Lake Larsen, Author at The Western Howl

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

A new friendly face has arrived at campus this year — the new Campus Dining baker, Maggie Stewart. Stewart can often be found in Valsetz providing delicious cookies, cakes and other pastries for students as well as filling baking requests for catering.

Stewart expressed her enjoyment for cooking and baking for most of her life. “My family is very food-oriented, all of our family gatherings are surrounded by food,” she explained. “Both my mom and my grandma are great cooks and bakers, but baking is what I’ve always really enjoyed … As far as I remember, I knew I was going to go to culinary school to pursue that.”

After gaining knowledge and skills baking for small weddings and birthdays in high school, Stewart went on to a two-year culinary program at Linn-Benton Community College. Since graduating, she’s worked at Big River in Corvallis as a pastry assistant and Crush Wine Bar as a manager.

Stewart is excited for the opportunity to improve campus dining and catering. “Last term and this term I’ve gotten a lot of orders for sheet cakes and celebratory cakes … so I’d really like to, especially for the catering part of things, just kind of amp up what we provide. I know a lot of people were excited about what I made.”

And students that don’t have the occasion to purchase a cake from catering can still enjoy Stewart’s delicious pastries at Valsetz Dining Hall.

When asked why she enjoys baking, Stewart replied, “(I enjoy) the meticulousness of things. Cooking and baking are two different worlds. Cooking is so fast-paced, to order, get things out as fast as possible. But with baking, you get to take your time and you get to put more of your personal touch on things. I really love anything that allows me to be creative and really just making things look pretty is fun. It’s just kind of calming for me getting to bake and then sit and take my time and decorate something.”

Stewart, from the small town of Pendleton, enjoys Western’s small community. “It’s nice that I can see people that I see on a regular basis here — outside of just in Valsetz. I can walk down the street and recognize somebody and it’s just very small and has small town comfort.”

Make sure to greet Stewart and welcome her to the university.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

The Western Howl

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Get to know the Incidental Fee Committee

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

What is the IFC?

Each year, all Western students pay a set amount of money as part of Western’s tuition and fees known as the Incidental Fee. The Incidental Fee Committee, or IFC, decides how that money gets allocated throughout various departments. The committee is comprised of Western students, faculty and staff where nine selected students are the only voting members.

Who decides what students sit on the IFC?

Three students are selected through the ASWOU general elections, three students are appointed by ASWOU President Jessica Freeman and three students are appointed by President Rex Fuller.

What departments are funded by the IFC?

Abby’s House

Access

ASWOU

Athletics

Campus Recreation

Childcare

Creative Arts

Service Learning and Career Development

Student Media

Student Engagement

Student Activities Board

Vice President for Student Affairs

How much is the Incidental Fee?

For the 2017-2018 year, students pay $349 for fall, winter and spring and $153 for Summer 2018.

Upcoming meetings

Feb. 2, 2-5 p.m. in HWC 205 – Large budget presentations

Feb. 9, 2-5 p.m. in HWC 205 – Preliminary decision

Feb. 16, 2-5 p.m. in HWC 205 – Preliminary decision

Feb. 20, 2-5 p.m. in HWC 205 – Open hearings

Feb. 23, 2-5 p.m. in HWC 205 – Open hearings

What are open hearings?

Open hearings are IFC meetings that allow students to voice concerns, thanks or opinions about the committee’s preliminary budget decisions.

Visit wou.edu/ifc for more information

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

The Western Howl

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Staying healthy during winter

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Welcome to Monmouth, Oregon. The average temperature in February is 42.3 degrees, we get about 41 inches of rain per year and we see 154 sunny days. That being said, it’s obvious that in this area, it can be very easy to find yourself unhealthy during the winter months. Actively trying to stay healthy, especially on a college campus, is incredibly important for your well-being.

It’s important that you are getting all the essential vitamins your body needs. With such little exposure to sunlight, it’s imaginable that many students at Western are lacking in the necessary Vitamin D their body needs to function. This can be found in many foods, such as fatty fishes and eggs. However, you can also opt to take a multivitamin. That way you can assure that you’re not only getting the proper amount of Vitamin D, you’re also getting all the other key vitamins that your body might be missing this time of year.

Get moving. This one is probably not that surprising, as exercise helps with most any health-related issue that you’re experiencing. It even prevents a common cold. According to a study by the University of South Carolina, men who got in three hours of moderate activity a day were 35% less likely to catch a cold than those who only got one hour. So just take any opportunity you can to get up and get moving, even if it’s just to take a quick walk for a study break.

Wash your hands frequently. This one cannot be stressed enough. Viruses can live on surfaces for hours. All it takes is for you to touch one unsanitary surface and you could be next. And of course, if you are sick you shouldn’t be spreading your germs either. Wash your hands before and after eating, and often between those as well.

On top of this, don’t forget to wash your winter coat as well. How often do you wash the jackets you wear out during this time of year? Think about all the places you’ve been in those, the people you’ve been around, and what you may have been exposed to. Be safe, and wash your winter clothes.

Finally, get the right amount of sleep for your body. According to a study done by the University of California on 165 adults, those who slept 6 hours were four times more likely to develop a cold than those who had gotten seven hours. Protect your body, get the sleep it deserves.

If you do find yourself becoming ill, head to the Student Health and Counseling Center for a free cold and flu kit. In that you’ll find medicine, thermometers, lozenges and more to keep you healthy and get you back on your feet.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

The Western Howl

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Conquering seasonal affective disorder

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

The days get shorter, natural light is scarce and the weather is gloomy and gray. The peak of the winter season for many students may just mean bundling up in extra layers and trying to stay warm and dry in the cold Monmouth rain. For other students, likely over five percent, it means something far more serious and troubling.

Seasonal affective disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is a “type of depression that comes and goes with seasons, typically starting in late fall and early winter.” While it often can be confused as its own disorder, it’s actually a subtype of major depression, with much of the same symptoms.

Like depression, it can come in many different levels of severity. Some feel what would be described as “winter blues,” while others can be hit with profound, debilitating symptoms. Neither should be taken lightly.

According to a study based in Maryland conducted by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who led the original research on seasonal affective disorder, 1 in 20 seniors in high school had already had “full-fledged SAD.” Rosenthal also believes that college students experience this in even higher numbers.

There are a couple reasons for this belief. First is due to disturbed biological rhythms. When at home, many students have parents or guardians who help them wake up in the morning, go to sleep at a more reasonable time and essentially regulate their circadian rhythms. However, with the start of college, many are experiencing that newfound freedom for the first time. With it comes a disturbance in their patterns, delaying their cycles.

The second reason he believes college students are hit even harder is the increase in workload over each term. Around this time, right in the middle of the year, is when many students begin falling behind. Work begins piling up, and you can feel like you are drowning. This compounds the problem.

If you believe that you or someone you know is affected by SAD, there is some advice that Rosenthal has for you. First of all, you need to recognize the problem. Know what symptoms to look for. This includes “changes in energy, sleep, appetite, weight, concentration and engagement with others.” When you notice these symptoms, take them seriously.

Bring more light into where you live. Natural light, according to the American Psychological Association, can be very therapeutic. The earlier in the day you expose yourself to it, the better.

Exercise in natural light. Outdoor workouts are a great option. However, if you prefer indoor, working out at the Health and Wellness Center during daylight hours works just as well. With the several windows and skylights, the room is flooded with natural light.

Be socially active. It’s understandable that this can be very hard to do. You don’t have to get out of your comfort zone if you are someone who doesn’t socialize often. However, time with people who are important to you and know how to cheer you up can be beneficial.

Finally, if you feel that you, your schoolwork or your mental or physical health is affected by SAD, seek help. The Student Health and Counseling Center takes appointments, or if it’s an emergency, allows people to be seen immediately. With their help and support, SAD is something that can be conquered.

It’s best not to wait until it gets worse; staying on top of your seasonal disorder and being aware of it helps lessen the weight of it. While how one chooses to cope with it is different for everyone, know that there are options. Know that you are not alone in this.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

The Western Howl

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DIY nail art made simple

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Getting your nails done professionally is not a cheap thing to do. Getting a set of acrylics can be in the upwards of $40, and a simple manicure can be around $20. While neither are outrageously expensive, it’s more than I’d like to spend on something I don’t necessarily need. That being said, I do enjoy having a fun look painted on my nails, as it gives me a sense of confidence I don’t always have.

Unfortunately, I am the absolute worst at doing my nails. Most of the time, the majority of the paint ends up on my skin rather than my nail. For that reason, I have found some simple nail art that can be done at home by even the least coordinated, such as myself. So pull out some polish, and inevitably some polish remover, and get started.

Matte Polish

Get a clean dish, and mix a few drops of your nail polish with small amounts of eye shadow or some other powder with a toothpick. Mix small amounts of powder at a time. Note that it will not look matte when wet, but as it dries, it will be more obvious.

Inspired by evergreenbeauty.edu

Polka-Dot Design

Use the round end of a bobby pin to add a polka-dot look to your nails. Feel free to use this design however you’d like. The dots can be all over the nail-bed, follow a straight line, or whatever you decide you want to do.

Inspired by sortrature.com

Utilize Sharpies

Thin sharpies make for some really fun designs. Especially if you opt for a gold or silver sharpie, you can easily add designs to your nails that look professional. These can quickly come off with rubbing alcohol if you decide you don’t like the look.

Tape Designs

Cut tape into the shape you want on your nails, and paint right over it. You don’t even have to cut it. Strategically placed tape can give you fun, diagonal nails that are incredibly easy to do.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Caity Healy

The Western Howl

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Navigating conflict for successful relationships

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

While there has never been a time in my life where I’ve found it enjoyable to get into an argument with a significant other, I have noticed a pattern — I either leave the conflict feeling absolutely horrible, or I leave with a feeling of relief and optimism. Obviously, I prefer the latter. As much as I hate conflict with the person I love, it’s important to note that healthy and fair disputes are a necessary component to a flourishing relationship.

Healthy, fair fights can lead to many benefits that you wouldn’t necessarily realize. The fact is that all couples argue. It’s unavoidable to spend so much time with someone and not find yourself bickering over something. However, successful couples disagree differently.

According to Dr. Aislinn Addington, director of Abby’s House, a healthy argument means “listening to each other and respecting each others needs. If at the end, you both move forward, then that is great.”

Some other tips to keep your disagreements healthy include not running from an argument. If something is bothering you, and you know it will continue to bother you, it needs to be said. While it may be difficult and probably uncomfortable, it’s necessary that both partners are included and in the loop when it comes to important topics. Speak your mind.

Remember that you are a team. You are in your relationship together, and keeping that thought in the back of your head during an argument can help you remember that you chose to be with this person for a reason. Don’t let a dispute keep you from seeing that.

The benefits to a clean, healthy argument are more extensive than you’d think. Opening up to each other can create a sense of trust. Letting a partner know that you trust them enough to let them see your true feelings will ultimately make them feel more included and accepted. Also, holding things in will cause damage to your relationship. Talking about things early on will stop it from piling on and weighing even heavier on your shoulders.

Healthy conflict is a way for you to grow as a couple. Look at a fair dispute as an opportunity to progress together and become intimate in a way you hadn’t been before. With all this being said, while a healthy fight is incredibly beneficial, it’s important to know the difference between a fair fight and an unhealthy one.

“Look for patterns. If you’re clear with your needs and your partner chooses to disregard that, that’s unhealthy,” Dr. Addington commented. “Having the same fight over and over again, or if it escalates is something to watch out for.” Fighting just to fight versus fighting for the sake of a resolution is another thing to look for. If you feel like you aren’t being heard and are simply talking to no one, this is a bad sign and an indicator of an unhealthy relationship.

Any fight that turns personal, where your partner begins making jabs at you as a person rather than something you did to hurt them, is unhealthy. “Sometimes it starts with put-downs and name calling,” Addington added, “and it generally becomes something worse over time.” Watch out for this, and make sure you aren’t doing it yourself.

And lastly, of course, any type of abusive argument or fight is incredibly dangerous and a huge red flag. Do not take this lightly. Whether it be physical, emotional, verbal or mental, it is never okay. If you find yourself in a situation like this, know that there are people you can talk to. Abby’s House in the Werner University Center offers services for people experiencing domestic and dating violence. You can also call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-3224.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Caity Healy

The Western Howl

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See more movies with MoviePass

Darien Campo | Designer

I love movies. A lot.

The problem is I’m not able to see a lot of newer movies until they hit one of my preferred streaming services. And by that point, it’s usually been spoiled or I’ve lost interest. Going to the movies is prohibitively expensive, natoonline.org puts 2017’s average ticket price at $8.97 — a record high. With some theaters charging up to $17 for a ticket, it’s no surprise that the Hollywood Reporter recently revealed that theater attendance in 2017 reached a 27-year low.

I should know, for as much as I love movies, until recently I barely ever went to the theaters. But I just discovered a subscription service that offers a fantastic deal for those who want to see more flicks on the big screen.

MoviePass is a service that allows moviegoers to watch one movie a day — for only $10 a month. The service is powerful and easy to use. When users sign up, MoviePass mails a member debit card to their address. Users then sign in to the MoviePass app on their phones and travel within 100 yards of a theater. Once the app detects they are in range of a theater, users can reserve a ticket for whichever film and showtime they wish. MoviePass places money on the card, which can then be used to purchase the ticket as usual.

I went from going to the cinema only a few times a year to seeing 10 movies in the past month —12 if you count seeing “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” twice each. I’m excited to be back in the theater seat watching the most recent films as they come. I’m engaging with films more frequently than I have in years, and I’ve even been taking chances and trying out films I normally wouldn’t due to ticket prices.

Most theaters in the area accept MoviePass, including Independence Cinema, Cinnebarre, Salem Cinema and Regal Lancaster.

Hollywood gets a lot of guff for its constant sequels and reboots, but after getting MoviePass I’m happy to say that there are plenty of fantastic films being lovingly crafted today. Below I’ll list some recent films I highly recommend you go check out, 2017 was a wonderful year for film. If you’ve been wanting to get back into the cinema circuit, MoviePass is a subscription service that’s well worth a Hamilton a month.

Contact the author at dcampo13@wou.edu

Photo by: Moviepass.com

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

New baker in town

Get to know the Incidental Fee Committee

Staying healthy during winter

Conquering seasonal affective disorder

DIY nail art made simple

Navigating conflict for successful relationships

See more movies with MoviePass

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