The time is now to rise for revolution
By KATRINA PENAFLOR Campus Life Editor
Abby’s House brought the campaign, One Billion Rising Revolution, to Western’s campus Feb. 12, for its third year. One Billion Rising is a national event that started in 2012, with its focus to end violence against women.
According to www.onebillionrising.org,“One in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That’s one billion women and girls.”
One Billion Rising has taken place in over 200 countries, and people can show their support by rising against these injustices.
The One Billion Rising Revolution campaign continues the previous year’s One Billion Rising for Justice campaign.
Promoting the campaign brings awareness to the issues and Andrea Hugmeyer, assistant director of Abby’s House, said she hopes students will, “recognize the incredible amount of violence women experience in their lives.”
Abby’s House played music and provided free hot chocolate to students. They also set up tables and posters with statistic about racism, ableism, classism, sexism, and heterosexism for students to recognize the different systems of oppression.
One of the posters included a quote from Lilla Watson, a woman’s activist from Australia: “If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together.”
There was also a large sign for students to paint their handprints to support the campaign.
Jessica Galbraith, who is doing her practicum with Abby’s House, said she likes “the idea of getting the youth involved.” The many handprints on the sign was evidence of Western’s students support for One Billion Rising.
The event was set up on the front plaza of the Werner University Center. Being in such a high traffic area gave more students the opportunity to notice what was happening. The campaign “forces people to think about it,” Hugmeyer said.
“We want them to think about social injustice,” said Abby’s House advocate Jessica Fontaine.
One Billion Rising was the kick off for the upcoming Valentine’s Day events Abby’s House will present in February, such as the Vagina Monologues.
“Together we can rise for revolution,” Hugmeyer said.
IFC decision sparks controversy
By JACK ARMSTRONG & CONNER WILLIAMS News Editor & Staff Writer
Proposed changes during the preliminary decision of the Incidental Fee Committee’s (IFC) 2015-2016 budget were met with resistance from students, staff and faculty.
The committee drafted a budget which would maintain the previous year’s operating budget for every funded area except athletics.
If ratified, the suggested budget would reduce athletics’ overall budget 5 percent.
The Incidental Fee Committee is a group of student leaders supervised by staff advisers. The only voting members of the process are the students who sit on the committee.
Incidental fees are collected from students every term and are used for student clubs and activities that fall outside the realm of academics such as student leadership activities, special interest clubs, health and wellness, and athletics.
All of the academic-related expenses (professor salary, administrative expenses, etc.) are covered through tuition.
Speaking on the value of the IFC, Western’s President Mark Weiss stated that all students should have a voice.
“Some students are concerned about raising fees while other students believe it important to fund co-curricular activities at even higher amounts,” Weiss said.
The current year’s incidental fees total $322 per term or $966 per year. If the proposed budget is voted through unchanged, fees for 2015-2016 will increase 3.7 percent to $334 per term or $1,002 per year.
The preliminary budget increases the student fees per term despite the divisive cut to athletics due to an increase in enhancements granted to various funded areas.
Enhancements are one-time increases in funding for clubs to use towards a specific item (e.g., a new computer, travel to a conference, etc.).
After IFC reached an initial decision, the student body was given the opportunity to present their opinions directly to the committee in a series of town-hall style open hearings.
OPEN HEARING BEGINS
Held on Thursday, Feb. 5, the first hearing drew large audiences and raw emotions as students packed the Summit room in the Werner University Center.
Some student groups attended to express their appreciation for the difficult decisions of the IFC.
The Child Development Center presented the committee with crafts the children had made, while the directors discussed the importance of easy access to day care for student with children.
The creative arts department also had multiple representatives express their gratitude from jazz band, theater arts, marching band and drum line.
While praise flowed from many who spoke, the majority of students in attendance were athletes with grievances.
One student presenting on behalf of Western football asked for all the representatives of the athletic department to rise, and nearly threequarters of the room stood.
Student athletes lobbying for Western’s track and field, football, and volleyball teams were met with uproarious cheers and rounds of applause.
Nicole Anderson, a senior track and field athlete, was moved to tears as she said she was “ashamed to be a part of a university that doesn’t support all student endeavors equally.”
Anderson stated that “Western athletes are scraping the bottom. We’re the least funded program in the GNAC.”
David Mcleod, a sophomore track athlete, revealed his intention to leave Western as a result of what he saw as the committee’s “continued lack of support for athletics.”
Mcleod highlighted his lack of opportunity within the team as his main motivation to seek out another school.
“I came to compete, but I didn’t get the chance,” Mcleod said. “The budget definitely limits the amount of athletes who can travel to races. To work and train so hard to not see that work rewarded with races is difficult to swallow.”
Themes of fairness and unrewarded hard work were common in the presentations by athletes.
IFC’s decision had divided the student body, and Chair Quinn Forner was expecting the response. “I wasn’t surprised by the emotion, it is understandable,” he said.
SECOND HEARING BEGINS
The second open hearing, held on Monday, Feb. 9, played host to even more students than the first, and once again the athletics department dominated the attendance sheet.
In addition to more positive feedback from groups like creative arts, Abby’s House, and Stonewall Center, various club sports teams voiced their appreciation for continued funding.
Members of the both the men’s and women’s rugby teams, along with representatives from men’s soccer and men’s lacrosse all highlighted their gratitude for the chance to play.
While the club teams expressed support for their own continued funding, many also pleaded for a reconsideration of the cut to athletics.
Several of the presenting students who were involved in multiple IFC funded areas also stressed the importance of the range of activities currently available, especially as a means to raise Western’s image in the communities where athletics conducts their outreach.
The impact on prospective student recruitment and the impact on the overall community and culture of campus was often cited as the main reasoning behind the cross-club support.
Almost all spoke on unfavorable travel conditions for away matches, uniforms in dire need of replacement, and equipment improvements required for maintaining compliance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The argument against budget cuts had become one of a return on investment for athletes who train daily for the chance to compete and are also expected to maintain academic excellence.
While many of the pleas were similar to those from the first hearing, one student had a message that was different from the rest.
Jenesa Honda, judicial administrator and head of the Associated Students of Western Oregon University Judicial Branch, supported the proposed cut to the athletics fund because of the overall effect on student fees.
“The rest of the departments can’t always take the hit,” Honda said. She added that “each one has some excess fluff that can be trimmed.” Honda specified that athletes and athletics can bring a certain spirit, but that usually only involves those who choose to participate.
“Students sometimes question funding athletics, especially those who aren’t associated with them,” Honda said. “This fee was $277 per term in 2011, and now it is expected to rise to $334 in 2015.”
The difference between these two figures is $171 annually, and that can amount to the cost of all textbooks in a term for some students.
Honda’s opinions are not uncommon among the student body. Juan Esparza, a business administration senior, initially didn’t know that his incidental fees went towards athletics.
“I actually wasn’t aware that I paid for clubs and athletics, and no, I don’t think it is fair,” Esparza said. He said that while he “understood that the school must fund activities, tuition is already a stretch for many.”
Students looking for more explanation of the IFC process or more information on how to become involved for the 2016 academic year can speak to IFC Chair and ASWOU representative Forner.
Forner is available for student feedback at the ASWOU table on the second floor of the Werner Center, across from the bookstore, every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
A meeting for the final deliberations will be held in the Columbia Room of the WUC, Monday, Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Disclaimer: The Journal is funded through Incidental Fees via Student Media.
Students attend state capitol rally to restore higher education
By JACK ARMSTRONG News Editor
Over 100 Western students attended the Rally to Restore Higher Education at the Oregon state capitol building, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015.
The rally was part of an effort by the Oregon Student Association to push the further investment needed for Oregon to freeze state university and community college tuition rates until 2017.
Representatives from Western joined students from 26 other community colleges and state universities from across Oregon.
The Oregon Legislature would need to invest $755 million for state universities and $560 million for community colleges to ensure that tuition rates could remain the same. If the legislature cannot approve this investment, tuition could rise as much as 10 percent in the next year.
“Education is an opportunity everyone should have a chance to experience,” said Kristen Case, a sophomore and a resident assistant who attended the rally. “There is so much power in it.”
Other students attending the rally were focused on maintaining the financial viability for currently enrolled students.
“The financial burden is always present for students and it’s the most stressful thing, even above grades,” said Emiliano Cruz-Barrera, first year student.
Some students like Javan Davis, a mathematics and dance major, face the possibility of having to drop out if the tuition freeze does not go through.
“Currently if I don’t find a job, I’ll have to drop out before the next term even starts,” Davis said. “If we keep making entry into college harder and we keep raising prices, we won’t get anywhere.”
Students at the rally also had a chance to hear from bi-partisan speakers of the legislature such as house representative Mark Johnson (R), and co-chair of the Ways and Means committee representative Peter Buckley (D).
For more information on the tuition freeze, visit www.orstudents.org
Western sees continued growth in online course offerings
By JACK ARMSTRONG News Editor
Online courses are an integral component of learning on campus. Most students have now taken a class that involves the use of Moodle or Yammer. Many professors also use their own personal websites and spaces like WordPress to enhance student engagement.
The growing number of students expressing interest in online learning tools has prompted Western’s Center for Teaching and Learning and Extended Programs, located in ITC 204, to look toward expansion. Director Dan Clark and Strategic Partnerships Manager Elayne Kuletz are leading the charge towards technology-enhancedleading the charge towards technology-enhanced learning.
Clark said he is most excited about the possibility of an expanded online catalog because it would “meet the evolving needs of the students in our region.”
Kuletz said most students who have been asked about the benefits of online class options tend to cite the flexibility afforded by the lack of a set-in-stone, face-to-face schedule.
Clark said that often it is the availability of online classes that can be the make-or-break for students with extenuating circumstances to attend Western at all.
The flexibility of online courses is especially important for students who work when they are not in class, commuter students who live in Salem and beyond, and students who have children.
During a Jan. 9 meeting, the Division of Extended Programs discussed proposing a list of practices and processes to support flexible learning opportunities. At this point, policies for programs like Moodle, or course syllabi are limited or non-existent.
It is also unclear to DEP how many classes are offered online and calculations could be in dispute because certain online courses or partial online courses are only offered to certain students.
This number is especially difficult to determine because of the lack of standard definitions concerning what constitutes an online course.
Kuletz stressed a “push for more clarity.” She added there was a belief in the department that “students have the right to know what they are signing up for.”
According to Clark, there are seven categories of Technology Enhanced Classes. Classes are broken into: Technology Enhanced, Online, Online Proctored, Online Plus, Hybrid, Live Virtual and Virtual Hybrid. Each one attempts to address a different need for time or location flexibility.
All classes have the option of creating an online presence through Moodle. It is up to the professor and the department as to whether or not that option is exercised. Many faculty members make frequent use of Moodle as a document delivery system and a way to make class announcements.
Students have already experienced classes using the hybrid methodology. Courses in this style are taught through in-person meeting times and online work.
Online courses are classified as courses delivered only online with no pre-arranged time commitments.
In moving forward with an extended range of offerings, however, Clark said he encourages faculty to utilize the Online Plus format.
Online Plus is similar to the “only online” offerings in that all of the content is delivered online, but this iteration would also provide students with regular (but optional) meetings and activities.
These additional activities could range from professor-run question and answer sessions, to simply having access to an on-campus tutor on particular days.
Clark said he champions Online Plus because “there are hurdles when you never meet the students.” Some students will not be able to attend, but for those who really need a face-to-face (or even virtual) meeting, it is an opportunity to retain some of the feel of a more traditional classroom experience. Online Plus is designed to appeal the widest range of student learning styles while still accommodating students who are not able to attend regular class meetings.
Clark said he hopes this approach will bring more faculty members on board with a more expansive online catalog.
To help further their cause among the faculty, the department is in the process of interviewing candidates for an additional team member who would be responsible for training faculty in the creation of a cohesive online course.
This new position will be important as every online class is designed and maintained by a professor in conjunction with their department. This is an important distinction from other online colleges as it should result in more relevant and useful courses for the students.
In addition to new staff, the Center for Teaching and Learning and Extended Programs is offering a recurring series of seminars for tenure-track faculty to better understand what it takes to create a dynamic and effective online course.
The most recent of these events called the Winter Online Teaching Institute, took place during winter break, but there are several offered throughout the year.
Clark and Kuletz said more participation in the Institutes will translate to a higher quality of online education. Clark recognizes students are turned off by massive online colleges like the University of Phoenix and said Western has a unique opportunity to offer “something that is devised to fit the needs of Western.”
The Center is committed to expanding the possibilities at Western and, in the meantime, will continue streamlining Moodle and Yammer for both the student and faculty benefit.
Service Learning and Career Development to host Internship and Volunteer Fair on campus
By AMANDA CLARKE Staff Writer
The Service Learning and Career Development Center (SLCD) will be holding their second annual Internship and Volunteer Fair Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Pacific Room of Werner University Center.
Last year, approximately 200 students attended the event. The SLCD is hoping to
see more students attend this year.
There will be at least 40 local businesses at the event, ranging from public, private and non-profit. The attending businesses will be looking mostly for interns and volunteers.
There are opportunities such as Marion County Volunteer Services, Springfield Police Department, Peace Corps, the Bureau of Land Management and more.
“Only in college will people come to you. It’s not going to happen once you graduate,” said Adry Clark, director of the SLCD, who organized and founded the event.
Clark got the idea for the fair after she noticed that there was not a general careers fair on campus like other colleges frequently have, but specific career fairs for certain majors. She said she “felt like the career fair was missing.”
“I think it’s important for students to get internship and volunteer opportunities to develop [their] skills,” Clark said. Both internship and volunteer work allow students to have some opportunities while in school.”
All Western students can come into the SLCD between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays
for drop-in resume advice, ranging from helping students to begin a resume, to
giving helpful editing advice. The SLCD is located in room 119 of the WUC.
“Every Western student has the opportunity to have a great resume,” Clark said.
“It’s really helpful to come prepared to the fair. Do your research. Bring your resume.
Think about what you want to tell businesses about you.” Wolf Link also provides
more information regarding the Internship and Volunteer Fair. Students can find
a complete list of businesses scheduled to attend and some additional information on the companies by going online to Wolf Link (https://wou.edu/student/career/wolflink.php).
There is also a list of upcoming SLCD events on the Wolf Link calendar (http://
wou.edu/student/career/calendar.php). By following the link, students can view locations and times of other career fairs, both on Western’s campus and nearby locations, which any Western student can attend.
There are events through the SLCD that students may have to pay to attend but that
information is available on the listing, and in the regular emails sent to all students from SLCD.
Wolf Link also has information about the Western internship program, which will be discussed in length at the upcoming fair. Currently there are 13 paid internships
in varying locations across campus listed on Wolf Link as well.
Annual food drive returns to Western
By CONNER WILLIAMS Freelancer
This month marks the arrival of Western’s annual food drive. The Governor’s State Employees Food Drive is dedicated to former Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh who passed away in July 2014.
Atiyeh founded the Oregon Food Bank in 1982 and devoted much of his time to helping provide food to Oregon’s hungry.
The drive will take place Feb. 2 through Feb. 27. During that time, there will be boxes scattered throughout the campus for non-perishable food contributions.
Examples of accepted donations include canned goods, soups, beans, vegetables, and tuna. Boxed foods, such as pasta and rice, are acceptable as well. Personal hygiene items like toothbrushes and toothpaste also are welcome donations.
According to Debbie Diehm, assistant to the vice president of student affairs, Western has donated the most food out of all Oregon public universities in each of the last ten years.
Last year, the Western community raised 104,575.68 pounds of food, which amounts to 153.11 pounds per student. There will be several other ways to donate outside of giving physical food items.
According to the food drive’s website, employees can make monetary donations by cash, check, credit card or payroll deduction. Employees can also meet the Governor’s Challenge by donating at least $144 annually.
Diehm along with Nora Solvedt and Lisa Catto, who are coordinating the food drive effort for Western, estimate that a $1 donation amounts to about four pounds of food.
The two main beneficiaries of the donated food are the WOU Food Pantry, in the Werner University Center, and the Ella Curran Food Bank in Independence.
Diehm holds a particular passion for the food drive. “This event is great at making sure that the food stays here and benefits the Western community,” she said. “We try to take care of each other as best we can, and I hope we can beat our impressive numbers from last year.”
For more information on the different ways to contribute and for other information, visit www.oregon.gov/fooddrive.
Incidental Fee Committee reaches preliminary decision
By JACK ARMSTRONG News Editor
The Incidental Fees Committee (IFC) met on Jan. 29 to compile a preliminary
budget decision for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year.
IFC meets every year to decide on a budget for the money received from students as a part of their tuition. This year’s fees amounted to $322 per term for each student.
While most of the clubs operating budgets remained un-cut, athletics experienced a 5 percent reduction in their overall budget. Most clubs were also granted a few items requested from IFC funds (including athletics).
The current proposed budget, if ratified, will result in fees increasing to $334 per term, a 3.7 percent increase.
As a part of the IFC process, an initial decision is made on the budget so students and faculty alike can get a sense of the committee’s intentions before
attending the open meetings to present a case for continued or additional funding.
The next open meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 9 in the Pacific Room in the Werner University Center at 5:30 p.m.
Individuals who wish to present on behalf of an organization are offered three minutes, and groups are offered five.
IFC Debates Budget Allocation and Student Fees for 2015-2016
By JACK ARMSTRONG News Editor
The Incidental Fee Committee (IFC) is one of the most important student organizations on campus that many probably don’t know much about. Most students who are not heavily involved in extracurricular
activities or athletics don’t have much of a reason to come into contact with the IFC, but the committee’s decisions affect each and every student on campus.
The group meets during the winter quarter of each academic year to decide on a budget for the incidental fees that are a part of tuition for everyone who attends Western.
As IFC Chair Quinn Forner explained, the fees cover “enhancements for student life that are outside of academics.” In other words, these fees fund the parts of student life that aren’t covered under general tuition such as athletics, campus recreation including Health and Wellness, and student services such as Wolf Ride.
This year’s fee of $322 per term was decided upon last year during a series of annual meetings and debates.
The council meetings are observed by a small group of faculty advisers including Dr. Gary Dukes, vice president of student affairs and Darin Silbernagel, director of business services.
While faculty and staff are present on the council, the only members who can cast a vote and make a decision are current Western students.
This means that student leaders such as members of the Associated Students of Western Oregon and the student senate have the final say in what gets funded, and in turn, how much the incidental
fee for the upcoming year will be.
It may seem that a student-run council would have vastly different opinions about the budget, but to ensure that these meetings stay on track, everyone follows the rules of order used in all official
U.S. congressional proceedings.
Among other things, these rules govern who can talk, when they can talk, and provide a clear structure of command for healthy debate.
In addition, the meetings are required to abide by Oregon state law since they are open to the public
and concern state funds that utilize general public tax dollars.
Even during heated debates, the proceedings are easy to follow and understand.
Each meeting follows the same general procedure: the meeting is called to order by the Chair and
general business of the committee is dealt with. This usually encompasses decisions about future meeting times and agendas for the current meeting. Once these items have been discussed, it’s time to
move onto the budget presentations.
During the initial round of meetings each group on campus that is funded by IFC is allowed to give a
short presentation to the committee concerning their budgetary requirements for the upcoming year.
This usually includes the possible consequences of suffering a budget cut, and any additional money
that they are requesting for their organization.
Most groups are represented by their faculty/staff advisers at these meetings, but students who
are a part of the club are also allowed to speak with the committee to make their case.
After each presentation, the floor is opened to questions from the IFC members and others in attendance. They can ask anything they like concerning the budget, the requests, and the possible effect of any cuts. Usually the questions concern the importance of particular items requested
through additional money since not every item can be granted.
The Journal attended the meeting on Jan. 26, 2015, that saw presentations from Athletics, Student
Access and Disability Services, and Student Media (full discloser, student media funds The Journal).
Student Access presented first asking for enough money to hire an extra full time translator for
students with difficulty communicating.
Athletics asked for more financial support from IFC for traveling teams and keeping Western compliant with NCAA regulations.
Student media focused on funding for replacing old technology within KWOU and The Journal. After the speeches and question sessions were completed the meeting was adjourned.
The session of IFC held on Jan. 26 was the last session where clubs were able to make their arguments,
and now the committee looks to preliminary decisions and then the final vote. However, students
can still make an impact on the final call.
After the meeting, Forner encouraged all students with an interest in the budget to attend the
two open committee hearings.
These sessions will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the Summit Room, and Monday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pacific Room, which are located in the WUC.
Both are open to the public, including students and community members, giving both groups a chance to ask questions and show support for their favorite clubs and activities. Individuals who wish to present are offered 3 minutes, and groups are offered 5.
For more information, visit wou.edu/wp/ifc or contact Adela Aguilar, IFC secretary, at guilara@wou.edu or 503-838-8303. Committee hearings are at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 and Thursday, Feb. 9 in the Pacific Room.
Thefts Increase Sharply on Western’s Campus
By JACK ARMSTRONG News Editor
The campus community at Western has been experiencing a recent rise in reported thefts.
The Public Safety Office issued a campus-wide email earlier in the week detailing some basic measures that students can take to ensure that they are not the victims of theft. Students should always try to keep belongings on their person at all times; items like backpacks, purses, phones, and gym bags are easy targets when left unattended.
Both students and faculty with assigned offices are encouraged to close and lock the door while not in the office; even stepping out for a minute can be enough time for a potential thief to snatch belongings.
Drivers are asked to make sure that car doors are locked when parking for the day, and always leave any valuables in the trunk or out of site so they are not catching the eyes of a passerby.
One of the biggest issues on campus in recent terms has been the increased theft of bicycles. Public Safety recommends that riders should purchase a U-Lock like a Kryptonite if possible, as these types of locks are much more difficult for thieves to remove. Remember to always lock both the front wheel and the frame to the structure to avoid a thief simply removing the front wheel and taking the frame.
If students must leave belongings somewhere, Public Safety suggests looking into renting a locker. There are many buildings across campus that have lockers available for rent to students. The Health and Wellness Center has both term and day use lockers available for gym goers looking to keep their items safe during workouts. Day use lockers in HWC are secured with personal locks supplied by the student.
The most important tool in theft prevention, however, is common sense.
If students must stand up from a table or leave belongings in a class room momentarily, it is suggested that they ask peers to keep watch. When leaving bags and backpacks at the bookstore entrance, keep as much reasonable eye contact with them as possible, and as always, students are asked to report any
suspicious activity to Campus Safety or the Police
Sexual misconduct survey aims to gauge campus social environment
By JACK ARMSTRONG News Editor
This coming Monday, Feb. 2, a randomly selected group of Western Oregon’s students will be surveyed via email concerning sexual misconduct on campus.
The survey is being conducted by the student affairs office at Western as a part of a school and nationwide effort to increase overall awareness and reporting of sexual assault and harassment on college campuses.
Student affairs representative Tina Fuchs hopes that the survey will give the university a better picture of the campus climate in regards to sexual safety of students. The information gathered by the survey is also intended to help local law enforcement and campus public safety protect students from being victim of sexual crimes.
According to the student handbook, sexual misconduct is defined as “non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, the attempt to have non-consensual sexual contact or the threat of such contact. Sexual contact shall be considered non-consensual if no clear consent is freely given.”
Western’s campus is experiencing a rise in reports of sexual misconduct, but Fuchs says that much of this escalation is not directly tied to more crimes occurring on campus. Much of the increase is due to the new systems on campus for reporting the crimes.
Anonymous Report Forms provided by programs such as Abby’s House and Green Dot in combination with extended awareness of mental health services available at the Student Health and Counseling Center
have all lead to more incidents being reported.
The survey is limited to a random selection of students, but Fuchs said students are already
inundated with email surveys from other groups on campus.
Students who do not receive the survey but have experienced sexual violence or intimidation of any kind are strongly encouraged to seek university support in reporting the crimes.
Fuchs stressed that Western Oregon is committed to providing a safe learning environment and eradicating sexual misconduct on campus. Every student is a part of the solution.
Pastega Award Nominations Now Open
By STEPHANIE BLAIR Staff Writer
Each year, three awards are presented to staff and faculty members of Western Oregon University and this spring will be no different as the 36th year that the Pastega Awards will be presented.
The Pastega Staff Excellence Award is one of the three awards given each year, the other two being the Pastega Award for Excellence in Scholarship and the Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching.
The entire process is coordinated by Western’s Human Resources Department. Nominations are given by students and community members. Then, the potential recipients are then invited to submit a portfolio exemplifying their work and are considered by a committee who pass three choices on to the university president for final selection. Finally, those who are selected are presented with the award in May. The Staff Excellence Award is given at the commencement breakfast in June.
As stated on Western’s Pastega Award webpage, in 1979 the first Scholarship Award was presented to Dr. J. Morris Johnson, a biology professor who had distinguished himself through his work cloning carrot cells.
Six years later, the awards for Teaching and Staff Excellence were created and presented to Forrest Hiner and Pat Gallagher, respectively. Last year’s recipients were Ms. Sue Thompson (Staff Excellence), Dr. David Doellinger (Scholarship), and Dr. Katherine Schmidt (Teaching).
Additionally, each recipient receives a $1,000 honorarium along with the award. This is made possible each year through the generosity of Mario Pastega and his wife, Alma, who donated $40,000 in 1997, which was then matched by the Oregon State System of Higher Education.
Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s awards. An email was sent to all students on Jan.25 with the nomination forms attached. These forms can be filled out and either delivered by hand to the Academic Affairs Office or emailed to Kathy Hill, executive assistant to the vice president for Academic Affairs, at hillk@wou.edu.
For more information, please visit https://wou.edu/president/facultysenate/pastega/
Clubs come together for social issues
By AMANDA CLARKE Staff Writer
The Criminal Justice Club and the Black Student Union will be collaborating to host “Discussing Ferguson: Lessons Learned and Underlying Social Issues” on Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Pacific Room of the Werner University Center (WUC).
“It represents all minorities,” said Dolan Kasnick, a member of the Criminal Justice Club who organized the event. “It is an uncomfortable issue; it is ugly, but it is time to have a reasonable conversation about it. But if we ignore this, who knows if we’ll see it again.”
Guest speakers include a representative from the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership, a police officer to talk about current events, a professor who was an officer during the Rodney King riots, and Dr. Dean Braa, from the Sociology department. They will be discussants at a roundtable format.
“I have some background on issues of race and ethnicity, specifically some thoughts and/or theories on racism,” Braa said. “One key issue is the history/evolution of predominantly Black communities as part of metropolitan areas”
The event will talk about historically similar events such as the Rodney King riots, and will speak about what can be learned from the past as well as what steps can be taken now.
It will cover various issues that caused the events that the United States is currently experiencing, such as Ferguson and other riots.
“Lots of questions, but not so many answers,” Braa said. “How is it that Ferguson evolved into a mostly Black suburb? Is residential segregation part of the problem in race relations? Why has the predominant Black population of Ferguson not taken control of city government? Will this happen in the future? How do
we connect issues of race and class in understanding problems in communities like Ferguson?”
The purpose of the event is to hopefully reach a conclusion and learn from the past events in American History.
There will be a table in WUC Thursday and Friday as well as Monday and Tuesday regarding the event.
The event is free and open to all students, faculty and guests.
For more information,
contact Dolan Kasnick at
dkasnick11@wou.edu
Monmouth Momiji open for business
By KATRINA PENAFLOR Campus Life Editor
The much anticipated sushi restaurant, Momiji, finally opened its doors last Friday, Jan. 16.
Momiji already holds a popular location in Salem, but the new restaurant, located on the corner of West Main Street and Monmouth Avenue, is the ideal spot for students.
“You don’t have to drive far,” said Shauna Fansler, an education major.
Much of the buzz amongst students can be credited to Momiji’s active presence on Facebook and Instagram.
Jeff Berneski, the manager of Momiji, has been the force behind the strong social media presence. He actively posts photos of sushi dishes and video updates about the restaurant and credits a lot of the anticipation to the timing and content of the posts.
“You have to know when to post,” he said, “[and] what will grab people’s attention.”
And the “people’s attention” has definitely been grabbed, with lines forming out the door. The overall consensus: the food and atmosphere are a hit.
“Best decision Monmouth ever made,” said Jessica Esparza, an English and psychology major.
Students trying Momiji for the first time said the service is fast, friendly, and efficient. And if fortunate enough to be seated at the bar, you can watch the sushi be made right in front of you.
“As a junior, I’ve waited three years for a sushi restaurant to open in Monmouth,” said Janessa Rook, a communication studies major. “I could not be happier.”
The menu suits a large variety of tastes, with options for fresh sushi rolls, tempura dishes, bento boxes, crepes and more.
Students who have never had sushi, or are perhaps hesitant, are encouraged to come in and give it a try. Berneski is confident he can form a roll to suit someone’s individual tastes, and the menu is diverse enough to have something for everyone.
Lunch specials are also available, with combo choices of select rolls, salad and soup for $8.95.
Aside from the regular sit-down dining experience, customers will also be able to call ahead and order meals to go: a convenience that is always helpful for students.
Jeff says the restaurant is excited to show students and the community their great food and service.
“Come in and be ready to have some of the best sushi you have ever tasted,” Berneski said.
For restaurant hours and more information head to over Momiji’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Momijimonmouth, check out their Instagram @momijimonmouth, or call 503- 837-0111.
ASWOU presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
By KATRINA PENAFLOR Campus Life Editor
The Associated Students of Western Oregon University organized a performance of the cult hit “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6p.m.
The movie adaption centers on the couple Janet Weiss and Brad Major, famously played by actors Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. The two stumble upon the mysterious mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and are immediately thrust into a world of transvestites, human creations, and of course, music.
Fans of the live performance know the production to be a wild and interactive good time. Full of music, dancing, sexual innuendos, and the tradition of throwing things at the stage. Prop bags were available to buy for $2 each. They were filled with cards, glow sticks, and more to throw and wear during the show.
Tony Young, the emcee for the evening and actor of the character Dr. Scott, got the crowd riled up and ready for the show. He welcomed all Rocky Horror “virgins” to come forward and participate in several saucy and hilarious activities. From a duel ended Slim Jim eating contest to “how many sex positions can you reenact in 30 seconds,” the emcee made sure all new-comers were laughing, comfortable, and ready for the show to begin.
Tony even facilitated a faux wedding between audience members Janessa Rook and Felice Lilly.
The performers were a group called The Denton Delinquents from the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver, Wash. They donned classic Rocky Horror costumes and acted simultaneously with the movie playing in the background.
The audience was included throughout the whole performance. Actors, while singing and dancing along to the movie, would sing and connect with audience members while performing.
“It’s really interactive,” said early education major, Tianna Flannery.
Playing cards and glow sticks were among some of the items thrown and used during the performance, all playing along with the tradition of the show. People also donned newspapers on their heads during the rain scene of the film. The emcee encouraged people to shout “slut” and “asshole” when the characters named
Janet Weiss and Brad Major were mentioned.
During the famous Time Warp song, the crowd all stood up and danced along with the performers.
The show was outrageous and fun. Die hard Rocky Horror fans were impressed and first time viewers enjoyed the lively show. ASL interpreting major, Gabriela Guzman, said the show was, “very enjoyable, unless you are conservative.”
Lilly, a public relations and graphic design major, loved having the opportunity to attend Rocky Horror on campus.
“I think it’s really great to have a student organization who can bring a show like this to the university,” Lilly said.
Facebook-like program brings campus together
By ALLISON OPSON-
CLEMENT
News Editor
Beginning this term, students have access to OrgSync, a system coordinating clubs and organizations on campus, including a comprehensive calendar.
According to Kara Kelsey, ASWOU’s director of clubs and organizations, the goal is to get everything centralized.
“Its value is providing student leaders and student organization members with a new more interactive way to communicate with members and other student leaders through a one-stop platform,” said Ekpeju E-Nunu of Student Leadership and Activities (SLA).
All the information is in one place, including an events calendar. Events can be approved through the system, without the organizers needing to run around to different offices any more.
“We really want people to get into this, but we realize that technology can be confusing,” said Caitlin Bracken, ASWOU’s director of public relations. If students need help, they can ask ASWOU, or the Office of Student Leadership and Activities.
“Any time your implement a new system, there’s going to be growing pains,” said Megan Habermann, assistant director for SLA but added, “Students are already utilizing OrgSync in a lot of ways.”
The more they use it, she said, the more they’ll get used to it, and come to love it.
According to E-Nunu, the system works by letting each student organization create their own individualized portal to communicate with members, talk with smaller committees, set tasks for these groups, and even work on smaller projects. OrgSync also enables students to create a way to publicize their events to a campus wide calendar and also advertise their social media sites.
“It’s like a bigger, better, all-encompassing Facebook, if it was only for Western,” explained Bracken. “We want it to be a one-stop-shop where you can instantly find something.”
Bracken said that OrgSync is the way to make everything really easy and streamlined for students. She considers the program to be pretty user-friendly.
“It’s only going to be great if we can get people to use it,” Bracken said. “Our hope is that, if we put everything on OrgSync, then students will go there.”
There are polls and news feeds, as well as a place to ask questions, and forums for discussion. Plus Team applications are already available on OrgSync.
“It’s good advertising too,” Kelsey said. Students can look at clubs on campus, and request to join them. According to Bracken, because everyone uses posters, students may develop poster blindness.
Bracken said that her ultimate vision is to make OrgSync a place that is everyone’s first thought of where to go to learn more about things on campus. She added that they want feedback, and to hear people’s opinions, because then they can make changes and keep improving the OrgSync system.
According to Habermann, the process of acquiring the program began last year. Together, ASWOU and SLA asked the IFC committee for the total cost, about $26,000, she said, for three years’ use of OrgSync.
That cost will need to be paid again to continue usage, but ASWOU and SLA have started factoring that cost into their budgets, so they won’t be asking for that full amount from IFC every three years.
Habermann stressed that setting up a profile to get started literally takes two minutes, and it’s an easy first step to take to getting more connected to campus. OrgSync can be found in students’ Portals.
“The more people that use OrgSync, the better and better it will get,” said Bracken. “It’s such a good investment for our students.”
‘Perfect storm’ incapacitates campus computer network
By ALLISON OPSON-CLEMENT News Editor
Western’s network was down from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, because of a router overload due to increased traffic, partly because of an external hacking attempt; the campus system was restored by University Computing Services (UCS) workers, and diagnostics are ongoing.
“There’s a whole bunch of ‘don’t know’ right now,” Bill Kernan, director of University Computing Services, said, adding that he and UCS are taking a forensic look into what happened.
The focus was on getting Western’s computers going again. Kernan said his entire team worked continuously, not stopping for lunch at all, and stayed clear until the end: many left only at 9 p.m. that night, after almost twelve hours of non-stop work.
The network interruption was noted at 9:30 a.m., and Kernan and his team were contacted.
They spent the next hour troubleshooting.
“The typical issues weren’t there,” Kernan said.
He started calling in help from off-site backup. By the end, UCS was on the phone with, off and on, up to three engineers simultaneously, all coordinating and working on the problem.
“I got as many resources thrown at it as I could,” Kernan said.
He called what happened a “perfect storm.” Two things happened nearly simultaneously, but either one alone could have been sufficient to bring down the network, because both resulted in traffic flow beyond what the main router on campus has had to deal with before.
He said it was like two fire hoses of information: the streams were too strong, even alone, but together, it was tremendous.
Increased usage overwhelmed the router. In addition to the increase of normal traffic, it also had net flow logs which were running. These help in diagnostics for determining the types and amounts of usage when that can help UCS.
“It’s not like we did something new recently,” he said. “Net flow shouldn’t have done this to us.” The whole network had been stable up until this incident, but in this case, the net flow logs happened to be the tipping point on the scales.
The other thing that happened was that the main host server for the campus system experienced an attack from external sources. The hackers’ IP addresses were traced back to computers in China.
“They used the server as a launching pad for an attack against the network,” Kernan said. The attacks took the router down via the compromised host server. He called this a malicious compromise of the system, a directed denial of service attack.
No data was compromised, Kernan said. Only the one server was affected, and it is currently out commission.
Kernan said they made the choice to get campus back up and running. The system was restored to operation by temporarily taking it out from behind the protective firewall. This was done with fewer than half of the most important of the 22 campus networks, and only between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Without the fire wall, there was less stress on the router, and service resumed. During the time the fire wall was down, UCS decided that it was necessary to temporarily function without the net flow logs, and removed those to keep the system operational.
At 8 p.m. the system was returned behind the firewall. There were no ill effects of operating without the firewall, Kernan said, partly because it was such a short time frame.
UCS also attempted to reintegrate the compromised server, but within the two minutes that it was on, it was the target of 430,000 attacks. It is currently off the system.
Western’s system is up and running. A forensic investigation is taking place, according to Kernan, but this is only secondary to keeping the campus computer network functioning.
“It was a complicated problem,” Kernan said. He will be posting more details on his blog in the next couple of days as they learn more.
For more information as it becomes available, visit wou.edu/wp/underthehood
Western Oregon staff member performs in “Dr. Dolittle”
BY JENNIFER HALLEY CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
For this weekend only, Salem’s community theatre, Pentacle Theatre, is presenting the musical “Dr. Dolittle,” at Central High School in Independence.
Patrick Moser, interim director of Werner University Center, is one of the performers.
The play is designated as a fundraiser for Pentacle, and according to Moser, all proceeds go to the theatre itself and its future productions.
“Dr. Dolittle” is an extra production by Pentacle and is produced with a limited set. It is based off the books by Hugh Lofting, as well as the Fox movies, starring Eddie Murphy.
The production starts Friday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m., with two performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9. A final matinee will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10.
Students Share Their Talents through Karaoke
BY AMANDA CLARKE STAFF WRITER
Open-Mic Night was held in the Willamette Room of the Werner University Center by the Student Activities Board on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.
Members of the audience volunteered and sang karaoke songs.
“It gives students a break and a chance to get their talents out,” said Kara Kelsey, a member of the SAB.
There was a wide variety of music, including Spanish songs, songs by the Beach Boys and “Happy Birthday,” which was performed for one of the audience members.
“I really like to get the audience involved,” SAB Small Programs Coordinator Kevin Alejandrez said, who participated in the karaoke and let the audience pick the song he sang.
Members of Kappa Delta Chi also performed.
The next Open Mic Night will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Veteran Success Center supports ex-military students
BY ALLISON OPSON CLEMENT NEWS EDITOR
The Veteran Success Center helps college students who’ve served in the military connect to each other and find resources they need.
It offers a space for the variety of presentations and meetings it hosts, as well as a hang-out area.
The center opened its own location in the Werner University Center earlier this year, and is growing as a resource to student veterans.
“There does need to be something out there for student veterans,” said Veterans Coordinator Kyle Rodgers. “College is hard for anybody.”
With the added challenges vets face re-entering academia, it’s important that they have somewhere to turn when they need help, he explained.
A 2012 study by the Colorado Workforce Development Council estimates that 3 percent of student veterans graduate from university; 88 percent drop out within their first year.
Rodgers says that those numbers may not an entirely accurate reflection of current trends, at Western in particular, but noted that such reports can highlight a major problem that needs to be addressed.
“Some of the stuff is pretty minor,” Rodgers said of the challenges student veterans have to deal with. “But then, some of the stuff is pretty serious.”
Cody Knight, veteran liaison, said that the age and experience gap between traditional students fresh out of high school and military veterans can create a huge divide.
The Veteran Success Center helps people navigate their GI Bill benefits gaps and caveats, which may have a significant impact on the ability of a veteran to continue their education.
Student veterans are supposed to have a full ride to college, and yet their drop-out rates are consistently above average, in some cases by a wide margin.
By and large, Rodgers said, the GI Bill is still a big advantage, but negotiating through it takes some work.
“All that stuff kind of compounds,” Rodgers said. The center can help bridge the gap to success. There are hundreds of programs to support veterans, and he can tell them where to look.
Drop in support groups and other meetings are held on Tuesday. Along with Rodgers, two work study students are paid by the VA. All three are veterans.
According to Knight, more people are coming in this term, now that news of the Veteran Success Center on campus is spreading.
Rodgers’ role focuses on the recruitment to and retention of veterans at Western. Students who are connected to campus are more successful academically, and are less likely to leave. Rodgers says he tries to put on at least one program every week or every other week.
One presenter helps with resumes; another helps with financial planning.
“Even though you’re 22, 23, and expected to know all this, you don’t,” Rodgers said.
In addition to helping individual veterans, if many people have the same problem or idea, Rodgers can help them get together and make it actionable.
“We can then bring a collective voice to ASWOU or the administration,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers said that it is important to get the Veteran Success Center and the people it supports involved in the community.
They helped with the Toys for Tots drive, and Rodgers said that he is trying to raise more awareness this term; for fall, he said, it was a learning curve figuring out what works to get veterans’ attention.
“We bring our collective knowledge here to help each other,” said Dolan Kasnick, the third member of the center’s team. The center is intended to help get ex-military students better connected to campus, and help them succeed in their time here.
Having the center also helps out the rest of campus, said Rodgers, because it frees up the registrar’s office from veterans’ questions, which helps streamline their process more, and they may be able to provide more assistance.
Veterans should come to the center, first, even before approaching the Registrar’s office.
Western’s Veteran Success Center is also home to an affiliated chapter of the national Student Veterans of America (SVA), which is dedicated to providing help to ex-military members, for graduation and beyond.
This allows the center to offer SVA-exclusive scholarships and additional opportunities to Western’s student veterans. Western’s SVA chapter has about 40 members.
“It’s nice to be able to come in here to talk to other guys who know what you’re talking about,” Knight said.
Kasnick said the goal is to collaborate to help today’s veteran students, and also to enrich the life of future returning military service members at Western.
“It’s that whole thing of not having to go it alone,” Rodgers said. “It’s nice to at least know where resources are.”
The Veteran Success Center is located in room 108 of the WUC.
WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361
503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593