Mount Hood

Many of the renovations in Independence are a part of the Independence Vision 2040 Plan which is based around the community’s ideas and desires

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor

Western students may have noticed the increase in construction and development currently changing the landscape in Monmouth’s neighboring city of Independence. Some of the renovations include apartment complexes, a new youth center and the Independence Hotel, which was just opened to the public last Thursday, Oct. 10. Many of these renovations came to be because of the Independence 2020 Vision plan, a plan developed by both the local government and the community to revitalize downtown Independence. Now that these goals have been or are in the process of being accomplished, the Independence Department of Economic Development has set its sights on starting the next chapter — the Independence Vision 2040 Plan. 

“Independence is growing. The Oregonian back in May published a story that said we were the fourth fastest-growing city in Oregon since 2010,” said Independence’s Economic Development Director, Shawn Irvine. “The cities faster than us were Bend, Happy Valley and Wilsonville, so kind of cities you would expect, and then there’s Independence.” 

Irvine said this growth can be attributed to the fact that “we’ve done a lot in the past 10-20 years to revitalize the community and make it a place people want to be, and that appears to be working.” 

In fact, the Independence Vision 2040 Plan marks the third time that the Department of Economic Development has sought community input on future renovations. 

“As far back as 1996, folks were worried that Independence was going in the wrong direction, so they took a year and went out, got everybody involved and just said ‘what’s working and what’s not working’ and ‘where do you want Independence to be in 20 years and what do we have to do to get there?’”

In the ‘90s, Independence was known as a “blue-collar, rough-and-tumble town where everybody went to drink,” Irvine explained. “It’s funny, because as we evolve, we don’t want to lose that and become all hoity-toity.” At the same time, safety was a huge concern. Independence locals wanted their town to be “vibrant,” so they realized they had changes that needed to be made. 

Now, almost 30 years later and after around 560 surveys were completed, the Independence Vision 2040 Plan focuses on new concerns. 

“Folks still want the town oriented around the river, but they want more recreation around the river and more trails … we’re hearing more about … concerns about making sure that housing stays affordable, concerns about the people in our community who are less able to care for themselves … and increased interest in healthy living and lifestyles,” said Irvine, who also noted concerns for Independence’s characteristically young population.

Now, Irvine said, “I’m going to take it on the road and basically go to every local group and community organization and get in front of them to talk about this,” and asserted that, “it’s better to go out into the community and have the community tell the government what needs to happen, because then we can take our guidance and figure out how to implement that vision … and it makes it a whole lot easier to work with the community, to find partners, (and) to get people excited about it.”

For more information, visit http://www.independence2040.org/.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Independence’s Department of Economic Development 

Interested in broadening your horizons and making lasting connections? Consider the Conversation Partner Program.

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor

How does one form community when they are on a foreign campus miles away from home? The conversation partners program at Western seeks to provide a solution by connecting international and domestic students together. 

Currently, the international students of Western represent approximately 2.5% of the campus community. For their first term living at Western, they are automatically enrolled in the conversation partner’s program. Director of International Student Academic Support and Linguistics Professor, Dr. Troyer, described the program as, “a wealth of information for international students.”

It works like this: domestic students either volunteer independently or participate as a part of certain classes to become partners with an international student or two. Students are paired together based on their schedules and interests and once paired, they meet on a weekly basis to discuss anything of particular relevance, from music taste to language-learning skills to events happening on campus or in the surrounding valley. The goal, according to Dr. Troyer, “is cultural connection … broadening your worldview and connecting with people, finding out why they are here, what their motivation is.” 

The program was established in 2007 and was much smaller then, almost doubling in size since its conception. However, the international student population has dwindled. Dr. Troyer cited “economic changes (and) U.S policy and immigration issues” as reasons, even mentioning gun violence as a consideration. 

Despite this, Dr. Troyer asserts that the conversation partner program is still making positive changes in student’s lives, recalling one particular student who “had always lived in Oregon and towards the end of her freshman year had heard about the conversation partner program, signed up, and … completely changed her college and career trajectory … (she) went to China to teach … and is now working on her masters in TESOL at UofO.” 

On a smaller scale, Dr. Troyer remembers a time where he went to Sing Fey’s — a local downtown Chinese eatery — and observed “a table with four girls talking and laughing, and it turned out they had all met through conversation partners.” Troyer said, “That’s the kind of thing that makes it worthwhile.”

Students interested in signing up to be a conversation partner can do so by visiting wou.edu/westernhowl/ and clicking on the link for more information.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Western has a new mobile app letting students carry campus with them wherever they go; plans for a future more advanced app are underway

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor

Through the new MyWOU mobile app, Western’s students now have a way to carry campus with them wherever they go. As of now, approximately 1,200 students have downloaded the app, with 990 of them using the app through iOS and the rest through Android.

Director of University Computing Solutions Bill Kernan, and Web, Mobile and Systems Programmer Tony Manso are two of the people responsible for cultivating and modifying the app to give it that “Western look.”

“The idea actually started maybe 2 and a half years ago … Elucian, the provider of Banner, approached Western, Southern, Eastern and OIT and asked if we were interested in a mobile app and I said ‘we are,’” Kernan said.

MyWOU functions much like portal — students can find all of the information on portal built into the app but Kernan said, “the current portal isn’t responsive, so we are in the initial planning stages for portal 3.0 … MyWOU isn’t ever going to be a replacement for portal, but will hopefully work in a similar fashion.” 

However, unlike portal, MyWOU is customizable, more accessible for daily use and has a few unique features currently in development. 

One “cool feature is College Scheduler … (a) mobile app to do planning with. You can put your schedule in and then say ‘I want to take these types of classes’ and then it will fill it all out so you can use that when you apply for classes,” Kernan commented. That will be linked into the MyWOU app within the coming months. 

“We also have the campus map,” Manso added, “since it’s running on a mobile device, the device has GPS capability, so we could actually do things according to your location on campus, so as soon as somebody comes up with a reason to do that, we will probably have that functionality on the app.” This function could serve to give students information about events being held in different buildings on campus, or interesting fun facts about the art and architecture of Western. It’s like Pokemon Go, but for learning about the campus.

The biggest feature that has already been implemented, however, is notifications. 

“It’s really hard to get ahold of students because it seems like the current generation of traditional students that are in college don’t use email much anymore, they use social media more,” Kernan said, “we’re thinking this is one more communication tool to get information out to students in a timely manner, such as reminders that it’s time to see your advisors.”

However,  MyWOU is still in its early stages of development. 

“We’re hoping it can be a tool for success,” Kernan said, but “if students have feedback about the usability or additional functionality they’d like to see … we’ll take it to that subcommittee in UTAC and we can go from there.”

Manso concurred, “there’s a lot of possibilities … once the students get ahold of it, we need to learn from them, what they want to see it do and let them define it from there.”

For students interested in providing feedback, contact Tony Manso at monsot@wou.edu.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Sage Kiernan-Sherrow

The Government proposes amending current SNAP eligibility; Oregonians and students may feel the effects.

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor

Under the Trump administration, the Food and Nutrition Service department — a subset of the U.S Department of Agriculture — proposed a revision of the categorical eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on July 24. The proposal called for stricter criteria when determining eligibility as well as a nationwide program consistency. It would eradicate “a loophole that allows states to make participants receiving minimal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits automatically eligible to participate in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” according to the USDA website, and is portrayed as a system that will heretofore ensure universal fairness. 

This proposal would have a particularly strong effect on Oregonians as Oregon is the fifth state with the highest number of SNAP recipients. In 2017, 16% of Oregon’s population was reported to be on food stamps; that accounts for 681,000 individuals, of which 55% of participants are in families with children, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’s website. Under the proposal, an estimated 35,000 families would be losing their benefits in the state of Oregon. 

This affects students at Western, too. Bilingual Advocate Outreach Coordinator and Supervisor of the Food Pantry, Lisette Servantes, as well as two of the Coordinators from the Food Pantry, Josh Salisbury and Rachel Bayly discussed food insecurity on campus and how this new proposal might affect Western’s students. 

The Food Pantry is a free resource dedicated to alleviating food insecurity on campus. 

Servantes stated, “food insecurity happens at every college and we see that need … some students are missing meals to pay for books or classes. We definitely don’t want that to happen.” Of Western’s student population, Bayly had mentioned that “monthly we average around 900 visits and 350 people … if you break it down to students specifically, about 60% of people coming in are students, so about 200 people per month.”  

However, Servantes also wanted to highlight some of the positive changes made within the Western community to address and provide assistance to those suffering from food insecurity including “a new student voucher program” where if “Western students come have a quick conversation with (her) just to assess their needs and determine if it’s more of a long-term or short-term solution that we need to find … (students) are able to get a $25 certificate to Waremart or WOU Dining.” In addition to that, there is a “new student criteria where if students go meet with the DHS representative … and state their specific intentions and career goals … that waives their student criteria, (making) it easier for students to get approved for SNAP benefits.”

As a parting thought, Salisbury commented, “In our country for college students, we expect them to sacrifice a lot to go to college in terms of time, money, and energy — you shouldn’t have to add your nutritional health to that list. I think that even if our country as a whole doesn’t support our college students as a whole that doesn’t mean that we can’t try to make a difference on our campus.” 

 

Food Pantry hours and information: wou.edu/foodpantry

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Sage Kiernan-Sherrow

“Zones” are a new parking strategy created by public safety in response to affordability concerns.

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor

Many changes have been made to Western’s campus, including a new parking system that has left Western’s students with mixed opinions.

The director of Campus Public Safety, Rebecca Chiles, released an email on Sept. 17 which introduced Western students to a newly-established parking system. Under this new system, students will be required to buy parking permits as they have been in the past, except this time there is more than one permit option. The system is based around parking zones, with  “Zone 1” — zones with higher demand — or “Zone 2 — which are zones with lower demand — representing the type of permits that students can choose from. 

Students wanting to park in higher demand Zone 1 areas will pay $150 dollars for a resident permit, a considerably higher rate than those who prefer lower demand Zone 2 areas, with their permits costing half the price at $60. Non-resident permits for “Zone 1” will cost $125, with “Zone 2” permits remaining $60. New parking rules also include free parking between the hours of 6 pm-6am, making campus events more accessible for all students. 

The email cites affordability and community solidarity as reasons behind the change. Campus Public Safety was put in charge of parking just last year, according to Rebecca Chiles, who asserted that she was charged by President Fuller with coming up with a new strategy that would prioritize “affordability for our students.” 

After attending multiple conferences including a “parking and transportation summit at OSU in March” and “talking to other universities,” Chiles stated that they were forced to accept that Western was “in the dark ages” in terms of how they were executing parking. 

Regarding the process of approval for the now newly-implemented system, Chiles said that there is “a parking review committee… (with) students on that committee,” and that they “presented the whole entire concept to them with maps and zones and layouts … and it was unanimously accepted.” 

Despite approval from the committee, Chiles cited that there have been some “growing pains” and acknowledged that there has been some lashback from students, particularly regarding accessibility. To set matters to rest, Chiles admitted that, “maybe (she had) not done a good enough job talking about disabled parking,” and wanted to clarify that, “anyone who has a state-issued government placard … can buy the cheapest permit and be able to park in any of the zones on campus.”

Chiles also expressed some frustration that there is an overall lack of understanding of the system, despite the university’s and Campus Public Safety’s best efforts to keep students informed. 

“We added a new thing on Portal this year where, to get your permit, you have to click that you have read the rules and regulations,” said Chiles, who also mentioned a brochure attached to the permit with the same information that she says often gets ignored. “We wish people would educate themselves with the materials that we have provided for them.” 

The consequences of ignoring such information can be huge, Chiles stressed. “You can get a citation… if you get enough citations, your car can get booted.” However, Chiles also encouraged students to know their rights and “take part in the appeal process” should they “believe something (has) happened unfairly.”

In the future, Chiles divulges that she would like to see the use of pay-stations on campus. She believes they would be helpful in cutting down the time spent on getting “permits for every single visitor” in a large group, something that they have to do every day. 

For the full Q&A, visit wou.edu/westernhowl

 

To read the full parking rules and regulations, refer to https://wou.edu/safety/parking-services/parking-brochure/. 

To contact Parking Services, call 503-838-8267.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy

Students may have noticed that former student involvement and outreach program Orgsync was replaced by WOU:Engage. Here’s what happened:

 

Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor

Fall term has ushered in many changes for the students of Western. One such change began over the summer when the student engagement portal formerly referred to as “Orgsync” was disbanded after the company was bought out by CampusLabs. Following the disbandment, a new portal deemed “WOU:Engage” has replaced Orgsync as the main mode of relaying information regarding clubs and organizations on campus. 

Students are encouraged to use WOU:Engage to “find out where club meetings are, events, updated info on clubs and organizations,” explained Megan Habermann, who is the associate director for Student Engagement. However, she noted that “it’s different (from Orgsync) in the fact that it’s a lot simpler and because it’s simpler,” adding that “it does things … more efficiently.” 

One of the previously popular features of Orgsync was the blog designed to help students connect with one another regarding subjects like finding a roommate. Habermann assures that this feature still exists and is now being called a “news post.” Students wishing to make one of these posts can find more information on WOU:Engage by following the “latest news” category and then clicking on “classified ad.” 

The function of the WOU:Engage is almost identical to the original but, as Habermann points out, there are a few unique differences. One of the primary differences is an app called CORQ which is situated within WOU:Engage which allows students to make events open to the general public should they choose to. Another difference is the ability to use filters and keywords to get more precise search results; entering in the keyword “free food” will show students every event with a free food component. Lastly, WOU:Engage boasts a “really robust form system” that Habermann remarked will become an asset to clubs and organizations as “future execs will have access to (any form created) because it will attach to your organization,” adding that there’s “no more starting from scratch.” Despite these positive changes, Habermann says that Student Engagement “appreciates feedback” regarding the site, as it is still in its early stages. To contact Student Engagement, email seoofc@wou.edu.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Tucky’s food truck review

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

Tucky’s Southern Kitchen and Pantry is a food truck located across the street from City Hall in Monmouth. It’s owned by chef Brian Etienne, who opened the food truck here in early 2019.

Etienne initially wanted to create a brick and mortar style eatery that would be located in a refurbished gas station, but decided to put the idea on the back burner in order to branch out. He began doing catering along with focusing on wineries and craft breweries, however felt he was still lacking a connection to his own food.

Etienne decided to set up Tucky’s in Monmouth after moving here in December 2018. Monmouth itself houses many different small businesses that are supported wholly by the town’s locals, which is one of the things he loved about the town. 

“I’m a city boy by nature but have always held a place in my heart for country living, simpler things and that storybook small town. I felt Monmouth was that town,” Etienne said.

Tucky’s is a food truck that sells southern style comfort food that is made to “warm the heart and feed the soul,” according to their website’s philosophy statement. According to Etienne, their signature dish is all around their fried chicken ⏤  which you can get on its own, in a sandwich or combined with the mac & cheese bowls.

For first time customers, Etienne recommends both the Crazy Rooster Sandwich and the Mac & Cheese. The Crazy Rooster is a unique take on classic southern fried chicken, thrown together into a sandwich with a “light and bright” slaw and house made pickles. The Mac & Cheese is made with a gluten-free cheese sauce that’s rich and creamy. In the future, completely gluten-free mac & cheese will be available.

Tucky’s offers a secret menu that gets posted only to their Instagram, however Etienne prefers for the secret menu items to be passed around through people, saying that it’s more fun that way. A previous item they had on this menu was the Wolf Pack Attack, which is a 10” tall burger made with grilled mac & cheese buns, meatloaf, barbeque, pulled pork, sweet onion jam, sriracha pimento cheese, fried chicken skins and house pickles served with a five cheese dipping sauce. Currently, there’s no new secret menu items, but he hopes to have some more in the near future.

Along with serving food, Tucky’s also gives back to the community through drives and small things for customers. Right now, they offer a Redemption Card program that allows customers to get discounts on their food. In addition, Tucky’s will also be doing a Food for Food program where customers will get a discount on their meal in exchange for donating non-perishable foods that will be donated to Western’s Food Pantry. 

“I am all about giving back to my community,” Etienne said. “We always post on social media our current goals or drives we create to give back.”

Tucky’s can be found on Instagram with the handle @tuckyskitchen, on Facebook and on their website tuckyskitchen.com. The business is open Monday–Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. while supplies last.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photos by Cora McClain

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