Mount Hood

Dear Esmeralda

Dear Esmeralda,
Screen Shot 2016-04-17 at 9.05.53 PMI’m a freshman bisexual girl and I have a big problem with relationships. They make me feel awkward. I don’t like holding hands and the mushy-gushy stuff hurts my soul. I’m asking for help to come out to my parents and also what I should do about not liking relationships. Am I the only one like this? I told my friend once, and she was really confused.
Confused in the Closet

Dear Confused in the Closet,
You have written to the right drag queen on this kitty girl! First of all, there is no rush in coming out to your parents. This can be one of the hardest things to do! Take a deep breath and, if possible, talk to them in person. I know it can be harder than a go go dancer’s abs but it will make you a happier person in the long run, for better or worse!

As for not liking relationships, this is easy as pie! There are many layers to an LGBTQ+ identity (not unlike onions)! There is romantic orientation, sexual orientation and, finally, gender identity! For example, I have this friend, (they are kinda a goofball and annoying but I love them anyway) whose full-blown identity is panromantic-grey-asexual-genderqueer. This means they are romantically attracted to all genders of people but rarely experience sexual attraction. No tea, no shade, no pink lemonade hunty, but it sounds like you could be the flip of them. You could be an aromantic bisexual. Be very careful to note the difference between aromantic and aromatic. One means you don’t experience romantic attraction and one means you have a smell about you.

To wrap it up, you are never alone in your struggles. Visit the Stonewall Center on campus or attend Triangle Alliance.
Please, if anyone out there has questions about their orientation ask the folks there or even bug me about it! Best of luck my dear!

Esmeralda

Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble

By: Paige Scofield,
Campus Life Editor

witches-brew-cocktail-colorIt’s that time of year! The time for goblins, ghouls, witches, scary movies and alcohol. Now, any good witch knows they need the perfect potion for dancing naked under the harvest moon, but also one for a chill kick back. If this sounds appealing, then dust off your pointy hat and cauldron, because,“Witches Brew,” is the drink for you! Here’s the recipe courtesy of food.com:

Servings: 12-16 (makes one punch bowl)

What you need:
1 (6 ounce) package of lime gelatin
2 cups of boiling water
3 cups of chilled pineapple juice
1 chilled 2 liter bottle of lemon lime soda or gingerale
2 cups of vodka

Directions:
Pour gelatin mix into large bowl and slowly stir in boiling water. Continue stirring for at least two minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved.
Stir in pineapple juice, the entire 2 liter of soda and vodka.
Let cool to room temperature and serve!

This recipe is simple and sweet. To add flare, try serving the cocktail out of a cauldron. Or serve in glasses that have gummy teeth, or creature candy off the side of the cup.
I will be adding a new spooky cocktail each week of October so your Halloween party can be the talk of the wizarding world! Please drink responsibly and have a happy Halloween!

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Erase the stigma

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

On Monday Oct. 10, Western observed World Mental Health Awareness Day. In the Werner University Center, ASWOU had a booth to bring awareness to our campus about the stigma surrounding mental health. Their goal was to educate the masses by using trivia and pamphlets from the National Alliance on Mental Illness website. They printed out pamphlets on the most common mental illnesses that afflict Americans. The pamphlets state the facts below:
Obsessive compulsive disorder affects nearly 1 out of 40 people in the U.S.

mental-health-colorPost Traumatic Stress disorder affects 3.5 percent of the of the U.S. adult population which is roughly 7.7 million people.

Self-harm or self-injury affects mostly teens and young adults which is a sign of emotional distress.

Schizophrenia affects 1 percent of Americans.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects nearly 9 percent of children between ages 3-17. Nearly 4 percent of adults are diagnosed with ADHD.

Anxiety disorders affect an estimated 40 million (18 percent) of adults and approximately 8 percent of children and teens.

Depression affects about 16 million (7 percent) of the U.S.
population. Young adults in the age range of 18-25 are 60 percent more likely to have depression than those above 50.

Eating disorders affect 1 in 20 people at some point in their lives.

The students of ASWOU would like to bring these facts to the attention of Western students, as well as support those who struggle with mental illness. ASWOU member Madison Harner, a junior international studies major, eagerly wanted students to know the resources that are available.

“We’re supporting our students on campus and I think it’s important that students here know what resources they have, like the Student Health and Counseling Center and what services they provide,” said Harner.

Max Norr, senior history major, is also a member of ASWOU, is trying to get this knowledge to all who are willing to listen.

“The goal is to educate as many people as possible and the more educated people become, the less stigmatized it will become, because they’ll understand more about about mental illnesses,” said Norr. “Just trying to get the information out and letting people know that one, they’re not alone, and two, there are real reasons behind mental illnesses. It’s about erasing the learned discrimination and the learned internalized feeling towards mental illnesses. If we can work towards educating people and erasing that stigma, that’s our goal achieved.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the very real affects of mental illness visit www.nami.org for more information.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

When Earth and Art Collide

By: Shaylie Pickrell

On Wednesday, Oct. 5 a reception was held for the new exhibits in Hamersly Library. The exhibits are the collective work of current faculty, past faculty and alumni. The “Painting and Photography– A Friendship” exhibit has a collection of photographs done by Vincent Leandro, a former art student at Western, and a series of paintings inspired by his work done by Elaina La Boda Jamieson, a Western emeritus art professor.

They developed a friendship during his attendance at Western and it has lasted throughout the past 15 years. Seeing the artists together, you could feel the creative chemistry around them. Jamieson had struggled to complete three of the paintings before she had carpal tunnel surgery in April. The passion she expressed towards her paintings was incredible and added meaning behind the exhibit and their relationship.

The Earth science exhibit was not shy of passion either. The exhibit is a collection of work done by professors and alumni in the earth science department during the process of project-based learning, research and community service. Dr. Taylor, one of the professors who put the exhibit together, spoke with a heartwarming sense of nostalgia as he explained that the collective work, over the past 20 years, has meant so much to him and the Earth science department.

All the time and effort put into the research is the result of the meaningful relationships that were developed during these project-based learning experiences. To him, nothing will be as powerful as watching his students succeed in their endeavors, especially a former student, Beeb, who has now become a faculty member in the Earth science department. The exhibits not only display impressive works of art and detailed collections of research, but convey an underlying sense of pride and accomplishment. The exhibit will be open until Dec. 9.

Contact the author at spickrell15@mail.wou.edu

All hands on deck

By: Paige Scofield 
Campus Life Editor

cps-rebecca-colorWestern’s Campus Public Safety Officers have always gone above and beyond when helping those who are in need. Whether that’s finding a stolen bike or escorting students home, they treat each task as equally important. Despite this, how could they strive to be better? How could they extend a hand of help to everyone and anyone who contacts them? Campus Public Safety Officers want to communicate with every student and faculty member to the best of their ability.
As some may know, Western is well known for its American Sign Language program and is home to a community of deaf and partially deaf individuals. In the fall of 2015, Campus Public Safety Director Rebecca Chiles was contacted by College of Education faculty member, Brent Redpath, to do a presentation on Western’s Campus Public Safety for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Faculty.

“In that gathering, we began to discuss ways that deaf and partially deaf faculty, staff, students and Campus Public Safety could better communicate. An idea was brought to me by College of Education faculty, Kara Gouranis, that she had a couple of students who were willing to teach us at Public Safety some basic American Sign Language. Two students, Petra Schenfeld and Cassie Owens, began meeting with us in late fall 2015. They were patient and understanding with us and we have made some progress,” said Chiles.

The officers involved in this training include: occupational environmental safety officer Allen Risen with 27 years on the force, officer Scott Tennant with five years, officer Trever Jackson with nine years, administrative office assistant Angela Barry with two years and Director Rebecca Chiles also with two years of experience.

“Both officer Tennant and officer Jackson have used American Sign Language with students on a couple of different occasions since we began taking the classes,” Chiles added.
Campus Public Safety also announced on Western’s website, wou.edu, that they have created a deaf and partially deaf text line.

The Western website instructions states,“The user simply sends a text message to the specified number and the text will be answered by our Campus Public Safety staff. We encourage deaf and partially deaf faculty, staff and students to use this number for all communication with Campus Public Safety, such as, emergencies of any kind, door unlocks, report a crime or suspicious activities, etc. If you are part of the Deaf/Hard of hearing community and would like the phone number for this service, please feel free to contact the Office of Disability Services at ods@wou.edu or Public Safety at safety@wou.edu and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have.”

Above all, Campus Public Safety is doing their best to make sure every student and faculty member at Western feels safe and heard.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@mail.wou.edu

Where you can write on walls

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

On Friday Sept. 23, the Richard Woodcock Education Center became open to the public. Construction for the building began last year and was completed before the 2016 school year started. Before the ribbon cutting, the crowd gathered around the building waiting for the speakers to present. Among those speakers was Oregon’s Governor, Kate Brown.

When taking the podium, she endlessly complimented the university and all the steps that we’ve made to further our education curriculum. She spoke with true sincerity and graciously complimented Western again by stating, “Educators trained at Western will contribute to Oregon’s goal of building an education system that meets the needs of all students.” The last to speak, of course, was Richard Woodcock.

Western News stated that during his time at Western (then called the Oregon College of Education), Dr. Woodcock served as an assistant professor of psychology and the Reading Clinic director from 1957 to 1961. Dr. Woodcock strives to bring teachers and students together from all walks of life by using education as something that brings people together.

Once the speeches were complete, Gov. Kate Brown and Dr. Richard Woodcock cut the red ribbon, officially opening the Richard Woodcock Education Center to the Western campus and public.

The building itself is filled top to bottom with technology. This includes SMART Boards, avatar simulations and live-streaming connections with real classrooms in the surrounding areas. Not to mention, you can write on the walls; many of the classrooms and study areas have whiteboard walls that allow you to use them as you please. Even if you don’t have a class in the Richard Woodcock Education Center, go take a look and see the wonders for yourself.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Direct From Me to You

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

You’ve finally made it to college. Welcome! The beautiful campus of Western Oregon University will be your home for the next few years. Be prepared to enjoy the late night studying, sleeping in the library, endless amounts of coffee and the wonderful friends that you’ll make.

But, in all seriousness, beginning a new life in college can be incredibly daunting. Just know that it is for everyone. You’re on the first step to adulthood which is one of the most stress-inducing steps you’ll take in your life.

Although college takes a lot of work, the payoff of being a more educated human is worth it and not something you should take for granted.  A lot of people who want to be educated and better their minds aren’t able to afford college. So, understand that you have been able to partake in an experience that so many wish they could be a part of.

Throughout my years at Western, I’ve accumulated some wisdom and advice from my peers, my professors and my own experience. That wisdom should be shared, so you don’t have to learn everything the, “hard way.”  

1) Always Know Where Your Keys Are!

 

This is one of the most important tips for living in the dorms. When you leave your room,  do the three spot check. This includes: wallet (with your student ID), keys and phone. When you get back to your room, don’t throw your keys just anywhere. Put them on your doorknob, so every time you leave your room you have to grab your keys. Trust me, you’ll get locked out a lot, so heed this warning. (The RSC will only help you out a few times!)

   2)   Make Your Own Rules!

Being in college is great, because you can finally make your own rules. You don’t have to tell your parents when you’re going out or if you have homework, and that’s awesome! But, it can also be strange not having restrictions. No restrictions can cause a multitude of things to happen.

You can become: lazy, irresponsible, more of a procrastinator than you already are and stuck in a endless loop of naps. Create your own rules or borrow some rules from your parents. Make sure you try to do some homework before you binge watch something on Netflix, only nap twice a week, try to motivate yourself! Believe me, you’ll feel a lot better about yourself and you’ll start to create your own college routine.

3) Give Yourself a Break!

College can be incredibly difficult. Homework, studying, midterms, finals and life can really start to pile the stress on. Try to remember that your health is more important than what’s going on in school. Don’t skip class all the time, but if you really need some time for yourself, take it. Mental health and physical health need to be at tip top shape in order for you to function happily! Treat yourself! If you feel that you need to talk to someone, go to the Student Health and Counseling Center!  

4) Keep an Open Mind!

During your time in college, you’ll be meeting people who are 100 percent different than you are. College is not only a time to learn about academics, but to learn about others. You may be set in your ways now, but you will grow, change and learn so much in your college career. Listen to others, debate and discuss. Your way of thinking isn’t the only way of thinking. When you graduate, you won’t be the you that you were in 2016.  Learn how to grow and listen.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Western’s Got Talent

By:Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Many first years eagerly awaited their turn to show the variety show judges what they had to offer. The door the contestants entered through had a heartwarming note wishing each auditioner good luck.

Julia Miller, a first year psychology major, auditioned with an original song titled, “Get Bent” while accompanying herself on the guitar. She described her song as a rhythm heavy, doo-wop styled song.

“I’ve been performing forever, and I’m interested in getting involved with the music program,” said Miller.

Western has plenty to offer for all of its students. Though New Student Week has passed, you can still join clubs and activities at any point in the year!
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

New Student Week

screen-shot-2016-09-28-at-6-41-44-pm

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

On Wednesday, Sep. 21, during the Student Organization Fair, the Werner University Center was buzzing with first-years. Greenhorns were eager to see the many clubs and activities Western has to offer. If you weren’t able to attend the Student Organization Fair, here’s a list of some of the clubs that attended:

AXO Sorority                                  African Friends & Student Association Club

ASWOU                                          University League Legends

Triangle Alliance                             International Students’ Club

WOU Food Pantry                           Women’s Soccer

Student Activities Board                  Men’s Soccer

Business & Economics Club            Hawaii Club

Women’s Rugby                               Campus Crusade for Christ

Men’s Rugby                                    Wolfpack Dance Team

Student Media                                   Natural Science Club

Anime Club                                      Western Lacrosse

M.E.Ch.A WOU                               Byte Club

Acappella Club                              

Not all clubs at Western were present, but if you are interested in or have questions about any of these clubs, search on wou.edu and go to Student Organization List for more information.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Spotlights: Academic Excellence Showcase

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

The 11th annual Academic Excellence Showcase took place this year with over 300 presentations and a total of 390 students presenting.

The showcase gives students a chance to produce professional presentations while giving other students a chance to explore the scholarships of various departments across campus.

Alex Kampstra, senior medicinal chemistry major, was excited to share the information he and his partner found on Vyvanse, a new drug for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

His presentation, titled “The Unique Metabolism of Lisdexamfetamine (AKA Vyvanse),” attempted to demystify the drug.

“I liked informing everyone on this new drug, because people struggle with this condition. It is nice to get more information out there to people who need it,” Kampstra said.

His partner, Brian Hauenstein, senior medicinal chemistry major, was grateful for all the positive feedback.

“Seeing the response from people that genuinely care about this information, and didn’t have access to it, was great. You look on the internet and there is a lot of misinformation on how it works.”

Kwon Su, senior sociology major, shared his feelings on presenting his thesis about the availability of housing for homeless in the Salem area. The worst parts of presenting, in his opinion, were the nerves and stage fright.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, your heart is going to race when you get up there.”
However, the best part was the work he produced for his research project.

“I was able to show my work and show what I have done, and express people’s story. I showed what some people have endured, and yeah, that’s something,” Su said.

Derek Planell, an undeclared freshman, discussed using AES as a way to explore topics he is already interested in, but also using it as a way to find other possible majors.

“A lot of students, like myself, are undecided, and are looking around seeing what’s up,” Planell said. “It motivates kids to get out and get some easy extra credit. They go out and get to see more and dive in more, and hopefully that guides them a bit.”

Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @rachaelyjackson.

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