The Easterner: Volume 102, Issue 29

Volume 102, Issue 29

www.TheEasterner.org

May 29, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF

EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

3 News | 7 Arts | 8 Features | 13 Sports

Best of

The Easterner's staff ranks its top choices under the topics of food, nightlife and recreation for the Cheney/Spokane area. Whether you're looking for a drink, a quick bite to eat or something to do outside, we've got you covered.

Center Insert

Roos Field Illustration by Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner

News

Sports

Swoop Loop arrives in Cheney

Striding through adversity into DI athletics

Spokane Transit Authority has added a new bus route to Cheney called Swoop Loop. The Cheney-only bus route starts and ends at the PUB. Page 4

@The Easterner

Megan Pitzman was born without her left hand and part of her left arm, yet she has found herself running Division I track and cross-country at EWU, having just completed her first year of competition.

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@The_Easterner

@_TheEasterner

2 - The Easterner Editor in Chief Michael Brock 509.359.6737 easterner.editor@ewu.edu

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Editorial

Hey Eags:

Managing Editor Jeremy Burnham easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu Multimedia Director Richard N. Clark IV easterner.multimedia@gmail.com Chief Copy Editor Amanda Haworth easternercopy@gmail.com News Editor Dylan Harris easterner.news@gmail.com Sports Editor Taylor Newquist easterner.sports@gmail.com Arts & Features Editor Erik Rotness easterner.aef@gmail.com

It's time to 'finish something big'

THE EASTERNER Editorial Board Spring quarter’s lone threeday weekend is behind us. We made our way back to campus for the last two weeks of regular classes and were greeted in Cheney with beautiful weather.

It’s a promise of things to come.

But we can’t get too excited, yet…

The end of the school year is near, and that can be exciting

for all students. Whether you’re a student who will be returning next fall, or a graduating senior, the chances are you can’t wait for the quarter to be over. We’re with you. There are way more enjoyable outdoor things to be doing in this weather than sitting inside trying to pay attention in class. Sitting in a classroom with a window makes it even worse.

However, the summer will see lots of nice weather. For

Social Media Editor Matthew Pennell

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hard this year. You have spent hours and hours being the best student you can. We all need to treat these last two and half weeks as if all of this is on the line. So, fight the urge to check out early. Pay attention to your classes. Work on your assignments. The outdoor fun can wait. The summer weather will be waiting for you in less than three weeks. •

Easterner 2019 - 2020 Calendar

Web Editor Colleen Ford

Reporters Drew Lawson Malati Powell Marco Vargas Karolyn Wambold

now, we all have to stay focused and end the year on a positive note. One of EWU’s slogans is “Start Something Big.” Well, it’s time for us to FINISH something big. For returning students, that means finishing the school year strong. For seniors, like four of the five of us on this editorial board, it means finishing our college careers strong.

Whichever group you may fall into, you have worked

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About The Easterner Mission We, as independent student journalists at The Easterner, inform our EWU audience of the governance, activities and views of our community.

We provide a voice and a learning environment for students to engage, connect and make informed decisions.

Circulation The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at http://www.

TheEasterner.org. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as Riverpoint and various Spokane businesses. If you would like the Easterner to be distributed at your business call us at 509-359-6737.

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Corrections The Easterner never knowingly publishes inaccuracies. If any error is found, The Easterner is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of the source of the error.

The Easterner does not remove any editorial content from TheEasterner. org. However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.

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News

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Courtesy of EWU ROTC

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Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hennig being recognized as the Greater Spokane Armed Forces Person of the Year. The award is typically given to members of the Air Force due to the presence of Fairchild Air Force Base in Airway Heights.

ROTC instructor wins prestigious award Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hennig recognized as EWU ROTC's first ever Greater Spokane Armed Forces Person of the Year at the 63rd annual Let Freedom Ring ceremony

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hennig, an instructor in EWU’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program, was named Greater Spokane Armed Forces Person of the Year. Hennig was presented the award during the 63rd annual Let Freedom Ring ceremony at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane earlier this month. Hennig, who was also named U.S. Army Cadet Command NCO Instructor of the Year in February 2018, is the first EWU ROTC instructor to receive this honor.

“I definitely think that the Spokane community has a lot of great men and women, and I was just thankful for the opportunity to compete and be able to represent not only the Eastern ROTC program, but also Eastern Washington University,” Hennig said in a phone interview with The Easterner. “To be the winner was outstanding.”

Hennig said that he receives a lot of support from his wife Hayley and that the support helped him become the person that he is today. “(Hayley) has always been supportive of whatever it is that I do,” Hennig said. “She is incredibly strong and supportive, and she continues to teach me and mentor me to be

Courtesy of EWU ROTC

MARCO VARGAS Reporter

Lt. Col. Jonathan Stafford (left) shaking hands with Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hennig (right). Hennig was named U.S. Cadet Command NCO Instructor of the Year this past February and Greater Spokane Armed Forces Person of the Year in May. the best man that I can be. I think by being a good man, it makes me a good leader.”

Hennig said that he looks up to Lt. Col. Jonathan Stafford, chair of EWU’s Military Science department, as one of the peers who supports and encourages him to do what he

wants to do to be successful. “(Stafford) has allowed me for the last year to be able to operate and change things and do things that I thought were going to be the most beneficial for cadets and the program,” Hennig said. “You don’t always have a boss

www.TheEasterner.org

that allows you to operate how you feel best.

Col. Stafford has not micromanaged me one bit. He’s supported the ideas that we have come up with. We’ve been able to knock it out of the park.”

Hennig said that he is proud to win the achievement, but being married to his wife, whom he calls his best friend, and having his children makes him the proudest. He also said that everybody has the ability to be person of the year.

“Just because you don’t go up on a stage and get a plaque, that doesn’t mean you’re not someone’s person of the year,” Hennig said. “Just because you’re not a person of the year or don’t win first place in a race or something like that, it doesn’t mean you’re not someone’s hero. I think our campus community has heroes walking around everywhere. They just need to realize that you’re far better than what you think you are. You’re always going to have someone looking up to you.”

Hennig said that he hopes to take advantage of building from his latest achievement while sharing it with his wife.

“I hope God continues to use me to do good things for what I believe is the most important that this nation has,” Hennig said.

“As long as I continue to be a mentor and leader, that’s all that I can really ask for.” •

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Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

News

Swoop Loop comes to town Spokane Transit Authority bus dropping off a passenger in Cheney's business district. Swoop Loop is one of two Cheney-only bus routes offered by STA.

KAROLYN WAMBOLD Reporter

The bus runs in only one direction and covers a portion of Cheney that the other buses do not cover. It takes about 20 minutes to run the route Spokane Transit Authority has added a new bus from start to finish. route to Cheney called Swoop Loop. The Cheney“I get an average of four stops of students only bus route starts and ends at the PUB. along the entire route,” Dan, an STA bus driver STA began offering the new route, also known said. “I feel like it is a waste going the zigzag as bus route 67, on May 19 as a way to give way through the campus where I don’t pick up students and residents anyone where as I pick another option for them up closer to the getting around Cheney end of the route.” and the EWU campus.

According to The Swoop Loop comes Rasmussen, about 400 after STA listened to students, faculty and feedback from students. staff came together to “Bus route 67 is have the route return replacing a route that and cover a different, had stopped a year ago but similar, area than because not enough the one before. students were taking “There is a it,” Michelle Rasmussen, possibility of the director of Parking and route returning for a Transportation Services at summer schedule if EWU said. “Due to the bus enough students want changes, residents in the it and if the budget MICHELLE RASMUSSEN Eagle Point Apartments Parking and Transportation will allow for a later were upset that the route year,” Rasmussen said.

Services director had changed.”

“Right now it is just a The bus route runs from the PUB, to the visitor trial run from what we originally had placed, center, Sutton Park, K Street Station, downtown just different coverage and for now during the Cheney, Eagle Point Apartments and then back to popular time of the school year.” the PUB. There are four STA buses that go to EWU. According to the bus route schedule, the bus Bus routes 64 and 66 are from Spokane to runs only during the EWU regular academic year EWU and then 67 and 68 are the loop buses and only on weekdays. The bus does not run during that go around Cheney and EWU. More the summer session, holidays or school closures. information on the schedules and route areas The bus runs every half hour starting at 6:58 a.m. can be found on the STA website or in the and the last bus is at 5:57 p.m. brochures in Tawanka 101. •

“There is a possibility

of the route returning for a summer schedule if enough students want it and if the budget will allow for a later year.

www.TheEasterner.org

Spokane Transit Authority website

”

Map of STA bus routes 67 and 68.

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News

Heavy rainfall causes leak in Cheney Hall MICHAEL BROCK Editor-in-Chief EWU senior Nikko Davis was in Cheney Hall with a couple classmates on May 16 when he saw water coming in under the engineering room door from the hallway.

Five to 10 minutes later, when it started raining harder, he noticed more water running under the door.

“I looked out there and there was water spewing out of the floor through a crack in

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Michael Brock for The Easterner

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The hallway inside Cheney Hall where the leak sprung in a pipe. Cheney experienced heavy rainfall on May 16.

the middle of the hallway,” Davis told The Easterner. “(Water) was going under all the doors in the immediate area into about four different classrooms. And then the main hallway, there was a long crack in the middle of the tile, and that’s where water was spraying out of the floor like a fountain. It was only doing it when it rained really hard.”

Though the building wasn’t evacuated, Davis said that maintenance staff arrived after a few minutes and began “sucking up the water and drying up the floors.”

Craig Opsal, the director of facilities maintenance, told The Easterner in a phone interview that the leak was caused by a crack in a pipe that runs from the roof to the storm drains. “(The roof) water runs to the storm drains,” Opsal said. “That pipe, as it comes down from the drains on the roof and it travels under certain parts of the floor in the building, is cracked.”

Opsal said that the pipe repair is “being worked into a project right now” and will

likely require a capital request, however the timeline is currently unknown.

“I don’t know where that’s at time wise, but I have a feeling that it’s fairly high in the priority,” Opsal said.

Opsal said that the custodial staff deals with the clean up when something like this occurs.

“If we had a day like we had (of rain), it may very well that we would see that water again,” Opsal said. “It would depend on how large a quantity of water.” •

2019 EWU Alumni Awards Lifetime Achievement: James Wolff, Class of 1969

Alum of Service: Tai Harden-Moore, Class of 2009

HOUSE FOR RENT 4 BEDROOM / 2 BATHROOM $1,600 PER MONTH AVAILABLE SEPT. 1ST

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Exceptional Military Service: Robert Clark, Class of 1965

First & Last Month & Financial Check Pets Allowed Upon Approval with Additional Deposit

Eagle4Life Spirit: Brian Patterson, Class of 1989 www.TheEasterner.org

CALL OR EMAIL DENNIS 360-668-1999 DrBiggs290@yahoo.com

News

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Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

6 - The Easterner

ASEWU helps students register to vote MARCO VARGAS Reporter ASEWU held a voter registration table on May 21 to register students to vote in local, state and federal elections.

Angélica García-Macías, council representative of legislative affairs and a senior studying political science, led the event.

About 20 people registered to vote.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in the 2018 midterm elections about 32% of eligible voters ages 18-24, which includes the majority of EWU students, reported that they voted. These numbers have gone up since the 2014 midterm, according to the census data, but this age group consistently has the lowest percentage of voter turnout.

“I wish more people would register to vote,” GarcíaMacías said. “But I do understand that we have to find a way

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Angélica García-Macías, council representative for ASEWU Legislative Affairs, hosting a voter registration table in the PUB on May 21 in an effort to prepare more students for the upcoming presidential and local elections. About 20 students registered to vote during the event.

Flyers reminding students to register to vote. Students can also register to vote on the EagleNET website. to re-energize the students to feel confident in voting and that their voices will be heard.”

García-Macías, who has done the registration in the fall and spring, said that the biggest purposes to get people registered is so more people are ready to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, and to shine a light on the importance of local and state elections.

“You’re specifically choosing people that you are voting for,” García-Macías said. “I think that’s the main purpose of why I wanted to do the voting registration, just to have people participate for their local governments, even if it’s just by voting.”

Even though García-Macías provided treats at the booth for people who came to register, she said that she could have done a better job in attracting more people.

“I tried to bring food as almost like a bait to get people to register to vote,” García-Macías said. “But I think we as a

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whole have to find a way to again re-energize the students to get into the political processes and be involved in them, because it’s very important and it affects everybody’s life in some sort of way. If people have suggestions, send me an email to the ASEWU Legislative Affairs email because I do want to hear everybody’s voice.”

García-Macías said that being at the booth made her think about some things.

“It gave me a lot to think about the students that didn’t want to register to vote,” García-Macías said. “What can I do to encourage them to participate? And it gave me a lot to think about what I want to leave the next person in this position with.”

If you have any questions about voting, email Angélica García-Macías at asewulegaffairs@ewu.edu or stop by the ASEWU office in PUB 207. Students can also register to vote through the EagleNET website. •

The Easterner's

Best of 2019

The Cheney/Spokane area We're just a few weeks away from graduating and if you're like us, you've been so disconnected from the world outside of tests and papers that you can't remember all the great things out there.

Fear not! We raised our voices arguing for and against our picks for the best of food, nightlife and recreation to remind you there's some pretty neat things out there. We hope you enjoy our picks as much as we do!

Roos Field

Food Best Restaurant Chaps 4237 Cheney Spokane Road, Spokane, 99224 Chaps is a one-stop-shop for all your favorite comfort foods. It’s about a 20-minute drive from EWU. “They have probably the best breakfast in the Spokane area, including gluten free dessert!” Chief Copy Editor Amanda Haworth said.

Chaps offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner!

We recommend you try the blueberry muffin French Toast.

Chaps may only be rated the No. 52 restaurant in Spokane on trip advisor, but it's No. 1 in our hearts.

Best Late Night Grub Zip’s 911 1st St. Cheney, 99004 Looking for a late night fast food snack?

Zip’s is the place to go. It’s less than five minutes from the EWU campus and it’s open 24 hours. You can get a full meal here for under $15.

Zip's serves everything from classic burgers to breakfast. Some good late night options would be a hurricane milkshake (Oreo, Butterfinger, Reese's, Heath bar and cookie dough) and of course you can’t go wrong with some classic fries with fry sauce.

“I love their hurricanes and it’s the best place to go in Cheney to chill late at night that’s not a bar,” Reporter Drew Lawson said.

Best Cheap Eats Denny’s 3711 S Geiger Blvd, Spokane, WA 99224 Denny’s is a affordable food option.

You can get a full meal for under $8 on the Denny’s value menu.

“You get a good bang for your buck there,” Copy Editor Sam Jackson said.

“The food’s cheap in my opinion (value menu) and you get a lot of food.”

"I've eaten my fair share of Denny's," Arts and Features Editor Erik Rotness said. "My high school friends and I would plan to sneak out and meet up at Denny's around midnight. When you're trying to eat a lot on the cheap, it's pretty hard to beat that build your own grand slam."

*Information gathered by: Malati Powell & Erik Rotness

NightLife Best Pub Iron Goat 1302 W. 2nd Ave, Spokane, 99201 The Iron Goat is a great choice when it comes to pubs. It’s location is convenient because it’s in downown Spokane. It’s open until 11p.m. every day too!

They offer a variety of beers as well as pizzas, sandwiches, sideboards, soups and salads. There are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options offered here as well.

The Iron Goat is affordable and offers a wide variety of food and drink options.

“It’s got delicious brews! And it’s just a fun lively place to be,” Copy Editor Sam Jackson said. “It’s a very airy brewery with garage doors and an outdoor patio. They have lots of seating and live music. It’s the kind of place you go to after a big run or bike ride to celebrate.”

Best All-Ages Venue The Mason Jar 101 F St. Cheney, 99004 The Mason Jar is a trendy cafe located in Cheney. You can get breakfast, lunch, espresso, tea, baked goods and wine!

The traditionally baked goods are made with ingredients from local farms. If they can’t get the ingredients from the area, they source their ingredients from ethically and environmentally focused companies.

“It’s a warm, welcoming environment,” Jackson said.

Aside from the great food and company, The Mason Jar is also a great place for a quick photo session!

Best Live Music Venue The Bartlett 228 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane, 99201 The Bartlett is a venue that hosts live indie music performances. It also offers a full bar. It’s about a 45-minute drive from EWU. The Bartlett is an affordable venue. You’ll get to hear bands and performers who are not as well known, you might even find a new favorite.

This venue makes for a fun night out with friends. All ages are welcome, and kids under eight-years-old get in free! Keep in mind that The Bartlett does not censor content from the artists that they feature.

*Photos by: Bailey Monteith, Mckenzie Ford, Erik Rotness & Richard N. Clark IV

Recreation Best Trails Bowl and Pitcher Bowl and Pitcher is about a 35-minute drive from EWU. It’s a 2.1 mile hike with great views.

“There’s a bridge that goes over the Spokane River that’s awesome and there’s a lot of area where you can go off the trail and explore, which is fun," Reporter Drew Lawson said. "My friends and I will climb the rocks which overlook the river and stuff like that."

Once you get over the suspension bridge, you can go upstream or downstream. Going downstream you’ll pass the Spokane River, a camp and a basalt bench where you can enjoy a view of the river.

Best Picnic Manito Park 1702 S. Grand Blvd. Spokane, 99203 If you’re planning a picnic or family outing, Manito Park and Botanical Gardens is the place to go.

The park is located in Spokane’s South Hill neighborhood, about a 25-minute drive from EWU. There’s no charge for enjoying the park and the gardens it has to offer. The summer hours for the park are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The park includes biking paths, playgrounds, a greenhouse conservatory and photo-worthy gardens.

“It’s a beautiful spot for a day with nowhere to be,” Arts and Features Editor Erik Rotness said. "I really enjoy the greenhouse."

Best Gear Rental EPIC Adventures Looking to rent some gear? Check out EPIC Adventures right here on campus! The rates are per day and are student friendly.

EPIC Adventures give students access to everything you could need for their summer adventures.

"EPIC Adventures allows students to have access to gear at a fraction of the cost that a normal business would charge.”

Richard Clark, multimedia director, said.

“From a backpack for a simple dayhike, to a tent for a weekend full of camping, to stand up paddleboards for having fun on water, EPIC Adventures has everything you need to get outside and have fun. The best part is they are open all summer."

Easterner Asks

What did you do over Memorial Day weekend?

"I did a whole bunch of acrylic-pour paintings.

I was just kind of hanging, chilling, doing homework. It was the first time I tried acrylicpours and it went pretty good."

- Danielle Walker, Sophomore "I went on a tour with Eastern’s choir for the first part of the weekend and then worked the rest.

I had a good time."

- Annalisa Deford, Sophomore “I pretty much just hung out with friends and went paddleboarding, swimming. I went back home to Chelan. It was pretty busy and it was raining pretty much the whole time.”

- Wyatt Groseclose, Freshman “I got drunk with my family. It was fun; it was the first weekend I got to legally do it. Family reunion, (had) to do it. It was rainy and cold most of the time.”

- Harley Belisle, Junior "I went to Seattle and hung out with my boyfriend and my nephew. We went to go eat like always, and went shopping. I was expecting it to be nice and sunny, but it rained, and it was cold."

- Isabel Vargas, Senior "Oh gosh. I did homework, lots of homework and I went swimming. My friend’s grandma has a heated pool in North Spokane, so I went out there."

- Kaylene Lewis, Senior

Arts

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Looking Back

Challenge denied; fight off THE EASTERNER Archives This story was originally published in The Easterner, Vol. 20, No. 21, Feburary 24, 1971 and has not been changed except for AP style.

The fight is off.

Claiming a disadvantage because of size, Bruce Ellis, Associated Students vice president, has declined to meet AS President Clint Hill in a boxing ring.

Hill challenged Ellis last week to a public "grudge match" to raise money for charity. Ellis accepted the challenge then, but has since changed his mind.

In a statement Ellis released, he said, "I hope no one believed I was serious when responding to Clint's challenge.

With his height, weight and reach advantages I would have to be some kind of idiot to agree. He would kill me."

"The only time I've taken to the ring was a grudge match over a very special young lady at Yakima Valley College. I was also challenged that time, won the fight, but not the girl. That experience turned me against fighting, but at least I knew what that fight was about."

Hill disclaimed an advantage over Ellis large enough to make a difference in the outcome. At his last weigh-in, Hill reported weight of 155 fully clothed except for shoes.

Ellis reported a weight of 145 last week, and Hill said he was going to try to reach Ellis' weight by the time of the fight.

The object of the fight, Hill said when the challenge was first issued, would be to raise money for charity.

Ellis' statement read, "This (fight) all started when Clint asked me if I wanted to help raise some money for charity.

I guess I should have asked some questions before I said yes. At any rate, I surely have no grudge against Clint.

There are better ways to raise money for charity than an unfair boxing match. I'm sure Clint would not want to take advantage of me and would be willing to box someone of his own size.”

"I'll debate Clint in public to raise money for charity.

The Easterner, Vol. 21, No. 18, February 24, 1971

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UNDEFEATED after zero amateur bouts, A.S. President Clint Hill seems anxious to get into the ring. Actually, Hill was just going along with The Easterner in dramatizing the bout that almost happened.

However," Ellis concluded. "I don't want anyone thinking that there really is a grudge between us."

Hill responded to Ellis' counterchallenge, saying a debate would not

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bring in as large a crowd as a boxing match.

But would he accept?

"I'll have to think about it," Hill responded.•

Feat

8 - The Easterner

A leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, mil SAM JACKSON Copy Editor While military post-traumatic stress disorder is commonly associated with experiences from war, military sexual trauma is also a leading cause of PTSD. Some EWU student veterans wake up with night sweats, recall unpleasant memories, feel tense and avoid reminders of traumatic events—all symptoms of PTSD. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, “55% (55 out of 100) female and 38% (38 out of 100) male veterans experienced sexual assault in the military.”

Although women are more likely to experience sexual assault in the armed forces, there are more men in the military, making men over half of all veterans with military sexual trauma.

Audra Stillions, readjustment counselor at Spokane Veterans Center and an EWU alumna, said it’s a common misconception that the majority of combat veterans are diagnosed with PTSD. “Only 20% of veterans who deploy develop PTSD,” Stillions said. “Now, when we’re looking at the (military sexual trauma) ... 50% of people who have been sexually assaulted in the military develop PTSD. So it’s quite a big difference in percentage.”

Alan Basham is a retired EWU counseling professor and Navy veteran. He’s also an advocate for a program called “Got Your 6,” which trains EWU faculty and staff on

how to help student veterans with PTSD. Basham said that there are three levels of groups in the military: those located out of harm's way, those on a military base (still mostly safe) and those in combat.

“Most people are never in combat,” Basham said. “They just prepare for it.”

Though military sexual trauma is usually diagnosed in victims, it can also occur in those who are wrongfully accused of committing sexual assault in the military.

After an EWU senior, who is an Air Force veteran, served over 16 years in the military, he was accused of sexual assault and harassment, causing his most significant form of post-traumatic stress. The student asked to remain anonymous for this story.

In June 2016 the man was charged with sexual assault and harassment of one woman and sexual harassment with another woman. He was acquitted of the sexual assault and found guilty of maltreatment by sexual harassment for the first woman. For the second woman, he was found not guilty of sexual harassment. Additionally, he was found guilty of unprofessional relationships, a crime in the military by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with both women.

The student veteran admitted to having consensual relations with both women.

“My life was just in shambles,” the student veteran said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”

The student veteran reviewed every statement that the women wrote and recorded during the investigation against him.

“I got to see everything they said, and it was pretty deflating for someone to watch people that were once your friends just totally act like you were a reincarnation of Satan (and) that you are a terrible person,” the student veteran said.

It took about 11 months for the man to get court-martialed. He said that each day felt like he was “free-falling from a cliff” as he experienced the loss of his job and

friends.

In January 2017 he was courtmartialed for four days at Fairchild Air Force Base. He described that time as the worst part of his life.

“Every day I had to sit, hands very non-confrontational, while I literally watched my whole sex life, my whole personal life and everything about me just get paraded around in a courtroom in front of a bunch of strangers I (had) never met,” the student veteran said. “They were the ones who were going to decide my fate.”

“Every day I had to sit, hands

very non-confrontational, while I literally watched my whole sex life, my whole personal life and everything about me just get paraded around in a courtroom in front of a bunch of strangers I (had) never met.”

- Anonymous, Veteran and EWU senior

55% of female veterans experienced sexual assault in the military

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litary sexual trauma affects large numbers of veterans across genders He remembers, before the jury made a decision, his attorney sliding him the sex offender registry forms he might have to sign if he were found guilty and informing him that he could go to prison at a Marine base in San Diego. Standing at attention in the courtroom, he could barely feel his legs as the jury announced its findings.

The jury decided that the student veteran should be demoted from an E-7 (master sergeant) to an E-5 (staff sergeant) and given a reprimand—a letter that details his wrongful actions. About a month later, he was sent by his commander to an administrative separation board, and he was voted out of the military.

The student veteran said the trauma from this experience was much worse than any war he’s been a part of and that time is the only thing that can heal his symptoms.

Dave Millet, the EWU Veterans Resource Center director, said that about twice a month student veterans will confide in him about their struggles with PTSD and balancing school.

Millet will often refer veterans to the Spokane Veterans Center located in Spokane Valley. The center consists of counselors, like Stillions, who are trained to assist veterans with symptoms of posttraumatic stress.

Stillions graduated from EWU with a bachelor’s in children’s studies and a master’s in social work. She’s been an active duty and

“Often times, if you can help

somebody find housing, or if you can stabalize their income, the mental health issues diminish significantly.”

- Audra Stillions, Readjustment counselor reserve Air Force member and is currently in the 141st Air National Guard.

“I’m passionate about veterans,” Stillions said. “I mean, it’s kind of corny, but they are my people.

They are my brothers and sisters in arms.”

Stillions said that many service members who are getting out of the military experience difficulty adjusting to civilian life.

Readjustment counselors like Stillions help veterans find resources for housing, stabilize their income, address mental health issues, get jobs and work through their transitions in life.

“Often times if you can help somebody find housing, or if you can stabilize their income, the mental health issues diminish significantly,” Stillions said. “Not completely, for some people they

don’t diminish, but it decreases that stress level significantly.”

There are over 300 veteran centers in the U.S. For details on the eligibility requirements for readjustment counseling at the Spokane Veterans Center go to https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/ Eligibility.asp.

Due to the center’s congressional mandate, the VA, VA hospitals and the U.S. Department of Defense cannot access its records.

“I’ve had commanders call me, and I’ll have to say, ‘Ma’am or sir, I’m sorry I cannot confirm or deny that I do or do not know that person,’” Stillions said.

The mandate allows active duty personnel to seek help without the fear of retribution from their higher-ups.

Though all the clinicians in the center are qualified to diagnose

patients and prescribe medication, they do not.

If an active military member were diagnosed with certain mental health issues or treated with medication, the military might find the person “not mission capable” or even remove him or her from service.

“If they are coming here, it’s kind of a safety net,” Stillions said.

“Because we’re not diagnosing, (and) because we’re not providing those medications, they can get help.”

To be diagnosed or prescribed medication for PTSD, military veterans can seek assistance at any VA hospital.

“Be proud of what you do,” Stillions said. “Know there’s resources out there.”

For more information on military PTSD go to https://www.ptsd.va.gov/ index.asp. For more information on the Spokane Veterans Center and readjustment counseling go to https://www.vetcenter.va.gov or call 509-444-8387.•

A video of Basham’s advice on what universities can do to better assist student veterans accompanies this piece at:

y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=hgmETlieXFo.

38% of male veterans experienced sexual assault in the military

terner.org

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10 - The Easterner

Features

Events

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29 Panza Monologue

2 Moonlight Breakfast

30 Club Vegas

6 Senior send off

Time/location: 11 a.m. in Tawanka Hall room 215B/C

According to the EWU events calendar details, the stories of The Panza Monologues place the stomach, also known as the panza, as a symbol for the truth about women’s bodies, thoughts, lives, abuses and experiences.

Time/location: 6 p.m. in the PUB NCR

For students that are looking for a break from studying for finals, there will be free food, breakfast for dinner, games and prizes.

Time/location: 4 p.m., Showalter Hall walkway

Students can test their luck in the Club Vegas 2019 event. They can win big in a variety of casino games which include roulette, blackjack and poker. According to the EWU events calendar details, students win tickets to enter different types of drawings for exciting prizes.

1

Time/location: 8 p.m. in the PUB NCR

Band concert

Time/location: 10 a.m. in Music Building 100

There will be a concert featuring EWU band and faculty band in memory of George Lotzenhiser who is a former dean of EWU Fine Arts. This event will be free to all.

www.TheEasterner.org

The 4th annual senior send off will be in the Showalter Hall walkway.

According to the EWU events calendar details, the Eagle community will be honoring accomplishments of graduating seniors and send them out through the Herculean Pillars.

Special guest speakers from the EWU administration, ASEWU and EWU Alumni Association will address seniors with words of wisdom and wishes before seniors walk through the Showalter Hall walkway and be greeted

by EWU Alumni. There will be a free BBQ after the seniors complete the walk of honor.

Features

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Brannon Reed (left) and Celina Devantier Reed (right) run Northstar Taps in Cheney and care for their child Luke (middle). The taphouse opened in May. Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

NorthStar points Cheney to beer Cheney's newest locally owned taphouse offers seasonal selections of craft beer MALATI POWELL Reporter

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner.

Brannon Reed pulls an IPA. NorthStar Taps is locally owned in Cheney.

“Our focus is craft

beer from really good breweries.

”

BRANNON REED Co-owner of NorthStar Taps

www.TheEasterner.org

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner.

There's a new taphouse in town for those looking to taste strictly craft beer. NorthStar Taps will hold its grand opening event on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 with free Mexican food and pizza while it lasts.

NorthStar Taps is locally owned by Brannon Reed and his wife Celina Devantier Reed.

The taproom offers 16 different taps as well as a wide selection of to-go beers. They also serve canned cider and wine. You won't find the craft beer offered at NorthStar Taps in Eastern Washington, according to Brannon.

Brannon and Celina travel to Portland and

Vancouver to pick up their beer in person.

“Our focus is craft beer from really good breweries,” Brannon said. “This is all seasonal, limited released stuff, hard to find stuff … we have beer that’s from Vancouver, and the only way to get it is to go to that brewery and purchase it. They don’t distribute or anything like that.”

NorthStar Taps doesn't serve food, however you can bring food with you or even have food delivered to the taproom. NorthStar Taps is currently in the process of working out a coupon system with local food businesses.

“There’s nothing quite like this out here," Brannon said. "All the bars are downtown, and I know that the locals would appreciate something that might be a little more chill than the college bars."

NorthStar Taps is located at 1818 2nd St. in Cheney.

For more information about NorthStar Taps, visit northstartaps.com.•

News

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V102 I29- 5.29.19

Tackling drug use in the campus dorms EWU Police and residential life staff speak about their efforts in patrol and prevention MARCO VARGAS Reporter EWU’s residential life staff wants to create a safe and comfortable environment for students living in the dorms, but illegal drug use can get in the way.

Some dorm residents have been caught using illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Josh Ashcroft, director of EWU housing and residential life, said that EWU has mostly seen an increase in marijuana.

Marijuana is still illegal federally, but is legal for recreational use in Washington state.

“We obviously are concerned about the individuals and making sure that they are not harming themselves and making good choices,” Ashcroft said. “We’re also worried about the impact on people who aren’t involved, even the students on their floors.”

Because EWU wants to ensure a clean and safe environment, officials have worked hard to prohibit drugs on campus, especially in the dorms. In years past, however, students would still sneak drugs into their dorm rooms, violating a drug law on campus.

“I think for students that don’t use drugs, they’re biggest thing is that they get frustrated by the smell of marijuana,” Ashcroft said. “Alcohol is really more of the behavior that students exhibit. They’re often very loud or disrespectful. Those are the two biggest complaints.”

Police assistance The EWU Police Department keeps an eye on new college students who use drugs in the dorms, and it doesn’t tolerate violent behavior from drug users. EWU officer Tiffinni Archie said that she hates to witness students having drugs in dorms.

“Because we’re a federally funded campus, they cannot have marijuana and things like that in the dorms,” Archie said.

“I’m zero tolerance on that. If I see it, it’s got to go.”

Students who are 21 or older can pick up their marijuana at the police department if it is taken away from them.

According to the EWU Clery report, numerous students have been caught using drugs in the dorms during recent years. In 2015, 73 total referrals were made for drug law violations on campus, with 65 of them in the dorms. In 2017, 49 total students were arrested for violating the drug law on campus, with 46 of them in the dorms.

“It’s a really big deal because there’s probably more,” Archie said.

“Unfortunately, we have a lot of younger students in the residence halls. When they go away from their parents, they kind of feel like there are no rules and can do whatever they want and try new things.

They go to parties and come back with new drug habits sometimes.”

Archie said that 18-year-olds coming out of high schools tend to have higher risk behavior than older students if they use drugs. That’s because some of the incoming students, who mostly live in residence halls during their first year of college, don’t follow rules or take them seriously, according to Archie.

Ashcroft said that he and his residential staff partner with the EWU police to help students who are choosing to do drugs.

“Because we work so closely with the police, I think students are aware of that,” Ashcroft said about drug prevention. “I think we do a lot of talking with students.

For example, if you were underage and participated in drug activities, some of our staff would follow up."

age from 18 to 21, which will start on Jan. 1, 2020. This new law may help prevent students from using drugs in dorms. And it could also be beneficial for non-drug-using students who are allergic to the smell of drugs in the dorms.

“I think it’s neglectful for (students who use drugs) to smoke in the residence halls not knowing what allergens or asthma that other students have,” Archie said. “It can cause reactions for those students. I think (smoking) would be putting other students at high risk.”

While marijuana has been impacting EWU, tobacco has not been much of an issue for officials to handle according to Tricia Hughes, senior director of EWU Wellness and Recreation Programs.

“I do not believe it will have much of an impact,” Hughes said in an April interview.

“EWU follows the Washington Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking and vaping on campus in any public building as well as within 25 feet of any doors or air intake systems. We also have a policy on campus that provides for Arevalo Mall to be tobacco free.”

To make the dorms a clean and safe environment for non-drug using students, Archie said that the EWU Police Department does a lot of enforcement in

Approach matters “We’re going to come from a place so that we care about the students and we want to make sure that they’re really being thoughtful about how they will be successful students,” Ashcroft said. “We can’t stop people from using drugs or alcohol. But hopefully, we can encourage them to be responsible or educate them about the impacts not just to themselves but also to the community.”

Washington state recently enacted a new law to increase the minimum smoking

“We can't stop people from using

drugs or alcohol. But hopefully, we can encourage them to be responsible or educate them about the impacts not just to themselves but also to the community.”

- JOSH ASHCROFT Director of EWU housing and residential life

www.TheEasterner.org

the residence halls.

“There’s only about 17 of us total,” Archie said. “So, the students kind of have to help us as well. If they see (drugs), they’ve got to say something because then if we know about it, then we can go enforce it or do a lot more around the residence halls.

But if we don’t know about it, then we’re not going to be there as much to know who’s smoking what and get it out of the residence halls.”

Ashcroft said that the residential staff is fortunate enough to not have to deal with drug violation in dorms every day.

“It just happens at different parts of the year,” Ashcroft said. “Usually, fall is the most. We feel pretty lucky that for the most part, we’re just dealing with alcohol and marijuana. We’ve had drug dealers in the halls before, and eventually we found out who they were and worked with the police to handle that.”

Archie said that students should be aware that when they’re signing a contract to live in the residence halls, they’re also signing a contract to not use illegal drugs.

“For 18-year-olds, marijuana is illegal,” Archie said. “Also, financial aid is a little strict with their money. And then how are they going to pay for school?” •

5.29.19 - V102 I29

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Hey buddy, take a hike Full Spokane area hiking guide available at theeasterner.org

Photos: Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

www.TheEasterner.org

14 - The Easterner

Six Eagles compete at regionals

Sports

V102 I29 - 5.29.19

Madison Doepker Hammer

41st — 54.48m

Javelin

34th — 43.12m

Samantha Raines Pole vault

T-36th — 3.92m

Elizabeth Prouty Pole vault

T-42nd — 3.77m

Isaac Barville 1,500 meters 40th — 3:50.70

Larry Still

Pole vault

T-21st — 5.11m

Keshun McGee Long jump

8th — 7.65m

Triple jump

6th — 15.97m

Greg Sherman poses with his grandson and a boy scout at a Spokane Chiefs event. Sherman was hired as the new EWU hockey coach on May 1. | EWU Hockey

Hockey hires new head coach DREW LAWSON Reporter The EWU hockey club filled its head coach vacancy on May 1, hiring Greg Sherman to replace former head coach Pat Hanlon, who retired on March 5.

The club voted Sherman into the position after an extensive search that featured 13 applicants.

Sherman has been coaching hockey for 27 years. He got his start coaching youth hockey in Spokane and led teams at various levels throughout his career. He’s been either the head or assistant coach for the Spokane Flyers, Kootenai Colts and Mount Spokane High School team.

Sherman coached the U-16 A1 and A2 teams in the Spokane Americans Youth Hockey Association. Sherman also spent a year as head coach of EWU’s now-defunct junior varsity club team.

Sherman said during his days as head coach of the Flyers, he would pride himself on coaching homegrown talent despite pressure to recruit out of state.

“I brought players over from Czech Republic, (and) had players from Canada,” Sherman said. “I invested in several local kids that were good hockey players and gave them a chance to play at a higher level. By Christmas of that first year I had my team in the playoffs.”

Sherman found his way to the Inland Northwest by way of a van in 1976, after his family had lived in San Diego for a decade.

“My friend and I loaded up my van and drove to Plummer, Idaho,” Sherman said. “I’ve stayed here ever since.”

Before coaching, the Grand Rapids, Minnesota, native played through high school before joining an adult league in northern Minnesota. He realized that coaching was where his passion lay. “(I) wasn’t always the best hockey player myself, but I fell in love with coaching,” Sherman said. “I went to a few NHL camps to get better as a hockey coach and studied the game very well. (I) became a fairly good hockey coach.”

Sherman took the SAYHA’s U-16 A1 team to the national tournament in Philadelphia in 2010 after winning the state championship, placing fourth.

Club sports coordinator Travis Allen said the organization took 13 applicants for the EWU head coaching spot. After narrowing the search down to three candidates, players and team management decided Sherman would be the best fit.

“Being a club sport, it’s up to the players to decide who (they) want to coach them,” Allen said. “Greg stood out.”

Allen said Sherman’s commitment to bettering the

www.TheEasterner.org

program elevated him above the other applicants. Sherman talked in his interview with the team about how Hanlon laid a foundation for the program that Sherman wanted to expand upon. “(Sherman) wants to be here for a few years,” Allen said.

“He was looking for about a five-year deal, (but) with club sports it’s a year-to-year contract … He kept talking about (how) he kept developing (and) was big into film … I think the players really took to that.”

Team captain Zac Mindermann, a senior next year, said a panel of about 10 players listened and spoke to the final three candidates. The players asked the candidates various questions before taking a team vote on who they wanted to coach the team, settling on Sherman. Mindermann said the team asked questions to find out about the applicants’ time commitment to the team. Since Sherman is retired, he was able to commit the most time to the team.

Mindermann said that he liked Sherman’s desire to simply coach.

“I think that’s something we might’ve lacked a little bit in the past,” Mindermann said. “We needed someone who could come in and focus on the team (without) focusing on too much outside of that.”

Mindermann told The Easterner that some of the outside distractions that could prevent from concentrating on coaching include trying to get too involved in the front office.

“What we’re looking for from the new coach is that he just wants to do the recruiting, he wants to do game film, and just focus on our systems and how we play the game,” Mindermann said. “(Sherman) is a student of the game … that was another thing that really stood out to us.”

Mindermann said in the past, EWU has been stuck in an “old-school style of hockey.” He added that he anticipates Sherman will be able to implement new ways of playing and adapt to the way the game is changing.

Sherman told The Easterner that he’s always wanted to coach hockey at EWU. He said in his interview for the job, he was asked “why wouldn’t you want to coach WSU? Why not Gonzaga?” Sherman’s response was to emphasize that he’s an EWU fan first.

“I think I have Eagle pride flowing through my veins,” Sherman said. “I would like to inspire the (team) to grow and build a stronger program. I want kids to say, ‘I want to play at Eastern. I want to go to Eastern.’”

EWU takes the ice with Sherman at the helm for the first time this fall. The full schedule has yet to be announced, though opening night is scheduled for Sept. 27.•

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McGee qualifies for nationals in two events DREW LAWSON Reporter EWU junior Keshun McGee advanced to the NCAA Track and Field National Championship in long jump and triple jump at the West Regionals in Sacramento last weekend. He became the first Eagle to advance to nationals in the long jump and the first track athlete overall since 2014.

McGee finished sixth in the triple jump and eighth in the long jump at regionals. The top 12 finishers at regionals advance to nationals. McGee jumped 15.97 meters in the triple jump and 7.65 meters in the long jump. He wouldn’t say one event went better than the other, but in the week leading up to regionals he and EWU coach Dave Nielsen focused more on the triple jump.

“Triple jump was really my aspect of getting my foot in the door for (nationals),” McGee told The Easterner. “(Regionals) was just trying to execute both events and get my way to nationals for both events.”

McGee said the concentration on triple jump was higher during practice because he and the coaches believe that he can go further in that event. He added that he hasn’t yet reached the marks he wants to, so the training was more honed in on the triple jump.

McGee said there’s a possibility he produces better at nationals in the triple jump than in the long jump, but it “really comes down to the day.” McGee will compete on June 5 in the long jump and June 6 in the triple jump for the national championship in Austin, Texas.

McGee’s goal is to become an All-American in both events, which will require a top-eight finish at nationals. McGee told The Easterner the marks he thinks he’ll have to hit in order to achieve that goal.

“I think somewhere around 25 or 26 (feet) for the (long jump),” McGee said. “I’m thinking 52-feet-5-inches for the triple jump, or somewhere around 53 feet.”

Having competed further into the season than he has at any point in his career, McGee said he’s noticed fatigue starting to set in. However, he noted that his mindset of pushing through and reaching his goal of being an AllAmerican outweighs that fatigue. “(I) have to execute, go in ready and be focused,” McGee said. “(My goal) is just to execute and get that All-American spot.”

Five other EWU track athletes competed at the West Regionals last weekend, but none were able to advance to nationals.

Senior Larry Still tied for No. 21 in men’s pole vault with a jump of 5.11 meters.

Sophomore Isaac Barville finished No. 40 in the men’s 1500-meters with a time of 3:50.70 minutes.

Senior Madison Doepker finished No. 34 in women’s javelin with a score of 43.12 meters and No. 41 in women’s hammer with a score of 54.48 meters.

Senior Samantha Raines tied for No. 36 in women’s pole vault with a jump of 3.92 meters. Senior Elizabeth Prouty tied for a No. 42 in women’s pole vault with a jump of 3.77 meters. •

Junior Keshun McGee competes at the Buc Scoring Meet on March 16. McGee is the first EWU track and field athlete to qualify for two events at the national outdoor competition. | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

“(My goal) is just to

execute and get that All-American spot.

”

KESHUN McGEE Junior/Jumper

www.TheEasterner.org

16 - The Easterner

Sports

Hardly a hindrance V102 I29 - 5.29.19

Pitzman didn't have time for excuses on her way to Division I track and field DREW LAWSON Reporter

Megan Pitzman didn’t consistently run track in high school. She was born without her left hand and part of her left arm, and yet she has found herself running Division I track and cross-country at EWU, having just completed her first year of competition.

The Homer, Alaska, native started running in third grade. In middle school she ran the 800-meter, mile, distance and relay races. She started cross-country in high school, but did soccer during track season all four years.

“I didn’t have much experience with track,” Pitzman told The Easterner. “This past season was my first full track season since probably middle school.”

Pitzman said she doesn’t regret playing soccer over track in high school, as she wanted to enjoy her last years playing soccer and knew she had a future in track regardless.

Pitzman always knew she wanted to pursue a running career in college. After graduating high school in 2017, she wanted to go out of state. She was drawn to Cheney on a visit, because of her preference to go to school in the Pacific Northwest.

“I really liked the small town aspect of Cheney, but still being close to (Spokane),” Pitzman said. “There was a really young team here … I was gonna be able to come here and work up with the team, not just come in to a team where it’s all seniors.”

Pitzman redshirted the 2017-18 season due to nagging hip and IT band injuries, which she said was a new experience for her, as she hadn’t dealt with any injury problems in high school. She also discovered during that season that she was anemic. As a result, her first year of collegiate competition was this school year, and looking back, Pitzman said she was just “happy to be racing.”

“It was a big adjustment I had to make with running year-round,” Pitzman said. “I only did cross-country in high school … So I think I needed that (redshirt) year to adapt and keep running but not be thrown into the racing.”

Pitzman tried the steeplechase for the first time this year, which she said she really enjoyed. EWU cross-country and distance coach Sam Read thinks Pitzman has a lot of potential in that event. Pitzman won her last steeplechase race of the regular season at the Spokane Memorial Meet on May 4 with a time of 12:28.05.

“She’s really strong in the water pit,” Read said. “Makes her a really good candidate for the steeplechase, so I think as her aerobic ability increases and she becomes more comfortable with the event she can take a lot of big steps forward.”

@The Easterner

Read added that Pitzman was among a large group of female EWU distance runners who are inexperienced. He said that inexperience can come out in bigger meets as the runners get used to collegiate competition.

“You go to these big invitational meets, and all of a sudden there’s 300 people that were the best runners in their high school,” Read said. “It can be overwhelming for runners that lack that experience.”

Pitzman has goals for improvement going forward after a self-described "rocky" freshman season.

“I want to run a faster 5k (and) a faster 6k,” Pitzman said. “In the 6k … definitely I want the low 22 (minute) mark.”

Pitzman found throughout her life that being born with one hand is not much of an inhibitor.

She said she’s never known the difference and doesn’t view the situation as a handicap.

“It doesn’t affect my daily life in a huge way,” Pitzman said. “No one ever said you need two hands to run.

Growing up I did every sport that you could think of that people do with two hands … people say, ‘oh, is that hard for you?’ But I’ve never had two hands, so I don’t have anything to compare it to.”

EWU women’s track and field head coach Marcia Mecklenburg said that situation didn’t affect the team’s decision to recruit Pitzman at all.

“I think (it) was brought up, but it wasn’t anything that concerned us,” Mecklenburg said.

Pitzman’s little brother was also born with one hand. She said she wants to set an example for him by showing that having one hand doesn’t affect her.

“I can still do all the things that other people can do,” Pitzman said. “I can succeed in school, life and sports despite having one hand … I’m thankful to be born the way I was. I wouldn’t change it.”•

Freshman Megan Pitzman runs the steeplechase at the 47th Pelluer Invitational on April 12. She posted the Eagles' best steeplechase mark of the year with 12:13.88 minutes at the Oregon State High Performance meet on April 26. | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

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