Mount Hood

A safe alternative to walking is one call away for Western students

By: Jade Rayner
News Editor

Western provides a wide range of services to ensure the safety of its students. One of those services is WOLF Ride. WOLF ride is a “reliable shuttle service [for] students of Western Oregon University who would otherwise walk alone at night and risk their safety or possible assault,” as stated on Western’s Division of Student Affairs website. Whether you live on campus or off, you can use WOLF Ride to go grocery shopping, see a movie or to simply have a safe ride home.

wolfride-colorwou-eduUsing WOLF Ride is completely free, and you can be picked up or dropped off almost anywhere in Monmouth and Independence. For a map detailing the areas in which you can be transported, go to wou.edu/student/wolf-ride. Service hours are Monday-Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. In order to receive a ride, you can call WOLF Ride at 503-428-7238, then request where you would like to be picked up and where you are going. All ride requests are taken on a first come, first served basis.

There will be days when this service is unavailable; all of which you can find on the website mentioned above. Upcoming days to watch out for are Nov. 23-27 due to Thanksgiving break.

On the other hand, special ride request forms are now available for students who need a ride to connect to other means of transportation in Salem. During finals week, Dec. 7-9, you can make a request to be driven to the bus station, Amtrak train station or the Salem airport which has a connecting shuttle to the PDX airport for a $10 fee. The forms must be completed and the fee must be paid by Dec. 1.

For students who would like a safer and faster form of transportation than walking, WOLF Ride is an efficient and free option. WOLF Ride is in no way a designated driver service; intoxicated students will be refused service.

If you are seeking more information, or have questions call the office of Vice President for Student Affairs at 503-838-8221. Do not contact this number for ride requests.

Contact the author at jrayner14@wou.edu

WOU is Alive: a post-election discussion

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Politics in the United States can be very dividing for our country and our citizens. Regardless of who won or lost the presidential race, we can all agree that this election cycle has been exhausting, stressful and thought provoking. For some, the result of Donald Trump’s win was devastating and for others, a glorious triumph.

wou-is-alive-small-colorWithin this election cycle, it has been no secret that president-elect Trump, who has no past political career, has used hate speech and hate rhetoric towards certain ethnicities, groups and individuals. Regarding these facts, some students at Western have concerns.

On Friday Nov. 11, ASWOU put on the event, “WOU is Alive,” to answer some questions and concerns, regarding what might happen to Western’s students once Donald Trump takes office. The panel to answer said questions and concerns included: Jaime Silva, Director of the Student Health and Counseling Center; Ryan Hagemann, Vice President & General Counsel; Rex Fuller, President of Western; Rebecca Chiles, Director of Public Safety; and Gary Dukes, Vice president of Student Affairs. The event was moderated by the president of ASWOU, Alma Pacheco.

The questions were from the audience who attended the event.

Question: Will campus security be up to combat or deter violent acts against minority groups, like women, LGBTQ folks, people of color, etc. What is Western doing to keep campus a safe space for all?

Chiles: We’re doing the same things we’ve always done in addition to just being more vigilant, being more open, being more watchful. We’re monitoring social media more than we ever have before … to see what is going on on our campus. We (Public Safety) are always here, 24 hours a day. To always be a person that anybody can go to for any reason at all. We want to have that opportunity available to everyone on our campus.

Fuller: If you see something that’s out of line be sure to report it, call for help if you need it and rely on the services that are available.

Question: What exactly is the concern of danger that individuals should be worried about on campus?

Chiles: I don’t know if there are any specific concerns that have been put forth. Because of this election, there were racially charged, racially motivated, ethnically motivated, gender motivated speech from some of the politicians involved in that. Certain segments of people are concerned because they have heard those threats or those angry, hate words said about their particular groups.

Question: Can you address the concern of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival students? How is Western specifically going to protect our students who are in that population? What can we do to become more involved so that maybe in the future we can have a voice in the political situation?

Fuller: In terms of the DACA student standing, nothing has changed. The risk, of course, is as an executive order, it may be subject to revision or change. That’s the concern you see nationally and locally. One of the things that can help mitigate against that is to be actively engaged with those involved with the federal level, with regard to influencing the direction of the next administration. That’s one thing we can do. We also can be speaking as a group of presidents around the country talking about the need for immigration reform and to be part of that. With this change in administration, now is the time for higher education to speak to the public good aspect of what the university is. Both in terms of closing the educational attainment gap, but also in terms of a reasonable policy around what does immigration looks like, and how does that benefit from higher education.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Are you graduating the right way?

By: Katherine Ljungquist
Freelancer

If this is your last year at Western, chances are you’re counting down the days until the commencement ceremony on June 17. In addition to finishing your coursework there is still a lot to be done before you graduate. If you were unable to attend the Senior Kickoff on Wed. Nov. 9, this article can catch you up on what you missed, including where to find help building a résumé, how to apply for graduation and how to get your cap and gown.

Western offers a handful of graduate programs in areas such as criminal justice, graduating-colormanagement and information systems, and education. If you’re planning on attending graduate school in the future and are seeking information regarding your specific program Student Administration encourages you to meet with Western alumni, Amber Deets. Amber is on campus Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and students are also welcome to schedule appointments with her via email at deetsa@wou.edu.

When preparing for life after graduation, students are encouraged to meet up with a counselor at the Service Learning and Career Development Center for help building a resume, practicing job interviews, and figuring out your next steps during your senior year. The Service Learning and Career Development is located downstairs in the Werner University Center in room 119, where you can find the development director, Adry Snorradottir Clark, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Students are also encouraged to meet up with alumni mentors through the Career Mentoring Program, where alumni share their knowledge and experience with students.

It is important that students visit the Registrar’s and Financial Aid Offices before their final term at Western. At the Registrar’s Office, seniors need to fill out paperwork to apply for graduation and they also need to check their Degree Works to make sure they will be finished by their last term. The Financial Aid office will help students navigate exit loan counseling and advise students on different loan payment options. Perkins loan exit counseling must be completed before a student can get their degree. If you are planning on attending graduate school, the 2017-2018 FAFSA is available now.

On April 3-5, there will be a Spring 2017 Grad Ordering Event outside the bookstore. Jostens is the company that supplies students with caps and gowns, personalized announcement cards, tassels, and official Western rings. If you are unable to attend this event don’t worry, after April 5 you can purchase your cap and gown at the bookstore or online at wolfstore.wou.edu.

Finally, as a graduate of Western Oregon University, you are encouraged to register as a Western Oregon alumni. You can register with the alumni program by filling out a contact update available at alumni@wou.edu.

Getting your immune system back on its feet

By: Paige Scofield,
Campus Life Editor

It’s that time of year. Colds, flus, bugs, viruses and bacteria are all around us. Being surrounded by many people in your classrooms and in your dorms can cause you to become more vulnerable to getting sick. Not to mention how stress can affect your immune system.

According to the American Psychological Association, “Stress of any significant duration – from a few days to a few months or years, as happens in real life – can ravage the immune system.”

Living in the dorms can be difficult. Being in close proximity with your hallmates and roommates who might be sick themselves, while trying to avoid the sniffle bus, can be a feat.

Despite this, the worst part of catching whatever may be going around is not being home with your parents, siblings or significant others who would take care of you with a full medicine cabinet.

But, part of growing up is learning how to take care of yourself – however annoying that may be. Medicine can be expensive when you’re living on a college budget, so here are some tips you can consider using when you’re on a budget and under the weather.

    1) Go to the Student Health and Counseling Center on campus

The Student Health and Counseling Center has free cold packets that are available to all students. They contain cough drops, medicine and other small things you might need. If your illness starts to become concerning to you, don’t hesitate to make a doctor’s appointment with the on campus doctors.

    2) Drink fluids

According to WebMD, drinking plenty of fluids helps break up your congestion, makes your throat moist, and keeps you from getting dehydrated. Most people should drink at least eight to 10 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day. This includes water, tea and sports drinks.

    3) Go for a steam

You can help your stuffy nose loosen up by breathing in steam. Turning your shower on to hot and closing the bathroom door can create a steam room rather quickly. Sit in your bathroom for 10 minutes or so to help reduce stuffiness. While doing this try to take deep inhales every few minutes, and blow your nose once you’re done to help the process.

   4) Stay warm and rested

Give your body a chance to fight off sickness, while giving yourself a break. Relaxing helps your body direct its energy towards fighting off your sickness. So snuggle up under a blanket and watch a movie, so your body can patch itself up.

   5) Prop yourself up

Sleeping with a plugged up head can be uncomfortable and awkward. Propping your head up with an extra pillow can help relieve congestion, and make it easier to breathe while trying to sleep.

   6) Soothe your throat

Herbal tea is one of the best home remedies to soothe a sore throat. There are many varieties of tea, but those that help with sore throats are: licorice spice, peppermint and ginger honey lemon. So drink up!

   7) Eat eat eat

Your body needs energy to fight off sicknesses, so make sure you’re giving it the nutrients it needs to become healthy. When you’re sick eating might not always be appealing, but try to eat three solid meals a day so you can fight the good fight. 

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Life after college and the climb to get there

By: Shaylie Pickerel
Staff Writer

For all those students that will be graduating soon, all your worries and curiosities of what it’ll be like after college have been addressed.

On Nov. 1, the Service Learning and Career Development office put on a, “World after WOU,” event in the Werner University Center. During this event, Western students had the chance to ask questions and visit with alumni about what life is like after college. Set up like speed dating, groups of students received eight minutes with each alumni and then switched tables when the timer was up. There were alumni from as recent as June 2016, as well as alumni from 1994 and 1967. It provided a wide variety of experiences and advice for students to learn from, as well as opened work opportunities.

One thing that all the alumni agreed upon was the importance of meeting people. When asked what the best way to find a job or career path after college was, Bella Borja, an alumni from June of this year, said, “The most helpful thing is networking and meeting people.”

All the alumni had varying responses, but all underlined the theme of knowing people. “It’s about who you know, not what you know,” said Kelly Noack, an alumni from 2013. The alumni also gave students great advice on what to do and what not to do in interviews, the importance of organization and how helpful it can be to have public speaking skills.

Having organizational skills isn’t just important for school, it’s a valuable everyday life skill. “You’ll want to keep organization skills with you throughout college and life. It’s not only helpful to you, but you’ll also be able to help others more,” said Arielle Schultz, an alumni from 2015 said.

It’s clear that having such a simple skill can make you valuable in a work environment as well. If any soon to be graduates or any students who want to get ahead of the curve and be put on the right path, you can always contact the SLCD at slcd@wou.edu, or find them in the Werner University Center room 119 from Monday to Friday. Wolf Link is also a great way to stay connected on all job openings, internships and volunteer opportunities.

Contact the author at: spickrell15@wou.edu

An opportunity to love and support yourself and others

By: Jasmine Morrow
Staff Writer

Triangle Alliance is a social organization and club on campus for the LGBT+ community, as well as anyone else who wants to join. There’s a meeting every week on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. in the Health & Wellness Center room 301

The meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2 began with everyone introducing themselves to the group to participate in what they call the Whip Around. Triangle Alliance’s Vice President, Sydney Culpepper, talked about and described polyamory. Discussing with the group that polyamory is being in a committed relationship with two or more people with consent and understanding.

During the hour meeting, the attendees also participated in events and games. On a slideshow were bad movie plot descriptions and everyone had to guess the movie title. It got somewhat competitive, but in the end, everyone had fun and was laughing at the horrible and funny plot descriptions. While people were guessing the movie titles, President Casi Healy gave everyone an incentive ticket. Incentive tickets are handed out at meetings and serve as an opportunity for meeting attendees to win a prize. The prize this week was a rainbow colored lanyard.

Towards the end of the meeting, there was an opportunity to talk about what is going on in everyone’s lives; the good and the bad. If someone shared something sad, Sam Stageman, the activities director, would pull up pictures of puppies to lighten the mood and to make everyone feel better. The meetings are always helpful and everyone is supportive of one another. There are upcoming events that the Triangle Alliance is hosting, look around campus for posters to make sure you don’t miss a wonderful time.

Contact author at jmorrow16@mail.wou.edu

“ Life and death is always united, always complimentary”

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

To help promote diversity on Western’s campus, the Multicultural Student Union held an event in the Columbia Room of the Werner University Center.

Dia de los Muertos or, “Day of the Dead,” was celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 2. This event included a guest speaker, fashion show, tamales, hot chocolate and pan dulce.

The MSU’s Western page described Dia de los Muertos as, “a time for the spirit of the deceased to return home and visit loved ones, feast on their favorite foods and listen to their favorite music. The MSU honors our deceased with ofrendas, or offerings, which may consist of photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings.”

The guest speaker was Jaime Marroquin, a Spanish professor here at Western. He had a 15 minute presentation on what exactly Dia de los Muertos is, and why it’s celebrated in certain cultures. “First, a little bit of history,” said Marroquin, “Dia de los Muertos has pre-hispanic origins that we’re unsure about. But we do know that there was a big celebration. One fundamental thing about Mesoamerican or pre-hispanic cultures is the concept of duality. Life and death is always united, always complimentary.”

Those who celebrate Dia de los Muertos, cater to the needs of deceased loved ones. They make altars of food and line paths with flowers so the dead can find their way home.

After Marroquin’s presentation was complete, it was time for the hungry party goers to eat tamales. Plates were loaded up and bellies were filled with this traditional dish.

To finish the event with a bang, MSU held a fashion contest. The contestants strutted their stuff down the runway to show off their traditional Dia de los Muertos outfits. The winner won items with the MSU logo on it.

If you are interested in helping Western become more diverse, or wish to learn about other cultures, MSU meetings are Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. in the Columbia room in the Werner University Center. To contact MSU, you can email them at msu@wou.edu or by phone at (503)838-8403.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

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