News – Page 13 – The Western Howl

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

It has been a year since the outbreak of the avian influenza, which rocked egg inventories and raised wholesale egg prices. In January 2023, Oregonians saw the prices of eggs spike higher in percentage than any other food item, such as chicken or turkey.

The avian flu, also known as the bird flu, had a devastating effect on flocks of hens across the country, forcing farms to kill more than 43 million hens by the end of December 2022 to limit the spread of the disease and costing the government roughly $660 million. The outbreak hit in two separate waves, from February to June and from September to December.

The avian flu is a highly contagious virus, spread easily through wild bird droppings and nasal discharges, making it incredibly difficult for farmers to contain the spread of the disease.

Though this specific virus does not significantly pose a threat to human health, as a reminder, poultry should be cooked to 165℉ to ensure any present viruses are eliminated.

The outbreak, combined with soaring inflation, fuel and labor costs are grounds for havoc from consumers. Amid a national supply shortage, grocery stores in and around Oregon are continuing to face struggles with meeting the market demand for eggs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Investigation, the consumer price of eggs rose 8.5% to an average price of $4.82 per dozen this past January.

The limited supply of eggs is prevalent for many individuals, including college students.

At Western, Valsetz Dining Hall — students’ main source for easy, on-campus dining — had to resort to charging diners for the difference in supply and demand. At their registers, a sign has been put on display informing diners of the raised prices for meals containing eggs.

Currently, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately for consumers, there is no guarantee that egg prices will go back to being one of the cheaper, more nutritious food options.

However, new flocks of hens have begun repopulating farms, which may indicate a significant advancement toward replenishing the United State’s egg supply.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The Western Howl

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Degree Tracks gets a New Look

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

DegreeTracks — the system that Western uses to track student degree progress and verify completion of graduation requirements — received a new interface on Apr. 13.

The new interface will serve the same functionality as the former, meaning that all information needed to view degree progress remains accessible. For example, a feature that is there to stay is the “what if analysis,” which allows students and advisors to get a glimpse of their degree progress with the inclusion of future classes and/or different areas of study.

However, there are quite a few differences and new features that students should be aware of for a smooth transition between the two interfaces.

Color

The new interface no longer uses highlighting and color-coding to illustrate which requirements have been completed and which requirements are currently in progress. Instead, the new interface presents a simple and modern appearance through the white — and a hint of green, red and blue — color combination. The green, red and blue are used to indicate to users which section requirements are complete, incomplete or in-progress through a single box at the top of each block.

Registration Checklist

There are two formats in which students and advisors can look at their academic degree progress — through the dropdown menu under “format.”

The “student view” format is the default format. This format allows students a more detailed view of their degree progress, displaying specific information regarding unmet degree conditions for a particular block.

Meanwhile, the format “registration checklist” allows the user to view their progress in a checklist format. This format is an option for students who may be nearing completion of their degree, and merely seek an easy, simple way to view their few remaining block requirements.

Degree Progress Graphs

The new interface includes a visual presentation for the completion of graduation requirements through graphs displaying degree progress.

In this instance, students have the option to view the progress graphs through different settings by toggling between both in-progress classes — courses that a student is currently enrolled in — and pre-registered classes — courses that a student has enrolled in for future terms. The setting to the system automatically defaults with the inclusion of in-progress and pre-registered courses, which means that courses not yet completed will display on the degree progress graphs.

In order to keep these courses from displaying on the degree progress graphs, as well as in every requirement block, simply unselect the options for “in-progress” and “pre-registered” courses, then click “process.”

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

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Spring Fitness Classes

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Every term, the Western Campus Recreation team curates fitness classes that are readily available to students. Sometimes coming up with a workout independently is hard, or perhaps the motivation is just not there. That’s perfectly normal and the Peter Courtney Health and Wellness Center crew is here to help. With so many options to choose from, there is a little bit of something for everyone.

Here is a comprehensive list of the fitness classes available on campus and free to Western students every week.

Monday

Dance Fit — 4:30 to 5:20 p.m., HWC 201

Tuesday

Body Pump — 12 to 12:50 p.m., HWC 253

Dance Fit — 4:30 to 5:20 p.m., HWC 201

I Mile Social Run — 5 to 5:30 p.m. (Check IMLeagues for location details)

Power + Yoga — 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., HWC 201

Paddleboard Yoga — 6:30 to 7:20 p.m., HWC Pool

Wednesday

Spin — 12 to 12:50 p.m., HWC 201

Pilates — 4:30 to 5:20 p.m., HWC 253

Pump: Weight Training — 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., HWC 253

Spin — 6:30 to 7:20 p.m., HWC 201

Thursday

Body Pump — 12 to 12:50 p.m., HWC 253

Dance Fit — 4:30 to 5:20 p.m., HWC 201

Power + Yoga — 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., HWC 201

Spin — 6:30 to 7:20 p.m., HWC 201

Paddleboard Yoga — 6:30 to 7:20 p.m., HWC Pool

Friday

Spin — 12 to 12:50 p.m., HWC 201

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Celebrating diversity

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

April is National Celebrate Diversity Month, a month serving as a period of recognition and observance for the beauty of the world’s unique backgrounds, diverse customs and traditions.

On Apr. 28, 2023, Western’s Freedom Center will be celebrating the month through a community event, in collaboration with a few clubs and organizations on campus.

The Freedom Center was opened in the Werner University Center in 2021, and was designated as the campus lounge and hang-out spot for students of color, as well as students of various ethnicities. Moreover, the mission of the Freedom Center is to expand cultural diversity and competency among students on campus and also to serve as an instant student-led advising center for students.

Anali Godinez-Martinez is the co-director of the Freedom Center, alongside Malia Fernandez.

Martinez identifies as Mexican-American, which allows her to see the month as a beautiful opportunity to become in touch with — not only her culture and heritage — but with the cultures around her and of her peers.

“I think that (diversity month) is honestly such a beautiful month if you take the time to learn about other cultures and (the) backgrounds of other people,” said Martinez. “Maybe you don’t, like, realize how diverse our campus is, and so (the month) is just a good way to get different perspectives and come together.”

The event is scheduled to take place in the Grove on campus — outside, adjacent to Ackerman Hall — and will function as a chill hangout for students, allowing them the opportunity to engage and learn more about the featured clubs and organizations attending the celebration. As of Apr. 18, the organizations featured in the line-up of the celebration include the Multicultural Student Union, Stonewall Center and the Black Student Union. There will be music, as well as entertainment in the form of outdoor table games specific to each club and organization.

Furthermore, the event provides an opportunity for student artists to showcase their artwork. If students were interested in submitting artwork for the showcase, all they had to do was fill out and complete a Google Form. The form has since closed.

Martinez said, “We wanted to give the opportunity for students to showcase artwork that either ties into their cultural background or just any intersectional identity.”

During the event, attendees will be free to walk around the displayed stands showcasing student artwork.

There is no exact scheduled time for the showcase. The event is merely set to run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m on Apr. 28.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

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New transit service comes to Indy-MO

Written by:Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

After a long wait, the City of Monmouth and Independence welcomed the arrival of the MI Trolley at the Polk County Fire District Station on April 2. The celebration featured live music from Tuesday Jug Band — a string band based in Monmouth.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was an opportunity for residents and community members to familiarize themselves with the trolley and learn the routes, as well as celebrate the commencement of a free public transit service for the connecting towns.

The operations of the MI Trolley began that same day, as students and residents saw the bright red vehicles running along Main Street and Monmouth Street.

At Western — before the arrival of the MI Trolley — many students with no vehicle access found themselves with limited means of transportation for entertainment purposes and basic errands.

Western is home to WOLF Ride, the free shuttle bus service for students. However, the shuttle service only operates in the evenings from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., which may function as an inconvenience for students who attend night classes or work evening shifts. Moreover, WOLF Ride does not operate on Sundays.

With the introduction of the MI Trolley, students now have access to three forms of transportation: the MI Trolley, WOLF Ride and Cherriots. The on-campus stop for the trolley can be found on Jackson St., across from West House.

Currently, there are three trolleys in operation running along the scheduled route between Independence and Monmouth. The trolley is operated and owned by Cherriots — the official bus shuttle that services and connects the cities surrounding Salem.

For the time being, the MI Trolley utilizes many pre-existing Cherriot bus stops. However, the difference between the two transit services lies in the number of one-way bus trips.

The Cherriots shuttle service provides ten one-way service trips, while the MI Trolley provides 140 one-way service trips daily. The MI Trolley can accommodate one route deviation per one-way service trip, as long as one reserves the trip in advance.

The hours of operation for the MI Trolley are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.–9 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. These hours may be subject to change as the city settles into the new transition.

To learn more about the MI Trolley and the routes, visit the official website at https://www.mitrolley.org/.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

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MLB is in full swing

Written by:Nicholas Sarysz

The Major League Baseball season and all of the new rule changes are now in full swing. Over the offseason, MLB commissioner, Robert D. Manfred, Jr., set out to make baseball more exciting by adjusting the rules to try and generate more offense. While the general MLB fan base had split feelings about the new rules, change is inevitable and Manfred has said that they are sticking with the rule changes moving forward.

The biggest change heading into this season is the addition of the pitch clock. Similar to the NBA’s shot clock, the pitcher will have a limited amount of time to execute his pitch. Specifically, they will have 15 seconds to start their windup if the bases are empty and 20 seconds if there are runners on. The MLB hopes that the change will lead to an increased pace of play that will entice a larger audience to watch games in their entirety.

On top of the pitch clock, the MLB also put a ban on the defensive shift. First used in the 1940s, the defensive shift places three infielders on one side of the field in order to defend against batters that typically pull the ball to their dominant-handed side.

The new ban requires there to be two infielders on each side of second base and does not allow infielders to be in the outfield grass until the ball is pitched.

The goal of the ban is to increase the batting average and put pull hitters at less of a disadvantage, hopefully leading to more offensive scoring and more explosive defensive plays.

The last big rule change put into effect this season is increased bases. With the exception of home plate, all of the bases will be increased by three square inches, going from 15 to 18 square inches. The main purpose of the increased base sizes is to help avoid injury for players sliding into bases — allowing for more room for the defender’s and runners’ feet to share the base. Another effect of increased base size is that we are likely going to see more stolen bases this season, especially since it will be easier to time pitches with the addition of a pitch clock.

All-in-all, it is too early to tell if the changes will have the long-term positive effects for baseball that Manfred Jr. is hoping for. What we do know is that the rules should continue to help bridge the gap between pitchers and hitters this year and hopefully that will bring in a new fanbase for the sport.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

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A march for fundamental rights

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

On the afternoon of March 16, Western students from an immigration and politics course gathered in union to support and advocate for immigrant rights, as well as a number of interrelated and prevalent issues across the United States, including human rights, gun violence, the war on Ukraine and climate justice. As a result, these students marched for various causes, not primarily limited to immigrant rights.

The event was arranged by Professor of Political Science, Eliot Dickinson.

According to Dickinson, the idea of the peace march came to light in two political science courses: “Causes of Peace” and “Immigration Politics and Policy.” The former course, “Cause of Peace,” centers around the study of nonviolent protests, while the latter focuses on discussion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and the illegal exploitation of immigrant child labor.

Dickinson said, “The two topics kind of went together, and I asked the students if they wanted to end the term with some kind of an immigrant peace march.”

Although the march was designated for the enrolled students of the course, all students — including students outside of the political science community — were encouraged to attend.

With handmade signs in hand, the participants of the march welcomed the sunny weather — void of the chilliness of previous days.

The group met at the Werner University Center, where they continued their march through Monmouth Avenue and up towards Main Street.

While most advocated for immigrant rights, a few participants advocated for climate change. One sign read, “Immigrants Make America Great,” while another read, “Climate Justice Now.”

“The purpose was to get out of the classroom and express ourselves,” said Dickinson. “We wanted to say that it’s time for a green revolution, time to stop burning fossil fuels, and time to stand up for human rights.”

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, 2022 ranked as the sixth warmest year on record. Likewise, statistical analyses warn of the potential likelihood that 2023 will rank among the top tenth warmest years.

In response to why it’s important to advocate for these issues, Dickinson said, “There’s so much gun violence in our society, so much economic anxiety, so much bad news about global heating, and so much war and so many refugees that at some point you just feel like expressing yourself.”

Ultimately, the march turned out to be a progressive end to the semester for the two political science courses, as well as a positive step in the right direction concerning fighting for policies on immigration.

Dickinson added, “We realized it wasn’t going to solve all the world’s problems or bring peace overnight, but it sure does feel good to get out and demonstrate.”

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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Bird flu outbreak enters its second year

Degree Tracks gets a New Look

Spring Fitness Classes

Celebrating diversity

New transit service comes to Indy-MO

MLB is in full swing

A march for fundamental rights

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