western – Page 2 – The Western Howl

A photo of the route for roadwork in Monmouth and Independence. | Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation

Oct 29 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Construction and road work has begun throughout main roads in Monmouth and Independence. Here’s what students and residents in the area should expect from the construction phase and the outcome.

While construction lasts, crews will be working along Main Street, Monmouth Street and South Main Street. Residents should expect to see construction crews at work Monday through Thursday during normal business hours, with occasional work on Fridays and at night when needed. As of Oct. 29, only shoulder closures have occurred, which doesn’t change the flow of traffic, but residents should be prepared for possible lane closures and shifts as needed. In that case, drivers will see flaggers directing traffic. Additionally, residents should expect some loud noise at times, as construction workers are using loud machinery. The Oregon Department of Transportation asks that residents be aware during this time, and that they slow down and watch for workers.

The reasoning behind the construction is to add curb ramps along Monmouth and Independence sidewalks to meet current ADA accessibility standards. Workers are adding and remodeling 150 ramps in the area. These new curb ramps will make it easier for people to transition from the road to the curb, and vice versa, while walking around town. Accommodations such as these will help those who have trouble stepping up and down from the sidewalk, as well as wheelchair users. The changes can additionally help people with strollers, walkers, hand carts and bikes.

Residents may notice that not all ramps are being built on the same timeline. This is because workers must review each corner where a ramp will be placed and evaluate it to see if it is ready or needs modification before a ramp can be built. Additionally, not all intersections and locations are the same. Some areas are construction-ready, while some areas have things to plan around, like fire hydrants, utility boxes and utility poles. The construction-ready intersections are being worked on first, while others will be completed at a later date as ramps are designed around the intersections’ barriers.

These construction ramps are part of a larger project throughout Astoria, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Newberg, Salem, Keizer and Springfield, in addition to Monmouth and Independence. Design and construction for these changes totals $1.56 million. Residents can check an interactive map provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation here to see which areas are currently under construction.

The work being done locally is part of a larger project throughout the Willamette Valley and North Coast to bring over 2,300 curb ramps to ADA standards. The Oregon Department of Transportation is working hard to bring accessibility to cities and towns like Monmouth and Independence that will benefit everyone.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Shutdown guide

A photo of Vice President JD Vance taking questions regarding the government shutdown at a press briefing. | Photo from @whitehouse and @vp on Instagram

Oct 29 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

On Oct. 1, the United States government ceased its operations and entered a shutdown, following Congress’ failure to pass the bills necessary to fund those operations. Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on how the money would be used throughout the government, resulting in the shutdown, limiting governmental operations across the country and endangering certain benefits for millions of Americans.

For the most part, students remain unaffected by the shutdown. Western students can continue to attend class and participate in their typical activities, but there may be some instances where students are impacted.

It is expected that thousands of Oregonians will lose their food stamp benefits, known as SNAP, after Oct. 31 due to the stalled funding. While most receiving benefits are not college students, the students who do receive food stamps will lose their access alongside an estimated 41 million Americans.

Western students who have compromised food aid due to the shutdown are encouraged to connect with resources on campus, such as Abby’s House and the Food Pantry, to avoid further food insecurity. Food banks are expected to be heavily utilized following Nov. 1, meaning resources may be limited across the country.

Another way students may be impacted is through travel. Demand for air traffic controllers has been high since well before the government shutdown, but now many are not coming to work, despite being considered essential workers — all of whom are expected to work without pay during government shutdowns. Due to the lack of staffing, many flights are experiencing cancellations or delays, namely at major U.S. airports such as Newark, Phoenix, Nashville, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas and Burbank, and likely more as the shutdown progresses. Security lines through checkpoints at airports may be longer than normal as well.

Thankfully for students, funding for FAFSA, student loans and Pell Grants has not been suspended. Federal grants awarded to schools will continue, but new grants may face delays. Students across the country may be let go from work-study jobs depending on funding.

While many things are still up in the air regarding the government’s funding, one thing is certain: the longer the shutdown, the more it will affect. Millions of Americans on SNAP will continue without benefits, essential workers will keep working for free and travelers will face further roadblocks.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

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First gen week

A photo of the Trio lounge. | Photo by Abbi Duhart

Oct 29 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Being first-generation means that neither of the student’s parents or guardians graduated with a four-year degree. If someone’s parents earned an associate degree or started at a four-year college but didn’t finish, the student is still considered first-gen. Identifying as first-gen means that a student has an amazing opportunity to achieve and succeed, yet they may not have the same guidance about the process of enrolling in college that non-first-gen students have, making the transition much more confusing and scary. For these reasons, first-gen students can often feel vulnerable or face imposter syndrome because they encounter different barriers.

To support first-gen students, TRIO is putting on various events during First-Generation Week, starting Nov. 3. TRIO is a federally funded nationwide program implemented to advise and assist students who are first-gen, low-income or receive accommodations through Disability Access Services. Students part of TRIO have a specific advisor who helps them with academic, career and major advising, finding resources, finding a job and more.

First-Generation Week happens at Western as a replacement for First-Generation Day, which is a national celebration on Nov. 8. Because Nov. 8 is a Saturday this year, TRIO created First-Generation Week so students can celebrate the week leading up to First-Generation Day. Every day during First-Generation Week has different events that help students connect with the diverse resources around campus.

Each day of events during First-Generation Week has a different theme. Monday, Nov. 3, is all about basic needs. The day will start with a kick-off happening in the TRIO lounge at the Student Success Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is primarily to outline the events happening throughout the week, but students can also come for some fun games and snacks. Next, students can head over to the Werner University Center from 1 to 3 p.m. to learn about meal prepping. Meal prepping can be especially hard for students in terms of budgeting, so this event can help them learn how to actively and efficiently meal prep at a lower cost. 2 to 4:30 p.m., there is a drop-in for students to chat with SNAP workers in the Werner University Center. SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program that gives students a certain amount of money each month to purchase groceries. In the same location, there are Food Pantry and Stitch Closet tours happening from 2 to 4 p.m. These are both helpful resources on campus that students may not know about, and these guided tours can show students where they are and how they work.

Tuesday’s theme is mental health. Starting off, there are presentations happening from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Santiam Room in the Werner University Center. Counselors from the Health and Counseling Center on campus will be giving presentations about the importance of mental health. Later, there will be a trail walk starting in the TRIO lounge from 1 to 2 p.m. Students will join a walk around campus and participate in a mediated conversation where they ask each other questions and just talk about life. From 2 to 4 p.m., students can head back to the TRIO lounge to participate in a mini brain break where they can do some arts and crafts and join a “Mario Kart” tournament.

Wednesday’s theme is community. Students can attend a first-gen fair happening in Richard Woodcock Education Center Room 101 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here, they can connect with fellow students, staff, faculty, resources and departments around campus. Each department will have a table. Students who go will receive a bingo card to mark off each table they attend, with a possibility of winning a prize. There will also be free food at this event. At 4 to 5 p.m. in the Student Success Center, Room 203, a workshop with Student Success and Advising will take place. This will surround the theme of professional goal setting.

Thursday’s theme is “step in the right direction,” beginning with a Career and Professional Pathways fair happening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second floor of the Student Success Center. Students can go to network with recruiters from various organizations and jobs, as well as with alumni. These professionals will be giving students advice on how to land jobs in their chosen career path. From 3 to 5 p.m., there will be a TRIO and first-gen alumni panel in the Willamette Room in the WUC. Students can talk with them and get an understanding from someone of a similar background on how to get to the career they’re in.

Friday’s theme is celebration. A Tri-Alpha induction ceremony will be happening in the Willamette Room from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is for the Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society, an honor society for first-gen students. Students can come to celebrate and support inductees as they join Tri-Alpha. 12 to 3 p.m. in the TRIO lounge, there will be a First-Generation Day celebration to celebrate National First-Generation Day. There will be different stations and games for students as well as cake to enjoy. Students who attend any event throughout the week will be entered in a raffle for prizes on Friday.

Andres Hernandez, the first-gen coordinator, explains that everyone — not just first-gen students — can benefit from attending these events. While the resources are catered to help first-gen students more, all students can learn how to best support first-gen students who often come from different backgrounds and face different barriers. If anything, students can attend any event throughout the week to learn about helpful resources, potentially win some prizes and maybe even meet some new friends.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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The haunting history

A photo of Halloween yard decorations. | Photo from @halloweenperfection on Instagram

Oct 29, 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Halloween is known throughout the United States as the spookiest time of the year; the time when children go door-to-door wearing costumes that range from cute to scary, candy is given out and scares are plotted throughout the night. Despite its popularity, many don’t know the origins of this holiday that has developed and changed throughout the centuries.

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which is still celebrated today by Pagans. Over 2,000 years ago, the Celts and the druids celebrated the new year Nov. 1. Samhain, which translates to “summer’s end” in Gaelic, marked the end of the harvest, meaning winter was about to begin. Winter was seen as a time of death, where the veil between the living and the dead thins to allow supernatural forces to wander the earth. The people would gather to burn crops and offer animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. Additionally, those who were thinking of their lost loved ones would use candles and bonfires to guide them to the afterlife.

Others would wear costumes to scare the bad spirits and demons away. However, some believed that doing this would allow them to be able to tell each other’s future. The Celtic priests believed that due to the presence of otherworldly beings on the earth, their predictions would hold more weight. After the festival was over, they would take flames from the bonfires and light their own hearths with them. It was believed that the fire would protect them from the incoming winter.

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III proclaimed Nov. 1 “All Saints’ Day,” which honors not only the saints, but also the martyrs. Then, in the year 1000, the church made Nov. 2 “All Souls’ Day,” a day that honors the dead. It is believed that the church did this to replace the Celtic festival with a Christian-sanctioned holiday.

It incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain, like big bonfires, celebrations and dressing up in costumes as beings like devils, saints and angels. The night before, which was originally Samhain, began to be called “All-Hallows Eve.”

When people began immigrating to the US, which at the time was the 13 colonies, All-Hallows Eve began to change. As the customs of European ethnic groups and Native Americans clashed, “Halloween” began to emerge.

The first celebrations of the tradition were known as “play parties,” which were events held to celebrate the harvest. Neighbors shared stories of the dead and would try to tell each other’s fortunes.

Trick-or-treating is based on European traditions where Americans began dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door to ask for food or money, which eventually became the trick-or-treating recognized today.

Jack-o’-lanterns come from a tradition in Ireland that came over with Irish immigrants. It is said that there was a man known as “Stingy Jack,” who would trap the devil multiple times throughout his life, keeping him captive until he promised Jack he wouldn’t go to hell. However, when the time came for Jack’s death, he found out that he wasn’t allowed to go to heaven either, so he was doomed to wander the earth forever. The devil supposedly gave Jack a burning lump of coal in a hollowed-out turnip to be his makeshift lantern.

Therefore, the locals began carving spooky faces into their own vegetables to frighten away the spirits from their homes. When immigrants moved to the U.S., the Irish brought the tradition with them. Since pumpkins are native to North America, they decided to switch from turnips to pumpkins; thus, the Jack-o’-laturns that are known today were born.

While Halloween isn’t the same as Samhain in the traditional sense, the holiday still carries that same spirit expressed by the druids and the Celts. It celebrates the time in the year where the leaves change color, the harvest comes in for the final time and everyone does their best to deal with mischievous spirits, whether it be a ghost, a demon or a roommate who wants to scare someone into a heart attack.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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Canciones de Sirena

9 de Abril del 2025 | Sadie Latimer | Editora de Noticias

El programa de música de Western es una de las joyas ocultas de la universidad. Hay varios conjuntos musicales a los que los estudiantes pueden unirse, incluyendo coros, bandas y orquestas. Organizan conciertos, espectáculos y muchos otros eventos que suelen ser gratuitos para los estudiantes de Western.

Si los estudiantes no están en el programa de música pero desean participar en un conjunto, el Coro de Conciertos no requiere audición y los estudiantes pueden obtener un crédito. También está abierto al público. Muchos de los otros conjuntos están abiertos a estudiantes que no se especializan en música, sin embargo, la mayoría tienen un proceso de audición. Según el catálogo de Western, la misión del departamento de música es ofrecer “programas y servicios integrales a los estudiantes y a la comunidad circundante, incluyendo títulos profesionales y de artes liberales en música y una activa agenda de presentaciones. El departamento apoya conjuntos grandes y pequeños de música vocal e instrumental, así como instalaciones modernas para la producción y grabación de música electrónica.” El 2 de abril, dos músicos profesionales impartieron un taller para estudiantes de música y posteriormente ofrecieron un concierto gratuito en el Smith Hall que fue abierto al público. Las músicas Merideth Kaye Clark y Jenn Grinels tienen carreras musicales individuales, pero se unieron para crear música bajo el nombre “Siren Songs.” Lanzaron un álbum en el 2020 — también titulado “Siren Songs,” — y han publicado numerosos sencillos y covers. Clark y Grinels son artistas independientes, compositoras, instrumentistas y vocalistas. Aunque Siren Songs se centra principalmente en el folk y la música Americana, ambas tienen raíces en el teatro musical, ya que se conocieron actuando en el mismo musical. Clark ha protagonizado muchos papeles amados, como Elphaba en Wicked con el elenco de Broadway en gira (1er gira nacional).

En el 2024, Grinels compuso un musical propio para B-Side Theatricals que fue finalista de varios premios. Una canción del musical “Goodbye Sun, Hello Moon” fue lanzada como uno de

los sencillos de Siren Songs. Eligieron esta canción en particular para lanzarla porque, según Grinels, el sencillo es una de las pocas canciones del musical que encaja en el género folk, mientras que las otras canciones se inclinan más hacia el teatro musical clásico. El concierto comenzó con Clark y Grinels interpretando tres canciones — dos originales y una cover de Joni Mitchell. El escenario se llenó de numerosos instrumentos que se tocaron durante todo el concierto, incluyendo guitarra, banjo, viola, pandereta e incluso un dulcémele — un instrumento de la familia de las cítaras.

Después de cantar, el dúo abrió el escenario a los estudiantes que habían participado en el taller. Los estudiantes interpretaron una amplia gama de canciones, incluyendo géneros de pop, teatro musical y R&B. En total, seis estudiantes cantaron frente a Siren Songs y el público. Después de que los estudiantes presentaran lo aprendido en el taller, Clark y Grinels finalizaron el concierto con un conjunto de canciones de 45 minutos. El conjunto consistió en una mezcla de canciones del álbum Siren Songs y algunos de sus sencillos más recientes. Su sencillo más reciente, titulado “April,” se lanzó el 28 de Marzo del 2025.

La última canción que interpretaron fue “For Good” de Wicked. Siendo Western la última parada de su gira de primavera, decidieron deleitar al público cantando un dueto de uno de los musicales más queridos.

Este concierto y presentación es solo uno de los muchos eventos que organiza el departamento de música de Western. Al final de cada trimestre, cada conjunto ofrece un concierto. También hay otros eventos similares al concierto de Siren Songs. El 12 de Abril, el Beo String Quartet se presentará en el Auditorio Rice a las 7:30 p.m.

Para obtener más información sobre los eventos de artes creativas en Western, visite el calendario de eventos del trimestre de primavera de 2025.

Contacta al autor en howlnews@mail.wou.edu

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Consejo Estudiantil

9 de Octubre del 2024 | Sadie Latimer | Editora de Noticias

Todas las residencias universitarias de Western cuentan con un consejo estudiantil. Este consejo es un espacio al que los estudiantes pueden acudir si desean expresar sus inquietudes, ideas u opiniones sobre su residencia. Además, en los últimos años, los miembros del consejo han recibido nuevos suministros para cocinas y salas de estar. Maddy Wilson, asesora adjunta de residentes de Arbor Park y Landers, declaró, “El año pasado compraron televisores nuevos tanto para Sequoia como para el salón inferior de Landers, lo cual es una gran iniciativa que se ha hecho.”
Además, los equipos del consejo estudiantil también han organizado diversos programas para estudiantes, como fiestas vecinales, que les ayuda a los estudiantes a fortalecer sus comunidades y fortalecer sus vínculos.
El Coordinador de Liderazgo y Programas, Connor King-Goehring, enfatizó la importancia de construir una comunidad a nivel más reducido. “Los edificios tienen sus propios comités de gobierno con los que hablar, que son sus compañeros, simplemente porque es más fácil hablar con alguien que ves a diario en tu residencia,” dijo King-Goehring. “Todos los estudiantes tienen voz en el campus. … No necesitan involucrarse para tener voz en el campus, pero participar en el
comité de gobierno realmente elevará la voz de los estudiantes.” King-Goehring enfatiza que todos los estudiantes deben estar representados, especialmente porque los estudiantes de primer año deben vivir en el campus a menos que Western los exima.
Los estudiantes que participan en el comité de gobierno pueden planificar eventos que consideren divertidos y atractivos para sus compañeros, como desfiles. “El año pasado fue nuestro primer desfile anual del Orgullo,” dijo King-Goehring — el Junio pasado, los asistentes residentes marcharon por el Orgullo en Monmouth detrás de una carroza decorada y repartieron banderas LGBTQ+ a la multitud. Fue organizado gracias a los esfuerzos conjuntos de RHA y el comité Monmouth Has Pride. Al participar en el gobierno del ayuntamiento, las personas pueden iniciar eventos, como involucrarse en el Orgullo como lo hizo King-Goehring, e incluso dar forma a tradiciones que potencialmente hacen que la vida en Western sea más enriquecedora. “Soy el coordinador de liderazgo y programas, por lo que trabajo con personal profesional,” dijo King-Goehring. “Trabajo aquí a tiempo completo. Mi función en el gobierno de la residencia es supervisar la Asociación de Residencias Universitarias, que está por encima del gobierno de la residencia.”

Cuando King-Goehring estudiaba en Western, participó en los gobiernos de las residencias y en el alojamiento. “Regresé para asesorar profesionalmente a RHA y al gobierno de las residencias porque disfruto del alojamiento y asesorando a los líderes estudiantiles.”

King-Goehring hizo hincapié en ver a los estudiantes superar sus miedos y ganar confianza en sus roles — y afirmó que le encanta “ver la alegría en los ojos de los estudiantes y los líderes estudiantiles cuando implementan estos programas y cuando hacen todas estas cosas increíbles, y decir, ‘Eso es gracias a ti. Tú eres quien lo logró.’”

Augusta Edwards, directora residente de Ackerman, comprende la importancia de la comunicación entre los residentes y el personal de una universidad. “Fui a una universidad que no tenía ningún tipo de gobierno de residencia, ni siquiera una Asociación de Residencias Universitarias, y luego trabajé en otra universidad donde intentaba recuperar la Asociación de Residencias Universitarias,” dijo Edwards. Aunque no tenían un gobierno de residencia, sabían lo beneficioso que sería para los estudiantes. “El gobierno de residencia es un excelente punto de partida para aprender a expresar tu voz y ver qué hará eso.”

Este es el segundo año que Edwards trabaja en Western. Como Director Residente, ayuda a supervisar el consejo estudiantil de Ackerman y observa cómo los estudiantes adquieren valiosa experiencia al formar parte de él. Por ejemplo, el tesorero aprenderá habilidades presupuestarias y podría colaborar con proveedores para ciertos programas. “Es bueno participar. Ayuda a fortalecer las conexiones en el campus y ese sentido de pertenencia que WOU se ha esforzado tanto por fomentar,” dijo Edwards.

Formar parte de un consejo estudiantil conlleva algunos desafíos, según Edwards. “En cuanto al consejo estudiantil, estamos incorporando a todas estas personas, con la esperanza de que aporten experiencias diversas y nuevas ideas, y ¿cómo logramos que colaboren? Los conflictos son inevitables, así que ¿cómo los superamos y trabajamos en equipo?”

Muchos de los programas de Western, especialmente los consejos estudiantiles, enfrentan el problema de la baja participación estudiantil. “Involucrar a los estudiantes” es lo más difícil de ser ARA, según Wilson. Cada residencia tiene reuniones abiertas a todos los residentes, independientemente de si el estudiante es miembro del gobierno o no. “Vengan al menos a una reunión y compruébenlo. No es tan intimidante como creen. La gente que asiste quiere participar, son muy amables, y quieren hacer amigos,” dijo Wilson. “Yo diría que si alguien está interesado en unirse al gobierno de la residencia … que se comunique con su (director residente) para que los conecte.”

King-Goehring, junto con muchas otras personas involucradas en los consejos de las residencias, siempre se esfuerza por priorizar el bienestar de los estudiantes. “Es trabajo voluntario, y se considera como tal,” dijo. “Un lema que siguen las residencias universitarias es: primero eres humano, luego estudiante y luego líder estudiantil.” El personal de los consejos de las residencias prioriza la salud estudiantil y puede adaptarse a los horarios de clases, la salud mental y otros obstáculos que puedan surgir en la vida de los estudiantes.

Las elecciones para los consejos de las residencias ya están en marcha. Sin embargo, no es tarde para que los estudiantes participen — pueden asistir a una reunión en cualquier momento del año y expresar sus opiniones a sus compañeros, o contactar a su director residente para dar a conocer sus opiniones. “Me encanta participar y saber que estoy generando un cambio,” dijo Wilson.

Contacta al autor en howlnews@wou.edu

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The military experience

Written by: Michael Hager | Freelancer

Very few people know you can serve your country while getting your degree, and good old Uncle Sam will cover your tuition. I joined the Oregon Army National Guard four years ago when I was a junior in high school, with the intent to go to college and pursue a degree.

Like a lot of people, my family could not afford to send me to college. One of my high school coaches was a Master Sergeant in the Army and also led the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps — JROTC — program at my school. He told me how the National Guard would pay my tuition, and there I was, 16 years old, with a decision to make.

I always kinda wanted to be in the military — my grandpa was a World War II veteran, my uncle was a veteran and one of my cousins was already in the Guard. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school, but my parents wanted me to go to college. I ended up choosing the best of both worlds.

I met with a recruiter and he explained that once I turned 17, all I would need was my parents’ consent, and I could join the National Guard on a six-year contract. This would cover my last two years of high school and four years of college at any school in Oregon I could get into.

After trying to convince my parents, almost exactly a month before the pandemic, I signed a six-year contract with the Oregon Army National Guard. I was able to have an older cousin swear me in, which was pretty cool.

I was sent into the process of split training: Basic Training one summer and Advanced Individual Training — AIT — the next, instead of the normal One Station Unit Training — OSUT — that everyone else would do. This meant that I would go to Basic Combat Training in the summer between my junior and senior years, at the height of the pandemic.

My Basic was supposed to only be 10 weeks but, since it was in the height of the pandemic, we had to quarantine in our barracks for two weeks. I was sent to stay with 40 strangers and the only time we were allowed outside was to get our food. Once we were all clear, we began training

10 weeks later. A few weeks before my senior year started, we graduated from Basic Combat Training. I completed my senior year through Zoom in 2021, and I officially graduated from both high school and Basic. By that time, I had a good idea of where my unit was going to be, and I knew I wanted to be close to my unit while I went to college. That is why I chose Western: my unit is located in Salem.

After graduation, I was all set to come to Western in the Fall of 2021, and I went back to complete AIT with all the same people I did basic with, plus another company who also did the same as us.

At first, it was hell. We had all gone back to high school and lost all our discipline, so the first week or so was Basic all over again.

Eventually, we completed AIT, and we were officially Military Police Officers, which was our Military Occupational Specialty. A couple of weeks before I graduated, myself and two others were told that once we went home, we were being sent to the border by former Governor Kate Brown. The state governor is the Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard.

The plans I had of attending college in the fall were over, and I was on a year-long mission. In October of 2021, instead of getting ready for my freshman year of college, I was sent on my mission, but it wasn’t to the border. Much worse, I was sent to the middle of Indiana in the winter to help process and protect the Afghan refugees that President Joe Biden sent over.

There were around 20,000 refugees who needed to become citizens, and we were projected to be on this tiny base with nothing but a Subway and a cafeteria 10 times worse than Valsetz.

Luckily, we were able to go home six months later in the middle of what would’ve been the spring term of my freshman year. I was able to register for the following fall semester, which puts me one year behind my peers.

I started going to Drill, which is where we meet up one weekend a month and train for different things. I started school and continued to go to drill once a month, and then I joined the Men’s Rugby Club.

My drill schedule interferes with matches and tournaments, but I can work it out with my coaches, and I’m still playing. Drill, for the most part, doesn’t affect my school work except during finals week.

As a student in the military, I also have access to the Veterans’ Resource Center on campus, which connects me to other military students and resources I can use. On Veterans’ Day, they hold different events I can participate in; one such event is the annual 5K military run, which I won last year.

This is my journey through the military, and it varies for everyone across the branches. All in all, the National Guard is a great way to make connections, gain experience and get college paid for.

Contact the author at mhager20@wou.edu

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.

Accessibility Public Records Privacy Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

Road work ahead

Shutdown guide

First gen week

The haunting history

Canciones de Sirena

Consejo Estudiantil

The military experience

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