Mount Hood

Western welcomes new Campus Public Safety Director

REBECCA CHILES
REBECCA CHILES
By CONNER WILLIAMS
 Freelancer

After an eight-month vacancy, the position of Director of Campus Public Safety and
Risk Management has been filled. Rebecca Chiles will oversee risk management for the campus and insurance claims as well.

“It lets the office get back to normal. Allen Riesen, the interim director, had his hands filled with multiple responsibilities, so it is great to have this position filled by an experienced officer who can focus her time on the daily duties of operating the CPS office,” Officer Brian Binnell said.

Chiles previously served as director of police services at Louisiana State University Shreveport for eight years from 2006 to 2014, and she possesses 18 years of public safety experience.

She started out at the University of Arkansas as a patrol officer in 1996, and
then transferred to Southern Arkansas University, where she served from 2001 to 2006, and eventually moved up to the position of lieutenant.

The environment at SAU is similar to that of Western: it is a small college town
with about the same student population.

The public safety system is a bit different where she is from, however.

There is no designated campus police, but rather a police department devoted to a
college campus. The process of working with a separate police department is a relatively new one, but Chiles stated that it is all about communication.

From the coordination between Monmouth Police Department and the Western CPS to students being able to converse efficiently with both departments, communication
is the key component in the overall safety of the community.

“We hope that students can start to develop a rapport with their CPS officers because the main goal for everyone is safety,” Chiles said.

She advises that students should always take general safety and theft-prevention
precautions, such as using the paw print walkways at night, and always making
sure to lock up personal items or keep them on-hand.

Chiles plans to send out frequent general safety newsletters at least once or
twice per term, as a reminder for students to ensure they take general preventative measurements to deter and prevent crime.

She said she wants to create and monitor a CPS social media page in which students
can receive updates and general safety news.

“Let’s make sure we’ve got the safest possible campus we can have,” Chiles said.
“The main thing is that we are here for the overall safety of the WOU community.”

Out and Proud Week embraces individuality and sexuality

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BLAIR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BLAIR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
By CAITY ARIAS
 Freelancer

Open Mic Night encouraged Western’s community to embrace their individuality.

The event focused on sexuality to coincide with Out and Proud Week. Out and Proud Week brings awareness to the equality of all people regardless of their sexual preference.

Lacey Roop, spoken word poet, was a special guest. Other performers joined the stage to share their creations.

The first performer, Keenan Richmond, played the acoustic guitar and was encored to sing three songs. The songs were “Norwegian Wood,” “Things We Said Today” and “A Day in the Life” written by The Beatles.

All of the songs emulated love and life, indicating that neither of the concepts are perfectly defined.

Aliyah Nicholson walked to the stage next, drawing attention to her appearance, no makeup and comfortable. Nicholson recited a poem she had written over the summer. The poem described that words do hurt. A vicious cycle is implemented when
people use words to defy and destroy others. The cycle will consist of repeatedly hurting each other and diminishing each other’s self-esteem.

To avoid this cycle, Nicholson said, “self-image can be restored by the change of mind frame.” Roop, “high five and hug” connoisseur, introduced the power of poetry through laughter and seriousness, happiness and sadness.

In one of Roop’s poems, she pokes fun at the reactions she has received from other people in her life: “I walked into a bar and this guy asked me, ‘are you a dude or are you a dyke?’”

“Well, I don’t really know,” Roop replied, “I guess you can ask your girlfriend after she went down on me last night.”

Roop balanced prevailing stories about her life with her poetry to imply that her writing is based off of her memories. She illustrated the ignorant displays
of humanity that she’s had to face, but also voiced her love and acceptance for herself. Her easy laugh and humor guided the audience to relate with her.

The last performance by Sofia Yamez featured a poem about her struggles with her sexuality and the stereotypes that come with it.

She ends her poem by saying, “sexuality is predetermined by my own soul.”

After the show, Joseph Thorpe, a senior and interdisciplinary studies major commented, “I really enjoyed it. The poetry was inspiring and thought provoking.

I feel like I need to change what’s going on. There’s something more I should do to try to help people. It makes me want to change a lot of stuff about my life. I didn’t know poetry could make me do that.”

Henelle Crites, community health major, said the show was “really good and a lot of fun.”

Beer goggle obstacle courses demonstrate need to think before you drink

PHOTO BY ZACH GARDNER | PHOTO FREELANCER
PHOTO BY ZACH GARDNER | PHOTO FREELANCER
By EVELINA RAMIREZ
 Freelancer

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, in the Heritage Hall ballroom, members of SPEAK (Students
Promoting Equity Activism and Knowledge) and the Peer Mentors dedicated an hour
to share some useful tips on “thinking before drinking.”

SPEAK is a student club that branches out of Abby’s House, and their mission is to
foster equality, tolerance, and understanding by providing a safe environment where all people can express their ideas.

Yasmine Alvarez, psychology major and president of SPEAK, presented eight precautions to take while in a drinking situation including: eat first, be well hydrated, plan your transportation, carry condoms, choose your drinks wisely and alternate them with non-alcoholic drinks. She added not to allow strangers to pour your drinks, and coffee won’t sober you up.

“I work at Abby’s House to educate and promote activism in current and long standing issues,” Alvarez said.

Following the important tips, Kevin Gutierrez, Alheli Figueroa, and Alvarez presented a skit of a party scene gone wrong where the tips given previously were not being followed. They re-presented the skit with all the right decisions
to help the audience understand what they are supposed to do to be safe.

To demonstrate the need to be safe even further, there were beer goggles available to those who wanted to try them on and go through some obstacle courses. Some of the obstacles included catching and throwing hackey sacks, walking around tables, and hula hooping.

Another challenge had a person sit on a chair with wheels and roll in a straight
line, following a line of blue tape on the floor.

Carter Birch, a computer science major, said, “I was parallel with the line until the halfway point, then I crossed it and was parallel on the other side; it is impossible to complete the line.”

SPEAK and the Peer Mentors also organized a fun and non-alcoholic drinking station
where the attendees could try out mocktails. Ingredients like orange juice, Shasta
Twist Lemon Lime, and cranberry juice were available for students to try the non-alcoholic concoctions. Some of the drinks included hurricanes, frozen virgin margaritas, and the classic Shirley Temples.

For more information about Abby’s House and SPEAK check out wou.edu/abbyshouse
or email Speak@ wou.edu

Community donates to Red Cross blood drive

By KATRINA PENAFLOR
 Campus Life Editor

On Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, the American Red Cross set up shop in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center for the annual blood drive, hosted by Western.

It gives students and faculty the opportunity to donate blood.

“It’s nice that it comes to campus,” commented Cat Bracken, a history and English major.

Twins Sharon Jones and Sherry Hinkle, both from the Willamette Chapter of the Red Cross, were two of the volunteers at the blood drive.

“We try to make it a good time for everyone,” Hinkle said.

According to www.redcrossblood.org, “More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day,” an important reason for students to donate.

The average donation amount from one person is one pint. There is the exception of what Jones calls, “Twice as nice,” which are donors who have the ability to give two pints.

The donation process was fairly simple. Students, carrying with them a valid I.D., signed in at the front table and – while waiting to donate – were given a booklet that outlines an overview of the process.

Then they met with a nurse and answered an array of questions, which checked their health and well-being. This ensured whether or not the donor is eligible to give blood.

Following is the actual donation, which according to Hinkle, can take approximately 20 minutes. There was also juice and snacks provided for people to enjoy afterward.

For some students, hesitation shadows blood donation and the cause it seeks to fulfill.

Hinkle recommended eating a solid meal before donation and wants new donors to know that “We explain the process; it’s very simple. [The nurses] are very gentle.”

Hinkle also added that it is “very helpful if you can make an appointment ahead of time.” This will keep the waiting time down.

Jones said the turnout was excellent this year. She said at universities the volunteers generally find there to be an influx of people willing to donate.

There were plenty of students and faculty willing to volunteer this term.

While waiting to donate, Bracken said, “People should give it a try. There is always a need for it.”

WOU A Capella Groups Prep for NW Quarter Finals

DSC058103

 

Photos by Neil Gravatt

Western’s very own a cappella groups, 15 Miles West (below) and Suspended (above) at their dress rehearsal on Jan. 28, will be competing in the Northwest Quarter Finals of the Inter-Collegiate Competition of A Capella (ICCAs) on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin. This will be Suspended’s first time competing at the ICCAs, while 15 Miles West has taken top-two since 2013 and, in fact, tied with the University of Oregon’s all male a cappella group On the Rocks last year. The a cappella faculty adviser, Dr. Dirk Freymuth, said performing in a larger performance space (rather than Smith Hall) will only enhance their performances.

Out and Proud

By KATRINA PENAFLOR
 Campus Life Editor

The sixth annual “Out and Proud” event, presented by the Multicultural Student Union in collaboration with Triangle Alliance, Student Activities Board, and the
Stonewall Center, takes place Monday, Feb. 2 through Friday, Feb. 6.

Maria Vargas, activities director of MSU, explained that the purpose of the event is “to educate and celebrate the LGBTQ community, especially those of color.”

The theme of the week is “You’ll never sail alone…” because groups like MSU want Western students to know that they are never alone within our school’s community and there are always resources available.

Activities vary from dances, workshops, to a dinner and mini drag show.

This year’s keynote speaker is Melanie Davis. She is the owner of PQ Monthly, an LGBTQ community magazine, and El Hispanic News, a prominent Pacific Northwest Hispanic publication.

Vargas said she is “excited to have a strong role model in the Latino community share her experiences.”

Check out the Out and Proud Table in the Werner Center to purchase tickets for the dinner. Tickets are $8 each.

Important dates, times, and locations

Monday, Feb. 2
12 to 2 p.m. “Sex Ed for All” workshop in the Willamette Room.

Tuesday, Feb. 3
2 to 3 p.m. OPOC Panel in the Willamette Room;
7-9 p.m. “Open Mic-Spoken Word” in the Willamette room.

Wednesday, Feb. 4
10 to 11 a.m.
An LGBTQ Film in the Willamette Room
5:30 to 8 p.m. Out and Proud Dinner with Keynote Speaker Melanie Davis and mini drag show in the Columbia Room.

Thursday, Feb. 5
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Push here for diversity” in the Willamette Room;
8 to 11 p.m. Black and Red Ball in the Pacific Room.

Friday, Feb. 6
11 to 2 p.m. Safe Zone Ally 1 training in the Willamette room.
For more information, contact: MSU at msu@wou.edu

Cyber-Stalking: Focus on Technology Workshop

By KATRINA PENAFLOR
 Campus Life Editor

January is stalking awareness month, and on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Abby’s House presented a workshop on cyber stalking and its connection to technology.

Andrea Hugmeyer, assistant director of Abby’s House, welcomed three speakers: Charisse Loughery, Kjerstin Stanavige, and Samantha Hughes. They discussed what exactly is considered stalking, what to do if being stalked, protection measures, and resources.

Stalking, according to the online website, www.ncjrs.gov/stalkingawareness, “refers to harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly,” or as Loughery, Western’s student conduct coordinator stated: “a pattern of repeated unwanted contact.”

Some examples of stalking behavior are: unwarranted phone calls, unwanted gifts, tracking of a person’s phone or computer, or damage toproperty.

Loughery also mentioned that students should be mindful of the language they use when referencing stalking. Saying, “I’m about to stalk someone on Facebook” is taking the term out of context and belittling the meaning of something serious.

Stanavige, the second speaker, focused primarily on technology. She wanted students to recognize the hazards of posting too much personal information
online.

“Nothing you post is truly private,” Stanovich said.

Managing the privacy settings of Facebook, Tumblr, or other social media outlets are important to make sure personally identifiable information is not readily accessible to anyone who wants it.

Hughes, an Abby’s House advocate, spoke about apps, protection, and prevention.

Hughes informed students about dangerous new apps that are used for stalking, like Stealthgenie or Myspy. If unknowingly downloaded to a person’s phone by an outside party, these apps can give access to someone’s GPS, camera, call logs, and microphone all without the owner knowing.

Apps like Myspy will not typically appear on the home screen of a phone. Ways to spot them are to look for a fast draining battery without use, camera flashes going off without taking a picture, or changes to your location setting. Hughes advised prevention methods like periodically changing passwords or setting two-factor authentication.

Hughes gave students a list of helpful apps like Circle 6 or Glympse that can safely send your location to a preapproved list of friends if you feel in danger or worried. The Abby’s House app is also a good resource.

If someone is being stalked, as a victim, it is important to not respond or talk back to the stalker, and to find a resource to seek help. Help can be found at the Student Conduct offices on the first floor of Ackerman, Public Safety, Monmouth Police Department, Student Health and Counseling, and Abby’s House.

Kevin Gutierrez, a psychology major and co-outreach coordinator at Abby’s House, enjoyed the presentation and said, “Everyone should know what they are exposed to and ways to keep yourself safe. Be mindful what you post online.”

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