Board of Directors approves Legislative Agenda, p. 2 How to winterize your bike, p. 6 2013 hits with KUGS & AS Pop Music, p. 8 Winter sports preview, p. 12 An outsider’s view of the PNW, p. 14 The Guest Meal Experiment, p. 15
Vol. 29 #12 1.7.14
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Lights bounce around the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall during Learning Team’s Nov. 23 performance. Photo by Isaac Martin // 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 © 2013. 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 under-represented issues, inclusive coverage, informing readers and promoting dialogue. 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.
THE AS
REVIEW Cade Schmidt Kylie Wade Isaac Martin Kelly Mason Andrew Wise Annika Wolters C Hayley Halstead Dominic D’Angelo Designer Kristina Huynh Adviser Jeff Bates
Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Copy Editor Writers
IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 4 “The Sex Ed You Wish You Had”
Sexual Awareness Center brings Babeland for sex ed workshop
12 Winter in Viking Territory
A preview of this quarter’s sports
STUDENT LIFE 6 Brave the ice How to winterize your bike for icy roads, wind and rain
COLUMNS 5 Review Responds The Review’s staff editorial regarding conversations about race and ethnicity
7 Most failed classes 15 The Guest Meal From calculus to logic, how students can stay on top of your game in challenging courses
Experiment
Our writer Annika Wolters tests how generous Western’s diners are with their guest meals
Board sets Legistlative Agenda in action By Dominic D’Angelo On Dec. 11, the AS Board of Directors approved the first section of the AS Legislative Agenda, a document illustrating student interests pertaining to the state government, which will be presented to the state legislature later this month. “The AS Legislative Agenda is a document that tries to bring together priorities that students feel are most pertinent,” said AS Vice President for Governmental Affairs Kaylee Galloway. “The objective this year was not just to reach out to students for support, but also to really listen to hear what issues students want to have discussed.” The agenda is composed of three parts, including a legislative priorities agenda, legislative interests and endorsements. It’s an outline of the student body’s interests to be discussed throughout the state legislative session. The document was drafted by the Associated Students Legislative Affairs Council and discussed by the Board of Directors in two separate work sessions. AS Legislative Liaison Matthew Bobbink will represent the Associated Students in Olympia for most of the legislative session to lobby on the student interests highlighted in the agenda. The three topics addressed in the first section are “Dedicating revenue to higher-education,” “Advocating for the DREAM Act” and “Securing funding for the safety renovation project for the Carver Academic Facilty,” as stated in the document. Continued on p. 4
Jan. 7, 2014 • 3
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Says student demographics story is misleading This is in regards to your “Freshmen Class Ushers in More Representative Demographics” article from Nov. 12. Several of the quotes and comments are fairly offensive, to students of color as well as white students. To begin with, I am offended to be called “white”, known only by the color of my skin; why aren’t Caucasians called “non-whites?” Also, is it not offensive to the “students of color” to all be lumped together as colored? They are each different, they can not be combined. We talk so abundantly of having no racism, being diverse and not judging by the color of skin. Then why are you so focusing on the color of the students’ skin? Dean of Students Ted Pratt is quoted multiple times, all of which are offensive and/or self-defeating. He is quoted as saying, “You’ll look at a campus and say, ‘there aren’t that many people of color. But if you look at the state of Washington, there aren’t that many people of color.” Why is he looking? He is performing racism at its most com-
mon, searching for and immediately noticing different skin colors. He is also said to say “we fail [the students] if they think that they can go out [into the world] and operate the same way that they’ve always operated.” This implies we must change “the way we operate” because of someone’s race. Again, is this not the definition of racism? His arguments are contrary to what I believe you are arguing for; he is selfdefeating the entire anti-racism pitch. Further, his quote regarding freshmen enrollment and considerations involving race is the equivalent of race discrimination. You say, “Pratt said he would rather have a campus which better reflects the global community.” Essentially, he would sooner accept someone based on being “a student of color” than just a “white student.” -Chloe Hotman
VP for Business and Operations candidate application due Jan. 16 By AS Review staff The candidate filing period for the AS Vice President for Business and Operations is set to close at 4 p.m. on Jan. 16. Students interested in campaigning must complete a candidate packet available in the AS Board Office [Viking Union 567] and pay a $25 candidate deposit by the deadline. Candidates must attend a mandatory meeting the following day in Bond Hall 103 from 6 to 8 p.m., where the AS Election Code will be discussed and photos of the candidates will be taken for the online ballot. The campaign period opens on Jan. 20 with the elections beginning on Jan. 27 and closing on Jan. 31. Students may vote online through MyWestern’s “Elections” tab or at polling stations on campus. The timing of the special election means that it will be held under the 2013 AS Elections Code, approved by last year’s Board of Directors. The board is expected to vote on the spring 2014 Election Code in upcoming weeks.
Former VP for Business and Operations, Hung Le, announced his resignation at the last Board of Directors meeting of the quarter on Dec. 11. Associated Students employees were made aware of his resignation the following day in an email from Le and an email to the student body was sent soon after. Le continued to work over winter break to finalize a legacy document for his predecessor and vacated the position on Jan. 6. He resigned due to personal reasons, according to the email to AS employees. Le ran unopposed for re-election last spring. During his time with the AS, he created the Assessment Center - an interactive document that acts as a resource list for the AS assessment process. The VP for Business and Operations manages the Associated Students’ fiscal operations. The position works closely with the AS Business Director to manage budgets, oversees budget recommendations made to the Board of Directors and acts as a representative for the AS on the Services and Activities Fee Committee. The position facilitates and chairs several committees including the AS Management Council, Budget Committee and Facilities and Services Council.
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LEGISLATIVE AGENDA continued from p. 2 While K-12 education is constitutionally guaranteed, higher education isn’t. Therefore, agenda presses for some form of support for dedicated revenue for secondary education, Galloway said. The second priority highlights the importance of making the State Need Grant available to students who are undocumented. Lastly, the agenda also notes the importance of the renovation of the Carver Academic Complex. “We will be pressing the Carver item since conditions there have not and are not conducive to a learning environment,” said AS President Carly Roberts. The agenda asks for $5 million for the building’s renovation project. Currently, the building has poor ventilation systems, damaged heating pipes and raw sewage seepage, according to the agenda. Roberts said the damage in the building isn’t so dire that students shouldn’t take classes in Carver, but that in the event of seismic activity, the building is at risk for failure. One of the oldest parts of the building includes the 1959 main gym, where graduation ceremonies and basketball games take place. The second section of the agenda, legislative interests, will concern
issues that students have invested interest in, but aren’t necessarily key items to be discussed during Viking Lobby Day in Olympia on Jan. 20. Besides Viking Lobby Day, specialized lobby trips are also held throughout legislative session, where notes in the second section are often discussed. The final section of the agenda is the endorsements section which allows for members of the Legislative Affairs Council and Board of Directors to express opinion in regards to bills or measures during session. Galloway said the type of lobbying students take part in on Viking Lobby Day is important for legislators in part of the decision process. Roberts said 115 students registered for the trip by the Dec. 9 deadline. “It’s really cool to see a connection between student involvement and success in the legislature,” said Galloway, noting that while legislators can see facts and figures on a daily basis, it’s the stories of the students that they really crave when making a decision.
Capital Hill sex toy shop to give Western the “Sex Ed You Wish You Had” But of all the sex stores to come onto Western’s campus, why Babeland? In high school sex education classes, students may have doodled “Babeland has been great about being inclusive,” said Alston. “They penises in the corners of their notebooks, blown up condoms like bal- are really focused on making sex a positive experience.” loons or cringed as their instructor made any type of assertion regardBesides the educational aspect that Babeland will present, it also is ing sex. Entering a university, the mandatory sex class is lifted, but that interactive and aimed to be humorous. doesn’t mean all of our questions have all been answered. “The presenters do a good job of taking the edge off of a topic a topic Remedying the misunderstandings that may seem taboo or embarrassing. that Western students may have about They make it very easy to understand sex is the annual “Babeland: the Sex Ed and easy to get involved,” said Alston. “It’s a fun and inclusive event that You Wish You Had” event on January The event is typically held by the covers anything from anatomy to sexual 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Arntzen Sexual Awareness Center and Queer Hall 100. Resource Center, but this year the expression to consent all in the realm of “It’s a fun and inclusive event that Women’s Center is also contributing. the sex ed you wish you had. ” covers anything from anatomy to sexAs a plus to this free event, goodie ual-expression to consent, all in the bags will be distributed to those attenrealm of the ‘sex ed you with you had,’” dants with items such as safe sex matesaid AS Sexual Awareness Center Coordinator Aleesha Alston. rials and literature about resources on campus. The event will feature a presentation by two employees of Babeland, Whether or not you are sexually active “Babeland: the Sex Ed You a sex toy store in Seattle that was founded in 1993 by two women who Wish You Had” has been hyped about as a valuable learning experience wanted to create an environment where customers could seek advice providing funny, accurate information that may not be able to be obof friendly staff and purchase pleasurable toys. Workshops are heavily tained elsewhere. integrated into Babeland’s business structure. By C Hayley Halstead
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REVIEW RESPONDS Represenation is crucial In 1939, Bellingham’s Klu Klux Klan division led a movement that eventually ousted former university president Charles H. Fisher for his liberal ideals. Today, students commute past Fisher Fountain in Red Square, a token the university dedicated to him years later in recognition of his commitment to making Western the best university it could be, including emphasis on curriculum that enhanced cultural development. Almost 100 years ago, Bellingham was home to one of the largest white-supremacist communities in the state, with Klansmen even marching down Holly Street in 1926. This history may appear oxymoronic in what now often seems like a progressive, open-minded community. But we can’t forget our history, especially when our student population is 75 percent white, even after the introduction of its most ethnically diverse freshmen class in history. At The AS Review, we believe in the Western experience, that learning expands beyond the classroom. We seek to enrich the lives of our readers, to help make them aware of critical issues in our communities. Racism still exists and this great college community isn’t immune to it. We can’t ignore institutionalized prejudices where people of color are continually disenfranchised on global, national and regional platforms, and where white students far outnumber students of color entering institutions of higher-education. Recognizing privilege isn’t easy. But growth always follows growing pains. It’s important for students to understand the different between equality and assimilation. We must not forget years of oppression - and continuing oppression - that folks with marginalized identities face. These experiences must be heard and affirmed, yet not tolkenized or made a mascot of. This is something that we, as a publication and entity of the Associated Students, actively support. We recognize Western’s lacking population of folks of color and its ongoing pursuit to ensure that students of color feel safe here. In this process, demographics must be continually evaluated. Western is lucky to have the amazing place that is the Associated Students’Ethnic Student Center, where students of color can find a safe space, family and empowerment, and where allies can learn and practice solidarity. The AS Review seeks to help stimulate these critical conversations on privilege and oppression. We invite our readers, regardless of identity, to engage in these conversations and educate themselves. The AS has several great offices that assist in students’ learning outside the classroom, including the Social Issues Resource Center, Queer Resource Center, Women’s Center, Sexual Awareness Center, Disability Outreach Center and Ethnic Student Center. Dean of Students Ted Pratt can be reached at 360-650-3775, ted.pratt@wwu.edu or in Viking Union 547. -The AS Review Editorial Staff
Top Ten Albums of 2013 1
Soccer Mom [EP] Soccer Mom
2
Random Access Memories Daft Punk
3
Fire on the Hill Polecat
4
Beta Love Ra Ra Riot
5
Poor Cletus [EP] Specters
6
The Bones of What You Believe CHVRCHES
7
Shrines Purity Ring
8
Seacats Seacats
9
Hummingbird Local Natives
10
Lines We Trace Hey Marseilles
KUGS is the Associated Students’ student-run radio station. Listen online at kugs.org. If you’re interested in getting on the waves, pick up a volunteer application in the station’s office on the seventh floor of the VU.
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Brave icy roads: how to winterize your wheels By Andrew Wise When it comes to bike commuting, the months from November to February separate the contenders from the pretenders. The icy winds, pelting rain and patches of black ice will test even the biggest bike nerd’s devotion to their two-wheeled steed. Whether you’re hell bent on toughing it out for the sake of Mother Nature, desperate to keep up with your daily ride to keep off the weight or if you truly have no other way to get from A to B, these basic modifications to your gear will make a world of difference. Fenders: There’s nothing worse than showing up to class with a long, wet, dark brown streak leading up the backside of your jeans, over your
near the rim. Make sure to check this before you buy any tires. Most road bikes run either 700c or 27 inch tires. While knobby tires make a substantial difference, it’s still best to avoid icy spots whenever possible. Gloves: Without a doubt, the absolute worst part of riding in the winter is the freezing of the fingers. Bare digits have the potential to stick to metal brake levers like that kid’s tongue on the fire pole in “A Christmas Story.” During the 1989 Giro d’ Italia, Andy Hampsten battled through a nasty snow storm to win the stage going over a climb known as The Gavia. On this day where many of his competitors faltered due to frostbite in the fingers, Hampsten was able to fight on and finish the race in part thanks to the neoprene scuba diving gloves that kept his hands warm. So if you plan on taking your road bike from the 80s over
Fenders and knobby tires are necessary for biking during Bellingham’s wet and cold winters. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review
rain jacket to your backpack. No bike in the Pacific Northwest is complete without at least a rear fender, but the whole set is preferred. The AS Outdoor Center, or any local bike shop, can hook you up.
any ridiculously steep snowy climbs, diving gloves might be just the ticket. You can also find a good pair of moisture-wicking gloves at any local bike store or REI.
Knobby tires: Nothing is more faithful than a lovely, old steel tenspeed road bike from the 1970s or 80s for getting around Bellingham. But the moment that trusty ride hits a patch of ice with those smooth, skinny tires, you’re likely to hit the ground. Hard. The best way to combat this during the winter months is to track down a set of what are sometimes termed “cyclocross tires.” Cyclocross refers to a particular discipline of cycling that involves riding road bikes on rough terrain. These tires are nitty-gritty mountain-bike-ish tires big enough in diameter for your road bike. Your wheels will be marked with their size
Big, flat pedals: This is definitely an optional modification, but if you’re a fan of wearing big, warm boots during the winter months and generally find that these don’t fit in your narrow toe cages, it may be worth switching to some big, flat platform pedals. There are a plethora of options in this category of componentry, and the price range is substantial. For the rest of our winter-biking tips and where to find the right gear, visit as.wwu.edu/review.
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Western’s most failed classes and how to pass them By Kelly Mason It’s a new quarter, which means a fresh start for all of us here at Western. By now, we’ve gotten our grades from fall quarter and whether you cheered or cringed when you saw them, it’s important to remember you have to do it all over again. So don’t dwell on that C- in Chemistry 121. Instead, move on. It’s a new year, new quarter and you are not alone in your academic struggles. At the end of each quarter when the Office of Institutional Research creates its grade distribution list for each class, some classes tend to have higher percentages of withdrawals and fails. These are the most withdrawed and failed classes at Western and for those of you who have taken these classes before, you shouldn’t be surprised: Math 112: Functions and Algebraic Methods Math 204: Elementary Linear Algebra Math 114: Precalculus I Management Information Systems 220: Introduction to Business Computer Systems Philosophy 102: Introduction to Logic Computer Science 140: Programming Fundamentals in C++ Math 125: Calculus II Math 157: Business Calculus Chemistry 121: General Chemistry Computer Science 101: Computers and applications [*These only include classes with over 50 students]
If you’re currently in these classes or plan to take one of these classes, have no fear because Western’s got your back. The biggest reason why students fail classes isn’t necessarily because of the content of the class, but because they didn’t seek help or they waited until it was too late. It’s imperative that if you need help with a subject, you receive it as early as possible. This is especially true with math and science, in which the concepts tend to build on each other as the course progresses. Junior Vanessa Thomas learned this lesson the hard way after withdrawing from Math 114—Pre-Calculus her freshman year and having to retake it last quarter. “Get help when you need it, don’t think it’s going to get easier when you move on from [a topic], because it’s not,” Thomas said. Thomas suggests forming a study group, because chances are, if you’re not understanding a subject there are others just like you who need help too. Take advantage of your instructor’s office hours for one-on-one
help from your professor. Then, of course, there’s the Tutoring Center in Wilson Library. Open every day except Saturday, the center has a staff full of students dedicated to getting you the help you need in most subjects, but mainly math and science. Assistant Director of the Tutoring Center, Barb Quick sees the student employees as examples of successful students that struggling students can look up to. Junior Stephanie Sharp is one of those successful students who is proud to work at the Tutoring Center. “It’s an amazing experience, I love it,” said Sharp. “I get to help people with the things I struggled with when I was in the classes and I like to be there for them and help them through it.” Most of the students who seek help genuinely want to improve in their classes, which creates a studious environment for others. Quick stresses that the center is a “non-threatening place to ask for help.” “There are really nice tutors there, that are looking to help. They do not judge anyone for not knowing anything, they just want to help,” said Sharp. However, if you have spoken to your professors, formed your study group, practically live in the Tutoring Center and you’re still not doing well in your class, you may want to consider a withdrawal. Thomas suggests considering a withdrawal after the first exam. “I feel like there’s enough information before [the first exam] that if you’re not getting it all the way you should consider withdrawing, because it’s going to get harder as the year goes on. If you can’t keep up with it, you probably shouldn’t be in the class,” Thomas said. Nonetheless, everyone is different and deciding whether or not to withdraw from a class should be looked at on a case-by-case basis. For example, if you didn’t do well on your first test, you should consider how the class is weighted, maybe you’ll be able to even-out your test grade with assignments. You should also consider the reason why you are taking the course. Luckily, the Academic Advising Center is here to help you with all your academic woes. If you need guidance when deciding whether or not a withdrawal is right for you, the center, located in Old Main 380, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The most important thing about considering withdrawal is the deadline, which is Friday, Jan 17. After this day, you are essentially stuck with the course. Keeping all of this in mind, don’t let this list discourage you from taking these courses. “Come in [to these classes] with an open mind. There’s no assumption that everybody is going to be good at this,” said Quick. “When something challenges you and you figure out a good way to deal with that challenge, then you’re really growing.”
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2013 IN MUSIC WITH KUGS AND AS POP MUSIC
nick thacker
caitlyn glinski
drake wilcox
kugs music director
as pop music coordinator
kugs specialty music director
By C Haley Halstead and Cade Schmidt // Photos by Cade Schmidt NT: “No. So you know what this is?” CG: “Yeah, it’s one of the ones I haven’t even gone out of my way to Representing a mix of top 40, local top favorites and KUGS 89.3 listen to, but it’s just everywhere.” favorites that serenaded and shocked us in 2013, we formulated a playl- NT: “Where do you hear this at?” ist that we played for the AS Pop Music Coordinator Caitlyn Glinski, CG: “T.V., public places… I don’t even watch that much television, KUGS Music Director Nick Thacker and KUGS Specialty Music but it’s everywhere.” DW: “I think I’ve heard it on a jukebox.” Director Drake Wilcox. Here’s what they had to say: NT: “So it’s really weird that I haven’t heard this before?” DW: “Yeah, I think it was on a commercial too for candy.” Blurred Lines CG: “And this song is really controversial, so I’m surprised.” Robin T hicke featuring Pharell & T.I. NT: “This song is controversial? What’s controversial about it?” CG: “Well, some people say it’s about date rape. I honestly never NNick ThackerNT: “Sounds like they’re playing on cook wear.” listened to the words that much. There are a lot of songs that are ofCaitlyn Glinski: “It’s definitely catchy.” Drake Wilcox: “Girls on the way to the subway would be dancing fensive towards women, so I always wondered why this song got all the crap.” to this.” NT: “Oh, I know this song. I mean, I don’t because I can’t tell you DW: “I feel like there’s the common theme among the top 40 [music] where ‘I’m just going to go to the club and pick someone randomly what it is.” and go home,’ and there’s a lot more offense than this.” CG: “You guys didn’t recognize it?”
Jan. 7, 2014 • 9
CG: “The video is of naked women and clothed men. The video got a lot of crap, and there was a remake of the video where there were naked men and clothed women, and it’s silly. The controversial is that that movie got taken off of YouTube, but the original didn’t.” NT: “Well I like the beginning when it was just pots and pants. So this is the guy Miley twerked on? Now it’s all coming together.”
Royals Lorde NT: “Drake and I were doing some top 40 research to see what we were missing out on, and this was number one.” CG: “It’s weird because when I first listened to Lorde, she had 1,000 likes on Facebook. It sounds like top 40 music.” DW: “I think it’s interesting how she was going to be a star when she was like 14, and then they waited a couple years. That’s what I heard.” NT: “Where is she from?” CG: “New Zealand, and she’s like 16 or 17. I thought it was cooler when I thought she made her own beats, but she doesn’t. That would be awesome.” NT: “I remember listening to this, and it brought me down.” CG: “I honestly do like Lorde, but I feel like I’ve heard this a little too much at this point.” NT: “And this is why Drake and I were doing research because why is a record like the new Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend not do as well as something like this?” DW: “I think it has a lot to do with the age group who listens to the radio, which is often a lot of young kids, I think.” NT: “Is Vampire Weekend too high minded?” DW: “A lot of young high school girls very much like to listen to Lorde. But I think they would like to listen to Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend because it’s extremely catchy.” CG: “I think a lot of the people who listen to Lorde are collegeaged too. She’s an interesting phenomenon. She just popped up out of nowhere.”
The Mother We Share CHVRCHES CG: “I want to say this is either Purity Ring or CHVRCHES. I get them mixed up.” NT: “It’s not creepy enough to be Purity Ring.” DW: “CHRVRCHES made me aware of the weird phenomenon. I’m always bugged when bands spell their names wrong, but then I realized why. With a band like Chvrches, the Google factor has destroyed our grammar with bands. One of my favorite bands it
called Wooden Sjhips.” CG: “I don’t really like her voice. It’s kind of annoying.” NT: “I’m not really into this, but I can see how something like this could do really well.” DW: “I don’t understand the popularity of the music sometime.” CG: “It’s interesting to see music with electronic influences are becoming really popular this year. I think this is a good example of that.” DW: “There’s nothing to this that sticks out to me. There’s so much electronic music. They don’t push the boundaries enough.”
I t A ll Feels Right Washed Out CG: “I think I should be able to come up with a name in a second.” DW: “Is this the new Washed Out?” CG: “I haven’t really listened to the new album yet. I’m so behind.” NT: “This is a great record.” DW: “I think it’s interesting how much of an influence Animal Collective had. A lot of people had a sound that didn’t quite fit the beat, so it caused a circular sound in the background. I feel that record has a big influence on indie electronic.” CG: “Animal Collective was one of the first weird gateways.” DW: “I like this a lot.” CG: “A lot more upbeat and melodic [than Washed Out’s last record.] I like it.” NT: “This is one of the songs I’m happy made the top 40.” DW: “It has that vibrato delay sound that’s really popular. Its’ really in and it has been for the past four years. When they don’t have something to say, they add effects to their vocals. It can be cool, but it can be used as a crutch. I think it depends on the intention.”
For N ick, C aitlyn and Drake’s responses to songs from D isclosure , M iley C yrus , O desza and more , read the full story at as . wwu . edu / asreview .
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KUGS 89.3: Riding the radio waves By Dominic D’Angelo In 1978, British band The Buggles famously proclaimed that “Video Killed the Radio Star.” While modern forms of media have since antiquated much of radio’s former glory, Western’s student radio station KUGS 89.3 is proud to be keeping it alive and thriving in the Bellingham community, for 40 years as of this quarter. “We’re a noncommercial, independent college-run station,” said Specialty Music Director Drake Wilcox. KUGS’s objective is to build a bridge between campus and the Bellingham community, while promoting campus pluralism, said Program Director Patrick Stickney. While philosophically refraining from playing anything commercial radio would normally play, like top 40 hits, KUGS plays everything from world music, punk, rap and indie, to local and international news. “Our emphasis is on smaller labels such as 480 Records, Burger Records or Track City Records amongst others,” said Wilcox. Wilcox and Stickney along with Music Director Nick Thacker, News Director Taylor Saunders and Operations Coordinator Morgan Lanza, work together to make a smooth stream of constant entertainment. The content is first submitted by volunteers who’ve completed the station’s volunteer training and finished their introductory quarter as news readers. The crew gets together to schedule and edit the programming. After making sure that metal isn’t being played at 6 a.m. and that all content meets the standards of the Federal Communications Commission, the team finalizes the programming package and lets it become the flow that comes out of the radio. “Whereas with other college broadcasters are part of a specific class, Western is special because we are independent,” said Stickney. To get involved with KUGS, students with a passion for the radio can stop at the KUGS office on the seventh floor of the Viking Union and fill out a volunteer application, Stickney said. To strengthen their confidence, public speaking skills and ability to be on the air for long periods, volunteers will be first asked to sign up for a news-reading spot where they read the news during hourly slots. After being trained during their first quarter of volunteering, they then progress to a “mock show,” where volunteers record a bit that won’t be aired. They then become member of the general programming section, Music for the Masses. Music for the Masses DJ’s play music from several genre-specific collections. These collections have accumulated by donations from bands, requests and records labels, and are organized and updated by
From left to right: Taylor Sanders, Katie Gray, Drake Wilcox, Tristan Wood, Patrick Stickney, Nick Thacker and Morgan Lanza make up the KUGS 89.3 staff. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review
Thacker and Wilcox. After one quarter with Music for the Masses, volunteers can apply for a specialty show where they can broadcast music of their own choice. To listen to KUGS, tune in at 89.3 F.M., online at KUGS.org, on Comcast channel number 80 or the smartphone app Tune-In. “(At KUGS) you feel like you’re a part of something important that has been there for a while,” said Thacker. “It’s a very welcoming environment.” Editor’s note: Dominic D’Angelo is a part “Borderline,” a bi-monthly international news show at KUGS.
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TOP 10: Things Vikings should be thankful for in 2014 state according real-estate records. Bellingham also is the stomping ground for several roasters including Woods Coffee and Tony’s Coffee - and don’t forget Tullys and Starbucks’ headquarters are only and hour and a half away. 4. Peace Corps-proud. Whereas other schools will fill the ranks with politicians and soldiers, Western is proud to be one of the largest contributors to the U.S. Peace Corps. Last year we were ranked No. 2 in the nation for total volunteers, with 73 Vikings serving in over 38 countries. 5. Our great outdoors. Nestled in between the San Juan Islands and Mt. Baker, Bellingham tends to attract outdoor-adventurers from far and wide. The services and activities fee helps keep the Associated Students Outdoor Center running, so students can explore the outdoors with low-cost. 6. The “View from the VU” overlooking the Bay. By Dominic D’Angelo // photo by Isaac Martin
7. The Western Family. Whether it’s the solar panels that adorn the With the bustle of school humming, the Friday lectures bumming, roof of the Viking Union or the candlelight vigils and community conand the pressure to be social, college can take quite a bit of attention versations in the aftermath of tragedy, our school has empathy and we from your daily life. But even though we don’t have a football team show it. Vikings have heart. or a Greek Row, there are plenty of things about Western and around 8. We’re green, and not just because of the trees. Bellingham was Bellingham that you should be proud to call your own. rated the second greenest city in the U.S. by Forbes Magazine in 2006, the cleanest city in air quality in America by the American Lung 1. The Sehome Hill Arboretum. How many campuses can claim to own a hill with six miles of trails Association in 2002, and dubbed ‘an environmental oasis’ by Organic and innumerable secret hideaways? You would think that with so many Style magazine in 2003. flannel wearing lumberjack impersonators our forest would be gone, 9. Our location. We’re a little over an hour from both Seattle and but our green backyard still stands tall and thick with the evergreen Vancouver. We might not have much nightlife, but if you’ve got monsymbols of our state. ey and transportation you’ve got the best of both U.S. and Canada.
2. One of the best basketball teams in NCAA Division II. With 10. Famous alumni. Did you know that Death Cab for Cutie went the 2012 national championship under their belt and a run in the final four last year, our guys work hard and they’re good at what they do. The here? So did Carrie Brownstein from Portlandia, Oscar-winner TJ Martin, the creator of Pictionary Robert Angel and current electronic women aren’t far behind and made it to the semifinals last season. chart-toppers Odesza. 3. Our coffee. It’s not a widely publicized fact, but our town has more drive-thru espresso stands per capita than any other county in the
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Winter in Viking Territory: This season’s sports By Annika Wolters
MEN’S BASKETBALL Western Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tony Dominguez has “tough” on the brain. Tough is maintaining a nationally ranked team after losing so many senior starters and leaders. Tough is easing a fresh squad of players into veteran excellence. Pushing everyone through the tough test is going to get the team more wins. “It’s going to be a process, and we’re trying to figure out who has the toughness to step up, because everyone is good,” Dominguez said. Dominguez had only encouraging things to say about the team’s newest players. “We have a couple freshmen, Joey Schreiber and Jeffrey Parker, who are outstanding, gifted players who can really score, defend and rebound,” he said. Assistant Coach Greg Meier said Schreiber and Parker have had an extra advantage coming into the season. “Last year they redshirted and played against the final-four team every day in practice. I think that’s the best way to get your feet wet in college basketball,” Meier said. Parker, a 6-foot-6-inch forward, said playing on the court with his team is a different game than simply redshirting. “Getting to play against those guys every day [as a redshirt] groomed me to be the player I am today. Now that I am playing in the games, I really get to have that chemistry with them and see their skills differently,” Parker said. Now that he is mostly settled into his position, Parker is confident he can bring the necessary toughness to the role. “I’ve just got to come in and be aggressive and score. I shoot and rebound well, that’s my type of game,” Parker said. Dominguez also said the team has come to value junior Colby Mitchell, who transferred from Mount Hood Community College. “We kind of brought [him] in to be a tough guy,” Dominguez said, “[He’s a] very good defensively, good rebounder, solid on offense. [He’s] kind of your do-everything guy.” Senior Robert Harris and three freshmen Nick Valesquez, Chris Tanis and Evan Scholten are also among the newest recruits. Dominguez said this year’s Vikings stand out in height. “We use the word ‘long,’ we have a lot of 6-foot-6-inch players that can stretch out and play two to three positions,” Dominguez said. In his second year as the head coach, Dominguez believes he has already conquered the secret to racking up wins. “We’ve come up with a formula that we think is successful, and we’ll stick with that formula: if we can end up with more points in every game, we will win,” he said.
Ricardo Maxwell slams a dunk during the dunk contest at Viking Jam on Oct. 30. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review
Jan. 7, 2014 • 13
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Lady Vikings have spent the preseason building up their team’s leadership and slowly getting into the swing of things. Head Coach Carmen Dolfo has her mind set on two things: consistency and new positions. Her main focus is getting the team and its new players the experience they need to be more competitive. “We need to be more consistent,” Dolfo said. “We’re really a new team. We have players that are returning, but they have new roles. We’re really focusing on learning about ourselves.” According to Dolfo, defending the basket is something the team needs to work on in order to improve the winning percentage. “I think our team needs to understand the defense is our bread and butter. I don’t think our defense has been as consistent as we would like at this point but that’s something we’re working on,” she said. After losing four graduating seniors last season, the newest crop of players has work to do. There are formations to learn and nationallyranked shoes to fill. Freshman Rachel Albert, a 5-foot-10-inch forward out of Sehome High School, is close to home but feels light-years away from her high school game. Being a threat in high school doesn’t mean as much as in the collegiate games. “Learning a whole new program is tough at first, but it’s incredible how much more I know about the game now,” Albert said. “I thought I knew basketball in high school, but this is like another game.” Albert is working on bringing more intensity to her defense, perfecting screens and improving her fundamentals, which has been the main talk in practice. “[I’ve been] trying to learn how to do it without thinking about it too much,” Albert said. Freshman Tia Briggs, a 6-foot-1-inch forward from Wilson High School in Tacoma, put her biggest obstacle simply: she needs to understand directions more quickly. But Briggs believes she has been making huge strides in practice. “I’m starting to get the hang of things,” Briggs said. “I’m getting better at playing smart defense instead of, well, dumb defense.” The team is also expecting great performances from freshmen Taylor Peacocke and redshirts Jasmine McCleave and Kiana Gandy. Student Assistant Coach Erika Ramstead has experienced the passing of the torch on the team first-hand - she was one of the captains of the team last year. As a new coach, she is noticing things about the team that she didn’t see while playing. “When you are a player, you think are pushing hard,” Ramstead said. “Then you watch the practice and know you could have tried harder.” Overall, the Vikings are looking to shake up every opponent, resolving to be the best in the league. “We can’t settle,” Ramstead said. “If we do then we won’t reach our highest potential.”
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD As Western’s nationally ranked track and field teams gear up for the shorter indoor season, Head Coach Pee Wee Halsell said the team will continue to practice outside, rain or shine. “Sometimes, running in an indoor meet gets to be more of a workout than an outside practice because of the heat inside,” Halsell said. The season will start with the University of Washington’s Indoor Preview on Saturday, Jan 18 in Seattle. There will be no indoor meets in Bellingham, for lack of a facility, Halsell said. Western will host its first outdoor meet Saturday, April 26 at Civic Stadium. Halsell was named the Great Northwest Athletics Conference’s Coach of the Year for the 10th year in 2013, after the men’s team won the GNAC championship title and the women’s team placed second. The only differences when track moves indoors are in the size of the indoor track and the reduced distance races. Indoor distance runners compete in the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter runs, rather than 16,000 and 3,200-meter runs. Sprints, jumps and throwing events remain the same. The team’s goal this season is to send as many runners to nationals as possible. Halsell is keen on defending the men’s national championship and coach the women to continue and strive for excellence.
WRESTLING In the middle of the season for Western’s Wrestling Club, senior Jake Crawford said the team is in the midst of a comeback. The team will resume its season at the Boxer Open on Jan. 25 at Pacific University. Senior Eric Meza, who broke his toe early in the season, is cleared to return to the mat at the start of winter. Freshman Justin Manipis will also rejoin the team after recovering from a concussion, Crawford said. “We don’t have the numbers we were hoping for this season, but we’ve had some good news and a couple guys returning [winter] quarter,” Crawford said. Though 13 wrestlers are named on the roster, six guys are cleared to compete in January: Meza, Manipis, Crawford, junior Michael Baumgarden, sophomore Kevin Tran and freshman Kegan Mulholland. Between the six wrestlers, the team competes in four weight classes. Crawford said the team’s size is a disadvantage in practice. “We need to practice with new partners to get better,” Crawford said. “At least we’re not all spread out [in weights], but we need new people to wrestle.” In its second year as a recognized club sport, the Wrestling Club has brought in it’s first coach, Mark Parrish, with 30 years of experience. Western is expecting to gain an experienced wrestler in Paul Gomez from Edinburg University in Pennsylvania.
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Washingtonia: A newcomer’s perspective on coffee beans and our music scene was the showing of “Into the Mind,” the ski documentary shown at the Performing Arts Center in October. The roar of that crowd was absurd I love the rain. I look forward to cloudy, drizzly, misty days where and beautiful. trees seem especially green and cars look especially shiny. I love walkWhat I will not dispute is this state’s love for its football team. The ing through a downpour without a hat and feeling the droplets smack Seahawks pervade every inch of campus. And I have never been on a into my cheeks and nose. more silent, sad, angry run than the 13-miler my fellow runners and I I’m not from here. did after the loss to the Colts. It’s a cult-like devotion, especially when it In Denver, Colo., rain is really rare. We have to water our lawns to comes to Russell Wilson [who, I might mention, the Colorado Rockies keep them alive. Moss is confusing. There are a whole bunch of reasons drafted to play baseball. I guess he made the right call]. why I wound up in this particularly far-flung corner of these United Then there’s Macklemore. And Pearl Jam and Nirvana and Death States, but one was the promise of nearly constant rain. Cab and everyone else, but right now, it’s Macklemore. Having now met The irony came when I arrived in September for cross country pre- Garfield High graduates who said he played one of their school dances season training to spend a month of sunny days watching on TV as my and other kids who saw him for $5 at some tiny venue in Seattle, I can home state nearly floated away in flood water. Of course, all is right with admit to a strong jealousy of the music scene up here. Even better than the world now. It’s 50 degrees and clear in Denver and 37 degrees with the aforementioned big guns of Washington music are the extremely sleeting rain here. high quality local outfits like Hot Damn Scandal, Knowmads and I’m And no, Washingtonians, I don’t feel disdain for the rain yet. More sure plenty of others who I haven’t heard of yet. than anything, I’ve learned that there is way more to the cultural makeMost importantly, one is not immediately and angrily labeled a hipup of the Northwest than rain, coffee and marijuana. ster for searching out really good semi-obscure music here. Yes, there A big part of why I am here is running. I was a good high school are plenty of so called hipsters in this part of the world, but it’s almost runner. Not phenomenal, but good enough that I knew I had a shot at so pervasive that it’s not enough just to wear skinny jeans and a flancontinuing my career. During the spring of my senior year, I flew out nel anymore. You have to actually live sustainably or create cool art in here with my dad to meet the coaches and the team, and check out this order to stand out. In the end, if you push beyond the sea of white girls odd town called Bellingham. My first run with the team, I met my cap- in yoga pants, Uggs, and North Face jackets listening to Maroon 5, (betain. He wore a carefully waxed handlebar mustache, an old Joe Camel lieve me, that same sea exists in Colorado) the Northwest offers an excigarettes hat (backwards) and socks for gloves. I was sold. tremely dynamic and fertile creative atmosphere. Running is massive here. This is the land of Brooks and Nike, of It wasn’t an easy choice to come this far from home for school. Steve Prefontaine There is no one and Hayward Field. else from my high You can’t spit in school here and I “No, Washingtonians, I don’t feel disdain for the rain yet. More Bellingham without don’t have any famthan anything, I’ve learned that there is way hitting a runner. ily in the state. But Or, more likely, you I’m here because more to the cultural makeup of the Northwest than can’t walk a foot in of the people. The rain, coffee and marijuana.” Bellingham without friends I’ve made, stepping in a runmy teammates and ner’s spit. the professors who In Colorado, we call this place home do tend to lay claim to the title as the most healthy, outdoorsy, adven- are my kind of people. This isn’t home for me yet, but when I look up turous people in the country. I’m not ready to give that up yet. But I will at the trees, down at the slugs writhing on the pavement (no, we don’t at least admit that there are plenty of people in Washington who share have those in Colorado) and around at these smiling - if rather pale and this spirit. The closest thing I’ve seen to a football game at Western clammy - faces, I think it’s a pretty rad place to be. By Andrew Wise
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Feed a starving senior:
One writer’s impassioned quest for guest meals By Annika Wolters I reminisce of the days of the unlimited meal plan. It was the winter of 20102011. Living in the old, unfinished Buchanan Towers during one of the coldest winters this campus has seen. I trekked through the Outback Farm and skated on icy gravel to get that Fairhaven Dining Commons. I was grateful for it. And if someone needed a guest meal, I had two extras. Those days are gone. Somewhere between my first year and yours, dear freshmen, students forgot the importance of feeding their seniors. It’s now common for me to see more than one shivering upperclassmen standing outside of the Viking Commons, bitter from rejection. Freshmen, who can still take advantage of all the under-appreciated amenities of dorm life can’t even spare a guest meal anymore. To understand the phenomena in a deeper sense, I went undercover to each dining hall, bumming guest meals from dorm-roomers. There I was, posted up at dinnertime, near the entry to first the Viking Commons, then the Ridgeway Commons and finally the Fairhaven Dining Commons. I only asked groups of only guys or girls if they could spare any guest meals. My findings were interesting. I was denied most often at
The Viking Commons dining hall. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review
the VC, by eight groups of guys and six groups of girls. If people didn’t just blow right past me, they would say, “Sorry. No I don’t,” before I finished my question. I could have been giving away a hundred dollars and no one would have wanted to hear about it outside the VC. Things got better at the Ridge. Five out of five groups of girls were willing to give a guest meal, when only three groups of boys said they had any to spare. It’s amazing how easy it is to ignore someone when walking with a group of people. There was a spokesperson in every group, with the resounding, “No” and maybe a pity smile. If someone was kind enough to give me a free meal, they would ditch me at the door and sit with
only people they knew. Deserted near the desserts, it was not an unfavorable situation, but a somewhat unfriendly one. I got to eat dinner at Fairhaven with sophomore Sophia Melin, a Buchanan Towers resident majoring in special education. At the end of the quarter, Sophia said she needs to get rid of her extra meals. “I think I need to get a lower meal plan,” Melin said. “I don’t know what to do with 40 extra meals.” I gorged on pizza, French fries and Caesar salad like it was going out of style. Melin picked a chicken Panini and broccoli. I missed the dining hall more than she, apparently. “I used to have an unlimited meal plan. But since I moved to BT, I use less meals because I have
to walk farther,” she said, laughing. I picked her brain about why people are hesitant to guest students without meal plans. “It may be that they are antisocial. I think a lot of people don’t like having to interact with people with people they don’t know,” she explained. Melin had a point. The students at the Fairhaven dining hall were the most willing to offer me a free dinner. Sometimes people would see me lingering and ask me to join them, before I said anything. Though six groups of girls turned me down, half of the boys’ groups I asked were more than welcoming. Overall Fairhaven was the friendliest location, with 11 out of 20 groups graciously offering guest meals. Thanks, Fairhaven. The ridge came second-friendliest, with eight groups granting me access. Only six out of 20 groups at the VC said they had guest meals to spare. “Maybe people are too busy to swipe their cards twice,” Melin said over dinner. This is a call to all meal planholders. Open up your hearts to the underweight upperclassmen. Give back to your teacher’s assistant, treat your English grad-student-teacher and your geology lab instructor. Why? Because we too dream of the waffle maker. There was a time when I was sick of dining hall food. Now I beg freshmen for guest meals outside.
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Weigh the costs: driving under the influence By C Hayley Halstead // Photo Illustration By Isaac Martin For the past three years, the annual crime statistics on Western’s campus have consisted of relatively low reported crimes. Moving into the category of arrests and disciplinary referrals, those numbers are significantly higher. In 2012, there were a total of 424 disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations and 212 drug related violations. To put this into perspective, the Seattle campus of the University of Washington (an institute that had a student body population in 2012 of 42,444) had 539 liquor law referrals and 187 drug law referrals. The University of Washington is almost three times larger than Western in terms of enrollment. According to Samantha Goldblatt, coordinator of the AS Legal Information Center, the three biggest issues students visit the center for are minors in possessions, driving under the influence and public urination. “What many people don’t realize is that your body is a container,” explained Goldblatt. If you are under the age of 21 and return to the U.S. from Canada (where the legal drinking age is 19) intoxicated, you can be charged with an MIP. According to the Prevention and Wellness Center “pos-
session is defined as having alcohol anywhere around you, even if you are not drinking.” Penalties for being in possession of alcohol under the age of 21 are a maximum $5,000 fine and jail time of up to one year. Typically, Whatcom County issues a $300 fine, 16 hours of community service and educational requirements. When driving, the maximum blood alcohol limit is .08 for someone over 21 and .02 for someone under 21. “A police officer can cite you for a MIP, even if you blow the breathalyzer below the limit if you are exhibiting effects of alcohol,” said Megan Davis, Legal Information Center peer advisor. With the legalization of marijuana, driving under the influence of marijuana has been an increasing issue, which is gradually being standardized by the new I-502 law. According to the Huffington Post, more drivers have been testing positive for marijuana since the legalization last year. In the first six months of 2013 there were 745 drivers that tested positive for marijuana. The average is typically 1,000 per year. “Take a taxi,” Goldblatt said. “It’s much cheaper than getting a DUI and much less of a hassle. There are taxi cabs right around campus. Pay $10, split with friend or get a DUI and have capacity to hurt someone. In the cost benefit analysis, taking a cab is definitely the way to go.”