Mount Hood

Study abroad opportunities on campus

Written by; Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Western is home to over 300 on campus clubs and organizations. With such a diverse number of student services and organizations, it can be easy to overlook the fact that Western offers students one of the most fundamental opportunities for the college experience. 

The Center for Professional Pathways is the parent service for Western’s Study Abroad Program — housing four different study abroad providers including IE3 Global, Campus Internationalizations Solutions Abroad, Cooperative Center for Study Abroad and Global Education Oregon — and over 200 programs to choose from. Students who choose to study abroad during their academic experience can have their credits transferred whilst also exploring different cultures. 

There are requirements to determine whether a student is eligible. In order to be approved for Study Abroad, students must meet the following criteria: good academic and judicial standing, meet the language requirements for one’s program of interest, have a passport valid six months beyond the end date of the program, as well as completion of all application materials highlighted in the next section.

While some providers present study abroad opportunities in English-speaking countries only, some, such as IE3 Global, offer study abroad opportunities in Ecuador, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Japan, South Korea and Mexico.

Although the application process may appear daunting, CPP and the Study Abroad program on campus are there to help every step of the way. 

How it works: Students should first complete the program’s general intake form — a simple Google form that provides the program with basic information about the student. From the information provided on this form, the program’s committee decides whether the applicant is eligible to study abroad.

Once the student has submitted the form, they can begin procuring their online profile through Terra Dotta. When starting an application, a $50 fee will be assessed. It is at this stage that the student should plan to meet with their academic advisor to plan their future schedule. The earlier, the better.

It is important to also keep in mind that some programs, such as IE3 and CCSA, have a second form students must fill out. This form may require a separate application fee.

Choosing a Program: Before meeting with a study abroad advisor — the next step in the application process — students must first decide where they would like to study. 

There are two ways in which students can search for study abroad opportunities. If they already have a destination in mind, they could search based on country or region. If they do not have a destination in mind, they could search based on their major or area of interest. Either method will concur results preferable to a student’s particular interests.

Students have the choice to select their destination based on whether they would like to study abroad or undergo an internship. Western provides very specific types of study abroad programs to students, including studying abroad for the acquisition of a language, internships, direct exchange programs into university and third-party sponsored programs.

Students considering applying for the program should start planning approximately a year in advance. For reference, if students wish to study abroad in Fall of the 2023-2024 academic year, they should begin the application process somewhere around Winter term of the previous year.

For more information about studying and interning abroad contact Graduate Assistant for Study Abroad Programs, Jacen Miller, at studyabroad@mail.wou.edu. Students considering studying abroad are encouraged to schedule an appointment for further details about the application process. All forms can be found on the Study Abroad program’s website at wou.edu/study-abroad/.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



WOU-underful Food Drive

Written by:Dakota Gange

The holiday season is known for notoriously tough times. The gray skies exacerbate seasonal affective disorders, which can lead to a plethora of life complications. The cold and rainy weather means higher electric bills. 

Western has a multitude of student support services to help combat these difficulties. Through visiting Abby’s House on the first floor of the Werner University Center, students can find resources to aid in housing, food insecurity and basic needs. At the Student Health and Wellness Center, students can find quick and easy access to simple medical care and counseling, including couples counseling.  

A unique benefit Western offers is the Food Pantry, located in the Welcome Center. One does not need to be a student to take advantage of the Food Pantry’s resources. The Food Pantry operates on a nearly no questions asked basis. There is no limit on how much one can take or how often one can visit. The process is completely anonymous, with only two questions to answer at checkout— how many people one is shopping for and whether one is a community member or Western student. 

However, the Food Pantry gets deliveries at the beginning of the month; so if one were to visit earlier this week, they’d find virtually empty shelves. 

In response, Hunter Hall —fourth year math major and ASWOU vice president— took to local businesses and ran a food drive. Ironically, though, the Independence Grocery Outlet was the only local business that agreed to collaborate in the effort by hosting a large container for community members to donate non-perishables. 

Hall did not let the lack of local business support keep him down —he and his small team of volunteers collected enough non-perishables to practically fill a third of his office.

“It’s my job to set into motion events like this; I want to help my people,” said Hall. “It feels good to give back; bringing in all the food to the pantry, it puts into perspective how much we actually got.” 

A pile of vividly colored food boxes and cans await distribution to the Food Pantry shelves, which could be as early as Thursday, making it available to the public after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The drive brought in 496 pounds of food. 

Hall put together a seven page guide that he hopes will be used in the future for annual fall food drives, with plans to run for ASWOU president for the 2023-24 school year. Maintaining open office hours, those desiring to engage with Hall can easily reach him in person or over Zoom. Hall encourages anyone who wants to talk with him to not hesitate to reach out — “My door is always open,” he added.

Hall’s updated office hours can be found posted on the front door of the ASWOU office in the Werner University Center, but are typically Mon from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tue from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Wed 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., and Thu 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

For more information, frequently asked questions, or to volunteer at the Food Pantry, visit their website at https://wou.edu/foodpantry/.

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu



WOU Cross Country Recap

Written by:Nicholas Sarysz

Western’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams toed the line of their home cross-country course for the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference championship meet on Sept. 5. Despite higher hopes, both of the teams finished in fourth place.

Western Washington University won the men’s meet with a score of  31 points —they have not lost to a conference opponent the entire 2022 season.

Western Washington also won the women’s meet with a score of 64 points, having all of their scoring runners finishing within one minute of each other.

The men’s side was led by Hunter Hutton, who finished the 10-kilometer race in 24 minutes and 23 seconds. The other scorers on the men’s team were Bailey Smith, 22nd, Easton Pomrankey, 25th, Logan Parker, 27th, and Miguel Villar, 31st.

Caitlin Heldt, in just her second race of the season, led the women’s team with her third-place finish. Heldt  ran the 6-kilometer race in 21 minutes and 9 seconds. The rest of the scorers on the women’s side were Luz Garcia, 12th, Riley Smith, 13th, Holly Hutton, 29th, and Lindie Larson, 30th.

This was the first full-length cross-country season for the National Collegiate Athletic Association since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about how that has affected the group, Senior Bailey Smith only had good things to say. 

“From the start of the season, the group of guys has been really focused. This season is two weeks longer than last year’s which requires a lot of focus on taking care of ourselves. Coach Holloway has done a great job of keeping us fresh and feeling like we can get ready for both the 8k and 10k.”

Throughout all of the ups and downs of the season, the comradery of the group has remained strong. A key part of this team’s comradery has been transfer sophomore Kolby Spink, who had a lot to say when asked about his transition into being a Western Oregon University athlete.

“Transitioning from my previous institution to WOU has been really great. When I got to Western the guys’ team was very welcoming and supportive of anything that I needed. If I needed help taking my bags to the dorms, everyone would be there willing to help. If I was ever not feeling too good on a workout my teammates would be there to tell me ‘you got this’ and to keep working towards our goals. Our team is like a family, we’re always there to support one another and be there for each other. The coaches here have been really good at helping me get better as an athlete. When I was at my previous institution I kind of struggled with being able to get to my goals and some of the training got to be too much. Here I’m able to trust the coach with the training and I’m able to achieve the goals that I want while pushing myself and not having that be too much. The races have been a lot of fun so far. Our team is so close to each other each time that our 3-7 runners change almost every race. Our team is looking pretty strong as we head into Regionals in Billings Montana. We are hoping to be able to qualify for Nationals. The team has what it takes and we are looking ready to take on the competition. We took 4th in GNAC a couple of weeks ago but we know as a team we can run better and beat some of these teams,” said Spink.

The Wolves look to bounce back this upcoming Saturday, November 19th, as they travel to Billings, Montana for the NCAA Division II West Regionals meet. There, the Wolves will compete against the other 20 teams in the region. The men were ranked 10th in the preseason polls, but have since fallen out of the rankings, whereas the women have never ranked in any of the top spots.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu



A Review of New Podcast, Circle Time with Kelsey Kreppel

Written by:Mikayla Coleman 

Launched in Aug. 2022, “Circle Time” with Kelsey Kreppel is a laid-back podcast based upon the common child-age classroom experience of sitting in a circle and sharing with peers. 

Known initially for her involvement with her now-fiancé — Youtube personality, Cody Ko — Kreppel has grown a significant audience of her own. 

Kreppel vlogged her day-to-day life on her Youtube channel throughout the initial COVID-19 quarantine, where her audience became aware of her part-time job as a preschool teacher. While Kreppel was unable to meet with her preschool students in person, she was still able to participate in a key part of the preschool classes’ routine of circle time via Zoom. This wholesome and repeated practice was beneficial not only for the students, but also for Kreppel and her audience, as the world navigated a disorienting and fearful time. 

Streaming weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and more, the  “Circle Time” podcast has been a hit in recent months. “Circle Time” operates with a consistent and structured routine of Kreppel discussing her day-to-day experiences, topics in pop culture and weekly journal prompts. The included weekly journal prompts offer a uniqueness that is not often present within the typical podcast setting, offering the viewer something to write about post-show. These prompts vary in seriousness, including hard-hitting questions for personal growth, or simply asking the viewer to rank their top ten favorite foods. 

A section that sets “Circle Time” apart is the advice section in which audience members can send in voicemail messages detailing specific problems or experiences directly to Kreppel for a chance to receive advice or support. 

After establishing “Circle Time” on her own throughout the month of August, Kreppel has invited guests such as Alisha Marie, Remi Cruz, Taylor King, and Devon and Sydney Carlson on the podcast. The collaborative episodes tend to be longer than the solo ones — with the average solo podcast being around 45 minutes. The guests that have been invited onto “Circle Time” have an obvious genuine personal connection with Kreppel, resulting in very comfortable and hilarious chemistry in their recorded conversations. 

Overall, I think that “Circle Time” is off to a good start. I feel that there is room for improvement in the topics discussed within the pop culture sections so far, but I acknowledge the fact that this is Kreppel’s first time taking on a big project independently, so there will be a learning curve. I have enjoyed listening and am interested in what the future holds as Kreppel establishes her own groove. 

7.5/10

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu



Western Celebrates Dia de Los Muertos

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancour

Dia de los Muertos is a yearly, Mexican cultural celebration commemorating the beloved spirits of the deceased. It is characterized by a combination of well wishes, “ofrendas” — offerings, often meaning food or photographs — with a vibrant display of flowers alongside an altar.

Every year, Dia de los Muertos is observed from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. While Oct. 31 is universally known as Halloween, Nov. 1 is referred to as All Saints Day, or the day of the children, in which  the gates of heaven flood open, allowing the deceased to join the physical world to pay a visit to their loved ones.

Although not an official holiday, Nov. 2 is designated as All Souls Day, the day the living get the chance to honor the lives of their departed loved ones. Contrary to misconception, the day of the dead is not a day to grieve, but a day to laugh and have fun.

Last week, students who visited the lobby of the Werner University Center — directly across from Caffe Allegro — saw the altar set up by student workers and volunteers from the Multicultural Student Union. Students who lost a loved one were permitted and encouraged to add an offering to the altar or a heartfelt message on the board. 

The altar and display were left out for student engagement until the end of the week. Likewise, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, MSU hosted an event in the WUC Plaza, with offerings of pan dulce, or “conchas” and hot chocolate. The treats were free to take, as long as the individual provided their name and student email.

That same day, at 6 p.m., MSU hosted their weekly meeting, featuring a celebration of the day of the dead. Attendees got the chance to celebrate Dia de los Muertos with activities such as face painting, sugar skull coloring and a rerun of a classic American movie.

In Mexican culture, activities such as face painting have a special meaning associated with the day of the dead — based upon a mixture of European and Aztec symbolism. Historically, sugar skull face paint is inspired by the work of Mexican lithographic artist, Jose Guadalupe Posada.

Dia de los Muertos is the Multicultural Student Union’s first major cultural celebration on campus of the 2022–23 school year, with many more events planned for the future.​​ The club is always looking for student volunteers to aid in such events. Students can check out their Instagram at @msuwou or join MSU in their club meetings every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m in the Columbia Room of the WUC.



Senior Night Annihilation

Written by:Gretchen Sims

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Western Wolves crushed the Simon Fraser University Red Leaves 32-7 — a perfect way to say goodbye to this years’ seniors. 

The Wolves came out of the gate strong with No. 23, Omari Dixon-Land, scoring the first touchdown at the 7:43 minute mark in the first quarter. 

During the second quarter,  No. 94, Noa Aluesi, recovered the ball after No. 8, Malcolm Liufau, sacked the Red Leaves’ punter which resulted in a touchdown on the next play — completed by Thomas Wright when the game clock hit 14:00 on the top. 

Running Back Marquis Sampson, No. 5, scored the final touchdown of the first half; bringing the Wolves score up to 26-0. 

During half time Western honored their seniors. The seniors on the Western Oregon Cheerleading Team include Catherine Machorro, Jude Bokovoy and Abbey Busick.

The seniors from the Western Wolves Football Team include No. 4 Andrew Valladares, No. 5 Marquis Sampson, No. 6 Machiah Lee, No. 9 Jaylin Parnell, No. 11 Thomas Wright, No. 16 Joey Sinclair, No. 17 Logan Reese, No. 19 L.J. Lovelace, No. 23 Omari Dixon-Land, No. 24 Ryan Minniti and No. 69 Edward Taufa’asau. 

During the third quarter, Simon Fraser made a comeback and managed to take 7 points back from Western — their first and final points of the game. 

Western then had two unsportsmanlike conducts back to back at the 13:32 minute mark in the 3rd quarter. The first was by No. 5, Marquis Sampson, and the second was by No. 83, Shaw Jerome. The  penalties pushed Western back 30 yards. This led to a forced punt at 4th in 38 — turning over the ball to the Red Leaves. 

After Western put in their second string players, no more points were scored or lost and Western proved themselves to be good sports despite the previous unsportsmanlike conducts. 

However, No. 3, Freshman Quarterback Kainoa Jones, ran the ball 26 yards in the 4th quarter — a promising start for the young star. 

Overall, Western fought hard, but knew when to pull back and show respect to the other team. Tune in to their final game next week as the Wolves take on Texas A&M University at Kingsville, Texas. Go wolves!

Contact the author at howlentertainment.wou.edu



WOU Galleries Crew Designates Art Gallery for Western Community

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On Oct. 26, Western’s Art Galleries team announced their community-wide effort to build and reestablish campus relationships through the collaborative art project, “Let Your Flags Fly.” 

Throughout November  — concluding at the end of the Fall term — students will have the opportunity to participate in the creation of their own pennant flag and have it displayed in the second floor gallery of Hamersly library. No artistic experience is required, simply creativity and the desire to grow closer to the community.

As the project gains traction, students can expect to see the number of flags multiply, and see their own displayed among the rest. According to Paula Booth, director of the Cannon Gallery, the project has been culminated by lack of community certainty and disconnection demonstrated by Western in recent years. 

“… We were originally thinking of a way to create a more welcoming space in the library for students, and to make it a place where students might think to go and spend time,” Booth said. “(We) realized that there were students who had gotten through four years here at (Western) and had never even stepped into the library … It sort of morphed into this community-wide art project and this idea of building community through art, bringing people together and then, you know, putting all of our artworks together in one place.” 

Melody Barrett, student gallery coordinator, added, “I think by having everyone’s art together in one space, I hope to create a more welcoming space. I want people to see themselves in the space and to feel like it’s their space.” 

Since the announcement, the Western art galleries team have held two flag-painting sessions, one on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. Future painting sessions are yet to be determined, but are expected to be announced soon. According to Barrett, the first two sessions were a success, with a much greater turnout than anticipated. The crew had initially begun with around 100 flags; however, after only three days, it was clear they needed to create more in order to meet the incessant excitement and demand.

“We didn’t necessarily expect such a big response,” said Booth.

While there are no currently scheduled dates for upcoming painting sessions, there are still many ways for students to get involved. 

Those who are interested can visit the unmanned project table located on the second floor of  Hamersly library any time throughout the month of November. Project materials can be found for usage at the project table. Clubs and organizations are also welcome to join through the creation of their own flags. If interested, club leaders can contact Paula Booth and request supplies to be dropped off the group’s meeting location.

“Let Your Flags Fly” will conclude by the end of the fall term with a celebration. Although the celebration date is to be determined, Booth and Barrett expect the celebration to coincide around the time of the Holiday Christmas tree lighting. Students can expect further details in an announcement in coming weeks. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



Power Red: Red Cross Comes to the WUC

Written by: Dakota Gange 

Thursday, Nov. 3 brought students and faculty together below a glistening disco ball in a room filled with the melodic voices of Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Shakira. Though, between the machines, needles and stretcher-like beds, this was no party-like event. 

The first Red Cross blood drive of the 2022–23 school year was held in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center. Though blood drives on campus are run by the Red Cross and its team of phlebotomists, it is Western’s Student Veterans of America and Pre-Med Club that bring the Red Cross to Western’s campus. 

In addition to regular blood donation, the option to donate “Power Red” was also highlighted. 

Explained by redcrossblood.org, “Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.” It is required that iron levels are higher for one to donate Power Red than is typically required for regular blood donations.

Student Veterans of America’s Communications Officer, Brant Morgan, and Pre-Med Club President, Lorena Soriano, spearheaded the event.

Morgan is currently studying information systems concentrating in cyber systems and wishes to become an ethical hacker, with plans to do an FBI internship during the summer of 2024. 

Inspired by having to re-learn how to walk at the age of 12 after surviving a life-threatening meningitis illness, Soriano, who is studying pre-med, dreams of becoming a pediatrician.

Both could be seen managing the needs of the drive, or handing out snacks, water and t-shirts to those who had donated. 

Previously, the blood drives were solely run by the Veterans Resource Center, which oversees SVA. However, after teaming up with the Pre-Med club, there has been a significant increase in donations this fall term.  

“This is a good partnership. Especially after the hurricane in Florida, that’s made a big impact on why we need more involvement (donors). Since spring term we’ve seen tremendously more involvement with people donating on campus,” said Morgan, who is also a Peer Advisor in Veterans Education team leader. PAVE is a Western-funded program that supports veteran students through advising, outreach and resources. 

SVA and Pre-Med Club plan to continue their partnership in the promotion of the blood drives, hosting one every term. 

For more information or to stay up to date on future blood drives, check out the SVA’s Instagram at @wousva.

Contact the author at howlmanaging@mail.wou.edu



Student Loan Borrowers Cautioned About Scams by FBI

Written by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

As of Friday, Oct. 28, six major lawsuits have been filed by opponents of the one-time federal student loan forgiveness program across the U.S. 

The legal arguments contain claims of harm to borrowers, the program being unconstitutional,   harm due to the devaluation of Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and harm to states and state agencies. They also claim that the program violates the Administrative Procedure Act — arguing that the program failed to provide notices of produced and final rulemaking, as well as failing to provide opportunities for the public to comment on notices of said proposed rulemaking.

On Oct. 21, a federal circuit court ruled for the issuing of an “administrative stay,” which would immediately halt student loan forgiveness payments indefinitely until the court rules on the motion for an injunction.

This news came after 22 million Americans applied for student loan debt forgiveness, following the first week of the student loan debt forgiveness beta application becoming available.

In an exclusive interview for News Nation on Oct. 27, President Biden acknowledged the court argument for debt relief, predicting that the issues would be quickly resolved and that students could see their refund checks in the mail within the next few weeks.

In other news, the student loan forgiveness plan has provided a hook for scammers, as an increasing wave of borrowers are becoming victims to scammers with fraudulent offers of help. 

One of the more common scams is a company stating that an individual must pay in order to be eligible for student loan debt forgiveness — which is false. Other scammers attempt to persuade borrowers to provide their personal or financial information as a way to steal one’s identity. In a newly-introduced method, scammers are pretending to be an individual’s loan servicer. 

If an individual is unsure about who their loan servicer is, they can visit studentaid.gov and scroll down until they find the section for “My Loan Servicers.” As a reminder, most borrowers receive an official email by their loan servicer upon accepting government loans. The official federal loan servicers include FedLoan Servicers, Granite State, Great Lakes Educational Loans Servicers, HESC/EdFinancial, MOHELA, Navient, Nelnet, and OSLA Servicing.

To avoid being scammed, unsolicited emails and other messages should be ignored and attachments inside of them should never be opened. Such emails could contain malware and viruses.

Individuals who believe they have fallen victim to student loan debt relief scammers should immediately report to the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Education or file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Best Netflix Original Series

Written by Gretchen Sims

Students seem to be taken by storm by Netflix’s endeavors to produce their own original content. Here are some of Western students’ favorite shows, what are yours? 

Some series were included in the original poll but warranted no results. Among those were: “The Crown,” “Love is Blind,” and “Selling Sunset.” 

Stranger Things 19.2 % (5)

Bridgerton 11.5 % (3)

Queen’s Gambit 11.5 % (3)

The Umbrella Academy 11.5% (3)

The Witcher 11.5 % (3)

Sex Education 7.7 % (2)

A Series of Unfortunate Events 7.7 % (2)

Lucifer 3.8 % (1)

Kobra Kai 3.8 % (1)

The OA 3.8 % (1)

Big Mouth 3.8 % (1)

Narcos 3.8 % (1)

The Race for Oregon Governor Begins

Written by News Editor Mirella Barrera-Bentancourt

Oct. 18 was the last day to register for voting in the 2022 November general election in the state of Oregon.

A total of 470 seats in the United States Congress are up for election, with 35 Senate seats and 435 House seats. State executive offices up for election include 36 gubernatorial seats, 30 lieutenant gubernatorial seats, 30 attorney general seats and 27 secretary of state seats. 

In the state of Oregon, there are six candidates running in the gubernatorial election. With long-term incumbent Kate Brown unable to run for re-election, the November election ballot will include a spot for Oregon governor. 

Running for Oregon governor, and included in the ballot, are Democrat and Working Families party candidate Tina Kotek, Republican candidate Christine Drazan and non-affiliated candidate Betsy Johnson. Also running in the election are minor party, independent and write-in candidates Donice Smith from the Constitution Party, Paul Romero from the Constitution Party of Oregon, and R. Leon Noble from the Libertarian Party.

The ballot will also include four new ballot measures — #111, #112, #113 and #114. 

If passed, ballot measure #111 will establish Oregonians’ right to healthcare. 

As 1 of 10 states still allowing slavery and involuntary servitude in the constitution, Oregon ballot measure #112 will remove the outdated language from the constitution and remove slavery as an option for punishment for crime.

Ballot measure #113 will guarantee consequences for absent lawmakers. 

Ballot measure #114 will strengthen rules and regulation regarding firearm safety by requiring completed background checks for all gun sales.

Tina Kotek | Political Party: Democrat

Kotek served as Speaker of the House from 2013 to 2022, where she pushed the agenda for affordable housing and the strengthening of tenant and home renter protection. She said she would aim to address the problem of homelessness, as well as “to provide mental health and addiction services to every Oregonian.” In 2015, Kotek passed the law to protect and advance reproductive rights, and expanded access to birth control for thousands of Oregonians. Kotek is the only candidate in the race endorsed by Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon and Pro-Choice Oregon. 

Christine Drazan | Political Party: Republican

Drazan served as house minority leader from 2019 to 2021. Her plans include declaring a state of emergency regarding the issue of homelessness in Oregon and investing in public health services and public safety measures. Regarding abortion, Drazan is the only candidate in the election who stands alone in the fight for anti-abortion laws. She applauded the judge’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Drazan is endorsed by the anti-abortion group Oregon Right to Life. Drazan has no plans to expand access to healthcare or strengthen COVID safety measures for Oregonians.  

Betsy Johnson | Political Party: Non-affiliated

Johnson served in the Oregon State Senate from 2007 to 2021. She has repeatedly used her non-affiliation status as a way to move forward in the race, stating, “As governor, I’ll move Oregon forward by being loyal only to the people, not (to) any political extreme or special interest.” Much like Drazan, Johnson criticized Oregon Measure #110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative. Johnson also criticized Oregon’s Reproductive Health Equity Fund, which intends to support women’s access to abortion care. She stands firm in her belief that the way to a better, brighter Oregon is by holding those with personal issues accountable in the face of homelessness, addiction and crime.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



Tina Kotek
Christine Drazan
Betsy Johnson

Western Equity

NAT-WOU Initiative is a trailblazing act set on reforming equality

Written by Entertainment Editor Gretchen Sims

Monmouth, along with Western Oregon University, is located on the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. The Kalapuya people were forcibly removed from their lands to the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation after the Willamette Valley Treaty in 1855 (1). Western has, for a long time, recognized this devastating travesty.

In part, recognizing its past has pushed Western to adopt a new program known as the NAT-WOU initiative.

The NAT-WOU Initiative (Native American Tuition Initiative) makes it possible for all Native American and Indigenous persons to qualify for in-state tuition. Instead of paying an approximate $28,000 a year, Native American and Indigenous students are now eligible for a tuition reduction of almost $20,000.

Interim Vice President/Dean of Students, Tina Fuchs, states why this initiative can have a lasting positive impact,

“We adopted the NAT-WOU initiative to assist Native American students with enrollment and graduation. Nationwide, approximately 24% of Native American students are enrolled in college (National Center of Education Statistics). In Oregon, that number is 48%, about 15% less than the rate for all high school graduates in the state. Financial barriers significantly limit access to college. The NAT-WOU initiative allows for out-of-state members from federally recognized tribes to attend WOU at a more affordable rate. Furthermore, we are supporting and encouraging our students from Oregon-based tribes to apply for the HECC’s Oregon Tribal Student grant which will offset the cost of attendance at WOU.”

Any person with documentation confirming their position in a federally recognized tribe is eligible for NAT-WOU benefits. Western does not accept ancestry documents and requires the applicant to be currently enrolled in a recognized tribal nation. Western accepts Tribal Identification Cards or a letter issued by a Tribe’s Enrollment Office as verification of membership.

For more information, contact Western Oregon’s Office of Admissions at admissions@wou.edu. Or call 503-838-8211 or this toll free number 1-877-877-1593.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

https://libraryguides.lanecc.edu/kalapuya (1)

Abby’s House recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month through the Bandana Project

The Bandana Project at Western works to raise awareness about workplace sexual violence against farmworker women

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Content warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.

April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and how to prevent it. Sexual Assault Awareness Month gave rise to the Bandana Project, a public awareness campaign aimed to address the issue of workplace sexual assault in the United States, particularly among farmworker women.

Recently, Western joined universities across the country in raising awareness to protect farmworker women. Throughout the week of April 11 – 15, Abby’s House set out white bandanas for students and faculty to decorate freely with powerful messages and words of love and encouragement.

Maria Marquez, Peer Educator at Abby’s House, was in charge of bringing the Bandana Project to Western. 

“As a current member of the Dreamers community on our WOU campus, I was thrilled to organize and welcome the Bandana Project,” said Marquez. “My purpose was to bring awareness to our marginalized communities and allow their voices to be heard.”

The Bandana Project was created back in 2007 by Mónica Ramírez when she was directing Esperanza: The Immigrant Women’s Legal Initiative of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Ramírez later founded Justice for Migrant Women, a stand-alone non profit organization now leading the Bandana Project.

Workplace sexual harrassment has long been an issue for farmworker women in the agricultural community. The white bandana first became a figure against sexual harrassment when farmworker women began wearing them to protect themselves against violence and harrassment in the fields. Today, they serve as a symbol of protest.

On why the Bandana Project is such an important project to commemorate, Marquez said, “WOU is in the early stages of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. I believe that it is important to consider our large population of undocumented and (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students on campus to discuss prominent and on going issues that they have to (endure). … Abby’s House is here to celebrate, voice, and support women who have overcome such challenges.”

Abby’s House is a constant advocate for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They will also be hosting Denim Day on April 27, an event created to show support to the victims of sexual assault who were told they were at fault for wearing what they did. Demin Day sends the message that anyone can experience sexual harrassment or assault regardless of what they were wearing.

To learn more about the Bandana Project, visit justiceforwomen.org.

New hours available for fitness classes and facilities

The Health and Wellness Center releases fitness schedule for spring

James Fowlkes | Freelancer

Contact the author at jfowlkes18@mail.wou.edu

The fitness schedule for spring term 2022 is now active at Western’s Health and Wellness Center. Available fitness classes vary from yoga, cardio, spin, pilates to full body, lower body, paddle board yoga and more. Most fitness classes range from 45 – 50 minutes, which is just enough time to get a good workout — whether one wants to focus on cardio, core, mind or full body. To sign up for classes, use the IMLeagues app to reserve a place in a class. Make sure to bring a water bottle and a sweat towel — it’ll come in handy.

The fitness schedule for spring 2022 is presented as planned:

 

Monday: 

Detox Yoga: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

    Cardio: Indoor Track from 4:30 – 5:20 p.m.

Spin: HWC room 201 from 5:10 – 6 p.m.  

Pilates: HWC room 201 from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m.

Tuesday:

    Pilates 101: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

Yoga: HWC room 201 from 4:30 – 5:20 p.m.

5k Social: Outdoors from 5:10 – 6 p.m.

Full Body: HWC room 201 from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. 

Wednesday:

    Pilates HIIT: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

    Pilates: HWC room 201 from 5:10 – 6 p.m.

    Spin: HWC room 201 from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m.

Thursday:

    Lower Body Barre: HWC room 253 from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

Women Lift Intro: HWC room 201 from 4:30 – 5:20 p.m.

Yoga: HWC room 201 from 5:30 – 6:20 p.m.

Paddle board Yoga: Pool from 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. 

Friday:

    Spin: HWC room 201 from 12 – 12:45 p.m.

 

New operating hours for the Health and Wellness Center facility are also available, along with new hours for the Aquatic Center and the wall climbing area.

 

Health and Wellness Center:

Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday from 12 – 5 p.m.

Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m.

 

Aquatic Center:

Monday – Wednesday from 2:30 – 3:50 p.m. and 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Thursday from 2:30 – 3:50 p.m. and 7:40 – 9:30 p.m.

Saturday from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

 

Wall Climbing:

Monday – Thursday from 4 – 9 p.m.

Saturday from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

 

Tips for increasing sustainability

How sustainability can also be convenient for students

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Single use plastics and unnecessary packaging are creating huge problems for our planet. Humans are creating more trash than ever and polluting more than the world can handle. While it may seem like too big of a problem at this point to make a difference as an individual, even one small choice can lead to a cleaner, greener future.

As a student, especially one who lives a busy lifestyle, it can be difficult to figure out ways to make sustainable choices. Most of the choices made as students focus on convenience over sustainability. Here are some simple changes that can be implemented in life in an effort to finally put the earth first.

Use a reusable water bottle. A reusable water bottle can cost more than expected, but it will be worth it when the use of plastic water bottles is eventually eliminated. It also has the benefit of keeping water cold all day if one of the higher end brands, like Hydro Flask or Yeti, is used.

Skip the chips and grab fruit. Making the choice to choose fruit or vegetables over a packaged good has the benefit of reducing waste and encouraging healthier eating habits. Students tend to grab packaged food for convenience, but apples, bananas and oranges have their own natural packaging.

Bring a tote bag to the store. A tote bag is perfect for grocery shopping, carrying books and everyday use because they usually come in a large range of sizes and are easy to carry. This easy change eliminates the hoarding of plastic bags that almost every household partakes in.

Brew coffee at home. Going to a local coffee stand is a nice way to treat yourself every once in a while, but doing that every day can become a problem for the earth and the bank. By making coffee at home, single use plastic cups will be used less, and it will be  cheaper for a student who is trying to save money. 

Walk to class. It’s tempting to drive to class when it’s raining, but unless home is more than a few blocks away, don’t drive to campus. The time saved is usually only around three minutes and over time the pollution outweighs those three minutes. It also is barely affordable to drive everywhere with the way the price of gas has risen in the past couple of months.

Utilize what you already have. People tend to collect things over time and forget they own them. This leads to the purchasing of unnecessary items when something you already own could do the job. The most sustainable things are the items you already own.

 

ASWOU voter guide

Western students answer the question: “What is your favorite season and why?”

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Spring term is election season for the Associated Students of Western Oregon University — Western’s student government. Campaign Week began on Monday, April 18 with a “meet the candidate” event in the Werner University Center Summit. On Thursday, April 21, there will be a candidate forum on Zoom at 5 p.m. Students will be able to vote starting April 25 until April 29 on Presence, through their Student Portal. 

In preparation for Campaign Week, candidates were asked why they decided to run and what they plan to do if elected, find their answers below: 

 

Candidates for ASWOU President:

 

Gheraldy Bobadilla-Cruz (he/him/his/el)

Major: education 

Current class standing: sophomore

 

A current ASWOU Senator, Cruz has wanted to run for President since he arrived at Western, and wants to give a voice to all students. 

“I’m running for ASWOU President because I believe (Western) is at a pivotal turning point when considering its future. I want to come in and work alongside our new President to help (Western) flourish in this new era… I will make sure that more support is given to all clubs and organizations here on campus. I will ensure that students are being fully appreciated and acknowledged for all the work they do to make (Western) a campus full of diversity and inclusion. It’s time to hold (Western) responsible as an institution to follow through and act on its statements of being a welcoming campus for all. It’s time to make (Western) more than just a school.”

 

Kodee Harwood (she/her/hers)

Major: communication studies 

Current class standing: junior 

 

Harwood has been interested in ASWOU since 2019, and hopes to bring clubs back in full force, while also working to improve accessibility. 

“I want to improve campus and campus culture. … There’s always room for improvement and I’d like to start improving (Western) and make students feel safe on campus and proud that they go to (Western). … If I get elected ASWOU president my office will always be open to any student(s) that have concerns or questions and I will try my best to make change happen and try to support you as best I can.”

 

Candidates for ASWOU Vice President:

 

Hunter Hall (he/him/his)

Major: mathematics

Current class standing: senior

 

As a student government veteran, Hall aims to use his skills to amplify student voices, with an emphasis on safety. 

“I’m running for ASWOU Vice President for a couple of reasons. The first and most important to me is I want to find ways to improve the safety of our campus. I want to do this while also addressing accessibility issues that students face here. … I have (four) years of experience within student government where I’ve worked in various leadership positions. During that time I have been able to learn a lot about what it means to be the student voice. I plan to use my experience to act as that bridge that connects the (Western) staff and students (together).”

 

Owen Hubers (he/him/his)

Major: business 

Current class standing: junior 

 

Passionate about club engagement, Hubers (pictured left) hopes to connect students through Discord and improve event planning. 

“I want voters to know that I am listening to literally everything they say and will work my very hardest to make sure college life at (Western) is the best it can possibly be. I will use every last resource we have to help students here thrive. I will always want to and be willing to talk with any student or anybody at all who is willing to provide me with feedback. I will do the best I can to work with the various members of ASWOU and (Western) as a community. I will do my best … to solve current or future problems and implement new resources or improve existing resources.”

 

Candidate for Senate President:

 

Connor Goehring (he/him/his)

Major: ASL studies and education

Current class standing: sophomore

 

As Residence Hall Association President, Goehring aims to use his leadership skills to improve communication and make campus better for students. 

“There is so much inequity here at (Western) and I don’t plan on trying to fix the broken system we have in place right now, but to rewrite the whole system entirely to make a better, working system that supports our students. … I’m qualified to make a difference and be the advocate you need to make (Western) a safe and inclusive environment for the (campus’s) diverse community.”

 

Candidate for Senate:

 

Samy Reyes (he/him/his)

Major: business

Current class standing: sophomore 

 

As a new student at Western, Reyes hopes to use the Senate position to gain experience in student government. 

“I would like to be further involved in our school and the community of our students. I believe it is a civic responsibility as students to be engaged and involved in our school’s topics and issues. I seek to hear student’s thoughts and concerns on our campus, as I am going to be a voice that represents them. I run for the senate not only to gain experience, but to work towards new policies that will benefit the interests of our fellow students.”

 

Candidate for Judicial Administrator:

 

Coral Davis (she/they)

Major: education 

Current class standing: first-year

 

A PLUS Team member and WOU Ambassador, Davis is excited to bring leadership experience to ASWOU and work with the Justices. 

“My goal for when I am elected for Judicial Administrator is to create a more inclusive campus. I feel that accommodations for students are not being followed through. I also want to try and bring more awareness to all of the clubs that we have on campus as well as bring light to all (of) what our university has to offer to its new and current students.” 

 

Candidate for Incidental Fee Committee Member:

 

Dennis Long (he/him/his)

Major: information systems 

Current class standing: senior 

 

As an IFC Chair, Long was able to work on the IFC Funded Areas web page, allowing anyone to see who received funding and why. 

“I hope to help organize a better training schedule so that new IFC members can feel prepared to make these difficult decisions. There are changes to be made in the bylaws to make this process smoother, and I hope to actively engage in supporting the future of IFC and (Western)! After serving as IFC Chair this year, I discovered that there were many different student voices feeling left out or ignored. As the IFC, we did what we could to ensure that those voices were heard through anonymous forms and Open Hearings. I did my best to reach out to students and tried to forward their feedback to IFC.” 

headline: Recap of 2022 Masters

A summary of the Masters golfing tournament

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

The 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia finished up on Sunday, April 10. Here are the most notable things that happened at the tournament.

25-year-old Scottie Scheffler won the tournament with ten under-par claiming his first major title. He not only received the priceless green jacket but a record setting $2.7 million from the $15 million purse.

Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, finished second with a score of negative seven. He took home $1.62 million from the purse. McIlroy started the final round at 1 over and 10 strokes behind Scheffler in ninth place. He kicked it into high gear and shot a front-nine 32 and ended the back-nine with an incredible hole out from the bunker leaving him with a score of 64.

Not long after McIlroy’s bunker shot, Collin Morikawa ended the eighteenth hole with his own chip-in bunker shot. Morikawa ended with a total tournament score of four under-par in fifth place.

Tiger Woods made a strong comeback after his car accident in 2021 that almost cost him his leg. He pushed through and played the full 72 holes despite his noticeable limp, finishing No. 47 overall with a score of 13 over par. The injuries he sustained did not seem to affect his swing much, but changed the way he moved through the course and followed his ball. Woods has won five green jackets and this weekend was about his comeback rather than winning the tournament.

Once a golfer wins the Masters tournament they win an invite back for every future year. So, with this win, not only did Scheffler bring home a new jacket and millions of dollars, but the opportunity to bring more home in the years to come. The 87th US Masters will be held in Augusta again between April 6 – 9, 2023.

Fields of Peace founder visits Western

Peace organization’s founder Charles Busch speaks on topics of nonviolence

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Content warning: this article discusses war and violence. 

Charles Busch, founder and executive director of the organization Fields of Peace, gave a presentation about the importance of nonviolence in the Health and Wellness Center on Feb. 17. Joined by the organization’s former board chair and current treasurer Rod DeLuca, Busch spoke about Fields of Peace and their mission to “stop the killing of children in wars” and push for lasting world peace. 

Busch began the session with a story originally attributed to Kim Stafford, an award-winning Oregon poet and conscientious objector to the Vietnam War.

The story centers on a boy that is revealed to be Stafford’s father, William, who — when faced with school bullies attacking two African American students — puts himself in harm’s way to stand by the victims in a peaceful show of support. 

Much of Busch’s presentation centered around the principles of personal transformation, moral persuasion and sacrifice — the building blocks to peace. 

Personal transformation begins when an effort is made to commit to peace. Busch’s own personal transformation began as he looked for peace vows that fit his personal, spiritual and religious needs. Eventually, he made the choice to write his own, and read a select few aloud from his book, “soft as water.” 

Moral persuasion comes when peacemakers implore others to take up peace work. Sacrifice, as Busch explained, is the hard part. 

Sacrifice in the name of peace requires one to prove they are dedicated to nonviolence, even under threat of violence. When speaking of sacrifices made in the name of peace, Busch referenced great peace advocates such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Fields of Peace created their vow called “Promise to Our Children” to uphold their mission. This promise was drafted by Busch when he founded Fields of Peace. He explained in his presentation that as war has evolved over the decades, the ratio of casualties between civilians and combatants has shifted from one civilian per nine combatants to nine civilians per one combatant. 

The majority of these civilian deaths are children, hence the need for such a pledge. Each member of the organization takes the following vow, as well as any who wish to live by the words. 

“I will not be a part of the killing of any child no matter how lofty the reason. Not my neighbor’s child. Not my child. Not the enemy’s child. Not by bomb. Not by bullet. Not by looking the other way. I will be the power that is peace.” 

Great peacemaking work continues to be an important part of making the world a better place. To learn more about Charles Busch and Fields of Peace, go to the organization’s website at fieldsofpeace.org. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu 

Food Drive Donations Begin

WOU Food Pantry holds food drive across Monmouth and Salem campuses

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Looking to give back or get help from the campus community? The WOU Food Pantry is accepting food donations in large white barrels all around campus labeled with “WOU Food Pantry.” Students can also head to the Food Pantry in person, located in the Welcome Center by the courtyard entrance.

The donated food can be accessed by all members of the community and is not limited to students. No identification is required to use the service, it is only asked that one takes only what they need so that all visitors can have access. The food available is supplied solely from donations, so there is no guarantee that everyone will be able to grab the food they prefer. 

Donors of the Food Pantry include the Marion Polk Foodshare, which is a food bank that can be donated to in Salem, and other donations are collected from the Monmouth-Independence area.

For community members who do not need the service, or cannot donate food items, the pantry is run by volunteers and anyone is encouraged to donate their time. Volunteers have the option to sign up for one time shifts or can sign up for repeating shifts throughout the entire term. It is a great way to earn service hours or to add to one’s resume.

As well as being a place for people to pick up and donate food, the Food Pantry assists with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Money for Meals. Signing up for SNAP, also known as food stamps, can be a confusing process to go through, and the Food Pantry can assist in that process. Money for Meals is a Western program for students with a need for food that cannot be met through the Food Pantry. For any student or person in need of food assistance, the Food Pantry can help.

Give back to the community and donate time or food so that everyone can thrive. The Food Pantry is always taking donations.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

WOU scavenger hunt

I traveled to the city for spring break and this is what happened

Cole Boeck | Copy Editor

Contact the author at howlcopyeditor@wou.edu

Western’s Board Game Club has started a scavenger hunt that encourages students to explore around campus and learn about different resources. Co-hosted by the Residence Hall Association, Star Trek Club and ASL Club, this event is composed of two sessions. The sessions are divided into weeks, starting on Mondays and ending Sundays, with new clues and puzzles introduced each week.
The first session runs through weeks one through three of spring term and the second session will run through weeks six through eight.
In addition to the physical scavenger hunts in which participants search for clues on campus, there is a virtual version for those who are remote. The virtual hunt encourages students to learn about which resources are accessible online. Each week has a different set of puzzles which can be found at bapac.club.
Week one included five individual puzzles, covering a wide range of genres including sudoku, jigsaw and nonograms. The event is ongoing and has prizes at the end for student participants, though staff and faculty are also encouraged to take part. This event provides fun trivia and an opportunity to learn more about Western’s campus. Take a breather and solve some puzzles.

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