Mount Hood

What does OSU have that Western doesn’t?

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Reser Stadium, packed to the brim with orange and black, was full for the 2024 homecoming football game — and as a Wolf, I had no business being in the stands, but I was anyway. A friend invited me at the last minute when she scored an extra ticket and needed someone to accompany her and I volunteered, despite not knowing much about football or Oregon State University.

I was, however, shocked by the stadium’s student section, a sold-out sea of color, all moving with one another. We weren’t jammed in with them — I’m not a Beaver — but instead by a lot of former alumni, also chanting in tandem.

The game proceeded with a marching band, the school’s chamber choir and fireworks — literal fireworks — exploding over our heads after the national anthem. I was dumbfounded by the extravagance.

The massive screen to our right flashed camera shots of the crowd, students I recognized and didn’t. As an Oregonian, born and raised, a lot of my peers from high school eventually moved on to Oregon State, and, before I found Western, I expected to as well. After all, my dad went here, his dad went here — where else would I go?

There were fog machines, giveaways during breaks, two mascots, a massive cheer team and an even larger football roster. I took a photo for the two men in front of me, father and son, excited to be back at an OSU game, and looked around as other alumni recognized each other and connected again after years. And, honestly, we had a great time. The crowd was wild, the lights were blinding and the game was fun to watch.

And I thought: why aren’t Western football games like this? Or, better, why don’t they feel like this?

There’s the obvious, the sheer magnitude of OSU students and seemingly endless funding. That’s not something we can put on Western, nor the city of Monmouth for its smaller infrastructure — in turn, Western gains a lot from its close-knit feel and walkable campus, as well as the safety aspect of the school, with Monmouth being one of the safest cities in the state.

OSU’s shiny football games are well-known and televised, often discussed in the area, and especially the known rivalry games between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. If you grew up here, you’ve probably been asked: are you a Duck or a Beaver?

They’re undoubtedly entertaining and central to the OSU culture, which appears far different from our beloved Western’s — especially in regard to party culture. OSU’s rampant binge drinking standard at events is infamous and lethal.

Supposedly, OSU suffers from a lack of personal connection between not only students but professors and their classes due to class size. On top of that, it may be well-kept, but it’s not as easy to navigate or cross campus on time. I’ve also heard reports of mediocre professors, not even to mention the monstrous price tag tacked on tuition. One of my Beaver friend’s classmates recently admitted to dropping out of OSU due to the cost, something that no person should ever have to do when pursuing higher education.

It makes me feel immensely grateful for Western’s resources and high acceptance rate. I’ve been offered a lot of financial aid, as well as exceptional staff who have been nothing short of supportive and passionate. Some of my professors work two jobs — not because they need to, but because they love teaching at Western. Besides that, I love the campus, the red brick of the buildings, the squirrel epidemic and the small class sizes. I get to learn first-hand, I can communicate with professors who know my name and I get to work here, for the newspaper on campus. And, if I wanted to, I could ride a bike on campus and expect it to remain where I left it — unlike at OSU, with its theft and parking shortage problems. Oh, man, the parking over there — expensive, with poor parking services and senseless fees and parking zones.

The job opportunities at Western are endless, chasing ever-growing accessibility and promoting diversity in each department.

I adore my major in American Sign Language studies and love mentioning the program to students at other universities. That was the whole reason I came here, but it’s not the only reason I stayed. I tacked on communications as a major due to its flexibility and online class availability with the help of an advisor, finding my footing finally in my third year of college.

I once felt that Oregon State University was the only option. Western worried me; I was worried I wouldn’t make connections that last or “have fun” the way the student section did at the OSU homecoming game. But fireworks can’t cover up an insane price tag, non-learning culture or unbearable parking services, no matter how shiny.

We left at halftime, a little hazy from the extreme volume and a bit tired. I was glad to return home and to resume my classes the following week, at a college that was taking care of me as well as all of my classmates and their professors and staff. I shed my borrowed Beaver gear, handed it back to my friend and bid farewell to a school I was better off without.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu.

Domestic violence awareness

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Content Warning: This article discusses violence, abuse, and sexual assault. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month — DVAM — which was established in 1987 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It is meant to raise awareness of domestic violence, assist survivors and push services and policies to prevent abuse. Educational activities, campaigns, ceremonies, fundraisers and collaborations between charities, local governments and communities are held throughout the month. Domestic violence became more widely recognized in the United States throughout the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the feminist movement and the establishment of shelters for battered women. Domestic violence — DV — also known as intimate partner violence, is a pattern of violent behavior used by one person to gain or maintain control and authority over another in a relationship. It can happen to anybody regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Teen dating violence refers to intimate partner violence that occurs throughout adolescence. 

Approximately 16 million women and 11 million men who reported intimate relationship abuse said it started before the age of 18. 1 in 10 men in the United States has suffered contact sexual abuse, physical abuse or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, and have reported some type of domestic violence-related harm. People from marginalized groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, are more likely to experience DV. 

Some stats that shine a light on how common DV is are:  

– In the United States, 1 in every 3 women and 1 in every 4 men may experience physical abuse, sexual assault or stalking from a romantic partner at some point in their lives. 

– 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 71 men have been raped at least once in their lives, most commonly by an intimate partner. 

– In the United States, around 20 people are physically assaulted by their intimate partners every minute, resulting in over 10 million victims yearly.

– Every year, 1 in every 15 children are subjected to domestic abuse, with 90% of them witnessing it firsthand.

Further, DV is a contributing factor to homicide in America: 

  • 1 in every 5 homicide victims in the United States is murdered by an intimate partner.
  • More than half of female killings are perpetrated by a current or previous intimate partner, and this percentage increases if they are pregnant.

As domestic violence is so prevalent, raising awareness is the most important thing individuals can do. Domestic violence can take many forms. Physical violence includes acts that inflict bodily harm such as punching, slapping or choking. Harassment, threats, humiliation and ongoing criticism are examples of emotional or psychological abuse. Sexual abuse is defined as pushing or coercing someone into unwanted sexual activity. Financial abuse refers to manipulating someone’s finances to limit their freedom. Digital abuse is defined as utilizing technology to stalk, harass or take over a relationship. 

Individuals who are in abusive relationships often tend to stay within the relationship due to fear of what might happen if they leave, such as further abuse, isolation from resources such as family or friends, financial dependence they have on the abuser, uncertainties regarding child custody if they have kids and the abuser’s methods of manipulation used to control them, making leaving appear extremely difficult or even dangerous. It is believed that domestic abuse victims miss over 8 million days of paid work annually, costing the US economy more than $8 billion in missed income, medical care and legal costs. Worse, only 34% of those harmed by intimate partners obtain medical attention for their injuries. 

Domestic violence is a nationwide issue that was only identified as a societal concern less than 40 years ago. Since Domestic Violence Awareness Month was founded, several activities and organizations have raised awareness among the public. The purple ribbon is DVAM’s official symbol, reflecting victims’ strength, survival and hope. Developing healthy, respectful and nonviolent relationships and communities can assist in minimizing the prevalence of violence against partners. It can also mitigate the negative and long-term consequences of domestic violence on people, families and communities. 

Many events, such as community walks or runs, are organized to raise awareness and finances for shelters and services. Social media initiatives allow for the sharing of information and encourage discussion. Workplace awareness programs train employees on how to spot abuse and assist the victims. Many candlelight vigils promote hope for change as survivors of DV gather to mourn the memory of those who were lost as a result of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues to be an essential resource for survivors and raising awareness about the ongoing issue of domestic abuse. The objective is to inspire individuals, communities and elected leaders to act together to create a society free of fear and abuse.

There are many programs and resources available for individuals who are seeking help.

If you or someone you may know is suffering from domestic violence please contact 

Center For Hope And Safety Hotline: 503.399.7722 | 866.399.7722 (toll free) Website: www.hopeandsafety.org 

Polk County Victim Assistance Phone #: 503.623.9268 ext.3

Sable House Crisis Hotline: 503.623.4033 Website: www.sablehouse.org 

National Domestic Violence Hotline  800.799.7233 or Text BEGIN to 88788 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Letter from the editor

Written by: Hannah Field | Editor-in-chief

Western,

Welcome back, or maybe just welcome. Maybe you’ve been reading “The Western Howl” for years, or maybe this is the first issue you’re glancing at — either way, thank you. I’d like to introduce you to my wonderful team, whose names you’ve hopefully seen by now as you flip through, and the culmination of hours of hard work in this issue — our first of the school year — of “The Western Howl.”

We are a hand-crafted newspaper by students, for students. This year, we have more diverse perspectives than ever before, with sports covered by real student athletes, the news reported by an on-campus editor and the paper built by a team of devoted, passionate editors and designers.

This first issue, titled “Goal Season Incoming,” is, as you’ve likely guessed, representative of the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic school year here at Western. We hoped to encapsulate a winning season, not just for our school’s sports teams, but also for all students and staff who may be starting new things or returning to something familiar. We feel you, completely — we are trying to embrace the new and the old, to make something grand out of a historic school paper.

If you haven’t already noticed, the style of our front page is different. The design team and I scoured through nationally recognized publications as well as previous versions of “The Western Howl” — previously titled “The Lamron,” “The Western Star,” “The Journal” and more ridiculous titles — for inspiration. We wanted to draw attention to the heart of the paper — the writing and the creative mind of a designer at work — and offer a preview of what’s inside. A sneak peek, if you will.

So, expect change. Expect design elements you haven’t seen from us before. Look for new names, new faces, new stories, freelancers, photos and more. Maybe you’ll fall in love with our mock horoscopes, or maybe you’ll rock our new word search puzzles on our physical copies. Maybe you’re just interested to see what the college newspaper talks about — if that’s the case, I welcome you with open arms and invite you to stay tuned.

There’s so much we hope to give you this year.

If that sounds good to you, I’m excited to let you know we’re doing more printed issues than ever. This year, expect three printed issues a term, dispersed at campus and off-campus locations for your viewing pleasure. If you’re still dying for something to read, keep checking your email; you’ll catch our digital issues weekly. We have a website too — wou.edu/westernhowl — where we post individual articles and issues.

As a student-led publication, we want to highlight student engagement and involvement. We could not be here, creating this paper, if it wasn’t for not only Western but the community the school has garnered. We are here because you read. We are here because you want to write. We are here because you care. And we’re here to talk about the things that matter and impact you.

Because of that, we’ve opened a “Submit News Tips” section of our website under “Contact Us.” We are so lucky to represent the student community here at Western, but to do that, we must be honest and true. So, please — if you have even the slightest hint of a story idea — I ask that you consider submitting a tip. We have pledged to uphold your voices, and this is our opportunity to pull stories from our readers. Of course, I cannot guarantee that we’ll cover your suggestion, but still, I implore you to submit it regardless.

This year, I have a few goals for the Howl: that the viewers will feel consistently represented and accounted for, the work will be done well and we will be proud of each and every issue that is released and that, just maybe, we will finally make zero calls to Public Campus Safety while at Terry House. No promises on that last one, though.

Thank you for reading this letter from the editor as well as this issue of “The Western Howl.” And, to Public Campus Safety, thank you for rescuing us from an ice storm, taking care of the dead mouse in the bathroom and letting us borrow your drill.

I’m incredibly thankful to spend another year at Western doing what I love — writing and leading — for an amazing, hardworking team of talented individuals.

Sincerely,

Hannah Field

Contact the author at howleditorinchief @mail.wou.edu

How to handle rejection

Written by: Ruth Simonsen | Digital Media Manager

It happened again. Another ghosted date, another failed interview, another ruined friendship. It’s difficult to not let these situations affect you when they feel like a direct attack on your character. How could they have not fallen in love with you just after that one date? How could that employer not have hired you on the spot? How come your friend from high school now no longer follows you on Instagram?

These are questions that everyone has asked themselves at least once in their life. And, if you think you’re special because you haven’t encountered these thoughts yet, just be patient, your time will come. 

Rejection is one of the few things everyone on this planet will experience at least once in their lifetime. Whether it is from a close partner or a coveted job, these feelings tend to find us when we’re least expecting it — leaving us shaken down to our core about our own sense of self. How could this person, who had once sworn that they love you, now pretend like you’re nothing but a stranger? 

While it may be beneficial to ask yourself these questions, it is important to remember that not everything has to do with you. In our culture today, we have become so obsessed with ourselves that we make everything about us in every single way. We have two options we turn to: either blaming ourselves and beating ourselves up for nothing or putting all of our anger, hate and blame onto someone else. 

These options are the easiest to turn to, though they may not be the healthiest for your mental state. Rather than creating blame and hurt feelings, try to first take a breath and a big step back from the situation. Imagine you’re just a bystander, looking in on a situation that does not concern them. Stay as unbiased as possible while contemplating. 

What if it wasn’t your fault or their fault that the date ended poorly? Some people just do not click, and that is neither party’s fault. What if you didn’t get that job because a better one is waiting for you? Someday you’ll look back at that first rejection and be grateful it happened. What if that high school friend has just grown into a different person from who you once knew? Who’s to say you haven’t grown into a different person also? There is peace in knowing that not everyone that comes into your life is meant to stay forever.

Rejection can be a sign to reevaluate your current path, but it is never a sign to give up on your own journey of growth.



Contact the author at howldigitalmediamanager@mail.wou.edu

Empathy in education

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

As individuals, there are many elements that affect our daily lives and further influence us as human beings. One element that every human has succumbed to in life is consistent trials and tribulations. As a society, we believe that education and schooling should help us learn and move away from these challenges, including those we face outside of these institutions. For some, this creates a disconnect between school life and home life — believing that a solution in one will fix the other. What our education system is currently missing, that will help this disconnect, is empathy. 

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. This is not just having pity or sorrow for others as sympathy does, but rather, one truly puts oneself in the other’s shoes, viewing things from their perspective. For one to have a truly valuable education with others, it must also involve some form of empathetic learning. 

Those with particularly consistent negative aspects in their home life, especially young students, face things like changing family dynamics. These include financial issues, sibling bullying, history of neglect or maltreatment and more, and are more likely to have struggles in school — leading to a greater chance of dropping out. 

For many, it’s nearly impossible to disassociate the troubles they face at home away from their school life. It’s up to us, as individuals, to learn and encourage empathy — making everyone’s school environment as positive a place as can be. 

Educators who use an empathetic approach to teaching and addressing classroom issues create an inclusive and open environment for students — encouraging them to build safe relationships with their teachers and peers. Empathetic learning and teaching also promote a positive learning environment where students feel valued and proud of their abilities. 

Creating a safe and comfortable environment for students will allow them to enjoy school more, thus motivating them to stick with their education and make overall better decisions in life. Teachers lead by example, so if one is leading with an empathetic mindset, then that will create a community of compassion and a generation of caring students. 

As a student, one can also promote empathy by showing compassion and kindness to their peers and teachers. You never truly know what is going on in others’ lives, so try to put yourself in their shoes. Showing care for your teacher and their life in or outside the classroom can show them how much their work is appreciated, encouraging them to continue teaching. Being empathetic with your peers will help you understand each other better, creating stronger bonds and deeper relationships, again, further creating a community of positive and caring people. 

Empathy in education is not just the responsibility of teachers and students, but institutions as a whole can also promote an empathetic environment and learning. Many schools explicitly promote empathetic learning through social-emotional learning, or SEL, programs or character education. 

Specific classes aren’t the only thing institutions can do to promote empathetic education. As an institution are they empathetic about their tuition? Empathetic about the types of classes they offer? Empathetic about deadlines and requirements for applying students? Empathic about those that need extra assistance, like disability accommodations? There are so many different ways to promote empathic learning and create an empathic environment as an institution — thus universities and schools all over should be looking at what their students need. 

Empathy in education will encourage a new generation of compassionate, caring and bonded individuals who will take their empathetic learning and apply it to the world. Empathy in education tells us that life is difficult, but you are not alone. 

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Brainstorming for WNBA success

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

In the past year alone, an exponential increase has been observed in media attention for women’s collegiate basketball, prompted by athletes such as Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese. The nature of Division One college sports ensures that major sports will always have a sizable fanbase, funding and resources at the program’s disposal. 

The situation for the majority of National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes has traditionally been to play for four to five years, either retire from the sport or attempt to pursue professional play, either in the U.S. or overseas. While many athletes have accomplished this feat, major discrepancies have been noticed in funding and fanbase potential for women’s professional sports, particularly basketball. 

One factor that many people may overlook is the dedication being contributed, not towards basketball but towards volleyball. In the past two to three years, the U.S. has launched three new professional volleyball leagues — the Pro Volleyball Federation, Athletes Unlimited Volleyball and League One Volleyball, which will begin its inaugural season in January 2025. 

In terms of promotion and social media, the Pro Volleyball Federation has made the most progress in establishing professional volleyball leagues in the U.S. Similar to this year’s WNBA draft, all three volleyball leagues have brought in Olympic veterans, freshly minted star collegiate drafts and a lot of fresh talent to their rosters.

While I believe the WNBA has had similar strategic attempts to garner support for the league, they have notably had to rely on the NBA to garner funding and have become somewhat encompassed in negative and lackluster media attention throughout the years. 

A disproportionate amount of the negative public opinion surrounding women’s basketball, unsurprisingly, stems from sexist ideology and a lack of support for women’s sports in general. Hateful discourse includes the facts that the WNBA is consistently underfunded, relying on the men’s league funds to survive, and claims of unexciting gameplay and WNBA vets that “overstay their welcome.” The reasons behind the WNBA struggling to stay afloat are numerous, which makes it a complex and potentially difficult subject to discuss. 

A multifaceted approach must be taken in order to make sustained progress for the WNBA. The recent boom in popularity due to high-profile newcomers may not be enough to simply “fix” the issues the WNBA has been facing for the last 28 or so years. 

Female athletes are well used to the misogynistic rhetoric that discredits accomplishments and athletic ability — but that doesn’t mean we can place all of the blame on that rhetoric. There are things that must be done and changed by the association, public relations, event managers and even the players themselves to secure the future of the WNBA. 

The first thing that I believe must be done is lowering the rim of the women’s net to nine feet. The rim is currently set at 10 feet, the same height as the men’s rim for the NBA. This is a highly controversial idea and was met with a lot of pushback when pitched by Shaquille O’Neal. 

When asked about it, WNBA player, Diana Tuarasi, even stated that they “…might as well put us in skirts and back in the kitchen.” The idea, admittedly, would make any elite athlete feel somewhat inferior, especially when constantly compared to their male counterparts. 

In my opinion, that feeling of inferiority is rooted in ego. As a volleyball player of 11 years, women’s nets have always been lower, and yes, it is irritating — but we need to recognize that we aren’t “making the game easier” by lowering the rim. We are actually creating a game situation that is proportionately fair for physical capabilities. Think of it this way: women have to put in twice the amount of effort and training in order to match their capabilities with male counterparts. So, setting the same standard, perhaps a 10-foot rim, and expecting the same type of athleticism from men and women would put women at an extreme disadvantage. That’s not to say women aren’t capable or that they cannot put in the work. It means that establishing the playing field as equitable, rather than equal, will allow women to showcase their athleticism more. Lowering the rim would allow for WNBA athletes to make explosive, more dynamic plays and to dunk as well. 

There are many arguments against lowering the rim, with an author from ESPN calling it a “quick fix” and attributing the hateful rhetoric solely to “years of social conditioning.” Many would argue that the WNBA would get the same amount of hate if they did lower the rims. That may be true — but currently, we are limiting the amount of plays that female basketball players can make. 

An example of how countless shows of athleticism are lost can be seen in the 37 dunks made in the entirety of WNBA history, 26 of which were made by Britney Griner. Additionally, it’s not just the athleticism that the public is missing out on. The lack of exciting gameplay creates a lack of media attention, even more negative public opinion and a lack of support, which, guess what? It means that 50% of the WNBA is owned by the NBA, which has to bail them out of bankruptcy every season. The fact that the NBA financially supports the WNBA is then just another piece of bait for misogynistic haters to grab onto. 

Speaking of what teams can do in the WNBA to gain public support — once again, they could invest in more strategic movies for exciting gameplay. The NBA has famously publicized many feuds throughout the years, making the games not just another scoreboard but a story to be told. 

When I talked to Jen Spicher, the CEO for the Pro Volleyball Federation, she told me that the people wanted a story to be told for the game. What I’ve learned throughout the years is that viewers want inspiration, drama and pure passion turned into athleticism when they watch a game. This is the reason Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese have gained so much attention last year during the NCAA championships. 

As a female athlete, I have always been an intense and competitive player and have had coaches who prefer for female athletes to be controlled, calm and somewhat docile. Angel Reese is an example of what the media and public can do to a woman who isn’t complicit in toning herself down to seem more womanly on the court, and in my opinion, we need about 20 more of her. 

I’m not advocating for fights or conflict for media bait, but coaches need to recruit and promote players who tell their stories and who hone in on that passion and make it evident throughout the game. The game doesn’t exist without the players, and the players control the narrative, pace of the game and how they want to tell their story. 

It is the coach’s job to recruit and coach the game in the best way possible, but it is the team manager, public relations specialists and social media creators for the WNBA who are responsible for telling the stories of these athletes and making marketing decisions that showcase the most fierce, competitive and show-stopping parts of the WNBA that the majority of the public has yet to witness. 

I, like many others, believe that the WNBA has limitless potential to become great, as well as financially independent. By allowing female athletes to make more plays by lowering the rim, raising the quality of the PR and social media outreach and realizing that the means to profit is demanding positive public attention from great plays and storytelling, the WNBA could eventually become an independent entity.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

A love letter…

Written by: Lili Minato | Freelancer

The most underdog a wolf can get, Waldo, a.k.a. “Wolfie” was employed as Western’s mascot for only five years. While he looks like a vintage Build-a-Bear with his black and brown fur, his red eyes emit a feeling of danger. 

His tongue falls from his mouth in a dorky fashion and a singular sharp tooth can be seen — Waldo seems to be the mascot equivalent of a chihuahua with no teeth. Waldo is a dog, not a wolf — and he brings a sense of pack comradery that only wolves know best. 

Waldo is disliked by many. In Leanne Merrill’s “Math of Voting” class, he is consistently voted last compared to the 1981, 1988 and 2006 mascots. His head is left to gather dust in Western’s buildings, nobody leaves flowers and letters to appreciate him like he deserves. 

Yes, some may describe him as “nightmare fuel,” but others consider him to not be threatening enough to defend Western sports teams. Is he too scary, or not enough?

Waldo is the best mascot because of his subjective ambiguity. A rival sports team may laugh at his awkward qualities, but once they go up and look into his eyes, they’re petrified. 

Waldo is a guard dog in that way, he brings comfort and safety to his own while defending them against others. His heroic nature is not appreciated enough, because some may find him just a little too dorky to be intimidating. 

This retired mascot used to bring joy to Western students, but now his head sits in a glass box, alone and unloved. Students walk past him each day without even glancing his way. We must end Waldo’s suffering by starting to appreciate him more. 

We must support and love his lack of typical wolf qualities, as it makes him different and unique. His comically long tongue has value along with adding importance to his personality and character. 

While he might not have many teeth, he sure packs a bite to battle off other intruding mascots. His fuzzy body invites comfort for those in need. 

There is more to Waldo than what meets the eye. He represents Western to the fullest because of his uniqueness. People may see themselves represented in him, through his lovable and awkward qualities and mannerisms. All one needs to do is open their heart, even if it is to one of the uglier and goofier mascots that Western has to offer. 

Contact the author at lminato22@mail.wou.edu