Mount Hood

Holocaust memorial

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

In commemoration of the lives lost in the Holocaust and violence tied to World War II, Western continued their annual tradition by placing thousands of flags along Monmouth Avenue from May 3 – 7.

Western’s description of the event on the school-wide calendar directly quoted the Holocaust Encyclopedia for a definition: “The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million European Jews by the Nazi German regime and its allies and collaborators. The Holocaust was an evolving process that took place throughout Europe between 1933 and 1945.”

“These flags are meant to be a large, powerful display representing the lives of millions lost,” said Western’s calendar description. “There are different colored flags that represent the lives lost of certain peoples. The yellow flags represent the biggest number of Jewish lives lost.”

Multiple other flag colors lined the streets during the event, such as blue, red, white, green, brown, orange, purple, pink, lime green and light blue. In order, the communities they represent are as follows: Soviet civilians, Soviet prisoners of war, Polish civilians, Serbian civilians, Romani people, people with disabilities, repeat criminal offenders, LGBTQ+ people, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Spanish republicans.

The flags, although disrupted by the construction along Monmouth Avenue, shined bright against the backdrop of Western’s spring campus and were eye-catching to passersby.

“Every year for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah, we place thousands of flags along Monmouth Avenue to commemorate the lives lost,” said Western in an Instagram post. “This display provides an opportunity for reflection as a community… Thank you to the volunteers and (Western Student Engagement), who helped with the flags for this year’s remembrance.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Investing in interships

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer

Internships come in a variety of different formats. Regardless of whether it’s on-campus or off, full internship or micro-internship, paid or for class credit, the benefits of an internship are endless. An internship is a short-term opportunity in specific departments, organizations or businesses that allow students to gain experience they may not acquire in a normal classroom setting. 

Here at Western, almost every single department has internship opportunities for students to take advantage of: including business, arts, science, education and so much more. 

The best place to begin if one is interested in an internship is the Center for Professional Pathways page under internships for students. CPP provides students with information and links to resources within their internship program — allowing students to explore the many options Western offers. 

Western’s site encourages students to take internships as, “Internships can truly enhance students’ education and overall college experience by expanding skill sets, connecting with others and exposure to real-world situations. It is no longer a question of whether or not a student should do an internship during their college careers, but rather how many and where.” 

Experience comes in all shapes and sizes, and the website offers options for on-campus as well as off-campus internships — working with the community to provide different opportunities for students. Additionally, the site discusses the variety of micro-internships, which are typically short-term and project-based, offering students a new way to gain experience and test their passion in their desired field. No internship opportunity is too big or too small — one just needs to find the internship that is right for them. 

The CPP website not only provides a link to search for one’s desired internship, but it also provides steps on preparing for that particular search. These steps include knowing onerself, knowing where one wants to work, getting ready to search and starting to search. All of these steps have information, tips and links provided with them, bringing ease to each one. 

Job searching may be overwhelming, so along with that, they provide an internship search checklist and full guide, allowing the student to break up their search into manageable steps. 

Why should one intern? Most students, educators and business entrepreneurs receive immense benefits from internships. Completing an internship not only gives a student valuable experience that they can put on their resume, but it also allows them to explore their true passions, interests and who they are as individuals overall. This experience is most often valuable to employers, as nine out of 10 employers say they search for students with internship experience. Not only are they looking for these students, but according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, “Just over 70% of employers end up offering their interns full-time jobs. Almost 80% of students accept these offers.” 

Still not sure about taking on an internship? Learn about one of Western’s very own art interns, Tati Ala, fourth-year Communications Major who is utilizing the internship programs here on campus. Ala is currently an art gallery intern with the Art Exhibition Crew and also had an internship with Planned Parenthood of the Columbia Willamette previously this year. 

Ala expressed many things she loved about her experience including, “…how hands-on I get to be with the Art Exhibitions. I was directly involved with planning and setting up the Aloha From Maui exhibit that was set up in April, and as someone who was raised in Hawai’i, I was so happy to be able to be there and see what I could do to respect home and make sure it was given its due diligence.” 

“Honestly, I’ve learned a lot about myself and how I work and what I would want to go into. With my PPCW internship, I was rotational, so I’d work with different departments and I was able to learn about specific jobs and skill sets that I couldn’t see myself going into, especially along the lines of running numbers and data,” said Ala. 

Ala says if one can take on an internship they most definitely should. “I think it’s hard to feel like you’re in college and you’re aiming for this one type of job — but especially as someone who is a first-generation college student, I don’t have a lot of access to connections and people who are working in fields I want to go into, so it’s hard to feel secure in what I’m studying. Which is where internships are helpful.” 

She recommends internships to all students as they are “…a great way to explore paths you didn’t think you would’ve taken, but also to test out what you want from your own future. It’s a really great way to be able to catch a glimpse of what you want for yourself, and take the time to see how you can apply that into your own lives and jobs, not to mention having more experience on a resume,” Ala said. 

Ala offers some advice for those who choose to take the leap and participate in any internship. “Use Handshake. It’s a lot more helpful and there are so many places that are looking for college students. Keep an eye out for remote positions if you are able to.” 

Many students juggle many things from other jobs or classes so if one is stressed about this Ala says, “Take advantage of CPP and all their resources, talk to advisors and professors if you can. CPP runs internships every year from winter to spring term, applications open in the fall — keep an eye out and reach out to any professors to see if they know anything as well.” 

Any internship can provide students, teachers and employers with tremendous opportunities and great experiences. Invest in oneself, invest in an internship.   

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

An interview with Crystal Ross

Written by: Gretchen Sims | Editor-in-Chief

The first face students see when walking into the Student Health and Counseling Center is often Medical Receptionist, Crystal Ross, always donning an earnest, welcoming smile. Her friendly demeanor fits right in with the center — as if she’s always been there — but what many students don’t realize is that it took a lot to get there.

While Ross is best known for her work at the front desk of Western’s Student Health and Counseling Center, she spent many years working in the field before settling down at Western.

“Well, I met my husband in 1997, and we were both working in the same company in Dallas. The economy was a little unstable and the person who owned the company was selling it and so I told my husband, ‘If we’re both here when this place goes down, or goes under, because I’m pretty sure it’s going to, we’re gonna be in trouble,’” Ross said. 

Ross then made the ultimate decision to go to school for Medical Billing and Coding. She went to a trade school for a year — working graveyard shifts at the company with her husband and going to school during the day. 

After receiving her certification in Medical Billing and Coding, Ross took her internship, or practicum, at West Salem Family Practice. When a receptionist position opened up, she decided to apply.

“It was like a step, a foot in the door, and within three months, they had an opening in their business office so I ended up getting to go into the business office and use that Medical Billing and Coding knowledge that I had. And, so I was there for nine years, and a friend of mine, who was also a coworker, she had come to Western and was working in the Student Health and Counseling Center and she’s like ‘I think you’d really like it here, they have a receptionist position open; you should apply,’” said Ross.

Ross felt that there was nowhere to go in her job at West Salem; she felt like she couldn’t move up and had no room to grow anymore, so she decided to take the opening at Western.

“I guess the rest is history. They told me when I interviewed there would be potential for me to do some Medical Billing — that they were trying to get that started — and I have done some Medical Billing and Coding here. I used to have an office in the back, here, and then when COVID happened, and we lost some of our employees, I went back up front, and I feel like I really just thrive there,” Ross said.

Ross has come to love her home here at Western. 

“My favorite part about (Western) is definitely the students… definitely the students. I love working with the students, I love getting to know them. I try really hard to remember things about students and what they tell me.”

Unlike some larger schools, Western has the unique privilege, in part, due to its size, of fostering strong and consistent communication between departments. 

“…I also really like that I can reach out to someone in other departments and know that they’re going to do their best to help me. Whether it’s helping me personally, or helping me help a student, I just think that Western being as small as it is, we really do well at helping each other help the students,” said Ross. 

Ross loves animals. At home, she has two rabbits, four cats, three dogs, a lizard, a snake, two horses, six ducks and 12 chickens, so, naturally, she feels passionate about the SHCC’s local squirrel. 

“Oh my gosh,” said Ross “I love the squirrel. I love all of the squirrels on campus, I just think they’re such a fun, neat animal and so I’ll see this little guy hop around on the sidewalk in front of our building, you know, of course, in and out of the trash can. I call him Benny… I just thought it was a cute name and… I gave him food one day… ooh I know… I gave him a little peanut. I know, I don’t make a habit of that, because I don’t think they really want you feeding them, but… so yeah, Benny hangs out, I see him every day, running around, in front of the Student Health and Counseling Center — he’s our little mascot,” Ross said. 

Working with students is a passion of Ross’s: she loves every one of them here at Western, but oftentimes, at the front desk of the SHCC, Ross sees them at their lowest. Ross is widely regarded for her optimism and friendly and welcoming personality, and while it’s not always easy, Ross always manages to keep a beaming smile on her face. 

“I had a pretty traumatic childhood myself, and once I got away from the trauma, and I realized the things this person had said about me were not true — it was my ex-stepdad — I just thought, I need to be a cycle breaker, I need to be someone who cares about other people and shows that I care about other people,” Ross said.

Ross attests to the importance of putting her best foot forward when she walks through the doors of the SHCC each morning.

“My goal when someone walks through our doors is for them to have a positive experience because oftentimes they aren’t feeling well. So, if just smiling and being kind can help them feel better, that is my goal. A friendly face can make all the difference,” said Ross. 

“I always tell my kids that, even if I’m having the worst day, none of my students are ever going to know — that I’m having a bad day — because I need to be the person that students can come to and know that they’re going to be taken care of, regardless of how my day is going. I want to be that positive light, I want to show people that I care about them, so I just think that I come to work every day knowing that I am impacting so many people’s lives. That just helps me keep that positive attitude, because I know that everybody has things that they’re going through and sometimes, all you need is one person to be kind to you and that can change your whole entire day — it could change your whole entire mood — and so if I can be the person who is the bright light for that person’s day, then that’s what I want to do,” Ross continued. 

Besides simply being a bright light to the students here at Western, “I also have the privilege of helping these young adults learn how to navigate the healthcare system, which can be overwhelming for anyone. A lot of students are far from home and need guidance. I feel honored to be part of helping them grow and learn. I am a mom, so I think about how I would want my children to be treated,” said Ross.

Ross has several tattoos ranging from her first, which is of her favorite Disney character, Eeyore, to a Gemini astrological sign as a memorial to her father. 

“Then I have one more, it’s on my chest here, so I was a teenager in the 90s, so 90s grunge and alternative music, that is my jam — that’s my favorite thing. My most favorite band in the world is Soundgarden, which was actually my very first concert when I was 18, and Chris Cornell, who is the lead singer of Soundgarden, completed suicide about almost seven years ago. That was really hard for me because my childhood was… traumatic, and music was my outlet. If I was having a bad day, or just needed to be calmed down, music was always my outlet.”

Ross has had the tattoo since Cornell passed away.

“This, here, is Chris Cornell’s autograph, and then this is the lyric from the song ‘Black Hole Sun’ and it says ‘No one sings like you anymore,’ and I thought that was appropriate because no one will sing like him, and that was a song that he wrote,” Ross said. 

Ross loves all of her students — “Yes, I refer to all of you as my students,” — and wants them to feel seen, heard and validated. She aims to make the SHCC as welcoming to students as possible. 

“My goal when someone walks through our doors is for them to have a positive experience because oftentimes they aren’t feeling well. So, if just smiling and being kind can help them feel better, that is my goal. A friendly face can make all the difference,” Ross said. 

With all of that love for students, Ross wanted to leave them with a piece of advice.

“Always believe in yourself because even if you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it will get better. It will get better. There are people out there that care about you and want you to succeed. Sometimes you don’t always know who those people are and they’ll come into your life when it’s the right time,” said Ross. 

The SHCC is a fantastic resource for Western students. Whether it is to just stop by for a piece of candy, to get some studying done or to, of course, make a counseling or doctor’s appointment, Ross wants students to feel welcome and encourages them to swing by at any time. 

“I know that it’s my job, but it’s also my honor and my privilege to serve the students. I know it’s a job, you get paid for it, but it’s definitely something that I enjoy doing and I love coming to work every day and knowing I am making a difference.” 



Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

ASL Club’s 30th birthday

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

In celebration of Western’s American Sign Language Club’s 30th birthday, an anniversary party will be held in the Richard Woodcock Education Center May 17. Running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m in room 101, the founder, co-founder and former presidents will be present, with the founders even delivering a speech.

“It’s a huge legacy of 30 years,” said Hearing President of the ASL Club and fourth-year student, Aiden Hare. “It’s pretty amazing that it’s been consecutively running for that entire time and it’s also one of the biggest clubs on campus.”

The club itself functions with both a Hearing President and a Deaf President. Operationally, events are hosted throughout each term such as game nights, intercultural panels, community nights and arts and crafts, all while communicating with the community. This spring term, the ASL club is hosting an LGBTQ+ panel.

“A lot of people know this program exists, and they know that it’s big,” said Hare. “But they haven’t stepped into it, or they live on campus and they’re just not aware, (but this is a way to get involved).”

Although open to the public, the event, like many others, is voice-off, sign-only and no interpreters will be provided.

According to Hare, the event is a good way to get connected with not only Western but the Deaf community as well.

“We have a lot of people coming from all over, which I’m excited about,” said Hare. “We have Washington State School for the Deaf students coming, Oregon State Students coming, teachers from other universities and random community members (that think) this is awesome.”

Visitors can expect a rather competitive match of musical chairs, amongst other games. Free food will be available as well, but RSVPing is highly recommended so a proper head count may be gathered to estimate how much food to order. Anyone with dietary restrictions or other preferences is encouraged to reach out.

“I think it’ll just be really cool to get that many community members there at the same time,” said Hare. “It’s a very impactful event… to be a part of this is pretty amazing.”

The event will also be handing out goodie bags as an incentive for attendance.

Contact the authors at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Finding time in a busy college schedule

Written by: Gretchen Sims | Editor-in-Chief

One of the most difficult aspects of being a new college student is learning to work within a set schedule. From elementary school to high school, classes have always been set in stone — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for most students. However, come college, doors are opened up for one to set their desired class times — classes at Western are offered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Often, students will have one to three classes a day and sometimes won’t have a class at all. This opens up endless opportunities throughout the week, but it is a challenging adaptation for some. 

While it is handy to have the ability to organize one’s schedule around work, one’s social life and individual interests, it also brings forth its own set of unique challenges. Not having a structured schedule leaves it up to the individual to find time to do assignments, study for exams or do important classwork — not to mention carving out time for practicing hobbies or engaging in self-care. 

Thankfully, there are some tips and tricks that I, a graduating senior, have learned along the way that have helped me navigate a jam-packed schedule.

Look at your week/month ahead of time — Something that has helped me is taking a broader look at my schedule. Tackling assignments and work daily can be daunting, but stepping back and seeing everything one has to do that week is crucial. In doing so, one can plan to ensure that assignments are not procrastinated right up to the due date.

Invest in a whiteboard calendar and some sticky notes — I love using my whiteboard calendar because it’s right where I have to see it. I have placed it strategically so that when I walk into my room, I have to address my responsibilities for the day. Additionally, I have my whole week’s assignments planned out on sticky notes so I know exactly when I have carved out time to do them — this helps avoid procrastination. 

Make sure you are leaving time for self-care — Between work, school and one’s social life, it can seem impossible to step back and take a few moments for oneself. However, burnout is rampant among college students, so it is crucial to foster a great relationship with oneself. This can even just come in the form of waking up 30 minutes earlier to do a skincare routine. 

Start a planner — If one still finds themselves procrastinating or surprised by deadlines, writing due dates in Google Calendar might be helpful. This planning method is useful because Google Calendar sends out text alerts which I have found useful for pulling myself out of doom scrolling.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

TTPD

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

Taylor Swift’s newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” was finally released April 19. During the announcement speech at the Grammy Awards show Feb. 4, Swift held up two fingers in a peace sign — alluding to her double album drop — when announcing her eleventh studio album. Fast forward to meeting Swift at midnight, fans listening to the 16 tracks of “The Tortured Poets Department” were surprised at 2 a.m. when Swift dropped an extra 15 songs.

The production of the album rested in the hands of Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff of the band Bleachers, longtime friends and collaborators of Swift who heavily utilized synths, keyboard tunes and distortion techniques. Track one, “Fortnight,” is sung alongside Austin Post, also known as Post Malone, while Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine is featured on track eight, “Florida!!!”

The album itself appears to be the lovechild of Swift’s last original album release “Midnights” and the pandemic-created sister albums “Folklore” and “Evermore.” While officially being a pop genre album, much of the album is backed by a soft piano and utilizes strong lyricism as Swift sings about various tragic topics, such as heartbreak, abandonment and the nuance of fame.

The 31 songs have topped the charts, being the first album on Spotify to reach one billion streams within a week as well as being the platform’s most-streamed album within one day at 300 million. Despite breaking records, the album has been surveyed heavily in the media — with many fans turned anti-Swiftie and strangers criticizing what they consider to be odd lines, off-beat tunes and a lack of true poeticism, rather antithetical to the tortured poet of “The Tortured Poets Department.”

However, most critically condemned is Swift’s apparent past relationship with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, with multiple songs dedicated to their previous interloping. Although nobody knows definitively which songs are about Healy, many fans presume at least “Fresh Out The Slammer,” “But Daddy I Love Him” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” to be in regards to Healy — with the latter being a direct descriptor of Healy’s behavior during and after their time together.

“The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology,” the second installment of the album, contains the song “thanK you aIMee,” which, in all capital letters, spells out KIM — which fans presume to be about Kim Kardashian and their nearly decade-long feud.

Overall, the album explores the themes of unrest, misunderstanding, dying romance and Swift’s complex relationship with fame. Very few songs, if any, are considered joyful pop hits, and the most upbeat song of all, “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart,” is likely one of the most “miserable.” It’s an album for the tortured poets of the world reeling from personal loss in one way or another — and, according to the Swifties, more is coming May 3. Although, in typical Swift fashion, she’s likely got more tricks up her sleeve to keep the guesses coming and the songs streaming.

8/10.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.mail.edu

Aloha from Maui

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

In August of 2023, wildfires raked the island of Maui, causing unprecedented damage to Maui County and its inhabitants. Homes, businesses, studios, buildings and more were lost to the fires — devastating not only many lives but also countless lifelines for artists, creators, business owners and creative minds. 

Western has since installed an “Aloha from Maui” exhibit in celebration of the artists in Maui, Hawaii, which will be featured through May 3. The exhibit, which can be found in the Cannon Gallery in Campbell Hall, states that, “Through the loss of galleries, studios and art businesses, Maui County artists have persevered. They continue to create and share ways in which art can be healing and bring community together.”

Paula Booth, Western’s Gallery Director and Assistant Professor of Art, led the charge in jurying “Aloha from Maui.” Booth, herself, harbors fond memories of Maui and believes art has the power to heal, leading to the production of “Aloha from Maui.”

The artworks are completely giclee printed reproductions on canvas stretched on a two-inch frame, as, unfortunately, obtaining the artwork of thirty-six different creators crafted, gathered and shipped to Oregon from Maui proved to be difficult. 

The historic town of Lahaina, Maui, was particularly ravaged by the disaster. Featured artist, Laurie Robbins Miller, honored two significant Lahaina landmarks: Front Street and the Banyan Tree — an impactful moment for fourth-year student Tati Ala, having been born and raised in O’ahu, Hawaii.

“When we were first going through and picking out (artwork), I cried at like four of them,” said Ala. “Specific ones that are very meaningful.”

During the fires, Ala was in Hawaii that summer and had been in Maui earlier that year. “I was crying the entire time — we had family and friends there, and I’m very grateful nobody passed away and everyone we know was safe. But there were a lot of people who didn’t have that.”

“This is an important celebration of their work and their livelihoods and it connects what they do to a wider audience,” explained Booth. “This is a very colorful, engaging and fun show — there really is something in it for everyone.”

“It has been really great to have the opportunity,” said Ala. “It’s close to home.”

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Meet Hunter Hall

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

A few things to note about Hunter Hall, the Associated Students of Western Oregon University President: his love for Western is reflected in a Naruto headband engraved with the Western logo, he works with graphic design and used to be deathly afraid of clowns.

Only two of those topics are relevant to his time at Western. 

Hall began his college career at Portland Community College and transferred to Western in 2020, with three years of experience in student government under his belt. During the pandemic, learning was online, and Hall was merely a virtual student. He had little resources and company on campus, but he knew one thing: he wanted to be involved with student government at Western.

His first and second years consisted of student work at the entry level: Destination Western and tutoring at the Math Center. Eventually, he found ASWOU, climbing the ranks to his current position as the President.

“I just slowly integrated myself and started working toward the things I wanted to do here,” said Hall. “I needed to be in a position of power so I could better help support the students like me, who might not have friends or family here, or like many people, to support them … I really tried to throw myself into the sandcastle elbows-deep and get super, duper involved — just (having) many jobs from my first and second years here that helped me get to where I am now.”

Technically, Hall graduated with his Bachelor’s in June of 2023: one in Mathematics, and then another in Interdisciplinary Studies with a double minor in Communications and Writing. Currently, Hall is a graduate student for a Masters degree in the Art of Teaching.

“I’m going to use my math undergrad and then my MAT to teach at the middle school level for about ten years. And then I hope to become a principal of a school, and then eventually a superintendent of a school district. It’s like I said: if you really want to make a change, you have to integrate yourself well.”

Another fact about Hunter Hall: he plans extensively for his future.

Although Hall won’t be ASWOU President next year, he’ll be on campus as a building manager and volunteering at Western’s garden — seeds he planted, a mark to be left behind as he continues to embark on his ten-year plan.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Let’s support our athletes

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor

A recent study done by Harvard found that collegiate student-athletes spend up to 25 hours or more a week on their sport — this includes practices, workouts, travel, film sessions and games or competitions. Add in the hours they put in for classes, homework and jobs, and it’s easy to see how much harder a student-athlete would have to work to maintain this.

Sophie Franklin, a senior in Western’s softball program, starts her day at six in the morning and has a combination of weight training, work, class and practice, all of which vary in time and intensity day by day.

Franklin described her mixed experiences with non-athletes on campus. One moment that stuck out to her was the time a group project was done and submitted without her and her group had emailed the professor saying she wasn’t available when she had sent them her schedule and times she was free. “It was very disheartening that the individuals in my group excluded me and I never really got a clear answer on why,” Franklin said. 

Out of 16 answers provided by Franklin’s teammates, 14 of them said they had more positive interactions with staff and students on campus.

Daniel Meade, a freshman thrower for track and field, reported similar positive experiences, but added a feeling of lack of support from the student body.

“I feel like track and field has very little support behind it. It was like that in high school, it’s not a very popular sport,” Meade said. “But it’s really sad when other teams that are not as successful get more popularity when we are extremely good at our sport.” 

Franklin lamented a similar lack of support from the student body.

A common complaint among the student body is that the “vibes” are not the same as the environment of Division One schools; however, it is the students that create that environment. Commonly, students dress to a theme, cheer and sing along with the cheerleaders and interact with the other fans in the stands. A large portion of the fun in the environment comes from the student and fan engagement. Western, however, does not create this environment at games; something that should be pushed for. 

 Western’s athletes work incredibly hard, often with only a month or two off before they return to practices and competition. They play through all kinds of weather and travel hundreds of miles in short periods while maintaining the academic standards that are required of them. As a student body, we should be supporting them much more than they currently receive.

“With softball, we try to do t-shirt giveaways at home games for home runs, strikeouts and general giveaways,” Franklin said. “Plus, we have fun music, great cheers and grand enthusiasm and love for our sport. I would love to see more students come and support us. Trust me, it’ll be worth attending!”

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Connor Price

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor

Sworn in earlier this year, Conner Price, a former Western student, has become one of Oregon’s first licensed paralegals.

Before 2023, licensed paralegals did not exist in Oregon. The licensure was created to establish more resources in-house and family law, which, according to the Oregon State Bar, were “the two areas of greatest unmet need by Oregonians.” Previously, clients had to seek far more expensive lawyers for this kind of aid, but now licensed paralegals may offer less costly assistance for similar work.

The work of a licensed paralegal may follow a wide scope of tasks: represent or assist clients in many legal instances, file documents with the court, review documents with clients and prepare clients for court appearances or other conferences — more tasks are listed by the Oregon State Bar.

Price, however, has not yet passed the Bar exam. To be a licensed paralegal, different exams are required.

“I was going to go to law school directly out of college,” said Price. “But after two and a half years of pandemic learning, I was like, I need a break.”

Price graduated from Western in 2022. Since then, he’s moved to work at a law firm located in Astoria, which, according to him, is “a beautiful little town (with lots of) rich history.”

The law firm, Stahancyk, Kent & Hook, embraced the new Oregon Licensed Paralegal program which Price completed — making him the only licensed paralegal at his location.

The program was tedious, requiring proof of 1500 hours of work, a portfolio thoroughly documenting different categories of work and multiple rigorous tests.

His time at Western prepared him well for hard work — pre-pandemic, Price had a full schedule, usually unavailable until past 8 p.m. every weekday. At times, he was taking up to 22 credits, working 20 hours at Valsetz Dining Hall, participating year-round in choir and performing with Western’s cheer team.

Price graduated with two majors — one in Political Science and the other in Communications — with a minor in History. 

“(Western) is a great little school. What I appreciated most was the small class sizes, being able to get one-on-one time with the professors,” said Price. Today, his favorite professor — his former choir professor, James Reddan — has retired, but Price still, occasionally, plays the piano as a musical outlet.

Regarding his career, Price stated that he hopes to eventually attend law school.

“I don’t know if I’m underselling it — it is a pretty big accomplishment. But it’s not, you know, passing the bar and becoming a full-fledged attorney … I never imagined that I would be licensed to practice law without first going to law school.”

Price looks forward to serving his community — especially with the knowledge that legal aid is expensive but necessary for many. “That’s where people like me come in, where I can charge significantly less and still get them the help they need within the scope of my license,” said Price.

For all interested in licensure, seek out the Oregon State Bar for information.



Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
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Monmouth OR 97361

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Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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