Mount Hood

Western’s food pantry educates about food insecurity

Photo by Paul F. Davis

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

The minds of Western Oregon University students are often occupied with upcoming exams, social events and balancing various responsibilities. But for more than half of Western students, food insecurity is also on that list.

Food insecurity, as defined by the USDA, is “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” A 2016 USDA report stated that 16 percent of households, nearly one in six, experienced food insecurity between 2013-2015. This number is much higher among college students.

Food insecurity has tremendous negative effects on the body. According to oregonhunger.org, food insecurity is linked to obesity in children and adults, reduced brain activity and often leads to higher risks of chronic health issues.

In addition to its harmful impact on physical health, food insecurity can also affect academic achievement in individuals of all ages. A 2014 study, a group effort project done by various Western professors, a Benton County Health Service employee and an Oregon State University professor, found that students facing food insecurity are more likely to have a lower GPA than those who do not. This issue can have negative effects on an individual’s ability to graduate and reach their career aspirations later in life.

The Western Oregon University Food Pantry is one of eight food pantries that serves Polk County residents. Located in the Academic Programs and Support Center, the pantry aims to provide nutritious food to the Monmouth community from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Food Pantry Director Ashley Biles wants to support students that may be facing food insecurity.

“It’s a very prevalent issue … it’s a very large percentage of students. You’re not alone. There’s a lot of people going through this, and we’re here to support you.”

The Food Pantry holds various events throughout the year to educate the community about food insecurity and available resources. A passive display on Oct. 16 informed students about World Food Day and hunger, and a Pumpkins for People event in the Werner University Center on Oct. 24 traded pumpkins for monetary or non-perishable food items for the pantry.

Biles encourages students and community members to visit the pantry if they are experiencing food insecurity.

“It’s all confidential,” Biles explained. “Some food pantries you have to give your name or identification. But in our food pantry, you can come in and pick that food that you need or want, weigh it, and then answer a few questions, so it’s all confidential.”

For questions about the food pantry or becoming a volunteer, contact foodpantryvolunteers@wou.edu.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Bike theft rages through campus

Photo by Paul F. Davis
Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Many Western students are utilizing bicycles this fall to ride to class, complete errands or enjoy the last remnants of sunshine before the rain takes over. But for many students, the ongoing issue of bike theft on campus leaves them without their only mode of transportation.

Seven campus bike thefts have been recorded since the beginning of fall term, an unusually high number according to Public Safety Office Manager Angela Barry and Public Safety Officer Jessica Roberts. They have tips for students and staff on keeping bikes safe and reducing the number of bike thefts.

First, it’s wise to register the bike with Public Safety. Any individual that will be bringing a bike on campus can take it to the Public Safety office where they will note the serial number of the bicycle and put a registration tag on it. Registration is completely free, and the serial number of the bike will go into the law enforcement data system.

“The biggest thing is trying to identify who it belongs to,” explained Roberts. “We’ll see a hundred bikes out there and have no way to figure out who the owner is. It gives you that identification piece and if it does get stolen, then it’s easier to locate the owner.”

Second, report the bike theft immediately both on and off campus. Bicycles that are stolen on campus can be taken off campus, so it would be wise to notify the Monmouth Police Department of the theft in addition to Public Safety.

Lastly, keep the bike in a safe area. This includes properly locking it to a bike rack, even for short periods of time. Barry and Roberts suggest investing in a sturdy, metal lock instead of the easily-broken plastic type.

If individuals are concerned about leaving bikes unattended, university housing allows students to keep the bikes inside a residence hall room as long as it doesn’t pose a fire hazard.

Bike lockers are also an option. Located near APSC, ITC, Bellamy Hall and the old education building, bike lockers provide a safe and reliable alternative to bike racks.

Roberts notes, “basically theft comes down to a crime of opportunity; people will see bikes unlocked or easily accessible and it becomes an issue.”

Public Safety is open 24/7 for bicycle registration or reports of theft.

 

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Free birth control, STD testing offered at Student Health and Counseling Center

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

The CCare program, also known as Oregon Contraceptive Care, returns to Western to offer its services to students free of charge.

The program provides free birth control services, emergency contraception, Pap smears, STD testing and health education and counseling to qualifying individuals.

To qualify for the CCare program, a person must live in Oregon, be a lawful permanent resident, have a Social Security Number and meet the income requirements found on the Oregon Health Authority website. Individuals must reapply for the program on an annual basis to continue receiving its services. Benefits from the CCare program are completely free for qualifying students.

Various birth control methods are available for students to choose the what’s best for them. Options include pills, condoms, the Depo-Provera shot, a subdermal implant, spermicide and diaphragms. Staff are also hoping to add the contraceptive ring to that list soon. The program provides a one-year supply of birth control.

Services not covered by CCare include treatment for bladder infections, pregnancy testing and treatment for STDs, but these services are offered at the Student Health and Counseling Center for a fee.

Individuals that do not meet the qualifications for the CCare program are still able to receive all of the resources that the SHCC provides, and a fee will be charged to the student’s account.

SHCC Administrative Assistant Trisha Guy wants to encourage students to take advantage of the new program.

“It’s important to everybody to sign up for it that’s eligible. I can’t think of a reason why somebody wouldn’t want it,” said Guy. “Consider it carefully before you turn it down because it’s no cost to you whatsoever and I can’t see a downside to having it… Even if you’re not sure or don’t need it now, there’s nothing wrong with signing up for it now in case you need it later.”

The Student Health and Counseling Center is not the only clinic that offers CCare programs; various centers such as Polk County Public Health, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette and Marion County Health Department also offer the CCare program. Students enrolled in the program on Western’s campus can also receive services from other CCare providers.

Call the Student Health and Counseling Center at 503-838-8313 for more information on the Contraceptive Care program.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Western women’s soccer relinquishes wins

Zoë Strickland | Managing Editor

On Oct. 19 and 21, the Wolves’s women’s soccer team played one game on the road and one at home — neither ended favorably for the Wolves.

The team headed to Portland, Oregon on Oct. 19 to face Concordia University, currently ranked second in the GNAC. Concordia got the win in the second half, beating Western 3-0.

The first half of the game was left a stalemate, with Western’s defense stealing the show and blocking repeated goal attempts by the Cavaliers. Western sophomore goalie Caitlin Kastelic aided the Wolves with four blocks in the first half. The score was 0-0 going into the second half.

Seven minutes into the latter half of the game, Concordia sophomore midfielder Gabrielle Ewing put the team on the board with a goal. The rest of the game saw goals by Concordia junior forward Maddie Misi and defensive player Makenzee Cleveland.

On Oct. 21, Saint Martin’s headed to the Western soccer field for a ‘think pink’ game. The game ended with the Wolves losing 1-2 in overtime.

The game had a promising start — junior midfielder Dacia Alexander put the Wolves on the scoreboard with a goal in the opening two minutes of the game. Alexander had three additional shots throughout the course of the game, all of which were blocked by Saint Martin’s.

A goal at the end of the second half by Saint Martin’s senior midfielder Dulce Armas leveled the score 2-2, resulting in overtime.

Three minutes into overtime, Saint Martin’s junior midfielder Amber Burbridge scored the winning goal for the team.

These losses place Western eighth in the GNAC, with a conference score of 1-7-2.

The Wolves are playing their last two games of the season next week; they head to Washington on Oct. 26 to play against Seattle Pacific, and close out the season at home with an Oct. 28 game against Simon Fraser.

 

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu

Walking to fight suicide

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

On Oct. 14, thousands gathered at the Riverfront Park in Salem for the Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk’s mission was to raise awareness and support individuals affected by suicide.

According to the AFSP’s website, suicide claims more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined, and through early detection and treatment of mental health conditions, many suicides can be prevented.

Through sponsorships and fundraising, the AFSP is able to fund scientific research, offer public educational programs about suicide prevention and promote legislation that impacts suicide prevention.

The community walks are quickly gaining momentum: since the first walks in 2004, the number of participants has increased by nearly 240,000 individuals.

People walked for family members, loved ones, children and siblings. Signs and t-shirts were made that displayed those lost to suicide. Individuals that had personally struggled with suicide took part in the community walk. It was a powerful display of strength and hope for a better future.

Tori Edwards-Zartman is a senior at Western and attended her second Out of the Darkness Walk in Portland on Oct. 7.

“These walks are so impactful because people are able to be honest about their losses and personal struggle, which so many people are afraid to talk about,” Edwards-Zartman said. “They have a place you can bring pictures, posters and letters of loved ones who have died by suicide and when you walk through it and see all the different people that have been affected, it makes you want to get involved and make a difference.”

“All the money the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention raises from the walks goes to great resources and programs on college campuses, in high schools, and funding support groups that advocate for those who struggle with suicide,” she continued. “I think that it is an incredible experience and that if you are unsure about attending one, you would not regret going.”

 

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

New exhibit showcases the power of literacy

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Positioned on the third floor of Hamersly library is a new and powerful exhibit titled “In The Picture, Revisited.” This gallery, created by Dr. Hank Bersani and Dr. Chloe Hughes, and updated by Hughes, analyzes the representation of ableism in children’s literature.

Ableism is a form of discrimination which favors able-bodied individuals. The exhibit investigates how characters with disabilities are portrayed in Caldecott-Medal-winning children’s books.

According to the exhibit, the examples of ableism showcased in illustration books may have a deep impact on the way children view disability in society. Characters that have a disability are often treated as weak and inferior, or they are physically separated from those without disabilities.

In the book “Rapunzel,” by Paul O. Zelinsky, the once handsome prince loses his eyesight and is considered “wretched” from then on. Language such as “dumb-struck,” “deaf as a post” and “blind as a bat” are used in children’s literature; and the illustration book “So You Want To Be President” ignores Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s paralysis entirely.

The exhibit asks important questions when defining ableism in these books; does the book ignore people with disabilities? Are characters with disabilities portrayed as three-dimensional people? Does the book promote positive self-image for people with disabilities?

Hughes is quoted in this exhibit, stating, “Literacy is agency in our society. Literacy has the power to transform who we are, what we believe and how we cope with our ever-changing world. We all need to find texts with which we can identify, and we all need to find our voice through written expression. Without authentic literacy experiences, people with disabilities will continue to be unheard, marginalized, and treated inequitably. We cannot afford to perpetuate such discrimination.”

Visit “In The Picture, Revisited” to learn tools for further investigating disability and ableism.

 

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

A day of support and empowerment

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

The Associated Students of Western Oregon University and Stonewall Center teamed up on Oct. 11 to host a rainbow-filled, empowering National Coming Out Day celebration.

National Coming Out Day is a day for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community to embrace their gender identity and sexual orientation. It’s also a day to recognize the power and bravery in the coming out process. Oct. 11 marks the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights that took place 29 years ago.

While the day has historically been celebrated within the Stonewall Center, its love and support spread to the second floor of the Werner University Center this year.

“This year we wanted to create more visibility for people who might not know what the Stonewall Center is or don’t know where to find it,” commented ASWOU Public Relations Director Sophie Gilbert. “We want more visibility for National Coming Out Day as a whole, as well as ASWOU and the Stonewall Center.”

Empowering coming out stories were written on a closet door. Individuals labeled nametags to embrace their identity and share it with others, and colorful hearts and pens were available for loving letters to friends.

Sam Fennell, Stonewall Coordinator, explained, “National Coming Out Day is really special because the coming out process is ongoing. It never ends for a gay person because you’re straight until proven gay. So, it’s a day where people get to embrace that coming out step.”

When asked why National Coming Out Day is important, Fennell replied, “I didn’t actually know it was a thing until last year and it’s probably my favorite day of the year now. Just to see the community come together and we all support each other… And, no matter what, we all share a similar feeling of having to step out of that closet. So, it’s a great day for everyone to embrace each other and embrace everything we’ve all gone through together.”

Gilbert added, “National Coming Out Day is an empowering day for people in the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their own identities and taking the step to announce their identity to people they love and care about. It’s a day to just be proud of who you are.”

Visit the Stonewall Center on the first floor of the Werner University Center for more information about the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

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