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Vol. 33 #1 9.25.2017
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Senior Chloe Callahan enjoys the sun in Red Square, Thursday Sept. 14. Cover photo by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu as.wwu.edu/asreview @TheASReview facebook.com/theasreview © 2017. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University.
IN THIS ISSUE 4 What you missed
Catch up on the news from last year and this summer!
5 Tips for new
students What other students wish they’d known their first year
6 Events calendar
and volleyball spread Keep track of everything happening this week with our events calendar. Also, see photos of the first game played in the newly renovated Carver Gym!
10 Get involved on
campus Learn about all the ways you can get involved with AS programs this year!
12 Harry Potter
Trivia See how your wizarding knowledge stacks up!
The AS Review is an alternative weekly that provides coverage of student interests such as the AS government, activities and student life. The Review seeks to enhance the student experience by shedding light on underrepresented issues, inclusive coverage, informing readers and promoting dialogue. We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions to as.review@wwu.edu. We welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words, include your name, phone number and year in school, if you’re a student. Send them to as.review@wwu.edu. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar.
Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
Erasmus Baxter Kira Stussy Hailey Hoffman Josh Hughes Gwen Frost Julia Berkman Hailey Murphy
Adviser Jeff Bates
“Skyviewing Sculpture” stands in Red Square, Thursday, September 21. The 1969 sculpture received a fresh coat of paint over the summer. Hailey Hoffman // AS Review
9.25. 2017 • 3
EVENTS
A LET TER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, Welcome to another year, you made it! Or, if you’re beginning your journey at Western, just plain welcome! Inside this week's edition of The AS Review you’ll find all you need to hop back in to campus life. Check out our event calendar (normally found here) that we’ve spread across pages 6 and 7 for your ease of use, along with photos of the first volleyball match played in the newly-renovated Carver Gym. This design is a throwback to the first editions of the AS Review, 36 years ago in 1981, when it was called Ascent and comprised of a single 11” x 17” piece of paper folded in half with an event calendar taking up the whole center. Much has changed since then (all the first articles were written by AS board members), but our goal has remained the same: serving, informing and giving voice to you, the student body. As a publication funded solely by student dollars no mission could be more fitting. However, we can’t do it without your help. Let us know what you want to see in the paper. We accept articles, essays, letters to the editor, cartoons, etc. Just send them to as.review@wwu.edu, our inbox is always open. Have a story you think we should cover, a story you think we’re covering wrong, or earthshaking secret documents you want to share? Just let us know as well. We’re here for you. In the meantime, pick us up on newsstands every Monday during the quarter, or follow us on Facebook. This year’s going to be a wild ride, and we want to share it with you. All the best, Erasmus Baxter Editor-in-Chief
Top Ten: September 10-16 1
Daydream Nation Sonic Youth
2
I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone Chastity Belt
3
Boo Boo Toro Y Moi
4
Plastic Cough Great Grandpa
5
Somersault Beach Fossils
6
Afterglow Triptides
7
Expect the Best Widowspeak
8
First Landing Moon Boots
9
Iteration Com Truise
10
Portraits Maribou State KUGS is the Associated Students’ student-run radio station. Listen online at kugs.org. If you’re interested in getting on the waves, pick up a volunteer application in the station’s office on the seventh floor of the VU.
The world is ending... 4 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
What you missed in Bellingham this summer and last year Content Warning: This article references sexual assault. What’s up, Western? A lot has happened since the last time you picked me up off the newsstand. For instance, Eric Bostrom, Red Square hate speech spewer, and potential city council electee, garnered 19 percent of Whatcom County votes in the primary election. Farmworkers in Sumas on temporary H-2A visas faced eviction after a fellow worker fell into a coma and died, leading the remaining folks to protest the unjust working conditions of their employers. Even the weather saw fit to screw people over across the country with not one, not two, but three major hurricanes within a week of each other. If you’ve breathed in Bellingham for the past month, you’d know that the world is literally aflame and we’re stuck in the reality where everything went wrong. Here on Western’s campus, usual stories of sports and society took a backseat to two glaring headlines about the school’s lax policy on admitting and hiring sexual predators. One negligent case ignited a movement among Western Resident Advisers so large it made it from local news to news that crossed state lines. Emily Gaston, an RA in Highland Hall, had her dorm room broken into by former assistant track coach Tanner Boyd, who had a similar felony on his record already. Gaston was given a gag order by an employee of University Residences, and this didn’t sit well with any of the RAs across campus. Gaston’s gag order was just one symptom of the overarching problem the Be LibeRAted movement faced. RA monthly pay was $90, far too low for their own personal expenses. When RAs attempted to contact administrators about issues they were met with a feedback loop and never given clear answers. In the end, inefficient management tipped the scales for Western RAs; the lack of guidance from administrators was seriously affecting their residents. Thus, the Be LibeRAted movement was born. RAs organized protests, sit ins and online campaigns in order to spread their message. The movement continues on into this year and former RA Annie Gordon has been elected AS VP for Student Life.
President Randhawa, pictured last November, is entering his second year at Western. Photo by Rick Rath // AS Review
BY JULIA BERKMAN
Admissions, too, was under fire last year after readmitting Connor Griesemer, a student who was previously suspended in 2015 for sexually assaulting a fellow Western student at a party. He returned to Western in the spring of 2017 following a 30-day stint in jail after a reduced plea. While administration held off on readmitting Griesemer until his victim had graduated, hundreds of current Western students voiced their concern. Dean of Students Ted Pratt was under fire for describing the assault as “a bad decision influenced by alcohol,” in an appeal decision written to Griesemer. Given all the happenings, it seems that something’s rotten in the state of Washington. But... it can’t all be bad, right? “It” is the highest grossing horror movie! The sun shone for almost 40 days straight! The C-Lots are now paved! With Carver Gym finally casting a fairly complete shadow over the walk to Red Square, Western itself is sliding into home plate just in time for the start of classes. Sabah Randhawa, Western’s president, entered his second year by denouncing the pending end of DACA and reiterating Western’s commitment to undocumented students. Unfortunately, that still leaves DACA student employees without a set way of being compensated for their work once the program is cut in the future. Students on campus have also petitioned higher-ups to create a College of Ethnic Studies. This college would house majors that focus on intensive study of marginalized identities. This petition was brought forth in addition to the long-standing demand to rehouse the Ethnic Student Center in a larger space. Right now, the ESC is an umbrella for 17 different clubs, who are all housed in a space no larger than a lecture hall. Thankfully, during the last AS election cycle, students gave the Multicultural Center Construction a resounding “Yes!” and it is currently in the works. Think we missed something? The AS Review is always accepting letters to the editor. If there’s something you really want published, whether it be poetry, an op-ed, or a scathing rebuttal to one of our articles, we are happy to oblige and consider printing it in a coming issue.
After two years of work the renovation of Carver Gym has been completed. Photo by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review
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9.25. 2017 •
House shows, art walks and more! Need a study break? Make sure to check out these off-campus events BY JOSH HUGHES
The new school year is finally upon us, and with it comes an assortment of shows and events happening throughout Bellingham. While Western’s gears are just setting into motion for the onset of fall, there’s always an abundance of activities going on in town-- house shows, art galleries, theater performances. With an emphasis on music and arts, here’s a roundup of some of the non-Western affiliated events occurring in the next couple weeks:
Paint B’ham Blue (Sept. 27) When: Sept. 27, 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Where: 1100 Railroad Ave. What: The day that fall quarter begins, kick things off downtown, just across
from Boundary Bay, for an afternoon of live music, pop up shops and a fireworks show. Every year the Herald sign rising high above Bellingham lights up blue in honor of Western starting school again, and this event also serves as a countdown for the switch. The event is free and for all ages.
The Wednesdays, Tag Along Friend, Hayden Eller, Oliver Elf Army When: Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. Where: The Alternative Library (519 E Maple St.) What: The Alternative Library, “an educational cooperative dedicated to expand-
ing learning through counter-cultural literature and experimental art”, hosts an array of music and arts related events throughout each month, including Open Mic Nights and occasional workshops (soapmaking, sewing, etc.). They also host house shows, and this marks the first large event they’re putting on of the quarter. The Wednesdays, a local punk band fueled by their melodic female vocals and reverby guitars, will headline the event. Dream pop opener Tag Along Friend comes all the way from Boise, Idaho. Equally oddball pop duo Oliver Elf Army is coming up from Everett for the show, while Hayden Eller of Bellingham’s own Co-Founder will perform a solo set.
State of Bliss Three Year Anniversary Show When: Sept. 29, doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Where: The Alternative Library (519 E Maple St.) What: Local clothing brand State of Bliss is celebrating their third year anniver-
sary with a concert that includes some of Bellingham’s more well known electronic artists, along with some surprises. Metsa, the headliner of the night, has performed at Western’s Underground Coffeehouse and last year’s BAMF! Festival, and has a continually growing Soundcloud page of dark, dreamy electronica. Rap group COSMOS, who won Seattle’s Battle of the Bands competition in 2016, will also make an appearance, as well as local electronic duo Noisywaters and newcomer punks Middle James.
Summer’s End Arts + Music Gathering When: Sept. 30, 12 - 8 p.m. Where: Maritime Heritage Park (500 W Holly St.)
What: Make.Shift is putting on their second annual Summer’s End fest on the
edge of downtown Bellingham for a day and night of food, art, music, workshops, games and installations. With the intention of “beautifying” Maritime Heritage Park, the event is all ages and free. In addition to local food vendors and a beer garden, the park will be littered with craft vendors and the occasional silent disco set. Musical acts include Bob Fossil, La Fonda, Noisywaters, Metsa, ParisAlexa, Step Dads and Shadow Variable. Art installations include work from Prism, Clareity Expressions, CANDYPATH, Trevor Capps, Steven Baddley, Zay Kim, Gretchen Leggitt, Abby Kuchar and Zach Thompson.
Aerial Divisions: Artworks by Ashley Olason and Hannah L. Rivers When: Oct. 6, 6 - 10 p.m. Where: Make.Shift (306 Flora St.) What: Make.Shift hosts art walks every first Friday of the month, and this month
marks a double exhibit by two Western BFA alumni. “Through vividly textured multimedia paintings, Aerial Divisions is a study in borders and mapmaking”. Olason and Rivers’ work takes aerial views of natural land and the menacing implications of society to create a juxtaposition that suggests that no one can accurately map the globe because it always changes from our own impacts. Both artists additionally incorporate sewing into their work, and their distinctly unique pieces contrast well when placed in the same gallery. Be sure to keep updated with Make. Shift’s monthly art walks that go year round.
Honcho Poncho/Skelevision/Moon Darling When: Oct. 13, 7 p.m. Where: The Mind Palace, (800 N Garden St.) What: One of the first Mind Palace shows of the school year, the three band bill
spans a healthy dose of alt and psych rock from entirely non-Bham related groups. Headliners Honcho Poncho, a four piece from Seattle, explain their sound as fitting squarely in the crossroads of “modern day crooners like Mark Kozelek and Jeff Tweedy”, two influences that they proudly wear on their alt-country tinged sleeves. Skelevision, a Portland three piece band, owe as much of their sound to surf rock as they do ‘60s psychedelica (think Wavves), while Moon Darling plays it even cooler with ‘80s synth influences and slick, haunting vocals.
Tetrachromat, Slow No, ibtbwyn When: Oct. 20, 6 p.m. Where: Make.Shift (306 Flora St.) What: Downtown music and arts venue Make.Shift prides itself as an all ages
community that makes it accessible for artists (both musical and otherwise) to find spaces and niches within the Bellingham arts and music scene. One of the first notable shows of this coming quarter, Bham veterans Tetrachromat will headline with their technical, vibrant metal, whereas openers Slow No and I Buried The Box With Your Name come all the way from Salt Lake City to spread their lo-fi punk and aggressive, throaty metal, respectively.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Junior Abby Phelps, Junior Brette Boesel and Junior Michaela Hall celebrate winning a rally. Sophomore Joslyn Bopray warms up for the big match. The Western Cheer Squad keeps the crowd energized and loud for the first game in the new Carver Gym. Western’s Women’s Volleyball team comes together before the start of the match. Photos by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review
Bus pass update
Photo by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review Attention all new and returning students! If you or a loved one take six credits or more at Western, you may be entitled to a bus pass reactivation. That’s because of the Card Office’s new system of programming bus passes. Instead of the usual quarterly reactivation, bus passes now only have to be re-encoded once in order for them to work year-long. This saves you time and also that embarrassing moment when you try to get on a bus and your card doesn’t work and you only have one dollar and it’s all crumpled and you have to try to stick it in the machine but it won’t go and-okay, you get it. Reactivate your card. As long as you’ve paid your tuition (including the transportation fee), you can now board any WTA bus and take the late-night shuttle. To find WTA bus routes, the easiest way is Google Maps, which gives you travel time, transfers, and a map to the stop you’ll be taking. And FYI, freshmen-- the 14 doesn’t go to Sehome Haggen.
Fall Info Fair
Monday
Sept. 25-26 // 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.// Red Square // Free Come and see all the amazing clubs, events and local businesses Western and Bellingham have to offer. Enjoy music by KUGS 89.3 FM, free food and more!
Convocation
Tuesday
Classes Start!
Wednesday
Sept. 26// 7 p.m. // PAC // Free
Sept. 27
This is the official welcome to Western, conducted by President Sabah Randhawa.
Welcome back, Vikings! Have an amazing first week of classes.
Wonder Woman Outdoor Movie
Paint Bham Blue
Sept. 26 // 9:30 p.m. // Communications Lawn // Free Don’t miss the free outdoor showing of Wonder Woman put on by AS Productions. Bring a blanket, claim a spot and enjoy the show.
Sept. 27 // 4:30 p.m. // Red Square // Free Students can join a procession from Red Square to Downtown, led by President Sabah Randhawa. There will be music, free food and more!
Thursday Queer Resource Center Ice Cream Social Sept. 28 // 5-7 p.m. // VU MPR // Free Eat ice cream and meet other Queer identifying students in an open environment.
ESC Open House Sept. 28 // 6-8 p.m. // VU 420 // Free Make sure to check out the Ethnic Student Center and get to know some of the students who participate in the events and clubs the ESC houses.
9.25. 2017 • 7
Western women’s volleyball aced first game in the new Carver Gym
On Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., the much anticipated grand opening of Carver Gym finally became a reality. With the blue bleachers packed with eager students and alumni alike, the Viking volleyball team took the court against Simon Fraser University and left victorious. With the sparkling, new court floors christened with an exciting 3-1 win, Western’s off to a great start in this era of home-court advantages. TOP LEFT: The team wishes the opposing team good luck before the start of the match. BOTTOM LEFT: Junior Michaela Hall warms up her hitting. TOP RIGHT: The team is prepared to dig up any ball that comes their way. Photos by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review
VU Late Night: Harry Friday Potter
Sunday Do Good in Your Saturday Rest Up! Make sure to sleep in and take care of Neighborhood Day
Monday Next Issue of The AS Review Comes out!
Sept. 29 // 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. // Underground Coffeehouse // Free
Sept. 30 // 1-5 p.m. // Happy Valley and York Neighborhoods // Free
Oct. 2 // Multiple places on campus // Free
Join in the magical Harry Potter VU Late Night experience. There will be Quidditch, Nash Fung the magiscian, a costume contest and raffles.
This is a great ooportunity for Western students and residents of the Happy Valley and York neighborhoods to team up and do something helpful for their neighborhoods. There will be a picnic afterwards.
yourself to prepare for the week of classes that lies ahead!
Make sure to pick up our next issue and follow us on our social medias!
Photo credit: http://superbestielts.blogspot.in
Training to be as good AS can be
The Associated Students training took place over two weeks, from Sept. 11 to Sept. 22. Over that time participants learned about everything from inclusive language to how to access their email. Now they’re starting off the school year ready to go. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: AS Employees update their voter registrations and learn about Representation and Engagement Programs (The REP). AS Communications Coordinator Max Boock takes notes during a training on micro aggressions. AS President Simrun Chhabra leads a training. KUGS Program Director Steven Wright indicates where to submit PSA’s on their website.
Step 1. Don’t assault people Some tips to stay safe in the first weeks of college BY JULIA BERKMAN Content Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault. Hey. It’s your mom! Let me tell you how to avoid dangerous people on and off campus. Let me buy you every self-defense item I see on Yahoo. Let me grimace at your stories of walking alone at night, using your dorm keys as a makeshift weapon in case anyone comes near you. Let me tell you about some tips and resources that will keep you safe during your first quarter at college- the riskiest one. First are the obvious tenants of every college-age femme: buy pepper spray, download a Companion app, don’t walk home alone at night unless you really have to. You can get good pepper spray on Amazon for $10. It even comes in fun colors (to distract you from the fact that because you’re not a cisgender man, you are perpetually in a low level of danger!). There are also not-so-lit airhorns, Wolverine-esque claws and cutesy Sailor Moon knives. Even tasers come in bright colors now. It’s cool that assault is so normalized we can now make self-defense fun! Here’s an idea for all the sons out there- you should be asking for consent constantly! You should be checking up on your friends! You should be using your privilege to stop assault from happening! No matter how #NotAllMen you think you are, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to being a better ally. If you’ve never heard of Companion apps and Tigerlady finger knives, you don’t need to count yourself lucky. You should consider yourself unaware. Sometimes it seems like checking any box but cis male is your admission into a secret cult full of techniques on how to get men to leave you alone, how to punch someone hard enough, how to recognize when you need to leave. Pushy isn’t hot anymore-- pushy guys get black eyes. Let me tell you what you do if the worst happens-- let me tell you how to deal with the aftermath. Let me tell you about CASAS and DVSAS. CASAS (Consultation & Sexual Assault
Support) is an on-campus resource available to students of any identity. CASAS “believes that violence can happen to anyone and it’s never the survivor’s fault.” Their policy is, whether the assault happened 10 minutes ago or 10 years ago, it’s important to talk about it. This program is completely confidential and free to Western students. There are programs for alcohol and drug abuse, sexual assault support groups, body positivity programs and so on. They really do try to tackle every facet that can be effected by a traumatic experience. CASAS also employs students who have gone through the Peer Health Educator program. They work under an umbrella known as Western’s Empowerment and Violence Education (WEAVE). WEAVE’s peer health educators do outreach on campus throughout the year. They focus on subjects like bystander intervention, violence prevention for student athletes and self-advocacy. DVSAS shares many of the same programs as CASAS, but serves the entire Bellingham community at large. They also have a 24hour hotline you can call and speak to a real human about your real human problems. They work closely with Lydia Place, a safe housing network, to provide shelter, as well as full legal support. DVSAS can help you out, no matter your gender or age. Studies show that the first six weeks of college are the most dangerous. In any case, we should all be doing the best we can to support each other and prevent horrible things like sexual assault from happening. Being a bystander is almost as bad as committing a crime yourself. Keep your ears wide open and look for signs of discomfort or abuse in your friends’ lives. And don’t forget about all the great support systems available to you.
9.25. 2017 • 9
Resources Confidential Support CASAS 360.650.3700 Old Main 585B and Viking Union 432 DVSAS 24 Hour helpline 1.360.715.1563
Reporting Options Westerns Title IX Coordinator at the EOO OM 345 360.650.3307 Campus Police 360.650.3911 (Emergency) 360.650.3555 (Reporting) Bellingham Police 911
10 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
Your how-to guide on getting involved this quarter BY HAILEY MURPHY
It’s fall quarter here at Western, which means it’s time to embark on a new school year. If you’re looking to enrich your college experience and become more active on campus, now’s the perfect time. There’s boundless potential, between 200 AS clubs and 200 committee positions and dozens of programs. So whether you’re new to Western, or you’re returning for another year, here are some opportunities to get more involved on your campus. Ethnic Student Center The Ethnic Student Center (ESC) is a vital community on campus that works to empower minority students and their allies. It’s composed of many clubs, as well as its physical location on the fourth floor in the Viking Union (soon to be under renovation). They provide comfortable chairs, computers, desks, supplies and support staff. All students are welcome to come do their homework, take a break between classes or hang out. ESC provides this inclusive space so students may explore their cultural heritage and experience their culture with others. The ESC is also composed of clubs that celebrate cultural identity. A few of these clubs include the Filipino-American Student Association, South Asian Student Association, Black Student Union, Blue Group and more. These clubs provide volunteer opportunities, inclusive spaces, networking opportunities and heritage exploration. You can find a full list of ESC clubs and their contact information on the AS web page, or you can find these clubs at the info fair Sept. 25 and 26 in Red Square.
For more information about getting involved with the ESC and upcoming events, , there is an open house in Viking Union 420 on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There, you will learn more about ESC and their variety of opportunities, including a life-changing retreat to Camp Casey in October. Representation and Engagement Programs Representation and Engagement Programs (REP) are working to have student voices represented in government. Whether it’s at a local, state or federal level, they encourage students to fulfill their civil duties and provide resources necessary for everyone’s voice to be heard. One aspect of REP is Western Votes, an organization run by students that advocates for political participation. The organization is nonpartisan, and thus they do not promote specific legislation. Instead, they promote civic engagement and political involvement. Western Votes also is a part of the Washington Student Association, which represents colleges in the state to make policy changes and improve higher learning. If you’re interested in participating in politics, you can join Western Votes by emailing as.voting.coordinator@wwu.edu with the subject line “I want to join Western Votes”, or you can also join by visiting the REP office in Viking Union 435. However, if you’re interested in a rather specific issue, you can apply to join a committee through the REP. There are 200 seats available for students on both AS and University committees. These committees make decisions on all aspects of campus life: student fees, campus sustainability, health services, award recipients and much more. Joining a committee can give you the opportunity to work with faculty, gain professional experience and make important decisions that affect our campus. There’s a complete list of available committees on the AS website, as well as an application to join. All applications are reviewed by the AS Board of Directors for approval. Environmental and Sustainability Programs The Environmental and Sustainability Programs (ESP) is in charge of sustainable practices on campus, including the Sustainable Action Fund, the Outback Farm and the Environmental Center. Through these programs students can follow their passion for the environment and improve campus’ sustainability. If you have an idea for how to reduce Western’s environmental impact, you have the opportunity to make that idea a reality. The Sustainable Action Fund (SAF) is a student-initiated, quarterly fee that pays for environmental improvements on campus. After meeting up at a SAF idea lab, project teams must meet with SAF program coordinators, research the logistics of their project and create a proposal. Accepted projects can receive grants from $500 to $300,000. SAF projects have brought a number of sustainable practices to campus, such as water bottle refill stations, power-producing stationary bikes, a hydroponics aquarium and festivals that benefit climate research. If you have an idea that benefits campus sustainability, visit Western’s sustainability website.
LEFT: The OC provides tons of opportunities, like WOOT, to get involved. TOP RIGHT: Make sure to check out Western’s Lakewood property for fun outdoor activities. BOTTOM LEFT: Western Votes encourages students to take an active role in deciding what happens in their community. Photos by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review
However, if you wish to learn more about sustainable land-use, then Western has the perfect place for you, right on campus. The Outback is a farm and wetland restoration site just south of Fairhaven residences, designed to provide students with outdoor, hands-on education. The program is produced both by the Associated Students and the Fairhaven College. Students can participate in habitat restoration, organic gardening and green building. The Outback also offers opportunities for academic partnerships, independent study projects, workshops, lectures and classes. So whether you’re looking for potential job training or simply are looking to garden, the Outback is for you. You can find Outback events and the work party schedule on the Associated Students website. Your opportunities to be a part of our sustainable campus don’t end there! There’s also the AS Environmental Center, which works to facilitate communication between environmental clubs and programs. They put on events to encourage sustainability, and they have a vast library of resources for those interested in learning more about the environment. The EC also provides internships. It’s an opportunity to gain professional experience, get connected to the AS and engage in environmental discussions. Applications are due by Oct. 14 at 5 p.m., and can be found on the AS website. The Outdoor Center One of Bellingham’s greatest treasures is the wilderness. You can scale the side of a mountain, take a kayak out on the lake or simply go on a nice hike -Bellingham has it all. However, if you don’t have the right skills or right equipment, then you can visit the AS Outdoor Center. They can rent equipment out from the VU and from Lakewood, Western’s own piece of Lake Whatcom. But if you are passionate about the outdoors and want to be more involved on campus, the Outdoor Center is more than a rental service. They hold excursions every quarter, with a range of difficulties and activities. Excursions can be weekly events, instructional courses (which can vary from a few hours to a few days) or day trips.
9.25. 2017 •11
Some of the fall excursions include weekly moonlight hikes, the basics of backpacking, a sunset snowshoe and North Cascades kayaking. These excursions help students develop their outdoor skills, practice environmental responsibility, meet new people and deepen their academic experience. Signups for fall excursions begin on the first day of class, with excursions ranging from $20 to $170—or you can take weekly yoga classes for free! Volunteer Opportunities Western is a school that strives to give back to its community, offering many opportunities for students to volunteer. While many volunteer opportunities arise through the work of clubs and previously discussed AS programs, there are a few more options available on campus. AS provides six different centers that work as resource and outreach services. These include the Social Issues Resource Center, the Womxn’s Center, the Queer Resource Center, the Legal Resource Center, the Disability Outreach Center and the Veteran Outreach Center. These programs work to educate and support students by holding events and offering resources. Students may find solace in these programs, or may participate in the cause by volunteering. You can find more information about the Resource and Outreach Programs and their upcoming events on the AS website. For those who may be interested in radio, you can volunteer to work as part of KUGS-FM! Western’s own radio station is operated by student volunteers who are driven by a passion for music and a desire to connect Western to the surrounding community. KUGS will train volunteers on how to operate the radio station and run their own music program. They’ll also teach you to report on local news that matters to students. For anyone interested on being part of the KUGS team, you can pick up an application at the station, located in VU 700. Clubs While Western’s student body is diverse, there are still a lot of similarities between all of us. We have artists, dancers, comedians, environmentalists, readers, scientists, movie lovers and everything in between. AS clubs offer the opportunity for people with like interests to come together. With over 200 clubs, you’re bound to find the right club for you. But even if you don’t, you can start your own! Do you like to play sports? There are over 20 Western sport club teams. Do you wish to celebrate your cultural heritage? There are 17 clubs that are a part of the ESC. Are you pre-law, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, pre-optometry or pre-veterinary? There are clubs for you too. Western clubs are even making some impact in the real world. The Dead Parrots Society was ranked the nation’s fourth best college improv troupe in 2014. Blue Group, a club for undocumented students, is lobbying for Bellingham to become a sanctuary city. Students for the Salish Sea, in their pilot year, were part of the effort that stopped a liquefied natural gas plant from being built on Lelu Island, thus preventing further destruction of local salmon populations. For a complete list of clubs, visit the AS website, or go to the info fair in Red Square, Sept. 25 and 26.
12 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
Are you ready for VU Harry Potter late night?
1. How many broomsticks are flown during a qudditch match? a. 14 b. 15 c. 16 d. none of the above
2. How does Harry manage to breathe underwater during the Tri-Wizard Tournament? a. he transfigures his head into a shark head b. he uses the Bubble-Head charm c. he kisses a mermaid d. he eats gillyweed
4. Who’s birthday party did Harry, Ron and Hermione go to in the Chamber of Secrets? a. Nearly Headless Nick b. Neville Longbottom c. Seamus Finnigan d. Hagrid
3. Which is NOT one of the Unforgiveable curses? a. cruciatus b. imperius Photo credit: c. sectumsempra http://www.janegoodwin.net d. avada kedavra
Check out all the cool places campus has to offer. Photos by Hailey Hoffman // AS Review
Test your HP knowledge with these trivia questions
5. Who was the quidditch commentator during Harry’s first years at Hogwarts? a. Dean Thomas b. Luna Lovegood c. Lee Jordan d. Fred Weasley