AS Review - March 12, 2012

asreview

Spring quarter is on its way

Vol. 27 #19

3.12.12 Vol. 27 # 22

Flowers blooming outside of the Fine Arts Building signal the coming of spring.

Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review.

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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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PHOTO RECAP A look back at winter quarter

MUSIC FOR CHANGE Photos from the show in the MPR on March 2.

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STUDY ABROAD There are a number of study abroad trips in the spring and summer SIMPLY DELICIOUS This week: mashed potatoes

THE INTERNET IS A SERIES OF TUBES The Internet Studies Center offers students three different certifications

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.

The sun will shine in Bellingham, we promise. Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

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

March 12, 2012• 3

EVENTS MARCH 12 - MARCH 16 Monday march 12

Thursday march 15

Political Trivia Night

The Fantasticks

The Underground Coffeehouse’s weekly trivia night will have a theme this time: politics. Political trivia night is sponsored by Associated Students Representation & Engagement Programs, Student Senate, and the Western Political Science Assocation. Top teams win cash prizes.

The Fantasticks is a dreamy fantasy for all ages. It is an enchanting tale full of magic and moonlight, a tender coming-of-age story punctuated with memorable musical moments. The show’s longstanding classics, including “Try To Remember” and “Soon, It’s Gonna Rain,” have been performed to great acclaim by the likes of Barbara Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Gladys Knight, The Brothers Four and American Idol finalists. The show is under the direction of retired Western Theatre Arts professor Maureen O’Reilly.

7 p.m., Underground Coffeehouse $1 buy in

Tuesday march 13 Urban Transitions Studio presentations

7 to 9 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers Free

Students of Western’s Urban Transition Studio Project will examine redevelopment opportunities for the downtown Bellingham core, a planning area located along downtown’s “southern edge corridor,” which divides downtown and the former Georgia Pacific industrial zone. Students have formulated redevelopment concepts to integrate the edge corridor into the downtown framework and provide a transition to the future waterfront area. The project challenged students to identify future land uses that contribute to a dynamic evolution of the downtown community.

Wednesday march 14 Alaskan Brewing Brewers Night (21+) 6 to 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo House of Music Free Enjoy an acoustic set by Cara Alboucq and sip on award-winning beer courtesy of the Alaskan Brewing Company. This event is for those 21 and older.

7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre $20 general, $10 for students

Friday march 16

Last day of finals; see you next quarter!

The next issue of the Review will be on stands March 26. Have a great break! ne P cus xt iss ick up i We ve o ue to our sle stern n Ro get a ry c Ca ted to bask Blan n exlp e Am ital O play tball che, a on pl eric ne a N Aca the ayer 2 d firs CAA D emic 012 t te i am visio Alln II .

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Photos from the quarter 4

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espite the fact that winter quarter is typically the shortest quarter of the year, there was no lack of Associated Students events to liven up campus on those especially cold (or snowy) days. From the Queer Resource Center’s Drag Show to AS Productions’ YACHT concert and everything inbetween, if spring quarter is anything like winter quarter, then students will have a lot to look forward to. All photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review.

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1: The Associated Students Social Issues Resource Center brought Ericka Huggins, former Black Panther leader, to Western on Feb. 28. 2: The Queer Resource Center’s Feb. 10 Drag show was a hit.

3: “An Experiment,” held Jan. 9 through Jan. 20 in the VU Gallery, gave community members the chance to be the photographers behind the lense. The photographs were compiled by an anonymous artist. 4 & 5: YACHT rocked the VU MPR at a Feb. 7 show made possible by AS Productions.

March 12, 2012• 5

COLD? PUT ON YOUR THERMAL ON

The Thermals, a Portland-based band, rocked Western on March 2. Associated Students club Music for Change brought the band as part of a fundraising event to raise money for opposition of the Cherry Point coal terminal.

Bellingham-based bands Candysound and the Learning Team, and fellow Portland band Brainstorm, opened the show. Photos courtesy of Grace Moore.

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MAJORING IN THE INTERNET Western’s Internet Studies Center gives students of all majors valuable skills Nick Markman • AS Review

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n today’s competitive job market, graduates are always searching for ways to set themselves apart from peers to be a more attractive applicant.

For students interested in web programming, develop or E-commerce, Western’s Internet Studies Center might be an end to the search.

Founded in 1999, the ISC is a program that provides technical and non-technical web skills to students from all majors and concentrations. The ISC offers a minor in Internet Studies as well as three different certificates that students can pursue and receive upon graduation from Western to supplement any degree.

“The idea is to provide students, whatever their major is, the web skills which are going to make them marketable in the future,” ISC Director Martin Granier said.

“Students of all categories should be able to have some sort of web skills.”

Before deciding on one of the three certification tracks – Content Development, Web Programming and E-commerce Development – students take three foundation courses: CSCI 102, CSCI 202 and MIS 314. These three courses familiarize students with various computer languages such as Java, html, xhtml and flash as well as educate them on both the client and server side of com-

puter programming.

Granier said that the three ISC certificates are versatile and they are designed to bridge the gap between one’s major and the web skills applicable to it. Students can potentially earn all three certificates if they meet all the prerequisites.

“We work very closely with a number of departments because by design, this program is very interdisciplinary,” Granier said. “We want pull from all students.”

Granier said the Web Programming certification, which consists of CSCI 342 and CSCI 442, is a more technical track tailored toward computer science majors.

Web Programming encompasses skills such as database analysis and scripting methods.

The Content Development certification is broken down into five major-oriented tracks designed for art, communications, English, journalism, and marketing majors. Students within the Content Development track focus on the writing and design of web development specific to their major.

Chris Sandvig, a professor of decision sciences, teaches MIS 324 and MIS 424, the two courses specific to the E-commerce Developer Certification. He said that while the track is popular among a variety of majors, the certification pulls marketing and management information systems majors in particular. This certification focuses on large-scale website management as well as the practices around online transactions and sales.

The ISC program culminates with CSCI 403, an internship or practicum that all ISC students must take

in order to receive their minor or certificate. The ISC has helped match up students with more than 500 internships, both paid and unpaid with organizations, nonprofits and campus entities in order to provide real-world experience with the application of relevant web skills.

Senior Jon Geller, a decisions science major with a concentration in management information systems, will graduate this spring with an E-commerce certificate from the ISC. His internship consisted of designing inventory management software for use by University Residences.

“One thing I learned from the ISC was how to really touch base with a customer,” Geller said. “Come into a situation almost completely cold, pick up needs quickly, build context, understand what their problem areas are and how to act on those and how to give them the best product possible.”

Geller was recently hired as an associate consultant for Microsoft after presenting a project he did in an MIS class that was a part of the E-commerce certification track. Following his graduation this June, Geller will move to Dallas to start his six-month training for the position.

“The ISC has the best of every possible world when it comes to web development,” Geller said. “You’re going to learn how to do design, you’re going to learn how to do coding, and it’s going to teach you how to be versatile and how to really enjoy your work. One of the best things about this is once you’re finished with the courses, you are able to go into a career.” the

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Interested in Internet studies? Pick your path: Web Content Developer E-commerce Developer Web Programmer A flexible option for students from a variety of backgrounds interested in providing web content.

Required courses:

ISC core courses After completing the ISC Core Courses Content Developer students take designated courses within their major.

This track is designed for students interested in building database driven web sites and E-commerce applications.

Targeted primarily at computer science majors and other students interested in technical programming using Java.

Required courses:

Required courses:

ISC core courses MIS 324 MIS 424

ISC core courses CS 242 CS 342 CS 422

Note: ISC core courses include CS 102, CS 204, MIS 314 and an internship. Students who complete one of the three ISC certificates will receive an industry-certified certificate in conjunction with their Western degree. To learn more, visit the ISC website at yorktown.cbe.wwu.edu/ISC/default.aspx.

March 12, 2012• 7

OVERSEAS ADVENTURES

A number of study abroad trips offered during spring and summer

Anna Atkinson • AS Review

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any students choose to take classes over the summer, but some take their summer schedules to a whole new level — or at least a whole new continent. This summer, 15 faculty-led study abroad programs will cover five continents, giving Western students the opportunity of a lifetime. Dozens of these students will visit, Africa, Peru, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Costa Rica and more.

Marlene Harlan, director of Summer Programs and Marketing for Western’s Extended Education program, said it is a great educational opportunity for students.

“It gives students an opportunity to study abroad and learn – not only with a faculty member but with other students,” she said.

She said many parents like this option for study abroad because they feel it is safe and secure for a student to travel in a group and with a faculty member, rather than on their own.

The faculty-led study abroad programs offer practical experience and allows students to immerse into a culture by making a difference in the community they are in, she said.

The programs are part of Summer Session, meaning that students enroll in them the way they would any summer course. However, there is an application process. Students must be accepted to the program to get

an override and register for the courses.

Anyone can apply as long as they meet the prerequisites defined by the department running the program.

Many of the programs have no prerequisites.

To apply, students must contact the professor or department the course is in. Contact information is listed on the website for Extended Education.

Some of the programs have been going for several years and are continuing service-learning projects that have already been started, such as the community development project program in Ithaca, Greece, Harlan said.

Students who participate will earn Western credit for the course, Harlan said.

Students do not have to enroll at a university abroad and transfer the credit, the way they would if they were part of an independent study abroad program.

The programs are paid for the same way any other class is, she said. The traveling costs are built into the class fees. There is a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure a place once a student has been accepted into the program, she said.

This deposit will be counted toward the total cost of the program. Total cost of the programs ranges between $3,700 and $7,000, depending on where the program is held, the cost of travel and other factors, she said.

All program deadlines are different, but most of them are in March or April, Harlan said.

However, these are priority deadlines only, and students will be accepted still if there is space available, Harlan said.

All departments will accept applications until the classes are full, she said.

If a deadline has passed, students are still encouraged to apply.

For specific deadlines, students should speak with the office of Extended Education or to the individual departments that are running the program. the

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It gives students an opportunity to study abroad and learn, not only with a faculty member but with other students.

-Marlene Harlan, director of summer programs and marketing for Western’s Extended Education program

China

Chinese Language and Cultural Studies June 19-September 15, 2012 China: August 17-September 15, 2012 CHIN 237 (15 credits) OR CHIN 337 (15 credits)

Costa Rica

Rainforest Immersion and Conservation Action June 19-August 17, 2012 Costa Rica: June 19-July 20, 2012 ESTU 437m, ESTU 437n, ESTU 437o (10 credits) Watch the 2009 YouTube video!

Troy Abel, Turning Point Speaker Feb. 15th

Italy

Florence

Study Food this Summer in Europe Bellingham: June 19-22, 2012 and Italy: June 23-July 8, 2012 ESTU 437L (10 credits)

Rome

History, Art & Archaeology of Rome Online: June 27-July 30, 2012 Bellingham: July 16-August 10, 2012 Rome: August 20-September 11, 2012 CLST 337 and ENG 337 (6 credits each)

Siena

Tuscan Summer of Language and Culture Bellingham: Pre-departure meetings and online seminars June 21-July 27, 2012 Siena: August 10-September 3, 2012 ITAL 137A and INTL 305 (5 credits each)

Rwanda

Spring 2012: (2 credit ISP) May/June 2012: Pre-departure meetings, Western Campus June 25-July 23, 2012: Rwanda July 2012: Post-travel meetings, Western Campus, TBA MGMT 437 (10 credits)

Note: This is only a sample of study abroad programs.

To see more options, visit www.wwu.edu/ipe/

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SIMPLY DELICIOUS This week: mashed potatoes

Megan Thompson • AS Review

Since it’s finals week, I decided to make my all-time favorite comfort food: mashed potatoes.

When I’m stressed out and studying is getting me down, I think nothing could be better than a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes smothered with butter. Mmm. Plus, the best part about mashed potatoes is they are just as delicious as leftovers as they are freshly made.

Here’s a little history of these potatoes. I know I’ve mentioned my father, the greatest cook in the world, before in my columns. Well, this is his recipe again. I had a similar phone conversation this week as I did when I made the meatballs.

Every ingredient depends on another and it’s a whole mathematical mess to figure out how much of each ingredient you actually need. I’m

going to attempt to simplify it. It may work, it may. Just know it’s in a simpler form coming from me than my dad. We eat these potatoes at Christmas and Thanksgiving, no more, no less.

It’s a real “Thompson Thanksgiving Food” and we don’t dare ask my dad to make them on any other occasion for fear of ridicule. My dad would also throw some obscenities at the asker; another reason not to pester him about potatoes. That’s why fall quarter is so wonderful: mashed potatoes all the time!

I swear, my dad is a really great and hilarious guy. Don’t get the wrong impression of him.

Mashed potatoes are simple: potatoes, heavy whipping cream, garlic/garlic powered. THAT IS ALL. It’s a breath of fresh air in the cooking department. The potatoes are smooth, textured, moist and filled with garlic love. Ready for some potatoes? Me too.

Gene Thompson’s Mashed Potatoes Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 1-2 russet potatoes per person eating 1 pint heavy whipping cream 1-3 teaspoons garlic salt 1 clove garlic (optional) Boil water in a large sauce pan. Clean potatoes thoroughly in the sink if you want to keep the skins; if not, peel the potatoes. Once at a full boil, put the potatoes in and cover with lid. Boil for 20 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and reduce heat to low.

While on the stovetop on a low setting, mash the potatoes. Add ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream. The key is to make your potatoes smooth without runny.

Continue to mash and add cream until you are satisfied with the consistency of your potatoes.

Sprinkle on garlic powder and mix well.

Enjoy. the

Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

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