Mount Hood

Take a bite out of these bagels

Zoe Strickland | Editor-in-Chief

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar

1 ¼ cups warm water

3 ½ cups flour (you can use bread flour, but regular flour is more useful to keep around)

1 ½ teaspoons salt

Any toppings you desire — I recommend Everything but the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s

Extra flour for creating a non-stick counter surface

 

Adapted from sophisticatedgourmet.com

 

Directions:

This recipe takes around two hours, so it isn’t for those with scarce time but these bagels are pretty great, once prepared.

In a bowl with ½ cup of the warm water, add in the sugar and yeast — but don’t mix it. Let it sit for about five minutes, or until the mixture has become frothy.

In a separate large bowl, mix the flour and salt together. After it’s mixed, pour in the yeast mixture and the rest of the warm water. Combine into a rough dough.

Once combined, place the dough on a floured countertop and begin kneading it with your hands. After about 10 minutes, the dough should be able to form a smooth and firm ball.

Put the dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp towel for an hour. The dough should double in size. Once doubled, punch the dough down and let rest for around ten minutes.

While the dough is resting, bring a pot of water to a boil. Take the dough and place it back onto a counter, dividing it into eight evenly-sized pieces — or 12 to 16 if you want to make mini-bagels.

Take each piece of dough and roll it into a ball. Some people prefer to form the balls by pressing and rolling the dough against a counter, others prefer to roll the dough in between their hands.

Once the dough balls are formed, use your finger to punch a hole in the center of the ball, spinning the bagel around your finger to make the hole larger.

After all of the bagels are formed, put groups of them in the boiling water, flipping them over after a minute. Once all of the bagels have been boiled, place your selected toppings on them and put them on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Bake them in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until the bagels are golden.

Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu

Photo by: Zoë Strickland

Exercising with a partner

Mikaela Wong | Freelancer

In this day and age, social media has proven to be an influential tool to educate a broad audience a multitude of skills – specifically, fitness exercises. This progressive movement in the area of health and wellness has brought about newfound motivation for many people of all ages.

One of the biggest trends right now is partner workouts – exercises that are based on manipulating a partner’s body weight in various positions and vice versa, such as a push-up/squat. It’s a concept that promotes exercising with friends rather than working out alone. However, many of these workouts are very easy to perform with improper form because one doesn’t only have to be very aware of how their body is moving, but they also have to be skilled enough to control their body movements in reaction to the constantly-changing body of their partner’s. The goal of partner workouts is to exercise with a friend simultaneously and have fun with it; one shouldn’t have to sacrifice the safety of their body in order to do it. Instead, there are ways to have a fun and exciting workout with a friend that maximizes progress and minimizes the potential for injury.

Interval training is a type of training in which an athlete will alternate between two different types of exercises that require varying amounts of effort and speed, and have been proven to be an effective type of training that is safe and modifiable. Whether you and your partner are alternating between one workout and the next, or you do the same workouts at the same time, each person can focus on their steady exercise without having to rely on the inconsistent stability of their partner or even their own.

 

Example Workout: Full Body

Partner 1:

  1. 20 second push up
  2. 10 second rest
  3. 20 second plank
  4. 10 second rest
  5. 20 second mountain climbers
  6. 10 second rest

Partner 2:

  1. 20 second jump squat
  2. 10 second rest
  3. 20 second wall sit
  4. 10 second rest
  5. 20 second high knees
  6. 10 second rest

Contact the author at mwong16@wou.edu

 

Dedication illuminated through dance

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

One by one, the audience shuffled to their seats and waited in anticipation for the art they’d soon witness. After some time, the lights slowly dimmed to full darkness. With a hush that consumed the room and the sweeping of a curtain, it was time for the show to begin.

The 2018 Spring Dance Concert took place from May 10-12 in Rice Auditorium. Showcasing the work and dedication that went into 10 different performances, audience members showed up and supported the art that their friends, family and peers had worked to perfect.

The show displayed the work of students, alumni, and the Rainbow Dance Theatre, as all worked together to put on the two and a half hour production.

From the eyes of a viewer, what was seen was nothing short of phenomenal. Opening with a performance titled “Last Light,” choreographed by senior Andrew De La Paz, audiences saw animalistic forces charging after the dying light presented by soloist senior Alaina Meyer. Ultimately, the piece showed that no matter how hard the force attempted to steal the light from her, she would not surrender.

This piece set the scene for the rest of the concert; from then on, audiences were able to see more dark material, with visuals that would send shivers down one’s spine and had perfectly chosen music to match.

These dance performances didn’t shy from tackling controversial topics, such as the stereotypes surrounding different races brought to light in “One,” choreographed by senior Tunya Dhevaphalin.

“Each piece told a story,” explained dancer sophomore Noah Nieves Driver. “Whether it be one of determination, grief, or just for pure entertainment … (each was) full of everyone’s heart and soul.”

Art was exhibited within each performance; the set designs, the lighting that flawlessly reflected the mood of the piece, the film used in choreographer Kristie Lauren’s “Chalk, Chalkboards, and Classroom Covens,” and even the painting produced on the spot by Professor Gregory Poulin in “Men Dancing: the Painter,” choreographed by dance professor Darryl Thomas in collaboration with the dancers — all left the audience in awe.

Behind the curtain, what made the production of this art possible can be seen.

“A lot of preparation went into the Spring Dance Concert,” said dancer sophomore Maria Krueger. “We put five months worth of rehearsal time in, with practices twice a week for two hours each practice.”

Krueger was a part of two performances: “Last Light” and “False Hologram.” She added that, on top of the work she and the rest of the crew put into the pieces, there were also “two previews during that time, where the dance facility overlooked the dances and helped students perfect their pieces.”

With numerous dancers involved, choreographers, costume designers, lighting designers and more, the hours on top of hours and immense passion put into the production was evident.

Following the final piece, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” choreographed by Valerie Bergman and professor Darryl Thomas, both a part of the Rainbow Dance Theatre, the show came to a close. As the faces of each performer made their way to center stage to take a final bow, much of the audience gave a standing ovation to show their respect and admiration towards everyone involved.

Driver noted that as he was taking his bow, he felt “sadness that the run is over … and happiness to finally have free time again.”

“It felt amazing to perform these pieces, to show off five months of hard work,” added Krueger.

As the lights brightened the room and the audience made their way down the rows and out of the auditorium, those involved in the show were greeted with the smiling faces of all of their supporters, waiting to congratulate them on the work they had done.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photos by: Paul F. Davis

Football springs back into shape

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Since April 23, Western’s football team has held spring training and practice between McArthur Field and the campus turf field. The team had the opportunity to try out its new roster in a scrimmage on May 12 at Central High School’s football field.

“The secondary and the backers are starting to be in a place where we’d like speed wise and communication wise,” said head coach Arne Ferguson.

After fall ball, 23 upperclassmen left the team, but the Wolves have sprung back to practice 35 first-year redshirts from 2017.

“Any time you lose 23 seniors — especially a receiver like Paul Revis — it’s really good to see some young receivers step up. (Tyler) Sweet had a great day today,” said Ferguson.

The team lost two potential starting quarterbacks to graduation last season. The last two years were spent rotating between seniors Nick Duckworth and Phillip Fenumiai. Next season, the Wolves quarterback depth chart will consist of first-years Ryan Worthley, Jordan Hickman and junior passer Ty Currie.

“Quarterback Ryan (Worthley) did a really nice job with our second group,” commented Ferguson.

Many were added to the defensive back and receiving corps from past recruitment, like wideout Tyler Sweet, first-year, who could boost the team with his catching and speed mechanics. Sweet will play alongside his brother, junior Torreahno Sweet, who was a dual threat as a running back and kick returner in the 2017 season.

The football team will also see the return of multiple upperclassmen. Staying with the team and turning senior in the 2018-19 season is linebacker Bo Highburger, who earned an all-GNAC first team defensive selection in 2017.

Defensive backs Curtis Anderson, incoming sophomore, and Jacob Kantola, incoming senior, also returned for spring training and will add leadership to the team.

Kantola reflected on the first-year group, saying, “Sometimes you get guys who don’t really want to play, but these guys are ready to jump in and have fun. They’re in with the mix.”

The scrimmage session provided ample time for the team to work and get used to each other. The team was divided up into several groups to practice specific plays.

“We were over 100 plays, which is our goal, so they’re getting a lot of work in the spring, which is what they need,” said Ferguson.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Simson Garcia

$4 million surplus in university budget provides opportunity for growth

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

On May 8, a university budget update given by president Rex Fuller and interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Jay Kenton disclosed a new revelation to Faculty Senate: the university budget, which was previously thought to be in a deficit, is actually in a $4 million surplus.

This surplus of money arose from various sources. Though enrollment is still declining, the university is attracting more out-of-state students, who pay more for tuition than Oregon residents. This unexpected revenue cuts down the deficit. Additionally, the migration from the Banner software system to the cloud application saved the university a one-time savings of $450,000. And nearly half of the $4 million was money that was budgeted for various departments but not being utilized. Instead of re-allocating these funds halfway through the year, the administration decided to be proactive about their investments.

“It allows us to be a bit more investment-oriented,” explained Fuller. “We’re moving to a point where we’re creating our future as opposed to simply being in reaction mode.”

Now the question is: what will the university invest in? Fuller thinks it’s important to focus on increasing enrollment at Western.

“We need to be more creative and innovative about driving enrollment to Western,” Fuller stated.

One way to accomplish this is to establish a campus in Salem to appeal to students that are currently commuting from Salem to Monmouth. Another focus would be creating new programs with an emphasis in professional STEM fields and implementing more accessible degree paths through online classes.

An important change, what Kenton refers to as a ‘new paradigm,’ is decentralizing the budget and allowing individual departments to manage their own budgets.

“Everything was very centrally controlled here,” Kenton commented. “Most universities push responsibilities out — decisions are better made closer to their point of impact.”

The way it is now, departments only manage nearly 20 percent of their own budgets. Kenton aims to change this.

He explained that faculty are stakeholders in the university, stating: “You (the faculty) are part owner of this operation and you deserve to have this information to know how your organization’s doing and how you’re going to be impacted by decisions we make. We need to be inclusive and transparent.”

Dr. Kimberly Jensen, professor of history, believes that the administration should provide more information to the faculty and explain why this surplus was not found sooner.

“This was money, over time, that could have supported faculty and the wonderful students we teach in many ways,” Jensen explained. “I would like to see the administration provide us more information about the specific accounting, and I would like the administration to see that there is restitution for what has happened.”

Dr. Karen Haberman, professor of biology, suggested that these funds be used to provide competitive pay for open faculty positions.

“In light of budget surpluses going back many years, we need to prioritize filling tenure-track positions that were vacated due to retirements,” Haberman proposed. “Several of these positions have been open for many years, presumably due to budget constraints.”

The discovery of a budget surplus came in the middle of faculty bargaining, where faculty and administrators meet to explain their positions and come to an agreement regarding faculty compensation and benefits. Kenton believes that the budget will play a role in faculty negotiations going forward.

“This revelation may complicate bargaining,” Kenton remarked. “I think the expectations are high as a result.”

Jensen agreed, stating: “This has undoubtedly affected our collective bargaining processes as we seek to have faculty salaries that will recruit and retain faculty, decisions about replacing faculty who have left (Western), and funding for programs to benefit faculty and students here at (Western) as we seek to make this the best educational experience for students we possibly can.”

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

 

Dancing through life

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Dancing can be a valuable tool in several ways: it provides an exceptional form of fitness, an escape from stress and, in many cases, fun. And, for some, participation in this type of physical activity is more than just exercise – it becomes a passion. For sophomore education major Kaiana Bradley, this remains true.

While it’s something of great importance to her now,when she first began, this wasn’t quite true.

“I started dancing in the second grade because my mom knew one of the ladies who had a dance studio in town and just signed me up,” said Bradley. “At the time, I just loved getting to wear a leotard, and eventually I learned to love dance itself, too.”

Over the past 12 years, her love for dance has continuously progressed — as did her reason for practicing her passion.

“When I dance, all of my problems fade away. Any outside stressors just disappear and the movement takes its place. It is really freeing,” Bradley explained.

While her passion for dance is immense, so is the time it takes. With countless rehearsals, recitals and pieces she’s taken the hours to learn, dance is truly a time-consuming practice that for some, could be too much. Despite this, Bradley is able to maintain a regular academic and social life.

“I guess all of the rehearsals I had growing up taught me to get my homework done when I was available to do that … in high school, I had evening rehearsals and I was so used to coming home from school and continuing to do schoolwork, that I kept that practice going as I started college,” Bradley stated.

Not allowing dance to make an impact on her school life took years of practice and an understanding of how to fit everything into her schedule. And while some may assume it would negatively impact her social life, Bradley explains that it did the opposite.

“It provides an excellent social support,” Bradley said. “I have met some of the most amazing people in dance rehearsals.”

For students at Western interested in dance, Bradley urges that you simply go for it.

“(Interested students) should sign up for a beginning level dance course for the next term. I would highly recommend using a dance class to fulfill one of their arts LACCs,” Bradley mentioned. “The faculty are incredibly talented and all around amazing people who would love to bring new dancers into the department.”

Dancing has taught Bradley many lessons. Whether it be about life, school, herself or anything in between, it’s affected who she is as a person.

“Dance has grown me into a more independent, confident individual than I would have been without it,” Bradley stated. “And becoming a coachable person is something that will help me later on in life.”

 

Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

A week that needs to be amended

Lake Larsen | Digital Media Manager

This week is second amendment week, a week to heighten awareness on the subject of and advocate for the second amendment and gun rights. But does this highly-discussed amendment actually need — and, honestly, deserve — a full week of recognition?

The second amendment is one of the most controversial amendments due to an epidemic of gun violence in the news in recent times. Because of this, there are very vocal protesters on both sides of the argument fighting for their views. But I don’t see these pro- and anti-amendment arguments as equals. This is why I believe the pro-second-amendment rhetoric on our campus is undeserving of a full week of recognition.

In the gun debate, the sides can be reduced to two basic arguments: the right to bear arms and the need for major gun control. Yes, I realize there is an ocean of grey area to this argument but for the sake of time, let’s try to condense arguments into the following groups: one side fights for the right to be able to attend your class without the fear of an ex-student entering the room with a firearm with the intent to kill, the right to go see a movie without thinking in the back of your head an escape plan for how to get out in a shooting or even just the ability to attend a concert without needing to worry about seeing your loved ones gunned down by a weapon that can be bought by a high-school-aged kid. Meanwhile, the radicals on the other side argue that because a handful of old white men wrote on a paper 227 years ago that the “right to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” anyone can own any gun at any time with any amount of ammunition to do with what they please. That the right to own a gun is given to American citizens no matter what their past is like. That no matter how many innocent lives are taken by guns, people still need them.

I am not trying to throw all second amendment advocates into one generalized, gun-crazed group. What I am trying to say is that one side wants the peace of mind to not worry about whether they, or a loved one, will come home safe. And the radicals on the other side think some ink on a paper means everyone should own a gun, any type of gun, for hunting or killing a robber or whatever they please.

This gross difference in the value of a human life is what disqualifies this week as appropriate for a college campus. If we want to be the kind of college that condones speech like this, at least match it with dialogue that actually follows what the second amendment says. Because a true second amendment week would preach about the need for regulation on guns, because after all, the second and third words in the amendment are “well regulated”. Instead, the events for the week involve playing with Nerf guns.

 

Ignore the voices pushing  this week of second amendment worship on campus. This campus is for education, not preaching for ownership of weapons that cause the deaths of almost 13,000 Americans every year. While diversity of thought helps grow society, the lack of empathy for human life slows progress.

Enough of this “good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun.” Instead, realize that the lack of a gun means there’s a lowered ability to kill anyone. Preach love and unity, not protectionism and violence. If there is one thing that the founding fathers said that needs to be repeated, it’s that every American has the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” So, stop these lies of needing a gun to be safe and, instead, educate about how we can come together to create a peaceful society.

Lastly, I’d like to leave you with some facts that should carry the most weight during this pro-second amendment propaganda week: per everytownresearch.org, on average in America every 15 minutes someone is killed by a gun; there are approximately 36 homicides by a gun everyday; every other month on average a child or teen is murdered with a gun; as of May 13, there have been 39 gun related incidents at a school in 2018 — that’s an average of two per week.

Now ask yourself: do we really need this week?

 

Contact the author at llarsen13@wou.edu

Photo by: latimes.com

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   Twitter  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
Virtual Tour
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
Partnerships
Student Services

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.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

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.