Review
News // Events // Student Life
Vol. 28 #2 10.1.12
2 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
A couple walks in the foggy morning near the Wilson Library on the first day of classes, Sept. 26. 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. 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.
Staff Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
Megan Thompson Spencer Pederson Cade Schmidt Nick Markman Lauren Prater Lauren Simmons Kylie Wade Todd Wells
Adviser Jeff Bates
Corrections
Bylines did not print in the September 24 issue with the stories. We apologize for the confusion. Stories from last week are below with the writer. VU Late Night by Nick Markman, AS Review Red Square Info Fair by Nick Markman, AS Review Ethnic Student Center by Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez and Dylan Koutsky, guest submission New Dining by Nick Markman, AS Review
NEWS
3
‘TIS THE SEASON Weekly rundown of important issues of the 2012 elections
EVENTS
8
THE HORROR Annual Rocky Horror Picture Show holds auditions on Oct. 8
STUDENT LIFE
6
RED SQUARE INFO FAIR A look at the two-day kick off before school
7 4
EVENTS CALENDAR See what’s happening around Bellingham
AVENGERS Outdoor film came with a surprise visit from superheroes
FEATURES
6
Review
The AS Review is currently hiring for two work study positions. Both positions provide a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, build your resume and meet new people within the AS. Positions Include: - Edit stories each week - Fact checking - Page layouts - Come up with story ideas
r e a d
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CLUB HUB Club Coordinator Jarred Tyson explains his office
Copy Editor
t t e o d
Photographer - Take photos for AS and community events - Edit photos
To apply, visit as.wwu.edu/personnel and click on the Employment tab.
a I l a A r m
r A s a d t s o r a
o f a j b b
h t o c Th
October 1, 2012 • 3
ELECTION RUNDOWN This week: Economy
Lauren Simmons • AS Review
someone who wants to improve government spending to improve the economy. In contrast, the Republican Party, along with Mitt Romney, stand for less government regulations and increasing tax revenues, says McCardle. This is more of a classical approach to fixing the economy by believing that businesses and individual people are going to make the best decisions for themselves. With that said, Gov. Romney has not stated a concrete plan as to what he will do with the economy, but he plans to stand close to the Republican Party’s platform. Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservaThe Washington state governor’s race is a more intertives, independents, Libertarians, and everyone in-beesting race, says Fowler. The two-frontrunner candidates tween lost in the world of American politics have their running for governor are Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna – eyes on the state of our economy and they all have their and they have similar stances on economic issues. own ideas of what to do with it. But where do the candiInslee, representing the Democratic Party, has a very dates actually stand? grand plan to improve the economy, says Fowler. He Complicated best describes the state of America’s curwants to create entire new departments in Washington rent economy, says Evan Fowler, the president of Westthat would oversee the economic vitalization of the Puget ern’s American Campaign Transparency. WWU’s ACT Sound, among other ambitious projects. aims to spread awareness of the current state of America’s McKenna on the other hand wants to reduce taxes on dysfunctional federal campaign finance system. small businesses, like Romney. For example, he wants How did America get to this place that many call “The to reduce or eliminate the business and occupation tax Great Recession?” (B&O tax), which would affect 118,000 small businesses “I am a political science in Washington. and economics major, so “Economically speakI think about this stuff a ing, McKenna and Inslee lot,” says Jered McCardle, are neck-and-neck…most of associate director for the their policies are the same” Associated Students RepFowler says. resentation and EngageThe economy is somement Programs. thing that effects every Even though the exact American differently, so it’s reasoning and origin of up to them to analyze which America’s financial crisis plan put forth by a candistems from, economists date will benefit them the and analysts attribute tomost. Being informed about day’s society to globalizathe parties and the cantion, education, our masdidates are key to making sive debt and government these decisions, and people overregulation/under just have to choose to be inregulation of certain areas formed. and entities, says Fowler. “It’s really important to While the origins of educate yourself and be obour financial crisis go as jective because both parties far back as the Reagan have pluses and minuses, administration, the mawhether social policies or jor tipping point was the economic policies,” Fowler bursting of the housing explains. “It’s just important bubble in 2008 and 2009. to be aware that there is a Building houses, the difference between Federal housing market and relaparties, state parties and lotors is a much larger part cal parties, and they aren’t of the economy than perall the same and that it’s A t R ed S quare I nfo F air , J ered M c C ardle , the A ssociated S tudents R epresentation and E ngagement P rograms associate director , registers voters . T he ceived, says McCardle. REP has set a goal to register 2000 voters for the upcoming election. Not registered to vote? Go to as.wwu.edu/rep to register online. chaos, basically.” These industries affect
For every week until the election in November, the AS Review will feature a hot-topic in the presidential and governor’s race and each candidates attitudes and opinions. We’ll be your guide to the elections and help you be a more educated voter. Enjoy each week reading our election series.
where people live, where people spend money on their taxes, where people spend money to buy the house and is the foundation for thousands of jobs. The housing bubble, or subprime lending issue, failed when prices surrounding the housing industry got so high, and wages for Americans began to fall. “The bursting of the housing bubble was simply a symptom of a disease, it was not the disease,” says Fowler. Now that the economic issue has been established, presidential and governor nominees have detailed how they plan to fix it. President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney are the two frontrunners of the presidential race, representing the Democratic Party and the Republican Party respectively. The Democratic Party, along with President Obama, likes to increase spending, increase taxes, regulate in some areas and deregulate in others, says Fowler. These platforms are synonymous with “Big Government.” President Obama’s stance on the improving America’s economy relies heavily the clean energy and sustainability industries providing more jobs and, overall, more sustainability in the government, says McCardle. President Obama can be considered a Keynesian economist –
Register to Vote
Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review
4 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
October 1, 2012 • 5
Photos By Cade Schmidt // AS Review
THE AVENGERS INVADE WESTERN
A student takes advantage of the costumes to create a hybrid Iron Man, Thor and Captain America superhero.
Two heroes pose as Iron Man and the Hulk.
Top 10 Artists Of The Week 1) Yeasayer 2) Hot Chip 3) Dinosaur Feathers
Last week 1,400 students
and faculty gathered on the communications lawn to watch an outdoor movie put on by AS Productions. Students were provided with Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America costumes to pose as the stars from the feature film, The Avengers.
Students gathering on the comm. lawn as they await for the film to begin.
Iron Man dressed to impress for his movie premiere.
4) Passion Pit 5) Black Taxi 6) Poor Moon 7) Lemonade 8) Dinosaur Jr. 9) Bloc Party 10) Deep Time Tune in to KUGS at 89.3 fm or stream it live at as.wwu.edu/kugs
6 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
MEET THE CLUB HUB
Club Coordinator introduces his office and the club system Jarred Tyson • Guest Submission Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review
The source of the Western club system is the AS Club Activities Office, commonly referred to as the Club Hub, located in Viking Union 425. The intent of my office is to provide students who are involved in clubs various resources and a room to work on promotional material as well as event planning. If you are looking into joining or creating a club we’ll help and guide you towards the perfect club match. As stated on our website, the Club Hub aims to empower, support, and provide opportunities for diverse student interests and community buildJarred Tyson, ing within clubs. The office serves clubs as a resource for leadership and organizational development, as well as event planning and programming. We are committed to ensuring all students can be involved and engaged in the Western community. As the Club Coordinator, the Club Hub is my home. I am the person that supports the clubs and am responsible for guiding students through the steps of creating a club, planning events, how to manage their clubs, how to utilize OrgSync, an organizational networking tool we use for all AS clubs, and teaching clubs how to be selfsupporting and sufficient to creating student leaders. I see the Club Hub as an evolving organism: it’s the
third year for my position to exist in the AS. The Club Hub is constantly being changed every quarter: adopting new methods of assisting clubs in whatever they may need as well as adapting to student needs. Because we’re constantly changing, this year we’ve incorporated two new positions and volunteer opportunities to help the club needs. This year we will be hiring two supporting specialists as well as recruiting two volunteer peer resource officers. If you are interested, apply online at http://as.wwu. edu/personnel. If you are passionate about clubs and student AS club coordinator interests, we encourage you to apply for a position. These new positions will assist me in training clubs to be self-sufficient and train clubs in the various club processes. Clubs on campus provide the opportunity for students to expand and explore their interests, network, develop themselves professionally and to bond and have fun with other students they wouldn’t otherwise meet. Through joining one of the many clubs on campus, you can have those experiences. We are looking forward to an amazing year and working with all students.
“Whatever a student may be interested in, we want to help it flourish.”
R
anging from A’capella to Zombies, the Associated Students Club Activities Office has it all. Whatever your interest may be, there’s a club for it. If there isn’t a club already, you can start a club of your own and add to the club system. The AS has a club system that encompasses over 200 clubs a quarter. These clubs are created and run by students and even host events for the Western and Bellingham communities.
RED SQUARE
I2NFO FAIR 012 The two-day festival welcoming Western students for the 2012-2013 school year bombarded students with multiple flash mobs, prizes, entertainment and human traffic jams. The Associated Students, clubs, local businesses and other university entities gathered to showcase what the Western and Bellingham community have to offer students. The annual popular event attracted a huge gathering into Red Square. all photos by
Cade Schmidt // AS Review
M
High fives and good vibes, Jarred Tyson
Nationally recognized improv-comedy group, Dead Parrots Society, were assisted in caring for their beloved parrot by Infofair attendees during a dance performance on Monday.
AS KUGS 89.3 Music Director Stephen Steen provided tunes for both days of info fair
Infofair attendies dirty their hands digging for prizes provided by the AS Environmental and Sustainability Programs.
Transfer junior Andy Sim break-dances on Monday
October 1, 2012 • 7
EVENTS CALENDAR Wednesday, Oct. 3
Monday, Oct. 1
Ghosts I’ve Met w/ Great Pacific (Indie/Folk Rock) When: 8 p.m. Where: Underground Coffee House Price: Free
Web Design Info. Session When: 6 p.m. Where: Comm. Facility 120 Price: Free
Teusday, Oct. 2
Thursday, Oct. 4
Outback Farm Fertility Workshop When: 4:30 - 5 p.m. Where: Outback Farm Price: Free
L!ve
Music
Friday, Oct. 5
Energy Independece Presentation w/ Speaker Dan Kammen When: 7-9 p.m. Where: Bellingham High School Auditorium Price: Free
Saturday, Oct. 6
Queer Resource Center Ice Cream Social Where: VU Multi-Purpose Room When: 6 p.m. Price: Free
Ski Movie Premier: “Choose Youre Adventure” When: 8 p.m. Where: Backcountry Essentials Price: $12
Sunday, Oct. 7
For more events and info. go to as.wwu.edu/events
Artisan NW Market When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Depot Market Square Price: Free
Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review Illustration by Spencer Pederson
Monday Oct. 1
Tuesday Oct. 2
Wednesday Oct. 3
Thursday Oct. 4
Friday Oct. 5
Oct. 6
Sunday Oct. 7
Table of Contents, Fire Organ, Nineteen-Eighty-D
Cabin Tavern Ghosts I’ve Met, Great Pacific
ASP Pop Music Wild Buffalo
Saturday
TYCHO, Heathered Pearls $10
Sonido Acuario $4
The Blessed Coast $3
The Physics Polecat, Cedaa, Emosean The Provacateurs, CD Release Party Dirty Bird Cabaret Spoonshine and more... $10 $5-7 $5-8 $3-15
Glow The Shakedown
Karaoke w/
Tom Waits
The Uncanny Valley
$3
$2
Boundary Bay Brewery Green Frog
Revenge of the 90’s
Youngblood Hawke, Eagle Teeth, Animal Inside
Kultur Shock, Yogoman
$5-7
$8-10
Scott Greene Band, Sanoma
The Spring Standards, The Ames
Pickled Herring Band
Christopher Nunn
DJ Yogoman
Star Anna, Kasey Anderson
Korby Lenker, Robert Srazin Blake
Variety Show $7
October 1, 2012 • 7
EVENTS CALENDAR Wednesday, Oct. 3
Monday, Oct. 1
Ghosts I’ve Met w/ Great Pacific (Indie/Folk Rock) When: 8 p.m. Where: Underground Coffee House Price: Free
Web Design Info. Session When: 6 p.m. Where: Comm. Facility 120 Price: Free
Teusday, Oct. 2
Thursday, Oct. 4
Outback Farm Fertility Workshop When: 4:30 - 5 p.m. Where: Outback Farm Price: Free
L!ve
Music
Friday, Oct. 5
Energy Independece Presentation w/ Speaker Dan Kammen When: 7-9 p.m. Where: Bellingham High School Auditorium Price: Free
Saturday, Oct. 6
Queer Resource Center Ice Cream Social Where: VU Multi-Purpose Room When: 6 p.m. Price: Free
Ski Movie Premier: “Choose Youre Adventure” When: 8 p.m. Where: Backcountry Essentials Price: $12
Sunday, Oct. 7
For more events and info. go to as.wwu.edu/events
Artisan NW Market When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Depot Market Square Price: Free
Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review Illustration by Spencer Pederson
Monday Oct. 1
Tuesday Oct. 2
Wednesday Oct. 3
Thursday Oct. 4
Friday Oct. 5
Oct. 6
Sunday Oct. 7
Table of Contents, Fire Organ, Nineteen-Eighty-D
Cabin Taver Ghosts I’ve Met, Great Pacific
ASP Pop Music Wild Buffalo
Saturday
TYCHO, Heathered Pearls $10
Sonido Acuario $4
The Blessed Coast $3
The Physics Polecat, Cedaa, Emosean The Provacateurs, CD Release Party Dirty Bird Cabaret Spoonshine and more... $10 $5-7 $5-8 $3-15
Glow The Shakedown
Karaoke w/
Tom Waits
The Uncanny Valley
$3
$2
Boundary Bay Brewery Green Frog
Revenge of the 90’s
Youngblood Hawke, Eagle Teeth, Animal Inside
Kultur Shock, Yogoman
$5-7
$8-10
Scott Greene Band, Sanoma
The Spring Standards, The Ames
Pickled Herring Band
Christopher Nunn
DJ Yogoman
Star Anna, Kasey Anderson
Korby Lenker, Robert Srazin Blake
Variety Show $7
8 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
CASTING CALL
Rocky Horror Picture Show auditions to be held Nick Markman • AS Review
Students perform at the 2011 Rocky Horror Picture Show Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult classic musical and movie adaptation, tells the story of a young couple thrown into a world of transvestites, dancing and mad science. As an annual Halloween classic, the Associated Students Queer Resource Center will put on its own adaptation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Auditions for this year’s show will take place on Monday, Oct. 8, from 6 - 8 p.m. in Viking Union 464. The play will premiere on Saturday, Oct. 27th in Arntzen 100 at 9 p.m. and midnight. QRC Coordinator Briana Fitzpatrick said that the auditions are open to everyone. Along with acting roles, background positions for the play such as projector and lighting operators will also be cast at the audition. “It’s a lot less intensive if you are a background person just because you don’t have to go to every single rehearsal,” Fitzpatrick said. “You don’t need to have acting experience or singing experience or anything like that.” Individuals wishing to try out for acting roles will be presented
with a small amount of lines to recite as well as a short part of a song to sing. Fitzpatrick said that no prior memorization of lines or songs is necessary to audition. All participants in the audition will help decide the final cast with a vote. “Be ready to go all out,” Fitzpatrick said. “Don’t be reserved. You want to be able to impress your cast members because you have to impress a large audience.” Fitzpatrick said that The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an event where people can dress up, get crazy, and express themselves in ways that are sometimes not accepted by society. She also said that the movie and musical were one of the first of their kind to play around with gender roles and put a heavy emphasis on the transgender and queer communities. “This movie caters to a lot of people in our community, which is why we continue to put on the event and because it’s super popular and draws such a diverse audience,” Fitzpatrick said. “It doesn’t only attract queer people, but kind of brings everybody together.”