Vol. 30 #18 3.9.15
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Organic Geometric, featured in the Viking Union Gallery, closes March 13. Photo by Trevor Grimm // AS Review
MAKING YOUR LIFE BETTER, ONE PAGE AT A TIME Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu as.wwu.edu/asreview @TheASReview facebook.com/theasreview © 2015. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. The AS Review is an alternative weekly that provides coverage of student interests such as the AS government, activities and student life. The Review seeks to enhance the student experience by shedding light on underrepresented issues, inclusive coverage, informing readers and promoting dialogue.
IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 4 The AS called, it wants its candidates
AS Spring Elections open March 10
6 AS Board
of Directors Update Check in the with the Associated Students Board of Directors
STUDENT LIFE 5 School’s in for summer
Find out some of the sweet classes Western offers for Summer Session
7 What to do over spring break
Spring break is coming up, if you don’t plans here are some ideas
FEATURES 3
Getting #Lobbylicious Heather Heffelmire shares her eighth update from Olympia, Wash.
8 In case you missed it...
Photos from last week’s events including the ASURT Tuition Rally & Oh Sheep! A Petting Zoo
We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions to as.review@wwu.edu. We welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words, include your name, phone number and year in school, if you’re a student. Send them to as.review@wwu.edu. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar.
Abigail Ramos Kelly Mason Trevor Grimm Ian Sanquist Nontawat Thammawan Marina Price Alex Bartick Spencer Newsad Designer Keghouhi Bedoyan Adviser Jeff Bates
Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
Governor Jay Inslee visited Western’s campus on March 2 to talk to a group of students that lobbied on environmental issues this past February. Photo by Abby Ramos // AS Review
3. 9. 2015 • 3
SPOTLIGHT
Abby & Kelly’s list of Top Ten
Getting #Lobbylicious down in Olympia AS Legislative Liaison Heather Heffelmire sends her final update from Olympia, Wash. Part Eight: The End is Near!
This week Editor-in-Chief Abby Ramos and Assitant Editor Kelly Mason chose
Hello Western Friends! I hope everyone’s quarter is wrapping up smoothly. I can’t believe my #LOBBYLICIOUS adventure is almost over. It has been a wild ride, but I’m looking forward to getting back to Bellingham and getting back into classes and on-campus work. Most of all, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all my amazing Western friends. The last week was a little slow, but the student lobbyists kept busy by testifying in the House Appropriations and Ways and Means committees. I was able to testify two different times, once in opposition to a bill which would mandate a minimum of 2.5 GPA for students to remain eligible to receive the State Need Grant and another time on a bill which would bring back tuition setting authority to the legislature. Also during the week, Ashlyn Salzman [the amazing student lobbyist from Washinton State University-Vancouver] and I passed out letters to senators and representatives asking them to vote our voter access bills out of the rules committee. Our letters were a success, as all our voter access bills in the House moved out and will be going to the floor to be voted on by everyone! Last week also brought a moment of disgust and outrage for me down here when the senator from the 15th district used the term “colored people” during a Ways and Means Committee. Recently, he used the term “negro” when trying to explain himself. This is unacceptable and made me feel so uncomfortable and unsafe as a Black womxn working at the capital. Students at Western are currently taking action around the senator’s remarks. If you’re interested in speaking out against the Senator’s racist remarks please contact Mayra Guizar who’s been actively organizing around this issue at mguizar10@gmail.com! That’s all for now, but I will be back with a #LOBBYLICIOUS summary of my work in Olympia and the state of higher education once Spring quarter starts. Until then, enjoy the sun, study for finals and take action! If you have any questions, comments, concerns or just want to chat, please email me at heatherheffelmire@yahoo.com! STAY #LOBBYLICIOUS Y’ALL! -Heather The AS Legislative Liaison position stays in Olympia, Wash. for winter quarter. Heather will be returning to Western soon and because this is our last issue of the quarter, this is the final edition of “Getting #Lobbylicious down in Olympia” for this quarter. We’d like to thank Heather for sharing her experiences - good and bad - each week with us. We will always stay #LOBBYLICIOUS! -AS Review Editorial Staff
to give their top ten favorite songs of the quarter.
Here are the songs we’ve been
playing on repeat duirng our production nights this quarter.
1
Habits [Stay High]-Hippie Sabotage Tove Lo
2
Keep Your Head Up Ben Howard
3
Michigan The Milk Carton Kids
4
Flawless Remix Beyonce ft. Nicki Minaj
5
Viento Caifanes
6
Hopeless Wonder Mumford & Sons
7
Olympians F**k Buttons
8
Survivor Destiny’s Child
9
Fall In Love Phantogram
10
Red Eyes The War On Drugs
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The AS called, they want their candidates By Marina Price Poster By Megan Lees Come fall, new faces will fill the positions of president and the six vice president rolls on the AS Board of Directors. “Every student on campus pays into student activities fees, and these fees pay [the Boaes] to make decisions on our behalf,” said AS Elections Coordinator Mayra Guizar. “I think it’s really important that when you see people running for these positions, whether or not you want to run yourself, you make sure your voice is being heard through the people you’re voting for.” Undergraduates interested in running for one of the positions need only maintain a class load of six credits and four credits for graduates and at least a 2.0 GPA to begin the process. Students interested can pick up packets starting on March 10 in Viking Union 504 to start filing for candidacy. Packets include registration forms, statement forms, the candidate conduct agreement, the request for public financing form and spring quarter class schedule form. Each applicant needs to pay a $25 fee for
potential damage coverage. Each packet must be returned by April 7 at 4 p.m. Candidates also need to fill out petition forms, and gather at least 150 signatures to officially be eligible. Each position lasts for four quarters, starting in the summer and ending in the spring. The seven positions that will be available are: AS President: They represent Western students on the highest scale. They respond to student input and work to meet the needs of students in order to ensure each student has the highest quality experience at their time at Western. VP For Activities: They represent student interests in extra curricular activities, including those through the AS, sports, clubs and ResLife. VP For Business & Operations: They are in charge of the AS Business Office, which works with the Viking Union, Publicity Center and bookstore. They also make sure that the student dollars paid through the Service and Activities fees that are included in Western’s tuition, are put to responsible use and reflect the needs of the students. VP For Governmental Affairs: They
represent Western on a state and federal level, working to encourage lobbying and political participation amongst students. This position facilitates student inclusion in lobbying and voting for change they’d like to see on campus that is affected on all kinds of political levels. VP For Academic Affairs: They act as a representative for the AS to the administration and staff of Western. They work with professors and in other academic programs on campus to ensure that students are getting the most out of the educational and academic experience. VP For Student Life: They help to improve the life of students on campus. They work with transportation offices, housing, dining services, as well as other programs in place that facilitate student life at Western. VP For Diversity: The VP for Diversity works with the Ethnic Student Center and Resource and Outreach programs within the AS. Programs include the Sexual Awareness Center, Social Issues Resource Center, Veteran’s Outreach Center, Women’s Center, Queer Resource Center, Legal Information Center and Disability Outreach Center. Voting will begin on April 27 and will close on May 1 at 2 p.m.
3. 9. 2015 • 5
School’s in for summer
By Marina Price Illustration by Keghouhi Bedoyan
Are you still stuck with some nagging GUR classes you need to complete before you graduate? Whether you will be in Bellingham or not, summer quarter is a fantastic time to catch up on your required classes, either on campus or online. With 15 GUR classes required to graduate, check out these prerequisite-free summer options to see if completing one of these fun classes will bring you closer to that diploma. Human Sexuality GUR: Social Science // Location: On campus This five credit class will be offered between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or between 12 to 2 p.m. on MTWR. The class uses environmental, cultural, biological, psychological and cultural perspectives to analyze human sexuality. Many areas of development relating to human sexuality will be explored, like anatomy and health, sexual orientation, and psychological sexual processes, spanning from romantic relationships to sexual violence.
ranged so anyone can take this class. Don’t miss out!
Introduction to the Art of Theatre GUR: Humanities // Location: Online Have you been interested in theatre but too nervous to get up onstage? This three credit online class will teach you the basics of theatre arts. The curriculum for this class includes analysis of plays and how they are put together, the separate arts that contribute to them, and the rolls of each individual who preforms in putting on a piece.
Registration for these classes and more begins on Tuesday, May 5. For more information, check out Western’s Summer Session website.
Environmental Data and Information GUR: Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning // Location: Online Still need to finish one of those pesky math GURs? Environmental Data and Info teaches students to read and understand peer-reviewed journals and interpret scientific data into tangible information. All that’s needed is a suitable math placement score or a C- in Math 99 or 112. The intention of the class, “is to introduce the basic logical, statistical, and analytical tools necessary for broad participation in environmental fields including both physical and social sciences,” according to Western’s Classfinder. Intro To Sailing GUR: Fun // Location: Lake Whatcom Alright, we lied. It’s not a GUR, but we had to tell you about this sailing class. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday you can learn how to weather the winds of Lake Whatom on a sailboat. This one credit class only requires that you pass an easy swim test at Western’s pool and then you’re good to go. Transportation to Lake Whatcom isn’t provided, but at the first meeting carpool systems are ar-
Representation of Otherness GUR: A- Comparative Gender & Multicultural Studies // Location: TBA This class is from 12 to 1:20 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and will delve into the unconscious and the language, gender and politics surrounding it. It will cover the representation of the Other in modern literature and art. It will also cover the construction and deconstruction of self and others. This highly anticipated class only has 25 seats, so make sure you register quickly!
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By Nontawat Thammawan
AS Board Update
The Associated Students Board of Directors The AS Review checks in with every member of the Associated Students Board of Directors to ask them: What have you been up to this quarter? AS President Annika Wolters: Well, I’ve had a lot of projects on my plate this quarter and a lot of accomplishments. I’m trying to support everyone’s project. I’m really proud that we got the Late Night Shuttle sent to the Happy Valley neighborhood and the record number of Lobby’s Days we’re having. I also have my own projects like Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That was the first annual MLK Day Celebration at Western. It’s also a goal that is yet to be completely fulfilled because I’m already curious to see like what is going to happen next year when I’m not going to be here. It was a strategic move to call it “the first annual event,” so people will be expecting to see this again, and hopefully it’ll grow bigger in the future. That was my goal and accomplishment because we haven’t had a university-wide celebration like that, and I’m not afraid to say that that’s an area where we’re behind. ASVP for Business and Operations Chelsea Ghant: I’ve been updating policies, like the Hospitality Policy which is a food and beverage policy - we’re defining the contract of hospitality and what’s deemed closed hospitality. We’ve been making those edits to correlate with the university policy and encompass clubs. I’m also working on purchasing new vehicles for the AS. Right now our motor pool is two vehicles: a van and an SUV, but we’ve seen growth within the different departments, and we’d like to increase the motor pool. So that’s a big project that I’m hoping to accomplish by the end of spring. ASVP for Academic Affairs Jaleesa Smiley: Right now I’ve been really involved in the Committee for Undergraduate Education, the Academic Coordinating Commission, the Student Technology Fee Committee, Faculty Senate, etc. I’m working on mapping the campus in regards to diversity and inclusivity. We’re basically testing the classroom climate of the university. We’re working on a new project to begin working on location and resources around campus, and off campus in regards to supporting students of marginalized identities and supporting diversity on campus since diversity has been a huge initiative this year. ASVP for Governmental Affairs Sarah Kohout: One of the main parts of my job is putting together Viking Lobby Day, which is an opportunity for students to go down to Olympia to
meet with legislators and senators to talk about the many different issues the university is facing. Another project that I’m working on is the Carver Lobby Day, which happened on Monday, March 2. Fifteen students went down to Olympia to talk about Carver Academic Facility and the importance of funding this facility. ASVP for Activities Giselle Alcantar Soto: I’ve been working on some changes for Activities Council, like the Full Circle Effect. The Full Cycle Effect is when students request money from Activities Council and it’s not for an event that is going to directly impact the campus. We want them to bring something back, so that will take a form of like: This is what we did…this is what we learn…or a quick presentation. So, it’s not something that’s going to put too much work on the club, but it’s necessary. ASVP for Diversity Cristina Rodriguez: This quarter I’ve been working on some interclub dialogue. It’s basically about the Ethnic Student Center, and what students need from the ESC. It’s making sure that the dialogue includes the folks who use the space, like people who are associated with the different ESC clubs, and also folks who don’t use the space, like people of color and why they are not using these resources. The ESC is meant for all identities. So it’s a dialogue that addressing students’ need in a very student-centered direction. So, overall, I’ve been working a lot on what the students need in regard to the ESC and talking about the kinds of services that are provided - how clubs and students of colors on campus feel supported. That’s one of the main projects that I’m working on this quarter. ASVP for Student Life Zach Dugovich: This quarter I mainly focused on the Green Energy Fee Initiative. The Green Energy Fee is up for a vote this coming May during the election. My job is to kind of oversee and bring together students to write a new ballot languages which would include either raising, lowering or keeping the fee at the exact same spot. Last quarter, the Alternative Transportation Office and myself worked really hard to extend the Late Night Shuttle into Happy Valley, and it’s actually got done this quarter in Feb. 2 …So, it’s been really awesome. We didn’t have any complaints too.
3. 9. 2015 • 7
Spring break forever beaches! By Abby Ramos & Kelly Mason Illustration by Keghouhi Bedoyan Stuck in Bellingham for spring break? Lucky you! Bellingham has a lot to offer for those who decide to brave sticking around during breaks. When classes aren’t in session, Bellingham is completely transformed into a quaint and quiet town by the bay. Spring break is the perfect time to take advantage of this - if the weather permits. Here’s a list of things to do in Bellingham during spring break: Get lost! Take a hike! Bellingham and its surrounding area has so much to offer when it comes to the outdoors. Beaches, lakes, parks, trails, you name it and Bellingham’s got it. Grab your friends, bring your pets or go [safely] alone and just enjoy the outdoors. Rather than hit up the classic hiking spots try boldly going where no person has gone before or try a trail you haven’t hiked before. If you’ve got a car and full tank of gas check out Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest or North Cascades National Park. If your budget allows, catch a ferry from Anacortes and explore the San Juan Islands. Of course, if you don’t have the transportation, there are plenty of places in Bellingham to explore. Explore the bowels of Netflix You can get lost in the woods or you can get lost in the comforts of your own home on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or whatever you use to binge watch shows. Though it’s not necessarily taking advantage of all Bellingham as to offer, it is taking advantage of a service you probably pay for, so get the most bang for you buck. Continue your TV binge, rewatch your favorite show or start a new one all together. Starting a new show can be scary at first, but if it’s a good show the pay off can be great and if it’s not a good show ditch it and find a new one. Make a game out of it, see how many shows you can start and finish during spring break. And when everyone is bragging about their spring break, you can tell your friends about your TV accomplishments... or you can make something up based on the rest of this list. Give yourself some love at Boulevard As you may have already noticed, the weather in Bellingham has significantly changed making many of us want to actually stay outside. One of the best free outdoor leisure places Fairhaven Historic District has to offer would have to be Boulevard Park. Some of the park features are a mini beach, picnic tables and the famous overwater boardwalk. The south side of the park offers a deck that is literally right above the water. We recommend you take a bike ride to the park, head to the deck and catch up on some
of your favorite reading! Spring Cleaning Usually when individuals refer to spring cleaning, they are normally implying to deep clean their homes. Well, while for many of us our 900 square feet apartment is our home, it is never a wrong idea to do much needed cleaning. This means looking in the much forgotten back of the fridge, cleaning the drain from you shower and doing the much dreaded loads of laundry. Having a clean space helps us have a clean mind, it’s astounding how much of a difference a clean home can help us feel at ease. Our suggestion is to blast some of your favorite tunes, make a list of what needs to get done and smell some nice deodorizer to start spring quarter off well!
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Last week in photos... On opposite sides of campus Western students rally to reduce tuition and pet goats on Wednesday, March 4.
ASURT Tuition Rally
Students rally to reduce tuition on Wednesday, March 4. The rally was led by Autonomous Students United to Reduce Tuition. Photos by Trevor Grimm // AS Review
Oh Sheep!
AS Productions Special Events hosts Oh Sheep! A Petting Zoo which brought goats, bunnies, a wallaby and other animals to campus. Photos by Trevor Grimm // AS Review