Mount Hood

Western Makes Money Moves

2022–23 IFC budgeting process begins after a late start

Mikayla Coleman| Managing Editor and Interim News Editor

On Feb. 2, the Incidental Fee Committee met to begin hearing budget presentations for the 2022–23 school year. Abby’s House, the Food Pantry, Childcare Services, WOLF Ride and the Creative Arts each plead their case on why their group’s budgets should either increase or stay the same as the previous year. 

After giving their respective presentations, there was a Q&A session with the heads of each group for clarification on key details that will be important to consider during the budgeting process. Some ideas discussed were the presence of graduate students and how much they use IFC funded programs; what resources exist for food disparity, lack of transportation and lack of childcare before the groups were created; and how often groups that fall under IFC allow students to get career-specific experience. 

The IFC at Western is made up of faculty, administrators and students. 

Out of these three categories, student members are the only ones that are able to vote. Students on the committee are either elected to serve via Associated Students of Western Oregon University elections or appointed by either the Student Body President or the Western President. 

The IFC process covers the budgeting for specific groups that contribute to student success at Western in many different areas. Student media, Abby’s House, the Food Pantry, ASWOU, Athletics, Campus Recreation, childcare services, Creative Arts, Student Engagement, Leadership, Student Activities and WOLF Ride all fall under the IFC umbrella and are funded through the incidental fees — usually around $350 – $400 per student — that are charged to students taking at least one credit hour at Western. 

With the immense challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented in recent years, groups that are funded by IFC have been digging into a backup fund rather than generating revenue for themselves. It has worked as a part of the emergency response, but it is not a renewable resource and will eventually run dry. As a result of this challenge and enrollment at Western dropping by 11%, the overall IFC budget is expected to decrease. 

The next IFC meeting will be Feb. 9 in which head budget presentations will commence. Following the presentations, there will be an open forum for student input on Feb. 23 on Zoom in two sessions, 5 – 7 p.m. and 7:30 – 9 p.m. 

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

 

 

Cancer Moonshot Is Reignited

President Biden relaunches program to improve cancer research efforts

Mikayla Coleman | Managing Editor and Interim News Editor

On Feb. 2 the Biden-Harris Administration announced the relaunch of the Cancer Moonshot. Originally released in 2016 when Biden was vice president, the Cancer Moonshot sought to accelerate progress against cancer by over 50% in the next 25 years, as well as find ways to improve the experience of living with and surviving cancer. 

In an official White House statement, they said “Because of recent progress in cancer therapeutics, diagnostics, and patient-driven care, as well as the scientific advances and public health lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s now possible to set ambitious goals. …” 

The initial experience that brought this issue into the hearts of the Bidens was when four friends of Jill Biden were diagnosed with breast cancer. The following year, she launched the Biden Breast Health Initiative to educate Delaware high school students about cancer prevention at an early age. As first lady she continues to advocate for improving patient, family and caregiver experiences with cancer. 

President Biden is working in conjunction with the United Kingdom to make scientific progress related to cancer research. He is also hoping to form a Cancer Cabinet convened by the White House to address cancer across several departments and agencies.  

The statement has several lists of ideas they hope to focus on that will contribute to the goal of addressing and eradicating cancer, including early diagnosis, prevention, addressing inequities that can lead to cancer, administering the correct treatments and learning from those who have experienced cancer in any capacity. 

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

 

 

 

 

 

New touch-based language for DeafBlind community emerges in Oregon

DeafBlind community develops language that does not require sight or hearing

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

The Pacific Northwest is the birthplace for one of the biggest language advances for the DeafBlind community. The language, named protactile, was created to allow for direct communication between DeafBlind people. It prioritizes touch over visual and auditory senses.

Earlier this year, Western and the DeafBlind Interpreting National Training and Resource Center were awarded a five year, $2.1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration to aid in training interpreters in the language.

At the heart of this new language is Jelica Nuccio, the DeafBlind educator and leader of the protactile movement. Nuccio recently did an interview on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Think Out Loud,” where she spoke about the traditional view of language variation and communication for the DeafBlind community. 

“We can’t grow if we always are only getting things second hand from other people who are seeing them in the world first hand because people are uncomfortable shifting to a tactile ground. There have been years and years and years of isolation for DeafBlind people,” said Nuccio.

The need for protactile initially arose 10 years ago as a movement in Seattle, Washington. There, Nuccio worked as an advocate and spokesperson for the DeafBlind community via the Deaf-Blind Service Center. 

Before protactile, there was no method for DeafBlind individuals to communicate directly with each other, as communication and impairment varied widely between individuals. Some used visual ASL, while others preferred tactile ASL, a modified version of ASL that utilizes hand-over-hand signing to help the user track the movements in airspace but still has a visual focus. Protactile, meanwhile, is rooted in touch instead of visual space or sound. 

“Individuals will always have their own idiosyncratic approaches and varying access needs and preferences, but protactile, as an entirely tactile language, is fully accessible regardless of hearing or vision levels, for all users,” said Cole Boeck, junior and interpreting studies major at Western currently learning protactile. 

Nuccio is the lead educator for the DeafBlind Interpreting Institute at Western. Students wishing to get involved with protactile or learn more can contact Nuccio or the DeafBlind Interpreting Institute. They can also view the videos accessible through the DBII Moodle at dbinterpreting.com for more information.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

 

 

Construction Craziness Continues

Western continues phase 2 of construction on Monmouth Avenue

Mikayla Coleman | News Editor

Phase two of construction on Monmouth Avenue is continuing efforts to fix Western’s steam line. 

There was never a plan to have a phase two for this specific project, but because of additional damage that was discovered during the first phase, they had to continue working on the line. 

Work on the steam line has taken longer than expected for a myriad of unforeseen circumstances. 

Construction was unable to begin until after graduation ceremonies commenced in 2021, even though the project was approved several months before then. The delivery of piping material and critical valves was delayed substantially, around six to eight weeks, due to supply chain issues. There were also change orders — some of the existing conditions were not fully documented in the existing drawings — which resulted in the need for more materials, different requirements and an increased project scope. 

“Construction work involving utilities services placed in the ground can be slow and unpredictable,” said Mike Elliot, project manager for Capital Planning and Construction. “Most often, the work to be performed is on systems which can be decades old and not always well documented. Because Western is 150 years old, the steam line system has been added to many times in several phases and projects. While all of the information concerning the steam system is available, it has not been collected in a single set of construction drawings. This fact has added to the complexity of completely understanding the total scope of the project.”

All the unexpected discoveries have given construction crews the opportunity to address more issues.

“One goal for the final outcome of the steam line repair project is to produce a single set of ‘as built’ drawings documenting the entire steam line system on campus,” said Elliot. “This will significantly assist the Facilities Department in the future in providing preventative maintenance of the system ensuring the longevity of the new steam line.” 

Originally due to end in Nov. 2021, the best estimate of when construction will be finished is now April 2022.

Contact the author at howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu

The tutoring opportunities are endless

Everything students need to know about free tutoring at Western

Mikayla Coleman | News Editor

As students are entering week three of fall term at Western, the time for tutoring is upon us. Western offers a wide variety of student tutoring and support services that many students do not even realize are available to them, completely for free. There is no reason for any student to struggle alone or be afraid to reach out for help in subjects that they need extra support in when there are so many kind faces ready to set them up for academic success. 

Appointment availability decreases as the demand for tutoring and help in courses rises near the end of the term. To ensure students receive all the help they need, it is encouraged to be mindful of when the most support will be needed in specific courses and make appointments in advance accordingly. 

This tutor guide is available outside of the Advising Office.

Writing Center — The Writing Center offers writing help for papers and professional projects. Many English courses at Western either require an appointment with the Writing Center for course credit or offer extra credit for showing proof of a Writing Center appointment when working on a project. They are currently offering appointments online and in person on the first floor of Hamersly Library. The easiest way to make an appointment is to use their specific online scheduler via the Western portal. 

Math Center — The Math Center offers drop-in math tutoring for almost all 100, 200 and 300 level courses, both in person on the second floor of Hammersly Library or online via Zoom. 

Science Center — The Science Center offers drop-in and scheduled appointments in person, in study room 124 in Hamersly Library or online via Zoom. The Science Center seeks to help struggling students master skills that are necessary for success in science courses here at Western. 

Computing Science Tutoring — The Computing Science Center offers tutoring in upper and lower computer science and information system courses. They offer drop-in appointments Monday – Thursday from 12 – 4 p.m. in person in the newly renovated ITC in room 310D, or online via Zoom. To make an appointment, students are encouraged to email a known tutor or reach out to the tutoring director, Tracy Boyson.

SSA Tutoring — Student Success and Advising Tutoring covers the most ground by far, tutoring in over 20 different subjects, many of which fall under general education requirements. Outside of the previously stated academic disciplines — they cover many different nontraditional tutoring subjects such as art, music, sustainability and gerontology. In addition, they offer study skills tutoring where students can learn how to be more effective in their notetaking, test taking and time management skills. 

According to Keegan Gormally, the tutoring coordinator/academic success advisor for SSA, “SSA Tutoring seeks to build content knowledge in courses, study skills and academic habits, peer connections/connections to campus for students, support for students so they are more likely to seek help, and empower students towards their personal and academic goals.”

SSA Tutoring appointments are going to remain strictly via Zoom through fall term. Students can schedule appointments with a plethora of different tutors via the Wolf Connection System on the Western portal. 

Contact the author at newseditor@thewesternhowl.com

Vaccine requirements are increased over the U.S.

The Biden-Harris Administration introduces new nationwide vaccination requirements

Mikayla Coleman | News Editor

Since the beginning of his presidency, President Joe Biden has been a huge advocate for the importance of vaccinations among Americans to stop the spread of COVID-19. In September,  President Biden asked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a set of rules that would require companies with over a hundred employees to get all of their employees vaccinated for COVID. 

Since COVID vaccination opened up freely for all Americans 12 and older on April 19, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken steps to make COVID vaccines available at 80,000 locations across the United States. They have since moved to vaccine requirements — first in federal employees, then to employees of contractors that work for the federal government, and now extending to all businesses that have more than a hundred employees. 

The official White House report on vaccination requirements released on Oct. 7 stated this requirement will impact over 80 million workers in private sector businesses. If employees decide to remain unvaccinated they will be required to produce a negative test result on a weekly basis before reporting to work. 

The word “requirement” can cause a knee-jerk reaction for many. It is clear that, in general, the American people do not like to be told what to do, especially by the government. But vaccination requirements have been proven to actually work. The Oct. 7 White House report stated, “Vaccination requirements have increased vaccination rates by 20+ percentage points to over 90% in many organizations.” 

OSHA has been faced with the task of writing out the mandate and are working around the clock to make the parameters of the requirements very clear and strong enough to pass legal muster. This is the reasoning behind the slow start to implementation — but it is smartest to iron out all standards as they will most definitely be challenged by those who refuse to comply.

The White House report stated, “Without vaccination requirements, we face endless months of chaos in our hospitals, further detrimental impacts on our economy, and anxiety in our schools. With them, we will accelerate our path out of the pandemic.” 

Contact the author at newseditor@thewesternhowl.com

Dollar Tree opens in Independence

A new business moves into town 

Mikayla Coleman | News Editor

Everyone’s favorite store where everything is just one dollar has made its way to the Monmouth-Independence area. Dollar Tree opened at the end of September and is ready to serve the community, catering to those in the market for everything from craft wire, to duct tape, to kitchen utensils or frozen burritos. 

While the campus community loves the small town lifestyle that Monmouth offers, the need to drive at least fifteen minutes to get to something as simple as Walmart or the Dollar Tree can be difficult, even for ones that have resided here for several years. Pursuing higher education is a costly endeavor that leaves many students financially straining to keep up with even the most basic necessities. 

Having a Dollar Tree a walkable distance away from Western will prove useful for the many students on campus that do not have cars. Plus, Dollar Tree has many accessible and cost effective items that make it very valuable to the town’s community. They carry everything from school supplies, to hand soap, to phone chargers at a very reasonable price. They also accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). 

The Dollar Tree located on 1401 Monmouth St. is open for business Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

Contact the author at newseditor@thewesternhowl.com

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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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