Mount Hood

House bill pushes for inclusivity on college campuses

By: Zoë Strickland
Managing Editor

On April 26, members of the Oregon House of Representatives passed a cultural competency bill which seeks to promote cultural competency at public universities and community colleges. The bill passed in a 45-15 vote, and has moved on to be viewed by the Senate.

According to the most recent amended version of the bill, cultural competency refers to the “understanding of how institutions and individuals can respond respectfully and effectively to people from all cultures, economic statuses, language backgrounds, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions, genders, gender identifications, sexual orientations, veteran statuses and other characteristics in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth, and preserves the dignity, of individuals, families and communities.”

Should the bill pass, public universities and community colleges will be required to establish committees that oversee the promotion of inclusivity on campuses, as well as set goals to ensure that inclusivity standards are met.

“The University is monitoring HB 2864, the “cultural competency” bill, to see if it makes it out of the Oregon Senate and if so, what requirements it might contain. At this juncture, it does not require a committee, but a “process” for cultural competency standards. Legislation is certainly not required for WOU to uphold its core values, including diversity, inclusion and respect,” said Ryan Hagemann, Vice President and General Counsel for Western, in a statement.

One of the other ways that the bill attempts to promote inclusivity on college campuses is by requiring that faculty, staff and administration all receive cultural competency training. Though Western has inclusivity programs that faculty and staff can attend, such as Safe Zone Ally Training and classes put on by human resources, they aren’t mandatory.

In a news release from the Oregon House of Democrats posted by KTVZ, the chief co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, D-Woodburn, said that she is “hopeful that this bill will help our students feel safe, welcomed, and included in our schools.” The bill moved to the Senate on April 27.

Western’s campus is already home to a Diversity Committee, which seeks to emphasize “diversity as a matter of institutional priority and an integral component of academic success,” as well as multiple clubs such as Triangle Alliance, the Multicultural Student Union and MECHa, which help to promote inclusivity on campus. To learn more about diversity and inclusion on Western’s campus, visit wou.edu/diversity.

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu

Don’t overlook mental health

By: Zoe Strickland
Managing Editor

Statistics show that the number of college students struggling with mental health has been steadily on the rise for the past few years. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and is devoted to educating the public on how mental health plays a role in everyone’s lives.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “1 in 5 Americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime.”

The number of college students that are seeking help for mental health has been growing exponentially; this increase is prevalent on Western’s campus, “counseling services provided 4,554 mental health appointments to WOU students in 2016 – 2017 … an increase of about 1,000 contacts from the previous year. Some of the reasons for the increase in mental health contacts can include an increase in our counseling staff; presenting information on SHCC services to students, staff, and faculty; students experiencing less stigma to access mental health counseling services; and improved treatments for mental health issues,” said Jaime M. Silva, the clinic director for Western’s Student Health and Counseling Center.

“Mental health issues are a leading impediment to academic success among college students. Untreated mental illness in the college student population — including depression, anxiety and eating disorders — is associated with lower GPA and higher probability of dropping out of school,” states activeminds.org.

Though mental health issues usually result in decreased academic and professional performance, many students still aren’t seeking help for their mental health. A 2015 report done by the American College Health Association stated that, of students who are struggling with their mental health, two-thirds won’t seek treatment.

It’s not a secret that it’s important to maintain positive mental health; so why aren’t students actively seeking help?

Though Western’s SHCC offers confidential counseling for students who are registered in more than six credits or have paid the university health fee, some students who struggle with mental health haven’t gone to SHCC for counseling.

“As a transfer, the resources available on campus were not explicitly shared, because of this I was not aware of my options and went straight to my primary care provider for the short time I had one,” said Linzy Griffin, senior education major.

An anonymous student who went to the Student Health and Counseling Center during their first year, but hasn’t been back since then stated that “The counselor that I was seeing was a student counselor … but I could only see the counselor once a week for a certain amount of weeks and with that time frame, I don’t feel that it gave me enough time to get to and through my issues. I was only truly able to getting comfortable by the last session and then we had to end it all.”

The SHCC offers a myriad of different counseling services, such as crisis, alcohol and drug, group and couples counseling. They also hold workshops and support groups that vary from term to term; this term’s group is described on the website as being for “those who are in recovery from an eating disorder and those who are contemplating disordered eating behaviors.”

SHCC will soon be moving into a new building that’s located on the main drag of campus. The new Student Health and Counseling Center will have “more exam rooms for medical services and more counseling offices to increase our mental health counseling staff,” said Silva.

Seeking professional help for mental health is important; current culture also promotes the use of non-professional ways of de-stressing and taking time to oneself. When asked what alternate ways they have of coping and relieving mental stress, both students responded differently.

“I began smoking, and drinking in response to stress,” said Griffin. “Now, I use a planner, and schedule reminders in my phone. When planning ahead, I always include a block of time for myself, as a reward each week.”

“I like to take mental days to myself. If I have had a really bad stress day that has just been building up and has finally boiled over, I like to take a day just to myself and not go to classes and to call out of work for a sick day (mental health is just as important as bodily health). I do this only if I know it won’t stress me out more to miss that day in class,” said the anonymous student.

When asked what Western could do to improve their resources for students struggling with mental health, the anonymous student said that “online support would be helpful especially for students that are crazy busy or who feel that going into some place would cause them more anxiety.”

Students who are interested in scheduling a counseling appointment or learning more about the SHCC can call 503-838-8396 or stop by the counseling center which is located between Church St. and the F Lot. If a student is in immediate distress, they should contact the counseling center or Campus Public Safety at 503-838-9000.

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu.

With student loans comes great responsibility

By: Jade Rayner
News Editor

As spring term nears the halfway point, many students have begun to receive their financial aid packages for the 2017-2018 school year. However, it isn’t too late for those who still need to fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or search for student loans.

A financial aid package also brings with it a plethora of decisions that need to be made, most of which revolve around the decision to take out student loans or not, as well as how to manage them.

Students that don’t already have loans, but may be looking to take one out in the future, have a number of options available to them.

Romeo Lopez Gonzalez, one of Western’s two bilingual financial aid counselors, laid out what students need to know when searching for student loans; anyone seeking loans for school need to know that they must be repaid, and that students should only borrow the amount they need.

Lopez Gonzalez also says that, “it is important to understand the types of federal loans offered.”

For those eligible to receive federal direct subsidized stafford loans, “the federal government pays your interest while you’re in school at least half-time and for some loans, during grace periods and periods of deferment. You must have ‘need’ to qualify for the subsidized loan,” he explains.

The other type of federal loan is a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which is made available “to students who do not qualify for ‘need’ based Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, or who are not eligible for the full Federal Direct Subsidized Loan amount. The amount of the loan cannot be more than the difference between the cost of attendance and any financial assistance you will receive from the school and any outside source (including the subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan). Interest accrues on the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan while you are in school and during the six-month grace period before repayment begins.”

Additionally, students have options outside of federal loans.

“Students considering a private loan should research private loan options carefully to see which loan is right for them. Although WOU does not recommend any particular lender, we have developed a worksheet with questions to consider when shopping for an alternative student loan,” added Lopez Gonzalez.

The worksheet noted above can be found on Western’s financial aid website.

Those who are already using loans to pay for college have both the opportunity and responsibility to keep track of what they owe and who their loans are being serviced by.

The National Student Loan Data System is an online resource where students can track their federal loan information. Information on private educational loans will not show up on the NSLDS. Students will need to contact their private lender individually to access that information.

In response to the Jan. 2017 lawsuits filed against Navient, the nation’s largest student loan servicer, USA Today presented suggestions for those already using student loans to assist with paying for college.

First of all, students should know who their loan servicer is.

“It’s not always the same company that lent you money in the first place,” stated Teddy Nykiel. “Since 2010, the U.S. Department of Education has been the direct lender for all federal student loans, but it contracts with private, third-party companies, including Navient, to handle loan servicing. Prior to 2010, private banks, including Sallie Mae, lent federally guaranteed student loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program.”

Students who are unsure of who their federal loan servicer is can find out by logging into their account on the federal student aid website, the same site where the FAFSA can be filled out.

Nykiel also recommends that borrowers keep track of their credit score for errors, and to be familiar with all of their loan repayment options.

Western’s financial aid office, located in room 310 of the Administration Building, offers a variety of services.

“We are available to meet with students to discuss financial aid packages, scholarship opportunities and how to pay for college,” explained Lopez Gonzalez. “We also help students navigate Federal Student Aid websites … we offer scholarship workshops, FAFSA filing events, and outreach to high schools. We do not recommend any particular private educational lender.”

For more information got to wou.edu/finaid. Students can make appointments with financial aid counselors by logging onto their portal and going to the WCS tab.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

National March for Science takes Corvallis

By: Justin Oehler
Staff Writer

On April 22, scientists, science enthusiasts and self-proclaimed nerds gathered all over the world to raise awareness of the attack on science. Though this was early spring with rain clouds in the sky, more people turned out than the organizers expected. According to Kelby Hahn, one of the event organizers for the march in Corvallis, 500 to 1,000 people were expected which is what the event’s permit was for. However, well over 2,000 adults, children and dogs turned out, surpassing even the wildest estimations of the organizers.

Speakers such as Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber and Benton County Commissioner Anne Schuster, called for the crowd to continue the support of science and real facts, not the “alternative facts” that have recently plagued national news.

Mayor Traber said, “beliefs do not equal fact.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the march. He also called out deniers of science, saying that, “you cannot question scientific facts. They are facts for a reason.”

Commissioner Schuster took a more personal route, telling the story of how she first fell in love with science in her father’s greenhouse. She went on to say, “science has informed all that I do.”

Attendees’ ages were fairly mixed: from young children who could barely walk to older folks who used canes. However, there was a small number of college-aged students in attendance.

Jocelyn Chavez, an anthropology major from Western attended. When asked why she chose to come to the event, she explained that, “normally, this would be a fun social event to mingle with other members of the science community; however, with the actions of the current administration push against science and facts this has turned it to an important event to gain attention for the cause.”

When push comes to shove, scientists and science lovers, alike, come up with many interesting signs and slogans. A chant that elicited giggles of joy from marchers every time it was said was, “What do we want? Science! When do we want it? After peer review!” This helped to enforce the lightheartedness of the march.

Another sign displayed a more comic side of one the marchers describing his idea for the next presidential candidate: “Darwin 2020: Gradual change we can believe in.”

Others were more pointed towards President Donald Trump. One artist made a painting of a large Trump-head breathing fire onto a sad, lone polar bear atop a small floating iceberg. Another attendee even called to, “make America think again.”

The March for Science was coordinated with the help of the City of Corvallis and the Corvallis Police Department. The event was entirely peaceful; no arrests and no property damage occurred.

Contact the author at joehler12@wou.edu

Zika virus threatens the Americas

By: Jenna Beresheim
News Editor

In May 2015, the first Zika virus infection in Brazil was confirmed, and since has spread to most of South America and Mexico.

Before this confirmation, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that the Zika virus was commonly found in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

The Zika virus is spread through mosquito bites and leads to symptoms such as fevers, joint pains, rashes, and red eyes.

Due to the transmissible nature of this virus the CDC has issued a Level 2 travel alert for individuals traveling to countries that may contain the virus. A Level 2 travel alert encourages travelers to practice enhanced precautions and understand the risks of traveling to certain countries for various reasons.

The virus will typically pass from an individual’s blood within a few days and rarely results in death or hospitalization. There is currently no vaccine for the Zika virus and those infected are urged to prevent further mosquito bites to spread the virus, as well as to rest and remain hydrated until it passes. The virus remains contagious in the bloodstream for up to a week.

Pregnant mothers that become infected with the virus risk their infant being born with a severe birth defect known as microcephaly. This defect results in a much smaller head than an average infant’s, often affecting the brain as a result.

Women who are currently pregnant or hoping to become pregnant soon are encouraged to stay out of areas with known cases of the Zika virus.

National Public Radio (NPR) reports that Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Jamaica have advised that women hold off on getting pregnant. El Salvador went as far as to urge women to hold back on having children until 2018.

Salvadoran law currently prohibits and criminalizes all abortion, on any grounds. However, the stance may be shifting in light of the Zika virus affecting newborns.

This may lead to more mothers finding their own methods of abortion, with the risk of serving time if caught.
“[The result would be] more clandestine abortions and a higher number of women being sent to jail,” predicts Angela Rivas, a Salvadoran abortion rights activist as reported by NPR.

Individuals are encouraged to wear long sleeves and pants as well as to stay in places that are air-conditioned and prepared to keep mosquitoes out with screened windows and doors. Apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent and never spray repellent directly onto the skin beneath clothing.

If travelling to countries with known cases of Zika virus, invest in mosquito netting for sleeping areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency meeting on Monday, Feb. 1 to discuss what needs to be done to combat the virus that is rapidly spreading through the Americas.

“The people in these countries deserve the protection of the international community and the World Health Organization,” stated Lawrence Gostin, director of Georgetown’s O’Neill Institute, in a JAMA editorial.

According to Sylvain Aldighieri of the Pan American Health Organization with USA Today, the Americas could see three to four million infections a year.

“WHO officials want to make sure that nations don’t take inappropriate steps to limit travel or trade because of the virus,” stated Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general of the WHO. “During the Ebola outbreak, many countries closed their borders, which harmed the fragile economies of West Africa.”

Buckle up and keep your eyes ahead

By: Zoe Strickland
Managing Editor

April is the fourth annual Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving in Oregon has been declared an “epidemic” by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Distracted driving involves driving while your attention is diverted elsewhere, and includes but is not limited to: eating or drinking, talking or texting and using navigation devices.

As society makes strides in advancing technology and things like navigation devices become more of a driving staple, the temptation to drive while otherwise engaged can become more enticing. When a person takes their eyes off of the road for a mere five seconds while driving 55 miles per hour, they travel the length of a football field without looking at the road.

Though a distracted driver may only take their eyes off of the road for a short five seconds, a study done by the American Automobile Association Foundation suggests that “distraction ‘latency’ lasts an average of 27 seconds, meaning that, even after drivers put down the phone or stop fiddling with the navigation system, drivers aren’t fully engaged with the driving task.”

“During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cellphones while driving,” reported the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The regular use of cellphones has drastically increased the number of accident-related deaths. End Distracted Driving reported that since 2014, there has been a 14 percent increase in car accident fatalities, which is the largest increase in the past 53 years.

Despite laws against it, “at least every 3 hours someone in Oregon is injured by distracted driving behavior,” reports the ODOT website.

As a state law, Oregon prohibits the use of cellphones while operating a vehicle; except in cases of an emergency. The fine for breaking this law is $142.

Though April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, practicing safe driving habits year-round is essential to the safety of everyone on the road. To learn more about distracted driving and how to help prevent it, visit distracteddriving.gov.

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu

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