Mount Hood

Get involved with SOLVE for Earth Day this year

Volunteer in these cleanup initiatives with SOLVE

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Since 1969, SOLVE — a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental cleanups  —  has prioritized “taking care of Oregon” by organizing statewide cleanup initiatives for the coast, rivers, forests and parks.

In honor of Earth Day, SOLVE has dedicated over a week’s worth of events to continue to make Oregon clean for future generations.

“Earth Day Spring Planting”: April 22, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Located at 409 E. Main St., Hillsboro, OR.

“Terwilliger Plaza Community Clean-Up”: April 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Located at 545 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR.

“Portland Gear x Earth Day Clean-up!”: April 22, 12 to 3 p.m. Located at Portland Gear Clubhouse, 627 SW 19th Ave., Portland, OR outside of Providence Park.

“Coldwell Banker Bain’s Earth Day Clean-up – NW Portland”: April 22, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Located at 636 NW 21st Ave., Portland, OR.

“Urban Nature Partners Earth Day Clean Up Event at Rocky Butte”: April 22, 2 to 7:30 p.m. Located at Northeast 92nd Avenue & Northeast Skidmore Street, Portland, OR.

“Boise Eliot Native Grove Earth Day Clean Up!”: April 23, 12 to 2 p.m. Located at 300 N. Ivy St., Portland, OR.

“Earth Day Sheridan Clean-Up!”: April 24, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Located at 435 S. Bridge St., Sheridan, OR.

“Medford Parks Cleanup – Fichtner-Mainwaring Park”: April 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. More details will be given by contacting Michael Mace at 541-774-2695 and michael.mace@cityofmedford.org.

“Round Butte Overlook Park Clean Up”: April 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit SOLVE’s Park Clean Up page for more information.

“Woods Park Volunteer Event 4/24/21”: April 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meeting location will be emailed once a participant has registered on the event page. 

“Willow Creek Drive/ SW 194th Community Cleanup”: April 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Located at Southwest Willow Creek Court, Beaverton, OR.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

WOU veterans kick off Earth Day weekend on the Oregon coast

Student Veterans of America participate in Neskowin Beach cleanup

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

This past weekend, a total of 33 volunteers collected 11 medium sized bags of garbage off of Neskowin Beach. 

Western student veterans were among those searching for garbage that was washed up on shore or was left by beach goers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 80% of all marine waste found on beaches during cleanups and surveys is a result of improperly disposed waste. In their most recent study, the EPA lists Oregon to be the 12th highest in dumping new waste into its 19 operational landfills, estimated to total 1.6 tons in 2019 alone.

“When I got out of the military and moved back to Oregon I wanted to get involved,” said senior public policy and administration major and Western Oregon Student Veterans of America Chapter President Brian Ulbricht, “(by doing) volunteer work, making the community better … after changing the purpose of service to the country to service to the community.”

Over the course of an hour, Ulbricht said the group collected an estimated two pounds worth of garbage, with microplastics being the most common type of garbage found on the beach.

In 2020, a study published under the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography investigating the gut content of fish found that 100% of the samples taken had plastic in the gills or digestive system. According to the National Wildlife Federation, there is not a definitive number for animal lives lost due to plastic ingestion, but it is currently documented that 331 species, including birds, have been found to have consumed man-made plastic materials. In a 2014 study, it was estimated that around five trillion pieces of plastic were floating in the ocean.

According to the volunteers that participated in the beach cleanup initiative, there was less trash on the beach than previously anticipated.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” said Oregon City resident Angie Stennick. “I had hoped we’d be able to find more garbage … It’s a positive thing. It’s a lot cleaner than we thought it would be.”

Ulbricht stated that Oregon beaches have progressively become cleaner over the years, referencing a picture he took 20 years ago containing forgotten sand castle molds, needles and leftover food garbage. 

“It’s a good sign,” said Ulbricht. “Visitors to the beach want to keep this nicer and think more about others.”

However, onsite park rangers said one contributing factor to less pollution on the beach is in part due to declining rain in Oregon.

Ulbricht wants students to be aware that climate change is real and that being proactive in volunteer cleanups is a great way to help with the environment. 

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

ASWOU presents candidates running for office

The 2021-22 candidates answer why they’re running and more

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Introducing the ASWOU candidates running for office for 2021-22. Voting begins on April 19 at 5 p.m., and Western students have until April 23 at 5 p.m. to submit their ballots on Engage. Nominees answer the question, “What plans do you have for Western?” Read even more about each candidate in our online issue at wou.edu/westernhowl.

For students interested in asking the candidates questions, ASWOU is hosting Candidate Forums on April 14 and April 21 via Zoom from 6:30 to 8 p.m.. The Zoom link is available on Engage.

Logan Jackson

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Junior

Major: Public Policy and Administration 

Position: President (2021-22) and Vice President (Spring 2021) 

Why are you running?

I am running for these positions because I know that I can make a positive impact on WOU as a whole. I’ve been involved in leadership for most of my school career and I believe that those past experiences have equipped me with the tools needed to pinpoint problems and implement solutions in solving them. I believe that I have been able to view WOU in a different perspective ⏤ as a Black woman who has held leadership positions within housing, ASWOU clubs, as well as being a student athlete, I’ve seen many things within the institution that could use improvements. I’m a firm believer in if you don’t like how something is being done and there is an opportunity for you to get involved, then you need to step up and be the change that you want to see ⏤ and that is what I’m doing.

What plans do you have for Western?

My main focuses will be addressing the inequalities present here at WOU involving race, sexuality and economic status as well as diving deeper into the lack of support our minority groups have here on campus. During such (a) divisive time in our nation, the least we can do as a university is create a space where students not only feel safe physically, mentally and emotionally, but also genuinely feel supported by the administration, staff/faculty and their peers.

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

As I previously stated, I have been involved in leadership for my entire school career, from middle school to college in a variety of different environments all of which required attention in different areas. I believe that those past experiences have equipped me with the tools needed to pinpoint problems and implement solutions in solving them.

Makanaohaililani Johnson-Waikiki

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Junior

Major: Communication Studies

Position: President (2021-22)

Why are you running?

As a woman of color I have dealt with discrimination, bashing, harassment, racism and misogyny. I believe it is a leader’s responsibility to give others the ability to shine by holding spaces of power and opening them to everyone. As your president I intend to use my position to hold the space and open it to students like me who have felt like they didn’t belong, they weren’t safe, they weren’t welcome, they weren’t respected, like they did not have a voice. We have extraordinary potential on this campus, if all students’ voices are heard in the spaces of power. Because we are powerful together. 

What plans do you have for Western?

As a native Hawaiian I hold strong values of community, family and teamwork. As this institution’s first Native Hawaiian president, I plan to create a more inclusive and welcoming culture at WOU that helps everyone feel a sense of community ties, family bonds and togetherness as a team. I will continue championing the Freedom Center and elevating the voices of students of color. I will work to pass legislation that will increase the spaces for BIPOC students and those from marginalized backgrounds to be heard in the conversations that occur in every level of our college experience. I will hold departments accountable for making changes to address discrimination. I will hold administration accountable for their responsibility to ensure that students of color feel safe at WOU. I will work to create a stronger connection between departments across campus and the student body. I will ensure that students are reminded and educated on the power they have to make WOU a safe and inclusive university for everyone.

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

This last year I’ve been involved in ASWOU as the Incidental Fee Committee Chair, I’ve worked alongside other students of color to develop a plan for the WOU Freedom Center ⏤ a resource center and safe space on campus where students of color can be the majority, and I’ve worked closely with the Oregon Students Association to promote students’ needs at the state level. I was a peer advocate with Abby’s House and am currently the Vice President of the Multicultural Student Union. Through these roles I’ve found a drive and passion to change the culture of ASWOU through creating an environment of transparent and open communication, ensuring that students are paid fairly for their jobs on campus, increasing BIPOC representation and addressing the widespread discrimination on our campus.

Devin Jay Thongdy 

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Year: Junior

Major: Psychology 

Position: Vice President (2021-22)

Why are you running?

The reason why I am running for Vice President is to not be an echo in a crowd of underrepresented but a voice that empowers us to push for change, to fight for what is right and do more to help one another. I am a first generation student, first to graduate highschool, first to graduate college next year in my family, came from a family that consisted of my brother, my single mom and me and many more titles and identities I hold. My whole life I had to do more to be where I am now. I did with determination, passion, care and with love. I want to make a change for this campus that not only serves the majority but the minority, the underrepresented, the one (whose) voice gets lost in the crowd. If I am elected for Vice President for the 2021-22 school year, this is what I will do to ensure that we become better and equitable communities.

What plans do you have for Western?

The plans that I have for WOU is to increase accessibility for the student government to the student body. I will increase the connection for ASWOU and student organization to ensure that we have transparency and are meeting students needs. I will get funding and resources for a Freedom Center to ensure BIPOC students have a place to feel safe and seen. I will make every attempt to increase the student wage because every student needs a stable income to be successful in their college journey. 

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

The qualities that will help me run for this position (are) that I am very determined, organized, have passion and compassion and many more. I believe these qualities allow me to work hard for what is right but also do it with love and passion for helping others. These will help make WOU a stronger community by always putting the student first and being able to be the voice for them. The Western community itself is filled with people who are also determined and (have) passion for what they want to do. For me running for this position will ensure this community will not be in the shadow and be heard. 

Elizabeth Braatz

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Junior 

Major: Criminal Justice

Position: Senate President 

Why are you running?

I have been involved in leadership since the second week of my first year at college. I have served as the Vice President of Heritage Hall government, Vice President of the Residence Hall Association and I am currently serving as a Resident Assistant. I also serve on the University Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, as well as the University Cultural Competency Advisory Committee. I am running for this position because I am extremely dedicated to listening to students and their voices, and making sure that students have a spot of the table. I am a Black, Hispanic, Alaskan Native Indian, gay woman, so I know how it feels to be left out, unheard and unseen. I will represent this student body to the best of my ability, and make sure that every student feels heard, seen and feels welcomed and loved at this institution.

What plans do you have for Western?

If elected as Senate President for the 2021-22 school year, I will continue my efforts in listening to what students of this university need to feel welcomed, loved, heard and seen. I will continue using my platform to continue the important and necessary conversations that need to be had. I want to ensure that I graduate next year knowing that I worked hard to leave a more welcoming and equitable university that embraces BIPOC members of this campus community, as well every human being regardless of their walk of life. 

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

I served as Vice President of Heritage Hall government, Vice President of the Residence Hall Association, Resident Assistant of Barnum Hall, member of University Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, University Cultural Competency Advisory Committee, Ambassador, PLUS Team Peer Advisor and Summer Bridge Peer Advisor. My first year at school I helped create and lead the End Hate March on campus, I am also the founder and creator of the newly implemented Satisfactory/No Credit grading option for the 2020-21 school year. Those are my qualifications.

Hannah Young

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Junior 

Major: Public Policy and Administration 

Position: Judicial Administrator 

 

Why are you running?

I chose to run for Judicial Administrator because I believe that I could continue the work I’ve done so far this academic year, and continue to grow and be a part of greater changes in ASWOU. I can do this in the role of Judicial Administrator by providing just and honest feedback and decisions that uphold the Governing Documents and prioritize the needs and betterment of the student body. 

What plans do you have for Western?

I hope to provide leadership experience while working together to promote ASWOU’s values and to prioritize student voices in order to best represent the entire student body. My goals are to work closely with both students and advisors to strengthen the relationship between all branches of student government in order to work to achieve goals led by student voices.

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

I have already been serving in the role of Judicial Administrator since the beginning of Winter Term 2021 ⏤ in that time I have grown as a student leader and gained invaluable experience in ASWOU. This year has been a wild and challenging time for all students, including myself. In my role, I have worked to protect the student body’s ideals and values set forth by our Governing Documents, and gained experiences working with my own Judicial Board as well as numerous other students and groups on campus.  

Kassidy Fegles-Jones

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Sophomore 

Major: Political Science 

Position: Judicial Administrator 

Why are you running?

I became interested in serving as a Judicial Administrator once I settled into college life and figured out where my ambitions and passions lie.

Truthfully, my first year at Western Oregon University, I did not get involved because I never saw myself being the person I am today. I was raised in West Salem which is a fairly conservative and predominantly white domain. I had a harder time adjusting in high school because I came out as openly gay my junior year, not to mention I was already known as the girl who had (two) moms. I experienced many things that ultimately led me to deter from getting involved in school clubs, organizations and taking chances. That perspective and lens changed when I began dating a woman of color. The experiences we faced led me to wanting to make change anywhere I could.  

What plans do you have for Western?

I will use my platform and the privileges that I hold for the betterment of equitable representation on this campus, and ensuring that BIPOC and marginalized voices on this campus are listened to by students, faculty and the university administration. As a campus community, we need to do right by all of the students who chose to go here. 

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

Being appointed as the Director of Equity for the Associated Students of Western Oregon University has helped me step into who I’ve always been meant to be. It has given me the platform to create change and start conversations that are needed. 

Within this role I work with clubs and organizations, state organizations and committees, as well as help put on campus programs focused on diversity and inclusion. This year I began testifying on bills and measures that would directly impact students and universities, as well as as Oregonians as a whole. I was appointed as a member of the University Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, as well as worked on Statewide Cultural Competency Campaigns. 

Maria Cuevas 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: Sophomore

Major: Early Childhood Education 

Position: Justice 

Why are you running?

I am running for this position to be an active student at WOU, but also to be a voice for students during hard times. 

What plans do you have for Western?

I plan to be an honest and active member of the judicial board. I plan to listen to students and make sure that ASWOU’s laws and constitution are being upheld. 

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

During my time at WOU, I was secretary of the Unidos club. This club is a great example of making WOU a stronger community, with all the outreach they do and making sure that WOU students feel safe and accepted. 

Austin Olin

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Year: Junior

Major: Political Science 

Position: Justice

Why are you running?

I am currently the Vice-Chair of this year’s ASWOU Judicial Board, and I have found the judicial branch of ASWOU to be an important part of my life. It helps me connect to WOU’s student body while allowing me to contribute my judicial knowledge to ASWOU through making important decisions alongside my fellow Justices. I would love nothing more than to continue serving as a Justice in my final year at WOU. 

What plans do you have for Western?

WOU is an amazing college, and part of what makes WOU so incredible is the hard work that ASWOU puts into their responsibilities. I plan to uphold the ASWOU Constitution and Bylaws while also keeping in mind the greater good of the WOU student body in my decisions as an ASWOU Justice. I believe that the Judicial branch of ASWOU is extremely important, and if I am elected as a Justice in the following year, I will continue to take my responsibilities seriously while contributing to the ASWOU Judicial Board to the best of my ability.

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

As a political science major, I have continually studied judicial practices throughout the last three years of my life. Not only do I have experience as an ASWOU Justice, but I also plan to start a career in law after I graduate WOU. This is my passion, and therefore I believe I am extremely qualified for this position.

Caitlin Wheeler

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Year: First-year

Major: Criminal Justice  

Position: IFC Member

Why are you running?

To engage more of the student body in the power of IFC and how Incidental Fees can work for them, overall in (an attempt) to make their experience here more exciting!

What plans do you have for Western?

Allocating funds where they’re needed (is) dependent on what the student body wants out of their experience at WOU. I want to educate more students on what their money is going towards.

What qualifies you to run for this position and help make Western a stronger community?

I am a natural-born leader with great listening abilities. I believe strength comes from the people and WOU is (a) developing community that needs more voices heard. As a potential IFC member, my focuses would be directed towards full frontal honesty of why Incidental Fees are collected and how they are redistributed amongst our programs here at Western.

Right and left wing supporters clash at the Capitol

Protesters in Salem cause conflict in anti-fascism demonstration 

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

On March 28, over 100 anti-fascist demonstrators contested with right wing supporters and police at the Oregon State Capitol after learning of a right wing Freedom Caravan’s plans to drive through the Capitol to “honor those who fought for our freedoms,” as stated in the rally advertisement.

Initially, the counter protest, labeled by the groups as “Fascist Free 503,” intended to deter the rally from reaching the Capitol. However, after a Salem police report claimed there were ongoing reports of criminal activity, Court Street was closed at around 3:45 p.m. and the gathering was declared unlawful. Police began migrating the groups north of the Capitol, announcing any lingering people would be subjected to arrest and potentially impact weapons, munitions and tear gas.

The group — dressed in bullet proof vests, gas masks and armed with shields or bats — continued to throw paint balloons or rocks from the sidewalks or the street at oncoming vehicles bearing Trump flags or American flags, breaking some car windows and tail lights. One vehicle was damaged after a fallen tree branch from the Oregon ice storm was thrown into the windshield, according to the Salem Police Department. 

In some instances, the counter gathering approached the driver side of a targeted vehicle and maced the drivers in the eyes. One vehicle owner had their car paintballed, and after coming out to check the damage done to his car, “ Fascist Free 503” pepper sprayed the vehicle owner’s eyes and bashed a car window in. The owner drew a gun and yelled at the group to get away from the vehicle following the incident, and police detained and questioned the owner. The vehicle owner was ultimately released for cooperating with the SWAT team and for having a concealed carry license, according to the police report. Onsite police officers said the gun owner never pointed his weapon at demonstrators. 

In total, four demonstrators were arrested: Andrew Alan Foy, 34, was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and second-degree criminal trespass; Nathan McFarland, 33, was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct; Anthony Villaneda,18, faces five counts of pointing a laser; and William Lloyd Isham, 34, was charged with interfering with a police officer. 

As of Apr. 6, McFarland bailed himself out for $250 while Foy and Villaneda  — for $350 and $5,250, respectively  — were bailed out privately. Police are still investigating and ask anyone with more information to call 503-588-8477.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Heritage Programming and Activities Committee protests racial injustice

HPAC holds Western leadership responsible for silence against hate crimes towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Since 2020, there has been a 149% increase in hate crimes towards people within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.

Student leaders from the Heritage Programming and Activities Committee were the first to take to social media last Wednesday. Citing Western’s leaders, including University Housing and University President Rex Fuller, HPAC found their silence around hate and discrimination towards AAPI community members disheartening, frustrating and disappointing. After a Feb. 28 hate crime reported by the Collegian towards a Willamette University student and the March 16 mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia killing a total of eight people, six of them being Asian American women, HPAC expected some acknowledgment or condemnation of AAPI hate.

“We as your student representatives (refuse) to stay silent,” said HPAC’S March 31 Instagram post. “We stand in solidarity with all of our fellow residents and (will) continue to actively advocate and fight for our voices to be heard. Black lives (still) matter, and that will not be ignored or pushed aside.”

Within the comment section of the post, University Housing was the first to reply with “Love this!!!!” with students replying the response was not enough or asking why they had not made an official statement of their own. 

“This campus has an atmosphere that creates silenced violence among students, especially student leaders,” said HPAC members. “The current administration flaunts instances where they did the bare minimum and hides instances where they exhibited gross insensitivity, and where they took the credit for things that others did. Western Oregon University’s administration must dedicate itself to reevaluating its responses and responsibilities towards its students, the staff, and the future.”

A day later, University Housing sent out an email to students living on campus and made an official statement via their Instagram page. 

“Hate has no place here,” said the April 1 Instagram post. “University Housing stands with all of our students in condemning the recent violent racist attacks perpetrated against the Asian American community.”

Housing “applauded” the student voices that had taken to social media and thanked students for challenging them to do better. Following HPAC and Housing, other university leadership groups released statements of their own, including Student Engagement, ASWOU and the Student Activities Board.

The Western Howl reached out to Strategic Communication and Marketing last week, inquiring whether administration intended to make a response to the discrimination and violent acts towards people in with the AAPI community. MarCom replied stating the university marketing team published an email sent out by Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rob Winningham to university staff only on March 18 in response to the Atlanta, Georgia shootings. Originally the statement was not intended to be representative of the entire university. However, as of April 6 an email under the Provost address has been sent out to students apologizing for the inadequacy of the original statement released.

Although HPAC acknowledged other statements that had been made, the committee is dedicated to holding the university to its promise of inclusion and its pride of diversity.

“The inaction of campus leadership has caused the student-body to feel frustration, fear, and isolation,” said HPAC. “As student leaders, we acknowledged the experiences of others and ourselves and worked to push towards change that will benefit the future. Incoming students must be willing to learn as individuals how they can make a difference, challenge themselves to critically examine societal norms, even when it’s uncomfortable and push to compassionately advocate for all.”

Going forward, HPAC says it intends to not stop until the university acknowledges and fulfills its promises of fighting against injustice, and prioritizes inclusion and diversity.

“Both AJ Owens, my co-adviser, and I are proud of our students for speaking out against injustices and violence against … AAPI communities,” said Heritage Resident Director and HPAC Advisor Michael Carroll. “We’re grateful to have student leaders who are thinking of other students’ needs and who advocate for support for all of our students, especially those from marginalized identities and backgrounds.”

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

2021 graduation ceremony decided

Western’s Commencement Committee finalizes graduation plans  

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Over Spring Break, the Western Oregon University Commencement Committee completed their discussion on how the 2021 Commencement ceremony will be hosted.

According to the email sent out to seniors on March 29, the committee has decided to hold both a virtual and an in person celebration. 

For the in person celebration, students and their families will decorate their cars and drive along a designated “celebration route.” At the end of the drive, each student will be able to walk across a graduation stage while being photographed by a professional photographer and their family, if desired. These celebrations will take place on June 12 and June 13.

For students who are living off campus due to the pandemic, the committee has decided to host a virtual Commencement ceremony where all of the graduates’ names will be read. The virtual ceremony will be available on June 11 at 6 p.m.

Students interested in participating in both events will need to RSVP by visiting wou.edu/graduation/ by May 4 in order to participate. 

For all other questions email the registrar at clarkaj@wou.edu.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Honoring the experiences of BIPOC students across Oregon universities

This Instagram page holds Oregon universities accountable, one post at a time

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Though the college experience can be an exciting time for many students, there are inherent stressful experiences that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous and People of Color students, and their ability to feel safe on campuses. 

One student at Western Oregon University saw the need for a space where BIPOC students can voice their experiences with racism and harassment, so they created the Instagram account @bipocatoregonuniversities. Students from Western Oregon University, University of Oregon and Oregon State University can submit their stories through Google Forms to be posted anonymously on Instagram. 

The creator of this page first saw a need for a safe space over the summer of 2020. They felt compelled to make the account after being profiled for a second time during winter term of 2021, when trying to buy food at the Valsetz Dining Hall. 

They recounted this experience, “To people it may not be a huge deal, but for me when the simplest task of getting food is met with bias and assumptions based upon how I look, it can be difficult to feel welcome in a place you pay thousands of dollars a term to attend. … The purpose of this page is to make sure that universities do not have any room to think they can silence students of color’s voices by creating policies and forms that statistically deter students rather than helping them get the help and resources they need.”

Since the page started on March 1, students across universities have reached out to safely share their experiences, with the creator of the account saying, “So far this experience has been nothing short of phenomenally amazing. I have received overwhelming support from students around the state, as well as faculty, department heads, staff, and employees. I have encountered a particular post that was extremely ignorant and simply uneducated. I made sure to make an example out of what this page was not created to publicize. This page is for students of color, this is a time for particularly white students, staff and faculty to acknowledge and truly listen to what students on this campus have endured.”

Additionally, “There are always ways for universities to grow and provide support for BIPOC students, such as hiring students of color for student work and leadership positions, a well-funded diversity center and additional supervisors, advisors and counselors of color.

There are many ways white students and staff can uplift BIPOC students, such as by “understand(ing) why our country, and why our world is the way it is. If you see something that is wrong, don’t just stand there and let it happen. Speak up, and just do the right thing. It’s okay to make good trouble.”

Students deserve to feel safe and represented on their campuses, and Instagram pages such as @bipocatoregonuniversities provide a space for students to be heard until the colleges decide to take further measures to address racism at their own schools.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Independence Cinema showings begin April 9

Independence Cinema reopening after COVID closures

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

In February, movie theaters in Oregon were permitted to reopen under the official Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. However, some movie theaters such as the Independence Cinema delayed their reopening, citing concerns for the new strains of COVID-19 and wanting more viable movies to showcase in the theaters.

“The hardest thing on a small business so devastated by these closures would be to reopen only to have to close down again,” said Independence Cinema in a Feb. 23 Facebook post. “We did it this fall, and we could not repeat that scenario and survive.”

However, on March 10 the local theater announced that it would be reopening its doors on April 9. 

“This was a very careful decision,” said a March 10 Facebook post, “with lots of planning, waiting and watching. We feel confident that everyone is ready to safely enjoy family entertainment again.”

The current plans for reopening entail operating daily with limited showtimes and adhering to industry-wide safety standards called CinemaSafe. Under these guidelines, all theaters are expected to require staff and patrons to wear masks, social distance audience members, increase ventilation where possible, provide hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content, disinfect the auditorium between showings, train staff on COVID-19 symptoms, make online tickets available for patrons and minimize cash transactions. In each state, theater capacity size varies depending on state governments mandates; in Oregon, it is contingent on a county’s COVID risk level. 

As of March 26, Polk County Health officials reported the county qualified for the moderate risk level by having a 2% positivity rate and 72.3 cases per 100,000 people over the course of 14 days. As a result, Independence Cinema will have a maximum capacity of 50%.

At this time, the theater does not have an official schedule for their showings, but according to their Instagram page, they plan to open with “Voyagers,” “Godzilla vs. Kong,” “Nobody,” “Chaos Walking,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Tom & Jerry.” 

To ensure patron safety, the theater is implementing an RSVP system that can be done either online at www.independencecinema8.com or in person at the ticket counter located outside the theater.

If patrons are not comfortable with watching movies in person, the theater is still offering to-go concessions.

For further information or questions, visit their Facebook page @independencecinema8 or their Instagram @indycinema.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Northwest Housing Alternatives finishes College Manor renovations and mural

Northwest Housing Alternatives hosts big reveal of Monmouth project

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

During Spring Break, Northwest Housing Alternatives ⏤ a not-for-profit developer of affordable housing in Oregon ⏤ completed the renovations on College Manor apartment complex.

Starting back in Aug. of 2020, the organization began revamping the interior design, mainly with the replacement of existing, domestic and wastewater systems and updating the bathrooms. External renovations included siding and window replacements on North and South elevations, exterior stairs and enclosure replacements, adding accessible ramps and walkways, mow strips, sealcoat and restriping the parking lot. 

“Affordable housing that is well cared for is an increasingly rare resource all across Oregon, especially in smaller/rural communities,” said Northwest Housing Alternatives housing developer Clayton Crowhurst. “Ensuring that this property continues to be … affordable for many years to come and isn’t sold to a market rate developer that will raise rents and let housing vouchers expire is critical.”

Over the course of the build, the update encountered setbacks, including a four-week delay due to COVID-19 and the Sept. Oregon wildfires, replacing moldy refrigerators and collecting funding.

“The most challenging part of any project like this is obtaining the funding to do it and then getting the many different funders and attorneys involved to all sign off on the project,” said Crowhurst. “The closing process occurred right at the start of COVID and came in right under the wire as several other projects had major funders pull out at the last minute due to fear about what the economy was going to do.”

However, the project was able to be fully funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Housing Partnership Fund and a perm loan with Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit. During COVID and the wildfires, Crowhurst stated the cost of materials rose significantly, causing a challenge to remain within budget. According to Crowhurst, the construction team of 80 to 100 people remained within budget, totaling $4,553,747 for labor and cost of materials. 

In addition to the construction, Northwest Housing Alternatives implemented a mural ⏤ painted by Portland artist Heidi Schultz ⏤ to showcase during their small presentation to the public. 

“The two of us just kicked back and forth a few different design ideas,” said Crowhurst, “and we really settled on the oak tree … It encompasses the themes of growing but also being sturdy and providing shelter during changing times. It captured a bunch of those things that embody our organization.”

Crowhurst explained that the organization is not out to make a quick dollar, and genuinely cares for its people. Being able to provide 3,000 Oregonians with a place to call home every single night ⏤ because housing is a human right and no one should have to choose between food, housing or healthcare ⏤ makes him proud to be affiliated with Northwest Housing Alternatives. 

Although there were renovations done to College Manor, current rents will not be increased. For more information about the organization, visit their website at https://nwhousing.org/#.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Honoring the experiences of BIPOC students across Oregon universities

This Instagram page holds Oregon universities accountable, one post at a time

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

The college experience can be an exciting time for many students, and it can also be inherently stressful — the days are full of cramming study sessions, keeping up with assignments and too many late nights. Unfortunately, there are larger issues that have been running rampant across many universities in Oregon, ones that heavily impact Black, Indigenous and People of Color students and their ability to feel safe on campuses. 

One student at Western Oregon University saw the need for a space where BIPOC students can voice their experiences with racism and harassment, so they created the Instagram account @bipocatoregonuniversities. They post experiences that are submitted anonymously through Google Forms, it allows for students from Western Oregon University, University of Oregon and Oregon State University to submit their stories anonymously. 

The creator of this page first saw a need for a safe space over the summer of 2020. They felt compelled to make the account after being profiled for a second time during Winter term of 2021, when trying to buy food at the Valsetz Dining Hall. They recounted this experience, “To people it may not be a huge deal, but for me when the simplest task of getting food is met with bias and assumptions based upon how I look, it can be difficult to feel welcome in a place you pay thousands of dollars a term to attend.” 

After experiencing this racial discrimination on Western’s campus, they followed their gut instinct and created the page to share stories from other students of color, and the page has been active since March 1, 2021.

“The purpose of this page is to make sure that universities do not have any room to think they can silence students of color’s voices by creating policies and forms that statistically deter students rather than helping them get the help and resources they need.”

Since the page started, students across universities have reached out to safely share their experiences, with the creator of the account saying, “So far this experience has been nothing short of phenomenally amazing. I have received overwhelming support from students around the state, as well as faculty, department heads, staff, and employees. I have encountered a particular post that was extremely ignorant and simply uneducated. I made sure to make an example out of what this page was not created to publicize. This page is for students of color, this is a time for particularly white students, staff, and faculty to acknowledge and truly listen to what students on this campus have endured.”

Additionally, “There are always ways for universities to grow and provide support for BIPOC students, such as hiring students of color for student work and leadership positions, a well-funded diversity center and additional supervisors, advisors and counselors of color.

There are many ways white students and staff can uplift BIPOC students, by “understand(ing) why our country, and why our world is the way it is. If you see something that is wrong, don’t just stand there and let it happen. Speak up, and just do the right thing. It’s okay to make good trouble.”

Students deserve to feel safe and represented on their campuses, and Instagram pages such as @bipocatoregonuniversities provide a space for students to be heard until the colleges decide to take further measures to address racism at their own schools.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

IFC and ASWOU Senate finalize budgetary plans for next school year

IFC plans for 2021 to be approved by the Board of Trustees

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

The Incidental Fee Committee has concluded its open hearings and finalized the budgetary allocations and fee application for the next school year.

In their preliminary decisions, the IFC had a total of 34.77% budget reductions for all 15 of the funded areas, and 27% of the reduction was taken from the Athletics department’s funding. However, 100 students ⏤ primarily athletes ⏤ attended the open hearings advocating for a reduction on the Athletics budget cut. 

In the final plans, budgetary reductions for Athletics was reduced and some of the weight was spread into other departments. In the finalization meeting, department heads voiced they were willing to have greater reductions to their own personal budgets. In total, six areas volunteered to have budgetary reductions: Associated Students of Western Oregon University with 2%; Campus Recreation 0.5%; Creative Arts 3%; Student Engagement 1%; SE: Leadership, Inclusion, Activities 2%; Student Activities Board 1%; Student Media 0.5%.

Because other departments took on the burden of reducing their budgets, the Athletics department budget currently only reflects a 13.5% cut. Athletic Director Randi Lydum has not put in writing what types of cuts the department will face under this budget. 

Students can anticipate seeing a $355 flat rate fee on their bill for the 2021-22 year, regardless of modality. Under the current projections, the IFC anticipates collecting $4,106,640 from the fee in the upcoming year, and will be drawing $373,781.09 from the reserves to meet budgetary needs.  

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Giving Day continues to draw in donations in 2021

Giving Day at Western quadruples in gifts

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

The Western Oregon University Foundation surpassed 800 gifts from donors on March 2 from this year’s Giving Day, totaling an estimated $175,000 in donations despite financial challenges brought on by COVID-19. Since its establishment in 2016, Giving Day has brought in approximately $460,000 for various departments, scholarships and programs on campus.

“The 2021 WOU Giving Day was like past years,” said Executive Director of Advancement and WOU Foundation Erin McDonough. “We sent out a mailing to about 10,000 friends and donors to the university, spread the word via social media, emails and had an all-hands-on-deck approach in the Student Philanthropy Center phone-a-thon.”

One of the larger changes for this year’s Giving Day was the Foundation licensing new software known as FundRaker.

“This software … allows for groups to engage friends and family in giving to their program, club or team,” McDonough explained. “It also allows for text messaging and social media outreach.”

For the pilot version of the software, the Foundation had eight groups voluntarily participate. According to Mcdonough, the groups that participated raised over $40,000. In contrast to Giving Day spanning only one day, the FundRaker software will be available for use by campus groups from April 1 through Dec. 31.

“We think this day has been critical in strengthening (Western’s) culture of giving and is a reminder to everyone that it does not matter the size of the gift,” said McDonough. “When they are added together, they become something truly inspiring and impactful.”

In addition to new software, the Foundation has implemented a new scholarship known as the Budding Neighbor Alumni Presidential Scholarship. What makes this scholarship unique to Western is that the donor is a Gold Alumni — a graduate of the last decade.

“Special thanks to April Lindsey ’15 and her husband Aaron,” said McDonough. “By leveraging Nike’s generous employee giving match program, we believe she is the youngest person to ever endow a scholarship at (Western)!”

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Campus cleanup in the works

Facilities spread thin during campus wide repair efforts 

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Over the course of the year, Western Facilities Services Department has been challenged with layoffs and unexpected projects due to inclement weather and general infrastructure failures. Currently, facility workers are replacing steam line pipes running underneath the university, cleaning up ice storm damage and repairing DeVolder Science Center after a pipe gasket on top of the building exploded causing an estimated $1 million worth of damage.

Underneath the university, the steam line pipes run from the boilers and lead out to the rest of campus. On Monmouth Ave. N, facilities are currently in the process of replacing cracked pipes, as evident from the white steam streaming from the man holes. 

“We’re estimating right now it’s going to be about $450,000,” said Director of Facilities Michael Smith. “It’s a pipe within a pipe so it’s hard to identify where the crack is. We don’t know if it’s at the joints where it’s bolted together or if there’s a large crack in both of the pipes.”

According to Smith, the double insulated pipes in use regularly need maintenance, citing large universities such as Oregon State University having a designated budget for the specific repair. However, Western’s Facilities will be using a portion of the $3.2 million Deferred Maintenance money given to them every biennial by the state of Oregon instead of their insurance because the damage was not caused by outside interference. At this time, facilities is looking for contractors ⏤ a process that takes around two weeks.

“We’ll have (repairs) done hopefully before students return or hopefully by the summer,” said Smith.

An ongoing project Smith anticipates taking four to six months is the remaining tree cleanup caused by the ice storm. In total, 75% of Western’s trees were damaged by the storm. 

“We’re a Tree Campus USA,” said Smith, “and getting hit that hard was really rough.”

At this time, workers are still cutting down trees and removing fallen branches. Smith says general clean up could take up to two weeks, but over the course of the next few months he anticipates more hidden loose branches will be knocked down by wind. Outside of tree damage, the university saw minimal damage to buildings. 

“Most of the damage that we could see that were exterior were some fences and a retaining wall that got hit … I have to meet with the insurance person about the ice storm stuff (this) week,” said Smith. “On top of that we’ll be doing the DeVolder stuff. I think the DeVolder stuff will be more expensive than the ice storm stuff.”

Two weeks ago, a gasket on the roof of DeVolder malfunctioned causing water from the hot water line to flow out. According to Smith, workers were able to shut the pump off and stop the water from further flooding the building. Most of the damage done was inside various classrooms such as the Cadaver Lab, which suffered ceiling damage.

“We have to find out what equipment got damaged or didn’t get damaged,” said Smith. “The professors have to take their time and go through it and that could be a quarter of a million dollars … We have a whole group of professors and facilities guys working through it and working with the insurance company.” 

While Smith anticipates the insurance will cover a majority of the damage done to DeVolder, he said the university still has a $5,000 deductible for each incident that occurs on campus. However at this time universities are pooling together insurances and Smith hopes that it will cover the deductible.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Commencement Committee in final stages of graduation plans

Graduation format survey currently under review by committee

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

This year’s graduating seniors are currently waiting on plans from the Western Oregon University Commencement Committee.

On Jan. 7, the committee sent out a survey to students, inviting them to voice opinions on how this year’s graduation ceremony should be structured. Within the survey, students were given three graduation format options: graduation parade, graduation week or a graduation drive-thru. The option of a normal graduation ceremony was not offered, as the committee already decided against the idea. 

According to the survey results listed on wou.edu/graduation, of the 447 participants, 257 students listed graduation week as their first choice in their preferred mode of graduation. A drive-thru ceremony, with 227 votes, was the second preferred option and the graduation parade had 231 votes as the third option.

“I know that some people may not agree with me,” said senior molecular biology major Paige Gillespie, “but I think given the pandemic they had reasonable options that still benefit those that are graduating.”

Gillespie noted her disappointment that her family will not be able to see her graduate in person.

“I was only going to participate for my family, as I am the first person in my family to graduate from college,” said Gillespie. “But the sense of accomplishment is still there … I think I chose the one with the parade of sorts because I thought it would be the coolest.”

At this time, the committee is still deliberating the preferred method for the 2021 graduation ceremony, and plans to announce the graduation format on March 29.

The story will be updated as more information is released.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Western hosts virtual Family Weekend

Student Engagement accommodates students living at home and on campus for Family Weekend

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Western’s 66th annual Family Weekend has been decentralized and formatted to fit an online platform. For this year’s activities, Student Engagement has ensured students living on campus and students living at home can participate by creating two “WOU family care packages.”

Packages: Families or students can purchase these packages for $20 which includes shipping cost. If families have more than one Western student, or there are multiple families, students can purchase two packages total.

  1. Package #1: Made for students living at home ⏤ Contains a Western family-themed car decal, a DIY craft kit, murder mystery Zoom link, a custom Western puzzle and Family Weekend merchandise.
  2. Package #2: Made for students living on or near campus ⏤ Contains a Western family-themed car decal, a DIY craft kit, murdery mystery Zoom link, Family Weekend merchandise and a card that is sent to the student or family member.

Families can add on $10 if they are interested in purchasing additional Family Weekend t-shirts. Each family can order up to three t-shirts. For more information, visit their website at this link https://wou.edu/student-engagement/programs/family-weekend. All package orders are due to Kelly Welch by March 29.

Contact the author scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Committee searches for new president

The Board of Trustees has assembled an advisory committee to assist in the search for an interim president

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

On Oct. 8, 2020, current university president Rex Fuller sent out an email to colleagues announcing his plans to retire in fall 2021.

Since the announcement, the Board of Trustees has approved of new “Board Statement on Presidential Vacancies” search guidelines for the interim president — mid-summer 2021 to June–July 2022 — and search guidelines for the regular president. The newly assembled advisory committee consists of Betty Komp, Ryan Hagemann, Jon Carey, Dr. Vivian Djokotoe, Sandra Holland, Dr. Bojan Ilievski, Malissa Larson, Mike Morgan, Nathan Sauer, Dr. Rob Winningham and Alex Ped. The titles of each committee member can be viewed on the presidential vacancy website at wou.edu/presidentialvacancy.

For student representation, the Associated Students of Western Oregon University President NJ Johnson was tasked to suggest a candidate to the board.

“I advocated for more students to be on the committee,” said Johnson, “but that was not what the Board of Trustees voted on and the Board of Trustees is the governing board.”

In his recommendation, Johnson chose junior criminal justice major and ASWOU Senator Elizabeth Braatz.

“I selected Elizabeth because I knew that she could represent the student body in a way that we could be proud of,” said Johnson. “Elizabeth has a really diverse range of student leadership experiences from University Housing and including ASWOU.”

However in the finalized committee, Betty Komp decided to implement her own candidate, Alex Ped, a nontraditional Western student since 2002.

“I asked for suggestions and made it clear diversity was important,” said Komp, “but ultimately I make the decision on who’s on the committee.” 

At this time, the final committee containing 11 community members consists of one person of color. 

The Board of Trustees office has selected March 12 at 11 a.m. to hear from the campus community’s thoughts on how the committee should go about looking for an interim president. The committee will begin to review application materials on March 15.

The story will be updated as more information is released. 

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu 

Campus Dining opens new cafe at Valsetz

Valsetz Dining Hall to begin serving Starbucks coffee

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

As of Feb. 22, Valsetz Dining Hall has officially opened their new Valsetz Café located in the backstage section of the hall. Prior to Valsetz Café, Campus Dining re-opened Caffè Allegro during fall term, but the campus coffee shop was closed due to low popularity. 

“When we decided to open again we thought a coffee shop would be more successful in Valsetz because it is closer to the residence halls for students and we already receive a lot of traffic due to students picking up their meals at Valsetz throughout the day,” said Campus Dining Marketing Program Assistant Tatianna Brock. “This will be a permanent installment. When we are able to open The Press and Caffè Allegro again, The Valsetz Café will turn into a late night cafe. We will still serve Starbucks beverages, but we will also open our convenient store and offer individual pizza, calzones and more.”

In preparation for the cafe opening, Valsetz has prioritized staff training.

“Some of our Valsetz staff members that will be working in the Café received barista training and our new student employees hired on also received barista training,” said Brock. “A Starbucks representative stopped by Valsetz to train our staff on preparing Starbucks coffee and gave us training materials.”

In addition to staff training, Brock also explains the cafe has been designed to ensure student and staff safety.

“We have floor stickers throughout the Café area limiting the amount of spots available for customers,” said Brock. “There are three floor stickers for the ordering line and then other customers will be directed to wait outside Valsetz for the next available floor sticker.”

At this time, the cafe has a mask mandate and has sanitizer dispensers available for customers to use. Additionally, Valsetz has four floor stickers placed in the pickup line to help customers stay six feet apart when waiting in line.

According to Brock, the cafe will function similarly to The Press — a coffee shop found in Hamersly Library. On the ordering menu, students can choose from espresso drinks ⏤ including lattes and mochas ⏤ chai tea, refreshers, shaken iced tea, lemonade and other items. The full menu is accessible to students on the Campus Dining website on the “Menus” tab or “Campus Coffee” page.

For additional questions, students can email brockt@mail.wou.edu.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

What students need to know about current Oregon legislation

Oregon legislators working on passing new legislation that benefits college students

Chris Smith | Freelance write

In every even numbered year, the Oregon State Legislator has a long legislative session.

There are nine bills that directly affect Oregon students ⏤ four of which, if implemented, would bring significant change to Oregon college campuses. These are House Bills 2835, 2919, 2542 and 3012.

(HB 2835) Basic Needs Navigators

Finding aid for basic needs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and others is difficult for anyone. HB 2835 seeks $4–4.5 million for a new staff member at all 17 Oregon community colleges and seven university campuses for both years of the fiscal biennium that is specially trained to assist students navigating these federal aid programs. The staff member will connect and inform students on benefit programs that will increase their academic completion and reduce the hardship of food insecurity.

(HB 2919) Textbook On-Time Adoption

This will require faculty to make textbook information ⏤ including price ⏤ available to students at the time of course registration. This legislation will allow for students to get an idea for the complete cost of a course, thus financially plan better, and incentivize faculty to adopt no to low cost materials to help combat rising textbook prices.

(HB 2542) Mandatory Fees Transparency

Currently, students are billed fees without an explanation for where their money actually goes.

Under the proposed bill, public universities and community colleges are required to prominently display mandatory fees, defining every fee, noting fee expenses, where the money will go and the beginning and end dates of said fee. Additionally, public universities would have to provide the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) a report detailing their compliance with the requirement.

(HB 3012) Student Incidental Fee

The current Incidental Fee Committee statute ⏤ ORS 352.105 ⏤  is vague in its current language. Under this proposed bill student government and administrative roles would be clarified.

As of now, only HB 2835 has had a public hearing but, along with the rest of the bills, is currently in the Oregon House Committee on Education. If approved, all bills except for HB 2835 will go to the house floor for amendments, a floor vote and then sent to the Senate for the same process.

If approved by the required majority vote, the bills will go to the governor’s office to become laws upon her signature.

Contact the author at aswousenate@mail.wou.edu

Winter storm damages Oregon’s storybook theme park

Enchanted Forest owners plan to reschedule spring reopening 

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Oregon’s family owned fairytale theme park, Enchanted Forest, was hit hard by the mid February ice storm, causing an estimated $500,000 worth of damage.

Already enduring the financial strain brought on by COVID-19, the Tofte family ⏤ the park owners ⏤ intended to reopen on Mar. 19 after holding various fundraisers to get them through the winter season last year. However, the planned grand reopening has been postponed as a result of the ice storm.

According to Susan Vaslev, an owner of the park and daughter of owner Rodger Tofte, this is not the first time the park has endured a weather related disaster.

“The park was through something similar but not as extensive about 12 years ago, also from a big ice storm,” said Vaslev. “This is much worse. It looked like a war zone initially with trees uprooted and limbs and debris so thick you could not walk through the park.”

After being notified by the park caretaker a day after the storm on Feb. 13, Vaslev reported immediately texting contractors the park had worked with in the past, such as Pfeifer Roofing, Dalke Construction and Carter’s Fire and Sprinkler. Over the course of the cleanup initiative, Vaslev said a lot of progress had been made on general cleanup efforts. 

“Our own employees have worked for two weeks now on (cleaning up) and cutting trees,” said Vaslev. “Pfeifer Roofing has had crews out there solidly for two weeks repairing extensive damage to roofs. Dalke Construction has been out there daily working on reconstruction and tree/debris removal. (F&W) Fence is working on fences. Bethel Excavating is working on underground pipes. Carter Fire and Sprinkler recharged and inspected our sprinkler system.”

Park staples like Humpty Dumpty and the Witch’s Head were unharmed, however the park’s Kiddie Train was completely crushed by fallen tree limbs and the castle roof covered seating area at the theatre has been damaged. Vaslev reported that the big rides appear to have had only minor damage once all trees were removed.

“Thanks to fundraising like GoFundMe, insurance was paid in full,” said Vaslev. “There is a high deductible and it will not cover everything.”

At this time, the park is not taking volunteers to help with the clean up because, according to Vaslev, Enchanted Forest is not a nonprofit organization and any volunteers would have to be paid.

“Reopening date is unknown at this time,” said Valslev. “Hopefully before summer.”

For more information on Enchanted Forest, visit their website enchantedforest.com or follow them on Instagram @enchantedforest.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Q&A with ODS’ Assistant Director for Accessibility and Inclusion Rian Gayle

Learning all there is to know about the Office of Disability Services with Rian Gayle

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

There are a variety of services on campus dedicated to providing students with a more supportive college experience. The Office of Disability Services is no exception, providing students with academic accommodations and connecting them to a community that cares. ODS’ Assistant Director, Access & Inclusion Rian Gayle answered some questions through a sign language interpreter, Benjamin Cavaletto.

What is ODS?

The Office of Disability Services, commonly referred to as ODS, is here on campus to provide accommodations and also disability awareness building for the campus. We make the university compliant with federal laws that require us to provide accommodations. 

What are some services ODS offers?

We offer a variety of services; these are not services that are based on what we assume a student should have. We actually have conversations with students based on documentation they provide. Some examples of accommodations would be extra time for exams, interpreting services, note taking services, transcriptions and furniture accommodations in classrooms. Now during COVID, we’ve noticed an increase of students being in online courses, so there’s been a strong reliance on extra need for extended test time and services that can be provided online.

What is proper paperwork for students to be able to use the services provided by ODS?

Typically we require students to have some form of documentation to receive services. That documentation can be a 504 plan from high school, or it can be an Individualized Education Program that they had from K-12 education. If a student does not have a 504 plan or an IEP, they can go to any medical provider and have a diagnosis written. 

Can students use the services on campus to get a diagnosis?

You could go to the Student Health and Counseling Center, but they would not be able to serve all diagnoses. They may refer you to another place for other kinds of treatment if it’s not within their capabilities.

What are some examples of what they (SHCC) cover?

From my experience, I have seen that they have diagnosed students with ADHD. I think that’s the most prevalent I’ve seen. It’s possible that they could do other diagnoses but I don’t want to give you false information.

Have you seen grades improve after students enter ODS?

Yeah we have seen grades improve and students be able to graduate. We know that because we’ve been emailed. We get thank yous and people have said “If it weren’t for you I’m not sure how I would have done.” At the same time, I want to make sure that people are aware that if you do get accommodations, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to solve all of your problems. 

What’s one thing you’ve grown to love about Western?

When I applied for the job, one of my concerns was how communication would happen. My first language is not English. It’s often that communication barriers will occur in the workplace, but Western was able to support me using my first language. The people around me are able to sign and understand me, and that is something that really attracted me to the position.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

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