Mount Hood

Free Coffee Offered in the Library

Free coffee takes the place of the Press cafe in the library

Mollie Herron | News Editor

When studying in the Hamersly Library, many students notice the run down cafe in the far north side of the first floor. The Press cafe was a place for students in the library to order coffee, pastries and sandwiches, but has been closed for quite some time. Because of this closure, there are limited places for students to buy coffee on campus. 

“It’s a funding issue, it’s not that anybody wanted the cafe to close,” Chelle Batchelor, dean of library and academic innovation said. “In fact, all of us on campus would really love to have it reopen.”

Due to the decrease in the number of students on campus, Hamersly Library does not have the funds to support the cafe. Fortunately, Caffe Allegro is still open and only a short walk away from the library. For students looking to get their caffeine fix after Caffe Allegro’s closing hour of 2 p.m., the library will be offering free coffee from 2 – 6 p.m. every week Monday through Friday.

Unfortunately, the free coffee cannot be given out until after Caffe Allegro closes so that there is no competition between the two. As much as everyone wishes free coffee could be offered at all times, there is the assumption that it would slow business and cause a negative result for both locations.

For those looking to support the library and help with upkeep as well as support future endeavors, donations to the Hamersly Library Dean’s Fund are always welcomed. These donations will help keep the library clean as well as provide funds to buy new materials and support the existing ones. With more donations, the library will also get the opportunity to award more scholarships to students that have earned it.

Donating is encouraged because it helps keep campus accessible and up to date for students, but if it is really only for the coffee, that is perfectly acceptable too.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Hamersly Library introduces Peer Advocates

Western’s Hamersly Library introduces new student staff on the team, Peer Advocates

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

Hamersly Library is committed to providing a secure and welcoming environment where students can feel safe during all hours of operation. 

Earlier this year, Hamersly Library announced the inauguration of their new staff group, the Peer Advocates. This new student employee position was tasked with serving as student advocates in a peer leadership role, particularly in the evening and weekend hours when full-time staff are unavailable. 

According to Hamersly Library, the need for Peer Advocates arose due to several factors, primarily caused by campus wide cutbacks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In September of 2020, many staff members had to be laid off based on seniority. Before the pandemic, the library was completely student-run which provided its own challenges since services were also being provided for members of the local community.

In addition to these issues, the library heard conversations detailing concern and a sense of vulnerability among patrons, primarily students, during the 2020 – 21 academic year.

“We confirmed that late night hours and weekend hours were important in terms of study space, but also that students considered basic library services sufficient during those hours with referrals to daytime staff when necessary,” said Janeanne Rockwell-Kincanon, the public service librarian at Hamersly Library. “From our graduating student employees, we heard that while those student-staffed hours were mostly quiet, there were occasions when having a clear leader designated would be beneficial.”

From 5 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and during weekend hours, Peer Advocates will function as the “lead” student employees for students coming in and out of the library. They will not serve as supervisors to their peers, but rather as coordinators and a resource for students’ needs and concerns. 

While the Peer Advocate position is still a work in progress, with time only dictating future enrichment, the staff are committed to improving quality of service through the collaboration of ideas and showcasing their own individual strengths.

“Loki (Lyrix-Astyriel) is fluent in ASL, so I’m pleased that our Deaf and Hard of Hearing patrons have someone with whom they can fully communicate,” said Rockwell-Kincanon.

Meanwhile, Saysha Breitmeyer has experience in working with the Math Center, and Jaelynn Cocker has worked for the library since even before the pandemic. Students visiting Hamersly can find the three Peer Advocates doing their rounds wearing their new Peer Advocate white jackets.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Looking for a place to get your booster?

Places you can get your booster shot in and around Monmouth

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Western hosted a vaccine clinic on Feb. 11 at Gentle House to give students who needed it their COVID-19 booster shot. They offered Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for any student who met the requirements for each.

For students who have not yet received their booster and are still looking for where to do so, here are some local vaccine clinics that will be popping up soon.

On Feb. 25 the Oregon Child Development Coalition will be hosting a clinic from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Also on Feb. 25 Western will be hosting a clinic at Gentle House from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be another clinic at Gentle House on March 4 from 2 – 6 p.m. 

If those times are still hard to make, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment at a local pharmacy. Some popular spots include Walgreens, Rite Aid or Safeway. New clinics and events are being announced every day, so keep an eye out for what works with individual schedules.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Mask Mandate Soon to Be Lifted in Oregon

Oregon’s mask mandate may be lifted earlier than expected, according to OHA

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

Big news may be coming to Oregon in response to recent COVID-19 safety updates. According to a data scientist at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon could be reaching their threshold for lifting the indoor mask mandate very soon.

As of now, Washington and New Mexico have become some of the latest states to drop their COVID mask mandate for indoor and school environments. The Oregon Health Authority has the current mask mandate in Oregon scheduled to be lifted on March 31. However, according to various sources, this day might arrive sooner than expected. Some even speculate that it may occur before St. Patrick’s Day. 

The news became live after an observance of omicron cases and hospitalizations dropping across the state, as well as nationwide. As a result, the United States may no longer be considered to be in a state of “constant crisis.” 

According to OHA, in order for the mask mandate to be lifted, the state needs to be at 400 or fewer total cases of COVID hospitalizations. As of Feb. 22, hospitalizations have fallen to below 600 cases in Oregon, beating the rough estimate for March 4 by a week and a half.

“OHA will continue to monitor the trend and consider lifting the indoor mask requirement for public places earlier than March 31 if the number of hospitalizations decreases to 400 earlier,” said Oregon’s state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger. 

If the statewide mask mandate were to be lifted, it would mean the removal of masks for all regardless of vaccination status. Before this mask mandate is lifted, Western and OHA remain adamant in their encouragement for all citizens to wear their masks indoors and outdoors.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Oregon House considers gas bill

House Bill 4151 would allow drivers to pump their own gas in Oregon

Mollie Herron | News Editor

The 2022 legislation session started in Oregon at the beginning of February, and a new bill is being introduced. House Bill 4151 would allow drivers in Oregon to choose to pump their own gas or have a gas attendant do so.

In the past, self-service has been allowed in instances of extreme weather conditions, labor shortages and COVID-19. There are also counties with smaller populations that allow for self-service to account for the smaller workforce.

In the United States there are only two states where drivers don’t pump their own gas — Oregon and New Jersey — but this new bill could leave New Jersey as the only state left. The reasoning as to why Oregon still has gas attendants is that it spreads responsibility to more than the single cashier in a given gas station. That way, there are more eyes on the property to watch customers so the risk of injury and inhalation of fumes is reduced.

The bill is not requiring all stations to let drivers pump their own gas but instead offers that a portion of the pumps be allowed for self-service, depending on how many are at the station.

Many fear the effect the bill could have on pump attendants and their jobs, but as stated it only requires a portion of the station to be self-service, while the rest of the pumps will still be controlled by employees.

In situations where the gas station only has one pump, that pump will be reserved for the owner, operator or employee of the station. In the bill it is stated that the State Fire Marshal will have the power to declare all pumps as self-service if in a statewide or local emergency. It also increases the maximum fine for self-pump related violations to $1,000 from the previous $500 fine.

The bill is currently backed by members of the Republican and Democratic parties. Due to the short legislative session, if passed, this bill could take effect by the end of the year.

Have an opinion about House Bill 4151? React to our poll on our Instagram Story, @thewesternhowl to share thoughts on this possible change.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

 

 

“Howl from the Heart”: Western’s annual day of giving

Wolves give back for 2022 Giving Day

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

March 1 marks this year’s Giving Day, or “Howl from the Heart,” Western’s annual day of giving. During this 24-hour period, students, faculty and alumni come together in solidarity to make a positive impact on the Western community.

Giving Day has aided in drawing in tremendous donations for foundations, scholarships and various programs and departments since its establishment in 2016 at Western.

In 2021, the university was able to raise over $170,000 in donations from Giving Day with a total of 820 gifts. 

This year, Giving Day is expected to be bigger and better than ever. The goal for 2022 is to raise $250,000 in support of scholarships and programs. 

Those wishing to donate and make an impact can do so in various ways. 

Throughout the month of February, Western is encouraging employees to participate in Giving Day by sharing their monthly goal of $5,000 in donations through payroll deductions. Staff and faculty wishing to contribute can enroll in payroll deduction by completing the employee deduction form, found on the WOU Foundation webpage.

Graduating seniors, specifically, can participate in Giving Day while also leaving a lasting legacy. Seniors are encouraged to leave their mark by donating at least $20.22 to a program or department of their choice at Western. These gifts can be made in honor or in the name of current faculty members. In thanks, seniors who donate on Giving Day will receive a “Howl from the Heart” lapel pin to wear on their graduation gown.

The Alumni Challenge, which takes place from 12 – 2 p.m. on Giving Day, offers a custom “Howl from the Heart” campfire mug for the first 50 people to make a gift of $50 or more.

Clubs and organizations are also contributing to “Howl from the Heart.” The Foundation’s Finance and Planned Giving Committee have pledged to meet up to $1,500 in gifts made towards the Fund for WOU, Western’s unrestricted financial support system for students and faculty alike. In addition, Interim President Jay Kenton has pledged to double the amount by matching the amount received through payroll deduction by up to $5,000.

Whether one lives on or off campus, everyone is encouraged to contribute. Donations can be made online through the WOU Foundation’s webpage at wou.edu/give or through participation of planned giving at woufgift.org.

After donating, make sure to share the good deed on social media by using the hashtags #WOUgivingday and #WolvesGiveBack.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Western’s LGBTQ+ club hosts traditional ball

Western’s Triangle Alliance holds their winter term Red and Black Ball

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

On Feb. 11, Western’s Triangle Alliance hosted the Red and Black Ball, an event which celebrates the decades-long tradition of promoting health and wellness in the queer community. The event took place a week after Western’s Out & Proud week, another annual tradition celebrated by many of Western’s clubs and organizations.

The ballroom world has acted as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ members and allies for decades. Functioning as an underground LGBTQ+ subculture, participants, who are largely Black and Latinx people who identify as queer, are able to compete for prizes and cash. People often refer to this ball as the “gay prom,” meant for individuals who weren’t able to experience high school prom as their own authentic selves.

The colors in the name Red and Black Ball pay homage to the original color coded and timeline-based ballroom system, as developed by ballroom star Tommy “Dee” Murphy. The timeline begins with the White Era that spanned from the 1970s to the 1980s, the Red Era, running from 1985 – 1990 and finally, the Black Era in the 1990s. The White Era has since been omitted from the name.

Though the ballroom’s roots are firmly planted in Black and Latin American culture, the Red and Black Ball became a place where all allies and supporters of the queer community could gather in unity. The event, which took place at 7 p.m. in the Columbia Room of the Werner University Center, provided attendants with food, refreshments and a night of entertainment. Alongside dancing, the event also offered games and karaoke.

“Red and Black Ball is a traditional event at WOU and has been going on for a long time,” said the executive board at Triangle Alliance. “It’s our privilege as this year’s (executive) board to continue this cherished tradition and continue to support and provide safe spaces at WOU for our LGBTQ+ students.” 

The event encouraged attendants to show up in formal wear, although it was not required.

As a reminder, Triangle Alliance asks no questions about a student’s or member’s sexual orientation. Anyone is welcome. Students wishing to get involved with the club can find Triangle Alliance’s office in the WUC or contact them at trianglealliance@mail.wou.edu. Triangle Alliance meets every Friday at the Richard Woodcock Education Center room 207 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

 

 

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