Vol. III, Issue 8
November 24, 2020
E D I S B R U S C N O I S S E 4 E C G A N P O C
2
The Western Howl
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
Lifestyle
345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
wou.edu/westernhowl
CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING DURING COVID
Editor-in-Chief CORA MCCLAIN howleditor@wou.edu
Managing Editor RYLIE HORRALL rhorrall17@wou.edu
Enjoy Thanksgiving together while social distancing Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor | avanderzanden19@wou.edu
News Editor
COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, including celebrating holidays. It’s important to stay safe and protect loved ones by maintaining social distancing and adhering to state
SYDNEY CARPENTER scarpenter18@wou.edu
Lifestyle Editor
ALLISON VANDERZANDEN avanderzanden19@wou.edu
Entertainment Editor NATALIE DEAN ndean17@wou.edu
Sports Editor TBD
Photo Editor
KIARA WEHRENBERG kwehrenberg19@wou.edu
Head Designer KYLE MORDEN
kmorden17@wou.edu
Designer TBD
Copy Editor
SEAN MARTINEZ smartinez17@wou.edu
Digital Media Manager STEPHANIE MOSCHELLA
howldigitalmediamanager@wou.edu
Advertising Managers KYLE MORDEN & TIFFANY STRUHAR howladvertising@wou.edu
Gobble down
Continued on back
Photos by Allison Vanderzanden
this Thanksgiving Three alternative Thanksgiving recipes to make this year Allison Vanderzanden Lifestyle Editor | avanderzanden19@wou.edu Thanksgiving is all about the food, but the traditional ovenroasted turkey and stuffing may not be for everyone. Whether looking to try something new, create a twist on the classics or the
usual meals are just getting old, there are dozens of ways to spice up Thanksgiving dinner. Find the recipes for these alternative Thanksgiving dishes on our website, wou.edu/westernhowl.
Student Media Adviser PATRICK MOSER moserp@wou.edu
SUBMISSIONS THE WESTERN HOWL encourages readers to share their opinion through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name. Contact information will not be published unless requested. Unsigned submissions will not be printed and original copies will not be returned. Letters to the editor may be up to 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 500 words. THE WESTERN HOWL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE WESTERN HOWL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE WESTERN HOWL at Terry House or email to howleditor@ wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Monday at 5 p.m. to be considered for print. All opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of THE WESTERN HOWL or Western Oregon University.
and national guidelines. Here are some new Thanksgiving traditions to try with family and friends this year.
This Thanksgiving spread is a fun twist on the traditional dishes.
@thewesternhowl
These recipes are great for sharing with loved ones.
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
The Western Howl
News
wou.edu/westernhowl
STUDENTS STAY FED FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK
Photo by Stephanie Moschella
3
Valsetz accommodates students opting to stay on campus over the Thanksgiving holiday Sydney Carpenter News Editor | scarpenter18@wou.edu During the holidays, most Western students return home to see family and friends. Under current circumstances with the two-week statewide freeze, many students have chosen to reside on campus through the entirety of Thanksgiving break. In a survey sent out by University Housing as of Sept. 13, nearly 25% of the 536 respondents stated they were staying on campus. During Thanksgiving break, services like Campus Dining will be closed to allow student and staff workers time to
Depicted is first year, ASL studies major, Madison Bice and first year, ASL interpreting major, Carla Diaz checking out from Valsetz’s Online Pick-Up counter, manned by position name.
enjoy the holiday festivities. However, like years prior to 2020, Campus Dining Services offered provisionals to those students on campus. “What we end up doing is we ask students to put in an order,” said Albert Worotikan, Director of Campus Dining. “We can provide them with food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) that will stay (good) for three to four days like milk, sandwiches or frozen pizzas that they can order in advance and pick up before we close on Wednesday at 2
o’clock.” After Thanksgiving break, Worotikan reported that Valsetz plans to convert its services to entirely online orders for the rest of fall term. “Because some of the students who are coming back might be traveling around, we want to make sure we don’t spread the virus,” said Worotikan. “We will be adding an additional two weeks because we want to ensure the safety of students and staff.” During that time, students will not be
permitted to sit in the dining halls and are expected to continue wearing their masks and remaining six feet apart. If students who are staying on campus still haven’t submitted their order for the four-day break, Worotikan said that while the deadline has passed, students can email him at worotikana@mail.wou. edu and ask for an extension. Worotikan explained that he too has children and understands that in times like these, extensions are important and students need understanding and support.
Photo by Stephanie Moschella
Sign here: Petition for changing guest policy Students rally behind petition advocating for a change in resident hall guest visitation policies Sydney Carpenter News Editor | scarpenter18@wou.edu On campus, University Housing has adapted to the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19 by reducing housing capacity, reducing double rooms to singulars, ensuring masks are worn, prohibiting off-campus guests and students from visiting other students if they do not live in the same building. In response to the current visitation policies, junior English education major Maya Schlosser-Hall created a petition advocating for a change. “I created the petition because my partner also lives on campus, but in
Currently, visitation policies prohibit on-campus students from visiting a hall they do not have a fob for.
a different building,” said SchlosserHall. “The intention of the rule is clear; housing wants to protect their students from possible exposure. I have nothing but respect for housing staff and all the hard work they do. However, I do believe there are other ways of supporting students.” After creating the petition, SchlosserHall received 193 responses. From there, Schlosser-Hall organized a meeting with Tina Fuchs — Dean of Students, Director, University Housing — and Shelly Clark — Associate Director,
Residential Education. “I was expecting to not be taken seriously,” said Schlosser-Hall. “I started the meeting knowing Kate Brown had submitted a two-week freeze over Oregon due to spikes of COVID-19.” Much to Schlosser-Hall’s surprise, she reported that both Fuchs and Clark were encouraging and adamant in hearing what she had to say. According to Schlosser-Hall, University Housing is listening to their residents; discussions regarding the policy had already been in process
@thewesternhowl
prior to the petition. Additionally, guest policies will be reflected upon prior to every term, and both Fuchs and Clark are taking the petition into deep consideration. “One of the solutions (given to me by another student) is to think of guests as a resource for other students on campus. Instead of fully opening guest policies, this suggestion asks students to document one or two people they deem necessary for their mental, physical and academic wellbeing,” explained Schlosser-Hall.
4
The Western Howl
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
Entertainment
wou.edu/westernhowl
Photo by Rylie Horrall
BEAT THE HOLIDAY STRESS WITH SOME FUNKY TUNES Enjoy a playlist that travels through the ‘60s and ’90s Natalie Dean Entertainment Editor | ndean17@wou.edu The holiday season is finally here, and while it’s an exciting time to spread cheer, some days are longer than others. People need ways to unwind and kill time in between the holiday get-togethers. Here are 15 songs to help distract from the stressfulness of the holidays, ranging from the 1960s to 1990s; there’s bound to be quite a few throwbacks and other well-loved tunes. Find a few artists to revisit, and add some of these groovy classics to a playlist. Don’t forget to check out the playlist with all these hits under “Beat the holiday stress with some funky tunes~” on Spotify at TheWesternHowl.
PLAY
The Independence Cinema is open for curbside concessions, however they are not currently accepting cash for payments.
Independence Cinema
adapts and overcomes
“Just the Two of Us” — Bill Weathers ft. Grover Washington Jr. “Give Up the Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” — Parliament “Juicy” — The Notorious B.I.G “What’s Going On” — Marvin Gaye “Love Train” — The O’Jays
Find out what movie theaters are doing to stay afloat Natalie Dean Entertainment Editor | ndean17@wou.edu
“Blue Bayou” — Roy Orbison “Play That Funky Music” — Wild Cherry “Little Lies” — Fleetwood Mac “Boogie Wonderland” — Earth, Wind, and Fire & The Emotions “Funky Town” — Lipps Inc. “Get Down on It” — Kool & The Gang “Love Her Madly” — The Doors “I Wish” — Stevie Wonder “Night Fever” — The Bee Gees “Get Down Tonight” — KC & The Sunshine
Many small businesses have been affected by the pandemic, and local shops in Oregon have especially been impacted by the recent two-week freeze mandated by Governor Kate Brown. However, this hasn’t stopped small-town shops from finding creative ways to stay open while putting safety first — like the Independence Cinema. Although they are not currently offering in-store purchases or movie viewings, people can still enjoy those classic movie theater snacks and other items with their curbside concessions. During the two-week freeze, their curbside concessions will be open every Friday and Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., where customers can get some @thewesternhowl
snacks and also purchase gift cards, which are available on their website, battlegroundcinema-com.3dcartstores. com. Along with providing goodies to all the movie lovers out there, Independence Cinema is also advocating for meaningful relief before 2021 to be provided by legislation. Movie theaters have been some of the hardest businesses hit during the pandemic, and certain measures have to be taken in order for businesses like these to still be a part of our community. Additional information on these legislation efforts, as well as future showtimes, can be found on their website, independencecinema8.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
The Western Howl
Entertainment
wou.edu/westernhowl
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from home
5
Photo courtesy of macysparadepress.com
The Thanksgiving Day debut of balloons, floats, and clowns Natalie Dean Entertainment Editor | ndean17@wou.edu The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the official start of the holiday season for many, and it has become a tradition to get comfy and watch the fourstory-high floats and balloons; for a lot of families, this year will be no exception. Anyone can tune in to NBC to watch the viewing live from 34th Street, all the way in New York, NY, alongside familiar hosts Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. NBC will be starting the parade bright and early at 6 a.m. and ending at 9 a.m. Pacific Time on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. All the performances, gigantic balloons and fantastic floats can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. The lineup is pretty impressive this year: 18 different giant balloons with great measurements. For example, their balloon of Boss Baby is 45 feet tall (roughly the size of a four-story building), 28 feet wide (six taxi cabs wide) and approximately 32 feet long (the length of five bicycles). Fans can look forward to some old favorites, like the holiday Pikachu or the 67-foot-tall Ronald McDonald, or new and improved balloons, like Boss Baby. If that isn’t enough pizzaz, there will be 17 performances from artists like country music legend herself, Dolly Parton, who will be performing “Home
The Pikachu float is one of many returning fan favorite floats for this year’s parade.
Sweet Home,” on the float for the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. To go with the wide-ranging music selection and balloon parade, there will also be two “balloonicles,” which is Macy’s term for a “balloonbased vehicle.” Instead of the balloons being filled with helium like the giant balloons, they are filled with cold air and are powered by the driver of the car. Additionally, there will be 19 different groups of clowns running around, all of which have their very own themes. Included clown groups will be the pirate
GO BIG OR GO GNOME “Gnome on the Roam,” a free holiday event in Independence Natalie Dean Entertainment Editor | ndean17@wou.edu
clowns, the nutty-cracker ballet clowns, the city tourists clowns and the classic circus clowns. But it doesn’t stop there; nine street performers like “The Big Apple Circus” and NYC’s Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band, “Heritage of Pride,” will be out and about, along with 25 elaborate and fantastical floats — all of which will top off the extravagant event. So come Thanksgiving Day, make sure to grab seconds, thirds and extra dessert, and catch up on all the excitement for this year’s coolest holiday event.
In order for the community to celebrate this year’s holiday season, many local events and traditions have to make accommodations. “Gnome on the Roam,” a free family-friendly scavenger hunt, is a holiday event hosted by the Independence Downtown Association. Running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and spanning from Nov. 28 to Jan. 9, there will be plenty of time for members of the community to participate in the scavenger hunt and find the 15 plus gnomes that are painted in the shop windows along Main Street and C Street in downtown Independence. These crafty little gnomes will be hiding well, so be on the lookout and pick @thewesternhowl
up a scavenger hunt form — they will be available in front of Indy Commons and other businesses starting Nov. 28. Once all the mystery items have been found, people can drop off the form in the dropbox at Indy Commons, 154 S Main Street, for a chance to be entered into a weekly drawing. The prizes will include $20 gift certificates to any downtown business of your choice. Updates on the “Gnome on the Roam” scavenger hunt and future events can be found on the Independence Downtown Association’s Facebook, and their Instagram page @ downtownindependence.
6
The Western Howl
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
Humor
wou.edu/westernhowl
THIS WEEK
IN COMPLETELY MADE UP
HOROSCOPES
the signs at the dinner table
Compiled by The Western Howl staff
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
Look Uncle Rob, I’m going to need you to stop sending me all lives matter memes on Facebook.
Mom, dad, I have something to tell you … I’m gay.
*silently drinks cranberry juice during the entire dinner*
I’m going to quit and get the fear.
3/21–4/19
4/20–5/20
5/21–6/20
6/21–7/22
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
I’m never going to another family dinner party. EVER
Boycott Amazon.
Listen up aunties, stop asking me if I’m in a relationship. Tinder is rough around here.
So how about them uh. SpOrts huh? Haha
7/23–8/22
8/23–9/22
9/23–10/22
10/23–11/21
SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
So uhhhh.. I lost my virginity.
So I’m a BIG supporter of pineapples on pizza. Anyone else???
How about we discuss the rise and fall of capitalism?
11/22–12/21
12/22–1/19
I’mfailinghalfofmyclasses so April how’re the kids?
1/20–2/18
2/19–3/20
LET’S TALK TURKEY PUNS Compiled by The Western Howl staff
Illustration by Rylie Horrall
Share some turkey puns during thanksgiving; they are sure to get at least a few pity chuckles. Gobble ‘til you wobble. I’d like to cut back on thanksgiving leftovers but I can’t cut back cold turkey Where do turkeys go when they die? The gravey-yard
Gravy is the turKEY to my heart
Bread-y or not, here I crumble!
What did the cranberry say to the gravy? Let’s get sauced.
Gobble me, swallow me, drip down the side of me.
It doesn’t get butter than this.
What do you call a turkey after Thanksgiving? Lucky.
Nobody puts gravy in the corner. The nap after eating is called the silence of the yams. @thewesternhowl
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
The Western Howl
Opinion
wou.edu/westernhowl
7
Western students voice their opinion on the dorm guest policy and if they would be in favor of changing it.
Illustration by Kyle Morden
Letter to the Editor
Jennifer King outlines her “Concerns for the President” in light of SCHH staffing cuts Jennifer King | Guest Contributor October 29, 2020 Dear WOU Administration and Campus Community, It is with utmost concern that I relieve my conscience prior to my departure from this institution regarding the lack of access to adequate medical and mental health care. I am well aware of what the pandemic has done to funding for this university and decisions that have been made to cut staffing were not easy nor taken lightly. That said, I cannot understand the decision to cancel student health fees for the majority of students (many still residing in rural Monmouth) resulting in elimination of services and provider layoffs leaving the health center able to
provide the absolute minimum in care during a global health pandemic of which is wreaking havoc on our country both by the disease itself as well as the decline in overall mental health and well-being. Other universities, including OSU, have not opted to remove the fee as full services are still offered and utilized via telehealth and in-person visits. I know that administration is overwhelmed with a budgetary crisis and important decisions concerning the future and even the longevity of WOU, but please consider this information from a medical professional. The ramifications of continuing to remove the nominal student health fee and how that affects access to affordable, local and quality women’s health, mental
health, and general health care as well as capability for COVID-19 testing within our community are significant. We are professionals with expertise in treatment, prevention and planning and were not consulted or asked for input in regards to protecting and providing for the physical and mental health needs of the student population. Rather, decisions were made by administrators with no medical knowledge or expertise in healthcare, and we have been told what we will do and how we will do it. With the cuts, we will be left with one male practitioner who has specialized in mental health for the past 20 years. Not to his discredit, but he recognizes his need for frequent consultation from his medical director (me) and former colleague regarding women’s health
@thewesternhowl
and acute care in office procedures and diagnoses unrelated to his area of expertise. He was previously using continuing education to become more current in these areas, but there will be no funding nor time off for this either. In addition, he is a front-line worker, considered by self-report to be high risk should he contract COVID, leaving him with undue anxiety not only concerning his own health, but leaving the clinic unstaffed should he become ill or simply need a break from the constant burden of working in this field. He has already had to self-isolate for 10 days due to possible COVID symptoms leaving no medical provider in the office. Continued on back
8
The Western Howl
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020
Tail-End
wou.edu/westernhowl
CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING
Continued from page 2
Photo by Kiara Wehrenberg
1) Virtual gathering: With numerous communication options available — such as FaceTime, Skype, Google Meet and Zoom — scheduling a virtual meeting with family and friends can be a good replacement for in-person celebrations. Each family can prepare a feast at their own tables while enjoying the company of others through a computer screen. Set a laptop at one end of the table and chat away. 2) Exchange Thanksgiving dishes: If loved ones live nearby, consider swapping side dishes. Have each household make one side dish — mashed potatoes, a casserole or a salad to name a few — and leave a dish on one another’s doorstep. If close relatives live some distance away, band together with neighbors to create a contactless potluck. 3) Share recipes: As opposed to cooking for one another, design and send loved ones recipe cards. Go old-fashioned and send a notecard in the mail, or simply text and email the recipes. Send them ahead of time so that everyone can make each other’s favorite dishes on Thanksgiving Day.
Use Zoom to video chat with friends and family.
4) Movie marathon: Enjoy some holiday classics with the household or watch one of each person’s favorite. Use Teleparty
— a Google Chrome extension — to watch along with friends and family, no matter how far they are. Leave movies playing all day, or begin the morning by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade before jumping into movies. 5) Outdoor games: If the weather permits, try hosting some games outdoors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gathering outdoors promotes social distancing and is better ventilated than indoors. Cornhole, soccer, bocce ball and Kan Jam are just a few games to be played outside, or simply toss around a football. 6) Give back: There are also many ways to help in the community this Thanksgiving. Collect canned foods and nonperishable goods to donate to a local food bank. The Food Pantry at Western is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for two hours each day; check their website — wou.edu/foodpantry — for updates. Alternatively, donate money to local organizations and charities, or cook a meal for a homebound neighbor. No matter how Thanksgiving is celebrated this year, remember to maintain social distancing when possible and wash hands often.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Continued from page 7
In addition, leaving one highly specialized provider to perform all health visits is a liability to him and to the institution, and his voiced concerns (emails earlier in the term) of this have seemingly gone unheard by his superiors. We also see a number of female students requesting a female provider for general sexual health and wellbeing screenings, contraceptive services, personal concerns, post sexual assault as well as cultural considerations that preclude them from seeing a male medical provider. We are in a limited access rural health community with few options for our students to receive health services without a personal vehicle. Furthermore, we see a number of uninsured, financially constrained students, DACA included, who repeatedly use and benefit from having access to unlimited, on campus medical
and counseling appointments and who otherwise would have no access to any affordable health care. I understand that perhaps the consideration to withhold health fees was somehow seen as beneficial and benevolent to our students from an overarching mindset that we are saving them money. That is not the case in most instances as being told they now must pay the fee (most do not even realize they pay this) to access services after financial aid and scholarships have paid their tuition and fees seemingly makes them think and/or feel it is “out of their pocket” now. Just as President Fuller volunteered to decrease his salary significantly as mentioned in the Town Hall, I would have been willing to discuss my own salary, hours, as well as benefits to continue to offer students the option to have some access to a female medical
provider. If you polled the students, and perhaps you should, ask them about how they have been put at ease and cared for by a diverse group of medical professionals during their most vulnerable times. Ask them if they mind being automatically assessed the health fee for unlimited access to all medical and mental health services by a cohesive team of professionals of different backgrounds and expertise. Ask them if they would like easy and timely access to care should they experience a medical or mental health crisis or need something simple like a COVID test or prompt treatment for a sexually transmitted infection, fall from a bicycle, emergency contraception, or other unforeseen traumatic event. Students have consistently stated in surveys that the SHCC was one of the most valuable services on campus.
@thewesternhowl
Someone should have asked their thoughts prior to the decision to dismantle our team of dedicated health care providers, and the fee-paying students should be informed of the now severely limited and inadequate access to care. This has not been communicated to the student body which is grossly inappropriate. My concerns are not of my position being terminated, but of the greater good and concern for public health, our student and campus community’s access to comprehensive care, and the absolute need of having a medical voice on this campus during a pandemic. With Utmost Concern, Jennifer King, MSN, FNP-BC Medical Services Director Western Oregon Student Health and Counseling Center
Cover photo by Kiara Wehrenberg