Campus Life – Page 17 – The Western Howl

By: Joleen Braasch
Staff Writer

Lars Soderlund, Western’s newest Assistant Professor of English and Director of Professional Writing shares his thoughts on happiness, Oregon, and the students of Western.

Lars:
Abraham Lincoln is sometimes quoted as saying, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be,” and although the internet now tells me that he never said that, I think it’s good advice. I mean, telling yourself you’re happy through gritted teeth is pretty grim, but remembering that we do have some say over our attitude toward our lives seems important. So the moment I was most successful at saying that was when I was an MA grad student at the University of South Carolina and really had a pretty awesome life. But the moment I felt the most long-term happiness, like I had life figured out and I was confident in the decisions I had made up to that point, was marrying my wife on May 10, 2014.

…

Oregon totally rules. Growing up in Ohio was good, but Oregon is just better, from politics to weather to respect for nature. I would enjoy more local hiking paths, though.

…

My wife is even better than Oregon. We met in a bar with friends, some of whom included her very recent ex and a girl that Laurel insists was hoping to date me. After that night of awkwardness, it’s been pretty smooth sailing. I’m a big apologizer, and Laurel is also not afraid of apologizing, and that’s been key to our relationship: the point of our disagreements is never to win but to be self-effacing in admitting our part in whatever caused the tumult.

…

My favorite part about Western is the students. My students are dedicated, whip-smart, and very funny and enjoyable people. I can ask students how I could improve the class and they will tell me, and I can ask them to do creative work and they will impress me. I’m a writing professor because I really love to see students’ writing improve, and it’s such a hard process that I get to build a classroom of mutually supportive colleagues. Now that I’m teaching these new Professional Writing courses like Writing Across Media and Professional Concerns (i.e. the “Get a Job” class) and Grant Writing, I feel like I’m building up a community of students who are truly impressive writers.

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Dear Esmeralda

Dear Esmeralda,

My roommate recently came back from a trip with a sma
ll dog. There was no discussion and she never asked my permission. I’m okay with the dog (she is a lot of fun), but I’m still mad that I never got a say. Should I say something or just learn to let it go?

Thanks,
Struggling with Anger

Dear Struggling with Anger,

First things first: what does your lease agreement say? That can cause all sorts of problems if pets aren’t allowed. Let’s be real … that kinda shizz gets people kicked out of their houses! So kitty girl (or should I say puppy girl?) that would be the first place I would start. As I seem to say a lot in these letters communication is key, hunty! I would talk to your roommate. Start by saying that in the future you should communicate major things like this in advance, because there’s only room for one b**** in here and you’re the head b****! Well, maybe not that last part … That part is just for some spice! Olé! The best course of action, in this humble drag queen’s opinion, would be a combination of your two suggestions. Say something and then let it go. If you don’t say anything your roommate may use this to their advantage in the future and no tea, no shade — that can ruin a relationship.

Hope this helped!
XOXO Esmeralda

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Studying Gender in College

By: Zoe Strickland
Northwest Passage Editor

In college, one of the most difficult things to do is decide your major. But what about your minor? Western offers an extensive list of minors, some of which you may not even be aware of. Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary minor which includes women’s studies, LGBT studies, men’s studies, and the study of human sexuality. According to Western’s website, “the goal of gender studies is to better understand and ultimately transform our lives and the world in which we live.”

Some of the classes you can take as a Gender Studies minor include Psychology of Women, Human Sexuality, and Communication and Gender. I sat down with the current professor teaching Communication and Gender, Dr. Dana Schowalter, and one of the Human Sexuality professors, Amy Hammermeister Jordan to discuss the study of gender and sexuality.

“Gender is one of those things that we encourage people to never question,” said Schowalter. “That we have boys and girls and that our bodies fit those binaries and that that’s just the way that it is … when you can introduce people to the reality of what’s happening around gender it can introduce people to new academic fields that are really important … that’s knowledge that people can take into the world.”

Minoring in Gender Studies is something that can be applied to a myriad of different fields; the differences between how various genders are treated is something that is personified once you begin to study it.

“I see in the media this sort of tension between people who have more progressive ideas about gender identity…and people who are very afraid of those types of discourse and … once you start to take a look at the research that’s out there and you actually start to look at the facts … there’s no reason to be afraid of it,” said Schowalter. “I think that gender studies programs are just vital for getting rid of that fear of those different types of conversation and instead replacing it with all of this knowledge”

“I think it’s all about acknowledging I’m a person, you’re a person. I hear you, I see you, I validate you. Person to person. And gender doesn’t have to be a part of that … I think that would be a beautiful thing. That’s my dream.” said Hammermeister. Minoring in Gender Studies is a way to become more aware of the world around you, and the issues surrounding nearly everybody in society.

Contact the author at zstrickland14@wou.edu or on Twitter @nwpmagazine

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Dogs of Western

By: Brianna Bonham
Photo Editor

With warmer weather approaching, Western’s dogs have made their appearance on campus. Usually flocked by groups of dog-deprived students, these furry friends aren’t hard to miss. There have also been an increase of service dogs training around campus, so please remember to be courteous and look for the vest when asking to pet a dog.

From Corgis to Golden Retrievers, these dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds, but they all light a spark of excitement in us when we see one across the street.

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Cocktail Corner

By: Alvin Wilson
Staff Writer

Bourbon is my favorite liquor by far. Its complexity and spice is something you can’t get from many other liquors. Bourbon also happens to mix very well, and it is used in a variety of cocktails. Here are recipes for some of my favorite bourbon cocktails.

Note: these cocktails are all very strong and therefore intended for sipping.

Old Fashioned: bourbon (I prefer Wild Turkey for cocktails), Angostura bitters, sugar, and ice.

Place a teaspoon of sugar at the bottom of a dry rocks glass. Pour three dashes of bitters over the sugar and let the sugar begin to dissolve. Angostura bitters have a taste and smell that is reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves.

Add a dash of water to the glass and mix until all of the sugar is dissolved. Place a large ice cube in the glass, and pour one-and-a-half ounces of bourbon over it. Mix until the glass starts to fog up.

Shave a thin slice of orange peel and twist it over the drink to release the essential oils. Drop the peel in the drink, and enjoy.

Whiskey Sour: bourbon, fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice.
This drink is shaken, so add the ingredients to a cup that you can cover and shake. Fill the cup halfway with ice. Add half an ounce of fresh lemon juice (fresh is key here), and half an ounce of simple syrup. To make simple syrup, boil equal parts sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved, then let it cool.

Next, pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon into the cup and shake aggressively for about 30 seconds. Strain into your serving glass, and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Mint Julep: bourbon, fresh mint, simple syrup, and crushed ice.

Place six to eight fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a rocks glass. Add two teaspoons of simple syrup, and lightly muddle the leaves with a spoon.

Fill the glass nearly to the rim with crushed ice, and pour in three ounces of bourbon. Mix well, and top the glass with more crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

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Humans of Western

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

Brandt Van Soolen, senior philosophy major and veteran.

“… Whatever you may study, be it earth science, political science, at the base of all those things is philosophy. Philosophy is a way to understand the world.

… I really love [Martin] Heidegger, the German philosopher. He comes with baggage because he became a full-blown Nazi there at the end. His idea of what philosophy is is a good starting point. He says that philosophy is the study of beings, so I think it is a good place to start.

… A lot of the time when I say I study philosophy, people will start asking me questions on religion. They are thinking about moral philosophy – ethics – but before you can even start that discussion, you need to try and understand what a human being is so you can discuss these things.

… There are [existentialist] ideas that your life’s goals are achieved after you die, so really your life here doesn’t have a purpose until you die. But what if we are born with certain things that are basic knowledge to being human, like you understand certain things and that is how you perceive the world. It is when you recognize the person besides you as a human being that you start to understand yourself, start to ask questions about what it is to be human.

… [Dr. Hickerson] teaches classes that other people won’t teach, like phenomenology and continental philosophy [which is defined by its opposition to analytic philosophy]. But, more than that, he makes it accessible and really tries to help his students.”

… In the military, you get trained to focus less on yourself and more on protecting the group. What is good for the whole is most important. A person jumping on the grenade to protect five other people and sacrificing himself is seen as heroic … but really they are just reacting to their social training. They are trained that that is the right thing to do. The actual desire is just a result; the person has been trained to sacrifice themselves. One person suffering so everyone can be happy is not the world we should want to live in.”

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Dear Esmeralda

Dear Esmeralda,

One of my close friends may be “ghosting” me. She and I have known each other since middle school. We roomed together during our freshman year of college. I was the first person she came out to. I helped her move into her new apartment last summer.

Over winter and spring break we both went back to our hometown and I was excited that we could see each other. I had reached out to her on multiple occasions, but my texts usually go unanswered. When I do get a response, it’s typically, “Sorry! I’m just too swamped!” I know she made time to see another friend who ranks higher than I do in the “who to see” list. It still hurts.

Am I being too sensitive? Too self-centered? I’m worried that this is her way of breaking ties with me and I’m just not taking the hint. An outsider’s point of view would really help, even if it’s a harsh truth.

Sincerely,
Lost in Life

Dear Lost in Life,

Long lasting friends are always the hardest to lose. I get you there, friend. Deep breaths! Coming out to a friend is a big deal however, people do change (especially in college). Looking around at the people I know from high school (thankfully, I don’t know many of them now) and even the first year here at WOU! God! I came into college as a straight cis male! Look at the goddess that is me now!

Schedules are complicated and maybe the other friend’s schedule fit in better to hers? Maybe this is someone she’s interested in? Not sure how your friend identifies or the gender of their friend but that is a very good possibility that this person could be her boo-thang.

Personally I don’t think you are being too sensitive- no tea, no shade, no pink lemonade. I do think you’re going to have to realize that your friendship may be over with this person … I’m so very sorry for you dear. Sometimes even the closest friends grow apart. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, dear. I wish you the best!

All my best,
Esmeralda

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.

Humans of Western

Dear Esmeralda

Studying Gender in College

Dogs of Western

Cocktail Corner

Humans of Western

Dear Esmeralda

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