DIVERSITY
SPORTS
OPINION
Pg. 3
Pg. 5
Pg. 6
CWU welcomes students back at diverse welcome events
Vol. 126 NO. 1
Meet the new track & field and cross country coaches.
What to watch this week; three new movies for your consideration.
October 4, 2023
Wohlpart discusses successes and WGA and AMPTP sign new deal, strike ends “roadblocks” the university is facing Former Disney executive and current CWU lecturer weighs in Hinson find your next job because the in that phase of the process.” this year in presidential address Isaac Scene Editor one you’ve got is only going to Another matter for the WGA
President Wohlpart addressed the crowd on Friday morning. Photo by Yohanes Goodell
Morgana Carroll Lead Editor President James Wohlpart addressed what he described as high points and roadblocks the university was facing this year in his address to the university on Friday, Sept. 29. Enrollment and tuition During the financial portion of the presentation, Wohlpart put emphasis on the importance of enrollment. According to Wohlpart, enrollment in Fall 2022 was at 9,395, having decreased each year since its 11,907 peak in fall of 2019. According to a graph Wohlpart showed, this matches the downward trend of US high school graduates in recent years. According to Wohlpart, enrollment has increased since last year. “It looks like our freshman class will grow again for the second year, but not as fast as we would have liked and needed,” Wohlpart said. According to Wohlpart, one way CWU is increasing enrollment is by increasing the number
of admissions counselors from four to 12. According to Executive Director of Admissions Peg Blake, these counselors will go to events in Washington and seven other states including events held at high schools, community colleges and community-based organizations. According to Wohlpart, retention is also an issue he wants to tackle. Wohlpart said this is why it’s important for culture on campus to be so welcoming and student success oriented. “There is work for all of us to do in recruiting and retaining students, and we must acknowledge that everything that we do around campus matters,” Wohlpart said. “From faculty implementing culturally sustaining pedagogy and streamlining the curriculum (including especially general education), to staff creating culturally sustaining programs, to even simple things like greeting each other and saying “Hello,” to making sure the lawn is cut and the trash is emptied.”
The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached an agreement on a tentative new deal on Sept. 24, ending the 148 day long writers strike, according to Deadline. The new contract, which is effective from Sept. 25, 2023 through May 1, 2026 brings pay increases, more jobs and regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) to all guild members. Writers were able to return to work on Sept. 27th. Late night talk shows like “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” have either returned or are set to return in the near future, and scripted production shall resume once the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike has been resolved. “We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional - with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA negotiating committee wrote to members in an email on Sept. 24. According to the WGA’s summary of the deal on wgacontract2023.org, minimum weekly rates will go up between 3.5% and 5% for all staff writers and Article 14 writers (story editors and executive story editors). On top of that, once three writers have begun work for a series before a series order, they are guaranteed 10 consecutive weeks of employment. Post-greenlight guarantees reach up to 20 weeks of employment. “It’s hard for a writer to have a predictable, sustainable career if you’re constantly trying to
last you six weeks,” said Michael Caldwell, senior lecturer of film at CWU and former production executive at Walt Disney Studios. New requirements for writers rooms have been implemented as well. Minimums of three, five and six writers are required for shows with an episode order of six or fewer, 7-12 and 13+ respectively. Also implemented are new protections against AI. AI officially cannot be used to write or rewrite literary material, and AI-created material cannot be considered source material. Companies must also disclose to writers if they’ve been given AI generated material to rewrite. “[AI] goes out there and looks at as many samples as it can get its hands on and then creates an average,” said Caldwell. “It’s not looking for creativity, it’s looking for a medium.” Jobs in Hollywood have already been threatened by AI. The Hollywood Reporter broke in Jan 2020 that Warner Bros. Pictures had signed a deal to pursue AI-driven film management. “It’s not that smart now,” said Caldwell. “Three years from now, it’s gonna be a lot smarter. I think these rules on AI are about protecting writers as AI grows into an 800 pound monster that could take writing jobs away.” The deal also explains how writers are able to use AI when writing if they choose to. However, the company must consent and the writer must follow the company’s accompanying policies. “For people who are using it properly, it can be a very helpful tool,” Caldwell said. “When you’re stuck on a plot point and you just want to brainstorm, [AI] can be very helpful when you’re
Continued on Pg. 4 Slide detailing the final deal. Photo courtesy the WGA
in negotiations was transparency on streaming data, and receiving proper compensation when their shows and movies perform well. Now, writers will receive a bonus equal to 50% of the fixed domestic and foreign residual for their made-forstreaming shows and movies that are viewed by at least 20% of the streaming services domestic subscribers within the first 90 days of release. “Streaming, in the form of Netflix especially, is about re-airing content,” Caldwell said. “How can writers be compensated for re-airing content … That was one of the things this contract sought to correct.” Studios and services have also agreed to share the total number of hours streamed from their original series with the members of the Guild. The strike, the second longest of all-time behind the 154 day writers strike of 1988, had been in effect since May 2. The WGA and AMPTP initially began their negotiations on March 20, talks continued through the following month but ultimately resulted in the WGA going on strike. According to the WGA social media accounts, on Aug. 1, AMPTP President Carole Lombardini prompted the WGA to get together again to discuss a new deal. Talks restarted on Aug. 4 and continued through Aug. 22 when, according to Puck News, the AMPTP presented their “best and final offer”. The WGA declined the offer. On Sept. 20, the WGA and AMPTP released a joint statement indicating that negotiations had begun again, and the deal was completed shortly after on Sept. 24.
Page 02
Oct 4, 2023
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
Global
Downtown Seattle’s Hard Rock Cafe, a staple in Seattle, is to close after 13 years of business. According to King 5, 66 employees will lose their jobs. The last day of business will be Dec 1.
A shooting happened on the campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland on Oct 3. According to CNN, emergency services responded.
Thousands of non-indigenous Brazilians were moved out of two native territories in the center of the Amazon Rainforest by the Brazilian government on Oct. 2, according to AP News. The Brazilian government said the goal is to return the Apyterewa and Trincheira Bacaja land to the original residents.
Arrest made for murder of famed rapper Tupac Shakur on Sept 29. Duane “Keffe D” Davis was not the gunman, but was arrested as the orchestrator of the 1996 killing. Davis was arrested in Las Vegas.
The Seattle Mariners miss the playoffs. After failing to beat the Texas Rangers on Saturday, the M’s season hinged on the Arizona Diamondbacks beating the Houston Astros that night. The Astros won 1-0, sentencing Seattle to watch the playoffs from the outside looking in.
Bed bugs have been found throughout Paris and in public transportation. According to CBS News, residents have to spend around $500 to have their homes treated.
Speaker of the House and California representative Kevin McCarthy is the first ever Speaker of the House to be voted out of the position on Oct 3, according to AP News. The vote was forced by Representative of Florida Matt Gaetz, McCarthy’s rival.
A drive-through flu/COVID vaccination clinic is set for Oct. 25 at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds in Ellensburg. The clinic offers free vaccines for both children and adults on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited supplies available.
11 people were killed under the rubble of a collapsed roof in Santa Cruz Church in Mexico, according to AP News. At least 13 people were hospitalized after the accident.
Photo by Yohanes Goodell
Letter from the Editor Hey howdy hey Central! Allow me to officially introduce myself, I’m Morgana, your new lead editor! I am equally as excited as I am stressed to be here this year. My motto going into the year is to remain as calm as a frog on a lillypad, just the imagery helps keep me cool. A little about myself; I like comic books, video games and reading, and my favorite color is purple. This is the first issue of the year, and is entirely made of articles and work done by the editorial staff of The Observer, and contains a variety of reading material about welcome back events, current topics relevant to the university and its students, and some fun articles about media and movies. I hope you enjoy it! As the year starts and you begin your courses, start the process of forming healthy habits and schedules, remember to take some time for yourself. Morgana’s magical prediction: keep an eye out for the color orange this week. Until next time space cowboy, Morgana
On behalf of The Observer, Welcome to CWU! Staff Lead Editor
Morgana Carroll
Online Editor Emily LaFave
Copy Desk Lead / Opinion Editor Megan Foster
Faculty Adviser/ Editorial Consultant Francesco Somaini
Scene Editor Isaac Hinson
Photo Editor
Yohanes Goodell
Sports Editor Charis Jones
News Editors Megan Rogers
Graphic Designers Glacie Kehoe-Padilla
Staff Reporters Coal Butler Maria Mann Isaac Dobmeier Lily Goold
Brandon Davis
Editorial Policy: The Observer is a public forum for student expression, in which student editors make policy and content decisions. The mission of The Observer is two-fold: to serve Central Washington University as a newspaper and to provide training for students
who are seeking a career in journalism. The Observer seeks to provide complete, accurate, dependable information to the campus and community; to provide a public forum for the free debate of issues, ideas and problems facing the community at large; and to be the best source of information, education and entertainment news. As a training program, The Observer is the practical application of the theories and principles of journalism. It teaches students to analyze and communicate information that is vital to the decision making of the community at large. It provides a forum for students to learn the ethics, values and skills needed to succeed in their chosen career. If you have questions or concerns, email us at cwuobserver@gmail.com.
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Page 03
October 4, 2023
LGTBQ Welcome Event Photos by Yohanes Goodell
Justin Santali Justin Santali, the program manager at the Diversity and Equity Center, started working at CWU three years ago.
Sam Mena & Jessica Berky Sam Mena, EQuAI club member, and Jessica Berky, EQuAI’s President, spoke and advocated EQuAl’s message of promoting a safe space for members of the queer community.
BIPOC Welcome Event
Photos by Yohanes Goodell
The BIPOC Event is held at the start of every year, however the Diversity and Equity Center holds an open house every quarter where students can meet faculty and staff and become accustomed to the space in Black Hall 101.
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NEWS Page 04
October 4, 2023
Wohlpart discusses successes and “roadblocks” the university is facing this year in presidential address Continued from Pg. 1 Staff pay One of the roadblocks Wohlpart addressed was a shortage of funds to pay faculty and staff professors. According to Wohlpart, funding has shrunk as enrollment has decreased in recent years, and because the amount the state gives to public universities is smaller. Wohlpart said that the reason the amount of money going toward employees is smaller is because the amount the state gives the university for cost of living raises and goods and services do not get an inflationary increase. Wohlpart’s proposed solution is to increase student enrollment and to ask the state to reassess how the system they use for the funding of universities. Wohlpart said CWU was joining other universities to collectively alert the state government to this problem. “All six of the public universities are working together to inform our legislatures around how that funding formula for universities actually shrinks our total budget.” New revenue streams Wohlpart announced multiple new streams of revenue the administration was applying for this year. The University applied for two grants from the Gates Foundation, the Horizons Grant worth $5.4M over three years and the Limitless Grant worth $25,000 over four years.
The Limitless Grant will be used to create a partnership between CWU and Yakima Valley Tech High School. According to Wohlpart, this will allow CWU programs to be layered into the vocational programs the high school offers including business administration, cybersecurity, construction and law enforcement. The Horizons Grant, according to Wohlpart, would allow CWU to partner with Toppenish, Wapato, Yakima and Zillah school districts to allow those to become dual-credit schools, and expand the College in High School program. Wohlpart said the funding would largely allow the faculty to create programs and curriculum for high school students on a college level, and to cover high schoolers’ tuition.
Voices for Change program required for new students
Achievements During his slideshow presentation, Wohlpart intermittently included slides about individual students who had recently made accomplishments as an example of widespread student success achieved by students who attend CWU. “As a result of your work, great things happen at Central Washington University,” Wohlpart said as he presented the first pair of students. Student examples acknowledged included senior Nick Puentes, who received a National Science Foundation Fellowship and CWU accounting alum Mathew Bragganza who is headed off to Cornell University.
Voices for change is now required for all new students. Photo courtesy of Get Inclusive
Megan Rogers News Editor CWU students may see an online course titled Voices for Change popping up on their Canvas page. This course is meant to educate students on how to identify a bad situation and help in a safe way. Voices for Change will be split into two modules. The first is Hazing and Bullying Prevention Education, run by Executive Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Joey Bryant. The second is Bystander Intervention and Sexual Violence Prevention Education, run by Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Education and Compliance Laura Brant. Brant said that while this course is only required for new students, they wanted the information to be available to everyone. Hazing and Bullying Prevention Education According to Bryant, this module will educate students on the definition of hazing and bullying and the policy CWU has on these topics. “It also goes into some information as a bystander if you’re witnessing someone being hazed or those types of behaviors,” Bryant said. Bryant said he hopes students learn tips and tricks on how to identify situations of hazing and bullying and keep them from occurring. “A lot of hazing [it’s] coming from groups and organizations
President Wohlpart opened up his speech with a reference to the Hulu Comedy The Bear. Photo by Yohanes Goodell
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in most situations and so there’s a social dynamic,” Bryant said. According to Bryant, having courses like Voices for Change is important because we have the power to inform and educate people about situations like the ones mentioned in the course. “These are really serious, life-altering or life-threatening situations that ideally we would like no student to have to experience or go through,” Bryant said. For questions on the Hazing and Bullying Prevention Education, students can reach out to Bryant at Joseph.Bryant@ cwu.edu or 509-963-1335 Bystander Intervention and Sexual Violence Prevention Education According to Brant, the course starts off by talking about how it is important that we notice harmful situations and that we learn to safely help. The course then transitions to educating students about consent and sexual violence, Brant said. “[It talks] about healthy relationships, what it looks like to be in an unhealthy relationship and how consent plays into that,” Brant said. Brant said that it is important to bring awareness to how sexual violence occurs. She said that when something happens to one person in the community, it impacts us all in separate ways. “Students play a key role in creating an environment that promotes acceptance and inclusiveness and safety,” Brant said.
Resources
For students who have experienced/been affected by sexual violence: •
Victim Advocacy through P.A.T.H. (Prevention, Advocacy, Training, and Healing)
•
Student Health Services
•
Student Counseling Services
•
ASPEN Victim Advocacy
•
Kittitas Valley Healthcare
•
Students can report incidents to a Title IX Coordinator (non-confidential)
For students who have experienced/been affected by bullying or hazing: •
TimelyCare
•
Student Counseling Services
•
Office of Case Management
•
Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities
•
Use the links listed if you are experiencing bullying or harassment
Students can report a bullying or hazing incident through a form located on MyCWU or through https://cwu.guardianconduct.com/incident-reporting
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Page 05
October 4, 2023
SPORTS
Veteran coaches bring new vision to CWU track & field and cross country Charis Jones Sports Editor CWU welcomed new coaching staff this year for its track & field and cross country teams, including Head Coach Johnathon Hill and Assistant Coach Matt Layten. Hill and Layten take over for previous Head Coach Kevin Adkisson after finishing his 30-year tenure. The athletes under their guidance attest to the wealth of experience and enthusiasm that these two bring to the CWU program, aiming to make significant changes and build a strong team culture. “I took this term from my assistant Matt, he said ‘bringing people back to neutral and then moving as a unit,’” Hill said. “[By that] I mean we have a lot of individual goals but we need to create group goals and cohesiveness, and really embrace the synergistic aspect of training as a team.” In regards to implementing revisions, Hill expressed his eagerness to incite change while also outlining his approach. “We set goals, we create a plan and then we execute,” Hill said. “A goal without a plan is a wish … We don’t worry about yesterday, we don’t worry about tomorrow, all we have
to control is today … But if we continue to operate under the premise that we give it our best every day, whatever that is [that] day, then we can find peace in that.” With a combined total of over two decades of collegiate coaching experience, both Hill and Layten are well-prepared to elevate the teams to new levels of success. In Hill’s previous coaching role at Rice University in Texas, the final season was nothing short of exceptional. Not only did they secure the conference title, but they also achieved the third-highest point total in the university’s history. Layten, too, has left his mark on successful programs and athletes. Notably, he worked with Division One steeplechase champion Mahala Norris during his tenure at the Air Force Academy. Layten reflected on their shared coaching journeys: “John and I actually have had very similar experiences coaching. We both coached at a service academy, we both coached in Texas, and we were actually in the same conference.” While Hill was coaching at Rice University, Layten was at North Texas University where they crossed paths numerous
times. The alignment of both their coaching experiences and philosophies made Layten’s decision to follow Hill to the Pacific Northwest much easier. “When he had reached out to me about coming on board here, I was really inspired by his vision for the program,” Layten said. “I appreciate the way he sees coaching and the technical side of things, but also building people up and unlocking the potential in them.”
“A goal without a plan is a wish.” - Coach Hill
This shared vision of holistic coaching, one that values not only athletic achievement but also personal growth and development, underscores the coaching staff’s commitment to creating an enriching experience for CWU’s student-athletes. Mid-distance runner Johan Correa, one of the athletes under the guidance of Hill and Layten, echoed the sentiments of the coaching staff. Correa’s experience sheds light on how
the new coaching philosophy is resonating with the student-athletes and driving positive changes within the program. “My experience with the new coaching staff has been great,” Correa said. “They’ve definitely [been] working hard to improve everything from the moment they arrived here at Central. They also want to make a change for the better, and they are constantly supportive.” As Correa’s testimonial demonstrates, the new coaching staff’s dedication to improvement and student-athlete support has been well-received. Turning our attention to Hill’s experiences and the positive changes he plans to initiate during his time at CWU, it’s clear that he has had a remarkably positive impression of his new environment thus far. “The number one thing that stood out was just how welcoming the [CWU] environment was and how supportive people were,” Hill said. “I felt so welcomed here … From day one, it just felt like ‘welcome home coach.’” Looking ahead, Hill elaborates on the training methods he has planned for the team.
“I’m just going to go with what I know: healthy doses of speed and power,” Hill said. “Our objective is simple in the speed/power events, we’re trying to apply more force, more quickly, in a better direction than any other man, woman, or animal on the planet.” Layten expanded upon the plans he and Hill aim to implement, highlighting the steady performance he wants to see from the team. “With training to be high-level athletes, I’ve always talked about [how it] involves a process,” Layten said. “First and foremost is having that strong process that allows you to be consistent day in and day out. [You’ll want to] have the tools and the consistency to build on each season so that you get to where you ultimately want to go.” As CWU’s track & field and cross country teams embark on a new era under Coach Hill and Coach Layten’s guidance, the foundation of experience, unity and holistic coaching promises a bright future. The coaches’ dedication to their vision and the positive impact on the student-athletes indicate that “The future of XC and Track & Field are in great hands,” Correa said.
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Assistant Coach Matt Layten (left) and Head Coach Johnathon Hill (right) at practice. Photo by Yohanes Goodell
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Page 06
Oct 4, 2023
New this weekend: ‘Saw X,’ ‘Dumb Money’ and ‘Fair Play’
THE
BSERVED OPINION SECTION
Isaac Hinson Columnist Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather starts to cool down, I’m able to get out my sweaters and studios begin to release my favorite kinds of movies: Oscar-fare and horror. This weekend I was able to see two Oscar-hopeful movies in ‘Dumb Money’ and ‘Fair Play,’ and I rang in the horror season with ‘Saw X’. Saw X ‘Saw X’ is the tenth installment in the ‘Saw’ franchise. A series that pumped out seven installments in as many years between 2004 and 2010 slowed the pace down and has since become a playground for creativity with the releases of ‘Jigsaw,’ ‘Spiral’ and now ‘Saw X’. Without delving into deep spoilers, ‘Saw X’ takes a different approach from the rest of the franchise by putting franchise villain John Kramer AKA Jigsaw at the center of the stage and anointing him the main character. Following Kramer instead of his victims offers another fresh perspective for the series, after ‘Spiral’ which placed series newcomer Chris Rock in the leading role.
SAW X Tobin Bell as John Kramer, a.k.a. Jigsaw, in ‘Saw X.’ Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
While this shift is interesting in concept, I found it to be a little dull in execution. It takes about 45 minutes for the movie to kick into usual ‘Saw’-happenings, and what precedes it is a competently made but ultimately empty re-introduction to Kramer and - importantly - his terminal cancer diagnosis, which as it unravels becomes more and more derivative of David Fincher’s ‘The Game’. Once we get past introductions, the movie gets going and doesn’t stop. The iconic quick editing and gnarly visuals from the rest of the series welcome themselves in and produce a thrilling gore-fest. The performances from all the victims are fantastic, and the twists and turns taken in the final stretch were super fun.
If you’re here for the traps you won’t be disappointed, they’re equally relentless and disgusting in the best ways possible. The marquee eye-ball trap on the poster lives up to the hype, and the subsequent traps are just as gross and vile. If you like ‘Saw,’ you’ll like ‘Saw X’. And if you haven’t dipped your toe in the ‘Saw’ pond, I think this would be a great place to start. ‘Saw X’ is playing in theaters now.
DUMB MONEY Paul Dano as Keith Gill in ‘Dumb Money.’ Photo courtesy of Folger/Columbia/ Sony Pictures
Dumb Money ‘Dumb Money’ is the newest film from Craig Gillespie (‘I, Tonya,’ ‘Cruella’), which tells the story of the GameStop stock explosion from 2020. Paul Dano stars as Keith Gill AKA streamer Roaring Kitty, and leads an ensemble of Shailene Woodley, Nick Offerman, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrerra, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, Rushi Kota, Myha’la Herrold and Talia Ryder. I thought ‘Dumb Money’ was a lot of fun, I knew absolutely nothing about what happened during the entire GameStop fiasco, so it was interesting to learn about it through this movie. Paul Dano is really great and lovable in this. He portrays an earnestness in Roaring Kitty that makes him easy to root for. In the last two years Dano has ‘The Batman,’ ‘The Fabelmans,’ and now this under his resume, pretty impressive.
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My largest grip is that it feels like there’s a little too much going on here. The film tries to juggle the stories of Keith Gill, who is pioneering the buying into GameStop’s stock (GSE), along with nurse Jennifer Campbell (Ferrera), GameStop employee Marcos (Ramos), and college students Riri and Harmony (Herrold and Ryder respectively) who are all invested in the stock as a result of following Gill’s continued buying in. On top of that, we also follow the coCEOs of trading app RobinHood Vlad Tenev (Stan) and Baju Bhatt (Kota), and billionaires Steve Cohen (D’Onofrio). Gabe Plotkin (Rogen) and Kenneth Griffin (Offerman). This stuffed cast, while appealing on paper, leaves a lot to be desired and results in many of the plotlines feeling empty, and especially in the case of Ramos’ character, pointless.
CWU Observer
Regardless, the movie moves at such a lightning-fast pace that by the time you’re bored or annoyed at something going on, it’s pulled you right back in. The movie isn’t going to leave you with much to think about, but it’s a good time while you’re watching it and there are far worse ways to spend two hours. ‘Dumb Money’ is in theaters now.
Fair Play This was my favorite movie I saw this weekend. Starring Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor, ‘Fair Play’ is the feature debut of director Chloe Domont which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival before being picked up by Netflix. Ironically, ‘Fair Play’ is also a wall street movie. Ehrenreich and Dynevor’s characters both work at the same hedge fund firm, acting merely acquainted with each other at work, while recently engaged and trying to help each other’s careers out in reality. Netflix bought the film for $20 million, the biggest acquisition at Sundance by far, and after seeing the movie I understand why. Domont’s erotic-thriller features one of the best scripts of the year, and is elevated by star-making performances from Ehrenreich and Dynevor. Ehrenreich follows up his scene-stealing turn in ‘Oppenheimer’ by tackling a script that forces him to use every tool in his shed, and he delivers. For as good as Ehrenreich is, Dynevor is even better. Both of their performances tell stories within themselves: Ehrenreich’s a tragedy and Dynevor’s an ascension. She absolutely lights the screen on fire and controls every scene she’s in. The script is incredibly tightly written, continuously pushing both characters a little further down the road they’ve chosen for themselves. A series of events lined up and pushed down like dominoes to send this relationship towards the possibility of implosion. I found this movie electric. Phoebe Dynevor is the future. ‘Fair Play’ is on Netflix Oct. 6.
FAIR PLAY Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor in ‘Fair Play’ Photo courtesy Netflix
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EVENTS Page 07
October 4, 2023
Meet your new editorial staff!
Wildcat Words: What’s your favorite midnight snack and why?
Charis Jones Senior, she/her
“Nacho Fries from Taco Bell because ‘they be hittin’!’ ”
Isaac Hinson
“Cookies and Cream Ice Cream because it’s ‘bomb!’ ”
“Plain bagels with whipped cream cheese because whipped cream cheese is cheaper and easy to make!”
“Cinnamon sugar toast because it’s easy to make and it’s delicious!”
Q&A compiled by Morgana Carroll
Sydney Thompson is the new Dean of Libraries here at CWU, making her prior position of interim Dean of Libraries official. Sydney Thompson got her BA and MA in Psychology, but found her love of librarianship while working as a library student employee in New School in New York.
Senior, she/her
Senior, she/her
Senior, she/her
Q&A Q&A
Morgana Carroll
Megan Rogers
Megan Foster
Junior, he/him
Sydney Thompson Why did you choose this position? I served as the Interim Dean of CWU Libraries for the past year, and before that I was associate dean. I have been challenged in these roles and have learned a lot from my colleagues in the libraries and the university. I was eager to continue building these relationships, especially at such an exciting time for CWU. I’m energized by our new vision, mission, and goals, and am excited to work with the team at the libraries to define how we will contribute to this work. What drew you to CWU? My nephew attends CWU, and I was lucky to visit Ellensburg with him the summer before his freshman year. Everyone we met was incredibly helpful and welcoming during our time on campus, and when I saw the Associate Dean of Libraries position posted I knew that I had to apply. I grew up in Washington state, attended both Kentwood High School on the westside and Central Valley High School in Spokane, started my undergraduate experience at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, then transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage before moving east to New York then North Carolina for graduate school and work at New York University Libraries and North Carolina State University Libraries, and I am now thrilled to be home in Washington and working at CWU. What is one autumn-y book that you would recommend to others? This is such a tough question! I’m not sure I have a specific title to recommend but encourage everyone to check out our rotating book displays throughout Brooks Library. We always have popular reading and new books available on the first floor, and rotating thematic displays throughout the building. Our October displays are: Hispanic Heritage, Dia de los Muertos, Spooky!, Outdoor Activities, and LGBTQ+ History. I encourage you to check out the displays in person and at our online research guide: https://libguides.lib.cwu.edu/display.
“Popcorn because it’s easy to make!”
Weekly Events 10a.m. to 2p.m. - Engineering Technologies, Safety, & Construction Fair 5:30-6:30p.m. - CWU Libraries presents Provost Lecture Series: Julia Stringfellow 11a.m.-Noon - Helping CWU to Become a Model of Safety: What Employees Can Do to Lead Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Efforts
5
THURS
6
FRI
7
9a.m.-1p.m. - CWU Libraries presents Annual Archives Crawl
SAT
8
International Newspaper Carrier Day
SUN
9
Q*Fam Find Your People: International Lesbian Day
MON
7a.m.-6p.m. - Registrar Operations Conference - ROC Fall 2023
10 TUES
National Stop Bullying Day
11 WED
Check back in each week for more exciting events!
Why are you so passionate about libraries and books? I didn’t start out in library sciences. I started my education studying to be a pilot, then pursued a BA and MA in sociology, and was introduced to librarianship as a library student employee while in graduate school at the New School in New York. I found my passion in creating services that help students access reliable information for their course work, research, and personal fulfillment. Oscar the Observant. Design by Brittany Cinderella
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Submit a letter to the editor or a guest column on our website!
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Page 08
HEALTH CARE YOU DESERVE.
October 4, 2023