Mount Hood

‘Fire is catching’

Graphic by Addison Watts

Jan. 28 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Content warning: this article contains spoilers for “Sunrise on the Reaping” and descriptions of gore

 

Reading “Sunrise on the Reaping” was definitely a rollercoaster. Suzanne Collins’ new novel, which released last March, is a prequel to the original trilogy, taking place during the 50th Hunger Games and telling the story of a young Haymitch Abernathy — a character many fans, including myself, love. 

The novel opens with descriptions of Haymitch and his family living in District 12. We learn that his family is not well off — something that is pretty typical for those who live in District 12 — and that he often sneaks off with his girlfriend, Lenore Dove, to escape the realities of his life. On reaping day, it is announced that twice as many tributes will be reaped to celebrate the 50th Hunger Games, or Second Quarter Quell. Surprisingly, Haymitch isn’t originally reaped, but when chaos ensues, he steps between Peacekeepers to protect Lenore Dove, causing him to be chosen as the replacement for the dead tribute. 

Because District 12 had no previously known Victors, random mentors were assigned to Haymitch and the other tributes from his district. Through this, we’re introduced to a younger Wiress and Mags, characters from “Catching Fire,” the second book in the original trilogy. During training, we also learn about Beetee — another character in “Catching Fire,” and his young son Ampert, who was reaped. 

Because of his acts of rebellion against the Capitol, Haymitch is given a score of one — the worst possible score — by the Gamemakers. This doesn’t go the way they intended, though, because Haymitch is soon labeled and marketed as a “rascal” and gains popularity for his personality in the Capitol. 

Beetee eventually enlists Haymitch in a plan to rebel against the Capitol and the Games. While in the arena, Haymitch is meant to light explosives planted in the underground water system to prevent the Gamemakers from controlling the arena. While this plan ultimately fails, Haymitch still angers President Snow and is marked for punishment due to his contributions to the rebellion. 

Haymitch eventually wins the Games by leading the last tribute to the edge of the arena, which he learns is protected by a force field. The final tribute throws her axe at Haymitch, who then ducks, causing the axe to rebound off the force field and kill the tribute. 

While Haymitch does survive the Games, did he actually win? Like he says in “Catching Fire,” “Nobody ever wins the Games. Period. There are survivors…there’s no winners.” He eventually returns home, where he finds his house burnt down and his family dead; he then finds Lenore Dove, who found gumdrops she thought were from him, but were actually poisoned, which leads to her death. While it isn’t proven, Haymitch, along with many readers, is convinced that President Snow is responsible for these tragedies.

In the end, Haymitch slowly becomes the Haymitch we know in the original series, as he develops an alcohol addiction and isolates himself to cope with all of his losses and memories of the Games. 

I feel like many “Hunger Games” fans can agree that “Sunrise on the Reaping” was both the most chilling and most devastating book so far in the series. I know one scene that really hit me hard was when Ampert died in the arena. Ampert was not only 12 years old when he was sent into the Games, but was reaped on purpose as a punishment for his father Beetee plotting rebellion acts against the Capitol. In the arena, Ampert helped Haymitch sabotage the water tanks below and was punished by the Gamemakers for doing so. Mutated squirrels — which felt very similar to the mutts in the first “Hunger Games” — were programmed to only attack Ampert and were sent into the arena. Haymitch tried to save him, but the squirrels attacked Ampert to his death, and the book even goes on to say that only his pearly white skeleton remained. This was arguably the most gruesome scene in the entire series, and I’m curious to see how it will play out in the upcoming movie adaptation. 

I also really loved how “Sunrise on the Reaping” brought so many callbacks from the other books in the series. As mentioned, many characters from “Catching Fire” returned, but we also got more information about the Coveys. In “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” we met Lucy Gray, the first-ever victor from District 12. She won the 10th Hunger Games and was a part of the first-ever tribute group to get mentors. The mentor assigned to her was Coriolanus Snow, who later becomes the President Snow everyone knows in the main trilogy. Lucy Gray and Snow were very close at first, and even had a romantic connection, but Snow’s narcissistic and tyrannical tendencies won out. After Lucy Gray wins the Games, Snow is sent to District 12 as a Peacekeeper as punishment for helping her win. He eventually finds her again, and they plan to run off together. Upon leaving for the woods, Lucy Gray realizes she can’t trust Snow after learning he’s killed multiple people, and runs off. Snow, seemingly going mad, grabs a gun and shoots wildly into the forest at the mockingjays and everything else. The book ends, leaving readers in the dark on whether Lucy Gray survived or not, with many believing that Snow killed her. 

In “Sunrise on the Reaping,” we find out that Lenore Dove is related to Lucy Gray and that she is part of the Covey tradition, a traveling band, which was carried on. While Lenore Dove never talks about Lucy Gray, Haymitch knows there was one other District 12 victor, but, like everyone else, knows nothing about them. He watches the past tapes of the Games in hopes of discovering more, but finds that there is nothing about the 10th Hunger Games, when Lucy Gray won. Later on, he finds a tape that President Snow gave him showing Lucy Gray singing, and he realizes that this is Lucy Gray, the 10th victor, and that Snow intentionally erased her history.

Many fans of “The Hunger Games” know that Collins only writes a new book when she has something to say about the world we’re living in. I believe that “Sunrise on the Reaping” is meant to mirror the current state of our world, and she uses the novel to take a rebellious stand like many of the characters. Many aspects that contribute to this include Ampert being reaped to punish Beetee for rebelling, Haymitch being reaped because he interfered with Peacekeepers, Haymitch carrying Louella’s dead body to Snow and laying it before him, the Games being heavily edited to erase any signs of rebellion and seeing the videos of Lucy Gray knowing that all of her history was erased. Not to mention the reaping every year takes place on July 4. As Katniss says, though, “Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us.”

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



Students protest in Salem

A photo of the Western students that attended the protest in Salem on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. | Photo courtesy of Jacob Prater

Jan. 28 2026 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Monday, Jan. 19 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day — saw a turnout of hundreds at the Oregon State Capitol, where a collection of Western students joined protesting efforts.

The rally was held to show solidarity with the immigrant community as well as protest the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration. Calling for immigration reform, protesters also heavily drew from Martin Luther King Jr.’s mission to establish equality and peaceful resistance. 

Event participants and organizers discussed the current political state of the US, saying that students and families are experiencing a lot of fear due to immigration crackdown efforts.

Salem police reported around 400 rally attendees. One incident involving the unlawful use of pepper spray had one man arrested, but names and further details have yet to be released.

One of about 20 counterprotesters, Thomas Allen, 36, was present at the rally in a similar fashion to his controversial appearance at Western Dec. 3, 2025, brandishing a microphone, camera and pro-Trump merchandise. At the end of Fall term, Allen appeared on campus while livestreaming on multiple platforms and was recorded using racial slurs and threatening students that they would be deported by ICE.

Western student Jacob Prater said, “I wanted to attend to help show that we have power in numbers and help spark more resistance statewide against ICE in Oregon. We vastly outnumber counterprotesters and are the majority.”

One intention of the rally is to build momentum behind an immigrants’ rights package. Families impacted by immigration enforcement would receive increased protections and financial support. 

The rally followed increased ICE presence, as well as increased tension, across the country after the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Locally, Albany mother Maria Trinidad Loya Medina was kidnapped Jan. 10 by ICE in the Big 5 parking lot after heading in to shop, leaving behind her young son in the car. Her GoFundMe stated that federal agents shattered her driver’s side window to “get ahold of her.” She had no criminal record and was taken to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington. According to sources closer to the family, she may be released next month.



Contact the author at howleditorinchief@wou.edu

Flu season

A photo of the Health and Counseling Center on campus. | Photo taken by Moth Martinez-Faccio

 Jan. 28 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

In Oregon, the flu has become increasingly active during the 2025-26 season, starting from a 0.4% positive increase and zero hospitalizations during the week of Sep. 28 to a 16.2% positive increase and 49 hospitalizations during the week of Jan. 11. Additionally, the 2025-26 Oregon flu season had the lowest amount of flu immunizations in the past four years. The amount of immunizations this year peaked at the end of September, drastically decreasing since then. 

Influenza — or the flu — is an infection of the respiratory system primarily through the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms for the flu can be similar to a common cold, such as the sore throat and runny or stuffy nose, but the flu amplifies these symptoms, and is often accompanied by additional symptoms like fever, cough, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, sweating and chills. A cold tends to have a slow start, while the flu can come on very quickly, typically two to three days after contact with the virus. 

Flu season in North America usually runs from October to May. The virus is spread through coughs, sneezes, spit and touch. To help prevent getting the flu, it is recommended to stay away from others who have it as well as to sanitize hands and surfaces frequently. 

This flu season, about 15 million Americans have come down with the flu so far, and, as of Jan. 13, 180,000 have been admitted to the hospital with the flu, with 7,400 reported deaths. 

This flu season, a variant of the flu called subclade K has been prevalent, thus being the cause of the rise in cases. The seasonal flu vaccine in the US this year provided protection against three flu viruses that researchers had expected to be the most common, but did not account for the sudden mutation of subclade K, making the vaccine less effective. The subclade K variant has not been present in the past few years, which also resulted in a natural decrease in immunity. 

The subclade K variant has been responsible for 90% of flu cases this year. There is no evidence to suggest that the variant is more severe, just much more active due to its mutations. 

Due to the sudden rise of the mutation, the flu vaccine this year is less effective. Typically, the vaccine is anywhere between 60-65% effective in the prevention of the flu, but this year the vaccine is only 30-40% effective. That being said, experts still recommend getting the vaccine to anyone who doesn’t have a medical reason not to because, not only does it reduce the risk of getting the flu, it also lessens the severity if anyone does get the flu. The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to be fully effective, so those who plan to get it should do so sooner rather than later.

Minor side effects that may arise from getting the flu shot include soreness, a low fever, aches and redness, along with swelling where the shot was given.

Walgreens offers a free flu shot for those who are interested. They take walk-ins, with the option to also schedule ahead. Walgreens recommends the flu shot for anyone three years old and up. Those who get it should also consider getting the vaccine once a year due to immunity fading over time as well as new variations arising yearly. 

Any Western student who pays the health fee can also go to the Health and Counseling Center on campus to get their flu shot. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 9-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. They also offer free cold and flu kits to students that include medicine, thermometers and throat lozenges, among other things, to help stay healthy during flu season.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Living in the shadows

A photo of a child standing alone while a crowd of soldiers stare at them. | Photo from @35awards on Instagram

Jan. 21 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

The topic of mental health has been a controversial topic for some. Despite the progress that has been made with the depiction of it in movies and shows, there are many who have negative thoughts about those who have mental illnesses. There are a lot of negative stereotypes or beliefs about these disorders in the public eye. Whether it be certain cultures’ view on it or the spread of inaccurate information about various mental conditions, our health in the mind has always had a stigma surrounding it. 

Stigma is defined by Oxford Languages as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” Stigma originates from a lack of understanding or fear of a subject. In the case of mental health, a lot of people do not understand it, leading to many misconceptions being spread about it. According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than half of people with a mental illness are not receiving help for their disorder. People actively avoid seeking treatment for their mental health due to stigma surrounding the subject that could make people around them treat them differently. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against those with mental health issues could be subtle or obvious. An example would be having a get-together with friends, but excluding one of the friends who has told them that they suffer from a mental illness; another would be using derogatory labels on them, such as “psycho” or saying that they’re “crazy.”

There are three types of stigma that should be understood. First is public stigma — these are the negative attitudes that the public has about mental health, which leads to discriminatory thoughts for individuals who have them. Second, self-stigma is the destructive thoughts that someone who has a mental condition will have. This can lead to shame or suppression of their problems, which is self-destructive in both ways and will not aid the person in their situation. Finally, there is structural stigma, which is a systemic type of bias that involves policies in the government or other organizations that either intentionally or unintentionally place limits on people with mental illness on what they can and cannot do. An example of this would be unequal insurance coverage. Some insurance companies are more likely to cover physical injuries than treatments for mental health, like therapy or prescription medication. 

Recently, I was beginning to wonder why mental health is seen so terribly in the first place. I knew why, from a Hispanic background, as in many Latin American cultures, it is viewed as a sign of weakness. Many people who are part of this culture take pride in their ability to manage themselves and work for everything they have. So when someone admits to having an issue, they can be shamed for being unable to take care of themselves. In other cultures, it is viewed similarly. 

In Asian societies, mental illness is viewed as a sign of personal weakness or failure of maintaining self control. Saving face is significant in this culture, as honor is an incredibly valuable social aspect to have. Being associated with a mental illness in this culture could be seen as bringing shame to the family name. 

In Arab cultures, mental illnesses are viewed as a form of divine punishment. They are attributed to the person who suffers from the condition doing something to displease the higher power, which will not only bring them potential accusations of wrongdoing, but also stigmatization from their community. Those who struggle with this may also seek out religious or spiritual interventions to treat their illnesses. While it could work for some, it will not work for everyone. 

In African cultures, they ascribe spiritual or supernatural causes, such as possession by evil spirits, as the cause for mental conditions. There is also a historical context when considering that many African Americans were denied freedom on the basis of false mental illness diagnoses.

According to Mental Health America, a physician named Samuel Cartwright created racist and false mental diagnoses. The purpose of this was to create a reason not to let enslaved people be free, as they were seen as unable to take care of themselves. “Even in the early 1900s, leading psychiatrists thought Black and African American people to be ‘psychologically unfit’ for freedom.” Their trauma from being enslaved was used against them to keep them oppressed. 

Poor depictions of those who have mental illnesses have also spread harmful messages that people who suffer from various disorders are likely to have random bursts of violence or to be labeled as crazy. In reality, someone who has a condition is more likely to be victimized instead of being the cause of other people’s suffering. Mental illness has become overgeneralized, with many media portrayals showing the same kinds of things. A lot of the time, it is depicted as being an incurable condition that no one can recover from. Yet, according to the Centennial Mental Health Center, “as many as 80 percent of people suffering from mental illnesses can effectively return to normal, productive lives if they receive proper treatment.” 

On a more personal note, my family had never acknowledged mental health. It was never spoken about, never discussed. It was a completely foreign concept in my very old-school, very Hispanic household. So, when I began having issues with my psychological well-being, I was told that it was all in my head and that I needed to stop feeling sad. I wish it were that easy. Naturally, I was starting to act out as a preteen and my mother decided to send me to counseling. She wanted to know why I was such an angry kid. Eventually, I was diagnosed with depression. I then became the topic of my aunt’s gossip. 

A lot of the time, the stigma itself is worse than the actual illness. I certainly feel that way. Those who suffer from mental health issues only want to be seen as a person, not a nutcase or a weak individual. Struggling with the condition itself is difficult and the stigma only makes people feel more isolated. So, when meeting or becoming friends with someone who has a condition — don’t be quick to judge.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

A literature nerd’s dream game

An image of the cover art of the game “Tiny Bookshop.” | Photo from @neoludic on Instagram

Jan. 21 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

I love cozy games. Cozy games are known for being the types of games that are designed to be relaxing and non-combative. They are designed to be brightly colored with activities that range from organization to puzzle solving to decoration. Some can have combat, though it is typically simplistic. However, I believe that the main purpose of this genre is falling in love with the game’s world, having the player express themselves in their own unique way with customization and learning about the colorful characters these games have to offer. Games such as “Animal Crossing,” “Stardew Valley,” “Slime Rancher” and “Unpacking” are all very well known for being enjoyable, cozy games. 

One game that deserves much more attention is a little game called “Tiny Bookshop.” Released in 2025 and developed by Neoludic Games, “Tiny Bookshop” is a game where the player leaves their old life behind to move to a coastal town known as Bookstonbury to run a traveling second-hand bookshop. After playing the demo and quickly falling in love with the game, I bought the full version and spent most of winter break playing through the game, even completing the main story. 

Gameplay — The game consists of the player moving around various locations to sell books. The player will start out with only one shelf that holds a certain number of books, and it is their job to stock the shelves. The books are color-coded, with each color being a different genre. Different locations will prioritize different types of literature, so it’s important to keep that in mind. Once on location, the player opens the shop, and customers will come inside to browse the selection. When recommendation requests pop up, the player gets the opportunity to look at the books stocked on the shelf. Each book will have the title, author and a brief description of the story. The customer will tell the player what kind of book they are looking for, and it’s the player’s job to find the closest book possible to that description. If successful, more customers will come in and buy more of the stock. If the interaction fails, nothing really happens aside from the customer leaving immediately. 

Customization — For anyone who really enjoys customization, “Tiny Bookshop” has incredible options for making the bookshop ideal for each player. The shop is able to be painted in various colors from the start, with more available for purchase later on in the game. Some of the decorations that are bought can also be painted in custom colors, such as the bookshelves. There are many different types of furniture available to buy with the in-game currency the player receives from selling books. Certain items can be gained from the characters in the town as they are befriended, with most of the items having boosts for certain genres of books, as well as some types of customers. For example, during the fish market, the player will receive a major boost in sailor customers if their shop is decorated with beach or sea decor. If it isn’t, the customers will avoid the bookshop due to the player’s “lack of taste.” There is also a coffee machine that increases the number of customers on rainy days. It also generates more revenue, so I strongly recommend getting it. 

Lovable characters — The first character we meet is Tilde, who is the retired bookshop owner of Bookstonbury. She teaches the player the ropes of running the shop at the beginning of the game and is very well known throughout the town as a gentle woman with a big heart. 

Shortly after meeting her, we meet Fern, who is the town journalist. They are a bit shy and awkward around the player, but they quickly warm up and even ask for their help at times. 

Walt is next, known as the town’s retired sailor who is generally more reserved but kind. He’s incredibly antagonistic toward the cruise ship that will occasionally visit the town. Once the player’s friendship increases with him, he will be able to invite them to the fishing market that happens on certain days of the month. 

Maryam is next and, quite honestly, I didn’t like her as much at first. She’s the owner of a cafe and a very straightforward, no-nonsense character who will voice her opinion in a rather blunt way. However, as the player gets to know her and sees the relationship she has with Tilde, there is a soft spot to her harsh exterior. 

Moira is Maryam’s niece. She’s a very nonchalant character who, similar to her aunt, is a bit stubborn. She and her aunt can fight at times, but both of them think very highly of the other. She’s a goth queen who is into the supernatural and enjoys a good horror book. She also has a rock band where she plays guitar. 

Harper is a child who comes frequently to the bookshop. She is a very smart kid and incredibly persuasive. This child was capable of convincing other children to construct a massive sand castle on the beach that was multi-leveled and needed a construction crew, while having the player fund it all. Harper has quite the leadership skills. 

Klaus is a character who works at the Méga Marché, which is basically this town’s version of a cheap supermarket. He is also part of Moira’s band, playing guitar and being a singer, as well as Harper’s uncle. 

Anne is a university student who enjoys plants and will often sell them at the flea market. She is immediately very sweet toward the player and gives them a lot of plants. Anne enjoys romance and fantasy while completely hating nonfiction books, so I like to think she is basically me. 

Overall, “Tiny Bookshop” has had me in a chokehold since I bought it. With its engaging gameplay, expansive customization and compelling characters, there was so much that made me want to keep coming back to play it so many times. The artstyle is also very appealing, giving a sort of cartoon comic vibe while the music is relaxing. I strongly recommend this game to anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of cozy games. It’s available on Steam and on the Nintendo Switch. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Giving Day

A photo of Western’s 2026 Giving Day logo. | Photo courtesy of Dave Beasley

Jan. 21 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Giving Day — most often taking place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving — is a large 24-hour fundraising event, though many universities do their own Giving Day in the winter or spring. Western’s Giving Day this year will take place the first Tuesday of April, April 7. The date has been moved later than usual this year because in previous years it took place during week nine of Winter term, a time when many students and staff were too busy to participate.

Western’s Giving Day is a crowdfunding day where participating clubs, organizations, teams and departments at Western ask people across the university and beyond to give funds to the university and its organizations.

Any club or organization at Western can choose to participate and raise funds. Those that want to can fill out a Google Form sent in an all-student email from Dave Beasley. Once they do, they will get their own webpage on Western’s Giving Day website that features photos and a description of their organization with a button for donors to donate. 

New this year, participating organizations and clubs will have to pick at least two “influencers” — essentially representatives — to attend a training. The designated influencers will also receive a special link specifically for them that they can share to whomever they want. The link will go straight to the website for their organization. Influencers can use this link to send to potential donors through means of text, email, social media and others. The hope from WOU Foundation — the organizers of the event — is that influencers will be those who are most active on Giving Day to raise funds.

The training that influencers will attend is expected to last about 30-45 minutes, and six different training sessions will be offered to account for different availability. Each session will be the same, so influencers can choose to attend the one that fits best with their schedule. The training will consist of how to go about asking people to donate, and example scripts will be shared, as well as potential ideas for posting on social media. There are also many online features through the website that influencers will be made aware of. Those who attend the training will receive a free T-shirt.

This year, participating clubs and organizations will also be required to make a short video to post on their webpage and provide to donors. The Foundation found that in previous years, groups that were more involved raised more funds, so a large goal this year is to get groups to participate more actively. This video should be 30-45 seconds and should explain why donors should give to that organization in a creative way. A big goal for the video is also to include as many different people from the organization as possible. 

“Everybody wants to see their grandson or granddaughter or their niece or their nephew in the video, right?” explained Dave Beasley, director of development, annual giving & sponsorships. Family members and friends may be more likely to donate to an organization if they see a person they know in the video, even if it’s just a wide shot of everyone at the end. There will also be an optional training for influencers to attend on tips and tricks for making a video.

Anyone can be a donor, and donations can consist of any amount. “We’re grateful for every single gift we get,” Beasley added. However, donor intent rules all — meaning the donor picks where they want their money to go. If they make a general donation to the club or organization, the members can use the funds in whatever way that helps them. If the donor specifies what they want the funds to be used for, the organization has to follow that. For example, if a donation was made to a club for a club scholarship they offer, the funds would have to be used for the scholarship. 

The way in which donations are made was optimized specifically for mobile devices this year. At the bottom of the website, there will be a red gift button where donors can fill out their information and make a gift. In previous years, the only way to pay was through credit card, but this year, donors can use credit cards, ACH transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Cash App. Additionally, donors have the option now to do recurring gifts with a credit card. Donors can also still write checks and send them through the mail.

In past years, WOU Foundation had a dollar goal for Giving Day, but this year, they have a donor goal, meaning they want to get as many donors as possible. Beasley explained, “What we’re really trying to do with Giving Day is to bring new donors to the university, whether that’s alums, whether that’s people who are new parents to the university, or newly aware of the university, or newly in partnership with us or whatever it is.” Additionally, they will send out letters to previous donors to advertise for Giving Day again.

The Foundation is also working on “the big gift” this year. In other words, they are working with larger donors — those that donate thousands — to secure commitments of large sums of money that will be donated to the university if Western receives 500 donors. Any amount of donation counts as a donor in order to work toward receiving that “big gift.” The hope is that the challenge will also help clubs and organizations advertise to donors — if they donate to the organization, they also help the university work toward this sizable contribution.

Community service will also be added to Giving Day this year. WOU Foundation and everyone who participates understands that Giving Day is asking a lot from the community, and they hope that they can give back in this way. They will be highlighting service projects they’ve participated in throughout the year and will have services happening day-of, such as a blood drive in the Werner University Center and a mini-golf course in the library. The golf course will be built by members, and to play there will be some sort of requirement, such as making a post on social media about Giving Day.

There will be a prize for the student who raises the most money, as well as a prize for the student who receives the most donors.

Beasley added that he understands it can be hard to ask people for money, but to try not to worry about it because it’s a good opportunity to raise funds for a good cause. “People do care about you. They do want to support what you’re doing. And those can all be great motivations to give, but people give because somebody asks them to.”

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The bridge to student success

A photo of a cherry blossom tree at Western. | Photo from @woustudents on instagram

Jan. 21 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Last Fall term, I ran into an issue with a professor that others may relate to regarding an overwhelming lack of support for students. During week 10 of the term, my friend experienced an unforeseen health circumstance out of the blue that left her with difficulties in completing an assignment. Her circumstance was extreme enough that it seemed it qualified for an extension, and being that she turned in everything else throughout the term on time, she asked the professor for one. The assignment was due on a Friday and she asked for a two-day extension, making it due on Sunday. This appeared to be very reasonable considering what she was going through, yet, the response she received from the professor was that they would not give her an extension, and instead she would have to take an incomplete grade for the class. 

Upon hearing this, I felt very frustrated both by the response my friend received and the professor. I had also taken classes from this professor and ran into several issues with them such as unfair grading and unclear instruction. In this situation though, neither of us really knew what to do or who to reach out to for help. In a last ditch effort, I decided to reach out to a faculty member that I trust to seek advice on the situation. On my friend’s behalf, this faculty member got in touch with the Student Affairs Office, the campus resource that would have been the appropriate choice for the situation, seeking help to advocate for the student. The response given from Malissa Larson — the dean of students — said that the student would have to go through the Academic Affairs Office’s academic complaint process, a form used to report issues surrounding things like grades, assignments and syllabi. The submission would allow for the division chair to schedule a meeting with the student to discuss the concern and facilitate a solution. 

 

Based on definitions, Academic Affairs deals with instances relating to how a class is structured or how a professor teaches, and Student Affairs should be the place to go for support in personal issues. Yet, in practice, the structure in place leaves gaps in which students are left with no personal advocate and indirect support avenues. Academic Affairs only provides them with the option of submitting a complaint — something that could take time and wouldn’t do anything for the current situation — and, in our case, Student Affairs simply referred us to Academic Affairs. Instead of working together to foster student success, these two crucial campus departments are skirting past the necessity of direct lines of communication for student support. We then realized this explains the root of the issue: there is no good resource to help students with conflicts surrounding short-term crisis circumstances like ours.

Additionally, a quick review of the professional duties of a dean of students indicates someone who connects student needs with university administration, most often in times of crises and emergency support, and ultimately strives for student development and success. Under further specificities, responsibilities for a dean of students also include providing support during crises and emergencies, both medical and personal, as well as advocating for students by working with faculty and staff to meet student needs. This description fits exactly what was needed in our situation. We needed someone who could support the student through their crisis by examining the student’s needs and communicating that with the professor and/or university administration. 

Dean Larson responded to the crisis by deferring my friend to the academic complaint process. Post-submission of the form, Larson said that students are encouraged to connect with the college dean, followed by the provost. She concluded her message by saying, “While I appreciate that someone in Student Affairs used to be an advocate for this type of issue in the past, many systems at WOU have changed. When it comes down to faculty concerns like this one, there is little Student Affairs can do.” 

While Larson presented going to the provost as an option, it’s unclear what help the provost and college dean would provide or how long it would take; additionally, it seems nonsensical to reach out to the provost over a professor-student conflict. Furthermore, it appears that there’s a missing role that could have provided support that no longer exists.

After hearing this response, we decided to do a bit of research. Looking at Western’s mission statement, one of the core values of the mission statement, entitled “Fostering Accessibility,”
states that Western works to “ensure inclusivity and eliminate barriers in our physical, social, and learning environments. We are dedicated to continuous improvement so that every member of our community can engage, contribute, and succeed.” This acutely pointed to the fact that academic success, no matter the circumstances, is one of Western’s biggest goals. 

It is unfair to students who go through these things that they lack direct and immediate access to support systems when their academics are impacted by personal crises.

After this experience, I feel that instead of continually seeking to eliminate barriers, Western is building barriers. As students continue to go through difficult situations when they arise and live this same version of events that leave them feeling defeated and angry, I only hope that the university once again utilizes Student Affairs, a crucial resource, in the way it is designed for: a place for students to go in times of crisis when they need urgent support. Ultimately, I hope that Western will once again grasp the great need for a resource that bridges the gap between academics and student success.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

 

The great divide

Jan. 14 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

I am not a very tech-savvy person. Granted, I know my way around most types of phones and computers. Yet that is mostly due to growing up with this kind of technology around. However, as someone who also works for a cell phone service provider, I have had to interact with, set up and attempt to fix a lot of issues with various devices. If there is anything that I have learned during this time, it is that there are stark differences between iPhone and Android phones. 

Growing up, Android phones were what was given to me by my predominantly Apple device-loving family. So here’s what I noticed. 

Strengths — Android phones have a much simpler operating system that is easy to use and convenient. It typically has three buttons on the home screen: one to go to the home screen, another to see all apps that are open and the last to go back to the previous screen. Android smartphones also come in many different versions. Samsung alone has three different series of phones, each very starkly different from each other. One is fast, one is foldable and the last is cost-effective while still being a decent phone. Another popular Android phone is Google Pixel, which is well known for its camera quality and sturdy design. Motorola phones are known for being budget-friendly, but are reliable and simple. 

Weaknesses — A lot of people with Android phones come into the store to tell me that their phone is full of pop-ups. The most common cause of those is “bad apps” being downloaded. Essentially, any kind of “phone cleaner” app is not actually cleaning the phone. Instead, it is slowing down its performance, and some can cause ads to pop up at random times. The battery life is also a major issue I’ve seen, with many getting new phones due to faulty batteries. There are also the constant updates that are done to the system that some may find annoying.

I recently became an iPhone user. After having the phone for a while now, here’s what I’ve observed. 

Strengths — Apple’s phones are incredibly fast, with their chip processors able to have many apps open at once without slowing down the smartphone. For newer models, the iPhone battery life is often incredibly good, being able to last an entire day. They also switched their charger from the Lightning cable to a USB-C to become more compatible for Android users who want to switch to iPhone. Furthermore, iPhone’s have their own Apple ecosystem of apps that allows for a much stronger privacy shield compared to Android. iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Cash, etc., are all iPhone-exclusive applications for these types of phones. The Apple App Store is also much more strict with what apps are allowed to be downloaded from it, making it much less likely for any bad apps to affect iPhone users. 

Weaknesses — I believe that iPhone’s main weakness is the lack of variety in their phones. While over time the screen size has gotten bigger and the camera positioning has changed, there isn’t a difference between the models. Obviously, if someone compares the first iPhone to the newest one, they look very different. However, there isn’t a huge change between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17. Another issue with Apple is that, due to the strictness of the App Store, many apps are not available to download. There isn’t a variety of different types of apps to get, while Android app stores allow for more options. There is also the fact that iPhones are not as customizable as Android phones. While their display options are sleek and clean looking, I’ve seen much more be able to be done with Androids, whether it be their shortcuts or widget flexibility. 

In my opinion, the other differences are minuscule. The keyboards between the two phones look and feel different from each other. Android phones still have “buttons” to control the screen, while iPhone users need to swipe up to navigate the phone. 

However, these smaller things are like comparing different fonts. If one is a person who likes consistency, I recommend an iPhone. If variety is preferred, there is an array of different Android phones from many companies that may be the better choice. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Work for fun

A sketched comic of a woman complimenting a girl’s sweater. | Photo from @juliehang.art on Instagram

Jan. 14 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

According to the Oxford dictionary, a hobby is an activity that is done by a person for the sole purpose of enjoyment or relaxation. Hobbies can range from hiking in the mountains to playing video games at home. I personally don’t have a lot of hobbies. The main hobby I have, writing, has become something I do for school and work. While I still love it with a passion, I have been wanting to take up a new one that doesn’t involve me trying to spell things correctly. 

I haven’t had the opportunity to really explore activities to do in my free time. Yet during 

break, when I had all the time in the world, I came to the realization that I had no idea how to get a new hobby.  I’ve usually just stuck to the ones I had growing up. I can only imagine that a lot of other students feel the same way. Therefore, I have created some tips on how to discover a hobby. 

Something simple that anyone can do is create a list of things they like. The list doesn’t have to be concrete. It could range from things done as a child that were fun, like playing tag or building things with LEGOs. Some things to consider would be topics that are engaging and that aren’t tiresome for oneself. 

There’s also scheduling that should be considered when taking up a new hobby. As someone with a busy schedule, I would want a hobby that is easy to do anywhere and can be done wherever I go. For someone who would prefer to do something with their hands, crafting and sculpting would be good ideas. 

Something that discourages a lot of people from starting new hobbies is the lack of perfection at first. Obviously, no one is going to be good at something from the start, and if they are, they are not human. 

Stuart Brown once said, “Life without play is a grinding, mechanical existence organized around doing the things necessary for survival. Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively.” I’ve thought about trying to start crocheting because the thought of creating my own things sounds awesome. However, I’ve been hesitant to do so because I know for a fact that the first thing I make will look horrifying. Still, that shouldn’t dissuade me or anyone else searching for something new to do in their spare time. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

‘You’ll never see anything like it’

A photo of the United States Capitol. | Photo from @drchubacca on Instagram

Jan. 14 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor 

On Dec. 18, President Donald Trump made a video announcement from the White House highlighting his plans for 2026 regarding the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. This announcement featured various events to take place, one of the most well-known being his plans for the Patriot Games.

The reasons given for these events included Trump saying, “In my campaign for president, I pledged to give America the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen for America’s 250th anniversary on July 4th next year.” Naming the initiative “Freedom 250,” his plan is to put on year-long festivities to celebrate the 250th birthday.

Construction plans throughout 2026 include a new arch monument being built in the nation’s capital, with Trump explaining that America is the only large nation without a beautiful, triumphal arch. Additionally, Trump plans to create a national garden of American heroes featuring statues of the greatest Americans, though he didn’t specify who this would entail.

On May 17, Trump has planned a national prayer gathering to take place at the National Mall in Washington. Regarding this, he explained that the purpose was to “rededicate our country as one nation under God.”

To celebrate America’s history and culture, Trump adds that there will be a great American state fair, featuring pavilions from all 50 states, taking place from June 25 through July 10.

On June 14 — Flag Day, as well as Trump’s birthday — a large UFC fight will take place featuring the greatest champion fighters from around the world. Dana White will be hosting and it will take place at the White House. 

During fall of 2026, Trump will also be hosting the “Patriot Games,” a young athletic competition. The Patriot Games will be a four-day event featuring the greatest high school athletes — one man and one woman — from each state and territory. He adds, “I promise there will be no men playing in women’s sports, you’re not gonna see that, you’ll see everything but that.” 

Across social media platforms, many are making a connection between Trump’s announcement of the games and the dystopian, post-apocalyptic Hunger Games, noting the similarities between his speech and speeches made in “The Hunger Games.” This includes Trump’s “one young man and one young woman” compared to the line, “select one courageous young man and woman,” Trump’s “the first ever Patriot Games” compared to “the Hunger Games,” and Trump’s “you’ll never see anything like it and you’ll never see anything like it again” compared to “we’ve never seen anything like this and we will never see anything like it again.”

Regardless of their views on President Trump’s announcement, those in the United States can expect to hear more about these events and more about his plans for America’s 250th birthday going forward into 2026.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

 

‘Nunca verás nada igual’

14 de enero del 2026 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias

El 18 de diciembre, el presidente Donald Trump realizó un anuncio en video desde la Casa
Blanca en el que destacó sus planes para el 2026 con motivo de la celebración del aniversario de
Estados Unidos número 250. Este anuncio presentó diversos eventos que se llevarán a cabo,
siendo uno de los más conocidos sus planes para los Juegos Patrióticos.
Las razones dadas para estos eventos incluyeron que Trump afirmara, “En mi campaña para
presidente, prometo darle a Estados Unidos la fiesta de cumpleaños más espectacular que el
mundo haya visto jamás para el 250o aniversario de Estados Unidos el 4 de julio del próximo
año.” Al nombrar la iniciativa “Freedom 250,” su plan es organizar festividades durante todo un
año para celebrar el aniversario número 250.
Los planes de construcción a lo largo del 2026 incluyen la edificación de un nuevo monumento
en forma de arco en la capital del país, explicando Trump que Estados Unidos es la única nación
grande que no cuenta con un arco triunfal hermoso. Además, Trump planea crear un jardín
nacional de héroes estadounidenses que contará con estatuas de los estadounidenses más
grandes, aunque no especificó a quiénes incluiría.
El 17 de mayo, Trump ha planeado una reunión nacional de oración que se llevará a cabo en el
National Mall, en Washington. Al respecto, explicó que el propósito es “rededicar a nuestro país
como una sola nación bajo Dios.”
Para celebrar la historia y la cultura de Estados Unidos, Trump agregó que habrá una gran feria
estatal estadounidense, con pabellones de los 50 estados, que se realizará del 25 de junio al 10 de

julio.
El 14 de junio — Día de la Bandera, y también cumpleaños de Trump — se llevará a cabo una
gran pelea de la UFC con los mejores campeones del mundo. El evento será presentado por Dana
White y tendrá lugar en la Casa Blanca.
Durante el otoño del 2026, Trump también organizará los “Juegos Patrióticos,” una competencia
atlética juvenil. Los Juegos Patrióticos serán un evento de cuatro días que contará con los
mejores atletas de preparatoria — un hombre y una mujer — de cada estado y territorio. Trump
añadió, “Prometo que no habrá hombres compitiendo en deportes femeninos, no van a ver eso,
verán de todo menos eso.”
En las redes sociales, muchas personas están estableciendo una conexión entre el anuncio de
Trump sobre los juegos y la saga distópica y postapocalíptica Los Juegos del Hambre, señalando
similitudes entre su discurso y los discursos presentados en dicha franquicia. Esto incluye la
frase de Trump “un joven y una joven” comparada con “seleccionen a un joven y una joven
valientes,” la frase de Trump “los primeros Juegos Patrióticos” comparado con “los Juegos del
Hambre,” y “nunca verán nada igual y nunca volverán a ver algo así” comparado con “nunca
hemos visto nada como esto y nunca volveremos a ver algo así.”
Independientemente de las opiniones sobre el anuncio del presidente Trump, quienes viven en
Estados Unidos pueden esperar escuchar más sobre estos eventos y sobre sus planes para
celebrar el aniversario número 250 del país a lo largo del 2026.
Contacta al autor en howlnews@wou.edu

Seeking fear-giveness


A photo of an artwork depicting a woman caressing her cheek in the mirror. | Photo from @alev.neto on Instagram

Jan 7. 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

Special thanks to copy editor Kiera Roedel for being the inspiration to write this article. 

I have a habit of saying “sorry” a lot. Like, a lot. While apologizing is an important behavior that everyone has hopefully done throughout their lives when needed, I usually do it to the point where it isn’t. It isn’t something that I thought would be such a big problem. After all, I don’t want to be seen as someone who doesn’t take accountability for their actions. 

Yet, I can recognize that a lot of the time, I don’t need to say sorry as much as I do. I am an overapologizer. Overapologizing is the act of apologizing so much that it becomes more of a defense mechanism rather than an actual apology. It is not something that a person will wake up with one day and begin doing. It is usually a learned behavior. It is something that has been developed throughout someone’s life without realizing it. Another term for overapologizing is “the anxious sorry.” 

Definition — The anxious sorry is a type of safety behavior. A safety behavior, according to Psychology Today, is a type of “short-acting relief technique” that people use to calm their fears or anxiety. They can involve both avoidance and escapism responses, such as procrastination, reassurance-seeking or even stonewalling. Safety behaviors aren’t necessarily a problem for those who do them, but they can become an issue when they have become the only coping mechanism that someone’s used their entire life. Healthy coping mechanisms like learning from mistakes, problem-solving and learning to accept things are all good ways of coping with issues or dramatic changes. Yet, when the automatic response someone has when facing an issue is “sorry,” it can be a clue into a much deeper problem developing in the mind of the apologizer. 

What sorry means to an overapologizer — Overapologizers don’t usually say sorry all the time to be polite. It’s often because they fear something. Fear usually ties into all sorts of things, such as being scared of conflict, anxiety, low self-esteem and people-pleasing tendencies. The word “sorry” then becomes a replacement for feelings that a person may not have the capability of confronting or skills to cope with. Constantly apologizing can cause overapologizers a momentary feeling of relief from whatever bad feeling was giving them the need to apologize, whether it be fear of rejection or anxiety. It is that relaxing feeling that can make a person use the word as a strategy in maintaining relationships. 

Potential problems — While saying sorry a lot may not seem like such a big deal, it can become harmful. It is incredibly diminishing to the apologizer’s self worth. It reinforces the thought that they’re wrong, that they are “too much” and that the person is responsible for the emotions of others. Apologizing a lot can also be confusing for those who are around you. Saying sorry often can make the word lose its sincerity, and then the person who you are apologizing to doesn’t understand what it is that is actually needed from the apologizer. There is an irrational fear of upsetting others or being uncomfortable when others around them are upset. Despite knowing that the problem didn’t come from them, overapologizers have this compulsive need to try to diffuse the situation before being able to feel comfortable again. 

The signs — One overapologetic behavior would be apologizing for things that the person themselves didn’t do. Situations such as schedule conflicts, apologizing for someone else’s behavior, not carrying cash when it’s needed, etc. Oftentimes, it’s things that the person had no control over or prior knowledge of needing to do that they end up taking responsibility for. Another sign would be saying sorry instead of expressing a need. A good example of this that I personally have lived through would be saying sorry to a partner instead of telling them what it is that I want from them. There was a time that my spouse and their family wanted to go eat at a sushi restaurant. I was the only one who didn’t want to go, but I lied and said I wanted to because I didn’t want to be the reason they didn’t get the food they wanted. I tried to prevent a conflict between them and compromised my own wants to do so. 

Likely Causes — Some causes for saying sorry frequently could involve the background of the overapologizer. If they were surrounded by people who were caring and understanding one minute and furious the next, they often have to learn early on how to anticipate the needs of others by minor things such as expressions, tone, hand movement and body language. That could explain the need to want to “diffuse the bomb,” despite not being the cause of it. Trauma is another major factor in apologizing often. A lot of people who experience traumatic events will often blame themselves for it in an attempt to feel in control of the situation. Yet, it can often make the trauma worse and make them perform people-pleasing behavior to feel safe. For people who think less of themselves or have low self-image, feelings of self-resentment can cause them to say sorry for things that often don’t need it. Having low self esteem can also make a person much more likely to be in codependent relationships. Being in a codependent relationship means that the person’s value is tied to their ability to keep the other person in the relationship happy. Taking the blame for whatever conflicts may arise between the two can often be a way to keep the peace to satisfy the other. 

Like most problems that we as humans face, the first thing overapologizers need to do is be aware of the issue and try to combat it more. It’s important to become self-aware of how often they say sorry and what situations it tends to come up in more. Try to recognize the feelings that are being felt in that moment and replace the word “sorry” with healthier language. Something I did when coming into work late due to a car issue was apologize for not being on time, despite the fact that I provided a warning and had no control of the situation. Something else I could have said was “thank you for waiting.” Small changes like this can make a big impact on breaking the cycle. Therapy can also be a very good way to combat the action and try to work through what it is that the word “sorry” is replacing. It can be difficult to do, even uncomfortable. 

However, I want to remind anyone who reads this that it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to exist and take up space. No one is inconvenient. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

‘NEW HORIZONS’ UPDATE


Graphics by Addison Watts

Jan 7. 2026 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

Those who love spending their time playing chill video games are likely familiar with the popular game franchise Animal Crossing, and are waiting in anticipation for the large update to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” coming Jan. 15. 

New Horizons was originally released in 2020 exclusively on Nintendo platforms such as the Nintendo Switch. The game itself is fairly open in what the player can do, but does have some goal oriented tasks and requires tasks for progression, especially at the beginning. Players begin the game by customizing their character and selecting an island type to live on. The island types differ based on where cliffs and rivers are located, and players can use this to base what kind of design they would like while being aware that they can landscape — move around — these two things later on in the game. Once they select their island type, the player will pick a location for their tent and then start on their island. In the beginning, the player won’t be able to cross any rivers or climb cliffs until they get the resources to build a vaulting pole and ladder. Later on, they can spend bells — money — to build bridges and stairs for easy transportation around their island. 

Throughout the game, players can collect resources to build various things like decorations and buildings. Animal Crossing is centered around designing and decorating your island, but there are also other small tasks players can work on. They can collect fossils for their museum and work on filling all of the exhibits. Once they achieve a fishing rod and net, they can also collect sea creatures and bugs which can either be donated to the museum or sold for bells. 

Players can also interact with villagers living on their island, and, eventually, can move around their villagers’ houses to certain locations. Many Animal Crossing players work to get aesthetic villagers to fit the vibe of their island even though they have little control over this. A villager can randomly tell the player that they want to leave and the player can either accept or decline — the only control players have over what villagers they want on their island. 

As time progresses, players can also work on achieving a five-star island rating. This rating is based on the attractiveness and cleanliness of their island, and can be found when talking to Isabelle at the city hall. Players can improve their rating by pulling weeds, picking up stray items and decorating their island. 

Another creative aspect that goes into the game is the option to decorate inside the player’s house as well as change their outfit. Players can buy furniture and clothing from stores on their island to customize their look, and can buy house extensions such as new rooms and more floors from Tom Nook. To expand their house, players must ensure their current loan to Tom Nook is already paid off, and similarly, to expand from their beginning tent to a house they must earn enough to pay off their loan.

The upcoming update is sure to expand on all of these aspects as well as bring back fan requests from previous Animal Crossing games such as “Animal Crossing: New Leaf.” One aspect of the update is a new Resort Hotel building that visitors to the island can stay at. Players can customize the guest rooms based on a theme in their resort hotel as well as buy new outfits for visitors. Villagers that visit your island can be found staying at the hotel, walking around enjoying the scenery, inside the museum or shopping at Nook’s. Players can also buy amiibo cards that they can scan to get certain villagers to visit their island, an aspect of New Leaf that many players wanted to bring back. 

Players can also take on requests from Tom Nook to craft island goods that will then be delivered. Each request that players fulfill can then be traded in for hotel tickets. Decorating rooms can also earn hotel tickets, and tickets can be exchanged in the souvenir shop for hotel novelties and other exclusive items. 

If players have an online membership, they can also visit Slumber Island to create a whole new island in addition to the one they already have with friends. They can do all of the same things on this island such as terraform, build and decorate. Players can do this with up to three additional islands, and can use these to create vacation islands away from their main one.

A basic expansion players can also expect is the ability to play online with up to 12 other players. Currently, the max is eight players. Players can also expect more storage space, with space increasing from 5,000 items to 9,000.

Players can also utilize Resetti’s cleanup service in the new update. Rather than completely creating a new island when they want a fresh start, this provides the option to select a specific area on their island and have Resetti clear it out. They can have Resetti clear out flowers, decorations or everything.

The new update will also include various crossovers. Players can buy items that are Nintendo-specific, like a Nintendo Switch or a Game Boy, for their island, and can also buy LEGO items, including LEGO furniture and clothing. Legend of Zelda amiibo cards can be scanned by players as villagers and will unlock furniture and clothing items based on Legend of Zelda. Newly added characters from Zelda, including Tulin and Mineru, can also become villagers on your island. These same things apply with the Splatoon series, introducing Cece or Viché visitors. 

All in all, both avid Animal Crossing players and new players can expect many fun additions in the new update that will make playing even more enjoyable.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Monmouth holiday activities

Graphic by Addison Watts

Dec. 3 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor

The countdown for Monmouth’s “Making Spirits Bright” has begun. This is a series of holiday-themed events that take place in Monmouth over the month of December, beginning Dec. 5 with the annual holiday parade.

To kick off the season, the Monmouth Business Association will be hosting several events Dec. 5, including free cocoa and cider, the Merry Market and the holiday parade, with activities in the Werner University Center to follow. The Merry Market will feature local businesses and artisans selling various goods, taking place in the WUC at 4 p.m. Following this, cocoa and cider will be offered next to the giant sequoia tree on campus. Along with refreshments, Western swag will be given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. This portion of the festivities is sponsored by WOU Alumni Relations and will begin at 5:30 p.m. The main event — the holiday parade — will take place at 6 p.m. for the 58th year in a row. The parade will start at the Monmouth Public Library and travel to campus along Monmouth Avenue. Following the parade, residents will hear welcome speeches from both the Monmouth and Independence mayors as well as Western’s president, Jesse Peters. The elementary school’s annual essay contest winner will also be announced, and the student will read their essay. Finally, a countdown will commence, and the sequoia tree will be lit. Following the parade, more events will take place in the WUC, such as photos with Santa in the Willamette Room and cookie decorating on the first floor. 

From 5 to 9 p.m., residents can also visit local businesses downtown that offer specials and discounts during the Tree Lighting. To keep tabs on what businesses are offering, follow the Monmouth Business Association at @mbamonmouth on Instagram.

Residents can also participate in Wolfie on the Shelf all of December. To join in, travel to one of the local businesses participating and grab a passport to fill out during the event. Those who find Wolfie at 10 or more participating businesses can turn in their passport to be entered into a prize drawing. To find out which businesses are participating, visit the Monmouth Business Association website. 

To get more into the giving nature of the holidays, residents can support Toys for Tots by donating toys and gifts to children in Monmouth and Independence who otherwise might not get any gifts. Running through Dec. 15, toys or donations can be dropped off at Fee Mail Depot. During the last holiday season, Polk, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties were able to support 13,873 children. 

For more holiday cheer, grab some hot cocoa and visit Main Street Park and downtown Monmouth to view Christmas lights and displays.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Cambios en el presupuesto de Oregón

3 de diciembre del 2025 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias

A mediados de noviembre, el estado de Oregón se encontró con un déficit presupuestario de
$373 millones de dólares, proyectado para los próximos dos años. Los demócratas estatales están
atribuyendo la culpa a la administración Trump debido a los cambios en el código tributario
federal derivados de la ley conocida como “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Debido a que el código
tributario de Oregón se ajusta automáticamente a los cambios federales, esta ley provocó una
reducción de $888 millones de dólares en los ingresos estimados del estado, y ahora Oregón
busca recortar el 5% de todos los presupuestos aprobados por la legislatura.
Oregón se preparó para esta situación en el 2025 al asignar $472 millones de dólares de fondos
de reserva, pero no fue suficiente para cubrir los $888 millones de dólares en ingresos perdidos.
La mayoría de los sectores afirma que puede sobrellevar los dos años con los recortes, pero los
empleados tendrán que asumir cargas de trabajo adicionales, y los recortes necesarios podrían
dejar a algunas personas en dificultades. Los representantes estatales están debatiendo qué
recortar, y han reconocido que se encuentran en una posición complicada, ya que necesitan
imponer restricciones presupuestarias, pero también desean preservar los servicios estatales de
los que dependen los habitantes de Oregón. De cara al futuro, los representantes estatales se
están enfocando en proteger los servicios esenciales en Oregón, en la medida de lo posible.
Un posible ámbito de reducción presupuestaria es la educación. Esto incluye subvenciones para
la educación profesional y técnica, así como financiamiento para programas STEM. Los
representantes también están considerando pausar los esfuerzos para mejorar la asistencia, las

becas Oregon Promise para los colegios comunitarios y las subvenciones para el cuidado infantil
que ayudan a estudiantes universitarios de bajos ingresos a mantenerse inscritos.
Otra área que podría recibir recortes es el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregón. Esto
podría incluir reducciones en las tarifas de proveedores y contratistas, recortes relacionados con
cargas de casos y criterios de elegibilidad, reducciones de personal, una posible eliminación del
programa de Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas, recortes a los programas de alcance
de salud pública y una posible pausa de los servicios financieros y de gestión de casos para
adultos mayores de bajos ingresos que se encuentran sin hogar o en riesgo de estarlo.
La seguridad pública también enfrenta riesgos de recortes presupuestarios. Se les está solicitando
realizar un recorte del 5%, al igual que a la mayoría de los otros sectores, en contra del consejo
de los funcionarios de seguridad pública. Estos señalan que, de realizarse los recortes, se forzaría
la liberación acelerada de algunos jóvenes infractores, se incrementaría el hacinamiento en las
cárceles, se vería afectada la seguridad en los tribunales y se retrasarían audiencias y juicios.
Por último, el Departamento de Transporte de Oregón enfrenta posibles recortes presupuestarios
que en su mayoría implicarían retrasos en proyectos, como el reemplazo de Boone Ridge en
Wilsonville y el proyecto del puente McCord Creek en Cascade Locks.
Recientemente, el déficit de $373 millones de dólares se redujo a $63.1 millones de dólares. Los
representantes han vinculado esta reducción a “dinero encontrado,” lo que significa que el estado
recibió ingresos ajustados del impuesto corporativo de varias grandes empresas de Oregón. Si
bien esto mejora considerablemente la situación financiera del estado, los representantes aún
buscan implementar recortes que oscilan entre el 2.5% y el 5% en distintos sectores para cubrir
el déficit restante.

Contacta al autor en howlnews@wou.edu

Nuevo sistema de pago

3 de diciembre del 2025 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias

La oficina de finanzas de Western ha anunciado que lanzará un nuevo sistema de pagos a partir
de diciembre. El sistema de pagos actual fue creado por Western con la ayuda de U.S. Bank para
que funcionara bien con el sistema Portal que ya está en uso. La oficina de finanzas ya estaba
trabajando en cambios, como optimizar un sistema de pago en un solo punto — lo que significa
que los estudiantes solo necesitan ir a un lugar para pagar, en lugar de las siete opciones de caja
diferentes que existen actualmente — y añadir terminales para tarjetas de crédito en las
ventanillas frontales para realizar pagos. Sin embargo, debido a la desaparición de Wolf Web,
también están trabajando en cambios adicionales en el propio sistema de pagos en línea. Para
finales de diciembre, Wolf Web estará completamente integrado en el nuevo applet del Portal,
Experience. Dado que el sistema de pagos de Western funcionaba a través de Wolf Web, este
también hará la transición.
Este proceso se dividirá en varias fases de implementación, todas las cuales se completarán para
mayo del 2026. La primera fase comenzará en la segunda semana de diciembre para garantizar
que los estudiantes puedan realizar pagos una vez que Wolf Web desaparezca. Esta fase
introduce Transact, e incluirá las funciones básicas que los estudiantes necesitan: un espacio para
pagar facturas y las páginas SS9 del estudiante — páginas de perfil del estudiante — donde
podrán ver el saldo de su cuenta y los números de recibo después de realizar pagos, así como un
resumen de la cuenta y notificaciones fiscales. La cuenta SS9 permite a los estudiantes ver todos
sus estados de cuenta y formularios fiscales en un solo lugar.
Durante esta primera fase, los estudiantes también podrán enviar invitaciones a padres o tutores.
Después de que un estudiante envíe una invitación, la figura parental podrá abrirla, donde verá el
nombre del estudiante y un enlace que los llevará a una página en la que podrá ver tanto la

cuenta del estudiante como la suya propia. En su cuenta, podrán consultar los saldos y realizar
pagos de la matrícula del estudiante. También podrán ver si hay un saldo pendiente, en caso de
que el estudiante haya realizado un pago previamente.
Cuando se realiza un pago a través de Transact, el sistema mostrará el saldo restante. Los pagos
podrán realizarse mediante Apple Pay, tarjeta de crédito o débito, o mediante ACH. Los
estudiantes y padres deben tener en cuenta que los pagos con tarjeta seguirán teniendo una
pequeña tarifa; el sistema les avisará para que revisen el monto de la tarifa antes de pagar.
Durante la segunda fase de implementación, la oficina de finanzas trabajará para ofrecer planes
de pago. El tipo de plan que se ofrecerá será un plan de tres meses, en el cual los estudiantes
podrán dividir el pago de su matrícula en montos más pequeños, una vez al mes durante tres
meses. Los estudiantes también tendrán la opción de configurar pagos automáticos desde el
inicio, para no tener que regresar a realizar pagos manualmente durante el plan.
La oficina de finanzas también espera habilitar 529 planes durante la segunda o tercera fase, lo
que permitirá a los estudiantes realizar pagos electrónicos desde una cuenta de ahorros para la
universidad.
En fases posteriores, la oficina de finanzas está evaluando la posibilidad de crear tiendas a través
de la página financiera en Experience. Esto significaría que, si una organización del campus
vendiera boletos u otros artículos, los estudiantes podrían comprarlos directamente desde su
Portal, ofreciendo así una opción de pago distinta al efectivo.
No hay fechas claras para lo que ocurrirá en la segunda y tercera fase del nuevo sistema, pero la
oficina de finanzas de Western aseguró que todo lo que están planificando estará en
funcionamiento para mayo del próximo año.
Contacta al autor en howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Actividades de dias festivos en Monmouth

3 de diciembre del 2025 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias

La cuenta regresiva para el evento “Making Spirits Bright” de Monmouth ha comenzado.
Se trata de una serie de eventos con temática navideña que tendrán lugar en Monmouth
durante el mes de diciembre, comenzando el 5 de diciembre con el desfile navideño anual.
Para dar inicio a la temporada, la Asociación de Empresas de Monmouth organizará varios
eventos el 5 de diciembre, incluyendo chocolate caliente y sidra gratis, el Mercado
Navideño y el desfile navideño, con actividades posteriores en el Centro Universitario
Werner. El Mercado Navideño contará con la participación de negocios y artesanos locales
que venderán diversos productos, y se llevará a cabo en el Centro Universitario Werner a
las 4 p.m. Posteriormente, se ofrecerá chocolate caliente y sidra junto al gran árbol
secuoya del campus. Además de las bebidas, se regalarán artículos promocionales de
Western por orden de llegada. Esta parte de las festividades está patrocinada por la Oficina
de Relaciones con Exalumnos de WOU y comenzará a las 5:30 p.m. El evento principal —
el desfile navideño — se llevará a cabo a las 6 p.m. por el año consecutivo número 58. El
desfile comenzará en la Biblioteca Pública de Monmouth y recorrerá la Avenida
Monmouth hasta llegar al campus. Después del desfile, los asistentes escucharán discursos
de bienvenida de los alcaldes de Monmouth e Independence, así como del presidente de
Western, Jesse Peters. También se anunciará el ganador del concurso anual de ensayos de
la escuela primaria, quien leerá su ensayo. Finalmente, comenzará una cuenta regresiva y
se encenderá el árbol de secuoya. Tras el desfile, se realizarán más eventos en el Centro
Universitario Werner, como fotos con Santa Claus en la Sala Willamette y decoración de
galletas en el primer piso.
De 5 a 9 p.m., los residentes también pueden visitar los negocios locales del centro que
ofrecen ofertas especiales y descuentos durante el encendido del árbol de Navidad. Para
estar al tanto de las ofertas de los negocios, sigan a la Asociación de Comerciantes de
Monmouth en @mbamonmouth en Instagram.

Los residentes también pueden participar en la actividad Wolfie on the Shelf durante todo
el mes de diciembre. Para participar, visiten uno de los negocios locales participantes y
recojan un pasaporte para completar durante el evento. Quienes encuentren a Wolfie en 10
o más negocios participantes podrán entregar su pasaporte para participar en un sorteo de
premios. Para saber qué negocios participan, visiten el sitio web de la Asociación de
Comerciantes de Monmouth.
Para contagiarse del espíritu navideño, los residentes pueden apoyar a Toys for Tots
donando juguetes y regalos a niños en Monmouth e Independence que de otra manera no
recibirían ningún regalo. Hasta el 15 de diciembre, se pueden entregar juguetes o
donaciones en Fee Mail Depot. Durante la temporada navideña pasada, los condados de
Polk, Linn, Benton y Lincoln lograron apoyar a 13,873 niños.
Para disfrutar aún más del ambiente navideño, tomen un chocolate caliente y visiten Main
Street Park y el centro de Monmouth para ver las luces y decoraciones navideñas.
Contacta al autor en howlnews@wou.edu

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