome to come and talk with them to see if Kappa Sigma might be a good fit.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Bailey Thompson

A legacy of support

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

Throughout his time at Western, Director of the Veterans Resource Center Andrew Holbert has diligently helped student veterans acclimate to the college environment and provided them with a home at the Veterans Resource Center. Under his guidance, the WOU Student Veterans of America won a national award and Western was able to legislatively assist in the betterment of veterans’ programs all across Oregon. He will be sorely missed by veterans and non-veterans alike after his departure on Oct. 5.

 

Q: How long have you been working at Western?

 

A: “I’ve been here since September of 2015. So, that’s almost three years.”

 

Q:What is your current position?

 

A: “I’m the Director of the Veterans Resource Center, so I oversee all of the programming… I’ve also been the advisor for the Veterans Club since I got here. When I first started I brought that back and I’ve been advising them. And last year… they were the National Club of the Year. Our vet center and vet program are the best in the state right now.”

 

Q: What’ve been your favorite things about working with the Veterans Resource Center?

 

A: “I get to work with my own population, my own culture… There are so many negative narratives out there for veterans: the homelessness and the drug abuse…those aren’t the realities… if non-veterans are hearing those narratives, then you better believe veterans are going to hear them as well…I’m challenging them to know that there’s a better narrative — that they don’t need to be a part of these other narratives. This isn’t what defines you. You can pave your own way.”

 

Q: What do you feel is the biggest thing you’ve learned while working in this position?

 

A: “I did a lot of legislative work… I ended up going and testifying on senate bills that involved veterans’ education. And, most recently, Senate Bill 143… That grant ended up saying ‘here’s money to make a vet center and hire (a full-time director)’, so for that to be the reality for the entire state now, that was really cool.”

 

Q: What are your future plans for after you leave Western?

 

A: “I’m going to be working for a senator’s office out in Las Vegas and I’ll be his veteran aide. I’ll go from working with 200 veterans to working with 32,000 veterans… It’s not necessarily where I want to go…but I wanted to stay in veterans’ advocacy. Getting hired (at Western) to do that full time…was the best job I’ve ever had. I used to say that about the Marine Corps, but no, this

is the best job.”

 

Q: What’s one thing you’re going to miss about the Western community?

 

A: “Everything. It is very, very difficult for me to leave… There were days that I’d just walk around the vet center and try to just be really slow and methodical and look at everything –take it all in—because the vet center has changed. It was just a stark room with a few pieces of furniture, and now it’s just incredible. It’s a community center. It’s changing how veterans are participating in college… we do LGBTQ veterans events, we’ve done women veterans events… I’m going to miss how our community is so tight here on campus that you can make a real-world impact.”

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

New year, new Moodle

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

With the first week of classes under their belts, many students have likely have noticed that Moodle, the website where they access their classes online, has profited from a substantial update. Although many things remain unchanged, there are a number of differences that are useful to note.

“I think the most obvious thing for students to see will be the dashboard. So, when you are logging into Moodle right now, instead of seeing the old categories, you are seeing the time of when things are due and then the course tab,” said Academic Technologist Weiwei Zhang, who heads Moodle Support.

In the newest version of Moodle, students are able to see their current classes by default, but they will also be able to see past and future classes beginning in winter term. Additionally, the files for any classes predating Fall 2018 will now be kept in an archived version of the site, which is accessible via a link on the right-hand column of the update.

“The reason for this archive site is really not to make people’s lives more difficult. It’s because we self-host Moodle, and every two years the database is about to get full. We wanted to make sure Moodle doesn’t crash on anyone and the speed is still good, so our University Computing Services came up with a solution,” Zhang commented.

Even though it is challenging for Moodle Support to explain everything about the new update in advance, Zhang emphasized that students are welcome to reach out if they have any questions with the technical aspects of Moodle.

“We are building our website, so eventually we will have more tutorials for students,” Zhang shared. “We have great (graduate assistants), so they help answer a lot of emails…if students have any questions they can just call.”

The phone number for Moodle Support is 503-838-9300 and the email address is moodle@wou.edu. Students can also make appointments to meet with Moodle Support in ITC 204 if they have any further questions.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Patching things up

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Fall has officially arrived, and it’s not hard to see why it’s many people’s favorite season. The trees on campus turn beautiful colors, the weather turns back into what most Oregonians are used to, and, of course, pumpkin themed everything appears.

This month, it also means Halloween movies on TV and people on social media showing off elaborately carved pumpkins.Whether you love the fall aesthetic or the anticipation of spooky Halloween activities, visiting a pumpkin patch is a fun way to embrace the season of scares and spice. For all the festive students out there, here are some nearby pumpkin patches to visit for all your jack-o-lantern needs.

Airlie Hills Farm

The closest pumpkin patch is Airlie Hills Farm, which is not far off of Highway 99 just south of entering Monmouth. Open on weekends, this location offers you the opportunity to pick your own pumpkin or select the perfect pre-picked one. While there, visitors can also enjoy some of the refreshments available or other activities such as hayrides and mazes.

Vince Woods Farm

Another option can be found in Salem. Vince Woods Farm, in addition to offering the classic pumpkin patch and corn maze, also contains the pumpkin forest featuring an old Southern Pacific “gently haunted” caboose. Hours of operation are 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Davis Family Farm

Located on Highway 20 in Corvallis, Davis Family Farms not only offers the essential October produce but also has a nursery and sells other farm-fresh produce. Regulars also know them for their fresh, homemade donuts available for purchase. Of course, no pumpkin patch is complete without the hayride or corn maze, which you can find here as well. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sauvie Island

This farm, located in Portland, is a longer drive but makes for a fun day trip. Many of its activities, like the haunted corn maze and hayrides, are free. This location is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Editor’s note

Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief

Welcome back, Western. Let’s be real — that summer just dragged on. I, for one, am so glad to be back. It’s finally my favorite time of year. Mornings become crisp, the leaves transition from vibrant summer hues to the warm shades of autumn, and there’s a sense of optimism amongst everyone. It’s a new season, and change is in the air. How we choose to embrace that change will affect our perspective on this upcoming term.

New changes are being welcomed with a warm embrace by myself and the rest of the staff here at The Western Howl. If you haven’t noticed by now, or if that last sentence wasn’t a blaring clue, we’ve rebranded. We’re no longer called The Western Journal. This was a decision made for a list of reasons — amongst these, our previous title being associated with a different news source that we have zero relation to  — but nonetheless, we are excited to share this moment in The Western Howl/The Western Journal/The Journal/Lamron, etc. history with the students of Western.

Ultimately, we are still the same paper we’ve always been since our inception in 1923. But 95 years and over eight name changes later, we were due for another change.

It’s a year of new and exciting changes for the paper, and likewise, a year a of new changes for myself. As the new Editor-in-Chief of this newssource, let me just make clear that I am nervous, thrilled, scared and overall, optimistic about the upcoming year. It’s a huge change for me to go from Lifestyle Editor to Editor-in-Chief, but I am ready to take on that challenge and give it every piece of me that I have. That being said, I’m not perfect. So, prepare to adjust into this new change with me as well.

I am choosing to embrace every adjustment that this paper is making. My staff and I are embracing the changes each and every one of us is making as we become comfortable in our new roles here at The Western Howl. Being comfortable with change is what makes life so exciting — I urge every one of you to go into this upcoming year with that same mindset. Who knows where it will take you.

Good luck with whatever is to come, Western. From your new Editor and the rest of the staff, we want to thank you for embracing this year of change with us.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Review: “Marvel’s Spider-Man”

Keith Mathew | Freelancer

With the popularity of Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” released Sept. 17, decides to go a different route. This new action-adventure game starts years after the masked hero acquired his powers — so no Uncle Ben trauma to go through for the tenth time.

The opening cinematic tells the player right away that Peter Parker has been in the hero business for years and is now a veteran.  There is a high energy tutorial which shows the basic abilities without leaving out any moves that may be needed. This is especially helpful because this game leans heavily on combo attacks to build up the focus bar, a resource used for instant takedowns or to heal during a fight.

Combat in this game is very fluid; dodging attacks is natural. However, learning the timing of the dodge takes some time to get accustomed to.  A combination of melee and ranged attacks in the form of gadgets sets the foundation of fighting enemies along. Additional skills picked up later in the game augment combat to make a personal style.

What is great about “Marvel’s Spider-Man” is the characterizations. Peter Parker is the awkwardly sarcastic and caring college graduate outside his Spidey-suit, but when he starts his crime fighting, he becomes the well-known quippy web-slinger we all know.  One liners and hilarious character interactions are abundant. Aunt May and MJ Watson both make appearances. In the customization of suits and abilities department, “Spider-Man” has succeeded. Unlike similar games, “Marvel’s Spider-Man” has separated abilities obtained from different suits and the suits themselves.  These suits can be purchased using different varieties of tokens found in the game, or can be awarded through the completion of tasks or collection of items.

Tokens come in six different varieties and can be obtained through the collection of backpacks or pictures, the clearing of a base, challenge or crime.  Tokens are also used in upgrades and passive abilities. The customization of a Spidey-suit consists of the look, the suit power and the passive abilities.  Once the suit and suit power are purchased, the suit power can be applied to any suit. This game gives what gamers want on that level of personalization.

With so much that is good about “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” there are also elements that could have been done better.  Knowing that the tokens collected throughout the game are helpful for powers and upgrades, I didn’t enjoy the vast amount of items to collect and complete.  The game makes me feel it is padding the runtime by having so many collectables.

Further into the game, enemies become large hordes and the dispatching of them becomes tedious. The gadgets are powerful but have limited ammo. Thus, after all the ammo is gone it’s all punching and dodging from there.

For those who like Easter eggs or references, this game is chock full of them.  Each suit is a reference to a different iteration of Spider-Man in comics, previous games or movies.  Suits include the Iron Spider from “The Avengers: Infinity Wars,” Spider-Man 2099 and others. Additionally, Pride flags can be found scattered throughout the city and one theatre’s signage can be seen with a proposal.

Despite the critiques, I think “Marvel’s Spider-Man” is a well-rounded game with great elements.  I would score this game an 8/10.

Contact the author at kmathew14@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Insomniac.games

Organization for the disorganized

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

On the first day of class, it’s usually easy to spot the type of student with a color coded planner and neatly outlined schedule. For me, unlike these students, organization can be a challenge that requires constant effort. For those who need it, I’ve put together a number of different ways to stay organized when the common suggestions fall short.

It’s important to remember that not everything works the same for everyone. In my case, I used to repeatedly buy planners with the intention of using them throughout the year, hoping I’d keep the habit like some of my classmates. However, the pages would remain empty after the first few weeks of classes. I figured out that, as a visual learner, I also remember things better when I have frequent visual reminders.

This year, instead of buying a planner, I bought a large calendar and hung it near my desk, where I would clearly see my schedule laid out for me. I then applied this logic to my to-do list as well. Instead of writing it down in the back of a notebook, I wrote it on a whiteboard next to my bedroom door. It’s harder for me to miss that online assignment when it’s literally staring me in the face. For me, having a visual aid is effective, so students should consider trying multiple techniques until they find the one that works right for them.

It’s not just space but also time that can be utilized to keep life straight. Many of us have had the experience of being out with friends, ready to have a good time, only to be followed by the nagging feeling that something’s been forgotten. It can be helpful to get into the habit of checking Moodle, email or the calendar or planner in those short moments between classes or before work that might otherwise have been spent on social media. This reduces the chance that that assignment will be remembered at 2 a.m. the night before.

Another challenge is that it’s easy to become overwhelmed when there’s a long list of things to do and no plan. Even if planning out every hour of your schedule isn’t your strong suit, even taking small steps in advance will help get that assignment started quicker.

While living the ultra-organized life isn’t for everyone, that doesn’t mean us disorganized people need to shoulder more stress.

 

Contact the author at rmeyers17@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

 

Fall sports recap

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

Football

L 17-24 vs. Angelo State University

L 17-50 vs. Central Washington University

L 17-28 vs. Azusa Pacific University

W 38-13 @ Humboldt State University

Leaders:

Rushing- Omari Land 47 rushes for 282 yards

Receiving- Tyjuan Prince 17 receptions for 238 yards

Volleyball

Concordia Tournament:

L 0-3 vs. Northern State University

L 2-3 vs. Colorado Christian University

L 1-3 vs. Tiffin University (OH)

DII West Region Showcase:

W 3-1 vs. Holy Names University (CA)

W 3-1 vs. Humboldt State University

L 0-3 vs. Stanislaus State

W 3-0 vs. Hawaii Pacific University

 

L 1-3 vs. Concordia University (OR)

W 3-0 vs. Montana State University Billings

L 0-3 @ Seattle Pacific University

W 3-1 @ Saint Martin’s University

L 1-3 vs. RV Central Washington University

L 1-3 vs. Northwest Nazarene University

 

Leaders:

Kills: Mariella Vandenkooy 128 Kills

Blocks: Morgan Haskett 54 Blocks

Women’s Soccer

L 0-1 @ Cal State San Marcos

W 1-0 @ California State University, Dominguez Hills

T 2-2 vs. Stanislaus State

L 1-2 vs. Academy of Art

L 1-4 @ Simon Fraser University (B.C.)

W 1-0 vs. Montana State University Billings

W 1-0 @ Northwest Nazarene University

 

Leaders:

Goals:  3 Goals Alexie Morris

Points: 6 Points Alexie Morris, Alyssa Tomasini

Cross Country

Men: 2nd, Women: 2nd @ Linfield Harrier Classic (4K/6K)

Men: 1st, Women: 1st Ash Creek Invitational (5K/7K)

Women: 5th SF State Invitational (6K)

 

Contact the author at lllarsen13@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of: Paul F. Davis

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