western – Page 4 – The Western Howl

Western’s lawsuit

A black-and-white photo of the 2023-2024 women’s basketball team playing a match at Western, posted Dec. 4, 2023. | Photo from @wou_wolves and @wouwbb on Instagram

Nov. 19 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

In January of 2025, nine former basketball players from the women’s team at Western filed a $28.2 million lawsuit against the college, coaches Jessica Peatross and Demetrius “DJ” Marlow, athletic director Randi Lydum, Dean of Students Malissa Larson and President Jesse Peters, alleging abuse from coaches Peatross and Marlow that, once reported, led to retaliation via rescinded scholarships.

The 2023-24 women’s basketball season was cut short with six games left without detailed explanation from the university following a practice Feb. 12, 2024. Western conducted an internal investigation while Peatross and Marlow were put on paid administrative leave Feb. 19 until being reinstated two months later after no conduct violations were found.

Recent investigations from the Statesman Journal reported the internal investigation, handled by law firm Littler Mendelson P.C., had “misquoted players, misconstrued situations and misstated what happened during a contentious practice on Feb. 12, 2024, and in the days after it.”

The alleged event included one player, Hanne Hopkins, who bumped into Head Coach Peatross during a drill, which turned into Peatross accusing Hopkins of running into her intentionally and telling her to leave practice, and was captured on video saying “I’m your coach. Get out. Get out. Y’all don’t get a choice.”

The day after, Peatross called the Monmouth Police Department and said she was intentionally elbowed in the chest at the practice and she had left practice to go to the hospital, where she experienced pain on a scale of 1-10 at a 10, and that it felt even worse the next day.

The video taken on a team member’s phone shows Peatross “talking calmly” after the alleged incident, said the Statesman Journal.

Two days after that, Peatross filed a report with Campus Public Safety and said she was experiencing chest and head pain, shortness of breath and nausea. The police officer whom Peatross spoke to earlier tried to contact Peatross for a month following the incident, but heard nothing back, and was denied access to the video by the university according to the Statesman Journal. From there, the investigation was requested to be closed due to “lack of cooperation,” per the police officer.

Monmouth police officers were eventually able to review the video and saw no indication of forceful or intentional contact from the player to Peatross. Police also did not see evidence to support Peatross being injured or in pain.

The team soon met in a small conference room where, when asked, 10 players voted to not play the six games remaining in their season. According to the Statesman Journal, some of the players expressed feeling pressured by the coaches to leave the team, with Peatross allegedly giving an ultimatum to player Ana McClave: “You either quit or you come and you kiss my ass.”

Both coaches were placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 19, 2024.

Players also alleged intense physical activity during practices, noting physical illness, dehydration and vomiting. The lawsuit states that if they did not complete the exercises, the punishment was more laps, with McClave stating, “The running we had to do, it wasn’t for speed, quickness or strength, it was for harm and to see how they could break us.”

One player, Kailiana Ramos, reported losing 20 pounds, and McClave was forced to engage in practices without being cleared by a doctor after knee surgery. Player Jodi Noyes said that Peatross and Marlow claimed “nobody’s welcome back” on the team after they learned of private discussions about the coaches.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges NCAA rule violations, such as forcing players to miss their classes, pray before games and sign sheets that indicate they “weren’t practicing too much,” with team bonding events on the calendar actually being excessive physical exercise practices.

Peatross allegedly suggested that Noyes quit taking her antidepressant medication in November of 2023. Noyes obliged, but told university staff, who said it would be reported to athletic director Randi Lydum. No changes followed, and it’s unclear if Lydum did or did not receive the information. Lydum and Dean of Students Malissa Larson met with four players individually and “promised immediate changes that never happened,” wrote the Statesman Journal.

The lawsuit states that Lydum told a player, “These coaches deceived us, and this is not what we wanted for the school.”

The coaches were reinstated in April of 2024. A small group of players met with WOU Board of Trustees Chair Betty Komp to explain the situation, but no action took place. Letters came in April 23 to players still eligible to play that said their scholarships were terminated.

Littler Mendelson, which is based in the U.S. and is the world’s largest firm specializing in labor and employment law, was paid $33,696 to conduct the investigation by Western. The firm claimed that Feb. 12, during the practice where Peatross alleged she was elbowed intentionally, that Hopkins, the player who made contact with Peatross, was warned to not perform the action by McClave. The investigation also claimed that the lawsuit inaccurately reported Hopkins’ response to Peatross following the event, which was captured on camera, despite citing the video filmed by a player. It also allegedly wrongfully stated which players were told to leave and who was allowed to stay at practice, and contained conflicting information regarding who remained.

The investigation implied that the three students — Hopkins, McClave and Ramos — involved in the conflict failed to follow university conduct when they did not immediately oblige Peatross’ demand for them to leave. The report also did not clarify the intention in the contact between Peatross and the student.

In another incident, McClave claimed that Assistant Coach Marlow collided with her Jan. 4, 2024, reinjuring her left knee post-surgery. The Littler Mendelson report “casts doubt if McClave was injured in that collision,” according to the Statesman Journal. However, McClave documented being in pain and sought help from athletic trainer Sara Gordon.

The report itself implicated team members Ana McClave and sister Cali McClave of having a negative influence over the culture of the team and implied criticism of team members for addressing concerns with Lydum over Peatross and Marlow. The players were addressed as “problematic” in the investigation and it also stated that Lydum appeared to understand that.

Western denied the request to share the report with the Statesman Journal. Following an appeal that handed the report to the Statesman Journal, Western filed a lawsuit against journalist Bill Poehler, who was providing coverage on the ongoing lawsuit, requesting a court order to clarify what information the university is required to submit. Ultimately, Western was ordered to provide the documentation by a district attorney.

Western is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit from the nine basketball players. The lawsuit was moved to federal court in February of 2025; the Statesman Journal reported, “The sides are in a lengthy discovery process that has a deadline of June 5, 2026.”

For more information, “The Western Howl” has discussed the allegations in more detail in previous articles titled “From court to court,” “Western women’s basketball update” and, before the lawsuit when the Howl reported on a tip, “Women’s basketball faces turmoil.”

The articles are available on the Howl’s website and by online search.

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

The strength of diversity

A photo of a vase of stargazer lilies. | Photo from @wildflowersparkland on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

The United States is known for its diverse communities. Despite the problems and deep-rooted racism that encompass the history of this country, the U.S. is full of people from different cultures and backgrounds. According to an article from the National Library of Medicine, over 50% of the population is part of minority ethnic groups. Immigrants move here to provide better lives for their families and bring with them their own cultures. Their values, beliefs and ways of life are all varied. As human beings, we tend to fear what we don’t understand, thus many from versatile styles of living often feel out of place in their new communities. However, fitting in is honestly overrated and I thought it would be interesting to delve deeper into the benefits of diversity.
The environments we come from have a major influence on the way we view the world. Some cultures view loyalty as the most important virtue someone can have. Others think that the truth is the most valuable. Neither way of thinking is wrong — it is merely a difference in a person’s beliefs. However, these differences in a person’s way of life can provide new ideas that others would not have thought of. If everyone had the exact same way of thinking, humanity would not advance.
This is why companies are often on the lookout for people who are not from the average population. People who stand out are those who think differently and experience unique ways of reasoning. Without coming up with new ideas, everything would stay the same. Technology wouldn’t exist, companies wouldn’t succeed and if there is anything that is true about our world, it is that it is constantly evolving. Based on an article published by the Hult International Business School, the uncertainty and constant change in the global business environment make it important to be adaptable. If there is anything true about people who come from different places in the world, chances are that they are willing to withstand how drastic the changes can be.
It is because of the difference in values and beliefs that oftentimes those who come from different backgrounds can find success in using that knowledge to their advantage. For instance, bilingual people often make more money as they are able to reach out to more people who may not speak the same language. Not only does it benefit them, it benefits other people who might not know how to speak English and need assistance for doctor’s appointments, driving tests, important news announcements and much more. This way of thinking does not only apply to translators, though. Different cultures with different priorities will want to create products aimed at distinct people, such as restaurants that offer culture-specific food, whether it be soul food, Mexican food, Chinese food, Filipino food or another cuisine. Some could think of it like having a spy on the inside, someone who understands who the target audience is and can offer advice as to what appeals to them.
Being diverse can also promote personal growth. According to the Steps4Change organization, having new experiences gives us the opportunity to explore outside our comfort zone, which can enhance our learning and develop a sense of personal growth. Everyone has different ideas of what “normal” is. Some can view being different as a weakness, yet in reality, it’s an irreplaceable strength that can provide more empathy with people who think differently than them. Those with more variety in their lives are more likely to be empathetic and resilient in the way they conduct themselves.
According to Sean DallasKidd, a Forbes Councils member, “Research is the gateway to imagination.” It improves the likelihood of more imaginative and impactful storytelling in works, whether it be at work or in school. Being a diverse individual can mean much more than simply coming from a different place or being a different gender.
There’s also something known as cognitive diversity. The definition for this topic involves the way we think. Some approach an assignment with the thought of getting it done immediately after the lecture, as they want the information to be as fresh as possible. Others prefer to do it later, not just because of procrastination reasons, but because they want time to process the information they learned.
It’s why some can have very different interpretations of stories. Some may think that Meredith and Derek, the couple from “Grey’s Anatomy,” are a good representation of true love and can pose a good argument for their reasoning. Others believe that they were terrible for each other and give several examples of their toxicity. Neither interpretation is wrong per se, but each has a strong argument for their way of thinking.
Being a diverse person is an exciting thing. It makes someone much more relatable and more unique. Creativity is higher and diversity is being more sought out in the modern day, as uncertainty in businesses means needing more unique ways to come up with ideas to stay in the market. Some of the biggest problems in the world have been solved by tackling a problem in an unusual way. Vaccines were created by using the sickness that was killing people as a way to immunize themselves from it. The most unbelievable circumstances can end up being the solution to a major problem.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Football seniors

Malcolm Liufau intercepts a pass against UT Permian Basin. | Photo from @wou.fb on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Isaac Garcia | Sports Editor

Logan South — Kicker from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in California and a transfer from Western New Mexico. This season, he’s made 18 PATs on 20 attempts and is two for three on field goal attempts with a long of 26 yards.
Tamirr Bullock — Linebacker from Turlock High School in California and a transfer from Modesto Junior College. Bullock recorded an interception against Western New Mexico earlier this season.
Isaiah Rickard — Wide receiver from Franklin High School. Rickard has appeared in 28 games for the Wolves and has recorded eight receptions for 60 yards and three touchdowns.
Kainoa Jones — Quarterback from Konawaena High School in Hawaii. In his career, Jones has scored 17 total touchdowns, six from passing and 11 from rushing, along with 1,450 all-purpose yards. His single-game career highs include 224 passing yards, 94 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns. Jones is also a captain for the team.
Jaylen Fite — Wide receiver from Evergreen High School in Washington. Fite has appeared in 25 games for the Wolves and has 31 catches for 339 yards in addition to six rushing attempts for 17 yards. His career high in receiving yards is 64.
Daron Ulrich Jr. — Defensive back and team captain from Union High School in Washington. Ulrich has appeared in 38 games for the Wolves, where he’s got two career interceptions and 149 total tackles.
Malcolm Liufau — Linebacker from Punahou High School in Hawaii. Liufau has intercepted two passes this season and has 12 sacks with 30.5 tackles for a loss. Liufau also has 10 career pass breakups, six forced fumbles and one recovery in addition to being a team captain. Liufau won Lone Star Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the 2025 homecoming game against UT Permian Basin where he had an interception, a sack, and a forced fumble that secured a victory for the Wolves.
James Duane — Linebacker from South Medford High School and forced a fumble versus Lincoln in 2021. He also has four career sacks along with 41 career tackles.
Xavier Owens — Defensive back from Skyview High School in Washington. Xavier has career highs of one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and five pass deflections.
Tamaaulelei Ma’alona — Defensive back from O’Dea High School in Washington and a transfer from Puget Sound. Here at Western, he’s appeared in eight games, giving out 12 tackles and helping out with a tackle for a loss.
Jacob Pollock — Defensive back from Sherwood High School who has played in 20 games and given out 18 total tackles.
Armaad Hubbard — Running back from Wichita Heights High School and a transfer from Butler Community College. Hubbard has appeared in 27 games, rushing 49 times, averaging 249 yards and one touchdown.
Michael Gibson III — Quarterback from Canby High School, where he won All-League and All-State honors. Gibson was one of the top-rated quarterbacks in Oregon by Prep Redzone and had a 4.0 GPA. He’s appeared in seven total games for the Wolves and recorded a rushing touchdown at Western New Mexico last season.
Blake Wolters — Running back from Heppner High School. He has appeared in 18 games.
Aden Murphy — Linebacker from Tigard High School and has two career interceptions, along with six pass breakups and one forced fumble. Murphy is a 2025 team captain.
Dominic Hankins — Tight end from Mazama High School, where he was First Team All-Offense and won the Rogue Valley Championship for his weight class in wrestling. Hankins has played 17 total games for the team.
Emilio Castaneda — Offensive lineman from Hood River Valley High School. Has played in 41 total games for the Wolves and is a 2025 team captain.
Travis Fenton — Offensive lineman from Seaside High School in Seaside, Oregon.
Keyvaun Eady — Wide receiver from Southridge High School and a transfer from Portland State. For the Wolves, Eady has 85 catches, 1087 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Eady set a single-game career high last season with 100 receiving yards and is a 2025 team captain.
Kainoa Doctor — Wide receiver from Kapalama High School in Hawaii. Doctor had his first catch of his collegiate career earlier this season against Sul Ross State for 11 yards.
Joseph Northcutt — Defensive lineman and team captain from Henley High School. Northcutt has a total of 16.5 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss over the course of his career at Western. His single-game career high in sacks is 1.5 and in tackles is nine.
Jeriah Jackson — Defensive lineman from San Diego High School in California and a transfer from Grossmont College. Since joining the Wolves, he’s played in nine total games, recording one tackle for a loss, half of a sack and one pass breakup.
Massen Newton — Defensive lineman from Lakeridge High School. Newton has played ten games with the Wolves, making 23 total tackles, recording 3.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.
Andrew Simpson — Defensive back from Mountainside High School who has played in 22 games and has seven career interceptions, 21 pass deflections, a forced fumble and 72 total tackles. His career high for interceptions in a single game is two. Simpson has also returned 27 punts for a total of 207 yards.
Join the Wolves Nov. 15 for senior day festivities against Central Washington University. The Wolves are currently 8-2 and are at second place in the Lone Star Conference, putting them firmly in the mix for a playoff spot as they sit at seventh place in Super Region Four in the most recent NCAA rankings. For those unfamiliar with how the Division II football playoffs work, the entire field is split into four geographic regions with four conferences in each. The champions in each conference will automatically make it to the playoffs while the top four highest ranked non conference champions will always qualify. The winner of each eight team regional bracket will meet in the semifinals and eventually the National Championship for those who win.

Contact the author at howlsports@mail.wou.edu

‘Survivor’ hot takes

A photo of the Kele tribe during a challenge. | Photo from @survivorcbs on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Even fans who aren’t avid consumers of the reality TV show “Survivor” likely remember seeing a season here or there, whether it be remembering a season from the old era with dangerous twists and turns such as lions roaming around the castaways’ camp, or a season from the new era with all of the various gameplay additions, such as idols and beware advantages. I know I love watching all of the drama unfold as well as the new challenges and twists they come up with, a reason that likely contributes to why fans keep watching season after season. “Survivor” contestants from Season 49 — the current season — provided their own personal “Survivor” hot takes, and I’ll be ranking them from worst to best for both die-hard fans and the occasional viewer alike to enjoy.
18. Bring back the super idol — Kristina
When the super idol was in play, contestants who found two hidden immunity idols could combine them to create a super idol, meaning they could use the idol after the vote. Personally, I feel like this advantage gives one person way too much power. Some advantages are just unnecessary because they change the game way too drastically and unfairly.
17. The margarita curse is fake news — Alex
The “margarita curse” is essentially a theory that any contestant who wins a margarita from a reward challenge ends up getting voted out. It happened a few times, so fans and contestants started joking that it was related. I feel like this hot take isn’t really a hot take because the margarita curse isn’t real and is all theorized from a few occurrences that were most likely a coincidence.
16. Sam should have won season 47 — Jake
Sam, the runner-up, argued at the final counsel that he should win because he fought for immunity in all the challenges. Rachel ended up winning and countered that forming bonds and alliances are just as important. I believe that any aspect of “Survivor,” whether it be a contestant’s physical strength or their social game, is crucial to a win.
15. Contestants shouldn’t be forced to risk their vote, it should be a choice — Steven
I feel as if there aren’t really many cases where contestants are forced to risk their vote. Most often, they lose their vote while going on an individual journey to an island, and most contestants voluntarily do this.
14. Idols overrated, advantages underrated — Jason
I’m not sure if I or other fans would necessarily agree with this, because idols are the most powerful advantage in the game. I also believe that the new era of “Survivor” has a multitude of advantages, and they aren’t really underrated.
13. The best player does not always win — Rizo
As viewers, we can often favor one contestant over another for various reasons like their strength or their social game, and we may have the perception that one deserves to win over the other. While this may be true, I think anyone who manages to win “Survivor” didn’t win by fluke.
12. New era > old era — MC
Both have their strong points: new era comes with many more twists and turns, where contestants have to think a lot more about their strategy, while old era comes with more of the survival aspect of “Survivor.”
11. Russell is amazing — Annie
Russell is a contestant who can be seen as overly harsh and has sometimes even been described as a snake, but he made the game very interesting and managed to win Fan Favorite for arguably one of the most iconic seasons: Heroes vs Villains.
10. There’s no such thing as an honest game — Sage
This hot take really makes me think hard about what an honest game even is. Many contestants go into the finale claiming they should win because they played an honest game, but I think I agree that it’s near impossible to do this while they are actively voting people out.
9. “A lil rice would be nice” — Shannon
I do think that the game may be more interesting if each tribe was given rice rations to eat, because they would be slightly stronger for challenges.
8. Chris Underwood deserved the win — Matt
While I do believe that everyone who wins deserves the win, Chris won the final immunity challenge but gave up immunity to compete in the fire-making challenge because he believed he needed to prove he deserved to win. I think this is a very risky but iconic move that deserves some credit.
7. Stop handicapping losing tribes by taking their flint — Sophie
Like with the rice debate, I think if tribes had their flint, it may make the rest of the game — the challenges — more interesting.
6. Bring back the loved one visit — Jeremiah
I think adding this reward later on in the game would provide contestants with more motivation after to play the game harder and better.
5. Cast more people likely to get in a showmance. Love is the only way to beat logic — Savannah
Many fans remember the iconic Boston Rob and Amber showmance, and I think we would all enjoy more showmances to make the show more interesting.
4. Knowledge is power is pretty awesome — Jawan
I think having this advantage in the game can make the gameplay more challenging and thought-provoking, and may push contestants to be more careful about who they show their idol to.
3. Immunity idol = death in the game — Nate
I think this really depends on how the contestant strategizes with their idol. Many of them choose to show their alliances that they have an idol, which can cause rumors to spread around and can ultimately lead to their downfall.
2. There is no such thing as a player who should have won, it’s all about jury management — Nicole
Many fans and players argue that whoever was the best in challenges and the strongest physical player should have won, but the social game in “Survivor” is just as important. Ultimately, it’s the jury at the end deciding their fate.
1. Whoever wins deserves it — Sophi
On that note, “Survivor” is all about how each contestant uniquely plays the game. There is no right or wrong game if someone makes it to the finale. Winning a reality TV show over seventeen other contestants is not an accident.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Nintendo’s star princess

A photo of Rosalina’s original design from Super Mario Galaxy. | Photo from @nintenbingo on Instagram

Nov. 12 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers for “Super Mario Galaxy”

“Super Mario Galaxy” was a game that came out in 2007 on the Nintendo Wii. It introduced several new mechanics that were different from previous Mario games, such as the ability to stun enemies with the spin move and the introduction of 3D graphic manipulation as the game is set in various worlds with different physics. However, the biggest addition that this game brought to the forefront was the introduction of a new character, one who comes from the stars.
Introduction — Known as the “mother of the Lumas,” Rosalina debuted as a woman who possesses great cosmic power. She travels throughout space in her observatory, keeping an eye out for any threats. She has been called “an interstellar protector” by Nintendo. She is known as the adoptive mother of the Lumas, star-shaped creatures that are baby stars. They have the capability to transform into stars, comets, planets and even “Power Stars,” which are the main source of power in the world of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The plot — The game opens up with a few pages of a storybook, explaining that once every hundred years a comet passes by the Mushroom Kingdom. On this occasion, the people host an event called the “Star Festival,” meant to celebrate the comet’s return. Then, the game becomes similar to most Mario games where Bowser attacks the Mushroom Kingdom to kidnap Princess Peach. While Mario is attempting to save her, he gets knocked into space.
When he wakes up, it’s in the company of the Lumas. After a brief chase with them, they explain that their “Mama” needs his help. It is then that Rosalina makes her first appearance. She tells Mario that she is the guardian of the cosmos. She then entrusts Mario to take care of a Luma that will give him the power to travel through space to save Peach. This is what gives Mario his shake ability, which allows him to not only stun enemies, but to use “Launch Stars,” which help him travel through the cosmos throughout the game.
Mario is then taken to the Comet Observatory. Rosalina explains that they travel through the area once every hundred years, but were stopped by Bowser this time. He had attacked their home, taking the Power Stars, which give the observatory the power it needs to travel through space. Rosalina asks Mario if he would continue to collect the Power Stars from other galaxies around them. Once enough are collected and power is restored to the ship entirely, Rosalina agrees to help Mario save Princess Peach and defeat Bowser.
The ending —Another reason that Super Mario Galaxy is different from other Mario games is the ending. Most of the games end with Peach being saved, Bowser falling into lava and everyone going back home. However, when Mario manages to defeat Bowser, the universe that he was trying to create collapses on itself and creates a black hole. The Luma that was with Mario the entire game, along with all the others in the Observatory, sacrificed themselves by jumping into the black hole. An animation appears showing what’s implied to be a cyclone mixing up stardust. Mario then appears in some sort of limbo with Rosalina, where she explains how the cycle of life works for stars: “When stars die, they turn to stardust and scatter across the cosmos.” She explains that after a time, the stardust turns into a star and the cycle of life continues. Rosalina does say, though, that the cycle of life is never the same. When Mario awakens, everyone he encountered in the game who lived on different galaxies now share one planet. Rosalina’s voice is heard to say that all life carries the essence of stars, including all of them. Mario welcomes the new galaxy and a new cycle of life begins.
Origins — Rosalina’s backstory is told to the player throughout the game through a storybook. As Mario collects Power Stars, parts of the observatory unlock. One of the areas is a library, and when walking inside, Rosalina is sitting in a chair holding a storybook. She reads to a group of Lumas, and the story told is implied to be her own.
The story is about a young girl who encounters a lost Luma that crashed his spaceship near her home. The Luma says he’s waiting for his mama to come back for him on a comet, so the girl agrees to wait with him. A lot of time passes and they decide to go into space to try to find her. They eventually encounter a comet that they decide to stay on while the girl chooses to adopt the Luma as her child. They construct the Comet Observatory and have a large group of Luma children who live with them. The girl decides to check on her home planet and reminisce about her family. When the thought of her own mother comes to mind, she bursts out in tears as she tells her children that she can’t see her anymore, as she is “sleeping under the tree in the hill,” implying that she has passed away. Luma, the original star child that Rosalina encountered, tries to comfort her and, in the process, turns into a comet. The girl is shocked and the other Lumas explain to her that they all will grow up to become either stars, planets, comets and much more. They all surround the girl, hugging her and asking her not to cry anymore and from that day forward, “star bits no longer fell from the girl’s eyes.”
Utilization — Unfortunately, Rosalina hasn’t had a major role in a Mario game since her debut, with most of her appearances coming from spin-off games like “Super Smash Bros,” “Mario Kart” and “Super Mario 3D World.” However, fans still hold her dear in their hearts for several reasons. Unlike most of the Mario characters, who are tailored in a way that kids will enjoy them, Rosalina has a mature personality that is very much motherlike. Unlike Peach, who depends on Mario a lot in the games, Rosalina is an independent woman who not only takes care of herself, but takes care of all the Lumas under her care. Her backstory is compelling, even tragic, which is unique for a Nintendo character, as we don’t know a whole lot about the backstories of the characters in these games.
While Nintendo hasn’t taken advantage of how much love the fans have for this character in a while, there is good news for those who have been waiting. Not only are “Super Mario Galaxy” and its sequel available for the Nintendo Switch, but Nov. 25, her storybook will be available for physical release. It has also been announced that the next Mario movie will be based on Super Mario Galaxy. Considering how big a role she plays in the games, there is no doubt that Rosalina will make an appearance in this upcoming film. As a huge fan of Rosalina, I am definitely looking forward to seeing her in the next movie.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Wolf pups

Nov. 12 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Wolf Pups — formally known as the Child Development Center — is a school and daycare area on campus where parents in the community and enrolled parents at Western can drop off their kids aged 2 1/2 to 5. The center has been up and running for 45 years, and was originally in Todd Hall, but moved to its new residence in the Child Development Center behind Campus Public Safety. They are part of the Student Affairs division at Western. Currently, there are three classrooms and 46 kids enrolled. A helpful resource they also provide is a dual-language classroom for children who speak English and Spanish. Additionally, they provide a young preschool room that supports children who still need to work on potty training, as well as kids with disabilities.
The original purpose of the Child Development Center was to serve Western students who are also parents by providing a space to assist parents in being able to attend things such as their classes. Currently, they serve Western students, faculty and members of the community, but the most prominent customers now are members of the community.
The center is funded by the IFC for student parents with children enrolled, meaning that Western students with children enrolled receive a sizable discount. A large Preschool Promise grant is also offered to around 30 parents who are low-income, covering the full payment to enroll their child.
The staff at the center encompasses around 25 individuals, including three full-time teachers, two full-time assistant teachers, one half-time assistant teacher and 15-20 student staff who attend Western and are most often enrolled in the Education program. Tammy Gardner, the director at the Child Development Center, explained that they wouldn’t be able to run the center without the large number of student teachers they get.
Gardner emphasized and wanted to highlight that the center is so thankful for and “couldn’t believe the love and support and resources that were given to the preschool, it’s absolutely amazing, and not just to the students, to the families and the staff here.”
The Wolf Pups partner with many different departments and faculty around campus, and have expressed feeling so welcomed by them as they bring joy to the kids. Recently, trick-or-treating for the Wolf Pups in the Werner University Center involved over 30 clubs and organizations around campus, setting up tables and going all-out with decorations, costumes and prizes or candy for the kids. The preschoolers came and had so much fun going to all the different tables; Gardner mentioned, “I will tell you, it was so amazing that after the kids left, I just sat in the WUC and cried.” During Halloween, Campus Public Safety also takes out one of the patrol cars to fire up the lights and sirens and take the kids on little tours.
She also mentioned the great partnership they have with the Natural Science department. Beeb Singson from the department has set up various experiments and lab tours for the kids to come in and do, like an exploding volcano and an earthquake demonstration that are both educational and fun.
They’ve worked with Michael Gonzalez from Athletics, who has invited them to play basketball with Western’s basketball teams. Members of the football team have also come in to visit the kids and play with them. Gardner explained that doing this is so enjoyable for the children and a way for them to meet amazing athletes. Rip Horsey, the director at the Health and Wellness Center, has also set up times for the children to come into the gym and have fun with all of the different activities offered.
Tim and Corrie Cowart, professors in the Dance department, have come in to teach the children mini dance classes as well. The kids love this, and it’s a great way for them to have fun interactions while being active. Currently, the center is also working with the graduate occupational therapy program because they wanted a place for their grad students to engage and observe little children as a way to prepare for their future careers. Each graduate student comes in to teach a lesson plan to the kids, and the kids enjoy it because “they’re young and fun,” as phrased by Gardner.
Gardner also had Logan Doerfler from the Veterans Resource Center come in with a crew to have a special story time about Veteran’s Day with the preschool classes. Doerfler and his crew dressed in uniform and discussed how they serve people and keep them safe, as well as deliver food and water.
Campus Dining provides the Child Development Center with all of the food they need, such as lunches and snacks. The center has expressed gratitude over the hot meals and two snacks a day they receive and how Dining is willing to accommodate, even sending treats like cookies occasionally.
All in all, the Wolf Pups at the Child Development Center are thankful and appreciative of all the resources and activities provided by departments and faculty around campus. The center is a great resource for students attending Western who have preschool-aged children. While the faculty at the center are pleased with how welcoming everyone on campus is, the children have the opportunity to be enrolled in such an amazing space where they can participate in many offered activities from organizations on campus. The people who take time out of their day to volunteer for these events know it’s all worth it to see the joy on even one child’s face.

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Quien lo encuentra se lo queda

26 de noviembre del 2025 | Hannah Field | Jefa de Editacion

Aproximadamente a una hora de Monmouth, Lincoln City se encuentra en la costa y
ofrece un juego único de búsqueda para residentes y visitantes: flotadores de vidrio que se
distribuyen regularmente a lo largo de las playas públicas de Lincoln City.
El programa, Finders Keepers, afirma que 3,000 flotadores cubren siete millas de playa,
desde Roads End hasta Siletz Bay, y todos los flotadores son fabricados por artesanos
locales del vidrio.
Existen algunas reglas básicas: los flotadores se colocan por encima de la línea de la marea
alta y debajo del terraplén de la playa, solo durante el día y en momentos y fechas
aleatorias. Los flotadores se distribuyen a lo largo del día, independientemente del clima, y
no se colocan entre los fragmentos de vidrio de la playa. Solo se permite un flotador por
familia al año. Finders Keepers también fomenta el respeto por la costa y la conciencia
ambiental durante la búsqueda.
La historia de los flotadores de vidrio se remonta a cuando los bañistas encontraban
flotadores de pesca japoneses con hermosos colores oceánicos. Los habitantes de Oregón
atesoraban y pulían estos hallazgos. Luego, en 1997, al menos dos décadas después de que
los flotadores de vidrio fueran reemplazados por los de plástico, un artista local tuvo la
idea de distribuir flotadores de vidrio como una actividad divertida para Lincoln City en el
nuevo milenio — probablemente sin ser consciente de la inmensa popularidad que
alcanzaría el proyecto y el impacto positivo del aumento del turismo en la ciudad.
Si la búsqueda resulta exitosa, el flotador se puede registrar a través del número que se
encuentra en la parte inferior, en la página web de Finders Keepers o por teléfono al
541-996-1274. Al hacerlo, recibirá un certificado de autenticidad e información sobre el
artesano local que elaboró la boya de vidrio. Los visitantes también pueden acudir al

Centro de Información Turística de Lincoln City de lunes a viernes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.,
para registrarla en persona.
Los flotantes temáticos se consideran “boyas especiales.” Del 12 al 14 de diciembre del
2025 se colocarán 50 boyas adicionales. Sin embargo, esta fecha es provisional debido a
los posibles peligros de las mareas. El fin de semana de inauguración de 2026, del 9 al 11
de enero, se colocarán 100 flotantes, mientras que en febrero se colocarán 100 flotantes de
estilo antiguo japonés y en abril, 50 diseños con temática del Día de la Tierra aparecerán
en las playas.
Contacta al autor en howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

Aurora Boreal

26 de noviembre del 2025 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias

La aurora boreal, también conocida como luces del norte, es un fenómeno natural que crea
espectáculos de luz coloridos en el cielo nocturno, apareciendo como manchas, nubes
dispersas, corrientes, arcos, cortinas y adoptando muchas otras formas. Muchos conocen
los hermosos tonos que emite, siendo el verde pálido y el rosa los más comunes. Estas
luces de colores, que aparecen en el cielo nocturno del hemisferio norte, son causadas por
los gases presentes en la atmósfera terrestre.
Las luces del norte son causadas por una interacción que ocurre comúnmente entre el
campo magnético de la Tierra y las partículas cargadas, llamadas erupciones solares, que
entran en la atmósfera terrestre desde la atmósfera del Sol. Los destellos de luz de colores
aparecen cuando las partículas, generalmente electrones, chocan con la atmósfera superior
de la Tierra. Cuando las partículas chocan con el campo magnético, se redirigen hacia los
polos terrestres. En este proceso, las partículas regresan a un estado inicial de baja energía,
lo que provoca la liberación de partículas de luz llamadas fotones.
Los diferentes colores de la aurora boreal que la gente suele ver se crean cuando las
partículas chocan a diferentes altitudes. El verde se crea a partir del oxígeno a una altitud
de 160-190 millas, el rojo y el rosa provienen del oxígeno a una altitud superior a las 150
millas, y el azul y el violeta provienen del nitrógeno a altitudes más bajas.
Las auroras boreales son siempre más visibles cerca del Círculo Polar Ártico porque las
partículas se dirigen hacia los polos al colisionar con la atmósfera terrestre. Además,
suelen ser más frecuentes durante los equinoccios de primavera y otoño.
Aunque las auroras boreales son un fenómeno natural, los científicos cuentan con métodos
para predecir cuándo serán más intensas. Suelen utilizar satélites para medir la velocidad y
la densidad del viento solar — compuesto por partículas cargadas. La cantidad de energía
que emite el sol también fluctúa, lo que permite a los científicos medir el ciclo solar para

predecir en qué años se observarán más auroras boreales. Actualmente, el sol se encuentra
en la cúspide de su ciclo de 11 años, lo que significa que está experimentando el máximo
solar — momento en el que produce la mayor cantidad de erupciones solares — lo que
hace que las auroras sean más visibles en este momento del ciclo. En épocas como la
actual, cuando el sol se encuentra en su punto de máxima actividad, es cuando lugares
como Estados Unidos pueden observar las auroras boreales.
Aunque este es el mejor momento para observar la aurora boreal, las luces pueden ser
impredecibles, especialmente en zonas como Estados Unidos, que están más alejadas de
los polos. Quienes salgan en su búsqueda quizás tengan que esperar un buen rato para que
aparezcan, y también deben estar preparados, ya que pueden aparecer y desaparecer en
cuestión de minutos. Se recomienda que quienes deseen ver las auroras se dirijan a un
lugar despejado y oscuro, lejos de las luces de la ciudad, después de las 10 de la noche.
Los mejores meses para verlas son marzo, octubre y noviembre. Además, aunque las luces
no sean visibles a simple vista, las cámaras de los teléfonos móviles a menudo pueden
captar la luz que el ojo humano no percibe. Tomar fotografías del cielo despejado durante
estos meses puede ser una buena manera de ver las auroras. Si bien puede requerir tiempo
y paciencia, la experiencia de ver la aurora boreal sin duda valdrá la pena.
Contacta al autor en howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Edificio Todd Hall

19 de noviembre del 2025 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias

Todd Hall fue construido en 1912 y originalmente tenía 10,800 pies cuadrados, con un
costo de construcción de aproximadamente $50,000 — equivalente a $1.65 millones en la
actualidad. Con su techo inclinado, pequeñas ventanas de vidrio, detalles de ladrillo rojo y
chimenea, el edificio fue construido en estilo Tudor, común en la época. El propósito
original de Todd Hall era albergar a los estudiantes del campus, quienes comenzaron a
mudarse en 1913.
En 1921, se agregaron habitaciones adicionales al edificio, junto con un segundo comedor,
y más tarde ese mismo año se realizaron renovaciones para añadir el Ala Oeste, la Sala de
Música y la Galería. La cocina y el comedor se trasladaron al nuevo Centro Estudiantil en
1960 y el espacio se transformó para albergar únicamente dormitorios, una sala de estar y
dos salas de estudio. Esta remodelación costó alrededor de $31,000. El edificio comenzó a
albergar la División de Investigación Docente en la década de 1970, hasta que finalmente
se convirtió en el Todd Hall que conocemos hoy, con aulas, oficinas y PsychPAC.
El edificio Todd Hall recibió su nombre en honor a Jessica Todd, la primera decana de
mujeres y la primera directora de residencias estudiantiles en Western. Nació en 1869 en
Beaver Falls, Pensilvania, y se mudó a Monmouth en 1912, cuando se convirtió en
supervisora de profesoras de prácticas en la Escuela de Formación de Monmouth. Al llegar
a Monmouth y comenzar a trabajar en Western, Todd reconoció la necesidad de una
residencia estudiantil en el campus y ayudó a solicitar fondos al estado para construir una
residencia para mujeres, lo que finalmente condujo a la construcción de Todd Hall.
En 1926, recibió un título de licenciatura honorífico en reconocimiento a su excepcional
labor en el campus. Cuando finalmente se jubiló en 1931, la Junta de Educación del Estado
de Oregón acordó por unanimidad nombrar la residencia que dirigía en su honor, creando
así Todd Hall.
Jessica Todd era una firme defensora de las mujeres que vivían en el campus, pero era

conocida por su carácter muy estricto. Su residencia era exclusivamente para mujeres, y a
menudo se decía que imponía sus enseñanzas sobre cómo ser una “mujer adecuada” a las
chicas que vivían allí. Cerraba las puertas de la residencia puntualmente a la hora del toque
de queda y obligaba a las residentes a despedirse de sus parejas justo antes de hacerlo. Por
estas razones, las chicas de su residencia solían introducir a los chicos a escondidas por el
sótano — que en aquel entonces era la lavandería.
Jessica Todd falleció en 1944, pero se especula que su espíritu aún perdura. Circulan
rumores en el campus de que su fantasma todavía habita en Todd Hall, y los estudiantes a
menudo reportan sucesos extraños, como escuchar pasos o ver luces parpadeando. La
mayoría de los avistamientos de su fantasma provienen del baño, ya que era la habitación
que solía ser su espacio personal. También se cree que su fantasma se dirige
específicamente a los hombres porque el edificio era una residencia exclusivamente para
mujeres y a ella no le gustaba la presencia de hombres en su interior.
Independientemente de si estas especulaciones son ciertas o no, Jessica Todd fue una de
las principales razones por las que las mujeres pudieron tener un lugar donde vivir en el
campus, y allanó el camino para el histórico y singular Todd Hall que conocemos hoy en
día.
Contacta al autor en howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Próximos cambios en el nuevo año

19 de noviembre del 2025 | Hannah Field | Jefa de Editacion

A partir del 5 de enero del 2026, todo el personal deberá trabajar en el campus cinco días a
la semana, debido a una solicitud del presidente de Western, Jesse Peters. Esta solicitud
excluye al profesorado, pero incluye a todos los demás empleados a tiempo completo de
Western, como el personal de limpieza, asesores, consejeros, administradores y otros.
Cualquier miembro del personal a tiempo parcial puede revisar su horario con su
supervisor, quien, caso por caso, determinará la mejor opción para el empleado. No se ha
revelado más información sobre la nueva norma y los efectos de los cambios no se verán
hasta que comience el trimestre de invierno.
Según la portavoz de Western, Maureen Brakke, se anima al profesorado a estar en el
campus y a comunicarse con la comunidad tanto como sea posible. Teniendo esto en
cuenta, la universidad es consciente de las responsabilidades adicionales relacionadas con
la docencia, la investigación y el servicio, lo que permite una mayor flexibilidad en el
horario del profesorado. Muchos profesores del campus trabajan a distancia, ya sea
desplazándose o impartiendo clases completamente en línea. Si bien es poco probable que
esto cambie, Western, a partir del nuevo año, impulsará las clases presenciales más que
nunca.
“Esta decisión se basa en la sólida tradición de Western de impartir clases presenciales, ya
que muchos profesores y estudiantes han expresado su preferencia por experiencias de
aprendizaje presenciales mejoradas,” declaró Brakke.
Dado que las clases presenciales son una de las principales prioridades de Western en este
momento, el presidente Peters también solicitó que la División de Asuntos Académicos
evaluara los cursos de pregrado y determinara cuáles deberían ofrecerse en formato híbrido
o completamente en línea. Teniendo en cuenta las declaraciones anteriores de Western, es
probable que haya menos cursos en línea disponibles.

Sin embargo, no se ha anunciado un cronograma para estos cambios. El profesorado
completará una auditoría de las clases en línea e híbridas a finales del trimestre de
invierno, lo que proporcionará más información a la universidad sobre si se deben
mantener o modificar estas opciones en línea.
Dado que esta información se recopiló a finales de marzo, es poco probable que se
produzcan cambios importantes en el trimestre de primavera del 2026 después del receso
de una semana.
“Nada cambiará de inmediato,” dijo Brakke.
Contacta al autor en howleditorinchief@mail.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.