“The Northwest Passage” is Western’s student-run literary and art magazine right on campus, composed of submitted works from students, faculty and alumni of the school. Each magazine showcases various different creations, such as traditional art, digital art, photography, poetry, short stories, lyrics and other art forms.
Founded in 1941, “The Northwest Passage” has been supporting student artists ever since. The first issue of the 2024–25 school year, being the Fall issue, is expected to be released Dec. 4, prior to winter break.
Recently appointed to the position, Editor-in-Chief Anna Gillock has been working diligently to promote and create “The Northwest Passage” for the 2024–2025 school year. “(One of my priorities) not only as the (Editor-in-Chief) but as a student and an artist is to support the creativity of my peers in the most accessible way possible,” said Gillock. “This is all very new to me, but I feel confident in the support I am given by the staff here at (Western) and I hope that I can give myself enough breathing room to really put myself into this publication for the short time I am in charge of it.”
On top of that, Gillock has been prioritizing accessibility and understanding this year with “The Northwest Passage.” “For instance, I have ADHD, and knowing that many of my peers are the same way, I use my knowledge of graphic design to visually emphasize the most important bits of content in a way that I feel is easy to process,” said Gillock. “With so much information being thrown at us as students, I want to try and provide content that is not overwhelming to look at. It’s a specific example, but that is just my personal mission as (Editor-in-Chief).”
Submissions may be emailed to northwestpassage@wou.edu and no more than five pieces per person are published in a singular issue. It is asked that personal names are left off of the submissions so that the editorial board, which votes on which pieces appear in the magazine, remains unbiased. Pieces can be submitted with a title; if a title is not provided, they are regarded as “Untitled.” All written work must be less than 1,500 words and must be submitted either as a PDF or a document. The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to alter submissions but will not publish any edited work without the creator’s permission.
Gillock placed a lot of importance in the art specifically as to why she claimed the position at “The Northwest Passage.” “I have been writing and creating art since I was first able to hold a pencil,” explained Gillock. “Even before I was hired on to be the EIC, supporting my fellow artists has always been a passion of mine, and I am really grateful for this opportunity to do so.”
Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu
What would one think when they hear the word “journal?” Most think of diary entries they wrote as a child, others might remember writing stories, but as we get older, most forget how powerful and important journaling actually is. This pastime is typically seen as an old-fashioned activity, especially when it’s compared to our technologically advanced world. As many of us are busy college students, it can be hard to have time to process our lives. Journaling is a way for people to express themselves in a low-pressure environment. It offers a multitude of benefits that improve many aspects of our mental and emotional self.
The first of its numerous benefits is that journaling can help people’s emotional well-being. In times of constant distraction and change, one may suppress their feelings in order to get through the day, but this can lead to our emotions hitting all at once. When someone buries their emotions, it later surfaces as intense feelings of stress, anxiety and frustration. The intensity comes from the neglect one subconsciously chooses to take due to the overwhelming — and sometimes unstable — times in our lives. Instead of continually carrying one’s emotions, being weighed down by the burden of holding on, one needs to let go. Journaling emotions becomes a healthy outlet of release. Writing our emotions down will help in determining what’s truly important in our lives and allow us to let go of what no longer brings one purpose and happiness. There may be times where one will experience trying times and situations that may feel uncomfortable. Writing creates a safe and non-judgmental environment. It can be a way to completely process one’s feelings and get a fresh perspective for our future decisions.
The second reason is that journaling boosts creativity. Journaling encapsulates our emotions, dreams, daily activities and personal experiences on a page. This activity allows one to create a space that encourages the brain to think outside the box without allowing the voice of the inner critic to speak. When one is able to explore thoughts without worrying about structure or formality, then the creation of stories grows easier.
Taking time to journal helps to validate one’s feelings and release them. Whether one is looking to organize their thoughts, express oneself or track habits, journaling is an empowering tool. The choices are endless — all one needs is a pen and a notebook.
If one is stuck on where to start, here is a list of the different types of journaling one could participate in:
A photo of Editor-in-Chief of “The Western Howl,” Hannah Field. | Photo by Hannah Field
Oct. 8, 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Hey, you — yeah, you. Thanks for making it this far in “The Western Howl.” I know, it’s been a long first two weeks, with new classes and new people. Maybe you’re new here, maybe you’re not. I don’t know what exactly brings you here, to us and to Western, but thanks for being here. “The Western Howl” is one of Western’s longstanding traditions, established in 1923 and seeing many, many different names, writers, designers and Editors-in-Chief.
I have no way of knowing exactly how many Editors-in-Chief there have been, but I’ve had the absolute privilege of filling that role for the last year and continuing it in this one. It has been the most eyeblinding whirlwind — hey, West Albany — schedule, and by far the most demanding work I’ve ever contributed to. Producing this newspaper, running a team and trying to maximize the potential of both have been incredibly taxing and rewarding.
The joy of putting pen to paper — keys to Google Docs? — and watching it print is unmatched. I watch new writers every year grow in their skills, gaining confidence and a paycheck, and sitting in a room with them every Tuesday evening is truly my favorite part. These designers, editors, managers and translators all work incredibly hard to add to “The Western Howl,” and I’m glad they’re here.
Just like I’m glad you’re here, seeing hours of work come to life, and hopefully you’ll see it next week, and the week after that, and the week after that.
“The Western Howl” is a great place to look into your community, your peers and academics. To know what you’re missing on and off campus, written by reputable, unbiased sources you might see on the way to class. If you couldn’t tell by now, our newspaper is written by students, student-led and for students, funded by the Incidental Fee Committee at Western. If you’re not sure where we’re located, that’d be Terry House on the far side of campus next to Campus Public Safety. Student Media includes “The Western Howl,” “The Northwest Passage” and KWOU, Western’s radio station and podcast studio available to students. I love receiving emails and news tips, which we also have a section for on wou.edu/westernhowl/. I ask that you do not hesitate to drop off a story tip, whether it’s something that is affecting students or just your really cool friend and their interesting job.
I also ask that you take a deep look into the importance of media. We attend a relatively small college, and when something happens here — big or small, good or bad — you’re more likely to hear it through whispers in your dorm hall than by checking local news. But I want you to be able to check the campus newspaper. We don’t know what’s happening, however, if nobody tells us. So, please tell us.
And maybe, we’ll have news for you that you haven’t heard. Do you know about Western’s budget deficit? Or last year’s lawsuit? Did you know that Western is the first public university in Oregon to join the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, or that Monmouth is one of the safest cities in the state? Western is the second cheapest public university in Oregon; Western is also the only place on the West Coast where you can receive a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language. And if you love to climb, Western has a very well-maintained indoor rock wall, the second tallest in Oregon.
If you did know all that, that’s awesome, you’re well-informed about your school. If you didn’t, now you are.
I promise you, I knew nothing before coming here, not about Western nor any university at all. I have never experienced another college. I’ll be honest, I spent my first year here commuting to class four days a week and failing to make a single friendship across all three terms. It wasn’t until I became the news editor at “The Western Howl” that I made my first college connections, suddenly coming to the understanding that university was supposed to be about more than just your degree. It’s about your peers, the time in between classes and, most importantly to me, understanding your individuality: your goals, your plans, what you need, how you thrive.
If you had asked me four years ago if I knew what I’d accomplish at college, I’d have answered, “Probably my degree?” I didn’t anticipate running the newspaper; managing a local business on the side; taking six classes; waking up early, going to bed late, finding my groove in adulthood and growing discipline as a skill; finding pride and confidence in every facet of my life.
I walked into college with no idea who I’d be at the end. And I don’t think that’s just my story. The injustices students suffer, the relationships that end and that are forged, waking up in your childhood room and, years later, falling asleep in a dingy apartment with no air conditioning. I’m probably not the only one who felt out of options when graduating high school, that college was the next step without knowing why. If that’s you right now — here out of obligation, confused, lost, lacking discipline or otherwise trying to find your footing — I was right there, and I can tell you, it changes. Find a job, join a club, keep working. Spend too much money at the grocery store because you don’t know how much food you need for a week. Butcher your recipes because you didn’t learn how to cook when you lived with your parents. In some way, most of us, if not all of us, are baby adults. Even the editor of the newspaper and the president of ASWOU — sorry, Morgan — and your very accomplished, working-multiple-jobs, multi-major peers.
TLDR; “The Western Howl” serves you. We stand for student voices above all else. We support you, encourage you to stand and speak. And if you don’t know yet where you’re going, maybe you’ll be in my chair in three or four years — not sure how you got there, but knowing it was worth it.
April 8, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
Going to sleep sounds both like a blessing and a curse when the clock is roughly pointing past 1 a.m. On one hand, lying down in bed with a soft, cozy blanket and a pillow with the cold side sounds so enticing. Deep down, though, it’s known that the amount of sleep about to be had is going to be insufficient, getting out of bed is going to be harder and caffeinated drinks will be bought in the morning.
According to the Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine, only 11% of college students in America report sleeping sufficiently, while 40% of students only feel well rested two days of the week. As a student at Western since 2025, I have noticed a lot of students saying how tired they are regularly, a significant amount more than when I was in high school. I have experienced being sleep deprived for an extended period of time when first balancing two jobs and being a full-time student. I have recovered from that time, but I wanted to explore the effects sleep deprivation has on a university student in particular.
The relationship between sleep and health has always been well-known, but I don’t think it’s been properly explained. According to Mark Wu, a neurologist and sleep expert, “Sleep is a period during which the brain is engaged in a number of activities necessary to life, which are closely linked to quality of life.”
A healthy amount of sleep is needed for a lot of different body functions. One of them is brain plasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt to any stimuli. The more tired a person is, the harder it is for them to process what they have learned during the day, as well as their ability to concentrate on what it is they are studying.
According to UChicago Medicine, sleep is believed to be the time during which the body recovers from the fatigue and strains it takes throughout the day. It allows the body to grow and rejuvenate. Rest also allows the body to heal itself when dealing with a sickness or an injury. There is evidence that sleep allows the brain to clear up cellular and protein debris that can build up over time. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of disease while also lowering the immune system’s ability to fight back against it.
Yet, something that is more concerning is how lack of sleep affects a person’s memory. While it’s still unclear as to how exactly sleep contributes to memory consolidation, there have been a lot of studies that show that when a person doesn’t have a sufficient amount of sleep, the brain has trouble recalling information that a person may have encountered recently, both factual and procedural. Factual memories are facts, like what a person had for dinner last night or what the capital of Nebraska is. Procedural memories are the mind’s ability to remind the body how to do physical activities. Think of typing on a laptop or playing an instrument.
Sources like Harvard Medical School have reported that the most crucial period of sleep for memory retention is the night following a new lesson. If this isn’t done, like if a person were to pull an all-nighter, it is almost certain that they will not be able to recall what they learned that day, even if the student sleeps more in the following days.
There are two main processes that regulate our sleep patterns: circadian rhythms and sleep drives. Circadian rhythms are the brain’s biological clock. There is a reason we sleep at night, and it’s because our rhythms respond to a lack of light. It ramps up production of the hormone melatonin, which makes us sleepy, in order to help us fall asleep. Meanwhile, sleep drive is the brain’s sleep stomach. We as humans also crave sleep in a similar sense as we crave food. However, sleepiness is quite different from hunger. The body can’t force someone to eat when their stomach’s growling. When exhausted, though, the body can shut down no matter where anyone is. This is particularly dangerous if someone is doing physical tasks such as driving, cooking or anything that involves heavy machinery. If someone is particularly tired, the body can microsleep for one or two seconds while the eyes are open.
Our lack of sleep may not be entirely our fault, though. According to the American Brain Foundation, it’s estimated that roughly 50 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder of some kind. Examples of disorders could be insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy or a type of parasomnia like sleepwalking or night terrors. Treatment of these disorders often involves changes to lifestyle, and various therapies are often recommended depending on which disorder a person has.
While some medications could help induce sleep, many people have reported feeling almost “hungover” when waking up, despite the amount of sleep they got. I personally used to take melatonin gummies to help me go to sleep and while I was able to fall asleep, there were times I wouldn’t stay asleep. When I did, I woke up usually not feeling rested or “charged.” So, unless prescribed by a doctor, avoid taking high doses of melatonin gummies.
Here are some lifestyle tips that could help anyone get better, more consistent and restful sleep.
Sleep schedule — The top recommendation I found from Mayo Clinic and the Center for Disease Control is to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Having a consistent sleep schedule reinforces the circadian rhythm, which will naturally make someone tired roughly around the same time. A healthy adult should get roughly 7 to 8 hours of sleep in order to be fully rested.
No electronics — It is recommended to turn off any electronic devices roughly 30 minutes before actually going to bed. Electronics like phones, laptops and tablets emit a short-wavelength light known commonly as blue light. Blue light has been found to disrupt the production of melatonin, which then causes a person to not feel tired. I recommend getting off the game at least two hours before bed.
Peaceful environment — Keep the room quiet. Try to avoid looking at any bright lights in the evening, as it might trick the brain into thinking it’s daytime, and try to turn off melatonin production. Instead of using a phone for noise, consider turning on a fan in the background.
A quarter or even a third of our lives is dedicated to sleep. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that we give ourselves the best sleep possible to do all the things we want to do while we’re awake.
A photo of a couple walking together. | Photo from @gingersolephotography on Instagram
Disclaimer: all articles featured in this issue are fake in celebration of April Fool’s Day
April 1, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
Spring term has finally arrived and brought with it a fresh air of love. While February can be seen as the month of love, love can come for a person at any time of the year. Romance may be the last thing on the mind while starting to go to university again, but it’s important to have fun and spend some time with someone special this term. So I thought it best to offer the most legit and truly knowledgeable advice for anyone going on a first date with someone during the term.
Be impulsive — Planning is quite overrated, according to romance experts. After all, instincts are an amazing form of showing a potential partner what they will rely on in an emergency situation. Don’t bother putting too much thought into planning a day with someone who could potentially be a future spouse. Planning things is extra and will even drive the date to go south much quicker. Be spontaneous and impulsive. This means maxing out a credit card on something expensive, perhaps skydiving or seeing a concert. However, don’t pay for the date for both people, even though it was your idea to do this thing — that can be seen as possessive. Make sure that the person doesn’t even know that they will have to pay for the event until they get there. Nothing is more romantic than a surprise.
Look presentable — Obviously, attire is an important part of a date. However, recent research from the Dates “R” US research institute concludes that psychologically, humans are attracted to clown shoes, clown makeup, overdramatic wigs and a giant horn. Despite clowns being one of the greatest fears people have, there is some sort of attraction to the fear, which will make the date much more exciting. Bright colored wigs are also considered enticing enough to keep the date going past dinner. What is even better is if a person were to turn off all the lights in the room and run up on the partner they are going out with. If they don’t scream or throw a punch, the attire isn’t nearly as appropriate for the date. Also, an ankle monitor is a huge bonus and will definitely be a conversation starter.
Bring up your ex the entire time —It’s important to be obvious about past partners in the beginning of the interaction. After all, it’s not wise to have any skeletons in the closet. Tell them everything about the previous relationship, especially on that very first date. Some romance podcasters have recommended creating packets with detailed summaries as well as a clear timeline of everything that went wrong in the last relationship. Now, some may say that mentioning an ex frequently on the first date may make the person look “desperate” or “not over the relationship,” yet all this is doing is being honest about the past. No one wants to hold secrets from their potential new partner.
In conclusion, any advice offered here should be taken with the utmost seriousness. Happy dating.
A photo of a girl in a library in several different poses with books nearby. | Photo from @zupkophotog on Instagram
Disclaimer: all articles featured in this issue are fake in celebration of April Fool’s Day
April 1, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
All university students will have to study at some point in their college career, unless they are a wizard or have photographic memory. However, it can be pretty difficult to find ways to focus on their work. Whether it be life, sports, events or jobs, a student’s life can get busy in a short amount of time, especially if they are taking multiple classes. So, with my vast experience in having to study for exams as well as incredibly credible sources to back me up, here are some totally legit study tips.
Procrastination —Studying regularly is quite simply a rookie mistake. Waiting till the last possible minute before the exam will not only make the information much fresher in the mind, but also keep the topics discussed throughout the term more manageable. Stay up late to study, reading and rereading the notes that were written down weeks ago and never looked at. Some may say that it’s important to get sleep the night before an exam, as being awake all night will decrease the likelihood of any memory retention. However, according to the Institute of Pro-Procrastination, cramming everything at the same time last minute has been tied to a slight increase in good grades on exams. There is also an unrelated correlation between good grades and heavy caffeine intake, but that isn’t relevant to this. The point is that saving everything till the last minute is a wise decision for the sake of a student’s grade.
Multitasking —As a college student, we have to multitask on the regular to an extent. However, doing it while studying is a genius idea. Splitting someone’s attention to multiple things will not only speed up the process of getting more things done, but it will also make the mind more versatile. Any professors who discourage doing assignments from different classes at the same time only want their students to focus on their class alone. Insecurities are nothing to be ashamed of, however it’s important to do what is needed for the success of a good grade. Some may say that multitasking while studying for different classes only “decreases the quality of the work being done.” Yet, the grade I managed to achieve in my British literature class is proof that this is simply an opinion.
Keep any and all devices around — Many advice sites recommend keeping any technology away while studying to increase focus. However, many claim that scrolling through TikTok or Instagram Reels was a good break from studying and allowed them to regain their focus. It’s important not to get stressed out while studying. Otherwise, nothing will be learned if someone isn’t having a good time while focusing. Similarly, many say that listening to music while studying is a bad idea, as focusing on the words being sung can be distracting from whatever it is that is being read, whether it be notes or a slideshow presentation. It is important to note that good music brings good vibes, so it provides more of a benefit and makes it more likely that information will be absorbed as the song plays in the background.
Overall, following these suggestions for studying at any point of the term will certainly have an effect on an exam grade. At the end of the day, it’s important to ignore any study guides, as the genius of my husband said, “You know what’s best for yourself.”
A photo of a statue of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell outside of Gallaudet University. | Photo from @whiptale on Instagram
April 8, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
At Western, the American Sign Language program, with both the interpreting and studies major pathways, is a relatively large and impactful aspect of life at the university. Being the only place on the West Coast where one can pursue a bachelor’s degree in ASL, the program is comprehensive and exceeds the typical minor requirements at colleges like Oregon State University and Portland State University, which offer basic ASL language classes and exclude cultural training.
Offered in the spring, Western provides a Deaf history class, taught by Program Coordinator Brent Redpath — one of his favorite courses to instruct. “I, myself as a teacher, really enjoy providing and giving back to students. You know, my experience, personal life within deaf history, also just the actual history in general, connected with other people. It’s really nice to help the students understand where I’m coming from, where we’ve come from and why we have this class,” said Redpath.
The class has no prerequisites and offers interpreters, but is mainly picked — if not only picked — by ASL students. The class description states the class “introduces students to a history of the social, cultural, political, educational and social service aspects of the Deaf community.”
Redpath added: “Oftentimes students hate history because it’s boring, it’s dry, et cetera, but for this class specifically, I found that students really enjoy Deaf history specifically compared to general history like U.S. history or world history.”
Early within the ASL program, students are aware of Deaf culture as it is intrinsically linked to the language; discussions are prevalent surrounding historical events, such as Gallaudet University’s founding and Deaf President Now, a student-led protest that appointed the first deaf president at Gallaudet in 1988.
The first permanent school for the deaf was established April 15, 1817, now known as the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, Connecticut. At its creation, it was titled The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons. It was the first deaf school in the Western Hemisphere — paving the way for the eventual founding of Gallaudet University April 9, 1864. Both institutions, founded in April, have helped cement the month as Deaf History Month.
Throughout history, and today still, deafness has been viewed in a negative light, and accessibility has been limited. Many still view deafness as a loss and do not recognize the Deaf community as an integral part of life for deaf people. Discussion surrounding deafness for hearing people often doesn’t explore the critical aspects, such as ASL’s independence as a language, the importance of sign language at a critical learning period for deaf children as to prevent language deprivation, mental health struggles and more — all of which are thoroughly explored in ASL courses at Western.
However, the use of ASL has climbed exponentially in modern America, and Deaf awareness has gone up as well, considering social media video formats, such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, allowing for accessible media access and community forums.
To put it straight: American Sign Language is its own language separate from English, with its own syntax, grammar and unique slang and vocabulary. Interestingly, ASL is closer to French Sign Language than British Sign Language, a common misconception considering American English’s relationship with British English. Deaf historical figure from France, Laurent Clerc, occasionally labeled “the Apostle of the Deaf in America,” joined Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to establish today’s American School for the Deaf back in 1817, blending French sign language and local signs tied to no official language into ASL.
At those times, deafness was viewed similarly to mental illness, and resources to support deaf children were minimal or nonexistent. Despite the first school being founded in America to provide better accessibility, America was hit by a wave of oralism that dominated deaf education by the 1870s. Sign language was not recognized as a language and was viewed as lesser than spoken English, which led to educational institutions forcing spoken language on deaf children, highlighting lipreading and talking over signing. Alexander Graham Bell was a staunch supporter of oralism, believing that sign language imprisoned users and that deaf people should not be allowed to marry each other to prevent the genetic passing of deafness. Hearing people were horrified by the expressions used in ASL, which has the same level of importance as a spoken language’s tone, implying emphasis, limiting ASL usage further. Following the 1880 Milan Conference, where no deaf people were allowed to contribute, sign language was officially banned in schools and essentially banned altogether. It wasn’t until the 1960s that researchers determined ASL to be an official and independent language.
Portland, Oregon, hosts the Tucker Maxon School, an oralist educational institution still running today after its founding in 1947 — not utilizing sign language for its deaf students, despite research emphasizing that sign language is a critically important tool for deaf children.
Psychologically, deaf children develop best by experiencing language exposure in the format of ASL due to their inability to hear spoken language. A child that cannot hear can go months, often longer, before accessing spoken English through medical interventions such as cochlear implants, or purely lipreading and speaking — limiting brain development and potentially causing language deprivation, which can cause lifelong struggles with language, communication and, in severe cases, cognitive delays. Access to ASL does not limit a deaf person’s ability to integrate into hearing society or prevent the implementation of a cochlear implant at any age.
Even with facing continuous backlash, misinformation and agenda spreading, sign language persevered. It was shared in small spaces throughout its banning, maintaining communication in Deaf communities. Gallaudet University fought to preserve ASL following the 1880 conference, assisting heavily in the efforts to combat oralist perspectives and education.
Today, between 11 and 12 million Americans are deaf or have hearing loss. About 2 million are profoundly deaf, and around 1 million are a part of the Deaf community. More than ninety percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents, limiting language access. Today’s medical innovations, such as cochlear implants which can allow for hearing in profoundly deaf individuals, while beneficial for many and allow for integration into mainstream hearing society, can bypass sign language altogether — skipping a diverse and culturally rich environment with its own unique history.
Western’s deaf history class is a recommended elective option within the program and covers many influential aspects of deaf history from the very beginning. “Students who are studying ASL or students who are studying to become interpreters, they need that foundation of deaf history,” said Redpath. “It’s very important for them to have a better understanding of where deaf people have come from. And then also that will allow them to better support their future careers that they’re going into.”
A photo of someone cleaning their kitchen. | Photo from @chazfremont on Instagram
March 11, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
With the temperature outside slowly getting warmer and the need to go outside wearing layers of clothing dwindling, it’s that time of the year when we shake off the cobwebs of our dorm rooms to begin spring cleaning. As someone with a tight schedule, it has been a bit exhausting to think about how much of a mess my living space is. I still have a Christmas tree up. Still, the warmth of the weather and the sunlight poking through the clouds are good motivators to help at least think about spring cleaning.
One of the earliest references to cleaning during springtime is the Jewish tradition of Passover, which is still observed every year in March or April. During this event, all pieces of chametz (leavened bread) would be disposed of in the time leading up to the holiday. This is symbolic of an event known as the Exodus, which was when Moses helped the Israelites escape Egyptian slavery with God’s help. The removal of the bread symbolizes them being in such a haste that they weren’t able to wait for their bread to come before they had to make their journey.
In the Catholic faith, there is a similar tradition where, on Maundy Thursday, people will clean up the altars in churches. Maundy Thursday is a day that celebrates the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. Similar to Passover, this day happens in the months of March or April.
Nowruz, which is the Iranian or Persian New Year’s Day, has a tradition known as khāne-takānī or “shaking down the house.” This involves washing blankets, clothes and textiles in preparation for the new year.
Similarly, cleaning is very important for the Lunar New Year. In Chinese culture, it is known as “sweeping the dust.” They deep-clean their homes in order to rid them of bad luck and misfortune. Tidying the place up is said to bring good luck for the new year.
Spring is seen throughout the world as a time of renewal and growth, where life begins anew after the coldness of the winter months. As the leaves begin to form on the trees and flowers start to pop out of the grass, people tend to feel the need to replicate the “shiny” environment within their living space. It’s a common experience to feel somewhat tired during the cold months, as the “dead” appearance of the world makes it hard to get motivated.
Before modern technology, i.e., heating and insulation, homes that were in colder places were sealed up to prevent cold air from coming inside. This generated dust and soot that would build up. Once it began to get warmer, it was time to air out the home and clean up the mess that people literally could not clean during winter.
However, even in modern times, it is still wise to spring clean. Despite insulation, dust and allergens can still build up in the home over time, especially when it’s dark. It would be wise to try to clean out those hidden spots behind tables and shelves. Cleaning can also boost mental health. As someone who enjoys collecting things and is also a bit lazy, living in a cluttered area can be stressful. Coming home to a messy room is never enjoyable. Making the environment welcoming, fresh and comfortable will not only be more enjoyable, but also helpful to the mind at a time when finals are coming up.
A photo of a bowl of gourmet chocolates. | Photo from @chocolatelover_rz on Instagram
March 11, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
I believe there is no sweeter taste than that of chocolate. With a sweet, creamy and enjoyable taste as well as a lovely appearance, it is a candy that is normally a person’s best friend or guilty pleasure. Not only does chocolate have a rich taste, but it also has an even richer history.
Cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America, are the trees that produce the fruit from which chocolate is made. They produce pods with each having around 40 cacao beans that are dried out and roasted to become cocoa beans.
The Olmec people are believed to be the first group to be curious to know what these beans tasted like. According to Hayes Lavis, a cultural arts curator for the National Museum of the American Indian, there are ancient Olmec pots that were found with traces of a stimulant known as theobromine, which is found in chocolate and tea. It is believed that the Olmecs used cacao beans to create a drink, which was likely savory rather than sweet.
The Olmecs then passed their cacao expertise to the Mayans, who mixed the beans with maize and water. It could then be adjusted with allspice, vanilla and ear flower. The latter is described to have a spicy flavor similar to black pepper. This mixture was then poured from a height to create a foaming effect on the drink.
The Aztecs would not only make a similar beverage, but also add chili powder and achiote to make the drink have a reddish hue. They would also boil it occasionally to create a rough draft of hot chocolate. The Aztecs called their chocolate xocolatl (shoh-koh-LA’-tul) and it was typically an upper-class privilege to be able to have it, though those of lower classes would enjoy it on special occasions.
The drink was not only a treat to the Mayans and the Aztecs, but also held a lot of significance to them. They believed the beans to be a gift from the gods and would drink xocolatl often for religious ceremonies.
Although there is a debate about when Europeans got their hands on this delicacy, it is widely believed that it arrived in Spain first, which, when considering how much of the world they colonized, makes sense. By the late 1500s, the Spanish court was completely captivated by chocolate and began importing it to other European countries in the area. With such high demand for these cocoa beans, chocolate plantations were created with slaves made to work on them. Europeans also experimented with the ingredients, using cane sugar and cinnamon to add a more sugary taste instead of the savory ones the Aztecs made.
Chocolate would eventually come to the American colonies, arriving from a Spanish ship in 1641 to Florida, with the first chocolate house opening in Boston. Fun fact: During the Revolutionary War, chocolate was given to soldiers as a form of payment instead of money. Nowadays, chocolate is mass-manufactured and sold around the world. However, there are still some shops that handmake chocolate to ensure their products are much richer than the typical Hershey’s bar bought at the store.
Admittedly, I’ve probably eaten way too much of it throughout my life, but I always thought that the history of this delicacy was fascinating in the way that it really transformed throughout the centuries to become what it is today. As a fun little fact about myself, I actually tried xocolatl in the 7th grade as part of a unit about the history of chocolate. I have to say … I did not enjoy it. However, it’s still a pretty cool fact knowing that I’ve tried ancient chocolate.
The Fall term edition of TNWP. | Photo by Hannah Field
Feb. 18, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
The Northwest Passage, established in 1941, is Western’s student art magazine, encompassing many mediums of individual expression.
Historically, the magazine only published literature — being classified as a literary magazine until 1986 — with The Northwest Passage records going back to 1975, digitized in the archive on The Northwest Passage website. The 1975 edition was made with a light green, simple cover, and zero color on the inside, per the times.
Now, The Northwest Passage has made strides since its first release. Editor-in-Chief Sara Gerrick is dedicated to promoting student expression, regardless of method, in bright, expansive color.
“Last term, there was a really cool science project that someone had taken pictures of, like their mini ecosystem that they made, and wrote about it,” said Gerrick. “I’m really trying to get people to just submit the weirdest things possible, because it’s important to share, just, everything.”
Gerrick is in her second year at Western, studying business but practicing art in her free time. “I always love seeing drawings, specifically just because I grew up drawing constantly. But I do love seeing writing, since I don’t see it (very often).”
The process is simple: Gerrick releases a submission date, students send their submissions over email to thenorthwestpassage@mail.wou.edu, the small but diverse editorial board votes on pieces, Gerrick arranges them and receives consent to print before they get sent to the press. Gerrick has made a point to feature art on the front; last fall, the cover was one that the editorial board was collectively partial to.
“I think that a lot of people bring it down to, you can only submit a painting that you did, or like you can only submit writing, but there’s so many things. You can take a picture of something you crocheted, or something you made or even if you have a recipe that you like that you want to share with the world,” said Gerrick. “Do that. If you have a passion … and the board loves it, then you can have it.”
Students are encouraged to submit at any time to be considered for the upcoming Spring term edition, with the Winter term magazine popping up across campus before the end of week 10. More information, as well as digitized editions, are available at https://wou.edu/northwestpassage/.
A photo of children in Gaza, wandering by the tent setups. | Photo from @hamed.saef1 on Instagram
Feb. 4, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Content warning: this article discusses genocide, death and the death of children
On Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamist militant group governing the Gaza Strip, Hamas, launched an attack on Israel that killed more than a thousand people. In return, Israel launched a massive systematic destruction of Palestine that, over the course of more than two years, would end the lives of 70,000 Palestinians and wound upward of 171,000.
The carnage was well-reported up until the end of 2025, when coverage dissipated following Donald Trump’s proclamation that the war had ended. Israel agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release from both parties — 20 Israelis, 250 Palestinians and around 1,700 Gaza detainees — but, in small corners online, news is still being released about war-torn Gaza. Independent news network Al Jazeera reported Feb. 2, 2026, that only five medical patients were allowed to leave Gaza on the first day that Israel opened the Rafah crossing into Egypt — the only crossing that Gaza has that does not pass through Israel. Israel’s intense security screenings have posed significant difficulties for Palestinians hoping to pass through, many of whom are doing so mainly to receive medical help, considering none of Gaza’s hospitals currently operate at full capacity, with more than half of the 36 facilities being wiped out entirely, per an October 2025 article from the United Nations. Only 50 Palestinians may enter and exit Gaza through the Rafah crossing each day, and only on foot, per Israeli rule.
The ceasefire has been described as fragile — with 30 Palestinians allegedly killed in airstrikes Feb. 1 that landed on a displacement camp in Khan Yunis.
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was established, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Whether these numbers are accurate or not, nobody knows exactly; the number of 70,000 plus deaths also comes from the same organization, but Israel has backed this number and it has been deemed reliable by the U.N.
The U.N. reported at the end of January 2026 that 10,000 aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza and that the famine and food security crisis had been reversed. Children are being vaccinated, families are being fed more consistently and access to aid has improved. Yet, for many children, the situation is still critical. The U.N. reported more than 100 child fatalities since the ceasefire was established in October 2025, as well as 100,000 children who are suffering from malnutrition and need shelter and warmth.
Humanitarian groups, such as the U.N. Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme, are prepared to access Gaza with more support and supplies, but are still awaiting approval for entry. Egypt has 150 hospitals ready to provide medical aid, but also are waiting out the Rafah crossing.
Despite the improvements, the land of Gaza itself still faces the effects of near-total destruction. Vital infrastructure has been demolished, and Gaza citizens displaced, with families living in tents and depending on Israel granting access to humanitarian organizations and medics to provide the help they need.
As for Ukraine, the country has only this week agreed to a proposal that would, although complex, lead to a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, though this could also be an unstable situation. If Russia were to breach an implemented ceasefire, a diplomatic warning could amount to action taken by Ukraine, and then response from the Coalition of the Willing — a collection of 34 countries that have pledged support to Ukraine that includes the United Kingdom, France, Germany and more — and, then, lastly, American involvement, assuming Russia continues to violate.
Trump stated publicly that he may have “good news” regarding the Russia-Ukraine war; meanwhile, Russian forces launched an attack early Feb. 2 on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, knocking out power amidst negative temperatures. At least four were killed, hundreds evacuated and 3,500 buildings were blacked out.
At least 12 energy sector workers in southeastern Ukraine were killed in a Russian drone attack Feb. 1.
Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago in February 2022, a full-scale occupation that once claimed 30% of Ukraine territory and has since dwindled to approximately 20%. However, Russia has continued its attacks on Ukrainian cities and people, with Ukraine striking mainly at Russian oil and military sites with drones. Nearly 7 million people have fled Ukraine; 12.7 million need humanitarian assistance and 53,000 Ukrainians have been killed.
Citizens of Kyiv reported hospital and residential destruction, as well as war crimes committed by Russian militants, including executions, torture and rape in the initial attacks. In the years following, Russia and Ukraine positioned themselves in stalemates across Ukraine, engaging in combat as well as pulling out of it; Ukraine captured Russian land and Russia captured Ukrainian territory, battlefronts that have reportedly killed, wounded or disappeared nearly 2 million soldiers.
Russia in 2024 said it would have only agreed to a ceasefire if allowed to maintain all of the land it occupied, as well as govern it, but “not fully control,” and if Ukraine did not join NATO. In June 2025, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, declared that Russia owned Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will not negotiate as long as Russia maintains its occupation in Ukraine.
In November 2025, an American 28-point plan was offered, implementing a ceasefire, limiting Ukraine’s military size while Russia’s forces are unaffected, banning Ukraine from joining NATO, locking Russia and Ukraine into anti-discrimination laws and a non-aggression pact, as well as rebuilding Ukraine with U.S. and EU funds and frozen assets from Russia. Ukraine rejected the plan, with European leaders claiming Ukraine would be left vulnerable to potential future offenses. Trump responded by saying Ukraine had “ZERO GRATITUDE.” The U.K., France and Germany rebuilt the proposal, adding changes that led to an eventual acceptance from Ukraine, such as territory negotiations post-ceasefire, a military size increase for Ukraine and allowing Ukraine to join NATO.
As of Feb. 2, 2026, a ceasefire has not been established for the Russia-Ukraine war.
While most of the world looks toward the Winter Olympics and the award show wins, Palestine and Ukraine are facing long-lasting effects from catastrophic offenses and occupations, hundreds of thousands of people dead in the wake of war, and potentially — likely — more in the following months.
First responders on scene outside of Ackerman Hall. | Photo courtesy of Jacob Prater
Feb. 18, 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Late Saturday night, Feb. 7, at approximately 10:15 p.m., anyone inside Ackerman Hall was evacuated following a call to Campus Public Safety that led to the arrival of multiple firetrucks and police presence. A small fire was confirmed in a bathroom in the Gilmore wing on the fourth floor that caused no damage, but no details have been released. The incident is reportedly under investigation by Monmouth authorities.
“It was a pretty small incident, we followed protocol, and our public safety and campus partners and community partners responded quickly,” said Lindsey Gibson, director of housing for the last four years, whose office also resides within Ackerman Hall.
Campus Public Safety responded to the call quickly, confirmed the fire, triggered the alarm, oversaw evacuation efforts, contacted the fire department and worked to extinguish the fire, which was successful. Custodian assistance was needed to invoke a clean-up of the fire extinguisher.
After smelling strong smoke in certain parts of the building during evacuation, students were made to stay outside in the cold for upward of an hour until reentry to the building was granted. Inside, the fire alarm triggered again but was dismissed as a false alarm, and students were allowed to continue with their night routines. Ackerman Hall has 240 student residents.
“It was really frustrating to get called out and we saw firetrucks pull up, and we didn’t know how serious anything was. Nobody came to talk to us except to tell us to stay away from the building,” said one anonymous resident. “We were out there for an hour and a half, and that was longer than any other fire drill or fire incident since I’ve been here. The lack of communication was irritating at the time and it didn’t get cleared up later either. All I know about what actually happened is hearsay.”
“We got no updates, and fire and rescue didn’t even check in with the students that may have been affected. All we were told to do was wait in the outdoor basketball court,” said another anonymous student. “We didn’t get back in until around 11:30 p.m.”
“I was here that night, I responded to campus,” said Gibson. “I think the hard part is that when something like this happens, for example, the fire department was here, they’re the ones who take the lead on a fire. Rightly so. That’s their job. That’s not our job. And, so, we don’t know how long something’s going to take. We don’t know what their protocol is exactly — and maybe they don’t know how long it’s going to take … We don’t know, because it’s not in our hands. So some of it, I think, is that in the moment, those things can be challenging because there was a lot of people here and a lot of things going on. So I get that frustration. And, also, we didn’t have information to share.”
Additionally, students were unsure of the conditions of the fire and reportedly were met with minimal contact from paramedics and firefighters while waiting. After reentry, information was kept under wraps, and all that remained were rumors regarding the incident’s origin, which were swiftly dismissed and discouraged by Resident Assistants and other Western staff and faculty.
“Most of the time, if we see any kind of fire, most of the time it’s food related,” said Director Mike Hanson from Campus Public Safety, recalling a kitchen incident from the fall. “True fires where we’re deploying extinguishers, that kind of stuff are very far and few between. But we do see, you know, burnt food in our park apartments, that kind of stuff.”
In the 2025 Clery Report — the annual security and fire safety report — only one fire was reported in 2024, occurring in Heritage Hall because of an intentional burning. In 2022, Western residential halls reported three fires due to intentional arson, metal in a microwave and an air fryer cooking fire, with the most damage — an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 worth — done at an Alder View Townhouse following the air fryer fire. In 2021, charcoal debris in a trash can ignited a flame. A small cooking fire happened in 2018, with one electrical fire reported in 2015, resulting in an estimated $500 in property damage.
Western, as well as Campus Public Safety, is unlikely to release any report due to no report of physical damage to property or student health concerns. Students should remain alert, brush up on safety protocol in case of a fire and stay conscious of any potential actions that could spark a flame, including cooking. If a student encounters anything concerning, they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Campus Public Safety, or, if more emergent, 911.
Nijawn Sterling (left) and Daron Ulrich Jr. (right) celebrate with other members of the team after a win against Midwestern State University Texas. | Photo from @wou.fb on Instagram
Feb. 11, 2026 | Isaac Garcia | Sports Editor
The current recruiting cycle for the Wolves concluded Feb. 4 and saw the Wolves add a total of 44 recruits in what some are calling the strongest class ever brought to Monmouth. The 44 additions are a significantly larger group than the Wolves have brought in over the past two years, having 29 in 2025 and 27 in 2024. The class sets a great foundation for the future of a Wolves football program that is coming off of its strongest season since 2007, going 8-3 and coming up just short of a Lone Star Conference title. In addition, the class keeps a strong focus on players within the region, with 41 of the 44 signees coming from either Oregon or Washington and the remaining three coming from either California or Hawaii.
Head coach Arne Ferguson, who was the 2025 Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year and is entering his 21st season in the role, mentioned the advantage Western has in regional recruiting, saying, “The combination of our success in recent years, the quality conference we’re in and us being the only Division II school in the state, this is an exciting opportunity for players in our region to come and play at a very high level.”
The Wolves leaned heavily on the trenches in this class, signing 10 defensive linemen and eight offensive linemen. Last season, the Wolves had the fourth-best rushing offense in the LSC at 4.5 yards per carry and tied for first in the conference on the other side of the field, allowing only 3.1 yards per carry to opponents. These additions along both lines should allow Western to continue with this playstyle and grow stronger within it, providing significant depth after recent departures at both positions, notably those of Joseph Northcutt and Emilio Castaneda, who were both team captains in 2025 as well as seniors at defensive and offensive line positions, respectively. One notable addition along the defensive line is Brady Knowlton, a six-foot-two-inch, 300-pound linebacker from Chiawana High School in Washington who was first team All-State in 4A and won the Mid Columbia Conference Lineman of the Year award in 2025. The linebacker room was also hit with significant departures as Malcolm Liufau and Aden Murphy, both standouts and captains on the defensive end, have completed their final seasons as Wolves. The team added six linebackers and two running backs in this year’s class, which should further aid in the running game on both sides of the ball.
The passing game was not neglected, however. The Wolves picked up seven defensive backs, three quarterbacks, four receivers and a tight end. Western did struggle a bit in both pass coverage and in gaining yards through the air last season, coming in ninth for both pass defense and offense in terms of yards gained and allowed per attempt.
Western added two athletes under the “athlete” designation, meaning it’s still to be determined what role they will play for the Wolves. One of these players, Jarret Martin, is a Banks High School product who had 3,550 total yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions over his last two seasons. Martin was first team All-State at the 3A level as a tight end/wide receiver and third team All-State as a defensive back. Ethan Adams was brought on at the quarterback position after completing his high school career at Battle Ground High School, where he won the Greater St. Helens League offensive MVP in 2025, putting up 1,586 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns. Kellen Bailey is another enticing prospect for the Wolves as a six-foot-seven-inch wide receiver out of Summit High School. Bailey’s size at the receiver position could make him an interesting weapon in the Wolves’ passing offense within the coming seasons.
The heavy emphasis on high school recruitment will be a refreshing sight for some who’ve grown tired of the transfer portal system often seeing teams moving away from high school recruiting and focusing on established players. Many have raised concerns that in this new era, high school players are being passed up, thus making it increasingly difficult for them to receive a high-quality opportunity. However, the Wolves seem to be pushing high school recruitment more than ever, which could signal a more long-term recruiting strategy in this new and largely uncharted landscape where every program at all levels is working to understand where they can find the strongest advantage with the resources provided to them. Some smaller schools, such as Western, may find that with larger schools moving away from a heavy portion of high school recruits, they have a newfound advantage in locating local talent and bringing them on.
Western football will now set its sights on spring camp and sorting out its lineups for next season. It remains to be seen how much of a role some of the new signees play in their first seasons this fall, but they will certainly have the opportunity to compete and set a foundation for high-quality play to keep the football program trending in the right direction. Fans should keep an eye out for any announcements from the university’s athletics department regarding the date and time for the 2026 spring game, which is an exciting opportunity for fans to get their first look at the roster heading into the upcoming season.
Retail is the type of job that many dread to think about working. A very underappreciated type of work, retail is described by Indeed as a type of job that involves “selling products to customers.”
From a small business to a large corporation, there are many different types of retail jobs. While there are admittedly a lot of negatives to working these types of jobs, I thought it would be interesting to write about the benefits of being a retail worker. As of June 2025, I have been working in a retail job at a popular phone service company. This is the first retail job that I’ve done in my life, and I thought about writing about the benefits that come along with this unique kind of job.
Most retail jobs are at places that involve interacting with the public quite often. Whether it be a large fast food chain or a small coffee shop, retail jobs involve interacting with customers who are interested in food, services or products.
One benefit that retail workers have is being exposed to many different types of people. As someone who works at a phone store where anyone who has enough money can buy a piece of technology that fits in their pocket, many different people come into the store. People of color, people with disabilities, people who are kind, some who are unfortunately not and some who are just looking for some help with an issue.
Aside from the background of customers, many fit into four different types: direct, emotional, expressive and analytical.
Customers who are direct prefer to have all the facts laid out in front of them immediately so that they have a clear image of what is happening. They want to feel like they are in control of the situation and don’t want their time to be wasted.
Then, there are the emotional types of customers who enjoy getting to know the person they are working with. Conversation is valued with these patrons, and they appreciate wanting to be included in whatever transaction they are doing, whether it be speaking about their day when waiting for items to be scanned or wanting to know how the product will help them.
Expressive customers enjoy connecting with people and will often speak about things aside from the items in front of them. It’s important for the worker to acknowledge their desire to connect with them and get to know them.
Lastly, there are analytical customers. Similar to the direct types of consumers, analytical people are less likely to want to engage in small talk and want to get accurate information from the person. They want their concerns or questions to be acknowledged properly and to be taken seriously.
All these types of customers teach the retail associate how to interact with them, what will make them happy and what will potentially upset them. This can be a very eye-opening experience for those who may not have been exposed to different types of people. This allows retail workers to develop customer service skills, confidence, empathy and sales knowledge.
Another strength that comes from retail work is the variety there is in it. Entry-level jobs include cashiers, people who collect payments for the items that customers buy and customer service representatives, who are responsible for speaking with customers about any questions, concerns or complaints they may have about purchases or services. There are also sales associates, which is what I am. A sales associate is a mix of the previous two, where they are responsible for greeting customers, answering questions and using cash registers to process payments. These jobs can be done throughout fast food places, supermarkets, coffee shops, pottery shops and phone retailers.
For those who do not like interacting with the public very much, there are a few retail jobs that can at least limit the number of people that need to be seen by the worker. There are the obvious ones, such as inventory specialists or those who package products for delivery. These types of jobs involve storing and tracking supplies that are needed for the business. They can help people learn organizational, technical and logistical skills. There are also visual merchandisers, who are the ones who create appealing displays to attract customers to their products. They need visual design skills as well as a creative mind to do their job properly.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that there are some negatives that come with this type of job. It’s well known that those who work in retail are incredibly underappreciated. Working in this type of environment that involves working with the public and always maintaining friendly mannerisms can be exhausting. It can also be difficult if someone were to encounter customers who were rude or demanding. However, I will say that it is rare to deal solely with terrible people. There are usually some good customers that will help balance out the day.
Another negative that can come with this type of work is irregular scheduling. A lot of different customer service industries, in particular, can have special hours outside of a regular work week, such as holidays or weekends. There can also be a variety in the hours of a shift that a service worker can be scheduled to do every week. While it could be seen as a flexible work schedule for some, for those who enjoy consistency in their hours, this type of scheduling can be annoying.
Retail work has been underappreciated for way too long now. While there are definitely a lot of complaints I can make about working the job I have currently at the phone service company, I will say it has been the most character-building experience I’ve had in my life. Patience has been tested, coworkers have been bonded with, scheduling has been flexible enough to attend university and I have spoken to many kinds of people in the six months I’ve worked there.
To anyone who works a retail job — I appreciate you.
A photo of the Western students that attended the protest in Salem on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. | Photo courtesy of Jacob Prater
Jan. 28 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Monday, Jan. 19 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day — saw a turnout of hundreds at the Oregon State Capitol, where a collection of Western students joined protesting efforts.
The rally was held to show solidarity with the immigrant community as well as protest the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration. Calling for immigration reform, protesters also heavily drew from Martin Luther King Jr.’s mission to establish equality and peaceful resistance.
Event participants and organizers discussed the current political state of the US, saying that students and families are experiencing a lot of fear due to immigration crackdown efforts.
Salem police reported around 400 rally attendees. One incident involving the unlawful use of pepper spray had one man arrested, but names and further details have yet to be released.
One of about 20 counterprotesters, Thomas Allen, 36, was present at the rally in a similar fashion to his controversial appearance at Western Dec. 3, 2025, brandishing a microphone, camera and pro-Trump merchandise. At the end of Fall term, Allen appeared on campus while livestreaming on multiple platforms and was recorded using racial slurs and threatening students that they would be deported by ICE.
Western student Jacob Prater said, “I wanted to attend to help show that we have power in numbers and help spark more resistance statewide against ICE in Oregon. We vastly outnumber counterprotesters and are the majority.”
One intention of the rally is to build momentum behind an immigrants’ rights package. Families impacted by immigration enforcement would receive increased protections and financial support.
The rally followed increased ICE presence, as well as increased tension, across the country after the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Locally, Albany mother Maria Trinidad Loya Medina was kidnapped Jan. 10 by ICE in the Big 5 parking lot after heading in to shop, leaving behind her young son in the car. Her GoFundMe stated that federal agents shattered her driver’s side window to “get ahold of her.” She had no criminal record and was taken to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. According to sources closer to the family, she may be released next month.
A photo of the inside of Browsers’ Bookstore. | Photo by Hannah Field
Jan. 21 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Recent bookstore statistics prove that popularity for local businesses in the US is climbing rather than subsiding five years after the coronavirus shutdown, with communities rallying and the landscape of bookstores adapting to meet modern demands. The American Booksellers Association, or ABA, reported a membership increase of 18% and 323 new brick-and-mortar, pop-up and mobile stores opening across the United States in their 2024 annual report. They noted that 2024 had “the most successful Independent Bookstore Day to date.” According to Harvard Business School, despite local bookstores struggling to remain afloat during pandemic regulations that limited business operations and corporations like Amazon dominating the industry, localism has become a social movement that has been steering indie bookstores back to the forefront. Communities have emerged to shop small and support local businesses in the wake of recent corporate boycotts against companies like Starbucks, Target and Amazon for their various methodologies, including anti-union sentiments alongside a lack of corporate accountability and diversity inclusion. Abe Richmond, owner of Browsers’ Bookstore located in Albany, Oregon, said, “I was working here during the pandemic. It was obviously bizarre, and we closed for several months, but the customer base rallied behind us. So we would do sidewalk drop-offs, they would pay for it over PayPal or whatever, Instagram, and then we would package their books and put them on the porch.” Richmond bought Browsers’ from the previous owner after graduating from Oregon State University, having been an employee of his, and has been at the forefront for more than three years. While Browsers’ Bookstore handled the precarious nature of being a small business during the pandemic, the customer base has also adapted to new ownership — and adapted well, with Richmond being recognized across town as the owner of Browsers’ and building a solid rapport with customers who seek out his services specifically. When it comes to Amazon and Barnes & Noble, resale bookstores like Browsers’ suffer less than one might think. “I like them because people will spend $40 on a new hardcover in Salem and then read it, and then not know what to do with it, so then they bring it here. And I have a fairly new, good-shaped book.” Customers who drop off books may receive in-store credit at Browsers’ to spend. Beyond that, Richmond also displays local authors and merchandise drawn by nearby artists. “It’s counterintuitive. Because who is this person, you know? But then, if you point it out, like, ‘Hey, they live in Albany or Corvallis,’ people are like, ‘Oh, I’ll read it almost just for that sake.’ Whereas if it was some other book that you’d never heard of, they’d probably pass over it.” He also noted the enjoyable community aspect when authors host signing events at Browsers’, bringing a sense of life to local stores. Richmond also instrumented a film drop box through Light Rider Studios, meaning customers can drop off their film to get developed on their behalf and delivered. Bookstores have been changing since the 1970s, with 43% of local bookstores closing between 1995 and 2000, reminiscent of the decline in physical bookstore sales through the Kindle push in the late 2000s and 2019, when Amazon had sold more than half of all books in the United States. Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon, stated, “Amazon isn’t happening to the book business. The future is happening to the book business.” Amazon was founded in 1994 as an online bookseller by Bezos. Since then, the ABA has labeled it an unchecked monopoly, claiming that it stifles competition and that it has an enormously negative impact on the bookselling market. Amazon was able to expedite growth, printing an effective blueprint to attract customers and obtain and keep wealth by failing to comply with tax regulations and offering duty-free purchases. Amazon also regularly offers discounted books, undercutting businesses that have to sell at full price in order to stay afloat. Booksellers have been forced to drop employees in order to stay profitable — which could also be a part of why Richmond and Sydney-Anne Graves are the sole paid workers as owners of their respective businesses, Browsers’ Bookstore and Monarch Books. Regardless, Richmond and Graves have found success. And, according to the Associated Press, others are too; more than 200 local bookstores were predicted to open across the country between 2023 and 2025. Monarch Books only just started in April of 2024 out of Lebanon, Oregon, owned and founded by Sydney-Anne Graves, who was a senior in high school when she encountered at a coffee shop the landlord of the building in which Monarch Books resides. That conversation alone spurred Graves to tell her mom later that night: “Mom, I’m buying a bookstore.” After touring the building — reportedly falling in love with it — and dedicating multiple weeks to deep-cleaning, Monarch Books came to life under Graves’ new ownership and keen eyes. “We opened, and (that) first day, it was really busy,” said Graves. “And I was like, ‘Okay, this might work out.’ It was really busy. And then, ever since, I’ve been slowly getting more inventory in, decorating, getting it to my vibe. I really love a lot of colors and plants, and there’s still a lot of ideas I have for in here, but it’s come so far from where it originally was.” Richmond expressed appreciation for the anti-corporate push in 2025, leading to more local shoppers steering clear of Amazon and other corporate sellers. In the current political and social state of the US, local businesses may be inclined to further build queer-safe communities and book selections as opposed to corporate booksellers — potentially building a reliable customer base seeking a supportive book hub and shared community. Browsers’ Bookstore remains open consistently under Richmond’s new ownership and maintains a loyal clientele across nearby cities. A good chunk of customer interaction relies on online postings and website sales through Browsers’ Bookstore’s virtual pages. “I sell a lot (from what) I post on Instagram, and then people will be like, ‘Hey, I’ll take it.’ And so they come in and pay for it,” said Richmond. “It’s weird, though, because say you wanted a book we don’t have. It shocks me every time how many people are like, ‘Hey, can you order it for me?” Instead of them hopping on Amazon, because we go through a new book distributor. But I think it’s because people want to support. I think people like having bookstores.” “It’s just so awesome, and it’s really cool to see that so many people still support the book community,” said Graves. “I was really nervous about that. I know I read and I know some of my friends read, but I don’t know how many people actually still buy books or shop downtown — so I think that was the most nerve-wracking part about it. But it’s been really great.” Another aspect of the resurgence of bookstores is the online platforms Instagram and TikTok, cultivating an online community of book lovers. Dubbed “bookstagram” and “booktok,” readers and writers participate in hashtags, giveaways and online sharing, creating trends and catapulting books onto bestseller lists through sheer word of mouth via the internet. “I feel like I get new customers every single week,” said Graves. “There are so many people who still love reading and that’s (been) helped a lot with bookstagram and booktok, different things that have really kind of inspired people to get back into it, which is so cool.” “Taylor Swift — I’m not sure what — did something with Shakespeare,” said Richmond. “I’ve had so many women, and girls, college and under, be like, ‘I need Shakespeare.’ … It’s the same, if a movie comes out of a book, people flood the place, like when ‘Dune’ came out. Yeah, I couldn’t keep ‘Dune’ to save my life.” “I was like, ‘Why is my Shakespeare selling all of a sudden?’ Nobody cared about this before,” Graves joked. Taylor Swift’s most recent album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” features imagery, lyrics and photography modeled after Shakespeare’s character Ophelia in “Hamlet,” no doubt causing the wave of Shakespeare-mania that Richmond and Graves both experienced. “Dune” amassed a box office of more than $400 million in 2021 and “Dune: Part Two” grossed $715 million in 2024, with the “Dune” franchise built off of six core books written in the 1960s through the 80s. However, there is a catch to the media frenzy. Allison K. Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, blames Amazon: “Amazon is now the water we swim in … There are multiple ways that an independent bookstore is forced to not only interact with Amazon, but support them — books made into shows streaming on Prime Video are printed with Amazon stickers on the cover.” Regardless, books have long since had movie adaptations, and well before Amazon and other corporations took hold. Much like local bookstores, movie theaters are becoming increasingly popular — for the second time. Upcoming releases like “Wuthering Heights,” “Project Hail Mary” and “Sunrise on the Reaping” are all 2026 book-to-movie adaptations spanning classic literature, sci-fi and the famous Hunger Games franchise. Show adaptations are equally successful, with notable pop-culture stars of book-to-show adaptations being “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Heated Rivalry” — currently thriving on HBO Max — and “Bridgerton.” With books inspiring much of modern media turnout, it’s unlikely that books and bookstores will succumb to the strains of aging. In a way, books are trendy again, as the statistics prove — Barnes & Noble opened almost 70 new locations in 2025 and has more on the way. Hill said in a statement in the 2024 annual report, “The numbers only tell part of the story. This momentum occurred despite significant challenges: the usual ones like thin margins, rising costs, and Amazon’s chokehold on our industry, and urgent threats that shook the very foundation of our work as the right to read and access books faced sustained, coordinated attacks.” The current presidential administration has made a dedicated effort to place bans on books that affect educators and librarians, limiting access to certain content, especially that which discusses gender, race and sexuality. While that’s less likely to impact independent booksellers, the pressure remains to conform as book access limits book readers and their interests. Additionally, independent bookstores can rely on author visits and community involvement; divisive political action can split a customer base or turn away potential author-bookstore collaborations. The ABA, when discussing concerns for people interested in opening a bookstore, cited “free expression challenges.” Portland’s own Powell’s Books — the largest independent and used bookstore in the world, spanning one city block and containing over a million potential reads — participated in the ABA’s Banned Books Week event in 2024, discussing the right to read, spreading awareness about book bans and hosting panels. ABA also conducts the yearly Independent Bookstore Day. In 2024, when the ABA reported the highest participation numbers to date for the event, ambassador Amanda Gorman stated, “Independent bookstores are vital hubs of creativity and community. They offer curated selections that foster discovery for readers, while providing vital support and a platform for diverse voices for writers and other creators. They are the true modern-day town square, the beating heart of our communities, and a place for meaningful interaction and human connection.” The day involved 1,216 stores from across all 50 states. “Our mission — to help independent bookstores survive and thrive — remained at the core of everything ABA did,” said Hill. While the 2025 annual report from the ABA won’t arrive until mid-2026, the expectation is that the indie bookselling industry will only continue to grow in spite of the last decade’s challenges, with Graves adding, “I don’t think books will ever go out of style.”
A photo of an artwork depicting a woman caressing her cheek in the mirror. | Photo from @alev.neto on Instagram
Jan 7. 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
Special thanks to copy editor Kiera Roedel for being the inspiration to write this article.
I have a habit of saying “sorry” a lot. Like, a lot. While apologizing is an important behavior that everyone has hopefully done throughout their lives when needed, I usually do it to the point where it isn’t. It isn’t something that I thought would be such a big problem. After all, I don’t want to be seen as someone who doesn’t take accountability for their actions.
Yet, I can recognize that a lot of the time, I don’t need to say sorry as much as I do. I am an overapologizer. Overapologizing is the act of apologizing so much that it becomes more of a defense mechanism rather than an actual apology. It is not something that a person will wake up with one day and begin doing. It is usually a learned behavior. It is something that has been developed throughout someone’s life without realizing it. Another term for overapologizing is “the anxious sorry.”
Definition —The anxious sorry is a type of safety behavior. A safety behavior, according to Psychology Today, is a type of “short-acting relief technique” that people use to calm their fears or anxiety. They can involve both avoidance and escapism responses, such as procrastination, reassurance-seeking or even stonewalling. Safety behaviors aren’t necessarily a problem for those who do them, but they can become an issue when they have become the only coping mechanism that someone’s used their entire life. Healthy coping mechanisms like learning from mistakes, problem-solving and learning to accept things are all good ways of coping with issues or dramatic changes. Yet, when the automatic response someone has when facing an issue is “sorry,” it can be a clue into a much deeper problem developing in the mind of the apologizer.
What sorry means to an overapologizer —Overapologizers don’t usually say sorry all the time to be polite. It’s often because they fear something. Fear usually ties into all sorts of things, such as being scared of conflict, anxiety, low self-esteem and people-pleasing tendencies. The word “sorry” then becomes a replacement for feelings that a person may not have the capability of confronting or skills to cope with. Constantly apologizing can cause overapologizers a momentary feeling of relief from whatever bad feeling was giving them the need to apologize, whether it be fear of rejection or anxiety. It is that relaxing feeling that can make a person use the word as a strategy in maintaining relationships.
Potential problems — While saying sorry a lot may not seem like such a big deal, it can become harmful. It is incredibly diminishing to the apologizer’s self worth. It reinforces the thought that they’re wrong, that they are “too much” and that the person is responsible for the emotions of others. Apologizing a lot can also be confusing for those who are around you. Saying sorry often can make the word lose its sincerity, and then the person who you are apologizing to doesn’t understand what it is that is actually needed from the apologizer. There is an irrational fear of upsetting others or being uncomfortable when others around them are upset. Despite knowing that the problem didn’t come from them, overapologizers have this compulsive need to try to diffuse the situation before being able to feel comfortable again.
The signs — One overapologetic behavior would be apologizing for things that the person themselves didn’t do. Situations such as schedule conflicts, apologizing for someone else’s behavior, not carrying cash when it’s needed, etc. Oftentimes, it’s things that the person had no control over or prior knowledge of needing to do that they end up taking responsibility for. Another sign would be saying sorry instead of expressing a need. A good example of this that I personally have lived through would be saying sorry to a partner instead of telling them what it is that I want from them. There was a time that my spouse and their family wanted to go eat at a sushi restaurant. I was the only one who didn’t want to go, but I lied and said I wanted to because I didn’t want to be the reason they didn’t get the food they wanted. I tried to prevent a conflict between them and compromised my own wants to do so.
Likely Causes —Some causes for saying sorry frequently could involve the background of the overapologizer. If they were surrounded by people who were caring and understanding one minute and furious the next, they often have to learn early on how to anticipate the needs of others by minor things such as expressions, tone, hand movement and body language. That could explain the need to want to “diffuse the bomb,” despite not being the cause of it. Trauma is another major factor in apologizing often. A lot of people who experience traumatic events will often blame themselves for it in an attempt to feel in control of the situation. Yet, it can often make the trauma worse and make them perform people-pleasing behavior to feel safe. For people who think less of themselves or have low self-image, feelings of self-resentment can cause them to say sorry for things that often don’t need it. Having low self esteem can also make a person much more likely to be in codependent relationships. Being in a codependent relationship means that the person’s value is tied to their ability to keep the other person in the relationship happy. Taking the blame for whatever conflicts may arise between the two can often be a way to keep the peace to satisfy the other.
Like most problems that we as humans face, the first thing overapologizers need to do is be aware of the issue and try to combat it more. It’s important to become self-aware of how often they say sorry and what situations it tends to come up in more. Try to recognize the feelings that are being felt in that moment and replace the word “sorry” with healthier language. Something I did when coming into work late due to a car issue was apologize for not being on time, despite the fact that I provided a warning and had no control of the situation. Something else I could have said was “thank you for waiting.” Small changes like this can make a big impact on breaking the cycle. Therapy can also be a very good way to combat the action and try to work through what it is that the word “sorry” is replacing. It can be difficult to do, even uncomfortable.
However, I want to remind anyone who reads this that it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to exist and take up space. No one is inconvenient.
There is a legend involving the discovery of coffee and goats. Yes, there is. According to this legend, Kaldi was once a goat herder who noticed that after his goats ate the cherries of a specific tree in the ancient forests of the Ethiopian plateau, they became so hyper that they couldn’t sleep through the night. When Kaldi told the priest of the local monastery about the behavior, they decided to do a makeshift experiment where they turned the berries into a drink. After a few sips, they were saying the prayers with a boost of energy. The reason those cherries made everyone so jumpy was that they contained a lovely little drug most college students are utterly familiar with — caffeine.
Most adults are no strangers to caffeine. On average, 4 out of 5 adults consume it daily, myself included. This drug can be found in a lot of different things naturally, but the most common way people consume it is through drinks. The most popular caffeinated beverages are coffee, tea and energy drinks. While most people know what it is and what it does, most aren’t aware of what is a normal side effect of caffeine and what isn’t. Most view it as a harmless drug, because, for the most part, it is, as long as it is used responsibly. So, let’s dig into what makes the bitter taste so powerful.
The definition —According to WebMD, “caffeine is a natural chemical with stimulant effects.” It increases the activity of the brain and nervous system. Caffeine is closely associated with coffee, as it was isolated from the coffee bean by Ferdinand Runge in 1819. It is also a long-lasting drug, taking 5 to 30 minutes to kick in and staying in the body for up to 12 hours, depending on the person.
Purpose —The main reason everyone consumes caffeine is to increase alertness, enhance athletic performance and improve focus. Some also use it for other purposes like ADHD, asthma, low blood pressure and depression, though WebMD does state that there isn’t a lot of good scientific evidence to support the latter four uses.
Side effects —The effects of the drug can involve increased breathing, elevated heart rate and increased mental alertness as well as a boost in physical energy. It also has some side effects involving digestion and urination. Sometimes, people say that coffee can give them heartburn. A possible reason for that is that caffeine can increase the amount of acid in a person’s stomach. Some scientists theorize that because of the bitter taste that can come with the drug, it could lead to a buildup of acid-forming in the stomach. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means that the body will want to urinate more when consumed.
Concerning side effects —For the most part, caffeine is safe for the heart for those who don’t have any preexisting heart conditions. It is possible, though, to have had an inordinate amount. Signs that a person has had too much caffeine could be shakiness, agitation, trouble sleeping, a racing heart and dizziness. It’s also possible for headaches, chest pain and severe anxiety to happen. WebMD notes that a 32-ounce energy drink has a much higher ability to give a person abnormally high heart rhythms and blood pressure.
Amount to have —If a person does not have any sort of underlying conditions, the maximum amount of caffeine someone can consume in a day is about 400 milligrams, which is the amount found in four cups of coffee. However, it is notable that energy drinks can contain a lot more caffeine. According to the Food and Drug Administration, energy drinks typically have 41 to 246 milligrams per can. My energy drink of choice is typically Red Bull. Lately, though, I have been drinking Monster since most people I know have them regularly. I haven’t really liked the taste of it, but I noticed that the drink caused me to feel off. My heart rate increased a lot, my hands were twitching and my chest would occasionally hurt. I found out that there is quite a difference between the two. A 16-ounce Red Bull, on average, contains 136 milligrams of caffeine while a 16-ounce Monster Energy drink has 160 milligrams. Granted, the difference is only 24 milligrams, but it was enough to affect me.
Who shouldn’t have it —Anyone who has any preexisting health conditions or is under the age of 18 could suffer serious health conditions or even death from having too much caffeine. Pregnant women are able to drink it as long as they don’t go over 300 milligrams. Caffeine can pass into breast milk, so limitations while breastfeeding are recommended.
Extreme cases — In 2023, Matthew Patrick, known more commonly as MatPat, made a video called “This Lemonade Could Kill You (Panera),” where he discussed a viral TikTok posted by user @sarachebaus. In her video, she discusses being unaware of how much caffeine is in a now-discontinued product served by Panera known as the “charged lemonade.”
The 20-ounce drink had 260 milligrams of caffeine in it, while the large size had 390 milligrams, which is only 10 milligrams away from being the recommended limit of a person’s daily caffeine intake. She also noted that she drank 4 or 5 of them a day, which would have been the equivalent of 11 Red Bulls, according to MatPat. Both he and @sarachebaus criticized Panera for the lack of any disclaimers of how much caffeine these drinks contained. Despite these drinks having way more of this drug than a typical energy drink, they were not labeled as such. They were only called “charged lemonades” and had in tiny lettering underneath the sign the amount of caffeine in a 20-ounce and a 30-ounce. MatPat then spoke about how potentially dangerous these drinks could be to those with preexisting heart conditions. As it turned out, he was right.
In September of 2022, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student named Sarah Katz went into cardiac arrest shortly after having one of these drinks and passed away. According to USA Today, her family had sued Panera, explaining that she had a heart condition and would explicitly avoid any drinks that had caffeine in them. They accused Panera of being misleading in the marketing, as well as failure to provide labeling that better warned that these drinks were dangerous to those who had underlying health conditions. Another person, 46-year-old Dennis Brown, died from cardiac arrest in October of 2023 after drinking three charged lemonades. His family also sued Panera, explaining that he had high blood pressure and never consumed energy drinks.
Caffeine is a drug. Like any drug, people can become dependent on it. Withdrawal symptoms typically include crankiness, headaches, sweating, anxiety, fatigue and in some cases, muscle pain. Withdrawal can begin within 12 to 14 hours from the last sip taken and can last up to a week. It’s possible to break the dependence by steadily reducing the amount of caffeine being consumed. This gives the body time to adjust to being able to function without depending so much on the drug. So, be mindful of how much is consumed.
A photo of a student study group in the Hamersly library. Pictured left to right: Kalyn Gambill (junior), Preet Dhaliwal (senior) and Richard Loos (junior). | Photo by Hannah Field
Nov. 19 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Starting Jan. 5, 2026, all staff members will be required to work on campus five days a week due to a request by Western president, Jesse Peters. The request excludes faculty, meaning professors, but includes all other full-time employees at Western, such as janitorial staff, advisers, counselors, administrators and others.
Any part-time staff member may review their hours with their supervisor, who will then, on a case-by-case basis, determine the best course of action for the staff member. No further information was disclosed regarding the new rule and the effects of the changes are yet to be seen until Winter term begins.
According to Western spokesperson Maureen Brakke, faculty are encouraged to be on campus and communicate with the community as much as possible. With that in mind, the university is aware of additional responsibilities connected to teaching, scholarship and service, leading to greater flexibility for faculty hours. Many professors on campus are long-distance, either via commute or purely teaching online. While the potential of that changing seems unlikely, Western in the new year will be pushing toward in-person classes more than ever before.
“This decision comes in light of WOU’s strong tradition of in-person classroom instruction, with many faculty and students expressing a preference for enhanced face-to-face learning experiences,” said Brakke.
With in-person classes as one of the main priorities of Western at this time, President Peters also requested that the Academic Affairs Division assess undergraduate courses and determine which should be offered as hybrid or fully online options. Considering previous statements from Western, it’s likely that fewer online courses will be available.
Those changes, however, have no announced timeline. The faculty will complete an audit of online and hybrid classes by the end of Winter term, which will then offer more information to the school about maintaining or altering those as online options.
With that information being gathered at the end of March, it’s unlikely that any major changes will take place in the Spring term of 2026 following the week-long break.
“Nothing will be changing immediately,” said Brakke.
