AS Review - March 05, 2012

asreview

3.5.12 Vol. 27 #21

Condom Fashion Show call for designers, pg. 5

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SAFETY IN THE SNOW The key to avalanche prevention: education

Lauren Simmons • AS Review

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n Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, three skiers were killed in an avalanche while skiing in the outof-bounds area of the Stevens Pass ski resort.

Avalanches, like other natural phenomena, can be fatal, but being educated of its dangers can lower the number of fatalities.

“Get educated, that’s the most important thing,” said Eric Messerschmidt, Associated Students Outdoor Center Excursions coordinator.

One of the individuals who survived the Stevens Pass avalanche did so because she was wearing a device that helped her escape, said Henry Hagood, an AS Outdoor Center trip leader and Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council volunteer. He said avalanche education should be the forefront of prevention, and skiiers and snowboarders should have to rely on tools to save them, Hagood said.

“Everybody’s attention was drawn to the device that saved her, and everybody heralded that as the only reason she was alive,” Hagood said. “There was really no discussion on the fact that they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. It was all promoting that product, and how it’s the only thing that can save you.”

With Mount Baker ski resort so close to Western’s campus, many students venture north to ski and snowboard the slopes. This recent tragedy at Stevens shows being educated on how to be safe in the mountains – specifically being out-of-bounds – is important.

An avalanche occurs when a layer of snow is poorly bonded to the snow below it, and that poor bond allows the snow on top to slide, Messerschmidt said. A poor bond between the layers of snow can be created by

rain fall on the mountain, among other things. The rain freezes, later creating a slick ice layer; then everything on top has the potential to slide off easily.

“Avalanches are a natural phenomenon. I think they’re amazingly powerful and also a beautiful thing, but you just have to know how to not start [an avalanche] or be in one,” Messerschmidt said. “You have to treat them with a lot of respect.”

Another trigger is skiing on a slope that is prone to avalanches, which was the case of the Stevens Pass accident, Messerschmidt said.

At ski resorts, avalanches are less likely to cause fatalities because the resort has avalanche control and regulates where individuals go. The majority of people ski inside the bounds of a resort, so they do not need to worry as much about avalanche danger because ski patrollers do that for them, Messerschmidt said. Resorts use explosives and other techniques to release any avalanches that could occur before the lifts are open.

When planning on skiing and snowboarding in the out-of-bounds areas, also called the backcountry, checking the conditions is important, Messerschmidt said. The Northwest Avalanche Center website, nwac. us, is the best place to check for avalanche forecasts.

Avalanches and their conditions are never consistent, Messerschmidt said. Different elevations accumulate varying amounts of snowfall, and some places on the snow soak up more sunlight than others, causing localized danger in different areas, Messerschmidt said.

The two groups that tend to get into trouble in the backcountry are people who do not understand avalanches and how to avoid them, as well as experts who

Three things one needs to venture to the mountains: 1. Probe 2. Shovel 3. Avalanche beacon Information provided by Eric Messerschmidt//AS Outdoor Center

tend to push the limits, Messerschmidt said.

“They definitely know the risks, but they get really comfortable being in risky positions, so they push it too far sometimes,” Messerschmidt said.

Be prepared Being prepared is also vital, Messerschmidt said. The three pieces of gear every person going into the backcountry should have are an avalanche beacon or transceiver, a probe and a shovel.

An avalanche beacon is a small device strapped to one’s chest. The beacon has a frequency that can be changed into search mode, allowing individuals to search for other beacons’ frequencies, Messerschmidt said. If there is an avalanche and a group is split up, the beacon can assist in locating others in the party.

A probe is like a long tent pole, Messerschmidt said.

The probe locks into place and lets the searcher feel where someone is buried. Avalanches can create massive amounts of snow, thus there is a great potential for people to be buried under many feet of snow.

A shovel can also be a life-saving tool while skiing and snowboarding. It can be used to unbury someone after an avalanche.

“Everyone that travels in the backcountry needs to have those three things,” Messerschmidt said. “If you end up using them, then you’ve made a mistake. You should only carry them as a precaution.”

see AVALANCHE on page 11

What to do if you’re caught in an avalanche:

1. As the snow flows, try to swim to the top 2. Before the snow settles, punch out an air pocket if possible 3. Try to break the surface or get something through the settled snow for rescuers can find you

March 5, 2012• 11

ALL ABOUT THE ALLERGIES Combating seasonal allergies the natural way

Anna Atkinson • AS Review About 50 million Americans — more than ever — are Western Herbalist, meaning she is trained to use herbs suffering from seasonal allergies, and there is no escape. found natively in the Western hemisphere. Nettles, The majority of those allergies are outdoor plant-related (urtica), and eye bright (euphrasia), are herbs that ones, and it’s the time of year that most outdoor allercan be made into teas as well as special extracts to help gies are beginning to act-up. According to the Asthma manage symptoms. Nettles are a natural antihistamine and Allergy Foundation of America, one in three chiland have no known side effects, she said. Drugs such as dren are born with an allergy of some kind.

Claritin or Zyrtec contain antihistamines, and people Allergies are genetic and there are no cures, but they may experience drowsiness or other side effects. She can be managed. said eye bright Many people treat Botanical remedies are very safe. Herbs like nettles have been helps soothe their allergies with itchy eyes and proven over hundreds of years. Claritin hasn’t been used for natural, drug-free throat, which hundreds of years. methods. Some of are common -Michele Sanger, owner of Living Earth Herbs the most common outdoor aland useful ones are lergy sympthe herbs Butterbur, Quercetin, and saline salt-water toms. Both herbs can be found in health-food stores in nasal spray. All of these can be found at health-food both tea and extract forms, she said. stores. By using natural remedies to tame roaring allergy People are responsible to weigh out the pros and cons symptoms, one will not become drowsy or feel the side of certain medicines according to their own discretion, effects of allergy drugs containing antihistamines.

Sanger said.

There are two herbs that treat allergy symptoms “I feel botanical remedies are very safe,” she said. especially well, said Michele Sanger, owner of Living “Herbs like nettles have been proven over hundreds of Earth Herbs on Cornwall Avenue. Sanger is a trained years. Claritin hasn’t been used for hundreds of years.”

Managing allergies the natural way Naturopathic Physician Kimberly Sandstrom from Bellingham Natural Family Medicine said there are natural ways to manage allergies. Here are some tips the office gives to patients with outdoor allergies: Use an air filter in your house or apartment to avoid airborne allergies.

Reduce clutter of objects that collect dust and dust mites.

Eat foods that are high in vitamin C. Bioflavonoids/quercetin: You may want to take quercetin to reduce allergy symptoms.

Nettle tea: Make your own nettle tea by steeping 1-3 teaspoons of nettle leaves in 1 cup of water for about 10 minutes.

Saline salt nasal spray: Make your own solution that can help clear sinus congestion. Use 2 cups of warm water and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt or sea salt. It is important not to use table salt because it can irritate mucous membranes. the

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GIRLS from page 8 Alex; a clip of Alex trying on wedding dresses or a clip of their life together. This feed plays while the set is turning. Each time Guy visits a different ex-girlfriend, the set stops at a different angle each time, giving each section of the audience a new perspective.

The play’s believable acting created a truthful story, in a script that could become a mess without the right direction and actors. The script, which is interesting at some points and boring at others, relies on the set, direc-

tion and acting of the play to make it wildly entertaining.

The actors embodied their characters and brought raw emotion to dramatic yet comedic piece.

The storyline is quirky, but fun. At moments I found myself laughing at the light-hearted nature, but at other moments I felt uncomfortable because it seemed intrusive for me to be there. It seemed like parts of this play were too private between the characters for me to see.

At times I wanted to shut my eyes to give them some

privacy, but I didn’t.

Overall I think the visual elements made the play what it is. The acting seemed to supplement the visual attraction to the play, but the storyline was my least favorite part. If the “Some Girl(s)” performed in the main theatre instead of the Underground Theater, with all the intricate and innovative set pieces, it would be less entertaining. The actors and set carry the storyline more than the actual words do.

snow takes on a cement-like quality, Messerschmidt said.

“During an avalanche, the snow consolidates to a point where it becomes like cement, so it’s not like the snow you’re used to playing with,” Messerschmidt said. “[The snow] piles in so tightly that it compresses all the air out of itself, so you probably won’t be able to move, and you will probably feel trapped.”

It is important to emphasize that people should avoid being caught in an avalanche in the first place, Messerschmidt said. There are expensive preventative products that skiers and snowboarders can have to assist in avalanche situations, but being educated beforehand will make these products unnecessary.

Around Bellingham, there are various classes and re-

sources available to people concerning avalanche safety, Hagood said. Students can take classes about avalanche safety at the American Alpine Institute in Fairhaven, and receive a discounted price if they sign up at the Outdoor Center. In addition, the Mountain Education Center at the Mount Baker ski resort hosts avalanche safety classes. Even though these classes tend to cost a couple hundred dollars, they allow skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the slopes safely.

“If you’re willing to spend that much money on the skis that you use, you should be willing to spend that money on education that will let you ski the rest of your life, and not end your life because of foolish mistakes,” Messerschmidt said.

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AVALANCHE from page 10 Avalanche attack!

If someone is buried, there are steps one should take as they are being buried under the snow of an avalanche, Messerschmidt said.

First, as the avalanche is flowing, try to swim to the surface. Before the snow settles, punch out an air pocket if possible. Then, as the snow starts to slow down and settle, the buried person needs to push to the top and try to get something above the surface so that people can seem them.

“You’re supposed to use as little oxygen as possible so that your buddies can rescue you,” Messerschmidt said.

Once those steps have been taken, the person buried must try to stay calm. This can be difficult because the

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SPRUNG ON SPRING BREAK Making the most of your week off

Nick Markman • AS Review

Start looking for summer jobs or internships Much like cleaning, this may not be the ideal way to spend spring break, but if you weren’t able to get lucky earlier this year in your job hunting efforts, the week-long break from school can provide an excellent time for scoping out and applying for newly-posted job and internship opportunities that pop up in spring. Polish that dusty resume, and remember to hit up the Career Services Center and Student Employment Center if you need some extra help.

San Juan kayaking Anacortes Kayak Tours in Anacortes and Elakah Expeditions in Bellingham offer several day-long or multiday kayak camping tours through the San Juan Islands for affordable prices. For those not content with simply looking out at Puget Sound ound and the San Juans, get some buddies, grab paddles and kayaks and get right into the heart of it all.

Look for flight deals Beaches, partying, sun, bikinis and MTV hosts surrounded by wild crowds of young adults: these are some classic images of spring break. Since you are not very likely to find any of that amidst Bellingham’s lovely 45-degree weather, you might have to travel to your ideal, sunny spring break destination. Bellingham International Airport offers several vacation-destination flights for those looking to snag that last minute ticket. Try your luck in Vegas, hit the surf in Honolulu or travel down the coast to sunny California.

Spring cleaning While not the most exciting way to spend your spring break, any allergy-prone person knows how critical this is. Get under the furniture, shake out the rugs, clean the baseboards, wipe down those hard-to-reach high places and eliminate as many dust bunnies as possible before the onslaught of pollen in spring.

BBQ at Larrabee For those who have yet to visit this stunning state park in the middle of twisting, scenic Chuckanut Drive, head out to Larrabee for what is sure to be an awesome springtime BBQ. The park has its own grills, so bring some charcoal and grab some meat, veggies, beverages and blankets and prepare for a great day. Weather permitting, take in some rays on the park’s many natural rock formations over-looking the San Juan Islands. the

Images by Nathan Shigeta//AS Publicity Center

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Poster by Elliott Snyder//AS Publicity Center

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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

©2012. 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.

In This Issue:

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4 5 6

UNDEFEATED TJ Martin visits Western CONDOM FASHION Calling all designers and models

AND

7 8

NEED A JOB? A map to guide you to your dream job

QUEER EXPERIENCE Auditions for The Queer Experience are March 8

9

RIDE THE BUS A breakdown of the Alternative Transportation Fee

10

SAFE SNOW Avalanche safety tips

11

ALLERGY ATTACK Allergy remedies

12

SPRING BREAK Five spring break suggestions

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.

Editor in Chief

Assistant Editor

Lead Photographer

Staff Writers

Kirsten O’Brien

Cade Schmidt

Adviser

Jeff Bates

Adrienne Woods

Anna Atkinson Eriver Eugenio Nick Markman Lauren Simmons Megan Thompson

SPEAKING OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE The Associated Students Women’s Center takes a stance on recent violent assaults around campus

Guest submission from the Associated Students Women’s Center In light of the violent assaults that occurred nearby Western last week, the Associated Students Women’s Center is condemning these horrific crimes. We believe these offenses warrant a cross-campus dialogue concerning the prevalence of violence in our community.

Between 20 to 25 percent of women will experience sexual assault or attempted sexual assault while in college. Our community must take a strong stance against any form of violence.

While both assailants were unknown to the victims in these cases, the reality is that 80 percent of all sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone known to the victim.

There is a connection, however, between the normalization of violence that permits an individual to attack a stranger or a friend. Our society socializes violence as a predictable tragedy. However, violence is the collateral damage of a patriarchal society in which women-identified individuals are devalued, sexualized and degraded.

This conversation, overheard on campus, demon-

strates the corrosive nature of socialized violence. “If you’re walking at 1 a.m., alone, and you’re female, you’re kinda asking for it. That sucks, but what did your parents tell you?” “What was she doing at 1 a.m. on a school night?” “Clearly up to no good.”

These words epitomize the horrific victim-blaming mentality that pervades society and fuel dangerous discourse that tacitly accept violence against women.

However, while we wish we lived in a society where every individual was free to walk safely at all hours, violence permeates our community every day. Please utilize the resources on campus such as the Green Coats (24-hour safety escort program 360-650-3555) and CASAS (hotline for students impacted by violence 360650-3700). Furthermore, educate yourself and speak out against violence in all forms, whether at a party or in class. If you are interested in becoming more involved in violence prevention, please contact the Women’s Center in VU 514 or at 360-650-6114.

March 5, 2012• 3

EVENTS

MARCH 5 - MARCH 9

Monday March 5

Underground Coffeehouse trivia 6:30 p.m., UGCH $1 buy-in

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and test your trivia skills at the weekly Undergorund Coffeehouse trivia night. The top three teams receive cash prizes.

Tuesday March 6

“You Would!” winter show March 6 and 7 8 p.m., Arntzen 100 Free

The Queer Experience tryouts 6 to 8 p.m.,VU 714 Free

The QRC is holding auditions for The Queer Experience, an opportunity for Western students who identify with the queer community to speak about their experiences by telling a personal memoir. No previous experience required.

Friday March 9

Have a good weekend, study for your finals!

“You Would!” is KVIK’s student produced TV show. The episode features a wide variety of acts, including film sketches, live skits, stand-up comedy, musical acts and improv performed by the Dead Parrots Society.

Wednesday March 7

QRC Winter weekly series: study night with cocoa 4 to 6 p.m., Viking Union 464

Prepare for your upcoming exams at the AS Queer Resource Center weekly series. The series is an open and safe space for socializing and learning.

All identities are welcome.

Thursday March 8

“In our own voice” film screening 7 to 9 p.m., Academic West 204 Free

“In Our Own Voice” is a presentation detailing personal testimonies from individuals whose lives were interrupted by mental illness but have become role models for hope and recovery. This presentation is sponsored by The National Alliance on Mental Illness, one of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organizations dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Find the AS Review on Facebook, Twitter and at as.wwu.edu/asreview

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UNDEFEATED AT THE OSCARS Western alum TJ Martin screens his Oscar winning film

Nick Markman • AS Review “You think football builds character. It does not.

Football reveals character,” said coach Bill Courtney of the Manassas Tigers in the introduction to the documentary “Undefeated.”

After winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 84th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, Western alumni and co-director of “Undefeated” TJ Martin returned to campus on March 1 for a special screening of his award-winning film. It was the first time “Undefeated” was shown in Washington state.

Take the themes of struggle, hardship, resilience and overcoming adversity that are so often featured in classic football films, strip down their high-budget, and scripted Hollywood façade and what you get is “Undefeated.”

This film is a glimmering representation of not only the trials and tribulations of a struggling team, but a raw, emotional glimpse into some of the players’ lives as they progress through a season.

“Ostensibly, it’s a football film but it’s much more of a human-interest piece,” Martin said. “The themes that are explored in the film are much more universal.”

“Undefeated” takes viewers through an entire season of Northern Memphis, Tennessee Manassas High School footballas the team tries to win their first play-off game in the school’s 110-year history.

Even off the field, loss is a common word for the Tiger

Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

team. The film showcases the personal lives and stories of three players. Whether it is through senior right tackle O.C. Brown’s educational issues in the pursuit of a college scholarship, senior right tackle Montrail “Money” Brown’s dealing with a lost father and mid-season injury, or through junior lineman Chavis’s overcoming of aggression and establishing team compassion, “Undefeated” exceptionally explores the complex interworking of an underprivileged, underfunded, intercity football team.

“There are some really emotional and life-changing things that transpire in front of the camera and it was really important for us to be there for those moments,” Martin said. “I think it’s rare these days to find the type of emotional intimacy that is found in this film and I think that’s why it stands out.”

A critical character of the documentary is coach Courtney. By being a dedicated, brutally honest coach and a father figure to his team, Courtney continually guides players in the right direction when they falter.

He goes out of his way to ensure the stability and progress of his team athletically, educationally and morally. Watching Courtney touch the lives of the Manassas players throughout the film is a highlight of “Undefeated” and provides truly tear-jerking and emotional moments as he reaches the end of the season and resigns as coach.

Assembled from more than 500 hours of footage filmed on handheld cameras, Martin and co-director Dan Lindsay managed to capture and compile a story, completely void of narrative, which unfolds itself in a more precise, story-driven way than most big production feature films.

“The film is structured and the presentation of the film A feels like you are watching a scripted film,” Martin said. F “It unfolds like a scripted film to the point where people s oftentimes forgot that they were watching a documen- d tary.

You do not have to be a football fan to enjoy this s movie. u Martin and his fellow acceptance partners were cut t short during their speech at the Academy Awards. While they were able to thank producers and people involved in the creation of the film, Martin said they were saving p the most important people for last. s “The reality is that the success of this film is 100 per- C cent a testament to the individuals of North Memphis who trusted us in telling their stories,” Martin said. “It n hurt a little bit that we didn’t get the opportunity to say c that.” m After the credits rolled in the Performing Arts Center c theater, TJ Martin was able to deliver this message and s thank the community of North Memphis, uninterrupted, Oscar in hand, to a standing, applauding crowd. the

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March 5, 2012• 5

A RENEWED USE FOR RUBBERS

The Sexual Awareness Center seeks designers for its Condom Fashion Show ondoms have never been sexier than they will be on the runway this May, as part of the crazy and fabulous outfits Western students will design, create and model to promote sex education and safe sex.

Daniel Canham, Associated Students Sexual Awareness Center assistant coordinator, said the Condom Fashion Show is a fun opportunity that involves getting to see people dress up in ridiculous outfits utilizing condoms.

The SAC will accept Condom Fashion Show designers submissions until March 30 and modeling applications until April 6, he said. The designs should be submitted to the SAC in Viking Union 518.

The main event will be held May 24.

Former SAC Assistant Coordinator Alyssa Piraino will pass out programs at this year’s show while wearing a short white dress, constructed entirely out of condoms, Canham said.

Piraino said the show is especially fun because there are no limits or guidelines about outfit designs. The designers can use any materials, spend any amount of money and make any type of clothing, she said. However, outfits must cover the private areas of the models body and remain secure throughout the show. Anyone can be a model or

designer for the show, she said. No experience is necessary.

Piraino said she organized the Condom Fashion Show last year.

One of the best things about the show is that it promotes safe sex as well as sustainability, she said. All the condoms provided to the designers by the SAC are all expired and would be thrown away anyway, she said.

“It’s a lot of fun to design or model,” she said. “It’s especially fun to do both because you can make something you’re really proud of and wear it.”

Piraino wore the dress she designed to the show last year. It is the same dress she will wear as an volunteer this year.

Each year, the fashion show sponsors a different group or groups who benefit from the proceeds of the tickets, Canham said. The past two years the show has sponsored both Planned Parenthood and the Evergreen Aids Foundation. It is unknown what groups will be sponsored this year, he said. The show functions in part as a fundraiser, but the main goal is to raise awareness about condom use and provide general education about safe sex, he said.

Canham said when he attended as an audience member the show was high energy.

“Everyone was smiling, laughing and dancing,” he said.

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Poster by Elliott Snyder//AS Publicity Center

Anna Atkinson • AS Review

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A HILARIOUS HISTORY LESSON You would see KVIK’s new film if you knew what was good for you

Eriver Eugenio • AS Review Western students can take a break from the books at the Associated Students KVIK “You Would!” show at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6 and Wednesday, March 7 in Arntzen Hall 100.

“You Would!,” a free show that will take place during dead week, will showcase a wide variety of acts, including film sketches, live skits, stand-up comedy, musical acts and improv performed by the Dead Parrots Society, AS KVIK coordinator Robert Bojorquez said.

KVIK, produces an episode of “You Would!” every quarter during dead week. This quarter’s theme is history, and all the prov filmed and live comedy m i ’s tern e Dead s sketches will center around e the hW oup the theme, Bojorquez said.

Catc medy tr ciety at g of co ots So eenin ow Historical figures will r h r c r s s a P ch 7 he in T ” ! r be prominent throughd Ma Woul m.

8 p. is free. out KVIK’s parody of u t o a Y “ It ts star n 100.

“Next,” MTV’s dating show ze Arnt

in which a single person goes on blind dates with five suitors waiting in an RV, “You Would!” co-executive producer Ashley Smith said. Another parody Smith said viewers should look out for is “Da Viking Code,” which is intended to be a parody of the “DaVinci Code.”

Besides historical figures, those attending the show will be able to look back into the history of “You Would!” There will be a remake of the shows very first skit, Smith said. Previous themes for the “You Would!” show have centered around holidays and movies.

While many of the acts are written and planned ahead of time, the Dead Parrots Society, Western’s improv comedy troupe, will perform at the Wednesday, March 7 show. “Since it’s improv, we base our skit on whatever the audience gives us,” said Greg Phelps, a Dead Parrots Society member.

“People that have seen us for the first time see how improv can be so funny, even when everything is made up on the spot and there is nothing rehearsed,” he said.

Bojorquez said those attending will be treated to a hilarious show and see the hard work and love the makers of “You Would!” put into making the show creative, successful and funny, he said.

“When we pre-screen [the scripts] before the show to make sure everything’s FCC clean, there’s always a surprise,” Bojorquez said. “I never know what to expect and that’s so important to comedy. You’re going to go in fresh, you’re not going to know what you’re going to see and hopefully you’ll go home happy.”

The next pair of “You Would!” shows will take place May 29-30, during the dead week of spring quarter.

While there is currently no theme, Smith and Bojorquez are looking for writers and other contributors to create another successful and laugh-filled episode.

Production meetings are held in Viking Union 462A every Monday at 7 p.m., with writer’s meetings following after, for anyone who would like to get involved with the show, Bojorquez said. the

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Graphic by Megan Thompson • AS Review

No

- ROP Director - Legal Information Center Coordinator - Women’s Center Coordinator - Sexual Awareness Center Coordinator - Queer Resouce Center Coordinator - Veteran’s Outreach Center Coordinator - Social Issues Resource Center Coordinator - Disability Outreach Center Coordinator

Representation and Engagement Programs

- Elections Coordinator - Associated Director - Legislative Liaison

Yes

Ethnic Student Center - Program Support Coordinator - Public Relations Coordinator

Government

I always inform my friends and family!

No

Student/social

Do you like government or student/social issues?

ma A road 201 the

I always mean to be

Yes

Do you enjoy teaching others about the environment?

Do you consider yourself environmentally friendly?

Environmental and Sustainability

- Associate Director - Green Fee Education Coordinator - Outback Farm Coordinator - Student Transportation Coordinator - Environmental Center Coordinator - Alternative Transportation Coordinator

Do you want to work with underrepresented minority groups?

Start Do you cons an organize or prod

Employees/ positions Marketing or employees/ positons?

Personnel Office - Personnel Director - Personnel Assistant Director - Personnel Coordinator

INFORMER

ORGA

Do you consider yourself a people person?

Marketing

Yes

Communication and Marketing Office - Communications Director - Public Relations Coordinator

ou wa y o S nt

Resource and Outreach Programs

k in r o w to

I prefer crunching the numbers...

Business Office

If yo activ the

- Business Director - Business Assistant Director

March 5, 2012• 7

n t he

?

KUGS 89.3 - Program Director - Operations Director - Music Director - News and Public Affairs Director - Marketing and Development Director - Maintenance Engineer - Specialty Music Coordinator

Who listens to the radio?

Yes!

job for m a e r our d ar ap to y 3 school ye 12-201

here: sider yourself er, informer ducer?

But, creating events would be cool

And radio?

Yes Are you a music connoisseur?

- ASP Director - Pop Music Coordinator - Special Events Coordinator - Films Coordinator - VU Gallery Coordinator - Underground Coffee House Coordinator

What’s a graphic?

And graphics?

Do you feel strongly about Helvetica?

InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator are my life.

- Publicity Center Account Executive

Publicity Center Pick one:

OK, so I’m not (technically) a designer. What else can I do?

Illustrator

Are you the next Steven Spielberg?

ANIZER

AS Productions

PRODUCER -KVIK Coordinator

- Lead Graphic Designer - Web Design Coordinator - Production Coordinator - Staff graphic Designer

InDesign or Photoshop

- AS Review Editor in Chief - Assistant Editor - Lead Photographer - Staff Writer

Love the outdoors?

ou like to plan vities, you’re in e right place

Outdoor Center - Equipment Shop Coordinator - Excursions Coordinator - Marketing Resource Coordinator - Recycle Center Operations Manager - Recycle Center Staff Manager

HEY, WAIT!

This is not a comprehensive map of all jobs available in the Associated Students; there are more than 100 jobs available! Visit as.wwu.edu/personnel to read more about all job listings and apply. The deadline to submit your application is April 3.

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THE QUEER EXPERIENCE

All identities are welcome to audition on Thursday, March 8 Lauren Simmons • AS Review

D

uring winter quarter, the Associated Students Women’s Center put on The Vagina Memoirs, a showcase for students to tell their truths and experiences in relation to the trials and tribulations associated with their identity.

For spring quarter, the AS Queer Resource Center is putting on a similar show. The Queer Experience is an opportunity for Western students who identify with the queer community to speak about their experiences by telling a personal memoir.

The auditions for the third annual Queer Experience will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 in Viking Union 714.

Those interested in auditioning for the show only need to bring themselves and a pen, said Briana Fitzpatrick, AS QRC assistant coordinator.

Elle Peters and Josh Foley, former AS QRC employees, created the Queer Experience, Fitzpatrick said.

“It was started to provide a space for queer peoples’ voices to be heard, and to shed light on the issues we face being queer identified,” Fitzpatrick said.

The tryout process for The Queer Experience is

simple, Fitzpatrick said. There is no need to sign up beforehand. At the tryouts, there will be a check-in where those auditioning will fill out their name, as well as preferred pronouns, among other questions. Following that will be a series of group interactions, and then a free write on various topics.

The Queer Experience is open to students who identify as queer, as well as queer allies, Fitzpatrick said.

With that said, the Queer Experience stands as a place for queer people’s voices to be heard.

Allies are encouraged to audition, but queer-identified individuals are major components of the cast.

“All identities and all experiences are welcome,” Fitzpatrick said.

“There are no qualifications that one needs to have, so we encourage everyone to try out,” Fitzpatrick said.

Once the cast is formed, the five-week preparation process will begin. Throughout spring quarter, the cast will meet once a week to get to know each other and bond, Fitzpatrick said. The cast will write letters to themselves and other people to develop ideas as the process goes on, Fitzpatrick said. The last step is actually writing the memoir.

The Queer Experience performance is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11 in the VU Multipurpose Room.

Ling Schulman, a cast member from the 2011 Queer Experience, saw the performance as a way to speak about the intersections of her identity as she dealt with an eating disorder diagnosis and identifying as a queer person of color.

“I participated in The Queer Experience because I feel as though the narratives for queer people of color specifically are often left out of the queer experience,” said Schulman.

“Nationally, I feel like QPOCs [queer people of color] don’t tend to have a very loud voice.”

She said the show allows individuals to express truths that are often marginalized.

“A lot of the time, people’s narrative – whatever people are carrying, whatever baggage or struggles they might be carrying on their shoulders – are often left ignored or made invisible,” Schulman said.

“A performance platform like The Queer Experience is really valuable for other people on campus to hear [queer]stories and hear [queer] truths. [It’s] not often an opportunity afforded to queer people.” the

the

A performance platform like The Queer Experience is really valuable for other people on campus to hear [queer] stories and hear [queer] truths. [It’s] not often an opportunity afforded to queer people.”

-Ling Schulman, 2011 Queer Experience castmember

VISITING GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST A review of the Western theater production, “Some Girl(s)”

Review by Megan Thompson • AS Review A man, traveling around the country, visits a list of ex-girlfriends to “right wrongs” with. He starts in Seattle with his high school girlfriend, goes to Chicago, Boston and finally Los Angeles. The protagonist in Some Girl(s), a Western theater production, is Guy (Andy Reinhardt/ Jason Huff ), a writer and professor by occupation, does all of this a few weeks before his wedding.

The Western Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Some Girl(s),” a production playing March 1-3 and March 7-10 at 7:30 p.m., and March 3 and March 9-10 at 10:30 p.m. in the Underground Theatre in the Performing Arts Center. Guy could be anyone’s friend who never settled down. In his 30s, he moved from place to place dating girls and leaving them for the next town.

In the production he notes his long list of women he should fly to visit, but cannot because of finances. His

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars character is real and not far-fetched: I know guys like him.

The women’s believability creates an atmosphere where the character’s dialogues and actions are enough entertainment as needed. The ex-girlfriends, Sam (Shelby Easley), Tyler (Andrea Nelson), Lindsay (Laura Engles) and Bobbi (Francesca Betancourt), never overplay their character. Instead of theatrics from this play, we get a dose of reality. They are similar to my description of Guy: we all know women like them. Though they are all drastically different, we know women just like each one of them.

When walking into the Underground Theatre, it is unlike most theater experiences. Seats line the wall in a squared U-shape. A set without a stage sits in the middle, and lights shine from above projecting a picture onto the

set.

The set, which is a constructed hotel room, has walls of a mesh, transparent material that allows the viewer to peek inside the hotel room. Almost all the structure is transparent, except for a few corners. But, when the lights above the set are turned on, the mesh walls become almost solid and harder to see through. The structure is movable, and spins between Guy’s visits to his ex-girlfriends.

What is most interesting about this play is not the storyline, but the visual elements of the production. Guy’s visits are juxtaposed with airline sounds, a moving set, and a visual element played on the mesh walls. This element is a clip of some sort: a clip of Guy and his fiancé,

see GIRLS page 11

March 5, 2012• 9

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS

Alternative Transportation Fee contract is coming up for renegotiation this year Nick Markman • AS Review

C

urrent students might take the ease of travelling on Whatcom Transportation Authority busses for granted. Students have a new bus pass scanned onto their ID cards each year, and continue on their way, swiping and riding for what seems to be a free fare.

This situation has only been the case for the past five years. In spring of 2007, Western and the Associated Students created a contract with WTA that led to the implementation of the Alternative Transportation Fee, a $25 per quarter fee for students taking six or more credits. Students taking between one and five credits can opt in. This year, the contract expired and the AS and WTA have established a new contract.

Although WTA and Western have been in a contractual relationship for more than twenty years, before the convergence of the Alternative Transportation Fee with the student bus pass, Western students would have to seek out and purchase a WTA student pass on their own.

The pass, which is available to all students in Whatcom County, costs $40 per quarter through WTA. However, because of the Alternative Transportation Fee, the cost is lowered to $25 per quarter with $18 going directly back to WTA. In negotiating the new contract, WTA Director of Service Development Rick Nicholson said WTA wanted to make sure the revenues they currently receive would not be less than the amount they could otherwise gain if students had to independently buy the student pass.

“We don’t want to be in a situation where we’re in this contract losing money,” Nicholson said. “We’re also not trying to be in a situation where we’re making money on it. We’re trying as best as we can to estimate what our actual revenue from the fare box would be if there were no contract and then let that be the basis for what we charge the university in the contract.”

In the new contract, WTA raised its prices with proposed increases each year. This year, Western will pay WTA $731,844 of the projected $1,057,719 received from the Alternative Transportation Fee. This price will increase about 8 percent each year in the five-year contract until 2016, when WTA will receive a proposed $933,618. As of now, the Alternative Transportation Fee of $25 per quarter for students taking six or more credits will not change.

“Western is our single biggest client base. About

40 percent of our annual ridership is tied to the university,” Nicholson said. “Western students, staff and faculty are a huge customer for us and we have every incentive and desire to keep that going.”

Despite the increased costs for Western, the Alternative Transportation Fee Committee and the AS Transportation Advisory Council, two student and faculty groups that have helped guide the negotiation and ballot writing procedures, currently have no plans to increase the Alternative Transportation Fee this year.

“We’re still going to have our bus passes, and everything’s going to be the same,” AS Vice President for Student Life Sara Richards said. “At the moment, we aren’t planning on raising the fee at all, which is great.”

Aside from the revenue that goes to WTA, the Alternative Transportation Fee provides funding for service, fuel and maintenance of Western’s four latenight shuttle buses. Although the university owns the buses, the drivers who run them are provided

by Bellair Charters, the same company that runs the Bellingham to SeaTac shuttle.

The fee also pays for the salary of the AS Alternative Transportation coordinator, David Burgesser and Kay McMurren, student transportation program assistant.

“Not only does alternative transportation help to advance WWU’s sustainability goals by reducing transportation-related carbon emissions, but it provides reliable, convenient, accessible and economical transportation solutions to Western students,” Burgesser said in an email.

Western’s contract with Bellair will expire next year. The ATF committee will vote on the WTA contract along with changes to the Alternative Transportation Fee before both go to the AS Board of Directors. If the AS Board approves the changes, it will be included in the spring student election ballot. If the students pass it, the ballot will be approved or rejected by Western’s Board of Trustees in June.

Richards said that one looming cost in the realm of alternative transportation is the purchasing of new late-night shuttles to replace the current ones that are on their last leg.

“Since we have to get new buses, we’re thinking of getting smaller or quieter buses so we can run them in different areas,” Richards said. “I want to expand the shuttle route, which may mean, in a few years, increasing the fee because we have to pay for drivers and gas and things like that.” the

the

Cost per quarter for Western students to buy a WTA bus pass $40

$25

With Alternative Transportation Fee

Without Alternative Transportation Fee

=$5 NOTE: The $25 fee applies to students taking 6 or more credits.

Students taking less than 6 credits can opt in.