Mount Hood

A bank robbery shakes the community

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Monmouth Police Department responded to a 9:50 a.m. call on May 14, after an alarm went off at Washington Federal Bank on Main Street. An unarmed man had approached the drive-thru window and demanded that the teller hand over $1000 and threatened to kill the employee if they did not comply. The employee gave him the cash and he retreated through the Shell gas station nearby. 

According to Sergeant Kim Dorn, “everyone including the Chief responded to the area,” where they were able to ascertain through video evidence that the suspect was 28-year-old Michael Edward Alfrey. The officers searched the area, later requesting the assistance of the FBI, who eventually located him in Tigard. According to Dorn, the arrest went smoothly due to the cooperation of everyone involved. As to why Alfrey did it, Dorn stated that they weren’t allowed to comment.

Based on a statement from the Monmouth Police, the Statesman Journal labeled Alfrey as a “transient” and revealed that he was charged with second-degree theft and third-degree robbery and is currently being held at the Polk County Jail on a $22,500 bail.

Dorn said this event is “very out of the ordinary for Monmouth,” and suggested that citizens subscribe to flashalertnews.net if they wish to receive more press releases about cases such as this in the future.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

In the wake of social distancing, charities like the Thoughts and Gifts project team with local departments to find unique ways to celebrate birthdays.

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Founded by Jean Love in 2017, the Thoughts and Gifts Project is a public charity which brings birthday gifts and other celebratory items to underserved children and qualifying seniors across Polk County. Now, the Polk County Fire Department and Monmouth Police are partnering with the Thoughts and Gifts Project to accompany those gifts with a birthday parade — complete with a show of lights and sirens. 

Fire Inspector, Troy Crafton, said they took on the project after COVID-19 slowed down their overall workload. Though Crafton and his team are still giving public education courses — featuring topics like fire safety and home escape plans — the birthday parades are a positive inclusion to the work day. Once a week, every Tuesday at 10 a.m., the allied departments make their rounds across Monmouth-Independence; Jean Love brings the donations and takes the photographs for social media as police cars and fire trucks start their sirens — an indication that they’re well on their way. When they reach the home with the birthday child or senior citizen, they’re greeted with smiles and joy. 

“There’s been no bad publicity,” said Crafton. “I would figure the noise might irritate the elderly folks, but they all come out to celebrate and it’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience.” 

Of Jean Love, Crafton said “she’s had more donations this year than she’s ever had” and that she calls her garage where she keeps the gifts “Walmart.” 

To donate to or apply for the Thoughts and Gifts Project, visit thoughtsandgifts.org.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Jean Love

Out of the darkness and into the light: Western hosts second annual Out of Darkness walk

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Disclaimer: This article discusses the topic of suicide. For those who are sensitive to this topic, please refrain from reading and instead peruse other articles.

 

Last year, Nicholas Ertsgaard, a member of the newly-established Wellness Advocacy Group at Western, proposed that Western participate in the annual Out of Darkness Walk, an event based around suicide prevention. Now, one year later on May 14, Western opted to participate in this event again, largely organized by WAG members Tim Glascock, Shaylie Pickerell and Lea Sheldone — except this time, the event was held virtually because of COVID-19, a pandemic that is undoubtedly affecting mental health worldwide. 

In fact, according to NPR, “The U.N. found that even before the emergence of the virus, depression affected some 264 million people worldwide, and suicide was the second leading cause of death in people aged 15-29. The numbers were especially stark in regions beset by violence, poverty and other conditions akin to — and likely exacerbated by — those created by the coronavirus.” The topic of mental health during times of crisis was addressed during the Out of Darkness Walk, as well as many other aspects of wellness. 

The Out of Darkness walks were developed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  whose goal is to “reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025,” according to their website. The event’s name is a double entendre — coming “out of darkness” refers to both mental wellbeing as well as destroying the stigma, or the darkness, surrounding discussions about mental health. Western’s 2020 virtual Out of Darkness walk was organized as a presentation, with live interaction from participants via a chat room. 

The first third of the presentation included various resources — both local and national — for those struggling with their mental health. Western’s Acapella group, The West of Us, then performed a rendition of the song “You’ll be Okay” by A Great Big World followed by a quick introduction from Ryan Price, the Area Director of AFSP, and testimonies from other Western students and community members. 

Ryan Price encouraged social engagement in discussions about mental health and sharing resources with those who may be struggling. He reminded the attendees that “suicide is preventable” and that checking in with community members is vital. Towards the end of the presentation, he also challenged participants to do something intentional to take care of their own mental health or to promote it in general. 

Tim Glascock said, “for many, the Out of Darkness walk is a journey of remembrance — a time to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and depression have affected our lives and our loved ones.” He introduced the final segment, in which individuals were asked to type the color of the beads that are representative to their individual journey with suicide. Typically, individuals would raise their beads as a sign of solidarity, but as this was a virtual event, that solidarity was communicated via the chat. For a description of each color’s meaning, please refer to the graphic provided by WAG.

Additionally, a full recording of the event can be found if on Crowdcast; students interested in viewing it should reach out to a WAG member for access. The event is complete with both subtitles and interpreters. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Soon-to-be graduates may be worried about their job prospects during the pandemic

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

The Service Learning and Career Development Center at Western is continuously sending out emails with various links to resources for career growth and strategies for career obtainment. From building a resume to executing a  perfect interview, the SLCD is also available to deliver guidance and review one’s materials via appointment; students interested in this service can access it through Handshake in their portal and then clicking the black-and-white wolf head.

Recently, they’ve begun holding online seminars like “Life After College: Mapping Your Financial Future” and “Graduating During an Economic Downturn,” and will undoubtedly be offering more virtual events in the future. For the students who haven’t attended these events or who aren’t receiving the emails, here is a brief summary featuring advice from the professionals:

In an email sent out on April 20, the SLCD recommends updating resumes, creating a professional online presence, building new skills, practicing virtual interviewing and cultivating one’s professional network during this time. Since employers typically view a resume for roughly six seconds before deciding whether or not a candidate is a good fit  — according to the SLCD — it’s crucial that an individual’s resume is clean, concise and representative of their goals and achievements. The SLCD also recommends googling oneself and making sure their online persona fits with professional standards; creating a LinkedIn account or developing an online portfolio is a good start. In addition, individuals can commit themselves to learning new marketable skills — like learning a new language or technology. Finally, reaching out to professionals in one’s desired career path for advice may open doorways and communicate commitment. 

Besides the information recognized in this email, the SLCD has also sent out various LinkedIn articles about applying for jobs during the pandemic. Most of these articles emphasize patience and resilience; having a picture-perfect application doesn’t guarantee an offer. Students interested in gaining career guidance from the SLCD can contact them via the route previously listed in this article, or email them at slcd-staff@mail.wou.edu.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Plans for reopening are created amidst riots at the Capitol

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Driving down the highway, the signs portray a clear message: “Stay at home. Save lives.” But some Oregonians feel that the stay-at-home measures are damaging, or worse — unconstitutional. Though Oregon saw 60 new cases of COVID-19 over Mother’s Day weekend, reports show that the virus has been slowing down. With Marion County second only to Multnomah in terms of COVID-19 cases, Oregon had 3,228 cases with 127 deaths in total as of Sunday, May 10, according to the New York Times. But, applications for unemployment are steadily creeping past 380,000 in total — one week in April saw the numbers top 93,000, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting — and Oregonians are understandably concerned about their livelihoods. On May 2, Salem saw over 1,000 citizens attend a rally at the capitol with the goal of having their message heard: they want Oregon to reopen.

In response, Governor Kate Brown has developed a framework for Oregon’s reopening, but it will be a gradual process with multiple phases. Phase One calls for continued social distancing and the minimizations of non-essential travel; Phase Two would allow for larger gatherings, non-essential travel to resume, and for schools and gyms to reopen; Phase Three allows for individuals to begin visiting nursing homes again, for restaurants to increase their capacity, and for workplaces to allow staff to return. 

Already, some parks and recreation areas have reopened, but their access is contingent upon individuals continuing social-distancing measures. And, although Oregon has barely entered Phase One and Brown has not released a specific timeline, Brown has reportedly stated that some rural communities could reopen by mid-May. In the meantime, Brown calls for citizens to continue practicing social distancing as well as increased testing for the virus. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Sage Kiernan Sherrrow

As COVID-19 endures, some public state universities are losing funding

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Following the news of low-enrollment and an overall $1.3 million deficit, Western is facing another financial crisis. As COVID-19 spreads, not only are universities losing money in the housing and dining departments, but public and state colleges and universities also have the potential to lose part of their state funding — the same state funding that makes up 40% of Western’s revenue. In Oregon, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission estimates that public universities and community colleges are losing $130 million due to the pandemic, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. To combat this, Oregon colleges and universities have had to make some difficult decisions; right now, over 285 University of Oregon employees are laid off. According to OPB, “universities will receive some relief from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act — $126.7 million for Oregon’s private and public colleges. But half of the money going to each school is required to help students, rather than bailing out university and college budgets.” So what does this mean for Western, specifically?

On May 6, President Rex Fuller sent out a statement saying that the university expects low enrollment to continue and that to combat the increasing deficit, Western is making changes to employee pay. 

The email stated, “the university eliminated vacant classified and unclassified positions, laid off some classified employees, non-renewed some unclassified employees, reduced FTE for select administrative personnel, and froze all unclassified salaries for FY 2020-21.”

Two programs, the Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and the Furlough program are being implemented; both run until Aug. 31, allowing employees certain rights like insurance, but essentially laying off individuals indefinitely or until their case is reviewed after the three-month period.

Vice President of Finance and Administration, Dr. Ana Karaman, said that to come to this decision, they were asked to run scenarios that would allow for an overall 17% decrease in funding. 

Currently, negotiations are occuring with the union, but Fuller asserts that the university’s goal is still “to retain as many employees as possible.”

In April, the Board of Trustees approved a tuition rate increase of 4.55%, another measure taken to combat the loss of funding and low-enrollment fees. This, combined with the IFC’s final decision to switch to a two-tier structure — where students with five credits or less pay less in fees than those with six credits or more — will change Western’s financial landscape. 

“Right now, fall’s numbers look good, but we have a history of downtrend. We don’t want to build the budget on hope, we want to build it on trend,” said Dr. Karaman.

Karaman hopes that students help advocate for Western to retain support when legislation is back in session, and that they will set an example through their success so that this process will have been worthwhile. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

ASWOU elections are open until May 8, click here to find out which candidates to support

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Students have until 8 p.m. on May 19 to submit their ballots for the Oregon primaries. But here at Western, students have the ability to contribute their votes in another important election — student government. ASWOU is Western’s collective student government which mimics that of the national government system, with three branches — the executive cabinet, judicial board and the senate — each with their own unique roles in assisting the campus community. Each year, students have the opportunity to vote in the ASWOU elections and decide who will be representing them in the upcoming year. This year, the positions for President, Vice President, Senate President, Judicial Administrator, Justice and Incidental Fee Committee Member are open and students are able to vote on WOUEngage through May 8. Students can learn more about the candidates and their positions by visiting wou.edu/aswou/elections/ or by reading the following:

 

Candidate for President: N.J. Johnson

Johnson currently serves as the Director of State and Federal Affairs under ASWOU’s executive cabinet. As such, he states that he is “the only candidate for President that has experience working within the executive branch of ASWOU and with the Oregon State Legislature,” where he has led a team in advocating for student needs. As President, he plans to continue “pushing our legislative priorities,” which include fighting “for higher state funding, food insecurity solutions and a DREAMers access program,” he says. He values collaboration and wants to continue to work with campus organizations as well as the Oregon Student Association to “promote the goals of students across the state of Oregon.” As President, he will strive for fairness, transparency, and inclusivity and stand up to the WOU administration when these values are jeopardised and students are undervalued. He is endorsing Maria Barerra for Vice President, Kevin Figueroa for Senate President, and Steven Richmond for Judicial Administrator. 

 

Candidates for Vice President: Maria Barerra and Litzy Loeza

Maria Barerra: 

Former Director of Multicultural Advocacy in ASWOU Maria Barerra is a DACA Recipient and a first generation college student. She is also an avid and vocal advocate against social injusticesI was able to overcome adversity through my college experience at Western. The importance of her advocacy is why she wants to run for Vice President. Her qualifications include holding numerous leadership positions such as positions through the UNIDOS Club, as a Multicultural Mentor, and an Oregon Student Association board member. She strives to “ensure that all students are being represented” and “promote equality and recognition,” while continuing “the efforts of providing a physical and permanent safe space for students to be able to express their identities and culture freely,” she says. She has endorsed N.J Johnson for President, Kevin Figueroa for Senate President, and Steven Richmond for Judicial Administrator. 

 

Litzy Loeza:

Loeza is an experienced student leader “working for growth, transformation, and inclusiveness.” Previously, she worked with Latinx and Immigrant Communities in Portland Community College’s DREAMer Center. As a Psychology and Sociology major, she is passionate about fighting social injustices and does so through her role as a current ASWOU Senator. She also holds multiple leadership roles through the MECHA Club and as a Multicultural Representative mentor. She believes “our community can create an inclusive environment, support the rights of students, and make educational success attainable” and promises to use her platform to “advocate for our rights as students and promote changes within our education system to ensure student success.” She endorses Marilyn Maldonado-Dominguez as President, Liz Marquez Gutiererrez as Senate President, and Denisse Carrasco as Judicial Administrator.

 

Senate President Candidates: Kevin Figueroa, Liz Marquez, and Diana Ordaz

Kevin Figueroa

Figueroa is a first generation college student looking to “empower student leaders to promote change for those who also struggle.” During the 2018-19 school year, he served as the Director of State and Federal Affairs through ASWOU and has significant experience working to create legislation beneficial for students. He strives for cooperation between all branches of student government to ensure productivity and wants to remain involved with advocacy even after graduation. He endorses N.J. Johnson for President, Maria Barerra for Vice President, and Steven Richmond for Judicial Administrator.

 

Liz Marquez

Marquez has served on the ASWOU Senate for over two years and has developed experience in writing and sponsoring legislation “to protect students’ rights and improve student life.” She considers higher education accessibility and affordability to be an important issue and has advocated for this issue through her previous position as a member of the Tuition and Fee Advisory Committee. She also brought these issues to the capitol, where she worked alongside the Oregon Student Association to educate legislators about their relevance. She is determined to “work on issues that students have expressed interest in,” and wants to “encourage and empower students to get involved and participate in the ASWOU senate.” She endorses Marilyn Maldonado Dominguez for President, Litzy Loeza for Vice President, and Denisse Carrasco for Judicial Administrator. 

 

Diana Ordaz

A “passionate and hardworking student,” and “a friend to all,” Ordaz believes that her open-mindedness and caring personality makes her an excellent candidate for Senate President. She chose to run for Senate President because she “heard so many students’ issues and can relate to many of them.” She is committed to helping the WOU community by communicating “(students’) ideas, thoughts and issues,” through her platform.

 

Judicial Administrator Candidates: Denisse Carrasco and Steven Richmond

Denisse Carrasco

Carrasco says she has felt “underrepresented and not understood” as a first-generation college student. As such, she feels strongly about making sure students feel a part of the campus community, and is dedicated to uplifting “underrepresented communities and their diverse needs.” She has devoted hundreds of hours to organizations like MECHA and ASWOU, and is an advocate for multiculturalism as an MCR mentor. Carrasco hopes to be a  “support system for students and student clubs,” and to increase outreach for these clubs which “enhance the student experience at WOU.” She feels “it is important for WOU students to feel a sense of empowerment, support, and belonging, in any institution they attend,” and is endorsing Marilyn Maldonado Dominguez for President, Litzy Loeza for Vice President, and LIz Marquez for Senate President. 

 

Steven Richmond

Richmond is a future law school student with “an extensive background in legal work” due to working for two Oregon state representatives. He founded the Jackson County Young Democrats Caucus, was Vice President for South Medford’s Debate Team, and was Secretary for WOU’s Model United Nations Club. He considers himself to have a “deep appreciation, respect, and care for the judicial process.” As Judicial Administrator, he plans to make sure all clubs are treated fairly and hold all ASWOU officials accountable to the constitution. He assures that “this campaign isn’t about personal goals or pushing an agenda, it’s about helping ASWOU become the best possible government it can be for its students by upholding fairness, inclusion, and justice for everyone equally.” He endorses N.J Johnson for President, Maria Barrera for Vice President, and Kevin Figueroa for Senate President.

 

Justice Candidate: Taylor Bartholomew

A current Sophomore and Criminal Justice Major, Bartholomew has an interest in working with “individuals within the system that are in need of psychological rehabilitation, specifically victims of abuse and other trauma-related events.” She has “always enjoyed providing an ear to individuals that need emotional support and am always willing to help establish boundaries when need be.” As ASWOU Justice, Bartholomew plans to provide students with a fair and balanced Justice system.

 

Incidental Fee Committee Member Candidate: Makana Waikiki

Waikiki says” a vote for me would be a vote for yourselves.” She wants to vocalize every students concerns when it comes to their fees and strives to make informed decisions about the IFC process. She wants to establish a legacy where future IFC members are provided with the best tools and plans in place so that “every student gets everything they should out of their IFC funds.”

Students also have the ability to “write in” any person they think would be qualified for the positions. Students have until Friday, May 8 to submit their votes and results will be released shortly thereafter. Anyone with questions can email aswouelections@mail.wou.edu for more information.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photos courtesy of ASWOU

Western implements new weekly live Q&A sessions over social media to connect with students during the COVID-19 crisis

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Western is now holding weekly live Q&A sessions over Instagram and Twitter to provide support to and connect with both current and future students. The sessions occur from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays and cover everything from financial concerns, to questions about commencement. We reached out to Lisa Catto, the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications at Western, to answer some questions about this new resource.

 

Q: How did the idea for weekly Q&A’s develop and what is its overall purpose?

A: The idea was a joint effort between Strategic Communications and Marketing and the Admissions office. We tried to come up with ways to connect with prospective students since we had to cancel some in-person Admissions events due to COVID-19. The first live Q&A was held on March 26, in lieu of the planned Spring Break Visit event that day. 

 

Q: What has the outcome been like? Has the project seen a lot of interaction and received positive reactions?

A: The first Q&A was so successful that we decided to broaden the focus to all students and invite more departments to participate in a weekly event. We added several more departments who have representatives on-hand every Thursday at the scheduled time, including Student Engagement, the Student Enrichment Program, Transfer Pathway, the Business Office, and Graduate Programs. The response has been very positive. Students seem to appreciate the opportunity to get a quick response to their questions.The number of questions has ranged from 20 to more than 50 depending on the week, the majority of which coming through the question tool on our Instagram story. 

 

Q: What topic is most frequently asked about?

A: Most of the questions have been about specifics connected to housing, financial aid, and admissions requirements. The overarching majority of questions have been about housing, things like finding roommates, selecting a room, etc… The second most popular topic has been financial aid and scholarships.

 

Q: How can Western students get the most out of this resource? 

A: Students can get the most out of this resource by setting an alarm or calendar reminder to head to WOU’s Instagram or Facebook account at the designated time. If someone can’t make it at that time, they could head over to WOU’s Facebook page to find the “event” for the weekly Q&A. In the event description, there’s a link to a form where students can submit their questions in advance and we’ll post the question and answer on the net live Q&A post.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Headline: Congress establishes the CARE Act, Western students could reap the benefits

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Western students have until noon on Friday, May 8 to apply for funds made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Through the CARES Act, approximately $2 million has been allocated to help Oregon college and university students offset the expenses accrued because of COVID-19. Students are eligible for this grant if they are currently enrolled in in-person or hybrid courses, are likewise eligible for financial aid, and have had COVID-19 directly impact their living expenses. According to an email sent out by Western’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Gary Dukes, on May 6, Western “will screen the applications for eligibility and assign a score based on impact … because we have received limited emergency funds, it is possible that not every student who completes an application will receive funds.” However, Dukes also revealed that they are seeing fewer students apply for these funds than expected.

“We can’t tell if students aren’t reading their emails, or feel they are fine and don’t need assistance.  I actually received one message from a student who thanked me for the e-mail but felt the money should go to more deserving students than him. While I appreciated this student’s email, these are Federal Funds for our students and we can’t use them for anything else but for grant aid.  So we need to get it into the hands of our students and hopefully the ones who need it the most,” he said. 

The department of financial aid will review the applications and make the ultimate decision; upon approval, funds will be disbursed directly into student accounts. Students who are not currently affected by the crisis but expect to be in the future can look forward to a potential second wave of funds being offered, according to Dukes. Students can follow this link to apply.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Study-abroad students feel the effects of COVID-19

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

COVID-19 has forced nearly everyone to adapt to new life changes and make unprecedented decisions. This is especially true for Western’s international students and students participating in the National Student Exchange or other study abroad programs. Some students had just barely begun their study abroad experience when news began circulating. And, as countries began closing their borders, students had a difficult decision to make — stay in place and continue their education as planned or return to their family members. In some cases, the decision had already been made. 

Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Emmanuel Macías, said, “the reality of NSE students in March was three things: making travel arrangements, processing the unfortunate reality that their exchange programs had come to a sudden end, and understanding how they would finish their course work remotely.”

Some students are able to continue their studies remotely, but the sudden program closures resulted in an inability for some students to meet the requirement of cultural immersion, according to Macías.

Over 160 colleges and universities are involved in the NSE program and the future for these programs seems unclear. At Western, virtual informational sessions are still being held for future participants, but out of the 11 Western students who were placed last year, several have already cancelled due to financial difficulties, a side-effect of COVID-19, according to Macías.

In response to this, the NSE program has allowed students to defer their enrollment an entire year, in some cases. But as Macías said, “there is a lot of unknown.”

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Illustration by Rachel Hetzel

Salem re-examines camping ban, provides at-risk homeless with housing

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Salem has long since had problems navigating the care of its most vulnerable citizens. For Salem’s homeless population, self-quarantine isn’t an option. Due to COVID-19, mass shelters can no longer be places of refuge and are instead considered potential cesspools.  In response to this, the city has made some changes. 

After months of enforcing it, Salem has repealed the homeless camping ban as of March 17, instructing the homeless population to place tents 12 feet apart and limit the occupancy to one person. For the first time in a long time, downtown Salem’s streets are clear. However, according to the Salem Reporter, some individuals are starving out of fear of leaving their tents during this time, and many programs usually dedicated to providing assistance have halted their efforts due to the pandemic, leaving Salem’s homeless population increasingly vulnerable. 

Amidst the most vulnerable of these citizens are the homeless with prior medical conditions that put them at higher risk of infection. The ARCHES project, “the largest emergency housing provider and homeless services agency in Marion and Polk Counties,” according to their website, has dedicated themselves to identifying individuals at higher risk and finding housing for them during the pandemic. As of now, over 100 individuals are currently being housed in local hotels. 

According to the Statesman Journal, the individuals staying at these hotels have made an agreement that there will be no drug use nor will they let guests stay overnight during their stay. 

With no current understanding of when the pandemic will come to an end, how long these measures will last is unclear. 

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Sage Kiernan-Sherrow

Find out different ways to view films with theaters closing

Never Retallack |  Entertainment Editor

As COVID-19 works its way across the world, everyday life has dramatically shifted — from school, to work, eating out and even cinema.

AMC and Regal theaters, as well as smaller locations such as Independence Cinema, have closed across the states to help in the prevention of spreading; many moviegoers were upset and concerned about movies that now have later release dates.

Luckily, many of the movies that were being aired at the theaters are now available online through sources like Apple Movies, Amazon and Disney+. The average price for renting a newly-released movie is $19.99, which is how much it would cost for two people to go to the theater.

Other films that were meant to release earlier are either being postponed or immediately put online. So far, films like “Mulan” and “Fast and Furious 9” have been postponed. 

Disney+ has put “Onward” and “Frozen 2” online much sooner than they had planned, so those who pay for the service can check out those films and plenty more.

Hulu has also upped their game by uploading dozens of films throughout the past couple weeks and plans to upload more. People can now view “Parasite” for a newer taste of cinema, but they have also released an array of classics. All three “Austin Powers” films are available, as well as the thriller “Misery” (1990) and “Bend it Like Beckham” (2003).

There has been speculation about how the film industry will survive through the pandemic. There are a few local theaters that remain open, but those are few and far between.

Work, school, music and now films will only be accessible via an at-home screen. This change makes the culture around such media a bit different. 

One of the best things about going to a movie theater is going with someone. While still respecting the stay-at-home order, there is an extension called Netflix Party where people can watch a film or show on Netflix “with” their friends. It will pause if someone in the party pauses, or if their internet is slow — that way both parties are synced up. The extension also provides a chat section so that people can talk in real-time about what they are watching.

While going to the theater isn’t in the cards, movies live on — online that is. Look up different films that will be released soon to see where they’ll end up on the web.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of movies.disney.com

A new way to view music during quarantine

Never Retallack |  Entertainment Editor

As the weather heats up and the sun starts shining, only serves as a painful reminder that people must remain in self-isolation. COVID-19 has swept the world and it has become a means of prevention and survival to stay indoors. 

Those who were looking forward to spring because of the many concerts that were planned may feel a bit let down. Luckily, dozens of artists have started live-streaming music and putting together videos to create an intimate viewing experience.

While people may be stuck inside, there is still plenty to listen to and watch if you have Wi-fi and a device to do so.

Rita Wilson, who in fact had COVID-19 and recovered, has now coined the phrase “quarantuning” for artists who are creating and supplying music at this time. Since her return to good health, Wilson has created a Spotify playlist with the help of her fans’ song suggestions for people to check out.

Lizzo has posted a beautiful 30-minute meditation video with her crystals and flute to accompany her.

Hayley Williams, the frontman for Paramore, has been releasing intimate videos from her living room — jamming with her guitar. She has also released a new video called “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris,” which uses old goofy footage of her and her friends.

Instagram Live has allowed artists like Chris Martin from Coldplay to croon a stripped down version of one of his songs; James Blake performed originals and covers for over an hour.

Elton John hosted a benefit concert with iHeartRadio on March 30, with artists including Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong and Dave Grohl all performing from their homes.

While these times are both alien and trying, there are still people out there trying to connect and give fans something to look forward to. Check out different artists to see what they’re offering on their social media.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Lizzo

Monmouth, Independence local businesses adapt to change

Caity Healy |  Managing Editor

“Stay home. Save lives.” Those were the words at the top of Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-12 that was declared on March 24. These words were directed at everyone, leaving no person immune. That included businesses. Only those that were essential could remain open, and all others had to either close, or figure out a way to stay open in some capacity while still following social distancing guidelines.

As necessary, businesses in Monmouth and Independence adapted to these changes; some found ways to continue their work, while others had to close, even permanently. Main Street Pub and Eatery closed their doors for good, though there is no confirmation as to whether or not that was due to or affected by Executive Order 20-12. Others closed their doors temporarily. Aesthetic Studio, Independence Hotel and Independence Gril were just a few in that list. Other businesses, though, had to get creative to stay open.

The Find in Monmouth has been posting what they have in stock on their Instagram. They create stories highlighting their options and allow the community to virtually shop that way. They are even going as far as to offer delivery of their items, as well as curb-side pickup.

Yeasty Beasty remains open, but they’ve tweaked the way they do their delivery. They are allowing orders to be dropped off on the front doorstep of homes, and then calling the customer to confirm that they have arrived. This assures that no person has to have direct contact with those that are delivering their food.

On top of getting creative with staying open, some are getting creative with ways to give back. For instance, Tucky’s began a lunch program for students who no longer had access to lunch from their schools. Titled “Little Bird Baskets,” they are giving away a free lunch of popcorn chicken and potato wedges to children in the community. Another business wanting to give back is Dutch Bros, who pledged to donate 100% of their April profits to medical first responders.

While these changes to our daily lives aren’t easy for anyone, it’s managing to prove the resilience of Monmouth and Independence business owners, and the overwhelming sense of community that is still felt in these quiet neighboring towns, who are remaining supportive of small businesses, even under a stay-at-home order.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy

Advertising to stay relevant during stay-at-home order

Cora McClain |  Editor-In-Chief

Only a few days after the stay-at-home order, a flux of hermiting-themed advertisements popped up all around. From mobile games saying to “stay home and play” to Forever21’s “work (out) from home” activewear, businesses are rapidly adapting to changes in consumer life. 

While most business ads tend not to touch on hard news, COVID-19 and the self-isolation trends have made it so that businesses must respond. According to digital media blog, TheMatch2One, 61% of marketers have made changes to their short-term media strategies in the wake of the pandemic. The restaurant industry has been at the forefront of changing their business operation and advertising.

Restrictions on large gatherings of people have left restaurant tables empty, but many stay open and allow for takeout or delivery options. A video advertisement entitled “Open for Delivery,” highlights this exact situation, ensuring consumers that DoorDash will be there to make sure they get their gourmet takeout meals. Another advertisement boasts options for zero-contact deliveries. Advertisements such as these illustrate how businesses are changing to stay relevant to consumers. The question is, will this spike in self-isolation driven advertisements stay for long? 

Simply put, just as Executive Order 20-12 is meant to be a temporary situation, so is this trend in advertising. TheMatch20ne’s research also showed that even though 61% of marketers were making short-term alterations, only 9% were adjusting their long-term strategies. Currently, businesses are occupying a space of limbo, biding their time before the stay-at-home order comes to an end and business-as-usual resumes. 

 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Read an interview to learn how the choir department has adapted

Never Retallack |  Entertainment Editor

During this time where students’ daily lives are being greatly affected, read this interview with Tonya Bradley —  a junior at Western majoring in Education — to find out how her experience with choir in the music department has changed.

 

Can you explain how the choir groups, Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, that you are affiliated with have changed?

We are meeting online in small groups this term through Zoom. We are focusing on tuning our musical ear and doing an online concert this term.

 

What are some of the hardest parts when it comes to adjusting to the quarantine with choir for you?

We are meeting through Zoom and only with our voice section which is hard. We are super close as an ensemble, so it’s really tough. More than a few tears have been shed.

 

I remember there were travel plans for the choir in the Summer, has there been an update on if those are still happening?

Yes! The World Choir Games have been moved to July 2021. As of this time we are still going to Amsterdam and Belgium.

 

I understand you are taking music classes through the school, what are those like?

The only music class I am taking is choir, but most classes are occurring over Zoom from what I have been told.

 

How do you believe social distancing will affect the program throughout this term?

Most concerts are being recorded and put online. We aren’t able to have normal practices or access practice rooms or the Midilab. It’s going to be a very hard term because we have nowhere to practice or pianos to use.

 

Do you have any general thoughts or feelings on the subject that you’d like to share?

If you have friends who are in any of the arts departments, reach out! A lot of people have it especially hard, and they will appreciate your thoughts.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Western Oregon Choral Music Department

Hearing from the community: Jubilee

Caity Healy | Managing Editor

Jubilee, Independence, OR

 

What was your reaction when the stay-at-home order was announced?

My reaction was disbelief, as I am such a new business in Independence, and it just got harder. So, needless to say, I’m feeling a little defeated. Closing a restaurant was not what I anticipated. It’s very hard for a small business to begin with, but a restaurant in a small town is even harder.

 

How did your business react and adapt to the situation?

We did a lot of take out service to start with, but closing to not get exposed to the virus was pretty drastic. But, we have been taking special orders and delivering. We also sell wine/champagne and we are now able to deliver with a new special license.

 

How has this affected your business overall?

It’s affected our business greatly, but to be honest, the outreach and support of the community has been amazing! We are definitely not taking in as much revenue, but we are doing the best we can and hope for the best when we reopen!

 

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’d like to just say thank you to all of the people who love and support us! We will survive and thrive! I mean, who doesn’t need a dessert and champagne bar in their own little town?

 

The Find, Monmouth, OR

 

What was your reaction when the stay-at-home order was announced?

My first reaction was concerned, and worried how long the order would last for the community and the impact was going to be on so many families everywhere.

 

How did your business react and adapt to the situation?

We had amazing support from people in the community that stepped up and helped us try to reinvent ourselves so we could continue to serve our customers and community for their needs during this time, while taking all safety precautions.

 

How has this affected your business overall?

It’s devastated our business and we have no way of knowing the long term impact at this point, but we have continued to support many of the small businesses in our community, as well as received wonderful support and love from the amazing people in this community.

 

Anything else you’d like to add?

We just want to thank the community and all the people who have supported us, as well as the other businesses in our town that make our community so special. We are in this together and can’t wait to see all their sweet faces again.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Q&A: How COVID-19 impacted athletics

Caity Healy |  Managing Editor

 

Christina Carney, Women’s Rugby

Senior, Early Childhood Studies

 

When and how did you find out your season was coming to an abrupt end?

I kind of figured our season was coming to an end once the governor announced that no more than 250 people can gather together, and it just started going down from there. I am also friends with one of the OSU rugby girls, and she informed me that the rest of their season was cancelled, so I kenw Western would be soon. Then, my coach officially confirmed that championships was cancelled, and that’s when I told myself, “Wow! My college rugby career is over.” I had hoped that championships would at least happen because my team and I were preparing for it and excited for this last game with the seniors.

 

What was your reaction? How did your team react?

My first reaction was that I was shocked. I could not believe that my last college rugby game would be taken from me. For my team, I could tell that they were sad, as well. On championship day, a teammate even said, “today would have been a lot better if we were playing rugby,” and it made me tear. But, as captain, I reminded them that we had an awesome season and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my senior year playing rugby with any other team.

 

How do you think this will impact your team for next year?

I think my team will be impacted in the sense that they need to play every game like it’s their last. No one expected this abrupt end, so I believe they will want to play every game to their fullest with no regrets in the coming years.

 

How do you feel about your season overall?

Overall, this season was awesome. I had the best teammates, the best positivity, the best bonds and lots of champions. Everyone did so amazing and stepped up during practices and games. There was so much support and I am so proud of all of us.

 

Anything you’d like to add?

If my teammates are reading, and other athletes, I would like them to know that they should play every game like it’s their last, because you never know if that is your last game. Also, for people wanting to join a sport, rugby is the sport. I promise, you will never be on a team so welcoming. So many students had joined rugby and just absolutely loved it. Loved the community, the welcome, the team, and ends up falling in love with rugby. Go Wolves!

 

Kennedy Coy, Softball

Senior, Community Health Major 

 

When and how did you find out your season was coming to an abrupt end?

We found out on March 12. We had a home game schedule that day against MSUB. We had won our first game, and we were feeling really good for the second. During our break in between games is when our coach told us. Sarge said that this next game was gong to be our last one for a while.

 

What was your reaction? How did your team react?

I was in shock at first. It took me a few minutes to process what was happening. When I realized that the next game was very well going to b e my last, there was a lot of tears. I hugged my teammates and as a whole we took some time to gather our thoughts. We tried to keep the mentality of, “Hey, we have one more game. We aren’t done, so let’s finish strong.” It was a really emotional game, but we played well and ended up winning. During the second game, someone thought to go get flowers for us seniors, and at the end, we had a short, make-shift senior night. It was a really hard day because none of us knew what was going to happen.

 

How do you think this will impact your team for next year?

I think that the next year is going to be something really special. Not just for our program, but for teams across the country. We all had something that we love, something that we worked really hard for, ripped away from us without warning. I think that next year, no one will take a single day for granted. We are going to have to work hard, but I know that people will be happy they get the chance to!

 

How do you feel about your season overall?

It’s hard to judge our season overall because we had so little of it. In our preseason, we learned a lot and we were headed in the right direction! We had to overcome a lot of injuries and other obstacles in the preseason, but as a group we were just getting started. I’m really proud of this team, we had to work with smaller numbers this year, but people were stepping up to fill spots and get the job done! Even though our  season was short, we have a lot to be proud of.

 

Anything you’d like to add?

If I were to add anything, it would be a huge thank you to our coaches, trainers, and the rest of the athletic department. WOU athletes are blessed with an incredible support system. This is scary right now, but I can’t wait to see what’s in store for WOU.

 

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu 

Photo courtesy of Christina Carney 

Photo courtesy of Brian Kortz 

Positivity emerges in the wake of the COVID-19

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

In times of crisis, people are often bombarded with news of negativity. As COVID-19 spreads throughout the nation, darker aspects of our country become more apparent. However, while         

focusing on the issues caused or heightened by the virus are important, it’s also crucial that individuals recognize the positive reactions that people have made for the global good during this time-period. 

As Mr. Rogers of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” once said, “look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Celebrities and CEOs alike have been using their wealth to both fund the fight against COVID-19 and help people in need. According to an article by Billboard, Elton John, who has been on the forefront of the movement combating AIDS, is now dedicating an emergency fund to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

John is quoted as saying, “Distributing medicines, testing and preventative treatment is not as simple as it was a few weeks ago, so our new COVID-19 emergency fund will help frontline partners to prepare for, and respond to, the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginalized communities.” 

Hundreds of other celebrities have taken a similar standpoint, even going so far to hold free concerts and events during quarantine for entertainment and fundraising purposes.

The environment has also been positively impacted by the reduction in human waste. According to onetreeplanted.org, air quality has significantly improved in lockdown areas; carbon emissions have reduced by 25% in China as of March 17 — a fact that can be observed through NASA’s satellite imaging. In many parts of the world, animals who frequented areas in the past are returning after long hiatuses due to human impact. 

At home, people are reconnecting with loved ones and helping their communities. In Australia, community members have created online forums to answer their neighbor’s questions and concerns and offer assistance during social distancing. 

“Respondents shared advice for grocery shopping on the cheap, as well as broader ideas for ways to pitch in — like checking in on elderly neighbours, or creating WhatsApp groups to keep in touch with people on their street,” according to The Guardian.

Peter T. Coleman, a psychology professor at Columbia University, suggests in an article published by Politico that COVID-19 may lead to political depolarization. 

Coleman stated, “COVID-19 is presenting us with a formidable enemy that will not distinguish between reds and blues, and might provide us with fusion-like energy and a singularity of purpose to help us reset and regroup.” 

It is an ideal that is challenged by many, but nonetheless echoes the World Health Organization’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreysus’s testimony at a news conference where he said, “please quarantine politicizing COVID. The unity of (America) will be very important to defeat this dangerous virus.”

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Illustration by Rachel Hetzel

Western adapts digitally for Spring 2020

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow |  News Editor

Regarding COVID-19, in a previous article published by The Western Howl, Jennifer King, the Medical Services Director at Western’s Student Health and Counseling Center, stated that “the risk is very low for Oregon. We don’t have any cases or contacts from Wuhan, so it’s a very low risk for the university.” That interview took place on Jan. 30, nine days after the first cases were reported in Washington state. Now, two months later, Oregon has a total of 1,580 cases and 53 deaths as of April 14, according to The New York Times — 280 of those cases being in the neighboring Marion County and one being an anonymous Western student. 

On March 23, Governor Kate Brown issued a statewide stay-at-home order. In compliance, Western effectively restructured classes for complete online delivery in the face of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, changing the lives of both students and staff members alike. 

Dozens of emails have been sent out by Western’s administration to its students, as new updates are unfolding seemingly every hour. 

“We were careful,” said President Rex Fuller about releasing information to the public, “the virus was underestimated from the beginning and we knew our statements needed to be based on facts and science … we followed guidance from the OHA, the CDC, and Governor Brown.” 

Students dependent on their classroom routines, students without access to technology and students depending on the university for their monthly income or medical services were immediately vulnerable because of this change. 

Luckily, Western implemented strategies and resources to help students acclimate to the new digital learning landscape. Bill Kernan, the Director of Computing Services, said that this change has been a challenge, nonetheless. 

“After it was made known to us that there were students who didn’t have internet access, we ordered a batch of hotspots and prepared rental laptops. We held an emergency UTAC meeting to where it was decided the university would purchase an unlimited educational Zoom license and we had to enable it in a single weekend,” said Kernan.  

At the SHCC, the staff immediately began seeing an influx in students reporting symptoms similar to COVID-19, and for everyone’s safety, the SHCC Director, Beth Scroggins, sent out an email on March 4 asking that students call ahead for triaging. 

“Our big concern was keeping our staff safe and healthy so that SHCC could remain open and provide services for the students,” said Scroggins.

However, those services have been altered — mainly, the mode of delivery. On April 4, Scroggins sent a campus-wide email informing students of online appointments through a video service called Doxyme. The SHCC will also remain open for crisis counseling and COVID-19 testing. 

For students worried about their financial situation — and maybe frustrated about not receiving that $1,200 stimulus check due to being claimed as a dependent — Western has confirmed that payroll services will remain unchanged and the SLCD sent out an email on April 2 featuring financial resources. For students worried about where their next meal is coming from, the Food Pantry and Valsetz Dining Hall are still accessible and more information about hours can be found on their respective websites. 

Despite the university’s attempts to offer resources, students still have criticisms of certain administrative decisions — mainly, the decisions to cancel all in-person finals for Winter Term and to hold a virtual Commencement for Spring Term graduates. Unlike many other schools, Western only holds one commencement per year, and President Rex Fuller said he, “could not in good conscious risk the safety of the students, guests, and the hundreds of staff members which make commencement possible” by holding an in-person event. 

Graduating senior, ASL/English interpreting major Alyssa Sandoval expressed her frustrations by stating, “this last term was supposed to be huge for me … I was supposed to be working in an internship out of state … experience life in the field I’ve been studying … now due to COVID-19 this has all been turned upside down. Western can’t control the closure of my internship site… but, the seniors have worked so hard and we deserve to have the recognition of a true commencement.”  

Overall, Western has kept in constant contact with both the authorities and its students, but regardless, some students are still mourning the loss of normalcy and adapting to the current changes is something that will continue to be an (online) learning process for everyone involved.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Illustration by Rachel Hetzel

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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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