VOLUME 15 ISSUE 10 | WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY| FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
Veteran Success Center supports ex-military students
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Western falls to University of Alaska Anchorage 61-79
BY ALLISON OPSON CLEMENT NEWS EDITOR The Veteran Success Center helps college students who’ve served in the military connect to each other and find resources they need. It offers a space for the variety of presentations and meetings it hosts, as well as a hang-out area. The center opened its own location in the Werner University Center earlier this year, and is growing as a resource to student veterans. “There does need to be something out there for student veterans,” said Veterans Coordinator Kyle Rodgers. “College is hard for anybody.” With the added challenges vets face re-entering academia, it’s important that they have somewhere to turn when they need help, he explained. A 2012 study by the Colorado Workforce Development Council estimates that 3 percent of student veterans graduate from university; 88 percent drop out within their first year. Rodgers says that those numbers may not an entirely accurate reflection of current trends, at Western in particular, but noted that such reports can highlight a major problem that needs to be addressed. “Some of the stuff is pretty minor,” Rodgers said of the challenges student veterans have to deal with. “But then, some of the stuff is pretty serious.” Cody Knight, veteran liaison, said that the age and experience gap between traditional students fresh out of high school and military veterans can create a huge divide. The Veteran Success Center helps people navigate their GI Bill benefits gaps and caveats, which may have a significant impact on the ability of a veteran to continue their education. Student veterans are supposed to have a full ride to college, and yet their drop-out rates are consistently above average, in some cases by a wide margin. By and large, Rodgers said, the GI Bill is still a big advantage, but negotiating through it takes some work. “All that stuff kind of compounds,” Rodgers said. The center can help bridge the gap to success. There are hundreds of programs to support veterans, and he can tell them where to look. Drop in support groups and other meetings are held on Tuesday. Along with Rodgers, two work study students are paid by the VA. All three are veterans. According to Knight, more people are coming in this term, now that news of the Veteran Success Center on campus is spreading. CENTER PAGE 2 >>
Growing English tutoring program serves international students well at college BY ALI ALJOHANI FREELANCER
Guard Jordan Mottershaw attempts a 3-pointer during last night’s game against University of Anchorage. The Wolves lost 61-79. See PAGE 5 for a round-up of winter break games. PHOTO BY MATTHEW COULTER
With international student enrollment rising, Western created an English Tutoring Center (ETC) last fall to help non-native speakers of English practice their language skills. Last term, tutors provided 160 hours of assistance to 59 individuals, who visited the ETC a total of 153 times. According to Dr. Robert Troyer, linguistics professor and director of the ETC, international students need support for the reading, researching, speaking, and listening demands of other classes and FOR MORE INFO of informal situations. He said WHAT: that the ETC is Free English language meant to protutoring vide whatever English help WHO: students want, International students from help with and other non-native assignments to English speakers conversation practice. WHERE & WHEN: Western had 12 to 5 p.m. Monday to 351 internaThursday in APSC 501, tional students and 7 to 10 p.m. Monday enrolled this fall. to Thursday in room 228 Most have taken in the library (by drop-in English classes or appointment) with professors who focus on the understanding of the language, but the professors in university classes focus on the topic. As a result, some international students have a hard time getting the information from their classes. “Our international students enter WOU often with little exposure to English outside of English classes for language learners,” Troyer said. TUTORING PAGE 8 >>
IN THIS ISSUE ENTERTAINMENT
CAMPUS LIFE
New Year’s Eve injuries and misfortunes PAGE 6
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Runaway trains and livestock mishaps PAGE 3
CAMPUS LIFE Open mic night PAGE 2
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NEWS
2 THE JOURNAL 345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
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>>CENTER: Vets help other vets graduate Rodgers’ role focuses on the recruitment to and retention of veterans at Western. Students who are connected to campus are more successful academically, and are less likely to leave. Rodgers says he tries to put on at least one program every week or every other week. One presenter helps with resumes; another helps with financial planning. “Even though you’re 22, 23, and expected to know all this, you don’t,” Rodgers said. In addition to helping individual veterans, if many people have the same problem or idea, Rodgers can help them get together and make it actionable. “We can then bring a collective voice to ASWOU or the administration,” Rodgers said. Rodgers said that it is important to get the Veteran Success Center and the people it supports involved in the community. They helped with the Toys for Tots drive, and Rodgers said that he is trying to raise more awareness this term; for fall, he said, it was a learning curve figuring out what works to get veterans’ attention. “We bring our collective knowledge here to help each other,” said Dolan Kasnick, the third member
of the center’s team. The center is intended to help get ex-military students better connected to campus, and help them succeed in their time here. Having the center also helps out the rest of campus, said Rodgers, because it frees up the registrar’s office from veterans’ questions, which helps streamline their process more, and they may be able to provide more assistance. Veterans should come to the center, first, even before approaching the Registrar’s office. Western’s Veteran Success Center is also home to an affiliated chapter of the national Student Veterans of America (SVA), which is dedicated to providing help to ex-military members, for graduation and beyond. This allows the center to offer SVA-exclusive scholarships and additional opportunities to Western’s student veterans. Western’s SVA chapter has about 40 members. “It’s nice to be able to come in here to talk to other guys who know what you’re talking about,” Knight said. Kasnick said the goal is to collaborate to help today’s veteran students, and also to enrich the life of future returning military service members at Western. “It’s that whole thing of not having to go it alone,” Rodgers said. “It’s nice to at least know where resources are.” The Veteran Success Center is located in room 108 of the WUC.
Kevin Alejandrez gives his best on stage during open mic. PHOTO BY AMANDA CLARKE
Students Share Their Talents through Karaoke BY AMANDA CLARKE
WEB DESIGNER DANIEL FRANK journalweb@wou.edu
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER HAYDEN RUE STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER MEG ARTMAN
STAFF WRITER
Open-Mic Night was held in the Willamette Room of the Werner University Center by the Student Activities Board on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. Members of the audience volunteered and sang karaoke songs. “It gives students a break and a chance to get their talents out,” said Kara Kelsey, a member of the SAB. There was a wide variety of music, including Spanish songs, songs by the Beach Boys and
“Happy Birthday,” which was performed for one of the audience members. “I really like to get the audience involved,” SAB Small Programs Coordinator Kevin Alejandrez said, who participated in the karaoke and let the audience pick the song he sang. Members of Kappa Delta Chi also performed. The next Open Mic Night will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
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Western Oregon staff member performs in “Dr. Dolittle”
SUBMISSIONS THE JOURNAL 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 JOURNAL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE JOURNAL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE JOURNAL at Terry House or email to journaleditor@wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Wednesday 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 necessarily reflect those of THE JOURNAL or Western Oregon University.
BY JENNIFER HALLEY CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
A memorial in Western’s Veteran Success Center for MIA and POW soldiers keeps alive a tribute to those who have served. PHOTO BY ALLISON OPSON CLEMENT
THE JOURNAL | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
For this weekend only, Salem’s community theatre, Pentacle Theatre, is presenting the musical “Dr. Dolittle,” at Central High School in Independence. Patrick Moser, interim director of Werner University Center, is one of the performers. The play is designated as a fundraiser for Pentacle, and according to Moser, all proceeds go to the theatre itself and its future productions.
“Dr. Dolittle” is an extra production by Pentacle and is produced with a limited set. It is based off the books by Hugh Lofting, as well as the Fox movies, starring Eddie Murphy. The production starts Friday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m., with two performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9. A final matinee will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10.
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Flashback
F r i d a y
A feature exploring the Hamersly Library University Archives
ith the rapid growth of the American population in the 1800s, the time had come for a revolutionary form of mass transit to originate. Through the nation’s introduction to steam locomotives, even small towns such as Monmouth became familiar with railway transportation. Monmouth was once home to not one, but two railroads: The Oregonian Railway, later known as Southern Pacific, and the Independence and Monmouth Railway Company. However, the I & M was the railroad Monmouth citizens could call their very own. In “Monmouth, Oregon: the Saga of a Small American Town,” Scott McArthur writes about the I & M’s principal shareholder, Independence banker, Herman Hirschberg’s claim to having the shortest railroad in the country. While no one ever cared to check the
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accuracy of his statement, with only 2 ½ miles of track — stretching from Second Street west along E Street in Independence and ending at Warren and Jackson Streets in Monmouth — it wasn’t hard to believe. In the I & M’s 1895 annual report, the grand total cost consisting of both construction and equipment stood at $22,702.77. This included the 12-ton locomotive which cost $4,045.32, the passenger car at $2,157.98 and the flat freight car with a price of $385. McArthur documents instances of trains barreling down the tracks and killing livestock that had wandered in front of its nearly unstoppable path. McArthur also described instances of runaway cars and overloaded trains that almost did not make it up the street.
TOP RIGHT: An aerial view of historic Monmouth. BOTTOM PHOTO: Residents gather at the train station in Monmouth, dated 1912. WOU ARCHIVES PHOTOS.
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The Jan. 31, 1974, edition of the Polk Sun Monmouth Herald, the small car is depictdetails the inaugural run of the I & M. The ed as carrying its own turntable in which initial trip took place on Aug. 25, 1890 and the operator used to swivel the car around transported 143 passengers, who paid five on the tracks for the return trip. cents each to board, from the Southern PaWhile the I & M boasted three lococific depot in Independence to Monmouth. McArthur describes a humorous moment during the inaugural run. Upon reaching Beeler Hill on Jackson Street, the train’s engine stalled due to the equipment being new and stiff. The men on the train helped push the train up the hill before climbing back aboard and made a triumphant, if somewhat asthmatic, entry into Monmouth. Over the course of the day, the railroad was able to collect 543 fares staying at five cents each as locals continued to ride back BY ELIZABETH LOWRY and forth between InFREELANCER dependence and Monmouth. In the first 11 months of operation, making six trips daily, the I & M transported a total motives, two passenger cars, and two of 47,031 passengers. freight-passenger cars in 1913, profits soon In 1902, the I & M leased declined in the wake of the affordable autracks from Southern Pacific tomobile. in order to expand its transit In the I & M’s income statements, tranto nearby towns Airlie and scribed in “Moody’s Manual of Railroads Dallas. By 1909, the I & M and Corporation Securities,” passenger added a small gasoline pow- earnings went from as much as $3,617 in ered passenger car to their the years 1911–1912 to an abysmal $30 in company, dubbed “the Peanut the years 1914–1915. Roaster.” The I & M ended service officially in In an undated article of the 1918.
Runaway trains and livestock mishaps for historic Monmouth railroads
THE JOURNAL | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
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ESPN anchor Stuart Scott passes away at 49 BY RACHEL SHELLEY SPORTS EDITOR
ESPN lost a legend on Sunday, Jan. 4. Stuart Scott was 49 years old and was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. He was the catalysis to the new century of the way sports was broadcasted, and one of the most memorable and inspiring faces on television. Scott was not only an actor starring in television shows and movies like “Drumline,” “Herbie: Fully Loaded” and “The Longest Yard,” but also a father to two daughters, Taelor and Sydni, a Jimmy V Award winner at the 2014 ESPY Awards and, most importantly, one of the staples to the change and improvement of the way sports was reported on television. Known for his enthusiasm, love and passion for sports, unique style and catchphrases such as “BOO-YAH,” “as cool as the other side of the pillow,” and “he must be the bus driver ‘cause he was takin’ him to school,” Scott used his inspiring and entertaining personality to impact everyone around him
on and off the air. In 1993, Scott entered ESPN during the creation of ESPN2 as a frequent on SportsSmash and SportsNight before earning a seat in SportsCenter and covering some of the largest events in sports. Scott covered the NBA and NFL for ESPN and in 2002, was named studio host for the NBA on ESPN. By 2008, he had earned lead host for NBA on ESPN and ABC where he anchored the NBA finals and SportsCenter’s prime-time. Covering the NBA finals from 1997 until 2014, Scott became a familiar face and a familiar voice, anchoring some memorable sports history and using his fancy catchphrases to capture exactly what sports is about: passion and enthusiasm. Scott was not only a memorable and historic figure on ESPN and to the public, but also an inspiration and a fighter. In December 2012, Scott’s illness returned and he began sharing more details with the public, including that he only missed ESPN for chemotherapy treatments every other Monday and that he would train at a mixedmartial arts gym afterwards.
Men’s basketball, 11-3 overall, geared up for conference play BY JACOB HANSEN STAFF WRITER
Guard Devon Alexander (#0) pulls up against a defender during a non-conference game this season. Alexander leads the team with 2.1 steals per game and 2.9 assists per game. PHOTO BY NEIL GRAVATT STAFF PHOTGRAPHER
THE JOURNAL | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
For someone battling such a debilitating disease, he was determined to prove nothing could slow him down or decrease his experiences in life. “When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer,” Scott said during his acceptance speech at the 2014 ESPYS. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.” The impact upon athletes and colleagues has shown bright through their public remembrances and statements on how much of a pioneer Scott was for this organization and for those around him. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald expressed his thoughts on Scott’s passing through Twitter with this statement: “Stuart Scott was more than a great father; he was a most cherished friend, a signature sports anchor and entertainer, more than a prophet for the power of mass communications. He became the voice of daily sports on a national level at a time when sports communication was proliferating into a phenom enon that changed the way we digested the
The Western Oregon University men’s basketball team brought in the New Year with a bang as they concluded a nine-game winning streak. Scoring more than 100 points in their last two games and breaking a single game 3-point record (20), the Wolves were looking unstoppable. The Wolves lost on New Year’s Day by a close seven-point margin (76-83) at Seattle Pacific University. They were able to rally just two days later after a long road trip to Billings, Mont., to solidify another conference win against Montana State University (72-64). The Wolves are currently 3-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and 11-3 overall. They rank second in the GNAC in scoring defense, allowing only 65.1 points per game, as the Wolves have not allowed more than 83 points to be scored in a single game so far this season. The Wolves are led by guard Devon Alexander who has started 30 games in a row and leads the GNAC with 2.1 steal per game. Alexander also leads the team with 2.9 assists per game. Starting alongside Alexander is guard Jordan Wiley, who is averaging 8.7 points per game along with 2.7 rebounds a game. Wiley leads the team with 30 3-point field goals this season. The dynamic duo constantly threatens teams with their speed and range abilities as Alexander has 17 3-pointers of his own this season.
SPORTS
heroics of athletic prowess.” Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant was also greatly impacted by Scott’s passing. During a post-game interview he was asked about his reaction: “The sports world lost a legend. I certainly grew up wanting to be on SportsCenter just to have him comment on a highlight or two of mine. He’s really changed the vernacular of sports and added such a, kind of a hip-hop culture to the sports game. He battled hard, I can’t say enough about what an inspiration he’s been.” Besides the inspiration Scott instilled in so many young athletes, professional athletes he was interviewing, viewers, coworkers and public figures, he truly was a pioneer, “Hall-of-Famer,” to SportsCenter and ESPN. Since the beginning, his personality and style slowly created a positive growth to the way we view and broadcast sports. He will forever be remembered and continue to inspire those around him to live life to the absolute fullest, as cool as the other side of the pillow.
A lot of the opportunities come from point guard and notorious “dime-dropper” Julian Nichols as he ranks third in the GNAC in assists per game handing out five assists per game. Nichols also leads the GNAC in 3-point percentage hitting 50 percent (14-for-28) of his shots. Forwards Andy Avgi and Lewis Thomas dominated the paint for the Wolves with a combined 176 rebounds this season. Avgi earned GNAC honorable mentions as a redshirt sophomore and looks to continue his impressive career as he scored double figures in 13 of 14 games this season, including a season high 26 against Alaska Fairbanks on Dec. 4. Avgi is also tied for first in the GNAC in blocked shots per game, rejecting an average of 2.8 shots per game. A big relief for Avgi and Thomas is forward Marwan Sarhan. Standing 6 feet 8 inches and weighing in at 220 pounds, his presence is a force on the court. Averaging over eight points a game, Sarhan can be a game changer as well. He scored 13 points and pulled down a team high of seven rebounds last week in their win against Montana. Head Coach and Western Oregon alumnus, Brady Bergeson had his eyes set on the conference championship during his fourth year on the job. “Sometimes growth is steady; sometimes it comes in bursts,”
Bergeson said. “Ours is steady.” With 14 games left in the season, the title as champion is still up for grabs. “The two games this weekend are crucial,” Bergeson said. “It’s a very balanced conference.” Western Oregon played their first home game of 2015, Thursday, Jan. 8, against Northwest Nazarene University before welcoming Central Washington University on Saturday Jan. 10, which tips off at 7:30 p.m. The Northwest Nazarene Crusaders entered Thursday’s game with an overall record of 4-9 that includes a 2-1 record in GNAC play. The Crusaders are on a two-game win streak as they beat rival Central Washington last weekend. They lead the all-time series against Western 31-24. Central Washington enters the game at 7-3 overall and 2-1 in GNAC games. Northwest Nazarene snapped the Wildcats five-game win streak as they look to bounce back. They trail in the all-time series 43-54 against the wolves. “We need to play the way we play and make opponents adapt,” said Bergeson on this weekend’s games. “There isn’t really an X factor, we just need to stick to what we do, and we’ll be fine.” The Wolves will play three of their next five games at home before hitting the road for 5-of-7 games in February to close out the regular season.
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Women’s basketball stands 4-7 overall as they start bulk of conference play BY RACHEL SHELLEY SPORTS EDITOR The women’s basketball team stayed busy this winter break playing six games since Dec. 4, 2014, including three conference match-ups and sweeping the competition during the Las Vegas Challenge on Dec. 17-18. The Wolves finished up 3-3 before the bulk of the conference play begins. The first conference match-up on Dec. 4, 2014 the Wolves beat Northwest Nazarene 70-68. Forward Dana Goularte registered her fourth straight doubledouble against the Crusaders and the Wolves shot a combined 41 percent from the field. The Wolves had three players in double digit points and took advantage of offensive rebounding with 22 second chance points. The bench combined for 18 of the teams 70 points. Goularte scored a game-high 17 points despite the loss against conference team Central Washington on Dec. 6, 2014 34-60. The Wildcats snapped the Wolves two game winning streak, allowing Western to only two second chance points. Following another loss to California Baptist University, the Wolves traveled to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Challenge on Dec. 17 and 18. Western defeated Holy Names University (Calif.) 73-60 where center Emily Howey scored a careerhigh 16 points. The Wolves shot a combined 39.7 percent from the field and added 20 second chance
points. Western held the Hawks to zero second chance points in the first half. The second and final game of the Las Vegas Challenge the Wolves defeated Dixie State University 66-53. Goularte surpassed the 1,000-point mark of her career during the game. She also had a game-high 10 rebounds and earned her sixth double-double of the season. The Wolves last game to end the holiday break was a conference match-up against Saint Martin’s University where they fell 58-69. Although Western combined for 40 percent from the field, Goularte was the only to score in double figures with a game-high 19 points. The Wolves were only able to capitalize on 10 second chance points and two fast break points. The bench scored 18 of the Wolves 58. The team is led by Goularte who is averaging 16.2 points per game and 10.7 blocks a game. Howey leads the team with a 55 percent field goal percentage while guard/forward Sami Osborne leads the Wolves with 86 percent from the free-throw line. Guard Jordan Mottershaw is average 12.3 points per game and shoots 85 percent from the free-throw line. The Wolves welcome University of Alaska to Monmouth on Jan. 10 for their first conference matchup of the season at 5:15 p.m. Western Oregon leads Alaska 24-16 in the history of the match-up’s between these two.
1/10 -
Womenʼs Basketball
5:15 pm
v. University of Alaska
Menʼs Basketball
v. Central Washington
1/17 -
Menʼs Basketball
7:30 pm
7:00 pm
v. Saint Martinʼs
1/22 -
Womenʼs Basketball
7:00 pm
v. Seattle Pacific
1/24 -
Womenʼs Basketball
3:00 pm
v. Montana State
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Center Emily Howey (#31) fights through two defenders during their 61-79 loss against University of Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, January 8th. PHOTO BY MATT COULTER
Western’s literary magazine hot off the press The Northwest Passage, Western’s literary and arts magazine, is now on stands. Original poetry, short fiction, plays and lyrics can now be submitted for the spring term issue of the Passage. Contact editor Bethany McWhorter at northwestpassage@wou.edu for more information. THE JOURNAL | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
6 EVENT
Bringing in the New Year with mass peril
CALENDAR RAINBOW DANCE THEATRE CONCERT Friday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 in Rice Auditorium $25 admission
As part of the Smith Fine Arts Series, Rainbow Dance Theatre will be premiering their new show iLumiDance on Friday. Combining dance and the concept of illumination, this is a show that is sure to wow audiences. According to the Spokesman Review, the distinctive choreography of artistic directors Darryl Thomas and Valerie Bergman creates “an exotic feast for the senses.” The show will be held Friday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Rice Auditorium. Tickets are $25.
ART GALLERY EXHIBIT
Jan. 7 to Feb. 6 in Cannon Gallery of Art The Dan and Gail Cannon Gallery of Art at Western Oregon University is proud to announce a new exhibit, WORK & MORE WORK, Robert x 2/ Fragments & Paper, showcasing mixed media sculptures, drawings, and installations by Robert Tomlinson and Robert Schlegel. The artists will give a talk in the gallery on Friday, Jan. 16 from noon to 1 p.m.
HAMERSLY LIBRARY EXHIBIT RECEPTION Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 4:30. Admission is free
“BOYCOTT! The Art of Economic Activism” Featuring 58 posters from more than 20 diverse and world-changing historical boycotts, this exhibition was created by The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Center for the Study of Political Graphics (CSPG). Some of the boycotts included are the Montgomery Bus Boycott, United Farm Workers’ Grape and Lettuce Boycott, divestment from South Africa to protest Apartheid, and many others. 2nd floor Gallery Jan. 5 through Feb. 15. “Reverberations of the Great War” 2014-2018 marks the centennial of the Great War, WWI, where “the methods and weaponry of modern warfare were born and tens of millions of people were killed or maimed.” In many ways, WWI set the groundwork for much of the political, social, and cultural change of the 20th century across the globe. Included in the exhibit are time-period poems and family histories selected and compiled by Western professor Dr. Henry Hughes, as well as artifacts and student soldier letters from the Western Archives. 3rd floor galleries Jan. 5 through March 20. This information was provided by the Smith Fine Arts Series and the Office of Public Relations.
THE JOURNAL | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
Fireworks go off as the clock strikes 12 in Times Square. PHOTO FROM NEWSWEEK.COM BY AMANDA MCMASTERS COPY EDITOR Bringing in the New Year typically brings to mind images of champagne, watching the ball drop in Times Square and everyone breaking out into a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne.” The masses are filled with hope as fireworks go off and everyone looks forward to a better year, making all sorts of resolutions that probably won’t be kept. This year, however, New Year’s Eve turned into an evening of mishap and misfortune around the globe, bringing ambulances and injuries instead of poppers and party hats. In Shanghai, China, a stampede
during New Year’s Eve festivities left 36 dead and 47 injured according to CNN news reports. More than 300,000 people had gathered in Chenyi Square to celebrate when the stampede occurred 20 minutes before midnight, lasting about 30 seconds. Adding to the tragedy, 593 people were injured in fireworks-related incidents on New Year’s Eve in the Philippines. More than half of the reported injuries were caused by illegal fireworks. Closer to home, a man was seriously injured during New Year’s festivities at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, Ore. Austin Bottcher was taken to Legacy Immanuel Hospital in Portland after
being attacked by a bull in the arena three times. Bottcher was participating in what is known as Bull Poker, which is playing a hand of poker in the middle of the arena while a bucking bull is released and whoever stays seated the longest wins the cash prize. Bottcher rang in the New Year in surgery to reconnect his femur to his hip after volunteering and paying to play the game in the arena. Check out the video footage of the Linn County Fairground bull attack taken by Amanda McMasters at www.wou. edu/WesternJournal
COMIC CORNER MY ROOMMATE IS A DINOSAUR by Anonymous
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OPINION
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A Timeline of the Sony Hack How “The Interview” became a game-changer for Hollywood
During the break, you likely caught wind of the strange and terrible saga that was the controversial Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy “The Interview.” The timeline of events that lead to the film’s rollercoaster of BY NATHANIEL a release week began DUNAWAY back in June, when the ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR North Korean Foreign Ministry released a statement saying the film, which — if you don’t already know — details a convoluted and comedic plot to assassinate Kim Jong-Un, was an “act of war.” In the film, James Franco plays an extremely popular celebrity talk show host named Dave Skylark, who receives the opportunity of a lifetime when his producer, Aaron Rapaport (Rogen), books him an in-person interview with the leader of the militarized nation of North Korea. The CIA approach Skylark and Rapaport, asking them to eliminate Kim Jong-Un. The CIA believes that Un’s death will lead to a successful uprising and revolution of the Korean people. In their statement, the Ministry also asserted that the film, which, it should be reiterated, stars the two pot-head burnouts from “Freaks and Geeks,” was “reckless U.S. provocative insanity.” Skip ahead to November, when another statement from North Korea threatened “catastrophic consequences” for the release of the comedy by the guys who brought you “This Is the End” and “Neighbors.” One week later, during Thanksgiving week, employees at Sony Pictures Entertainment found their computers invaded by an image of a grinning skull and the message “this is just the beginning” on their screens. Five Sony releases, which included “Fury” and “Annie,” were leaked online and downloaded by millions. It becomes clear to Sony that a huge amount of their company’s data has been compromised. On Dec. 1, thousands of emails and other documents pertaining to Sony executives and employee’s salaries are leaked online, immediately leading to hundreds of media outlets to publish the stolen material. That week, Sony employees receive emails from the hackers responsible, calling themselves the “Guardians of Peace.” The emails threaten the employee’s families if they don’t renounce their company. North Korea is strongly suspected of being behind the cyber-attack, due to similarities between this hack and the hack on South Korean businesses, perpetrated by North Korea. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, North Korea denies involvement. In the ensuing weeks, scripts are leaked, financial spreadsheets are deleted, and Sony’s stocks are plummeting.
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On Dec. 16, the Guardians of Peace sent an email to various news outlets, stating “we will clearly show it to you at the very time and places The Interview be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to. Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made. The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time.” The Sony hack, now a prime example of cyber-terrorism, suddenly became a matter of Homeland Security. North Korea becomes the number one suspect. By Dec. 23, mainly due to nearly all major theatre chains refusing the show the film, Sony has scrapped all plans for a Christmas release of “The Interview,” a decision that is derided by many as an act of negotiating with terrorists and simply giving in to the demands of the hackers. On Christmas Day, 2014, “The Interview” is made available online via YouTube Movies and Google Play for $5.99. In the first four days of its release, the film rakes in $15 million. Despite being dropped by the large theater corporations, just over 300 independent movie theaters screen the film, bringing in a total of $5 million. The budget for “The Interview”, according to IMDb. com, was $36 million, a figure that has very nearly been reached in box-office revenue. Sony has almost made its money back, which is surprising, considering that just two weeks ago it appeared as though Sony had a catastrophe on their hands. The hacking of Sony and the insanity that followed was unprecedented for Hollywood. In terms of scope and lasting effect, it blows last year’s nude photo leak completely out of the water. It’s made a farcical, screwball comedy into a successful art house film, a film that has broken records left and right when it comes to digital release revenue. Yes, “The Interview” is stupid (and hilarious), and yes, Sony pulling the film from its initial release has set a disturbing precedent that we may not see the residual effects of for some time, but Hollywood, and the way those within Hollywood think about the way people want to see and consume films, has changed, to some extent for the better. To be bold, it’s as though we’re now living in a “post-Interview” world; a world where the standards what can and can’t be controversial and revolutionary are set differently for all types of films, not just comedies. But isn’t the fact that those standards have been altered because of a comedy pretty cool? I think it is. You should watch “The Interview,” though not simply because it’s a game-changer. You should watch it because it’s funny; it’s crass, it’s irreverent, it’s dumb, and you should watch it because there are people out there who don’t want you to.
PHOTO FROM HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA
THE JOURNAL | FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2015
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8 >>TUTORING: Students connect through language The ETC helps students with speaking, listening, and reading comprehension including reading source materials and paraphrasing them for use in academic papers – basically everything except writing which students can get help with from the Writing Center, Troyer said. Tutors must have specific skills to be allowed to provide their services. “All of the tutors except one have been through or are currently working on a Certificate Program for Teaching English as a Foreign Language,” Troyer explained. “I recruit tutors from our TEFL program because they are undergraduates who have the specific skills needed to help international students with English – and being tutors gives them more experience working with language learners.” The ETC provides jobs and experience for students. There are both volunteers and paid positions. The ETC is open 32 hours per week, with at least one, and sometimes two, tutors present the whole time. “I have always loved helping people, and I have a passion for languages, so becoming an English Tutor made sense,” said ETC tutor Alex O’Neil, an ASL studies major and linguistics minor. “I love meeting new people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I enjoy learning from my students as well as helping them.” Because American and international students have different cultures, there is a gap between them. O’Neil advised her fellow tutors to assure their students that they are in a safe place and that they can speak their mind, and don’t have to be embarrassed by their language skills. She said that everyone has some area to improve in, and that they will figure it out. Also, some students are more focused on accuracy, so they take their time gathering their thoughts, she added, counseling patience for tutors. “The ETC is a great program, with kind tutors,” said international student Abdulaziz Aleid. “They help me with speaking, listening, and reading. Also, the ETC is a chance for the international students to know more about American culture.” One final word of advice from O’Neil is directed toward American students: “I think it would be awesome if we just talked with them in and out of class, to help them feel more welcome. Obviously, it would be nice if we could make study groups with them, but even going as far as to talk with them about their home country and their interest is a step in the right direction.” No appointments are necessary, but the web page tells who is tutoring at which times. From the search box in the upper right corner of any WOU webpage, type ‘English tutor’ to find the webpage with hours, locations, and tutors.
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International students have a chance to work one-on-one with a tutor to improve their skills in reading, paraphrasing, writing, listening and speaking. PHOTO BY ALI ALJOHANI
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