Mount Hood

Celebrating culture and identity

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Multicultural Student Union, one of the longest running clubs on Western’s campus, demonstrated their mission of promoting diversity and cultural awareness through their most recent event, Out and Proud.

The weeklong celebration focused on informing people about the LGBTQ community and opening up discussions on the topic. Gabbie Acevedo-Solis, sophomore and Social Membership Director of MSU, explained that the club aims to be as inclusive as possible.

“When we plan our events, we try to focus not specifically on one certain group,” Acevedo-Solis commented. “We try to be very inclusive, and we are a multicultural organization … Really, Out and Proud is not only to recognize the LGBTQ community, but specifically people of color within that community. We want to recognize their achievements and success and also educate people.”

Events for the week included a Queer People of Color student panel, a formal dinner with keynote speaker Mia Vargas and educational presentations on LGBTQ topics.

A presentation led by Stonewall Coordinator Sam Fennel and ASWOU Director of Public Relations Sophie Gilbert focused on providing definitions for terms like queer, intersex, cisgender and transgender. This was an opportunity for students to ask questions about sexual and gender identities that they might not feel comfortable doing otherwise.

A term that can cause confusion is “queer.” Once used as a slur, the term queer has been reclaimed by many in the LGBTQ community to refer to anyone whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is not standard in society. Gilbert explained that she identifies as queer, noting, “To me, queer means that I don’t require gender to play into who I’m attracted to or who I’d romantically be interested in.”

Fennel commented on the importance of non-queer individuals in the community. “We’re not separate. We’re all people and we all work together. LGBTQQIAAP, that long entire acronym, it has an “A” for allies. Those are our straight allies … I cannot accomplish what I accomplish without my straight allies.”

The Queer People of Color Panel consisted of six Western students that identify within the LGBTQ community as people of color. Questions were asked about coming out stories, religion playing a part in their background and the representation of LGBTQ individuals in the media.

An audience member asked the panel if their identity as a queer person clashed with their identity as a person of color. Senior Shanna Thomas replied, “I think the hardest part for me is when I’m constantly wanting to fight for my black community and I want awareness on police brutality and young black boys constantly being murdered, but yet my black community isn’t speaking up about black trans women who are constantly being murdered … When you are a black person and you also have another minority identity on top of that, it’s even worse. We need to start focusing on those other minority groups in the black community … I want my black family to recognize that their black sisters who are trans are getting murdered every day, and if they’re not going to speak up for them, who is?”

Acevedo-Solis encourages everyone to attend future MSU events. “We don’t limit our events to just people of color. It’s open to everybody. Everybody is welcome, no matter who you are or where you come from. It’s a way for them to understand and get to know about other cultures. It gives a space for people to get to know people and learn more and educate themselves.”

Search Multicultural Student Union on OrgSync for more information regarding upcoming events.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Flower sculpture springs to life in front of education center

Katelynn Bliven | Freelancer

Seemingly out of nowhere, large metal flowers have blossomed to life in front of the Richard Woodcock Education Center. The artwork, titled “Growth”, was the result of an Oregon Arts Commission program to provide high quality, accessible and permanent art in public spaces.

While many students are delighted and intrigued by this latest addition to Western’s outdoor art collection, some are very confused by their spontaneous appearance.

“It’s very cool, I really like the design they made,” said Stephen D. “I don’t know why they’re there, but it doesn’t surprise me because there are a lot of outdoor sculptures around campus.”

Mike Elliot, Western’s construction manager, helped clear up some of the confusion surrounding the sculpture. Elliot explained that it was the result of a program that began in 1975 called Percent for Art. According to the Oregon Arts Commission website, all state building construction plans in Oregon with budgets over $100,000 must set aside no less than 1 percent of their funds for public art. This is why, nearly a year a half after the official opening of the Richard Woodcock Education Center, the artwork seemed to spring up from nowhere.

The theme of “Growth” was decided by the Oregon Arts Commission. After much discussion, the commission decided on the flowers. “Because it was an education building, it needed to speak to growth,” said Elliot.

Once artwork is submitted, the committee then chooses the artist that best represents the initial idea with their concept and design. With the theme of flowers in mind, project manager Kate Ali selected from a state roster of artists that might be interested in creating the piece. For this piece, the Oregon Arts Committee chose Washington artist, Paul Sorey.

Sorey has experience with public works of art. His portfolio consists of “Salmon Waves,” located at the Ballard Locks in Seattle, Washington and “Flow & Flower” at Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Washington. Many of his previous pieces share a common theme — growth and change.

When asked, several students gave their thoughts on the newest campus monument. Senior Marie B. commented on the aesthetic of the sculpture, “They look cool and modern, especially when the LED lights are on.” “Growth” glows a blue and purple color at night, which makes this latest addition stand out against the other outdoor art on campus.

Junior Susie R. exclaims, “I love it, especially at night. I would love to see more of this around campus.”

Other pieces that came to Western as a result of this program include the stone sculpture in front of Rice Auditorium titled “Oregon Rivers” by Thomas Rudd and the tapestry that hangs in Hamersly Library titled “Soliloquy” by Shelley Socolofsky.

Contact the author at kbliven14@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Art as a metaphor for life

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

What humans leave behind can tell a story of their lives. It can impact future generations, either positively or negatively, for years to come. Senior Eric Frey captured this concept in a multi-media sculpture displayed behind Bellamy Hall named “Wreckreational Fishing.”

Frey, an art major focusing in 3D design, was approached by Western professor Dr. Henry Hughes to design a piece centered around an old rusted motor from the 1940s. The sculpture features a small boat, River Wolf, in front of a silhouette of the Cascades. The river bed on which the boat lies has a tangle of fishing line, beer bottles, old clothes and shoes, as well as a soccer ball.

Frey described his childhood days on the river with his stepdad as inspiration for this piece. “For me, it was really looking at fishing in general and how fishing relates to life. So the inspiration was — how do you make an impactful statement about fishing and life? So I went back to my days as a kid.”

Most of the debris featured in the piece was taken from the Clackamas River that Frey frequented as a child. “All kinds of stuff gets left on the river,” Frey commented. “And going back to when I was a kid, all this junk gets left behind by fishermen. And as recreational fishermen, that’s our responsibility to keep the areas clean … I’ve got kids who are probably soon going to have kids of their own, and I’d like my grandkids to be able to go out fishing and not have a polluted landscape to go to.”

Along with the important environmental message of this piece, an underlying meaning was revealed. “The piece kind of evolved into a metaphor for life,” Frey explained. “The stuff that we leave behind kind of junks up our life, and the longer you live, the more junk you acquire … if you leave things alone, things just kind of decay.”

The plaque next to the sculpture reads, “As you look through this piece, think of what your forgot; think of what you have left behind, both memories and items. What will you do to conserve natural areas so that future generations can go fishing with family and friends? … What legacy do you leave for them? It need not be wreckreactional fishing.”

Visit the sculpture behind Bellamy Hall and view more of Frey’s work in the Werner University Center gallery beginning Feb. 22.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

New developments revealed in annual State of the Cities Address

Byron Kimball | Freelancer

On Feb. 7, community members, city council representatives and members of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce came together in Smith Music Hall. Details about new city developments and 2017 milestones were revealed during this year’s State of Cities Address.

Among these new developments coming to Monmouth and Independence? A plan to revitalize Highway 99, changes to parking enforcement around Monmouth and a variety of new businesses in both downtown Independence and Monmouth. “We (at Western) look forward to working together with Monmouth and Independence,” said Western President Rex Fuller, who provided opening remarks.

The event, which was co-sponsored by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce and ASWOU, was presented by Independence mayor John McArdle and Monmouth mayor Steve Milligan.

For both mayors, 2017 was a year full of accomplishments and milestones. The high turnout for events during the August Solar Eclipse was cited by both mayors as a strong sign of renewed tourist interest in both cities.

McArdle unveiled a new renovation initiative, charged with reviving downtown Independence. “We want a place that feels like home,” he explained.

New renovations for the Independence airport are planned as well as an extensive urban renewal project. Independence Station and the old city hall were both recently sold to developers, who plan on leasing the newly acquired space to tenants. One of whom may be an independent brewery, though McArdle’s remarks on the subject were brief.

He cited new business growth, including a chocolatier, which was said to open Feb. 10 according to McArdle. He also expressed plans for Independence to become a new training zone for World Track and Field, bringing in new business and faces. A new strategic plan for the city was also announced, one which McArdle hopes will help boost economic and technological development in the city. “We’re helping Independence become a smarter rural city,” said McArdle.

Though mayor Steve Milligan claimed more modest growth in Monmouth over the course of 2017 and coming into 2018, he remained hopeful that Monmouth would grow strong over the coming years. A new Monmouth Electric building is planned, as well as additional street renovations.

But one of the more shocking changes to Monmouth city policy in 2018 just might have to do with parking. Milligan, along with President Fuller, expressed a wish to revisit downtown parking enforcement, deterring unpermitted Western parking at independent businesses.

Two new cannabis businesses are moving into Monmouth, a move which required Monmouth city council to revise legislation in order to allow both businesses to come in. Also on the books? A Domino’s Pizza, though no opening date was declared.

Overall, Milligan emphasized his goal for the city of Monmouth: to continue to remain a reliable home for residents. “We care about everybody,” said Milligan, citing a continued effort toward last year’s addition of an ‘inclusivity resolution’, which emphasized the city of Monmouth’s commitment to support diversity.

Miriam Haugen, director of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce, explained, “We may be two cities, but we are one community.”

Contact the author at bkimball16@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Time for political action

Natalie Dean | Freelancer

Dennis Richardson, the current Oregon Secretary of State, visited Western’s campus on Jan. 30 to promote local politics and expand education around state government issues.

Secretary Richardson spoke of his own political journey starting with his work for the Central Point City Council. Richardson noted in his speech one thing that he learned during his time there, “citizens do not come into their government office unless they have to. But when people came in, it was because something was amiss and they wanted their elected official to take action. It was an opportunity for common sense and ordinances to be balanced and resolve things citizens think are important.”

He continued by pointing out that, upon running for Secretary of State, the last Republican to serve in that position was Norma Paulus, who was elected 40 years prior. The cards were stacked against him, and Richardson explained, “it was said that it couldn’t be done. My advice is to focus on the principles you stand for and not focus on a party. I tell this to republicans, to anybody who asks me how to win (an election.) Have ideas on how to solve the problems that face the people, and run on that with the dedication to do what you said you would do.”

Later in the evening, Richardson posed an important question to the crowd, “What do you want out of your life?” he asked. “When you die, people say nice things about you if they have something to say. Wouldn’t it make sense to say ‘when I leave this life, here’s what I want to be remembered for.’. I want to be known as a good man, a civil servant, an honest man, a person of integrity, a hard worker. These are all important to me, and I’m trying to live up to it, because it’s not going to happen otherwise. So, what do you want to be remembered for?”

Richardson spoke on one current Oregon issue: the foster care system.

“The time for talk has passed, the time for action is now. Those that think it’s a broken system will not be surprised,” he said. “We have auditors who have been on the job for over 10 years, and they said this was the most difficult audit they had done … But these are issues that must be addressed if we are going to change the system and serve our most vulnerable population, which are the children.”

Secretary Richardson finished the speech by answering a final question from the crowd: how can college students become involved and educated in local politics? He urged folks to vote and seek out education, to reach out to local legislators and to ask questions. He encouraged all students to be actively engaged and in turn, create the world they would want their own children to live and thrive in.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Stay updated on the Tuition Advisory Committee

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

What is the Tuition Advisory Committee?

           The Tuition Advisory Committee is a committee composed of Western students, faculty and staff that want a voice in how tuition dollars are spent. Led by President Rex Fuller and interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Jay Kenton, the open meetings encourage an honest dialogue between students and administration on budget cuts, tuition increases and effectively spending student dollars.

How can students get involved?

Students are the basis of Western. If a student has ever felt like their thoughts and opinions are not being taken in account by the administration, this is the opportunity to voice concerns. Students can give opinions on whether they’d rather see tuition and fee increases or department budget cuts to make up for a shortage of funds. Are students willing to pay more tuition dollars if that means an increase in staff salaries? Additionally, should more money be put toward fee remissions or scholarships for low-income students? These are all important decisions that the administration needs to make, and students now have an opportunity to give their opinion on how student dollars are spent.

 

Will tuition increase next year?

Tuition is expected to increase no more than five percent next year. Money that goes to funding the university comes from tuition dollars and state funding. There is expected to be a shortage of $130 million, which could lead to a tuition increase. In future Tuition Advisory Committee meetings, the administration will prepare proposals for cuts ranging from one to five percent and students can give input on the proposals.

           

When is the next meeting?

           Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. in RWEC 104. The dialogue will continue between administration and students and more information on the university budget and potential tuition increases will be discussed.

Helping Western students succeed

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Week five can be a stressful time in a college student’s life. When midterm exams, essays and projects start to pile up, the Student Success and Advising Office can be an important resource to keep on track and receive academic help.

The Student Success and Advising Office aims to support students and provide them the tools they need to be successful in their academic and career goals. One of the major services provided by the department is free peer tutoring for Western students. Every student can take advantage of these tutoring services by simply clicking the “WCS” logo on Portal and making a tutoring appointment for a current class. Tutoring through the Student Success and Advising Office is available for most humanities, linguistics and social science classes.

Tutoring Coordinator and Student Success Specialist Carly DelaBarre emphasized that the peer tutors undergo extensive training in their position. This includes teaching to multiple learning styles, multiple intelligences, and general communication skills to effectively assist students in need.

Even if students don’t require tutoring for specific classes, DelaBarre encourages everyone to seek help at the Student Success and Advising Office, “I would really love students to know that they can come in and see us if they have a 4.0,” she explained. “I want to help you. I want to make sure that your time management is solid, study habits are solid, and your classes are going well. I genuinely care about every single student that comes in here … I have students from all different grade levels and all different backgrounds come in and see me regularly, and I wish more students did that.”

Student Success Specialists like DelaBarre can help with everything from test anxiety to studying for specific learning styles. When asked what advice she would give students during midterms week, DelaBarre replied, “It’s so crucially important to manage your time well … Take care of future you by planning now for the future.”

Visit the Student Success and Advising Office in its new location, the old Student Health and Counseling Center next to the WUC, starting on Feb. 12.

For more information on the resources that the center offers, visit wou.edu/advising.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

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