Mount Hood

LGBTQ+ activist encourages honesty and bravery

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

“Find something that scares you just a little tiny bit, do that thing, and then repeat steps one and two. And pretty soon you’ll find yourself doing extraordinary things.” This advice was just a small portion of the empowering and genuine speech given by LGBTQ+ rights activist and founder of United Equality Consulting, Shannon Scott.

Scott visited Western to discuss topics including her own personal life story, actions individuals can take to create a more trans-affirming space and her struggles and triumphs in life as a transgender woman.

Born and raised on a ranch in Montana, Scott struggled throughout her teenage years and near 12 years in the United States military with her gender identity. She noted that once she decided to take the first step in being honest with herself about her identity, she was moving in a direction of authenticity.

“For each terrifying step I took, I felt a little bit more complete,” Scott explained. “After years of lying to the world around me about who I was, I was able to finally set down that burden of lies and replace it with the ease of honesty.”

Scott began her work in human rights advocacy after moving to Portland in 2011. She started volunteering with the Human Rights Campaign, the “largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization” according to hrc.org. Now as a member of the Board of Governors, Scott is responsible for planning Human Rights Campaign activities in Portland. Additionally, Scott founded United Equity Consulting, an organization that provides LGTBQ+ education and training for companies and their employees.

Three pieces of advice were given by Scott to support the LGBTQ+ community in schools and workplaces: first, she advised everyone to add their pronouns to the signature line of their email, as this demonstrates personal and organizational support of diversity and inclusion; second, Scott noted the importance of having a safe location where everybody can go to the bathroom, emphasizing inclusion for all, not only transgender-identifying individuals; and, third, she advised that students and employees find out if there’s a written transgender inclusion policy at their school, work, or other organizations that the student is involved in.

Sam Fennell, Stonewall Center coordinator on Western’s campus, described the importance of having Scott tell her story for students.

“Shannon Scott was a crucial person to bring to campus because of the representation she brought,” Fennell explained. “Her story is one of hundreds of stories of transgender people who have faced discrimination because of their identities …  For a lot of people struggling with their identity and how to overcome similar obstacles, seeing someone who has accomplished so much gives them the drive and support to continue being their true authentic selves.”

Scott closed the speech with a request from the audience of students: “I want you to see yourself and everybody in here as exactly what you are,” she encouraged. “You are the leaders of equality. You are the agents of change. And together, you will lead this organization into the future.”

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

 

Western students to aid in natural disaster relief

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

For students that wish to make a meaningful impact by serving others, travel nationally or internationally and experience life outside of their comfort zone: Western’s Alternative Break program may be a great place to start.

The Alternative Break program, organized by the Service Learning and Career Development center, allows students to spend winter, spring and summer breaks serving others. This community service may be achieved regionally, nationally or internationally and aids in a wide variety of issues including working with children in impoverished areas, community beautification projects and animal conservation.

Two Alternative Break teams are preparing to aid in natural disaster relief efforts during spring break. A group of six students and two advisors are traveling to Houston, Texas to assist in community recovery from Hurricane Harvey. The other team, composed of ten students and two staff advisors, is traveling to the Columbia Gorge to help with relief from the forest fires that affected the area in fall of 2017.

“I want to help serve the Columbia Gorge community because the fires in that area were very devastating,” commented Tiffany Lewis, Alternative Break co-leader for the Oregon team. “Many people love the Columbia Gorge and I want to help restore that area in any way I can.”

All Western students are welcome to apply to be an Alternative Break team member. Students must be enrolled at Western in all terms between application and departure, and be in good academic and judicial standing.

Daisy Chavez, leading alongside Lewis, chose to get involved in this program to grow as a leader and challenge herself. Chavez has previously served on Alternative Breaks in Jamaica, Honduras and Peru.

“Being on these trips have taught me so much: new cultures, new experiences, and how to love service even more,” explained Chavez. “Service and exploring new places is something I really love, so participating in service trips really fulfills my passion for service and traveling.”

Chavez encourages students to get involved in the program and apply: “I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to do service as well as merge into a new community. Service teams have made my college experience so much better because they have helped me grow not only as a person but as a leader as well. I have also met so many great people and have created memories that will last a lifetime.”

Visit wou.edu/slcd/ab for more information on the Alternative Break program and how to apply for future service opportunities.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Alternative break program staff

 

Meet the Dean

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

How long have you been at Western?

“28 and a half years.”

 

What’s your favorite part of your job?

“The favorite part of my job is getting to know our students and I also work with an amazing staff.”

 

What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?

“I love spending time with my dogs. I like to do outdoor activities of any kind, whether it’s working in the yard or playing an organized sport or going on a walk … hanging out with friends is another, and just going on adventures.”

 

What’s your favorite movie?

“‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ That’s probably my all-time favorite movie because it’s the message in the movie that I think I can relate to and believe in.”

 

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

“I love Mexican food, I love authentic Mexican food. And there really isn’t a dish that I don’t like … If I had to choose one food within Mexican food, I’d have to choose tacos.”

What’s your secret talent?

“I can spin a basketball on my finger for an extended period of time.”

 

What’s your favorite dessert?

“Anything related to ice cream. I love ice cream and I love frozen yogurt … It’s versatile. You can eat it plain, you can add toppings to it, you can mix stuff in it.”

 

What’s one job you’d never do?

“President of the United States. I’d never go into politics.”

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Lights, camera, action: New video production club comes to Western

Byron Kimball | Freelancer

Tuesday nights at the Richard Woodcock Education Center might involve mastering a dolly or finagling with lighting — at least for students attending Film School by Q-Loop Productions.

Q-Loop, the College of Education’s video production team, opened its doors in spring 2017. Film School, run by Q-Loop production team members, began this winter.

Film School was the brainchild of sophomore Andy McDonald, who wanted to help aspiring film students at Western find a casual place to explore their interest in video production. Students who attend Film School experience anything from learning basic filming and production terminology to actually working on video projects.

McDonald is quick to stress that students of all skill levels, even those who have never really handled a camera before, are welcome to join in.

“My goal is to keep it fun. It’s never just like a class but, hopefully, you end up learning a lot,” explains McDonald. McDonald has been involved with Q-Loop since spring 2017, during the team’s initial inception. Hailing from a production background, advisor Mary Bucy describes him as “just the person we needed” to join the team.

Bucy, who spearheaded the development of the Q-Loop team in order to make use of the Richard Woodcock Education Center’s new video production lab, remains optimistic about the directions both Q-Loop and Film School are primed to take. “It’s an exciting opportunity for students and a great resource for faculty. I can’t wait to see this grow over the next year,” says Bucy.

Students who have visions of working in film after graduation ideally leave film school meetings with a deeper understanding about how the film industry works. “We’re working as though we’re in Hollywood and we’re using their sort of language,” explains McDonald. “That way, if you want to go to Film School, you’ll hopefully be able to apply those skills directly to Hollywood.”

“We have a lot of repeats that come back every week and they really enjoy being able to talk about film in a way that’s not just with the roommate,” says McDonald.

Interested students can check out Film School meetings every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in RWEC 129.

Contact the author at bkimball16@wou.edu

Photo by: wou.edu

Curriculum changes coming this fall

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Western is currently the only public university in Oregon that requires a minor for all students. However, beginning fall 2018, many students will have the opportunity to opt out of a minor while still working toward obtaining 180 credits.

This policy was proposed and approved by Faculty Senate, a representative group of faculty members who oversee the development of curriculum and strive to improve the learning environment for Western students.

The proposal for this policy change stated that required minors place a burden on many students, particularly transfer students, exploratory majors and individuals with military credit. Minors can create a barrier to graduation in four years and often result in students taking more than the required 180 credits.

Erin Baumgartner, senator and professor of biology, explained that the minor was created so that students can build a broad foundation of knowledge in multiple subject areas. But according to the policy change proposal, less than 40 percent of Western student graduates from 2013 to 2016 minored in a field that was significantly different from their major.

“The minor was no longer doing what we originally intended it to do,” commented Baumgartner.

Have no fear — minors aren’t completely going away. Instead, specific majors within departments will decide whether or not to keep a required minor for their students. Other students may choose to declare a minor if they wish. Students without a minor must still complete 180 credits for graduation, but they have more flexibility in the classes they choose to take.

“For many students, they are now going to have access to a set of credits that previously would’ve been part of a required minor,” Baumgartner explained. “A lot of students may still choose to do a minor … Now, they have a little bit more autonomy in making that choice.”

This policy change doesn’t only affect incoming freshman. All Western students have the choice to switch to the 2018 catalog year requirements by filling out a form in the registrar’s office. This may allow upperclass students to opt out of a previously required minor.

The committee hopes that this change will be positive for students.

“No one will delay their graduation because they didn’t finish minor requirements,” Faculty Senate Vice President Paul Disney remarked.

Baumgartner mentioned, “I think all of us are going to reexamine our minors and think about — What are we offering in these minors that will really be meaningful and attractive to students and really add value to their degrees? … It gives us a chance to reflect and engage in that continuous improvement that’s really important to offering the best possible programs we can.”

For more information, contact Faculty Senate President Adele Schepige at schepia@wou.edu.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Western celebrates Black History Month

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

As February comes to a close, students reflect on events that stimulated engaging conversations, provided an artistic outlet and aimed to educate the public during Black History Month.

Organized by Black Student Union, Western’s Black History Month events were a time to engage in discussion and awareness of issues within the black community at Western.

“I think, in our culture, we can be passive about marginalized communities and minorities in general,” explained BSU president Marnasha Fowlkes. “I definitely think Black History Month is needed because that continuously happens. And until we can break out of that, this is definitely a time where black culture needs to be celebrated or else oppression is going to be this continuous cycle that is super detrimental to the community.”

Events during Black History Month included a poetry slam, Don’t Touch My Hair student panel and a display in Hamersly Library. The display was an arrangement of books and DVDs contributed by BSU members that highlight black authors and additionally raise awareness regarding the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Don’t Touch My Hair panel featured six black identifying students that shared their experiences, struggles and triumphs with black hair. The panel discussed topics like natural hair versus styled hair, being treated differently because of their hair, feeling self conscious about how it’s styled and others inappropriately touching their hair without asking.

Aminna Ackridge, a second-year psychology major, explained that her hair is a way that she expresses herself. “My hair is a huge part of my identity because it is part of what makes me black and what makes me look black,” Ackridge explained. “I spend a good portion of my life dealing with my hair. Your hair is part of what makes you unique, what makes you stand out, what makes you different.”

Fowlkes encourages all individuals, not just those who identify as black, to attend upcoming BSU meetings and get engaged in these conversations.

“Education is power,” Fowlkes stated. “Even though we do live in a predominantly white community, different perspectives and perceptions of the world throughout the various communities are always welcome at BSU meetings. The information is universal, whether it’s just learning and consuming that information and using it out in the world or giving your input in those discussions … We want to invite people in rather than exclude people out.”

Check out BSU meetings on Mondays at 5 p.m. in the Santiam Room of the WUC.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Rising against sexual violence

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Feb.14 was a day filled with love and cherished relationships, but it also marked the anniversary of a powerful movement called One Billion Rising. Abby’s House spent the afternoon educating Western students on this campaign to raise awareness on violence against women.

According to onebillionrising.org, one in three women in the world will be a victim of sexual or domestic violence in her lifetime. This adds up to one billion women and girls across the globe. The One Billion Rising movement began when people around the world came together to express concern and awareness of the issues that affect a large number of individuals. According to their website, One Billion Rising is the biggest initiative to end violence against women in history.  

Of the various issues that this movement addresses, Abby’s House advocates and volunteers chose three to focus on this year: refugee and migrant justice, gender-based violence and prioritizing education. They encouraged students to take action by writing one thing that they could do to further the movement on a balloon. The empowering balloons were displayed throughout the event.

Junior Kevan Maloney is an Abby’s House advocate and helped educate students on this movement. When asked why One Billion Rising is important, Maloney replied, “It’s super important because women make up half the population of the world. And almost more than half of them deal with problems like this every day. And that’s super huge because no one should have to live like that. Period.”

Volunteer advocate Jessica Lang addressed the importance of this event at Western. “It being out here and being presented like this, people who don’t want to come up and have been in these situations know that they’re supported.”

Go to onebillionrising.org or visit Abby’s House to get involved in the movement.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: onebillionrising.org

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