Vol. 28 #16 2.19.13
News // Events // Student Life
Review
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AVOID THE WINTER BLUES Tips for avoiding the cold and flu
By Lauren Prater and Spencer Pederson The cold and flu season is upon us, and it is as persistent as ever. On average, between five and twenty percent of the U.S. population will get the flu each year, according to WebMD.com. With students and staff being in such close proximity to each other on a daily basis, college campus’ are an easy place for germs to spread. Catherine Vader from the Wellness Center here at Western explained that a cough can can travel up to three feet, and those germs can live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days. With students and staff coming in contact with plenty of door knobs, desks, railings and other possibly contaminated surfaces, it is important to keep in mind some easy prevention tactics such as washing your hands regularly and keeping your hands away from your eyes,
nose and mouth. Furthermore, the Wellness Center has a few other easy precautions that could keep you from getting sick: If you do have a cold, cough into your elbow. This keeps germs away from your hands and prevents spreading germs through the air. Wash your hands regularly. By consistently removing any germs that you may have contracted throughout the day, you are already a step ahead from keeping the cold out of your body. Get enough sleep. In a college setting, sleep is often a hard thing to come by, but students should be getting 8 hours of sleep each night in order to give your body time to rest and repair. Practice good nutrition. By providing your body with essential nutrients for a healthy lifestyle, you are already helping your body fight off nasty germs.
Exercise regularly. By keeping your body moving and healthy you are building up a stronger defense and a stronger immune system. Another way to prepare your body to fight off winter sickness is by getting a flu shot. All Rite-Aids in Bellingham currently have flu-shots on hand, but availability varies depending on location. After speaking to a pharmacist at a local Rite-Aid, she explained that the Sehome Village Rite-Aid currently has the most flu shots on hand, but it would be best to call ahead to make sure they are in stock. Getting a flu shot is a good way to get a step ahead of the flu season and to prepare your body for whatever you may come in contact with. Nobody wants to get sick during the winter season. By taking a few simple precautions you can prevent your body from contracting the cold or flu bug, which can make for a much happier winter season. Water bottles and posters hang in Red Square for Students for Sustainable Water’s show of the documentary “Tapped” on Feb. 13. Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review
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EVENTS CALENDAR Tuesday, Feb. 19
Thursday, Feb. 21
Saturday, Feb. 23
Movie showing: Lincoln Where: Arntzen 100 When: 8 p.m. Price: Free
Yoga Where: VU Multi-purpose Room When: 4-6 p.m. Price: $2
Comedy: Space Trek Where: The Upfront Theatre When: 8 and 10 p.m. Price: $8-10
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Friday, Feb. 22
Sunday, Feb. 24
Vagina Memoirs Where: Viking Union and PAC When: Feb. 20-23, 7 p.m. Price: Free
Live show: Jokers of the Scene Where: Wild Buffalo When: 9:30 p.m. Price: Free
Snowshoe Day Where: Cascade Mountains When: All day Price: $30
Review is now hiring We are currently hiring for a talented writer and copy editor to as.wwu.edu/personnel.
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UNDEFEATED
Viking men maintain their winning streak against Saint Martin’s University on Feb. 14 Austin Brag goes for the opening tip opposite SMU’s Rei Jensen
Anye Turner fights agains SMU defenders.
Paul Jones lays down a shot.
John Allen drives down the court.
Chris Mitchell shoots a lay-up.
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A bird cage sculpture inside Make.Shift. See the full story on page 4. Photo by Cade Schmidt
review
Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu Online: as.wwu.edu/asreview @theasreview facebook.com/theasreview
©2013. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. We are a student-produced, alternative campus weekly covering news and events that are of interest to the Western community. We support all programs, offices and clubs affiliated with the AS. We have a direct connection to the AS board of directors, and although we report on board actions objectively, our relationship should be made clear. Submissions: We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions, or send them to the mailing address above. They will be returned as long as you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Letters: We also welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words and include your name and phone number. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar, if necessary. Calendar/Ads: We don’t sell ad space. Sorry. Email as.review@ wwu.edu to have an event listed in the calendar.
NEWS
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BATHROOM GRAFFITI Opinions on students writing on the restroom stalls
EVENTS
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BASKETBALL Men’s basketball continues their winning streak
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EVENTS CALENDAR See what’s happening around Bellingham this week
STUDENT LIFE
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BHAM NIGHTLIFE Places to go for entertainment, even if you’re under 21
FEATURES
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STUDY ABROAD How to plan your education in a foreign land
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STAY HEALTHY Tips to prevent the cold and flu
WALK OF HOPE Photos from the annual suicide prevention event Senior addy photographer Golden and her I am a caption written by Cade , theM lovely . study abroad group // pose in R Ireland Photo by -C ade Schmidt AS eview . Photo courtesy of Maddy Golden
Staff
Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Designer Writers
Megan Thompson Spencer Pederson Cade Schmidt Bradley O’Neal Nick Markman Lauren Prater Lauren Simmons Kylie Wade Todd Wells
Adviser Jeff Bates
Want to study abroad? See the full article on page 6.
February 19, 2013 • 3
WALK OF HOPE
photos by
Cade Schmidt // AS Review
Western’s chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms’ event “Walk of Hope” promoted mental health and suicide prevention on Feb. 14.
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NO FAKE? NO PROBLEM! Keep yourself entertained without a 21+ ID
By Kylie Wade If you’ve made it to that all-important 21st birthday, then you’ve got that magical little piece of plastic that opens all sorts of doors around downtown Bellingham. You don’t have to miss your favorite band just because they’re playing at the Wild Buffalo, and you don’t have to carefully screen social invitations to ensure that no bars are included in the entertainment. But if you don’t have that card, it can feel like all of the best entertainment options are literally behind doors that you can’t get through. Luckily, that’s not necessarily true. Here are six venues that offer all sorts of entertainment, all without requiring that pesky 21+ ID.
THE CIRQUE LAB
The Bellingham Circus Guild is an eclectic group of circus artists dedicated to developing and growing the circus arts community in Bellingham. Housed at the Cirque Lab in Fairhaven, the guild’s biggest event is Vaudevillingham, a monthly unplanned and uncensored variety show designed to give new acts a chance to shine. The show takes place on the 15th of every month and showcases professionals as well as amateurs engaging in a stunning variety of performance acts. Location: 1401 6th Street, Suite 102 Dates & Times: There are shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the 15th of every month. Doors open a half hour before each show. Price: A $5-$10 donation is suggested.
THE UPFRONT THEATRE
Created by local legend Ryan Stiles, the Upfront is a 100-seat cabaret-style theater that hosts innovative and completely hilarious improv shows every weekend. With seven totally improvised shows every week, the Upfront offers a variety of unique entertainment opportunities, including a monthly series of themed shows every Friday and Saturday night. February’s theme is Space Trek. Location: 1208 Bay Street Dates & Times: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Sundays at 8 p.m.
purchased online. Prices: On Thursdays, the 8 p.m. show is $7 and the 10 p.m. show is $4. On Fridays and Saturdays both shows are $10 for general admission or $8 with a student ID. The Sunday show is $2.
THE BELLINGHAM SPORTSPLEX
The Sportsplex features an indoor hockey rink and soccer field and is also home to Bellingham’s NORPAC hockey team, the Bellingham Blazers. The Blazers are wrapping up their 2012-2013 season, but they still have two home games left in March. In addition to catching a game, you can also drop by and play in one, as the Sportsplex offers drop-in adult indoor soccer and hockey. The Sportsplex also offers public ice skating for as low as $2.50. Dates and times for public skate change frequently, so check online for more information. Location: 1225 Civic Field Way Dates, Times & Prices: The Blazers wrap up their season with home games on March 1st and 2nd at 7:35 p.m. Drop-in hockey games start at noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and cost $8.50. Drop-in soccer games start at noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and cost $4. It’s advised to call in advance and reserve a spot on the drop-in teams.
THE COBRA LOUNGE
If you can’t get into a bar, a hookah bar is the next best thing. Started in 2007 by two friends who believe passionately in challenging the status quo, the Cobra Lounge is a hookah bar that’s dedicated to being a place where people of all kinds can come and hang out. The lounge has 68 rotating flavors of hookah, giving you a chance to check out something new every time you drop in. Location: 1323 Cornwall Avenue, Suite 102 Dates & Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Prices: A membership is $5/year and is required to get in. Once you’re in, the bowls are priced from $14$22.
MAKE.SHIFT
If it seems like every music venue in Bellingham is 21+, here’s one that isn’t. Doubling as a DIY art and music space, Make.Shift is home to more than just concerts. The space is split into an art gallery, a music venue and 16 individual art and music studios. As a certified nonprofit, Make.Shift is more interested in giving artists a place to show off their work than taking your money. Drop by to check out their monthly gallery, or check out any of their upcoming concerts. Location: 306 Flora Street Dates, Times & Prices: The art gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming shows: Feb. 23: Nardwuar and The Evaporators, The Transmitters, Noise Toys: 3 - 6 p.m.: $5 March 2: Palisades, Specters, Candysound: 8 - 11 p.m.: $5 March 22: Behead the Prophet, Fed X, The Need, Thrones, Falling Upstairs: 8 -11 p.m.: $5
IDIOM THEATER
The iDiOM Theater opened in 2001 and became a certified nonprofit in 2009. iDiOM is a theater dedicated to giving local and international artists a space to develop and perform original works. The theater continually produces new material, most of which has never been seen anywhere else. On Feb. 21, the theater will debut a new play called “Crushing”, brought to you by the City of Lost Children. The playbill promises music, dance, costumes, fires and fetishes. “Crushing” will run for two weekends before the theater’s next play, “In Triplicate”, debuts. Location: 1418 Cornwall Street Dates & Times: “Crushing” – Feb. 21, 22, 23, 28 and March 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. “In Triplicate” – March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. Prices: $5 on opening night, $10 every other night. Tickets can be purchased online.
February 19, 2013 • 5 Outside the Upfront Theater, a local comedy club created by Ryan Stiles.
Outside the Cobra Lounge. Photos by Cade Schmidt // AS Review Shisha menu at the Cobra Lounge hookah bar on Cornwall Avenue
The Bellingham Alternative Library is located inside Make.Shift.
Ten private art studios are avaliable to rent in Make.Shift’s basement.
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February 19, 2013 • 7
VIKINGS ABROAD
A guide for students wanting to study around the globe “ All students should study abroad to broaden their horizons and to learn about a different culture or cultures because anytime we can learn about a different culture or learn about a different language, you become a much more well-rounded person and understand what cultural diversity is all about, which Western is very strong in promoting, but unless you leave the states, leave this campus, leave Washington state, you just don’t have the real experience.
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MARLENE HARLAN, director of summer programs in Extended Education
By Lauren Simmons
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he dreary skies of Bellingham that sit over Western’s campus this time of year probably are not going away anytime soon, but the opportunities for students to move from the overcast Pacific Northwest to France, South Africa, Australia, among a multitude of other locations is growing. The various study-abroad programs at Western allow students to stay Vikings while they continue their studies somewhere else on the globe. There are three different kinds of study-abroad opportunities at Western, said Liz Partolan-Fray, director of International Programs and Exchanges on campus. The International Programs and Exchanges office in Miller Hall provides services for Western students interested in studying abroad, as well as providing services for international students studying at Western, Partolan-Fray said.
STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAMS
These programs are available for students to partake in for a quarter, semester, summer and/or full academic year. When people think, “study abroad,” they call it exchanges, Partolan-Fray said. That is not exactly the case though because her office has so many different kinds of programs with specific qualities and requirements. Study-abroad programs are those through which students are with other exchange students, or they are with students of that host university. Programs like Academic Programs International immerse American students from around the country when studying abroad. Ian Faulds, peer advisor in the International Programs and Exchanges office, studied abroad for a semester in Wellington, New Zealand during his junior year. As a peer advisor, the main things Faulds does in the office is answer students’ questions in regards to what they want to do, while making sure he does not influence them.
During his study-abroad experience, Faulds studied at Victoria University of Wellington, taking geography classes. Imagine the “Lord of the Rings” landscape, and that is what Wellington resembled, Faulds said. In retrospect, Faulds wished that he could have stayed in the country longer so that he could get a job and maybe even transfer there. Most of the study-abroad programs available provide students with opportunities to travel around on the weekends and during breaks also, Faulds said.
FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS
Like study-abroad programs, faculty-led programs take place over the course of a quarter—often summer quarter, but more and more faculty are starting to take students abroad during the fall, winter or spring quarters. Western faculty create programming for Western students to go with them to an international location that corresponds with the course they are teaching, said Marlene Harlan, director of summer programs in the Extended Education office. “These have grown in popularity over the past few years,” Harlan said. “This summer, we have 16 different offerings students can enroll in, and they’re at locations all over the globe.” There are a few important aspects that students (and who ever is paying for their education) should keep in mind, Harlan said. One, students are going as a group with the faculty member; two, students are going with other Western students; three, students are going with a Western faculty member; four, students are earning Western credit; and five, these programs are academic study-abroad programs. These courses are actual Western courses that students register for, Harlan emphasized. Depending on the course, certain prerequisites can be applicable to these faculty-led courses, but that is not always the case. For example, there are Chinese-language immersion
programs that go to China each summer, and the students participating have to at least have taken the beginning language courses because the course is taught entirely in Chinese, Harlan said. “Students go to China for five weeks, and because they’re submersed in the language and the country, they come back fluent in the language,” Harlan said. If interested in a course that goes abroad, it would be wise to communicate with the faculty to see what the prerequisites are. There are more general opportunities open to students where prerequisites are not a part of them, Harlan said. Also, during these faculty-led programs, students are concurrently enrolled in Western while abroad so they can maintain their student status, Partolan-Fray said. A few of the popular faculty-led programs at Western currently take place in South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania and Africa, Harlan said. Also, there is a program that goes to Greece, and during their time abroad, the group goes to the island of Ithaca to study sustainable community development. What sets these programs a part from the other studyabroad or exchange programs is that the faculty creates, leads and executes these excursions abroad, similarly to a course at Western. During typical study-abroad experiences, students are going as an individual student abroad, and they have to work with their advisor to determine the transferability of those credits to Western and how they are going to work with the student’s Western credit load, Harlan explained. With these programs, such issues do not happen because these faculty-led programs are actual Western courses and Western credits.
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
“Exchanges are different because they’re fully intergraded into the host university,” Partolan-Fray said. “In other words,
there is not a program that is integrating them; they are working independently, on their own.” While participating in an exchange program, students are usually working with the international office at their host university while studying there. For example, for a direct exchange, Western will have one of its students go to a university abroad while one of the university’s students come to Western, Partolan-Fray said. Something that sets these exchange programs apart from study-abroad programs is that students pay fees and tuition at Western to cover the student coming in, Partolan-Fray said. The exchange program does differ from other studyabroad programs available because students need to be nominated in order to participate. The process begins about a year before the student wants to go abroad. Because Western has agreements with the available universities, interviews and nominations are part of this selective process, Partolan-Fray said. Once students find a university that they want to apply for, they first complete the application process with Western. Next, the student contacts their abroad university and applies there. After paying an application fee, meeting with an exchange advisor and turn everything in (and everything is approved), the student sets up an interview with the exchange advisor. Once nominated and selected, the office sends the nomination to the university abroad.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS
Another opportunity for students that is a bit more specialized is international internships. More and more students have been interested in these opportunities, Partolan-Fray said. Students interested in international internships have to work closely with their departmental advisors, especially if they are looking to receive credit from their internships.
Senior Maddy Golden studied abroad in Ireland for a semester during 2012 winter and spring quarters. TOP LEFT: The sun sets over the Liffey River and Customs House in Dublin. TOP RIGHT: Golden earning her certification for pouring Guiness at the Guiness Brewery in Dublin. ABOVE: Golden and her friend Ali Keating pose in front of the Cliffs of Moher. Photos courtesy of Maddy Golden
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BATHROOM GRAFFITI
Personal expression or punishable vandalism? By Todd Wells fortunate that people choose bathroom stalls to express On campus, buildings and even internationally recogtheir thoughts. nized outdoor sculptures have been tagged. It is imporDirector of Facilities Management, John Furman sees tant to realize, in these tight budget times, that adding to the issue in a different light. the workload of already hard-working Western mainte“Western students and staff have worked together nance staff is both unnecessary and irresponsible. That through the years to designate appropriate forum space money could be better used to preserve our beautiful for debate, advice and other discussion, as well as artiscampus,” Furman said. tic expression. These To put it into perspecinclude the online tive, Furman explained I love the graffiti in the bathrooms. I think that what some might Viking Village forum, it creates culture and community through Facebook, comment consider fun, others might boards at the Viking consider offensive. Graffiti sharing our feelings, thoughts and jokes. Union and other venoften is regarded by some Paige Stevenson, Western Student as art until it happens to ues. Graffiti in undesignated spaces, which them. costs staff time to repair, is simply vandalism,” Furman “Would you regard [graffiti] as ‘art’ if someone said. tagged all over your personal car and then you had to Furman explained that it is the responsibility of pay to have it removed?,” Furman explained. Western’s Facilities Management Department, specifiGraffiti may be a fun and racy way to share thoughts, cally the Paint Shop, to respond to all reports of graffiti. messages and art, but perhaps public places like the Many of the bathroom stalls are repainted on a nearbathroom stalls at Western aren’t the best location to weekly basis, and such labor doesn’t come without articulate those thoughts. For Western employees like costs. Furman, this form of ‘artistic expression’ belongs in the “Over the past couple of years, the cost to campus in designated public forum locations. labor and materials has averaged over $25,000 per year.
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Bathroom stalls throughout Western are strewn with the graffiti of passing students. One may find messages of encouragement, insult, comedy, stories of hope, struggle, hatred or something entirely different. But how is this graffiti received by the Western community? For some, it’s a form of artistic expression, but for others, it’s just another form of vandalism. Paige Stevenson, a freshman at Western, notices that graffiti by law is vandalism, but she feels that it represents much more than that. “The graffiti in the bathrooms can range from offensive, funny and positive to loving and sad. Everyone experiences these emotions. I don’t think we can discriminate against how people feel. Hopefully after writing their confession, they will feel better. Although I don’t contribute to the graffiti in the bathrooms, I do enjoy it and always come out laughing or entertained,” Stevenson said. Keeping communication open between members of a community is certainly important, but are the bathroom stalls the best location for such communication? “I love the graffiti in the bathrooms. I think it creates culture and community through sharing our feelings, thoughts and jokes,” Stevenson said. Though enjoyable, Stevenson still admits that it is un-
February 19, 2013 • 9 Graffiti found in the bathrooms of Haggard Hall and Bond Hall. Photos by Cade Schmidt // AS Review