2. 28. 11 V. 26 #19
Rally to Restore Education, p. 4 Students stand against potential budget cuts, tuition increases
The Naked Truth on Stereotypes, p. 5 ESC hosts Feb. 28 theater production in the PAC
Labyrinth out on March 3, p. 7 • Pop Music Industry Conference, p. 8
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Music conference from page 8 Review: Would you say it’s geared toward people with more musical experience and knowledge, or will beginners find it useful as well? Eisen-Meyers: Both. It’s geared towards Western Washington students and community members, anyone who wants to know the ins and outs of the business on a smaller scale so they can apply it to the bigger picture down the line. Review: So there’s the four different tracks, if someone wanted to do both the media and artist track, would they be able to go to multiple panels? Eisen-Meyers: When you register you have the option to sign up for an individual track depending on your aspirations. However, as an attendee, you are welcome to bounce around from panel to panel. Review: How did you decide which speakers to bring to the conference? Eisen-Meyers: By utilizing connections made in the past and in the present, we reached out to local and regional industry professionals and representatives who have been involved within the music community. We are fortunate enough to have Ben London of the Music Commission and Chris Porter (director of Bumbershoot) at this year’s conference as keynote speakers. Review: As someone who works in the industry and as a musician, why do you think the conference is important? Eisen-Meyers: As an artist, you’re kind of under the water a lot of the time where you’re not really sure how things work. It can really open your eyes and show you what works and what doesn’t, and how one may go about networking and building bridges. The conference is a great platform for musical artists and independent musicians to utilize the knowledge and professionalism of community members who have been part of the business for a long time. After working as the Music Coordinator for over seven months now, I have gained a lot of knowledge, and hope that this conference can benefit other like-minded individuals so they can pursue their goals and dreams.
Not your typical Mountain Man Music review by Kelly Sullivan/ The AS Review
Upon first encountering a band with a name like Mountain Man, you’re likely to think of a group of hipsters, but enhanced with dirtier, untrimmed beards, perhaps even-less-frequently washed flannel shirts and “naturally” worn skinny jeans melodramatically strumming guitars. Contrary to what you might think, the band actually consists of three female singers: Molly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig and Amelia Randall Meath. The group’s unique vocal styling, reminiscent of Fleet Foxes mixed with mellow gospel, sets them apart from other indie bands on the rise today. The group relies on their haunting, gorgeous harmonies to fill in for a stark lack of instrumentation in their songs. Despite this, their style is so mellow it could almost put Bon Iver to shame. Although their composition from song to song remains very similar, each is incredibly distinct with different harmonies, messages and imagery detailed in carefully crafted lyrics. Their first full-length album “Made the Harbor,” released on July 20, 2010, has had considerable circulation, and is receiving enthusiastic acclaim on personal blogs and lesser-known music review sites. Songs such as “River,” “How’m I Doin’” and “Mouthwings” feature the women’s unaccompanied voices, while in others a gently strummed guitar plays a minor role. The songs “Babylon” and “Honey Bee” exude sounds inspired by southern gospel and Appalachian folk music. In these cases it is easy enough to picture the three janglin’ away on a front
porch in some sweaty bayou; however, “Soft Skin” and “Animal Tracks” always bring you back to the feel of modern indie-folk. Mountain Man’s lyrics often paint images of intimate sexual encounters and of nature. The combination of the lyrics and vocals express and evoke a sense of the numinous and mundane simultaneously. The songs are easily accessible to any listener as long as they are in the mood to relax. Mountain Man has opened for Jonsi, The Middle East and most recently for The Decemberists on February 18 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. When Decemberists’ lead singer Colin Meloy referred to the opening act, he predicted that the band was going to be incredibly popular someday. They are already on their way with a solid wordof-mouth following on the Internet, and are scheduling performances with more and more mainstream groups. No sound check was necessary at the concert, since the stage was empty except for the three women, three microphones and one guitar. The faintly colored stage lights behind the performers, combined with their simple harmonies, created an almost unearthly atmosphere in the room. The crowd listened in silence as many were hearing the group for the first time. As an extra bonus, their stop-you-in-your-tracks vocals translate from an amazing live performance to a vocally enhanced and edited album without losing any of their magic in the process.
Top 5 artists/albums 1) Iron & Wine/Kiss Each Other Clean 2) Arcade Fire/The Suburbs 3) Cee-Lo/Lady Killer 4) Elliot Smith/An Intro. to Elliot Smith 5) Yogoman Burning Band/Beam Me Up Charts from Feb. 11-18.
February 28, 2011 • 11
For profit from page 5 “The economy has been in crisis and to actually average, compared to a student at public college who receive word that our rate has lowered is a pleasant spends less than $30,000. surprise,” Capron said. “That just shows that For-profit colleges have also been criticized for Western students are able to keep up with their inaccurately representing the product they are loan payments upon graduation.” selling to students, Starkey said. Many for-profit Unlike state institutions such as Western or college students graduate with certificates and the University of Washington, for-profit colleges degrees, then struggle to find jobs after their hard rely solely on revenue from student tuition. Forwork in school and the thousands of dollars they profit colleges also appeal to non-traditional spend on loans, he said. students, such as single parents who need flexible The Department of Education plans to deal with hours or those who could not get accepted into this issue with a new gainful employment rule, state universities because of bad grades or other which, once enacted in June of this year, will require disparities holding them back. for-profit colleges to be more transparent regarding Associated Students Vice President for their ability to provide students with employment Governmental Affairs Byron Starkey said that after graduation. while for-profit colleges rightfully have a place in The United States Student Association, the largest the American education system, the controversy advocacy group for college students in the nation, surrounding them is too severe to ignore. brought up these issues surrounding for-profit For example, Apollo colleges last year. “All students should care about this Group Inc., the Jake Stillwell, company that owns the issue because a lion’s share of federal communications director University of Phoenix, financial aid dollars go to students who of the USSA, said the made more than 600 enroll, and eventually default, from for- purpose behind stronger million dollars last year, regulation is to assist the profit colleges.” Starkey said. students who have been Jake Stillwell The problem is taken advantage of by forthe fact that 80 to 90 profit schools. He added U.S. Student Association percent of that revenue that all college students is from student federal loans, all of which come who seek federal funding are affected by this issue from the Department of Education, allowing and they should care about what happens. for-profit colleges to collect millions of dollars of “A few bad apples have egregiously taken taxpayer money, he added. advantage of these students and those are the ones “All of the loans and forms of financial aid that who these regulations target,” Stillwell said. “All Western students receive are from the same pool students should care about this issue because a lion’s or pot of money that is being used to increase the share of federal financial aid dollars go to students profit margins for those for-profit colleges,” Starkey who enroll, and eventually default, from for-profit said. colleges.” To assist with this issue, in 1998 federal While the AS Legislative Affairs Council included regulators enacted the “90/10 rule” which requires a resolution about for-profit colleges in the 2011 AS for-profit colleges to account for the amount of Federal Legislative Agenda, Starkey said the issue is money they take in from loans. The rule sets a not a priority for the AS but rather a conversation limit on such colleges, allowing them to only they simply want to start. Other issues affecting receive up to 90 percent of their revenue from the Western students, such as the reduction of federal Department of Education. Even with this rule, Pell Grants, are more important, he added. Starkey said larger companies have been abusing it Capron said that keeping track of expenses by peaking at nearly 89 percent. and preparing for life after graduation are two of According to the GAO, for-profit college the most important things students can do while programs are also much more expensive than attending college, although the quality of the public institutions. For a bachelor’s degree in a education they are receiving should also not be field such as construction management, a student forgotten. at a for-profit college spends more than $60,000 on
Brides from page 6 taken photos of books with the words: will you marry me. Fossedal said that even though they’ve only been engaged for two weeks, she has already ordered a dress and has a tentative guest list. She said the plan is a summer carnival wedding with sparkler and root beer floats served in mason jars all under a big white tent. Her fiancé, Robbie, whom she has known since middle school, will be graduating with a degree in biology from Western and plans to begin pharmacy school in Colorado in August. Fossedal said she’ll move there with him to settle down. “More than anything, I’m excited to marry my best friend,” she said. “I love event planning, photography, music, décor—but I anticipate being married will be even more of a rush.” Fossedal said planning for the wedding hasn’t been as stressful as she thought, but when it comes to school, she has to stay organized. “The best way I’ve found to stay on track is to compartmentalize my time. I can allocate several straight hours to studying or work, and then reward myself with a little wedding planning,” she said. After a long day on campus as a communications major, senior Ashley Jessica Hammond gets to step into a very different role: bridal consultant. A fairy godmother of sorts, she has been working at Alicia’s Bridal Shoppe in downtown Bellingham for the past two years helping determined brides find ideal gowns for their big day. Hammond said her favorite part of being a consultant is working with an array of people and finding satisfaction in helping make other women happy for such an important day. She said the amount of student brides she has worked with has been a pleasant surprise. “It’s different helping a student as opposed to another bride because I get to know more about them and their life,” she said. “Most of them are also better decision makers since the environment they are in at school helps them be that way.” Hammond said that the moment she sees a future bride’s reaction after pulling out the perfect wedding gown is one of her favorite parts of her job. “It feels so great to have a bride light up in a gown because she loves it,” she said. “It’s fun because I get to see how my time with them helped them with their wedding as a whole. It’s truly a rewarding experience.”
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The Om(nom)nivore’s Dilemma
Column and photo by Lindsay Kucera/ The AS Review
Sweet Wheat Bread & Vanilla-Honey Butter
T
his bread is modified from one of my favorite, most reliable baking books. The original recipe was for rustic bran & cracked wheat bread, which I altered to make a simple, slightly sweet wheat bread, primarily because I didn’t have bran or cracked wheat. Combined with the smooth honey butter, this makes a great breakfast side or slightly sweet snack. Costs: Wicked cheap, it’s mostly flour Makes: One medium-large loaf Ingredients: For the bread: 1 1/2 cups warm water, approximately 110 F 2 1/2 teaspoons active yeast 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour 2-3 tablespoons honey or agave nectar 1 1/4 salt 1 1/2 cups bread flour Extra wheat flour for dusting For the honey butter: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar 2 teaspoons vanilla Directions: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the water and the yeast and stir gently. Let the mixture sit for two minutes until the yeast dissolves. Add in the wheat flour, honey and salt and combine. Then add bread flour and continue mixing with a spoon
Religion from page 9 a series of discussions called “Let’s Talk About It: Christians are too _________.” Each week, the group focused on a different perception of Christianity, including popular ideas such as Christians being too focused on salvation, too exclusive and too hypocritical. “We recognize that a lot of these perceptions, that Christians are too hypocritical, too exclusive and too focused on salvation, are perceptions that are on our campus,” said Rachel Wilkowski, a CCF pastor. “We wanted to be able to provide a space to be able to discuss that and why that is and give students an opportunity to vent frustrations and not discount their feelings about how we as Christians may treat them sometimes.” The Feb. 16 discussion focused on the notion that
College Budget Cooking
or a dough hook for about five minutes. The dough will be soft, but not shaggy. Spray with cooking spray and cover the dough and the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about an hour. Roll the dough out onto a flour-dusted surface, and knead two or three times before molding into a ball. Place on a baking sheet, either greased or covered in parchment paper. Spray the dough again, cover with plastic wrap and leave the dough to rise for about 30 more minutes. Remove plastic wrap, and cut a shallow “X” in the top of the dough. Bake between 30-40 minutes at 375 F, until the bread is cooked through. For the honey butter, mix the honey and vanilla into the butter, and whip thoroughly with a whisk until the butter is fluffy. This recipe was based on a recipe for bran and bulgur wheat bread in Marcy Goldman’s book “A Passion for Baking.” It’s one of my favorites; you should check it out. Christians are too exclusive. Wilkowski and pastor David Knebel, as well as students who attend The Inn Ministry, CCF and members from the FTS
“There is a big stigma against talking about religion because it’s supposed to be an untouchable subject.” Caitlyn Cecchetto Free Thinkers Society attended the discussion. Knebel outlined some basic guidelines before the discussion began. “Our goal is to have a conversation. To share
perceptions, feelings and what we’re thinking. One of my goals is to listen well, and try to understand where people are coming from,” he said. “I have a personal goal that those here who may not necessarily be believers to be able to say ‘I have had a pleasant, intelligent conversation with a Christian.’” At the discussion, Knebel reiterated the need for respect when discussing any religious ideal, Christian or not. For those who attended the CCF discussions, or for those planning to attend the FTS panel, remember to approach all religions respectfully. “Be honest, be sincere, be respectful; but that doesn’t mean we agree,” Knebel said. “I can disagree with ideas and have critical thoughts about ideas, but I don’t want to be critical towards a person.”
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CORRECTION Volume 26 Number 19 ▪ February 28, 2011
NEWS / FEATURES 5
FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES Critics speak out against for-profit schools recruiting tactics and their ability to collect millions of dollars from federal student loans.
6
WESTERN BRIDES Planning for a wedding while going to school.
7 9
12
THE OMNOMINABLE SNOW OMNOMSTER Sweet wheat bread and vanilla-honey butter.
EVENTS 3
AS EVENTS CALENDAR Look to your right.
4
RALLY TO RESTORE EDUCATION Defending higher ed.
VAGINA MEMOIRS PHOTOS Performance presented by the AS Women’s Center.
5
THE NAKED TRUTH Theater production illuminates myths based on stereotypes.
CHRISTIANS ARE TOO _____. Religious discussions on campus.
7
LABYRINTH ART GALLERY Women’s Center literary journal release party on March 3.
8
POP MUSIC INDUSTRY CONF. Q-and-A with Sam Eisen-Meyers, ASP Pop Music coordinator.
COLUMNS 10 MOUNTAIN MAN Music review KUGS CHART RETURNS! Cover photo by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review Editor in Chief
Assistant Editor
Events Editor
Lead Photographer
Evan Marczynski
Lindsay Kucera
Olena Rypich
Daniel Berman
Staff Writers
Photographer
Adviser
Matt Crowley • Kirsten O’Brien Chelsea Asplund • Kelly Sullivan
Joe Rudko
Jeff Bates
An article in our Feb. 22 issue, titled “Fifth annual presentation of ‘Memoirs’ starts Wednesday: Organizers focusing on broadening scope of popular performance piece,” stated that the event would showcase the personal stories of female and female-identified students. The article should have said that the “Memoirs” also included stories from male-identified performers, as well as stories from performers who are not Western students. We apologize for this error.
©2011 The AS Review is published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. Submissions/Letters: The AS Review welcomes submissions and letters to the editor. Submissions include news stories, literary pieces, photography, visual art and anything else physically printable. E-mail material to as.review@wwu.edu, drop it off in the Viking Union at VU 411 or mail it to the address below. Submissions will be returned if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Letters to the editor need to be no more than 300 words and need to include your name and phone number. We reserve the right to make minor edits to the length and content of letters. Ads/Calendar: The AS Review does not sell advertising space. Sorry. E-mail the Events Editor at as.pr@wwu.edu to get your event in the calendar.
taoofjournalism.com wanewscouncil.org
The AS Review: VU 411, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 • Fax: 360.650.6507 • E-mail: as.review@wwu.edu Online: asreview.as.wwu.edu.
From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.
Design by Kyle Marmesh/ AS Publicity Center
EVENTS
February 28, 2011 • 3
Feb. 28-March 6, 2011
TUESDAY March 1
MONDAY Feb. 28
THURSDAY March 3
OC “Leave No Trace” Trainer Certification Weekend 4 p.m., Mount Baker (Meet at the Outdoor Center) $25 Students, faculty and staff; $40 guests Come try out snowshoeing for the first time or if you are a seasoned snowshoer with our bright celestial neighbor lighting your path.
Rally to Restore Education 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., PAC Plaza Free Students contact their legislators to advocate for higher learning. President Bruce Shepard, AS President Colin Watrin and other leaders will be speaking. Western Votes! will also be handing out free T-shirts to those who contact legislators.
The Politics of Marriage: A discussion of Same-Sex Marriage 4-6 p.m., VU 567 Free A discussion of same-sex marriage. Should it be legal? Should the feds step in? Is it the right thing for the LGBTQ community to be focusing on politically?
Net Impact Event with Kirk Myers 5-6 p.m., AIC West 204 Free Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for REI Kirk Meyers will give a speech titled, “Next Generation CSR: Integrating Sustainability to Thrive in a Resource-Constrained World.”
Ask Us Anything 7 p.m., Fraser Hall Free A panel discussion put on by the Free Thinkers Society. Religious groups represented on the panel will include: Chabad, The Inn Ministries, Redeemer Ministries, Newman Catholic Ministries, Church of Latter-day Saints, Humanists of North Puget Sound, and the pagan group P.A.S.T.
Labyrinth Release Party 6-8 p.m., VU Gallery Free The release party will feature original art, spoken word performances and performance art. There will be refreshments, and copies of the new Labyrinth will be available! Exhibit runs from Feb. 22 - March 11 in the VU Gallery (open Monday -Friday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
Naked Truth on Stereotypes 7 p.m., Old Main Theater Free “The Naked Truth on Stereotypes” is a theater production that aims to expose and debunk stereotypes, to deepen understanding of one’s self and others, to inspire and facilitate community growth, to incite action and celebrate the stories and truths people live every day. Seuss it up! March 2 is Dr. Seuss’ birthday! Celebrate with green eggs and ham, or by putting your cat in a hat!
>>
“The Social Network” Feb. 28-March 2 7 & 9:30 p.m,VU 552 $3
What started as a drunken rant online turned into the social network most of us use today. Starring Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Andrew Garfield as his friend and cofounder Eduardo Saverin.
The Gray in the Rainbow 7-9 p.m., VU 462B The rainbow is made of more than just gays and lesbians. Join us as we talk about biphobia and everything on the queer spectrum in-between the lines we call gay and straight. The event is part of the AS LGBTA Weekly Night Series.
WEDNESDAY March 2 American Fisheries Society trivia fundraiser 7 p.m., Chuckanut Brewery $5 suggested donation to play. This will be a fundraiser for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. Before the trivia night, join us at 6 p.m. at the Chuckanut Brewery to hear about the restoration of local wild salmon runs. Loretta DeLoggio Law Workshop 4-6 p.m., VU 552 (Wed) and VU 462 A (Thurs) Free Loretta DeLoggio will be hosting workshops for those interested in applying to law school. This event will also take place on March 3 in VU 462 A. You Would! “The Money Episode” 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.), Arntzen 100 Free You Would! is Western’s live sketch comedy show. The Dead Parrots Society will also perform.
FRIDAY March 4
The 19th Annual Drag Show 7-10 p.m., PAC Concert Hall $10 students with Western ID/$12 general The Drag Show is a benefit performance for the Sean Humphrey House and the Evergreen AIDS Foundation. There will be amateur drag performers, a raffle and “I Saw You” segments. Up to $2 off by bringing canned foods for donation ($1 per can).
SATURDAY March 5
ASP Special Events: Laser Tag 9 p.m. – midnight, Wade King Recreation Center $40 per team A Laser tag competition. Teams of six to eight can sign up at the at the Rec Center two weeks before the event or at the VU 6th floor info desk. Champions will get T-shirts. Pop Mic Conference (continues on March 6). 10 a.m. (both days), VU & MPR Free for some sessions; $8 student/$10 non student Register at http://bit.ly/popmic2011registration. The concert, brunch and keynote addresses by Ben London and Chris Porter, are included in the ticket price. The Saturday night concert will feature The Globes, Polecat and Cataldo at 7 p.m. in the Old Main Theater.
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Out of the classroom and into the street Western Votes to rally against funding cuts
Matt Crowley/ The AS Review
With Western once again facing budget issues, including a
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proposed $2,100 increase in tuition over the next two years and a 50 percent reduction to work study funding, the organizers of the year’s second incarnation of the Rally to Restore Education hope to not only educate students but get them involved as well. The rally will take place Tuesday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center plaza. It has been organized and coordinated by Western Votes, a branch of the Associated Students Representation and Engagement Programs. In addition, AS Vice President for Governmental Affairs Byron Starkey has been helping plan the rally along with Western Votes President Christina Roy and Vice President Rachel Bowers. Bowers said that a core group of volunteers both inside and outside of Western Votes are assisting as well. While the first rally of the year in October was heavily influenced by the November midterm election, the March rally is being fueled by growing frustration among students over budget cuts, particularly the recent revelation that $25 million would be cut from Washington’s State Need Program, which helps low-income students. Due to the $500 million budget shortfall facing legislators that needs to be remedied before the 2011-2013 biennium budget kicks in on July 1, state lawmakers are looking for ways to save money without directly cutting higher education funding. Both student and non-student leaders will speak at the rally, including United Faculty of Washington President Bill Lyne, who also works at Western as an English professor, student trustee Ramiro Espinoza, AS President Colin Watrin as well as a handful of other student speakers. Starkey said the rally is about more than just money, and organizers have a couple of goals in mind, one of which is to educate students about the budget cuts so that they have a better understanding of the political jargon and numbers involved. Starkey added that some students may be unaware of the severity of the potential cuts due to language used by politicians. In the end, it is dollar amounts, not percentages, that are more relatable, he said. “It’s also about getting students more involved,” he continued. “To get them more involved we’re going to encourage them to write letters, make phone calls and really educate themselves as well. With this, we are creating a direct connection to Olympia, which is very important and really the goal of the rally.” Bowers said that while Western Votes’ non-partisan stance does not allow them to side with any political party, their role as a political advocacy group allows them to speak out against things such as
Please see Rally on page 8
Design by Gilbert Van Citters/ AS Publicity Center
WHAT’S AT STAKE: $2,100 increase in tuition over next two years. 50 percent reduction in work study funding. $25 million cut from State Need Program.
February 28, 2011 • 5
Telling the Naked Truth Alternative fashion show explores nature of identity and stereotypes Kirsten O’Brien/ The AS Review
A fashion show is coming to Western, but it will be unlike any held in New York or Milan. There will be no long-legged models, expensive gowns or swarms of fashionistas eagerly waiting to see the season’s hot new trends. In fact, this is a fashion show that doesn’t concern fashion at all. Instead, the show focuses on the naked truth of each individual’s unique identity. On Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, the Associated Students Ethnic Student Center will host “The Naked Truth on Stereotypes,” a three-part theater production that seeks to expose and debunk the myths of stereotypes and identities. The event is free and open to the public. “This is a celebration of all of our stories,” said Anthony Rego, public relations coordinator for the ESC. “Stereotypes exist throughout our entire society, creating lines that divide us in so many different ways. This is an event that celebrates all stories and truths by honoring and uplifting those voices within us that are silenced.” Nine Western students will share their truths in this year’s production. Becky Renfrow, assistant director of the production, said in the first act, the individual will become a “stereoactor,” and play out an exaggerated stereotype of their choosing on stage. In the second act, they will debunk the misconceptions about that stereotype, as well as share other aspects of their personal identity. In the third act, after all the stereoactors have performed, there will be a time for dialogue and interactive discussion between the performers and the audience members. Stephany Koch Hazelrigg, the creative director of “The Naked Truth on Stereoypes,” started the production in 2004 while she was a graduate student at Western. She was a performer in the “Vagina Memoirs,” the annual production sponsored by the AS Women’s Center. She noticed that while the experience was extremely powerful, it also validated many of the stereotypes that are held against queer people and women of color. “Even in a place of empowerment, there was marginalization happening,” she said. “So I used the powerful and positive experience of being a part of Western’s “Vagina Memoirs” project but remembering and realizing that as a woman of color that we build our own stories and we need to tell them.”
She also began to reflect on how clothing and style of dress influences how stereotypes are created and reinforced. During that time, the United States was deeply entrenched in battle in the Middle East. Hazelrigg noticed that there were not only antiterrorism messages in the media, but anti-Muslim messages as well. She said that media repeatedly showed Muslims in a certain type of dress, and categorized an entire group of people that way.
“The Naked Truth on Stereotypes” WHEN: 7 p.m., Feb. 28 WHERE: Performing Arts Center COST: Free Presented by the AS Ethnic Student Center “The media was using clothing to show who this population was and that is was okay to justify acts of war against them,” Hazelrigg said. “It got me thinking about the representation of clothing and how it’s really easy for us in the U.S. culture to judge groups of people based on what they wear.” Within the United States, Hazelrigg noticed the itty-bitty tank tops worn by young teens to the so-called “power suits” donned by some female professionals to seem more masculine, and wondered if stereotypes were constructed in the same way fashion trends were. “I asked, ‘What would it be like if we used this clothing and fashion metaphor to explore and explode oppression?’ and that’s what we did,” Hazelrigg said. “What if we could put on those identities and stereotypes as if they were clothing and then take them off, what would we really have to say?” Western student Kylie Gemmell participated in the production last year. Her stereotype was that of a “valley girl”: a Caucasian, blond-haired female with an unhealthy obsession with the color pink
Please see Naked truth on page 8
For-profit colleges raise controversy AS Federal Legislative Agenda includes resolution calling for more regulation Chelsea Asplund/ The AS Review
In a TV commercial for Everest College, a for-profit school with campuses across the U.S. and also in Canada, a man stands in a dimly lit parking lot speaking enthusiastically to viewers. As the school’s 1-800 number scrolls across the bottom of the screen, he says, “You’re sitting on your couch and watching TV, and letting your life pass you by.” He then tell viewers to check out Everest, claiming that classes can be adapted to fit anyone’s schedule, and that nobody has an excuse to not learn more. But what this commercial doesn’t tell you is that while Everest might get you off the couch, it won’t necessarily get you a high-paying job, let alone any job at all. Recently for-profit colleges, such as Everest, have been scrutinized for their recruiting tactics, with critics saying the schools exaggerate their benefits and promise students high-salary jobs. In August 2010, the U.S. Government Accountability Office conducted an undercover investigation into possible fraudulent and unethical behavior by for-profit colleges. According to their report, four separate for-profit colleges encouraged fraudulent practices. One school even had a representative encourage an applicant to remove over $200,000 of personal savings to pay for classes. According to the Department of Education, $24 billion of federal financial aid was allocated to students at for-profit colleges in 2009. More than 40 percent of those students defaulted on their loans, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Only 11 percent of students in public and private colleges defaulted on loans, according to the Department of Education. Western’s projected loan default rate for 2011 is one of the lowest in the country, at 1.2 percent, according to Financial Aid Director Clara Capron. While this number cannot be confirmed until next fall, she said that the rate is down from 1.4 percent in 2008.
Please see For profit on page 11
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M you marry l l e? Wi Students who plan their weddings while going to school Story by Chelsea Asplund/ The AS Review Photos by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review
Amid the hustle and bustle of Zoe’s Bookside
Bagelry, with students frantically studying and bagel orders being called out, senior Jessica Webb breaks a smile as she twirls the platinum and sapphire ring on her left ring finger. “I didn’t really have a huge reaction to it because we had talked about it,” she said. “I knew it was coming, I just didn’t know when.” Webb, a geology major, has spent the past month not only studying for mineralogy exams and term projects, but also searching for a wedding dress, ordering rings and booking a venue. She is among a number of full-time students who are planning their weddings while attending Western. Her and her fiancé Zane Leonard have been together for the past two years after meeting at a sledding party. Leonard worked as an engineer for Teck, a Canadian mining company just over the U.S.-Canadian border with Webb’s mother. After just being on a couple dates, Leonard asked
Webb if she’d accompany him on a road trip to Montana. Against the advice of friends, she went along with him. “I was kind of on edge because I don’t really jump into relationships too fast. I have trust issues and whatnot. But when it really hits you, you can’t really help it,” Webb said. The two went on an excursion for their spring break, traveling down to Yellowstone National Park and going snowboarding. The couple now plans to return to the state where they fell in love to get married, right on the edge of Glacier National Park. Webb, who dreams of studying geology in mines, said she has never been overtly feminine, and even as she begins planning her wedding, her friends around her do not always see her excitement. “My roommates tell me, ‘You seem like the most unexcited bride I’ve ever met in my life.’ I’m just so busy and I’m not one of those girls who grew up planning my wedding. I was a tomboy,” Webb said.
Webb said her wedding is slated for June, just before she goes off on a six-week field camp, the final element in her geology major where students camp, hike and study geology in Eastern Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Webb is set to graduate after summer quarter, and she then plans to apply for a work permit to join Leonard in Canada. The assistance of her mother and her fiancé, who helps her in any way that he can through phone calls and e-mails, helps her handle the pressures of school and wedding planning, she said. Earlier this month, senior Bridget Fossedal was walking with her boyfriend of five years through downtown Portland, when they decided to pop into Powell’s Bookstore. As she walked down the aisles, she hardly noticed her boyfriend snapping photos of random books. On the drive home, her boyfriend coaxed her outside to show her the photos. He had cleverly
Please see Brides on page 11
Wedding dresses for sale at Alicia’s Bridal Shoppe on State Street in downtown Bellingham.
February 28, 2011 • 7
Labyrinth show opens in VU Gallery Gender identity-themed literary journal to be released March 3
L
Photo by Joe Rudko/ The AS Review
Kelly Sullivan/ The AS Review abyrinth, the annual literary journal sponsored by the Associated Students Women’s Center and the Viking Union Gallery, showcases female experiences through art and literature submitted by Western students. In conjunction with the publication, a gallery exhibition of student artwork opened Feb. 22 and is set to run through March 11. There will be a release party for the journal on March 3, when copies will be available for students. The free publication combines prose and poetry, as well as visual artwork, to allow students to express themselves through a variety of mediums. Labyrinth Editor Annie Jansen said this year the WC aimed to make the journal inclusive of all female-identified issues, which was the WC’s goal for their other two winter quarter events: V-Week and the “Vagina Memoirs” performance project. This year’s theme was “The Gray Areas of Identity.” It was chosen to prompt the experiences of gender identity and life choices that aren’t always black and white, Jansen said. Entries for the journal and the exhibition weren’t limited to female and female-identified students; this year two written submissions came from male-identified students, she said. One was a story about the challenges the writer’s female friend faced growing up, the other a poem about a girl committing suicide. An image by AS Review staff photographer Joe Rudko was also selected for the gallery exhibition. “We’re giving a voice to people who normally wouldn’t have the chance to speak,” said Jansen. There can never be enough materials published on the female experience, much less enough
The Labyrinth exhibition runs until March 11 in the VU Gallery.
Vagina Memoirs Photos by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review
Kitty Pond performing Thursday, Feb. 24.
Please see Labyrinth on page 9
presented by the AS Women’s Center
Theresa Tripp (center) and the rest of the cast.
8 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu
Rally from page 4
the recent budget cuts. They have also aided students in other outreach events, such as voter registration, and will provide students with multiple ways to contact state representatives at the rally. “Everything the legislation is doing affects you,” Bowers said. “As a voter, you should have a say in what they are doing.” While Starkey agreed that everyone would be affected by the budget cuts, he said that the extent of that effect will vary between individuals and that students may have different reasons to show up to the rally. “I think that it depends on each student, because for one student, they might be there because they are receiving their State Need Grant and don’t know whether or not they will receive it spring quarter,” he said. “You might have another student who is a biology major, and they’re seeing their class sizes go up; they might know a professor who might not be here next year, you never know. So, I think for each student it depends on what you care about.” Ultimately however, the upcoming budget and its effect on Western will be just as important in the coming years as it is today. “I think that the rally plays into a big picture or long-term goal to create a base of support for higher education,” said Starkey. “If we can get students to continually educate themselves about the issues and then go further than that and actually take action, it will help us in the long run.”
Naked truth from page 5
and a penchant for using her daddy’s credit card. Gemmell said that performing in the production was an important experience for her. “It’s a really empowering and powerful experience,” she said. “It steps out of what people normally want to talk about.” Although the production is different every time based on the unique individuals who participate, Hazelrigg said that seeing performers reveal their true, “naked” selves would allow the audience to do some soul searching. “You’ll see people be brave and speak to the truth of who they are, and that might motivate you to do some digging in your own self and step up to the truth of who you are,” Hazelrigg said. “This production speaks to the truth of the human experience and busts through the identities that divide us.”
Pop Music Industry Conference Discussing the business of making music
Q-and-A by Matt Crowley/ The AS Review
For the up-and-comers of the music industry, information and advice from true professionals is few and far between. On March 5 and 6 beginning at 11 a.m., AS Productions will hold its annual Pop Music Industry Conference, which will give students and community members a chance to gain valuable insight into the industry. The conference will include keynote speakers and panels touching on aspects of the industry including artists, talent representation, venues, promotion and media, all of which will take Photo by Joe Rudko/ The AS Review place in the Old Main AS Pop Music Coordinator Sam Eisen-Meyers. Theatre and different locations around the was put into place last year. It was manifested by last Viking Union. There will also be a Saturday concert year’s coordinators Hallie and Jen. at 7 p.m. in the Old Main Theatre headlined by Spokane band The Globes and a Sunday brunch Review: Why did you decide to bring it back in the VU Multipurpose Room shortly after the this year? opening keynote speaker at 11 a.m. where attendees Eisen-Meyers: It offers insight and a different aspect can get valuable face-to-face time with speakers and of education for a career pathway that is prominent panelists. Although the panels are free, the concert in the U.S. but doesn’t appear in the form of a B.A. and Sunday brunch cost $8 for students with their Western ID cards and $10 for general admission. Review: Was last year’s conference in the same You must register to participate in both the free or format you are planning on using this year? paid portions of the conference, and you can do so Eisen-Meyers: We’re using the rubric and format at http://bit.ly/popmic2011registration. To learn from last year to build and develop this conference. more about the event, we sat down with ASP Pop The idea is that future committees will continue to Music Coordinator Sam Eisen-Meyers. expand on the ideas and approach from the years before. The AS Review: Who came up with the idea for Please see Music conference on page 10 the conference? Sam Eisen-Meyers: The construct of the conference
February 28, 2011 • 9
Exploring faith from all angles Free Thinkers Society to host panel with campus and community religious groups
Kirsten O’Brien/ The AS Review
For many, the college experience is a time for immense personal growth and exploration. There are new classes, new people and all sorts of ways in which students are cementing their ideas about themselves and others. For some students, this time of growth and questioning can also lead to an exploration of faith and religion. For those looking to looking to explore a variety of faiths, the Free Thinkers Society, an Associated Students club, will be hosting “Ask Us Anything,” a discussion panel focusing on religious groups on Western’s campus and in the Bellingham community. The panel will be held March 3 at 7 p.m. in Fraser Hall 4. It is free and open to the public. Representatives from The Inn Ministry, Redeemer Church, Chabad, Church of Latterday Saints, Humanists of North Puget Sound, Newman Catholic Ministries and the pagan group P.A.S.T. will be speaking about the fundamentals of their religion or faith and answering audience questions. “There is a big stigma against talking about religion because it’s supposed to be an untouchable subject,” said Caitlyn Cecchetto, public relations officer for the FTS. “We’re hoping discussions like this will open up dialogue and make people curious and get them to talk about their faiths.” Cecchetto said that audience members will be invited to write questions beforehand, which will be read to panelists by a moderator. She said that the event is a chance for people to ask questions about specific religions, or about religion as a whole. She said that she hoped people would start to see similarities between religions and begin questioning the beliefs and practices they uphold. “I hope that people would see so many different religions represented with pretty much the same story, and maybe start thinking about that and see
Labyrinth from page 7 creative outlets to show student work, she said. Submissions for Labyrinth were taken from the beginning of fall quarter to the end of January. Students submitted a total of 60 pieces, 46 of which were chosen, including a sculpture and a multimedia video. “We’ve got some really incredible art. We received some stuff I couldn’t ever have imagined how great it would be,” Jansen said. This year there was also more prose and nonfiction submissions than in years past. Labyrinth is nearing its fourth decade of circulation on Western’s campus. The journal is usually released during spring quarter, however, this year Jansen decided to try something new. After creating a new timeline for the journal’s completion, she scheduled the release in conjunction with V-Week and the “Vagina Memoirs” to combine the events and advertise each through the other.
“We’re giving a voice to people who normally wouldn’t have the chance to speak.” Annie Jansen Labyrinth editor
Graphic courtesy of Caitlyn Cecchetto
that there is a commonality between them that is sort of specific to whatever culture they were designed in,” Cecchetto said. “I hope the panel will pretty much plant the seed of skepticism, or at least just promote thinking instead of just accepting it.” Cecchetto also attended a discussion held by the Campus Christian Fellowship, an interdenominational Christian student organization at Western. Throughout February, the CCF hosted
Please see Religion on page 12
AS Publicity Center Graphic Designer Kayla Soper said she enjoyed putting together the posters and publicity art for the publication. She requested to head the project because she enjoys putting together tangible pieces. She said Labyrinth is a good outlet and way to express feelings and ideas through art. Soper said she and the team of PC designers who worked on Labyrinth wanted to make sure the final product didn’t take away from the content. “We want the art to speak for itself,” Soper said. VU Gallery Coordinator Allie Paul said about 20 visual pieces are featured in this year’s exhibition. Each piece uses unique methods to represent women, she said. Sometimes they portray the actions of the body, sometimes experiences of the mind. Paul said the Labyrinth exhibition is one of the most popular gallery events of the year. She enjoys working on Labyrinth because of the unity it creates between WC and VU Gallery audiences. It’s good to see the different exhibitions the VU Gallery can bring to campus to serve the students, she said. The exhibition in the VU Gallery is “a place where you can see the Labyrinth journal and exhibition as an entire entity,” she said. At the journal’s release party, many of the artists and writers will be present to answer questions about their submissions. Selected pieces will be read aloud by their authors.