Fall 2023 Issue 5

Page 1

SCENE

SPORTS

SCENE

CWU Orchestra gets all dressed up for Halloween performance. See Pg. 3

The new and improved Nicholson Pavillion: A peek inside. See Pg. 4

Let’s do the time warp again! Photos of your favorite science fiction double feature. See Pgs. 6-7

November 1, 2023

Vol. 126 NO. 5

Mortenson donates $50,000 to help enhance education in the Safety and Health management program

Safety and Health Management is housed in Hogue Hall (Photo by Maria Mann)

Megan Rogers News Editor Mortenson, a construction engineering company, donated $50,000 to the Safety and Health Management program. CWU alum and safety director for Mortenson, Nick Cordell, helped facilitate this donation. According to Cordell, he wanted to help fund the program to get supplies and other things that they may need. “It’s important to me that our future safety and health management professionals get a good education,” Cordell said. Sathyanarayanan Rajendran, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, said this donation can help offset student fees and help with lab equipment, field trips and transportation.

Rajendran said that he is grateful for this donation because it helps alleviate some of the stress of how they are going to fund different things. “It’s like you have Christmas multiple times,” Rajendran said. Greg Lyman, department chair for Engineering Technologies, Safety and Construction, said he hopes to continue to collaborate with Mortenson in the future. “With this type of donation, we’ll be able to use it on a lot of different things,” Lyman said. “And that’s what makes it exciting.” Cordell said he hopes this partnership between Mortenson and CWU can help increase the number of students who pick an occupational safety and health major early on in college.

Mortenson’s safety and health management classroom is located in Hogue Hall 226 (Photo by Megan Rogers)

“Mortenson is a resource for the university, whether it comes to guest lectures or helping out with student development in interviewing skills or building a resume,” Cordell said. Before joining Mortenson, Cordell said he got his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational safety and health management at CWU. Cordell said that he had a background in construction growing up. “I wanted to make an impact on safety within the construction industry,” Cordell said. According to Cordell, his favorite thing about CWU’s Safety and Health Management program is how the program arranges courses that can be applicable to real-life situations in the construction field.

During his time at CWU, Cordell said Rajendran helped him a lot with his applied project for his masters degree. “He helped me outline what my goals and objectives were and how to incorporate real-life construction challenges into my research topics,” Cordell said. Some advice Cordell has for students currently in the Safety and Health Management program is to look into what type of construction work you like and reach out to contractors who fit that description. “I think it’s something that students often don’t think of is that contractors are really interested in meeting with the students while they’re in school to help coach them and guide them,” Cordell said.


Page 02

November 1, 2023

Beyond Our Coverage Local

National

Global

CWU Junior Diyhani Frazier created the Facebook page Ellensburg Connect (No Hate) For All on their quest to facilitate a welcoming and respectful community, according to the Daily Record. Frazier, seeking a sense of community in Ellensburg, joined these groups but found that users withing these groups often weren’t very kind toward others, and decided to take matters into their own hands and create their own group.

President Biden signs executive order restricting artificial intelligence after watching “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One,” according to Variety. Deputy White House chief of staff Bruce Reed told AP News “If he hadn’t already been concerned about what could go wrong with AI before that movie, he saw plenty more to worry about.” The main villain of “Dead Reckoning” is a sentient AI known as the Entity.

Israel air struck a refugee camp near Gaza City, leveling apartment buildings in the process according to AP News. The Israel government said their intelligence told them there was a Hamas Base that was set up and coordinated within civilian houses, and a tunnel network system underground.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the second case of bird flu in Kittitas County on Oct. 27. According to the Daily Record, owners of small domestic flocks in the county have reported the sudden deaths of their birds.

Maine Police documents show that Robert Card, the gunman responsible for last week’s Maine shooting, committed the act because of “delusions” that these businesses were disparaging him online, according to AP. Card was apprehended on Oct. 27, two days after the shooting.

Mitchell Reid Moody, a Easton local, took around $10,000 a from a deceased women, According to the Daily Record the women was staying in the hotel and Moody along with two other people took her possessions from the hotel inventory after her passing.

The Arizona Attorney General has undergone an investigation into the two Cochise County officials who refused to certify the 2022 election results, according to AP News. The Attorney General’s office told AP that they had both been served subpoenas on Oct. 31 and have to appear before the grand jury within a week.

The nation of Bolivia has cut all diplomatic ties with Israel as of Oct. 31, citing their “crimes against humanity in Gaza” as the reason, according to AP News. Colombia and Chile have also recalled their ambassadors and delegates back from Israel and criticize Israel’s use of military solutions. World record in race-walking is erased at the Pan American Games after discovering the course was measured wrong, according to NPR. Kimberly Garcia of Peru logged a record one hour, 12 minute and 26 second finish of the 20 kilometer race-walk, but the achievement was rescinded afterwards. Athletes guessed the track had been drawn 3 kilometers short.

(Photo by Yohanes Goodell)

Letter from the Editor Achoo CWU, I hope this letter finds you in good health, because my health sure isn’t good; I am very sick. Assuming that you haven’t gotten sick yet this year, I’ll give you a word of advice; invest in vitamins and vitamin C, you’ll thank me later. If you are feeling under the weather, all I can advise you to do is drink copious amounts of tea, like me. Adieu CWU, Morgana

Morgana’s Magical Prediction: Be wary of sacrificing yourself for others

Spot anything wrong in the paper? Let us know. 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

November 1, 2023

Page 03 SCENE

CWU’s Symphony Orchestra presents their Halloween Spooktacular Maria Mann Staff Reporter McIntyre Hall’s Wayne S. Hertz Concert Hall was filled to the brim on Oct. 25. Ellensburg community members of all ages were dressed as Jedis, bananas and everything in between. The stage was empty, except for an inflatable Stormtrooper propped against a grand piano.

An orchestra of characters from “Star Wars,” “Pokemon,” “Despicable Me” and “Sesame Street” entered the stage alongside French people (the French horn section), fairies and frogs. The opening piece was combined with choreography of spinning stringed instruments, getting up and sitting down in time with the beat of the music and random balloons bopping through the air.

ting irec ile d estra Cao h ell) Orc olas d Nik phony es Goo Dr. n Sym oha the to by Y o (Ph

The director, Dr. Nikolas Caoile (pronounced Ca-Willy), emerged from the wings as Willy Wonka from “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” Caoile wore a bright pink blazer, a black top hat and golden goggles. He and his assistant conductor Ian Henscheid, dressed as Gru from “Despicable Me,” conducted well-known pieces from shows like “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and “Ghostbusters.” They also included some more classical pieces like “Fandango,” the fifth movement in the “Capriccio Espagnol Suite,” originally orchestrated by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. According to Caoile, this is something that the orchestra does annually. Caoile likes to choose music that is a fun and recognizable mix of pop, classical and movie soundtracks. “As you can tell, there’s a different energy when the orchestra plays this music

as opposed to Beethoven or Dvořák. So, the energies have been really good and hectic, but playful and fun,” said Caoile. In addition to the evening concert, the orchestra also performed an outreach concert for local Ellensburg school children during the day. According to bass player Brayden Gordon, his favorite part about being in the Halloween concerts was “the 12 o’clock show; looking out in the audience and seeing all the kids and how much it makes them smile. It’s just a lot of fun knowing the effect that we have on them.” Gordon was inspired by seeing performances like this when he was younger and is glad to be able to carry on the tradition and inspire others. He enjoys being a part of something larger than himself. While Caoile states that the music is recognizable, it is no less complex. “The most difficult part is how quickly we have to put it together and some of those passages are not easy,” said Gordon.

Prior to conducting one of the pieces, Caoile asked the audience if they preferred this over AI generated orchestras. Everyone applauded. According to Caoile, “There’s a way you can help support this. This is a perfect opportunity for you to consider supporting CWU music on your way out of the auditorium. [You’ll] see a number of placards with QR codes that lead you to a way to sponsor one student, the department, maybe the department could be named after you and your whole family, all kinds of ways to support non-AI generated concerts.” The evening ended with the audience walking out to “Cantina Band” from “Star Wars” being played by the orchestra. Caoile said he hoped the audience had fun and left with a greater appreciation for the joy of music.

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The Symphony Orchestra against the warm gold hue of the Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building. (Photo by Yohanes Goodell)

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SPORTS

Page 04

November 1, 2023

A deeper look into the newly renovated Nicholson Pavilion Lily Goold Staff Reporter The Nicholson Pavilion was transformed into an entirely new space, featuring an expanded indoor field, a state-of-the-art weight room and dedicated academic classrooms. This milestone was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 20. Among the extensive renovations are a comprehensive range of gymnasiums containing the performance gym, teaching gym and an auxiliary gym. A brand new straight track was also implemented to cater to the needs of both the athletes and the students here at CWU. Going inside Nicholson Pavilion to uncover the goals and benefits from this renovation was essential to understand what it means for the department, athletes and students. Brian Mcgladrey, department chair of sport and movement studies, gave a timeline for how long CWU has gone without making changes to the Nicholson Pavilion.

“My understanding is that it foreseen to have on CWU’s had been 20 to 30 years that recruitment process. “Our facility is now pretany renovations had been done on the facility,” Mcgladrey said. ty much comparable to a lot Renovations began around of division one institutions,” the end of winter quarter in Petko said. Mcgladrey further elaborat2022. When asked about goals for Nicholson Pavilion, Mc- ed on the potential benefits gladrey said the focus was to this new structure could bring expand on existing spaces and to the campus community. “If you build create new spaces mov“Our facility is it, they will come… that’s ing forward. A n d r e w now pretty much what we are Petko, depcomparable to gonna see, the for uty director a lot of division excitement students, facof athletics, also men- one institutions” ulty, staff and coaches is easily tioned perks of the new space in the building. evident,” Mcgladrey said. “This “Sharing less spaces [has excitement is going to translate helped with] everyone having into helping with recruitment and retention of both students their own spot,” Petko said. Petko also provided insight and student athletes.” The academic wing of Nichto the goal for the athletic deolson Pavilion experienced partment. “[We want] to make sure we a substantial transformation have more opportunities for with the recent refurbishment all of our students on campus,” of the building. The renovation followed the pandemic, Petko said. Pelko explained that one which meant course offerings benefit of these new spaces in person weren’t available. can be seen in the positive Mcgladrey mentioned what impact Nicholson Pavilion is this meant to the department.

“With the renovation being completed, we’re excited about winter quarter and being able to offer a full slate of physical activity courses that students can choose from and enjoy the new facilities,” Mcgladrey said. Senior running back on the football team, Tre’jon Henderson, expressed how it felt to be in the new facility as a CWU athlete. “It’s a really big deal for everybody,” Henderson said. “Everybody deserves it.” Before Nicholson Pavilion’s renovation, the football team had to rely on trailers in place of locker rooms. Henderson elaborated on what it means now to now have this dedicated space. “It’s like a second home,” said Henderson. “It’s a kind of sense of privacy, our own place. So, it’s really special.” The new Nicholson Pavilion has ignited excitement among CWU’s students, faculty and staff. “Overall, the best thing is that we have our own space,” Pelko said, echoing the sentiment. “We have a place to call home.”

Exterior of the new Nicholson Pavilion building. (Photo by Coal Butler)

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Page 05

November 1, 2023

SPORTS

CWU volleyball players make their mark in GNAC All-Conference honors Charis Jones Sports Editor In a striking display of academic and athletic prowess, CWU’s volleyball team has reason to celebrate. This year, 10 of the team’s student-athletes were named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Academic All-Conference team. Sophomore outside hitter, Brooke Garman and senior outside hitter, Kylie Thorne shared their reflections on this prominent achievement.

Kylie Thorne Brooke Garman, a sophomore majoring in sports management, received her first GNAC Academic All-Conference honors this year with a 3.8 GPA. “It felt really good knowing that the hard work being put into school was noticed,” Garman said. “It was a lot of fun seeing a lot of teammates on the list too.” Garman has embraced the challenge of balancing academics and athletics by setting specific schedules and diligently planning her days. This has helped her maintain a successful regimen. Garman credited the support of her coaches and professors in this dual success: “I am grateful that my coaches and professors work with each other and help student-athletes accomplish awards like these.” Garman also attributed her success to the skills and techniques she acquired in her freshman year study hall. “My experience here at CWU has been great,” Garman said. “[It] has

helped me find out what I like within school.” During her time at CWU, Garman was able to unearth her passion for sports management. As a team, Garman and her fellow Wildcats have pushed toward both their volleyball and academic goals, fostering a sense of unity and ambition. Garman acknowledged her teammates as role models and guides. Their influence aided her in situations on and off the court. “Seeing my teammates still in the library studying and often seeing them tutor others was a great start to college,” Garman said. “Using them as a mentor was easy.” Looking ahead, Garman explained that she is determined to continue majoring in sports management and aims to secure an internship to aid her future career. On the volleyball front, the team aspires to make it to regionals and maintain the legacy they have built.

Senior outside hitter Kylie Thorne serving the ball against Northwest Nazarene University. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Media)

Senior outside hitter Kylie Thorne on media day. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Media)

Brooke Garman Kylie Thorne, a senior majoring in chemistry, is no stranger to academic accolades. Thorne has received GNAC academic honors for the three consecutive years and obtained a 4.0 GPA. Thorne has mastered the art of balancing school and sports through efficient time management and organization, enabling her to maximize productivity. Thorne acknowledged the essential role played by her coaches and professors in supporting her dual commitments. Her coaches prioritize academics during road trips which allows time for homework and studying and her professors are “very flexible when it comes to our traveling schedule,” Thorne added. The experience of being a student-athlete at CWU has contributed significantly to Thorne’s personal growth. It has imparted essential life lessons such as responsibility, time management, problem-solving and “most importantly I would say it has taught me [to find] a balance,” Thorne said.

Thorne recognized the hard work her teammates put in, both on and off the court. She expressed pride in seeing numerous teammates on the academic honors list, attributing their recognition to their dedication. While Thorne’s time with CWU volleyball is nearing its end, she looks forward to her future as she plans to become a high school chemistry teacher and volleyball coach. As she moves forward, Thorne holds her experiences with the team close to her heart, acknowledging the significance of this period. “I am really excited … but it will not make me miss this past chapter any less,” Thorne said. The team’s upcoming event will be an away game. On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Wildcat’s are set to play against the Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks. The match is set to commence at 12:00 p.m. and will be held at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa, Idaho.

Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Garman about to serve against Eastern Washington University. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Media)

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Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Garman on media day. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Thompson / Thompson Sports Media)

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Page 06

This year's annual

(Left to right) Magenta and Riff Raff, played by Annika Brimhall and Z Morries respectively, reappeared in full gold glam at the end of the show.

The Criminologist (left), played by Simon Sallee, showed up throughout the show to guide the audience.

Photos by Yohanes Goodell Cutlines by Isaac Hinson

Dy l his an Sa ves tin t an i’s B d fi rad shn (As ets sho in t le!) w he thi ore t rd act he he of t ll ou he sho t of w.

Rocky Horror Picture Show


Au d (As ienc sho e m le!) emb and ers Jan we et ( re c Slu ued t !) p t lay o sho u ed by t “As s Dy lan hole” San and tin i an “Slut” d N at a n ico le M y me ore ntio n lli res of Br pec a tiv d ely

Page 07

Isaac Olson in full glitter and glam as Columbia

(Left to right) Stage Manager Emma Barnes, Choreographer Yuka Kawai and Director Gracen Bayer gave the show’s introduction.


Page 08

If I see you wearing this I’m going to spit on you

THE

Why I hate the “old money” aesthetic Isaac Dobmeier Columnist

An example of ‘Old Money’ style. (Photo courtesy of Pexels.com)

Scrolling through any social media platform—this summer especially—highlight reels of men wearing loose collared shirts, a Vivienne Westwood necklace and sporting a center part were ubiquitous. All white, all in exotic locations and all presumably wealthy. Paired with comments like, “Why can’t my man dress like this,” the homogeneity of this style, dubbed “old money,” is excessively boring, yet bafflingly popular. I think the widespread love for the style is because of the American stereotype of the cultured and wealthy European man. An idealized version of real life that exists purely online or in media. It sets unrealistic standards for impressionable young people who believe that this caricature is desirable, attainable and practical; none of which are true or even appealing in my opinion. The whitewashing of the style is also impossible not to notice. “Old money” seems to be exclusively for the white male, accounting for a shocking lack of diversity among participants. Obviously, it

doesn’t reflect the diversity present in real life, again feeding into a dated and false stereotype. Fast fashion brands like Zara or Shein have notably capitalized on this trend. Dozens of “old money hauls” are being posted on platforms like TikTok and YouTube and garnering thousands of views. Ironically, the cheap clothing quality of these brands contrasts with the supposed luxury of the aesthetic; posing as opulent while wearing an overpriced, poorly made garment found in nearly every American mall. I was bombarded with a flood of “old money” content as the year got warmer, fueling my distaste for the aesthetic as my feeds were oversaturated with indistinguishable outfits and people. I suggest cultivating your own style rather than parroting what brands, influencers and trends call for, as well as shopping sustainably at local thrift stores or second-hand storefronts.

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Page 09

November 1, 2023

BSERVED

Why apprehension is dangerous to journalistc integrity

OPINION SECTION

Yohanes Goodell Columnist

Landis Hanson, an alumni of CWU, planned the Palestinian demonstration outside Black Hall. (Photo by Yohanes Goodell)

Layla Taha, a Palestinian student at CWU, spoke at the event advocating for the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Yohanes Goodell)

On Oct. 11, a group of CWU students were involved in an on-campus demonstration in support of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. As a member of The Observer staff, I was assigned to photograph and report on the event. Much to my surprise, when the next edition of The Observer was published on Oct. 16, the story was absent. When I asked why the story was pulled, I was told that a decision was reached by the faculty advisor and editor-in-chief that the story, which passively contained views in favor of the Palestinians, was not adequately balanced by views that supported the Israeli position. I believe the decision was detrimental to the integrity of The Observer’s journalistic mission, as this event was solely seen as an opinion piece, not a breaking news event. Granted, it was a news event that conveyed opinion; nonetheless, it was an important news event, the likes of which we don’t often see on the CWU campus. As a reporter and photographer, it was encouraging to witness a group of students expressing their political views through the exercise of free speech. If we must always report credible news stories by highlighting a contrasting perspective, then we are sacrificing our moral responsibility as a news outlet to report on breaking news. If a group of students who are conservationists march across campus, must I wait to interview a group of anti-en-

vironmentalists? If an earthquake crumbles buildings on the CWU campus, should I drive to a different college campus where there hasn’t been a turbulent aftermath and interview individuals from that college community? If I reported a breaking news story on a group of CWU students who held a pro-Palestinian rally, should I have held the story until I found a group of students marching for Israeli rights? I believe the decision to pull the Palestinian-demonstration piece should not have been made. The event was a breaking news story, not an occasion for the publication to take a political stance on the ongoing war in the Middle East. The job of a news reporter is to report the news; in that respect, we failed. Being apprehensive of one’s reporting is not only a threat to journalism but also a threat to the truth in the world. If we constantly live in fear of how viewers may respond, then we will lose sight of our moral obligation to objectively report the news in a timely fashion. Moving forward, I hope that The Observer will do its part to report on breaking news stories regardless of the topics’ inherent partisan views. I hope that we, as a publication, uphold a mission statement to continue to seek the truth and empower the community. Overall, we cannot withhold reporting the news out of fear. Here is the bottom line: as news reporters, if we are not irritating or challenging any member of the public, then we are not doing our job.

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Page 10

WildCat-ivities

Crossword

November 1, 2023

1

2

3 4

5

6

7

Down

Across

1. A family favorite to watch on a full stomach 2. Early Thanksgiving morning entertainment 3. You love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re still coming over dinner 5. A produce used in Thanksgiving dishes

4. These change color 6. Gobble Gobble 7. A small pluckable fruit

Little Droplet

The Rain

Transparent it sits precariously poised At the tip of a single blade of emerald green A single drop teetering on the edge Looking down at the dirt and clay below Indifferent to the potential drop And the splash and world ending splatter that awaits A single strong breeze, a rustle of movement Could be enough to break the fragile tension And send it to the end below But little does the little droplet acknowledge That the baking rays of sunlight Slowly threaten to evaporate its existence To heat it into the abyss So this drop is not long for this world But it is a single fleeting moment And that is all it needs to be

You’re like the smell after it rains A lingering sense of comfort A longing reminder of home

Megan Foster

Morgana Carroll

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The thought of you reminiscent of petals Basking in the dew Beautiful and bright with every sunrise Slow and calm with every sunset Puddles decorate the streets like mirrors Reflections of your memory flood my minds eye Emotion pouring from every faucet The rain stops The dew dries The sun goes to bed Only to wish the moon good morning

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Page 11

November 1, 2023

EVENTS

Wildcat Words What’s your favorite dish to have during Thanksgiving?

Hope Amason Director of the Museum of Culture & Environment

“My partner, Dave, and I tend to make pizzas because Dave is kind of a picky eater and I’m a vegetarian!”

Issiah Smith

Dylan Hanson

Hunter Rhea

Fr. Biochemistry

Sr. Public Relations & Journalism

“I would have to go with collard greens because it’s family tradition, for real.”

“Pumpkin pie because my grandma always makes pumpkin pie and it’s always the best thing ever.”

President of the First Generation Student Organization Rose Montano is a senior at CWU. She is a double major in psychology and biomedical science and a minor in chemistry. Montano is president of the First Generation Student Organization at CWU.

“I like stuffing a lot because it’s super fattening and tastes delicious.”

Q&A compiled by Yohaness Goodell

A &A Q Q&

Jr. Film Production

Javier Rodriguez Soph. History Education

“I would say tamales because that’s something that my family likes to do every Thanksgiving and it’s not a dish that I hear very often from my friends.”

Weekly Events Noon to 1 p.m. - International Cafe: SURC 137 A and B 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Humanitarian Map-a-thon 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - CWU Friends of Brooks Library Book Sale (Nov. 2-4):

FRI

4

SAT

Rose Montano

What does FGSO aim to provide for college students? We are one of the equity service organizations. We have an advisor who’s had a lot of experience working with first generation students with different majors, so we help with things that college students would find difficult like working with financial aid, finding internships or applications. I know every year we’ve had multiple students from our organization making it to the graduate school on campus with the help of an advisor. It’s a bunch of academic and career support while also having a family because they truly are my family. I do love them. It’s a very supportive environment, we always try to keep it professional while also having fun and having a welcoming environment. What does it mean to be a first generation student yourself? So nobody in my family, not even my parents, has ever gone to college. My dad, he came here from Mexico when he was an adult, so he barely even spoke English. I think being a first generation student means so much to me that I’ve gotten the opportunity to be able to go to college because I know a lot of people who don’t even get that chance. Of course I’m doing it for me and my future but I think a huge part of this is my motivation in doing this for my family. They tried as hard as they could when I was a kid, but I want to be able to give them a life that they deserve. What brought you to study at CWU? I had never been to Eastern Washington before. When I was applying to schools, I didn’t really have the opportunity to visit schools in person due to COVID-19 so I was in a lot of online Zooms. I guess out of all the schools that I had Zoom sessions with, the people here seemed so relatable and so nice, and I think that they do a really good job of equality. I think we’re like the number one diverse university so I just felt super welcoming here. They made me feel welcome. They didn’t make me feel out of place. Everybody’s so nice here and I don’t regret coming here at all.

See Full Q&A Online @CWUObserver

CWU Observer

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THURS

3

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - College Art Day 2023 11 a.m. to noon - First Friday Leadership Talk

9 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. - The Hot New Jam SURC 210

Can you tell me more about your position as president of the First Generation Student Organization (FGSO)? This is my third year at Central and also my third year for the organization. I started as the secretary and now I’m the president. I think we’re not a very big organization but I think there’s not a lot of knowledge about first generation students out there and so I try my best to put our group out there with other students who have similar backgrounds to me. I want them to know that they have some support at school because college has a hard time for everybody. I guess just being president, I’m here to not only support my members, but anybody else who could use a hand.

2

5

National American Football Day

SUN 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Monday Movie Madness: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Mutant Mayhem: SURC 210 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. - ASCWU Public Meeting SURC 100C

6

MON

7

National Hug a Bear Day (not a real one)

TUES

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Wildcat Farm Open Hours

8

WED

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 12

HEALTH CARE YOU DESERVE.

November 1, 2023


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