By: Joleen Braasch
Staff Writer

Sara Earthman, junior, Psychology major
“Yeah, the coordinator is definitely making sure that the veterans are getting their voice known in the community here. And I’m from this coast, so it’s nice to be back; I missed a lot of things that the West coast represents more so than the East coast, where I was stuck for a long time.”

Kenneth Liebel, senior, Business Administration major
“I am coming from the East coast: New York, Florida, all those areas. So, it’s definitely a different change of pace over here. As a veteran, I guess, but my life hasn’t been all about being a veteran. It’s just one chapter in my life.”

Tiffanie Bowles, sophomore, Psychology major
“Yes, I feel like our school’s really inclusive and we try really hard to make sure everybody is accepted. So I feel like my identity is accepted and represented at [Western].”

Hannah Towle, senior, Communications
“I think that’s a difficult question to answer because I’m not just one identity. I’m not just white, I’m not just a woman, I’m not just a feminist, I’m not just a rugby player. I’m all of those things combined. I’m a survivor, I’m pansexual, I’m cisgendered, I’m 15 bazillion different things and some of those are more represented here than others, and others are still trying to find their way to the surface. And I think here at [Western], there’s such a diverse group of people that you can probably find just about someone that shares at least some of those identities with you, with me, with everyone that’s here.”

Harry Hill, senior, Earth Systems Science-Geology major
“About 74 percent. Well, it’s such an open community that it’s hard to miss. I don’t know, that’s hard to explain.”

Jovany Romero, senior, Spanish and Interdisciplinary Studies major
“Yes, I feel like [Western] is a very open space and very inviting community, as well as diverse and incorporates a lot of identities, cultures and backgrounds. This community is home-like and comfortable.”

Alexis Anderson, senior, Biology major
“I feel like my identity as a student is well-represented at [Western]. But I feel like it’s a lot easier to remain anonymous as an individual.”

Gabbi Boyle, senior, Interdisciplinary Studies major
“No. I do not think that there is enough resources for students within the LGBTQ community. I think that our campus tries, but there’s still not enough funding to go around to offer the proper support to all people within the community.”

James Kelson, freshman, Mathematics major
“Yes I do. Because we’re just surrounded people; I think we’re all just people, even with our separate parts or identities. We should just all respect each other. And I feel like people do that properly, even staff, faculty, and students.”

Gwendolyn Baker, freshman, Psychology major
“Yeah, I think so. I feel like there’s a lot of people here that have the same beliefs as me, who think the same way, and act the same way, and are very similar to me.”

Brendan Blunck, freshman, Undecided major
“Possibly, I really don’t know. I really just go to classes, chill out, work on homework sometimes. Other than that, I don’t really pay too much attention.”

Maira Torres, senior, Criminal Justice major
“In what aspect, though? I would have to say yes because there are various clubs and organizations I’m involved in that relate back to what I identity myself in. And [Western] does a really good job in opening new clubs and making you feel welcomed. If you’re still trying to find yourself, figuring out who you think you are, you’re
perfectly welcomed into joining different groups.”