Mount Hood

Inclusion on campus

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Western is known for having a wide variety of opportunities for its students’ education, but it also has a wide variety of opportunities for its students’ hobbies and interests. A student club organization fair was held in the Werner University Center on Jan. 19 to showcase some of the clubs that are on campus who are looking for new members. Katherine Macias-Torres, a sophomore nursing major, ran the booth for the Multicultural Student Union.
“I think it’s important to have these fairs, because it helps the students to know what’s available on campus, it helps students to kind of branch out of their comfort zones,” said Macias-Torres. “Clubs like MSU help to promote diversity, but it’s also a safe zone, it’s inclusion.”
If you’re interested in joining a club but aren’t sure what clubs are available on campus, visit Western’s website and click on “Student Life” and then “Clubs and Organizations” to browse what Western has to offer. The clubs listed below are some of the organizations offered:

Multicultural Student Union Student Media
Catholic Campus Ministry Model United Nations
College Republicans Anthropology Club
Black Student Union Men’s Rugby
Rock Climbing Club WOU Student Veterans of America
Green Dot Plus Team
African Students and Friends Association
Lions Club
Dance Team
CRU
KWOU Student Radio
Student Activities Board
Western Compass
Resident Hall Association
Byte Club
Men’s Lacrosse
Art and Design Club

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

You can get paid for the notes you will already be taking

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Looking to help out others and get paid doing it? Then look no further, the Office of Disability Services is always looking for notetakers. You might have gotten an email from ODS telling you that one of your classmates needs someone to take notes for them. Only one notetaker is needed per class/section, so make sure to take the opportunity when you see it.

The ODS email states, “If you are interested in the opportunity to earn a little extra money, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, have legible handwriting and good class attendance, you are qualified to be a notetaker. ODS pays $20 per credit hour, per class-per term for students lecture notes.” That means you can get paid for the notes you will already be taking.

The home page of ODS states, “ODS uses the credits stated in the catalog, not the schedule of classes, for determining payment; i.e., a Biology class is broken down as 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab in the catalog. Generally, we only pay for notes provided for the lecture portion of the class; i.e., $60.”

The email from ODS, that was sent at the beginning of winter term, gives you instructions on how to apply for the position and it’s on a first come first served basis.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

21 and up

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Once the weather starts to turn colder, nothing is more relaxing than snuggling up with a hot beverage and lots of blankets. For those of you that are 21 and older, a warm alcoholic beverage might just hit the spot. Thanks to Alex Schlientz, a junior theatre major, who found the perfect concoction for the end of a winter day. The recipe is as follows:

What you need:
4 ounces of Evan Williams Honey Reserve Kentucky Liqueur
2 cups of water
2 cups of milk
3 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 chai tea bags

Directions:
In a medium saucepan add water, milk, brown sugar, and chai tea bags. Bring the liquid to a boil, stir occasionally. When the mixture starts boiling, add and stir in the Evan Williams Honey Reserve Kentucky Liqueur. Take mixture off heat and let cool for a bit before serving.

Please drink responsibly and enjoy!

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Change of seasons

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

For some, the start of fall and transition into winter is a beloved time of year. But for others, the change in seasons can cause unwanted symptoms known as seasonal affective disorder.

As stated by American Family Physician, SAD affects 4-6 percent of Americans, and 10-20 percent of Americans can have a mild form of seasonal affective disorder.

According to Mayo Clinic, “Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons – SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.”

Symptoms can start out mild but can quickly become more intense and excessive. As stated by Mayo Clinic, symptoms can include: irritability, tiredness or low energy, problems getting along with other people, hypersensitivity to rejection, heavy-leaden feeling in the arms or legs, oversleeping, appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates and weight gain.

Although the cause of seasonal depression is unknown, there has been some speculation of certain factors that might cause some of these symptoms. Those include your biological clock, also known as your circadian rhythm, serotonin levels and melatonin levels.

According to Mayo Clinic, “The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical or neurotransmitter, that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.”

Although SAD can affect all, a higher number of women are diagnosed but men may have more severe symptoms. Severity of symptoms are also dependent on the person. Someone who may have a family member with depression is more likely to have SAD. Someone who is diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder can also have more severe symptoms during fall and winter.

According to American Family Physician, SAD usually affects those who are 20 or older, which is within the age range of students who attend college. If you think you might be suffering from any of these symptoms, Western has a Health and Counseling Center on campus that can help you understand why you have these symptoms and how to cope with them.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

So much more than a three day weekend

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Martin Luther King Day is celebrated by students everywhere as a three day weekend, rather than a day to remember and appreciate all Martin Luther King Jr. did in his lifetime. Western, however, is making a one day holiday into a week long celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. To honor the Civil Rights leader, Western is putting on several different events intended for any who are interested: the community, students, staff and faculty are all welcome.

Although there were no classes on Jan. 16, the University Diversity Committee didn’t waste any time. On Jan. 16 the University Diversity Committee made the holiday a “day on versus a day off” for the Marion-Polk Food Share Service Project. On Jan. 17, the committee held a Community-Police Dialogue to “engage in a dialogue about race, class and justice with local law enforcement officers,” held in the Werner University Center in the Willamette Room.

On Jan. 18, the committee is holding the MLK Jr. Celebration Annual Dinner in the Pacific Room of Werner University Center. Along with a dinner, guest keynote speaker Lasana Omar Hotep, will be presenting.

“Lasana Omar Hotep is an entrepreneur, essayist and educator committed to providing insight and practical strategies in the areas of student development, cultural fluency and institutional equity. His fact-based, witty, multimedia presentations inform and inspire individuals to think critically about themselves and society. He has delivered talks and engaged audiences around issues of cultural identity and educational equity at over 100 institutions throughout the country,” stated the University Diversity Committee MLK event page.

Tickets for this event are $3.00 for students and $5.00 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased, cash only, at the Werner University Center front desk or in the Office of Disability Services, APSC 405. Students who have a meal plan can use their ID/Meal cards to purchase tickets for $3 at Wolf express in the Werner University Center. Doors open at 5:45 pm and the program begins at 6:00pm.

On Jan. 19 the University Diversity Committee, co-sponsored by the Black Student Union, are putting on a poetry slam. “Join your peers and Western faculty along with BSU as they recite poetry and even read their original works. Grab a drink and listen, or even recite something yourself!”

Make sure you take part in Western’s 2017 MLK Celebration Week so you can learn and appreciate all Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did to start the conversation on equality in America and how he’s impacted those today.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Alma Pacheco

By:  Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

A message from President Rex Fuller:

Dear Western Oregon University community,
It is with great sorrow that I tell you our Associated Students of Western Oregon University President Alma Pacheco passed away on Dec. 9. Many of us cared for Alma and now we grieve together with her friends, family and loved ones. We extend our deepest sympathy to all who loved Alma and have been touched by her commitment to our community. Please join me in alma-wou-signrespecting the privacy of Alma’s family; we believe it is their choice on whether or not they want to share the circumstances of her passing.

Alma joined Western to study communications after earning her associate’s degree from Mt. Hood Community College. From El Salvador, she was a passionate advocate for students on our campus and cared about access to college for all and led a town hall event last month to address post-election fear. Throughout these challenging days, Alma has called us to look forward in unity.

In the meantime, we encourage you to share your stories and photos of Alma with each other.

Our hearts go out to Alma’s family and friends as we all grieve for this important member of our community. Western is a caring community and this loss is a shock to us all. Grieving is a difficult process and takes different forms for us all. Seeking support and resources is a sign of strength and we encourage you to share your feelings with those you feel comfortable doing so.

Memorials to honor and pay tribute to Alma were held on Dec. 11, 13 and 14. On Dec. 11 a candlelight vigil was held for Alma at the Main Street Park in Monmouth, Oregon. On Dec. 13, visitation was held at Gresham Memorial Chapel. On Dec. 14 funeral mass was held at Ascension Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon. Alma was buried on Dec. 14 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham, Oregon.

Contact the author @ journalcampuslife@wou.edu

The words of a loving friend

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

“Alma was an all star woman in my eyes. I was new to Western spring of 2016 and that was around the time that Alma was running for ASWOU president,” said Anamercedes “Meche” Garibay, friend and sorority sister to Alma Pacheco. “Every time I saw her or walked passed her I felt intimidated because she walked with such confidence and strutted her walk everywhere she went. Shortly after, Alma became my sorority sister and we’ve stayed sisters ever since. She became a true genuine friend, a great study partner, and also a great listener. I’m positive I will never be able to find another Alma like Alma Pacheco.”

After the devastating news of Alma’s passing, Garibay put together a candlelight vigil to honor Alma and bring together those who knew her, to share their thoughts, memories and silence to keep her spirit close to their hearts.

“This girl knew how to have fun and that’s something I admired in Alma. She knew how to balance her professional business life and could still kick back and be a social bug with her friends,” said Garibay. “That’s something most of us students are still trying to learn, while Alma was an expert at balancing the two. Not only did Alma inspire me to become this Wonder Woman that she was, but she helped me understand and appreciate the true meaning of a friendship.”

When asked what message she thought Alma left with her friends and family, Garibay replied, “Always strive to be the best you, believe it then achieve it.” Alma Pacheco worked for and with the students of Western always keeping those around her in mind.

“I just hope everyone keeps Alma in their hearts because she was a phenomenal woman who strived to do so much for Western, and it showed with all the accomplishments she has done,” added Garibay.

Contact the author @ journalcampuslife@wou.edu

How to make it to the other side

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

The dreaded week is almost upon us.: finals week. One of the most stressful times for college students everywhere. By the end of the week, students look more like ghosts than people and your bed is the light at the end of a dark, dark tunnel.

For some, finals week is an old battle ground they keep tirelessly returning to, for others, it is only the beginning. Whether you’re a first year, or an eighth year senior, finals week is never easy.

The amount of stress that college students go through during the school year, and especially during finals, can seem endless. Massive amounts of stress aren’t only bad for how well you perform in school and day to day activities, but can take a physical toll as well.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, everyone’s body deals with stress differently: “ … Some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger and irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold, and vaccines, such as the flu shot, are less effective for them.”

Below are some tips for finals week, so you can keep your stress levels down, and your studying techniques at top notch.

1) Know when to take a break
According to the American Psychological Association, “… time off boosts energy reserves so that you need to exert less effort to get work done when you return.” Taking a break when you have a lot of studying to do can be beneficial to the quality of your work in the long run. So make sure you put the books down for a day or two and go out to eat, watch a movie or chill out.

2)The less caffeine, the better
Energy levels can begin to drop when you’re stuck in one place for too long. Many students rely on coffee or caffeine filled drinks to keep themselves going. Make sure you don’t over do it. Once finals week rolls around, coffee drinkers tend to go from two cups a day to four or five, just to keep up. For your own health, don’t do this. As stated by Mayo Clinic, drinking four or more cups of coffee a day may cause side effects such as: insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, upset stomach, fast heartbeat, and muscle tremors.

3)Eat nutritiously
There are other ways to get energy than drinking your weight in coffee. Eating right to keep your blood sugar levels normal is just as effective at boosting up your energy. According to WebMD, “Portable combinations of complex carbs and lean protein, like low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers, whole fruit and a handful of nuts, or a low-fat granola bar, are great munchies for energy.”

4)Make an outline for those essays
Procrastination is a college student’s best frenemy. Especially when you have an eight to 12 page paper due in two days. Being one of the biggest procrastinators on Earth, I can tell you that writing a brief outline of what’s going to be in your essay is extremely helpful. It allows you to organize your thoughts, so you know what direction your essay is heading. Don’t worry, you can still pull most of it out of thin air, but it’ll be just a little easier to assemble.

5)SLEEP
Sleep is a student’s best buddy. As stated by the American Psychological Association, sleep improves your ability to comprehend information. “… Research suggests that sleep improves the brain’s ability to remember information. In a 2006 study in Current Biology, Harvard Medical School sleep researchers found that memories of recently learned word pairs improved when participants slept between learning and testing.” The longer you force yourself to stay awake to continue studying, the less information you keep.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Winter wonder week kick off

By: Shaylie Pickerel
Staff Writer

If studying for finals has made you lose your holiday spirit, and caused you to look for other forms of distraction, then look no further. Until Dec. 9, the Student Engagement Committee will be hosting events to help students de-stress from finals, as well as get them into the holiday spirit. On Monday Nov. 28, Student Engagement held the event: Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Students received the opportunity to take a break from studying and get a feel of some homemade snow.

Students got to be creative and make their own little, snowy bundles of joy by using fake snow, felt and pipe cleaners to bring them alive. The Student Engagement Committee was thrilled with their inclusive and festive event. If you missed it, don’t worry, the Student Engagement Committee has hung posters highlighting many other fun opportunities to partake in this week.

If you have trouble finding them, you can go and take a look at the Student Engagement Facebook page, search for WOU Student Engagement. They also have their own personal Elf on the Shelf, who will be announcing these events. The Student Engagement Committee will even provide an opportunity for you and your friends to help name the little guy. The other events include things such as snowman bingo and a stress ball making station. So, if you want to join in, make sure to check out their page for daily updates and information about these fun winter events. It’ll get you in the perfect spirit for the tree lighting event on Friday Dec. 2.

Contact the Author: Spickrell15@wou.edu

Light up the Night

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

The giant, 123-foot sequoia tree on Western’s campus has thrived for 129 years. Throughout these years students have been able to admire it’s height from anywhere on campus, especially during the holidays. For the past 48 years, Western has decorated the giant sequoia tree with bright lights and topped it with a shining star. This year is no different. On Friday Dec. 2, Western’s Alumni will be holding the 49th annual tree lighting event, Light up the Night: Holiday Tree Lighting. As stated by the Western’s alumni page, the event begins at 6:00 p.m. The invitation to enjoy the splendor is as follows:

Come to campus to watch the parade, hear the laughter and songs of children, build community and watch the tree light up in splendor.
The WOU Alumni Association Board of Directors will hand out complimentary hot cocoa and hot cider under the alumni tents, be sure to come say hello and grab a cup to warm your hands.
Activities for the whole family will take place after the tree lighting and will include pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, crafts and more.

This event is for all to come and enjoy.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

All the resources you need to ace the interview process

By: Shaylie Pickerel
Staff Writer

If you’ve ever doubted yourself over an interview because you were nervous or didn’t know how to act, you’re not the only one. Jennifer Hansen, from the Service Learning and Career Development Center, took the time to help students understand the important aspects that go into acing an interview and feeling comfortable while doing it. She not only talked about the basics on what to wear and how to format your resume, but she also talked about the follow up portion of interviews and even how to behave during video calling and phone interviews.

“The center helps with resumes, cover letters and helps you to succeed here … and in your career. We even help alumni,” Hansen explained. “When you first get called for an interview, it can be exciting. It’s the questions that can be scary.”

She explained the overall purpose of interviews is that it’s a two-way street. The employer is there to check you out and you’re there to check out the company. There are many types of interviews that were talked about. For example, she mentioned the face-to-face interviews we are all familiar with, as well as the increasing amount of video calling interviews and informal interviews. From there she went on to talk about interview prep.

“You need to prepare to speak about you.” Hansen said. “You’ll also want to further your knowledge of the company and utilize the job description.”

During the event, she redefined how we approach the interview process. “The interview process starts as soon as you walk in the door. It could even start in the parking lot.” Hansen explained. She continued, explaining how employers may ask the receptionist about how you acted in the lobby. She touched on every single portion of the interview process as well as making sure students knew about the resources to help them that are on campus.

“If you need to practice a video call interview or you need an opinion on your handshake or outfit, just come in,” Hansen said. “We are always here to help and we want to see you succeed.”

To learn more about the Service Learning and Career Development Center or about how to ace your next interview, you can stop by the center downstairs in the Wener Center, room 119, or at wou.edu/slcd.

Contact the author at spickrell15@wou.edu

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

Abby’s House

Our name: The name Abby’s House was chosen in honor of Abigail Scott Duniway, who fought for women’s right to vote and to own property in Oregon and nationally. She was the first woman to register to vote in Oregon.  

Our mission: To provide the WOU community with educational programming, information, and referral services designed to promote equity and non-violence. We embrace a feminist model that empowers all people to actively stand against all forms of violence, harassment, verbal abuse, discrimination, and hatred.

Our services:

Resource and Referral Center

Resource and Gender Studies Library

Educational Programming

Located: Werner University Center

For more information: 503-838-8219 – abbyshouse@mail.wou.edu – wou.edu/abbyshouse

Weather your home is half a block away or half a world away, everyone can use a home away from home. That’s what Abby’s House is about. It’s a place to relax with a cup of tea, to meet with a group or to find the resources to overcome obstacles.

“Together we fight to take back the night”

By: Shaylie Pickerel
Staff Writer

Oct. 25 was the annual Take Back the Night event held by Abby’s House on the bottom floor of the Werner University Center.

This event is held on campus every October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Take Back the Night began with an informational piece about the origins of this event.

take-back-night-1-colorabbys-houseThe first Take Back the Night rally started in 1975 in response to the murder of Philadelphia-based microbiologist Susan Alexander Speeth, who was stabbed to death while walking home alone.

During the event, a gong is struck every nine seconds, representing how often women are beaten in the U.S. During this everyone is silent-showing respect and reflection for the event and victims lost to domestic violence and sexual assault. The power of the silence intensified after every gong ring.

Western’s President, Rex Fuller, was invited as a guest speaker. He expressed his feelings on the subject and shared some statistical facts surrounding campus safety and reported attacks. “Only 70 percent [of students] know where to go or what resources are available [after an attack],” said President Fuller.

Mary Ellen Dello Stritto, the coordinator for Abby’s House, also spoke about her opinion on the matter and how domestic violence and sexual assault affects Western students. She shared details about Green Dot and the training information that Campus Public Safety receives. Dello Stritto also shared educational facts about on-campus resources, including the three sexual assault nurse examiners on campus.

During the speaking portion, we also learned about the fears of the dark and human tendencies to blame victims. Following this, they had a portion called the speak out. The speak out is to give those who came to the event the chance to share their opinions or personal experiences.

Domestic violence and sexual assault are things that impact people’s lives and can be next to impossible to overcome. Take Back the Night participants marched through campus holding signs and candles to break the silence and to take back the night. “We are women, we are men. Together we fight to take back the night,” chanted students.

Aislinn Addington, the director of Abby’s House, discussed some of the actions that Western students can take to break the silence surrounding domestic violence. “The most important step is bystander intervention,” said Addington, “the incident [any form of domestic violence or sexual assault] doesn’t just affect the immediate parties, but all of us. It’s our job to talk about it and raise awareness.”

Take Back the Night occurs on campuses across the nations and serves as the, “hallmark event of Abby’s House.” Addington recommends that all students should, “take the pledge to take action.”

Contact the author at spickrell15@wou.edu

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