Student Senate under reform, p. 2 Queer Resource Center establishes online presence, p. 4 New Beginning: Our writer tells of her summer health transformation, p. 8
Vol. 29 #3 10.1.13
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Students climb the steps of Wilson Library during the first rainy day of the school year on Sept. 27. 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 Online: as.wwu.edu/asreview @TheASReview facebook.com/theasreview
NEWS 2
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THE AS
REVIEW Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
Cade Schmidt Kylie Wade Isaac Martin Annika Wolters C Hayley Halstead
Adviser Jeff Bates
We’re on Twitter! @TheASReview
COLUMNS 8
NEW BEGINNING Our writer shares her experience with shedding 40 pounds this summer
STUDENT LIFE 4
© 2013. 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.
SENATE SUSPENDED The Student Senate remains on hiatus for reconstruction
QRC KICKS OFF Queer Resource Center revamps programming
Senate, continued from page 2 “Throughout history, the senate has faced ongoing challenges in establishing itself as a governmental sub-body in the overall system we have in the AS,” Tokola said. “It’s not so much that it’s needed improvement every year, but more that the senate has evolved with the Associated Students to provide the best representation possible for the student body.” Tokola hopes to have drafted a new charter and bylaws for the board to consider by mid-winter quarter, he said. “You have to take the car off the road before you can do repairs,” said AS President Carly Roberts. “Essentially, the Student Senate is spending the year ‘in the shop’.” Through the last few years the senate has had trouble retaining its members. There were also difficulties with the way it operated, Roberts said. The influence of the Student Senate was extremely limited, said former Student Senator Marc Oommen. The senate doesn’t wield any power over the Board’s decision-making process and does not participate in policy-making. Junior Matt Hilliard was appointed and served on the senate
EVENTS: OCTOBER 1-5
FEATURES 5
GET EMPOWERED The Social Issues Resource Center preps for a year of providing social justice education
STUDENT SENATE PUT ON HOLD By Annika Wolters The Student Senate — the primary advisory council for the Associated Students Board of Directors — will be under construction until it can be reformed and made into a more active avenue for a student leadership role. It’s expected to return next year. Since 2001, students have applied through the committee system to become board-approved members of the Student Senate, acting as representatives for the student body. Chosen student senators were to reach out to the campus community for input on issues to be voted on by the Board of Directors. Its ultimate goal was to see that the board considered the concerns of the students each senator represented. Senators reached out to clubs, classrooms and participated in discussions on “The Issue of the Quarter.” Last year’s Board of Directors agreed that before continuing the Student Senate, it must be put on hold and improved. Glen Tokola, AS Student Senate Reform Staff, said the senate has been put on hold this year so that deeper changes could be made that wouldn’t have been possible if the senate were still operating. continued on next page
during the 2012-13 school year. “It wasn’t a very effective organization,” Hilliard said. “I can see why [the board] would want to improve it.” Tokola said since it’s early in the reform process, it’s hard to tell exactly how the senate can be improved. “Conversations from last year’s senate mentioned that the most it could do was pass formal resolutions that would be forwarded to the AS Board for consideration,” Tokola said in an email. “Even then, these resolutions only had the power to recommend actions to the board.” Oommen, a recent Western graduate, called the temporary suspension, “one less venue for student involvement.” He recognized that the senate can be made better and rewriting the bylaws can help justify why it exists in the first place. Tokola will be spending the next two quarters reaching out to universities with similar demographics or student governments as Western’s, and will bring his research to discussion with AS student leaders for consideration. Until then, students are encouraged to voice their opinions during the public comment period at AS Board meetings in VU 567.
Wild Buffalo Anniversary Party
Oct. 1 // 9:30 p.m. (doors at 8) // Wild Buffalo // Free Join the Wild Buffalo in celebrating five years of new ownership with a free concert featuring Learning Team, Us On Roofs, DJ BGR and Manatee Commune.
Veterans’ Welcome Back
Oct. 2 // 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. // VU 567 // Free Join the Veterans’ Outreach Center for a social aimed at introducing students to the
welcome back
VOC,
greeting
new and returning students and learning about resources.
Spirits
of the Red City w/ Sky Colony Oct. 2 // 8 p.m. // Underground Coffeehouse // Free Catch self-described “singer-songwriter folk ensemble” Spirits of the Red City performing with Sky Colony.
ESP Coal Train Info Panel
Oct. 3 // 6 p.m. // AW 204 // Free This discussion will feature a panel with ranging opinions, including Chris Johnson from Laborers Local 276, Julie Trimingham from coaltrainfacts.org and James Wells, and
environmentalist and coal export activist.
For
additional coverage of this event, see pg.
8.
QRC: Ice Cream Social & The Closet
Ice Cream Social: Oct. 3 // 6 p.m. // VU MPR // Free The Closet: Oct. 4 // 7 p.m. // MH 131 // Free Join the QRC for two events this week. On Thursday night, the QRC will host its Ice Cream Social, a safe, open and fun place for people join Western’s queer community. The Closet will be on Friday night and is an open discussion centered on coming out and story-sharing. For more about the QRC’s plans for this year, see pg. 4.
Western Athletics: Women’s Soccer & Volleyball
Soccer: Oct. 3 & Oct. 5 // Orca Field // $3 Volleyball: Oct. 3 & Oct. 5 // Carver Gym // $3 Both teams are off to strong starts this season. Cheer on the volleyball team as they take on Northwest Nazarene at 7 p.m. and the Women’s soccer team as they battle Seattle Pacific at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, both teams face off against Central Washington at 7 p.m.
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QRC ESTABLISHES QUEER SPACE ONLINE WITH TUMBLR
THE ESC: A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
By AS Review Staff This year’s AS Queer Resource The social will be followed with an Center is making a few changes to the educational event about coming out on Oct. 20-year-old office’s routine program4. “The Closet” will be an interactive discusming. sion about what it means to come out and “We decided to make a Tumthe ongoing process of coming out, in occablr page so that people could ask us sion of National Coming Out Day on Oct. anonymous or open-ended questions. 11. The event will be held from 6–8 p.m. in By C Hayley Halstead They could be anything along the lines Miller Hall 131. In 1980, student diversity statistics estimated of sexuality, marginalization, gender, “We want the space to be primarily a that the student population comprised of 3.7 pronouns, just a wide range of topics,” queer space so people can start building said Derick Reinhardt, Queer Resource community and feel like they’re a part of a percent students of color. Today, a little over a fifth of Western students are reported to Center coordinator. community, though straight students can Education Coordinator Gray Newcome as well,” Reinhardt said. “We’re about be students of color. While ethnic diversity on campus is increasing, students lin brainstormed the idea as an acceseducating people when it comes to allyship. Soul singer Cody ChesnuTT lights up the still need a space Bigfoot on campus for safety, inclusion, cultural sible way to reach out to students. Basically, we don’t want you to say you’re an Honda stage on Monday, despite the rainy weather. “I’m really excited by the prospect ally just because you support gay marriage.” learning and access to resources. In 1991, the of a way for students to ask questions Reinhardt intends to reach out to people Ethnic Student Center was formed. Today, students casually lounge in the anonymously. Even though our office is who want to be allies, and encourages stua confidential space, students can still dents to utilize the QRC as an educational center utilizing its television, computers, board games, cozy couches and friendly staff that greet be reluctant or embarrassed to come in resource to think critically about queer visitors upon entering its office in Viking Union and talk to us. I’d like to see those quesissues and intersecting identities. tions they have answered,” said Newlin. “A lot of people think the word ‘queer’ 420. The Western community constantly has the opportunity to participate in events hosted Newlin also feels the page can help means ‘gay’ or that it’s an umbrella term. the office reach out to students without We want to move away from that and move by this student-run organization. The ESC Facebook accounts. The page can be into a more critical way of thinking. I define Housewarming event will be hosted in the ESC on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. It gets its name found at www.wwu-qrc.tumblr.com. ‘queer’ as a way of life. I myself have marThis year, the staff also decided ginalized identities, but they also intersect from the concept that many students involved view the ESC as a home away from home. not to host the annual Rocky Horror with each other. To me, it’s how you inOn a larger scale, the 23rd annual Ethnic Picture Show performance near Halteract and figure out your place in society loween, as students expressed they and recognize your privileges. We need to Student Center Conference is coming up on found its content offensive, particurecognize that if you have two people who Oct. 18-20. Which is hosted at Camp Casey on The Queer Resource Center staff poses at Lakewood larly towards trans and gender-variant identify as queer, they probably both have Whidbey Island. During the conference, students will be able to listen to keynote speakers, attend people. Reinhardt said that some of the on Lake Whatcom on Sept. 12. (Clockwise from top different experience and those need to be left) Coordinator Derick Reinhardt, Assistant Coordinaworkshops and participate in the Cultural call outs made by audience members validated,” he said. during the performance were especially tor Clinton Kvistad-Renaissance and Education CoorThe office is currently planning to host Sharing program, bonfire, dance and games. dinator Gray Newlin. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Janani Balasubramanian, a queer South Some of the topics to be discussed are types of offensive and didn’t allow the show to Review. oppression, environmental justice education, be a safe space. Asian poet, later in the month. The event In its replacement, the QRC will host several events during October, will begin with a discussion workshop on race, capitalism and queer de- student voices and activism, compassion beginning with the annual Ice Cream Social from 6–8 p.m. on Oct. 3 in sire. The workshop will be followed by Balasubramanian’s spoken-word development, cultural influences on gender and the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. performance and a Q&A. The event is set for Oct. 30. Time and location combating rape culture on campuses. While the setup of the conference is similar The social is a kickoff for the QRC and a way for the staff to to be determined. each year, this year all of the conference will be at introduce themselves. Attendees can expect free Mallards ice cream, The QRC is a part of the Resource & Outreach Programs and is lodiscussion questions about gender and sexuality and speed friending, cated in Viking Union 515. Students who wish to become involved can continued on next page said Reinhardt. follow the office on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ASQRC.
THE ETHNIC STUDENT CENTER GETS READY FOR THE 23RD ANNUAL ESC CONFERENCE AND LOOKS FORWARD TO A YEAR OF COLLABORATION & COMMUNITY
Teena Thach, ESC Public Relations Coordinator and Polly Woodbury ESC Programs Coordinator. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review.
QUICK FACTS: THE ESC AT A GLANCE - Founded in 1991 - Located in VU 420 - Home to over 15 student clubs - Their goal is to “help students affirm their identity, build a sense of community and cultivate leadership”
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ESP & REP COLLABORATE TO EDUCATE VOTERS THIS YEAR AT THE SIRC By Cade Schmidt A $700 million terminal, 24 million metric tons of coal a year, 4,400 jobs and over 81,800 Bellingham residents; these are just some of the numbers on the table for a county-wide debate over Gateway Pacific’s proposed coal terminal plan. On Thursday, Oct. 3, the AS Environmental & Sustainability Programs and Representation & Engagement Programs will host “a collaborative discussion on the Cherry Point Coal Terminal” from 6–8 p.m. in Academic West 204. The event is free. The discussion will feature a panel with ranging opinions, including Chris Johnson from Laborers Local 276, Julie Trimingham from coaltrainfacts.org and James Wells, an environmentalist and coal export activist. “We’re focusing more on the coal terminal itself. We’ll probably touch on the trains during the panel. It’s going to be the largest export
terminal in North America if it’s built. I think there’s a certain percentage of what it’s shipping that will be coal, it will be shipping other things as well. They’re going to be shipping things to markets in Asia primarily,” said ESP Coordinator Monica Tonty. Tonty added that there are several cases both for and against the terminal. “The worries behind it are how it will affect the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve, which is where it’s located. The reserve is managed by the Department of Natural Resources. To get on the list of aquatic reserves, you have to have some kind of ecological function that’s really important,” she said. The Lummi Nation has come out against the terminal because of its rights to fish in the aquatic reserve, she said. The tribe’s officials have compiled a 34-page document of its objections to the terminal.
SOCIAL ISSUES RESOURCE CENTER PREPARES FOR A YEAR OF EMPOWERING AND EDUCATING STUDENTS
Many argue that the terminal will provide the county with great economic benefit, said Tonty. She added that candidates currently on the ballot for Whatcom County Council will have the power to approve or disapprove permits allowing for the construction, which is By Annika Wolters The Social Issues Resource Center, located in Viking Union why ESP and REP decided to have the panel. 530, is a place to discuss issues that tend to get left out of main“We are kind of at a key stage right now stream media, particularly those surrounding marginalized and of whether the project moves forward, or it intersecting identities. doesn’t. So it’s important to give people who The SIRC will be hosting its kickoff event from 6-8 p.m. don’t know much about it the knowledge they Tuesday Oct. 8 in VU 565, complete with pizza, introductions, need to make the decisions they think are best music and social issues Jeopardy. for the future of this area,” she said. “We want people to come learn about those things, but we Representation & Engagement Programs also want people to be able to engage in those things,” SIRC will be registering students to vote at the event. Coordinator River Reier said. “So they feel like they can ask quesWhatcom Wins, a campaign by Whatcom tions or start up a conversation with their friends.” County Democrats, endorses county council The SIRC office, which is open to everyone, provides a resource candidates and is currently asking voters to pledge to vote for candidates who stand against library filled with books, DVDs and unpublished zines made by students. the terminal. Students will also have an opportunity to make their own page ESC, continued from page 5 to contribute to a zine at SIRC’s kickoff event. “We’d really like to see clubs, and students who are not affiliCamp Casey, rather than some of it at the Viking Union Multipurpose come together and be united, and there’s a lot to learn from.” Room with less time on Whidbey Island. Another change that students Though not all students will be able to register for this large event ated with clubs, come and utilize our office,” Reier said. can expect are smaller group interactions to build tight bonds and due to its limited capacity, there are other ways to become involved in relationships. Upon the first day of arrival, each student will be assigned the ESC. Currently, there are over fifteen ESC clubs such as the African Everybody is connected to social issues, to a particular group and during the conference there will be time for the Caribbean Club, Hui ‘O Hawaii, Native American Student Union, no matter what side of it you are on. students to reflect on their experiences with the support of their group. Queer People of Color and Thai Student Association. Students of all “I’m really excited for the conference because backgrounds are welcome to join and participate The ESC is not just for Last year, Reier said there were hateful things said that made this is the first year that it will be three days and two in these clubs and events. people feel less safe on campus. The zine-making project is a way nights, usually it’s just two days and a night. With “I’m very excited for the future collaborations students of color, it’s not the extra day, there’s more time to create a stronger within the ESC,” Woodbury said. “This year we are to get feedback from students concerning what is needed to make connection with other students and the ESC,” said just for ethnic students. It is trying to bring focus to intersectionality and work campus a safer environment for everyone. is connected to social issues, no matter what side the Program Coordinator, Polly Woodbury. welcome for everyone and with different offices within the AS, like the ROP, of it“Everybody you are on,” Reier said. Cultural Sharing is one of the programs that and Western alike.” is a safe space. Common ground is to be found in the SIRC. Taking a personwill allow students to share their culture as well One of the goals this year for the ESC is to and identities with the goal of increasing cultural enhance a sense of unity across campus by having alized approach, the SIRC reaches out to all positions and students awareness. For example, students may recite poetry, play music or dance more of its clubs working together, not just from within the ESC but also to pinpoint their relationship to social issues — as part of a “we can all relate” approach, Reier said. to encourage increased understanding of their background. Interested all over campus and with different departments. “We are a space for everybody to learn. We talk a lot about students may sign up online by visiting the ESC website. Students living “We want to connect all the clubs together and build unity,” said Thach. off campus will need to pay a $35 registration fee, which also includes all The ESC, located in VU 420, is open between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. marginalized identities, but it’s really important for people who meals, transportation and housing. Students on campus will be able to Mondays through Fridays. All are welcome to stop in to explore the area, don’t have those identities to come,” Reier said. “Because it’s important that folks come to learn how to respect folks who are register at no cost. meet new people and learn more about what the center has to offer. “It’s a place to build community and unity, and there’s going to be “The ESC is not just for students of color, it’s not just for ethnic students. different than us.” Music requests, suggestions and questions from students can lots of workshops, cultural sharing, places to meet people,” said Public It is welcome for everyone and is a safe space,” said Thach. be sent to as.SIRC@wwu.edu. Relations Coordinator, Teena Thach. “It’s a great way for everyone to
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TOP TEN: SEPTEMBER 17-23 1
Paracosm Washed Out
2
Right Thoughts Right Words Right Action Franz Ferdinand
3
Sleeper Ty Segall
4
EP-1 PIXIES
5
AM Arctic Monkeys
6
The Nextwave Sessions Bloc Party
7
Half of Where You Live Gold Panda
8
I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams Diarrhea Planet
9
Sanctuary Infinity Shred
10
Hobo Rocket Pond
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.
8 • as.wwu.edu/asreview
A WRITER’S EXPERIENCE: NEW BODY, NEW BEGINNING By C Hayley Halstead The false notion that I was invincible to weight gain after arriving at a constant level of insecurity. Western lingered in my mind while I helped myself to all-you-can-eat Living overweight wasn’t fun for me. I constantly compared myself meals in dining halls, late-night munchies and free-pizza events. Afto others and put myself down. I needed more consistency in my life, so ter an entire academic year of unhealthy eating, minimal exercise and near the end of spring quarter I vowed I would make a difference before overall laziness, I was labeled as overweight. coming back to school for my senior year. They say it takes almost one month It started with a dieting program to make a habit and simply one day to where every two to three hours I would My motivation came from all those times eat one small meal that would usually break it. My tendency to stay organized, eat balanced meals and exercise reguI felt rejected, turned down or insignificant end up being about one hundred calories. larly quickly disappeared as I became Each meal was packed with vitamins and because of being overweight. I wanted to overwhelmed by the expectations of a minerals. During my day, I drank half my university compared to the community be someone special and feel confident body weight in ounces of water and ate college I previously attended. one lean meat and green. It was as simple about myself. One of the first weeks of school, I as that. purchased the X-Pass to Wade King My motivation came from all those Rec Center with high hopes of making use of my investment. During times I felt rejected, turned down or insignificant because of being overthe free-trial week, I tortured my body by taking back-to-back classes weight. I wanted to be someone special and feel confident about myself. in attempt to determine the optimal session for me. The following day, Even fruit wasn’t permitted due to the sugar in it. I could have easmy whole body was in pain and I felt discouraged from embracing the ily cheated and nibbled on the fresh fruit from my garden, but picturgym. It didn’t help that after working out at the gym, I had to hike up ing my ideal self was so much more rewarding than a few bites of fruit the hill to where I lived on the Ridge. could ever be. One week during the school year, a student in passing laughed The first week of the diet, I lost ten pounds. The weight dropped at me for being out of breath as I climbed up the stairs to the Ridge. quickly and I felt light-headed. During the daytime, I performed light During my transition into the Western community, I didn’t always feel manual labor at my job. My weight loss became more and more gradual. supported. I lost myself in eating. I would eat when I was bored, tired Each week I weighed myself and smiled at the scale, revealing a smaller or just for the sake of being offered free food. I made no restraints and and smaller number each time. slowly my clothes started fitting tighter. After my first couple weeks, I went into something referred to as Whenever I envisioned being a student at a university, I would “fat burn mode.” My body’s metabolism was rising and I felt more enpicture college parties consisting of an attire to show off a flat stomach, ergized and happy. I wanted to be active and do fun activities. Losing having a gap between my upper-thighs and being hit-on excessively by weight felt amazing, and my friends and family were all supporting college guys. Isn’t that what’s portrayed in the media? me along the way. My experience was quite the opposite: a pudgy body covered up with I now can say that losing weight was one of the most rewarding loose clothing to hide my body fat and watching the male gaze directed things I have ever done. My clothes fit better (some are even too big), I towards skinny girls, not me. I never had that new student, fun party feel better about myself and overall, I’m happier. At the end of the sumsituation because maybe I was never given a chance. mer, I’d lost 40 pounds. I never thought I would be able to lose so much I promised myself to be active on campus when I first started weight in such a short period of time. But I did it. Me, the girl who would classes. I must have written my name down for over 20 clubs and I sometimes contemplate bussing from the Viking Union to the Ridge. attended many events spontaneously. During fall of 2012, I made the active decision to pledge for Western’s co-ed professional business fraTake control of your health for a healthier and happier you. ternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. Though the pledge process was lengthy, once I *The AS Review recognizes that all bodies and experiences was initiated, I experienced a feeling of acceptance and belonging. Still, are unique. This is simply C’s experience. I knew I was one of the heavier people out of the group, which gave me
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