Mount Hood

Review: “Reversing Roe”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Netflix’s documentary “Reversing Roe,” released on Sept.12, follows the transformation of abortion legislature in America, which has been a consistently controversial topic in this country in recent history. Narrated by prominent figureheads on both sides of the divide, this documentary takes us through the history of abortion, from the illegal, backroom abortions of the 1960s to the ever-increasing restrictiveness on abortion legislation today.

According to the Netflix website, “Reversing Roe” is “essential viewing to understand how the country got here.” However, there does not seem to be much information contained in this documentary that isn’t common knowledge to anyone who already holds an opinion on this subject. New information is severely lacking, making this documentary more of a refresher course on the abortion debate in America.

Netflix also advertises “Reversing Roe” as a documentary that allows both sides of the debate to be heard: this does seem to be true. Of the individuals highlighted, 18 professionals are pro-choice and 18 are pro-life — so from a purely metric standpoint, everyone is given an equal voice. However, it is important to mention that there is a slight bias. It does seem that this documentary leans more pro-choice, mostly because there is more focus on the pro-choice professionals and their arguments against restricting a woman’s right to choose.

Despite an apparent pro-choice bias and overview of already-available information on the abortion debate, “Reversing Roe” is worth a watch simply because it emphasizes the fact that America is at a very fragile point in its history. Pro-life groups have been steadily chipping away at Roe v. Wade since its ruling in 1973, ensuring that over 300 abortion restrictions have been passed since 2010. Seven states have only one clinic that provides abortion services.

I would suggest watching this documentary if you are interested in learning about the abortion debate in the U.S., or just as a refresher if you haven’t been following politics these past few years. But keep in mind, there is a slight bias involved.

Contact the author at cweedon16@wou.edu.

Photo courtesy of: Netflix.com

What New Student Week didn’t tell you

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Every year, hundreds of new students come to Western and have the opportunity to participate in New Student Week. This eventful week full of activities includes helpful resources for students finding their way around as well as an entertaining way to kick off the school year.

Whether they attended New Student Week or not, many students either walk into their first day feeling prepared and confident, or walk in feeling slightly overwhelmed and anxious. Both types of students will probably look back on this year having learned some life lessons that could only be learned through experience; these lessons can’t be explained during orientation.

To save some time — and hopefully a few mistakes — a number of upperclassmen shared what they wish someone had told them when they were just starting out at Western.

When asked this question, Morgan Taylor, senior education major, referred to the responsibilities of being an adult.

“Transitioning into becoming an adult was very challenging in general, but as a college student we are expected to manage all the generic adult responsibilities while also juggling college. I was not prepared. You really have to teach yourself how to work with a budget and work while maintaining (your) mental health.”

Senior communications major Michelle Soutar was a transfer student when she participated in New Student Week. Wanting to immerse herself in the new student experience, she signed up for a weeklong trial of dorm life before school. The initial experience was not what she was expecting. The connections being made were beneficial to most of the new residents, but for her they wouldn’t be permanent.

“(I was) watching a community grow that I wouldn’t be included in”, she said, referring to the dorm-specific bonding events. When asked what she took away from this, she commented that it “made me utilize my counselor even more. It’s good to have someone there to talk to you directly…As a consumer in the community of college we have a voice. Be and do the change you want to see.”

A perspective from another student also focused on the learning curve of time management.

“Don’t take an 8 a.m. It sucks”, are the honest words from junior business major Casey Brown. “Or at least if you’re not an early bird.” He adds that it’s important to not to spend too much time partying and avoiding class, but it’s good to have balance. “It’s fine to go to that party as long as the important stuff gets done.”

Now that New Student Week is over, it’s time for the new students to begin they their experience and make their own mistakes to learn from. Fortunately they have access to the many resources at WOU as well as the experiences of others to get them through these first challenges.

 

Contact the author at rmeyers17@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of: Paul F. Davis

 

Breaking down student sport options

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

With the beginning of the new school year, many students may be looking to join and compete in athletics. There are two major ways for students to get involved athletically with the school: either joining an Intramural or a Club Sport. While both offer several benefits to joining, it’s important to note the differences. To make the choice between the two easier, I’ve broken them down to see which sports may fit the needs of each student.

Intramural Sports

Intramural sports are played by Western students against Western students. Intramurals give students the opportunity to form their own teams comprised of other students to battle it out against friends and foes from all over campus. Fall, winter, and spring terms are packed with full seasons of sports as well as single weekend tournaments. The winners of each championship are awarded a champions shirt.

Intramural sports give students the opportunity to compete athletically, while simultaneously allowing them to meet other students from all around campus that they otherwise might not have known. Intramural sports are very low demand on the schedule as there are no practices and no coaches. There are two types of play, full seasons with a postseason and single weekend tournaments. The leagues offer three combinations of teams: coed, which is comprised of half men and half women, open, which is a varying amount of men and women, and teams comprised of only men or only women.

To sign up and start or join a team visit IMLeagues.com/wou

Club Sports

Club Sports are essentially varsity level sports without the school funding. This means that club sports host weekly practices, have full seasons of games and play against other schools. Many of the club sports also have coaches or a coaching staff. There are two levels of club sports: Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 2 sports don’t normally compete and are more centered toward meeting new people that share the same athletic passions. Tier 1 sports are much more serious. They compete in national leagues and battle with schools all around the country.

Club Sports are a great way to continue playing sports at a high and competitive level. There are some restrictions on club sports such as maintaining a certain GPA or credit amount. These restrictions vary from sport to sport. However, there is no experience needed to join. All club sports are open to all students regardless of their experience level.

To join a club sport team visit IMLeagues.com/wou

 

Contact the author at lllarsen13@wou.edu

 

A bright new beginning

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

On the morning of Sept. 16, a group of students with diverse backgrounds and experiences moved to Western and began a new, exciting chapter in their lives. Throughout this first week, the PLUS team had organized days that were packed with fun and informative events, aiming to familiarize students with Western’s campus and community.

A few of the most celebrated events of New Student Week included the Dating Doctor, drive-in movie, hypnotist, WUC Premiere Night, magician, Freshman Bar and NSW Variety Show, along with many others.

One event which especially highlighted the necessity of hope and determination to this first-year group, though, was the New Student Sunrise — a recently-conceived tradition in its second year at Western.

As students gathered at McArthur Stadium early on Sept. 21, yawning and wrapping themselves in blankets, ASWOU president Evelyn Guzman and President Rex Fuller prepared to share wisdom with them about the college experience.

“My journey started on this campus right after high school,” said Guzman. “I didn’t know much of what I was doing here. I remember getting all of the mandatory registration done and coming to this campus without either of my parents because one lived too far and the other had to work and couldn’t afford to take time off…I remember feeling uncertain and, honestly, scared of what was coming.”

Since this sentiment is relatable to a large percentage of first-year students experiencing a similar life-changing transition, Guzman shared what helped her adjust to her new environment.

In her first year at Western, becoming connected to a number of on-campus organizations, such as M.E. Ch. A., Abby’s House, the Multicultural Representatives and ASWOU made her feel at home.

Throughout her journey, Guzman has developed a number of goals; beyond striving to make her family proud, she said that another goal of hers, in earning a degree, was to accomplish something on behalf of all people of color.

“Against all odds, here we are,” Guzman stated, reminding students it is possible to persevere, even in the face of great difficulty.

While these first-year students are sure to have a number of their own unique goals moving forward, they are also likely to have fears that they must overcome in the process.

Even though Guzman has struggled with anxiousness at times when thinking of all the people still being harmed or repressed in the world, she imparted the thought that keeps her going.

“How I overcame (the worry) every time was looking around me and seeing everyone pushing forward, in different areas, to make this world a better place. It’s understanding that maybe one person can’t accomplish everything to be able to do that, but every person at this university is doing something.”

President Fuller also encouraged students to take care of each other through all the difficult situations that come their way.

“When you have a bad day, reach out to somebody,” Fuller said. There is an abundance of groups on campus available to a wide variety of people, and he affirmed that it is important for students to be bold and to get involved in order to feel connected.

After the speeches were given, the new students ate a pancake breakfast and lined up to paint their names on the sidewalk — leaving a mark on Western that is sure to last for years to come.

Contact the author at bthompson15@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of: Paul F. Davis, Bailey Thompson

Stepping into the world

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

After years of learning how to navigate through college, understanding the ways to deal with the workload and constantly being faced with new challenges, a new type of stress is coming for many of the graduating seniors: the pressure and fear that comes with life after graduation, and the daunting feeling of what is to come.

“It’s quite honestly the fear of the unknown,” explained senior psychology major Ashley Biles. “For most of us, we have been in school since we were four- or five-years-old. Graduation symbolizes the end of our education and schooling, therefore it is the end of the known. It’s time to step out into something we literally have no experience in … full-time adulting.”

For many students, Western has become a place of comfort.

“It feels overwhelming, honestly. Leaving (Western) is going to be the hardest transition. It’s home,” commented senior communications studies major Katelin Stewart.

While this intimidating and, for many, terrifying feeling that is associated with the transition that will soon occur can be difficult to manage, there are healthy ways to cope. For some, the immediate instinct may be to suppress these emotions of anxiety and fear, it’s far more productive to channel them into something that will help students reach a level of success.

“I have found that focusing on the end goal helps ease the stress,” commented Biles. “Don’t focus on not knowing what will happen in the future, but rather all that you have done to prepare for the future you have created for yourself.”

Aside from that, there are other ways to turn that stress into something positive.

“Reminding myself that I am capable and that I do have a plan even though it feels like it’s worlds away,” is how Stewart explained her means of coping.

Talking with friends who are also experiencing this feeling can help to calm nerves, and show that no student is alone in this type of emotion. On top of this, students can also “take a few minutes to yourself each night to work on resumes, cover letters and school (and) work applications,” recommended Biles. Anything that will further prepare students for stepping into this new adventure can be a beneficial way to subside that stress.

For students who are not graduating, there are ways to minimize this fear even before reaching the point of soon-graduating.

“Take advantages of the opportunities that arise,” said Biles. Seizing any opportunity to build up a resume and boost one’s hireability will make that graduating term stress far less impactful.

In the end, it’s important to remember that while the fear may feel daunting now, it’s only temporary. Students should take pride in the fact that they just earned a college degree; whatever life throws at them now, they will be more prepared than they realize.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of: Nhregister.com

Bidding a fond farewell

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Debbie Diehm

Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs/National Student Exchange Coordinator

Years at Western: 30 years and 10 months

Favorite part of working at Western: “The students. You are all so clever and smart. You are all gracious, too.  Not a day goes by without hearing about students volunteering locally or globally or students fund-raising for others in need.”

Plans after retirement: “Doing what I want to do! Of course, projects at home, spending time with family and traveling.”

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Angela Barry

Office Manager at Public Safety

Years at Western: 14 years

Favorite part of working at Western: “Working with the students here. I have made some good friends!”

Plans after retirement: “Sleeping in. I am going to be doing some work on my house. Other than that: enjoy life!”

Photo courtesy of: Angela Barry

Sue DeNoyer

General Advisor and Office Coordinator for the Criminal Justice Department

Years at Western: 24 years and seven months

Favorite part of working at Western: “By far, the highlight of my time at (Western) has been working directly with students and getting to see that I could make a positive impact on their success here.”

Plans after retirement: “The first plan is to delete the ‘work day’ alarm from my phone! Then I plan to tackle a mountain of tasks around my home, do some traveling and spend as much time as I can with my granddaughter, family and friends.”

Photo courtesy of: Sue DeNoyer

Kevin Hughes

Landscape Maintenance Coordinator

Years at Western: 28 years

Favorite part of working at Western: “I really appreciate having the landscape look as best as possible for all people to enjoy.”

Plans after retirement: “Working at home on our farm, projects at home, working with the homeless at Union Gospel Mission in Salem, having fun with my kids and grandkids and an extra cup of coffee in the morning!”

Photo courtesy of: Kevin Hughes

Bob Hautala

Associate Professor, Division of Health and Exercise Science

Years at Western: 14 years

Favorite part of working at Western: “My interactions with students — in classes, going to athletic events, theater presentations, concerts, etc. and serving on several university committees that had a significant student presence.”

Plans after retirement: “Nothing specific yet, other than to continue to live in Oregon and find ways to stay engaged in life and all that it has to offer.”

Photo courtesy of: Bob Hautala

John Henslee

Trades Maintenance Coordinator for Housing

Years at Western: 41 years as a student, student employee and full-time employee

Favorite part of working at Western: “The best part of working here is the people, I have had a great crew over the years — it’s the best I’ve ever had right now — and have always enjoyed working with the student population whether it be as residents or employees in our shop.”

Plans after retirement: “I am planning on getting a lot more involved in my church, tying lots of flies, painting and drawing lots of pictures, making furniture, making knives, picking my guitar … and a bunch of other things I have been too busy with work to do.”

Photo courtesy of: John Henslee

Willy Lerum

Business Manager for Student Engagement

Years at Western: 30 years

Favorite part of working at Western: “Interacting with the students and making long lasting friendships with folks on campus.”

Plans after retirement: “I’m taking a couple of months off to just relax … after that, we’ll see what happens.”

Photo courtesy of: Willy Lerum

 

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

 

Honoring diverse graduates

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

While many graduates sit in eager anticipation for the June 16 commencement ceremony, two additional graduation ceremonies highlight inclusion and diversity on Western’s campus: Black Graduation and Lavender Graduation.

The 8th annual Lavender Graduation honors graduating members of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrates their accomplishments and acknowledges struggles that some have faced. During the ceremony, students will receive rainbow graduation cords and will have an opportunity to speak about their journey at Western.

The 5th annual Black Graduation recognizes black and African-American graduates. This ceremony allows these students to share their success with their friends and family while celebrating the hard work that earned them a college degree.

American Sign Language Studies major Shanna Thomas is participating in both graduation ceremonies to celebrate all aspects of her individuality.

“I’m participating because this is a time to celebrate my other identities,” Thomas expressed. “I am not only a student who worked extremely hard for my Bachelor’s, but I am also a black, biracial, mix, bisexual, cisgender female who had to overcome different obstacles because of those identities.”

Thomas believes that these ceremonies are important because they provide an opportunity to show how much can be accomplished in a world that does not give the same advantages to everyone. She explained: “These are important ceremonies because it gives these communities the opportunity to celebrate themselves openly and unapologetically for who they are and what they have had to overcome to get to where they are today.”

All students are welcome to attend Lavender Graduation on June 14 at 7 p.m. in the Columbia room and Black Graduation on June 15 at 3 p.m. in the Willamette room.

 

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis