Volume 101 Issue 17

The Collegian Walla Walla University

Volume 101

Issue 17

23 FEB 2017

6 10

devotional

12

fashion

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#thecollegian

dear reader,

These are a few of my favorite things

I hope you had safe trips during the long weekend or, if you are like about Walla Walla University… me, took advantage of the extra time to catch up on your classes. I am very excited for our feature this week, which will highlight LGBT policies at WWU and the experience of the LGBT community at a faith-based #1 Our school has many places to study on campus. institution like WWU. This feature has taken months of research, meetings, #2 Our school has an esoteric history about a “half-tree” symbol. and conversations to finally come to fruition. Regardless of what you may #3 Our school has some really cool underground tunnels. believe regarding this particular issue, I hope you can keep an open mind as #4 Our school has a wall of alumni signatures in the we begin much needed conversations about this stigmatized group. Please Belfry room. keep in mind that the feature pieces are from the perspectives of the writers. #5 Our school has counseling services available at no cost.

Furthermore, I would like you to remember that The Collegian is committed #6 Our school has a fantastic (and free) Career Development Center. to upholding the values and beliefs of both Walla Walla University and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Thus, without any further ado, I hope As a college student, you appreciate anything you can get for free. If you you enjoy this issue as we uphold the belief that “every person is created had the chance to attend the “Career and Internship Fair” in the WEC on in the image of God as a being of inestimable value and worth, imbued Tuesday, you have a general idea of what the Career Center enables students with powers of intelligence, stewardship, and creativity akin to those of the to do. The Career Center can help you in the graduate school application Creator.” Walla Walla University and The Collegian are committed to “foster process and even in finding internships and jobs. I actually took a mock the unique gifts of every individual within this Christian community of faith and discovery.”1 interview with them in preparation for medical school interviews. If you are still undecided in your career, they also offer a free online program called You can send any comments, questions, or contributions to aswwu.

“Focus 2” which can help you select a major and start building your future. If collegian@wallawalla.edu or matthew.moran@wallawalla.edu. you have your life all figured out already, you can still stop on by to get some As always, enjoy and IPFY (i.e. I’m praying for you) every day! free WWU merch (or staple your papers before class which I obviously never do). Just stop on by when you walk in Kretschmar and you won’t be disappointed.

Editor-in-chief Matthew Moran

context

04

@ ASWWU

assistant editor Abigail Wissink

life

10

14

Head layout editor Frank Ramirez Head Copy editor Sophia Rich

columnist Joni Harris

news writers Kyler Alvord Lauren Epperson

Fashion writer Angelica Chan

food writer Mason Neil feature editors Michael Jensen Ysabela Ramirez Bryndilynn Goodlyn

Life editor Micah Hall

humor writer Micah Hall

backpage editor Lauren Wahlen

opinion writer Yvanna Hammen-Alvarez

religion writer Vixie Bailey

@ JOSHUA NEWTON

Feature | 05 Devotional & Religion | 10 Creative Writing | 11

layout designers Anna-Marie Vargas Claudia Curtis Geoffrey Lopes Hannah Chebeleu

Copy Editors Katherine Beckner Amelia Pekar

https://wallawalla.edu/about-wwu/general-information/our-mission/

Perspective

Table of Contents | 02 News & Senate | 03 Week in Forecast | 04

editor-in-chief Matthew Moran

1

Devotional writer Christina Moran

@DAPHNE NOVÁK

SM/ACA & Fashion | 12 Column | 13 #thecollegian & Food | 14 Science | 15 Sunny Side Up | 16

If you are interested in contributing to The Collegian, speak with one of our illustrious staff members. The Collegian is enhanced by regularly incorporating a wide range of campus perspectives.

Culture/travel writer Darling Su ACA/SM Editor Stephanie Septembre Science writer Jordan Brooks Creative writing editor Mac Ford global service writer Daniel Villarreal

Cover Credit: ASWWU The Collegian is the official publication of ASWWU. Its views and opinions are not necessarily the official stance of Walla Walla University or its administration, faculty, staff, or students. Questions, letters, and comments can be sent to aswwu.collegian@wallawalla.edu or matthew.moran@wallawalla.edu.

This issue was completed at 2:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 23 , 2017.

Office Manager AnneMarie Vixie distributor Victoria Ico

The Collegian | Volume 101, Issue 17 | 204 S. College Avenue, College Place, WA 99324 https://issuu.com/aswwucollegian

NEWS & SENATE CONTEXT

SENATE

AMATEUR HOUR Kyler Alvord News Writer

A

uditions are finished and the setlist is finalized. The 74th Annual OPS Amateur Hour will begin Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Winter Education Complex gymnasium.

Admission costs $6 for students, $7 for non-students, and $13 for families. One dollar of every ticket sale will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research, an organization founded in 1993 to continue searching for cancer’s cure.

Omicron Pi Sigma, the men’s dorm association, has focused the quarter’s events around the

theme “No one fights alone,” a phrase aimed to remind those with cancer that they’re not alone in their battle. The V Foundation aligns with this theme, allowing OPS to make real changes in society.

The performers’ talents vary, and the audience can expect original songs, a K-pop routine, and unique illusions. Ten groups will showcase their talents, but the judges can’t give every act a cash prize.

Freshman health science major Sarah Cabral has sung publicly many times already this year, and she teamed up with junior bioengineering/French major Evelyn OuroRodrigues in hopes of claiming the grand prize.

“Evelyn and I are doing a simple piano ballad with a twist,” Cabral said. “She’s playing and I’m singing.” In a time when eating at Maple Counter costs a small fortune, Cabral convinced Ouro-Rodrigues to use Amateur Hour as a fun opportunity to fund their expensive eating habits.

While most OPS events are limited to the men’s residence halls, Amateur Hour provides an opportunity for other students to get involved. This year, senior theology major Jordan Stephan was chosen to host the event as emcee.

The entire community is welcome to attend and show support on Saturday evening.

This week, Senate had seven bills in old business and zero bills in new business.

OLD BUSINESS F.L. 8 – NOFA CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN G.L. 8 - FACULTY AND STAFF ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT G.L. 9 - CONSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT OF INCLUSIVITY G.L. 10 - QUASI ENDOWMENT ACCESSIBILITY G.L. 12 - CYCLICAL HIRING PROCESS P.L. 31 – AMELIA PEKAR FOR COLLEGIAN COPY EDITOR

COLAB SCRUM EVENT Lauren Epperson News Writer

T

he CoLab Scrum event is happening Feb. 25 and 26 and it is the first of its kind at Walla Walla University. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. when teams will make pitches on their marketable, new, and presentable ideas in front of a panel of judges. Meetings will take place in CTC 320.

After all the groups have pitched, the judges will pick six teams to compete.

The teams then have 24 hours to put their projects together. At the end of 24 hours, a second round of judging will occur, and the top three projects will be chosen. These teams will compete in a second round of business development activities next quarter.

This competition is open to any major, but is sponsored by the business, engineering, computer science, and

COLLEGIAN

MATCHMAKER

ALEXANDRA HARTWICH

P.L. 32 – MATHEW SHEDD FOR ASWWU SPIRITUAL (CONCERT PLANNER)

technology departments. For more information please contact the sponsors, Josefer Montes, Doug Logan, Jonathan Duncan, Pablo Wenceslao, and Linda Felipez.

Students can sign up at https:// cs.wallawalla.edu/colab/ as a leader or as a member of a team, but interested individuals can also join a preexisting team at the beginning of the event.

new BUSINESS THERE IS NO NEW BUSINESS AS OF THIS POINT If you have any questions about these bills, contact your senator. More information will be available in your Senate update email!

There is an opening for a senator in District 7 - Hallmark Apartments/ Faculty Court/University-Owned Housing.

Email Chris Ghazal if you would like to run.

ELECTION RESULTS

DANIEL DECHANCE COMMON GROUND: PRE-PROFESSIONAL

It’s time to reveal this week’s chosen single people. Come by the ASWWU offices Wednesday night to pick up your gift card or contact matthew.moran@wallawalla.edu. Enjoy your sponsored date!

PRESIDENT

EVP

SOCIAL

SPIRITUAL

Adam Hagele

Omar Alfaro

Timmy Kosaka

Matt Cosaert

3

WEEK IN FORECAST FRIDAY

THURSDAY

@VILLAGE SCHOOL

SATURDAY

@ PEXELS

@ ASWWU

Feb 23

Feb 24

Feb 25

ASME Egg Drop Competition 12 p.m. Kretchmar Lawn

CABL Cabining ABC Mountain Retreat

Guest Recital: Douglas Cleveland, organ 5 p.m. University Church

42nd Annual AAUW Book Sale 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Marcus Whitman Hotel

CoLab Scrum 5:30 p.m. CTC 320 OPS Amateur Hour 8 p.m. WEC

SUNDAY

@FRIENDS OF ROCHAMBEAU

MONDAY

TUESDAY

@ MR BETTER HOME

@ TRIONOVAMUNDI

Feb 26

Feb 27

Feb 28

42nd Annual AAUW Book Sale 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Marcus Whitman Hotel

Spring Quarter Registration Opens Freshmen

Guest Recital: Trio Nova Mundi 7:30 p.m. FAC Auditorium

Songs of Youth and Joy Concert 3 p.m. Cordiner Hall at Whitman College

Coming up

March 4 Choir and Orchestra Concert

March 5 Minor Recital: Chloe Mallory

GLOBAL SERVICE CONTEXT 5

125th ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHT

OF POETS AND TROUBADOURS A HISTORY OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT DANIEL VILLARREAL Global Service Writer

MUSIC DEPARTMENT MEMBERS Pamela Keele Cress Brandon Beck Albert R. Diaz Jinhyang Park Lyn Ritz Kraig Scott

C

arrie Wood became the first music teacher when Walla Walla College was founded in 1892. While she was in charge of music, the classes consisted of voice lessons and organ lessons. In 1894 a new professor stepped in. Carrie Hill, who had a music degree from a conservatory in Ottawa, Kansas, moved to Walla Walla with her parents and took over the position that Wood left vacant. She taught voice and piano. During her years at WWC, Hill expanded the music program by creating a diploma in Sacred Music.

In 1902 the School of Music was established with Grace Wood-McNabb as a director. It offered three- and five-year courses in piano and organ, along with instruction in singing and choir.

From 1912 to 1923, though the department did not have many graduates, it had one of the biggest enrollments in

campus. It began with three teachers and ended with six. In 1923 Gladys ManchesterWalin was appointed “Director of the Conservatory of Music.” In 1927 the students at WWC rallied to raise $3,500 for a new music building in 1927. The new building had a 150-seat auditorium, studios, and classrooms. After it was finished, a two-manual nine-rank Reuter organ was installed in the church.

From 1930 to 1941 the department saw an expansion. The student body and the faculty grew. With new additions to the faculty the college finally saw accreditation in 1934. The music department grew and combined the women’s and men’s choirs that, until this point, had been separated.

More bands and ensembles sprouted as more students joined the department. This enthusiasm for music gave the college a unique identity as a place where the arts thrived. There were quartets, string trios, orchestras, piano ensembles, and acapella choirs; even Omicron Pi Sigma had an orchestra.

When the United States plunged into the war in 1942 the students and teachers were faced with the reality of lost fellow students and teachers, which reduced the cheerful musical spirit that had characterized the college for years.

Though the war tempered the spirits of both students and faculty, by the end of the decade the students experienced increased interest in music and the arts.

In the 50s the enrollment at the department began to decline. All ensembles and choirs saw their numbers decline as less students as the general attendance dropped. However, as the decade progressed enrollment went up. With the increased income, the College hired more teachers and the music department saw another growth spurt.

The 60s saw major changes not only to the department but also to the installations.

In 1964, the construction of the building now known as the Fine Arts Center began.

The project saw complications as it tried to embody good taste and be aesthetically satisfying for artists and musicians. The project paid special attention to the

elements of shape, color, and texture.

During the 70s the department had the privilege of performing on the World’s Fair hosted in Spokane. The rest of the decade the department kept on growing.

However, in 1978 the former music building, Columbia Auditorium, was destroyed in a fire that consumed everything inside and around the structure.

The rest of the 20th century saw no major setbacks. And so now it is 2017.

The Music Department of Walla Walla University holds personalities such as Pamela Keele Cress, Brandon Beck, Albert R. Diaz, Jinhyang Park, Lyn Ritz, and Kraig Scott. All committed to the advancement of the arts at WWU. Moving forward, the department hopes to keep educating students in the aesthetics and performance of music to create capable musicians.

Further Reading: Shultz, Dan. A Great Tradition: Music at Walla Walla College 1892-1992.

ADJUNCT FACULTY Michael Agidius Ron Coleman Christopher Cree Shirley Diamond Benjamin Gish Sonja Gourley Pablo Izquierdo Christine Janis Michael Jones Wafia Kinne Dean Kravig Michael LeFevre Rhonda Lineberger Lori Parnicky Norbert Rossi Chelsea Spence Maya Takemoto Michael Vandiver

6 PERSPECTIVE FEATURE

LGBT POLICIES AT WWU

MICAH HALL CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Collegian is the official publication of ASWWU. Its views and opinions are not necessarily the official stance of Walla Walla University or its administration, faculty, staff or entire student body. Thus, our student opinion pieces will be accompanied by an official university statement that responds to the concerns addressed.

E

ver since I started at Walla Walla University, I wanted to know what the university’s policies are about LGBT students and employees.

I have heard ridiculous rumors about university policies since I started asking people about this subject. Someone told me that, if you told the deans you were gay, they would let you have a single-occupancy dorm room for no extra charge. I was told that transgender individuals are not allowed to swim in the WEC pool. I have been told that WWU fired a faculty member just a couple of years ago when they found out he was gay.1 Through writing this article, I wanted

to figure out exactly what university policies could affect LGBT students and employees.

To do this, I spoke with Hilary Catlett, interim vice president for student life and mission; Kristen Taylor, director of residential life and housing; and Jennifer Carpenter, director of human resources.

I also wanted to find out if the university discriminates against the LGBT community. The answer to that question is very simple: Walla Walla University has policies that appear to actively discriminate against LGBT people. In this article, I will outline the basic policies (or lack of policies) that each of these departments have that directly impact the LGBT community.

STUDENT LIFE When I spoke to Hilary Catlett, she was very clear that Student Life has no policies that are directly targeted at LGBT students. This is mostly true. The WWU Student handbook has one policy that directly affects same-sex married couples.

According to the WWU Student Handbook, the university defines marriage as “a lifelong union between a man and a woman.”2 According to the university, same-sex marriages are not acknowledged as marriages in the eyes of the university due

RESIDENTIAL LIFE AND HOUSING The dormitory does not have any policies that address LGBT students. There are no negative repercussions for being openly gay in the dorm, and gay students are not treated any differently than other students.

In regards to transgender students, while there are no discriminatory policies, there currently is no policy about which dorm transgender students would be

to its affiliation as a religious Seventh-day Adventist institution. This sounds like a discriminatory policy since same-sex marriages will not have the same benefits as heteronormative marriages. Heteronormative married couples are allowed to live off campus even if they do not meet any other criteria for off-campus housing. They are also exempt from CommUnity attendance.

Student Life does not have any other policies that would indicate any student on the LGBT spectrum would have any negative repercussions from being open about their sexuality or gender orientation. allowed to live in. I asked Kristen Taylor if a transgender student would be allowed to stay in the dormitory that matches their gender identity. According to Taylor, there have not been any formal requests of that nature by a transgender student on this campus.

Right now, there is no official policy regarding transgender students in university housing. Taylor said that they will work with students on a case-by-case basis and that they are currently working on creating policies for situations like this.

FEATURE PERSPECTIVE 7

UNIVERSITY STATEMENT HILARY CATLETT

W

alla Walla University is founded on Christian teachings as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Our teachings hold central the inestimable value of every person, as a being created in the image of God, imbued with powers of intelligence, stewardship, and creativity akin to those of the Creator. We also believe all people share a common human experience, one which involves a struggle to be understood and heard as we grapple with what it means to be fallen humanity.

HUMAN RESOURCES I spoke to Jennifer Carpenter about WWU’s policies on LGBT employees. I asked if a celibate gay employee could be employed and be open about their sexuality. She said that, as an extension of the Seventh-day Adventist church, WWU “is opposed to homosexual practices and relationships.” The gist of it is that an employee cannot be in a non-celibate samesex relationship and be employed by the university. She also said that “Walla Walla University looks at conduct cases individually, on a case-by-case basis to determine if an employee is aligning their life with the standards and beliefs of the SDA Church.”3 I also asked if a transgender employee could be open about their gender identity while being employed by the university. I was told again that all conduct cases are looked at on a case-by-case basis. The university views conduct cases as a way of assessing the way staff members present themselves in their daily lives. This means that there is no guarantee a celibate gay employee could be employed by the university, even though the SDA church affirms celibate gay members.

The current policy appears to be discriminatory. This should not be surprising. The Seventh-day Adventist church has stated in Fundamental Belief number 23 that it is opposed to all sexual relations outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.4 As a Seventh-day Adventist institution, the university must balance following

church policy and complying with legal anti-discrimination policies. An example of the university’s attempt to balance these things is in the wording of their Human Rights Policy where it says that it does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, marital status, or disability in its employment of non-students.5 The policy says nothing about sexual orientation. The university also has absolutely no concrete policies on transgender individuals. Because the university is not vocally committed to protecting the LGBT community, the case-by-case policies that these departments have open the door to potential discrimination.

The university has a history of suppressing LGBT groups on campus.6 When Mason Neil interviewed LGBT students and employees, there was a common theme of not feeling safe to openly express their identities to the university.

There have been transgender students living in the dormitories, but it is hard to come out to your RAs or deans when the official policy is that they will evaluate your situation on a case-by-case basis. This is especially difficult because the university is not vocally committed to the rights of LGBT people.

This appears to be discrimination and it goes beyond the SDA church’s official statement about homosexuality. Even if the current administration said they want to work with LGBT people on campus, the lack of a clear, supportive policy means that a future administration could easily discrim-

inate.This opens the door for discrimination that is not based on the Bible but based on personal prejudice.

I am not saying that WWU needs to abandon its religious convictions. I don’t expect the university to recognize same-sex marriages or advocate for something that the Adventist church is opposed to. However, these policies go further than the official SDA statement.

It is good that the university, specifically Residential Life and Housing, has stated that it is working on more comprehensive policies, but the university’s current policies are not comprehensive and they do not help LGBT students or employees feel safe on our campus.

We seek to build a campus community around the values and ethics of the Bible. As a religious institution, our desire to build this community around our beliefs is protected as we develop policies and practices that support these beliefs. We acknowledge people have different interpretations of Scripture, and that there may be tension and disagreement with how we approach issues.

Regardless of one’s perspective or tradition, we ask all of the members of our community to engage this topic with civility and respect.

We are committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students, and develop policies and practices around this commitment—such as our Title IX policy regarding harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. We condemn violence or hate directed toward others, regardless of their perspectives, traditions or identities.

Some members of our university community have indicated frustrations with their experience at WWU related to LGBTQ issues. We take this feedback seriously, and insist on Christian care and compassion in this ongoing dialogue.

None of these things are even remotely true.

Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, page 42 In this case, conduct refers to all aspects of an employee’s conduct, not just negative actions.

4 Seventh-day Adventist 28 Fundamental Beliefs 2015 Editiona 5 Walla Walla University Staff Employment Policy https:// wallawalla.edu/resources/human-resources-payroll/employment-resources/staff-employment/ 6 For more in-depth information on this subject and more about the university’s treatment of LGBT people, please read Mason’s article “The LGBT Experience.” (check to see if this has changed) 1 2 3

As an institution of higher education, and as a community of faith, we are not alone in our quest to balance our values with the development of policies and practices intended to protect, educate and develop all members of our campus community. We value your involvement in this process.

FEATURE CONTINUES ON PAGE 7

8 PERSPECTIVE FEATURE

THE LGBT EXPERIENCE AT WWU I

n my experience, college is a time when many students are beginning to figure out their identity. Learning who you are can be a challenging process, and it’s a time when many young adults need support and mentorship from those around them. Being LGBT adds a new dimension to this experience, and can be extremely isolating. For many, the knowledge of being LGBT comes before they are able to talk about it with anyone or find any role models to look up to. Not having the proper resources can be damaging, especially at the pivotal adolescent and young adult stage.

According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, LGBT individuals are more

than three times more likely to experience a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety.1 The experience of coming out has also been documented to lead to PTSD, thoughts of suicide, and substance abuse.2 The mental distress results from not having an environment where one feels safe to express their identity, as well as not having adequate resources. Young adults who identify as LGBT need quality support not only from their peers, but also from their superiors.

Because of the policies that address LGBT issues at WWU on a case-by-case basis, many LGBT individuals at Walla Walla do not feel safe or represented. It may be confusing about what it means for

WWU to be a physically and an emotionally safe place for minority groups, and why it is necessary. Consider this: in recent years, we have had several incidents of LGBT students being mistreated and receiving physical threats. In those situations, because WWU policy can be unclear or difficult to understand in regards to LGBT support, the students involved are afraid to seek help and do not feel safe in disclosing what is happening to them.

In approaching this article, I interviewed six LGBT individuals who are currently or have previously attended or worked for WWU to find out what their experience has been like. The recurring

In one case, the school chose to approve a poster for an LGBT-oriented event but chose not to stamp the posters because they wanted individual staff members to still be able to take down posters if they were uncomfortable. This actively prioritizes the comfort of staff and faculty over the young adults on campus who desperately need support and community.

In an event I planned myself, the event’s posters were taken down after miscommunication about prior event approval.

When I asked what was wrong, I was told that some faculty feared the film we were to be showing was pornographic in nature and would cause miscommunica-

tion. The film is called Pride (2014), and I encourage you to watch it and find where the pornographic material is. You may be disappointed.

Several years ago, ASWWU had a program called Pods that allowed any sizable group of students who met regularly for one purpose to receive funding from ASWWU. This allowed many diverse interest groups to form on campus, one of which was an LGBT discussion group.

When some leaders learned that there was an active LGBT Pod, the ASWWU Social VP for the year was pressured by a faculty member to get rid of that specific group.

However, the Social VP refused. For unre-

lated reasons the Pods program was ended soon after.

The problem of protection and support extends also to staff and faculty.

WWU does employ LGBT individuals, but those individuals are not able to openly express their sexual orientation.

One former staff member stated that working at WWU means prioritizing a career over having a family. “At another school—like the CC or Whitman—you go home and that’s your life. But working for the university, that becomes everything. It becomes every part of your life.” It is important to recognize that WWU is unique from other public schools since it is a

FEATURE PERSPECTIVE 9

theme throughout all the interviews has been the need to be cautious about who you opened up to, as many students and staff members are not adequately prepared to be supportive and safe.

One student, who spent more than six years at WWU, stated that they had difficulty in finding a staff or faculty member who they could talk to without fear of rejection. Several of the people I talked with remarked that they noticed a negative difference in the way they were treated by some staff and faculty members when they opened up to them. This is unfortunate, but because the university has few policies to support LGBT individuals, it is

challenging for students to speak up and confront this sort of prejudice.

The lack of policy and stance from the university also affects non-LGBT students. One faculty member remarked that she has had students in her classrooms use the term gay in a derogatory way. Upon confronting these students, she had to explain to them why using the term gay in such a manner was hurtful and damaging to those who identified as LGBT. These students had not had to think about the meaning of their words, and university leadership and proper training in spaces such as JumpStart or in the dorms could have avoided the incident altogether.

One problem that many LGBT students face at WWU is finding peers who are also LGBT. WWU makes it very challenging for LGBT support groups to meet up and put on events. Many non-religious and some religious schools often have an official group called a GSA, or Gay-Straight Alliance. At WWU, we have a group called SFE, or Students for Equality.

This group has not been able to become an official club, despite several attempts in the past to receive official recognition from the university. While this group still operates and puts on events, not being official makes it hard to find spaces to host meetings as well as advertise.

religious institution. As such, the university wants to ensure that their employees uphold the Adventist perspective in every aspect of their life. Thus, the experience of working at WWU as an LGBT individual could mean prioritizing work over personal life, which I think could potentially open doors for mental health concerns.

Having a fulfilled personal life should not be restricted to heterosexual individuals.

The current treatment of LGBT individuals by many SDA employers harkens back to the days of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

I understand that hearing these incidents of prejudice can be hurtful and embarrassing to those who are connect-

ed with WWU. My goal is not to shame anyone into “doing better” or to attack any specific group. I simply want to show the pain experienced by many students due to the university’s lack of policy and support. While it can be hard to hear these things, it is important to recognize that the shame and fear experienced by the students directly affected by these events is much greater, and needs to be urgently addressed.

I believe that the way LGBT students are treated and responded to at WWU teaches them to be sheepish and to live in fear of their own identity. It is in the university’s interest to create safe places

for these students so that we can openly discuss our experiences and begin forming a community of allies and LGBT individuals. Everyone benefits from diversity, and this will not only show support to our LGBT students, but unite and strengthen the campus as a whole.

1 2

https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ ibid.

MASON NEIL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

10 PERSPECTIVE RELIGION & DEVOTIONAL

GRACE vixie bailey Religion Writer

M

y mind was reeling as I turned bright red. Had I really just said that in front of these people?

I was working at camp meeting with the Primary division. I was by far the youngest person on the team, and therefore was desperate to earn their trust. We were in a meeting discussing the upcoming events and organizing the details. I was very hesitant to speak, but then I had a really good idea. So I had waited my turn and while saying my piece about making a sheet

to send out with information, I accidently replaced the ee sound with an i sound. Yes, it sounds like you think it should. I had just cussed in front of this group of people I was trying so hard to impress. I quickly corrected my mistake and hurried to finish talking.

I don’t think anyone else thought it was as big of a deal as I did, but I was absolutely mortified. My gracious coworkers didn’t blink or even mention it later. It was as though it had never happened.

That is how grace is. Grace is the rose colored glasses that God wears. He sees us stumble, but still loves us, and “love covers a multitude of sins.”1 Often times, we have a tendency to think of grace as the thing you achieve in the end. Climb this hill and grace will be at the top. But that is not how

grace portrayed in the Bible. Paul has an experience where he gets a thorn in his flesh, a pain, a hardship in life. He says, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should be taken from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’”2 Paul was suffering, hurting, and that is where grace found him. Grace isn’t at the top of the mountain; it’s what carries us up the mountain. It is a power that fills us when we are weak and gives us the strength to get through. God’s grace is there for us in every situation and the best part is that it’s free.

All you have to do is ask for it.

College isn’t easy. Let’s be real; life isn’t easy. The good news is God has your back.

Whatever this school year brings, whatever

life throws at you, God’s grace is enough. So maybe my slip up wasn’t that bad, but I was thankful for the grace my coworkers showed in not bringing it up. If you mess up, God isn’t going to bring it up and rub it in your face. Whatever you do, know that there is grace for you.

place of God. Nothing could have given them the love, the peace, and the assurance they needed. When life hits you hard, the only way to overcome is with God. If you have lost a loved one, or struggled paying the bills, or if you feel like you do not have meaning in your life, keep on walking even though it hurts. Keep on praying although you feel like no one will listen. Keep at it.

The hardest part is to continue on with life when the ship sinks. But we are not left alone. “...The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 7

1 Terry Ph. D., Lindsay. "Story behind the song: It is well with my soul." St. Augustine Record. Accessed February 19, 2017. http://staugustine.com/living/ religion/2014-10-16/story-behind-song-it-well-my-soul.

2 Ibid.

3 Hawn, C. Michael. "History of Hymns: “It Is Well with My Soul”." Discipleship Ministries. Accessed February 19, 2017. https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/historyof-hymns-it-is-well-with-my-soul.

4 Terry Ph. D., Lindsay. "Story behind the song: It is well with my soul." St. Augustine Record. Accessed February 19, 2017. http://staugustine.com/living/ religion/2014-10-16/story-behind-song-it-well-my-soul.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

7 Philippians 4:7 NKJV.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”3

1 1 Peter 4:8, ESV 2 2 Cor. 12:8 & 9, ESV 3 Ephesians 2:8, ESV

IT IS WELL christina moran Devotional Writer

D

uring the 1800s in Chicago, there lived Horatio Spafford, a Presbyterian and accomplished businessman. His wife, Anna Larsen Spafford, bore him five children: a boy, who died from pneumonia in 1871, and four daughters: Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie, and Tanetta.1 In the same year, the great Chicago fire of 1871 burned down Horatio’s business, causing him financial complications. But after some time, the business became successful once more through God’s help.2 In 1873, his wife and four daughters boarded the S.S. Ville du Havre for a European trip. Horatio was stuck in Chicago attending to a business problem and planned to follow his family shortly. However, the S.S. Ville du Havre was hit by the Lochearn, an English ship.3 All passengers aboard the S.S. Ville du Havre scrambled for the life boats, trampling over one another, trying to make space for themselves. But the S.S. Ville du Havre “sank in twelve minutes” and 226 lives were lost at sea.4 In the unforgiving waters, Mrs. Spafford tried to hold on to her four daughters, but the stormy waters separated the four daughters from their mother. Only Mrs. Spafford survived. She

sent a telegram to her husband “which began, ‘Saved alone, what shall I do?’”5 A devastated Horatio dropped his things and headed to Cardiff, Wales, to Anna, who was mourning the loss of their precious daughters. On the journey to Wales, despite the great loss Horatio just had, he wrote this compelling piece of poetry: When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot,Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.6 Like Job, a man who lost everything but stubbornly clung on to the hand of God, Mr. Spafford did not renounce his faith in God. Like Mary Rowlandson, a woman who went through the horrific captivity of the Indians but found comfort through constant communion with God, Mr. Spafford found his strength and comfort in God. He penned a hymn that has been sung through the years by those who experienced hardships like Job, Rowlandson, and Anna and Horatio.

The strength and peace that Job, Rowlandson, and Mr. and Mrs. Spafford experienced were not found in their friends or their family or from worldly successes.

God was their strength and peace. Nothing in this whole world could have taken the

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Here are some options for worship activities on campus this week: Huebach Morning Worship - Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. (1 CREDIT) Huebach Worship - Tues 9 p.m. (2 CREDITS) Fireside Worship - Thurs 9:30 p.m. (1 CREDIT) Hispanic Ministries Worship - Mon 7:00 p.m. (1 CREDIT) Hall Worship - Wed 9:30 p.m. (1 CREDIT) Prayer Meetings - Wed 7 p.m. (1 CREDIT) Vespers - Fri 8 p.m. (2 CREDITS)

CREATIVE WRITING PERSPECTIVE 11

CREATIVE WRITING I

came across the idea of the “exploratory” draft on author Laini Taylor’s old blog, Not For Robots. She has so many posts full of good advice, and this particular tiny shift in writer’s vocabulary—where “first” draft becomes “exploratory” draft—especially stuck with me. Here’s how she explains it:

Me, I have recently taken to calling that first flawed, juicy, wild draft the “exploratory draft.” It sounds so much more exciting than “first draft.” It sounds fearless, like you’re stepping into an unknown territory with a knife strapped to your thigh, or like you’re sailing around an uncharted island, looking for a place to drop anchor so you can dive in and swim ashore. And it IS kind of like that, because in your early days with your idea, no matter how well you think you know it from your daydreaming, brainstorming, and outlining, you can’t really know it until you’re IN it.

You have to find the story—and that’s what exploratory drafts are for: exploring the unmapped lands of your idea and mapping them. It IS exploring, and for me, thinking of it like that helps dispel the expectation that it should be easy, casual work, that the story should somehow be waiting for me like someone’s dropped grocery list, all ready to go and just lying on a sidewalk. No story of mine is so tame! For better or worse, my stories are jungles.

There’s bushwhacking involved.

Then she goes through a long, crazy metaphor that really helped me picture just what she’s advocating: Okay. I’m very serious about this. I’m really not into new-agey visualization exercises or anything, but just follow me for a minute.

Imagine you’re standing at the edge of a jungle in, let’s say, Borneo (because I have a fascination with Borneo). You have a rough idea of how big this jungle is— you’ve flown over it in a helicopter and seen dense green tree cover, and you know what’s on the other side. You know where you want to get to, and you have a very vague idea of what’s IN the jungle, but you have no map, and as of yet there is no trail. What you do have is a machete, a blank roll of paper, and a grease pencil.

There’s only one way to get to the other side of the jungle: take out your machete and start whacking. Carve your way forward and forward, sometimes sideways and sometimes back, until you get to the other side. That first time through, you’re going to come across ravines, swamps, viper nests, rivers, all sorts of things you didn’t expect and you’ll deal with them and get around them, over them, through them, in all manner of resourceful ways. And when you step out of the jungle on the far side, what you’ll have in your hand is a sprawling, wrinkled, sweat-stained mess of a map of the territory you’ve just discovered. It might not look very pretty, but it is a glorious thing, a document of discovery. You clutch it to you, and after you’ve rested and healed for a while, you go back to the far side of the jungle and...you start again.1

And that’s it—that’s the exploratory draft, in all its excitement, misery, and joy.

Whether you’re writing fiction, essays, or purely academic pieces, I hope Laini Taylor’s visualization can be useful for facing that first draft with confidence, encouragement, and a sense of adventure.

1 http://bit.ly/2kVnjdN

mac ford Creative Writing Editor

12 LIFE ACA & FASHION

SUMMER STUDY ABROAD Stephanie Septembre ACA/SM Writer

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or students unwilling or unable to sacrifice part of the school year abroad, but who would still like to beef up their resume and experience life overseas, there are cheaper, less time-consuming summer options. Adventist Colleges Abroad offers programs in seven countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Brazil, Israel, and Taiwan. BestSemester (part of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities) offers the Oxford Summer Programme. This article will attempt to highlight the most important aspects of each program, especially the lesser known.

Collonges-sous-Salève, France: Located approximately an hour away from Geneva, Switzerland, this program lasts from June 19 to July 28. The total cost is $3,550, and classes are divided into four levels, ranging from beginning to advanced, depending on students’ skill.

Sagunto, Spain: Four levels of Spanish are offered, and students receive 120 hours of formal instruction. The cost is $3,453, and

the program runs between June 19 and July 27/28. The university is located near Roman ruins, five miles away from the Mediterranean coast, and 20 miles northwest of Valencia, Spain’s third largest city.

Florence, Italy: Centered in one of Italy’s greatest cultural hubs, the institute of Villa Aurora offers courses both in Italian language and Italian art. Tuition is $3,430, and classes run from June 19 to July 27. The university is located close enough to the city center that students will be able to explore Florence by bus or by foot during their spare time.

Bogenhofen, Austria: Bogenhofen is a rural university, located north of Salzburg, and its dominant building is a former castle dating back to the mid fifteenth-century. Students receive 120 hours of instruction between June 19 and July 27 for $3,660. Field trips are planned to Salzburg, Vienna, and a variety of other locations, such as Neuschwanstein Castle.

Bahia, Brazil: At $3,280, Brazil is the cheapest of the summer programs. The university, Faculdade Adventista da Bahia, is located in the northeastern Brazilian state of

Bahia, which boasts beautiful beaches, tropical weather, a rich history, and many tourist attractions. From June 30 to August 6, students study one of four levels of Portuguese, depending on prior experience with the language. Few—if any—Walla Walla students have ever studied Portuguese through this program, so if you’re looking for something completely different, this could be it.

Jerusalem, Israel: This program only offers instruction in Biblical Hebrew, so it is primarily geared toward theology students.

However, if you have an interest in reading the Old Testament in its original form and would like to spend a summer in Israel, this program might be of interest, though be warned, it is highly intensive as two semesters of Hebrew is being covered in six weeks. The program lasts from June 19 to July 27/28 and students receive nine quarter hours of academic credit for $4,222.

Nantou, Taiwan: This is ACA’s newest program, which is only offered during summer months and does not have a year-long option. Students take introductory Chinese language and culture classes at Taiwan Adventist College, which is located in an

idyllic rural setting in Nantou County. The program costs $3,860 and lasts from June 25 to August 16. During this time, students are taken on numerous cultural field trips, which may include the Forbidden Palace and the Great Wall of China.

Oxford, England: This month-long program is offered through BestSemester and lasts from June 14 to July 15, with a cost of $6,650. This is the only summer program that is not geared towards language learning, and students are able to pick from a list of specific course offerings, such as Creative Writing, Religion and Science, Jane Austen in Context, C.S. Lewis and the Classics, etc.

Students select a primary and secondary tutorial and take part in a mandatory series of lectures in a topic related to the British Isles.

For more information regarding any of these programs visit the Adventist Colleges Abroad (http://www.aca-noborders.com/about/index. php) or BestSemester (https://www.bestsemester.com/locations-and-programs/oxford/osp) websites for more details.

STUDENT STYLE: DANIEL VILLARREAL Angelica Chan Fashion Writer

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elcome to Student Style, where we explore Walla Walla students’ unique style and fashion choices. Today, we have Daniel Villarreal, a sophomore here on campus. I asked to interview Daniel because he has a very classic style that also allows him to dress however he is feeling. One day, he could be wearing a very snazzy outfit, the next he could be wearing a sweatshirt, but he owns both looks.

What do you do for fun—do you have any unique hobbies or interests?

I enjoy photography, literature, sports, spending time with friends, traveling, and talking about philosophy, literature, politics, and art.

Who or what inspires your style?

I get my inspiration from people on the street: if I think I can rock it, I go for it.

Where are the items in your outfit from?

Jacket from Wilson’s Leather, jeans from Levi’s, shirt from BYLYN, shoes from Clark’s.

How would you describe your sense of style?

I try to gather inspiration from as many mediums as I can. If I like it, if I think that it looks good on me, I will wear it. I try to avoid being trendy and I rather land in the overdressed side of the attire spectrum.

Why did you choose this particular outfit?

I had planned a day in town. Though it was rainy, it was not particularly windy or cold, so I decided to go with a t-shirt and a jacket. I chose the boots because they are waterproof.

Where do you like to shop?

Banana Republic, Timberland, Aldo, Clark’s, Calvin Klein, Levi’s, J. Crew, Old Navy, T.J.Maxx, Ross, and American Eagle.

What are your favorite trends right now?

My mantra for winter is to layer up: shirts, plaid shirts, sweaters, scarves, and jackets are part of the fare. Boots are just as important.

What fashion advice would you give to other students looking to improve their style?

Self acceptance is more important than style. The first step to looking good is to feel good. Everything else is up to you. Wear what makes you feel good, attractive, or sexy.

Break standards and gender norms, push social boundaries and express yourself through your fashion.

If you could raid anyone’s closet, whose would it be and why?

Matthew Hagele. Besides being a master on combining plaid patterns, Matthew Hagele had one of the best selections of jackets I’ve ever seen.

Daniel Villarreal | Sophomore

COLUMN LIFE 13

TITLE IX

MYTHS AND FACTS ASWWU Video Avalible on Vimeo.com

Title IX is part of the US . . Education Amendments designed to protect you from discrimination and sexual misconduct.

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MYTH

MYTH

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If I report a Title IX issue my report won't be taken seriously.

If I was drinking when I was sexually assaulted I will get kicked out of school.

FACT

FACT

WWU follows a complete investigative process per the Title IX Policy with well-trained and thorough investigators. Investigators work with the Title IX Committee to determine sanctions, and ensure a fair and equitable process.

WWU prioritizes student safety. While drinking violates the Student Code of Conduct, the Title IX Policy maintains an amnesty provision that protects students who report a Title IX issue.

Students reporting in good faith will not be subject to disciplinary action.

2

MYTH

The WWU Title IX Policy only protects certain kinds of people.

FACT All students, faculty, and staff are protected under the Title IX Policy. Every report is reviewed by the Title IX coordinator and investigated according to policy.

3

MYTH WWU discourages reporting outside of university resources.

FACT WWU encourages students to report any Title IX issue to the police. The Title IX investigative process is not an alternative to the criminal justice system.

MYTH

5

If I report a Title IX issue I have to complete an investigation.

FACT You don’t have to complete an investigation process after reporting. WWU has many resources available to individuals who report outside of investigations, including assistance with adjustments to class schedules, housing, medical care, and counseling.

WWU provides support and a variety of resources related to Title IX that you can find at wallawalla.edu/title-ix.

Want to be part of the conversation?

Email jennifer.carpenter@wallawalla.edu to join a student task group focused on Title IX education resources for campus.

There will be Smoothies and a raffle for Hope in the Hills tees after the race.

FEBRUARY IS FOR FOODIES joni harris Columnist

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ebruary is for foodies. But what if you can’t afford to be a foodie because you must give every last penny to attend this fine institution of higher learning (#blessedtobehere)? If money is a problem, Walla Walla still has some options for you.1

1. Hampton Inn & Suites. This hotel offers a delightful continental breakfast with waffles, eggs, yogurt, coffee, and so much more. There are also newspapers in the lobby so you can do the crossword while enjoying your food.2 If you begin to feel guilty about this after a couple Sabbath morning visits, you may want to leave a tip. (The hot tub behind the building does not require a key card, do with that what you will).

2. Les Schwab. This tire place by Walmart has a popcorn machine. Their lobby has decently comfortable chairs, a TV that is usually playing something watchable, and the sweet sweet aroma of new tires. Why not enjoy all that and a quick snack of yellow chemicals called buttered popcorn?

3. The Marcus-Whitman Hotel. This hotel always has two drinks available in their lobby, usually cucumber water and iced tea. On cold days it’s hot chocolate and coffee, of course.

Occasionally warm cookies and brownies are put out as well. These are always enjoyable by the fire in their beautiful lobby.

4. Mystery Coke Machines. These machines offer a 12 ounce can of coke for $0.25 or a 20 ounce bottle for $0.50. This is especially handy as it is directly across from the movie theatre, and is especially exciting because you never know what you are going to get!

5. Dumpster Diving. This is illegal in many places, so know the rules before doing this.

Grocery stores are a great place for this. They throw out food that passess the sell by date but those dates are just a suggestion, don’t worry about ‘em. 3 Much of the food you will find is still in packaging and okay for you to take home. This can be a time consuming process but you’ll save a lot of money, especially if you learn the store’s dumping routines and nail down a weekly route for you to go scouring on. If you want to learn more about this, check out Rob Greenfield’s website. 4 6. Olive Marketplace & Cafe. This one a foodie may actually like. The treats inside the glass box of goodness on the front counter at Olive all go to $2.00 after 8:00 p.m. Grab a loaf of bread and you can chew on it all week.

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Depending on your ethics and depending on whether or

not you are actually a foodie. I am assuming a real foodie would hate these suggestions. I wouldn’t know, I am not a foodie.

2 3

Long live Will Shortz.

It might be good to worry about them in some cases.

14 LIFE FOOD/COLLEGIAN WISDOM/#THECOLLEGIAN

NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP EATING MEAT!1

COLLEGIAN WISDOM Orange-Tinted Alligator Dubbed "Trumpagator."

Trump fires back that he is the least orange, least reptilian, best Terminator ever.

Buddhist Monk Stashed Four Million Meth Pills in Monastery.

Looking to reach higher ground.

Iceland's President Wishes He Could Ban Pineapple As Pizza Toppings.

Easier than banning Muslims.

Rescue Horse Plays Piano at Australian Farm.

Puts Gus the field goal-kicking kicking horse to shame.

daphne Novák Contributing Writer

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ustainability has been on my mind a lot lately.2 Specifically, how can a person eat meat and be sustainable? The impact on the environment is so negatively devastating.

Livestock accounts for 30 percent of land usage3 and accounts for 14.5 percent alone of anthropogenic (human made) greenhouse gases.4 This doesn’t even consider humane treatment of animals which unfortunately falls short of sustainability because higher ethical standards require more land usage.

The only way animals can sustain the demand for their meat is by sacrificing their well being. There was no ethical and sustainable solution to meat eating in my mind until I came across the idea of cultured meat (also called in vitro meat).

To state it simply, labs collect starter cells (stem cells) via a biopsy of a live animal.

Then stem cells are given nutrients and left to proliferate rapidly into muscle cells. And there ya go. But wait, isn’t “cultured’ just a fancy way to say this burger is just a GMO?5 Well, not exactly. The scientists are just growing the meat in a lab, not modifying the genetics of the meat.

While this may seem like a new idea to some of you, cultured meats have been around for a few years at this point. In 2013, the first cultured hamburger patty, grown by scientist Mark Pos,6 was cooked and tasted live on air by Josh Schonwald, an American food writer, and nutritional researcher Hanni Rutzler. Rutzler noted that the lack of fat in the meat caused it to be slightly less juicy than she would expect from meat. She said said that in a blind study, the burger would pass as real meat as opposed to a soy meat alternative. Schonwald was also surprised by the burger’s conventional meat texture and “excellent mouth feel.” Chef Richard McGeown, who cooked the burger, commented that the burger was slightly paler than the average burger meat7 but that it cooked, was aromatic and looked just as inviting as the average burger meat. This burger cost a whooping $330,000, but don’t fret, mass marketing products dramatically lowers cost.

Silicon Valley-based company Memphis Meats focuses on the potential mass market production of cultured meat.

They hope that within a few years they will be able to sell the meat to the everyday person. With cultured meat becoming easier to produce, Memphis Meats is now trying to gain public approval,

because that is ultimately the final step.

Yes, cultured meat may seem strange, but when considering the positive effects on animal welfare, the environment, and human health, why not try something new?

Not only will this reduce the amount of cattle needed to sustain human demand, it will also reduce greenhouse emissions.

Climate change is real, and this is a step to alleviating the problem.

If you are interested in watching fancy people taste test the burger and discuss it for an hour, watch the video at https://tinyurl. com/zwh8a6s.

Or maybe you should. I don’t know your story. I just wanted an excuse to write a clickbait title Everyone take Sustainable Energy Systems, please. It’s the only general studies Engineering course so if you want to sound impressive (as a psych major, I had to get all the darn skeptics off my soft science/humanitiesloving back somehow!) AND you also love sustainability/ the Earth/ life in general, just do it. Two credits, taught every winter.

3 https://tinyurl.com/glvbznv 4 https://tinyurl.com/zonnqet 5 Triggered 6 https://tinyurl.com/j24shrz 7 To combat the lack of color, scientists have mixed beetroot juice and saffron with the meat 1 2

#THECOLLEGIAN

Japanese App Helps Workers Find Open Toilets and Employers Track Bathroom Time.

Almost as bad as going to the bathroom on an airplane.

Kellogg's Unveils Pop-Tarts Pizza Tacos at NYC Cafe.

Congratulations, Kellogg's, you ruined pizza! @PAULGLATTS

@VITALIYKRIVORUK

@BEN.DABNEY

SCIENCE LIFE 15

DARK SCIENCE

JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD PART THREE—NUCLEAR WEAPONS jordan brooks Science Writer

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n many ways, World War II (WWII) is an extension of World War I (WWI).

Humanity was looking for the answer to the age-old fears of war in the tried-andtrue methods of time—develop the better weapon in order to maintain power. The idea was that better weapons keep your nation and people safe. The Jewish German scientist Fritz Haber’s development of chlorine gas as a weapon for WWI led to the development of Zyklon B, which was used to exterminate Jews in WWII. Similarly, heightened development of weapons technology took place across the military spectrum. However, with increased scientific knowledge as the foundation for such technologies, humanity had entered a realm of new possibilities of decimation but failed to verify the assumption that new, more dangerous weapons would keep them safe.

At the onset of WWII, Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi were aware of a weapon Germany was on the verge of creating that involved harvesting the energy that holds the nucleus of an atom together.

Recognizing the danger of this, Einstein and Fermi independently reached out to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in attempt to push more funding for atomic bomb research. After slow initial research and development of nuclear weaponry, President Roosevelt created the Manhattan Project and placed some of the country’s greatest scientific minds behind it.1 A tightly held secret, the Manhattan Project received $2 billion in funding and employed 120,000 Americans in sites around the nation (Hanford, WA; Oak Ridge, TN; and Los Alamos, NM). Under the leadership of J. Robert Oppenheimer, they tested the first atomic bomb on July 9, 1945. The power demonstrated was astonishing: the explosion was visible for 200 miles, its now notorious mushroom cloud was 40,000 feet tall, the blast blew out civilian windows 100 miles away, and the previously sandy blast site was converted to a half-mile-wide glass crater—a spectacle out of a science fiction novel.2

Though seemingly mystical, two different, well-understood physical phenomena generate nuclear power— fission and fusion. The mechanism through which the first atomic bombs (A-bombs) worked was through fission. In general, fission takes place when an atom with a large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclear fragments. When fission happens naturally it is referred to as radioactive decay, but it can also be manufactured to generate incredible amounts of energy. Synthetically, if you bombard a radioactive isotope like Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 with a neutron it will make its nucleus unstable, causing it to split and release two smaller fragments as well as high energy neutrons, which in turn cause more fission (Figure 1).

Hiroshima to end WWII. These two uses were enough to show the world it is in a new age, where use of the “best” weapon doesn’t guarantee group protection but rather mutually assured destruction—the atomic age. Those who experienced the blasts at Nagasaki and Hiroshima are the only people who can truly articulate the terror.

Aratani, a 13-year-old boy, was working in a field on the outskirts of Hiroshima the morning of the bombing.

He states, "Suddenly we were attacked by a terrible blue-yellow flash that left us stunned. At the same time, we were blown off the ground by the blast of the bomb," Aratani said. "Then the heat wave reached us. We could hear the sound of our faces and hair burning."5

war strategies, defaulting to a chain reaction of nuclear bombings between nations. This highly volatile strategy ensured mutual destruction, and the new reality of this kind of war was captured well in the quote from U.S. general Curtis Lemay when he said, “… bomb them back into the Stone Age.”9 Seen as the father of the atomic bomb due to his leadership in the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer’s identity is forever tied to the bomb’s creation, a fact he struggled with publicly and privately for the rest of his life. In reference to the Bhagavad Gita, Oppenheimer described himself by saying, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” Had Oppenheimer opened a Pandora’s box? What guaranteed this technology wouldn’t destroy humanity?

What guarantees this technology won’t wipe out humanity in 2017?

Oppenheimer’s story is yet another reminder that just because we can create something doesn’t mean we should. When diving down the rabbit hole of discovery that is science, it can be hard to remember to that finding something new isn’t equal to finding something good. Oppenheimer himself stated, “It is a profound and necessary truth that the deep things in science are not found because they are useful; they were found because it was possible to find them.”10

Figure 1. Diagram of a nuclear fission chain reaction of Uranium-235 (Google images).

The chain reaction of nuclear fission generates unimaginable amounts of energy, but pale in comparison to the next phase of nuclear weaponry. While the largest nuclear fission-based A-bomb (Ivy King) produced a 500,000 TNT-equivalent explosion, the largest nuclear-fusion based thermonuclear bomb (Tsar Bomba) produced a 50-million TNT equivalent explosion.3,4 Nuclear fusion works by essentially the opposite mechanism as nuclear fission. In fusion, two small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, but this process generates even larger amounts of energy. At the height of nuclear weapon development, thermonuclear warheads used a fission reaction as just a primer for the desired fusion reaction.

The destructive power of nuclear weapons has only been demonstrated during war at the bombings of Nagasaki and

Tomiko, a 13-year-old girl, described her experience by stating, "… dead people all over. All over! Particularly, I can remember…

I saw a Japanese soldier that was still mounted right on his horse—just dead!

Also that a streetcar had stopped just at that moment [of the bomb] and the people still standing, dead."6 People like Aratani and Tomiko who survived the bombings were referred to as hibakusha, literally translated as “explosionaffected people,” and many didn’t share their stories for a long time.6 Now, they share them mainly for educational purposes.7 The use of the atomic bomb killed around 115,000 people in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki—mind numbing numbers.8 Just as a rapid chain reaction of fissions causes the A-bomb explosion, the creation and arms race of nuclear weaponry shifted

http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp Ibid.

3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O69Kc1i01tA 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNYe_UaWZ3U 5 http://pilotonline.com/news/nation-world/national/ hiroshima-a-bomb-survivors-reflect-on-horror-healing/ article_4ee41c80-3868-5285-8d31-843a0e8a4acc.html 6 http://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2005-08-05voa38-67539217/285768.html 7 http://www.hibakushastories.org/who-are-the-hibakusha/ 8 http://www.aasc.ucla.edu/cab/200708230009.html 9 http://apjjf.org/-Nick-Cullather/2245/article.html 10 https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/j_robert_ oppenheimer.html 1 2

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SIDE

SUNNY

KANYE WEST CONTEXT 13

HOW TO GIVE A WEDDING GIFT

AS A BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT lauren wahlen Backpage Writer

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used to love giving gifts as a kid. You know, back when a crappy construction paper door hanger was still considered a perfectly acceptable birthday gift for dad. It didn’t matter if we had been forced to make them in art class, or that it probs took no more than 15 minutes. It didn’t even matter if it got crumpled in our backpacks or if we spilled our lunch on it. We got away with giving these gifts because we were cute li'l budding artists. So now that I’m “all grown up”1 I’ve encountered a problem. You see, all my friends are getting married, which means bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and weddings. And while all those things are super fun, obvi, I’m more broke now than when I was a seven-year-old!2 So what do I do now that I’m no longer able to pass off my homemade creations as thoughtful tokens of my love? I ain’t cute and I ain’t lil’, so that kinda sucks all the charm out of my homemade gift giving.

There’s no way I could convince anyone that I’m still a budding anything, much less an artist.3 And yet, I’m supposed to come up with gifts that don’t make the recipient respond with something like “Aww, I love it but I can’t accept your gift, it’s just too thoughtful…keep it. No, but for reals, I insist.

KEEP IT.” Well, in case you’re in the same boat as me, I’ll share with you some gift ideas that won’t break your bank (or your pride). Disclaimer: Give these gifts at your own risk, cuz I haven’t actually given these out myself. So, if your friends end up hating you, don’t blame me and my ~creativitayyy~. However, if they end up loving it, feel free to give yer old pal Lauren a shoutout. *insert sassy girl emoji here* 1. A plant: If you’ve got a few dollar bills to spend, go buy one at Home Depot or wherever. If you’ve only got some change, buy some seeds. If you’re broke, just dig up a plant from your own yard. If your friend doesn’t recognize it, bully for you. If she does, no worries; just say that you knew how much she liked it and now you want her to have it for herself. And if you don’t have a pot, just use a mug or a mason jar or something. It’ll just look like you were going for a hipster aesthetic. Bonus points if you write something sappy on the card like, “May this plant be a symbol of your love, ever-changing while still growing stronger every day.” You’re welcome.

2. A goldfish: This mostly works if a) you went to a fair and won a free goldfish, b) you haven’t bonded with it already, c) it hasn’t died yet, and d) your friend likes fish. But if you happen to be in the clear with all these things, good for you.

You’ve just found your friend a wedding present.

Just present it as a chance for them to practice taking care of something in preparation for a child. And if they don’t want kids, then say that it'll take the place of one. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

3. Dollar Tree stuff: yes, they may have a registry full of cutlery and bedding. But that’s what aunts and uncles are for. Are you their aunt?

No. Are you their uncle? Also probably no. So then have some fun with your gift. Knock yourself out at the dollar store, just make sure you’re getting things that remind you of them. If your friend hates notebooks, don’t get them a stack of notebooks. If your friend likes notebooks, however, still don’t give them a notebook. That’s a dumb gift. Try again. Oh, and make sure to take off the price tags. That might make it look like it was maybe too expensive. ;) 4. Modern art: This is the only kind of art that unartistic people can get away with making, cuz the whole point is that it might be interpreted differently to different people. So paint anything, and as long as two different people think it means something different, you're good. When you give it to them, say that you painted a picture of what marriage looks like. Just make sure it doesn’t end up looking like a broken heart or something, unless you’re going for an emo vibe, I guess. But are you sure you want to be the married couple’s bitter friend? Cuz that’s who you’ll be if you’re seen giving a painting of an all-black broken heart to the bride and groom. Doesn’t matter if you were trying to paint a black bear. Does. Not. Matter.

1 This is in quotes cuz although I’ve technically been an adult for over five years now, I lowkey feel like a 10-year-old that somehow got trapped in a boring, adult world filled with taxes and bills and car repairs and budgeting and...

2 Little Lauren used to think that $20 was a lot of money.

Now I realize it might buy the first three chapters of one of my eight required textbooks.

3 After 15 plus years of sucking at art, I’ve finally realized that no talent takes that long to...bud. I just suck, and I am okay with that.

TWO TRUTHS

& A LIE

Last week’s lie: "In 1936, the college experienced an earthquake that registered 5.0 on the Richter Scale."

If you like coffee and/or free things, listen up! The first student to email me at lauren.wahlen@wallawalla.edu and let me know which of the below facts is actually a lie gets a free Atlas drink card! And if nobody gets it right, I can keep it for myself.

That hasn’t happened yet… but anything is possible if I just believe, right? Right?!

Walla Walla literally taught basket weaving to its students during its early years as a college.

Walla Walla College finally became Walla Walla University in 2007, thanks to the range of graduate programs that became available.

In the 1960s, the college finally dispensed with its practice of paying employees based on gender or family status.

VERBATIM “Now, don’t quote me on this, but you guys could have gotten the "Book of Screw Theory" for this course instead of our textbook.” - Don Riley, on Robotics “Everybody knows size matters.” - Janice McKenzie, on muscle strength "Hares! Hares. H.A.R.E. Like rabbits. Not like the stuff that is supposed to be on the president’s head." - Dr. Gottschall, on calling the British "mad hares."

Your verbatim submissions always make me laugh, and someone once told me that laughter is the best medicine so keep them coming cuz I really don’t feel like getting sick again. Merci beaucoup <3 Email me at lauren.wahlen@wallawalla.edu.

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